o the commencement
of the universal day.

I may mention in connection with this subject that Professor
Valentiner is one of the gentlemen who were invited, a week or two
ago, to attend the meetings of this Conference, in order that, if
requested, they might express their opinions from a scientific
standpoint upon the questions before it; but as Professor Valentiner
had to leave Washington before our sessions were at an end, I thought
it would be expedient to ask him for his opinion in writing upon the
matter which is now pending before this Conference. He has written a
letter in German, expressing his opinion. I have caused that letter to
be translated into English, and if the Conference allows me I will
read it.

The PRESIDENT. If there be no objection to the proposition of the
Delegate of Great Britain the letter will be read.

No objection being made, Professor ADAMS continued: It is well known
that Professor Valentiner is an eminent practical astronomer, and I
think that any opinion coming from him on this subject, which
interests astronomers very much, will be considered of great weight.
The letter runs as follows:

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA.,
_October 12th, 1884_.

HONORED SIR: You had the kindness to ask me for my views as
to the choice of the moment for the beginning of the day. As
I cannot remain longer in Washington, I allow myself thus
briefly to write to you.

When, as in the present case, the object is to introduce
uniformity in the time-reckoning of the astronomical and the
civil world, I am of the opinion that it is the astronomer
only that must give way. For all purposes of civil life one
cannot begin the day in the middle of the day-light--that is
to say, in the middle of that interval during which work is
prosecuted. In general it appears to me natural that the
middle of the day, and not the beginning of the day, should
be indicated by the highest position of the sun which
governs all civil life. In fact, it would in civil life be
simply impossible to bring about a change of date in the
middle of the daylight. For the astronomer there certainly
exist difficulties. His activity occurs mostly in the civil
night, and he, therefore, has to make the change of date in
the midst of his observations; and this difficulty is