106 
the positive results obtained by the Rector were conditioned by 
the idiosyncracy of the diviner, Mrs. Manners, and that the 
negative results obtained by yourself were conditioned by the 
idiosyncracy of Gataker, and that both results may, perhaps, be 
regarded as scientifically sound, the phenomena induced being 
entirely dependent on the peculiar nature of the agent’s organism. 
Here then the phenomena induced harmonize with the Rector’s 
own experiments, and, so far, justifying his conclusions ‘ that the 
eurrent or power, whatever it is, follows the known laws of 
electricity, and this result he confirmed by repeated insulating 
and non-insulating, tests. But as in experiment 3, you shew that. 
insulation in Gataker’s case had not the slightest influence, the 
rod continuing to revolve, the analogy or concord at this point 
ceases and some other explanation must be sought for. I hope 
that further investigation will clear up this apparent incongruity.’ ” 
Professor Barrett writes to me on July 12th, 1898. ‘I need hardly 
say all ideas concerning any magnetic or electric influence are 
absurdly wrong. I know Mr. Vaughan Jenkins’ and Mr. 
MacKnight’s views, but their opinion is entirely unsupported 
by any scientific evidence. Iam glad to see your experiments 
dispose of this vulgar error, and I will refer to your letter in my 
forthcoming report on the divining rod. I daresay you may 
have seen part 1, if not I enclose the table of contents, I quoted 
your letter about Gataker in page 186, but I think Gataker is 
by no means so good a dowser as many others I have investigated. 
The experiments made by me, and of which I have now read 
you an account, do not demonstrate the presence of any motor- 
force or current passing through the body of the dowser, or 
through the rod held by him, all they appear to do is to establish 
the fact that I am not, in the words of Mr. Vaughan Jenkins, a 
“sensitive” or “conductor,” and, therefore, it may be concluded 
that the motor-power is not due to magnetism or electricity as 
commonly known to scientists. If not, then what is it? I have no 
suggestion to offer. If it followed the known laws of electricity 

