TheseMysteriousPeople

NandorFodor
Publisher: R ide r & C o. Published: 1934 Pages: 238 A vailability: O ut of Print

Contents
Introduction 1.RidingtheAir 2.CompetingwiththeCheshireCat StoryofMadameElizabethd'Esperance 3.TheVoiceofConfucius StoryofGeorgeValiantine 4.AMartianRevelation StoryofHeleneSmith 5.HowSirWilliamCrookescametoBelieveinSpirits StoryofFlorenceCook 6.StrangeBeastsfromtheBeyond StoryofFranekKluski 7.HisBodywasAutographedbyInvisiblePeople StoryofCharlesFoster 8.VisionsandPredictionsofthePoughkeepsieSeer StoryofAndrewJacksonDavis 9.WakingupandSavingtheLostSoulsoftheDead StoryofDr.andMrs.CarlA.Wickland 10.HeWhowasTwins StoryofFrancisMonck 11.TheGhostStorywhichStartedSpiritualism StoryoftheFoxSisters 12.TheMouthpieceofoneoftheThreeWiseMen StoryofDavidDuguid 13.TheChosenVesselofMalachaistheProphet StoryoftheRev.WilliamStaintonMoses 14.SheConvincedSirOliverLodgeofSurvival StoryofMrs.LeonorePiper 15.TheMediumofKingsandtheKingsofMediums StoryofD.D.Home 16.ReadingtheNewspaperBeforeitisPrinted StoryofMrs.OsborneLeonard 17.FromMediumtoGenius StoryofJessFrancisGriersonShepard 18.ShewasTorturedbyDemons StoryofEstherCox

19.WitchcraftMadeScience StoryofEusapiaPaladino 20.HeConvincedGladstoneoftheSupernormal StoryofWilliamEglinton 21.PossessedofthePowerOvertheSoulofThings StoryofStanislawaTomczyk 22.BeingtheInstrumentof"SpiritMagic" StoryoftheDavenportBrothers 23.FingerprintingtheSpiritsoftheDead StoryofMrs.MargeryCrandon 24.TestedbyInfraredPhotography StoryofRudiSchneider 25.TheSpiritwhichmadea"Talkie" StoryofMrs.MeurigMorris

Introduction
NandorFodor THETWENTYFIVEarticlespublishedinthisbookwereoriginallywrittenforNorthcliffeNewspapers, Ltd.Theyfirstappearedinthe"BristolEveningWorld"inAprilandMay,1934.Theirclaimontheinterestof thebookreadingpublicliesinthefactthattheyfillagap.AlthoughPsychicalResearchandSpiritualism hasavastliteraturenosinglebookhasyetpresented,intheformofshortnarratives,thestoriesoffamous mediumsofthepastandpresent.Iwishtostressthatthesenarrativeswerewrittenforthegeneralpublic.It wasmypurposetoshowthattherearetruestorieswhichvieinfascinationwiththemostpopularthrillers. Alsothatitistimeenoughtoknowoftheexistenceofsuchmysteriesandtheattemptsattheirunveilingby menofscience. Myquotationsarestrictlyaccurate.Thosedesiringgeneralandspecificinformationonthesubjectsinvolved shouldconsultmy"EncyclopaediaofPsychicScience"inwhich,underalphabeticalheadings,theywillfind summariesofalltheexperimentalfindingsofPsychicalResearchanditshistory. NandorFodor,L.L.D. London,September1st.

Chapter1:RidingtheAir
NandorFodor THEIMPOSSIBLEofyesterdayistheacceptedfactoftoday. Scientificprogresshasdonethat.Ithassweptawayournaturalresistancetonoveldiscoveries. Wehavebecomeusedtothefantastic.Recentexperiencehastaughtustocallnothingimpossibleinthe realmofphysicalscience. Weallbelieveinmiracleswhentheyarematerialmiracles:thediscoveriesandachievementsofscientists. Butassoonasitcomestopsychologicalfindings,tothediscoveriesofthemind,tothelatentpowersofthe humansoul,weareonourguardatonceinfact,mostofusarefranklysceptical. Astrangeparadox.Forwhereasourscientificagehardlyhasapastofahundredyears,thepowersofthe soulwerewithusinBiblicaldaysandhaveleftatrailoflightdownthecorridorsoftime. Willtherebeascienceofthesoul?Amomentousquestion. Ifthereisbutagermoftruthinallthewondersascribedtomysteriouspsychicfaculties,weareonthe thresholdofanewworld. Anditseemsasiforthodoxsciencewereabouttoadmittheexistenceofavastunchartedsea,thoughit instantlyrecoilsfromtheformidableclaimsitisaskedtoface. TheMiracleoftheAbyss ThinkofthestaggeringdemandwhichDr.Cannon'sturbulentbook,TheInvisibleInfluence,makesonyour imagination. ThelearneddoctorhasbarelyescapedsuspensionfromtheColneyHatchMentalHomeoftheLondon CountyCouncilbecauseofthisamazingrecordofhisexperiencesinTibet. Heacquaintsuswithanewformoflocomotion:levitationoveranunbridgedabyss ,agulffiftyfeetwidewith aroaringriveratthebottom300feetbelow. WereadofamysteriousKnightCommanderinglowingscarletrobes.Hestandsontheothersideofthe chasmandgivesinstructionsastohowtheyshouldcrossthegulfbylevitation. "Withinthecourseofafewhours,"saysDr.Cannon,"wehadmadeourbodilystatefitto allowofthisgreatmiraculoustransportationphenomenontakingplacebypurementaleffort andinanothermomentoftimewewerebothlandedsafelyontheotherside." Dr.Cannon'saccountofweirdexperiencesreceivedunexpectedsupportfromSirErnestWallisBudge,the greatEgyptologist.Hestatedinanewspaperinterview(1): "IknewanAfricanandanIndianwhocouldvanishintoairasyouspoketothem,touched them...Itwasnoquestionofhypnotism,forIwalkedthroughthespotwheretheyhadbeen standing.
(1)"DailyExpress",Jan.17,1934.

Inthesamewaytheywouldreappear,and,astheysolidified,pushmeaway." Withoutarisktosanity,canwebeexpectedtobelieveinsuchmiracles?

Wecanonlyanswerwithotherquestions. HavesuchclaimseverbeenputforwardintheWest?Whowerethewitnesses?Whatweretheconditions? Forifasatisfactoryanswerwerefoundtoeachofthosequerieswewouldbewisetoreservejudgmentat leastforthetime. AttheThirdInternationalCongressofPsychicalResearchinParisin1927,BaronvonSchrenckNotzing,a notedGermanscientist,describedthecaseofayoungmanwho,bybreathingexercises,levitatedhisown bodytwentyseventimes. TheyoungmanwasastudentofYoga,aHinduschoolofpsychictraining. Breathingexercisesappeartohaveacuriouseffectontheweightofthehumanbody.Theyformpartofthe Yogacurriculum. TheWesterninquirer,however,willdemandmoreinthewayofproof.Adipintopsychicliteratureprovides sufficientfoodforthought. ManintheAir In1886,intheSt.GermainCemeteryinParis,theylaidtorestaScotsmanwhowasoneofthemost remarkablemenofthelastcentury.HisnamewasDanielDunglasHome. Hisfatherwassaidtobeanaturalsonofanearl.Ifthestoryistruetheflightyearlwasnotapatchonhis grandson.For,accordingtonolessdistinguishedawitnessthanSirWilliamCrookes,"thereareatleasta hundredinstancesofMr.Home'srisingfromtheground,inthepresenceofasmanyseparatepersonsand IhaveheardfromthelipsofthreewitnessestothemoststrikingoccurrenceofthiskindtheEarlof Dunraven,LordLindsayandCaptainC.Wynnetheirmostintimateaccountsofwhattookplace. "Torejecttherecordedtestimonyonthissubjectistorejectallhumantestimonywhatever,for nofact,insacredorprofanehistory,issupportedbyastrongerarrayofproof." TheastonishingoccurrencetookplaceonDecember13th,1868,atAshleyHouse,VictoriaStreet,London. InastateoftranceHomefloatedoutofathirdstorywindowandcameinthroughthewindowofanother room. ThethreewitnessesheardHomegointothenextroom,heardthewindowthrownup,andpresentlyHome appearedstandinguprightoutsidetheirownwindow.Heopenedthewindowandwalkedinquitecoolly. LordAdare,laterfordDunraven,wentintotheotherroomtoshutthewindow,andfoundthatitwasnot raisedafoot.HecouldnotthinkhowHomemanagedtosqueezethrough. Hometoldhim,"Comeandsee." "Iwentwithhim,"LordAdarewrites."Hetoldmetoopenthewindowasitwasbefore.Idid so.Hetoldmetostandalittledistanceoff. "Hethenwentthroughtheopenspaceheadfirst,quiterapidly,hisbodybeingnearly horizontalandapparentlyrigid. "Hecameinagain,feetforemost,andwereturnedtotheotherroom. "ItwassodarkIcouldnotseeclearlyhowhewassupportedoutside. "Hedidnotappeartograsporrestuponthebalustrade,butrathertobeswungoutandin." Atrulyremarkableincident,wellworthyoftheviolentcontroversywhicharoseoveritinlateryears.

ToLordLindsayweowetwoaccounts.Onein1869,anotherin1871. Inthelatterhespeaksofthemoonshiningintotheroom.Thiswasaseriousdiscrepancy,asanautical almanackdisclosedanewmoononthedateinquestion.Themoon,therefore,couldnothavelightedthe room. ButLordAdare'salmost'contemporaryaccountandLordLindsay'sfirstversiondonotmentionthemoon. Whichwascorrect? Dr.W.B.Carpenter,vicepresidentoftheRoyalSociety,intimatedthatCaptainWynnenevertestifiedto havingseenHomefloatoutoftheroom.HemusthavebeendiscomfitedbyCaptainWynne'sanswertoa lettertoHome: "ThefactofyourhavinggoneoutofthewindowandinattheotherIcanswearto." Otherwritersattackedthetestimoniesonthegroundsofpoorvisibility.ButAndrewLangwastothepointin remarkingthatpeopleinaroomcanseeeveninafogamancominginbythewindow,andgooutagain, headfirst,withbodyrigid. Theaccountofthislevitationistooremarkableandtoowellattestedtobetreatedlightly.Itessentially differsfromDr.Cannon'sfeat,asHomehadnoconsciousrecollectionofwhathadtakenplace. Wefindthisthecaseinnearlyallmediumisticlevitationsandinallcasesofaerialjourneys. TheVanishingMarquise Noraresuchextraordinaryrecordsamatterofpasthistory.Thereisarecentcase,perhapsthebest authenticatedofall. ThescenewasthemedievalMillesimoCastleinItalyitsunwillingherotheMarquiseCenturioneScotto,an exM.P.andscionoftheoldestItaliannobilitywiththetitleofPrincipedelSacroRomanoImpero. In1926helostasoninanaeroplaneaccident.Griefstricken,hestrovetofindcomfortinSpiritualism.He foundhimselfthepossessorofremarkablepowers. OnJuly29th,1928,inthecourseofasitting,theMarquise,whowasthemedium,exclaimed,ina frightenedvoice: "Icannolongerfeelmylegs!" Thegramophonewasstopped.Anintervalofdeathlikesilencefollowed. Themediumwasaddressed,withoutanswerthenfeltfor.Hisplacewasempty. Theyturnedontheredlight.Thedoorwasstillsecurelylockedwiththekeyontheinside,butthemedium haddisappeared. Alltheroomsofthecastleweresearchedwithoutresult. Twoandahalfhourslateritoccurredtotheanxioussitterstoaskforinformationthroughautomaticwriting. Mrs.GwendolynKelleyHack,anAmericanauthoress,madetheattempt.Herhandwrote: "Donotbeanxious,wearewatchingandguarding...Themediumisasleep." Butthemembersofthecircle,amongthemErnestoBozzano,thedoyenofItalianpsychicalresearchers, werenottobecalmed.Finallypreciseinformationcamethrough: "Gototheright.Thenoutsidewallandgate.Heislying.Hay,hay.Onsoftplace." Theplaceindicatedagranaryinthestableyard.Thegreatentrancedoorwaslockedthekeywasnotin

thelock. Theyranbacktofetchit,andentering,foundasmalldoorwhichhadbeenpreviouslyoverlooked.Thisdoor wasalsolocked,thekeybeinginthekeyholeontheoutside. Theyopeneditwiththegreatestcaution.Onaheapofhayandoatsthemediumwascomfortablylying immersedinaprofoundsleep. Whenhefirstregainedconsciousnessandfoundhimselfinthestablehefearedthathehadgoneoutofhis mindandburstintotears. TheTwoPansiniBoys ThecaseofthePansiniboys,intowhichDr.JosephLapponi,medicalofficertoPopesLeoXVIIandPiusX, madeaspecialinvestigation,is,inasense,unique. ItconcernsAlfredandPaul,tenandeightyearsoldrespectively,sonsofabuildingcontractorofRuvo, Apulia. Theoldhouseinwhichtheylivedwasthesceneofstrangevisitations.Therewerepoltergeistphenomena: throwingandbreakingofcrockerybyinvisiblehands. Theelderboy,thenonlysevenyearsofage,fellintotranceandspokeandrecitedinFrench,Latinand Greek. Hewassentofftoaseminaryandthephenomenaceased. Onhisreturnin1904theterrorbrokeoutanew. Inthespaceofhalfanhour,bysomeunknownpower,bothheandhisbrotherweretransportedfromRuvo toMolfetta,adistanceofninemiles. Anothertimetheyfoundthemselvesatseainaboat,havingnoideahowtheygotthere. OncetheydisappearedfromthesquareofRovotodiscoverthemselves,tenminuteslater,beforetheir uncle'shouseinTrani,agooddistanceaway. Thechildrenhugelyenjoyedthesemysterioustrips.Buttheirparentswerebadlyfrightened. TheysentfortheBishopofBitonto.WhilethemotherwasvoicingherfearsoftheDeviltotheholyman, bothboysvanishedfromtheroom. Foronemomenttheywerethere.Thenextmomenttheyweregonewithoutatrace.Thewindowsanddoors werelocked,aprecautionwhichthemotherhadtaken.Therewasnowayoutfromtheroomexceptfora mouse. Nolightwaseverthrownonthatmystery.Italianscientiststalkedof"ambulatoryautomatism"movingina secondarystateandforgettingitwhenregainingconsciousness. Butwhataboutthelockedroom? Andhowcouldtwoboysrunninemilesinhalfanhourwithoutanyoneperceivingthemontheroad? AGiantessWhoWasSpiritedAway AnextraordinaryinstanceoftransportationtookplaceinLondononJune3rd,1871.IthappenedtoMrs. SamuelGuppy,afamousmediumoftheday,withwhomDr.AlfredRussellWallace,codiscovererwith Darwinoftheprincipleofnaturalselection,hadsittingsforyears. FromherhomeinHighbury,bysomeinvisiblepower,shewaswhiskedawaytothehouseofCharles

Williams,anothermedium,at61,Lamb'sConduitStreet,adistanceofoverthreemiles. Shedroppeddownlikealogonthetopofatablearoundwhich,closelypacked,tenpeopleweresittingina sance. Theywerehavinganamiablechatwith"KatieKing",thefamousspiritguidewithwhomSirWilliamCrookes wastohavebeenphotographedarminarm. Someoneasked"KatieKing"tobringsomething.Anothersitterjokinglyobserved: "IwishyouwouldbringMrs.Guppy." Athirdsitterprotested: "Goodgracious,Ihopenot.SheisoneofthebiggestwomeninLondon!" "KatieKing's''voicecriedaloudinthedark: "Iwill,Iwill,Iwill." Threeminuteshadhardlypassedwhensomeonecriedout: "GoodGod,thereissomethingonmyhead." Therewasaheavythud.Oneortwoscreams.Amatchwasstruck. TherewasMrs.Guppyonthetable. Shewasperfectlymotionless,inastateoftrance. Shewasarrayedinaloosedressinggown,inamoreorlessdecolletecondition,withbedroomslipperson herfeet. Onearmwasrigidlyheldoverhereyes,theotherhungbyherside,holdingapenwetwithink. Greatfearswereentertainedforherhealth.Butsherecoveredconsciousness,shookofftheeffectofthe shockandjoinedthesitting. Fromtheceilingherboots,hatandclothesdroppeddownpiecebypiece,alsoalotofflowers. Theflowerswereherownpsychiccontribution.Shecouldproduceheapsofflowersoutofthevoideven fullsizedsunflowerswithfreshearthclottedaroundtheroots. InquiriesatMrs.Guppy'shomerevealedthatatthetimeofhertransportationshewaswritinginherroom. Hercompanionwassittingnearthefire,makingupaccounts. Suddenly,lookingup,shefoundthatMrs.Guppyhaddisappeared.Shefanciedseeingaslighthazenear theceiling.Thatwasall. ThecasewastheoccasionofmuchdrolleryintheLondonpress.Butnothingwasbroughtforwardtoshak e ordisprovethewrittentestimonyoftenwitnesses,mostofthemwellk nownpeoplewithareputationand socialstanding.

Chapter2:CompetingwiththeCheshireCat
StoryofMadameElizabethd'Esperance
NandorFodor THECHESHIRECatkeptonappearingandvanishingsosuddenlythatitmadeAlicequitegiddy. Then"itvanishedquiteslowly,beginningwiththeendofthetailandendingwiththegrin,whichremained aftertherestofithadgone". Totellthestoryofawomanwhoallbutrivalledthatachievementandtospeakofpeoplewhobelieveinit,is toinvitetheansweroftheCat: "We'reallmadhere.Iammad.Youaremad." Youwillmostprobablycallthisamadstory. Wouldithelptosaythatitwasvouchedforbyfifteeneminentwitnesses, amongthemprofessorsatSwedishUniversities,thattheirtestimonywas collectedbyAlexanderAksakof,ImperialCouncillortotheCzarofRussia,and thatitwaspublished,asacontributiontoscience,underthetitleACaseof PartialDematerialization,in1898? IthappenedinHelsingforsonDecember11th,1895,duringasancegivenby oneMadamed'Esperance. Thesittersactuallysawthemedium'sbody,fromthewaistdownwards , disappear.Herskirtlayflatonthechair,andhertrunkappearedtobe suspendedintheairabovetheseat. Thisastonishingstateofaffairscontinuedforaboutfifteenminutes. Thelightwassufficienttoseeby,andMadamed'Esperancewasquite consciousthroughouttheproceedings. Shepermittedfivepersonstoverifythephenomenonbypassingtheirhands belowallthatwasleftofher. HowdidMadamed'Esperancefeelaboutit Hereareherownwords,quotedfromShadowland,herautobiography: "Irelaxedmymusclesandletmyhandfalluponmylap,andthenIfoundthat,insteadof restingagainstmyknees,theyrestedagainstthechairinwhichIwassitting. "Thisdiscoverydisturbedmegreatly,andIwonderedifIweredreaming. "Ipattedmyskirtcarefully,allover.tryingtolocatemylimbsandthelowerpartofmybody, butfoundthatalthoughtheupperpartofitarms,shoulders,chest,etc.wasinitsnatural state,allthelowerparthadentirelydisappeared. "Iputmyhandwheremykneesshouldhavebeen,butnothingwhateverwastherebutmy dressandskirt. "Nevertheless,Ifeltjustasusualbetterthanusual,infactsothatifmyattentionhadnot beenattractedbyaccidentIshouldprobablyhaveknownnothingoftheoccurrence. "Leaningforwardtoseeifmyfeetwereintheirproperplace,Ialmostlostmybalance.This

A se ve n fe e t high Golde n Lily which Yolande m yste riously produce d from the air at a s ance with Madam e d'Espe rance , who stands be side it.

frightenedmeverymuch,andIfeltthatitwasabsolutelynecessarytoassuremyselfwhether Iwasdreamingorthevictimofhallucination. "Tothisend,IreachedoverandtookProfessorSeiling'shand,askinghimtotellmeifIwas reallyseatedinthechair. "Iwaitedhisanswerinaperfectagonyofsuspense.Ifelthishandjustasifittouchedmy knees,buthesaid,'Thereisnothingthere,nothingbutyourskirt.' "Thisgavemeastillgreaterfright.Ipressedmyfreehandagainstmybreastandfeltmyheart beatingwildly." Thephenomenonthemiracle,ifyoulike:orperhapsyouwouldsaythetricklastedforfifteenminutes. Thenherskirtsfilledoutandherlowerlimbsappearedinfullviewofthesitters. Madamed'Esperanceendureddeepdistressduringthatexperience.Shewasillforthreemonths afterwards. Whowasshe,thiswomanofmystery? D'EsperanceisFrenchforHope.ShewasElizabethHopebymarriageMrs.Reed,ofNewcastleonTyne. Shediedfifteenyearsagoafterlivingmostofherlifeabroad. Shewonanhonouredplacebothintheannalsofpsychicalresearchandintheesteemandfriendshipof manygreatscientistsofherage. Shewas"queer"fromchildhood.Saw"shadowpeople"wheretherewasbutablankspace.Later,inthe dark,shecouldseealuminouscloudassuminghumanshapes.Shetookapencilandsketchedaform whichnobodyelsehadseen.Therecameastrangediscovery. Thesk etcheswererecognisedasportraitsofthedead. Aperiodofgreatexcitementfollowed.Madamed'Esperancestudiedforafewmonthstoimprovehernatural sketchingtalent.Butassheprogressedherpowertoseewaned.Everyattemptwasfollowedbyaviolent headache. T.P.Barkas,analdermanofNewcastle,initiatedascientificinvestigationofherstrangepowers.Asa lectureronpopularsciencehebecamedeeplyinterestedinthisgirloflimitededucationwho,through automaticwriting,setouttoprovethatallhissciencewaswrong. Adefinitepersonalityappearedtobebehindthesescripts.ItclaimedtobeoneHumnurStafford,along deadphilosopher. Foronewhowaslongdeadhewasveryuptodate.Veryminutelyhedescribedaninstrumentwhich, accordingtoAldermanBarkas,laterprovedtobethetelephone,andalsoanotherbywhichmessages wouldbeforwardedtoagreatdistanceintheoriginalhandwriting. TheremarkablereeducationofAldermanBarkaspaledintoinsignificancebysubsequenthappenings. Sittinginadarkcabinet,Madamed'Esperancebecameconsciousofacuriousdisturbance.Theairseemed tobeagitatedasthoughabirdwereflutteringabout,andshefeltasiffinethreadswerebeingdrawnoutof theporesofherskin. Thesittersinfrontofthecabinetgrewexcited.Highabovethecurtaintheysawafacewithmerry,laughing eyes,butwithoutabody. Materialization.Thatmysteryofmysteries...Theapparentbirthandfloweringintofullgrowthofhuman shapesfromthatpeculiarbodilysubstancecalledectoplasm.Abiologicalmiracle,whichisnowbeing

forcedontheattentionofscience. WitnessProfessorCharlesRichet,theworldfamousphysiologistoftheSorbonne,bynomeansa spiritualist,writinginhisThirtyYearsofPsychicalResearch: "Ishallnotwastetimeinstatingtheabsurdities,almosttheimpossibilitiesfromthepsycho physiologicalpointofviewofthisphenomenon.Alivingbeing,orlivingmatter,formedunder oureyes,whichhasitsproperwarmth,apparentlyacirculationofblood,andaphysiological respiration,whichhasalsoakindofpsychicpersonality,havingawilldistinctfromthewillof themedium,inaword,anewhumanbeing.Thisissurelytheclimaxofmarvels. Nevertheless,itisafact." IntheearlyyearsofMadamed'Esperance'samazinglifefewpeopledaredtotestifytosuchenormity. Itwassoeasytopictureamasqueradingmediumoranaccomplice.Somanytookthebullbythehorns. Therewasarush,ascream,andastrugglingspiritwasfound,notinfrequently,tobethemedium. Ifthathadbeenall,theproblemofmaterializationwouldhavebeenlaidlongago. Butthereismoreinitthanmeetstheeye. Grimexperienceshavetaughtaterriblelessonthatthephantomsarethefleshandbloodofthemedium eventhoughdistinct. Thisiswhathappened,inMadamed'Esperance'sownwords,whenYolande,ayoungArabphantom companion,wassuddenlyseized: "AllIknewwasahorrible,excruciatingsensationofbeingdoubledupandsqueezedtogether, asIcanimagineahollowguttaperchadollwouldfeel,ifithadsensation,whenviolently embracedbyitsbabyowner. "Asenseofterrorandagonizingpaincameoverme,asthoughIwerelosingholdoflifeand werefallingintosomefearfulabyss,yetknowingnothing,hearingnothing,excepttheechoof ascreamIheardasatadistance. "IfeltIwassinkingdown,Iknewnotwhere. "Itriedtosavemyself,tograspatsomething,butmisseditthencameablankfromwhichI awakenedwithashudderinghorrorandsenseofbeingbruisedtodeath." Was,then,Yolandefoundtobethemedium? Yes,shewas. Moreover,shewasseizedbecausesheshowed,atfirst,abewilderingresemblancetothemedium. Was,then,Madamed'Esperanceafraud? TheSpiritualistcontentionwas,andwithgoodreason,thatthematerializedphantomispartandparcelof themedium. TheSpiritualistsalsosaid,withlessreason,thatthegrabbingactsasaparalysingshockthatitprevents thequickdisintegrationofthephantomanditsreturn,intheofectoplasm,intothebodyofthemedium that,instead,themediumisviolentlyprecipitatedintothephantomform. Adangerousbelief,withalmostnojustification.Foritoffersasafeconductforrogues. Thereisanotherdefensewhichisfarbettertransfiguration.Thatistheclaimthatwhen"power"isslightthe medium'sfaceisbeing"builtover"bythesameectoplasmthatwould,ifample,serveforafullform.

Loversofmysteryshouldfrownatbothexplanations.Theyspoiltheglamourofthestory. ForMadamed'Esperancevowednevertositwithinthecabinetagain,buttoexhibitherselfandthe phantomsatthesametime. Shekeptfaith."Ghosts"troopedinandout.Theyworriedscepticalscientiststodeath. Madamed'Esperancegrewold.ButYolanderemainedyoungandbeautiful.Threetimeswasshegrabbed, andthreetimeswasthemediumbroughttothevergeofdeath. Thelastwasthemostharrowingordeal.InHelsingforsin1893asitterlosthisreason.Heassaultedthe phantomgirl.Therewerefrightfulconsequences.Themedium'shairturnedwhite.Fortwoyearsshewas confinedtobed. InherbiographyMadamed'Esperanceleftusastirringdescriptionofherpsychophysiologicalidentitywith her"ghosts".Itreads: "Nowcomesanotherfigure,shorter,slendererandwithoutstretchedarms. "Somebodyrisesupatthefarendofthecircleandcomesforward.Andthetwoareclaspedin eachother'sarms.Theninarticulatecriesof'Anna,oh,Anna,mychild,mylovedone!' "Thensomebodyelsegetsupandputsherarmsroundthefigure.Thensobs,criesand blessingsgetmixedup. "Ifeelmybodyswayedtoandfro,andallgetsdarkbeforemyeyes. "Ifeelsomebody'sarmsaroundme,althoughIsitonmychairalone. "Ifeelsomebody'sheartbeatingagainstmybreast.Ifeelthatsomethingishappening. "Nooneisnearme,exceptthetwochildren. "Nooneistakinganynoticeofme.Alleyesandthoughtsseemconcentratedonthewhite slenderfigurestandingtherewiththearmsofthetwoblackrobedwomenaroundit. "ItmustbemyownheartIfeelbeatingsodistinctly.Yetthosearmsaroundme?Surely, neverdidIfeelatouchsoplainly. "IbegintowonderwhichisI?AmIthewhitefigureoramItheoneinthechair? "Aretheymyhandsaroundtheoldlady'sneckoraretheseminethatarelyingunderneathof me,orunderneaththefigureifitbenotIonthechair? "Certainly,theyaremylipsthatarebeingkissed.Itismyfacethatiswetwiththetears whichthesegoodwomenaresheddingsoplentifully. "Yet,howcanitbe?Itisahorriblefeeling,thuslosingholdofone'sidentity.Ilongtoputone ofthesehandsthatarelyingsohelplesslyandtouchsomeonejusttoknowifIammyselfor onlyadreamifAnnabeIandIamlostasitwereinheridentity?" Thrillerwriters,haveyoueverconceivedofagreatermystery?

Chapter3:TheVoiceofConfucius
StoryofGeorgeValiantine
NandorFodor COULDANYOrientalscholareversanelydreamofsittingatthefeetofConfucius,listeningtohis wordsofwisdom,andhearinghimchantarchaicChineseadeadlanguageofwhichonlyabouttwelve soundsaredefinitelyknownaspronounced2,500yearsago,andwithwhichonlyahandfulofscholarsin theworldhaveacquaintanceatall? YetthiswaspreciselytheadventurewhichbefellMr.NevilleWhymant,awellknownscholar,inNewYork inOctober1926A.D. Mr.Whymant,whoisthemasterofmorethanlanguages,wasinvitedbyjudgeandMrs.WilliamCannonto meet,onOctober15th,1926,intheirapartment"somepeopleinterestedindiscussingpsychicalresearch" andkindlytohelpinterpretingOrientallanguages. NotuntiltheyarriveddidMr.Whymantandhiswifeknowthattheyhadacceptedaninvitationtoa spiritualistsance. TheyhadhadnosimilarexperiencebeforeandwerebutlittleimpressedwiththepersonalityofGeorge Valiantine,thefamousdirectvoicemedium."Hisspeech,"writesMrWhymantinhisPsychicAdventuresin NewYork "wasfarfrompolished,heseemedtolackimagination...hemadeamusingblundersinspeech ...hewas,inthatcompany,afishoutofwater." Theroomwhichtheywereinvitedtoexamineappearedtobefoolproofandfakeproof.Therewasno appearanceorsuspicionoftrickery. Theysatinthedark,saidtheLord'sPrayer,playedgramophonerecords,untilsuddenlyvoicesexplodedin theair. Thefirstone,whichprovedofscholarlyinterest,"wasroaredatfulllungforce"inpureandclearItalian,and soondroppedintoaSiciliandialectofwhichMr.Whymantknewnothing. Aftersomepersonalmessagestotheregularsitters,whichmadeMr.Whymantfeelasaneavesdropper, therecameasoundverydifficulttodescribe.Itwasthesoundofanoldwheezyflutenottooskilfullyplayed. "ThosewhohavewanderedthroughChinesestreetsintheeveningwillreadilyrecallthe sound,"hewrites. "InafewsecondsithadcarriedmebacktosightsandexperiencesintheoldCelestial Kingdom.Inthatindefinablefashionknownonlytothosewhohavesatforsomehoursonend inpitchdarknesswaitingforsomethingtohappen,Isensedtheeagerthrillthatranthroughall thepeopletheregatheredastheyheardthissoundandwaitedforwhatwastofollow. "Therewasarustlingofsilksaswomenstraightenedthemselvesintheirchairs.Therewas thesharpintakeofbreatharoundthecircle,andInoticedatthesamemomenttheheavy, languorousbreathingofValiantine,whoseposition,directlyfacingme,Ikeptintheforefrontof mymind. "Theflutelikesoundfaded,thenstopped. "Thenextsoundseemedtobeahollowrepetitionof,aChinesenameK'ungfutzuthe namebywhichConfuciuswascanonized. "IwasnotquitesurethatIhadheardaright,butIdidrecognizethesoundforsomevarietyof ChinesespeechandsoIasked,inChinese,foranotheropportunityofhearingwhathadbeen

saidbefore. "Thistime,withoutanyhesitationatall,camethenameK'ungfutzu. "Now,Ithought,wasmyopportunity.ChineseIhadlongregardedasmyownspecial researcharea,andhewouldbeawiseman,mediumorother,whowouldattempttotrickme onsuchsoil. "IfthistremulousvoicewerethatoftheoldethicistwhohadpersonallyeditedtheChinese Classics,thenIhadanabundanceofquestionstoaskhim." AsthevoicewentonMr.Whymantkeptcallingforrepetitions. "Thenitburstuponme,"hesays,"thatIwaslisteningtoChineseofapurityanddelicacynot nowspokeninanypartofChina...Thestyle...wasidenticalwiththatoftheChinese Classics,editedbyConfucius2,500yearsago. "OnlyamongthescholarsofarchaicChinesecouldonenowhearthataccentandstyle,and thenonlywhentheyintonedsomepassagefromtheancientbooks." ThelanguagebeingasdeadcolloquiallyasSanskritorLatin,Whymantdeterminedtotestthemattertothe fulllimit. HeaskedfordetailsofConfucius'lifeand"style"forparticularsofhispreoccupationsonthisearth,andset someposersofthetypewithwhichallstudentsofChinesehavewrestledintheirstudiesoftheConfucian Canon. "Allmyquestionswereansweredatonce,withoutanyposeorfumblinginfact,theanswers camesoswiftlyuponthequestionthatalltoooftenIhadtoaskthevoicetorepeatitsanswer, asIhadbeenunabletofollow. "Thevoicegrewstrongerwiththepassingofthemoments,sothatalthoughtheearlypartof theconversationwastosomeextentlostordoubtful,thesucceedingphraseswerequiteclear sofarasIwasabletounderstandthem." Hethoughtofasupremetest.SeveralpoemsintheShihKingClassicofPoetryhavebaffledthe commentatorseversinceConfuciushimselfeditedtheworkandleftittoposterityasamodelanthologyof earlyChineseverse. BothWesternandChineseclassicalscholarshavelongagogivenuptryingtounderstandthem. So,usingtheflowerylanguageofChinesehonorifics,heaskedtheMaster: "ThisstupidonewouldknowthecorrectreadingofaverseintheShihKing.Ithasbeen hiddenfromunderstandingforlongcenturies,andmenlookuponitwitheyesthatareblind. Thepassagebeginsthus:Ts'aits'aichuanerh... "IcouldcertainlynothaverepeatedanotherlineofthispoemforIdidnotknowanyoneofthe remainingfifteenlinesbuttherewasnoneedorevenopportunity,forthevoicetookupthe poematonceandrecitedittotheend. "'Readinthisway,'thevoicehadsaid,'doesnotitsmeaningbecomeplain?' "SurprisedasIwas,Ididnotintendtoletmattersrestthere." ThereisadifficultpassageintheLunYu,orAnalectsofConfucius,whichinthestandardversionofthe bookmakesnosenseatall.ButProfessorH.A.Giles,ofCambridge,gaveitbalancedsenseby suggestingbrillianttextualemendations.Thevoicehadtalkednowforabouttenminutes. "ShallIaskofonepassageintheMaster'sownwritingP'queriedMr.Whymant."InLunYu,

HsiaPien,thereisapassagewhichiswronglywritten.Shoulditnotreadthus...? "ButbeforeIcouldgeteventhedetailsofthepassageinquestion,"writesMr.Whymant,"the voicetookupmysentenceandcarrieditthroughtotheend...Youweregoingtoaskme aboutthetwocharacterswhichendthelasttwophrasesyouarequiteright.Thecopyists wereinerror.Thecharacterwhichiswrittenseshouldbei,andthecharacterwhichiswritten yenisanerrorforfou.'Againthewindhadbeentakenoutofmysails." Whymanthadassistedataboutadozensittings.Heheardaltogetherfourteenforeignlanguagesspoken. TheyincludedChinese,Hindi,Persian,Basque,Sanskrit,Arabic,Portuguese,Italian,Yiddish,Germanand modernGreek. Hecouldnotfindasatisfactorynormalexplanation. "Evenifthemediumhadbeenafirstclasslinguist,itwasmanifestlyimpossibleforhimtobe speakinginChineseandAmericanEnglishatoneandthesametime,andyetallthesitters hadheardValiantinecarryingonaconversationwithhisneighbourwhileothervoicestwo andthreeatonetimewerespeakingforeignlanguagesfluently... "Voicesseemedtocomefromthefarcornersoftheroom,outoftheverywallagainstwhich thebackofone'schairwaspressed,fromtheceiling,andfromthefloor." ThegreatChineseMysterydidnotendwithWhymant'sdeparturefromNewYork.In1927Valiantinewas tested,forthethirdtime,inLondon. CountessAhlefeldtLaurvigbroughtanancientChineseshelltoasittingintheapartmentofLordCharles Hope. Atthetopoftheshellcircularfoldsendedinasmallhollowmouthpiece. InChinasuchashellisusedasahornandisblownonoccasionsasa"call". Thesitterstriedit,butcouldproducenosoundwhatever.Yetatoneperiod,duringthesitting,fromhighup intheroom,theshellhornwasblown,andthepeculiarnoteswererenderedinthecorrectChinesefashion. Moreover,onMarch2nd,1927,inLordCharlesHope'sapartmentinLondon,byspecialarrangementwith theColumbiaGramophoneCompany,thevoiceofConfuciuswasrecorded.Itscuriousfluteliketonesrose andfellandsometimesbrokeintoapeculiarsingsongtone. Mr.Whymant,onbeinginvitedtoheartherecord,couldonlyinterpretafewsentencesbecausethevoice wasfaintandbecameblurredintherecording.Butherecognizedanumberofthepeculiarintonations.He couldgatherthemeaningoftherecordedspeechbythetonalvalues. ThevoicewasapparentlyidenticalwiththeoneheheardinNewYork. Idonotenvythetaskofthosewhowouldexplainthisamazingtalebyfraud.True,thehonestyofthe mediumisalwaysacentralproblem. What,then,wasGeorgeValiantine'spreviousandlatercareer? HewasasmallmanufacturerinWilliamsport,NewYork,when,attheageof43,hismediumshipwas accidentallydiscovered.In1923wefindhim,underthenameofMr.X,competingforthe2,500dollarsprize ofTheScientificAmerican,NewYork,fortheproductionofgenuinephysicalphenomena. Thecommitteeheardvoicesfromhighintheaircarryonprolongedconversation.Butanelectriccontrol apparatus,secretlyfixedtoValiantine'schair,failedtoregisterhisfullweightforfourteenorfifteenseconds. Sotheevidencewasruledout. InthefollowingyearremarkablethingshappenedinEngland.Insittingswithhiswife,Mr.DennisBradley, theauthor,developedthedirectvoicehimself.Valiantinecametovisitthem.Duringfiveweeksmorethan

fiftyprominentpeopleheardinBradley'shomeoverahundreddifferentspiritvoicesspeakamedleyof languagesevenCardiganshireWelsh,withMr.CaradocEvans,theWelshnovelist,beingpresent. Ayearlater,againinEngland,ValiantinesatfortheSocietyforPsychicalResearch. Thesittingswereconsideredblank. ButinBradley'shouseDr.Woolley,theirresearchofficer,heardelevendistinctandindividualvoicesfor whichhecouldnotaccount. Andhewasalsosatisfiedthatthemovementoftheluminoustrumpetintheairwassupernormal. Shortlyafterwards,evenindaylight,heheardfaintvoicesfrominsideValiantine'strumpet.Themediumwas watchedwithhawklikeeyes.Hislipsnevermoved. SuchphenomenaweretooincredibletosafeguardValiantinefromchargesoffraud.DennisBradleyalways tookupthecudgelsonhisbehalfandclearedhimofseverallightlyadvancedaccusations. Itwas,therefore,arealsensationwhen,in1931,Bradleyhimselfwashedhishandsofthisamazingman andmadeallegationsoffraud. Butsignificantly,Valiantinewasnotaccusedonthecountofthevoices.Bradleydesiredtofingerprintthe dead.UnknowntoValiantine,theplasticsubstanceintroducedintotheseanceroomhadbeenchemically prepared.Anexpertexaminationdisclosedthatthe"supernormal"fingerprintsobtainedweremadewith Valiantine'stoesandelbowandthathislimbswerestainedwiththechemical. Thatwasbadenough.Worse,however,wasthatonthefatalnightthespiritswerealsocompromised."Bert Everett,"thedeadbrotherinlawofValiantine,announcedinhisusualshrilltonesfromhighintheairthat Segravewaspresentandthatanexcellentimprintwasmade. Thispartofthemysterywasneverclearedup.Bradleyhasnodoubtthatthevoiceswereindependent. SomeofthemheheardwhenValiantinewasnotpresent.Was,then,"BertEverett",thespirit,inleague withValiantine?Theconclusionisdifficulttoescape. Andasitwouldbesheerlunacytosupposethatinthepresenceofexpertssuchpalpablefraudcouldbe committedwithoutdetection,theincidentmustneedsreflectonthecombinedincarnateanddiscarnate intelligenceoftheValiantinefamily. Theexposureaffectednotthevoicesintheleast.Shortlyafter,SurgeonAdmiralNimmohadtwosittingsin daylight.Thevoiceswhichheheardcamedistinctlyfromthetrumpetandgaveintelligentandevidential communicationsfromdeadpeople. Inthepresenceofaseconddoctorthevoiceswereheardagaindistinctlyandintelligently.Thedoctorskept Valiantine'sfaceduringthephenomenaunderacuteobservation.Theydiscoverednomovementwhateveron it. Whereandhowdoesthevoiceoriginate?Thatthephysiologyofthemediumisimplicatedisapparentfrom thefactthatthevoicesareonlyheardinhispresence. Ofthemeaningandextentofthisimplicationectoplasmicstudiesarefurnishinginformationtopsychical researchwhicharelittleshortofrevolutionizingphysiologyandpsychologyalike.

Chapter4:AMartianRevelation
StoryofMlle.HeleneSmith
NandorFodor SCHIAPARELL'SDISCOVERYofthemysteriouschannelsofMarsmadeadeepimpressiononthe subconsciousmindofhumanityinthelastquarterofthepastcentury.Thiswasparticularlynoticeableon theContinent,whereimaginationwasstimulatedbyCamilleFlammarion'spopularastronomicalromances. Theyprovidedanescapefromrealityinwonderandawe.Earlierbeliefsinotherplanetsasabodesoflife werespeedilyscrapped.Thedreamersoftheracewhoseoutlookwascrampedbytheconfinesofourplanet showedrapidadaptationtothechangeoffashionintheHeavens. InthesixtiesthehandofVictorienSardou,thegreatFrenchdramatist,"dreamed",anddrew,strange architecturaldesignsofbuildingsontheplanetJupiter.Buthenomorebelievedintheirrealexistencethan SwiftbelievedinLiliput,CampanellaintheCityoftheSun,orSirThomasMoreinUtopia.Hismantlefellon moreintrepidsouls.Itfellononeladyinparticular,whoseflightsofminddisclosedraregeniusand promisedanewrevelation.ScientistsfoughtbitterlyoverherMartianDispensation.Itwasthepsychologic sensationoftheclosingcentury. ItoriginatedinachanceremarkwhichAugustLemaitre,a learnedSwissprofessor,droppedabouttheplanetMarsinthe presenceofMlle.HeleneSmith,ofGeneva.Shewasa "somnambuliste"nowweshouldcallheramedium.Abeautiful womanatthetime(1894),"sheevinced,"wroteProf.Theodore Flournoy(1),"nothingoftheemaciatedortragicaspectwhichone habituallyascribestothesybilsoftradition.Shepresentedanair ofhealth,ofphysicalandmentalvigour,verypleasanttobehold." Professorstooktoherlikebeestohoney,andtheywereto witnessstrangehappenings.Herramblingspeechpouredforth knowledgeandconveyedinformationwhichseemedtosurpass thepowersofthenormalmind.
(1)"FromIndiatothePlanetMars",London,1901.

