Standing just within the gate of the courtyard, and looking westward, that is toward Flamsteed House, we have immediately on our right hand the porter's lodge; a little farther forward, also on the right, the Transit Pavilion, a small building sheltering a portable transit instrument; and farther forward, still on the right, the entrance to the Chronograph Room. Above the Chronograph Room is a little, inconveniently-placed dome, containing a small equatorially-mounted telescope, known as the Shuckburgh. Beyond the Chronograph Room a door opens on to the North Terrace, over which is seen the great north window of the Octagon Room. Close by the door of the Chronograph Room a great wooden staircase rises to the roof of the main building. It is not an attractive-looking ascent, as the steps overlap inconveniently. Still, there is no record of an accident upon them, and those who venture on the climb to the roof, where are placed the anemometers and the turret carrying the time-ball, which is dropped daily at 1 p.m., will be well repaid by the splendid view of the river which is there afforded to them. Passing under this staircase, on the wall by its side is seen the following inscription:-- CAROLUS II^S REX OPTIMUS ASTRONOMIÆ ET NAUTICÆ ARTIS PATRONUS MAXIMUS SPECULAM HANC IN UTRIUSQUE COMMODUM FECIT ANNO D^{NI} MDCLXXVI. REGNI SUI XXVIII. Curante Iona Moore milite R. T. S. G. [Illustration: THE ASTRONOMER ROYAL'S HOUSE. (_From a photograph by Mr. Lacey._)] In the extreme angle of the courtyard is the entrance to the mean solar clock cupboard, and to the staircase leading up to the Octagon Room. At the head of this staircase in a small closet is the winch for winding up the time-ball. Coming back into the courtyard, and crossing the face of the Astronomer Royal's private house, the range of buildings is reached which form the left hand or south side of the enclosure. Entering the first of these, we find ourselves in the Lower Computing Room, which is devoted to the 'Time Department.' The next room which opens out of it, as we turn eastwards, was Bradley's Transit Room, but is now used for the storage of chronometers. Passing through Bradley's Transit Room, we come to the present Transit Room, which brings us close to the great gate. The range of buildings is, however, continued somewhat farther, containing on the ground floor some small sitting-rooms and a fire-proof room for records. [Illustration: THE COURTYARD. (_From a photograph by Mr. Lacey._)]