I
Charles Jossel^/n
BJOLOGT
LIBRARY
\
CONTENTS:
Psychical PUenomena in Gencral-ExternaUsation of Sensi-
bUtty ^spontaneous Phenomena -Multiple Personality and
Abnormal Consciousness-Abnormal Faculties in Hypnotic
SuS- Abnormal Dreams -Phenomena observed among
fh?^rienta1s- Phenomena of Lucidity. Motricity and Pro-
cation of the Double observed in Fakirs or Oriental Sorcer-
er-P.Stergelst Phenomena- Haunted Houses- Telepathy -
crystal Gazing - Mental Audition Typtology - Automatic
Wrmng Md Lucidity -Lucidity in Somnambulism -Photo-
TaS of the invisible or of Thought-Reports of the London
£d Milan Committees on Psychical Phe".ome"a-P^nomena
of Motricity- Movement of Objects without Contact-Phe-
nom"na7Levitation-Materialisations-Study of the M«d.um
sambor- Professor C. Richefs Observations at the ViUa
C^men - Expertments made with Eusapia Paladlno -
A General Consideration of Psychical Phenomena.
PSYCHICAL AND SUPERNORMAL
PHENOMENA
PSYCHICAL
AND SUPERNORMAL
PHENOMENA
THEIR OBSERVATION AND
EXPERIMENTATION
BY
DR. PAU L JOI RE
Professor at the Psycho- Physiological Institute of France
President of the Societe Universelle d' Etudes Psychiques
TRANSLATED BY DUDLEY WRIGHT
///^
WITH 22 ILLUSTRATIONS
NEW YORK
FREDERICK A. STOKES CO.
BIOLOGT
UBRARY
t^l
PREFACE
The thorough study of Hypnotism has drawn attention to
phenomena which seem, on the one hand, only to be the
continuation of hypnotic phenomena, and, on the other, to
be connected with faculties of the human mind hitherto
unknown.
These phenomena are, first of all, those of mental sug-
gestion and thought-transmission, which we have studied
in our Traite de VHypnotisme.
In other cases, we have witnessed phenomena of lucidity
in certain subjects placed in a condition of deep somnam-
bulism. In studying lucidity more closely we noticed
that certain special circumstances, and in particular a
methodical training, develop this faculty in a singular
manner in those endowed with it.
^~The investigator is thus led to inquire whether this
faculty of lucidity does not sometimes appear spon-
taneously, in the same way as we witness spontaneous
somnambulism in connection with induced somnambulism.
He then finds a certain number of cases of telepathy
which seem to be closely connected Avith the instances of
lucidity.
After embarking upon the study of telepathy it is not
long before we become convinced that the phenomena of
this category are very complex.
In fact, while certain instances of telepathy are only
the mental perception of a fact that has occurred at a
distance, there are others in which this perception is
accompanied by an hallucination, and sometimes this^'
hallucination is collective.
At other times, hallucination is no longer a sufficient
explanation, because the phenomenon has left permanent
V
^^15777
vi PREFACE
traces — the displacement of objects, impressions, objective
and. undeniable traces that a force accompanied the
telepathic vision.
If we wish to transfer these phenomena we have
observed to the domain of experiment, we find, among
some subjects, in certain of the hypnotic conditions we
have described, phenomena of externalisation — externali-
sation of sensibility and of force.
We have thus brought under our observation the chain
which seems to connect hypnotic and psychical phenomena.
On the other hand, in entering upon the study of the
whole of psychical phenomena, we easily witness a natural
progression from the most simple phenomena up to the
most complex.
All these phenomena are connected one with another,
in a continuous manner, in such a way that we are con-
vinced that the phenomena are undoubtedly of the same
order, in spite of their apparent diversity and complexity
in manifestation.
We may take abnormal dreams for our starting-point,
dreams with manifestation of lucidity, and premonitory
dreams, which lead us to telepathic dreams. We then
come to telepathic phenomena with apparitions, telepathic
phenomena in a waking state, and to collective telepathic
visions.
Without going beyond telepathy, we find some instances
where telepathic visions have left objective traces of their
existence. We are thus forced to ask ourselves if thought
is quite as abstract a phenomenon as we have hitherto
believed it to be, and if, in certain instances, it is not
capable of creating a durable entity possessing indepen-
dent force.
We are thus led to examine the experiments made
in the photography of thought.
Beginning with phenomena of the same character,
brought into the domain of experiment, we find facts
similar to those of telepathy in crystal-gazing, and amongst
those of crystal-gazing we find some which present the
characteristics of lucidit3^
PREFACE vii
Lucidity appears to be a special faculty in certain
subjects, and we sec that Ave may search for and experi-
ment with it in the somnambulistic condition.
Lucidity is also shown in other circumstances, and
that, Avithout soumambulism having been induced in the
subject, but spontaneously exhibited. These facts are
connected, by their spontaneity, with the phenomena of
lucidity observed by means of crystal-gazing.
We noAV come to the phenomena of externalisation,
which in hypnology we connect with the mediumistic
states. The first of these phenomena is that of exter-
nalisation of sensibility.
We pass from this to more advanced phenomena — we
observe the externaHsation of force, movement of objects
Avithout contact, raps and various noises ; finally, the
creation of a form having its OAvn objectivity and capable
of developing a special force, although ahvays in relation
Avith that of the medium. Hence the most complex
phenomenon of all, viz. Materialisation.
" I confess that I do not see why the very existence
of an invisible world may not in part depend on the
personal response which any of us may make to the
religious appeal. God Himself, in short, may draw
vital strength and increase of very being from our
fidelity. For my own part I do not know what the
sweat and blood and tragedy of this life mean, if they
mean anything short of this. If this life be not a real
fight, in which something is eternally gained for the
universe by success, it is no better than a game of pri-
vate theatricals from which one may withdraw at will.
But it feels like a real fight — as if there were some-
thing really wild in the universe which we, with all
our idealities and faithlessness, are needed to redeem ;
and first of all to redeem our own hearts from
atheisms and fears. ..."
William James.
CONTENTS
CHAP.
PAGE
3AP. 1
I. Psychical Phenomena in General . . a
II. Externalisation op Sensibility ... 14
III. Spontaneous Phenomena— Multiple Person-
ality AND Abnormal Consciousness— Ab-
normal Faculties in Hypnotic Subjects
IV, Abnormal Dreams
V. Phenomena observed among the Orientals
VI. Phenomena of Lucidity, Motricity, and
Projection of the Double observed in
Fakirs or Oriental Sorcerers
VII. Poltergeist Phenomena
VIII. Haunted Houses .
IX. Telepathy .
X. Telepathy {continued) .
XI. Crystal-Gazing .
XII. Crystal-Gazing {continued)
XIII. Mental Audition
XIV. Crystal Visions combined with Lucidity . 181
196
XV. Typtology
XVI. Typtology {continued) . • • • • ^^
XVII. Automatic Writing and Lucidity . . 215
XVIII. Typtology and Lucidity ... 221
XIX. Typtology and Lucidity {continued)
XX. Typtology ••.•••
30
44
68
79
92
102
120
136
156
164
175
248
271
X CONTENTS
CHAP. PAOB
XXI. Lucidity 281
XXII. Lucidity in Spontaneous Somnambulism . 293
XXIII. Lucidity in a State of Light Somnam-
bulism Artificially Induced . . . 298
XXIV. Lucidity in Deep Somnambulism . . 309
XXV. Lucidity in the Future . . . .341
XXVI. Photography of the Invisible or of Thought 360
XXVII. Reports of the London and Milan Com-
mittees ON Psychical Phenomena . . 382
XXVIII. Phenomena of Motricity .... 414
XXIX. Movement of Objects without Contact . 426
XXX. Phenomena of Lbvitation .... 435
XXXI. Levitation Phenomena observed with the
Medium D. D. Home .... 444
XXXII. Levitation Phenomena with Eusapia Pala-
dino 451
XXXIII. Materialisations or Phantoms . . . 460
XXXIV. Materialisations 472
XXXV. Study of the Medium Sambor . . .478
XXXVI. Professor C. Richet's Observations at the
Villa Carmen 500
XXXVII. Experiments made with Eusapia Paladino
AT Genoa by Professor Morselli . . 526
XXXVIII. Method of Experimentation in Psychical
Phenomena ...... 548
XXXIX. Method of Experimentation — Induced Phe-
nomena ....... 577
XL. Method of Experimenting . . . .610
XLI. A General Consideration of Psychical
Phenomena 627
PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
CHAPTER I
PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA IN GENERAL
Certain strange phenomena, which occur from time to
time, have, by reason of their mysterious appearance
the power of forcibly impressing the imagination of the
multitude.
The sphere in which they are produced, and the
manner in which they are presented, have the effect of
adding, often largely, to their importance, and of causing
them to undergo singular transformations. The news-
papers seize upon these sensational facts with great
avidity, and relate them with a profusion of details, more
or less correct, but always skilfully arranged, so as to add
further to the effect already produced.
Among the people who have come into closer contact
with these facts, or have been more or less actively con-
cerned with them, there are always to be found a certain
number who purposely add to the scenic effect, whether it
be to serve well-defined interests, or whether they are led
on in spite of themselves to supplement the truth by
mirages produced by their own imagination.
The facts in themselves are sometimes very simple
whether they come within the category of those which we
observe spontaneously in unhealthy persons, or whether
they are of the class of induced hypnotic phenomena.
These are, for example, the phenomena of lethargy and
catalepsy and hallucinations, which may become more
complicated through collective or repeated hallucinations.
A
2. PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
But such facts only now astonish a small number of
persons, who are entirely ignorant of modern scientific
discoveries : it is not of them we desire to speak.
There are sometimes even stranger phenomena, more
difficult to explain and to verify, and in which, con-
sequently, exaggeration and fraud have free play ; these
may be visual phenomena which do not come within the
class of hallucinations of which mention has already been
made ; or they may be phenomena of a purely psychical
character, such as the knowledge of an event happening
far away, or even one which has not yet taken place;
seeing and describing objects at a distance, or reading the
thoughts of another person.
It is not difficult to understand the suspicion with
which serious-minded persons receive these strange stories,
and the unpleasant impression naturally made upon
them when they see these facts distorted and turned to
profitable account by certain persons with more or less
questionable motives.
It must also be added that when a man of intelligence
and good faith wishes to get to the bottom of matters
and devotes himself to serious inquiry, conducted without
prejudice, he very often simj)ly ends by discovering fraud ;
all the marvels disappear, and all that remains is very
easily explained. It even happens sometimes that, when
seeking for authentic proofs of an alleged fact, he finds it
reduced to nothing, or that it never existed except in the
imagination of some practical joker or of a reporter who
was short of news.
The result of all this is that these facts lose their
interest for all except the simple-minded who love
marvels and believe that these things are marvellous, and
the small number who turn them to profitable account.
Scientists and serious-minded persons grow tired of finding
at every step facts badly observed and of very doubtful
authority, so that they thrust them aside with disdain and
refuse even to discuss them.
Others, after having heard the accounts, entirely deny
all the facts, saying that there is no truth in them,
PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA IN GENERAL 3
because they cannot be explained according to the theories
of official science, and no demonstration, according to the
usual methods of the known sciences, can be obtained
that is even moderately satisfactory.
This prejudiced rejection is in no way scientific. There
are well-attested facts, absolutely authentic, but which we
cannot comprehend and which we do not know how to
explain in the present state of our knowledge. Is that a
reason for denying them ? Experience has shown us that
we may be able to explain to-morrow that which to-day
is still a mystery. Twenty-five years ago science knew
nothing of hypnotism, and obstinately refused to study
it. Many denied in toto all these phenomena, of which
the public spoke in a whisper, and when sometimes a -'"
fact became surrounded with undeniable evidence, they
rejected it on the ground of trickery.
We ought only to regard as scientifically impossible
that which is absurd, that is to say, contrary to mathe-
matical or geometrical truths, the only ones which are
immutable.. Even opposition to a physical law should not
suffice to make us deny a fact. Physical laws may be
momentarily suspended or have their effect destroyed by
other laws ; whether we know those other laws or whether
we do not. ' In the first case, we are able, up to a certain
point, to explain the fact, that is to say, to connect it
with a law and anticipate the circumstances under which
it will be produced. In the second case we observe the
phenomenon and its varying conditions, sometimes with-
out being able to appreciate its importance, and, in any
case, without being able to explain it.
Be that as it may, the phenomena which present an
apparent opposition to a physical law do not thereby
destroy the law in itself. We only need to recognise that
the fact in question does not come under the operation
of this law, but that it is ruled by another law of superior
power, both laws remaining true on the whole and under
the normal conditions of their application.
Let us take an example: the law of gravitation, by
virtue of which all bodies, when left to themselves, fall
4 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
or travel towards the centre of the earth, is indisputable.
And yet, we may see any day a balloon, left to itself, rise
in the air, away from the centre of the earth. Is not
this an apparent contradiction ? The balloon is subject to
a double law : first, to the law of gravitation, which tends
to make it fall to the ground ; but, secondly, to the law
of Archimedes, which, by causing it to lose an amount of
its weight equal to that of the volume of air which it
displaces, impels it to the higher regions of the atmos-
phere. Two forces are thus in opposition, the greater of
which preponderates over the less.
The same law of gravitation would cause a piece of
steel to fall to the ground : if, however, it is suitably
placed beneath a magnet, it can be made to remain sus-
pended in the air. Has the law of gravitation been
destroyed thereby, or are we warranted in denying the
reality of the phenomenon ? Obviously, no.
What is here said of physical laws is equally true of
physiological laAvs : we must therefore deny only what is
absurd.
This is not a reason for accepting too readily, as real,
phenomena which depart from known laws ; on the con-
trary, we must proceed with great circumspection and re-
quire indisputable proofs as to their authenticity. When
the facts are fully verified, they must be classed by ana-
logy and grouped together in as large numbers as possible ;
then examined to see if they can be compared with other
similar analogous facts which are better understood.
The study of psychical phenomena seems to us to
present all the greater interest, because, up to the present,
with the exception of a very small number, they have
not been subjected to sufficiently serious observation and
truly scientific analysis.
Serious-minded persons, and, particularly, men of
science, have taken far too little interest, up to now, in
these phenomena. The scientific attitude, in regard to
facts of this character, can only be cither to study them
conscientiously or to preserve an open mind in regard to
them.
PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA IN GENERAL 5
If a man should say : " I only occupy myself with
astronomy or botany, I have not the time to study
psychical phenomena, I do not know anything about
them and cannot adjudicate upon them " ; there is
nothing to be said against this : such an attitude is
serious and correct — it does not depart from the scientific
spirit.
But it must be recognised that the language of the
majority of men, and even of scientists, is quite different
from this. They despise psychical phenomena, not
because they cannot study them, but because they do
not believe in their existence, and declare them impos-
sible, without having studied or even seriously examined
them.
Now this negation, a priori, is altogether contrary to
the scientific spirit. It is just as unreasonable as would
be the complete acceptance, without verification or
examination, of facts which had not been proved.
The methodical study of these phenomena is, on the
contrary, forced upon scientists, because it is impossible for
them to ignore them, and, to be in a position to judge
them, they must submit them to a rigorous investigation
and analyse them with scientific method.
The verification of psychical phenomena is extremely
difficult, but it is not impossible. A number of serious
spiritists, and even men of science of the first rank, are
already engaged in collecting and studying them.
It was in England, first of all, that the study of these
phenomena, known by the name of psychical, commenced.
In 1867, the Dialectical Society of London formed a com-
mittee of thirty-three members to study and experi-
ment on them. Later, from 1871 to 1874, Sir William
Crookes made a number of laboratory experiments, which
he subjected to a rigorous scientific control by means of
registering apparatus.
Later still, there was founded in London the Society
for Psychical Research, among whose members are a
number of very distinguished persons.
Finally, in France, Dr. Dariex founded the Annales
6 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
des Sciences Psychiques, intended to record observations
and experiments which offered serious and scientific
guarantees of authenticity.
Shortly afterwards La SocUte Universelle d'^^tudes
Psychiques was founded in France, which, under the
patronage and with the collaboration of savants of the
highest repute and world-wide standing, established a
union between all the scientific groups which devoted
themselves to observation and experiment as to these
phenomena, in order to centralise the results of all their
labours, and thus to be able to compare and class them
methodically.
Professor Charles Richet, member of the Academy of
Medicine and Honorary President of the Soci4U Uni-
verselle d'Mudes Psychiques, has exactly expressed what
ought to be thought of these studies by every man of
science, in the following lines, Avhich are taken from an
important article published in The Annals of Psychical
Science : —
" Undoubtedly the experimental sciences of physics,
chemistry, and physiology, are quite as positive as mathe-
matics; but there is this difference between them, that
they do not involve a negation. They furnish us with
facts; but they can never prove that another fact non-
contradictory is impossible.
" For instance, oxygen combines with hydrogen to form
water. This is a fact which no other fact can upset ; but it
is quite admissible that oxygen, which seems at present to
be a simple body, may some day be resolved into other
simple bodies. It is very possible, it is even probable,
that our theories concerning the exact nature of the
chemical phenomenon of combination will be completely
overthrown. But that will not matter at all. It will not
be less absolutely true that, under present conditions, the
gas which we call oxygen when combined with a different
gas, the gas we call hydrogen, produces a liquid body,
which is water.
" But in the proposition I have just put forth there
is a phrase which is fundamental. Under present con-
PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA IN GENERAL 7
ditions oxygen combines with hydrogen ; but conditions
might exist in which the combination would be no longer
possible.
" For instance, let us suppose that there is an ex-
trem-ely feeble pressure, other gases massed together, a
very low temperature — it is quite conceivable in these
circumstances that a combination between oxygen and
hydrogen would become impossible. So that it would
be inexcusable for a chemist to refuse to examine experi-
ments in which it might be alleged that, in certain
conditions, it would be impossible for oxygen to combine
with hydrogen.
" Hence when we say that oxygen combines with
hydrogen, we are not proving the negative side of the
question, for under changed conditions it might happen
that the combination could not be effected. The important
point would be to discover these new conditions, which
differ from the conditions already known, already described
and determined. An unknown force may always modify
a phenomenon, so that the negation of an experimental
possibility would lead to the following absurd conse-
quence : No force, known or unknown, can suspend or
accelerate the combination of oxygen with hydrogen.
"Let us take another example. It has been pro-
fessed, and is still professed, that bodies which are not the
seat of any chemical change do not produce heat. This
appears to be a universally classical, absolute, and positive
law, one of the immovable bases of general physics. Now,
the discovery of radium has destroyed the absolute
generality of the fact, since radium, without any appre-
ciable chemical change, emits perpetually considerable
quantities of heat.
" This phenomenon does not contradict antecedent
experiments. It is a new phenomenon, that is all. And
the scientist who refuses to examine facts because they
are new, because they present an appearance of contra-
diction to classical facts, would be rather a poor specimen
of a man.
" Nevertheless, when, a priori, Spiritism is attacked.
8 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
it is, in reality, for no other reason than that of its new-
ness. yThere is nothing to be found in the facts of Spiritism
which formally contradicts data established by science.}
" Let us select for consideration the most extraordinary
among the innumerable facts alleged by spiritists ; for
example, an apparition, the materialisation of a being. A
classical illustration of this is that of Katie King, observed
by Sir William Crookes.
" Certainly, this is a strange phenomenon, extraordi-
nary and improbable. It is difficult to find language
which adequately expresses the astounding character of
this phenomenon : the apparition of a phantom, a being
who has weight, circulation, intelligence and will; the
lYiediiiin being present at the same time as this new
being; — the medunn preserving her weight, circulation,
intelligence and will. But, unheard of as may be the
existence of this phantom, it is not absurd ; it does not
contradict established science. Can any one adduce an
experiment which proves that a human form cannot
appear ?
" It is the same with ra^ys or intelligible knockings on
inert objects; with thought-transference or lucidity; and
with movements of objects at a distance. The negation
of these facts has not been made by science, and, indeed,
it cannot be made.
" I absolutely refuse to admit the validity of that
I simplifying argument : ' It is impossible, because common-
' sense tells us it is impossible.' Why impossible ? Who
has fixed the limit of what is possible and what is not
p possible ? Let this consideration be carefully weighed ;
" all the conquests of science and of industry were formerly
looked upon as impossibilities.
" We live indeed under the illusion of time : those
idola temporis against which Bacon protested. We are so
made that the future seems to us as thouyh it ougfht
to resemble the present ; and this is a psychological law
governing our mentality. The navigator who is under
shelter in some little haven protected against the waves
PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA IN GENERAL 9
and winds, finds it difficult to realise, in spite of experi-
ence, that beyond the headland which closes in the bay,
the sea is let loose and tossed about by the wmd in its
fury. In the same way, we men of 1904, we cannot
persuade ourselves that in 2004, and, more certainly, in
3004— a future which defies the anticipations of our most
audacious speculations — the scientific data will be ab-
solutely different from those of the present. We have not
the courage to tell ourselves that not a particle will remain
standing of those theories which we look upon to-day
as conclusive. Nevertheless the demolition of all our
scientific scaffolding, so laboriously constructed, is not a
probability : it is a certainty.
" The history of the past makes me very confident
concerning the marvels of the future. The immense
future lies before us. It is possible that some day science
may pause ; that, after the prodigious and rapid extension
which we are now witnessing w^ith too little astonishment,
she may pause in her conquests. But that moment has
not yet arrived ; for, in spite of her triumphant appear-
ance, our science is, after all, but the study of phenomena,
and she has not yet got to the root of things.
" We need not go any further than this, namely, that
in certain conditions, certain phenomena are produced.
Hence come what we call laws : in reality, laws are only
facts generalised. Let a magnet be turned rapidly round
an electric wire and currents will be produced which will
cause the production of sparks between the two extremi-
ties of the wire. We know this much ; and we have been
able to determine some of the effects of these currents,
the best conditions to produce them, the relation between
speed and rotation, the diameter of the wires, the number
of revolutions, &c. &c. But have we gained a more inti-
mate comprehension of the nature of the phenomenon itself
because we have been able to determine the conditions
under which that phenomenon is produced ? It is as if
we were to suppose that we have adequately understood
the laws of the development of living beings, because we
10 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
know empirically that the egg of a fecundated hen kept
in an incubator for forty days produces a chicken.
" We behold facts and their results ; we are able to
determine their conditions ; this is well, but it is only a
first step towards the knowledge of things themselves ;
for, if we desire to go further and understand — i.e.
understand the raison d'etre, the efficient cause, the
intimate mechanism, a fortiori the primary cause — we
must own that of these we know nothing.
" Even scientists, who, rising above appearances, look
upon all the phenomena of this material world as vibrations
of one and the same force, vibrations differing in form and
speed, capable of becoming at one time light, at another
heat, attraction, electricity, even these have not advanced
much further towards the solution of great problems, for
a vibration is still only a phenomenon. Vibrations in the
ether produce light, but why? Why should the combina-
tion of carbon with oxygen produce an undulatory vibration
in the ether which is luminous ? It is impossible to name
any phenomenon whatsoever — however well it may be de-
scribed as to its form — which is accessible as to its cause ;
and it will continue to be so, if not always, at least for a
long time to come, for an adequate and completely satis-
factory notion of anyone phenomenon, in its ultimate causes,
would entail the satisfactory notion of all other phenomena.
" The universe would be known in its integrity, if a
single point in the universe, the mirror of the mighty All,
were absolutely and completely known.
" Therefore, since it must be frankly acknowledged
that we only witness phenomena, we have no right to
make our fallacious theories a reason for assigning limits
to science. Very strange, very wonderful, seemingly
very improbable phenomena may yet appear, which,
when once established, will not astonish us more than
we are now astonished at all that science has tausrht us
during the last century. It is assumed that the pheno-
mena which we now accept without surprise, do not excite
our astonishment because they are understood. But this
is not the case. If they do not surprise us, it is not because
PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA IN GENERAL 11
they are understood, it is because they are familiar; for
if that which is not understood ought to surprise us, we
should be surprised at everything — the fall of a stone
thrown into the air, the acorn which becomes an oak,
mercury which expands when it is heated, iron attracted
by a magnet, phosphorus which burns when it is rubbed.
These are all so many mysteries, which too often we pass
by without pausing to consider, for a mystery which is
seen daily soon ceases, because of our intellectual triviality,
to appear mysterious.
" There is then nothing unscientific in the admission
that at a moment of intellectual evolution of Humanity,
other forces may be generated. Why should they not be ?
One or other alternative is true, either we do already know
all the forces of nature, or we do not know them all. There
is no way out of this dilemma. The first alternative, that
we know all the forces of nature, is so absurd that the mere
mention of it is sufficient to show how foolish it is : it is
evident that our feeble intelligence, endowed with five
senses of limited range, does not penetrate into all the
forces of nature (the force of the magnet, for instance).
'^ Hence, necessarily and undoubtedly, there are forces which
escape us. Therefore, the future may reveal these to us
(not all, but some of them).
"It is certain, indeed, that we can foresee nothing
concerning that vast future ; but we can nevertheless
assert that the science of to-day is but a slight matter,
and that the revolutions and evolutions which it will
experience in a hundred thousand years will far exceed
the most daring anticipations, f The truths — those sur-
prising, amazing, unforeseen truths — which our descend-
ants will discover, are even now all round about us,
staring us in the eyes, so to speak, and yet we do not
see them.''^
" But It is not enough to say that we do not see them ;
we do not wish to see them ; for as soon as an unexpected
and unfamiliar fact appears, we try to fit it into the
framework of the commonplaces of acquired knowledge,
12 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
and we arc indignant that any one should dare to
experiment further."
It is strange to notice that men of the most sober
minds in regard to all other matters usually approach
the study of psychical phenomena with an obvious
prejudice and foregone conclusion which tends to falsify
their judgment. It seems that when they study these
phenomena their object is not to obtain enlighten-
ment and ascertain the truth, but to combat them as
though they had an interest in proving that they do not
exist. (They rightly call for the opinion of scientific men,
but should a scientist of universally recognised authority
and whose testimony they themselves have appealed to
tell them that he has assured himself of the reality of
psychical phenomena, he seems, ij^so facto, to have lost
all credit in their eyes, and they no longer put faith
in his wordT) They accept the observations which a cele-
brated astronomer may make on the stars ; but if he says
that he has closely observed and verified some of these
phenomena, which, I do not know for what reason, are
opposed to their pro-conceived ideas, they say that he is
the victim of hallucination, or assert that he has been
deceived.
They believe in experiments made in a laboratory by
a physiologist of universally recognised scientific attain-
ments, and admit, just as though they had themselves
seen it, all that he describes under the field of his micro-
scope. But, let the same physiologist tell them that he
has seen in a room a few square yards in extent, pheno-
mena which they have not seen for themselves, and they
claim that he has been duped by a coachman hidden in
the room, whom he was not able to discover after a strin-
gent examination. In fact, if similar arguments had not
really been brought forward, we should not dare seriously
to state them, so greatly do they exceed the limits of
common sense.
With regard to those who wish to devote themselves
to the study of psychical phenomena, while recognising
PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA IN GENERAL 13
the necessity of submitting these phenomena to a metho-
dical and strictly scientific investigation, they should
take into consideration that each science has its peculiar
method, and that each science uses, for the study of its
own phenomena, different instruments, specially adapted
to the nature of the phenomena which are to be observed
and the conditions in which they present themselves.
Would it not be absurd to observe the stars with a
microscope and examine microbes with a telescope ?
What should we say of one who tried to study the course
of the stars with a balance and the method of successive
weighings ? And yet, among those who wish to devote
themselves to the study of these psychical phenomena,
there are many who make claims which are not less
unreasonable than these.
Psychical phenomena are of a very special character,
and account must be taken of this character in any serious
and profitable study of them.
The first work ought to be that of methodical clas-
sification, commencing at the most simple and rising
progressively to the most complex, comparing together,
as far as possible, those which seem to be mutually
dependent.
We shall then see what experimental method ought
to be adopted. Doubtless, in many instances, we may be
able to make use of processes and instruments which we
have employed for other purposes; photography and
weighing machines ought certainly to render some ser-
vice ; but it is very probable that it will be necessary
to design new instruments, such as the sthenometer,
specially adapted to the nature and conditions of the
new phenomena which form the subject of research.
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CHAPTER II
EXTERNALISATION OF SENSIBILITY
ExTERNALiSATiON of sensibility is a phenomenon which
lies on the confines between hypnotic and psychical
phenomena.
When I made my first experiments in hypnotism I
observed, on several occasions, a new and strange pheno-
menon which impressed me all the more because, up to
then, it had never been reported by any of the authors
who, about that time, were commencing the scientific
study of the various phenomena of hypnosis. In a treatise
on Hypnology, which I published in 1892, I referred to
this phenomenon in the chapter on Hypnotic Sleep in the
following words : —
"I ought to describe here a phenomenon which has
scarcely been noticed by writers. This phenomenon may,
however, be of some importance in the practice of hypno-
tism. It is exhibited by means of a point, preferably of
metal, such as the blade of a pair of scissors or a compass
needle; but any other object, slightly sharpened, such as
a pencil, a piece of wood or whalebone cut to a point give
similar results, though somewhat less defined.
" In these conditions the phenomenon is produced,
even in a waking somnambulistic condition, in certain
subjects, but it is most intense in hypnotic sleep.
" If we hold one of these instruments between the
fingers, as a pen is held for writing, and direct the point
between the eyes of the person who is being experimented
upon, the latter perceives, exactly at the point aimed at
by the instrument, a well-defined sensation of tingling
and weight. When this first sensation has been obtained,
by allowing the instrument to remain motionless for a
EXTERNALISATION OF SENSIBILITY 15
few seconds, a short distance from the skin, we may keep
it always at the same distance, and move it slowly in
various directions, so as to present it successively to
various points on the face, and even of the body, of very
sensitive persons. The subject, whose" eyes have been
closed from the commencement of the experiment, will
be able to follow exactly the course travelled by the point,
and, at any moment, indicate precisely the point opposite
to which the instrument has stopped.
" The distance at which this sensation may be per-
ceived, as well as the range of the sensitive surface, varies
with the nervous sensibility of the person experimented
upon, and it is a good means of quickly ascertaining to
what degree a person may be hypnotised. I found that
the sensitive distance varied on an average from one to
ten centimetres, so that with the majority of easily hypno-
tisable persons, this result could be obtained by presenting
the point at a distance of about one centimetre from the skin.
"I found that this special sensibility increases along
with the hypnotic sensibility, and, like that, can be
developed by training."
This phenomenon, which I designated, at that time,
by the name of sensibility at a distance has, of late years,
been closely studied by M, de Rochas and described by
him under the name of Externalisation of Sensibility, a
much better description.
" As soon as we magnetise a subject," says Colonel
Albert de Rochas, " his sensibility disappears at the
surface of the skin. This is an old-established fact, but
what was not known was that this sensibility is exter-
nalised ; there is formed around the body of the subject,
as soon as this state of rapport commences, a sensitive
layer, a few centimetres from the skin. If the magnetiser,
or any other person, pinches, pricks, or strokes the sub-
ject's skin, he feels nothing ; but, if the magnetiser per-
forms the same operations on the sensitive layer, the
subject experiences corresponding sensations. Further,
as the profundity of the hypnosis increases, a series of
similar layers is formed, almost equidistant, the sensibility
16 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
of which decreases proportionately to their distance from
the body."
To sum up, as we have seen, this phenomenon of
externahsation of sensibility consists in this, that at the
same time that ansesthesia is produced by the hypnotic
state, the sensibility, which has disappeared from the
surface of the skin, is not lost, but is transferred to points
exterior to the subject.
This phenomenon would be remarkable enough, as we
have described it, but it is rendered even more striking
and much more extraordinary by the more precise experi-
ments we are about to relate. In these experiments the
sensibility of the subject no longer remained vaguely
distributed over a layer of air, more or less near to the
skin of the subject, but could be directed at will and fixed
on various objects. We were thus enabled, by varying the
nature, form, and position of these objects, or by moying
them further from the subject, to produce much more
conclusive experiments which were calculated to meet all
objections. In these, we find that a well-defined body,
absolutely distinct and independent of the subject's body,
becomes charged Avith its sensibility, in such a w^ay
that the subject will feel, clearly and distinctly, every-
thing which impresses this body, exactly as though these
impressions were directly received upon his OAvn body in
its normal condition.
The subject who volunteered for these experiments is
very easily hypnotisable. The first time I hypnotised
him, I obtained at once the lethargic state, then, by the
usual process, it was easy for me to make him pass into
the cataleptic condition, and, in this phase of hypnosis,
I obtained fascination, an indication of very great sug-
gestibility. From catalepsy, I quickly brought him back
again to lethargy, and then made him pass into somnam-
bulism. My subject very quickly arrived at the third
degree of somnambulism, in which state he was insensible
to all excitations from without ; but he was in direct
communication with me ; he heard and answered me
if I ordered him to do so. He was essentially sugges-
EXTERNALISATION OF SENSIBILITY 17
tionable and executed unconsciously and involuntarily
the suggestions I made ; he even carried out post-
hypnotic suggestions; in a word, his personality dis-
appeared completely : finally, he became amnesic on
awaking.
Such being the state of the subject, I first of all satis-
fied myself that he was completely insensible by sharply
pricking the skin at various parts of the body with a pin.
I ascertained that he was everywhere in a state of com-
plete anaesthesia. I then placed a glass filled with water
between his hands, whilst a person standing behind him
held his hands closely over his eyes. I then pricked the
surface of the water in the glass with a pin, and im-
mediately the subject, by the expression on his coun-
tenance and an involuntary movement, showed that he
experienced pain. I then asked what he felt, and he
replied: "You pricked my left hand." I then applied the
point of the pin to the outside of the glass, not touching
the water : the subject experienced no sensation. I again
plunged the pin into the water, without touching the
glass in any way, and immediately the subject repeated :
" You have pricked my left hand." The experiment was
repeated several times : each time I pricked the glass he
felt nothing, but, when I pricked the water it contained,
he instantly felt the pricking and finally said, with some
impatience : " You are hurting me ; you are pricking me."
I will simply remark, with regard to this experiment,
that when I prick the glass I put my pin very forcibly
against the outside, the subject might therefore feel a
certain pressure on his hands, a sensation of contact ; if
there had been auto-suggestion, it would certainly have
shown itself at that moment, and yet he felt nothing.
When I pricked the surface of the water, on the contrary,
I was careful not to touch the glass with my fingers ; no
mechanical pressure was transmitted, and yet he then
clearly felt the pricking.
I ought to add that the first time I made this experi-
ment with this subject, I informed neither the subject nor
those present what I intended doing, and for a very good
18 rSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
reason — because I did not know myself. The idea of
attempting the externalisation of sensibility only came to
me when I saw the subject arrive so easily at the highest
degree of somnambulism, and I put my idea into execution
without saying anything.
In another experiment, after having placed the subject
in the same somnambulistic state, and having, at first, as
before, placed between his hands a glass of water in which
I had externalised his sensibility, I took the glass and
held it myself a short distance in front of the subject, but
without any contact with him : he experienced the prick-
ing in the same way, but it seemed to me that the
impression was a little less strong. The glass of water
was then placed on a table in front of the subject and
the results were the same.
At this same sitting, I made a new experiment.
Instead of pricking the surface of the water with a pin,
I slowly pressed the extremities of my thumb and index-
finger into the water, and quickly brought them together.
The subject, as before, said that he felt pain, but with this
diiference, that when interrogated as to what he experi-
enced, he immediately replied : " You are pinching me "
and not " You are pricking me," as on the other occasions.
Several times over I pricked and pinched the Avater
alternately; it did not once happen that the subject was
deceived. He said : " You are pricking me " each time I
placed the pin in the water, and " You are pinching me "
each time I pinched the water with my fingers.
I tried charging other substances than water with the
sensibility of the subject. First I took a small glass plate,
which I covered with velvet. As before, the subject was
put into a somnambulistic and anossthetic condition, and
the prepared plate was placed between his hands ; he ex-
perienced just as clearly the prickings made in the velvet
covering.
Cardboard did not give very appreciable results. At
all events, under the circumstances in which I experi-
mented, it did not seem to me to be so easily charged
with the sensibility of the subject.
EXTERNALISATION OF SENSIBILITY 19
Wood was more favourable for the experiment. Some
small boards, placed for a few moments in contact with
the subject's body, were charged with his sensibility
in such a manner that, after they were removed from
him, he felt the prickings which were made in the
wood.
I also experimented with a ball of putty, to which
I had vaguely given the contour of the subject, at the
same time fixing it on a glass plate. I sensitised the
putty by bringing it near the subject's body, and made
him hold the glass plate between his hands. After a
few moments, on my holding the glass plate myself a
short distance from the subject, he felt, sometimes in
his head, sometimes in his body, sometimes in his limbs,
prickings which were made in the portions of the putty
representing the different parts of his body. Then, on
my cutting off some of the subject's hairs while he was
asleep, and putting them in the part of the putty repre-
senting his head, he strongly protested when they were
pulled, saying that his hair was being pulled out.
In order to take account of the manner in which
the sensation came to the subject, and of the rapidity
with which it was perceived, I instituted the following
experiment.
The subject was placed in a state of somnambulism,
the glass of water put between his hands and charged
with his sensibility, as in the first experiments. I then
noticed that he instantly felt the pricking sensation when
I plunged the pin in the water. One of my assistants
in these experiments, M. Leuliette, kept his eyes fixed
attentively on a chronometer, whilst the two other
assistants signalled to him the precise moment when I
pricked the surface of the water with the pin, and Avhen
the subject's face showed an expression of pain. There
was no appreciable lapse of time between the two actions.
I then gave the glass of water to an assistant, who held
it in his left hand, and held the subject's left hand in
his right. It was found that a fraction of a second
elapsed between the time when I pricked the surface of
20 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
the water with a pin, and the moment when the subject's
face showed pain. On making a chain of two and then
of three persons, holding each other's hands between the
glass of water and the subject, I noticed an increasing
slowness of the sensation. On employing five persons
I obtained a delay of nearly two seconds between the
moment when the pin touched the surface of the water,
and that when the expression on the subject's face showed
that he felt the sensation.
I now come to an experiment even more curious than
those which I have narrated. The subject, being put to
sleep, and brought, as usual, into a somnambulistic con-
dition so that the whole of the cutaneous surface was
completely insensible, I placed before him another person,
awake and in a normal condition, who took hold of the
subject's hands in such a way that his right hand held
the subject's left, and his left the subject's right. Matters
having been thus arranged, I caused, by suggestion, the
sensibility of the subject to pass into the person in front
of him ; that is to say, I suggested to the subject that
he should no longer feel anything himself, but that he
should feel everything that was done to the person in front.
I then pricked with a pin the right leg of the person
who was awake ; the subject immediately said to me :
" You are pricking my left leg." It was, in point of fact,
the leg which was opposite to the subject's left leg. I
pricked the waking person in the left arm, and the sleep-
ing subject said: "You are pricking my right arm." I
pricked the waking person on the ear, and the subject
said : " You are pricking mc on the head." I then ob-
served that under the influence of the pricking the waking
person made an involuntary movement which the sub-
ject asleep felt through the contact of hands — a muscular
movement which informed him of the moment when
the pricking was made. Admitting this hypothesis for
a moment, how does it explain the fact that the sub-
ject distinguished between the pricking made on the
right arm or the left leg, and that made on the right leg
or the left arm, or on the head ?
EXTERNALISATION OF SENSIBILITY 21
But there is a much more simple method of nullifying
the objection that might be deduced from the unconscious
movements of the waking person being communicated to
the person asleep, that is, by cutting off all communication
between the two subjects. That is what I did in the fol-
lowing experiments. After having caused the sensibility
of the subject in the somnambulistic state to pass to the
waking subject, the hands of the sleeper were released.
The two subjects were thus completely separated ; there
was no material contact between them. I then pricked
the limbs of the waking person and the subject felt the
prickings in his corresponding limbs, that is to say, the
limbs opposite to his own, the right side con-esponding
with the left side, as well as prickings in the head. If
I pinched a limb instead of pricking it, the subject quickly
recognised the difference, saying : " You are pinching me,"
instead of " You are pricking me," as he had done on the
other occasions.
I will mention in the last place an experiment which
was also very interesting. After bringing my subject into
a somnambulistic condition, I placed him before a wall
and so arranged the lights that his shadow was projected
directly on to it. I suggested to him that his sensibility
should be entirely transferred to his shadow, that is, that
he himself would feel everything that was done to the
form projected on the wall. I then pricked the wall at
different points around the shadow. He did not move
and experienced no sensation. I then pricked the shadow
itself; the subject immediately made an abrupt move-
ment and complained strongly. I commenced again at
various points outside the shadow : the subject felt ab-
solutely nothing ; but, whenever the shadow was touched,
the sensation seemed to be more acute than in the majority
of the other experiments. The subject complained of his
head when I pricked the head of the shadow, and felt pain
in the arm or leg when I pricked the shadow on the wall ;
and when, at one time, I passed my hand over the wall
where the shadow's head was, he said : " You are scratch-
ing me."
^2 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
The experiments which I have just rehited suggest
some interesting considerations. In the first place, the
externaUsation of sensibility to the degree which I have
described is a_very_xaxe— phenomenon, whether it be
because it is only witnessed in a hypnotic state which
few subjects are capable of reaching, or, more especially,
because it constitutes one of those special faculties still
very little known, which are more or less developed in
certain subjects, but which only attain a very high degree
in a small number of cases. I have no hesitation in pre-
ferring this latter hypothesis; in fact, the subjects I
observed presented this phenomenon in the third and
even the second degree of somnambulism. Now, these
hypnotic phenomena, without being frequent, are met
with from time to time, though this was the first time I
had met with this externaUsation of sensibility during
the many years I had devoted myself to research.
I ought to remark, in the second, place,^ that these
phenomena are not always presented with the same
intensity. ^achnTme^TliaTe"^ operated with this'^suhject,
I have always obtained the externalisation of sensibility,
but sometimes his sensations were vague and lacked dis-
tinctness, whether because he was not in so good a con-
dition before the hypnosis and sleep was not so well
developed, or because some external circumstances might
have interfered with the experiments. Thus, in certain
cases of pricking, he clearly experienced a pain, but was
not able to define its nature. He said : " You are hurting
me," but he could not distinguish Avhether he was being
pricked or pinched.
In other cases, he could easily distinguish the kind of
sensation and the nature of the pain, but could not locate
it in the region corresponding with the part touched on
the object or person. Thus, in one of the experimental
seances, the sensation, which Avas none the less very clear,
was constantly felt on the left hand. In other experi-
ments, the subject felt the prickings and the impressions
made on the object charged with his sensibility, always
in the head. In other circumstances he succeeded in
EXTERNALISATION OF SENSIBILITY 23
locating the sensations to a certain extent, but still some-
what imperfectly. Thus, he ascribed to the head all that
was done to the head and the upper part of the body of
the other subject, and to the body all that was done to his
trunk and limbs. I have also noticed that, in certain
cases when the sensations were vague and not well located,
if I awakened the subject and hypnotised him again, I
obtained very clear sensations with very remarkable pre-
cision of localisation.
In certain cases, on asserting to the subject by sugges-
tion, that his sensibility had left him and had been
transferred to an object or person, we secured very clear
phenomena. It is, of course, to be understood that this
suggestion was only made before commencing the experi-
ments, and we were careful that at the time of carrying
out the experiments the subject should not be forewarned
as to the various movements effected.
How then can we explain these phenomena of exter-
nalisation of sensibility ? I will say at once that I have
witnessed the phenomenon, and have had it confirmed by
several witnesses ; but I have not, up to now, found any
satisfactory explanation. I only wish to reply here to
certain objections or interpretations which some might be
tempted to give, and which must be rejected.
First of all, I think it is useless to discuss that of
fraud ; those who have witnessed my experiments, and
the conditions in which they were carried out, can have
no doubt as to this.
The unconscious connivance of the subject is a more /
serious objection. We know that subjects in somnam-
bulism possess an extreme keenness of all the senses ; the
subject might see through the eyelids ; he might be aware,
through the sense of hearing, of all that is taking place
and react unconsciously or be influenced by auto-sugges-
tion. The objection of unconscious connivance, and that
of auto-suggestion on the subject's part may be treated as
one, and the arguments which I will give reply equally to
both.
1. I will recall that in the first experiment I made
24 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
the subject could not know what I was going to do,
because I did not know myself. I had no idea of attempt-
ing externalisation of sensibility with him until after he
was in a somnambulistic condition.
2. When the glass of water was no longer between his
hands, but was placed behind him, he felt the pricking
and yet he could see nothing. Nor could he hear any-
thing because the act of plunging the pin into the water
did not make more noise than any other movement, which
had no effect upon him.
3. When the subject held the glass of water between
his hands, if I pricked the glass itself, he certainly experi-
enced a sensation of contact. If there had been auto-
suggestion, it is then that it would have been developed.
But nothing of the sort took place, he felt nothing ; but,
if I pricked the water without touching the glass, that is
to say, AvithoU't his experiencing the slightest direct sensa-
tion, he gave evidence that he felt the pricking.
I shall not dwell at length upon the objection made
a little while ago before the Society of Hypnology by
M. Mavroukakis. Our colleague showed to the Society a
hypnotised person, holding a glass of water between his
hands, and, while pricking the glass of water, he said to
him : " I am pricking your head, your arm, or your leg."
The subject evidently experienced all the sensations which
were thus suggested to him. No one who had ever wit-
nessed experiments in externalisation of sensibility could
have thought that these proceedings resembled them.
No one has ever denied that it is possible to suggest to
a hypnotised subject a pricking, burning, or any other
sensation, at any particular point. Here, the glass of
water added nothing, and this experiment only demon-
strated verbal suggestion, which is known to every one.
In externalisation of sensibility, on the contrary, we
take all the necessary precautions that the subject shall
have no foroknowlcdgc in any way of the time or manner
of pricking the object charged Avith his sensibility.
We are careful to perform similar manipulations on sur-
rounding objects, or on objects similar to those to which
EXTERNALISATION OF SENSIBILITY 25
we have transferred his sensibility. This was demon-
strated in our experiments with the glass, where the glass
only was pricked; and yet the subject, ivithout foreknow-
ledge, clearly showed that he experienced impressions
made on the object charged with his sensibility and that
he did not experience them when made around or on other
objects.
Another explanation seemed to me for some time to
be more plausible, and yet I have had to abandon it
because of certain experiments I made. This explana-
tion consisted in supposing that the operator, who prac-
tised the pricking on the sensitised object, unconsciously
made a mental suggestion, which was received and under-
stood by the hypnotised subject. This hypothesis would
account for the fact that the subject experienced and
distinguished the different kinds of sensations — prickings,
burnings, pinchmgs, &c., and that he localised them in
various parts of his body when these sensations were
experienced by another subject placed in front of him;
and, even in this case, the mental suggestion might just
as well come from the subject operated upon as from the
operator.
This hypothesis was shown to be inadequate when I
witnessed in certain specified cases a regular and pro-
gressive retardation of the sensation in the hypnotised
subject. Whether the glass of water was held by the
subject himself, or by one of three, four, or five persons in
communication with the subject, the sensation ought to
be equally rapidly perceived by him if the hypothesis of
mental suggestion is true : it should be instantaneous in
each case, and there should not be the regular retardation
which we witnessed in certain circumstances.
By another experiment I tried to eliminate all possi-
bility of thought transference.
In an adjoining room I had prepared tAvo bottles,
filled with warm and cold Avater respectively. A piece of
string was attached to each of these bottles, so that the
experimenter could lift and hold them, without knowing
which contained the warm and which the cold water.
26 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
The two bottles thus prepared were brought in a box,
and no one about the subject knew which was warm
and which cold.
I then took each of the bottles in turn by the string,
not knowing their temperature, and brought them within
about a foot of the subject. Without hesitation he de-
clared that he experienced a sensation of heat, then of
cold, and always attributed the sensation of heat to the
hot bottle, and that of cold to the other. All the per-
sons verified the fact that he was not mistaken, and that
he identified at a distance the warm bottle and the cold
bottle.
The temperature of the warm bottle was not sufficiently
high for it to be distinguished at this distance, and the
two bottles being identical, no one could transmit any
idea to the subject.
One of our colleagues made the following observation : —
" Every living body may be, in certain circumstances,
a more or less active source of electricity. When we
bring near the subject any pointed object held in the
hand, such as a needle or pin, or even when the operator
simply brings his finger near, an electrical discharge is
produced, which causes the subject to give evidence of a
sensation by hypnotic hypergesthesia, and would explain
the effect produced by this current, too feeble to be per-
ceived by any one else."
We accept all the hypotheses, and desire to examine
and study seriously all that are presented to us. In order
to verify this one, we took a semi-circular metallic plate,
which we placed by the side of the subject, in communi-
cation with the earth, without direct communication
between the subject and the metallic plate. If the
hypothesis of an electrical current were true, the electri-
city discharged by the point or by the fingers ought,
owing to the presence of the metallic plate, to be lost
in the earth and the subject would feel nothing. After
interposing the plate, we brought the points or fingers
near to the subject in exactly the same manner as before.
The phenomenon was produced through tlic plate, and
EXTERNALISATION OF SENSIBILITY 27
the subject experienced the same sensations as in the
previous experiments made without any interposition.
We therefore eHminate the hypothesis of a sensation
due to an electrical current discharged by the operator.
In the course of these experiments a new and abso-
lutely unexpected phenomenon presented itself.
The subject, after awaking, was always absolutely
ignorant and unconscious of what had taken place while
he was asleep, consistently with the law governing the state
of memory in the hypnotic condition in which he was
placed. It should be noted that the subject, having abso-
lute confidence in us, did not know the kind of experiments
we were making during his sleep; and we were careful
after he awoke not to speak before him of the observations
which had been made.
But, on several occasions, the day after the experi-
ments, the subject told me that he had dreamt or felt in
the night, when asleep, that he was being pricked or
pinched, or that his hair was being pulled, all correspond-
ing exactly with the experiments made during the pre-
vious day. One day even it happened that I had left the
laboratory for a few moments to allow some colleagues to
make certain experiments without any participation on
my part. During this time one of them, wishing to try
contact at a greater distance, flourished a cane around the
subject. The following day, the subject told me that,
during the night, he felt blows on the head with a stick.
We sought for the explanation of this phenomenon. It
could not be the remembrance of what had been done
during the hypnotic condition, which reappeared during
the subject's sleep. In fact, we know by the laws of
memory in hypnotic states, that for the subject to be
able to recall to memory what has taken place in his
hypnotic condition, he must again be plunged into a
similar condition. Now, his sleep at night would not be
a condition analogous to that in which we were making
the experiments, because, after awaking from his hypnotic
state, we know that he had lost the memory of all that
had happened ; if he had passed into a similar state
28 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
during the night, ho would also have lost, on awaking,
the memory of what he had felt whilst in that state, and
would not therefore have been able to tell us.
However, another observation made in the course of
the same experiments put us on the track of what we
believe to be the true explanation of this phenomenon.
When there was produced in the subject a sensation of
pricking or pinching, by an action at a distance, if we left
him quiet, we often noticed that a few moments after the
first movement, the subject brought his hand to the sensi-
tive spot, as though he still felt a painful sensation. If
we had made numerous prickings, pinchings, &c., at
different parts of the body, and then observed the subject,
without having made a negative suggestion, we saw him
turn, stroke the different parts of the body with his hands,
and, if the excitations were very numerous and violent,
writhe and moan as if he was still suffering, and simul-
taneously in all the parts affected.
The error must not be committed of taking these
phenomena either for auto-suggestions or as indications
of simulation on the subject's part. In fact, on the one
hand, auto-suggestions, which sometimes come when the
subject is not in deep sleep, or at the beginning of the
hypnosis, do not occur in the circumstances or manner
we have indicated ; and, on the other hand, the symptoms
of the deep hypnotic state persist and can be reproduced
at this moment.
We concluded that an excitation produced at a dis-
ance, in a subject whose sensibility has been externalised,
leaves a persistent painful trace. We do not know the
nature of the sensation thus experienced by the subject.
It may probably be more vague than those which are per-
ceived directly in the waking state. We do know that the
subject habitually distinguishes between certain kinds of
sensations, such as prickings, pinchings, heat, &c.
In the second place, and this is one of the principal
conclusions of these last experiments, these excitations
leave a persistent trace, as painful and definite as the sen-
sation itself. We may compare them with a blow which
EXTERNALISATION OF SENSIBILITY 29
leaves a sensible contusion, or with a mosquito sting which
leaves an irritation behind : if later, the rubbing of a gar-
ment or contact with an object excites the sensitive part,
the pain reappears very much as when it was first caused.
We may remark also that in these actions which we
exercise at a distance on the subject, we act on a plane
which is not clearly defined. The different points from
which we can excite the sensibility of the subject, form, if
I may so express it, a virtual plane situated in space.
The result is that the excitation we produce is, in spite of
us and unknown to us, now stronger, now weaker, which
explains the differences in the intensity and clearness of
the sensations perceived by the subject.
CHAPTER III
SPONTANEOUS PHENOMENA— MULTIPLE PERSONALITY
AND ABNORMAL CONSCIOUSNESS— ABNORMAL FACUL-
TIES IN HYPNOTIC SUBJECTS
We observe occasionally, in certain special subjects,
abnormal phenomena which present themselves spon-
taneously. These phenomena are, in some cases, the
manifestation of abnormal knowledge, unconsciously to
the subject, of the class we have seen produced in cer-
tain dreams; at other times, they seem to be connected
with transmission of thought. Again, the facts of
multiple personality seem to be connected with this
class of phenomena. To give an idea of these multiple
personalities I will give a resume of the well-known case
of Eelida X.
Felida was born in Bordeaux in 1841, of healthy
parents. She was intelligent and well-educated, and in
later life had charge of a grocer's shop. When fourteen
years of age, after puberty, her health was disturbed, her
temper became gloomy, and she had her first fits, which
came on every five or six days. They are thus described
by Dr. Azam, who was called in to attend her : —
Felida X. is seated with some needlework on her
knees ; suddenly, without any Avarning, and, after a pain
in the temples, more violent than usual, her head fiills on
to her chest, her hands stop working and fall inert beside
her body, she sleeps, or appears to sleep, but it is a special
kind of sleep, because neither noise nor excitation, pincli-
ings nor ])rickings, will awaken her ; further, this kind of
deep, sudden sleep lasts two or three minutes ; formerly it
lasted much longer.
After this time, Felida awakes, but she is no longer
30
SPONTANEOUS PHENOMENA S\
in the same intellectual state as before she went to sleep.
Everything seems to be different. She raises her head,
opens her eyes, smilingly greets the new-comers ; her face
brightens and is mirthful ; she says but little, and she
continues, humming all the time, the needlework she
had previously begun. She rises, walks quickly, and
scarcely complains of the thousand pains from which a
few minutes previously she had suffered ; she attends to
the household duties, goes out, walks about the town,
makes visits, sets about some kind of work, her manners
and gaiety those of a young healthy girl of her own age.
Her character is completely changed ; from being sad she
has become gay ; and her vivacity borders on boisterous-
ness, her imagination is almost over-excited ; she shows
emotion, pleasurable or the reverse, at the least thing ;
from being completely indifferent to all that happens,
she has become sensitive in the highest degree.
When in this state she remembers perfectly all that
has happened previously, when in similar conditions, as well
as in her normal state. I should add that she has always
maintained that the state, whatever it may be, in which
she is when she is spoken to, is her normal state, which
she calls the right one in contradistinction to the other,
which she calls a convulsion.
In this condition, as in the other, her intellectual and
moral faculties, though quite different, are undoubtedly
complete ; there is no delirious notion, no false apprecia-
tion, no hallucination. I might even say, that in this
second state, in this " condition," all her faculties appear
more highly developed and efficient. This second con-
dition, in which pain is not felt, is much superior to the
other; particularly in the important fact already noted,
that while it lasts Felida knows what has happened, not
only during all the previous attacks, but also during her
normal condition, whilst normally she knows nothing
that has happened during her attacks.
After a period which, in 1858, lasted three or four hours
nearly every day, Felida's gaiety suddenly disappears, her
head falls into the state of torpor previously described.
32 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
After three or four minutes she opens her eyes and re-
turns to her normal condition.
The change is scarcely perceptible, because she con-
tinues her work with almost intense eagerness ; most
frequently it is some sewing commenced during the pre-
vious period. It is strange to her (since her somnam-
bulistic condition is forgotten on awaking), and it becomes
an effort of imagination for her to understand it. Never-
theless she goes on with it as well as she can, lamenting
her unfortunate condition. Her relatives, who are used
to this state, help her to understand.
A few minutes previously she had been singing some
ballad ; when asked to sing it again she was entirely igno-
rant of what was meant; when spoken to concerning a
visit she had just received, she did not remember that she
had seen any one. I' think I ought to define the extent
of this forgetfulness ; it only refers to Avhat has passed
while she is in the second condition : no general ideas
previously acquired are affected; she can read, write,
count, cut out, sew, and do many other things perfectly
which she could do before her illness, or which she has
learned during previous normal periods.
If I had any doubts as to the complete separation
of these two existences, they would have been dispelled
by what I am about to relate. A young man of about
eighteen or twenty years of age had known Felida since
her childhood and used to come to the house. A great
affection existed between them, and they were engaged
to be married.
One day Felida, who Avas more sad than usual, said to
me, with tears in her eyes, that her illness was becoming
worse, her body was growing larger, and she felt sick
every morning ; in a word, she made me believe that
she was enceinte. From the disturbed looks of those
around my suspicions were confirmed. In fact, in the
attack which shortly followed, Felida said to me before
the same people: "I know perfectly well what I have
said ; you must have understood me ; I tell you plainly
I believe I am pregnant." In this second condition her
SPONTANEOUS PHENOMENA 33
pregnancy did not disturb her, and she was as hvely as
usual.
Having become enceinte during her second condition,
she was ignorant of it during her normal state, and only
knew of it when in her other similar condition ; but this
ignorance could not last ; a neighbour, before whom she
had expressed herself very clearly, and who was unduly
sceptical, believed that Felida was acting a part, and
brutally repeated to her the confidences she had made
during the attack. The discovery affected the girl so
much that she had hysterical convulsions, and I had to
remain in attendance on her for three hours.
Felida shortly afterwards married the young man, and
from 1859 to 1876 ten children were born, but only two
of them lived. The periods of attack, or second condition,
which, in 1859, only lasted for about one-tenth of her
existence, gradually increased in duration until they
became equal to her normal state, and then became
further extended until they occupied almost the whole
of her existence.
It has several times happened that she has gone to
sleep at night in her normal condition and awakened in
the morning in the second one, without either she or her
husband being conscious of the change, which, therefore,
took place during sleep. This transition has, moreover,
become almost imperceptible by its rapidity, even in the
waking state, which makes the situation very sad, because
of the constant gaps produced in her memory, and the
disturbances in her business and family relationships.
Abnormal knowledge, some examples of which will be
given, is comparable with certain facts observed in the
dream condition. Nevertheless, in the cases here reported,
it will be noticed that the facts were not observed while the
subject was in a sleep, but, as may be assumed from the
circumstances, in a kind of spontaneous hypnotic condition.
The following examples are taken from Aksakofs
work : —
" For some time " (reports Mr. John Young) " my wife
c
34. PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
was under the influence of German spirits : she spoke and
sang in German for several evenings in succession.
" No one in our circle understood this language.
Desiring to assure myself of the fact, I invited a German
doctor, Herr Tuler, to come and give me his opinion. He
came twice and conversed with the medium in German for
more than an hour on each occasion. His astonishment
was great, but his joy at being able to speak in his mother-
tongue was greater. In addition to German, my wife has
spoken in Italian, a language of which she is equally
ignorant." ^
Judge Edmonds reports the case of his daughter, who
only knew English or French, speaking in Hindustani,
Spanish, Polish, Greek, and Italian, when in a trance con-
dition. One day, he relates, his daughter maintained a
long conversation with a Greek in his native language.
" At the time the emotion of M. Evangelides (the Greek)
was so great that it drew the attention of those present :
we asked him the reason, but he avoided making any
reply. It was only at the end of the seance that he told
us that, previously, he had not witnessed any spiritistic
manifestations, and that, in the course of the conversation,
he had made various experiments in order to ascertain the
nature of this class of phenomena. These experiments
consisted of broaching various subjects through my
daughter, concerning which she certainly could possess
no knowledge, and, in frequently changing the theme,
passing abruptly from matters of a private character to
political, philosophical, and physiological questions. In
reply to our interrogations he assured us that the medium
understood the Greek language and spoke it correctly." 2
Aksakof cites another remarkable example of know-
ledge not learned : that of a child " who played a piece
without ever having learned music," as testified by Mr. N.
Tallmadge, formerly senator and governor of Wisconsin,
father of the medium.
The following is his statement : —
" In the month of June, 1853, on my return from New
* Aksakof, Spiritism and Animism. * Ibid., p. 358.
SPONTANEOUS PHENOMENA 35
York, where I had observed several spiritistic manifesta-
tions, I went to a writing medium, who Uved near me,
and received a message advising me to organise a private
circle in my own house, and predicting that a medium
would be found who would surpass all my expectation.
" I expressed a desire to know the name of this medium,
and was told it Avould be my daughter. ' Which ? ' I
asked ; ' because I have four.' ' Emily/ was the reply.
Then I was enjoined to place Emily at the piano when
the seances were organised. Emily was my youngest
daughter, thirteen years of age. I ought to mention that
she did not know much music, and had never played any
air whatever. ... I soon succeeded in organising this
circle. I gave Emily a sheet of paper and a pencil. Her
hand traced some straight lines which formed a stave.
Then she put in the notes and added the signs. This done,
she dropped the pencil and tapped the table as though
touching the keys of an instrument. I then remembered
that I was to place her at the piano. After a moment's
hesitation she complied with my request, and sat down at
the piano with the assurance of an accomplished artist.
" She attacked the keyboard resolutely, and executed
Beethoven's Grand Valse in a manner which would, have
done honour to a good musician. Then she played several
other known airs. She then played an unknown air, at
the same time singing the improvised words correspond-
ing with it." 1
To these spontaneous phenomena we will add some
facts, which, it is true, belong rather to the domain of
hypnotism. We shall examine them here in order to
show the relations which exist between facts of a hypnotic
character and certain psychical phenomena.
The cases we have given are those in which a hypnotic
or suggestive action is manifested at a distance, with-
out the subject being able to perceive, by the aid of the
normal senses, the influence exercised upon him. There
is therefore here also the manifestation in the hypno-
tised subject of a new perceptive faculty, which does
1 Aksakof, Spiritism and Animism, p. 370.
36 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
not exist in the normal state, and which is independent
of the sensory organs, through which he is ordinarily in
relation with the external world.
The first case refers to two experiments in inducing
sleep at a distance, which were published some years ago
in the Annales des Sciences Psychiques.
In September 1892 Mr. X. and his family were spend-
ing a holiday in the small town of Amelie-les-Bains.
There had been much talk during the year among the
visitors, of the seances given at the Casino by a young man
of the district, who called himself Dockman. Mr. X. at-
tended through curiosity. The medium, who was about
twenty years of age, dark and spare of figure, and evidently
very nervous, had, it appears, three years previously,
served as subject to a naval doctor, and these experiments
had caused him to take up the vocation of thought-reader.
Every one knows this class of performance, where one of the
audience endeavours, more or less successfully, to transmit
his will to the medium, without words or gesture, and
even without contact, by a simple mental effort.
The penetration of the young mountaineer appeared
to him to be frequently defective, and the medium himself
confessed to him that he tried to guess by all sorts of indi-
cations the intentions of the thought-transmitter. " You
ought," said Mr. X., laughing, " to go into trance so as
to recover your former lucidity : if you feel inclined I am
quite willing to render you this service."
Dockman appeared surprised and somewhat oftended
by this proposition. "It is I who send people to sleep,"
he said ; " I am no longer put to sleep myself."
However, a few days later, probably to humour the
mayor of the town, who seemed desirous of being present
at a hypnotic seance, Dockman consented. Accordingly,
one evening about six o'clock, before a circle of four or
five persons, Mr. X. took hold of his thumbs and looked
steadily at his eyes : at the end of a few minutes he fell
asleep, if we may so call the comatose or cataleptic state
into which he appeared to be plunged. His whole body was
stiffened, his jaws contracted, and, with great difficulty,
SPONTANEOUS PHENOMENA 37
brief responses to questions were obtained. The awaken-
ing took place very slowly, A second sleep presented the
same characteristics, except that the subject was more
quickly awakened. Briefly, the subject did not seem very
interesting, and Mr. X. did not see that much could be got
out of him.
The following day, according to custom, Mr. X. went
to the Casino about mid-day to have some coffee and be
present at a rehearsal of a piece which was to be played
that evening. The small theatre where the actors sang
their vague ritornellos occupied the end of a garden,
shaded by large trees; there were seats and tables for
customers ; and, overlooking the theatre and the garden,
was a long terrace to which the habitues came every day
to play cards.
Mr. X. seated himself on the terrace, and, while sipping
his coffee, he looked down on the scene beneath him.
Dockman was sitting in the garden with a friend, who
was reading a newspaper ; he presently almost turned his
back and began to roll a cigarette. X. did not know how,
but the idea came to him to try the experiment here
described, and, with all the force of his will, he imme-
diately put it into execution. Concentrating his mind
entirely on this one thought, he looked steadfastly in
Dockman's direction, and commanded him to stop all
movements and to go to sleep. Dockman did not appear
to perceive that X. was looking at him, but his actions
quickly slackened, and his eyes became fixed. The un-
finished cigarette remained in his hands, he suddenly
dropped his eyelids, and became motionless as a statue.
His friend raised his head, perceived his condition, ques-
tioned him, but obtained no response. A singer, seated
at a neighbouring table, became frightened and screamed
aloud. Mr. X. hastened and went down, and, in a few
moments, by breathing quickly on his eyes, awoke his
improvised subject, who did not even seem to know what
had happened to him.
Mr. X. had made this experiment on the bare chance,
not at all counting on success, and was himself astonished
38 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
at the result. On the following day he had the oppor-
tunity of repeating it. He reached the Casino about
half-past one. On this occasion Dockman was sitting on
the terrace by himself, at a table, writing a letter, bent
nearly double, his nose almost resting on the blotting-pad.
Mr. X.'s table was five or six yards away ; between them
was a party of four, playing cards. Mr. X. again con-
centrated himself with a nervous tension, which caused
him to vibrate from head to foot, and, while looking
quietly at Dockman, commanded him with all his power
to cease writing and go to sleep. The effect was less
rapid than before. It might be said that the subject
struggled against his will. After one or two minutes, he
gave visible signs of a thrilling sensation ; his pen re-
mained suspended, as if he sought in vain for words : he
made a gesture with his hand as though throwing oft' an
obsessing influence ; then he tore up the letter he had
commenced and began to write another ; but his pen
soon remained fixed on the paper, and he went to sleep
in that position. X. went close up to him, with several
others who had stopped their games ; his whole body
was contracted and hard as a piece of wood ; they tried
unsuccessfully to bend one of his arms ; the stifthess was
only removed by means of passes ; the waking was accom-
plished by blowing on his eyes. When he had recovered
the use of his senses, Dockman begged Mr. X. not to
repeat these experiments ; he complained of having been
much fatigued by the former one. He affirmed, more-
over, that he had gone to sleep on these two occasions
without having had the slightest suspicion that this
abrupt sleep had been caused by X. or by any one else.
It may, it is true, be claimed that in these two cases
the subject perceived, without knowing it, the person who
had already hypnotised him, and that he had then gone
to sleep by a phenomenon of auto-suggestion. We cannot,
from the data given, produce any absolute proof to the con-
trary. Nevertheless, we may ask ourselves Avhy the sub-
ject did not go to sleep on several other occasions when
he was in the presence of the same experimenter. Why
SPONTANEOUS PHENOMENA 39
should auto-suggestion be produced on these two occa-
sions only on which the experimenter suggested sleep ?
In the following case, taken from Mats Profonds de
I'Hypnose, by Colonel de Rochas, we have a suggestion
made at a distance after the subject had been brought
back to the normal condition. And here the conditions
of the experiment are such that they allow all possibility
of auto-suggestion to be entirely eliminated.
" One evening," says Colonel de Rochas, " after a long
seance, in which Madame X., already mentioned, had been
magnetised by me and had given proofs of extraordinary
sensitiveness, the idea came to me, on returning to my
rooms, situated several miles away from her hotel, to give
her the order to bring to me at eleven o'clock the follow-
ing day a large book which I had lent her that day. I
devoted all my energies to this order, which I repeated
several times in a loud voice, supposing thiit, at this time,
Madame X. would be asleep, or, at least, in calm and favour-
able isolation. I saw nothing of her on the following day,
which did not astonish me ; but, on the day after, I was
greatly surprised when a servant brought me the book which
Madame X. had certainly not had time to read. I hastened
to her and said : ' My book then has not interested you,
since you return it so quickly.' ' Quite the reverse,' she
replied, 'but since eleven o'clock yesterday I have had
the idea that you wished to have it, and I should have
brought it myself had I not been so busy.' "
The following case is rather an example of thought-
reading, for it will be noticed that the transmitter acted
involuntarily and unconsciously. The fact is reported
in the publications of the Angers Society of Medicine
by Dr. Quintard. I give a summary of the report.
Ludovic X. is a child less than seven years of age,
lively, gay, strong, in excellent health, and free from all
nervous taint. His parents also show nothing suspicious
from the neuro-pathological point of view. At the age
of five, however, the child seemed to follow in the steps
of the celebrated Inaudi. His mother, at this time, wish-
ing to teach him the multiplication table, was surprised
40 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
to find that he could repeat it as well as she could !
Soon the child, taking to it as a sport, came to be able
to multiply large numbers in his head.
At the present time, one has only to read to him a
problem taken at hazard from a collection, and he, at
once, gives the solution. Take this, for example : "If
you put 25 francs 50 centimes in my pocket, I should
then have three times as much as I now have, less
5 francs 40 centimes. How much have I ? " The problem
had scarcely been stated when the child, without even
taking time to think, replied correctly : "15 francs
45 centimes." At the end of the book, amongst the
more difficult problems, we find this one : " The radius
of the earth is equal to 6,366 kilometres. Find the dis-
tance to the sun, knowing that it is equal to 24,000
times the earth's radius. Express this distance in
leagues." The bantling, in his childish treble, gave, again
without hesitation, this solution, which is that in the
work: "38,196,000 leagues." The child's father, having
other things on his mind, did not, at first, pay much
attention to the performances of his son. At last, how-
ever, he gave heed to them, and, as his profession makes
him somewhat observant, he soon noticed that: (1) The
child scarcely listened, sometimes not at all, to the read-
ing of the problem ; (2) his mother, whose presence is
necessary for the success of the experiment, must always
have, before her eyes or in her mind, the required solu-
tion. From this he deduced that the boy did not make
any calculation, but guessed it, or, more correctly,
practised thought-reading on his mother ; and he at
once decided to assure himself of this. Consequently,
he asked Madame X. to open a dictionary and ask her
son what page she had before her ; the boy immediately
replied: "It is page 456," which was correct. This ex-
periment was repeated ten times, each time with correct
results.
A phrase is written in a note-book, and, however long
it may be, it is sufficient, if it passes before the mother's
eye, for the boy to repeat the ])hrase word for word,
SPONTANEOUS PHENOMENA 41
even though asked to do so by a stranger. It is not
even necessary for the phrase, number, or word to be
placed on paper ; it is sufficient for it to be quite clear
in the mother's mind for the son to perform the mental
reading. But the child's triumph is in society games.
He will tell, one after another, all the cards in the pack.
Dr. Quintard then discusses suggestion as an ex-
planatory hypothesis.
"For it to be suggestion in the case before us, it
must be proved that the mother has a certain psychical
concentration, a certain degree of will-power indispens-
able to the success of the experiment. But the thought-
reading is accomplished, most frequently, against her
will. There is, in fact, a dark side to the picture. When
the child reached the age to learn to read in earnest, his
mother, who had devoted herself to this task, noticed,
to her sorrow, that her son made no progress under her
instruction. Guessing everything, he exercised neither
judgment nor memory." Another physician, Dr. Tesson,
examined the child and confirmed Dr. Quintard's ob-
servations before the Angers Society of Medicine.
In spontaneous somnambulism, we observe, in some
subjects, phenomena which seem to belong, not to
lucidity, but to a special faculty which gives them know-
ledge they do not possess in the waking state. This
faculty is particularly developed, it seems, with regard
to a fact which strongly impresses the subject, or in
which he is specially interested.
The two following cases are quoted by Colonel de
Rochas in his work Etats Profonds de VHypnose.
" Sergeant B. of the 113th Regiment, with whom I had
made several experiments relative to polarity, was subject
to fits of natural somnambulism, which occurred, on the
average, every eight or ten days. The attack generally
announced itself during the day by a great desire for
sleep ; and, at night, B. went to sleep as soon as he was
in bed. After about two hours, he would rise, dress, go
and seat himself at his table, and then, speaking quite
aloud, he would frequently relate what was happening
42 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
at that moment to persons connected with him ; there
were some piquant, but very annoying, revelations, be-
cause his room-mate was always there to receive them.
" A theft took place in the regiment ; during the night
the sergeant-major's purse was taken out of the pocket of
his trousers, which were placed on a chair near his bed.
Four or \ five nights afterwards, B., who had heard a
good deal of talk about the affair, had his fit of som-
nambulism at the usual hour ; but, instead of going to the
table, he went out of the room, followed by his comrade,
who was anxious to know what he was going to do. He
went direct to the sergeant-major's room, looked at the
trousers, smelled the floor, and, with bent head and open
nostrils, like a dosr folloAving a scent, he went along the
corridors, down the stairs, across the court, stopping some-
times to lie down on the ground and sniff, grumbling that
he could scarcely sense any more ; finally, after some
turns towards the corners of the buildings where the
imaginary thief that he was following seemed to have
watched to see if any one was there, he went along a
corridor, up a flight of stairs, and straight to the bed of a
soldier he did not know at all, and in whose room he had
never set foot. There, after a few seconds spent in exam-
ination, he said, ' Too late,' and returned to bed. On the
following day the story was spread abroad. The soldier
thus indicated had a bad reputation ; he was arrested and
an inquiry was held, in the course of which, astonished at
the precision with which his movements Avere described,
he said unguardedly : ' Who then followed me ? ' But this
proof was not held sufficient and he was released, though
every one was convinced of his guilt.
" Two years later at Grenoble a still more curious
incident occurred, in that the seeker and the thief were
probably the same person. A hundred franc note had
been stolen, part of a much larger sum, from a drawer in
an office in which a clerk had worked who served as one
of my subjects.
"All his colleagues accused him, but being loth to
believe him guilty, I sought to vindicate him by trying
SPONTANEOUS PHENOMENA 43
to make him find the real thief. Three days after the
event I put him to sleep, and into as deep a hypnotic
condition as possible. I then led him up to the drawer ; I
made him touch the bag, on which he recognised a con-
tact, which he immediately followed with closed eyes,
feeling the floor and the walls with his hands. He then
led me up to the door of his room in the same house, but
drew himself back, crying and whining, ' It was not I ! It
was not I ] ' Then he resumed the trace, descended a
servant's staircase, crossed diagonally an inner court,
where I observed some traces of footprints in the earth of a
small garden, opened the locked double doors of a coach-
house by raising the bar, and was preparing to proceed
into the street when I stopped him.
" Interrogated as to the time at which the theft took
place, he cried in terror : ' I see it ! I see it ! ' and added,
with tears, that it was at eleven o'clock on Sunday even-
ing. It was discovered on Monday morning. I then took
him again to the drawer, and gave him several things
belongmg to the employees. He felt these objects one
after the other, then the bag which had contained the
note, and declared that it was not the same contact ; but,
if the object given him belonged to himself, he quickly
withdrew his hands, as if they were burnt, sobbing and
protesting his innocence."
Some days afterwards a second experiment was made
with the same results. Later, through other clues, con-
vincing evidence of this young man's guilt was obtained,
and he was dismissed. Although this case cannot be
quoted as a certain proof, any more than the preceding,
it gives not less interesting indications as to this sort of
instinct, analogous to that which sets the hunting dog
blindly on the track of game, and of the persistence in
sleep of resolutions made in the waking state.
These different phenomena, whether spontaneous or
connected with hypnotic states, serve to demonstrate to us,
in their simplest form, certain psychical faculties, the de-
velopment of which we shall study later ; they also enable
us to take account of the intimate relations which exist
between certain hypnotic states and psychical phenomena.
CHAPTER IV
ABNORMAL DREAMS
We shall proceed to consider the" dream as an auto-sugges-
tion, or a suggestion which is carried out by virtue of a
second condition occurring in the course of normal sleep.
This definition, which brings the dream within the
category of general hypnotic phenomena, and, particu-
larly, into that of the phenomena of suggestion, is the
only one capable of giving us satisfaction by its exact
adaptation, not only to normal dreams, but also to the
numerous and various classes of super-normal dreams.
To say, in fact, that the dream is the psychical acti-
vity peculiar to sleep, and to connect the dream with the
phenomena of imagination, is no longer sufficient.
In fact, this is not a definition of the dream, because it
does not in any way explain what a dream really is ; more-
over, this definition has the serious defect of only being
applicable to a very limited class of dreams.
When we closely study the different categories of
dreams, we cannot help recognising all the characteristics
of a hypnotic phenomenon, and I will add that only
hypnotic phenomena can furnish the explanation of the
more complicated dreams. Finally, certain categories of
dreams undoubtedly belong to the highest class of hyp-
notic phenomena, in which are manifested the super-
normal faculties of lucidity and premonition, which border
on psychical phenomena.
The origin of the suggestion which gives birth to the
dream may be very varied, the simplest being that which
comes through the sensory organs. These are the most
common kind of dreams with many people.
Pain is also frequently an origin of suggestion which
ABNORMAL DREAMS 45
produces the dream. But those dreams do not go beyond
the phenomenon of simple suggestion.
We observe also in dreams all the phenomena which
may be met with in even the most profound hypnotic
states. The first phenomena we see developed in the
dream are thought transmission and mental suggestion.
The first category of dreams, in which we see these
abnormal faculties developed, is that of double dreams.
Mrs. Crowe, in her interesting work. The Night Side of
Nature, quotes the followmg case of double dreaming : —
" I will relate a dream that occurred to two ladies, a
mother and daughter, the latter of whom related it to me.
They were sleeping in the same bed at Cheltenham, when
the mother, Mrs. C, dreamt that her brother-in-law, then
in Ireland, had sent for her, that she entered his room, and
saw him in bed, apparently dying. He requested her to
kiss him, but owing to his livid appearance, she shrank
from domg so, and awoke with the horror of the scene
upon her. The daughter awoke at the same moment,
saying, ' Oh, I have had such a frightful dream ! ' 'Oh,
so have I,' returned the mother : ' I have been dreaminsr
of my brother-in-law.' ' My dream was about him too,'
replied Miss C, ' I thought I was sitting in the drawing-
room, and that he came in wearing a shroud, trimmed
with black ribbons, and approaching me he said, ' My
dear niece, your mother has refused to kiss me, but I am
sure you Avill not be so unkind.'
" As these ladies were not in the habit of regular
correspondence with their relative, they knew that the
earliest intelligence likely to reach them, if he were actu-
ally dead, would be by means of the Irish papers; and
they waited anxiously for the following Wednesday,
which was the day these journals were received in Chel-
tenham. When that morning arrived, Miss C. hastened
at an early hour to the reading-room, and there she learnt
what the dreams had led them to expect : their friend was
dead ; and they afterwards ascertained that his decease
had taken place on that very night.
" They moreover observed that neither of them had
46 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
been speaking or thinking of this gentleman for some time
previous to the occurrence of the dreams ; nor had they
any reason whatever for uneasiness with regard to him.
It is a remarkable peculiarity in this case, that the dream
of the daughter appears to be a continuation of that of
the mother. In the one he is seen alive, in the other
the shroud and black ribbons seem to indicate that he
is dead, and he complains of the refusal to give him a
farewell kiss."
We have placed this class of dreams here, because, in
our opinion, they may be regarded as due to suggestion
^ transmitted from one sleeper to another. This suggestion
may take place through the sensory organs, as when one
of the sleepers speaks or cries out aloud, evidencing his
state of mind and inspiring the second sleeper with the
ideas which form the source of suggestion. But the
suggestion may also be mental, or arise from simple
thought-transference, the two sleepers being in medium-
istic conditions which permit of the one being the trans-
mitting agent and the other the recipient.
That a dream can be suggested is not astonishing, but
the suggested dream is sometimes only an impulse given
to the subject. Then, the latter may go in his dream
much further than the suggestion made, and see things
of which the transmitter of the suggestion may know
nothing, and which may have no existence in the subject's
normal consciousness.
It is certain that a subject, whose whole attention"^is
fixed by the phenomenon of dreaming on a topic which
particularly interests him, such as the sickness from which
he suffers and the means of alleviating it, may, for ex-
ample, perceive in a much more precise manner than in
the normal state, both the nature of his illness and the
means of curing it. This is a phenomenon' of abnormal
knowledge, due to the dream, which I frequently employ
with success on my hypnotic subjects.
The following case, which happened twelve years ago,
is one of the first observed ; it is given by Dr. du Prel in
his Expervmental Psychology.
ABNORMAL DREAMS 47
" Associated with nie were some friends, mciubers of
the Munich Society of Scientific Psychology, and I com-
menced this experiment on May 29, 1889. One of them,
B.P., kindly offered himself as subject : another, D.G., as
' suggestioner.' The first named had received a bullet
shot wound in the shoulder at Sedan and did not have
the free use of his arm, which caused him great pain. He
was placed in a hypnotic condition in a few minutes, a
condition which was manifested by the automatic action
of the cataleptic arm. Then on being questioned as to his
wound and what would relieve his pain, he spoke briefly
of morphia (an unsuitable means nevertheless) and of cold
baths for the arm, which could only give him relief for
about half-an-hour. There was no resemblance in this to
the correct language of a medical somnambulist. Dr. G.
then gave him these post-hypnotic instructions.
" ' You will dream to-night, you will recall the many
and great sufferings your wound has already caused you ;
you will call this to mind with so much force that your
thoughts will be entirely occupied with finding a remedy
for your pain. And I tell you that you will find one.
You will learn in dream how to cure your malady com-
pletely. This remedy or curative method will so impress
itself upon your memory that you will remember it per-
fectly when you awake to-morrow morning, and you will
still remember it when you see Dr. du Prel, to whom you
will relate your dream in all its details. What I have said
to you, will and must happen.'
" Then he ordered him, as was always done, to awake
free from pain, cheerful, and without fatigue.
" We then left B.P. to rest for a little time, after which
he awoke quite easily. He had forgotten all that had
happened, and we avoided all allusion to it. When I went
to see him in the course of the following day, he thought
that I had called respecting the affairs of the Society. I
began to speak of the hypnotic seance of the day before,
and he complained saying that it had not been successful.
However, he had not had any pain after the seance, which
was all the more astonishing as the weather was stormy.
48 rSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
But wlieu hu went to bed liis pains became so acute that
ho had done nothing but turn over in bod, and was not
able to get to sleep until three o'clock in the morning.
Then he had an extraordinary dream. He heard a voice
speaking, reproaching him for being negligent, and not
using anything to relieve him of his pain ; he must com-
mence, he was told, by cold washings. Then, the voice
continued, he must put on compresses of magnetised water,
covered with india-rubber, and keep them on till they were
completely dry : this would relieve, and, perhaps, put an
end to his pain.
" The dream appeared to him so strange that he had
told it to his wife the same morning.
" The latter confirmed the statement of her husband.
I then explained to B.P. that the dream was the post-
hypnotic accomplishment of the order which had been
given him the previous day, and advised him to try the
remedy he had dreamed. This was done, his Avife magne-
tising the water for the compresses.
" I received a letter from her two months later, on July
24th ; the improvement was perceptible, the pain had
almost entirely disappeared, excepting during the very hot
days, or when his office work was excessive or exhausting :
on many days he had been quite free from pain. The
treatment would be continued : she had even hypnotised
her husband, and given him the suggestion of a second
medical dream. He had, in fact, had a dream in which
he was told that his sufferings would increase during the
coming hot weather, which would necessitate a bath of
magnetised water for his arm, and a compress. This
dream Avas, however, somewhat confused, and not so clear
and precise as the first, which she attributed to her lesser
force of will.
" The patient wrote to me four months afterwards, that
he was satisfied with his condition, but was compelled to
continue the compresses to prevent the pain from returning.
Two months later he told me that he was free from all
pain, even though he had left off the bandages.
" This lasted for a whole year. The pain returned
ABNORMAL DREAMS 49
later, the compresses having been discontinued for many
months, and the summer of 1890 having been particu-
larly stormy."
Here is another very peculiar dream in which the
author was perfectly convinced that he had suggested a
dream to himself; but, at the same time, he had the
perception of a real fact which he could not previously
have known.
This incident is narrated in the Report of the Dialectical
Society of London, and was given by Mr. Cromwell Varley,
F.R.S., the electrician for the Atlantic Cable Company.
" I had to catch the steamer " (says Mr. Varley) " that
went early the next morning and was fearful of not waking
in time, but I employed a plan which had often proved suc-
cessful before, viz., that of willing strongly that I should
wake at the proper time. Morning came and I saw myself
in bed fast asleep ; I tried to wake myself but could not.
After a while I found myself hunting about for some means
of more power, when I saw a yard in which was a large
stack of timber and two men approaching ; they ascended
the stack of timber and lifted a heavy plank. It occurred
to me to make my body dream that there was a bomb-
shell thrown in front of me which was fizzing at the
touch-hole, and Avhen the men threw the plank down I
made my body dream that the bomb had burst and cut
open my face. It woke me, but with a clear recollection
of the two actions — one, the intelligent mind acting upon
the brain in the body, which could be made to believe any
ridiculous impression that the former produced by will-
power. I did not allow a second to elapse before I leapt out
of bed, opened the window, and there were the yard, the
timber, and the two men, just as my spirit had seen them.
I had no previous knowledge at all of the locality ; it was
dark the previous evening when I entered the town, and
I did not even know there was a yard there at all. It was
evident I had seen these things while my body lay asleep.
I could not see the timber until the window had been
opened."
I will quote another example of suggested dream. In
D
50 PSYCHICAL PHExNOMENA
this case it will be seen that on the occasion of the
suggestive dream, a real phenomenon of lucidity was
developed.
This narrative is reported by Dr. du Prel in his Ex-
2oeriinental Psychology.
" I asked M. Notzing of Munich " (he writes), " our
hypnotiser in the experiments carried out with Mdlle.
Lina, to make this experiment : to give to Mdlle. Lina,
when hypnotised, the post-hypnotic command, to dream
of a certain person on the following night, to place herself
en rapport with her, not to forget the dream, and to relate
it on the following day.
" This post-hypnotic order therefore implied a transcen-
dental psychological function in the domain of imagina-
tion, the accomplishment of which was postponed until
the time of normal sleep. I had some reason to believe
that the experiment would be successful, because hallu-
cinations can be produced even in the waking state by
post-hypnotic commands. A dream being fundamentally
nothing but a succession of hallucinations, it is clear that
a post-hypnotic hallucination may be referred also to the
time of normal sleep, and be produced even more easily in
that condition.
"But, as personal confidence ought not to play any
part in scientific experiments, and the development of
the experiment alone ought to bring conviction, I left the
choice of a person who should be the subject of the dream
to the experimenters, because malevolent sceptics might
have objected that I had planned the thing with Lina.
" Those, therefore, who made this experiment caused
the command to be given to Lina to dream on the follow-
ing night of M. F. L. Lina had never seen him, and knew
nothing of the place where he lived. This post-hypnotic
I order therefore implied a hallucination necessitating for
I its production a transcendental faculty — clairvoyance.
" The experiment succeeded completely. Lina Avas
invited for the following afternoon to the house of one of
the experimenters ; she came and related, as an astonishing
and inexplicable thing, that she had dreamed all night of
ABNORMAL DREAMS 51
M. F. L. She described exactly his personality, giving
various details as to his manner of talking, his dress, &c.
She had seen him resting in an armchair in front of a
villa, she spoke of the view that could be seen from the
roof of the house over a lake, of a neighbouring wood, of
the presence of a black St. Bernard dog, &c. All this
might, it is true, have been in the imagination of the
experimenters; and, if it be insisted upon, I admit that
the hypothesis of thought-transmission is possible. But
Lina also said — what none of the experimenters knew —
that there were some young dogs in the villa, which
was confirmed later on. She then stated that M. F. L.
had under his care a lady whom she described : this
description did not correspond at all with his wife, but
with a friend of the family to whom it was recognised as
applying.
" Lina's dream evidently did not correspond with what
was taking place at the time, because M. F. L. did not stay
outside the house during the night and the inhabitants of
the villa were asleep : therefore, for the production of this
dream, there must have been vision at a distance of time,
either in the past, or in the future.
" This power of Lina's to see at a distance of time has
moreover been observed several times, and there exist in
connection with this phenomenon some notes drawn up
and signed, ante eventum, naturally."
The preceding examples are sufficient to prove that we
ought not to admit as correct the following statement by
M. Bergson: —
" In sleep, properly so called, in the sleep which affects
the whole of our body, it is recollections and always recol-
lections, which form the web of our dreams."
Where can any trace of remembrances be found in the
incidents we have quoted, which is capable of explaining
all the circumstances of these dreams ? Memory is no
longer a sufficient explanation to account for the abnormal
knowledge which is manifested.
Some years ago, M. Lctourneau published in the
Bulletins ct Memoires de la SoeUte d'anthrojoologie de
52 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
Paris a singular theory as to certain dreams under the
title of Ancestral Dreams.
The author set forth in the following terms the theory
of ancestral dreams.
" Certain events, external or psychic, which have made
a deep impression on a person, may be so deeply engraved
upon his brain as to result in a molecular orientation,
so lasting that it inay be transmitted to some of his
descendants, in the same way as character, aptitudes, mental
maladies, &c. It is then no longer a question of infantile
reminiscences, but of ancestral recollections, capable of
being revived. From that will proceed, not only the
fortuitous recognition of places which a person has never
seen, but, moreover, a whole category of peculiar dreams,
admirably co-ordinated, in which we witness as at a pano-
rama, adventures which cannot be remembrances, because
they have not the least connection with our individual
life.
" As an example of this I only know the very curious
dream made public some years ago by Abercromby, and
which has often been quoted in works dealing with mental
pathology. It relates to a Scotch property owner, who
was on the point of being ruined by being sued for accumu-
lated arrears of a tithe payable to a noble family. The
person upon whom the claim was made was convinced that
the tithe in question had been redeemed by his father a
long time previously, but he was not able to furnish the
proof. But, in a dream, the father, who had been dead for
several years, appeared to his son and told him all the
circumstances in connection with the payment which he
had made in the presence of a solicitor, whose name he
gave him, and who had preserved the papers relating to
the transaction. But this lawyer, then a very old man,
had completely forgotten the matter in question. The
interested party, however, brought it back to his memory
by reminding him of some incidents in connection with
the changing of a Portuguese gold piece of which he had
been informed in his dream. In consequence, the necessary
papers were found, produced, and the lawsuit won."
ABNORMAL DREAMS 53
M. Letourneaii thus concludes : —
" It is therefore quite admissible that the detailed
recollection of facts and events that have strongly im-
pressed a person, leave on his brain an indelible imprint,
hereditarily transmissible to his descendants, and which
can be re- vivified in them during dream, when the tem-
porary eclipse of the individuality leaves the consciousness
with a free field for all latent traces of ancestral origin.
This psychic basement of the consciousness may even
have concealed in it other visual images than those
revealed by dreams.
"We may refer to similar origins the change of character,
sometimes so complete,which often occurs at the moment of
death, as well as the facts hitherto unexplained, of ' infant
prodigies,' even certain deliria or certain kinds of insanity.
" All these singular and inexplicable facts may be
summed up in a general proposition which Maudsley has
thus formulated : ' All that the ancestors of a man have
felt, thought, and done, though the man himself may have
known nothing of them, certainly influence everything
that he will be disposed to feel, think, and do.'
" This man has inherited convolutions which are ready
to resume, at certain epochs of his life, the same kind of
activity that they performed in his ancestor."
In itself there is certainly nothing inadmissible in this
hypothesis, but there is nothing to prove its reality ; it is,
therefore, only based on pure hypothesis, the view of a very
ingenious mind, it is true, but it rests upon nothing.
Even though it might hold good for some dreams, it
would be a poor explanation for some of the abnormal
dreams which we are here studying.
If this theory can be applied to certain dreams, in
which the subject has a true perception of certain places
or objects, of which he had no personal knowledge but
which existed in the past just as the subject saAv them in
dream : on the other hand, this theory is no more capable
than that of memory of explaining dreams combined with
lucidity in the present or in the future, when this pheno-
menon of lucidity refers to accidental facts, present or
54 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
future (which did not previously exist), as the subject
dreamed them. This class of dreams is very numerous
and very important ; it includes not only the dreams which
we have just described, but also those which we shall
study later on in which lucidity is fully developed.
Before going further I wish to mention here a class of
dreams, in which we find the subject manifesting, in a
condition of sleep, knowledge that he did not possess in
the waking state. This knowledge may, in truth, exist
in his sub-consciousness, but it assumes quite an abnormal
development owing to the condition in which the subject
is at the time.
The following account is contributed by a correspon-
dent to the Sphinx in the issue of January 1895 : —
" In 1881 1 was in the first class of the School at
Wolfenbiittel. The professor of mathematics set us some
problems from time to time, the solution of which was
left to us.
" Although I had a certain capacity for mathematics,
the problem one day seemed to me impossible of solution.
No matter in what way I began it, I found myself con-
fronted with the same difficulty. On the eve of the day
for handing in the solution, I impatiently threw pen and
paper on the table, went and lay down and immediately
fell asleep. I cannot now say how long I had been thus
lying down, but real sleep soon passed and the following
vision began to unfold itself.
" There came a thick and heavy cloud before my eyes
which seemed to become clearer by degrees. I soon
thought I was in a larger room, and in a few moments
I saw that it was the first class room in the school. I
turned round astonished and wished to leave it, but I
noticed to my great alarm, that my feet were as though
fastened to the floor, and it appeared to mc certain that
I was passing through some enigmatical experience.
"I bogan to ponder and to look for some means of
deliverance from this magical bond : without knowing why,
I took hold of my legs, which were rigid, Avith my right
hand, but stood upright again immediately on distinctly
ABNORMAL DREAMS 55
seeing something dark pass before my eyes. I asked myself
what this could be.
" I looked and saw a dark nucleus in the thick cloud
of a moment ago, which since then had condensed and
seemed to be only about three yards away from me.
" My eyes were fixed upon it for some time, until,
finally, weary of my embarrassing position, I began to
cudgel my brains how to put an end to it. These re-
flections were, however, unnecessary as I suddenly found
I could move my legs. My joy was great ! I had my
liberty again ! I ran quickly to the door, but there an
unspeakable horror came over me : I had lost my right
hand ! I was seized with a deep despair, thinking of my
parents who for so many years had deprived themselves
in order that I might pursue my studies.
" Disheartened, I drew back from the door, asking
myself if I could, in these circumstances, return home or
not. While this was going on, I had drawn closer to the
window, hoping to be able to call some one to my help :
in this movement I brushed up against the black-board,
and I noticed that the cloud had now begun to concentrate
itself on the top left-hand corner of the board.
" Not seeing any one at the window I came back to
look at this extraordinary cloud on the black-board, and
at that moment it opened and showed a man's hand with
outlines at first indistinct, but becoming gradually clearer.
I stared hard at it and saw that it was my own hand, and
I attentively followed its movements, which were all the
more distinct as the daylight had returned in the interval.
" The lines formed themselves distinctly one after
another, and I could see how, out of this apparent chaos,
there was sketched an analytical presentation of my
mathematical problem. Then the hand was again lowered,
and drew the geometrical construction of the problem.
Immediately afterwards it went up higher and began to
write, setting out the calculation letter by letter and line
by line : in a word, it gave the mathematical proof that the
geometrical construction corresponded with the analysis,
and thus the problem was solved.
56 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
" The designs, letters, and figures were set forth in lines
of fire, and were deeply impressed upon my memory.
