John Phillips to Faraday   14 December 1850

14 Dec. 1850 | York

My dear Faraday

It is indeed too true that the exact relation of the effect of an Auroral Arch or beam to its position, is not to be stated, except with extreme reserve¹. The Phenomena are normally of too exciting a kind, & come on us when we are too unprepared, to allow of all being done which should be done. In 1833 it was almost a novelty to assure the Meteorologist that the needle was powerfully affected at all. Few persons have a needle fit for the purpose of observing horizontal deviation, still fewer a Dipping needle worthy of the name: & of these almost 0 has the needle or needles mounted & conveniently placed for use.

In 1839 I changed house, & now it is 1850. In these 11 years I have never had time & power to mount either of my needles. Thank God! both are now mounted, in my study & so good, that I intend to devote some time to them, & to make such regular Observations as to give me well their normal state (or rather the Mean state) & be prepared against all Auroras. If we have any good Arches or Beams I hope to see them with my needles[.]

In turning over old papers I find a duplicate of some notes of the great aurora of 12 Oct 1833². Pray accept it - as being pretty full of Magnetical notes. The displacements of the needle air [sic] always rather sudden, by little starts.

Ever Yours truly | John Phillips