Martian landscape drawn by Mlle . He le ne Sm ith.

OnNovember25th,1894,inastateoftrance,Mlle.Smithseemedtoperceive,inthedistanceandata greatheight,abrightlight.Thenshefeltatremorwhichalmostcausedherhearttoceasebeating,after whichitseemedtoherasthoughherheadwereemptyandasifshewerenolongerinthebody.Shefound herselfinadensefog,whichchangedsuccessivelyfrombluetoavividrosecolour,thentogreyandfinally toblack.Shesaidthatshewasfloating.Thetablestoodupononeleg,withoutanyonetouchingit,andits movementseemedtoindicatethatitwasfloatinginaverycuriousmanner.Thenshesawastargrowing larger,alwayslarger,finallybecomingaslargeasthehouse.Shefeltthatshewasascending.Thetable commencedrappingthelettersofthealphabet: "Lemaitre,thatwhichyouhavesolongdesired!" Themedium,whowasill,atease,nowfoundherselffeelingbetter.Shedistinguishedthreeenormous globes,oneofthemverybeautiful"OnwhatamIwalking?"sheasked.Thetablereplied:"Onaworld Mars." HeleneSmiththenbeganadescriptionofallthestrangethingswhichpresentedthemselvestoherview, andcausedherasmuchsurpriseasamusement.Carriageswithouthorsesorwheelsemittedsparksas theyglidedbyhouseswereseenwithfountainsontheroofacradlehavingforcurtainanangelmadeof ironwithoutstretchedwings,etc.Shedescribedthepeopleasexactlyliketheinhabitantsofourearth,save thatbothsexesworethesamecostume,consistingoftrousers,veryample,andalongblouse,drawntight aboutthewaistanddecoratedwithvariousdesigns. TheMartianworld,initschiefcharacteristics,showedacompleteidentitywithourworld,andapuerile

originalityinahostofminordetails.Hadthisbeenall,theincidentwouldhavebeenspeedilydismissed.But itwasnot.HeleneSmithbegantosketchtheMartianlandscapesandthethingsthatwerepresentedtoher vision.ThelandscapescarriedasuggestionofJapaneselacquerandNankindishes.Soon,themystery deepened.Shetracedstrangecharactersonpaper,unlikeanywrittenonearth.Theywererevealedtobe lettersoftheMartianalphabet.Theprofessorssatup.Herewassomethingpromising.Theirinterestgrew daily.WiththepassingoftimeHeleneSmithactuallybegantotalkMartian,and,byandby,furnishedthe translationofthesentenceswhichtheprofessorslaboriouslycopied,astheywerespokenorwritten automatically.Thelanguageborethestampofanaturallanguage. "Iwilladd,"saidProf.Flournoy,"thatinspeakingfluentlyandsomewhatquickly,asHelene sometimesdoesinsomnambulisme,ithasanacousticqualityaltogetheritsown,duetothe predominanceofcertainsounds,andhasapeculiarintonationdifficulttodescribe." Therumourofthestrangerevelationspreadlikewildfire.Spiritualistswerejubilant.Thephenomenonwas boundupwith"spiritcontrol",spiritmessagesandreincarnation.ThenProf.Flournoythrewabomb. HesubjectedthecollectedfragmentsoftheMartianlanguagetoacloseandminuteinvestigation.Andit becamecleartohimthattheinventorofthelanguagehadneverknownanyotheridiomthanFrench.That theMartianphoneticswereanincompletereproductionofFrenchphonetics.Thatasaworkofart,the subconsciousconstructionofthislanguage,withallitsfeaturesofitsown,wasinfantile.Butasafeatof memory,itwasaprodigiousachievement. Thisdevastatingcriticismledtobitteracrimony.Prof.Lemaitrehadalreadyacknowledgedtheextra mundaneoriginoftheMartianlanguage.ButProf.HenryoftheSorbonnecompletelyvindicatedProf. Flournoy'sconclusions.HeshowedthattheMartianwords,withtheexceptionofaresidueoftwopercent, werederivablefromknownterrestrialwords. Themediumandmostofherfriendsrefusedtobowtothisverdict.Asiftoeliminatethedefectsofthe Martianrevelationstheentrancedmediumchangedherstellarhabitat.ShedescribedagrotesqueUltra Martianworld,thelanguageofwhichdifferedsingularlyfromtheMartian,thetallestpeopleofwhichwere threefeethigh,withheadstwiceasbroadashigh,livinginlow,longcabinswithoutwindowsordoorsbut withatunnelabouttenfeetlongrunningfromthemintotheearth.Thelanguagehadaverypeculiarrhythm, andwasabsolutelynew. Uranuswasthesubjectofsimilarexploration.Thecurioushieroglyphsofitswritingdidnotexpressletters butwords.Theideograms,however,showednoresemblancetotheobjectswhichtheyrepresented.Inthis Prof.Flournoyfoundanotherproofofinfantileimagination.Thisessentialcharacteristicofideographicwriting wasomittedbecausethemediumstrovetocreatesomethingdefyingallanalysis. AgainstthesecondsearchinganalysisthemediumfoundrefugeintheMoon.TheLunarianrevelations, however,werenolongersubmittedtoProf.Flournoy.Deeplywoundedinhervanity,Mlle.HeleneSmith brokewithhimandtheworldofscience. Thiswasagreatloss.TheplanetaryrevelationsdisclosedbutasinglefacetofHeleneSmith'samazing personality.Therewereothermysterieswhichnoscientificingenuityhadelucidated. Lifelessthingsstirredandmovedaboutinherpresence.Rapssoundedonthefurniture.Distantinstruments playedbythemselves.Objectsofunknownorigindroppedfromtheair:shellsfilledwithsandandstillwet fromthesea,aChinesevasefullofwaterwitharoseinit,Chinesecoins,branchesoftrees,flowers,and leavesofivywhichboreinlegiblecharactersthenameofthespiritcontrolwhoclaimedtoachievethese miracles. Prof.Flournoywasapsychologist.Hecouldnotexplainthephysicalphenomena,sohepushedthem aside.Andastheywerediscouraged,theywanedandsooncompletelyvanished.Whatremainedwas sufficienttoperplexawholegatheringofscientists.HeleneSmithcouldfindlostobjects,shecouldpredict thefuture,shesawspiritswhoannouncedtheirnameaudiblytoherhearing,andshesawvisionswhich disclosedtheintimatepast. "Speakingformyselfalone,"wroteProf.Flournoy,"Iwasgreatlysurprisedtorecognizein sceneswhichpassedbeforemyeyeseventswhichhadoccurredinmyownfamilypriortomy

birth.Whencecouldthemedium,whomIhadnevermetbefore,havederivedtheknowledgeof eventsbelongingtoaremotepast,ofaprivatenature,andutterlyunknowntoanyliving person?" Hewouldnotbowtospirits.Inrespectof"Leopold"(aliasCagliostro),thechiefoftheinvisiblegroup,he concededthat"itwouldbeimpossibletoimagineabeingmoreindependentandmoredifferentfromMlle. Smithherself,havingamorepersonalcharacter,andindividualitymoremarked,oramorecertainactual existence." ButhewouldnotadmithisrealpresencebehindtheautomatismofMlle.Smith.Thetheoryofasecondary personalitymadetohimamuchstrongerappeal. Headoptedasimilarattitudetowardsthegreattranceromanceofthe"RoyalCycle".Thisbeganbythe announcementthatHelenewasthereincarnationofMarieAntoinette.Periodically,themediumseemedto sinkbackintothishistoricpersonalityandenactedtheroleofthequeeninabrilliantmanner.The supernormalelementwascomparativelyscarceinthisimpersonation,butitaboundedinthe"Oriental Cycle".InthisthemediumwassaidtobeSimandini,daughterofanArabsheikinthesixthcentury,and wifeofPrinceSivroukaNayaka,lordofthefortressofTchandraguiri,builtintheprovinceofKanara, Hindustani,in1401.Aftermanyyearsofmarriedlifeshewasburnedaliveonherhusband'sfuneralpyre.To theamazementofall,HeleneSmithactuallyspokeHindustaniinthisphaseofherpersonality,andwrotea fewwordsingoodArabic.SheusedSanscritwordswelladaptedtothesituation.Theyexpresseda personalthoughtandwerenotmerelyaseriesofsenselessphrases. Afteralongandlaboriousresearch,Prof.FlournoyfoundanoldhistoryofIndiawhichconfirmedthemain facts.Theywereunrecordedinotherhistorybooks.SoProf.Flournoysawhimselfforcedtoadmitthatthe precisehistoricalinformationgivenbyLeopoldandthelanguagespokenbySimandinidefiednormal explanation. HeleneSmithdiedin1929.HercorrespondenceandotherpaperswereposthumouslyanalysedbyProf.W. Deonna,ofGeneva,inabulkyvolume(1).Fullparticularswererevealedofanew,religiousphaseinwhich HeleneSmithkeptherselfalooffromscienceandspiritualismalike.Shepaintedhugereligioustableaux visionsinwhichChrist,theVirgin,theApostlesandtheArchangelsplaydominantroles.Thisis,inherown words,howtheyweredone: "OnthedayswhenIamtopaintIamalwaysrousedveryearlygenerallybetweenfiveand sixinthemorningbythreeloudknocksatmybed.Iopenmyeyesandseemybedroom brightlyilluminated,andimmediatelyunderstandthatIhavetostandupandwork.Idress myselfbythebeautifuliridescentlight,andwaitafewmoments,sittinginmyarmchair,until thefeelingcomesthatIhavetowork.Itisneverdelayed.AllatonceIstandupandwalkto thepicture.WhenabouttwostepsbeforeitIfeelastrangesensation,andprobablyfallasleep atthesamemoment.IknowlateronthatImusthavesleptbecauseInoticethatmyfingers arecoveredwithdifferentcolours,andIhavenoremembranceofhavingusedthem,though whenapictureisbeingbegunIamorderedtopreparecoloursonmypaletteeveryevening, andhaveitnearmybed."
(1)DelaPlaneteMarsenTerreSainte,Paris,1932.

Sheseldommadeuseofabrush.Sheputonthefirstcoatingofpaintwithherthreemiddlefingersinthe samewayasifshewaspressinganelectricbell.Forthesecondcoatingshemovedthesamefingersvery lightlyfromrighttoleftandback,thusproducingaverysmoothsurface.Theoutlinesweremadebythe nails,andtheskywiththepalmofthehand. Prof.Deonnaadmitstheremarkablequalitiesofthepaintingsandsaysthattheyarefaraboveanythingshe couldnormallyproduce.Hemakesnoattempttoexplainoneincrediblefeature.ItwasahabitofHelene Smithtohavephotographstakenofthesuccessivestagesofthepictures.Toherutterdespairsomeofthe negativesofthepainting"Judas"werespoiled.Herguardianangelappearedandannouncedthatshewould witnessamiracle.Twodayslatertheportraitbegantofadeout.Thebeard,themoustache,thetearsof Judasandotherdetailsgraduallydisappeareduntilthepaintingreturnedtothestagewhenitwaslast successfullyphotographed.Thenaninscriptionappeared:"God'swill,November18,1913".The photographsweretakenagain.TheinscriptionvanishedandHeleneSmithfinishedthepictureasbefore.

Incidentally,objectiveproofwasdiscoveredthatthevisionswhichshepaintedwereaccompaniedby luminousphenomena.HeleneSmithexposedphotographicplateswhichwerefoundamonghereffects. Theseseemtoshowthataballoflighthadilluminatedtheroom,asrecordedinhercorrespondence.But,of course,theproofrestsonthegoodfaithofthemediumalone.

Chapter5:HowSirWilliamCrookescametoBelieveinSpirits
StoryofFlorenceCook
NandorFodor THEREAREcertainfactsinnaturesostrangeandsofarreachingintheirimplicationsthat apparentlynoamountoftestimonyastotheiroccurrenceissufficientforthosewhohavenotexperienced theminperson.Ifgoodfortunegrantscertainindividualssuchexperienceandtheyhavethecourageto announcethingsthatappeargrosslyincredibletothepublic,theybecometargetsofthesamesuspicion andmisapprehensionastheythemselvesexhibitedbeforetowardsothers.Apparentlynoreputationisbig enoughtoestablishfactsthatseemtoorevolutionaryintheirnature.SirWilliamCrookes,thegreatest physicistofthelastcentury,affordsanexampleofthis. Intheseventies,whenDarwin,Huxley,Faraday,TyndalandCarpenterliftedscientificmaterialismtoits peak,asetofmiracleworkersmadeLondongasp.GreatSpiritualistmediumsproducedphenomenawhich couldhaverightlydrivenanyscientisttodespair.Theywouldnotbelaid.SotheclamouraroseforaSt. Georgetogivethemthequietus.Thechoiceof"eminentmenexercisinggreatinfluenceonthethoughtof thecountry",fellonWilliamCrookes.Hedidnotpretendtounderstandthesubject.Hehadnoviewsor opinionsonit. "Iprefertoenter,"hesaid,"upontheinquirywithnopreconceivednotionswhateverastowhat canorcannotbe,butwithallmysensesalertandreadytoconveyinformationtothebrain believing,asIdo,thatwehavebynomeansexhaustedallhumanknowledgeorfathomedthe depthofallphysicalforces." Hebelievedthetimewasrapidlyapproachingto"drivetheuselessresiduumofspiritualismhenceintothe unknownlimboofmagicandnecromancy". TheenteringofCrookesintothearenawasreceivedwithjubilationinthedailyPress.Theyforesawadeath blowwhichwouldannihilatespiritualism.Expectationswereneverfollowedbygreaterdisappointment.After havingbroughtallhisscientificacumentobearontheallegedphenomena,Crookesendedinproclaiming thediscoveryofanewforceand,insubsequentyears,ofanewworldofinvisiblebeings. ThefirstconclusionwasreachedinexperimentswithD.D.Home.Inbewilderment,Crookesstatedinhis report(1): "Evennow,onrecallingthedetailsofwhatIwitnessed,thereisanantagonisminmymind betweenreason,whichpronouncesittobescientificallyimpossible,andtheconsciousness thatmysenses,bothoftouchandsightandthesecorroborated,astheywere,bythe sensesofallwhowerepresentarenotlyingwitnesseswhentheytestifyagainstmy preconceptions."
(1)"ResearchesinthePhenomenaofSpiritualism"(reprintedfromthe"QuarterlyJournalofScienc e"),London,1874.

ThosepresentwereMr.Williams,hischemicalassistant,Mr.WalterCrookes,hisbrother,SirWilliam Higgins,theeminentphysicistandastronomer,exPresidentoftheRoyalSociety,andSerjeantCox,a prominentlawyerandjudge.Theytestifiedthattheyhadseenanaccordion,placedintoanelectrically insulatedcage,floatintheairandbeingplayeduponbyaninvisiblehand,andthattheyhadseenthebeam ofacleverlycontrivedbalanceautomaticallyregisterapressureoffivethousandgrainswhenitwastouched bynomortalhand. ThesecretariesoftheRoyalSocietyrefusedCrookes'sinvitationtowitnesstheseamazingthingshis reportwasnotprinted,evenitstitlewassuppressedinthepublicationsoftheRoyalSociety,andCrookes himselfwasgrosslyabused.Hisanswertohisdetractorswas: "Amediumwalkingintomydiningroomcannot,whileseatedinonepartoftheroomwitha numberofpersonskeenlywatchinghim,bytrickerymakeanaccordionplayinmyownhand

whenIholditkeysdownwards,orcausethesameaccordiontofloatabouttheroomplaying allthetime.Hecannotintroducemachinerywhichwillwavewindowcurtains,orpullup Venetianblindseightfeetoff,tieaknotinahandkerchiefandplaceitinafarcornerofthe room,soundnotesonadistantpiano,causeafantomoveaboutandfanthecompany,orset inmotionapendulumwhenenclosedinaglasscasefirmlycementedtothewall." IfCrookes'sfirstreportwasashocktoscience,worsewasyettocome.Inthepresenceofafifteenyears oldschoolgirl,hewasprivilegedtowitnessforthreeyears,underhisownconditionsandunderthestrictest scientificcontrolwhichhecoulddevise,themostamazingmanifestationsknowninhumanhistory.No soonerhadFlorenceCook,thewondermedium,goneintotranceinacabinet,whenoutwalkedanother being,abeautifulgirl,whoclaimedtobeaspirit,thedaughter,whenintheflesh,ofSirHenryMorgan,the buccaneer.Aseemingfairytalepresentedasasolemntruth. Crookeswasapracticalman.Hehadtwoproblemstograpplewith.1)Toestablishthat"KatieKing",the wondrousmaiden,wasnotthemedium2)Toassurehimselfthatnohumanbeingcouldfindingressinto hislaboratorytotrickhim. Hesubjectedboththemediumand"thespirit"toanexactscrutiny.Hemeasuredthedifferenceintheir height,notedtheabsenceofablisteronKatie'sneck,theabsenceofperforationinKatie'sears,the differencesincomplexion,inbodilyproportions,mannerandexpression.Hehadhimselfphotographedwith KatieKingandwithFlorenceCookinthesameposition.Whilehispicturecompletelytalliedinthetwo photographstherewasaneasilyobservablediscrepancybetweenthetwogirls.AtalaterperiodKatie allowedhimtogointothecabinet. "Iwentcautiouslyintotheroom,"saysCrookes,inhisshorthandnotes,"itbeingdark,and feltaboutforMissCook.Ifoundhercrouchingonthefloor.Kneelingdown,Iletairenterthe phosphoruslamp,andbyitslightIsawtheyoungladydressedinblackvelvetasshehad beenintheearlypartoftheevening,andtoallappearancesperfectlysenselessshedidnot movewhenItookherhandandheldthelightquiteclosetoherface,butcontinuedquietly breathing.Raisingthelamp,IlookedaroundandsawKatiestandingclosebehindMissCook. Shewasrobedinflowingwhitedraperyaswehadseenherpreviouslyduringthesance. HoldingoneofMissCook'shandsinmine,andstillkneeling,Ipassedthelampupanddown soastoilluminateKatie'swholefigure,andsatisfymyselfthoroughlythatIwasreallylooking attheveritableKatiewhomIhadclaspedinmyarmsafewminutesbefore,andnotatthe phantasmofadisorderedbrain.Shedidnotspeakbutmovedherheadandsmiledin recognition.ThreeseparatetimesdidIcarefullyexamineMissCook,crouchingbeforeme,to besurethatthehandIheldwasthatofalivingwoman,andthreetimesdidIturnthelampto Katieandexamineherwithsteadfastscrutiny,untilIhadnodoubtwhateverofherobjective reality. "Toimaginethataninnocentschoolgirloffifteenshouldbeabletoconceiveandthento successfullycarryoutforthreeyearssogiganticanimpostureasthis,andinthattimeshould submittoanytestwhichmightbeimposeduponher,shouldbearthestrictestscrutiny, shouldbewillingtobesearchedatanytime,eitherbeforeorafterasance,andshouldmeet withevenbettersuccessinmyownhomethanatthatofherparents,knowingthatshevisited mewiththeexpressobjectofsubmittingtostrictscientificteststoimagine,Isay,theKatie Kingofthelastthreeyearstobetheresultofimposturedoesmoreviolencetoone'sreason andcommonsensethantobelieveherwhatsheherselfaffirms." Whatwasthepurportofthesemysteries?Howdidtheyoriginate?TheCookfamilycouldnotprovidemuch information,exceptthatMrs.Cook,themother,persuadedhersomewhatreluctantdaughtertoparticipate inthatamusinggametableturning.Somethingtotallyunexpectedandastonishinghappened.Thetable behavedlikeathingaliveandMissCookroseintheair.Thismiraclewasfollowedbymakingfriendswith thespiritualistsandjoiningtheminsittings.Butthemothersooncalledastoptothis,forMissCookwas carrieddangerouslyovertheheadsofthesitters,andinvisiblehandsstrippedherofherclothing.Soshe onlysatathomeinthepresenceofhermother,hersisterFlorence,whoalsoprovedtobeamedium,and Marie,themaid.ItwasintheCookhomeatHackneythattheentitycallingherselfKatieKingcommenced herstrangeministrationwhichwastolastforexactlythreeyears.Herfirstattempttomaterializewasmade inApril,1872.Afacelikeadeathmaskwasseenbetweenthecurtainsofthecabinet.Astimewenton,the outlinesbecameclearerandmorelifelike.Atfirstitwashollowattheback,lateritfilledout,andayearafter

herfirstappearance,clothedinabundantwhitedrapery,Katiewalkedoutofthecabinet.Sheshoweda strangeresemblancetothemediumwhich,soshesaid,shecouldnothelp.Toprovethatshewasdistinct, shechangedthecolourofherfacetochocolateandjetblack. ThecomingofCrookesdefinitelysettledherclaimtobeaseparateidentity.CromwellVarley,theeminent electricianoftheAtlanticCableCompany,designedforCrookesanelectriccircuit,connectedwitha resistancecoilandagalvanometer.Themovementsofthegalvanometerwereshownintheouterroomto thesittersonalargegraduatedscale.Hadthemediumremovedthewires,thegalvanometerwouldhave shownviolentfluctuations.Nothingsuspiciousoccurred,yetKatieappeared,wavedherarms,shookhands withherfriendsandwroteintheirpresence. Asanadditionaltest,CrookesaskedKatietoplungeherhandintoachemicalsolution.Nodeflectionofthe galvanometerwasnoticed.ThiswouldhavebeeninfalliblythecaseifKatiehadhadthewiresonher, becausethesolutionwouldhavemodifiedthecurrent. Therewereotherproofs. "Shecalledmeafterherintothebackroom,"writesFlorenceMarryat(1),"anddroppingher whitegarment,stoodperfectlynakedbeforeme.'Now',shesaid,'youcanseethatIama woman.'Whichindeedshewas,andamostbeautifullymadewoman,too."
(1)"ThereIsNoDeath",London,1891.

ThedraperyinwhichKatieKingwasclothedwasamysteryinitself.Sheoftenallowedhersitterstotouch it.Sometimesshecutasmanyasadozenpiecesfromthelowerpartofherskirt,andmadepresentsof themtodifferentobservers.Shewavedherhandovertheholes,andlo!theyweremadegood.Crookes examinedtheskirtinchbyinchandfoundnohole,nomarksorseamofanykind. Thesepiecesofdraperymostlymeltedintothinair,howevercarefullytheywereguarded.Rarely,theywere renderedenduring.Butinthelattercases,andininstancesofcarelessoperation,themedium'sdress suffered.Katieexplainedthatnothingmaterialabouthercouldbemadetolastwithouttakingawaysomeof themedium'svitalityandweakening.her.WhenMessrs.HowellandJames,London,wereaskedtomatch aspecimenofthedrapery,theywereunabletodoso.TheybelievedittobeofChinesemanufacture. ToFlorenceMarryatweoweadramaticdescriptionofKatie'sdematerializationinblazinglight. "She(Katie)tookupherstationagainstthedrawingroomwall,withherarmsextendedasif shewerecrucified.Thenthreegasburnerswereturnedontotheirfullextentinaroomabout sixteenfeetsquare.TheeffectuponKatiewasmarvellous.Shelookedlikeherselfforthe spaceofasecondonly,thenshebegangraduallytomeltaway.Icancomparethe dematerializationofherformtonothingbutawaxdollmeltingbeforeahotfire.Firstthe featuresbecameblurredandindistincttheyseemedtorunintoeachother.Theeyessankin thesockets,thenosedisappeared,thefrontalbonefellin.Nextthelimbsappearedtogive wayunderher,andshesanklowerandloweronthecarpet,likeacrumblingedifice.Atlast therewasnothingbutherheadleftabovethegroundthenaheapofwhitedraperyonly, whichdisappearedwithawhisk,asifahandhadpulleditafterherandwewereleftstaring bythelightofthreegasburnersatthespotonwhichKatiehadstood." ThefarewellofKatieKingonMay21st,1874,wasascenepoignantwithdramaandemotion.Katie, followedbyCrookes,wentintothecabinetandwokeMissCookfromhertranceanalmostunprecedented actinspiritualistichistory.TheytalkedaffectionatelyandMissCookshedmanytears.SheneversawKatie again. Atthispointonemayask,wasanyattemptevermadetoforciblydetainKatieKing?Yes.OnDecember 9th,1873,Mr.W.VoIckman,aguestoftheCooks,rushedforward,seizedherhand,thenherwaist.A struggleensuedinwhichtwoofthemedium'sfriendswenttoKatie'shelp.Accordingtotheirtestimony,she appearedtoloseherlegsandfeet,madeamovementsimilartothatofasealandglidedoutofMr. VoIckman'sgrip,leavingnotraceofcorporealexistencebehind.AccordingtoVoIckman,shewasforcibly freed.Theincontestablefact,however,wasthatfiveminuteslater,whentheexcitementsubsidedandthe cabinetwasopened,MissCookwasfoundinblackdressandbootswiththetapetightlyroundherwaist,

theknotscaledwiththesignetoftheEarlofCaithnessanduntamperedwith.Shewassubsequently searched,butnotraceofwhitedraperywasdiscovered. KatieKing'splace,afterherfarewell,wastakenbyanotherphantom,Marie,whosanganddanced.An attemptbySirGeorgeSitwellonJanuary9th,1880,tograbherwasabrilliantsuccess.Shecouldnotget away.Shedidnotdissolve.Shewasfoundtobethemedium,wearingonlyhercorsetsandflannel petticoat.Thedivestedpiecesofgarmentwerebroughtoutofthecabinetbyanothersitter.Thistimethe mediumdidnotfallill.Shekeptanotherengagementnextmorning.But,accordingtoFlorenceMarryat, followingthisexposure,shedeclinedtositunlesssomeoneremainedinthecabinetwithher.Thechoicefell ontheauthoress.Shewastiedtoherwithastoutropeandremainedthusfastenedtogetherthewholeof theevening.Marieappeared,sanganddancedjustinthesamewayasonthedaybeforewhenshewas seized. In1874MissCookmarriedCapt.ElgieCorner.Tohimweoweanamusinganecdote.KatieKingwasstill onthescenewhenthemediumgotmarriedverymuchsoshewalkedaboutthehouseandwenttobed withthemedium,andCapt.Cornerbegantowonderwhetherhehadmarriedonewomanortwo. CrookesneverfoundtheleastsignofdeceptioninMissCook.InaletterdatedApril24th,1904,onthe deathofMrs.Corner,heexpressedhisdeepestsympathyanddeclaredagainthatthebeliefinanafterlife owesmuchofitscertaintytohermediumship. Contrarytoallallegations,Crookesneverwaveredorwentbackonhisdiscoveries.In1896inhis presidentialaddressbeforetheBritishAssociationatBristolhedeclared:"Noincidentinmyscientific careerismorewidelyknownthanthepartItookmanyyearsagoincertainpsychicresearches.Thirty yearshavepassedsinceIpublishedanaccountofexperimentstendingtoshowthatoutsideourscientific knowledgethereexistsaForceexercisedbyintelligencedifferingfromtheordinaryintelligencecommonto mortals.Ihavenothingtoretract.Iadheretomyalreadypublishedstatements.Indeed,Imightaddmuch thereto." AndshortlybeforehisdeathinastatementtoLight,theleadingpsychicjournal,hesaid: "Ihaveneverhadanyoccasiontochangemymindonthesubject.Iamperfectlysatisfied withwhatIhavesaidinearlierdays.Itisquitetruethataconnectionhasbeensetup betweenthisworldandthenext."

Chapter6:StrangeBeastsfromtheBeyond
StoryofFranekKluski
NandorFodor THEFAMILIARSagainstwhomMoseswarred,wholoomuncannilyinwitchtrialsandoldtalesof mystery,havebeenrehabilitated,andtamed,underthenameof"controls"byPsychicalResearch.The ghostworld,however,doesnotalwaysrespectthedisciplineofscience,andoccasionallyinvestigatorsare visitedbyterrorsofthedarkwhichwouldchillthespineofthemosthardenedadventurer. Thereareinstancesonrecordinwhichthevisitants,whoappear tobebornintotemporaryexistencethroughtheagencyofa materializingmedium,werenothumanbeings.Theywerethe "beaststhatperish"animalswhosepresenceinspiredfear.To FranekKluski,aPole,whomthelateDr.GustaveGeley,Director oftheInstitutMetapsychiqueInternationalofParis,calledthe KingofMediums,weowethemostincredibleexperiencesofthis kindwhichscientistseverhadthegoodfortunetoshare. Fortheconsiderationofthosewhowouldaccusethemof temporaryinsanitythereareflashlightphotographs,which demandanexplanation.Thebestofthesepictures(whichis The phantom ape m an of Klusk i reproducedinDr.Geley'sclassicalClairvoyanceand photographe d. Materialization(1)wastakenin1919inWarsaw.Abird,described byProf.Pawlowski,oftheMassachusettsInstituteofTechnology,asahawkorbuzzard,washeardto stretchitswingswithawhirringsound,accompaniedbyblastsofwind.It"flewround,beatingitswings againstthewallsandtheceilingwhenitfinallysettledontheshoulderofthemediumitwasphotographed withamagnesiumflash,asthecamerawasaccidentallyfocussedonthemediumbefore,andwasready".
(1)Pp.266267.

Therewasnopossibility,weareassured,ofintroducingthatbird surreptitiouslyintotheroomorhidingitafterthemanifestation.It appearedandvanishedinthewayofhumanphantoms. Therewasanother,moredangerouscustomerinchargeofa completelyluminousoldman.Prof.Pawlowskidescribestheman (anAfghannativewhocalledhimselfHirkill)asacolumnoflight. Heilluminatedallthesittersandeventhemoredistantobjectsof theroom.Thelightappearedtobefocussedinhishandsandin theregionofhisheart. "Accompanyinghimalwayswasarapaciousbeast,the Phantom bird photographe d by Flashlight sizeofaverybigdog,ofatawnycolour,withslenderneck, on Klusk i's shoulde r. mouthfulloflargeteeth,eyeswhichglowedinthedarkness likeacat's,andwhichremindedthecompanyofamanelesslion.Itwasoccasionallywildin itsbehaviour,especiallyifpersonswereafraidofit,andneitherthehumannortheanimal apparitionwasmuchwelcomedbythesitters.Thelion,aswemaycallhim,likedtolickthe sitterswithamoistandpricklytongue,andgaveforththeodourofagreatfeline,andeven afterthesancethesitters,andespeciallythemedium,wereimpregnatedwiththisacrid scentasiftheyhadmadealongstayinamenagerieamongwildbeasts."(1)
(1)"PsychicScienc e",April,1926.

TheacridscentwasverypronouncedwiththeweirdestofalltheseapparitionsthePithecanthropus,which showeditselfseveraltimes."Oneofus,"writesDr.Geley,"atthesanceofNovember20th,1920,feltits largeshaggyheadpresshardonhisrightshoulderandagainsthischeek.Theheadwascoveredwiththick,

coarsehairasmellcamefromitlikethatofadeerorawetdog.Whenoneofthesittersputouthishand thePithecanthropusseizeditandlickeditslowlythreetimes.Itstonguewaslargeandsoft.Atothertimes weallfeltourlegstouchedbywhatseemedtobefrolicsomedogs." AccordingtoCol.NorbertOcholowicz,"thisapewasofsuchgreatstrengththatitcouldeasilymovea heavybookcase,filledwithbooks,throughtheroom,carryasofaovertheheadsofthesitters,orliftthe heaviestpersonswiththeirchairsintotheairtotheheightofatallperson.Thoughtheape'sbehaviour sometimescausedfear,andindicatedalowlevelofintelligence.itwasnevermalignant.Indeed,itoften expressedgoodwill,gentlenessandreadinesstoobey...Itwasseenforthelasttimeatthesanceof December26th,1922,inthesameformasin1919,andmakingthesamesoundsofsmackingand scratching." Ofanothersmallanimal,remindingthesittersofaweasel,thefollowingdescriptionwasquotedbyMrs. HewatMcKenzie,widowofthefounderoftheBritishCollegeofPsychicScience: "Itusedtorunquicklyoverthetableontothesitters'shoulders,stoppingeverymomentand smellingtheirhandsandfaceswithasmall,coldnosesometimes,asiffrightened,itjumped fromthetableandrambledthroughthewholeroom,turningoversmallobjects,andshuffling paperslyingonthetableandwritingdesk.Itappearedatsixorsevenseances,andwaslast seeninJune,1923." Kluski'sanimalsareuniqueinspeciesbutnotasphenomena.TwootherPolishcontemporaries,Burgikand Guzyk,demonstratedsimilarapparitions.Prof.Richet,theworldfamousphysiologistoftheSorbonne, writesofasancewithBurgik(1): "Mytrouserlegwasstronglypulled,andastrangeilldefinedformthatseemedtohavepaws likethoseofadogorsmallmonkeyclimbedonmyknee.Icouldfeelitsweightverylight,and somethinglikethemuzzleofananimal(?)touchedmycheek.Itwasmoistandmadea gruntingnoiselikeathirstydog."
(1)"ThirtyYearsofPsychic alResearch",London.,1923.

Otherinvestigatorswithothermediumshavealsotestifiedtosuchamazingadventures.GambierBolton, FellowoftheZoologicalSociety,writesinhisGhostsinSolidForm: "Materializationofbothbeastsandbirdssometimesappearedduringourexperiments,the largestandmoststartlingbeingthatofasealwhichappearedononeoccasionwhenField MarshalLordWolseleywaspresent. "Wesuddenlyheardaremarkablevoicecallingoutsomeabsurdremarksinloudtones, finishingoffwithashrillwhistle. "'Why,thatmustbeouroldparrot,'saidtheladyofthehouse.'Helivedinthisroomformany years,andwouldconstantlyrepeatthoseverywords.' "AsmallwildanimalfromIndiawhichhadbeendeadforthreeyearsormore,andhadnever beenseenorheardofbytheSensitive,andwasknownonlytoonesitter,suddenlyranout fromthespotwheretheSensitivewassitting,breathingheavilyandinastateofdeeptrance, thelittlecreatureutteringexactlythesamecrywhichithadalwaysusedasasignofpleasure duringitsearthlife.Ithadshownitselfaltogetheronorabouttendifferentoccasions,staying intheroomformorethantwominutesatatimeandthendisappearingassuddenlyasithad arriveduponthescene,butonthisoccasiontheladywhohadowneditduringitslifecalledit toherbyitspetname,andthenitproceededtoclimbslowlyupontoherlap.Restingthere quietlyforabouthalfaminuteitthenattemptedtoreturn,butindoingsocaughtoneofits legsinthelacewithwhichthelady'sskirtwascovered.Itstruggledviolently,andatlastgot itselffree,butnotuntilithadtornthelacefornearlythreeinches.Attheconclusionofthe experimentamedicalmanreportedthattherewerefivegreencolouredhairshanginginthe tornlace,whichhadevidentlybecomedetachedfromthelittleanimal'slegsduringits struggles.Theladyatonceidentifiedthecolourandthetextureofthehairs,andthiswas confirmedbytheothersitterhimselfanaturalistwhohadfrequentlyseenandhandledthe

animalduringitsearthlife.Thefivehairswerecarefullycollected,placedintissuepaper,and thenshutupinalighttightanddampproofbox.Afterafewdaystheycommencedtodwindle insize,andfinallydisappearedentirely." ToreturntoourPoles,BurgikandGuzykhadquestionablereputations.Theywereprofessionalmediums. Kluski,ontheotherhand,isadistinguishedprofessionalman,apoetandwriter.Hisrealnamehasnot beenmadeknown.Inhimpowersof"physical"mediumshipcoexistwithremarkableintellectualpsychic giftswhichisararecombination.Strangepresentiments,visionsofdistantevents,andthefacilityofseeing phantoms,werehisendowmentfromearlychildhood,buthis"physical"powerswereonlyaccidentally discoveredinasittingwithGuzykin1919.Theirmanifestationannoyedhim,buthiscuriositywasaroused andheconsentedtoexperiments.LikeMme.d'Esperance,hepreservedconsciousnessduringthe phenomenaofmaterialization,andcouldgiveinvaluablesubjectiveaccountsofhisownsensationstomen ofscience,whomhewasalwaysverywillingtooblige.Therewasnofacetinhisstrangegiftswhichdidnot lenditselftothefullestandmostrigorousscientificexamination.Aninstanceofhisluminousphenomena, asrecordedbyDr.Geley,isthefollowing: "Alargeluminoustraillikeanebulouscomet,andabouthalfametrelong,formedbehindKluskiabouta metreabovehisheadandseeminglyaboutthesamedistancebehindhim.Thisnebulawasconstitutedof tinybrightgrainsbroadcast,amongwhichthereweresomespeciallybrilliantpoints.Thisnebulaoscillated quicklyfromrighttoleftandlefttoright,androseandfell.Itlastedaboutaminute,disappearedand reappearedseveraltimes.AfterthesittingIfoundthatthemedium,whohadbeennakedforanhour,was verywarm.Hewasperspiringonthebackandatthearmpitshewasmuchexhausted." AttheInstitutMetapsychiqueofParisthereareeloquentproofsofKluski'ssupernormalpowersonview. Theyincludeplastercastsofhumanhandswithfingersbentandjoined.Themouldisfineanddelicate,and thetextureoftheskinperfect.Butwhoseskin?Thatquestioncannotbeanswered.Forthehandswhich alternatelydippedintobucketsfilledwithhotparaffinandcoldwaterendedatthewrist.Theyhadnovisible owner.Whentheparaffinshellthickenedthehandfadedaway,vanished,dematerializedandleftaperfect glovebehind.Theoperationonlytookthreeminutes.Normally,itwouldtaketwentyminutestoproducea paraffinglove.Butthehand,withdrawingfromit,wouldbursttheshellatthejointsifthefingerswerebent, andatthewrist.TheKluskiglovesdefiednormalhumanproduction.Theyshowedbluespots,tracesof cholesterinwhichDr.Geley,unknowntoall,mixedwiththeparaffintohavefurtherevidencethatthegloves weremadeonthespot. TheexcellenceofKluski'sphenomenaisduetohiseconomyintheuseofhismysteriouspower.Notbeing aprofessionalmedium,heonlysitsforthosehecaresfor,andatcomparativelylongintervals.Thushe easilyrecuperatesfromthedrainonhisvitalforces.When,afteranintervalofrest,heagreestositagain, heknowsthathispentuppsychicenergieswillproducestartlingmanifestations.

Chapter7:HisBodywasAutographedbyInvisiblePeople
StoryofCharlesFoster
NandorFodor VISITORSTHATdonotleavetheirnamesprintedoncardsbutleavethemembossedinangryred whealsonthebodyoftheirhost!Hasanynovelistevereclipsedthisinfantasy? Fortheblaseindividualwhorefusestoadmittobewilderment,itshouldbeaddedthatthevisitorswere invisiblethattheycommittednooutrage,andthatthephenomenon,achieffeatureofCharlesFoster's mediumship,isrecognizedinpsychicalresearchunderthetermofdermographywritingontheskin. CharlesFosterwasanAmericanmedium.Hischequeredcareerfurnishesastrangerecordowingtohis unstablemoralcharacter,butitsstrangenessisnothingincomparisonwiththatofhisastounding phenomena. Skinwritingwashisspeciality.Hestrippedhisarmorbaredhischest.Beforethesitter'seyethenameofa deadfriendbegantoappearinraisedwhealsonhisskin. Theincidentwhichwinsforhimanundyingfameintheheartofallstorytellersrestsonthedirecttestimony ofGeorgeC.Bartlett,hisbiographer. AstoldinTheSalemSeer,acertainMr.AdamscametocallonFoster.Themediumgavehimdescriptions ofhisdeadrelativesanddeliveredmanymessages.Mr.Adamsapparentlytrailedcloudsofthedeadbehind him.Fostersawtheroomfilledwiththem,andthesitterdepartedgreatlyimpressed. Attwoo'clockinthemorningFosterwokeupBartlett.Hecouldnotsleep.Theroomwasstillfilledwiththe Adamsfamily.Hecomplainedthattheywerewritingtheirnamesoverhim. Bartlett,amusedandastonished,countedelevendistinctnamesonFoster'sbody.Onewaswrittenacross hisforehead,othersonhisarmsandseveralonhisback.Hewasscribbledalloverlikeawritingpad. AnotherentertainingstoryisoftwoscepticswhorudelyseizedFoster'sarm.Theydemandedtoseethe "trick"whiletheyheldhishand.Theywantedtheirnames.Aminutelatertheyleftcrestfallen.Inlarge,round charactersFoster'sarm"spelled"out: "Twofools!" Butanecdotescannotbeexpectedtocarryconviction.Theskinofcertainneuroticpeopleissosensitive thatifitisscratchedbyabluntinstrumentornails,lettersmayappearonitinafewminutes.Many mediumsjoinedtheirskinwritingdemonstrationswithpelletreading.Theyburntthepelletonwhicha questionoranamewaswrittenandrubbedtheirarmorforeheadwiththeashes.Suchsimpleartificecould haveaffordedampleopportunityofcovertlytracinganintendedmessagefromthedead. Inrecentyears,however,thephenomenonhasbeenestablishedasgenuinebeyondashadowofdoubt.At theInstitutMetapsychiqueInternationalofParis,Mme.OlgaKahlproducedonherskinmentally communicatedwordsandimages.ItisalsoknownfromKraftEbbing'srecordswithhystericpatientsthat writingtracedontheanaestheticrightsidemayappearreversedontheleft. Similarphenomenahavebeennotedinthestigmaticclass.TogiveanillustrationMalcolmBird,then AssistantEditortotheScientificAmericanofNewYork,wroteofhisexperienceinBerlin: "FrauVollhardtsuddenlygaveaveryrealisticshriekofpainandheldoutherhandforallto see.Onthebackofherhandwasaquantityofredmarks,someactuallybleeding...Ahandful offorkscouldnothavebeenheldinsuchamannerastoinflictthesewounds.Nosingle instrumentthatIeversawwouldhavedonethetrick,unlessitbeanutmeggrater.Theholes weresmallandround,andquitedeepaftertenorfifteenminutestheywerestillplainlytobe

seen." EleonoreZugun,theRumanianpeasantgirl,was"bittenbyDraku"(thedevil)onherfaceandforehead. WhealsonherrightarmwerephotographedattheNationalLaboratoryforPsychicalResearch(1).

