The Sun.
London, England, 1859-12-10 00:00:00

TILE PRACTICAL IMPORTANCE OP

METEOROLO G Y.

At a recent meeting of the British Meteorological
Society, T. Sopwith, Esq., M.A., the pre-
sident, read a paper on " The Practical Importance
of Meteorology." Mr. Sopwith commenced by say-
ing :—ln drawing the attention of this society to a
subject which must be considered to be the very
basis of the society's existence—for without prac-
tical utility all theoretical studies and observations
would have but little claim on our attention—my
object is not to occupy your time by any detailed
statements of views which are well understood, but
to endeavour to direct attention to the present state
of meteorological science with reference to some
means of promoting an increased attention to pheno-
mena which, if accurately observed and applied,
may in a great degree afford certainty in the place
of conjecture, and reasonable ground of conjecture
and anticipation in cases where no means are at pre-
scnt:recognised for forming even probable conjec-
tures. It may, indeed, be said of every science that
its uses, and consequently its importance, are in-
creased exactly in the same degree in which correct
observation is made the basis of practical applica-
tion. In one sense meteorology is even more popular
than the sciences of astronomy, navigation, geology
or any other study that might be named: Not a day
—nay, scarcely an kour passes, but some remark or
silent observation is made on the weather. It is the
usual salutation of friends on meeting. Whether in
or out of doors, each change of aspect in the clouds,
the commencement or cessation of rain or snow, and
above all the varying temperature of northern cli-
mates, never fail to attract earnest attention. In this
sense we may say that meteorology is the most uni-
versally observed of all the sciences—that the whole
family of mankind form a meteorological society,
constantly engaged in observing results which,
though vague and inaccurate, are mere frequently
communicated in word and in writing than any
other general topic, unless it be health, which is,
as we all know, closely connected with, and depen-
dent on, meteorological conditions, so much so that
an enlarged and practical view constantly recce,-
rases their mutual connection. In almost every con-
dition of active life we find especial and important
claims which this science has upon the most careful
attention, in order to obtain the strict elements of
health and comfort ; and in like manlier do we find
evil results—the loss of comfort, health, and even
life, as well as deterioration of prospects, ensue from
its neglect. It is probable that in savage nations
the immediate suffering arising from neglect, aug-
mented by the absence of the ameliorating arrange-
ments of civilised life, probably render the inhabi-
tants more accurate otherwise than those to whom
changes of weather are of small moment. The in-
fluence of atmospheric changes upon the comfort
and well-being of the living inhabitants of the globe
and especially of the human race, cannot be over-
estimated, nor would it would it be easy even to
enumerate the more prominent conditions which
have so close a relation with life and health. In an
ordinary lifetime a human being depends for exist-
ence on the inhaling of air with the lungs a number
of times, which must be reckoned in hundreds of
millions, any failure in which, even for a few
minutes, would he fatal to life. How much then,
in an operation of such enormous amount of repeti-
tion, must depend on the purity and density of the
fluid we breathe. How important, then, are the
means by which the condition of the atmosphere
can be ascertained as regards its relation to health,
and considered as an absolute means of existence.
How important to foresee such changes in the
atmosphere as are likely to affect personal comfort
or the success of commercial or other pursuits. How
important it is to have regard to density, to hu-
midity, to motion and temperature. As yet, the
practical importance of meteorology is far from
being generally understood and appreciated. The
interests of the farmer, the shipowner, the mariner,
the miner, and many other extensive classes of
society are so largely engaged, that it is remarka-
ble to observe how small is the number of persons
associated for the promotion of exact meteorology,
scarcely, if at all, exceeding one person for each
hundred inhabitants of Great Britain. This society
has done more to consolidate the observations rela-
ting to British meteorology than could have been
done by any amount of recombined operations. And
here it would be unjust not to mention in the most
prominent manner, the labours of Mr. Glaisher,
who may be considered as the founder and promoter
of a sound system of meteorological observations.
The practical importance of meteorology will, I
doubt not, be hereafter admitted as generally as
that of other sciences. Its aims are such as admit
of accomplishment, provided the same amount of
public attention can be directed to the only means
whereby progress can be .safely and surely
made. These means of progress may be
comprised in a few words, viz., correct observa-
tions made with accurate instruments in a suffi-
cient number of places, and combined under
one general system of arrangement and superinten-
dense. After the mention and various illustrations
of cases in which meteorological conditions are of
great practical importance, Mr. Sopwith dwelt at
some length upon the necessity for good and accu-
rate instruments, and care in the observations, quot-
ing from his journal as follows --Nov. 25, 1859.
Correct observations in meterology have an impor-
tance which is not possessed by erroneous data ;
the latter are not only without positive value, they
promote erroneous views, prevent sound conclusions,
and entirely impede all progress in those researches
of science which are useful only when based on
strict truth. Mr. Sopwith discussed observations
taken with the utmost care and regularity in con-
nection with those at Allonhead and Bywell with
standard instruments, and he found that at times

