The Sun.
London, England, 1853-10-17 00:00:00

taken with them at sea. The fact will, it is believed,
afford a commentary upon the marine barometers now
in use which no reasoning or explanation can render
more striking.
44 It was the opinion of the conference that it would
not be impossible, considering the spirit of invention
and improvement that is now abroad in the world, to
contrive a marine barometer, which might be sold at a
moderate price, that would fulfil all the conditions neces-
sary to make it a good and reliable instrument ; and a
resolution was passed to that effect, in order to call the
attention of the public to the importance of an inven-
tion which would furnish the navigator with a marine
barometer that at all times, and in all weathers at sea,
would afford the means of absolute and accurate deter-
minations.

The conference is also of opinion that an anemome-
ter, or an instrument that will enable the navigator to
measure the force, velocity, and direction of the wind
at sea, is another desideratum.

" The conference was of opinion that the mercurial
barometer was the most proper to be used at sea for me-
teorological purpose, and that the aneroid should not be
substituted for it.

" With regard to thermometers, the conference does
not hesitate to say, that observations made with those
instruments the errors of which are not known are of
little value, and it is therefore recommended, as a matter
well worth the attention of co-operators in this system
of research, whether some plan may not be adopted in
different countries for supplying navigators, as well in
merchantmen as in men-of-war, with thermometers the
errors of which have been accurately determined.
" For the purposes of meteorology various adapta-
tions of the thermometer have been recommended, such
as those which refer to hygrometry and solar radiation ;
and, accordingly, a space will be found in the columns
for temperature by thermometers with dryt wet, and
coloured bulbs. With these exceptions, the only instru-
ment, in addition to those generally used at sea, for
which the conference has thought proper to recommend
a column, is that for specific gravity ; the cost of this
instrument is too insignificant to be mentioned.
" The reasons for recommending the use at sea of the
wet, the white, and black bulb thermometers are ob-
vious • but with regard to the thermometer with a bulb
the colour of seawater, and the introduction on board
ship of a regular series of observations upon the specific
gravity of seawater, it may be proper to remark that,
as the whole system of ocean currents and of the circu-
lation of seawater depends in some degree upon the re-
lative specific gravities of the water in various parts of
the ocean, it was judged desirable to introduce columns
for this ement, and to recommend that observations
should be carefully made with regard to it, both at and
below the surface.

" With respect to the thermometer having a bulb of
the colour of seawater, it is unnecessary to say more in
favour of its use on board ship than that the object is
to ascertain whether or no such observations will throw
any light upon the psychrometry of the sea, or upon any
of the various interesting phenomena connected with the
radiation from the surface of the ocean,

" In bringing to a conclusion the remarks upon instru-
ments, the conference considered it desirable, in order
the better to establish uniformity and to secure compara-
bility among the observations, to suggest as a mere con-
ducive thereto, that a set of the standard instruments
used by each f the co-operating Governments, together
with the instructions which might be given by such go-
vernments for their use, should be interchanged.
" The object of the conference being to secure as far
as possible uniformity of record and such a disposition
of the observations that they would admit of ready com-
parison, the amnexed form of register was concerted and
agreed upon. The first columns of this form will re-
ceive the data which the Government of the United
States requires merchant vessels to supply, in order to
entitle them to the privileges of co-operators in this sys-
tem of research, and may therefore be considered as the
minimum of what is expected of them. This condition,
which it may be as well to state here, requires that at
least the position of the vessel and the set of the current,
the height of the barometer, the temperature of the air
and water, should each be determined once a day, the
force and direction of the wind three times a day, and
the observed variation of the needle occasionally.
" Every abstract log kept by a merchant vessel should
contain at least what is here recommended. Anything
more would enhance its value and make it more accept-
able, _ _

,
" The remaining columns are intended principally for
men-of-war to fill up in addition to those above men-
tioned, but it is believed that there are many officers in
the mercantile navy also who are competent to this un-
dertaking, and who will, it is hoped, be found willing
to distinguish themselves in this joint action for the mu-
tual benefit of the services.

" In the compilation of this form the conference has
had carefully in view the customs of the service and the
additional amount of attention which these duties will
require, and it is believed that the labour necessary for
the purpose, at least to the extent specified in the in-
structions for filling up the columns, is only such as can
be well performed under ordinary circumstances, and it
has considered it a minimum, and looks with zealous
confidence to occasional enlarged contributions from
zealous and intelligent labourers in the great cause of
science.

