124 REPORT—1843. 
“It would be a source of pleasure and satisfaction to me to work in con- 
nection with the Committee of the British Association, and to receive from it 
from time to time such information and advice as would facilitate my labours 
here. It has often struck me that the Association, in neglecting any syste- 
matic effort to link colonial science with that of the mother country, is losing 
noble fields of exertion, and has failed in what ought to have been one of its 
essential objects. Looking to India only,—to how many points of the deep- 
est interest might not materials be contributed from it? Yet the Association 
seeks not to stimulate and guide the necessary inquiries. There are many 
qualified men in the Indian army and civil service who require only a little 
encouragement to ensure their co-operation in any scientific efforts ; and to 
those interested in India, the apathy and indifference regarding it that prevail 
at home are painful topics of remark. When the Association was first 
established an Indian sub-committee was appointed; but no correspondence 
appears to have been maintained with it, and no steps taken to fill vacancies 
in it. It is now quite extinct, but might easily be called again into being 
and activity were it considered advisable that it should be.” 
The letter from which these extracts have been quoted contains some inter- 
esting information in regard to those portions of India most affected by earth- 
quakes, which it would be out of place to embody in the present report, the 
more especially as it was published in the last January Number of the Edin- 
burgh Philosophical Journal. But the above extracts are given, in order that 
the Association may consider the two points submitted to them by Lieutenant 
Smith, viz.—(1.) Whether they will authorise this Committee to receive from 
him, to be embodied if they see fit in their annual report, such information as 
may be sent to them by him or others in regard to Indian earthquakes. (2.) 
Whether the Association would reappoint the Indian sub-committee to which 
he refers, the precise objects or duties of which are however not known to the 
present reporter. 
The other letter above referred to is from Mr. Mathie Hamilton, M.D., 
the author of various articles on South American earthquakes, and on the 
Lama, Alpaco, and other animals in South America, which were published in 
the Edinburgh Philosophical Journal. 
Mr. Hamilton, who has resided for many years in Peru, and had turned 
his attention to more than one branch of its natural history, intimates in his 
letter the intention of returning to Peru, and of permanently residing there. 
The object of Mr. Hamilton’s communication is hinted at in the following 
extract from his letter, which is dated the 6th of August 1843 :—“ My object 
in this communication is, that if either you or any of your friends would sug- 
gest any inquiries connected with the causes and phenomena of earthquakes, 
I will most cheerfully, in so far as may be in my power, attend to such sug- 
gestions. Iam asubscriber to the book-fund and a life member of the British 
Association, and if in any mode I can assist the objects of the Association I 
will do so. On the 6th of June last I was at Comrie, and saw some of the 
instruments ; I think that the 39-inch pendulum (not the noddy) and the in- 
strument which is attached to the wall in Mr. Macfarlane’s attic for measuring 
the vertical movements, are those which will be found most convenient in Peru. 
I wish to go to the meeting in Cork, but I fear that the necessary arrangements 
for my projected voyage may prevent me.” 
The member of your Committee to whom Mr. Hamilton addressed this 
communication had some conversation with him, and is impressed with the 
conviction, that if the Association thinks it desirable to receive information 
respecting earthquakes in Peru, a better opportunity could scarcely present 
itself than that which now occurs. Considering, as he does, that it is desirable 


