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    share the labour as well as the glory of making those places more generally known . In addition to the information contain ed in those charts ¦ with reference to the winds , there was also information with respect to other matters of almost equal importance , and the matters , perhaps , of the first-rate importance , after the winds , were the currents . There are three kinds of currents that are specially remarkable . There are some that are remarkable for their physical peculiarities ; others that are remarkable for the vast extent of ocean which they seem to affect ; and others that are remarkable for their juxtaposition with others that are flowing 1 in a contrary direction . Some of the most remarkable , and presenting one of the most extraordinary phenomena of the

    ocean , were m the Gulf of Florida . With respect to that stream , he read an anecdote in which there might be some exaggeration , but it would serve as an illustration on the subject , and he should make no apology for relating it . It served to show that by Dr . Franklin teaching the navigator to dip the thermometer into the ocean the trade of Charleston , in Carolina , was injuriously affected , and New York was made a flourishing city . Some time before the declaration of independence , when Dr . Franklin was in this country , the merchants of Providence , Rhode Island , petitioned the Lords of the Treasury that the packets that were in the habit of sailing to Boston should sail in future from London to Providence . The voyage was fourteen days shorter from London to Providence than by the other

    route ; and Dr . Franklin , who always attended to anything that affected the interests of his country , being surprised at this , sent for an old New England whaler , who happened to be in London , and asked him to explain the phenomenon ; and he said the ships from London to Providence were navigated by New England seamen , who knew something of the gulf stream , and the other ships were navigated by seamen who knew nothing about it . The temperature of the gulf stream was twenty-eight degrees higher than the surrounding ocean , and by putting the thermometer into the ocean the temperature of the gulf stream was ascertained . The effect was this : their lordships would remember that these were the days before the lunar chronometer was known , and the old and clumsy

    practice then prevailed of running down the latitude because the captains could not find their longitude ; but by obtaining the new charts which Dr . Franklin constructed two purposes were answered—they were enabled to ascertain when they reached the gulf stream , and they , were also enabled to ascertain their longitude , and from that time they crossed from England to New York , and Charleston being left out , it lost its trade . At that time the scale of commercial advantages between the Northern and Southern States was on the turn , and a very little thing could change the scale from one side to another , and this anecdote showed what wonderful effects could be produced in affairs of this kind b y the application of scientific knowledge . The

    Americans had made a variety of very accurate observations on their side of the stream , and they were very anxious that this country should co-operate with them ; and , of course , their co-operation would be part of this scheme . Their lordships were aware that at one time it was thought that those wonderful currents were generated by the Mississippi ; but a great geographer was of opinion that such was not the case , and that they were caused by the trade winds blowing the Atlantic Ocean into the gulf stream . It should be recollected that this stream , received all the icebergs ; and another remarkable circumstance connected with it was , that for no less than 1200 miles there was a peculiar weed to be found on its surface . Ho would say , on the authority of ono who was

    acquainted with the subject , that nothing but a great system of observation of every kind , and made in every season , embracing all the varieties of cases , and consisting of tho most vigilant inquiries , would enable thorn to master tho whole question . That could be the work of a Government only , and individual exertion could produce little more than unconnected facts . Another remarkable current was caused by tho indraught of the Mediterranean affecting the surface of tho water to the extont of 4 > 00 miles semi-circle , of which tho Straits of Gibraltar formed tho centre , and which was felt as far as Cape Finisterro to tho north , and tho Canaries to the south . It produced more wrecks than any other causo , and to it might bo ascribed tho wreck of tho Medusa . There was a curious

    case of juxtaposition on tho coast of Guinea , where two currents were Bide by side , ono west and tho other east . Let them imagino tho caso of a condemned slaver with its crew bound for a port for adjudication . Lot them fancy tho consequences whon that vessel got into a wrong current . They wero not aware whether at tho larboard or starboard side they would have a favourable current , and tho unhappy pcoplo might bo sacrificed from an ignoranco of tho facts . For collecting together all tho phenomena with accuracy , no scheme was raoro likely to lead to a desirable end than that proposed by Lieutenant Maury . Taking tho tompcraturo of tho sea-water did not form part of tho ordinary duty of tho seaman , but in tho