(1)Proceedings,Vol.1,192729,oftheNationalLaboratoryforPsyc hic alResearch.

Ifsuchwoundsareselfinflicted,anunderstandingofthemysteries"telekinetic"phenomenawilleventually providethekey.Forthefactthatskinwritingcanbedemonstratedbydistantcontactwiththeskinwas attestedasearlyas1869,beforetheLondonDialecticalCommitteewhichheldaninvestigationinto spiritualism.ManuelEyretestifiedtothefollowingexperiencewithMrs.SeymouratWaukeegan,near Chicago: "Intrance,shewouldholdoutonearm,andwiththeforefingeroftheotherhandmadearapid motionasifwriting,themovementofthefingerbeingintheairaboutafootfromthearma fewminutesaftershestrippedoffhersleeve,andthereonherarm,sodistinctlywrittenthatit couldbereadacrosstheroom,wasthepeculiarsignatureofthespiritgivingthe communication." TheautographsonFoster'sskin,oronthatofothers,didnotendure.Theyusuallydisappearedinafew minutes.Buttheywereobservablesufficientlylongtoleavenodoubtastotheirphenomenalnature.In England,Dr.Ashburner,oneoftheRoyalphysicians,examinedthemunderapowerfulmagnifyingglass.He notedthattheywereinrelief,andthatthecolouringmatterwasundertheskin.Thecolourdisappearedafter 2or3minutes. TheeliteofthedaytookenormousinterestinFoster.LordLyttoninvitedhimtohisplaceatKnebworth. Dickens,Thackeray,Tennyson,RobertChambersandWilliamHowitthadfrequentsittingswithhim,not solelytoseeanautographbookthatwasalive!Manythings,equallymysterious,andevenmoreimpressive thanthishappenedinthepresenceofthestrangeAmerican.Thefurnituregrewrestlessifhewasinthe house.Ittossedaboutatnight,orevenindaylightinanadjoiningroomwheretherewasnoonepresent. ThisiswhatDr.Ashburnerwitnessed(1): "Mr.Foster,whoispossessedofafinevoice,wasaccompanyinghimselfwhilehesang.Both feetwereonthepedals,whenthepianoforteroseintotheairandwasgracefullyswunginthe airfromsidetosideforatleastfiveorsixminutes.Duringthistimethecastorswereaboutat theheightofafootfromthecarpet."
(1)"NotesandStudiesinthePhilosophyofAnimalMagnetismandSpiritualism",London,1867.

Healsohadsomemarvellous"materialization"experienceswithFoster. "Oneevening,"hewrites,"Iwitnessedthepresenceofninehandsfloatingoverthedining table." Ninehandsmustbelongtoatleastfivepeople.Butwhatsortofpeoplearetheywhoonlymakethemselves visibleuptotheirwrists?Whatpowerisattheircommand? Fosterwassometimesafraidofthem."Inoneinstance,"saysDr.Ashburner,"hegraspedmyrighthand andbeseechedmenottoquitholdofhimforhesaidtherewasnoknowingwherethespiritsmightconvey him. "Iheldhishand,andhewasfloatedintheairtowardstheceiling.AtonetimeMrs.W.C.felt asubstanceatherhead,andputtingupherhands,discoveredapairofbootsaboveher head." TheaccusationsoffraudfrequentlylevelledatFoster'sheadwerebasedonminorphenomena,mostlyon pelletreading,themostdubiousandnowdefunctpsychicmanifestation. Fosterwasagreatpelletartist.Hisusualprocedurewastoaskthesitterstowritethenamesoftheir deceasedrelativesonslipsofpaperwhilehewasoutoftheroom,rollthemupandputasmanyblank

pelletsastheylikedtogetherwiththeminaheaponthetable.Onhisreturn,rapssoundedintheroom. Theywereintelligent,andstoppedatcertainletterswhenthealphabetwasspeltout,andsogaveaname. Fosterthenpickeduptheverypelletonwhichthenamewaswritten,openedit,andgavehisclairvoyant descriptionsofthespirit. Partofthisdemonstrationcouldberenderedbyanyconjurer.ManyofthemcouldevenemulateFoster's feat.Nodoubt,heoftenresortedtoconjuringmethods.Aprofessionalmedium'slifeisnotalwaysa pleasantone.Heisthepreyofforcesoverwhichhehasnocommand.Periodically,hisstrangegiftmay lapsefornoknownreasonorbecauseofitsabuse.Itrequiresmoralfortitudetoconfesstoalapse.Foster hadcourage,butofthewrongkind. InJanuary,1862,ontheinvitationofAldermanThomasP.Barkas,hegavefoursancesinNewcastleon TyneAteachofthesetenpersonsparticipated.Theirnameswerekeptinaprivatebookandwithheldfrom themedium.Yetwiththesefortystrangerstheerrorsintheclairvoyantmessagesdidnotexceedthreeper cent,andtheseusuallyhappenedduringsometriflingconfusionorcontroversy.Butwhenitcametowriting outthenamesofthedepartedspirits,thespellingdisplayedthesameerrorswhichwerenoticeableonthe pellets.Suchmistakes,ofcourse,themediumcouldnothaverecognised.Butthedeardepartedwould hardlyforgethowtowritetheirnames.Iftheperformancewasgenuine,clairvoyancewouldquitesufficiently explainitwithoutcallinginthespiritsofthedead. Foster'sstayinEnglanddidnotendonapleasantnote.In1863TheSpiritualMagazinestatedthatthe editorhadreceivedfromjudgeEdmondsofNewYorksuch"sickeningdetailsofhiscriminalityinanother directionthatweshouldnolongersoilourpageswithhismediumship". TheboycottwasnoteffectiveenoughtoreachtheearsofNapoleonIII.Mediumswerewellreceivedinhis court,andFosteralsoenjoyedtheprivilegeofbeingentertainedbyhim. Buthecouldnotbestayedonthedownwardpath. InNewYork,in1872,aswereadinTruesdell'sBottomFactsofSpiritualism,hewascaughtinpalmingthe pelletsandreadingthembycontinuallyrelightinghiscigar,thematchbeingheldinthehollowofhishand. Inhislateryearshebecameaddictedtoalcoholism,andin1888,attheageoffifty,hediedindelirium tremens. Hisexitwasnotunique.Someothermediumshavesharedthesamefate.Thereissomereasonto supposethattheproductionof"physical"phenomenadepletestheorganismtosuchanextentthata cravingforstimulantsensues.Ifthemedium'sstrengthofcharacterandwillpoweristhenwantinghemay succumb. Fortheweakwilledandtheimmoraltherearedangersinmediumshipwhichmayeasilyworkhavocwith themregardlessofthefactthattheymayperiodicallyproducebrilliantsupernormalphenomena.

Chapter8:VisionsandPredictionsofthePoughkeepsieSeer
StoryofAndrewJacksonDavis
NandorFodor HAVETHEdenizensofthatinvisibleworldofwhichmediumsarethedoorkeepersever communicatedanythingnewandhelpfultohumanity? Asourageisatechnicalone,"newandhelpful"meansinventionsordiscoveries.Whyexactlyshouldthe spiritsofthedead,forsuchistheirownclaim,becomemoremechanicalmindedinanimmaterialworld thantheywerewhenengrossedinmatter,isnotquiteclear.Norwhysuchlimitationsshouldbeplacedon helpfulnessandnoveltyingeneral.Butasitisfrequentlyarguedthatnothingusefultosciencehasyetbeen revealedinsuchallegedcommunicationsandrevelationsfromthegreatBeyond,itwillnotbewithout interesttopointtosomecuriousrecordsinpsychicliterature. Theserecordsrevealthefutilityofrevelations.Theyprovethatitavailsuslittletobevouchsafedideaswhich aremorethanonestepaheadofourpresentknowledgeandunderstanding. AgreatAmericanseerpredictedthemotorcarintechnicaldetails,andalsothetypewriterabouteighty yearsago.Theworldtooknoaccountofit,andfailedtorealizethatanewscientificprinciplewasdivulged. Itpasseditbywithoutcomprehension. ThisishowthecomingofthemotorcarwasannouncedinAndrewJacksonDavis'Penetraliain1856: "Lookoutaboutthesedaysforcarriagesandtravellingsaloonsoncountryroadswithout horses,withoutsteam,withoutanyvisiblemotivepowermovingwithgreaterspeedandfar moresafetythanatpresent.Carriageswillbemovedbyastrangeandbeautifulandsimple admixtureofaqueousandatmosphericgasessoeasilycondensed,sosimplyignited,andso impartedbyamachinesomewhatresemblingfireenginesastobeentirelyconcealedand manageablebetweentheforwardwheels.Thesevehicleswillpreventmanyembarrassments nowexperiencedbypersonslivinginthinlypopulatedterritories.Thefirstrequisiteforthese landlocomotiveswillbegoodroads,uponwhich,withyourengine,withoutyourhorses,you maytravelwithgreatrapidity.Thesecarriagesseemtobeofuncomplicatedconstruction." Inthesamebookthetypewriterisoutlinedasfollows: "Iamalmostmovedtoinventanautomaticpsychographerthatis,anartificialsoulwriter.It maybeconstructedsomethinglikeapiano,onebraceorscaleofkeystorepresentthe elementarysoundsanotherandlowertiertorepresentacombination,andstillanotherfora rapidrecombinationsothataperson,insteadofplayingapieceofmusic,maytouchoffa sermonorapoem." Hadsuchideasbeensubmittedbyascientistthelaterinventorsmighthavebeenaccusedofplagiarism. ButAndrewJacksonDavis,thePoughkeepsieseer,wasashoemaker'sapprentice.Uptotheageof16he receivednoeducation.Washe,then,ageniuswhocouldmakeupforeducationaldefectstoanastounding degree?Thishedid,butthroughnoearthlylearning. In1844hepassedthroughastrangeexperience.Inastateofsemitrancehewanderedawayfromhome andfoundhimself,nextmorning,fortymilesdistantinthemountains.Herehemet,whetherawakeor adream,twovenerablemenwhomhelateridentifiedasGalenandSwedenborg.Themeetingsethissoul afire.Withanilluminatedmindtheboyofeighteenreturnedfromthemountainsandbecametheapostleofa newphilosophy. Ayearlaterinmagnetictrancehecommencedtodictateamonumentalwork:ThePrinciplesofNature,her DivineRevelations,andaVoicetoMank ind.ForfifteenmonthsDr.Lyon,hismagnetizer,repeatedeach sentenceasheutteredit,andtheRev.Fishbough,thescribe,tookthemdown,restrictinghimselfto grammaticalcorrectionsonly.Dr.GeorgeBush,ProfessorofHebrewatNewYorkUniversity,heardDavis

quotecorrectHebrew,andheestablishedtheseer'sgoodfaithbyimpromptuquestionsputtohimwhilein thestateoftrance.Hisopiniononthebookwas: "Takenasawholetheworkisaprofoundandelaboratediscussionofthephilosophyofthe universe,andforgrandeurofconception,soundnessofprinciple,clearnessofillustration, orderofarrangementandencyclopaedicrangeofsubjects,Iknownoworkofanysinglemind thatwillbearawayfromitthepalm." OwingtoProf.Bush'senthusiastictestimony,thebookwasreceivedwithenormousinterest,andpassed through34successiveeditions.Itsoriginalityhasneverbeencontested.Butsomeanalyticalinvestigations revealedstrangecoincidences.TheRevelations ,forthemostpart,expressedSwedenborg'sviews,the languagewas,inseveralcases,"allbutabsolutelyverbal",oridenticalwiththatofSwedenborg. WasthisproofofDavis'claimthatSwedenborghimselfpossessedhimwhilehewasintrance?Ifnot,by whatsortofreconditementalprocesscouldanignorantcountryboygetholdofthecontentsofmustyold booksoftheveryexistenceofwhichhemusthavebeenunaware? Someastronomicalstatementspresentastillgreaterpuzzle.WritinginMarch,1846,Davisspeaksofnine planets.Sevenwereknownatthetime.Theexistenceoftheeighthwasyethypothetical.Itwasonly discoveredinSeptember,1846,vindicatingcompletelythecalculationsofLeverrier.Butsixmonthspriorto thisdiscoveryDavisrevealedtheplanet'sdensity.Hisstatementagreedwithlaterfindings.Theninthplanet, Pluto,wasonlyputlastyearontheheavenlymap.Anditstillawaitsverificationthatthereisagreatcentral sunintheimmensityofspacearoundwhichoursolarsystemandallthefixedstarsrevolve. Otherstatementsmightbeconsideredhighlyquestionableorabsurd.LikeSwedenborg,Davisclaimedthat theplanets,withtheexceptionofthethreeouterones,wereallinhabited.OnSaturn,heputamore advancedhumanitythanours.OnVenusandMercuryaninferiorone.ThecanalsofMarswereyet undiscoveredinhisage.TheplanetMars,inconsequence,receivesnoconspicuousattention. ThebookmadeDavisfamous,bothasamediumandasaphilosopher.Hisnextbigwork,TheGreat Harmonia,passedthroughfortyeditions.ThereisawealthofthoughtinDavis'harmonialphilosophywhich, strangelyenough,hasonlybeenharvestedinEnglandbyW.H.Evanswho,too,roseintoseershipfromthe shoemaker'sbench. ThequestiontowhomshouldDavis'greatliteraryactivitybeascribed,tohimselfortoagenciesoutofflesh, isanintriguingproblem.ForafterhisfirstmonumentalworkDavisdispensedwiththeservicesofhis magnetizer.Byavoluntaryefforthecouldthrowhimselfina"superiorcondition".Hecouldfeel,seeand perceivethingsnotopentomortaleyes.Returningtothenormalstate,herememberedallhisinner perceptionsandsimplywrotethemdown. Of"physicalphenomena"heknewalmostnothing.Hewasapurelymentalmedium,agreatclairvoyant,a forerunnerofModemSpiritualism.Hisdescriptionofhowthesoulpassesoutofthebodyatdeathisthefirst suchrecord,andisstillquotedasaclassic.ItwaspublishedinhisDeathandtheAfterLife,andreads: "Supposethepersonisnowdying.Itistobearapiddeath.Thefeetfirstgrowcold.The clairvoyantseesrightovertheheadwhatmaybecalledamagnetichalo,anethereal emanation,inappearancegolden,andthrobbingasthoughconscious.Thebodyisnowcold uptothekneesandelbows,andtheemanationhasascendedhigherintheair.Thelegsare coldtothehipsandthearmstotheshouldersandtheemanation,thoughithasnotrisen higherintheroom,ismoreexpanded.Thedeathcoldnessstealsoverthebreastandaround oneitherside,andtheemanationhasattainedahigherpositionneartheceiling.Theperson hasceasedtobreathe,thepulseisstill,andtheemanationiselongatedandfashionedinthe outlineofthehumanform.Beneathitisconnectedwiththebrain.Theheadofthepersonis internallythrobbingaslow,deepthrobnotpainful,likethebeatofthesea.Hence,the thinkingfacultiesarerational,whilenearlyeverypartofthepersonisdead.Owingtothe brain'smomentum,Ihaveseenadyingperson,evenatthelastfeeblepulsebeat,rouse impulsivelyandriseupinbedtoconversewithafriendbutthenextinstanthewasgonehis brainbeingthelasttoyieldupthelifeprinciple.Thegoldenemanation,whichextendsup midwaytotheceiling,isconnectedwiththebrainbyaveryfinelifethread.Nowthebodyof theemanationascends.Thenappearssomethingwhiteandshining,likeahumanheadnext,

inaveryfewmoments,afaintoutlineofthefacedivinethenthefairneckandbeautiful shouldersthen,inrapidsuccession,comeallpartsofthenewbodydowntothefeeta bright,shiningimage,alittlesmallerthanitsphysicalbody,butaperfectprototype,or reproductioninall,exceptitsdisfigurements.Thefinelifethreadcontinuesattachedtotheold brain.Thenextthingisthewithdrawaloftheelectricprinciple.Whenthisthread"snaps"the spiritualbodyisfreeandpreparedtoaccompanyitsguardianstotheSummerLand.Yes, thereisaspiritualbodyitissownindishonourandraisedinbrightness." Sincethen,Davis'descriptionoftheemergenceofthespiritualbodyhasbeenborneoutbymanycurious andsensationalexperiences. InhislateyearsthePoughkeepsieseerkeptasmallbookshopinBoston.Hesatatthecounterandina littlebackroomprescribedherbalremedies,notasaquackbutasaprofessionaldoctor.Suchwonderful educationdidhereceiveathisinvisibleuniversitythatamedicaldegreewasgrantedtohimmanyyears before.Actually,hewasapractitionerfromthefirstyearsofhismediumship.HehadXrayeyes.Theysaw throughthepatient'sbodyandlocatedthecentresofillnessatonce. DidheretainSwedenborgasaguideorinspirertohisdyingday?Ordidheundergoaradicalchangeof views?ThequestionissuggestedbyanepisodetoldbyAnthonyPhilpot,anAmericanjournalist,inThe QuestforDeanBridgmanConner. Prof.Lutoslawsky,oftheUniversityofKrakow,adistinguishedPolishpsychologistandmystic,wasthe guestofProf.WilliamJamesinAmericain1907.HereadthebooksofA.J.Davisandbelievedhimtobe dead. "WhenIassuredhim,"writesPhilpot,"thatDr.Daviswasaliveatthetime,bothheandProf. Jameswereastonished...ThenProf.Lutoslawskysaid:'Imustseehim.Iwouldrathermeet himthananymaninAmerica.' "SoImadeanappointmentwithDr.Davis,andtwodayslaterItookProf.Lutoslawskytothe littleofficeintherearofthestoreonWarrenAve.,andintroducedhimtothemanhewould rathermeet'thananymaninAmerica'. "Theylookedateachotherforamomentastheyclaspedhands,andthenProf.Lutoslawsky exclaimed:'Why,youareSwedenborg!' "'Yes,Iam,'saidDr.Davisinamostoffhandwayasheturnedtoplaceabottleononeofthe shelves.ProfessorLutoslawskywasspeechlessforsomemomentsandIstoodtherelooking atthemboth,toseeiftheywerejoking.Butno,theywerebothveryseriousandsilent.Then ProfessorLutoslawskysaid: "'Howlongareyougoingtoremainwithus?' "'Letmesee,'saidDr.Davisashelookedthoughtfullyaboutthelittleroom.'Ihavechores enoughtodothatwilltakemeaboutthreeyears.AboutthreemoreyearsandthenI'llbe readytogo.'Andhewentonarranginghisbottlesagainverycalmly. "'Chores?Chores?'saidProfessorLutoslawsky,withapuzzledlookonhisface.'Whatdoyou meanbychores?'Itwasevidentlyanewwordtohim. "Dr.Davisexplainedthathemeantworkworkthatwouldtakehimaboutthreeyearsto finish. "'Oh,nowIunderstand,'saidProfessorLutoslawsky.'Thenyouaregoingtoleaveusinthree years?' "ThevenerableDr.Davishewasthenabouteightyyearsofagenoddedhishead. "Thewholethingmadearathercuriousimpressiononmeatthemoment,andIwonderedif ProfessorLutoslawskyreallybelievedthatDr.DaviswasareincarnationofSwedenborg,and

whetherDr.Davisbelievedithimself.ButtheywerebothveryseriousandIsaidnothing." Sequel:A.J.Davisdiedin1910,threeyearslater,thoughnotexactlytotheday.

Chapter9:WakingUpandSavingtheLostSoulsoftheDead
StoryofDr.andMrs.CarlA.Wickland
NandorFodor ADOCTORmaygetmanyshocksinthepursuanceofhisprofessionalduties,butnoworseone couldbeimaginedthantobesuddenlyaddressedandreprimandedbyacorpsewhichhewasaboutto dissect. ThatthedoctorinthecaseneednothavebeennecessarilydrunkorinsaneisthesolemnpleaofDr.CarlA. Wickland,memberoftheChicagoMedicalSociety,oftheAmericanAssociationfortheAdvancementof Science,andDirectoroftheNationalPsychologicalInstituteofLosAngeles,California. Hewascuttingonthearmandneckofthebodyofawomanwhichwasforsevenmonthsonice.Faintlyas fromadistanceheheardavoicesaydistinctly: "Don'tmurderme!" Heconcludedthatthewordscamefromachildinthestreet,thoughnochildrenwereheardplayingabout. Thefollowingafternoonheheardarustlingsoundfromacrumplednewspaperlyingonthefloor.Buthepaid noattention. Afewdayslaterheheldsometranceexperimentsathishomewithhiswife.Towardstheend,inasemi comatosecondition,hiswiferoseandstruckathimangrily,saying: "Ihavesomebonestopickwithyou." Aperiodofstrugglefollowed.Dr.Wicklandhadsufficientknowledgeofthephenomenaofthesocalledspirit controltogetalarmed.Heaskedthevoicewhichspokefromthemouthofhiswifewhatthetroublewas. "Whydoyouwanttokillme?"theentitydemandedtoknow. Dr.Wicklandansweredthathewasnotkillinganyone. "Yes,youare.Youarecuttingonmyarmandneck.Ishoutedatyounottomurderme,andI struckthatpaperonthefloortofrightenyou,butyouwouldnotpayanyattention." Dr.Wicklandunderstood.Theentityincontrolbelievedherselftobethedeadbodyhewasdissecting.She apparentlydidnotrealizeherapartnessandstillclungtothe"mortalcoil". Hetookadeepbreathandsetouttotellthemomentousstory,tobringtheawfultruthhometohis interlocutorthatshewasdead. Itwasnothisfirstcaseandfarfrombeingtheworstoneofthesamenature.Hegrappledwithitbecauseno experimentsonearthseemedtohavesotremendousanissuehangingonthemasthisone. Sometimeagohiswifewasdiscoveredtobewhatiscalledatrancemedium.Shedidnotlikeit.Shewas afraidof"disturbingthedead".Whereuponthevoicesthatspokethroughherorganismduringherstateof unconsciousnessexplainedtoDr.Wicklandthatagrievouslywrongconceptionexistedamongmortals regardingtheconditionsprevailingafterdeath. Theytoldhimthatinrealitytherewasnodeathbutasimpleandnaturaltransitiontoanotherworld:that advancedhumansouls,ontheothersideoflife,areeverstrivingtocommunicatewithmortalstoenlighten themastothehigherpossibilitieswhichawaittheprogressivespirit,butthatowingtotheprevailingterrible ignoranceagreatmajorityofthedeaddonotrealizethechangethattookplaceintheirconditionand continuetoremainintheirearthlyhauntsthattheyarethecauseofuntoldmischiefandmiserythatthey

oftenproduceinvalidism,immorality,crimeandseeminginsanity,fortheyhangaroundthosewhosearmour theycanpierceand,ignorantlyormaliciously,attempttosharetheirearthlyexistence. Itwasalsorevealedthatthegreatestmissionworkonearthiswaitingforthosewhowouldhelpthese misguidedsouls,thattheyarenearertoearththanheaven,thattheycanbereachedmoreeasilyby mortalsthanbyadvancedspirits.Intheircaseapsychicintermediarywouldhavetobefound.Theadvanced soulswouldseethatthedeadwhofoundnofootingintheirnewlife,andtheobsessingentities,who exercisedaviciouscontrolovermortalsinthebody,shouldbeattractedtotheintermediary,and enlightenedastotheirtrueposition.Mrs.Wicklandwastobethepsychicintermediary,andifDr.Wickland wouldallowthemtousehertheywouldprovetheircaseandwouldsafeguardherfromanyharm. Dr.Wicklandgavehisconsent.Herealizedthatcriminology,psychopathology,andhumanthoughtin general,wouldhavetoundergoarevolutionaryrevisioniftheclaimsofthetranceentitieswereproved. Itwasfollowinghisconsentthatthedeadownersofthecorpseshewasdissectingawayfromhishomeand unknowntohiswife,werebroughtbacktotelltheirstory. Mostofthese"unearthly"interviewsstartedratherstormily.ThetemporarypossessorsofMrs.Wickland's bodywouldnotadmitthattheyweredead.Iftheyweremen,amirrorwasheldinfrontofthemtoprovethat theywereinafemalebody.Theydeclaredthattheywerehypnotized.Occasionallytheygrewviolentand hadtobeexpelled. Thisexpulsiontookplacebychargesfromastaticelectricmachine.Whyelectricshocksshouldhavethe desiredeffectwasnotplain.Butthevisitantscouldnotendureit. Theirviolencewasalsodealtwithonthe"otherside".Onbeingbroughtbackforanotherlessonthese refractoryspiritscomplainedofhavingbeenkeptinadungeon.Itappearedthat,inaccordancewitha certainpsychiclawintelligentspiritscouldimposeaconditionofrestrictionaroundanignorantspiritsimilar toimprisonment,animpenetrable,celllikeenclosurefromwhichtherewasnoescape.Assoonasthey showedrepentanceandwillingnesstoadaptthemselvestotheirnewconditionstheywerefreedandhelped alongtheroadofprogress.ThisistheshorthistoryofhowDr.Wicklandandhiswifebecamemissionaries ofthedead.TheyfoundedfirstthePsychoPathologicalInstituteofChicago,andlater,theNational PsychologicalInstituteofCalifornia,where,intheportalsoftwoworlds,theystillcarryontheirheroicwork. Noraretheyaloneintheirundertaking.Fortheirswasnonewanduniquediscovery.Rescuecirclesof spiritualistscarryonsimilarmissionsallovertheworld.Withverydifficultcasestheymaynotbecapableto cope,buttheyteachandpreach,theyparleywiththedead,andfrequentlybringthelightofunderstanding intotheirlife.Occasionallytheyclearhauntedhouses,andnowandthensucceedincuringcasesof obsession. Theproblemofobsessionhasbeenthesubjectofspecialscientificstudyforthepasttwentyyearsatthe JamesHyslopInstituteofNewYork.TheInstitutewasfoundedbyProf.JamesJ.Hyslop,ofColumbia University,anAmericanpioneerofpsychicalresearch.InachapteronobsessioninhisLifeAfterDeath,he writes: "IfoughtagainstitfortenyearsafterIwasconvincedthatsurvivalafterbodilydeathwas proved.Butseveralcasesforceduponmetheconsiderationofthequestion." BeforehisdeathProfessorWilliamJames,thegreatestpsychologistofAmerica,surrenderedtothesame belief. "Therefusalofmodernenlightenment,"hewrote,"totreatobsessionasahypothesistobe spokenofasevenpossible,inspiteofthemassivehumantraditionbasedonconcrete experienceinitsfavour,hasalwaysseemedtomeacuriousexampleofthepoweroffashion inthingsscientific.Thatthedemontheory(notnecessarilyadeviltheory)willhaveitsinnings againistomymindabsolutelycertain." LastyearDr.TitusBull,theDirectoroftheJamesHyslopInstitute,publishedasmallbook:Analysisof UnusualExperiencesinHealingRelativetoDiseasedMindsandResultsofMaterialismForeshadowed. Underthisunassumingtitle,inacoldanddispassionatemanner,astoundingandstupefyingdiscoveriesare

submittedtoanunheedingworld. Dr.Wickland'sexperienceswerepublishedasearlyas1924underthetitleThirtyYearsAmongtheDead.It isabookcrammedwiththrills,dramaticincidentsandpoignantemotions.Oneofitsrevelationsconcerns HarryThaw,theeccentricAmericanmillionairewho,fornoearthlyreason,killedStanfordWhite,thefamous architectofMadisonSquareGardens,NewYork.AccordingtoDr.Wickland,hewasapsychicsensitive "unquestionablyobsessedbyavengingspiritswhodesiredretributionforrealorfanciedinjusticedoneto themselvesorkindred".Thisishowtheconclusionwasreached: "OnJuly15th,1906,severalweeksafterthetragedyoccurred,astrangespiritcontrolledMrs. Wicklandduringapsychiccircle,andshefellprostratetothefloor.Placingtheformofmy wifeinachair,Ibeganquestioningthecontrollingintelligence. "Thestrangerstrenuouslyobjectedtobeingtouched,brusquelydemandedtobeleftalone, andcalledout: "'Hey,there,waiter!Bringmeadrink.' "'Whatkindofadrinkdoyouwant?' "'Bringmeawhiskyandsoda,andbequickaboutit.' "'Whoareyou?' "'NoneofyourbusinesswhoIam. "'Wheredoyouthinkyouare?' "'InMadisonSquareRoofGarden,ofcourse.' "'Whatisyourname?' "'StanfordWhite,ifyouhavetoknow.' "Holdingonehandonthebackofhishead,ontherightside,andclutchingathischestand abdomenasifingreatpain,hecried: "'Haveawaiterbringmethatwhiskyandsoda!' "Iwasabouttoaskfurtherquestionswhenthespirit'sattentionwasattractedtosome invisibles,andhebegantotremblewithfear. "'Areyouseeingdeadpeople?'Iasked. "Henoddedhisheadviolently,thenshouted:'They'reafterme!'and,jumpingfromthechair, rantoacorneroftheroominanefforttoescape. "Hisagitationwassogreatthathelostcontrolofthepsychicandwasgone. "Immediatelyanotherspirittookpossessionofthepsychicandingreatexcitementbeganto walkbackandforth,exclaimingexultantly: "'Ikilledthedog!Ikilledthedog!Therehelies!'pointingatthefloortowardthespotwhere Whitehadlostcontrol.'Thedog!Ihavebeenlookingforachancetokillhimforseveralyears, andgothimatlast!Thedog!' "IforcedthespirittositdownandlearnedthathisnamewasJohnson. "'IkilledStanfordWhite,'heboasted.'Hedeserveddeath.Hehadtrifledtoolongwithour daughters...'

"Hewasfollowedbyathirdentity,butthisintelligencewasawareofbeingaspirit,temporarily controllingaborrowedbody. "'IamHarryThaw'sfather.Savemyboy!Savemyboy!Heisnotguilty.Harrywillnotbe electrocuted.'(Latereventsprovedthistobetrue)...'Hewasobsessedbyrevengefulspirits whenhekilledStanfordWhite.Ihavetriedtoreachtheexternalworldbyeverypossible avenuetotellthepeoplethatHarryisnotinsane,butthatheisapsychicsensitive.'" Noonecanbereasonablyexpectedtoacceptwithoutpersonalexperience,statementsofsuchcrushing implicationsastheabove,butDr.Wicklandisnomaniac.Hespentthirtyyearsinthisinvestigation,and throughthesamechannelsofapproachmanybrilliantmindsreachedconclusionssimilartohisown. Canitbethatanimmensevolumeofhumanexperienceshouldspellnothingbuttheword"humbug"? ProfessorWilliamJamesansweredthequestionasfollows: "Thespirits,ifspiritstherebe,mustindeedworkunderincrediblecomplicationsand falsifications,butatleast,iftheyarepresent,somehonestyisleftinthewholedepartmentof theuniversewhichotherwiseisrunbypuredeception.ThemoreIrealizethequantitative massivenessofthephenomenonanditscomplexity,themoreincredibleitseemstomethat inaworldallofwhosevasterfeaturesweareinthehabitofconsideringtobesincereatleast, howeverbrutal,thisfeatureshouldbewhollyconstitutedofinsincerity."

Chapter10:HewhohasTwins
StoryofRev.FrancisWardMonck
NandorFodor AMANwhodivideslikeacell,becomestwoseparatefullgrownbeings,andthenreabsorbthe dividedportionwithoutatracecouldanybiologisteverconceiveawilderdream? Uniquemiraclesarehardlyknowninpsychicannals,butthisisoneofthem.Wereitnotforthesolemn testimonyoftheRev.ThomasColley,ArchdeaconofNatalandRectorofStockton,arespectedand fearlessclergyman,themiraclewouldhaveremainedunnotedinpsychichistory.Butasthevenerable ArchdeaconhasplacedtheexperienceonpublicrecordthechronicleofthelifestoryoftheRev.Francis WardMonck,onetimeMinisteroftheBaptistChapelatEarlsBarton,aprofessionalmediumofamazing capacitieswouldnotbecompleteifitwereomitted. TheeventtookplaceinamaterializationsanceonSeptember28th,1877.Itwasnoteddownbythe Archdeaconthesameeveningasfollows: "Dr.Monck,undercontrolof'Samuel',wasbythelightofthelampthewriternotbeingayard awayfromhimseenbyalltobethelivinggatefortheextrusionofspiritformsfromtherealm ofmindintothisworldofmatterforstandingthusplainlybeforeus,thepsychicorSpiritform wasseentogrowoutofhisleftside.First,severalfacesoneafteranotherofgreatbeauty appeared,andinamazementwesawandasIwasstandingcloseuptothemedium,even touchinghim,Isawmostplainlyseveraltimesaperfectfaceandformofexquisite womanhoodpartiallyissuefromDr.Monckabouttheregionoftheheart.Then,afterseveral attempts,afullformedfigure,inanebulousconditionatfirst,butgrowingmoresolidasit issuedfromthemedium,leftDr.Monck,andstoodaseparateindividuality,twoorthreefeet off,boundtohimbyaslenderattachmentasofgossamer,whichatmyrequestSamuel,the control,severedwiththemedium'slefthand,andtherestoodembodiedaspiritformof unutterableloveliness,robedinattirespiritspunameshywebworkfromnomortalloom,ofa fleecinessinimitable,andoftransfigurationwhitenesstrulyglistening." ThisamazingtestimonywasmadepublictocreateanimpressioninfavourofMonck.Nooneneededit moreurgentlythanhedid,forhehadjustbeensentencedtothreemonths'imprisonmentfordefrauding peoplebypretendingtobeamedium.Thesentencemighthavebeenmuchmoreseverebutforthe appearanceincourtofDr.AlfredRusselWallace,thefamousnaturalist.HedeposedthathehadseenDr. Monckinatrancestate"whenthereappearedafaintwhitepatchontheleftsideofhiscoat,which increasedindensityandspreadtillitreachedhisshoulderthentherewasaspacegraduallywideningto sixfeetbetweenitandhisbodyitbecameverydistinctandhadtheoutlineofawomaninflowingwhite drapery.Iwasabsolutelycertainthatitcouldnotbeproducedbyanypossibletrick." UnfortunatelytherewasunquestionableproofthatintheinstanceunderconsiderationMonckwas fraudulent.AtHuddersfieldonNovember3rd,1876,aconjurer,namedLodge,suddenlydemandedthatthe mediumshouldbesearched.Monckranforsafety,lockedhimselfintohisroomupstairsandescaped throughthewindow.Thedoorwasforcedandasearchwasmade.Theyfoundapairofstuffedgloveswhich wereapparentlymeanttoserveasmaterializationparaphernalia.NorwasthisthefirstcaseinwhichMonck wasflagrantlycaughtinpractisingfraud.SirWilliamBarrettwroteof"apieceofwhitemuslinonawire framewithablackthreadattachedbeingusedbythemediumtosimulateapartiallymaterializedspirit". Withsoincriminatingarecordagainsttheaccuseditrequiredconsiderablecouragetocomeforwardand statethatadreadfulmiscarriageofjusticemusthavetakenplace.ButthiswaspreciselywhatArchdeacon Colleydid. HehadjustreturnedfromIndia,toolatetoappearincourt,buthehadknownMonckforyears.Hehadlived withhim,sleptwithhim,andwitnessedthingsthatnomortaleyeshadeverbeheldandhewassosureof hisownobservationsthat,inthecourseofaheatedargument,hechallengedJ.N.Maskelyneandpromised himathousandpoundsifhecouldduplicateMonck'smaterializationperformance.Maskelyneacceptedthe

challenge,buthisperformancewasdeclaredtobeatravestyofwhatwasseeninseanceswithMonck. Maskelynedidnotadmitthis,andsuedtheArchdeaconforthemoney.Dr.AlfredRusselWallaceappeared incourtonceagain.MainlyonhistestimonyjudgmentwasenteredagainstMaskelyne.TheArchdeacon wasawarded75andcosts. HadMonckaJekyllandHydepersonality,theblendingofanamazingmediumandabrazen,unscrupulous trickster? Thereisnodoubtthatthesocalledphysicalphenomenaofmediumshipareofbiologicalorigin.Therefore, theyneednotbeconditionedbymorality.Further,mediumshipasaprofessionisfarlesslucrativethan conjuring.Yetthereisnotasingleinstanceofamediumchanginghisroleandsettinghimselfupasa pastmasterofsleightofhand.(Norhasanymagicianeverclaimedtobeamedium.)Thisisasignificant fact.Itsuggeststhatmediumsarenotcaptainsoftheirship,theycannotproducephenomenaatwilltheir powerissomethingwhichtheydonotunderstand.Theycannotcontrolitordirectit.Theyjustlend themselvestoit,tobeusedbyit,moreorlessassimpleinstruments. Monckwas,inseveralrespects,auniquemedium.Hismaterializationphenomenatookplaceinbright daylight.Indarksancesthingswerelikelytohappenofwhichhehimselfwasafraid.Speakingbeforethe ChurchCongressatWeymouthinOctober,1903,ArchdeaconColleysaid: "OftenwhenIhavebeensleepinginthesamebedroomwithhimforthenearobservationof casualphenomenaduringthenightand,specially,thatcamethroughthedarkI,onsuch occasions,wouldholdmyhandoverhismouth,andhewouldnowandagainbestartledinto wakefulnessnotunmixedwithfear,forhecouldseethephantomswhichIcouldnot,whenI hadquietlyputoutthenightlighthewouldnotsleepinthedarkwhichmadehim apprehensiveofphenomena,physicallypowerfultoanextraordinarydegree." TwoyearslatertheArchdeaconpublishedafullaccountofhisincredibleexperiences.Hewrote: "Ipublishthesethingsforthefirsttime,havingmeditatedovertheminsilencefortwentyeight years,givingmywordasclergymanforthingswhichimperilmyecclesiasticalpositionand myfutureadvancement." UnderdateofSeptember25th,1877,hedescribedthedisappearanceof"Lily",abeautifulspiritgirl,as follows: "AsIbroughtmysweetcompanioncloseuptohim(Monck),thegossamerfilamentagain cameintoviewitsattenuatedandvanishingpointbeing,asbefore,towardstheheart.Greatly wondering,yetkeentoobserve,didInoticehow,bymeansofthisvapourycord,thepsychic figurewassuckedbackintothebodyofthemedium.Forlikeawaterspoutatseafunnel shaped,orsandcolumnsuchasIhaveseeninEgypthorizontalinsteadofvertical,thevital powerofourmediumappearedtoabsorbanddrawinthespiritform,butatmydesire,so graduallythatIwasenabledquiteleisurelythuscloselytowatchtheprocess.Forleaning against,andholdingmyfriendwithmyleftarmathisbackandmyleftearandcheekathis breast,hisheartbeatinginanalarmingway,Isawhimreceivebackthelovelybirthofthe invisiblespheresintohisrobustcorporealperson.AndasIgazedonthesweetfaceofthe disintegratingspirit,withinthreeorfourinchesofitsfeatures,Iagainmarkedthefair lineaments,eyes,hairanddelicatecomplexion,andkissedthedaintyhandasinprocessof absorptionitdissolvedandwasdrawnthroughthetextureandsubstanceofhisblackcoat intoourfriend'sbosom." TheArchdeacononcespoketoamaterializedphantombeforeherextrusionwasaccomplished,andhesaw recognitioninhereyesandheardherwhisper,duringthepsychicparturition,"Sogladtoseeyou." OnoneoccasionaministerfriendofMonckmaterialized.Bycommonconsentthemediumwascarefully awakened.AccordingtotheArchdeacon: "Dazedforamoment,andthenmostastonished,ourarousedfriendlookedinquiringlyatthe materializedspiritformandjumpingupfromthesofaonwhichwehadplacedhim,he excitedlyrushedforwardtohisonetimefellowstudent,shouting,'Why,itisSam,'andthen

therewashandshakingandbrotherlygreetingsbetweenthetwo.Whenbothfriendswere abouttospeakatoncetherewasamomentaryimpasseandneitherseemedableto articulatethemedium'sbreathappearingtobeneededbySamuelwhenheessayedto speak,whilethematerializedformwasalsocheckedinhisutterancewhenthemediumbegan tospeak." Evenmosthardenedspiritualistsgaspatthisstory.Noristhetaleof"Mahedi",Monck'sgiantEgyptian phantom,lessamazing.Hewassostrongandsolidthat,welearn,hecouldlifttheArchdeaconfromhis chairtothelevelofhisshouldersapparentlywithouteffort.Heremindedthechroniclerofamummyof giganticproportionsheoncesawinsomemuseum.OnhisfirstappearancethroughMonck,theMahedi woreakindof"metalskullcap,withanembleminfrontwhichtrembledandquiveredandglistened, overhangingthebrow.Iwasallowedtofeelit,buttherewaslittleresistancetomyfingers,anditseemedto meltawaylikeasnowflakeundermytouch,andtogrowapparentlysolidagainthemomentafter.Foronce (February18th,1878),bydaylight,itwasarrangedasamostdangerousexperimentthatIshouldgraspthe whiteattiredEgyptianandtrytokeephimfromgettingbacktoinvisibilitythroughthebodyofthemedium.I was,byaninvisibleforce,levitatedatitseemedinstantlysomeeighteenortwentyfeetfrommydrawing roomdoorrightuptowherethemediumstoodwhom,strangelyandsuddenly,wearingwhitemuslinoverhis blackcoat,IfoundinmyarmsjustasIhadheldtheMahedi.Thematerializedformhadgone,andthe psychicclothingthatevolvedwithhimfromtheleftsideofmyfriendmustalsohavegonethesamewaywith thespeedofthoughtbacktoinvisibilitythroughthemedium.Butwhenceitssubstituteddraper'sstuffnow onthebodyofourfriendnotwearingitaninstantbefore?" HereismaterialevidencewhichwouldhaveconvictedMonckincourtonceagainforfraud.Butwhatabout thestorythatgoeswithit?Colleywasnotquitethesimpleton,miraclemongerandeasydupethatone wouldliketothinkhimtobe.Orwashedishonest?WilliamEglinton,anotherfamousmediumoftheday, hadnoreasontothinkso,fortheArchdeaconopenlyaccusedhimoffraudwhen,havingcutapieceofthe robeandbeardofamaterializedfigure,hefoundthemfittingtoperfectionthemuslinandbeardwhichhe discoveredinEglinton'sportmanteau. EvenifArchdeaconColley'scaseisputoutofcourtasanunsolvedmystery,whatabouttheothers?Fora yearMonckwasretainedforexclusivestudybyHensleighWedgewood,thebrotherinlawofDarwin, StaintonMoses,anAnglicanclergymanmedium,andothersinterestedinpsychicalresearch.Werethese peopleallhypnotized?Ifso,whatwastheoriginoftheparaffinmouldsofhandsandfeetwhichthe phantomsleftbehindinWilliamOxley'sexperimentsinManchesterin1876? AndDr.AlfredRusselWallace,codiscovererwithDarwinoftheprincipleofnaturalselection,amanwhose scientificfamewasbuiltonpowersofobservation,washealsoapoor,deludedfool? ListentothisaccountofhisexperiencesdescribedinalettertotheSpectator,October6th,1877,ofa sittinginaprivatehousewithMonck: Twoslates,examined,cleanedandtiedtogetherbyhimwereonthetable,neveroutofsight.Monckasked thescientisttonameawordhewishedtobewrittenontheslateinside.Henamedtheword"God".Monck thenaskedhowitshouldbewritten.Hereplied:"LengthwaysoftheslateandwithacapitalG."Inavery shorttimethewritingwasheardontheslate.Themedium'shandswereconvulsivelywithdrawn,Alfred RusselWallacehimselfuntiedthecordandonopeningtheslates,foundontheloweronethewordinthe mannerheaskedfor. Slatewritingisadoubtfulphenomenon.Thereareatleastahundredwaystoproducewritingbetween slatesbysleightofhand.Butitiseasiertosuspectthantoprove.AndDr.Wallace'sexperiencewas certifiedbyE.T.Bennett,theAssistantSecretaryoftheSocietyforPsychicalResearch. Whatarewethentoconclude?Weneednotcometoanyconclusionatall.Mostofthesemediumistic mysterieshavetriedandbaffledthebestbrainsofthelastandpresentcentury.AnotherNewtonwillhaveto cometoilluminatewiththelightofhisgeniusthehiddendepthsofthehumansoulandexistence.

