WATER-DIVINING AT SUVLA BAY.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] SIR,—I was well aware that Sir W. F. Barrett was a believer in the "dowser," and there is no more distinguished name in the list of his supporters. Nevertheless I adhere to my opinion that this is not the time, when the provision of water to our troops in various parts of the world is of such enormous importance, to encourage the belief that certain individuals possess some mysterious powers of indicating where it may be found, because acting upon such belief might lead to disaster. I challenge Sir W. F. Barrett to bring forward a single instance of a " dowser " being able to show any special capacity for discovering water when put to the test by properly qualified persons, and I venture to affirm that the weight of intelligent opinion is opposed to the belief that he possesses any occult powers whatever. It is not so very long since the " dowser" was employed for the finding of precious metals, of hidden treasure, and for the tracing of criminals. We all now con- sider this very ridiculous, and the time is coming when his employment as a water-finder will be thought equally so.—I am, Sir, he., [This correspondence must now close. Reasons of space will not enable us to allow Sir W. F. Barrett to meet Mr. Graham's challenge in our columns.—En. Spectator.]
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