51 
1831.] On the Errors to which the Barometer is liable. 
to push the investigation to its limits. But I must adopt a different mode of pro- 
ceeding from the present ; for much, connected with the theory of wealth, of a far 
more elementary nature than the abstruse inquiries we are now engaged in, remains 
to be established. And being convinced, that until the more elementary parts of the 
science are thoroughly understood, much circumlocution, and much misapprehen- 
sion, must be inevitable ; I cannot hope for making converts to my opinions, unless I 
discuss the subject of wealth from the beginning ; taking up in due course, and as 
my readers can go more readily along with me, the question which has here been 
broached. For it is not the nature of value, and its connexion with wealth, which 
has alone been misunderstood by the writers, who have now acquired the confidence 
of the public ; the system of money, as propounded by them, appears also to be 
erroneous ; the principles which regulate the application of capital to production, 
and which determine the evolution of profits, and their separation from wages 
sti’ike me as being equally misunderstood ; their theories of rent ; the causes assigned 
by them for the gain, arising out of commercial exchange ; the principles by which 
monopolists and competitors are guided in supplying markets ; all these, as well as 
many other important points, are, I feel well assured, discussed by them on false 
principles. These are sweeping charges, which it requires much hardihood to put 
forth, when we consider the acknowledged talent, and the well earned celebrity 
of many of the writers who have devoted themselves to the prosecution of this 
science. But if I can succeed in establishing that even the original source of 
wealth and revenue is at the present moment mistaken, sui*prise will cease to be 
felt that so many errors should exist ; and wonder will take its place, that on so 
rotten a foundation, an edifice so lofty, and of such seemly proportions, should have 
been raised, aye, and not only raised but kept in its erect, although I believe, I may 
add, tottering position, for so great a length of time. Feeling all this, I propose 
that the next paper shall be devoted to the settling of this all-important question, 
“what is the original source of wealth and revenue ?” perfectly assured that until 
that is set at rest, all must be labour thrown away, which is bestowed upon the 
science of Political Economy. 
IV . — On the Errors to which the Barometer is liable. By Lieut. R. 
Shortreed, Bom. Estab. 
To the Editor of Gleanings in Science, 
Sir, 
From the number of persons now engaged in making meteorological observations, 
it may be expected that a mass of facts will be obtained, so as gradually to enlarge 
and fill up the boundaries of that science. It is, however, much to be regretted, that 
while there are so many observers there are but few good observations. Without 
adverting to the incompetency of some of the observers, I am of opinion, that the 
want of good observations, is in a great measure owing to the defects of the instru- 
ments employed. I propose, therefore, at present, to notice the principal sources of 
the discrepancies observable among different instruments, beginning with the baro- 
meter. To those who have paid any attention to the subject, it is scarcely necessary 
to mention that barometers do differ in their indications. The first and most obvi- 
ous errors are, in fixing the extreme points of the scale, and the intermediate division 1 ; 
1 I must here except those made by Messrs. Gilbert, with glass cisterns, in which, 
however, when the glass becomes soiled with oxide of mercury, it becomes almost im- 
possible to set them with any tolerable precision. 