Chapter11:TheGhostStorywhichStartedSpiritualism
StoryoftheFoxSisters
NandorFodor THISTHINGSpiritualismwhichhasbeenarraignedasstrikingattheveryfoundationofscienceand religion,howdiditbegin?Ordidithaveabeginningatall?Downtheages,amongstsavagesandcivilized folkalike,psychicphenomenahavealwaysbeeninevidence.Asamovementitcertainlyhadadefinite beginning.Theageofanimalmagnetismpreparedthesoil,forerunnerstemperedtheinclementmental atmosphereofthebuddingscientificage,andin1848inthelittlehamletofHydesville,NewYork,some phenomena(bynomeansuniqueinhumanhistory)kindledafirefromwhichtheflameofanewreformation sprangandspreadallovertheworld. Itwasaghoststorywhichstartedallthatfollows:Asghoststoriesgoitwasnothingtocausethefleshto creepandthehairtostandonend,butitwasratherunsettling,fortheghostinthecasecontrivedtoconvey anintelligentmessage. Thehouseconcernedinthestoryhadanuncannyreputation.Aformertenantleftitratherhastily,butthe familyofJohnD.FoxexperiencednoseriousdiscomfortuntilMarch,1848.Thenthetroublebegan.Raps, knocksandnoisesofshiftingfurnitureatdeadofnightwereheard.Theygrewinintensity,andonMarch 31sttheykeptthewholefamilyawake.Theheadofthehousegotupandtriedthesashestoseeifthey wereloose.Asheshookthemrapsseemedtoreply.LittleKate,sevenyearsold,noticedthis,and snappedherfingers.Someonesnappedback.Herewasagametodelighttheheartofachild.Kate clapped,therewasanansweringclap.TenyearsoldMargaretjoinedinthefun.Shecounted:one,two, three,strikingherpalms.Clapscameinanswer,untilshegrewafraid. Theparentshadalreadyconcludedthatthehousemustbehauntedbysomeunhappyandrestlessspirit. Theyfollowedtheleadofthechildren.Theytestedtheknowledgeandintelligenceofthemysteriousrapper. HerappedouttheagesofalltheFoxchildren,includingonewhohaddied.Rappingtwiceasthelettersof thealphabetwerecalled,hetoldagruesomestory.Hewasapedlar,CharlesB.Rosmabyname.Hewas givenhospitalityinthehouseforthenight.Hehadfivehundreddollarsonhim.Atmidnighthishostcreptin andcuthisthroatwithabutcher'sknife.Hedraggedthebodydownstairsandburiedittenfeetbelowinthe cellar. Theaccusedwasneverbroughttojustice.Heproducedacertificateofgoodcharacterfromthetownwhere helived.Therewasnoobjectiveevidenceagainsthim.Thetestimonyoftheghostcouldnotbetakeninto court,themoresoasthedigginginthecellarproducednocorpse.Onlysomehairandboneswerefound whichamedicalmanpronouncedtobehuman.Buttheskeletonwasfoundfiftysixyearslater.Aroughwall builtayardfromthetruewallofthecellarcrumbled.Theowner,onexcavating,unearthedanalmostentire humanskeletonwithapedlar'stinboxnearthebones. Ifthiswasthepedlar,whosewerethebonesinthecellar?Pedlarscannotaffordtwosetsofbones.All spooksshouldknowstrangebonesfromtheirown.Itcertainlylookedasiftheghostprotestedagainstthe diggers'verdict,forthephenomenagrewinviolence.Thesoundofadeathstruggle,thegurglingofathroat, andtheheavydraggingofabodyacrosstheroomwereheardnightafternight.TheFoxescouldnotstand ittheyleft.Theghoststayedandentertainedhundredsofcuriouspeoplewhoflockedtothehouseof mystery. KatewassenttoAuburntoherbrother'shouse,andMargarettohersisterLeah,inRochester.Rapsbroke outinbothplaces.AsitwasthoughtthattheghostwasleftbehindinHydesville,itoccurredtonooneto askquestionsforsometime.When,atlength,questionswereput,amessagewasspeltout: "Dearfriends,youmustproclaimthistruthtotheworld.Thisisthedawningofanewerayou mustnottrytoconcealitanylonger.WhenyoudoyourdutyGodwillprotectyouandgood spiritswillwatchoveryou." WiththismessagewasSpiritualismborn.

FortheFoxsistersitmeantalifeofturmoilandvicissitudes.Theybecamethecentreofastormwhich neverabatedinviolence.Theyweretested,exposedandacknowledgedtimeandagain.Thetesterswereas ignorantasthetested.Ofthephysiologyofmediumship,ofthedangersofitsabuses,nothingwasyet known.OnonehandtheFoxsisterswerechargedwithimposturebecausetherewasasynchronous pulsationintheirbodywhenrapswereheardontheotherhandtheytriedtoexploit,inahostile atmosphere,agiftwhichtheydidnotunderstand.Theyweredrainedofnervousenergytheyhadlittle comprehensionofthereligiousaspectofspiritualisticphenomena.Theydeterioratedandsuccumbedto drinking. MargaretFoxhadthegoodfortunetobewooedandweddedbyDr.ElishaKane,thefamousArcticexplorer. Hisloveletterswerepublishedafterhisdeathin1857.Inoneofthemheaccusesherof"livingindeceitand hypocrisy". LeahFoxmarriedawealthyinsuranceman,namedUnderhill.KateFoxcametoEnglandandbecamethe wifeofH.D.Jencken,abarristeratlaw.In1888thethreesistersquarrelleddisastrously.Kate,afterthe deathofherhusband,didnotleadaveryexemplarylife.Leahattemptedtodepriveherofthecustodyofher twochildren.MargaretalliedherselfwithKateandsworevengeancetoruinhersister.Thisshedidby sendingalettertotheNewYork HeralddenouncingSpiritualismandpromisingacompleteexposureofthe fraudswhichhadbeenpractised. TokeepherpromiseshegaveapubliclectureintheNewYorkAcademyofMusic.Theresheconfessedto beingafraud.Sheproducedrapsonthestageandexplainedthatshecouldproducethematwill.Tomake mattersworse,KateFoxjoinedhersisterinNewYorkandendorsedherrevelations. TheconsensusofopinionwasthatSpiritualismwouldneverrecoverfromthisblow.Butpublicopinionwas againwrong.ApparentlythepecuniaryexpectationsofMargaretwerenotrealized,ortherevengeproved lesssweetthanshehadanticipated.Ayearlatershecompletelyretractedherconfessionandexplained thatshewassufferingfromgreatfinancialdifficultiesandwasundertheeffectofanexcitementwhich almostupsethermentalequilibrium.Ofhermoralstabilitythereisnodoubt."Forfivedollarsshewouldhave deniedhermotherandwouldhavesworntoanything"wroteDr.IsaacFunk,thewellknownAmerican publisher.AndtheironyofherconfessionwasrevealedbeforetheMedicoLegalSocietyofNewYorkin 1905byMrs.Mellen,awomandoctorwhoattendedMargaretKateFoxduringherlastdays.Shelivedina squalidroom.Shewasunabletomovehandorfoot.Therewasnotaclosetintheplace,noranyother hidingplace.YetinanswertoquestionswhichMargaretFoxputtoherspiritguides,knocksresoundedon thewalls,ontheceilingandonthefloor. Butwhatistheimportanceofrapsasaphenomenon?AccordingtoProfessorCharlesRichet,theworld famousphysiologistoftheSorbonne: "Therealityoftheserapsisofprimaryimportanceandthisphenomenoncarriesthe implicationofthewholeofmetapsychics.Ifitisestablishedthatmechanicalvibrationscanbe producedinmatter,atadistance,andwithoutcontact,andthatthesevibrationsare intelligent,wehavethetrulyfarreachingfactthatthereareintheuniversehumanornon humanintelligencesthatcanactdirectlyonmatter." Have,then,therapsoftheFoxsistersbeendefinitelyestablished? SirWilliamCrookeshadanopportunityforafullinvestigationwithKatieFox.Hewrites: "Itseemsonlynecessaryforhertoplaceherhandonanysubstanceforrapsloudenoughto beheardseveralroomsoff.InthismannerIhaveheardtheminalivingtree,onasheetof glass,onastretchedironwire,onastretchedmembrane,atambourine,ontheroofofacab andonthefloorofatheatre.Moreover,actualcontactisnotalwaysnecessary.Ihavehad thesesoundsproceedingfromthefloor,walls,etc.,whenthemedium'shandsandfeetwere held,whenshewasstandingonachair,whenshewassuspendedfromtheceiling,whenshe wasenclosedinawirecageandwhenshehadfallenfaintingonasofa.Ihaveheardthemon aglassharmonium,Ihavefeltthemonmyshoulderandundermyownhand.Ihaveheard themonasheetofpaperheldbetweenthefingersbyapieceofthreadpassedthroughone corner."

Thesoundswere"delicateticks,aswiththepointofapinacascadeofsharpsoundsasfromaninduction coilinfullworkdetonationsintheairsharp,metallictapsacrackinglikethatheardwhenafrictional machineisatworksoundslikescratchingthetwitteringasofabird." ToRobertDaleOwen,sonofRobertOwen,thegreatsocialreformer,weowethedescriptionofaluminous instrumentthatproducedtheraps.HeobservedinasancewithMrs.Underhill,onFebruary22nd,1860: "WhileIwaslookingintentlyatsuchalight,aboutaslargeasasmallfist,itroseandfell,as ahammerwouldwithwhichonewasstrikingagainstthefloor.Ateachstrokealoudrapwas heardinconnection.Itwasexactlyasifaninvisiblehandheldanilluminatedhammerand poundedwithit." Suchpsychiclightsmayrepresentaninitialstageofmaterialization.Arecordoffourhundredsittingswith KatieFoxinwhichhumanformsdifferentfromthemediumweregraduallybuiltupwasleftbyCharlesF. Livermore,arichbankerofNewYork.TheprincipalghostlyvisitantwasEstelle,thedeceasedwifeof CharlesLivermore.WhileKatieFoxwasheldbythehand,thephantomwroteoutmessageswithaperfect reproductionofthecharacterssheusedonearth. UnderdateofFebruary22nd,1862,wefindauniquedescriptionofthematerializationofflowers.Itreads: "Appearanceofflowers.Cloudy.Atmospheredamp.Conditionsunfavourable.Attheexpiration ofhalfanhourabrightlightrosetothesurfaceofthetable,oftheusualcylindricalform, coveredwithgossamer.Helddirectlyoverthiswasasprigofrosesaboutsixinchesinlength, containingtwohalfblownwhiteroses,andabudwithleaves.Theflowers,leavesandstem, wereperfect.Theywereplacedatmynoseandsmelledasthoughfreshlygatheredbutthe perfumeinthisinstancewasweakanddelicate.WetooktheminourfingersandIcarefully examinedthestemandflowers.Therequestwasmadeasbeforetobeverycareful.Inoticed anadhesive,viscousfeeling,whichwasexplainedasbeingtheresultofadamp,impure atmosphere.Theseflowerswereheldnearandoverthelight,whichseemedtofeedandgive themsubstanceinthesamemannerasthehand.Byrapsweweretoldto'noticeandsee themdissolve'.Thesprigwasplacedoverthelight,theflowersdropped,andinlessthanone minutemeltedasthoughmadeofwax,theirsubstanceseemingtospreadasthey disappeared.Byraps,'seethemcomeagain'.Afaintlightimmediatelyshotacrossthe cylinder,grewintoastemandinaboutthesametimerequiredforitsdissolution,thestem andtheroseshadgrownintocreatedperfection.Thiswasseveraltimesrepeated,andwas trulywonderful." Thesearebutafewsamplesofvoluminoustestimoniestotheremarkableoccurrencesinthepresenceof thethreeFoxsisters.Itwouldbetoochildishtosuggestthattwochildren,agedsevenandtenrespectively atthetimeoftheHydesvilledisturbances,organizedafraudwhichcouldflourishforeightyfiveyears.

Chapter12:TheMouthpieceofoneoftheThreeWiseMen
StoryofDavidDuguid
NandorFodor AHISTORIANisgreatifhecanmakethepastlive,ifhecantransportourfantasybacktoanage whichisnomore.Tousthepastisdead.Butonceourownsurvivalisestablishedasafactofscience(and formanygreatmindsalreadyitis),itwillbeestablishedforallthosethatprecededusinpastages.Could nottheycomebackiftheychosetodoso,andcouldnotwesitattheirfeettorelearnthehistoryof humanityfromfirsthandtestimony? Astaggeringpossibilitythis,yetonewhichinSpiritualismis acceptedasanactualoccurrence.Notthatdefiniteand unquestionableproofcouldeverbeclaimedforthereturnofhistoric personalities.Proofisalwayspersonal.Thatelementthelongdead cannotsupply.Buttheirhistorymaycarrythestampoftruth,or,at least,itmaymakeuswonderanddream.Particularlyifitwerean ignorant,uneducatedmanwhoefficientlytrespassedonthe preservesofprofessionaldreamersinasettingwhichwas,tosaythe leastofit,highlyunusual. SuchisthecaseofDavidDuguid,aGlasgowworkingmanthrough whomitisclaimedoneoftheThreeWiseMencamebacktotell,in thetonesofalivingvoice,anentrancingstoryofhispilgrimagetothe cradleoftheBabe.

LEFT: A dire ct drawing in the dark in a s ance of David Duguid. Note the sim ilarity with the picture on the right. R IGHT: Mose s conse crating Ele aze r as Aaron's succe ssor. A picture in C asse ll's Fam ily Bible .

Itcameasaclimaxofunlookedformiracleswhichcomprisedthe wholescaleofseanceroommanifestations.Duguidwasno professionalmedium.Curiosityledhimtoparticipate,in1866,intablesittingexperimentsatthehouseof H.Nisbet,theGlasgowpublisher.Duringthesittinghishandshookandacoldcurrentrandownhisspine. WhenNisbet'sdaughter,whowasanautomaticwriter,placedherrighthandonhisleft,itbegantodraw roughsketchesofvasesandflowersandthenthesectionofanarchway.

Fromsuchbeginningstheredevelopedoneofthemostpowerfulmediumshipsofthelastcentury.The phenomenaincludedmysteriousraps,stirringsandintelligentactionofinanimateobjects,voiceswhichfrom ahuskytonebecamesothunderousthatthehouseshook,thelevitationofthemedium,appearanceof objectsfromclosedrooms,mysteriouslights,touchesbyphantomhands,showersofdeliciousperfumes andhandlinglivecoalwithimpunity. AllthesephenomenaweresubsidiarytotheGreatPaintingMystery.Intrance,withhiseyesshut,Duguid executedsketchesofgreatpromise.Theinfluencewhichclaimedtoberesponsibleforitfelthamperedby Duguid'sabsolutelackofartisticeducation.Onhissuggestion,themediumtooklessonsataGovernment SchoolofArtsforfourmonths.Theknowledgesoacquiredmighthaveassistedhiminthelargetableaux whichhesuccessivelydid.Butitcertainlyshedsnolightonthemajormystery. Intotaldarkness,onlittlecardswhichthesittersbroughtalongandmarked,whilethemediumwasheldor tightlybound,invisibleentitiesexecutedsmalloilpaintings,sometimesinasshortatimeasthirtyfive seconds.Thenoiseofthebrushesandthecrinklingofthepapercouldbeheardfromwellabovethetable. Whenfinished,everythingdropped,thepaperinvariablywithpaintedsideuppermost,wetandsticky.It showedminiaturelandscapes,oneormoresofinelyexecutedthatsometimestheirmeritwasenhancedif viewedunderamagnifyingglass.Occasionallydrawingswereproducedwithinasealedenvelopeonafolded sheetofpaper,onwhichallthosepresenthadplacedtheirfingers.Itwasinsuchcuriousmannerthat illustrationswereprovidedforthefrontispieceofWilliamOxley'sAngelicRevelations . Theinvisibleoperatorsatfirstrefusedtodisclosetheiridentity.OneofthemassumedthenameofMarcus Baker.Hepromisedcopiesofhismasterpieceswhichhehadpaintedonearth.Forfourdays,fourhoursat atime,themediumworkedonalargepainting.ItwasinitialledJ.R.FromCassell'sArtTreasuresExhibition

itwasrecognizedas"TheWaterfall"byJacobRuisdale.Thecopy,however,wasnotexact.Somefigures wereomitted.The"control",onbeingquestioned,saidthatthosefigureswereaddedlaterbyBergheim.On consultingRuisdale'sbiography,thiswasfoundtobetrue. Thesecondworkoftheinvisibleinspireralsoclaimedafamousname:thatofJanvanSteen. AllwaswellandmarvellousintheextremeuntilaftertheappearanceofHafed,PrinceofPersia.His influencebroughtaboutastrikingchangeinthemedium.Heappearedawestruckandbentforwardwith handsclaspedintheattitudeofthedeepestreverence.InfortysixsittingsNisbet,thepublisher,tookdown theamazingstoryofawarriorprinceof1900yearsagowhofoughtagainstaninvadingArabianarmy,was lateradmittedtotheorderoftheMagi,andultimatelyrosetotheofficeoftheArchMagus.Hedescribedthe creedsandsociallifeofancientPersia,Tyre,Greece,Egypt,Judaea,Babylon,andmanyotherlong perishedcivilizations,whichhestudiedinhistravels.Theclimaxofhisstorywasreachedwhenherevealed thatheconductedtheexpeditionoftheThreeWiseMentoJudaeatothecradleofJesus.Hewas summonedbyhisguardianspirittogoonthejourneywithtwobrotherMagiandtakerichgiftstotheBabe. HedescribedtheyouthfulyearsofJesuswhichwerenotchronicledintheGospels,histravelswithHimin Persia,India,andmanyothercountriesandthemiracleswhichtheyoungchildperformed.Afterthe martyrdomofJesushebecameaChristianhimself,metPaulinAthens,preachedthegospelinVeniceand Alexandria,andfinallyperishedattheageofahundredyearsinthearenaatRome. Thestory,whichprovedtobeaverygoodhistoricalromance,waspublishedin1876withillustrationsof fortyfivefacsimiledrawingsandwritingsdonebythespiritartistsRuisdaleandSteen. Thespiritartistsapparentlyhadnorespectforcopyright.Arisingfromthis,troublearosewhichnecessitated thewithdrawalofthefirsteditionofthisamazingbook.Insteadofproducingmasterpiecesasofold, RuisdaleandvanSteenstoopedto"lifting"illustrationsfromCassell'sFamilyBible.Threefullpageandone halfpageplateswerefoundtobeunquestionablyidentical,thoughwithsomeelaboration.Forinstance,a ruinednavelintheFamilyBibleappearsinarestoredconditioninthebook.Fourmoreplatesgaveriseto suspicionandwereexpungedfromthesecondedition.Thesuspicionwasjustified.Mr.E.T.Bennett,who wasAssistantSecretarytotheSocietyforPsychicalResearch,submittedaninscriptionofanArabic doorwaywhichcameindirectwriting,i.e.,whilethemediumwasheldbythehand,totheexpert examinationofMr.StanleyLanePool.Hefoundthetexttoread:"ThereisnoconquerorbutGod,"the characteristicmottooftheMoorishKingsofGranadawhichoccursonalltheircoinsandalloverthe Alhambra. "ButthewriterofthedirectcardevidentlyhadnottheAlhambra,northeSyrianGatewayin hismind,butCassell'sFamilyBible.TheengraverofthecutintheBible,whichyousentme," hewrotetoMr.Bennett,"madeamuddleofthelowerlineofinscriptionunderthelintel,not knowingArabic,andthedirectcardexactlyreproducestheengraver'sblunders." ThosewhowouldhastilyconcludethatDuguidexposedhimselftoachargeoffraudwouldshowno understandingofthepsychologicalcomplexitiesofthesephenomena.ThemindofDuguid,withhisretentive subconsciousmemory,mayhavehadalottodowithallthesesketchesandwritings.Hishandscertainly didnot.Thiswasexactlythelineofdefencetakenbythe"controls"whenreproachedandpressedforan explanation.Theysaidthattheytookwhattheyfoundinthemedium'smind. Wildandfantasticastheapologyappears,itwasborneoutbyotherqueerhappenings.VisitorstoDavid Duguidsometimesrecognizedinthe"direct"paintingsproducedintheirpresencesceneswhichtheywere acquaintedwithinAmericaandAustraliaandwhichthemediumcertainlycouldnothaveseen.Apparently, therefore,theirmemory,insomesubtlemanner,wasalsotapped. Anotherpuzzleofapossiblesimilarexplanationwasfurnishedbyaphotographicdemonstration.Inthe presenceofsitters,DavidDuguidoftenexposedplatestrustingtoobtainsupernormalmarkingsorpictures. OnseveraloccasionsabeautifulportraitwasfoundontheplateofaPriestesswho,accordingtothe impressiongiventothemedium,hadbeendedicatedtotheTempleofVenusinCyprus.Theenthusiasmfor thecharminglady,however,abatedsomewhatwhenMme.IsabeldeSteiger,F.T.S.,discoveredthatthe photographwasacopyofaGermanpicture"Night",aprintofwhichwasinthepossessionofMr.J.W. BrodieInnes,anEdinburghsolicitor.Itisnotatallimpossibletoconceivethatinfakingaspiritphotograph fromaforeignpainting,Mr.Duguidshouldhavethemisfortuneofselectingtheverypictureofwhichaprint existedinEdinburgh.Butaclaimhasbeenmadeforanothersolution.Experienceswithothermediums

renderitprobablethatsomehowanaccesscanbemadetotheburiedstoreofmemories.Byaprocess totallyunknowntoustheybecomeoccasionallyexteriorizedonthesensitiveplate. Moreover,asaspiritphotographer,DavidDuguidwasdulytestedbyJ.TraillTaylor,theeditoroftheBritish JournalofPhotography.HesatwithhiminGlasgowandinLondon,obtainedmany"extras"underhisown conditionandstatedinhisreport: "Thepsychicfiguresbehavedbadly.Somewereinfocus,othersnotsosomewerelighted fromtheright,whilethesitterwassofromtheleftsomewerecomely,othersnotsosome monopolizedthemajorportionoftheplate,quiteobliteratingthematerialsittersotherswere asifanatrociouslybadlyvignettedportrait,oronecutovaloutofaphotographbyacan opener,orequallybadlyclippedout,wereheldupbehindthesitter.Buthereisthepointnot oneofthesefigureswhichcameoutsostronglyinthenegativewasvisibleinanyformor shapetomeduringthetimeofexposureinthecamera,andIvouchinthestrongestmanner forthefactthatnoonewhateverhadanopportunityoftamperingwithanyplateanteriortoits beingplacedinthedarkslideorimmediatelyprecedingdevelopment.Pictoriallytheywere vile,buthowcametheythere?" Fraudandgenuinephenomenamarchinaqueerprocessionthroughthelifetimeofmanyafamousmedium. Duguidwasnoexception.In1905attheageofseventythree,afternearly2,000seances,hewascaughtin deliberatefraudinManchester.Hebroughtthespiritpaintingsreadymadetotheseanceroomand attemptedtoexchangethemfortheblankcardswhichthesittersprovided.Onbeingforciblysearched,the originalcardswerediscoveredinhistrousers.Hisfriendswerestunnedbytheexposure.Theyofferedthe explanationthatDuguid'spowers,asisoftenthecase,musthavelapsed,and,promptedbyvanity,he madeachildishattempttoprovidethephenomenathesittersdesired. Thedefencehasaclaimonourconsideration.Thepsychophysiologicalsideoftheseproblemsisfartoo complextopassaprecipitatejudgment.Thequalificationformediumshipisnotstemmoralitybutsome constitutionalormentalaptitudewhichescapesusinordinarylife,asthereisnouseforit.Risingfroma lowlypositionandhelduptoadmiration,mediumsareinclinedtolosetheirbalanceanddothings incompatiblewithjudgmentorsanity.Bysupplantingthegenuinewiththespurioustheymaysavemuch bodilydiscomfortanddrainontheirvitality.Itisthelineofleastresistance.Themajorityoftheirsittersare miraclemongers.Thetendencytosatisfythemwiththeleastexertionisdifficulttoresist.Thisisnowso wellknownthatintheviewofDr.GustaveGeley,afamousFrenchresearcher,thereisreasonforseverityin anotherdirection.Bluntlyput"Whenamediumtricks,theexperimenterisresponsible."

Chapter13:TheChosenVesselofMalachiastheProphet
StoryoftheRev.WilliamStaintonMoses
NandorFodor LETUSsupposethatsurvivalisafact:thatafterdeath,inaccordancewiththeteachingsof Spiritualism,wefindourselvesinarealworldwithinfinitepossibilitiesofprogress:further,thatincourseof timeweshallbefilledwithcommiserationforourbrothersgropingindarknessonearth.Howwouldweset aboutteachingthemtheglorioustruth? First,wewouldtrytoimpingeonmatterdirect.Inthatwemightnotsucceedatall.Thenwewouldtryto influencecertainpeoplewithapeculiarmentalandphysicalequipment,peoplethatcouldbeimpressed, thatcouldseeandhear,thatcouldliberatecertainforceswithwhichwecouldoperateontheplaneof matter.Butwhatiftheywouldnotbelievetheirowneyesandears?Howwouldweprovethatwewerenot phantasmsoftheirdisorderedbrain? Adisplayofgreaterpowerandknowledgethanmortalspossesswouldprovidetheonlypotentargument. Grantingthatwepossessedsuchpowerandknowledge,thatalonewouldopentheirmindstomessages fromus. Thiswaspreciselythecourseadoptedbyabandofinvisiblecommunicatorsclusteringfrom18721881 aroundWilliamStaintonMoses,M.A.,anAnglicanclergymanandMasterofUniversityCollegeSchool, London.Theyassertedthatamissionaryefforttoupliftthehumanracewasbeingmadeinthespiritrealms, andashehadtherarestmediumisticgiftsandpersonalattainmentshewasselectedasthechosenvessel. Thecommunicatorsboreassumednamesand,atfirst,refusedtorevealtheiridentity.Humanitywasthen wallowinginthedeepestsloughofmaterialism.Theychosetoprovethemselves,simultaneouslywiththe deliveryoftheirhighteaching,byasuccessionofmiracles,andreservethethunderboltoftheiridentitytoa periodwhenthemediummightbepreparedtofaceit. Thelifeofaquiet,unassumingclergymanbecamemoreamazingthananyfairytale.StaintonMoseswasa manofnarroworthodoxyanddogmatism,ascathingcriticofallclaimstothesupernatural.Circumstances steeredhimintoaninvestigationofSpiritualism.Infivemonths'timethetableturnedagainsthim.He receivedevidenceofthecontinuityoflifewhichhecouldnotputoutofcourt.Moreover,hefoundhimselfthe subjectofvisitationbypowersthatdefiedalltheknownlawsofphysicsandchemistryalike. Hebecameahumandynamointhehandsofaninvisiblehost.Heappearedtogenerateapowerwhichkept theroominconstantvibration,whichcouldmoveobjectswithoutcontact,andcouldliftcleanoffthefloor heavytablesthatrequiredtwostrongmentobudgethem.Likethemanwholiftedhimselfbyhisboot straps,heroseintheair.InhisnotebookdatedAugust,1872,hissensationsaredescribedasfollows: "Iwascarriedup.Imadeamarkonthewalloppositetomychest.Iwasloweredverygently untilIfoundmyselfinmychairagain.Mysensationwasthatofbeinglighterthantheairno pressureonanypartofthebody,nounconsciousnessorentrancement.Fromthepositionof themarkonthewallitisclearthatmyheadmusthavebeenclosetotheceiling.Theascent, ofwhichIwasperfectlyconscious,wasverygradualandsteady,notunlikethatofbeingina lift,butwithoutanyperceptiblesensationofmotionotherthanthatoffeelinglighterthanthe atmosphere." Thepoweractedonmatterinamostmysteriousmanner.AccordingtoanotedatedAugust28th,1872: "Inthediningroomtherewasalittlebell.Wehearditcommencetoring,andcouldtraceitby itssoundasitapproachedthedoorwhichseparatedusfromit.Whatwasourastonishment whenwefoundthat,inspiteofthecloseddoor,thesounddrewnearertous.Itwasevidently withintheroominwhichwesat,forthebellwascarriedroundtheroom,ringingloudlythe wholetime.Aftercompletingthecircuitoftheroom,itwasbroughtdown,passedunderthe table,comingupclosetomyelbow.Itwasfinallyplaceduponthetable."

Thiswasademonstrationthatmattercaninterpenetratematter.Theclaimismostoftenmetwithin "apports",i.e.,thearrivalofobjectsfromsomewhereoutsidetoaplaceorroominsidewhichtheyhaveno businesstobe.InStaintonMoses'casetheywereusuallysmallarticlescomingthroughcloseddoorsor wallsandthrownuponthetablemostlyfromadirectionoverthemedium'shead.Butsometimestheirorigin wasunknown. Suchobjectsincludedgems,pearlsandsemipreciousstones.TheyfilledStaintonMoseswithuneasiness. Hecouldnotdisassociatethemfromtheanxietyoftheirdisconsolateowners. Largeglobesoflightofanunknownnatureroseandfloatedintheair.Theyhadanucleus,whichresembled theoutlinesofahumanhand,andwereenvelopedindraperythatfelthardtothetouch.Theygrewmore vividifthemediumrubbedhishandstogetheroronhiscoat.Theycoulddeliverdistinctblowsonthetable. Theseluminousglobesweresucceededbyrounddiscsoflightwhichhadadarkside,generallyturned towardsthemedium.Thelightsidegaveanswerstoquestionsbyflashes.Onrareroccasionsacolumnof lightappearedsixtosevenfeethighandaninchormorewide.Itwasofbright,goldenhueanddidnot illuminateobjectsintheneighbourhood.Foraminuteacrossdevelopedatitstopraysseemedtodartfrom it. Thestrangestfeatureoftheselightswasthattheycouldbeseenthroughsolidobjects.Iftheyappeared underamahoganytabletheycouldbeseenfromaboveaswellasifthetophadbeenofglass.Sometimes asmanyasthirtylightswereseenflyinglikecometsintheroom.Theywereassociatedmostlywithspirit visitors,someofwhomcouldslipinunbidden.Beingtouchedbythelightofanunwelcomevisitortheskinof themedium'sfingerbrokeopenandthejointswelled. Musicwasheardwhennoinstrumentwaspresentalsointheopenair. "Weheardthefairybells,"writesMrs.Speer,afriendofStaintonMoses,"playingindifferent partsofthegarden,wherewewerewalkingattimestheysoundedfaroff,seeminglyplaying atthetopofsomehighelmtrees,musicandstarsminglingtogether,thentheywould approachnearertous,evidentlyfollowingusintothesanceroom,whichopenedontothe lawn.Afterwewereseatedthemusicstilllingeredwithus,playinginthecorneroftheroom andoverthetableroundwhichwewereseated.Theyplayedscalesandchordsbyrequest withthegreatestrapidityandcopiednotessungbyDr.Speer.AfterMoseswasinatrance themusicbecamelouderandsoundedlikebrilliantplayingonthepiano!Therewasno instrumentintheroom." Scentsofmusk,verbena,newmownhayandanunfamiliarodourcamedowninshowersduringthesittings. Sometimesthisoccurredalsointheopenair.StaintonMosesbelievedthattheywereemployedbyhis invisibleattendantstoharmonizeconditions.Nomusicwaseveraskedforbyhis"controls".Aluminous hazeappearedaroundthechairofanewsitter.Theperfumeissuedfromthisorcamesprinklingfromthe ceilingatthesametime.Therewasagreatpeculiarityaboutthesescents.Theywerecircumscribedin space,confinedtoabeltorbandbeyondwhichtheydidnotpenetrate.Itwaspossibletowalkintoitand outofitagain.Withinitthetemperaturewascoolandthescentstrongoutside,thetemperaturewas decidedlywarmerwithnotraceofscent.Theedgesofthebeltwerequiteclearlymarked.Ifconditionswere unfavourablethescentswerepungent,andmostpainfuliftheygotintotheeye.Unpleasantsmellswere alsoinevidence.Nowandthenthesitterswerestunkoutoftheroombyahorribleodourwhichimpregnated everythingfortwentyfourhours.Suchsmellswerealwaysassociatedwithdarkspirits. Onlyafewselectpeople,friendsofStaintonMoses,andoccasionallySirWilliamCrookes,witnessedthese phenomena.Forasaruletheinvisiblecommunicatorsstronglyobjectedtotheintroductionofstrangers. TheyhadnowishtoexhibittheirpowerbeyondconvincingMosesandhisfriendsoftheirsupernormal claims.Buttherecordsareexcellent.Dr.andMrs.StanhopeSpeerleftnumerousaccountsandwehave theoriginalnotebooksofStaintonMoses,nowpreservedattheLondonSpiritualistAlliance.F.W.H. Myers,thegreatpioneerofpsychicalresearch,whoseHumanPersonalitywasthefoundationstoneofa newcosmicphilosophy,subjectedthem,afterthedeathofStaintonMoses,toaminuteanalysis.His conclusionastothephenomenawas: "ThattheywerenotproducedfraudulentlybyDr.Speerorothersitters.Iregardasprovedboth bymoralconsiderationsandbythefactthattheywereconstantlyreportedasoccurringwhen Mr.Moseswasalone.ThatMr.MosesshouldhavehimselffraudulentlyproducedthemI

regardasbothmorallyandphysicallyincredible.Thatheshouldhavepreparedandproduced theminastateoftranceIregardbothasphysicallyincredibleandalsoasentirely inconsistentwiththetenorbothofhisownreportsandthoseofhisfriends.Ithereforeregard thereportedphenomenaashavingactuallyoccurredinagenuinelysupernormalmanner." StaintonMoseswasnoprofessionalmedium.HischaracterandintegrityweresohighthatAndrewLang wasforcedtowarntheadvocatesoffraudthat"thechoiceisbetweenamoralandphysicalmiracle".Frank Podmorewasalmosttheonlycriticwhopreferredtobelieveinamoralmiracleratherthaninaphysicalone. Butforthephysicalmiracletherewasproof.Againstthemoraloneeverythingmilitated. Moreover,theinvisibleoperatorswerefullyawarethatmiraclescannotprovehumansurvival.Afterall,the manifestingintelligencemightbeotherthanhuman,sotheybroughtentitieswhoclaimedtohavelived recentlyonearthandcametoprovetheiridentity. ThecaseoftheSteamRollerSuicidehasbecomequitefamousinspiritualisticliterature.OnFebruary10th, 1874,inadeeptrance,thehandofMoseswrote:'Ikilledmyselftoday."Thiswasprecededbyaveryrude drawing,andthen"Understeamroller,BakerStreet,mediumpassed,"waswritten.Themediumsaid "blood"severaltimesandmotionedsomethingaway.Thespiritaskedforprayer.Onthefollowingday MosesandDr.SpeerwalkeddownBakerStreetandaskedthepolicemanondutyifanyaccidenthad occurredthere.Hetoldthemthatamanhadbeenkilledbythesteamrollerat9a.m.,andthathehimself hadhelpedtocarrythebodytoMaryleboneWorkhouse. TheonlyflawinthecasewasthatthePallMallGazettepublishedashortaccountofthesuicidethesame eveningandthismayhavebeensubconsciouslyseenbythemedium.Buteventhatflawwascompletely eliminatedintheBlancheAbercrombycase.HermessagewassointimatethatStaintonMosespasted downtheedgesofthecorrespondingpagesinhisnotebook.Theywereopenedalmosttwentyyearslater byF.W.H.Myers.Thewritingwasinthelady'shandwhodiedonthatday.Boththelady'ssonanda handwritingexpertestablishedacompleteidentity. NoonewasmoresuspiciousoftricksofhisownsubconsciousmindthanStaintonMoseshimself.Hetook extraordinarypainstopreventanadmixtureofhisownthoughts. "Icultivatedthepower,"hewrites,"ofoccupyingmymindwithotherthingsduringthetime thatthewritingwasgoingon,andwasabletoreadanabstrusebookandfollowoutalineof closereasoningwhilethemessagewaswrittenwithunbrokenregularity.Messagessowritten extendedovermanypages,andintheircoursethereisnocorrection,nofaultincomposition, andoftenasustainedvigourandbeautyofstyle." Occasionally,evenhishandwasdispensedwith.Messageswerewrittenonsheetsofpaperdepositedon thefloorunderthetablewhennoonecouldhavedonethewriting.Sometimestheygrewvisibly,evenin colours,beforetheeyesofthemediumwithouttheuseofpencilorchalk. ThefamousSpiritTeachings areintheformofdialogue,i.e.,inanswertoquestionswhichMoses addressedtohisinvisibleinterlocutors.Theirtonetowardshimwashabituallycourteousandrespectful.But occasionallyitwasbitingincriticism.ThiswasoneofthereasonswhyMoseswasunwillingtoallowthe inspectionofhisnotebooksduringhislifetime.Theteachingswerecouchedintonesofaloftymoralityand highspiritualpurpose.Theyprobeddeepintotheproblemsofexistenceandman'sfuturedestiny.They meantnottobeanewdispensationbutaninterpretationandpurificationoftheoldone.Thebeingswho signedthemselvesbysuchnamesasImperator,Preceptor,Prophet,Rector,Vates,Prudens,etc.,desired todoforChristianitywhatJesusdidforJudaism.Imperator,theirleader,whoalwayssignedwithacross andS.D.(ServusDei),claimedtobecommuning,throughPreceptor,withJesushimself.Hispresence alwaysinspiredreverenceandawe.OnbeingpressedforhisidentityonJuly6th,1873,Imperatortoreoff theveilinsuchdramaticwords: "Know,then,thatIwasincarnateduponyourearthinthoseterribledaysofdesolationwhich succeededthereturnofGod'speoplefromthelandofPersiaunderNehemiah:dayswhenthe priestswerecorruptandcorruptedtheirpeople,whentheserviceofGodwasneglectedand profanedandwhenthepeoplewerefastlosingalldirectconsciousnessofthepresenceof God'sMessengerwiththem.InthosedaysIlivedandspakewithhumanutterancethe propheticmessage,evenasnowIconveythroughyouafullerandclearerknowledgeofthe

sameGodwhomIthenrevealed.WhenNehemiahstoodforthtoguidethepeopleandbring thembacktoGod,I,Malachias,theAngelofJehovah,theMessengerofGodasIwascalled, stoodbyhissideandprophesiedofGod'sjudgment." TherevelationhadacrushingeffectonStaintonMoses.Hewasnofool,hehadgreatintellectual attainments,akeenandwellbalancedmind.Biblicalcharacters,ancientsagesandphilosophers (Malachias,Elijah,Daniel,St.JohntheBaptist,Solon,Plato,Seneca,etc.),communicatingthroughhim! Nothingcouldhavesoundedmorepreposterous.Hefoughtagainsttheirclaimwithastubbornpersistence andwasagainandagainreprovedforhisunbelief.Hepointedouttheimpossibilityofprovingtheidentityof ancientspirits.Imperatoransweredthatstatementsincapableofproofshouldbeacceptedastrueonthe groundthatotherswhichcouldbetestedhadbeenverified.Theargumentwasflawless.Mosesatlast capitulated.InhisIntroductiontoSpiritTeachings hewrote: "JudgedasIshouldwishtobejudgedmyself,theywerewhattheypretendedtobe." TotheteachingsStaintonMoseswas,foralongtime,bitterlyopposed.Inthelightofhisrigidorthodoxy theyappearedalmostblasphemous.Butnothingdemonstratesbettertheinfluencewhichtheyexercised overhisagethanthatalmostthewholeoftheseteachingsisnowembodiedinliberalizedChristianity.A largeproportionoftheAnglicanChurch,modernistsandnonconformists,acceptthemnowasbeyond dispute. Imperatorandhisbandaccomplishedtheirpurpose.Itmattersnotwhetherthepersonalagencyof Malachiasandhishelpersisevidentiallyadmissibleornot.Moseshimselfwaveredandshowedhesitation afterthemiraclesceased.Whatalonemattersistheirvalue,whichprovedthemworthyofthesourcefrom whichtheyclaimedtoemanate.