" After setting down the last point, the hand dis-
appeared from the black-board with lightning speed and
I felt a sharp pain in my arm : my hand was again joined
to it. I uttered a cry of pain, and awoke, but, to my great
surprise, in an altogether different place.
" My head seemed to be as heavy as lead, but I realised
that I had seen the solution of the problem in this dream.
I immediately went into my room, took pen and paper,
and wrote down what I had seen : then I lay down and
slept peacefully for several hours. On awaking nothing
seemed clear to me, and everything was like a dream.
" But how can I describe my astonishment when my
parents asked me why I had got up in the night and
come into their room, and why I had not replied to them !
" I was so little certain of anything that I should have
protested if I had not seen, at the same moment, on the
piano, as a certain proof, the mathematical calculation.
I did not even look at it, for what could there be that
was rational in this lucubration of slumber ? The whole
adventure began to amuse me, and I laughed heartily at
it ; but this laugh quickly stopped, because what I thought
I had written in the intoxication of sleep was absolutely
correct, and you may imagine how joyfully I set out for
the school."
This class of dreams proves the justice of the theory
I have put forward, which makes of the dream an auto-
suggestion or a suggestion, and brings it within the
category of hypnotic phenomena. If you will compare
the preceding fact with the observation I have made
in my Traite de I'hypnotifune experimental et therapeii-
tique, in the chapter on suggestion, page 70, you will
see that by hypnotic suggestion I have made a student
solve an algebraical problem, the solution of which he
could not find when in a waking state. The connection
between these two facts is evident : the one took place in
hypnotic sleep, under the iufiuence of suggestion ; the
other in spontaneous sleep, under the influence of dream.
ABNORMAL DREAMS 57
There is still another class of dream in which the
faculty of lucidity appears to be completely developed.
In these cases we likewise observe that the lucidity presents
the same characteristics as somnambulistic lucidity.
We have at first the cases in which the lucidity of the
dream harmonises with existing things, but of which the
subject can have no knowledge by normal means.
In these first cases, we see that the subject perceives
in dream things which directly concern him, but are not
of a tragic character, such as danger of a serious accident
or of something that threatens his life.
The first case is taken from the Journal of the Society
for Psychical Research for October 1889.
" On reaching Morley's Hotel at five o'clock on Tues-
day, January 29th, 1889," says the writer (Mrs. A. M.
Bickford Smith), " I missed a gold brooch, which I sup-
posed I had left in a fitting-room at Swan and Edgar's.
I sent there at once, but was very disappointed to hear
that after a diligent search they could not find the brooch.
I was much vexed, and worried about the brooch, and that
night dreamed that I should find it shut up in a number
of the Queen newspaper that had been on the table, and
in my dream I saw the very page where it would be. I
had noticed one of the plates on the page. Directly after
breakfast I went to Swan and Edgar's and asked to see
the papers, at the same time telling the young ladies
about the dream, and where I had seen the brooch. The
papers had been moved from that room, but were found,
and to the astonishment of the young ladies, I said, ' This
is the one that contains my brooch,' and there at the
very page I expected I found it."
" We received a substantially similar account from
Mrs. Bickford Smith's brother-in-law, Mr. H. A. Smith,
who was a witness of the trouble taken to find the brooch,
both at the hotel, and by sending to Swan and Edgar's,
on the previous evening."
It will be noticed that Mrs. Bickford Smith did not
herself make the first search. If she had returned to
Swan and Edgar's before the dream it is possible that the
58 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
sight of the papers on the table would have revived some
memories of the sight of the brooch between the leaves
of the Queen. In spite of this we can regard the case
as a phenomenon of the sub-conscious mind. It is none
the less interesting because of the precision of the dream.
The following account is given by Mr. Myers in the
Proceedings of the Society for Psychical Research. The
story was told by a lady to Professor Royce of Harvard.
" A number of years ago I was invited to visit a friend
who lived at a large and beautiful country-seat on the
Hudson. Shortly after my arrival I started, with a
number of other guests, to make a tour of the very
extensive grounds. We walked for an hour or more,
and very thoroughly explored the place. Upon my
return to the house I discovered that I had lost a gold
cuff-stud, that I valued for association's sake. I merely
remembered that I wore it when we started out, and did
not think of or notice it again until my return, when it
was missing. As it was quite dark, it seemed useless
to search for it, especially as it was the season of autumn
and the ground was covered with dead leaves. That
night I dreamed that I saw a withered grape-vine clinging
to a wall, with a pile of dead leaves at the root. Under-
neath the leaves, in my dream, I distinctly saw my stud
gleaming. The following morning I asked the friends
with whom I had been walking the previous afternoon
if they remembered seeing any such wall and vine, as I
did not. They replied that they could not recall any-
thing answering the description. I did not tell them why
I asked, as I felt somewhat ashamed of the dream, but
during the morning I made some excuse to go out in
the grounds alone. I walked hither and thither, and
after a long time I suddenly came upon the wall and vine
exactly as they looked in my dream. I had not the
slightest recollection of seeing them or passing by them
on the previous day. The dead leaves at the root were
lying heaped up, as in my dream. I approached cautiously,
feeling rather uncomfortable and decidedly silly, and
pushed them aside. I had scattered a large number of
ABNORMAL DREAMS 59
the leaves when a gleam of gold struck my eye, and there
lay the stud, exactly as in my dream."
Here is another case in which the importance of the
vision perceived in dream was much greater, because
it might have resulted in an accident ; but it will be
noticed that the particular object to which the dream
referred was not specially present in the subject's mind
immediately before the dream, as was the case in the
preceding instance. This case is related by Col. Reynolds
of Cheltenham, an excellent witness.
" About the year 1870 I was in charge of a length of
roadway, together with the bridges large and small that
carried it. Sometimes there were floods which endangered
the bridges, and I was therefore always on the look-out
to prevent serious damage which would have impeded
the traffic. At the same time this had been my daily
life for so long that no anxiety remained in my mind
about it. I regarded my duties as merely routine work.
I was in a fairly good state of health. One night I dreamt
in a most vivid manner that I saw an exact picture of
a certain small bridge. All the surroundings were com-
plete, and left no doubt as to which bridge it was. A
voice at the same moment said to me : ' Go and look
at that bridge.' This was said distinctly three times.
In the morning the dream still persisted in my mind,
and so impressed me that I rode off at once about six
miles to the bridge. Nothing was to be seen out of the
ordinary. The small stream was, however, coming down in
flood. On walking into the water I found to my astonish-
ment that the foundations of the bridge had been entirely
undermined and washed away. It was a marvel that
it was still standing. Of course, the work necessary to
preserve the bridge was done. There is no doubt that
but for the dream the bridge would have fallen, as there
was no reason whatever to attract my attention specially
to this bridge. Though small, the bridge was an important
one, as its situation was peculiar. The picture that was
dreamt was so strong that it is even now fixed in my
mind as plainly almost as it was then."
60 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
Wc now come to the study of premonitory dreams,
that is to say, dreams which exhibit the faculty of hicidity
in the future.
We will, by way of transition, quote a case in which
the fact dreamed of is subsequent to the dream, but the
idea of it probably existed before the dream. This case
can therefore be regarded either as a case of lucidity as
regards the present or of lucidity in reference to the future.
The narrative is taken from Mrs. Crowe's Night Side
of Nature.
A gentleman engaged in business in the South of
Scotland, dreams that on entering his office in the morn-
ing, he sees seated on a certain stool a person formerly
in his service as clerk, of whom he had neither heard
nor thought for some time. He inquires the motive of
the visit, and is told that since such and such circum-
stances had brought the stranger to that part of the
country, he could not forbear visiting his old quarters,
expressing, at the same time, a wish to spend a few days
in his former occupation, &c. &c. The gentleman being
struck with the vividness of the illusion relates his dream
at breakfast, and, to his surprise, on going to his office,
there sits the man, and the dialogue that ensues is
precisely that of the dream.
In the premonitory dreams which follow a grave
danger threatens a person, and the dream is a warning
which enables the danger to be avoided. In short, the
dream is not realised, but the circumstances are such
that we can presume that the event dreamed of would
actually have happened if the subjects had not had
the warning which enabled them to modify their plans.
These records are also taken from Mrs. Crowe's well-
known work : —
A butcher named Bone, residing at Holytown, dreamt,
a few years since, that he was stopped at a particular spot
on his way to market, whither he was going on the follow-
ing day to purchase cattle, by two men in blue clothes,
who cut his throat. He told the dream to his Avife, who
laughed at him, but as it was repeated two or three times,
ABNORMAL DREAMS 61
and she saw that he was really alarmed, she advised him
to join somebody who was going along the same road. He
accordingly listened till he heard a cart passing his door,
and then went out and joined the man, telling him the
reason for so doing. When they came to the spot, there
actually stood the two men in blue clothes, who, seeing
he was not alone, took to their heels and ran.
Now, although the dream was here probably the
means of saving Bone's life, there is no reason to suppose
this a case of what is called supernatural intervention.
The phenomenon would be sufficiently accounted for by
the admission of the hypothesis I have suggested, namely,
that he was aware of the impending danger in his sleep,
and had been able, from some cause unknown to us, to
carry the recollection into his waking state.
The following case presents this peculiar feature, that
the dream happens, not to the person threatened by danger,
but to some one else.
The danger was again avoided by the precautions which
were taken through the dream ; as to the reality of the
danger avoided and the exactitude of the dream, they are
still better proved in this instance than in the former one.
"A circumstance of a similar kind to the above occurred
in a well-known family in Scotland, the Rutherfords
of E .
" A lady dreamt that her aunt, who resided at some
distance, was murdered by a black servant. Impressed
with the vividness of the vision, she could not resist going
to the house of her relation, when the man she had dreamt
of, whom I think she had never before seen, opened the
door to her. Upon this, she induced a gentleman to watch
in the adjoining room during the night ; and, towards
morning, hearing a foot upon the stairs, he opened the
door, and discovered the black servant carrying up a coal-
scuttle full of coals, for the purpose, as he said, of lighting
his mistress's fire. As this motive did not seem very
probable, the coals were examined and a knife found
hidden amongst them, with which, he afterwards con-
sessed, he intended to have murdered his mistress, pro-
62 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
vided she made any resistance to a design he had formed,
of robbing her of a large sum of money, which he was
aware she had that day received."
The two following cases also refer to dreams premonitory
of danger, but the fact foreshadowed by the dream is
exactly realised.
"A professional gentleman, whose name would be a
warrant for the truth of whatever he relates, told me the
following circumstance regarding himself. He was, not
very long since, at the sea-side with his family, and amongst
the rest, he had with him one of his sons, a boy about
twelve years of age, who was in the habit of bathing daily,
his father accompanying him to the water-side. This
practice had continued during the whole of their visit,
and no idea of danger or accident had ever occurred to
anybody. On the day preceding the one appointed for
their departure, Mr. H., the gentleman in question, felt
himself, after breakfast, surprised by an unusual drowsi-
ness, which he vainly struggled to overcome, and at
length fell asleep in his chair. He then dreamt that he
was attending his son to the beach as usual, when he sud-
denly saw the boy drowning, and himself rushed into
the water, dressed as he was, and brought him ashore.
Though he w\as quite conscious of the dream when he
awoke, he attached no importance to it ; he considered it
merely a dream, and nothing more ; and when, some hours
afterwards, the boy came into the room and said, ' Now,
father, it's time to go ; this will be the last bathe ; ' his
morning's vision did not even recur to him. They walked
down to the sea as usual, and the boy went into the water,
whilst the father stood composedly watching him from the
beach, when suddenly the child lost his footing, a wave
having caught him, and the danger of his being carried
away was so imminent, that without even waiting to
take off his greatcoat, boots, or hat, Mr. H. rushed into
the water, and was only just in time to save his son."
The second case is quoted by the same author.
" Mr. D., of Cumberland, when a youth, came to Edin-
burgh, for the purpose of attending college, and was placed
ABNORMAL DREAMS 63
under the care of his uncle and aunt, Major and Mrs.
Griffiths, who then resided in the castle. When the fine
weather came, the young man was in the habit of
making frequent excursions with others of his own age and
pursuits ; and one afternoon he mentioned that they had
formed a fishing party, and had bespoken a boat for the
ensuing day. No objections were made to this plan ; but
in the middle of the night, Mrs. Griffiths screamed out,
' The boat is sinking ! Oh, save them ! ' Her husband
said, he supposed she had been thinking of the fishing
party; but she declared she had never thought about it at
all, and soon fell asleep again. But before long she awoke
a second time, crying out that she ' saw the boat sinking !
It must have been the remains of the impression made by
the other dream,' she suggested to her husband, 'for I
have no uneasiness whatever about the fishing party ; '
but on going to sleep once more, her husband was again
disturbed by her cries : ' They are gone ! ' she said ; ' the
boat has sunk ! ' She now really became alarmed, and
without waiting for morning she threw on her dressing-
gown and went to Mr. D., who was still in bed, and whom
with much difficulty she persuaded to relinquish his pro-
posed excursion. He consequently sent his servant to Leith
with an excuse, and the party embarked without him. The
day was extremely fine when they put to sea; but some hours
afterwards a storm arose, in which the boat foundered ; nor
did any one of the number survive to tell the tale."
In the examples which we have just considered the
subject saw in a dream the vision of the event which
was afterwards realised. Here is a further instance, also
from the same author, of a slightly different character.
" One of the most remarkable instances of warning that
has come to my knowledge is that of Mr. M. of Kings-
borough. This gentleman, being on a voyage to America,
dreamt one night that a little old man came into his cabin
and said, ' Get up ! Your life is in danger ! ' Upon which
Mr. M. awoke ; but considering it only to be a dream, he soon
composed himself to sleep again. The dream, however, if
such it were, recurred, and the old man urged him still
64 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
more strongly to get up directly; but he still persuaded
himself it was only a dream ; and after listening a few
minutes, and hearing nothing to alarm him, he turned
round, and addressed himself once more to sleep. But
now the old man appeared again, and angrily bade him
rise instantly, and take his gun and ammunition with him,
for he had not a moment to lose. The injunction was so
distinct that Mr. M. felt he could no longer resist it ; so he
hastily dressed himself, took his gun, and ascended to the
deck where he had scarcely arrived, when the ship struck
on a rock, which he and several others contrived to reach.
The place, however, was uninhabited, and but for his
gun, they would never have been able to provide them-
selves with food till a vessel arrived to their relief."
In this instance there is a premonition, through the.
dream, of an undefined danger. The dream plainly in-
dicates to the subject that a danger threatens him, but he
is not shown the scene which is to be enacted.
Another peculiar feature is to be noticed in this dream :
the vision, seen in dream, gives the order to the subject to
take his gun and ammunition. The event proved in the
end that it was entirely to the subject's interest to obey
that order. This thought of taking arms was not, under the
circumstances, the natural corollary of the presentiment of
a danger. There seems, therefore, to be in this dream some-
thing more than a premonition due to a single presentiment.
There are also dreams which really present the char-
acter of lucidity, although the scene perceived by the
dreamer is not realised. The features of the scene are
sufhcient to make known to him a fact that is true : the
intervention of the subject, mainly on account of the vision
seen in dream, turns aside the danger which menaced him.
" A very remarkable instance of this kind of dreaming
occurred a few years since to Mr. A. F., an eminent Scotch
advocate, whilst staying in the neighbourhood of Loch
Fyne, who dreamt one night that he saw a number of
people in the street following a man to the scaffold. He
perceived the features of the criminal in the cart distinctly,
and, for some reason or other, which he could not account
ABNORMAL DREAMS 65
for, felt an extraordinary interest in his fate, insomuch
that he joined the throng, and accompanied him to the
phxce that was to terminate his earthly career. This
interest was the more unaccountable as the man had
an exceedingly unprepossessing countenance, but it was,
nevertheless, so vivid, as to induce the dreamer to ascend
the scaffold and address him with a view to enable him
to escape the impending catastrophe. Suddenly, however,
whilst he was talking to him, the whole scene dissolved,
and the sleeper awoke. Being a good deal struck with
the life-like reality of the vision, and the impression
made on his mind by the features of this man, he related
the circumstance to his friends at breakfast, adding that
he should know him anywhere, if he saw him. A few
jests being made on the subject, the thing was forgotten.
" On the afternoon of the same day, the advocate was
informed that two men wanted to speak to him, and on
going into the hall he was struck with amazement at per-
ceiving that one of them was the hero of his dream ! ' We
are accused of murder,' said they, ' and we wish to consult
you. Three of us went out last night in a boat, an accident
has happened, our comrade is drowned, and they want to
make us accountable for him.' The advocate then put
some interrogations to them, and the result produced in
his mind by their answers was a conviction of their guilt.
Probably the recollection of his dream rendered the effect
of this conviction more palpable, for, one addressing the
other, said in Gaelic, ' We have come to the wrong man ;
he is against us.'
" ' There is a higher power than I against you,' returned
the gentleman, ' and the only advice I can give you is, if
you are guilty, fly immediately.' Upon this they went
away, and the next thing he heard was that they were
taken into custody on suspicion of the murder.
" The account of the affair given was, that the three
had gone out together on the preceding evening, and
that in the morning the body of one of them had
been found on the shore, with a cut across his forehead.
The father and friends of the victim had waited on the
E
66 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
banks of -the lake till the boat came in, and then de-
manded their companion, of whom, however, they pro-
fessed themselves unable to give any account. Upon this
the old man led them to his cottage for the purpose of
showing them the body of his son. One entered, and, at
the sight of it, burst into a passion of tears, the other
refused to step over the threshold, saying his business
called him immediately home, and went sulkily away.
This last was the man seen in the dream.
" After a fortnight's incarceration the former of these
was liberated, and he then declared to the advocate his
intention of bringing an action for damages for false
imprisonment. He was advised not to do it. 'Leave
well alone,' said the lawyer ; ' and if you'll take my advice
make off while you can.' The man, however, refused to
fly: he declared that he really did not know what had
occasioned the death of his comrade. The latter had
been at one end of the boat and he at the other ; when
he looked round he was gone, but whether he had fallen
overboard and cut his head as he fell, or whether he had
been struck and pushed into the water, he did not know.
The advocate finally became satisfied of the man's in-
nocence ; but the authorities thinking it absurd to try
one and not the other, again laid hands on him, and it
fell to Mr. A. F. to be the defender of both. The diffi-
culty was not to separate their cases in his pleading, for
however morally convinced of the different ground on
which they stood, his duty, professionally, was to obtain
the acquittal of both, in which he finally succeeded as
regarding the charge of murder. They were therefore
sentenced to two years' imprisonment, and so far as the
dream is concerned here ends the story. There remains,
however, a curious sequel to it.
" A few years afterwards, the same gentleman being
in a boat on Loch Fyne, in company with Sir T. O. L.,
happened to be mentioning these curious circumstances,
when one of the boatsmen said, that he 'knew well about
those two men ; and that a very strange thing had
occurred in regard to one of them.' This one, on inquiry,
ABNORMAL DREAMS 67
proved to be the subject of the dream ; and the strange
thing was this ; on being liberated, he had quitted that
part of the country, and in process of time had gone to
Greenock, and thence embarked in a vessel for Cork.
But the vessel seemed fated never to reach its destination,
one misfortune happened after another, till at length
the sailors said, ' This won't do ; there must be a murderer
on board with us.'
" As is usual where such belief exists we draw three
times by lot, and this man was designed three times.
Consequently, he was put on shore and the vessel went on
its way without him. What became of him is not known.
"It should be noted that in this dream the persons
concerned in the matter were absolutely unknown to the
subject ; however, the circumstances which followed are
so precise that there can be no doubt as to the reality
of the impression aroused by the dream."
We then see that the whole of this series of abnormal
dreams which I have here quoted exhibit all the phases
of hypnotic phenomena which harmonise with auto-sug-
gestion, suggestion, thought-transmission, and finally with
lucidity exercised, whether in regard to the present or to
the future.
There is consequently a complete gradation which ex-
hibits in a progressive form a phenomenon which seems to
be allied to hypnotic phenomena from the most simple to
the most complicated examples.
CHAPTER V
PHENOMENA OBSERVED AMONG THE ORIENTALS
We know that a certain number of phenomena, which
seem to approximate to those which we are here study-
ing, are very frequently observed in Oriental countries by
travellers who have reported these incidents.
A certain number of these facts have been well
authenticated, and the personality of those who have
reported them enables us to regard them as genuine. In
order to render our study complete, we shall here quote
some which we have selected from among those which
have been most carefully observed.
Dr. Nobin Chander Paul, assistant army surgeon in
India, published, a few years ago, a theoretical and practical
treatise on Yoga. In this treatise, which was published in
the Lotus, we find the following information relative to
the hypnotic condition.
"The Mystical Hindus (Yogis) live in underground
retreats (Guha) ; they abstain from salt in their food and
are extremely particular as regards milk, which is their
principal nourishment ; they are night-birds, and remain
indoors during the day ; their movements are slow and
their manners lethargic. They take two postures called
Padmasana and Sidhasana, with a view to breathing as
seldom as possible. They fear rapid changes and inclem-
encies of temperature. When the Yogis are able to hold
themselves for two hours in the two motionless postures
of which we have just spoken, they begin to practise
Pranayama, a phase of voluntary trance characterised by
much perspiration, trembling throughout the whole of the
body, and a feeling of lightness in the animal economy.
They then practise Pratyahara, a phase of auto-magnetism,
during which the sensory functions are suspended.
68
PHENOMENA AMONG THE ORIENTALS 69
" Then they practise Dharana, during which phase the
sensibility and vokmtary movement entirely cease, while
the body can remain in any posture that may be willed.
It is said that the mind is quiescent during this phase of
voluntary trance.
"After having attained to the degree of Dharana,
the cataleptic state, the Yogis aspire to what they call
Hyarana, a phase of auto-magnetism, during which they
claim to be surrounded by the bright light or supernal
electricity called Anontajyoti (two Sanskrit words which
mean eternal or universally penetrating light), which they
say belongs to the Cosmic Consciousness. In the state of
Dhyana the Yogis are said to be clairvoyant. The Dhyana
of the Yogis is the Trya Avastha of the Vedantists, the
ecstasy of doctors, the self-contemplation of the German
magnetisers, and the clairvoyance of the French philo-
sophers. The condition of Samadhi is the last phase of
auto-trance. In this state the Yogis, like the bats, the
hedgehog, the hamster, and the dormouse, acquire the
power of dispensing with food and drink,
" There have been, during the last fifteen years, three
cases of Samadhi, or human hibernation. The first case
occurred at Calcutta, the second at Jesselmere, and the
third in the Punjab. I was an eye-witness of the first
case. There are two kinds of Samadhi, called Samprajnata
and Asamprajnata. Colonel Townshend, who could arrest
the movement of his heart and of his arteries at will, and
die or expire at pleasure, and then revive, was an example
of Samprajnata Samadhi, The Yogis of Jesselmere, of the
Punjab and of Calcutta, who entered upon a condition
similar to death by swallowing their tongue, and could
not take up their life again at will, were examples of
Asamprajnata Samadhi; they could only be resuscitated
with the assistance of other people, who drew back the
tongue from the larynx, and replaced it in its normal
position."
Colonel Townshend could, to all appearance, die when-
ever he pleased ; his heart ceased to beat, there was no
perceptible respiration, and his whole frame became cold
70 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
and rigid as death itself, the features being shrunk and
colourless, and the eyes glazed and ghastly. He would
continue in this state for several hours, and then suddenly
come to life again, but the revival does not appear to
have been the result of an effort of will, or rather, we are
not informed whether it was so or not. Neither are we
told whether he brought any recollections back with him,
nor how this strange faculty was first developed or dis-
covered— all very important points and well worthy of
investigation.
I find from the account of Dr. Cheyne, who attended
him, that Colonel Townshend himself said that he could
" die or expire when he pleased ; and yet by an effort
he could come to life again." He performed the experi-
ment in the presence of three medical men, one of whom
kept his hand on his heart, another held his wrist, and
the third placed a looking-glass before his lips, and
they found that all traces of respiration and pulsation
gradually ceased, insomuch that, after consulting about his
condition for some time, they were leaving the room, per-
suaded that he was really dead, when signs of life appeared,
and he slowly revived. He did not die whilst repeating
the experiment, as has been sometimes asserted.
With respect to the Dervish or Fakir, an account of
whose singular faculty was, I believe, first presented to the
public in the Calcutta papers, about nine or ten years ago :
he had then frequently exhibited it for the satisfaction of
the natives, but subsequently he was put to proof by some
of the European officers and residents. Captain Wade,
political agent at Loodhiana, was present when he was
disinterred, ten months after he had been buried by
General Ventura, in presence of the Maharajah and many
of his principal Sirdars.
It appears that the man previously prepared himself
by some processes which, he stated, temporarily annihilate
the power of digestion, so that milk received into the
stomach undergoes no change. He next forced all the
breath in his body into his brain, which became very
hot, upon which the lungs collapsed, and the heart ceased
PHENOMENA AMONG THE ORIENTALS 71
to beat. He then stopped up with wax every aperture of
the body through which air could enter, except the mouth,
but the tongue was so turned back as to close the gullet,
upon which a state of insensibility ensued. He was then
stripped and put into a linen bag, and on the occasion in
question, this bag was sealed with Runjeet Sing's own seal.
He was then placed in a deal box, which was also locked
and sealed, and the box being buried in a vault, the earth
was thrown over it and trodden down, after which a crop
of barley was sown on the spot and sentries placed to
watch it. The Maharajah, hoAvever, was so sceptical that,
in spite of all these precautions, he had him tAvice, in the
course of the ten months, dug up and examined, and each
time he was found to be exactly in the same state as when
they shut him up.
When he was disinterred, the first step toAvards his
recovery was to turn back his tongue, which Avas found quite
stiff, and required for some time to be retained in its
proper position by the finger ; Avarm water was poured upon
him, and his eyes and lips moistened Avith ghee, or oil.
His recovery was much more rapid than might be expected,
and he Avas soon able to recognise the bystanders and con-
verse. He stated that during his state of trance his dreams
Avere ravishing, and that it Avas very painful to be aAvakened,
but I do not knoAv that he has ever disclosed any of his
experiences. His only apprehension seems to be, lest
he should be attacked by insects, to avoid Avhich accident
the box is slung to the ceiling. The interval seems to
be passed in a complete state of hibernation; and Avhen
he is taken up no pulse is perceptible, and his eyes are
glazed like those of a corpse.
Here is another fact which recalls the experiments
of certain mediums. The account Avas published by Dr.
Pascal in the Annales des Sciences Psychigues.
'•' It Avas at Benares on October 26th, 1898. A rich
vaishya, universally known and respected in the town,
Govinda Das, desirous of proving once more his gratitude
towards the Theosophical Society, which had given a great
impulse to Avhat the ncAvspapers of the country call ' The
72 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
Hindu Renaissance,' asked the High Priest attached to
the Maharajah's palace if he would be willing to show
to the members of the society, then assembled in their
annual convention, the phenomenon of the mastery
of fire.
" A rectangular trench nearly 9 yards long and 2 yards
wide, and about 30 inches deep, had been excavated in a
corner of the large garden of the villa, ' Gopal Lai Orderly
Bazar,' the seat of the convention. Fifteen tall trunks
of trees w^ere burned in it from two o'clock in the after-
noon, and threw off a tremendous heat around the spot.
Towards half-past seven in the evening the large live
embers were scattered by breaking them with enormous
long bamboos, and they made an even bed of flaming
embers. This bed was 5 yards in length, 2 yards wide,
and at least 8 inches in thickness.
" At eight o'clock all was ready. A crowd of about two
thousand people surrounded the hole, for the rumour of
the phenomenon had been spread abroad and the invasion
of the garden could not be prevented. A certain number
of invited guests, of whom the writer was one, were placed
on a hillock about three yards from the excavation, and
could see without difiiculty all that took place.
" Suddenly the crowd became agitated, cries were heard,
and a small procession advanced, preceded by a Hindu
dressed in white, wearing a turban and brandishing a kind
of baton of command, somewhat similar to that of our
drum-majors. Two thurifers followed, each carrying a
small basket, surrounded by a row of small red and green
flags, with a strong flame coming from the centre ; they
were accompanied by torch-bearers. Two men were parti-
cularly noticeable as they threw themselves convulsively
about in the middle of the cortege and uttered cries like
persons possessed.
" Eventually there came a shrine with glass sides, carried
by six individuals: inside could be seen three images,
some plates with inscriptions, two cross swords, placed
vertically in the middle of the back face, and various
other small objects which we could not identify. The
PHENOMENA AMONG THE ORIENTALS 73
Brahmin came last in the procession, which stopped a few
yards from the brazier. The priest took up a position on
the left, sat down and commenced the incantations which
were to produce the phenomenon, but the noise made by
the crowd prevented us from hearing the words.
"The master of ceremonies, who was in front of the
brazier, moved about and pronounced at regular intervals
some brief syllables, to which the procession briskly re-
sponded with certain unknown words.
"The two fanatics continued their contortions and
cried out as though they were being put to death. Then
one of the swords from the shrine was given to each and
some cocoa-nuts were thrown on to the ground : they threw
themselves madly on to these, according to the ceremonial,
breaking them with blows of the SAvord. The procession
went twice round the furnace, and several times the fire
was sprinkled with consecrated water. Finally one of the
broken cocoa-nuts Avas thrown on to the fire ; it was the
signal. The more excited of the fanatics rushed on to
the brazier, brandishing his sword and uttering terrible
cries : he rapidly crossed the excavation, quickly followed
by his comrade, and they passed and re-passed in a terribly
agitated state. One of them — the first — became danger-
ous; he was disarmed with difficulty, and held by four
men. Some of the spectators had already rushed in turn
on to the fire — about fifty in all — and crossed it many
times ; among them were men of the lower classes, children,
and some Hindus of superior education.
" Some ran quickly : one stopped for a moment in the
middle of the brazier, plunging his hand into the embers,
seizing a handful, and taking them to the other side of
the hole. Another came out with a flaming cinder as large
as a small pullet's egg, sticking to the lower part of his
leg, and talked to some of the spectators for eight or ten
seconds without inconvenience : he was then told of it and
pulled it off. The children particularly Avere delighted ;
they passed and repassed through the fire, and boastfully
showed that their little feet were not injured by it.
Finally the procession went back again, and the Brahmin
74 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
left the place. Some persons continued to cross the
furnace, but this soon came to an end, because they said
that after the priest and the shrine leave, the charm quickly
ceases and the fire resumes its dominion. A number
of natives then filled with live cinders the vessels they
had brought, and proceeded to cook their food over a fire
they regarded as sacred. We went do^vn to the edge of
the fire to judge as to its heat. It was difficult to endure
it : we were obliged to turn away our faces and to withdraw.
Some ladies, on the hillock, felt such heat on their faces
that they had to screen them with their handkerchiefs.
" We had now to commence the inquiry and to examine
the results. It was impossible to secure much information,
because the majority of the experimenters had already
mingled with the crowd. We examined, however, the
soles of the feet of Govinda Das's brother, a well-educated
man, a B.A. of Allahabad University. We had seen him
cross the brazier twice, the first time rapidly, the second
time more slowly. The soles of his feet were supple, and
the skin, which was carefully inspected, was intact. But
the crowd gradually withdrew, and we could not get any
further information. We returned to the place the
following morning at eight o'clock. The coals were re-
duced to very warm cinders, the radiation from them
being clearly perceived at more than two yards from the
excavation, and about ten natives were warming them-
selves. The night had been cold. We then went to the
villa Gopal Lai. Amongst the delegates from the various
branches of the Theosophical Society Avere some who had
crossed the fire. They were well-educated men, very
intelligent, and of good faith. The soles of their feet were
delicate, like those of all the Hindus who wore shoes.
One of them (an M.A. of Calcutta Universitj^) was ab-
solutely unharmed, as well as another (a B.A. of Allahabad
University).
" Four others came forward, who had crossed the fire
after the Brahmin had left.
" The first showed at the centre of the sole a surface of
about a third of an inch square burnt slightly brown, and
PHENOMENA AMONG THE ORIENTAES 75
the first layer of the skin was gone : the second and third
showed greater burning, but still superficial, about as
large as the nail of the little finger ; one was burned on
on the inner part of the left big toe, the other on the sole
the foot: the fourth, who was the last of the crowd to
go on to the brazier, waited two or three minutes after the
procession had left before coming forward : he had crossed
it five or six times very slowly. Under the ends of the
toes of one of his feet could be seen some small blisters,
showing burns about a sixth of a square inch in extent, as
though some small blistering plasters had been applied.
The other foot showed nothing. The skin of the soles is
tender. These burns were healed on the following day.
We omitted to say that all those who crossed the exca-
vation had naked feet. The sensation experienced on
crossing the brazier, according to the statement of those
we questioned, was similar to that felt when walking on
fine and moderately warm sand.
" One of the experimenters stated that the sensation of
heat was stronger in front of the fire than in the centre.
The effect of the warm air on the respiration was, he said,
not marked, but the length of time taken in crossing was
not sufficient for him to judge.
" On the following day the Brahmin said to Govinda
Das that the control of the fire had not been so complete
as usual, because the images in the shrine had been
touched by some Mohammedans and some persons in the
crowd. A bystander who had previously crossed the fire,
on a similar occasion, under the direction of the same
priest, made the evening before, and spontaneously, the
declaration that the sensation of heat to the sole of the
feet was noticeably greater than on his first experiment,
which tended to confirm the statement of the operator,
and which explained, perhaps, why the most conclusive
part of the ceremony was omitted, to the great dissatis-
faction of the crowd accustomed to see it carried out.
This part of the performance consisted in a peculiar
combat, on the brazier, between the two men armed with
swords.
76 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
" The second ceremony took place about December 7th
of the same year in the park of the palace of Maharajah
Tagore, who was then at his country-house at Benares.
A Frenchman, the son of Dr. Javal of Paris, was present.
" We have nothing to say with regard to the ceremonial,
which was in all points similar to that already described :
the excavation was of similar dimensions to the first, and
the bed of live coals was almost of the same thickness.
Some hundreds of persons of all ranks and ages crossed
it ; at first five belonging to the Maharajah's court : they
walked in the ordinary way, the others more quickly.
They were not burned. When the crowd ceased to move
about we went to the edge of the excavation, with the
intention of putting our hands amongst the coals, to
witness for ourselves the reality of the phenomenon.
Cries rose from all parts : an interpreter came to tell us
that the Brahmin had left the place some ten or fifteen
minutes, and that the fire had resumed its power. The
Maharajah came forward, and offered us, if we desired to
cross the brazier, to have the ceremony performed again.
We accepted, and, a few minutes afterwards, were in-
formed that everything was ready. We then took off our
shoes and stockings and went into the brazier. The first
two steps gave us the impression of a burning on the
soles of the feet : the other five merely gave us the
sensation of an intense heat. We crossed at a gentle trot,
making at least two steps a second.
" Immediately afterwards we examined our feet : there
was a slight burn on the sole of the right foot, as large as
the nail of the little finger, and two others of the same
size on the sole of the left foot : the brown places denoting
them were transformed on the following day into small
blisters, which did not for an instant prevent us from
walking, and which healed in a few days. Several Hindus,
who crossed with us, wore as lightly burnt.
" We then learned that the operation had been per-
formed, not by the Brahmin, who had left the place some
time before, but by his principal assistant, and that full
control of the fire had not been obtained.
PHENOMENA AMONG THE ORIENTALS 77
" We admit, as far as we are concerned, that if the fire
was not completely subdued, its activity was extraordinarily
reduced, because, had there not been a considerable
counteracting influence, we should have been seriously
injured : this point appeared to us indisputable.
"A third opportunity of being present at the same
ceremony was ofiered us at Benares in February 1908, in
the court of the Temple, to which the priest, of whom
we have spoken, was attached.
" Everything happened as on the previous occasions :
we think it well, however, to mention one interesting fact.
"Three Hindus, who had struck against each other
while crossing, fell into the brazier.
" It took them a few seconds to get up and come out.
Not one of them was burned, although the fire had had
direct contact with a large portion of the body (legs and
arms) : their clothing was saved, and it was composed of
very light, vaporous, and highly inflammable material.
" This phenomenon is of frequent occurrence in India.
An annual festival is specially held for this purpose in
the temple of Dharmuraja at Mulapel. It had just been
held, about October 20th, at Nagpur, during our stay at
Benares, tire-grates being employed, which allowed a wide
range to the flames.
"Several highly esteemed and well educated Hindus,
well known to us, related to us that they had been pre-
sent on various occasions at these ceremonies, when the
fire-grates were from ten to fifteen yards long.
" One of them, M. A. H. of Allahabad University, saw
the priest whose exploits we have related walk with
impunity with slow steps in a brazier ten yards long:
another could cross a fire a dozen times consecutively.
On the south-west coast similar ceremonies frequently
take place, in the course of which priests of a lower order
sacrifice a goat, and hold it with impunity on the brazier
for an hour : these facts have been confirmed to us by an
inhabitant of the country, a man whose word cannot be
doubted, and who has witnessed it many times.
" In Europe the trial by fire successfully undergone by
78 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
sorcerers was for many centuries regarded as a proof of
possession, and these unfortunate beings were put to
death : no one thought that a demon, with the powers
that arc attributed to him, could, if he had a will, rescue
his followers not only from the action of fire, but from
any kind of death : but logic was not the dominant feature
of that epoch. In the stories of possession and of con-
vulsionaries we find numerous examples of immunity
from fire.
" In our own days the mediums Eglinton, Home, and
many others have been able to take live coals in their
hands and hold them there for some time without being
burned. These phenomena are therefore not new. Those
at which we were present are sufficient proof to us of the
existence of a power capable of subduing to a considerable
degree the destructive energy of fire.
" It was not extinguished, but it did not burn. We con-
sider that a furnace, similar to that which we have seen,
could not be crossed with the naked feet, in the conditions
stated, without serious burnings resulting each time."
CHAPTER VI
PHENOMENA OF LUCIDITY, MOTRICITY, AND PROJEC-
TION OF THE DOUBLE OBSERVED IN FAKIRS OR
ORIENTAL SORCERERS
The following phenomena are of the same character as
those observed with mediums. We find in them pheno-
mena of motricity or of externalisation of force, pheno-
mena of lucidity, and the phenomenon of the projection
of the double.
The following is "an account given by M. Jacolliot of
experiments made in his presence by two fakirs.
M. Jacolliot was, in 1866, Imperial Agent at Pondi-
chery, and has written on Ancient and Modern India/
and tells us first of a fakir named Salvanadin.
The fakir squatted down on the pavement, and placed
his seven-knotted stick between his legs.
Salvanadin asked to have brought to him seven small
flower-pots full of earth, seven thin sticks of wood, each
about a yard long, and seven leaves taken from any tree,
no matter what.
When these objects had been brought, luithout touch-
ing them himself, he had them placed in a horizontal line,
about two yards from his outstretched arms, and instructed
a servant to place one stick of wood in each pot of earth,
and to put on to each stick a tree leaf with a hole in the
middle. All the leaves dropped down the sticks, acting
as covers to the pots.
The fakir raised his joined hands above his head,
and pronounced the following invocation in the Tamil
language : —
^ Occult Science in India and among the Ancients. By Louis Jacolliot,
Chief Justice of Chandenagur (French East Indies). London : William
Rider & Son, Limited, 8 Paternoster Row, E.G.
79
80 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
" May all the powers that watch over the mtelligent
principle of life and over the principle of matter protect
me from the wrath of evil spirits, and may the immortal
Spirit shield mo from the vengeance of Yama."
He then stretched out his hands in the direction of
the flower-pots and stood in a sort of ecstasy. Suddenly
a light wind, coming no one knew whence, stirred the
leaves, and blew Jacolliot's hair across his face several times,
while the curtains of the verandah Avere undisturbed.
After about a quarter of an hour the fig leaves began
to move slowly upward along the sticks, then as slowly
descended. Jacolliot, who was greatly excited, saw that
there was no visible means of communication, passing and
repassing several times between the fakir and the sticks
while the leaves still rose and descended.
He examined everything, removing the leaves from
the sticks and the sticks from the pots, and emptied the
earth on to the pavement. He then ordered seven goblets
to be brought from the kitchen, and earth and fresh leaves
from the garden. He cut a bamboo cane into seven pieces,
and arranged them himself in the same way as had been
done previously, placing everything at a distance of four
yards from the fakir, who made no movement. Five
minutes afterwards the fakir merely extended his arms,
and the leaves again began to rise up the sticks.
Then, having bored seven holes in a plank, he placed
the seven bamboo sticks in them, and the same phenomena
occurred as before.
He repeated the experiment in twenty difi'erent ways,
but always with the same result. The fakir asked : "Is
there not some question you wish to put to the invisible
spirits before they go ? "
Jacolliot, not expecting such a question, asked how he
could communicate.
" Ask anything you please and the leaves will remain
still if the spirits have nothing to say, or will rise should
the contrary be the case."
Jacolliot then threw into a bag a number of brass
letters and figures, and thought of a friend who had been
ORIENTAL PHENOMENA 81
dead for twenty years : he drew the letters out of the sack
one by one, and watched the leaves.
After fourteen letters or figures had been drawn, the
letter A appeared, the leaves then began to move, rose to
the top of the stick, and fell back again. It was the first
letter of the name. When the bag was empty, he put the
letters in again, continued, and obtained, letter by letter
and figure by figure, the following words : —
" Albain Brunier died at Bourg-en-Bresse (Ain),
January Zrd, 1856."
This was correct.
The same fakir made one scale of a balance fall with
a peacock's feather when it had a weight of 176 pounds
on the opposite scale. A wreath of flowers fluttered about
in the air by a mere imposition of hands. Musical sounds
were heard in the air, and a shadowy hand drew luminous
figures in space.
The French judge was never once able to detect trickery.
This took place at Pondichery. But another fakir,
even more extraordinary, visited him at Benares. This
was Covindasamy, who came from Trivanderam with the
bones of a rich Malabar merchant, who had desired that
his ashes should be thrown into the Ganges, the sacred
river of the Hindus.
Covindasamy lodged in a cottage on the banks of the
Ganges, and Jacolliot received him at his house, on a ter-
race which overlooked the sacred river, and was protected
from the sun by an awning of woven grass fibres.
In the middle of the terrace was a fountain, the water
of which fell in a fine shower into a marble basin.
Jaoolliot asked Covindasamy if he preferred one place
rather than another.
" Just as you please," he replied. They therefore
remained on the terrace in broad daylight.
The fakir assuming a squatting position, extended his
two hands towards a large bronze vase filled with water ;
within five minutes the vase commenced to rock to and
fro upon its base, and approached the fakir gently and
with a regular motion.
82 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
Some metallic sounds came from the vase, as though
it had been struck with a steel rod — a noise similar to
that made by hail falling on a zinc roof.
Jacolliot asked that he might direct the operation, and
the fakir consented.
The vase advanced or retreated at his wish : sometimes
the knocks changed into a continuous roll like a drum :
sometimes they came with the regularity of a clock strik-
ing the hours : and again the sounds came regularly every
ten seconds by the watch.
A musical-box was brought by a servimt ; it played a
tune, and the knocks on the bronze vase accompanied the
tune of Eohin dcs Bois with the regularity of the baton of
the conductor of an orchestra.
The tune was changed, and the box played a march
from Le Prophete, and the blows moderated their pace to
keep time with the slower measure.
There was no other witness besides Jacolliot. The
vase Avhen empty could hardly be moved by two men.
The fakir rested his two fingers on the edge of the
vase, which soon rocked to and fro in regular time, and
the water remained stationary in the vase: three times
the vase rose seven or eight inches from the ground, and
fell back gently without perceptible shock.
Covindasamy rose, went towards the vase, and plaeeil
his hands over the surface of the water without touching
it : he remained thus motionless for an hour.
The water began to be gently agitated, as though a
lijjht wind rutHcd the surface ; a rose leaf, thrown into
the water, drifted to the opposite edge.
The motion of the waves became more violent, as
thouirh the water were in a state of intense ebullition. It
soon rose higher than the fakir's hands, and the waves
rose to a height of two feet above the surface.
The fakir withdrew his hands, and the agitation abated :
he replaced them, and the water again passed into a state
of ebullition.
He placed a pencil on the water, and made it move
like a compass-needle by the motion of his hand at a dis-
ORIENTAL PHENOMENA 83
tance ; then he gently placed his forefinger on the centre
of the pencil, and it slowly descended to the bottom of the
vase while his hand remained on the surface.
Leaning on the judge's cane the fakir gradually rose
to a height of two feet from the ground, with his legs
crossed in Oriental fashion.
Jacolliot, astonished, tried for a long time to discover
how Covindasamy could thus break the laws of statics ;
the stick gave him no visible support, and there was no
apparent contact between it and his body except through
his right hand resting on the knob.
He then took a small wooden table made of teak
between his thumb and forefinger, and placed it in the
middle of the terrace, asking the fakir to fix it there so
that it could not be moved.
Covindasamy placed his hands over it for a quarter of
hour and said : —
" The Spirits are here, and nobody can remove this
table without their permission."
Jacolliot incredulously took hold of the table, thinking
he could lift it, but it remained fixed to the ground; he
redoubled his efforts, the table top came off in his hands :
he took hold of the legs, but the result was the same.
A flute played without being touched ; a toy from
Nuremberg, a small windmill, turned without any visible
motor.
Before the departure of the fakir, who wished to return
to Trivanderam, the French judge obtained two more
seances, one in the daytime and the other at night.
At the first the Hindu brought a small bag of fine sand
and poured it out over a surface of nearly twenty square
inches on the ground : he asked Jacolliot to sit opposite
to him with paper and pencil.
The fakir placed a penholder on the sand.
" When you see this penholder stand upright on the
sand, trace on your paper any figures you please ; you will
see an exact copy of them in the sand."
This is exactly what happened.
Jacolliot traced some strange figures, and the pen-
84 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
holder imitated them ; he stopped, and the penholder did
the same.
" Can you think of a Sanskrit word ? "
He thought of Purusha, the celestial generator, and the
word was written on the sand.
" Think of a sentence,"
"Vishnu sleeps on the mount." The sentence was
written.
Jacolliot asked for the 243rd sloka of the fourth book
of Manu.
The following was given : " The man who makes virtue
the object of all his actions, and Avhose transgressions
have been wiped out by pious acts and sacrifices, reaches
the celestial mansions, radiant with light and clothed in
the spiritual form."
Jacolliot placed his hand on a small closed book, the
Rig- Veda, and said : " What is the first word of the fifth
line of the 21st page ? "
The answer came, " Devadatta — given by God." This
was correct.
" Put a mental question," said the fakir. I did so.
" Vasundard — the earth," was the reply.
Jacolliot had asked : " Who is our common mother ? "
At the end of the terrace he saw a Hindu in a garden
drawing water from a well and pouring it through a
conduit to a bathing room. Covindasamy stretched out
his hand, and the well rope ceased to move. The Hindu
began to chant all the magical incantations he knew, but
the words died away in his throat. The fakir withdrew his
hand, the well rope moved, and the Hindu's voice returned.
Concentrated and absorbed, before leaving, the fakir
made Jacolliot hear some harmonious airs, like those
heard rising from the valley by huntsmen in the moun-
tains ; then Covindasamy rose about a foot from the
ground and finally took his leave.
Such are the facts relating to these Indian mediums as
they are recorded in a large volume by M. Jacolliot. We
could quote a much larger number, seen by Pere Hue, a
missionary, who lived for a long time in Thibet.
ORIENTAL PHENOMENA 85
We will now instance some observations of the pheno-
menon of lucidity.
This power, as we are told by Dr. Pascal, is very strongly
developed in the Hindus, the Redskins, the Druses, Kurds,
Laplanders, Tartars, and a large number of other remnants
of disappearing or degenerate races. There exists among
some of these races a real mental telegraphy which closely
connects them in times of danger. At the time of the
Indian Mutiny the news of the outbreak arrived in the
Indian bazaars long before the official telegraphic dis-
patches.
Napoleon Ney (in Mussulman Societies) relates that in
1883 M. de Lesseps explored the c/;o^ts of Tunisia. During
his stay at Sfax, he read to an assembly of prominent
natives a letter from Abd-el-Kader, who recommended
them to regard favourably the application and project of
Colonel Rondaire. On the evening of the same day he
embarked for Gabes, where he arrived the following morn-
ing. In the evening he was at the village of Menzel,
where the native chief congratulated him on the letter
from the Emir, adding that the good news had reached
them from Sfax during the day. Now from Sfax to Gabes
by road is seven days' journey, and it was impossible for
the chief to receive the news by water, the way M. de
Lesseps had taken.
The MissoiLri Republican published, a few years since, a
curious article on mental telegraphy among the Redskins :
the manner in which they communicated with each other,
the writer said, would remain a mystery which would never
be revealed. The only thing established is that such com-
munications are sent and received between persons far
apart. After inquiry it has always been established that
the communications were perfectly correct.
There is also universal agreement as to the fact itself,
and no one can deny the existence of this power of mental
communication at a distance — a power which seems to be
confined to certain individuals of the tribe. This fact was
proved several times during the war between the English
and these tribes in 1789.
/
86 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
With regard to the mysterious sect of the Druses, in
Lebanon, the secret of their telegraphy is marvellously
preserved : they are thus kept in touch with all external
matters that interest them.
Here is an interesting example reported by Mr. Scrug-
ham. He was engaged as civil engineer in the construction
of a line of railway in the interior of India. They came upon
a rock which it was necessary to pierce, and, in expectation
of this, they had ordered a battery of tripod perforators,
worked by steam. But these perforators were late in
arriving, and Mr. S. one day asked one of his assistants if
he had any news of them from Calcutta, some thousands
of miles distant. He replied in the negative, and did
not even know if the steamer had arrived at Calcutta.
During that time one of the Hindus, whom the Govern-
ment had placed at the disposal of the engineer, came
forward : he had received an excellent education and
spoke English fluently. He told Mr. S. that the steamer
had arrived at Calcutta, and that the perforators had been
landed on the quay: " But," he added, " there is a part
missing; what funny engines they are, with their three
feet!"
They showed him a photograph of these perforators,
and he pointed out to them the essential part which
was missing in all of them. Mr. S. then telegraphed to
Calcutta, and he learned that the perforators had been
unpacked and that one necessary portion was missing
from each one. The work was thus interrupted for some
time. Mr. S. then called the Hindu and asked him where
the missing pieces were. He replied that they had never
been disembarked ; they were at the bottom of the hold,
hidden under a load of heavy packages destined for
another port. The telegraph was again set to work, and
the missing parts were found in the hold exactly as the
Hindu had said. Some days afterwards the perforators
arrived without accident and were set to work.
The singular phenomenon of projection of the double,
which we shall now quote, is related by a missionary who
was a witness of it in Africa.
ORIENTAL PHENOMENA 87
A certain Ugema Uzago, who was at the time chief of
the Jabikou tribe and a celebrated fetish-man, had an
extraordinary power over the natives, because he cured
the illnesses from which they suffered, found them the
means of making fortunes as well as of recognising their
enemies, a pleasing euphemism, which, in the minds of these
people, signified that they would soon get rid of them.
This Ugema was a friend of the missionary, or, at least,
having often sought assistance of the reverend father, it
pleased him to pass as such, and, frequently in the evening,
he came to converse with him on his affairs — and to ask for
some tobacco.
One evening he told the missionary that the Master,
whom they all feared, had invited all his disciples to
assemble on the following evening on the Yemvi plateau.
" I shall therefore not be able to come here," added
Ugema.
"But how," exclaimed the priest, "can you meet on
the Yemvi plateau ? It is four long days' walk. You will
never get there."
Ugema rose up proudly : —
"Come with me to-morrow evening," he replied ; "you
will see that we know how to manage things, we black
magicians."
The missionary took care not to miss so excellent an
opportunity of witnessing the skill of the celebrated
sorcerer, and the following evening at six o'clock, before
nightfall, he had joined him.
" I am going to commence immediately the preparations
for my departure," Ugema said to him. "As soon as I
have finished, on your life, do not interfere with me, that
would certainly be death for you, and also for me."
" I solemnly promised him," wrote the missionary, " not
to say a word, nor to disturb him in his incantations by
any gesture, or cry, or anything. I would be as mute as
the trunk of a dead tree."
" But," I said to him again, " pardon, one word only.
" You are going, are you not, to the plateau at Yemvi, to
the old deserted village."
88 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
" Yes, I have already told you that."
" Well, I have a commission to give you ; will you do
me a service."
" Very willingly."
" On your way, at the foot of the mountain, you pass
through the village of Ushong, do you not ? "
" Certainly."
" You know the contractor there who purchases india-
rubber ? "
" Esaba, is it not ? "
" Yes, that is right."
(I ought to say that Esaba, the black merchant of
this village, is a Christian, with the baptismal name of
Vincent, who, in case of need, teaches a little catechism,
baptizes the dying, instructs children, and is moreover
most devoted to us. When we are at his village it is
always he who gives us hospitality and renders us a
thousand services.)
" Well, on passing his door, would you tell him that I
particularly wish to see him, if he could come immediately
and at the same time bring me the cartridges which I
left in my small tin case with him. He can leave every-
thing else. The cartridges only : that is understood, is it
not ? "
" Your commission shall be executed. Esaba will receive
your message this very evening, and to-morrow will set out.
Now, not a word."
In face of such assurance, it will be understood how
my astonishment increased and how desirous I was to see
the end of this affair, a singular one at the very least.
How would Ugema go to the feast ? Four days' walk in a
few minutes. And then, as I have just said, I had an easy
means of control through Esaba. To carry out this part
of his mission would entail a three days' journey, and then
he would not be able to lose any time on the Avay.
However, Ugema and myself went into the fetish-man's
hut. A fire, on to which some aromatic herbs and some
strong-smelling wood had been abundantly thrown, burned
in the centre, and the clear and brilliant flames illuminated
ORIENTAL PHENOMENA 89
the whole place. I seated myself in a corner. Already,
singing a strange air and an impressive melody, Ugema
had taken off his usual clothing : one by one, he reclothed
himself in his fetish garments, stopping at each to
commence a new song with a slow and strange rhythm,
a kind of intonation, in which the voice was suddenly
raised, and immediately fell again ; often a chant of prayer
or of adoration, more frequently an appeal to the spirits,
the spirits of the woods, the forests, the waters, and of the
dead.
At the same time Ugema slowly circled around the fire,
timing each movement and constantly accelerating the
rhythm. The fetish garments were put on. For a long
time yet Ugema turned around the fire, up to the moment
when the brands were consumed and only threw flickering
glimmers across the room : a few sooty flames, insufficient
to dissipate the surrounding obscurity. Suddenly Ugema
stopped ; a strident imperative whistling was heard from the
roof. I raised my head ; a supple form glided rustling across
into the room ; a black serpent of the most dangerous kind
spread himself out on the floor, raised his head towards
me with an irritated air, moving his forked tongue with
extreme rapidity, rose up, looked at me in a doubtful
manner, swayed himself again, then sprang on to the
sorcerer, embracing and enfolding him. Ugema unmoved
took a phial, emptied a reddish coloured liquid with a
strong garlic odour over his hands, rubbing successively
his whole body, commencing at the feet ; in the serpent I
had already recognised his familiar animal, his Elangela,
the executor of his death-sentences: the black serpent
detached itself from his waist and coiled itself round his
neck, swaying and waving itself around his head, following
the rhythm of the dance, and the melody sung.
Without the fetish-man making a gesture or sign to
stop me or pronouncing a word in prohibition, I lighted
a torch which enabled me to see all the details of the
scene.
The fire threw scarcely any more fiickerings : one flame
remained, then all was extinguished. Ugema stretched
90 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
himself out on the bed : a peculiar acrid smell filled the
room, I had tremendous difficulty in resisting the torpor
which seemed to come over me altogether. I approached
Ugema : the serpent had disappeared, the fetish-man slept
soundly, but a very peculiar sleep, the sleep of death,
without a movement, a cataleptic sleep : I raised his eye-
lids, the eye was white and glassy, making no movement
when the flame of the torch was held before it. I stood
in front of him, raised his arm, which fell back inert and
rigid, with a corpse-like stiffness : I raised the leg with the
same result, I pressed a pin into the flesh : there was no
muscular contraction ; at the parting of the lips there was
a slight whitish foam ; the movements of the head were
imperceptible : Ugema slept.
All the night I watched him, I remained at his side :
nothing seemed to show any sign of life. Not a gesture
or movement.
Not until morning, towards eight o'clock, did Ugema
begin to move slightly ; I watched him curiously : life
returned by degrees, the movements, at first spasmodic,
ceased : Ugema raised himself up from the wooden couch
on which he was stretched out, looked at me in a stupefied
manner as though to ask what I was doing there, when
consciousness returned to him.
" Ah ! " he said to me, " how tired I am."
"Well! and this famous journey; you see that you
have not been able to take it."
" What, I have not been able to take it ! AVliat do
you say ? "
" Were you last night on the plateau at Yeravi ? "
" Certainly ! Oh, it would not do to disobey the Master's
command."
" And what have you done ? "
Ugema replied : " There were very many of us, we
enjoyed ourselves greatly."
It was impossible to gather anything from that.
" And did you carry out my commission ? Did you
tell Esaba?"
" Certainly."
ORIENTAL PHENOMENA 91
" You spoke to him last night ? "
" I spoke to him last night."
" But I have not moved from this room ; you Avere on
the bed. I have watched over you through the night."
" No, / was not on the bed : my body was there ; but
what is my body ? My self was not there : I was on the
mountain at Yemvi."
Not wishing, for the moment, to insist further, I stopped
the conversation and shortly afterwards made my way
to the Mission, wondering and asking myself what could
be thought of it all ; was it dream, phantasm, illusion, or
reality ?
Three days afterwards, Esaba came to the Mission.
" Father," he said to me, " here are the cartridges for
which you asked me the other day through Ugema,
What else do you want me for ? "
It was very easy for me to find something.
" At what time did Ugema arrive ? "
" In the evening, about nine o'clock, three days ago, as
I have said."
(This was exactly the time when Ugema fell into the
cataleptic sleep.)
" Did you see him ? "
" Oh, no ! you know well that we blacks are afraid of
night phantoms. Ugema knocked at my door, and he
spoke to me outside, but I did not see him."
" Ah, well, and that is all."
Without doubt, Ugema had been present at the sor-
cerer's feast : without any doubt his ego had in a few
moments performed a journey of several hours: without
any doubt his ego, his double, had acted, spoken, heard.
These observations, it will be seen, have been made with
great care. The author, in making his assertions as to
the condition of the subject, has proved that he was not
present as a purely passive spectator and cannot be accused
of illusion or exaggeration. We regard the record as
being of great value.
CHAPTER VII
POLTERGEIST PHENOMENA
It is sometimes observed that certain of the phenomena
which we have studied in mediums appear also to manifest
themselves spontaneously.
Most frequently there is no apparent cause for the
phenomena of this class that suddenly manifest themselves
in a house, in the midst of a family, and which seem
sometimes to attach themselves by preference to one room
or to one group of persons. The phenomena are, most
frequently, very strange, and they last for a certain time
in spite of all that the witnesses can do to stop them.
Then, some fine day, they cease as abruptly as they
commenced and everything goes along once more as usual.
It is easy to assure oneself that these phenomena are
precisely of the same character as those produced through
mediums. We observe, in fact, in these cases, all the
phenomena which we have studied as mediumistic, from
the most simple up to the most complex.
The first phenomenon generally observed consists of
noises which are heard spontaneously : these are knocks
Avhich are apparently struck on the walls or on the furni-
ture, creakings and rubbings of various kinds, sounds
of footsteps, whistlings and various cries, and sometimes
very loud noises.
It is clear that the only noises and phenomena which
interest us at present are those which occur out of reach
of any human being, and which cannot be ascribed to any
trickery.
At the same time as the noises, we find movements of
objects taking place without contact. Pieces of furniture
are moved about, sometimes overturned, even in rooms
02
POLTERGEIST PHENOMENA 93
where no one is present and sometimes when they are
locked up. Articles are thrown this way and that, in the
presence of several people : often fragile objects are thrown
to the ground and broken.
In the third place we find apports ; that is to say,
objects which were not previously in the apartment are
spontaneously brought into it, and seem to fall from the
ceiling. Objects are thus transported from one room to
another, without the doors or the windows having been
opened, and without any one being able to ascertain how
they came into the room.
Lastly, but in very rare instances, the phenomenon of
materialisation is found to occur ; that is to say, various
forms make their appearance having most frequently the
aspect of phantoms.
As will be seen, the majority of the phenomena which
are obtamed in experiments with mediums happen suc-
cessively : nevertheless, we may remark that spontaneous
phenomena present certain special characteristics, which
we shall now consider.
Incoherence. What first strikes us, when we observe
these phenomena, is their absurdity. Bells are set ring-
ing, lights are extinguished, articles are removed from
their places and taken into others where they have no
right to be. For example, cooking utensils are carried on
to beds, boots and shoes are placed on mantelpieces,
while the ornaments on the latter are set down on the
floor. Articles arranged in cupboards are thrown into
disorder and mixed up confusedly with other things.
Violence is another of the characteristics of these
spontaneous phenomena. The sounds are usually loud,
the room or the house seems to be shaken ; sometimes
it is thought that there has been an earthquake. When
objects are thrown, it is usually with force. It seems that
the force manifested in these movements is always much
greater than is necessary to obtain the effect produced.
There is here a considerable difference between the
movements obtained by the experimental externalisation
of the force of the medium. In the experiments the
94 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
medium makes efforts to attain a definite object ; the
force employed is strictly limited to the anticipated effect.
Often the movement is produced slowly, and as though
by successive efforts.
The roughness of the spontaneous force is one of its
peculiar traits. The furniture is not moved gently as
happens in experiments with a medium, but is thrown
with force instead of being carried about, and often the
articles are broken. Sometimes it even seems that this
force is exercised with a malevolent intention, for the
purpose of causing damage.
Clumsiness also seems to be a characteristic of the
force thus brought into play. When an object is trans-
ported from one point to another, it knocks against or
overturns others on its way. Other articles fall to the
ground before arriving at the place to which they were
apparently intended to be transported. Ornaments on
mantelpieces or tables are thrown down or broken.
In experiments with mediums, on the contrary, the
movements are effected with surprising gentleness and
tact. The most fragile objects on a whatnot are brought
on to the floor without accident ; glasses filled with liquid
are carried over the hands of the spectators to the middle
of the table, the table is raised and not a drop of the
liquid is spilled. It seems that this force, which is the
same in both cases, is disorderly, without rule or restraint
in the spontaneous manifestations ; while in experimental
phenomena it is most frequently precise, well regulated,
and dexterous.
In all cases of this particular kind of haunting it should
be noted that they are always associated Avith the presence
of a medium.
This medium is in the house or belongs to the family
where the phenomena are produced, or to the neighbourhood.
The medium is usually a young boy or girl, sometimes
a child, but most frequently a girl.
We observe also that the phenomena are greater in
intensity when produced in the immediate vicinity of the
medium, and that her presence seems necessary for the
POLTERGEIST PHENOMENA 95
production of the phenomena. When the medium is
far removed from the house or the family in which these
manifestations are produced, the phenomena cease.
Sometimes the phenomena are produced in the place
to which the medium has moved ; but most frequently
they cease altogether.
The following account of manifestations of this
character was published in the Annates des Sciences
Psychiques as an extract from the Wester7i Gazette,
January 11, 1895 : —
" The little village of Durweston, situate about three
miles from Blandford, has been for some weeks past the
scene of considerable excitement in consequence of the
supposition that one of its cottages is haunted. The
cottage in question is one of a double tenement, situate
at Norton — a spot isolated from the rest of the village,
some considerable distance from the highway, and on
the outskirts of a wood. The cottages are owned by
Viscount Portman ; his keeper (named Newman) occupies
one, and the other until recently has been in the occupa-
tion of a widow (named Mrs. Best), her daughter, and
two little orphan girls, who were boarded out to Mrs. Best
by the Honourable Mrs. Pitt, of Steepleton. It is in the
latter house that these occurrences, which have caused
such a scare in the village, took place. More than a month
since Mrs. Best — who, it may here be stated, is a most
respectable woman, of a quiet, inoffensive disposition, and
on good terms with her neighbours and the village generally
— became puzzled by faint knocking and scratching in
various parts of the house, and could account for the same
in no possible way. As days passed there was a repeti-
tion of these strange noises, which gradually increased in
loudness, until they could be heard by the keeper New-
man in his own house. About a fortnight since, these
sounds — which the village blacksmith described as then
being as heavy as sledge-hammer blows — were succeeded
by still more startling events, for, according to Mrs. Best's
version, stones came violently through the bedroom
windows, smashing the panes, and then returned through
96 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
the windows. The neighbours instituted a thorough
search of the surroundings to see if there was any one
hiding who was playing a joke upon the woman, but
there was not the slightest trace of a human being, nor
of footsteps."
In the latter part of January Mr. Westlake proceeded
to Durweston and took down the statements of some of
the principal witnesses — about twenty in all.
The disturbances, it appears, began on December 13,
1894. On the 18th December Mr. Newman witnessed
some of the phenomena.
The following is an extract from Mr. Westlake's notes
of an account given to him by Mr. Newman on the 23rd
January 1895 : —
" On Tuesday (December 18th), between 10 and 11 a.m.,
Mrs. Best sent for me, and told me that Annie (the elder
girl, about thirteen years of age) had seen a boot come out
of the garden plot and strike the back door, leaving a
muddy mark. I went into Mrs. Best's, and I saw a bead
strike the window ; and then soon after, a big blue bead
struck the window and broke it, and fell back. Then
a little toy whistle struck the window, but did not break
it. Then I sat down in the chair, and said : " You're a
coward, you're a coward ; why don't you throw money ? "
I was looking at the door opening into the garden ; it was
wide open, leaving a space of 15 inches between it and
the inner wall, when I saw coming from behind the door
a quantity of little shells. They came round the door
from a height of about 5 feet. They came one at a time,
at intervals varying from half a minute to a minute. They
came very slowly, and when they hit me I could hardly
feel them. With the shells came two thimbles. They
came so slowly, that in the ordinary way they would have
dropped long before they reached me. They came from
a point, some, I think, a trifle higher, and some no higher,
than my head. Both the thimbles struck my hat. Some
missed my head and went just past, and fell down slanting-
wise (not as if suddenly dropped). Those that struck me
fell straight down.
POLTERGEIST PHENOMENA
97
Sox
^/?a^Oiv\
Toit'et
T6r6/e
" The two children were all the time in the same room
with me,
"Then right from behind me a slate-pencil came as
if from the copper. The pencil was about 1\ inches long,
and went slowly on a slant to a bowl on the floor in the
pantry ; and another piece went in the same direction just
over the bowl, and fell into a pot of dirty water.
" Then a hasp, like the hasp of a glove, was dropped
into my lap from a point above the level of my head.
"I never saw any of the things begin to move. I
saw some of them just after they had started. The time
was somewhere between 10 and 11 a.m. — a nice clear
day; I don't remem-
ber whether there was Sou r >•
sunlight.
" A boot then came
in from outside the
door. It came in
moving along a foot
above the ground, and
pitched down. The
boot had been lying
right in front of the
door, where it had pre-
viously fallen. This
boot came towards me,
and fell down just at
my side. Mrs. Best
took it and threw it out
— it was an old dirty
boot from off the gar-
den plot (it was a woman's boot). I think the boot moved
about as slowly as the other things, but cannot quite
remember. It finally fell softly.
" After the boot was thrown out into the garden, I went
out and put my foot on it, and said, " I defy anything to
move this boot." Just as I stepped ofi", it rose up behind
me and knocked my hat off; there was no one behind me.
The boot and the hat fell down together.
G
o
Be<^
O Mrs. Bsst.
98 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
" A few days later the two children, with their foster-
mother, Mrs. Best — a woman, it should be said, of about
sixty years — went to stay in Mr. Newman's cottage for
some days. Whilst they were there the Rector of Dur-
■ weston, the Rev. W. M. Anderson, came to witness the
phenomena. On his first visit (Friday, the 4th January
1895) nothing took place. On Thursday, January 10th, he
went again, accompanied by Mr. Sheppard, the school-
master. Mrs. Best took the two children upstairs and put
them to bed, herself lying down in the bed with them.
The chart on p. 97 shows the disposition of the furniture.
" Loud rappings were heard, apparently on the walls in
different parts of the room. Mr. Sheppard went outside
the house to see that no one was playing tricks from out-
side, whilst the Rector remained within, the noises still
continuing. Subjoined is an extract from Mr. Anderson's
account, written on the 25th January 1895, of the events
of that evening : —
" I put my ear and hand to the wall, but could not
detect any vibration ; but when resting my hand on the
rail at the bottom of the bed, I could distinctly feel a
vibration varying according to the loudness of the knock-
ing. It is, perhaps, needless to say that I searched the
room and the house, also Mrs. Best's house from top to
bottom. Occasionally there was a noise on the wall, as if
some one were scratching with their nails. This scratch-
ing also appeared to be produced on the mattress of the
bed, although I am sure it was not produced by any of
the three occupants of the bed, as I could see their hands,
and watched them very closely all the time.
" There was a lighted lamp, a small hand-lamp giving a
good light, on the washstand the whole time. When the
rapping first began, I noticed that it frequently ceased
when I came into the room, but after a short time it
made no difference, and was loud and continuous when
every inmate of the house was in the room. About 2.15
A.M. it was suggested by some one, I believe Mr. Shep-
pard, that the ' agency ' should be asked whether it
would write any communication on a slate ; the number
POLTERGEIST PHENOMENA 99
of raps requested for an affirmative were given. There
was no slate in the Newmans' house, but Mrs. Best told
us where we should find one in her house. Newman, Mr,
Sheppard, and myself went into her house, found the slate
and a piece of pencil, and returned. In reply to several
questions as to where the slate was to be placed, the
number of knocks asked for was given for the window-sill
(inside, of course), the sill being some nine or ten inches
wide. I may mention that every conceivable place in the
room was suggested one after the other, but the right num-
ber of raps was not given, but a short, sharp knock, which
seemed always to be given for a negative. We almost
gave up at this point, until, as an afterthought, I sug-
gested the window-sill, which was at once accepted. The
next question was as to who was to remain in the room,
and according to the knocks every one was to leave, except
the two children and Mrs. Best ; the light was also to be
removed. The sign to be given when the writing was
finished was four raps. We all retired down the stairs,
which are about ten in number, and straight. I remained
at the bottom of the stairs, with the bedroom door wide
open ; it was very dark at the time. Some fifteen seconds
elapsed, and amid perfect silence we all heard the pencil
scratching on the slate. Mrs. Best gave a suppressed
groan, which I could distinctly hear. Four sharp raps
were given almost simultaneously with the dropping of the
pencil on the slate, and Mrs. Best gave a loud, screaming
call, ' Come ! ' I was in the room instantly ; the whole
thing taking less time than it would take to read this
description. The light showed some unmeaning scratches
on the slate. We asked for something legible, which was
promised in the usual way. It was with the greatest
difficulty that we could persuade Mrs. Best to remain in
the room a second time, but we prevailed on her to do
so ; I promised to remain on the stairs. The second time
a flourish (something like this) was on the slate —
100 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
" Only the curves were beautifully drawn, with firm, bold
lines, such as no child could produce. The same proceed-
ings took place a third time, when
M
MONY
was found on the slate,
and the fourth time
0
/ 0
GARDEN
( iardin
0
\ 0
Every time I was nearer to the bedroom door, which was
wide ojDen and opposite the window. The last two or
three times I was so close that I could almost hear Mrs.
Best breathe, the silence being death-like. The slightest
movement by any one in the bed would have been de-
tected by me in a moment, and I am absolutely certain
that the writing could not have been done by any one in the
room without my knowing it. On one occasion the pencil
rolled off on to the floor, and was broken in two pieces.
" Mrs. Best cannot write ; the younger child cannot, she
was asleep; Annie Cleave can. I told Mrs. Best that I
was myself convinced that no one had moved in the bed
much less left it, but I said people would say this had
been the case. She said she was prepared to take a
solemn oath that none of them had moved or left the
bed, which was some four feet or more from the Avindow.
" We could get no more replies in the way of raps, and
nothing more was heard that night. Mr. Sheppard and I
left at ten minutes to three.
" I should like to say a word about the characters of
those who have witnessed and heard these abnormal phe-
nomena. With one exception (Spinney) the}' are all
known to me personally, and the veracity and honesty of
them all is beyond question. Mrs. Best is an earnest
Christian woman, who bears perhaps the highest char-
acter in the village.
" Later the children were taken to another house in the
village, where raps and other noises were heard ; and were
finally separated, the elder child, Annie, being removed to
POLTERGEIST PHENOMENA 10V
another village, Iwerne Minster, to the house of a single
woman. There the disturbance still continued: noises
were heard, generally on the outer walls of the house ; a
big stone was flung on the roof of the porch ; and snow-
drops were dug up out of the garden and flung about.
On March 7th, Miss W. H. Mason, Local Government
Board Inspector of Boarded-out Children, came down and
took the child Annie to stay in her flat in London for a
week. No disturbance worth recording took place during
her stay in London."
Miss Mason had the child examined by a doctor, who
pronounced her of a markedly consumptive tendency,
and apparently hysterical. A sister two years older than
herself has died of consumption. According to another
witness, Annie, during the earlier disturbances, saw a
queer animal with green head and green eyes and a big
bushy tail, sitting up and pulling her doll to pieces with
its paws. Gertie, the younger girl, she added, saw the
same apparition when Annie called her.
CHAPTER VIII
HAUNTED HOUSES
The following case of a haunted house is of special
interest, as it was observed by Professor Lombroso, whom
no one would suspect of an excess of credulity, or of being
a victim to suggestions resulting from his surroundings.
This case, therefore, presents guarantees of authenticity.
The Turin newspaper La Stmnpa, in its issue of
November 19, 1900, mentioned some extraordinary
phenomena which were occurring in a wine and spirit
shop at No. 6, Via Bava, Turin.
For those unacquainted with the topography of Turin,
it may not be amiss to say that the Via Bava is in the
suburb of Vanchiga, and commences at the Piazza Vittorio-
Emmanuele I. On the day mentioned La Stampa was
brought to my notice.
Whilst I was casting a rapid glance over this paper I
was struck by this pompous title, " The Spirit Devastators
of the Via Bava." Naturally, without taking up the time
to read this lengthy account, and fearing that I should
arrive too late (because in these cases one cannot arrive
too quickly), I quickly got into everybody's carriage — the
tram-car — which took me in twenty minutes to the scene
of action. Alas ! too late ! However, if the entertainment
itself was over there were at least the spectators, who
could themselves, in turn, serve as entertainers.
In the street a crowd of persons of all classes were
struggling for entrance into the wine-shop ; and in the shop
itself a veritable swarm of drinkers were seated at the tables,
and occupying themselves, between glasses, by composing
epigrams about the spirits who to-day were dumb ; others
were trying to push their way through with their elbows,
HAUNTED HOUSES 103
in order to make inquiries of everybody ; to hear some-
thing related, to see, to touch, to examine, commencing
with the bottles and the saucepans, even to the chairs,
which, it is said, were broken, and several of which were
transported from one place to another.
At the far end of the shop, at the counter, through
a cloud of smoke and dust, we could distinguish a tall,
corpulent, red-faced man (the landlord), who was turning
and bending to right and left, holding in one hand a bottle
of wine and receiving in the other his customers' money,
in the midst of a tempest of voices, cries, commands, and
protestations from all directions. Sometimes the price
of the wine drunk by one customer, who had taken advan-
tage of the crowd to slip away unseen, would be demanded
from another; the anger of the master fell upon the
waiter, a boy of thirteen years of age, who would have
needed a hundred eyes and a hundred arms to have met
the wants of everybody, and — most important thing of all
— to make them pay.
In a word, it was impossible in the midst of such a
Noah's Ark to take account of anything. It was with
great difficulty that I succeeded in getting a few words
with the master and mistress of the house. I interrogated
one or two other persons and then went out.
I returned the same evening, Avithout obtaining any
better result. A still denser crowd barred the way, and
the wine-shop was that evening closed by order of the
police to prevent disturbance.
The report was spread at the same time that the
phenomena had not been renewed. For some time I
found it impossible to go into the matter, and when
eventually I returned to the Via Bava all was completely
restored to order and I was compelled to content myself
with obtaining the evidence which I give here.
If it was not possible to see anything I could, however,
make some reflections, and this is the reason why I have
prefaced my account with this long rambling statement.
Why had so many people been set in motion by the
simple title of a newspaper article ?
104 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
Did they expect to discover the trick ? I ought to
state that I found in the place not only some idle and
common people, and students, but also some people who
are usually called serious-minded, and who had come there
not to make a noise and laugh at credulous people, but
with the simple desire to see, and impelled by the example
of others.
I hope that this may be a good sign — that is to say,
that this denotes the slow but continuous infiltration
among the masses of beliefs formerly regarded as
erroneous.
I will now give the facts in the following order. First,
I will state in an objective manner the simple outline of
the facts : with the warning, however, that they come from
the tales of witnesses of very diverse values, and that they
should only be accepted for what they are worth.
Then I will transcribe the written declarations which I
have obtained from several witnesses, reserving to myself
the criticism of the facts and testimony in accordance with
my personal judgment.
The Facts
In order to make the phenomena more compre-
hensible it will, perhaps, be useful to describe the place
where they occurred. I have stated that it was in a wine
and spirit shop. No. 6, Via Bava, known as the Bottigheria
Cinzano. I will here give the plan.
A. The first room, for the use of customers.
1. Entrance door which opens on to the Via Bava.
2. Window.
B. Second room, devoted to the same purpose as the
former.
3. Door opening on to a corridor which communicates
with the hall of the house.
4. Window looking on to the court.
5. Opening covered by a simple cloth curtain, through
Avhich one passes to a small room C, which serves
HAUNTED HOUSES 105
as a kitchen and living room for the people of the
house. This room is lighted by a window (6), and
communicates with a garret (used as a bedroom) by
means of a small staircase. The persons inhabiting
this place were the landlord named Fumero, his
wife, and ailad of thirteen years employed as waiter.
The beginning of the phenomena dates back to the
early days of November. M. Raynero, the proprietor of
the Annonciata Baths, situated at 51, Via del Po, Avas a
friend of the Fumero family, and was informed at the
commencement of November of the phenomena which had
for some time past been occurring in that house. A cat
seemed to be taken with strange mad attacks ; it jumped
as though possessed, and threw down the bottles.
The food which had been placed in the kitchen cup-
board in the evening disappeared during the night, and so on.
But, on November 16th, the phenomena commenced
which caused a stir in the whole district. On the morning
of that day only the woman and the boy were in the shop.
They both stated that first of all a vessel containing some
liquor, which was on the kitchen table, overturned of its
own accord ; then other vessels were thrown down and
broken, and then began a mad dance, in which the furni-
ture, saucepans, and all kinds of things took part. Some
were dented, others broken, and others disappeared.
Fumero's wife fainted away through fright, the neigh-
bours ran in and telegraphed to her husband, who was
away from Turin, and he returned that evening. All
through the day, in the presence of several people, tables
chairs, and utensils danced. Some garments were thrown
down from the upper to the lower chamber and damaged.
They were taken back to their place, and they were again
thrown down with still greater violence by an invisible
hand which seemed to make sport of the general fright.
The phenomena continued in the same way on the 17th
and the following days with a few moments of respite.
In the meantime other things occurred in addition to
those already mentioned, but outside the house.
106 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
M. Fumero had several cellars in the basement, and one
of these was under the room B, and was only used for
storing bottles. It was ascertained that when any one
went into this cellar, and even in the absence of persons
the bottles, empty or full, were broken, always by the work
of the same unknown agents.
It was stated that a priest, who had been asked to bless
the place, immediately took flight, because he obtained
results exactly the opposite to what he had expected. The
police came in their turn, but they were powerless ; many
even maintained that the guards and their superior officers
served as involuntary targets for the projectiles thrown by
the unknown hand.
Be that as it may, it appears that the police gave a
hint to poor Fumero, that these things must cease, by
love or by force. Fumero understood and complied, being
already greatly annoyed by the material and moral damage
he had suffered. Thus when Cesar Lombroso went to the
shop on November 21st, he was told (without knowledge
as to who he was) that Professor Lombroso had been and
that everything had ceased. Lombroso then revealed his
identity, and, going down into the cellar, was able to verify
the phenomena of which we shall speak later.
On November 22nd, Mme. Fumero, acting on advice,
went to Nole Canavese, her native place. She remained
there three days, during which time nothing unusual
occurred, either at Via Bava or at Nole. On her return to
Turin, the phenomena reappeared in an altered form, but
substantially the same.
On November 26th, Mme. Fumero went away again,
but this time the phenomena continued.
It was at this time that the migration of the shoes took
place, as related in the attestation of M. Raynero, The
wife returned to Turin and the phenomena ceased at the
end of November — that is to say, only Avhen, after it was
seen that they were not due merely to the presence of
Mme. Fumero, it Avas decided to discharge the waiter. He
went to another shop in the same street, but nothing out
of the ordinary happened, and so the matter ended.
HAUNTED HOUSES 107
Evidence Collected
Negative Evidence. — This was furnished by the police,
by several Turin newspapers, by all those who had seen
nothing ; and, finally, by the cure of the parish of I'Annon-
ciata (Via del Po), who remained for two hours in the place
and not only saw nothing abnormal, but was convinced
that there was nothing but joking and deception in the
whole affair.
Positive Evidence. — There were numerous positive
testimonies ; therefore I have only collected the most
important ones, or those which seemed to me to be
most worthy of confidence.
Attestation of the Proprietors of the Wine-shop and of
two Custoiners
" We declare that we were present several times at the
Bottigheria Cinzano, 6, Via Bava, during the month of
November 1900, when some strange occurrences occurred,
such as the spontaneous movements of objects, break-
ing of bottles, &c., which we could not attribute to any
practical joking or fraud whatever.
" In virtue of which we sign :
" Bartholomeo Fumero, Proprietor of the
Bottigheria Cinzano.
" Antoinette Fumero, wife of the above.
" Carlo Degostini, Maker of Macaroni, 7, Via
Pescator.
" Felice Hoppetti, Carpenter, 5, Via Bava.
"Turin, December 15, 1900."
The following declaration was written by myself in the
presence of the witness, in accordance with his own
narrative.
Attestation of Raynero
" I, the undersigned, proprietor of the Baths of the
I'Annonciata, at 51, Via del Po, attest upon my honour that
what is here said is in conformity with the truth and the
108 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
absolute conviction I have formed as to the real existence
of the inexplicable facts which happened during the month
of November in the Bottigheria Cinzano at 6, Via Bava.
The following are two facts to which I can best testify —
1. " On November 27th, I was in the front room (A)
of the wine-shop in company with M. Fumero, whose wife
had gone to Nole. I was seated at a table (a) with another
person. The waiter was in the back room (B) engaged in
washing bottles, in a corner where I could clearly see him
all the time. Suddenly two shoes, which came from the
kitchen, fell at my feet. I instantly hastened to the kitchen,
followed by M. Fumero, to catch the joker — if there was
one — in the act. I mounted the staircase which led to the
garret, but could find no one there; I was then convinced
that the shoes came of themselves to my feet. Previously
the shoes must have been in their usual place. I saw
them while they were still in the air. The waiter, during
the phenomenon, had not moved from the spot where he
had previously been.
2. " I was in the cellar with M. Merini, Accountant,
and while I held a lighted candle in my hand, I saw some
full bottles thrown over and broken. Immediately after
M. Merini had remarked that the fermentation of the wine
might be the cause of the disturbance, some empty bottles
began to break. Certainly no one had anything to do
with the breaking of these articles.
" These two facts, more than anything else, led me to
the belief that the phenomena which occurred in the
refreshment room could not be due to any fraud, either
on the part of Fumero's wife or of the waiter, or, indeed,
of anybody else.
" I must therefore recede from the opinion that I first
expressed when Mme. Fumero told me of the mad antics
of the cat, the disappearance of food, &c., that she and
the waiter were doubtless subject to some malady which
induced them to commit these acts in secrecy.
"Christofle Raynero.
"Turin, December 22, 1900."
HAUNTED HOUSES 109
I also drew up the following declaration of M. Merini,
the Accountant, who was not able himself to find time for
that purpose. It may, however, be considered as exactly
agreeing with his opinions, and as giving each of his state-
ments its proper value.
Attestation of the Accountant, M, Merini
" I learnt about the phenomena of Via Bava through
the newspapers of other towns some days after they first
happened. I went immediately to the Bottigheria Cin-
zano, 6, Via Bava.
"It was an afternoon between November 19th and
25th. I was unwilling to believe the facts which were
reported, but I was nevertheless inclined to accept them if
I could be present at some absolutely clear manifestation,
I arrived at the spot at a time when, according to the
persons present, the manifestations were in full swing.
Those whom I questioned related many marvellous things,
among which I noted evident exaggeration of details, and
some contradictions ; then, learning that manifestations
had taken place in the cellar, before any one was there, I
expressed a desire to go there myself.
" There (in the cellar), in company with several other
persons, I saw bottles break without apparent and reason-
able cause. I wished to remain alone, the better to verify
the phenomenon. The other persons having assented to
this proposal, I shut myself up in the cellar, while all the
rest withdrew to the end of the passage, from which the
staircase leads to the upper floor. I began by assuring
myself, with the aid of a candle, that I was really alone.
This examination was easy, thanks to the smallness of the
cellar, and the difficulty that there would have been in
hiding behind the few utensils which were in it. Along
the walls, lengthwise of the cellar, there was a series of
strong beams supported at each end by posts. The planks
resting on these beams were completely covered with
bottles, empty and full. I also observed that the window
110 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
looking out on the courtyard, which formerly served to
light the cellar, was at that time obstructed by a plank.
" I then saw several empty and full bottles break of
themselves before my eyes. I placed a ladder near the
spot where they broke most frequently, and mounted to
the top rung. I took an empty bottle which had been
broken shortly before, and of which only the lower half
remained; I separated it from the others, placing it at
some distance from where it had previously been, namely,
on the top of one of the posts which supported the shelves.
After a few minutes the bottle broke again and flew into
splinters. This is one of the facts which I can certify
most precisely.
" On examining attentively the manner in which the
bottles broke, I was able to make out that the fracture was
preceded by the special cracking noise peculiar to breaking
glass. I had already observed that the empty bottles
broke in this way, from which it was evident that the
explosion could not be due to the pressure of gas produced
by fermentation, which besides was very improbable.
" To give an idea of the noise made by the bottles in
breaking, and of the way in which they crumbled to
pieces, I will add that it might be compared to the
breaking of those drops of glass which fly into powder
when they are scratched, and which are known as Prince
Rupert's Drops.
"As to the mysterious cause of these phenomena, I
confess that, although I had no reason to be afraid, I
always experienced in their presence a certain feeling of
astonishment and fear, for which I can give no reason ;
except that I recognised that the cause of these pheno-
mena was an intelligent one and uncontrollable by any
person's will. In other words, if I were convinced that
spirits existed, I should truly have to say that they were
the invisible authors of this uproar. I state this explicitly,
because I confess that before seeing such things I was
far from believing that they could produce such an effect
on me.
" I declare on my word of honour that the foregoing
HAUNTED HOUSES 111
is the truth, and that I am sure that I was not the
victim of illusion or fraud.
" FiETRO Merini, Accountant.
"TuEiK, 9, Via Pietro Micca,
" January 9, 1901."
Phenomena observed by Professor Lombroso
" I went into the cellar, at first in complete darkness,
and heard a noise of broken glasses, and bottles rolled at
my feet. The bottles were ranged in six compartments
one above another. In the middle was a rough table on
which I had six lighted candles placed, supposing that
the spirit phenomena would cease in the bright light.
But, on the contrary, I saw three empty bottles, standing
on the ground, roll as though pushed by a finger, and
break near the table. To obviate any possible trick, I
felt and carefully examined by the light of a candle all
the full bottles which were on the racks, and assured
myself that there was no cord or string which could
explain their movements.
" After a few minutes first two, then four, then two
other bottles on the second and third racks detached
themselves and fell to the ground, not suddenly, but as
though carried by some one ; and after their descent, rather
than fall, six of them broke on the wet floor, already
soaked with wine; only two remained whole. Then at
the moment of leaving the cellar, just as I was going out,
I heard another bottle break."
Criticism of Evidence
In case any reader should find the following pages
scarcely in harmony with the title of this section, I would
ask him to reflect on the difficulty experienced, in this
case, m collecting the facts and recording them in such
a way as to leave no doubt as to their authenticity, so that
some conclusion can be drawn from them.
If you go to the shop in the Via Bava, you will hear
112 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
related by one, and then another, a thousand different
incidents, and it will seem to you that there can be no
doubt as to their authenticity.
But take the pains to question them, insisting on
such and such a point, and you will immediately per-
ceive that nearly all your interlocutors contradict them-
selves on points they had previously affirmed, or do not
agree with some one who was present at the same events,
and you will be persuaded that all was merely a trick or
a hallucination.
If that astonishes you, I may tell )^ou that nothing on
the contrary is more natural.
In fact, it is sufficient to reflect that if we cannot regard
as always exempt from error even those who are endowed
with the scientific training which is indispensable in such
cases, and who are well acquainted with the difficulties
(which cannot always be foreseen) presented by the veri-
fication of mediumistic phenomena, it will be much worse
still for those who, while possessing scientific aptitudes,
do not possess the experience which is gained by studying
various mediums.
From that it follows that many studious and learned
persons have fallen into gross errors.
To mention only one of these, I will refer to the sup-
posed imposture of all the mediums from 1848 up till
to-day. Thus any amateur investigator of spiritism, who
possesses perhaps a name honourably known in other
branches, can allow himself to joke about experiments of
Crookes — to quote the name of a known experimenter —
because on reading his account he found he could make
such or such an objection ; or because, having decided to
hold a seance, he observed that the materialised form of
Katie King resembled that of the medium, a thing which
could not happen if Katie King was a person having a
separate existence, &c. &c.
This is the sort of confusion of ideas which is produced
by incompetent men. It seems to me like a surgeon per-
forming a delicate operation on a sick person after having
studied human anatomy only in the text-books.
HAUNTED HOUSES 113
But a truce to digressions. Therefore, if those who
ought to show themselves competent, permit themselves
to form certain judgments, what can a poor joiner or wine-
seller, both almost without education, tell you that is
serious or worthy of belief ?
There is, however, one thing which has some value if
regarded with a certain breadth of view. If, for example,
the four witnesses whose names appear at the foot of the
first attestation find it difficult to agree among themselves,
in describing such or such a fact, in such a way as to leave
no doubt as to its truth, they are not therefore fools ;
far from that. If they have had little education, they
have had experience as men who have seen life, and we
cannot refuse to place a certain amount of confidence
in them when they tell us decisively and with an
enthusiastic conviction : "I have seen." And the same
may be said of many other persons who repeat the same
refrain: " I have seen."
And that is why those who, from the circumstances in
which they were placed, ought to have been better able than
the others to state the facts precisely as they happened, are
those who, on the contrary, have given the least precise
account, and hence the vagueness of the first attestation.
The second, signed by Raynero, is more extended, and
states precisely two important facts — the throwing of shoes
by an unknown hand, and the spontaneous breaking of the
bottles in the cellar ; moreover, his manner of telling the
story inspires more confidence, because he allows himself
to be less carried away than the others into exaggeration
of the facts, while relating them with earnest conviction.
I do not, however, consider that we can blindly accept his
evidence on one point — that which deals with the con-
clusions which he draws from the facts ; that is to say,
the non-participation of the wife and waiter in the pheno-
mena, these two persons being the only ones on whom
suspicion rested. My suggestion is, however, that if
this participation did occur, it was entirely sub-conscious.
Further on I shall give some other reasons in support of
this view. For the present, it is sufficient to say that,
H
114 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
although there are indications which cause us to suspect
that the phenomena are not really supernormal, we must
logically exclude all thoughts of ordinary trickery.
Having expressed these doubts on Raynero's con-
clusions, I will now discuss the facts which led Ra3^nero
to such a conclusion.
Any one who carefully reads the description of the
telekinetic phenomena, which consisted in the throwing of
the shoes, with the plan of the place before him, cannot
fail to observe that the explanation given by Raynero is
insufficient to prove that there was not fraud on the part
of the waiter.
Urged by a doubt of this character after Raynero had
signed his declaration, I proposed to go Avith him to the
place in order to thoroughly clear up certain points. This
was done immediately. We shall now see with what
caution such evidence ought to be received.
I therefore ascertained — and Raynero also agreed — that
in the place Avhere he was seated (A) at the moment when
the shoes fell, it would have been difficult for him to see
if the waiter, engaged in his work in the other room (B),
had disappeared for a moment to throw the articles, which,
with unconscious premeditation, he must previousl}^ have
taken from their usual place. Even from the point in ques-
tion Raynero could not completely see the waiter, and no
one thought of putting him under surveillance ; moreover,
after the event took place there was no suggestion that
it might be due to fraud, so that it could not even be
ascertained if, immediately after the phenomenon occurred,
the waiter was calmly engaged in his work or not.
In these circumstances my opinion is that we can no
longer speak of certifying such a phenomenon.
When I had put these observations to him, Raynero
began to hesitate, then to doubt if the phenomenon had
really occurred, as I had done myself. But, after having
considered a little, he reverted to his first opinion, and
observed that he had seen the shoes when they were still
in the air, and that, according to the course they took, it
could be inferred that they had been thrown from a point
HAUNTED HOUSES 115
near the top of the staircase. It consequently seemed to
him that the waiter could not have accomplished this feat
without being seen and without making some noise, because,
owing to his small stature, he would have had to go nearly
up to the middle of the staircase. I am willing to accept
this correction by Raynero, although it is difficult, even
admitting that such details remained impressed on the
memory, to get rid of doubts as to the accuracy of the
observation, seeing that at the time no one expected any
such phenomenon.
I think I should also add, as a scrupulous narrator, a
detail as to the circumstances in which the phenomenon
was produced. At my request Raynero told me again that
the window of the garret (above the kitchen, C) was then
open. It seemed to me hardly probable, if not impossible,
that some one could hide in the garret and then get away
through the window. I found it to be equally unthinkable
that the shoes were thrown from the court through the
window in such a way as to pass through the garret and
fall at Raynero's feet. We can therefore, without much
fear of being mistaken, set aside these hypotheses.
Having examined the circumstances, we have to pro-
nounce and decide whether the phenomenon in question
is to be attributed to fraud on the part of the waiter, or if
it must be considered as a true supernormal phenomenon.
I consider that, owing to the conditions of the pheno-
menon being imperfectly verified, although there exists
a certain probability that they were produced by super-
normal means, it is best to abstain from a definite
judgment.
After all this discussion, and after so prolonged an
examination, some may ask themselves why, if the pheno-
menon appears to be doubtful and due to fraud, I have
made so specious an argument, based on a sub-conscious
fraud of the waiter, instead of on a real and conscious
deception.
These questions demand a few words in reply. In the
first place, I have tried to show why one could not accept
entirely the evidence of an individual who, among several
116 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
whom I questioned, might, it seemed to me, inspire con-
fidence by the exact manner in which he reported the
facts ; then to make the readers understand that these
facts ought to be rigorously attested in order to be taken
into consideration.
Under such circumstances it is necessary to be cautious,
seeing that, in this matter, we are still generally too
ignorant to be able to pass over in silence certain details
which seem a 'priori to be useless.
It is necessary above all to show discretion in the
question of "sub-conscious" or "automatic" fraud, to
which I must return, because it is denied or ignored by a
very large number of people, but on this I shall only
enlarge as far as is necessary to justify what I have said
above.
May I then be permitted' to call to mind that at the
time of the experiments, now historical, made at Milan,
through Eusapia Faladino — experiments in which a
number of persons, well known throughout the whole of
Europe, took part, and which marked a milestone in the
progress of these ideas in the orthodox camp — an in-
dividual (now dead) claimed to reveal how Eusapia
Paladino produced these phenomena.
The publicity given to this discovery caused many
persons to confuse together the phenomena which could
not in any way be attributed to fraud, with others,
with regard to which this accusation could be brought,
and to go so far as to charge with the greatest stupidity
ten or twelve persons who, fortunately, were not mere
nobodies.
