1848] WRITINGS OF JOSEPH HENRY. 285 



I concluded that it would be more in accordance with the 

 spirit of the Institution to decide against the copyright. The 

 knowledge which the Smithsonian Institution may be in- 

 strumental in presenting to the world should be free to all 

 who are capable of using it. The re-publication of our papers 

 ought to be considered as an evidence of their importance, 

 and should be encouraged rather than prohibited. - - - 



An appropriation of one thousand dollars was made at the 

 last meeting of the Board, for the commencement of a series 

 of meteorological observations, particularly with reference to 

 the phenomena of American storms. 



It is contemplated to establish three classes of observers 

 among those who are disposed to join in this enterprise. 

 One class, without instruments, to observe the face of the sky 

 as to its clearness, the extent of cloud, the direction and force 

 of wind, the beginning and ending of rain, snow, &c. A 

 second class, furnished with thermometers, who, besides mak- 

 ing the observations above mentioned, will record variations 

 of temperature. The third class, furnished with full sets of 

 instruments, to observe all the elements at present deemed 

 important in the science of meteorology. It is believed that 

 much valuable information may be obtained in this way 

 with reference to the extent, duration, and passage of storms 

 over the country, though the observer may be possessed of 

 no other apparatus than a simple wind-vane. 



As a part of the system of meteorology, it is proposed to 

 employ, as far as our funds will permit, the magnetic tele- 

 graph in the investigation of atmospherical phenomena. By 

 this means, not only notice of the approach of a storm may 

 be given to distant observers, but also attention may be 

 directed to particular phenomena, which can only be prop- 

 erly studied by the simultaneous observations of persons 

 widely separated from each other. For example, the sev- 

 eral phases presented by a thunder storm, or by the aurora 

 borealis, may be telegraphed to a distance, and the synchro- 

 nous appearances compared and recorded in stations far 

 removed from each other. Also, by the same means, a single 

 observatory, at which constant observations are made during 



