in Meteorological Observations. 145 



superintendence of men eminently qualified by theoretical and prac- 

 tical knowledge, and whose previous publications had obtained for 

 them a general European reputation. Such men are Kupffer, Dove, 

 Kreil, Lamont and Quetelet ; under whose direction the meteorolo- 

 gical observations in the above-named countries are proceeding ; the 

 instruments have been constructed under their care, and the instruc- 

 tions drawn up and published by them under the sanction of their 

 respective governments. The observations as they are made are sent 

 to them, are reduced and co-ordinated under their superintendence, 

 and are published at the expense of the governments. Every year 

 is now producing publications of this nature in the countries referred 

 to, and by the rapid intercommunication of these, the results of. the 

 experience of one country, and the modifications and improvements 

 which experience may suggest, become quickly known to all. To 

 call on countries already so advanced in systematically-conducted 

 meteorological observations, to remodel their instructions and instru- 

 ments, with a view of establishing uniformity in these respects, 

 would probably, if pressed, elicit from other governments also the 

 reply which Her Majesty's Government have received from Prince 

 Schwarzenberg, conveyed in the Earl of Westmoreland's letter to 

 Viscount Palmerston, viz., the transmission of a copy of the instruc- 

 tions which have been given to the Meteorological Observatories, 

 forty-five in number, in the Austrian dominions, and a reference to 

 the results obtained at those observatories, which are stated to be in 

 regular course of publication. 



In an earlier stage, when these establishments were either form- 

 ing or were only in contemplation, it was considered that advantage 

 might arise from a discussion of the objects to be principally kept in 

 view, and of the instruments and methods by which these might be 

 most successfully prosecuted. For this purpose, a conference was 

 held at Cambridge, in England, in 1845, which was attended by 

 many of the most distinguished meteorologists in Europe, and 

 amongst them by all the gentlemen whose names are above stated, 

 and who were expressly sent by their respective governments. The 

 impulse communicated by this assemblage was without doubt highly 

 beneficial, and the influence of the discussions which took place may 

 perhaps be traced in some of the arrangements under which the re- 

 searches in different countries are now proceeding ; but in the stage - 

 to which they have advanced, it may be doubted whether any mea- 

 sures are likely to be more beneficial than those which would increase 

 the facilities of a cheap and rapid intercommunication of the results 

 of the researches which are in progress. 



With reference " to the suggestions made by the scientific men of 

 the United States," the proposition of Lieutenant Maury, to give a 

 greater extension and a more systematic direction to the meteorolo- 

 igical observations to be made at sea, appears to be deserving of the 

 most serious attention of the Board of Admiralty. In order to un- 

 VOL. LIV. NO. CVII. — JANUARY 1853. K 



