UNIVERSAL OR COSMIC TIME. 16 
the members of this Society must equally join in the common sgatis- 
faction in the measure of success which has been achieved. 
Six years back, when the subject was discussed in this Hall, there 
were probably not a few who viewed the propositions then submitted 
as merely fanciful theories. Others, who did not refuse to recognize 
their bearing, entertained the feeling that many grave difficulties 
presented themselves to interfere with any successful attempt to 
reform or modify usages so ancient as the computation of time. But 
the Institute, as a body, was hopeful. The action taken by the Council 
to extend the field of discussion and awaken the attention of foreign 
communities, evinced confidence, and we may now ask, was this 
confidence justified? What are the facts to-day? Twelve months 
have passed since an important change in the notation of Railway 
Time was made with general approval throughout the length and 
breadth of North America ; a revolution in the usages of sixty millions 
of people has been silently effected and with scarcely a trace that it 
has happened. That proceeding has been followed by events of 
equal importance. On the Ist of October last a body of accredited 
Delegates from the different nations, on the invitation of the Presi- 
dent of the United States, met in Conference to consider the problem 
“< the face of the watch or clock a secondary dial, showing the new atternoon hours in Arabiz 
““ numerals within the present Roman figures. 
& fe 
Plate .= ear Ny 2. 
““Plate No. 2 shows the secondary dial. It must be of thin material; and it has been 
““ found that made simply of paper and secured to its position by any gui which will adhere to 
“an enamelled surface, the object is attained without any further alteration of the watch or 
“ clock, 
“The Committee is aware that these seem trifling matters to bring under the notice of the 
“* Convention, but questicns of great moment not seldom hinge en smail details. It is evident 
** from what has been set forth, that every person in the community may, at the cost of a few 
“* cents in each case, adapt his watch to the 24 o’clock system. 
“The Committee accordingly repeat their conviction, that with the disappearance of the 
“only practical difficulty at an insignificant cost, there is nothing to prevent the Railway 
“authorities and the community at large adopting the change as soon as they become alive to 
“ its advantages,” 
