In the astronomical observatory the transit instrument was properly adjusted, the clocks fixed in their places, and observations with the invariable pendulums for determining the figure of the earth commenced by myself; Commander Crozier having under his more immediate superintendence the magnetometric observations, which were now continued uninterruptedly every hour throughout the day and night, and afforded full occupation to all the officers of the Expedition who had not other duties to perform.
These several buildings were all included within the boundary palings of the government grounds, and formed a pretty-looking little village; and here, without interruption or annoyance, the gratifying and unceasing round of observations proceeded most comfortably and satisfactorily. The results of these operations are already in part published in "The Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society," and the remainder are in course of publication, at the expense of government, under the superintendence of Lieutenant-Colonel Sabine, of the Royal Artillery.
The most interesting news that awaited us on our arrival at Van Diemen's Land related to the discoveries made, during the last summer, in the southern regions by the French expedition, consisting of the Astrolabe and Zelée, under the command of Captain Dumont D'Urville, and by the United States expedition, under Lieutenant Charles Wilkes, in the frigate Vincennes.
