In the absence of the Lees he has a private key, with which he admits himself and Mrs.Smyth.They make the observations (Mrs.Smyth is a very clever astronomer), sleep in a room called 'The Admiral's Room,' find breakfast prepared for them in the morning, and return to their own house when they choose.
"I saw in the observatory a timepiece with a double second-hand; one of these could be stopped by a touch, and would, in that way, show an observer the instant when he thought a phenomenon, as an occultation for instance, had occurred, and yet permit him to go on with his count of the seconds, and, if necessary, correct his first impression.
"Admiral Smyth is a hard worker, but I suspect that many of the amateur astronomers of England are Dr.Lees--rich men who, as a hobby, ride astronomy and employ a good astronomer.

Dr.Lee gives the use of a good instrument to the curate; another to Mr.Payson, of Cambridge, who has lately found a little planet.
"I saw at Admiral Smyth's some excellent photographs of the moon, but in England they have not yet photographed the stars.".