The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-02-13
WHO Is E. MRRIAMi

p" AAS AS ASs A4ASAsAAAA4t
The New York journal of Commerce give
the following interesting particulars coz
cerning Mr.. E. Merriam, "tho weather phi
losopher Of Brooklyn Heights !"
For a long period this mysterious nam
has appeared in the public prints, In connec
ton with almost every conceivable subject
and many curious inquiries are mado 70
spscting his identity, abode, manner Of life
&c. Having investigated the subject, "
ore enabled to give o satisfactory answer 4
some Of these. A note to the "Philosophel
Of Brooklyn Heights" as he Is sometime
familiarly called, ELECTED the following 70
ply:
Ofice, corner of Middagh and
Columbia streets, Brooklyn.
Ny Dear Sir: Ireceived your memoran'
da at dinner time yestsriay. lam at hom.
every evening, and shall be glad to 'ee you ri
the Office, which Is quite retired place. II
you win knock at the door, the messenger
will open it.
Yours truly, E. MIRIAM.
In accordance with this direction, we
found small two story brick building, or
iginally intended for carriage house, erec-
tod just on the verge of the Heights, with
no visible entrance, except through small
gateway in the adjoining fence. An en-.
trance effected, the yeritable "E. Merriam
was discernod by the dim light of several
tallow candles, with piles Of boxes reaching
to the ceiling, and two assistants busily en-.
gagged in obeying orders. One side of the
apartment was exclusively occupied with
pigeon.holes, filed with papers on q great
variety Of topics, and though there was up.
parent confusion on every side, the we'll
trained subordinates unhesitatingly brought
each paper, book, or memorandum, at the
word of command. This was the chief bust.
ness Office Of the "meteorologist," as desig.
mated by the city directory. Observations
upon the weather constitute ah 0c)oc' .,
the inst Importance. Inc temperature o'
the atmosphere is here chronicled for every
day from 1888 to 1856, and makes an i'm
mense volume Of solid pages, nearly oil ster-
eotyped, the plates forming several loads oi
Al
metal. In continuing these records the In
defatigablo Mr.. Merriam rises regularly at
every hour through the night, awakening
at the striking of clock. A faithful dog
formerly did the service of the clock, but he
unfortunately fell down stairs one day, and
expired soon after. The books are written
up every morning before sunrise by clerks,
Of whom there are three, except during the
sessions of the State legislature, when the
number is increased to six. Two of them
remain constantly ut Albany during that
time, and transmit intelligence Of the pro.
cecdinps TO this city each day.
The "Ncw York Municipal Gazette, {"
comprising memoranda and compilations of
all matters concerning the public veal, is a
formidable work, which requires Mr.. Meri-
ans constant attention. One volume has
been published, containing l,l4O quarto
pages, of which 500 copies are on hand !;
also 1900 copies of the second part of the
same volume. and $50 additional pages of
q second volume have just been printed
The expense of one was borne by the "New
York Anti.Asessncnt Committee" and of
tho second BY "public fund" respecting
which Mr.. NJ. is probably best informed.
These volumes contain copious memoranda
respecting lightning. on land and water !;
earthquakes, salt, birds and minerals: oil
the acts in relation to this city which have
been passed from time immemorial; all the
charters of the city, from 1867 to the pres
ent day, in chronological order; everything
relating to taxes, assessments and improve
ments ditto with regard to life.saving ef-
forts, Hurl Gate and the harbor, and quar-
antine the whole history Of the discovery
of gold IN California, from the first an
nouncement of the fact, in September, ls4s,
until now long list Of vessels destroyed
by fire, &C., &c. The object in view is rep
resented to be "public utility,"-or, to
spread before public men, in compact
form, all necessary information on import
ant topics. In addition to the laborious
service thus voluntarily assumed and which
no other man could be induced to periom
for any ordinary compensation, minute rec
ords are kept of the wind-vain and water
guage, attached to the Office.
Mr.. Meriam's dwellins-house is curiosi.
| ty. Not less than ten thermometers are eI,
posed, and five different lightning rods ore
in reputation, to protect the lives Of its in.
mates. Tho casual observer would suppose
that Providence must have some special do