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Madras Observatory interior

Unknown artist1821

The Royal Society

The Royal Society
London, United Kingdom

Watercolour plate sent to illustrate a paper by John Goldingham on pendulum observations at the newly set-up observatory at Madras [Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India].

The painting shows three figures, one British and two Indian, taking an observation using a telescope and pendulum of the type used and described by Captain Henry Kater. Inscribed below, 'The interior of part of the Observatory at Madras [Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India] with the Pendulum of Experiment suspended, and the preparatory adjustments making before commencing the observations of each day.' An original version of the same caption appears verso, but has been cropped. The work is inscribed with publication and plate details. Not signed. Royal Society stamp verso. Watermarked 'Tacey Wisd & Co 1819'. The manuscript for this paper is wanting.

Presented at a meeting of the Royal Society on 31 January 1822 and later published in its journal, the Philosophical Transactions as part of paper titled 'Observations for ascertaining the length of the pendulum at Madras in the East Indies, latitude 13° 4' 9", 1 N. with the conclusions drawn from the same' by John Goldingham.

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