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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/31417-8.txt b/31417-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6052869 --- /dev/null +++ b/31417-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4015 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Psychic Phenomena, by Edward T. Bennett + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Psychic Phenomena + A Brief Account of the Physical Manifestations Observed + in Psychical Research + +Author: Edward T. Bennett + +Release Date: February 27, 2010 [EBook #31417] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PSYCHIC PHENOMENA *** + + + + +Produced by Robert Baruch and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + PSYCHIC + PHENOMENA + + A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE PHYSICAL + MANIFESTATIONS OBSERVED IN + PSYCHICAL RESEARCH + + WITH FACSIMILE ILLUSTRATIONS OF + THOUGHT-TRANSFERENCE DRAWINGS + AND AUTOMATIC WRITING + + + BY + EDWARD T. BENNETT + + ASSISTANT-SECRETARY TO THE SOCIETY OF + PSYCHICAL RESEARCH, 1882-1902 + + + WITH A FOREWORD BY + SIR OLIVER LODGE + + + NEW YORK + BRENTANO'S + MCMIX + + + + +NOTE + + +The writer desires to express his sincere thanks to the Council of the +Society for Psychical Research for the permission given to make extracts +from the _Proceedings_ of the Society, from the privately printed +_Journal_, and from "Phantasms of the Living"; and for allowing the +reproduction of a series of THOUGHT-TRANSFERENCE DRAWINGS. Also best +thanks are due to Mrs. Myers, and to Messrs. Longmans, Green & Co., for +permission to make quotations from Mr. F. W. H. Myers' great work, +"Human Personality and its Survival of Bodily Death." Also to Mr. J. +Burns and his brother, for freely granting permission for any use to be +made of the James Burns 1873 Edition of the "Report of the Committee of +the Dialectical Society." + + E. T. B. + + + + +CONTENTS + + + CHAP. PAGE + + I. INTRODUCTORY 11 + + II. THE MOVEMENT OF OBJECTS WITHOUT ANY APPARENT + PHYSICAL CAUSE 16 + + III. THE PRODUCTION OF SOUND WITHOUT ANY APPARENT + PHYSICAL CAUSE 31 + + IV. THE APPEARANCE OF LIGHT WITHOUT ANY APPARENT + PHYSICAL CAUSE 35 + + V. PHYSICAL PHENOMENA IN THE PRESENCE OF + DANIEL DUNGLAS HOME 41 + + VI. PHYSICAL PHENOMENA IN THE PRESENCE OF W. + STAINTON MOSES 58 + + VII. THE DIVINING ROD 76 + + VIII. THOUGHT-TRANSFERENCE DRAWINGS 89 + + IX. MATERIALISATIONS 109 + + X. "SPIRIT PHOTOGRAPHY" 113 + + XI. THE SUMMING UP OF THE WHOLE MATTER 121 + + + + +INTRODUCTION + +BY SIR OLIVER LODGE + + +Consulted by the publishers as to the production of a small popular +text-book, which should constitute a summary indication of the +nature of the evidence for ultra-normal physical or meta-psychical +phenomena, I suggested Mr. E. T. Bennett as the right man for the +task. I have now seen the proof sheets, and--without making myself +in any way responsible for details--perceive that he has done the +work well, and has presented a satisfactory outline of the testimony +for whatever it may be worth. Concerning its value I will only say +that to my mind there comes a stage at which belief in gratuitous +invention and false statement becomes forced and irrational. With +most of the evidence here adduced I have of course been familiar for +years, in its original sources, and am well aware of the extreme +difficulty or impossibility of understanding some of the alleged +facts in any physical or physiological sense; nevertheless if I am +asked whether such impressions can be actually received and honestly +recorded by sane people, and whether I recommend experiment by +careful and competent and unsuperstitious observers as if a _primâ +facie_ case had been made out--that is to say, as if some of these +unusual and hitherto quite unexplained occurrences might possibly +turn out to be true--having laws of their own and constituting an +unopened chapter of science, or rather a new science, uniting +characteristics from physical, chemical, physiological, and +psychological sciences, and throwing new light on the connection +between mind and matter--then, though doubtless the answer will be +received with scorn, I answer unhesitatingly yes. + + + + +SPIRITUALISM + +CHAPTER I + +INTRODUCTORY + + +A short title to a book has its advantages. It has also its +disadvantages. It is almost inevitable that it should, on the one hand, +seem to include much more than is intended, and, on the other hand, fail +to convey the purpose of the author. "Geology" would be a tolerably +large subject. "Astronomy" would be vastly larger. But "Spiritualism" is +an infinite subject compared with either, and to suggest that its claims +to scientific study be considered within the compass of a small volume +of not much over a hundred pages seems the height of presumption! + +It will therefore be well at the outset to indicate exactly what it is +proposed to include in the present investigation into "Spiritualism." +The alleged phenomena of Spiritualism may be roughly divided into two +classes--physical and mental. Those which belong entirely to the latter +class are outside the scope of this book. It is proposed to examine +those phenomena of the former class, the reality of which may fairly be +assumed to be proved by scientific evidence. The scope of the work is +thus reduced to reasonable proportions. There are several groups of +phenomena which appear to violate, or at least to extend in a striking +manner, laws recognised by Physical Science. The evidence to be relied +on will be that of scientific men of high standing, and of other persons +of unquestioned literary and social position. + +There is, however, an important respect, in regard to which this inquiry +is placed in an entirely different position to any ordinary scientific +investigation, and one which adds greatly to the difficulties of the +student. Ordinary experiments conducted in a physical laboratory can be +repeated again and again under similar conditions, and similar results +will follow. If attempts are made to reproduce the phenomena of +Spiritualism, under what appear to be precisely similar conditions, by +means which have previously been successful, failure to obtain the +wished-for results may very probably follow. It is no use to rebel and +to feel inclined to abandon the pursuit as useless! That would be most +unscientific! The inquirer finds himself in the presence of a subtle +elusive influence, which he seems unable to control, and which refuses +to submit to the laws which govern physical experiments. On the other +hand, perseverance may be richly rewarded. An unexplored field of +scientific research of unlimited extent may open itself to view. +Something of that joy may be experienced which the search into the +unknown alone can give. + +Mr. Arthur James Balfour, in an address on the occasion of the annual +dinner of the Royal Literary Fund, in 1893, said:-- + +"My friend, Lord Kelvin, has often talked to me of the future of +science, and he has said words to me about the future of science which +are parallel with the words I have quoted to you about the future of +art, and with the hope which I have expressed to you with respect to +literature. He has told me that to the men of science of to-day it +appears as if we were trembling on the brink of some great scientific +discovery which should give to us a new view of the great forces of +Nature, among which and in the midst of which we move. If this prophecy +be right, and if the other forecasts to which I have alluded be right, +then indeed it is true that we live in an interesting age; then indeed +it is true that we may look forward to a time full of fruit for the +human race--to an age which cannot be sterilised or rendered barren even +by politics." + +There are some advantages which the study of this subject possesses over +most branches of scientific inquiry. In its present early and incomplete +stage the most important thing is the accumulation of carefully observed +and recorded facts. Even as regards Thought-Transference, in which the +number of careful experiments that have been made is far greater than in +any other class of phenomena, it is still most important to multiply the +quantity of the evidence. In most of the branches of the subject no +expensive apparatus is required, and no special scientific or +intellectual training. Accurate observation and careful recording, at +the time, of all that occurs, without prejudice, and without +discouragement at apparent failure, are the chief requisites. Any +person, or small group of persons of ordinary intelligence, can train +themselves to be equal to this. A very simple instance occurred in the +earliest experiences of the writer. After three or four sittings round a +small table with two friends, at which there was meaningless tipping, +and nothing better than commonplace sentences, the following was tipped +out: "Try no more to move"--then this succession of letters--"a t a t +a." It seemed useless to go on with nonsense, but one of the party +suggested perseverance; when the following conclusion converted seeming +nonsense into sense: "b l e take a pencil and write." The result was +that one of the party rapidly developed into an interesting automatic +writer. + +It is quite impossible to foretell the extent of the aid that may not be +given, in the explanation of some of these phenomena, by the persevering +experiments of intelligent inquirers. + +In the following chapters facts relating to several different kinds of +phenomena are put before the reader, as to which the guarantee of +authenticity and the quality of the evidence are both unimpeachable. + +It is not proposed to travel all over the world in search of evidence; +the illustrations will be drawn almost entirely from home sources. With +all due respect to friends in distant parts, it will doubtless be a +satisfaction to some readers to know that in these pages they will not +meet with Mrs. Piper on the one hand, nor with Eusapia Paladino on the +other. + +With these few introductory remarks a calm and dispassionate +consideration of the evidence presented is invited. First of all, three +classes of phenomena will be taken up in the following order:-- + +(1) The Movement of Objects without any apparent Physical Cause. + +(2) The Production of Sound without any apparent Physical Cause. + +(3) The Production of Light without any apparent Physical Cause. + +Two chapters will then be devoted to a study of the phenomena exhibited +in the lives of two of the most noted "mediums" of modern times--Daniel +Dunglas Home and William Stainton Moses. Both present manifestations of +phenomena belonging to the three classes above-named, as well as +striking examples of other kinds. A chapter on the "Divining Rod" will +follow. Then a chapter on one of the forms of Thought-Transference, one +which allows of its being included among physical phenomena. Two brief +chapters will come next on "Spirit Photography" and on +"Materialisations." It is explained that these are included, not because +of any scientific evidence in their favour which can be quoted, but +because of the extreme interest and importance of the subjects +themselves, and also because the strong testimony and moral evidence in +support of their reality seem to promise a tempting field for the +scientific explorer, and to warrant a confident belief that the evidence +he desires will be forthcoming. In a final chapter an endeavour is made +to sum up results and conclusions. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE MOVEMENT OF OBJECTS WITHOUT ANY APPARENT PHYSICAL CAUSE + + +THE COMMITTEE OF THE DIALECTICAL SOCIETY + +So far as I am aware, the first systematic or scientific attempt to +investigate the alleged phenomenon of the movement of objects without +any apparent physical cause was made by the London Dialectical Society +in the year 1869. On the motion of Dr. James Edmunds, a Committee was +appointed "to investigate the Phenomena alleged to be Spiritual +Manifestations, and to report thereon." The names of twenty-eight +members were proposed. Three of these declined to act. Eight more names +were added, so that the Committee, as finally constituted, consisted of +thirty-three, three of whom were ladies. Among the best-known names were +H. G. Atkinson, F.G.S.; Charles Bradlaugh; E. W. Cox, serjeant-at-law; +Rev. C. Maurice Davies, D.D.; Charles R. Drysdale, M.D.; James Edmunds, +M.D.; Robert Hannah; H. D. Jencken, barrister-at-law; William Volckman; +and Dr. Alfred Russel Wallace, F.R.S. It is believed that Robert Hannah +and Dr. Alfred Russel Wallace are the only survivors. + +In order to investigate the phenomena in question by personal experiment +and test, the Committee resolved itself into six Sub-Committees. In May +1870 the Committee appointed an Editing Committee to prepare a joint +report, based solely on the evidence that had been before it. A month +later the Editing Committee presented a draft report, which with some +trifling verbal alterations was adopted _nem dis_. A resolution was then +carried that a copy be forwarded to the Council of the Dialectical +Society, with a recommendation that it be printed and published. This +the Council declined to do. Upon this the Committee met and passed the +following resolution:-- + +"That the Report be referred to the Editing Committee, and that they be +requested to prepare it for publication, together with any supplementary +or counter reports that may be received from members of the Committee, +and appending thereto the reports of the Sub-Committees, and the +evidence, oral and verbal, that has been collected; the entire work, +when ready for publication, to be submitted for approval to the +Committee."[1] + +Such is the origin of the volume from which the following extracts are +made.[2] Considerations of space necessitate dealing with the work of +one Sub-Committee only. The essential part of the REPORT OF +SUB-COMMITTEE NO. 1 is as follows:-- + +"Since their appointment on the 16th of February 1869, your +Sub-Committee have held forty meetings for the purpose of experiment and +test. + +"All of these meetings were held at the private residences of members of +the Committee, purposely to preclude the possibility of pre-arranged +mechanism or contrivance. + +"The furniture of the room in which the experiments were conducted was +on every occasion its accustomed furniture. + +"The tables were in all cases heavy dining-tables, requiring a strong +effort to move them. The smallest of them was 5 feet 9 inches long by 4 +feet wide ... and of proportionate weight. + +"The rooms, tables, and furniture generally were repeatedly subjected to +careful examination before, during, and after the experiments, to +ascertain that no concealed machinery, instrument, or other contrivance +existed by means of which the sounds or movements hereinafter mentioned +could be caused. + +"The experiments were conducted in the light of gas, except on the few +occasions specially noted in the minutes. + +"Your Committee have avoided the employment of professional or paid +mediums, the mediumship being that of members of your Sub-Committee, +persons of good social position and of unimpeachable integrity, having +no pecuniary object to serve, and nothing to gain by deception. + + * * * * * + +"Your Committee have confined their Report to _facts_ witnessed by them +in their collective capacity, which facts were _palpable to the senses, +and their reality capable of demonstrative proof_. + + * * * * * + +"The result of their long-continued and carefully-conducted experiments, +after trial by every detective test they could devise, has been to +establish conclusively:-- + +"First: That under certain bodily or mental conditions of one or more of +the persons present, a force is exhibited sufficient to set in motion +heavy substances, without the employment of any muscular force, without +contact or material connection of any kind between such substances and +the body of any person present. + +"Second: That this force can cause sounds to proceed, distinctly audible +to all present, from solid substances not in contact with, nor having +any visible or material connection with, the body of any person present, +and which sounds are proved to proceed from such substances by the +vibrations which are distinctly felt when they are touched. + +"Third: That this force is frequently directed by intelligence. + +"At thirty-four out of the forty meetings of your Committee some of +these phenomena occurred. + + * * * * * + +"In conclusion, your Committee express their unanimous opinion that the +one important physical fact thus proved to exist, that _motion may be +produced in solid bodies without material contact, by some hitherto +unrecognised force operating within an undefined distance from the human +organism, and beyond the range of muscular action_, should be subjected +to further scientific examination, with a view to ascertaining its true +source, nature, and power."[3] + +One selection is now given from the Minutes of this Sub-Committee, +illustrating the nature of the Evidence that came before them:-- + +"EXPERIMENT XXXVIII., Dec. 28th [1869].--Eight members present. +_Phenomena_: Rapping sounds from the table and floor, and movements of +the table, with and without contact. The alphabet was repeated, and the +following letters were rapped: 'A bad circle--want of harmony.' At the +letter f, the table tilted three times, and at the letters a, r, gave +several forcible horizontal movements, tilting at either end. + +"Raps, with slight tiltings of the table, beating time to the measure of +a song. Two or three poems were recited, to the measure of which there +were loud raps from the table and floor, and the table also marked the +metre by various horizontal movements and tiltings. + +"Hood's Anatomy Song being repeated by one of the members, the knocking, +rapping, and tilting sounds, with various horizontal, trembling, and +vibratory movements of the table, accompanied it, in exact harmony with +the measure, added to which were strange movements, in accordance with +the character of the verses. In one instance the table shifted its +position several feet, the tips of the fingers only being in contact +with it. + +"MOVEMENTS WITHOUT CONTACT.--Question: 'Would the table now be moved +without contact?' Answer: 'Yes;' by three raps on the table. All chairs +were then turned with their backs to the table, and nine inches away +from it; and all present knelt on the chairs, with their wrists resting +on the backs, and their hands a few inches above the table. + +"Under these conditions, the table (the heavy dining-room table +previously described) moved four times, each time from four to six +inches, and the second time nearly twelve inches. + +"Then all hands were placed on the backs of the chairs, and nearly a +foot from the table, when four movements occurred, one slow and +continuous for nearly a minute. + +"Then all present placed their hands behind their backs, kneeling erect +on their chairs, which were removed a foot clear away from the table. +The gas also was turned up higher, so as to give abundance of light; and +under these test conditions, distinct movements occurred, to the extent +of several inches each time, and visible to every one present. + +"The motions were in various directions, towards all parts of the +room--some were abrupt, others steady. At the same time, and under the +same conditions, distinct raps occurred, apparently both on the floor +and on the table, in answer to requests for them. + +"The above-described movements were so unmistakable, that all present +unhesitatingly declared their conviction, that no physical force, +exerted by any one present, could possibly have produced them; and they +declared further, in writing, that a rigid examination of the table +showed it to be an ordinary dining-table, with no machinery or apparatus +of any kind connected with it. The table was laid on the floor with its +legs up, and taken to pieces so far as practicable."[4] + + +TESTIMONY OF W. F. BARRETT, F.R.S., PROFESSOR OF PHYSICS IN THE ROYAL +COLLEGE OF SCIENCE FOR IRELAND. + +No endeavour appears to have been made by any of the members of the +Committee of the Dialectical Society to follow up the results which they +had obtained. The individual members who had previously been active in +such matters continued to take an interest in them, but there is no +evidence that a single new inquirer was gained. The next event of any +importance, in the direction of scientific inquiry into the subject, was +the reading by Professor W. F. Barrett of a paper before the meeting of +the British Association at Glasgow in 1876. This paper was entitled "On +Some Phenomena Associated with Abnormal Conditions of Mind," and dealt +mainly with what was subsequently designated "Thought-Transference." +Professor Barrett also referred to some "physical phenomena" which had +come under his notice. He says: "I am bound to mention a case that came +under my own repeated observation, wherein certain inexplicable physical +phenomena occurred in broad daylight, and for which I could find no +satisfactory solution either on the ground of hallucination or +fraud."[5] + +In a paper read before the Society for Psychical Research in 1886, +entitled "On Some Physical Phenomena commonly termed Spiritualistic, +witnessed by the Author," Professor Barrett describes in detail the +phenomena he referred to in the paper read ten years previously at the +British Association, and the circumstances under which they occurred. +The following paragraphs give the important features:[6]-- + +Mr. C., a solicitor, with his wife and family, had come to reside for +the season in the suburban house of a friend and neighbour of Professor +Barrett's. He was an Irish country gentleman who had an utter disbelief +in spiritualism. Professor Barrett was therefore not a little amused on +making Mr. C.'s acquaintance, to find that he had in his own family what +appeared to be spiritualistic phenomena then and there going on. Mr. C. +gave Professor Barrett every opportunity of close and frequent +investigation. The sittings extended through the months of August and +September 1875. There were present besides Professor Barrett, Mr. and +Mrs. C., and their young daughter Florrie, a bright, frank, intelligent +child, then about ten years old. They sat at a large dining-room table, +facing French windows, which let in a flood of sunlight. Shortly, +scraping sounds, raps, and noises resembling the hammering of small +nails, were heard. Florrie's hands and feet were closely watched, and +were observed to be absolutely motionless when the sounds were heard. +Besides knocks, there were occasional movements of the furniture. Seated +one day at a large dining-room table in full sunlight, Florrie, and Mr. +and Mrs. C., and Professor Barrett being the persons present, all their +fingers visibly resting on the surface of the table, three legs of the +table rose off the ground to a sufficient height to allow Professor +Barrett to put his foot easily beneath the castor nearest him. The +importance of the comparatively small amount of "movement" phenomena in +this case is increased by their association with "sound" phenomena of +great variety and frequency. These will be fully described in the next +chapter. + +Another case which Professor Barrett cites in the same paper may be thus +summarised as far as phenomena of movement are concerned:[7]-- + +The sitters were Mr. L., a well-known photographer in Dublin, his niece, +Miss I., and Professor Barrett. While noticing the raps and knocks, +Professor Barrett observed a frequent uneasy movement of the entire +table, which was a moderately large and heavy one, four feet square. It +sidled about in a most surprising manner. Lifting their hands completely +off the table, the sitters placed themselves back in their chairs, with +their hands folded across their chests. Their feet were in full view. +Under these conditions, and in obedience to Professor Barrett's request, +the table raised the two legs nearest to him off the ground eight or ten +inches, and then suspended itself for a few moments. A similar act was +performed on the other side. Then a very unexpected occurrence happened. +To quote Professor Barrett's own words:-- + +"Whilst absolutely free from the contact of any person, the table +wriggled itself backward and forward, advancing towards the armchair in +which I sat, and ultimately completely imprisoning me in my seat. +During its progress it was followed by Mr. L. and Miss I., but they were +at no time touching it, and occasionally were so distant that I could +perceive a free space all round the table whilst it was still in motion. +When thus under my very nose, the table rose repeatedly, and enabled me +to be perfectly sure, by the evidence of touch, that it was off the +ground, and further, that no human being, consciously or unconsciously, +had any part in this movement." + +Professor Barrett, with his accustomed caution, comments thus:-- + +"The results, it is true, were very remarkable and unaccountable; but +though I had not the slightest doubt of the good faith of Mr. L. and +Miss I., yet I do not adduce this evidence as unexceptionable. I should +have preferred to have taken precautions which were not so easy to +impose on a lady, and I should also have preferred to have had the +seance at my own house." + +This latter objection was met by Mr. L. and Miss I. going to Professor +Barrett's house shortly afterwards, no one else besides Professor +Barrett being present. Some remarkable sounds were again heard. Then, +this happened--again quoting Professor Barrett's own words:-- + +"Suddenly, only the tips of our fingers being on the table, the heavy +loo-table at which we were sitting made a series of very violent +prancing movements (which I could not imitate afterwards except by using +both hands and all my strength); the blows were so heavy that I +hurriedly stopped the performance, fearing for the safety of the gas +chandelier in the room below. Here, too, I cannot avoid the conclusion +that the phenomena described are inexplicable on any known hypothesis." + +After discounting the "pious platitudes" spelt out by the tilts of the +table, and the possibility, and even probability, that "unintentional +muscular movements" were the cause of these, and after recognising the +impossibility of keeping up a continuous vigilant watch on the hands and +feet of any person, and after supposing that Miss I. had some ingenious +mechanism concealed about her person, whereby she could produce the +sounds that were heard, Professor Barrett says: "This would fail to +account for the undoubted motion of a heavy table, free from the contact +of all present. After giving due weight to every known explanation, the +phenomena remain inexplicable to me." + + +TESTIMONY COLLECTED BY FREDERIC W. H. MYERS. + +Next in order of time come two papers by Mr. F. W. H. Myers, under the +title of "Alleged Movements of Objects without Contact, occurring not in +the Presence of a Paid Medium." They are published in vol. vii. of the +_Proceedings_ of the Society for Psychical Research.[8] The first +article goes over most of the ground traversed in the earlier part of +this chapter, but devotes twenty lines only to the Report of the +Committee of the Dialectical Society, and refers only to Professor +Barrett's cases as having been already published. A number of other +cases are, however, described in detail. The evidence in these scarcely +comes up to the level of scientific, and unless it had been sifted by +so careful a critic as Mr. Myers, who convinced himself of the reality +of the facts, could hardly be considered of much value. The two +following cases in the first article present the strongest evidence. + +(1) THE ARMSTRONG CASE.--Mr. George Allman Armstrong, of 8 Leeson Place, +Dublin, and Ardnacarrig, Bandon, writes an account dated 13th June 1887. +After vouching for the perfect good faith of the small group of +experimenters, he describes in detail the movements of a table. The +"rising" was generally preceded by a continuous fusillade of "knocks" in +the substance of the table. When the knocks had, as it were, reached a +climax, the table slowly swayed from side to side like a pendulum. It +would stop completely, and then, as if imbued with life, and quite +suddenly, would rise completely off the floor to a height of twelve or +fourteen inches at least. It nearly always came down with immense force, +and on several occasions proved destructive to itself, as the broken +limbs of the table used at Kinsale could testify. The table was a round, +rather heavy walnut one, with a central column standing on three claw +legs. Mr. Armstrong says that on several occasions he succeeded in +raising the table without contact. It rose to the fingers held over it +at a height of several inches, like the keeper of a strong +electro-magnet.[9] + +(2) A BELL-RINGING CASE.--Mr. Myers, in introducing this case, says: +"The usual hypotheses of fraud, rats, hitched wires, &c., seem hard to +apply. The care and fulness with which it has been recorded will enable +the reader to judge for himself more easily than in most narratives of +this type. Our informant is a gentleman [Mr. D.], occupying a +responsible position; his name may be given to inquirers."[10] The +detailed report of the occurrences occupies no less than twelve pages, +the greater part of which consists of a long letter addressed by Mr. D. +to the Society for Psychical Research. He explains that he is writing in +the main from notes taken at the time and not from memory. The following +is an abstract:-- + +On Friday, 23rd September 1887, he took his four pupils to a circus, his +lady housekeeper also going, leaving two servants at home. They left at +about 2 P.M. All but himself returned about 5.30 P.M. The two servants +were on the doorstep, telling the boys not to go in by the area +door--the kitchens being below ground--and explaining that all the bells +were ringing violently, no one touching them, and that they had been +doing so almost ever since half-past two. When the master of the house +came home, he found the same state of things, the servants almost in +hysterics and the bells ringing. Nine bells hung in a row just inside +the area door, opposite the kitchen door, and there was one bell--a call +bell--on the landing at the top of the house. + +Mr. D. frequently saw several of these bells ringing at once, the +ringing being sudden and very violent, louder, he believed, than they +could be rung by pulling the handles. One bell was more than once pulled +over, so that it could not return to its normal position. Several of +the upstairs bells had no bell-pulls. The bellhanger was several times +summoned to the premises. He showed that the wires could not have been +entangled, and entirely agreed that it would be an utter impossibility +for any animals, such as cats or rats, to ring the bells as they were +rung. The house was quite a new one, standing alone, surrounded by +unoccupied plots of building land. + +As to the question of trickery. There seemed no possibility of that +being the explanation. The phenomena occurred when the housekeeper and +pupils were all away; also when the cook was away; also when only the +two servants and the master were in the house, and both of them in his +sight. For instance, he says he stood in the passage in front of the +nine bells watching them ring, with both the servants close by. Once in +particular he watched the housemaid on her knees in the middle of the +wash-house scrubbing the tiles, while the front door, area door, and +bath-room bells were pealing violently. The ringing was also heard by +tradesmen, and by men working in the gardens near. The wires of the +bells were distinctly moved, not only the bells and the clappers. The +bell-handles were never observed to be moved. The ringing lasted between +three and four weeks, and then ceased. Knockings in considerable variety +were also heard, and a few cases of the movement of chairs and small +articles, without any contact, also occurred. + +Mr. D. was at one time disposed to think that the housemaid was in some +way connected with the disturbances, but he could trace no evidence. +She was a young girl who had not been out to service before. She got +into such a state of nervous excitement about the occurrences, that +brain fever or something serious was feared. She had only been in the +house a few weeks previous to the commencement of the manifestations, +and nothing occurred after she left. Mr. D. was, however, perfectly +convinced that she had nothing to do voluntarily with the +bell-ringing.[11] + +The second paper by Mr. Myers is devoted exclusively to some "strange +experiences" which occurred several years previous to 1891, at the +village of Swanland, a few miles from Hull, in the East Riding of +Yorkshire. The evidence is that of John Bristow, who states he was an +eye-witness. There were no intellectual phenomena, nothing but the +apparently meaningless throwing about of pieces of wood--directed, +however, by some intelligence, so as to attract attention without doing +harm. Here again what value the case has rests almost solely on its +having received the critical study of Mr. Myers.[12] + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[1] Report of the Committee of the London Dialectical Society, p. 228. + +[2] Report on Spiritualism of the Committee of the London Dialectical +Society, together with the Evidence, Oral and Written, and a Selection +from the Correspondence. Two editions have been published. Both are out +of print. + +[3] Report, &c., pp. 7-13. + +[4] Report, &c., pp. 390-391. + +[5] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. i. p. 240 + +[6] See _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. iv. pp. 29-33. + +[7] See _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. iv. pp. 33-35. + +[8] Vol. vii. pp. 146-198 and pp. 383-394. + +[9] For full account see _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. vii. pp. 159-160. + +[10] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. vii. p. 160. + +[11] See the full account in Part XIX. of the _Proceedings of the +S.P.R._, which part is included in vol. vii., and may be obtained +separately for 2s. 6d. + +[12] See _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. vii. pp. 383-394. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +THE PRODUCTION OF SOUND WITHOUT ANY APPARENT PHYSICAL CAUSE + + +If the tipping of small tables when the hands of the sitters are in +contact is excepted--under which circumstances it is generally +impossible to determine whether the result is psychical, or due merely +to muscular action unconsciously exercised--the production of raps and +other sounds is the most frequent of the phenomena under consideration. +They are, however, generally so intermixed with other phenomena that it +is difficult to treat them separately. + + +THE DIALECTICAL SOCIETY. + +In the extracts from the Report of the Committee of the Dialectical +Society given in the preceding chapter, it will be remembered that raps +and other noises are referred to as being frequently heard, and also as +apparently produced by an intelligent agency. + + +TESTIMONY OF PROFESSOR W. F. BARRETT, F.R.S. + +The reader is asked to refer to the general conditions of the case of +Mr. C. testified to by Professor Barrett in the previous chapter. He +says:-- + +"They (the sounds) came more readily and more loudly when music was +played, or a merry song struck up. Usually they kept time with the +music, and altogether displayed a singular degree of intelligence. +Sometimes a loud rhythmic scraping, as of a violoncello bow on a piece +of wood, would accompany the music. Again and again I placed my ear on +the very spot on the table whence this rough fiddling appeared to +proceed, and felt distinctly the rhythmic vibration of the table, but no +tangible cause was visible either above or below the table.... On one +occasion, when no one else was in the room, ... I asked my young friend +the medium to put her hands against the wall, and see how far she could +stretch her feet back from the wall without tumbling down. This she did, +and whilst in this constrained position--with the muscles of arms and +legs all in tension--I asked for the knocks to come. Immediately a brisk +pattering of raps followed my request. All the while the child remained +quite motionless. My reason in making this experiment, was to test the +late Dr. Carpenter's muscular theory of the cause of the sounds. Had Dr. +Carpenter been present, I feel sure he would have admitted that here at +any rate that theory fell through."[13] + +Professor Barrett sums up his conclusions on this case thus:-- + +"A long and careful examination convinced me that trickery on the part +of the child was a more improbable hypothesis than that the sounds +proceeded from some unknown agency. Nor could the sounds be accounted +for by trickery on the part of the servants in the house, for in +addition to my careful inquiries on this point, Mr. C. informed me that +he had obtained the raps on the handle of his umbrella out of doors, +when the child was by his side; and that the music-master complained of +raps proceeding from inside the piano whenever the child was listless or +inattentive at her music lesson. Mrs. C. told me that almost every night +she heard the raps by the bedside of the child when she went to bid her +good-night; and that after she had left the room and partially closed +the door, she would hear quite an animated conversation going on between +her daughter and her invisible companion, the child rapidly spelling +over the alphabet, and the raps occurring at the right letters, and the +child thus obtaining with surprising rapidity a clue to the words spelt +out. + +"Still more violently improbable is the supposition that the parents of +the child were at the bottom of the mystery, stimulated by a desire to +impress their friends with the wonderful but imaginary gifts their child +possessed. The presence of the parents was not necessary for the +occurrence of the sounds, which, as I have said, often took place when I +was the only person in the room besides the child. + +"Hallucination was the explanation which suggested itself to my own mind +when first I heard of the phenomena, but was dismissed as wholly +inapplicable after the first day's inquiry; nor do I think that any one +could maintain that different people, individually and collectively, for +some weeks, thought they heard and saw a series of sounds and motions +which had no objective existence. + +"No! I was then, and am still, morally certain that the phenomena had a +real existence outside oneself, and that they were not produced by +trickery or by known causes. Hence I could come to no other conclusion +than that we had here a class of phenomena wholly new to science."[14] + +After some three months the sounds ceased as unexpectedly as they had +commenced. + +There is one form of sound manifestation to which no allusion has been +made--what is called the "Direct Voice." It is alleged to be of frequent +occurrence in spiritualistic circles. Articulate words are, it is +stated, spoken "direct," not through the voice organs of any person +present. The phenomenon, so far as I have heard, occurs only in +darkness--and is an objective voice audible alike to every one present. +It corresponds to the phenomenon of "direct writing." But no attempt +that I am aware of has been made to treat the matter scientifically. One +of the earliest alleged occurrences of this phenomenon took place in +London, at a private seance at which I was present at the house of Mr. +Thos. Everitt, who departed this life in August of last year, and who +was one of the most prominent London spiritualists, Mrs. Everitt being +the medium. Some little time later, at a similar seance at the same +house, the sitting was terminated by the singing of a hymn by three or +four soft, gentle voices, purporting to be "direct" voices, which +sounded as if they proceeded from the top of the room close to the +ceiling. They were certainly not the voices of any of the company +present. It was one of the most beautiful and touching manifestations I +ever experienced. I can only compare it to the singing of a choir of +boys' voices, high up out of sight in Truro Cathedral, which I had heard +many years before. The seances at Mr. Everitt's were conducted in an +exclusively religious tone, and afforded no opportunity for obtaining +scientific evidence. It is much to be desired that a careful inquiry +should be made into the reality of so interesting a phenomenon. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[13] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. iv. pp. 29-30. + +[14] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. iv. p. 31. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE APPEARANCE OF LIGHT WITHOUT ANY APPARENT PHYSICAL CAUSE + + +The appearance of Lights at Spiritualistic circles, apparently not due +to any physical cause, is very widely asserted. The character of the +Lights is as varied as it is possible to imagine. Faint, cloudy, +indefinite luminous appearances--brilliant stars which move or hover +among the sitters--globes or balls of light, like illuminated ostrich +eggs, or spheres of mother-of-pearl lit up from within--pillars of +light--are some of the many forms which this manifestation takes. But +anything approaching to scientific evidence of the reality of the +phenomenon is singularly scarce. And I am not aware that anything has +ever been done towards testing or endeavouring to ascertain the nature +of the light. One reason for this is, no doubt, that to investigate +light phenomena, the exclusion of other light is obviously requisite. +Hence the necessity for dark seances. The objection to a dark seance in +itself can of course have no scientific basis. But a strong feeling +against dark seances has arisen from the abuses to which they have led. +It is possible that the extent of the evil has been exaggerated, and has +thus produced an exaggerated prejudice against darkness as a condition. +It is, however, safe to say, that, even if promiscuous seances are ever +useful or wise, a promiscuous dark seance should never be sanctioned by +an earnest inquirer. + +Orthodox science has not yet condescended to bestow any attention on +"spirit lights." I had the privilege of private acquaintance with Dr. +Tyndall, and once acted as his assistant at some lectures he gave in a +country place. I remember sending him a report of some rather remarkable +manifestations of light witnessed at a private seance in London, under +fairly good test-conditions. Dr. Tyndall was at the time engaged in some +special optical investigations, and I asked him to spend five minutes in +reading the notes enclosed. Dr. Tyndall's reply, in his laconic, jocular +style, was to this effect--"I have spent five minutes as you desired, +and it is a long time since I spent five minutes so badly!" + +The best series of "light" phenomena, both as regards their varied +character, and as regards the observers, and the care with which +records at the time were made, occurred in the presence of Mr. W. +Stainton Moses. A special chapter is devoted to his general +experiences later on, but I will deal with the phenomena of lights +here, and make this the only illustration of this branch of the +subject. For the general credibility of the W. Stainton Moses +phenomena the reader is referred to the opening paragraph of Chapter +VI. The following pages are taken, by way of either extract or +abstract, from two articles on Mr. W. Stainton Moses by Mr. F. W. H. +Myers. They thus have the advantage of Mr. Myers' moral certificate, +so to speak, as to their value. The articles were published in the +_Proceedings_ of the Society for Psychical Research.[15] + +Mr. Stainton Moses says that the first occasion on which large luminous +appearances were seen at the circle consisting of Dr. and Mrs. Speer and +himself was on 7th June 1873. They had become familiar with floating +masses of luminous vapour; and on several occasions, the masses +condensed, so to speak, until a distinct objective light was formed. On +that evening, however, a number of cones of soft light similar to +moonlight appeared in succession. There was a nucleus of soft yellow +light surrounded by a haze. They sailed up from a corner of the room and +gradually died out. They seem to have been carried in a materialised +hand, a finger of which was shown at request, by placing it in front of +the nucleus of light.[16] + +Subsequently they saw another kind of light altogether. It was +apparently a little round disc of light which twinkled like a star. It +flashed with great rapidity, and answered questions by the usual code of +signals. On about half-a-dozen occasions a bright scintillating light +apparently resting on the mantelshelf was seen. It was about the size of +a pigeon's egg, and looked like a large diamond lit up with strong +light.[17] + +Mr. Stainton Moses gives a description of "a most remarkable light, of +quite a different kind from any that he had ever heard or read of." It +appeared six times, diminishing in brilliancy on each occasion. Mr. +Stainton Moses says: "The light was first observed directly behind us--a +tall column about half an inch or rather more in width, and six or seven +feet high. The light was of a bright golden hue, and did not illuminate +objects in its neighbourhood. For a minute a cross developed at its top, +and rays seemed to dart from it." Dr. Speer, who had been watching the +strange phenomenon with absorbing interest, asked permission to examine +it more closely. Leave being given, he went to the light, put his face +close to it, and passed his hand through it. He detected no odour, and +the light did not disappear. No warmth came from it, nor did it +perceptibly light up the room. It remained visible until the seance was +concluded.[18] + +The following graphic description shall be given in Mr. Stainton Moses' +own words:-- + +"The room, which had been filled (especially round me) with floating +clouds of light, grew suddenly dark, and absolute stillness took the +place of the previous loud knockings. It would have been a strange scene +for an ear-witness. The table, isolated, with no human hand touching it, +giving forth a series of mysterious thuds of varying intensity, some of +which might have been made with a muffled sledge-hammer, all indicating +intelligence--an intelligence that showed itself by deliberation, or +eagerness, or stately solemnity according to the nature of the +communication. Around the table three persons sitting with a hush of +expectation, and faces (if they could have been seen) of awe-stricken +earnestness.... The room shrouded in darkness, except at one end, where +shifting masses of luminous vapour now and again gathered into a pillar +which dimly outlined a form, and again dispersed, and flitted round the +head of one of the sitters. No scene could be imagined more calculated +to strike a novice with awe, none more solemn and impressive for those +who participated in it."[19] + +Mr. W. Stainton Moses thus describes the formation of the lights at a +sitting on 9th August 1873:-- + +"I witnessed the formation of some eight or nine very beautiful spirit +lights. They formed quite close to me, and near my left hand, about a +foot from the floor, floating upwards till they reached the level of the +table and became visible to Dr. Speer. They were expressly made at my +side, instead of, as usual, at my back, so that I might see them. They +seemed to develop from a very bright speck, about the size of a pea, +until they attained the size of a soda-water tumbler, and showed a soft +luminosity like pale moonlight. They seemed to be covered with drapery +and to be held by a hand. They faded slowly out, remaining visible about +thirty or forty seconds, or perhaps a minute. The largest would be +about eight inches long."[20] + +On 14th April 1874, Dr. Speer and Mr. Stainton Moses held a sitting by +themselves. Mr. Stainton Moses thus describes what happened:-- + +"To-night lights commenced again, but of a quite different character to +any we had seen before. They darted about like a comet, coming from the +side by the harmonium, or near the fireplace. They were evanescent, and +apparently of diffuse luminosity, within which was a nucleus of light, +not, however, visible to me. We had some ten or twelve of these, some +more brilliant than others, some visible both in the looking-glass and +in the glass of the book-case, and they were showing a trail of +reflected light on the table, when suddenly there arose from below me, +apparently under the table, or near the floor, right under my nose, a +cloud of luminous smoke, just like phosphorus. It fumed up in great +clouds, until I seemed to be on fire, and rushed from the room in a +panic. I was fairly frightened, and could not tell what was happening. I +rushed to the door and opened it, and so to the front door. My hands +seemed to be ablaze, and left their impress on the doors and handles. It +blazed for a while after I had touched it, but soon went out, and no +smell or trace remained. I have seen my own hands covered with a lambent +flame; but nothing like this I ever saw.... The lights were preceded by +very sharp detonations on my chair, so that we could watch for their +coming by hearing the noise. They shot up very rapidly from the +floor."[21] + +This sensational experience must conclude the evidence respecting the +lights, for the present. One more selection has, however, been made, +which is deferred to the special chapter on Mr. Stainton Moses' +experiences as a whole. The present chapter must be read in connection +with that chapter. It is admitted that the testimony quoted with regard +to the Lights does not reach the level of scientific evidence. At the +same time, when due consideration is given to the existing contemporary +records, and to the careful way in which Mr. Myers examined the whole +case, it is difficult to avoid the conviction that the Lights were +objective phenomena, not produced by any known physical cause. It is +much to be regretted that efforts were not made to secure a critical +study of the Lights by a competent scientific man. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[15] Vol. ix. pp. 245-352, and vol. xi. pp. 24-113. + +[16] See ibid., vol. ix. pp. 273-274. + +[17] See _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. ix. p. 276. + +[18] See ibid., pp. 276-277. + +[19] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. ix. p. 290. + +[20] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. ix. p. 319. + +[21] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. xi. pp. 44-45. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +PHYSICAL PHENOMENA ALLEGED TO HAVE OCCURRED IN THE PRESENCE OF DANIEL +DUNGLAS HOME + + +Scientific evidence of the reality of the Physical Phenomena alleged to +have occurred in the presence of D. D. Home is scarcely to be looked for +in the two volumes written by himself, nor even in the two volumes +published after his death by Madame Home. The alleged phenomena failed +to attract the attention of more than a very few men of science during +Home's lifetime. Of these the most eminent is Sir William Crookes, +F.R.S. With regard to Sir William Crookes' evidence the reader is +referred to two paragraphs on page 124. + + +THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE DIALECTICAL SOCIETY. + +Again, the Report of the Committee of the Dialectical Society, or rather +the documents which accompany it, supplies some good evidence. Home had +four sittings with one of the Sub-Committees, but the phenomena were of +a trifling and inconclusive character. This was attributed to the state +of Home's bodily health. He was on the eve of a severe illness. Several +persons subsequently sent to the Committee statements of what they had +seen and heard in Home's presence. The only one of these which can be +said to possess scientific value is a report of a seance held with Lord +Lindsay--now the Earl of Crawford and Balcarres--and Mrs. Honywood, and +two other persons. The report is as follows. It is written by Mrs. +Honywood, and Lord Lindsay adds a few words, his own personal testimony. + + "I met Mr. Home at the house of a friend on the 17th March 1869. + We sat down, five in number, at a round table in the back + drawing-room. There was an oil lamp on a table in the front + drawing-room, and fires in both grates. After a while Mr. Home + became entranced, walked into the front room, and stood on the + hearth-rug. He began to dance slowly, raising first the one foot + and then the other, his hands hanging loosely as I have read of + Easterns and Indians, moving in time to music. He then knelt + down, rubbing and clasping his hands together in front of the + fire. I asked, 'Are you a fire worshipper?' He nodded and looked + pleased. 'Are you a Persian?' He smiled and nodded assent, after + which he rose and placed four chairs in a row near the folding + doors, signing to us to sit there. He now went to the table on + which stood the moderator lamp; taking off the globe, he placed + it on the table, and deliberately grasped the chimney of the + lamp with both hands; then, advancing to the lady of the house, + he asked her to touch it, but she refused, knowing it was hot. + Mr. Home said, 'Have you no faith? Will you not trust in Dan if + he says it is cool?' She replied, 'Certainly,' and placed her + finger on the glass, exclaiming, 'Oh, it is not at all hot!' + This was corroborated by Lord Lindsay and myself, who in turn + both laid our finger on the glass several times to test it. Mr. + Home laughed and said, 'I will make it hot for you, old fellow,' + and holding it towards Mr. ----, he turned, apparently + addressing some one, and said, in a sad tone of voice, 'It is + necessary to confirm the faith of others that the glass should + be made hot for him.' Mr. ---- now touched it, and exclaimed, + 'You have indeed,' shaking his hand and showing me a red mark. + So hot was the glass when a fourth person touched it, that it + raised a blister, which I saw some days subsequently, peeling. + I leave it for the scientific to determine how the heat was + re-imparted to the glass, after being withdrawn. + + "Mr. Home now returned to the fireplace, and thrust the chimney + into the red-hot coals, resting the end on the top bar; he left + it there about four or five minutes, then, lifting it, he + clasped it in both hands, went to the table, took a lucifer + match from a box, and handing it to the lady of the house, + desired her to touch the glass--the match instantly ignited; and + having called our attention to this fact, he observed, 'The + tongue and lips are the most sensitive parts of the body,' and + thrust the heated glass into his mouth, applying, especially, + his tongue to it. He once more returned to the fire, and again + placed the chimney on the upper bar, the end of the glass + resting amidst the red coals. He left it there and walked about + the room, selected a small fern-leaf from a vase of flowers, and + raising the chimney, placed it within, and replaced the chimney + among the coals. After a few moments he told us to observe very + carefully, as the experiment would be very pretty. Mr. Home now + held up the glass, and we perceived the fern-leaf within + apparently on fire. He replaced it after a few seconds, and + holding it up again, exclaimed, 'Is it not pretty?' The fern + appeared red-hot; each little leaf edged with gold, yet + flameless, like clouds at sunset--rich glowing crimson tinged + with molten gold. After we had all looked at it and admired it, + he advanced to Mrs. ----, and laughingly shook it out on her + muslin dress. I expected to see it crumble away; but no, it was + still green, though dry and withered. Unfortunately it was not + preserved. + + "Again Mr. Home returned to the fire, and once more placed the + glass on the coals, where he left it, and walked about the room; + going to the lamp, he passed his hand slowly backwards and + forwards through the flame, not an inch from the wick; returning + to the fireplace, he lifted the chimney, and moving the coals + about with his hand, selected a small flat red-hot coal, and + placed it in the chimney--shook it up and down, and advancing to + us, playfully said, 'H----, here is a present for you,' and + threw out the coal on her muslin dress. Catching it up in + dismay, she tossed it to Lord Lindsay, who, unable to retain it + in his hand, threw it from palm to palm till he reached, the + grate and flung it in. While we were all looking at the muslin + dress and wondering that it was neither soiled nor singed, Mr. + Home approached, and in a hurt tone of voice said, 'No, no, you + will not find a mark; did you think that we would hurt your + dress.' Mr. Home then selected a small spray of white flower, + and going to the lamp, he passed it two or three times through + the flame, then carried it to the grate, and held it first in + the flame and then in the smoke above the coals, moving it + gently about. He now brought it back to us, asking us to look at + it and smell it, calling our attention to the fact that the + flower did not smell of smoke, and that it was unchanged by the + heat and flame of lamp and fire. He then bid us notice that his + hand which held the flower smelt of smoke, while the flower + remained uninjured. Then addressing us, he said, 'The spirit now + speaking through Dan, and that has enabled him to show you these + curious fire-tests, in which he hopes you have all felt + interested, is the spirit of an Asiatic fire-worshipper, who was + anxious to come here to-night, as he had heard of seances held + here. He now bids you farewell, as he will return no more.' + + "After this Mr. Home awoke. + "BARBARA HONYWOOD." + + "I was present at this seance, and can corroborate the truth of + the above statement. + + "LINDSAY."[22] + [NOW EARL OF CRAWFORD AND BALCARRES.] + + +TESTIMONY OF THE EARL OF DUNRAVEN. + +Lord Dunraven--then Lord Adare--had a number of sittings with Home. He +printed a small volume--for private circulation only--under the title of +"Experiences in Spiritualism with Mr. D. D. Home." This volume is +exceedingly scarce. + + +AN INQUIRY BY PROFESSOR W. F. BARRETT, F.R.S., AND MR. F. W. H. MYERS. + +In the year 1889, Professor Barrett and Mr. Myers undertook an "Inquiry +into the Evidence for the Mediumship of D. D. Home." They collected the +testimony of a large number of persons who were witnesses of the Home +phenomena, carefully examined its evidential value, and summarised it in +a Joint Report. This was printed in the _Journal_ of the Society for +Psychical Research for July 1889.[23] It is to be regretted that the +Society has not seen its way to publish this Report in a form accessible +to the general public. It is true that in his great work, "Human +Personality, and its Survival of Bodily Death," Mr. Myers gives a brief +summary of the Report; but he condenses the thirty-six pages of the +original Report and its appendices into four pages of "Human +Personality," which are quite insufficient to convey an adequate idea of +the Report itself. Also, the cost of Mr. Myers' book debars from it the +mass of readers. This Report was followed up a little later by a brief +article by Mr. Myers, forming an important supplement.[24] + +In the Report itself its joint authors say: "We propose the +question--Have Home's phenomena ever been plausibly explained as +conjuring tricks, or in accordance with known laws of nature? And we +answer--No; they have not been so explained, nor can we so explain +them."[25] In commenting on the Joint Report, by Professor Barrett and +himself, Mr. Myers puts the problem as to Home in this form: "There is +thus a considerable body of evidence as to Home, which enables us to +discuss the three questions: (1) Was he ever convicted of fraud? (2) Did +he satisfy any trained observer in a series of experiments selected by +the observer and not by himself? (3) Were the phenomena entirely beyond +the scope of the conjurer's art?"[26] + +In the Joint Report the writers say--(1) As to fraud: "We have found no +allegations of fraud on which we should be justified in laying much +stress. Mr. Robert Browning has told to one of us the circumstances +which mainly led to that opinion of Home which was expressed in 'Mr. +Sludge, the Medium,' It appears that a lady (since dead) repeated to Mr. +Browning a statement made to her by a lady and gentleman (since dead), +as to their finding Home in the act of experimenting with phosphorus on +the production of 'spirit lights,' which, so far as Mr. Browning +remembers, were to be rubbed round the walls of the room, near the +ceiling, so as to appear when the room was darkened. This piece of +evidence powerfully impressed Mr. Browning; but it comes to us at +third-hand, without written record, and at a distance of nearly forty +years. + +"We have received one other account from a gentleman of character and +ability, of a seance in very poor light, when the 'spirit-hand' moved in +such a way as to seem dependent on the action of Home's arms and legs. +This account is subjoined [in the Report] as Appendix D. We may add that +few, if any, of the lights seen at Home's seances could (as they are +described to us) have been contrived by the aid of phosphorus. + +"There is also a frequently repeated story that Home was found at the +Tuilleries (or at Compiègne, or at Biarritz) to be using a stuffed hand, +and was consequently forbidden the Imperial Court. We have tried in +France to get at the fountain-head of this story, but without +success."[27] + +(2) "With regard to our second question--whether his powers were tested +by competent observers"--Mr. Myers says: "Home in this respect stands +pre-eminent; since we have the evidence of Sir William Crookes, +corroborated by the testimony of the Master of Lindsay (now Earl of +Crawford and Balcarres), himself a _savant_ of some distinction, and the +privately printed series of careful observations by the present and the +late Lords Dunraven.[28] + +(3) "As to our third question--whether the phenomena could have been +produced by conjuring"--Mr. Myers says: "Many of them, especially the +fire-tests, and the movements of large untouched objects in good light, +seem inexplicable by this supposition. The hypothesis of collective +hallucination on the part of the sitters seems very improbable, because, +in most cases, all those present saw the same thing; and often without +receiving from Home any audible suggestion as to what was about to +happen."[29] + +In the Joint Report by Professor Barrett and Mr. Myers, a considerable +space is devoted to a discussion as to conjuring being the explanation +of the Home manifestations. It is dismissed as utterly inadequate. In +conclusion, the authors of the Report say: "And we find that experts in +conjuring (several of whom we have consulted), however little they may +believe in Home's pretensions, are disposed rather to reject wholesale +than to explain in detail the more remarkable records."[30] + +Professor Barrett and Mr. Myers proceed to quote thirty-five cases of +the identification of alleged communicating spirits from Madame Home's +book, entitled "D. D. Home, His Life and Mission." They remark, "This +list of identifications is a long one, and quite unique in the history +of Spiritualism."[31] After analysing this list of cases, they say near +the conclusion of their Report, as implying their final verdict: "If our +readers ask us--'Do you advise us to go on experimenting in these +matters as though Home's phenomena were genuine?'--we answer, 'Yes.'"[32] +In the supplementary article above referred to sixteen more cases of +identification are added to the thirty-five. + +In Appendix E to the Report is given some striking testimony to the +reality of the "fire-test." The following letter from Mr. W. M. +Wilkinson, the well-known solicitor, is included:-- + + "As you ask me to write to you of what occurred at our house at + Kilburn, where we were living in 1869, with reference to the + handling of red-hot coal, I will merely say that one Sunday + evening in the winter of that year, I saw Mr. Home take out of + our drawing-room fire a red-hot coal a little less in size than + a cricket ball, and carry it up and down the drawing-room. He + said to Lord Adare, now Lord Dunraven, who was present, 'Will + you take it from me? It will not hurt you.' Lord Adare took it + from him, and held it in his hand for about half a minute, and + before he threw it back in the fire I put my hand pretty close + to it, and felt the heat to be like that of a live coal.--Yours + very truly, W. M. WILKINSON.[33] + + 44 LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS, + LONDON, W.C., _February_ 7, 1869." + +Appendix M to the Report consists of some particulars verbally given to +Mr. Myers by Mrs. Honywood, of 52 Warwick Square, London, in further +explanation of her printed testimony to phenomena she had witnessed in +Home's presence. She was well acquainted with him for twenty-five years, +attended many seances, and took notes of them at the time. In the early +part of this chapter, a statement she sent to the Dialectical Society +has already been quoted. She told Mr. Myers that most of her friends +were complete disbelievers in Spiritualism, and that they frequently +repeated to her rumours to the discredit of Home. But she never heard +any first-hand account of any kind of trickery on his part. She +considered him a man of open childlike nature, thoroughly honest and +truthful, and that in her opinion his utterances in the trance state +were much superior in thought and diction to his ordinary talk. She said +she should like to give Mr. Myers a few additional details with regard +to the fire phenomena reported in Madame Home's book, "D. D. Home, His +Life and Mission," on her authority. Madame Home's secretary, she said, +had slightly abbreviated her words in a way which made the occurrences +seem rather less wonderful than they actually were. Mr. Myers gives the +following, as having been signed "BARBARA HONYWOOD, June 1889." + +"As to the burning coal placed in my hand. I saw Mr. Home take this coal +from the fire, moving his hands freely among the coals. It was about the +size of a coffee cup, blazing at the top, and red-hot at the bottom. +While I held it in my hand the actual flame died down, but it continued +to crackle, and to be partially red-hot. I felt it like an ordinary +stone, neither hot nor cold. Mr. Home then pushed it off my hand with +one finger on to a double sheet of cartridge paper, which it at once set +on fire. I am quite certain that I was in my usual condition at the +time.... + +"As to the hot lamp-chimney which I touched. There was a row of four or +five persons sitting side by side, and Mr. Home asked us each in turn to +touch the glass. When I touched it, I felt as though a wave of heat were +receding before me.... + +"I have repeatedly taken Mr. Home in my own carriage to the houses of +friends of mine who were strangers to him, and have there seen the +furniture at once violently moved in rooms which I knew that he had +never entered till that moment. I have seen heavy furniture moved; for +instance, a heavy sofa in my own drawing-room, with myself upon it, and +a heavy centre table, moved several feet away from Home, and then back +again, in the light, while his hands and feet were visible. Not +horse-hairs, but ropes, would often have been necessary to pull the +furniture about as I have seen it pulled."[34] + +A brief reference must now be made to what is perhaps the most +sensational alleged event in Home's mediumistic career, the one which is +most frequently spoken of by the general public, with more or less +forcible expressions of scornful incredulity; his "levitation" out of +the window of a room at a great height from the ground, and in at a +window of the next room on the same story. In the Report by Professor +Barrett and Mr. Myers, no detailed account of this is given. The Report +says: "Lords Lindsay and Adare had printed a statement that Home floated +out of the window and in at another in Ashley Place (Victoria Street), +S.W., 16th December 1868."[35] At a meeting of the Committee of the +Dialectical Society, held on 6th July 1869, a paper was read from Lord +Lindsay, describing some of his personal experiences with Home. This +paper makes no reference to the above case of levitation. But at the +same meeting of the Committee, Lord Lindsay and others gave evidence as +witnesses, and Lord Lindsay thus described this particular case:-- + +"I saw the levitations in Victoria Street, when Home floated out of the +window; he first went into a trance, and walked about uneasily; he then +went into the hall; while he was away, I heard a voice whisper in my +ear, 'He will go out of one window and in at another.' I was alarmed and +shocked at the idea of so dangerous an experiment. I told the company +what I had heard, and we then waited for Home's return. Shortly after he +entered the room, I heard the window go up, but I could not see it, for +I sat with my back to it. I, however, saw his shadow on the opposite +wall; he went out of the window in a horizontal position, and I saw him +outside the other window (that in the next room) floating in the air. It +was eighty-five feet from the ground. There was no balcony along the +windows, merely a strong course an inch and a half wide; each window had +a small plant stand, but there was no connection between them. I have no +theory to explain these things. I have tried to find out how they are +done, but the more I studied them, the more satisfied was I that they +could not be explained by mere mechanical trick."[36] + +There is one episode in the career of D. D. Home which, although it does +not affect the reality of the phenomena alleged to have taken place in +his presence, claims a brief mention. The gift to Home by Mrs. Lyon of a +large sum of money, the subsequent lawsuit, and the judgment in +accordance with which the money was returned to its original owner, +excited much attention at the time. Public opinion frequently takes up +sensational occurrences in a most illogical and unscientific manner. But +a permanent effect may thus be produced, which is extremely difficult to +eradicate, even if shown to be unjustifiable. This episode with Mrs. +Lyon has probably had more effect than any other circumstance in causing +the feeling of aversion with which large numbers of people regard Home +and all his doings. He is looked upon, and spoken of, as if he were an +unprincipled adventurer, convicted of fraud, and of obtaining money +under false pretences. + +The remarks at the end of this chapter are based mainly upon Appendix +III. to the Report by Professor Barrett and Mr. Myers, and which deals +with the case of Lyon _v._ Home.[37] The Appendix commences thus: "Our +colleague, Mr. H. Arthur Smith [barrister-at-law], author of 'Principles +of Equity,' has kindly furnished us with the following review of the +case of Lyon _v._ Home." The following are a few extracts from this +review:-- + + "I have looked carefully into the case of Lyon _v._ Home as + reported in the Law Reports (6 Equity, 655), ... and perhaps the + following comments may be useful to you. + + "It is certainly the fact that the judge discredited the + evidence of Mrs. Lyon. He said: 'Reliance cannot be placed on + her testimony.... It would be unjust to found on it a decree + against any man, save in so far as what she has sworn to may be + corroborated by written documents, or unimpeached witnesses, or + incontrovertible facts.' + + "Having, then, eventually decided against Home, it follows that + the judge must have considered that her evidence was + corroborated in some or other of the ways mentioned." + +Mr. H. Arthur Smith further says: "There was also an admitted letter +from Mrs. Lyon to Home, in which she stated that she presented him with +the £24,000 as an '_entirely free gift_.' This, she said, was written by +her at Home's dictation, under magnetic influence." + +Mr. H. Arthur Smith proceeds to discuss the "corroborative evidence +which led to the judge's final opinion." He then remarks:-- + + "Now it must, I think, be admitted that considering the + extraordinary character of Mrs. Lyon's conduct, and the + swiftness with which she reached her decision to transfer her + property to Home, such evidence as the above may reasonably be + deemed corroborative of her assertion that she was induced to + act as she did by the effects of Home's spiritualistic + pretensions.... There was sufficient ... in my opinion, to + establish the plaintiff's case. It is not then true that 'Home + was made to restore the money, because, being a professed + medium, it was likely that he should have induced her in the way + he did.' The Court held the law to be that such transactions as + those in question cannot be upheld, 'unless the Court is quite + satisfied that they are acts of pure volition uninfluenced.' ... + There was evidence of considerable weight, that as a matter of + fact ... Home did work on the mind of Mrs. Lyon by means of + spiritualistic devices, and further that he did so by suggesting + communications from her deceased husband. Whether this is to + Home's discredit or not of course will be decided according to + one's belief in Spiritualism and the reality of her husband's + interference.... + H. ARTHUR SMITH. + 1 NEW SQUARE, LINCOLN'S INN, + _October_ 19, 1888." + +In order that this episode should have its rightful effect, and no more, +it is needful that several things should be borne in mind. In the first +place, the action was in a Court of Equity. It was not a prosecution in +a Criminal Court. The decision of the Court was not a verdict of guilty +against a prisoner, to be followed by punishment for wrong-doing, but an +order to refund certain money. In ordinary circumstances a judgment of +this kind does not brand a man with infamy, nor affect his character and +position in the eyes of society. Again, after the judgment of the Court, +Home promptly repaid the money. He had not appropriated or expended any +part of it. What more could he have done? + +Mr. Myers' remark in "Human Personality"--"The most serious blot on +Home's character was that revealed by the Lyon case"[38]--seems, +therefore, rather severe under the circumstances. Especially as Mr. +Myers has expressed himself so strongly in favour of the reality of the +Home phenomena, and has said, in conjunction with Professor Barrett, +that they found no allegations of fraud on which they were justified in +laying much stress. Much more to the purpose is Mr. H. Arthur Smith's +comment: "Whether this is to Home's discredit or not of course will be +decided according to one's belief in Spiritualism and the reality of her +husband's interference." + +Had this Report of Professor Barrett's and Mr. Myers', with its +Appendices, been placed before the public, it might have mitigated the +prejudice which hangs about the name of D. D. Home in the minds of so +many. The unique position which Home occupies in regard to the Physical +Phenomena of Spiritualism seems a sufficient reason for dwelling +somewhat fully on this episode as it affects his character as a man. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[22] Report of the Committee of the London Dialectical Society, pp. +360-363. + +[23] Vol. iv. pp. 101-136. + +[24] _Journal S.P.R._, vol. iv. pp. 249-252. + +[25] Ibid., p. 115. + +[26] "Human Personality," vol. ii. p. 579. + +[27] _Journal S.P.R._, vol. iv. p. 102. + +[28] "Human Personality," vol. ii. pp. 580-581. + +[29] Ibid., p. 581. + +[30] _Journal S.P.R._, vol. iv. p. 107. + +[31] _Journal S.P.R._, vol. iv. p. 114. + +[32] Ibid., p. 115. + +[33] _Journal S.P.R._, vol. iv. p. 122. + +[34] _Journal S.P.R._, vol. iv. pp. 135-136. + +[35] _Journal S.P.R._, vol. iv. p. 108. + +[36] Report of the Committee of the Dialectical Society, p. 214. + +[37] _Journal S.P.R._, vol. iv. pp. 117-119. + +[38] "Human Personality," vol. ii. p. 580. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +PHYSICAL PHENOMENA ALLEGED TO HAVE OCCURRED IN THE PRESENCE OF WILLIAM +STAINTON MOSES + + +It is mainly due to the labours of Mr. F. W. H. Myers, after Mr. +Stainton Moses' death, that the Physical Phenomena alleged to have +occurred in his presence can be included among those for which evidence +of a scientific character is claimed. It is much to be regretted that, +during Mr. Stainton Moses' lifetime, although phenomena of a very varied +character were alleged to have occurred with great frequency during many +years, no scientific man of eminence appears to have joined in the +seances, except on one or two occasions. Perhaps the primary reason for +this was that Mr. Stainton Moses' own attitude of mind towards the +subject did not court critical and scientific investigation of the +phenomena. But even during the last ten years of his life, subsequent to +the formation of the Society for Psychical Research, of which he was an +original member, and not only that, but for nearly five years a +Vice-President and a member of the Council, so far as I know, no +sittings were held with him on behalf of the Society, and no first-hand +authentic records of the alleged phenomena in earlier years were placed +before it. One reason for this probably was that the Council of the +Society informally adopted a sort of understanding that its earlier +investigations should not be directed towards "Spiritualism," but mainly +towards those branches of the great subject which were, so to speak, +just outside the field of recognised scientific inquiry--such, for +instance, as Thought-Transference and Hypnotism. In this course there +was doubtless a certain amount of wisdom, but to it was due the apathy +and the ultimate secession of a few members who took great interest in +the formation of the Society. Chief among these was W. Stainton Moses +himself. In November 1886 he withdrew from the Society, considering that +the evidence of phenomena of the genuine character of which he had +satisfied himself beyond doubt, was not being properly entertained or +fairly treated. + +Mr. W. Stainton Moses entrusted by will his unpublished MSS. to two +friends as literary executors, Mr. Charles C. Massey and Mr. Alaric A. +Watts. At the earnest request of Mr. Myers, these gentlemen permitted +him to see a large number of them. Thirty-one note-books were placed in +his hands. Permission was further given to Mr. Myers to make selections +from these note-books for publication in the _Proceedings_ of the +Society. These selections form the substance of two long articles.