A TEN-MILE POWER MAGNET.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VI, Issue 33, 16 August 1890, Page 2

A TEN-MILE POWER MAGNET.

A lecture was once being given upon natural philosophy in a village schoolroom in Scotland. Among the apparatus of the lecturer was a powerful magnet, with which he performed some singular experiments. Waxing eloquent over this apparatus, the lecturer exclaimed, ‘ Can any of you conceive a greater attractive power than this ’’ • Ou, ay,’ responded an old farmer who was sitting on a front bench. ‘ What!’ exclaimed the lecturer, somewhat taken aback, ‘ not a natural, terrestrial object, certainly ?’ ‘ Ou, ay—quite natral,’ was the reply.’ The lecturer challenged the man who had spoken to name the thing. Then uprose the old man and said, ‘ I can gie ye the facts, sir, an’ you can judge for yoursel’. When I was a young chap there was a wee bit magnet wi’ the prettiest black een ever ye saw. Dod, she could draw me ten miles every Sunday, an’ I had nae power to resist her. She could wile a bird aff a bush. That magnet o’ yours is nae doobt guid enench, but it’s no to be compared for pu’in’ pooer wi’ the lassock I refer to.’