( 1 01 ) 
ble the Lord Taijley . It may not be improper to take 
Notice, that the Needles were not touched upon the 
naked Stone, but with its Armour on, generally upon 
that Part of the Capping nearelt the Poles ; but I 
could not find a Difference in the Dire&ion, by touch- 
ing upon another Part. I may add, that when I have 
obferved the 1 Needle increafing, or decreafing in its 
Variation, I have very frequently, with a Key, drawn 
it the contrary Way leveral Degrees, and then, by let- 
ting it return very gently, till it has been within a 
Degree, or lefs, of the Place it flood at immediately 
before, I have there flopt it for fome time, by hold- 
ing the Key at a proper Diflance ; and withdrawing 
my Hand gradually, have tried to make it (land fhorc 
of its former Place, but could never lucceed. By this 
Method, and feveral others made ufe of, I am well al- 
lured thefe Changes in the Direction are owing to 
fome other Caufe than the Fri&ion of the Needle up- 
on the Pin ; but what that Caufe is I cannot lay, for 
it feems to depend neither upon Heat nor Cold, a dry 
or moill Air, clear or cloudy, windy or calm Wea- 
ther, nor the Height of the Barometer. The only 
thing that has any appearance of Regularity, is, that 
the Variation has been generally great ell, for the fame 
Day, between the Hours of Twelve and Four in the 
Afternoon, and the ieall about fix or feven in the 
Evening. 
March 
