r ) 
that at that time there were no Varation. Afterwards* 
Anno 1700. when there was (fuppofe) 7 Degrees of 
Variation from the North to the Weftward , another 
Sailor intending to make the fame PafTage , fleers di- 
redly the fame Southerly Courfe by his Magnetick 
Compafs I I (ay, this laft Seaman will be carried far in- 
to the Bay of Bifcay to the Eaftward , and will mifs of 
his defired Port by many Leagues ; bat if in his Courfe 
he hath allowed for this Variation, and inftead of fail- 
ing a dired Southerly Courfe by his Compafs, he had 
fteer'd 7 Degrees from the South to the Weftward, he 
had hit his Point* Whether thefe be the true Bearings 
of thefe two Places, it matters not : we go on the Sup- 
pofition that they are. 
Perhaps it may be objeded , That Surveys may be 
taken without Magnetick Inftruments , and that there- 
fore this Error arifing from the Magnetick Variation , 
and Change of the Bearing of Lines, may be avoided. 
To which I Anfwer,firft, That granting a Survey may 
be taken mthout Magnetick Inflruraents, this is nothing 
againfl what we have laid down relating to Surveys 
that are taken with Magnetick Inflruments , as the 
Down Survey adually was, and mofl Surveys at pre- 
fent adually are taken therewith. Secondly, Though 
a Survey may be taken truly without Magnetick In- 
ftruments, fb as to Ihew the exad Angles and Lines of 
the Plat, and confequently the true Contents, yet this 
will not give the true Bearings of the Lines, or fliew 
my Pofition in relation to my Neighbours, or the other 
parts of the Country. This muftbe fupply'd by the 
Magnet, or fomething equivalent thereto, as finding a 
true Meridian Line on your Land by Celeftial Obferva- 
tion. And I doubt not but the ancient M^ptians^ be- 
fore the Difcovery of the Magnet were forced to iome 
fuch Expedient in their Surveys and Applotments of 
A a a a a Lands 