    neighbourhood of ico islands it was noccssary to do ho , because they affected tho temperature of tho water to tho distance of twenty miles . ( Hoar , hear . ) At least in tho neighbourhood of ico islands it was a course , of observation that ought to bo diligently pursued . Such observations ought , to form part of the business of a ship , and tho chief oxponso would bo causod by providing 1 thermometers for tho purpose . Thoro was another story rocordod , which ho had alfio road with very great pleasure , and which also illustrated tho use of this clans of observations . It appcured that a spocioH of dust , called rod dust , or African dust , was often obaorvod at sea on tho coasts of Africa and of tho Mediterranean . A groat quantity of this rod du » t foil in tho year 1810 at Lyons , and thoro wore cortain

    spoculationH as to tho course of tho trade winds in connection with thin rod dust . On being analyzed , it was supposed to consist of microscopic- aniinalouliD from tho banks of tho Orinoco and Amazon rivers , in South America ; and thoro wore groundB , it was thought , for believing that the

    course of the south-east trade-winds might be thus determined . When they made statements respecting discoveries , it was natural that they should refer to the discoveries that had been actually made by the Royal Society . The results had proved of very great importance to the interests of navigation , and the routes to different parts of the globe had been materially shortened . One word on the subject of meteorology . Of late years very great progress had been made in oDtainini * information withurespect to the weather . That was principally due to two causes ,

    the invention of a self-registering instrument , and the beautiful application of electricity to the registration of meteorological observations , and the establishment of a great number of observatories in different parts of the world for the purpose of making meteorological observations . He asked their lordships to consider what the further effect would be of having meteorological observations all over the ocean , where things were in a normal state , where there were no mountains , and nothing except the gulf stream and icebergs that could interfere with the observations .

    He could not conclude his remarks without paying a tribute to the Americans , not only for having originated this scheme , but for the characteristic vigour and energy they had shown in the cause of science within the last few years . A few years ago there was no such thing as an observatory in America , now there were several , two of which were furnished with very valuable instruments , and in ono of which very important discoveries had been made —amongst others , the dark ring of Saturn . The application of electricity to meteorological observations -was an American invention ; but he could inform their lordships that most of the difficulties which had prevented its application hitherto were smoothed down by the ingenuity of then * countrymen .

    Their lordships would perceive that this scheme combined two distinct benefits ; in the first place , it would be of great importance in the improvement of the art of navigation , from which commercial advantages might very speedily result ; and , in the next place , it would be an addition to their stock of meteorological data . The full effect of its adoption might not be experienced for many ages ; centuries often elapsed between the seed time and the gathering in of the harvest , and many persons were ready to undervalue the commercial value of labours when a long time elapsed before the objects were realized . It was the interest of a country which like this had risen to a state of unexampled prosperity by the application of science to art , to hold out to science a protecting and fostering hand . ( Cheers . )

    Lord GBA . NYIL 1 E stated that Lord Clarendon had given instructions to the Treasury to carry these plans into effect ; but the Treasury was not just now an idle department ; and besides , there were many things to be considered . India .. —Lord J . Russem . stated that the day for the introduction of the Government measure on India would not be fixed until the Budget resolutions had been disposed of , but that some day between the 20 th and 30 th of _ May , Sir Charles Wood would state when he would bring in the Government measure . Irish Steamebs . —On the motion of Mr . H . Heubeht , a select committee was agreed to for inquiring into tho present state of communication between England and Ireland , as regarded the transit of mails , troops , Irish members , and the public .

