Astronomy: a large refracting telescope constructed by Howard Grubb at Rathmines, Dublin. Wood engraving by W.J. Mosses, 1881, after F.W. after G. Browning.

"Great astronomical telescope.The greatest refracting telescope in the world--Lord Rosse's is a reflecting telescope--has been constructed for the Vienna Observatory by Mr. Howard Grubb, at his celebrated manufactory of astronomical instruments, at Rathmines, near Dublin. It was visited and inspected last week by Earl Cowper, the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, who came after dark in the evening, and viewed the moon and planets through this magnificent instrument. We give an illustration, from a sepia drawing of it by Mr. G. Browning; and we abridge the following account of it from descriptions already published : - The idea of crowning the observatory at Vienna with a refracting telescope of surpassing power was conceived by the Austro-Hungarian Government about five years ago. Such a building was worthy of the best instrument that could be constructed. … Desiring to possess the finest telescope which could be procured, the government commissioned Dr. Edward Weiss, now Director-General of the Observatory at Vienna, to visit all the principal observatories and workshops in the world. He recommended that the task should be confided to Mr. Grubb, of Dublin, who was ordered to construct a refracting telescope of at least 26 in. aperture. … Since tihe erection of the instrument, and its approval by the commission, Mr. Grubb has given as much facility as circumstances would permit to the scientific public for visiting the instrument. Applications for such admissions have enormously outnumbered the number it was possible to accommodate, notwithstanding which some 1500 people have been enabled to satisfy their curiosity within the last few weeks. …" (Illustrated London news, loc. cit.)