Report of Vice- Ommanney, C. B., on the International Congress for Geographical Sciences Held at Antwerp Author(s): Erasmus Ommanney Source: Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society of , Vol. 16, No. 2 (1871 - 1872), pp. 132-135 Published by: Wiley on behalf of The Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers) Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1798985 Accessed: 25-06-2016 22:13 UTC

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This content downloaded from 128.110.184.42 on Sat, 25 Jun 2016 22:13:30 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms 132 ADDITIONAL NOTICES. almost unknown regions. Very little indeed was known about the relation of the western slopes of the mountains of East Africa to the eastern slope of the Nile basin, and even the extent of the Nile basin had not yet been determined. If African exploration was again to be taken up, he hoped a little more respect would be paid to the Congo. If there were such difficulties attending the efifort to penetrate from the east coast, why should not attempts be again made from the west ? The President said he thought Mr. Saunders had hardly sufficiently considered that it was a case of necessity to place some reliance upon native explorers. If they entirely refused to accept the information so obtained, there would be a perfect blank in our maps of many regions. Judging from Asiatic experience, native explorers might be utilised to a very great extent. All the late discoveries in Central Asia had been due to them, and when once educated they became most valuable assistants. Of course, mere traders did not travel for the purpose of obtaining geographical information, and their statements must always be taken cum grano salis, and with a great number of grains too. Still, by comparing different results, a certain amount of truth might be acquired. It was exceedingly desirable that some more definite information should be obtained about the African lakes, and it was well worthy the consideration of the Council of the Society whether they should not put their shoulders to the wheel and endeavour to originate or co-operate in some expedition for the purpose of finally solving all the difficult geographical problems connected with the equatorial lakes. Competent persons might easily be found. Mr. Wakefield himself appeared admirably adapted for such an enterprise, if he would under- take it; but even if he would not, it was quite possible that amongst the rising generation some one else might be found to follow in the steps of Burton, Speke, and Grant. The President then announced that the Council had that day received from the executors of Sir Eoderick Murchison the sum of 10002., the interest of which was to be devoted to the advancement of geography, either by encouraging explorers, or by assisting authors to publish the results of their researches. Sir Eoderick had already endeared his name to the Society in a thousand different ways, and they accepted this last offering with the utmost gratitude and respect for his memory.

ADDITIONAL NOTICES.

(Printed by order of Council.)

1. Beport of Vice-Admiral Ommanney, c.b., on the International Congress for Geographical Sciences held at Antwerp. Having been honoured by your selection to officiate as the representative of the Royal Geographical Society at the International Congress for the Advance- ment of Geographical Science, held at Antwerp in August last, I beg to submifc the following report:? The Congress was held between the 14th and 22nd of August, pursuamV to notices and invitations which had been circulated among the scientific Societies of Europe, and the respective Governments were invited to nominate delegates to the Congress. The initiation for holding this Congress was taken by men of science m

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Belgium, under the auspices of the Government in 1870; but, owing to the sudden outbreak of war, it could not be assembled until this autumn. On the 13th of August the Congress was inaugurated in the time-honoured historical Hotel de Yille of Antwerp, under the presidency of the Bourgomaster, who delivered an appropriate address, which was repeated in seven different languages, to which the several delegates from their respective nations made suitable replies. The city was decorated with flags and the Belgian national colours floated from the summit of the lofty spire of the Cathedral in honour of the occasion. The Academy of Antwerp was appropriated for the sitting of the Congress: it contains spacious rooms, with a very large hall, well suited for the exhibition of all objects connected with the science of Geography. A special medal was struck, and conferred as the award of merit to suc- cessful exhibitors and for distinguished travellers. The business commenced on the 14th of August with an opening address,* by Monsieur d'Hane Steinhuyse, "member for Antwerp in the National Chamber of Representatives," a very intelligent, courteous, and business-like gentleman. He was the moving spirit of the meeting, and presided over the Committee of Organization, of which the foreign delegates were members. The foreign delegates were seated at the table *of the Presidents and Yice- Presidents on a raised dai's ; the general Secretaries sat at a separate table and recorded the proceedings. Each speaker addressed himself to the audience from the dais, and was permitted to use his own native language. The duties were divided into three sections: one for Geography, one for Cosmography and Ethnology, another for Navigation and Commerce. The sections met from 9 a.m. to noon, when questioDs which had been previously prepared and arranged were taken in order, were discussed, and conclusions drawn up. Reading from written papers was prohibited. At the afternoou meetings, which sat from 2 to 5 o'clock, when the presidency was con? ferred on each of the foreign delegates in succession, the reports of the sections were read, and the subject-matter was generally rediscussed before adoption. The Committee of Organization met again at 7 p.m. to transact the general business of the Congress, and at 8 o'clock a lecture was given by some eminent person in the saloon of the Royal Theatre. The evening lectures were very attractive and well attended: two of them were delivered by my country- men?one by the Rev. S. J. Perry, of Stonyhurst, on Terrestrial Magnetism (exceedingly well given in French); one by Dr. Brown, descriptive of the Human Races and Botany of the Cape of Good Hope regions. Both of these lectures were very instructive, and deservedly met with great applause. Mons. Quatrefages, Ethnologist representative of the French Institute, delivered a most eloquent discourse relative to the origin and descent of man. Garnier, of the French Navy (our Medallist), gave an account of his travels in Cambodia. General Heine, of the United States, gave a description of a new line of survey for a ship canal through the Isthmus of Darien, discovered by a native of Columbia, Senor Gorgoza, as presenting fewer engineering diffi- culties for construction over those of any other route hitherto explored. His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Brazil, who was visiting Antwerp, took part in the proceedings and enrolled himself a member of the Congress. He was pleased to make favourable allusion to the warm reception he met with in London from this Society. There was a fair attendance of Geographers from France, Germany, and Holland, with some few from other nations. I regret to state that very few attended from this country, though many gave in their adhesions. The only gentleman who supported me thronghout the sitting of the Congress was the Rev. S. J. Perry, of Stonyhurst.

