The question immediately under discussion is, I understand, the proposal that the meridian passing through the centre of the instrument at the Observatory of Greenwich shall be adopted as the initial meridian of longitude, and it does seem to me that this is a practical question; that this resolution expresses a practical conclusion that it is expected by the world the present Conference may reach.  It is expected that the resolutions adopted will be for the general convenience, and not for the decision of a scientific question.  It is the settlement of a question which is a matter of business arrangement.  The question is, what will be most convenient, on the whole, for the whole world.

It cannot be said that one meridian is more scientific than another, but it can be said that one meridian is more convenient for practical purposes than another, and I think that this may be said pre-eminently of the meridian of Greenwich.

I do most sincerely and fervently hope that the Delegates from France and from the other nations who voted for the preceding resolution will see their way to adopt the resolution that is now before the Conference.  It does seem to me that it is a question of sacrifice, and I do trust that the honorable Delegate from France who spoke last, Mr. LEFAIVRE, will see that France is not being asked to make any sacrifice that it was not prepared to make.

In the admirable and interesting addresses which Mr. JANSSEN has given to this Conference, (which I had not the pleasure or satisfaction of hearing, but which I have read with great interest,) the readiness of France to make a much greater sacrifice than that which is now proposed was announced.  The amount of sacrifice involved in making any change from an existing usage must always be more or less great, because it cannot be said that it is a matter of no trouble to make such a change; but what I may be allowed to suggest is that the sacrifice which France was ready to make would be very much greater than that which would be made by adopting the resolution now pending.

If the resolution for a neutral meridian had been adopted, all nations would have to make the sacrifice necessary for a change to a meridian not actually determined, and the relations of which could not be so convenient with those meridians already adopted as are the relations between the meridians now in use with that of Greenwich.  It does seem to me that if the Delegates of France could see their way to adopt this resolution, they would have no occasion whatever to regret it.

I sympathize deeply with what has been said in regard to a common metrical system.  I have a very strong opinion upon this subject, which I will not express, however, if it meets any objection from the Chair; but it seems to me that England is making a sacrifice in not adopting the metrical system.  The question, however, cannot be put in that way.  We are not here to consider whether England would gain or lose by adopting the metrical system.  That is not the way to view this question at all, because whether England should adopt the metrical system is a matter for its own convenience and use, and whether it adopts it or not, other nations are not affected by its course.  It would not at all be for the benefit or the reverse of other nations.