Chapter14:SheConvincedSirOliverLodgeofSurvival
StoryofMrs.EleonoreE.Piper
NandorFodor HUMANNATUREissuchthatitrecoilsfromfacingmomentousissues.Fromthecloseofthelast centuryonwardanumberoffamousscientistsannouncedtotheworldthatafterapersonalinvestigation, extendingoveragreatnumberofyears,theyfoundhumansurvivalanestablishedfactofscience.Theworld apparentlyisnotreadytobelievethatreligionneednomorebeamatterofhopeandfaith,butthatitisa matterofknowledge.Itpreferstothinkthateventhemostfamousscientistmay,insomerespects,gooff hishead.Andifthefamousscientistsufferedpersonalbereavementtheydeducefromthisfacta"proof"that hisemotionalnatureoverrodehisreason.Protestsagainstthisattitudeavailednothing.InvaindidSirOliver LodgewriteinhisfamousbookRaymond: "Myconclusionhasbeengraduallyformingitselfforyears...Butthiseventhasstrengthened andliberatedmytestimony." Hetestifiedtoastupendousreality.Itwasawayofescapeforhisopponentstobelievethatgriefoverthe lossofhissonmighthaveaffectedhiscriticalfaculty.Thefactthathisviewsofdemonstratedsurvivalwere announcedasearlyas1909wasconvenientlyforgotten.Thenameoftheremarkablewomanwhobrought himthisconviction,towhomscienceowesanundischargeddebtofgratitude,isnotevenknowntothe world. SomedayamonumentwillbeerectedtoMrs.LeonoreE.Piper.Sheisstillwithus.Awomanofsterling characterandcourage,onwhomProf.WilliamJames,thegreatestmodernphilosopher,waswillingto stakehisreputation"forwisdomorfollytostandorfall"whoconvertedDr.RichardHodgson,thegreatest fraudhunterinthehistoryofpsychicalresearch("averitableSaulpersecutingtheChristians",ashewas described)toabeliefinhumansurvivalwhoconvincedProf.J.H.HyslopofColumbiaUniversitythat"there isafuturelifeandpersistenceofpersonalidentity",adeclarationwhichcosthimhisprofessionalchairwho reducedpsychologiststoastateofbewildermentallovertheworldandwho,foraperiodofoverfortyyears, enduredeverykindofscrutiny,Imightsayvivisection,whichscientificingenuitycoulddevisetodisprovethe realityofaninvisibleworld. Itspellslittletosaythatshewasatrancemedium.Totheaveragemanthatonlymeansapersonof doubtfulrespectabilitywhospendsthegreaterpartofherlifetalkinggibberishinastateofsleep.Butto psychicalresearchitmeansthatshebecomesahumanautomaton,anorganismwhichheregoceasesto inhabit,andwhichistemporarilypossessedofbeingsthatcallthemselvesspiritsofthedead. Whatcouldbemoreprovokingtophysiologythantheactualdescriptionofthispreposterousprocess.Itwas thussummarizedtoDr.Hodgson: "Weallhavebodiescomposedofluminiferousetherenclosedinourfleshandbloodbodies. TherelationofMrs.Piper'setherealbodytotheetherealworldinwhichcommunicatorsclaim todwellissuchthataspecialstoreofenergyisaccumulatedinconnectionwithher organism,andthisappearstothemas"light".Mrs.Piper'setherealbodyisremovedbythem andherordinarybodyappearsasashellfilledwiththis"light"...Ifthecommunicatorgetsinto contactwiththelightandthinkshisthoughts,theytendtobereproducedbymovementsin Mrs.Piper'sorganism...WhenMrs.Piperisinillhealththelightisfeeblerandthe communicationstendtobelesscoherent.Italsogetsusedupduringasittingandwhenit getsdimthereisatendencytoincoherenceeveninotherwiseclearcommunicators.Inall cases,comingintocontactwiththislighttendstoproducebewilderment,andifthecontactis continuedtoolong,orthelightbecomesverydim,theconsciousnessofthecommunicator tendstolapsecompletely." Itappearsthattheproceedingsareinexperthands.Thesocalled"controls"succeed,inspiteof inconceivabledifficulties,inefficientlyhandlinganalienorganismforearthlymanifestations.Thisishow "Pelham",oneofMrs.Piper'sotherworldsupervisors,explainedtheposition:

"Inordertorevealthemselvestoyouthespiritsputthemselvesinanenvironmentthat discommodesthemagooddeal.Theyarelikepersonswhohavereceivedablowonthehead andareinastateofsemidelirium.Theymustbecalmed,encouraged,assuredthattheiridea willimmediatelybeofgreatimportance...Inordertospeakwithyouitisnecessaryformeto reenterthebodyandtheredream.Henceyoumustpardonmyerrorsandthelacunaeinmy speechandmemory." ThemarvelofMrs.Piper'scasewasthatherbodyrespondedtotheinvadersexceedinglywell.Shecould obtainthreesimultaneouscommunications:writingwithbothhandsandspeakingatthesametime.The dramaticactivityofthehandwasaremarkablephenomenon.Itwasfullofintelligenceandcouldbe describedasactingmoreasapersonthanahand.Dr.Hodgsonreportedthatatasittingwherealadywas engagedinaprofoundlypersonalconversationwiththecontrolconcerningherrelations"thehandwas seizedveryquietlyand,asitwere,surreptitiously,andwroteaverypersonalcommunicationtomyself purportingtocomefromadeceasedfriendofmineandhavingnorelationwhatsoevertothesitterprecisely asifacallershouldenteraroomwheretwostrangerstohimwereconversing,butafriendofhisisalso present,andwhisperaspecialmessageintotheearofthefriendwithoutdisturbingtheconversation." Thefirstpointonwhichtheaverageinquirerwishestobesatisfiedistheintegrityofthemedium.Astothis, wehavethetestimonyofMrs.Piper'sdiscoverer,Prof.WilliamJames.Forthefirsteighteenmonthshekept herunderpersonalsupervision.Hehypnotizedherandfoundtheconditionofhertranceandhypnoticsleep radicallydifferent.Hefoundnosignsofthoughttransferenceeitherinthehypnoticconditionorimmediately afterit.WouldhehavedeclaredinhisreporttotheSocietyforPsychicalResearchwithouttakingthe utmostpains: "AndIrepeatagainwhatIsaidbefore,that,takingeverythingthatIknowofMrs.Piperinto account,theresultistomakemefeelasabsolutelycertainasIamofanypersonalfactinthe worldthatsheknowsthingsinhertranceswhichshecannotpossiblyhaveheardinher wakingstate,andthatthedefinitephilosophyofhertrancesisyettobefound". ItwasastheresultofProf.James'srepresentationtotheSocietyforPsychicalResearchinLondonthatDr. RichardHodgsonwassentovertoAmericaandinitiatedtherethemostfamousperiodofmediumistic investigation.HestartedbyengagingdetectivestowatchMrs.Piperandseeifshemadeanyattemptto obtaininformationnormally.Ondaysofsittingsheforbadehertoreadthemorningpapers.Heintroducedall sittersunderthepseudonym"Smith".Heimprovisedsittingsforthebenefitofchancecallersofwhosevery existenceMrs.Pipercouldnothavebeenaware.Forfifteenyearshewasreadytopounceupontheleast suspiciouscircumstance.Andinlateryearsheruefullydeclaredmorethanoncethathisamourproprehad neverquiterecoveredfromtheshockitreceivedwhenhefoundhimselfforcedtoacceptunreservedlythe genuinenessofthePiperphenomena.ForinhissecondreporttotheS.P.R.in1897,hestated: "AtthepresenttimeIcannotprofesstohaveanydoubtthatthechiefcommunicatorstowhom Ihavereferredintheforegoingpagesareveritablythepersonagesthattheyclaimtobe,that theyhavesurvivedthechangewecalldeath,andthattheyhavedirectlycommunicatedwith uswhomwecallliving,throughMrs.Piper'sentrancedorganism." Theterroroffraudulentmediums,thehardestscepticthateverenteredthearenaofpsychicalresearch,the manwhoexposedMme.BlavatskyinIndiabecameaspiritualist.Hisoutlookuponlifeunderwenta completechange.Herefusedremunerativeoffersfromuniversitiesandcollegesandlivedhappilyonan inadequatesalaryinoneroominBostonfortherestofhislife.Hewasintouchwitharealityofwhichhedid notdream,thefullnessofwhichonlythepersonalitiesofMrs.Piper'slastcontrolscouldadequatelyunfold. "Phinuit",herfirstcontrol,asoidisantFrenchdoctorofMetz,wasadubiouspersonality.Prof.N.S.Shaler, inalettertoWilliamJames,callshima"preposterousscoundrel".Hehadanexclusivereignuntilthe adventof"Pelham".HewasGeorgePellew,alawyerandwriter,afriendofDr.Hodgson.Hedied accidentallyin1892andcamebackthroughMrs.Pipertokeephispromise.Hetalkedwith130persons,of whichthirtyhadpreviouslyknownhim.Headdressedeachoftheminthetoneandmannerwhichheusedin hislifetime.In1897agreatchangehadtakenplace.TheImperatorgrouparrivedonthescene.They suppressedPhinuitandrelegatedPelhamtotheroleofaminorcommunicator.Theyprofessedtobethe sameaugustpersonalitieswhosechosenvesselStaintonMoseswas:Malachias,theprophetandhis faithfulband.Thetoneofcommunicationassumedadignityandloftinessofexpressionandaquasi religiouscharacterwhichithadheretoforeentirelylacked.Thegroupexercisedatremendousspiritual

influenceoverthelifeofallthosewhocameincontactwithitsmembers.ManysittersprayedtoImperator forcomfortandguidanceasonewouldpraytoafavouritesaint.EvenDr.Hodgson,amanofakeensense ofhumour,alwaysbuoyantandcheerful,wouldbecomegravewhenthenameofImperatorwasmentioned. Intheclosingyearsofhislife,aloneinhisroom,hereceiveddirectcommunicationsfromtheseaugust beings.Theywereofaconvincingnatureandofarevelatorycharacter.Heneverallowedanyonetoenterhis roomforfearofdisturbingits"magnetic"influence,andnonebuthismostintimatefriendsknewwhyDr. Hodgsonlivedlikeasaint. In1889Mrs.PiperpaidherfirstvisittoEngland.Shewasisolatedmorecompletelyfromtheworldthanif shehadbeentakentoafeverhospital.SirOliverLodgehadherdowntohishouseinLiverpool.Hiswife engagedanentirelynewstaffofservants.Allhercorrespondencepassedthroughthehandsofherhost,and shecouldnotevengoonashoppingexpeditionalone.Yetthisextraordinarywomanrevealedthemost extraordinaryfamiliaritywiththelivesofallthestrangepeoplewhowerebroughttoher.Hercontrol,the "rascally"Phinuit,showedanextraordinaryfamiliaritywiththeboyhooddaysoftwoofLodge'suncles. LodgethereuponsentaprofessionalinquiryagenttoBarkingwheretheylivedtoseehowmuchhecould findoutonthescene.Theagentwrote: "Mrs.Piperhascertainlybeatme.MyinquiriesinmodernBarkingyieldlessinformationthan shegave.Yetthemostskilfulagentcouldhavedonenomorethansecuretheassistanceof thelocalrecordkeepersandtheoldestinhabitantsliving." Lodge'sfirstreport,issuedin1890,wascautiouslyrestrictedtotheconclusion: 1.ThatMrs.Piper'sattitudeisnotoneofdeception. 2.NoconceivabledeceptiononthepartofMrs.Pipercanexplainthefacts. But19yearslaterinhisSurvivalofManheadmitted: "TheoldseriesofsittingswithMrs.PiperconvincedmeofsurvivalforreasonswhichIshould findithardtoformulateinanystrictfashion,butthatwastheirdistincteffect.Theyalsomade mesuspectormorethansuspectthatsurvivingintelligenceswereinsomecases consciouslycommunicatingyes,insomefewcasesconsciouslythoughmoreusuallythe messagescame,inallprobability,fromanunconsciousstratum,beingreceivedbythe mediuminaninspirationalmanneranalogoustopsychometry. "Thehypothesisofsurvivingintelligenceandpersonalitynotonlysurvivingbutanxiousand ablewithdifficultytocommunicateisthesimplestandmoststraightforward,andtheonly onethatfitsallthefacts." FewpeoplewillrememberthefamousFaunusmessageofMrs.PiperwhichwarnedSirOliverofhis impendingbereavementduringthewar.OnAugust8th,1915,intheformofamessagefromthespiritsofF. W.H.MyersandDr.Hodgson,itcameabruptlyasfollows: "Now,Lodge,whilewearenothereasofold,i.e.,notquite,wearehereenoughtogiveand takemessages.Myerssaysyoutakethepartofthepoet,andhewillactasFaunus.Faunus. Myers.Protect:hewillU.D.(understand).Whathaveyoutosay,Lodge?Goodwork,ask Verrall,shewillalsoU.D.Arthursaysso." ThemessagereachedSirOliverLodgefromAmericaearlyinSeptember,1915.OnSeptember17ththe WarOfficenotifiedhimthathissonRaymondwaskilledinactiononSeptember14th.Butbeforetheblow fellSirOliverinquiredfromMrs.Verrall,lecturerinclassicsatNewnhamCollege:"Doesthepoetand Faunusmeananythingtoyou?Didoneprotecttheother?"Sherepliedatoncethat"thereferenceisto Horace'saccountofhisnarrowescapefromdeath,fromafallingtree,whichheascribestotheintervention ofFaunus". AccordingtoRev.M.A.Bayfield: "Faunuslightenedtheblowhedoesnotsay'turneditaside'.Asbearingonyourterribleloss, themeaningseemstobethattheblowwouldfall,butwouldnotcrushitwouldbelightened

bytheassurance,conveyedafreshtoyoubyaspecialmessagefromthestilllivingMyers thatyourboystilllives." F.W.H.Myerswasawellknownclassicalscholar.Themessagewasofthetypewhichhewouldhave plannedsoastoprepareLodgeandbebeyondthereachofthemedium'smind. Mrs.Piper'slifeistoofullofamazinghappeningsandincidentsofscientificimportancetobeadequately dealtwithinasinglechapter.Neverbeforehasamediummadeoutsostrongandunanswerableacasefor therealityofanunseenworldandneversincehastheworldofsciencebeenabletoexplainawaythat mountainofstrictlyscientificevidencewhichherlifeworkrepresents.

Chapter15:TheMediumofKingsandKingsofMediums
StoryofD.D.Home
NandorFodor THELATEW.T.SteadwasthefirstjournalisttowhomtheCzarofAlltheRussians(NicholasII) grantedanewspaperinterview.Accordingtohisownstory,afterahalfanhour'sconversation,thepublicist forgothimselfandrosesaying:"ImustnotdetainyourMajestyanylonger." AroundtheseventiesalessnonchalantbutsimilarlyunprecedentedattitudewasshowntowardsAlexander IIofRussiabyanotherEnglishman,D.D.Home,thefamousmedium.HehimselfwritesofitinIncidentsin MyLifewithanengagingnaivety: "OnreachingSt.Petersburg,Iwashonouredbyakindinvitationtobereceivedbythe Emperor,whichIwasobligedtodecline,notbeinginpoweratthetime,andHisMajesty havingmostgraciouslysenttometosaythatunderanycircumstanceshewouldbepleased toseeme,Iexcusedmyselfonthepleaofhavingsomuchtoattendto,previoustomy marriage." D.D.HomewassuchanextraordinarymanthattheCzarforgavehimtherebuff.Indeed,ifwecanbelievea letterofPrinceEmilSaynWittgenstein,hisImperialMajesty'slateaidedecamp,toMrs.HardingeBritten in1876,theEmperorandmostofhishouseholdwerecompletelyconvertedtoSpiritualism. "SinceMr.D.D.Home'sfirstvisitinIthink1861,"hewrote,"HisMajestyhasnever doubtedthetruthofspiritcommunion,andtherichpresentsandspecialfavourhehas bestowedonMr.Homeisproofpositiveoftheroyalacceptanceofhismediumship." InFrancerumourswerealsorifethatLouisNapoleon,asaresultofD.D.Home'svisitstotheTuilleries, becameabelieverinSpiritualism.TheDukedeMornytoldtheEmperorthathefeltindutyboundto contradicttherumour.TowhichtheEmperorreplied: "Quiteright,butyoumayaddwhenyouspeakonthesubjectagainthatthereisadifference betweenbelievingathingandhavingproofofit,andthatIamcertainofwhatIhaveseen." WhattheEmperorsawwasprobablythemostamazingexperienceofhislife. WhenhereceivedHomeforthefirsttimehisandtheEmpress'sunspoken thoughtswererepliedto,andtheEmpresswastouchedbyamaterializedhand inwhich,fromadefectinoneofthefingers,sherecognizedthatofherlate father.Inthesecondsancetheroomwasshaken,heavytableswereliftedand glueddowntothefloorbyanalterationoftheirweight.Atthethirdsancea phantomhandappearedabovethetable,liftedapencilandwrotethesingle word"Napoleon"intheautographofNapoleonI. TherewereothercrownedheadswhotreatedD.D.Homewithfavour:theKingof Bavaria,theGermanEmperor,theQueenofHolland,andtheKingofNaples. Werethey,withhundredsofotherfamouspeople,suddenlyattackedbyaform ofinsanitywhichcausedthemtobelieveinthingsincredible,ordidtheywitness genuinephenomena? Thataroomfulofintelligentpeoplewhoarequitesaneinotherrespectsshould concur,totheminutestparticulars,inthedetailsoftheoccurrencesofwhich The first flashlight photograph theyweresupposedtobethewitnesses,seemedtoSirWilliamCrookesmore of hum an le vitation: Am ade e Zuccarni in the air. incrediblethanthefactswhichtheyattested.Frompersonalobservationhe wrotethatthephantomhand"isnotalwaysamereform,butsometimesappearsperfectlylifelikeand graceful,thefingersmove,thefleshapparentlyashumanasthatofanyintheroom.Atthewrist,orarm,it becomeshazyandfadesoffintoaluminouscloud."Tothetouchthehandsometimesappearsicycoldand dead,atothertimeswarmandlifelike.Hehasseenaluminouscloudhoveroveraheliotrope,breakasprig

offandcarryittoalady,hehasseenafingerandthumbpickthepetalsfromaflowerinHome'sbuttonhole andlaytheminfrontofseveralpersonssittingnearhim. "Moreover,ononeoccasion,"writesCrookes,"Ihaveretainedoneofthesehandsinmyown, firmlyresolvednottoletitescape.Therewasnostruggleorefforttogetloose,butitgradually seemedtoresolveitselfintovapourandfadedinthatmannerfrommygrasp." Healsosawcompletebuttransparentghostlyforms. "Intheduskoftheevening,duringasancewithMr.Homeatmyhouse,thecurtainsofa windowabouteightfeetfromMr.Homewereseentomove.Adark,shadowy,semi transparentform,likethatofaman,wasseenbyallpresentstandingnearthewindow,waving thecurtainwithhishand.Aswelooked,theformfadedawayandthecurtainsceasedto move." Oncethesemitransparentghost,holdinganaccordioninhishandandplayingcontinuously,cameupto Mrs.Crookes. "Asthefigureapproached,"shewrites,"Ifeltanintensecold,andasitwasgivingmethe accordionIcouldnothelpscreaming.Thefigureseemedtosinkintothefloor,leavingonlythe headandtheshouldersvisible,stillplayingtheaccordion,whichwasthenaboutafootoffthe floor." Aftermanifestationsofsoastoundingacharacteritseemsalmostapaltrythingtospeakofaheavydining tablewhichCrookessawrisebetweenafewinchesandoneandahalffeetoffthefloorunderspecial circumstanceswhichrenderedtrickeryimpossibleor,again,tolistentoLordLindsay'sfollowing testimony: "Ihadonehandonhischairandtheotheronthepiano,andwhileheplayedbothhischair andthepianoroseaboutthreeinchesandthensettleddownagain." Amanwhocouldnotbekeptdownonearth!Crookesknewofatleastahundredinstancesofhisrising fromtheground.HebelievedthestoryofhisfloatingoutofthethirdstorywindowofLordAdare'shousein VictoriaStreetinthepresenceofthreewitnesses(1)becausehehimselfhadtoacknowledge: "OnseveraloccasionsHomeandthechaironwhichhewassittingatthetableroseoffthe ground.Thiswasgenerallydoneverydeliberately,andHomesometimestuckeduphisfeeton theseatofthechairandhelduphishandsinfullviewofallofus.OnsuchanoccasionIhave gotdownandseenandfeltthatallfourlegswereoffthegroundatthesametime,Home'sfeet beingonthechair.Lessfrequentlythelevitatingpowerwasextendedtothosesittingnextto him.Oncemywifewasthusraisedoffthegroundinherchair."
(1)SeeChapter1.

ThereisalmostnoendtothemiracleswhichD.D.HomeproducedforCrookes.Underthestrictesttest conditionshesaw: "asolidluminousbody,thesizeandnearlytheshapeofaturkey'seggfloatnoiselesslyabout theroom,atonetimehigherthananyonepresentcouldreachontiptoe,andthengently descendtothefloor.Itwasvisibleformorethantenminutes,andbeforeitfadedawayit struckthetablethreetimeswithasoundlikethatofahardsolidbody.Duringthistimethe mediumwaslyingback,apparentlyinsensible,inaneasychair.Ihaveseenluminouspoints oflightdartingaboutandsettlingontheheadsofdifferentpersons.Ihavehadquestions answeredbytheflashingofabrightlightadesirednumberoftimesinfrontofmyface.Ihave hadanalphabeticcommunicationgivenmebyluminousflashesoccurringbeforemeinthe air,whilstmyhandwasmovingaboutamongstthem." LordAdare,thefatherofthepresentLordDunraven,hadseentheextendedhandofHomebecomequite luminous.Onanotheroccasionhisclothescommencedtoshine.Oncethetopofhisheadglowedwithlight asifahalosurroundedit.OnHome'srequestheaskedthestarlikelightsinthenameoftheFather,andthe

SonandtheHolyGhostifthatwastheworkofGod."Irepeatedthewordsveryearnestly,"hesays,"the lightshoneout,makingthreelittleflashes,eachoneaboutafoothigherabovethefloorthanthepreceding." Crookesconstructedawirecagewhichheconnectedintoanelectriccircuitandplacedunderthetableso thatitjustfitted.AnaccordionwhichHomeplacedinthecageplayedbyitsownaccordfloatingintheair. Dr.AlfredRusselWallace,thegreatnaturalist,writesofthesameexperienceinMyLife: "Iwasinvitedtogounderthetablewhileanaccordionwasplaying,heldinHome'shand, holdingtheinstrumentwhichmovedupanddownandplayedatunewithoutanyvisiblecause. Hethensaid:'NowIwilltakeawaymyhand,'whichhedidbuttheinstrumentwenton playing,andIsawadetachedhandholdingitwhileHome'stwohandswereseenabovethe tablebyallpresent." Theaccordionnotonlyplayed,butitplayedexquisitemusic.AccordingtoRobertBell'sanonymousarticle, "StrangerthanFiction",intheCornhillMagazine,August,1860: "Theairwaswildandfullofstrangetransitions,withawailofthemostpatheticsweetness runningthroughit.TheexecutionwasnolessremarkableforitsdelicacythanitsPowers. Whenthenotesswelledinsomeoftheboldpassages,thesoundrolledthroughtheroomwith anastoundingreverberationthengentlysubsiding,sankintoastrainofdivinetenderness." TheexperiencewasthesamewhenBellheldtheaccordioninhisownhand,withfulllight uponitduringtheloudandvehementpassagesitbecamesodifficulttohold,inconsequence oftheextraordinarypowerwithwhichitwasplayedfrombelow,thathewasobligedtograsp thetopwithbothhands." OnEasterevening,1866,inS.C.Hall's,thewellknownartcritic'shome,toquotefromawellattested experiencefromHome'sbiography: "Firstwehadsimple,sweet,softmusicforsomeminutesthenitbecameintenselysadthen thetramp,trampasofabodyofmenmarchingmingledwiththemusic,andIexclaimed'The MarchtoCalvary'.Thenthreetimesthetaptappingsoundofahammeronanail(liketwo metalsmeeting).Acrash,andaburstofwailingwhichseemedtofilltheroom,followedthen therecameaburstofglorioustriumphalmusic,moregrandthananyofushadeverlistened to,andweexclaimed,'TheResurrection'.Itthrilledallourhearts." Ifformiraclesallthatisnotsufficientwemayaddthatattheveryleast50peoplehadseenD.D.Home growinstaturetoamaximumofeleveninches.LordLindsayobserved"thetopofthehipboneandtheshort ribsseparate".Homelookedasifhehadbeenpulledupbytheneck.Healsogrewinbreadth,hecould elongatehisarmsandlegs,andalsoshortenthem,itseems,sothatthelimbs"feltshrunkandwithered". Physiologistswill,ofcourse,saythatthethingisatotalimpossibility.Butitisnolessimpossiblefora humanbeingtohandlelivecoalwithimpunityorburyhisfaceinablazingcoalfire.YetHomedidit.Writes LordAdareinExperiencesinSpiritualismwithD.D.Home: "Havingapparentlyspokentosomespirit,hewentbacktothefire,andwithhishandstirred theembersintoaflamethenkneelingdownheplacedhisfaceamongtheburningcoals movingitaboutasthoughbathingitinwater.Then,gettingup,heheldhisfingerforsome timeintheflameofthecandle." CrookesandSirWilliamHuggins,theastronomer,formerpresidentoftheRoyalSociety,hadseenHome improvisingafurnaceinhishandbycoveringapieceofredhotcoal,ofthesizeofanorange,withhisleft hand,andblowingonituntilitwasnearlywhitehot,and"thendrewmyattention,"continuesCrookes,"to thelambentflamewhichwasflickeringoverthecoalandlickingroundhisfingershefellonhisknees, lookedupinareverentmanner,heldupthecoalinfront,andsaid:'IsnotGodgood?Arenothislaws wonderful?'" PeoplewhohadfaithcouldtakethecoalfromHomewithoutinjury.Mrs.S.C.Hallsawaburningcoal placedontheheadofherhusband.Homedrewuphiswhitehairoverthecoalintoasortofpyramid,the coalstillshowingredbeneaththehair.

NomanwasmoresoughtafterbythegreatonesofthedaythanD.D.Home.Dumas,pere,consideredhim afriend.HewashismarriagewitnessinSt.Petersburg,theCzar'sChamberlainbeinganother.When EmperorAlexanderII"forgot"toaskhimoninvitingHome,heconsoledhimselfwiththegrandioseremark: "TherearemanycrownedheadsinEurope,butthereisonlyoneAlexanderDumas." ThackerayconsideredHomeagenuinemysteryLordBulwerLyttonlookeduptohimRobertChambers, theauthorandpublisher,Dr.JohnAshburner,oneoftheRoyalphysicians,Dr.JohnElliotson,F.R.S.,some timepresidentofTheRoyalMedicalandChirurgicalSociety(themodelofDr.GoodenoughinThackeray's "Pendennis"),AlfredRusselWallace,Prof.AugustusdeMorgan,thefamousmathematician,cameoverto Spiritualism.FaradayrefusedinvestigationbecauseHomewasdisinclinedtoacknowledgeinadvance"that thephenomena,howeverproduced,wereridiculousandcontemptible".TyndallandCarpenterwouldnot condescend.Huxley,thegreat,was"notinterested".WithtwogreatmenofthedayHomecameintoopen conflictandemergedwithhonours.SirDavidBrewsterdeclared,afterasittinginthecompanyofLord Brougham,that"thisupsetsthephilosophyof50years".Italsoupsethisjudgment,forwhenthestatement waspublishedinthePresshemadeanindignantdenialandsetdownallthephenomenatoimposture.In theheatednewspapercontroversywhichfollowedhewasdefinitelyworsted,andin1869,inTheHomeLife ofSirDavidBrewster,hisowndaughterprovedhimtobeinthewrongbyprintingtheoriginalnoteonhis experiencefromhisprivatediary. RobertBrowningwroteaprosepoem,SludgetheMedium.ItwasgenerallythoughttorefertoHome,and didgreatharmtohisreputation.Browning'sownexperiencesgavenojustificationforit.Itwas"ablotonthe Browning'scutcheon"asMrs.SarahWhitman,theAmericanpoetess,remarked.Itmightbetrue,asG.K. ChestertonsaysinhisBrowningbiography,thatthepoet"didnotdislikespiritualismbutspiritualists".His wifewasoneofthem.ThatwasmainlywhythesubjectofSpiritualismwastabooedintheBrowninghome. Homewasnoprofessionalmedium.Hewasneverexposed,neverevenspecificallyaccused.Forhissittings heacceptednopayment.Helivedprecariouslyonthehospitalityofhisfriends.Oncehebecamean internationalfigure,andthesubjectofadebateintheHouseofCommons.HemadefrequentvisitstoItaly. RumouraroseamongthepeasantsthathewasanecromancerwhoadministeredtheSacramentofthe Churchtotoadsinordertoraisethedeadbyspellsandincantations.Anattemptwasmadeonhislife,and hewasofficiallywarnedofhissinisterreputation.NineyearslaterhewasexpelledfromRome.Ashe claimedtheprotectionoftheEnglishConsulhisexpulsionwasdiscussedintheHouseofCommons,butno representationwasresolvedupon. AfewyearslaterinEnglandhewasthecentralfigureofascandalouslawsuit.AcertainMrs.Lyon,a wealthywidow,tookafancytoHome,andproposedtoadopthimifheaddedhernametohisown.Home assented.Mrs.Lyontransferred60,000tohisaccount,anddrewupawillinhisfavour.Latersherepented heractionandsuedfortherecoveryofthemoneyonthebasisthatshewasinfluencedbyspirit communicationsfromherdeadhusband.Home,onthepointofleavingforGermany,wasarrested.Hewas liberatedthefollowingdayondepositingintheCourtofChancerythedeedsrelatingtothe60,000.Before theCourttheonusofproofwasputonthedefendant.ThoughMrs.Lyon'sstatementswerefound"so perverselyuntruethattheyhaveembarrassedthecourttoagreatdegree",judgmentwasenteredagainst Home. UglyrumourswerecirculatedinthePress.OneofthembeingthatMrs.Lyonhadafalselefthandand Homemadeherbelievethathecouldcreatelifeintheartificiallimb.Ithadnomorebasisthanthefantastic explanationsofhisphenomena.InRussiatheysaidthathehadagreatnumberofcatstosleepwithand drewfromtheirbodyelectricity.InParistheywhisperedthathecarriedaboutatrainedmonkeyinhis pockettotwitchdressesandshakehandsduringthesance.Butthemostingeniousexplanationcame fromanoldwomaninAmerica,whosaid: "Lor,sirs,it'seasyenough,heonlyrubshimselfalloverwithagoldpencilfirst."

Chapter16:ReadingtheNewspaperbeforeitisPrinted
StoryofMrs.OsborneLeonard
NandorFodor NOEDITORcouldwishforabetterproofofsupernormalknowledgethanadeniteforecast,byan outsider,ofthelayoutofhisownpaperatatimewhenitisyetinthelimboofthingstocome.Athousand andonethingsmayhappenduringthemakingupofanewspaperuptothelastmoment.Toforeseeinthe earlyafternoonparagraphsthatarenotyetsetupinthecolumn,andthepositionwhichtheywilloccupy nextdayifthereisanythingbeyondhumanknowledgethisisoneofthenearestthingstoit! Yetthisfeatofdivinationwasachieved.Theevidenceforitisunassailable.Wehavethepersonal asseverationoftheRev.CharlesDraytonThomas,ofBromley,Kent,aneminentMethodistclergyman psychicalresearcher.Wehavecorroborationintheinformationwhichimmediatelyafterhissittingswith Mrs.OsborneLeonard,theforemosttrancemediumofourdayMr.DraytonThomaspostedtotheSociety forPsychicalResearch.Thusitwasprovedthatatanhourwhenneithertheeditornorthecompositorcould tellwhattextwouldappearinthenexteditioninthecolumnmentioned,themanifestingintelligence(who claimedtobethedeceasedfatheroftheexperimenter)couldinvadetheofficesofTheTimes andmakea forecastthatwasbeyondhumancalculation. AstoldbytheRev.CharlesDraytonThomasinSomeRecentEvidenceforSurvival(Pp.131179.),the followingtestsweregivenonFebruary13th,1920: 1.Thefirstpageofthepaper.incolumntwo,andnearthetopthenameofaministerwith whomyourfatherwasfriendlyatLeek.(Perkswasfound,anamewhichwasverifiedfroman olddiary.) 2.Lowerinthiscolumn,sayonequarterdown,appearhisname,yourown,yourmother'sand thatofanauntallfourwithinthespaceoftwoinches.(JohnandCharleswerecorrectlyfound, thencamethenameEmileSauret,whichpresumablysuggestedEmilyandSarah,hisaunt andmother.) 3.Nearthesetheword"Grange".(Notfound.) 4.Incolumnone,notquitehalfwaydown,isanamewhichisyourmother'smaidennameor oneverylikeit.(ThemaidennamewasDore,thenamefoundDorothea.) 5.Somewhatabovethatisnamedaplacewhereyourmotherpassedsomeyearsofher girlhood.(Hants.Correct.Shirley,whereshespenthergirlhood,beinginHampshire.) 6.Closetotheforegoingisaname,whichsuggestsanactiononemightmakewiththebody injumping.(Cummock,abadpun:comeknock.) 7.Towardsthebottomofcolumnoneisnamedaplacewhereyouwenttoschool. (Lincolnshire.Correct.) 8.InthevicinityismentionedashallIsayteacher,otherthanaschoolmasterofours whomyouwillrememberwell.(WattsandJosephcorrect.) 9.ThereisawordclosebywhichlookstoyourfatherlikeCheadle.(Notfound.) 10.Higherincolumnone,saytwothirdsdown,isanamesuggestingammunition.(Foundthe ecclesiasticaltitleCanon.) 11.Betweenthatandtheteacher'snameisaplacename.French,lookinglikethreewords hyphenedintoone.(BraineleChateau.)

12.Aboutthemiddleofthispage,themiddlebothdownandacross,isamistakeinprintit cannotberight.Somewronglettersinsertedorsomethingleftout,somekindofmistakejust there.(Theword"page"printedimperfectly:"Paae".) Outoftwelveitemsinthistesttwoentirelyfailed.Theotherswerecorrect.Theforecastcameat3p.m.By 6p.m.acopywaspostedtotheSocietyforPsychicalResearch.Atthattimesomeofthepassages referredtomighthavebeenintype,othersnotyet,butinanycasenoonecouldhaveknowntheirultimate positiononthepage. Whatwasthepurposeofthisextraordinarytest?Theintelligencethatgaveitclaimedthathewasa discarnatehumanbeing.Hedesiredtoprovethattheknowledgedisplayedwasnotspringingfromthemind ofthemediumorthesitteroranybodyelseliving.Butthatitwasassociatedwiththememoryofsomeone calleddead,andwasaproofofhisgreatermentalpowersthanmortalspossess. Howdidhedoit?Thiswastheexplanationwhichtheentitygave: "Thesetestshavebeendevisedbyothersinamoreadvancedspherethanmine,andIhave caughttheirideas.Iamnotyetawareexactlyhowoneobtainsthesetests,andhave wonderedwhetherthehigherguidesexertsomeinfluencewherebyasuitableadvertisement comesintopositionontheconvenientdate.Iamabletosensewhatappeartometobe sheetsandslipsofpaperwithnamesandvariousinformationuponthem.Inoticesuitable itemsand,afterwards,visualizeaduplicateofthepagewiththeseitemsfallingintotheir places.AtfirstIwasunabletodothis.Itseemstomethatitisanabilitywhichthrowssome lightuponforetelling,avisualizingofwhatistobe,butbaseduponthatwhichalreadyis. SometimesIseefurtherdetailuponvisualizingwhichIhadnotsensedfromtheletters.Ithink thereisanethericforeshadowingofthingsabouttobedone.Itwouldprobablybeimpossible togetanythingveryfarahead,butonlywithinacertainnumberofhours,andIcannotsayhow many.Iscarcelythinkitwouldbepossibletogetatestforthedayafterthemorrow,or,even ifpossible,thatitcouldresultinmorethanajumbleofthemorrow'swithafewoftheday following." Highlyinteresting,butalittlebeyondourgrasp!Wealwaysfindthatinthingspsychic.Wealwayshaveto reachhigherandlearnbyourefforts.Aneffortatimprovementisalwaysmanifestontheinvisibleside. Thesenewspapertests,forinstance,representastepforwardindevelopmentfromthebooktestswhichthe Rev.DraytonThomas,andalsoLadyGlenconner,hadputonpreviousrecord.Theyweredevisedfora similarpurpose:todisprovetelepathy,andestablishtheexistenceofintelligencesoutoftheflesh.Thesitter askedaquestion.Thetranceentitydidnotanswerintheordinaryway.Hesaidthatifthesitterwouldlook upacertainbookonacertainshelfinhishomeonpagesoandsohewouldfindtheanswer.Thebooks selectedwereusuallythoseofwhichthecommunicatorwasfondinhislifetime.Thatalonewasa suggestionofpersonalidentity,butnotyetfoolproof.Sothetestwastriedwithbooksunknowntothe sitter,sentbyanantiquarianinanunopenedparcel,withbooksplacedinthedarkinanirondeedbox,with anunseenbookshelf,etc.Thecommunicatorwasequallysuccessfulinselectingfromthesebookssuitable itemsinanswertothequestions. Asanillustration,letusquotetheexperienceofSirWilliamBarrett,lateProfessorofPhysicsattheRoyal CollegeofScienceofDublin,astoldbyhimselfinhisprefacetotheRev.Thomas'book.SittingwithMrs. LeonardhewasgiventhefollowingmessagewhichpurportedtocomefromthediscarnateF.W.H.Myers, apioneerpsychicalresearcher: "ThereweresomebooksontherighthandsideofaroomupstairsinyourhouseinDevonshire Place.Onthesecondshelf,fourfeetfromtheground,inthefourthbookcountingfromtheleft, atthetopofpage78,aresomewordswhichyoushouldtakeasdirectanswerfromhim (Myers)tosomuchoftheworkyouhavebeendoingsincehepassedover.Askedifthename ofthebookcouldbegiven,thereplywas'No',butthatwhilstfeelingonthecoverofthebook hegotasenseof'progression'.Twoorthreebooksfromthistestbookareoneortwobooks onmattersinwhichSirWilliamusedtobeveryinterested,butnotoflateyears.Itis connectedwithstudiesofhisyouth." Mrs.LeonardhadnevervisitedSirWilliam'shouse.

Hehimselfhadnoideawhatbookswerereferredto,butonreturninghomehefoundintheexactposition indicatedGeorgeEliot'sMiddlemarch.Onthefirstlineatthetopofpageseventyeightwerethewords:"Ay, ay,Irememberyou'llseeI'veremembered'emall."Itwasasingularlyappropriatequotation,asmuchof SirWilliam'sworksinceMr.Myerspassedoverconcentratedonthequestionofsurvivalafterdeathand whetherthememoriesoffriendsonearthcontinuedwiththediscarnate.Butthemostremarkablepartofthe testwasthis:Industingthebookshelvesthemaidservant,unknowntotheProfessor,hadreplacedtwoof GeorgeEliot'snovelsbytwovolumesofDr.Tyndall,Heat,andSound,whichwerefoundexactlyinthe positionindicated.InhisyouthProf.BarrettwasanassistanttoProf.Tyndallandoneofthebookswas writtenwhilsthewaswithhim. Againthequestion:Whatistheprocessbywhichtherelevantpassageinaclosedbookcanbegleaned? Thecommunicatorrepliedthat"hesensedtheappropriatespiritofthepassageratherthantheletters composingit."Aftereighteenmonthsheappearedtoacquirethepowerofoccasionallyseeingthewordsby somesortofclairvoyance.Thegivingofthepagewasoneofthegreatestdifficulties.Theoperatorappeared tocountthepagesbetweenthesuitabletextandthecommencement.Hestartedfromthebeginningofthe printedmatterandwhentheflowofthoughtsstoppedandrecommencedhigherheconcludedthatapage hadbeenpassed. WhoisMrs.Leonard,thishighlyefficientdoorkeeperbetweentwoworlds?Beforethewarshewasa professionalsinger.SheblunderedintoSpiritualismbehindthescenes.Inherdressingroomwithtwogirl friendsshetriedtableturningexperiments.Afteraseriesoffailures,excitingthingshappened.Inthe subduedlightonthewhitewalls"likeclearlycutshadowswhichshowedupperfectlyagainstthelight background"strangeformsappeared.Messagescamethroughthetablefromanentitywhocalledherself Feda.ShesaidshewasanIndiannativegirlwho,attheageofthirteen,around1800,marriedanancestor ofMrs.Leonardanddiedshortlyafter.Sheconstitutedherselfasher"guide",andinMarch,1914,gave instructionsthatMrs.Leonardmustbeginworkasaprofessionalmediumfor"somethingbigandterribleis goingtohappentotheworld.Fedamusthelpmanypeoplethroughyou." Helpshedid.HercascelebrebywhichshefoundedMrs.Leonard'sreputationcameintheautumnof1915. ToSirOliverandLadyLodgewhosesonRaymondwaskilledinactioninSeptember,shegaveevidenceof hissurvival.OnSeptember25th,1915,LadyLodgehadananonymoussitting.Raymondpurportedto communicateandsentthismessage: "TellfatherIhavemetsomefriendsofhis." Onaskingfornames,Myerswasmentioned.Theveryman,longdead,fromwhomamessageofwarningof theimpendingblowwassenttoSirOliverthroughMrs.Piper,thefamousAmericanmedium. OnNovember25th,SirOliverLodgereceivedaletterfromacompletestranger.Shewasinpossessionofa photographoftheofficersoftheSouthLancashireRegiment,ofwhichRaymondLodgewasasecond lieutenant,andofferedtosendit.ThepicturewastotallyunknowntotheLodgefamily.OnDecember3rd,in asittingwithMrs.Leonard,acompletedescriptionofthephotographcamethrough.Raymondsittingonthe ground,anofficerplacinghishandonhisshoulder.Fourdayslaterthephotographarrivedandcorresponded withthedescriptionineverydetail. Ofthemanyothermessages,bearingthestampofRaymond'sidentity,theepisodeof"Mr.Jackson"isthe mostcuriousone.Fedawaspuzzled.ShesaidthatRaymondwasfunny.Hemixesitupwithabirdand pedestal. "Mr.Jackson"wasapeacockwhich,afteritsdeath,wasstuffedandputonapedestal. Fedaisquiteafamouspersonality.Sheisknowntoresearchersallovertheworld.Thewomanwhoknows hertheleastisMrs.Leonard.ShegoesoutwhenFedacomesin.Shecannotrememberwhathappens whilstsheisentranced.ButoncesheheardFedaspeak.InthehomeofMr.DennisBradley,theauthor, shespoketoherinthe"direct"voice. WhyshouldFeda,achildinmentality,actascontrol?Allwecanrelyoniswhatwearetold.Apparentlyit requiresaspecialaptitudetousethebodyofsomeoneelse.Andinsomecasespeoplewhodieyoungare moreefficientthangrownups.

