| Description | Present at the meeting: the President in the chair; Sir Joseph Ayloffe; Mr Belchier; James Burrow Esq; John Campbell Esq; Lord Charles Cavendish; The Honorouble Henry Cavendish; Dr Knight; Mr Maskelyne; Dr Parsons; Samuel Wegg Esq; Daniel Wray Esq; Dr Morton; Dr Maty
Minutes of last meeting read
' Mr Joseph Slack, attorney to Mr William Wales, having applied for the payment of a third quarter in advance, beginning on the 3rd instant; Ordered that Mr Burrow do advance the said third quarter, for this time. And Mr Slack was called in and acquainted, that he is not to expect any future payments, before they become due.
The Astronomer royal represented to the Council that he apprehended it would be useful to have an observation of the transit of Venus made in the N W part of Ireland, where the Sun will be 12 or degrees high at the first internal contact, and only 5 degrees high at Greenwich; and the effect of parallax at a maximum; and that Londonderry might probably be a proper place to send an Observer to; and that Mr Mason offered his service for that purpose; and that the whole expence was estimated at about £350. And it was resolved that this matter be considered at the next Counciol.
The Astronomer Royal mentioned that there will be wanting two Reflecting Telescopes with Acromatic Object Glasses, similar to others used for the observation of the transit of Venus in the north; It was ordered, that if such can be had from the Executors of Mr Short, they be now bespoke: And if not, Mr Maskelyne be at liberty to employ Mr Dollond. ' |