THE PARASCEVE. 389 



are not philosophers. What science deals with phenomena 

 more subtle and delicate than meteorology ? Yet hear Sir John 

 Herschel. " It happens fortunately that almost every datum 

 which the scientific meteorologist can require is furnished in 

 its best and most available state by that definite systematic 

 process known as the " keeping a meteorological register" 

 which consists in noting at stated hours of every day the read- 

 ings of all the meteorological instruments at command, as well 

 as all such facts or indications of wind and weather as are sus- 

 ceptible of being definitely described and estimated without 

 instrumental aid. Occasional observations apply to occasional 

 and remarkable phenomena, and are by no means to be neg- 

 lected ; but it is to the regular meteorological register, steadily 

 and perseveringly kept throughout the whole of every voyage, that 

 we must look for the development of the great laws of this 



science. 1 



Between the officers of Her Majesty's navy registering the 

 readings of their instruments in all latitudes and longitudes, 

 and the man of science in his study deducing the laws of 

 meteorology from a comparison of the results, the division of 

 labour is surely as complete as Bacon would have desired. Nor 

 would the scientific directions previously furnished to the 

 officers for their guidance, directions when, where, what, and 

 how to observe and record, though containing " many results 

 of theory bearing upon observation," have seemed to him 

 either objectionable or superfluous : on the contrary, such 

 directions form part of his own design as explained by himself. 

 In the concluding paragraph of the tract which has suggested 

 these remarks he distinctly announces his intention to draw up 

 certain heads of inquiry showing what points with reference to 

 each subject were more particularly to be observed. And 

 though he did not live to execute this part of his design, a few 

 fragments remaining among his papers show in what manner 

 he proposed to proceed. And (if an idle looker-on who can 

 offer no help in the work may presume to offer an opinion) I 

 could wish that men of science would apply themselves ear- 

 nestly to the solution of this practical problem : What measures 

 are to be taken in order that the greatest variety of judicious 

 observations of nature all over the world may be carried on 



1 Manual of Scientific Inquiry, prepared for the use of officers in Her Majesty's navy 

 and travellers in general. Edited by Sir John F. W. Herschel, Bt., p. 281. 



c c 3 