Later on, in fact, it was discovered what constituted
Eusapia Paladino's frauds and their " automatic " or " sub-
conscious " nature. LTp to the present time, it should be
said that such " sub-conscious " frauds have been but little
studied in mediums, because those who have been in-
terested in these mediumistic phenomena either accept
everything, or attribute everything to common fraud,
whereas this latter is much rarer than we suppose in our
excessive pride, which causes a person of ordinary cunning
HAUNTED HOUSES 117
to fancy himself shrewder than every one else. For my
part I declare, from my own experience, that I consider
that "sub-conscious simulation," both in physical pheno-
mena and in the so-called communications from beyond
the tomb, is very frequently, if not always, bound up
with authentic phenomena.
I should then have considered it quite natural, and
in the order of things, if along with the authentic pheno-
mena of the Via Bava there had been observed " un-
conscious automatisms " of which I speak ; and, for more
than one reason, I even incline to the belief that such was
the case.
As to the evidence of the Accountant, M. Merini, I
state at once that there is little to say : the fact which
he relates is expressed with such precision of detail that
there is almost nothing to object to it. Further, in con-
versing with him, I am convinced that his mind is well
balanced, his judgment calm and sure, his conviction firm
and complete. Not only has he never manifested any
repugnance to the publication of his name ; but he even
wishes that I should say here that he is ready to repeat
to any one who desires to hear it what he has related
to me.
This last feature sufficiently characterises the indi-
vidual.
Finally, I have no need to comment on the declara-
tion of Professor Lombroso, because no one would refuse
to credit his statements.
Notes and Conclusions
I hope it has been made clear to the reader who has
impartially followed us up to this point that supernormal
phenomena really took place in the Via Bava.
Some one, however, will say: "Who was the medium
that produced all these extraordinary things ? " And,
in fact, it is admitted that these phenomena are always
due to the presence of certain persons gifted with special
aptitudes.
118 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
But I do not know how to reply to such an apparently
simple question. Was it the waiter that was the medium ?
Or the wife ? Or both ? Several seances have, however,
been held in the same cellar in the Via Bava, with the
same persons, without obtaining any result to be compared
with the other phenomena.
I should be inclined to believe that there was a
mediumistic contagion. I could not, however, affirm this.
Be that as it may, why did these phenomena break
out suddenly, and why did they disappear in the same
manner? We have not been able to find out the real
reason.
I believe, however, that it is not surprising that the
Avife and the waiter, although both mediums, did not
produce anything outside of a determined sphere. Per-
haps they were special mediums, "occasional mediums,"
so to speak, of whom we find numerous examples. And
thus it was that at the end of November the phenomena
ceased altogether, and were no longer produced, even in
the new place to which the waiter went after leaving the
Bottigheria Cinzano.
It will not be unacceptable to the reader, I hope, if I
add a few words about the Fumeros and their waiter.
Bartolomeo Fumero is a man of about fifty years of
age. He is square-shouldered, and has the red face
usually found in drinkers. He is of an impulsive nature,
falling easily into exaggeration when talking. (Thus,
doubtless, he exaggerated the damage he had suffered.)
In other respects his neighbours regarded him as a
very honest man, incapable of injuring any one.
His wife, when I saw her for the first time (on the
occasion of the phenomena), seemed to be ill. Now
she is well, but she is still pale and delicate. She was
not willing to admit to me that she had ever been sub-
ject to any hallucinations whatever. Professor Lombroso,
on the contrary, in his statement, makes an allusion to
these hallucinations. She is clever, knows how to write
and keep accounts. She underwent an operation for
hystero-ovariotomy a year ago.
HAUNTED HOUSES 119
The waiter is not of full height, and is of moderate
intelligence. There is apparently nothing else to remark
concerning him. With regard to fraud, I recall an obser-
vation made by a workman who was one day present at
a spontaneous breaking of bottles. He saw, or thought
he saw, that this breaking of bottles was always preceded
by a sudden movement of the waiter. The workman
explained that by saying that the waiter threw out the
force. We record the observation ; even such a pheno-
menon is not new, since it has already been observed with
other mediums — for instance, with the very well-known
Neapolitan medium, of whom we have already spoken
with regard to sub-conscious fraud. I shall return to
this question of ajiparent fraud in connection with the
observations made with other mediums.
Let us, then, sum up. Via Bava was the scene of
perfectly authentic phenomena of a supernormal char-
acter; also of less well-defined phenomena, obscurely
connected with the first.
We have, in fact, spoken of hallucinations, of sub-
conscious frauds, and even — as if this were not sujfficient
to complicate all verification of the facts — of a case of
undoubted appearance of fraud in the automatic move-
ments of the waiter preceding some of the phenomena.
We can easily understand why such uncertainty is
prejudicial to the effect which these phenomena ought
to produce on public opinion. Only, if the question is
so far from clear, this is due mainly to the indifference
with which the majority of scientific men regard this
class of studies. As to the majority of the public, they
take advantage of these uncertainties to create confusion
and to throw doubt even upon what is now absf)lutely
proved; that is to say, that in Spiritism, Mediumship,
Occultism — call it what you will — there exist facts op-
posed to the general idea which we have formed as to
the laws governing the physical world.
CHAPTER IX
TELEPATHY
Telepathic warnincrs without Hallucinations or Visions — Telepathic
warnings with Hallucination — Telepathic warnings with Vision
We shall define telepathy as the knowledge which a subject
(called the percipient) receives of a fact concerning another
subject, whom we call the agent, and winch takes place at
a distance, outside the range of the normal senses, and
without this fact being able to come to his knowledge by
the normal operation of his senses or by any known means.
It seems, however, that, in the majority of cases, the
phenomenon of telepathy is due to the operation of the
faculty of lucidity possessed by the percipient, and that,
consequently, we may connect telepathy with the more
common phenomenon of lucidity, of which it only forms a
special case.
However, there are some instances which are classed
in the category of telepathic facts, in which there seems
to be something intervening which is foreign to the
phenomenon of lucidity.
First, there are cases in which a hallucination without
vision, occurring to one or several percipients, coincides with
a fact which interests them and has taken place at a dis-
tance from them, but does not communicate to them the
knowledge of this fact. It is true that, in these cases, we
can say that the percipient has a vague, general perception
of an accident, and these cases may be considered as a
phenomenon of rudimentary lucidity not fully developed.
But there are, besides, cases in which a telepathic vision
leaves undeniable objective traces of such a character
that we can no longer class this vision in the category
of hallucinatory visions.
TELEPATHY 121
These cases are only a combination of several psychical
phenomena, and wc know with what facility and frequency
these various phenomena are mixed together and super-
posed one on another. We may, therefore, here consider
that a new phenomenon has to be added to that of
lucidity.
In order to obtain a scientific classification of the pheno-
mena of telepathy we have to consider on the one hand
the transmitting agent ; and on the other, the percipient.
With regard to the agent, we find that in the majority
of cases it is at the moment of the approach of death that
the telepathic communication is made. In cases where
the agent is living, most frequently he is the victim of
an accident, suffering from intense emotion and con-
siderable anguish. Also there are some very rare instances
in which the agent has himself a knowledge of the tele-
pathic vision which he produces. Finally, in some of
these last-named cases, not only is the agent conscious
of the vision produced, but it is voluntary and produced
by an effort which he himself makes to appear to the
percipient. With regard to the percipient, we have first
of all to consider whether he is in the waking or in the
sleeping state at the moment when he receives the
telepathic communication.
In the second place, we have to consider the manner
in which he receives this communication. In the waking
state we find simple premonitions, without hallucination
or vision, and, in one case, premonition manifested through
automatic writing.
In other cases we find telepathic communications, with
hallucination without vision, in which the hallucinations
may extend to several persons, but the communication
has a vague and incomplete character. Finally, Ave shall
find, on the part of the percipient telepathic communica-
tions with vision, this vision either consisting in the
simple appearance of the picture of the agent ; or pre-
senting more complex character, and making known to
the percipient some very circumstantial details as to the
fact or the accident that has befallen the agent. These
122 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
visions sometimes present themselves with the very
peculiar characteristic of being seen by other persons at
the same time as the recipient to whom they are sent.
Here is a case in which we find, in the waking state, a
premonition of the danger incurred by some young men
in an accident. This premonition occurred, as we shall
see, without vision and without hallucination. The com-
munication otherwise is vague, and, while certainly
making known that a danger had been run, it did not
designate its character. One particular point to note in
this case is that the communication came, not to the
person most nearly related to the subject who had encoun-
tered the danger, but to a stranger who served as inter-
mediary to communicate it to the person concerned.
This account is taken from the Annales des Sciences
Psychiques : —
"On April 30, 1889," says Madame X., " I was present
at Benediction at the Convent of the Soeurs de la Sagesse
on the occasion of the feast of the Blessed Father de
Montfort. At the moment of Benediction the good
mother, whose praying - stool was separated from my
chair by a grating, turned abruptly towards me (she had
to turn three quarters round) and said to me : * Madame,
I am going to pray to our good father (the Blessed de
Montfort) for your young people, that he will protect
them ; he loves all young people ; you pray also for
them.' This seemed to me very strange, because it was
at the moment of Benediction when every one was wrapped
in contemplation, and the good sisters generally were as
still as statues. Sister Saint A. had never seemed to
take any interest in my children, whom she scarcely knew,
and her manner and attitude were generally so reserved,
so calm, and the expression on her face at this moment
was so singular that all present were strongly inclined to
laugh, and it was passed from chair to chair that the
good mother was going mad. They did not remember
ever having seen her turn away from her prayers to address
such words to her neighbours.
TELEPATHY 123
" After the ceremony I returned home, and there I
was told that my two sons had nearly been run over in
a carriage accident, and that only a quarter of an hour
before. Both of them had been violently thrown out ot
a gig, and under a cart. The horse stopped short just
at the moment when the wheel was about to pass over
one of them. The younger had a broken arm, the elder
only sustained some bruises."
The same evening Madame X. told her husband the
good mother's presentiment ; he remembers the fact and
confirms it.
Here I leave Madame X., senior, to tell the story ; she
was a woman of very clear mind, but, like her daughter,
very credulous as to interventions from beyond the tomb.
" ' On the evening of the accident, as we wished to
make our acknowledgments to Father de Montfort, I went
to the convent to have some candles burnt in the chapel.
I found the nuns all ' in the air ' (sic), and the good
mother in tears. They had learned of the event, and
were in the choir blessing the name of the saint. The
good mother came to me and said : ' During Benedic-
tion, I felt a blow at the heart (sic) ; I thought of your
children, and looked for their mother to tell her to pray
for them.'
"It is certain that the good mother turned towards
Madame X. at the moment of Benediction to exhort her to
recommend her children to the care of Father de Mont-
fort, which appeared somewhat extraordinary, and it was
not a habit of the elderly nun, as many persons remarked
and still remember. It is certain that at the same hour,
and as far as it is possible to say, within the same quarter
of an hour, Madame X.'s children were in great danger."
Extract from a letter froon Madame X. to Dr. Emery
" JONZAC, January 9, 1891.
" The account of the accident has been often told to
me, and quite recently again during the New Year holi-
days by the three actors, my two sons J. and R., and my
124 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
nephew E. ; they were then aged respectively eighteen,
fourteen, and seventeen years. They Avere therefore per-
fectly able to understand the gravity of the occurrence,
and no one was in a better position to tell the story.
" On April 29, 1889, they all three set out for a ride in
a gig. On their returning to the town, their light carriage,
carelessly driven, collided with a large cart filled with
stone which was going in the same direction as they were.
They were violently thrown out. J. and E. suffered from
contusions and bruises ; R. found himself lying under the
wheel of the cart ; he did not faint, and he felt himself
absolutely lost. As he has often repeated since, he ' had
death in front of him.' His brother J. rushed to the
wheel and tried to stop it with his hands.
" Was it his effort, although too feeble, or was it simply
the movement of the driver, on hearing the noise ? The
wheel stopped just after breaking R.'s arm. Another
step of the horse, or a further movement due to the
impetus gained, and I should never have seen my son
again. All the witnesses of this scene, and they were
numerous, because people were commg from the five
o'clock train, thought that he was completely crushed ;
some regarded it as a miracle, others as extraordinary,
that greater damage had not been done.
"During this time I was at the well-known service
in the chapel of the sisters of La Sagesse. My place was
against the railing, almost behind that of the Superior,
Madame H. But at the moment of Benediction the good
mother rose, turned round, and looking at me said:
' Madame X., I am going to pray to our good Father for
your boys ; he will protect them, he loves all young people,
you must pray also.' This seemed to me to be very strange,
and I must admit even made me laugh, because the good
mother, with whom, it is true, I am on very good terms,
scarcely knew my children ; they had never been to see
her ; she could scarcely have known that it was their
holiday time. My mother, who was by my side, was
also surprised and asked, ' What did the good mother
want with you ? ' I told her that I did not know what
TELEPATHY 125
had come to hor. Several of the ladies present asked me
the same question as we left the chapel.
" After the ceremony I went to make a visit, when
some one came to look for me to tell me of the accident.
"As to the coincidence of time there is no doubt
whatever. I have told you that when R. was under the
cart, people were commg from the 4.55 train : he fell down
in front of the Auberge Bobrie ; if you calculate, it
must have been 5.15. Vespers commenced at 4.30 — three
quarters of an hour would be taken up in chanting the
psalms, anthems, and canticles before the Benediction ;
that is the time always taken. We were so impressed
that my mother returned immediately to the convent
to ask them to burn a candle in front of the saint's statue.
She found the nuns in tears. They had just been told of
what had happened, and were clustering round the good
mother, who said that she had felt a blow at her heart
and had immediately thought of the young X.'s. She was
an elderly, saintly, and very simple woman.
The following case comes from Dr. Liebeault.
Here again there was neither hallucination nor vision ;
the communication was made by means of automatic
writing.
" This incident happened in a French family from New
Orleans, who had been living for some time at Nancy
in order to settle up a business matter. I had made the
acquaintance of this family, because the head of it, M. G.,
had brought his niece. Mile. B., to me that I might treat
her by hypnotism. She had become slightly anasmic
and was suffering from extreme nervousness, which she
had contracted at Coblenz, in a school where she had been
teacher. I was easily able to put her into a somnambu-
listic condition, and she was cured in two sittings. Since
the production of this state of sleep had demonstrated to
the family and to Mile. B. that she could easily become
a medium (Mme. G. was a spiritist medium), this young
lady practised the invocation of spirits, in which she
sincerely believed, by the assistance of the pen, and at
126 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
the end of two months she became a remarkable writing
medium.
" I have seen her with my own eyes rapidly write several
pages of what she called messages, in well-chosen terms,
without erasure, and at the same time engage in con-
versation w^ith persons around her. The curious thing
was that she never had any knowledge of what she was
writing. 'Therefore,' she said, 'it can only be a spirit
that directs my hand ; it is not I.'
" One day, I think it was February 7, 1868, about
eight o'clock in the morning, when the table was being
laid for breakfast, she felt a desire, something that im-
pelled her to write (that is what she called a trance), and
she immediately ran to her large note-book, in which
she traced in a feverish manner, with the pencil, some
indecipherable characters. She again drew the same
characters on the following pages, and when at last
the excitement of her mind cooled down, it could be read
that a person, named Margaret, had announced her death.
" It was immediately supposed that a young lady of this
name, who was her friend, and had been a teacher in the
same school at Coblenz, had died. All the family, in-
cluding Mile. B., immediately came to me, and we decided
to find out the same day if the death had really taken
place. Mile. B. wrote to a young English lady, one of
her friends, who was also a teacher at the boarding-school
in question, making some excuse, as she did not wish
to make the real motive known. By return of post
we received a reply in English, from which they copied
for me the essential part, which I found in my writing-
case about a fortnight ago. It expressed the astonishment
of this young English lady at receiving Mile. B.'s letter,
which she had not expected so soon, seeing that the
special reason for writing was not apparent. But, at the
same time, the English friend hastened to announce to
our medium that their common friend Margaret had
died on February 7th, about eight o'clock in the morning.
Moreover, a small square piece of paper was inserted
in the letter; it was a notification of the death. It is
TELEPATHY 127
needless to tell you that I verified the envelope containing
the letter, and that it appeared to me to have really
come from Coblenz. Only I have since regretted that
I did not, in the interests of science, ask the family to
go with me to the telegraph office to make sure that
they had not received a telegram during the morning of
February 7th. Science ought not to have any bashfulness ;
truth has no fear of being seen. I have only a moral proof
of the truth of the fact, that is, the honour of the family
G., which always seemed to me to be above suspicion."
The two following cases are of hallucination without
vision. They are quoted by M. Flammarion in his work
and are supplied by General Parmentier, who states that
the two facts occurred in his family.
" Several persons had met for a luncheon party given
at Andlau in Alsace. After waiting awhile for the master
of the house, who had gone out hunting, they sat down
to the table without him, his wife saying it could not
be long before he came in. They began breakfast very
merrily, expecting every minute to see the over-zealous
votary of St. Hubert appear. But time went on. Every
one was astonished at the length of the delay, when
suddenly, though the day was calm and the heavens blue,
the window of the dining-room, which was wide open, was
shut violently with a great noise, and opened wide again
immediately. The guests were astonished that this could
have happened without overturning a decanter of water
which was standing on a table close to the window,
and that the decanter remained undisturbed. Those
who had seen it and heard the noise could not understand
anything of what had occurred. ' Some misfortune has
just happened ! ' cried the lady of the house, rising from
the table in affright. The luncheon came to an end.
Three-quarters of an hour later the dead body of the
sportsman was brought in on a stretcher. He had re-
received a charge of shot full in his heart. He died
immediately, having only time to exclaim : ' My wife 1
my poor children ! ' "
128 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
In this case, we are justified in placing in the category
of halhicinations the phenomenon perceived by the wit-
nesses. In point of fact, it follows from their statement
that the window could not be closed without overturning
the decanter, and this remained unmoved. It therefore
seems to have been simple perception of a loud noise that
the witnesses, probably by auditive analogy, had attributed
to the closing of the window. The account seems to
leave it to be supposed that some of the witnesses had
also seen the window closed ; but in addition to the fact
that the visual phenomenon is not sufficiently proved, it
can be completely explained by a secondary hallucination,
caused by the noise heard in the direction of the window.
The fact of the decanter being undamaged cannot leave
us in doubt as to the hallucinatory character of the pheno-
menon observed, or, at the very least, as to the error of
interpretation of the noise heard.
A circumstance which also ought to be noted is that
the phenomenon was perceived not only by the subject
directly interested, the wife of the agent, probably in com-
munication with him, but also by other persons present,
who seem to have observed the phenomenon in the same
manner.
I ought to add that the telepathic phenomenon in this
case impressed the percipient with the idea that a misfor-
tune was about to happen, but it does not seem to have
communicated clear perception of what had really hap-
pened. It is therefore only an instance of incomplete or
attenuated lucidity.
Wo place in the same category the following case,
which we extract from the same source: —
" It occurred at Schlcstadt, in the Department of the
Bas-Rhin, on a warm summer night. The door of com-
munication between the bedroom and the salon had been
left open, and in the salon two windows were kept wide
open by chairs whose backs touched them. The father
and mother of M. Parmentier were asleep.
" Suddenly Madame Parmentier was awakened by
her bed being sharply shaken up and down. She was
TELEPATHY 129
astonished and somewhat alarmed ; she woke her hus-
band, and told him what had occurred.
" Suddenly a second shock took place, this time very
violent. General Parmentier's father thought it was an
earthquake, though earthquakes are very rare in Alsace.
He got up, lighted a candle, and seeing nothing unusual
went to bed again. But immediately afterwards the bed
was again shaken violently and a great noise was heard
in the adjoining salon, as though the windows were vio-
lently closed and all their panes broken. The earthquake
seemed to continue worse than ever. M. and Mme. Par-
mentier got out of bed and went to examine what mis-
chief had been done in the salon; they found nothing.
The windows were still wide open ; the chairs had not
moved ; the night was calm ; the sky clear and full of
stars. There had been neither earthquake nor wind-
storm— the noise and commotion had been fictitious.
M. and Mme. Parmentier lived on the first floor ; on the
second floor, below them, lived an elderly woman whose
wardrobe creaked abominably every time she opened or
shut the door. This disagreeable creak had been heard
among the noises, and they had asked' each other what
could induce the old lady to be opening and shutting her
wardrobe door at that hour. When they found that nothing
had been disturbed in the salon, that the windows were
still open and the furniture unmoved, Mme. Parmentier
grew frightened. She began to think that something
had happened to her friends, to her father and mother,
whom, on her recent marriage, she had left shortly before
at Strasbourg, and who were all, as she thought, in perfect
health.
" But she soon afterwards heard that her old governess,
whom she had not seen since her marriage, and who had
gone back to her family in Vienna, had died that same
nio-ht, and that before she died she had several times
expressed regret that she had been separated from her
dear pupil, for whom she had a warm attachment.
" When next day Mme. Parmentier asked her neigh-
bour on the ground floor if she had opened her creaking
130 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
cupboard in the middle of the night, if she had been
shaken in her bed, and if she had heard unusual noises
the answer was ' No,' and she added that, being an old
woman, she was a poor sleeper, and if anything unusual
had occurred she would certainly have noticed it."
Here are two cases which resemble each other suffi-
ciently, while differing from other telepathic phenomena,
for us to place them in a category by themselves.
Let us then examine them, and try to explain them the
one by the other.
First of all, we notice that the noise heard did not
proceed from the cause to which the percipients at first
attributed it — that is to say, "the abrupt closing of the
windows. We have the proof of this — in the first instance,
by the decanter which remained intact ; in the second in-
stance, by the chairs which were placed in front of the
window, and which were found in their places after the
phenomenon.
But this evidence is not sufficient for us to demon-
strate that the phenomenon was purely hallucinatory. Li
pomt of fact, a real noise might very well have been pro-
duced outside, have been heard through the open windows,
and by reason of the similarity of sound and direction
have been attributed to the closing of these windows.
We might be able to admit this hypothesis in the first
instance, where the noise was heard by every one present
in the dining-room. But, in the second case, the hypo-
thesis is inadmissible, because the noise was loud enough
to have wakened an aged person, only sleeping lightly in
a room immediately underneath. Further, it may be
pointed out that in the second case the creaking of a cup-
board was heard, when it was ascertained that the door
had not been opened.
Wo are therefore led to recognise the purely subjective
character of these two phenomena.
We shall call this category that of telepathic communi-
cations with hallucination but without vision.
One further observation must be made as to these two
TELEPATHY 131
cases; it is that the hallucination, although collective,
only becomes a telepathic warning for the percipient for
whom the communication was intended. In the first case,
it was only the wife of the huntsman who had the per-
ception of the accident that had happened to her husband,
and she expressed it by crying out, " Some misfortune has
just happened !" In the second case, M. Parmentier attri-
buted what he saw and heard to an earthquake, when Mme.
Parmentier believed that some misfortune had happened
to her people. She was mistaken in her interpretation with
regard to the person to whom she attributed it, but it was
really she who was in the thoughts of her dying governess.
The warning is therefore vague and the communica-
tion incomplete.
We now come to some cases in which the telepathic
warning is more definite. The percipient has no longer
the vague perception of an accident or of the death of a
person whom he cannot designate, but the fact is rendered
more precise by the appearance of the person who has
died.
In the first case, it is true we have not the certain
indication that there was a vision, but the whole of the
story enables us to conclude that it was by means of a
dream that Mme. X. learned of the death of her father.
The story has been published in the Annales des
Sciences Psychiques.
"In the month of November 1870, I was at Madrid
with my family — that is to say, my father, mother, brother,
and sister. My brother was three years old, my sister
eight, while I was thirteen years of age. We three chil-
dren slept in a bedroom adjoining our parents' bedroom,
and separated from it by a glass door left half open.
" At two o'clock m the morning my mother woke up
with a start and crying. She rose and came to our room
and awakened us all saying : ' Pray for your grandfather
(my father) who has died ! ' Now at that time, our grand-
father was in Paris, which was besieged by the German
Army : we only received news once a fortnight, and that
132 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
irregularly, by balloon despatches. My grandfather was
suffering from an internal complaint. We knew that he
was ill, but not that his condition was serious. But I
remember perfectly that, without apparent motive, our
mother came to us in the middle of the night to awaken
us. I believe that it was the only time that such a thing
happened. My father tried to tranquillise my mother, who
Avished to put us into mourning the next day. At the
request of my father she did not do so ; nevertheless she
made all preparations for going into mourning, and told
everybody : ' My father is dead.'
" About a month afterwards we had the confirmation of
her dream ; we learnt that my grandfather had died rather
suddenly during the night which preceded the dream. I
am unfortunately not able to give more details, because
I was very young. My grandmother, father, and mother
have all died since that time, and, besides, the papers were
burned during the second siege of Paris. But I think
that I can say that my grandfather's death preceded my
mother's dream by a few hours — and a few hours only."
In the above case the vision of the image of the agent
is very clearly described ; it was this vision that made
known the death to the percipient, but without giving
any particular details of it.
In the following case, the transmitter appeared to the
receiver and told him that he had just died. The receiver
stated that he had the vision before waking, but since the
incident occurred during the night, we cannot be quite
sure that it was not a dream.
" On February 4, 1888,^ M. Montegout rose in the
morning to make his visit of inspection in the Colony.
When he returned at lunch-time his wife said to him :
' La Mothe-Pradelle is dead ! '
"At first surprised at this abrupt news, his fears were
quickly removed when Mmc. Montegout told him the
following story : She had waked up in the night, and, on
opening her eyes, she saw before her La Mothe-Pradelle,
' A7inalcs dcs Sciences Psychiques.
TELEPATHY 1B3
who pressed her hand and said to her : ' I have just died :
adieu.'
" On hearing this M. Montegout chaffed his wife a good
deal and told her that she had dreamed all that.
" She, for her part, declared that she was not asleep
when she saw the apparition.
" One or two days afterwards I went to dine with
M. Montegout, who related to his guests how he had
chaffed Mme. Montegout.
"But the director of the Colony said that he believed
in the reality of the apparition and, consequently, in the
death of the deputy.
" The discussion was lively, and ended with the bet of
a dinner.
" Six or eight weeks later there came to the Colony a
number of the Independant de Bergerac, announcing that
M. de La Mothe-Pradelle, Deputy of Dordogne, had died
on the night of February 3rd or 4th, 1888."
We now come to some cases in which it happens that the
percipient has had, in a waking state, a vision of the agent.
A regiment, not very long since stationed at New
Orleans, had a temporary mess-room erected, at one end
of which was a door for the officers ; and, at the other, a
door and a space railed off for the messman. One day
two of the officers were playing at chess, or draughts, one
sitting with his face towards the centre of the room, the
other with his back to it. " Bless me ! why, surely that is
your brother!" exclaimed the former to the latter, who
looked eagerly round, his brother being then, as he
believed, in England. By this time the figure, having
passed the spot where the officers were sitting, presented
only his back to them. " No," replied the second, " that
is not my brother's regiment ; that's the uniform of the
Rifle Brigade. By heavens ! it is my brother, though," he
added, starting up and eagerly pursuing the stranger, who
at that moment turned his head and looked at him, and
then, somehow, strangely disappeared amongst the people
standing at the messman's end of the room. Supposing
134 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
he had gone out that way, the brother pursued him, but
he was not to be found ; neither had the messman, nor
anybody there, observed him. The young man died at
that time in England, having just exchanged into the
Rifle Brigade.
In the following case also the image of the agent
appears to the percipient, but this picture has a parti-
cular characteristic expression, which leaves no doubt in
the percipient's mind as to the reality of the fatal event.
" On February 21, 1879," ^ writes the communicator of
the narrative, " I was invited to dinner with my friends
M. and Mme. B. On going into the drawing-room I
noticed the absence of one of the usual guests, M. d'E.,
whom I nearly always met at their table. I remarked
upon this and Mme. B. told me that d'E., who was in the
employ of an important bank, was doubtless very busy at
that moment, because he had not been seen for two days.
Nothing more was said with regard to d'E. The repast
went off very merrily, and Mme. B. did not show the
least sign of preoccupation. During dinner we planned
to spend the evening at the theatre.
" At dessert Mme. B. rose in order to go and dress in
her room, the door of which leading into the dining-room
remained half open.
" B. and I remained at the table smoking our cigars,
when, after a few moments, we heard a terrible cry.
Thinking that an accident had happened, we rushed into
the room and found Mme. B. seated and apparently ill.
" She recovered by degrees, and then told us the follow-
ing story : ' After leaving you, I dressed myself for going
out, and was about to tie my hat-strings, when suddenly I
saw in this glass d'E. coming in at the door. He had his
hat on, and looked pale and sad ; without turning round
I said to him : Well, d'E., here you arc — sit down ; and as
he did not reply I turned round and could see nothing.
Being frightened I called out as you heard.' B., in order
to reassure his wife, began to chaff her, regarding the
apparition as a nervous hallucination, and said that d'E.
* Annates dcs Sciences Psychiqucs.
TELEPATHY 135
would be much flattered at learning liow much he was
in her thoughts ; then, as Mme. B. was still trembling, in
order to stop her emotion we proposed to start out at
once, saying that we should miss the ' curtain-raiser.'
" ' I did not think of d'E. for a single moment,' Mme. B.
told us, ' since M. Fournier asked me the reason for his
absence. I am not nervous, and I have never had any
hallucination. I am sure there is something extraordi-
nary about it, and as for myself, I do not wish to go out
before having news of d'E. I beg of you to go to his
house as the only way to reassure me.'
" I advised B, to accede to his wife's request, and Ave
both set out for d'E.'s house, which was only a very short
distance away. As we walked we joked a good deal on
Mme. B.'s fears.
" On reaching the house we asked the concierge if
d'E. was at home. ' Yes, sir, he has not come down to-
day.' D'E. lived in small bachelor's chambers ; he kept
no servant. We went up to his room and rang several
times without getting any reply. We then rang louder,
and knocked as hard as we could, but without better
success. B., who was disturbed in spite of himself, said
to me : ' This is absurd. The concierge was mistaken ;
he has gone out. Let us go down.' But the concierge
said that he was quite certain that d'E. had not gone out.
" Really frightened, we went upstairs again with him,
and again tried to obtain an entrance ; then, not hearing
any movement in the room, we sent for a locksmith. We
forced the door and found the dead body of d'E., still
warm, lying on his bed, pierced with two revolver shots.
" The doctor, whom we immediately fetched, found
that d'E. had first tried to commit suicide by swallowing
a phial of laudanum, and finding that this did not act suffi-
ciently quickly, he fired two revolver shots into his heart.
Although I am not able to state the time exactly, it was,
however, almost absolutely coincident with the so-called
hallucination of Mme. B. On his mantelpiece he had left
a letter addressed to M. and Mme. B. announcing his deter-
mination, a letter showing particular affection for Mme. B."
CHAPTER X
.TELEPATHY (continued)
Telepathic Vision of a Scene — Voluntary Telepathic
Apparition
The following are two cases in which the agent was not
dead, but had met with an accident. The percipient was
in a semi-waking condition, in which he saw not only the
image of the agent, but also had a vision of certain details
of the accident that had happened to him.
In the first case ^ the percipient, Mrs. B., seems to have
clearly seen the whole of the accident. She wrote with
regard to it : —
" May 9, 1883.
" This happened in January last, on a Tuesday. I was
about to set out on one of my usual visits to Southampton.
I had received a letter from a friend in the morning, who
told me that he was going hunting that day, but that he
would write to me on the following day, so that I should
find his letter on my return. When in the train, being
tired, I put my book down and closed my eyes, and
immediately the following scene came before me : in
the hunting-field two horsemen were preparing to jump
over a low wall ; my friend's horse took the jump, was
not able to clear the wall, and fell on to his head, throwinsf
his rider under him. The whole scene vanished. I was
wide awake all the time. My friend Avas a good horseman,
and there was no reason why such an accident should
happen to him. Immediately on arriving at Southampton
I wrote to him, telling him simply that I knew he had met
with a fall, and that I hoped he was not seriously injured.
" On my return on Wednesday very late at night, not
finding the promised letter, I wrote him a few lines, saying
' Annales des Sciences Psychiques.
136
TELEPATHY 137
that I hoped to hear some news on the following day
with regard to his fall. On the same evening that I re-
turned I told two people what I had seen, and I had even
spoken of it to some friends with whom I dined on the
Tuesday evening after my arrival, and they all laughed
at me. On Thursday morning I received a letter from
my friend. He told me that he had had a fall when
trying to jump over a low stone wall, that the horse had
not cleared it and had fallen on his head, and that he
himself had not been greatly injured, and had remounted
the horse a little later on. When he wrote he had not
then received any of my letters, because my letter of
Tuesday would not arrive in Scotland until Thursday
morning, and that of Wednesday not until Friday. When
he received my letters he declared that I must have been
asleep. Nothing of the kind had ever happened to me
before, or has happened since. It all seemed to me very
natural, and did not alarm me in the least."
Mrs. B. replied to the questions I addressed to her
as follows: —
" My friend, who is a stubborn Scotchman, refuses to say
a word more on this matter. All I know is that there were
two horsemen, who were riding towards the same place."
She said that her vision took place about three o'clock
in the afternoon, and that she learned from her friend
that the accident took place " after lunch." She did not
for a moment think that a disaster had happened, and
she was sure that her friend was not much hurt. She
could not say whether her eyes were closed or open,
but she was sure that she had never had an impression
of a similar character.
In this case the proof of telepathy or of second-sight —
the older and better-known expression — seems to have
been established by the concurrence of events.
Mrs. B., on arriving at Southampton, wrote to her
friend (whom we will call Mr. X.), and told him that
" she knew he had met with a fall from his horse, and
that she hoped he was not much hurt." The same
138 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
evening she related her vision to the friends with whom
she dined, who all laughed at her.
On Wednesday evening, on her return very late at
night, not finding the expected letter at home, she wrote
to Mr. X., and told him that she hoped to have news
of his fall on the following day ; further, she told two
persons what she had seen. She eventually received
the promised letter on Thursday morning, which had
crossed her two letters, and which described the accident
just as she had seen it. The production of these letters,
with their respective envelopes showing the post-mark,
would have established the fact that Mrs. B. could not
have known that Mr. X. had had a fall, since it was
materially impossible for her to have been informed of
it, as her vision took place at a time very near to the
time of the accident : it would have proved that the
letters had really crossed, and that they could not have
reached their destination soon enough to influence either
Mrs. B. or her friend.
In the second case (mentioned in Myers' Human
Personality) the percipient did not see the whole of the
scene of the accident, but he perceived in the vision from
the transmitter the exact particulars of the wound that
he had received.
On the evening of February 10, 1894, Mr. Kearne was
sitting in his room expecting the return of two friends.
After allowing half-an-hour beyond their usual time of
arrival he began to get uneasy, but arguing to himself
that there was no occasion for alarm, he took an interest-
ing book and became absorbed in it, his mind being
perfectly quiet. After some twenty minutes he says :
" Suddenly, without a moment's warning, my whole being
seemed roused to the highest state of tension or alertness,
and I was aware, with an intensity not easily imagined
by those who have never experienced it, that another
being or presence was not only in the room but close
to me. I put my book down, and although my excite-
ment was great, I felt quite collected and not conscious
of any sense of fear. Without changing my position, and
TELEPATHY 139
looking straight at the tire, I knew somehoAv that my friend
A. H, was standing at my left elbow, but so far behind me
as to be hidden by the arm-chair in which I was leaning
back."
On moving his eyes slightly Mr. Kearne distinguished
the lower portion of one leg, and recognised the grey-blue
trousers often worn by his friend. The stuff appeared
semi-transparent, reminding him of tobacco smoke in
its consistency, but he did not wish to see more, and
gazed at the fire in front of him. After an appreciable
time, probably some seconds, although it seemed much
longer, he distinctly saw, about four feet away from him,
and almost immediately behind his chair, the figure of
his friend, the face very pale, the head slightly thrown
back, the eyes shut, and on one side of the throat, just
under the jaw, a wound with blood on it. The figure
remained motionless, with the arms close to the side, and
Mr. Kearne looked steadily at it. Then all at once he
roused himself and turned deliberately round, when the
figure vanished ; he then realised that he had seen
the figure behind him — an impossible feat physically.
Being accustomed to psychical phenomena, Mr. Kearne
carefully noted the time of the apparition, 10.50 p.m. He
thought that an accident must have happened to his
friend. At 11.35 a cab stopped at the door, and his
friend arrived : he had been, as a matter of fact, the victim
of an accident which had caused a wound identical with
that which Mr. Kearne had telepathically seen. On leav-
ing the station Mr. A. H. had gone into a restaurant to
have some supper. He complamed of the heat, and went
out into the street to get some fresh air. He suddenly
felt his senses leave him, and fell heavily forward, strik-
ing his jaw on the edge of the curb. It was apparently
during this faintness that he had telepathically affected
his friend Mr. Kearne.
I will now quote two instances in which the agent was
dead : the percipient saw in a dream the whole of the scene
accompanying the death, with an extraordinary precision
140 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
as to small details, which makes these two cases very
remarkable.
The first was mentioned in L'Eclio du inerveilleux in
1906, and was narrated by Lieut.-Colonel Etienne Peroz.
"It was at the station of Niagassola in the Soudan,
where, for several months, along with my little garrison
and the population of the village protected by the fort,
I had been besieged by the army of Samory. One must
have read the description of a siege in the darkest hours
of the Middle Ages to be able to imagine the horrible
distress in which all these soldiers, old men, women, and
children, lived for close on six months. Famine, pesti-
lence, and smallpox were among the evils let loose, and
they thinned the population alarmingly.
" Two-thirds of the adult population, three-fourths of
the children, more than four thousand of the inhabitants
died during those terrible days.
" Two thousand emaciated figures were still guarding
the walls when the siege was raised.
" Our garrison had also suffered considerable mortality.
Out of twenty-two non-commissioned officers and privates,
gunners or foot-soldiers, at the end of the siege, only five
were left. Of my faithful black sharp-shooters, one-fourth
had disappeared. But I forget my story — a curious
instance of telepathy. These sorrowful reminiscences
are, after all, the cause of this digression. Well, a few
months before I left France, I had seen embark on the
expedition for China directed by Admiral Courbet, of
glorious memory, a comrade for whom I had sincere
affection. Lieutenant Zaph had served under your com-
mand, and therefore, like myself, you have appreciated
his good will, energy, and courage. It was with real
anguish of heart that I had parted from him, as though
I should never see him again. But time had passed and
I confess that my life of dangers somewhat obscured the
memory of him, when one night, at Niagassola, I saw
Zaph, wounded and dying — sorrowful moments of which
I can see again all the details and circumstances.
" A band of Chinese Black-Flags passed close to a
TELEPATHY 141
hoarding, engaged with a company of marine infantry.
I heard the fusillade and looked on, between two clouds
of powder smoke, at the terrible hand-to-hand combat,
when I saw Zaph, his sword in one hand, his revolver
in the other, encouraging his men ; then, before my eyes,
he fell struck by several shots. I leaned over his body,
the face of which was covered with blood, and with his last
look he seemed to bid me adieu. I was so struck with this
dream that on opening my eyes I went to the table and
seizing my pen I made a note in the margin of my diary of
the Siege, of the dream I had had, with the hour and date.
"We had been cut off from communication with the
rest of the world for eighty days and we lived thus isolated
for three months longer.
"When we were eventually released, and news from
France could reach us, and when I had read through
the voluminous packet of letters from my family and
my friends, I looked through the newspapers, when a
number of the Tahlettes des Deux-Charentes, a naval
paper, apprised me of the death of my comrade Zaph,
in China, on the same date and in the exact circumstances
that I had dreamed.
" It is a problem which I shall not attempt to solve,
but this coincidence impressed me for a long time. Was
it his spirit that came to me at the moment of his death ?
Was my double projected and transported close to him ?
Unfathomable mystery ! "
The second case is equally precise in itsi details and
presents this further peculiarity that the percipient had
never seen the agent. We are unable to admit here that
the thoughts of the agent were carried, at the moment
of death, to the percipient.
We shall find similar cases of knowledge of events
reaching persons who were complete strangers to the
matter, in the phenomena of typtology.
The writer of this narrative is the wife of a merchant,
a Quaker, and very trustworthy. Some years ago she told
us of the event with more details, while it was still fresh
142 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
in her memory. Her husband can guarantee that she
told him these facts at the very moment: he can also
bear witness to the strange effect which the dream had
upon his wife's mind for some time afterwards.
" From Mrs. Green to Miss Richardson
"Newry, 21si First Month, 1885.
" Dear Friend, — In compliance with thy request, I
give thee the particulars of my dream.
" I saw two respectably dressed females driving alone
in a vehicle like a mineral-water cart. Their horse
stopped at a water to drink ; but as there was no footing
he lost his balance, and in trying to recover it he plunged
right in. With the shock, the women stood up and
shouted for help, and their hats rose off their heads,
and as all were going down I turned away crying, and
saying, ' Was there no one at all to help them ? ' upon
which I awoke, and my husband asked me what was
the matter. I related the above dream to him, and he
asked me if I knew them. I said I did not, and thought
I had never seen either of them. The impression of
the dream and the trouble it brought was over me all
day. I remarked to my son it was the anniversary of
his birthday and my own also — the 10th of First Month,
and this is why I remember the date.
" The following third month I got a letter and newspaper
from my brother in Australia, named Allen, letting me
know the sad trouble which had befallen him in the loss,
by drowning, of one of his daughters and her companion.
Thou wilt see by the description given of it in the paper
how the event corresponded with my dream. My niece
was born in Australia, and I never saw her.
" Please return the paper at thy convenience. Con-
sidering that our night is their day, I must have been in
sympathy with the sufferers at the time of the accident,
on the 10th of First Month, 1878."
It is referred to in two separate places in the news-
paper.
TELEPATHY 143
From the " Inglewood Advertiser."
"Fkiday Evening, January 11, 1878.
" A dreadful accident occurred in the neighbourhood of
Wedderburn on Wednesday last, resulting in the death of
two women named Lehey and Allen. It appears that the
deceased were driving into Wedderburn in a spring-cart
from the direction of Kinypanial, when they attempted to
water their horse at a dam on the boundary of Torpichen
Station. The dam was 10 or 12 feet deep in one spot,
and into this deep hole they must have inadvertently
driven ; for Mr. W. M'Kechnie, manager of Torpichen
Station, upon going to the dam some hours afterwards,
discovered the spring-cart and horse under the water, and
two women's hats floating on the surface. The dam was
searched, and the bodies of the two women, clasped in each
other's arms, recovered."
Extract from Evidence given at the Inquest.
Joseph John Allen, farmer, deposed : " I identify one
of the bodies as that of my sister. I saw her about 11
A.M. yesterday. The horse had broken away, and I caught
it for her. Mrs. Lehey and my sister met me when I
caught the horse. They then took the horse and went to
Mr. Clarke's. I did not see them afterwards alive."
William M'Kechnie deposed : " About 4 p.m. yesterday
I was riding by the dam when I observed the legs of a
horse and the chest above the water."
Mr. Green confirms as follows : —
"Newky, I5th Second Month, 1885.
" Dear Friend Edith Richardson, — In reference to the
dream that my wife had of seeing two women thrown out
of a spring-cart by their horse stopping to drink out of
the deep water, I remember she was greatly distressed
about it, and seemed to feel great sympathy for them. It
occurred on the night of the 9th of January.
144 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
" The reason I can remember the date so well is that the
10th was the anniversary of my wife and our son's birth-
day. As the day advanced she seemed to get worse, and
I advised her to go out for a drive ; when she returned
she told me she was no better, and also said she had told
the driver not to go near water, lest some accident should
happen, as she had such a dreadful dream the night before,
at the same time telling him the nature of it. As my
wife's niece did not live with her father, he was not told
of it until the next morning, which would be our evening
of the 10th, and which we think accounted for the in-
creased trouble she felt in sympathy with him.
"Thos. Green."
I shall place the following case in the same category :
the details of the vision are also very complete ; and this
case only differs from the preceding in the fact that the
agent was not dead.
The family of M. N. consisted of himself, his wife,
daughter, and son ; the latter had been recently promoted
to the grade of midshipman, and had spent the summer at
Pavlovsk, in the neighbourhood of St. Petersburg.
From their earliest years the brother and sister had
an affection for one another which almost amounted to
adoration.
While there the young midshipman received orders to
go for a month's sea voyage, and his relatives accompanied
him to the port where he had to embark. At the moment
of parting, turning towards his sister, he said to her : " Do
not forget me: you are called Vera (which means 'faith'),
and we are saved by faith : think of me and all will be
well."
" Have confidence," replied the young girl. " I shall
think of you very often ; but do not run any risks by going
too far on the sea, it is so terrible ! "
" Come, come, you sailor people, with your presenti-
ments and superstitions," said her father laughing, in order
to drive away the sorrow of their parting ; " you will
make me laugh at you."
TELE1*ATHY 145
The weeks passed. Letters frequently came from the
young sailor, and at home they became more calm and
reassured the nearer the day approached for the return
of the traveller.
The weather up to then had been very fine and favour-
able ; suddenly it changed : the sky became cloudy, and
the rain came.
One day was particularly bad : during the morning the
rain fell in torrents, and the wind blew violently. Vera
was very nervous and agitated all day, anxious on her
brother's account, wondering where he was and how he
was going on. Towards the evening she became quite ill,
and her parents induced her to lie down.
At ten o'clock all was quiet in the house : the storm
had spent its fury. Suddenly a terrible cry, which had
nothing human about it, came from the young girl's room.
Everybody hastened to her, and they found Vera in violent
hysterics. She was in convulsions for a long time, and it
was only with difficulty that they could calm her to some
extent.
In reply to the questions that were put to her. Vera
said that she had had a terrible vision.
" I do not seem to have gone to sleep at all, although
I saw something terrible. At first everything seemed en-
veloped in a frightful gloom : the tempest increased around
me, and the thunder deafened me with its noise. By the
light of a flash of lightning I saw the sea agitated and
covered with foam. Suddenly it was illuminated for a
moment by a red light, and I saw my brother struggling
asainst the waves. Then the darkness returned ; after a
little time a second flash of lightning' broke through the
clouds, and by its light I saw my brother lying on a rock
with his head covered with blood— the horror and fright
awakened me."
On the evening of the following day M. N. received a
telegram as follows : —
" Alive and well ; thanks to Verotschka. Shall arrive
in a few days. Your son, N."
As may be imagined, M. N. was greatly astonished, but
K
146 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
at the same time pleased to receive the telegram, although
it appeared incomprehensible. The enigma would soon
be solved.
The following day on reading his newspaper M. N.
found a detailed report of the shipwreck of the vessel on
Avhich his son was serving. He immediately proceeded to
Kronstadt, where he found his son alive but suffering from
a serious wound on the head.
On the da}' of the shipwreck the vessel was close to the
Aland Islands. The wind rose and became more and
more violent, and all the sailors said that a tempest was
blowing up.
At eight o'clock in the evening the young midshipman
finished his watch and went into his cabin to refresh him-
self with a cup of tea, after which, putting on some warmer
clothing, he went up on deck to look at the tempest. It
was, in fact, terrible. The vessel, which could no longer
contend against the waves, had to be abandoned to the
current.
More than once young N. thought of his people at his
father's house and, in thought, asked his sister to pray for
him that he might be rescued, along with the crew, from
an almost inevitable death.
In the midst of the hurricane he suddenly heard a
terrible noise ; the unfortunate vessel had gone on to the
rocks. The shock was so violent that all on deck were
thrown down and the midshipman N. overboard. After
rising to the surface he tried to keep up and make towards
the vessel in the hope of receiving help.
The wind brought him the order : "All hands on deck."
A red light pierced the darkness and he heard a gun
fired.
Soon N. became aware that it was impossible for him
to get to the ship, the waves mounted so high that he was
powerless to swim across them.
In thought ho put himself into the hands of the
Almighty, and keeping himself above water as well as he
could, he let himself be carried along. Suddenly he saw
coming closer to him something like a thin bright mist,
tx
TELEPATHY 147
which gradually took a human form, and in the white
apparition he recognised his sister Vera, who smiled to
him and held out her arm as though to point out a certain
spot. The brother followed the phantom of his sister.
He did not remember how long he took or where he swam
to : suddenly he felt a sharp pain in his head and lost
consciousness.
On the following morning some fishermen found him
lying unconscious on a sand-bank with a deep wound in his
head.
The sand-bank was ten leagues away from the place
of the shipwreck. A boat was sent out to assist and
they found the vessel still on the water, but abandoned by
the crew who, not trusting themselves to a lifeboat, had
fallen a prey to the sea. M. Makarevskaja.
I now come to a series of very remarkable cases.
We observe that a much more active part is here taken
by the agents in the telepathic communication, for they
are, in these cases, conscious of the vision which they
produce in the recipients.
In the first case, the phenomenon is further complicated
by the fact that the vision is perceived by two different
persons.
In October 1883^ Mr. Wilmot was on the sea between
Liverpool and New York. A tempest raged for eight days ;
but on the night following the eighth day the sea became
a little calmer. For the first time since his departure Mr.
Wilmot was able to enjoy a refreshing sleep. Towards the
morning he had the following dream : his wife, whom he
had left in the United States, came to the door of his
cabin clad in her nightdress. She seemed to see that he
was not the only occupant of the room, hesitated a little,
then went forward to her husband, stooped down and
kissed him, and, after gently caressing him for a few
moments, withdrew. Mr. Tait, his fellow-passenger,
occupied a berth which was almost directly over his. On
awaking Mr. Wilmot saw Mr. Tait, leaning on his elbow in
^ Myers' Human Personality.
148 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
bed, looking fixedly at him. He said : " You're a pretty
fellow to have a lady come and visit you in this way."
After the explanations which followed it seemed evident
to Mr. Wilmot that Mr. Tait when awake had seen in an
hallucination — was it an hallucination ? — the same details
as he had in dream. The strangeness of the fact did not
stop there. When Mr. Wilmot landed one of the first
questions his wife put to him was : " Did you receive a
visit from me a week ago Tuesday ? "
" A visit from you ! " he said ; " I was on the sea a
thousand miles away."
" I know," she replied ; " nevertheless it seemed to me
that I visited you,"
And then Mrs. Wilmot stated that the bad weather
had caused her much anxiety. On the night in question
she slept very little : towards four o'clock in the morning
it seemed to her that she went to look for her husband.
She crossed the wide and stormy sea, came at length to
a steamship, whose side she went up and then descended
into her husband's cabin.
" There were two berths," she said, " yours and one over-
head farther back. A man was in that one and he looked
right at me. For a moment I was afraid to go in ; then I
went to your bed, stooped down and kissed you, and then
went away."
In the following cases not only is the agent conscious
of the telepathic phenomenon that he produces, but by an
effort of the will he makes himself visible to the percipient
chosen by him. These cases of experimental telepathy
are very rare ; but they present the greatest interest.
The subjoined example of experimental telepathy is
narrated by M. B., and is taken from Phantasms of the
Living.
" On a certain Sunday evening in November 1881,
having been reading of the great power which the human
will is capable of exercising, I determined with the whole
force of my being that I would be present in spirit in the
front bedroom on the second floor of a house situated at
TELEPATHY 149
22 Hogarth Road, Kensington, in which room slept two
ladies of my acquaintance, Miss L. S. V. and Miss E. C. V.,
aged respectively 25 and 11 years. I was living at this
time at 23 Kildare Gardens, a distance of three miles
from Hogarth Road. I did not mention in any way my
intention of trying this experiment to either of the above
ladies, for the simple reason that it was only on retiring
to rest upon this Sunday night that I made up my mind
to do so. The time at which I was determined I would
be there was one o'clock in the morning, and I also had a
strong intention of making my presence perceptible.
" On the following Thursday I went to see the ladies in
question, and in the course of the conversation (without any
allusion to the subject on my part) the elder one told me
that on the previous Sunday night she had been terrified
by perceiving me standing by her bedside, and that she
screamed when the apparition advanced towards her and
awoke her little sister, who saw me also.
" I asked her if she was awake at the time, and she
replied ' most decidedly ' in the affirmative, and upon my
inquiring the time of the occurrence, she replied, 'About
one o'clock in the morning.'
" This lady at my request wrote down a statement of
the event and signed it.
" This was the first occasion upon which I tried an
experiment of this kind, and its particular success
startled me very much. It was not only my will that
I had strongly exerted. I had also made an effort of
a special nature which it is impossible for me to describe.
I was conscious of a mysterious influence pervading my
body."
The signatures of the two young ladies are appended
to this document.
The second case has been taken from the Annales des
Sciences Psychiqiies.
The case is that of Mme. Russell of Belgaum (India),
wife of Mr. H. R. Russell, Inspector of Schools in the
Presidency of Bombay.
150 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
" June 8, 188G.
" In accordance with the wish you have expressed I
write the following facts as well as I can recall them.
I was living in Scotland, my mother and sisters being in
Germany. I lived with a friend who was very dear to
me, and I usually went to Germany every year to see my
relatives. It so happened that I could not go to my
family, as was my custom, for two years, when suddenly I
decided to go and see my relatives. They knew nothing
of my intention. I had never gone at the beginning of
spring, and there was not time to advise them by letter.
I would not send a telegram for fear of frightening my
mother. The thought came to me to will with all my
might to appear to one or other of my sisters, but in such
a manner that they might know of my intended arrival.
I thought of it with all the intensity possible for a few
minutes only, desiring with all power to be seen by one of
them (I myself experienced a vision in which I seemed to
be partly transported into their midst). I did not con-
centrate my thoughts for more than ten minutes, I think.
I left Leith by steamer, one Saturday evening, at the end
of April 1859. I desired to appear at the house about six
o'clock in the evening on the same Saturday. I arrived
at the house about six o'clock on the following Tuesday
morning. I went into the house without being seen,
because the hall was being cleaned and the entrance door
was open. I went into the room. One of my sisters had
her back turned to the door. She turned round when she
heard the door open, and on seemg me gazed fixedly at
me, became deadly pale, and let fall what she had been
holding in her hand. I had said nothing. Then I spoke
and said : ' It is I. Why are you so frightened ? ' She
then replied : ' I thought I was seeing you as Stinckin
(another of my sisters) saw you on Saturday.'
" In reply to my questions, she told me that on Satur-
day evening, about six o'clock, my sister distinctly saw me
come into the room, where she was standing beside the
door, open the door of another room where my mother
was, and close the door behind me. She darted forward
TELEPATHY 151
after what she believed to be me, called nie by my name,
and was quite stupefied when she did not see me with my
mother. My mother could not understand my sister's
excitement. They looked everywhere for me, but natur-
ally could not find me. My mother was very much upset ;
she thought I might be dying.
" My sister who had seen me (that is to say, my ap-
parition) had gone out on the morning of my arrival. I
sat down on the steps to see what would be her experience
when she returned and saw me in the flesh. When she
looked at me sitting quite still she called me and nearly
fainted. My sister had never seen anything supernormal,
either before or since; and I have not renewed these
experiments since, and I shall not do so any more, because
the sister who first saw me, when I was really in the
house, fell seriously ill as the result of the shock which
she experienced.
It is necessary to make some remarks on the subject
of these telepathic phenomena, which we have tried to
class in a methodical manner.
We must observe first of all that this classification is
not final. Though we have taken as a general basis the
state of the agent and the manner in which the com-
munication reaches the percipient, it necessarily happens
that some cases cannot be placed as they should be with
regard to both agent and percipient at the same time.
This provisional classification will nevertheless be use-
ful to enable us to study the phenomenon in a more
methodical manner.
Considerations relating to the Agent
In the majority of cases we have seen that the agent is
at the point of death at the moment when the telepathic
communication takes place.
The researches which have been made have nearlyalways
shown an almost perfect coincidence between the time of
the death of the agent and the telepathic communication.
152 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
In the less numerous cases in which the telepathic
communication seems to have taken place after death, we
can in all probability attribute this fact to a delay in its
reception.
In other cases, the agent has not died, but has met
with a serious accident, and, most frequently, this accident
is accompanied by loss of consciousness.
This loss of consciousness may be regarded as a
momentary death, and the state of the subject at this
time is probably the same as it would be at the approach
of death.
In some much rarer cases, the subject is simply in a
state of sleep ; and, finally, when there is voluntary tele-
pathic communication, the subject is in a very special
condition of concentration of mind.
The state of sleep, accompanied by a persistent pre-
occupation with the same subject, in the same way as
voluntary mental concentration, is of such a nature as to
produce a special condition, which we may regard as
analogous to some hypnotic states.
Normal sleep can be easily transformed, as we have
seen, into a hypnotic condition ; with spontaneous som-
nambulists it often occurs as the result of violent crises
or lively emotions.
It therefore seems that in the persons who become
the agents of a telepathic communication, the conditions
requisite for the production of a hypnotic state are often
present. It is not therefore unreasonable to think that it
is by reason of a hypnotic condition of this character that
the agent acquires the new faculties that are manifested
in the telepathic communication.
Considerations relating to the Percipient
Let us first of all look at the conditions in the case of
the percipient.
In a number of cases the percipient is asleep, but we
shall observe that this docs not apply to one-half of the
cases.
TELEPATHY 153
In other cases wc find a condition of semi-sleep. We
may even include among these the cases in which the
condition of the subject is not perfectly defined, but where
the circumstances permit us to believe that he was dis-
posed to fall into unconscious somnolence.
In some circumstances the subject in a waking state is
impelled to place himself in a state of superficial somnam-
bulism by auto-hypnotism. This happens in the examples
of automatic writing.
Finally, the subject is in a waking state, but, as the
result of chance conditions, he is motionless before a bril-
liant object which seems to fascinate him. The subject is
looking in a glass, or, perhaps, is at a table before a glass,
a decanter, &c.
The subject is in a waking state, but is dreamy, pre-
occupied ; his attention is fixed on one thought only, and
most frequently this thought, or the object of his pre-occu-
pation, is no other than the agent from'whom he is about
to receive a telepathic communication.
These conditions are certainly of a character to act
upon the psychical body of the percipient, and to bring it
into a condition of special receptivity. Remembering at
the same time what we have seen in hypnology and the
particular conditions which we are examining, we shall
not go too far in saying that these conditions are of such
a character as to place the percipient in a state of super-
ficial somnambulism or of passive mediumship.
Let us then see in what way the reception of a tele-
pathic communication comes to the percipient.
First of all it may be a purely mental impression, such
as is produced in experimental thought - transmission.
This is the case in simple premonition and presentiment.
They are simple telepathic warnings without hallucination
or vision.
In the second place, there may be hallucination with-
out vision. Most frequently it is an auditive hallucina-
tion ; the noise of a hurricane, of windows or doors being
violently closed, of glasses or other articles being broken,
of knocks made on doors or walls, of steps on the floor, or
154 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
there may be a motor hallucination, the subject feels a
movement or a shaking of the bed or the chair in which
he is. It must be noted that this hallucination may be
collective, we can even say that it frequently is so, but
the hallucination has only a telepathic significance for the
percipient concerned ; other people, who perceive it simul-
taneously, attribute it to some commonplace cause which
is afterwards found not to be the real one.
Lastly, the telepathic communication may be received
in the form of a vision, and this vision can be subdivided
into several categories : —
The simple vision of the image of the agent.
The vision of the agent with some details of his con-
dition on the image itself — pallor, sorrow, wounds.
The vision of the agent along with a more or less
detailed vision of the scene and circumstances of the
accident.
The vision is perceived by several persons.
The vision leaves objective traces of its passage.
Considerations on the Relations or the Rapport between
Agent and Percipient
Generally speaking, there exists a great intimacy
between the two subjects, often the links of parentage
or friendship; it is rarely that the two subjects are un-
connected with each other.
We may assume, as a deduction from the relations
existing between them, that, most frequently, the agent
thinks of the percipient at the time of the communica-
tion, and with all the greater intensity since he is in
an abnormal state, a state of anguish in which all his
thoughts are momentarily concentrated on a single object,
namely, the percipient.
The percipient by reason of his intimacy with the agent,
and often because of the conditions in which he knows
the latter is, often turns his thoughts towards him. The
agent is the object of one of his principal preoccupations,
and one can even say that, if he is not always present m
TELEPATHY 155
his memory, a latent and sub-conscious part of his mind
is constantly directed towards him.
The result of these conditions is that, in cases of this
kind, the two subjects are often in conditions analogous to
those in which experimenters voluntarily place themselves
for thought-transmission.
There now remains, outside of these conditions, the case
in which the telepathic phenomenon is observed between
two subjects who are unknown to each other, or only very
slightly connected.
In such cases one must invoke another mechanism,
and here the phenomenon of lucidity is dominant.
The percipient, owing to a state of lucidity, sees what
is happening around the agent, towards whom his faculty
of lucidity is directed by an intermediary subject more or
less closely related. That is so, in the instances where
the percipient witnesses the scene at the moment of its
accomplishment.
In cases where the percipient witnesses the fact or the
accident subsequently to the time when it takes place, we
may assume that, on account of his being in a special
state, he is in such a receptive condition that he can
receive the impression of a thought, previously sent forth
by the agent. This thought has up to that time remained
latent in the same way as it is still latent for all subjects
who are not in a state of receptivity at the exact time
when the thought is emitted.
We shall find similar cases in the phenomena of
typtology.
CHAPTER XI
CKYSTAL-GAZING
General Study and Experiments
Crystal-gazing is an experimental procedure which pro-
duces a number of interesting phenomena, among which
we may, perhaps, include manifestations of the faculty of
lucidity.
The same might be said of audition in the shell, or
clairaudience, an experience which only differs from the
former because it brings the sense of hearing into play
instead of the sense of sight.
Crystal-gazing is a very common practice, particularly
in England ; it is, moreover, as we shall see, very easy to
accomplish.
The experiment consists principally in placing a mirror
or glass ball, more or less brilliant, in front of the subject,
who gazes attentively at it and distinguishes, after a time,
more or less definite pictures.
Nature of the Object or Mirror employed
The practice is a very ancient one, and is met with in
all countries; the objects employed have therefore been
very varied.
At first, mirrors of every kind, particularly metallic,
were employed ; these mirrors were either concave or
convex — sometimes spherical.
Sometimes any hollow vessel is used, into which liquid
is poured, which then serves as the reflecting surface.
Most frequently, a glass or bottle filled with water is used.
In some countries, especially in England, crystal balls,
perfectly spherical, are specially manufactured for this
16C
CRYSTAL-GAZING 157
purpose, which have given to this experiment the name
of " Crystal-gazing."
For the crystal ball may be substituted an empty glass
globe, which is filled with pure water and inverted, so as
to present a spherical surface to the gazer.
I generally use the crystal ball ; but, for special occa-
sions, when I wish to secure particular results with certain
subjects, I use a mirror consisting of a glass plate, covered
on the under surface with a black or white coating,
according to circumstances.
We shall see, in the chapter devoted to the method
of experimenting, the position in which the subject should
be placed.
If the experiment is to give any result, he will first
see the mirror assume a different tinge. It then seems to
become turbid, forming red or blue clouds, which whirl
like smoke, and, finally, pictures are formed.
Forination of Pictures
The pictures are sometimes of a uniform tone, similar
to a photograph ; at other times they are coloured, and
present the natural tints.
Some pictures are fixed and motionless, like a painting ;
others are constantly changing, and show the persons
animated, as in a cinematograph.
The first pictures are often simple — a portrait, bust,
plant, animal, or house. Then they become most com-
plicated— a complete moving scene, as in a theatre; a
room, a street, a public thoroughfare filled with various
people, who walk about, come in and go out, just as in
real life.
The subject thinks that he is present at the scene as
a spectator, and so makes remarks and observations ; but,
in other cases, he thinks he is living in the midst of the
scene which unfolds itself before him, and the illusion is
so strong that he makes gestures, holds out his hands to
greet something which he sees, replies to the persons who
appear to be present, &c.
158 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
Nature of the Pictures
The subject may see : —
1. An object which has lately attracted his attention.
2. A scene relative to something which has just occu-
pied his thoughts.
3. The representation of an unconscious memory.
4. Pictures of which he had been conscious but had
forgotten, and which only exist in his sub-conscious
memory.
5. Purely fancy pictures, which correspond to nothing
real.
6. Pictures of Avhich he was never conscious, but which
exist in his sub-consciousness.
7. Visions verbally suggested in a previous hypnotic
condition.
8. Visions suggested verbally by those around, whether
he is conscious of it or not, at the moment of the experi-
ment and in the auto-hypnotic condition in which he has
placed himself.
9. Visions due to a conscious transmission of thought
from some one present.
10. Visions due to an unconscious transmission of
thought from some one present.
11. Visions due to a conscious telepathic influence from
an absent person.
12. Visions due to an unconscious telepathic influence
from an absent person.
13. Visions of something at a distance, unknown to the
subject, but known to some one present : that is conscious
or unconscious thought-reading.
14. Visions of something happening at a distance, un-
known to the subject and every one else present: this is
a phenomenon of lucidity.
15. Visions of something in the past, unknown to the
subject, but known to some one present.
IG. Visions of something in the past, unknown to the
subject and every one else present.
CRYSTAL-GAZING 159
17. Visions of something in the future, which may be
foreseen by the subject.
18. Visions of something in the future, which cannot
be foreseen by the subject, but can be foreseen by some
one present.
19. Visions of something in the future, which cannot
be foreseen, either by the subject or any one present.
It will be noticed that, in a certain number of cases
which we shall quote, several methods of perception often
appear successively or are combined. Thus, it is not un-
common for the subject to perceive first of all pictures
due to unconscious memories or to his imagination, and,
afterwards, things coming from mental communications.
In cases in which the phenomenon of lucidity makes
its appearance, it is not uncommon for the subject to be
placed on the track by perception of the thoughts of some
one present.
From the numerous experiments in crystal-gazing
which have been made in England by Miss Angus and
published in the Annales des Sciences Psycliiques, we
extract the following, which will give a fairly complete
idea of these experiments.
Miss Angus' Experiments
1. A lady one day asked me to see a friend of whom
she was thinking. Almost immediately, I called out :
" Here is an old, old lady, who looks at me with a trium-
phant smile on her face. She has a prominent nose and
a nut-cracker chin. Her face is quite wrinkled, especially
about the eyes, as if she was always smiling. She wears
a small white shawl with a black border. But she cannot
be old, as her hair is quite brown ! However, her face
looks as though it were very old." The picture then
disappeared, and the lady said I had given a perfect
description of her friend's mother instead of the friend,
and that it was a joke in the family that the mother must
dye her hair to have it so brown, and that she was eighty-
two years of age. This lady asked me if the vision was
IGO PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
clear enough to enable me to recognise a resemblance
to her son's photograph. The following day she placed
several photographs in front of me, and, in a moment,
without the slightest hesitation, I pointed out one
which bore a striking resemblance to my vision.
2. One afternoon I was with a young lady whom I
had never seen or heard spoken of before. She asked
me if she could look in my crystal ; when she was doing
so it occurred to me to glance over her shoulder, and
I saw a boat tossing about in a very rough sea, although
land was still in sight. Everything vanished, and, sud-
denly, a small house appeared with five or six steps (I
forget the number which I then counted) leading up to
the door. An old man was sitting on the second step
reading a newspaper. In front of the house there was
an open field covered with thick tufts of grass, in which
some lambs, or rather some very small sheep, were
grazing.
When the second scene had disappeared, the young lady
told me that I had given a very clear description of the
place in the Shetland Isles where she and her mother
were about to spend a few weeks.
3. At a recent experiment in crystal-gazing I suc-
ceeded, for the first time, in making another person see
what I saw in the crystal. Miss Rose came to see me one
afternoon, and asked ine to look in the crystal for her.
I did so, and immediately called out : " Oh ! there is a
bed with a man lying in it, who seems to be very ill
(I saw that he was dead, but restrained myself from saying
so), and here is a woman in black who stays beside the
bed." I did not recognise the man as being any one whom
I knew, and told her to look for herself. Almost immedi-
ately she cried out : " Oh ! I see the bed too ! But, oh !
take it back, the man is dead ! " She had received a great
shock, and said that she would never look in it again.
Soon, however, her curiosity made her look once more,
and then the scene again appeared, and very slowly from
a cloudy object at the side of the bed the lady in black
emerged very distinctly. She then described some per-
CRYSTAL-GAZING 161
sons who were in the room, and said that they were
carrying away something which was completely draped
in black. When she had seen that she pushed away
the crystal and refused to look at it again. She returned
on Sunday (this happened on Friday) with her cousin,
and we teased her about her fear of the crystal, so that
she said she would look in it once more. She took the
crystal, but immediately threw it aside, saying, " No,
I will not look at it, because the bed with that fearful
man is still in it."
On their return home, they learned that the cousin's
father-m-law had died that afternoon ; but to prove that
he had not been in our thoughts, although we all knew
that he was not well, no one had suggested that it was
he : his name had not been mentioned in connection with
this vision.
4. A short time after I had become the happy owner
of a crystal, I undertook to convert certain very hardened
sceptics, and I will briefly relate my experiments with two
or three of them.
One was a Mr. B., who was so thorovighly determined
to catch me at fault that he gave out that he was thinking
of a friend whom it would not be possible for me to
describe.
I had only met Mr. B. the previous day, and I knew
nothing, so to speak, concerning him or his personal
friends.
I took the crystal, which was immediately covered
with a fog, out of which a group of persons gradually
emerged, but too indistinctly to enable me to recognise
any one, until suddenly a man came up at a gallop. I
remember that I said : " I cannot explain what he is like,
but he is clothed in a very singular manner, with some-
thing so bright that the sun which is shining on him
dazzles me completely, and I cannot describe him ! "
Then, as he came nearer, I called out: "But he is a
soldier in glittering armour ; only he is not an officer —
he is only a soldier." Two friends who were in the room
said that Mr. B.'s emotion was intense, and my attention
L
162 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
was diverted from the crystal when I heard him say: "It
is astonishing : it is perfectly true ! I was thinking of a
boy, the son of a crofter, in whom I am particularly
interested, and who is a soldier in London, which will
explain the group of persons around him in the street ! "
5. Another case was more interesting, because I entered
m some way or another into the thoughts of a lady, whdst
another lady did her best to influence me.
Miss D,, one of my friends at Brighton, had a singular
magnetic power, and thought she was absolutely sure of
success with me and the crystal.
Another lady, Miss H., who was present, laughed at
all this, particularly when Miss D. insisted on holding
my hand with one of hers and placing her other hand
on my forehead ! Miss H., with a disdainful air, took
a book, and, going to the other end of the room, left
us to our folly.
I very quickly felt myself becoming excited, a thing
which had never occurred before when I looked in the
crystal. I saw a group of people, and I felt a sort of
strange impression that I was among them, and we
seemed to be waiting for something. Presently a young
horseman passed, in racing costume ; his horse went by
at a canter, and he smiled and nodded to those whom
he knew in the group, and we then lost sight of him.
In a moment we all seemed to feel that something
had happened, and I became very anxious to see some-
thing that was just beyond the range of my vision.
Soon, however, two or three men approached and carried
him past me, and again I experienced an intense anxiety
to know whether he was only dangerously wounded or
if he had really lost his life. All this happened in a
few moments, but these were long enough to leave me
in such agitation that I could not realise it was only a
crystal vision.
During this time Miss H. had put her book on one
side and came to us quite impressed. She told me that
I had given a perfect description of a scene at some races
in Scotland, at which she had been present a week or
CRYSTAL-GAZING 163
two previously — a scene whicla had many times been
in her thoughts, but of which she had never told me,
since we were strangers to each other. She also told me
that I had exactly described her own feelings at that time,
and that I had reproduced it all with the utmost clear-
ness.
The other lady was rather disappointed that, after
having so strongly concentrated her thoughts, I should
be influenced, not by her, but by another person who
had laughed at the whole affair.
This anecdote was related to me, a few days after it
happened, by Miss Angus. Her version was that she
saw a gentleman rider going to the post and nodding to
his friends. Then she saw him carried on a stretcher
through the group. She seemed, she said, to be actually
present, and to feel, in some way, agitated. The fact
of the accident was eventually told me in Scotland by
another lady, a stranger to all these persons.
CHAPTER XII
CRYSTAL-GAZING (continued)
Experiments of La Societe Universelle d'Mudes
Psychiques
La Societe Universelle d'Mudes Psychiques has in-
terested itself in these experiments and commissioned
a certain number of sectional groups to pursue the
study. We will give an account of some of their experi-
ments.
One of the Society's groups met one Sunday afternoon
for the purpose of conducting some experiments. The
group consisted of Dr. Joire, M. Douchez, M. Leroy,
Mile. J., Mile. D.
Mile. D. had never been hypnotised and had never
been present at any experiment of this character, but was
willing to serve as the subject. I put her into a light
sleep — the first degree of somnambulism. I then
awakened her, and we agreed to try an experiment in
crystal-gazing.
Mile. D. was then placed with her back to the
window, with the crystal ball in front of her on a table
covered with a black cloth.
Thinking to induce at the outset a simple hallucinatory
vision, I said to her : " You will see in the crystal the
picture (I said ' portrait ') of Mr. D."
I then told her to describe exactly to us what she
saw and we would leave her to speak.
The picture became clearer by degrees. Mile. D.
told us she could see a very small photograph surrounded
by a circle of gold ; it was a lady's brooch. The photo-
164
CRYSTAL-GAZING 165
graph was that of Mr. D. The subject very clearly
distinguished this jewel in a white box; there was some-
thing under the brooch which she could not clearly dis-
tinguish; this small box was enclosed in a larger box,
where there were four gilt pins with real pearl heads.
Close by, she described a case for correspondence cards,
all on a shelf of a hanging wall-cupboard. (Then followed
a description of the character and the situation of the
furniture in the room.)
Those are the details which Mile. D. gave us of the
very; clear picture which she saw in the crystal. The
hallucination lasted about twenty minutes.
Mr. D. was the only person present who knew of the
existence of the brooch and the room described ; but
he did not know the situation of the brooch and the
objects around it.
On the following day he went to the house of the
owner of the brooch, who lived in a town about thirty-
seven miles distant, to ascertain how much of the
vision was real. The following are the results of his
inquiry : —
The brooch was really in a cardboard box on the
shelf of a cupboard, and at the bottom of the box was
some pink cotton-wool (which the subject could not dis-
tinguish). The box containing the brooch was placed
in a larger box containing the four gilt pins with white
pearl heads. Also, on the same shelf, he found the box
of correspondence cards. But the description of the
furniture, which came at the end, was not quite correct.
I do not regard this case as sufficient to constitute a case
of lucidity, the experiment having been an impromptu
one, and the conditions not having been prepared in
advance. Nevertheless, I give it as an interesting
example of crystal-gazing, and especially to induce
investigators to take up these experiments, so easy
to try, and which may sometimes give results worthy of
attention.
166 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
Socii^TE Universelle d' Etudes Psychiques, Lille
Section
Report of Experhnents given at the Annual General
Meeting by Dr. Joire, President of the Society
A celebrated physician once said, " There are no dis-
eases ; there are only sick people." This statement, always
true, has been many times repeated by those who have
had medical experience other than in theory or in the
laboratories. This fundamental truth in medicine could,
perhaps, be profitably transported to the domain of
psychical studies. That is to say, we should not seek to
reproduce, at hazard, and with any chance subject, the
phenomena which we desire to observe. But there are
mediums who ought to be studied — that is to say, we
ought to take them as they present themselves, each with
his own peculiar powers, and observe through them the
phenomena they are able to produce. That is the founda-
tion of the scientific method which we ought to apply to
the study of psychical phenomena, any other order of
procedure being irrational and anti-scientific.
In this way we shall some day be able, when we hear
of a medium presenting externalisation of force, to show
M. Gustav le Bon the phenomenon of levitation, for which
he has promised a rcAvard to the subject; but not, of
course, as he seemed to suppose, by establishing a kind of
competition between all mediums taken at random, which
would be a scientific absurdity.
These experiments which I now describe belong to
the domain of lucidity and premonition. They present
this peculiar characteristic, that in their production I have
employed the phenomenon of clairvoyance combined Avith
that of clairaudience.
These experiments were made with a medium whom we
discovered through some interesting phenomena which she
had given elsewhere, and of Avhich we had received details.
Prima Nitija is a medium who, in regard to the
phenomena obtained through her, excels all other
CRYSTAL-GAZING 167
mediums hitherto known. She is, in fact, able to produce
experiments which can be submitted to scientific control,
which is not usually the case with other mediums when
left to themselves.
First of all, some spontaneous phenomena put me on
the track of this subject's special faculty. One of them is
of sufficient interest to be quoted.
One day Nitija, while at my house, in a condition of
deep somnambulism, began to speak, and the following
conversation took place between us : —
" Oh, how tired I am," said Prima.
" What has made you tired ? What have you done ? "
"The long walk which I have just taken has tired
me."
" Where have you come from ? Where have you
been ? "
" I came from R, and that is a long way ; my legs ache.
I am very tired."
Now R., mentioned by the subject, is a neighbouring
town about seven miles away. I knew very well that she
had not been there, either on that day or on the previous
one ; there had been no question of such a journey, because
she never went there ; that morning she had only been on
some errands in the town.
Shortly afterwards, without attaching any importance
to her words, I awoke Prima. I noticed that she still
showed signs of fatigue, and, without having any recollec-
tion of the conversation which had taken place while she
was asleep, she said to me again :
" I do not know why, but I am fearfully tired — one
would think I had walked all day long."
" It is nothing," I said to her. " You went on several
errands this morning, that has made you tired, but it will
soon pass away."
The following day I again met Prima, who greeted me
with the words :
" Yesterday, when I was with you, I missed a visit from
an uncle whom I had not seen for a very long time, and
who came to see me just at the time I was with you."
168 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
" Ah ! what did he come to see you for ? "
" He came to ask me if I would go to the fair at R.
with him."
Had Prima Nitija, then, had, during her somnam-
bulistic sleep, knowledge of what what was happening at
the time at her house, and had this suggested her
dream ?
Put on the track by this observation, I endeavoured to
try the powers of my subject by means of the crystal. I
therefore one day made her sit down in front of the
crystal, and requested her to tell me exactly what she saw.
After a very short time she told me that she could see
a room which she described in detail.
In this room she saw a lady in walking costume, with
her hat on, ready to go out.
In the same room was a gentleman, with his hat in his
hand, apparently waiting for the lady.
The medium recognised this lady as Mme. X., and,
by the description which she gave, there was no possible
doubt. " But," said Prima, " this lady seems to be very
much put out ; she has lost something which she has been
looking for everywhere, and she cannot start until she has
found it."
She saw her open a cupboard and look on all the
shelves and feel with her hand on the top shelf.
She seemed satisfied, for she had found what she
wanted — a key which she held for a moment and then put
in her pocket.
She closed the cupboard, and then started to go out.
Mme. X., mterrogated on the following day, was greatly
surprised when she was told of her search for the key.
She admitted the accuracy of all the details given above,
but she was angry at the mention of the person who was
with her, and asked why she had thus been spied upon.
In another experiment I again placed the subject
before the crystal, and indicating a member of the Society
who was present, I said to her : " You will see Mr. X. in
the crystal, and find out where he has been this morning."
CRYSTAL-GAZING 169
After a few moments Prima described a room with bare
walls, and furnished only with some chairs and a table,
covered with books and papers.
She recognised Mr. X. in the room, standing talking
with two other people. One of them went up to the
table, took some of the papers, looked at them, and
returned to the two others.
All three talked with animation, she said ; they gesti-
culated, showed each other the papers they held in their
hands, and apparently they were not in agreement.
One of the three had his back constantly turned to
her ; he was rather stout. " But," remarked Prima, " there
seems to be something strange which makes his neck large,
perhaps a big cravat which makes his neck look thick."
Mr. X. then told us that that morning he had kept an
appointment with two other people, in an office answering
to the description given by Prima. There had been an
animated discussion over a matter which had not been
settled.
He explained that the third person, whose back only
the subject had seen, was a man who wore an English cap,
placed far back on his head, and coming down almost to
his neck, and this, in fact, seen from the back, would give
the impression that he had a very thick neck.
This last feature is noticeable ; the subject saw some-
thing which she could not understand.
She did not describe an object seen in imagination,
but proved to us by the description given that she did not
know what it was that she saw. She described to us the
object which she perceived, but the witness alone recog-
nised what it was, and he had to explain it to us in order
to show that the description was really correct.
In another experiment I tried to combine clairaudience
with clairvoyance, I gave Prima Nitija a tin box, telling
her to hold it to her ear, and that she would hear, as at
a telephone, the voices of the people she would see in the
crystal.
Before commencing the experiment I put her to sleep.
170 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
and gave her the suggestion that she would see in the
crystal something which she would do on the following
Sunday, it being then Friday.
When Prima was awakened, I placed the crystal before
her and, at the same time, gave her the box through
which to listen. She heard at first vague and confused
noises, as at the telephone, in which she could distinguish
nothing. She then repeated various phrases which she
heard distinctly :
" Tell him that you would like to travel."
A man's voice : " You ought to go ; you need a
change."
" Why do you not come ? "
Some women's voices, talking to each other, prevented
her from hearing.
A woman's voice : " What a pretty house ! Where is
your eldest son ? "
At this moment she was unable to hear anything more,
but she described a picture which appeared in the crystal.
She saw at first a house with a porte-cochere. She
looked through a hall, with a door on the right by which
she entered a room which she described.
She stated, between times, that she did not recognise this
house. The room which she now saw was a dining-room.
She saw a sideboard, various ornaments on the mantel-
piece, and, in the chimney-corner, suspended against the
wall, was a "tear-oif" calendar.
Before going farther into the description of the room,
wishing to assure myself whether the suggestion I had
made to her was taking effect, I insisted that she should
look and toll me the date on the calendar.
She at once read the figure 17. I asked her to read
the day of the week. She looked carefully and finally
read : Sunday. I at once ascertained that the following
Sunday Avould, in fact, be the 17th.
I permitted her to continue her description of what
was in the room.
A round table, around which she could distinguish, on
one side, two, and, on the other, three people.
CRYSTAL-GAZING 171
In the corner, to the right of the entrance door, Prima
saw an object placed on the ground. She could not well
distinguish this object, but described it as being cylindrical
in shape with longitudinal stripes; it had the form and
appearance of a drum, she said.
The table was laid, and coffee was being taken.
One of the persons seated at the table she recognised
as a relative of her own, whom she had not seen for more
than a year ; facing her was his wife, two of their children,
and one other person.
Finally, she saw a person coming into the room, and
recognised herself. Several persons rose from the table,
but the man remained seated; Prima approached him,
and, at the same time, she heard the following dialogue :
" Well, this is good news ! You are no longer ill ! "
" I have never been."
" But we were told so."
" Not at all."
Various noises then prevented her hearing.
Then, again, she caught different phrases of a dialogue,
in which she could not well understand what was said by
the man's voice.
" Why do you stop there ? "
" You are not happy."
" If you will listen to me, you will be happy."
At this moment several people went out ; there only
remained her relative, his wife, and Prima.
The man said again : " What are you in Avant of ? "
" Nothing much," replied Prima.
A confused discussion ensued, after which this final
phrase was pronounced by a man's voice :
" Would you like to take a journey with me ?"
Prima was herself greatly puzzled at the result of this
experiment, because she had not for a long time seen the
relative whom she recognised in the crystal; she knew
that he had since changed his residence, and she won-
dered whether she would find his new house, which was
unknown to her, like the picture shown to her in the
crystal.
172 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
On the Monday she told me of the visit which she had
made on the Sunday.
I note, in passing, that the subject seemed to have
completely forgotten the phrases which she had heard,
and which I carefully noted down at the time of the
experiment. So that, though she described very well all
that she had seen, I had to interrogate her closely in order
to make her repeat the conversation.
She was, first of all, struck by the exterior aspect of
the house, as being exactly like the vision in the crystal.
The principal door, the hall, the door of the apartment on
the right were just the same.
She herself, on entering, said : " What a pretty
house ! "
The interior arrangement of the room was also exactly
as she had described it to me : the sideboard, the mantel-
piece with its ornaments, the calendar, the table, and in
the corner, to the right of the door, not a drum, but one of
those small Moorish stools, which in the shadow, with its
carved sides, would have a cylindrical appearance, and
show longitudinal lines which would give it a strong
resemblance to a drum.
Here again, as in the previous experiment, we can
ascertain that it was not the thought of the object which
presented itself to the mind of the subject and caused her
to create the picture she described. But she seems to have
originally seen a picture which she did not recognise, and
her description of it, even in its inaccurate particulars,
showed that it did not arouse in the subject's mind the
thought of the real object.
In these particular instances, therefore, the picture seen
in the crystal did not arise either from a sub-conscious
recollection or from a thought, more or less conscious,
which gave rise to an hallucination.
The people at the table were really just as they had
been seen.
Her relative was dozing, and did not at first rise with
the others to receive his visitor.
The conversation turned at first on the health of the
CRYSTAL-GAZING 173
visitor, and the phrases I have recorded were repeated
word for word.
Not seeing the eldest child with the others, Prima
herself asked : " Where is your eldest child ? "
Then the man asked Prima if she was happy where she
was, and while they were thus talking the other people
rose from the table.
Just here a remarkable incident took place. A parrot,
of whose existence Prima was ignorant, chattered and
screeched and made such a deafening noise as to drown
the voices of the talkers. It was this noise, indistinctly
heard, which she had first compared with children crying
and then with women quarrelling.
Finally, her relative asked Prima if, by way of relaxa-
tion, she would not like to accompany him on a journey
he was going to take.
All that had been seen and heard by the subject on
the Friday was realised exactly on the Sunday.
I should add that although the visit to this relative,
whom she had not seen for about a year, might have been
in the subject's mind at the time of the experiment, the
details which she gave were quite unexpected, and could
not be a sub-conscious recollection. In fact, she had never
before been in that house.
All these facts were ultimately checked and verified by
strict inquiry, which enabled us to testify that Prima had
neither dreamed nor imagined, nor could she have known
beforehand the events she saw in the crystal on the Friday,
which were recorded at the time, and which came to pass
on the following Sunday with the utmost precision.
I must also draw attention to the singular character of
the mental audition. As will be seen from the account of
the experiment and the real experience, the phrases were
heard without order or coherence, but all of them Avere
repeated in the course of the conversation, and fitted
naturally into their places.
We may therefore say, with regard to this mental
audition, what I have said concerning certain of the
pictures seen in the crystal.
174 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
It was not an original idea of the subject's own which
created an halKicination and caused her to follow an
imaginary conversation relating to the preconceived idea.
On the contrary, the subject, in some way or other, per-
ceived some phrases and snatches of conversation which
she repeated, but without understandmg their sense, and
they were so incomplete that they had no intelligible sig-
nification. For all that, however, they were finally found
to adapt themselves exactly and naturally to the reality.
CHAPTER XIII
MENTAL AUDITION
Under the name of mental audition, clairaudience, or
hearing in the shell, we describe some experiments which,
considered as psychical phenomena, are exactly of the
same character as crystal-gazing. The only difference is
that they bring the sense of hearing into play instead of
the sense of sight.
The subject generally makes use of a sea-shell, in which
is heard the murmur of aerial waves, which circulate in
the interior convolutions. The shell is placed to the ear,
and the subject, after waiting a short time, hears voices,
as in a telephone receiver. We have often replaced the
shell by a metal box, which produced the same effect.
We give, first of all, a case of mental audition without
apparatus, which was published in the Blackburn Tmies
and the Review of Reviews.
Mr. Wolstenholme states that some years ago, when
the following incident occurred, he was living at 4 and 6
Preston New Road, Blackburn ; after explaining the busi-
ness which had called him to Preston, he continued :
" At this time I had a pony called ' Fanny,' and as she
did not get much exercise, I decided to drive her to
Preston, a distance of nine miles. In the morning, I har-
nessed her in a passage at the back of my house. On
each side Avas a wall, about eight feet high ; on one side it
was the parting wall between the back parts of the adjoin-
ing houses, and on the other the wall faced a large timber-
yard. I was quite ready for my journey, and went into
the house again to get a rug and whip. On returning
with these and standing in the trap, arranging the rugs,
&c., I heard a man's voice quite close to my ears, saying,
' Take some string in your pocket.' I at once turned
175
176 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
round to see who had spoken, when, to my surprise, there
was no one in the passage or near at hand.
" There is a cab-rank in the street, at the end of the
passage, and, thinking it was one of the cabmen who had
spoken, I got out of the trap and went to the end of the
passage to see who it was. There was not a single cab on
the rank, and the only person I could see was a lady who
was seventy or eighty yards away on the other side of the
street.
" There was no apparent reason why I should take
any string in my pocket. I went back into the house and
related the incident to my wife. ' Ah, well ! ' she said,
* take the string, it is not very heavy.' And I took several
yards.
" I reached Preston without accident, went to the Dog
Hotel, and left Fanny in charge of the landlord. After
the meeting we returned to the hotel to have some tea,
and at twenty minutes to nine I set out on my return
journey. It was a very dark night, but I had good lamps.
Fanny trotted along at a good pace, and all was going well,
when suddenly she stopped, and whether I whipped or
coaxed her she would not move a step forward, but backed
the trap against the hedge by the side of the road.
" I jumped out and hurried to the horse's head to see
what was the matter. I at once saw that one of the traces
was broken inside the piece of metal which fastened it to
the collar. The defect, which was hidden by the metal,
had escaped my notice, and I was quite unaware that
there was any defect in the harness.
" I took off the collar, and at once saw the utility of
the string I had put in my pocket. I mended the collar
temporarily, so that Fanny was able to take me back home.
Without the string I must have left the trap on the road
and walked six miles on foot.
" Who warned me ? I do not know. All I know is that
a voice sounded close to me, not more than a foot away,
and that it was a man's voice. The nearest person I
could see was a lady, and she was seventy or eighty yards
away."
MENTAL AUDITION 177
We have narrated this incident, although it was spon-
taneous, because it refers to the same phenomenon that
we are now studying.
Mr. Myers, in his work on Human Personality , quotes
the following experiments by Miss X. on hearing in the
shell.
The following are the exact words of Miss X. :
" Nature has endowed me with an exquisitely fine and
sensitive ear, which has developed during three years'
scientific musical education, and it was with a certain
amount of confidence that I took a smooth-lipped por-
celain shell, large enough to hold in the palm of my hand,
and, placing it close to my ear, awaited results.
" At first I heard the monotonous sound of the sea
which all children know, but after a few minutes' concen-
trated attention my ear became accustomed to the sound,
which became, so to speak, the undertone of the more
articulate sounds which followed.
" I found the experiment more fatiguing than that
of the crystal, and this time I did not continue it. I
never prokmged the experiment beyond six or eight
minutes.
" After twenty experiments I summed up the results
as follows :
" 1. Eleven times I heard human voices. They fol-
lowed rapidly during only one experiment, and may be
divided into two groups.
" {a) Those more or less recognisable, sometimes
coming separately, and sometimes rising like a Tower of
Babel, with the effect of a large assembly. It was pro-
bably the memories of something I had heard, although
of a kind which did not come to my knowledge in the
ordinary manner. Sometimes I heard distinctly the exact
repetitions of some conversations in which I had taken
part, or, still more frequently, what I had overheard,
" For example, after a dinner, the shell would repeat
the conversations of my neighbour on my right, rather
than that of the person on my left, with whom I was con-
versing. There was, in this instance, I believe, an analogy
M
178 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
with crystal-gazing. The crystal more frequently shows
what is unconsciously rather than consciously observed.
" (h) Voices which I did not recognise and which were
of such a character that I could not distinguish them, and
which gave me information or advice which my conscious
self was capable — although, perhaps, with effort — of giving,
such as a quotation from poetry or prose, a number, an
address, advice to write a letter or send a parcel.
" 2. Nine times I heard musical sounds, and I am
certain that out of these nine times the shell positively
assisted my memory five times. I was able to distinguish,
and follow without difficulty — as I could generally in a
concert-hall — first one part, then another, of a chorus or
orchestra alternately, and to change at will, as I am rarely
able to do, without the score, even by a conscious effort,
a few hours after hearing a symphony or a concert.
" It is well to point out that the shell happily does not
merely reproduce street noises or the unpleasant roarings
of street urchins and barrel-organs. Is not this because,
as in crystal-gazing, fatigue or irritation, which may,
perhaps, be a source of danger in itself, suffices to
prevent the success of the experiment ?
" All this, however, might be attributed, in different
degrees, to expectation, and, to this extent, was disappoint-
ing. However, on June 3rd a slight incident occurred
which I found encouraging.
"I had been out-of-doors for two hours and had let
myself in with my latch-key ; I had particularly noticed
that no letters or cards had arrived, and I had spoken to
no one before coming into the room where my friend A.
was sitting reading. It was close upon lunch-time and I
took the shell to pass the time. As I had observed with
regard to crystal visions, a definite fact is quickly con-
structed and comes to the surface at once, and the shell
did not lose a second in greeting me with the clear
murmur ' Endsleigh Street,' to which I could attach no
meaning. Then A., raising her head, told me that our
friend, Q. H., had called and had been waiting an hour for
me. ' Has he come from Oxford for the day ? ' I asked, ' or
MENTAL AUDITION 179
is he staying near here ? ' (as he usually did). ' No,' said
A, 'he has taken a room in Endsleigh Street.'
" As far as I can remember, I had never been in this
street in my life, and this name was not connected with
any remembrance.
"It is difficult to suppose that the coincidence was
purely accidental.
" A few days later, I was still more encouraged. On
June 11th, a Saturday, Mr. G. A. Smith spent some time
with us, making some experiments in thought-transference,
which succeeded very well and greatly interested me.
Mr. Smith left the house shortly after seven o'clock.
After dinner I took the shell which had played a part —
not a very successful one — in our experiments.
" This, according to my notes, is exactly what occurred.
X. to G. A. S.
"/wnell, 1892. Saturday evening, 8.S0.
" Why, whilst the shell was repeating exactly what you
said about your excursions on the rocks at Ramsgate,
should it stop all of a sudden and ask, still with your
voice, ' Are you then a vegetarian ? ' Perhaps the last
time you dined you refused meat ? Tell me if you were
responsible for this impertinence."
G. A. S. to X.
" June 1 3th.
" Certainly, the shell spoke the truth. As you know,
I left you after seven o'clock. After about a quarter of an
hour's walk, I suddenly met Mr. M. I was thinking of
our experiments and fear I did not follow his conversation
very well, but he alluded to some dishes at a vegetarian
restaurant, I do not know where, and then, being imme-
diately interested in the question as to whether he was a
champion of the vegetarian cause, I interrupted him with
the question : ' Are you then a vegetarian ? ' I think
these are the exact words I used. He will surely recall
them, and I must ask him."
180 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
G. A. S. to X.
" June 23rd.
" I have thought over to-day where I was on June
11th, on leaving you when I met Mr. M. It took me
exactly eleven minutes. If it was a quarter past seven
when I left you, it was probably half-past seven, or a few
minutes later, when I put the question to Mr. M.
" Mr M. was not at home, and although asked to reply
at once, he only wrote on June 22nd the following to Mr.
Smith (without relating the exact details of the preceding
conversation) : ' The principal thing is that you asked me,
I am sure, on the occasion of which you speak, when I
praised the cafe in Oxford Street, if I was a vegetarian.
That is the heart of the question, and it is well established.' "
Even the triviality and grotesqueness of the incident
give rise to reflection, apart from its connection with shell-
audition, which, however, supplies us with a curious example
of arriving at unexpected knowledge through its means.
Since that time I have made notes of about fifty new
experiments, but those I have mentioned may be regarded
as typical of all. Half-a-dozen, at most, cannot be counted,
as proving telepathy ; twenty, perhaps, may be classed as
the emergence of recollections which would never other-
wise have come to light again, and another dozen may be
regarded as the result of expectancy. All the rest con-
sisted of musical sounds, some of which were purely due
to imagination. The others were of a very definite
character, so much so that I succeeded in reproducing
them on the piano or writing them down at the same
moment, but they did not differ at all from what I could
improvise in the ordinary way.
Twice only have I heard connected rational phrases,
of which, at the time, I could not sec the connection,
either with recollections or things imagined ; but in these
two cases I eventually discovered their origin, the one in
a book and the other on the fourth page of a letter which
I had thought finished on the third page, but the fourth
page of which I think I must have read, when taking it out
of the envelope, and forgotten.
CHAPTER XIV
CRYSTAL VISIONS COMBINED WITH LUCIDITY
This chapter will be devoted to two cases of crystal vision,
in which the faculty of lucidity appeared in a most in-
teresting manner, and the authenticity of which is com-
pletely verified. The first case is taken from Les Annales
des Sciences Psychiques.
