[Letter to George F. FitzGerald from J. E. Cullum],
Title
[Letter to George F. FitzGerald from J. E. Cullum],
Creator
Date
Identifier
GFF 5/100
Description
Handwritten letter from John Edward Cullum, Westwood, Cahirciveen, County Kerry, to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 24 February 1892. Cullum describes the process of moving equipment to Caherciveen and asks Fitzgerald for money to cover the cost. 4pp.
Transcription:
“Dear Professor Fitzgerald,
You will see by the heading of this that not yet quite established in my new quarters, I am undergoing the process, and I hope a few weeks more will see me safely through it. Mr. Whipple of Kew comes early next month to assist me in the anxious task of removing my self-recording Instruments, as the difficulties of the Conveyance of the property have at last been overcome. As this was anticipated months ago I began with the Magnetic house and have got it on its new site and taken preliminary observations in it. I only lost one month’s record, and that was caused by the bad weather preventing it being towed up, for on discussing the matter with the builder he advised me to try that course, as the house being put together by copper nails and double sheeted he feared it would cost more to take asunder and re-erect than removing it bodily and floating it up to Caherciveen. This he very successfully did, but owing to the delay and the number of hands needed he has just sent me in a bill for £9.19.6. This appears to me a very large amount, but it is well done and the building has not received a scratch. Do you think you could get that amount for me? I am heartily sorry that I should have to ask you for it, but this removal, with other matters, has crippled me for a time, but I shall not I think have to ask you for any more.
I had the pleasure lately to send Prof. Reicker my results for comparison with his, and also to a German who wanted them for the same purpose. I am pleased to find they are likely to be appreciated, and if at any time recording Instruments would be considered to be worth the expense. I would welcome them, and do all in my power to make them a success.
Yours very truly,
J. E. Cullum
The Chronometer is a beauty, and goes well.”
Transcription:
“Dear Professor Fitzgerald,
You will see by the heading of this that not yet quite established in my new quarters, I am undergoing the process, and I hope a few weeks more will see me safely through it. Mr. Whipple of Kew comes early next month to assist me in the anxious task of removing my self-recording Instruments, as the difficulties of the Conveyance of the property have at last been overcome. As this was anticipated months ago I began with the Magnetic house and have got it on its new site and taken preliminary observations in it. I only lost one month’s record, and that was caused by the bad weather preventing it being towed up, for on discussing the matter with the builder he advised me to try that course, as the house being put together by copper nails and double sheeted he feared it would cost more to take asunder and re-erect than removing it bodily and floating it up to Caherciveen. This he very successfully did, but owing to the delay and the number of hands needed he has just sent me in a bill for £9.19.6. This appears to me a very large amount, but it is well done and the building has not received a scratch. Do you think you could get that amount for me? I am heartily sorry that I should have to ask you for it, but this removal, with other matters, has crippled me for a time, but I shall not I think have to ask you for any more.
I had the pleasure lately to send Prof. Reicker my results for comparison with his, and also to a German who wanted them for the same purpose. I am pleased to find they are likely to be appreciated, and if at any time recording Instruments would be considered to be worth the expense. I would welcome them, and do all in my power to make them a success.
Yours very truly,
J. E. Cullum
The Chronometer is a beauty, and goes well.”
Source
RDS Library & Archives GFF collection of letters
Rights
Copyright RDS Library & Archives. Publication, transmission or display is prohibited without formal written approval of the RDS Library & Archives.
Relation
RDS Science Archive
Format
Manuscript
Language
English
Type
Coverage
1870-1901
Collection
Citation
Cullum, John Edward, “[Letter to George F. FitzGerald from J. E. Cullum],,” RDS Digital Archive, accessed December 5, 2025, https://digitalarchive.rds.ie/items/show/1878.