Occasionally,Fedavacatesherplaceforothers.Andinlateyearsawhisperedvoiceisoftenheardnearthe mediumbeforeFedapicksupthemessage.TheSocietyforPsychicalResearchrecordedthisvoiceonthe gramophone.Itisnotcomingthroughthemedium'svocalorgan.IndiscussingitwithSirOliverLodgehe gavemehisownexperienceasfollows: "IhaveheardthewhisperbeforeFedaspoke.Somebodyistellingherthingswhichshe repeats.Ifyouaresharpofhearing,youcanhearthewhisperbeforeFedaspeaks,anditis betterthanherinterpretation.ThelasttimewhenIheardthiswhisper,mydaughter,whowas withme,recognizedhermother'svoicequiteclearly,withoutapossibilityofdoubt." Fedaisnotanexclusiveguide.Thereisanother.ApicturesqueRedIndianwhocallshimselfNorthStarand isinterestedinhealing.Hismethodsarehighlyunorthodox.ToquotefromMrs.Leonard'sautobiography: MyLifeinTwoWorlds ,thisishowhecuredacertainMrs.Massey: "Mrs.Massey'schairwasawoodenrockingone.Suddenlyherchairbegantorock backwardsandforwards,gentlyatfirst,thengatheringspeed,tillitrockedatatremendous rate.Then,toourhorror,thechairturnedacompletesomersault.SodidMrs.Massey.She fellrightonherhead,andlaywhereshefell.Irushedtoher,andbeforeIrealizedwhatwas happening,NorthStarhadtakencontrolofme.Alump,thesizeofanegg,hadcomeupon Mrs.Massey'shead.NorthStarplacedmyhandsuponitinafewmomentsithadgone. NorthStarthenleftherheadaloneandproceededtomakepassesoverherbody,particularly overtheheart.Hegaveloudgruntsofsatisfaction,andseemedextraordinarilywellpleased withsomething.Afterabouthalfanhour'shardworkhestoppedcontrollingme,andMrs. Masseythendisclosedthefactthatshehadfeltveryillforsomedayspast,andshefelt betternowthanshehaddoneformonths." Abumpforalump!Agoodslogan,butnotlikelytoattractthesick.Thelevity,however,isnotfullyjustified. NorthStarisaverysolemnpersonality.Believeitornot,thereissomethinginhiswayswhichdoesnot meettheeye.

Chapter17:FromMediumtoGenius
StoryofJesseFrancisGriersonShepard
NandorFodor INMYEncyclopaediaofPsychicScienceIdefineinspirationas"apsychicstateinwhichone becomessusceptibletocreativespiritualinfluenceor,toavaryingdegree,lendsoneselfasaninstrument forthroughflowingideas". Wedrawoninspirationorinspirationdrawsonus.Wecreateconsciouslyasmenofletters,scienceand art,orbecomeinstruments.Inotherwords,mediums. Butthelineofdistinctionisnotclear.Geniusormedium,therearecasesinwhichthechoiceiscompelling. FrancisGrierson,thefamousAmericanwriterofScottishandIrishparents,offersatest.KnownasJesse Shepard,themusicalmediumforalmostfortyyears,inthelatterpartofhislifehechosetobeagenius.He trimmedJesseFrancisGriersonShepardtohistwomiddlenamesandliveddownoneofthestrangest careersofthelastcenturyasamasterofliteraryart. Thereisonlyonereasonwhytherevelationshouldshocktheworldofliterature.Grierson'sgeniusas revealedinhisModernMysticism,TheCelticTemperamentandTheHumouroftheUndermanwasasmall quantitybesidehismusicalgifts. Hadhebeenabletoclaimthemasproductsofhisownconsciousnesshemighthavegonedowninhistory asthegreatestmusiciantheworldeverhad. Anintimateknowledgeofhishistorymollifiestheboldnessofthisstatement.Whowouldnotbethe greatestmusicianoftheworldifalternatelyinspiredbyMozart,Beethoven,Meyerbeer,Rossini,Sontag, Persiani,Malibran,Lablache,Liszt,BerliozandChopin?Andwhocouldclaimsuchaninspirationwithouta deliverymorebrilliantthananywhichconnoisseurshadeverheard? ThefirstquestionispureSpiritualism,thesecondisaquestionoffacts.Howeverabsurdinmanyofits pointsthefollowingquotationmayappear,IaskthepatienceofthereaderforPrinceAdamWisniewski's accountintheItalianVessilloSpiritistaofamusicalsanceonSeptember3rd,1894: "Afterhavingsecuredthemostcompleteobscurity,"thePrincewrites,"weplacedourselves inacirclearoundthemedium,seatedbeforethepiano.Hardlywerethefirstchordsstruck whenwesawlightsappearingineverycorneroftheroom.Thegreatpianistsandcomposers ofallepochsarrived,sometoperform,otherstohearthemusic.Thefirstpieceplayedthrough ShepardwasaFantasiaofThalberg'sontheairfromSemiramide.Thisisunpublished,asis allthemusicwhichisplayedbythespiritsthroughShepard.Thesecondwasarhapsodyfor fourhands,playedbyLisztandThalbergwithastoundingfire,asonoritytrulygrand,anda masterlyinterpretation.Notwithstandingthisextraordinarycomplextechnique,theharmony wasadmirable,suchasnoonepresenthadeverknownparalleledevenbyLiszthimself, whomIpersonallyknewandinwhompassionanddelicacywereunited.Inthecirclewere musicianswho,likemyself,hadheardthegreatestpianistsinEuropebutwecansaythat weneverheardsuchtrulysupernaturalexecution. "AglobeoflightwhichappearedonthehandofMme.D.announcedthearrivalofChopin.He alwaysmanifestshispresenceinthisfashion.Heexecutedafantasiawhichrecalledtheduct AdalgisaandNorma,withmysteriousarpeggiosofcrystallineandexpressivetoneswhich distinguishChopin.Onthisoccasionhisspiritvouchsafedmostexquisitemelodieswitha pianissimoofdiminishingtonesandnotesfullofdespairaprayertoGodforPoland.After himcameGeorgesSand.AsIexpressedmypleasuretofindthisgenialsoulinourmidst, shegavethreepowerfulrapsonmyknee.Mme.D.havingsaidthatshewasjealousofthis friendlysign,GeorgesSandgrantedherthesamefavour.ThenMozartcameandplayedwith theagilityandlightnessofasylph,withavarietyoftouchandamelodiousstylewhichwere

theinvariablemarksofhisgenius.Butthemostmarvellousincidentoftheeveningwasthe presentationofthespiritofBerliozbyhistwochaperons,LisztandThalberg.Thatwasthe firsttimethatBerliozhadplayedthroughShepard.Hebeganbysayingthatthepianowas tunedtoolowforhismusic(Shepardisalsoclairvoyantandclairaudient)andhetunedita tonehigherhimself.Fortenminutesweheardthespiritsworkingwiththepiano,whichwas closed.Atthefirstsoundweobservedthattheinstrumentwasabouttwonoteshigher.Then Berliozplayedsweet,idealmusic.Itseemedasifweheardthelittlebellsofacountrychurch asifwesawandheardamarriageprocessiondescendingthemountainside,andenteringthe edificethenamusicwhichimitatedtoperfectionthesoundoftheorganandcontinuedpiano, pianissimo,andmorendo,asifindicatingthatthemarriagewascelebrated,andthe processionreturningtothemountains.Thispiecefinished,Berlioz,withtheaidofseveral otherspirits,restoredtheinstrumenttoitsfirsttuningandbeganplayingonitsordinarytone whilethelidwasstillshut.Severalspiritscameafterwards,speakingeachhisownlanguage. NowShepardisEnglish,and,inadditiontoFrench,knowsnoothertongue.Onceintrance, however,hespeaksorratherthespiritsspeakthroughhimineverylivinglanguage.Thus GoethehasrecitedpassagesinGermanaspiritcallingitselfIsaiahhasspokeninHebrew MahometinArabic.Spiritshavecomeandtranslatedthesespeeches,andpromisedtohelp usinourpsychoresearches,andindicatetousthepersonswithwhomweshallputourselves incommunication.AfterthissanceMr.Shepardwasmuchexhausted,andhadtoretireto rest." ThePrincemusthavebeenagibberingidiot,willthereaderconclude?Evenspiritualistswillbeleft breathlessbythisaccount.Theynowdislikethereturnofthegreatonesandaccordthemacoolreception. Allowingfortheexuberanceofenthusiasm,theaccountstillleavesaproblem.Itcannotbedismissedby callingPrinceAdam,Wisniewskimad.Heisnotinbadcompany.Infact,inthebestofthelastcentury. JesseShepardwasthedarlingofkings.HeperformedattheImperialPalaceofGatchinafortheCzarof RussiaandbeforeareunionofthreeroyalhousesatCumberlandPalaceinGmunden,Austria.Hishostess wastheDuchessofCumberland,sisteroftheEmpressofRussia,ofthePrincessofWalesandofthe QueenofGreece.AnaccountofwhathappenedatthereunionisgivenbyMr.LauritzWaldemarTonner,of TheHague,inLight,March17th,1894.Itsays: "IhadalsothegoodfortunetobepresentatMr.Shepard'sreceptionattheCumberland PalaceIshallnotsoonforgettheimpressionmadeontheroyalassemblagebyhismusic. ThemusicroomwasbrilliantlylightedbylampsandcandlesH.R.H.theDuchessof CumberlandaskedmeifMr.Shepardwouldnotpreferlesslightindeed,theDuchessseemed torealize,asifbyintuition,thatsomuchlightwouldnotaddtothebeautyofthemusic. Accordingly,someofthelampswereextinguishedandtheconcertwasgivenwithonlythe candlesburning.Ifeelcertainthatdarknesswouldnothavebeenobjectedtoonthis memorableoccasionasMr.Shepardhasneverbeenheardbyamoreculturedandintelligent audience.TheQueenofHanover,whowassittingbesideH.R.H.theReigningDukeofSaxe Altenburg,rosefromherseatduringthesingingandexclaimed:'Ihaveneverheardanything likeit!'AndtheQueenofDenmark,whosatimmediatelybehindShepard,complimentinghim atthedose,saidthatthepianoplayinghadtheeffectoffourhandsinsteadoftwo." Themysterydeepens.Butweneedbettertestimonies. Mr.HenryKiddle,superintendentoftheschoolsofNewYork,hadShepardinhisownhousefortwelve months.Ononeoccasionheheardhimplaying,underthecontrolof"Mozart",amagnificentimpromptu symphonyanddeliveringatthesametime,undertheinfluenceof"Aristotle",alearnedphilosophical dissertation.Further,heheardhimintrancespeakFrench,German,Latin,Greek,Hebrew,Chaldaicand Arabic. ShallweplaceMr.Kiddleonthelistofsuspects?Wedonotknowmuchofhiscredentialsexceptthathe wasforcedtoresignbecauseofhisopenlystatedspiritualisticconvictions.Soletusleavehimforthe testimonyoftheeditoroftheDagblad,theleadingorthodoxandaristocraticnewspaperofthedayinThe Hague.HewroteonMarch14th,1894: "Allofasuddeninamomentofecstasy,thebassvoiceturnedintoasopranonotoneofthe falsettosonesometimeshearsintheatres,butfull,large,andofextraordinaryvolume,from

thelowesttothehighestregister.Itwasasiftheroomhadsuddenlybeenfilledfromallsides withsplendidandringingtones,meltingtogetherinamightyharmony.Itsurpassedthepiano musicinpower,althoughthetoneofthepianobecamemoreandmorefortissimo,and seemedlikewavesoftoneswellingupfromtheinstrument.Itwasasifoneheardtheword 'Excelsior!'Althoughwedonotbelieveinthesupernatural,thesoulwastakenholdofand carriedtohigherspheres.TheinspirationwhichisawakenedthroughMr.Shepard'spoweris alreadyquitewonderfulenough.Whytrytofindanexplanationinthesupernatural?" Theeditorwasapparentlydeeplyimpressedbyamanwhoprofessedtobeutterlyignorantofmusic,whois claimedtohaveplayedthepianothroughshutkeyboards,whorenderedduetsinbassandsoprano,and whowasnotgivinghisdemonstrationstomakealiving.ForbythistimeJesseShepardhadestablished himselfinliteraturebytwovolumesthanwhichMaeterlinckknewnothingmoreadmirableandprofound.He wasawellpaidcontributortoFrenchnewspapersandmagazines.Heonlysatforhisfriendsandinthe strictestconfidence.FromSpiritualismhewasgraduallydriftingaway.Finallyheseveredthelasttieby sacrificinghisname.Fromthenonnothingmorewasheardofhismusicalgifts.Buthispastlivedin spiritualisticmemoryandinpsychicperiodicals.ThisishowhewasadvertisedintheMedium,London,in 1870:
JESSE B. H. SHEPA RD THE C ELEBR ATED AMER IC AN MEDIUM (late from Paris) Give s Sittings, C lairvoyant, Prophe tic, W riting, Im pre ssion, Psychom e tric Also give s diagnosis of dise ase , and discove rs m e dium istic facultie s. C harge s are m ade according to the am ount of tim e and labour unde rtak e n. N.B. - The music manifestations are not given at the same sitting.

Histwoinitialsarewrong.Butthereisnodoubtabouthisidentity.Henotonlyadvertisedbut,intheissueof May6th,1870,underthetitle,"HowIbecameaMusicalMedium",hetellshisstoryhimself.Hewasnot taughtmusicintheusualway.Hispsychicfacultiesfirstmanifestedin1867intheformofclairvoyant seeing,hearingandthepowerofhealing.Laterhedeveloped"raps"andthegiftofpsychometry:sensingthe storyofanobjectorofthepeopleconnectedwithitbysimplyholdingit.Theturningpointofhiscareer cameinJanuary,1868. "WhileIwasinthetheatre,"hewrites,"thespiritofRachelcametomeandaskedifIwould liketobedevelopedinsinging.Sheadvisedmetogonextdayandhavethequalityofmy voiceexaminedbyacompetentprofessor.Ididsocalledonacelebratedmusicianandtold himmybusiness.Hewasastonishedatthepowerofmyvoiceandfacilityofexecution,facts ofwhichIwasignorantmyself,andofwhichIwasnojudge.Theprofessorgaveitashis opinionthatthevoicewouldnotlastlongitwastoowonderfultobepermanent.However,I wasonlytwoweeksinbeingdeveloped,butwhentheimportantresulthadbeen accomplished,IwastooscepticaltobelievethatIreallycansing,andwasingreatdoubtas totheproprietyofmakingtheattemptinpublic,allofwhichIexpressedtothemusic professor,askinghisopiniononthematter.Herepliedthathewouldbeveryproudtohaveme singinAveMariainSt.Xavier'sChurch,wherehewasorganist.Thisisoneofthemost fashionablechurchesinthecity,andthechoiriscomposedofsuperiorsingers,Ontakingmy placeintheservice,Iwasinfluencetosingthepiecesallottedtometotheastonishmentof allwhoheardme." Thereislittleofthesupernaturalinthisaccount,andnomentionismadeofpianoplaying.But1870was thebeginningofShepard'scareer.Helived,atthetime,thelifeofaprofessionalmedium.Afterhisstarhad risen,hedidhisbesttoforgetthis. Asamystichewasnotthetwiceborn,butthetwicedead.Hediedforthefirsttimein1907asJesse Shepard,themusicalmedium,thesecondtimein1927asFrancisGrierson,thewriter.Thewriterkilledthe medium,andthemediumkilledthewriter. InLosAngeles,attheageofseventyeight,playingasofoldatthepiano,withthelastdyingstrainshis soulsoredafterhisimmortalinspirers.

Chapter18:ShewasTorturedbyDemons
StoryofEstherCox
NandorFodor ANDREWLANGsaidthat"sincethedaysofancientEgyptghostshavelearntandforgottennothing. Abouttheirways,hemighthaveadded,wehavelearntnothingandforgotteneverything.Weknowof hauntedhouses,andwehearofhauntedmen.Theghostinthehauntedhouseistheleasttroublesomeof thetwo.Youleaveitaloneanditwillleaveyoualone.Themanhaunter,thepoltergeist,willnot.Itcarrieson indaylight.Itisbentonmischiefandmalice.Itiscruel,occasionallymaleficandadangertolife. Fortunately,thelattertypeisextremelyrare.Thevictimsofthepoltergeistareusuallychildrennearingthe ageofpuberty.Butnophysiologisthasyetsucceededinrunningpoltergeiststotheirlair.Theirmystery cannotbedissociatedfromthegamutofpsychicexperiences.Asarule,theyinflictbutashortordeal.The namelesshorrorwhichstalkedEstherCoxatAmherst,NovaScotia,in187879knowsofnoprecedent. ProfessorWilliamJames,inhispresidentialaddresstotheSocietyforPsychicalResearch,approached TheGreatAmherstMysterywithrespectfulinterrogationasthemostinterestingcaseofitskindonrecord. TheepithetisrathermildforaGrandGuignol.ForinthehouseofDanielTeed,anhonestshoemaker, "murderlurkedintheair".EstherCox,his19yearsoldsisterinlaw,wastormentedbyfiends,freshfrom hell,againstwhomnohumanpowercouldprevail. TheoriginalrecordofthephenomenaweowetoWalterHubbell,anAmericanactor.Hebelievedhimself smartenoughtoexposetheghost.Whenhefoundagenuinemystery,heconceivedthebrilliantideaof takingEstherCoxonalecturetour,hopingthattheghostwoulddoaturnonthestage.Itwas,however,the audiencewhichmadethingslively.ThecompanymanagedtoescapelynchingandwentbacktoAmherstto facethewrathoftheghost. Hubbell'sjournalof2,500wordsinwhichhejotteddownhisdailyexperiencesisextant.Exceptincolouring anddramatization,itdisclosesnoseriousdiscrepancyfromthebookof10,000wordsinwhichhisstory wasfirstpublished.Thefactshaveneverbeenchallenged.In1907theywereborneoutbyapersonal investigationonthespot.Dr.HerewardCarrington,DirectoroftheNewYorkPsychicalInstituteand Laboratory,interviewedthesurvivorsandvisitedEstherCoxinBoston,whereshelivedanormalandhappy marriedlife.Shewasknownthereasahardworking'respectableandtruthlovingwoman.Butshewouldnot speakofherexperiences.Shewas"afraidtheywouldcomeback". AccordingtoHubbell'ssummary,thereignofterrorintheTeedhomecommencedonSeptember4th,1878. EstherCoxandhersisterJennieheardarustleinapasteboardboxundertheirbed.Theythoughtitwasa mouse.Theypulledouttheboxintothemiddleoftheroom.Theboxsprungintotheairaboutafoot,then fellandturnedover.Whenithappenedagainthegirlsgrewfrightened,andtheirscreamsbroughtinthe family.Theylistenedtothestory,roaredwithlaughter,andsentthegirlsbacktobed. ThefollowingnightEstherCoxjumpedoutofbedlividwithterror.Shewasvisiblyswellingup.She screamedwithpainandgroundherteeth.Therewasaloudreportlikeapealofthunder.Mrs.Teedrushed out,thinkingthehousehadbeenstruckbylightning.AsEstherwashelpedtobedthreemoreterrificreports wereheard,apparentlycomingfromunderherbed.TheyhadastrangeeffectonEsther.Sheimmediately assumedhernaturalappearanceandsankintosleep. Fournightslatertheattackreturnedwithadditionalphenomena.Thebeclothes,flewoffthegirls.Pillows jumpedupandstruckpeopleintheface.Asuccessionofthesamemysteriousreportsrestoredquiet. Thiswastoomuchforthefamily.Dr.Carlittewassentfor.HefoundEsthersufferingfromatremendous nervousshock.AshedeliveredhisopinionthepillowslidoutfromunderEsther'shead,straighteneditself, facedthedoctor,thenitslippedback.Dr.Carlitte'seyesopenedwidewithastonishment.Thepillow repeatedtheact,andinatugofwarwithJohnTeed,ahealthyyoungfarmer,provedthestrongerone.The loudreportscommencedunderthebedandontheflooroftheroom.Thebedclothesflewoff.

"BeforetheyhadbeenputbackonthebedtocoverEsther,thedistinctsoundasofsome personwritingonthewallwithametallicinstrumentwasheard.Alllookedatthewallwhence thesoundofwritingcame,when,totheirgreatastonishment,therecouldbeplainlyread thesewords,'EstherCox,youareminetokill'.Everypersonintheroomcouldseethewriting plainly,andyetamomentbeforenothingwastobeseenbuttheplainwall.Ihaveseenthis writingitwasdeeplyindentedinthewall,andlookedtomeasifithadbeenwrittenwitha dullinstrument,probablyalargeironspike.Isayadullinstrument,becausethewritinghada veryunevenappearance,andtheinvisiblepowerthatwroteitwascertainlyneitheranelegant noranaccomplishedpenman." Thecharacterswerenearlyafoothigh.Beforetheeyesofabewildereddoctorapieceofplasterdetached itselffromthesamewall,turnedacornerinitsflight,andfellathisfeet.Thepoundingcommencedagain, thenitlefttheroomandsoundedontheroofofthehouseasblowsfromasledgehammer.Itwasamoonlit night.Thedoctorsawnooneontheroof.Yetthepoundingcouldbeheardfrom200yardsaway. Thenewspapersgotholdofthestory.Rev.Dr.EdwinClay,awellknownBaptistclergyman,cameto investigate.HeadvancedthetheorythatEstherCox'sbodybecameanelectricbatterywhichflashed minuteandinvisiblelightning.Rev.R.A.Temple,PastoroftheWesleyanChurchatAmherst,hadnotheory tosubmit.Buthesawabucketofcoldwaterbecomeagitatedandtoallappearanceboilwhileitwas standingonthekitchentable. Dramaticdiscoveriesfollowed.Esthercouldheartheghost.Hewasgoingtoputthehouseonfire.Tothe consternationofall,lightedmatchesbegantofallfromtheceiling.AdressofEstherbouncedoffthenailin thewall,rolledup,slidunderthebedandbegantoburn.Theyhidthematches.Theghostfoundthemand bylightingfiresalloverthehousekepttheinhabitantsinastateoffearfulagitation.Heapparentlyheard everywordandansweredquestionsbyknockingthreetimesforyes,onceforno.Alittlelaterhebecame visibletoEsther,anoldmanwithascraggygreybeard,dressedlikeadirtytramp.Heglaredatherand saidthatifshedidnotleavethehouseatoncehewouldkindleafireintheloftundertheroofandburnthem alltodeath. Drivenoutbythefiend,EstherfoundrefugeinthehouseofJohnWhite,alocalsaloonkeeper.Forfour weeksshewasleftinpeace.Thenthedevil'sworkbegan.Onedaywhileshewasscrubbingthehall,the brushdisappearedfromunderherhand.Shescreamed,forsheheardtheghostsaythathehadtakenit. Afteravainfiveminutes'searchthebrushfellfromtheceiling,justgrazingherheadinitsfall.Theghost couldbeheardbyallpeoplewalkingaboutinthehouse,andtwicehestabbedEstherinthebackwitha claspknifebelongingtoWhite'slittleboy,leavingtheknifestickinginthewound,andterrorizedalland sundryinthehouse. WhenHubbellarrivedonthesceneEstherCoxwasbackatheruncle'shouse.Theghostputinaterrible protestagainsthisstayinthehauntedcottage. "Ihadbeenseatedaboutfiveminutes,"hewrites,"when,tomygreatamazement,my umbrellawasthrownadistanceoffifteenfeet,passingovermyheadinitsstrangeflight,and almostatthesameinstantalargecarvingknifecamewhizzingthroughtheair,passingover Esther'shead,whowasjustthencomingoutofthepantrywithalargedishinbothhands, andfellinfrontofher,nearme,havingcomefrombehindherandoutofthepantry.Inaturally wenttothedoorandlookedinnopersonwasthere." "Oh,youwillsoongetusedtothem.Idonotthinktheylikeyou,"saidEstherCox. Thatwasanunderstatementoftheghost'ssentiments.DuringthedayalargechairrushedagainstHubbell fromtheoppositesideoftheroom,nearlyknockingtheoneonwhichhesatfromunderhim.The coppertoedshoeoflittleGeorgehithimaheavyblowbehindthecars.Aglasspaperweight,weighingfullya pound,missedhisheadbyinchesandspunaroundforonequarterofaminuteontheseatofthechair whereitfell.Itwasfollowedbyanemptyinkstand,twobottles,hissatchel,andapieceofcakesnatched fromlittleGeorge'shand.Whenthechildprotestedhisclothesweretornoff.AndEsther'sfacewasloudly smackedagainandagainbyaninvisiblehandwhichleftplainfingermarksonhercheeks. Hubbellwastreatedtoavarietyofvanishingmysteries.Atbreakfastthelidofthesugarbowlwasheardto fallonthefloor.Butitdisappeared.FiveminuteslaterMrs.Teed,Estherandhimselfsawitfallfromthe

ceiling. "Isawitjustbeforeitfell,"hewrites,"anditwasatthemomentsuspendedintheairabout onefootfromtheceiling.Noonewaswithinfivefeetofitatthetime.Thetablekniveswere thenthrownuponthefloor,thechairspitchedover,andafterbreakfastthediningtablefellover onitsside,rugsuponthefloorwereslidabout,andthewholeroomliterallyturnedintoa pandemonium,sofilledwithdustthatIwentintotheparlour." Nextmorning"Iremovedthelid(ofthesugarbowl)andplaceditonthetablebesidemycupof coffee,putsugarinthecoffee,andhadalmostputmyhandonthelidtoputitonthesugar bowltokeepthefliesout,whenitdisappearedliterallymeltedintotheair." Later,whileEstherwasabouttoenterthepantry,thelidcameoutfrominsidethepantry,beingpushed throughabrokenpaneofglasscoveredwithbrownpaper,andfelltothefloor,adistanceoffullyfifteenfeet fromitsoriginalplace. Itwasalmostofdailyoccurrencefortheghosttobringarticlesfromlockedtrunksandclosetsandplace othersintheirstead.Duringbreakfasttheghostknockeduponthetableandproducedaperfectimitationof whateversoundswerecalledfor:drumming,sawingwood,rubbingoutlinengarmentsonawashboard,etc. Thecatwasliftedfromthefloortoaheightoffivefeetintotheair,andthendroppedonEsther'sback, whenceitrolledtothefloor.Itwassofrightenedthatforseveraldaysitwouldnotventureintothehouse again.Itcouldseesomething,forthehairoftenroseonitstailandback,anditwouldleavethehousein terror. OnthenightofJune26ththeghostamusedhimselfbystickingpinsinEstherandJennieandmarkingthem fromheadtofootwithcrosses.ThefollowingdayHubbellwasbusypullingpinsoutofEsther."Theycame outoftheairfromallquarters,andwerestuckintoalltheexposedportionsofherperson,evenherhead andinsideofherears."TwiceanattemptwasmadetocutEsther'sthroatwithacarvingknife.Onceshe wasstabbedintheneckwithapairofshears,andonceintheheadwithafork. Thegeneralpandemoniumwasnomoreduetoasingleghost.Therewereseveral.Theirnameswerefound outand,insomeinstances,theirstorywastraced.Thechiefmalefactorwas"Bob"Nicklehesaidhewas sixtyyearsoldwhenhedied,andashoemaker.Anotherinfamouscharacteransweredtothenameof "Maggie"Fisher.Shesaidthatshehasbeeninhellfortwelveyears.Otherghostsstatedtheirnamesas PeterCox,JaneNickle,andElizaMcNeal.Theyallcouldknockinanindividualstyleandtheywereall ingeniousindevisingfreshtortureforEsther.Butnonecouldoutdo"Bob". "Iampositive,"writesHubbell,"thatamoredemoniacghostorschemingscoundrelnever hauntedahouseortorturedahumanbeingasdidthisfirefiendandterrorofthehousehold." Hecursedinthestrongestlanguage.Theghostretaliated.ThehandofEsther,whileshewaswritingaletter tohersister,wasrudelyseized,andshewroteinadifferenthand: "GdHubbell'ssoletohellandyours!" OneafternoonHubbellsawEstherandMrs.Teedtalkinanundertone.Aftermuchhesitancy,hewas informedthat"Maggie"stoleapairofblackandwhitestripedstockingsbelongingtoEstherandputthem on.AccordingtoEsther,theghostraisedthewrapsheworeasfarasherkneesandshehadseenthe stockingsonherlegs.HubbellcommandedMaggietogivethestockingsback.Inaminutetheyfelloutof theairandlayuponthefloorbeforetheireyes. DuringthelatterpartofJulyitwasnolongerpossibletokeepEstherinthehouse.Theviolenceofthe ghostswasinsupportable.Fireswerecontinuallylit,thingswerebroken,and"strange,unnaturalvoices couldbeheardintheair,callingusbyournamesinthebroadlightoftheday." SoEstherCoxwasdrivenoutagain.ThelastthatHubbellheardofherwasthattheghostburntdownabarn whereshestayed,andthatshewassentencedtofourmonthsinjailinlieuoftheghost. Isthereanysolutiontothisfearfulmystery?Sometimebeforethetroublestartedashoemaker,namedBob McNeal,attempted,atthepointofarevolver,tocommitanoutrageonEstherCox.Accordingtoacritical

studyoftheGreatAmherstMysterybythelateDr.W.F.Prince,ResearchOfficeroftheBostonSocietyfor PsychicalResearch,"thenameof'Bob'Nickleisbutathindisguiseforthatofthemanwhowasthecentre toEstherofbothattractionandhorror,'Bob'McNeal.BobNicklewas,likehisprototype,ashoemaker.The 'malice'oftheghostasshownmmanyofthemanifestationswasbutthedramatizationofthedepthof wickednessandmischiefwhichthegirlhadsuddenlyglimpsedinthelivingman.Thescratchingonthewall ofthewords,'EstherCox,youareminetokill',wasbutherautomaticsupernalizationofthethreatsof McNealas,maddenedandexultinginhisbrutestrength,heheldtherevolvertoherbreast." DanielTeedexplainedthetruenatureofthetorturetoHubbell. "Itisplainfromthejournal,"writesDr.Prince,"thatthetortureconsistedin'Bob'Nicklebeing supposedtoactthepartoftheincubus,anobviousobjectificationofMcNeal'svilepurposeon thenightofAugust28th." Doesthisanalyticalexplanationlightupthemystery?Hubbellbelievedthattheactualvillainofthepiece wasaghostwhoobsessed"Bob"McNeal,thelivingman,andtransferredhisattentiontoEstherwhen,asa resultoftheshock,hernervoussystembecamedisorganized. Somuchiscertainthatthepsychologicalexplanationprovidesnoanswerforthegreaterpartofthisawful mystery.

Chapter19:WitchcraftmadeScience
StoryofEusapiaPaladino
NandorFodor THEREWASanIrishBishopwhoremarkedonGulliver'sTravels thatitwasfullofimprobabilities, andthathescarcelybelievedhalfofit.OnewonderswhetherhepaidacomplimenttoSwift'sfantasyorthe reverse.AndoneistemptedtoaskwhatthegoodoldBishopwouldhavesaidtoagenuinemystery,such asthecaseofEusapiaPaladino.Improbableasherstoryis,itcannotberefusedbelief.Famousscientists havebeenexercisedoveritformorethanthirtyyears.Theyriskedtheirreputationonherremarkable phenomena,whichseemedtoportendtoSchiaparelli.thediscovereroftheCanalsofMars"thebeginningof anewsciencepregnantwithconsequencesofthehighestimportance". ShewasanalmostilliterateItalianpeasantwoman,illcultured,frequentlyfallingingoodsenseandeven commonsense,soimpulsiveandviolentthatshewouldflyatpeopleandbeatthemiftheyquestionedher reputationasamedium. Whyshouldtheworldofsciencelavishattentiononawomanofthistype? Shebroughtwitchcraftwithinthedomainofscience. Mostappropriately,CesarLombroso,thefamousItaliancriminalanthropologist,wasthefirsttobowhis headtothisrevolutioninhumanthought. In1888hewaschallengedbyDr.ErcoleChiaia,anotedItalianresearcher,toinvestigatethecaseofa humblewoman.Chiaiasaidthatshecouldmakeatableadvancebyglaringatitthatshecouldmakeit backawaybywarningitoffthatbyliftingupherhandshecouldmakeobjectsascendintheairandremain suspendedlikeMahomet'scoffinthatshecouldherselfriseintheairnomatterwhathandstiedherdown thatshecouldplayondistantmusicalinstrumentsthatshecoulddrawoncardswhateverpeoplesuggest bysimplypointingatthemthatshecouldassumestrangeformsthatnooneknewhowmanylegsand armsshehad,forwhileshewasbeingheldotherlimbscameintoviewwithoutherknowingwherethey camefrom. Lombrosoignoredthechallengeforovertwoyears.Then,onvisitingNaples,hejoinedProfessors Tamburini,Bianchi,Violiandfivedoctorsinasitting.HesawthingswhichChiaiaclaimedbuthewouldnot believe.Strikingamatch,hesawahandbellsuspendedintheairandringingwithoutvisiblecontact. InastatementtothePresshedeclared: "Iamashamedandgrievedathavingopposedwithsomuchtenacitythepossibilityoftheso calledspiritisticfactsIsayfactsbecauseIamstillopposedtothetheory.Butthefacts exist,andIboastofbeingaslavetofacts." Afterfifteenyearsofinvestigationheendedbyacceptingthetheoryaswell. Lombroso'stestimonyplacedEusapiaPaladinointhelimelightandinitiatedanexcitingscientificquest.In 1892therewasaninvestigationatMilaninwhichSchiaparelli,Prof.Gerosa,Dr.G.B.Ermacora,Alexander Aksakof,ImperialCouncillorofRussia,BaronCarlduPrel,authorofthePhilosophyofMysticism,and ProfessorCharlesRichetoftheSorbonnetookpart.Eusapiaemergedwithflyingcolours.Thereport,based on17sittings,stated: "Itisimpossibletocountthenumberoftimesthatahandappearedandwastouchedbyone ofus.Sufficeittosaythatdoubtwasnolongerpossible.Itwasindeedalivinghumanhand whichwesawandtouched,whileatthesametimethebustandthearmsofthemedium remainedvisibleandherhandswereheldbythoseoneithersideofher." Sciencewasaroused.ProfessorscametoNaplesfromalloverEurope.Eusapiawaspursuedbyinvitations.

Shestrodefromconquesttoconquest. FrancescoPorro,DirectoroftheObservatoriesofGenoaandTurin,concluded: "Thephenomenaarereal.Theycannotbeexplainedeitherbyfraudorhallucination." Thattheywerenotofanillusorycharacterappearsfromhisfurthertestimony: "Nextaformidableblow,likethestrokeofthefistofanathlete,isstruckinthemiddleofthe table.Theblowsarenowredoubledandaresoterrificthatitseemsasiftheywouldsplitthe table.Asingleoneofthesefistblows,plantedintheback,wouldsufficetobreakthevertebral column." Whostrucktheblows?Theforcewasalwaysassociatedwithintelligence.Thatintelligenceclaimedtobe anentitywhoisquitefamousintheannalsofSpiritualism:JohnKing,aliasSirHenryMorgan,the buccaneer.Heisthemostromantic"spiritcontrol",fatherofKatieKing,thebeautifulspiritgirlofwhomSir WilliamCrookestookfortyfourflashlightphotographsinhissittingswithFlorenceCook.Itappearsasif KatieKinghadasister.SignorDamiani'sEnglishwifewastoldbyJohnKinginLondonthathehada reincarnateddaughterinItalywhowasaverypowerfulmedium.Hegavehernameandaddress.Actingon thisinformation,SignorDamianidiscoveredEusapiaPaladino. Theoldpiratewasagenialsoul.Hedidhisbesttoobligescientists.Theycouldnothelpacceptinghimas apersonality.Notquiteasecondaryone.Forheshowedhimself,thoughmostlyinparts. DescribingJohnKing'smaterializedhand,Prof.Richetsays: "Ihelditfirmlyandcountedtwentynineseconds,duringallwhichtimeIhadleisuretoobserve bothofEusapia'shandsonthetable,toaskMme.Curieifshewassureofhercontrol,tocall Courtier'sattention,andalsotofeel,pressandidentifyarealhandthroughthecurtain.After twentyninesecondsIsaid:'Iwantsomethingmore,Iwantunoanello(aring)onthishand.'At oncethehandmademefeelaring:Isaid'adessounobraceletto'(nowabracelet)andonthe wristIfeltthetwoendsasofawoman'sbraceletthatdosesbyahinge.Ithenaskedthatthis handshouldmeltinmine,butthehanddisengageditselfbyastrongeffortandIfeltnothing further." ThishappenedtoaprofessorofphysiologywhowontheNobelprizeforhisattainments! Theexperiencewassharedbyothers.PhilippeBottazzi,professorofphysiologyattheUniversityofNaples "fourtimessawanenormousblackfistcomeoutfrombehindtheleftcurtain,whichremainedmotionless andadvancedtowardtheheadofMme.B." Theswarthy,beardedfaceofJohnKingwasafamiliarsighttoEusapia'ssitters.Foraghosthecould performunusualfeatsofstrength.Hereishow,accordingtoLombroso,hewasseen,inasemimaterialized state,levitatingEusapia: WhileEusapia'shands"werebeingheldbyMM.RichetandLombroso,shecomplainedof handswhichweregraspingherunderthearmsthen,whileintrance,withthechangedvoice characteristicofthisstate,shesaid:'NowIliftmymediumuponthetable.'Aftertwoorthree secondsthechair,withEusapiainit,wasnotviolentlydashed,butliftedwithouthitting anythingonthetopofthetable,andM.RichetandIaresurethatwedidnotevenassistthe levitationbyourforce.Aftersometalkinginthetrancestatethemediumannouncedher descentand(M.Finzihavingbeensubstitutedforme),wasdepositedgentlyonthefloorwith thesamesecurityandprecision,whileMme.RichetandFinzifollowedthemovementsofher handsandbodywithoutatallassistingthem,andkeptaskingeachotherquestionsaboutthe positionofthehands.Moreover,duringthedescentbothgentlemenrepeatedlyfeltahand touchthemonthehead." Thesuggestionthatagroupofscientistscannottakeeffectivemeasurestobaranaccompliceorcannot sufficientlyimmobilizethemediumistoochildishtoconsider.EnricoMorselli,ProfessorofPsychiatryat GenoaUniversity,tiedEusapiaPaladinotoacampbedinthewaythathewouldtieadangerousmaniac.

Yetinfairlygoodlightsixphantomspresentedthemselvesinsuccessioninfrontofthecabinet,thelastone beingawomanwithababyinherarms.Eachtime,afterthephantomretired,Morsellirushedintothe cabinetandfoundthemediumashelefther.Hedidnotacceptthespiritualisticexplanation,butastothe genuinenessofthephenomenonnodoubtwasleftinhismind.Indeed,accordingtoRichet,"morethan thirtyveryscepticalscientificmenwereconvinced,afterlongtesting,thatthereproceededfromherbody materialformshavingtheappearancesoflife." Themysteryisabiologicalone.Thedepthofithasnotyetbeensounded. ThecomingofthephenomenawaspreludedbymarkedsensationsforEusapia.AccordingtoFlammarion's description: "shesuddenlyexperiencesanardentdesiretoproducethephenomenathenshehasa feelingofnumbnessandthegoosefleshsensationinherfingersthesesensationskeep increasingatthesametimeshefeelsinthelowerportionofthevertebralcolumntheflowing ofacurrentwhichrapidlyextendsintoherarmsasfarasherelbow,whereitisgently arrested.Itisatthispointthatthephenomenontakesplace." Therewasadepressiononthemedium'sforeheadduetoanaccidentinchildhood.Fromthisdepression Lombrosoobservedaspoutingfountainofair.Otherscalleditabreeze.Atagoodsance,thebreeze wasverystrong,afterapooroneitwasaltogetherlacking. BetweenthemovementofobjectsandthelimbsofEusapiatherewasamarkedsynchronism,onwhichSir OliverLodgeremarks: "Whensixorsevenfeetaway,thetimeinterval(betweenthepushandthemovementofthe object)wassomethingliketwoseconds.Whentheaccordionisbeingplayed,thefingersof themediumaremovinginathoroughlyappropriatemanner,andtheprocessremindsoneof thetwitchingofadog'slegswhenheissupposedtobedreamingthatheischasingahare.It isasifEusapiaweredreamingthatshewasfingeringtheinstrument,anddreamingitso vividlythattheinstrumentwasactuallyplayed.Itisasifadogdreamtofthechasewithsuch energythatadistantharewasreallycapturedandkilled,asbyaphantomdogand,fanciful asforthemomentitmayseemandvaluelessasIsupposesuchspeculationsare,Iam,I confess,atpresentmorethanhalfdisposedtolookinsomesuchdirectionforacluetothese effects." Strangetosay,thispowerof"vividdreaming"couldbetransferredtothesitterifEusapiaheldhishand. FlammarionstruckthreeorfourtimesinthedirectionofVictorienSardouwhileEusapiawasholdinghis wrist.AsecondlaterSardoufelttheblowsonhisbodytallyingwiththegesture. AnotherdramaticdisplayofthisinvisiblecontactwaswitnessedinProf.Richet'shouseontheIsleof Roubaud,in1894.Eusapiarubbedtheendofherlingerswithbluechalk,askedProf.Richettoholditand, advancingtothetable,drewtwocrossesonthetabletopintheair.Thebluemarksdisappearedfromher fingerandthecrosseswerefoundontheundersideofthetable.ShealsodrewscrawlsonProf.Richet's jacketwithMyers'fingers.Underthewaistcoatonhisshirtfrontabluemarkwasdiscovered.Holding Richet'scleanfingerasthoughitwereapencilshedrew,ingoodlight,abluelineonapieceofwhitepaper. AnothertimeshetookSchiaparelli'sfingerandwroteherownnamewithitonthetopofablockofwriting paperwhichtheastronomerbroughtalong.Thewritingwasfoundinsidetheblock. ThevalueofsuchdemonstrationsisbynomeansimpairedbyEusapia'swellknownpropensitytowards fraud.Iftheinvestigatorswerenotonthelookoutshewasalwaysreadytoplaytricksbothintheconscious andintheunconsciousstate.Ifshewaspreventedinproducingfraudulentresultssheproducedthegenuine article.Afteragenuineseanceshewasfrequentlyillthefollowingday,sometimesevenonthesecondday. Shepreferreddeceptionifshecouldpractiseititdidnotexhausther,andwasamusing.AsDr.Carrington remarks,"practicallyeveryscientificcommitteedetectedherinattemptingfraud,buteveryoneofthese committeesemergedfromtheirinvestigationsquiteconvincedoftherealityofthesephenomena,exceptthe CambridgeandAmericaninvestigationwhichendedinexposure." TheCambridgeinvestigationtookplaceinAugustSeptember,1895,atthehouseofF.W.H.Myers.Sir OliverLodge,whoattendedtwosittings,failedtodetectanyresemblancebetweenthephenomenathere

producedandthosewitnessedintheIsleofRoubaud.Continentalscientistsweremoreinclinedtoblame theexposersthantheexposed.Eusapiasucceededinrehabilitatingherself.Therewasaseance,heldin goodlight,inProf.Richet'slibraryinParisonDecember1st,1898.Astoundingphenomenatookplace.And F.W.H.Myers,whosubmittedthereportontheCambridgeexposure,onthesolemnadjurationofProf. Richet,avowedhisrenewedbeliefinthesupernormalcharacterofEusapia'smediumship. TheSocietyforPsychicalResearchalsoreconsidereditsattitude.In1908theysentacommitteeofthree capableandscepticalinvestigatorstoNaples.Theywere:Mr.W.W.Bagally,apracticalconjurer,Dr. HerewardCarrington,anamateurconjurerwhosebook,ThePhysicalPhenomenaofMediumship,isthe standardauthorityonfraudulentperformancesandtheHon.EverardFeilding,whoalsobroughtmanya fraudulentmediumtogrief.Thecommitteebroughtinaverdictwhichwasacompleteacknowledgementof Eusapia'sextraordinarypowers. AgainsttheAmericanexposurein1910,Carringtonstronglydissented.HesaidthatEusapiapresenteda largenumberofstrikingphenomenawhichhaveneverbeenexplained.HowardThurston,thefamous Americanmagician,supportedhisviewinstating: "IwitnessedinpersonthetablelevitationsofMme.EusapiaPaladino...andamthoroughly convincedthatthephenomenaIsawwerenotduetofraudandwerenotperformedbytheaid ofherfeet,kneesorhands." ThissketchofEusapiaPaladino'sstoryisnecessarilybrief.Itistoherthatthescientificrecognitionofthe physicalphenomenaofmediumshipisdue.Forshehasbeenaccordedthatrecognition.Butasthefacts couldnotbepigeonholed,orthodoxyconvenientlychoosestoignorethem.Onthedayoftheirreadmission anewageofsciencewillbeusheredin.