* On the general progress of Geography for the last two centuries.

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As regards the exhibition of Geographical works?maps, charts, globes, and other instruments?the objects which excited most interest were the repro- ductions from the original charts of Mercator, together with those of the early navigators and travellers. The Government Survey of Belgium was said to excel that of any other nation in distinctive delineation and copious informa? tion. In elementary educational works for public instruction in geography France produced the best. I am sorry to notice that very few works were exhibited from this country, which was much regretted; especially as I saw no works to surpass the excellent productions of our celebrated geographers. His Excellency the Minister of the Interior for Belgium gave his personal attendance and presided over the closing ceremony, distributing the medals and rewards to the successful competitors. He delivered a very comprehensive and instructive address. The members of this Society and the public in general will be gratified to hear that in the distribution of medals one was accorded to our illustrious African traveller Livingstone, with the most cordial expression of hopes for his success and safe return. Also that a special resolution was carried, with great accla- mation, in testimony of the eminent services rendered to the world at large by Sir Eoderick Murchison in the advancement of geographical science, and for the generous support which travellers of all nations have received at his hands. It is pleasing to notice the public spirit manifested by Major-General Sir Henry James in furnishing the Exhibition with specimens from his department at Southampton of the highest excellence, which were greatly admired, espe? cially the Survey of Jerusalem, by Capt. C. W. Wilson, r.e., and model of the same, together with the Ordnance Survey of Sinai, and photographs. It is much to be regretted that other public departments in this country did not follow this example; for, with this exception, our nation occupied a very unvvorthy position. A full report of the proceedings will be published soon, in which it will be seen that several questions of international importance were dealt with, resulting in recommendations for the consideration of the great Maritime Powers: for instance?

" The possibility of adopting the same first meridian by all nations. " The desirability of fitting ships of war with apparatus for obtaining deep- sea soundings on all voyages, and preserving specimens from the bed of the ocean for investigation by men of science. " Could nations agree to adopt one uniform system of colouring buoys, beacons, &c, and leading-marks for pilotage of coasts, harbours, and rivers ? " To devise the best means of determining oceanic currents. " What advantages can science obtain by the exploration of the Polar regions ? " Eecommendations for exploring the Antartic regions, and gaining more information respecting the depth of the ocean and the physical geography of the sea in high southern latitudes. " The adoption of a uniform system of orthography for proper names, both " in maps and in treatises of geography. " The great importance of adopting a more extensive application in the use of warning storm-signals."

The above are extracted from about ninety well-considered and searching questions, the solution of which must elicit the opinions and support from all lovers of progress. I think that no one can ponder over such subjects without

This content downloaded from 128.110.184.42 on Sat, 25 Jun 2016 22:13:30 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms ADDITIONAL NOTICES. 135 feeling that a repetition of such a Congress as this must lead to much valuable inquiry and practical results, besides encouraging sentiments of friendship and good-will between nations. The chief duty assigned to me was that of presiding over the Section for Navigation and Commerce. At the general meetings I gave some description of the Esquimaux races; my opinions with regard to the best means of reaching the North Pole; also some account of my experiences, and the labours and achievements of our and Antarctic voyages. An excursion was made on the Scheldt to Ripplemonde, the birthplace of Mercator, in a Belgian Government steamer, to afford the Congress an opportunity of inspecting a fine bronze statue, lately erected to the memory of Mercator by the Belgian nation, whose system of constructing charts, three centuries ago, has conferred such lasting benefits on posterity. Such a memorial as this will be duly appreciated by navigators of all nations. On the subject of giving elementary instruction on Geography in national schools, much inquiry was made on the part of my colleagues, the delegates, as to the systems adopted in different countries. On the whole, they seemed to look for guidance from this country, and from such information as I was capable of giving them it appeared that in this matter we are in advance of other countries ; in Belgium some more vigorous action of the State is required. Some very eminent men from France admitted the want of better works for instruction both in elementary and physical geography. It was the unanimous desire expressed at the Congress that the spirited example of Belgium should be followed up by assembling again in some other country, in furtherance of the objeet (" the advancement of geographical sciences") so auspiciously commenced. I would here venture to suggest, for the consideration of the Council, the desirability of organizing an international meeting of geographers, in combination with the Geographical Section of the British Association, at their next meeting, to be held at Brighton, the locality being easy of access and convenient for foreigners, besides being familiar to many of them. At the same time an exhibition of works appertaining to geo? graphical sciences would be conducive to much emulation. It only remains for me to testify my sense of gratitude for the very courteous and kind reception accorded to my colleagues and myself, as the representatives of this Society, by the Belgian authorities, and especially by Mr. E. A. Grattan, the British Consul for Antwerp. Erasmus Ommanney, Vice-Admiral.

To Major-General Sir Henry Bawlinson, k.c.b., and the Council of the Boyal Geographical Society, London.

2. Note on the Old Calabar and Cross Bivers. By Captain J. B. Walker, f.r.g.s.* The Old Calabar Eiver derives its name from the country situated on its estuary with which our countrymen maintain a trafflc, so cailed by its dis- coverers the Portuguese. The native name is Efi'k. The regions watered by the Niger and by the Old Calabar Eiver, doubtless from the easy access into the interior which they afforded, suffered more from the slave trade in former

* Captain Walker's original charts of these rivers are deposited in the Map- Eoom ofthe Society, and the valuable new matter they contain has been incorporated, at the request of the Hydrographer, in the new Admiralty Chart of the West Coast, Sheet XIX.?[Ed.]

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