1865.] and on the Meteorological Department. 519 



wrecks, where important questions concerning compasses are likely to be 

 raised, a person thoroughly acquainted with the suhject could attend and 

 give the Court the benefit of his opinion. On this subject the Board will 

 communicate with the Admiralty. 



" Lastly, the Royal Society refer to the possible improvement of the 

 science by means of farther observations. As regards this, all the Board 

 cf Trade could do would be to obtain observations from Masters of mer- 

 chant ships, in the manner originally proposed by the Eoyal Society, when 

 the Meteorological Department of this office was established. The whole 

 subject of that department is now under consideration, and this branch of 

 the subject of the Royal Society's letter will be considered in connexion 

 with the rest of that department. 



" I have the honour to be, 



" Sir, 

 " Your obedient Servant, 



" T. H. FARRER." 



" Major- General Saline, &fc. <$fc, 6fc., 

 President Royal Society." 



Mr. Fane to General Saline. 



"Board of Trade, Whitehall, 



12th August, 1865. 



" SIR, I am directed by the Lords of the Committee of Privy Council 

 for Trade to forward to you the inclosed copy of a letter received from the 

 Secretary to Lloyd's Register, in answer to a communication from this 

 Board relative to the subject of Compasses in Iron Ships. 



" I am, Sir, 



" Your obedient Servant, 



Major-General Saline, $c. $c. $c., " W. S. FANE." 



President Eoyal Society." 



(Liclosure.) 



" Lloyd's Register of British and Foreign Shipping, 

 2 White Lion Court, Cornhill, 4th August, 1865. 



<( g IE) I a m directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated 

 25th ultimo, with its inclosures, relating to the variation &c. of Com- 

 passes in Iron Ships, and to acquaint you that it occupied the attention of 

 the Committee of this Society at their Meeting yesterday. 



" It appears that it is a subject encompassed with difficulties, and that 

 but little is known at present as to any method which shall ensure satis- 

 factory action of compasses in iron vessels. 



" The Committee apprehend therefore that it will not be in their power 

 to take any active steps in the matter ; but they will avail themselves of 

 such means as arc at their disposal to obtain information on the important 