"At the commencement of the spring of 1885 (writes
the correspondent of this journal) I was living at Colabo
with my husband, a major in the Royal Artillery stationed
at that place, about two miles from Bombay. I had been
studying for some time Gregory's Animal Magnetisiyi, a
subject in which I was particularly interested. I had
several times made various fairly successful experiments
on some of my servants — mostly Indians. I had great
influence over my children's ayah, a half-caste. I fre-
quently caused her to look in a large glass of water,
which I had previously magnetised, and thus learned
news of my distant friends.
" This girl was neither common nor ignorant — she was,
on the contrary, well brought up, having received a good
education in a Protestant school at Belgaum. She spoke
and wrote English almost as correctly as myself. She
told me many things which I found to be correct, and
others which I have not yet been able to verify.
" The Royal Artillery, of which my husband was in
command, was encamped with other European troops
at Colabo. On the day of Lord Reay's arrival at Bombay
there came an order for the troops to go to Apollo Bunder,
the place of landing, with all the officers in full regi-
mentals. We were still at lunch when my husband told
his orderly to make ready his uniform, but the man came
back shortly, confused and stammering out :
181
182 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
" ' Sahib, I cannot find the belt.'
" ' Do not be so silly, you must be blind,' replied the
major, rising up impatiently and going to his dressing-
room.
" But from the sounds which reached me, it appeared
that the sword-belt could not be found, and that my
husband was furiously accusing each of his servants.
Cries of 'Not me, Sahib; I very good man; I not thief
filled the air. The cries, shoutings, and noises grew per-
fectly deafening. My husband came into the dining-room
and said :
" ' Well, here is a capital opportunity to test Ruth's
clairvoyance. Call her and tell her to find my belt,'
" I called for Ruth, who came in pale and trembling,
thinking that we were going to accuse her of the theft.
" I reassured her, and explained what we wanted
of her ; but she asked me to excuse her, alleging that
the other servants would never forgive her if the thief
was discovered through her. I calmed her fears, and
promised that I would reveal to nobody, not even to
my husband, the name of the thief, if it was shown
to her in the water. I alone would know it, and would
even pardon the theft if the stolen object was restored.
" After filling a large goblet with water I made the
passes over it, and told Ruth to taste it.
" ' It is very bitter,' she said. ' If Mem Sahib would
magnetise me I think I could see.'
" It is perhaps well to add that Ruth always found
a taste of bitterness in magnetised water. I often placed
side by side two glasses filled with water, of which only
one had been magnetised. Ruth tasted both, and then
told which of the two had been magnetised, declaring
that it had a bitter taste, and she never made a mistake.
I once procured a very powerful magnet, thinking that
it would doubtless have more effect than my hand ; but
Ruth refused to look in the Avatcr, declaring that she
saw flames, which sprang up as though they would burn
her face. It seemed impossible to deceive her ; she recog-
nised every time what she called the ' condemned glass.'
CRYSTAL VISIONS 183
"Returning to our story, after this long digression,
which, however, seemed necessary, Ruth was bending
over her glass of water.
" ' Well,' I said, ' can you see anything ? '
" ' No, Mem Sahib, nothing.'
" ' Look for the thief,' I commanded firmly, and I
again made passes over her neck and head, but without
result ; she persisted in saying that she could see nothing.
I began to think that she was trifling with me, and that
she had deceived me.
" A new idea occurred to me :
" ' Ruth, try to see the major the last time he wore his
full-dress belt.'
" A long silence ensued, then she said :
" ' I see the Sahib, he is dressing ; he puts on his uni-
form, now his belt. Now he is off! There he is in the
saddle, and he starts.'
" ' Do not leave him for a second,' I said, with renewed
firmness.
" ' Ah ! but he goes so fast, and I am tired,' she
replied, out of breath.
" ' Come on ! Come on ! '
" ' Sahib is with other Sahibs ; there are many soldiers
and a large crowd. It is a large Tomasha; some great
person who is going. They are quite near the water.'
"'Now rest yourself, but do not lose sight of the
major.'
" After a moment's silence she added :
" ' The Sahib goes into a large house by the side of
the water. He goes into a dressing-room, changes his
uniform, places it in a small zinc trunk with the exception
of the belt, which is left hanging on a coat-rack.'
" ' The Yacht Club,' cried my husband. ' Patillo (to
his orderly), send some one immediately to see if the
belt is still there.'
" ' I should much like to know,' resumed my husband,
' if I really left it there. The last time I wore it was the
day Lord Ripon left for England.'
" ' We shall soon know,' I replied triumphantly, because
184 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
there was no doubt in my mind that the belt would be
found there.
" A short while afterwards the messenger came running
back, and the great tumult which I heard around him con-
vinced me, before seeing him, that my predictions were
correct ; he ran nimbly up the stairs, carrying the belt
over his head; he had found it on a coat-rack in the
dressing-room, as Ruth had indicated.
" This young woman could not have had any idea
where the sword-belt was; she had only been in my
service for a short time, and had entered it long after
the departure of Lord Ripon.
'* In the spring of the same year I was greatly interested
in a grand polo tournament, which was to be held at
Meerut. One of my friends at that time was to take part
in it, and although a good horseman, and an excellent
player, ho had had frequent accidents when on horseback,
which caused me some anxiety on his account. Once
more I had recourse to Ruth. We shut ourselves up
together in my room, and I began to magnetise a glass
of water; but this time she asked for a piece of brown
paper to be placed underneath, declaring that she could
then see much more distinctly. She placed her hands
around the glass, in order to soften the light.
" ' Go to Meerut.'
"After a wait of at least ten minutes she said, 'I am
there.'
" ' Look for Sahib,' I said, mentioning the name of my
friend.
" ' I see a tall, dark, thin man, with a small black
moustache, and large terrible eyes.'
" ' Follow him and tell me what happens to him.'
" * He is going on all right, but the other side is winning.
' Ah ! ' she cried, with compassion, ' there is a gentleman
who has been bitten on the leg by a horse. He is suffering
much.'
" ■ And my friend ? ' I inquired anxiously.
" ' No, no, not the friend of Mem Sahib ; that is a fair
gentleman with red face and very light hair.'
CRYSTAL VISIONS 185
" ' Ask his name,' I said to her, fixing my eyes on her,
and exercising all the force of my will.
" ' But I cannot,' she replied hesitatingly,
" ' Do as I tell you,' I replied firmly.
" ' I will ask his servant, if you can make me see
him.'
"I tried with all my power, but absolutely without
any result.
" ' Hush ! I hear his name ; it is Captain X.'
" I jumped for joy : she had never seen the man she
mentioned, nor even heard him spoken of. I am quite
sure of this, whereas she might, perhaps, have recognised
my friend from his photograph. But, in truth, I had never
thought of Captain X. since we had left the place where
my husband's battery had formerly been encamped.
"It is more than five years since these events occurred,
and I do not recollect which side won the match, whether
it was my friend's or not, but I very well remember what
I have here stated.
"When my husband returned that evening I asked
him if he had heard any news of the tournament.
" ' No,' he replied ; ' we shall not be able to hear before
to-morrow.'
" ' Well, but I can give you some. Ruth tells me that
Captain X., of the 17th Lancers, has been bitten on the
leg ; Z. is all right, but she believes that his friends are
beaten.'
'"We shall see to-morrow morning if Ruth is right
again,' said my husband, laughing. He related at the
officers' mess what he called my ' telegram through the
glass of water,' and I believe they had a good laugh over
my credulity. Nevertheless, the message received on the
following day confirmed Ruth's story in all points.
" Some time afterwards we received a visit from a
friend of my husband, the chief magistrate of the district
of Assigurgh. My husband told him of the strange power
which Ruth possessed ; it then occurred to him to ask my
permission to see if she could recover some valuables which
he had lost.
186 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
" ' I ought to tell you first of all,' he said, ' that I am
absolutely sceptical and it will require very strong proofs
to convince me.'
" 1 felt humiliated, because if this young woman was a
humbug, I was her dupe, or something worse. I sent for
Ruth, who was quite as indignant as I was, and refused
point-blank to do what was expected of her. I insisted,
trying to make her understand that it would redound to
the credit of both of us, so at last she consented, though
with rather bad grace.
" After the preliminaries, I transmitted the questions
from the major to her :
" ' Go to Assigurgh and describe my bedroom.'
" Ruth described the room very correctly, as the
magistrate was willing to admit.
" ' Now tell me what I have lost.'
" ' I see a casket, not very large. It is of zinc, and
contains money and a roll of paper.'
" ' You are right ! cried the major astonished. ' Now
tell me where this casket is at present.'
" ' It is in a small room. Must I open it ? '
'"Yes, and tell me what is inside.'
" She stopped for a moment.
•"There are only some papers. Sahib; the money is
gone.'
" ' Describe to me the man who has taken the money.'
" ' He is not there ; the room is empty.'
" ' Look for him.'
" ' He is in Sahib's room. He is a short, dark man,
with a pleasing face, dressed in white, with a scarlet and
gold turban. He has a scar on his left hand.'
" ' Thunder ! It is my butler ; just the man I suspected,'
cried the major.
" Some days after Major X. had returned to Assigurgh
he wrote to me that he had found the casket in the house,
or rather in his servant's room, but the papers were no
longer there ; the box was empty.
" I concluded that Ruth had seen the casket before
the papers had been taken out. I have often noticed that
CRYSTAL VISIONS 187
she had no particular conception of time in regard to the
events, although she very well described the facts of the
moment.
" Another time I lost a piece of pink satin embroidered
with gold, and it could not be found anywhere. I did not
suspect any of my servants, believing them to be devoted,
and all, with one exception, had been for a long time in
my employ. I did not believe this man to be guilty,
because I was convinced that he never went into my
room. However, Ruth declared that he was the thief,
and he gave me back the missing article ; but on learning
how I had made the discovery he spread abroad the
rumour that I was a sorceress."
The following account was published in the Annals of
Psychical Science for May 1005, over the signature of Dr.
Edmond Waller.
" Two summers ago my father cwdered from London
an object known under the name of a Cr3^stal -gazing Ball.
He and his family left Paris on a visit to our country-seat
before the object arrived.
" A few days afterwards, on a Saturday, I received the
package from London, and took it the same evening to
my parents in the country. Immediately after dinner all
of us — father, mother, sister, friends, and even domestics —
tried to see what the glass ball could show us ; the only
result was tired eyes, we could see nothing. On the
evening of the following day one of the servants, a faith-
ful old woman who had been in our service for years, as
soon as she looked into the crystal (we had resumed our
experiments of the preceding night) turned very pale ; we
asked her what she saw. ' A coffin ! ' she replied. A few
weeks afterwards her brother, a young fellow of twenty-
three years of age, died of typhoid fever. For several
evenings in succession we tried the crystal, but with the
exception of the above incident we saw absolutely nothing ;
finally the crystal was put away in a corner and neglected
by every one.
" A few months later, I went one day to see my parents
in Paris. I felt suddenly a strong desire to try again Avith
188 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
the crystal, and I asked my mother to allow me to take it
away with me. The next evening for forty-five minutes
I conscientiously tried, but could see absolutely nothing.
I worked — if I may use that word — with the crystal for
nearly three weeks, without any better success. I lost
my enthusiasm, or rather I became tired of my repeated
failures, and I put the object, which had given me so
little satisfaction, in the bottom of a drawer, with the
fixed determination never again to tire my eyes and
waste my time with such an uninteresting article.
" However, one afternoon a few months later a curious
morbid sensation seized me. I went home much earlier
than usual in hopes that a good night's rest might restore
me to my normal state of mind. I went to bed, but it
was impossible to sleep ; and, moreover, I could not help
thinking of the crystal. After several hours of insomnia
I got up, and somewhat hesitatingly I opened the drawer
in which the crystal lay, I took it out and put it on the
table in the dining-room ; I sat down in front of it, and
scarcely had I put my hands on the table and raised my
eyes, when I saw one of my friends in the crystal. Only
her bust appeared ; the likeness was striking, and yet on
the face there was something which I saw in that crystal
which I had never seen on my friend's face. It was not
so much the features which were different, it was some-
thing more profound ; I will not enlarge on this point,
but will leave the reader to draw his own deductions.
This experience left me sad and happy at the same time ;
happy, because I had at last seen something in the
crystal ; sad, because of that curious expression on my
friend's face.
" For the sake of the relation it bears to this history,
I ought to say that the young woman who happens
to be its heroine had been for me, but a few years
previously, a young girl for whom I had felt more
than simple admiration. She was one who commanded
universal respect by reason of the atmosphere which sur-
rounded her. She was for me what a woman ought to
be in the finest sense of the word. I used to see her and
CRYSTAL VISIONS 189
her mother frequently. We were suddenly separated, to
my great grief. We corresponded with one another for
a few months ; but little by little — I ought to confess it
was my own fault — our correspondence became rarer, and
finally ceased altogether.
"Two years had gone by when one day I heard of
the marriage of my friend ; she was now Mrs. D, She
and her husband came to Paris on their honeymoon.
Mrs. D. brought her husband to see me ; he was one of
those men whom one often sees among English officers,
a fine athlete — a big, impulsive, generous-hearted man.
From the very first moment a great — a very great — friend-
ship sprang up between that man and myself. I often
saw the young couple together, but I saw D. more often
still.
" Unfortunately, my friend was obliged to leave with
his regiment, which was ordered to the Transvaal. As
one of his wife's oldest friends, and possessing the greatest
confidence in me, D. asked me if, during his absence, I
would watch over his wife — the being he loved more than
all else on earth. This was an indescribable joy to me —
first of all, to be able to protect this young woman against
the insolences of life in a great city, a life for which she
was unfit, for she was morally too beautiful to be able
to see the hideousness of the masses surrounding her ;
secondly, it was a proof of the confidence her husband
had in me. Most unfortunately I was unable to fulfil
my promise of protection, for soon after her husband's
departure Mrs. D. was obliged to accompany her mother
to America. I wrote to her three times, but received no
answer to my letters. It was the crystal which served
to bring us into touch with one another again. And
now, having given these few, I think, necessary details
concerning my two friends, I will return to the evening
following the one when I saw my friend's face in the
crystal.
" I felt extremely fatigued that day, and again went
home very early. Notwithstanding my fatigue, I took
up the crystal and gazed into it for a quarter of an hour,
190 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
but without the smallest result. My eyes were positively
in a state of congestion, when at last I threw myself on
my bed and quickly dropped off to sleep. In a few
hours I awoke, surprised to find myself in that position.
I got up, sat down in front of the crystal, and instantly I
saw the silhouette of my friend side by side with that of
a man ; the latter was less distinct than my friend, they
were both surrounded by trees and people. I closed my
eyes for a second, opened them and looked again into the
crystal ; this time I distinctly saw Mrs. D. and the man
who was with her — a man whom I had never seen before —
as well as the paddock of the race-course at Longchamps,
with all the customary surroundings of this race-course
during a meeting.
" Although at that time I often went to races, my many
social duties made it extremely difficult for me to be present
at the race-meeting to take place on the Sunday following
the evening in question, and, most certainly, if it had not
been for the crystal I should never have postponed several
important engagements in order to go to the races that
Sunday. I was unable to be present at the first two races ;
but one of my uncles had a horse running in the third,
and for various reasons I was rather interested in this trial.
" I arrived at the gate of the weighing yard just as the
bell rang announcing the start. I rushed to the winning-
post, thinking little of the crystal which was the cause of
my presence at the course, and still less of the visions I
had seen in it.
" As I came up to the stand, a little to the left of the
president's box, how great was my stupefaction to see (1)
Mrs. D. and (2) to recognise beside her, for the second
time in my life, and for the first time in flesh and blood,
the man of my crystal ! I saw absolutely nothing of the
race. After my first movement of astonishment, in spite of
all the covenances, I drew near to Mrs. D. and the indi-
vidual accompanying her ; but I had been seen, and they
both avoided me in so marked a manner that I dared not
insist.
" I took a chair and sat down. I felt suddenly cold all
CRYSTAL VISIONS 191
over — I saw nothing, heard nothing; it was only several
minutes later that one of my friends, with a formidable
slap on the shoulder, succeeded in arousing me out of the
state of lethargy into which I had fallen. Believing I was
ill, and telling me I was positively livid, he tried to insist
upon my leaving the race-course and taking me home.
But a profound fascination held me to the spot, and like
a hound on the track, I followed the two individuals of
my crystal.
" Thoroughly upset, when the meeting was over I took
a cab and drove to the hotel where Mrs. D., her husband,
and her mother generally stayed when in Paris. I left a
letter imploring my friend to grant me an interview as
soon as possible. For a reply she sent me a short note,
in which she told me I would see her soon, underlining
the words, you don't know all.
" For seven months I did everything in my power to
obtain an interview with her. Finally I was told at the
hotel that Mrs. D. had gone to the south of France.
" Meanwhile I had continued my experiments with
the crystal, though more or less intermittently. Several
times I saw in it Mrs. D., her husband, the individual
whom I had seen with her at Longchamps, war-scenes in
the Transvaal, but there was nothing very precise in my
visions.
" Seven days later I heard of Mrs. D.'s departure to
the Riviera ; I saw the following vision in the crystal :
Mrs. D. accompanied by a man — not the one of whom
I have been speaking, but a totally different individual.
I saw them take a cab, and the following scene unrolled
itself in the clearest fashion before my eyes, just as though
I were sitting in an orchestral stall at a theatre.
'• The streets were dirty ; the cab was an ordinary one,
and went in the direction of, and stopped in front of,
a well-known restaurant close to the Opera. The two
occupants got out of the cab, entered the restaurant,
walked down a long corridor, went upstairs, turned to the
left, and were shown into a private room by a head waiter.
I saw everything, furniture and other utensils, very clearly.
19^ PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
"The man who accompanied Mrs. D. left her alone
in the room, and followed the waiter ; then it was that I had
a sensation of speaking with Mrs. D., as though I were
really present with her. Simultaneously with this sensa-
tion the scene disappeared, and there was nothing before
me save the crystal ball.
" Two days afterwards I had a great surprise. Whilst
I was attending to a patient the domestic came into the
room and handed me a card. It was D., who I thought
was still in the Transvaal. He was in a hurry, and could
not wait to see me ; he fixed a rendezvous for afternoon-
tea in a shop in the Rue Caumartm.
" It was with a certain emotion that I went to the spot
agreed upon. My friend was alone. While shaking hands
he told me he had been wounded and sent home. He said
he had refrained from telegraphing in order to give us a
surprise, and he thanked me at the same time for the
proof of friendship I had given him in taking such a
brotherly interest in his wife. A more disagreeable sensa-
tion than mine at that moment it would be impossible to
imagine, with my friend's big, honest eyes fixed upon me,
feeling myself grow paler beneath his regard, and unable to
utter a word ! What would he imagine ? The situation
was not rendered any pleasanter by Mrs. D.'s sudden
appearance on the scene. She came hurriedly towards
us, shook me warmly by the hand, and made me under-
stand by her looks that she wanted me to tell little, and
that little falsehood.
" At that moment a double reasoning rose within me :
Ought I to consider the day at Longchamps as black as I
had painted it ? And as for the scene in the private room,
could not a crystal have lied ? and was it not only my
pessimistic nature which had made mc see evil where
none existed ? If such were the case, my strict duty was
to think no longer of my past fancies and suspicions,
and especially to refrain from speaking of them to D.
On the other hand, I could not understand Mrs. D.'s
conduct, and without knowing why, I could not help
believing what the crystal had suggested to nie ; it was
CRYSTAL VISIONS 193
with the greatest difficulty that I was able to pass the
following half-hour with D. and his wife without making
any allusion to the crystal.
"Our conversation was, in fact, very confused and
disjointed ; there was something disagreeable in the air,
so to speak.
" I arranged to meet D. again the next day and to dine
with him and his wife ; but when the moment came, I
felt in such an ill humour that, fearing my gloomy coun-
tenance might mar the evening, I begged my friends to
excuse me. I went home early in a state of excessive
and unaccountable excitement. Instead of dining I took
my crystal, sat down in front of it and gazed into it.
For several minutes I saw nothing, then all at once and
very clearly I saw Mrs. D. with the same individual
who, in the previous vision, had accompanied her to the
restaurant. For the second time the crystal made me
a spectator of the scene in the private room, with this
difference : I remained until Mrs. D. and her restaurant
friend left the building ; I saw the man lead the woman
to a private carriage, and without hearing a word, unable
to explain how the phenomenon was produced, I under-
stood that he fixed a rendezvous with Mrs. D. at a
spot which was unknown to me, and that he would re-
turn on Wednesday at the same hour and at the same
restaurant. I understood that the order had been given
for the same room to be kept for them. Everything
was so clear, that I had not the slightest doubt but
that I was gazing at a reality — for several minutes I was
thoroughly convinced of it.
" At four o'clock on the following afternoon D. came to
see me. Almost at once the conversation turned upon
delicate ground — his wife. Was it the expression of
my face, my manner of acting, which made him suspi-
cious? I cannot say, but, suddenly and abruptly, my
friend demanded a concise and precise account of my
state of mind concerning himself and his wife. Without
stopping to think, and convinced somehow that I had
to tell him of my feeling, I explained all to him.
N
194 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
" Bitter words followed, and it was only out of respect
for the spot we were at that we refrained from committing
violent acts — acts which we should certainly have regretted.
I loved the man more than ever, I was jealous of his
stubbornness and, for his own sake, I now determined
not to permit him to live any longer in his fool's
paradise.
" As for his wife, I could not help feeling a great pity
for her, and doing all in my power to prevent her from
falling any lower. I implored my friend to watch very
closely the people with whom she came in contact. After
a few more or less flattering epithets — which might be
summed up very simply in his looking upon me as a
fool — D. made me promise to go to the theatre with him
and afterwards to sup in the very same private room
where, according to the crystal, his wife was to be.
" I accepted without any hesitation, convinced that
my friend was right, that all would be for the best, and
that henceforth my little glass ball would but serve as
a letter-weight and nothing more. I had not felt so happy
for a long time.
" We were punctual at our rendezvous ; we passed a
most agreeable evening, criticising rather the crystal and
my mild folly than the spectacle at which we were present.
We went straight from the theatre to the restaurant,
where the crystal was going to be definitely, once and for
all, condemned as a liar of liars.
" We arrived at the restaurant at twenty minutes past
twelve. The room which my friend had reserved re-
sembled very little the room I had seen in the crystal.
We were overflowing with good humour and light-hearted-
ness ; we sat down to supper and cast far out of our minds
every thought of the crystal and its manifestations. We
spoke of things which had nothing whatever in common
with the cause of our tete-a-tete in that private room.
" Half-an-hour passed by, when all at once, without any
reason, what seemed like a hallucination to my friend
and myself seized hold of me ; ray gaiety disappeared,
and I could scarcely articulate a single word. A few
CRYSTAL VISIONS 195
minutes passed in this way, when suddenly my friend
and I recognised the voice of Mrs. D. I knew not what
to think, much less what to say. D. rushed out of the
room like a madman.
" I followed him as quickly as I could, but not quickly
enough to prevent a catastrophe. D. sprang upon the
individual who had been so faithfully reproduced by
the crystal, and only released his hold of him at the door
of the restaurant. The man was in a sorry state; he
disappeared immediately — probably to avoid any further
scandal.
" Almost without saying a word to each other, D. and
I separated. He went to his hotel ; and I, acting on his
wish, looked after his wife.
"The consequence of this drama was the separation
of the husband and wife, and for me the loss of the man
for whom I had such a deep friendship. Quite recently
and indirectly I learned that Mrs. D. was confined in
an asylum."
CHAPTER XV
TYPTOLOGY
Nature and Description of the Phenomenon
We shall now study the experiments known under the
name of Typtology, experiments which sometimes give
rise to exceedingly interesting phenomena. Experiments
in typtology are carried out in the following manner :
Several persons seat themselves around a table, which
is generally a small three-legged loo-table. They place
their hands lightly on the edge and wait to see what
happens.
If it is desired to obtain any interesting result, the
experimenters ought to regard the matter seriously,
abstaining from talking, laughing, or joking.
Each sitter should avoid pressing his hands too heavily
on the table, so as to make it tip over in front of him ;
the hands ought to rest lightly on the table, not seeking
to impart to it any voluntary movement, but, at the same
time, not opposing any oscillations, however slight, which
may be felt, and to follow it as passively as possible in all
its movements.
What then happens? Generally, after a period of
waiting, long or short, the table is felt to shake slightly
under the fingers ; it inclines slowly towards one side,
whilst the opposite foot is raised. This movement is
more or less marked, then the table reverts to its normal
upright position on all three feet.
Usually, after this first movement, a second, then a
third of the same character are quickly produced ; finally,
similar movements succeed each other more or less reiju-
larly, consisting in the raising of one of the feet of the
table, which then falls back on to the floor, causing a
106
TYPTOLOGY 197
slight sound, and now commences the experiment in
typtology, properly so called.
One of the experimenters asks questions, and it is
agreed that the movements of the table shall be taken as
replies, according to the number of raps given by the foot
that is raised. One rap signifies "yes"; two raps "no";
for other words the letters of the alphabet are indicated
by the number of raps given : one rap for a, two raps for
b, three raps for c, &c.
Each word being spelled in this manner, we proceed
by questions and answers, and a conversation may be
carried on.
What happens in reality ? The movements of the
table are most frequently determined by the unconscious
movements of the whole of the experimenters ; very often,
it must be confessed, the replies are quite commonplace andi
correspond to what the experimenters know.
In these cases it has been found, for example, that if
a certain reply to a question is anticipated, it will always
be given accordingly. If, when the first letter of a word
or a name is rapped, a person calls out a word com-
mencing with this letter, this word, to the exclusion of
every other, is spelled out. In the second place, the
replies are always given in accordance with the ideas of
the people around the table ; they are the reflections of
their thoughts, their inclinations, and their preferences.
But there is also another form, which is of far greater
interest. Among the persons at the table there may be a
sensitive who, unconsciously, directs all the movements
of the table ; the others then only follow the movement
due to the impulse thus given.
This sensitive may then give replies which only exist
in his sub-conscious mind, and of which, in consequence,
his normal consciousness is absolutely ignorant. In this
case, the phenomena become much more interesting ;
because we know how much more extended the sub-con-
sciousness is than the normal consciousness, how much
knowledge it possesses which astonishes us, what a multi-
plicity of facts it contains. Very often some of the more
198 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
surprising phenomena are due to the revelation of sub-
conscious knowledge, the origin of which we search for in
vain unless some fortuitous circumstance puts us on the
track and shows us how it may have penetrated into the
subject's mind.
But more than this, the subject may possess peculiar
abnormal faculties, and, without anticipating here what
may be the nature of these special faculties, the subject
then becomes what is called a " medium."
One of the special faculties which the subject may
possess is that of lucidity. We have studied this in a
previous chapter, and we have seen that typtology is the
usual method, the favourite means by which the faculty
of lucidity is manifested ; but, by others, this lucidity is
manifested indifferently by all methods, of which typto-
logy is only one. That is why, in many^ cases, we find
typtology mingled with automatic writing, hallucinatory
vision, &c., and these different processes succeed and
complete each other, so as to give rise to a more definite
communication, which is the complete manifestation of
the subject's faculty of lucidity.
We may here note that the majority of experiments in
typtology emanate from circles which attribute to them a
spirit origin. In the authentic accounts which we shall
here quote we shall keep to the exact expressions used by
their authors, while only assigning to them a documentary
value.
Among the facts related in typtological communica-
tions, which cannot be attributed to the sub-consciousness
of the subject, the following very curious one is quoted by
Professor Max Selling in Psychisclie Studien for Decem-
ber 1907.
It is a remarkable story of an elderly lady, wlio was
induced in a most singular mamier to interest herself m
another person. In a spiritistic seance with a friend (in
December 190G) a deceased relative manifested and stated
that Richard Wagner (for whom this lady had a great
admiration) desired that she should interest herself in a
young tenor named E. (the full name being given). To
TYPTOLOGY 199
all the questions addressed to the spirit on this subject
only one reply was given, that the singer was at Erfurt,
and that he had been discovered in a chimney. This
lady, who lived a long way from Erfurt, and knew neither
the town nor any one there, procured lirst of all the
address of a musical society there and inquired if a singer
of this name was known ; she was told that the person in
question was tenor at the opera-house of the town. Armed
with this knowledge, the lady resolved to write to the
singer and ask him to visit her. He only accepted the
invitation after the third letter, because he did not know
how to reconcile the pressing invitation with the reticence
shown in the letters. When, in telling the story of his
career, he stated that he had been a chimney repairer and
that his voice was discovered when he was singing a song
during his work, the two ladies looked at him with sur-
prise ; the enigma of the chimney was solved in the most
simple manner. It was clear that the protection of the old
lady would be very useful to him in regard to his future,
and, as he had a Wagnerian voice, the communication
supposed to emanate from Wagner had a basis of reality.
The following is a case which we reproduce from
Light. We know that seances of the character described
were frequently held at General X.'s house, and we there-
fore believe the following account to be correct. The
General's wife writes : —
"During the year 1895 my husband, General X., was
in garrison at T. We decided, by way of amusement, to
attempt some seances, with the assistance of several
officers and two ladies.
" We hardly knew how to set to work, although, by
a strange concourse of circumstances, we all knew some-
thing of magnetism. Three of the gentlemen, under my
influence, served as mediums. Captain J., an artillery
officer, obtained the most marvellous physical manifesta-
tions. We all soon became serious investigators, and
during nineteen seances we were fortunate in witnessing
important spiritistic phenomena.
200 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
"In October 1885 General X., at his own request, was
appointed to A, For several days we were in great con-
fusion, owing to the packing and removal. My husband,
all his things being in disorder, thought that a wardrobe,
which would be the last thing to be removed, would be a
safe and convenient place in which to leave an old green
portfolio, which contained some shares representing a
large sum, as well as GOOO francs in bank-notes, which he
had set aside for the expenses of the journey. Unfor-
tunately, having a key of my wardrobe, he completely
forgot to tell me that he had placed the portfolio there,
and thought that in hiding it behind a pile of skirts
he had taken sufficient precautions. Two or three days
afterwards, wishing to settle some accounts, he looked
in the wardrobe, and found neither the portfolio nor its
contents. He was very much upset by this discovery, and
sent for a police officer. We searched all over the house,
and all its inhabitants became upset and very unhappy.
Nothing was found, and as the search was fruitless,
General X. proposed to hold a seance on the subject.
As our house was denuded of furniture, we asked Major
H. and his wife (who were to follow us to A. later on) to
let us hold it in their rooms. Both were members of
our circle ; unfortunately, three other investigators were
absent, and so it was only a very small company that met
that evening in Mrs. H.'s drawing-room. The members
present were General X. and myself. Major and Mrs. H.,
Captain T. (medium). Lieutenant George L., and a second,
and very important, medium, my former lady's-maid,
Augustine.
" The story of this medium is as follows :
" She had been in my service for four years. By
chance, I discovered her marvellous magnetic and
mediumistic power ; but my doctor advised me to send
her away, because her presence took away all my strength.
Havino- heard of the loss wo had sustained, and knowinyr
that three members of the circle were absent, she modestly
oftered to join us, and we had much pleasure in accepting.
The seance commenced about half-past eight. We were all
TYPTOLOGY 201
seated around a large circular table, and, the lights being
extinguished, we joined hands in silence. After a few
minutes the table began to tremble and to move as though
there had been an earthquake. It then rocked violently
from side to side, and began to rap on the floor.
" My husband asked : ' Who is there ? ' and the reply
was : ' Mrs. X.'s guide.'
" ' Will you help us ? '
" ' Yes. What do you want ? '
" ' We wish to know if we can find our portfolio ? '
" ' It is not lost.'
" ' What has become of it ? '
" ' Taken, stolen.'
" ' By whom ? '
" ' Three thieves ; lady's-maid, coachman, and seam-
stress.'
" ' How did they do it ? '
" ' The day before yesterday, Mrs. X. asked her maid
to put some handkerchiefs in her wardrobe ; Mrs. X. was
dressing, but the door of the wardrobe hid the maid from
view. She found it, slipped it under her apron, and
hastened to the linen room, where the seamstress was
mending the linen. They came to an understanding.
When she went home in the evening, the seamstress took
the portfolio with her and entrusted it to her lover.'
" ' How did the coachman become mixed up in it ? '
" ' Your maid is a widow with four children, and though
ten years older than Louis, she is greatly in love with
him. They are engaged. She thought that money would
compensate for her years, and that the theft would bind
him to her, so that she told him all and made him her
accomplice. Tell them that you know all : turn them
out of doors.'
" ' Good ! But how shall we get back the money ? '
" ' This evening ! This evening ! Louis, the coach-
man, who is a soldier, remembers what the police officer
said aloud : Where a civilian would get off with five years'
penal servitude, a poor soldier gets ten. The thieves are
now at daggers drawn.'
202 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
"Here Captain T. jumped up and cried out:
" ' Stop ! Stop ! I see them.'
" We all asked : ' Whore ? Who ? '
" The table rapped out : ' Let him speak.'
" The captain continued with emotion :
'"I see Mrs. X.'s bedroom. It is brilliantly lighted.
There are three people there : two women and a man.
They are looking all about the room. They are quarrelling.
They are very angry. Oh ! They have it with them. The
man is frightened. What are they doing ? They are
turning the sheets and counterpanes upside down. Then
they put them back again in their places. Now they go
to the windows close to the wardrobe.'
" Augustine called out excitedly :
" ' I see that. I see Mrs. X.'s bedroom. Oh, but you
are mistaken, sir. There are four people in the room, two
men and two women. Go out ! Go out ! What are you
doing in Mrs. X.'s bedroom? Oh look! They have
brought one of those Austrian black cane chairs from the
General's dressing-room. They are dragging it up to the
wardrobe. What are they going to put on the top of the
wardrobe ? Take away that chair.'
" The table replied :
" ' They want to put it in a place where you can find
it. They know that you are our friends. They know that
you are consulting us. No doubt they know all about your
seances.'
" Captain T., in a bewildered manner, said :
"'Let me get hold of the villains. I will strike them.'
" Here the valiant captain seized a stick lying near to
him, and, leaning on the table, brandished it in the air
in a savage manner, the other members of the group
surreptitiously lighting some matches, looked on in
silence.
" Captain : ' They are leaving the room.'
" Augustine : ' Oh ! They are going out one after the
other, in single file, through the little door which leads
into the General's dressing-room. All is dark. We cannot
see anything more.'
TYPTOLOGY 203
" Table : ' Don't be afraid. It is on the top shelf of the
cupboard.'
" General : ' What cupboard ? '
" Table : ' Go to the house.'
" All : ' Yes. Let us all go with you. Let us start.'
" Table : ' No ! The General and Mrs. X. only ; no one
else. You can all go to-morrow morning as early as you
like. Let General and Mrs. X. start quickly. The
maid will meet them and ask for news. Tell her all is
right, but we shall know nothing before to-morrow. Then
lock your doors and search for the portfolio.'
" ' Where ? '
*" It is on the top shelf of the cupboard. Good night !
Good night ! '
" Then the table was raised almost up to the ceiling,
slowly descended, inclined before each member separately,
and then became again a common, simple, solid and sense-
less piece of furniture.
" We insisted, but it was impossible to obtain a single
word more. We returned home in a very nervous and
restless condition. As soon as we were alone, with the
doors locked and bolted, we examined the bed. Yes, it
seemed somewhat disordered and as if some strange fingers
had touched it, but beside the wardrobe, instead of one of
the pretty white Venetian chairs, which formed part of the
furniture of my room, there stood there, forgotten, the
identical Austrian black cane chair, which the two
mediums had seen at the seance. I jumped upon it.
There was nothing on the top of the wardrobe ; nothing
inside it ; nothing in or on the bed. Somewhat frightened,
we went out, one after the other, through the little door
which led into my husband's dressing-room, and there a
chair was missing. In the dressing-room was a large
cupboard let into the wall, according to the custom of the
eighteenth century, in which my husband kept his hats,
gloves, ties, and handkerchiefs. The police had searched it
from top to bottom, and on going out some hours before, the
General had taken from it his gloves and a handkerchief.
" I sprang at this cupboard, opened wide the massive
204 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
door, and there, on the top shelf, resting on some ties, was
the object of our search.
" We opened it. Nothing had been taken : nothing at
at all, not even the six thousand francs, the identity of
which could never have been established, because they
were bank-notes, and it goes without saying that we did
not know the numbers of these notes.
" I have purposely abridged the account of this memor-
able seance, the two examples of clairvoyance being
naturally the most interesting fact.
" Mrs. (General) X."
It will be noticed in this case that the phenomenon of
lucidity with hallucinatory vision is mixed up with the
phenomenon of typtology — this is frequently the case :
direct lucidity and automatic writing often supplement
the typtological communications, a fact which shows that
we have a warrant for ranging these diiferent cases in the
general category of phenomena of lucidity.
CHAPTER XVI
TYPTOLOGY {continued)
Experiments
I GIVE several cases, the authenticity of which is guaranteed
by Dr. Vidal, who has also given me particulars of other
experiments of the same kind which he has himself wit-
nessed. I have restricted myself to the following, which
are the most important and sufficiently demonstrative.
Table — Case of M. Rouillon
I resume here the unique experiments, in the course
of which we witnessed facts which, however unlikely and,
at present, hardly explicable, are none the less perfectly
true. One evening, in September 1893, when at a " table-
turning " seance, the idea came to me to ask the table to
give by the method of raps denoting the letters of the
alphabet, the name of the saint corresponding to a given
day. The name was unknown to every one present, and
there was no calendar at hand. The table rapped out,
"Monica." On proceeding to verify, this was found to
be correct. Another experiment of the same kind was
successful at this seance ; after that and on the following
days, we obtained nothing. Nevertheless, I had been
struck by the replies rapped out on the table, and I often
thought of them.
Towards the end of October 1893, 1 discussed this ques-
tion with M. Vidal, principal of the college at Limoges.
He was incredulous, and replied, "Until I have seen I
will not believe." It was agreed that we should arrange
to hold a seance, which took place at the College, in the
room of M. Loze, bursar. The good faith of the persons
206 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
present is beyond doubt, and, moreover, I have obtained
numerous similar results at home with my two children,
Alice and Helene, aged ten and thirteen years.
Here is the report of our experiments, according to
full notes taken at the time.
Seance held October 28, 1893
M. Vidal, his sons Etienne and Marcel, MM. Loze and
Rouillon, were seated round the table. They " formed a
chain" with their hands placed on the edge of the
table.
After about thirty-five minutes movements began to
occur. I asked the name given on the calendar for
June 12th. We were all of us ignorant of this (as was
always the case at our seances). The calendar was on a
table-desk, three feet from us, resting against the only
lamp which lighted the room, and thus acted as a screen
for us ; this calendar showed six months on each side :
at the time of the question the side showing the first six
months was turned towards the lamp, and none of us
could see it. The reply came, "Trinity." We looked
and found this to be correct.
I withdrew from the circle. The four remaining
sitters each placed one hand on the table, and did not
form a chain.
Question. What is the name for January 2nd ?
Answer. Basil (correct).
Q. What is the name for September 2nd ?
A. Firmin.
" I looked at the calendar, which was placed so that the
month of September was in the dark. The answer was
inaccurate. M. Loze remarked that Firmin is in the
month of September, that it is written in large letters, and
that there is a "2" in the date (25th). We replaced the
calendar with the side showing the second half year
towards the light.
M. Vidal asked, " What is the name on December 5th ? "
A. "Sabas."
TYPTOLOGY 207
This name was quite unknown to any of us. We were
astonished, and thought it was a failure, simply a chance
combination of letters. We looked at the calendar, and
found Sabas at the date indicated.
At the conclusion of the seance all present signed the
report establishing the reality of these facts.
Seance of October 30, 1893
Held in M. Loze's room at the College. There were
seated round the table : Messrs. Etienne Vidal, Loze,
Martin, tutor at the College, and Duris, tutor.
The conditions were the same as at the previous seance,
no one either in the room or around the table knowing
the answers to the following questions which were put
by M. Vidal, who seemed to have the greatest influence
over the table.
Q. What is the name on January lith ?
A. Hilary (correct).
Q. What is the name on February 21st ?
A. Pepin (correct).
Q. What is the name on January 2Sth ?
A. Charlemagne (correct).
Q. What is the name on December 27th ?
A. Innocents.
There was here an error of one day. The name
" Innocents " occurs on December 28th.
Q. What is the name on May 16th ?
A. Cyriac.
This was an error of months. Cyriac's name occurs
on March 16th.
Q. What is the name on May 26th ?
A. Clet.
Another error of months. The name Clet is on
April 26th.
The following is still more curious.
Abdon was told us as the name for July 30th.
This name did not occur on the calendar, either at
this date or any other. But in the evening, when in the
208 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
bursar's office, I saAv a calendar hanging up on the wall,
and found on July 30th the word " Abdon." Similar things
have happened several times in the course of my experi-
ments with my two children. To find the name denoted
by the table we have sometimes had to consult a dic-
tionary or another calendar. The name dictated through
the table always agreed with the date fixed by us.
Seance held January 3, 1894
Held at my house. There were no strangers present.
My daughter Alice (aged ten) and myself were alone at the
table, and were the only people in the room. I shuffled,
like a pack of cards, the thirty-one sheets for January 1894,
which I had taken off a loose-leaf calendar, the printed
side turned downwards away from our sight. Alice carried
the packet to a distance. She looked straight into my
eyes while putting down the packet after turning it over
quickly. We were both ignorant of what was printed on
the top leaf. We then placed our hands on the edge of
the table (proceeding exactly in the same way on each
occasion). We asked for the number on the sheet of
which the printed side was uppermost, but hidden from
our sight by some object, or else out of the line of vision.
Out of twenty-six answers twenty were correct.
2. I tore off the 365 days from the calendar, proceed-
ing as stated above, all being mixed — months as well as
days. The packet was again carried to a distance. We
did not know the word on the sheet ; no one could see it.
We asked through the table for the name of the saint
on the leaf turned up. Four questions produced four
accurate replies, giving the following names : —
Agatha,
Catherine,
Just,
Sosthenes.
My children and myself have often repeated similar
experiments with equal success, during a period of twelve
TYPTOLOGY 209
days, after which these phenomena became gradually
fewer, until they ceased altogether. We have often tried
new experiments since, but have not obtained anything.
My two little daughters are very healthy, gentle, and
timid in character. They have never been hypnotised or
magnetised, and are not at all somnambulistic.
Here are two curious experiments, of a truly fantastical
character, dating from the same period.
One evening I asked my elder daughter to place the
tips of her fingers of one hand only in the middle of a
thick top of a solid walnut dining-table, weighing at least
fifty-five pounds. The room was not lighted, but the
window, the shutters not being closed, gave sufficient light
to enable us to distinguish objects. I myself placed my
hands on the edge of the table, but avoided exerting the
slightest pressure. My child and myself were alone.
I said, " If there is here an intelligent force, will it
manifest itself by raising the table three times ? " Immedi-
ately to my great astonishment the table was raised on two
legs to a height of from six to eight inches, and three times
fell back with a noise. The experiment was three times
repeated with equal success.
I finally said, " Turn the table upside down." The
table was immediately raised, inclined as though easily
lifted by a strong hand, and fell heavily with its edge on
the floor.
I remember that during this experiment I recom-
mended my daughter to pay attention to the movements
of the table, so that she should not get hurt. I should
add that my child, even if she had the will, is very deli-
cate and quite unable to produce movements of such
violence, and I could see in the semi-darkness along her
body the line of her unoccupied arm.
The following experiment was made on January 13,
1894, in M. Loze's room at the College. I quote from a
letter which I sent on January 21st to Professor Richet,
which contains an exact account of it.
" We made some new experiments in psychic force a
week ago. I have kept in mind one prominent fact which,
o
210 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
after several days' deliberation, I have decided to com-
municate to you.
" There were round the table Messrs. E. Vidal, Loze,
and myself. Without any preliminary question the table
dictated :
" ' Jeanne Eymery.'
" ' Are you dead ? '
" ' Yes.'
" ' Where ? '
" ' Barnabe.'
" ' What caused your death ? '
" ' Murdered.'
" ' By whom ? '
" ' My husband.'
" ' When ? '
"'January 10, 1894.'
" ' Was your husband arrested ? '
" ' Yes.'
" ' Where is he ? '
<« < Perigueux Prison.'
" We regarded this as a joke, and expressed our
astonishment at the role of the unconsciousness which is
capable of forging stones out of nothing, and did not even
try to verify these strange lucubrations.
" That evening at supper M. Vidal asked his son :
" ' Well, did you get anything ? '
" M. E. Vidal laughingly replied :
" ' Oh, nothing. We had a visit from some one named
Jeanne Eymery, who was murdered by her husband,' &c.
" Mme. Vidal exclaimed :
" ' But that was in to-day's Petite Gironde.'
" M. E. Vidal was astonished when he read the full
account in the newspaper, and went in search of M. Loze
and acquainted him with this strange discovery.
" I send you the newspaper in question.
" Your first idea will no doubt be that some one had
read or learned in some way the facts so strangely re-
ported. This was not so, and our three signatures are
appended as testimony to our joint assertion."
TYPTOLOGY 211
From information which I wrote for to the Governor
of Trelissac, to which Barnabe is attached, as well as that
from the Secretary of Jeanne Eymery's native commune,
it appears that her only Christian names were Marie and
Fran9oise. But it was stated that her husband's name
was Jean Eymery, and that a wife often called herself
also by the same name as her husband. It is true that
" Jeanne " is not " Jean," but we may have added the
letter " E " which commences the surname to the Chris-
tian name Jean, which would give it the pronunciation
of J eanne, but with one letter short in the spelling of the
word. There was thus no contradiction on any point
between the communication through the table and the
facts in the newspaper.
On Christmas eve, 1893, M. Loze, bursar at Limoges
College, invited his friend, M, Etienne Vidal, to come into
his room and have a glass of white wine. It was about
ten o'clock, A large wood fire was burning in the fire-
place, before which was placed the small table which held
a bottle and a plate. M. Vidal had his forearm, and
M. Loze his elbow, on the top of the small table. The
conversation turned on quite other things than experi-
mental psychism.
Suddenly M, Vidal felt the table rising, once, then
twice, and with such force that they only just had time
to clear it.
" Hold, hold," said M, Vidal ; " it seems as if it wanted
to speak. Wait a minute."
They placed their hands on the table and asked :
" Who is there ? "
" Demi-Siphon."
" Dead or living ? "
" Dead."
" Ah ! it is a woman. What were you ? "
" Danseiise."
"Where?"
" Moulin-Rouge."
" What caused your death ? "
" Accident."
212 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
" What accident ? "
" Rupture of the perinseum through over-straining."
" Will you give us an interesting seance ? "
Then there occurred some exceedingly curious pheno-
mena, but of a special character which can scarcely be
narrated here ; and, finally, the table rapped out, " Slates."
Some time before M. Loze had produced tAvo slates
with thick wooden frames, which he had fastened together
by two copper screws. These were unscrewed and the
slates separated. M. Loze cleaned them with a wet sponge,
and put them to dry in front of the fire in full light. Then
he went to look in a drawer for a fragment of pencil, and
placed it between the two slates. M. Vidal again examined
them on both sides before the lamp and in the presence of
M. Loze, who also examined them carefully, placed ono
over the other, and fastened the screws. They were placed
flat on the table without contact with the hands.
The table rapped as though impatient. They asked
what was wanted.
" Move the lamp away."
M. Loze carried the lamp to a recess about two paces
away, from which light still came ; the fire also gave a
fairly bright light. They could easily have seen the time
by a watch. During this time M. Loze had not lost sight
of the slates which remained on the table, and were not
touched by M. Vidal. He said :
"Write something, and when you have finished rap once."
The table remained still for a moment, then gave two
raps, which according to the code signified " No."
" Is there something which is not right ? "
" Yes."
"What?"
" Hands."
" You want the hands placed on the slates ? "
" Yes."
This was done, and after a moment one rap was heard.
" Is it finished ? "
" Yes."
The lamp was brought back, and the slates were un-
TYPTOLOGY 213
screwed by M. Vidal, and on one of them were some very
clear marks, like interlaced figures of eight.
Encouraged by this result M. Vidal, without rubbing
anything out, screwed up the slates again and replaced
them on the table. The lamp was removed. They asked
for something more definite. The table did not move.
They heard the pencil moving, and one rap was struck.
By the light of the lamp M. Vidal unscrewed the slates,
and on one of them saw some characters which he could
not at first make out.
Interrogated, the table replied : " Reversed."
M. Vidal then recognised an " L," and M. Loze, in turn,
an initial which he sometimes used when signing his name.
Without looking at the slate he took a thin piece of paper
and traced the initial in question ; then placing it upside
down by the light of the lamp he recognised the similarity
with the drawing on the slate. When the latter was taken
to the looking-glass M. Loze's signature became clearly
recognisable.
Without effacing anything, the slates were again screwed
up, and the table was asked to write, " as every one did."
They heard the noise of the pencil and one rap came.
The slates were opened by M. Loze, and on one of them
was written in very clear characters: " Demi-Siphon."
The slates were again fastened by M. Loze, who asked :
" In one word, one only, applicable only to yourself,
what was your mode of life ? "
They again heard the noise of the pencil, and again
came the single rap.
The slates were opened, and on one of them was legibly
written the word, " Vadrouille." The writing was remark-
ably clear and firm.
Some further questions were then put to the table,
which suddenly stopped and refused to move.
Neither M. Vidal nor M. Loze had ever heard of Demi-
Siphon, and the name and details were absolutely unknown
and were an enigma to them.
On the following day, on relating their experience to
some of their colleagues, they learned that some days
214 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
previously the newspaper Le Temps had announced the
death of a Moulin-Rouge danseuse, who was known by the
nickname of " Demi-Siphon." M. Vidal told me recently
that he did not know whether the stated cause of death
(rupture of the perinasum) had been found correct. But I
think I remember that the information received about
that time confirmed this statement also. During the
whole of the evening on which this seance was held
M. Vidal and M. Loze were alone in the room.
I
CHAPTER XVII
AUTOMATIC WRITING AND LUCIDITY
I SHALL quote in this chapter a case in which lucidity
was manifested through automatic writing, a procedure
analogous to typtology.
We shall also see that phenomena of externalisation
of force first manifested themselves with the medium.
As I have, however, already remarked, these different
phenomena are often mixed, or succeed each other in
the same seances.
Automatic Writing
In 1881 I was at the Military College at Florence,
where I was spending my first year ; I was then fifteen
years of age.
In November of that year, after the death of my
eldest sister, my mother had begun to study Spiritism,
but I was quite ignorant" of this fact. On account of the
great sorrow which this death had caused the family, I
was taken away from the College. One day, having gone
to my mother to ask her permission to drive the horses
to Cascines — I was then much taken up with horses — she
asked me to stay with her for a moment, and to place my
hands on a small table in front of her.
I have since learned that my mother, who was not
at all mediumistic, often tried about this period, when
she was alone, but could obtain no response.
On seeing me, the idea came to her to try with me,
without informing me what she was doing. I sat down,
astonished and annoyed at her request, placed my hands
on the table, and then asked her why she made me
do such a thing.
216 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
My mother replied :
" It is a physical experiment I am trying. Wait a little."
At the end of a very few moments I heard some very
strange noises which came from the interior of the table —
very distinct creakings and noises. I was almost fright-
ened, and I saw that my mother was greatly moved.
She said to me : " Keep still, I will explain to you pre-
sently what this is," and, to keep up my patience, she
tried to make me believe that the heat of my hands
caused the table to creak. The table rose and moved
about and we followed it up to a bureau, in the centre
of which was a piece of green cloth. The table touched
the bureau, and my mother said out loud, to my great
astonishment, as though not speaking to me : " Can you
rap three times in the centre of the bureau under the
green cloth ? " She had not finished the sentence before
three knocks sounded just under the square of cloth.
My surprise was so great that my mother gave me
the explanation of the phenomenon, which I simply
accepted as everything is accepted at that age. Just
at this moment a gentleman, one of our friends, entered,
and the phenomenon was immediately repeated before
him ; it was again repeated when my father came in.
I tried this class of mediumship for several weeks ;
afterwards automatic writing developed in me, and we
gave up the table and all those physical experiments
which may be of great interest to scientists, but not to
those who seek in these phenomena the proof of the
survival of the soul. My mother wished to have proof
of the survival of her daughter, and we thought we had
got it. I have written automatically things which my
sister when ill had said to my mother, at the country
house where her illness came on, while I was at Florence
at the Military College, which I did not leave until after
the death of my sister.
Other proofs came to support this, and this pheno-
menon had a special character, in that more than a
hundred and fifty personalities of whom I had no know-
ledge whatever manifested, so to speak, through my hand-
I
AUTOMATIC WRITING AND LUCIDITY 217
writing, and each time they presented themselves again,
it was always with the same style, the same language,
of the same period, and with the same moral character.
Automatically, and without knowing or understanding
what I had written, I have rapidly traced with the pencil,
in the Italian language of the thirteenth century, mystical
visions which have been admired by our best writers ;
philosophical and highly moral dialogues have resulted
from the numerous requests made by the spectators ;
many of these replies were in modern language ; a large
number of the remainder were in the ancient dialect,
debased Latin, which was the common tongue of the
thirteenth century. In these dialogues were developed
by degrees Buddhistic theories and the quietism of
Madame Guyon.
Neither my mother nor myself, nor any one else
present, knew one word of these things or doctrines.
I have received writings relating to the town of Badi
in Umbria and its neighbourhood ; small villages, almost
unknown, were mentioned. Names of ancient Italian
families, now extinct, have been mentioned in relation
to anecdotes unknown to us, but which always had an
air of truth. We have often verified the accuracy of these
names in the archives of Florence and Siena. These
anecdotes, these names of persons, towns, and villages,
never came pointlessly, but always as the result of some
previous conversation in which I had taken no part.
I was always like a passive instrument, unconscious,
somewhat like a telephone, but never in trance.
Disagreeable occurrences sometimes happened in con-
nection with my unconscious writing. I will relate one
that was particularly unpleasant.
My father, in 1883, painted the portrait of Mrs. B. M.
(I do not give the name in full, because the story in
question might be distressing to her), an American lady,
well known because of her position, high intelligence, and
philanthropy.
When she sat for her portrait the conversation turned
upon Spiritism, and she learned that I was what is called
218 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
a writing medium. She asked my father to allow her
to be present at a seance ; this greatly embarrassed him,
because he knew that my mother strongly objected to
admitting any stranger to our meetings, which were no
longer experiments, but a time for meditation and private
consolation for herself. My mother, in fact, asked my
father to decline a visit from this lady, but the latter
insisted so strongly and pressingly that he was absolutely
compelled to satisfy her.
My mother asked a friend, a lady who spoke English
very well, to be kind enough to act as interpreter, and we
met one evening at our house to try to evoke Mrs. B. M.'s
husband who had been dead for several years.
Whilst sitting for her portrait Mrs. B. M. had told my
father of the great sorrow her husband's death had caused
her, the care she had taken in carrying out his last wishes
and his smallest desires, both with regard to the education
of the children and in administering his estate, and she
expressed her satisfaction at having thus carried out her
duty towards the memory of her husband.
That was all we knew of the family with which we
were not acquainted before Mrs. B. M. came to my father's
studio. In the evening previous to the seance with this
lady, my mother had asked me to think (that is what Ave
say instead of " evoke," as many others say, and it is more-
over, correct, because it is almost always sufficient for me
to think in order to secure the personality requested) of
one of her uncles, who, she believed, could help her in this
difficulty, to obtain something which would satisfy this
newcomer to our seances ; it was like a preparatory seance,
in order to avoid a complete failure, but we could only
obtain indefinite promises.
The following evening Mrs. B. M. came to my mother's
drawing-room at nine o'clock precisely.
Mme. P., the interpreter, was present, as well as my
father and his friend, a lawyer, M, C. I was sitting at a
table, pencil in hand, and with some blank paper in front
of me. After a very few minutes my pencil wrote the
following words in French : —
1
AUTOMATIC WRITING AND LUCIDITY 219
" II y a imc inimiti^, que jc ne puis compreudre, entrc
Madame et feu son mari." (" Tliere is an enmity, which
I cannot understand, between Madame and her late
husband.")
My mother, convinced as she was, like all of us, of the
perfect harmony of this family, was disturbed at these
words, pretended not to understand, in order to avoid
repeating this phrase, and again asked if it was possible to
enter into communication with Mrs. B. M.'s husband. And
the pencil inexorably repeated the phrase :
"II y a une inimiti^, que je ne puis comprendre, entre
Madame et feu son mari."
Mme. P. told us that Mrs. B. M. wished to know at all
costs what had been written, and the phrase was translated
by her into English.
None of us will ever forget the profound emotion which
was experienced at seeing Mrs. B. M. stand up, and, looking
very pale, cry out :
"What! still!"
It was truly a striking event.
She then explained in English in a few words to Mme.
P. that there had been very serious disagreements between
her and her husband, but that she believed death had
effaced all resentment in him towards her, since she had
on her part forgiven him, and had executed his last wishes
with the utmost faithfulness.
My mother then insisted on knowing if it would not be
possible to have another more favourable communication.
My pencil traces this strange sentence :
" Impossible ; he is in Negroland."
We were certainly quite mystified by this rebuff, and
my mother wished at any cost to interrupt, being much
perturbed at having to say such a foolish thing to this
lady. But M. C. insisted, wishing to possess the key to
this enigma, and asked :
" Why do you say he is in Negroland ? "
And the pencil wrote :
" He has a mission to try and bring about the abolition
of slavery."
220 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
" Why has he such a mission ? "
" Because he is a negro."
My mother, very discouraged and losing all interest in
the seance on receiving this unacceptable explanation, so
offensive to this lady, took up the piece of paper quickly,
thinking that she was not seen, crumpled it in her hands,
and threw it on the floor.
But Mrs. B, M. had seen it, and cried out :
" Madame, you have no right to do that. What is
written on it is for me."
And she demanded the piece of paper which was given
to her. Then she straightened it out and Mme. P. read
what was written.
She immediately rose, appearing greatly moved, wished
us " Good evening " and left.
We were much astonished and grieved at the impres-
sion this lady had received. My mother kept saying :
" It is the first time we have been thus mystified,
because the last sentence is an ill-timed joke, but the first
was very true and moved Mrs. B. M. greatly."
The following morning my father had a sitting with
this lady. He returned home for luncheon, laughing
heartily, and said to my mother at the top of his voice :
" He was a negro ! He was a negro ! "
We could not understand it. Then he told us that
Mrs. B. M. had related her story to him at length, and said
that after her marriage her family had discovered that her
husband was of Indian origin — that is to say, a man of
colour. It could scarcely be seen, but it was a very great
mesalliance for an American. Thence the origin of this
enmity which lasted for life, but which Mrs. B. M. believed
had ended with death, because, she said, she had carried
out all her husband's wishes.
Other writings, obtained by automatic writing, are
much more interesting than those I have quoted, but
unfortunately they are in Italian, and the greater part in
ancient Italian of the twelfth century, and I am not able
to translate them.
CHAPTER XVIII
TYPTOLOGY AND LUCIDITY
Experiments of the Society d'Mudes Psychiques at Nancy
We will devote this chapter exclusively to a series of
experiments which were made by the Societe d'Etudes
Psychiques at Nancy, under the direction of M. X., a
member of this Society.
These experiments were conducted and verified under
scientific conditions which cause them to be of great value.
In order to preserve them in their integrity we leave
them as the author has given them in the original docu-
ment published m the Bulletin of the Societe d'Etudes
Psychiques de Nancy.
" In the group to which I belong we have indulged in
the pastime of interviewing invisible beings by means of
the table and writing; and we have obtained surprising
results which nine times out of ten have been verified, I
give attestations which will leave no doubt in the minds
of those who can admit that the experimenters, whom I
assert to be honourable persons, were acting in good
faith.
The method we employed was very simple. We made
a choice among the invisible personalities who were willing
to reply to us. We left out those who appeared to us not
to be serious, conscientious, or sincere. To the others we
put plain questions, the replies to which could be verified.
We did with them as we should have done with
living persons. We did not ask them to foretell the
future, which must be almost as difficult for them as for
us. We did not ask for forecasts about races, or the win-
ning number in a lottery, or if the ministry would go out
221
222 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
of office before the end of the year. But we asked them
for details as to their past, the salient facts of their earth
life, and the names of people whom they had known.
Some hesitated to give us these details : others only
replied to part of our questions. But some of them gave
the information asked for, and I will communicate their
replies. I will then give the proof that these replies are
in accord with the facts.
I will commence with the strangest of these communi-
cations. I do not wish to conceal the fact that at first it
appeared very improbable. It is a real legendary tale.
There were five of us at the table : M. and Mile. G., both
engaged in tuition ; Mile. C, a perfectly serious and re-
spectable person ; the medium, very young, connected with
the people of the house, and myself. I know all these
persons and can guarantee their perfect good faith.
Bertolf de Ghistelles
After a few moments the table moved, giving abrupt
raps, following each other two by two, and the psychic
force was manifested. I asked the name of the invisible
being that was causing the table to move, using the
alphabet as usual. It replied that its name Avas Bertolf.
This unusual name interested us, and the following is the
dialogue which ensued.
Question. Bertolf must be a Christian name. Have you
any other name ?
Ansiocr. Bertolf de Ghistelles.
Q. Were you French ?
A. Flemish.
Q. Will you tell us the name of the locality where you
lived ?
A. Dunkerque.
Q. Have you been a long time in the Beyond ?
A. Yes.
Q. In what year did you die ?
A. In 1081.
Q. What were you ?
TYPTOLOGY AND LUCIDITY 223
A. Husband of a Saint.
Q. Do you mean that your wife is honoured as a saint,
that she has been canonised ?
A. Yes.
Q. What was her name ?
A. Godeleine de Wierfroy. Can she forgive me ?
Q. You did her harm ?
A. Yes.
Q. You killed her perhaps ?
A. I had her strangled.
Q. Why?
A. Through jealousy, impelled by my unworthy
mother.
Q. Have you seen her again ?
A. Lady Mary has hidden her under her mantle.
Q. Have you found any members of her family ?
A. Heinfried and his wife Ogine, her father and
mother. They have forgiven me.
Q. Is the festival of your wife celebrated anywhere ?
A. Yes.
Q. On what date ?
A. July 6th. Her sweet name signifies Friend of God.
(Some one present remarked that " God " in Flemish
must signify Dieu, and asked if leine meant "friend.")
The table replied, " Lief, friend."
Q. What do you mean ?
A. In Flemish, Godluf.
Q. Did you die in a tragic manner ?
A. No, in a monastery. I remained there nine years.
Q. To do penance ?
A. Yes, the Holy Father told me to repent.
Q. Who was Pope ?
A. Urban.
Q. Who reigned in France in your lifetime ?
A. Robert, Henri, Philippe.
Q. Did you have for suzerain a Count of Flanders ?
A. Yes.
Q. What was he called ?
A. Guiscard,
224 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
Q. Are you happy ?
A. (Feebly) Yes.
Q. Have you suffered ?
A. For long centuries.
Q. What is the name of the monastery where you
lived ?
A. Vinoca.
Q. Was your wife born in France ?
A. No.
Q. In what Province ?
A. Le Boulonnais.
None of us had even heard of Bertolf or Godeleine.
We consulted the calendars, but could not find any saint
of this name.
Eventually the idea occurred to me to consult the
encyclopaedia Larousse, not in the hope of finding the
name of Bertolf, but in order to assure myself that the
sovereigns he had mentioned had really reigned at the
times stated, and I was just coming to the name of
Guiscard when I stumbled across the following article : —
" Godelive, Godelieve, or Godeleine of Ghistelles (saint),
born near Boulogne in 1040, died at Ghistelles in 1070.
She married Berthold, Lord of Ghistelles, near Bruges,
who, after having subjected her to odious treatment, had
her strangled and thrown down a well.
" Berthold became a monk — impressed, it is said, by
the miraculous cures effected by the water from this well,
around which a Benedictine abbey was built which was
afterwards transferred to Bruges.
" Godelive is specially honoured at Bruges on July 6th."
I will not conceal the objection that may be made.
It will be said : " One of the persons present had read this
story somewhere and remembered it when putting his
hands on the table. Then, by unconscious pressure, he
directed the movements of the table and replied to your
questions without knowing."
My reply would be : " For that it would be necessary
for the person to be in a state of somnambulism, which Avas
not the case with any of us. But I prefer to leave this
TYPTOLOGY AND LUCIDITY 225
objection on one side for a moment and pass on to another
case. The refutation will come better presently in conjunc-
tion with other cases. Here is another instance.
Garcia Moreno
The circle was almost the same as for the previous
communication. The spirit said his name was Garcia
Moreno, and he was born at Guyaquil (South America).
Question. What was your profession ?
Answer. President.
Q. President of what ?
A. The Republic of Ecuador.
Q. At what age did you die ?
A. 53 years, Friday, August 6, 1875. Dio ni muere !
Q. Why those words ?
A. I spoke them as I fell. I died a Christian.
Q. Will you be kind enough to translate them, because
we do not know Spanish ?
A. They mean " God does not die."
Q. Of what illness did you die ?
A. (by violent raps) Assassinated by Rayo and his
accomplices in front of the Government palace at Quito.
Q. What weapon was used ?
A. The machete.
Q. What is the machete ?
A. A Mexican knife.
Q. Are you happy ?
A. I have caused the death of some men.
Q. For what reason ?
A. To repress a conspiracy.
Q. Do you regret it ?
A. Yes.
Q. Who was the instigator of the conspiracy you
repressed ?
A. General Maldanato.
Q. Were you alone when you were assassinated by Rayo ?
A. Yes.
p
226 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
Q. Is there anything you can tell us which will prove
to us that you were Garcia Moreno ?
A. If you wish I will narrate a combat to you.
Q. Willingly. Only it will perhaps take a long time
by means of the table. Will you write this narrative ?
A. Yes.
Q. In Spanish ?
A. No.
Q. You know French sufficiently ?
A. 1 have stayed in Paris.
(We handed a pencil to the medium and by me-
chanical writing we obtained the following account.)
" This naval combat, of which I was the hero, is one of
the most pleasant recollections of my existence. After a
treaty had been signed advantageous to my country, I
was attacked on returning from a political expedition with
a few companions. The vessel having been sunk, we took
possession of an English vessel. On the refusal of the
captain we proposed to shoot him, and make a winding
sheet of his flag, but he . . . quickly gave in and with
. . . cannon I sunk the ironclad Guya. I took posses-
sion of Bernadino and of the schooner. I was the victor."
The words replaced by dots are indecipherable in
the text, but, in general, the writing is clear, firm, and
energetic.
We were curious enough to inquire from another spirit
concerning this Moreno, who had manifested for the first
time in our seances, and we spoke to one who frequently
came to us. This spirit replied as follows, still by means
of the pencil, but in an entirely different handwriting.
" I know this person, Avho is undoubtedly very intel-
lectual. Thanks to him his country valiantly mahitamed
a coalition which was terminated by an honourable treaty.
He is very learned, and is endowed with indomitable
energy — in short, he is no ordinary man ; one can admire
and extol his high qualities. But, unhappily, these are
accompanied by an extreme passion for domination, which
degenerates into cruelty. He has been charged with
several political crimes.
TYPTOLOGY AND LUCIDITY 227
" Further, he is the champion of the Church, and his
religious ideas have pushed his tendencies to extremes."
Briefly, the result of these communications was that
Garcia Moreno was a man of merit, very fanatical in his
nature ; that he was born at Guyaquil, had been President
of the Republic of Ecuador, was assassinated on August
6, 1875, at the age of fifty-three, by a man named Rayo,
assisted by several accomplices, after having shed blood in
repressing a conspiracy.
Now I opened Larousse again, and this is what I read : —
" Moreno (Gabriel Garcia), President of Ecuador, assas-
sinated at Quito in 1875. Exiled in his youth, he went
to Paris and London, where he studied, returned to
Ecuador, took up the profession of chemist, married the
daughter of General Flores and became chief of the
conservatives at Quito. President of the Republic from
1861 to 1865, and again from 1869 to 1875, he was
scheming to become president again when he was assas-
sinated.
" He was an able administrator, and carried out very
important public works and restored the finances. An
ardent Catholic, he gave the Church sovereign authority
and sent the Pope a million francs ; excited the mistrust
of the neighbouring states, was beaten by Morquera,
President of New Grenada, entered into conflict with
Peru and, having to cope with several liberal insurrec-
tions, displayed an arbitrary exercise of authority and
excessive severity m repressing them."
It will perhaps be thought that Larousse played a very
great part in these verifications, and the sitters may be
supposed to have been familiar with it. That is a mis-
take: none of them had ever opened Larousse, myself
excepted, and I am certain that I had never seen these
biographical notices previous to my researches.
Besides, it will be noticed that the information given by
the spirit calling himself Garcia Moreno is different on
more than one point, and more complete. In Larousse
there is no mention of Rayo, or of the machete, the name
of a weapon which was unknown to us until then.
228 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
Be that as it may, it will be seen that Larousse was not
the only source from which we drew in order to verify the
revelations which were made in our seances.
On Sunday, October 7, 1906, M. Thomas, our devoted
and scrupulous secretary, was present at one of these
manifestations. The following is an account of what took
place in his presence.
Henry Charles Montagne
The spirit in reply to our questions gave his name as
Henry Charles Montagne, who died ten years previously
at Nha-Trang (Annam), and had lived in Paris. I sum up
his communication in the following form, in order not to
fatigue the reader by the repetition of questions which are
almost always the same.
This spirit said : " I am buried at Pere-Lachaise. I
was clerk to the Residency at Tonkin. My father was
very well known in the literary world. His name was
Edouard Montagne, and he occupied an important position
in the Societe des Gens de Lettres. I have a great venera-
tion for him."
We asked Henry Montagne to whom we could apply
for confirmation of these statements. He replied : " Ask
my father's colleagues, the greater number of whom were
present at my funeral, which took place on November
26, 1890, I died on the previous July 9th. You can
inquire particularly of Daniel Riche."
He then gave those details : —
" I was thirty-one years of age. I died in a tragic
manner on the anniversary of my birth, mortally wounded
by a tiger in carrying out an order I had received."
All the names mentioned in this communication were
unknown to us, with the exception of that of M. Daniel
Riche and M. Edouard Montagne, whom I alone had
known by reputation. My first care was to look in the
dictionary for the name of Nha-Trang. It proved to be
the name of a place in Annam, not of a locality, but of a
province.
TYPTOLOGY AND LUCIDITY 229
I then wrote to Paris to obtain information— not to
M. Daniel Riche, whose address I did not know, but to
the office of the Societe des Gens de Lettres, and received
the following reply : —
" Paris, October 15, 1906.
"Dear Sir and Colleague,— Yes, Henry Montagne
was the son of a former delegate of the Societ(^ des Gens
de Lettres, Edouard Montagne, the immediate predecessor
of M. de L. He was killed by a tiger at Nha-Trang
(Annam), on July 9, 1896. His body was brought to
Paris on September 26th, and was buried on the 28th
at Pere-Lachaise, in the family vault, &c."
Then came the signature of a well-known member
of the society. That is all very well, it may be said again,
but these three accounts mention some sensational in-
cidents. M. Henry Montague's death must have caused
a certain stir ten years ago, and some one of you may have
preserved the recollection, without knowing it, in a corner
of his memory. I would simply draw attention to the
precision of the dates. This unconscious memory would
have to be very faithful! There is only one difference.
The spirit said " November 26th " where my correspondent
wrote " September 26th."
In any case, if I have so far only quoted sensational
facts I have grouped them together designedly. I will
quote others which are less sensational, then I will come to
those which are quite free from sensation.
Henri Thomas
In a seance which took place last May, a psychic
personality manifested at the table by very feeble raps.
We entered into conversation ; I give here the questions
and the replies : —
Question. What do you want of us ?
Answer. To converse.
Q. Then will you tell us who you are ? Your name ?
A. Henri Thomas.
230 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
Q. Have you been dead for long ?
A. Two years and a half.
Q. How old were you ?
A. Twenty years.
Q. Do you know of what illness ?
A. Accident.
Q. What is the name of the place where you lived ?
A. Gondrecourt.
Q. Were you born at Gondrecourt ?
A. No. At Demange-aux-Eaux.
Q. Had you a profession ?
A. Yes; teacher.
The remainder of the conversation is of no particular
interest.
I wrote to the schoolmaster at Gondrecourt, asking him
if he had had a colleague or an assistant of the name of
Henri Thomas, and in what way he had died. He replied
at first by a very vague letter, which showed his discretion,
and by which it appeared he did not see the necessity for
giving me the information. I communicated this letter
to M. Thomas, the namesake of the deceased, who wrote
again, this time as secretary of the Societo d'^tudes Psy-
chiques. The following is a copy of the reply, which has
been added to my collection. I merely omit the pre-
liminary sentences.
" Thomas (Henri) was born at Demange-aux-Eaux
(Mouse) on October 10, 1883. He entered the Normal
School at Commercy on October 1, 1899, and left on
July 20, 1902, with the higher certificate. On October
1st of that year he took the position of probationary
teacher at Gondrecourt, about four miles away from his
family. He was a very good, kind master, somewhat
timid, conscientious, and of very good conduct. On
Thursday, November 26, 1903, at 7 p.m., he placed himself
in front of a train on the line from Bar to Neufchateau. We
learned of his tragic death on the following day. All who
knew him were profoundly astonished by it.
(Signed) " L., Director of the School at
Gondrecourt."
TYPTOLOGY AND LUCIDITY 231
Here, again, there was a difference — only one. At
Gondrecoiu't they were convinced that he had committed
suicide : the spirit said " accident." Apart from that the
two accounts were identical.
Before going further, I ought to relate another of these
impressive manifestations. Afterwards I will pass on to
more simple narratives.
Maurice Bouche
One evening a spirit came and said that his name was
Maurice Bouche, and that he was very unhappy. His first
words were : —
" Children, follow the advice of your parents."
I ought to say that we had some very young people
present. He Avent on to say some very excellent things in
melancholy tones. At the end we asked him where, when,
and how he died. But before going further, I asked
whether any one in this gathering had heard of Maurice
Bouche (the reply was in the negative). The fact there-
fore was not well known, so that no objection could be
raised afterwards. Be that as it may, none of the persons
present knew him.
Well, the following is the spirit's reply : —
" I died three years ago, at Lille, on the scaffold."
Not knowing to whom to apply for confirmation of this
statement, I put some inquiries to a gentleman who had
lived at Lille. He told me that Maurice Bouche was a
young man of good family, who was ruined through bad
company. Falling lower and lower, he ended by joining
some robbers. One day he was arrested for complicity in
the assassination of an old lady of property, and was, in
fact, executed at Lille about three years previously.
Certainly, if we accept the theory of latent memory, I
admit that this might apply to this last manifestation.
But it has never been explained, to my mind, why these
recollections should remain completely dormant for three,
ten, or even twenty and thirty years, and be suddenly
awakened because we were seated in a circle with our
PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
hands on the tabic. Neither does it further explain why
they take on the mode of speech of a personality, and why
they should tell us point-blank things that were quite
unexpected : we cannot even say that they " can do every-
thing but talk," according to the old saying which is
applied to intelligent dumb animals. They can talk ;
they only lack the material body. If the intelligences
thus manifesting were only recollections momentarily
effaced, it Avould assuredly be a very strange mnemo-
technical phenomenon, as strange as spiritism itself.
The Weaver Viry
But this hypothesis does not appear to hold good in
view of other revelations which I have kept until the last.
Let us listen to this typtological conversation with the
spirit of a brave boy who was neither assassinated nor
executed, who had no history, and of whom, however, we
have discovered certain traces.
Question. What was your name ?
Answer. Viry.
Q. What was your profession ?
A. Weaver.
Q. In what country did you live ?
A. Vosges.
Q. Were you a workman in a spinning factory ?
A. No ; a weaver.
Q. In what part of Vosges did you live ?
A. Gerbepol.
Q. That is where you were born ?
A. Gerardmer.
Q. In what year did you die ?
A. In 1877, on November 26th.
Q. What age were you ?
A. Twenty years.
Q. Did you die as the result of an accident ?
A. Congestion.
Q. In your bed ?
A. No, outside, at the Grande-Source.
TYPTOLOGY AND LUCIDITY 233
Q. You were ill previously ?
A. No; drunk.
Q. You were in the habit of drinking ?
A. No.
Q. To what do you attribute this congestion ?
A. Cold.
Q. Why do you come here to-day ?
A. To converse.
Q. Do you know us ?
4. No.
At the end of this seance the following letter was sent
to the Mayor of Gerbepol : —
" Sir,— I should be glad if you would tell me if a man
named Viry, who lived, I am told, in your locality and who
died about the year 1877, has left any relatives in the
country, and if anything is remembered about him.
" In order to facilitate your inquiries I may add that
Viry was a weaver, and would be from twenty to twenty-
five years old."
The following is the reply received from the Mayor of
Gerbepol : —
" Sir, — In reply to your letter of the 15th inst., I have
the honour to inform you that there is not in our town
any relative or connection of young Viry, weaver, born
at Gerardmer, who died at Gerbepol on November 26,
1877, aged nearly twenty years.
" His family came from Gerardmer, and only lived here
for a few months. A sister of this young man was married
to a man named G. H. of Gerbepol, who at present lives at
Saint-Die. She died some time since, leaving, I believe,
four children, of whose present address I am ignorant.
" This young man was found dead in the snow.
(Signed) " E. C, Mayor of GerUpol"
The majority of the persons present were not born in
1877; it would therefore have been difficult for them
234 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
to have read the newspapers, supposing that the Nancy
newspapers, Avhich had few correspondents at that time,
had mentioned the sudden death of a poor Vosges
mountaineer.
However, as there are many who are always ready
to beUeve in chances and coincidences more extraordinary
even than the spiritualistic explanation, I will admit that
an old number of a newspaper, dated from November
1877, might have fallen after thirty years into the
medium's hands, that she had conscientiously read it,
and that the facts and dates had been carefully stored
in her memory in order to be brought up at the opportune
moment.
But then how will they explain the folloAving mani-
festation, which put our circle into communication with
the spirit of an old lady, in very humble and obscure
circumstances, who died peacefully in her bed in a village
of the Ardennes, of Avhich we did not even know the
name ? The following is the account of two conversations
Ave had with this spirit, whose language denotes much
intelligence and elevation of feeling.
Madame Duch^ne
First Seance (June 7th)
The spirit declared her name to be Mme. Duchene,
retired teacher, Avho died at the age of seventy-eight years
at Vendresse (Ardennes). We could, she said, write to
the Mayor of Vendresse, who would confirm these details.
Second Stance (June 12th)
Question. Who Avere you ?
Answer. Mme. Duchene.
Q. Where Avere you teacher ?
A. In the Marne.
Q. What toAvn ?
A. Not necessary.
TYPTOLOGY AND LUCIDITY 235
Q. Why do you not reply to that question ?
A. I have told you all that is necessary.
Q. You have said that you died at Vendresse (Ardennes)
at the age of seventy-eight years.
A. That is sufficient.
Q. How long since ?
A. Two years and a half.
Q. Of what illness ?
A. Old age.
Q. You authorise us to write to the Mayor ?
A. I wish it.
Q. Why do you wish it ?
A. In order to prove the truth of what I have told
you.
Q. Could you not give us other proofs also ?
A. I must observe certain limits.
Q. By whom are these limits fixed ?
A. Higher spirits.
Q. Plural or singular ?
A. Plural.
Q. When you were living did you believe in im-
mortality ?
A. No.
Q. And now ?
A. I am forced to believe it.
Q. You were doubtless astonished on finding yourself
in the Beyond.
A. Yes.
Q. What was your experience after death ?
A. At first I seemed as though stunned.
Q. How long did this amazement last ?
A. Some weeks.
Q. When you could take cognisance of your situation,
what did you feel ?
A. A sensation of deliverance.
Q. You are happy ?
A. Yes.
Q. Have you found those whom you have lost ?
A. Yes.
236 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
Q. All?
A. Yes.
As a result of this communication I liastened to write
to the Mayor of Vendresse. He replied to me as follows : —
" Vendbesse, June 16, 190G.
"Sir, — In reply to your inquiry, I have the honour
to inform you that Mme. Duchenc, widow, nee Bretagne,
died at Vendresse on September 7, 1903, and that she
bequeathed all her fortune to M. L., formerly school-
master. " BoNNiN, Mayor."
You will see from this reply that the Mayor did not
suspect my reason for writing to him. He, no doubt,
took me to be a claimant for what Mme. Duchene
had left.
Be that as it may, it is explicit, and I see no other
explanation possible for this revelation, so clearly con-
firmed, than the spiritualistic one.
I must remark in passing that the higher spirits are
the most sparing of personal details as regards themselves,
that is, as to their life on earth. It would seem as though
they felt scruples in making our researches too easy. I
merely state this without going into the cause of the
scruple ; that would take me too far. However, the
information Mme. Duchene consented to give us was
sufficient for us to identify her.
Louis Naude
I have now, I believe, given seven verified manifesta-
tions. Not wishing to abuse your patience, I will mention
the rest more briefly. They are, however, quite as in-
teresting in their results. The eighth was very short.
Question. Who were you ?
Answer. Louis Naude.
Q. What was your profession ?
A. Postman.
TYPTOLOGY AND LUCIDITY 237
Q. In what locality.
A. Lardoize.
Q. What Department ?
The reply was somewhat confused. We distinguished
the letters a r d. Some believed that the spirit meant
Ardeche, and others Gard. But as we expected another
spirit we rapidly passed over this detail and askedj where
Louis Naude died. He replied : —
A. In the Rhone. My body was removed to Aries.
Q. Was that long since ?
A. Three years.
I waited some time before seeking to verify this
communication, which appeared somewhat trivial. On
consulting the Dictionnaire des communes I found in
Ardeche a place named Ardoix, and m the Gard a hamlet
named Lardoize, attached to the town of Laudun. I
decided to write to both. The Mayor of Ardoix had
never heard of a postman named Louis Naude, but the
following reply came from the Mayor of Laudun, who
was also Mayor of Lardoize.
"Laudun, September 6, 1906.
" Sir, — In reply to your favour of August 27 last con-
cerning Louis Naude, formerly in the service of the
P-L-M, I have the honour to inform you that since his
departure in March 1903 I have had no definite informa-
tion concerning him.
" Mme. Louis Naude has, since then, left the locality ;
however, I have been able to procure her present address
and transmit it to you below.
" For the Mayor
(Signed) " Sognier, Secretary."
I did not think it my duty to write to Mme. Naude,
not wishing to push my researches to the point of indis-
cretion ; for this reason I do not mention her address.
It was sufficient to know that Louis Naude had really
existed ; that he was a postman, and that he had lived
in a place called Lardoize. What the wandering and
2^8 PSYCHICAL PHEN0MP:NA
invisible personality that was manifested to us had said,
had been confirmed by the Mayor of Laudun.
Jean de Boutary
The ninth communication is a very curious one. The
spirit gave the name of Jean de Boutary, and said he had
lived under the Regency. His language was that of a
young nobleman, rather dissipated, of light character and
somewhat sceptical.
We asked him what was his principal occupation.
He replied : " I went into high society."
" Whom did you know ? Will you be good enough to
mention a name ? "
" Cardinal Dubois."
" And whom did you know among the people ? "
" Among the people I only knew pretty girls."
We asked Jean de Boutary where he was born. He
replied that he was born at Montauban, and that he
divided his time between that town and Paris.
" Have you any descendants ? " we asked him.
He replied in the affirmative. " But," he said, " they
do not bear my name exactly. They are called Dubois de
Boutary."
" And where do they live ? "
" At Montech (Tarn-et-Garonne)."
No member of the circle had heard mention of Mon-
tech. We consulted a book and found that this place
really existed, that it was situated in the Department of
Tarn-et-Garonne. I wrote to the Mayor of Montech, and
some days afterwards I received the following reply, with
the heading of the Mayor's office : —
" Sir, — There are at Montech two families named
Boutary, one Lafon-Boutary, and the other Dubois de
Boutary.
" I believe that the Lafon-Boutary family came from
Montauban, but that of M. Dubois de Boutary must, if I
am not deceived, originally belong to Montech.
TYPTOLOGY AND LUCIDITY 239
" These two families have representatives in the town,
and you can write to them.
" For the Mayor,"
(Signature illegible).
I did not deem it necessary to trouble these two families ;
this letter was sufficient confirmation of the information
given by Jean de Boutary. Here again is a communi-
cation which cannot be explained by mnemonics, or by
latent memory.
But this was not the most extraordinary. That ema-
nated from a spirit named Simonne. I must make you
acquainted with Simonne.
SiMMONNE DE LeWITZ
The personality that took this name must have been
that of a young girl who died at fifteen years of age a
hundred years ago. She is intelligent, talkative, exceed-
ingly curious, and seemed to be familiar with the use of
sharp language.
She said she belonged to a family of Lewitz, which had
emigrated during the Revolution, and that she had been
brought up with an aunt in Brussels. She stated, more-
over, that she had been very badly brought up, in the
company of servants, who had taught her to swear. The
one she preferred was Pierre, the gardener, whom she had
met in the Beyond.
Simonne was never willing to give us any information
that would help to establish her identity : one of her
defects is her self-will and her disturbance of the seances
with her jokes, which are often annoying. The following
are the accounts of the most interesting seances which
she gave us.
Seance of June Ihih.
Question. Since you are not willing to say anything
concerning yourself to-day, tell us of Pierre. What was
his family ?
Answer. Batoix.
240 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
Q. Had he any children ?
A. Yes, five.
Q. What were their names ?
A. (Simonne gave several names, Jean being among
them.)
Q, Has Jean also left any children ?
A. I think so ; I will tell you that to-morrow.
Q. Why not to-day ?
A. That is my business.
Following Seance
Q. You can tell us if Jean, son of Pierre Batoix, has
left any children ?
A. Yes.
Q. Has he at present any descendants ?
A. I believe so.
Q. Then there are still some Batoix ?
A. No ; they are called Louvet. Their mother married
a Louvet.
Q. Do you authorise me to write to this Louvet, to
know if you have not deceived me ?
A. He will not reply.
Q. Why?
A. He is dead.
Q. I believe that you are making game of me.
A. Not at all. His wife still lives.
Q. And is she called Mme. Louvet ?
A. No doubt. What would you have her called ?
Q. Has she any children ?
A. Yes.
Q. How many ?
A. Twelve.
Q. Simonne, I believe more and more that you are
making game of me.
A. If you do not believe me, write to the Mayor.
Q. Then tell me the name of the town.
A. Acquin.
Q. I do not know any place of that name.
A, Write nevertheless.
TYPTOLOGY AND LUCIDITY 241
Q. In that case tell me the name of the post-town.
A. Lumbres.
Q. These are strange names you have given me. If I
write to the Mayor of Acqiiin, vid Lumbres, do you think
that I shall get a reply ?
A. I know nothing myself ; I am not his secretary.
But write all the same.
The following day I looked up a directory, and, much
to my surprise, I found the name of Acquin as a town,
with Lumbres (Pas-de-Calais) as the post-town. I wrote
to the Mayor of Acquin and received the following reply : —
" Acquin, June'28, 1906.
" Sir, — The widow Louvet has always lived in Acquin.
Several of her numerous children are in situations, but
she has still eight, all young, to support. She is well
worthy of interest, especially considering that her health
is very precarious. Masson, Mayor."
After that the theory of latent memory seems to me a
very poor one, and I could break off my narratives here.
But while I am dealing with Simonne, permit me to
quote the following : —
Elisabeth de Lewitz
Simonne had spoken of us, it appears, to all the
members of her family that she had found in the Beyond.
She had in particular a sister named Elisabeth de Lewitz,
who lived much longer than our little friend. She had
flourished, so she said, in the times of Louis Philippe, and
this noble lady, urged by curiosity, did not disdain to be
present at one of our seances. These communications
between the spirits and living persons seemed almost as
extraordinary to her as they did to us. She asked us
several questions, and replied to ours. In return for this
interview we asked her to tell us if there remained any
descendants of her family, of whom Simonne, more care-
less, had not been able to tell us.
Q
242 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
Elisabeth de Lewitz hesitated a Httle, then rephed in
the affirmative. But she added: "I do not know if I
ought to tell you their name."
" Why ? "
" They are not nobles."
" No matter for that," I replied. " We are not noble
either. Tell us their name therefore."
The table remained for a moment with one foot in the
air, then rapped out the following letters : —
"Afifra."
" And where does this family of AfFra live ? "
" At Perpignan," replied the spirit.
" What street ? What number ? "
" Rue Neuve, number 8."
We did not know at all if there was such a street in
Perpignan, and the name of Affra seemed to us a very
strange one. As a matter of duty, I wrote at once to the
Mayor of Perpignan to inquire if a family named Aif'ra
had lodged at this address. I give the reply as it came
from the Mayor's secretary.
"Perpignan, August 30, 1906.
"Sir, — I have the honour to inform you in reply to
your letter of the 27th inst., that there is living at Perpignan
a family of the name of Aifre, not AfFra. M. AfFre is a
Notary at Perpignan, Rue Neuve, 8.
" For the Mayor,
" Delegate Municipal Councillor,"
(Signature illegible).
You will see that there is only a mistake in one letter,
and this mistake is easily explained. In the typtological
alphabet the letter a is expressed by one rap only, like
the word "yes." Often after one letter has been given
we ask, " Is that all ? " and the table replies " Yes." It
is probable that after the letter r in the name of Affre we
put this question. The table having replied " Yes," we
probably took this "yes" for an a. But this mistake is
quite insignificant, because Attra and AfFrc are much
alike, especially so near to the Spanish frontier.
TYPTOLOGY AND LUCIDITY 243
Here, therefore, are ten psychical communications con-
firmed by proofs. There are many others I could relate.
Among these last named are communications from quite
remarkable people, which contain definite information as
to the Beyond, the psychical life, the part played by
fluids, &c. This information is all the more interesting
for us who think we know those who give it. But that is
beyond my limits, and I must stop there for the moment,
leaving you to draw your own conclusions.
For my own part, I will only say that if any one can
furnish me, as an explanation of these phenomena, with
any theory more acceptable than the spiritualistic one,
I shall be glad to hear of it. But with regard to the
objections of the materialists and dogmatists, I notice
that they only offer hypotheses as explanations, and
between hypotheses and verified facts I choose the facts,
surprising as they may appear.
AUGUSTIN CaUCHY
Six persons were at the table. Scarcely anything had
been obtained for about three-quarters of an hour, except
from some vulgar entities, whose language was often trivial
or disconnected. Suddenly the knocking changed, and
raps became clearer and more uniform, and the following
conversation ensued, by means of the alphabet.
Question. Who are you ?
Answer. Augustin.
Q. That is a Christian name. Can you tell us your
surname ?
A. Cauchy.
Q. You will forgive us for putting some categorical
questions. We want to know who are the spirits that
reply to our call.
A. That is right.
Q. Can you complete your name by some information
that will help us to establish your identity ?
A. Beatus qui intelligit super egenum et pauperem.
244 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
Q. That is a maxim ?
A. It is the epitaph engraved on my tomb.
Q. Can you translate it for us ?
A. " Blessed is he who understands the poor and has
pity on the unfortunate."
Q. That is the epitaph of a good man. But your tomb,
where is that ?
A. In the Sceaux cemetery, on the road shaded by
chestnut trees which leads to the slope of Plessy-Piquet.
Q. Have you been dead very long ?
A. Fifty years.
Q. Can you give me the exact date of your decease ?
A. Yes, May 17, 1857.
Q. What was your profession ?
A. During my career I had many vicissitudes.
Q. You had, however, one favourite occupation ?
A. Science.
Q. You were perhaps professor ?
A, I was.
Q. Where?
A. At the Sorbonne.
Q. Have you left any works ?
A. Yes.
Q. I should be very grateful if you would give the title.
A. Memoir es.
Q. You had a number of pupils ?
A. Yes.
Q. Some of them must have attained to prominent
positions. Can you tell us their names ?
A. I cannot.
q. Why?
A. It would be transgressing our laws.
Q. What laws ?
A. The laws regulating spirits.
Q. Then tell us what are those laAvs and who has de-
creed them ?
A. Our Divine Master.
Q. You are a religious spirit ?
A. I have never been ashamed to live as a Christian.
TYPTOLOGY AND LUCIDITY 245
Q. I do not think the Gospel contains the law you say.
There are therefore some special laws for spirits ?
A. Yes.
Q. You state that you have lived as a Christian.
What do you mean by that ?
A. I have always endeavoured to follow faithfully the
divine precepts. Science does not exclude faith. Look
at Newton, Pascal, Descartes : did these valiant defenders
of the faith of our fathers neglect science ?
Q. What do you understand by faith ? Is it faith
in a future life, in eternal justice, or in a collection of
dogmas ?
A. The faith as it is taught us by the Gospel, that
sublime book.
Q. Do you not find that the Gospel contains principally
moral precepts rather than the obligation to believe in
dogmas which have since become narrowed down ?
A. It is those precepts which form the base of our
religion.
Q. Have not some useless and very complicated things
been constructed on this base ?
A. Why that observation ?
Q. Because the details of narrow or puerile practices
have caused their fundamental bases to be lost sight of.
A. A clear conscience sees farther than practices.
Q. I see that you are a believer. How do you reconcile
your present situation with your beliefs ?
A. Explain.
Q. Are you in one of these places which the Church
recognises after death — heaven, purgatory, or hell ?
A. But I am in heaven.
Q. Do you mean that you are in the state of mind that
corresponds to heaven, or that you are really in heaven ?
A. In heaven.
Q. Then you have seen God ?
A. Yes.
Q. Can you describe Him ?
A. Description is impossible. I was dazzled by the
Almighty Power of the Creator.
246 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
Q. Who told you that this dazzHng spectacle which
you cannot define contained God ?
A. I have seen Him, I tell you. I have seen Christ
illuminating the heavens with the splendours of his glory,
the divine word in His humanity.
Q. You may have seen a fluidic personage in a luminous
atmosphere, but how did you recognise Christ ?
A. How could I fail to recognise Him ? He is my
Saviour, who became as we were.
Q. If you are in heaven, how is it you can be at the
same time on earth ? How is it you are here ?
A. To spread these teachings. God has given us
power to work with men.
It will be seen that the personality callmg himself
Augustin Cauchy was clearly characterised. He is a very
orthodox believer who sacrifices none of his religious
principles, and whose aim is to reconcile them wdth the
teachings of science and the facts which he asserts that
he has witnessed in the Beyond.
I made some inquiries as to this savant. It was not
difficult to find traces of him, and what I have since read
about him agrees with the foregoing.
Cauchy was an ardent legitimist, who refused to take
the oath to the Government of July and the Second
Empire, and who was compelled on two occasions to leave
the chair of the Sorbonne and teach in a foreign country.
It was certainly possible for one or other of the persons
present to have learned some biographical details of this
subject. But what is difficult of explanation, since none
of them had ever lived in Paris or visited the cemetery
at Sceaux, is the communication relative to the epitaph.
Now, this information was correct. I have, in fact, written
to the keeper of the cemetery at Sceaux, and the following
are the particulars he was good enough to send me : —
" Sceaux, Noveniber 9, 1906.
" Sir, — In reply to your letter of the 3rd inst., I have
the honour to inform you that I have made a search in
the cemetery for the Cauchy tomb, which fortunately I
TYPTOLOGY AND LUCIDITY 247
found, and I have copied the following epitaph engraved
on the tombstone, and which reads : —
augustin-louis
Bakon Cauchy
died at sceaux may 23, 1857
beatus qui intelligit
super egenum et pauperem
" This abandoned grave is in a deplorable state, covered
over by weeds ; it was necessary to clean it in order that I
might send you the information asked for.
(Signed) " Vincent, Keeper of the Cemetery at Sceaux,
174 RiLe Houdan, Sceaux (Seine)."
This honest keeper added that the cleaning necessary
to decipher the inscription took him about an hour. It
had therefore been for a long time illegible to visitors, and
we may ask how the Latin text and the translation could
have come, unconsciously or otherwise, to the knowledge
of any member of our circle.
