130 



NOTES AND QUERIES. 



[No. 95. 



direction would be restored in the opposite one, 

 so that the only result would be a repetition of the 

 same eftects in every succeeding oscillation. 



It is this absence of an element of increase in 

 the deviation that constitutes the first objection to 

 this theory as a sufficient explanation of the pen- 

 dulum phenomenon. It is answered (as I sup- 

 pose, for I have nowhere seen it so stated in 

 direct terms) that the velocity of rotation, ac- 

 quired and retained by the pendulum ball, is not 

 that of London, but of a point midwaj' between 

 the two extremes — in fiict, of that point of the 

 earth's surface immediately beneath the centre of 

 suspension. 



There is no doubt that, if this can be established, 

 the line of oscillation would diverge in both di- 

 rections — the point of return, or of restored coin- 

 cidence, which before was in one of the extremes, 

 would then be in the central point; consequently 

 it would be of no effect in correcting the deviation, 

 which would then go on increasing with every 

 oscillation. 



Therefore, in order to obtain credence for the 

 theory, satisfactory explanation must be given of 

 this first di(ficidty by not only showing that the 

 medium velocity is really that into which the ex- 

 treme velocity first impressed upon the ball will 

 rdtimately be resolved; but it must also be ex- 

 plained lohen that effect will take place, whether 

 all at once or gradually ; because, it must be 

 recollected, the oscillations of the experimental 

 pendulum cannot practically commence from the 

 central point, but always from one of the extremes, 

 to which the ball must fii'St be eleviited. 



But this is not enough: there must also be shown 

 reasonable ground to induce the belief that the 

 ball is really free from the attraction of each suc- 

 cessive point of the earth's surfiice over which it 

 passes ; and that, although in motion, it is not as 

 really and as effectually a partaker in the rotation 

 of any given point, during its momentary passage 

 over it, as though it were fixed and stationary at 

 that point. Those who maintain that this is not 

 the case are bound to state the duration of resi- 

 dence which any substance must make at any 

 point upon tlie earth's surface, in order to oblige 

 it to conform to the exact amount of velocity with 

 which that point revolves. 



Lastly, supposing these difiiiculties capable of 

 removal, there yet remains a third, which consists 

 in the undeniable absence of difference of velocity 

 when the direction of oscillation is east and west. 

 It has been shown that the difference beforj 

 claimed was due to the nearer approach to the 

 equator of one of the extremities of the line of 

 oscillation in consequence of its direction being 

 north and south ; but when its direction is east 

 and west both extremities are equally distant from 

 the ec^uator, and therefore no difference of velocity 

 can exist. 



I have directed these observations to the funda- 

 mental truth and reality of the alleged pheno- 

 menon ; it is quite clear that these must first be 

 settled before the laws of its distribution on the 

 surface of the globe can become of any interest. 



A.E.B. 



Leeds, August 5. 1851. 



cember, "| 

 liber, > 

 I'ember, J 



Minav ^atsi. 



The Day of the Month. — ]\Iany persons might 

 help themselves, as some do, by remembering 

 throughout the year on what day the 1st of Ja- 

 nuary fell, and by permanently remembering the 

 first day of each month, which agrees with the 

 first day of the year. Thus, this present year 

 began on Wednesday, and the 6th of August is 

 therefore Wednesday, as are the 13th, 20th, 27th. 

 By the following lines the key to the months may 

 be kept in mind: — 



The first of October, you'll find if you try, 

 The second of April, as well as July, 

 The third of September, which rhymes to Deceml 

 The fourth day of June, and no other, remeiiil 

 The fifth of the leap-month, of March, and NovemL 

 The sixth day of August, and seventh of May, 

 Sliow the first of the year in the name of the day; 

 But in leap-year, when leap-month has duly been 



reckoned, 

 These month-dates will show, not the first, but tbe 



second. 



M. 



Foreign Engli.<sh. — The specimens given in 

 " Notes and Queries" have reminded me of one 

 which seems worthy to accompany them ; in fact, to 

 have rather a peculiar claim. 



I believe the facts of the case to have been 

 these. When it was known that Louis XVIII. 

 was to be restored to the throne of France, a re- 

 port was circulated (whether on any good autho- 

 rity I do not know) that the then Duke of 

 Clarence would take the command of the vessel 

 which was to convey the returning monarch to 

 Calais. At all events the people of Calais expected 

 it ; and inferring that the English royal duke 

 would pass at least one night in their town, and of 

 course go to the play, they deemed that it would 

 be proper to perform the English national anthem 

 at their theatre. It was obvious, however, that 

 " God save the King'''' was so very appropriate to 

 their own circumstances, that, notwithstanding its 

 Anglicism, it left less of compliment and con- 

 gratulation for the illustrious foreigner than they 

 really intended to offer. So that happy people, 

 who can do everything in no time, fortiiwith pre- 

 pared an additional verse. This being quite new, 

 and of course unknown, they printed .on the play- 

 bill, from wliich I learned it. If you give his 

 lines a place in your pages, I will not say that the 

 French poet's labour was thrown away ; but for 