the barometrical observation showed increasing
readings instead of decreasing readings, and the
variations of temperature were entirely wrong,
owing mainly to the imperfection of the instruments.
These results having come under the notice of the
Duke of Northumberland, on whose property these
observations were made, his Grace gave a written
assent to a suggestion I had offered with a view to
substitute good instruments, and to have correct
observations taken. Not only did his Grace offer
to defray the cost of such instruments, but proposed
the establishment of meteorological observations at
fishing villages on the coast of Northumberland,
where there is reason to believe that loss of life
might be averted by such a foreknowledge of the
weather as can only be obtained by means of accu-
rate instruments. I am sure the members of this

society will cordially approve the reception which
these liberal and benevolent proposals have met with
from the council, who at their last meeting directed
a letter to be sent in acknowledgment of this im-
portant practical aid, and expressing also the de-
sire, as well as the willingness of the council to
take the responsibility of having such observations
made in strict conformity with uniform prin-
ciples, and so as to admit of comparison with correct
standards. The labours of local societies, and of

scientific individuals, must become of greatly in-
creased value when combined in one general and

uniform system. I may here quote a remark mado
by Mr. Drew, who says, " Looking at what private
observers like myself may have been able to accom-
plish in the science of meteorology, we must arrive
at the conclusion that comparatively slow progress
will be made until our number is increased, and
until we embrace in our observations a more ex-

tensive range. In addition to the pressure, tempera-
ture, and hygrometric state of the air, it would be
highly advantageous could we for localities ascertain
the rapidity of evaporation, the range and intensity
of solar radiation, and the state of electric tension.
All which, in their varied combinations, go to make
up that general result which we call climate, and
which unitedly produce effects upon the natural
world and the human frame, according to the pre-
ponderance in the atmosphere of
is thus
element or
the other." When public attention thus directed
to the subject it is probable that a greatly increased
care will lead to greatly increased usefulness. I
would especially mention schools as places where
meteorological observations might be kept, under
peculiarly favourable circumstances. In the mean-
time, there is one suggestion which I have ventured
to offer, and that is that in many places where ob-
servations are kept the knowledge of them is con-
fined to the persons making them, or to a few per-
sons in the house or other building. Now it would
be very easy to fix in a conspicuous manner a ladder,-
like scale—a sort of enlargement of what we see in
levelling stay( s—and having a large and prominent
index, moveable by hand, so as to be placed daily
at the several observatories, to show the two pre-
ceding observations. Such an arrangement will be
placed at the Alnwiek Observatory, where it will
be seen from Alnwick Castle, and from many miles
of country, by the aid of a spying-glass of mode-
rate power. Such indications would make the
weather as well known to the public generally as
the time is known by a clock.

ROYAL COLLEGE OP SURGEONS.—The following
gentlemenhaving undergone the:necesary examinati, ns for
the diploma were admitted members of the college at a
meeting of the court of examiners on the 6th inst., viz.:—
Messrs. H. Rickard, Plymouth ; T. Miller, Boyton, Suf-
folk ; 11. Horsley, Croydon ; T. Michell, Itedruth, Corn-
wall; F. Pout, Yalding, Kent; F. 0. B. Wither, Madras;
T. Moore, Hales Owen, 'Worcestershire ; D. Kearney,
Madras; T. S. Foster, Carnarvon ; S. Booth, Hudders-
field ; It. S. Wallis, Birmingham ; L. J. Lee, London ; H.
S. Hutcheon, Aberdeen; A. Lloyd, Bristol; G. R. Irvine,
Portsmouth ; E. C. Board, Bristol ; J. Neesom, Bradford ;
C. J. Trotter, Holmfirth, Yorkshire ; J. Merrinece, Bel-
fast; J. Booster, Chester; W. Murray, Durham; W.
N. Pell, Northampton ; and J. R. Thomas, Dublin.
MALAGA, Nov. 29.—The steamer Genoa, with
troops, mules, 100 tons of gunpowder, &e., took fire in the
Mole. Fortunately they were able to sink her before the
fire reached the gunpowder. Upwards done hundred mules
perblecl,