CHAPTER XIX
TYPTOLOGY AND LVCIDITY— (continued)
Case of Dr. Petersen
The following case is published by M. Anastay, President
of the Marseilles Society for Psychical Studies, in the
Bulletin of that Society.
The importance of this investigation will not fail to be
perceived, both because of the care with which M. Anastay
has arranged the documents which are absolutely authentic
in this case, and because of the verification resulting
from an official inquiry made by the authorities, and
which included the evidence and the medico-legal report
on which the finding of the judicial authorities was
based.
The Case of the Disappearance of Dr. Petersen.
In the course of December 1904 the Ahnmiach cle la
Savoie for 1905 (an almanack which appears to give special
prominence to the sensational and tragic occurrences in
the district) published the following information : —
A Disappearance
" We were informed about October 20th of the disap-
pearance of a young doctor of medicine, M. Munch
Petersen, of the Fredericks Hospital, Copenhagen, and son
of a professor of medicine in that city.
"Dr. Harold Munch Petersen came to Aix-les-Bains
with a circular ticket via Germany and Switzerland, and
from there should have gone to Paris by way of Lyons.
A post-card sent from Culos to his sister on October 3rd,
TYPTOLOGY AND LUCIDITY 249
stated that he was leaving for Aix. Since then his
family, to whom he often wrote, have not received any
news.
" At Aix his card was found at the Grand Cercle, where
he had sent it with a request for an invitation, but his
name was not found either on the police register or in the
list of visitors. He had a letter for Dr. Cazalis, who had
not seen him. The prefecture of police has searched in
vain for him in Paris. It seems that he must have left
Aix almost immediately after his arrival, since he did not
put up at any hotel. The family offer a reward of three
hundred francs to any one who would give the police any
information which would enable them to trace him.
" His portrait is given herewith (the almanack pub-
lished the portrait of Dr. Petersen), and his description is
as follows : —
" Dr. Harold Munch Petersen, 33 years of age : short ;
fair hair ; blue eyes ; rather pale ; slight fair moustache ;
speaking French imperfectly.
" M. Gauthier, Commissioner of Police, has made in-
quiries showing that Dr. Petersen arrived at Aix, and his
identity has been established.
" On the morning of October 5th, before going out on
his bicycle to make an excursion in the neighbourhood,
the doctor ordered eggs and tea for breakfast, saying that
he would not return until the evening.
" Since then he has not returned, and it is feared that
he may have met with an accident on one of the surround-
ing mountains."
The news soon spread, and public opinion, which had
recently been disturbed by the murder at the Villa Solms,
was much divided, some inclining to believe it was an
accident, others a crime ; some stories made the victim
die on a mountain, others in the Lac du Bourget ; others
again favoured the suggestion of suicide. At bottom no
one kneAv anything as to the cause of this mysterious dis-
appearance, not even the authorities, who, pressed by the
Prefect, who himself received orders from the Ministry, at
250 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
the instigation of the Danish Legation, were worn out with
the efforts they had made in every direction.
The devoted Commissioner of Police, M. Gauthier,
whose zeal and perspicacity were beyond all praise, after
having cleverly traced Dr. Petersen at Aix-les-Bains, and
learned that before leaving the hotel where he had stayed
he had expressed the intention of going to the Mont-du-
Chat, which lies to the west of Aix-les-Bains, and is one
of the most dangerous mountains of the district, had
immediately sent the gendarmes and foresters in this
direction, as well as to " La Chambotte," a mountain 2730
feet high which overlooks the eastern side of the lake.
This clue appeared all the more important because one of
Dr. Petersen's brothers, a doctor of law and professor at
the University of Copenhagen, while taking an automobile
trip round the lake, had collected what seemed to be
evidence in favour of this hypothesis. Several innkeepers
at Bourget and Bordeau stated, in fact, that on October
5th they had seen a traveller on a bicycle who was very
like the photograph shown to them.
Inquiries had also been made at Mont-Revard, a
favourite point for excursions, situated to the east of
Aix-les-Bains, but without any appreciable result. The
banks of the lake had also been explored, but the fisher-
men, whose workmg season it was, declared that if there
had been a dead body near the bank, in shallow water
their nets would have brought it up.
At this juncture the Commissioner, M. Gauthier, who
had had the matter in charge for some days, received a
visit from the Justice of the Peace at Aix-les-Bains, M. B.,
who handed him the following anonymous letter which he
had just received : —
" Aix-les-Bains, October 26, 1904.
" To the Justice of the Peace.
" Permit me to bring to your knowledge the foUowmg
communication just received, and to remain anonymous
for the present.
" If by this means the body is discovered, I will make
myself known by producing a copy of this letter.
TYPTOLOGY AND LUCIDITY 251
" The doctor died on a perpendicular precipice of the
Revard, under an overhanging rock near a house which is
used as a shelter for sheep when overtaken by storms.
" A point which will be very useful for discovering the
body is to look for traces of blood on all the stones around
the place in which it lies."
After examining this paper, it was wisely agreed to
take note of its contents without, however, placing ex-
aggerated confidence in it, and the same evening it
was communicated to the brigadier of gendarmerie, who
promised to send his men again the next day to the slopes
of the Revard.
This was done, and the summit of the mountain was
specially examined. Several chalets were found which cor-
responded to the description, but all efforts were fruitless.
As winter was coming on, and all the mountain paths
would soon be covered with snow, the search was given up
until the following season.
M, B. was not long in discovering by chance that the
author of this anonymous letter was a lady then on a visit
to Aix, Mme, Vuagniaux, a convinced spiritist, the wife
of M. Vuagniaux, a talented artist, and both of them paid
us a visit at Marseilles in January 1905, with a very warm
recommendation from the president of the Geneva Society
for Psychical Studies, Mme. Rosen-Dufaure, who intro-
duced M. and Mme. Vuagniaux to us as highly reputable
persons enjoying general respect and esteem. In fact,
they impressed us as being worthy and serious-minded
people. We hastened to introduce Mme. Vuagniaux to
some ladies of the Marseilles Society for Psychical Studies,
and it Avas not long before they began experimenting with
the tables.
Mme. Vuagniaux did not speak of what had hap-
pened at Aix-les-Bains, although she said that she had
several times felt inclined to do so, and the winter passed
without other incident.
We now return to the " communication," for such it
was, as ingenuously stated in the letter to the magistrate
252 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
at Aix-les-Bains. Mme. Vuagniaux, being concerned,
like all the other inhabitants of the town, as to the fate
of Dr. Petersen, had remarked one day to those around
her that the spirits, who knew many things, ought to
enlighten her as to the fate of the unfortunate doctor.
At an evening meeting with her friends, Mme. B. and
Mile. B., they made the table " talk," and without these
ladies asking anything, as is frequently the practice with
spiritists, they obtained by typtology the following com-
munication : —
" The doctor died in a cave with perpendicular sides
at Revard. You can give the information or find him
yourselves.
" You should see the Commissioner, and tell him that
you know that the doctor died on the Revard in a rock
cavity on a precipice close to a house which serves as a
shelter for the flocks of sheep when they are overtaken by
rain. A very important point for discovering the body
is to look for a trace of blood on all the stones surround-
ing the spot where he fell."
Communication received October 26, 1904, signed Marie
Vuagniaux, Mme. L. B., Mile. M. B.
M. Vuagniaux was engaged in painting in an adjoining
room when he was called to be witness of this commuica-
tion. He sent us the following attestation : —
" The President of the Psychical Society of Marseilles.
" I certify that when engaged in the room adjoining
that where the seance was held, I was called and witnessed
the communication No. 1 just as it has been sent to you.
(Signed) " C. Vuagniaux."
" Aix-les-Bains, August 12, 1905."
Mme: Vuagniaux was much surprised at this mani-
festation. The following day, while alone, she was im-
pressed to ask the spirits for further details, and she
obtained the following by intuitive mediumistic writing: —
" The doctor, in order to climb the Revard, passed by
Roche du Roi and Mouxy ; in the last place he was seen
TYPTOLOGY AND LUCIDITY 253
by some persons. His body is at the bottom of a ravine,
a little distance from the sheepfold. He fell twice, first of
all at the foot of a perpendicular wall, then lower down
into a chasm under an overhanging rock.
" That is all ; there is nothing to alter. If God wills he
will be founcJ. There is a house which is near the road ;
the gendarmes will inquire. He was seen to pass there ;
he was on foot."
Finally, a third communication said : —
" My dear child, it is your usual guide speaking to you.
I see you wish to know if I can confirm the informa-
tion which has been given you. I can. The doctor is
dead ; his spirit is still in trouble. He will be found from
the information given. I can add this — you must look at
the foot of a wall which overhangs a precipice ; he fell
there first of all, then into a chasm. We shall do our best
to help. It was well on in the evening — about six o'clock
— when he fell. He was seen, when passing Mouxy, by
several people. Adieu, my child. Your Guide."
M. Vuagniaux was called to witness these fresh com-
munications, and the following is the attestation he added
to the preceding : —
" I declare that I took cognisance, at the time they
were received, of the communications Nos. 2 and 3
received by my wife through mediumistic writing the day
following, and the day but one after No. 1 was given by
raps at a seance. C. Vuagniaux."
In the course of the winter Mme. Vuagniaux obtained
some communications which confirmed the explana-
tions given, and advised her to continue the search.
In April she and her husband returned to Aix-les-
Bains, but the Revard was covered with snow and en-
veloped in mist. On May 5th, after a special seance, it
was decided that the following week, if the weather per-
mitted, M. v., assisted by a member of the Alpine Club,
should recommence the search.
254 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
It was then that the following information appeared in'
the newspapers, which spread with lightning rapidity and
at once stopped the generous intention of M. and Mme
Vuagniaux.
Discovery of a Body *
Mysterious Disappearance — Search Seven Months after.
Gruesome Find
" Aix-les-Bains, May lOth.
" On October 3rd last, Dr. Harold Munch Petersen of
Copenhagen, aged thirty-three years, came to Aix-les-
Bains to stay a few days.
" On the morning of the 4th Dr. Petersen asked the
proprietor of the hotel for information as to the excursions
which could be made in that district. During the day
he visited the town, and at this date the registers of the
Grand Cercle show that he visited that establishment.
In the evening the doctor dined at the hotel, and went to
bed at an early hour. At five o'clock in the morning
Dr. Petersen rose, and, after taking a light breakfast, he
Avent for a bicycle ride. Since then he has not been seen.
" The Danish doctor's family, much surprised at re-
ceiving no news of him for several days, sent one of his
brothers and a friend to make inquiries.
" On October 15th they arrived in Paris, and went to
the Danish Legation, which immediately asked the police
department to make inquiries as to this mysterious dis-
appearance. The doctor's movements were traced, and it
was ascertained that he had gone to Aix-les-Bains. The
brother and friend immediately took the first train for
Savoy.
" On their arrival at Aix-les-Bains active search was
made under the direction of the Commissioner of Police
by the Aix-les-Bains gendarmerie, the brigades of the dis-
trict, and the forest-keepers. All search was fruitless vmtil
Tuesday evening, May 9th, when Antoine Jacquin, farmer
at Mouxy, on going into a coppice on Mont Revard, dis-
covered a dead body entirely eaten by birds of prey. Only
TYPTOLOGY AND LUCIDITY 255
the calves, which were covered with leggings, were intact.
M. Antoine Jacquin at once informed the Commissioner of
Police of his discovery. Some papers found at the place
where the body was discovered leave no doubt that the
body is that of Dr. Harold Petersen."
The disappearance of Dr. Petersen and the negative
result of the search caused great excitement among the
townspeople. Many conjectures were made as to this dis-
appearance, which seemed somewhat mysterious after the
dark memories of the tragedy of the Villa Solms. The
inhabitants of Bourget and Bourdeau stated that on
October 5th they had seen the Danish doctor on a bicycle
returning to Col-du-Chat. Their statements must have
been erroneous, because chance led to the discovery of the
body of the unfortunate doctor in exactly the opposite
direction. To obtain further information we went to the
place where the body was discovered, in company with
M. Jacquin and M. Exertier, formerly Mayor of Mouxy,
and M. Blanc. We arrived at the spot after a walk of
three hours. M. Antoine Jacquin gave us an account of
the discovery in the following terms : —
" I own a property situated on the western slope of
Mont Revard, about 4500 feet above the sea-level,
called the Bois Noir, but better known as the Gorge des
Cherassons.
" This property is on a steep slope ; at the top there is
a rock thirty feet high, formed of two vertical portions of
equal dimensions, separated by a small platform. This
rock, which cannot be climbed, is consequently a barrier
to the ascent of the Revard.
" The Alpine Club path which leads to the top of the
Revard on the west side passes nearly two hundred yards
below my land.
" I only come to this place once in three or four years
on account of the difficulty of getting to it. It takes two
hours of difficult walking, and the ground is almost value-
less, with only a few fir trees on it.
" On the afternoon of May 9th, I went up to my pro-
256 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
perty, the Gorge des Cherassons. About one hundred and
fifty yards from the base of the rock I have mentioned I
found some fragments of grey clothing. Greatly surprised
I went higher, and at various points I saw other pieces of
the same material. About forty yards from the base of
the rock I came across a dead body, or rather a skeleton,
seated and bent forward.
" I saw other pieces of material close to the body.
Higher up I found a small knife, a watch, and, further on,
the chain. About twenty yards from the base of the rock
I discovered the remains of a shirt, a circular railway
ticket, and a wallet containing some foreign bank-notes.
" Lower down, about a hundred yards away from the
body, I found a black leather purse, containing a ten-franc
and a five-franc piece, and some foreign coins of small
value. I also found an eye-glass.
" This body could only have been discovered by me.
Every two or three years I go up to this place, which is my
property. It is absolutely deserted and dangerous ; no
tourist en' huntsman ever ventures to make the ascent.
The Hypothesis
"It is supposed that Dr. Petersen was making the
climb to the top of Mont Revard, and that afterwards he
had taken the Alpine Club road to return on foot to Aix-
les-Bains by an arid path on which, at a distance of nearly
a mile, there is a chalet ; below this there are two very
difficult passes, overhung by two peaked rocks about four
yards high.
" It is supposed that Dr. Petersen lost his footing and
fell on to the first rock, when he would be thrown on to
the second, and then would fall into M. Jacquin's wood.
The Presumptions
" The circumstances in which the body was discovered
lead to the supposition that Dr. Petersen was the victim
of an accident.
" But an anonymous letter, if we can believe cer-
tain statements, addressed to the magistrate when the
TYPTOLOGY AND LUCIDITY 257
press reported this disappearance in October last, j^ave
precise information as to it, with particulars as to the place
where Dr. Petersen had met his death.
" A judicial inquiry will be held as to this painful death.
The remains of Dr. Petersen have been left on the scene
of the accident, awaiting removal by the authorities."
The Chambery magistrates then ordered the Commis-
sioner of Police of Aix-les-Bains to go to the site on the
Revard with a doctor, in order to ascertain if the death
was due to accident, or to crime, or suicide, and to open a
searching inquiry to ascertain if there was cause for sus-
picion against any one. The result of the inquiry was
given in the following terms in the Progres de Lyon of
May 13, 1905 :—
Disappearance of Dr. Petersen — Removal of the Body
" Contrary to our expectations, the Chambery magis-
trates did not go to the place where Dr. Petersen met his
death, it having been established that the death was due
to a mountaineering accident.
" Yesterday morning at six o'clock M. Gauthier, Com-
missioner of Police ; Dr. Guyenot, official doctor ; Favre,
sergeant-major ; Martin, gendarme ; Blanc Lanote, Briga-
dier of Police; and Gauthier, junior, took the cog-wheel
railway for Mount Revard. After a walk of three hours
the party arrived at the Bois Noir.
" After a rest, the body was placed in a sheet, and a
stretcher was improvised out of some fir tree branches.
" After many difficulties the party arrived at Aix-les-
Bains : the body was transferred to the hospital mortuary,
and the doctor held a post-mortem examination. No
fracture of the skull was discovered. The ribs of the left
side were completely broken. It is supposed that Dr.
Petersen left Mont Revard on foot in order to return to
Aix-les-Bams, taking the Alpine Club path. At about 130
yards from the chalets the path divides into two.
" Instead of continuing to follow the Alpine Club path,
the doctor took the other path, which leads to the edge of
R
258 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
a rock. Here he must have slipped and fallen, rolling
over two peaked rocks.
"According to Dr. Guyenot, death was not instan-
taneous. The Danish doctor regained consciousness for
a few moments, and was able to drag himself to the foot
of the rock where he was found and seat himself there."
Thus ended, for the few witnesses who had followed
the affair in all its details, the strange coincidence between
an accident which remained for a long time unknown and
a revelation produced in the course of a judicial inquiry
with regard to it.
Our readers know that this revelation stated that :
(1) Dr. Petersen died on Mont Revard ; (2) this death was
due to a mountaineering accident ; (3) as to this accident,
numerous details were given which were really true, such
as the vicinity of a chalet, the double fall on perpendicular
rocks, the survival of the victim, &c., but they also know
that some slight mistakes were also made.
Before examining these circumstances more closely,
and drawing from them such deductions as seem to be
permissible, we will here finish the descriptive part of
our narrative, by saying that the mortal remains of the
unfortunate Danish doctor repose peacefully in the ceme-
tery at Aix-les-Bains ; in the picturesque words of the
sympathetic Commissioner, M. Gauthier, "close to the
spurs of the Alpine chain which inexorable fate had
marked for the termination of his too short career."
We will now examine the circumstances of the Alpine
tragedy which was the subject of the preceding narrative,
to see what we may learn from it to the advantage of
psychical science.
Let us say first of all that if the discovery of the dead
body had followed close upon the statement of Mme.
Vuagniaux, the dramatic interest would doubtless have
been increased. But ought avc therefore to say, from
the scientific point of view, that the importance of the
resemblances between the information revealed, and those
supplied by the subsequent inquiry, has been diminished ?
TYPTOLOGY AND LUCIDITY 259
No, because the non-discovery of the dead body was not
due to any defect in the search, which was, as we have
seen, extensive and conscientious ; nor yet to lack of
precision in the particulars revealed ; because the main
characteristics of the place indicated seem to have been
given in the " communications." In reality, the non-
discovery of the body was due to a special circum-
stance : the marked inaccessibility of the place where
Dr. Petersen's body was lying, and which was found to
be a neglected corner of the Revard.
In point of fact the witness Jacquin declared in his
interview with the Progres de Lyon that " the inhabitants
of Mouxy are not very enthusiastic about going into their
woods, for they are very dangerous places to get at," and,
in a private letter, that " the searches of the gendarmerie
may have been very thorough, but to get to this dangerous
spot one must know the way, and run considerable risk."
Dr. Guyenot was not less explicit in saying that this spot
" is difficult of access and extremely dangerous,"
What is of importance to us, therefore, is not to know
whether or not the body was discovered after the revela-
tion, but whether special and striking agreements are
found between the communication and the fact, and
what is their origin.
First of all, in order to see things from a slightly higher
standpoint, is there sufficient agreement to claim our
attention and justify a study such as we submit to the
consideration of our readers ? Yes, because one of the
most enlightened witnesses, not to be suspected of par-
tiality, the Commissioner of Police, M. Gauthier, when
questioned by us as to the effect produced upon him by
these agreements, was good enough to give us the follow-
ing detailed account of the impression made upon him
at the time of the recognition of the body, and which
has not yet been effaced. The reader will find in it that
warmth and vitality which characterises the narration of
actual experiences.
Speaking of the time when the party mentioned by
the editor of the Lyons newspaper had arrived at the
260 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
top of the Revard, and had then to discover the place
where the body of Dr. Petersen had fallen and to ascertain
the causes of his fall, M. Gauthier said : —
" The keeper knew the situation of the Jacquin property.
He was to lead us by some rocks which had been mentioned,
which bordered the upper edge of the property. We
wended our way from the station towards the south part
of the plateau, about a mile and a half from this station :
we passed by five small buildings a little way apart from
one another. The one served as a cheese dairy during
the summer ; a second, during bad weather, sheltered the
flocks. Had the sibyl spoken truly in her letter addressed
to the magistrate ? Here is the building which serves as
a shelter for sheep. Where is the cave? I look and
search in vain. We come to a deep and steep gorge.
We continue our perilous descent. The keeper comes
to the top of the rocks, at the bottom of which is the
sloping property of M. Jacquin. We walk silently and
thoughtfully, when suddenly the keeper cries out :
" ' Doctor, come forward I pray you, but carefully ;
your shoes are not iron shod, and in spite of your stick
you may slip and tumble into the chasm.'
" ' Take hold of a branch of the bush by your side.'
" ' That is it ! Do not go any farther ; bend over and
look.'
" ' What a strange sight ! There is the rock with ver-
tical walls from the top of which the doctor probably fell.'
" ' Oh, what a strange thing ! I see a cave which I
had not known ; it is hidden under the Revard. And to
think that for nearly thirty years I have traversed the
dangerous parts of this mountain.'
" At these words Dr. Guyenot turned, and our eyes met.
"The rock with vertical walls (the anonymous letter
said, 'perpendicular precipice'), the cave seen for the
first time by the keeper (but it was the cave described by
the sibyl !).
"With great difficulty, the doctor came towards me.
We exchanged impressions ; we were struck with astonish-
ment.
TYPTOLOGY AND LUCIDITY 261
" ' All this is right,' I said, ' the shed for the sheep, the
perpendicular precipice, the cave. Is it really under the
rocks with vertical walls, in this cave, that the dead body
of Dr. Harold Munch Petersen lies ? '
" We had not long to wait for the reply to my question.
" In fact the forest keeper, by means of a horn, sent
forth a rousing call. The mountaineers, the gendarmes,
the secretary and the Brigadier of Police (who had taken
two hours and a half to come from the station at Pugny
to the top of the Bois Noir) replied by shouts. They saw
us, again ascended, and were soon not far from us, by the
side of the dead body, about forty yards from the rock
beside which we were standing.
" The particulars given to the magistrate by the lady
were accurate."
Commissioner Gauthier demonstrated in his report
that Dr. Petersen had gone towards the summit of Mont
Revard by the Alpine Club path ; he had breakfasted
there, and had descended again by the same way ; " when
near the pond he had taken a false direction, by going
along the path to the right which leads .to the chasm,"
and he ended with the conclusion that " it was certainly a
mountain accident that caused the death of Dr. Harold
Munch Petersen ; and it cannot be attributed to any other
cause."
On the other hand, the legal doctor stated to his com-
panions that " Dr. Petersen survived the accident for
several hours, but it is impossible to specify the exact
time which elapsed before he died."
The principal features of the revelation appear, there-
fore, to combine in proving its veridical character, and it
remains for us to consider the possible hypotheses in ex-
planation of this remarkable case, after having examined
as closely as possible the details we already know.
It was possible to suppose that Dr. Petersen had died
by falling from a rock, and the revelation might in all
strictness only be the effect of a coincidence, but the
veridical details furnished by the famous " communica-
262 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
tion " seem to us to exclude, by their number and parti-
cular character, this rather simple hypothesis.
It mentions first of all a " perpendicular precipice,"
which is correct ; then a " cave," which ought to play an
important part in the recognition of the spot, since this
term is repeated three times in the original communica-
tions. Now this important detail is confirmed, since a
natural cave existed in the immediate neighbourhood of
the double-staged rock on which the doctor fell. We see
by the plan (Plate II.) that the opening of this cave which
drew the attention of the keeper and others was about
fifteen yards from this double-staged rock. But if we
consider the form of this cave we find that it is more
closely and truly over the dead body, since " if a line was
drawn towards the east, from the top of a perpendicular
raised from the place of the body, it would come, if not to
the southern extremity of the cave, at least quite close to
this extremity." This cave, which serves as a refuge for
badgers, has an opening of nearly a yard wide, a yard and
a half high, projecting about two yards, and seems to hang
in space : it becomes larger towards the south, where the
double-stage rock is, until it attains a depth of seven or
eight yards, thus constituting " a large chamber, so that if a
man fell into this cave he would not be able to get out."
Dr. Petersen might, according to M. Gauthier, who gave
this opinion simply as a hypothesis, have fallen from a
rock which overhangs this cave and come to the spot
where he was found, which would make the " communi-
cation" more literal on this point; but we are bound to
accept the version generally accepted by the mountaineers
who have seen the place, and by Dr. Guyenot, who believed
that Dr. Petersen had fallen from the adjoining double-
staged rock (Plate II., Fig. 2). Be that as it may, the
doctor's body was found neither in nor under this cave,
but below it. There was therefore a slight inadequacy
of terms in this description, but not a marked incor-
rectness.
With regard to the second point in the letter sent to
the authorities, the sheepfold, there Avas no mistake in
' • I ^
,1 ■ ^ ,''/ ■"■*
.^^
\\\v;^•;..;::^'■:;:;^■:i••?i^-^|)1;;;;/;;il;lVc^
264 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
this either. The shcepfold existed, and was, according to
the witnesses, from four to five hundred yards from the
spot. Every one knows how, on mountains as on the sea,
distances are relative, and we think that the description in
the communication can be considered fairly correct, and
that is certainly the impression which the narrative
related above seems to have made upon the excellent
M. Gauthier.
We pass to other details a little less important, because
they are reported in two documents which have not been
officially authenticated.
The spots of blood may have had their importance
while the event was still recent, but not after the rain or
snow had swept away the traces.
If Dr. Petersen passed on foot by the Roche du Roi
and Mouxy, no one has been able to testify to it, except
a woman of Mouxy, Avho declared that some one who
passed without a bicycle and bearing a resemblance to
Dr. Petersen, stated that he was going to the Revard,
on the day of the accident. The fact, which is almost
established, that the doctor did not use his bicycle, seems
to give some support to this statement.
The assertion that Dr. Petersen fell twice, at the foot of
a perpendicular wall, then under a cave, repeated again in
other words (" look at the foot of a wall which overhangs
a precipice ; he fell there first of all, then into a chasm "),
although badly expressed, since it may, strictly speaking,
be applied to a fall from the rock which overhangs the
cave, is nevertheless striking enough, because it appears to
us to apply better to the official hypothesis, which made
the doctor fall from the double-staged rock forming
the end of the gully des Cherassons to the right of the
cave.
Finally we come to the time of the fall, which, as it
seems to be erroneous, has the effect of a slight blemish
on a pretty face. We might infer from it that the doctor,
overtaken by the night, was venturing too incautiously,
and that is perhaps the unconscious thought that was
suggested to Mme. Vuagniaux at a moment when, putting
^66 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
some mental questions to herself, as we have seen was her
custom, she no doubt offered her own explanation.
We consider it as proved that the fall took place at
the time when the watch stopped, that is to say, at 3.54.
This constitutes the sole error, though only a slight
one, which we have to notice, if we do not take into
account that which results from the declaration that
" the body will be found from this information," which is
weakened by a preceding declaration that the body will
be recovered " if God wills it."
In summing up the impressions produced by the rela-
tions established between the event and the revelations
which followed it, we will say that in this case, as in nearly
all those which are reported in mediumistic seances, we
find that mixture of truth and falsehood or error, which
always gives a slight vagueness to the whole, and throws
our mind into incessantly recurring perplexities. But if
the proportion of truth and falsehood varies in each case,
here the true seems to greatly predominate over the false.
If we may be permitted a comparison, we would say that
the communications of Mme. Vuagniaux produce almost
the effect of messages which might be transmitted by
means of the telephone from a person who had seen the
place and the scene, who had only a limited time allowed,
say half a minute for each communication ; this would
prevent him from choosing his terms, and would make
him sometimes go rather wide of what he meant to say.
We come now to the hypotheses which might be pro-
posed in explanation of this case.
The simplest that presents itself to the mind is that of
an unconscious knotvledge of tJte intentions of Dr. Peter-
sen, comhined with that of the places which might have
been known to he dangerous by one of the witnesses of the
scene.
We have seen that the doctor had asked for particulars
at the hotel as to the excursions to be made, and that he
had, on the day before the accident, left his card at the
Grand Cercle, where he might have spoken of his plans.
One of the witnesses who was present at the spiritistic
TYPTOLOGY AND LUCIDITY 267
S(^ance might therefore, while sitting at a table in a cafe,
or while walking in a public garden, have heard, without
being aware of it, a remark made by some one near him.
First of all, the inquiry that we have made is rather
unfavourable to this idea. In the absence of the Presi-
dent of the Cercle, Avho had resigned, the assistant
manager, M. R., has been good enough to inform us that
" no one at the Cercle could furnish any information as to
Dr. Petersen, who had passed absolutely unnoticed among
the crowd of habitues of the establishment." Further,
M. (Jr., Controller of the Cercle, who recorded the name of
the visitor, has declared that the doctor, " who spoke
French with difficulty, did not say a word as to his inten-
tion of going to the Revard, and, moreover, did not speak
of anything whatever." At the hotel where the doctor
was staying I had still less success. The manager gave
the following reply to our question whether the doctor
had given any indications whatever as to his projected
excursions : —
" Aix-LES-Bains, August 6, 1905.
" Sir, — In reply to your letter of the 4th inst,, I have
the honour to tell you that on leaving my house the
doctor said to my daughter, who had told him of several
walks that he could take, that he was going on his bicycle
to the Col du Chat ; that is how the police were misled in
their search, because no one would have suspected that
the doctor had gone to the Revard, a mountain on which
there were no carriage roads. E. V."
In order to reply to the objection that some one of
those present might have known of the dangerous parts
of Mont Revard, we ought to say that neither M. nor
Mme. Vuagniaux, nor Mile. B., had ever climbed this
mountain. Mme. B. had only been there once, ten years
previously, with her husband and a relative; she recol-
lected having passed through some vineyards, then along
some paths which were not dangerous, and she retained
only a pleasant memory of this excursion, on account of
268 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
the marvellous view which she had enjoyed from the
summit.
Moreover, all the preceding indications, one of which
represents the Jacquin property as an isolated spot,
" absolutely deserted and dangerous, where no tourist or
huntsman would risk making the ascent," ought to demon-
strate, a fortiori, that the spot is impracticable for a woman.
Finally, the most characteristic declarations were made
when Mme. Vuagniaux was alone.
Since the hypothesis of sub-consciousness must be set
aside, we have to consider that of telepathy.
The doctor, before dying, might, by the power of his
thought, have impressed some strata, more or less deep, of
the sub-consciousness of 2^^'^so7is who, in a waking or
sleeping state (and in the latter case by dreams forgotten
on awakening), may have preserved this irnpression in a
latent state, and in the form of pictures moi^e or less
animated, to be brought to light at a favourable moment.
What may perhaps give a semblance of force to this
supposition is that Dr. Petersen was in an excellent condi-
tion for telepathy, according to the generally accepted rules :
he was young, overtaken in full vigour by a terrible and
desperate state of mind, far from all assistance, his agony
lasting, according to the legal doctor, perhaps for " several
hours." But, on the other hand, why should this mental
force go in search of persons quite unknown to him ? How
can it be explained that an influence deposited in the sub-
consciousness of a person had to wait twenty-one days
before manifestation, and is there any proof of a parallel
phenomenon ? All our ideas as to telepathy are of quite
recent origin, and this supposition, which we are unable in
our special case to support by any proof, cannot detain us
longer.
We pass to the hypothesis, perhaps more acceptable, of
telesthesia.
One of those present may have 2>Tojected his sub-con-
sciousness, and seen, by means still unknown to ofUcial
TYPTOLOGY AND LUCIDITY 269
science {clairvoyance or lucidity of somnambulis'in and
the semi-hypnotic states), the events which he translated
into the form of a spirit communication.
Magnetisers hold that things sometimes happen as
though this hypothesis were a reality, but first of all
their experiments have been made with subjects put to
sleep, and not in a waking state, as was the case with our
spiritists ; and then, has it really been demonstrated that
a somnambulist has the power to " see " into the past and
into the future ? These facts are rare and uncertain ;
they shine out in each psychic as a fugitive light which
soon goes out — sometimes it is revived, only to be finally
extinguished ; so that, in the present state of science, we
cannot see what to reply to any one who should say :
" You claim that lucidity is an autonomous phenomenon
and has nothing in common with spiritism; Well, for my
part, I claim that spiritism alone exists, and that in the
cases where you think you observe lucidity it is a ' spirit '
that is the cause of it." We even find that a number of
minor considerations come to the help of this spiritist
opinion and support it by their influence ; but that is
not our aim, and we accord no greater value here to
the spiritist hypothesis than to the preceding one, being
guided by the scientific spirit which prevents us from
advancing further than our position will allow us. We
are desirous, above all else, of guarding against premature
and hazardous theories, and, in especial, against the very
human tendency to push unprovable hypotheses to ex-
tremes, and to set one up against the other too dog-
matically.
Every one will be free here to interpret the facts
according to his liking and preference. Some will, for
example, say that a " spirit " who was interested in Dr.
Petersen would not fail to leave on one side the rocks
and other details of the scene, and to tell us of his watch
and other personal articles, valuable as means of recog-
nition ; of the position of the body, still more charac-
teristic, &c. Others will reply that the " spirit " did not
270 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
wish to give signs of identity, but only to afford the
opportunity for finding the body, for the sake of the family.
We are not condemning these endeavours to arrive at
some tenable hypothesis ; but we should pass beyond our
limits if we allowed ourselves to be led on to draw con-
clusions more extended than our premisses warrant.
E. An AST AY.
CHAPTER XX
TYPTOLOGY
Analysis of the Phenomena
The phenomena observed by means of typtology are
certainly so strange that the mind retains them, half
questioning their actuality, and cannot help seeking for
an explanation of them.
The imagination easily comes into play, if we allow it a
free course, and the most varied theories arise, all of which
by different methods seem capable of giving us the inter-
pretation of a certain number of facts.
For our part, on the contrary, we shall endeavour to
elimmate the role of imagination, and to examine these
facts by applying to them the method of scientific analysis
which we follow when we study any phenomenon of this
kmd. We shall therefore pass from the more simple to the
more complex, from the known to the unknown : seeing,
first of all, if we cannot find in other facts better studied
and experimentally demonstrated an explanation which
we can apply to these peculiar phenomena.
First of all, it seems to us a mistake to seek one single
interpretation for facts which, although resembling each
other in many points, may arise from causes different in
nature.
Consequently we may admit that an interpretation
which will exactly apply to a certain number of cases,
leaves the field free for other mterpretations which apply
better to other cases.
Among the phenomena, which result from a faculty
peculiar to certain subjects, which will help us in the in-
terpretation of a large number of cases of typtology, we
place thought-transference in the first rank.
271
272 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
Let us see, in the first place, if we can scientifically
accept thought-transference, and whether it is admitted
that a subject can perceive a thought that is not revealed
by any external sign. More generally still, the question
here put can be at once stated in a more complete and
precise manner. Is it possible for a direct mental com-
munication to pass from one living person to another ?
This possibility no longer appears to us to be in doubt.
In fact, the numerous experiments of M. Boirac and Colonel
de Rochas, as well as our own, seem to have irrefutably
demonstrated that the human mind can, without any
physical communication, exercise a direct influence on
another human being.
We even recognise that this influence can be exercised
by two different methods : by mental suggestion and by
transmission of thought. These two methods must be
kept absolutely distinct from each other, as we shall show,
and we shall have occasion to invoke them successively
in order to explain the various phenomena.
Mental suggestion ^ is the action which the mind or the
will of the individual exercises on the body of another
living person. It is not, therefore, properly speaking, a
communication from mind to mind ; it is the influence of
the mind on the organs of another subject. If A., for
example, acts by mental suggestion on B., he can put his
muscles into play, make his limbs perform movements or
acts more or less complicated. But B. does not know to
what these movements will lead. He does not know
beforehand what he is going to do ; he is like a puppet,
of which the strings are pulled by A.
Thought-transference, on the other hand, is the influ-
ence directly exerted by the mind of one subject on the
mind of another. There is here a real communication
from mind to mind. If, therefore, A. transmits to B. the
thought of an action, B.'s mind first of all perceives the
thought of this act, and secondly, his organs carry it out.
The phenomenon may be more or less complicated by
' See the Treatise on Hypnotism by the same author.
TYPTOLOGY 273
other circumstances ; but it is always the mind, which is
the transmitter, and another mind which is the receiver.-
Before applying thought-transference as an explana-
tion of typtological phenomena, it is necessary to draw
attention to some laws of thought-transference, which
experiment and observation have already enabled us to
recognise : —
(a) Thought-transference requires, in the percipient, a
special faculty, which may be developed by training, or
may be due to momentary exaltation.
(6) It requires in the agent an aptitude which may be
acquired, but which can be diminished or augmented by
various conditions.
(c) All agents cannot act indifferently on any per-
cipient ; there must be a special relation, a certain har-
mony, original or acquired, between the two subjects.
(d) In addition to this general disposition the perci-
pient must be, at the time when the phenomenon is to be
produced, in a special condition, which, for us, is a species
of hypnotic state, which we have called the state of passive
mediumship.
(e) In this condition the percipient is easily able to
vibrate in unison with the agent to whom he is accustomed
— that is to say, to be capable of receiving his thought.
(/) It may also happen that he is accidentally, or by
reason of various circumstances, vibrating in harmony
with another agent, more or less distant, and who may
even be quite unknown to him.
(g) The percipient may be prevented from receiving
the thought, because of circumstances that are opposed
to the hypnotic state of which we speak, or because of the
influence of other persons who, consciously or not, act on
him by mental suggestion to prevent him from receiving
the thought transmitted.
(h) It is not necessary for the agent to be conscious of
the act of the transmission of thought.
(i) The percipient, provided that he possesses the
faculty of lucidity, can read a thought which only exists
in the sub-consciousness of the agent.
s
274 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
{j) The percipient may also be unconscious of the act
of thought-transmission which operates through his in-
strumentality, and he may give expression to the thought
unconsciously in an indirect manner.
(k) The act of transmission and the act of reception
are not necessarily simultaneous ; a longer or shorter time
may elapse between the moment when the transmitter
sends forth the thought and the moment when the receiver
perceives it.
To sum up, we see that the essential principle of
thought - transference may resolve itself into this : an
agent and a recipient independent of each other, and who
may act unconsciously ; the reception may not take place
until some time after the act of transmission.
These few laws, which all who have studied thought-
transference will accept, enable us to interpret many
phenomena.
Let us, therefore, examine in succession, and accord-
ing to a regular plan, the various phenomena which may
occur, commencing with the simpler ones and coming pro-
gressively to the more complex examples.
(a) The medium makes a statement which he believes
to be unknown to him, and which is certainly unknown to
all present, but inquiries reveal that the fact may have
come to the sub-consciousness of the subject ; whether by
sight, by written documents which he may have accident-
ally seen, or by hearing — he might have heard the fact
mentioned without paying any attention to it.
In this case there is a simple passing into the conscious-
ness of something existing in the sub-consciousness. The
phenomenon seems very simple, but it is necessary to
notice it, because it frequently occurs, and we do not always
recognise it when it is not subjected to careful inquiry.
(6) In another case the medium speaks of something
which he docs not know, but which is known to some
person present. This is simple thought-transmission.
(c) The medium says something that he does not know,
which is not in the conscious thoughts of any of those
present, but which may have come, more or less accident-
TYPTOLOGY 275
ally, to the knowledge of one of them, who may therefore
have it in his sub-consciousness. In this case there is
thought-reading on the part of the percipient, the trans-
mitting agent being unconscious of it.
{d) The medium makes something known which is
quite unknown to himself and all present, but known to
some one else more or less distant. Here we have thought-
transmission from a distance, which, according to circum-
stances, may be either conscious or sub-conscious on the
part of the agent, but which is generally sub-conscious on
the part of the percipient.
We now come to the case which seems the most
difficult to explain : the medium speaks of things of which
every known person is ignorant. We may even admit that
it can be proved that the things were only known to a
deceased person.
We ought to divide these cases into two categories.
In the first, it is a question of a hidden object, of a
letter or something written — in a word, of an object or
material sign, the existence of which no one knows, and
which is outside the range of the subject's normal senses.
Lucidity is sufficient to explain these cases. We know, in
fact, that lucidity is a faculty possessed by certain sub-
jects, by which they perceive the existence of objects
which are not within the range of their normal senses.
This faculty enables them to discover an object, to follow
a person, or to read a letter at a distance, as is proved,
amongst others, by the experiments carried out by M.
Ferroul, M. Bruynel, and myself.
In the second category we place the cases in which the
medium states things which are only known to a deceased
person, and of which there does not exist any material or
written trace.
It seems very unlikely that cases of this nature should
present themselves with certainty, but we desire to admit
all the hypotheses. What can most easily happen is that
the case does not present the usual conditions in which
lucidity is manifested, and thus the researcher may be led
to another interpretation.
276 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
We may again find this interpretation in a phenomenon
of thought-transmission, in which the deceased person is
the agent and the medium the percipient. This trans-
mission of thought may again be exercised a long time
after the death of the agent. We have seen, in fact, in
the laws of the transmission of thought (see last law k),
that the act of the transmission and the act of the recep-
tion of thought are not necessarily simultaneous ; there
may be a lapse of time, longer or shorter, between the
moment at which the agent sends forth the thought and
the moment when the percipient receives it.
This circumstance ought not to astonish us. We are
accustomed, in fact, to recognise that the vibrations which
produce sound are transmitted so slowly that we become
aware of the delay at a comparatively short distance.
With luminous rays the propagation is much more rapid,
and we must base our calculations on infinitely greater
distances. We know, however, that the luminous rays
coming from certain stars take a considerable time, many
years even, to reach us. More than that, Ave know again
that certain stars, of which we now see the luminous rays,
have quite disappeared from the place where we think we
see them. These luminous vibrations are therefore latent,
and require, in order to be perceived, that our eye should
take the position which it ought to have in order to re-
ceive them, as if the source of emission were still in exist-
ence— that is to say, that our eye must be in a certain
state of receptivity. What is there surprising, then, if
these vibrations, emitted by a living organism, also remain
latent until a percipient vibrates in unison with them —
that is to say, is in a state of receptivity capable of
perceiving them ?
This is a simple hypothesis, if you will, but rational
enough, presenting striking analogies with other and
better-known phenomena, and which enables us to inter-
pret one of the facts which appear the most difficult of
analysis among those presented by mediums.
We desire to state precisely that this does not cause
us to reject any other hypothesis whatever, but we con-
TYPTOLOGY 277
sider the one which we have stated as being among the
most admissible in the actual state of the experiments as
known to us.
A certain number of facts also lead us to regard
thought in a different manner from the conception
generally held.
According to this hypothesis, thought is not a purely
abstract phenomenon. All thought created by the mind
has a characteristic entity which is indestructible, or, at
least, which leaves an imperishable trace. This entity is,
on the mental plane, a picture representing the thought —
a picture henceforth ineffaceable. Imperceptible to every
mind in the normal condition, this picture only becomes
accessible to certain subjects possessing peculiar faculties,
chief among which is the faculty of lucidity.
The perception of thoughts, on the mental plane,
requires that the subject should be in a peculiar con-
dition, different from the normal, like that which is
necessary for them to exercise their faculty of lucidity.
This hypothesis — a purely working hypothesis, if you
will — adapts itself admirably to what Ave know of the
faculty of lucidity. It gives us a very plausible inter-
pretation of the phenomena of typtology which are the
most difficult to explain, and, moreover, it also gives us
the explanation of telepathic facts which are out of
the ordinary, and which appear to us to be otherwise
inexplicable.
In other classes of facts — for example, the photograph-
ing of the picture of the thing thought of — we have, so to
speak, along with the explanation of the phenomenon,
a proof of the well-foundedness of this hypothesis, since
thought creates a picture which, without being perceptible
to our senses, is able to impress the photographic plate.
In some phenomena of externalisation of force, when
the force acts in an intelligent manner, and in material-
isations, it is still this mental thought image which is
strengthened by the accumulation of the thoughts of a
group of persons, condensed by the medium. This mental
image receives its form by the mental effort of all present,
278 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
and therefore it corresponds to the whole of the ideas
which predominate among the group; but only certain
mediums are able to give it a sufficient cohesion for it to
be perceived by one or more of our normal senses. Most
frequently it is the sense of sight or hearing that is first
affected, so that we have visions, apparitions, and abnormal
noises. Then in other cases, with mediums possessing
higher faculties, the mental picture is materialised further,
in such a way as to exercise an impression of contact
either on persons or on objects; finally, in the cases of still
higher phenomena, by means of material elements, bor-
rowed either from the medium or the spectators or from
the surrounding matter, some of the materialised pictures
leave a part of this new material form remaining as per-
manent features of their passing, even after the medium
has returned to his normal condition and ceased to exercise
his mediumistic faculties.
This hypothesis can, we think, be applied to the inter-
pretation of certain cases, and it will be useful for us in
understanding some of the phenomena, particularly if we
do not fall into the error of trying to generalise at all
costs.
Other interpretations, again, can be adapted to difterent
cases, and I must repeat here that I do not reject, a iwim^i,
any hypothesis. I am therefore not afraid to say that I
am quite disposed to admit the spiritistic hypothesis in
cases where other theories, already verified by other ex-
periments, are shown to be insufficient, and where the
spiritistic hypothesis supplies a better explanation of the
phenomena.
We have not, in fact, any repugnance to admitting
that a spirit, separated from any physical body, can enter
into communication with us. It is rather those who will
not recognise the possibility of the existence of entities
independent of the body who are the dupes of a singular
illusion.
Our bodies only possess five senses, by means of which
we are in communication with the external world. It
results from this that we have become accustomed to refer
TYPTOLOGY 279
everything to the exercise of these senses. We judge all
the objects that surround us according to the impressions
they produce on our difterent sense-organs; but that is
only a limitation arising from our nature, and we should
show ourselves very narrow-minded if we claimed to deny
the existence of everything that does not fall within the
range of our senses.
In a different and more restricted order of things, what
discussions have we not seen arise, for example, on the
possibility of life on planets other than our own ? Some
learned men have denied this possibility, basing their
arguments on the evidence they have been able to secure
on the subject of these stars, such as their temperature,
absence of water, absence of respirable atmosphere, &c.
All these objections were based on the fact that it would
be impossible for beings like ourselves, endowed with a
physiological nature similar to that of the beings who
live on the earth, to live under different conditions. If we
consider things from this point of view, it is very evident
that no man like ourselves could live outside of the
physiological conditions for which our organs are consti-
tuted. But is that a serious reason for affirming that life
cannot exist there ? Are our minds so narroAv that we
cannot conceive of beings constituted differently from
ourselves.
Our senses are only narrow windows, through Avhich
our mind can regard a very limited portion of the immense
reality. Let us suppose a man shut up in a cabin having
only one small opening through which he could see out-
side. Through this opening he sees all that comes within
the radius of his vision — light, a small patch of the sky,
trees, plants, &c. But what should we say of that man if
he tried to maintain that nothing existed beyond what he
could see ? What should we think of him if he stated that
nothing existed, either to right or left of his cabin, beyond
what he could see through his little peep-hole ?
The position of man in the universe is identical with
that of this prisoner : he has been so much accustomed
from his birth to judge everything by the impressions
280 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
that he receives through the organs of his senses that it
requires an effort for him to rise to the conception of any-
thing different ; nevertheless, it would be the most absurd
thing of all for him to believe that he could know every-
thing, and that nothing existed beyond what he could
comprehend.
(
CHAPTER XXI
LUCIDITY
Nature and Extent of the PhenoTnena
Lucidity is a faculty by means of which a subject has
knowledge of things not within the range of the normal
senses.
Only certain subjects possess this faculty, and it may
then be developed by practice and methodical training;
but I do not think it would be possible for a subject to
acquire it who did not naturally possess the elementary
germ.
In the case of subjects who possess this faculty it is
well to train it ; because this faculty, like all others, can
diminish, and may even be lost, if it is not cultivated.
The faculty of lucidity, in the case of those who possess
it, is not permanently exercised, but requires for mani-
festation a special condition other than the normal.
Condition of the Subject in whom Lucidity
is Manifested
In a general manner we may say that the subject in
whom lucidity is manifested is always, at the moment of
the occurrence of the phenomenon, in a hypnotic condi-
tion ; but we can divide these hypnotic states, in which
lucidity is manifested, into three classes : —
1. The subject may be apparently in a waking state,
and may seem to be still in his normal condition.
This happens with subjects in whom lucidity is mani-
fested in the course of conversation, for example.
281
282 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
It is also the case with subjects in whom kicidity is
manifested in the course of a chiromantic examination.
At other times, though more rarely, lucidity is mani-
fested in the course of any occupation whatever; the
subject begins spontaneously to talk, and reveals what he
has perceived by lucidity.
In all these cases, to which might be added several others
of the same character, the subject may appear to unprac-
tised eyes to be in a normal, waking condition. But an
observer accustomed to the study of hypnotic phenomena
would have no trouble in noticing at a certain time a
peculiar fixing of the eyes, a vague look, and a sluggishness
or peculiar automatism in certain movements, indicating
the passing to that state which some authors have called
somnambulistic waking, and which we have placed among
the first degrees of the somnambulistic condition, because
we have demonstrated that this is no longer a waking
condition.^
This somnambulistic condition of the first degree into
which the subject enters, apparently quite spontaneously,
disperses just as spontaneously, so that the subject
appears not to have left the waking condition in which
he then again finds himself.
2. The subject is in a condition of light hypnosis,
induced by artificial means.
This is what we observe in crystal vision. We have
already studied this question, and have seen that the
experiment of crystal-gazing very frequently gives place
to the manifestation of the phenomenon of lucidity. It
is the same with audition in the sea-shell.
In both cases the expectant attention, accompanied by
the fixed gaze on a brilliant object in the crystal vision,
and by the monotonous and continuous murmuring of the
sea-shell, in the second instance, is of just such a nature
as to induce this hypnotic condition.
Although most frequently there may be nothing of
this nature in persons who profess to have clairvoyant
* See the author's Treatise on Eorpcrimental a)id Therapeutic Hypnotism.
LUCIDITY 283
power, we know that this phenomenon may sometimes be
observed in them in a very real manner.
The following cases ought to be included in the present
category ; for cotfee grounds, the egg, the glass, or the
mirror play absolutely the same part as the crystal ball,
both that of inducing the hypnotic condition necessary
for the manifestation of the faculty of lucidity, and that
of causing the various rays which come from the object
employed to be transformed into visual hallucination.
We shall also include in this category the phenomena
of lucidity which are manifested by means of typtology or
automatic writing. The medium, who is the subject pos-
sessing the faculty of lucidity, is placed in the hypnotic
condition by the fixity of attention and gaze.
We considered some instances of lucidity through
typtology in a special chapter, when we studied experi-
ments in typtology, which offered still other phenomena
than lucidity.
3. The subject is in a condition of deep somnambulism.
Two cases may here be mentioned : that when the
somnambulism is spontaneous, and that when it is induced.
With regard to spontaneous somnambulism, the sub-
ject passes into this condition during sleep ; he is seen to
be restless, as in a dream ; he is heard to speak, and
the phenomenon of lucidity is manifested in this som-
nambulistic dream.
The most frequent and the most interesting cases are
those in which lucidity is manifested in a condition of
induced somnambulism.
This is the case with hypnotic subjects more or less
trained, in whom the hypnotiser has discovered the
existence of this faculty of lucidity.
He places them, in the ordinary manner, which we
have studied in the Treatise on Hypnotism, in a condition
of deep somnambulism, and in that condition they may
exercise, in the most varied and extensive manner, the
faculty of lucidity.
284 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
Objects of Lucid Perception
Lucidity considered in its Object
The objects perceived by the faculty of lucidity may
be very varied, and perhaps also varying in simplicity
or complexity.
The most simple object may be something material,
which the subject perceives as it is and describes in all
its detail, whether he previously knew the thing itself
or something similar, or whether the object is quite
unknown to him and he never had any previous notion
of any similar object. In that case he describes the
object as it really exists and as he perceives it ; but he
knows nothing of the place where it is or of its surround-
ings, and he knows nothing of the use to which it has
been put, nor what will eventually become of it.
Lucidity may have a person — either living or deceased
— for its object.
The subject will describe this person as he perceives
him, and this perception, in the case of true lucidity,
corresponds to a reality. But it should be observed that
this reality may not be that of the present moment ; the
subject then perceives the individual correctly, but at a
time more or less remote. If it is a deceased person, he
perceives him at an epoch of his life, determined by certain
circumstances which we shall consider later.
If the individual is living he may see him at some
previous epoch, or at the same moment when he describes
him, or at some future time, more or less distant.
Be that as it may, the subject describes first tli^
external aspect of the person — his clothing, his attitude,
his features; and he will describe with such exactitude
of detail that those present who know the individual will
have no hesitation in recognising him.
The subject, again, may not confine himself to the
external aspect of the person he perceives ; but lucidity
may enable him to discover the traits of his character, his
LUCIDITY 285
qualities and defects, his tendencies and habits ; he may
give a moral description of the person, as correct as the
physical portrait, and make an analysis which will
astonish even those who know him most intimately.
The perception of the subject in the state of lucidity
may not be limited to a thing or a person, but may extend
to a whole scene.
The subject will then describe the surroundings in
which he sees various people moving. He will give exact
details of the place in which they are, of the relations
between the different persons, and of the small objects
around them, as though he were on the spot.
The perception of the subject instead of extending to
the description of a scene may bear more particularly on
one fact. It is then the circumstances of this fact which
will form the object of particular details which the subject
will give, and he may give these details with as great
precision as when he was describing a material thing or a
person. We can, in these cases, ascertain through him
the way in which a thing happened with an exactitude
greater than that of the combined testimony of personal
witnesses. For the subject perceives and describes the
fact as he would have described it at the moment when it
took place, whilst the evidence of personal witnesses would
have been subject to the influence of the different im-
pressions which the various witnesses would have received
and the possible defects of their memory.
We will consider also the application of the lucidity
of the subject to an action, as being somewhat different
from that exercised on a fact.
A fact is the result of one or of several actions ; but
action may be considered as a movement more prolonged
in space and time than a fact.
Now, the lucidity of a subject may have for its object
the perception of a complete action. The subject will
then perceive the person or persons who take part in this
action ; he will recognise them and describe them with
exactitude ; he will follow them step by step in the
different phases of the action which they set out to
286 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
accomplish. The subject can describe to you the prepara-
tion of the act ; he will know the projects which preceded
it ; he will describe the preparations ; he will follow the
principal actor, or the one to which he is attached, as he
moves about from place to place in the preparation and
accomplishment of this act ; and, finally, the perception of
the subject may be prolonged through all the effects and
consequences of the principal action.
The application of lucidity to an action is therefore
one of the most extensive and interesting which can be
met with.
Finally, when we rise to an order of things more
immaterial, and, perhaps, still more astonishing, lucidity
may have for its object thought itself. We have seen
that the subject may give the description and the moral
portrait of a person ; it is certain that he can also perceive
his thought. This phenomenon, surprising though it
may be, is yet one of the most frequent that is witnessed
when one carefully observes a subject who possesses the
faculty of lucidity.
How far Lucidity may Extend
As regards its extent, lucidity is manifested in time
and space.
In time, lucidity extends to the past, the present, and
the future.
In space, lucidity manifests itself on objects which are
in the same place, on surrounding objects, and on distant
objects.
The manifestation of lucidity in time and space gives
rise to certain very important considerations on which we
ought to dwell for a short time.
It is difficult, in the first place, to imagine lucidity as
being exercised in the past, present, and future. But we
can simplify this formula of lucidity in time ; because if we
consider the matter attentively, we shall sec that we have
only to concern ourselves with the past and the future.
LUCIDITY 287
The present, in fact, does not exist ; it is an imaginary
conception, like a geometrical point or line.
Take one of the most simple acts, the perception of a
sound by your ear or of an image by your eye.
Up to the moment when the sound arrives at your
auditory nerve, up to the moment when the visual ray
strikes your retina, this phenomenon of audition or of
vision is in the future ; but at the same moment that it is
produced it no longer exists, it is in the past.
And you cannot raise the objection of a prolonged
sensation, a durable sound or a permanent vision ; the
sensation which is prolonged is, in fact, only the succession
of identical impressions, repeated in a more or less rapid
manner, but always transitory, and they are in the past
immediately they have ceased to be in the future.
The past is therefore only the succession of things
in the future which have already taken place in the past ;
and the past leads us on to the future by a chain of
phenomena which does not present any discontinuity.
It is necessary to understand also that lucidity is
nothing else than a phenomenon of thought. Now, time
and space have no existence for thought. You read a
newspaper which tells you what is taking place in the
antipodes. Your thought is immediately transported to
that country, and, at the very moment when you are
reading, without making any further effort, you perceive
as easily what is passing in the antipodes as you know
what is taking place where you are.
You read the story of the conquest of the Gauls by
Julius Caesar, and the facts of those remote times are
presented to your thought with as much ease and just as
clearly as the facts of the previous day, the account of
which you read in your newspaper.
Dreams are again an example of the ease with which
thought is transported, without effort, in time and space.
You dream of past or future things with the same
apparent reality, you find yourself transported in dream to
far-distant countries, just as to places very close at hand;
and you feel, you act, you completely live, in those times
288 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
and in those various places, without eifort and with the
same impression of reality.
We must not forget the analogy that exists between
dream and the phenomenon of lucidity. We shall, there-
fore, be no longer astonished that lucidity, being essentially
a phenomenon of thought, can be exercised indifferently
in time and space.
There is one objection, which is very frequently made,
with regard to the manifestation of lucidity in time. This
objection refers rather to a philosophical difficulty than a
practical impossibility, yet we ought to examine it none
the less carefully ; it concerns free will and the exercise of
the human will.
How can we admit, we are told, that a lucid subject
can tell us what is to happen in the future, since man, by
his free will and the exercise of his choice, can accomplish
or not such or such act; that act, therefore, cannot be
foreseen, and, further, it may modify other events.
We have no wish to deny in any way the free will of
man, nor the possibility that he, by his free determination,
can modify certain events. All the discussion on this
point rests on a false interpretation that is ordinarily made
of the prevision to which the faculty of lucidity has given
rise.
A prevision is not a fatality ; and because a subject
possesses the faculty of lucidity, and tells you that such
event ought to happen, according to all the logical con-
sequences of probability, of which you yourself have not
the perception because you do not possess the faculty of
lucidityr it does not therefore follow that this fact Avill
necessarily happen.
No one can deny that there is a natural concatenation
in the succession of facts, which are normally dependent
one upon another. This dependence results from the very
nature of the facts, and logic enables us to see their
connection.
If I see you making preparations for departure and
getting your trunks ready, I can conclude, by simple logic,
that you are going to undertake a journey. This fore-
LUCIDITY 289
knowledge, which is almost certain to be realised, does not
in any way modify your free action, because it is by the
determination of your own will that you set out on the
journey.
But if, from more precise information, I know that
a contrary order will reach you, which will prevent your
departure, I can then tell you that you will not undertake
this voyage, although you have still the intention and the
will to make it, and you do not yourself know that your
determination, always free and voluntary, will be modified
by events.
We have as an example some very simple facts, which
everybody can forecast without possessing the faculty of
lucidity, but in the case of somewhat more complex facts,
the mechanism is still the same. The difference which
characterises lucidity is simply this : that the subject, who
possesses the faculty of lucidity, has the perception of
causes which you cannot know in the normal state ; and,
further, thanks to this same state of lucidity, he can fore-
cast, with a logic infinitely more exact and certain, the
effects of the causes which he perceives.
It remains none the less true that a superior force may
always oppose a known force, and that your will can
modify some events. But let us not forget that the lucid
subject has also the perception of the quality of your will,
whether it is feeble, strong, or changeable ; of your character
and inclinations; of your interests and the influences
which are exerted on you ; we have seen that he can even
perceive exceptional facts capable of acting upon your
determination. In how many cases, then, can you assert
that your free action will turn against all these factors,
and cause you to decide contrary to logic and reason ?
There is no occasion to be astonished beyond measure
at this possibility that the subject in a state of lucidity
can perceive things unknown and unperceived by all
persons in a normal condition. The mere fact of the
hypnotic state places the subject beyond the reach of all
distractions, all external influences, and concentrates his
thoughts exclusively on the object of his researches and
T
290 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
vision. If you add to all this the knowledge he may
have, by the same lucidity, of the character, inclinations,
even the thoughts of the persons connected with the object
of his clairvoyance, we can conclude that he is in an
undoubtedly superior condition to judge and appreciate
things with all possible correctness and to deduce with
unfailing logic the consequences of all he perceives.
The Subject's Mode of Perception
Perception is gained in different ways, depending first
of all on the object of the lucidity, and sometimes also
on the special disposition of the subject ; finally, in certain
special cases, on the artificial procedure (crystal ball,
shell, &c.) which may be employed to induce the mani-
festation of lucidity.
Most frequently the perception is referred by the
subject to the ordinary action of his physical senses.
Thus the subject, when describing what he perceives,
usually says : " I see such and such a thing," " I perceive
such a detail." If you press him a little, he will say :
"Wait until I look, I cannot see very well," &c. If, in
a scene, different people speak together, he will tell you :
" I am listening, I do not hear very well ; they make a
noise which prevents me from hearing." You will find
also that the subject can tell a man's voice from a woman's
voice: he distinguishes different inflexions of voice: you
will see him sometimes give a start at an unexpected
sound.
It is, however, certain that the senses of the subject
are not impressed in a normal manner, something takes
place analogous to what happens in hypnotic suggestion,
when we suggest to a subject to hear voices, to listen to
music, to look at a picture, to taste some food.
Let us remember that the subject then experiences
all the sensations corresponding to these different senses,
and, further, will present all the physiological conse-
quences which Avould be produced if an external action
LUCIDITY 291
really impressed the sense organs ; these we shall witness,
as we have demonstrated : ^ modifications of the eye, the
secretion of tears, of saliva, &c.
We have, moreover, in dreams, and particularly in
lucid dreams, an example of the manner in which the
subject perceives in this phenomenon of lucidity. In
dreams the subject seems to act through all his senses ;
he sees, he hears, he feels, and yet all his impressions are
the result of a simple mental perception. It is the same
in the phenomenon of lucidity.
In other very singular cases, the subject does not
perceive by sensory impression ; he does not see and he
cannot see, in spite of the efforts which he sometimes
makes, the details of the facts of which he is mentally
informed. But he has the perception of the impression
which this fact would produce upon another person. It
seems, in these instances, that what he originally ex-
periences is the perception of an emotion of vexation,
joy, disappointment, weariness or pleasure experienced
by the person with whom he is en rapport. He
then tries to discover the cause which produces this
emotional impression, but he only knows it in a vague
manner; he can give some indications, but he cannot
define it exactly.
All this tends to demonstrate to us that lucidity is
really a thought phenomenon ; and, in many cases, it is
for the most part a phenomenon of thought-reading or
of thought-transmission.
The phenomenon of lucidity, like other psychical
phenomena, as we shall see further on, helps to bring us
to this deduction, that thought is not a simple transitory
phenomenon as has hitherto been believed.
Thought gives birth to an image or an entity, of a
nature which we cannot define, which is not entirely
fanciful, but has a real and permanent existence. This
is demonstrated by the fact that thought can be trans-
mitted across space, from one mind to another ; also by
another fact, that thought is able to impress a photo-
^ See the Author's Treatise on Experimental and Therapeutic Hypnotism.
292 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
graphic plate with the form of an image ; finally, by the
phenomena of force, imprints and materialisations, in all
probability most frequently produced by the accumulation
of an immaterial thought force, due to the power of a
special faculty of a subject whom we call a medium.
CHAPTER XXII
LUCIDITY IN SPONTANEOUS SOMNAMBULISM
I GIVE here an instance of lucidity in spontaneous som-
nambulism. Although occurring at a somewhat distant
date, this case presents all desirable guarantees of authen-
ticity. In fact, it is recorded in judicial proceedings which
have recorded and authenticated the account. The situa-
tion of the subject, who was in prison, and the special
surveillance to which she was subjected, give us a sure
guarantee that she could receive no knowledge of the
facts except through the faculty of lucidity. The judicial
documents also give us an absolute guarantee as to the
date at w^hich the subject related what she had perceived
in a somnambulistic condition.
This fact, therefore, is of great importance, and it is
impossible to raise any serious objection in regard to it.
We find the account in Mrs. Crowe's work, The Night
Side of Nature.
" A circumstance fully as remarkable as any recorded,
occurred at Odessa, in the year 1842. An old blind man,
named Michel, had, for many years, been accustomed to
get his living by seating himself every morning on a beam
in one of the timber yards, with a wooden bowl at his
feet, into which the passengers cast their alms. This long-
continued practice had made him well known to the in-
habitants, and as he was believed to have been formerly
a soldier, his blindness was attributed to the numerous
wounds he had received in battle. For his own part he
spoke little, and never contradicted this opinion.
" One night Michel, by some accident, fell in with
a little girl ten years old, named Powleska, who was
friendless, and on the verge of perishing with cold and
293
294 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
hunger. The old man took her home and adopted her,
and, from that time, instead of sitting in the timber yards,
he went about the streets in her company, asking alms
at the doors of the houses. The child called him father,
and they were extremely happy together. But when they
had pursued this mode of life for about five years a mis-
fortune befell them. A theft having been committed in
a house which they had visited in the morning, Powleska
was suspected and arrested, and the blind man was left
alone once more. But instead of resuming his former
habits, he now disappeared altogether, and as this circum-
stance caused the suspicion to extend to him, the girl was
brought before the magistrate to be interrogated with
regard to his probable place of concealment.
" ' Do you know where Michel is ? ' inquired the magis-
trate.
" ' He is dead,' replied she, shedding a torrent of tears.
" As the girl had been shut up for three days, without
any means of obtaining information from without, this
answer, together with her unfeigned distress, naturally
excited considerable surprise.
" ' Who told you he was dead ? ' they inquired.
" ' Nobody.'
" ' Then how can you know it ? '
" ' I saw him killed ? '
" ' But you have not been out of the prison.'
" ' But I saw it nevertheless.'
" ' But how was that possible ? Explain what you
mean.'
" ' I cannot. All I can say is, that I saw him killed.'
" ' When was he killed, and how 1 '
" ' It was the night I was arrested.'
" ' That cannot be ; he was alive when you were
seized.'
" ' Yes, he was ; he was killed an hour after that.
They stabbed him with a knife.'
" * Where were you then ? '
" ' I can't tell, but I saw it.'
" ' The confidence with which the girl asserted what
SPONTANEOUS SOMNAMBULISM 295
seemed to her hearers impossible and absurd, disposed
them to imagine that she was either really insane, or
pretending to be so; so leaving Michel aside, they pro-
ceeded to interrogate her about the robbery, asking her
if she was guilty.
" •' Oh no,' she answered.
" ' Then how came the property to be found about
you ? '
" ' I don't know ; I saw nothing but the murder.'
" ' But there are no grounds for supposing Michel is
dead ; his body has not been found.'
" ' It is in the aqueduct.'
" ' And do you know who slew him ? '
" ' Yes, it is a woman. Michel was walking very slowly,
after I was taken from him. A woman came behind him
with a large kitchen-knife ; but he heard her, and turned
round; and then the woman flung a piece of grey stuff
over his head, and struck him repeatedly with the knife ;
the grey stuff was much stained with the blood. Michel
fell at the eighth blow, and the woman dragged the body
to the aqueduct and let it fall in without ever lifting the
stuff which stuck to his face.'
" As it was easy to verify these latter assertions, they
despatched people to the spot ; and there the body was
found with the piece of stuff over his head, exactly as she
had described. But when they asked her how she knew
all this, she could only answer, ' I don't know.'
" ' But you know who killed him ? '
" ' Not exactly ; it is the same woman that put out his
eyes ; but perhaps he will tell me her name to-night ; and
if he does, I will tell it to you.'
" ' Whom do you mean by he ? '
" ' Why, Michel, to be sure ! '
" During the whole of the following night, Avithout
allowing her to suspect their intention, they watched her ;
and it was observed that she never lay down, but sat upon
the bed in a sort of lethargic slumber. Her body was
quite motionless, except at intervals, when this repose was
interrupted by violent nervous shocks, which pervaded
296 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
her whole frame. On the ensuing day, the moment she
was brought berfore the judge, she declared that she was
now able to tell them the name of the assassin.
" ' But stay,' said the magistrate ; ' did Michel never
tell you, when he was alive, how he lost his sight ? '
" ' No ; but the morning before I was arrested, he
promised me to do so ; and that was the cause of his
death.'
" ' How could that be ? '
" ' Last night Michel came to me, and he pointed to
the man hidden behind the scaffolding on which he and I
had been sitting. He showed me the man listening to us,
when he said, ' I'll tell you all about that to-night ; ' and
then the man '
" ' Do you know the name of this man ? '
" ' It is Luck ; he went afterwards to a broad street
that leads down to the harbour, and he entered the third
house on the right '
" ' What is the name of the street ? '
" ' I don't know ; but the house is one story lower than
the adjoining ones. Luck told Catherine what he had
heard, and she proposed to him to assassinate Michel ;
but he refused, saying, ' It is bad enough to have burnt
out his eyes fifteen years before whilst he was asleep at
your door, and to have kidnapped him into the country.'
Then I went in to ask charity, and Catherine put a piece
of plate into my pocket, that I might be arrested ; then
she hid herself behind the aqueduct to wait for Michel,
and she killed him.'
" ' But since you say all this, why did you keep the
plate ? Why didn't you warn Michel ? '
'"But I didn't see it then. Michel showed it to me
last night.'
" ' But what should induce Catherine to do this ? '
" ' Michel was her husband, and she had forsaken him
to come to Odessa and marry again. One night, fifteen
years ago, she saw Michel, who had come to seek her.
She slipped hastily into her house, and Michel, who
thought she had not seen him, lay down at her door to
SPONTANEOUS SOMNAMBULISM 297
watch ; but he fell asleep, and then Luck burnt out his
eyes, and carried him to a distance.'
" ' And is it Michel who has told you this ? '
" ' Yes ; he came, very pale and covered with blood ;
and he took me by the hand and showed me all this with
his fingers.'
" Upon this, Luck and Catherine were arrested ; and
it was ascertained that she had actually been married
to Michel in the year 1819, at Kherson. They at first
denied the accusation, but Powleska insisted, and they
subsequently confessed the crime. When they com-
municated the circumstances of the confession to
Powleska, she said : ' I was told it last night.'
"This affair naturally excited great interest, and
people all round the neighbourhood hastened into the
city to learn the sentence."
"Who shall venture to assert," says Dr. Ennemoser,
" that this communing with the dead in sleep is merely a
subjective phenomenon, and that the presence of these
apparitions is a pure illusion ? "
I wish to remark that I place this fact in the category
of phenomena of lucidity, because it clearly indicates that
the subject has this mental perception, in a special con-
dition : a phenomenon which, as a whole, we designate
under the name of lucidity ; but I do not wish to prejudge
in any way the origin of this perception or the manner in
which it is produced, which, moreover, may very probably
not be the same in all cases.
CHAPTER XXIII
LUCIDITY IN A STATE OF LIGHT SOMNAMBULISM
ARTIFICIALLY INDUCED
We have now to examine a succession of phenomena of
lucidity observed in persons Avho make a profession of
this faculty. We sliall see that these facts in which
are mingled lucidity in the present, past, and future, are
remarkable for their correctness.
These facts come within the category which we have
described under the title of lucidity in a state of som-
nambulism induced by artificial means. We believe, in
fact, that the looking at the hand, the observation of
coffee grounds, and all such similar proceedings, are
simply means that the subject usually employs which
result, as their principal effect, in placing him in a special
condition whereby the faculty of lucidity is manifested.
The account of the first case was drawn up by Dr.
Liebeault, and quoted in Dr. Gyel's work. The authority
of Dr. Liebeault lends every guarantee of authenticity to
the facts which he relates.
Observations of Dr. Liebeault
M. S. dc Ch came to consult me this afternoon at
four o'clock on account of a nervous condition, which was,
however, in no way serious. M. de Ch Avas greatly
preoccupied in mind with reference to a pending laAvsuit,
and also with regard to the following events. On Decem-
ber 26, 1879, he was walking along one of the streets in
Paris, when he saw written over a door " Mme. Lenormand,
Necromancer." Led by curiosity he went into the house,
and was taken into a dimly lighted room. He waited
there for Mme. Lenormand, who came almost imme-
SOMNAMBULISM ARTIFICIALLY INDUCED 299
diately and asked him to sit down at a table. This lady
then went out, came back, seated herself opposite to him,
looked into the palm of one of his hands and said :
" You will lose your father within a year from to-day.
You will become a soldier at once (he was then nineteen
years of age), but you will not be a soldier for long. You
will marry young, two children will be born to you, and
you will die when you are twenty-six." This astounding
prophecy which M. de Ch told to some of his friends
and relations he did not first regard as serious ; but his
father died on December 27, 1880, after a short illness,
just a year after the interview with the palmist ; and this
event somewhat cooled his incredulity. And when he
became a soldier for seven months only, married shortly
afterwards, became the father of two children, and was
then just on the point of reaching his twenty-sixth year,
he became distracted with fear, and thought that he had
but a few days to live. It was then that he came to
me. On the same and the following days, I tried to put
M. de Ch into a deep sleep, in order to dispel the
dark obsession engraven on his mind — that of his ap-
proaching death, which he imagined would occur on
February 4th, the anniversary of his birth, although
Mme. Lenormand had not stated the exact date.
I could not put this young man into even the slightest
sleep, owing to his great agitation.
However, as it was necessary to take away the con-
viction that he was about to die, a dangerous one (because
often convictions of this character are accomplished to
the letter through auto-suggestion), I changed my plan
and proposed to consult one of my somnambulists, an old
man of seventy years of age known as the prophet, be-
cause on being put to sleep by me he had accurately fore-
told the precise date when he would be cured of articular
rheumatism of four years' standing, and even the very
time when his daughter would be cured, this last cure
being due to the assertion impressed upon her by her
father, that she would recover her health at a given time,
M. de Ch at once agreed to my proposition and kept
300 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
the appointment which I made with him. On entering
into rapport with this somnambulist his first words were,
" When shall I die ? "
The experienced sleeper, suspecting this young man's
trouble, replied, after making him wait awhile —
" You will die in forty-one years from now."
The effect of these words was marvellous. The con-
sultant immediately became merry, open-hearted, and full
of hope, and when February 4th had passed, the day which
he so greatly feared, he believed himself safe.
I did not think anything more of this until at the be-
ginning of October I received a funeral card, informing me
that my unfortunate client had passed away on September
30, 1885, in his twenty-seventh year, that is to say, at the
age of twenty-six, as Mme. Lenormand had predicted.
The following case, which is of the same character, is
taken from the Annates des Sciences Psychiques : —
" The following strange but veridical facts were related
to me by Mme. B. during the winter of 18G9 ; she lived
at La Bouille, a small village on the banks of the Seine,
near Rouen. At this time Mme. B. was twenty-three
years of age, was still unmarried, and lived with her family
in a house on the quay at La Bouille.
" One day when they were having atrocious weather
with torrents of rain and snow, an old lady, soaking wet,
came and asked for hospitality. She had come by boat
from Rouen to La Bouille, and wanted to take the coach
to the top of the hill in a few hours. While waiting the
old lady said that she was going in the direction of Havre,
that she was a cartomante, and asked Mme. B.'s mother if
she would like her to predict her daughter's future. Both
accepted with pleasure. Then the cartomante (who was
also a clairvoyante) looked long into the hand of the
young girl, and asked the mother for some cofi'ee grounds,
which she arranged in a certain way. Having looked
carefully into these grounds, and concluded her observa-
tions, she made the following predictions to the young
girl, which were fulfilled to the very letter.
SOMNAMBULISM ARTIFICIALLY INDUCED 301
" First of all she said to her :
" ' At the present moment you are in love with a young
man who lives far from here, you expect him to-day, and
this is the place reserved for him.' She pointed out the
place at the table on which eight covers were laid, and
there was nothing to mark this place more than any
other. 'This young man will not come — his father has
locked him in ; he escaped through the window at the
risk of breaking his neck, and his father, an arbitrary and
violent man, overtook him, and has forbidden him, under
very great threats, ever to see you again. He will marry
later and be very unhappy.'
" Some time afterwards, through a friend of this young
man, the family learned that all that the cartomante had
said was true, and it was exactly as she had related. The
young man never came again, and on the urgent instance
of his father married a rich young woman with whom he
lived very unhappily, and finally they were separated.
" But strangest of all was the prediction which
followed.
" ' As to the future,' continued the cartomante, ' you
will shortly leave La Bouille, then in the place to which
you will go, not far from Blois, you will meet a young man
who will ask you to marry him ; but as he is much younger
than you, several persons Avill oppose this marriage. This
young man will draw a bad number in the conscription,
but he will not serve, as he will be discharged. You will
be very happy with this young man, but he will die
young.'
" The whole of this prediction was realised to the letter.
Mme. B., then Mile. M., went to live in the neighbourhood of
Blois; she one day met M. B., who was seven years younger
than herself; he asked her to marry him, and in spite of
the opposition of the two families, who pointed out the
great difference in their ages, they were married.
" The following year M. B., who was then only twenty-
one years of age, drew number four, one of the worst
numbers in the conscription, but he was discharged and
did not serve as a soldier. Twelve years afterwards he
302 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
died of consumption at the age of thirty-three. As will
be seen, the whole prediction came true point by point.
Perhaps the cartomante even saw that the young man
would die of consumption, but, seeing that the future
of the two was inevitably fixed, did not wish to pain the
young woman.
"We can, perhaps, suppose that, struck by this pre-
diction, the young girl had been caused by suggestion to
accomplish this predicted destiny ; but this hypothesis,
which certain sceptics would advance, is destroyed by the
fact that M. B. and Mile. M. were greatly struck by each
other, and fell in love at first sight. Both of them, then
poor, had to overcome the strenuous opposition of both
their families, and married in spite of everything. Mme. B.
was very happy in her married life, but we can understand
her fears and her sorrow when the doctors told her that
her husband was consumptive. Fortunately for his peace
of mind, his wife had never uttered one word as to these
predictions."
Here, finally, is a case Avhich is even more interesting
than the preceding ones, because the lucid subject gave
many more details, which were all verified. One im-
portant fact which will not fail to be noticed is that cer-
tain details were so completely opposed to the ideas of
the persons who were in the company of the lucid subject,
that, while testifying to the absolute correctness of other
points, they could not help believing for a long time
that the subject had made a mistake in regard to the
particulars in question. The accuracy of these details,
however, was demonstrated later by a judicial inquiry,
which remains as undeniable proof of their authenticity.
M. L. D. Ervieux has related in the Annates des
Sciences Psychiqives the following case of extraordinary
clairvoyance : —
" Some may still remember the form of the old block
of buildings which stood between the Rue Washington
and the Rue Bel-Respiro, in the Champs-!^lysees in Paris.
Instead of the immense building lighted by electricity,
SOMNAMBULISM ARTIFICIALLY INDUCED 303
there were then two houses; the one was partially destroyed
by fire and was abandoned by the tenants and owners ; the
other stood back from the road, across a courtyard,
separated from the street by railings. It was always let
to temporary residents. All the suites of rooms were
furnished, the rents were very high, and they could only
be taken by rich people.
" In the autumn of 1883 Lady A. had taken the entresol
and first-floor in this house. Her family was large, and
she kept several servants. Although she had several
carriages and coachmen, it very rarely happened that all
the members of the family were absent at the same time.
"However, one day in September or October, 1883
(the exact date can be ascertained at the police office in
Rue Berryer), the house was left solely in the charge of
the servants for half-an-hour.
" On that day I dined with Lady A. Everything when
I arrived was in its normal state — at least it appeared to
be so — and it was the same when I left between eleven
o'clock and midnight.
" Lady A., in spite of her great fortune, was a methodical
woman, and very active, only allowing herself a few hours
of sleep. Every evening, when her guests had left, she
made up her accounts.
" Her astonishment and consternation were great when
she found that evening that the sum of 3500 or 3600
francs was missing from the inner pocket of an immense
travelling-bag, in which she was in the habit of keeping
her jewels and money.
" The lock, however, had not been forced; only the edge
of the bag seemed to have been somewhat separated.
Yet Lady A, was certain that about two o'clock in the
afternoon, in the presence of her maid, she had opened
her bag, paid a bill, and put back the money in the usual
place. In her trouble she did what every one else would
doubtless have done in similar circumstances, she rang
for her maid, who did not know anything of the matter,
but who had time to tell the servants of the theft that had
been committed. So that the thief or thieves, if they
304 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
were among the servants, could put the stolen money in a
phice of safety.
" On the morning of the following day the police, who
had been informed of the matter, came to Lady A.'s house.
They examined the family and servants, the cupboards,
the shelves, all the furniture, in fact.
" Naturally they found nothing.
" The superintendent, having concluded his fruitless
search, conversed for a moment with Lady A. He asked
her what were her impressions as to the manner in which
the theft had been carried out, which of her servants were
least trustworthy, in order that he might, with more
certainty, carry out his investigations.
" Lady A., in enumerating her servants, asked the
superintendent to exclude from his suspicions the second
valet, a young man of nineteen or twenty years of age, of
good appearance, very respectful, well used to her service,
who had earned the nickname of 'Le Petit,' not on account
of his stature, for he was rather tall, but from a sentiment of
kindly familiarity resulting from his good qualities. As to
the butler and the lady's-maid — more particularly attached
to the personal service of Lady A. than any of the others
— the mistress abandoned them to the worst suspicions of
the police. It was decided, nevertheless, acting on the
advice of the superintendent, that Lady A., in spite of her
desire to send them away at once, should keep those two
servants at least a fortnight longer, in order to make it
easier for the detectives to follow their movements.
" The morning was almost entirely spent in these
formalities without any result, when, about eleven o'clock,
Lady A. sent her youngest daughter's governess to my
house to tell me what had happened, and to ask me to
accompany this lady to a clairvoyante whose gift of lucidity
I had some days previously alluded to.
" I did not myself know this clairvoyante, but a female
relative had told me of a consultation she had had with
her, when she greatly astonished her with a prediction of
the future.
" I did not even know where this prodigy lived, so
SOMNAMBULISM ARTIFICIALLY INDUCED 305
I went first of all with Mile. C. to find out her address in
order that we might go there immediately.
" Her house was behind the church of Our Lady of
Loretto. Her staircase was in the courtyard, and a small
placard indicated the floor on which she lived.
" The interior was more than modest. She herself
opened the door. vShe showed us into a green drawing-
room, like that of any small dentist, except for a magnifi-
cent engraving after Raphael, ' God Dispersing Chaos,'
and a painting referring to some legend of the Kabbala.
" As there were two of us she wished to separate us ;
but we made her understand that as we were both on
the same errand Ave only wished for one consultation. She
may have taken us for relatives ; she only asked us if the
thins: about which we came concerned one of us more than
the other.
" I indicated Mile. C. She, of course, living with Lady
A., was most concerned with the theft.
" Mme. E., our clairvoyante, brought a bowl filled with
coffee grounds and asked Mile. C. to blow upon it three
times, after which the grounds were turned into another
bowl, the first being placed over the second in order that
the contents might partly pass into the new vessel, the first
bowl only retaining on the inside some more or less solid
particles of the powdered coffee, which formed, when free
from the liquid, certain strange designs which had no sig-
nificance for us, but in which the pythoness seemed to read,
" During this occult preparation, in order to occupy us.
Mme. E. had spread out her cards and commenced.
" ' Ah ! but it is a theft, and a theft committed by some
one in the house, and not by some one coming in sur-
reptitiously, &c.'
" This promised well. We admitted that this state-
ment was true. As to the thief, he unfortunately was
unknown to us.
" ' Wait,' Mme. E. said to us, ' I want now to see the
details in the coffee grounds, which must have settled.'
" She took hold of the upturned bowl, into which Mile.
C. again blew three times, and then took her eyeglass.
306 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
" Then, as though she had been present on the spot,
she described to us Lady A.'s house, bit by bit, without
being mistaken as to a bedroom or a drawing-room. She
saw pass before her, as in a magic-lantern, seven servants,
whose sex and duty she told us exactly. Then going
again into Lady A.'s room she saw a wardrobe which
seemed to her very strange.
" ' It has,' she declared to us with astonishment, ' a
cupboard in the centre with a glass door, and on each side
of this main cupboard there are two others without glass,
and all this is . . . Oh ! why is this cupboard never
closed ? And yet it always has money in it, which is . . .
in . . . what a strange thing ! ... it opens like a purse,
in the form of a pouch . . . not like a trunk. . . . Ah ! I
have it ! ... it is a travelling-bag . . . what an idea to
put money there ! and particularly how imprudent to
leave this cupboard open ! '
" ' The thieves know the bag well . . . they did not
force the lock. They brought a large tool in order to
press apart the two sides, then with the aid of a chisel or
pliers they took out the money, which was in bank-notes.
. . . They contented themselves with that, because they
did not know that at the bottom there Avere some very
fine jewels and a sum in gold. Still, how clever they
were ! '
" We had let her talk. All that this woman had said
astonished us in the accuracy of its details, even the
smallest.
" With the exception of this last revelation concerning
the jewels and the sum of money, of which we knew
nothing, but which might have been in the place in-
dicated by the clairvoyante, all was correct. She was
fatigued and stopped. We were desirous of knowing
more.
" We asked her, we beseeched her, to tell us which of
the servants had committed the theft, since she had told
us that it was one of them.
" She declared that it was impossible to tell without
SOMNAMBULISM ARTIFICIALLY INDUCED 307
placing herself within the reach of the French law, which
would not allow a thief to be recognised as such without
proofs, simply by the employment of occult means.
" Upon being pressed, however, she assured us that
Lady A.'s money would never be recovered : this was
very probable, since the theft would never be brought
home to the thief, and then, what was more astonishing,
she said that two years later he would ' suffer capital
punishment.'
"After several futile attempts, it was clear that we
could not draw anything further from Mme. E.
" We therefore went away, regretting that among all
these perfectly correct statements one slight error should
have crept in.
" Every time that she looked in the coffee grounds she
had said that she had seen ' Le Petit ' close to horses.
"We assured her that he had never served as foot-
man, being always engaged on indoor work, and the
footmen lived with the coachmen ; Mme, E. stubbornly
persisted in saying this. The more we contradicted her,
the more she affirmed it.
" We ended by abandoning this mere trifle, which,
however, displeased us as a blot in a perfect picture,
because this consultation had been surprising in its
accuracy.
"When we got to Lady A.'s house we opened the
famous bag, and there, as Mme. E. had told us, the jewels
and gold were found intact. We could hardly believe
our eyes. When I told the story of the result of our
consultation to Lady A., I was glad that Mile. C. had
accompanied me. I should never have attempted to quote
all the details so precisely as given by the clairvoyante of
the Rue Notre-Dame-de-Lorette. I only repeated them
later, because there Avere two persons to hear them.
"At the end of a fortnight Lady A. discharged her
butler and lady's-maid. 'Le Petit,' without giving
reason, left Lady A.'s service three or four weeks later.
The money was never recovered, and a year later Lady A.
set out for Egypt. Two years after this event Lady A.
308 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
received from the Seine Court of Justice a summons to go
to Paris as witness.
" The author of the theft at her house had been
found. It had been ascertained that ' Le Petit ' with all
his good qualities was none other than Marchandon, the
murderer of Mme. Cornet.
"As is known, he suffered the capital penalty, as
the clairvoyante of the Rue Notre-Dame-de-Lorette had
stated, and during the proceedings it was ascertained that
'Le Petit' had in the Champs-^filysees, quite close to
Lady A.'s residence, a brother who was a coachman in
a large house.
" ' Le Petit ' — or Marchandon, as he really was — spent
all his spare time with his brother, as he was very fond of
horses. This was therefore the reason why Mme. E. had
persisted, in spite of our contradictions, in saying that she
continually saw " Le Petit domestique ' in the presence of
horses.
"She had again seen true in this small detail which
was revealed in the course of the trial."
CHAPTER XXIV
LUCIDITY IN DEEP SOMNAMBULISM
We come now to the more demonstrative and complex
phenomena of experimental lucidity : lucidity in induced
somnambulism.
The cases we shall quote are furnished by various
experimenters, and accompanied by verification of the
reality of the facts perceived by the subjects, and by
proofs of the authenticity, which ought to render them
convincing.
The majority of authors who have thoroughly and
earnestly studied hypnotic phenomena have, moreover,
nearly always observed at certain times similar cases of
lucidity.
" I have seen repeated in my presence," says Dr. Azam
in Hypnotisine et double conscience, " the strange things
related of spontaneous somnambulism. I have seen very
accurate writing done with a thick book interposed be-
tween the face and the paper ; I have seen a very fine
needle threaded in the same position, the subject walking
about a room with the eyes tightly closed and bandaged ;
all without any other real guide than the resistance of the
air, and perfect precision of movement, guided by the
hyperesthetic muscular sense."
As an example of vision without the help of the eyes,
I will first record the following experiment of Dr. Gibier,
related in his work Analyses des choses. (The subject was
hypnotised, and a cotton pad placed on each eye covered
by a large thick napkin tied behind the head.) " I took
from my bookcase the first book which came to hand,
opened it at random above the subject's head, held the
printed text within an inch of the hair of the young
309
310 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
woman who was hypno-magiietised, and commanded her
to read the first line of the page to her left. After a
moment's pause, she said : ' Ah, yes, I see — wait.' Then
she continued : ' Identity again leads to unity, because if
the mind . . .' I turned the book over and found that
the first line, less two words, had been correctly seen and
read. If I caused a third person to write a word, or some
name, on the floor, with a piece of chalk taken from an
adjoining room, the same young woman, with her eyes
bandaged, would read the word written, without any
mistake, as soon as she had her feet on it. She was led
backwards on to the written word, and she had her head
stretched forward somewhat, which enabled those present
to testify that it was impossible for her, even if she had
been awake, to see under the bandage."
M. Jules Cacheu has published in the Annates des
Sciences Psychiques the following account by Mme.
Testand, of incidents which occurred in her presence : —
" At that time when much attention was paid by the
public to magnetism, table-turning, and occult sciences,
M, Cuisinier de Lisle thought of trying his own magnetic
power on a young servant, Theresa, about eighteen years
of age, then in his employ, who was quite willing to
serve as the subject of his attempt. The experiment was
wonderfully successful.
" M. de Lisle went to work in the following manner :
" Sitting in front of Theresa, he grasped her two
thumbs firmly in each of his hands and gazed fixedly at
her. The young girl went off to sleep, closing her eyes
tightly, but a little time elapsed before she had a clear
vision and could reply to questions put to her. ' Can
you see ? ' asked the operator. ' Not* yet.' A little later
she said, ' Yes, I begin to see.' At last she said, ' Now
I can see very well.'
" Then in spite of the fact that all the doors and
windows of the room were closed, she told the names of
all the people who came into or went out of the house.
* Here is M. coming in ; there is Mme. going out.'
LUCIDITY IN DEEP SOMNAMBULISM 311
"One day, being in a magnetic sleep with her eyes
closed, the servant Antonio, also in M. de Lisle's employ,
came quietly behind her and ' made a face ' at her ; she
immediately turned round and did the same at him, to
the great astonishment of the spectators, who could not
understand or imagine that she had eyes in her back, or
that she could see behind her.
" Most of the time it Avas not even necessary for M. de
Lisle to give her verbal orders : he had only to thmk of
what he wished her to do, and she immediately carried
out all that was in his thoughts. Thus, when the young
girl was in the kitchen and M. de Lisle at table in the
dining-room, she would suddenly come in with a plate in
her hand, because her master, without speaking a word,
had willed that she should bring him one.
" Every morning, about four or live o'clock, M. de Lisle
would go out to his duty on his ship, anchored about a
mile and a half from the shore, and would leave about ten
o'clock to go home to Castignan for lunch. The young
woman would announce the time of his arrival to within
a minute. She would say to Mme. de Lisle : ' Madame, it
is time to lay the cloth for lunch, I see Monsieur coming
down the ship's ladder ; he is getting into his boat, he will
be here in twenty minutes.' This never failed to happen
as she had said.
"But the following is the most extraordinary and
remarkable fact, which happened in the presence of Mme.
Testand-Marchain, who can absolutely affirm the truth of
it, as of all that has been related.
" M. de Lisle had as lodger in his house, merely out of
charity and without any payment, a former schoolmaster
named Lorgeril, then employed at the Toulon arsenal.
One day this Lorgeril thought of marrying a person
living in the town of Hyk'es, four or five leagues from
Toulon, and asked permission to go and pay his addresses
to her, and, if successful, to arrange the terms of marriage.
"After he had gone, M. de Lisle thought of finding
out through his servant Theresa, by putting her to sleep,
what Lorgeril did during his journey, and how his matri-
312 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
monial projects turned out. He therefore put Theresa
to sleep.
" We must say at this point that if M. cle Lisle knew
the town of Hyeres he was totally unaware in Avhich street
and house Lorgeril's fiancee lived, and as for Theresa, she
did not know the town or even the way to get there.
" When she was asleep and in a state of vision he said
to her, ' I want you to go to Hyeres.' "
" She replied, ' But, sir, how can I ? I do not even
know the way.'
" ' I Avish you to go there, try. Have you found it ? '
" ' Yes, sir.'
" ' Well, walk.'
" ' I am walking ; but it is a long way, a very long way,
and I am not nearly there.'
" ' Are you there ? '
" ' Yes, sir, I have arrived. I see a place where there
are many palm-trees.'
" ' Very good. Now look for the house where
Lorgeril is.'
" ' Ah, sir, I do not know where it is.'
" ' Look for it.'
" ' Yes, sir, here is the street. How steep it is ; what a
hill to climb ! '
" ' Are you there ? '
" ' Yes, sir, I am at the door of the house, but I dare
not go in.'
'"I Avish you to go in, enter ! '
" ' Ah, sir, there are a lot of stairs before coming to the
room.'
" ' Are you there ? '
" ' Yes, sir.'
"'Ah, Avell ! NoAv knock, so that they may open to
you.'
" At this time she Avas close to the mantelpiece. She
made a motion as though knocking, but her hand stopped
just before reaching the marble, Avithout touching it.
" ' Have you entered ? '
" ' Yes, sir. I see Lorgeril very aa^cII and the person
LUCIDITY IiN DEEP SOMNAMBULISM 313
in question, they are together ; but they do not seem to
be coming to an understanding, and I do not think the
marriage will take place."
"Just at this moment M. de Lisle, without saying
a word to the clairvoyant, formulated, only in his head,
this somewhat indiscreet thought, ' Will he stay at the
house all night ? ' ' Oh no, sir, quite sure, certainly not,'
she replied immediately.
" ' What do you see in the room ? '
" ' I see them getting up from the table ; they have
finished eating.'
" ' What have they eaten ? '
" ' I do not know, sir, the table is cleared.'
" ' That does not matter, look carefully ; there must be
something left on the plates.'
" ' They have eaten some ragout of lamb, also some
orange salad.'
" ' I also see on the mantelpiece of the room three
oranges which Lorgeril has bought, and which he will
bring to Toulon to-morrow to give to your three children.
Lorgeril will leave there to-morrow, and will reach here
at four o'clock in the afternoon.'
"'It is not likely,' said M. de Lisle to the clairvoyant,
' that if Lorgeril is to reach here to-morrow it should be
at four o'clock in the afternoon, because he has work in
the port, and in order to go to his work he would have
to arrive here in the morning.'
" ' No, sir, no ; I tell you that he will get here at four
o'clock to-morrow afternoon.'
" The following day, as the young woman had predicted,
as four o'clock struck Lorgeril returned. M. de Lisle, who
was waiting for him, said to him as he entered the garden :
" ' Well, my poor Lorgeril, so your love affair has
turned out badly. That is a pity ; you were, however,
well looked after — ragout of lamb, orange salad . . .'
" Lorgeril opened his eyes wide in astonishment. ' Sir,
sir — how, how . . .'
" Finally, M. de Lisle raised his wonderment to the
highest pitch by saying to him, " Come, Lorgeril, put
314 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
your hand in your pocket and give me those three oranges
you have bought for the children.'
" Lorgeril then threw the three oranges on the sandy
path of the garden, fled precipitately to his own room,
quite frightened, saying, ' Ah, Monsieur de Lisle, you have
dealings with the devil.' "
We now come to a case of lucidity, immediately verified
by means of the telephone. This method of verification,
when it is possible, is absolutely irrefutable ; it leaves no
room, in fact, for any mistake of memory; nor can the
objection be raised that the subject could have obtained
any knowledge of the facts described between the time of
their occurrence and that of the experiment, seeing that
the subject can be made to describe the facts at the time
they occur and can be kept in sight while they are being
verified.
