page_0111

SAPIENTIA ET DOCTRINA STABILITAS

meet this want. In 1854, Baron de Rottenburg, afterwards Lieut.
Colt of the 100th Regiment, and a zealous practical Astronomer,
had been resident in Kingston for several years. He had
ordered a small Equatorial from an Optician in New York,
but, after two years had passed, the Instrument not having been
yet completed, he went to Boston to endeavour to obtain one
from Mr. Alvan Clarke, who was then rising into reputation. At
his establishment he saw a lens nearly finished, of 6 1/4 inches
aperture, which Mr. Clarke offered to complete, and dispose of,
for $ 800. When Baron de Rottenburg returned to Kingston he
mentioned this to Mr. (afterwards) Judge Burrowes, Dr. Yates then
Chairman of the City Park Committee, Mr. Rowan C. E., in charge
of the construction of the Kingston Section of the G. T. Railway, Pro-
fessor Williamson, and others who took an interest in the subject.
It was accordingly resolved to have the lens fitted up with Equa-
torial mounting, and finely divided circles, and commence sub-
scriptions for the purchase of the Instrument, and the erection of
a small tower and dome for its reception. It was at first pro-
posed to place the latter on higher ground than the Park to
the West, near where the present Observatory building stands.
The City Park Committee however, having agreed to
defray a portion of the necessary expense only on the condition

1860-61

SAPIENTIA ET DOCTRINA STABILITAS

meet this want. In 1854, Baron de Rottenburg, afterwards Lieut.
Colt of the 100th Regiment, and a zealous practical Astronomer,
had been resident in Kingston for several years. He had
ordered a small Equatorial from an Optician in New York,
but, after two years had passed, the Instrument not having been
yet completed, he went to Boston to endeavour to obtain one
from Mr. Alvan Clarke, who was then rising into reputation. At
his establishment he saw a lens nearly finished, of 6 1/4 inches
aperture, which Mr. Clarke offered to complete, and dispose of,
for $ 800. When Baron de Rottenburg returned to Kingston he
mentioned this to Mr. (afterwards) Judge Burrowes, Dr. Yates then
Chairman of the City Park Committee, Mr. Rowan C. E., in charge
of the construction of the Kingston Section of the G. T. Railway, Pro-
fessor Williamson, and others who took an interest in the subject.
It was accordingly resolved to have the lens fitted up with Equa-
torial mounting, and finely divided circles, and commence sub-
scriptions for the purchase of the Instrument, and the erection of
a small tower and dome for its reception. It was at first pro-
posed to place the latter on higher ground than the Park to
the West, near where the present Observatory building stands.
The City Park Committee however, having agreed to
defray a portion of the necessary expense only on the condition

1860-61