There being no sun nor other heavenly bodies, it is impossible for
us to determine the North in the usual way; but we have a method of
our own. By a Law of Nature with us, there is a constant attraction
to the South; and, although in temperate climates this is very slight
-- so that even a Woman in reasonable health can journey several
furlongs northward without much difficulty -- yet the hampering effort
of the southward attraction is quite sufficient to serve as a compass
in most parts of our earth. Moreover, the rain (which falls at stated
intervals) coming always from the North, is an additional assistiance;
and in the towns we have the guidance of the houses, which of course
have their side-walls running for the most part North and South, so
that the roofs may keep off the rain from the North. In the country,
where there are no houses, the trunks of the trees serve as some sort
of guide. Altogether, we have not so much difficulty as might be
expected in determining our bearings.
Yet in our more temperate regions, in which the southward
attraction is hardly felt, walking sometimes in a perfectly desolate
plain where there have been no houses nor trees to guide me, I have
been occasionally compelled to remain stationary for hours together,
waiting till the rain came before continuing my journey.
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