[39] +The thirty-one books comprise twenty-four of Automatic Writing, four +Records of Physical Phenomena, and three of retrospect and summary. Two +of these recapitulate physical phenomena, with reflections. + +Mr. Stainton Moses' most intimate friends were Dr. and Mrs. Stanhope T. +Speer. They, with the occasional attendance of another intimate friend, +Mr. F. W. Percival, barrister-at-law, and Examiner in the Education +Department, were generally the only members of the small group who +witnessed the phenomena. Mr. Stainton Moses' note-books had been kept +extremely private. It seems probable that no one had seen them until +they were placed in Mr. Myers' hands. Two note-books and other MSS. by +Dr. Speer were also handed to Mr. Myers, which he says contained +independent contemporary records of much evidential value. With regard +to Dr. and Mrs. Speer, Mr. Myers says: "Their importance as witnesses of +the phenomena is so great, that I must be pardoned for inserting a +'testimonial' to the late Dr. Speer (M.D., Edinburgh), which shall not, +however, be in my own words, but in those of Dr. Marshall Hall, F.R.S., +one of the best-known physicians of the middle of this century. Writing +on 18th March 1849, Dr. Marshall Hall says (in a printed collection of +similar testimonials now before me): 'I have great satisfaction in +bearing my testimony to the talents and acquirements of Dr. Stanhope +Templeman Speer. Dr. Speer has had unusual advantages in having been at +the medical schools, not only of London and Edinburgh, but of Paris and +Montpellier, and he has availed himself of these advantages with +extraordinary diligence and talent. He ranks among our most +distinguished rising physicians,'"[40] Dr. Speer practised as a +physician at Cheltenham and in London, and at different times held +various important hospital posts. He had scientific and artistic tastes, +and being possessed of private means, he quitted professional work at +the age of thirty-four, and spent his subsequent life in studious +retirement. Mr. Myers says that his "cast of mind was strongly +materialistic, and it is remarkable that his interest in Mr. Moses' +phenomena was from first to last of a purely scientific, as contrasted +with an emotional or religious nature."[41] Mrs. Stanhope Speer also kept +careful records of the sittings. Over sixty instalments were published +in the weekly journal, _Light_, under the title of "Records of Private +Seances, from Notes taken at the time of each Sitting." + +Mr. Stainton Moses was born in Lincolnshire in 1839. He studied at +Oxford, and was ordained as a clergyman of the Church of England. After +a few years of active life as a parish clergyman, he was offered a +Mastership in University College School, London, which post he held +until about three years before his death, which took place in 1892. As +to the "fundamental questions of sanity and probity," Mr. Myers says: +"Neither I myself, nor, so far as I know, any person acquainted with Mr. +Moses, has ever entertained any doubt."[42] Mr. Charles C. Massey says: +"However perplexed for an explanation, the crassest prejudice has +recoiled from ever suggesting a doubt of the truth and honesty of +Stainton Moses."[43] Mr. H. J. Hood, barrister-at-law, who knew him for +many years, writes: "I believe that he was wholly incapable of +deceit."[44] The principal published works of Mr. Stainton Moses +are--"Researches in Spiritualism," issued in _Human Nature_, a +periodical now extinct; "Spirit Identity" (1879), recently republished; +"Spirit Teachings" (1883), of which a new edition has lately appeared +with a biography by Mr. Charles Speer (son of Dr. S. T. Speer). Mr. +Stainton Moses was also Editor of _Light_ during its earlier years. + +It has seemed important, in view of what is to follow, that the reader +should be in possession of this somewhat explicit account of Mr. +Stainton Moses, his life, his work, and his intimate friends. + +Having briefly treated of these external matters in the first of his two +articles in the _Proceedings of the S.P.R._, Mr. Myers goes on to say:-- + +"But now our narrative must pass at a bound from the commonplace and the +credible to bewildering and inconceivable things. With the even tenour +of this straightforward and reputable life was inwoven a chain of +mysteries which, as I have before said, in whatever way soever they be +explained, make that life one of the most extraordinary which our +century has seen. For Stainton Moses' true history lies, not in the +everyday events thus far recorded, but in that series of physical +manifestations which began in 1872, and lasted for some eight years, and +that series of automatic writings and trance-utterances which began in +1873, received a record for some ten years, and did not, as is +believed, cease altogether until the earthly end was near."[45] + + +THE PHYSICAL PHENOMENA. + +This inquiry concerns physical phenomena only. The wealth of material to +select from is enormous. It is proposed to give one or two examples of +each of the important classes of physical phenomena. In doing so such +examples only will be quoted as have been selected by Mr. Myers to +include in his articles in the _Proceedings of the S.P.R._ The reader +will therefore know that the following records have been under Mr. +Myers' scrutiny, and have been considered by him as of evidential value. +This will also simplify references, as it will be needful to refer only +to Mr. Myers' articles which are easily accessible, and not to the +original sources. + + +MOVEMENTS WITHOUT CONTACT. + +After recording some movements of a table, Mr. Stainton Moses says: "All +that I have described occurs readily when the table is untouched. +Indeed, when the force is developed, we have found it better to remove +the hands and leave the table to its own devices. The tilting above +noticed has been even more marked when the sitters have been removed +from it to a distance of about two feet. It has rapped on the chair and +on the floor, inclined so as to play into a hand placed on the carpet, +and has been restored to its normal position when no hand has touched +it. The actual force required to perform this would be represented by +very considerable muscular exertion in a man of ordinary strength."[46] + +The following account, besides being a record of physical phenomenon, is +a curious illustration of the result of not following alleged +instructions. Mr. Stainton Moses writes:-- + +"We had ventured on one occasion, contrary to direction, to add to our +circle a strange member. Some trivial phenomena occurred, but the usual +controlling spirit did not appear. When next we sat he came; and +probably none of us will easily forget the sledge-hammer blows with +which he smote the table. The noise was distinctly audible in the room +below, and gave one the idea that the table would be broken to pieces. +In vain we withdrew from the table, hoping to diminish the power. The +heavy blows increased in intensity, and the whole room shook with their +force. The direst penalties were threatened if we again interfered with +the development by bringing in new sitters. We have not ventured to do +so again; and I do not think we shall easily be persuaded to risk +another similar objurgation."[47] + +The following account of some impromptu occurrences is written by Mr. +Serjeant Cox, and is quoted by Mr. Myers from the second volume of +Serjeant Cox's work, "What am I?" The scene was also orally described to +Mr. Myers by Serjeant Cox, who, as Mr. Myers remarks, was not himself a +"Spiritualist," but ascribed these and similar phenomena to a power +innate in the medium's own being. + +"On Tuesday, 2nd June 1873, a personal friend [Mr. Stainton Moses] came +to my residence in Russell Square to dress for a dinner party to which +we were invited. He had previously exhibited considerable power as a +Psychic. Having half an hour to spare, we went into the dining-room. It +was just six o'clock, and of course broad daylight. I was opening +letters; he was reading the _Times_. My dining-table is of mahogany, +very heavy, old-fashioned, six feet wide, nine feet long. It stands on a +Turkey carpet, which much increases the difficulty of moving it. A +subsequent trial showed that the united efforts of two strong men +standing were required to move it one inch. There was no cloth upon it, +and the light fell full under it. No person was in the room but my +friend and myself. Suddenly, as we were sitting thus, frequent and loud +rappings came upon the table. My friend was then sitting holding the +newspaper with both hands, one arm resting on the table, the other on +the back of a chair, and turned sideways from the table, so that his +legs and feet were not under the table, but at the side of it. Presently +the solid table quivered as with an ague fit. Then it swayed to and fro +so violently as almost to dislocate the big pillar-like legs, of which +there are eight. Then it moved forward about three inches. I looked +under it to be sure it was not touched; but still it moved, and still +the blows were loud upon it. + +"This sudden access of the Force at such a time, and in such a place, +with none present but myself and my friend, and with no thought then of +invoking it, caused the utmost astonishment in both of us. My friend +said that nothing like it had ever before occurred to him. I then +suggested that it would be an invaluable opportunity, with so great a +power in action, to make trial of _motion without contact_, the presence +of two persons only, the daylight, the place, the size and weight of the +table, making the experiment a crucial one. Accordingly we stood +upright, he on one side of the table, I on the other side of it. We +stood two feet from it, and held our hands eight inches above it. In one +minute it rocked violently. Then it moved over the carpet a distance of +seven inches. Then it rose three inches from the floor on the side on +which my friend was standing. Then it rose equally on my side. Finally +my friend held his hands four inches over the end of the table, and +asked that it would rise and touch his hand three times. It did so; and +then in accordance with the like request, it rose to my hand held at the +other end to the same height above it and in the same manner."[48] + +LEVITATION.--The wonderful phenomenon of levitation must be included in +the category of "movements without contact"! Some of Mr. Stainton Moses' +experiences of this kind are much more explicitly and circumstantially +described than those alleged to have occurred with D. D. Home. Mr. +Stainton Moses gives the following account of his first personal +experience of this nature:-- + +"My first personal experience of levitation was about five months after +my introduction to spiritualism. Physical phenomena of a very powerful +description had been developed with great rapidity. We were new to the +subject, and the phenomena were most interesting.... One day (30th +August 1872) ... I felt my chair drawn back from the table and turned +into the corner near which I sat. It was so placed that my face was +turned away from the circle to the angle made by the two walls. In this +position the chair was raised from the floor to a distance of, I should +judge, twelve or fourteen inches. My feet touched the top of the +skirting-board, which would be about twelve inches in height. The chair +remained suspended for a few moments, and I then felt myself going from +it, higher and higher, with a very slow and easy movement. I had no +sense of discomfort nor of apprehension. I was perfectly conscious of +what was being done, and described the process to those who were sitting +at the table. The movement was very steady, and occupied what seemed a +long time before it was completed. I was close to the wall, so close +that I was able to put a pencil firmly against my chest, and to mark the +spot opposite to me on the wall-paper. That mark when measured +afterwards was found to be rather more than six feet from the floor, +and, from its position, it was clear that my head must have been in the +very corner of the room, close to the ceiling. I do not think that I was +in any way entranced. I was perfectly clear in my mind, quite alive to +what was being done, and fully conscious of the curious phenomenon. I +felt no pressure on any part of my body, only a sensation as of being in +a lift, whilst objects seemed to be passing away from below me. I +remember a slight difficulty in breathing, and a sensation of fulness in +the chest, with a general feeling of being lighter than the atmosphere. +I was lowered down quite gently, and placed in the chair, which had +settled in its old position. The measurements and observations were +taken immediately, and the marks which I had made with my pencil were +noted. My voice was said at the time to sound as if from the corner of +the room, close to the ceiling."[49] + +Mr. Stainton Moses says that this experience was repeated, with +variations, on nine other occasions. Once he suddenly found himself on +the table--his chair being unmoved. This, "under ordinary +circumstances," he says, "is what we call impossible." On another +occasion he was placed on the table standing. But he discouraged these +phenomena of levitation as much as possible, from a dislike to violent +physical manifestations. + +MOVEMENT OF OBJECTS IN A CLOSED ROOM, NO ONE BEING PRESENT.--I am not +aware of any other well-attested instances of a curious phenomenon +stated to have occurred when Mr. Stainton Moses was near but not +present. He thus describes the "first startling manifestation" of this +kind. It was on Sunday, 18th August 1872. Simple phenomena of raps and +movements of the table commenced at breakfast-time. Mr. Stainton Moses +went to church with his friend. On entering his bedroom afterwards, his +attention was drawn by loud rappings which followed him round the room, +to three articles so placed on the bed as to form an imperfect cross. +While he was in the room another article was added. He called his friend +whose guest he was. To avoid the possibility of children or servants +playing tricks, in case anything more happened, they well searched the +room--it contained no cupboard--bolted the window, locked the door on +leaving, and the host put the key in his pocket. After lunch two more +articles were found to be added. Another visit discovered other +additions. This went on till 5 P.M., "when a complete cross extending +the whole length of the bed was made entirely of little articles from +the toilet-table." The position of the room, and the whole +circumstances, convinced Mr. Stainton Moses and Dr. and Mrs. Speer, with +whom he was staying, beyond any doubt that human intervention was +impossible. A very detailed account of this incident exists in the +handwriting of Dr. Speer.[50] + +THE CARRYING OF OBJECTS INTO A LOCKED ROOM, AND THE PASSAGE OF SOLID +OBJECTS THROUGH MATERIAL OBSTACLES.--During the two or three weeks +subsequent to the above, over fifty instances occurred in which objects +from different parts of the house were placed upon the table round which +Mr. Stainton Moses and Dr. and Mrs. Speer were sitting in a locked dark +room. The gas was always left burning brightly in the adjoining +dining-room, and in the hall outside, so that if either of the doors had +been opened, even for a moment, a blaze of light would have been let +into the room in which they sat. Mr. Stainton Moses remarks--"As this +never happened, we have full assurance from what Dr. Carpenter considers +the best authority, common sense, that the doors remained closed." On +one occasion a small edition of "Paradise Lost" was placed on the +table, and at the same time the words "to convince" were spelt out by +raps. This little book had been in the hands of all of them during the +evening, and they could testify to the position on a bookshelf where it +had been left. One evening seven objects in different rooms were brought +in; among them a little bell from the dining-room. They heard it begin +to ring, the sound approached the door, they were astonished soon to +hear the sound in the room where they sat, round which the bell was +carried, close to the faces of all, and finally placed on the table, +having been ringing loudly all the time. A curious incident occurred at +a later date, the circle of three sitting alone. A small Parian +statuette from an upper room was placed upon the table. One of the party +requested that a friend who usually communicates might be fetched. "We +are doing so" was spelt out by raps. This was taken to be the complete +answer, and they ceased to call over the alphabet. However, the alphabet +was called for again, and "mething else" was spelt out. No idea could be +formed as to the meaning of this. At request it was exactly repeated. +After much puzzling it occurred to one of the party to join it on to the +previous message--when the meaning became apparent. Mr. Stainton Moses +sarcastically remarks--"What a clear case of 'unconscious cerebration'"! +"Very soon an odour like Tonquin bean was apparent to all of us. +Something fell on the table, and light showed that a snuff-box which had +contained Tonquin bean had been brought from Dr. Speer's dressing-room. +The box was closed, and the odour was remarked before any of us had the +remotest idea that the box was in the room."[51] + + +PERFUMES AND WAVES OF SCENT-LADEN AIR. + +This phase of the phenomena must be passed rapidly over, though +manifested to a much greater extent and in greater variety in Mr. +Stainton Moses' case than in any other with which I am acquainted. In +his circle music and singing were never introduced as a means of +harmonising the conditions. Mr. Stainton Moses says: "In our circle this +harmonising is effected by means of perfumes and waves of cool-scented +air." "If a new sitter is present, he or she is censed (if I may adopt +the expression), and so initiated." "If a new intelligence is to +communicate, or special honour to be paid to a chief, the room is +pervaded by perfumes which grow stronger as the spirit enters." +Sometimes the scent was in a liquid form, and apparently sprinkled down +from the ceiling. Sometimes dry musk was thrown about in considerable +quantities. A striking instance is given in the form of a statement from +Mr. F. W. Percival, mentioned at the commencement of this article--a +very occasional sitter. He says: "In compliance with your request, I +will describe as briefly as possible what occurred at the dark seance +held on the evening of 18th March 1874, when scent was produced so +abundantly in the presence of Mrs. Speer and myself, while you [Mr. S. +M.] were in a state of trance. The controlling spirit began by speaking +through you at some length, and we were told to expect unusual +manifestations. They commenced with a strongly scented breeze, which +passed softly round the circle, its course being marked by a pale light. +In a few minutes it suddenly changed, and blew upon us with considerable +force, as if a pair of bellows had been employed, and the temperature of +the room was perceptibly lowered. After this liquid scent was sprinkled +upon us several times; it appeared to come from the top of the room, and +fell upon us in small drops. Finally we were told that a new +manifestation would be attempted, and that we were to prepare for it by +joining hands and holding the palms upwards. In this position we waited +for two or three minutes, and then I felt a stream of liquid scent +poured out, as it were from the spout of a teapot, which fell on one +side of my left hand, and ran down upon the table. The same was done for +Mrs. Speer; and to judge from our impressions at the time, and from the +stains on the table, a very considerable quantity must have been +produced. I may remark in conclusion that there was no scent in the room +before the seance, and that we could distinguish several different +perfumes which made the atmosphere so oppressive that we were glad to +seek a purer air so soon as the seance came to an end."[52] + + +LIGHTS WITHOUT APPARENT PHYSICAL CAUSE. + +The phenomenon of Light without any apparent physical cause was a +frequent one with Mr. Stainton Moses, and the manifestations were of a +very varied character. Several of these were described in Chapter IV. + +An account is now given of some remarkable phenomena which occurred at +four consecutive seances on the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th of August +1873. Mr. Stainton Moses was on a holiday excursion with Dr. and Mrs. +Speer in the North of Ireland. The days were spent in orthodox holiday +fashion. The following is condensed from notes written in detail at the +time by Dr. Speer:-- + +On the 10th of August, after some other phenomena had occurred, a large +globe of light rose opposite to me, sailed up to the level of our faces, +and then vanished. Several more followed. By request one was placed in +the centre of the table. It was surrounded with drapery. A light came +and stood on the table close to me. "Now I will show you my hand" was +rapped out. A large very bright light then came up, and inside of it +appeared the materialised hand of the spirit. The fingers moved about +close to my face; the appearance was as distinct as can be conceived. I +was told to write an exact account of what had been done. The next +evening I placed the account I had written and a pencil on the table, +and asked that the light might be brought down upon it. This was done. I +then asked that if possible the spirit would append his signature. The +spirit said he would try. After other lights had been produced, the hand +appeared outside the drapery, I heard the pencil moving, and repeating +his instruction of the previous evening, he departed, leaving on the +paper a specimen of direct spirit caligraphy. On these two evenings no +other sitter was present but myself.[53] + + +DIRECT WRITING. + +As has already been remarked, the wealth of material is so great that +selection is a matter of difficulty. There is much more I should like to +have included in this chapter, but it must be drawn to a close with a +brief detailed account of a case of "Direct Writing." There is perhaps +no phenomenon more incredible to the "beginner" in these studies, than +that legible and intelligent writing should be produced without human +agency, and yet there seems no other way of explaining the facts. The +following is an account, by Mr. Stainton Moses himself, of a seance held +on 19th September 1872, the last held before a break in the series +during the autumn of that year. "Imperator" had recently announced +himself as the leading guide or director of the phenomena. + +[Illustration: Facsimile reduced from original. The paper was blue, with +faint blue lines. The corner at the top right hand was torn off for +identification of the paper.] + +"We darkened the seance room, leaving the gas burning brightly in the +adjoining dining-room. Dr. and Mrs. Speer and I sat at the table. On the +floor under the table we put a piece of ruled paper and a pencil. A +corner of the paper I tore off, and handed it to Dr. Speer to identify +the sheet of paper if necessary. Various raps, some objects brought in, +and a noise rather like sawing wood. When light was called for, Mrs. +Speer stooped down and picked up the paper. The upper surface was blank. +Her endorsement on the back of the paper, afterwards written, reads: 'I +took the paper from under the table with the writing downwards,' _i.e._ +on the surface touching the carpet. Dr. Speer and I wrote and signed +this endorsement: 'The above corner was torn by me (S. M.) before the +light was put out, and was given to Dr. S.' I (S. M.) afterwards put the +two pieces together. They fit exactly, and are secured by a couple of +halfpenny stamps, with the initials of Dr. S. and myself upon them. The +message follows the rules exactly. A facsimile is appended, omitting +only the initials of a deceased friend. It will be noticed that the +writing is clearly and laboriously executed on the ruled lines. In no +case are the lines deserted. I fancy the message is written backwards. +Imperator's signature is of his usual decided type, very like what is +automatically written by my hand. I suspect that the message was written +by two hands."[54] + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[39] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. ix. pp. 245-352, and vol. xi. pp. +24-113. Reference should also be made to an obituary notice of Mr. +Stainton Moses by Mr. Myers, in _Proceedings_, vol. viii. pp. 597-601. + +[40] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. ix. pp. 247-248. + +[41] Ibid., p. 248. + +[42] Ibid., p. 247. + +[43] Ibid., p. 247. + +[44] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. ix. p. 247. + +[45] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. ix. p. 252. + +[46] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. ix. p. 259. + +[47] Ibid. + +[48] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. ix. pp. 259-260. + +[49] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. ix. p. 261. + +[50] See _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. ix. pp. 263-266. + +[51] See _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. ix. pp. 266-267. + +[52] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. ix. pp. 267-273. + +[53] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. ix. pp. 274-276. + +[54] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. ix. pp. 284-286. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +"THE DIVINING ROD" + + +The reality or otherwise of the pretensions of the "Divining Rod" come +legitimately within the scope of the present inquiry. The physical +results which, it is alleged, follow the use of the "Divining" or +"Dowsing" Rod in certain hands are unexplained by recognised physical +science. The main fact of the success of the Rod, as a means of finding +water where all ordinary methods have failed, is, however, so widely +acknowledged among intelligent persons, including many business men, +that it will be unnecessary to devote much space to this chapter. I +shall not do more than briefly refer to the scientific inquiry into the +whole subject which has been made in recent years, and quote a few cases +where success has attended the use of the Rod after other means had +failed. + +Here again we are mainly indebted to a member of the Society for +Psychical Research for what has been done. In the early days of the +Society, two or three members, especially the late Mr. E. Vaughan +Jenkins, of Oxford, had assiduously collected the best testimony they +could obtain as to the successful use of the Rod. This was placed at the +disposal of the Society in 1884, and was amply sufficient to show that a +strong _primâ facie_ case for fuller investigation existed.[55] In 1891, +at the request of the Council of the Society, Professor W. F. Barrett, +F.R.S., of Dublin, undertook to submit the whole subject to a thorough +scientific and experimental research. The results of Professor Barrett's +indefatigable industry over a number of years are embodied in two +lengthy Reports, published in the _Proceedings_ of the Society.[56] The +following cases are quoted from Professor Barrett's records as examples +of the work of different professional "dowsers." + +I. Mr. B. Tompkins, of Pipsmore Farm, Chippenham, Wilts, was the +"diviner" in this case. Prior to 1890, Mr. Tompkins was a tenant farmer. +Having been at some expense in endeavouring to obtain a good supply of +water for his cattle, without success, he sent for Mr. Mullins, who came +and found a spot where he said a plentiful supply of water existed at a +depth of less than 30 feet. A well was sunk, and at 15 feet deep a +strong spring was tapped which has yielded an unfailing supply ever +since. Mr. Tompkins finding that the forked twig moved in his own hands, +tried some experiments on his own account which proved successful. He +was then asked by Messrs. Smith and Marshall, of Chippenham, agents to +the late Lord Methuen, to try and find a spring on Lord Methuen's +estate, as a well already sunk had proved useless. After a long search +the rod moved at a certain spot on a hillside where Mr. Tompkins +predicted a good supply of water would be found. Nine feet of solid rock +had to be blasted, but at 18 feet a spring was struck which rose 9 or 10 +feet in the well. Messrs. Smith and Marshall subsequently wrote thus to +Mr. Tompkins:-- + + "CHIPPENHAM, WILTS, and + 7 WHITEHALL PLACE, LONDON, + _November_ 24, 1891. + + "The decision you arrived at was perfectly correct, and it is + our opinion that if we had made the well 6 feet either way to + the right or left of the spot you marked, we should have missed + the water, which is now abundant. SMITH AND MARSHALL." + +This is by way of introduction to case 99 in Professor Barrett's Report. + +"No. 99. Mr. Charles Maggs, who is a Wiltshire county magistrate, and +proprietor of the Melksham Dairy Company, required a large supply of +pure water for his butter factory, and, after ineffectual attempts to +obtain it, wrote to Mr. Tompkins to come over and try the divining rod. +This was done, and subsequently Mr. Maggs writes to Mr. Tompkins as +follows:-- + + "'MELKSHAM DAIRY COMPANY, + _November_ 10, 1890. + + "'We found water at 30 feet, as stated by you at time of finding + the spring--a very strong spring. Our hopes had almost gone, and + faith was all but spent.... CHARLES MAGGS.'" + +Professor Barrett wrote to Mr. Maggs, and received the following +interesting letter in reply:-- + + "BOWERHILL LODGE, MELKSHAM, + _March_ 8, 1897. + + "Briefly the facts are:--I sunk a well to find water for my + dairy and found none. Then I wrote to Mr. Tompkins, who came the + following day. He cut a forked stick out of the hedge, and + having placed it over the well, said, 'There is no water here,' + but found a slight spring within 10 feet, too small to be of any + service, he reported. He walked all over the field, and said he + had not come across any spring at all. However, in the extreme + corner of the field, a bunch of nettles was growing, and he + entered this, and instantly exclaimed--'Here it is; and a good + head of water, too! Not running away, but just ready for + tapping, and as soon as you strike it, it will come surging up.' + 'How deep?' 'Not over 25 feet.' He cut out a turf to indicate + the spot, and we commenced sinking next day. The person employed + was an old well-sinker, and he came to me two or three times + whilst engaged in sinking, showing specimens of the soil or + marl, assuring me there never was water where such existed, and + it was worse than useless to go further. I told him to go on if + he had to get to New Zealand--it was my money, and he need not + regard me nor my pocket. When he had gone about 22 feet, his + pickaxe tapped the spring and the water came up like a fountain, + and at such a rate he feared he should be drowned before he + could get pulled up--his mates being away! The water rose + rapidly to within 12 or 15 inches of the surface. We put in + pumps and kept the water down whilst he went a little deeper, + but the rush of water was such that we had to desist going + lower. Since then we have had a splendid supply.... + CHAS. MAGGS."[57] + +II. Mr. John Mullins and Mr. H. W. Mullins, father and son, Colerne, +Chippenham, Wilts. + +Mr. Mullins, sen., who died rather more than ten years ago, was for +thirty years engaged all over Great Britain and Ireland in finding water +by means of the divining rod. He was a professional well-sinker. His +sons carry on their father's business. One of them, Mr. H. W. Mullins, +inherits his fathers faculty. + +Cases Nos. 62 and 63 in Professor Barrett's Report illustrate the powers +of both father and son. + +Mr. E.G. Allen writes:-- + + "HIGHFIELD, METHERINGHAM + LINCOLN, _March_ 25, 1893. + + "Having frequently availed myself of Mr. John Mullins' services + during the last twenty years, I can say I have never known him + to fail. I have sunk six wells, two on a heath farm about 30 + feet deep (surrounding wells measuring about 70 feet) in + limestone rock, thus saving a great expense in sinking. I took + him one morning to a farm which was at that time farmed by the + owner, the Right Hon. H. Chaplin, M.P. The well in the yard + (nearly always dry) was about 30 feet deep. In a few minutes, + Mullins, carrying in his hand his twig, found a good spring a + very short distance from the old well. A new well was sunk, and + at 10 feet a splendid supply of water was found. It has never + failed, and has supplied the yards, &c., with water ever since. + + "Being in want of water for a large grass field, called 'Catley + Abbey Field,' I went with Mullins, who placed down a peg to + denote a spring. We sunk a well, and bored 70 feet obtaining a + good supply of water. Being struck with a peculiarity in its + taste, it was submitted to Professor Attfield, Ph.D., who + pronounced it to be the only natural seltzer spring in the + kingdom. E. G. ALLEN."[58] + +The next case in Professor Barrett's collection, No. 63, forms an +interesting sequel to the above. The following is abridged from a long +report, in the _Lincolnshire Chronicle_ of 8th June 1895, of a visit of +Mr. H.W. Mullins, son of Mr. John Mullins, to Catley Abbey:-- + +"The object of the Catley Abbey Company in sending for Mr. Mullins was +to secure a well of pure water for bottle-washing. A well on the +adjoining farm of Mr. Allen had run dry, and recently the seltzer water +had been used for the purpose of bottle-washing. Eight years ago, Mr. J. +Mullins, the father of the family, located the spot at Catley, where now +stands the only natural seltzer spring in Britain.... Proceeding to the +site of the dried-up well, Mullins took out a =V=-shaped twig, the forks +of which were each about a foot long, and walked slowly along the ground +a short distance from the well. Suddenly the twig revolved ... and +Mullins confidently asserted that he was standing over a subterranean +watercourse. Proceeding to the other side of the well, he traced, or +professed to trace, the course of the hidden stream, and marked a spot +contiguous to the buildings where he asserted a good spring would be +tapped at a depth of from 120 to 130 feet, and he advised that a well +should be sunk there. + +"It was told to Mullins that his father asserted the seltzer spring +flowed under a hedge on the other side of the field in which we were +then standing, and he was asked to indicate the place. Starting at one +end of the field, he walked close by the hedge side. He had gone about +100 yards when the twig began to play, and digging his heel in the +ground, he thus marked the spot. Mr. Allen, who was present when +Mullins, sen., also located the spring, sent a man for a spade, and a +stake was dug up which eight years ago was driven in by Mr. Allen to +mark the place. Mullins, jun., had touched the spot exactly." + +The same newspaper of 23rd August 1895 announces the result of digging +in the spot indicated as follows:-- + +"Our readers will remember that a few weeks ago our columns contained an +article relative to the finding of water at Catley Abbey by means of +hazel twigs in the hands of Mr. Mullins, the eminent 'dowser.' We are +now able to state that a well having been sunk in the position indicated +by Mr. Mullins, a valuable supply of water has been obtained, and that +at a depth of about 5 feet less than that mentioned by him." + +Professor Barrett says: "I sent Mr. Allen the foregoing account, and +asked if it were correct. He replies that it is perfectly accurate, the +facts being most interesting, and occurred as stated in the letter and +newspaper report."[59] + +III. Mr. Leicester Gataker, Crescent Gardens, Bath, who is a gentleman +by birth and education, soon after leaving Bath College, discovered to +his surprise that a forked twig revolved in his hands in the same way as +it did with a local "diviner." The following is Case 123 in Professor +Barrett's Report:-- + +"Mr. Gataker states that, being engaged by Messrs Ruscombe Poole & Son, +the well-known solicitors of Bridgwater, he found a spring less than 14 +feet deep, and within 3 or 4 yards of a useless well, 20 feet deep, sunk +prior to his visit. In corroboration he encloses the following letter:-- + + "'BRIDGWATER, SOMERSET, _July_ 1896. + + "'We have sunk a well in the garden, and a copious spring has + been found at 13 feet 6 inches, which amply verifies your + prediction. "'J. RUSCOMBE POOLE & SON.'" + +Professor Barrett says: "I wrote to Mr. Ruscombe Poole, and asked him if +Mr. Gataker's statements were correct, and he replies:-- + + "'BRIDGWATER, _January_ 15, 1897. + + "'We return the paper you sent us. As regards the statement that + there was a well about 20 feet deep which was useless, this is + perfectly true, because the water in it was foul and smelt + badly. The supply found is a very much more copious one than the + old well, which contained very little water.'"[60] + +The Index to Professor Barrett's Reports enumerates between three and +four hundred persons with whom experiments with the Divining Rod are +described. A list of the names of "dowsers" is also given. This list +includes the names of about seventy professional "dowsers," and of +nearly as many amateur "dowsers." These figures show the extent to which +the use of the rod prevails, and also the work which the preparation of +the Reports involved. As a specimen of the kind of evidence presented by +Professor Barrett from miscellaneous sources, the following may be +quoted:-- + +"In the present Report numerous independent witnesses of unimpeachable +integrity, and some with high scientific attainments, testify to the +same class of facts, viz.:--(1) The automatic and apparently +irresistible motion of the twig in the hands often of a complete novice; +and (2) that, when the forked twig does _not_ move in a person's hands, +if the dowser takes one link of the twig, or even places his hand on the +wrist of the insensitive person, the previously inert twig now turns +vigorously and often breaks in two in the effort to resist its motion. +As regards (1), see the letter from the President of the Royal +Geological Society of Cornwall on p. 219,[61] who states that the Clerk +of his Parish Council, on finding the rod suddenly twist in his hands, +called out--'It is alive, sir, it is alive!' Mr. Enys adds: 'This +exactly describes the sensation when the rod moves.' ... Mr. Bennett, of +Oxford, on p. 176, refers to the frantic motion and the ultimate +breaking of the twig 'held firmly' in the dowser's hands.... As regards +(2), see Mr. Morton's letter to _The Engineer_, given on p. 172; Mr. +Morton found the rod would not move in his hands, but when the late John +Mullins, the dowser, 'laid his hands on my wrists and grasped them +firmly, then the twig instantly began to turn, and continued turning +till he removed his hands. He never touched the twig while it was in my +hands.' Mr. Montague Price in his letter on p. 181 states: 'I held one +side of the forked rod myself and the diviner the other, and when we +came to water [alleged underground water] the strain was so great on my +fingers I was obliged to ask him to stop. From the position of the rod +it was almost impossible for him to produce the pressure, which +increased with the strength of the stream.' ... + +"The usual practice, after watching a dowser at work, is for some of +the onlookers to try if the forked twig will move in their hands. +Generally speaking, one or more, out of perhaps ten or twelve persons, +discover, to their astonishment, that the twig curls up in their +hands--at the same places at which it did with the dowser. Here is such +an experience. Mrs. Hollands writes to me as follows:-- + + "'DENE PARK, TONBRIDGE, _October_ 9, 1899. + + "'In answer to your note of inquiry about the divining rod, the + whole thing is rather a long story, but the practical result of + the water dowser's visit was to find water which now supplies + the house. One of my daughters found she had the strange power + which moves the divining rod, and it works for her now quickly + over any spring. It is most interesting, as you can feel the rod + move if you take one side of it, and take one of her hands, she + holding the other end of the rod--it struggles up, and would + break off altogether if you did not allow it to move. My + daughter has since found several springs on the estate, where we + have sunk wells. They have stood us in very good stead these + last dry seasons. MINNIE HOLLANDS.' + +"A similar experience is given by Miss M. Craigie Halkett, who published +some excellent photographs of a dowser at work in _Sketch_ for 23rd +August 1899. Miss Halkett writes to me as follows:-- + + "LAURISTON, NEW ELTHAM, KENT, + _September_ 8, 1899. + + "The man depicted in the photographs is not a water-finder by + profession. He is a tenant farmer residing at Catcolt, a + village near Bridgwater, and merely exercises the art to oblige + his neighbours. Several of the country people in this + neighbourhood (Somerset) have the gift. It has never been known + to fail. Personally I was rather sceptical on the subject, but + was converted by the stick turning in my hands when standing + over a spring. There were about six persons present at the time; + all tried it, but it would turn for no one excepting the man in + the picture and myself. I experienced a sort of tingling + sensation in my arms and wrists, but otherwise was quite unaware + when the forked stick began to turn, it seemed to go over so + quickly. "'MAUDE CRAIGIE HALKETT.' + + "Miss Halkett does not say how she knew she was 'standing over a + spring' when the twig turned in her hands; this statement is + very characteristic of many others that have reached me."[62] + +Professor Barrett's views as to the source of the power which moves the +rod are entitled to more attention than those of any one else. In a +chapter on "Theoretical Conclusions" in the first of his two Reports, he +says: "Few will dispute the proposition that the motion of the forked +twig is due to unconscious muscular action." He then gives a summary of +the causes which, he believes, determine that action. Among these he +enumerates, impressions from without unconsciously made upon the +dowser's mind from his own trained observation and practice, and from +bystanders. He also believed that in some cases an impression appears +to be gained through Thought-Transference. He did not, however, think +this covered the whole ground. A peculiar pathological effect is +produced on the dowser; but to what this is due can only be ascertained +by persevering and unbiassed investigation. + +Professor Barrett's second Report contains a long and interesting +discussion of this problem. His views had undergone some modification. +He adheres to his previous view that the "curious phenomena attending +the _motion_ of the so-called divining rod are capable of explanation by +causes known to science" (_e.g._ involuntary muscular action). But he +has become more impressed with the view that the suggestion may arise +"from some kind of transcendental discernment possessed by the dowser's +subconscious self." And he further says: "For my own part, I am disposed +to think that this cause, though less acceptable to science, will be +found to be a truer explanation of the more striking successes of a good +dowser." In conclusion Professor Barrett says still more definitely: +"This subconscious perceptive power, commonly called 'clairvoyance,' may +provisionally be taken as the explanation of those successes of the +dowser which are inexplicable on any grounds at present known to +science."[63] + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[55] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. ii. pp. 79-107. + +[56] Ibid., vol. xiii. (Part XXXII.), pp. 2-282, and vol. xv. (Part +XXXVI.), pp. 130-383. + +[57] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. xiii. pp. 145-148. + +[58] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. xiii. pp. 88-89. + +[59] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. xiii. pp. 89-90. + +[60] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. xiii. p. 182. + +[61] The pages in _this_ paragraph refer to the present Report (_i.e._ +_Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. xv. pp. 130-383). + +[62] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. xv. pp. 279-281. + +[63] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. xv. p. 314. See also the whole +discussion of which this page is the conclusion. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THOUGHT-TRANSFERENCE DRAWINGS + + +There is one, and perhaps only one phase of the great subject of +Thought-Transference or Telepathy the manifestations of which can +legitimately be included among physical phenomena. Involuntary drawing +or scribbling is a phenomenon of very common occurrence. But when such +an involuntary drawing turns out to be a more or less exact copy of a +drawing which the involuntary draughtsman has never seen; and still +further when it turns out that the original drawing has been drawn by +another person with the deliberate purpose of impressing it on the +mind of the involuntary draughtsman, the subject assumes an entirely +new interest. This, however, is the history of those series of +"Thought-Transference Drawings" which have been published by the +Society for Psychical Research. They are scattered through several +volumes of its publications. Through the kindness of the Council of +that Society I am able to put before the reader the largest selection +of these drawings which has appeared. The drawings are the results of +several different groups of experimenters in different parts of the +country; and the selection has been made from as many groups as +possible. In all cases facsimiles of the original drawing and of the +reproduction are given. The earlier series done under the auspices of +a Committee of the Society do not represent successes picked out of a +large number of failures, but include all the attempts made at the +time. The number that can be considered total failures in any of the +trials is exceedingly small. Any conceivable chance or coincidence is +entirely inadequate to account for the similarity in the great +majority of cases. + +The "First Report on Thought-Reading" was written by Professor W. F. +Barrett, Mr. Gurney, and Mr. Myers, and was read at the first General +Meeting of the Society on 17th July 1882. In order to illustrate the +then state of scientific opinion, the writers say: "The present state of +scientific opinion throughout the world is not only hostile to any +belief in the possibility of transmitting a single mental concept except +through the ordinary channels of sensations, but, generally speaking, it +is hostile even to any inquiry upon the matter. Every leading +physiologist and psychologist down to the present time has relegated +what, for want of a better term, has been called "Thought-Reading" to +the limbo of explored fallacies."[64] A second Report by the same writers +was read at a meeting of the Society in the same year. In this Report +the first series of "Thought-Transference Drawings" was described. + +The method of proceeding was as follows:--A. makes an outline sketch of +a geometrical figure, or of something a little more elaborate. B. sees +this sketch, and carrying it in his mind goes and stands behind C., who +sits with a pencil and paper before him and draws the impression which +arises in his mind. Precautions are taken against the conveyance of +information by any ordinary means. Except in a few of the earliest +trials no contact between any of the parties was permitted. B. and C. +are called respectively "transmitter" and "receiver." + +In December 1882, Mr. Myers and Mr. Gurney paid a visit to Brighton to +personally investigate some joint experiments of Mr. Douglas Blackburn +and Mr. G. Albert Smith. Both Mr. Blackburn and Mr. Smith were then, or +soon after became, members of the Society for Psychical Research. The +experiments were made in Mr. Myers' and Mr. Gurney's own lodgings. The +following plan, arranged in regard to some experiments made on 4th +December, is thus described by Mr. Myers: "One of us completely out of +sight of S. [Mr. Smith] drew some figure at random, the figure being of +such a character that its shape could not be easily conveyed in +words.... The figure, drawn by us, was then shown to B. [Mr. Blackburn] +for a few moments, S. being seated all the time with his back to us, and +blindfolded, in a distant part of the same room, and subsequently in an +adjoining room. B. looked at the figure drawn; then held S.'s hand for a +while; then released it. After being released, S. (who remained +blindfolded) drew the impression of a figure which he had received.... +In no case was there the smallest possibility that S. could have seen +the original figure; and in no case did B. touch S., even in the +slightest manner, while the figure was being drawn." + +The whole series of drawings done in this way, on that occasion, is +given in the Report in the _S.P.R. Proceedings_. They were nine in +number. We have selected two, Nos. 5 and 9. + +No. 5 calls for no special remark. + +[Illustration: NO. 5. + + ORIGINAL REPRODUCTION] + +[Illustration: NO. 9. + + ORIGINAL REPRODUCTION] + +When the reproduction of No. 9 was drawn, Mr. S. touched the spot to +which the arrow points, and said: "There is something more there, but I +cannot tell what it is." + +In the experiments made subsequently to these, the conditions were still +more stringent, and no contact whatever was allowed between Mr. +Blackburn and Mr. Smith; and it will be seen that striking and +successful results were obtained. + +A few weeks later, in January 1883, at the invitation of the Committee +of the Society for Psychical Research, Mr. Blackburn and Mr. Smith came +from Brighton, and a series of experiments was conducted at the Rooms +the Society then occupied in Dean's Yard, Westminster. For the Report +embodying the results of these experiments, Mr. Myers, Mr. Gurney, and +Professor Barrett are specially responsible. Two drawings, Nos. 10 and +11, are selected from a series of twenty-two made on this occasion. + +As to No. 10, Mr. S. had no idea that the original was not a geometrical +diagram. Nor had he any clue given him as to the character of No. 11. He +added the line marked _b_ some time after he had drawn the line marked +_a_, saying that he saw "a line parallel to another somewhere." + +The authors of this Report say: "It is almost needless to point out that +in these observations so foreign to our common experience, it is +indispensable to be minutely careful and conscientious in recording the +exact conditions of each experiment." The reader is referred to the +Report itself to show how this was carried out; and also to show how +exhaustively every possibility was considered by means of which +information could be conceived to be conveyed through any recognised +channel. + +[Illustration: + +No. 10. + + ORIGINAL REPRODUCTION + +No. 11. + + ORIGINAL REPRODUCTION + +Mr. Smith had no idea that the original was not a geometrical diagram. +He added line _b_ some time after he had drawn line _a_, "seeing a line +parallel to another somewhere."] + +[Illustration: + +No. 2. + + ORIGINAL REPRODUCTION + +Mr. Guthrie and Miss E. no contact.] + +An entirely different group of experimenters set to work in Liverpool. +Mr. Malcolm Guthrie, J.P., was a partner in one of the large drapery +establishments, and Mr. James Birchall was the Hon. Secretary of the +Literary and Philosophical Society of Liverpool. Their interest was +aroused in the subject of Thought-Transference, and they carried out a +very large number of experiments with some of the young ladies employed +in Mr. Guthrie's establishment, who, "amusing themselves after business +hours, found that certain of their number, when blindfolded, were able +to name very correctly figures selected from an almanack suspended on +the wall of the room, when their companions having hold of their hands, +fixed their attention on some particular day of the month." This led to +serious experiments, including about one hundred and fifty +Thought-Transference Drawings. The conditions were carefully guarded, +and in the majority of cases no contact was permitted. There were many +failures, but a large number of successes. Assistance as "transmitter" +was also given by Mr. F. S. Hughes, a member of the Society for +Psychical Research. In a report by Mr. Guthrie, published in the +_Proceedings_ of the Society, sixteen of these drawings are given. NOS. +2 and 15 are selected. In neither of these was any contact between +"transmitter" and "receiver" permitted. In NO. 2, Mr. Guthrie was +"transmitter" and Miss Edwards "receiver." In NO. 15, Mr. F. S. Hughes +was "transmitter" and Miss Edwards "receiver." With regard to the +second, Miss Edwards said, "It is like a mask at a pantomime," and +immediately drew the reproduction. + +[Illustration: + +No. 15. + + ORIGINAL + Mr. Hughes and Miss E. no contact. + + REPRODUCTION + Miss E. said, "It is like a mask at a pantomime," + and immediately drew as above.] + +Mr. Malcolm remarks in his Report: "The drawings must speak for +themselves. The principal facts to be borne in mind are that they have +been executed through the instrumentality as agents [transmitters] of +persons of unquestioned probity, and that the responsibility for them is +spread over a considerable group of such persons, while the conditions +to be observed were so simple--for they amounted really to nothing more +than taking care that the original should not be seen by the subject +[receiver]--that it is extremely difficult to suppose them to have been +eluded." + +Mr. Guthrie, having satisfied himself as to the reality of the phenomena +of Thought-Transference, as manifested by the drawings, and in other +ways, endeavoured to interest the scientific men of Liverpool. He +naturally appealed among others to Sir Oliver Lodge, who was then +Professor of Physics in University College, Liverpool. He accepted the +invitation, and subsequently gave "An Account of Some Experiments in +Thought-Transference" to the Society for Psychical Research, of which he +was already an unofficial member, and which account is published in the +Society's _Proceedings_. + +The Report commences with a tribute, "since it bears on the questions of +responsibility and genuineness," to the important position Mr. Guthrie +held in Liverpool, as an active member of the governing bodies of +several public institutions, including the University College. Sir +Oliver Lodge then says:-- + +"After Mr. Guthrie had laboriously carried out a long series of +experiments ... he set about endeavouring to convince such students of +science as he could lay his hands upon in Liverpool; and with this +object he appealed to me, among others, to come and witness, and within +limits modify, the experiments in such a way as would satisfy me of +their genuineness and perfect good faith. Yielding to his entreaty, I +consented, and have been, I suppose, at some dozen sittings, at first +simply looking on so as to grasp the phenomena, but afterwards taking +charge of the experiments.... In this way I had every opportunity of +examining and varying the minute conditions of the phenomena, so as to +satisfy myself of their genuine and objective character, in the same +way as one is accustomed to satisfy oneself as to the truth and +genuineness of any ordinary physical fact. + +"I did not feel at liberty to modify the experiments very largely, in +other words to try essentially new ones.... I only regarded it as my +business to satisfy myself as to the genuineness and authenticity of the +phenomena already described by Mr. Guthrie. If I had merely witnessed +facts as a passive spectator I should most certainly not publicly report +upon them. So long as one is bound to accept imposed conditions and +merely witness what goes on, I have no confidence in my own penetration, +and am perfectly sure that a conjurer could impose upon me, possibly +even to the extent of making me think that he was not imposing on me; +but when one has the control of the circumstances, can change them at +will, and arrange one's own experiments, one gradually acquires a belief +in the phenomena observed quite comparable to that induced by the +repetition of ordinary physical experiments." + +Sir Oliver Lodge then describes in detail the method of procedure, in +the course of which he says:-- + +"We have many times succeeded with agents ['transmitters'] quite +disconnected with the percipient ['receiver'] in ordinary life and +sometimes complete strangers to them. Mr. Birchall, the headmaster of +the Birkdale Industrial School, frequently acted; and the house +physician at the Eye and Ear Hospital, Dr. Shears, had a successful +experiment, acting alone, on his first and only visit. All suspicion of +a pre-arranged code is thus rendered impossible even to outsiders who +are unable to witness the obvious fairness of all the experiments." + +Sir Oliver Lodge then gives the details of twenty-seven experiments. +From these four are selected. Descriptions, in Sir O. Lodge's own words, +are condensed. + +(1) "Mr. Birchall, agent--Miss R, percipient, holding hands. No one else +present except myself. A drawing of a Union Jack pattern. As usual in +drawing experiments, Miss R. remained silent for perhaps a minute; then +she said, 'Now I am ready.' I hid the object; she took off the +handkerchief and proceeded to draw on paper placed ready in front of +her. She this time drew all the lines of the figure except the +horizontal middle one. She was obviously much tempted to draw this, and +indeed began it two or three times faintly, but ultimately said, 'No, +I'm not sure,' and stopped." + +[Illustration: + +No. 1. + + ORIGINAL REPRODUCTION] + +(2) "Double object. I arranged the double object between Miss R----d and +Miss E., who happened to be sitting nearly facing one another. Miss +R----d and Miss E. both acting as agents. The drawing was a square on +one side of the paper, and a cross on the other. Miss R----d looked at +the side with the square on it, Miss E. looked at the side with the +cross. Neither knew what the other was looking at--nor did the +percipient know that anything unusual was being tried. There was no +contact. Very soon, Miss R. (percipient) said, 'I see things moving +about.... I seem to see two things.... I see first one up there and then +one down there.... I can't see either distinctly.' 'Well, anyhow, draw +what you have seen.' She took off the bandage and drew first a square, +and then said, 'Then there was the other thing as well, ... afterwards +they seemed to go into one,' and she drew a cross inside the square from +corner to corner, adding afterwards, 'I don't know what made me put it +inside.'" + +[Illustration: + +No. 2. + + ORIGINAL REPRODUCTION] + +[Illustration: + +No. 3. + + ORIGINAL REPRODUCTION] + +(3) "Object--a drawing of the outline of a flag. Miss R. as percipient, +in contact with Miss E. as agent. Very quickly Miss R. said, 'It's a +little flag.' And when asked to draw, she drew it fairly well but +perverted. I showed her the flag (as usual after a success), and then +took it away to the drawing place to fetch something else. I made +another drawing, but instead of bringing it I brought the flag back +again and set it up in the same place as before, but inverted. There +was no contact this time. Miss R----d and Miss E. were acting as agents. +After some time Miss R. said, 'No, I cant see anything this time. I +still see that flag.... The flag keeps bothering me.... I shan't do it +this time.' Presently I said, 'Well, draw what you saw anyway.' She +said, 'I only saw the same flag, but perhaps it had a cross on it.' So +she drew a flag in the same position as before, but added a cross to +it." + +(4) "Object--a teapot cut out of silver paper. Present--Dr. Herdman, +Miss R----d, and Miss R. Miss E. percipient. Miss R. holding +percipient's hands, but all thinking of the object. Told nothing. She +said, 'Something light.... No colour.... Looks like a duck.... Like a +silver duck.... Something oval.... Head at one end and tail at the +other.' ... The object being rather large, was then moved further back, +so that it might be more easily grasped by the agents as a whole, but +percipient persisted that it was like a duck. On being told to unbandage +and draw, she drew a rude and perverted copy of the teapot, but didn't +know what it was unless it was a duck. Dr. Herdman then explained that +he had been thinking all the time how like a duck the original teapot +was, and in fact had been thinking more of ducks than teapots." + +[Illustration: No. 4. + + ORIGINAL REPRODUCTION] + +In the autumn of 1891 Sir Oliver Lodge was staying for a fortnight in +the house of Herr von Lyro at Portschach am See, Carinthia. While there +he found that the two adult daughters of his host were adepts in the +so-called "willing game." The speed and accuracy with which the willed +action was performed left little doubt in his mind that there was some +genuine thought-transference power. He obtained permission to make a +series of test experiments, the two sisters acting as agent and +percipient alternately. He hoped gradually to secure the phenomena +without contact of any kind. But unfortunately contact seemed essential, +though of the slightest description, for instance through the backs of +the knuckles. Sir Oliver Lodge says: "It was interesting and new to me +to see how clearly the effect seemed to depend on contact, and how +abruptly it ceased when contact was broken. While guessing through a +pack of cards, for instance, rapidly and continuously, I sometimes +allowed contact, and sometimes stopped it; and the guesses changed, from +frequently correct to quite wild, directly the knuckles or finger tips, +or any part of the skin of the two hands ceased to touch. It was almost +like breaking an electric circuit." + +As Sir Oliver Lodge remarks, it is obvious how strongly this suggests +the idea of a code, and that therefore this flaw prevents these +experiments from having any value as tests, or as establishing _de novo_ +the existence of the genuine power. But apart from the moral conviction +that unfair practices were extremely unlikely, Sir Oliver Lodge says +that there was a sufficient amount of internal evidence derived from +the facts themselves to satisfy him that no code was used. As examples, +two from a series of twelve drawings are given. + +[Illustration: + + ORIGINAL REPRODUCTION] + +[Illustration: + + ORIGINAL REPRODUCTIONS] + +In 1894, Mr. Henry G. Rawson, barrister-at-law, made a long and +interesting series of experiments in Thought-Transference, a Report of +which was published in vol. xi. of the _Proceedings_ of the Society for +Psychical Research. The Report includes fifteen originals and +reproductions of drawings. Two sisters, Mrs. L. and Mrs. B., were the +operators; and on the two evenings when the two series of drawings were +executed, from which the accompanying selections are made, Mr. Rawson +was the only other person present. On both occasions, Mrs. L. sat on a +chair near the fire, Mrs. R. sat at a table many feet off, with her back +to Mrs. L., and Mr. Rawson stood or sat where he could see both ladies. + +[Illustration: 5 + + ORIGINAL REPRODUCTION] + +[Illustration: 6 + + ORIGINAL REPRODUCTION] + +Nos. 5 and 6 of the first series are here reproduced. + +The following selection is from the second series. Mr. Rawson says +respecting it: "Mrs. L. began drawing within ten to fifteen seconds, and +presently said, 'I am drawing something I can see.' The clock was in +front of her on the mantelpiece." It would seem as though the idea of a +clock was thought-transferred at once; but that the working out of the +idea in the mind was modified by what the percipient happened to see +before her. + +[Illustration: + + ORIGINAL REPRODUCTION] + +A final selection of Thought-Transference Drawings will be taken from +the records of several series of experiments of different kinds made in +1897 and 1898 by Professor A. P. Chattock, of University College, +Bristol. The drawings were made with two old students of Professor +Chattock's, Mr. Wedmore and Mr. Clinker. + +[Illustration: No. 6. + + ORIGINAL + + REPRODUCTION (1).] + + REPRODUCTION (2).] + +No. 6 of a series done at Harrow, September 1897. Agents, Professor +Chattock and R. C. Clinker. Percipient, E. B. Wedmore. E. B. W. about +three yards from agents, with lamp and table between. To reproduction +(1) these words are added: "I thought of these, and then suggested we +should try three musical notes." And to reproduction (2) these words are +added: "Got this result." + +[Illustration: No. 1. + + ORIGINAL + Agent, E. B. Wedmore.] + + REPRODUCTION + Percipient, R. Wedmore.] + +No. 1 of a series done in London, a little later. The reproduction was +drawn in about one and a half minutes after the sitting commenced. + +The Report of the various series of experiments is printed in the +_Journal_ of the Society for Psychical Research for November 1898. + +Instead of giving detailed references to all the quotations in the +descriptions of these various Thought-Transference Drawings, a list of +the several Reports is appended. They can be referred to for further +information.[65] + + Second Report of the S.P.R. Committee. _Proceedings_, vol. i., + part ii., 1882. See p. 92. + + Third Report of the S.P.R. Committee. _Proceedings_, vol. i., + part iii., 1883. See pp. 94, 95. + + Experiments in Thought-Transference, by Malcolm Guthrie. + _Proceedings_, vol. ii., part v., 1884. See pp. 96, 97. + + Experiments in Thought-Transference, by Oliver J. Lodge, D.Sc. + _Proceedings_, vol. ii., part vi., 1884. See pp. 100-102. + + Some Recent Thought-Transference Experiments, by Oliver J. + Lodge. _Proceedings_, vol. vii., part xx., 1891. See p. 104. + + Experiments in Thought-Transference, by Henry G. Rawson. + _Proceedings_, vol. xi., part xxvii., 1894. See pp. 105, 106. + + Experiments in Thought-Transference, by Professor A. P. + Chattock. _Journal S.P.R._, vol. xiii., No. 153, Nov. 1898. See + p. 107. + +During the last few years no important addition appears to have been +made to the series of Thought-Transference Drawings. A revival of +similar experiments would be of great interest and value. + +The question may fairly be asked, What have these Thought-Transference +Drawings to do with the Physical Phenomena of Spiritualism? A reply is +easily given. The reader is referred to a passage in the concluding +chapter, quoted from Mr. Myers, in which he claims an exalted position +for Telepathy, as almost the fundamental doctrine of Spiritualistic +Philosophy. He speaks of the beginning of Telepathy as a +"quasi-mechanical transference of ideas and images from one to another +brain." The Thought-Transference Drawings constitute the primary +evidence of this. They may be looked upon as constituting the physical +basis of a belief in Thought-Transference, and therefore as the physical +basis of a belief in Telepathy, the action of which, as Mr. Myers says, +"was traced across a gulf greater than any space of earth or ocean--it +bridged the interval between spirits incarnate and discarnate." Thus we +may look upon these Thought-Transference Drawings as supplying the +chief--perhaps the only--physical basis for a belief in one of the main +doctrines of spiritualism. Hence they legitimately find a place in the +present examination. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[64] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. i. p. 13. + +[65] A list of all the publications of the Society for Psychical +Research, with prices of the different volumes and parts, can be +obtained from the Secretary, at the Society's Rooms, 20 Hanover Square, +London, W. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +MATERIALISATIONS + + +By "materialisation," in this chapter, is not meant the production of +more or less complete portions of the human body--generally hands--a +phenomenon alleged to be frequent in spiritualistic circles. A +"materialisation" of the whole figure is meant, the production of a +figure which to the spectator appears as a new human being, so to speak, +occasionally exhibiting signs of independent organic life. Such a +phenomenon would be the most astounding that can well be imagined. I am +not in a position to offer any scientific evidence in its support. By +far the majority of the accounts which have been published of full form +"materialisations" are destitute of any evidential value, and in many +cases the circumstantial evidence for fraud is strong. Were it not for a +small number of cases which present _primâ facie_ evidence of a +different character, the question of the reality of this phase of +"mediumship" would be scarcely worth raising. But the existence of even +a small amount of evidence of such a kind raises the question into a +different position, to one which reasonably demands the searching +investigation of scientific men. I propose to give one illustration only +of this better class of evidence, but it is one in which common-sense +precautions against deception seem to have been carefully taken. + +The following extracts are from a report made by Mr. J. Slater, and +published in _The Two Worlds_ of 15th February 1895:-- + + "IS MATERIALISATION A FACT? YES. SCIENTIFIC PROOF. + + "After the recent suspicions and exposures of materialising + mediums, I determined to take the first opportunity of applying + further and more stringent tests, which should absolutely + preclude the possibility of deception. For this purpose I wrote + to the Middlesbro' materialising medium, asking for a test + sitting, and stating the conditions--which he readily + accepted.... + + "The conditions were that he should strip to the skin 'naked as + he was born,' and in the presence of witnesses dress in clothes + to be supplied by me.... + + "I made him understand that after he had dressed in the clothes + supplied by me, he must consider himself in my charge, and must + not attempt to do or touch anything, or go anywhere except to + the chair provided for him. He readily agreed to this, and + imposed upon himself a still further test, viz. that as soon as + the phenomena had ceased, he would instantly place himself in + our charge, to be held fast until the light was turned up, and + the company had retired to the next room, the same process of + undressing being gone through." + +This was all carried out preliminary to a seance, and a final +examination of the room was made. + +"The light was then lowered so that we could just see each other--the +company sang a hymn, a prayer was offered, and then came the crisis--to +be or not to be? In less than a minute a form of exceeding whiteness +appeared at the opening of the curtain; I should judge the height to be +three feet six inches or a little more. We could not distinguish the +face. The form appeared twice. Then a child form appeared, its raiment +white, luminous and very distinct. Then came the well-known and lively +black child, opening the curtain with her small arms and bowing +repeatedly to us. This child would be about two and a half feet in +height. The folds of shining drapery hung from her head in gipsy +fashion, which she opened for us to see her round black face. I was +quite close to her, but did not pat her face and woolly head as I have +done before. She climbed upon the medium's knee, and then came close to +us again, and then disappeared.... + +"The meeting then concluded with prayer and doxology. We then seized +hold of the medium's hands, and held him until the company retired, and +then went through the undressing and dressing process as before, every +article of clothing being rigidly examined as removed. We then searched +the corner as before, and found all intact, and not a sign anywhere of +the abundance of drapery we had seen." + +Sixteen ladies and gentlemen present at the meeting allowed their names +to be published as a testimony to what they saw. The evidential value of +the seance depends entirely on the honesty and truthfulness of Mr. +Slater and of the two friends who assisted him in the carrying out of +the precautions taken. + +Mr. Slater had been in the York Post Office for over thirty years, and +for nearly seven years before his death in 1902 had occupied the +position of superintendent. Mr. Slater was a frequent contributor to the +newspaper press of his own district, and also occasionally to other +periodicals. He appears to have been a man of considerable intelligence +and force of character, and to have been widely respected. I am informed +by Mr. J. P. Slater, a son of Mr. J. Slater, and who is in the Post +Office at York, that the name of the "Middlesbro' medium" was Kenwin, +and that he was an "ordinary working man" in some steel works. He died +six or seven years ago. