172 THE DIVINING KOD 



friend who had the gift of ' dowsing.' She went all over 

 the ground, and her rod (an orthodox hazel this time) 

 indicated one spot, and one only, where water would be 

 found. The well was never sunk, and I bethought me 

 of tr3ring whether Mr. Howson's wire would correspond 

 in its action with that of the lady's hazel. I took him 

 over the whole ground, and, sure enough, at the very 

 same spot his index turned smartly up. 



He then proposed that I should hold the two ends 

 of the wire, while he grasped my wrists. I was 

 determined that the wire should not move if I could 

 prevent it; but in spite of that, up it went at the 

 same place as it had bent in his hands. I was conscious 

 of no sensation, except the pressure of the wire. 



Now if that were all, though the demonstrations were 

 of permanent benefit to myself, they would scarcely be 

 worth recording here and now, the skill of water- 

 diviners being very generally acknowledged even by 

 those who disbelieve in any cryptic agency. But there 

 was a good deal more. First, let me claim due attention 

 to the fact that Mr. Howson is no professional dowser 

 working for remuneration. He is a highly educated 

 man, well versed in the management of land, and with 

 no theory about the source or nature of his peculiar 

 gift. Asked whether he attributed it to electricity or 

 any other agency — 'I have not the slightest notion 

 what it is,' said he ; 'I wish that somebody could tell me.' 



'Do you experience any sensation when the rod 

 moves ? ' 



' None whatever. The rod itself is merely an index. 

 Anything with an apex will serve as well as another.' 



