294 On the Comparative Temperature of Penzance, [April, 



Tariety of places in the island ; all which observations illustrate, 

 in a very striking manner, the effect of the peninsular position of 

 this place in equalizing its temperature. In further illustration 

 of this fact, I subjoin the principal results of the last three 

 months at Penzance and Edmonton (Middlesex), as procured by 

 the register thermometer. On this occasion I would beg 

 leave to suggest the advantage of collecting the compara- 

 tive observations made by register thermometers throughout 

 the kingdom, and of publishing them monthly, condensed into a 

 comprehensive and manageable compass, as in the following 

 table. If you approve of the proposal, and will solicit the 

 assistance of observers in different parts of the kingdom, I have 

 no doubt but this will be cheerfully granted. By such a plan as 

 this, I am convinced a much more clear and exact knowledge of 

 meteorology would be diffused in a few years than by the long 

 continued publication of the voluminous and unconnected diaries 

 at present diffused through various journals. If your friend Mr. 

 Luke Howard, who is, perhaps, better quahfied for the task 

 than any other person, would undertake to construct a plan, 

 and submit it to the public, I have no doubt of the success 

 of the measure. Of course, in this it would be necessary to 

 include all the more important features of the science. In the 

 foUowing table I confine myself to the temperature. 



I am. Sir, your obedient humble servant, 



John Forbes. 



Comparative Temperature of Penzance, in Cornwall and Edmon- 

 ton j Middlesex, in Nov. and Dec, 1820, and Jan. 1821, bj/ the 

 Register Thermometer. 



N.B. The results for Edmonton are extracted from the diary 

 of Mr. Adams, published in the Literary Gazette. 