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +"SPIRIT PHOTOGRAPHY" + + +For over thirty years photographs have been taken in London, on which, +when they were developed, figures appeared for the presence of which +there seemed to be no physical cause. They appeared both with +professional photographers and in private studios. Two or three +professional photographers laid themselves out to encourage such +appearances. Others were annoyed by them. One in particular, whom I knew +personally, was greatly annoyed in this way, fearing it might injure his +business. Naturally, but unfortunately, the term "spirit photographs" +was invented. Unfortunately, because, granting the reality and +genuineness of some of the results, it by no means follows that a +"spirit" stood or sat for its portrait, as a human sitter does. +Naturally also, various explanations were soon alleged, two being, +either that the plates had been used before, and had been imperfectly +cleaned, or that the results were produced by deliberate artifice and +fraud on the part of the photographer. There is no doubt that artificial +results can be obtained in a variety of ways, which are extremely +difficult, if not impossible to distinguish from the professed genuine +article. It may therefore be said that no examination of a professed +"spirit photograph," or as we should prefer to call it, a "psychic +photograph," is sufficient to determine its nature and origin. The true +test must be sought for in the conditions under which the photograph was +taken. Very few of those who have had to do with "spirit photography" +have possessed the necessary technical knowledge, and also been +sufficiently careful, in the various stages of the process. The result +is that scarcely any of the photographs shown as "spirit photographs" +possess any evidential value. In common with several other alleged +phenomena, but little attention has been given to the subject by +scientific men, or by trained experimenters. + +The most notable exception to this which I am able to quote is that of +the late Mr. J. Traill Taylor, who was for a considerable time the +editor of the _British Journal of Photography_. The following quotations +are from a paper on "Spirit Photography" by Mr. Taylor. It was +originally read before the London and Provincial Photographic +Association in March 1893, and was reprinted in the _British Journal of +Photography_ for 26th May 1904, shortly after Mr. Taylor's death. + +"Spirit photography, so called, has of late been asserting its existence +in such a manner and to such an extent as to warrant competent men in +making an investigation, conducted under stringent test conditions, into +the circumstances under which such photographs are produced, and +exposing the fraud should it prove to be such, instead of pooh-poohing +it as insensate because we do not understand how it can be otherwise--a +position that scarcely commends itself as intelligent or philosophical. +If, in what follows, I call it 'spirit photography' instead of psychic +photography, it is only in deference to a nomenclature that extensively +prevails.... I approach the subject merely as a photographer." + +Mr. Traill Taylor then gives a history of the earlier manifestations of +"Spirit Photography," and goes on to explain how striking phenomena in +photographing what is invisible to the eye may be produced by the agency +of fluorescence. He quotes the demonstration by Dr. Gladstone, F.R.S., +at the Bradford Meeting of the British Association in 1873, showing that +invisible drawings on white cards have produced bold and clear +photographs when no eye could see the drawings themselves. Hence, as Mr. +Taylor says, the photographing of an invisible image is not +scientifically impossible. + +Mr. Taylor then proceeds to describe some personal experiments. He says: +"For several years I have experienced a strong desire to ascertain by +personal investigation the amount of truth in the ever-recurring +allegation that figures other than those visually present in the room +appeared on a sensitive plate.... Mr. D., of Glasgow, in whose presence +psychic photographs have long been alleged to be obtained, was lately in +London on a visit, and a mutual friend got him to consent to extend his +stay in order that I might try to get a psychic photograph under test +conditions. To this he willingly agreed. My conditions were exceedingly +simple, were courteously expressed to the host, and entirely acquiesced +in. They were, that I for the nonce would assume them all to be +tricksters, and to guard against fraud, should use my own camera and +unopened packages of dry plates purchased from dealers of repute, and +that I should be excused from allowing a plate to go out of my own hand +till after development unless I felt otherwise disposed; but that as I +was to treat them as under suspicion, so must they treat me, and that +every act I performed must be in the presence of two witnesses; nay, +that I would set a watch upon my own camera in the guise of a duplicate +one of the same focus--in other words, I would use a binocular +stereoscopic camera and dictate all the conditions of operation.... + +"Dr. G. was the first sitter, and for a reason known to myself, I used a +monocular camera. I myself took the plate out of a packet just +previously ripped up under the surveillance of my two detectives. I +placed the slide in my pocket, and exposed it by magnesium ribbon which +I held in my own hand, keeping one eye, as it were, on the sitter, and +the other on the camera. There was no background. I myself took the +plate from the dark slide, and, under the eyes of the two detectives, +placed it in the developing dish. Between the camera and the sitter a +female figure was developed, rather in a more pronounced form than that +of the sitter.... I submit this picture.... I do not recognise her or +any of the other figures I obtained, as like any one I know.... + +"Many experiments of like nature followed; on some plates were abnormal +appearances, on others none. All this time, Mr. D. the medium, during +the exposure of the plates, was quite inactive.... + +"The psychic figures behaved badly. Some were in focus. Others not so. +Some were lighted from the right, while the sitter was so from the left; +some were comely, ... others not so. Some monopolised the major portion +of the plate, quite obliterating the material sitters. Others were as if +an atrociously-badly vignetted portrait ... were held up behind the +sitter. But here is the point:--Not one of these figures which came out +so strongly in the negative, was visible in any form or shape to me +during the time of exposure in the camera, and I vouch in the strongest +manner for the fact that no one whatever had an opportunity of tampering +with any plate anterior to its being placed in the dark slide or +immediately preceding development. Pictorially they are vile, but how +came they there? + +"Now all this time, I imagine you are wondering how the stereoscopic +camera was behaving itself as such. It is due to the psychic entities to +say that whatever was produced on one half of the stereoscopic plates +was produced on the other, alike good or bad in definition. But on a +careful examination of one which was rather better than the other, ... I +deduce this fact, that the impressing of the spirit form was not +consentaneous with that of the sitter. This I consider an important +discovery. I carefully examined one in the stereoscope, and found that, +while the two sitters were stereoscopic _per se_, the psychic figure was +absolutely flat. I also found that the psychic figure was at least a +millimetre higher up in one than the other. Now, as both had been +simultaneously exposed, it follows to demonstration that, although both +were correctly placed vertically in relation to the particular sitter +behind whom the figure appeared, and not so horizontally, this figure +had not only not been impressed on the plate simultaneously with the two +gentlemen forming the group, but had not been formed by the lens at all, +and that therefore the psychic image might be produced without a camera. +I think this is a fair deduction. But still the question obtrudes: How +came these figures there? I again assert that the plates were not +tampered with by either myself or any one present. Are they +crystallisations of thought? Have lens and light really nothing to do +with their formation? The whole subject was mysterious enough on the +hypothesis of an invisible spirit, whether a thought projection or an +actual spirit, being really there in the vicinity of the sitter, but it +is now a thousand times more so.... + +"In the foregoing I have confined myself as closely as possible to +narrating how I conducted a photographic experiment open to every one to +make, avoiding stating any hypothesis or belief of my own on the +subject." + +Two years later, in May 1895, the spiritualists held a General +Conference in London, the proceedings of which extended over several +days. At one of the meetings Mr. Traill Taylor read a paper under the +title--"Are Spirit Photographs necessarily the Photographs of Spirits?" +An abstract of this paper appears in _Light_ (18th May 1895), and it is +printed in full in _Borderland_ (July 1895). At the commencement of the +paper, Mr. Taylor explained that light is the agent in the production of +an ordinary photograph; but he says: "I have ascertained, to my own +satisfaction at any rate, that light so called, so far as concerns the +experiments I have made, has nothing to do with the production of a +psychic picture, and that the lens and camera of the photographer are +consequently useless incumbrances." Following this up, Mr. Taylor says: +"It was the realisation of this that enabled me at a certain seance +recently held, at which many cameras were in requisition, to obtain +certain abnormal figures on my plates when all others failed to do so. +After withdrawing the slide from the camera, I wrapped it up in the +velvet focussing cloth and requested the medium to hold it in his hand, +giving him no clue as to my reason for doing so. A general conversation +favoured the delay in proceeding to the developing room for about five +or more minutes, during which the medium still held the wrapped-up +slide. I then relieved him of it, and in the presence of others applied +the developer, which brought to view figures in addition to that of the +sitter." + +In making a categorical reply to the question which forms the title of +his paper, Mr. Taylor replies--"No"--and gives various "surmises" to +account for recognisable likenesses having been obtained. At the end of +his paper Mr. Taylor says:-- + +"The influence of the mind of the medium in the obtaining of +psychographs might be deduced from the fact of pictures having been +obtained of angels with wings, a still popular belief of some, as +ridiculous in its conception as it is false in its anatomy, but still no +less true in its photo-pictorial outcome. This does not in the slightest +degree impair the genuineness and honesty of the medium, but it inspires +me, a disbeliever in the wing notion, with the belief that +spirit-photographs are not necessarily photographs of spirits. + +"A concluding word: A medium may, on passing through a picture gallery, +become impressed by some picture which, although forgotten soon after, +may yet make a persistent appearance on his negative on subsequent +occasions. My caution is that if such be published as a spirit +photograph, care must be taken that no copyright of such picture is +infringed. I have cases of this nature in my mind's eye, but time does +not permit of this being enlarged upon, else I could have recited +several instances." + +It would be extremely interesting if we could have had these "several +instances" recited. At all events, what Mr. Traill Taylor says is +suggestive, and is well worth being borne in mind by any one +investigating the subject. Some careful experiments have been made of +late years, mostly, so far as I have heard, with inconclusive, or +discouraging results. But I am not aware of any serious sustained study +of the question by any English photographer since Mr. Traill Taylor's +death. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +THE SUMMING UP OF THE WHOLE MATTER + + +In the preceding chapters the chief endeavour has been to present the +scientific evidence in favour of the reality of a mass of alleged +phenomena, so far unrecognised by science as facts. The chief object is +to arouse interest, and to excite inquiry and investigation. It is +difficult to imagine a more attractive undiscovered country than that +which lies just outside the realm of recognised science, in the +direction of such phenomena as have been under consideration. It is a +country teeming with wonders, and with miraculous occurrences of endless +variety. Miraculous to us, inasmuch as they are not subject to any "Laws +of Nature" which we have discovered. The marvel is that there is not a +rush of explorers into fields incomparably more fascinating than North +or South Pole can present, and containing more treasure than gold-fields +or diamond mines can ever yield. + +The two chapters devoted to phenomena occurring in the presence of D. D. +Home and W. Stainton Moses demand special reference. It is difficult to +imagine two men differing more widely in almost every respect. Mr. Myers +describes the even tenour of Mr. Stainton Moses' "straightforward and +reputable life" as "inwoven with a chain of mysteries, which ... make +that life one of the most extraordinary which our century has seen."[66] +He was a scholar, a literary man, and a clergyman of the Church of +England. He had no worldly ambition or fondness for what is called +"Society." Mr. D. D. Home, on the contrary, does not appear to have been +a man who could have been termed a religious character, or +spiritually-minded, nor did he give evidence of intellectual talent. But +he had gained access to some of the highest society in Europe. And yet +both men were "mediums" for these curious phenomena, to a wonderful +extent, both as regards the amount and the variety of the +manifestations. Although the two men were so different, there is a +parallelism in the phenomena in so many respects, that a similar origin +or source seems inevitably suggested. There were peculiarities special +to each, but untouched movements of heavy articles, "levitations," +lights, and sounds, were phenomena common to both. From whence does this +"chain of mysteries" come? Is the source to be sought for in +undiscovered powers and faculties of the men themselves, or in the +action of other intelligences? That is a problem which must be left. It +is outside the scope of this inquiry, which deals solely with the +establishment of physical facts. But where can any other field be found +of equal interest? Difficulties and perplexities meet the explorer in +abundance. But they exist in order to be overcome by the same steady +persistence which has attained its reward in many another direction. + +With regard to two other chapters I desire also to make a special +remark--those on "Materialisations" and "Spirit Photography." Both are +physical phenomena. But I desire to make it plain that no claim is made +of being able to present evidence with regard to either of these +subjects which should satisfy the reasonable demands of science. It may +be asked--Why then introduce them at all? For two reasons: (1) Because +the evidence in favour of both is only just outside the boundary of +scientific demonstration. (2) Because of the extreme interest of the +phenomena themselves. + +As to "Materialisations." Out of an immense mass of testimony, most of +it of no evidential value, one case has been selected where more than +ordinary care seems to have been taken. But the phenomenon is so +marvellous, especially in its more perfect alleged phases, when the +"materialised" form is scarcely distinguishable from a living breathing +human being, that the inquirer is bound to hold his judgment in suspense +until the last possible moment. + +Again as to "Spirit Photography." The term "Psychic Photography" would +be far preferable, as implying no theory. The experiences of Mr. J. +Traill Taylor, which I have selected as the sole illustration, appear to +leave no moral doubt but that under certain circumstances photographs +are produced which known laws are unable to explain. Definite and +recognisable human figures and faces are thus obtained. But this is a +very long way from proving that "spirits" sit or stand before the camera +for their photographs to be taken! + +If some trained experimenter in scientific research, who possesses an +unbiassed mind, would devote himself for two or three years to the study +of either of these classes of phenomena, it is almost a certainty that +he would be richly rewarded. Is there no one who will enter upon the +task? + +There is one large group of evidence, embracing most of the phenomena +which have been under consideration, from which I had hoped to make +copious selections, with pleasure to myself, and with interest to the +reader. No living scientist has bestowed so large an amount of study on +"certain phenomena usually termed spiritualistic" as Sir William +Crookes. As long ago as the year 1874, Sir William Crookes gave +permission for the reprint of a limited number of copies of various +articles which he had contributed to the periodical literature of the +day. These, with some other original matter, were published under the +title of "Researches in the Phenomena of Spiritualism." That volume has +long been out of print. In 1890, an article by Sir William Crookes, +under the title of "Notes of Seances with D. D. Home," was published in +volume vi. of the _Proceedings_ of the Society for Psychical Research. +He also referred to his experiences with D. D. Home, in two addresses +delivered at meetings of the Society in 1894 and in 1899. These are +reported in the _Journal_ of the Society. Sir William Crookes also +devoted a portion of his address, as President of the British +Association in 1898, to a reference to the part he took many years +before in psychical research. This portion of the address was reprinted +in volume xiv. of the _Proceedings_ of the Society. + +Considerations, which cannot be entered into here, compel me, however, +to be content with referring the reader to the publications mentioned, +a study of which will, I think, bring conviction that the scientific +evidence they contain would, even if it stood alone, be amply sufficient +to prove the reality of the alleged phenomena.[67] + + * * * * * + +We are now warranted in the assertion that we have arrived at this +position: That the careful reader is compelled to admit that the +evidence in favour of a variety of alleged physical phenomena being +undoubted facts, is too strong to be resisted. We are accustomed to say +in ordinary life, the proof of this or that is complete. The man of +science is accustomed to say in his own sphere of inquiry, the proof of +this or that is complete. Applying the same rules of evidence to +physical phenomena generally called spiritualistic, we are bound to +admit that in regard to many of them the proof of their reality is +complete. Yet these facts are not recognised by the world of science, +and are scarcely deemed worthy of any serious attention by the majority +of intelligent people. + +It may be worth while to consider for a few moments the mode in which +new knowledge enters the mind. By new knowledge is meant not extension +of existing knowledge, but facts of a new order, such, for instance, as +the rising of a heavy dining table into the air without any recognised +physical cause being apparent. The difficulty of admitting new facts of +this kind to the mind is not confined to any one class of people. +Indeed the difficulty appears to be greater in the case of highly +educated people than among the comparatively uninformed. Sir Oliver +Lodge has recently said: "What does a 'proof' mean? A proof means +destroying the isolation of an observed fact or experience by linking it +on with all pre-existent knowledge; it means the bringing it into its +place in the system of knowledge; and it affords the same sort of +gratification as finding the right place for a queer-shaped piece in a +puzzle-map. Do not let these puzzle-maps go out of fashion; they afford +a most useful psychological illustration; the foundation of every +organised system of truth is bound up with them.... It is because a +number of phenomena, such as clairvoyance, physical movement without +contact, and other apparent abnormalities and unusualnesses, cannot at +present be linked on with the rest of knowledge in a coherent stream--it +is for that reason that they are not, as yet, generally recognised as +true; they stand at present outside the realms of science; they will be +presently incorporated into that kingdom, and annexed by the progress of +discovery."[68] + +Mr. F. C. S. Schiller, in an article in the _Proceedings_ of the Society +for Psychical Research, expresses a similar thought in a different +manner. He says:-- + +"A mind unwilling to believe, or even undesirous to be instructed, our +weightiest evidence must ever fail to impress. It will insist on taking +that evidence in bits, and rejecting it item by item. The man therefore +who announces his intention of waiting until a single absolutely +conclusive bit of evidence turns up, is really a man _not_ open to +conviction, and if he is a logician, _he knows it_. For modern logic has +made it plain that single facts can never be 'proved,' except by their +coherence in a system. But as all the facts come singly, any one who +dismisses them one by one, is destroying the conditions under which the +conviction of new truth could arise in his mind."[69] + +Mr. Myers, in summing up the evidence in the case of Mr. Stainton Moses, +dwells on the importance of simple repetition. This, though practically +effective, is scarcely a scientific consideration. A fact is none the +less a fact on account of the rarity of its occurrence, any more than +the existence of a rare animal or plant is rendered questionable by the +fewness of the number of specimens which have been found. + +An interesting chapter might be written under the title of "The +History of the Growth in the Belief in Hypnotism during the last +Twenty-five Years." One episode that would be included in such a +history may be worth quoting here as illustrating the present subject. +As recently as 1891, the British Medical Association appointed a +Committee, consisting of eleven of its number, "to investigate the +nature of the phenomena of hypnotism, its value as a therapeutic +agent, and the propriety of using it." This Committee presented a +Report at the Annual Meeting in the following year. In the first +paragraph they solemnly stated that they "have satisfied themselves of +the genuineness of the hypnotic state" (!). They also expressed the +"opinion that as a therapeutic agent hypnotism is frequently effective +in relieving pain, procuring sleep, and alleviating many functional +ailments" (!). They are also of opinion that its "employment for +therapeutic purposes should be confined to qualified medical men." + +The Association referred this unanimous Report of its Committee back for +further consideration. In 1893 the Committee presented it again, with +the addition of an important Appendix, consisting of "some documentary +evidence upon which the Report was based." On this occasion it was moved +and seconded, that the Report should lie on the table. It was suggested +that the amendment to this effect be so altered as to read that the +Report be received only, and the Committee thanked for their services. +Finally, a resolution to this effect was carried. The most strongly +worded recommendation of the Report was that some legal restriction +should be placed on public exhibitions of hypnotic phenomena. This was +only twelve years ago, and was five or six years subsequent to the +publication of some of Mr. Edmund Gurney's most important series of +experiments in hypnotism in the _Proceedings_ of the Society for +Psychical Research. The "reception only" of the Report was also two or +three years subsequent to a demonstration of hypnotic anæsthesia which +Dr. J. Milne Bramwell gave at Leeds to a large gathering of medical men. +One result of that gathering was that Dr. Bramwell decided to abandon +general practice and devote himself to hypnotic work. Dr. Bramwell +says:-- + +"As I was well aware of the fate that had awaited earlier pioneers in +the same movement, I naturally expected to meet with opposition and +misrepresentation. These have been encountered, it is true; but the +friendly help and encouragement received have been immeasurably greater. +I have also had many opportunities of placing my views before my +professional brethren, both by writing and speaking;" to which Dr. +Bramwell somewhat naively adds--"opportunities all the more valued, +because almost always unsolicited."[70] + +An incident which occurred in connection with the most sensational case +of "levitation" recorded of D. D. Home, is very instructive as +illustrating the great care that is needful in estimating the value of +testimony regarding spiritualistic phenomena, even of statements made by +persons of established reputation and position. + +The Joint Report of Professor Barrett and Mr. Myers, from which extracts +were made in Chapter V., says:-- + +"Lords Lindsay and Adare had printed a statement that Home floated out +of the window, and in at another, in Ashley Place, S.W., 16th December +1868. A third person, Captain Wynne, was present at the time, but had +written no separate account. Dr. Carpenter, in an article in the +_Contemporary Review_ for January 1876, thus commented on the +incident:-- + +"'The most diverse accounts of the _facts_ of a seance will be given by +a believer and a sceptic. A whole party of believers will affirm that +they saw Mr. Home float out of one window, and in at another, while a +single honest sceptic declares that Mr. Home was sitting in his chair +all the time. And in this last case we have an example of a fact, of +which there is ample illustration, that during the prevalence of an +epidemic delusion, the honest testimony of any number of individuals on +one side, if given under a prepossession, is of no more weight than that +of a single adverse witness--if so much.' + +"This passage was of course quoted as implying that Captain Wynne had +somewhere made a statement contradicting Lords Lindsay and Adare. Home +wrote to him to inquire; and he replied ... in the following terms:-- + +"'I remember that Dr. Carpenter wrote some nonsense about that trip of +yours along the side of the house in Ashley Place. I wrote to the +_Medium_ to say that I was present as a witness. Now I don't think that +any one who knows me would for one moment say that I was a victim to +hallucination or any other humbug of the kind. The fact of your having +gone out of the window and in at the other I can swear to.'" + +"It seems, therefore, that the instance selected by Dr. Carpenter to +prove the existence of a hallucination--by the exemption of one person +present from the illusion--was of a very unfortunate kind; suggesting, +indeed, that a controversialist thus driven to draw on his imagination +for his facts must have been conscious of a weak case."[71] + +It may be interesting, in concluding this brief examination into one +branch of the great subject of "Spiritualism," to bring together a few +of the impressions produced on the minds of some of the leading +investigators. It should not be forgotten that the branch of the subject +which we have been studying may be looked upon as representing the +lowest steps only of a great staircase which ascends, until, to our +gaze, it is lost in unknown infinite heights. It is only the foot of a +ladder, to use another simile, resting on the material earth, which we +have been considering; at most the two or three lowest rungs. But to the +eyes of some, even now and here, glimpses of angels ascending and +descending are visible. + +Five names stand out prominently before all others among the earlier +investigators of the last thirty years--Sir William Crookes and +Professor W. F. Barrett, who are still with us; and Professor Henry +Sidgwick, Edmund Gurney, and F. W. H. Myers, who have gone. Sir William +Crookes' work in other directions has been all-absorbing, so that all he +has been able to tell us during the last few years, in relation to our +present subject, is that he had nothing to add to, and nothing to +retract from what he has said in the past. In his address as President +of the British Association in 1898, Sir William Crookes said, after +referring to his work of thirty years ago:-- + +"I think I see a little further now. I have glimpses of something like +coherence among the strange elusive phenomena, of something like +continuity between those unexplained forces, and laws already known.... +Were I now introducing for the first time these inquiries to the world +of science, I should choose a starting-point different from that of old. +It would be well to begin with Telepathy; with the fundamental law, as I +believe it to be, that thoughts and images may be transferred from one +mind to another without the agency of the recognised organs of +sense--that knowledge may enter the human mind without being +communicated in any hitherto known or recognised ways."[72] + +For Professor Barrett's present views the reader is referred to his +address as President of the Society for Psychical Research delivered in +January 1904.[73] It is full of interest, but is not easy to quote from. +Speaking of "spiritualistic phenomena," he says: "We must all agree that +indiscriminate condemnation on the one hand, and ignorant credulity on +the other, are the two most mischievous elements with which we are +confronted in connection with this subject. It is because we, as a +Society, feel that in the fearless pursuit of truth, it is the paramount +duty of science to lead the way, that the scornful attitude of the +scientific world towards even the investigation of these phenomena is so +much to be deprecated.... I suppose we are all apt to fancy our own +power of discernment and of sound judgment to be somewhat better than +our neighbours. But after all, is it not the common-sense, the care, the +patience, and the amount of uninterrupted attention we bestow upon any +psychical phenomena we are investigating, that gives value to the +opinion at which we arrive, and not the particular cleverness or +scepticism of the observer? The lesson we all need to learn is, that +what even the humblest of men _affirm_, from their own experience, is +always worth listening to, but what even the cleverest of men, in their +ignorance, deny, is never worth a moment's attention."[74] + +As regards Professor Sidgwick, the experimental work of the Society for +Psychical Research soon convinced him that Thought-Transference, or +Telepathy, was a fact. In an address in 1889, after speaking of the +probabilities of testimony given being false, he says:-- + +"It is for this reason that I feel that a part of my grounds for +believing in Telepathy, depending as it does on personal knowledge, +cannot be communicated except in a weakened form to the ordinary reader +of the printed statements which represent the evidence that has +convinced me. Indeed I feel this so strongly that I have always made it +my highest ambition as a psychical researcher to produce evidence which +will drive my opponents to doubt my honesty or veracity; I think there +are a very small minority who will not doubt them, and that if I can +convince them I have done all that I can do: as regards the majority of +my own acquaintances I should claim no more than an admission that they +were considerably surprised to find me in the trick."[75] + +I am not aware that Professor Sidgwick ever expressed any opinion as to +the reality of the ordinary physical spiritualistic manifestations. It +is clear that he believed a large proportion to have been fraudulently +produced. As to some psychical phenomena, his convictions were very +strong. For instance, in the final paragraph of the "Report on +Hallucinations," which occupies the whole of the tenth volume of the +_Proceedings_ of the Society, and to which he appended his name, these +two sentences occur: "Between deaths and apparitions of the dying person +a connection exists which is not due to chance alone. This we hold as a +proved fact."[76] And Professor Sidgwick speaks of this as corroborating +the conclusion already drawn by Mr. Gurney nearly ten years earlier. + +Mr. Edmund Gurney's name stands next. His earthly work came to a sudden +termination in 1888. "Phantasms of the Living" is his enduring memorial. +Although two other names are associated with his on the title-page, the +greater part of the two volumes was written by him alone. For most of +the views expressed Mr. Gurney is solely responsible. In a chapter +devoted to "The Theory of Chance-Coincidence" as an explanation of the +order of natural phenomena to which "Phantasms of the Living" belong, +Mr. Gurney says:-- + +"Figures, one is sometimes told, can be made to prove anything; but I +confess I should be curious to see the figures by which the theory of +chance-coincidence could here be proved adequate to the facts. Whatever +group of phenomena be selected, and whatever method of reckoning be +adopted, probabilities are hopelessly and even ludicrously +overpassed."[77] + +This is the conclusion referred to above by Professor Sidgwick. With +exclusively physical phenomena Mr. Gurney did not much concern himself. + +The last of the five names mentioned is that of Mr F. W. H. Myers. The +written testimony he has left behind enables us to obtain a much clearer +view of his conclusions as a whole, than is attainable in the case of +Professor Sidgwick and Mr. Gurney. The convictions which he came to in +regard to the two most notable "mediums" in the history of modern +spiritualism--D. D. Home and W. Stainton Moses--are evidence that he +believed in most of the alleged phenomena being proved realities. These +convictions are so important from such a careful and competent student +of the subject that it is best to quote them in his own words. Of D. D. +Home he said: "If our readers ask us--'Do you desire us to go on +experimenting in these matters, as though Home's phenomena were +genuine?'--we answer 'Yes.'"[78] Of the phenomena which occurred in the +presence of W. Stainton Moses, Mr. Myers said: "That they were not +produced fraudulently by Dr. Speer or other sitters I regard as proved +both by moral considerations and by the fact that they are constantly +reported as occurring when Mr. Moses was alone. That Mr. Moses should +have himself fraudulently produced them, I regard as both morally and +physically incredible. That he should have prepared and produced them in +a state of trance, I regard both as physically incredible, and also as +entirely inconsistent with the tenour both of his own reports and of +those of his friends. I therefore regard the reported phenomena as +having actually occurred in a genuinely supernormal manner."[79] + +At the same time Mr. Myers believed in the existence of a large amount +of conscious and wilful fraud, especially in professional mediumship. + + * * * * * + +There will be no fitter conclusion to this volume than a few passages +from the last chapter, entitled "Epilogue," of "Human Personality," by +Mr. F. W. H. Myers. To a large extent they are appropriate to the +evidence presented in the preceding pages. + +"The task which I proposed to myself at the beginning of this work, is +now, after a fashion, accomplished. Following the successive steps of my +programme, I have presented--not indeed all the evidence I possess, and +which I would willingly present--but enough at least to illustrate a +continuous exposition.... Such wider generalisations as I may now add, +must needs be dangerously speculative; they must run the risk of +alienating still further from this research many of the scientific minds +which I am most anxious to influence.... + +"The inquiry falls between the two stools of religion and science; it +cannot claim support either from the 'religious world' or from the Royal +Society. Yet even apart from the instinct of pure scientific curiosity +(which surely has seldom seen such a field opening before it), the +mighty issues depending on these phenomena ought, I think, to constitute +in themselves a strong, an exceptional appeal. I desire in this book to +emphasise that appeal; not only to produce conviction, but also to +attract co-operation. And actual converse with many persons has led me +to believe that in order to attract such help, even from scientific men, +some general view of the moral upshot of all the phenomena is needed.... +The time is ripe for a study of unseen things as strenuous and sincere +as that which Science has made familiar for the problems of earth." + +Coming now to more definite considerations, Mr. Myers writes thus of +Telepathy, lifting it on to an altogether higher plane: "In the +infinite Universe man may now feel, for the first time, at home. The +worst fear is over; the true security is won. The worst fear was the +fear of spiritual extinction or spiritual solitude. The true security +is in the telepathic law. Let me draw out my meaning at somewhat +greater length. As we have dwelt successively on various aspects of +Telepathy we have gradually felt the conception enlarge and deepen +under our study. It began as a quasi-mechanical transference of ideas +and images from one to another brain." This is illustrated by the +series of Thought-Transference Drawings; almost the only telepathic +manifestation which strictly comes within the scope of our inquiry +into physical phenomena. "Presently we find it assuming a more varied +and potent form, as though it were the veritable influence or invasion +of a distant mind. Again, its action was traced across a gulf greater +than any space of earth or ocean, and it bridged the interval between +spirits incarnate and discarnate, between the visible and the +invisible world. There seemed no limit to the distance of its +operation, or to the intimacy of its appeal.... + +"Love ... is no matter of carnal impulse or of emotional caprice.... +Love is a kind of exalted but unspecialised Telepathy;--the simplest and +most universal expression of that mutual gravitation or kinship of +spirits which is the foundation of the telepathic law. This is the +answer to the ancient fear; the fear lest man's fellowships be the +outward, and his solitude the inward thing.... Such fears vanish when we +learn that it is the soul in man which links him with other souls; the +body which dissevers even while it seems to unite.... Like atoms, like +suns, like galaxies, our spirits are systems of forces which vibrate +continually to each other's attractive power." + +For the further working out of these thoughts the reader must be +referred to Mr. Myers' book itself. After a few pages Mr. Myers +proceeds:-- + +"Our duty [the duty of Psychical Researchers] is not the founding of a +new sect, nor even the establishment of a new science, but is rather the +expansion of Science herself until she can satisfy those questions, +which the human heart will rightly ask, but to which Religion alone has +thus far attempted an answer.... I see our original programme completely +justified.... I see all things coming to pass as we foresaw. What I do +_not_ see, alas! is an energy and capacity of our own, sufficient for +our widening duty.... We invite workers from each department of +science, from every school of thought. With equal confidence we appeal +for co-operation to _savant_ and to saint. + +"To the _savant_ we point out that we are not trying to pick holes in +the order of Nature, but rather by the scrutiny of residual phenomena, +to get nearer to the origin and operation of Nature's central mystery of +Life. Men who realise that the ethereal environment was discovered +yesterday, need not deem it impossible that a metethereal +environment--yet another omnipresent system of cosmic law--should be +discovered to-morrow. The only valid _a priori_ presumption in the +matter, is the presumption that the Universe is infinite in an infinite +number of ways. + +"To the Christian we can speak with a still more direct appeal. You +believe--I would say--that a spiritual world exists, and that it acted +on the material world two thousand years ago. Surely it is so acting +still. Nay, you believe that it is so acting still, for you believe that +prayer is heard and answered. To believe that prayer is heard is to +believe in Telepathy--in the direct influence of mind on mind. To +believe that prayer is answered is to believe that unembodied spirit +does actually modify (even if not storm-cloud or plague-germ) at least +the minds, and therefore the brains, of living men. From that belief the +most advanced 'psychical' theories are easy corollaries." + +A few more lines in conclusion:-- + +"It may be that for some generations to come the truest faith will lie +in the patient attempt to unravel from confused phenomena some trace of +the supernal world;--to find thus at last 'the substance of things +hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.' I confess, indeed, that I +have often felt as though this present age were even unduly +favoured;--as though no future revelation and calm could equal the joy +of this great struggle from doubt into certainty;--from the materialism +or agnosticism which accompany the first advance of Science into the +deeper scientific conviction that there is a deathless soul in man. I +can imagine no other crisis of such deep delight." + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[66] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. ix. p. 252. + +[67] The references to these contributions are: _Proceedings S.P.R._, +vol. vi. pp. 98-127; _Journal S.P.R._, vol. vi. pp. 341-345, and vol. +ix. pp. 147-148; _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. xiv. pp. 2-5. "Researches in +the Phenomena of Spiritualism" will be found in the Libraries of the +Society for Psychical Research, and of the London Spiritualist Alliance. + +[68] "School Teaching and School Reform," by Sir Oliver Lodge, pp. 89, +90. + +[69] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. xviii. p. 419. + +[70] See "Hypnotism: Its History, Practice, and Theory," by J. Milne +Bramwell, M.B., C.M., 1903, pp. 36-39. + +[71] _Journal S.P.R._, vol. iv. pp. 108-109. + +[72] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. xiv. p. 3. + +[73] Ibid., Part XLVIII., 1s. (included in vol. xviii. pp. 323-351). + +[74] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. xviii. pp. 340-341. + +[75] Ibid., vol. vi. p. 5. + +[76] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. x. p. 394. + +[77] "Phantasms of the Living," vol. ii. p. 21. + +[78] _Journal S.P.R._, vol. iv. p. 115. + +[79] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. xi. pp. 24-25. + + + + +THE END + + + Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON, & CO. + Edinburgh & London + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Psychic Phenomena, by Edward T. 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Bennett + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Psychic Phenomena + A Brief Account of the Physical Manifestations Observed + in Psychical Research + +Author: Edward T. Bennett + +Release Date: February 27, 2010 [EBook #31417] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PSYCHIC PHENOMENA *** + + + + +Produced by Robert Baruch and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="title"> +<p class="center"><span class="heading">PSYCHIC<br /> +PHENOMENA</span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="sub">A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE PHYSICAL<br /> +MANIFESTATIONS OBSERVED IN<br /> +PSYCHICAL RESEARCH</span><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="illus">WITH FACSIMILE ILLUSTRATIONS OF<br /> +THOUGHT-TRANSFERENCE DRAWINGS<br /> +AND AUTOMATIC WRITING</span><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="by">BY</span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="author">EDWARD T. BENNETT</span><br /> +<span class="position">ASSISTANT-SECRETARY TO THE SOCIETY OF<br /> +PSYCHICAL RESEARCH, 1882-1902</span><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="position">WITH A FOREWORD BY</span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="author2">SIR OLIVER LODGE</span><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<span class="illus">NEW YORK</span><br /> +<span class="sub">BRENTANO'S</span><br /> +<span class="illus">MCMIX</span></p> +</div> + + +<hr /> + + +<h2>NOTE</h2> + + +<p class="noi note"><span class="smcap">The</span> writer desires to express his sincere thanks to the Council of the +Society for Psychical Research for the permission given to make extracts +from the <i>Proceedings</i> of the Society, from the privately printed +<i>Journal</i>, and from "Phantasms of the Living"; and for allowing the +reproduction of a series of <span class="smcap">Thought-Transference Drawings</span>. Also best +thanks are due to Mrs. Myers, and to Messrs. Longmans, Green & Co., for +permission to make quotations from Mr. F. W. H. Myers' great work, +"Human Personality and its Survival of Bodily Death." Also to Mr. J. +Burns and his brother, for freely granting permission for any use to be +made of the James Burns 1873 Edition of the "Report of the Committee of +the Dialectical Society."</p> + +<p class="right inits">E. T. B.</p> + + +<hr /> + + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[vii]</a></span> +CONTENTS</h2> + + +<table class="toc" summary="Table of Contents"> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"><span class="smcap">Chap.</span></td> +<td class="tdr2" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">Page</span></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr">I.</td> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Introductory</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#I">11</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">II.</td> +<td class="tdl"> <span class="smcap">The Movement of Objects without any Apparent +Physical Cause</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#II">16</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">III.</td> +<td class="tdl"> <span class="smcap">The Production of Sound without any Apparent +Physical Cause</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#III">31</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">IV.</td> +<td class="tdl"> <span class="smcap">The Appearance of Light without any Apparent +Physical Cause</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#IV">35</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">V.</td> +<td class="tdl"> <span class="smcap">Physical Phenomena in the Presence of +Daniel Dunglas Home</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#V">41</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">VI.</td> +<td class="tdl"> <span class="smcap">Physical Phenomena in the Presence of W. +Stainton Moses</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#VI">58</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">VII.</td> +<td class="tdl"> <span class="smcap">The Divining Rod</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#VII">76</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">VIII.</td> +<td class="tdl"> <span class="smcap">Thought-Transference Drawings</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#VIII">89</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">IX.</td> +<td class="tdl"> <span class="smcap">Materialisations</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#IX">109</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">X.</td> +<td class="tdl"> <span class="smcap">"Spirit Photography"</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#X">113</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XI.</td> +<td class="tdl"> <span class="smcap">The Summing Up of the Whole Matter</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#XI">121</a></td> +</tr> +</table> + + +<hr /> + + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> +INTRODUCTION</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Sir OLIVER LODGE</span></h3> + + +<p class="noi"><span class="smcap">Consulted</span> by the publishers as to the production of a small popular +text-book, which should constitute a summary indication of the nature of +the evidence for ultra-normal physical or meta-psychical phenomena, I +suggested Mr. E. T. Bennett as the right man for the task. I have now +seen the proof sheets, and—without making myself in any way responsible +for details—perceive that he has done the work well, and has presented +a satisfactory outline of the testimony for whatever it may be worth. +Concerning its value I will only say that to my mind there comes a stage +at which belief in gratuitous invention and false statement becomes +forced and irrational. With most of the evidence here adduced I have of +course been familiar for years, in its original sources, and am well +aware of the extreme difficulty or impossibility of understanding some +of the alleged facts in any physical or physiological sense; +nevertheless if<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> I am asked whether such impressions can be actually +received and honestly recorded by sane people, and whether I recommend +experiment by careful and competent and unsuperstitious observers as if +a <i>primâ facie</i> case had been made out—that is to say, as if some of +these unusual and hitherto quite unexplained occurrences might possibly +turn out to be true—having laws of their own and constituting an +unopened chapter of science, or rather a new science, uniting +characteristics from physical, chemical, physiological, and +psychological sciences, and throwing new light on the connection between +mind and matter—then, though doubtless the answer will be received with +scorn, I answer unhesitatingly yes.</p> + + + +<hr /> + + +<h2 class="spirit"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> +<a name="Spiritualism" id="Spiritualism"></a>SPIRITUALISM</h2> + + +<h2><a name="I" id="I"></a>CHAPTER I<br /> +<br /> +<span class="sub2">INTRODUCTORY</span></h2> + + +<p class="noi"><span class="smcap">A short</span> title to a book has its advantages. It has also its +disadvantages. It is almost inevitable that it should, on the one hand, +seem to include much more than is intended, and, on the other hand, fail +to convey the purpose of the author. "Geology" would be a tolerably +large subject. "Astronomy" would be vastly larger. But "Spiritualism" is +an infinite subject compared with either, and to suggest that its claims +to scientific study be considered within the compass of a small volume +of not much over a hundred pages seems the height of presumption!</p> + +<p>It will therefore be well at the outset to indicate exactly what it is +proposed to include in the present investigation into "Spiritualism." +The alleged phenomena of Spiritualism may be roughly divided into two +classes—physical and mental. Those which belong entirely to the latter +class are outside the scope of this book. It is proposed to examine +those phenomena of the former class, the reality of which may fairly be +assumed to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> proved by scientific evidence. The scope of the work is +thus reduced to reasonable proportions. There are several groups of +phenomena which appear to violate, or at least to extend in a striking +manner, laws recognised by Physical Science. The evidence to be relied +on will be that of scientific men of high standing, and of other persons +of unquestioned literary and social position.</p> + +<p>There is, however, an important respect, in regard to which this inquiry +is placed in an entirely different position to any ordinary scientific +investigation, and one which adds greatly to the difficulties of the +student. Ordinary experiments conducted in a physical laboratory can be +repeated again and again under similar conditions, and similar results +will follow. If attempts are made to reproduce the phenomena of +Spiritualism, under what appear to be precisely similar conditions, by +means which have previously been successful, failure to obtain the +wished-for results may very probably follow. It is no use to rebel and +to feel inclined to abandon the pursuit as useless! That would be most +unscientific! The inquirer finds himself in the presence of a subtle +elusive influence, which he seems unable to control, and which refuses +to submit to the laws which govern physical experiments. On the other +hand, perseverance may be richly rewarded. An unexplored field of +scientific research of unlimited extent may open itself to view. +Something of that joy may be experienced which the search into the +unknown alone can give.</p> + +<p>Mr. Arthur James Balfour, in an address on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> occasion of the annual +dinner of the Royal Literary Fund, in 1893, said:—</p> + +<p>"My friend, Lord Kelvin, has often talked to me of the future of +science, and he has said words to me about the future of science which +are parallel with the words I have quoted to you about the future of +art, and with the hope which I have expressed to you with respect to +literature. He has told me that to the men of science of to-day it +appears as if we were trembling on the brink of some great scientific +discovery which should give to us a new view of the great forces of +Nature, among which and in the midst of which we move. If this prophecy +be right, and if the other forecasts to which I have alluded be right, +then indeed it is true that we live in an interesting age; then indeed +it is true that we may look forward to a time full of fruit for the +human race—to an age which cannot be sterilised or rendered barren even +by politics."</p> + +<p>There are some advantages which the study of this subject possesses over +most branches of scientific inquiry. In its present early and incomplete +stage the most important thing is the accumulation of carefully observed +and recorded facts. Even as regards Thought-Transference, in which the +number of careful experiments that have been made is far greater than in +any other class of phenomena, it is still most important to multiply the +quantity of the evidence. In most of the branches of the subject no +expensive apparatus is required, and no special scientific or +intellectual training. Accurate observation and careful recording, at +the time, of all that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> occurs, without prejudice, and without +discouragement at apparent failure, are the chief requisites. Any +person, or small group of persons of ordinary intelligence, can train +themselves to be equal to this. A very simple instance occurred in the +earliest experiences of the writer. After three or four sittings round a +small table with two friends, at which there was meaningless tipping, +and nothing better than commonplace sentences, the following was tipped +out: "Try no more to move"—then this succession of letters—"a t a t +a." It seemed useless to go on with nonsense, but one of the party +suggested perseverance; when the following conclusion converted seeming +nonsense into sense: "b l e take a pencil and write." The result was +that one of the party rapidly developed into an interesting automatic +writer.</p> + +<p>It is quite impossible to foretell the extent of the aid that may not be +given, in the explanation of some of these phenomena, by the persevering +experiments of intelligent inquirers.</p> + +<p>In the following chapters facts relating to several different kinds of +phenomena are put before the reader, as to which the guarantee of +authenticity and the quality of the evidence are both unimpeachable.</p> + +<p>It is not proposed to travel all over the world in search of evidence; +the illustrations will be drawn almost entirely from home sources. With +all due respect to friends in distant parts, it will doubtless be a +satisfaction to some readers to know that in these pages they will not +meet with Mrs. Piper on the one hand, nor with Eusapia Paladino on the +other.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span>With these few introductory remarks a calm and dispassionate +consideration of the evidence presented is invited. First of all, three +classes of phenomena will be taken up in the following order:—</p> + +<p>(1) The Movement of Objects without any apparent Physical Cause.</p> + +<p>(2) The Production of Sound without any apparent Physical Cause.</p> + +<p>(3) The Production of Light without any apparent Physical Cause.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span>Two chapters will then be devoted to a study of the phenomena exhibited +in the lives of two of the most noted "mediums" of modern times—Daniel +Dunglas Home and William Stainton Moses. Both present manifestations +of phenomena belonging to the three classes above-named, as well as +striking examples of other kinds. A chapter on the "Divining Rod" will +follow. Then a chapter on one of the forms of Thought-Transference, +one which allows of its being included among physical phenomena. +Two brief chapters will come next on "Spirit Photography" and on +"Materialisations." It is explained that these are included, not +because of any scientific evidence in their favour which can be +quoted, but because of the extreme interest and importance of the +subjects themselves, and also because the strong testimony and moral +evidence in support of their reality seem to promise a tempting field +for the scientific explorer, and to warrant a confident belief that +the evidence he desires will be forthcoming. In a final chapter an +endeavour is made to sum up results and conclusions.</p> + + + +<hr /> + + +<h2><a name="II" id="II"></a>CHAPTER II<br /> +<br /> +<span class="sub2">THE MOVEMENT OF OBJECTS WITHOUT<br /> +ANY APPARENT PHYSICAL CAUSE</span></h2> + + +<h3><span class="smcap">The Committee of the Dialectical Society</span></h3> + +<p class="noi"><span class="smcap">So</span> far as I am aware, the first systematic or scientific attempt to +investigate the alleged phenomenon of the movement of objects without +any apparent physical cause was made by the London Dialectical Society +in the year 1869. On the motion of Dr. James Edmunds, a Committee was +appointed "to investigate the Phenomena alleged to be Spiritual +Manifestations, and to report thereon." The names of twenty-eight +members were proposed. Three of these declined to act. Eight more names +were added, so that the Committee, as finally constituted, consisted of +thirty-three, three of whom were ladies. Among the best-known names were +H. G. Atkinson, F.G.S.; Charles Bradlaugh; E. W. Cox, serjeant-at-law; +Rev. C. Maurice Davies, D.D.; Charles R. Drysdale, M.D.; James Edmunds, +M.D.; Robert Hannah; H. D. Jencken, barrister-at-law; William Volckman; +and Dr. Alfred Russel Wallace, F.R.S. It is believed that Robert Hannah +and Dr. Alfred Russel Wallace are the only survivors.</p> + +<p>In order to investigate the phenomena in question by personal experiment +and test, the Committee resolved itself into six Sub-Committees. In May +1870 the Committee appointed an Editing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> Committee to prepare a joint +report, based solely on the evidence that had been before it. A month +later the Editing Committee presented a draft report, which with some +trifling verbal alterations was adopted <i>nem dis</i>. A resolution was then +carried that a copy be forwarded to the Council of the Dialectical +Society, with a recommendation that it be printed and published. This +the Council declined to do. Upon this the Committee met and passed the +following resolution:—</p> + +<p>"That the Report be referred to the Editing Committee, and that they be +requested to prepare it for publication, together with any supplementary +or counter reports that may be received from members of the Committee, +and appending thereto the reports of the Sub-Committees, and the +evidence, oral and verbal, that has been collected; the entire work, +when ready for publication, to be submitted for approval to the +Committee."<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a></p> + +<p>Such is the origin of the volume from which the following extracts are +made.<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> Considerations of space necessitate dealing with the work of +one Sub-Committee only. The essential part of the <span class="smcap">Report of +Sub-Committee No. 1</span> is as follows:—</p> + +<p>"Since their appointment on the 16th of February 1869, your +Sub-Committee have held forty meetings for the purpose of experiment and +test.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span>"All of these meetings were held at the private residences of members of +the Committee, purposely to preclude the possibility of pre-arranged +mechanism or contrivance.</p> + +<p>"The furniture of the room in which the experiments were conducted was +on every occasion its accustomed furniture.</p> + +<p>"The tables were in all cases heavy dining-tables, requiring a strong +effort to move them. The smallest of them was 5 feet 9 inches long by 4 +feet wide ... and of proportionate weight.</p> + +<p>"The rooms, tables, and furniture generally were repeatedly subjected to +careful examination before, during, and after the experiments, to +ascertain that no concealed machinery, instrument, or other contrivance +existed by means of which the sounds or movements hereinafter mentioned +could be caused.</p> + +<p>"The experiments were conducted in the light of gas, except on the few +occasions specially noted in the minutes.</p> + +<p>"Your Committee have avoided the employment of professional or paid +mediums, the mediumship being that of members of your Sub-Committee, +persons of good social position and of unimpeachable integrity, having +no pecuniary object to serve, and nothing to gain by deception.</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p>"Your Committee have confined their Report to <i>facts</i> witnessed by them +in their collective capacity, which facts were <i>palpable to the senses, +and their reality capable of demonstrative proof</i>.</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p>"The result of their long-continued and carefully-conducted experiments, +after trial by every detective<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> test they could devise, has been to +establish conclusively:—</p> + +<p>"First: That under certain bodily or mental conditions of one or more of +the persons present, a force is exhibited sufficient to set in motion +heavy substances, without the employment of any muscular force, without +contact or material connection of any kind between such substances and +the body of any person present.</p> + +<p>"Second: That this force can cause sounds to proceed, distinctly audible +to all present, from solid substances not in contact with, nor having +any visible or material connection with, the body of any person present, +and which sounds are proved to proceed from such substances by the +vibrations which are distinctly felt when they are touched.</p> + +<p>"Third: That this force is frequently directed by intelligence.</p> + +<p>"At thirty-four out of the forty meetings of your Committee some of +these phenomena occurred.</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p>"In conclusion, your Committee express their unanimous opinion that the +one important physical fact thus proved to exist, that <i>motion may be +produced in solid bodies without material contact, by some hitherto +unrecognised force operating within an undefined distance from the human +organism, and beyond the range of muscular action</i>, should be subjected +to further scientific examination, with a view to ascertaining its true +source, nature, and power.<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span>One selection is now given from the Minutes of this Sub-Committee, +illustrating the nature of the Evidence that came before them:—</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Experiment XXXVIII.</span>, Dec. 28th [1869].—Eight members present. +<i>Phenomena</i>: Rapping sounds from the table and floor, and movements of +the table, with and without contact. The alphabet was repeated, and the +following letters were rapped: 'A bad circle—want of harmony.' At the +letter f, the table tilted three times, and at the letters a, r, gave +several forcible horizontal movements, tilting at either end.</p> + +<p>"Raps, with slight tiltings of the table, beating time to the measure of +a song. Two or three poems were recited, to the measure of which there +were loud raps from the table and floor, and the table also marked the +metre by various horizontal movements and tiltings.</p> + +<p>"Hood's Anatomy Song being repeated by one of the members, the knocking, +rapping, and tilting sounds, with various horizontal, trembling, and +vibratory movements of the table, accompanied it, in exact harmony with +the measure, added to which were strange movements, in accordance with +the character of the verses. In one instance the table shifted its +position several feet, the tips of the fingers only being in contact +with it.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Movements without Contact.</span>—Question: 'Would the table now be moved +without contact?' Answer: 'Yes;' by three raps on the table. All chairs +were then turned with their backs to the table, and nine inches away +from it; and all present knelt on the chairs, with their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> wrists resting +on the backs, and their hands a few inches above the table.</p> + +<p>"Under these conditions, the table (the heavy dining-room table +previously described) moved four times, each time from four to six +inches, and the second time nearly twelve inches.</p> + +<p>"Then all hands were placed on the backs of the chairs, and nearly a +foot from the table, when four movements occurred, one slow and +continuous for nearly a minute.</p> + +<p>"Then all present placed their hands behind their backs, kneeling erect +on their chairs, which were removed a foot clear away from the table. +The gas also was turned up higher, so as to give abundance of light; and +under these test conditions, distinct movements occurred, to the extent +of several inches each time, and visible to every one present.</p> + +<p>"The motions were in various directions, towards all parts of the +room—some were abrupt, others steady. At the same time, and under the +same conditions, distinct raps occurred, apparently both on the floor +and on the table, in answer to requests for them.</p> + +<p>"The above-described movements were so unmistakable, that all present +unhesitatingly declared their conviction, that no physical force, +exerted by any one present, could possibly have produced them; and they +declared further, in writing, that a rigid examination of the table +showed it to be an ordinary dining-table, with no machinery or apparatus +of any kind connected with it. The table was laid on the floor with its +legs up, and taken to pieces so far as practicable."<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a></p> + +<h3><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> +<span class="smcap">Testimony of W. F. Barrett, F.R.S., Professor of Physics in the<br /> Royal +College of Science for Ireland.</span></h3> + +<p>No endeavour appears to have been made by any of the members of the +Committee of the Dialectical Society to follow up the results which they +had obtained. The individual members who had previously been active in +such matters continued to take an interest in them, but there is no +evidence that a single new inquirer was gained. The next event of any +importance, in the direction of scientific inquiry into the subject, was +the reading by Professor W. F. Barrett of a paper before the meeting of +the British Association at Glasgow in 1876. This paper was entitled "On +Some Phenomena Associated with Abnormal Conditions of Mind," and dealt +mainly with what was subsequently designated "Thought-Transference." +Professor Barrett also referred to some "physical phenomena" which had +come under his notice. He says: "I am bound to mention a case that came +under my own repeated observation, wherein certain inexplicable physical +phenomena occurred in broad daylight, and for which I could find no +satisfactory solution either on the ground of hallucination or +fraud."<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a></p> + +<p>In a paper read before the Society for Psychical Research in 1886, +entitled "On Some Physical Phenomena commonly termed Spiritualistic, +witnessed by the Author," Professor Barrett describes in detail the +phenomena he referred to in the paper<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> read ten years previously at the +British Association, and the circumstances under which they occurred. +The following paragraphs give the important features:<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a>—</p> + +<p><a name="prof_b" id="prof_b"></a>Mr. C., a solicitor, with his wife and family, had come to reside for +the season in the suburban house of a friend and neighbour of Professor +Barrett's. He was an Irish country gentleman who had an utter disbelief +in spiritualism. Professor Barrett was therefore not a little amused on +making Mr. C.'s acquaintance, to find that he had in his own family what +appeared to be spiritualistic phenomena then and there going on. Mr. C. +gave Professor Barrett every opportunity of close and frequent +investigation. The sittings extended through the months of August and +September 1875. There were present besides Professor Barrett, Mr. and +Mrs. C., and their young daughter Florrie, a bright, frank, intelligent +child, then about ten years old. They sat at a large dining-room table, +facing French windows, which let in a flood of sunlight. Shortly, +scraping sounds, raps, and noises resembling the hammering of small +nails, were heard. Florrie's hands and feet were closely watched, and +were observed to be absolutely motionless when the sounds were heard. +Besides knocks, there were occasional movements of the furniture. Seated +one day at a large dining-room table in full sunlight, Florrie, and Mr. +and Mrs. C., and Professor Barrett being the persons present, all their +fingers visibly resting on the surface of the table, three legs of the +table rose off the ground to a sufficient height<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> to allow Professor +Barrett to put his foot easily beneath the castor nearest him. The +importance of the comparatively small amount of "movement" phenomena in +this case is increased by their association with "sound" phenomena of +great variety and frequency. These will be fully described in the <a href="#III">next +chapter</a>.</p> + +<p>Another case which Professor Barrett cites in the same paper may be thus +summarised as far as phenomena of movement are concerned:<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a>—</p> + +<p>The sitters were Mr. L., a well-known photographer in Dublin, his niece, +Miss I., and Professor Barrett. While noticing the raps and knocks, +Professor Barrett observed a frequent uneasy movement of the entire +table, which was a moderately large and heavy one, four feet square. It +sidled about in a most surprising manner. Lifting their hands completely +off the table, the sitters placed themselves back in their chairs, with +their hands folded across their chests. Their feet were in full view. +Under these conditions, and in obedience to Professor Barrett's request, +the table raised the two legs nearest to him off the ground eight or ten +inches, and then suspended itself for a few moments. A similar act was +performed on the other side. Then a very unexpected occurrence happened. +To quote Professor Barrett's own words:—</p> + +<p>"Whilst absolutely free from the contact of any person, the table +wriggled itself backward and forward, advancing towards the armchair in +which I sat, and ultimately completely imprisoning me in my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> seat. +During its progress it was followed by Mr. L. and Miss I., but they were +at no time touching it, and occasionally were so distant that I could +perceive a free space all round the table whilst it was still in motion. +When thus under my very nose, the table rose repeatedly, and enabled me +to be perfectly sure, by the evidence of touch, that it was off the +ground, and further, that no human being, consciously or unconsciously, +had any part in this movement."</p> + +<p>Professor Barrett, with his accustomed caution, comments thus:—</p> + +<p>"The results, it is true, were very remarkable and unaccountable; but +though I had not the slightest doubt of the good faith of Mr. L. and +Miss I., yet I do not adduce this evidence as unexceptionable. I should +have preferred to have taken precautions which were not so easy to +impose on a lady, and I should also have preferred to have had the +seance at my own house."</p> + +<p>This latter objection was met by Mr. L. and Miss I. going to Professor +Barrett's house shortly afterwards, no one else besides Professor +Barrett being present. Some remarkable sounds were again heard. Then, +this happened—again quoting Professor Barrett's own words:—</p> + +<p>"Suddenly, only the tips of our fingers being on the table, the heavy +loo-table at which we were sitting made a series of very violent +prancing movements (which I could not imitate afterwards except by using +both hands and all my strength); the blows were so heavy that I +hurriedly stopped the performance, fearing for the safety of the gas +chandelier in the room below. Here, too, I cannot<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> avoid the conclusion +that the phenomena described are inexplicable on any known hypothesis."</p> + +<p>After discounting the "pious platitudes" spelt out by the tilts of the +table, and the possibility, and even probability, that "unintentional +muscular movements" were the cause of these, and after recognising the +impossibility of keeping up a continuous vigilant watch on the hands and +feet of any person, and after supposing that Miss I. had some ingenious +mechanism concealed about her person, whereby she could produce the +sounds that were heard, Professor Barrett says: "This would fail to +account for the undoubted motion of a heavy table, free from the contact +of all present. After giving due weight to every known explanation, the +phenomena remain inexplicable to me."</p> + + +<h3><span class="smcap">Testimony Collected by Frederic W. H. Myers.</span></h3> + +<p>Next in order of time come two papers by Mr. F. W. H. Myers, under the +title of "Alleged Movements of Objects without Contact, occurring not in +the Presence of a Paid Medium." They are published in vol. vii. of the +<i>Proceedings</i> of the Society for Psychical Research.<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> The first +article goes over most of the ground traversed in the earlier part of +this chapter, but devotes twenty lines only to the Report of the +Committee of the Dialectical Society, and refers only to Professor +Barrett's cases as having been already published. A number of other +cases are, however, described in detail. The evidence in these scarcely +comes up to the level of scientific,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> and unless it had been sifted by +so careful a critic as Mr. Myers, who convinced himself of the reality +of the facts, could hardly be considered of much value. The two +following cases in the first article present the strongest evidence.</p> + +<p>(1) <span class="smcap">The Armstrong Case.</span>—Mr. George Allman Armstrong, of 8 Leeson Place, +Dublin, and Ardnacarrig, Bandon, writes an account dated 13th June 1887. +After vouching for the perfect good faith of the small group of +experimenters, he describes in detail the movements of a table. The +"rising" was generally preceded by a continuous fusillade of "knocks" in +the substance of the table. When the knocks had, as it were, reached a +climax, the table slowly swayed from side to side like a pendulum. It +would stop completely, and then, as if imbued with life, and quite +suddenly, would rise completely off the floor to a height of twelve or +fourteen inches at least. It nearly always came down with immense force, +and on several occasions proved destructive to itself, as the broken +limbs of the table used at Kinsale could testify. The table was a round, +rather heavy walnut one, with a central column standing on three claw +legs. Mr. Armstrong says that on several occasions he succeeded in +raising the table without contact. It rose to the fingers held over it +at a height of several inches, like the keeper of a strong +electro-magnet.<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a></p> + +<p>(2) <span class="smcap">A Bell-ringing Case.</span>—Mr. Myers, in introducing this case, says: +"The usual hypotheses of fraud, rats, hitched wires, &c., seem hard to +apply. The care and fulness with which it has been recorded<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> will enable +the reader to judge for himself more easily than in most narratives of +this type. Our informant is a gentleman [Mr. D.], occupying a +responsible position; his name may be given to inquirers."<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> The +detailed report of the occurrences occupies no less than twelve pages, +the greater part of which consists of a long letter addressed by Mr. D. +to the Society for Psychical Research. He explains that he is writing in +the main from notes taken at the time and not from memory. The following +is an abstract:—</p> + +<p>On Friday, 23rd September 1887, he took his four pupils to a circus, his +lady housekeeper also going, leaving two servants at home. They left at +about 2 <span class="smcap">p.m.</span> All but himself returned about 5.30 <span class="smcap">p.m.</span> The two servants +were on the doorstep, telling the boys not to go in by the area +door—the kitchens being below ground—and explaining that all the bells +were ringing violently, no one touching them, and that they had been +doing so almost ever since half-past two. When the master of the house +came home, he found the same state of things, the servants almost in +hysterics and the bells ringing. Nine bells hung in a row just inside +the area door, opposite the kitchen door, and there was one bell—a call +bell—on the landing at the top of the house.</p> + +<p>Mr. D. frequently saw several of these bells ringing at once, the +ringing being sudden and very violent, louder, he believed, than they +could be rung by pulling the handles. One bell was more than once pulled +over, so that it could not return to its<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> normal position. Several of +the upstairs bells had no bell-pulls. The bellhanger was several times +summoned to the premises. He showed that the wires could not have been +entangled, and entirely agreed that it would be an utter impossibility +for any animals, such as cats or rats, to ring the bells as they were +rung. The house was quite a new one, standing alone, surrounded by +unoccupied plots of building land.</p> + +<p>As to the question of trickery. There seemed no possibility of that +being the explanation. The phenomena occurred when the housekeeper and +pupils were all away; also when the cook was away; also when only the +two servants and the master were in the house, and both of them in his +sight. For instance, he says he stood in the passage in front of the +nine bells watching them ring, with both the servants close by. Once in +particular he watched the housemaid on her knees in the middle of the +wash-house scrubbing the tiles, while the front door, area door, and +bath-room bells were pealing violently. The ringing was also heard by +tradesmen, and by men working in the gardens near. The wires of the +bells were distinctly moved, not only the bells and the clappers. The +bell-handles were never observed to be moved. The ringing lasted between +three and four weeks, and then ceased. Knockings in considerable variety +were also heard, and a few cases of the movement of chairs and small +articles, without any contact, also occurred.</p> + +<p>Mr. D. was at one time disposed to think that the housemaid was in some +way connected with the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> disturbances, but he could trace no evidence. +She was a young girl who had not been out to service before. She got +into such a state of nervous excitement about the occurrences, that +brain fever or something serious was feared. She had only been in the +house a few weeks previous to the commencement of the manifestations, +and nothing occurred after she left. Mr. D. was, however, perfectly +convinced that she had nothing to do voluntarily with the +bell-ringing.<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a></p> + +<p>The second paper by Mr. Myers is devoted exclusively to some "strange +experiences" which occurred several years previous to 1891, at the +village of Swanland, a few miles from Hull, in the East Riding of +Yorkshire. The evidence is that of John Bristow, who states he was an +eye-witness. There were no intellectual phenomena, nothing but the +apparently meaningless throwing about of pieces of wood—directed, +however, by some intelligence, so as to attract attention without doing +harm. Here again what value the case has rests almost solely on its +having received the critical study of Mr. Myers.