540 Correspondence on Magnetism of Ships. [Nov. 30, 



and approved by the Assistant Hydrographer ; they are, as the Royal 

 Society are also aware, prepared to print and circulate amongst all persons 

 interested any practical hints or directions that the President and Council 

 of the Royal Society, the Admiralty, or the Astronomer Royal may be able 

 to furnish; and they are also prepared to procure the best scientific help 

 upon investigation into wrecks in any case in which it may appear that 

 a wreck may have been caused by compass-errors. 



"But the Board of Trade, for the reason above stated, are not pre- 

 pared to assume the responsibility which would be involved in appointing 

 an officer or officers whose duty it should be to superintend the compasses 

 of Merchant Ships, and to enforce upon shipowners and navigators com- 

 pliance with what such officers may believe to be the latest requirements 

 of science. 



" In coming to this conclusion, the Board of Trade believe that they 

 are doing what is most calculated to promote the free and healthy de- 

 velopment of scientific results as applied to the Mercantile Marine, as well 

 as to further what are their own proper objects, viz. the benefit of trade 

 and the public safety. 



" I have the honour to be, Sir, 



" Your obedient Servant, 



T. H. FARRER." 



" The President of the Royal Society, 

 Burlington House, Piccadilly" 



[Pursuant to instruction, the Secretary acknowledged the receptionf 

 the above letter by the President and Council.] 



From Sir J. Emerson Tennent to General Saline. 



" Office of Committee of Privy Council for Trade, 

 Whitehall, 20th November, 1865. 



" SIR, With reference to your letter of the 2nd November, stating 

 the willingness of the President and Council of the Royal Society to ap- 

 point one of their Fellows to represent the Society upon a Committee to 

 examine and report on questions connected with the Meteorological De- 

 partment of the Board of Trade, I am directed by the Lords of the Com- 

 mittee of Privy Council for Trade to inform you that Staff-Commander 

 Evans has been nominated by the Admiralty, and Mr. Farrer by this 

 Board ; and I am at the same time to request you to be good enough to 

 forward the name of the gentleman selected by the President and Council 

 of the Royal Society. 



" The following are the points which the Board of Trade propose to 

 refer to the Committee, if the President and Council see no objection. 



" 1. What are the data, especially as regards Meteorological Observa- 

 tions made at Sea, already collected by and now existing in the Meteoro- 

 logical Department of the Board of Trade ? 



