rticular acids that have most affinity with
the person to be attracted. To ascertain these with certainty, there is
a little instrument with many separate cells, all communicating by means
of its tube with one little ball, and each containing a different acid.

Unless some attraction, or power in sympathy with the acids, is applied
to the ball, the acids remain quiescent, each in its separate
compartment. To discover what acids have most attractive force with a
given person, the ball is placed against his breast, whereupon the
portions of those acids which have affinity with him rush forth from
their respective cells up each tube into the ball, where they
immediately commingle, forming one compound liquid of unequal component
parts. The scientific man charged with the operation then notes the
exact quantities of each of the component acids, and all pertinent
particulars.

This is an easy process. Each principal acid is weighed before being
placed in its cell, which is open from the top; and before the ball is
removed from the chest, what remains of each acid is taken out from its
compartment and re-weighed. The difference between the weights, before
and after the operation, gives the exact weight of each acid, forming
one of the component parts of the amalgamated fluid in the ball.

It is rare that the exact proportions of the same acids are applicable
to any two men, though, as in the case of faces, the difference may be
so slight as almost to approach identity. In some it is very great; but
the same kinds of acids suffice to ascertain the attractive power of
every individual.

The particular sympathetic acids and their proportions having been
ascertained, the attracting-machine is prepared and charged with a large
quantity of the sympathetic compound, sufficiently powerful to attract
the person selected, although placed at some distance. To be effective,
however, the operation must take place while the sun is shining; and it
is also necessary that the person directing the machine should exercise
a certain amount of will tending towards the end desired. The power of
will is great, and there are a few persons who can make others do
certain things without the aid of the instrument, by the power of will
alone; but, in such cases, the person "willing" must be near the person
acted on.

XLIII.

SHIPS.

"Would ye triumph over the seas in all their fury? Would ye spare
the lives of those who toil