<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a></p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> Report of the Committee of the London Dialectical Society, +p. 228.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> Report on Spiritualism of the Committee of the London +Dialectical Society, together with the Evidence, Oral and Written, and a +Selection from the Correspondence. Two editions have been published. +Both are out of print.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> Report, &c., pp. 7-13.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> Report, &c., pp. 390-391.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> <i>Proceedings S.P.R.</i>, vol. i. p. 240</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> See <i>Proceedings S.P.R.</i>, vol. iv. pp. 29-33.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> See <i>Proceedings S.P.R.</i>, vol. iv. pp. 33-35.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> Vol. vii. pp. 146-198 and pp. 383-394.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> For full account see <i>Proceedings S.P.R.</i>, vol. vii. pp. +159-160.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> <i>Proceedings S.P.R.</i>, vol. vii. p. 160.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> See the full account in Part XIX. of the <i>Proceedings of +the S.P.R.</i>, which part is included in vol. vii., and may be obtained +separately for 2s. 6d.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> See <i>Proceedings S.P.R.</i>, vol. vii. pp. 383-394.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> + + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> +<a name="III" id="III"></a>CHAPTER III<br /> +<br /> +<span class="sub2">THE PRODUCTION OF SOUND WITHOUT ANY<br /> +APPARENT PHYSICAL CAUSE</span></h2> + + +<p class="noi"><span class="smcap">If</span> the tipping of small tables when the hands of the sitters are in +contact is excepted—under which circumstances it is generally +impossible to determine whether the result is psychical, or due merely +to muscular action unconsciously exercised—the production of raps and +other sounds is the most frequent of the phenomena under consideration. +They are, however, generally so intermixed with other phenomena that it +is difficult to treat them separately.</p> + + +<h3><span class="smcap">The Dialectical Society.</span></h3> + +<p>In the extracts from the Report of the Committee of the Dialectical +Society given in the <a href="#II">preceding chapter</a>, it will be remembered that raps +and other noises are referred to as being frequently heard, and also as +apparently produced by an intelligent agency.</p> + + +<h3><span class="smcap">Testimony of Professor W. F. Barrett, F.R.S.</span></h3> + +<p>The reader is asked to refer to the general conditions of the case of +Mr. C. testified to by Professor Barrett in the <a href="#prof_b">previous chapter</a>. He +says:—</p> + +<p>"They (the sounds) came more readily and more loudly when music was +played, or a merry song struck up. Usually they kept time with the +music,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> and altogether displayed a singular degree of intelligence. +Sometimes a loud rhythmic scraping, as of a violoncello bow on a piece +of wood, would accompany the music. Again and again I placed my ear on +the very spot on the table whence this rough fiddling appeared to +proceed, and felt distinctly the rhythmic vibration of the table, but no +tangible cause was visible either above or below the table.... On one +occasion, when no one else was in the room, ... I asked my young friend +the medium to put her hands against the wall, and see how far she could +stretch her feet back from the wall without tumbling down. This she did, +and whilst in this constrained position—with the muscles of arms and +legs all in tension—I asked for the knocks to come. Immediately a brisk +pattering of raps followed my request. All the while the child remained +quite motionless. My reason in making this experiment, was to test the +late Dr. Carpenter's muscular theory of the cause of the sounds. Had Dr. +Carpenter been present, I feel sure he would have admitted that here at +any rate that theory fell through."<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a></p> + +<p>Professor Barrett sums up his conclusions on this case thus:—</p> + +<p>"A long and careful examination convinced me that trickery on the part +of the child was a more improbable hypothesis than that the sounds +proceeded from some unknown agency. Nor could the sounds be accounted +for by trickery on the part of the servants in the house, for in +addition to my careful inquiries on this point, Mr. C. informed me<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> that +he had obtained the raps on the handle of his umbrella out of doors, +when the child was by his side; and that the music-master complained of +raps proceeding from inside the piano whenever the child was listless or +inattentive at her music lesson. Mrs. C. told me that almost every night +she heard the raps by the bedside of the child when she went to bid her +good-night; and that after she had left the room and partially closed +the door, she would hear quite an animated conversation going on between +her daughter and her invisible companion, the child rapidly spelling +over the alphabet, and the raps occurring at the right letters, and the +child thus obtaining with surprising rapidity a clue to the words spelt +out.</p> + +<p>"Still more violently improbable is the supposition that the parents of +the child were at the bottom of the mystery, stimulated by a desire to +impress their friends with the wonderful but imaginary gifts their child +possessed. The presence of the parents was not necessary for the +occurrence of the sounds, which, as I have said, often took place when I +was the only person in the room besides the child.</p> + +<p>"Hallucination was the explanation which suggested itself to my own mind +when first I heard of the phenomena, but was dismissed as wholly +inapplicable after the first day's inquiry; nor do I think that any one +could maintain that different people, individually and collectively, for +some weeks, thought they heard and saw a series of sounds and motions +which had no objective existence.</p> + +<p>"No! I was then, and am still, morally certain<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> that the phenomena had a +real existence outside oneself, and that they were not produced by +trickery or by known causes. Hence I could come to no other conclusion +than that we had here a class of phenomena wholly new to science."<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a></p> + +<p>After some three months the sounds ceased as unexpectedly as they had +commenced.</p> + +<p>There is one form of sound manifestation to which no allusion has been +made—what is called the "Direct Voice." It is alleged to be of frequent +occurrence in spiritualistic circles. Articulate words are, it is +stated, spoken "direct," not through the voice organs of any person +present. The phenomenon, so far as I have heard, occurs only in +darkness—and is an objective voice audible alike to every one present. +It corresponds to the phenomenon of "direct writing." But no attempt +that I am aware of has been made to treat the matter scientifically. One +of the earliest alleged occurrences of this phenomenon took place in +London, at a private seance at which I was present at the house of Mr. +Thos. Everitt, who departed this life in August of last year, and who +was one of the most prominent London spiritualists, Mrs. Everitt being +the medium. Some little time later, at a similar seance at the same +house, the sitting was terminated by the singing of a hymn by three or +four soft, gentle voices, purporting to be "direct" voices, which +sounded as if they proceeded from the top of the room close to the +ceiling. They were certainly not the voices of any of the company +present. It was one of the most beautiful and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> touching manifestations I +ever experienced. I can only compare it to the singing of a choir of +boys' voices, high up out of sight in Truro Cathedral, which I had heard +many years before. The seances at Mr. Everitt's were conducted in an +exclusively religious tone, and afforded no opportunity for obtaining +scientific evidence. It is much to be desired that a careful inquiry +should be made into the reality of so interesting a phenomenon.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> <i>Proceedings S.P.R.</i>, vol. iv. pp. 29-30.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> <i>Proceedings S.P.R.</i>, vol. iv. p. 31.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> + + +<h2><a name="IV" id="IV"></a>CHAPTER IV<br /> +<br /> +<span class="sub2">THE APPEARANCE OF LIGHT WITHOUT ANY APPARENT<br /> +PHYSICAL CAUSE</span></h2> + + +<p class="noi"><span class="smcap">The</span> appearance of Lights at Spiritualistic circles, apparently not due +to any physical cause, is very widely asserted. The character of the +Lights is as varied as it is possible to imagine. Faint, cloudy, +indefinite luminous appearances—brilliant stars which move or hover +among the sitters—globes or balls of light, like illuminated ostrich +eggs, or spheres of mother-of-pearl lit up from within—pillars of +light—are some of the many forms which this manifestation takes. But +anything approaching to scientific evidence of the reality of the +phenomenon is singularly scarce. And I am not aware that anything has +ever been done towards testing or endeavouring to ascertain the nature +of the light. One reason for this is, no doubt, that to investigate +light phenomena, the exclusion of other light is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> obviously requisite. +Hence the necessity for dark seances. The objection to a dark seance in +itself can of course have no scientific basis. But a strong feeling +against dark seances has arisen from the abuses to which they have led. +It is possible that the extent of the evil has been exaggerated, and has +thus produced an exaggerated prejudice against darkness as a condition. +It is, however, safe to say, that, even if promiscuous seances are ever +useful or wise, a promiscuous dark seance should never be sanctioned by +an earnest inquirer.</p> + +<p>Orthodox science has not yet condescended to bestow any attention on +"spirit lights." I had the privilege of private acquaintance with Dr. +Tyndall, and once acted as his assistant at some lectures he gave in a +country place. I remember sending him a report of some rather remarkable +manifestations of light witnessed at a private seance in London, under +fairly good test-conditions. Dr. Tyndall was at the time engaged in some +special optical investigations, and I asked him to spend five minutes in +reading the notes enclosed. Dr. Tyndall's reply, in his laconic, jocular +style, was to this effect—"I have spent five minutes as you desired, +and it is a long time since I spent five minutes so badly!"</p> + +<p>The best series of "light" phenomena, both as regards their varied +character, and as regards the observers, and the care with which records +at the time were made, occurred in the presence of Mr. W. Stainton +Moses. A special chapter is devoted to his general experiences later on, +but I will deal with the phenomena of lights here, and make this the +only illustration of this branch of the subject. For<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> the general +credibility of the W. Stainton Moses phenomena the reader is referred to +the opening paragraph of <a href="#VI">Chapter VI.</a> The following pages are taken, by +way of either extract or abstract, from two articles on Mr. W. Stainton +Moses by Mr. F. W. H. Myers. They thus have the advantage of Mr. Myers' +moral certificate, so to speak, as to their value. The articles were +published in the <i>Proceedings</i> of the Society for Psychical Research.<a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a></p> + +<p>Mr. Stainton Moses says that the first occasion on which large luminous +appearances were seen at the circle consisting of Dr. and Mrs. Speer and +himself was on 7th June 1873. They had become familiar with floating +masses of luminous vapour; and on several occasions, the masses +condensed, so to speak, until a distinct objective light was formed. On +that evening, however, a number of cones of soft light similar to +moonlight appeared in succession. There was a nucleus of soft yellow +light surrounded by a haze. They sailed up from a corner of the room and +gradually died out. They seem to have been carried in a materialised +hand, a finger of which was shown at request, by placing it in front of +the nucleus of light.<a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a></p> + +<p>Subsequently they saw another kind of light altogether. It was +apparently a little round disc of light which twinkled like a star. It +flashed with great rapidity, and answered questions by the usual code of +signals. On about half-a-dozen occasions a bright scintillating light +apparently resting on the mantelshelf was seen. It was about the size of +a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> pigeon's egg, and looked like a large diamond lit up with strong +light.<a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a></p> + +<p>Mr. Stainton Moses gives a description of "a most remarkable light, of +quite a different kind from any that he had ever heard or read of." It +appeared six times, diminishing in brilliancy on each occasion. Mr. +Stainton Moses says: "The light was first observed directly behind us—a +tall column about half an inch or rather more in width, and six or seven +feet high. The light was of a bright golden hue, and did not illuminate +objects in its neighbourhood. For a minute a cross developed at its top, +and rays seemed to dart from it." Dr. Speer, who had been watching the +strange phenomenon with absorbing interest, asked permission to examine +it more closely. Leave being given, he went to the light, put his face +close to it, and passed his hand through it. He detected no odour, and +the light did not disappear. No warmth came from it, nor did it +perceptibly light up the room. It remained visible until the seance was +concluded.<a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a></p> + +<p>The following graphic description shall be given in Mr. Stainton Moses' +own words:—</p> + +<p>"The room, which had been filled (especially round me) with floating +clouds of light, grew suddenly dark, and absolute stillness took the +place of the previous loud knockings. It would have been a strange scene +for an ear-witness. The table, isolated, with no human hand touching it, +giving forth a series of mysterious thuds of varying intensity, some of +which might have been made<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> with a muffled sledge-hammer, all indicating +intelligence—an intelligence that showed itself by deliberation, or +eagerness, or stately solemnity according to the nature of the +communication. Around the table three persons sitting with a hush of +expectation, and faces (if they could have been seen) of awe-stricken +earnestness.... The room shrouded in darkness, except at one end, where +shifting masses of luminous vapour now and again gathered into a pillar +which dimly outlined a form, and again dispersed, and flitted round the +head of one of the sitters. No scene could be imagined more calculated +to strike a novice with awe, none more solemn and impressive for those +who participated in it."<a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a></p> + +<p>Mr. W. Stainton Moses thus describes the formation of the lights at a +sitting on 9th August 1873:—</p> + +<p>"I witnessed the formation of some eight or nine very beautiful spirit +lights. They formed quite close to me, and near my left hand, about a +foot from the floor, floating upwards till they reached the level of the +table and became visible to Dr. Speer. They were expressly made at my +side, instead of, as usual, at my back, so that I might see them. They +seemed to develop from a very bright speck, about the size of a pea, +until they attained the size of a soda-water tumbler, and showed a soft +luminosity like pale moonlight. They seemed to be covered with drapery +and to be held by a hand. They faded slowly out, remaining visible about +thirty or forty seconds, or perhaps<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> a minute. The largest would be +about eight inches long."<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a></p> + +<p>On 14th April 1874, Dr. Speer and Mr. Stainton Moses held a sitting by +themselves. Mr. Stainton Moses thus describes what happened:—</p> + +<p>"To-night lights commenced again, but of a quite different character to +any we had seen before. They darted about like a comet, coming from the +side by the harmonium, or near the fireplace. They were evanescent, and +apparently of diffuse luminosity, within which was a nucleus of light, +not, however, visible to me. We had some ten or twelve of these, some +more brilliant than others, some visible both in the looking-glass and +in the glass of the book-case, and they were showing a trail of +reflected light on the table, when suddenly there arose from below me, +apparently under the table, or near the floor, right under my nose, a +cloud of luminous smoke, just like phosphorus. It fumed up in great +clouds, until I seemed to be on fire, and rushed from the room in a +panic. I was fairly frightened, and could not tell what was happening. I +rushed to the door and opened it, and so to the front door. My hands +seemed to be ablaze, and left their impress on the doors and handles. It +blazed for a while after I had touched it, but soon went out, and no +smell or trace remained. I have seen my own hands covered with a lambent +flame; but nothing like this I ever saw.... The lights were preceded by +very sharp detonations on my chair, so that we could watch for their +coming by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> hearing the noise. They shot up very rapidly from the +floor."<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a></p> + +<p>This sensational experience must conclude the evidence respecting the +lights, for the present. One more selection has, however, been made, +which is deferred to the special chapter on Mr. Stainton Moses' +experiences as a whole. The present chapter must be read in connection +with <a href="#VI">that chapter</a>. It is admitted that the testimony quoted with regard +to the Lights does not reach the level of scientific evidence. At the +same time, when due consideration is given to the existing contemporary +records, and to the careful way in which Mr. Myers examined the whole +case, it is difficult to avoid the conviction that the Lights were +objective phenomena, not produced by any known physical cause. It is +much to be regretted that efforts were not made to secure a critical +study of the Lights by a competent scientific man.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> Vol. ix. pp. 245-352, and vol. xi. pp. 24-113.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> See ibid., vol. ix. pp. 273-274.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> See <i>Proceedings S.P.R.</i>, vol. ix. p. 276.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> See ibid., pp. 276-277.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> <i>Proceedings S.P.R.</i>, vol. ix. p. 290.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> <i>Proceedings S.P.R.</i>, vol. ix. p. 319.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> <i>Proceedings S.P.R.</i>, vol. xi. pp. 44-45.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> + + +<h2><a name="V" id="V"></a>CHAPTER V<br /> +<br /> +<span class="sub2">PHYSICAL PHENOMENA ALLEGED TO HAVE OCCURRED IN THE PRESENCE OF DANIEL +DUNGLAS HOME</span></h2> + + +<p class="noi"><span class="smcap">Scientific</span> evidence of the reality of the Physical Phenomena alleged to +have occurred in the presence of D. D. Home is scarcely to be looked for +in the two volumes written by himself, nor even in the two volumes +published after his death by Madame<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> Home. The alleged phenomena failed +to attract the attention of more than a very few men of science during +Home's lifetime. Of these the most eminent is Sir William Crookes, +F.R.S. With regard to Sir William Crookes' evidence the reader is +referred to two paragraphs on page 124.</p> + + +<h3><span class="smcap">The Report of the Committee of the Dialectical Society.</span></h3> + +<p>Again, the Report of the Committee of the Dialectical Society, or rather +the documents which accompany it, supplies some good evidence. Home had +four sittings with one of the Sub-Committees, but the phenomena were of +a trifling and inconclusive character. This was attributed to the state +of Home's bodily health. He was on the eve of a severe illness. Several +persons subsequently sent to the Committee statements of what they had +seen and heard in Home's presence. The only one of these which can be +said to possess scientific value is a report of a seance held with Lord +Lindsay—now the Earl of Crawford and Balcarres—and Mrs. Honywood, and +two other persons. The report is as follows. It is written by Mrs. +Honywood, and Lord Lindsay adds a few words, his own personal testimony.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"I met Mr. Home at the house of a friend on the 17th March 1869. We sat +down, five in number, at a round table in the back drawing-room. There +was an oil lamp on a table in the front drawing-room, and fires in both +grates. After a while Mr. Home became entranced, walked into the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> front +room, and stood on the hearth-rug. He began to dance slowly, raising +first the one foot and then the other, his hands hanging loosely as I +have read of Easterns and Indians, moving in time to music. He then +knelt down, rubbing and clasping his hands together in front of the +fire. I asked, 'Are you a fire worshipper?' He nodded and looked +pleased. 'Are you a Persian?' He smiled and nodded assent, after which +he rose and placed four chairs in a row near the folding doors, signing +to us to sit there. He now went to the table on which stood the +moderator lamp; taking off the globe, he placed it on the table, and +deliberately grasped the chimney of the lamp with both hands; then, +advancing to the lady of the house, he asked her to touch it, but she +refused, knowing it was hot. Mr. Home said, 'Have you no faith? Will you +not trust in Dan if he says it is cool?' She replied, 'Certainly,' and +placed her finger on the glass, exclaiming, 'Oh, it is not at all hot!' +This was corroborated by Lord Lindsay and myself, who in turn both laid +our finger on the glass several times to test it. Mr. Home laughed and +said, 'I will make it hot for you, old fellow,' and holding it towards +Mr. ——, he turned, apparently addressing some one, and said, in a sad +tone of voice, 'It is necessary to confirm the faith of others that the +glass should be made hot for him.' Mr. —— now touched it, and +exclaimed, 'You have indeed,' shaking his hand and showing me a red +mark. So hot was the glass when a fourth person touched it, that it +raised a blister, which I saw some days subsequently, peeling. I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> leave +it for the scientific to determine how the heat was re-imparted to the +glass, after being withdrawn.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Home now returned to the fireplace, and thrust the chimney into the +red-hot coals, resting the end on the top bar; he left it there about +four or five minutes, then, lifting it, he clasped it in both hands, +went to the table, took a lucifer match from a box, and handing it to +the lady of the house, desired her to touch the glass—the match +instantly ignited; and having called our attention to this fact, he +observed, 'The tongue and lips are the most sensitive parts of the +body,' and thrust the heated glass into his mouth, applying, especially, +his tongue to it. He once more returned to the fire, and again placed +the chimney on the upper bar, the end of the glass resting amidst the +red coals. He left it there and walked about the room, selected a small +fern-leaf from a vase of flowers, and raising the chimney, placed it +within, and replaced the chimney among the coals. After a few moments he +told us to observe very carefully, as the experiment would be very +pretty. Mr. Home now held up the glass, and we perceived the fern-leaf +within apparently on fire. He replaced it after a few seconds, and +holding it up again, exclaimed, 'Is it not pretty?' The fern appeared +red-hot; each little leaf edged with gold, yet flameless, like clouds at +sunset—rich glowing crimson tinged with molten gold. After we had all +looked at it and admired it, he advanced to Mrs. ——, and laughingly +shook it out on her muslin dress. I expected to see it crumble away; but +no, it was still green, though dry and withered. Unfortunately it was +not preserved.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span>"Again Mr. Home returned to the fire, and once more placed the glass on +the coals, where he left it, and walked about the room; going to the +lamp, he passed his hand slowly backwards and forwards through the +flame, not an inch from the wick; returning to the fireplace, he lifted +the chimney, and moving the coals about with his hand, selected a small +flat red-hot coal, and placed it in the chimney—shook it up and down, +and advancing to us, playfully said, 'H——, here is a present for you,' +and threw out the coal on her muslin dress. Catching it up in dismay, +she tossed it to Lord Lindsay, who, unable to retain it in his hand, +threw it from palm to palm till he reached, the grate and flung it in. +While we were all looking at the muslin dress and wondering that it was +neither soiled nor singed, Mr. Home approached, and in a hurt tone of +voice said, 'No, no, you will not find a mark; did you think that we +would hurt your dress.' Mr. Home then selected a small spray of white +flower, and going to the lamp, he passed it two or three times through +the flame, then carried it to the grate, and held it first in the flame +and then in the smoke above the coals, moving it gently about. He now +brought it back to us, asking us to look at it and smell it, calling our +attention to the fact that the flower did not smell of smoke, and that +it was unchanged by the heat and flame of lamp and fire. He then bid us +notice that his hand which held the flower smelt of smoke, while the +flower remained uninjured. Then addressing us, he said, 'The spirit now +speaking through Dan, and that has enabled him to show you these curious +fire-tests,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> in which he hopes you have all felt interested, is the +spirit of an Asiatic fire-worshipper, who was anxious to come here +to-night, as he had heard of seances held here. He now bids you +farewell, as he will return no more.'</p> + +<p>"After this Mr. Home awoke.</p> + +<p class="right">"<span class="smcap">Barbara Honywood.</span>"</p> + +<p>"I was present at this seance, and can corroborate the truth of the +above statement.</p> + +<p class="right2 nb">"<span class="smcap">Lindsay.</span>"<a name="FNanchor_22_22" id="FNanchor_22_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a></p> +<p class="smcap right small nt">[Now Earl of Crawford and Balcarres.]</p> +</blockquote> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Testimony of the Earl of Dunraven.</span></h3> + +<p>Lord Dunraven—then Lord Adare—had a number of sittings with Home. He +printed a small volume—for private circulation only—under the title of +"Experiences in Spiritualism with Mr. D. D. Home." This volume is +exceedingly scarce.</p> + + +<h3><span class="smcap">An Inquiry by Professor W. F. Barrett, F.R.S.,<br /> +and Mr. F. W. H. Myers.</span></h3> + +<p>In the year 1889, Professor Barrett and Mr. Myers undertook an "Inquiry +into the Evidence for the Mediumship of D. D. Home." They collected the +testimony of a large number of persons who were witnesses of the Home +phenomena, carefully examined its evidential value, and summarised it in +a Joint Report. This was printed in the <i>Journal</i> of the Society for +Psychical Research for July 1889.<a name="FNanchor_23_23" id="FNanchor_23_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a> It is to be regretted that the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> +Society has not seen its way to publish this Report in a form accessible +to the general public. It is true that in his great work, "Human +Personality, and its Survival of Bodily Death," Mr. Myers gives a brief +summary of the Report; but he condenses the thirty-six pages of the +original Report and its appendices into four pages of "Human +Personality," which are quite insufficient to convey an adequate idea of +the Report itself. Also, the cost of Mr. Myers' book debars from it the +mass of readers. This Report was followed up a little later by a brief +article by Mr. Myers, forming an important supplement.<a name="FNanchor_24_24" id="FNanchor_24_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a></p> + +<p>In the Report itself its joint authors say: "We propose the +question—Have Home's phenomena ever been plausibly explained as +conjuring tricks, or in accordance with known laws of nature? And we +answer—No; they have not been so explained, nor can we so explain +them."<a name="FNanchor_25_25" id="FNanchor_25_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_25_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a> In commenting on the Joint Report, by Professor Barrett and +himself, Mr. Myers puts the problem as to Home in this form: "There is +thus a considerable body of evidence as to Home, which enables us to +discuss the three questions: (1) Was he ever convicted of fraud? (2) Did +he satisfy any trained observer in a series of experiments selected by +the observer and not by himself? (3) Were the phenomena entirely beyond +the scope of the conjurer's art?"<a name="FNanchor_26_26" id="FNanchor_26_26"></a><a href="#Footnote_26_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a></p> + +<p>In the Joint Report the writers say—(1) As to fraud: "We have found no +allegations of fraud on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> which we should be justified in laying much +stress. Mr. Robert Browning has told to one of us the circumstances +which mainly led to that opinion of Home which was expressed in 'Mr. +Sludge, the Medium,' It appears that a lady (since dead) repeated to Mr. +Browning a statement made to her by a lady and gentleman (since dead), +as to their finding Home in the act of experimenting with phosphorus on +the production of 'spirit lights,' which, so far as Mr. Browning +remembers, were to be rubbed round the walls of the room, near the +ceiling, so as to appear when the room was darkened. This piece of +evidence powerfully impressed Mr. Browning; but it comes to us at +third-hand, without written record, and at a distance of nearly forty +years.</p> + +<p>"We have received one other account from a gentleman of character and +ability, of a seance in very poor light, when the 'spirit-hand' moved in +such a way as to seem dependent on the action of Home's arms and legs. +This account is subjoined [in the Report] as Appendix D. We may add that +few, if any, of the lights seen at Home's seances could (as they are +described to us) have been contrived by the aid of phosphorus.</p> + +<p>"There is also a frequently repeated story that Home was found at the +Tuilleries (or at Compiègne, or at Biarritz) to be using a stuffed hand, +and was consequently forbidden the Imperial Court. We have tried in +France to get at the fountain-head of this story, but without +success."<a name="FNanchor_27_27" id="FNanchor_27_27"></a><a href="#Footnote_27_27" class="fnanchor">[27]</a></p> + +<p>(2) "With regard to our second question—whether<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> his powers were tested +by competent observers"—Mr. Myers says: "Home in this respect stands +pre-eminent; since we have the evidence of Sir William Crookes, +corroborated by the testimony of the Master of Lindsay (now Earl of +Crawford and Balcarres), himself a <i>savant</i> of some distinction, and the +privately printed series of careful observations by the present and the +late Lords Dunraven.<a name="FNanchor_28_28" id="FNanchor_28_28"></a><a href="#Footnote_28_28" class="fnanchor">[28]</a></p> + +<p>(3) "As to our third question—whether the phenomena could have been +produced by conjuring"—Mr. Myers says: "Many of them, especially the +fire-tests, and the movements of large untouched objects in good light, +seem inexplicable by this supposition. The hypothesis of collective +hallucination on the part of the sitters seems very improbable, because, +in most cases, all those present saw the same thing; and often without +receiving from Home any audible suggestion as to what was about to +happen."<a name="FNanchor_29_29" id="FNanchor_29_29"></a><a href="#Footnote_29_29" class="fnanchor">[29]</a></p> + +<p>In the Joint Report by Professor Barrett and Mr. Myers, a considerable +space is devoted to a discussion as to conjuring being the explanation +of the Home manifestations. It is dismissed as utterly inadequate. In +conclusion, the authors of the Report say: "And we find that experts in +conjuring (several of whom we have consulted), however little they may +believe in Home's pretensions, are disposed rather to reject wholesale +than to explain in detail the more remarkable records."<a name="FNanchor_30_30" id="FNanchor_30_30"></a><a href="#Footnote_30_30" class="fnanchor">[30]</a></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span>Professor Barrett and Mr. Myers proceed to quote thirty-five cases of +the identification of alleged communicating spirits from Madame Home's +book, entitled "D. D. Home, His Life and Mission." They remark, "This +list of identifications is a long one, and quite unique in the history +of Spiritualism."<a name="FNanchor_31_31" id="FNanchor_31_31"></a><a href="#Footnote_31_31" class="fnanchor">[31]</a> After analysing this list of cases, they say near +the conclusion of their Report, as implying their final verdict: "If our +readers ask us—'Do you advise us to go on experimenting in these +matters as though Home's phenomena were genuine?'—we answer, 'Yes.'"<a name="FNanchor_32_32" id="FNanchor_32_32"></a><a href="#Footnote_32_32" class="fnanchor">[32]</a> +In the supplementary article above referred to sixteen more cases of +identification are added to the thirty-five.</p> + +<p>In Appendix E to the Report is given some striking testimony to the +reality of the "fire-test." The following letter from Mr. W. M. +Wilkinson, the well-known solicitor, is included:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>"As you ask me to write to you of what occurred at our house at Kilburn, +where we were living in 1869, with reference to the handling of red-hot +coal, I will merely say that one Sunday evening in the winter of that +year, I saw Mr. Home take out of our drawing-room fire a red-hot coal a +little less in size than a cricket ball, and carry it up and down the +drawing-room. He said to Lord Adare, now Lord Dunraven, who was present, +'Will you take it from me? It will not hurt you.' Lord Adare took it +from him, and held it in his hand for about half a minute, and before he +threw it back in the fire I put my hand pretty close to it, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> felt +the heat to be like that of a live coal.—Yours very truly,</p> + +<p class="right nb"><span class="smcap">W. M. Wilkinson</span>.<a name="FNanchor_33_33" id="FNanchor_33_33"></a><a href="#Footnote_33_33" class="fnanchor">[33]</a> +</p> + +<p class="nt"><span class="smcap">44 Lincoln's Inn Fields,<br /> +London, W.C.</span>, <i>February</i> 7, 1869."</p></blockquote> + +<p>Appendix M to the Report consists of some particulars verbally given to +Mr. Myers by Mrs. Honywood, of 52 Warwick Square, London, in further +explanation of her printed testimony to phenomena she had witnessed in +Home's presence. She was well acquainted with him for twenty-five years, +attended many seances, and took notes of them at the time. In the early +part of this chapter, a statement she sent to the Dialectical Society +has already been quoted. She told Mr. Myers that most of her friends +were complete disbelievers in Spiritualism, and that they frequently +repeated to her rumours to the discredit of Home. But she never heard +any first-hand account of any kind of trickery on his part. She +considered him a man of open childlike nature, thoroughly honest and +truthful, and that in her opinion his utterances in the trance state +were much superior in thought and diction to his ordinary talk. She said +she should like to give Mr. Myers a few additional details with regard +to the fire phenomena reported in Madame Home's book, "D. D. Home, His +Life and Mission," on her authority. Madame Home's secretary, she said, +had slightly abbreviated her words in a way which made the occurrences +seem rather less wonderful than they actually were. Mr. Myers gives the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> +following, as having been signed "<span class="smcap">Barbara Honywood</span>, June 1889."</p> + +<p>"As to the burning coal placed in my hand. I saw Mr. Home take this coal +from the fire, moving his hands freely among the coals. It was about the +size of a coffee cup, blazing at the top, and red-hot at the bottom. +While I held it in my hand the actual flame died down, but it continued +to crackle, and to be partially red-hot. I felt it like an ordinary +stone, neither hot nor cold. Mr. Home then pushed it off my hand with +one finger on to a double sheet of cartridge paper, which it at once set +on fire. I am quite certain that I was in my usual condition at the +time....</p> + +<p>"As to the hot lamp-chimney which I touched. There was a row of four or +five persons sitting side by side, and Mr. Home asked us each in turn to +touch the glass. When I touched it, I felt as though a wave of heat were +receding before me....</p> + +<p>"I have repeatedly taken Mr. Home in my own carriage to the houses of +friends of mine who were strangers to him, and have there seen the +furniture at once violently moved in rooms which I knew that he had +never entered till that moment. I have seen heavy furniture moved; for +instance, a heavy sofa in my own drawing-room, with myself upon it, and +a heavy centre table, moved several feet away from Home, and then back +again, in the light, while his hands and feet were visible. Not +horse-hairs, but ropes, would often have been necessary to pull the +furniture about as I have seen it pulled."<a name="FNanchor_34_34" id="FNanchor_34_34"></a><a href="#Footnote_34_34" class="fnanchor">[34]</a></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span>A brief reference must now be made to what is perhaps the most +sensational alleged event in Home's mediumistic career, the one which is +most frequently spoken of by the general public, with more or less +forcible expressions of scornful incredulity; his "levitation" out of +the window of a room at a great height from the ground, and in at a +window of the next room on the same story. In the Report by Professor +Barrett and Mr. Myers, no detailed account of this is given. The Report +says: "Lords Lindsay and Adare had printed a statement that Home floated +out of the window and in at another in Ashley Place (Victoria Street), +S.W., 16th December 1868."<a name="FNanchor_35_35" id="FNanchor_35_35"></a><a href="#Footnote_35_35" class="fnanchor">[35]</a> At a meeting of the Committee of the +Dialectical Society, held on 6th July 1869, a paper was read from Lord +Lindsay, describing some of his personal experiences with Home. This +paper makes no reference to the above case of levitation. But at the +same meeting of the Committee, Lord Lindsay and others gave evidence as +witnesses, and Lord Lindsay thus described this particular case:—</p> + +<p>"I saw the levitations in Victoria Street, when Home floated out of the +window; he first went into a trance, and walked about uneasily; he then +went into the hall; while he was away, I heard a voice whisper in my +ear, 'He will go out of one window and in at another.' I was alarmed and +shocked at the idea of so dangerous an experiment. I told the company +what I had heard, and we then waited for Home's return. Shortly after he +entered the room, I heard the window go up, but I could not see it, for +I sat with my back to it. I, however,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> saw his shadow on the opposite +wall; he went out of the window in a horizontal position, and I saw him +outside the other window (that in the next room) floating in the air. It +was eighty-five feet from the ground. There was no balcony along the +windows, merely a strong course an inch and a half wide; each window had +a small plant stand, but there was no connection between them. I have no +theory to explain these things. I have tried to find out how they are +done, but the more I studied them, the more satisfied was I that they +could not be explained by mere mechanical trick."<a name="FNanchor_36_36" id="FNanchor_36_36"></a><a href="#Footnote_36_36" class="fnanchor">[36]</a></p> + +<p>There is one episode in the career of D. D. Home which, although it does +not affect the reality of the phenomena alleged to have taken place in +his presence, claims a brief mention. The gift to Home by Mrs. Lyon of a +large sum of money, the subsequent lawsuit, and the judgment in +accordance with which the money was returned to its original owner, +excited much attention at the time. Public opinion frequently takes up +sensational occurrences in a most illogical and unscientific manner. But +a permanent effect may thus be produced, which is extremely difficult to +eradicate, even if shown to be unjustifiable. This episode with Mrs. +Lyon has probably had more effect than any other circumstance in causing +the feeling of aversion with which large numbers of people regard Home +and all his doings. He is looked upon, and spoken of, as if he were an +unprincipled adventurer, convicted of fraud, and of obtaining money +under false pretences.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span>The remarks at the end of this chapter are based mainly upon Appendix +III. to the Report by Professor Barrett and Mr. Myers, and which deals +with the case of Lyon <i>v.</i> Home.<a name="FNanchor_37_37" id="FNanchor_37_37"></a><a href="#Footnote_37_37" class="fnanchor">[37]</a> The Appendix commences thus: "Our +colleague, Mr. H. Arthur Smith [barrister-at-law], author of 'Principles +of Equity,' has kindly furnished us with the following review of the +case of Lyon <i>v.</i> Home." The following are a few extracts from this +review:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>"I have looked carefully into the case of Lyon <i>v.</i> Home as reported in +the Law Reports (6 Equity, 655), ... and perhaps the following comments +may be useful to you.</p> + +<p>"It is certainly the fact that the judge discredited the evidence of +Mrs. Lyon. He said: 'Reliance cannot be placed on her testimony.... It +would be unjust to found on it a decree against any man, save in so far +as what she has sworn to may be corroborated by written documents, or +unimpeached witnesses, or incontrovertible facts.'</p> + +<p>"Having, then, eventually decided against Home, it follows that the +judge must have considered that her evidence was corroborated in some or +other of the ways mentioned."</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mr. H. Arthur Smith further says: "There was also an admitted letter +from Mrs. Lyon to Home, in which she stated that she presented him with +the £24,000 as an '<i>entirely free gift</i>.' This, she said, was written by +her at Home's dictation, under magnetic influence."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span>Mr. H. Arthur Smith proceeds to discuss the "corroborative evidence +which led to the judge's final opinion." He then remarks:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>"Now it must, I think, be admitted that considering the extraordinary +character of Mrs. Lyon's conduct, and the swiftness with which she +reached her decision to transfer her property to Home, such evidence as +the above may reasonably be deemed corroborative of her assertion that +she was induced to act as she did by the effects of Home's +spiritualistic pretensions.... There was sufficient ... in my opinion, +to establish the plaintiff's case. It is not then true that 'Home was +made to restore the money, because, being a professed medium, it was +likely that he should have induced her in the way he did.' The Court +held the law to be that such transactions as those in question cannot be +upheld, 'unless the Court is quite satisfied that they are acts of pure +volition uninfluenced.' ... There was evidence of considerable weight, +that as a matter of fact ... Home did work on the mind of Mrs. Lyon by +means of spiritualistic devices, and further that he did so by +suggesting communications from her deceased husband. Whether this is to +Home's discredit or not of course will be decided according to one's +belief in Spiritualism and the reality of her husband's interference....</p> + +<p class="right nb"><span class="smcap">H. Arthur Smith</span>.</p> + +<p class="nt nb"><span class="smcap">1 New Square, Lincoln's Inn</span>,</p> +<p class="nt indent"><i>October</i> 19, 1888."</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>In order that this episode should have its rightful effect, and no more, +it is needful that several things<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> should be borne in mind. In the first +place, the action was in a Court of Equity. It was not a prosecution in +a Criminal Court. The decision of the Court was not a verdict of guilty +against a prisoner, to be followed by punishment for wrong-doing, but an +order to refund certain money. In ordinary circumstances a judgment of +this kind does not brand a man with infamy, nor affect his character and +position in the eyes of society. Again, after the judgment of the Court, +Home promptly repaid the money. He had not appropriated or expended any +part of it. What more could he have done?</p> + +<p>Mr. Myers' remark in "Human Personality"—"The most serious blot on +Home's character was that revealed by the Lyon case"<a name="FNanchor_38_38" id="FNanchor_38_38"></a><a href="#Footnote_38_38" class="fnanchor">[38]</a>—seems, +therefore, rather severe under the circumstances. Especially as Mr. +Myers has expressed himself so strongly in favour of the reality of the +Home phenomena, and has said, in conjunction with Professor Barrett, +that they found no allegations of fraud on which they were justified in +laying much stress. Much more to the purpose is Mr. H. Arthur Smith's +comment: "Whether this is to Home's discredit or not of course will be +decided according to one's belief in Spiritualism and the reality of her +husband's interference."</p> + +<p>Had this Report of Professor Barrett's and Mr. Myers', with its +Appendices, been placed before the public, it might have mitigated the +prejudice which hangs about the name of D. D. Home in the minds of so +many. The unique position which Home<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> occupies in regard to the Physical +Phenomena of Spiritualism seems a sufficient reason for dwelling +somewhat fully on this episode as it affects his character as a man.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_22_22" id="Footnote_22_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_22_22"><span class="label">[22]</span></a> Report of the Committee of the London Dialectical Society, +pp. 360-363.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_23_23" id="Footnote_23_23"></a><a href="#FNanchor_23_23"><span class="label">[23]</span></a> Vol. iv. pp. 101-136.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_24_24" id="Footnote_24_24"></a><a href="#FNanchor_24_24"><span class="label">[24]</span></a> <i>Journal S.P.R.</i>, vol. iv. pp. 249-252.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_25_25" id="Footnote_25_25"></a><a href="#FNanchor_25_25"><span class="label">[25]</span></a> Ibid., p. 115.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_26_26" id="Footnote_26_26"></a><a href="#FNanchor_26_26"><span class="label">[26]</span></a> "Human Personality," vol. ii. p. 579.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_27_27" id="Footnote_27_27"></a><a href="#FNanchor_27_27"><span class="label">[27]</span></a> <i>Journal S.P.R.</i>, vol. iv. p. 102.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_28_28" id="Footnote_28_28"></a><a href="#FNanchor_28_28"><span class="label">[28]</span></a> "Human Personality," vol. ii. pp. 580-581.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_29_29" id="Footnote_29_29"></a><a href="#FNanchor_29_29"><span class="label">[29]</span></a> Ibid., p. 581.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_30_30" id="Footnote_30_30"></a><a href="#FNanchor_30_30"><span class="label">[30]</span></a> <i>Journal S.P.R.</i>, vol. iv. p. 107.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_31_31" id="Footnote_31_31"></a><a href="#FNanchor_31_31"><span class="label">[31]</span></a> <i>Journal S.P.R.</i>, vol. iv. p. 114.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_32_32" id="Footnote_32_32"></a><a href="#FNanchor_32_32"><span class="label">[32]</span></a> Ibid., p. 115.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_33_33" id="Footnote_33_33"></a><a href="#FNanchor_33_33"><span class="label">[33]</span></a> <i>Journal S.P.R.</i>, vol. iv. p. 122.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_34_34" id="Footnote_34_34"></a><a href="#FNanchor_34_34"><span class="label">[34]</span></a> <i>Journal S.P.R.</i>, vol. iv. pp. 135-136.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_35_35" id="Footnote_35_35"></a><a href="#FNanchor_35_35"><span class="label">[35]</span></a> <i>Journal S.P.R.</i>, vol. iv. p. 108.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_36_36" id="Footnote_36_36"></a><a href="#FNanchor_36_36"><span class="label">[36]</span></a> Report of the Committee of the Dialectical Society, p. +214.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_37_37" id="Footnote_37_37"></a><a href="#FNanchor_37_37"><span class="label">[37]</span></a> <i>Journal S.P.R.</i>, vol. iv. pp. 117-119.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_38_38" id="Footnote_38_38"></a><a href="#FNanchor_38_38"><span class="label">[38]</span></a> "Human Personality," vol. ii. p. 580.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> + + +<h2><a name="VI" id="VI"></a>CHAPTER VI<br /> +<br /> +<span class="sub2">PHYSICAL PHENOMENA ALLEGED TO HAVE OCCURRED<br /> IN THE PRESENCE OF WILLIAM +STAINTON MOSES</span></h2> + + +<p class="noi"><span class="smcap">It</span> is mainly due to the labours of Mr. F. W. H. Myers, after Mr. +Stainton Moses' death, that the Physical Phenomena alleged to have +occurred in his presence can be included among those for which evidence +of a scientific character is claimed. It is much to be regretted that, +during Mr. Stainton Moses' lifetime, although phenomena of a very varied +character were alleged to have occurred with great frequency during many +years, no scientific man of eminence appears to have joined in the +seances, except on one or two occasions. Perhaps the primary reason for +this was that Mr. Stainton Moses' own attitude of mind towards the +subject did not court critical and scientific investigation of the +phenomena. But even during the last ten years of his life, subsequent to +the formation of the Society for Psychical Research, of which he was an +original member, and not only that, but for nearly five years a +Vice-President and a member of the Council, so far as I know, no +sittings were held with him on behalf of the Society, and no first-hand<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> +authentic records of the alleged phenomena in earlier years were placed +before it. One reason for this probably was that the Council of the +Society informally adopted a sort of understanding that its earlier +investigations should not be directed towards "Spiritualism," but mainly +towards those branches of the great subject which were, so to speak, +just outside the field of recognised scientific inquiry—such, for +instance, as Thought-Transference and Hypnotism. In this course there +was doubtless a certain amount of wisdom, but to it was due the apathy +and the ultimate secession of a few members who took great interest in +the formation of the Society. Chief among these was W. Stainton Moses +himself. In November 1886 he withdrew from the Society, considering that +the evidence of phenomena of the genuine character of which he had +satisfied himself beyond doubt, was not being properly entertained or +fairly treated.</p> + +<p>Mr. W. Stainton Moses entrusted by will his unpublished MSS. to two +friends as literary executors, Mr. Charles C. Massey and Mr. Alaric A. +Watts. At the earnest request of Mr. Myers, these gentlemen permitted +him to see a large number of them. Thirty-one note-books were placed in +his hands. Permission was further given to Mr. Myers to make selections +from these note-books for publication in the <i>Proceedings</i> of the +Society. These selections form the substance of two long articles.<a name="FNanchor_39_39" id="FNanchor_39_39"></a><a href="#Footnote_39_39" class="fnanchor">[39]</a> +The thirty-one books comprise twenty-four of Automatic<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> Writing, four +Records of Physical Phenomena, and three of retrospect and summary. Two +of these recapitulate physical phenomena, with reflections.</p> + +<p>Mr. Stainton Moses' most intimate friends were Dr. and Mrs. Stanhope T. +Speer. They, with the occasional attendance of another intimate friend, +Mr. F. W. Percival, barrister-at-law, and Examiner in the Education +Department, were generally the only members of the small group who +witnessed the phenomena. Mr. Stainton Moses' note-books had been kept +extremely private. It seems probable that no one had seen them until +they were placed in Mr. Myers' hands. Two note-books and other MSS. by +Dr. Speer were also handed to Mr. Myers, which he says contained +independent contemporary records of much evidential value. With regard +to Dr. and Mrs. Speer, Mr. Myers says: "Their importance as witnesses of +the phenomena is so great, that I must be pardoned for inserting a +'testimonial' to the late Dr. Speer (M.D., Edinburgh), which shall not, +however, be in my own words, but in those of Dr. Marshall Hall, F.R.S., +one of the best-known physicians of the middle of this century. Writing +on 18th March 1849, Dr. Marshall Hall says (in a printed collection of +similar testimonials now before me): 'I have great satisfaction in +bearing my testimony to the talents and acquirements of Dr. Stanhope +Templeman Speer. Dr. Speer has had unusual advantages in having been at +the medical schools, not only of London and Edinburgh, but of Paris and +Montpellier, and he has availed himself of these advantages with +extraordinary diligence and talent. He ranks among our most +distinguished<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> rising physicians,'"<a name="FNanchor_40_40" id="FNanchor_40_40"></a><a href="#Footnote_40_40" class="fnanchor">[40]</a> Dr. Speer practised as a +physician at Cheltenham and in London, and at different times held +various important hospital posts. He had scientific and artistic tastes, +and being possessed of private means, he quitted professional work at +the age of thirty-four, and spent his subsequent life in studious +retirement. Mr. Myers says that his "cast of mind was strongly +materialistic, and it is remarkable that his interest in Mr. Moses' +phenomena was from first to last of a purely scientific, as contrasted +with an emotional or religious nature."<a name="FNanchor_41_41" id="FNanchor_41_41"></a><a href="#Footnote_41_41" class="fnanchor">[41]</a> Mrs. Stanhope Speer also kept +careful records of the sittings. Over sixty instalments were published +in the weekly journal, <i>Light</i>, under the title of "Records of Private +Seances, from Notes taken at the time of each Sitting."</p> + +<p>Mr. Stainton Moses was born in Lincolnshire in 1839. He studied at +Oxford, and was ordained as a clergyman of the Church of England. After +a few years of active life as a parish clergyman, he was offered a +Mastership in University College School, London, which post he held +until about three years before his death, which took place in 1892. As +to the "fundamental questions of sanity and probity," Mr. Myers says: +"Neither I myself, nor, so far as I know, any person acquainted with Mr. +Moses, has ever entertained any doubt."<a name="FNanchor_42_42" id="FNanchor_42_42"></a><a href="#Footnote_42_42" class="fnanchor">[42]</a> Mr. Charles C. Massey says: +"However perplexed for an explanation, the crassest prejudice has +recoiled from ever suggesting a doubt of the truth and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> honesty of +Stainton Moses."<a name="FNanchor_43_43" id="FNanchor_43_43"></a><a href="#Footnote_43_43" class="fnanchor">[43]</a> Mr. H. J. Hood, barrister-at-law, who knew him for +many years, writes: "I believe that he was wholly incapable of +deceit."<a name="FNanchor_44_44" id="FNanchor_44_44"></a><a href="#Footnote_44_44" class="fnanchor">[44]</a> The principal published works of Mr. Stainton Moses +are—"Researches in Spiritualism," issued in <i>Human Nature</i>, a +periodical now extinct; "Spirit Identity" (1879), recently republished; +"Spirit Teachings" (1883), of which a new edition has lately appeared +with a biography by Mr. Charles Speer (son of Dr. S. T. Speer). Mr. +Stainton Moses was also Editor of <i>Light</i> during its earlier years.</p> + +<p>It has seemed important, in view of what is to follow, that the reader +should be in possession of this somewhat explicit account of Mr. +Stainton Moses, his life, his work, and his intimate friends.</p> + +<p>Having briefly treated of these external matters in the first of his two +articles in the <i>Proceedings of the S.P.R.</i>, Mr. Myers goes on to say:—</p> + +<p>"But now our narrative must pass at a bound from the commonplace and the +credible to bewildering and inconceivable things. With the even tenour +of this straightforward and reputable life was inwoven a chain of +mysteries which, as I have before said, in whatever way soever they be +explained, make that life one of the most extraordinary which our +century has seen. For Stainton Moses' true history lies, not in the +everyday events thus far recorded, but in that series of physical +manifestations which began in 1872, and lasted for some eight years, and +that series of automatic writings and trance-utterances which began in +1873, received<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> a record for some ten years, and did not, as is +believed, cease altogether until the earthly end was near."<a name="FNanchor_45_45" id="FNanchor_45_45"></a><a href="#Footnote_45_45" class="fnanchor">[45]</a></p> + + +<h3><span class="smcap">The Physical Phenomena.</span></h3> + +<p>This inquiry concerns physical phenomena only. The wealth of material to +select from is enormous. It is proposed to give one or two examples of +each of the important classes of physical phenomena. In doing so such +examples only will be quoted as have been selected by Mr. Myers to +include in his articles in the <i>Proceedings of the S.P.R.</i> The reader +will therefore know that the following records have been under Mr. +Myers' scrutiny, and have been considered by him as of evidential value. +This will also simplify references, as it will be needful to refer only +to Mr. Myers' articles which are easily accessible, and not to the +original sources.</p> + + +<h3><span class="smcap">Movements without Contact.</span></h3> + +<p>After recording some movements of a table, Mr. Stainton Moses says: "All +that I have described occurs readily when the table is untouched. +Indeed, when the force is developed, we have found it better to remove +the hands and leave the table to its own devices. The tilting above +noticed has been even more marked when the sitters have been removed +from it to a distance of about two feet. It has rapped on the chair and +on the floor, inclined so as to play into a hand placed on the carpet, +and has been restored to its normal position when no hand has touched +it. The actual force required to perform<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> this would be represented by +very considerable muscular exertion in a man of ordinary strength."<a name="FNanchor_46_46" id="FNanchor_46_46"></a><a href="#Footnote_46_46" class="fnanchor">[46]</a></p> + +<p>The following account, besides being a record of physical phenomenon, is +a curious illustration of the result of not following alleged +instructions. Mr. Stainton Moses writes:—</p> + +<p>"We had ventured on one occasion, contrary to direction, to add to our +circle a strange member. Some trivial phenomena occurred, but the usual +controlling spirit did not appear. When next we sat he came; and +probably none of us will easily forget the sledge-hammer blows with +which he smote the table. The noise was distinctly audible in the room +below, and gave one the idea that the table would be broken to pieces. +In vain we withdrew from the table, hoping to diminish the power. The +heavy blows increased in intensity, and the whole room shook with their +force. The direst penalties were threatened if we again interfered with +the development by bringing in new sitters. We have not ventured to do +so again; and I do not think we shall easily be persuaded to risk +another similar objurgation."<a name="FNanchor_47_47" id="FNanchor_47_47"></a><a href="#Footnote_47_47" class="fnanchor">[47]</a></p> + +<p>The following account of some impromptu occurrences is written by Mr. +Serjeant Cox, and is quoted by Mr. Myers from the second volume of +Serjeant Cox's work, "What am I?" The scene was also orally described to +Mr. Myers by Serjeant Cox, who, as Mr. Myers remarks, was not himself a +"Spiritualist," but ascribed these and similar phenomena to a power +innate in the medium's own being.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span>"On Tuesday, 2nd June 1873, a personal friend [Mr. Stainton Moses] came +to my residence in Russell Square to dress for a dinner party to which +we were invited. He had previously exhibited considerable power as a +Psychic. Having half an hour to spare, we went into the dining-room. It +was just six o'clock, and of course broad daylight. I was opening +letters; he was reading the <i>Times</i>. My dining-table is of mahogany, +very heavy, old-fashioned, six feet wide, nine feet long. It stands on a +Turkey carpet, which much increases the difficulty of moving it. A +subsequent trial showed that the united efforts of two strong men +standing were required to move it one inch. There was no cloth upon it, +and the light fell full under it. No person was in the room but my +friend and myself. Suddenly, as we were sitting thus, frequent and loud +rappings came upon the table. My friend was then sitting holding the +newspaper with both hands, one arm resting on the table, the other on +the back of a chair, and turned sideways from the table, so that his +legs and feet were not under the table, but at the side of it. Presently +the solid table quivered as with an ague fit. Then it swayed to and fro +so violently as almost to dislocate the big pillar-like legs, of which +there are eight. Then it moved forward about three inches. I looked +under it to be sure it was not touched; but still it moved, and still +the blows were loud upon it.</p> + +<p>"This sudden access of the Force at such a time, and in such a place, +with none present but myself and my friend, and with no thought then of +invoking it, caused the utmost astonishment in both<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> of us. My friend +said that nothing like it had ever before occurred to him. I then +suggested that it would be an invaluable opportunity, with so great a +power in action, to make trial of <i>motion without contact</i>, the presence +of two persons only, the daylight, the place, the size and weight of the +table, making the experiment a crucial one. Accordingly we stood +upright, he on one side of the table, I on the other side of it. We +stood two feet from it, and held our hands eight inches above it. In one +minute it rocked violently. Then it moved over the carpet a distance of +seven inches. Then it rose three inches from the floor on the side on +which my friend was standing. Then it rose equally on my side. Finally +my friend held his hands four inches over the end of the table, and +asked that it would rise and touch his hand three times. It did so; and +then in accordance with the like request, it rose to my hand held at the +other end to the same height above it and in the same manner."<a name="FNanchor_48_48" id="FNanchor_48_48"></a><a href="#Footnote_48_48" class="fnanchor">[48]</a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Levitation.</span>—The wonderful phenomenon of levitation must be included in +the category of "movements without contact"! Some of Mr. Stainton Moses' +experiences of this kind are much more explicitly and circumstantially +described than those alleged to have occurred with D. D. Home. Mr. +Stainton Moses gives the following account of his first personal +experience of this nature:—</p> + +<p>"My first personal experience of levitation was about five months after +my introduction to spiritualism. Physical phenomena of a very powerful +description had been developed with great rapidity.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> We were new to the +subject, and the phenomena were most interesting.... One day (30th +August 1872) ... I felt my chair drawn back from the table and turned +into the corner near which I sat. It was so placed that my face was +turned away from the circle to the angle made by the two walls. In this +position the chair was raised from the floor to a distance of, I should +judge, twelve or fourteen inches. My feet touched the top of the +skirting-board, which would be about twelve inches in height. The chair +remained suspended for a few moments, and I then felt myself going from +it, higher and higher, with a very slow and easy movement. I had no +sense of discomfort nor of apprehension. I was perfectly conscious of +what was being done, and described the process to those who were sitting +at the table. The movement was very steady, and occupied what seemed a +long time before it was completed. I was close to the wall, so close +that I was able to put a pencil firmly against my chest, and to mark the +spot opposite to me on the wall-paper. That mark when measured +afterwards was found to be rather more than six feet from the floor, +and, from its position, it was clear that my head must have been in the +very corner of the room, close to the ceiling. I do not think that I was +in any way entranced. I was perfectly clear in my mind, quite alive to +what was being done, and fully conscious of the curious phenomenon. I +felt no pressure on any part of my body, only a sensation as of being in +a lift, whilst objects seemed to be passing away from below me. I +remember a slight difficulty in breathing, and a sensation of fulness in +the chest, with a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> general feeling of being lighter than the atmosphere. +I was lowered down quite gently, and placed in the chair, which had +settled in its old position. The measurements and observations were +taken immediately, and the marks which I had made with my pencil were +noted. My voice was said at the time to sound as if from the corner of +the room, close to the ceiling."<a name="FNanchor_49_49" id="FNanchor_49_49"></a><a href="#Footnote_49_49" class="fnanchor">[49]</a></p> + +<p>Mr. Stainton Moses says that this experience was repeated, with +variations, on nine other occasions. Once he suddenly found himself on +the table—his chair being unmoved. This, "under ordinary +circumstances," he says, "is what we call impossible." On another +occasion he was placed on the table standing. But he discouraged these +phenomena of levitation as much as possible, from a dislike to violent +physical manifestations.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Movement of Objects in a Closed Room, no one being Present.</span>—I am not +aware of any other well-attested instances of a curious phenomenon +stated to have occurred when Mr. Stainton Moses was near but not +present. He thus describes the "first startling manifestation" of this +kind. It was on Sunday, 18th August 1872. Simple phenomena of raps and +movements of the table commenced at breakfast-time. Mr. Stainton Moses +went to church with his friend. On entering his bedroom afterwards, his +attention was drawn by loud rappings which followed him round the room, +to three articles so placed on the bed as to form an imperfect cross. +While he was in the room another article was added. He called his friend +whose<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> guest he was. To avoid the possibility of children or servants +playing tricks, in case anything more happened, they well searched the +room—it contained no cupboard—bolted the window, locked the door on +leaving, and the host put the key in his pocket. After lunch two more +articles were found to be added. Another visit discovered other +additions. This went on till 5 <span class="smcap">p.m.</span>, "when a complete cross extending +the whole length of the bed was made entirely of little articles from +the toilet-table." The position of the room, and the whole +circumstances, convinced Mr. Stainton Moses and Dr. and Mrs. Speer, with +whom he was staying, beyond any doubt that human intervention was +impossible. A very detailed account of this incident exists in the +handwriting of Dr. Speer.<a name="FNanchor_50_50" id="FNanchor_50_50"></a><a href="#Footnote_50_50" class="fnanchor">[50]</a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Carrying of Objects into a Locked Room, and the Passage of Solid +Objects through Material Obstacles.</span>—During the two or three weeks +subsequent to the above, over fifty instances occurred in which objects +from different parts of the house were placed upon the table round which +Mr. Stainton Moses and Dr. and Mrs. Speer were sitting in a locked dark +room. The gas was always left burning brightly in the adjoining +dining-room, and in the hall outside, so that if either of the doors had +been opened, even for a moment, a blaze of light would have been let +into the room in which they sat. Mr. Stainton Moses remarks—"As this +never happened, we have full assurance from what Dr. Carpenter considers +the best authority, common sense, that the doors remained closed." On +one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> occasion a small edition of "Paradise Lost" was placed on the +table, and at the same time the words "to convince" were spelt out by +raps. This little book had been in the hands of all of them during the +evening, and they could testify to the position on a bookshelf where it +had been left. One evening seven objects in different rooms were brought +in; among them a little bell from the dining-room. They heard it begin +to ring, the sound approached the door, they were astonished soon to +hear the sound in the room where they sat, round which the bell was +carried, close to the faces of all, and finally placed on the table, +having been ringing loudly all the time. A curious incident occurred at +a later date, the circle of three sitting alone. A small Parian +statuette from an upper room was placed upon the table. One of the party +requested that a friend who usually communicates might be fetched. "We +are doing so" was spelt out by raps. This was taken to be the complete +answer, and they ceased to call over the alphabet. However, the alphabet +was called for again, and "mething else" was spelt out. No idea could be +formed as to the meaning of this. At request it was exactly repeated. +After much puzzling it occurred to one of the party to join it on to the +previous message—when the meaning became apparent. Mr. Stainton Moses +sarcastically remarks—"What a clear case of 'unconscious cerebration'"! +"Very soon an odour like Tonquin bean was apparent to all of us. +Something fell on the table, and light showed that a snuff-box which had +contained Tonquin bean had been brought from Dr. Speer's dressing-room. +The box<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> was closed, and the odour was remarked before any of us had the +remotest idea that the box was in the room."<a name="FNanchor_51_51" id="FNanchor_51_51"></a><a href="#Footnote_51_51" class="fnanchor">[51]</a></p> + + +<h3><span class="smcap">Perfumes and Waves of Scent-laden Air.</span></h3> + +<p>This phase of the phenomena must be passed rapidly over, though +manifested to a much greater extent and in greater variety in Mr. +Stainton Moses' case than in any other with which I am acquainted. In +his circle music and singing were never introduced as a means of +harmonising the conditions. Mr. Stainton Moses says: "In our circle this +harmonising is effected by means of perfumes and waves of cool-scented +air." "If a new sitter is present, he or she is censed (if I may adopt +the expression), and so initiated." "If a new intelligence is to +communicate, or special honour to be paid to a chief, the room is +pervaded by perfumes which grow stronger as the spirit enters." +Sometimes the scent was in a liquid form, and apparently sprinkled down +from the ceiling. Sometimes dry musk was thrown about in considerable +quantities. A striking instance is given in the form of a statement from +Mr. F. W. Percival, mentioned at the commencement of this article—a +very occasional sitter. He says: "In compliance with your request, I +will describe as briefly as possible what occurred at the dark seance +held on the evening of 18th March 1874, when scent was produced so +abundantly in the presence of Mrs. Speer and myself, while you [Mr. S. +M.] were in a state of trance. The controlling spirit began by speaking +through you at some length, and we were told<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> to expect unusual +manifestations. They commenced with a strongly scented breeze, which +passed softly round the circle, its course being marked by a pale light. +In a few minutes it suddenly changed, and blew upon us with considerable +force, as if a pair of bellows had been employed, and the temperature of +the room was perceptibly lowered. After this liquid scent was sprinkled +upon us several times; it appeared to come from the top of the room, and +fell upon us in small drops. Finally we were told that a new +manifestation would be attempted, and that we were to prepare for it by +joining hands and holding the palms upwards. In this position we waited +for two or three minutes, and then I felt a stream of liquid scent +poured out, as it were from the spout of a teapot, which fell on one +side of my left hand, and ran down upon the table. The same was done for +Mrs. Speer; and to judge from our impressions at the time, and from the +stains on the table, a very considerable quantity must have been +produced. I may remark in conclusion that there was no scent in the room +before the seance, and that we could distinguish several different +perfumes which made the atmosphere so oppressive that we were glad to +seek a purer air so soon as the seance came to an end."<a name="FNanchor_52_52" id="FNanchor_52_52"></a><a href="#Footnote_52_52" class="fnanchor">[52]</a></p> + + +<h3><span class="smcap">Lights without Apparent Physical Cause.</span></h3> + +<p>The phenomenon of Light without any apparent physical cause was a +frequent one with Mr. Stainton Moses, and the manifestations were of a +very varied<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> character. Several of these were described in <a href="#IV">Chapter +IV.</a></p> + +<p>An account is now given of some remarkable phenomena which occurred at +four consecutive seances on the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th of August +1873. Mr. Stainton Moses was on a holiday excursion with Dr. and Mrs. +Speer in the North of Ireland. The days were spent in orthodox holiday +fashion. The following is condensed from notes written in detail at the +time by Dr. Speer:—</p> + +<p>On the 10th of August, after some other phenomena had occurred, a large +globe of light rose opposite to me, sailed up to the level of our faces, +and then vanished. Several more followed. By request one was placed in +the centre of the table. It was surrounded with drapery. A light came +and stood on the table close to me. "Now I will show you my hand" was +rapped out. A large very bright light then came up, and inside of it +appeared the materialised hand of the spirit. The fingers moved about +close to my face; the appearance was as distinct as can be conceived. I +was told to write an exact account of what had been done. The next +evening I placed the account I had written and a pencil on the table, +and asked that the light might be brought down upon it. This was done. I +then asked that if possible the spirit would append his signature. The +spirit said he would try. After other lights had been produced, the hand +appeared outside the drapery, I heard the pencil moving, and repeating +his instruction of the previous evening, he departed, leaving on the +paper a specimen of direct spirit caligraphy.