This experiment is related in the Aniiales des Sciences
Psychiques.
Case of Lucidity
Controlled by Telephone
In 1892, at the beginning of the winter, I was at the
house of a manufacturer whom I will call M. A., and who
then lived on the Quai de la Tournelle at Paris. M. A.
did not believe in the lucidity of somnambulists, Avhom he
generally described as " humbugs," without having, how-
ever, ever taken the pains to study them, even superficially.
That day, in consequence of a conversation at which I had
not been present, two young men, known to M. A., brought
into his oftice a woman of twenty or twenty-five years of
age, the mistress of one of their friends, a pharmaceutical
student, from whom they had concealed this freak.
This woman, whose name I do not remember having
heard, had a rather insignificant face, an appearance of
regular rather than robust health, with a rather tired
look, and common, unintelligent features. She had no
society habits, and seemed at once confused and vain of
LUCIDITY IN DEEP SOMNAMBULISM 315
the attention which was paid her — in short, an ignorant
peasant and, apparently, anything but cunning. She did
not seem hysterical, and I did not hear she was subject
to any nervous trouble.
The two young men who had brought her explained
that they wanted her to give a proof of lucidity ; but no
experiment had been prepared, and, moreover, M. A. was
ignorant that she was coming that day, because the som-
nambulist had been obliged to wait until her lover was
absent before leaving her room.
After taking off her cloak, she sat down and asked for
a glass of water, which she drank in one draught ; then
gazing at the gas lamp which was burning in front of her,
on the table, she went to sleep in a few moments. Then
she asked— and her speech was somewhat indistinct at
first — that we would put in her hands an object belonging
to the person it was desired to folloAv. M. A. gave her
a letter Avritten by one M. L. ; the somnambulist felt it
carefully, smelt it several times and said, " Yes, this is
from a gentleman who often comes here ; he has an office
in this neighbourhood, but he does not live there. I do
not know where he lives. He is very tall, he wxars an
official decoration, he is careful of his appearance, and
when no one is looking at him he arranges his beard with
a small comb which he always carries in his pocket. And
then he dyes his hair and beard. He looks about forty
years of age, but he is fifty at least."
The first part of this vision tallied exactly with what
we all knew of M. L., but the revelation of his finical ways
seemed so slightly in harmony with the sober character
of the man that we could not help making energetic
gestures of dissent, to which M. A,, who knew M. L. much
better than ourselves, replied by making us a sign that the
somnambulist was right. He then asked what M. L. had
done during the day ; she followed him in his rounds
among contractors, public offices, &c., and it Avas possible,
on the following day, to corroborate a part of these assertions,
which were admitted to be correct, in spite of the silence
of M. L., who was greatly offended with this " foolish joking."
316 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
After a few minutes' rest, the somnambulist being still
asleep, M. A. gave her a letter from one of his corre-
spondents, M. Mousson, of whom the somnambulist gave
an exact description.
" Where does this gentleman live ? " M. A. asked.
" That is rather difficult. I see clearly that it is in
Paris, in a place where there are many people and many
carriages, but you ought to help me a little."
" Look in the neighbourhood of the Bourse."
" Ah ! I am there. It is Place de la Bourse, at such
a number, on such a floor."
This was correct.
" What is this gentleman doing at this moment ? "
" He is writing a letter. I think it is in English, because
it is going to London."
" What does he say in this letter. Read it."
"He is explaining why there has been a delay with
a commission that has been given him, but that it is not
his fault, and he will send the desired reply the day after
to-morrow."
Thereupon M. A. went out of his office into an adjoming
room, where there was a telephone, and asked to be put
into communication with M. Mousson ; it was impossible
to hear in one room what was said in the other.
During this time the somnambulist continued : " Now
he is reading over his letter ; he gets up and takes a book
which he moistens (a letter copying book) while speaking
to a little boy who has come into the room. . . . Ah ! he
has stopped ! . . . Hallo ! he is talking into a little box
which is on the table (the telephone transmitter). Oh !
but what is the matter ? he looks quite astonished, poor
man. It seems as though something unfortunate has
happened to him."
(At this moment M. A. was telephoning to M. Mousson :
" You have just written a letter in English to London ask-
ing them to excuse you for an involuntary delay. Is
that true ? " " Yes, but how do you know ? " " It is a
somnambulistic experiment ; I will explain it to you.
Now have the kindness to do exactly what I tell you.")
LUCIDITY IN DEEP SOiMNAMBULISM 3l7
" Ah ! " resumed the clairvoyant, " now he looks a little
more relieved. He listens in a little round thing which
he holds to his ear (the receiver). . . . But what is he
doing ? What a funny machine. Now he has finished
his conversation ; he hangs the little round thing on the
box. But he still seems much perplexed."
(At this moment M. A. came back into his office.)
" He has taken his hat, he is going out : he comes back
and takes some papers from the table : he goes out and
locks the door : he is going down the staircase : he has
stopped on the landing : he seems absorbed in thought :
he continues to descend : he is outside : he has stopped
again and is looking at his papers. He seems as if he did
not know what to do. . . . He turns to the left : no, he
comes back to the right : he goes down the street on the
right (the Rue Vivienne) : he goes almost to the edge of
the pavement (at the corner of the Rue Feydeau) : he
stops again : he looks all round him : he has come back :
he goes up the stairs and back into his rooms."
All that the somnambulist had said was the exact
description of the actions accomplished by M. Mousson,
according to the somewhat complicated instructions as
M. A. had transmitted to him by telephone.
In this moment the seance was almost void, or, at
least, without interest, the somnambulist being fatigued
and the spectators overwhelming her with questions with-
out method or patience. Shortly, the young woman
evinced a desire to awaken ; one of the number breathed
on her eyes ; she drank two more glasses of water and
left. Since then I have never heard of her, and I did
not know who she was.
Added to this is an attestation by M. Cote, engineer,
who was present at the experiment at M. A.'s house. I
have lost sight of the latter, and I do not think that his
evidence could be of sjreat use, because of his unscientific
and even less methodical mind. M. L. would never con-
fess that the somnambulist was right in saying that he
dyed his hair ; moreover, he is a staunch Catholic, who
could only see the action of the devil in these phenomena.
318 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
The tAvo young men who accompanied the somnambulist
are pleasant, gay fellows, who must long ago have lost all
recollection of this seance, and I should not know, more-
over, where to find them. With regard to M. Mousson,
who has been good enough to authorise me to publish his
name, I have submitted the present account to him, as
well as to M. Cote. He admitted it to be correct, as did
also a lady who was in his office at the time of the ex-
periment ; he even promised me to write out a separate
account, but in spite of several letters and fruitless visits,
I have not been able to obtain any reply from him ;
Avhether it be that his numerous engagements have pre-
vented him from carrying out his promise, or whether
M. L., to whom he must have spoken of it, has dissuaded
him, which is perhaps more probable.
Phenomena of Lucidity observed by M. Leopold
Dauvil in the Hypnotic Experiments Published
BY HIM.^
At an evening party given by the English Consul, one
Saturday in October 1884, I found all the distinguished
society of Saint-Denis assembled, and if this book is read
by some West Indians who were present at this gathering,
they will see that I have reported the facts in all their
true simplicity.
Among the numerous subjects (forty-two), which I had
hypnotised, I chose four of the best, those from whom
Colonel do Roclias, to whom I had related the facts, could
have asked all that hypnosis has produced in the way of
degrees, from calm, inert, unintelligent sleep, up to the
externalisation of sensibility in all its forms, and even to
the separation of body and spirit, as will be proved by
the notes which I have copied exactly.
These four subjects were M.M. Cosse et Drau, naval
writers ; Mile. Loubelle, now the wife of a general ; and
M. Radigue, naval officer, of great intelligence and know-
1 Echo du MervciUeux, 1908.
LUCIDrrV IN DEEP SOMNAMBULISM 319
ledge. We were at the house of Consul and Lady St.
John, in the midst of over a hundred spectators, among
whom were M. Beaucastel, head physician, and all his
medical staff.
I sent Cosse to sleep, and produced on him the whole
range of Charcot's experiments. Dr. Beaucastel asked me
to produce catalepsy, which was done without difficulty.
Then I obtained a quiet awakening, which I had never
done before. "My friend," I said to the subject, "I w^ant
you to return to consciousness." I then made him stand
up, by means of a few passes extending from the head to
the feet. " Now, tell us yourself what I ought to do to
awaken you calmly and take away all fatigue from your
body."
Cosse took my left hand, passed it over his head, from
the occiput to the base of the cerebellum, then over all
the circumvolutions, after which, turning half-way round,
he added, as he had never done before, knowing probably
nothing of medicine or anatomy : " Ask one of the doctors
to put his finger between the fourth and fifth vertebrae,
and at that place you will project a jet of fluid."
I did this and Cosse opened his eyes smiling, and
showing by the movements of his back, neck, and head
that he had an evident feeling of comfort.
The Consul's wife asked, " Can you request this
gentleman to go to a distance, to London or Berlin or
Paris, and describe something that he sees there ? "
" We will try, Madame."
In order to put these four subjects to sleep I simply
looked at them and put a finger on their forehead ; they
were hypnotised, their eyes remained opened but fixed
and haggard, the body limp, the spirit free. Cosse being
asleep and seated in an arm-chair, a lady asked him if he
knew Bordeaux.
"No."
" Can you go there ? "
" Yes."
The doctor continued questions, for I left the subject
completely independent.
320 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
" My friend," he said to Mm, " we are getting out at
Bordeaux station. Can you see it ? "
" Yes, it is a fine new station."
" Right. It is the Gare Saint-Jean ; you can see it
clearly ? "
" Quite."
" We have come to the platform,"
" I am there ; I see a splendid bridge."
" We are on the Cours de I'lntendance."
" I am there."
I then asked to take my subject again.
" You say you see what the doctor asked you to see ? "
" Quite well."
" Well, then, tell us what you see now."
His large eyes wide open, his body remaining motion-
less, Cosse seemed to look to right and left, as into space.
" I see," he said, " some beautiful houses, to the left a
large cafe, some marble tables, plenty of people sitting
down, customers, doubtless, and musicians. Oh ! what
beautiful lamps, what brilliant light, like moons " (doubt-
less the Jablochkoflf lamps).
" And to the right, behind you, what do you see ? "
" A large monumental building all lighted up."
" Yes, it is the Grand Theatre."
And the subject gave an exact description of it, with its
portico raised on six or eight steps, and its lines of gas-jets.
" All that does not surprise me," said a young doctor ;
" the subject is reading in the brain of the magnetiser."
" As he read in mine then," said the head doctor, " and
you venture to say it does not surprise 3'-ou ? to me it is
marvellous, sir."
" But," said a pharmacist, M. Cornuel, " we can secure
a proof of the subject's independence of mind. Did he
not say that the Bordeaux theatre is lighted up ? "
" Yes," said Cosse, still asleep ; " yes, at this moment
many people are going up the steps."
"Well," continued the young pharmacist, "tell us
what piece is being played and we shall be convinced."
Then a strange thing happened ; the subject rose
LUCIDITY IN DEEP SOMNAMBULISM 321
abruptly, came from the arm-chair, crossed the drawing-
room, made as though he was cUmbing up some steps,
raising one leg after the other, and stooping down towards
a picture.
" What are you looking at ? " I asked him.
" A placard."
" What placard ? "
" The one which is in this frame, under this wire- work."
" Then tell us w^hat you see."
" A yellow placard. Wait."
And 3000 leagues from the Bordeaux theatre this
young man read in the midst of perfect silence: " Grand
Theatre, Bordeaux, this evening, Saturday, October 20th
(or 24th), 1884, first performance of 'Aida,' music by
Verdi."
Certainly, that was not impressed on the brain of any
of those present. But the marvel was confirmed when,
fifteen days afterwards, on the arrival of a mail-boat
from France, one of the doctors, who was from Bordeaux,
opened the Journal de la Gironde, which he had received,
and we noticed that, on the date of the English Consul's
party, Verdi's "Aida" was performed at the Bordeaux
theatre.
I leave readers to make their own reflections on this
subject. For my part I am content to affirm the fact,
which appears marvellous to me every time I recall it.
My second subject was Mile. Louise Loubelle, a tall
and beautiful young girl, fair, with sea-green eyes, thought-
ful brow, rather taciturn, of nervous temperament, im-
pressionable, perhaps slightly inclined to hysteria, but
showing no sign of it during the four months that I
had hypnotised her. She magnetised herself by the Braid
system with her ring, after a lady's diamond ear-ring had
one evening put her in a hypnotic condition.
I shall mention in connection wnth her an instance
of great magnetic flight which occurred in the house of
Colonel Morsali, the chief of the gendarmerie, at one of
his charming private gatherings.
Mile. Louise, being in a sleeping condition, with her
X
322 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
eyes very wide open and staring, Mme. Ledin, wife of a
general commissioner, asked if the subject could go to
her home at Albi and bring news of her father.
Mile. Loubelle, who had never left the shores of her
distant island, replied, " With pleasure," and whether by
her own thoughts or by the brain of the questioner, she
saw herself at Albi on a square which she described quite
accurately, although it was dusk. She arrived at the
house indicated, seeming to stop and look at its simple
architecture, which she described, then made as though
she was going up two steps, and pulled the bell handle
horizontally. This gesture surprised Mme. Ledin, who
had never expected this remarkable particular. Why
had not the sleeper's hand pressed the button, or pulled
a string, or simply knocked ? The door was undoubtedly
opened to the invisible visitor, who said :
"There is a servant about fifty years of age, with a
yellow silk handkerchief on her head, her hair is grey. I
go in ; there is a door to the left, a door to the right, a
short corridor with a staircase at the end. The door to
the right is half-way opened ; I see a gentleman with Avhite
hair, sitting down, and bent over a small white earthen-
ware stove. Your sister, madame — it can only be your
sister, because she is so much like you— is beside your
father. She is fair and pretty like yourself."
" Enough ! enough ! " cried Mme. Ledin, with tears in
her eyes. " Thank you ! I believe. It is my father, it is
my sister, with our old Bridget. I am very happy, but I
do not wish to know any more."
The second part of this seance is not less interesting
than the first. An officer, a native of Albi, like Mme.
Ledin, and hitherto incredulous through prejudice, also
wished to interrogate Mile. Loubelle, whom I awakened in
the same manner as Cossd had instructed me for himself,
and which always ensured a calm return to the waking
state without fatigue. I made light passes on the fore-
head, the base of the skull, the vertebrae of the neck and
the spine, and the subject awoke smiling, as though
coming out of a pleasant dream.
LUCIDITY IN DEEP SOMNAMBULISM 323
After a quarter of an hour's rest I asked her to go to
sleep again. She gazed at a beautiful topaz stone which
she wore on her left hand, went off to sleep again, and
asked Commandant Heral :
" What do you desire ? "
" That you should go with me round this square (still
at Albi) and tell mo what you particularly notice."
" I own I do not see very clearly ; however, I seem to
distinguish there at the end of the square on the right,
raised up a little on a high pedestal, something like the
outline of a statue thrown against a dark sky, but I do not
see well. Oh ! that is funny ; there is a man carrying some
fire at the end of a long pole. He is coming to light the
lamps."
This fact calls for explanation, because it is character-
istic. It was then at the island of Reunion, 10.20 p.m.,
but the longitude east of Albi being 52^ 50' gives a differ-
ence of 3 hours 53 minutes ; that is to say, that when it was
10.20 at St. Denis, it would only be about 6.27 at Albi,
when it would be time, in September, to think of lighting
the street lamps.
Who now, among the numerous witnesses in this
tropical drawing-room, would have thought of this differ-
ence of longitude, of the sun's delay which the clair-
voyant so clearly indicated ? Then the gas lighted up
the square at Albi, and doubtless the statue which had
attracted the attention of our new Isis became more
clearly visible. She went on:
" This figure seems to me to be that of an ofScer," she
said. " Has he not his left hand on his sword ? His hair
is as though tied up. His costume is of the time of
Louis XV. or Louis XVI. His right hand holds an open
map. Is he an engineer, a sailor ? But a rather high
railing hides the lower part of the body, and then, between
the statue and the railing, and concealing the pedestal from
me, I see some curious objects like chains, small cannon."
" Bravo ! bravo ! " cried the Albigensian commandant ;
" I had quite forgotten those details ; it is perfectly
correct."
324 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
" And you will remember, my dear commandant," I
said to him, " that never having been myself to Albi,
I cannot suggest the replies to the subject."
" Well," added the commandant, " if Mademoiselle can
read the name that is on the pedestal I will own myself
conquered and convinced."
" Will you then read this name," I said to the clair-
voyante, " if you can."
" It is very high up," she said, opening her eyes
exceedingly wide. " It is long to read ; there are many
words written."
" The name, the name only," I said, impressing her
mind.
" Wait ! It is, it is — " and spelling she said, " L-a — La —
R-o-u-s-e — La Rouse."
I went close to her, a thought having sprung up in my
brain.
" I think," I said to her, "that some object, a chain, or
a bar of the railing, prevented you from reading the
whole name," and taking the young woman's head in my
hand I displaced it slightly. " La Perouse !" she cried out,
in the midst of a thunder of applause from the astonished
spectators.
I must add that these recollections, thanks to my old
notes, were in no way effaced from my memory, when in
1896, before going with some cyclists to make a tour from
Pau to Tarbes and Audi, I had a strong desire to go to
Albi, and putting my wish into execution, I went over
sixty miles out of my way to see for myself what I had
glimpsed twelve years previously through the eyes of
my subject, and I had the pleasure of recognising by a
side of the square at Albi the little house of Mme.
Ledin's father, and, right at the end, the statue of
the celebrated navigator La Perouse, as it had been
described 3000 leagues away from France, by a young
sleeping Creole.
We will relate now a series of experiments which
arc due to Dr. Fcrroul, of Narbonne. The authority of
Dr. Ferroul, the shrewdness and scientific exactitude which
LUCIDITY IN DEEP SOMNAMBULISM 325
he brings to bear on all his experiments, render them of
especial value. Further, he has taken pains to have them
verified and attested by a large number of witnesses, thus
furnishing undeniable proof of authenticity.
Experiments of Dr. Ferroul on Lucidity ^
Anna B. was born at Narbonne, and has never left
this locality ; she may now be about twenty-six years of
age. She is an ironer, and suffers much from debility ;
her face is pleasant, but she is exceedingly pale and thin.
Three years ago Dr. Ferroul was extremely sceptical with
regard to all the phenomena recorded in the Annates des
Sciences Psychiques. He was one day called to attend
Anna B., who had had a nervous attack in the street.
Solely as the result of some words uttered in an autho-
ritative tone, Anna immediately got up and returned to
her normal condition. Dr. Ferroul then thought of trying
some hypnotic experiments with her ; he therefore had
her come to his house, and was not slow in perceiving
that she had some strange psychic faculties.
When placed in the magnetic sleep, she spontaneously
made known to him certain of his own acts which she
could not have previously been aware of, and -without being
sfuided to these declarations. Dr. Ferroul was therefore
led to make various progressive experiments, and I will
relate some cases I have from Dr. Ferroul himself, and
which made a great noise in the town, and could be authen-
ticated by various witnesses.
We regret that the many engagements of Dr. Ferroul
did not leave him time to make a further series of
methodical experiments, in presence of a circle which
would have drawn up an official report of verification.
Dr. Ferroul, who is of a very active temperament and of
a positive character, has always declared that he wished
to proceed capriciously, at random, according to the
inspiration of the moment, and did not wish to read or
^ From the Annales des Sciences Psychiques.
326 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
learn anything about previous investigation on these
subjects.
Although this system may appear regrettable from
the point of view of scientific analysis, and to prove the
facts for distant readers, we must recognise in view of
the results of investigations made by a number of experi-
menters, that psychical phenomena do not lend themselves
well to the experimental method of physical phenomena,
which invariably brings about a constraint, an obstacle,
which causes the phenomenon to be abortive, or imperfectly
realised.
Moreover, the temperament of the person who sets
the subject to work counts for much in obtaining the
phenomena. Thus Dr. Ferroul, alone, obtained with Anna
the results which we will describe ; other physicians who
have sent Anna to sleep have only obtained with her the
ordinary hypnotic phenomena, and have disturbed for
some time the faculties of lucidity. There is therefore
between Dr. Ferroul and Anna some psychical relation par-
ticularly favourable to the development of these strange
faculties : the one as a powerful positive motive power, the
other as negative agent.
Dr. Ferroul was not long in perceiving that Anna
could see distant scenes, taking place at the very moment
when she was in the somnambulistic condition. Then he
also soon found that she could perceive facts which hap-
pened several days before. In that condition Anna was
completely independent of time and space.
In the induced sleep she always spoke in a low tone ;
she resisted sometimes, complaining, and, if Dr. Ferroul
insisted, she had nervous attacks which prevented him
from going on with the experiment. Besides, she generally
had the demeanour and language of a child.
1. Case of Le Boulon
This case occurred in June 1894 when Dr. Ferroul was
expecting two persons who were to come by train from
Boulon, a place about fifty-four miles from Narbonne.
LUCIDITY IN DEEP SOMNAMBULISM 327
These persons did not come, and not receiving any
news explaining the cause of the delay, Dr. Ferroul went
to Anna, put her in the somnambulistic state and ordered
her to proceed to Le Boulon. He gave her the necessary
directions, as he knew the place, but Anna had never
been there.
" I am there," she said, describing it, " but I see no one."
" Go into the house."
" I am there. Ah ! good gracious ! What has hap-
pened ! Madame is on the bed, hurt in the shoulder and
the back, but she is not bleeding. There, the carriage was
upset, the coachman fell on one side, but he is not hurt."
Anna then said that the doctor was dressing the hurts,
and was asking for a longer bandage than the one he held
in his hand, and other details. (I have read all those
details in Dr. Ferroul's notebook.) Immediately after-
wards Dr. Ferroul sent a telegram to Le Boulon : " Is it
true that you have had a carriage accident ? "
The following morning he received a letter from his
friend (which I have read). This friend began by express-
ing astonishment that Dr. Ferroul should know of the
accident ; the particulars given in the letter agreed with
those given by the somnambulist.
2. Case of a Person who had Disappeared
In June 1894 the Bdjpeche de Toulouse and the
Narbonne newspapers gave particulars of a young ghl
who had disappeared, whom we will designate by the
letter D.
She was servant to M. Fabre's father-in-law.
She was last seen by M. Fabre, a chemist at Narbonne
and deputy-mayor, on Sunday, June 24th, at half-past
nine in the evening. She left his house to return to her
master's.
The last named returned home at ten o'clock, found
the door open, and the servant's apron on the drawing-
room table, but the servant had disappeared.
They searched for her until late, but in vain ; on the
328 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
following day, Monday, they made further inquiries which
proved useless, and being greatly disturbed they com-
municated with the newspapers, which gave a description
of her in their issues of Tuesday morning.
On Tuesday evening M. Fabre asked Dr. Ferroul to
try Anna's lucidity on the case.
Dr. Ferroul said that probably it would not be suc-
cessful because there was no trace ; neither he nor Anna
knew the servant, but on the chance of success he tried
the experiment.
Anna having been sent to sleep, Dr. Ferroul said
to her:
" Go back to half-past nine on Sunday evening at
M. Fabre's house in the Rue de la Republique ; you will
find there a young servant about sixteen years of age, of
such and such a description.
" I see her," said Anna.
" Well, follow her and tell me what became of her."
The somnambulist declared that D. returned to the
house which she described ; that she went into her room
and made her toilet. She described the room, and
stated that in the corner there was a trunk with some
dirty linen inside which smelt.
She spoke of an individual who came and had some
conversation with D., persuaded her to go downstairs, and
led her into a coach-house in front of the house ; that,
meanwhile, M. and Mme. Potet arrived, and surprised at
seeing the house open, began to make a search. The girl
D. and her companion heard all that took place, and did
not dare to go out.
The man, seeing that she could not go back, told her
to go Avith him, and that he would find her another place.
At Dr. Forroul's request she described the individual,
but could not give his name, which D. had not pro-
nounced.
D. raised some objections because of the difficulty she
would have in bringing away her things. The man said
ho would see to that.
Anna then said :
LUCIDITY IN DEEP SOMNAMBULISM 329
" Thoy have gone ; they are on the Quai de la Charite.
D. said to the man :
"You see high up there that small lighted window,
that is the room belongino- to Marie, Fabre's servant."
" Have you said anything to Marie ? "
"No."
"But," said Anna, "they went down some very funny
streets. I have never seen those streets. Ah ! there they
are going into a house — a woman receives them. He tells
her she is his mother, but she is not his mother — she is
a go-between."
Other details followed, then Anna said :
" Ah ! they are getting up, they go to the station. She
takes a ticket for Beziers; she goes along first, second,
third platform ; she gets in the train, she arrives at Beziers.
Ah ! I cannot see any more of her, there are so many
people. I have lost her."
Not being able to gather anything more, Dr. Ferroul
transmitted these notes to M. Fabre, who went to find his
father-in-law. They went into D.'s room and found, in
fact, that there was some dirty linen in a trunk ; but they
were unable to elucidate anything, and Tuesday passed
without news of D.
The following evening, Wednesday, M. Fabre's servant
had gone to post a letter and saw D. in the company of a
woman. D. tried to hide herself as best she could. When
questioned she could not escape from Marie's reproaches.
She then replied that she had just come from Beziers,
where she had been to look for a situation. Marie quickly
went to inform M. Fabre, who sent a police officer to the
house of the woman with whom Marie had seen D., but
D, had gone away again. Two days afterwards the agent
discovered her in a hotel and he took her to the mayor's
office, where the deputy-mayor questioned her. D. ended
by confessing that an individual had induced her to go
away, and gave his name. M. Fabre shut D. up in a cell
and sent for the individual in question, whose description
corresponded exactly with the information given by Anna
Brieu.
330 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
When questioned he at first denied everything. M.
Fabre told him that D. had confessed all, and showing
a bold front began the account of the facts as given
through the somnambulist. Seeing that the young man
was losing his assurance, the deputy-mayor went on and
related what had happened on the Quai de la Charity.
The man then became confused, and seeing he was on
a good track M. Fabre went on.
Then the young man confessed the truth, and said :
" Yes, it is true ! But I did not know that she was
under age. In any case she tells a lie when she says that
I took her to a woman's house ; there was no woman in this
affair. I took her to a certain hotel ; it was the waiter who
gave us the key of a room. I left the hotel at three o'clock
in the morning, and I do not know what became of her."
M. Fabre put the individual back and again ques-
tioned D.
" But," he added, " I know also what you did at Beziers,
but I wish you to tell me, and if you do not tell the truth,
beware."
"Well," she said, "all Monday I looked for a place at
Beziers ; I did not find one. In the evening I went back
to the station to take the train, but I missed it. At the
station I met a boatman whom I knew at Narbonne, and
who took me to his mother's house to sleep."
This, therefore, explained the strange gap in Anna's
declaration, who had mixed up the incidents at Beziers
with those of Narbonne, and had only mentioned one
individual when there were two concerned. The streets
which the somnambulist did not recognise as belonging
to Narbonne were probably the streets of Beziers.
Therefore on Tuesday evening Anna was able to per-
ceive incidents that occurred on the nights of Monday to
Tuesday, and Tuesday to Wednesday. One may therefore
ask if matter in general does not possess the same pro-
perty as the cerebral substance of preserving impressions,
namely, the traces of luminous and sonorous vibrations.
The fluidic sensorium, or astral body of the subject
extending to a distance, would cause matter to vibrate,
LUCIDITY IN DEEP SOMNAMBULISM 331
just as it causes the substance of the brain to vibrate, and
the impressions received are given back again.
Matter would then give back its impressions as though
it were an additional brain, and would constitute for the
subject a sort of temporary and supplemental brain.
But it will be urged against this hypothesis that
matter has received a crowd of impressions, and it will be
asked why there should be given to Anna Brieu the acts,
gestures, and words of D. and her friend, rather than any
other scene. We reply that the same objection exists
with regard to the faculties of the brain, and, moreover,
the selection is perfectly made. If I desire to recall the
town of Marseilles, it is that town and no other that
presents itself to me. Without being able to explain how
this clear distinction is made between the picture of
Marseilles previously received and that of any other town,
we can conceive that, by reason of the same law, the
initial idea that put Anna on the track of a given series
of facts caused this series of events and no other to
be developed. Even the gaps which were discovered in
the perception of the somnambulist support this hypo-
thesis, because we jEind the same omissions in the ordinary
working of the memor3^ We mix up facts, or sometimes
supervise them, and it may happen that in the picture of
a town evoked by the will we erroneously place a street
or a monument belonging to another town. It is these
anomalies which often result in the contradictory evidence
of different witnesses of the same scene.
A. GouPiL.
The undersigned certify to the accuracy of the facts
reported above, relating to the disappearance of the girl
M. D. and to the information supplied by the somnam-
bulist Anna Brieu.
(Signed) P. Fabre, deputy-tnayor.
L. Weill, inerchant.
F. NfeGRE, journalist on the " Petit Paris-
Narbonne," employed in the mayor's
o^ce.
March 17, 1896.
332 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
3. Case of the Sub-prefecture
This happened in July 1894, at the time of the
reactionary laws. As chief of the Socialist party, Dr.
Ferroul was in conflict with the Government party.
One day the mayor's secretary came to inform Dr.
Ferroul that a detective had arrived from Carcassonne
to take the chief commissioner at the mayor's office and
bring him before the sub-prefect.
Dr. Ferroul thought of making use of Anna's faculties.
He sent for her, put her to sleep, and sent her to the
sub-prefecture.
" I am there," she said.
" Where are you ? "
" In the courtyard."
" You ought not to be in the courtyard. Find me the
sub-prefect."
" There he is ! He is in his office with three people —
the chief, another man who has come from a distance, and
a man with a white beard whom I do not know."
" How do they name him ? "
" Ah ! they do not name him. Do you know, Dr.
Ferroul, what that man thinks ? "
(In this condition Anna Brieu expresses herself like a
child.)
" What does he think ? "
" He thinks : ' What am I doing here ? They will com-
promise me with their police affairs. I am going.' Ah !
the detective from Carcassonne takes out a letter and
gives it to the sub-prefect. He tells him that it is an
anonymous letter that has been sent him. Wait; he is
talking about you to the sub-prefect."
" What does he say ? "
" He says : ' As to Ferroul, I will take away all his
rights ; I will only leave him what I cannot take away of
his mayoral duties.' Ah ! the detective from Carcassonne
hands him a list, and says that it is a list of people to be
watched.
LUCIDITY IN DEEP SOMNAMBULISM 333
" What is there on this list ? "
The somnambulist mentioned three names, then added :
" Ah ! he has put it in his pocket ; I camiot see any
more. Two detectives have come in, Chaubet and Tirefort ;
they give them an order — they have gone ; the gentleman
with the white beard is going also."
" FolloAv him," said Dr. Ferroul, " and try to find out
who he is."
" Ah, he goes into such a house ; they tell him that
monsieur is not there, but they do not call him by any
name. He goes to another house, the servant opens to
him and calls him M. X."
In his newspaper, La R^publique sociale of July 22,
1894, Dr. Ferroul spoke of this meeting at the office of
the sub-prefect and quoted the words used in regard to
himself by the sub-prefect, but without saying in Avhat
way he had obtained the information.
The sub-prefect in great agitation sent for the chief
commissioner. Dr. Ferroul was warned and again made
use of the somnambulist, who gave him certain information,
and amongst it the following :
" Ah ! the commissioner thinks you have obtained the
information through me, but he does not dare say so."
(The case of the servant that disappeared had been
spread abroad, and was doubtless the cause of this mental
reflection of the commissioner.)
However, the sub-prefect and the commissioner, im-
puting some indiscretion to Chaubet and Tirefort, asked
Dr. Ferroul to dismiss the two detectives. Dr. Ferroul
refused. They then made a report to the prefect against
the two agents, one was dismissed and the other suspended.
In his following issue Dr. Ferroul protested, and men-
tioned the list and the letter in blue pencil.
The conviction of the commissioner resulted from the
fact that the two detectives were not present when the
detective passed the list and the anonymous letter to
the sub-prefect, which was pointed out to the commissioner
when the Bepublique sociale mentioned these documents.
"It is therefore you," they said to the commissioner,
334 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
" who has informed the mayor what you said at the sub-
prefect's office."
Two or three days afterwards, Dr. David, a physician at
Narbonne, was in a carriage with the commissioner, going
to the suburbs to make a medico-legal examination.
Adroitly leading the conversation up to hypnotic pheno-
mena, the commissioner asked Dr. David if he thought
it possible a sleeping subject could go and witness the acts
and gestures of persons at a distance."
" Quite," replied Dr. David, " but for that there must
be a preliminarj' training and a specially gifted subject."
" Well, there are no means of making the sub-prefect
believe that ; he says it is all humbug."
" In order to settle it, shut yourself up with the
sub-prefect at an appointed time ; if Dr. Ferroul tells
you exactly what you have said, the sub-prefect will be
satisfied."
" Bless me, no ! He would say that I had divulged
it, and I should be discharged."
" On the day that you were alone with the sub-prefect
did you not think that it was through Anna that Ferroul
had these particulars ? "
" Upon my word, yes ? But I did not dare to say so
for fear the sub-prefect would laugh at me."
Another Case of Lucidity obtained with Anna B.
in 1894
Two groups, over five hundred yards apart, had arranged
to experiment at the same time.
Dr. Ferroul, Dr. David, and Anna B. were in one room,
and the persons in the other were to act in any way they
pleased.
A simple pass over her eyes was sufficient to put Anna
into the state of lucid somnambulism. She always spoke
in a low voice, with a confident air, and emphasised what
she said by putting her finger on her nose.
In this experiment she preserved, as in an ordinary
dream, the perception of distance. Dr. Ferroul having
LUCIDITY IN DEEP SOMNAINIBULISM 335
given her the order to go to the other group, she imagined
that she was going thither on foot with him and said :
" Do not go so quickly ; I cannot foll(jw you."
She then described the persons assembled there, some
of whom were unknown to her, and Doctors Ferroul and
David. She gave their names when she heard them
named by the other persons.
Here is one part of her statements :
" They say that that is not possible."
" Yet, let us try," said M. B.
" What shall we do ? " said M. H.
" Play some innocent games," Mme. H. said.
" Ah ! they put little K. in the midst of them ; they
bandage her eyes (here she gave a description of the
game).
"No matter," says M. B., "we look like a lot of
gathered here."
" Oh ! oh ! " says M. H. ; " there are ladies present, &c."
Dr. Ferroul took a note of all that the subject said,
and when the experiment was over he put the report
into an envelope and sent it immediately to the persons
assembled ; the account was found correct in every detail.
Letter Lost and Read by Lucidity
Dr. Ferroul had not received a letter to which a reply
was urgently requested.
He mstructed Anna B. to go to the house of the person
who had written the letter and who lived in a distant
town, and to go back so many days in order to come to
the time at which the letter was written, and to find out
what had become of it. Anna said she saw this person
taking the letter to post and put it in the letter-box.
Dr. Ferroul told her to follow the letter.
But having retained the idea of comparative dimen-
sions, she resisted and said :
" Me ! go into that little hole ? Never."
Seeing that she was going to cry, Dr. Ferroul awakened
336 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
her, then put her to sleep again and recommenced, but
telUng her to read the letter while it was being written.
Anna read it, and Dr. Ferroul replied as though he had
received the letter. His reply and the particulars after-
wards received agreed absolutely with what the sensitive
had said.
M. X., a friend of Dr. Ferroul, had gone to Poitiers
a few days before. Dr. Ferroul wished to try, by way of
experiment, to find out when he would return. In thought
he transported Anna to the station at Poitiers.
Anna, who knew M. X., spoke of seeing him on his
arrival at the station, and said that he took a carriage.
" Ah, well," said Dr. F., " get in with him."
" But he will see me."
" No, do not be frightened, I am a sorcerer, and he
will not see you."
The somnambulist passed from one point to another
of the events as they occurred, just as takes place in an
ordinary dream. She observed first of all the name of the
street and the number of the house to which M. X. went ;
then she said that he was introduced to some people whom
he called M. and Mme. M., whom Dr. F. did not know at all.
The somnambulist then spoke of a luncheon, in the
course of which M. X. said that he did not care for the
wine they gave him until it had been five or six years in
bottle ; then she spoke of other incidents.
Suddenly she said : " Oh, do you know, he thinks
that he must send a telegram announcing his return at
seven o'clock the day after to-morrow."
" But on what day does he think that ? "
" I do not know."
" Is there not a calendar there ? "
" Ah, yes, I see one on the wall ; but what date is it
to-day?"
" The fourth," said M. F.
"Then they have forgotten to tear off three leaves,
because it is marked first, I see."
City of Paris, October 1st, menu of the day, such and
such dishes.
LUCIDITY IN DEEP SOMNAMBULISM 337
Dr. Ferroul telegraphed on the chance to the address
given by the somnambulist, asking that they would send
him the calendar in the dining-room without touching it,
and he would return it the next day.
He received the calendar, which bore the date of
October 1st, as Anna had declared. M. X. arrived by train
at seven o'clock in the morning, and said that all that
the somnambulist had stated was correct.
Receding through an Opaque Sealed Packet
On November 19, 1894, Dr. Ferroul succeeded with
his subject Anna in a very remarkable experiment of
reading through an opaque packet, through which a
normal person, endowed with good sight, could not read
by transparence. This packet consisted of: —
1. An opaque green outer envelope ;
2. A second envelope of English paper enclosed in the
first ;
3. Two sheets of cross-ruled paper, enclosing
4. Another sheet on which two verses were written.
Thus there were two envelopes and tAvo sheets of paper
to pass through before coming to the sheet containing the
inscription to be read.
The outside envelope was sealed with five seals on the
back; a supplementary seal was placed on the front of
the envelope, just opposite to one of the corner seals on
the back.
A hole had been made in the envelope, at the place
where the two seals were to come, in order that the wax,
penetrating through this hole, might fasten the second
envelope inside the first and not allow it to be withdrawn
without tearing. Three little dots, hardly perceptible,
had been marked with a pen on the outside envelope
by M. Goupil, who had carefully measured the distances
between them. M. Goupil had also made a drawing of
the seals, carefully indicating their outlines and the black
spots with which they were covered, in order to be quite
Y
338 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
certain of being able to recognise them and make sm'e that
they were his own seals.
The inside envelope bore in the corners the letters a,
b, c, d, traced with a pencil (the 6 seen upside down might
be mistaken for a 2) ; it bore also two dots at a measured
distance apart. The a Avas enclosed between the two seals
opposite one another, and which passed through the first
envelope. It was perhaps because of this that the somnam-
bulist did not see this letter, which was hidden on both
sides by the wax.
The packet was entrusted to Dr. Ferroul, who was
entirely ignorant of its contents, in order that he might
cause it to be read by his subject when in a state of
somnambulism. When he had made the experiment
he returned with the packet and a sheet of paper on
which he had written down the information given by
the subject.
After a very careful examination the packet was
recognised as being quite intact.
Dr. Ferroul then handed to M. Fabre the sheet of
paper giving the following particulars : —
" White English paper envelope d, 2, c.
" Square-ruled, another paper inside.
'"' The man has made two verses ; he is not making
game of me.
" Votre parti certainement
Se tue par I'assainissement."
(This sheet also bore the following note by Dr.
Ferroul :)
" On awaking her she told me that she had dreamed it
and had told it to some one. This person has codjc and
attested this."
This sheet having been examined and read by the eight
witnesses of this experiment, M. Goupil handed the packet
to M. Aldy, lawyer, that he might open it, and that the
witnesses might at once ascertain what was the result.
As shown by the official report prepared at the time, the
success of the experiment was complete. The very con-
LUCIDITY IN DEEP S(3MNA]MHULISM 339
cise note added by Dr. Ferroul to the description of the
packet by the subject needs to be made more complete.
After the somnambuKst had declared Avhat was in the
packet, Dr. Ferroul awakened her and told her what she
had said.
" Oh," said she, " I dreamed it three days ago, and I
said to X. that I would read you a packet in which there
were two verses ending in mient, but all that I remembered
was that the last word was assainissement."
Dr. Ferroul then called the person in question, who
asserted that Anna had really said this.
Official Report
Narbonne, November 19, 1894.
The undersigned, assembled at the Cafe de la Bourse
at half-past eight this evening, certify as follows : —
Dr. Ferroul having declared to us that he would prove
the lucidity of Mile. A. with regard to a sealed packet pro-
vided by M. Goupil, first asked M. Goupil to certify that
his packet remained intact.
Dr. Ferroul then handed to M. Fabre, restaurant-
keeper, the writing in pencil herewith enclosed, containing
the statements by Mile. A.
"White envelope, English paper, d, 2, c.
" A sheet of paper cross-ruled.
" Another sheet of paper inside.
"The man makes two verses; he is not making fun
of me.
" Votre parti certainement
Se tue par I'assainissement."
After the witnesses had examined the pencil writing
drawn up by Dr. Ferroul according to the dictation of his
subject, M. Goupil handed to M. Aldy, principal deputy-
mayor and laAvyer, the sealed envelope in order that he
might open it himself ; the second envelope was slightly
torn at the corner where the two seals were, and the
340 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
witnesses found that cverytliing was in conformity with
the statements made by the subject.
Made at Narbonne, November 19, 1894.
Hubert Fabre.
MuRAT, municipal councillor.
Dr. Ferroul, mayor.
Aldy, lawyer.
PiGLOWSY, landowner.
F. NfeGRE, journalist.
Maymou, restaurant-keeiJer.
GouPiL, engineer.
We ought to remark that this experiment took place in
November 1894 — that is to say, more than a year before
Rontgen's discovery was known. Radiography is there-
fore here out of the question, and in spite of the fact that
it enables expert operators to photograph and therefore
read writing enclosed in an opaque packet, it in no way
diminishes the value of this experiment, which seems to
have been carried out under the best conditions.
CHAPTER XXV
LUCIDITY IN THE FUTURE
A Phenomenon Studied by the Society of Scientific
Psychology at Munich
We shall devote this chapter to the study of a case of
lucidity in the future, which has been scientifically
ascertained and verified by the Society of Scientific
Psychology at Munich. The following is the report of
the President of this Society.
Karl du Prel left to the Society of Scientific Psy-
chology at Munich a document which has been legally
transmitted to me as President of this Society. It was
contained in a packet of which the superscription, seals,
&c., are minutely described further on.
In 1892 du Prel deposited this document in the
hands of M. Wenglein, notary and councillor to the court
at Munich, who did not wish to open it himself, although
he was authorised to do so, under certain conditions, as
will be seen later. I, in my turn, left it in the office of
M. Ptindter, successor to M. Wenglein, who had died in the
meantime. I went to the painter Hubert Frosch, whose
name was inscribed on the packet as holding full powers
from Baron du Prel to decide, after his death, the date for
opening the document ; I wished to obtain from him
certain explanations as to the matter, of which I was
quite ignorant, and to come to an agreement with him,
in any case, as to the date of opening. M. Frosch told
me that it related to some very remarkable predictions
made at Jerusalem in 1885, and which had been verified
in a surprising manner in almost every detail. A great
part of those predictions having been realised in 1891, he
found occasion, through others, to inform Baron du Prel
342 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
of this affair, and the latter drew up a statement, on his
information, in order to verify such of the predicted facts
as had not yet been realised. Mme. Frosch confirmed to
me the repeated surprises which her husband had experi-
enced, on finding the events prophesied realised one after
another ; she gave me the details of these events, which
chiefly concerned the deceased painter Bruno Piglhein
and his relations with Karl Frosch, all corresponding
perfectly with the account given by her husband. This
lady had had special reason for fixing in her memory all
that her husband had so impressively related to her, after
his return from the East, about these curious prophecies ;
for she herself played a part in them which is not indi-
cated in the documentary account made known later.
According to her husband, the prophet had predicted that
she also would become a painter, would earn high dis-
tinction, and give lessons in painting.
M. Frosch had protested in vain against this pre-
diction, asserting that such a thing would never happen.
At the time when this prophecy was given M. Frosch
might have been right ; but as time went on and brought
its vicissitudes it nevertheless was destined to be realised.
Mme. Frosch became a painter of flowers of some repute,
under the pseudonym of Maria Nyl, and did not lack
either honours or pupils. The opening of the document
was finally fixed for November 30, 1899, at half-past ten
in the morning, at the office of the notary M. Plindter.
The following is the text of the notarial memorandum
relative to the opening of the document : —
Notary's Statement
This day, November 30, 1899, there appeared before
me, Dr. Franz Plindter, royal notary at Munich, at my
office, the undermentioned gentlemen : —
1. Ritter Eugcn von Stieler, painter, of Munich.
2. Karl Hubert Frosch, painter, of Munich.
3. Karl Albert Baur, painter, of Munich.
4. Ludwig Deinhard, author, of Munich.
LUCIDITY IN THE FUTURE 343
5. Martin Grief, author, of Munich.
6. Dr. Walter Bormann, author, of Munich.
These gentlemen requested me to state by notarial
document as follows : —
Dr. Walter Bormann, in the first place, deposited a
document signed by Dr. August Ullrich, Director of the
High School for Girls at Nuremberg, and dated the 25th
of this month, conferring upon him full power to re-
place him at the opening of du Prel's document by the
accredited notary, and the right to act in his place as
might be necessary.
The same gentleman handed to the notary a packet
sealed with five private seals and bearing on its front the
following superscription : " Property of the Society of
Scientific Psychology at Munich. This document is to
be opened at a time determined by me. In case of my
decease, M. Karl Frosch will fix the time. It is to be
opened in the presence of the persons whose seals are
affixed to the back of the packet. Munich, January 14,
1892. Karl du Prel."
On the back of the packet are affixed five different
seals, each with a signature, as follows : —
1. January 21, 1892, Karl Albert Baur, Hesses-
strasse 1a.
2. Demhard, February 12, 1892, Georgenstrasse 13, II.
3. Paul du Prel, Herrenstrasse 13.
4. February 3, 1892, Eugen von Stieler, Fiirstenstrasse
16, 11.
5. Dr. A. Ullrich, Schlossstrasse 6a, I.
The gentlemen present mentioned at the commence-
ment of this document first assured themselves that the
packet handed in by Dr. Bormann was intact in every
part, and, in particular, that the seals were intact ; then
these same gentlemen, especially those who had signed
the packet on the back — that is to say, Karl Albert Baur,
Ludwig Deinhard and Eugen von Stieler, as well as Dr.
Bormann, empowered by Dr. August Ullrich — requested
me to open the said packet in the presence of the persons
344 PSYCHICAI. PHENOMENA
assembled, the signatories of the packet having recognised
as valid the authority given by Dr. August Ullrich of
Nuremberg to Dr. Bormann, and Baron Carl du Prel, one
of the signatories to the envelope having been declared to
have died on August 5th of this year. In conformity
with the invitation given me, I opened the envelope given
me in the presence of the persons above mentioned and
drew therefrom a sheet of large-sized letter paper, having
writing on all four sides, the writing commencing as
follows : — Statement : " Munich, December 27, 1891. To-
day at four o'clock in the afternoon the following gentle-
men came to me," and ending with the words : " Perhaps
again the seer purposely remains obscure and passed over
in silence the clear and distinct vision that he may have
had on this point. Carl du Prel.
K. Frosch, Painter."
This document was read before the gentlemen present,
word for word, by me, the notary, in the exercise of my
duty, in accordance with their wish ; then it was returned
with the envelope to Dr. Bormann. Dr. Bormann claimed
a copy of the preceding attestation, and added that in
his capacity of President of the Society of Scientific Psy-
chology of Munich he was qualified, as well as M. Dein-
hard, a member of the Executive Committee of that
Society, their claims being officially recognised, to sign
this copy. A minute to this effect was adopted and duly
signed. Before signing. Dr. Bormann again handed to the
notary the document mentioned in the preceding attesta-
tion and invited him to add to the present statement a
certified copy of the document, and to file it among the
other papers. This statement was read, adopted, and
signed.
Eugen von Stieler.
Karl H. Frosch.
Karl Albert Bauer.
Ludwig Deinhard, member of the Executive Committee
of the Society of Scientific Psychology.
Martin Grief.
LUCIDITY IN THE FUTURE 345
Dr. Walter Boriiiann, President of the Society of Scien-
tific Psychology.
Dr. Piindter, royal notary.
The following is the purport of the document in
question, with the omission of some unimportant pass-
ages, which are left out because some persons now living
are there designated, and which, moreover, contain some
unrealised predictions concerning the artist Frosch.
Ka.rl du Prel's Documents
Munich, December 27, 1891. To-day at four o'clock in
the afternoon, MM. Martin Grief, author; Ernest Miiller,
artist ; and Karl Frosch, artist, came to me. Karl Frosch
related to me as follows : —
In April 1885, 1 was at Jerusalem in company with the
artist Bruno Piglhein and his wife, as well as the artists
Joseph Krieger and Rene Reinike. We lodged at the
German hospice. We were one day introduced to an
elderly gentleman, said to be a professor at Edinburgh and
an orientalist, named . . . the name is omitted in the
document, because at the time of draAving it up M. Karl
Frosch had forgotten it ; he was afterwards easily able to
ascertain the name at the hospice. It was Robert Laing,
born in Scotland, but not a professor at Edinburgh, as is
wrongly stated here. He was then a Fellow of Corpus
Christi College, Oxford, and perhaps the same person as
a member of the Society of Psychical Research, R. Laing,
at present Professor at the Boys' High School at Christ-
church, New Zealand ; he joined us at our table. He
often spoke of strange things — saying, for example, to M.
Reinike, that he had known him in a previous existence
and conversed on things relating to the transmigration of
souls, so that we regarded him with astonishment, and
could not help thinking that he was slightly deranged.
One day, after the meal — I remember very well all the
circumstances of this colloquy — he said to me : " Ah, well,
'gentlemen, your work — a panorama of Jerusalem which
we had painted conjointly — your work interests me, and I
346 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
am determined to consult the future as to your destiny,
and Avhat will happen to you all. "You two," he said,
pointing to Piglhein and myself, "will become mortal
enemies through your work." This statement made us
both laugh, but he continued :
" And you, this affair will be your loss,"
"Mine!" I cried.
" Not yours," he replied, " but this gentleman's." And
he pointed to Piglhein.
"And what will his loss be!" I asked, I expected it
would be a fall of Piglhein from his artist's trestle or
something similar.
But my interlocutor added: "The painting will be
finished ; but something will happen in connection with
this matter, Avith this painting, and that will be your
loss, Monsieur Piglhein,"
Piglhein laughed and said : " Really, you are a pleasant
companion."
His wife also laughed, and wished to know at what time
this event would come to pass.
" Will the picture be finished ? " I asked.
"Yes," he replied; "but the event will happen some
years hence."
Mme. Piglhein laughing, said that after some years,
twenty or thirty perhaps, her husband would surely die.
"No," he replied, "if I speak of some years it means
five or ten years. It may be ten years, but it will not be
longer, because I have seen it too distinctly, and when
I see a thing clearly it happens within about ten years."
" And what will happen to me ? " I asked.
"You will paint the picture three or four times and
nothing unpleasant will happen to you."
" But why shall we become mortal enemies ? " I asked,
" Because of this painting," he replied, " You will have
to see many countries on account of this business. I have
seen the sea and a boat, and that indicates a long voyage.
You will find yourself on this boat with two painters, I
have seen that very distinctly. The sight of these two
painters struck me ; they are wearing peculiar cloaks and
LUCIDITY IN THE FUTURE 347
fur-lined caps such as I have never seen before either in
England or at Jerusalem. You seem to have suffered
much from sea-sickness ; you are really looking ill. You
will take one of your panoramas to England, perhaps
because of a proposition that will be made to you. I see
that distinctly. I see St. Paul's Cathedral in London
Avith its great dome. From this time you will have a
lawsuit because of this picture ; this suit will originate in
London. There will be proceedings, and action will also
be taken against you in Germany."
" What will be the result ? "
" Nothing ; the suits will have no results."
" What more will happen to me ? "
" Nothing but good."
" How many times shall I paint the picture ? " then
asked M. Reinike.
" You will not even take part in its completion."
" But I wish to take part in it ; that is the purpose of
my journey to Jerusalem."
" What of that ! You will not take part in this paint-
ing."
At this moment Krieger, who had been absent up to
now, came into the room. I related to him what had
been said, and urged him to also ask for a prediction for
himself. At first he refused, because he was obliged to go
out again, but he presently asked :
" Shall I marry ? "
" Yes, but it will not be a happy marriage. It will not
be long before you are divorced."
The seer urged us to write down all that he had said.
He might have said many more things, he said, but he
did not wish to continue since we were not willing to
believe even what he had already said.
" Have you heard of second-sight ? " he asked me.
" I have heard it said that it is common in Scotland."
" Well, I am gifted with this second-sight," remarked
the seer.
I ought to add that the seer wore on his finger a ring
which had been given to him by a Brahmin to whom he
348 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
had rendered a service. When he desbed information on
any subject he had only to look at this ring, and then he
saw a picture forming before him, like a dream. When
it was a town, he saw it from above, over the country.
Before we parted he again repeated to me once more that
the words he had already used, " This affair will be your
loss," did not apply to both of us, Piglhein and myself,
but only to Piglhein. That was a matter of course, he
observed, since otherwise what he had prophesied could
not come true.
" In the five years that are to come," he added, " you
will suffer much unpleasantness."
" However, I am pleased with Munich," I replied, " and
I have no intention of leaving that city."
" So many unpleasant things will happen that Munich
will cease to be so congenial to you. But after that you
will be happier. Your life will be quiet, and you will
reach a good age."
Among the events predicted, the following have since
come to pass. I really made long journeys in connection
with this picture, particularly to America. My colleagues,
two German artists, who came from America over this
matter, and invited me to make this voyage, had made
for them in Munich a kind of shepherd cloaks with capes,
like the peasants of the good old times used to wear,
furnished with large metal clasps, almost as big as plates.
They made a sensation everywhere, and also on board
ship. I was really sea-sick on the voyage, and was ill
for six days.
The artist Reinike did not, in fact, work on the picture.
I painted it four times. One of the copies came from
America to London under my name, but against my wish
and desire. In connection with this a lawsuit was com-
menced at London. The picture was confiscated because
M. Haider (who was the owner of it) had already let out
the picture to an English contractor, who, by virtue of this
fact, issued proceedings against the American compan3^
I Avas also prosecuted at the Munich court for infringe-
ment. But as the seer had said, it came to nothing. The
LUCIDITY IN THE FUTURE 349
day before the trial, when I was at dinner, I received a
letter from my lawyer, Dr. Vimmer, telling me that the
trial would not take place, because the plaintiff had
abandoned the suit at the last moment. He therefore
had to bear the heavy cost of the proceedings.
Piglhein and myself were set at variance on this
occasion. As to the artist Krieger, he has married since
then, but has entered an action for divorce against his
wife. (On this point see the statement below made by
M. Krieger. Shortly afterwards the divorce was granted,
as Mr. Laing had predicted.)
I will also add that the statement of the seer concern-
ing Piglhein's loss must not be understood in a pecuniary
sense. It is sufficient to recall the question that Mme.
Piglhein put on this point (as has been given above, with
the seer's reply).
As in the course of these later years a great part of
the prophecies in question have been realised, contrary
to our expectation, I went, on the proposition of M. Martin
Grief, in company with the gentlemen named above, to
Dr. Carl du Prel who — in order to establish documentary
evidence in favour of the reality of second-sight, in the
event of the remainder of the prophecies being realised —
wrote out the present statement, the accuracy of which I
certify by my signature, with this reservation, that having
reported the facts from memory I cannot guarantee the
literal exactness of the conversations held.
K. Frosch, Artist.
Addition viade by Dr. Carl du Prel
That part of the prophecy which concerns M. Piglhein is
couched in abstract terms, whilst the second-sight visions
are always concrete.
I conclude from this that this part of the prophecy has
another source than the others, and may not be realised ;
perhaps agam the seer purposely remains obscure and
passed over in silence the clear and distinct vision that he
may have had on this point. Carl du Prel.
350 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
The document ends here. After the statement was
drawn up in December 1891, and the packet had been
secured with seals affixed by four persons besides Dr. du
Prel, and the document deposited with the notary in 1892,
the following facts occurred : —
During the night of April 27th to 28th, 1892, a fire at
Vienna destroyed in a moment this picture of Jerusalem
with the crucifixion of Christ, which had entailed so much
labour, executed with the richest resources of art, so uni-
versally known and admired, and which Piglhein had
executed with the assistance of the artists Karl Frosch
and Josef Krieger. Bruno Piglhein braced himself against
this stroke of fortune and conceived the idea of painting
the picture again, of reproducing it more beautifully than
ever, thus setting destiny at defiance. This desire was
not realised, and the poor artist died of heart-disease at
Munich on July 15, 1894. (He was born at Hamburg on
February 19, 1848.)
But is it permissible to say that there was an agree-
ment between these events and the prophecy of Robert
Laing ? After the death of Piglhein in 1894, Carl du Prel
did not open the document, whether it was because his
engagements had caused him to "forget its existence, or
whether he had not thought that these subsequent events
formed a realisation of the prophecy. This was not the
way in which the artist Frosch looked upon it ; as he told
me, after the destruction of the picture as Avell as on
the death of Piglhein, which happened nine years after the
prophecy, therefore within the approximate limit of ten
years which was fixed, he vividly recalled the seer and
wished to know if du Prel had opened the document
in order to set before the world the realisation of this
prophecy. Meeting Baron du Prel in the street one day
he felt impelled, he said, to speak to him and remind
him of the facts ; but he did nothing. It is greatly to
be regretted that the prophecies were not committed to
writing in 1885, as Robert Laing had asked. If what
was written by du Prel, according to the statements of
M. Frosch at the end of 1894, is compared with the events
LUCIDITY IN THE FUTURE 351
which afterwards occurred, it cannot be said that there
is an absolute realisation of the prophecy, although there
is an almost complete agreement between the statement
and the facts. M. Frosch thought that the destruction of
the picture was mentioned in the statement of the pre-
dictions, and he formally declared this to me before the
document was opened on November 30th. As the docu-
ment after being opened did not bear out his statement,
he declared he was convinced he had told the Baron of
this fact, and that no doubt du Prel had omitted to insert
it in the statement, and that he himself, on reading it
through too quickly, had failed to notice the omission, as
well as some other slight errors.
In a matter of verification of prophecies it is evident
that the literal accuracy is necessary, and that all delay
in drawing them up, by which their freshness is lost, is
a misfortune. When the hearers of a prophecy fail to
write down immediately what they have heard and await
its realisation in order to pass judgment on it, two possi-
bilities are presented to strict criticism : —
1. As the more or less enigmatical and hidden allusions
concerning a prophesied fact can only be cleared up after
its realisation, the true meaning of the prophecy is only
revealed at that moment, and the words which relate to
it also only come to the memory at the time when their
explanation appears clearly and distinctly.
2. Imagination may, as the realisations are perceived,
pervert the remembrance unwittingly and unconsciously,
and give to the original prophecy, by altering it, however
slightly, a form which makes it harmonise exactly with
the event, as soon as the latter presents some points of
agreement with the sense of the prophecy. It is scarcely
possible that the artist Frosch did speak to the Baron du
Prel of the predicted destruction of the picture, because,
if such had been the case, du Prel would probably not
have used the indefinite expressions contained in the
document : " The painting will be finished ; but something
will happen in connection with this matter, with this
painting, and that will be your loss, Monsieur Piglhein."
352 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
It would rather seem that the exact words of the
prophet were not remembered by Frosch, which would
not be astonishing after an interval of six years and a half,
and that for this reason he had given to the prophecy this
indefinite form, which did not completely miss its true
meaning even if it did not fully express it. Moreover,
M. Frosch in all sincerity declared himself, at the end of
the document, that he could not guarantee the literal
accuracy of the conversations which took place. If Laing
had predicted the destruction of the picture, such a
prophecy, some would think, would have impressed a
painter destined to take so important a part in its con-
struction too vividly for him to have forgotten it.
This objection is not without weight; but it is not
final, because all of us, as years go by, gain this psycho-
logical experience, that even facts and events which have
acted most powerfully on our mind and heart disappear
from our memory, until the moment perhaps when some
powerful stimulus awakens these emotions which were
apparently effaced and brings them again to life.
Thus we find that the recollection may be effaced of
psychical facts much more important than more or less
imaginary predictions. If in reality, at the moment of
the drawing up of the document, the prediction of the
destruction of the picture was no longer present to M.
Frosch's memory, nothing is more natural than that it
should be revived in his mind after the fire. From that
the thought that he had informed du Prel of this prophecy
is only a step. Be that as it may, here is the declaration
of M. Karl Frosch as it was drawn up by me in his
presence.
" M. Karl Hubert Frosch, artist, of Munich, affirms
that he clearly recollects that Mr. Laing told him of the
destruction of the picture, and that the account which
he gave to Baron du Prel made mention of this fact.
He adds that he, moreover, asked Mr, Laing in what way
the picture would be destroyed, to which he replied that
he had a vision of it but had forgotten this detail.
" The prophet spoke German well, as can also be
LUCIDITY IN THE FUTURE 355
attested by M. Boyer, the proprietor of the hospice at
Jerusalem. Karl H. Frosch."
"Munich, December Q, 1899."
The shrewd remark added to the document by du Prei
concerning the abstract nature of the greater part of pre-
dictions of this character would not apply here, in case
the seer had forgotten the vision, as M, Frosch says in
his declaration, and had only announced the fact of the
destruction. The artist Josef Krieger has also personally
given his testimony, in the same way as M. Frosch, accord-
ing to the recollections which remained with him : —
" The artist Joseph Krieger afHrms the following with
regard to the prophecies made at Jerusalem in 1885, in
his presence, by the Scotchman, Robert Laing. The de-
struction of the panorama and the death of Piglhein were
prophesied to occur within a period of ten years. Further,
M. Krieger recollects that, according to the statement of
the prophet, Piglhein would only paint the picture once
whilst M. Frosch would paint it several times. He also
recollects the elegant gesture Piglhein made by touching
the front of his head, indicating that this gentleman was
not in his right mind. He likewise understood that
Reinike, according to the prophet, would not collaborate
in the work. Finally, he confirms the prediction made
with regard to himself, concerning his marriage, which
was precisely realised.
"He related that Mr. Laing wore a ring at which it
was his habit to look when he wished to obtain visions.
"M. Krieger again met the prophet two years after-
wards, when travelling in Norway. He passed him in a
carriage and was recognised by him, but no words were
exchanged.
" M. Krieger did not hear it stated that MM. Frosch
and Piglhein would become mortal enemies, and that
there would be a lawsuit, because he was obliged to be
absent on an urgent matter at the time when this was
said. ' Josef Krieger."
"Munich, December 6, 1899."
354 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
Mme. Nyl Frosch affirms that, according to the state-
ments which her husband made to her, in the first place
the seer had formally prophesied that both the picture
and Piglhein would perish. Moreover, what could be the
fact " in relation to this matter, to this picture," which was
to bring about the loss of Piglhein ? Besides the lawsuit
and the destruction of the picture itself, it is difficult to
imagine other possibilities. Moreover, another lawsuit of
several years' duration followed the burning of the pano-
rama, because the Austrian insurance company, the Phoenix,
refused to pay the sum fixed, which amounted to 150,000
marks. They ended by paying; making only a small
deduction. We do not know whether in reference to this
Piglhein had any difficulties with the owner of the picture.
The confirmation of the prediction relative to the
destruction of the panorama would have had a very
special importance as regards the exact verification of
Laing's prophecies, because the death of Piglhein, within
the interval of ten years fixed by the seer, is of no great
value, since many persons die in a similar lapse of time.
At all events, it is of importance as far as it does not
contradict the prediction ; therefore it does not annul it,
without, however, verifying it.
That this sudden destruction of his great picture must
have deeply affected the artist, who was already suffering
from heart-disease, and might accelerate his death, is not
an improbable hypothesis. It is almost certain, from the
psychological experience which we have as to the artistic
temperament. This is confirmed by Captain Haider, the
former proprietor of the panorama, who wrote me from
Burghausen, near Salzach.
" The loss of this, his largest work, deeply affected him.
When I sent to his studio (Landwehrstrasse, 28), on the
morning of the 28th, the unfortunate telegram, immedi-
ately before my departure for Vienna, he embraced me,
and we both wept like two children. Then he said to me :
' The wooden pavilion at 42 Goethestrasso is still standing ;
send immediately to stop its demolition ; we will paint
a new Calvary, and it will be better than the last one.'
LUCIDITY IN THE FUTURE 355
He wanted to do it for 80,000 marks (he had received
150,000 marks for the first picture). I made them stop
the demolition at once, and went to Vienna, then to my
partner, M. Notoff, at Dresden. I begged him to contract
for the new picture, but he firmly refused."
The strong desire that Piglhein had to recommence
his work proved of itself what a blow this destruction of
his work had been to him. We must add to this the in-
fluence of the irritating lawsuit before the destruction of
the picture, and which was equally " in relation to this
matter, to this picture," as stated in the document. It is
possible that the seer may have used this exact expression
to indicate the lawsuit in question, and that he had also
predicted the destruction of the work.
I also thought it my duty to seek for the evidence of
the two other persons living at Munich, whose presence
at Laing's prophecies is indicated in the document.
(Professor) Piglhein's wife, whom I visited in company
of Dr. Fealk Schupp, Vice-president of the Society of
Scientific Psychology of Munich, could not remember
either the prophecy or the prophet; but she was of
opinion that since MM. Frosch and Krieger guaranteed
the reality of the fact, she had no reason to doubt its
accuracy. She was certain that if any one had spoken to
her husband in her presence of his approaching death,
he being very excitable by reason of his heart complaint,
she would have laughed heartily in order to efface this
unpleasant impression. The very remarkable thing is that
Mme. Piglhein is specially mentioned twice in the docu-
ment as laughing at the doleful words of the prophet,
which is in favour of the sincerity of her present state-
ment as well as that of the document.
The artist Rene Reinike could not remember the
prophecies, but he remembered Robert Laing very well.
He stated that, young as he was, these singular events
would not have had the slightest attraction for him, and
that the observations of Robert Laing, who wished to
assign to him, amongst other things, a previous existence
among the Arabs, had simply seemed absurd to him.
356 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
In order to give greater force and evidence to the
preceding events, and to offer fresh proofs of the good
memory of the artists Frosch and Krieger, I asked these
gentlemen to Avrite me a description of Robert Laing, and
the place where the prophecy was made. M. Karl Frosch
very willingly consented. As to the appearance of the
seer, he wrote with great sincerity : " I only recall that he
was of medium height, with greyish hair, with a sharp
look, and as he walked he bent his body slightly forward."
As M. Frosch was specially engaged upon decorative
painting, he was able, with a sure hand, to draw a sketch
of the dining-room, of antique aspect, Avith a wide and
high- vaulted roof, of the hospice, which was once one of
the residences of the Templars.
The artist Krieger, although he was quite willing to
accede to my request, has not yet been able to do so, as
he was suddenly called away to a distance.
Lastly, I wrote to Mr. Laing at Christchurch, New
Zealand, asking him to give me his evidence should he
be the same person as Robert Laing. I told him nothing
as to the events which had occurred and to which the
prophecies related, nor as to the tenor of these pro-
phecies; I merely asked him to let me know what he
still remembered of the predictions he had made. Al-
though seers quickly forget the visions they have had, it
is permissible to think that Robert Laing would at least
have partly preserved the recollection, if not of his
visions at that time, at least of the statements ho had
made to those concerned. As soon as I receive a reply
I shall at once publish it.
For the explanation of this prevision of the future, we
may profitably consult the profound considerations on this
subject in the second volume of du Prel's work on the Dis-
covery of tJie Soul (Leipzig, lo85). With regard to the part
the Brahmin's ring played m the visions, Ave may consider
that to be purely auto-suggestive. The above-mentioned
case does not unfortunately present the absolute eviden-
tial guarantees required for a purely critical examination.
Nevertheless, the knoAvledge and the discussion of the
LUCIDITY IN THE FUTURE 357
events that are reported seem to us calculated to awaken
the interest which the study of so delicate a problem as
prophecy deserves, and we may learn from it that all
statements in reference to such matters ought to be
drawn up at the proper time and with scrupulous
accuracy. Dr. W. Bormann.^
After having studied this very curious and well attested
case of lucidity, wishing to have some more precise in-
formation as to the personality of the subject himself,
and hoping to obtain from him some new experiences,
I asked one of the English correspondents of the Societe
Universelle d'Etudes Psychiques to find Robert Laing
and put me into communication with him. The following
are the particulars I received of this person who is endowed
with so strange a faculty ; —
R. L. is a most curious person. He is sixty-two years
of age, and a bachelor. He was shut up for some years as
a madman, and willingly speaks of what he saw and the
tricks he played while he was in the asylum.
He has changed his name, has travelled considerably ;
has resided for a number of years in the East, lived
amongst the Brahmins, the Moravian Brothers, in monas-
teries, in German universities, in the Latin quarter, &c.
He attaches great importance to numbers, letters, forms,
and colours : where we simply speak of a coincidence, he
sees an allegory.
He has read much of Rabbinical and Jewish writings.
He has not only the head of the Wandering Jew — bald
head and long white beard — but also, he states that he
has Jewish blood in his veins. He claims to have had, at
certain times in his life, the recollection, the clear vision
of his previous incarnations, except, he says, for one link
which is missing in the seventeenth century. He also
believes that he profits by the experience and knowledge
he gained during his previous existences.
He possesses a very fine collection of rings, seals,
mysterious emblems, monograms, &c.
1 Extract from Psych. Stuclien, April and May 1900.
358 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
When he drinks wine he puts an enormous ring at the
bottom of his glass.
This gentleman, who has read all the mystics, has a
horror of prearranged and scientifically conducted experi-
ments. He therefore refuses, as he says he has always
done with Myers and others, to furnish material proofs
of the Beyond and of the mysterious powers which have
sometimes acted in him, and which he declares he cannot
explain, although he has left a confession which is not to
be opened until twenty years after his death.
Passive expectancy is his usual attitude, and he has no
wish to act with a view to forcmg his powers or the forces
latent in him : when he feels himself in intimate communion
with the universal mind, he sees himself an instrument, a
witness of the UnknoAvn. All that he has ever been able
to do in the way of reading the past, predicting the future,
&c., belongs to the domain of spiritualism and not of
science. He speaks of finding himself on another plane
of inquiry and perception, almost in another condition of
existence, with which scientific methods have nothing to
do, and in fact it is only by the voice of his intuitions
that he claims to walk towards the truth, the ultimate
reality.
Such is the person whose expressions I have respected.
He seems to have a strange mixture of Oriental, Jewish,
primitive, animistic, and rationalistic Christian opinions
and doctrines.
You, like myself, will regret that I have not been able
to obtain from him any decisive experience.
V. Leuliette,
Corresponding Member of the SocidU Universelle
d'Miides Psychiques.
Our correspondent's report is very complete, as will be
seen, and gives a very clear idea of this strange person-
ality. It is, after all, mysticism which dominates, whether
it be all sincere or mixed with a certain stage effect, as is
quite possible.
The most resrrettable fact is that we arc not able to
LUCIDITY IN THE i'UTURE 359
produce any new experiments in conditions we could our-
selves arrange. But we have other subjects possessing
this faculty of lucidity in regard to the future, with whom
we propose to arrange some methodical experiments. This
question is therefore left for study, and we may expect
definite results from strictly scientific experiments.
CHAPTER XXVI
PHOTOGRAPHY OF THE INVISIBLE OR OF THOUGHT
In a study such as we are making it is impossible not to
notice the photographs of thought. Is thought capable in
any manner Avhatever of impressing a photographic plate ?
This question has already been debated and a certain
number of experiments made. Unfortunately, nearly all
these experiments left something to be desired on some
point, so that it must be said that, at the present time, we
have no sufficiently certain scientific documents on this
question. The reader must please to remember that we
still make great reservations as to this phenomenon, and
we leave to the authors, whom we mention in this chapter,
all the responsibility for the facts they put forward.
Numerous experiments are still in progress, and the near
future may witness the transformation into certainty of
that which is now only hypothetical.
Let no one be astonished, in the first place, at the
difficulty experienced in definitely describing this point
either negatively or affirmatively. We have already made
a number of experiments which have given no result, and
Ave have not been able to draw any conclusion from them.
We know well that certain scientific inquirers have
endeavoured to verify for themselves levitation pheno-
mena, for example ; and that not being able to get them
produced in their presence have immediately come to the
conclusion and stated that these phenomena do not exist,
that in short they are impossible. It has not been our
custom to reason in this manner ; therefore, if we have not
what some persons would consider the advantage of affirm-
ing or denying so rapidly, we shall not suffer in the future
3C0
PHOTOGRAPHY OF THE INVISIBLE 361
from the denials which serve to prove the imprudence
of these hasty and dogmatic conclusions.
We also know very well that if it is possible for thought
to impress a photographic plate and imprint a picture on
it, we are entirely ignorant of the conditions necessary for
this to happen ; and, to specify some of the possible con-
ditions that we can imagine, we do not know whether or
not the plate ought to be placed in a camera, as is done
when photographing an ordinary object. We do not
know whether, instead of the dark camera, which enables
us in ordinary photography to receive the images on the
plate, there is not some quite different apparatus which
would enable it to receive the pictures emitted by our
thoughts.
But let us suppose the most simple case, that is
to say, that an image invisible to our retina, projected
by thought into space, can, by means of an ordinary
apparatus, impress a photographic plate. We do not yet
know how to focus this picture, or what exposure to give.
Let us suppose that an excellent apparatus and some
good photographic plates are placed in the hands of a
man who has never seen a photograph taken, and who is
entirely ignorant how to illuminate the object to be photo-
graphed, how it can be brought to a focus, how to develop,
&c. ; with time and patience he will probably be able some
day to take good photographs, because it is in this way
that the photographic art has been created ; but before
that he must certainly try a multitude of experiments, in
which he will have fogged plates, plates without an im-
pression, &c. And in the course of these experiments, if
he sees some photograph obtained by a better operator,
he will not have the right to deny its authenticity and to
say that it is impossible to photograph, but he "wdll only
be able to say with truth that he does not yet loiow how
to set about it.
On going a little further into the numerous details
which constitute the art of photography, and supposing
it possible to photograph thought, we know nothing as to
the preparation of the plates, which may be very different
362 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
from ordinary plates, or as to the chemicals to be em-
ployed, &e.
It would be puerile to object that, if we need special
and new apparatus, processes,, and chemicals, it would no
longer be photography.
Radiography is not true photography ; and how long a
time has elapsed since the origin of photography before
the means were found for photographing through opaque
bodies. Every one knows that we may set up the most
perfect photographic apparatus, or arrange the most sensi-
tive plates in front of a wooden box in any manner we
please, but we shall never be able to photograph the
objects enclosed in it if we have not an X-ray apparatus.
Who, therefore, can state that there does not exist some
process capable of imprinting on a sensitive plate pictures
which are invisible to our retina ? There is nothing absurd
in this, and those who do not wish to apply themselves
to it cannot, without making themselves supremely ridi-
culous, blame or deride others for such researches.
This being so, let us see what photographs of thought
have been obtained according to the experiments which
have been made up to now.
In a recent essay Colonel de Rochas quoted from a
lecture given on this subject by Mr. J. Traill Taylor; we
will give some extracts from this document.
Mr. Taylor was a man very well known on the other
side of the channel, both as a savant and a photographer ;
he was the author of several works dealing with the
physical and chemical knowledge necessary for the
rational practice of his art ; he was a member of the
Council of the Photographic Society of Great Britain,
and editor of the British Journal of Photography. It was
after some seances which were held in April and May
1892 in Glasgow with a well-known medium, Mr. David
Duguid, in which photographs were obtained of objects
not visible to the spectators, that Frederic Myers, the
eminent author of Human Personality, asked Mr. Taylor
to try to reproduce these extraordinary phenomena in
London with Mr. Duguid, taking the necessary pre-
PHOTOGRAPHY OF THE INVISIBLE 363
cautions to avoid all cause of error, voluntary or
involuntary.
" The presence of smoke " (wrote Mr. Taylor) " may be
considered as implying the existence of flame. Spirit
photography, so called, has of late been asserting its exist-
ence in such a manner as to warrant competent men
making an investigation, conducted under stringent test
conditions, into the circumstances under which such
photographs are produced and exposing the fraud, should
it prove to be such, instead of pooh-poohing it as insensate
because we do not understand how it can be otherwise — a
position that scarcely commends itself as intelligent or
philosophical. If in what follows I call it spirit photo-
graphy instead of psychic photography, it is only in defer-
ence to a nomenclature that extensively prevails, and not
as offering a surmise from any knowledge of my own as to
what is matter and what spirit, or the distinction between
mind, spirit, and matter, for in truth I do not know. I
approach the subject merely as a photographer.
" Before I proceed, a few words on the origin of spirit
photography may not be out of place. In March 1861,
W. H. Mumler, the principal engraver in the employ of
Bigelow Bros. & Kennard, the leading jewellers of Boston,
when whiling away an idle hour as an amateur photo-
grapher, had a form other than that of any one present
developed on his collodion plate. He surmised that it
arose from an image having been previously on the plate,
and its having been imperfectly cleaned off. Subjected to
a more thorough cleaning, the form again appeared more
strongly marked than before, and he could offer no other
explanation than the one given. It got noised abroad
through the press that a spirit had been photographed,
and although Mumler strove to suppress the misrepre-
sentation, as he regarded it, yet he eventually succumbed
to popular demand, and took two hours a day from his
regular work, devoting them to photography This he
had to extend to the whole of each day, entirely discard-
ing his regular profession. Many men of eminence sat to
him, most of whom he did not know at the time. He
364 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
seems to have encouraged his sitters in the adoption of
such test conditions as they deemed satisfactory. The
figures that usually appeared on the plate with the sitters
were, if I rightly infer, those on whom the sitters' minds
had been set. That eminent portrait photographer, Mr.
Wm. Black, of Boston, so well known all over the world
as the inventor of the acid nitrate bath, undertook to
investigate the bona fides of Mumler's methods. Through
a friend who had just previously sat and obtained a figure,
Black offered fifty dollars if Mumler would operate in his
presence and obtain a picture. Invited to come, the acute
Black critically examined camera, plate, dipper, and bath,
and had his eye on the plate from the moment its prepara-
tion began until it was sensitised and locked in the dark
slide, removing it himself from the camera and carrying it
into the dark room, where, on development, a figure of a
man was seen leaning on B.'s shoulder. Black was thunder-
struck, and got away the negative, no charge whatever
having been made. Mumler now claimed publicly to be
a spirit-portrait photographer, and as such he eventually
opened a studio in New York, having previously satisfied
Silver, Gurney, and other photographers as to the genuine-
ness of his claims, never hesitating to operate in their
galleries if required, and with their apparatus and chemi-
cals. Mumler was arrested in New York ; whether on the
ground of witchcraft or of endeavouring to obtain money
under false pretences, I am at present uncertain, but his
trial was the sensation of the day, and numerous witnesses
were examined. He was honourably acquitted.
" In this country, a number of amateur photographers
have investigated this subject with more or less success.
These include some F.R.S.'s, scientists, artists, and
others. I question whether any have so persistently
done so as the late Mr. John Beattie, of Clifton, and
his friend Dr. Thompson. Mr. Beattie was a skilled pro-
fessional photographer of the highest eminence who,
some time prior to his death, had adopted the views of
the spiritualistic school. The figures he obtained on his
plates were much blurred in outline, some being misty in
riiOTOGRAPHY OF THE INVISIBLE 365
the extreme. I possess some two or three dozen of these,
taken by, or in the presence of, Mr. Beattie, whose intelH-
gence, honesty, and powers of observation no one would
venture to doubt. Many such photographs are claimed
to have been produced by Hudson, a professional photo-
grapher, formerly of the Holloway Road, and I submit for
examination a work by the late Miss Houghton, containing
fifty-four of Hudson's spirit photographs.
" There are many ways by which, assuming the genuine-
ness of only one of all spirit photographs hitherto pro-
duced, the spurious article may be made even better than
any alleged real ones I have yet seen. A plate secretly
impressed previous or subsequent to being placed in the
camera fulfils the condition ; so does one at the back of
which is placed a phosphorescent tablet in the dark slide.
Pressure on the surface, such as that of a Woodbury
relief film, also causes an image susceptible of develop-
ment ; in short, trickery in a whole variety of forms may,
and has been, impressed into the service.
" The higher department of fluorescence may with suc-
cess be employed. Here is something to which believers
in the visibility of spirit forms to a camera are quite
welcome. At the time, and a projios of the Mulmer trial
in New York, I wrote that a good many absurd things
have been said -pro and con on the subject ; but a writer
in the latter category, who asserted that anything that is
visible to the eye of the camera, and thus capable of being
depicted by photography, must therefore necessarily be
visible to the human eye, was surely ignorant of that im-
portant branch of physics popularly known as fluorescence.
Many things are capable of being photographed which to
the physical eye are utterly invisible. Why, for that
matter, a room (visually dark) may be full of the ultra-
violet rays of the spectrum, and a photograph may be
taken in that dark light. Objects in a room so lighted
would be plainly visible to the lens of the camera — at
any rate, they could be reproduced on the sensitive plate,
while, at the same time, not an atom of luminousness
could be perceived in the room by any person possessing
366 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
ordinary or normal vision. Hence the photographing of
an invisible image, whether it be of a spirit or a lump of
matter, is not scientifically impossible. If it reflect only
the ultra-violet rays of the spectrum it will be easily
photographed, although quite invisible to the sharpest
eye.
" Again, Cromwell F. Varley, F.R.S., well known as
one of the most eminent of electricians, says (Electricity,
June 1871), when passing a current of electricity through
a vacuum tube, the results of which were indicated by
touches of light about the poles : — In one instance, although
the experiment was carried on in a dark room, this light
was so feeble that it could not be seen, and the operators
doubted if the current were passing. But photography
was at work, and in thirty minutes a very good picture
was produced of what had taken place. This, he says, is
a remarkable fact; indeed, it borders on the wonderful,
that a phenomenon invisible to the human eye should
have been, so to speak, seen by the photographic lens,
and a record of it kept by chemical agency. It is highly
suggestive, and we may anticipate that it will be turned
to good account by practical philosophers.
" Some very striking phenomena in photographing the
invisible may be produced by the agency of fluorescence.
Figures depicted upon a background by one or other of
certain substances I shall presently name, although in-
visible to the eye, may become visible to the camera.
Of these the best known, although not the most eflective,
is bisulphate^of quinine. Such a solution, although to
the eye it is colourless like water, is to the camera as
black as ink. Fill three phials respectively with water,
quinine, and common writing-ink, and you have two
whites and one black, but photograph them, and you
have two blacks and one white. The camera has reduced
the transparent quinine solution to the colour of the
ink. Those of you who may care to experiment in this
direction, please take notice that the quinine must be
acidulated with sulphuric acid, and that hydrochloric
acid, even a small trace, will destroy this property.
PHOTOGRAPHY OF THE INVISHJLK 367
Among other substances that aro fluorescent, or that
change the ret'rangibility of rays of light, are mineral
uranitc, certain salts of uranium, canary glass, alcoholic
solution of chlorophyll, aesculine, tincture of stramonium
seeds, and of turmeric. There are others known to be
still better, but my experiments in this direction are yet
too incomplete to warrant my even indicating them.
" Let me for a moment enter the realm of speculation,
and assume that there are really spirits invisible to the
eye, but visible to the camera and to certain persons
called seers or clairvoyants only. Might we not suggest
that there is some fluorescent compound in the eyes of
such persons not present in those whose eyes are normal,
and that it is to this they owe their seeing powers ? Some
of you may probably be aware that Dr. Bence Jones and
other philosophers have actually established the fact of
such fluorescent substances being found in some eyes.
May not this throw some light upon the recognised fact
of certain animals being able to see in the dark ?
" When the subject of fluorescence is more thoroughly
investigated (it is a discovery of Sir D. Brewster, who was
followed by Herschel and Professor Stokes, and is as yet
but of yesterday), we may hope for a vast accession to our
knowledge of subjects as yet very slightly understood.
" At the Bradford meeting of the British Association for
the Advancement of Science, in 1873, Dr. Gladstone, F.R.S,,
demonstrated before the Mathematical and Physical Sec-
tion what I have said respecting invisible drawings on
white cards having produced bold and clear photographs
when no eye could see the drawings themselves. I myself
brought back to London these photographs, and, for ought
I know, may have them still."
It will be seen that Mr. Taylor is well informed as to
the way in which photographs can be faked. This forms
in our eyes a certain guarantee with regard to the experi-
ments he has himself made, since he could detect simula-
tion better than any one else. Mr. Taylor continues : —
" For several years I have experienced a strong desire
to ascertain by personal investigation the amount of truth
368 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
in the ever-recurring allegation that figures other than
those visually present in the room appeared on a sensitive
plate. The difficulty was to get hold of a suitable person
known as a sensitive or ' medium.' What a medium is,
or how physically or mentally constituted to be different
from other mortals, I am unable to say. He or she may
not be a photographer, but must be present on each
occasion of trial. Some may be mediums without their
being aware of it. Like the chemical principle known
as catalysis, they merely act by their presence. Such a
one is Mr. D. of Glasgow, in whose presence psychic photo-
graphs have long been alleged to be obtained. He was
lately in London on a visit, and a mutual friend got him
to consent to extend his stay in order that I might try
to get a psychic photograph under test conditions. To
this he willingly agreed. My conditions were exceedingly
simple, were courteously expressed to the host, and entirely
acquiesced in. They were, that I for the nonce would
assume them all to be tricksters, and, to guard against
fraud, should use my own camera and unopened packages
of dry plates purchased from dealers of repute, and that
I should be excused from allowing a plate to go out of
my own hand till after development, unless I felt other-
wise disposed ; but that, as I was to treat them as under
suspicion, so must they treat me, and that every act I
performed must be in presence of two witnesses, nay, that
I would set a watch upon my own camera in the guise of
a duplicate one of the same focus — in other words, I would
use a binocular stereoscopic camera and dictate all the
conditions of operation. All this I was told was what
they very strongly wished me to do, as they desired to
know the truth and that only. There were present, during
one or other of the evenings when the trials were made,
representatives of various schools of thought, including
a clergyman of the Church of England ; a practitioner of
the healing art who is a Fellow of two learned societies ; a
gentleman who graduated in the Hall of Science in the
days of the late Charles Bradhmgh ; two extremely hard-
headed Glasgow merchants, gentlemen of commercial
PHOTOGRAPHY OF THE INVISIBLE 369
eminence and probity; our host, his wife, the medium,
and myself. Dr. G. was the first sitter, and, for a reason
known to myself, I used a monocular camera. I myself
took the plate out of a packet just previously ripped up
under the surveillance of my two detectives. I placed
the slide in my pocket, and exposed it by magnesium
ribbon which I held in my own hand, keeping one eye,
as it were, on the sitter and the other on the camera.
There was no background. I myself took the plate from
the dark slide, and under the eyes of the two detectives
placed it in the developing dish. Between the camera
and the sitter a female figure was developed, rather in a
more pronounced form than that of the sitter. The lens
was a portrait one of short focus ; the figure being some-
what in front of the sitter was proportionately larger in
dimensions, and was that of a lady, I did not recognise
her or any of the other figures I obtained as being like
any one I knew.
" Many experiments of like nature followed ; on some
plates were abnormal appearances, on others none. All
this time Mr. D., the medium, during the exposure of the
plates, was quite inactive. After one trial, which had
proved successful, I asked him how he felt and what he
had been thinking of during the exposure. He replied
that his thoughts had been mainly concentrated upon his
chances of securing a corner-seat in a smoking-carriage
that night from Euston to Glasgow.
" If the precautions I took during all of the several
experiments, such as those recorded, are by any of you
thought to have been imperfect or incomplete, I pray of
you to point them out. In some of them I relaxed my
conditions to the extent of getting one of those present to
lift out from the dark slide the exposed plate and transfer
it to the developing dish held by myself, or to lift a plate
from the manufacturer's package into the dark slide held
in my own hand, this being done under my own eye,
which was upon it all the time ; but this did not seem to
interfere with the general working of the experiments.
"The psychic figures behaved badly. Some were in
2 a
370 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
focus, others not so; some were lighted from the right,
while the sitter was so from the left ; some were comely,
as the dame I shall show on the screen, others not so ;
some monopolised the major portion of the plate, quite
obliterating the material sitters; others were as if an
atrociously badly vignetted portrait, or one cut oval out of
a photograph by a can-opener, or equally badly clipped
out, were held up behind the sitter. But here is the
point — not one of these figures which came out so strongly
in the negative was visible in any form or shape to me
during the time of exposure in the camera, and I vouch in
the strongest manner for the fact that no one whatever
had an opportunity of tampering with any plate anterior
to its bemg placed in the dark slide or immediately
preceding development. Pictorially they are vile, but how
came they there ?
" Now, all this time I imagine you are wondering how
the stereoscopic camera was behaving itself as such. It is
due to the psychic entities to say that whatever was
produced on one half of the stereoscopic plates Avas
reproduced on the other, alike good or bad in definition.
But on a careful examination of one which was rather
better than another, I deduce this fact, that the impressing
of the spirit form was not consentaneous with that of the
sitter. This I consider an important discovery. I care-
fully examined one in the stereoscope, and found that,
while the two sitters were stereoscopic per se, the psychic
figure was absolutely flat. I also found that the psychic
figure was at least a millimetre higher up in one than the
other. Now, as both had been simultaneously exposed, it
follows to demonstration that although both were correctly
placed vertically in relation to the particular sitter behind
whom the figure appeared, and not so horizontally, this
figure had not only not been impressed on the plate simul-
taneously with the two gentlemen forming the group, but
had not been formed by the lens at all, and that therefore
the psychic image might be produced without a camera.
I think this is a fair deduction. But still the question
presents itself. How camo these figures there ? I again
PHOTOGRAPHY OF THE INVISIBLE 371
assert that the plates were not tampered with by either
myself or any one present. Are they crystallisations of
thought ? Have lens and light really nothing to do with
their formation ? The whole subject was mysterious
enough on the hypothesis of an invisible spirit, whether a
thought projection or an actual spirit, being really there
in the vicinity of the sitter, but it is now a thousand times
more so."
Let us remark first of all that there are two entirely
different kinds of photographs which experimenters
have called thought-photographs. The first only shows
spots, lines, whirling clouds, more or less formless; the
other, on the contrary, represents an object of a definite
form.
The first scarcely interests us at all, because it does
not come within the compass of what we are studying
here. Nevertheless, in order to be complete, we ought to
say a few words, leaving the authors we shall quote to
bear the full responsibility of their statements.
It is said that photographs have been obtained of the
eftluvia emanating from a magnetic bar, and even pictures
of the aureoles surrounding fingers placed on a sensitive
plate in the developing bath; also aureoles surrounding
freshly cut leaves.
In these cases there may be produced some kind of
magnetic effiuvia, which leave a trace on the plate.
This would, however, have nothing to do with thought-
photography.
But even on this supposition there would still be
causes of error to eliminate. In the case, for example, of
impressions of fingers, can it not be supposed that the heat
from the fingers, or the chemical action of the skin, which
always gives off a perspiration, imperceptible though it
may be, would be capable of acting on the developing
bath, or on the plate itself, and that what we see may be
only the traces of chemical decomposition ?
The following is the report of some experiments made
by M. Albert Jounet, a very competent experimenter
372 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
whose prudence and scientific spirit in research are well
known to us.
Effluvia of the Oaze
" First of all I tried (by the process employed by
Dr. Luys) to obtain the photograph of the effluvia from
the eye on a sensitive dry plate, impressed as in ordinary
photography before being immersed in the developer.
Several attempts were unsuccessful, because the plate was
held too close to my face. The heat and the effluvia
produced enormous white spots on the plate. I then
placed a sensitive plate in a photographic apparatus, from
which, on the advice of M. Ferrari, photographer, I had
removed the lens. I placed the left eye in the opening
left by the removal of the lens, and I gazed at the plate
for half-an-hour.
This hole was only large enough to admit the eye and
a very little of the arch of the eyebrow and the socket.
The plate was in the dark slide of the apparatus, about
four inches from the eye. The whole experiment was
made in the completely darkened laboratory ; my head
and the apparatus were further enveloped in a black
cloth. On development the print showed some marks as
though made with a paint-brush, radiating around the
point where I thought my gaze was fixed, and in addition
a rather large spot on one of the small sides of the plate,
corresponding, in my opinion, with the direction of the
nose and nostrils.
The plate being about four inches from the eye, it
seemed difficult to ascribe the markings to the heat from
the socket, which would have been carried off by the
metallic edges of the hole. Moreover, I do not see how
heat could make such singular paint-brush marks; it
would have given a more uniform aureole. Finally, it
would be impossible to ascribe them to lines of force pro-
duced in the bath, since the experiment was made on a
dry plate.
PHOTOGRAPHY OF THE INVISIBLE 373
Ejjiuvia frotn the Hand injiuenced by Tliought
I made some experiments with tlae hand, the plate
being immersed at the time in the developer. Here we
can invoke heat or lines of force. But why should a plate,
impressed, while I was thinking of a pagan article read that
morning and at the same time of God, only the middle
finger being placed on the plate, have produced soft lines
in the form of a river, ending in the remains of waves,
peppered with black spots, the whole symbolising a sort
of bust ?
Why should another plate, impressed during .a mental
prayer to the Virgin and to the Blessed Albert the Great,
have produced very long lines rising from the fingers like
long jets of water, a phenomenon which I have not found
on any plate impressed in the course of purely physical
experiments Avithout any religious idea ?
PJiotographic Experiment on the Relation between
Human and Terrestrial Polarity
From the purely physical point of view I have tried
to discover by photography if Reichenbach's theory was
true, whether the left side of a man . and the south pole
of the earth, and similarly the right side of a man and
the north pole of the earth, were of opposite and attrac-
tive polarity.
I therefore placed my left hand on a plate immersed
in the bath, the tips of the fingers directed towards the
south, then as a counter-proof, the fingers of the right
hand on another plate, the tips of the fingers directed
towards the south. Now the traces of effiuvia were wider
and more extended in a southerly direction than on the
second, which tended to confirm Reichenbach's theory —
a theory which, moreover, is substantiated by the experi-
ments of M. Durville.
I also placed the fingers of the right hand on a
third plate, pointing the fingers towards the north, and
the fingers of the left hand on a fourth, pointing them
374 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
towards the north. On the third plate the effluvia were
wider and more extended in a northerly direction than
on the fourth.
According to my experiment it therefore seems that
Reichenbach and Durville are right, that the south of the
earth attracts and develops the effluvia of the right hand.
But it is necessary for other researchers to repeat my
experiment on this subject in order to confirm and estab-
lish it definitely.
We might also investigate photographically what are
the relations between the right side of man and the
east, west, zenith, and nadir; between the left side of
man and these same directions; between the head, feet,
back, and chest ; the south, north, east, west, zenith, nadir,
&c. Here is a field for investigation — the relations photo-
graphically demonstrated between human polarity and
terrestrial and cosmic polarity.
Another experimenter, Commandant Darget of Tours,
has also specially studied this phenomenon. The following
is the account he gives of certain of his experiments : —
"I have already spoken (he writes) of the projection
of a section of the brain ef a calf, which had been
slaughtered, on a photographic plate, which a butcher,
in my presence, had held on its head.
" This phenomenon made me think that a newly cut
plant which had been left for two or three days to die and
exhale its vitality on to a plate might produce similar
effects.
" My expectation was not in vain ; it was even sur-
passed, the physiological effects of the loss of life in the
plant being shoAvn with a surprising intensity. On April
30th I took from the hands of one of my children a small
fern which had been cut half-an-hour previously from our
garden, and which had been placed in a book in order
to flatten it. I took it to my dark room, and opening
a box of Lumiere plates I placed the fern on one of the
plates ; then I closed the box again. Two days afterwards
I took the plate and developed it in the ordinary way in
PHcrrOGRAPHY OF THE INVISIBLE 375
a bath of hydro-qiiinone. I was not surprised, but greatly
pleased to see a picture of m}^ fern appear. But wliat
was my wonderment when I saw on the first print that
each leaflet had thrown a shadow of its own, extending
more than two millimetres away from it.
