39 autograph letters, signed, from Captain William Noble (1828-1904), astronomer, first president of the British Astronomical Association and fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, to Ernest W. Wiltshire, written 1876-1882, Maresfield and Uckfield. Closely written and neat. Subjects include: Shakespeare, cryptographic postcards, silvering glass, detailed descriptions of experiments, advice on Ernest’s acquisition of a lathe (with drawings), reaction to an article in NATURE magazine, instructions for making a telescope, scientific questions, William Noble’s reading, exchange of books, ‘the humbug of the Sunspot gang’, the earth and electrical currents, scientific associations, ‘Admiral Smith’s “celestial cycle”’ – lively description of meeting, phonograph, William Noble’s reactions to contemporary events, making a spectroscope, movement of collections to South Kensington, a picture of the Greenwich Observatory, Babbage’s engine, William Noble’s articles, his lecture on the moon, a confused meeting of the Royal Astronomical Society and his important observation of a comet.

Administrative / biographical background
Captain William Noble (1828-1904) for several years served in India in the Rifle Brigade, eventually being promoted to Captain. On settling in Maresfield he established an observatory equipped with a 3 1/2 inch refractor (which he refers to in one of his letters) and various other instruments. Became the first president of the British Astronomical Association.