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> On these two evenings no +other sitter was present but myself.<a name="FNanchor_53_53" id="FNanchor_53_53"></a><a href="#Footnote_53_53" class="fnanchor">[53]</a></p> + + +<h3><span class="smcap">Direct Writing.</span></h3> + +<p>As has already been remarked, the wealth of material is so great that +selection is a matter of difficulty. There is much more I should like to +have included in this chapter, but it must be drawn to a close with a +brief detailed account of a case of "Direct Writing." There is perhaps +no phenomenon more incredible to the "beginner" in these studies, than +that legible and intelligent writing should be produced without human +agency, and yet there seems no other way of explaining the facts. The +following is an account, by Mr. Stainton Moses himself, of a seance held +on 19th September 1872, the last held before a break in the series +during the autumn of that year. "Imperator" had recently announced +himself as the leading guide or director of the phenomena.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 409px;"> +<img src="images/i075.jpg" width="409" height="600" alt="" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Facsimile reduced from original. The paper was blue, with +faint blue lines. The corner at the top right hand was torn off for +identification of the paper.</span> +</div> + +<p>"We darkened the seance room, leaving the gas burning brightly in the +adjoining dining-room. Dr. and Mrs. Speer and I sat at the table. On the +floor under the table we put a piece of ruled paper and a pencil. A +corner of the paper I tore off, and handed it to Dr. Speer to identify +the sheet of paper if necessary. Various raps, some objects brought in, +and a noise rather like sawing wood. When light was called for, Mrs. +Speer stooped down and picked up the paper. The upper surface was blank. +Her endorsement on the back of the paper, afterwards written, reads: 'I +took the paper from under<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> the table with the writing downwards,' <i>i.e.</i> +on the surface touching the carpet. Dr. Speer and I wrote and signed +this endorsement: 'The above corner<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> was torn by me (S. M.) before the +light was put out, and was given to Dr. S.' I (S. M.) afterwards put the +two pieces together. They fit exactly, and are secured by a couple of +halfpenny stamps, with the initials of Dr. S. and myself upon them. The +message follows the rules exactly. A facsimile is appended, omitting +only the initials of a deceased friend. It will be noticed that the +writing is clearly and laboriously executed on the ruled lines. In no +case are the lines deserted. I fancy the message is written backwards. +Imperator's signature is of his usual decided type, very like what is +automatically written by my hand. I suspect that the message was written +by two hands."<a name="FNanchor_54_54" id="FNanchor_54_54"></a><a href="#Footnote_54_54" class="fnanchor">[54]</a></p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_39_39" id="Footnote_39_39"></a><a href="#FNanchor_39_39"><span class="label">[39]</span></a> <i>Proceedings S.P.R.</i>, vol. ix. pp. 245-352, and vol. xi. +pp. 24-113. Reference should also be made to an obituary notice of Mr. +Stainton Moses by Mr. Myers, in <i>Proceedings</i>, vol. viii. pp. 597-601.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_40_40" id="Footnote_40_40"></a><a href="#FNanchor_40_40"><span class="label">[40]</span></a> <i>Proceedings S.P.R.</i>, vol. ix. pp. 247-248.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_41_41" id="Footnote_41_41"></a><a href="#FNanchor_41_41"><span class="label">[41]</span></a> Ibid., p. 248.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_42_42" id="Footnote_42_42"></a><a href="#FNanchor_42_42"><span class="label">[42]</span></a> Ibid., p. 247.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_43_43" id="Footnote_43_43"></a><a href="#FNanchor_43_43"><span class="label">[43]</span></a> Ibid., p. 247.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_44_44" id="Footnote_44_44"></a><a href="#FNanchor_44_44"><span class="label">[44]</span></a> <i>Proceedings S.P.R.</i>, vol. ix. p. 247.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_45_45" id="Footnote_45_45"></a><a href="#FNanchor_45_45"><span class="label">[45]</span></a> <i>Proceedings S.P.R.</i>, vol. ix. p. 252.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_46_46" id="Footnote_46_46"></a><a href="#FNanchor_46_46"><span class="label">[46]</span></a> <i>Proceedings S.P.R.</i>, vol. ix. p. 259.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_47_47" id="Footnote_47_47"></a><a href="#FNanchor_47_47"><span class="label">[47]</span></a> Ibid.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_48_48" id="Footnote_48_48"></a><a href="#FNanchor_48_48"><span class="label">[48]</span></a> <i>Proceedings S.P.R.</i>, vol. ix. pp. 259-260.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_49_49" id="Footnote_49_49"></a><a href="#FNanchor_49_49"><span class="label">[49]</span></a> <i>Proceedings S.P.R.</i>, vol. ix. p. 261.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_50_50" id="Footnote_50_50"></a><a href="#FNanchor_50_50"><span class="label">[50]</span></a> See <i>Proceedings S.P.R.</i>, vol. ix. pp. 263-266.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_51_51" id="Footnote_51_51"></a><a href="#FNanchor_51_51"><span class="label">[51]</span></a> See <i>Proceedings S.P.R.</i>, vol. ix. pp. 266-267.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_52_52" id="Footnote_52_52"></a><a href="#FNanchor_52_52"><span class="label">[52]</span></a> <i>Proceedings S.P.R.</i>, vol. ix. pp. 267-273.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_53_53" id="Footnote_53_53"></a><a href="#FNanchor_53_53"><span class="label">[53]</span></a> <i>Proceedings S.P.R.</i>, vol. ix. pp. 274-276.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_54_54" id="Footnote_54_54"></a><a href="#FNanchor_54_54"><span class="label">[54]</span></a> <i>Proceedings S.P.R.</i>, vol. ix. pp. 284-286.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> + + +<h2><a name="VII" id="VII"></a>CHAPTER VII<br /> +<br /> +<span class="sub2">"THE DIVINING ROD"</span></h2> + + +<p class="noi"><span class="smcap">The</span> reality or otherwise of the pretensions of the "Divining Rod" come +legitimately within the scope of the present inquiry. The physical +results which, it is alleged, follow the use of the "Divining" or +"Dowsing" Rod in certain hands are unexplained by recognised physical +science. The main fact of the success of the Rod, as a means of finding +water where all ordinary methods have failed, is, however, so widely +acknowledged among intelligent persons, including many business men, +that it will be unnecessary to devote much space to this chapter. I +shall not do more than briefly refer to the scientific<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> inquiry into the +whole subject which has been made in recent years, and quote a few cases +where success has attended the use of the Rod after other means had +failed.</p> + +<p>Here again we are mainly indebted to a member of the Society for +Psychical Research for what has been done. In the early days of the +Society, two or three members, especially the late Mr. E. Vaughan +Jenkins, of Oxford, had assiduously collected the best testimony they +could obtain as to the successful use of the Rod. This was placed at the +disposal of the Society in 1884, and was amply sufficient to show that a +strong <i>primâ facie</i> case for fuller investigation existed.<a name="FNanchor_55_55" id="FNanchor_55_55"></a><a href="#Footnote_55_55" class="fnanchor">[55]</a> In 1891, +at the request of the Council of the Society, Professor W. F. Barrett, +F.R.S., of Dublin, undertook to submit the whole subject to a thorough +scientific and experimental research. The results of Professor Barrett's +indefatigable industry over a number of years are embodied in two +lengthy Reports, published in the <i>Proceedings</i> of the Society.<a name="FNanchor_56_56" id="FNanchor_56_56"></a><a href="#Footnote_56_56" class="fnanchor">[56]</a> The +following cases are quoted from Professor Barrett's records as examples +of the work of different professional "dowsers."</p> + +<p>I. Mr. B. Tompkins, of Pipsmore Farm, Chippenham, Wilts, was the +"diviner" in this case. Prior to 1890, Mr. Tompkins was a tenant farmer. +Having been at some expense in endeavouring to obtain a good supply of +water for his cattle, without success, he sent for Mr. Mullins, who came +and found a spot where he said a plentiful supply of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> water existed at a +depth of less than 30 feet. A well was sunk, and at 15 feet deep a +strong spring was tapped which has yielded an unfailing supply ever +since. Mr. Tompkins finding that the forked twig moved in his own hands, +tried some experiments on his own account which proved successful. He +was then asked by Messrs. Smith and Marshall, of Chippenham, agents to +the late Lord Methuen, to try and find a spring on Lord Methuen's +estate, as a well already sunk had proved useless. After a long search +the rod moved at a certain spot on a hillside where Mr. Tompkins +predicted a good supply of water would be found. Nine feet of solid rock +had to be blasted, but at 18 feet a spring was struck which rose 9 or 10 +feet in the well. Messrs. Smith and Marshall subsequently wrote thus to +Mr. Tompkins:—</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="right3 nb">"<span class="smcap">Chippenham, Wilts</span>, and</p> +<p class="right nt nb"><span class="smcap">7 Whitehall Place, London</span>,</p> +<p class="right4 nt"><i>November</i> 24, 1891.</p> + +<p class="nb">"The decision you arrived at was perfectly correct, and it is our +opinion that if we had made the well 6 feet either way to the right or +left of the spot you marked, we should have missed the water, which is +now abundant.</p> + +<p class="right nt"><span class="smcap">Smith and Marshall.</span>"</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>This is by way of introduction to case 99 in Professor Barrett's Report.</p> + +<p>"No. 99. Mr. Charles Maggs, who is a Wiltshire county magistrate, and +proprietor of the Melksham Dairy Company, required a large supply of +pure water for his butter factory, and, after ineffectual attempts to +obtain it, wrote to Mr. Tompkins to come over and try the divining rod. +This was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> done, and subsequently Mr. Maggs writes to Mr. Tompkins as +follows:—</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="right nb">"<span class="smcap">'Melksham Dairy Company</span>,</p> +<p class="right4 nt"><i>November</i> 10, 1890.</p> + +<p class="nb">"'We found water at 30 feet, as stated by you at time of finding the +spring—a very strong spring. Our hopes had almost gone, and faith was +all but spent....</p> + +<p class="right nt"><span class="smcap">Charles Maggs</span>.'"</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>Professor Barrett wrote to Mr. Maggs, and received the following +interesting letter in reply:—</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="right nb">"<span class="smcap">Bowerhill Lodge, Melksham</span>,</p> +<p class="right2 nt"><i>March</i> 8, 1897.</p> + +<p class="nb">"Briefly the facts are:—I sunk a well to find water for my dairy and +found none. Then I wrote to Mr. Tompkins, who came the following day. He +cut a forked stick out of the hedge, and having placed it over the well, +said, 'There is no water here,' but found a slight spring within 10 +feet, too small to be of any service, he reported. He walked all over +the field, and said he had not come across any spring at all. However, +in the extreme corner of the field, a bunch of nettles was growing, and +he entered this, and instantly exclaimed—'Here it is; and a good head +of water, too! Not running away, but just ready for tapping, and as soon +as you strike it, it will come surging up.' 'How deep?' 'Not over 25 +feet.' He cut out a turf to indicate the spot, and we commenced sinking +next day. The person employed was an old well-sinker, and he came to me +two or three times whilst engaged in sinking, showing specimens of the +soil or marl,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> assuring me there never was water where such existed, and +it was worse than useless to go further. I told him to go on if he had +to get to New Zealand—it was my money, and he need not regard me nor my +pocket. When he had gone about 22 feet, his pickaxe tapped the spring +and the water came up like a fountain, and at such a rate he feared he +should be drowned before he could get pulled up—his mates being away! +The water rose rapidly to within 12 or 15 inches of the surface. We put +in pumps and kept the water down whilst he went a little deeper, but the +rush of water was such that we had to desist going lower. Since then we +have had a splendid supply....</p> + +<p class="right nt"><span class="smcap">Chas. Maggs</span>."<a name="FNanchor_57_57" id="FNanchor_57_57"></a><a href="#Footnote_57_57" class="fnanchor">[57]</a> +</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>II. Mr. John Mullins and Mr. H. W. Mullins, father and son, Colerne, +Chippenham, Wilts.</p> + +<p>Mr. Mullins, sen., who died rather more than ten years ago, was for +thirty years engaged all over Great Britain and Ireland in finding water +by means of the divining rod. He was a professional well-sinker. His +sons carry on their father's business. One of them, Mr. H. W. Mullins, +inherits his fathers faculty.</p> + +<p>Cases Nos. 62 and 63 in Professor Barrett's Report illustrate the powers +of both father and son.</p> + +<p>Mr. E.G. Allen writes:—</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="right nb">"<span class="smcap">Highfield, Metheringham</span></p> +<p class="right nt"><span class="smcap">Lincoln</span>, <i>March</i> 25, 1893.</p> + +<p>"Having frequently availed myself of Mr. John Mullins' services during +the last twenty years, I can say I have never known him to fail. I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> have +sunk six wells, two on a heath farm about 30 feet deep (surrounding +wells measuring about 70 feet) in limestone rock, thus saving a great +expense in sinking. I took him one morning to a farm which was at that +time farmed by the owner, the Right Hon. H. Chaplin, M.P. The well in +the yard (nearly always dry) was about 30 feet deep. In a few minutes, +Mullins, carrying in his hand his twig, found a good spring a very short +distance from the old well. A new well was sunk, and at 10 feet a +splendid supply of water was found. It has never failed, and has +supplied the yards, &c., with water ever since.</p> + +<p class="nb">"Being in want of water for a large grass field, called 'Catley Abbey +Field,' I went with Mullins, who placed down a peg to denote a spring. +We sunk a well, and bored 70 feet obtaining a good supply of water. +Being struck with a peculiarity in its taste, it was submitted to +Professor Attfield, Ph.D., who pronounced it to be the only natural +seltzer spring in the kingdom.</p> + +<p class="right nt"> +<span class="smcap">E. G. Allen.</span>"<a name="FNanchor_58_58" id="FNanchor_58_58"></a><a href="#Footnote_58_58" class="fnanchor">[58]</a> +</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>The next case in Professor Barrett's collection, No. 63, forms an +interesting sequel to the above. The following is abridged from a long +report, in the <i>Lincolnshire Chronicle</i> of 8th June 1895, of a visit of +Mr. H.W. Mullins, son of Mr. John Mullins, to Catley Abbey:—</p> + +<p>"The object of the Catley Abbey Company in sending for Mr. Mullins was +to secure a well of pure water for bottle-washing. A well on the +adjoining<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> farm of Mr. Allen had run dry, and recently the seltzer water +had been used for the purpose of bottle-washing. Eight years ago, Mr. J. +Mullins, the father of the family, located the spot at Catley, where now +stands the only natural seltzer spring in Britain.... Proceeding to the +site of the dried-up well, Mullins took out a <b>V</b>-shaped twig, the forks +of which were each about a foot long, and walked slowly along the ground +a short distance from the well. Suddenly the twig revolved ... and +Mullins confidently asserted that he was standing over a subterranean +watercourse. Proceeding to the other side of the well, he traced, or +professed to trace, the course of the hidden stream, and marked a spot +contiguous to the buildings where he asserted a good spring would be +tapped at a depth of from 120 to 130 feet, and he advised that a well +should be sunk there.</p> + +<p>"It was told to Mullins that his father asserted the seltzer spring +flowed under a hedge on the other side of the field in which we were +then standing, and he was asked to indicate the place. Starting at one +end of the field, he walked close by the hedge side. He had gone about +100 yards when the twig began to play, and digging his heel in the +ground, he thus marked the spot. Mr. Allen, who was present when +Mullins, sen., also located the spring, sent a man for a spade, and a +stake was dug up which eight years ago was driven in by Mr. Allen to +mark the place. Mullins, jun., had touched the spot exactly."</p> + +<p>The same newspaper of 23rd August 1895 announces the result of digging +in the spot indicated as follows:—</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span>"Our readers will remember that a few weeks ago our columns contained an +article relative to the finding of water at Catley Abbey by means of +hazel twigs in the hands of Mr. Mullins, the eminent 'dowser.' We are +now able to state that a well having been sunk in the position indicated +by Mr. Mullins, a valuable supply of water has been obtained, and that +at a depth of about 5 feet less than that mentioned by him."</p> + +<p>Professor Barrett says: "I sent Mr. Allen the foregoing account, and +asked if it were correct. He replies that it is perfectly accurate, the +facts being most interesting, and occurred as stated in the letter and +newspaper report."<a name="FNanchor_59_59" id="FNanchor_59_59"></a><a href="#Footnote_59_59" class="fnanchor">[59]</a></p> + +<p>III. Mr. Leicester Gataker, Crescent Gardens, Bath, who is a gentleman +by birth and education, soon after leaving Bath College, discovered to +his surprise that a forked twig revolved in his hands in the same way as +it did with a local "diviner." The following is Case 123 in Professor +Barrett's Report:—</p> + +<p>"Mr. Gataker states that, being engaged by Messrs Ruscombe Poole & Son, +the well-known solicitors of Bridgwater, he found a spring less than 14 +feet deep, and within 3 or 4 yards of a useless well, 20 feet deep, sunk +prior to his visit. In corroboration he encloses the following letter:—</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="right">"'<span class="smcap">Bridgwater, Somerset</span>, <i>July</i> 1896.</p> + +<p class="nb">"'We have sunk a well in the garden, and a copious spring has been found +at 13 feet 6 inches, which amply verifies your prediction.</p> + +<p class="right nt">"<span class="smcap">'J. Ruscombe Poole & Son.</span>'"</p> +</blockquote> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> +Professor Barrett says: "I wrote to Mr. Ruscombe Poole, and asked him if +Mr. Gataker's statements were correct, and he replies:—</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="right">"'<span class="smcap">Bridgwater</span>, <i>January</i> 15, 1897.</p> + +<p>"'We return the paper you sent us. As regards the statement that there +was a well about 20 feet deep which was useless, this is perfectly true, +because the water in it was foul and smelt badly. The supply found is a +very much more copious one than the old well, which contained very +little water.'"<a name="FNanchor_60_60" id="FNanchor_60_60"></a><a href="#Footnote_60_60" class="fnanchor">[60]</a></p> +</blockquote> + +<p>The Index to Professor Barrett's Reports enumerates between three and +four hundred persons with whom experiments with the Divining Rod are +described. A list of the names of "dowsers" is also given. This list +includes the names of about seventy professional "dowsers," and of +nearly as many amateur "dowsers." These figures show the extent to which +the use of the rod prevails, and also the work which the preparation of +the Reports involved. As a specimen of the kind of evidence presented by +Professor Barrett from miscellaneous sources, the following may be +quoted:—</p> + +<p>"In the present Report numerous independent witnesses of unimpeachable +integrity, and some with high scientific attainments, testify to the +same class of facts, viz.:—(1) The automatic and apparently +irresistible motion of the twig in the hands often of a complete novice; +and (2) that,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> when the forked twig does <i>not</i> move in a person's hands, +if the dowser takes one link of the twig, or even places his hand on the +wrist of the insensitive person, the previously inert twig now turns +vigorously and often breaks in two in the effort to resist its motion. +As regards (1), see the letter from the President of the Royal +Geological Society of Cornwall on p. 219,<a name="FNanchor_61_61" id="FNanchor_61_61"></a><a href="#Footnote_61_61" class="fnanchor">[61]</a> who states that the Clerk +of his Parish Council, on finding the rod suddenly twist in his hands, +called out—'It is alive, sir, it is alive!' Mr. Enys adds: 'This +exactly describes the sensation when the rod moves.' ... Mr. Bennett, of +Oxford, on p. 176, refers to the frantic motion and the ultimate +breaking of the twig 'held firmly' in the dowser's hands.... As regards +(2), see Mr. Morton's letter to <i>The Engineer</i>, given on p. 172; Mr. +Morton found the rod would not move in his hands, but when the late John +Mullins, the dowser, 'laid his hands on my wrists and grasped them +firmly, then the twig instantly began to turn, and continued turning +till he removed his hands. He never touched the twig while it was in my +hands.' Mr. Montague Price in his letter on p. 181 states: 'I held one +side of the forked rod myself and the diviner the other, and when we +came to water [alleged underground water] the strain was so great on my +fingers I was obliged to ask him to stop. From the position of the rod +it was almost impossible for him to produce the pressure, which +increased with the strength of the stream.' ...</p> + +<p>"The usual practice, after watching a dowser at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> work, is for some of +the onlookers to try if the forked twig will move in their hands. +Generally speaking, one or more, out of perhaps ten or twelve persons, +discover, to their astonishment, that the twig curls up in their +hands—at the same places at which it did with the dowser. Here is such +an experience. Mrs. Hollands writes to me as follows:—</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="right"> +"'<span class="smcap">Dene Park, Tonbridge</span>, <i>October</i> 9, 1899. +</p> + +<p>"'In answer to your note of inquiry about the divining rod, the whole +thing is rather a long story, but the practical result of the water +dowser's visit was to find water which now supplies the house. One of my +daughters found she had the strange power which moves the divining rod, +and it works for her now quickly over any spring. It is most +interesting, as you can feel the rod move if you take one side of it, +and take one of her hands, she holding the other end of the rod—it +struggles up, and would break off altogether if you did not allow it to +move. My daughter has since found several springs on the estate, where +we have sunk wells. They have stood us in very good stead these last dry +seasons.</p> + +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Minnie Hollands.</span>'</p> + +<p>"A similar experience is given by Miss M. Craigie Halkett, who published +some excellent photographs of a dowser at work in <i>Sketch</i> for 23rd +August 1899. Miss Halkett writes to me as follows:—</p> + +<p class="right nb">"<span class="smcap">Lauriston, New Eltham, Kent</span>,</p> +<p class="right2 nt"><i>September</i> 8, 1899.</p> + +<p class="nb">"The man depicted in the photographs is not a water-finder by +profession. He is a tenant<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> farmer residing at Catcolt, a village near +Bridgwater, and merely exercises the art to oblige his neighbours. +Several of the country people in this neighbourhood (Somerset) have the +gift. It has never been known to fail. Personally I was rather sceptical +on the subject, but was converted by the stick turning in my hands when +standing over a spring. There were about six persons present at the +time; all tried it, but it would turn for no one excepting the man in +the picture and myself. I experienced a sort of tingling sensation in my +arms and wrists, but otherwise was quite unaware when the forked stick +began to turn, it seemed to go over so quickly.</p> + +<p class="right nt">"'<span class="smcap">Maude Craigie Halkett.</span>'</p> + +<p>"Miss Halkett does not say how she knew she was 'standing over a spring' +when the twig turned in her hands; this statement is very characteristic +of many others that have reached me."<a name="FNanchor_62_62" id="FNanchor_62_62"></a><a href="#Footnote_62_62" class="fnanchor">[62]</a></p> +</blockquote> + +<p>Professor Barrett's views as to the source of the power which moves the +rod are entitled to more attention than those of any one else. In a +chapter on "Theoretical Conclusions" in the first of his two Reports, he +says: "Few will dispute the proposition that the motion of the forked +twig is due to unconscious muscular action." He then gives a summary of +the causes which, he believes, determine that action. Among these he +enumerates, impressions from without unconsciously made upon the +dowser's mind from his own trained observation and practice, and from +bystanders. He also believed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> that in some cases an impression appears +to be gained through Thought-Transference. He did not, however, think +this covered the whole ground. A peculiar pathological effect is +produced on the dowser; but to what this is due can only be ascertained +by persevering and unbiassed investigation.</p> + +<p>Professor Barrett's second Report contains a long and interesting +discussion of this problem. His views had undergone some modification. +He adheres to his previous view that the "curious phenomena attending +the <i>motion</i> of the so-called divining rod are capable of explanation by +causes known to science" (<i>e.g.</i> involuntary muscular action). But he +has become more impressed with the view that the suggestion may arise +"from some kind of transcendental discernment possessed by the dowser's +subconscious self." And he further says: "For my own part, I am disposed +to think that this cause, though less acceptable to science, will be +found to be a truer explanation of the more striking successes of a good +dowser." In conclusion Professor Barrett says still more definitely: +"This subconscious perceptive power, commonly called 'clairvoyance,' may +provisionally be taken as the explanation of those successes of the +dowser which are inexplicable on any grounds at present known to +science."<a name="FNanchor_63_63" id="FNanchor_63_63"></a><a href="#Footnote_63_63" class="fnanchor">[63]</a></p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_55_55" id="Footnote_55_55"></a><a href="#FNanchor_55_55"><span class="label">[55]</span></a> <i>Proceedings S.P.R.</i>, vol. ii. pp. 79-107.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_56_56" id="Footnote_56_56"></a><a href="#FNanchor_56_56"><span class="label">[56]</span></a> Ibid., vol. xiii. (Part XXXII.), pp. 2-282, and vol. xv. +(Part XXXVI.), pp. 130-383.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_57_57" id="Footnote_57_57"></a><a href="#FNanchor_57_57"><span class="label">[57]</span></a> <i>Proceedings S.P.R.</i>, vol. xiii. pp. 145-148.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_58_58" id="Footnote_58_58"></a><a href="#FNanchor_58_58"><span class="label">[58]</span></a> <i>Proceedings S.P.R.</i>, vol. xiii. pp. 88-89.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_59_59" id="Footnote_59_59"></a><a href="#FNanchor_59_59"><span class="label">[59]</span></a> <i>Proceedings S.P.R.</i>, vol. xiii. pp. 89-90.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_60_60" id="Footnote_60_60"></a><a href="#FNanchor_60_60"><span class="label">[60]</span></a> <i>Proceedings S.P.R.</i>, vol. xiii. p. 182.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_61_61" id="Footnote_61_61"></a><a href="#FNanchor_61_61"><span class="label">[61]</span></a> The pages in <i>this</i> paragraph refer to the present Report +(<i>i.e.</i> <i>Proceedings S.P.R.</i>, vol. xv. pp. 130-383).</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_62_62" id="Footnote_62_62"></a><a href="#FNanchor_62_62"><span class="label">[62]</span></a> <i>Proceedings S.P.R.</i>, vol. xv. pp. 279-281.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_63_63" id="Footnote_63_63"></a><a href="#FNanchor_63_63"><span class="label">[63]</span></a> <i>Proceedings S.P.R.</i>, vol. xv. p. 314. See also the whole +discussion of which this page is the conclusion.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> + + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span><a name="VIII" id="VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII<br /> +<br /> +<span class="sub2">THOUGHT-TRANSFERENCE DRAWINGS</span></h2> + + +<p class="noi"><span class="smcap">There</span> is one, and perhaps only one phase of the great subject of +Thought-Transference or Telepathy the manifestations of which can +legitimately be included among physical phenomena. Involuntary drawing +or scribbling is a phenomenon of very common occurrence. But when such +an involuntary drawing turns out to be a more or less exact copy of a +drawing which the involuntary draughtsman has never seen; and still +further when it turns out that the original drawing has been drawn by +another person with the deliberate purpose of impressing it on the mind +of the involuntary draughtsman, the subject assumes an entirely new +interest. This, however, is the history of those series of +"Thought-Transference Drawings" which have been published by the Society +for Psychical Research. They are scattered through several volumes of +its publications. Through the kindness of the Council of that Society I +am able to put before the reader the largest selection of these drawings +which has appeared. The drawings are the results of several different +groups of experimenters in different parts of the country; and the +selection has been made from as many groups as possible. +In all cases facsimiles of the original drawing and of the +reproduction are given. The earlier series done under the auspices of a +Committee of the Society do not represent successes picked out of a +large number of failures, but include<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> all the attempts made at the +time. The number that can be considered total failures in any of the +trials is exceedingly small. Any conceivable chance or coincidence is +entirely inadequate to account for the similarity in the great majority +of cases.</p> + +<p>The "First Report on Thought-Reading" was written by Professor W. F. +Barrett, Mr. Gurney, and Mr. Myers, and was read at the first General +Meeting of the Society on 17th July 1882. In order to illustrate the +then state of scientific opinion, the writers say: "The present state of +scientific opinion throughout the world is not only hostile to any +belief in the possibility of transmitting a single mental concept except +through the ordinary channels of sensations, but, generally speaking, it +is hostile even to any inquiry upon the matter. Every leading +physiologist and psychologist down to the present time has relegated +what, for want of a better term, has been called "Thought-Reading" to +the limbo of explored fallacies."<a name="FNanchor_64_64" id="FNanchor_64_64"></a><a href="#Footnote_64_64" class="fnanchor">[64]</a> A second Report by the same writers +was read at a meeting of the Society in the same year. In this Report +the first series of "Thought-Transference Drawings" was described.</p> + +<p>The method of proceeding was as follows:—A. makes an outline sketch of +a geometrical figure, or of something a little more elaborate. B. sees +this sketch, and carrying it in his mind goes and stands behind C., who +sits with a pencil and paper before him and draws the impression which +arises in his mind. Precautions are taken against the conveyance of +information by any ordinary means. Except in a few of the earliest +trials no contact between any of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> the parties was permitted. B. and C. +are called respectively "transmitter" and "receiver."</p> + +<p>In December 1882, Mr. Myers and Mr. Gurney paid a visit to Brighton to +personally investigate some joint experiments of Mr. Douglas Blackburn +and Mr. G. Albert Smith. Both Mr. Blackburn and Mr. Smith were then, or +soon after became, members of the Society for Psychical Research. The +experiments were made in Mr. Myers' and Mr. Gurney's own lodgings. The +following plan, arranged in regard to some experiments made on 4th +December, is thus described by Mr. Myers: "One of us completely out of +sight of S. [Mr. Smith] drew some figure at random, the figure being of +such a character that its shape could not be easily conveyed in +words.... The figure, drawn by us, was then shown to B. [Mr. Blackburn] +for a few moments, S. being seated all the time with his back to us, and +blindfolded, in a distant part of the same room, and subsequently in an +adjoining room. B. looked at the figure drawn; then held S.'s hand for a +while; then released it. After being released, S. (who remained +blindfolded) drew the impression of a figure which he had received.... +In no case was there the smallest possibility that S. could have seen +the original figure; and in no case did B. touch S., even in the +slightest manner, while the figure was being drawn."</p> + +<p>The whole series of drawings done in this way, on that occasion, is +given in the Report in the <i>S.P.R. Proceedings</i>. They were nine in +number. We have selected two, Nos. 5 and 9.</p> + +<p>No. 5 calls for no special remark.</p> + +<h5><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> +No. 5.</h5> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<div class="figleft" style="width: 203px;"> +<img src="images/i092a.jpg" width="228" height="270" alt="" title="" /> +<span class="caption">ORIGINAL</span> +</div> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 134px;"> +<img src="images/i092b.jpg" width="150" height="270" alt="" title="" /> +<span class="caption">REPRODUCTION</span> +</div></div> + +<h5>No. 9.</h5> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 480px;"> +<div class="figleft" style="width: 284px;"> +<img src="images/i092c.jpg" width="284" height="270" alt="" /> +<span class="caption">ORIGINAL</span> +</div> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 151px;"> +<img src="images/i092d.jpg" width="151" height="270" alt="" title="" /> +<span class="caption">REPRODUCTION</span> +</div></div> + +<p class="clear"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> +When the reproduction of No. 9 was drawn, Mr. S. touched the spot to +which the arrow points, and said: "There is something more there, but I +cannot tell what it is."</p> + +<p>In the experiments made subsequently to these, the conditions were still +more stringent, and no contact whatever was allowed between Mr. +Blackburn and Mr. Smith; and it will be seen that striking and +successful results were obtained.</p> + +<p>A few weeks later, in January 1883, at the invitation of the Committee +of the Society for Psychical Research, Mr. Blackburn and Mr. Smith came +from Brighton, and a series of experiments was conducted at the Rooms +the Society then occupied in Dean's Yard, Westminster. For the Report +embodying the results of these experiments, Mr. Myers, Mr. Gurney, and +Professor Barrett are specially responsible. Two drawings, Nos. 10 and +11, are selected from a series of twenty-two made on this occasion.</p> + +<p>As to No. 10, Mr. S. had no idea that the original was not a geometrical +diagram. Nor had he any clue given him as to the character of No. 11. He +added the line marked <i>b</i> some time after he had drawn the line marked +<i>a</i>, saying that he saw "a line parallel to another somewhere."</p> + +<p>The authors of this Report say: "It is almost needless to point out that +in these observations so foreign to our common experience, it is +indispensable to be minutely careful and conscientious in recording the +exact conditions of each experiment." The reader is referred to the +Report itself to show how this was carried out; and also to show how +exhaustively every possibility was considered by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> means of which +information could be conceived to be conveyed through any recognised +channel.</p> + +<h5>No. 10</h5> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i094a.jpg" width="400" height="295" alt="" title="" /> +<span class="caption">ORIGINAL</span> +</div> + +<h5>No. 10</h5> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i094b.jpg" width="400" height="279" alt="" title="" /> +<span class="caption">REPRODUCTION</span><br /> +<span class="caption">Mr. Smith had no idea that the original was not a geometrical diagram."</span> +</div> + + +<h5>No. 11</h5> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> +<div class="figleft" style="width: 251px;"> +<img src="images/i095a.jpg" width="251" height="270" alt="" title="" /> +<span class="caption">ORIGINAL</span> +</div> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 185px;"> +<img src="images/i095b.jpg" width="185" height="270" alt="" title="" /> +<span class="caption">REPRODUCTION</span> +</div> +<span class="caption">Mr. Smith had no idea that the original was not a geometrical diagram. +He added line _b_ some time after he had drawn line _a_, "seeing a line +parallel to another somewhere."</span> +</div> + +<h5>No. 2.</h5> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 410px;"> +<div class="figleft" style="width: 212px;"> +<img src="images/i096a.jpg" width="212" height="270" alt="" title="" /> +<span class="caption">ORIGINAL</span> +</div> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 145px;"> +<img src="images/i096b.jpg" width="145" height="270" alt="" title="" /> +<span class="caption">REPRODUCTION</span> +</div> +<span class="caption">Mr. Guthrie and Miss E. no contact.</span> +</div> + +<p class="clear">An entirely different group of experimenters set to work in Liverpool. +Mr. Malcolm Guthrie, J.P., was a partner in one of the large drapery +establishments, and Mr. James Birchall was the Hon. Secretary of the +Literary and Philosophical Society of Liverpool. Their interest was +aroused in the subject of Thought-Transference, and they carried out a +very large number of experiments with some of the young ladies employed +in Mr. Guthrie's establishment, who, "amusing themselves after business +hours, found that certain of their number, when blindfolded, were able +to name very correctly figures selected from an almanack suspended on +the wall of the room, when their companions having<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> hold of their hands, +fixed their attention on some particular day of the month." This led to +serious experiments, including about one hundred and fifty +Thought-Transference Drawings. The conditions were carefully guarded, +and in the majority of cases no contact was permitted. There were many +failures, but a large number of successes. Assistance as "transmitter" +was also given by Mr. F. S. Hughes, a member of the Society for +Psychical Research. In a report by Mr. Guthrie, published in the +<i>Proceedings</i> of the Society, sixteen of these drawings are given. <span class="smcap">Nos.</span> +2 and 15 are selected. In neither of these was any contact between +"transmitter" and "receiver" permitted. In <span class="smcap">No.</span> 2, Mr. Guthrie was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> +"transmitter" and Miss Edwards "receiver." In <span class="smcap">No.</span> 15, Mr. F. S. Hughes +was "transmitter" and Miss Edwards "receiver." With regard to the +second, Miss Edwards said, "It is like a mask at a pantomime," and +immediately drew the reproduction.</p> + +<h5>No. 15.</h5> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 570px;"> +<div class="figleft" style="width: 250px;"> +<img src="images/i097a.jpg" width="232" height="250" alt="" title="" /> +<span class="caption">ORIGINAL<br /> +Mr. Hughes and Miss E. no contact.<br /><br /></span> +</div> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 280px;"> +<img src="images/i097b.jpg" width="227" height="250" alt="" title="" /> +<span class="caption">REPRODUCTION<br /> +Miss E. said, "It is like a mask at a pantomime," and immediately drew +as above.</span> +</div></div> + +<p class="clear">Mr. Malcolm remarks in his Report: "The drawings must speak for +themselves. The principal facts to be borne in mind are that they have +been executed through the instrumentality as agents [transmitters] of +persons of unquestioned probity, and that the responsibility for them is +spread over a considerable group of such persons, while the conditions +to be observed were so simple—for they amounted really to nothing more +than taking care that the original should not be seen by the subject +[receiver]—that it is extremely difficult to suppose them to have been +eluded."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mr. Guthrie, having satisfied himself as to the reality of the phenomena +of Thought-Transference, as manifested by the drawings, and in other +ways, endeavoured to interest the scientific men of Liverpool. He +naturally appealed among others to Sir Oliver Lodge, who was then +Professor of Physics in University College, Liverpool. He accepted the +invitation, and subsequently gave "An Account of Some Experiments in +Thought-Transference" to the Society for Psychical Research, of which he +was already an unofficial member, and which account is published in the +Society's <i>Proceedings</i>.</p> + +<p>The Report commences with a tribute, "since it bears on the questions of +responsibility and genuineness," to the important position Mr. Guthrie +held in Liverpool, as an active member of the governing bodies of +several public institutions, including the University College. Sir +Oliver Lodge then says:—</p> + +<p>"After Mr. Guthrie had laboriously carried out a long series of +experiments ... he set about endeavouring to convince such students of +science as he could lay his hands upon in Liverpool; and with this +object he appealed to me, among others, to come and witness, and within +limits modify, the experiments in such a way as would satisfy me of +their genuineness and perfect good faith. Yielding to his entreaty, I +consented, and have been, I suppose, at some dozen sittings, at first +simply looking on so as to grasp the phenomena, but afterwards taking +charge of the experiments.... In this way I had every opportunity of +examining and varying the minute conditions of the phenomena, so as to +satisfy myself of their genuine and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> objective character, in the same +way as one is accustomed to satisfy oneself as to the truth and +genuineness of any ordinary physical fact.</p> + +<p>"I did not feel at liberty to modify the experiments very largely, in +other words to try essentially new ones.... I only regarded it as my +business to satisfy myself as to the genuineness and authenticity of the +phenomena already described by Mr. Guthrie. If I had merely witnessed +facts as a passive spectator I should most certainly not publicly report +upon them. So long as one is bound to accept imposed conditions and +merely witness what goes on, I have no confidence in my own penetration, +and am perfectly sure that a conjurer could impose upon me, possibly +even to the extent of making me think that he was not imposing on me; +but when one has the control of the circumstances, can change them at +will, and arrange one's own experiments, one gradually acquires a belief +in the phenomena observed quite comparable to that induced by the +repetition of ordinary physical experiments."</p> + +<p>Sir Oliver Lodge then describes in detail the method of procedure, in +the course of which he says:—</p> + +<p>"We have many times succeeded with agents ['transmitters'] quite +disconnected with the percipient ['receiver'] in ordinary life and +sometimes complete strangers to them. Mr. Birchall, the headmaster of +the Birkdale Industrial School, frequently acted; and the house +physician at the Eye and Ear Hospital, Dr. Shears, had a successful +experiment, acting alone, on his first and only visit. All suspicion of +a pre-arranged code is thus rendered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> impossible even to outsiders who +are unable to witness the obvious fairness of all the experiments."</p> + +<p>Sir Oliver Lodge then gives the details of twenty-seven experiments. +From these four are selected. Descriptions, in Sir O. Lodge's own words, +are condensed.</p> + +<p>(1) "Mr. Birchall, agent—Miss R, percipient, holding hands. No one else +present except myself. A drawing of a Union Jack pattern. As usual in +drawing experiments, Miss R. remained silent for perhaps a minute; then +she said, 'Now I am ready.' I hid the object; she took off the +handkerchief and proceeded to draw on paper placed ready in front of +her. She this time drew all the lines of the figure except the +horizontal middle one. She was obviously much tempted to draw this, and +indeed began it two or three times faintly, but ultimately said, 'No, +I'm not sure,' and stopped."</p> + +<h5>No. 1.</h5> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<div class="figleft" style="width: 150px;"> +<img src="images/i100a.jpg" width="150" height="106" alt="" title="" /> +<span class="caption">ORIGINAL</span> +</div> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 200px;"> +<img src="images/i100b.jpg" width="200" height="101" alt="REPRODUCTION" title="" /> +<span class="caption">REPRODUCTION</span> +</div></div> + +<p class="clear">(2) "Double object. I arranged the double object between Miss R——d and +Miss E., who happened to be sitting nearly facing one another. Miss +R——d and Miss E. both acting as agents. The drawing was a square on +one side of the paper, and a cross on the other. Miss R——d looked at +the side with the square on it, Miss E. looked at the side with the +cross. Neither knew what the other was looking at—nor did the +percipient know that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> anything unusual was being tried. There was no +contact. Very soon, Miss R. (percipient) said, 'I see things moving +about.... I seem to see two things.... I see first one up there and then +one down there.... I can't see either distinctly.' 'Well, anyhow, draw +what you have seen.' She took off the bandage and drew first a square, +and then said, 'Then there was the other thing as well, ... afterwards +they seemed to go into one,' and she drew a cross inside the square from +corner to corner, adding afterwards, 'I don't know what made me put it +inside.'"</p> + +<h5>No. 2.</h5> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 440px;"> +<div class="figright" style="width: 106px;"> +<img src="images/i101b.jpg" width="106" height="110" alt="" title="" /> +<span class="caption">ORIGINAL</span> +</div> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 298px;"> +<img src="images/i101a.jpg" width="298" height="110" alt="" title="" /> +<span class="caption">ORIGINAL</span> +</div></div> + +<h5>No. 3.</h5> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"> +<div class="figleft" style="width: 94px;"> +<img src="images/i101c.jpg" width="94" height="200" alt="" title="" /> +<span class="caption">REPRODUCTION</span> +</div> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 112px;"> +<img src="images/i101d.jpg" width="112" height="200" alt="" title="" /> +<span class="caption">ORIGINAL</span> +</div></div> + +<p class="clear">(3) "Object—a drawing of the outline of a flag. Miss R. as percipient, +in contact with Miss E. as agent. Very quickly Miss R. said, 'It's a +little flag.' And when asked to draw, she drew it fairly well but +perverted. I showed her the flag (as usual after a success), and then +took it away to the drawing place to fetch something else. I made +another drawing, but instead of bringing it I brought the flag back +again and set it up in the same place as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> before, but inverted. There +was no contact this time. Miss R——d and Miss E. were acting as agents. +After some time Miss R. said, 'No, I cant see anything this time. I +still see that flag.... The flag keeps bothering me.... I shan't do it +this time.' Presently I said, 'Well, draw what you saw anyway.' She +said, 'I only saw the same flag, but perhaps it had a cross on it.' So +she drew a flag in the same position as before, but added a cross to +it."</p> + +<p>(4) "Object—a teapot cut out of silver paper. Present—Dr. Herdman, +Miss R——d, and Miss R. Miss E. percipient. Miss R. holding +percipient's hands, but all thinking of the object. Told nothing. She +said, 'Something light.... No colour.... Looks like a duck.... Like a +silver duck.... Something oval.... Head at one end and tail at the +other.' ... The object being rather large, was then moved further back, +so that it might be more easily grasped by the agents as a whole, but +percipient persisted that it was like a duck. On being told to unbandage +and draw, she drew a rude and perverted copy of the teapot, but didn't +know what it was unless it was a duck. Dr. Herdman then explained that +he had been thinking all the time how like a duck the original teapot +was, and in fact had been thinking more of ducks than teapots."</p> + +<h5>No. 4.</h5> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 380px;"> +<div class="figleft" style="width: 175px;"> +<img src="images/i102a.jpg" width="175" height="100" alt="" title="" /> +<span class="caption">ORIGINAL</span> +</div> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 166px;"> +<img src="images/i102b.jpg" width="166" height="100" alt="" title="" /> +<span class="caption">REPRODUCTION</span> +</div></div> + +<p class="clear"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> +In the autumn of 1891 Sir Oliver Lodge was staying for a fortnight in +the house of Herr von Lyro at Portschach am See, Carinthia. While there +he found that the two adult daughters of his host were adepts in the +so-called "willing game." The speed and accuracy with which the willed +action was performed left little doubt in his mind that there was some +genuine thought-transference power. He obtained permission to make a +series of test experiments, the two sisters acting as agent and +percipient alternately. He hoped gradually to secure the phenomena +without contact of any kind. But unfortunately contact seemed essential, +though of the slightest description, for instance through the backs of +the knuckles. Sir Oliver Lodge says: "It was interesting and new to me +to see how clearly the effect seemed to depend on contact, and how +abruptly it ceased when contact was broken. While guessing through a +pack of cards, for instance, rapidly and continuously, I sometimes +allowed contact, and sometimes stopped it; and the guesses changed, from +frequently correct to quite wild, directly the knuckles or finger tips, +or any part of the skin of the two hands ceased to touch. It was almost +like breaking an electric circuit."</p> + +<p>As Sir Oliver Lodge remarks, it is obvious how strongly this suggests +the idea of a code, and that therefore this flaw prevents these +experiments from having any value as tests, or as establishing <i>de novo</i> +the existence of the genuine power. But apart from the moral conviction +that unfair practices were extremely unlikely, Sir Oliver Lodge says +that there was a sufficient amount of internal evidence derived<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> from +the facts themselves to satisfy him that no code was used. As examples, +two from a series of twelve drawings are given.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 320px;"> +<div class="figleft" style="width: 200px;"> +<img src="images/i104a.jpg" width="200" height="175" alt="ORIGINAL" title="" /> +<span class="caption">ORIGINAL</span> +</div> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 71px;"> +<img src="images/i104b.jpg" width="71" height="175" alt="REPRODUCTION" title="" /> +<span class="caption">REPRODUCTION</span> +</div></div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i104c.jpg" width="400" height="334" alt="ORIGINAL" title="" /> +<span class="caption ws">ORIGINAL REPRODUCTIONS</span> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> +In 1894, Mr. Henry G. Rawson, barrister-at-law, made a long and +interesting series of experiments in Thought-Transference, a Report of +which was published in vol. xi. of the <i>Proceedings</i> of the Society for +Psychical Research. The Report includes fifteen originals and +reproductions of drawings. Two sisters, Mrs. L. and Mrs. B., were the +operators; and on the two evenings when the two series of drawings were +executed, from which the accompanying selections are made, Mr. Rawson +was the only other person present. On both occasions, Mrs. L. sat on a +chair near the fire, Mrs. R. sat at a table many feet off, with her back +to Mrs. L., and Mr. Rawson stood or sat where he could see both ladies.</p> + +<h5>5</h5> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 360px;"> +<div class="figleft" style="width: 149px;"> +<img src="images/i105a.jpg" width="149" height="150" alt="ORIGINAL" title="" /> +<span class="caption">ORIGINAL</span> +</div> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 169px;"> +<img src="images/i105b.jpg" width="169" height="150" alt="REPRODUCTION" title="" /> +<span class="caption">REPRODUCTION</span> +</div></div> + +<h5>6</h5> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 490px;"> +<div class="figleft" style="width: 190px;"> +<img src="images/i105c.jpg" width="190" height="220" alt="ORIGINAL" title="" /> +<span class="caption">ORIGINAL</span> +</div> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 266px;"> +<img src="images/i105d.jpg" width="266" height="220" alt="REPRODUCTION" title="" /> +<span class="caption">REPRODUCTION</span> +</div></div> + +<p class="clear">Nos. 5 and 6 of the first series are here reproduced.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span>The following selection is from the second series. Mr. Rawson says +respecting it: "Mrs. L. began drawing within ten to fifteen seconds, and +presently said, 'I am drawing something I can see.' The clock was in +front of her on the mantelpiece." It would seem as though the idea of a +clock was thought-transferred at once; but that the working out of the +idea in the mind was modified by what the percipient happened to see +before her.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 520px;"> +<div class="figleft" style="width: 156px;"> +<img src="images/i106a.jpg" width="156" height="400" alt="ORIGINAL" title="" /> +<span class="caption">ORIGINAL</span> +</div> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 297px;"> +<img src="images/i106b.jpg" width="297" height="400" alt="REPRODUCTION" title="" /> +<span class="caption">REPRODUCTION</span> +</div></div> + +<p class="clear">A final selection of Thought-Transference Drawings will be taken from +the records of several series of experiments of different kinds made in +1897 and 1898 by Professor A. P. Chattock, of University<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> College, +Bristol. The drawings were made with two old students of Professor +Chattock's, Mr. Wedmore and Mr. Clinker.</p> + +<p>No. 6 of a series done at Harrow, September 1897. Agents, Professor +Chattock and R. C. Clinker. Percipient, E. B. Wedmore. E. B. W. about +three yards from agents, with lamp and table between. To reproduction +(1) these words are added: "I thought of these, and then suggested we +should try three musical notes." And to reproduction (2) these words are +added: "Got this result."</p> + +<h5>No. 6.</h5> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 420px;"> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 200px;"> +<img src="images/i107a.jpg" width="200" height="96" alt="" title="" /> +<span class="caption">ORIGINAL.</span> +</div> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 160px;"> +<img src="images/i107b.jpg" width="160" height="102" alt="" title="" /> +<span class="caption">REPRODUCTION (1).</span> +</div> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 200px;"> +<img src="images/i107c.jpg" width="200" height="102" alt="" title="" /> +<span class="caption">REPRODUCTION (2).</span> +</div></div> + +<p class="clear">No. 1 of a series done in London, a little later.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> The reproduction was +drawn in about one and a half minutes after the sitting commenced.</p> + +<h5>No. 1</h5> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<div class="figleft" style="width: 280px;"> +<img src="images/i107d.jpg" width="280" height="300" alt="" title="" /> +<span class="caption">ORIGINAL<br /> +Agent, E. B. Wedmore.</span> +</div> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 280px;"> +<img src="images/i107e.jpg" width="134" height="300" alt="" title="" /> +<span class="caption">REPRODUCTION<br /> +Percipient, R. Wedmore.</span> +</div></div> + +<p class="clear">The Report of the various series of experiments is printed in the +<i>Journal</i> of the Society for Psychical Research for November 1898.</p> + +<p>Instead of giving detailed references to all the quotations in the +descriptions of these various Thought-Transference Drawings, a list of +the several Reports is appended. They can be referred to for further +information.<a name="FNanchor_65_65" id="FNanchor_65_65"></a><a href="#Footnote_65_65" class="fnanchor">[65]</a></p> + +<div class="hangdiv"> +<p class="hang">Second Report of the S.P.R. Committee. <i>Proceedings</i>, vol. i., part ii., +1882. See p. 92.</p> + +<p class="hang">Third Report of the S.P.R. Committee. <i>Proceedings</i>, vol. i., part iii., +1883. See pp. 94, 95.</p> + +<p class="hang">Experiments in Thought-Transference, by Malcolm Guthrie. <i>Proceedings</i>, +vol. ii., part v., 1884. See pp. 96, 97.</p> + +<p class="hang">Experiments in Thought-Transference, by Oliver J. Lodge, D.Sc. +<i>Proceedings</i>, vol. ii., part vi., 1884. See pp. 100-102.</p> + +<p class="hang">Some Recent Thought-Transference Experiments, by Oliver J. Lodge. +<i>Proceedings</i>, vol. vii., part xx., 1891. See p. 104.</p> + +<p class="hang">Experiments in Thought-Transference, by Henry G. Rawson. <i>Proceedings</i>, +vol. xi., part xxvii., 1894. See pp. 105, 106.</p> + +<p class="hang">Experiments in Thought-Transference, by Professor A. P. Chattock. +<i>Journal S.P.R.</i>, vol. xiii., No. 153, Nov. 1898. See p. 107.</p> +</div> + +<p>During the last few years no important addition appears to have been +made to the series of Thought-Transference Drawings. A revival of +similar experiments would be of great interest and value.</p> + +<p>The question may fairly be asked, What have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> these Thought-Transference +Drawings to do with the Physical Phenomena of Spiritualism? A reply is +easily given. The reader is referred to a passage in the <a href="#concluding">concluding +chapter</a>, quoted from Mr. Myers, in which he claims an exalted position +for Telepathy, as almost the fundamental doctrine of Spiritualistic +Philosophy. He speaks of the beginning of Telepathy as a +"quasi-mechanical transference of ideas and images from one to another +brain." The Thought-Transference Drawings constitute the primary +evidence of this. They may be looked upon as constituting the physical +basis of a belief in Thought-Transference, and therefore as the physical +basis of a belief in Telepathy, the action of which, as Mr. Myers says, +"was traced across a gulf greater than any space of earth or ocean—it +bridged the interval between spirits incarnate and discarnate." Thus we +may look upon these Thought-Transference Drawings as supplying the +chief—perhaps the only—physical basis for a belief in one of the main +doctrines of spiritualism. Hence they legitimately find a place in the +present examination.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_64_64" id="Footnote_64_64"></a><a href="#FNanchor_64_64"><span class="label">[64]</span></a> <i>Proceedings S.P.R.</i>, vol. i. p. 13.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_65_65" id="Footnote_65_65"></a><a href="#FNanchor_65_65"><span class="label">[65]</span></a> A list of all the publications of the Society for Psychical +Research, with prices of the different volumes and parts, can be +obtained from the Secretary, at the Society's Rooms, 20 Hanover Square, +London, W.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> + + +<h2><a name="IX" id="IX"></a>CHAPTER IX<br /> +<br /> +<span class="sub2">MATERIALISATIONS</span></h2> + + +<p class="noi"><span class="smcap">By</span> "materialisation," in this chapter, is not meant the production of +more or less complete portions of the human body—generally hands—a +phenomenon alleged to be frequent in spiritualistic circles. A<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> +"materialisation" of the whole figure is meant, the production of a +figure which to the spectator appears as a new human being, so to speak, +occasionally exhibiting signs of independent organic life. Such a +phenomenon would be the most astounding that can well be imagined. I am +not in a position to offer any scientific evidence in its support. By +far the majority of the accounts which have been published of full form +"materialisations" are destitute of any evidential value, and in many +cases the circumstantial evidence for fraud is strong. Were it not for a +small number of cases which present <i>primâ facie</i> +evidence of a different character, the question of the reality of this +phase of "mediumship" would be scarcely worth raising. But the existence +of even a small amount of evidence of such a kind raises the question +into a different position, to one which reasonably demands the searching +investigation of scientific men. I propose to give one illustration only +of this better class of evidence, but it is one in which common-sense +precautions against deception seem to have been carefully taken.</p> + +<p>The following extracts are from a report made by Mr. J. Slater, and +published in <i>The Two Worlds</i> of 15th February 1895:—</p> + +<blockquote> +<h3>"<span class="smcap">Is Materialisation a Fact? Yes. Scientific Proof.</span></h3> + +<p>"After the recent suspicions and exposures of materialising mediums, I +determined to take the first opportunity of applying further and more<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> +stringent tests, which should absolutely preclude the possibility of +deception. For this purpose I wrote to the Middlesbro' materialising +medium, asking for a test sitting, and stating the conditions—which he +readily accepted....</p> + +<p>"The conditions were that he should strip to the skin 'naked as he was +born,' and in the presence of witnesses dress in clothes to be supplied +by me....</p> + +<p>"I made him understand that after he had dressed in the clothes supplied +by me, he must consider himself in my charge, and must not attempt to do +or touch anything, or go anywhere except to the chair provided for him. +He readily agreed to this, and imposed upon himself a still further +test, viz. that as soon as the phenomena had ceased, he would instantly +place himself in our charge, to be held fast until the light was turned +up, and the company had retired to the next room, the same process of +undressing being gone through."</p></blockquote> + +<p>This was all carried out preliminary to a seance, and a final +examination of the room was made.</p> + +<p>"The light was then lowered so that we could just see each other—the +company sang a hymn, a prayer was offered, and then came the crisis—to +be or not to be? In less than a minute a form of exceeding whiteness +appeared at the opening of the curtain; I should judge the height to be +three feet six inches or a little more. We could not distinguish the +face. The form appeared twice. Then a child form appeared, its raiment +white, luminous and very distinct. Then came the well-known and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> lively +black child, opening the curtain with her small arms and bowing +repeatedly to us. This child would be about two and a half feet in +height. The folds of shining drapery hung from her head in gipsy +fashion, which she opened for us to see her round black face. I was +quite close to her, but did not pat her face and woolly head as I have +done before. She climbed upon the medium's knee, and then came close to +us again, and then disappeared....</p> + +<p>"The meeting then concluded with prayer and doxology. We then seized +hold of the medium's hands, and held him until the company retired, and +then went through the undressing and dressing process as before, every +article of clothing being rigidly examined as removed. We then searched +the corner as before, and found all intact, and not a sign anywhere of +the abundance of drapery we had seen."</p> + +<p>Sixteen ladies and gentlemen present at the meeting allowed their names +to be published as a testimony to what they saw. The evidential value of +the seance depends entirely on the honesty and truthfulness of Mr. +Slater and of the two friends who assisted him in the carrying out of +the precautions taken.</p> + +<p>Mr. Slater had been in the York Post Office for over thirty years, and +for nearly seven years before his death in 1902 had occupied the +position of superintendent. Mr. Slater was a frequent contributor to the +newspaper press of his own district, and also occasionally to other +periodicals. He appears to have been a man of considerable intelligence<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> +and force of character, and to have been widely respected. I am informed +by Mr. J. P. Slater, a son of Mr. J. Slater, and who is in the Post +Office at York, that the name of the "Middlesbro' medium" was Kenwin, +and that he was an "ordinary working man" in some steel works. He died +six or seven years ago.</p> + + + +<hr /> + + +<h2><a name="X" id="X"></a>CHAPTER X<br /> +<br /> +<span class="sub2">"SPIRIT PHOTOGRAPHY"</span></h2> + + +<p class="noi"><span class="smcap">For</span> over thirty years photographs have been taken in London, on which, +when they were developed, figures appeared for the presence of which +there seemed to be no physical cause. They appeared both with +professional photographers and in private studios. Two or three +professional photographers laid themselves out to encourage such +appearances. Others were annoyed by them. One in particular, whom I knew +personally, was greatly annoyed in this way, fearing it might injure his +business. Naturally, but unfortunately, the term "spirit photographs" +was invented. Unfortunately, because, granting the reality and +genuineness of some of the results, it by no means follows that a +"spirit" stood or sat for its portrait, as a human sitter does. +Naturally also, various explanations were soon alleged, two being, +either that the plates had been used before, and had been imperfectly +cleaned, or that the results were produced by deliberate artifice and +fraud on the part of the photographer. There is no doubt that artificial +results can be obtained<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> in a variety of ways, which are extremely +difficult, if not impossible to distinguish from the professed genuine +article. It may therefore be said that no examination of a professed +"spirit photograph," or as we should prefer to call it, a "psychic +photograph," is sufficient to determine its nature and origin. The true +test must be sought for in the conditions under which the photograph was +taken. Very few of those who have had to do with "spirit photography" +have possessed the necessary technical knowledge, and also been +sufficiently careful, in the various stages of the process. The result +is that scarcely any of the photographs shown as "spirit photographs" +possess any evidential value. In common with several other alleged +phenomena, but little attention has been given to the subject by +scientific men, or by trained experimenters.</p> + +<p>The most notable exception to this which I am able to quote is that of +the late Mr. J. Traill Taylor, who was for a considerable time the +editor of the <i>British Journal of Photography</i>. The following quotations +are from a paper on "Spirit Photography" by Mr. Taylor. It was +originally read before the London and Provincial Photographic +Association in March 1893, and was reprinted in the <i>British Journal of +Photography</i> for 26th May 1904, shortly after Mr. Taylor's death.</p> + +<p>"Spirit photography, so called, has of late been asserting its existence +in such a manner and to such an extent as to warrant competent men in +making an investigation, conducted under stringent test conditions, into +the circumstances under which such photographs are produced, and +exposing the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> fraud should it prove to be such, instead of pooh-poohing +it as insensate because we do not understand how it can be otherwise—a +position that scarcely commends itself as intelligent or philosophical. +If, in what follows, I call it 'spirit photography' instead of psychic +photography, it is only in deference to a nomenclature that extensively +prevails.... I approach the subject merely as a photographer."</p> + +<p>Mr. Traill Taylor then gives a history of the earlier manifestations of +"Spirit Photography," and goes on to explain how striking phenomena in +photographing what is invisible to the eye may be produced by the agency +of fluorescence. He quotes the demonstration by Dr. Gladstone, F.R.S., +at the Bradford Meeting of the British Association in 1873, showing that +invisible drawings on white cards have produced bold and clear +photographs when no eye could see the drawings themselves. Hence, as Mr. +Taylor says, the photographing of an invisible image is not +scientifically impossible.</p> + +<p>Mr. Taylor then proceeds to describe some personal experiments. He says: +"For several years I have experienced a strong desire to ascertain by +personal investigation the amount of truth in the ever-recurring +allegation that figures other than those visually present in the room +appeared on a sensitive plate.... Mr. D., of Glasgow, in whose presence +psychic photographs have long been alleged to be obtained, was lately in +London on a visit, and a mutual friend got him to consent to extend his +stay in order that I might try to get a psychic photograph under test +conditions. To this he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> willingly agreed. My conditions were exceedingly +simple, were courteously expressed to the host, and entirely acquiesced +in. They were, that I for the nonce would assume them all to be +tricksters, and to guard against fraud, should use my own camera and +unopened packages of dry plates purchased from dealers of repute, and +that I should be excused from allowing a plate to go out of my own hand +till after development unless I felt otherwise disposed; but that as I +was to treat them as under suspicion, so must they treat me, and that +every act I performed must be in the presence of two witnesses; nay, +that I would set a watch upon my own camera in the guise of a duplicate +one of the same focus—in other words, I would use a binocular +stereoscopic camera and dictate all the conditions of operation....</p> + +<p>"Dr. G. was the first sitter, and for a reason known to myself, I used a +monocular camera. I myself took the plate out of a packet just +previously ripped up under the surveillance of my two detectives. I +placed the slide in my pocket, and exposed it by magnesium ribbon which +I held in my own hand, keeping one eye, as it were, on the sitter, and +the other on the camera. There was no background. I myself took the +plate from the dark slide, and, under the eyes of the two detectives, +placed it in the developing dish. Between the camera and the sitter a +female figure was developed, rather in a more pronounced form than that +of the sitter.... I submit this picture.... I do not recognise her or +any of the other figures I obtained, as like any one I know....</p> + +<p>"Many experiments of like nature followed; on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> some plates were abnormal +appearances, on others none. All this time, Mr. D. the medium, during +the exposure of the plates, was quite inactive....</p> + +<p>"The psychic figures behaved badly. Some were in focus. Others not so. +Some were lighted from the right, while the sitter was so from the left; +some were comely, ... others not so. Some monopolised the major portion +of the plate, quite obliterating the material sitters. Others were as if +an atrociously-badly vignetted portrait ... were held up behind the +sitter. But here is the point:—Not one of these figures which came out +so strongly in the negative, was visible in any form or shape to me +during the time of exposure in the camera, and I vouch in the strongest +manner for the fact that no one whatever had an opportunity of tampering +with any plate anterior to its being placed in the dark slide or +immediately preceding development. Pictorially they are vile, but how +came they there?</p> + +<p>"Now all this time, I imagine you are wondering how the stereoscopic +camera was behaving itself as such. It is due to the psychic entities to +say that whatever was produced on one half of the stereoscopic plates +was produced on the other, alike good or bad in definition. But on a +careful examination of one which was rather better than the other, ... I +deduce this fact, that the impressing of the spirit form was not +consentaneous with that of the sitter. This I consider an important +discovery. I carefully examined one in the stereoscope, and found that, +while the two sitters were stereoscopic <i>per se</i>, the psychic figure was +absolutely flat. I also found that the psychic figure was at least a +millimetre<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> higher up in one than the other. Now, as both had been +simultaneously exposed, it follows to demonstration that, although both +were correctly placed vertically in relation to the particular sitter +behind whom the figure appeared, and not so horizontally, this figure +had not only not been impressed on the plate simultaneously with the two +gentlemen forming the group, but had not been formed by the lens at all, +and that therefore the psychic image might be produced without a camera. +I think this is a fair deduction. But still the question obtrudes: How +came these figures there? I again assert that the plates were not +tampered with by either myself or any one present. Are they +crystallisations of thought? Have lens and light really nothing to do +with their formation? The whole subject was mysterious enough on the +hypothesis of an invisible spirit, whether a thought projection or an +actual spirit, being really there in the vicinity of the sitter, but it +is now a thousand times more so....</p> + +<p>"In the foregoing I have confined myself as closely as possible to +narrating how I conducted a photographic experiment open to every one to +make, avoiding stating any hypothesis or belief of my own on the +subject."