" The direction for filling up the columns, and for
making certain observations, it will be seen by the
minutes, were limited to such only as seemed necessary
to the conference to insure uniformity of observation.
This subject received the benefit of much discussion be-
fore the meeting, and it was considered most advisable
to confine the matter to hints, which it is hoped will be
found sufficient, when embodied in the instructions which
each nation will probably issue with the forms, to insure
that most desirable end—uniformity.
"The conference, having brought to a close its labours
with respect to the facts to be collected and the means
to be employed for that purpose, has now only to express
a hope that, whatever observations may be made, will be
turned to useful account when received, and not be suf-
fered to lie dormant for the want of a department to dis-
cuss them ; and that, should any Government, from its
limited means or from the paucity of the observations
transmitted, not feel itself justified 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 learnt that
the Government of Sweden and Norway has notified its
intention of co-operating in the work, and that the King
has commanded that the logs kept by his Swedish sub-
jects to be transmitted to the Royal Academy of Science
at Stockholm, and that also in the Netherlands, Belgium,
and Portugal, measures have been taken to establish a
department for the same purpose, and that the Admi-
ralty of Great Britain has expressed its intention of giv-
ing 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 in-
tercourse between the departments, 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 feel that it would but inade-
quately discharge its duties, did it close this report with-
out endeavouring to procure for these observations a con-
sideration 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 documents a like
exemption, and hope that observers, amid the excite-
ment of war, and perhaps enemies in other respects, may
in this continue their friendly assistance, and pursue their
occupation, until at length every part of the ocean shall
be brought within the domain of philosophic research,
and a system of investigation shall be spread as a net
over its sutface, and it become rich in its benefit to com-
merce, navigation, and science, and productive of good
to mankind.

" The members of the conference are unwilling to
separate without calling the attention of their respective
Governments to the important and valuable assistance
which it has received from the Belgian Government.
That the conference has been enabled to draw its labours
to so speedy and satisfactory a close is in a great mea-
sure owing to the facilities and conveniencies for meet-
ing and deliberating which have been afforded by his
Majesty's Government.
" Signed at Brussels, this Bth day of September, 1853.
"Belgium, QUETELET, President.
LA HIIRE.
"Denmark, F. ROTHE.
"France, DELAMARCHE.
"Great Britain, F. W. BEECHEY.H. JAMES.
" Netherland, JANSEN.
"Norway, IHLEN.
"Portugal, DE MATTOS CORREA.
"Russia, GORICOVENICO.
" Sweden, PETTERSSON.
"United States, MAURY."

[ADVERTISEMENT.]-Fifty thousand Cures have been
effected by Du B
fifty times its cost in othlearyr
inc's delicious Revalenta Arabica Food,
nervousness, constipation,
or expense (as it saves
without medicinearrY
pires).—"Twentvyears'
which I had suffered grea,tin indigestion, and debility, from
medi-
cine could remove or relieve, have and which no
ave been effectually cured
short time. W. E.
by Du Barry's Food in a
spasms, arid
Reeves, Pool Anthony, Tivert:en7,
pepsin, nervousness, debility, with.
nausea, for which my servant had consulted the advice
of many, have been effectually remove 13
delicious food in a very short time. I
shall Du Barry's
to answer any inquiries. Rev. John W. , be happy
Rid-
lington Rectory, Norfolk." " Three years' excessive
enervousness, with pains in my neck and left aerxmcessainvd
cramps, spasms,
years' dy s.
general debility, which rendered my life very miseifable
has been radically removed by Du Barry's excellent
food. Alexs. Stuart, Archdeacon of Ross, Skibbereenl."
—" Fifty years' indescribable agony from dyspepsia,
nervousness, asthma, cough, constipation, flatulency,
spasms, sickness at the stomach, and vomittings, has
been removed by Du Barry's excellent food. Maria Jolly,
Wortham Ling, near Diss, Norfolk."— Copies of testi-
monials of 50,000 cures (including those of Lord Stuart
de Decies, Major-General Thomas Sing, Drs. Tire,
Shorland, and Harvey (gratis). In canisters, with fill'
instructions, 11b., 2s. 9d. ; 21b., 4s. 6d. ; 51b., 11s. ;
121 b., 225. ; super-refined, 51b., 225. ; 101 b., 335. The
101 b. and 121 b. carriage free. Barry Du Barry and Co.,
77, Regent-street, London; also, Fortnum, Mason, and
Co.) purveyors to her Majesty, Piccadilly.