V 



290 CORRESPONDENCE. 



to these appearances, that " they that go down to the sea in ships," 

 can make preparations to meet the dangers of the storm they can- 

 not avert. How interesting, therefore, must be that study which 

 may be made so beneficial to mankind. Having stated some of 

 the advantages resulting from a knowledge of Meteorology, I will 

 proceed to lay before your readers the attempts that have been 

 made, and are now making, to cultivate its study, and to stimulate 

 persons, with leisure and opportunity, to pursue it. It must have 

 been matter for surprise that, while there is scarcely a science or 

 art but receives encouragement and support from a society composed 

 of persons professing the one or attracted to the other, Meteorology 

 does not enjoy that patronage. True it is that, in 1823, a society 

 was established in the metropolis, under the denomination of " the 

 London Meteorological Society," admitting persons residing in the 

 country as corresponding members. Of that society Dr. Birk. 

 beck was the president ; Dr. Clutterbuck the treasurer ; and Mr. 

 Wilford the secretary ; with a council consisting of eight members : 

 but it never came into active operation, and soon fell into decay. 

 As this society never was, however, formally dissolved, it may be 

 justly observed ie it is not dead, but sleepeth." To awaken this asso- 

 ciation from its lethargy, is the endeavour of several persons, who 

 have for years devoted themselves to the subject for which it was 

 formed ; and I am led to believe that the staff, if I may be allowed 

 the expression, of the old society are anxious to enlist recruits into 

 the service, and several of the old members are about to take their 

 former places in the ranks. 



Since 1823 the science of Meteorology has not only progressed, 

 but has been more generally encouraged : the time has therefore 

 arrived, when the efforts of a society desirous to promote the study, 

 can be best directed in effecting so desirable an object. There can- 

 not, surely, be a town in the kingdom but would produce more than 

 one active member, and few villages but would find its representa- 

 tive. Men of the medical profession and scholastic teachers are 

 particularly qualified, by their habits and avocations, to become ex- 

 ceedingly serviceable ; and by using their influence, and by making 

 exertions, a long time need not elapse ere Meteorology would be able 

 to boast of having a society as extended and active as any of those 

 which are advancing science in every direction, and conferring so 

 much honour upon the country. 



Yours, truly, 



Wycombe, Oct. 9, 1836. James G. Tatem. 