</p> + +<p>Two years later, in May 1895, the spiritualists held a General +Conference in London, the proceedings of which extended over several +days. At one of the meetings Mr. Traill Taylor read a paper under the +title—"Are Spirit Photographs necessarily the Photographs of Spirits?" +An abstract of this paper appears in <i>Light</i> (18th May 1895), and it is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> +printed in full in <i>Borderland</i> (July 1895). At the commencement of the +paper, Mr. Taylor explained that light is the agent in the production of +an ordinary photograph; but he says: "I have ascertained, to my own +satisfaction at any rate, that light so called, so far as concerns the +experiments I have made, has nothing to do with the production of a +psychic picture, and that the lens and camera of the photographer are +consequently useless incumbrances." Following this up, Mr. Taylor says: +"It was the realisation of this that enabled me at a certain seance +recently held, at which many cameras were in requisition, to obtain +certain abnormal figures on my plates when all others failed to do so. +After withdrawing the slide from the camera, I wrapped it up in the +velvet focussing cloth and requested the medium to hold it in his hand, +giving him no clue as to my reason for doing so. A general conversation +favoured the delay in proceeding to the developing room for about five +or more minutes, during which the medium still held the wrapped-up +slide. I then relieved him of it, and in the presence of others applied +the developer, which brought to view figures in addition to that of the +sitter."</p> + +<p>In making a categorical reply to the question which forms the title of +his paper, Mr. Taylor replies—"No"—and gives various "surmises" to +account for recognisable likenesses having been obtained. At the end of +his paper Mr. Taylor says:—</p> + +<p>"The influence of the mind of the medium in the obtaining of +psychographs might be deduced from the fact of pictures having been +obtained of angels<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> with wings, a still popular belief of some, as +ridiculous in its conception as it is false in its anatomy, but still no +less true in its photo-pictorial outcome. This does not in the slightest +degree impair the genuineness and honesty of the medium, but it inspires +me, a disbeliever in the wing notion, with the belief that +spirit-photographs are not necessarily photographs of spirits.</p> + +<p>"A concluding word: A medium may, on passing through a picture gallery, +become impressed by some picture which, although forgotten soon after, +may yet make a persistent appearance on his negative on subsequent +occasions. My caution is that if such be published as a spirit +photograph, care must be taken that no copyright of such picture is +infringed. I have cases of this nature in my mind's eye, but time does +not permit of this being enlarged upon, else I could have recited +several instances."</p> + +<p>It would be extremely interesting if we could have had these "several +instances" recited. At all events, what Mr. Traill Taylor says is +suggestive, and is well worth being borne in mind by any one +investigating the subject. Some careful experiments have been made of +late years, mostly, so far as I have heard, with inconclusive, or +discouraging results. But I am not aware of any serious sustained study +of the question by any English photographer since Mr. Traill Taylor's +death.</p> + + + +<hr /> + + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> +<a name="XI" id="XI"></a>CHAPTER XI<br /> +<br /> +<span class="sub2">THE SUMMING UP OF THE WHOLE MATTER</span></h2> + + +<p class="noi"><span class="smcap">In</span> the preceding chapters the chief endeavour has been to present the +scientific evidence in favour of the reality of a mass of alleged +phenomena, so far unrecognised by science as facts. The chief object is +to arouse interest, and to excite inquiry and investigation. It is +difficult to imagine a more attractive undiscovered country than that +which lies just outside the realm of recognised science, in the +direction of such phenomena as have been under consideration. It is a +country teeming with wonders, and with miraculous occurrences of endless +variety. Miraculous to us, inasmuch as they are not subject to any "Laws +of Nature" which we have discovered. The marvel is that there is not a +rush of explorers into fields incomparably more fascinating than North +or South Pole can present, and containing more treasure than gold-fields +or diamond mines can ever yield.</p> + +<p>The two chapters devoted to phenomena occurring in the presence of D. D. +Home and W. Stainton Moses demand special reference. It is difficult to +imagine two men differing more widely in almost every respect. Mr. Myers +describes the even tenour of Mr. Stainton Moses' "straightforward and +reputable life" as "inwoven with a chain of mysteries, which ... make +that life one of the most extraordinary which our century has seen."<a name="FNanchor_66_66" id="FNanchor_66_66"></a><a href="#Footnote_66_66" class="fnanchor">[66]</a> +He was a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span> scholar, a literary man, and a clergyman of the Church of +England. He had no worldly ambition or fondness for what is called +"Society." Mr. D. D. Home, on the contrary, does not appear to have been +a man who could have been termed a religious character, or +spiritually-minded, nor did he give evidence of intellectual talent. But +he had gained access to some of the highest society in Europe. And yet +both men were "mediums" for these curious phenomena, to a wonderful +extent, both as regards the amount and the variety of the +manifestations. Although the two men were so different, there is a +parallelism in the phenomena in so many respects, that a similar origin +or source seems inevitably suggested. There were peculiarities special +to each, but untouched movements of heavy articles, "levitations," +lights, and sounds, were phenomena common to both. From whence does this +"chain of mysteries" come? Is the source to be sought for in +undiscovered powers and faculties of the men themselves, or in the +action of other intelligences? That is a problem which must be left. It +is outside the scope of this inquiry, which deals solely with the +establishment of physical facts. But where can any other field be found +of equal interest? Difficulties and perplexities meet the explorer in +abundance. But they exist in order to be overcome by the same steady +persistence which has attained its reward in many another direction.</p> + +<p>With regard to two other chapters I desire also to make a special +remark—those on "Materialisations" and "Spirit Photography." Both are +physical phenomena. But I desire to make it plain that no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> claim is made +of being able to present evidence with regard to either of these +subjects which should satisfy the reasonable demands of science. It may +be asked—Why then introduce them at all? For two reasons: (1) Because +the evidence in favour of both is only just outside the boundary of +scientific demonstration. (2) Because of the extreme interest of the +phenomena themselves.</p> + +<p>As to "Materialisations." Out of an immense mass of testimony, most of +it of no evidential value, one case has been selected where more than +ordinary care seems to have been taken. But the phenomenon is so +marvellous, especially in its more perfect alleged phases, when the +"materialised" form is scarcely distinguishable from a living breathing +human being, that the inquirer is bound to hold his judgment in suspense +until the last possible moment.</p> + +<p>Again as to "Spirit Photography." The term "Psychic Photography" would +be far preferable, as implying no theory. The experiences of Mr. J. +Traill Taylor, which I have selected as the sole illustration, appear to +leave no moral doubt but that under certain circumstances photographs +are produced which known laws are unable to explain. Definite and +recognisable human figures and faces are thus obtained. But this is a +very long way from proving that "spirits" sit or stand before the camera +for their photographs to be taken!</p> + +<p>If some trained experimenter in scientific research, who possesses an +unbiassed mind, would devote himself for two or three years to the study +of either of these classes of phenomena, it is almost a certainty<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> that +he would be richly rewarded. Is there no one who will enter upon the +task?</p> + +<p>There is one large group of evidence, embracing most of the phenomena +which have been under consideration, from which I had hoped to make +copious selections, with pleasure to myself, and with interest to the +reader. No living scientist has bestowed so large an amount of study on +"certain phenomena usually termed spiritualistic" as Sir William +Crookes. As long ago as the year 1874, Sir William Crookes gave +permission for the reprint of a limited number of copies of various +articles which he had contributed to the periodical literature of the +day. These, with some other original matter, were published under the +title of "Researches in the Phenomena of Spiritualism." That volume has +long been out of print. In 1890, an article by Sir William Crookes, +under the title of "Notes of Seances with D. D. Home," was published in +volume vi. of the <i>Proceedings</i> of the Society for Psychical Research. +He also referred to his experiences with D. D. Home, in two addresses +delivered at meetings of the Society in 1894 and in 1899. These are +reported in the <i>Journal</i> of the Society. Sir William Crookes also +devoted a portion of his address, as President of the British +Association in 1898, to a reference to the part he took many years +before in psychical research. This portion of the address was reprinted +in volume xiv. of the <i>Proceedings</i> of the Society.</p> + +<p>Considerations, which cannot be entered into here, compel me, however, +to be content with referring the reader to the publications mentioned,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> +a study of which will, I think, bring conviction that the scientific +evidence they contain would, even if it stood alone, be amply sufficient +to prove the reality of the alleged phenomena.<a name="FNanchor_67_67" id="FNanchor_67_67"></a><a href="#Footnote_67_67" class="fnanchor">[67]</a></p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p>We are now warranted in the assertion that we have arrived at this +position: That the careful reader is compelled to admit that the +evidence in favour of a variety of alleged physical phenomena being +undoubted facts, is too strong to be resisted. We are accustomed to say +in ordinary life, the proof of this or that is complete. The man of +science is accustomed to say in his own sphere of inquiry, the proof of +this or that is complete. Applying the same rules of evidence to +physical phenomena generally called spiritualistic, we are bound to +admit that in regard to many of them the proof of their reality is +complete. Yet these facts are not recognised by the world of science, +and are scarcely deemed worthy of any serious attention by the majority +of intelligent people.</p> + +<p>It may be worth while to consider for a few moments the mode in which +new knowledge enters the mind. By new knowledge is meant not extension +of existing knowledge, but facts of a new order, such, for instance, as +the rising of a heavy dining table into the air without any recognised +physical cause being apparent. The difficulty of admitting new facts of +this kind to the mind is not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> confined to any one class of people. +Indeed the difficulty appears to be greater in the case of highly +educated people than among the comparatively uninformed. Sir Oliver +Lodge has recently said: "What does a 'proof' mean? A proof means +destroying the isolation of an observed fact or experience by linking it +on with all pre-existent knowledge; it means the bringing it into its +place in the system of knowledge; and it affords the same sort of +gratification as finding the right place for a queer-shaped piece in a +puzzle-map. Do not let these puzzle-maps go out of fashion; they afford +a most useful psychological illustration; the foundation of every +organised system of truth is bound up with them.... It is because a +number of phenomena, such as clairvoyance, physical movement without +contact, and other apparent abnormalities and unusualnesses, cannot at +present be linked on with the rest of knowledge in a coherent stream—it +is for that reason that they are not, as yet, generally recognised as +true; they stand at present outside the realms of science; they will be +presently incorporated into that kingdom, and annexed by the progress of +discovery."<a name="FNanchor_68_68" id="FNanchor_68_68"></a><a href="#Footnote_68_68" class="fnanchor">[68]</a></p> + +<p>Mr. F. C. S. Schiller, in an article in the <i>Proceedings</i> of the Society +for Psychical Research, expresses a similar thought in a different +manner. He says:—</p> + +<p>"A mind unwilling to believe, or even undesirous to be instructed, our +weightiest evidence must ever fail to impress. It will insist on taking +that evidence in bits, and rejecting it item by item. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> man therefore +who announces his intention of waiting until a single absolutely +conclusive bit of evidence turns up, is really a man <i>not</i> open to +conviction, and if he is a logician, <i>he knows it</i>. For modern logic has +made it plain that single facts can never be 'proved,' except by their +coherence in a system. But as all the facts come singly, any one who +dismisses them one by one, is destroying the conditions under which the +conviction of new truth could arise in his mind."<a name="FNanchor_69_69" id="FNanchor_69_69"></a><a href="#Footnote_69_69" class="fnanchor">[69]</a></p> + +<p>Mr. Myers, in summing up the evidence in the case of Mr. Stainton Moses, +dwells on the importance of simple repetition. This, though practically +effective, is scarcely a scientific consideration. A fact is none the +less a fact on account of the rarity of its occurrence, any more than +the existence of a rare animal or plant is rendered questionable by the +fewness of the number of specimens which have been found.</p> + +<p>An interesting chapter might be written under the title of "The History +of the Growth in the Belief in Hypnotism during the last Twenty-five +Years." One episode that would be included in such a history may be +worth quoting here as illustrating the present subject. As recently as +1891, the British Medical Association appointed a Committee, consisting +of eleven of its number, "to investigate the nature of the phenomena of +hypnotism, its value as a therapeutic agent, and the propriety of using +it." This Committee presented a Report at the Annual Meeting in the +following year. In the first paragraph they solemnly stated that they +"have satisfied themselves of the genuineness<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> of the hypnotic state" +(!). They also expressed the "opinion that as a therapeutic agent +hypnotism is frequently effective in relieving pain, procuring sleep, +and alleviating many functional ailments" (!). They are also of opinion +that its "employment for therapeutic purposes should be confined to +qualified medical men."</p> + +<p>The Association referred this unanimous Report of its Committee back for +further consideration. In 1893 the Committee presented it again, with +the addition of an important Appendix, consisting of "some documentary +evidence upon which the Report was based." On this occasion it was moved +and seconded, that the Report should lie on the table. It was suggested +that the amendment to this effect be so altered as to read that the +Report be received only, and the Committee thanked for their services. +Finally, a resolution to this effect was carried. The most strongly +worded recommendation of the Report was that some legal restriction +should be placed on public exhibitions of hypnotic phenomena. This was +only twelve years ago, and was five or six years subsequent to the +publication of some of Mr. Edmund Gurney's most important series of +experiments in hypnotism in the <i>Proceedings</i> of the Society for +Psychical Research. The "reception only" of the Report was also two or +three years subsequent to a demonstration of hypnotic anæsthesia which +Dr. J. Milne Bramwell gave at Leeds to a large gathering of medical men. +One result of that gathering was that Dr. Bramwell decided to abandon +general practice and devote himself to hypnotic work. Dr. Bramwell +says:—</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span>"As I was well aware of the fate that had awaited earlier pioneers in +the same movement, I naturally expected to meet with opposition and +misrepresentation. These have been encountered, it is true; but the +friendly help and encouragement received have been immeasurably greater. +I have also had many opportunities of placing my views before my +professional brethren, both by writing and speaking;" to which Dr. +Bramwell somewhat naively adds—"opportunities all the more valued, +because almost always unsolicited."<a name="FNanchor_70_70" id="FNanchor_70_70"></a><a href="#Footnote_70_70" class="fnanchor">[70]</a></p> + +<p>An incident which occurred in connection with the most sensational case +of "levitation" recorded of D. D. Home, is very instructive as +illustrating the great care that is needful in estimating the value of +testimony regarding spiritualistic phenomena, even of statements made by +persons of established reputation and position.</p> + +<p>The Joint Report of Professor Barrett and Mr. Myers, from which extracts +were made in <a href="#V">Chapter V.</a>, says:—</p> + +<p>"Lords Lindsay and Adare had printed a statement that Home floated out +of the window, and in at another, in Ashley Place, S.W., 16th December +1868. A third person, Captain Wynne, was present at the time, but had +written no separate account. Dr. Carpenter, in an article in the +<i>Contemporary Review</i> for January 1876, thus commented on the +incident:—</p> + +<p>"'The most diverse accounts of the <i>facts</i> of a seance will be given by +a believer and a sceptic.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> A whole party of believers will affirm that +they saw Mr. Home float out of one window, and in at another, while a +single honest sceptic declares that Mr. Home was sitting in his chair +all the time. And in this last case we have an example of a fact, of +which there is ample illustration, that during the prevalence of an +epidemic delusion, the honest testimony of any number of individuals on +one side, if given under a prepossession, is of no more weight than that +of a single adverse witness—if so much.'</p> + +<p>"This passage was of course quoted as implying that Captain Wynne had +somewhere made a statement contradicting Lords Lindsay and Adare. Home +wrote to him to inquire; and he replied ... in the following terms:—</p> + +<p>"'I remember that Dr. Carpenter wrote some nonsense about that trip of +yours along the side of the house in Ashley Place. I wrote to the +<i>Medium</i> to say that I was present as a witness. Now I don't think that +any one who knows me would for one moment say that I was a victim to +hallucination or any other humbug of the kind. The fact of your having +gone out of the window and in at the other I can swear to.'"</p> + +<p>"It seems, therefore, that the instance selected by Dr. Carpenter to +prove the existence of a hallucination—by the exemption of one person +present from the illusion—was of a very unfortunate kind; suggesting, +indeed, that a controversialist thus driven to draw on his imagination +for his facts must have been conscious of a weak case."<a name="FNanchor_71_71" id="FNanchor_71_71"></a><a href="#Footnote_71_71" class="fnanchor">[71]</a></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span>It may be interesting, in concluding this brief examination into one +branch of the great subject of "Spiritualism," to bring together a few +of the impressions produced on the minds of some of the leading +investigators. It should not be forgotten that the branch of the subject +which we have been studying may be looked upon as representing the +lowest steps only of a great staircase which ascends, until, to our +gaze, it is lost in unknown infinite heights. It is only the foot of a +ladder, to use another simile, resting on the material earth, which we +have been considering; at most the two or three lowest rungs. But to the +eyes of some, even now and here, glimpses of angels ascending and +descending are visible.</p> + +<p>Five names stand out prominently before all others among the earlier +investigators of the last thirty years—Sir William Crookes and +Professor W. F. Barrett, who are still with us; and Professor Henry +Sidgwick, Edmund Gurney, and F. W. H. Myers, who have gone. Sir William +Crookes' work in other directions has been all-absorbing, so that all he +has been able to tell us during the last few years, in relation to our +present subject, is that he had nothing to add to, and nothing to +retract from what he has said in the past. In his address as President +of the British Association in 1898, Sir William Crookes said, after +referring to his work of thirty years ago:—</p> + +<p>"I think I see a little further now. I have glimpses of something like +coherence among the strange elusive phenomena, of something like +continuity between those unexplained forces, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> laws already known.... +Were I now introducing for the first time these inquiries to the world +of science, I should choose a starting-point different from that of old. +It would be well to begin with Telepathy; with the fundamental law, as I +believe it to be, that thoughts and images may be transferred from one +mind to another without the agency of the recognised organs of +sense—that knowledge may enter the human mind without being +communicated in any hitherto known or recognised ways."<a name="FNanchor_72_72" id="FNanchor_72_72"></a><a href="#Footnote_72_72" class="fnanchor">[72]</a></p> + +<p>For Professor Barrett's present views the reader is referred to his +address as President of the Society for Psychical Research delivered in +January 1904.<a name="FNanchor_73_73" id="FNanchor_73_73"></a><a href="#Footnote_73_73" class="fnanchor">[73]</a> It is full of interest, but is not easy to quote from. +Speaking of "spiritualistic phenomena," he says: "We must all agree that +indiscriminate condemnation on the one hand, and ignorant credulity on +the other, are the two most mischievous elements with which we are +confronted in connection with this subject. It is because we, as a +Society, feel that in the fearless pursuit of truth, it is the paramount +duty of science to lead the way, that the scornful attitude of the +scientific world towards even the investigation of these phenomena is so +much to be deprecated.... I suppose we are all apt to fancy our own +power of discernment and of sound judgment to be somewhat better than +our neighbours. But after all, is it not the common-sense, the care, the +patience, and the amount of uninterrupted attention we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> bestow upon any +psychical phenomena we are investigating, that gives value to the +opinion at which we arrive, and not the particular cleverness or +scepticism of the observer? The lesson we all need to learn is, that +what even the humblest of men <i>affirm</i>, from their own experience, is +always worth listening to, but what even the cleverest of men, in their +ignorance, deny, is never worth a moment's attention."<a name="FNanchor_74_74" id="FNanchor_74_74"></a><a href="#Footnote_74_74" class="fnanchor">[74]</a></p> + +<p>As regards Professor Sidgwick, the experimental work of the Society for +Psychical Research soon convinced him that Thought-Transference, or +Telepathy, was a fact. In an address in 1889, after speaking of the +probabilities of testimony given being false, he says:—</p> + +<p>"It is for this reason that I feel that a part of my grounds for +believing in Telepathy, depending as it does on personal knowledge, +cannot be communicated except in a weakened form to the ordinary reader +of the printed statements which represent the evidence that has +convinced me. Indeed I feel this so strongly that I have always made it +my highest ambition as a psychical researcher to produce evidence which +will drive my opponents to doubt my honesty or veracity; I think there +are a very small minority who will not doubt them, and that if I can +convince them I have done all that I can do: as regards the majority of +my own acquaintances I should claim no more than an admission that they +were considerably surprised to find me in the trick."<a name="FNanchor_75_75" id="FNanchor_75_75"></a><a href="#Footnote_75_75" class="fnanchor">[75]</a></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span>I am not aware that Professor Sidgwick ever expressed any opinion as to +the reality of the ordinary physical spiritualistic manifestations. It +is clear that he believed a large proportion to have been fraudulently +produced. As to some psychical phenomena, his convictions were very +strong. For instance, in the final paragraph of the "Report on +Hallucinations," which occupies the whole of the tenth volume of the +<i>Proceedings</i> of the Society, and to which he appended his name, these +two sentences occur: "Between deaths and apparitions of the dying person +a connection exists which is not due to chance alone. This we hold as a +proved fact."<a name="FNanchor_76_76" id="FNanchor_76_76"></a><a href="#Footnote_76_76" class="fnanchor">[76]</a> And Professor Sidgwick speaks of this as corroborating +the conclusion already drawn by Mr. Gurney nearly ten years earlier.</p> + +<p>Mr. Edmund Gurney's name stands next. His earthly work came to a sudden +termination in 1888. "Phantasms of the Living" is his enduring memorial. +Although two other names are associated with his on the title-page, the +greater part of the two volumes was written by him alone. For most of +the views expressed Mr. Gurney is solely responsible. In a chapter +devoted to "The Theory of Chance-Coincidence" as an explanation of the +order of natural phenomena to which "Phantasms of the Living" belong, +Mr. Gurney says:—</p> + +<p>"Figures, one is sometimes told, can be made to prove anything; but I +confess I should be curious to see the figures by which the theory of +chance-coincidence could here be proved adequate to the facts. Whatever +group of phenomena be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> selected, and whatever method of reckoning be +adopted, probabilities are hopelessly and even ludicrously +overpassed."<a name="FNanchor_77_77" id="FNanchor_77_77"></a><a href="#Footnote_77_77" class="fnanchor">[77]</a></p> + +<p>This is the conclusion referred to above by Professor Sidgwick. With +exclusively physical phenomena Mr. Gurney did not much concern himself.</p> + +<p>The last of the five names mentioned is that of Mr F. W. H. Myers. The +written testimony he has left behind enables us to obtain a much clearer +view of his conclusions as a whole, than is attainable in the case of +Professor Sidgwick and Mr. Gurney. The convictions which he came to in +regard to the two most notable "mediums" in the history of modern +spiritualism—D. D. Home and W. Stainton Moses—are evidence that he +believed in most of the alleged phenomena being proved realities. These +convictions are so important from such a careful and competent student +of the subject that it is best to quote them in his own words. Of D. D. +Home he said: "If our readers ask us—'Do you desire us to go on +experimenting in these matters, as though Home's phenomena were +genuine?'—we answer 'Yes.'"<a name="FNanchor_78_78" id="FNanchor_78_78"></a><a href="#Footnote_78_78" class="fnanchor">[78]</a> Of the phenomena which occurred in the +presence of W. Stainton Moses, Mr. Myers said: "That they were not +produced fraudulently by Dr. Speer or other sitters I regard as proved +both by moral considerations and by the fact that they are constantly +reported as occurring when Mr. Moses was alone. That Mr. Moses should +have himself fraudulently produced them, I regard as both<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> morally and +physically incredible. That he should have prepared and produced them in +a state of trance, I regard both as physically incredible, and also as +entirely inconsistent with the tenour both of his own reports and of +those of his friends. I therefore regard the reported phenomena as +having actually occurred in a genuinely supernormal manner."<a name="FNanchor_79_79" id="FNanchor_79_79"></a><a href="#Footnote_79_79" class="fnanchor">[79]</a></p> + +<p>At the same time Mr. Myers believed in the existence of a large amount +of conscious and wilful fraud, especially in professional mediumship.</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><a name="concluding" id="concluding"></a>There will be no fitter conclusion to this volume than a few passages +from the last chapter, entitled "Epilogue," of "Human Personality," by +Mr. F. W. H. Myers. To a large extent they are appropriate to the +evidence presented in the preceding pages.</p> + +<p>"The task which I proposed to myself at the beginning of this work, is +now, after a fashion, accomplished. Following the successive steps of my +programme, I have presented—not indeed all the evidence I possess, and +which I would willingly present—but enough at least to illustrate a +continuous exposition.... Such wider generalisations as I may now add, +must needs be dangerously speculative; they must run the risk of +alienating still further from this research many of the scientific minds +which I am most anxious to influence....</p> + +<p>"The inquiry falls between the two stools of religion and science; it +cannot claim support either from the 'religious world' or from the Royal +Society. Yet even apart from the instinct of pure scientific<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> curiosity +(which surely has seldom seen such a field opening before it), the +mighty issues depending on these phenomena ought, I think, to constitute +in themselves a strong, an exceptional appeal. I desire in this book to +emphasise that appeal; not only to produce conviction, but also to +attract co-operation. And actual converse with many persons has led me +to believe that in order to attract such help, even from scientific men, +some general view of the moral upshot of all the phenomena is needed.... +The time is ripe for a study of unseen things as strenuous and sincere +as that which Science has made familiar for the problems of earth."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span>Coming now to more definite considerations, Mr. Myers writes thus of +Telepathy, lifting it on to an altogether higher plane: "In the +infinite Universe man may now feel, for the first time, at home. The +worst fear is over; the true security is won. The worst fear was the +fear of spiritual extinction or spiritual solitude. The true security +is in the telepathic law. Let me draw out my meaning at somewhat +greater length. As we have dwelt successively on various aspects of +Telepathy we have gradually felt the conception enlarge and deepen +under our study. It began as a quasi-mechanical transference of ideas +and images from one to another brain." This is illustrated by the +series of Thought-Transference Drawings; almost the only telepathic +manifestation which strictly comes within the scope of our inquiry +into physical phenomena. "Presently we find it assuming a more varied +and potent form, as though it were the veritable influence or invasion +of a distant mind. Again, its action was traced across a gulf greater +than any space of earth or ocean, and it bridged the interval between +spirits incarnate and discarnate, between the visible and the +invisible world. There seemed no limit to the distance of its +operation, or to the intimacy of its appeal....</p> + +<p>"Love ... is no matter of carnal impulse or of emotional caprice.... +Love is a kind of exalted but unspecialised Telepathy;—the simplest and +most universal expression of that mutual gravitation or kinship of +spirits which is the foundation of the telepathic law. This is the +answer to the ancient fear; the fear lest man's fellowships be the +outward, and his solitude the inward thing.... Such fears vanish when we +learn that it is the soul in man which links him with other souls; the +body which dissevers even while it seems to unite.... Like atoms, like +suns, like galaxies, our spirits are systems of forces which vibrate +continually to each other's attractive power."</p> + +<p>For the further working out of these thoughts the reader must be +referred to Mr. Myers' book itself. After a few pages Mr. Myers +proceeds:—</p> + +<p>"Our duty [the duty of Psychical Researchers] is not the founding of a +new sect, nor even the establishment of a new science, but is rather the +expansion of Science herself until she can satisfy those questions, +which the human heart will rightly ask, but to which Religion alone has +thus far attempted an answer.... I see our original programme completely +justified.... I see all things coming to pass as we foresaw. What I do +<i>not</i> see, alas! is an energy and capacity of our own, sufficient for +our widening duty.... We invite<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> workers from each department of +science, from every school of thought. With equal confidence we appeal +for co-operation to <i>savant</i> and to saint.</p> + +<p>"To the <i>savant</i> we point out that we are not trying to pick holes in +the order of Nature, but rather by the scrutiny of residual phenomena, +to get nearer to the origin and operation of Nature's central mystery of +Life. Men who realise that the ethereal environment was discovered +yesterday, need not deem it impossible that a metethereal +environment—yet another omnipresent system of cosmic law—should be +discovered to-morrow. The only valid <i>a priori</i> presumption in the +matter, is the presumption that the Universe is infinite in an infinite +number of ways.</p> + +<p>"To the Christian we can speak with a still more direct appeal. You +believe—I would say—that a spiritual world exists, and that it acted +on the material world two thousand years ago. Surely it is so acting +still. Nay, you believe that it is so acting still, for you believe that +prayer is heard and answered. To believe that prayer is heard is to +believe in Telepathy—in the direct influence of mind on mind. To +believe that prayer is answered is to believe that unembodied spirit +does actually modify (even if not storm-cloud or plague-germ) at least +the minds, and therefore the brains, of living men. From that belief the +most advanced 'psychical' theories are easy corollaries."</p> + +<p>A few more lines in conclusion:—</p> + +<p>"It may be that for some generations to come the truest faith will lie +in the patient attempt to unravel from confused phenomena some trace of +the supernal world;—to find thus at last 'the substance<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> of things +hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.' I confess, indeed, that I +have often felt as though this present age were even unduly +favoured;—as though no future revelation and calm could equal the joy +of this great struggle from doubt into certainty;—from the materialism +or agnosticism which accompany the first advance of Science into the +deeper scientific conviction that there is a deathless soul in man. I +can imagine no other crisis of such deep delight."</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_66_66" id="Footnote_66_66"></a><a href="#FNanchor_66_66"><span class="label">[66]</span></a> <i>Proceedings S.P.R.</i>, vol. ix. p. 252.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_67_67" id="Footnote_67_67"></a><a href="#FNanchor_67_67"><span class="label">[67]</span></a> The references to these contributions are: <i>Proceedings +S.P.R.</i>, vol. vi. pp. 98-127; <i>Journal S.P.R.</i>, vol. vi. pp. 341-345, +and vol. ix. pp. 147-148; <i>Proceedings S.P.R.</i>, vol. xiv. pp. 2-5. +"Researches in the Phenomena of Spiritualism" will be found in the +Libraries of the Society for Psychical Research, and of the London +Spiritualist Alliance.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_68_68" id="Footnote_68_68"></a><a href="#FNanchor_68_68"><span class="label">[68]</span></a> "School Teaching and School Reform," by Sir Oliver Lodge, +pp. 89, 90.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_69_69" id="Footnote_69_69"></a><a href="#FNanchor_69_69"><span class="label">[69]</span></a> <i>Proceedings S.P.R.</i>, vol. xviii. p. 419.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_70_70" id="Footnote_70_70"></a><a href="#FNanchor_70_70"><span class="label">[70]</span></a> See "Hypnotism: Its History, Practice, and Theory," by J. +Milne Bramwell, M.B., C.M., 1903, pp. 36-39.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_71_71" id="Footnote_71_71"></a><a href="#FNanchor_71_71"><span class="label">[71]</span></a> <i>Journal S.P.R.</i>, vol. iv. pp. 108-109.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_72_72" id="Footnote_72_72"></a><a href="#FNanchor_72_72"><span class="label">[72]</span></a> <i>Proceedings S.P.R.</i>, vol. xiv. p. 3.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_73_73" id="Footnote_73_73"></a><a href="#FNanchor_73_73"><span class="label">[73]</span></a> Ibid., Part XLVIII., 1s. (included in vol. xviii. pp. +323-351).</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_74_74" id="Footnote_74_74"></a><a href="#FNanchor_74_74"><span class="label">[74]</span></a> <i>Proceedings S.P.R.</i>, vol. xviii. pp. 340-341.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_75_75" id="Footnote_75_75"></a><a href="#FNanchor_75_75"><span class="label">[75]</span></a> Ibid., vol. vi. p. 5.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_76_76" id="Footnote_76_76"></a><a href="#FNanchor_76_76"><span class="label">[76]</span></a> <i>Proceedings S.P.R.</i>, vol. x. p. 394.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_77_77" id="Footnote_77_77"></a><a href="#FNanchor_77_77"><span class="label">[77]</span></a> "Phantasms of the Living," vol. ii. p. 21.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_78_78" id="Footnote_78_78"></a><a href="#FNanchor_78_78"><span class="label">[78]</span></a> <i>Journal S.P.R.</i>, vol. iv. p. 115.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_79_79" id="Footnote_79_79"></a><a href="#FNanchor_79_79"><span class="label">[79]</span></a> <i>Proceedings S.P.R.</i>, vol. xi. pp. 24-25.</p></div> +</div> + + + +<h3 class="end">THE END</h3> + + +<h5 class="end">Printed by <span class="smcap">Ballantyne, Hanson, & Co.</span><br /> +Edinburgh & London</h5> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Psychic Phenomena, by Edward T. 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Bennett + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Psychic Phenomena + A Brief Account of the Physical Manifestations Observed + in Psychical Research + +Author: Edward T. Bennett + +Release Date: February 27, 2010 [EBook #31417] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PSYCHIC PHENOMENA *** + + + + +Produced by Robert Baruch and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + PSYCHIC + PHENOMENA + + A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE PHYSICAL + MANIFESTATIONS OBSERVED IN + PSYCHICAL RESEARCH + + WITH FACSIMILE ILLUSTRATIONS OF + THOUGHT-TRANSFERENCE DRAWINGS + AND AUTOMATIC WRITING + + + BY + EDWARD T. BENNETT + + ASSISTANT-SECRETARY TO THE SOCIETY OF + PSYCHICAL RESEARCH, 1882-1902 + + + WITH A FOREWORD BY + SIR OLIVER LODGE + + + NEW YORK + BRENTANO'S + MCMIX + + + + +NOTE + + +The writer desires to express his sincere thanks to the Council of the +Society for Psychical Research for the permission given to make extracts +from the _Proceedings_ of the Society, from the privately printed +_Journal_, and from "Phantasms of the Living"; and for allowing the +reproduction of a series of THOUGHT-TRANSFERENCE DRAWINGS. Also best +thanks are due to Mrs. Myers, and to Messrs. Longmans, Green & Co., for +permission to make quotations from Mr. F. W. H. Myers' great work, +"Human Personality and its Survival of Bodily Death." Also to Mr. J. +Burns and his brother, for freely granting permission for any use to be +made of the James Burns 1873 Edition of the "Report of the Committee of +the Dialectical Society." + + E. T. B. + + + + +CONTENTS + + + CHAP. PAGE + + I. INTRODUCTORY 11 + + II. THE MOVEMENT OF OBJECTS WITHOUT ANY APPARENT + PHYSICAL CAUSE 16 + + III. THE PRODUCTION OF SOUND WITHOUT ANY APPARENT + PHYSICAL CAUSE 31 + + IV. THE APPEARANCE OF LIGHT WITHOUT ANY APPARENT + PHYSICAL CAUSE 35 + + V. PHYSICAL PHENOMENA IN THE PRESENCE OF + DANIEL DUNGLAS HOME 41 + + VI. PHYSICAL PHENOMENA IN THE PRESENCE OF W. + STAINTON MOSES 58 + + VII. THE DIVINING ROD 76 + + VIII. THOUGHT-TRANSFERENCE DRAWINGS 89 + + IX. MATERIALISATIONS 109 + + X. "SPIRIT PHOTOGRAPHY" 113 + + XI. THE SUMMING UP OF THE WHOLE MATTER 121 + + + + +INTRODUCTION + +BY SIR OLIVER LODGE + + +Consulted by the publishers as to the production of a small popular +text-book, which should constitute a summary indication of the +nature of the evidence for ultra-normal physical or meta-psychical +phenomena, I suggested Mr. E. T. Bennett as the right man for the +task. I have now seen the proof sheets, and--without making myself +in any way responsible for details--perceive that he has done the +work well, and has presented a satisfactory outline of the testimony +for whatever it may be worth. Concerning its value I will only say +that to my mind there comes a stage at which belief in gratuitous +invention and false statement becomes forced and irrational. With +most of the evidence here adduced I have of course been familiar for +years, in its original sources, and am well aware of the extreme +difficulty or impossibility of understanding some of the alleged +facts in any physical or physiological sense; nevertheless if I am +asked whether such impressions can be actually received and honestly +recorded by sane people, and whether I recommend experiment by +careful and competent and unsuperstitious observers as if a _prima +facie_ case had been made out--that is to say, as if some of these +unusual and hitherto quite unexplained occurrences might possibly +turn out to be true--having laws of their own and constituting an +unopened chapter of science, or rather a new science, uniting +characteristics from physical, chemical, physiological, and +psychological sciences, and throwing new light on the connection +between mind and matter--then, though doubtless the answer will be +received with scorn, I answer unhesitatingly yes. + + + + +SPIRITUALISM + +CHAPTER I + +INTRODUCTORY + + +A short title to a book has its advantages. It has also its +disadvantages. It is almost inevitable that it should, on the one hand, +seem to include much more than is intended, and, on the other hand, fail +to convey the purpose of the author. "Geology" would be a tolerably +large subject. "Astronomy" would be vastly larger. But "Spiritualism" is +an infinite subject compared with either, and to suggest that its claims +to scientific study be considered within the compass of a small volume +of not much over a hundred pages seems the height of presumption! + +It will therefore be well at the outset to indicate exactly what it is +proposed to include in the present investigation into "Spiritualism." +The alleged phenomena of Spiritualism may be roughly divided into two +classes--physical and mental. Those which belong entirely to the latter +class are outside the scope of this book. It is proposed to examine +those phenomena of the former class, the reality of which may fairly be +assumed to be proved by scientific evidence. The scope of the work is +thus reduced to reasonable proportions. There are several groups of +phenomena which appear to violate, or at least to extend in a striking +manner, laws recognised by Physical Science. The evidence to be relied +on will be that of scientific men of high standing, and of other persons +of unquestioned literary and social position. + +There is, however, an important respect, in regard to which this inquiry +is placed in an entirely different position to any ordinary scientific +investigation, and one which adds greatly to the difficulties of the +student. Ordinary experiments conducted in a physical laboratory can be +repeated again and again under similar conditions, and similar results +will follow. If attempts are made to reproduce the phenomena of +Spiritualism, under what appear to be precisely similar conditions, by +means which have previously been successful, failure to obtain the +wished-for results may very probably follow. It is no use to rebel and +to feel inclined to abandon the pursuit as useless! That would be most +unscientific! The inquirer finds himself in the presence of a subtle +elusive influence, which he seems unable to control, and which refuses +to submit to the laws which govern physical experiments. On the other +hand, perseverance may be richly rewarded. An unexplored field of +scientific research of unlimited extent may open itself to view. +Something of that joy may be experienced which the search into the +unknown alone can give. + +Mr. Arthur James Balfour, in an address on the occasion of the annual +dinner of the Royal Literary Fund, in 1893, said:-- + +"My friend, Lord Kelvin, has often talked to me of the future of +science, and he has said words to me about the future of science which +are parallel with the words I have quoted to you about the future of +art, and with the hope which I have expressed to you with respect to +literature. He has told me that to the men of science of to-day it +appears as if we were trembling on the brink of some great scientific +discovery which should give to us a new view of the great forces of +Nature, among which and in the midst of which we move. If this prophecy +be right, and if the other forecasts to which I have alluded be right, +then indeed it is true that we live in an interesting age; then indeed +it is true that we may look forward to a time full of fruit for the +human race--to an age which cannot be sterilised or rendered barren even +by politics." + +There are some advantages which the study of this subject possesses over +most branches of scientific inquiry. In its present early and incomplete +stage the most important thing is the accumulation of carefully observed +and recorded facts. Even as regards Thought-Transference, in which the +number of careful experiments that have been made is far greater than in +any other class of phenomena, it is still most important to multiply the +quantity of the evidence. In most of the branches of the subject no +expensive apparatus is required, and no special scientific or +intellectual training. Accurate observation and careful recording, at +the time, of all that occurs, without prejudice, and without +discouragement at apparent failure, are the chief requisites. Any +person, or small group of persons of ordinary intelligence, can train +themselves to be equal to this. A very simple instance occurred in the +earliest experiences of the writer. After three or four sittings round a +small table with two friends, at which there was meaningless tipping, +and nothing better than commonplace sentences, the following was tipped +out: "Try no more to move"--then this succession of letters--"a t a t +a." It seemed useless to go on with nonsense, but one of the party +suggested perseverance; when the following conclusion converted seeming +nonsense into sense: "b l e take a pencil and write." The result was +that one of the party rapidly developed into an interesting automatic +writer. + +It is quite impossible to foretell the extent of the aid that may not be +given, in the explanation of some of these phenomena, by the persevering +experiments of intelligent inquirers. + +In the following chapters facts relating to several different kinds of +phenomena are put before the reader, as to which the guarantee of +authenticity and the quality of the evidence are both unimpeachable. + +It is not proposed to travel all over the world in search of evidence; +the illustrations will be drawn almost entirely from home sources. With +all due respect to friends in distant parts, it will doubtless be a +satisfaction to some readers to know that in these pages they will not +meet with Mrs. Piper on the one hand, nor with Eusapia Paladino on the +other. + +With these few introductory remarks a calm and dispassionate +consideration of the evidence presented is invited. First of all, three +classes of phenomena will be taken up in the following order:-- + +(1) The Movement of Objects without any apparent Physical Cause. + +(2) The Production of Sound without any apparent Physical Cause. + +(3) The Production of Light without any apparent Physical Cause. + +Two chapters will then be devoted to a study of the phenomena exhibited +in the lives of two of the most noted "mediums" of modern times--Daniel +Dunglas Home and William Stainton Moses. Both present manifestations of +phenomena belonging to the three classes above-named, as well as +striking examples of other kinds. A chapter on the "Divining Rod" will +follow. Then a chapter on one of the forms of Thought-Transference, one +which allows of its being included among physical phenomena. Two brief +chapters will come next on "Spirit Photography" and on +"Materialisations." It is explained that these are included, not because +of any scientific evidence in their favour which can be quoted, but +because of the extreme interest and importance of the subjects +themselves, and also because the strong testimony and moral evidence in +support of their reality seem to promise a tempting field for the +scientific explorer, and to warrant a confident belief that the evidence +he desires will be forthcoming. In a final chapter an endeavour is made +to sum up results and conclusions. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE MOVEMENT OF OBJECTS WITHOUT ANY APPARENT PHYSICAL CAUSE + + +THE COMMITTEE OF THE DIALECTICAL SOCIETY + +So far as I am aware, the first systematic or scientific attempt to +investigate the alleged phenomenon of the movement of objects without +any apparent physical cause was made by the London Dialectical Society +in the year 1869. On the motion of Dr. James Edmunds, a Committee was +appointed "to investigate the Phenomena alleged to be Spiritual +Manifestations, and to report thereon." The names of twenty-eight +members were proposed. Three of these declined to act. Eight more names +were added, so that the Committee, as finally constituted, consisted of +thirty-three, three of whom were ladies. Among the best-known names were +H. G. Atkinson, F.G.S.; Charles Bradlaugh; E. W. Cox, serjeant-at-law; +Rev. C. Maurice Davies, D.D.; Charles R. Drysdale, M.D.; James Edmunds, +M.D.; Robert Hannah; H. D. Jencken, barrister-at-law; William Volckman; +and Dr. Alfred Russel Wallace, F.R.S. It is believed that Robert Hannah +and Dr. Alfred Russel Wallace are the only survivors. + +In order to investigate the phenomena in question by personal experiment +and test, the Committee resolved itself into six Sub-Committees. In May +1870 the Committee appointed an Editing Committee to prepare a joint +report, based solely on the evidence that had been before it. A month +later the Editing Committee presented a draft report, which with some +trifling verbal alterations was adopted _nem dis_. A resolution was then +carried that a copy be forwarded to the Council of the Dialectical +Society, with a recommendation that it be printed and published. This +the Council declined to do. Upon this the Committee met and passed the +following resolution:-- + +"That the Report be referred to the Editing Committee, and that they be +requested to prepare it for publication, together with any supplementary +or counter reports that may be received from members of the Committee, +and appending thereto the reports of the Sub-Committees, and the +evidence, oral and verbal, that has been collected; the entire work, +when ready for publication, to be submitted for approval to the +Committee."[1] + +Such is the origin of the volume from which the following extracts are +made.[2] Considerations of space necessitate dealing with the work of +one Sub-Committee only. The essential part of the REPORT OF +SUB-COMMITTEE NO. 1 is as follows:-- + +"Since their appointment on the 16th of February 1869, your +Sub-Committee have held forty meetings for the purpose of experiment and +test. + +"All of these meetings were held at the private residences of members of +the Committee, purposely to preclude the possibility of pre-arranged +mechanism or contrivance. + +"The furniture of the room in which the experiments were conducted was +on every occasion its accustomed furniture. + +"The tables were in all cases heavy dining-tables, requiring a strong +effort to move them. The smallest of them was 5 feet 9 inches long by 4 +feet wide ... and of proportionate weight. + +"The rooms, tables, and furniture generally were repeatedly subjected to +careful examination before, during, and after the experiments, to +ascertain that no concealed machinery, instrument, or other contrivance +existed by means of which the sounds or movements hereinafter mentioned +could be caused. + +"The experiments were conducted in the light of gas, except on the few +occasions specially noted in the minutes. + +"Your Committee have avoided the employment of professional or paid +mediums, the mediumship being that of members of your Sub-Committee, +persons of good social position and of unimpeachable integrity, having +no pecuniary object to serve, and nothing to gain by deception. + + * * * * * + +"Your Committee have confined their Report to _facts_ witnessed by them +in their collective capacity, which facts were _palpable to the senses, +and their reality capable of demonstrative proof_. + + * * * * * + +"The result of their long-continued and carefully-conducted experiments, +after trial by every detective test they could devise, has been to +establish conclusively:-- + +"First: That under certain bodily or mental conditions of one or more of +the persons present, a force is exhibited sufficient to set in motion +heavy substances, without the employment of any muscular force, without +contact or material connection of any kind between such substances and +the body of any person present. + +"Second: That this force can cause sounds to proceed, distinctly audible +to all present, from solid substances not in contact with, nor having +any visible or material connection with, the body of any person present, +and which sounds are proved to proceed from such substances by the +vibrations which are distinctly felt when they are touched. + +"Third: That this force is frequently directed by intelligence. + +"At thirty-four out of the forty meetings of your Committee some of +these phenomena occurred. + + * * * * * + +"In conclusion, your Committee express their unanimous opinion that the +one important physical fact thus proved to exist, that _motion may be +produced in solid bodies without material contact, by some hitherto +unrecognised force operating within an undefined distance from the human +organism, and beyond the range of muscular action_, should be subjected +to further scientific examination, with a view to ascertaining its true +source, nature, and power."[3] + +One selection is now given from the Minutes of this Sub-Committee, +illustrating the nature of the Evidence that came before them:-- + +"EXPERIMENT XXXVIII., Dec. 28th [1869].--Eight members present. +_Phenomena_: Rapping sounds from the table and floor, and movements of +the table, with and without contact. The alphabet was repeated, and the +following letters were rapped: 'A bad circle--want of harmony.' At the +letter f, the table tilted three times, and at the letters a, r, gave +several forcible horizontal movements, tilting at either end. + +"Raps, with slight tiltings of the table, beating time to the measure of +a song. Two or three poems were recited, to the measure of which there +were loud raps from the table and floor, and the table also marked the +metre by various horizontal movements and tiltings. + +"Hood's Anatomy Song being repeated by one of the members, the knocking, +rapping, and tilting sounds, with various horizontal, trembling, and +vibratory movements of the table, accompanied it, in exact harmony with +the measure, added to which were strange movements, in accordance with +the character of the verses. In one instance the table shifted its +position several feet, the tips of the fingers only being in contact +with it. + +"MOVEMENTS WITHOUT CONTACT.--Question: 'Would the table now be moved +without contact?' Answer: 'Yes;' by three raps on the table. All chairs +were then turned with their backs to the table, and nine inches away +from it; and all present knelt on the chairs, with their wrists resting +on the backs, and their hands a few inches above the table. + +"Under these conditions, the table (the heavy dining-room table +previously described) moved four times, each time from four to six +inches, and the second time nearly twelve inches. + +"Then all hands were placed on the backs of the chairs, and nearly a +foot from the table, when four movements occurred, one slow and +continuous for nearly a minute. + +"Then all present placed their hands behind their backs, kneeling erect +on their chairs, which were removed a foot clear away from the table. +The gas also was turned up higher, so as to give abundance of light; and +under these test conditions, distinct movements occurred, to the extent +of several inches each time, and visible to every one present. + +"The motions were in various directions, towards all parts of the +room--some were abrupt, others steady. At the same time, and under the +same conditions, distinct raps occurred, apparently both on the floor +and on the table, in answer to requests for them. + +"The above-described movements were so unmistakable, that all present +unhesitatingly declared their conviction, that no physical force, +exerted by any one present, could possibly have produced them; and they +declared further, in writing, that a rigid examination of the table +showed it to be an ordinary dining-table, with no machinery or apparatus +of any kind connected with it. The table was laid on the floor with its +legs up, and taken to pieces so far as practicable."[4] + + +TESTIMONY OF W. F. BARRETT, F.R.S., PROFESSOR OF PHYSICS IN THE ROYAL +COLLEGE OF SCIENCE FOR IRELAND. + +No endeavour appears to have been made by any of the members of the +Committee of the Dialectical Society to follow up the results which they +had obtained. The individual members who had previously been active in +such matters continued to take an interest in them, but there is no +evidence that a single new inquirer was gained. The next event of any +importance, in the direction of scientific inquiry into the subject, was +the reading by Professor W. F. Barrett of a paper before the meeting of +the British Association at Glasgow in 1876. This paper was entitled "On +Some Phenomena Associated with Abnormal Conditions of Mind," and dealt +mainly with what was subsequently designated "Thought-Transference." +Professor Barrett also referred to some "physical phenomena" which had +come under his notice. He says: "I am bound to mention a case that came +under my own repeated observation, wherein certain inexplicable physical +phenomena occurred in broad daylight, and for which I could find no +satisfactory solution either on the ground of hallucination or +fraud."[5] + +In a paper read before the Society for Psychical Research in 1886, +entitled "On Some Physical Phenomena commonly termed Spiritualistic, +witnessed by the Author," Professor Barrett describes in detail the +phenomena he referred to in the paper read ten years previously at the +British Association, and the circumstances under which they occurred. +The following paragraphs give the important features:[6]-- + +Mr. C., a solicitor, with his wife and family, had come to reside for +the season in the suburban house of a friend and neighbour of Professor +Barrett's. He was an Irish country gentleman who had an utter disbelief +in spiritualism. Professor Barrett was therefore not a little amused on +making Mr. C.'s acquaintance, to find that he had in his own family what +appeared to be spiritualistic phenomena then and there going on. Mr. C. +gave Professor Barrett every opportunity of close and frequent +investigation. The sittings extended through the months of August and +September 1875. There were present besides Professor Barrett, Mr. and +Mrs. C., and their young daughter Florrie, a bright, frank, intelligent +child, then about ten years old. They sat at a large dining-room table, +facing French windows, which let in a flood of sunlight. Shortly, +scraping sounds, raps, and noises resembling the hammering of small +nails, were heard. Florrie's hands and feet were closely watched, and +were observed to be absolutely motionless when the sounds were heard. +Besides knocks, there were occasional movements of the furniture. Seated +one day at a large dining-room table in full sunlight, Florrie, and Mr. +and Mrs. C., and Professor Barrett being the persons present, all their +fingers visibly resting on the surface of the table, three legs of the +table rose off the ground to a sufficient height to allow Professor +Barrett to put his foot easily beneath the castor nearest him. The +importance of the comparatively small amount of "movement" phenomena in +this case is increased by their association with "sound" phenomena of +great variety and frequency. These will be fully described in the next +chapter. + +Another case which Professor Barrett cites in the same paper may be thus +summarised as far as phenomena of movement are concerned:[7]-- + +The sitters were Mr. L., a well-known photographer in Dublin, his niece, +Miss I., and Professor Barrett. While noticing the raps and knocks, +Professor Barrett observed a frequent uneasy movement of the entire +table, which was a moderately large and heavy one, four feet square. It +sidled about in a most surprising manner. Lifting their hands completely +off the table, the sitters placed themselves back in their chairs, with +their hands folded across their chests. Their feet were in full view. +Under these conditions, and in obedience to Professor Barrett's request, +the table raised the two legs nearest to him off the ground eight or ten +inches, and then suspended itself for a few moments. A similar act was +performed on the other side. Then a very unexpected occurrence happened. +To quote Professor Barrett's own words:-- + +"Whilst absolutely free from the contact of any person, the table +wriggled itself backward and forward, advancing towards the armchair in +which I sat, and ultimately completely imprisoning me in my seat. +During its progress it was followed by Mr. L. and Miss I., but they were +at no time touching it, and occasionally were so distant that I could +perceive a free space all round the table whilst it was still in motion. +When thus under my very nose, the table rose repeatedly, and enabled me +to be perfectly sure, by the evidence of touch, that it was off the +ground, and further, that no human being, consciously or unconsciously, +had any part in this movement." + +Professor Barrett, with his accustomed caution, comments thus:-- + +"The results, it is true, were very remarkable and unaccountable; but +though I had not the slightest doubt of the good faith of Mr. L. and +Miss I., yet I do not adduce this evidence as unexceptionable. I should +have preferred to have taken precautions which were not so easy to +impose on a lady, and I should also have preferred to have had the +seance at my own house." + +This latter objection was met by Mr. L. and Miss I. going to Professor +Barrett's house shortly afterwards, no one else besides Professor +Barrett being present. Some remarkable sounds were again heard. Then, +this happened--again quoting Professor Barrett's own words:-- + +"Suddenly, only the tips of our fingers being on the table, the heavy +loo-table at which we were sitting made a series of very violent +prancing movements (which I could not imitate afterwards except by using +both hands and all my strength); the blows were so heavy that I +hurriedly stopped the performance, fearing for the safety of the gas +chandelier in the room below. Here, too, I cannot avoid the conclusion +that the phenomena described are inexplicable on any known hypothesis." + +After discounting the "pious platitudes" spelt out by the tilts of the +table, and the possibility, and even probability, that "unintentional +muscular movements" were the cause of these, and after recognising the +impossibility of keeping up a continuous vigilant watch on the hands and +feet of any person, and after supposing that Miss I. had some ingenious +mechanism concealed about her person, whereby she could produce the +sounds that were heard, Professor Barrett says: "This would fail to +account for the undoubted motion of a heavy table, free from the contact +of all present. After giving due weight to every known explanation, the +phenomena remain inexplicable to me." + + +TESTIMONY COLLECTED BY FREDERIC W. H. MYERS. + +Next in order of time come two papers by Mr. F. W. H. Myers, under the +title of "Alleged Movements of Objects without Contact, occurring not in +the Presence of a Paid Medium." They are published in vol. vii. of the +_Proceedings_ of the Society for Psychical Research.[8] The first +article goes over most of the ground traversed in the earlier part of +this chapter, but devotes twenty lines only to the Report of the +Committee of the Dialectical Society, and refers only to Professor +Barrett's cases as having been already published. A number of other +cases are, however, described in detail. The evidence in these scarcely +comes up to the level of scientific, and unless it had been sifted by +so careful a critic as Mr. Myers, who convinced himself of the reality +of the facts, could hardly be considered of much value. The two +following cases in the first article present the strongest evidence. + +(1) THE ARMSTRONG CASE.--Mr. George Allman Armstrong, of 8 Leeson Place, +Dublin, and Ardnacarrig, Bandon, writes an account dated 13th June 1887. +After vouching for the perfect good faith of the small group of +experimenters, he describes in detail the movements of a table. The +"rising" was generally preceded by a continuous fusillade of "knocks" in +the substance of the table. When the knocks had, as it were, reached a +climax, the table slowly swayed from side to side like a pendulum. It +would stop completely, and then, as if imbued with life, and quite +suddenly, would rise completely off the floor to a height of twelve or +fourteen inches at least. It nearly always came down with immense force, +and on several occasions proved destructive to itself, as the broken +limbs of the table used at Kinsale could testify. The table was a round, +rather heavy walnut one, with a central column standing on three claw +legs. Mr. Armstrong says that on several occasions he succeeded in +raising the table without contact. It rose to the fingers held over it +at a height of several inches, like the keeper of a strong +electro-magnet.[9] + +(2) A BELL-RINGING CASE.--Mr. Myers, in introducing this case, says: +"The usual hypotheses of fraud, rats, hitched wires, &c., seem hard to +apply. The care and fulness with which it has been recorded will enable +the reader to judge for himself more easily than in most narratives of +this type. Our informant is a gentleman [Mr. D.], occupying a +responsible position; his name may be given to inquirers."[10] The +detailed report of the occurrences occupies no less than twelve pages, +the greater part of which consists of a long letter addressed by Mr. D. +to the Society for Psychical Research. He explains that he is writing in +the main from notes taken at the time and not from memory. The following +is an abstract:-- + +On Friday, 23rd September 1887, he took his four pupils to a circus, his +lady housekeeper also going, leaving two servants at home. They left at +about 2 P.M. All but himself returned about 5.30 P.M. The two servants +were on the doorstep, telling the boys not to go in by the area +door--the kitchens being below ground--and explaining that all the bells +were ringing violently, no one touching them, and that they had been +doing so almost ever since half-past two. When the master of the house +came home, he found the same state of things, the servants almost in +hysterics and the bells ringing. Nine bells hung in a row just inside +the area door, opposite the kitchen door, and there was one bell--a call +bell--on the landing at the top of the house. + +Mr. D. frequently saw several of these bells ringing at once, the +ringing being sudden and very violent, louder, he believed, than they +could be rung by pulling the handles. One bell was more than once pulled +over, so that it could not return to its normal position. Several of +the upstairs bells had no bell-pulls. The bellhanger was several times +summoned to the premises. He showed that the wires could not have been +entangled, and entirely agreed that it would be an utter impossibility +for any animals, such as cats or rats, to ring the bells as they were +rung. The house was quite a new one, standing alone, surrounded by +unoccupied plots of building land. + +As to the question of trickery. There seemed no possibility of that +being the explanation. The phenomena occurred when the housekeeper and +pupils were all away; also when the cook was away; also when only the +two servants and the master were in the house, and both of them in his +sight. For instance, he says he stood in the passage in front of the +nine bells watching them ring, with both the servants close by. Once in +particular he watched the housemaid on her knees in the middle of the +wash-house scrubbing the tiles, while the front door, area door, and +bath-room bells were pealing violently. The ringing was also heard by +tradesmen, and by men working in the gardens near. The wires of the +bells were distinctly moved, not only the bells and the clappers. The +bell-handles were never observed to be moved. The ringing lasted between +three and four weeks, and then ceased. Knockings in considerable variety +were also heard, and a few cases of the movement of chairs and small +articles, without any contact, also occurred. + +Mr. D. was at one time disposed to think that the housemaid was in some +way connected with the disturbances, but he could trace no evidence. +She was a young girl who had not been out to service before. She got +into such a state of nervous excitement about the occurrences, that +brain fever or something serious was feared. She had only been in the +house a few weeks previous to the commencement of the manifestations, +and nothing occurred after she left. Mr. D. was, however, perfectly +convinced that she had nothing to do voluntarily with the +bell-ringing.[11] + +The second paper by Mr. Myers is devoted exclusively to some "strange +experiences" which occurred several years previous to 1891, at the +village of Swanland, a few miles from Hull, in the East Riding of +Yorkshire. The evidence is that of John Bristow, who states he was an +eye-witness. There were no intellectual phenomena, nothing but the +apparently meaningless throwing about of pieces of wood--directed, +however, by some intelligence, so as to attract attention without doing +harm. Here again what value the case has rests almost solely on its +having received the critical study of Mr. Myers.[12] + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[1] Report of the Committee of the London Dialectical Society, p. 228. + +[2] Report on Spiritualism of the Committee of the London Dialectical +Society, together with the Evidence, Oral and Written, and a Selection +from the Correspondence. Two editions have been published. Both are out +of print. + +[3] Report, &c., pp. 7-13. + +[4] Report, &c., pp. 390-391. + +[5] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. i. p. 240 + +[6] See _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. iv. pp. 29-33. + +[7] See _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. iv. pp. 33-35. + +[8] Vol. vii. pp. 146-198 and pp. 383-394. + +[9] For full account see _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. vii. pp. 159-160. + +[10] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. vii. p. 160. + +[11] See the full account in Part XIX. of the _Proceedings of the +S.P.R._, which part is included in vol. vii., and may be obtained +separately for 2s. 6d. + +[12] See _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. vii. pp. 383-394. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +THE PRODUCTION OF SOUND WITHOUT ANY APPARENT PHYSICAL CAUSE + + +If the tipping of small tables when the hands of the sitters are in +contact is excepted--under which circumstances it is generally +impossible to determine whether the result is psychical, or due merely +to muscular action unconsciously exercised--the production of raps and +other sounds is the most frequent of the phenomena under consideration. +They are, however, generally so intermixed with other phenomena that it +is difficult to treat them separately. + + +THE DIALECTICAL SOCIETY. + +In the extracts from the Report of the Committee of the Dialectical +Society given in the preceding chapter, it will be remembered that raps +and other noises are referred to as being frequently heard, and also as +apparently produced by an intelligent agency. + + +TESTIMONY OF PROFESSOR W. F. BARRETT, F.R.S. + +The reader is asked to refer to the general conditions of the case of +Mr. C. testified to by Professor Barrett in the previous chapter. He +says:-- + +"They (the sounds) came more readily and more loudly when music was +played, or a merry song struck up. Usually they kept time with the +music, and altogether displayed a singular degree of intelligence. +Sometimes a loud rhythmic scraping, as of a violoncello bow on a piece +of wood, would accompany the music. Again and again I placed my ear on +the very spot on the table whence this rough fiddling appeared to +proceed, and felt distinctly the rhythmic vibration of the table, but no +tangible cause was visible either above or below the table.... On one +occasion, when no one else was in the room, ... I asked my young friend +the medium to put her hands against the wall, and see how far she could +stretch her feet back from the wall without tumbling down. This she did, +and whilst in this constrained position--with the muscles of arms and +legs all in tension--I asked for the knocks to come. Immediately a brisk +pattering of raps followed my request. All the while the child remained +quite motionless. My reason in making this experiment, was to test the +late Dr. Carpenter's muscular theory of the cause of the sounds. Had Dr. +Carpenter been present, I feel sure he would have admitted that here at +any rate that theory fell through."[13] + +Professor Barrett sums up his conclusions on this case thus:-- + +"A long and careful examination convinced me that trickery on the part +of the child was a more improbable hypothesis than that the sounds +proceeded from some unknown agency. Nor could the sounds be accounted +for by trickery on the part of the servants in the house, for in +addition to my careful inquiries on this point, Mr. C. informed me that +he had obtained the raps on the handle of his umbrella out of doors, +when the child was by his side; and that the music-master complained of +raps proceeding from inside the piano whenever the child was listless or +inattentive at her music lesson. Mrs. C. told me that almost every night +she heard the raps by the bedside of the child when she went to bid her +good-night; and that after she had left the room and partially closed +the door, she would hear quite an animated conversation going on between +her daughter and her invisible companion, the child rapidly spelling +over the alphabet, and the raps occurring at the right letters, and the +child thus obtaining with surprising rapidity a clue to the words spelt +out. + +"Still more violently improbable is the supposition that the parents of +the child were at the bottom of the mystery, stimulated by a desire to +impress their friends with the wonderful but imaginary gifts their child +possessed. The presence of the parents was not necessary for the +occurrence of the sounds, which, as I have said, often took place when I +was the only person in the room besides the child. + +"Hallucination was the explanation which suggested itself to my own mind +when first I heard of the phenomena, but was dismissed as wholly +inapplicable after the first day's inquiry; nor do I think that any one +could maintain that different people, individually and collectively, for +some weeks, thought they heard and saw a series of sounds and motions +which had no objective existence. + +"No! I was then, and am still, morally certain that the phenomena had a +real existence outside oneself, and that they were not produced by +trickery or by known causes. Hence I could come to no other conclusion +than that we had here a class of phenomena wholly new to science."