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already attained, and what encouragement there is to expect further dis- 

 coveries, I shall consider hereafter. 



The sailor is not the only person who has an interest in the study of 

 meteorology. Although but a small part of the population of the Uniied 

 States are directly engaged in foreign commerce; yet so important has this 

 department of industry become, and so interwoven Avith all the business 

 of the country, that there is not a trade or profession which does not feel 

 the shock of any great disaster at sea. Aside from this indirect interest, 

 the farmer is directly dependent upon the weather for the consummation of 

 his plans, almost equally with the sailor. Severe drought or excessive 

 rains, untimely frost or a scorching sun, may blast all the hopes of the 

 husbandman. Here it may be asked, do you expect to produce rain or 

 sunshine at pleasure? Probably not. But if we can anticipate the gene- 

 ral character of a season, the farmer may regulate his time of planting or the 

 nature of his crops, so as to be least injuriously affected by unpropitious 

 weather; so that, if we cannot strip the lightning of its power, v/e may at 

 least direct it harmlessly to the earth. 



Again, an extensive series of meteorological observations may prove of 

 immense importance to the scientifie physician. It cannot be doubted 

 that the salubrity of a climate is to a great extent dependent upon its me- 

 teorology — on its mean temperature, the range of the thermometer, the 

 suddenness of iis changes, the moisture of the air, excessive rains or un- 

 usual droughts, &c. To trace the connexion between these causes and 

 prevalent diseases, requires an accumulation of precise meteorological ob- 

 servations made in every variety of exposure, and continued for a long pe- 

 riod of time. That it is possible to discover such a connexion, if it really 

 exist, cannot adm'it of a reasonable doubt; nor is it difficult to anticipate 

 the important consequences which must flow from it. To discover the 

 cause of disease is the first step towards a curej and it is by no means 

 chimerical to suppose that a complete system of meteorological observations- 

 throughout the United States might be the means of extending the dura- 

 tion of human lite. 



It cannot, then, be questioned that meteorology is a subject of the greatest 

 practical importance, joromV/eof' it has any solid foundation for a science. If 

 the laws of storms can be discovered, this knowledge must be of the 

 highest importance to mankind, particularly to those who are employed in 

 navigating the sea. If the prevalent character of a season can be antici- 

 pated, it would save the husbandman much bitter disappointment from the 

 failure of his crops. If the influence of cliuiate upon disease could be 

 detected, it might add years to the mean duration of human life. What 

 encouragement there may be to anticipate that these results will ever be at- 

 tained, I shall consider after inquiring — 



II. What has already been done for the promotion of meteorology, 



1, In the way of making the necessary observations. 



Previous to the year 1819, no combmed systematic effort had been made 

 in this country for the promotion of meteorology. Registers had been in- 

 dustriously kept by various private individuals, but they were without 

 any concerted action. In 1819, under the direction of the then Secretary 

 of War, John C. Calhoun, a system of meteorological observations was 

 commenced at the different military posts, which has been continued to the 

 present time. This was a highly important movement, and was prompted 

 by a most liberal spirit. It has furnished us with an approximate knowl- 



