[Letter to George F. FitzGerald from J. E. Cullum],
Valencia Observatory,
1888
RDS Library & Archives
Copyright RDS Library & Archives. Publication, transmission or display is prohibited without formal written approval of the RDS Library & Archives.
Text
Meteorological Observatory,
1887
1891
1895
1894
1889
The Observatory,
1890
Meteorological Office,
Meteorology
Handwritten letter from John Edward Cullum, Valencia Observatory, Cahirsiveen, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 18 March 1892. Cullum thanks Fitzgerald for a cheque he sent via the Meteorological Office. 1p. Transcription: “Dear Sir, I have received from the Meteorological Office your cheque for £12 on account of Magnetic observations, for which I thank you very much. With it an [intimation?] that I was permitted to continue then for another six months. Yours very truly, J. E. Cullum”
Cullum, John Edward
1900
Fitzgerald, George Francis, 1851-1901. Correspondent
1886
Valentia Observatory,
1899
Science
Handwritten letter from John Edward Cullum, Westwood, Cahirciveen, County Kerry, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 13 January 1896. Cullum discusses his scientific work. 3pp. Transcription: “My dear Sir, I have written you an official answer to your letter, for surely no exception can be taken to that, as I have already the [?] of the Council to do this work gratuitously for you. If there is to be any extraction of them I must place myself in their hands as their servant, but the General is a terrible martinet, I will not brook any interference with his prerogative. I need not tell you again it will be a pleasure to me to assist in the work, and will keep my name in the Scientific world, for I feel a bit buried here. Sidney has gone back to College anxious to keep up his work as he want to take his Arts degree in June, that he may be free for his hospital course. My wife joins me in kind regards and best wishes for a Happy New Year, Believe me, Yours sincerely, J. E. Cullum”
RDS Library & Archives GFF collection of letters
1896
Westwood,
1898
Magnets
Atlantic Coast (Ireland)
Thomson, William, 1824-1907. Baron Kelvin, physicist
Handwritten letter from John Edward Cullum, Valencia Observatory, Cahirciveen, County Kerry, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 2 October 1898. Cullum thanks Fitzgerald for a cheque and discusses his meteorological work and Atlantic cables. 4pp. Transcription: “My dear Sir, It is very kind of you to send me your cheque for £10.17.10 the whole sum for the repair of the Magnetic House which relieves me from anxiety. I fear if we had the instruments this year we should hardly be able to begin satisfactorily next year, as I should very much like an independent determination of the bearing of my fixed mark before commencing the new Series of Observations. No doubt a [s?] will be propounded by the Magnetic Committee of the International Meteorological Congress in which I shall participate, and a new international series commenced. With regard to your idea of the Atlantic Cables, I have a recollection of hearing of Observations of Earth Currents being made many years ago, when the Cable was at Foilhommerum and not in use, under then Sir Wm. [T?]. Possibly Lord Kelvin may remember them and give you some information. In any case it would be well to apply to the higher officials in London, as the Superintendent could do nothing himself. With kind regards, Believe me, Yours sincerely, J. E. Cullum”
Declination (Astronomy)
Meteorological instruments
Handwritten letter from John Edward Cullum, Valencia Observatory, Cahirciveen, County Kerry, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 8 May 1897. Cullum expresses dissatisfaction with the Magnetic Committee and the work he is undertaking. 3pp. Transcription: “Dear Sir, I am sending you the inclosed letter because it is utterly ridiculous going on or rather not going on like this, as I am afraid the Magnetic Committee think the work is proceeding, and I have had no communication from them whatever. I am willing to do the work, if there is no one else to do it and if they give me the means of doing it satisfactorily, but is only waste of time to go on with it as it is. I got such a cold in the house during the winter, that I contented myself with a Declination observation since the beginning of the year, but shall do nothing more until I get some decided instructions. The Instruments are only wasted, and would be better in your care. With kind regards, Yours sincerely, J. E. Cullum”
1897
[The Observatory],
Chronometers
Handwritten letter from John Edward Cullum, Cahirciveen, County Kerry, to George F. Fitzgerald. Cullum, dated 28 June 1898. Cullum notes the lack of electricity in Cahirciveen and mentions Fitzgerald's instruments, which he is looking after. 4pp. Transcription: “Dear Sir, In reply to yours of the 25th last; you may inform Dr. Chris that there is a Observatory now in Valencia, we are two miles from it and one from the town of Cahirciveen, which is not such a go. a. head place as to indulge in Electric in any form. There is no installation even in Valencia, the nearest being Waterville ten miles away. There is however a single line of rails about 70 [yrds?] from the Observing House, but the passing trains, about six a day, do not visibly affect the suspended Magnets. The Instruments are certainly not in my way, and I can keep them as long as you wish, the thing required before the course recommences being the [Chaining?] of the Chronometer, which I think I may be able to send [up?] in careful charge if you will tell me where it can be left in July or August. Dover used to make only Dip Circles, but perhaps he has gone in for Unifilars, now I believe Elliott is done up. I dare say I shall hear all about it when the Kew man comes. Yours very truly, J. E. Cullum”
