CHAPTER X - PUBLICATIONS OF THE SOCIETY—LIBRARY AND MAP ROOM—EDUCATIONAL MEASURES

Summary

Next, in usefulness and importance, to the operations of the Geographical Society in the field, are the measures for recording the results of discoveries, for disseminating knowledge, for providing instruction and information, and for encouraging educational measures connected with the study of geography.

In the first year of the Society's existence the form of our ‘Journal’ was decided upon by the Council, and the first volume was published in octavo, as at present, containing 264 pages, illustrated by eight maps. The first six volumes were edited by the first Secretary, Captain Maconochie, r.n., and in addition to the papers, contained analyses of recent publications, and miscellaneous geographical information. The two succeeding Secretaries, Captain Washington, r.n., and Colonel Jackson, continued the same plan of giving analyses of books, and in 1837 it was resolved that all the maps should be engraved on copper. In order to supply the information as rapidly as possible, the ‘Journal’ was published in two parts, in May and November, and for a short time, in 1839 and 1840, it came out in three parts, in February, May and November. A very useful addition was also made, in those years, in the shape of lists of geographical works and maps recently published. But in 1842 the issue of two parts during the year was reverted to, and in 1847 the analyses and miscellaneous information were discontinued.