" Then I saw that this shadow was divided into zones.
I then saw clearly that this shadow was only the con-
tinuation of the perisprit of the astral body of the plant,
and that the zones were spasmodic convulsions, the suc-
cessive contractions of the vitality as it left the organism.
" The phenomenon had been threefold : —
" 1. Exact portrait of the plant.
" 2. Efiluvia thrown from each leaflet.
" 3. Zones of contraction during its suffering.
" I then took the same plant, this time devoid of life,
and placed it under a plate in the same manner, leaving
this also two days. I developed it at the end of this time
and obtained nothing, not the slightest imprint. This did
not astonish me, the life having entirely left it during the
first experiment.
" Therefore, when I propose to place a plate on the
heart and head of a man who is believed to be dead, and
who might be in danger of being buried alive, I believe
that I am right. Traces of life, if any, will show them-
selves. Doubtless also we shall finish by finding plates
more in accord with the vital fluid than the ordinary
plates now in use."
Commandant Darget wished by another experiment to
eliminate the action of the stored-up light.
" This stored-up light," he said, " the efi'ects of which
I believe to be greatly exaggerated, did not give me any
results, although I made experiments in order to have it
at its maximum.
" In fact, having exposed to the sun for two hours a
five-centime copper piece and a five-franc silver piece,
I put them on a plate for several hours, and the plate
Avhen developed showed nothing.
" I then took a leaf of the same fern that had been
in the sun from six to eleven o'clock in the morning, and
376 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
put it on a plate as on the first occasion. I did not get
the least trace.
" When you tell me that animals do not die in the
same way, and that 1 shall not always obtain the same
results, you are quite right, and I might try ten times
to obtain the photograph of a section of the brain of
a slaughtered calf, and yet I might not obtain, as it
happened for the first time on the proofs of which I have
spoken, the design of the convolutions and anfractuosities
of this organ with the same intensity and accuracy.
"Nevertheless, I think I can assert that with the
present photographic plate, independent of any that may
be discovered more sensitive to the vital fluid, physiological
science can be enriched by new and unsuspected truths.
" One word more on the so-called stored-up light.
"On February 10th last I met M. Peign^, a photo-
grapher at Tours, who asked me to come into his
laboratory, in order to see if the magnetic fluid could
really be graphically shown.
" 1. Two plates put in the same basin gave colours
under my fingers in the same period of time. M, Peign^'s
plate had green and yellow borders outside the fingers,
and carmine, red with large blue spots under the fingers.
Further, some long eftluvia, radiating from each of his
fingers, extended almost to the edge of a 9 x 12 ctm.
(3Jx4f in.) plate.
" This is what I call the fluid of the magnetisers. With
regard to myself I had good colour, but not any eflluvia.
" 2. Two dry plates, with two five-franc pieces taken
from M. Peigne's purse, gave, in his case, their circumfer-
ence and some letters of the inscription. In my case the
circle only.
" It follows that his magnetism was more powerful
than mine.
" But it nuist be acknowledged that if the two pieces
had been exposed to the sun for some hours they would
have imprinted neither their circumference nor the
letters, any more than in the experiment related at the
commencement."
Fig. 5. — Radiation from two thumbs of Commandant Darget.
Fig. 6. — Thought-photograph (first bottle). Obtained by
Commandant Darget when thinking intensely of a
bottle which he had just been looking at.
Fig. 7. — Thought-photograph (second bottle). Obtained by
Commandant Darget.
PHOTOGRAPHY OF THE INVISIBLE 377
The second category of thought-photographs is still
more interesting. Here certain pictures appear sometimes
with such clearness that it is difficult to attribute them
to chance.
Unfortunately the experiments are not yet sufficiently
conclusive for us to be able to say that their existence is
scientitically demonstrated.
In France, a man whose rectitude can be doubted by
none, Commandant Darget, states that he has obtained
some, which we reproduce in order to convey some idea to
those who have no knowledge of them.
The following is the manner in which the author him-
self says he obtained them : —
There are first of all two photographs representing a
bottle.
" They were taken, like that of the cane," writes Com-
mandant Darget, "gelatine side downwards, the fingers
touching the plate on the glass side, in order to project
the fluid and the thought constructing the fluid, putting
it in place, so to speak, and making the Mens agitat
molem ; to effect this a strong exertion of will-power was
needed. M. A., through whose mediumship one of the
photographs was obtained, told me that he did not wish
to try again because of the headache from Avhich he
suffered after these experiments."
The following is Commandant Darget's own account
of the manner in which he obtained the photographs of
the bottle.
" On May 27, 1896, M. A. showed me in L' Illustration
of May 23rd a finger with some fluidic flames obtained by
Dr. Le Bon in the developing bath when touching the
gelatine. He invited me that very evening to try the
same experiment. I did so, and obtained a large radiation
around my five fingers.
" Then M. A. said to me that if one could represent an
object, the phenomenon would become remarkable. Here
I must enter into some details.
" M. A. had just poured me out a glass of old brandy;
I had kept the bottle before my eyes for half-an-hour, I
378 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
bad expressed my intention of tasting it again, saying
jokingly, that this would give me more fluid. Then I
put a plate in the bath, which I touched on the glass
side and not on the gelatine side. I thought first of all
of a table ; my thought glided on to the image of a chair,
which also vanished, giving place to the image of the
bottle from which I had drunk. It must be observed
that I had a similar bottle containing the developer
before my eyes, and I saw it, by means of the red light,
in the dark room.
"The picture which came on the plate when de-
veloped is shown herewith. It is certain that the out-
line of a bottle can be distinguished ; it is so clear that it
cannot be attributed to a shadow or to a chance fogging.
" M. A. having pointed out that in order to thoroughly
prove the reality of this phenomenon, it would be necessary
to obtain a second bottle, we agreed to try.
" He did not omit to make me drink of the same old
brandy ; for my part, I looked for a long time at the
bottle.
"Having gone into the dark room, I tried the same
process as in the preceding experiment, placing my fingers
on the glass side of the plate in the bath. When the
plate was fixed and washed we looked for the picture of
the bottle and found it."
Commandant Darget also obtained some very curious
photographs, amongst others that of a walking-stick.
This is what he says himself: —
'• The photograph of the walking-stick was obtained at
Vouzicrs eleven years ago. It was a stick with a handle
which I generally used. I had put it on my desk where
I made my photographs that evening, after closing the
windows and taking out my red lantern.
" With regard to the eagle, it was produced in this way.
Mme. Darget was in my office, lying on my sofa, about
ten o'clock in the evening. I said to her : ' I am going to
put out the lamp and to try (as I have already done
sometimes) to take a fiuidic print over my forehead. I
will hand you a plate for you to do it as well.'
Fig. 8. — Thought-plioto2;rapli. The walking-stick.
Commandant Darget.
Obtained by
Fig. 9.-
-Dream-photograph. Eagle,
by Commandant Darget.
Obtained
PHOTOGRAPHY OF THE INVISIBLE 379
" I therefore handed her a phite, which she held with
both her hands about an inch in front of her forehead. A
short time afterwards, it might be about ten minutes, she
said to me : ' I think I have been asleep ; I am very tired,
I am going to lie down.' And, feeling her way in the
darkness, she handed me the plate.
" I then went to develop it, and was surprised to see
this astonishing figure of an eagle. I have called it ' a
dream-photograph,' although my wife does not remember
having dreamed of a bird or anything else while she held
the plate.
These various experiments which we have desired to
make known to the reader are, as may be seen, still quite
incomplete. They indicate, however, a path which it
would be well to follow, because it seems to be rich in
discoveries of great importance.
We have recently made this question a subject of study
in the various groups of the Societe Universelle d'Etudes
Psychiques, and experiments are at present in progress, the
results of which we cannot yet give.
We shall now see what are the principal points that
ought to be observed if we wish to experiment on these
phenomena, and if our experiments are to possess scientific
value.
First of all, we must avoid everything which might pro-
duce on the plates any trace that might lead us into error.
We must avoid all accidental fogging arising from imper-
fect closing of the apparatus containing the plate, or from
a badly constructed dark room.
The experimenter should only operate with plates
purchased by himself, and taken from a box which he had
himself opened at the time of the experiment.
The experimenter ought only to use instruments and
materials belonging to him, well known to him, and verified
immediately before the experiment.
The experimenter ought to have before his mind all
the possible processes of trickery, and particularly those
described by Mr. Taylor ; he ought himself to prepare the
380 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
background and all the accessory objects which might be
taken in the photograph. In each experiment he ought
to compare the results obtained with other trial plates
which are placed in the bath without having been
exposed.
All these conditions fulfilled, here are some experiments
which can be made : —
Method of M. Jounet: In the dark room, place the
sensitive plate at the bottom of a rectangular box, one of
the slides of which remains open. While holding the eyes
against this opening look at the plate, as though looking
in a stereoscope, and think of an object of very simple
form, of which it is desired to see the picture imprinted
on the plate.
According to the procedure of Commandant Darget,
take an object of very simple form, gaze attentively at it
for a few moments in order to engrave it firmly on the
mind ; then go into the dark room and make the three
following experiments : —
1. Place a photographic plate with the glass side
against the forehead for a quarter of an hour, mentally
picturing the object decided upon, and strongly desiring
to make an impression on the plate.
2. Place the hand on a plate (or hold the plate in the
hand) for a quarter of an hour, operating as before.
3. Put the plate into a developing bath, placing the
fingers of one hand on the edge of the plate for ten
minutes. There should ahvays be the desire to imprint
on the plate the picture of the object which is very
strongly thought of.
After each operation develop the plate at the same
time as another (check) plate.
It is well to isolate oneself as much as possible, and to
be free from all disturbing influences during the course
of the experiments, which ought to be made with very
sensitive plates.
I particularly advise the following new methods, in
which the co-operation of the medium is made use of: —
1. The medium being in a spontaneous condition of
PHOTOGRArHY OF THE INVISIBLE 381
waiting, a light hypnotic condition, or completely hypno-
tised, suggest to him the desire to impress the picture of an
object on a plate, which should be placed on a table under
his hand, the hand touching the glass side.
2. Suggest to the medium that he can see the picture
on a plate held in front of him in the dark room.
3. In the light focus a photographic apparatus on a
white background. Then suggest to the medium to make
the object appear on this screen, and when he says he sees
it clearly take an instantaneous photograph.
Try the same experiment again with a black background.
Always expose check-plates before the medium enters.
4. In the dark room focus the apparatus on a white
background, then darken the room. Suggest to the
medium to make the desired picture appear on this back-
ground and to see it. When he sees it, uncover the lens
and give a prolonged exposure, as long as the picture
remains visible to the subject.
The same operation with a black background and
check-plates as in the preceding experiment.
In all these experiments the subject should be con-
tinuously held by an experimenter, so that he is known
to be completely motionless throughout the experiment,
outside the range of the apparatus.
I would also advise, as in the experiments on motri-
city, to surround the medium with a group of experi-
menters, who all, at the same time as the medium, should
have present in their thoughts the picture they desire to
appear, and like him have their gaze fixed on the white
or black background with the desire to make the picture
appear.
By thus experimenting in a careful and methodical
manner we may hope, when we meet with favourable
conditions, to succeed in photographing pictures invisible
to our retina, if such a thing is possible, as certain
experiments quoted in this chapter lead us to suppose.
CHAPTER XXVII
REPORTS OF THE LONDON AND MILAN COMMITTEES
ON PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
We come now to a class of phenomena different from the
preceding : these are the phenomena in which externahsa-
tion of force is manifested.
As the phenomena which we are now about to examine
are much more difficult of belief than all the others, we
will first of all give some extracts from the reports of
two scientific committees, which devoted themselves to a
very strict study of them in a spirit of rigorous scientific
investigation.
The authority of the persons forming these committees
is such that no one can doubt the results of their inquiry,
and the conclusions to which they came.
It will be noticed that these two Committees were
composed of men whose names and qualifications stand
equally high as guarantees of authenticity and sincerity.
Moreover, they worked in two different countries and at
different times ; it would therefore be absurd to reject
their evidence, under the pretext that they had all been
led into error in the same way.
Some Extracts from the Reports of the Committee
OF THE Dialectical Society of London
The Dialectical Society of London, which was founded
in 1867, under the presidency of Sir John Lubbock,
and comprised the principal English savants, resolved on
January 6, 1869 :—
" That the Council be requested to appoint a Com-
mittee, in conformity with Bye-law VII., to investigate
THE LONDON AND MILAN COMMITTEES 383
the phenomena alleged to be Spiritual Manifestations,
and to report thereon."
On January 26, 1869, the Committee was nominated
and consisted of the following : —
H. G. Atkinson, Esq., F.G.S. Mrs. J. H. Hillier.
G. Wheatley Bennett, Esq. Henry Jeffery, Esq.
J. S. Bergheim, Esq., C.E. H. D. Jencken, Esq.,^-Barrister-
Chas. Bradlaugh, Esq. at-Law.
G. Fenton Cameron, Esq., M.D. Albert Kisch, Esq., M.R.C.S.
George Gary, Esq. B.A. J. H. Levy, Esq.
E. W. Cox, Esq., Serjeant-at- Joseph Maurice, Esq.
Law. Isaac L. Meyers, Esq.
Rev. C. Maurice Davies, D.D. B. M. Moss, Esq.
D. H. Dyte, Esq., M.R.C.S. Robert Quelch, Esq., C.E.
Mrs. D. H. Dyte. Thomas Reed, Esq.
James Edmunds, Esq., M.D. Russell Roberts, Esq., Ph.D.
Mrs. Edmunds. W. H. Swepstone, Esq., Solicitor.
James Gannon, Esq. William Volckman, Esq.
Grattan Geary, Esq. Alfred R. Wallace, Esq.,
William B. Gower, Esq. F.R.G.S.
Robert Hannah, Esq. Josiah Webber, Esq.
Jenner Gale Hillier, Esq. Horace S. Yeomaus, Esq.
Report of the Gomtnittee
Gentlemen, — The Committee appointed by you to in-
vestigate the phenomena alleged to be Spiritual Mani-
festations, report thereon as follows : —
Your Committee have held fifteen meetings, at which
they received evidence from thirty-three persons, who
described phenomena which, they stated, had occurred
within their own personal experience.
Your Committee have received written statements re-
lating to the phenomena from thirty-one persons.
Your Committee invited the attendance and requested
the co-operation and advice of scientific men who had
publicly expressed opinions, favourable or adverse, to the
genuineness of the phenomena.
Your Committee also specially invited the attendance
384 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
of persons who had pubUcly ascribed the phenomena to
imposture or delusion.
Your Committee, however, while successful in procuring
the evidence of believers in the phenomena and in their
supernatural origin, almost wholly failed to obtain evidence
from those who attributed them to fraud or delusion.
As it appeared to your Committee to be of the greatest
importance that they should investigate the phenomena
in question by personal experiment and test, they resolved
themselves into sub-committees as the best means of
doing so.
Six sub-committees were accordingly formed.
All of these have sent in reports, from which it appears
that a large majority of the members of your Committee
have become actual witnesses to several phases of the
phenomena without the aid or presence of any profes-
sional medium, although the greater part of them com-
menced their investigations in an avowedly sceptical spirit.
These reports, hereto subjoined, substantially corrobo-
rate each other, and would appear to establish the follow-
ing propositions : —
1. That sounds of a very varied character, apparently
proceeding from articles of furniture, the floor and walls
of the room — the vibrations accompanying which sounds
are often distinctly perceptible to the touch — occur, with-
out being produced by muscular action or mechanical
contrivance.
2. That movements of heavy bodies take place without
mechanical contrivance of any kind or adequate exertion
of iiuiscular force by the persons present, and frequently
without contact or connection with any person.
3. That these sounds and movements often occur
at the times and in the manner asked for by persons
present, and by means of a simple code of signals answer
questions and spell out coherent communications.
4. That the answers and communications thus obtained
are, for the most part, of a commonplace character; but
facts are sometimes correctly given which are only shown
to one of the persons present.
THE LONDON AND MILAN COMMITTEES 385
5. That the circumstances under which the phenomena
occur are variable, the most prominent fact being, that
the presence of certain persons seems necessary to their
occurrence, and that of others generally adverse ; but this
difference does not appear to depend upon any belief or
disbelief concerning the phenomena.
6. That, nevertheless, the occurrence of the phenomena
is not insured by the presence or absence of such persons
respectively.
Reports of the Experimental Suh-committees
Since their appointment on the 16th of February 1869,
your Sub-committee have held forty meetings for the
purpose of experiment and test.
All of these meetings were held at the private resi-
dences of members of the Committee, purposely to preclude
the possibility of prearranged mechanism or contrivance.
The furniture of the room in which the experiments
were conducted was on every occasion its accustomed
furniture.
The tables were m all cases heavy dining-tables,
requiring a strong effort to move them. The smallest
of them was 5 ft. 9 in. long and 4 ft. wide, and
the largest 9 ft. 3 in. long and 4J ft. wide, and of
proportionate weight.
The rooms, tables, and furniture generally were re-
peatedly subjected to careful examination before, during,
and after the experiments, to ascertain that no concealed
machinery, instrument, or other contrivance existed by
means of which the sounds or movements hereinafter
mentioned could be caused.
The experiments were conducted in the light of gas,
except on the few occasions specially noted in the
minutes.
Your Committee have avoided the employment of
professional or paid mediums, the mediumship being that
of members of your Sub-committee, persons of good
social position and of unimpeachable integrity, having no
2 B
386 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
pecuniary object to serve, and nothing to gain by
deception.
Your Committee have held some meetings without the
presence of a medium (it being understood that through-
out this report the word "medium" is used simply to
designate an individual without whose presence the
phenomena described either do not occur at all, or
with greatly diminished force and frequency), purposely to
try if they could produce, by any efforts, effects similar
to those witnessed when a medium was present. By no
endeavours were they enabled to produce anything at all
resembling the manifestations which took place in the
presence of a medium.
Every test that the combined intelligence of your
Committee could devise has been tried with patience and
perseverance. The experiments were conducted under a
great variety of conditions, and ingenuity has been exerted
in devising plans by which your Committee might verify
their observations and preclude the possibility of impos-
ture or of delusion.
Your Committee have confined their report to facts
witnessed by them in their collective capacity, which
facts were palpable to the senses, and their reality capable
pi demonstrative proof.
Of the members of your Sub- committee about four-
fifths entered upon the investigation wholly sceptical as
to the reality of the alleged phenomena, firmly believing
them to be the result either of imposture or of delusion
or of involuntary evidence, under conditions that pre-
cluded the possibility of either of these solutions and after
trial and test many times repeated, that the most sceptical
of your Sub-committee were slowly and reluctantly con-
vinced that the phenomena exhibited in the course of
their protracted inquiry were veritable facts.
The result of their long-continued and carefully con-
ducted experiments, after trial by every detective test
they could devise, has been to establish conclusively : —
First. That under certain bodily or mental conditions
of one or more of the persons present, a force is exhibited
THE LONDON AND MILAN COMMITTEES 387
sufficient to set in motion heavy substances without the
employment of any muscular force, without contact or
material connection of any kind between such substances
and the body of any person present.
Second. That this force can cause sounds to proceed,
distinctly audible to all present, from solid substances not
in contact with, nor having any visible or material con-
nection with, the body of any person present, and which
sounds are proved to proceed from such substances by the
vibrations which are distinctly felt when they are touched.
Third, That this force is frequently directed by
intelligence.
At thu'ty-four out of the forty meetings of your Com-
mittee some of these phenomena occurred.
A description of one experiment, and the manner of
conducting it, will best show the care and caution with
which your Committee have pursued their investigation.
So long as there was contact, or even the possibility
of contact, by the hands or feet, or even by the clothes of
any person in the room, with the substance moved or
sounded, there could be no perfect assurance that the
motions and sounds were not produced by the person
so in contact. The following experiment was therefore
tried.
On an occasion when eleven members of your Sub-
committee had been sitting round one of the dining-tables
above described for forty minutes, and various motions
and sounds had occurred, they, by way of test, turned the
backs of their chairs to the table, and about nine inches
from it. They all then knelt upon their chairs, placing
their arms upon the backs thereof. In this position their
feet were, of course, turned away from the table, and by
no possibility could be placed under it or touch the floor.
The hands of each person were extended over the table at
about four inches from the surface. Contact, therefore,
with any part of the table could not take place without
detection.
In less than a minute the table, untouched, moved
lour times; at first about five inches to one side, then
388 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
about twelve inches to the opposite side, and then, in hke
manner, four inches and six inches respectively.
The hands of all present were next placed on the back
of their chairs, and about a foot from the table, which
again moved, as before, five times, over spaces varying
from four to six inches. Then all the chairs were re-
moved twelve inches from the table, and each person
knelt on his chair as before — this time, however, folding
his hands behind his back, his body being thus about
eighteen inches from the table, and having the back of
the chair between himself and the table. The table again
moved four times, in various directions. In the course of
this conclusive experiment, and in less than half-an-hour,
the table thus moved, without contact or possibility of
contact with any person present, thirteen times, the move-
ments being in different directions, and some of them
according to the request of various members of your
Sub-committee.
The table was then carefully examined, turned upside
down and taken to pieces, but nothing was discovered to
account for the phenomena. The experiment was con-
ducted throughout in the full light of gas above the
table.
Altogether, your Sub-committee have witnessed up-
wards of fifty similar motions without contact on eight
different evenings, in the houses of members of your Sub-
committee, the most careful tests being applied on each
occasion.
In all similar experiments the possibility of mechanical
or other contrivance was further negatived by the fact
that the movements were in various directions, now to
one side, then to the other ; now up the room, now down
the room — motions that would have required the co-
operation of many hands or feet ; and these, from the
great size and weight of the tables, could not have been
so used without the visible exercise of muscular force.
Every hand and foot was plainly to be seen, and could
not have been moved without instant detection.
Delusion was out of the question. The motions were
THE LONDON AND MILAN COMMITTEES 389
in various directions, and were witnessed simultaneously
by all present. They were matters of measurement, and
not of opinion or fancy.
And they occurred so often, under so many and such
various conditions, with such safeguards against error or
deception, and with such invariable results, as to satisfy
the members of your Sub-committee by whom the experi-
ments were tried, wholly sceptical as most of them were
when they entered upon the investigation, that there is a
force capable of moving heavy bodies without material
contact, and which force is in some unknown manner
dependent upon the presence of human beings.
Your Sub-committee have not, collectively, obtained
any evidence as to the nature and source of this force,
but simply as to the fact of its existence.
There appears to your Committee to be no ground for
the popular belief that the presence of sceptics interferes
in any manner with the production or action of the force.
In conclusion, your Committee express their unani-
mous opinion that the one important physical fact thus
proved to exist, that motion may be produced in solid
bodies without material contact, by some hitherto un-
recognised force operating within an undefined distance
from the human organism, and beyond the range of
muscular action, should be subjected to further scientific
examination, with a view to ascertain its true source and
power.
Report of the Milan Commission for the Investi-
gation OF Psychical Phenomena
Taking into consideration the evidence of Professor
Lombroso on the subject of mediumistic phenomena pro-
duced through Mme. Eusapia Paladino, the undersigned
met at Milan for the purpose of holding a series of seances
with her with the object of verifying the phenomena, by
submitting her to experiments and to observations as
rigorous as possible. Seventeen seances in all were held
390 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
in M. Finzi's rooms at Via del Monte di Pieta, between
9 P.M. and midnight.
The medium, who was invited to the seances by M.
Aksakof, was introduced by Chevaher Chiaia, who was
only present at a third of the seances, and his attend-
ance was almost entirely confined to the earlier and less
important ones.
In view of the stir made in the press by the announce-
ment of these seances, and the varied opinions expressed
with regard to Mme. Eusapia and Chevalier Chiaia, we
think it our duty to publish without delay this short
report of all our observations and experiments.
Before entering upon the subject we must at once
remark that the results obtained did not always corre-
spond with our expectation. Not but what we had a
large quantity of facts, apparently or really important or
marvellous ; but, in the majority of cases, we were unable
to apply the rules of the experimental art which, in other
fields of observation, are regarded as necessary in order to
arrive at sure and indisputable results.
The most important of these rules is to change, one
after the other, the methods of experiment, so as to ascer-
tain the real cause, or, at least, the true conditions of all
the facts. Now it is exactly from this aspect that our
experiments seem to us to be at present wanting in
completeness.
It is quite true that the medium, in order to prove her
good faith, often spontaneously proposed to change some
particular feature of one or the other of the experiments,
and several times took the initiative in these variations.
But this was often only with regard to matters apparently
immaterial from our point of view. The variations, on
the contrary, which seemed to us to be necessary to place
beyond doubt the true character of the results, were not
accepted as possible by the medium ; or, if they were
carried out, in the majority of instances only made the
experiment of no effect, or at least led to obscure results.
Wc do not believe that we have the right to explain
these facts by the injurious suppositions which many still
THE LONDON AND MILAN COMMITTEES 391
find the most simple, and of which the newspapers have
made themselves the champions. We believe that the
phenomena are of unknown nature, and we admit that we
do not know the conditions necessary for their production.
To attempt to fix the conditions on our own account
would be as extravagant as to pretend to repeat Torri-
celli's barometer with a tube closed at the bottom, or to
make electro-static experiments in an extremely humid
atmosphere ; or, again, to produce a photograph by expos-
ing a sensitive plate to broad daylight before placing it
in the camera. But while admitting all this, which no
reasonable man can doubt, it is none the less true that
the obvious impossibility of varying the experiments
according to our fancy has singularly decreased the value
and interest of the results obtained, by taking from them
in several instances that rigour of demonstration which
we have a right to demand in facts of this character, or
rather, at which they ought to aim.
For this reason, out of the innumerable experiments
carried out, we omit or only cursorily mention those which
seem to us inconclusive, and with regard to which various
conclusions might easily be drawn by different experi-
menters.
We shall note, however, in considerable detail, the cir-
cumstances in which, in spite of the obstacle we have
mentioned, they seem to us to have attained a sufficient
degree of probability.
I
Phenomena observed in the Light
1. Mechanical movements unexplainable by contact of
the hands alone.
(a) Lateral raising of the table under the medium's
hands when seated at one end of the shorter sides (ends). —
We used for this experiment a deal table made ex-
pressly for the purpose by M. Finzi, 3 ft. 8 ins. long,
28 ins. wide, and 32 ins. high, weighing nearly eighteen
pounds. Among the various methods by which responses
S92 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
were given by the table, it was impossible not to observe
the blows frequently produced by two of the feet, raised
at the same time under the hands of the medium, without
being preceded by any lateral movement of the table, with
force and rapidity and several times in succession, as
though the table was fixed to the medium's hands, and
these movements were, moreover, more remarkable since
the medium was always seated at one of the ends of the
table, and we never ceased to hold her hands and feet.
These phenomena were also produced when, for greater
ease of observation, we left the medium alone at the table,
her two hands placed completely on the top of the table
and her sleeves turned up almost to the elbow.
We remained standing around it, and the space over
and under it was well lighted. In these conditions the
table raised itself at an angle of from thirty to forty
degrees and remained thus for some minutes, while the
medium held her arms extended and struck her feet
against each other. On pressing with the hand on the
side raised, we felt a considerable elastic resistance.
(6) Measure of the foo-'ce a'pplied for the lateral rising
of the table. — For this experiment the table was suspended
by one of its short sides from a dynamometer held by
a cord, which was fixed to a small beam restinar on two
cupboards. In these conditions the end of the table Avas
raised nearly six inches, and the dynamometer registered
over seven and a half pounds.
The medium was seated at the same end of the table,
with her hands completely placed on the table to right
and left of the cord connected with the dynamometer.
Our hands formed a chain above the table without pres-
sure, in such a way that they could in any case have only
tended to increase the pressure on the table. On the con-
trary, we asked that the pressure should be diminished, and
soon the table rose on the side where the dynamometer was.
M. Gerosa, who followed the indications of the apparatus,
called out this diminution represented by the successive
figures : 3, 2, 1, 0 kilogrammes ; then the table was raised so
far that the dynamometer rested horizontally on the table.
THE LONDON AND MILAN COMMITTEES 393
Then we changed the conditions by placing our hands
under the table, the medium particularly placing hers,
not only under the table, by which means she could have
reached the cross-bar and thus pulled the table down, but
under the cross-piece itself which connected the table legs,
touching it with the back of her hand instead of the
palm. Thus all the hands could only have diminished
the traction on the dynamometer. On the desire that
this traction should be immediately increased, M. Gerosa
said that the figures showed an increase from 3 kgr. 5, up
to 5 kgr. 6 (from 7^ to 12J lbs.).
During all these experiments each of the medium's
feet rested on the feet of her neighbours to right and
left.
(c) Complete raising of the table. — It was natural to
conclude that, if the table, by an apparent contradiction
of the laws of gravitation, could be partially raised it could
also be completely raised. This, in fact, did take place ;
and this raising, one of the most frequent phenomena with
Eusapia, lent itself to a satisfactory examination.
It is generally produced under the following con-
ditions: the persons seated round the table place their
hands on it and form a chain ; each hand of the medium
is held by the nearest hand of each of her next neigh-
bours; each of her feet rests under one of their feet,
and they also press their knees against hers ; she usually
sits at one of the smaller ends, the least favourable posi-
tion for a mechanical raising. After a few minutes the
table makes a movement to the side, rises either to
right or left, and finally rises altogether with its four
feet horizontally in the air, generally to a height of four
to eight inches, but, in exceptional instances, to twenty-
four or twenty-eight inches ; then it falls back on to all
four feet simultaneously.
It often remains in the air for several seconds and
while there makes certain undulatory movements, during
which the four feet of the table can be examined. During
the raising the medium's right hand, as well as her neigh-
bour's, often leaves the table and they remain suspended
394 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
in the air above it. During the experiment the medium's
face becomes convulsed, her hands contracted, she groans
and seems to suifer, as is generally the case when pheno-
mena are produced.
In order to observe the fact better we gradually
eliminated the persons round the table, for we found
that a chain of several persons was not at all necessary
either for this phenomenon or for others, and eventually
we only had one person at the table, with the medium on
his left. This person placed his foot on Eusapia's two feet
and one hand on her knees, and held the medium's left
hand in his other hand, the medium's right hand being
placed on the table, in sight of all, or else the medium
held it in the air during the raising.
As the table remained in the air for several seconds it
was possible to obtain several photographs of the pheno-
menon, a thing which had not previously been done.
Three photographic cameras were placed in different parts
of the room, and a magnesium flash was given at a suit-
able moment. We obtained in all twenty-one photo-
graphs, some of which were excellent — thus on one of
them we saw Professor Richet, who held one hand, the
knees and one foot of the medium, while Professor
Lombroso held the other hand, and the table rose
horizontally; as could be seen by the space between the
extremity of each foot and the extremity of the corre-
sponding shadow.
In all the previous experiments we principally turned
our attention to carefully inspecting the position of the
medium's hands and feet, and in this respect we think
we can say that they were quite above suspicion.
However, we cannot pass over in silence one fact, to
which we paid no attention until the evening of Octo-
ber 5th, but which probably must have occurred in
previous experiments. It was found that the four
feet of the table could not be regarded as completely
isolated during the raising, because one of them at least
was in contact Avith the lower edge of the medium's
skirt.
THE LONDON AND MILAN COMMITTEES 395
On that evening, a little before the raising, we saw
Eusapia's skirt blown out on the left side until it touched
the foot of the table.
One of us was deputed to prevent this contact and the
table was not raised as at other times, and it only occurred
when the observer intentionally permitted this contact to
take place, as shown in the photographs taken of this ex-
periment, and also in those where the foot in question is
visible to some extent at its lower end. It was noticed
that at the same time the medium had her hand resting
on the upper part of the table and on the same side, so
that this foot was under the medium's influence in the
lower part by means of the skirt and in the upper part
by means of her hand.
We could not verify in any way the degree of pressure
exerted at this moment on the table by the medium's
hand, and we could not ascertain, owing to the brevity of
the raising, what counterbalancing influence on the table
was exerted by contact with the skirt.
In order to avoid this contact we proposed that the
raising should occur while the medium and her co-
operators were standing, but this was not successful.
We then tried placing the medium on one of the longer
sides of the table, but the medium objected to this, saymg
that it was impossible. We are therefore forced to state
that we did not succeed in obtaining a complete raising of
the table with the four feet absolutely free of all contact,
and there are reasons for fearing that a similar objection
exists in the movements of the two feet which took place
on the medium's side.
In what way could the contact of a light material
with one foot of the table at its lower end assist the
raising ? This we are unable to say. The hypothesis
that the robe could conceal a solid support skilfully
introduced to support momentarily the foot of the table,
can scarcely be accepted.
In fact, to support the whole table on only one foot
by means of the action which could be produced by one
hand on the upper part of the table, would demand that
396 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
the hand should exert on the table a very strong pressure
such as we do not think Eusapia would be capable of
exertmg, even for three or four seconds.
We have convinced ourselves of this by making the
experiment ourselves with the same table.
The only raisings of the table that would be free from
this uncertainty would be those in which the two feet
furthest from the medium were raised ; but this very
frequent kind of raising is too easy to produce by a slight
pressure of the medium's hand on the side where she is
placed, and is not of the slightest value as proof. The
same remark applies to the lateral movements, on the two
feet placed to right and left of the medium, which she
could easily produce by the simple pressure of one hand
only.
(d) Variations of the pressure exercised by the whole
body of the 7nedium seated in a weighing-machine. —
The experiment was very interesting but also very
difficult, because we know that every voluntary or other
movement of the medium on the plate of the scale will
cause oscillations of this plate, and consequently of the
lever.
In order to make the experiment conclusive, the lever
must remain a few seconds in its new position in order
to allow of the weight being measured by moving the
counterpoise. We made the attempt with this hope.
The medium, seated on a chair, was placed on a balance,
and we found her weight to be 136 lbs. After some
oscillations there was a very pronounced depression of
the lever for some seconds, which permitted M. Gerosa,
Avho was at the lever, to measure the weight immediately ;
it was 114 lbs., or a decrease of 22 lbs.
On our expressing the desire to obtain the reverse
result, the end of the lever was soon raised and showed
an increase of 22 lbs. This experiment was repeated
several times and at live different seances; once there
were no results, but the last time a registering apparatus
enabled us to obtain two curves of the phenomenon.
Wo tried ourselves to produce similar depressions and
THE LONDON AND MILAN COMMITTEES 397
only succeeded when we stood upright on the plate, and
then leaning over first to one side and then to the other
with very extensive movements, such as we had never
seen the medium make, and which her position in the
chair would not have permitted. While recognising that
the experiment could not be declared absolutely satis-
factory, we completed it by that which will be described
in section 3.
In this experiment of the balance some of us think
that its success probably depended upon contact of the
medium's gown with the floor on which the balance
directly rested. This was verified by an observer specially
appointed on the evening of October 9th. When the
medium was on the balance, the one who was charged
with the supervision of her feet soon saw the lower end of
her gown stretch out, so as to hang below the platform of
the machine. When this was objected to the levitation
did not take place, but when we allowed Eusapia's gown
to touch the floor there were constant and evident levita-
tions, denoted by great variations in the indications on
the dial, registering the variation of weight.
On another occasion we tried to obtain the levitation
of the medium by placing her on a large drawing-board
and the latter on the platform of the weighing-machme.
The board prevented the dress from touching the floor,
and the experiment was not successful.
Finally, on the evening of October 13th, another balance
in the form of a steel-yard was prepared, the plate quite
isolated from the floor — nearly a foot distant from it. As
we particularly watched to avoid all chance contact between
the plate and the floor, even by the edge of Eusapia's
gown, the experiment failed. However, in these conditions
we believed we obtained some results on October 18th,
but this time the experiment was not conclusive ; we were
not sure whether a mantilla which Eusapia was wearing
round her head and shoulders had touched the top of the
scale during the continuous movement of the medium.
We concluded that no levitation had been entirely successful
when the medium was completely isolated from the floor.
398 PSYCHICAL THENOMENA
2. Mechanical movements with indirect contact of the
medium, in conditions that render mechanical action
impossible.
(a) Horizontal movement of the table, the 'medium
having her hands placed on three halls or on four casters.
— For this experiment, as conclusive as it was difficult,
the feet of the table were furnished with casters. A
board, sixteen and a half inches long and twelve and a
half inches wide, was placed on three wooden balls an
inch and a half in diameter, and then placed on the table.
The medium was asked to place her hands on the middle
of this board, her sleeves were drawn back about her
elbows ; her neighbours placed their feet and knees against
hers, the legs of the table being isolated in the angles
formed by the legs of the medium and the controllers.
In these conditions the table moved several times back-
wards and forwards, to right and to left and parallel to
itself for a distance of four to five inches, while, daring
this time, the board, although it was on the balls, moved
with the table as though forming a part of it.
In a second experiment of the same character the
balls which, at the commencement of the phenomenon,
easily escaped from underneath the board, were replaced
by four easily moving casters attached by pivots to the
four corners of the board, which gave greater stability
to the apparatus without making the movements more
difficult. The result was the same as in the preceding
case.
(b) Raising of the table with three halls o?" four casters,
and a board interposed between the table and the hands of
the medium. — This phenomenon, already obtained in the
first experiment, was repeated Avith the board on casters
in the conditions already detailed. The table was com-
pletely raised ou the side of the medium and under her
hands, together with the board on balls or on casters, to
a height of four to six inches without any displacement of
the board, and fell back with it.
By means of this experiment we obtained indisput-
able proof that lateral and vertical movements of the table
THE LONDON AND MILAN COMMITTEES 399
could be obtained independently of any effort of the
medium's hands. In this case surveillance was only exer-
cised on the medium's hands ; the table had several people
around it, and it was not easy to verify if there had been
contact between the feet of the table and the medium's
dress, which in other experiments seemed to be an essen-
tial condition of success. The same remark applies to the
experiment reported a little later on under section 3.
In order to remove all reason for doubt, we had
arranged a piece of cardboard cylindrically around the
medium and her chair, so as to protect her from all
external contact up to a height of two feet from the floor.
The niedium had scarcely seen it, when she declared that
to keep her enclosed in that would take away all her
power. Therefore we were compelled to abandon it.
Once only was it used, but in such circumstances as made
it almost superfluous.
3. Movements of objects at a distance without contact
with any of the persons present.
(a) Spontaneous movements of objects. — These pheno-
mena have been observed on several occasions during our
seances ; frequently a chair placed not far from the table,
between the medium and one of her neighbours, began to
move and sometimes approached the table. A remark-
able instance occurred during the second seance, in full
light : a heavy chair, which was not far from the table and
behind the medium was displaced. M. Schiaparelli, who
was close to the medium, rose and put it back into its
place, but he had scarcely sat down again when the chair
came toAvards him a second time.
(6) Movements of the table without contact. — It was
desired to obtain this phenomenon by way of experiment.
For that purpose the table was placed on casters. The
medium's feet were controlled as stated in number 2,
and all present formed the chain with their hands and
those of the medium. When the table began to move,
we all raised our hands without breaking the chain, and
the table, beins: isolated, made several movements as in
400 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
the second experiment. This experiment was repeated
several times.
(c) Movements of the arms of the rocking balance. —
This experiment was made for the first time in the seance
of September 21st. After having made certain of the
weight that the medium's body exercised on the balance
while she remained seated, it was interesting to see if this
experiment would be successful at a distance ; for this
purpose the balance was placed behind the medium's back
as she was seated at the table, in such a way that the
platform was about four inches from her chair. We first
of all placed the edge of her dress in contact with the
platform, and the lever then began to move. M. Brofferio
stooped down on the ground and lifted up the edge with
his hand, he found it was not quite straight and resumed
his place ; the movements continued with a fair degree
of force. M. Aksakof placed himself behind the medium,
completely isolated the platform from her gown, folded
the latter under her chair, and by means of his hand
assured himself that the space between the platform and
the chair was quite free, as he at once informed us. While
he was in this position the lever continued to move, and
to beat against the cross-bar, as we both saw and heard.
The same experiment was made a second time on Sep-
tember 26th, in the presence of Professor Richet. He
immediately left his place by the side of the medium, and
he assured himself by passing his hand in the air, and on
the ground between the medium and the platform, that
the space was free from all means of communication by a
thread or any other artifice.
(d) Blows and reproductions of sounds in the table.
— These blows are always produced during our seances in
order to express " yes " or " no," sometimes they are strong
and clear and seem to sound within the wood of the table ;
but, as we have remarked, the localisation of the sound is
not an easy matter, and we wore not able to try any experi-
ment on this point, with the exception of rhythmic blows
or various rubbings which we made on the table, and which
seemed to bo reproduced, though feebly, in the interior of
the table.
THE LONDON AND MILAN COMMITTEES 401
II
Phenomena Observed in Darkness
The phenomena observed in complete darkness were
produced while we were all seated around the table. The
medium's hands and feet were held by her two neighbours.
It invariably happened that there was not much delay in
the production of the most varied and singular phenomena
which we should have desired to observe in full light.
The darkness evidently increased the facility of these
manifestations, which we may class as under : —
1. Knocks on the table, undoubtedly stronger than
those heard in full light under or in the table. A loud
noise like that of a heavy blow of the fist or a slap on the
table.
2. Blows and raps on the chairs of the medium's
neighbours, sometimes so strong as to make the chair and
the person turn round. Sometimes when the person rose
his chair would be withdrawn.
3. Transporting of various objects on to the table, such
as chairs and clothing and sometimes other things, carried
several yards and weighing several pounds.
4. Transporting in the air of various objects, musical
instruments, for example, percussions and sounds produced
by these objects.
b. Transporting of the medium on to the table, with the
chair on which she was seated.
6. Appearance of phosphorescent points of very short
duration and of lights, particularly of luminous discs,
which were often duplicated, for an equal though very
short length of time.
7. Noise of two hands clapping together in the air.
8. Breath of air like a light wind limited to a small
space.
9. Touchings produced by a mysterious hand, some-
times on parts of the body, sometimes on. the naked flesh ;
2c
102 PSYX'HICAL PHENOMENA
and, in the last instance, we experienced precisely the
same sensation of contact and of heat as would be pro-
duced by a human hand. Sometimes these touchings
produced a corresponding sound.
10. Vision of one or two hands projected on a phos-
phorescent paper or on a feebly lighted window.
11. Various work executed by the hands; knots tied
and untied, pencil - marks left on a sheet of paper or
elsewhere. Imprints of these hands on a sheet of blackened
paper.
12. Contact of our hands with a mysterious figure,
which was certainly not that of the medium.
All those who deny the possibility of the pheno-
mena try to explain these facts by supposing that the
medium has the faculty of seeing in the complete dark-
ness in which the experiments are made, and that, by a
clever trick, she is able by moving about in the dark to
make her two neighbours hold the same hand, leaving the
other free for the production of the touchings. Those
of us who had the opportunity of seeing Eusapia's hands
are obliged to acknowledge that it was not easy to keep
watch over them and be sure at all times where they
were. At the time when some important phenomenon
was about to be produced she would begin to move the
whole of her body, twisting about and trying to free her
hands, particularly the right, as though the contact annoyed
her. In order to maintain their continuous supervision
her neighbours were obliged to follow all the movements of
the fugitive hand, during which operation it was not rare
to lose the contact for several moments, just at the time
where it was more desirable to be quite sure of it. It was
then not easy to know whether the right or the left hand
of the medium was being held.
For these reasons many of the very numerous mani-
festations observed in the darkness were regarded as
insutHciently demonstrative in value although in reality
probable ; therefore we will pass them over, dwelling only
on some cases concerning which there can be no doubt
either as to the certainty of the control exercised or as to
THE LONDON AND MILAN COMMITTEES 403
the manifest impossibility of their being the work of the
medium.
(a) Apiwrts of different objects while the mediuiiis
hands were tied to those of her neighbour's. — In order to
assure ourselves that we were not the victims of an
illusion, we attached the hands of the medium to those
of her neighbours by means of a single cord about one-
tenth of an inch in diameter, in such a manner that the
four hands controlled each other. The length of the cord
between the medium's hands was from eight to twelve
inches, and between the medium's hands and those of
her neighbour about four inches, only a small space being
left so that the hands of those next to the medium could
also hold the medium's hands during her convulsive
movements.
The connection was made in the following manner.
The string was wound tightly three times round each of
the medium's wrists without leaving any play, so tight
indeed as almost to hurt her, and then tied with two single
knots. This was done so that if by any trick she could
free her hand — the fact of its being wound round three
times would at once prevent her from replacing her hand
in the original manner.
A bell was placed on a chair to the right of the medium.
The chain was formed, the medium's hands were held as
usual, as well as her feet ; the room was placed in dark-
ness, the desire being expressed that the bell should imme-
diately ring, after which we proposed to release the medium.
Immediately we heard the chair turn over, describe a
curve on the floor, go towards the table, and soon place
itself upon it. The bell rang, and vms then projected on
to the table. The light Avas quickly turned up, and we
saw that the knots were in perfect order. It is evident
that the movement of the chair could not have been
produced by means of the medium's hands during this
experiment, which only lasted ten minutes altogether.
(6) iTTiprints of fingers obtained on paper. — In order
to assure ourselves that we had really to do with a human
hand, we fixed on the table, on the opposite side to the
404 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
medium, a sheet of paper blackened with smoke, and
expressed the desire that the hand should leave an
imprint on it, that the hand of the medium should
remain in its place, and the black should remain on our
hands.
The medium's hands were held by those of MM.
Schiaparelli and Du Prel. The chain was formed and the
room darkened. We then heard a hand knock lightly on
the table, and M. Du Prel immediately stated that his left
hand, which was held by M. Finzi's right hand, had felt
some fingers rubbing it.
Having turned up the light we found several imprints
of fingers on the paper, and the back of M. Du Prel's
hand was blackened, while the medium's hands on being
immediately examined bore no trace of black. This
experiment was repeated three times. As we insisted
upon having a complete print, on a second sheet we
obtained five fingers, and on a third the almost complete
impression of a left hand. After that the back of M. Du
Prel's hand was completely blackened and the medium's
hands perfectly clean.
(c) Ap'pearance of hands on a slightly illuminated
background. — We placed on the table a card coated with
a phosphorescent substance (sulphide of calcium), and
other cards on chairs in different parts of the room. In
these circumstances we clearly saw the outline of a hand
placed on the card on the table, and on the background
formed by the other cards we saw the shadow of a hand
passing and repassing around us.
On the evening of September 21st, we saw on several
occasions not only one but two hands at a time projected
against the feeble light — a window closed only by curtains
(it was night outside, but not absolute darkness).
These hands moved rapidly — not, however, too quickly
for us to be able to distinguish the outline clearly. They
were completely opaque, and were projected against the
window as absolutely black outlines. It was not possible
for the observers to come to a decision as to the arms to
which these hands were attached, because only a small
THE LONDON AND MILAN COMMITTEES 405
part of the arms near the wrists was seen m the feeble
light from the window, from our point of observation.
These phenomena of the simultaneous appearance of
the two hands are very significant, because they cannot
be explained by the hypothesis of trickery on the part of
the medium, who could not in any way free more than
one hand, thanks to the surveillance of her neighbours.
The same remark applies to the clapping of two hands in
the air which was heard several times during the course
of our experiments.
(d) liaising of the medium on to the table. — We
place this raising among the most important and most
significant facts. It was twice effected, on September 23rd
and October 3rd. The medium, who was seated at one
end of the table, while groaning loudly, was raised with
her chair and placed with it on the table, seated in the
same position, her hands being all the time held, and
accompanied by her neighbours.
On the evening of September 28th the medium, while
her two hands were held by Professors Richet and Lom-
broso, complained that hands were seizing her under her
arms ; then, in a state of trance, she said in the changed
voice usual to that condition : " Noav, I bring my medium
on to the table."
At the end of two or three seconds the chair, with the
medium who was seated on it, was not thrown but care-
fully raised and placed on the table, and Professors Richet
and Lombroso are sure that they did not in any way assist
this lifting by their own efforts. After having spoken,
still in a trance condition, the medium announced her
descent ; M. Finzi was substituted for Professor Lombroso,
and the medium was set down on the ground with the
same care and precision, MM. Richet and Finzi accom-
panying, but without assisting in any way, the movements
of the hands and body, and questioning each other every
moment as to the position of the hands.
Moreover, during the descent, they both felt several
times a hand which touched them lightly on the head.
On the evenmg of October 3rd, the same phenomenon was
406 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
repeated in very similar circumstances, MM. Du Prel and
Finzi being by the side of the medium.
(e) Touchings. — Some of these deserve to be particu-
larly noted, because of a circumstance which may furnish
an interesting idea as to their possible origin ; and first
of all we must notice the touchings which were felt b}'
persons outside the reach of the medium's hands.
Thus on the evening of October 6th, M. Gerosa, who was
three places away from the medium (about a yard and
a half, the medium being at one end of the table and
M. Gerosa at one of the corners next to the opposite end),
having raised his hand in order that it might be touched,
felt several times a hand which struck his as though to lower
it, and, as he persisted, he was struck with a trumpet, which
a short time previously had been sounding in the air.
In the second place, we must note certain delicate
touchings which no one could perform in the darkness
with the observed precision.
Twice (September 16th and 21st) M. Schiaparelli's
glasses were taken off" and placed on the table in front of some
one else. These glasses were fixed to the eyes by means of
two springs, and considerable attention was necessary to
take them off, even if done in full light. They were,
however, taken off in complete darkness with so much
delicacy and quickness that the experimenter only knew
that he no longer felt the usual contact of the glasses
against his nose, temples, and ears, and he had to feel with
his hands in order to make sure that they were no longer
in their usual place.
Similar effects resulted from many other touchings
which were executed with great delicacy — for example
when one of the spectators felt his hair and board stroked.
In all the innumerable manoeuvres executed by the
mysterious hands, we never noticed any clumsiness or
shock, such as inevitably happens when one works in
the dark.
The darkness was, in the majority of cases (with one
or two exceptions already mentioned), as complete as pos-
sible, and it must be admitted that neither the medium
THE LONDON AND MILAN COMMITTEES 407
nor any one else could see, even vaguely or confusedly,
the profiles of the persons seated around the table.
We may add, with regard to this, that heavy and
bulky objects, such as chairs and pots full of clay, were
placed on the table without ever touching any of the
numerous hands placed on the table; and this was par-
ticularly difficult in the case of the chairs, which were so
large as to occupy the greater part of the table. One
chair was turned over forwards before being placed on
the table, and placed lengthways without injuring any-
one, in such a manner that it took up nearly the whole
of the table.
(/) Contacts with a human face. — One of us, having
expressed the desire to be kissed, felt in front of his mouth
the rapid noise of a kiss, but it was not accompanied by
the contact of lips ; this happened on two occasions
(September 21st and October 1st). On three different occa-
sions one of those present touched a human face with
hair and beard ; the contact of the skin was absolutely
like that of a living face, the hair was much more
harsh and bristly than that of the medium, while the
beard, on the contrary, appeared to be very fine (October
1st and 6th).
((/) Sounds from the tricm^yet. — On the evening of
October 6th, we had placed a trumpet behind the medium
and behmd the curtain. Suddenly we heard several notes
sounded behind our heads. Those who were by the side
of the medium were able to assure themselves that the
sound did not come from their direction. The trumpet
was found to be transported to the table, on the side
opposite to the medium.
(/i) Experiments of Zollner on the penetration of a
solid through another solid. — We know the celebrated
experiments by which the astronomer Zollner tried to
prove experimentally the existence of a fourth dimension
of space, which, from his point of view, would have served
as the base of an acceptable theory for many mediumistic
phenomena.
Although we well knew that, according to a widespread
408 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
opinion, Zollner was the victim of a very skilful hoax,
we considered it very important to try a portion of his
experiments with the assistance of Mme. Eusapia. If
only one of them had succeeded, when undertaken with
the necessary precautions, we should have been compen-
sated with interest for all our trouble, and we should
have received manifest proof of the reality of mediumistic
facts, even in the eyes of the most obstinate opponents.
We tried successively three of the experiments of Zollner,
viz. : —
1. The interlinking of two solid rings (wood or card-
board) previously separate.
2. The formation of a single knot in an endless cord.
3. The penetration of a solid object from the outside
into the interior of a closed box, the key of which was
carefully guarded.
None of these attempts were successful. It was the
same with another experiment which would have been
equally conclusive, that of taking a mould of the mys-
terious hand in melted paraffin.
Only one fact, which if it was certain could be con-
sidered as belonging to this category, was produced in the
seance of September 21st, but unfortunately without our
being previously informed; there was therefore lacking,
when the phenomenon took place, that continued super-
vision which is more than necessary. One of us having
at the commencement of the seance placed his overcoat
on a chair, out of the reach of the medium, we saw, at
the end of the seance, various articles brought on to a
phosphorescent card placed on the table, which articles
the owner of the overcoat immediately recognised as
coming from an inside pocket of this garment ; then the
medium began to moan, complaining that something had
been put round her neck and was strangling her.
When the light was turned up we found that the over-
coat had been moved from its original place, but on giving
our attention to the medium, who was distracted and in a
bad temper, we saw that she had the coat in question on
her back and that her two arms were in the sleeves.
THE LONDON AND MILAN COMMITTEES 409
Throughout the seauce her hands and feet had been as
usual under the control of her two neighbours.
We know how on such an occasion more than on any
other, confidence in the production of such a remarkable
phenomenon depends entirely on the certainty and con-
tinuity of the control of the two hands; but, as the
phenomenon was quite unexpected, the attention of the
medium's neighbours could not have been centred con-
tinually on exercising this supervision. These two ex-
perimenters declared that they did not believe that they
had loosed hold of her hands ; but not having (because
of all the distractions caused by the phenomena pro-
duced) kept their attention fixed solely on this point,
it must be admitted to be possible (but not probable)
that they momentarily liberated the medium without
knowing it.
Phenomena previously observed in darkness after-
wards obtained in light with the medium in view. —
It remained for us, in order to secure conclusive evidence,
to try to obtain the important phenomena occurring in
darkness without losing sight of the medium. Since
darkness is, as it seems, so favourable for their mani-
festation, it is necessary to leave the darkness for the
phenomena — keep the light for ourselves and the medium.
In order to do that we proceeded as follows in the seance
of October 6th : one portion of the room was separated
from the other by means of a curtain, in order that it
might remain in darkness, and the medium was placed
seated on a chair before the opening of the curtain, with
her back in the darkened part ; her arms, hands, face, and
feet were in the lighted part of the room.
Behind the curtain we placed a small chair with a
bell, about half a yard or less from the medium, and on
another chair, farther away, we placed a vase full of moist
clay, perfectly level at the top. In the lighted part we
formed a circle around the table which Avas placed in
front of the medium. Her hands were all the time held
by MM. Schiaparelli and Du Prel. The room was lighted
by means of a lantern with red glasses, placed on another
410 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
table. This was the first time that the medium was
subjected to these conditions.
The phenomena soon commenced. By means of the
light of a candle without red glass we saw the curtain
swell out towards us ; the medium's neighbours, holding
their hands against the curtain, felt a resistance. The
chair of one of them was violently drawn away, then
five raps were given, which signified that less light was
asked for.
Then we lit the red lantern, which we also partially
shaded with a screen, but we shortly afterwards removed
this, previously placing the lamp on our table in front of
the medium. The edges of the opening of the curtain
were fixed to the corners of the table, and, at the request
of the medium, folded back over her head and fastened
with pins ; then something began to appear on the
medium's head on several occasions. M. Aksakof rose,
put his hand in the opening of the curtain over the
medium's head, and immediately stated that fingers had
several times touched him ; then his hand was drawn
through the curtain ; finally, he felt that something was
pushing away his hand — it was the small chair ; he took
hold of it, then the chair was taken from him again and
fell on to the floor. All present put their hands in the
opening, and felt the contact of hands. In the dark
background of this openmg, over the medium's head,
blue lights appeared several times ; M. Schiaparelli was
vigorously touched through the curtain on the back and
side. His head was covered and drawn into the dark part,
while with his left hand he all the time retained hold of
the medium's right, and with his right hand of M. Finzi's
left.
In this position he felt himself touched by naked,
warm fingers, saw lights describing curves in the air and
illuminating a little the hand or the body to which they
belonged. Then he resumed his place, and a hand began
to appear at the opening without being withdrawn so
quickly, and consequently was more distinctly soon. The
medium not having yet seen this, raised her head to
THE LONDON AND MILAN COMMITTEES 411
look at it, and immediately the hand touched her face,
M. Du Prel, without loosing hold of the medium's hand,
put his head in the opening over the medium's head, and
immediately felt himself strongly touched in different
parts by several fingers. The head again showed itself
between the two heads.
M. Du Prel went back to his place, and M. Aksakof
held a pencil in the opening — the hand took hold of the
pencil and did not let it fall ; then, shortly afterwards, it
was thrown through the opening on to the table.
A closed fist once appeared on the medium's head ;
then, afterwards, the open hand slowly came into view,
with the fingers held apart.
It is impossible to count the number of times that this
hand appeared and was touched by one of us : it is suffi-
cient to say that doubt was no longer possible. It was
certainly a human and living hand which we saw and
touched, while at the same time the bust and arms of the
medium remained visible and her hands were held by her
two neighbours. At the end of the seance M. Du Prel was
the first to pass into the darkened part, and told us that
there was an impression in the clay — in fact, we found
that this was put out of shape by a deep scratching of
five fingers belonging to a right hand (which explains the
fact that a portion of clay had been thrown on to the
table, through the opening of the curtain towards the end
of the seance), a permanent proof that we had not been
hallucinated.
These facts were repeated several times, under the
same or a slightly different form, on the evenings of
October 9th, 13th, 15th, 17th, and 18th. The position of
the mysterious hand often did not allow us to suppose that
it belonged to the medium ; however, for greater certainty,
on the evening of the 15th we attached a rubber-band to
her left hand, wrapping it round each of the fingers
separately. This enabled us at any moment to distinguish
which of the two hands was in charge of her neighbours.
Apparitions again took place on the 15th, and finally
on the 18th (although with less intensity), under the
412 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
rigorous control, solemnly attested by them, of MM. Kichet
and Scliiaparelli ; both gave special attention to this part
of our experiments. These conditions were this time, as
always, somewhat difficult to realise, because the medium
continually moved her hands, and instead of holding
them on the table in front of us, held them down on
her knees.
Conclusion
Thus, therefore, all the marvellous phenomena which
we observed in complete or almost complete darkness
(chairs, with the persons seated on them, forcibly drawn
back, touchings of hands, lights, imprints of fingers, &c.)
have also been obtained without losing sight of the medium,
even for a moment. In that respect the seance of
October 6th was for us certain and absolute evidence of
the correctness of our former observations in the dark.
It was an incontestable proof that, in order to explain
the phenomena occurring in complete darkness, it is not
absolutely necessary to suppose trickery on the part of
the medium or illusion on our part ; it was proof to us
that these phenomena may result from a cause identical
with that which produces them when the medium is
visible, with sufficient light to verify her position and
movements.
In publishing this short and incomplete report of our
experiments, it is also our duty to say that our convictions
are as follows : —
1. That, in the circumstances given, none of the pheno-
mena obtained in more or less intense light could have
been produced by the aid of any artifice whatever.
2. That the same opinion may be affirmed hi a large
measure with regard to the phenomena obtained in com-
plete darkness. For some of them we can well admit,
strictly speaking, the possibility of imitating them by
means of some adroit artifice on the part of the medium ;
nevertheless, according to what we have said, it is evident
that this hypothesis would bo not only improbable, but
even useless in the present case, since, even admittmg it,
THE LONDON AND MILAN COMMITTEES 413
the assembly of facts clearly proved would not be invali-
dated by it.
We recognise, however, that from the point of view of
exact science our experiments leave much to be desired ;
they were undertaken without our knowing what we
required, and the various apparatus that we used had to
be prepared and improvised by MM. Finzi, Gerosa, and
Ermacora.
Nevertheless, what we have seen and ascertained is
sufficient to prove to us that these phenomena are well
worthy the attention of scientists.
We consider it our duty to publicly express our
gratitude and acknowledgments to M. D. Ericole Chiaia,
who for many years with zeal and patience, and despite
clamour and vilification, has followed the development
of the mediumistic faculty of this remarkable subject, by
calling the attention of students to her — having but one
end in view, the triumph of an unpopular truth.
CHAPTER XXVIII
PHENOMENA OF MOTRICITY
Study and Experiments
We now come to the phenomena of motricity, or of move-
ment of objects without contact. This phenomenon is
one of the most difficult of acceptance in the present
condition of science.
It seems, in fact, that the phenomenon in question
must be in opposition to the known laws of physics and
mechanics. Let us observe first of all, however, that it
presents no absurdity ; that is to say, that it is not in con-
tradiction to any of the laws which have been recognised
as necessary, the geometrical or mathematical laws.
Physics at the present day is in direct opposition to the
physics of a hundred years ago. There are many facts
now recognised which our fathers would have described
as impossible and contrary to the natural laws of physics,
because they had not our knowledge of electricity or of
photography.
If a hundred years ago a scientist had been invited to
hear at Paris a lecture delivered in Berlin, he would have
taken the proposer for a madman, or else he would have
thought that he was making fun of him, and would not
have gone a step out of his way to test what he would
have declared beforehand to be absurd and impossible.
If it had been insisted upon, if a large number of
persons apparently sincere had assured him that they
had heard in Paris what had been said in Berlin, he would
have replied : "Since sound only travels about 1115 feet
a second, supposing that you have sufficiently acute
hearing to hear in Paris words uttered in Berlin, you can
calculate the time taken before these words could reach
414
PHENOMENA OF .MOTRICITY 415
you ; it is therefore impossible for you to hear in Paris
a lecture at the very moment it is delivered in Berlin."
This is what our scientist would have said a hundred
years ago on the basis of the known laws of physics. In
our days there is not a pupil of the fourth standard who
would be justified in being ignorant of the telephone.
This same scientist would have enclosed various objects
in a locked wooden box, put the key in his pocket, and
defied you to describe the objects enclosed in the box.
He would have had no hesitation in oftering a prize of a
thousand francs to any one who could see such articles
and describe them. And if after demanding certain con-
ditions of darkness and light in order to apply a radio-
scope, you had then told him exactly what his trunk
contained, he would not have hesitated to accuse you of
having obtained the result by surreptitious methods, by
opening the trunk with a false key, and he would have
remained obstinate in his conviction that nothing could
have enabled you to see through the trunk.
Let us suppose now that this scientist wished to put you
to the proof, and had enclosed in his box a large hat,
challenging you to say what it contained. With your
radioscope you could easily tell him the number of pins
on the hat, and describe to him their shape and exact
position. He would then tell you that since you could
see small pins through wood, you ought also to see equally
well a big hat.
In all this would not the absurdity and unreasonable
pretensions be on the part of the scientist ?
When therefore we speak of setting objects in motion
without contact, many scientists, who are no wiser than the
scientist of the last century whom we have been postulat-
ing, tell us, " It is impossible — it is absurd." But that does
not disturb us at all, and we continue our experiments and
observations notwithstanding. We know" well that within
fifty years those who will be ridiculed, those who will be
regarded as absurd, will be the very scientists of the present
time who are unwilling — I do not say to admit, but to
examine and study.
416 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
Things, however, are beginning to alter; a Large
number of scientists are observing and studying instead
of denying.
First of all, several persons have said : mediums who
can set in motion large objects without contact are very
rare; show us therefore a small object only — a pencil,
a pen, an object as light as you please — that can be set in
motion without contact, and when you have shown us
that we will admit this mediumistic force.
In fact, if it is demonstrated that there exists a force
capable of being projected from the human body and of
putting any small object in motion without contact, we
only need to assume that the medium is a being endowed
with this force in a much higher degree in order to admit
that he can move much larger objects without contact.
As the result of much research,.! have been able to
give this demonstration with an apparatus I have in-
vented for that purpose, and which I have called the
" Sthenometer."
The sthenometer is an instrument I have made in order to
demonstrate the presence of a force emanating from the nervous
system, and to measure this force.
It is sufficient to bring the hand near to the apparatus, in order
to see the needle move in proportion to the force projected.
This force, which emanates from the human body, appears to
be the same as the force projected from mediums, which has
hitherto been so difficult to demonstrate and study.
A point of special interest to medical men is that this force is
found to be modified in various maladies of the nervous system.
The observation of these modifications will be of very great utility
for the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of these illnesses.
We read in the Journal des Pradiciens : " M. Joire has
demonstrated that neither sound, heat, light, nor electricity can
explain this displacement of the needle, which always moves three
or four minutes after the hand is brought close to it.
" These experiments have been repeated by M. Joire before the
Soci6t6 d' Hypnologie et de Psychologie, at Dr. B^rillon's Institut
Psycho-Physiologiquo, in M. Iluchard's deimrtment at Necker.
The results were shown to be quite conclusive.
PHENOMENA OF MOTRICITY 417
" Consequently, it is proved that there emanates from the human
body something of which we are ignorant, and which is perhaps
capable of producing luminous phenomena, and more certainly the
displacement of a light body at a distance."
The following are the different observations we have been
able to furnish with regard to this force by the use of the
sthenometer.
When the hand is brought close to the apparatus with the
fingers extended, opposite to the point of the needle and per-
pendicularly to its direction, we notice, after a few moments, a
movement of the needle, generally towards the hand.
This movement takes place slowly, progressively, and in a very
characteristic manner, different from the agitation of the needle
produced by shaking the apparatus.
Fig. 10.
The movement of the needle is sufficiently considerable to
dispel all possibility of illusion. It is not a displacement of a
few degrees only, but is often observed to the extent of 20, 30,
and 40 degrees.
If the displacement obtained with each hand successively is
observed, we notice that that obtained with the right hand is
normally greater than that obtained with the left hand.
The amplitude of the displacement of the needle varies with
the individuals, and particularly with the condition of health.
We have noticed in some subjects, but in rare circumstances, a
displacement of the needle in the opposite direction — that is to
say, a repulsion.
The conclusions to be drawn from these experiments and
observations are as follows : —
It is proved by means of the sthenometer that there emanates
2d
418 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
from the living organism a special force, which is transmitted to a
distance, and appears to be specially dependent upon the nervous
system.
This force is modified and disturbed in various diseases of
the nervous system, and the observation of these disturbances
by means of the sthenometer is of great practical interest in the
treatment of these complaints.
It is therefore proved that there exists a force capable
of being projected from the human body and of setting
objects in motion without contact.
We will now study this force as exhibited by mediums.
I shall give in this chapter the summary of a number
of mediumistic phenomena obtained vdth. children. The
author of this account has intimately known the family in
which the phenomena were produced, and all the persons
who were present at the experiments in which he himself
took part. This, therefore, gives it a very special interest.
Mr. Davis occupies an important position in the tele-
graph department. The mediumship of the children has
not, I believe, been since manifested.^
In the account which I shall give of these phenomena
which took place in a family circle at Kio-de-Janeiro, the
one difficulty is that of presenting the facts in such a
manner as to give the proper impression of their value.
Facts, isolated from the series to which they belong, may,
like quotations detached from their context, lead to errors.
Yet there are many things in cases such as the following
which are of too private a nature to be published. There
are names and circumstances relating to persons outside
the circle which for this reason cannot be mentioned ; and
even as regards those with whom we are personally con-
cerned there are, as will be easily understood, some things
too private to be repeated. I shall therefore confine my-
self to a description as exact as possible of the physical
phenomena.
Towards the middle of 1888 we received at Rio a
visit from the well-known Floury Slade, who, after a stay
1 S(ie An7inlcs dcs Sciences Psychiqiws, vol. iii., 1892, pp. 242, 302, Sol.
PHExNOMENA OF lAIOTRIClTY 419
of a few weeks without success, left us to go to Buenos Aires,
and returned to Rio after six weeks' absence. He seemed
then to be more fortunate in his seances, and although
on this account I would prefer to abstain from speaking,
even in passing, of a professional medium, it is only fair
to attribute to him the great mterest Avhich psychical
phenomena then aroused, and perhaps the appearance of
a power which produced them. Mr. Davis, whose acquaint-
ance I made when Slade came to us for the first time, was
induced to form a circle at his own house. He occupied
a small country house in a lonely place on the slope of a
small hill overlooking the sea. But in November 1888
he removed to the foot of the hill, much nearer to
the sea.
While Slade was at Buenos Aires, at least twenty-five
weekly seances were held at Mr. Davis's house without
the slightest result.
Eventually on August 14th some slight manifestations
were obtained with fairly good proofs of identity, and as
these rapidly increased in power and frequency, they kindly
invited me to join the circle. The members who then
composed it Avere Mr. and Mrs. Davis, their daughters
C. and A., aged twelve and nine and a half years respec-
tively, their maternal grandmother, and myself ; we may
also include Mr. X., a friend of Mr. Davis, but he did not
come very regularly.
The strength of the proofs depends almost entirely
upon the members of the circle, and upon their com-
petence as observers and their reputation for honesty.
At the end of August and during the following months
we had proof upon proof of the reality of the psychic force
and of the strange intelligence which accompanied it.
Heavy objects were put in motion, without conscious
effort on our part, and sometimes without any kind of
contact. What seemed to be direct writing appeared on
the walls and in closed books, and we could obtain it on
slates by carefully observing regularity m holding our
seances. Knocks were very frequent and were of all
kinds, from the slightest to the most violent. Impres-
420 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
sions of fingers, and once that of a foot, were produced
on the floor without normal cause.
Clairvoyance and, in a slight degree, clairaudience
were developed : sometimes the contact and the grasp of
hands which did not seem to belong to any of the
spectators were felt, even by myself.
Very characteristic marks of individuality w'ere main-
tained throughout the course of the manifestations, and,
in some cases, it was clearly indicated that the intelligence
at work could not be identified with the sub-conscious
cerebration of the persons present.
These phenomena were at first both relevant and
irrelevant. The instruments of their production were
ordinary English children : this naturally aroused in them
a certain pride, and in us the excitation of our faculties
of observation and reasoning, our curiosity being greatly
stimulated. After having increased in mtensity, and
given us reason to expect still more marvellous mani-
festations, the power ended by decreasing to such a degree
that it was reduced to simple automatic writing. This
synchronised with the change of residence; but I think
that the cause should be mainly attributed to the heat of
an exceptionally bad summer.
When it again became cold the power reappeared, but
it never agam reached the degree attained in 1888, and
on June 4, 1889, the departure of Mr. Davis's family for
England put an end to the seances.
It ought to be stated that from commencement to
finish there was nothing that could be truly ascribed to a
morbid condition of the nervous system, either in the
children or in the adult observers : none of those present
were at any time in a state of consciousness difi'ering in
appearance from the normal state.
Warned by failures and disappointments in other cases,
Mr. Davis and I decided to submit everything to a strict
inquiry and to judge each phenomenon at its true value.
According to notes taken at the time, and my recol-
lections corrected by those of other witnesses, I Avill now
try to enter into details, and I will arrange the facts, not
PHENOMENA OF MOTRICITY 421
according to their succession in time, but according to the
class to which they belong.
Movement of Heavy Bodies attributable to Psychic Force
At the first successful seance held on August 14th, at
which Mr. and Mrs. Davis and their two children C. and A.
were present, the table gave some raps, the hands of the
members being, in accordance with custom, placed in a
chain on the table. The letters indicated by the raps
gave the name of a relative, Fanny Z., who had been
dead for some time, and this name was persistently given,
although the sitters believed that it was really Frances.
Mme. Z., who was not in the room at the time, was asked
to come, and she stated that the deceased had always
been familiarly called Fanny, although her real name
was Frances.
The sitters had been quite opposed to the name given
by the table until the corroborative explanation was given
by Mme. Z.
From this time the power, as I have already said,
rapidly developed; there were spontaneous manifesta-
tions, or they would come when asked for at any hour of
the day.
It was after this first appearance of phenomena that I
was invited by Mr. Davis to take part in the seances.
During tea the dining-room table, around which Mr. and
Mrs. Davis and their five little daughters were seated,
swayed right and left and rose on one side by sudden
and very emphatic movements, which often indicated,
according to the usual signs for yes or no, approbation
or disapprobation of the statements made in conversation.
During this singular conduct of the table, the tAvo
elder daughters C. and A., from whom the power seemed
principally to come, were quietly seated, one on each side
of their mother, who was well placed for discovering any
interference on their part. The same thing happened on
other occasions in my presence, and, as Mr. Davis assured
me, at the time the members of the family were present.
422 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
The table, in short, acted like a living, moving losing
endowed with human intelligence.
The tone adopted in conversation with these strange
influences was rather jocular ; and on one occasion, when
I left the room after tea, the table ran after me as though
it wished to call me back. C was then the only other
person present in the room, and, so far as I was able to
see, she did not even touch the table, still less push it.
On another occasion, when we were around the table,
it raised itself and fell down again slowly and deliberately,
in a manner so entirely different from its usual method
that we immediately supposed the presence of a new
influence. The alphabet was recited and repeated, and
we got the name of a lady who, in former years, had been
a personal friend of Mme. Z. The others had only heard
her spoken of. We then inquired her age, which I must
not mention because her relatives, who are still living,
would guess to whom it referred; but as to the number
of years a mistake was made, against which the table
immediately protested, correcting Mme. Z. as to the
number of units, which I believe was five instead of four.
Mme. Z. immediately admitted that her memory had
played her false.
Other phenomena of a spontaneous character, or which
were produced in accordance with our request, proved the
presence of a psychic force even better than the incon-
venient movements of the tea-table. The chair on which
Amy, a child of thirteen months, was seated was moved
backwards and forwards in a space of about ten or twelve
inches between the table and the wall, and so abruptly
that the chair, partly under the table, was in danger of
falling over backwards.
The child, instead of being frightened, seemed to feel
quite safe, and laughed, although we were sometimes very
anxious. At our request the chair was raised again and
the violence of the movements moderated. Mme. Z. was
sitting on the right of the child, and A. on the left. In
its movements the chair remained parallel with the table —
that is to say, it did not move at all — as though it had been
PHENOMENA OF MOTRICITV 42f3
drawn forward and sideways by the foot of one of those
sitting next to it, and generally it glided across and not
lengthwise of the floor boards, which were uncarpeted, as
is usual in Brazil. Being seated close to Amy I tried
to move the chair, and I can say that, although my lower
limbs are of more than average strength, I was only able
to move it with great difficulty, and the result of my effort
was to turn the chair half round. If, therefore, instead
of having, as was the case, every reason to trust Mme. Z.
and her little daughter, I had had the best reason for
distrusting them, I should nevertheless, in the absence
of all visible mechanism, have regarded this particular
phenomenon as genuine.
Another incident worthy of record was connected with
a little dog named Tury, who was as usual seated upon a
chair away from the table and close to the wall. No one
being near to him I jokingly challenged the visible influ-
ence to move the chair, so as to compel the dog to jump
down. For about a minute nothing happened, then the
dog left the chair, apparently by his own will. Two or
three seconds passed after he had jumped down, and then
the chair oscillated before us all. In the same manner
a child's swing, which hung in a corner of the room,
was at my request made to oscillate slightly but quite
visibly, and this was observed by Mr. Davis and myself.
There was, it is true, a window open behind it; but as
we then carefully observed, there was no sensible breeze
coming from that direction. The temperature of the
house and that of the outside were very similar, and it
was one of the very calm Brazilian nights.
An account of a phenomenon of levitation suggested
to us another experiment with the tea-table. I asked C,
who was seated a little farther away than I was, her little
sister D. being between us, to place her hand on the back
of my chair ; this she did, seeming to touch the chair
very slightly. The chair began to sway to right and left,
and continued the movement even when I raised my feet
from the floor. This indicated the application of a great
force, and was amply sufficient to prove the action of a
424 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
physical force, if not to raise me entirely from the lioor.
During all this C. remained seated and motionless, and
it was evident that she did not make the slightest effort.
The following evening Mr. X., who was very strong,
took C.'s chair, while I remained on my own, and he
tried to produce the same effect, in the same conditions.
As a result his own chair slid on the floor while mine
remained motionless. My weight, which has not changed
much since then, is 207 pounds.
There were some other experiments with the tables,
better carried out, during the regular seances at which
I assiduously took part from that time.
Once a light table with three legs was turned upside
down, and my hands as well as those of Mr. and Mrs.
Davis and their two daughters were lightly placed on
the legs. Care was taken to see that the legs were only
lightly touched, and in these conditions the table sprang
rapidly from the floor on to the knees of one of the sitters
and then down on to the floor again, repeating this action
with each of us in turn.
At the Thursday evening seances the table generally
placed itself in the desired position when we had seated
ourselves, either immediately before or after our hands
had been placed on the surface. These movements, how-
ever, nearly always caused us surprise, and as we had in
view the study of much more important phenomena, we
did not submit them to a very strict examination.
An interesting case of apparent alteration of the weight
of the table was observed by Mr. X. when C. was beside
him. At his request, while he was moving it, it became
alternately very light and very heavy, so although it
was only an ordinary card-table, he more than once had
to set it down on the floor again.
I will give here an account of an interesting pheno-
menon which happened previously with Slade, but which,
in the case of a professional medium, might perhaps be
attributed to conjuring. Having once been for a walk on
the hill before entering Mr. Davis's house, I found on
arriving that the children had just finished their lessons.
PHENOMENA OF MOTRICITY 425
The thought came to me on seeing the slates and books
on the table that I would try in A.'s presence to obtain
the disappearance of a solid object, and when we were
alone in the room, on my suggestion, we both took a slate
on which a book had been placed, and held it under the
table. The slate was forcibly turned over and the book
fell to the ground. This was a failure. I then took a
slate pencil of ordinary length which was on the table,
placed it on the slate, and with the assistance of the
little medium I again held the slate out of sight, in
the shadow of the table ; after a moment we drew back
the slate : the pencil had disappeared.
We looked for it on the floor under the table, but in
vam. On putting the slate back in its place the pencil
seemed to fall upon it. I tried again, in exactly the same
conditions, and again the pencil disappeared. This time,
besides looking everywhere for the pencil, I asked A. to
shake her arms and called Mr. Davis, who was in the
next room. I explained to him what had happened, and
asked him to help us in our search. Some minutes passed
before he found anythmg; then having put his hand
between the cross-bars joining the legs of the table he .
found the pencil, which seemed to have been placed there
by some one. At this point particularly the wood vv^as
smooth and the surface vertical, and the pencil could not
have been driven into the hard wood of which the table
was made. In addition, the experiment was quite new
to the young girl, whom I myself watched in full light,
and she could not have let go the slate for an appreciable
time without my perceiving it, while, as to her other hand,
I was holding that on the table.
CHAPTER XXIX
MOVEMENT OF OBJECTS WITHOUT CONTACT
Experiments of Dr. Dariex
At the Psychological Congress in Paris in 1900 Dr. Dariex
made a very important communication on some experi-
ments in the movement of objects without contact, which
took place at his house and were verified by a committee.
We will give this report in full, and it will be seen
that all the observations were made in a thoroughly scien-
tific manner.
Report of the Collective Experiments instituted for the
verification of Movements of Objects without Contact.
We the undersigned : —
Dr. BarbilUon, of the Faculty of Paris, formerly house-
physician at the hospitals, residing at 16 Quai d'Orleans,
Paris ;
Paul Besombes, civil engineer, living at 7 Rue Boutarel,
Paris ;
Dr. Joanne Meneault, of the Faculty of Paris, formerly
house-surgeon at the Marine Hospital at Berck-sur-Mer,
residing at 51 Rue Monge, Paris ;
Louis Morin, pharmaceutical chemist, residing at 9 Rue
du Pont-Louis-Philippe ;
Certify to the correctness of the following facts : —
Dr. Dariex, residing at No. 6 Rue du Bcllay, Paris,
having on several occasions, and particularly on January
24, 1889, believed that he had witnessed the production
of some strange phenomena at night in his study, asked
the above-named persons to verify the observations already
made as to the existence of these phenomena.
OBJECTS WITHOUT CONTACT
427
Accordinsr to Dr. Dariex, chairs have been found thrown
down m his study, and that on several occasions when,
through the precautions taken to avoid all trickery, it
appeared impossible for any living person to have come
into the room, the doors and wuidows of which had been
methodically closed and sealed.
For ten days, from January 26th, to February 4th, the
undersigned met regularly at Dr. Dariex's house at 8
o'clock in the evening and 8.30 in the morning — sometimes
all were present, sometimes one or more were absent. Dr.
J?c^<z tSFZ
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Fig. 11.
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Barbillion and Dr. Dariex were not absent from a single
meeting, and were present at the whole of the experi-
ments.
Dr. Dariex's study is on the first-floor of the house at
No. 6 in the Rue du Bellay, and is in the part of the flat
which forms the corner of this street and that of Rue
Saint-Louis-en-l'Ile.
It is lighted by two windows looking on to this street,
and communication with the other rooms on the floor
is by two doors : the one leading into the drawing-room
and opening outwards, and the other leading into the
dining-room and opening inwards.
428 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
The above plan shows the arrangement of the
rooms.
The furniture in the study consisted of a bookcase,
writing-desk, table, couch, easy-chair, and four chairs ;
there was no cupboard. After having scrupulously ex-
amined the windows and doors, as well as the various
pieces of furniture, the walls and the floor, the undersigned
are convinced that there was nothing that could cause
the fall or displacement of any article of furniture or any
object by the aid of mechanism, wires, or any other means ;
that it would be equally impossible for any one to hide in
the study or to come into the room after the windows and
doors had been closed and sealed. Under these circum-
stances, each evening at 8 o'clock the following precautions
were carefully taken and the iron shutters were fastened
and the windows closed, seals being placed on the case-
ments close to the fastenings. The door opening into the
drawing-room was locked from the study, the key being-
left in the keyhole and secured by a band of cloth sealed
at both ends.
Seals were affixed to the door, and a band of cloth was
fastened with sealing-wax to the door itself, and to the
adjoining wall. Throughout the whole of our experiments
this drawing-room door remained thus secured.
The only opening remaining was the door leading into
the study from the dining-room. The chairs in the study
were arranged in an order agreed upon, but not always
exactly in the same place. Then the experimenters went
out of the study into the dining-room, Dr. Dariex first,
and each of them from the dininof-room cast a glance
round the study in order to finally assure himself that
the chairs were upright and in their places.
Then Dr. Barbillion locked the door of the study and
kept the key in his possession ; seals were affixed and a
band of cloth placed over the keyhole. Seven or eight
impressions were made Avith a seal belonging to M. Morin,
which he kept in his possession and took home with him.
The form and arrangement of the seals were carefully
noted.
OBJECTS WITHOUT CONTACT 429
These precautions were regularly and rigorously taken at
8 o'clock each evening, and we met again at 8.30 the follow-
ing morning to remove the seals, the operation being always
preceded by a mmute examination of the seals and of the
lock. The following is an account of what happened
during the ten days of our observation : —
First night, Saturday, 26th January, to Sunday, 27th
January — Nothing.
Second night, 27th-28th January — Nothing.
Third night, 28th-29th January — two chairs were
overturned : the one, which was placed close to the book-
case, had fallen on to its left side ; the other, placed close to
the arm-chair, was thrown on its back towards the window
and the table.
Fourth night, 29th-30th January — Nothing.
Fifth night, 30th-olst January — Nothing.
Sixth night, 31st January-lst February — Nothing.
Seventh night, lst-2nd February — Nothing.
Eighth night, '2nd-3rd February — Nothing.
Ninth night, 3rd-4th February — Nothing.
Tenth night, 4th-5th February — Two chairs were
overturned : the one placed near the table was thrown on
to its left side, towards the couch ; the other, placed near
the arm-chair, had fallen on its back in the direction of
the window.
In view of these facts, the precautions taken by us to
prevent all trickery, and the care with which the seals
were affixed and afterwards examined, we are convinced : —
1. That no one could have remained in the study after
we had come out of it ;
2. That no one could have gone into it during the
night before we arrived the following morning.
And we are led to the conclusion that during the
night, on two occasions during the ten days, in a room
completely closed and which no living person could have
entered, chairs were thrown down contrary to our expec-
tation and anticipation ; that this manifestation of an
apparently mysterious force, produced outside of the usual
conditions, does not appear to us to be in conformity with
430 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
any ordinary explanation, and without wishing to prejudice
in any way the precise character of this force and draw
positive conchisions, we are inclined to think that the
phenomena are of a psychic order, similar to those
which have been described and verified by a number
of observers. Dr. Barbillion.
Dr. Meneault.
M. MORIN.
L. Besombes.
Dr. Dariex.
All the signatures were authenticated by the Mayors of
the Fourth Arrondissement and of Pont-de-Vaux (Ain), to
which place Dr. Meneault shortly afterwards removed.
As stated in the report, sometimes all the experi-
menters were not present. As the experiments necessitated
twenty regular appointments at fixed hours, it can be easily
understood that at some time or another some one would
fail to keep them ; but the experimenters were all present
when the phenomena were found to have taken place.
All verified the seals, found them intact, and before any
one entered the study saw from the dining-room the over-
turned chairs. This is the reason why all have signed the
ofiicial report without restriction. We all had, moreover,
absolute confidence in each other, because we were all
friends of long standing, and knew we were all incapable
of deceiving one another.
I should have liked to have had a larger number of
witnesses ; but, at that time, few people in France dared
to speak of psychical phenomena for fear of being taken for
fools or hallucinated, and I myself, less experienced and
less convinced than I am to-day of the necessity of daring
to approach these investigations, openly shared to some
extent the general faint-heartedness, and only talked of
the matter with my friends ; thus I only ventured to pro-
pose to my intimate acquaintances that they should come
and verify what I had already observed. I did not know
whether the phenomenon would be again produced, and I
did not wish to expose myself to the vexation which would
OBJECTS WITHOUT CONTACT 431
have resulted if I had convened a similar committee of
persons who did not know me so well, and who kncAv
nothing of psychical phenomena, of their inconstancy, their
variability, and of the numerous obstacles in the way of
such experiments.
From the 5th of February, my friends having declared
that the verification was sufficient, and that it was useless
to prolong it, I had my bed made every evening in the
study, and slept there up to February 26th, at which
date I was called into the country through a family
bereavement. I heard nothing, and no chair was again
overturned.
Was fraud possible ? Could we have been played a
trick by a very simple Breton servant, whom Professor
Charles Richet knew, and whom he thought incapable of
it, and whom I myself, during the nine years she was in
my service, had never found out in any deception ? Is it
possible that this girl, who had certainly not had any
experience or practice with seals could, on four occasions,
have removed and replaced, without it being perceived,
at least six seals each time, even to the irregularities and
blisters of which we had taken note, which seals, Avhen we
wished to remove them, adhered to the cloth so firmly
that the cloth itself tore ; and of which my friends and
myself could not succeed in removing and replacing even
one, although we made several attempts, by all the methods
and with all the instruments we could think of ?
How many times we have discussed, particularly with
Professor Charles Richet, in what way my servant could
have deceived us ! The hypothesis that she could have
got into the room in spite of the seals and overturned the
chairs has always been declared inadmissible by those who
have examined it ; that of iron wires introduced under
the doors is not admissible, when we consider the arrange-
ment of the room, the furniture, the position of the chairs,
and the way in which they were thrown down ; to suppose
that they were overturned by a shaking of the house is
inacceptable, because during the twelve years and a half
that I have lived in the same flat no chair has been
432 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
thrown down save during the time of these experiments.
Could they have been overthrown by an animal that had
come down the chimney and gone back the same way
without being caught ? This would be an absurd hypo-
thesis ; first of all, the metal curtain in front of the fire-
place was completely lowered, and there was a grating in
the fireplace behind the screen ; then can it be imagined
that this animal could descend in the night, through the
narrow tube of a Parisian chimney, about eighteen yards
in height, simply to amuse itself by overturning chairs
and then returning by the same way as it had come ?
The only animal capable of doing this and of remain-
ing unseen in the study, which we carefully examined
before affixing the seals, would be a mouse. But a mouse
is quite incapable of overturning chairs weighing eight
pounds.
There remains one objection, and that is the following: —
" A certain time having elapsed between the affixing of
the seals and the verification of the phenomena, a mould
of the wax seals could have been taken with the view of
executing a counterfeit seal, enabling a substitution to take
place."
This objection is the most serious one, and might at
first sight seem calculated to throw doubt ; fortunately in
the interests of truth it will not stand a careful examina-
tion of the facts.
As a matter of fact, the first time I had recourse to the
guarantee afforded by the seals, during the private experi-
ments I had made previous to the collective experiments,
I affixed the seals, without any one knowing my intention,
at eight o'clock in the evening.
Then, although the keys and the seal had not left my
pocket, at ten minutes after midnight, that is, four hours
later, I again found my seals quite intact and a chair had
been thrown over in the study.
It was quite impossible in four hours, between eight
o'clock and midnight, to procure a seal similar to mine.
I could not therefore myself have been deceived in this
manner. Could I have deceived the others ?
OBJECTS WITHOUT CONTACT 433
This Avould also be impossible. As we said in the report,
the forin and the arrangement of the seals were carefully
noted.
This is already a very important guarantee, because it
is not easy to obtain regular seals in a vertical plane with
melted wax ; they were all of unequal thickness and of
very varying outlines, so that out of fifty probably not
two would be found so much alike as to be confused ; but,
in addition to this precaution, another was taken, towards
the end, at my request : from a sheet of paper, on which
one of us had rapidly written in rather large characters
some sentences which completely covered it, we cut a
strip, about six inches by three inches, which was neces-
sary for the application of the seals. The following morn-
ing, this strip was compared with the rest of the sheet
from which it had been cut, and which had been taken
away at the same time as the key of the seal, and we
convinced ourselves that the portions which had been cut
out and the remaining pieces corresponded exactly. This
precaution had been taken on February 4th ; nevertheless,
on the following morning we found two chairs thrown down.
Were these phenomena independent of the presence
or of the vicinity of some person, some "medium," to
use the stereotyped expression ? I know nothing as to
this, but I presume that if the presence of some one was
necessary, if there was a medium there, it must have been
my servant, whose health and nervous system were then
very delicate. She had never been subject to spontaneous
somnambulism, but a year ago I was led by the force of
events to the conviction that she was hypnotisable. The
reason for this was that some gastric-intestinal troubles,
doubtless principally of nervous origin, had made their
appearance ; for nearly three weeks I used the proper
medicaments, but they all failed or only gave indifferent
results, and the patient became gradually weaker, until
she got into such an extremely weak state that she was
unable to stand upright. Her condition, which was serious
and very alarming, seemed as though it could not last for
any length of time.
2e
434 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
The seriousness of the situation caused me to try
therapeutic suggestion. Hypnotic sleep was very easily
obtained. The first suggestion led to considerable im-
provement ; the second accentuated this improvement ;
and after the third the cure was complete. It had taken
four days.
Was it chance ? Had the time for the cure come
when I commenced the therapeutic suggestion ? That
is not probable, because several months later the same
troubles returned, and medicines gave no better results
than before, although they were taken exactly as I had
prescribed, and generally in my presence. This time I
did not wait so long before having recourse to therapeutic
suggestion, and two suggestions brought about a complete
and lasting cure.
Since that time I had made numerous experiments
with the movements of objects without contact, and I have
had the pleasure of finding that these experiments, even
though they were not always convincing, and were some-
times even open to suspicion, often afforded sufficient
guarantee in favour of the reality of the phenomenon, and
corroborated what I had already been able to observe.
These experiments have been published in the Annales
des Sciences Fsychiques.
Dr. Dariex.
CHAPTER XXX
PHENOMENA OF LEVITATION
Investigations and Experiments
Levitation is a phenomenon which consists in the raising
of an object without any contact with the medium or the
sitters. The phenomenon of levitation sometimes operates
on the medium himself. He is then found raised above
the floor either alone or with the seat on which he was
sitting. It is clear that in order thoroughly to verify the
levitation of a medium, it is necessary, first of all, that he
should not have any point of support on any person or
object which would enable him to raise himself. In the
second place, it is essential that the phenomenon should
last so long that it cannot be attributed to a leap in
the air.
Certain authors have discussed the mechanism of the
phenomenon of levitation, and have asked if the medium^
loses weight, becomes lighter than the air, and is raised
in the same way as a balloon, or if in this phenomenon
we are to look for some force which operates on the medium
and raises him.
Such discussion is entirely superficial— in fact, gravity,
which holds all bodies on the surface of the earth, is
nothing but a force applied to a body in a definite
direction.
Levitation, whether of an object or a medium, necessi-
tates the intervention of a different force, or of the resultant
of several forces, which is applied to a body in opposition
to the force of gravity and superior to it. Exactly the
same thing happens when an object is set in motion
without contact ; it needs a force superior to the force of
inertia of the object to be applied to it. Levitation must
435
436
PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
therefore also be connected with an external or "projected
force, which is applied to the medium or to the object
levitated.
As the phenomena of levitation most frequently occur
in the dark we seek means of controlling them, which
permit of the verification of the phenomena and enable
us to study them in various phases, while the medium
is in the dark.
Fig. 12. — Dr. Joire's Apparatus for verifying the Phenomena of
Levitation.
I have devised the above apparatus, which enables us :—
1. To verify the levitation at the time it takes place.
2. To measure exactly the height to which the medium
is raised.
3. To ascertain for how long a time the medium
remains at the various heights to which he is successively
raised.
This apparatus is composed of wooden supports, E, F,
held together by the cross-beams M, N.
A, B is a movable platform on which the chair and
the feet of the medium rest.
PHENOMENA OF LEVITATION 437
This platform is fixed to a vertical bar I, J, which runs
on rollers G, working in a rail in the upright E.
The platform is suspended by the rope Q, which is
attached to the ring I, passes over the pulleys C, D, and at
the other extremity is attached to the counterweight H,
working in a groove in the upright F.
The counterweight is made a little heavier than the
platform I and B, which bears the seat on which the
medium sits. If we release the counterweight when the
platform is empty, the latter will be drawn upwards.
When the medium is placed on the apparatus we
release the counterweight, and the weight of the medium
keeps the platform A, B in contact with the ground.
The counterweight H bears a copper needle K, which
follows its movement and slides over copper contact-pieces
L fixed along the upright F.
The needle K and the contact-pieces L are connected
with a set of electric bells O, having different sounds,
while under each bell there is an opening T, in which
appears a number corresponding to the bell under Avhich
it is.
Let us now see how this apparatus works.
The front part, which includes the platform and the
upright E, is placed inside the room where the experiment
is made ; the back part, which includes all the apparatus
connected with the upright F, remains outside the room.
The room is closed by a curtain, which I have indicated
by the line R.
At the slightest levitation of the medium, when placed
on the apparatus, the weight H descends, carrying the
needle K with it.
The contact-pieces L have been so arranged that each
corresponds to an elevation of the platform A, B through
a space of 5 centimetres (2 inches).
The result of the working of the apparatus is : —
1. A person placed near the upright F can follow with
his eye the movement of the needle, which corresponds
exactly with the movement of the platform A, B, and
consequently of the medium.
438 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
2. The persons surrounding the medium inside the
room, which is in darkness, can equally follow this move-
ment by hearing the ringing of the different bells, which
sound in succession.
3. The time during which the ringing of the bell lasts
indicates the time during which the medium remains at
the height shown by the corresponding contact-piece.
4. By means of the figures which appear on the board
we can definitely verify after the experiment the height
to which the medium has been raised.
This very simple apparatus can be constructed anywhere,
and may be of great service in verifying and registering in an
exact mathematical manner the phenomenon of levitation.
A certain number of mediums have exhibited pheno-
mena of levitation.
We will first of all give an account of levitation pheno-
mena witnessed in some private experiments ; and after-
wards numerous cases of levitation observed with mediums
well known through other phenomena.
M. Palazzi, of Naples, published in December 1893 the
account of a seance in Rome at Avhich he was present in
company with a painter, M. Francesco Alegiani, in pre-
sence of M. Henri de Siemiradzki, Dr. Nicola Santangelo,
physician of Venosa, Professors Ferri and Lorgi of the
University of Rome, M. Hoffman, editor of the review
Lux, M. Gorli, and several other men and women ; in all
about twenty persons, among whom were three mediums,
the engineer Palmiani, and two students, MM. Arturo
Ruggieri and Alberto Fontana. The last named was the
most powerful medium.