Westwood House,
Magnetism
Scientific apparatus and instruments
Handwritten letter from John Edward Cullum, Valencia Observatory, Cahirciveen, County Kerry, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 25 February 1889. Cullum tells Fitzgerald about his experiments with magnets and how his chronometer is broken, and asks Fitzgerald if he can get another. 8pp. Transcription: “My dear Sir, I am very gratified to see by your letter that you are satisfied with my work, and I trust it will be well received. I have already told you how interested I am in this branch of science, and I again renew my offer to do all I can to further it. If I could see my way to making these eye obs. [observations] of disturbances I could be very pleased to add them to the other work. It is useless to attempt to make them in the Magnetic house, and to have a large Magnet near would utterly adjust the results. To be any way satisfactory the magnet should I think be permanently swung in a wooden hut specifically built for it in Dip needles, so at the end of the year I thought I would get the axles polished and back again between the observation days, meaning to do it at my own expense, and for my own satisfaction, but as these letters of [Dover?] will show, it has turned out a more serious and expensive matter than I imagined for the circle is on its way back with a bill of over £4 tacked to it. A distinct part of the ground that I might detect when the disturbance is going on. This is a matter of expense for you to consider - the Instrument is here, and could be set up I believe for a few pounds. There is however another matter already worrying me. During the series of observations I was very much disheartened by the unsatisfactory working of the I feel very much concerned that I did not consult you, but knowing that our grant was expended I did not intend to trouble you with it and now hold myself entirely responsible for it. Then again the Chronometer is out of order and I think requires cleaning, for after winding it drops beats and sometimes stops, and it is only by inclining it that I can get it to go for the observation. This is urgent for it may cease to go at all and then I am done for. I was about asking you to allow me to bring it to Dublin and get it exchanged, permitting me to choose another. As you are inclined to continue these observations for an indefinite period, it would certainly be advisable to buy one out and out. The better the Instrument the better the result will be, and it is always useful and valuable. I am sending you Mr. Whipple’s letter as it touches on the Dip Circle. I sent him my MSS. [manuscripts] as the Kew values were only published to October, and he also kindly criticised my paper. I am very sorry to trouble you with so much matter, but am glad to get it all out at once. Thank you for your kind remembrances of Mrs. Cullum, we both hope someday to have the pleasure of seeing you here. Believe me, Yours sincerely, J. E. Cullum. P.S. I do not want these letters back J.E.C.”
Fitzgerald, George Francis, 1851-1901
Gulf Stream
Plankton
Handwritten letter from John Edward Cullum, Cahirciveen, County Kerry, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 5 January 1897. Cullum mentions a scientific paper he has written and new experiments regarding plankton and the Gulf Stream. 4pp. Transcription: “Dear Mr. Fitzgerald, I am very much obliged to you for your kindly acknowledgement of my paper. It was a heavy task, as the condensed tables represent an immense amount of calculation. Mr. Scott took a great interest and assisted me very much in it, as well as Dr. Hann with the object you recognise, of giving data for future text books. Scott however warned me of theorizing in the text so I contented myself with frets, and left such matters to larger minds than my own. Concerning the Gulf Stream, however, I am entering on a new inquiry at Mr. Scott’s request for Prof. Cleve of Upsala, which is in the periodical Collecting of “Plankton” in the harbour for his examination. He says, “it will become of the greatest interest to know whether the Gulf Stream continues the whole winter to run along the west coast of Ireland, or whether there is an interruption by North Atlantic, eventually Polar craters. That I believe I will be able to decide by examining samples from Valencia. I am sorry to acknowledge Sidney’s step is a disappointment to me, as I feel he has seriously handicapped himself in his advance in his profession, which I have struggled so hard to give him, otherwise I should have nothing to complain of, as the Hicksons are a good Kerry family. I have undertaken to give him his degrees, after that he must forage for himself. I am entertaining the [Mag.?] [ofs?] but have not heard anything of them from Prof. Rücker beyond the comparisons he made with his Standard Inst. The house wants a new covering. With best wishes for a Happy New Year, Believe me, Yours sincerely, J. E. Cullum”
Azimuth
Handwritten letter from John Edward Cullum, Valencia Observatory, Cahirciveen, County Kerry, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 12 April 1888. Cullum discusses making adjustments to his magnetic house. Transcription: “Dear Sir, I am now sending you the Voucher for the Amount expended on the Magnetic Account. Mr. Whipple writes to me that he has been in communication with you respecting my Magnetic House, and that he has recommended that I make a light in the roof to enable me to get transits of stars to make a reliable determination of the Azimuth of my fixed Mark. As this is the only thing which I am in doubt about I shall be glad to act on his suggestion if it meets with your approval. I am, Dear Sir, Yours sincerely, J. E. Cullum”
