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of State for India would be the proper course to be pursued ; but 

 in any case it seems very clear that it is not creditable to leave this 

 subject in its present disjointed state. India furnishes the largest 

 extent of territory accessible to Great Britain in which arcs of the 

 meridian can be measured, and there can be no question that from 

 Cape Comorin to the Himalayan Mountains one uniform triangula- 

 tion ought to be formed. 



The most effectual method of accomplishing this desirable purpose 

 would assuredly have been that which I counselled the Government of 

 India to adopt in 1842 ; but as my proposal was rejected, it only 

 remains to make the most of the materials we actually possess. 



As to now giving effect to my proposal, which was to revise the 

 whole series south of Damargida with the same instruments and ob- 

 servers as had been employed in the northern portion, there would be 

 difficulties which did not then exist. Not to speak of the fact that 

 there are none of the observers of that day at present available, it 

 must be remembered that the station-marks of the Bedu base and the 

 Damargida Observatory were then fresh and intact, as were indeed the 

 other station-marks in general ; but the natives of India have a habit 

 peculiar to human beings in that state of society, of attributing 

 supernatural and miraculous powers to our instruments, and the sites 

 which have been occupied by them. In cases of death or any other 

 natural visitations they often offer up prayers to those sites ; and if 

 the object of their prayers be not conceded, they proceed to all sorts 

 of acts of destruction and indignity towards them : nay, as in all cases 

 where it was practicable, my station-marks were engraved on the solid 

 rock in situ, they have been known to proceed in bodies armed with 

 sledge-hammers, and beat out every vestige of the engraving ; so that 

 it is by no means certain that the marks which designate the limits 

 at Damargida and Bedu could now be detected. 



I will not trouble you with any further remarks, but, with full con- 

 fidence that the Royal Society will, after giving the subject due con- 

 sideration, take such measures as the case may seem in their wisdom 

 to require, 



I beg to subscribe myself, Sir, 



Your very obedient Servant, 



GEORGE EVEREST. 

 To the Secretary of the Royal Society. 



