Terrella is a nice word. The OED records its first use in 1613, so it was a fairly new word when Hooke used it. According to Alan Gurney (“Compass”, 65), these spherical magnets were also known as “earthkins”, another nice word that does not appear in the OED.
For the lowdown on claret, sack, canary, etc., I recommend Henry Jeffreys' entertaining book "Empire of Booze: British History Through the Bottom of a Glass" (London: Unbound, 2016).
Possibly a measurement of magnetic variation, the needle being a compass needle. Magnetic variation changed a lot over the course of the 17th century. In his book "Compass", Alan Gurney writes: "Magnetic variation at London in 1580 was 11°15' East. By 1773, it had swept through 32 degrees to 21°09' West. By 1850, it had increased to 22°24' West. A hundred years later it had decreased to 9°07' West. It is still declining today."
Comments
Second Reading
About Saturday 14 July 1666
Elisabeth • Link
It’s amazing to me that four or five tons of cork were apparently just sitting around somewhere, ready to be “agreed for” at a moment’s notice,
About Wednesday 25 April 1666
Elisabeth • Link
“Mr. Hooke showed by a terrella...”
Terrella is a nice word. The OED records its first use in 1613, so it was a fairly new word when Hooke used it. According to Alan Gurney (“Compass”, 65), these spherical magnets were also known as “earthkins”, another nice word that does not appear in the OED.
About Wednesday 16 August 1665
Elisabeth • Link
A fine lady -- Elizabeth Malet
On May 28, 1665, Sam recorded the attempted kidnapping of Malet by the notorious Earl of Rochester. Spoiler: Malet and Rochester married in 1667.
About Friday 7 July 1665
Elisabeth • Link
For the lowdown on claret, sack, canary, etc., I recommend Henry Jeffreys' entertaining book "Empire of Booze: British History Through the Bottom of a Glass" (London: Unbound, 2016).
About Wednesday 10 May 1665
Elisabeth • Link
The variation of the needle at Whitehall.
Possibly a measurement of magnetic variation, the needle being a compass needle. Magnetic variation changed a lot over the course of the 17th century. In his book "Compass", Alan Gurney writes: "Magnetic variation at London in 1580 was 11°15' East. By 1773, it had swept through 32 degrees to 21°09' West. By 1850, it had increased to 22°24' West. A hundred years later it had decreased to 9°07' West. It is still declining today."