Handwritten letter from John Edward Cullum, Valencia Observatory, Cahirciveen, County Kerry, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 6 October 1887. Cullum discusses his scientific instruments (a magnet and chronometer), and the possibility of meeting up with Fitzgerald in Dublin. Transcription: “Dear Sir, Many thanks for your kind and considerate letter of the 4th. I am glad you approve of sending the magnet to Kew, for it would be a pity for the sake of such a small fee to have my Observations questioned. In writing to Mr. Whipple I will ask his opinion of the advisability of remagnetising the Coll. Magnet. What I meant by doubling the stirrup is that by putting a suspension fitting at the bottom of it, the Magnet can be reversed without turning it in its fitting, so that when its Magnetic axis is determined it can be fixed. You must decide about the Chronometer, for I fear I shall not be able to begin Observing regularly until the beginning of the year, and it seems a pity to be paying for nothing. It has a large rate, and is not particularly handy, the tick being weak, and the dial not so clear as my own one. If you wish I could bring it up to Dublin with me at the end of this month, for I hope to be there then for my marriage, and we can then go fully into the matter. I was sorry not to be able to have you in the Summer, but I hope next year you will be able to pay me a visit, and I shall always be glad to see Mr. Preston when convenient to him. With kind regards Believe me Yours sincerely J. E. Cullum”
Handwritten letter from John Edward Cullum, Valencia Observatory, Cahirciveen, County Kerry, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 29 March 1888. Cullum sends Fitzgerald the amount needed to pay for his scientific experiments, and discusses future payments. 2pp. Transcription: "Dear Sir, I am sending you by this post the Amounts expended on Account of the Magnetic Observations. You will see that I have not yet paid for the Observing House and the determination of the constants of the Coll. Magnet. There is not likely to be any more Expenses, exceptions will have to be made for its Azimuth, which can be corrected at the end of the series. I intend making Absolute measurements of Horizontal Intensity. Inclination and Declination [?] a month to correspond with the Kew Observations, published in the Annual Report. Trusting this will meet with your approval, I am, Dear Sir, Yours very sincerely, J. E. Cullum"
Handwritten letter from John Edward Cullum, Valencia Observatory, Cahirciveen, County Kerry, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 26 December 1887. Cullum tells Fitzgerald that his assistant will help with sending items. Transcription: "Dear Sir, Mr S[upue?], my assistant, will take charge of anything you may wish to send me. Yours sincerely, J. E. Cullum"
Handwritten letter from John Edward Cullum, Westwood, Caherciveen, County Kerry, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 18 March 1892. Cullum thanks Fitzgerald for sending him a cheque, and describes how himself and Mr. Whipple are changing and moving their scientific instruments. 2pp. Transcription: “My dear Sir, I have to thank you for your very kind and considerate letter of the 15th last, enclosing me cheque for £9.19.6. for which I enclose you the workman’s formal receipt. Mr. Whipple of Kew is with me now, and we are in the midst of our changing operations, which cause us much anxiety and labour. So far all has gone well, and I trust the end of this work will see all my self-recording Instruments working again satisfactorily. Mr. Whipple speaks of calling on you when in Dublin about the end of next week. Mrs. Cullum desires to join me in kind regards, Believe me. Yours sincerely, J. E. Cullum”
1892
[Letter to George F. FitzGerald from J. Eaton],
Eaton, J.
X-rays.
[Letter to George F. FitzGerald from J. Edmundson & Co.],
J. Edmundson & Co.
Gramme dynamos.
Flywheels.
[Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from J. Edmundson & Co.],
J. Edmundson & Co, Ltd,
Trinity College (Dublin, Ireland)
[Letter to George F. FitzGerald from J. Edmundson & Co.].
[Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from J. H. Gladstone],
Gladstone, J. H. 1827-1902.
Kelvin, William Thomson, 1824-1907.
Lodge, Oliver, 1851-1940.
Physical Society of London.
[Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from J. J. Bottomley],
Bottomley, J. J.
Armstrong, Henry G.
Helmholtz, Hermann von, 1821-1894.
Heidelberger Akademie der Wissenschaften.
Shipping.
Magnetism.
[Letter to George F. FitzGerald from J. Johnson],
Johnson, J.
University of Oxford.
Forests and forestry.
National Museum of Ireland.
Science and art
Technical education
[Letter to George F. FitzGerald from J. L. E. Dreyer],
[Letter to George F. FitzGerald from J. Malcolm Inghs],
Inghs, J. Malcolm
[Letter to George F. FitzGerald from J. P. Law].
Law, J. P.
[Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from J. S. Fletcher],
Fletcher, J. S.
Manners and customs
St. Barnabas Parsonage,
[Letter to George F. FitzGerald from J. W. Bancher],
Bancher, J. W.
[Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from J. W. Barlow],
Barlow, J. W.
Dynamics.
Bursars.
[Letter to George F. FitzGerald from J. W. Barlow],
FitzGerald, George Francis, 1851-1901.
Photography.
Physical laboratories.