S74> Effect of Magnetism on Time-Pieces . 
as I chose to move the tool from the one position to the 
other. It happened that I was then sitting with my face 
to the south : a circumstance that led me, in placing the 
plane of the balance vertically* to put it north and south* 
and of course the axis east and west — the only position 
in which the magnetic influence could make itself most 
apparent* and which will account for the circumstance 
not having been observed by the workman who examined 
the poise of the balance before I did ; for* as often as I 
placed the plane of the balance vertically between east 
and west it was in poise* whichever end of its axis was 
placed towards the south. 
Having pretty well satisfied myself as to the cause* I 
now proceeded to determine the poles of the balance* 
With that view I placed its axis in a vertical situation* 
and of course its plane was horizontal ; and I was much 
surprised to find that* in that position* it possessed suffi- 
cient polarity to overcome the friction upon its pivot ; for 
it readily turned on its axis to place its north pole towards 
the north. Making a mark on that side that I might 
know its north pole* I then repeatedly turned that point 
towards the south ; and* when left at liberty* it as often 
resumed its former position* performing a few vibrations 
before it quite settled itself in its situation and came to 
rest— exactly as a needle would do if suspended in the 
same manner. 
I was extremely happy that I had observed these ef- 
fects before I brought a magnet to make the experiment 
I first intended* as I might* and as others also might have 
concluded* that the polarity had been produced by the 
approach of the magnet. I now* however* brought a 
magnet into the shop* and* presenting its south pole to 
the marked side* that is* to the north pole of the balance* 
ihe balance continued at rest ; but upon presenting the 
north pole to the marked place* it immediately receded 
