106 APRIL 



performance blindfold, to which the operator made 

 no objection. A large handkerchief was tied over 

 his eyes, and he made ready to begin again. 



' I don't call that blindfolding at all ! ' cried Sir 

 James, and produced some cotton wool, which he 

 proposed to stuff under the handkerchief; upon 

 which Mullins tore off the handkerchief, vowed that 

 he had practised his profession for thirty years 

 without once having had his honesty called in ques- 

 tion, and would not submit to have it doubted now. 



' Don't you believe my word ? ' said he. 



* I believe nothing but what I see ! ' returned Sir 

 James, a sentiment which, though it precisely de- 

 fined the proper mental attitude of a scientific critic, 

 brought the stance to an abrupt conclusion ; for 

 Mullins, so deeply wounded in his self-respect, re- 

 fused to undertake any further experiments. 



The question, therefore, so far as we were con- 

 cerned, remained exactly where it was when we 

 took it up y that is I don't believe in the divining 

 rod, but I don't deny that its virtues are genuine ; 

 and were I in straits to find water, I should employ 

 without hesitation a professional water-finder rod 

 and all if there remains one so successful as Mullins 

 was. 



