“In this year I began to arrange about an annual dinner to be held at the Visitation.—­My double-image micrometer was much used for observations of circumpolar double stars.—­In Magnetism and Meteorology, certain quarterly observations were kept up; but in November the system of incessant eye-observations was commenced.  I refused to commence this until I had secured a ‘Watchman’s Clock’ for mechanical verification of the regular attendance of the Assistants.—­With regard to chronometers:  In this year, for the first time, I took the very important step of publishing the rates obtained by comparisons at the Observatory.  I confined myself on this occasion to the chronometers purchased by the Admiralty.  In March a pigeon-house was made for exposure of chronometers to cold.—­The Lunar and Planetary Reductions were going on steadily.—­I was consulted about an Observatory at Oxford, where I supported the introduction of the Heliometer.—­The stipend of the Bakerian Lecture was paid to me for my explanation of Brewster’s new prismatic fringes.—­The business of the Cape Observatory and Survey occupied much of my time.—­In 1838 the Rev. H. J. Rose (Editor of the Encyclopaedia Metropolitana) had proposed my writing a Paper on Tides, &c.; In Oct. 1840 I gave him notice that I must connect Tides with Waves, and in that way I will take up the subject.  Much correspondence on Tides, &c., with Whewell and others followed.

“With regard to the Magnetical and Meteorological Establishment.  On June 18th Mr Lubbock reported from the Committee of Physics of the Royal Society to the Council in favour of a Magnetic and Meteorological Observatory near London.  After correspondence with Sheepshanks, Lord Northampton, and Herschel, I wrote to the Council on July 9th, pointing out what the Admiralty had done at Greenwich, and offering to cooperate.  In a letter to Lord Minto I stated that my estimate was L550, including L100 to the First Assistant:  Lubbock’s was L3,000.  On Aug. 11th the Treasury assented, limiting it to the duration of Ross’s voyage.  On Aug. 17th Wheatstone looked at our buildings and was satisfied.  My estimate was sent to the Admiralty, viz. L150 outfit, L520 annual expense; and Glaisher to be Superintendent.  I believe this was allowed for the present; for the following year it was placed on the Estimates.  Most of the contemplated observations were begun before the end of 1840:  as much as possible in conformity with the Royal Society’s plan.  Mr Hind (subsequently the Superintendent of the Nautical Almanac) and Mr Paul were the first extra assistants.