34 UNIVERSAL OR COSMIC TIME. 
were first carried eastwardly from Europe to California, through the: 
Cape of Good Hope and India (by the Jesuit Missionaries). When 
the United States advanced westwardly, they who had taken their 
count westwardly from Europe found one day’s difference. The- 
United States have gained the victory in the States. I know not. 
whether the Missions have changed. It is said that the Philippine 
Tslands are still in an anomalous position. 
2. As regards the construction of clock-faces proposed by Mr. 
Fleming to meet the supposed difficulties, I do not believe that they 
would ever be adopted or used. If they were exposed in shops, I do. 
not suppose that one would be sold. 
3. I do not understand, from the terms of the Toronto Memorial,. 
what steps the memorialists wish the Government to take, except 
“ perhaps to direct the attention of official and scientific authorities in 
“Great Britain, and of Foreign Governments, to it.” I do not 
imagine that Her Majesty’s Government are inclined, mero motu, to. 
undertake this responsibility. 
4. As far as I can understand the usual policy of the British 
Government in social matters, it has been, to adopt the general sense 
of the nation in the broad features of any such arrangements, and to 
give to them that accuracy and uniformity which only a Government 
can give. Among other matters, I am officially cognizant of the laws 
and regulations respecting standards of length, weight and capacity, 
and I believe that the system secured by the policy: which I mention 
is most excellent. The same may be said in regard to Bills of Ex-- 
change, Cheques, &c., where rules, suggested by usage, have been 
adopted and legalized by the Government. 
5. I would suggest for consideration, that an answer be given 
nearly of the following tenor: That Her Majesty’s Government, 
recognizing in some degree the inconveniences described by the 
memorialists, are not able at present to compare with them the 
possible inconvenience which might arise from the interference of 
Government in such a matter. That it has been the custom of Her 
Majesty’s Government to abstain from interfering to introduce novel- 
ties in any question of social usage, until the spontaneous rise of such 
novelties has become so extensive as to make it desirable that regu- 
lations should be sanctioned by superior authority. That it does not 
appear that such extensive spontaneous call in reference to the sub- 
jects of the Memorial, has yet arisen. That it appears desirable that 
the question should be extensively ventilated by the memorialists, 
and should be submitted by them to the principal Geographical and 
Hydrographical bodies, including (perhaps with others) the Royal 
Geographical Society, and the Dock Trustees or other commercial 
bodies, at London, Liverpool and Glasgow. 
I have, &e., 
G. B. AIRY. 
The Right Hon. The Secretary of State for the Colonies, &c. 
