'The Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society. From January 1863 to December 1864. (Edited by the Secretary.) Volume XVII.' [‎92] (121/524)

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proceedings of the
The business of the Meeting having been concluded, the Secretary
offered the following remarks on the Bombay Magnetical and Meteoro
logical Observations for the year 1862 :
The presentation to the Society of the Bombay Magnetical and
Meteorological Observations for 1862, affords an opportunity not unsuit
able for making a few remarks upon thes^ volumes, and on the history
and work of the Colaba Observatory. These annual volumes have
come now to be received as a matter of course, they do not seem to
excite much attention on the part of this Society, nor to be frequently
consulted. It may not be altogether amiss then, on the present
occasion, to refresh the memories of the members by a recapitulation
of the past history of the Observatory, noticing also its relation to
science, the work it has done, and what ought still to be expected from
it. Indeed, it seems desirable that this Society, with whose pursuits its
duties are most closely connected, should take a w T arm interest in its
operations.
In the year 1828, observations of the magnetical phenomena were
commenced systematically, from which time different countries, and
especially England, aided by their respective Governments, have estab
lished observatories in all the most advantageous positions on the
earth’s surface, with the view of determining the value of the “ magnetic
elements” and their changes.
The Bombay Observatory was originally commenced by the Govern
ment of the East India Company at the suggestion of the Royal Society
conveyed through Colonel Sykes, who has ever taken the greatest interest
in the advancement of science. In March 1841 he requested Professor
Orlebar to take charge of the instruments and superintend the erection
of the Observatory. On accepting this duty, Professor Orlebar says—■
I was not a little dismayed at finding myself, not only without guid
ance as to the nature of the building, but also as to the parts and
objects of many of the instruments which were of course quite new to
me.” It however chanced that Mr. Caldecott, of the Travancore
Observatory, whose “ Observations on the Direction and Intensity of
the Terrestrial Magnetic Force in Southern India have proved to be of
so much value, happened to pass through Bombay at the time, and by
his assistance relieved Professor Orlebar from his difficulties and put
him in the way of commencing operations. The buildings were accord-