204 Geograpliical Congress at Paris for 1875. [Nov. 



and afterwards, thanks to the easier ways of communication, by inviting to 

 discussions all men who devoted themselves to such important problems. 



' This was the object which brought about the Congress held in 1871 

 at Anvers ; and if the great and legitimate success of this scientific festival 

 was principally due to tlie enlightened zeal of eminent leaders and to tha 

 eagerness of many adherents, we must also trace it to the exceptional inter- 

 est of the science itself, the field of which is cultivated by many and thus 

 proves a common arena for varied researches. 



' This is the way, which the Geographical Society of Paris intends to 

 follow in its turn, encouraged by the very first men who had pointed it out. 

 Strengthened by the support of the President of the Hepublic and expect- 

 ing to obtain the support of foreign governments, it has decided that a new 

 Geographical Scientific Congress shall be convened in Paris during the spring 

 of the year 1875. 



* To study the earth in its various aspects, its physical constitution, the 

 manifestations of life on its surface ; to examine the ways to measure and 

 represent it and determine its relations to the heavenly bodies ; to re-esta- 

 blish the successive states of our planet at its different epochs and find out 

 on the soil the traces of the history reconstructed by modern erudition ; to 

 try to render the intercourse between nations quicker and easier, and give 

 man, by degrees, the whole habitable surface ; to compare with each other 

 methods of teaching and to concentrate the exertions tending to the diffusion 

 and advancement of science ; to act in concert in explorations to be under- 

 taken ; to state what is certain, discuss what is doubtful, and to find out by 

 a theoretical and practical study of the earth what is not yet known, this is 

 the aim of the Paris Congress. 



' We therefore appeal to geographers who specially devote themselves 

 to this branch of study ; to the learned men who in other pursuits require 

 the aid of Geography ; to the travellers who, at the risk of their lives, have 

 widened the horizon of Science and multiplied the roads of trade ; to the 

 professors who by their teaching or writings, have contributed to the spread 

 of geographical knowledge ; to the engineers who, by their admirable 

 works, have created roads of communication all over the world ; to all those 

 at last, and there are many, who take a deep interest in these questions 

 and think it useful to propagate more and more a thoroughly necessary 

 science. 



' We invite to this peaceful land men of all countries, knowing 

 that they will bring with them no other passion but the passion for 

 truth. We shall especially ask the assistance of foreign scientific Socie- 

 ties and request them to send delegates, to name the gentlemen to whom 

 letters of convocation ought to be sent, to point out the questions which 

 might be advantageously put. 