Chapter20:HeConvincedGladstoneoftheSupernormal
StoryofWilliamEglinton
NandorFodor FEWPEOPLEknowthatW.E.Gladstonetookanactiveinterestinpsychicalresearch.Thathe consideredit"themostimportantworkwhichisbeingdoneintheworldbyfarthemostimportant".That asPrimeMinisterhehadasittingwithWilliamEglinton,thestoryofwhichwentaroundtheworld,and, incidentally,inconveniencedhimsomewhat.Forhewasdelugedwithlettersfrompiouspeoplewhowere horrifiedatseeinghimengagedin"sorcery",andfromotherswhowereanxioustosavehimfrombecoming thevictimofimpostureordelusion. ThesittingtookplaceonOctober29th,1884,inLondon,attheresidenceofaladyofdistinctionin GrosvenorSquare.ThestorywasfirstdivulgedinaninterviewwhichEglintongavetoLightandwhichthe dailyPressspeedilyreprinted. Accordingtothis,inthegeneralconversationwhichprecededthesitting,Gladstonedeclaredthat: "hewasalreadyconvincedthatthereweresubtleforceswithwhichourpunymindcouldnot dealandwhichhecouldnotcomprehendheheldtheattitude,therefore,notofascoffer,but ofastudentwhohadnoreasontodoubtthegenuinenessofmypretensions.Hisexperiences inthoughtreadingweresufficienttoshowthattherewereforcesinnaturewhichwerenot generallyrecognized." Therewerefoursittersandthemedium.Theytooktheirplacesroundanovaltableoftheusualdescription. Oneofthemprovidedtwocommonslates.Eglintonbroughthisownlockeddoubleslate. "WebeganbyaskingMr.Gladstonetowriteaquestionupononeoftheschoolslates.Hedid so,andtheslatewasheldbymebeneaththetablewiththequestionupontheundersideso thatIcouldnotseeit,theothersidebeingpressedcloselyagainsttheundersideofthetable. Presentlythewritingbegan." "DidMr.Gladstonehearthewriting?'theinterviewerasked. "Hedidandhisfacewasastudy.Hisintenselookofamazementwouldhavebeenamusing tothosewhohavehadexperienceofsuchphenomena,andwasintensifiedwhentheslate wasbroughtupandthefewwordswhichhadbeenwrittenweredeclaredbyhimtobea pertinentreplytohisquestion.Thereplywas,'Intheyear1857,'andontheslatebeingturned over,itwasfoundthathisquestionhadbeen,'Whichyeardoyouremembertohavebeen moredrythanthepresentone?'Afterthat,Mr.Gladstonetookthelockedslateintoacorner oftheroom,andontheinsideofitwroteaquestion,whichofcoursenoneofussaw.Then, lockingtheslate,andretainingthekey,theslatewashandedtooneoftheladiesandmyself, andwebothhelditinthesightofall.Whileinthisposition,thewritingwasheardgoingon upontheclosedsurfaces,andupontheslatebeingopened,itwasfoundthatthequestion askedwas,'IsthePopeillorwell?'whichhasbeenansweredinredpencilbythewords,'He isillinmind,notinbody.'" Thequestionswerepurposelytrivial.Gladstone,atthefirststage,wantedtotestwhetheritwaspossibleto obtainwritingatall. "Ofthesubsequentexperiments,"continuesEglinton,"Icanonlysaythattheywereperfectly successfulthatsomeofthecommunicationswerewrittenuponMrs.O'sownslateswhen heldunderthetablethatseveralmessagesweregiven,notonlybetweenthesetwoslates, butalsowithinthelockedslate,inviewofallpresentandthatsomeofthequestionswereput inSpanish,FrenchandGreek,andsatisfactorilyansweredinthesamelanguages." EglintonknewalittleFrench,butnoSpanishorGreek.Hewasquiteemphatic:

"Thewrittenquestionswereineverycaseunknowntomeandpertinentanswers,asIhave toldyou,werewrittenbetweenslatesfullyexposedtoviewupon,orheldoverthetableofa brilliantlylighteddrawingroom,thewritingbeingdistinctlyheardwhileintheactualprocess. Mr.Gladstonehadthefullestopportunityofobservation,andIhavenodoubtwhateverthathis keen,penetratingeyes,ashecarefullywatchedallthatwaspassing,assuredhimthat everythingwasgenuine.AsoneindicationImaymentiontheevidentinteresthetookinthe messagesthemselves,whichhecouldscarcelyhavedoneifhehadanysuspicionwhateverof thebonafidesoftheexperiments.Fromfirsttolasthemadeacarefulrecordofallthe questionsandallthereplies." Ofcourse,thisisEglinton'sownversion.Yetitmusthavebeenatrueaccount,forGladstonenever repudiatedit.TherewasonecommuniquefromDowningStreetinanswertoadirectinquiryoftheDaily News ,signedbyHoraceSeymour.Itonlycontained: "Sir,IamdirectedbyMr.Gladstonetoacknowledgethereceiptofyourletterofyesterday, andtosaythatwhilehecannotundertaketoenterintodetails,hehasexpressedno conclusionuponthesubjecttowhichyourefer." AnyfurtherdoubtastothedeepimpressionproducedonGladstone'smindbythissanceisdispelledby thefactthatsometimeafterhejoinedtheSocietyforPsychicalResearch,whichhadalreadyenlisted manygreatscientistsandstatesmenoftheday. Thephenomenonitself,whichGladstonewitnessed,wasoneoftheminormanifestationsofWilliam Eglinton'samazingmediumship.Onewhichisnowantiquated.Mediumscametorealizethatconjurers couldduplicatesuchperformances,sotheyabandonedthisparticularphase.ButinEglinton'sdays passionsranyethigh,especiallyaftertheSocietyforPsychicalResearchhadfoundanexpertconjurer,Mr. S.J.Davey,whomasqueradedasamedium.Heproducedmessagesonscrewed,sealedandlocked doubleslatesofhissittersinvariouslanguages,incolours,inanswertomentalrequestshemadea tumblerwalkacrossthetableinstronggaslight,floatedmusicalboxesandproducedmaterializedfigures. Hisfeatsweresomarvellousthatwhenheexposedhimself,spiritualistsaccusedhimofbeingarenegade medium.TheaccusationcouldhavebeeneasilyansweredhadDaveyrevealedthetrickofallhis performances.Butthatherefusedtodo.SoasgreatamanasDr.AlfredRusselWallacewrotein1891: "Unlessallcanbesoexplained,manyofuswillbeconfirmedinourbeliefthatMr.Daveywas reallyamediumaswellasaconjurerthatinimputingallhisperformancestotrickhewas deceivingthesocietyandthepublic." Beforeall,Eglintonwasamaterializationmedium,andaveryremarkableone.Henevergaveasancein hisownroomsandcompliedwithallconditionsofcontrol,hissleevesbeingmostlysewntohiskneesor behindhisbacktohiscoat.AtypicalexampleofwhatoccurredisthefollowingdescriptionfromEglinton's biography(1):
(1)"'TwixtTwoWorlds:ANarrativeoftheLifeandWorkofWilliamEglinton",byJohnS.Farmer,London,1886.

"Allthistimehisbreathingbecameincreasinglylabouredanddeep.Then,standinginfull view,byaquickmovementofhisfingers,hegentlydrewforth,apparentlyfromunderhis morningcoat,adingywhitelookingsubstance.Hedrewitfromhimatrightanglesand allowedittofalldownathisleftside.Asitreachedthegrounditincreasedinvolumeand coveredhisleftlegfromthekneedownwards.Themassofwhitematerialontheground increasedinbulkandcommencedtopulsate,moveupanddownandswayfromsidetoside. Itsheightincreasedandshortlyafterwardsitquicklygrewintoaformoffullstature, completelyenvelopedinthewhitematerial.Theupperpartofthisthemediumthendrewback anddisplayedthebeardedfaceofafulllengthmaterializedspirit,considerablytallerthan himself.Allthistimealinkofwhitematerialwasmaintainedbetweenitandthemedium,but thiswasnowseveredorbecameinvisibleandthespiritwalkedroundthecircleandshook handswiththevarioussitters.Theenvelopingwhitematerialwasnowseentobeaflowing robe,fastenedroundthewaistwithagirdle.Afterafewminutesthemedium,stillintrance, drewforthmoreofthewhitematerialandstretcheditouttothespiritwhicheagerlygraspedit. Finallythemediumbecameweak,staggered,andwassupportedbythenearestsitter (DawsonRogers,editorofLight),whereuponthespiritapproachedanddraggedhimintothe

cabinet." Thismarvellousdescriptionisinsomeagreementwithmodemobservationson"ectoplasmic"flow.Onthe otherhand,Eglinton'sopenairmaterializationshavenoparallelinspiritualistichistory.Thisisasummaryof Dr.Nichols'experiencesinMalvern: "Mr.Eglintonlayonagardenbenchinplainsight.Wesawthebodiesoffourvisitorsform themselvesfromacloudofwhitevapourandthenwalkabout,robedallinpurestwhite,upon thelawnwherenodeceptionwaspossible.Oneofthemwalkedquitearoundus,aswesatin ourchairsonthegrass,talkingasfamiliarlyasanyfriend...tookmyhatfrommyhead,putit onhisown,andwalkedoffwithitwherethemediumwaslyingthenhecameandputitonmy headagainthenwalkedacrossthelawnandupagravelwalktothefootofthebalconyand talkedwithMrs.Nichols.Afterabriefconversationhereturnedtothemediumandgradually fadedfromsight." ThespiritualisticPressofthedaywasfullofsuchmarvels.Mr.W.H.Harrison,theeditorofTheSpiritualist andaFleetStreetwriteronscience,reportedthetransportationofEglintonthroughtheceilingofalocked roomintotheroomaboveonMarch16th,1878,atMrs.MacdougallGregory'shouseat21GreenStreet, GrosvenorSquare,London.Hewasoneofsevensitters. "Thesancewasheldinthedrawingroomonthefirstfloorhighabovethestreet.Theshutters ofallthewindowsoftheroomwereclosedandbarredtheycouldnothavebeenopened withoutadmittinglightfromthestreet.Thedoorwaslockedontheinsideandthekeyleftin thelock.Thetablearoundwhichallthesitterssatwasabouttwoyardsfromthelockand consideredinthemostfavourablepositionforenablingallthesitterstogazeintothepassage ifthedoorhadbeenopenedeithertoalargeorsmallextent...Mr.GeorgeSutherland,oneof thesitters,wasraised,chairandall,andplacedonthecentreofthetable,wherehewas seenwhenalightwasstruck.Anothersitterandhischairwereraisedabouttwofeet.Mr.W. H.HarrisonhalfseriouslyaskedifthespiritscouldtakeMr.Colmanthroughtheceilingby wayofgivingavarietyofmanifestationMrs.FletcherandMr.Colmanthencalledout simultaneouslythatMr.Eglintonhadbrokenthecircleandleftthem.Mrs.Gregorytoldthem tojoinhands.Aboutthesamemoment,achair,probablyMr.Eglinton's,washeardtofall lightlyonitsfeet,apparentlysomeyardsfromthecircleandaviolentbump,causedbythe fallingofaheavybodyontheflooroftheroomabove,causedeverybodytothinkthatMr. Eglintonwascarriedthroughtheceiling.Soalightwasstruck. "FromthetimetheremarkwasmadeaboutMr.Colmantothetimethelightwasstruck,was aboutaminute.FromthetimeMr.Eglintondisjoinedhandstothetimethefallintheroom abovewasheard,wasprobablylessthantensecondssomeofthesitters,afewminutes aftertheeventoccurred,estimateditatfiveseconds. "Whenthelightwasstruck,Mr.Eglintonwasnotintheroom.Mr.GeorgeSutherland unlockedthedoorbyturningthekeywhichwasinthelock,anditwasthennoticedthatthe passageoutsidewasfairlyilluminatedbyreflectedlightfromthegasinthehallbelow.Mrs. Gregoryandseveralsittersproceededupstairs,andfoundMr.Eglintonlyinginadeeptrance onthefloorwithhisarmsextended.Thiswasabouttwominutesafterhedisjoinedhandsin theroombelow.Intwoorthreeminutesherevivedandcomplainedofthebackofhishead beinghurt,asifbyablowbeyondthistherewasnothingthematterwithhimandhewasas wellasbeforeinafewminutes." WereallthesepeopleditheringimbecilesordidEglintonactuallygothroughtheceiling? In3,500sittings,dozensofwhichweregiveninContinentalandScandinavianuniversities,onlythreetimes wasdefiniteproofoffraudclaimedagainstEglinton.ArchdeaconColleycutapieceoftherobeandbeardof amaterializedfigureandfoundthemfittingthemuslinandbeardwhichhediscoveredinthemedium's portmanteau.InMunichhisfaceandhandswerefoundcoveredwithlampblackwithwhich,secretly,the musicalinstrumentshadbeendaubed.ThemostdisastrousonefollowedavisittoIndia. HegavesancesattheresidenceoftheMaharajahSirJotendroJohunTagoreheconvertedLordWilliam BeresfordtoSpiritualismandhelevitatedHarryKellar,thefamousconjurerwho,beinginCalcutta,issueda

publicchallenge.Eglintonacceptedit.Atthesance,whileKellarwasfirmlyholdinghislefthand,the mediumroseintheairandpulledKellarafterhimsothat"hisownbodyappearedforthetimebeingtohave beenrenderednonsusceptibletogravity".Kellaracknowledgedhisdefeat."Iwentasasceptic,"hestated, "butImustownthatIcameawayutterlyunabletoexplain,byanynaturalmeans,thephenomenathatI witnessed." Suchglory,apparently,didnotsatisfyEglinton.HejoinedMme.Blavatskyinengineeringatheosophic miracleandcompromisedhimselfhopelessly.Hewasatfirstopenlyscepticalastotheexistenceofthe Mahatmas.Butbeforeheleft,hisspiritcontrolsdeclaredtheirconversionandsaidthat"theyhadbeen appointedtoworkinconcertwiththeBrothersthenceforward".Collusionmighthavebeenabetterwordthan concert.OnboardoftheS.S.Vega,boundhomeward,Eglintonclaimedtohaveseentheapparitionof MahatmaKootHoomi.Hewroteouthisexperienceinaletterwhichwasmiraculouslytransportedto BombayanddroppedfromtheceilingwhenMme.Blavatskyhadcompany.Theletterwasaddressedto Mrs.Gordon,inCalcutta.Inblueink,overEglinton'swriting,therewasamessagefromKootHoomi.Mine. Blavatskyaddedapostscript,whereuponthemysteriouspostmansnatchedtheletterforthwithanddropped itfromtheceilinginMrs.Gordon'shomeinCalcutta. Itwasamosteffectivemiracle.Buttherewasahitch.Atheosophist,namedMr.J.E.O'Conor,happenedto beonboardshipandunexpectedlyaskedEglintontoenclose,asanadditionaltest,aletterfromhimto Mme.Blavatsky.Eglintoncouldnotrefuse.ButashecouldnotnotifyMme.Blavatsky,O'Conor'sletterdid notarrive.AndwhenMahatmaKootHoomi'swritingwasfoundtobe,byexperts,doneinMme.Blavatsky's hand,Eglintondeniedthatheevermetherandprofessedtobebewilderedbyhisexperience. ThelastreportsonEglintoninthepsychicPressconcernedhisvisitin1887toRussiaandhisreceptionby AlexanderIII.Hemarriedonhisreturnand,havingbecomeindependent,retiredfrommediumshipand spiritualism.Hebrokewithhisfriends,butwasnotforgottenbythem.Theyrediscoveredhimonthe pinnacleofhisnewlife.IwasshowntheWhoisWhoof1929,andIstudiedcertainstrangeagreementsof particulars.ItmaycomeasashocktomanyinFleetStreettodiscoverthat,accordingtoallthese indications,WilliamEglington,onetimeeditorandchiefproprietoroftheBritishExportGazette,ofthe BritishSouthAfricanExportGazette,ofTheNewAgeandoftheTatler,wasnoneotherthanWilliam Eglinton,thefamousmedium.

Chapter21:PossessedofPowerovertheSoulofThings
StoryofStanislawaTomczyk
NandorFodor PSYCHICSTUDIESoftenrevealadeepsymbolisminpoeticfancy.Maeterlinck'sBlueBirdisfullof ideasforwhichafactualbasisissuggestedinpsychicalresearch.TyltillandMyltillturnthediamondand liberatethesoulofthings.Inesotericphilosophyadefinitemeaningisattachedtothisincident.Itisthat thereisbutoneenduringreality,theidea,andnotitsmanifestationinmatter.Thematerialshapeis ephemeral,theidealiveson.Thoughtsarethingsand,inthatsense,thingshavesouls. Certainqueerexperiencesinpsychicalresearchlendvraisemblanceto thisconceptionandpointtopossibilitiesofdefiniteverification.Noone couldhavebeenmorestartledbysuchalineofresearchthanits originator,Dr.JulienOchorowicz.Whilealecturerofpsychologyatthe UniversityofLemberg,hehadthegoodfortunetodiscoverinMlle. StanislawaTomczyk,ofWisla,Poland,unknownandthoroughly mystifyingpowers.Shewashispatientwhomheregularlyhypnotized fortherapeuticpurposes.Inthehypnoticsleepthegirldisclosedan alteredpersonalitywhichansweredtothenameofLittleStasia. Shewascapableofthingsbeyondnormalhumanpower.Shecould stopaclockbylookingatit.Shecouldproducemovementinobjects withoutcontact.Shecouldinfluencearoulettetotheextentthatthe numberchosenbythemediumturnedupmoreoftenthanjustifiedby chance.

Mlle . Tom czyk and Dr. O chorowitz, le cture r in psychology at the Unive rsity of Le m be rg. W ith Invisible rigid rays e m anating from he r finge rs Mlle . Tom czyk lifts a pair of scissors.

Asamiracleworkershewaswithoutpeer.Asapersonalityshewasfullofmischiefandplayednoendof tricksonMlle.Tomczyk.Shedidnotknowwhoshewas.Butshedidnotthinkshewasthespiritofadead person.Asshehadtobesomebody,andasshesufferednotfromthelimitationsofsecondary personalities,Dr.Ochorowiczlabelledherasthe"double"ofthemedium.Hischiefreasonfordoingsowas thatLittleStasiaprovedthatshehadabody.ThatbodywasnotthephysicalbodyofMlle.Tomczyk. Thisisaverystartlingstatement.Fortunately,Ochorowiczpresenteduswithadetaileddescriptionofhis experiments.TheclimaxcameonSeptember11th,1911,whenheobtainedthephotographofan"etheric hand"onasensitivefilmrolledupandenclosedinabottle.Thefilm,asitlayinthebottle,measuredabout threequartersofaninchindiameter.Thebottlehadanorificeofabouttwothirdsofaninch.Itwasclosed withthepalmofDr.Ochorowicz'srighthand.Withhislefthelaiditonhiskneeandheldittherefirmly.The mediumthenplacedhertwohandsonthebottlebetweenhis.Sheseemedexcitedandexclaimedthatshe wishedthatasmallhandmightappear.Thenshesaid: "Itisstrange!Thebottleseemstoenlargeundermyfingersbutperhapsthisisanillusion. Myhandsswell,Iceasetofeelthem." Anattackofcrampensued,themediumscreamedaloud,amomentortwolaterDr.Ochorowiczbrokethe bottle,developedthefilmandfoundonittheimprintofalargehandwiththethumbposedinlinewiththe indexfinger,sothatitmightfindroomtoappearonthefilm,whichwas13cmwide.Thehandhadthe characteristicsofthatofthemedium.Inautomaticwriting,LittleStasiagavethefollowingexplanation: "Icreptinbyachinkbetweenyourhandandtheorificeofthebottle.ThenIslippedmyhand flatbetweenthefoldsoftheroll,andthelightcauseditself,Idonotknowhow,Imerelytook caretomakethefilmopaque." Dr.Ochorowicztriedtodiscoverthethicknessofthe"etherichand".Hefoundindicationsthatitwasless thanamillimetre.Thatitwasselfluminous.Thatundertheeffectofsuggestionitcouldgrowordiminish. Thenextpuzzlingstageofhisdiscoverieswasreachedwheninseveralofthese"radiographs"themedium's

ringappearedonthefingerofheretherichand.Thisseemedtoindicatetohim: 1.Thatthereisakindoflinkbetweentheorganismandtheobjectitwears, 2.Thattheoccultnotionthatmaterialobjectshaveanastralbodyisnotlimitedtolivingbodies. Theringdidnotalwaysappearintheradiographs.Dr.Ochorowicztriedtofindoutwhetherobjects frequentlywornbythesensitiveweremoreeasilyproducedontheplatethanothers.Hechoseathimble whichsherarelyused.Themediumsuggestedthatheshouldhimselfretainthethimbleonthefingerofhis lefthand,holdingherwithhisrighthand. "Perhaps,"sheadded,"thethimblewillpassfromyourbodyontomyfinger." Theexperimentappearedabsurd,butDr.Ochorowiczwaswilling.Hetookaplatefromhisbox,markedit, andlaiditonthemedium'sknees.Shewasseatedonhisright.Withhisrighthandheheldupherlefthand aboutsixteeninchesabovetheplate,thethimblebeingonthemiddlefingerofhislefthandwhichhekept behindhisleftknee.Aredlampwasburningatadistanceofaboutthreefeet.Afteraminutehadelapsed, themediumsaidthatshefeltasortoftinglinginthedirectionofherforearm,wheretheirhandsmet.She exclaimed: "Oh,howstrange.Somethingisbeingplacedonthetipofmyfinger...Idonotknowifitisthe thimbleIfeelsomethingkeepspressingtheendofmyfinger." Whentheplatewasdevelopeditshowedthehandofthemedium,andonthemiddlefingerwaswhatshe calledjokinglythesoulofherthimble. Dr.Ochorowiczaskedinsomebewilderment:wastheimagea"double"ofthethimble,orwasita photographoftheideaofthethimble? Acloseexaminationofthephotographandcomparisonwiththethimbleshowedthatthetwocorresponded exactly,theone"wasatruecopyoftheother,preciseindetailsandindimension".Thisexactness supportstheideaofadirectimpressionfromsomeobjectratherthanathoughtimagemerely.Thefinger supportingthethimbleisthepalestofallthefingers,probably,asDr.Ochorowiczsuggests,becausethe lightbywhichtheradiographwastakenproceedsfromit.Heleanedtotheconclusionthatanetherichand wearinganethericthimbleproducedtheimage,andthatmentaldesiregavethedirectiontothelightwhich wasnecessaryinordertomakethedetailsofthethimblevisibleontheplate. When,however,heproceededtotesthisconclusion,astrangethinghappened.Unknowntothemediumhe heldinhislefthandanAustrianfivecrownpiece.Presentlysheexclaimed: "Iseebehindyouawhiteroundobject...itisthemoon." "Atthesameinstant,"writesDr.Ochorowicz,"Isawafaintbutdistinctlightpassnearmyleft hand,whichheldthecoinitwasnotround,noraflash,itwaslikealittlemeteor,likeathin ray,lightingupthespaceroundmyhandonthesideawayfromthemedium." Whentheplatewasdevelopeditshowedanimageofafullmoon. "Themoonfloats,"hewrote,"onthebackgroundofalessluminouscloud,andisofarather differentformfromthatintheprecedingexperiment." TheprecedingexperimenttookplaceonSeptember7th,1911.Themediumthenightbeforewasmuch impressedbythesuperblightofthestarryheavens,andparticularlybythefullmoonatwhichshelooked forsometimewithadmiration.Ontheplate,insteadofthelittlehandwhichwasdesired,afullmoon appearedagainstabackgroundofwhitecloud. Therewassomethingverycuriousaboutthisphotographofthemoon.OnApril17th,1912,themoonwasin eclipse.Cinematographpicturesdisclosedaslightflatteningoftheimageofthemooninthedirectionofthe axisofrotation.ThischaracteristicappearsintheradiographofSeptember7th.Theimpressionwasdouble anditlookedasifthecloudhadnotbeenduplicated.Inthatcasethemoonalonemusthavemoved.How

canweconceiveaskedDr.Ochorowiczofthisapparentmovementofamentalimage? ThenextsurprisewhichLittleStasiaprovidedwastheproofthatshewasnotthedoubleoftheentranced medium.WhileDr.OchorowiczwashavingalivelyconversationwithMlle.Tomczykinhernormalstate, LittleStasiaimpressedherpicture,aspromised,onaphotographicplateinadarkandemptyadjoining room. WhoLittleStasiawasmatteredcomparativelylittle.ItwasherphenomenawhichpuzzledOchorowiczand theworldofsciencetowhichshewasintroduced.InvisiblerigidraysappearedtoissuefromMme. Tomczyk'sfingertipsbythehelpofwhich,beforeacommissionofphysicians,physiologistsandengineers, shecouldraiseapairofscissorsoranyotherlightobjectsintotheairwithoutmaterialsupport.Therays werethreadlikeandactedlikealineofforce. "Ihavefeltthisthread,"writesDr.Ochorowicz,"onmyface,onmyhair.Whenthemedium separatesherhandsthethreadgetsthinneranddisappearsitgivesthesamesensationasa spider'sweb.Ifitiscutwithscissorsitscontinuityisimmediatelyrestored.Itseemstobe formedofpointsitcanbephotographedanditisthenseentobemuchthinnerthanan ordinarythread.Itstartsfromthefingers.Needlesstoremarkthatthehandsofthemedium werecarefullyexaminedbeforeeveryexperiment." Whenthesephotographswerethrownenlargeduponascreenthepsychicstructurebecameinvisible.So muchcouldbedeterminedthattherewereswellingsandnodesalongit,likethewavesofavibratingcord. WhenMlle.Tomczyklifted,supernormally,aball,awholenumberoffilamentssurroundeditlikeanet.Ina photographofabalancewhichwassupernormallydepressed,fine,hairlikethreadsarevisible. Thecryoffraudistotallyuntenable.Ingoodlightitisachild'splaytowatchfortheintroductionofgenuine hair.EusapiaPaladinowhenshetrieditwasinvariablydiscovered.Andthensheimmediatelyperformedthe featbysupernormalpower. TheexistenceofsuchinvisiblethreadswereknownbeforeOchorowicz.Thereareobservationstoprovethat threads,finerthanthespider's,maysomewhatinthemannerofcobwebs,connectthemediumwiththe objectsintheroomwhicharesupernormallysetinmotion.Mme.d'Esperanceoftencomplainedofa cobwebbyfeelingonherface.MargeryofBostonandmanyofhersittershadthesameexperience.Two yearsagoProfessorKarlBlacher,ofRiga,reportedonhisexperimentswithFrauIdeler,thatshespun threadstoaccomplishtelekineticmovements.Sheseemedtopullthemfromtheinnersideofherhandwith herfingertips.Thethreadsseemedtobeofadoughy,elasticsubstance,atfirstthick,thenpulledfine,and feltsoftanddry.Evenwhilebeinghandledtheydiminishedperceptibly.Apiecewassecuredandsubjected atoncetomicroscopicexaminationinanadjoiningroom.Anenlargementofthemicroscopicphotoshows thatitiscomposednotofonestrand,butofmanyfinebutnotorganizedthreads.Initschemical compositionthestructurewasnotthatofanyknowntextilefabrics.Curiously,firehadnopoweroverthose threads.Theymadetheflamewithdraw.Buttheywereconductorsofelectricity. Suchdiscoveriesdivestthephenomenaoftheseanceroomofthemiraculousandreducethemtofactsof physiologyandphysics.Theyleavethepsychologicalsideunaffected.though.Fortheintelligencewhichso effectivelyusestheorganismofthemediumforsuchpurposes,claimstobeaspirit.LittleStasiawasan exception.Butthenshedidnotknowwhatshewas.Spiritualistsbelievethattheycanofferakeytoher riddle.Theysayshewasoneofthemanywhodidnotyetwakeuptothefactthatshechangedoverinto anotherworldofexistence,inotherwordsshedidnotknowthatshewasdead.

Chapter22:BeingtheInstrumentsof"SpiritMagic"
StoryoftheDavenportBrothers
NandorFodor THEMAINdifferencebetweentheperformanceofamagicianandamediumisthatthemagicianis alwaysmasterofceremonies,whereasthemediumhastosubmittotheconditionsimposeduponhim. Magiciansneverattemptstagedemonstrationsunderthecontroltowhichthemediumissubjected.Without preparation,equipmentandassistancetheyarehelpless.Travestiesofmediumisticperformancestheyhave givenoftenenoughinthepast,butmanymastersoflegerdemainhavealsoacknowledgedthe inexplicabilityofmediumisticphenomena. If,then,mediumscanbeatthemagiciansattheirowngame,asthescepticwouldputit,whydon'tthey choosefameandfortuneonthestageasmagiciansinsteadofabuseandvilificationwhichtheygetas mediums? Neverintheeightyfouryears'historyofmodernSpiritualismhasamediumchangedcoloursandsethimself upasamagician.Onlyafewgaveseancesfromthestage.Eitherthenatureoftheirpowercouldnotstand alargeandpromiscuousaudience,ortheylearntfromthebitterlessonoftheAmericanDavenportBrothers. AtHull,HuddersfieldandLeeds,in1864,theybarelyescapedlynchingbecausetheyrefusedtodeclare themselvesmagicians.Thosewhotoolightlydismisstheirmysteryasoneoflegerdemainneverfacethe psychologicalissuewhichtheirpatheticcrypresents: "Werewemerejugglersweshouldmeetwithnoviolence,orweshouldfindprotection.Could wedeclarethatthesethingsdoneinourpresenceweredeceptionofthesenses,weshould, nodoubt,reapaplentifulharvestofmoneyandapplause.Astrickstheywouldtranscend, accordingtothetestimonyofexperiencedobservers,anyeverexhibitedinOccidentorOrient. Thewondersofthecabinet,orstillmore,ofthedarksance,surpassallpretensionsof conjurers.Weshouldsafelydefytheworldtoequalthem,andbehonouredforourdexterity. Butwearenotjugglers,andtruthfullydeclarethatwearenot,andwearemobbedfromtown totown,ourpropertydestroyedandourlivesimperilled." Forthecampaignofhatredandpersecutionwhichwasstartedagainstthemthereisnoapology. "WeneverinpublicaffirmedourbeliefinSpiritualism"IraDavenportisquotedinaletterby HarryHoudini."Thatweregardedasnobusinessofthepublic,nordidweofferour entertainmentastheresultofsleightofhandor,ontheotherhand,asSpiritualism.Weletour friendsandfoessettlethatasbesttheycouldbetweenthemselvesbut,unfortunately,we wereoftenthevictimsoftheirdisagreement." Truly,thisisaremarkablesetofcircumstances.Extraordinarythingsmusthavebeenwitnessedintheir demonstrationsif,withoutanopenclaimontheirpart,peoplesawnoescapefromascribingthemto supernaturalforces. Whatwerethesedemonstrations? DionBoucicault,thefamousactorinwhosehousetheDavenportBrothersgavetheirfirstsanceinLondon, onOctober11th,1864,sentadetailedreporttotheDailyNews .LordBury,SirCharlesNicholson,SirJohn Gardiner,SirC.LennoxWyke,RobertBell,RobertChambers,Capt.E.A.Inglefield,Rev.E.H.Newenham, Rev.W.Ellis,andfourteenotherswerepresent.Thesancewasheldinalargedrawingroomfromwhichall surplusfurniturehadbeenpreviouslyremoved.Sixguitarsandtwotambourineswereboughtfroma neighbouringmusicshopandwereplaced,withsomebellsandtrumpets,onthefloorofanimprovised cabinet.TheDavenportBrothersandMr.W.H.Fay,athirdmediumoftheirparty,weresearched.Thenthe twobrothersenteredthecabinet.Withhandsbehindtheirbacktheywereboundfirmlytotheirseatbya nauticalgentlemanwhowas"profound"inthematterofknots.Theknotsontheirligaturesweresealedwith wax.Thedoorswerethencloseduponthem,sufficientlightbeingkeptintheoutsideroomtoseewhat happened.

InstantlyaBabelofsound,acrazyplayonalltheinstrumentsatonceissuedfromthecabinet.The followingincidentseemedtobeparticularlyworthyofnote: "WhileLordBurywasstoopinginsidethecabinet,thedoorbeingopen,thetwooperators seentobeseatedandbound,adetachedhandwasclearlyobservedtodescenduponhim, andhestartedback,remarkingthathehadbeenstruck.Again,inthefulllightofthegas chandelier,andduringanintervalinthesance,thedoorsofthecabinetbeingopen,and whiletheligaturesofthebrotherswerebeingexamined,averywhitethinfemalehandand wristquiveredforseveralsecondsintheairabove.Thisappearancedrewageneral exclamationfromalltheparty.SirCharlesWykenowenteredthecabinetandsatbetween thetwoyoungmen,hishandsbeingrightandleftoneach,andsecuredtothem.Thedoors werethenclosedandtheBabelofsoundsrecommenced.Severalhandsappearedatthe orifice,amongstthemthehandofachild.Afteratime,SirCharlesreturnedamongstusand statedthatwhileheheldthetwobrothers,severalhandstouchedhisfaceandpulledhishair theinstrumentsathisfeetcreptup,playedroundhisbody,andoverhishead,oneofthem lodgingeventuallyonhisshoulders.Duringtheforegoingincidents,thehandswhichappeared weretouchedandgraspedbyCapt.Inglefield,andhestatedthattothetouchtheywere apparentlyhumanhands,thoughtheypassedawayfromhisgrasp." InthesecondpartofthesancetheDavenportBrothers,aswastheirgeneralhabit,quittedthecabinetand satamongsttheguestsinthedark.Byinvisiblehandsintwominutesandahalftheyweretiedhandand foot.Whilethiswasbeingdoneapandemoniumofmusicraged.Ashootinglightwasseen.Severalsitters weresimultaneouslytouchedorstruckbyhands.Allthiswhiletheywerefirmlyholdinghands.Noone couldmovewithoutthetwoadjacentneighboursbeingawareofit.Underthelegsofthemediumsasheetof paperwasplacedonwhichanoutlineoftheirshoeswasdrawn.Theywereaskedtocountconstantly.Their voicescouldbelocatedallthetime. "Mr.Faythenaskedthathiscoatshouldberemoved.Weheardaviolenttwitchandhere occurredamostremarkablefact.AlightwasstruckbeforethecoathadquiteleftMr.Fay's person,anditwasseenquittinghim,andpluckedoffhimupwards.Itflewuptothe chandelier,whereithungforamomentandthenfelltotheground.Mr.Faywasseen meanwhileboundhandandfootasbefore.Oneofourpartynowdivestedhimselfofhiscoat, anditwasplacedonthetable.ThelightwasextinguishedandthiscoatwasrushedontoMr. Faywithequalrapidity." Boucicault'saccountmustbeassumedaccurate,forthereportsofthecorrespondentsofTheTimes , StandardandTelegraphagreedwiththesestatements. Whatwasthemeaningofallthis?Boucicaultwasnotaspiritualist.Heprotestedthatsuchpuerile phenomena,howevermysterious,shouldbeconsideredspiritual.WhereuponMrs.EmmaHardingeBritten, oneofSpiritualism'shistorians,remarks(1):
(1)"NineteenthCenturyMirac les",London,1884,p.156.

"HadweanopportunityofquestioningMr.Boucicaultconcerninghisopinionastowhat becomesofthegreatmassofmankindthatsitnightlytowatchhisdramas,perhapswemight beinapositiontoshowthatthetasteofthemajorityinclinestopuerilityonly,andthat anythingthatwasnotpuerilewouldnotrepresentthevanishedmillionsthathavepassed throughthegatesofdeathtothelifebeyond,whereitisexceedinglydoubtfulifpuerilespirits becomewiseinthetwinklingofaneye,orlowmenorwomensuddenlybecomeexalted angels.Meantime,thequestionisnotoneofquality,butkind.Werethemanifestations recordedabovemadebytheDavenports,ifnot,bywhomandwhat?" NoonehaseversucceededinprovingthatthemanifestationsweremadebytheDavenports.Naturallythey weresoaccusedbecauseapparentlytherewasnoothersolution.Butthemagicianswhotriedtoemulate themproducedaninfantileandalmostgrotesqueparodyoftheDavenportphenomena.Spiritualistsalone claimedtounderstandallthepranksbywhichoccasionallypeoplewerefrightened.Hereisanaccountof whathappenedattheImperialCourtatSt.Cloud,inthepresenceofEmperorandEmpressLouisNapoleon:

"TheMarquisLaGrange,havingenteredthecabinetwiththeDavenports,heextendedhis arms,andwasfastboundtothebrothersintheusualway.Theinstantthedoorswereclosed thenoiseandconfusionwhichwasheardwithinthecabinetsurprisedtheImperialparty extremelywhenthedoorswerethrownopenandtheMarquiswasseenwithhiscravat removed,abellstuckinhiswaistcoat,theviolinandguitarfantasticallyarrangedabouthis person,andthetambourineuponhishead,theEmperorthrewhimselfbackinhischairand laughedheartilyatthegrotesqueappearanceofthehelplessandsomewhatfrightened Marquis,who,onhispart,seriouslyandemphaticallyassuredthecompanythatthebrothers hadnotmovedamuscle." IntheearlydemonstrationsoftheDavenportBrothersinAmerica,pistolswerefiredinthedarkseance againstaminutemarkwhichwasalwayshitwithmarvellousprecision.InabilliardroominMilwaukee,in totaldarkness,theballswereheardtorollandclickagainsteachother,thecuesmoved,andthegame appearedtoberegularlyplayed,markedandcounted. Inanattempttosolvetheseproblemsitisnotsufficienttopostulatetheexteriorizationofanunknown biologicalforcewhichDr.Loomis,ProfessorofChemistryandToxicologyintheGeorgetownMedical College,America,submitted.Theintelligence,orintelligences,whichruledtheforce,appearedtoseeinthe dark.Theoperationcouldhardlybeascribedtotheimmobilizedbrothersasitoftentranscendedtheknown lawsofphysics.HereishowMr.RobertCooper,whospentseveralmonthsinthestudyoftheDavenport phenomenainEngland,describedinhisbook(1),theflyingcoatphenomenon: (1)"SpiritualExperiences,includingSevenMonthswiththeBrothersDavenport"London,1867. "ThecoatofMr.Fayhas,scoresoftimes,beentakenfromhisbackinmypresence,andMr. Fayatthetimemightbesittinglikeastatuewithhishandssecurelytiedbehindhimandthe knotssealed.Ihaveseencoatsofvariousdescriptions,fromalargeovercoattoalight paletot,putonintheplaceofhisowninamomentoftime,hishandsremainingsecurelytied andthesealunbroken.IhaveknownthecoatthathasbeenplacedonMr.Faysosmallthatit couldonlywithdifficultybegotoffhim.IhaveknownacoatthatwasfirstplacedonMr.Fay transferredinamomentonIraDavenport,whosehands,likeMr.Fay's,weretiedbehindhim, andthemostcuriouspartoftheproceedingswasthatitwasputoninsideout.Ihavealso knownthewaistcoatofIraDavenporttakenfromunderhiscoat,allbuttonedup,withhis watchandguardjustasheworeit." Itsoundstooamusingtobescientific,butthedemonstrationisbynomeansuniqueinspiritualistichistory. Tomentiononlyoneinstance,thegreatLombrosorecordeditwithEusapiaPaladino.Anovercoatwas placedonachairbeyondthereachofthemedium,whosehandsandfeethadbeencontinuouslycontrolled. Severalobjectsfromaninsidepocketoftheovercoathadbeenbroughtoutandlaidonaphosphorescent cardboardonthetable.Allatoncethemediumbegantocomplainofsomethingaboutherneckandbinding hertight.Onlightbeingproduceditwasfoundthatshehadtheovercoaton.herarmsbeingslippedintoit, oneineachsleeve. Theintellectualsideofallthesebuffooneriesdisplayedconsciousdirection,intelligentplanningbydefinite personalities.JohnKing,aliasSirHenryMorgan,thebuccaneer,wasthechiefoftheinvisibleoperations. Hemadehisdebutin1850,inthehomeoffatherDavenport,apoliceofficialofBuffalo.IraDavenporthad beenimpelledtofireapistolinthedark.Attheinstantoffiringthepistolwastakenfromhishandanda humanfigurewasseenholdingitandsmilingatthecompany.ItwasJohnKing,asingularlygiftedspirit.He managedasimultaneouslevitationofIraandWilliam,thetwobrothers,andtheirsisterElizabeth.TheRev. J.B.Ferguson,thenotedAmericanpreacher,whoriskedhisecclesiasticalreputationontheDavenport BrothersinaccompanyingthemandvouchingforthembeforetheBritishpublic,writes(1)onthispoint:
(1)T.L.Nichols,M.D.:"SupramundaneFac tsintheLifeofRev.JesseBabcoc kFerguson,A.M.,LL.D.",London,1865,p.108.

