Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1821-02-13
Total,
FOR THE SPECTATOR.

FOR THE SPECTATOR.
A very learned, ingenious, and able
writer u Ger the signature Of Scrutator,
has written an essay on the effects Of
wha! somep people call the Divining Rod;
and labors 70 prove the fact, that this rod
will operate in some peoples hands and
not in others, SO as 10 find water in the
earth, and greatly facilitate the digging
ofwells: but he at The same time appears
10 be unable to account for this pheno-
mcnon, if ! may SO call it, or, to speak
more properly, this attractive power.-I
Will endeavor, by positive and we'll known
facts and sound reasoning, to shew the
reasons OF this attractive power. In the
first place, it is we'll known fact that
the four elements which compose this
globe, and the surrounding atmosphere,
are capable, by their liquids and solids,
to dissolve and decompose all kinds Of
metals and al the same time the Great
Author OF all things has given these So
lids and liquids the power Of depositing
these metallic substances in certain
places. Hence it is that metallic Sob
stances, or ore, grows; and il is q well
known fact, that ore does grow; il is also
q fact, that streams of water run in the
earth, and that all minerals arc fed hy
streams or springs Of water, which ena-
Die them 10 grow-that they would no,
grow without them. Hence al, streams
are more or less coated round or cascd
with those metallic substances. 1t is
also a fact, that metals have an attractive
power; for any one acquainted with sur
yeying knows tina, the needle OF COM
pass viii not traverse where iron Or
steel IS near, Or minerals. Ii has also
been asccr,aincd 10 be fact, that those
~NA H'S ANStio u DIV itCiS5. Oh CUc InaGs
with whalebone and quicksilver, viii not
work, as some cali it, or be attracted BIZ
water alone, that is, to river or lake, let
it be ever SO large; so that the attraction
must be by the metallic substances which
compose The case of those veins ofwater
running in the earth; and that those
sticks or rods being composed from those
solids and liquids above mentioned, they
have only their natural tendency to go to
them again. And The reason why they
will not operate in one PERSONS hand as
we'll IS another, is as simple and plain,
it being well known fact by those per-
sons who are accustomed to letting blood,
that the veins lie mitch deeper in some
persons flesh than others; that the pulse
beat very differently; that the veins lying
nearer the skin of some peoples hands
than others, with a powerful pulse, which
causes shaking Of this rod, making it
vibrate and the attractive power of this
metallic case, and near connection with
this vegetable, is the reason why it ope-
rates, as proven by Mr.. Scrutator.-
There is also ons subject yet to attend to,
to illustrate my argument, which has
not been the subject OF much argument;
that is, the ebbing and flowing of the
tide answering to the earth and component
parts, giving life and animation to this
whole globe, forcing rivers of water
throughout its whole extent, giving life
and animation to it, infusing its liquids
through it similar to the human system,
may be proven by course of reasoning
which l think will not admit Of doubt
among the we'll informed men, who will
take the trouble Of reflection.
JOEL BACON.