90 UNIVERSAL OR COSMIC TIME. 
relatively for the slightest sacrifice from other countries taken 
collectively. In the mean time, it was by no means unknown that also 
other Meridians, namely, that of Paris and the Meridian distant from 
it 20° in round numbers, which it has been customary to describe as 
that of Ferro, had well-grounded claims to consideration. Astronomers 
claimed for the former, that of Paris, that the classic labours of 
Laplace, Bessel, Leverrier, Hansen and others had been based upon 
this Initial Meridian, which had thus been taken as their starting 
point on Astronomical Territory. It was urged with regard to the - 
latter, that it was the object of constant reference in School Atlasses 
of Germany, Russia and other lands. On the other hand, with regard 
to Greenwich, besides the practical advantages already named, it 
could be especially claimed that by far the majerity of geographical 
positions on the earth’s surface, were principally established accord- 
ing to this Meridian ; and that the Greenwich Observatory for more 
than two centuries having published continuous observations on the 
Moon’s motion, and through manifold labours and investigations bear- 
ing on navigation, had rendered such service to geography and navyi- 
gation, which no other institution could adduce, or even in any 
way approach. 
Influenced by such considerations, it followed that at the Congress at 
Rome, the resolution in a certain manner was unanimously adopted 
‘to recommend for general acceptance as First Meridian that of Green- 
wich. Even the numerous French representatives, many of them 
persons of importance, did not oppose this step, but by abstaining 
from voting, contented themselves with this expression of sympathy, 
with the Meridian of Paris so acceptable to them. Likewise,some other 
resolutions bearing upon the subject were at the same time carried 
with such a large majority as almost to make the vote unanimous : 
viz., that the Longitudes should be numbered from Greenwich to the 
East around the whole earth to 360°; that the Universal Time to be 
introduced, should be Mean Solar Time, taken from the First Meri- 
dian, and that the notation of the latter should be without division 
of the day in two halves, but carried on to 24 hours. A more lively 
discussion was created by the question, whether the numeration of 
Universal Time should begin at Greenwich, mid-day or mid-night, 
was decided in favour of the former. During the consideration of 
this resolution, the fact came into strong prominence, that as the 
present custom of astronomers, and to some extent of navigators, is 
to reckon the date from noon, the arrangement of details and the 
difficulties which a departure from this custom would carry with it, 
would be felt equally by astronomical chronology, as by the calculator 
of the Ephemerides. In concluslon, two resolutions were accepted 
by the Congress of Rome, the purport of which was in no way con- 
nected with its special purpose. One of these set forth, that it was 
desirable for certain ends, especially for geodesy, that the decimal 
notation should be introduced into the circle; and the wish was 
