[Arthur H. Bell, publisher; British Society of Dowsers] Two Typed Letters Signed A.H. Bell, one with a very substantial discussion, to G.K. Menzies of the Royal Society of Arts, concerning the British Society of Dowsers (just established).

[8 Feb.1924] Three pages, 4to, good condition, with Royal Society of Arts stamp. He acknowledges a kind reply to his request to hire your lecture theatre for the [first] Congress of the British Society of Dowsers. A 'friend' Colonel Crosthwaite, suggested that I should tell you something about the nature of the Society, the existence of which is unknown to many people. And ignored by most people of scientific reputation. He speculates on the reasons for such neglect (distrust, prejudice, suspicion of magic and chicanery), referring to a book called The Divining Rod by Barrett and Besterman. He discusses his earlier acquaintance to a French dowser, Le Vicomte de France (author of the best handbook) who led his to understand the wider application of dowsing (mining etc). He became motivated to establish a Society like those established by the French and Germans. He discusses the number in the Society (200) and nature (from soldiers to solicitors) and the spread to foreign countries like Australia, India and Mexico. He then discusses financial issue, the isue of a jopurnal, and the arrangements for a Congress. He concludes with an example of a County Engineer taking borings on the indications of John Clarke, the well-known dowser. The Second letter (more a brief note), 16 Feb. 1934, one page, 4to, merely politely declines hiring the RSA's lecture hall because of the limited number of potential attendees, taking instead the hall of the Royal Asiatic Society.