USE OF THE DITI?rT3fG BOP. 63 



hit, no doubt thought it best to retire with his shilling and the 

 modicum of fame he had earned. 



As the white handkerchief was the most conspicuous object, he 

 was only likely to pitch on that as probably covering the coveted 

 coin: then the curved brims of two of the hats almost enabled 

 one to see that the coin was not there, so that the objects to 

 choose between were really reduced to rery few. 



The fact of the metal buttons having no action on the rod 

 simply because he did not suspect them, shows that, to say the 

 least, there is no physical foundation for the supposed action of 

 metals on the rod through the human being, and as physical laws 

 are immutable, the notion must be a mere superstition. 



The neighbourhood of Bristol seems to be distinguished by its 

 lingering here longer than in other places. 



^"e next tried the other diviner, since he expressed himself 

 willing to show us his powers. He was considerably younger 

 than the other, and according to our notions, compared to the 

 more practised hand, he was more or less of a bungler; he was 

 however all the more confident. 



Our fiiend, the foreman, who was a believer, as we have said, 

 suggested that we should lay the hats on a row of chairs this time. 

 "We did so, the order of the coucealiug objects being the following: — 

 (1) hat — (2) pair of gloves — (3) coloured handkerchief — (4) white 

 handkerchief, carefully laid in a heap — (5) hat— (6) white 

 handkerchief — (7) coloured handkerchief — (8) hat. 



The dowser was then called in and commenced his survey: he 

 had evidently heard that white handkerchiefs were the thing, for 

 ho showed partiality to them at once. 



At IN'o. 1, a hat, there was no sign. No. 2, gloves, no sign. 

 No. 3, a coloured handkerchief, a small indication, the rod did 

 not turn over quite, though he tried severartimes. No. 4, a white 

 handkerchief, tho rod turned over persistently. No. 5, a hat, 

 no sign. No. 6, another white handkerchief, half an indication. 

 No. 7, a coloured handkerchief, the rod turned over. No. 8, a 

 hat, no sign. 