[14] + +After some three months the sounds ceased as unexpectedly as they had +commenced. + +There is one form of sound manifestation to which no allusion has been +made--what is called the "Direct Voice." It is alleged to be of frequent +occurrence in spiritualistic circles. Articulate words are, it is +stated, spoken "direct," not through the voice organs of any person +present. The phenomenon, so far as I have heard, occurs only in +darkness--and is an objective voice audible alike to every one present. +It corresponds to the phenomenon of "direct writing." But no attempt +that I am aware of has been made to treat the matter scientifically. One +of the earliest alleged occurrences of this phenomenon took place in +London, at a private seance at which I was present at the house of Mr. +Thos. Everitt, who departed this life in August of last year, and who +was one of the most prominent London spiritualists, Mrs. Everitt being +the medium. Some little time later, at a similar seance at the same +house, the sitting was terminated by the singing of a hymn by three or +four soft, gentle voices, purporting to be "direct" voices, which +sounded as if they proceeded from the top of the room close to the +ceiling. They were certainly not the voices of any of the company +present. It was one of the most beautiful and touching manifestations I +ever experienced. I can only compare it to the singing of a choir of +boys' voices, high up out of sight in Truro Cathedral, which I had heard +many years before. The seances at Mr. Everitt's were conducted in an +exclusively religious tone, and afforded no opportunity for obtaining +scientific evidence. It is much to be desired that a careful inquiry +should be made into the reality of so interesting a phenomenon. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[13] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. iv. pp. 29-30. + +[14] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. iv. p. 31. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE APPEARANCE OF LIGHT WITHOUT ANY APPARENT PHYSICAL CAUSE + + +The appearance of Lights at Spiritualistic circles, apparently not due +to any physical cause, is very widely asserted. The character of the +Lights is as varied as it is possible to imagine. Faint, cloudy, +indefinite luminous appearances--brilliant stars which move or hover +among the sitters--globes or balls of light, like illuminated ostrich +eggs, or spheres of mother-of-pearl lit up from within--pillars of +light--are some of the many forms which this manifestation takes. But +anything approaching to scientific evidence of the reality of the +phenomenon is singularly scarce. And I am not aware that anything has +ever been done towards testing or endeavouring to ascertain the nature +of the light. One reason for this is, no doubt, that to investigate +light phenomena, the exclusion of other light is obviously requisite. +Hence the necessity for dark seances. The objection to a dark seance in +itself can of course have no scientific basis. But a strong feeling +against dark seances has arisen from the abuses to which they have led. +It is possible that the extent of the evil has been exaggerated, and has +thus produced an exaggerated prejudice against darkness as a condition. +It is, however, safe to say, that, even if promiscuous seances are ever +useful or wise, a promiscuous dark seance should never be sanctioned by +an earnest inquirer. + +Orthodox science has not yet condescended to bestow any attention on +"spirit lights." I had the privilege of private acquaintance with Dr. +Tyndall, and once acted as his assistant at some lectures he gave in a +country place. I remember sending him a report of some rather remarkable +manifestations of light witnessed at a private seance in London, under +fairly good test-conditions. Dr. Tyndall was at the time engaged in some +special optical investigations, and I asked him to spend five minutes in +reading the notes enclosed. Dr. Tyndall's reply, in his laconic, jocular +style, was to this effect--"I have spent five minutes as you desired, +and it is a long time since I spent five minutes so badly!" + +The best series of "light" phenomena, both as regards their varied +character, and as regards the observers, and the care with which +records at the time were made, occurred in the presence of Mr. W. +Stainton Moses. A special chapter is devoted to his general +experiences later on, but I will deal with the phenomena of lights +here, and make this the only illustration of this branch of the +subject. For the general credibility of the W. Stainton Moses +phenomena the reader is referred to the opening paragraph of Chapter +VI. The following pages are taken, by way of either extract or +abstract, from two articles on Mr. W. Stainton Moses by Mr. F. W. H. +Myers. They thus have the advantage of Mr. Myers' moral certificate, +so to speak, as to their value. The articles were published in the +_Proceedings_ of the Society for Psychical Research.[15] + +Mr. Stainton Moses says that the first occasion on which large luminous +appearances were seen at the circle consisting of Dr. and Mrs. Speer and +himself was on 7th June 1873. They had become familiar with floating +masses of luminous vapour; and on several occasions, the masses +condensed, so to speak, until a distinct objective light was formed. On +that evening, however, a number of cones of soft light similar to +moonlight appeared in succession. There was a nucleus of soft yellow +light surrounded by a haze. They sailed up from a corner of the room and +gradually died out. They seem to have been carried in a materialised +hand, a finger of which was shown at request, by placing it in front of +the nucleus of light.[16] + +Subsequently they saw another kind of light altogether. It was +apparently a little round disc of light which twinkled like a star. It +flashed with great rapidity, and answered questions by the usual code of +signals. On about half-a-dozen occasions a bright scintillating light +apparently resting on the mantelshelf was seen. It was about the size of +a pigeon's egg, and looked like a large diamond lit up with strong +light.[17] + +Mr. Stainton Moses gives a description of "a most remarkable light, of +quite a different kind from any that he had ever heard or read of." It +appeared six times, diminishing in brilliancy on each occasion. Mr. +Stainton Moses says: "The light was first observed directly behind us--a +tall column about half an inch or rather more in width, and six or seven +feet high. The light was of a bright golden hue, and did not illuminate +objects in its neighbourhood. For a minute a cross developed at its top, +and rays seemed to dart from it." Dr. Speer, who had been watching the +strange phenomenon with absorbing interest, asked permission to examine +it more closely. Leave being given, he went to the light, put his face +close to it, and passed his hand through it. He detected no odour, and +the light did not disappear. No warmth came from it, nor did it +perceptibly light up the room. It remained visible until the seance was +concluded.[18] + +The following graphic description shall be given in Mr. Stainton Moses' +own words:-- + +"The room, which had been filled (especially round me) with floating +clouds of light, grew suddenly dark, and absolute stillness took the +place of the previous loud knockings. It would have been a strange scene +for an ear-witness. The table, isolated, with no human hand touching it, +giving forth a series of mysterious thuds of varying intensity, some of +which might have been made with a muffled sledge-hammer, all indicating +intelligence--an intelligence that showed itself by deliberation, or +eagerness, or stately solemnity according to the nature of the +communication. Around the table three persons sitting with a hush of +expectation, and faces (if they could have been seen) of awe-stricken +earnestness.... The room shrouded in darkness, except at one end, where +shifting masses of luminous vapour now and again gathered into a pillar +which dimly outlined a form, and again dispersed, and flitted round the +head of one of the sitters. No scene could be imagined more calculated +to strike a novice with awe, none more solemn and impressive for those +who participated in it."[19] + +Mr. W. Stainton Moses thus describes the formation of the lights at a +sitting on 9th August 1873:-- + +"I witnessed the formation of some eight or nine very beautiful spirit +lights. They formed quite close to me, and near my left hand, about a +foot from the floor, floating upwards till they reached the level of the +table and became visible to Dr. Speer. They were expressly made at my +side, instead of, as usual, at my back, so that I might see them. They +seemed to develop from a very bright speck, about the size of a pea, +until they attained the size of a soda-water tumbler, and showed a soft +luminosity like pale moonlight. They seemed to be covered with drapery +and to be held by a hand. They faded slowly out, remaining visible about +thirty or forty seconds, or perhaps a minute. The largest would be +about eight inches long."[20] + +On 14th April 1874, Dr. Speer and Mr. Stainton Moses held a sitting by +themselves. Mr. Stainton Moses thus describes what happened:-- + +"To-night lights commenced again, but of a quite different character to +any we had seen before. They darted about like a comet, coming from the +side by the harmonium, or near the fireplace. They were evanescent, and +apparently of diffuse luminosity, within which was a nucleus of light, +not, however, visible to me. We had some ten or twelve of these, some +more brilliant than others, some visible both in the looking-glass and +in the glass of the book-case, and they were showing a trail of +reflected light on the table, when suddenly there arose from below me, +apparently under the table, or near the floor, right under my nose, a +cloud of luminous smoke, just like phosphorus. It fumed up in great +clouds, until I seemed to be on fire, and rushed from the room in a +panic. I was fairly frightened, and could not tell what was happening. I +rushed to the door and opened it, and so to the front door. My hands +seemed to be ablaze, and left their impress on the doors and handles. It +blazed for a while after I had touched it, but soon went out, and no +smell or trace remained. I have seen my own hands covered with a lambent +flame; but nothing like this I ever saw.... The lights were preceded by +very sharp detonations on my chair, so that we could watch for their +coming by hearing the noise. They shot up very rapidly from the +floor."[21] + +This sensational experience must conclude the evidence respecting the +lights, for the present. One more selection has, however, been made, +which is deferred to the special chapter on Mr. Stainton Moses' +experiences as a whole. The present chapter must be read in connection +with that chapter. It is admitted that the testimony quoted with regard +to the Lights does not reach the level of scientific evidence. At the +same time, when due consideration is given to the existing contemporary +records, and to the careful way in which Mr. Myers examined the whole +case, it is difficult to avoid the conviction that the Lights were +objective phenomena, not produced by any known physical cause. It is +much to be regretted that efforts were not made to secure a critical +study of the Lights by a competent scientific man. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[15] Vol. ix. pp. 245-352, and vol. xi. pp. 24-113. + +[16] See ibid., vol. ix. pp. 273-274. + +[17] See _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. ix. p. 276. + +[18] See ibid., pp. 276-277. + +[19] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. ix. p. 290. + +[20] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. ix. p. 319. + +[21] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. xi. pp. 44-45. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +PHYSICAL PHENOMENA ALLEGED TO HAVE OCCURRED IN THE PRESENCE OF DANIEL +DUNGLAS HOME + + +Scientific evidence of the reality of the Physical Phenomena alleged to +have occurred in the presence of D. D. Home is scarcely to be looked for +in the two volumes written by himself, nor even in the two volumes +published after his death by Madame Home. The alleged phenomena failed +to attract the attention of more than a very few men of science during +Home's lifetime. Of these the most eminent is Sir William Crookes, +F.R.S. With regard to Sir William Crookes' evidence the reader is +referred to two paragraphs on page 124. + + +THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE DIALECTICAL SOCIETY. + +Again, the Report of the Committee of the Dialectical Society, or rather +the documents which accompany it, supplies some good evidence. Home had +four sittings with one of the Sub-Committees, but the phenomena were of +a trifling and inconclusive character. This was attributed to the state +of Home's bodily health. He was on the eve of a severe illness. Several +persons subsequently sent to the Committee statements of what they had +seen and heard in Home's presence. The only one of these which can be +said to possess scientific value is a report of a seance held with Lord +Lindsay--now the Earl of Crawford and Balcarres--and Mrs. Honywood, and +two other persons. The report is as follows. It is written by Mrs. +Honywood, and Lord Lindsay adds a few words, his own personal testimony. + + "I met Mr. Home at the house of a friend on the 17th March 1869. + We sat down, five in number, at a round table in the back + drawing-room. There was an oil lamp on a table in the front + drawing-room, and fires in both grates. After a while Mr. Home + became entranced, walked into the front room, and stood on the + hearth-rug. He began to dance slowly, raising first the one foot + and then the other, his hands hanging loosely as I have read of + Easterns and Indians, moving in time to music. He then knelt + down, rubbing and clasping his hands together in front of the + fire. I asked, 'Are you a fire worshipper?' He nodded and looked + pleased. 'Are you a Persian?' He smiled and nodded assent, after + which he rose and placed four chairs in a row near the folding + doors, signing to us to sit there. He now went to the table on + which stood the moderator lamp; taking off the globe, he placed + it on the table, and deliberately grasped the chimney of the + lamp with both hands; then, advancing to the lady of the house, + he asked her to touch it, but she refused, knowing it was hot. + Mr. Home said, 'Have you no faith? Will you not trust in Dan if + he says it is cool?' She replied, 'Certainly,' and placed her + finger on the glass, exclaiming, 'Oh, it is not at all hot!' + This was corroborated by Lord Lindsay and myself, who in turn + both laid our finger on the glass several times to test it. Mr. + Home laughed and said, 'I will make it hot for you, old fellow,' + and holding it towards Mr. ----, he turned, apparently + addressing some one, and said, in a sad tone of voice, 'It is + necessary to confirm the faith of others that the glass should + be made hot for him.' Mr. ---- now touched it, and exclaimed, + 'You have indeed,' shaking his hand and showing me a red mark. + So hot was the glass when a fourth person touched it, that it + raised a blister, which I saw some days subsequently, peeling. + I leave it for the scientific to determine how the heat was + re-imparted to the glass, after being withdrawn. + + "Mr. Home now returned to the fireplace, and thrust the chimney + into the red-hot coals, resting the end on the top bar; he left + it there about four or five minutes, then, lifting it, he + clasped it in both hands, went to the table, took a lucifer + match from a box, and handing it to the lady of the house, + desired her to touch the glass--the match instantly ignited; and + having called our attention to this fact, he observed, 'The + tongue and lips are the most sensitive parts of the body,' and + thrust the heated glass into his mouth, applying, especially, + his tongue to it. He once more returned to the fire, and again + placed the chimney on the upper bar, the end of the glass + resting amidst the red coals. He left it there and walked about + the room, selected a small fern-leaf from a vase of flowers, and + raising the chimney, placed it within, and replaced the chimney + among the coals. After a few moments he told us to observe very + carefully, as the experiment would be very pretty. Mr. Home now + held up the glass, and we perceived the fern-leaf within + apparently on fire. He replaced it after a few seconds, and + holding it up again, exclaimed, 'Is it not pretty?' The fern + appeared red-hot; each little leaf edged with gold, yet + flameless, like clouds at sunset--rich glowing crimson tinged + with molten gold. After we had all looked at it and admired it, + he advanced to Mrs. ----, and laughingly shook it out on her + muslin dress. I expected to see it crumble away; but no, it was + still green, though dry and withered. Unfortunately it was not + preserved. + + "Again Mr. Home returned to the fire, and once more placed the + glass on the coals, where he left it, and walked about the room; + going to the lamp, he passed his hand slowly backwards and + forwards through the flame, not an inch from the wick; returning + to the fireplace, he lifted the chimney, and moving the coals + about with his hand, selected a small flat red-hot coal, and + placed it in the chimney--shook it up and down, and advancing to + us, playfully said, 'H----, here is a present for you,' and + threw out the coal on her muslin dress. Catching it up in + dismay, she tossed it to Lord Lindsay, who, unable to retain it + in his hand, threw it from palm to palm till he reached, the + grate and flung it in. While we were all looking at the muslin + dress and wondering that it was neither soiled nor singed, Mr. + Home approached, and in a hurt tone of voice said, 'No, no, you + will not find a mark; did you think that we would hurt your + dress.' Mr. Home then selected a small spray of white flower, + and going to the lamp, he passed it two or three times through + the flame, then carried it to the grate, and held it first in + the flame and then in the smoke above the coals, moving it + gently about. He now brought it back to us, asking us to look at + it and smell it, calling our attention to the fact that the + flower did not smell of smoke, and that it was unchanged by the + heat and flame of lamp and fire. He then bid us notice that his + hand which held the flower smelt of smoke, while the flower + remained uninjured. Then addressing us, he said, 'The spirit now + speaking through Dan, and that has enabled him to show you these + curious fire-tests, in which he hopes you have all felt + interested, is the spirit of an Asiatic fire-worshipper, who was + anxious to come here to-night, as he had heard of seances held + here. He now bids you farewell, as he will return no more.' + + "After this Mr. Home awoke. + "BARBARA HONYWOOD." + + "I was present at this seance, and can corroborate the truth of + the above statement. + + "LINDSAY."[22] + [NOW EARL OF CRAWFORD AND BALCARRES.] + + +TESTIMONY OF THE EARL OF DUNRAVEN. + +Lord Dunraven--then Lord Adare--had a number of sittings with Home. He +printed a small volume--for private circulation only--under the title of +"Experiences in Spiritualism with Mr. D. D. Home." This volume is +exceedingly scarce. + + +AN INQUIRY BY PROFESSOR W. F. BARRETT, F.R.S., AND MR. F. W. H. MYERS. + +In the year 1889, Professor Barrett and Mr. Myers undertook an "Inquiry +into the Evidence for the Mediumship of D. D. Home." They collected the +testimony of a large number of persons who were witnesses of the Home +phenomena, carefully examined its evidential value, and summarised it in +a Joint Report. This was printed in the _Journal_ of the Society for +Psychical Research for July 1889.[23] It is to be regretted that the +Society has not seen its way to publish this Report in a form accessible +to the general public. It is true that in his great work, "Human +Personality, and its Survival of Bodily Death," Mr. Myers gives a brief +summary of the Report; but he condenses the thirty-six pages of the +original Report and its appendices into four pages of "Human +Personality," which are quite insufficient to convey an adequate idea of +the Report itself. Also, the cost of Mr. Myers' book debars from it the +mass of readers. This Report was followed up a little later by a brief +article by Mr. Myers, forming an important supplement.[24] + +In the Report itself its joint authors say: "We propose the +question--Have Home's phenomena ever been plausibly explained as +conjuring tricks, or in accordance with known laws of nature? And we +answer--No; they have not been so explained, nor can we so explain +them."[25] In commenting on the Joint Report, by Professor Barrett and +himself, Mr. Myers puts the problem as to Home in this form: "There is +thus a considerable body of evidence as to Home, which enables us to +discuss the three questions: (1) Was he ever convicted of fraud? (2) Did +he satisfy any trained observer in a series of experiments selected by +the observer and not by himself? (3) Were the phenomena entirely beyond +the scope of the conjurer's art?"[26] + +In the Joint Report the writers say--(1) As to fraud: "We have found no +allegations of fraud on which we should be justified in laying much +stress. Mr. Robert Browning has told to one of us the circumstances +which mainly led to that opinion of Home which was expressed in 'Mr. +Sludge, the Medium,' It appears that a lady (since dead) repeated to Mr. +Browning a statement made to her by a lady and gentleman (since dead), +as to their finding Home in the act of experimenting with phosphorus on +the production of 'spirit lights,' which, so far as Mr. Browning +remembers, were to be rubbed round the walls of the room, near the +ceiling, so as to appear when the room was darkened. This piece of +evidence powerfully impressed Mr. Browning; but it comes to us at +third-hand, without written record, and at a distance of nearly forty +years. + +"We have received one other account from a gentleman of character and +ability, of a seance in very poor light, when the 'spirit-hand' moved in +such a way as to seem dependent on the action of Home's arms and legs. +This account is subjoined [in the Report] as Appendix D. We may add that +few, if any, of the lights seen at Home's seances could (as they are +described to us) have been contrived by the aid of phosphorus. + +"There is also a frequently repeated story that Home was found at the +Tuilleries (or at Compiegne, or at Biarritz) to be using a stuffed hand, +and was consequently forbidden the Imperial Court. We have tried in +France to get at the fountain-head of this story, but without +success."[27] + +(2) "With regard to our second question--whether his powers were tested +by competent observers"--Mr. Myers says: "Home in this respect stands +pre-eminent; since we have the evidence of Sir William Crookes, +corroborated by the testimony of the Master of Lindsay (now Earl of +Crawford and Balcarres), himself a _savant_ of some distinction, and the +privately printed series of careful observations by the present and the +late Lords Dunraven.[28] + +(3) "As to our third question--whether the phenomena could have been +produced by conjuring"--Mr. Myers says: "Many of them, especially the +fire-tests, and the movements of large untouched objects in good light, +seem inexplicable by this supposition. The hypothesis of collective +hallucination on the part of the sitters seems very improbable, because, +in most cases, all those present saw the same thing; and often without +receiving from Home any audible suggestion as to what was about to +happen."[29] + +In the Joint Report by Professor Barrett and Mr. Myers, a considerable +space is devoted to a discussion as to conjuring being the explanation +of the Home manifestations. It is dismissed as utterly inadequate. In +conclusion, the authors of the Report say: "And we find that experts in +conjuring (several of whom we have consulted), however little they may +believe in Home's pretensions, are disposed rather to reject wholesale +than to explain in detail the more remarkable records."[30] + +Professor Barrett and Mr. Myers proceed to quote thirty-five cases of +the identification of alleged communicating spirits from Madame Home's +book, entitled "D. D. Home, His Life and Mission." They remark, "This +list of identifications is a long one, and quite unique in the history +of Spiritualism."[31] After analysing this list of cases, they say near +the conclusion of their Report, as implying their final verdict: "If our +readers ask us--'Do you advise us to go on experimenting in these +matters as though Home's phenomena were genuine?'--we answer, 'Yes.'"[32] +In the supplementary article above referred to sixteen more cases of +identification are added to the thirty-five. + +In Appendix E to the Report is given some striking testimony to the +reality of the "fire-test." The following letter from Mr. W. M. +Wilkinson, the well-known solicitor, is included:-- + + "As you ask me to write to you of what occurred at our house at + Kilburn, where we were living in 1869, with reference to the + handling of red-hot coal, I will merely say that one Sunday + evening in the winter of that year, I saw Mr. Home take out of + our drawing-room fire a red-hot coal a little less in size than + a cricket ball, and carry it up and down the drawing-room. He + said to Lord Adare, now Lord Dunraven, who was present, 'Will + you take it from me? It will not hurt you.' Lord Adare took it + from him, and held it in his hand for about half a minute, and + before he threw it back in the fire I put my hand pretty close + to it, and felt the heat to be like that of a live coal.--Yours + very truly, W. M. WILKINSON.[33] + + 44 LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS, + LONDON, W.C., _February_ 7, 1869." + +Appendix M to the Report consists of some particulars verbally given to +Mr. Myers by Mrs. Honywood, of 52 Warwick Square, London, in further +explanation of her printed testimony to phenomena she had witnessed in +Home's presence. She was well acquainted with him for twenty-five years, +attended many seances, and took notes of them at the time. In the early +part of this chapter, a statement she sent to the Dialectical Society +has already been quoted. She told Mr. Myers that most of her friends +were complete disbelievers in Spiritualism, and that they frequently +repeated to her rumours to the discredit of Home. But she never heard +any first-hand account of any kind of trickery on his part. She +considered him a man of open childlike nature, thoroughly honest and +truthful, and that in her opinion his utterances in the trance state +were much superior in thought and diction to his ordinary talk. She said +she should like to give Mr. Myers a few additional details with regard +to the fire phenomena reported in Madame Home's book, "D. D. Home, His +Life and Mission," on her authority. Madame Home's secretary, she said, +had slightly abbreviated her words in a way which made the occurrences +seem rather less wonderful than they actually were. Mr. Myers gives the +following, as having been signed "BARBARA HONYWOOD, June 1889." + +"As to the burning coal placed in my hand. I saw Mr. Home take this coal +from the fire, moving his hands freely among the coals. It was about the +size of a coffee cup, blazing at the top, and red-hot at the bottom. +While I held it in my hand the actual flame died down, but it continued +to crackle, and to be partially red-hot. I felt it like an ordinary +stone, neither hot nor cold. Mr. Home then pushed it off my hand with +one finger on to a double sheet of cartridge paper, which it at once set +on fire. I am quite certain that I was in my usual condition at the +time.... + +"As to the hot lamp-chimney which I touched. There was a row of four or +five persons sitting side by side, and Mr. Home asked us each in turn to +touch the glass. When I touched it, I felt as though a wave of heat were +receding before me.... + +"I have repeatedly taken Mr. Home in my own carriage to the houses of +friends of mine who were strangers to him, and have there seen the +furniture at once violently moved in rooms which I knew that he had +never entered till that moment. I have seen heavy furniture moved; for +instance, a heavy sofa in my own drawing-room, with myself upon it, and +a heavy centre table, moved several feet away from Home, and then back +again, in the light, while his hands and feet were visible. Not +horse-hairs, but ropes, would often have been necessary to pull the +furniture about as I have seen it pulled."[34] + +A brief reference must now be made to what is perhaps the most +sensational alleged event in Home's mediumistic career, the one which is +most frequently spoken of by the general public, with more or less +forcible expressions of scornful incredulity; his "levitation" out of +the window of a room at a great height from the ground, and in at a +window of the next room on the same story. In the Report by Professor +Barrett and Mr. Myers, no detailed account of this is given. The Report +says: "Lords Lindsay and Adare had printed a statement that Home floated +out of the window and in at another in Ashley Place (Victoria Street), +S.W., 16th December 1868."[35] At a meeting of the Committee of the +Dialectical Society, held on 6th July 1869, a paper was read from Lord +Lindsay, describing some of his personal experiences with Home. This +paper makes no reference to the above case of levitation. But at the +same meeting of the Committee, Lord Lindsay and others gave evidence as +witnesses, and Lord Lindsay thus described this particular case:-- + +"I saw the levitations in Victoria Street, when Home floated out of the +window; he first went into a trance, and walked about uneasily; he then +went into the hall; while he was away, I heard a voice whisper in my +ear, 'He will go out of one window and in at another.' I was alarmed and +shocked at the idea of so dangerous an experiment. I told the company +what I had heard, and we then waited for Home's return. Shortly after he +entered the room, I heard the window go up, but I could not see it, for +I sat with my back to it. I, however, saw his shadow on the opposite +wall; he went out of the window in a horizontal position, and I saw him +outside the other window (that in the next room) floating in the air. It +was eighty-five feet from the ground. There was no balcony along the +windows, merely a strong course an inch and a half wide; each window had +a small plant stand, but there was no connection between them. I have no +theory to explain these things. I have tried to find out how they are +done, but the more I studied them, the more satisfied was I that they +could not be explained by mere mechanical trick."[36] + +There is one episode in the career of D. D. Home which, although it does +not affect the reality of the phenomena alleged to have taken place in +his presence, claims a brief mention. The gift to Home by Mrs. Lyon of a +large sum of money, the subsequent lawsuit, and the judgment in +accordance with which the money was returned to its original owner, +excited much attention at the time. Public opinion frequently takes up +sensational occurrences in a most illogical and unscientific manner. But +a permanent effect may thus be produced, which is extremely difficult to +eradicate, even if shown to be unjustifiable. This episode with Mrs. +Lyon has probably had more effect than any other circumstance in causing +the feeling of aversion with which large numbers of people regard Home +and all his doings. He is looked upon, and spoken of, as if he were an +unprincipled adventurer, convicted of fraud, and of obtaining money +under false pretences. + +The remarks at the end of this chapter are based mainly upon Appendix +III. to the Report by Professor Barrett and Mr. Myers, and which deals +with the case of Lyon _v._ Home.[37] The Appendix commences thus: "Our +colleague, Mr. H. Arthur Smith [barrister-at-law], author of 'Principles +of Equity,' has kindly furnished us with the following review of the +case of Lyon _v._ Home." The following are a few extracts from this +review:-- + + "I have looked carefully into the case of Lyon _v._ Home as + reported in the Law Reports (6 Equity, 655), ... and perhaps the + following comments may be useful to you. + + "It is certainly the fact that the judge discredited the + evidence of Mrs. Lyon. He said: 'Reliance cannot be placed on + her testimony.... It would be unjust to found on it a decree + against any man, save in so far as what she has sworn to may be + corroborated by written documents, or unimpeached witnesses, or + incontrovertible facts.' + + "Having, then, eventually decided against Home, it follows that + the judge must have considered that her evidence was + corroborated in some or other of the ways mentioned." + +Mr. H. Arthur Smith further says: "There was also an admitted letter +from Mrs. Lyon to Home, in which she stated that she presented him with +the L24,000 as an '_entirely free gift_.' This, she said, was written by +her at Home's dictation, under magnetic influence." + +Mr. H. Arthur Smith proceeds to discuss the "corroborative evidence +which led to the judge's final opinion." He then remarks:-- + + "Now it must, I think, be admitted that considering the + extraordinary character of Mrs. Lyon's conduct, and the + swiftness with which she reached her decision to transfer her + property to Home, such evidence as the above may reasonably be + deemed corroborative of her assertion that she was induced to + act as she did by the effects of Home's spiritualistic + pretensions.... There was sufficient ... in my opinion, to + establish the plaintiff's case. It is not then true that 'Home + was made to restore the money, because, being a professed + medium, it was likely that he should have induced her in the way + he did.' The Court held the law to be that such transactions as + those in question cannot be upheld, 'unless the Court is quite + satisfied that they are acts of pure volition uninfluenced.' ... + There was evidence of considerable weight, that as a matter of + fact ... Home did work on the mind of Mrs. Lyon by means of + spiritualistic devices, and further that he did so by suggesting + communications from her deceased husband. Whether this is to + Home's discredit or not of course will be decided according to + one's belief in Spiritualism and the reality of her husband's + interference.... + H. ARTHUR SMITH. + 1 NEW SQUARE, LINCOLN'S INN, + _October_ 19, 1888." + +In order that this episode should have its rightful effect, and no more, +it is needful that several things should be borne in mind. In the first +place, the action was in a Court of Equity. It was not a prosecution in +a Criminal Court. The decision of the Court was not a verdict of guilty +against a prisoner, to be followed by punishment for wrong-doing, but an +order to refund certain money. In ordinary circumstances a judgment of +this kind does not brand a man with infamy, nor affect his character and +position in the eyes of society. Again, after the judgment of the Court, +Home promptly repaid the money. He had not appropriated or expended any +part of it. What more could he have done? + +Mr. Myers' remark in "Human Personality"--"The most serious blot on +Home's character was that revealed by the Lyon case"[38]--seems, +therefore, rather severe under the circumstances. Especially as Mr. +Myers has expressed himself so strongly in favour of the reality of the +Home phenomena, and has said, in conjunction with Professor Barrett, +that they found no allegations of fraud on which they were justified in +laying much stress. Much more to the purpose is Mr. H. Arthur Smith's +comment: "Whether this is to Home's discredit or not of course will be +decided according to one's belief in Spiritualism and the reality of her +husband's interference." + +Had this Report of Professor Barrett's and Mr. Myers', with its +Appendices, been placed before the public, it might have mitigated the +prejudice which hangs about the name of D. D. Home in the minds of so +many. The unique position which Home occupies in regard to the Physical +Phenomena of Spiritualism seems a sufficient reason for dwelling +somewhat fully on this episode as it affects his character as a man. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[22] Report of the Committee of the London Dialectical Society, pp. +360-363. + +[23] Vol. iv. pp. 101-136. + +[24] _Journal S.P.R._, vol. iv. pp. 249-252. + +[25] Ibid., p. 115. + +[26] "Human Personality," vol. ii. p. 579. + +[27] _Journal S.P.R._, vol. iv. p. 102. + +[28] "Human Personality," vol. ii. pp. 580-581. + +[29] Ibid., p. 581. + +[30] _Journal S.P.R._, vol. iv. p. 107. + +[31] _Journal S.P.R._, vol. iv. p. 114. + +[32] Ibid., p. 115. + +[33] _Journal S.P.R._, vol. iv. p. 122. + +[34] _Journal S.P.R._, vol. iv. pp. 135-136. + +[35] _Journal S.P.R._, vol. iv. p. 108. + +[36] Report of the Committee of the Dialectical Society, p. 214. + +[37] _Journal S.P.R._, vol. iv. pp. 117-119. + +[38] "Human Personality," vol. ii. p. 580. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +PHYSICAL PHENOMENA ALLEGED TO HAVE OCCURRED IN THE PRESENCE OF WILLIAM +STAINTON MOSES + + +It is mainly due to the labours of Mr. F. W. H. Myers, after Mr. +Stainton Moses' death, that the Physical Phenomena alleged to have +occurred in his presence can be included among those for which evidence +of a scientific character is claimed. It is much to be regretted that, +during Mr. Stainton Moses' lifetime, although phenomena of a very varied +character were alleged to have occurred with great frequency during many +years, no scientific man of eminence appears to have joined in the +seances, except on one or two occasions. Perhaps the primary reason for +this was that Mr. Stainton Moses' own attitude of mind towards the +subject did not court critical and scientific investigation of the +phenomena. But even during the last ten years of his life, subsequent to +the formation of the Society for Psychical Research, of which he was an +original member, and not only that, but for nearly five years a +Vice-President and a member of the Council, so far as I know, no +sittings were held with him on behalf of the Society, and no first-hand +authentic records of the alleged phenomena in earlier years were placed +before it. One reason for this probably was that the Council of the +Society informally adopted a sort of understanding that its earlier +investigations should not be directed towards "Spiritualism," but mainly +towards those branches of the great subject which were, so to speak, +just outside the field of recognised scientific inquiry--such, for +instance, as Thought-Transference and Hypnotism. In this course there +was doubtless a certain amount of wisdom, but to it was due the apathy +and the ultimate secession of a few members who took great interest in +the formation of the Society. Chief among these was W. Stainton Moses +himself. In November 1886 he withdrew from the Society, considering that +the evidence of phenomena of the genuine character of which he had +satisfied himself beyond doubt, was not being properly entertained or +fairly treated. + +Mr. W. Stainton Moses entrusted by will his unpublished MSS. to two +friends as literary executors, Mr. Charles C. Massey and Mr. Alaric A. +Watts. At the earnest request of Mr. Myers, these gentlemen permitted +him to see a large number of them. Thirty-one note-books were placed in +his hands. Permission was further given to Mr. Myers to make selections +from these note-books for publication in the _Proceedings_ of the +Society. These selections form the substance of two long articles.[39] +The thirty-one books comprise twenty-four of Automatic Writing, four +Records of Physical Phenomena, and three of retrospect and summary. Two +of these recapitulate physical phenomena, with reflections. + +Mr. Stainton Moses' most intimate friends were Dr. and Mrs. Stanhope T. +Speer. They, with the occasional attendance of another intimate friend, +Mr. F. W. Percival, barrister-at-law, and Examiner in the Education +Department, were generally the only members of the small group who +witnessed the phenomena. Mr. Stainton Moses' note-books had been kept +extremely private. It seems probable that no one had seen them until +they were placed in Mr. Myers' hands. Two note-books and other MSS. by +Dr. Speer were also handed to Mr. Myers, which he says contained +independent contemporary records of much evidential value. With regard +to Dr. and Mrs. Speer, Mr. Myers says: "Their importance as witnesses of +the phenomena is so great, that I must be pardoned for inserting a +'testimonial' to the late Dr. Speer (M.D., Edinburgh), which shall not, +however, be in my own words, but in those of Dr. Marshall Hall, F.R.S., +one of the best-known physicians of the middle of this century. Writing +on 18th March 1849, Dr. Marshall Hall says (in a printed collection of +similar testimonials now before me): 'I have great satisfaction in +bearing my testimony to the talents and acquirements of Dr. Stanhope +Templeman Speer. Dr. Speer has had unusual advantages in having been at +the medical schools, not only of London and Edinburgh, but of Paris and +Montpellier, and he has availed himself of these advantages with +extraordinary diligence and talent. He ranks among our most +distinguished rising physicians,'"[40] Dr. Speer practised as a +physician at Cheltenham and in London, and at different times held +various important hospital posts. He had scientific and artistic tastes, +and being possessed of private means, he quitted professional work at +the age of thirty-four, and spent his subsequent life in studious +retirement. Mr. Myers says that his "cast of mind was strongly +materialistic, and it is remarkable that his interest in Mr. Moses' +phenomena was from first to last of a purely scientific, as contrasted +with an emotional or religious nature."[41] Mrs. Stanhope Speer also kept +careful records of the sittings. Over sixty instalments were published +in the weekly journal, _Light_, under the title of "Records of Private +Seances, from Notes taken at the time of each Sitting." + +Mr. Stainton Moses was born in Lincolnshire in 1839. He studied at +Oxford, and was ordained as a clergyman of the Church of England. After +a few years of active life as a parish clergyman, he was offered a +Mastership in University College School, London, which post he held +until about three years before his death, which took place in 1892. As +to the "fundamental questions of sanity and probity," Mr. Myers says: +"Neither I myself, nor, so far as I know, any person acquainted with Mr. +Moses, has ever entertained any doubt."[42] Mr. Charles C. Massey says: +"However perplexed for an explanation, the crassest prejudice has +recoiled from ever suggesting a doubt of the truth and honesty of +Stainton Moses."[43] Mr. H. J. Hood, barrister-at-law, who knew him for +many years, writes: "I believe that he was wholly incapable of +deceit."[44] The principal published works of Mr. Stainton Moses +are--"Researches in Spiritualism," issued in _Human Nature_, a +periodical now extinct; "Spirit Identity" (1879), recently republished; +"Spirit Teachings" (1883), of which a new edition has lately appeared +with a biography by Mr. Charles Speer (son of Dr. S. T. Speer). Mr. +Stainton Moses was also Editor of _Light_ during its earlier years. + +It has seemed important, in view of what is to follow, that the reader +should be in possession of this somewhat explicit account of Mr. +Stainton Moses, his life, his work, and his intimate friends. + +Having briefly treated of these external matters in the first of his two +articles in the _Proceedings of the S.P.R._, Mr. Myers goes on to say:-- + +"But now our narrative must pass at a bound from the commonplace and the +credible to bewildering and inconceivable things. With the even tenour +of this straightforward and reputable life was inwoven a chain of +mysteries which, as I have before said, in whatever way soever they be +explained, make that life one of the most extraordinary which our +century has seen. For Stainton Moses' true history lies, not in the +everyday events thus far recorded, but in that series of physical +manifestations which began in 1872, and lasted for some eight years, and +that series of automatic writings and trance-utterances which began in +1873, received a record for some ten years, and did not, as is +believed, cease altogether until the earthly end was near."[45] + + +THE PHYSICAL PHENOMENA. + +This inquiry concerns physical phenomena only. The wealth of material to +select from is enormous. It is proposed to give one or two examples of +each of the important classes of physical phenomena. In doing so such +examples only will be quoted as have been selected by Mr. Myers to +include in his articles in the _Proceedings of the S.P.R._ The reader +will therefore know that the following records have been under Mr. +Myers' scrutiny, and have been considered by him as of evidential value. +This will also simplify references, as it will be needful to refer only +to Mr. Myers' articles which are easily accessible, and not to the +original sources. + + +MOVEMENTS WITHOUT CONTACT. + +After recording some movements of a table, Mr. Stainton Moses says: "All +that I have described occurs readily when the table is untouched. +Indeed, when the force is developed, we have found it better to remove +the hands and leave the table to its own devices. The tilting above +noticed has been even more marked when the sitters have been removed +from it to a distance of about two feet. It has rapped on the chair and +on the floor, inclined so as to play into a hand placed on the carpet, +and has been restored to its normal position when no hand has touched +it. The actual force required to perform this would be represented by +very considerable muscular exertion in a man of ordinary strength."[46] + +The following account, besides being a record of physical phenomenon, is +a curious illustration of the result of not following alleged +instructions. Mr. Stainton Moses writes:-- + +"We had ventured on one occasion, contrary to direction, to add to our +circle a strange member. Some trivial phenomena occurred, but the usual +controlling spirit did not appear. When next we sat he came; and +probably none of us will easily forget the sledge-hammer blows with +which he smote the table. The noise was distinctly audible in the room +below, and gave one the idea that the table would be broken to pieces. +In vain we withdrew from the table, hoping to diminish the power. The +heavy blows increased in intensity, and the whole room shook with their +force. The direst penalties were threatened if we again interfered with +the development by bringing in new sitters. We have not ventured to do +so again; and I do not think we shall easily be persuaded to risk +another similar objurgation."[47] + +The following account of some impromptu occurrences is written by Mr. +Serjeant Cox, and is quoted by Mr. Myers from the second volume of +Serjeant Cox's work, "What am I?" The scene was also orally described to +Mr. Myers by Serjeant Cox, who, as Mr. Myers remarks, was not himself a +"Spiritualist," but ascribed these and similar phenomena to a power +innate in the medium's own being. + +"On Tuesday, 2nd June 1873, a personal friend [Mr. Stainton Moses] came +to my residence in Russell Square to dress for a dinner party to which +we were invited. He had previously exhibited considerable power as a +Psychic. Having half an hour to spare, we went into the dining-room. It +was just six o'clock, and of course broad daylight. I was opening +letters; he was reading the _Times_. My dining-table is of mahogany, +very heavy, old-fashioned, six feet wide, nine feet long. It stands on a +Turkey carpet, which much increases the difficulty of moving it. A +subsequent trial showed that the united efforts of two strong men +standing were required to move it one inch. There was no cloth upon it, +and the light fell full under it. No person was in the room but my +friend and myself. Suddenly, as we were sitting thus, frequent and loud +rappings came upon the table. My friend was then sitting holding the +newspaper with both hands, one arm resting on the table, the other on +the back of a chair, and turned sideways from the table, so that his +legs and feet were not under the table, but at the side of it. Presently +the solid table quivered as with an ague fit. Then it swayed to and fro +so violently as almost to dislocate the big pillar-like legs, of which +there are eight. Then it moved forward about three inches. I looked +under it to be sure it was not touched; but still it moved, and still +the blows were loud upon it. + +"This sudden access of the Force at such a time, and in such a place, +with none present but myself and my friend, and with no thought then of +invoking it, caused the utmost astonishment in both of us. My friend +said that nothing like it had ever before occurred to him. I then +suggested that it would be an invaluable opportunity, with so great a +power in action, to make trial of _motion without contact_, the presence +of two persons only, the daylight, the place, the size and weight of the +table, making the experiment a crucial one. Accordingly we stood +upright, he on one side of the table, I on the other side of it. We +stood two feet from it, and held our hands eight inches above it. In one +minute it rocked violently. Then it moved over the carpet a distance of +seven inches. Then it rose three inches from the floor on the side on +which my friend was standing. Then it rose equally on my side. Finally +my friend held his hands four inches over the end of the table, and +asked that it would rise and touch his hand three times. It did so; and +then in accordance with the like request, it rose to my hand held at the +other end to the same height above it and in the same manner."[48] + +LEVITATION.--The wonderful phenomenon of levitation must be included in +the category of "movements without contact"! Some of Mr. Stainton Moses' +experiences of this kind are much more explicitly and circumstantially +described than those alleged to have occurred with D. D. Home. Mr. +Stainton Moses gives the following account of his first personal +experience of this nature:-- + +"My first personal experience of levitation was about five months after +my introduction to spiritualism. Physical phenomena of a very powerful +description had been developed with great rapidity. We were new to the +subject, and the phenomena were most interesting.... One day (30th +August 1872) ... I felt my chair drawn back from the table and turned +into the corner near which I sat. It was so placed that my face was +turned away from the circle to the angle made by the two walls. In this +position the chair was raised from the floor to a distance of, I should +judge, twelve or fourteen inches. My feet touched the top of the +skirting-board, which would be about twelve inches in height. The chair +remained suspended for a few moments, and I then felt myself going from +it, higher and higher, with a very slow and easy movement. I had no +sense of discomfort nor of apprehension. I was perfectly conscious of +what was being done, and described the process to those who were sitting +at the table. The movement was very steady, and occupied what seemed a +long time before it was completed. I was close to the wall, so close +that I was able to put a pencil firmly against my chest, and to mark the +spot opposite to me on the wall-paper. That mark when measured +afterwards was found to be rather more than six feet from the floor, +and, from its position, it was clear that my head must have been in the +very corner of the room, close to the ceiling. I do not think that I was +in any way entranced. I was perfectly clear in my mind, quite alive to +what was being done, and fully conscious of the curious phenomenon. I +felt no pressure on any part of my body, only a sensation as of being in +a lift, whilst objects seemed to be passing away from below me. I +remember a slight difficulty in breathing, and a sensation of fulness in +the chest, with a general feeling of being lighter than the atmosphere. +I was lowered down quite gently, and placed in the chair, which had +settled in its old position. The measurements and observations were +taken immediately, and the marks which I had made with my pencil were +noted. My voice was said at the time to sound as if from the corner of +the room, close to the ceiling."[49] + +Mr. Stainton Moses says that this experience was repeated, with +variations, on nine other occasions. Once he suddenly found himself on +the table--his chair being unmoved. This, "under ordinary +circumstances," he says, "is what we call impossible." On another +occasion he was placed on the table standing. But he discouraged these +phenomena of levitation as much as possible, from a dislike to violent +physical manifestations. + +MOVEMENT OF OBJECTS IN A CLOSED ROOM, NO ONE BEING PRESENT.--I am not +aware of any other well-attested instances of a curious phenomenon +stated to have occurred when Mr. Stainton Moses was near but not +present. He thus describes the "first startling manifestation" of this +kind. It was on Sunday, 18th August 1872. Simple phenomena of raps and +movements of the table commenced at breakfast-time. Mr. Stainton Moses +went to church with his friend. On entering his bedroom afterwards, his +attention was drawn by loud rappings which followed him round the room, +to three articles so placed on the bed as to form an imperfect cross. +While he was in the room another article was added. He called his friend +whose guest he was. To avoid the possibility of children or servants +playing tricks, in case anything more happened, they well searched the +room--it contained no cupboard--bolted the window, locked the door on +leaving, and the host put the key in his pocket. After lunch two more +articles were found to be added. Another visit discovered other +additions. This went on till 5 P.M., "when a complete cross extending +the whole length of the bed was made entirely of little articles from +the toilet-table." The position of the room, and the whole +circumstances, convinced Mr. Stainton Moses and Dr. and Mrs. Speer, with +whom he was staying, beyond any doubt that human intervention was +impossible. A very detailed account of this incident exists in the +handwriting of Dr. Speer.[50] + +THE CARRYING OF OBJECTS INTO A LOCKED ROOM, AND THE PASSAGE OF SOLID +OBJECTS THROUGH MATERIAL OBSTACLES.--During the two or three weeks +subsequent to the above, over fifty instances occurred in which objects +from different parts of the house were placed upon the table round which +Mr. Stainton Moses and Dr. and Mrs. Speer were sitting in a locked dark +room. The gas was always left burning brightly in the adjoining +dining-room, and in the hall outside, so that if either of the doors had +been opened, even for a moment, a blaze of light would have been let +into the room in which they sat. Mr. Stainton Moses remarks--"As this +never happened, we have full assurance from what Dr. Carpenter considers +the best authority, common sense, that the doors remained closed." On +one occasion a small edition of "Paradise Lost" was placed on the +table, and at the same time the words "to convince" were spelt out by +raps. This little book had been in the hands of all of them during the +evening, and they could testify to the position on a bookshelf where it +had been left. One evening seven objects in different rooms were brought +in; among them a little bell from the dining-room. They heard it begin +to ring, the sound approached the door, they were astonished soon to +hear the sound in the room where they sat, round which the bell was +carried, close to the faces of all, and finally placed on the table, +having been ringing loudly all the time. A curious incident occurred at +a later date, the circle of three sitting alone. A small Parian +statuette from an upper room was placed upon the table. One of the party +requested that a friend who usually communicates might be fetched. "We +are doing so" was spelt out by raps. This was taken to be the complete +answer, and they ceased to call over the alphabet. However, the alphabet +was called for again, and "mething else" was spelt out. No idea could be +formed as to the meaning of this. At request it was exactly repeated. +After much puzzling it occurred to one of the party to join it on to the +previous message--when the meaning became apparent. Mr. Stainton Moses +sarcastically remarks--"What a clear case of 'unconscious cerebration'"! +"Very soon an odour like Tonquin bean was apparent to all of us. +Something fell on the table, and light showed that a snuff-box which had +contained Tonquin bean had been brought from Dr. Speer's dressing-room. +The box was closed, and the odour was remarked before any of us had the +remotest idea that the box was in the room."[51] + + +PERFUMES AND WAVES OF SCENT-LADEN AIR. + +This phase of the phenomena must be passed rapidly over, though +manifested to a much greater extent and in greater variety in Mr. +Stainton Moses' case than in any other with which I am acquainted. In +his circle music and singing were never introduced as a means of +harmonising the conditions. Mr. Stainton Moses says: "In our circle this +harmonising is effected by means of perfumes and waves of cool-scented +air." "If a new sitter is present, he or she is censed (if I may adopt +the expression), and so initiated." "If a new intelligence is to +communicate, or special honour to be paid to a chief, the room is +pervaded by perfumes which grow stronger as the spirit enters." +Sometimes the scent was in a liquid form, and apparently sprinkled down +from the ceiling. Sometimes dry musk was thrown about in considerable +quantities. A striking instance is given in the form of a statement from +Mr. F. W. Percival, mentioned at the commencement of this article--a +very occasional sitter. He says: "In compliance with your request, I +will describe as briefly as possible what occurred at the dark seance +held on the evening of 18th March 1874, when scent was produced so +abundantly in the presence of Mrs. Speer and myself, while you [Mr. S. +M.] were in a state of trance. The controlling spirit began by speaking +through you at some length, and we were told to expect unusual +manifestations. They commenced with a strongly scented breeze, which +passed softly round the circle, its course being marked by a pale light. +In a few minutes it suddenly changed, and blew upon us with considerable +force, as if a pair of bellows had been employed, and the temperature of +the room was perceptibly lowered. After this liquid scent was sprinkled +upon us several times; it appeared to come from the top of the room, and +fell upon us in small drops. Finally we were told that a new +manifestation would be attempted, and that we were to prepare for it by +joining hands and holding the palms upwards. In this position we waited +for two or three minutes, and then I felt a stream of liquid scent +poured out, as it were from the spout of a teapot, which fell on one +side of my left hand, and ran down upon the table. The same was done for +Mrs. Speer; and to judge from our impressions at the time, and from the +stains on the table, a very considerable quantity must have been +produced. I may remark in conclusion that there was no scent in the room +before the seance, and that we could distinguish several different +perfumes which made the atmosphere so oppressive that we were glad to +seek a purer air so soon as the seance came to an end."[52] + + +LIGHTS WITHOUT APPARENT PHYSICAL CAUSE. + +The phenomenon of Light without any apparent physical cause was a +frequent one with Mr. Stainton Moses, and the manifestations were of a +very varied character. Several of these were described in Chapter IV. + +An account is now given of some remarkable phenomena which occurred at +four consecutive seances on the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th of August +1873. Mr. Stainton Moses was on a holiday excursion with Dr. and Mrs. +Speer in the North of Ireland. The days were spent in orthodox holiday +fashion. The following is condensed from notes written in detail at the +time by Dr. Speer:-- + +On the 10th of August, after some other phenomena had occurred, a large +globe of light rose opposite to me, sailed up to the level of our faces, +and then vanished. Several more followed. By request one was placed in +the centre of the table. It was surrounded with drapery. A light came +and stood on the table close to me. "Now I will show you my hand" was +rapped out. A large very bright light then came up, and inside of it +appeared the materialised hand of the spirit. The fingers moved about +close to my face; the appearance was as distinct as can be conceived. I +was told to write an exact account of what had been done. The next +evening I placed the account I had written and a pencil on the table, +and asked that the light might be brought down upon it. This was done. I +then asked that if possible the spirit would append his signature. The +spirit said he would try. After other lights had been produced, the hand +appeared outside the drapery, I heard the pencil moving, and repeating +his instruction of the previous evening, he departed, leaving on the +paper a specimen of direct spirit caligraphy. On these two evenings no +other sitter was present but myself.[53] + + +DIRECT WRITING. + +As has already been remarked, the wealth of material is so great that +selection is a matter of difficulty. There is much more I should like to +have included in this chapter, but it must be drawn to a close with a +brief detailed account of a case of "Direct Writing." There is perhaps +no phenomenon more incredible to the "beginner" in these studies, than +that legible and intelligent writing should be produced without human +agency, and yet there seems no other way of explaining the facts. The +following is an account, by Mr. Stainton Moses himself, of a seance held +on 19th September 1872, the last held before a break in the series +during the autumn of that year. "Imperator" had recently announced +himself as the leading guide or director of the phenomena. + +[Illustration: Facsimile reduced from original. The paper was blue, with +faint blue lines. The corner at the top right hand was torn off for +identification of the paper.] + +"We darkened the seance room, leaving the gas burning brightly in the +adjoining dining-room. Dr. and Mrs. Speer and I sat at the table. On the +floor under the table we put a piece of ruled paper and a pencil. A +corner of the paper I tore off, and handed it to Dr. Speer to identify +the sheet of paper if necessary. Various raps, some objects brought in, +and a noise rather like sawing wood. When light was called for, Mrs. +Speer stooped down and picked up the paper. The upper surface was blank. +Her endorsement on the back of the paper, afterwards written, reads: 'I +took the paper from under the table with the writing downwards,' _i.e._ +on the surface touching the carpet. Dr. Speer and I wrote and signed +this endorsement: 'The above corner was torn by me (S. M.) before the +light was put out, and was given to Dr. S.' I (S. M.) afterwards put the +two pieces together. They fit exactly, and are secured by a couple of +halfpenny stamps, with the initials of Dr. S. and myself upon them. The +message follows the rules exactly. A facsimile is appended, omitting +only the initials of a deceased friend. It will be noticed that the +writing is clearly and laboriously executed on the ruled lines. In no +case are the lines deserted. I fancy the message is written backwards. +Imperator's signature is of his usual decided type, very like what is +automatically written by my hand. I suspect that the message was written +by two hands."[54] + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[39] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. ix. pp. 245-352, and vol. xi. pp. +24-113. Reference should also be made to an obituary notice of Mr. +Stainton Moses by Mr. Myers, in _Proceedings_, vol. viii. pp. 597-601. + +[40] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. ix. pp. 247-248. + +[41] Ibid., p. 248. + +[42] Ibid., p. 247. + +[43] Ibid., p. 247. + +[44] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. ix. p. 247. + +[45] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. ix. p. 252. + +[46] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. ix. p. 259. + +[47] Ibid. + +[48] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. ix. pp. 259-260. + +[49] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. ix. p. 261. + +[50] See _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. ix. pp. 263-266. + +[51] See _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. ix. pp. 266-267. + +[52] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. ix. pp. 267-273. + +[53] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. ix. pp. 274-276. + +[54] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. ix. pp. 284-286. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +"THE DIVINING ROD" + + +The reality or otherwise of the pretensions of the "Divining Rod" come +legitimately within the scope of the present inquiry. The physical +results which, it is alleged, follow the use of the "Divining" or +"Dowsing" Rod in certain hands are unexplained by recognised physical +science. The main fact of the success of the Rod, as a means of finding +water where all ordinary methods have failed, is, however, so widely +acknowledged among intelligent persons, including many business men, +that it will be unnecessary to devote much space to this chapter. I +shall not do more than briefly refer to the scientific inquiry into the +whole subject which has been made in recent years, and quote a few cases +where success has attended the use of the Rod after other means had +failed. + +Here again we are mainly indebted to a member of the Society for +Psychical Research for what has been done. In the early days of the +Society, two or three members, especially the late Mr. E. Vaughan +Jenkins, of Oxford, had assiduously collected the best testimony they +could obtain as to the successful use of the Rod. This was placed at the +disposal of the Society in 1884, and was amply sufficient to show that a +strong _prima facie_ case for fuller investigation existed.[55] In 1891, +at the request of the Council of the Society, Professor W. F. Barrett, +F.R.S., of Dublin, undertook to submit the whole subject to a thorough +scientific and experimental research. The results of Professor Barrett's +indefatigable industry over a number of years are embodied in two +lengthy Reports, published in the _Proceedings_ of the Society.[56] The +following cases are quoted from Professor Barrett's records as examples +of the work of different professional "dowsers." + +I. Mr. B. Tompkins, of Pipsmore Farm, Chippenham, Wilts, was the +"diviner" in this case. Prior to 1890, Mr. Tompkins was a tenant farmer. +Having been at some expense in endeavouring to obtain a good supply of +water for his cattle, without success, he sent for Mr. Mullins, who came +and found a spot where he said a plentiful supply of water existed at a +depth of less than 30 feet. A well was sunk, and at 15 feet deep a +strong spring was tapped which has yielded an unfailing supply ever +since. Mr. Tompkins finding that the forked twig moved in his own hands, +tried some experiments on his own account which proved successful. He +was then asked by Messrs. Smith and Marshall, of Chippenham, agents to +the late Lord Methuen, to try and find a spring on Lord Methuen's +estate, as a well already sunk had proved useless. After a long search +the rod moved at a certain spot on a hillside where Mr. Tompkins +predicted a good supply of water would be found. Nine feet of solid rock +had to be blasted, but at 18 feet a spring was struck which rose 9 or 10 +feet in the well. Messrs. Smith and Marshall subsequently wrote thus to +Mr. Tompkins:-- + + "CHIPPENHAM, WILTS, and + 7 WHITEHALL PLACE, LONDON, + _November_ 24, 1891. + + "The decision you arrived at was perfectly correct, and it is + our opinion that if we had made the well 6 feet either way to + the right or left of the spot you marked, we should have missed + the water, which is now abundant. SMITH AND MARSHALL." + +This is by way of introduction to case 99 in Professor Barrett's Report. + +"No. 99. Mr. Charles Maggs, who is a Wiltshire county magistrate, and +proprietor of the Melksham Dairy Company, required a large supply of +pure water for his butter factory, and, after ineffectual attempts to +obtain it, wrote to Mr. Tompkins to come over and try the divining rod. +This was done, and subsequently Mr. Maggs writes to Mr. Tompkins as +follows:-- + + "'MELKSHAM DAIRY COMPANY, + _November_ 10, 1890. + + "'We found water at 30 feet, as stated by you at time of finding + the spring--a very strong spring. Our hopes had almost gone, and + faith was all but spent.... CHARLES MAGGS.'" + +Professor Barrett wrote to Mr. Maggs, and received the following +interesting letter in reply:-- + + "BOWERHILL LODGE, MELKSHAM, + _March_ 8, 1897. + + "Briefly the facts are:--I sunk a well to find water for my + dairy and found none. Then I wrote to Mr. Tompkins, who came the + following day. He cut a forked stick out of the hedge, and + having placed it over the well, said, 'There is no water here,' + but found a slight spring within 10 feet, too small to be of any + service, he reported. He walked all over the field, and said he + had not come across any spring at all. However, in the extreme + corner of the field, a bunch of nettles was growing, and he + entered this, and instantly exclaimed--'Here it is; and a good + head of water, too! Not running away, but just ready for + tapping, and as soon as you strike it, it will come surging up.' + 'How deep?' 'Not over 25 feet.' He cut out a turf to indicate + the spot, and we commenced sinking next day. The person employed + was an old well-sinker, and he came to me two or three times + whilst engaged in sinking, showing specimens of the soil or + marl, assuring me there never was water where such existed, and + it was worse than useless to go further. I told him to go on if + he had to get to New Zealand--it was my money, and he need not + regard me nor my pocket. When he had gone about 22 feet, his + pickaxe tapped the spring and the water came up like a fountain, + and at such a rate he feared he should be drowned before he + could get pulled up--his mates being away! The water rose + rapidly to within 12 or 15 inches of the surface. We put in + pumps and kept the water down whilst he went a little deeper, + but the rush of water was such that we had to desist going + lower. Since then we have had a splendid supply.... + CHAS. MAGGS."[57] + +II. Mr. John Mullins and Mr. H. W. Mullins, father and son, Colerne, +Chippenham, Wilts. + +Mr. Mullins, sen., who died rather more than ten years ago, was for +thirty years engaged all over Great Britain and Ireland in finding water +by means of the divining rod. He was a professional well-sinker. His +sons carry on their father's business. One of them, Mr. H. W. Mullins, +inherits his fathers faculty. + +Cases Nos. 62 and 63 in Professor Barrett's Report illustrate the powers +of both father and son. + +Mr. E.G. Allen writes:-- + + "HIGHFIELD, METHERINGHAM + LINCOLN, _March_ 25, 1893. + + "Having frequently availed myself of Mr. John Mullins' services + during the last twenty years, I can say I have never known him + to fail. I have sunk six wells, two on a heath farm about 30 + feet deep (surrounding wells measuring about 70 feet) in + limestone rock, thus saving a great expense in sinking. I took + him one morning to a farm which was at that time farmed by the + owner, the Right Hon. H. Chaplin, M.P. The well in the yard + (nearly always dry) was about 30 feet deep. In a few minutes, + Mullins, carrying in his hand his twig, found a good spring a + very short distance from the old well. A new well was sunk, and + at 10 feet a splendid supply of water was found. It has never + failed, and has supplied the yards, &c., with water ever since. + + "Being in want of water for a large grass field, called 'Catley + Abbey Field,' I went with Mullins, who placed down a peg to + denote a spring. We sunk a well, and bored 70 feet obtaining a + good supply of water. Being struck with a peculiarity in its + taste, it was submitted to Professor Attfield, Ph.D., who + pronounced it to be the only natural seltzer spring in the + kingdom. E. G. ALLEN."[58] + +The next case in Professor Barrett's collection, No. 63, forms an +interesting sequel to the above. The following is abridged from a long +report, in the _Lincolnshire Chronicle_ of 8th June 1895, of a visit of +Mr. H.W. Mullins, son of Mr. John Mullins, to Catley Abbey:-- + +"The object of the Catley Abbey Company in sending for Mr. Mullins was +to secure a well of pure water for bottle-washing. A well on the +adjoining farm of Mr. Allen had run dry, and recently the seltzer water +had been used for the purpose of bottle-washing. Eight years ago, Mr. J. +Mullins, the father of the family, located the spot at Catley, where now +stands the only natural seltzer spring in Britain.... Proceeding to the +site of the dried-up well, Mullins took out a =V=-shaped twig, the forks +of which were each about a foot long, and walked slowly along the ground +a short distance from the well. Suddenly the twig revolved ... and +Mullins confidently asserted that he was standing over a subterranean +watercourse. Proceeding to the other side of the well, he traced, or +professed to trace, the course of the hidden stream, and marked a spot +contiguous to the buildings where he asserted a good spring would be +tapped at a depth of from 120 to 130 feet, and he advised that a well +should be sunk there. + +"It was told to Mullins that his father asserted the seltzer spring +flowed under a hedge on the other side of the field in which we were +then standing, and he was asked to indicate the place. Starting at one +end of the field, he walked close by the hedge side. He had gone about +100 yards when the twig began to play, and digging his heel in the +ground, he thus marked the spot. Mr. Allen, who was present when +Mullins, sen., also located the spring, sent a man for a spade, and a +stake was dug up which eight years ago was driven in by Mr. Allen to +mark the place. Mullins, jun., had touched the spot exactly." + +The same newspaper of 23rd August 1895 announces the result of digging +in the spot indicated as follows:-- + +"Our readers will remember that a few weeks ago our columns contained an +article relative to the finding of water at Catley Abbey by means of +hazel twigs in the hands of Mr. Mullins, the eminent 'dowser.' We are +now able to state that a well having been sunk in the position indicated +by Mr. Mullins, a valuable supply of water has been obtained, and that +at a depth of about 5 feet less than that mentioned by him." + +Professor Barrett says: "I sent Mr. Allen the foregoing account, and +asked if it were correct. He replies that it is perfectly accurate, the +facts being most interesting, and occurred as stated in the letter and +newspaper report."[59] + +III. Mr. Leicester Gataker, Crescent Gardens, Bath, who is a gentleman +by birth and education, soon after leaving Bath College, discovered to +his surprise that a forked twig revolved in his hands in the same way as +it did with a local "diviner." The following is Case 123 in Professor +Barrett's Report:-- + +"Mr. Gataker states that, being engaged by Messrs Ruscombe Poole & Son, +the well-known solicitors of Bridgwater, he found a spring less than 14 +feet deep, and within 3 or 4 yards of a useless well, 20 feet deep, sunk +prior to his visit. In corroboration he encloses the following letter:-- + + "'BRIDGWATER, SOMERSET, _July_ 1896. + + "'We have sunk a well in the garden, and a copious spring has + been found at 13 feet 6 inches, which amply verifies your + prediction. "'J. RUSCOMBE POOLE & SON.'" + +Professor Barrett says: "I wrote to Mr. Ruscombe Poole, and asked him if +Mr. Gataker's statements were correct, and he replies:-- + + "'BRIDGWATER, _January_ 15, 1897. + + "'We return the paper you sent us. As regards the statement that + there was a well about 20 feet deep which was useless, this is + perfectly true, because the water in it was foul and smelt + badly. The supply found is a very much more copious one than the + old well, which contained very little water.'"