    National Police . —Mr . Rice moved for a select committee to consider the expediency of adopting a more uniform system of police in England and Wales , and at some length dwelt upon the necessity of a more efficient system than at present exists for the protection of life and property . Mr . Hume seconded the motion . Sir J . Pakington said , that the present system was bad , and that tho question was ono which ought to bo dealt with by tho Executive , all necessary information being already obtained . Lord Palmeeston admitted that it was a subject Government might properly tako up , but as ho thought that tho proposed inquiry would contribute much useful

    information , ho would support tho motion . Lord Dudi , ky Stuaiit said , various gentlemen had praised tho metropolitan force , and spokon of it as the most popular in tho world . Ho did not wish to deduct from their praise , neither did ho think this comparative popularity should bo considered surprising , inasmuch as tho police in other parts of Europe wore objects of execration , owing to tho system of espionage and oppression of which they were tho tools . Our police force cortainly deserved to be more popular so long as they were kept to their constitutional duties , and not " trained to bo tho instruments of continental systems . Scotland was included in tho inquiry , [ and tho motion was agreed to . to from Earl

    Transportation . —In answer a question Grky tho Earl of Abkkdken stated that it was impossible to carry out literally the expectations which ha < l boon hold to convicts with tickets of loavo , but ho thought good faith mi <» -ht bo kept with thorn by a Hystom of a diminution of punishment . Elkotion Oommittkkb . —Tho . Berwick committee havo decided that Mr . Matthew Forstor and Mr . John Staploton worn not duly elected , and that Mr . Staplwton was , by his agonts , guilty of bribory . I n tho caso of Knarosborough , whom thoro wan a double return , tho committee struck out a vote in favour of Mr . Woodd , who was declared duly elected .

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    INQUIRY INTO THE DOINGS OF THE LATE SECRETARY OF THE ADMIRALTY . Tho inquiry lieforo tho committee appointed to investigate , especially , tho jobbing in the dockyards under Lord Derby ' s Administration , mot on Thursday . Tli « members of tho committee wero : —Lord Seymour , chairman - Lord Hothain , Sir B . Hall , Sir Ferguson Davit * ,

    and Mr . Beckett . Although not generally expected that the inquiry would be open to the public , the room was crowded during the day by officers and others of the Admiralty and dockyards , and members of the House interested in the inquiry . Mr . Stafford sat at the table usmally occupied by counsel , and was engaged throughout the day in taking voluminous notes of the evidence . Sir Baldwin Walker , Surveyor of the Navy , was the first witness examined . He gave a minute account of what took place on the entry of Lord Derby into power .

    So early as the 30 th of March Mr . Grant , Mr . Stafford ' s private secretary , waited on Sir Baldwin , and requested that he would cease to recommend men for promotion , as Mr . Stafford ' s political friends were dissatisfied . Sir Baldwin ' s reply is characteristic : —He felt annoyed at receiving such a message , and requested Mr . Grant to inform Mr . Stafford that witness had been upwards of four years in the department ; that he had not allowed political notions to influence his submissions to the board with respect to promotions in the dockyard ; and that he was not going to commence jobbing for Mr . Stafford or anybody else , and witness requested that such a proposition should never again be named to him . Mr . Eden , of witness's department , entered the room during the conversation , and heard what witness said to Mr . Grant . [ Mr . Eden subsequently

    corroborated this statement . ] On the 3 rd April Mr . Stafford wrote to Sir Baldwin jocularly , preferring tho same request ; and on the 5 th they had a warm argument , when Sir Baldwin still refusing to lend himself to the designs of Mr . Stafford , the latter said he had no alternative but to cancel the circular of 1849 ; and on witness pointing out the evil that would arise from such a step , Mr . Stafford said , " There ' s no use blinking the question , I am so pressed by Lord Derby and Mr . Disraeli I cannot help myself ; " adding , that he was ready to take all the responsibility on his own shoulders . He did cancel the , circular without the knowledge of the board . Whereupon Sir Baldwin tendered his resignation in a letter which he handed to the senior naval lord , Admiral Hyde Parker , who promised

