JULY 175 



This, of course, we could not check as we were able to 

 do in the other experiments. 



Having now described what took place in the presence 

 of several persons besides myself, I have no explana- 

 tion to suggest. I know not whether the phenomena 

 are physical, or psychical, or both ; only of this I am 

 confident, that pretence or deception are out of the 

 question, Mr. Howson being absolutely above suspicion 

 in that respect. I have failed in repeated attempts to 

 persuade men eminent in physical science to apply 

 strict inquiry into the nature of the dowser's craft. 

 The view usually taken is that the operator, uncon- 

 sciously or semi-consciously, exerts muscular tension 

 on the rod when his training or experience enables 

 him, as it were automatically, to detect the presence 

 of water. It is obvious that this is not applicable to 

 some of the manifestations described above ; but there I 

 must leave it, retaining only the strong impression that 

 certain individuals are gifted with a power with which 

 others are not endowed, or are sensitive to an agency to 

 which others, including myself, are insensible. I am of 

 opinion, also, that the subject is one that is deserving 

 of scientific inquiry, and that it should no longer be 

 shelved with a sceptical shrug of the shoulders. 



