UNIVERSAL OR COSMIC TIME. 11 



lield at Montreal, June 15, 1881, and a committee of men engaged 

 in the management, and familiar with the economy of railways, ap- 

 pointed to examine the question. The committee has reported from 

 time to time. They recognized that a proposition to reform the 

 general time system of the country was a problem beset with diffi- 

 culties, but it did not appear to them insolvable. It was felt, how- 

 ever, that the question affected so many interests that any change 

 could only be effected by general concurrence. 



To attain the end proposed by this society, the papers bearing on 

 the question were printed, and a scheme modified on the proceedings 

 of the Canadian Institute was drawn up, under the title of " Cos- 

 mopolitan scheme for regulating time." 



I may briefly recall the features of the scheme. 



There should be one standard of absolute time, a Universal Day, 

 based on the mean solar passage, at one particular meridian, the 

 Prime or initial meridian for computing longitude. This Prime 

 Meridian, together with the Universal Day, to be observed by all 

 civilized nations. 



There should be 24 secondary or Hour-meridians established, 

 15 degrees of longitude apart, beginning with the Prime Meridian as 

 zero. 



To distinguish the Universal Day from local days, it should bear 

 the title of " Cosmic Day." * 



Cosmic Time is intended to be used to promote exactness in chron- 

 ology, and to be employed in astronomy, navigation, meteorology and 

 in synchronous observations throughout the world. To be employed 

 in ocean telegraphy and generally in all operations non-local in 

 character. 



The several twenty-four Meridians to be used as standards for local 

 tiiiie around the globe. Applying the system to North America, the 

 eftect would be to reduce tbe standards to four or five, as suggested 

 by the Metrological Society. 



A circular, dated March 15th, 1882, signed by Mr. John Bogart, 

 the Secretary of the American Society of Civil Engineers, was for- 



* [Note.— I may remark, that the designation " Cosmic " was first suggested, independently, 

 hy t-wo Canadian gentlemen widely separated, by Mr. R. G. Haliburton, then in Algiers, and 

 by Mr. Thomas Hector, of Ottawa. The etymology commends the use of the word. It has 

 been accepted by a number of societies and by many individuals as appropriate and 

 applicable.] 



