The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, September 23, 1900, Page 11

THE SUNDAY CALL. 11 from of Forest /5 the last sentence ot be sur- nd want to ther like it them.” k it, had probable sessing the In- finding money any- The fact that this had discovered that ell half a dozen of the mineral uld imply that he had taken & leaf e cataloguer's own experience; in eKin urie Tlow RMER 7 TO i ~ 1 AL\ Water and freasure A -i'/l_ o S D1l ING FOR THE. TREAGURE \WwHILE THE PEREUME BURNS. o N VANISHED HOPES AFRTER DIGGING FOR “WEEKS TYPE OF FARMER RO INMVESTS HIS MONEY 1N DIVINING RODS other words, that he had decided to go into the business himself. Heading the list of testimonials in this remarkable catalogue is what purports to be an extract a Nev paper. reading proves that it is not, after all, ng testimonial in favor of the t is headed netic Needles,”™ It poss! as follows magnetic needle has long been 1 a reliable medium for defining ons of veins containing mineral similar deposits, and in the course of some experiments recently con- ducted by Professors Rucket and Thorpe and other sclentists some re- markable confirmations of and additions fo the theories hitherto held on the sub- ject were achieved. It was found that on approaching an area beneath which min- erals were deposited the needle became deflected. “In cases where the mineral was near to the surface the deflection was most other or emin acute, and where it was hidden far below the surface the degree of deflection was accordingly ished, so that by care- fully noting the movements of the needle it was possible not only to fix the exact locality where iron was to be found, but also, according to the degreé of deflec- tion, to fix with tolerable accuracy the depth at which the vein would be met.” It will be seen that only one mineral is mentioned in this e t, and that min- eral one seldom sought after by people who purchase divining rods at $20 per rod. The anguine f er would not care to waste his time looking about un- der hayricks and in ihe old “medder” for fron deposits. It is evident this crafty dealer in modern gold bricks has a very poor opinfon of his customers as men of intelligence. The business of manufacturing and sell- ing divining rods is the direct outcome of the ancient belief in the value of the hazel or peach rod. It is generally believed that wooden rods of the material mentioned will aid in the discovery of hidden springs me ATy A ey, e et oA &) YA % V2, I 2, th, the rural power of finding min- erals to the hazel and peach rods. The present day dealers in mineral rods and their adjuncts have enlarged upon the old superstition, and, as proved by the sta- tistics of this peculiar trade, they have found the business remunerative. Many classes of rods are manufactured, ranging in price from $10 to $25, The dif- ference s in the length and finish, The cheaper rod is two feet three inches over all, and consists of two sectlons of steel, one section of glass tubing and a pair of flexible whalebone handles. The glass tubing contains what Is supposed to be gold dust. It is really iron pyrites. The tip of the instrument is strongly magnet- ized, and one of the proofs of its efficiency is its power to pick up a needle or a small nail. The Instrument costing $25 1s an elabor- ate affalr, highly polished and decorated. It also has a glass tubing, but the tub- ing is in the shape of a ring graduated Va Moy, THE ROD DIFS AND THE COMPASS INDICATE © A THE GOLDOMETER BEING USED 1IN QUARRY. WORKING THE HAZEL ROO. ke a compass. In the center is a needle supposed to indicate the depth of the hid- den treasure or mine. There s also another instrument, called in the catalogue the new goldometer. It is described as a ‘“new invention for the convenience of prospectors, miners and treasure seekers. The goldometer is heav- ily charged and sealed with the strong- est Ingredients for discovering gold, sil- ver, hidden treasures and other minerals in the earth. It is very powerful in locat- ing a spot of underground treasure, as its magnetic force always works perpendicu- lar, while rods which mark both perpen- dicular and horizontal at the same time are not as powerful as the goldometer in determining the exact spot of the treas- ure or body of mineral. It is so construct- ed that it can be easily used In every nook and corner, and s conveniently put up in a strong leather case, with full directions as to use. Price, by express, $15.” One of the most interesting items in the catalogue from a psychological point of view is an advertisement of what is in- genuously termed the “Earth Mirror.” Tt is also called the crystal ball or Arda Splegel. According to the description it was “‘used in ancient times by fortune tel- lers, sightseers and treasure seekers. It is claimed that some persons are gifted with a natural-born talent that by looking through one of these crystals they are en- abled to foretell great events and hidden things.” The advertisement adds:—“Any- body that wants one, we have them put up in nice plush packed cases. Price, $10, postpaid.” The credulity of mankind, or certain species of mankind, Is certainly proved by the foregoirg. The buying and sell- ing divining rods and gold bricks of va- rious degrees will continue until the end of time. P. T. Barnum, when he made his famous remark “A new fool is born every minute,” based it on a long experience with human nature, —————— " Lady Mary Saurin, who died in London the other day, having nearly completed her hundredth year, had, during her whole life, an unvarying habit of eating something eve in any circumsta custom, and health an going about L. bag of sand expiration of every two h 1 a little and at the irs she wouid open her bag and eat one or two. TP to the end of he th f this marvelous old lady seemed strong and active, and her memory was remarkable. At the time of the battle of Waterloo her father, Lord Harrowby, 1 office as President of the C i1, and his town house was In Grosvenor square. Lady Mary has often related the history of events at that crit moment and re- counted vivid recollections of the rejoic- ings and illuminations in London when the news of the great victory was re- cetved. She wo also tell tales of the days of the Chartists and the Cato street conspiracy. This was a deep laid plot to assassinate the entire Government of the day, and the blow was arranged to be struck when the members of the Cabinet were assembled at dinner at the house of her father, Lord Harrowby, in Grosvinor square,