SUPPLEMENTARY PAPERS. 51 



Not being satisfied with the arguments against a universal Meri- 

 dian, it can be imagined my surprise when it came to my knowledge 

 that a body of men so distinguished and competent as the Geogra- 

 phical Society of Madrid had recommended another Meridian passing 

 by the Punta de la OrchiJla, the extreme western end of the Island 

 of Hierro. One more Meridian, when there were so many already ! 



Desirous of understanding the reasons which prompted the Society 

 ^to adopt such a resolution, I solicited the honour of being allowed to 

 enter into the subject. This was conceded to me, and while it was 

 occupying my mind I came into possession of the very A^aluable docu- 

 ments given to the light by the Canadian Institute, and which are 

 the offspring of the clear intelligence of one of its most distinguished 

 members, Mr. Sandford Fleming. 



So thoroughly was I convinced by the arguments of this eminent 

 engineer, and so very practical did his system seem for the creation 

 of a iiniform Time-reckoning for the whole world, that I i-esolved to 

 translate his valuable paper into our language, with the view of 

 founding upon it a proj^osition which I should ere this have pre- 

 sented to the Geographical Society had not my time been wholly 

 taken up by a Special Commission entrusted to me by His Excel- 

 lency the Minister of Marine, Don Santiago, Duran of Lira, in con- 

 nexion with the constant differences which take place between our 

 fishermen and those of Portugal on our southern coasts. 



The work which follows this preface is not, strictly speaking, a 

 literal translation of the paper of the distinguished member of the 

 Canadian Institute, but I believe, nevertheless, that I have most 

 faithfully interpreted the thoughts of the wise academician, and also 

 faithfully presented the essential passages of his work. If I have 

 not done so, it has not been the fault of my good will. 



Will the ideas of the author ever be adopted and put into prac- 

 tice 1 For my part, I think they will. The present system is inde- 

 fensible, and it is only necessary to study the new method without 

 prejudice, and think over the means proposed, to see their cleai-ness. 



Will there be found people to find fault with the system 1 



Undoubtedly ! The electric telegraph was considered an impossi- 

 bility half a century ago, and, to-day, the wires of this impossibility 

 encircle our srlobe. 



JUAN PASTORIX. 

 Ayamonte, SOth April, 1881. 



