| Collection | George III Private Papers |
| Description | Introduces his remarks on restoring watches and clocks and asks George III for forgiveness for any imperfections. He suggests that John Harrison, watchmaker, will sign and seal his findings to approve them and prevent future additions. Cumming remarks on the best manner of constructing clocks, taking into consideration pendula, pendula roads, cyclondial checks, proportions of pendula, wheels on the pendula. He also notes he has disproved the principle of the deadbeat theory. Cumming outlines the principles for the best performances in watches, their inferiority to clocks, the differences in their mechanism, the effect of ships on watches and how to counter-act it, the best metal to use, spring care and the importance of the centre of gravity. He mentions Mr. Harrison having improved time-keeping practice in the discovery of a 'universal error'. Cumming suggests prioritising the balance over the wheels, and which inconveniences can be removed, as well as complaining of the scarcity of skilled labour. |