90 On Meteorological Observations at Sea. 



account when received, and not be suffered to lie dormant 

 for the want of a department to discuss them ; and that, 

 should any Government, from its limited means or from the 

 paucity of the observations transmitted, not feel itself justi- 

 fied in providing for their separate discussion, it is hoped 

 that it will transfer the documents, or copies of them, to some 

 neighbouring Power, which may be more abundantly provided, 

 and willing to receive them. 



" It is with pleasure that the conference has learned that 

 the Government of Sweden and Norway has notified its in- 

 tention of co-operating in the work, and that the King has 

 commanded the logs kept by his Swedish subjects to be trans- 

 mitted to the Royal Academy of Science at Stockholm, and 

 also that in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Portugal, mea- 

 sures have been taken to establish a department for the same 

 purpose, and that the Admiralty of Great Britain has ex- 

 pressed its intention of giving instructions for meteorological 

 observations to be made throughout the Royal Navy. 



" The conference has avoided the expression of any opinion 

 as to the places or countries in which it would be desirable 

 to establish offices for the discussion of the logs, but it is 

 confidently hoped that, whatever may be done in this respect, 

 there will be always a full and free interchange of materials, 

 and a frequent and friendly intercourse between the depart- 

 ments ; for it is evident that much of the success of the plan 

 proposed will depend upon this interchange, and upon the 

 frankness of the officers who in the several countries may 

 conduct these establishments. 



" Lastly, the conference feels that it would but inadequately 

 discharge its duties, did it close this report without endea- 

 vouring to procure for these observations a consideration 

 which would secure them from damage or loss in time of 

 war, and invites that inviolate protection which science claims 

 at the hands of every enlightened nation ; and that, as vessels 

 on discovery or scientific research are by consent suffered to 

 pass unmolested in time of war, we may claim for these do- 

 cuments a like exemption, and hope that observers, amid the 

 excitement of war, and perhaps enemies in other respects, 

 may in this continue their friendly assistance, and pursue 



