cold as to be scarcely inhabitable.

Such is an outline of our subject. The science itself is by no means
systematized. Many things are taken for granted which may yet be
disproved. If, says Humboldt, we perceive a want of connection in the
phenomena of certain sciences, we may anticipate the revelation of new
facts, whose importance will probably be commensurate with the
attention directed to other branches of study. What we want is a
larger class of observers, and not only those who are professional
persons, but those who would commune with Nature, and seek to
invigorate their minds by the acquisition of new ideas, and a recourse
to rich and pure sources of enjoyment.

But more than this. It is a requirement of the present age, says the
same authority, that there should be an equal appreciation of all
branches of mathematical and physical science; for the material wealth
and the growing prosperity of nations are principally based upon a
more enlightened employment of the products and forces of Nature.

Much attention has of late years been paid to this subject. Many
distinguished men in Europe have connected their great reputations
indissolubly with it, and it is absolutely true that more persons are
engaged in a common effort to promote this science than any other of
our time. In Paris there is a large and flourishing society where the
most brilliant of its savans combine their efforts. In London, that
which was established in 1850 has met with remarkable success, and a
most unexpected crowd of supporters. The finest instruments, the most
accurate observations, and entire uniformity of purpose have been the
result. In Germany, equal zeal prevails among its naturalists. There
are more than eight hundred stations throughout the world where
regular observations are made, and upwards of three hundred and sixty
of them are in the United States. The Smithsonian Institution has been
also a wise patron of this science, by its numerous publications, its
lucid directions for observing meteorological changes, and the
bestowal of standard instruments in large numbers to efficient and
well-placed observers. By a recent arrangement, a portion of this work
is to be performed by the Patent Office.

Observation, and accuracy in observation, are the foundation of this
science. The results are compared to the leaves of a book, which will
some day be arranged and bound together in one volume. The instruments
in use are delicate, in