204 The Divining Rod. 
In searching, the rod discovers its sensibility by the motion of 
the point from its vertical position downward through the are 
of a semicircle, until it rests perpendicular to the earth. 
This motion, so far from being intended by the holder of the 
rod, is made in opposition to the closest grasp his hands can 
give. And although an honest man’s word might be taken 
for this, we have the fact corroborated by our own senses. 
We can see, and if that be not enough, we can also feel the 
rupture of the green bark, as it is fairly wrung from the rod, 
in the contest between the force which bears the point of the 
rod down, and the pinching grasp of the diviner, to prevent 
that motion. 
The rod does not exhibit this unaccountable action in the 
hands of every man. Many, all, can urge it to exhibit this 
motion ; while it is only in the hands of a very few that it is 
supposed to move not merely without urging, but contrary to 
their best eflorts.* These few are of no peculiar age, constitu- 
tion or habits, to distinguish them from their fellow-men. But 
if any female has ever exercised the gift of divining by the 
witch hazel, it has not come to the knowledge of the writer. 
Diviners are sensible of no change in their feelings, while 
the rod acts. They determine its nearness to some attracting 
body, as every beholder may, solely by the demonstration of 
the rod itself. The only peculiarity I have heard commonly 
r ed, is, that the rod acts more freely in hands naturally 
moist, than in hands naturally dry—a mechanical effect which 
oil would probably increase. 
In New-England, where springs are most abundant and 
always pure, the use of the art is less frequent, because less 
ne 
fountains are not so certainly pure, 
the art is better known and more highly valued. The water 
He is'sent for to a great distance, 
and performs wonders with praiseworthy modesty, and for @ 
In all parts of the land, if the diviner hunt for metals, he 
comes distrusted by the better sort of men. Yet the per- 
Suasion is general, that the rod is influenced by ores ; aud 
this sion is the diviner’s greatest defence. \ For in pur- 
Of water, if he direct the search at a wrong place, be is 
One write: : With t : : of 
"the fest in weak solution of spetinns eed cr nine the bands nnd soles of 
barefooted, the experiment will succeed with every one. - 