[60] + +The Index to Professor Barrett's Reports enumerates between three and +four hundred persons with whom experiments with the Divining Rod are +described. A list of the names of "dowsers" is also given. This list +includes the names of about seventy professional "dowsers," and of +nearly as many amateur "dowsers." These figures show the extent to which +the use of the rod prevails, and also the work which the preparation of +the Reports involved. As a specimen of the kind of evidence presented by +Professor Barrett from miscellaneous sources, the following may be +quoted:-- + +"In the present Report numerous independent witnesses of unimpeachable +integrity, and some with high scientific attainments, testify to the +same class of facts, viz.:--(1) The automatic and apparently +irresistible motion of the twig in the hands often of a complete novice; +and (2) that, when the forked twig does _not_ move in a person's hands, +if the dowser takes one link of the twig, or even places his hand on the +wrist of the insensitive person, the previously inert twig now turns +vigorously and often breaks in two in the effort to resist its motion. +As regards (1), see the letter from the President of the Royal +Geological Society of Cornwall on p. 219,[61] who states that the Clerk +of his Parish Council, on finding the rod suddenly twist in his hands, +called out--'It is alive, sir, it is alive!' Mr. Enys adds: 'This +exactly describes the sensation when the rod moves.' ... Mr. Bennett, of +Oxford, on p. 176, refers to the frantic motion and the ultimate +breaking of the twig 'held firmly' in the dowser's hands.... As regards +(2), see Mr. Morton's letter to _The Engineer_, given on p. 172; Mr. +Morton found the rod would not move in his hands, but when the late John +Mullins, the dowser, 'laid his hands on my wrists and grasped them +firmly, then the twig instantly began to turn, and continued turning +till he removed his hands. He never touched the twig while it was in my +hands.' Mr. Montague Price in his letter on p. 181 states: 'I held one +side of the forked rod myself and the diviner the other, and when we +came to water [alleged underground water] the strain was so great on my +fingers I was obliged to ask him to stop. From the position of the rod +it was almost impossible for him to produce the pressure, which +increased with the strength of the stream.' ... + +"The usual practice, after watching a dowser at work, is for some of +the onlookers to try if the forked twig will move in their hands. +Generally speaking, one or more, out of perhaps ten or twelve persons, +discover, to their astonishment, that the twig curls up in their +hands--at the same places at which it did with the dowser. Here is such +an experience. Mrs. Hollands writes to me as follows:-- + + "'DENE PARK, TONBRIDGE, _October_ 9, 1899. + + "'In answer to your note of inquiry about the divining rod, the + whole thing is rather a long story, but the practical result of + the water dowser's visit was to find water which now supplies + the house. One of my daughters found she had the strange power + which moves the divining rod, and it works for her now quickly + over any spring. It is most interesting, as you can feel the rod + move if you take one side of it, and take one of her hands, she + holding the other end of the rod--it struggles up, and would + break off altogether if you did not allow it to move. My + daughter has since found several springs on the estate, where we + have sunk wells. They have stood us in very good stead these + last dry seasons. MINNIE HOLLANDS.' + +"A similar experience is given by Miss M. Craigie Halkett, who published +some excellent photographs of a dowser at work in _Sketch_ for 23rd +August 1899. Miss Halkett writes to me as follows:-- + + "LAURISTON, NEW ELTHAM, KENT, + _September_ 8, 1899. + + "The man depicted in the photographs is not a water-finder by + profession. He is a tenant farmer residing at Catcolt, a + village near Bridgwater, and merely exercises the art to oblige + his neighbours. Several of the country people in this + neighbourhood (Somerset) have the gift. It has never been known + to fail. Personally I was rather sceptical on the subject, but + was converted by the stick turning in my hands when standing + over a spring. There were about six persons present at the time; + all tried it, but it would turn for no one excepting the man in + the picture and myself. I experienced a sort of tingling + sensation in my arms and wrists, but otherwise was quite unaware + when the forked stick began to turn, it seemed to go over so + quickly. "'MAUDE CRAIGIE HALKETT.' + + "Miss Halkett does not say how she knew she was 'standing over a + spring' when the twig turned in her hands; this statement is + very characteristic of many others that have reached me."[62] + +Professor Barrett's views as to the source of the power which moves the +rod are entitled to more attention than those of any one else. In a +chapter on "Theoretical Conclusions" in the first of his two Reports, he +says: "Few will dispute the proposition that the motion of the forked +twig is due to unconscious muscular action." He then gives a summary of +the causes which, he believes, determine that action. Among these he +enumerates, impressions from without unconsciously made upon the +dowser's mind from his own trained observation and practice, and from +bystanders. He also believed that in some cases an impression appears +to be gained through Thought-Transference. He did not, however, think +this covered the whole ground. A peculiar pathological effect is +produced on the dowser; but to what this is due can only be ascertained +by persevering and unbiassed investigation. + +Professor Barrett's second Report contains a long and interesting +discussion of this problem. His views had undergone some modification. +He adheres to his previous view that the "curious phenomena attending +the _motion_ of the so-called divining rod are capable of explanation by +causes known to science" (_e.g._ involuntary muscular action). But he +has become more impressed with the view that the suggestion may arise +"from some kind of transcendental discernment possessed by the dowser's +subconscious self." And he further says: "For my own part, I am disposed +to think that this cause, though less acceptable to science, will be +found to be a truer explanation of the more striking successes of a good +dowser." In conclusion Professor Barrett says still more definitely: +"This subconscious perceptive power, commonly called 'clairvoyance,' may +provisionally be taken as the explanation of those successes of the +dowser which are inexplicable on any grounds at present known to +science."[63] + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[55] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. ii. pp. 79-107. + +[56] Ibid., vol. xiii. (Part XXXII.), pp. 2-282, and vol. xv. (Part +XXXVI.), pp. 130-383. + +[57] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. xiii. pp. 145-148. + +[58] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. xiii. pp. 88-89. + +[59] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. xiii. pp. 89-90. + +[60] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. xiii. p. 182. + +[61] The pages in _this_ paragraph refer to the present Report (_i.e._ +_Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. xv. pp. 130-383). + +[62] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. xv. pp. 279-281. + +[63] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. xv. p. 314. See also the whole +discussion of which this page is the conclusion. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THOUGHT-TRANSFERENCE DRAWINGS + + +There is one, and perhaps only one phase of the great subject of +Thought-Transference or Telepathy the manifestations of which can +legitimately be included among physical phenomena. Involuntary drawing +or scribbling is a phenomenon of very common occurrence. But when such +an involuntary drawing turns out to be a more or less exact copy of a +drawing which the involuntary draughtsman has never seen; and still +further when it turns out that the original drawing has been drawn by +another person with the deliberate purpose of impressing it on the +mind of the involuntary draughtsman, the subject assumes an entirely +new interest. This, however, is the history of those series of +"Thought-Transference Drawings" which have been published by the +Society for Psychical Research. They are scattered through several +volumes of its publications. Through the kindness of the Council of +that Society I am able to put before the reader the largest selection +of these drawings which has appeared. The drawings are the results of +several different groups of experimenters in different parts of the +country; and the selection has been made from as many groups as +possible. In all cases facsimiles of the original drawing and of the +reproduction are given. The earlier series done under the auspices of +a Committee of the Society do not represent successes picked out of a +large number of failures, but include all the attempts made at the +time. The number that can be considered total failures in any of the +trials is exceedingly small. Any conceivable chance or coincidence is +entirely inadequate to account for the similarity in the great +majority of cases. + +The "First Report on Thought-Reading" was written by Professor W. F. +Barrett, Mr. Gurney, and Mr. Myers, and was read at the first General +Meeting of the Society on 17th July 1882. In order to illustrate the +then state of scientific opinion, the writers say: "The present state of +scientific opinion throughout the world is not only hostile to any +belief in the possibility of transmitting a single mental concept except +through the ordinary channels of sensations, but, generally speaking, it +is hostile even to any inquiry upon the matter. Every leading +physiologist and psychologist down to the present time has relegated +what, for want of a better term, has been called "Thought-Reading" to +the limbo of explored fallacies."[64] A second Report by the same writers +was read at a meeting of the Society in the same year. In this Report +the first series of "Thought-Transference Drawings" was described. + +The method of proceeding was as follows:--A. makes an outline sketch of +a geometrical figure, or of something a little more elaborate. B. sees +this sketch, and carrying it in his mind goes and stands behind C., who +sits with a pencil and paper before him and draws the impression which +arises in his mind. Precautions are taken against the conveyance of +information by any ordinary means. Except in a few of the earliest +trials no contact between any of the parties was permitted. B. and C. +are called respectively "transmitter" and "receiver." + +In December 1882, Mr. Myers and Mr. Gurney paid a visit to Brighton to +personally investigate some joint experiments of Mr. Douglas Blackburn +and Mr. G. Albert Smith. Both Mr. Blackburn and Mr. Smith were then, or +soon after became, members of the Society for Psychical Research. The +experiments were made in Mr. Myers' and Mr. Gurney's own lodgings. The +following plan, arranged in regard to some experiments made on 4th +December, is thus described by Mr. Myers: "One of us completely out of +sight of S. [Mr. Smith] drew some figure at random, the figure being of +such a character that its shape could not be easily conveyed in +words.... The figure, drawn by us, was then shown to B. [Mr. Blackburn] +for a few moments, S. being seated all the time with his back to us, and +blindfolded, in a distant part of the same room, and subsequently in an +adjoining room. B. looked at the figure drawn; then held S.'s hand for a +while; then released it. After being released, S. (who remained +blindfolded) drew the impression of a figure which he had received.... +In no case was there the smallest possibility that S. could have seen +the original figure; and in no case did B. touch S., even in the +slightest manner, while the figure was being drawn." + +The whole series of drawings done in this way, on that occasion, is +given in the Report in the _S.P.R. Proceedings_. They were nine in +number. We have selected two, Nos. 5 and 9. + +No. 5 calls for no special remark. + +[Illustration: NO. 5. + + ORIGINAL REPRODUCTION] + +[Illustration: NO. 9. + + ORIGINAL REPRODUCTION] + +When the reproduction of No. 9 was drawn, Mr. S. touched the spot to +which the arrow points, and said: "There is something more there, but I +cannot tell what it is." + +In the experiments made subsequently to these, the conditions were still +more stringent, and no contact whatever was allowed between Mr. +Blackburn and Mr. Smith; and it will be seen that striking and +successful results were obtained. + +A few weeks later, in January 1883, at the invitation of the Committee +of the Society for Psychical Research, Mr. Blackburn and Mr. Smith came +from Brighton, and a series of experiments was conducted at the Rooms +the Society then occupied in Dean's Yard, Westminster. For the Report +embodying the results of these experiments, Mr. Myers, Mr. Gurney, and +Professor Barrett are specially responsible. Two drawings, Nos. 10 and +11, are selected from a series of twenty-two made on this occasion. + +As to No. 10, Mr. S. had no idea that the original was not a geometrical +diagram. Nor had he any clue given him as to the character of No. 11. He +added the line marked _b_ some time after he had drawn the line marked +_a_, saying that he saw "a line parallel to another somewhere." + +The authors of this Report say: "It is almost needless to point out that +in these observations so foreign to our common experience, it is +indispensable to be minutely careful and conscientious in recording the +exact conditions of each experiment." The reader is referred to the +Report itself to show how this was carried out; and also to show how +exhaustively every possibility was considered by means of which +information could be conceived to be conveyed through any recognised +channel. + +[Illustration: + +No. 10. + + ORIGINAL REPRODUCTION + +No. 11. + + ORIGINAL REPRODUCTION + +Mr. Smith had no idea that the original was not a geometrical diagram. +He added line _b_ some time after he had drawn line _a_, "seeing a line +parallel to another somewhere."] + +[Illustration: + +No. 2. + + ORIGINAL REPRODUCTION + +Mr. Guthrie and Miss E. no contact.] + +An entirely different group of experimenters set to work in Liverpool. +Mr. Malcolm Guthrie, J.P., was a partner in one of the large drapery +establishments, and Mr. James Birchall was the Hon. Secretary of the +Literary and Philosophical Society of Liverpool. Their interest was +aroused in the subject of Thought-Transference, and they carried out a +very large number of experiments with some of the young ladies employed +in Mr. Guthrie's establishment, who, "amusing themselves after business +hours, found that certain of their number, when blindfolded, were able +to name very correctly figures selected from an almanack suspended on +the wall of the room, when their companions having hold of their hands, +fixed their attention on some particular day of the month." This led to +serious experiments, including about one hundred and fifty +Thought-Transference Drawings. The conditions were carefully guarded, +and in the majority of cases no contact was permitted. There were many +failures, but a large number of successes. Assistance as "transmitter" +was also given by Mr. F. S. Hughes, a member of the Society for +Psychical Research. In a report by Mr. Guthrie, published in the +_Proceedings_ of the Society, sixteen of these drawings are given. NOS. +2 and 15 are selected. In neither of these was any contact between +"transmitter" and "receiver" permitted. In NO. 2, Mr. Guthrie was +"transmitter" and Miss Edwards "receiver." In NO. 15, Mr. F. S. Hughes +was "transmitter" and Miss Edwards "receiver." With regard to the +second, Miss Edwards said, "It is like a mask at a pantomime," and +immediately drew the reproduction. + +[Illustration: + +No. 15. + + ORIGINAL + Mr. Hughes and Miss E. no contact. + + REPRODUCTION + Miss E. said, "It is like a mask at a pantomime," + and immediately drew as above.] + +Mr. Malcolm remarks in his Report: "The drawings must speak for +themselves. The principal facts to be borne in mind are that they have +been executed through the instrumentality as agents [transmitters] of +persons of unquestioned probity, and that the responsibility for them is +spread over a considerable group of such persons, while the conditions +to be observed were so simple--for they amounted really to nothing more +than taking care that the original should not be seen by the subject +[receiver]--that it is extremely difficult to suppose them to have been +eluded." + +Mr. Guthrie, having satisfied himself as to the reality of the phenomena +of Thought-Transference, as manifested by the drawings, and in other +ways, endeavoured to interest the scientific men of Liverpool. He +naturally appealed among others to Sir Oliver Lodge, who was then +Professor of Physics in University College, Liverpool. He accepted the +invitation, and subsequently gave "An Account of Some Experiments in +Thought-Transference" to the Society for Psychical Research, of which he +was already an unofficial member, and which account is published in the +Society's _Proceedings_. + +The Report commences with a tribute, "since it bears on the questions of +responsibility and genuineness," to the important position Mr. Guthrie +held in Liverpool, as an active member of the governing bodies of +several public institutions, including the University College. Sir +Oliver Lodge then says:-- + +"After Mr. Guthrie had laboriously carried out a long series of +experiments ... he set about endeavouring to convince such students of +science as he could lay his hands upon in Liverpool; and with this +object he appealed to me, among others, to come and witness, and within +limits modify, the experiments in such a way as would satisfy me of +their genuineness and perfect good faith. Yielding to his entreaty, I +consented, and have been, I suppose, at some dozen sittings, at first +simply looking on so as to grasp the phenomena, but afterwards taking +charge of the experiments.... In this way I had every opportunity of +examining and varying the minute conditions of the phenomena, so as to +satisfy myself of their genuine and objective character, in the same +way as one is accustomed to satisfy oneself as to the truth and +genuineness of any ordinary physical fact. + +"I did not feel at liberty to modify the experiments very largely, in +other words to try essentially new ones.... I only regarded it as my +business to satisfy myself as to the genuineness and authenticity of the +phenomena already described by Mr. Guthrie. If I had merely witnessed +facts as a passive spectator I should most certainly not publicly report +upon them. So long as one is bound to accept imposed conditions and +merely witness what goes on, I have no confidence in my own penetration, +and am perfectly sure that a conjurer could impose upon me, possibly +even to the extent of making me think that he was not imposing on me; +but when one has the control of the circumstances, can change them at +will, and arrange one's own experiments, one gradually acquires a belief +in the phenomena observed quite comparable to that induced by the +repetition of ordinary physical experiments." + +Sir Oliver Lodge then describes in detail the method of procedure, in +the course of which he says:-- + +"We have many times succeeded with agents ['transmitters'] quite +disconnected with the percipient ['receiver'] in ordinary life and +sometimes complete strangers to them. Mr. Birchall, the headmaster of +the Birkdale Industrial School, frequently acted; and the house +physician at the Eye and Ear Hospital, Dr. Shears, had a successful +experiment, acting alone, on his first and only visit. All suspicion of +a pre-arranged code is thus rendered impossible even to outsiders who +are unable to witness the obvious fairness of all the experiments." + +Sir Oliver Lodge then gives the details of twenty-seven experiments. +From these four are selected. Descriptions, in Sir O. Lodge's own words, +are condensed. + +(1) "Mr. Birchall, agent--Miss R, percipient, holding hands. No one else +present except myself. A drawing of a Union Jack pattern. As usual in +drawing experiments, Miss R. remained silent for perhaps a minute; then +she said, 'Now I am ready.' I hid the object; she took off the +handkerchief and proceeded to draw on paper placed ready in front of +her. She this time drew all the lines of the figure except the +horizontal middle one. She was obviously much tempted to draw this, and +indeed began it two or three times faintly, but ultimately said, 'No, +I'm not sure,' and stopped." + +[Illustration: + +No. 1. + + ORIGINAL REPRODUCTION] + +(2) "Double object. I arranged the double object between Miss R----d and +Miss E., who happened to be sitting nearly facing one another. Miss +R----d and Miss E. both acting as agents. The drawing was a square on +one side of the paper, and a cross on the other. Miss R----d looked at +the side with the square on it, Miss E. looked at the side with the +cross. Neither knew what the other was looking at--nor did the +percipient know that anything unusual was being tried. There was no +contact. Very soon, Miss R. (percipient) said, 'I see things moving +about.... I seem to see two things.... I see first one up there and then +one down there.... I can't see either distinctly.' 'Well, anyhow, draw +what you have seen.' She took off the bandage and drew first a square, +and then said, 'Then there was the other thing as well, ... afterwards +they seemed to go into one,' and she drew a cross inside the square from +corner to corner, adding afterwards, 'I don't know what made me put it +inside.'" + +[Illustration: + +No. 2. + + ORIGINAL REPRODUCTION] + +[Illustration: + +No. 3. + + ORIGINAL REPRODUCTION] + +(3) "Object--a drawing of the outline of a flag. Miss R. as percipient, +in contact with Miss E. as agent. Very quickly Miss R. said, 'It's a +little flag.' And when asked to draw, she drew it fairly well but +perverted. I showed her the flag (as usual after a success), and then +took it away to the drawing place to fetch something else. I made +another drawing, but instead of bringing it I brought the flag back +again and set it up in the same place as before, but inverted. There +was no contact this time. Miss R----d and Miss E. were acting as agents. +After some time Miss R. said, 'No, I cant see anything this time. I +still see that flag.... The flag keeps bothering me.... I shan't do it +this time.' Presently I said, 'Well, draw what you saw anyway.' She +said, 'I only saw the same flag, but perhaps it had a cross on it.' So +she drew a flag in the same position as before, but added a cross to +it." + +(4) "Object--a teapot cut out of silver paper. Present--Dr. Herdman, +Miss R----d, and Miss R. Miss E. percipient. Miss R. holding +percipient's hands, but all thinking of the object. Told nothing. She +said, 'Something light.... No colour.... Looks like a duck.... Like a +silver duck.... Something oval.... Head at one end and tail at the +other.' ... The object being rather large, was then moved further back, +so that it might be more easily grasped by the agents as a whole, but +percipient persisted that it was like a duck. On being told to unbandage +and draw, she drew a rude and perverted copy of the teapot, but didn't +know what it was unless it was a duck. Dr. Herdman then explained that +he had been thinking all the time how like a duck the original teapot +was, and in fact had been thinking more of ducks than teapots." + +[Illustration: No. 4. + + ORIGINAL REPRODUCTION] + +In the autumn of 1891 Sir Oliver Lodge was staying for a fortnight in +the house of Herr von Lyro at Portschach am See, Carinthia. While there +he found that the two adult daughters of his host were adepts in the +so-called "willing game." The speed and accuracy with which the willed +action was performed left little doubt in his mind that there was some +genuine thought-transference power. He obtained permission to make a +series of test experiments, the two sisters acting as agent and +percipient alternately. He hoped gradually to secure the phenomena +without contact of any kind. But unfortunately contact seemed essential, +though of the slightest description, for instance through the backs of +the knuckles. Sir Oliver Lodge says: "It was interesting and new to me +to see how clearly the effect seemed to depend on contact, and how +abruptly it ceased when contact was broken. While guessing through a +pack of cards, for instance, rapidly and continuously, I sometimes +allowed contact, and sometimes stopped it; and the guesses changed, from +frequently correct to quite wild, directly the knuckles or finger tips, +or any part of the skin of the two hands ceased to touch. It was almost +like breaking an electric circuit." + +As Sir Oliver Lodge remarks, it is obvious how strongly this suggests +the idea of a code, and that therefore this flaw prevents these +experiments from having any value as tests, or as establishing _de novo_ +the existence of the genuine power. But apart from the moral conviction +that unfair practices were extremely unlikely, Sir Oliver Lodge says +that there was a sufficient amount of internal evidence derived from +the facts themselves to satisfy him that no code was used. As examples, +two from a series of twelve drawings are given. + +[Illustration: + + ORIGINAL REPRODUCTION] + +[Illustration: + + ORIGINAL REPRODUCTIONS] + +In 1894, Mr. Henry G. Rawson, barrister-at-law, made a long and +interesting series of experiments in Thought-Transference, a Report of +which was published in vol. xi. of the _Proceedings_ of the Society for +Psychical Research. The Report includes fifteen originals and +reproductions of drawings. Two sisters, Mrs. L. and Mrs. B., were the +operators; and on the two evenings when the two series of drawings were +executed, from which the accompanying selections are made, Mr. Rawson +was the only other person present. On both occasions, Mrs. L. sat on a +chair near the fire, Mrs. R. sat at a table many feet off, with her back +to Mrs. L., and Mr. Rawson stood or sat where he could see both ladies. + +[Illustration: 5 + + ORIGINAL REPRODUCTION] + +[Illustration: 6 + + ORIGINAL REPRODUCTION] + +Nos. 5 and 6 of the first series are here reproduced. + +The following selection is from the second series. Mr. Rawson says +respecting it: "Mrs. L. began drawing within ten to fifteen seconds, and +presently said, 'I am drawing something I can see.' The clock was in +front of her on the mantelpiece." It would seem as though the idea of a +clock was thought-transferred at once; but that the working out of the +idea in the mind was modified by what the percipient happened to see +before her. + +[Illustration: + + ORIGINAL REPRODUCTION] + +A final selection of Thought-Transference Drawings will be taken from +the records of several series of experiments of different kinds made in +1897 and 1898 by Professor A. P. Chattock, of University College, +Bristol. The drawings were made with two old students of Professor +Chattock's, Mr. Wedmore and Mr. Clinker. + +[Illustration: No. 6. + + ORIGINAL + + REPRODUCTION (1).] + + REPRODUCTION (2).] + +No. 6 of a series done at Harrow, September 1897. Agents, Professor +Chattock and R. C. Clinker. Percipient, E. B. Wedmore. E. B. W. about +three yards from agents, with lamp and table between. To reproduction +(1) these words are added: "I thought of these, and then suggested we +should try three musical notes." And to reproduction (2) these words are +added: "Got this result." + +[Illustration: No. 1. + + ORIGINAL + Agent, E. B. Wedmore.] + + REPRODUCTION + Percipient, R. Wedmore.] + +No. 1 of a series done in London, a little later. The reproduction was +drawn in about one and a half minutes after the sitting commenced. + +The Report of the various series of experiments is printed in the +_Journal_ of the Society for Psychical Research for November 1898. + +Instead of giving detailed references to all the quotations in the +descriptions of these various Thought-Transference Drawings, a list of +the several Reports is appended. They can be referred to for further +information.[65] + + Second Report of the S.P.R. Committee. _Proceedings_, vol. i., + part ii., 1882. See p. 92. + + Third Report of the S.P.R. Committee. _Proceedings_, vol. i., + part iii., 1883. See pp. 94, 95. + + Experiments in Thought-Transference, by Malcolm Guthrie. + _Proceedings_, vol. ii., part v., 1884. See pp. 96, 97. + + Experiments in Thought-Transference, by Oliver J. Lodge, D.Sc. + _Proceedings_, vol. ii., part vi., 1884. See pp. 100-102. + + Some Recent Thought-Transference Experiments, by Oliver J. + Lodge. _Proceedings_, vol. vii., part xx., 1891. See p. 104. + + Experiments in Thought-Transference, by Henry G. Rawson. + _Proceedings_, vol. xi., part xxvii., 1894. See pp. 105, 106. + + Experiments in Thought-Transference, by Professor A. P. + Chattock. _Journal S.P.R._, vol. xiii., No. 153, Nov. 1898. See + p. 107. + +During the last few years no important addition appears to have been +made to the series of Thought-Transference Drawings. A revival of +similar experiments would be of great interest and value. + +The question may fairly be asked, What have these Thought-Transference +Drawings to do with the Physical Phenomena of Spiritualism? A reply is +easily given. The reader is referred to a passage in the concluding +chapter, quoted from Mr. Myers, in which he claims an exalted position +for Telepathy, as almost the fundamental doctrine of Spiritualistic +Philosophy. He speaks of the beginning of Telepathy as a +"quasi-mechanical transference of ideas and images from one to another +brain." The Thought-Transference Drawings constitute the primary +evidence of this. They may be looked upon as constituting the physical +basis of a belief in Thought-Transference, and therefore as the physical +basis of a belief in Telepathy, the action of which, as Mr. Myers says, +"was traced across a gulf greater than any space of earth or ocean--it +bridged the interval between spirits incarnate and discarnate." Thus we +may look upon these Thought-Transference Drawings as supplying the +chief--perhaps the only--physical basis for a belief in one of the main +doctrines of spiritualism. Hence they legitimately find a place in the +present examination. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[64] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. i. p. 13. + +[65] A list of all the publications of the Society for Psychical +Research, with prices of the different volumes and parts, can be +obtained from the Secretary, at the Society's Rooms, 20 Hanover Square, +London, W. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +MATERIALISATIONS + + +By "materialisation," in this chapter, is not meant the production of +more or less complete portions of the human body--generally hands--a +phenomenon alleged to be frequent in spiritualistic circles. A +"materialisation" of the whole figure is meant, the production of a +figure which to the spectator appears as a new human being, so to speak, +occasionally exhibiting signs of independent organic life. Such a +phenomenon would be the most astounding that can well be imagined. I am +not in a position to offer any scientific evidence in its support. By +far the majority of the accounts which have been published of full form +"materialisations" are destitute of any evidential value, and in many +cases the circumstantial evidence for fraud is strong. Were it not for a +small number of cases which present _prima facie_ evidence of a +different character, the question of the reality of this phase of +"mediumship" would be scarcely worth raising. But the existence of even +a small amount of evidence of such a kind raises the question into a +different position, to one which reasonably demands the searching +investigation of scientific men. I propose to give one illustration only +of this better class of evidence, but it is one in which common-sense +precautions against deception seem to have been carefully taken. + +The following extracts are from a report made by Mr. J. Slater, and +published in _The Two Worlds_ of 15th February 1895:-- + + "IS MATERIALISATION A FACT? YES. SCIENTIFIC PROOF. + + "After the recent suspicions and exposures of materialising + mediums, I determined to take the first opportunity of applying + further and more stringent tests, which should absolutely + preclude the possibility of deception. For this purpose I wrote + to the Middlesbro' materialising medium, asking for a test + sitting, and stating the conditions--which he readily + accepted.... + + "The conditions were that he should strip to the skin 'naked as + he was born,' and in the presence of witnesses dress in clothes + to be supplied by me.... + + "I made him understand that after he had dressed in the clothes + supplied by me, he must consider himself in my charge, and must + not attempt to do or touch anything, or go anywhere except to + the chair provided for him. He readily agreed to this, and + imposed upon himself a still further test, viz. that as soon as + the phenomena had ceased, he would instantly place himself in + our charge, to be held fast until the light was turned up, and + the company had retired to the next room, the same process of + undressing being gone through." + +This was all carried out preliminary to a seance, and a final +examination of the room was made. + +"The light was then lowered so that we could just see each other--the +company sang a hymn, a prayer was offered, and then came the crisis--to +be or not to be? In less than a minute a form of exceeding whiteness +appeared at the opening of the curtain; I should judge the height to be +three feet six inches or a little more. We could not distinguish the +face. The form appeared twice. Then a child form appeared, its raiment +white, luminous and very distinct. Then came the well-known and lively +black child, opening the curtain with her small arms and bowing +repeatedly to us. This child would be about two and a half feet in +height. The folds of shining drapery hung from her head in gipsy +fashion, which she opened for us to see her round black face. I was +quite close to her, but did not pat her face and woolly head as I have +done before. She climbed upon the medium's knee, and then came close to +us again, and then disappeared.... + +"The meeting then concluded with prayer and doxology. We then seized +hold of the medium's hands, and held him until the company retired, and +then went through the undressing and dressing process as before, every +article of clothing being rigidly examined as removed. We then searched +the corner as before, and found all intact, and not a sign anywhere of +the abundance of drapery we had seen." + +Sixteen ladies and gentlemen present at the meeting allowed their names +to be published as a testimony to what they saw. The evidential value of +the seance depends entirely on the honesty and truthfulness of Mr. +Slater and of the two friends who assisted him in the carrying out of +the precautions taken. + +Mr. Slater had been in the York Post Office for over thirty years, and +for nearly seven years before his death in 1902 had occupied the +position of superintendent. Mr. Slater was a frequent contributor to the +newspaper press of his own district, and also occasionally to other +periodicals. He appears to have been a man of considerable intelligence +and force of character, and to have been widely respected. I am informed +by Mr. J. P. Slater, a son of Mr. J. Slater, and who is in the Post +Office at York, that the name of the "Middlesbro' medium" was Kenwin, +and that he was an "ordinary working man" in some steel works. He died +six or seven years ago. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +"SPIRIT PHOTOGRAPHY" + + +For over thirty years photographs have been taken in London, on which, +when they were developed, figures appeared for the presence of which +there seemed to be no physical cause. They appeared both with +professional photographers and in private studios. Two or three +professional photographers laid themselves out to encourage such +appearances. Others were annoyed by them. One in particular, whom I knew +personally, was greatly annoyed in this way, fearing it might injure his +business. Naturally, but unfortunately, the term "spirit photographs" +was invented. Unfortunately, because, granting the reality and +genuineness of some of the results, it by no means follows that a +"spirit" stood or sat for its portrait, as a human sitter does. +Naturally also, various explanations were soon alleged, two being, +either that the plates had been used before, and had been imperfectly +cleaned, or that the results were produced by deliberate artifice and +fraud on the part of the photographer. There is no doubt that artificial +results can be obtained in a variety of ways, which are extremely +difficult, if not impossible to distinguish from the professed genuine +article. It may therefore be said that no examination of a professed +"spirit photograph," or as we should prefer to call it, a "psychic +photograph," is sufficient to determine its nature and origin. The true +test must be sought for in the conditions under which the photograph was +taken. Very few of those who have had to do with "spirit photography" +have possessed the necessary technical knowledge, and also been +sufficiently careful, in the various stages of the process. The result +is that scarcely any of the photographs shown as "spirit photographs" +possess any evidential value. In common with several other alleged +phenomena, but little attention has been given to the subject by +scientific men, or by trained experimenters. + +The most notable exception to this which I am able to quote is that of +the late Mr. J. Traill Taylor, who was for a considerable time the +editor of the _British Journal of Photography_. The following quotations +are from a paper on "Spirit Photography" by Mr. Taylor. It was +originally read before the London and Provincial Photographic +Association in March 1893, and was reprinted in the _British Journal of +Photography_ for 26th May 1904, shortly after Mr. Taylor's death. + +"Spirit photography, so called, has of late been asserting its existence +in such a manner and to such an extent as to warrant competent men in +making an investigation, conducted under stringent test conditions, into +the circumstances under which such photographs are produced, and +exposing the fraud should it prove to be such, instead of pooh-poohing +it as insensate because we do not understand how it can be otherwise--a +position that scarcely commends itself as intelligent or philosophical. +If, in what follows, I call it 'spirit photography' instead of psychic +photography, it is only in deference to a nomenclature that extensively +prevails.... I approach the subject merely as a photographer." + +Mr. Traill Taylor then gives a history of the earlier manifestations of +"Spirit Photography," and goes on to explain how striking phenomena in +photographing what is invisible to the eye may be produced by the agency +of fluorescence. He quotes the demonstration by Dr. Gladstone, F.R.S., +at the Bradford Meeting of the British Association in 1873, showing that +invisible drawings on white cards have produced bold and clear +photographs when no eye could see the drawings themselves. Hence, as Mr. +Taylor says, the photographing of an invisible image is not +scientifically impossible. + +Mr. Taylor then proceeds to describe some personal experiments. He says: +"For several years I have experienced a strong desire to ascertain by +personal investigation the amount of truth in the ever-recurring +allegation that figures other than those visually present in the room +appeared on a sensitive plate.... Mr. D., of Glasgow, in whose presence +psychic photographs have long been alleged to be obtained, was lately in +London on a visit, and a mutual friend got him to consent to extend his +stay in order that I might try to get a psychic photograph under test +conditions. To this he willingly agreed. My conditions were exceedingly +simple, were courteously expressed to the host, and entirely acquiesced +in. They were, that I for the nonce would assume them all to be +tricksters, and to guard against fraud, should use my own camera and +unopened packages of dry plates purchased from dealers of repute, and +that I should be excused from allowing a plate to go out of my own hand +till after development unless I felt otherwise disposed; but that as I +was to treat them as under suspicion, so must they treat me, and that +every act I performed must be in the presence of two witnesses; nay, +that I would set a watch upon my own camera in the guise of a duplicate +one of the same focus--in other words, I would use a binocular +stereoscopic camera and dictate all the conditions of operation.... + +"Dr. G. was the first sitter, and for a reason known to myself, I used a +monocular camera. I myself took the plate out of a packet just +previously ripped up under the surveillance of my two detectives. I +placed the slide in my pocket, and exposed it by magnesium ribbon which +I held in my own hand, keeping one eye, as it were, on the sitter, and +the other on the camera. There was no background. I myself took the +plate from the dark slide, and, under the eyes of the two detectives, +placed it in the developing dish. Between the camera and the sitter a +female figure was developed, rather in a more pronounced form than that +of the sitter.... I submit this picture.... I do not recognise her or +any of the other figures I obtained, as like any one I know.... + +"Many experiments of like nature followed; on some plates were abnormal +appearances, on others none. All this time, Mr. D. the medium, during +the exposure of the plates, was quite inactive.... + +"The psychic figures behaved badly. Some were in focus. Others not so. +Some were lighted from the right, while the sitter was so from the left; +some were comely, ... others not so. Some monopolised the major portion +of the plate, quite obliterating the material sitters. Others were as if +an atrociously-badly vignetted portrait ... were held up behind the +sitter. But here is the point:--Not one of these figures which came out +so strongly in the negative, was visible in any form or shape to me +during the time of exposure in the camera, and I vouch in the strongest +manner for the fact that no one whatever had an opportunity of tampering +with any plate anterior to its being placed in the dark slide or +immediately preceding development. Pictorially they are vile, but how +came they there? + +"Now all this time, I imagine you are wondering how the stereoscopic +camera was behaving itself as such. It is due to the psychic entities to +say that whatever was produced on one half of the stereoscopic plates +was produced on the other, alike good or bad in definition. But on a +careful examination of one which was rather better than the other, ... I +deduce this fact, that the impressing of the spirit form was not +consentaneous with that of the sitter. This I consider an important +discovery. I carefully examined one in the stereoscope, and found that, +while the two sitters were stereoscopic _per se_, the psychic figure was +absolutely flat. I also found that the psychic figure was at least a +millimetre higher up in one than the other. Now, as both had been +simultaneously exposed, it follows to demonstration that, although both +were correctly placed vertically in relation to the particular sitter +behind whom the figure appeared, and not so horizontally, this figure +had not only not been impressed on the plate simultaneously with the two +gentlemen forming the group, but had not been formed by the lens at all, +and that therefore the psychic image might be produced without a camera. +I think this is a fair deduction. But still the question obtrudes: How +came these figures there? I again assert that the plates were not +tampered with by either myself or any one present. Are they +crystallisations of thought? Have lens and light really nothing to do +with their formation? The whole subject was mysterious enough on the +hypothesis of an invisible spirit, whether a thought projection or an +actual spirit, being really there in the vicinity of the sitter, but it +is now a thousand times more so.... + +"In the foregoing I have confined myself as closely as possible to +narrating how I conducted a photographic experiment open to every one to +make, avoiding stating any hypothesis or belief of my own on the +subject." + +Two years later, in May 1895, the spiritualists held a General +Conference in London, the proceedings of which extended over several +days. At one of the meetings Mr. Traill Taylor read a paper under the +title--"Are Spirit Photographs necessarily the Photographs of Spirits?" +An abstract of this paper appears in _Light_ (18th May 1895), and it is +printed in full in _Borderland_ (July 1895). At the commencement of the +paper, Mr. Taylor explained that light is the agent in the production of +an ordinary photograph; but he says: "I have ascertained, to my own +satisfaction at any rate, that light so called, so far as concerns the +experiments I have made, has nothing to do with the production of a +psychic picture, and that the lens and camera of the photographer are +consequently useless incumbrances." Following this up, Mr. Taylor says: +"It was the realisation of this that enabled me at a certain seance +recently held, at which many cameras were in requisition, to obtain +certain abnormal figures on my plates when all others failed to do so. +After withdrawing the slide from the camera, I wrapped it up in the +velvet focussing cloth and requested the medium to hold it in his hand, +giving him no clue as to my reason for doing so. A general conversation +favoured the delay in proceeding to the developing room for about five +or more minutes, during which the medium still held the wrapped-up +slide. I then relieved him of it, and in the presence of others applied +the developer, which brought to view figures in addition to that of the +sitter." + +In making a categorical reply to the question which forms the title of +his paper, Mr. Taylor replies--"No"--and gives various "surmises" to +account for recognisable likenesses having been obtained. At the end of +his paper Mr. Taylor says:-- + +"The influence of the mind of the medium in the obtaining of +psychographs might be deduced from the fact of pictures having been +obtained of angels with wings, a still popular belief of some, as +ridiculous in its conception as it is false in its anatomy, but still no +less true in its photo-pictorial outcome. This does not in the slightest +degree impair the genuineness and honesty of the medium, but it inspires +me, a disbeliever in the wing notion, with the belief that +spirit-photographs are not necessarily photographs of spirits. + +"A concluding word: A medium may, on passing through a picture gallery, +become impressed by some picture which, although forgotten soon after, +may yet make a persistent appearance on his negative on subsequent +occasions. My caution is that if such be published as a spirit +photograph, care must be taken that no copyright of such picture is +infringed. I have cases of this nature in my mind's eye, but time does +not permit of this being enlarged upon, else I could have recited +several instances." + +It would be extremely interesting if we could have had these "several +instances" recited. At all events, what Mr. Traill Taylor says is +suggestive, and is well worth being borne in mind by any one +investigating the subject. Some careful experiments have been made of +late years, mostly, so far as I have heard, with inconclusive, or +discouraging results. But I am not aware of any serious sustained study +of the question by any English photographer since Mr. Traill Taylor's +death. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +THE SUMMING UP OF THE WHOLE MATTER + + +In the preceding chapters the chief endeavour has been to present the +scientific evidence in favour of the reality of a mass of alleged +phenomena, so far unrecognised by science as facts. The chief object is +to arouse interest, and to excite inquiry and investigation. It is +difficult to imagine a more attractive undiscovered country than that +which lies just outside the realm of recognised science, in the +direction of such phenomena as have been under consideration. It is a +country teeming with wonders, and with miraculous occurrences of endless +variety. Miraculous to us, inasmuch as they are not subject to any "Laws +of Nature" which we have discovered. The marvel is that there is not a +rush of explorers into fields incomparably more fascinating than North +or South Pole can present, and containing more treasure than gold-fields +or diamond mines can ever yield. + +The two chapters devoted to phenomena occurring in the presence of D. D. +Home and W. Stainton Moses demand special reference. It is difficult to +imagine two men differing more widely in almost every respect. Mr. Myers +describes the even tenour of Mr. Stainton Moses' "straightforward and +reputable life" as "inwoven with a chain of mysteries, which ... make +that life one of the most extraordinary which our century has seen."[66] +He was a scholar, a literary man, and a clergyman of the Church of +England. He had no worldly ambition or fondness for what is called +"Society." Mr. D. D. Home, on the contrary, does not appear to have been +a man who could have been termed a religious character, or +spiritually-minded, nor did he give evidence of intellectual talent. But +he had gained access to some of the highest society in Europe. And yet +both men were "mediums" for these curious phenomena, to a wonderful +extent, both as regards the amount and the variety of the +manifestations. Although the two men were so different, there is a +parallelism in the phenomena in so many respects, that a similar origin +or source seems inevitably suggested. There were peculiarities special +to each, but untouched movements of heavy articles, "levitations," +lights, and sounds, were phenomena common to both. From whence does this +"chain of mysteries" come? Is the source to be sought for in +undiscovered powers and faculties of the men themselves, or in the +action of other intelligences? That is a problem which must be left. It +is outside the scope of this inquiry, which deals solely with the +establishment of physical facts. But where can any other field be found +of equal interest? Difficulties and perplexities meet the explorer in +abundance. But they exist in order to be overcome by the same steady +persistence which has attained its reward in many another direction. + +With regard to two other chapters I desire also to make a special +remark--those on "Materialisations" and "Spirit Photography." Both are +physical phenomena. But I desire to make it plain that no claim is made +of being able to present evidence with regard to either of these +subjects which should satisfy the reasonable demands of science. It may +be asked--Why then introduce them at all? For two reasons: (1) Because +the evidence in favour of both is only just outside the boundary of +scientific demonstration. (2) Because of the extreme interest of the +phenomena themselves. + +As to "Materialisations." Out of an immense mass of testimony, most of +it of no evidential value, one case has been selected where more than +ordinary care seems to have been taken. But the phenomenon is so +marvellous, especially in its more perfect alleged phases, when the +"materialised" form is scarcely distinguishable from a living breathing +human being, that the inquirer is bound to hold his judgment in suspense +until the last possible moment. + +Again as to "Spirit Photography." The term "Psychic Photography" would +be far preferable, as implying no theory. The experiences of Mr. J. +Traill Taylor, which I have selected as the sole illustration, appear to +leave no moral doubt but that under certain circumstances photographs +are produced which known laws are unable to explain. Definite and +recognisable human figures and faces are thus obtained. But this is a +very long way from proving that "spirits" sit or stand before the camera +for their photographs to be taken! + +If some trained experimenter in scientific research, who possesses an +unbiassed mind, would devote himself for two or three years to the study +of either of these classes of phenomena, it is almost a certainty that +he would be richly rewarded. Is there no one who will enter upon the +task? + +There is one large group of evidence, embracing most of the phenomena +which have been under consideration, from which I had hoped to make +copious selections, with pleasure to myself, and with interest to the +reader. No living scientist has bestowed so large an amount of study on +"certain phenomena usually termed spiritualistic" as Sir William +Crookes. As long ago as the year 1874, Sir William Crookes gave +permission for the reprint of a limited number of copies of various +articles which he had contributed to the periodical literature of the +day. These, with some other original matter, were published under the +title of "Researches in the Phenomena of Spiritualism." That volume has +long been out of print. In 1890, an article by Sir William Crookes, +under the title of "Notes of Seances with D. D. Home," was published in +volume vi. of the _Proceedings_ of the Society for Psychical Research. +He also referred to his experiences with D. D. Home, in two addresses +delivered at meetings of the Society in 1894 and in 1899. These are +reported in the _Journal_ of the Society. Sir William Crookes also +devoted a portion of his address, as President of the British +Association in 1898, to a reference to the part he took many years +before in psychical research. This portion of the address was reprinted +in volume xiv. of the _Proceedings_ of the Society. + +Considerations, which cannot be entered into here, compel me, however, +to be content with referring the reader to the publications mentioned, +a study of which will, I think, bring conviction that the scientific +evidence they contain would, even if it stood alone, be amply sufficient +to prove the reality of the alleged phenomena.[67] + + * * * * * + +We are now warranted in the assertion that we have arrived at this +position: That the careful reader is compelled to admit that the +evidence in favour of a variety of alleged physical phenomena being +undoubted facts, is too strong to be resisted. We are accustomed to say +in ordinary life, the proof of this or that is complete. The man of +science is accustomed to say in his own sphere of inquiry, the proof of +this or that is complete. Applying the same rules of evidence to +physical phenomena generally called spiritualistic, we are bound to +admit that in regard to many of them the proof of their reality is +complete. Yet these facts are not recognised by the world of science, +and are scarcely deemed worthy of any serious attention by the majority +of intelligent people. + +It may be worth while to consider for a few moments the mode in which +new knowledge enters the mind. By new knowledge is meant not extension +of existing knowledge, but facts of a new order, such, for instance, as +the rising of a heavy dining table into the air without any recognised +physical cause being apparent. The difficulty of admitting new facts of +this kind to the mind is not confined to any one class of people. +Indeed the difficulty appears to be greater in the case of highly +educated people than among the comparatively uninformed. Sir Oliver +Lodge has recently said: "What does a 'proof' mean? A proof means +destroying the isolation of an observed fact or experience by linking it +on with all pre-existent knowledge; it means the bringing it into its +place in the system of knowledge; and it affords the same sort of +gratification as finding the right place for a queer-shaped piece in a +puzzle-map. Do not let these puzzle-maps go out of fashion; they afford +a most useful psychological illustration; the foundation of every +organised system of truth is bound up with them.... It is because a +number of phenomena, such as clairvoyance, physical movement without +contact, and other apparent abnormalities and unusualnesses, cannot at +present be linked on with the rest of knowledge in a coherent stream--it +is for that reason that they are not, as yet, generally recognised as +true; they stand at present outside the realms of science; they will be +presently incorporated into that kingdom, and annexed by the progress of +discovery."[68] + +Mr. F. C. S. Schiller, in an article in the _Proceedings_ of the Society +for Psychical Research, expresses a similar thought in a different +manner. He says:-- + +"A mind unwilling to believe, or even undesirous to be instructed, our +weightiest evidence must ever fail to impress. It will insist on taking +that evidence in bits, and rejecting it item by item. The man therefore +who announces his intention of waiting until a single absolutely +conclusive bit of evidence turns up, is really a man _not_ open to +conviction, and if he is a logician, _he knows it_. For modern logic has +made it plain that single facts can never be 'proved,' except by their +coherence in a system. But as all the facts come singly, any one who +dismisses them one by one, is destroying the conditions under which the +conviction of new truth could arise in his mind."[69] + +Mr. Myers, in summing up the evidence in the case of Mr. Stainton Moses, +dwells on the importance of simple repetition. This, though practically +effective, is scarcely a scientific consideration. A fact is none the +less a fact on account of the rarity of its occurrence, any more than +the existence of a rare animal or plant is rendered questionable by the +fewness of the number of specimens which have been found. + +An interesting chapter might be written under the title of "The +History of the Growth in the Belief in Hypnotism during the last +Twenty-five Years." One episode that would be included in such a +history may be worth quoting here as illustrating the present subject. +As recently as 1891, the British Medical Association appointed a +Committee, consisting of eleven of its number, "to investigate the +nature of the phenomena of hypnotism, its value as a therapeutic +agent, and the propriety of using it." This Committee presented a +Report at the Annual Meeting in the following year. In the first +paragraph they solemnly stated that they "have satisfied themselves of +the genuineness of the hypnotic state" (!). They also expressed the +"opinion that as a therapeutic agent hypnotism is frequently effective +in relieving pain, procuring sleep, and alleviating many functional +ailments" (!). They are also of opinion that its "employment for +therapeutic purposes should be confined to qualified medical men." + +The Association referred this unanimous Report of its Committee back for +further consideration. In 1893 the Committee presented it again, with +the addition of an important Appendix, consisting of "some documentary +evidence upon which the Report was based." On this occasion it was moved +and seconded, that the Report should lie on the table. It was suggested +that the amendment to this effect be so altered as to read that the +Report be received only, and the Committee thanked for their services. +Finally, a resolution to this effect was carried. The most strongly +worded recommendation of the Report was that some legal restriction +should be placed on public exhibitions of hypnotic phenomena. This was +only twelve years ago, and was five or six years subsequent to the +publication of some of Mr. Edmund Gurney's most important series of +experiments in hypnotism in the _Proceedings_ of the Society for +Psychical Research. The "reception only" of the Report was also two or +three years subsequent to a demonstration of hypnotic anaesthesia which +Dr. J. Milne Bramwell gave at Leeds to a large gathering of medical men. +One result of that gathering was that Dr. Bramwell decided to abandon +general practice and devote himself to hypnotic work. Dr. Bramwell +says:-- + +"As I was well aware of the fate that had awaited earlier pioneers in +the same movement, I naturally expected to meet with opposition and +misrepresentation. These have been encountered, it is true; but the +friendly help and encouragement received have been immeasurably greater. +I have also had many opportunities of placing my views before my +professional brethren, both by writing and speaking;" to which Dr. +Bramwell somewhat naively adds--"opportunities all the more valued, +because almost always unsolicited."[70] + +An incident which occurred in connection with the most sensational case +of "levitation" recorded of D. D. Home, is very instructive as +illustrating the great care that is needful in estimating the value of +testimony regarding spiritualistic phenomena, even of statements made by +persons of established reputation and position. + +The Joint Report of Professor Barrett and Mr. Myers, from which extracts +were made in Chapter V., says:-- + +"Lords Lindsay and Adare had printed a statement that Home floated out +of the window, and in at another, in Ashley Place, S.W., 16th December +1868. A third person, Captain Wynne, was present at the time, but had +written no separate account. Dr. Carpenter, in an article in the +_Contemporary Review_ for January 1876, thus commented on the +incident:-- + +"'The most diverse accounts of the _facts_ of a seance will be given by +a believer and a sceptic. A whole party of believers will affirm that +they saw Mr. Home float out of one window, and in at another, while a +single honest sceptic declares that Mr. Home was sitting in his chair +all the time. And in this last case we have an example of a fact, of +which there is ample illustration, that during the prevalence of an +epidemic delusion, the honest testimony of any number of individuals on +one side, if given under a prepossession, is of no more weight than that +of a single adverse witness--if so much.' + +"This passage was of course quoted as implying that Captain Wynne had +somewhere made a statement contradicting Lords Lindsay and Adare. Home +wrote to him to inquire; and he replied ... in the following terms:-- + +"'I remember that Dr. Carpenter wrote some nonsense about that trip of +yours along the side of the house in Ashley Place. I wrote to the +_Medium_ to say that I was present as a witness. Now I don't think that +any one who knows me would for one moment say that I was a victim to +hallucination or any other humbug of the kind. The fact of your having +gone out of the window and in at the other I can swear to.'" + +"It seems, therefore, that the instance selected by Dr. Carpenter to +prove the existence of a hallucination--by the exemption of one person +present from the illusion--was of a very unfortunate kind; suggesting, +indeed, that a controversialist thus driven to draw on his imagination +for his facts must have been conscious of a weak case."[71] + +It may be interesting, in concluding this brief examination into one +branch of the great subject of "Spiritualism," to bring together a few +of the impressions produced on the minds of some of the leading +investigators. It should not be forgotten that the branch of the subject +which we have been studying may be looked upon as representing the +lowest steps only of a great staircase which ascends, until, to our +gaze, it is lost in unknown infinite heights. It is only the foot of a +ladder, to use another simile, resting on the material earth, which we +have been considering; at most the two or three lowest rungs. But to the +eyes of some, even now and here, glimpses of angels ascending and +descending are visible. + +Five names stand out prominently before all others among the earlier +investigators of the last thirty years--Sir William Crookes and +Professor W. F. Barrett, who are still with us; and Professor Henry +Sidgwick, Edmund Gurney, and F. W. H. Myers, who have gone. Sir William +Crookes' work in other directions has been all-absorbing, so that all he +has been able to tell us during the last few years, in relation to our +present subject, is that he had nothing to add to, and nothing to +retract from what he has said in the past. In his address as President +of the British Association in 1898, Sir William Crookes said, after +referring to his work of thirty years ago:-- + +"I think I see a little further now. I have glimpses of something like +coherence among the strange elusive phenomena, of something like +continuity between those unexplained forces, and laws already known.... +Were I now introducing for the first time these inquiries to the world +of science, I should choose a starting-point different from that of old. +It would be well to begin with Telepathy; with the fundamental law, as I +believe it to be, that thoughts and images may be transferred from one +mind to another without the agency of the recognised organs of +sense--that knowledge may enter the human mind without being +communicated in any hitherto known or recognised ways."[72] + +For Professor Barrett's present views the reader is referred to his +address as President of the Society for Psychical Research delivered in +January 1904.[73] It is full of interest, but is not easy to quote from. +Speaking of "spiritualistic phenomena," he says: "We must all agree that +indiscriminate condemnation on the one hand, and ignorant credulity on +the other, are the two most mischievous elements with which we are +confronted in connection with this subject. It is because we, as a +Society, feel that in the fearless pursuit of truth, it is the paramount +duty of science to lead the way, that the scornful attitude of the +scientific world towards even the investigation of these phenomena is so +much to be deprecated.... I suppose we are all apt to fancy our own +power of discernment and of sound judgment to be somewhat better than +our neighbours. But after all, is it not the common-sense, the care, the +patience, and the amount of uninterrupted attention we bestow upon any +psychical phenomena we are investigating, that gives value to the +opinion at which we arrive, and not the particular cleverness or +scepticism of the observer? The lesson we all need to learn is, that +what even the humblest of men _affirm_, from their own experience, is +always worth listening to, but what even the cleverest of men, in their +ignorance, deny, is never worth a moment's attention."[74] + +As regards Professor Sidgwick, the experimental work of the Society for +Psychical Research soon convinced him that Thought-Transference, or +Telepathy, was a fact. In an address in 1889, after speaking of the +probabilities of testimony given being false, he says:-- + +"It is for this reason that I feel that a part of my grounds for +believing in Telepathy, depending as it does on personal knowledge, +cannot be communicated except in a weakened form to the ordinary reader +of the printed statements which represent the evidence that has +convinced me. Indeed I feel this so strongly that I have always made it +my highest ambition as a psychical researcher to produce evidence which +will drive my opponents to doubt my honesty or veracity; I think there +are a very small minority who will not doubt them, and that if I can +convince them I have done all that I can do: as regards the majority of +my own acquaintances I should claim no more than an admission that they +were considerably surprised to find me in the trick."[75] + +I am not aware that Professor Sidgwick ever expressed any opinion as to +the reality of the ordinary physical spiritualistic manifestations. It +is clear that he believed a large proportion to have been fraudulently +produced. As to some psychical phenomena, his convictions were very +strong. For instance, in the final paragraph of the "Report on +Hallucinations," which occupies the whole of the tenth volume of the +_Proceedings_ of the Society, and to which he appended his name, these +two sentences occur: "Between deaths and apparitions of the dying person +a connection exists which is not due to chance alone. This we hold as a +proved fact."[76] And Professor Sidgwick speaks of this as corroborating +the conclusion already drawn by Mr. Gurney nearly ten years earlier. + +Mr. Edmund Gurney's name stands next. His earthly work came to a sudden +termination in 1888. "Phantasms of the Living" is his enduring memorial. +Although two other names are associated with his on the title-page, the +greater part of the two volumes was written by him alone. For most of +the views expressed Mr. Gurney is solely responsible. In a chapter +devoted to "The Theory of Chance-Coincidence" as an explanation of the +order of natural phenomena to which "Phantasms of the Living" belong, +Mr. Gurney says:-- + +"Figures, one is sometimes told, can be made to prove anything; but I +confess I should be curious to see the figures by which the theory of +chance-coincidence could here be proved adequate to the facts. Whatever +group of phenomena be selected, and whatever method of reckoning be +adopted, probabilities are hopelessly and even ludicrously +overpassed."[77] + +This is the conclusion referred to above by Professor Sidgwick. With +exclusively physical phenomena Mr. Gurney did not much concern himself. + +The last of the five names mentioned is that of Mr F. W. H. Myers. The +written testimony he has left behind enables us to obtain a much clearer +view of his conclusions as a whole, than is attainable in the case of +Professor Sidgwick and Mr. Gurney. The convictions which he came to in +regard to the two most notable "mediums" in the history of modern +spiritualism--D. D. Home and W. Stainton Moses--are evidence that he +believed in most of the alleged phenomena being proved realities. These +convictions are so important from such a careful and competent student +of the subject that it is best to quote them in his own words. Of D. D. +Home he said: "If our readers ask us--'Do you desire us to go on +experimenting in these matters, as though Home's phenomena were +genuine?'--we answer 'Yes.'"[78] Of the phenomena which occurred in the +presence of W. Stainton Moses, Mr. Myers said: "That they were not +produced fraudulently by Dr. Speer or other sitters I regard as proved +both by moral considerations and by the fact that they are constantly +reported as occurring when Mr. Moses was alone. That Mr. Moses should +have himself fraudulently produced them, I regard as both morally and +physically incredible. That he should have prepared and produced them in +a state of trance, I regard both as physically incredible, and also as +entirely inconsistent with the tenour both of his own reports and of +those of his friends. I therefore regard the reported phenomena as +having actually occurred in a genuinely supernormal manner."[79] + +At the same time Mr. Myers believed in the existence of a large amount +of conscious and wilful fraud, especially in professional mediumship. + + * * * * * + +There will be no fitter conclusion to this volume than a few passages +from the last chapter, entitled "Epilogue," of "Human Personality," by +Mr. F. W. H. Myers. To a large extent they are appropriate to the +evidence presented in the preceding pages. + +"The task which I proposed to myself at the beginning of this work, is +now, after a fashion, accomplished. Following the successive steps of my +programme, I have presented--not indeed all the evidence I possess, and +which I would willingly present--but enough at least to illustrate a +continuous exposition.... Such wider generalisations as I may now add, +must needs be dangerously speculative; they must run the risk of +alienating still further from this research many of the scientific minds +which I am most anxious to influence.... + +"The inquiry falls between the two stools of religion and science; it +cannot claim support either from the 'religious world' or from the Royal +Society. Yet even apart from the instinct of pure scientific curiosity +(which surely has seldom seen such a field opening before it), the +mighty issues depending on these phenomena ought, I think, to constitute +in themselves a strong, an exceptional appeal. I desire in this book to +emphasise that appeal; not only to produce conviction, but also to +attract co-operation. And actual converse with many persons has led me +to believe that in order to attract such help, even from scientific men, +some general view of the moral upshot of all the phenomena is needed.... +The time is ripe for a study of unseen things as strenuous and sincere +as that which Science has made familiar for the problems of earth." + +Coming now to more definite considerations, Mr. Myers writes thus of +Telepathy, lifting it on to an altogether higher plane: "In the +infinite Universe man may now feel, for the first time, at home. The +worst fear is over; the true security is won. The worst fear was the +fear of spiritual extinction or spiritual solitude. The true security +is in the telepathic law. Let me draw out my meaning at somewhat +greater length. As we have dwelt successively on various aspects of +Telepathy we have gradually felt the conception enlarge and deepen +under our study. It began as a quasi-mechanical transference of ideas +and images from one to another brain." This is illustrated by the +series of Thought-Transference Drawings; almost the only telepathic +manifestation which strictly comes within the scope of our inquiry +into physical phenomena. "Presently we find it assuming a more varied +and potent form, as though it were the veritable influence or invasion +of a distant mind. Again, its action was traced across a gulf greater +than any space of earth or ocean, and it bridged the interval between +spirits incarnate and discarnate, between the visible and the +invisible world. There seemed no limit to the distance of its +operation, or to the intimacy of its appeal.... + +"Love ... is no matter of carnal impulse or of emotional caprice.... +Love is a kind of exalted but unspecialised Telepathy;--the simplest and +most universal expression of that mutual gravitation or kinship of +spirits which is the foundation of the telepathic law. This is the +answer to the ancient fear; the fear lest man's fellowships be the +outward, and his solitude the inward thing.... Such fears vanish when we +learn that it is the soul in man which links him with other souls; the +body which dissevers even while it seems to unite.... Like atoms, like +suns, like galaxies, our spirits are systems of forces which vibrate +continually to each other's attractive power." + +For the further working out of these thoughts the reader must be +referred to Mr. Myers' book itself. After a few pages Mr. Myers +proceeds:-- + +"Our duty [the duty of Psychical Researchers] is not the founding of a +new sect, nor even the establishment of a new science, but is rather the +expansion of Science herself until she can satisfy those questions, +which the human heart will rightly ask, but to which Religion alone has +thus far attempted an answer.... I see our original programme completely +justified.... I see all things coming to pass as we foresaw. What I do +_not_ see, alas! is an energy and capacity of our own, sufficient for +our widening duty.... We invite workers from each department of +science, from every school of thought. With equal confidence we appeal +for co-operation to _savant_ and to saint. + +"To the _savant_ we point out that we are not trying to pick holes in +the order of Nature, but rather by the scrutiny of residual phenomena, +to get nearer to the origin and operation of Nature's central mystery of +Life. Men who realise that the ethereal environment was discovered +yesterday, need not deem it impossible that a metethereal +environment--yet another omnipresent system of cosmic law--should be +discovered to-morrow. The only valid _a priori_ presumption in the +matter, is the presumption that the Universe is infinite in an infinite +number of ways. + +"To the Christian we can speak with a still more direct appeal. You +believe--I would say--that a spiritual world exists, and that it acted +on the material world two thousand years ago. Surely it is so acting +still. Nay, you believe that it is so acting still, for you believe that +prayer is heard and answered. To believe that prayer is heard is to +believe in Telepathy--in the direct influence of mind on mind. To +believe that prayer is answered is to believe that unembodied spirit +does actually modify (even if not storm-cloud or plague-germ) at least +the minds, and therefore the brains, of living men. From that belief the +most advanced 'psychical' theories are easy corollaries." + +A few more lines in conclusion:-- + +"It may be that for some generations to come the truest faith will lie +in the patient attempt to unravel from confused phenomena some trace of +the supernal world;--to find thus at last 'the substance of things +hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.' I confess, indeed, that I +have often felt as though this present age were even unduly +favoured;--as though no future revelation and calm could equal the joy +of this great struggle from doubt into certainty;--from the materialism +or agnosticism which accompany the first advance of Science into the +deeper scientific conviction that there is a deathless soul in man. I +can imagine no other crisis of such deep delight." + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[66] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. ix. p. 252. + +[67] The references to these contributions are: _Proceedings S.P.R._, +vol. vi. pp. 98-127; _Journal S.P.R._, vol. vi. pp. 341-345, and vol. +ix. pp. 147-148; _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. xiv. pp. 2-5. "Researches in +the Phenomena of Spiritualism" will be found in the Libraries of the +Society for Psychical Research, and of the London Spiritualist Alliance. + +[68] "School Teaching and School Reform," by Sir Oliver Lodge, pp. 89, +90. + +[69] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. xviii. p. 419. + +[70] See "Hypnotism: Its History, Practice, and Theory," by J. Milne +Bramwell, M.B., C.M., 1903, pp. 36-39. + +[71] _Journal S.P.R._, vol. iv. pp. 108-109. + +[72] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. xiv. p. 3. + +[73] Ibid., Part XLVIII., 1s. (included in vol. xviii. pp. 323-351). + +[74] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. xviii. pp. 340-341. + +[75] Ibid., vol. vi. p. 5. + +[76] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. x. p. 394. + +[77] "Phantasms of the Living," vol. ii. p. 21. + +[78] _Journal S.P.R._, vol. iv. p. 115. + +[79] _Proceedings S.P.R._, vol. xi. pp. 24-25. + + + + +THE END + + + Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON, & CO. + Edinburgh & London + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Psychic Phenomena, by Edward T. 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