    to bring it before the Board . Admiral Parker showed it to the Duke of Northumberland ; and the result was , that Mr . Stafford met Sir Baldwin and agreed to write a public letter clearing him of all imputation . This was done . But Sir Baldwin had no idea that his letter of resignation had not . been officially brought forward , nor was he aware when he wrote to the Board on the 2 oth of November , 1852 , that it had been destroyed , for he never authorised its destruction or withdrawal , and considered it had been before the Board , and was on record . Witness wrote the letter of the 21 st of April , 1852 , in consequence of an imputation having been cast upon his character , which tho Board circular of April 25 , 1852 , had cleared up ; but , finding that unjust promotions were being made in the 7

    dockyards , and that the circular of February , 184 , was not adhered to , he felt that he had a duty to perform to the public , and this induced him to write the letter of May 10 , 1852 , to tho First Lord of the Admiralty . Ho had never received a reply to that letter . On the 22 nd of November , 1852 , witness received a note from Mr . Stafford , inclosing Admiral Berkeley ' s intended notice to the House respecting tho correspondence between tho Admiralty and tho Surveyor . Mr . Stafford wished to know what it meant , as he was not aware of any : to which witness replied that ho could not at that time find any of tho copies , being at his residence , but that ho had no doubt his letters wero at Whitehall . On tho following day , 23 rd of November , Mr . Stafford replied to Admiral Berkeley and Sir George Pechell that there was no correspondence with tho Surveyor of tho Navy on tho subject of promotions in the dockyards , and also that the Surveyor of the Navy had the 25 th November in

    not tendered his resignation . On consequence of tho answer given by tho Secretary of tho Admiralty in tho House of Commons , witness wrote a letter to tho Board , calling their attention to tho letters of 21 st April and 10 th M . ay , 185 a . On witness going 1 to tho Admiralty on that day , tho 25 th , lio was told that Mr . Stafford wished to speak to him , and Mr . Stafford commenced the convorsatioa b y naming witness ' s letter , and stating tho answer ho had given in the House of Commons . Witness then asked him , " What could havo induced him to give such answers ? " Mr . Stafford replied , " What would you havo mo any ? " Witness answered , " Anything but what you did say , for you know that I tendered my resignation , and that somo days after I wrote a letter to tho First Lord of tho Admiralty . " Mr . Stafford stated that was a privato ono , pointing at tho Hamo time to what appeared to witness to bo a copy of hia letter to tho Duko of Northumberland on Mr . Stafford ' s table .

    On tho 20 th ho was requested by tho Hoard to transmit copies of his two letters . Jle had them made accordingly , and wrote a letter inclosing tho copies . Witness took it to Whitehall , but when ho tfot , ^ thoro it was lute , and the member had left , it being Saturday . Witness took tho letter homo , intending to send it on Monday morning . On Sunday , mil , witness received a noto from Mr . Stafford , requesting that witness would moot him at the Admiralt y on Monday morning , between nine mid eleven o ' clock . Witness went there soon after nino o ' clock , and saw Mr . Stafford , who told witness that lm luul hit on a plan of HijtUinijr tho affair if witness would

    meet , his wishes , and that if they again dillorcd , tho fault would bo witness ' s , and not Mr . Stafford ' s . ' I , ' continued witnoHs , ' asked him what it was ? ' Ho said , 'Do not send the copies of the letters called for , ' I told him that I must , for I had got an oflicial letter to do po . Ho pressed me hard to agree to his proposal , but I did not consent , stating that I could not with any propriety do ho . WitncBB then left Mr . Stafford , and went to Admiral Parker , and told him that bo was goinfr to send in copies of tho letters ( and ho had them in hia hand at tho time ) , ono to tho Duko of Northumberland , and tho other tendering hia re-

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    April 30 , 1853 . ] THE LEADER , 415

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), April 30, 1853, page 415, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1984/page/7/