6 M. C. COOKE OX UNIVERSAL 



taken, appeals to the trading commuuity, as represented by the 

 opticians. Every facility must be afforded for the purchase in this 

 country of micrometers, carefully and correctly graduated to the 

 French scale, on the same terms as English micrometers are now 

 supplied. Because, unless the English amateur can obtain readily 

 such a scale without sending specially, as I have been obliged to 

 do, to Paris for the purpose, the majority will not take the 

 trouble. It did not occur to me, until I had applied to one of our 

 largest firms, that these micrometers are by no means easy to 

 obtain in town. 



This is in itself an evidence of how little we know practically of 

 the French micrometers. Every member of the Q. M. C. should 

 order one immediately of any optician who may be present in the 

 room, and in the course of a week we should see French micrometers 

 advertised, and the movement fairly and successfully commenced. 



The next step — and one in which I purpose to march myself, 

 even if I march alone — is to em])loy the French measurements, 

 either with or without the English, in all published accounts of 

 microscopical objects in which measurements are enlployed. We 

 may rest- assured that our object will be achieved more speedily by 

 using the millemetral measurement only, and forgetting the inch, 

 save as a matter of history. Every one who wishes well to the adop- 

 tion of an universal admeasurement, should secretly and silently 

 pledge himself, from this night forward and for ever, to abjiire the 

 inch. 



Having done this, we should addi-ess an appeal to all micros- 

 copists in this countiy who are in the habit of publishing micros- 

 copical measurements, urging that by this means they will render 

 their labou.rs more valuable to students abroad, without detracting 

 from their value at home. 



Finally, we should draw up and forward a brief ultimatum 

 printed in French or Latin, to the secretaries of all the leading acade- 

 mies and learned societies in Europe, requesting them to make the 

 contents known amongst the savans of their own country; such ulti- 

 matum being to the effect that the adoption of the French method 

 all over Europe would prove of inestimable value to men of science 

 in all countries ; that the effort is being made to establish it in 

 Britain; and calling upon them to aid us in securing an universal 

 system of measurement ; and I feel confident in its success. 



Now, gentlemen, I have laid before you all the details which I 



