Rensselaer Republican, Volume 23, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 November 1890 — A Simple Compass. [ARTICLE]

A Simple Compass.

Ixradon Truth. - A few days ago I was standing by an Atnericanogeutleman when I expressed a wish to know [[which point was north. He at once pulled out his watch looked at it, and pointed to the north. T asked him whether he had a compass attached to his watch. “All watches,” he replied, “are Compasses.” Then he explained to me how it was. Point the hour hand to the sun, and the south is exactly half way between the hour and the figure XII on the watch. For instance it is four o’clook. Point the hand indicated 4 to the sun, and HI on the watch is exactly south. j Suppose it is 8 o’clock, point the hand indicating 8 to the sun, and the figure X on the watch is duo; south. My American friend was quite surprised that I did not know this. Thinking that very possibly I was ignorant of a thing that every one else knew, and happening to meet Mr, Stanley, I asked that eminent traveler whether he was aware of the simple mode of discovering the points of the compass. He said thrt he had never heard of it. I presume, therefore, that the world is in the same state of ignorance.