An Original Handwritten and Signed Armagh Observatory Letter from John Romney Robinson who was an Irish Astronomer to Engineer Charles Manby. Autograph Letter dated 1848 to Charles Manby discussing the experiment with a Prony Brake on a Turbine recently; erected and whether he can pass notes and drawings for the Institution of Civil Engineers. John Thomas Romney Robinson 1792 – 1882, was an Irish astronomer. He was the director of the Armagh Observatory, one of the chief astronomical observatories in the UK of its time. He is remembered as inventor of the 4-cup anemometer. Charles Manby 1804 – 1884 was Secretary of the Institution of Civil Engineers from November 1839 to 1856, and engineer of the first iron steamer to cross the English Channel. Fluent in French, he installed gas piping into Paris and advised on the construction of the Suez Canal. Robinson was a friend of Charles Babbage, who said he was "indebted" for having reminded him about the first time he came up with the idea of the calculating machine. Size is 185mm x 115mm. Condition is good. Light folding creases. Light foxing.