| Description | Written from 18 Duke Street, London. The letter discusses Professor Piazzi Smyth's proposals for a stand for astronomical observation instruments to keep them stable at sea. The letter describes a spinning toy that Brunel owns, with several sketches on Folios 324 and 325 illustrating the toy and its movement, and suggests how the toy may apply to Smyth's ideas and announces Brunel's intentions to have a small test model of Smyth's invention made in preparation for a subsequent, larger version which may be included on the observatory Brunel plans for the Eastern Steam Navigation Company's ship. |