212 Observations on lite Admiral/^/ 



nual rate of purchase, for some years to come, will be not less than ten 

 chronometers in each year. 



" Every facility will be afforded to the makers, who may place their 

 chronometers in the depot, for disposio": of any of lliera to private pur- 

 chasers ; and everv information will be afforded to purchasers as to the 

 rates of going of the chronometers, of which a strict account will be 

 kept, under the direction of the Astronomer Royal and Board of Lon- 

 gitude. 



" The further conditions and regulations connected with this arrange- 

 ment, may be learned of the Astronomer Royal, at Greenwich, or of the 

 Hydrographer of this office. " J. W. Croker." 



"London Gazette, June 26, 1821." 



In consequence of this notification, it appears that up- 

 wards of thirty chronometers have been sent by their respec- 

 tive makers, (or perhaps proprietors would be more appro- 

 priate) to Greenwich, and the printed paper, which now lies 

 before me, is entitled " An Account of the Rate of the several 

 Chronometers on trial at the Royal Observatory, for February, 

 1822." Now, T must acknowledge that, from the style in 

 which the advertisement was couched, I augured that little 

 good would result from it : hoping, however, that my fore- 

 bodings might prove unfounded, I was willing to wait till some- 

 thing like the modus operandi should be developed, and, I am 

 sorry to say, now that such knowledge is acquired, the plan 

 seems so inefficient, that I cannot but regard it as altogether 

 futile. Whether, however, I may support my opinion upon 

 solid grounds remains to be determined. 



It must not, however, be supposed, from any thing that 

 may escape me during the discussion, that I am disposed 

 lightly to value the importance of good chronometers ; far 

 otherwise, no one estimates it higher, and, considering as I 

 do, that the lives of British seamen are oftentimes dependant 

 on their good or ill performance, I would withhold neither 

 pains, labour, or expense, to procure them as perfect as the 

 head and hands of man could make them. Whilst, however, 

 condemning the mode adopted, I cannot allow this opportunity 

 to escape, without commending, in the highest manner, the 

 principle which gave it birth. Joining, therefore, most heartily, 

 in the object to be gained, we shall only differ as to the means 

 of effecting it. 



The essentials of a good chronometer are these ; that its rate 

 should be uniform ; undisturbed to any extent by alterations 

 either of position or of temperature. A chronometer which 

 answers these conditions may be considered fit for nautical, 

 or (when a clock cannot be procured) for general astronomical 

 purposes. 



If, then, such be the attributes of a good chronometer, it 

 may be right to inquire what are the means which should be 

 employed to determine, with the greatest certainty, whether a 

 chronometer does or does not possess them. Haviffg settled 



