xliv REPORT — 1859. 



Magnetic Instruments, having already an Inclinometer of Barrow, a Declino- 

 meter of Jones, and a Unifilar of the same maker. 



" Finally, to solicit you to aid us with your excellent counsel, of which we 

 are in want. 



" You will please pardon my having taken this liberty of addressing you, 

 but wishing to serve science to the utmost of my power, I trust that you will 

 favour me with your aid. 



" Accept the assurance of my high consideration and respect. 



" I have the honour to be, Sir, 



" Your obedient Servant, 

 (Signed) " J. A. da Silva." 



" Major- General Sabine, Woolwich" 



"13 Ashley Place, Loudon, S.W. 

 " Sir, — I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter. I am authorized 

 by the Committee of the Directors of the Kew Observatory to say, that it 

 will give them great pleasure to afford every facility for instruction and 

 practice, both in the. self-recording magnetic instruments and also in those 

 designed for absolute determinations, to an officer who may be sent by you 

 for that purpose ; and should you desire to have any instruments made in 

 England similar to those in use at Kew, the Committee will be most happy to 

 superintend their construction, verify them, and send them out. In regard 

 to an application from our Government to yours, I am unable at present to 

 say anything, inasmuch as the decision upon the establishment of our own 

 proposed observatories will not be taken until the autumn : the restoration 

 of peace is a favourable event. 



" I beg you, Sir, to be assured that it will at all times give me great 

 pleasure to be of any use to your Observatory in my power. 



"I have the honour to be, Sir, 



" Your obedient Servant, 

 (Signed) " Edward Sabine." 

 " Senhor J. A. da Silva, 



Observatorio Meteor ologico, Lisbon." 



The following Resolution was passed by the General Committee at the last 

 Meeting of the Association at Leeds : — 



" That the consideration of the Kew Committee be requested to the best 

 means of removing the difficulty which is now experienced by Officers pro- 

 ceeding on Government Expeditions and by other Scientific travellers, in 

 procuring instruments for determinations of Geographical Position, of the 

 most approved portable construction, and properly verified. That the in- 

 terest of Geographical Science would be materially advanced by similar 

 measures being taken by the Kew Committee in respect to such Instruments, 

 to those which have proved so beneficial in the case of Magnetical and 

 Meteorological Instruments." 



o 



The Committee are strongly impressed with the importance of the pre- 

 ceding recommendation, and would have great satisfaction in giving their 

 best attention to the subject, but the works they have in hand are already 

 beyond the pecuniary means placed at their disposal, and the Committee are 

 unwilling to impair the credit which the Kew Observatory is obtaining by 

 undertaking more than the income enables them to accomplish effectively. 



