122 TIME-RECKONING. 



tlie clocks and watches in use valueless. But the remedy is simple, 

 as local time may be retained and indicated side by side with cosmo- 

 politan time by altering the dial plates or substituting new ones. 



The establishment of twenty-four fixed meridians, as proposed, at 

 one hour's distance from each other, as standards for local time, 

 would secure complete uniformity in the indication of the minutes 

 in all the clocks of the world ; the hours of local time only differing. 

 Appendix No. 3 illustrates this feature ; it shows simultaneous time 

 at each of the twenty -four standard meridians ; local time varying 

 one hour in each case ; cosmopolitan time remaining constant. 



In this communication I have endeavoured to submit the incon- 

 veniences and difficulties inseparable from our present mode of 

 reckoning dates, and from our system of keeping and noting smaller 

 divisions of time. I have referred to the various iisages and customs 

 which prevail, and I have drawn special attention to the fact that the 

 application of steam to locomotion by land and sea, and of electricity 

 to the telegraph, literally without limit, has rendered the present 

 practice of reckoning time ill suited to modern life. 



It cannot be supposed that tliese agents of progress have com- 

 jileted their mission. "We may rather assume that these extraor- 

 dinary powers have but commenced their wonderful career, and that 

 they will achieve further triumphs in civilization. 



It is in America these agents have been introduced to the greatest 

 relative extent, as the subjoined estimate of the length of railways 

 constructed will show : 



Population. Miles of Railway. 



Asia 824,548,500 7,643 



Europe 309,178,300 88,748 



Africa 199,921,600 1,451 



N. and S. America 85,519,800 83,055 



Australasia 4,748,600 1,752 



Totals 1,423,917,800 183,248 



It has been suggested, that the difficulties already met in portions 

 of America threaten to become increased as the railway system is 

 extended. It may thei-efore be assumed, that any practicable scheme 

 to effect a remedy would be favourably received. The importance of 

 the subject is not confined to America, for the other quarters of the 

 globe are now or will be similarly interested. Australia' and Africa 

 will before long be pierced, perhaps girdled, by railways. Asia, with 

 more than half the population of the world, must in due time follow- 

 in the general progress. In North and South America, thex'e is room 



