| Description | Hourly meteorological observations made at the Birmingham Philosophical Institution, over a two day period, from 6.00a.m. on the first day, to 10.00p.m. on the second. The date of the observations is not given, but probably 21-22 December 1841 [at Winter solstice]. The table contains columns for barometric pressure, temperatures (from attached and external thermometers), wet and dry bulb thermometer, dew point, rainfall, wind direction and wind force, with remarks. Means are calculated at the foot of each numerical column.
The main table is headed: 'Meteorological Observations made at the Rooms of the Birmingham Philosophical Institution, for 41 successive hours, by William Ick F.G.S. curator of the Birmingham Philosophical Institution'. Above the heading is an endorsement: 'Rec'd 28 Decr. 1841 JDR' [? John David Roberton?].
A note [p.4] states that 'The Barometer is Newman's standard & has been compared & found closely to agree with the flint glass one at the rooms of the Royal Society. The diameter of the tube is .546 ins & the cistern is 462 feet above the level of the sea. The observations were severally corrected for temperature & capillarity. The force & direction of the wind are registered by Mr. Osler's Anemometer and the quantity of snow was ascertained by carefully thawing it after it had fallen into Crossley's Rain gauge'.
The cover is inscribed: 'Birmingham Philosophical Institution. Meteorological Observations', with an endorsement on p.4 'No date - 1841'. |