for the year 1874. xix: 



of a country. For all that has yet been done in this 

 science, we dare not attempt to prophecy more than 24 

 or at most 48 hours beforehand ; we have nothing to guide 

 us to a foreknowledge of a coming dry or wet season, and 

 despite the auguries of the oldest inhabitants and blacks^ 

 or the discussion of part observations, or any theories of 

 cycles, we are as completely in ignorance of the probable 

 weather a few days hence as if we had no barometers, 

 thermometers, or rain-gauges. The meteorological organi- 

 zation I have spoken of, however, shows how much can be 

 done by scientific systematising ; there is no theory, no 

 nostrum, no quack weather prophecy, but a sure and 

 certain knowledge obtained from careful observation and 

 clear-headed deduction, and a bold grasp at the more 

 general laws which govern the behaviour of the atmosphere 

 over large areas of the globe. The forecasting — and this 

 should mean forestalling too — of a storm, of great cold and 

 snow, may save much life and property, and has undoubtedly 

 done so in numerous instances — a single instance would 

 probably be ample recompense for a nation's outlay in 

 Meteorology. So far the accomplishment is satisfactory, 

 but it cannot be said that the most, or the best methods 

 of obtaining a more complete knowledge of the atmosphere 

 and its movements have yet been put in action. We 

 content ourselves with measuring its conditions and 

 movements on the earth's surface only ; we can certainly 

 see something that is going on above us, but at best very 

 little, for we are quite ignorant of the temperature, humidity, 

 electrical condition of, and frequently of the motion of, the 

 upper strata of air. In Paris, I see they are about to make 

 systematic observations in the higher strata of our 

 atmosphere. One of the balloons used by the beleagured 

 French in the late war, has been converted to more peaceful 

 purposes than that for which it was first constructed, and 



