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Untitled Article
English Opera House—built expressly , as the ever-gulled public were informed , for the encouragement of native talent , and as the proper field for the presentation of its works ! The Longitude . —The following letter , from the Duke Duhamel , appeared in the columns of the New Weekly Messenger ; and as we consider it important , and take an interest in the subject , we gladly give it insertion : —
« Sir , —Permit me , through the medium of your Journal , to communicate to those persons who have read a pamphlet I published in 1832 , on the problem of the Longitude , the reasons which prevent the maritime powers from yet making trial by sea of the theories I have therein proposed . In the work alluded to I have challenged all the scientific men in Europe to prove me in error . In France two Commissions have been appointed to examine these theories ; also , one in Holland , and another
in Sweden ; but , unfortunately , this matter has to be judged by individuals whose private interest is opposed to the success of my work , which would eventually render their appointments unnecessary , thus saving to the respective governments considerable sums , and greatly assisting commerce in general . These gentlemen are well aware that if my theory be put in practice , it will be easy , within a short time , to rectify the error of the longitude of every place . This point once attained , we want no
longer hydrographers . There are likewise two other classes who would suffer by the discovery ; viz . those in charge of the Nautical Almanacs , and Chronometer-makers . The first of these would not only find that seamen have no longer need of their Almanac , but also that its errors would appear . The second are sure that seamen would easily discover
the defects of their time-keepers , and that the exorbitant prices they fetch at present must be considerably reduced . After this explanation , Mr Editor , you , and the public in general , must perceive the reason why I obtain no encouragement . Permit me , then , to prove the utility of rny discovery , to which purpose I give the following example : —On the 29 th of June last , at Madeira , it was ascertained that a chronometer ,
which was gaining in London 3 ^ daily , gained there only 2 " ^ . Another , which was losing 4 '' ^ in London , lost there 5 * ' | . At the moment it was \ 2 o ' clock in London ( mean time ) the first Chronometer shewed lh 7 ' 45 " , and the second , which was losing , shewed Ih 1 ' 30 " . j / Vow let me asA :, which is the true longitude of Madeira f If any Member of the Hoard of Hydrography can solve this problem , they will ascertain that there is an error of Y 52 '' in the longitude of
Madeira . If it is demanded of me , do I know on which side the error lies - iny answer will be positively —• Yes . But I do not feel myself bound to make it known for the benefit of those who , regardless of my eighteen years' incessant labour on this important subject , would turn it only to their individual advantage . Hoping * , through your impartial and widely-circulated Journal , to engage the public attention to this discovery > I have the honour to be , Sec .
July 27 , 1836 . Le Due Duhamel . Duelling . —France has lost one of its first men , and the attendant circumstances are almost as painful as the loss . We say France , for in the party of which ho was so valuable a leader , the only
Untitled Article
IVote * of the Month . 585
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1836, page 585, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2661/page/61/
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