METEOROLOOICAL OBSERVATIONS. 55 



duals excepted, to promote the progress of me- 

 teorological science. The facilities afforded by 

 the publication of numerous literary and philo- 

 sophical journals have induced a multitude of 

 observers, at regular periods, to lay before the 

 public the results of their researches ; but, al- 

 though much ingenuity has been displayed in 

 tabular arrangements and in the construction of 

 diagrams, the tendency of their labours towards 

 the establishment of sound theory has been very 

 slight indeed. Whether this arises from any 

 inefficiency in the ordinary modes of investiga- 

 tion ; from discordancies occasioned by una- 

 voidable differences in the instruments employed ; 

 or from a want of uniformity in the time and 

 manner of taking the observations, which are 

 thus rendered of small value comparatively ; or 

 whether it is to be attributed to some other 

 cause, I will not take upon me to determine. 

 That so much minute and elaborate investigation 

 should have been productive of no greater ad- 

 vantage to this branch of science, is certainly a 

 discouraging reflection : still, however, a large 

 number of facts has been accumulated, which, 

 when collected and carefully examined, may 

 yield to some acute and comprehensive intellect, 

 valuable results which may have escaped the 

 notice of those who have only considered them 

 partially or in detail. Under this impression. 



