A member of a family of early 19th century artists and instrument makers that included Cornelius, John, and William Fleetwood Varley, Cromwell J. Varley shared in the family interests in astronomy. The Journal of Astronomical Observations includes brief notes on telescopic observations of comets, stars, and planets conducted by Cromwell J. Varley between 1845 and 1858, accompanied by twenty ink and watercolor sketches.