Tru] AND SYMBOLS. 361 



True Tests are Unfailing Discoverers. 



Every substance is discoverable by some "test," which usually 

 neutralises it, or rather, by uniting with it, forms a new com- 

 pound. The whole fabric of chemistry rests upon this wonderful 

 principle as one of its corner-stones. Thus if the least frag- 

 ment of copper be dissolved in acid, and the fluid be then 

 diluted with water until no trace of colour remains, so potent, 

 nevertheless, is the affinity of the well-known fluid called 

 "ammonia" for the copper, that a single drop of the latter 

 fluid will immediately reveal the presence of the metal by 

 uniting with it and forming a new substance of the loveliest 

 violet colour. Similarly, if a morsel of lead be dissolved in 

 acid, and the acid be then diluted with water, a single drop of 

 a solution of iodide of potassium will turn the whole to a 

 brilliant crocus-yellow. The presence of iron, after the same 

 manner, is discovered by the least drop of tincture of galls, 

 which blackens it upon contact ; that of silver by a little solu- 

 tion of common salt, which causes flakes of imitative snow to 

 make their appearance ; that of mercury again with iodide of 

 potassium, which turns the fluid containing it to a beautiful 

 red. LI. 



Trustfulness Employed as a Means of Ensnaring. 



Few of the attempts to catch men in traps, and subordinate 

 them to other persons' uses, would be successful, were it not 

 that, as a preliminary, there is awakened a confidence and trust- 

 fulness which disarms suspicion. This is, in most cases, an 

 absolute necessity as a first step. Make a man believe that 

 you intend him no harm, and then when you joint-stock-com- 

 pany promoter, attorney, stockbroker, or whoever you may be 

 have, by virtue of that belief, got him well in your power, you 

 can handle him. with every advantage, and he is an easy prey. 

 Observe how mullets are caught in the Mediterranean, and you 

 will see this principle working most beautifully. The fisherman 

 feeds them with pounded macaroni or other farinaceous pastes ; 

 and when they have been attracted to a convenient locality, and 

 acquired confidence by several days' undisturbed feeding, a very 



