The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-11-07
QUESTIONS ON MAGNETISM.

1. Whether any gentleman who is in the prac-
tice OF using the magnetic needle, has made any
discovery that the needle is now returning or re
ceding from the meridian And II so, then
2 AT what time past did the needle begin to
Alterits motion, from approaching the meridian,
to it's departing further therefrom. And then
3 AT what rate is the receding motion of the
needle
As to myself, would state, that according to
the observations which have made in practical
surveying, have for several years past suspect.
ed that the needle did not continue to approach
the meridian rs heretofore, but departin.
further therefrom and have oflate become con-
hrmed in that opinion. Now, therefore, if any
gentleman has been so fortunate in his obscrvat.
ons as to be able to make accurate discovery
OF the position Of the magnetic needle at this day,
and will publish correct answers to the foregU
ing questions it will he very useful 10 the pu5iic
and much oblige the subscriber
NATH'L. SPENCER,
Swceyor for LitchGeis County.
New Hartford, (Con.) Sep-)
TENDER 81, 1907.
lFRoM THE CONSPICUOUS coyRAEr.I
MEssRs. Painters,
Having noticed in your paper
OF the 1lth inst. some questions proposed by Mr..
Spencer, OF New-Eartiord, ? surveyor, together
with his opinion respecting the variation of the
magnetic needle, beg leave to remark, that the
original course of all old lines, compared with
their present bearings, proves to demonstration
that the Westerly variation has been diminished
more than Century. have myself of late dis
covered that the needle now points little far
Their to the West than it did in 1905. but still, am
not OF opinion that it has, on the whole, taken
different direction in variation. Tile magnstic
needle At Best, is but unstable thing and varies
IN uifferent temperature of the air. Through
the year loO5. continued series of observati-
ons at different times i'm the day, amounting to
more than 500, and found at the end of the year.
tiat 1t had fuctusted within space of almost
half degree
Other Surveyors, who have, for length of
Tune, continued their observations, have found
the same. Accounts often found in certain
places of the needles pointing several degrees eli
Their to the East or West of North Then it pro-
crosses tn the Meridian, and passes by it to the
opposite extreme. This is according to the pro.
gress OF the line of no variation. The pre-
sent variation in these parts is from four TO five
and for the needle to arrive so near the
Meridian and then take retrogade motion, is to
me quite new idea. AS 10 the rate of variation in
different places, Moses Warren, Esq of Lyme,
aud myself, are now engaged in collecting what.
ever facts we can, to ascertain, if possible what
1t has heretofore been i'm this State, and should
we be able to bring it to any degree ofcertainty,
shall not he unwilling to make kno wn the suit
Perhaps Mr.. Spencer will be willing to suspend
his opinion, until the subject can be further in
vesugated and the facts ascertaned, and assist
III the enquiry. Also, any other surveyor who
will communicate either TO me or to Mr. Warren
his observations, viii confer particullr favor
HE data which are wanted are, 1st The original
course of old lines-2d Their time of location
Sd. Their present bearings: 4th The To WINS
where they are. Also, whether any one has dis.
covered that the needle has, of late, turned to
the West.
GEORGE GILLETT,
-, Suypeyo' for ToHand County.
Hebron, Oct 16, 1909.
There is a daily variation and is most discern.
iDIe an the summer seasonT7In the forenoon the
needle" hano the W,st and returns in The Afternoon
This is 0ecaSioned BY the heat of the sxs--andi.
does not als'ays point alike in mornings.