Xl REPORT — 1855. 



at Kew, were deposited for a few days at the Imperial Observatory at Paris ; 

 comparisons witli tiie standard instrument of the Observatory were taken by 

 M. Liais, wliicb indicated that the standards of the two Institutions do not 

 differ from each other by one-t!iousandth of an inch. 



In the report of the Committee presented to the Association at the 

 Liverpool fleeting, it is stated that — " Considering the variety and import- 

 ance of the objects which are now beiiBg carried out at the Observatory, the 

 Committee submit for the considei-ation of the Council, that should the finan- 

 cial state of the Association at Liverpool justify an increase in the annual 

 sum placed at the disposal of the Committee, they feel confident that a larger 

 grant than has been allowed in the last few years for the maintenance of 

 the Observatory, might be so appropriated in the next year with great advan- 

 tage to the interests of science and to the credit of the Association." The 

 Association responded to this request by placing the sum of £500 at the dis- 

 position of the Kew Committee. The Committee hope that the account of 

 disbursements and the report now presented will satisfy the Association that 

 the money expended during the past year has not been misapplied. Should 

 the financial position of the Association justify the expenditure, the Com- 

 mittee hope that a similar amount of £500 may be awarded for the current 

 expenses of the Kew Observatory for the ensuing year. 



The Committee cannot close this report without alluding to the advantages 

 which are likely to arise from the endeavours used by the Association to 

 improve the construction of meteorological instruments, and at the same time 

 to reduce their price. Independently of the improvement which the Committee 

 have been able to introduce in the manufacture of instruments for the use 

 of the Royal and Commercial INIarine, they are gratified by perceiving an 

 increasing disposition among the makers generally to bestow more care upon 

 the construction of their instruments. 



(Signed) John P. Gassiot, 



Chairman. 



Correspondence referred to in preceding Report. 

 1 . Mr. Gassiot to the Hon. Charles Gore. 



" Clapham Common, 20th March, 1855. 



" Sir, — You are I believe aware, that some years since H.M. Govern- 

 ment placed the Observatory in the Old Deer Park, at Richmond, at tiie 

 disposal of the British Association, with the view of its being used not only 

 for the deposit of the various scientific instruments and apparatus as well as 

 books belonging to the Association, but also for the carrying on of various 

 scientific experimental investigations. 



" Much inconvenience has arisen in the prosecution of the latter, from the 

 Observatory not being properly lighted, and I have been requested by the 

 Committee to suggest to you the advisability of the interior of the building 

 being lighted with gas. 



" Exclusive of the desirableness of the gas being laid on, as has been 

 done in tiie Magnetical and Electrical Department of the Royal Observatory 

 at Greenwich Park, and in the event of which the Committee would be 

 enabled to carry out a variety of scientific investigations which they are 

 now totally prevented from commencing, I may state that the increased 

 requirements arising from the number of barometers and thermometers, 

 which are at present in course of verification for the use of H.M. Navy 

 and Mercantile Marine, has rendered it indispensable that a corresponding 



