Thursday 4 January, 1894

Simmons reported that some one had broken open the Lower Museum Door & the door of the Contractors’ Office in S. Ground & to the had stolen some articles belonging to the Contractors’ foreman, but no R.O. property. Saw M^r Awdry at the Adm^y about this & other matters concerning the staff. Met Sir H. Thompson at the Athenaeum and had a talk with him regarding his offer of £5000 to the Observatory for a new instrument.

William Christie, Astronomer Royal

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Rebekah Higgitt says.....

Christie was enaged with frequent discussions with the Admiralty about the Observatory's staff at this date. He aimed to increase numbers, particuarly of higher-grade staff, and to ensure longer service among the human computers by making the better permanent members of staff.

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This day also saw a meeting with Sir Henry Thompson at the Athenaeum Club on London's Pall Mall. His offer was to pay for a large, expensive new telescope. Thompson, a wealthy and distinguished surgeon and amateur astronomer, had already donated a 9-inch photoheliograph telescope to the Observatory in 1891.