Archives James Egan Moulton and the astrono “The heavens” says the Psalmist “declare the glory etc” “Lift up your eyes on high, & behold, who hath created etc etc” Thus the Reverend James Egan Moulton annotated the printed booklet accompanying one of the true jewels of the College archives, a set of lantern slides he used to teach astronomy at Tupou College in Tonga in the late 19th century. The lantern slides are among Moulton’s belongings preserved at Newington, the result of his tenure as President of the College between 1893 and 1900. Having helped the Reverend John Allen Manton establish Newington in 1863, the young Moulton—he was 24 when he departed—sailed for Tonga in May 1865 to start his missionary and educational work. The following year, under the patronage of King George Tupou I, he established Tupou College, remaining as Principal until 1888. Among the many subjects he taught in Tonga was Astronomy, but it is not clear when he acquired and started using the lanternslides. The accompanying booklet—A Familiar Introduction to the Science of Astronomy [for use with] A Reverend Dr James Egan Moulton, c. 1900 (College Archives) Set of Diagrams Painted on Glass for Exhibition in the Phantasmagoria of their wooden case identifies the in a rectangular mahogany frame. Three Lantern—is dated 1866. A label from a supplier as “W MacDonnell & Co, of the slides are moveable, comprising display of the slides some years ago two pieces of glass, one of which is set indicates Moulton used them in the Opticians & Jewellers, of Sydney”. 1880s, though the source for this is Another label shows the set as costing within a brass ring attached to a crank seven pounds and seven shillings. handle. Thus, in the slide illustrating the unknown. rotundity of the Earth, two ships could be The slides were made in England but The set comprises 33 diagrams made to sail around the globe, with the Moulton appears to have acquired them “executed in a very superior manner on hull and then the sls of one disappearingai in or from Sydney: a label under the lid a blue ground”. Each circular slide is set from sight, as viewed from a mountain, ONU CAREERS ADVICE EVENING Tuesday 5 June 2018 | 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Phillip Davis OAM Year 12 Study Centre Share your career and industry knowledge and expertise with senior students. For more information please contact Shane Serhon, Head of Careers. Tel: (02) 9568 9429 Email: sserhon@newington.nsw.edu.au 56| NEWS AUTUMN 2018| OPPORTUNITY