which determine the Indications during Absence. 339 



not such as would inspire that confidence in regard to accuracy, 

 that is so indispensably requisite in all such undertakings. 



It has been considered possible, however, to procure an accu- 

 rate hourly register of the thermometer, by engaging a number 

 of individuals to act by turns, as registers, and for a pecuniary 

 compensation. But even this method (evincing, as it does, a 

 true devotion to science), there is reason to fear will prove but 

 too defective. It must be attended with great expence, and 

 hence can but rarely, and only in particular circumstances, be 

 put in practice. On the other hand, the accuracy, and even the 

 good faith of those who might agree to sell their time for such a 

 purpose, will by many be considered as questionable ; so that in 

 the end, and after no inconsiderable trouble and expence, a 

 lengthy register, of which, it is said, it may or may not be accu- 

 rate, is perhaps the only reward. That this would be the pro- 

 bable result in many instances, is the opinion of those who have 

 had an opportunity of forming a judgment in cases similar to the 

 one in question : and if I may be permitted to express my own 

 opinion, derived also from some little experience, I would say, 

 that, in general, on such occasions, some ingenious contrivance, 

 of the nature of a tell-tale, would be about as necessary to 

 insure accuracy, as a well-constructed thermometer. 



It would be an ungracious task thus to enumerate so many 

 difficulties and deficiencies, had I no method to propose by 

 which these might be, in some measure at least, mitigated and 

 supplied. But it was to this end alone that the preceding- 

 remarks were directed. For many years my intention had been 

 directed to meteorological pursuits, having always in view, as 

 may be supposed, their connection with, or application to, phy- 

 siology and pathology, a connection which has hitherto proved 

 so lamentably fruitless. I had, consequently, often with others 

 had occasion to experience and regret the obstacles and difficul- 

 ties to which I have adverted ; and I had often thought of a me- 



