🚀 go-pugleaf

I have a TeX document which is magnified \magstep1.  Later in
the document I have some text in the cmr8 font.  Within that
cmr8 font I have some math mode stuff --- but it comes out in
12 point size! (cmi10 scaled \magstep1)

Zounds!  I've tried everything, even Knuth's own suggestion
(TeXbook p153, bottom displayed example:
    $\textfont0=tenrm 9 \hbox{$9\textfont0=\Helvetica$}$
but this doesn't work for me.

Here's what I want to do:
-----------------------------------------
\magnification=\magstep1

Here is some text.

\font\rme = \cmr8
{\rme
Here is some eight point text with math: $E = mc^2$ }
------------------------------------------
where "E=mc^2" comes out in eight point math characters.

Much obliged for any/all suggestions.

David Mostardi, MSRI, Berkeley CA.  Internet: DPMostardi@lbl.gov

"Guess what Dad! Those chocolate diskettes fit right into your
   computer, no problem!"