[Letter to George F. FitzGerald from J. E. Cullum],
Title
[Letter to George F. FitzGerald from J. E. Cullum],
Creator
Date
Identifier
GFF 5/87
Description
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.”
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.”
Contributor
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 April 21, 2025, https://digitalarchive.rds.ie/items/show/2001.