312 



this subject, with a view to the benefit of the community ; 

 and therefore they endeavoured to get at a correct knowledge 

 of things beneath the surface of the earth. There was ano- 

 ther department of this Society which gave them an oppor- 

 tunity to consider other subjects, in their place equally as 

 important to society ; he referred to the Polytechnic character 

 of the institution, which enabled him to come that day to 

 give them a few experiments on another important branch of 

 science. They were anxious to cultivate these two leading 

 and important branches : so that while they were inquiring 

 on matters of Geological science, they might receive informa- 

 tion from other gentlemen on subjects equally as important 

 and interesting, but coming more particularly within the^ 

 sphere of their various pursuits. 



The Rev. Doctor then proceeded to deliver extempora- 

 neously a communication 



ON NEW AND EFFICIENT PROCESSES OF MAGNETIC MANI- 

 PULATION. 



The subject of Magnetism, he said, had of late years 

 become one of great importance. A very few years ago. 

 Magnetism was thought little of, except for matters of ex- 

 periment, or as processes needed for directing the navigator, 

 the surveyor, or the miner. Now, however, it assumed a 

 degree of importance that placed it among the most mighty 

 agencies by which the Great Creator displays His eternal 

 power and Godhead — agencies by which He controls the 

 elements, and directs and binds them to His will. 



Dr. Scoresby illustrated his novel method of charging 

 magnets and steel bars with greatly increased power by two 

 series of experiments. In the first, Mitchell's ordinary process 

 of magnetizing a number of bars placed in opposition at their 

 extremities was shown, in which the power conferred was 



