| RefNo | MS/257/1/171 |
| AltRefNo | Sa.171 |
| Previous numbers | ES1/26/171 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Letter from William Radcliffe Birt, Kew Observatory to John Phllips |
| Date | 8 December 1849 |
| Description | Birt discusses the current state of affairs at the Kew Observatory and his difficult working relationship with Mr Ronalds. On departing the electrical observatory and proceeding downstairs, Birt found a strong smell of burning wood on account of a large fire in the transit room made by the ‘chor-woman’. According to Birt, Mr [Francis] Ronalds remarked that Birt should not have had a fire at all, and that the expense does not allow for this. Birt clarifies that there were three other fires connected with the observatory (in Mr Ronald’s room, the workmen’s room, and the kitchen), Birt pays the extra expense for coals should it be required.
Captain [Charles] Younghusband at Woolwich sent Birt a unifilar magnetometer. Birt remarks that Mr Ronalds inspected the instrument ‘at a time and in a manner very inconvenient’ to him. The instrument had been previously broken, and Birt requested to Mr Ronalds that the workmen might repair it, Mr Ronalds remarked that Birt is incapable of instructing the workmen as he is not a mechanic.
Birt recently asked the workman to repair a part of the thermometer that was damaged. Consequently, Mr Ronalds instructed the workman that any alterations were to be made with his permission. Subsequently in Birt’s presence Mr Ronalds instructed the workman that he was to do anything Birt required. Birt leaves this matter for Phillips to advise on, and expresses the ‘turmoil’ in which he has to work. However Birt clarifies that he does not wish to be ‘unfriendly’ with Mr Ronalds. |
| Extent | 5p |
| Format | Manuscript |
| PhysicalDescription | Ink on paper |
| AccessStatus | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA7560 | Phillips; John (1800 - 1874) | 1800 - 1874 |