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Monday January 29, 1894

The laying of Brookes’ electric main was commenced. M^r Henry H. Vincent (stage manager) & M^r H.P. Hall (artist) of the St James’ theatre called with reference to an Observatory scene in a new play. Showed Great Equatorial, Lassell & Astrographic Equatorial. The last seemed the most suitable.

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William Christie, Astronomer Royal8

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Rebekah Higgitt says.....

Here we find another use for large telescopes - inspiration for theatre design! A review of the "Brilliant First Night" of Henry Arthur Jones's "The Masequeraders" at St James's Theatre in Picadilly in April 1894 can be found online, a performance that was only marred by a "short and weak last act". Presumably it is only coincidence that it was this act that featured the telescope: "The last scene is laid in the observatory on Mont Saint Garidelli, in the Maritime Alps, near Nice. The room is dark, save for a shaft of moonlight which illuminates the large equatorial telescope in the inner room".

Thursday January 25, 1894

The laying of the new gas main was commenced and completed on Monday morning Jan 29.

William Christie, Astronomer Royal

Tuesday January 23, 1894

Reversed crown lens of 28ⁱⁿ telescope for photography. M^r Simms called to arrange about the new slow motion screws & decⁿ clamp of Great Equatorial. Saw M^r Crisp at Adm^y about the new buildings and went with him to several shops to try to get suitable gas & electric light pendants.

William Christie, Astronomer Royal

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Rebekah Higgitt says.....

The lens of the new 28-inch telescope had been specially designed so that, by reversing it, the telescope could be used for photography as well as for visual observation. This experimental optical work on the use of lenses for astronomical photography and spectroscopy was of great interest to Christie. However, he seems to have been quite easily distracted by the prospect of more shopping for his new building.

Friday 19 January, 1894

Went to Oxford in evening, returning Monday morning.

H.H. Turner, Chief Assistant

Rebekah Higgitt says.....

Another trip to Oxford for the new Savilian Professor of Astronomy.

Friday 19 January, 1894

Col. Wheatley (Bailiff of Parks) came & sanctioned digging of trench for gas & electric mains in side avenue.

William Christie, Astronomer Royal

Thursday January 18, 1894

Valve to fireplug in Front Court failed to act when water was turned on at main in evening after being cut off all the afternoon. The flow of water was practically stopped by plugging the cap & the valve was repaired next afternoon, a new ball being put in.

William Christie, Astronomer Royal