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TIME-EECKONING. 



BY SANDFORD FLEMING, C.M.G., M. Inst. C.F., F.G.S., F.R.G.S., Life M.C.L, Etc. 

 Kngineer-in-Chief Canadian Pacific Railway. 



I propose to direct the attention of the Institute to some points 

 connected with the reckoning of time. I shall refer to the minor 

 inconveniences which in all parts of the world are daily experi- 

 enced. I shall likewise point out what strike me as the more 

 serious difficulties arising from our present notation, and which the 

 progressive character of the age is gradually developing. The im- 

 portance of determining some means by which these inconveniences 

 may be overcome, cannot fail to be admitted by all who recognize the 

 presence of the difficulties of which I speak. 



The subject, by its character, cannot be limited in its bearing to 

 Canada, or indeed to any country. It is one which affects in different 

 degrees every locality and individual on the face of the earth ; and it 

 is of particular importance to all countries in which civilization is 

 making rapid strides, and of which the geographical features resemble 

 those of Canada and the United States. 



I propose to consider the subject under the following aspects : 



1st. The difficulties which arise from the present mode of reckoning 

 time, owing to the extension of telegraph and steam communications 

 by land and water. 



2nd. The natui-al and conventional divisions of time. 



3rd. The systems of reckoning time, ancient and modern. 



4th. The necessity of meeting the defects caused by present usages, 

 and the useful results which would be obtained from a uniform non- 

 local system. 



5th. The practicability of securing all the advantages attainable 

 from uniformity, without seriously interfering with existing local 

 customs. 

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