The Waverley novels, by Sir Walter Scott, complete in 12 vol., printed from the latest English ed., embracing the author's last corrections, prefaces & notes.

THE ANTIQUARY. 103
most impudent rascals that ever wagged a tongue, they would square the
punishment more accurately with his deserts. But let us see: I think he
is about to show us some of his legerdemain."
In truth, the German was now got to a little copse-thicket.at some distance from the ruins, where he affected busily to search for such a wand
as should suit the purpose of his mystery; and after cutting, and examining,
and rejecting several, he at length provided himself with a small twig of
hazel terminating in a forked end, which he pronounced to possess the
virtue proper for the experiment that he was about to exhibit. Holding
the forked ends of the wand, each between a finger and thumb, and thus
keeping the rod upright, he proceeded to pace the ruined aisles and cloisters, followed by the rest of the company in admiring procession. "I
believe dere was no waters here," said the adept, when he had made the
round of several of the buildings, without perceiving any of those indicaO
tions which he pretended to expect -" I believe those Scotch monksh did
find de water too cool for de climate, and alwaysh drank de goot comfortable Rhine wine. But, iha! —see there!" Accordingly, the assistants
observed the rod. to turn in his fingers, although he pretended to hold it
very tight. -- " Dere is water here about, sure enough, - and, turning this
way and that way, as the agitation of the divining rod seemed to increase
or dinminish, he at length advanced into the midst of a vacant and roofless
enclosure, which had been the kitchen of the priory, when the rod twisted
itself so as to point almost straight downwards. "I1ere is de place," said
the adept, " and if you do not find de water here, I will give you all leave
to call me an impudent knave."
" I shall take that license," whispered thie Antiquary to Lovel, " whether
the water is discovered or no."
A servant, who had come up with a basket of cold refreshments, was now
despatched to a neighbouring forester's hut for a mattock and pick-axe.
The loose stones and rubbish being removed from the spot indicated by the
German, they soon came to the sides of a regularly-built well; and when
a few feet of rubbish were cleared out by the assistance of the forester and
his sons, the water began to rise rapidly, to the delight of the philosopher,
the astonishment of the ladies, Mr. Blattergowl, and Sir Arthur, the surprise of Lovel, and the confusion of the incredulous Antiquary. Hle did
not fail, however, to enter his protest in Lovel's ear against the miracle.
" This is a mere trick," he said; "the rascal had made himself sure of the
existence of this old well, by some means or other, before he played off this
mystical piece of jugglery. Mark what he talks of next. I am much mistaken if this is not intended as a prelude to some more serious fraud. See
how the rascal assumes consequence, and plumes himself upon the credit
of his success, and how poor Sir Arthur takes in the tide of nonsense which
he is delivering to him as principles of occult science!"
"You do see, my goot patron, you do see, my goot ladies, you do see,
worthy Dr. Bladderhowl, and even Mr. Lofel and Mr. Oldenbuck may see,
if they do will to see, how art has no enemy at all but ignorance. Look at
this little slip of hazel nuts-it is fit for nothing at all but to whip de little
child" - (" I would choose a cat and nine tails for your occasions," whispered Oldbuck apart)-" and you put it in the hands of a philosopher —
pah! it makes de grand discovery. But this is nothing, Sir Arthur, -
nothing at all, worthy Dr. Botherhowl — nothing at all, ladies — nothing
at all, young Mr. Lofel and goot Mr. Oldenbuck, to what art can do. Ah i
if dere was any man that had. de spirit and de courage, I would show him
better things than de well of water -I would show him"
"And a little money would be necessary also, would it not?" said the
Antiquary.
" Bah! one trifle, not worth talking about, might be necessaries," answered
the adept.