of the Variation of the Magnetic Pole. 167 



longitude, five of the variations in Captain Parry's chart* 

 making that longitude, and t'lree the latitude. I conceive the 

 true poles and the magnetic poles to have been at one 

 period at the same point, and that some violent convulsion of 

 nature, say at the period of the Deluge, the magnetic pole was 

 thrown out of its natural position ' about 1 7 degrees ( and 

 what but some inconceivable force could drive out" the waters 

 from the earth's centre to the overwhelming the whole surface?) 

 We see in all matters that concern us, the Omnipotent works 

 by mean's, and there is no effect without a cause, and no at- 

 traction could draw the waters from the interior that would 

 not remove them fi-om the surface ; whereas an impetus from 

 the centre must drive them out. The interior sphere being 

 driven fi-om its position relatively, would assume a difi^eren^ 

 axis, leaving the influence and Ibrm of its j)oIes the same; 

 thus irregularly revolving upon its new-formed axis, it makes 

 the considerable variation which is known to take place dnrino- 

 different periods of the day, making, when each revolution i* 

 complete, but a very trifling diminution in its progress with 

 the earth, which travelling tiom west to east causes'^the mag- 

 netic pole to recede from east to west. I would add, as an 

 illustration of this hypothesis, that its considerable increase 

 westward, and rapidly till it come to near its greatest elonga- 

 tion from England, when its appearing stationary in its pro- 

 gressive motion from 80° to 100°, an appearance that must 

 follow in the extreme of the circle, while revolving under tiie 

 true pole of the earth at and near 90° on either side of any 

 given point; the return of the magnetic pole towards the east, 

 or rather the diminished west vaiiation, which will be more 

 rapid as it approaches our meridian, not between us and the 

 pole^ but on the oj>posite side of the earth, approaching longitude 

 180°, at which point it will arrive about 1950, when the true 

 and the magnetic pole will be the same in the meridian of 

 London, after which it will progressively increase in eastern 

 variation; and when near 80 to 100, its greatest elongation 

 ea.stward, it will again fbr years ajipear stationary, wilf then 

 dimmish its easterly variation, and when the half revolution 

 IS again complete, will pass between us and the pole under our 

 meridian. 



At a future day I may trouble you with an opinion, why the 

 concentration of the magnetic fluid should direct the needle 

 to that point. RiCHAKD Webster. 



• This was written after Captain Parry's chart was out, and previous to 

 the pubhcation of his book; thereCorc .-)84 years was calculated upon 

 the assumed data of 100° .'JO' west longitude and 72° 40' north latitude 

 being cori.'ct. 



XXXVII. Some 



