New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-05-25
On the EstnbIishment OF "a Magnetic Observatory
New-xerk.

At meeting Of section Of the New-York Associa
op for the Advancement Of Science and Art held at their
rooms IL the Cooper Institute Wednesday Mr. s. DE Witt
Boodgood read interesting paper advocacy Of the eab
nent Of Magnetic Observatory IN this city abstract or
which We present readers Mr.. BOOdgOOd remarked u
as fact that at the present time more perhaps than
ever before science has become the active friend and hand
Th most onortsnt advances in orr social condition have
followed scientific discoveries Every principle developed
and realized is possible made applicable 70 the sat
sfyng Of human wants Among otheI subjects MAgnetlsm'
familiar and most important study IL bears ~ direct
" and closely upon the interests Of Astronomy
itself IL - Believed that Magnetic Observatory which could
be established and maintained this city al comparatively
trning cost would than repay us expense IN the
value Of the information which Woaa coeet ana lpars TO
Under tne enlightened sdyc. Of Humboldt the character
and effects OF terrestrial magnetism have been Or several
carefully studied Europe The British Government under
bis accommodation have established At home and IN Ceuads
the Cape Good Hope and al Van Demans Land several
very well managed magnetic oDcery4ones WINE t1e Lat
India Company have maintained several IN Their doh2ns AZ
their expense similar establishments are found 10 iIs
Munich Prague and Goneen but nothing OF the tind IN
New York city deeply interested IN the results Of theI
di-coy cries than Of the cities above named ,
Three important characteristics Of the eject Of eIrssa
magnetism upon TIE compass needle require TO be noted me
differing force Of tons atracton-ts variation from true
meridian and its variation rom horizontal yoson me
magnetic condition Of the Esrn Is INDICATED by these hee
forms Of phenomena The decnson Of the compass needle
Is variation rom true noh aaa soaln me mas Geen
that period have been carefully nOiee .,, -, =,
geographical meridian cneha Of the difficulty and dangers
Of CATION would De obyatcd but tins IS so me case In
France q the needle If ABOUT y secous west
and AT Greenwich seconds In 1851 the needle az London
pointed Dortb bui al Paris Il dd no Inc Dsst ~ nov"
and Tor some been travelling eastward OF hOih al
rare of five OF SIX seconds year after having of tfoa o.
l5s years previous u lele Travelled "est~sIu " ~ ~
q points Capt Parry o. hrs AIco Nola unu 'Ao
leedlc bad Westward, ieclinGton OF neaip nDe pots
Indeed 80 great tne variations that me L.e - @
passes was abandoned Charts OF these yarstoDs ha'S
been constructed ana in by the moro catu hhu sA
fl navigator Could such charts be made entlfe!
they woad abyiate many Of the dangers OF aD
perhaps enable 10 solve some Interesting heshAe p
lens But 10 obtain these require much iuler az,
tsnsve observations have y.i been MADE many ole
points Of and value might also ne deieIln,
by these observation, fae causes Of ana laws WHO
govern magnetic storms.
Perhaps the bes. model FOR such establishment a. ~
needed 10 this city that OF TIE Observatory at Greenwich
England In the Observatory Woowicb also mere are
special arrangements which would be OF great value
here. Among others building specially devoted 10 the
examination and correction OF The c0mpasses used N the
RoIal Nav. There s a.0 eommodLoal and MearIanged