Published online by Cambridge University Press: 23 February 2006
One of the most fascinating experiences gained by the meteorological observers of the Correspondentie Sociëteit concerned the practical use of new instruments. In the period after 1775 renewed interest in meteorology had stimulated the development of various new meteorological instruments. These instruments seemed at first to be a welcome addition or improvement in quantitative meteorology. How did the Correspondentie Sociëteit cope with these new developments? What factors determined whether or not the instruments were accepted as a useful addition to instruments already available? Four examples will be used to illustrate how this issue was tackled.