the Observatory, been compared with the Nautical Almanac or Burckhardt’s Tables.  The result for one year only (1852) has yet reached me, but it is most remarkable.  The sum of squares of residual errors with Hansen’s Tables is only one-eighth part of that with Burckhardt’s Tables.  When it is remembered that in this is included the entire effect of errors and irregularities of observation, we shall be justified in considering Hansen’s Tables as nearly perfect.  So great a step, to the best of my knowledge, has never been made in numerical physical theory.  I have cited this at length, not only as interesting to the Visitors from the circumstance that we have on our side contributed to this great advance, but also because an innovation, peculiar to this Observatory, has in no small degree aided in giving a decisive character to the comparison.  I have never concealed my opinion that the introduction and vigorous use of the Altazimuth for observations of the Moon is the most important addition to the system of the Observatory that has been made for many years.  The largest errors of Burckhardt’s Tables were put in evidence almost always by the Altazimuth Observations, in portions of the Moon’s Orbit which could not be touched by the meridional instruments; they amounted sometimes to nearly 40” of arc, and they naturally became the crucial errors for distinction between Burckhardt’s and Hansen’s Tables.  Those errors are in all cases corrected with great accuracy by Hansen’s Tables.’—­The Report concludes with the following paragraph:  ’With the inauguration of the new Equatoreal will terminate the entire change from the old state of the Observatory.  There is not now a single person employed or instrument used in the Observatory which was there in Mr Pond’s time, nor a single room in the Observatory which is used as it was used then.  In every step of change, however, except this last, the ancient and traditional responsibilities of the Observatory have been most carefully considered:  and, in the last, the substitution of a new instrument was so absolutely necessary, and the importance of tolerating no instrument except of a high class was so obvious, that no other course was open to us.  I can only trust that, while the use of the Equatoreal within legitimate limits may enlarge the utility and the reputation of the Observatory, it may never be permitted to interfere with that which has always been the staple and standard work here.’—­Concerning the Sheepshanks Fund:  There was much correspondence about settling the Gift till about Feb. 21st.  I took part in the first examination for the Scholarship in October of this year, and took my place with the Trinity Seniority, as one of their number on this foundation, for some general business of the Fund.—­With respect to the Correction of the Compass in Iron Ships:  I sent Mr Ellis to Liverpool to see some practice there in the correction of the Compass.  In September I urged Mr Rundell to make a voyage in the Great Eastern