The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-07-19

reach It requires some patience and antiquarian zeal
the Notifications are therefore, not much mutila
They are the best preserved ruins in North Am ri
ca, having cost the French and British governm o.
tainance. Those who wish TO underst snd
the character, position and strength of the
various military posts on this lake may profta
consult the Genheman's Magazine which there
are number Of sets in TIE city of New York
Major Nantes Memoirs, and Beatson's celebrated
work, which / had the pleasure Of first me King
known TO my friend, Mr.. Sparks
II was on the passage Across Lake George tnst
the pilot Mr. Harrs-of whom | have already
spoken showed me splendid compass, Of Rockers
manufacture by which he steers amid some Of the
intricate channels Of the lake, in dark and misty
weather. He informed me that he had observed
very remarkable variation of the needle under Ger
tain circumstances. At my request, and for the
purpose of drawing public attention TO the SUBJECT,
or rather that of scientific men, he made the follow
ing memorandum
STEAMER MNsxHAHA, LAKE GEORGE July ii, 1858.
LOCATION OF compass.
Pilot house nine feet square.
Distance fI0m bJw dizzy ieet
Distance from tho surfsce Of the water eighteen feet
Placed directly end Of the boiler, ~ith three
floors between The coxpass sets tho hsrrsi Of 'ne
wheel on platform six inches from the iron chsia PAYS
In runnn g due Dor b or south very small variation c
the needle Is dcoverabe 10 running northeast BY ess
and the front widows OF the plot room opea TOE oss y
shut falls BAGS 10 its original posiiln, snd remsos
steady-s the while tho being kept in her exaci
oourse by the wheel
1t was at first supposed that it owing to local
attraction, and that the mountains contained meta
ferrous substances; but in this the side windows
would be the ones to open and close IN the exper'
ment. But they produce no effect whatever The
variation Ia sily noticeable when the vessel Is NOV
ing and the trout windows are up. came 30 tue
conclusion that it electricity, produced by the
motion of the all upon the glass face of the comp
box and the brass case in which it swings through
80. H.
giving the earths magnetism an additional force II,
the direction in which it now acts.
At all events il Is very curious circumstance,
and it would have delighted the heart of DE-. SORES
by to have heard of it. Who knows but that the loss
of some of our fast steamers may have really been
owing to this peculiarity2 The address Of the pilot
is E. s. Harris, Caldwell, New York, and he will
be most happy to communicate on tue Subject
with any scientific person who wishes
particular account Of the phenomenon can
say for myself that / Witnessed the fact over aud
over again during the passage. Shonld u ieti 20
any important result the HERALD will have The good
fortune to have first drawn attention ID the subject
should have made report Of the facts toyoIr Geo
graphical Society; but the section OF neteorology
under which electricity and magnetism ere now ar
ranged, though directed by gentleman OF great
private worth, is not familiar with the science such
az it has become, and az yet has not afforded evi
dence of usefulness. Among the readers of the
HEsALD, then, the solution must he looked for.
AT the Fort, while lady OF our party WAS sketch
uS IuiIis ulyrcit Win s'tuS VI vi"
Of the village, who selling relies taken from
the site. bullet two shllngs; but had
bought one just found ut Fort Edward, from young
patriotprice three cents, silver money-soi did not
want this But purchased what was mIch more
valuabe-an iron sword bt and half the blade.
This diminished my traveug funds precisely two
shiihngs. 1t is well oxydzed and is antique enough.
After had bought it inquired of the young chap
who sold il to me, on his honor, whether the village
blacksmith had not made IT for him. could not,
however, get Master Peter Iamson to admit any such
thing; brought il home with faith that
fellow who says he is going TO join the Seventh regi
nent a cadet, as soon he puts on his first boy
jacket, or else shall present it to the New York
Historical Society, and request my friend Mr.. De
Peyster, TO preface the presentation with suitable
remarks,