This item was an instrument used in surveying land, alignment, testing, and calibrating optical Instruments. It is basically a refracting telescope. Whose optical elements tilt angles with high accuracy of the order of arcsecs.

The album contains archival documents related to the building, instruments and observations at the Madras Observatory. It mainly includes an old photo of the Madras Observatory, a photocopy of the first observation taken in 1786 from the observatory, two pictures of Kater's pendulum hung in front of the Haswell clock in the observatory, a sketch of the Madras Observatory building from 1848 Taylor's catalogue and painting of Madras coast by Daniel.

This letter informing that a grass minimum thermometer by J. Hicks was brought into use on the 1st instant in place of another one which was found broken on the previous morning

The letter is from The Director of Kodaikanal & Madras Observatories to The Executive Engineer, Madura, informing about the closing of Periyakulam Observatory at the end of that month; hence, there is no need to repair the thermometer shed, etc.

This item was a request letter to send the measuring scale for prominence photographs and directing its exact location of where it is available.

This Letter is from J H Field to the Director regarding a parcel post of 2 grass minimum thermometers No 1328922 and 1328930 both by J. Hicks which were required for the use of Kodaikanal Observatory

This letter was about three volumes of Transit Observations and Mural Circle Observations that had been stored some time at the Indian store depot have recently been presented to the Royal Astronomical Society

This letter was about test observations and the conditions at maximum and minimum thermometers. Asking the opinion of C. M. Smith.

The letter is from Charles P. Butler, Ag: Director of Kodaikanal & Madras Observatories to the Meteorological Reporter to the Government of India & Director Deneral of Indian Observatories in continuation of his letter No.480, requesting to supply one rain measuring glass for 5-inch gauge to Periyakulam Observatory.

This letter is from Charles. P. Butler, Ag: Director, Kodaikanal & Madras Observatories to the Meteorological Reporter to the Government of India & Director General of Indian Observatories, Simla, informing about the report from the observer at the Periyakulam station, that the fencing around the rain gauge is dilapidated and suggesting to remove the rain gauge to the enclosure of the thermometer shed as the distance from the current site to shed is about 50 yards but it may not be a serious difference from the records.