The Sun.
London, England, 1863-04-23 00:00:00

"Captain Moulac wrote on the 20th January last:—

" Bien que les previsions du temps faites par l'Amiral
Fitzroy ne soient que des probabilites, et nullement des pro-
pheties, it serait facile d'opposer a I'exemple cite, que I'on
pretend avoir et pris en're mine, un tres-grand nombre de
circonstances dans lesquelles l'evenement a justifie les pre-

visions.
" ' Depuis le peu de temps, moins de deux mois, que ces
avertissements parviennent en France, les trois coups de
vent qui se sent fait sentir sur nos cotes ont ete annonees
la veille.'
And Captain Mouchez, now officiating at Paris, said on
the 19th ult. :
" Je n'ai pas besoin, sans doute, de voila dire que pen-
dant tout le mois ecoule vos telegrammes se sont verifies
d'une manie' re tres-remarqable. Les journaux de divers ports
de nos cotes du Nord signalent tres frequemment I'accord
parfait de previsions et des tems observes. Aussi nous awns
grande impatience de voir notre service bien etabli. J'espere
que cola ne tardera pas.'
" And on the 26th the same officer wrote-
' Je regoeis continuellement de nouvelles demandes des
ports qui reclament la communication de vos telegrammes.'
" He also requested additional information from a few
other British ports.
"7. Last autumn several cautionary notices of impend-
ing bad weather were sent through Heligoland to Hamburg,
and even to Rostock, at the special request of Professor
Dove; and lately inquiries about ice and probable cold
weather telegraphed from Hamburg were answered so satis
faetorily that a cargo of 800 tons was countermanded.
" 8. During 1862 many foreigners examined the arrange•
ments at this office, and four of those gentlemen (who were
accredited to high positions at the Exhibition) expressed in-
tentions of establishing similar arrangements (on a smaller
scale) in their respective countries—namely, France, Italy,
Hanover, and Russia.
" 9. In the last autumn France commenced arrangements
for a system of coast telegraphy for ordinary weather as well
as for storms, and within the last few weeks I have heard
from the officer at Paris appointed to conduct this service
that he has organised 18 stations on the French coasts, and
will soon ask for the further reports from hence which are
desired by them. His immediate superior is the Minister of
Marine, who takes much personal interest in the subject.
" 10. Commissioners from the Hanoverian Government
have just obtained authority from the Foreign-office and
Board of Trade to inspect our meteorologic arrangements,
having in view an organisation of a similar kind.
"11. It is unnecessary to say how willingly any desired
information has been invariably given, not only to foreigners,
but to :all persons entitled to time and attention in a public
office; but it may be right to repeat here that the meteoro-
logic publications of the Board of Trade have been exten-
sively though carefully circulated, and that a large scientific
as well as ordinary correspondence has grown out of their
disseminations.
" 12. These facts seem to show so conclusively, not only
the opinions of foreigners and those by whom they have
been gradually informed, chiefly concerned in maritime in-
terests, but of a large number of other persons, that many
words here in allusion to different views may seem hardly
necessary ; and yet for enabling a fair conclusion to be drawn
by high authorities some degree of further explanation
may seem to be desirable besides what has been already
published.
4‘ 13. Many may ask--' Is this system of weather tele-
graphy sound and advantageous ? If so, why is it opposed ?
" There are no less than four distinct classes of interested
opponents, and they should be known, First :—Certain
persons who were opposed to the system theoretically at its
origin, and having openly expressed, if not published, their
objections are naturally reluctant to adopt other ideas until
converted.
who cannot have had
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ignoring merit in the works of this office, however beneficial
their intended objects.
"And fourthly, these pecuniarily interested individuals
or bodies who would leave the coasters and the fishermen
to pursue their precarious occupation heedlessly—with, ut
regard to risk—lest occasionally a day's demurrage should
be caused unnecessarily, or a catch of fish missed for the
London market.
" 14. Especia:ly referring now to persons who would
have the warning signals, but not the ' forecasts' (results
of considerations on which the signals may depend), may I
quote from my ' Weather Book' the following words ?--
• Frequently remarks in favour of the cautionary signals,
but in depreciation of the forecasts, have been made. Their
author now begs to say that it is only by closely forecasting
the coming weather, and by keeping atmospheric condition
continuously present to mind, that judicious storm warnings
can be given. Forecasts grow out of statical facts, and
signals are their fruit.' Weather Book, page 193, Second
edition.

" 15. To show some of the concordant opinions of such
forecasts entertained in France and Scotland, in Ireland
and England, I might quote numerous printed or written
passages. In this report, however, I will only observe that
the views and expressions of seafaring men, of the maritime
population in general, of the Coast Guard, and of her
Majesty's officers in command are remarkably favourable.
" 16. Perhaps it may be asked on what meteorologic
conditions or changes are the forecasts based ?' They de •
pend (may be briefly replied) on considering the atmosphere
as a lighter ocean, having currents, elastic expansibility,
equilibrium, mrmentum or inertia, chemical alterations,
and extreme sensibility to heat or cold, its chief
motors ; and on knowing the statical conditions of air in
this oceanic envelope at many places simultaneously, like-
wise again similarly after certain intervals of time by which
means intercomparisons are made, showing the relative
conditions and causations whence dynamic effects originate.
These dynamic motions are proportional to disturbances of
level, like those caused by a head of water, to inequalities Of
temperature and consequent chymical changes, with more
or less electric action. They are our winds and may be softly
gentle, —or as heavily boisterous as in a tempest, of which
differences, through all degrees, instrumental means and
telegraphy now give available information. To utilise their
indications adequately a central office should know the
natural and general atmospheric movements, with their dis-
turbing causes, even as a pilot knows the varieties of streams
The whole map of a region (say
t 4
and eddies in a wide estuary.
the British Islands)
should be outlined in the mind, as the estuary with its
shoals is mentally visible to the pilot. The normal tendency
of the whole atmosphere (in our latitudes) to move east-
ward while crossed or variously interfered with by polar or
tropical currents, that in course of seasons cause every
variety of wind and weather, should be always considered,
and then, with due allowances made for gradual advances
from westware, for effects of land and differences of tempera-
ture, good forecasts may be generally drawn.
" 17. Reverting to fishery barometers, I would ask for
perusal of the replies sent in from places on our coasts to
which instruments have been lent by the Buard of Trade,
gradually increasing in number since :857, By these instru-
ments, and by the directions (Manuals) that have been so
liberally circulated by Government, an extensive amount of
good has been done in a manner little known to the public,
but not eventually to be the less appreciated. The example
thus set has been largely followed, not only on our own
seacoasts, but on those of the French, where their Govern-
, raent has placed similar barometers at all coast stations, and