976 Transactions of the American Institute. 



ever, as in the former case, answer these questions at once, as I 

 believe to be the true solution of them, and then give a synopsis 

 of the reasons which direct my judgment to such conclusions. 



I regard magnetism as a universal principle, pervading all space, 

 and impressed on all matter, and one of the forces employed to 

 regulate and control tlie universe; and I consider the revolution 

 of the magnetic pole as being caused by magnetic attraction to the 

 highest center or system, to which the earth in her various revolu- 

 tions is immediately related. The attraction is from center to 

 center, and the magnetic needle balanced in its horizontal position 

 becomes an indicator only of the line of attraction, and directs 

 itself always to that point on the earth's surface, which is in a line 

 with the center of attraction. There is, therefore, no absolute 

 polar magnetism, or magnetic pole. It is ideal, not real, and like 

 the earth's axis, it is only imaginary, but necessary to be considered 

 in order to illustrate a truth.* 



I have said that I regard magnetism as a universal principle, and 

 I so regard it because it is everywhere present in our world — in 

 every place ever visited, in every imaginable position, it is there, 

 possessing the same' attributes and exerting the same influence. 

 That which we call a "magnet," however, is not magnetism, any 

 more than an electrified body is electricity — it is simply a magne- 

 tized body or substance, capable only of retaining its magnetism 

 for a limited period. Both magnetism and electricity are latent 

 and liidden principles in nature, the very existence of which is a 

 mystery, and of which we know nothing, except as we can witness 

 their efiects. They are natural forces, and although latent m them- 

 selves, they are yet capable of rising to a force a little short of 

 infinite, whenever circumstances combine, according to their nature, 

 to call them into action. They are not the same, although they 

 may be difierent phases of the same principle; but I doubt if 

 enough has been learned of either to justify a decision in that par- 

 ticular. They have many affinities in common, such for example as 

 the attraction of iron — also the power of some bodies to arrest and 

 turn away their -currents, and of others to receive and retain for a 

 longer or shorter period an impregnation, of their qualities, which 

 is again imparted to other bodies when placed in contiguity or 



•In saying that there is no absolute polar magnetism, I must bo understood to mean 

 that there is nothing there, at the pole, to cause the attraction of tho needle ; its motion 

 is governed by a higher law, and by a force with which tho locality of the pole has nothing 

 to do. 



