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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 3RD SEPTEMBER, 1881. 811

To this will have to be added, after the first year or two, an average annual charge of about $500, for repairs and maintenance of buildings, &c. Further, if it be resolved to undertake so thorough an in- vestigation of the phenomena of the monsoons of the China sea as seems to be suggested in Mr. BLANFORD'S letter-a process which would involve the constant examination and abstracting of a large number of ships' logs-additional clerical help will certainly be needed. On account of the expense, I have most un- willingly refrained from making present provision for a Photoheliograph, but its addition at a future time is much to be desired. As aids to investigation of solar physics and their connexion with terrestrial physics, observations with this instrument are of very great value. Apparatus and wires for observing Earth-currents would also be a desirable future addition to the equipment. In his despatch to Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH, already quoted from, His Excellency the Governor drew attention to the advisability of Seismic observations. The necessary apparatus for this purpose would not be very expensive, and could be added at any time, as it requires but little space for its accommodation. Such observations would possess considerable value, for comparison with those taken in Manila and Japan. In Japan the science of Seismology has excited great interest, and is being closely pursued, both by Europeans and Japanese. Apparatus of the best description has been procured by the Imperial Government, and placed under the charge and observation of the officers of the Meteorological Bureau (Soku-rio-kwa); and I understand that not the least interesting fact which strikes the visitor to this establishment is that one of the most delicate and perfect of all the instruments-that by which the minutest tremblings are detected-is the invention of a Japanese gentleman. A Seismological Society of Japan has also been recently started, under the auspices of Professor MILNE, F.G.S., of the Engineering College in Tôkiô.

The last recommendation I venture to make is that in due course an Actinometer of the best kind be provided for the Observatory. It is not a costly instrument; and at this time, when so much interest centres in sun-spots, all serial observations of solar heat possess great scientific value.

My ideas as to the proper scheme for an Observatory of the class indicated in the official papers having been thus stated, I have only to repeat my conviction that such an institution, well begun and conducted, will fulfil a want that is greatly felt. To the sciences of Meteorology and Magnetism it will render valuable contributions, which cannot but redound to the credit of the Colony. Concerning Magnetic investigations, the Astronomer Royal not two months ago stated his belief that "no branch of physics bears the same prospective importance"; while the other departments-those for Meteorological and Astronomical observations-will possess a direct utilitarian in addition to their scientific value, in that that they will be the means of affording protection to marine interests and to the lives of seamen navigating these coasts. No one, perhaps, has welcomed the project more cordially than the Rev. F. FAURA, S.J., the earnest Director of the Meteorological Observatory at Manila, who has favoured me with his views on the subject, and with a copy of the design for a Magnetic building which he hopes to add shortly to his own establishment. He writes:-

"It is with the highest satisfaction that I observe the interest in the advancement of science "which is taken by His Excellency the Governor of Hongkong. Hongkong is, in my opinion, a "place admirably suited for the observation and study of Meteorology and Magnetism, and I have no "doubt that in a short time excellent results will flow from Sir JOHN HENNESSY'S Observatory project, "and that the institution will be blessed by all mariners, who will recognise in it a safeguard to their "lives and interests. The Meteorological observations in particular, when combined with those taken "in this Archipelago, cannot fail to render the most beneficial service."

The present occasion is not the first on which the importance of extended scientific observation in these regions has been brought to public notice. Some years ago, Mr. ROBERT HART, C.M.G., the Inspector-General of Chinese Maritime Customs, to whom commerce is indebted for the admirable system of light-houses which cover the coast of China, and for other sagacious measures, wrote an able memorandum advocating the establishment of a series of meteorological stations at various points on the seaboard, and anticipating to some extent the arguments put forward last year by Mr. BLANFORD. It is much to be hoped that Mr. HART will take the present opportunity of renewing his advocacy, and will bring his best efforts to the accomplishment of that project. Such a series of stations, working in cooperation with the larger establishments in Japan, Shanghai, Manila and Hongkong, would help vastly towards, the achievement of those results which the meteorologists of the world so much desire.

It may be appropriate, finally, to glance for a moment at the connexion, more or less strongly marked, that exists between the various branches of physical research which have been discussed or suggested in this report, and which lie within the scope of all well conducted and well supported observatories.

Most persons who know anything of these matters are aware that the epochs in which great solar energy is made apparent to us by an increase in the size and number of the solar spots are also epochs of unusual magnetic excitement on the surface of the earth, that violent disturbances of the sun's surface are generally accompanied by magnetic storms, and that auroral displays are similarly associated with magnetic activity. There are, perhaps, not so many who possess a knowledge of the periodic effects