The New York herald., 1871-12-01


chaos aud change the face Of Europe.
Tho Late International Geographical
Congress.
The old city Of Antwerp witnessed but
short time ag5 tie assembiage Of this most in
teresting and important Congress. 1t was
called for the August of 1870, but the war in
Europe prevented lis sessions and it was post
poned till this autumn. 1t was designed to
meet at a time when Belgium was doing the
long-deferred honors due to the illustrious
geographers Abraham Ortelius and Gerard
Mercator, whom she claims as her own, but
whose labors and renown are cherished
through the civilized world. The last named
geographer deserves the highest niche in the
temple Of cosmographic fame, and has been
Justly called ''the Pathfinder of the Seas. :"
His chart, which will probably survive as long
as the science Of navigation is used by man, is
acknowledged to-day by all photographers to
meet every want of the seaman as far as any
chart can possibly do.
Bot it is our chief object now to speak OK
some of the results reached in the delibera-
tlons Of this International Geographical and
Cosmographical Congress. The possibility OF
adopting the same first meridian by all ma
tions the desrability of fitting ships of war
with apparatus for obtaining deep sea sound
ings on all voyages, and preserving specimens
from the bed of the ocean for investigation by
scientific men; the adoption Of a uniform sys-
tenn Of coloring buoys, bsacons and leading
marks for the pilotage of coasts harbors and
rivers; the best means of determining oceanic
currents; the advantage science may obtain
from polar explorations recommendations for
researches in the Antarctic Ocean; the adop-
ton Of uniform system of photography for.
geographical names on maps and charts, and
the great Importance of adopting more ex-'
tensive application in the use Of warning storm
signals were the chief subjects of animated
conference and discussion. The Importance OF
such inquiries cannot be overstated. The
adoption by international accord of single
prime meridian would greatly assist the ma
riner In the navigation Of seas far away from
home, and would materially secure him from
fatal error, under trying circumstances, which
otherwise would prove disastrous. 1t would
greatly simplify the preparation and consulta-
tion Of maps and charts, and would be step
towards bringing all nations upon terms Of
kindly intercourse. ais-'
Tho adaptation aud equipment Of ships Of
war to scientific purposes of marine explora-
tion is eminently practical and wise Our war
vessels might thus become training schools for
expert seamen, and the investigations would
stimulate study and honorable emulation
among officers and men in the very direction
that the exigencies of their calling demand
the highest skill and proficiency The infu-
sion of professional spirit of q scientific cast
Is just what our seamen now need to make
them all that they ought to be.
Equally important with many of the
other earnest suggestions of the Cos
biographical Congress is the appeal for
a uniform system Of orthography in maps,
charts and in geographical and nau.
tical text books. To the great mass of read
ers maps constructed in foreign countries and
lettcred with foreign words, are as sealed
book. This evil ought long ago to have
been rectifed. A map is to oil men what the
guide-post on the roadside is to the travelling
public, and, by law, it should be clear and
legble to all. Not only ought some
one photography to be adopted for
nautical charts, but for all geo.
graphical treatises and school books and
popular delineatlons of the earths surface. As
far as the Congress took action upon the value
and importance Of polar expeditions con-
Quoted in the interests of commerce and
science we can heartily endorse their views.
and express the hope that In this country
there may be some effort made to follow up
the great American deduction Of q route to the
Pole by way of our Gulf Stream, which tho
Germans and Swedes seem determined at an
early day to turn to their own advantage and
national glory.
But the forcible appeal of the International
Congress for ''the great importance Of adopt
ing more extensive application in the use OF
warning storm signals" is, perhaps, the most
practical aud important idea advanced, and
one the execution Of which would amply
Justify what Mr.. Buchan, Of Scotland, has long
since proposed--a special International Cons
gress. There 10 no doubt the interests Of
humanity require the extension Of the storm
signal system, which, in this country, has
already reaped such splendid fruit, and, in tho
words Of contemporary, ''has become the
most popular institution of the day" In the
narrow and psnt-np countries Of Europe the
system has abundantly justified It's establish.
s!sn! stssn! from the time Of Admiral Fitzroy to the
present, but its facilities are cramped and con-
tracted, and 4: oan never hope to reach
tie accuracy or usefulness 10 which, with our
vast expanse Of country and proportion, the