[97] 
TIME-RECKONING. 
BY SANDFORD FLEMING, C.M.G., M. Inst. C.E., F.G.S., F.R.G.S., Live M.C.I., Ere. 
Engineer-in-Chief Canadian Pacific Railway. 
I propose to direct the attention of the Institute to some points 
connected with the reckoning of time. I shall refer to the minor 
inconveniences which in all parts of the world are daily experi- 
enced. I shall likewise point out what strike me as the more 
serious difficulties arising from our present notation, and which the 
progressive character of the age is gradually developing. The im- 
portance of determining some means by which these inconveniences 
may be overcome, cannot fail to be admitted by all who recognize the 
presence of the difficulties of which I speak. 
The subject, by its character, cannot be limited in its bearing to 
Canada, or indeed to any country. It is one which affects in different 
degrees every locality and individual on the face of the earth ; and it 
is of particular importance to all countries in which civilization is 
making rapid strides, and of which the geographical features resemble 
those of Canada and the United States. 
I propose to consider the subject under the following aspects : 
Ist. The difficulties which arise from the present mode of reckoning 
time, owing to the extension of telegraph and steam communications 
by land and water. 
2nd. The natural and conventional divisions of time. 
3rd. The systems of reckoning time, ancient and modern. 
4th. The necessity of meeting the defects caused by present usages, 
and the useful results which would be obtained from a uniform non- 
local system. 
5th. The practicability of securing all the advantages attainable 
from uniformity, without seriously interfering with existing local 
customs. 
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