NOTES BY THE EDITOR 



placed, in the prosecution of this work, upon the same footing 'with that of 

 the United States ; that is to say, every sea-captain who would keep dur- 

 ing his voyages a journal upon the plan prescribed by the Convention, and 

 forward a copy of the same to the American Government, should be enti- 

 tled gratis to a copy of the Navigator's Guide, and of the charts of winds 

 and currents which it was intended to publish. Having settled these vari- 

 ous matters, the Convention adjourned sine die on the 8th of September, 

 after voting thanks to the Belgian Government for the liberal spirit with 

 which it had concurred in the views of the delegates, and furnished all 

 needful facilities for the prosecution of their labors. 



A project of a popular geographical institution has been organized in 

 London, and a prospectus issued under the auspices of Sir Francis Beau- 

 fort, Mr. Layard, Lord Stanley, and others. It is proposed to purchase 

 Mr. Wylde's "Great Globe" in Leicester-square, and to surround the 

 present building with rooms and galleries, devoted to museums, libraries, 

 lecture theatres, and other apartments. The Prospectus states as follows : 



" Whilst it is intended to maintain the large model of the earth in its 

 present position, it is proposed to add to the present extensive collection of 

 ancient and modern maps, charts, and books, all the maps, charts and 

 geographical works published throughout the world ; and to invite the 

 assistance of foreign governments and societies (many of whom have al- 

 ready kindly oifered their publications,) to contribute all their maps, charts, 

 and geographical works, published under the sanction of the state, so that 

 proprietors and the public may have immediate access to the best sources 

 of information on every subject connected with geography, hydrography, 

 and the allied sciences. 



"It is further proposed to maintain a competent body of demonstrators 

 and lecturers, who shall deliver regular courses of lectures upon physical 

 and political geography and ethnology, not only within the model, but also 

 in the theatres of the Institute, so as to embrace all the requirements of a 

 great geographical school; to hold meetings of the members, at which sci- 

 entific papers shall be read and discussed; and to uphold a library and 

 reading-room, where the most important newspapers, English, Foreign, 

 and Colonial, will be filed, where the maps, charts, engravings, books, and 

 transactions of learned societies, can be conveniently consulted, and where 

 the latest information bearing upon geographical discoveries, and all mat- 

 ters especially relating to new shoals, rocks, and harbors, will be regularly 

 exhibited." 



At the meeting of the American Association, Cleveland, a communica- 

 tion was made by Lieut. E. B. Hunt, U. S. A., proposing the establishment 

 of a geographical department of the Library of Congress, but having at the 

 same time a distinct and separate organization. In this library, under the 



