Hello again,
As a quick summary, for galaxies, people mostly said, the larger the
better. There was a view that for detail in the structure of galaxies,
that is, dust lanes, mottling, spiral structure, rather than only
orientation and shape, one needs 12 inches and preferably considerably
more. For a satisfying view, many people wanted to see detail in the
structure, hence a large telescope. Others found satisfaction in simply
seeing the galaxy, so answers in the realm of 70 mm binoculars, or a
four inch telescope, were given.

Generally speaking the apertures suggested for minimum satisfying views
of galaxies were considerably larger, say four or more inches larger,
than those suggested for minimum satisfying views of globular clusters.

I suspect that some people's answers on galaxies were influenced by
their views through their own large telescope or the large telescopes of
observing companions. Once you have seen structure in say NGC 4565
through a large telescope, it may be harder to experience merely
discerning the galaxy in a small telescope, as satisfying. There may be
an "adaptation level phenomenon" here, in that what you find as
satisfactory is based partly on what you have already experienced.

Next time: more on globulars.

Ciao,
Bill Meyers