"FromasgoodtestimonyasIhaveofanyfactthatIcanacceptwithoutpersonalknowledge,I believethattheseyoungmenhavebeenraisedintotheairtotheceilingsofrooms,andhave beentransportedadistanceofmilesbythesameforceandintelligence,orintelligentforce, thathasforelevenyearsworkedintheirpresencesomanymarvels." JohnKingstayedwiththeDavenportBrothersasaninvisiblemanagerthroughouttheircareer,andindifficult

situationsoftengavesoundadviceinthe"direct"voice.Thiswasnoillusion.SaysRev.Ferguson: "Ihave,intheirpresence,hadarticulateandaudibleconversationwithavoicewhichwasnot theirs,northatofanylivingperson.WiththisIhaveconversedasamantalkswithhisfriend, whilethepowerorbeingfromwhichthevoiceproceededmadeitspresenceandrealityknown tomebyotherphysicalmanifestations.Inrailwaycarriages,whenincompanywiththe BrothersDavenportandMr.Fay,inpassingthroughdarktunnels,Ihavebeenmanipulatedall overmybodybyhandsseeminglyhuman,sometimesunexpectedlyatothersatmyrequest, whennoonepresentcouldhavetouchedmewithoutmyknowledge." BesidesRobertCooper'stestimonywehavetherecordofJamesJ.Mapes,ProfessorofAgricultural ChemistryofNewYork.HeconversedwithJohnKingforhalfanhour.Hishandwasseizedinapowerful grasp.Whenitwastakenagaintheinvisiblehandincreasedinsizeandwascoveredwithhair. Hamilton,thesuccessorofRobertHoudin,declaredinalettertotheGazettedesEtrangers (September 27th,1865),thatthephenomenasurpassedhisexpectations,andthattheywereinexplicabletohim. Anotherfamousmagician,Prof.Jacobs,statedinalettertotheeditorofLicht,MehrLicht(April20th,1881), thatthephenomena"wereabsolutelytrueandbelongtothespiritualorderofthingsineveryrespect". Asmediums,theDavenportBrotherswereuniqueinseveralrespects.IntheWinterPalaceinRussia,they heldaseancebeforeathousandpeopleinthepresenceoftheCzar.Indeed,asmanyastwothousand wereknowntoparticipateinEngland.Theyneveraskedformusic.Thephenomenawereinstantaneous.Itis almostimpossibletoimaginethatinacareerofalmostthirtyyears(WilliamDavenportdiedinSydneyin 1877),theirsecret,iftheyhadone,wouldnothavebeendiscovered.Houdinitriedhisbest.Inaletterto ConanDoyle(1),hewrites: "IwasanintimatefriendofIraErastusDavenport.Icanmakepositiveassertionthatthe DavenportBrotherswereneverexposed...IknowmoreabouttheDavenportBrothersthan anyoneliving."
(1)A.ConanDoyle:"TheEdgeoftheUnknown",London,1930.

Itisagreatpitythathedidnotmakepublicallheknew.

Chapter23:FingerPrintingtheSpiritsoftheDead
StoryofMrs.MargeryCrandon
NandorFodor THEGREATFingerprintMystery!Thewordsspellathrillingstory.Butnotfictionthistime.Itisthe mostamazingtruestoryofthecentury.Itisthestoryofawomanwhoclaimstofingerprintthespiritsofthe dead. ThestatementmayrightlyturnBertilloninhisgrave.ScotlandYardopeningafingerprintdepartmentin heavenisnotabadideaforafarce.Butwhenitcomestoadefiniteassertionthatthedeadcanprovetheir survivalbyleavingfingerprintsbehind,thereaderisforgivenfor.aviolentstart.Hemaynotbelieveinsurvival atall.Ifhedoes,onethingseemsprettycertain.Thephysicalbodydies.Evenifthesurvivingegoknew somethingaboutthecreases,sweatporesandpapillaryridgesofhisfingertips,howcoulditreproduce them? Thatisthequestion!How? ForitappearstobeanestablishedfactthatthroughMrs.MargeryCrandon,of Boston,atleastinoneinstance,adeadmanclaimedtoprovehissurvivalby impressinghis"ectoplasmically"reborndigitintodentalwax.Hisnamewas CharlesStantonHill,ajudgeoftheUnitedStatesCourtinBoston,amember oftheMargeryCircle.HediedonSeptember2nd,1930.Previoustohisdeath aregisterwasmadeofthefingerprintsofallthesitters.Duringthesittings theywereobtainingsupernormalimprintsinwaxfrom"Walter",anentity whichpurportedtobethedeceasedbrotherofMargery.Anditoccurredto themthatbythesamemanifestationintheeventofthedeathofamemberof thecircle,hissurvivalcouldbeproved. JudgeHillwasthefirsttogo.Sixweeksafterhisdeathhepurportedto communicate.Whilethemedium'shandswereheldunderstrictcontrola phantomthumbwasseenmakingthreeimprints.Mr.J.W.Fyfe,aBoston fingerprintexpert,examinedtheprintscarefully.Hefoundthemperfectly identicalwiththeprintsmadebyJudgeHillduringhislife.

Thefactshavenotbeenchallenged.Theevidenceappearedtobeperfect.But seanceroomhappeningsaresostrangeandsomuchatvariancewith acceptedscientificbeliefsthatnoamountofproofcouldwakeuptheworldtotheirsignificance.

Supe r-physical suction cylinde r, invisible and im palpable , photographe d by fuse d quartz le ns with Marge ry C randon.

Since1926Walterhasbeendeliveringhundredsofprintsofhisghostlyfingers.Amongthosewhotestified tothesupernormalreceptionoftheseimprintswasDr.RobinJ.Tillyard,ChiefEntomologisttothe CommonwealthofAustralia.HeobtainedtheminasolussittingwithMargeryunderconditionsthatcould notbebettered.Moreover,fromhumanfingersonlynegativeimprintscanbemade.ButWalter,theghost, couldproduce,bytwistingaboutinhishypotheticalfourthdimension,positive,mirrornegativeandmirror positiveimprintsaswell.Hecouldalsoenlargethemsothattheysuggestedagiant'sthumb.Hisingenuity indevisingtheseexperimentswassimplyinexhaustible. OnFebruary16th,1932,inthepresenceofMr.WilliamH.Button,PresidentoftheAmericanSocietyfor PsychicalResearch,hemadeathumbprintinsideaheavylockedboxwhichcouldnotbeopenedwithout thefactimmediatelybecomingapparent.Beforetwoscientistsandafingerprintexperthedemonstratedthe featagainandagain. ThattheprintswerehisownrestedsolelyonWalter'stestimony.Onarazor,whichheusedinhislifetime, apartialfingerprintwasdiscovered.Butitwasnotsufficientforidentification. SometimeaftertheHillincidentitwasdiscoveredthatafingerprintalonemaynotbefoolproofevidenceof theidentityofaghost.InJuly,1931,WalterproducedthumbprintswhichhedeclaredtobethoseofSir

OliverLodge,whowas,atthetime,inEngland,3,000milesaway.TheprintsweresentovertoEngland.Mr. Bell,ofScotlandYard,subjectedthemtoathoroughexaminationandpronouncedthemidenticalwiththe printsofSirOliver. NineteensuchprintsweredeliveredinBostonbyWalterwithoutSirOliverLodgehavingtheleastideahow hisfingerprintswere"borrowed"bythisingeniousghost.Nomouldcanbemadefromatwodimensional fingerprint.Anexpertwouldhavelittledifficultyinrecognizingafingerprintmadefromamould.If,then,the fingerprintsofalivingmancouldbe"stolen"survivalcannotbeprovedbyfingerprintsalone.Somuchless soastherewasapparentlynolimittoWalter'sversatility. OnMarch9th,1932,hemadeaprint"ofaninfantnotyetbornbutexpectedinacertainfamily".Itwasthe imprintofababy'sfoot.Waltergavethenamesof"MaryJane"and"MaryandJane".Thebabywasborn, but,unhappily,familyreasonsmadeitimpossibletoobtainverification. Soonafterabombexploded,thetremorsofwhichwereregisteredthroughoutthepsychicworld. Mr.E.E.Dudley,themajordomooftheCrandonseancesforyears,announcedthattheWalterthumb printsproducedindentalwaxwerefoundtobeidenticalwiththoseofDr.X.ofBoston,thedentistof Margery.Tobackupthisstartlingcharge,heappealedtofingerprintexpertsofboththeMassachusetts StatePoliceandoftheBureauofCriminalIdentificationofNewYorkCity.Theexpertsagreedthattheright thumbprintsofWalterandthedentist,assubmittedtothem,wereoneandthesame.Theleftthumb differed. TheinferencewhichMr.Dudleydrewwasthatnotwoman'sfingerprintsareidentical,thereforetheyarenot Walter's.Hedidnotquestiontheirsupernormaldelivery,though.Hehardlycouldhavedoneso,ashehad beentestifyingtothatfactforyears.ButastheinvestigationorderedbyMr.W.H.Buttonwasdrawingout overalongperiod,Dr.WalterFranklinPrince,theDirectoroftherivalSocietyofPsychicalResearchin Boston,rushedintoprintwiththechargethattheyhadbeenproducedbyfraud. Thecommitmentseemedtobeoverhastywhen,endof1933,thelongawaitedreportoftheAmerican SocietyforPsychicalResearch,with300photographicplates,hasseenthelight.Itisamonumentof patientandpainstakingstudy.ItwasdrawnupbyMr.BrackettK.Thorogood,formerinstructorinthe mechanicalengineeringdepartmentofHarvardUniversity,DirectoroftheFranklinUnion,andResearch ConsultantoftheAmericanSocietyforPsychicalResearch.Hescrappedtheworkofmanyyearsand, beginningatthebeginnings,heclaimstohaveestablishedwithoutashadowofdoubtthat: 1.Thereisnoevidenceoffraud,trickery,ortheuseofanynormalmechanisminconnectionwiththe seanceproductionoftheWalterfingerprintphenomena. 2.TheseWalterphenomenaaredefinitelyprovedbytheevidencetobesupernormal. 3.NeitheroftheWalterhandsasawholenorastoanyofthecomponentpartsisidenticalwiththatofany knownpersonorpersons. Thephotographswhichaccompanythereportaremostimpressive.Themediumisshownwithbothhands heldwhileanotherhandissuesfromherbodyaroundherwaist.Itwasalivinghumanhand,foritgavea vigoroushandshaketoDr.Richardson.Insteadoffingers,asbefore,itmadeimpressions,inhugeslabsof dentalwax,ofthewholepalmandfingers,sothatitwaspossibletocoordinatealltheprintswhichwere previouslyobtained.Theauthenticityoftheleftthumbprintcouldnotbequestionedbecauseofadefinite scarcuttingacrossthethumbatanangleof30degreeswiththejointline.ThisscarWalterclaimedtohave receivedasaboywhilewhittling.Oftherightthumbprintsmicrophotographsareinexistenceshowingthe differencesofstructurebetweenthedeltaofWalter'srightthumbandthedeltaofDr.X.'srightthumb. Exceptbyaccusingpeopleofrenownandreputationofthegreatestandmostbrazenfraudofthecentury,it ishardlypossibletogetawayfromthefactthatthemediumshipofMargeryhaswithstoodthemost rigorousteststhatscientificingenuitycoulddevise. Incidentally,suchanaccusationisimpliedintheansweroftheBostonS.P.R.(BulletinXXII),butthe rejoinder,lastAugust,oftheAmericanS.P.R.claimscrushingcounterevidence,littlehopebeingheldout foreverachievinggeneralacceptanceoftheparticularfactsoverwhichpsychicalresearchersthemselves

areinpassionatedisagreement. YettheGreatFingerprintMysteryisbutasidelightofMargeryCrandon'samazingpersonality.First,sheis notaprofessionalmedium.SheisthewifeofDr.L.R.G.Crandon,whowasProfessorofSurgeryatthe HarvardMedicalSchoolforsixteenyears,andistheauthorofastandardtextbookonsurgicalafter treatment.Mediumshipcametoherinexperimentsundertakenathomepartlyasajoke,partlyoutof curiosity.Thephenomenawhichdevelopedwerebeyondthepowerandcontrolofthesitters.Theybrought themproofofhumansurvivalandfilledthemwithmissionaryzealtoprovethesametoanabusiveand obdurateworldofscience.Asanepicofhumanheroismlittlecanrivaltheirtwelveyears'history.The scientistsusuallyquarrelledwitheachotherbeforetheycouldreachaverdict.Butmanyofthemdiscovered thehorizonsofanewworldwithimmensevistasofknowledge.Noneofthemhaseverbroughtforwardthe slightestproofagainsttheCrandons'integrity. Today,asaresultofinstrumentaltesting,stupendousfactsarehammeringatthedoorsofscience.Ithas beenprovedaswellasscienceiscapableofprovinganythingintheworldthatthe"directvoice"of Spiritualismisnomyth,nodelusionoffeveredimagination.B.K.Thorogoodconstructedacubicalbox consistingoflayersofsevendifferentmaterials,sheathedincopperandsoftiron,weighingoverahundred pounds,completelysoundproof,closedandpadlocked,containingalarge,verysensitivemicrophonewhich wasconnectedbytwowiresemergingfromtheboxtoaloudspeakerinadistantroom.Thevoiceinspace whichWalterclaimedtobehisownwasaskedtospeakintothemicrophonewithinthebox.Heagreed. WhilethesittersintheseanceroomheardnothingthevoiceofWalterissuedfromtheloudspeakerin anotherroom,provingthatithaditsoriginthroughthemicrophoneinthebox. ThiswasaconclusiveandfinalproofoftheindependenceofWalter'svoicefromMargery's. Thevoiceisfull,resonantandmasculineitapproximatesinrange,qualityandvolumeanordinaryhuman voice.Ittalksintelligently,showsagreatsenseofhumour,answersquestionsandcarriesonargumentand conversationinawaythatanyclevermortalwould.ThepersonalityofWalterisjustashumanasthatofthe sitters.Heclaimstomanifestthroughtheforcesprovidedbytheorganismofhissister,Margery.Heshows nopretenceofsaintlinessand,onoccasions,swearsandcursesinjustifiedindignation.HecaughtHoudini, atthetimeoftheinvestigationarrangedbytheScientificAmericanin1923,in"framingup"Margeryfor purposesofPresssensationalism.Heusedthemostfearfulandunprintablelanguagethateverissuedfrom theGreatBeyond.ItsentHoudinicoweringandalmostweepinginprotest(1).
(1)MalcolmBird:"Margery,theMedium",London,1925.

Walterneverpretendstoknowwhathecando,butisalwaysreadytotryandlearnhimself. "Idon'tgiveadamnaboutconvincingthepublicoranyone,"hesaidmorethanonce."My crowdcameherebecausewelikedyoupeople,andyoukeptushereworkingatthisdamn thing." AfewmonthsagohisvoicewasbroadcastfromaBostonstudiofromagramophonerecordwhichwas madeinthesanceroom.Itbegan: "ThisisthevoiceofWalterspeaking." Therefollowedahodgepodgeofwhistling,ofamiablenonsenseandofthreadbarehomiliesinverseand prose.HeparodiedLongfellow'spoeminthismanner: "Livesofgreatmenallremindus Thatweallcanbeabore, SoI'llcanthisdeathlychatter AndI'llwhistlesomethingmore." Thenhewentoninearnest: "Myfriends,Icometoyouattherequestofsomeofourgrouptoletyouhearthesoundofa deadman'svoice.Yearsago,theagencythroughwhichIspeakwouldhavebeenthoughtof astheworksofthedevil.TheMediumwouldhavebeenburned.Youareprogressing.

RememberthefirstchapterofJeremiah,19thverse:'Andtheyshallfightagainstthee,but theyshallnotprevailagainstthee!' "Manyofoursittershavecriticizedthefactthatwefromtheothersidedonotbringyoufacts morenecessarytoyourlives.Asamatteroffact,youknowallthingsthat(pause)thatyou oughttoknowthingstomakelifebetterandbigger.Thesimplestthingsoflifearebest love,honour,allthethingsthatgotounitemankind." TheproofsofWalter'ssupernormalpoweraresovariedthatitisdifficulttochoosefromagreatnumberof startlingdemonstrations.Heclaimedthathehassuperphysicalinstrumentstoachievehisends.Inoneof thescaleexperimentsoftheScientificAmericanCommitteeacurious,semitransparentcylinderwas photographedwithaquartzlens,whichissensitivetotheultravioletendofthespectrum,whennothingwas visibletonormaleyesight.Itwasregisteredonsevenoutoftwelveexposedplates.Thepanthatcarriedit wasup.Thedeductionwasthatthecylinderisasortofsuctionpumptokeepthelighterpanup.So Walter'sclaimforceditselfonscientificconsideration. OnMarch17th,1928,inredlightandwithclosedeyesMargerybegantowriteinChinese.Shedoesnot knowChinese,nordidthesitters.Thepurpose,asWalterexplained,wastodemonstratethatmindsother thanthesittersandthemediumareatwork.Walterannouncedanexperimentin"crosscorrespondence" withDr.HenryHardwicke,amediumofNiagaraFalls,adistanceof450milesfromBoston.Heasked MalcolmBird,thenResearchOfficeroftheAmericanSocietyforPsychicalResearch,topickouta sentencewhichshouldbegiveninChinesethroughHardwicke.MalcolmBirdchose:"Arollingstone gathersnomoss.HardlywasthesittingoverwhenatelegramarrivedfromNiagaraFalls.Afewdayslaterit wasfollowedbytheoriginalwitnessedcopyofDr.Hardwicke'sscript.ItshowedaMaltesecrosswithinthe circle,arectangleenclosingthenameKungfutze,thesymbolsforBirdandHill,andtheChinese sentence,thegeneralmeaningofwhichis:"Atravellingagitatorgathersnogold."Afurtheranalysis revealedonthelefthandcolumnthewordsinChinese:"Iamnotdead,Confucius."Theduplicateofthisis intherighthandcolumnoftheMargeryscript. Thesecrosscorrespondenceexperimentswererepeatedthroughothermediumswhoknewnotawordof Chinese. Dotheyleaveanyavenueofescapefromtheconclusionthat,asclaimed,intelligencesoutoffleshhave beendevisingthem?Tosaythatthereisanothersolutionistosetupthegreatestpuzzlewhichmenhave everbeencalledtounravel.

Chapter24:TestedbyInfraRedPhotography
StoryofRudiSchneider
NandorFodor WITHCERTAINpeculiarpeoplecertainphenomenaareclaimedtooccurinthedark.Askedtotest them,wewillwanttobeassuredthat(1)thereisnoaccompliceintheroom,(2)nophysicalorchemical instrumentsareintroduced,(3)themediumispreventedfromnormallyproducingtheresults. Foraroomfulofintelligentpeopleunitedindistrustofthemediumitshouldbechild'splaytoprovideagainst thefirsttwopossibilities.Asregardsthethird,themethodsofimmobilizingthemediummaygreatlyvary. Roughlyspeaking,thecontrolmightbeinstrumentalortactual.Thefirstiseffectivebutoftentoo complicated.Thesecondisalwaysopentosuspicion."Afterthreemonths'practiceandmeditationonecan arriveatthecertaintyofholdingwellahumanhand,"wasthesarcasticremarkofProfessorCharlesRichet, thefamousphysiologistoftheSorbonnetothosewhocriticizedhisexperimentswithEusapiaPaladino.As alastresortsomepeoplewillprefertobelievethatcontrolwasrelaxedthantoadmitsomethingwhich defiesscience. Awayoutfromtheapparentimpassewasfoundbytheintroductionintotheseanceroomofinfraredray photography.Itmarkedthebeginningofanewepochinpsychicalresearch.Thedevelopmentswhichledto itunfoldastoryofabsorbinginterest. ItallgoesbacktoBraunau,alittletowninAustriawhereoutofthesixsonsofalinotypecompositor, namedSchneider,twowerediscoveredtobedecidedlyqueernotabnormal,butqueer.Willi,whowasborn in1903,"wentoff"periodically.Hefellintoatrance.Hispersonalityalteredandclaimedtobesomebody elsearatherunusualsomebody,agirl,callingherselfLolaMontez,onetimemistressofLudwigI,theblind kingofBavaria.Onenight,amidstratherdramaticcircumstances,shetransferredherattentiontoWilli's youngerbrother,whowasthen11yearsofage.Shecomplainedthattherewasnotenough"power"for movingobjectsandshowingstrangeshapessuggestinghumanlimbsandfaces.ShewantedRudi.The parentsobjected.Rudiwastooyoungandhewasasleep."Olga"didnotanswer.Butafewminuteslater thedooropenedandRudi,indeeptrance,enteredandjoinedthecircle. AfterthisincidentheshowedarapiddevelopmentofthesamepowerswhichWillipossessed.Soonhe eclipsedhisbrother.Thatinitselfwasnomeanachievement,forWilli,whosemediumisticeducationwas takenupbyBaronvonSchrenckNotzing,aGermandoctorofconsiderablerenown,provedtobea remarkablelad.InMunich,betweenDecember3rd,1921,andJuly1st,1922,underverystricttest conditions,aroundhundredscientistswitnessedanarrayofphenomenaforwhichtherewasnonormal explanation.Theroomwassearchedeachtime,Williwasexaminedbyspecialists,hisseancerobewas fittedupwithluminousstraps,hewasheldhandandfoot,andhewascutoffbyagauzescreenfromthe objectswhichheclaimedtobeabletomove.Hedidmovethem.Theyactedasiftheycametolife. Sometimesanebulousshapeintheformofahandappearedtohandlethem.Forthefirsttimeinthehistory ofmediumisticresearchahundredscientistsaffixedtheirsignaturetoastatementthattheywere completelyconvincedoftherealityof"telekinesis"(movementofobjectswithoutcontact)andofthe "ectoplasmic"orderofphenomena. TheEnglishworldfirstturneditsattentiontotheseresultsafterMr.HarryPrice,thenDirectoroftheNational LaboratoryofPsychicalResearch,London,andDr.EricJ.Dingwall,thenResearchOfficeroftheSocietyfor PsychicalResearchattendedsomesittingsinMunichin1922.Bothofthemsignedastatementthatthey witnessedgenuinephenomena.Inconsequence,twoyearslaterWilliwasinvitedtoLondontositatthe premisesoftheSocietyforPsychicalResearch.Afteradesperateattempttogetawayfromthefacts observed,Dr.Dingwallreluctantlyadmittedthat"theonlyreasonablehypothesiswhichcoversthefactsis thatsomesupernormalagencyproducedtheresults". Soonafter,thecurtainrungdownonWilliSchneider.Hispowersvanishedasincomprehensiblyasthey came.HismantlefellonRudi.HewasfiveyearsWilli'sjunior.Withallthestaminaofyouthhestood,fora periodofnearlytenyears,theconcentratedattacksofbitterlyscepticalscientistsandwon.Thetheories ofexplanation,thechargesoffraud,somanyattemptstosavesciencefromanadmissionofbankruptcy,all

thatisnowofmerelyhistoricalinterest.ForifbyinfraredphotographyRudiSchneidercouldprovein October,1930,ashedid,thatthemuchdisputedphenomenaweregenuine,obviouslyhecouldnothave beenmuchwronginthepast. Butevenbeforethiscrucialperiodarrived,in1929attheNationalLaboratoryofPsychicalResearchin London,underthemostmercilesstriplecontroldeviseduptothedate,RudiSchneiderimpressedwiththe realityofsupernormalpowerssucheminentmenasLordRayleigh,Prof.A.O.Rankine,Dr.F.C.S. Schiller,Dr.WilliamBrown,Prof.NilsvonHofsten,Prof.A.F.C.Pollard,Mr.C.E.M.Joad,Mr.A. Egerton,Prof.A.M.Low,Dr.DavidEfron,Dr.EugenOsty,andDr.Jeans. "IamconvincedthatwhatIsawatthesancewasnottrickery.Nogroupofmyfellow magicianscouldhaveproducedtheseeffectsundersuchconditions.,"wroteWillGoldstonin theSundayGraphic ,afterasance.Further,thefounderoftheMagician'sClubwritesinhis SecretsofFamousIllusionists : "Ipersuadedhim(RudiSchneider)toletmeshowhimafewsleightofhandtricks.Heknew nothingoftheprincipleofmisdirection,forhefollowedmymovementswiththeeyesofa child." Fromthephenomenathemselvestherewasnopossibleescape.Ofcoursetheydidnotandcouldnotprove therealityof"Olga".Thatremainedamystery. "Aftermanysancesand'confidentialtalks'withher,"writesHarryPrice,"Iamcompletelyat alosstoknowwhethersheisreallyafigmentofRudi'ssubconsciousmindoractuallya discarnateentity." RudihimselfemergedwithsuchsuccessfromtheordealswhichscienceimposeduponhimthatMr.Harry Pricepresentedhimwithacertificateandhadnohesitationinstating(1):
(1)HarryPrice:"RudiSchneider,aScientific ExaminationofhisMediumship",London,1930.

"IfRudiweretobeexposedahundredtimesinthefutureitwouldnotinvalidateoreffecttothe slightestdegreeourconsideredjudgmentthattheboyhasproducedgenuineabnormal phenomenawhilehehasbeenattheNationalLaboratoryofPsychicalResearch." Inviewoflaterdevelopmentsspecialimportanceistobeattachedtothisunequivocalstatement. InOctoberandNovember,1930,RudioutdidhisLondonachievementsattheInstitutMetapsychique InternationalinParis.Forthefirsttimeinthehistoryofmediumshipinfraredrayphotographywasemployed todetectthepresenceofthehypotheticalinvisibleforceinthedark.AccordingtoDr.Osty'sreport,inthe fourteenthsance,infraredphotographyrevealed,atadistancefromthemedium,theexistenceofan invisiblesubstance,localizedinspacebutrigorouslycommandedbythepsychicalorganismofthe medium.Soundregisteringandrecordinginstrumentssignalledthemovementsofthisinvisiblesubstance. Noscreensandmeshesofvariousmaterials,norelectricallychargedplates,couldinterceptit.Anincrease inredlight,achangeintheconditionsoftheroomorofthepositionofthemedium,however,always sensiblydiminishedtheactionofthesubstance. Significantly,alltheseinfraredexperimentsweresuccessfullyduplicatedinthespringof1932,whenRudi satagainattheNationalLaboratoryofPsychicalResearch.Anumberofdistinguishedscientistsbecame convincedoftherealityofthephenomena.Theuproarwhichfolloweditayearlaterwastotallyunexpected. Mr.HarryPricesuddenlypublishedanautomaticphotographtakeninthe25thsittingwhichrevealedanarm freebehindRudiwhenhewassupposedtohavebeencontrolledbyMr.Pricehimself."Itwillbenecessary forpreviousinvestigatorstorevisetheirfindings,"Mr.Priceconcluded(1).Asheneverrevisedhisown previousfindings,thestatementwasobviouslydirectedagainstDr.Osty'sconclusions.Theresultwas ratherunexpected.TheCouncilofhisownLaboratoryroseagainstMr.Price.Severalmembersresignedin protest,accusinghimofincompetenceasacontrollerandunfairnesstowardshisfellowinvestigatorswhom hefailedtoenlightenofhisdiscovery.
(1)HarryPrice:"AnAccountofSomeFurtherExperimentswithRudiSc hneider",1933.

RudiSchneidermighthaveseriouslysufferedinreputationhaditnotbeenforaseriesofsuccessfulsittings which,priortoMr.Price'sbombshell,hegaveinLondontoaresearchgroupassociatedwithLordCharles Hope. "TheresultsobtainedgofartosupporttheclaimsputforwardbyDr.Ostyinhisreport," concludedLordCharlesHope. Miraculedictu,evenMr.TheodoreBesterman,InvestigatingOfficeroftheSocietyforPsychicalResearch, whowas,uptothetime,thebitterestopponentoftherealityofphysicalphenomena,ralliedtoRudi's defencebysayingthat"Mr.Price'sreportappearstometobeinitselfquiteworthlessasanexposure.It canhavenoeffectonRudiSchneider'sstanding."(1)

(1)ProceedingsoftheSocietyforPsyc hicalResearch,Vol.XLI.

Admittedly,oflateyearsRudi'sphenomenalostinstrength.Butsufficienthasbeenlefttoamazeand dumbfoundorthodoxscience.ProfessorD.S.FraserHarrisattended37oftheLordCharlesHopesittings. InalecturebeforetheSurvivalLeagueatCaxtonHall,London,intheautumnOf1933,hespokeofpuzzling luminousphenomena,aselfluminousfogbillowinginfrontofthecurtainandonthetopofthetable,of inexplicableintelligentmovementofobjects,ofstrangebreezesfromnowhere,ofRudi'sabnormalrateof breathing,andcontinued,stating: "TheonlyphantomIobservedandamneverlikelytoforgetwasasmallrodlikeshape,on March29th,1932.Mypalmwasextended.Outofthedarknesstherecame,orratherbegan toform,nearmypalm,anelongatedhomogeneousstructure,notanatomical,lookinglikea rulerbutmorelikecondensedsmoke.Itslowlyapproachedmythumb.Beforereachingit,the palmofmyhandbecameintenselycoldasifalumpoficehadbeenplacedthere.Thecold wentthroughtothebackofmyhand,thenitwentuptotheelbowandstopped.Therodcame andpressedagainstmythumbfor5or6secondslongenoughformetosaythatitwas cool,moistandelastic.Itwaslikeguttapercha.Thevisiblelengthoftherodwasabout18 inches." Theprofessor'sconclusionbasedonhisownobservationandontherecordsoftheinfraredexperiments wasthat: "Weseemtobeonthethresholdofthediscoveryofaforceentirelyunknowntothephysicists oftoday." Althoughthisstatement,thanwhichnothingmorestartlingcanbeexpectedfromascientist,receivedno confirmationfromtheSocietyforPsychicalResearch(whereanattemptwasmadetoobtaininfrared cinematographicpicturesoftheoperationofthisforcewhichRudiemits,butwhichatthatperiodhad appearedtolapse),itstillseemsasifeightyyearsofspiritualistclamourhadnotbeeninvain.Spiritualists werenotsuchdeludedfoolsastheyweresuspectedtobe.Behindmediumshipthereissomethingverybig. HadsciencebeenmoretolerantinthelastsixtyyearssinceSirWilliamCrookesannouncedhis momentousfindingstotheworld,whoknowswhatrevolutionarydiscoveriesmightnothavebeenmade many,manyyearsago!

Chapter25:TheSpiritwhichmadea"Talkie"
StoryOfMrs.MeurigMorris
NandorFodor CONFESSIONSOFfamouswritersdiscloseafactwhichhasnotyetbeensufficientlymarvelledat.It isthatcreativeinspiration,inmanycases,onlydiffersfrommediumistictranceindegreeandnotinkind. ToHarrietBeecherStowewhenshewrotethechapteronTheDeathofUncleTom,itseemed"asthough whatshewrotewasblownthroughhermindaswiththerushingofamightywind". W.M.ThackerayadmittedinoneofhisRoundaboutpapers(CornhillMagazine,August,1862): "Ihavebeensurprisedattheobservationsmadebysomeofmycharacters.Itseemsasifan occultpowerwasmovingthepen.Thepersonagedoesorsayssomething,andIask:'How didhecometothinkofthat?'" Suchconfessionscouldbeeasilymultiplied.Theypointtoaprofoundmystery.Psychologistswillseekthe keyinthesubconsciousmind,writersinamentalworld,spiritualistsintheworldofspirits.Betweenthelast twotherearenowallsofdivision.Mrs.HesterDowden'sPsychicMessagesfromOscarWildewouldhave beenacclaimedasaliterarysensationhaditbeenbasedonhernaturaltalents.Insteadoftheflotsamand jetsamofamentalworldwhichattachthemselvesto"affinitivesouls",asEdgarWallaceputit,sheascribed herbooktothedirectinfluenceofthespiritofOscarWilde. Inthecaseofautomaticwritingconcealmentwouldbecomparativelyeasy.Inthecaseoftranceoratory, almostimpossible.Oratorydemandsthelimelight.Thespeaker'smarkedchangeofpersonalityand mannerismisaneloquentsignofsomethingoutoftheordinary.Butwhileanordinaryoratorisfreely grantedallthecreditforhisrhetoricalachievementatrancespeakerisinvariablysuspectedofduplicityand stunting.Norcanthatbewonderedat.Theclaimthatadiscarnateentityisusinganalienorganismto speaktothepeopleoftheearthistoostupendousandbewildering.Butsciencecannotpersistentlyignore phenomena. WhydoesMrs.L.A.MeurigMorris,oneofthegreatestwomanoratorsoftoday,appeartobepossessed byatotallydifferentpersonality?Whydoeshersopranochangeintoaringingbaritone?Whydoesshe assumeamasculineandpriestlymannerism?Whereisthesourceoftheeruditionandgraspofphilosophy whichshedisplays,whichisfaraboveherintellectualcapacities?'Whydoessheintrancepersistently claimtobeamessengerspirit,adiscarnatemissionaryteachingthemysteriesoflifeanddeathtothe world? Tentativesuggestionsareeasytoexhaust.Shemightbesimulating.Shemightbeinasecondarystateof dissociatedpersonality.Shemightbeinhypnotictrance.Lastly,herclaimmightbetrue. Youcannotsimulateknowledgewhichyoudonotpossess.Neithersecondarynorhypnoticpersonalities cangiveanexhibitionofamazingeruditionifsuchhasnotbeenconsciouslyacquired. Mrs.MeurigMorrisisacharmingbutextremelysimpleWestcountrywoman.Shehadalimitededucation. Relianceonherownintellectualpowersontheplatformwouldnotgivehertheghostofachance.Shehasa sterlingcharacterforwhichprominentpeoplearereadytovouch.Shewouldhavetobeagreatactressto portraythedistressofherentrancementandhercomingto,tokeepupthatsustainedchangeofvoice,to displayallthetricksandbodilymovementsofanaccomplishedecclesiasticalorator.Butsheknows nothingofacting.Norwouldithelpherifshedid.Forthefirstdoctorthathappenedtocomealongwould exposeherinfiveminutes. Trancecannotbesimulated.Boththehypnoticandmediumistictrancehavemarkedcharacteristics.And theydifferessentially.Thehypnoticsubjectwoulddowhateverthehypnotizersuggests.Inthemediumistic trancesuggestiondoesnotwork.Thepersonalitieswhichmanifestdonotobeyyourwish.Invarietytheyfar surpasstheimitativeeffortsofhypnoticsubjects.Weretheysubjectivecreationsofthemedium'smindthey

wouldnotexhibitthosespecialpeculiaritiesbywhichthesittersestablishtheiridentitywiththeirdeparted friends.Thehypnoticselfissincere.Itnevershowssuchdiaboliccunningasthepersonationofhundredsof individualsandtheacquisitionoffactsdeepbelowinthesubconsciousortotallyunknowntothesitterwould involve.Moreover,thehypnoticpersonalityhasanuncannysenseoftime.Themediumisticpersonalities,on theotherhand,arevagueanduncertainonthispoint.Manymediumsarenothypnotizableatall.Thosewho areexhibit,inthehypnoticsleep,facultiesofmoretranscendentalcharacterthantheordinarysubjects.In thecaseofMrs.MeurigMorris,fromtheplatformthepubliconlyhearsonepersonality:"Power".Whoheis, nooneknows.Heneverrevealedhisidentity.Itistheteachingandnottheteacherwhichcounts.Hisdesire istoremainimpersonal.TherearerumoursthatheclaimedtobeCaiaphas,thehighpriestoftheTempleof JerusalematthetimeofJesus.Theyhavebeenvigorouslydenied.Therewerewhisperingsthathecouldnot comebutinthepresenceofMr.LawrenceCowen,thewellknownauthorandplaywright,whohasthe powersofaSvengalioverMrs.Morris.Nothingcouldbemorenonsensical.ThecaseofMr.Lawrence Cowenisanexampleofreligiousconversion.Ifanythingwastotallyabsentfromhiseventfulandstormylife itwasfaithandreligion.Hewasajeering,sneeringagnosticuntilbyaccidenthecrossedthepathofMrs. MeurigMorris."Power"convertedhim.Outoftheterrificspiritualupheavalwhichfollowedheemergedasa missionary.HeorganizedregularSundayservices(firstattheFortuneTheatre,thenatAeolianHall,Bond Street,London)for"Power",andarrangedtoursalloverthecountry.Hespentafortuneonreligious propagandawithouttheslightesthopeofanyreturnorattemptatpersonalaggrandizement."Power"comes whetherheisthereornot.Andsooverwhelmingishispersonalitythatpeoplelearntoapproachhimina spiritofreverence.SirOliverLodgehadmethim,andfromtheconversationontheimmediatefutureof humanitythegreatscientistemergedwithtearsinhiseyes. "Power's"foreknowledgemightbedisbelieved,butthewisdomwithwhichhelayshisplansisevident.The strangeincidentwhichoccurredattheBritishMovietoneCompanywhenatalkingfilmwasmadeof "Power's"oratorywasdeclaredbyhimawellthoughtoutdemonstration. Themicrophoneswereseenbyseventypeople highupintheairheldupbynewhalfinchropes. Aropesuddenlysnappedandaterrificcrashstartledallpresent.WithinhalfaninchofMrs.Morris'facethe microphonesweptacrossthespaceandwentswayingtoandfro.Aforemanrushedupanddraggedthe ropeasidetokeepitoutofthesightofthecamera.Thecameramanneverstopped.NordidMrs.Morris.In spiteoftheobviousdangertoherlifesheneverstirredandwentonundisturbedwithhertrancespeech. Accordingtoexpertopinionthevoiceregisteringmusthavebeenafailure.Yetitwasfoundthattheaccident hadnottheleastinfluence.Therecordwasperfect.Accordingto"Power"theropewassupernormally severedsoastoprove,bythemedium'sdemeanour,thatshewasindeedintrance,asnohumanbeing couldhaveconsciouslyexhibitedsuchselfpossessionasshedidwhentheaccidentoccurred. Astillmoreamazingincident,averitabletechnicalmiracleoccurredattheColumbiaGramophone Company'sstudiointhecourseofrecording"Power's"voice.AccordingtoC.W.Nixon's(oftheColumbia GramophoneCompany)publiclyrenderedaccount,anincidentoccurredattheverycommencementofthe operationwhich,byalltherules,shouldhavespoliedthefirstsideoftherecord.Mr.ErnestOaten, PresidentoftheInternationalSpiritualistFederation,wasinthechair,andbeingunawarethatthestartwas tobemadewithouttheappearanceoftheusualredlight,hetoldMrs.Morrisasshestoodup:"Waitforthe signal."Thesewordswerepickedupbythemicrophoneandwereheardbytheengineersintherecording roomaftertheapparatushadbeenstarted.Itwasbelievedthattheymustbeontherecord. Later,whenthesecondsideoftherecordwastobemade,therewasconfusioninstarting.Towardtheend, asiftomaketechnicalfailureacertainty,Mrs.Morristurnedandwalkedseveralpacesawayfromthe microphone. AweekbeforetherecordwasreadyforreproductionCowenrangupNixonandtoldhimthat"Power" assertsthatnotwithstandingthetechnicalmistakestherecordwouldbeasuccess,thatMr.Oaten'swords wouldnotbereproducedandthatthetimingandvolumeofthevoicewouldnotbespoiledbythelater accidents.ThisstatementwassoextraordinaryandappearedtobesopreposterousthatNixonhadittaken downwordbyword,andsentitinasealedenvelopetoMr.OateninManchesterwiththerequestthathe wouldkeepitunopeneduntiltherecordwasreadyandthetruthorotherwiseofthepredictioncouldbe tested.TherecordwasplayedintheFortuneTheatreonApril25th,1931.Itwasperfect.Theletterwas opened.Thepredictionwasfoundtobetrueineverydetail.

Iheard"Power"onmanyoccasions.OnceIhavebeensittingclosetoMrs.Morrisonthestage.Iwas struckbyseeinghereyemusclesincontinualplaywhilehereyeswereshut.Youcannotmoveyour eyeballswithoutcontractinganddilatingthepupil.Iwonderedwhatdiditmean.Could"Power"seethrough theclosedeyelids,sokeepingupwiththeaudiencethatmagnetictouchwithwhichnogreatorator dispenses?Apaleontologistisabletoreconstructanextinctanimalfromasinglebone.Iwonderediffroma closestudyofMrs.Morris'mannerisms,butmostlyfromtheremarkableplayofherfacialmuscles,the generalmovementsofherbodyandthedistentionofherlungsaphysiognomistoraphysiologistcouldnot drawsomedefiniteconclusionsastothephysicalappearancethattheysuggested"Power"tohavehad. Mentally,Mrs.Morrisappearstoreapaharvestfrom"Power's"visitations.Thoughshecannotremember thesubjectorsubstanceof"Power's"addresswhenshecomesoutoftrance,shereceivesunconscious education.Inordinaryconversation,assheadmittedtomesometimeago.shemayfindherselfuttering answerswhichshecouldnotconsciouslythinkofandwhichapparentlyproceededfromthesubconscious stratumofhermind."Power,"infact,isforeseeingthedaywhenitwillnotbenecessarytoentranceherfor publicspeaking.Hesaysthatwhenthebridgebetweenthephysicalandthehighermindwouldbemade, asiteventuallywould,alltheknowledgewhichwasutteredthroughherwouldbecomeaccessibletoher.He ("Power")wouldthenbecomeabletouseherinaperfectlynormalway. Ifthisstagewillbereached"Power"willhaveanaddeddifficultyinconvincingpeopleofhisindependent existence.Hismissionaryeffortswillstandouteventhenundoubted.Whyshouldtheybethrustuponan unheedingworld? ThequestionisdeeplyboundupwiththefundamentalsofSpiritualism.Thereisalivingforceinthe spiritualistmovementwhichfillsitsworkerswithapostoliczeal.Theyclaimmorethanabeliefinthe teachingsoftheNazarene.Theyclaimtok nowtheirtruth.Theytakeitasasacreddutytoconvincethe worldoftheirpracticaldemonstrability.Thismightyurgehasneverbeensufficientlydweltuponbythecritics ofSpiritualism.Yetthisisthesolesecretofitsgrowthandspread.Moneythereisnoneinit,onlylabour andsacrifice.Nofortuneismadebyfamousmediums,justabareliving.Andifthebestspeakers,whohave madeaspecialstudyoftheirsubjectforyears,average1perlecture,theydoquitewell.Thethingisnot doneforpersonalgain.ItisdoneforaMovementwhich,theyferventlyhope,willconquertheworldand makeitabetterplacetolivein.