Importance of a Visit to the North Pole. 299 



the compass, the other by means of chronometers. From 

 the observations already made in the Arctic regions, it may 

 be considered as certain that, at the Pole, the magnetic 

 needle would freely traverse, and the compass remain an 

 efficient practical instrument. For, as it is to the magnetic 

 pole, and not to the pole of the earth, that the needle is di- 

 rected, and as the dip of the needle only amounts to 82° 22' 

 at the most northerly part yet reached, it is probable that 

 the horizontal or directive force of the needle would continue 

 strong and efficient at the pole ; and, consequently, that the 

 magnetic bearing of any point on the globe might be accu- 

 rately obtained by it. Indeed, none of the singular pheno- 

 mena relating to the magnetic needle observed by Parry on 

 his former voyage through Barrow's Strait, such as the 

 north end of the needle pointing due south, and then south- 

 east, and the entire uselessness of the compasses, owing to 

 the iron in the ship proving stronger than the directive power 

 of the needle, were to be anticipated on reaching the pole of 

 the earth. For the same reason, it was not to be expected 

 that the achievement since performed by his gallant compan- 

 ion, James Ross, of actually planting the British flag on the 

 magnetic pole, could now be accomplished, as it was already 

 known that the point upon the earth's surface which is so 

 designated, lay in a much lower latitude. 



The other method of ensuring the return of our travellers 

 upon the right meridian, namely, by means of chronometers, 

 was one which required some consideration. It is obvious 

 that, to an observer standing upon the pole, the sun would, 

 at the precise moment of apparent noon at any given place, 

 appear to the observer exactly in the direction of that place ; 

 and that, consequently, this, as ascertained by chronometers, 

 would prove an unerring guide as to the right direction. 

 But in the ordinary mode of marking the dial-plates of 

 watches from one hour to twelve only, there was reason to 

 apprehend that the wrong twelve o'clock might be taken, 

 under circumstances of constant sunshine, and without any 

 change in the altitude of that luminary, to distinguish day 

 from night. To avoid the possibility of this mistake, the pre- 

 caution was taken of constructing chronometers (each officer 



