His Highness the Rajah of Travancore, already celebrated for the munificence with which he promotes the education and mental improvement of his subjects, resolved in the latter part of last year on the establishment, at his capital, Trevandrum, of an Observatory of a superior kind; with the double view of affording his aid to the advancement of astronomical science, and of introducing by its means correct ideas of the principles of this science among the rising generation under his government; and having confided to me the superintendence of the institution as Astronomer, I take this early opportunity of introducing it to the notice of the public, by a short description (which may be enlarged hereafter) of the three great features of its future usefulness, viz. the building—the instruments—the locality—convinced that the description of a new Observatory so situated, and established with such objects, succinct and somewhat imperfect as at this early stage it must necessarily be, will still be received with lively interest, not only by astronomers in particular, but generally by the many who are now contemplating, with sympathy and admiration, the rapid strides with which intellectual culture is advancing among our native brethren of India.
I.—The Building.
When it devolved on me to design a plan by which the liberal intentions of His Highness might be carried into the most complete effect, it became with me a matter of serious consideration, how the utmost benefit to science might be derived from the opportunity afforded by the proposed institution, without making any very great demand on the funds of the state; and I very soon came to the conclusion that no outlay, beyond what was absolutely necessary to effectiveness, should be made on the building, but that no expense should be spared in procuring instruments of such a size and quality as would ensure to an Observatory, where they were judiciously and actively made use of, a rank second to none in the world. Being supported in this view of the case by Colonel Fraser, the British Resident at Travancore (a gentleman most pre-eminently qualified to judge on such a matter), the plan now to be explained was sanctioned by His Highness, and the building has since been completely and most satisfactorily erected, by Lieut. Horsley, of the Madras Engineers, through whose kindness I am enabled to accompany this, with two perspective views, a plan, section, and elevation, which will render but a short verbal explanation necessary.
