PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS, S.T.E , 1874. 225 



fail, we ought to be able to conclude an answer 

 more or less definite to the question I have put. 

 Are we to look in the regions external to our 

 atmosphere for the cause of the underground 

 currents, or are we to look under the earth for 

 some unknown cause affecting terrestrial mag- 

 netism, and giving rise to an induction of those 

 currents ? The direction of the effects, if we can 

 only observe those directions, will help us most 

 materially to judge as to what answer should be 

 given. It is my desire to make a suggestion which 

 may reach members of this society, and associates 

 in distant parts of the world. I make it not 

 merely to occupy a little time in an inaugural 

 address, but with the most earnest desire and ex- 

 pectation that something may be done in the 

 direction of my suggestion. I do not venture to 

 say that something may come from my suggestion 

 because, perhaps, without any suggestion from me, 

 the acute and intelligent operators whom our great 

 submarine telegraph companies have spread far 

 and wide over the earth are fully alive to the 

 importance of such observations as I am now 



