6 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 
was directed towards the procuring of a house 
conveniently situated for trying the instruments, 
and examining the rates of the chronometers. 
Mr. Geddes kindly offered one of his, which, 
though in an unfinished state, was readily ac- 
cepted, being well situated for our purpose, as it 
was placedon an eminence, had a southern aspect, 
and was at a sufficient distance from the town to 
secure us from frequent interruption. Another 
advantage was its proximity to the Manse, the 
residence of the Rev. Mr. Clouston, the worthy 
and highly respected minister of Stromness ; 
whose kind hospitality and the polite attention 
of his family, the party experienced almost daily 
during their stay. 
For three days the weather was unsettled, and 
few observations could be made, except for the 
dip of the needle, which was ascertained to be 
74° 37 48”, on which occasion a difference of 
eight degrees and a half was perceived between 
the observations, when the face of the instrument _ 
was changed from the east to the west, the 
amount being the greatest when it was placed 
with the face to the west. But, on the 8th, a 
westerly wind caused a cloudless sky, which 
enabled us to place the transit instrument. in the 
meridian, and to ascertain the variation of the 
compass, to be 27° 50' west. The sky becoming 
