• SUPPLEMENTARY PAPERS. 87 



to establish precision of time and to define motion in given periods, 

 least of all requires sucli an accord. The explanation lies in the 

 fact that astronomers, besides being accustomed to i-educe to a com- 

 mon measure of Time, different places and the different observations 

 made, are always in the position more easily so to reduce such obser- 

 vations than the representatives of other sciences, \vho have to deal 

 only occasionally with Time and matters of Longitude. It must not, 

 however, fail to be recognized that also for astronomy, benefit would 

 arrive if the astronomers scattered over the eai'th's surface would 

 make it a law among themselves for certain observations in the mat- 

 ter of Time to be referred to one and the same Meridian. 



Applied to navigation, as can be well understood, the question 

 enters into practical life. Biit the navigator, like the astronomer, 

 has continually to consider the principle of difference of Time, and 

 hence a law relative to the Unification of Time notation is of less 

 relative significance to him. Whereas in other respects uniformity in 

 the delineation of geographical Longitudes upon sea charts, and in 

 the register of geographical sites, would be of substantial use, as well 

 for the safety of navigation as for convenience in calculation. 



In the matter of telegraphs it would principally be their adminis- 

 tration which would derive advantages from one Time notation for 

 the whole world. If despatches be solely sent as desired, according 

 to Local or to Normal Time described, so sharp control can scarcely 

 be exercised over delays or other hindrances, without repeated 

 inquiries to and fro. By the general application of Universal Time, 

 difficulties in this respect would be reduced considerably. Thus also 

 the gi-eat body of the public would be a gainer, for then everybody 

 would be in the position to know with certainty when the despatch 

 in question was delivered ; a circumstance which may be of the 

 greatest importance in many cases, as well in commercial relations 

 as in many other questions of civic life. 



With regard to railway -communication, it is possible to introduce 

 Standard Time to be observed within the territory of a single 

 country, or to groups of countries bound together by close relations, 

 by which the administration of the lines, and the movements of 

 trains may be regulated ; while with regard to the piiblic, the Time 

 to be exhibited can still adhere to the Time by which every day life 

 is regulated, be it Local or Standard Time. Such has already been 

 the case for some time in many countries, and has undoubtedly been 

 attended with great advantages to the interior channels of communi- 

 cation. Thus with us in Russia, an ordinance has been in operation- 

 for some time, by virtue of which the movements upon all railways 

 should be governed by Pultowa Time, and on some lines, at least, it 

 is in force. On other lines which have been constructed at a later 

 date, this ordinance has been departed from, and in different ways 

 t-ie movement has been regulated by the local Time of one of the 



