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'A Wast-Book for entering Observations at Shirburn in Oxfordshire with a Mural Quadrant'

 Single Item
MS. 9640
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The volume is described as a 'wast-book' although it appears to be written up neatly and may therefore be a fair copy of rougher notes as can be found in the Savile collection for both transit instrument and quadrant observations. It is in the same hand as both the rough and fair notes of the 1740s in for example MSS. Savile 67-73. This volume begins with a description of the mural quadrant and how it is to be deployed, followed by an explanation of the layout of the volume in twelve columns. Not all the columns are filled for each observation. The first column records the date of the observation; the next nine columns measure the movement of the object; the last two columns record the state of the atmosphere from barometer and thermometer readings. On 5-6 Dec 1741 (fol. 3v) there is a note that the quadrant has been moved to make observations to the southward, and a statement that observations taken were 'for the sake of observing the differences of their transits by the telescope of the quadrant and that of the transit instrument.' There is a further explanation of the purpose of the observations on fol. 4r, with notes on the adjustments of the position of the quadrant on fols. 4r, 5v, 6r, 7r and 9r. According to the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography entry for George Parker, 2nd Earl of Macclesfield, the records of his observations for the quadrant extend from 1743 to 1793. The earliest Shirburn Castle quadrant observations in the Savile collectionile date from 24 Jan 1743 (MS. Savile 79). This 'Wast-Book' runs from 13 Nov 1741 to 8 Nov 1742, and so would appear to be the earliest record of the quadrant observations.

Dates

  • Creation: 13 Nov 1741-8 Nov 1742

Extent

1 volume

Language of Materials

  • English

Preferred Citation

Oxford, Bodleian Libraries [followed by shelfmark and folio or page reference, e.g. MS. 9640].

Please see our help page for further guidance on citing archives and manuscripts.

Shelfmark:

MS. 9640

Collection ID (for staff)

CMD ID 9640

Abstract

A 'Wast-Book' of observations with the mural quadrant at Shirburn Castle, Oxfordshire, 1741-1742.

Biographical / Historical

George Parker, 2nd Earl of Macclesfield (c1697-1764), astronomer and politician, built an astronomical observatory at Shirburn Castle, Oxfordshire, in 1739, equipped with a five-foot transit instrument and a quadrant, clocks, and a fourteen-foot refractor fitted with a micrometer. Further details are in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.

Custodial History

Formerly in the Macclesfield Library, Shirburn Castle. With the Macclesfield bookplate (North Library, press mark 116. G. 16.), and a small embossed armorial stamp of the Earl of Macclesfield on three pages.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Presented to the Library through the Friends of the Bodleian, by Paul Quarrie, 2010.

Related Materials

Shirburn Castle observatory records from 1738-1793 are MSS. Savile 63-87, 92-94, including observations with the Quadrant, 24 Jan 1743 to 14 Jul 1793 (MSS. Savile 79-87, 94). MSS. Savile 72 and 73 are inscribed by their compiler as the 'Second Waste-Book' and the '3d Waste Book'. It is therefore possible that MS. 9640 is the first waste book, although the second and third waste books record observations with the five-foot transit instrument rather than the quadrant.

Title
Catalogue of 'a Wast-Book for entering Observations at Shirburn in Oxfordshire with a Mural Quadrant', 1741-1742
Status
Published
Author
Finding aid prepared by Mike Webb
Date
2021
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Bodleian Libraries Repository

Contact:
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom