78 UNIVERSAL OR COSMIC TIME. 



the notation of days and hours, whatever shock it may give to old customs and 

 he prejudices engendered by them. 



In countries of limited extent, the difficulty is easily grappled with. By 

 general understanding, an arrangement affecting the particular community 

 may be observed, and the false principles which have led to the differences 

 and disagreements can be set aside. In Great Britain the time of the Obser- 

 vatory at Greenwich is adopted for general use. But this involves a depar- 

 ture from the principles by whieh time is locally determined, and hence, if 

 these principles be not wrong, every clock in the United Kingdom, except 

 those on a line due north and south from Greenwich, must of necessity be 

 in error. 



On the continent of North America efforts have recently been made to ad- 

 just the difficulty. The steps taken have been in a high degree successful in 

 providing a remedy for the disturbing influences referred to, and, at the same 

 time, they are in harmony with principles, the soundness of which is indis- 

 putable. 



When we examine into time in the abstract, the conviction is forced upon 

 us that it bears no resemblance to any sort of matter which comes before our 

 senses ; it is immaterial, without form, without substance, without spiritual 

 essence. It is neither solid, liquid, nor gaseous. Yet it is capable of measure- 

 ment with the closest precision. Nevertheless, it may be doubted if anything 

 measurable could be computed on principles more erroneous than those which 

 now prevail with regard to it. 



What course do we follow in reckoning time ? Our system implies that 

 there are innumerable conceptions designated "time." We speak of solar, as- 

 tronomical, nautical, and civil time, of apparent and mean time. Moreover, 

 we assign to every individual point around the surface of ths earth separate 

 and distinct times in equal variety. The usages inherited by us imply that 

 there is an infinite number of times. Is not all this inconsistent with reason, 

 and at variance with the cardinal truth, that there is one time only ? 



Time may be compared to a great stream forever flowing onward. To us, 

 nature, in its widest amplitude, is a unity. We have but one Earth, but one 

 Universe, whatever its myriad component parts. That there is also but one 

 flow of Time is consistent with the plain dictates of our understanding. That 

 there can be more than one passage of Time is inconceivable. 



From every consideration, it is evident that the day has arrived when our 

 method of Time-reckoning should be reformed. The conditions of modern 

 civilization demand that a comprehensive system should be established, em- 

 bodying the principal thiat Time is one abstract conception, and that all de- 

 finite portions of it should be based on, or be related to, one unit measure. 



On these grounds I feel justified in respectfully asking the consideration of 

 the Conference to the series of recommendations which I venture to submit. 



The matter is undoubtedly one in which every civilized nation is interested. 

 Indeed, it may be said that, more or less, every human being is concerned in 

 it. The problem is of universal importance, and its solution can alone be 

 found in the general adoption of a system grounded on principles recognized 

 as incontrovertible. 



Such principles are embodied in the recommendations which I am permit- 

 ted to place before the Conference. They involve, as an essential requirement, 

 the determination of a unit of measurement, and it is obvious that such a unit 

 must have its origin in the motion of the heavenly bodies. No motion is more 

 uniform than the motion of the earth on its axis. This diurnal revolution ad- 

 mits of the most delicate measurement, and, in all respects, is the most avail- 

 able for a unit measure. It furnishes a division of time definite and precise, 

 and one which, without difficulty, can be made plain and manifest. 