Fourteen persons formed a chain round the table,
which was lighted by a red lamp. M. Fontana was at
one of the corners ; his right hand was held by M, Gorli
and his left by Dr. Santangelo who, on account of the
corner of the table, was at the side, at' right angles to that
where the other two sat.
The table began to creak, to raise itself partially, then
to raise itself completely a distance of 30 centimetres
(1 foot) from the floor.
PHENOMENA OF LEVITATION 439
The room was then completely darkened, in accord-
ance with the request made through the table by means
of raps.
After a very short time, suddenly and without any warn-
ing, the three persons above mentioned were raised at the
same time and carried on to the table, MM. Fontana and
Gorli standing, Santangelo kneeling. This difference in
position may be explained by the fact that the force in
operation was not completely displayed in the case of
Santangelo, who was not in the same line as Fontana;
and it had to leave him kneeling, not being sufficiently
powerful to raise him upright.
In any case there must have been a force capable of
raising suddenly and instantaneously three persons, two
of whom, MM. Gorli and Santangelo, were very heavy.
This phenomenon was duly authenticated by several
persons, including Mme. Ferri and M. Siemiradzki.
Meanwhile the medium was raised above the table, a
phenomenon witnessed and verified by the majority of
the sitters, not only by those who were close to the
medium, but also by Mme. Ferri, M. Siemiradzki, and
myself, who were on the opposite side of the table. We
passed our hands several times flatwise underneath the
medium's feet, between his feet and the table ; he was
raised about 10 centimetres (4 inches).
As there was perfect darkness it might be supposed
that the two feet under which the hands were passed
were not those of the medium, but that one belonged
to the medium and the other to M. Gorli standing by his
side ; we therefore brought the red light and let it fall
on the two controllers, and asked the force acting, which
was said to be a spirit named Oscar, to reproduce the
phenomenon while the medium remained on the table
alone and held by controllers to right and left; this
challenge was accepted.
The room was again placed in darkness, and the
medium felt himself raised above the table.
We then verified very clearly that he was raised higher
than on the first occasion, since a majority of the sitters
440 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
could pass their hands under his feet, not only flatwise
as previously, but with the hand upright on its edge.
When the levitation had been verified the medium
came down on to the table again.
Then we asked the spirit to bring him down himself
from the table ; which was immediately done. During the
time that the medium was gently descending he con-
tinued to implore us not to let go his hands.
A few moments after the medium was seated in his
chair he was suddenly thrown full length under the table
with such force that M. Gorli was dragged with him, and
Dr. Santangelo was thrown down.
The feet of the medium and M. Gorli struck ours, and
we were standing at the opposite end of the table.
We asked M. Gorli to set M. Fontana on his feet again,
but after a few attempts he told us that M. Fontana was
so heavy that he could not succeed in moving him.
Several other persons also tried in vain to raise the
medium.
M. Gorli still remained beside the medium ; we got him
to stand upright, fearing that he was contributing to make
M. Fontana heavy. The latter, still greatly frightened,
urged MM. Gorli and Santangelo not to release his hands.
M. Siemiradzki, a tall and robust man, then tried to
raise the medium, but he soon stated that M. Fontana
" was nailed to the floor," and that he could not succeed
in moving him.
Mme. Ferri also wished to try, but she met with the
same negative result. Professor Ferri, who was sitting by
my side, exclaimed in great surprise: "And yet my wife
is stronger than a man."
Wc finally asked the spirit Oscar himself to raise the
medium ; he was put back on to his chair in the twinkling
of an eye.
Dr. Santangelo has confirmed to me these facts of
levitation obtained in the seances of December 8th and
15th, 1893, in a letter from which I have made the follow-
ing extract : —
" In perfect darkness both in the first and in the second
PHENOMENA OF LEVITATION 441
seance, we verified the levitation of the medium Ruggieri,
who Avas raised to a height of almost a yard above the
level of the table, as I assured myself, a fact verified in
the first seance by Mile. Possidini, who was on my left,
and in the second seance by Mme. Ferri.
" In the course of the evening, the medium, after having
been raised in the air, was forcibly drawn under the table
and compelled to remain motionless, lying on his back.
Mme. Ferri, M. and Mme. Siemiradzki, and myself tried to
move him at least one centimetre, but all in vain ; he was
as though made of lead and firmly welded to the floor.
" There is, however, more to relate. On the second
evening an event occurred which strongly impressed me,
and which still impresses me every time I repeat it. When
the medium Ruggieri commenced to rise I held him firmly
by the hand, but seeing myself drawn with such force as
almost to lose my footing I held on to his arms, and thus
I was raised in the air with my companion, who was on
the other side of the medium. We were all three raised
in the air to a height of at least three yards above the
floor, since I distinctly touched with my feet the hanging
lamp which was suspended from the centre of the ceiling.
"During the rapid descent, the light being turned
on, I found myself kneeling on the table, almost in danger
of breaking my neck, although nothing so unpleasant
happened to me.
"Yes, I myself, at Rome, flew in the air without wings,
and this I can attest before God and man, but, before I
was, the three mediums Cecrehini, Ruggieri, and Boella
were also raised into space until they almost touched the
ceiling."
Here is also another example of the levitation of a
medium under special test conditions.
Mr. Macnab, engineer, published in 1888 the results
of his experiments in the Lotus Rouge, then under the
management of M, Gaboriau. He refers to levitations as
follows : —
" The medium M. F. is frequently raised into the air
during the seances ; but this happens more frequently to
442 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
a friend of mine, M. C, a sculptor, who is also a medium.
He told us that once he was raised along with his chair.
In fact, we heard his voice as he changed his position.
Note that he had thick shoes, though we did not hear
the slightest footstep ; eventually, Avhen we turned on the
light, he was found seated on the chair, which was on the
bed. Another time, having accidentally lighted up while
he was levitated on the music-stool, he fell heavily from
a height of from fifty to sixty centimetres, so heavily that
the foot of the stool was broken. Three engineers, MM.
Labro, Th., and M., were witnesses.
"It seemed to me important to have more palpable
proofs of this levitation and I devised the following
arrangements : I spread out on the ground a square of
very thin material which we call adrianople ; it is a kind
of calico dyed red. In the centre we placed a chair, and
made M. C. sit on it; the other medium M. F. was not
there. We each held a corner of the material, and as
there were five of us, one of the corners was held by two
people.
" I put out the light and almost immediately we felt
the chair rise, remain some time in the air, and then
gently descend. The material was not even stretched, and
the least strain would have torn it.
" This experiment greatly frightened M. C. The per-
sons present were M. R., M. C, two ladies, and myself.
" I do not think that any objection can be raised to
this experiment of the levitation of a medium, verified by
means of material stretched under the chair.
" He was already seated in the chair when we ex-
tinguished the light; the raising took place almost im-
mediately. There were five of us around him, and it was
impossible for him to descend and rise again without our
knowledge.
" Levitation is not necessarily vertical, as many people
think. For example, in the presence of M. de Rochas, the
following fact occurred which I observe at almost every
stance : —
" M. C. was sitting by my side, against the window,
PHENOMENA OF LEVITATION 443
when suddenly he was removed and placed against the
piano, quite close to M. G. This was done so rapidly,
that we heard, almost simultaneously, the noise which
the chair made in rising and that which it made in
coming down again ; whilst in the air, it had turned half
round, for M. C. had his back to the piano, whereas a
moment previously he had it against the window.
" In one seance M. Montorgueil, and in another M. de
Rochas, passed their hands under the medium's feet during
his ascent and were able to assure themselves that he did
not employ any of the ordinary processes of gymnastics."
CHAPTER XXXI
LEVITATION PHENOMENA OBSERVED WITH THE
MEDIUM D. D. HOME
The following is the description given by Mr. Frank Pod-
more of the ordinary seances with the medium Home : —
" The room was commonly illuminated by one or more
candles, a single gas-burner, or a shaded lamj), so that, in
comparison with the almost complete darkness insisted on
by other mediums, it could honestly be described as well
lighted.
" The manifestations would then usually begin with
raps, followed shortly by a quivering movement of the
table, which is described by one witness as like the vibra-
tion in the cabin of a small steamer when the engine
begins to work; by another as resembling a 'ship in dis-
tress, with its timbers straining in a heavy sea ' ; and, in a
finer flight of imagination, is characterised by another
witness as ' literally trembling, as if every vein of the wood
was a human nerve.' The table would then tilt up, move
about, or ' float ' suspended in the air ; musical instru-
ments would perform in the convenient obscurity aftbrded
by its shelter ; hands would be felt clasping the knees of
the sitters and pulling portions of their dress ; handker-
chiefs, flowers, and other light articles, and even heavy
bells, would be handed about the circle, under the tabic,
by the same means.
" The performance would be interspersed with messages
rapped out by the spirits, or delivered through the mouth
of the entranced medium. At this point the sitting would
commonly terminate. But if the conditions were judged
favourable to the higher manifestations, the lights would
be turned out, the Are screened, and the table draAvn
I
LEVITATION PHENOMENA 445
up to the window, the company sitting round three sides,
leaving the side next the window vacant, with Home
sitting at one end of the vacant space. Hands would
then be seen, outlined against the faint light proceeding
from the window, to rise over the vacant edge of the
table, move about the papers lying on its surface, or give
flowers to the sitters. Afterwards the medium would be
levitated, that is to say, suspended in the air without
material support."
We will now give an account of some extraordinary
instances of levitation, at a seance at which Sir William
Crookes was present. Home was transported from one room
to the other, externally, through the windows, at a great
height from the ground; there was not even a balcony
or projection in the wall between the two windows.
" The apparatus prepared for testing the movements
of the accordion consisted of a cage, formed of two wooden
hoops, one foot ten inches and two feet diameter re-
spectively, connected together by twelve narrow laths,
each one foot ten inches long, so as to form a drum-
shaped frame, open at the top and bottom ; round this,
fifty yards of insulated copper wire were wound in twenty-
four rounds, each being rather less than an inch from its
neighbour. The horizontal strands of wire were then
netted together firmly with string, so as to form meshes
rather less than two inches long by one inch high. The
height of this cage was such that it would just slip 'under
my dining-table, but be too close to the top to allow of
the hand being introduced into the interior, or to admit
of a foot being pushed underneath it. In another room
were two Grove's cells, wires being led from them into the
dining-room for connection, if desirable, with the wires
surrounding the cage.
" The accordion was a new one, having been purchased
by myself for the purpose of these experiments at Wheat-
stone's in Conduit Street. Mr. Home had neither handled
nor seen the instrument before the commencement of the
test experiments.
446 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
" Mr. Home sat in a low easy-chair at the side of the
table. In front of him and under the table was the afore-
said cage, one of his legs being on each side of it. I sat
close to him on his left, and another observer sat close to
him on his right, the rest of the party being seated at
convenient distances round the table.
" For the greater part of the evening, particularly when
anything of importance was proceeding, the observers on
each side of Mr. Home kept their feet respectively on his
feet, so as to be able to detect his sliohtest movement.
"The temperature of the room varied from 68 to 70
degrees Fahrenheit.
" Mr. Home took the accordion between the thumb
and middle finger of one hand at the opposite end of the
keys. To save repetition this will be subsequently called
' in the usual manner.'
" The bass key having been previously opened by
myself, and the cage being drawn from under the table,
so as just to allow the accordion to be pushed in with
its keys downward, it was pushed back as close as Mr.
Home's arm would permit, but without hiding his hand
from those next to him. Very soon the accordion was
seen by those on each side to be waving about in a some-
what curious manner; then sounds came from it, and
finally, several notes were played in succession. Whilst
this was going on my assistant went under the table, and
reported that the accordion was expanding and contract-
ing ; at the same time it was seen that the hand of Mr.
Home by tvhich it was held was quite still, his other hand
resting on the table.
" Presently the accordion was seen by those on either
side of Mr. Home to move about, oscillating and going
round and round the cage, and playing at the same time.
Dr. A. B. now looked under the table, and said that Mr.
Home's hand appeared quite still whilst the accordion was
moving about emitting distinct sounds.
" Mr. Home, still holding the accordion in the usual
manner in the cage, his feet being held b}^ those next
to him, and his other hand resting on the table, we heard
I
LEVITATION PHENOMENA 447
distinct and separate notes sounded in succession, and
then a simple air was played. As such a result could
only have been produced by the various keys of the
instrument being acted upon in harmonious succession,
this was considered by those present to be a crucial ex-
periment. But the sequel was still more striking, for
Mr. Home then removed his hand altogether from the
accordion, taking it quite out of the cage, and placed it in
the hand of the person next to him. The instrument
then continued to play, no person touching it, and no
hand being near it.
"I was now desirous of trying what would be the
effect of passing the battery current round the insulated
wire of the cage, and my assistant accordingly made the
connection with the wires from the two Grove's cells.
Mr. Home again held the instrument inside the cage in
the same manner as before, when it immediately sounded
and moved about vigorously. But whether the electric
current passing round the cage assisted the manifestation
of force inside it, it is impossible to say.
" The accordion was now again taken without any
visible touch from Mr. Home's hand, which he removed
from it entirely and placed upon the table, where it was
taken by the person next to him, and seen, as now were
both his hands, by all present. I and two of the others
present saw the accordion distinctly floating about inside
the cage with no visible support. This was repeated a
second time, after a short interval.
" Mr. Home presently re-inserted his hand in the cage,
and again took hold of the accordion. It then commenced
to play, at first chords and runs, and afterwards a well
known sweet and plaintive melody, which was executed
perfectly in a very beautiful manner. Whilst this tune
was being played I grasped Mr. Home's arm below the
elbow, and gently slid my hand down it until I touched
the top of the accordion. He was not moving a muscle.
His other hand was on the table, visible to all, and his
feet were under the feet of those next to him."
448 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
Levitations of Home
These levitations were witnessed by a large number
of people, and notably by Sir William Crookes, who has
given the following account in his work, Researches in the
PhenoTiiena of Modern Spiritualism.
" These levitations have occurred in my presence on
four occasions in darkness. The test conditions under
which they took place were quite satisfactory, so far as
the judgment was concerned ; but ocular demonstration
of such a fact is so necessary to disturb our pre-formed
opinions as to the naturally possible and impossible, that
I will here only mention cases in which the deductions
of reason were confirmed by the sense of sight.
"On one occasion I witnessed a chair, with a lady
sitting on it, rise several inches from the ground. On
another occasion, to avoid the suspicion of this being in
some way performed by herself, the lady knelt on the
chair in such a manner that its four feet were visible to
us. It then rose about three inches, remained suspended
for about ten seconds, and then slowly descended.
" At another time two children, on separate occasions,
rose from the floor with their chairs, in full daylight, under
(to me) most satisfactory conditions ; for I was kneeling
and keeping close watch upon the feet of the chair, ob-
serving distinctly that no one touched them.
"The most striking cases of levitation which I have
witnessed have been with Mr. Home. On three separate
occasions have I seen him raised completely from the
floor of the room. Once sitting in an easy-chair, once
kneeling on his chair, and once standing up. On each
occasion I had full opportunity of watching the occur-
rence as it was taking place.
" There are at least a hundred recorded instances of
Mr. Home's rising from the ground, in the presence of as
many separate persons, and I have heard from the lips
of the three witnesses to the most striking occurrences
of this kind — the Earl of Dunraven, Lord Lindsay, and
LEVITATION PHENOMENA 449
Captain C. Wynne — their own most minute accounts of
what took place. To reject the recorded evidence on this
subject is to reject all human testimony whatever; for no
fact in sacred or profane history is supported by a stronger
array of proofs.
" The accumulated testimony establishing Mr. Home's
levitations is overwhelming. It is greatly to be desired
that some person, whose evidence would be accepted as
conclusive by the scientific world — if, indeed, there lives
a person whose testimony in favour of such phenomena
would be taken — would seriously and patiently examine
these alleged facts.
" Most of the eye-witnesses to these levitations are
now living, and would, doubtless, be willing to give their
evidence.
" The best cases of Home's levitations I witnessed were
in my own house. On one occasion he went to a clear
part of the room, and, after standing quietly for a minute,
told us he was rising. I saw him slowly rise up with
a continuous gliding movement, and remain about six
inches off the ground for several seconds, when he slowly
descended. On this occasion no one moved from their
places. Less frequently the levitating power extended to
those next to him. Once my wife was thus raised off the
ground in her chair."
Sir William Crookes wrote to Home on April 12, 1871 : —
"You need not hesitate to quote me as one of your
strongest supporters. Half-a-dozen seances of the kind
held yesterday, with some qualified scientific men, would
be sufficient to scientifically establish these truths, which
would then become as incontestable as the facts of elec-
tricity."
The detailed account of the levitation which took
place on December 16, 1868, in London, in a dark seance,
in the presence of Lord Lindsay, Lord Adare, and Captain
Wynne, was given to the Dialectical Society by Lord
Lindsay in the following terms : —
" Home, who had gone into a trance, walked about
uneasily ; he then went into the hall. While he was away,
2 F
450 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
I heard a whisper in my ear : ' He will go out of one
window and in at another.'
" I was alarmed and shocked at the idea of so dangerous
an experiment. I told the company what I had heard
and we then waited for Home's return. We soon heard
the window of the other room raised, and almost im-
mediately we saw Home floating in the air outside our
window. The moon was shining full into the room ; my
back was to the light, and I saw the shadow on the wall
of the window-sill, and Home's feet about six inches above
it. He remained in this position for a few seconds, then
raised the window and glided into the room feet foremost
and sat down.
" Lord Adare then went into the other room, and notic-
ing that the window through which he had passed was
only open about eighteen inches, he expressed his surprise
that Home was able to pass through this opening.
" The medium, still entranced, then replied : ' I will
show you.' Turning his back to the window, he inclined
backwards and was projected horizontally, head first, the
whole body completely rigid, and then he returned to the
room. The window was seventy inches from the floor ;
the two windows were 7 feet 6 inches apart, and only one
had a sill about a foot wide for flower-pots,"
CHAPTER XXXIl
LEVITATION PHENOMENA WITH EUSAPIA PALADINO
Levitations of Eusapia Paladino
1. Levitations at Naples in 1899. — Cavaliere Chiaia, at
the Spiritist Congress in 1899, gave an account of the
experiments he had made at Naples with Eusapia in the
presence of Professor Don Manuel Otero Acevedo of
Madrid and Signer Tassi of Perugia.
The medium was in trance, and the gas had been
lowered at her request.
After a few minutes, during which time nothing was
heard but the usual grinding of the medium's teeth while
she was in a lethargic condition, Eusapia, instead of con-
versing, as she always does, in a very bad Neapolitan
dialect, began to speak in pure Italian, asking the persons
seated on either side of her to hold her hands and feet.
Then, without hearing the least rubbing or any rapid
movement of her body, or the slightest undulation of the
table around which we all were, MM. Otero and Tassi,
who were nearest to the medium, were the first to per-
ceive an unexpected ascent, for they felt their arms
gently raised, and not wishing to leave hold of the
medium's hands they stood, so as to follow her in her
levitation.
This splendid case of levitation is all the more worthy
of attention, because it took place under the most rigorous
control, and with the same apparent ease with which a
pen could be lifted. What particularly surprised these
gentlemen was to feel the two feet of the medium placed
on the small surface of the table (32 inches by 24 inches),
already partly covered by the hands of the four ex-
452 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
perimenters, without any of these hands being touched,
ahhough it took place in perfect darkness.
Although astounded by so extraordinary and un-
expected an event, one of us asked John if it would be
possible to raise the medium a little above the table, with
feet together, in such a way as to enable us to witness the
levitation better. At once, without discussing this exacting
request, Eusapia was raised from four to six inches above
the table, so that each of us could freely put his hand
under the feet of the " magician " suspended in the air.
In relating this to you I do not know which feeling
is stronger in me, whether it is satisfaction at having
obtained so magnificent and marvellous a phenomenon, or
whether it is the painful suspicion of being taken for a
visionary, even by my most intimate friends.
Happily there were four of us, including the ever-
suspicious Spaniard, and two believers well disposed to
accept the evidence of facts.
When our magician came down from the table without
our assistance, and with a dexterity no less marvellous
than that employed in mounting it, we had other reasons
for astonishment. We found the medium stretched out, her
head and a small portion of her back supported on the top
of the table, and the remainder of the body extended hori-
zontally, straight as a bar, and without any support to the
lower part, whilst her dress was adhering to her legs as if
her clothing was fastened or stitched around her. Although
produced in darkness, it is not necessary to repeat that this
important fact was scrupulously supervised with the greatest
possible care by all, and in such a manner as to make it as
evident as though it had taken place in broad daylight.
Further, I have had the opportunity of witnessing
something more extraordinary still. One evening I saw
the medium stretched out rigid in the most complete cata-
leptic state, holding herself in a horizontal position, with
only her head resting on the edge of the table for five
minutes, with the gas lighted and in the presence of
Professor do Cinties, Dr. Capuano, the well-known writer,
M. Frederic Verdinois, and other persons.
LEVITATION PHENOMENA 455
Levitations at Warsaw in 1893 and 1894
Eusapia came to Warsaw at the end of 1893, and
remained there during January 1894. She was examined
by several persons, and became the subject of very warm
controversy.
There were several cases of levitation rather badly
described in the extract from the report given by the
Revue de V Hypnotisme. Here is a very clear one.
Once, relates M. Matazewski, I was a witness to the
raising of the medium in the air in the middle of a room
without any support. She was then in a state of trance,
and was raised gradually, slowly, and lightly in the air
(still in a standing position), and came down again to
the floor as slowly and smoothly. It was as though
some one had raised and lowered the medium. Eusapia
remained suspended in the air long enough for us to freely
pass our hands under her feet, to make perfectly sure
that she was not touching the floor. She was raised to a
height of several inches. The phenomenon was four times
repeated.
Dr. Ochorowicz has thus spoken of the levitations in
L Illustration of Warsaw.
"Another most surprising and very rare fact (also
obtained at the Congress at Milan) was the complete
levitation of the very person of the medium, who, held
throughout by the hands and feet, was raised from the
ground and carried in a cataleptic condition along with
her chair on to the table.
" ' I will raise my medium in the air,' Eusapia said in
very correct French (a language she does not know in her
normal condition), and she was actually raised. Such
was at least my impression during several seconds. By
passing my hand under her boots I am able to testify that
there was a space of from four to five inches between them
and the table.
" On another occasion the medium was suddenly raised
from the floor. She was standing, and Mme. Ochorowicz
454 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
had time to pass her hand between Eusapia's feet and the
floor. The levitation over, the medium, still m a semi-
conscious condition, walked towards the table, and putting
her hands on it tried to imitate very clumsily, or perhaps
to produce, a fresh rising in the air. ' This peculiarity
is worthy of note,' said M. de Siemiradzki, who was a
witness, and it is to similar automatic movements, very
easy to distinguish from real phenomena, that we ought,
in many cases, to attribute the apparent fraud of which
Eusapia is often accused."
Here is the report of a number of experiments in the
levitation of Eusapia Paladino, given by Colonel de Rochas,
who has himself taken part in them and has been able
to control the phenomenon under the most favourable
conditions.
Levitation at VAgnelas
In September 1895 Eusapia came to France to my
country-house, situated at I'Agn^las, near to Voiron (Isere)
in order to be studied by a committee consisting of M.
Sabatier, Dean of the Faculty of Sciences of Montpellier ;
Colonel de Rochas, administrator of the Polytechnic
School ; Count Arnaud de Grammont, Doctor of Science ;
Dr. Dariex, Doctor of Medicine, Director of the Annales
des Sciences Psycltiques ; M. Maxwell, Deputy Procurator-
General at Limoges ; Baron de Watteville, a graduate in
science and law.
There was a levitation in the seance of September 27th.
The official report published by the committee thus de-
scribes the phenomenon : —
10.50. — MM. do Grammont, Sabatier, and dc Rochas
were successively touched on the head, shoulder, back,
and arm. At this moment Dr. Dariex, who was tired, left
the seance, Dr. Maxwell giving up his place on the left of
Eusapia to Colonel dc Rochas, and Count de Grammont
leaving his place as control of Eusapia's legs and going to the
right, replacing M. Sabatier ; M. Ed. de Rochas hold the left
hand and Count do Grammont the right hand of Eusapia.
LEVITATION PHENOMENA 455
Eusapia asked that the table might be moved away
from the window and brought into the middle of the
drawing-room. The hands were controlled as stated
above ; her right foot rested on the left foot of Count de
Grammont, and her left on the right foot of Colonel de
Rochas.
Eusapia on several occasions said, "Altare, altare,"
meaning " Rise, rise," indicating that she wished to try
to rise. She made Count de Grammont and M. Ed. de
Rochas, who held her two hands, repeat the movement
of accompanying her hands in the air, but without any
traction or noticeable resistance. After a few minutes,
and in almost perfect darkness, in which our outlines
could scarcely be distinguished, Eusapia, without support-
ing herself on the hands of the controllers, who simply
followed hers, or on the feet of the same observers on
which hers rested, appeared to Count de Grammont, who
held her right hand, to be raised whilst seated, with a con-
tinuous and rather rapid movement, not by a bound or
appreciable jump, but somewhat as though going up in a
lift. The chair was raised with her, and Eusapia's feet
came almost as high as the table. The observers rose at
the same time in order to follow the movement.
From this moment she escaped from the control of the
two observers, her hands being released. M, Sabatier,
who was at the right of Count de Grammont, tried to
ascertain by touch, in the darkness, whether Eusapia,
when she was being raised, placed her knee on the table
as a lever, but he could not be certain of anything.
Count de Grammont and Colonel de Rochas stated that
Eusapia had been raised with her chair nearly to the
height of the table, without exerting any pressure on
them and without supporting herself on their hands or
their feet.
The surprise caused confusion and perceptible relaxa-
tion of the control. The only thing ascertained Avas that
Eusapia was standing on the table along with her chair.
She tried to rise again vertically ; M. Sabatier quickly
passed his hand under the soles of Eusapia's feet and
456 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
found that her heels were raised above the table, but that
Eusapia was supporting herself on the extremities of her
feet and toes, as though standing on tiptoe.
Eusapia then collapsed ; her neighbours received her
in their arms and seated her on the ground.
We ought to add that one of the persons who was
quite close to the table almost completely fainted away,
not from emotion, but through weakness, saying that
he felt drained of strength as the result of Eusapia's
efforts.
Some years ago Eusapia gave a series of experiments
at Genoa, which were scientifically controlled by Professor
Porro. We shall only give here that portion of Pro-
fessor Porro's account which refers to the phenomenon of
levitation.
So far as he was concerned. Professor Porro, at the
commencement of his experiments, openly declared that
he was neither materialist nor spiritualist ; he was not
ready to accept a 'priori either the negations of the
psycho-physiologists or the beliefs of the spiritists.
However, Professor Porro remarked that he knew
pretty nearly what to expect in Eusapia's seances, because
of the reports he had read in the papers and the reviews,
but more especially in the two very important works of
Colonel de Rochas and Dr. Vcsani-Scozzi.
He added that the nine persons who Avere present with
him at the two seances represented the most diverse
shades of opinion on the subject, from the most convinced
spiritists to the most incorrigible sceptics. Moreover, his
task Avas not to write an official report, approved by all
the experimenters, but merely to report faithfully his own
impressions.
Professor Porro did not omit to give a detailed de-
scription of the premises of the Minerva Club, where the
first seances were held. The premises consisted of an
ante-room, three other rooms, and the hall in which the
experiments took place.
This room measured seventeen feet each way. On
the south-west side were two windows, the one provided
LEVITATION PHENOMENA 457
with an iron grating and the other with outside wooden
blinds.
The windows remained closed during the seances ; the
opening of each window was separated from the remainder
of the room by heavy red curtains, to which were attached
large black cloths. Bands of the same material were
fastened against the window-panes, so as to prevent all
passage of light and all communication with the street.
Every evening, before commencing the experiments,
the entrance doors were closed, and the various rooms
which composed the small flat carefully inspected. Then
the doors on the north-west, which gave access to the
other rooms, were closed, and there was left open only
that on the north-east, leading into the ante-room, in a
corner of which a candle was kept burning.
This light was sufficient to allow the phenomena which
took place on the table and on the curtains to be indis-
tinctly seen, when, in accordance with the instructions
given by means of raps on the table, the gas and the
electric light (white and red) had to be extinguished in
the hall where the experiments were held.
During the seances the hands of the medium were
always held by those nearest to her on the right and
left ; these, in turn, formed a chain with the three other
experimenters. The five persons of the circle who, await-
ing their turn, did not form part of the chain, were at the
other end of the hall, in a locked enclosure erected for
the purpose.
In the official account of the first seance Professor
Porro said that he had not seen certain lights which some
of his companions said they had seen.
" But I have seen, and that clearly," he added, " the
table, of unpolished pine wood, with four legs, a yard long
and two feet wide, rise several times from the floor and
remain suspended in the air, without any contact with
visible objects, a foot or two above the floor, for the space
of two, three, or even four seconds.
" This phenomenon was repeated in full light, without
the hands of the medium or of the five persons who
458 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
formed the chain around the table touching it in any
way ; Eusapia's hands were supervised by her neighbours,
who also controlled her legs and feet, in such a way that
no part of her body could exert the least pressure to raise
or keep in the air so heavy a piece of furniture."
In another experiment Professor Porro took an instan-
taneous photograph by magnesium light, which clearly
shows the levitation of the table. (See Fig. 13.)
The hands of the experimenters as well as those of the
medium are placed on the table. We can clearly dis-
tinguish both feet of the medium, and we can see that her
left foot is held by that of the control on the left. No
one could raise the objection of a collective hallucination
after seeing this photograph.
In another seance Professor Porro thus describes the
levitation of the medium : —
" The trance was very deep and more painful than
usual.
" Suddenly the medium raised both her hands, grasped
by mine and those of No. 5 (Professor MorseUi), and while
uttering meanings, cries, and exhortations, she was quickly
raised with her chair, until both her two feet and the two
front feet of the chair were set down on the front of the
table.
"It was a moment of great anxiety. The levitation
was accomplished without any shock, rapidly, but without
any sudden jerks.
" In other words, if one wished by an effort of supreme
scepticism, to imagine an artifice capable of producing the
same result, one would have to think rather of a traction
from above, by means of a cord and a pulley, than of a
push from below.
" But these two hypotheses will neither of them stand
the most elementary examination of the facts.
" Nor is this all. Eusapia was again raised, with her
chair, from the upper part of the table, so that No. 11 on
the one side and m3^self on the other were able to pass
our hands under the feet of the medium as well as under
those of the chair.
Fig. 13. — Instantaneous photograph, showing levitation of a table.
LEVITATION PHENOMENA 459
" Moreover, the fact that the two back feet of the chair
remained beyond the table, without any visible means of
support, made the results of this levitation still more irre-
concilable with the supposition that Eusapia was raised
by means of a leap which she had taken, dragging the
chair with her.
" Eusapia came down again without any jerk, by degrees,
held all the time by her hands by No. 5 and myself; the
chair, which rose a little higher, turned over and placed
itself on my head, from which position it spontaneously
returned to the floor."
In another seance levitations of an object were mani-
fested in full light.
"Scarcely was the electric light extinguished," said
Professor Porro, " than we noticed an automatic move-
ment of the chair on which had been placed a plaster
block, while Eusapia's hands and feet were carefully
controlled by myself and No. 3. At all events, as if in
order to forestall the objection that the phenomena
occurred in darkness, the table asked typtologically for
light and the experimenters lighted the electric lamp.
" Immediately all present saw the chair on which was
the plaster block, which was anything but light, moved
between myself and the medium, without being able to
comprehend what caused the movement.
" Mme. Paladino placed my extended hand on the
back of the chair and put her left hand on it ; when our
hands were raised, the chair was also raised without con-
tact to a height of about six inches.
" The phenomenon was repeated several times, also
with the intervention of the hand of No. 5, under condi-
tions of light and of control which left nothing to be
desired."
CHAPTER XXXIII
MATERIALISATIONS OR PHANTOMS
General Investigations
In the facts which we are about to examine two new
phenomena will make their appearance: those, namely,
of materialisation and of dematerialisation.
These two phenomena which appear very difficult to
explain, have been observed in a rigorous and scientific
manner by witnesses of such authority and scientific
standing, that they can no longer be regarded as doubtful.
They appear to indicate modifications of material elements
under the influence of the medium.
From the first general view of cases of this nature
which have been observed and verified we are able to
draw the following conclusions : —
1. The medium can produce effects which seem to be
caused by a solid material body, which manifests itself
only to the sense of touch, or by the material traces which
it leaves on other bodies. We have in many cases attri-
buted these phenomena to an externalisation of force from
the medium.
As examples, we have the experiment with Eusapia
Paladino reported by Dr. Allain, in the course of the
seances which were held at the Societe Universelle
d'Etudes Psychiques at Paris; the imprints and moulds
produced by Eusapia and other mediums, &c.
2. The medium produces the apparition of a visible
and tangible material form. This takes the form of some
l)art of the human body, head, hand, arm, &c.
These members have not generally the same appear-
ance as the corresponding portions of the medium's body.
3. The medium produces the formation of a material
MATERIALISATIONS OR PHANTOMS 461
form representing a considerable portion of the human
body : bust or incompletely formed body.
4. In certain cases it has been proved that the
medium's body lost a part of its weight, in proportion
as the materialisation became more complete.
It seems, therefore, in such cases that the materialised
form borrows a portion of the material elements of the
medium's body.
5. The medium produces the formation of a material
form representing a complete body identical with the
medium's body. These are the cases which are called
Projection of the Double or Bi-location.
6. The medium produces the formation of a material
form of human appearance, this body being absolutely
dissimilar to the medium's body.
7. In this latter case, whatever may be the origin of
the material element of which the body is constituted, its
form seems to depend upon the dominating thought of
the circle in which it is formed.
In America and England, where the evocation of the
dead and reincarnations are believed in, the forms of
deceased relatives are often seen to appear.
In France, where the most diverse views are held, all
kinds of apparitions are seen, but always according to
the dominant thought of the circle.
The apparition appears in a costume such as those
present imagine ought to belong to the nationality or
period to which it belongs.
The form of the apparition sometimes depends for its
origin upon the medium, who suggests to the circle the
idea of the form which is expected to be seen.
8. The apparition thus produced possesses certain attri-
butes of a material body : it can touch the spectators, speak
and enter into conversation with them, touch and transport
objects.
9. The apparition can be photographed.
10. These apparitions or materialisations are intimately
connected with the action of a medium, whose presence is
necessary for the production of the phenomenon.
462 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
11. The materialisation is most frequently seen in the
same place where the medium is; but, if the medium's
presence is customary, it is not indispensable, and there
are some cases in which an apparition is produced under
the influence of a medium, but at some distance from the
place in which he is.
These phenomena are connected with a force still
almost unknown, and it is necessary to beware of follow-
ing the lead of some, who are strongly inclined to the
marvellous, and who, not daring to fathom their depths,
insist on regarding them as supernatural interventions.
In all ages, the most serious-minded people who have
taken the trouble to examine the facts have appreciated
them at their true value. Saint Augustine in his City
of God speaks of a case of projection of the double and
of materialisation under the form of an animal, and gives
some explanations which are worth recording.
" I shall never believe," he says, in explanation of the
fact, " that demons have the art or ability, I do not say to
change the spirit of a man, but even to give to his body
the form and proportions of that of an animal.
" I would rather believe that in this man the element
of imagination which is transformed into phantoms, assum-
ing the infinitely varied aspect of external thmgs under
the influence of thoughts or dreams, and although mcor-
poreal, taking on with marvellous celerity the representa-
tion of the body — I would rather believe, I say, that this
element, when the senses are dulled or deadened, can, in
some inexplicable manner, be presented to the senses of
others in corporeal form.
" Thus, while this body lies somewhere, still alive, but
with the senses more strongly bound than during sleep,
the phantom of his imagination, incorporated so to speak
under the form of some animal, appears to the senses of
other people, and he sees himself as in dreams, carrying
burdens under this form." (Book xviii., c. 23.)
It is evident, from the same work, that the theory
here put forward by Saint Augustine, whose authority
from the philosophical point of view no one has doubted.
MATERIALISATIONS OR PHANTOMS 463
is applied in his mind, not only to cases of projection
of the double or bi-location, but also to all cases of
materialisation.
In fact, the case of which he speaks here is not one
of the projection of the double, but a true case of mate-
rialisation, such as we still see, since it relates to the
apparition of an animal form, therefore one quite dis-
similar to that of the subject.
We might be led into error by the expression "the
element of the imagination which is transformed into
phantoms " — we might, I say, from this expression only,
think that the author is referring simply to hallucina-
tions. But his idea is much more extensive, and he is
careful to develop and explain it in the next sentence, by
saying : " The phantom of his imagination, incorporated
so to speak under the form of some animal, appears to the
senses of other people, and he sees himself, as in dreams,
carrying burdens under this form."
There is, therefore, no doubt ; he does not say
" appears to the sight," but " appears to the senses " ;
meaning that the phantom not only strikes the sense of
sight, but all the senses ; and, further, this phantom is
capable of action, since he says, " carrying burdens."
This explanation, therefore, has in view apparitions pre-
senting all the characteristics which we have ascribed to
the materialisation phenomena which we are considering.
On the other hand, one whose authority as a scientist
is universally recognised, Sir Oliver Lodge, has expressed
himself as follows regarding the action of mind upon
matter : —
" The action of mind on matter, the reaction of matter
on mind, are these, after all, commonplaces ? In this case,
where will the possibilities stop ?
"Here is a room where a tragedy has taken place,
where the human mind has been submitted to the most
intense anguish. Are the traces of this agony still there,
and are these traces perceptible to a mind in vibratory
harmony with them or receptive ? I affirm nothing, save
that, there is nothing here that is inconceivable. If that
464 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
happens, the phenomenon may assume several forms :
vague uneasiness, perhaps, or imaginary sounds, or in-
distinct visions, or again, perhaps, a dream or a picture of
the event as it is represented. Be it understood that I do
not consider these things as being so conclusively proved
as other phenomena I have studied; but belief in such
facts may be forced on us, and the imputation of supersti-
tion, when applied to them, is without justification. If
they are true, they will take their place in a well-ordered
universe by the side of others having affinity with them,
but with the advantage of being better known.
" There are also the objects left behind. Is it admis-
sible that an object of this kind, a lock of hair, an old
garment, retains some characteristic of a dead person or
some vestige of the personality ? And what of a letter ?
A painting ? We call the artist an old master. Certainly,
much of the personality of the old master may be thus
preserved. The emotion experienced on looking at a
work is a sort of transmission of thought emanating from
the deceased. A painting differs from a piece of music
in that it is a sort of perpetual incarnation of himself.
All can see it, some only can comprehend it. Music
demands incarnation. It can be executed, as we say, and
then appreciated, but only by a mind in unison with the
author and able to think ; therein resides, in the order of
things, transmission of thought, but it is a delayed trans-
mission of thought. This fact can be assimilated to tele-
pathy, but to a telepathy not only acting at a distance in
space, but at a distance in time. (As stated in an article in
Light it would not be a question of technical telepathy,
because here the phenomenon is produced by the usual
ways and means; true telepathy always operates by un-
accustomed ways and means.)
" Let us reflect on these great things and not be
unduly sceptical with regard to the small ones. We
should, certainly, always maintain an attitude of sound
and critical investigation, and in this sense a certain degree
of scepticism is not only legitimate but necessary. The
class of scepticism I abhor is not that which seriously
MATERIALISATIONS OR PHANTOMS 465
questions and submits everything to rigorous proofs, it
is rather that which peremptorily affirms and dogmati-
cally denies ; but this is not true scepticism in the proper
meaning of the word, because it rejects research and
prohibits examination. It is too positive as regards the
limits of .knowledge and the exact point where super-
stition commences.
" Occult phenomena and dreams, phantoms, crystal
visions, premonitions, clairvoyance — all are superstitions !
Yes, but perhaps they are also in the domain of facts. As
far as they impose on our credulity they are only trifles
as compared with the things with which we are already
familiar, even very familiar, in our foolish incapacity to
understand them."
The different observations we have made on the subject
of cases of materialisation confirm the hypothesis we have
put forward above, in regard to the question of lucidity
through typtology.
Thought, we say, is not a purely abstract phenomenon.
All thought, created by the mind, has a real existence,
indestructible, or, at least, which leaves an imperishable
trace. This entity, or image representing thought, is not
in the material plan which we know — that is to say, it does
not generally come within the cognisance of our senses.
But let a subject be placed in an abnormal state, in
which he possesses special receptivity, by means of com-
munication different from that of his normal senses. This
is the phenomenon of thought-transference. Let a subject
possessing a special faculty be in an abnormal state in
which this faculty can be freely exercised, and he is able,
guided by some indication, imperceptible to our senses, to
seek far and wide and perceive the mental images created
by one or by several persons. Then we have the pheno-
menon of lucidity.
Let other subjects possess a special faculty which
enables them to give to the image representing their
thoughts an intensity which endows it with new properties,
and this picture, still without appearing to our senses, will
be capable of impressing a photographic plate and of
2g
466 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
appearing before our eyes by this means. Here we find
the explanation of thought photographs.
Let other subjects, perhaps still more rare, also possess-
ing a special faculty, be able to combine the mental pic-
tures emitted by a whole group of people, and, so to say,
condense them, after the manner of an accumulator ; then
these mental pictures may be materialised more and more
completely. They will, first of all, be capable of coming
within the sense of sight of other persons ; then they will
be able to impress the other senses, and, eventually, they
will assume all the properties of the material bodies, and
we shall have materialisations of phantoms with the pro-
perties which we have set forth above.
It must be observed that these peculiar faculties which
we attribute to the subjects who give rise to the various
phenomena of which we speak, are perhaps not different
faculties for each class of phenomena ; but they may easily
be one and the same faculty, in varying degrees. Nothing
up to now has enabled us to decide this point.
Our hypothesis, it will be seen, not only applies to the
majority of the psychical phenomena we are studying, but
it gives a very satisfactory and, at the same time, the most
simple interpretation of them that has been enunciated up
to the present time.
There is a case of projection of the double quoted by
Aksakoff.i Emilie Sagee, thirty-two years of age, a French-
woman, fair, and of a nervous temperament, but health}'-
and intelligent, was, in 1845, a teacher at a boarding-school
at Nuwelike in Livonia. During the eighteen months she
was at this school the forty-two boarders and the pro-
fessors state that her double was frequently projected,
giving them the spectacle of two Emilie Sagees simul-
taneously visible, and each as distinctly seen as the other.
One day when she was giving a lesson to thirteen of the
young ladies, among whom was Mile, de Guldenstubbe
(the narrator of the story), and while, in order that they
might better understand her explanation, she was writing
the passage to be explained on the black-board, the pupils
* A nimism and Spiritism.
MATERIALISATIONS OR PHANTOMS 467
were suddenly startled by seeing two Emilie Sagees, the
one by the side of the other. They resembled each other
exactly and made the same gestures. Some months
passed and similar phenomena continually took place.
There was seen from time to time, at dinner, the double of
their teacher, standing behind her chair, imitating her
movements as she ate, but with neither knife jior fork, nor
eatables in her hands. However, it did not always happen
that the double imitated the movements of the real per-
son. Sometimes when she rose from the chair the double
would be seen to remain seated. One day the whole of
the pupils were together in one room doing embroidery.
They were all seated at the table and could easily see what
was going on in the garden (the room was on the ground-
floor with four large glass doors opening on to the garden).
Whilst working they saw Mile. Sagee engaged in gather-
ing some flowers. At the upper end of the room was
another mistress who was in charge of the pupils and was
seated in a green morocco arm-chair. Presently this lady
left the room and the arm-chair was empty.
But this was only for a short time, for the young ladies
suddenly perceived in it the form of Mile. Sagee. They
immediately looked into the garden and saw her still
occupied in gathering flowers, only her movements were
slower and heavier, like those of a person overcome with
sleep or exhausted with fatigue. They again looked at the
arm-chair where the double was seated, silent and motion-
less, but with so real an appearance that if they had not
seen Mile. Sagee, they would have believed it was she
herself.
These curious phenomena lasted with some variations
for about eighteen months. They noticed that in propor-
tion as the double became clearer and more consistent,
the person herself became more rigid and enfeebled ; and,
conversely, in proportion to the disappearance of the
double the corporeal body regained its strength. She
herself was unconscious of what happened, and only knew
about it from what she was told.
As the pupils' parents became uneasy on the matter
468 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
and withdrew their children, Mile. Sagee was dismissed.
She then said that she had been discharged from eighteen
boarding-schools for the same reason.
She went to live with a relative who had several
children ; the latter frequently saw the projection of her
double, and were in the habit of saying that they saw
" two Aunt Emihes."
An important observation was made in the course of a
seance with Eusapia Paladino at the Societe Universelle
d'Etudes Psychiques in Paris by Dr. Allain, Vice-Presi-
dent of the Society.
" In the course of the seance, at the moment when the
most extraordinary and noisy phenomena w^ere taking
place," writes Dr. Allain, " so extraordinary and noisy
indeed, that there seemed to me to be the greatest doubt
as to their genuineness, I put my left hand mechanically
on the curtain of the medium's cabinet, on the outside
that is to say, at the left-hand end of the front of the
cabinet. But what was my astonishment when I felt
forming under my fingers a sort of relief, giving a sensa-
tion such as might be produced by one of the cardboard
masks with which children play at carnival time, being
held against the curtain. Without losing a moment I
then plunged my right hand into the opening at the side
of the cabinet and made my two hands meet, one on each
side of the curtain. I found that during five, six, seven,
perhaps ten seconds, though my loft hand continued to feel
this projection, my right hand could not, on the contrary,
find any corresponding cavity on the inside. And yet my
two hands were only separated by the curtain.
" Is it possible to suppose that at this moment Eusapia,
whether cheating or not, but in any case much occupied
with the phenomena produced, had found it possible to
produce her famous fluidic image ? I do not believe it, and
believe it the less because I was careful to state aloud what
I felt, and Eusapia appeared to bo absolutely ignorant of
it, because she made no allusion to it either at the moment
when the thing happened, or afterwards in the numerous
seances which I had with her.
MATERIALISATIONS OR PHANTOMS 469
" We must also dismiss all idea of mental suggestion
on my part, for I am personally far from being scientifi-
cally certain of the possibility of this suggestion, and, at
the very moment when the incident above related took
place, my mind was rather weary of the somewhat
grotesque occurrences I had witnessed than desirous of
producing others.
" Evidently there remains the possible hypothesis that
I had been the victim of hallucination, but is this probable
in a man who not only enjoys, and who always has en-
joyed, excellent health, but who, moreover, as doctor and
lawyer, has long studied, together with his master, Pro-
fessor Gamier, at the Infirmary, the different hallucina-
tions that are to be met with in mental pathology ? "
The following is an account of a seance in which the
commencements of materialisation were seen to occur.
At the end of 1891, the American Society of Psychical
Research, presided over by the Rev. M. Savage, of Boston,
made various experiments, the most important of which
is worthy of being quoted. The account of this seance
was signed by the members present. The Society included
such men as Dr. Heber Newton, Mr. A. Livermore, and
a number of others well known in science and letters.
Another clergyman, very well known in America, who
is also a member of this Society, was present at the
seance. He declared that he believed it impossible and
ridiculous to explain these facts by the theories of fraud
and illusion.
The medium was Mrs. Roberts of New York. The
seance was held in a hall, usually public, at Osnet, Massa-
chusetts. A large cage of iron wire resting on a wooden
framework had been constructed. This cage was very
strongly made by a competent workman. In the front of
the cage was a door, which could be fastened with a
padlock. This cage was placed along the wall of the
room, which was on the second floor, and could only be
entered by one door. Before the medium entered the
cage her clothing had been examined by a lady, who
470 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
declared that it was of dark colour (the importance of this
detail will be seen). When the seance commenced about
sixty people were present in the room, the members of
the Society being in front, and among the number were
some medical men, who came to observe the phenomena
under such novel conditions, Mrs. Roberts, a short, slight
woman, seemed pale and anxious, because the conditions
Avere altogether unusual.
At eight o'clock Mrs. Roberts entered the cage, and
immediately the committee, consisting of the Rev. M.
Savage and a well-known doctor, closed the door with the
padlock, and further tied a very stout thread on each side
and at the centre of the door. This door was sealed with
wax, on which a special seal was impressed. All this
was done to prevent the medium coming out of the cage.
Then the gas was lowered, and the seance commenced.
More than thirty forms came out of the cabinet in which
the medium was, and materialised in front of it in full
view of the spectators, the phenomena lasting for an hour.
The various forms which appeared were sometimes tall,
sometimes short, and they were recognised by those to
whom they addressed themselves. The materialisation of
the various forms outside the cage was a most impressive
sight. At first a white nebulous spot appeared on the
floor in front of the cage ; it grew larger by degrees, finally
assuming the form of a human being clothed in white.
The movements of the hands could be seen manipulating
this white vapour, and gradually rendering it consistent.
All of a sudden a completely developed human form
showed itself to the spectators. Then, with an expression
of radiant joy, the form made its way towards one of the
persons present, and the words " Mother " or " Sister "
were heard murmured quite softly ; then the form re-
turned, as though with regret, towards the medium and
disappeared. Some forms of tall and strong men also
appeared, and yet the medium was a small and thin
woman, which, in this case, renders altogether impro-
bable the supposition that the form was the double of
the medium.
MATERIALISATIONS OR PHANTOMS 471
Mrs. Roberts suddenly appeared in front of the cage,
and advanced slowly towards the astonished spectators.
The gas was relit, and the cage examined by the members
of the committee. The lock was still fastened, the threads
and seals were intact, and yet the medium, who had
seated herself in the cage before the committee, was now
outside it.
CHAPTER XXXIV
MATERIALISATIONS
Observations of Sir William Crookes
Sir William Crookes was the first man of science who
dared to occupy himself publicly with the study of
psychical phenomena. After experimenting for a long
time with several mediums, he published a work in which,
after having described his various experiments, he ventured
to declare himself convinced of the reality of psychical
phenomena.
At that time it needed great courage to pay attention
to phenomena, which only aroused contempt and derision
on the part of orthodox science. We give here some ex-
tracts from Sir William Crookes' observations which cannot
be omitted from a study of psychical phenomena.
Sir William Crookes experimented for three years,
from 1872 to 1874, with a young girl, fifteen years of age.
Miss Cook, through whose mediumship a female form
materialised, which called itself Katie King. The medium
lived in the house, and was always with the experimenter's
family, and the most minute precautions were taken
against possible fraud.
The medium retired into a dark cabinet, which was
separated by a curtain from the room in which the
spectators were assembled. Katie King soon appeared,
fully materialised, having all the appearance of a normal
being. After a variable period she disappeared as she had
come. She always seemed to come out of the cabinet,
but sometimes disappeared in full view of the spectators.
The phenomena lasted for three years. Katie had an-
nounced at the commencement the date of their cessation
472
MATERIALISATIONS 473
She was photographed on many occasions, and during the
later manifestations at the same time as the medium.
Even from the first weeks Sir WilHam Crookes was
able to see the medium and apparition simultaneously,
by means of a phosphorus lamp. On the invitation of
Katie, he followed her into the cabinet.
" I went cautiously into the room," he says, " it being
dark, and felt about for Miss Cook. I found her crouching
on the floor. Kneeling down, I let air enter the lamp,
and by its light I saw the young lady dressed in black
velvet, as she had been in the early part of the evening,
and to all appearance perfectly senseless ; she did not
move when I took her hand and held the light quite close
to her face, but continued quietly breathing. Raising the
lamp, I looked around and saw Katie standing close behind
Miss Cook. She was robed in flowing white drapery, as
we had seen her previously during the seance. Holding
one of Miss Cook's hands in mine, and still kneeling, I
passed the lamp up and down, so as to illuminate Katie's
whole figure and satisfy myself thoroughly that I was
really looking at the veritable Katie, whom I had clasped
in my arms a few minutes before, and not at the phantasm
of a disordered brain. She did not speak, but moved her
head and smiled in recognition. Three separate times did
I carefully examine Miss Cook crouching before me, to be
sure that the hand I held was that of living woman, and
three separate times did I turn the lamp to Katie and
examine her with steadfast scrutiny.
" Later, the phenomena became more powerful, and it
was a common thing for the seven or eight of us in the
laboratory to see Miss Cook and Katie at the same time,
under the full blaze of the electric light. The medium's
head was muffled up in a shawl to prevent the light
falling on her face."
The medium and Katie were very much alike, but
there were certain points of difference which Crookes has
carefully noted.
"Katie's neck was bare last night; the skin was per-
fectly smooth both to touch and sight, whilst on Miss
474 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
Cook's neck is a large blister. . . . Katie's ears are
unpicrccd, whilst Miss Cook habitually wears earrmgs.
Katie's complexion is very fair, while that of Miss Cook
is very dark. Katie's fingers are much longer than Miss
Cook's, and her face is also larger. In manners and ways
of expression there are also many decided differences.
Miss Cook's hair is so dark a brown as almost to appear
black; a lock of Katie's, which is now before me, and
which she allowed me to cut from her luxuriant tresses,
having first traced it up to the scalp and satisfied myself
that it actually grew there, is a rich golden auburn.
" One evening I timed Katie's pulse. It beat steadily
at 75, whilst Miss Cook's pulse a little time after was
going at its usual rate of 90. On applying my ear to
Katie's chest I heard a heart beating rhythmically inside,
and pulsating even more steadily than did Miss Cook's
heart when she allowed me to try a similar experiment
after the seance. Tested in the same way, Katie's lungs
were found to be sounder than her medium's, for at the
time I tried my experiment, Miss Cook was under medical
treatment for a severe cough."
Certain people who wish to be regarded as strong-
minded, and have themselves no scientific authority, nor
any sound argument to oppose to the serious evidence
given by recognised scientists, content themselves with
purely and simply denying the statements, without pro-
ducing any evidence in support of Avhat they say, and
think, perhaps, that such common and misplaced mockery
will serve instead of argument.
One of these persons has thus expressed himself with
regard to the experiments carried out by Sir William
Crookes,
"I have convinced myself in London, without the
slightest doubt, as to the puerile and gross frauds of the
famous Florence Cook (now Mrs. Corner), who splendidly
duped the distinguished William Crookes with the phantom
of Katie King, who was no other than her own sister."
But the seances which Sir William Crookes had with
Florence Cook took place, almost exclusively, in his own
MATERIALISATIONS 475
house, and in the presence of a select circle of observers
invited by himself. They were carried on under con-
ditions which rendered all complicity impossible, as may
easily be seen by referring to his work, Researches in the
Phenonnena of Sijiritualism. On page 109, he says: —
"During the last six months Miss Cook has been a
frequent visitor at my house, remaining sometimes a week
at a time. She brings nothing with her but a little hand-
bag, not locked ; during the day she is constantly in the
presence of Mrs. Crookes, myself, or some other member
of my family, and, not sleeping by herself, there is abso-
lutely no opportunity for any preparation, even of a less
elaborate character than would be required for enacting
Katie King. . . . She has always submitted with the
utmost willingness to every test that I have proposed."
Another fact which must not be lost sight of is that,
as Sir William Crookes said : " Katie King is half a head
taller than Miss Cook and looks a big woman in comparison
with her " ; and this can be seen from the photographs in
which Miss Cook and Katie were taken simultaneously.
This fact clearly refutes the pretended discovery of
M. Bois, for when these seances Avere held Florence
Cook was a young woman, less than twenty years of age,
and her sisters were too young to play the role of Katie,
even if they had wished or had the opportunity to do so.
Therefore, when a journalist says that he has " convinced
himself" that Katie King was none other than Miss Cook's
sister, we can only conclude that he was wrongly informed,
seeing that the facts, for the accuracy of which we can
vouch, are quite opposed to his statements.
It is really not worth while to try to refute such trivial
arguments as these, which do not even rest on the slightest
trace of evidence. To all appearance they arise from the
well-known credulity of the incredulous.
Moreover, Sir William Crookes expresses himself as
follows with reg-ard to Miss Cook. I' think no one need
hesitate between the arguments of a scientist of such
world-wide reputation as Sir William Crookes and the
statements of a journalist.
476 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
" Every test that I have proposed she has at once
agreed to submit to with the utmost willingness ; she is
open and straightforward in speech, and I have never seen
anything approaching the slightest symptom of a wish to
deceive. Indeed, I do not believe she could carry out a
deception if she were to try, and if she did she would
certainly be found out very quickly, for such a line of
action is altogether foreign to her nature. And to imagine
that an innocent schoolgirl of fifteen should be able to
conceive and then successfully carry out for three years
so gigantic an imposture as this, and in that time should
submit to any test which might be imposed upon her,
should bear the strictest scrutiny, should be willing to be
searched at any time, either before or after the seance,
and should meet with even better success in my own
house than at that of her parents, knowing that she visited
me with the express object of submitting to strict scientific
tests — to imagine, I say, the Katie King of the last three
years to be the result of imposture does more violence to
one's reason and common sense than to believe her to be
what she herself affirms."
As to the precautions taken to prevent all possible
deception, the following is the statement of the distin-
guished physician. Dr. J. M. Gully, who was present at a
large number of seances, and who has dispassionately and
philosophically investigated these extraordinary pheno-
mena.
" All those who have been present at the Crookes'
seances know what careful precautions were taken in order
that the medium's movements should be controlled.
"These precautions proved to me beyond doubt that
the form that appeared was not that of Miss Cook, but
had an altogether separate existence."
The following also is the statement of Mr. Cromwell
Varley, F.R.S., the well-known electrical engineer, the
originator of the trans- Atlantic cable.
" As I had been requested to investigate some material-
isation phenomena, I agreed to do so with Miss Cook at
some seances which were held at Mr. Livermore's house.
MATERIALISATIONS 477
The medium was treated like a telegraphic cable, and an
electric current was passed from her right wrist along her
arms to her left wrist." That was done all the time,
in order to secure exact data. Varley made use of a
reflecting galvanometer and various other instruments.
By this means the medium could not interrupt the
current, even for a hundredth part of a second, without
the fact becoming immediately known. "Despite all
this," Mr. Varley says, " the half-materialised form of
Katie appeared down to the waist only, the remainder
of the body being missing or invisible. I held the hand
of this strange being, and at the end of the seance Katie
told me to go and awaken the medium. I found Miss
Cook entranced (in a lethargic condition), as I had left
her, and all the platinum wires intact. I then awakened
Miss Cook."
A similar experiment was made by Varley in the
presence of Sir William Crookes. A weak electric current
was maintained throughout the seance. Sir William
arranged wires in such a manner that if Miss Cook had
moved, even unconsciously, she could not have passed
beyond the curtains enclosing the cabinet in which the
medium was seated. Despite all these precautions Katie
came six or eight feet in front of the curtains; no wire
was attached to her arms, and the electrical test was quite
conclusive.
As an additional precaution Sir William Crookes asked
Katie to plunge her hands into a chemical solution. But
no special deflection of the galvanometer ensued. The
opposite would have infallibly happened if Katie had had
the wires on her, because the solution would have modified
the current.
CHAPTER XXXV
STUDY OF THE MEDIUM SAMBOR
We will examine in this chapter the remarkable pheno-
mena obtained through a Russian medium. These ob-
servations have been published by M. Petrovo-Solovovo in
the Annales des Sciences Psychiques}
Sambor very willingly submitted to a rigorous control,
and frequently asked for it. In the first place, it should
be noted that his hands were controlled in a perfectly
satisfactory manner; they were held — or, at least, they
always seemed to be — in the strict sense of the word, which
was not the case with other mediums — Eusapia, for ex-
ample.^ The chain of hands was almost always formed on
the knees of the spectators and without contact with the
table.
In the numerous cases which it fell to my lot to
control, Sambor was never opposed to my holding his
hand in the most careful and satisfactory manner, namely,
by grasping with my five fingers the palm of his hand
and his four fingers. It happened certainly that I was
present at some seances where the chain of hands was
sometimes placed on the table, which made the control
more satisfactory; but this took place but rarely, for a
short time only, and, I think, always at the request of
some person other than the medium.
' I shall often have occasion to make use of this term phenomena in
my account, and to avoid all mistake, I will hear say that it ought not to
be taken to imply the authenticity of the facts described. In my mind
it is equivalent to an expression such as the following: " Incidents which
seem (or even are reputed) to proceed from an unknown cause." The
same reservation applies to such words as trance, &c.
" Even if he detached his hand from that of his neighbour, he always
did it in so distinct a manner as to leave no room for reasonable doubt.
478
STUDY OF THE MEDIUM SAMBOR 479
The chain once formed, the hands of the medium were
placed sometimes on the knees of their neighbours, some-
times on his own. In the latter case the hypothesis of any
action of his legs is eliminated. When I was sitting next
to Sambor, it most frequently happened that I put my
foot or my leg against his, which was sufficient to neu-
tralise any possible action on his part.^ Further, the
medium frequently tapped with his feet during the
seance, which thus enabled their position to be ob-
served.
I repeat that Sambor Avas the first to ask for a rigorous
control. At KiefF, m some of the seances, he was sub-
mitted to some very extraordinary tests. For my part, I
confess that I am opposed to them.
I ask for a strict control of the hands, and a satisfactory
control of the feet, the elimination of all manifestations
capable of being produced by a movement of the head or
by any instruments whatever. Apart from this, I regard
ligatures of any description as useless.
Sambor was much disposed to ask for light during the
seances, and he often related in support of this request,
some examples of striking manifestations obtained under
such conditions. Having had occasion to verify some of
his statements, I believe the greater part of them to be
accurate, and am quite ready to believe that light does
not prejudice the phenomena of this medium in particu-
larly favourable circumstances. But the results of my
personal experience are that there is very little opportu-
nity of observing the phenomena in any light whatever,
even in a very feeble one.
I therefore think that new observers who begin to
make experiments with Sambor ought first of all to pro-
ceed in total darkness, and then allow a little light in the
room if the results obtained in the dark are particularly
striking.
^ As to the objection which has been made to this by several who
have experimented with Eusapia, and consider such control illusory : I
admit this when the medium is a female ; with a man it is very different,
provided one pays attention to his movements.
480 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
I should add, however : —
(a) That we have had some satisfactory experiments
w^ith Sambor by placing him in front of a curtain, behind
which there was consequently a dark corner, and
(b) That in the circle, in whose seances I generally
took part last winter, there was once in my absence (and
with the addition of several persons who had never before
attended our seances) an astonishing seance with the same
medium in semi-darkness.
Sambor is, or is supposed to be, in a trance condition
when any phenomenon takes place. Some years ago this
condition was often manifested by violent movements on
his part, movements so violent that we could not always
hold his hand ; at other times he fell to the ground, &c.
At the present time he remains much quieter.
Only once, at least in my experience, the voice of " the
spirit " (we shall speak later in detail of this phenomenon)
was heard while the medium was not yet asleep. He mani-
fested considerable emotion, which seemed to be quite
sincere, and appeared to be very much interested. At
the same seance he said he had seen the face of a child
(his control, according to the spiritistic expression, is
supposed to bo a little girl), and one of the persons pre-
sent (a sensitive, it appeared) declared that he had seen
the same thing.
I shall give some details of the different classes of
phenomena presented by Sambor in the following order : —
(a) Movements of Objects without Contact, and Touch-
ings.
(6) Luminous Apparitions.
(c) Raps, Lcvitations, Voices, &c.
(d) Direct Writing.
(e) Passing of Matter through Matter.
(f) Materialisations.
Movements of Objects without Contcict
This phenomenon took place at every seance which did
not give absolutely no results. Articles placed outside the
STUDY OF THE MEDIUM SAMBOR 481
circle were carried on to the table in the midst of the
spectators and vice versd ; articles which had fallen to
the ground were raised from the floor and placed also
on the table, and I have very often witnessed similar
phenomena.
My impartiality makes it my duty, however, to add
that for the greater part my personal observations
relating to this class of facts must be considered as inde-
cisive. In fact, when movements of this class are pro-
duced in total darkness, the control of the hands only,
and even of the feet, ought not to be regarded as elimi-
nating all possibility of fraud. We ought also to be sure
that the distance at the commencement separating the
medium from the objects transported has not changed
during the seance, and in such conditions it seemed to
me rather difficult to be quite certain of this.
It is for these reasons that, in speaking of inaiiifesl a-
tions of this character with Sambor, I only dwell upon
those which presented, so to speak, an exceptional
character in some respect.
I will commence with the account of a seance where
various movements of objects were witnessed in a faint
light in similar conditions to those of the experiments with
Eusapia Paladino; except that the control of Sambor's
hands could not give rise to any doubt.
The seance in question was held on March 7th (19th)
at the house of Colonel B., one of the most assiduous
members of the circle in the seances of which I took
part last winter.'
There were present Colonel B., M. P., M. Edouard
R., M. Vsevolod S. (a well-known Russian writer), the
medium, and myself. I will not describe the first part
of the seance, which took place in almost complete dark-
ness. By dint of patience we succeeded in obtaining some
manifestations, more or less convincing. It was then
1 The account was published by me in Eebus (M. Pribitkow, editor) of
June 6th (18th), 1S99, from notes made by me on the following day, or
the day but one after the seance. I am quoting from Bchus in giving the
present account.
2 H
482
PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
decided to continue the seance in semi-darkness. A
small lamp was placed on the ground in a corner of the
room, and a large book was placed in front of it to shield
the light still more, though it was already turned quite low,
after which we arranged ourselves as shown on the plan.
Some unimportant details in the arrangement of the
room where the seance took place are not reproduced on
this plan.
From the first there was complete or almost complete
darkness in the room. The door leading from the cabinet
A^./?.
^m/>
0
K
O
^ o SraoY 1
;3
' O^
o
Cci^B.
sSed/f
Fig, 14.
into the room was left open ; to make up for this we
lowered the curtains on both sides of the door and placed
the medium in the middle.
The chain of hands was formed, as usual, on the knees
of those present. The light, although very feeble, was
still sutticient for us to see the head and hands of
Sambor.
In these conditions various phenomena took place.
First of all something white and very long was suddenly
projected through the opening of the curtain on to
Colonel B., my neighbour on the left, and myself; it
was a small album of photographic views which had pre-
viously been in the room and had been opened in falling.
When this part of the seance ended we saw another
STUDY OF THE MEDIUM SAMBOR 483
similar small album on the floor, half-way between the
table m the middle of the room and the curtain, as though
it had not had sufficient power to reach the medium.
Strictly speaking, it would be possible to assume that the
medium had secretly possessed himself of this small album
during one of the intervals of the seance, and had kept it
in reserve up to that moment. This hypothesis seemed
to me to be refuted by another phenomenon which was
produced at this same seance. Once, while looking right
in front of me, I saw an object, the nature of which I
could not at first determine, come down on to the table
between the medium and his left-hand neighbour, M.
Edouard R. This movement was not very slow — nor yet
very rapid — but an appreciable although very short time
elapsed betw^een the moment when I first saw this object,
illuminated by the rays from the lamp, and that at which
it touched the top of the table. It was a piece of wood ;
there was a small pile of them on the ground quite close
at hand. This piece of wood passed close beside M. R.'s
face, and he seemed quite surprised. It is clear that in
this case at least the medium could have made no pre-
parations for the production of the phenomenon.
One of the characteristic features of this seance was
the touchings which several of us felt through the
curtain. Bringing my left hand, which was joined with
Colonel B.'s right hand, up to the curtain I distinctly felt
a contact of fingers.^
But it was M. R. who was the special object of these
touchings ; once it was evidently attempted to draw him
on to the other side of the curtain. They took hold of
him under the arms, and pulled the flaps of his frock-coat —
unfortunately he was afraid and unwilling to respond to
this invitation. Colonel B. then rose and proposed to
go behind the curtain in his place— but the phenomenon
was not repeated.
It is distinctly noted in my account that during all
the cases of contact enumerated above, the medium's
hands were not only held but seen.
1 This would be on a level with the medium's elbows.
484 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
I have not made a note of the cases in which Sambor's
hands were covered by the ciirtam.
Sambor's hands, therefore, were not implicated; nor
was his head either, for we could see it. It was impossible
for me to determine the position of his feet ; and this per-
haps may be regarded as a matter for regret, though for my
part it seems to me hardly probable that he could have
picked up the piece of wood with his feet and made it
pass quite close to M. Edouard R.'s face without the latter
noticing it. That corner of the room was very dark at the
time, and if I saw distinctly the piece of wood when it
came on to the table, it was only owing to the rays from
the lamp falling on it, without illuminating the space
behind ; but I do not think this circumstance detracts
much from the value of the incident. In short, I had
the impression at this seance that at the very least the
phenomena of touchings, &c., were not due to the action
of the feet.^
I pass on to another seance which was held in total
darkness, but was of such a character that it was quite
evident that the medium took no part in the phenomena.
The following account is according to a report published
by me in Rebus : —
Seance held February 27th (March 11th), 1899, at the
house of Dr. B. at St. Petersburg. I brought my friend
M. G., Attache at the Russian Legation at X., as he had
1 I must say here that I was very careful in my article only to state
things of which I was absolutely certain. It was quite possible, for
example, that the feet of the medium were controlled in an absolutely
satisfactory manner (by the feet of his neighbours) at the seance in
question, but I was wrong in not assuring myself of this by question-
ing MM. R. and B. The same remark applies to the report as to the
raising of the table described below. I believe, however, that at the
seance of January 11, 1899, it may be considered very probable that
at least one of the feet of the medium was accounted for. The reader
must not assume from what is here said that I am not in favour of a
rigorous control ; quite the contrary, but when one is not directing the
experiments it is not always possiVile to insist on all desirable conditions
without being thought somewhat importunate.
(These last words certainly do not apply to the medium, who was the
first to ask for a rigorous control, and I should be grieved if any one should
take them in bad part.)
STUDY OF THE MEDIUM SAMBO R 485
never been present at a spiritistic seance. There were
also present Dr. and Mme. B n, Mile. Geibel, Mile.
K n, M. A. Boujinski. At eleven o'clock my friend and
colleague S n came. Until he arrived nothing of any
interest took place; but directly M. S n was there, the
phenomena assumed a remarkable character.
1. Notes were several times struck on a piano, placed
at the other end of the room (which was very large) and
on the side of the table (around which we were seated)
furthest from the medium.
2. At the request of the medium when in a state of
trance, and also at the request of the spectators, a glass of
tea placed on the same piano during one of the intervals
of the seance was brought across the room to the medium.
We heard the spoon clink in the glass, and I heard Sambor
drinking from this glass quite close to me (I was seated
on his left).
3. I had the distinct sensation of some one making
movements behind me. I felt several contacts of an in-
definite character on the head ; then at my request a
palpably human hand, with quite distinct lingers, was
placed on my face.
4. I had in one of the inside pockets of my frock-coat my
wallet filled with papers, and a piece of string with the two
ends sealed, which I had prepared in the hope of obtaining
knots as ZoUner had done ; on two occasions a hand (I had
the very definite sensation of a forearm) felt in my pocket
for these articles and took them out. I afterwards recovered
the wallet and the string, but, alas ! without a knot.
5. Sambor, still in trance, asked the spirit to open the
door of the room a considerable distance behind him ; the
door was slowly half opened several times and we saw
(the room at the side being partly illuminated), by the
gleam of light which was formed, the outline of an arm
which pushed the door ; once I even thought I saw dis-
tinctly the outline of a head.^
^ All these manifestations were produced in the same part of the
stance. I have not described the others which occurred, either at the
beginning or the end of the stance, and which were not so remarkable
in character.
486 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
I declare in tlie most formal manner, and the reader
will be disposed, I hope, to attach some value to this
statement, in view of the reserves which I have several
times had occasion to make, that none of these phe-
nomena could be produced by the hands or the feet of
the medium. I was quite certain as to his left foot and
hand all the time. M. S n was on the immediate right
of Sambor, and he did not express any doubt as to his
control of the medium ; but that is not the essential point,
because supposing even that the right hand or the right
foot of Sambor were liberated (a very improbable hypo-
thesis as regards the hand) that would not be sufficient to
cause the notes of the piano to be played, or to bring the
glass of tea, or to open the door.
All these phenomena could only have been produced
by a person walking across the room with perfect freedom,
and this would necessarily require the complicity of at
least three members of the circle. I reject this hypothesis
as categorically as the first. The only rational explana-
tion would be to suppose the complicity of a person out-
side the circle and other than the medium. But there
was no one in the place except the servants. It therefore
could only have been the case that the medium had an
understanding with one of them. It is, unfortunately, im-
possible to refute such a proposition absolutely. I will
therefore content myself by remarking that it seems to
me improbable.
I also had occasion later to broach this subject with
Mme. B n. She answered very decidedly in the
negative.
I shall now say something with regard to a phe-
nomenon, which I had the opportunity of observing
several times at Sambor's seances, which was less extra-
ordinary in character than the seance just described which
I might call unique of its kind. It relates to the raising
of tables, sometimes very heavy, which were transported
outside the circle over the chain of hands.
I admit that for small tables the thing may l)e feasible, by
means of the teeth ; but when tables weighing thirty-four
STUDY OF THE MEDIUM SAMBOR 487
pounds and nearly a yard wide are concerned, this supposi-
tion seems to me very improbable. But a table of this
weight and size was transported outside a circle at a seance
held at my house on December 30, 1898 (January 11,
1899), a seance at which all idea of collusion was strictly
excluded.
We formed the chain as usual around the table and
without touching it. Once during the seance we noticed
(in the darkness) that the table was raised, and, after a
little time, Colonel B., who was on the immediate left of
the medium, found that it was coming outside the circle
over his arm which was joined to Sambor's ; after Avhich
we heard it placed on the ground behind these two people,
but with less noise than a table of this size would have
made if it had been thrown ; we then heard it moved hi
various directions and subsequently stop still. . When the
candle was lighted we discovered that this table was placed
on the ground, with its feet in the air, and taking up the
entire space between Sambor and Colonel B. and the wall
of the room, or, to be exact, the stove.
It seemed to me very unlikely that this transference
could have been effected by means of the feet and head of
the medium — even admitting that he had his feet free all
the time, which is doubtful — without striking the head of
one of the spectators. But, except a slight blow felt on the
head of one of us, no one was in any way injured. I repeat
that these transferences of heavy tables in such conditions
seem to me outside the domain of prestidigitation.
I have witnessed this phenomenon many times, always
without the medium leaving his chair. In some cases
these transferences have been executed with remarkable
rapidity. On other occasions a table, which went out of
the circle between the medium and M. A., re-entered it
by passing (in the air) between Sambor and M. B. At the
seance of December 10th (22nd) (at my house) this
phenomenon had this remarkable feature that it was pro-
duced (in darkness) without our perceiving it. The table,
it is true, was rather small and light, and half of it had
been removed, because it was broken at the commence-
488 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
merit of the seance (the remaining half weighed nearly
twelve pounds), but I ought to add that a nickel lamp
was hanging almost over the middle of the circle, and it is
certainly curious that this Avas not touched during the
movement.
Luminous Aiyparitions
These were very frequent with Sambor some years
ago. We saw a luminous spot suddenly rise in the dark-
ness and shine for one or two seconds ; we then saw a kind
of vapour or smoke become detached from it, and the
whole disappeared. I have no decided opinion as to this
phenomenon, but have often asked myself if it could not
be produced by means of some substance with which the
medium had coated his hair, which he often rubbed during
the seance with one of his hands without breaking the
chain (he made, however, the same movement without
any " light " appearing as the result).
Since then these apparitions have changed their char-
acter. At present they are generally small bluish or
greenish specks, which suddenly shine out in the darkness,
describing zigzag paths in the air, then disappearing. Pro-
vided that the medium's hands — as was almost always the
case — were firmly held when the phenomenon was produced,
I am inclined to regard the evidence here as conclusive.
I think, however, that I Avas mistaken in saying just
now that ' these greenish points " have a later origin
than the luminous apparitions of Sambor of a different
character. If my memory serves me, some Avere witnessed
at the commencement of his career. What I mean is, that
at present " these greenish points " are, I think, almost the
only phenomenon of this character presented by Sambor.
Several observers have often had occasion to notice an
evident connection between the luminous apparitions and
the movement of objects.
For example, a luminous point has been seen to detach
itself from the medium and go towards a guitar which Avas
placed on the table, the cords of Avhich then sounded.
The reader Avill iind further on, in the account of the
STUDY OF THE MEDIUM SAMI30R 489
very remarkable experiment of Dr. Pogorelsky, the mention
of a luminous star whose appearance coincided with a case
of the " passage of matter through matter."
At a seance at which I was present, a small musical
box (with handle) began playing a tune while flying about
in the midst of the circle, and some of its movements
were accompanied b}^ those of a luminous spot (December
1897).
Passages of Matter through flatter and Knots like
Zollner's
I come now to the most striking class of Sambor's
phenomena, and that which is, in my opinion, the most
calculated to produce conviction. It is the most striking
because nothing more impresses the mind than facts
which tend to make one believe that the action of one of
the most immutable and evident laws of nature, such as
that of the impenetrability of matter, can be temporarily
suspended. It is the most convincing, because this par-
ticular phenomenon has on several occasions been pro-
duced through Sambor in conditions which, if they do
not absolutely eliminate all possibility of error, render it
improbable to a degree which almost amounts to absolute
certainty.
This same phenomenon, moreover, presents the indis-
putable advantage that the experimental observation of it
is much less difficult, and the sources of error much less
numerous, than in other branches of psychic phenomena.
When it is a question of movement of objects, the
certainty that these movements are not due to any known
cause, is only the result of a series of other certainties,
often difficult to realise. The control of the hands only is
not sufficient. It must be made impossible for the medium
to obtain the result wished by the aid of his feet and head,
or by means of threads, or any instrument whatever, and
when all these sources of error are undoubtedly eliminated
there remains the hypothesis of collusion.
On the other hand, if I wish to obtain, for example, a
490 rSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
wooden ring or a chair passed over the medium's hand
whilst I hold his hand in mine, it is sufficient for this
experiment to be regarded as satisfactory for three very-
simple conditions to be observed : —
1. I must be certain that the ring or the chair
that is to be used in the experiment is not a " trick "
article ;
2. I must hold the medium's hand in my own in such
a way that it cannot escape from me, even for a quarter of
a second ;
3. If the experiment is successful, I must be con-
vinced that there was no substitution of the ring or the
chair.
Apart from that, the position of the medium's feet and
head, the presence or absence of threads or hooks, the
questions of darkness or light, do not play any part. It
would, doubtless, be preferable that this phenomenon
should take place in a lighted room ; but it is by no means
a sine qua non condition, and it must be agreed that
when the experimenter can confine his attention to the
hand only of the medium, it is much more easy to maintain
an unflagging observation.
It seems to me that the necessity for this observation,
to which Messrs. Podmore and Hodgson assign no value,
is not always appreciated in an experiment of this char-
acter. As a matter of fact, the question to be solved is
the following : granted that the experimenter holds one
of the medium's hands firmly in his own, is it possible for
this hand to become free and then to resume its former
position without the experimenter perceiving it ?
Well, I know nothing that allows me to regard such a
thing as possible. I fully admit that when the hands are
placed one over the other on the table, one of them can
be liberated — even, perhaps, if the sitter next to the
medium gives all necessary attention to the experiment,
and all the more so if his attention is distracted. But
that is not the question. The majority, if not all, of the
experiments of the "passage of matter through matter"
have taken ])lace with Sambor in quite different conditions:
STUDY OF THE MEDIUM SAMBOR 491
the chain of hands did not touch the table, and the
medium's hands were firmly held.^
Some years ago it happened very frequently at the
seances with Sambor in Petersburg, that when his hands
were held a chair was threaded upon his arm without the
medium's hands being released by his neighbours. These
phenomena happened in 1894 and 1896; they have
almost ceased since that time, and now only occur very
seldom.
Here, for example, is an extract from a report made by
me of a seance which took place in the offices of Rebus on
November 3rd (15th), 1894.
" The seance commenced at a quarter to nine ; fourteen
persons were present, excluding the medium. At the com-
mencement of the seance M. Sch. controlled the medium
on the right and M. N. on the left. After Sambor had
struggled a good deal in the darkness, two cane chairs
(called Thonet chairs) came and linked themselves over
the right and left arms of the medium's neighbour, which
all present verified in the light. The sitter on Sambor 's
right declared that he had held his hand all the time.
According to M. Sch., after Sambor had made a violent
movement, his hand escaped for a second from the hand
of the controller, but it was immediately caught again,
convincing himself that the chair was not there, but he
distinctly felt a chair near to his right arm and pushed it
back."
On another occasion (at the same period) I was seated
at the medium's right hand. The seance took place in
darkness. Sambor was struggling terribly ; I fully believe
that once he fell on to the floor (he has become much
calmer since). In spite of all my efforts his hand once
escaped mine ; I caught it again and convinced myself
that there was no chair on his arm (at least I was so
persuaded at that moment, which ought to be sufficient),
^ I may remind readers that the criticisms directed against certain
experiments made with Eusapia were based on the real or supposed cir-
cumstance that her hands were not held in the strict sense of the word
Dr. Hodgson was careful to state this.
492 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
I did not again loose his hand. Colonel M., who was on
Sambor's left, did not loose his hold at all ; half-an-hour
afterwards we lighted up and saw two chairs hanging
round the medium's arm : one on the right and another
on the left.
The following is an account of another seance where
the same phenomenon took place in a dull light, it is
true. (Rehivs, No. 47, 1894.)
Seance held October 30th (November I2th), 1894
(At the commencement of the report some phenomena
are described which are not of great interest.)
" The third part of the seance began, and took place
by the light of a candle placed inside the stove (the
opening of which was not closed). Five minutes after
the chain had been formed the medium began to move
and to rise from his chair, then he sat down and got up
again. Immediately afterwards the controller on the left
of the medium declared that a chair was suspended from
his arm, and guaranteed that he had not ceased holding
the medium's hand for one moment. The third part of
the seance did not last more than fifteen minutes. The
medium was controlled by MM. Narbout and Panaieff.
" The fourth part of the seance, which lasted nearly
half-an-hour, began in the light, but a quarter of an hour
afterwards the medium declared that he was very tired,
and asked that the light might be reduced : in order to
accede to his request we closed the opening of the stove
in which the candle had been placed. The medium was
controlled by MM. Narbout and Vassilieif; the latter,
whose hand was tied to that of the medium, greatly desired
a chair to be suspended from his arm also. Soon after
the opening of the stove had been closed the medium
began to move, to groan loudly, and to throw himself this
way and that, and five minutes afterwards said, ' Give
me more light.' We had hardly opened the door of the
stove when the medium rose up, while his controllers did
the same, and it was foniid that Ihc oontrollor on the ritrlit
STUDY OF THE MEDIUM SxVMBOR 493
had two chairs on his arm, and M. VassiUeft", who was on
the left, and whose hand was tied to the medium's, one
only. This controller declared that he had felt the chair
pass, so to speak, through his arm and rest upon it until
it was suspended from it." ^
The official account of this seance is signed by all who
were present.
I remember that some one who was present at a
seance with Sambor told me of a similar impression, but
I am not quite certam if it was M. Vassilieff, I believe,
however, that it was.
Here is a similar instance.
At the seance of November 3rd (15th), 1894, which
has already been mentioned, after one of the intervals,
my cousin, M. Ch., was seated on the medium's left, and
M. Vassilieff on his right ; M. Ch.'s hand was tied to
Sambor's. In these conditions a chair was placed around
M. Vassilieff's arm, who maintained, as did also M. Ch.,
that he had not released his hold of the medium's hand
for one moment. We lighted the candle, and I examined
the chair myself without finding anything suspicious.
{Rehus, No. 47, 1894.)
I am not able to say precisely, at this distance of time,
how long this experiment lasted, but I am under the
impression that it did not last longer than half-an-hour
at the outside, and perhaps much less.
Cases of this sort are, I repeat, numerous, and I could
quote others.
Let us see if the phenomenon in question can be
rationally explained.
The first explanation — that of a surreptitious liberation
of one of the medium's hands — has already been discussed
above. I repeat once more that, seeing the perfect way
in which Sambor's hands are generally held, it seems to
me untenable, and in any case it is for the sceptics to prove
the contrary.-
^ Unfortunately I was not present at the seance in question.
^ It might, with extreme strictness, be objected that although Sambor
was never opposed to my holding his hand in the manner described above.
494 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
Another analogous explanation would be the foUowmg :
when the chair used in the experiment is a cane chair, it
may be that the medium succeeds in slipping through the
back of the chair and making it rise to the height of his
arms: if then his left hand, let us say, is loosed by the
control, he can make the chair appear on his right arm
without his right hand being liberated. To do this he
would have to draw his left arm, set free for the moment,
through the back of the chair, and throw this chair over
his head on to his right arm. In order to refute this
explanation I will content myself by observing that this
also necessitates our assuming the possibility of liberating
one hand unobserved : that this is absolutely excluded in
cases such as those which I have quoted above, in which
three chairs were suspended from the medium's two arms ;
in which one of Sambor's hands was tied to one of his
neighbour's, the chair becoming suspended from the
other arm ; in which the back of the chair was such that
a man could not pass through it;^ in which, lastly, the
chairs were not " trick " chairs, previously subjected by
the medium to any manipulations.
This explanation cannot, strictly speaking, be con-
sidered as absolutely excluded from the seances previously
described — in fact, they took place, as I have said, in the
offices of Rebus, the spiritualistic newspaper of St. Peters-
burg; where, at that time, Sambor was living, and this
circumstance may, in the eyes of some, affect the value
of the experiments in question. It should be noted that
the chairs used formed part of the furniture of the office ;
that Sambor was only in Petersburg for a short time, and
I do not see what manipulations he could have effected
on these cane chairs.
An hypothesis of this character is therefore very improb-
able : it even becomes quite valueless, since similar pheno-
it does not necessarily follow that his hands were always thus held. To
this I reply that I could see the manner in which his hands were held at
a number of sdances where there was observed what seemed to be the
passing of matter through matter, and I have always considered the
control of the hands as good.
* I have been present at one or two cases of this kind.
STUDY OF THE MEDIUM SAMBOR 495
mena were produced at seances with Sambor, with other
objects which cannot lend themselves to any suspicion.
Thus I brought to this same seance of November 15,
1894, which has already been mentioned several times, a
wooden ring bought by myself and marked.
Well, this ring was placed (I ought to say it threaded
itself) on M. Vassilieff's arm, when he was holding one of
the medium's hands. {Rebus, No. 47, 1894.)
It is true that unfortunately this fact lost, in my eyes,
a part of its value, seeing that it happened after I had
left, but I should not have mentioned it in Rebus at that
time if I had not been convinced, by questioning some of
those present, that it really took place.
Here, again, is the account of two very interesting
experiments described, the first by Dr. Pogorelsky, the
other by Dr. Fisher, Vice-President of the Russian Society
of Experimental Psychology.
Dr. Pogorelski was kind enough to communicate to me
in the month of May 1899 an account of his remarkable ex-
periment. I reproduce it here with some abbreviations : —
"During the winter of 1895-1896," he states, "S. F.
Sambor gave some seances at the Spiritist Club at St.
Petersburg, in the editorial offices of Rebus at 65, Nevsky.
At one of these seances I was sitting by the side of Sambor
and held his left hand with my right, in my own special
manner — that is to say, by passing all the fingers of my
hand between those of his hand. At one of these seances
a cane chair was found suspended by the opening at the
back on my arm. I was particularly interested in this
phenomenon (the luminous apparitions which were then
produced with Sambor already interested me a little),
and I wanted to verify this experiment in conditions
which seemed, to me at least, convincing.
" For this purpose I arranged to hold some seances at
my residence, 40 Liteinaia ; these seances taking place in
my study, a very large room, but not in the presence of
professed spiritists — quite the contrary. I invited anti-
spiritists exclusively, or else people who had not heard
the subject mentioned. Moreover, I authorised those
496
PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
whom I knew to bring any one they chose, so that the
company was half changed at each seance, and there were
always new faces. The majority of these persons were
scarcely known to me, and unknown to each other, except,
of course, to those Avho had introduced them.
" At these three seances the number present varied
from tAvelve or fifteen to twenty-two persons of both sexes.
There were doctors, lawyers, engineers, mathematicians,
officers, public officials, an author, some ladies, and some
young girls."
(Dr. Pogorelski mentions several names.)
"The seances were held
once a week in March and
April 1896.
" The conditions of the ex-
periments were perfect dark-
ness and singing.! I only had
one cane chair in my rooms,
so before the experiment we
borrowed some from a person
we knew, Mme. Elizabeth P.
Levtchenko.
She lent us altogether three
chairs : one for the medium,
and two for his neighbours on
either side. These chairs were
of beechwood with plaited seats,
and the backs formed of two arches with two openings.
A (large) and B (smaller).
Only an arm could pass through B ; whereas a man
could slip through A if he were thin and very adroit, and
then not without great difficulty. ^
During the second part of the seance of April 4th (16th),
1806, to the best of my recollection I was sitting on one side
of the medium, the engineer T. on the other. Suddenly I
Fig. 15.
1 Generally we simply sang at Sambor's seances ; on other occasions
a musical box played.
^ It must be stated that Sambor is tall of stature, although rather
thin.
STUDY OF THE MEDIUM SAMBOR 497
felt a blow on my right arm (close to the shoulder), and I
felt a chair passed on to my right arm by the opening B.
As I held Sambor's hands in my usual way (by interlacing
the fingers) it Avas impossible for our hands to become
separated, even for a hundredth part of a second, without
my feeling it. Moreover, if that had happened — that is to
say, if Sambor had removed his hand — it would have been
impossible in the darkness to put it back in the same
place without changing the order of the fingers, and
without my feeling it. Finally, there could be here no
question of the hypothesis of his slipping through the
opening A. For — without taking account of other con-
siderations (how could he have freed his hand from that
of F. ?) — that would have served no purpose, because in
this case my arm would then have been passed through
A. and not through B.
" We lighted the candle and verified this fact. Then
the usual long discussions began, and not only the medium
was suspected, but myself, as having taken part in a hoax.
" Then with the permission of Sambor I thought of
trying the following experiment : —
" We placed Sambor between M. Maxime W., a solicitor
and a violent sceptic, whom all who knew regarded as
an honest man and a gentleman, which is the reason he
was chosen as controller. He was sitting on Sambor's
left, and Mile. 0. on his right. She was a young girl of
twenty years of age at the most, very healthy, of per-
fect constitution, well built but slightly nervous, and was
what is called a sensitive. She has self-control, is not
timid nor superstitious, does not believe in spiritualism,
and had sat next to Sambor at previous seances. She was
not nervous at his touchings or at his way of knocking
with his fist on her knees."
Dr. Pogorelsky then stated that he tied M. W.'s right
hand to Sambor's left, by means of a linen ribbon about
half an inch wide and nearly ten yards long, by placing
first of all the fingers of one hand between the fingers of
the other and rolling the ribbon round the hands and
fingers and making many knots. These ligatures not
2 I
498 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
only made it impossible to separate the hands, but even
for the fingers to move. Seals were placed on the ends of
the ribbon.
" The candle being extinguished, we awaited the result.
In order to make Sambor feel at ease, I naturally told
everybody beforehand that the experiment might not be
successful ; that this would not be a proof to the contrary
seeing that seances were not always successful. At the
end of not more than ten minutes Sambor's usual dis-
turbance commenced : he began to let himself slip off his
chair on to the floor, to groan, to knock with his fist on
his knees, to rise up, &c. This time there were few lights,
not more than one or two. Suddenly Mile. O. cried out
that she felt the chair on her left arm.
" She solemnly declared that she had not released
Sambor's right hand for a second. But unfortunately
her hand was not sealed to Sambor's, which would have
made the experiment much more decisive, and every-
body declared with one voice that it was not convincing.
M. W. and myself categorically insisted that the chair
should be threaded on M. W.'s arm. In his half-entranced
condition Sambor asked us all to insist, saying, ' Pray all,
pray that the chair pass on to W.'s side.'
" Everybody cried out, ' We ask it, we ask it,' and in
the twinkling of an eye, I do not know if half a minute
had elapsed from the time when we began to call out
' We ask it,' M. W., in a voice choking with fright, cried
out : ' Gentlemen, the chair is on my arm, I feel it ' ; and
Mile. O. declared that the chair had disappeared from
her arm.
" One detail: myself and several other persons, but not
all, saw at that moment something like a luminous flash
that passed from Mile. 0. to W.
" After W.'s exclamation that the chair had been
threaded on to his arm, everybody requested that it
should remain there, which it did.
" We turned up the light and everybody crowded
round Sambor and W., who were inseparably bound
together. The chair was found hanging from W.'s arm
STUDY OF THE MEDIUM SAMBOR 499
by the opening A. The seals and Hgatures were intact,
and it was only with difficulty that we undid them."
Dr. Pogorelsky draws from this experiment the con-
clusion that Sambor's right hand not having been tied to
Mile. O.'s left hand, the hypothesis of Sambor passing
through the opening A. from the back of the chair
could not be regarded as excluded " with mathematical
certainty " ; but that if we took into consideration the fact
that Mile. O.'s fingers were indissolubly united to Sambor's,
at the time of the appearance of the chair on her arm, as
well as during the transport of this chair on to M. W.'s
arm, and also the rapidity of this removal, there could
be no question that in this experiment, we have a genuine
case of the passing of matter through matter " a la Zollner."
For my part, I accept this conclusion.
CHAPTER XXXVI
PROFESSOR 0. RICHET'S OBSERVATIONS AT THE
VILLA CARMEN 1
We shall devote this chapter to the study of the material-
isations which were produced at the Villa Carmen in
Algiers, the residence of General and Mme. Noel.
These facts have been much talked of because they
were witnessed by the eminent professor of physiology at
the Faculty of Medicine in Paris and Honorary President
of La Societe Universelle d'fitudes Psychiques, M. Charles
Richet, who v^ent to Algiers expressly for the purpose of
studying them.
But whatever may be the scientific authority possessed
by those who dare to express an opinion in favour of
certain facts and declare that they have been proved, there
will be found men without any authority or scientific
standing who will not hesitate flatly to deny the state-
ments made without bringing forward proofs, or make
puerile objections to definite, scientific, and documentary
evidence of men of science of indisputable authority.
In these discussions there is evident prejudice on the'
part of those who do not seek the truth, but who desire,
at any price, to deny certain facts which are unpalatable
to their narrow minds.
These objections, as regards the observations made by
M. Richet at the Villa Carmen, have been reduced to
nothing, as will be proved by the following investigation.
We will quote Professor Richet's own words,^ in which he
meets all these objections.
' Where modifications have been deemed advisable in the English
rendering of the translation of original' documents in this and other
chapters, they have been unhesitatingly adopted.
^ See A nnals of Psychical Science, April 1906.
500
OBSERVATIONS AT THE VILLA CJARMEN 501
" Everything that Dr. Z. announces as to the fraud or
frauds at the Villa Carmen really rests on the following : —
" He was able to exhibit on the stage of a theatre an
individual who, covered with a white sheet, played the
part of a phantom, exactly as in Les Cloches de Corneville ;
and the simple-minded public immediately concluded
from this that the phenomena of the Villa Carmen were
fraudulent.
" Dr. Z. was not obliged to draw very heavily on his
imagination in order to exhibit so cheap a phantom at
the Universite Populaire of Algiers. He even wished to
exhibit luminous phenomena by employing phosphorated
oil, but his chemical knowledge was not sufficient to
enablethim to prepare it successfully.
" The whole scene, which excited the audience and
took place in impressive silence, had this element of spice
that the actor who played the part of the phantom was the
former coachman of General Noel, a man named Areski,
who had been dismissed by the General.
" How the coachman Areski managed to intervene, we
are told by Dr. Z. It was simply by entering the seance
room with us, by a process which does not seem at all
mysterious, that is to say, by examining, along with us, the
carpet, the bath, and the furniture ; then, when attention
was diverted to another quarter, he slipped into the cabinet
and hid behind the curtain.
"Now, I declare formally and solemnly that during
the seances — about twenty in number — at which I was
present, Areski was not once permitted to enter the seance
room. His actions had inspired us with sufficient distrust
of him to cause us to take care to keep him completely
away. I will add that it would have been just as im-
possible for him to leave the cabinet as to enter it, and
that of all imaginable hypotheses of deception, that of
Areski or any other person entering or leaving the cabinet
without our knowledge is by far the most absurd. It is
even so impossible that I have difficulty in believing that
any person of common sense could be found capable of
creditinsf it.
502 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
" This is mere kitchen or stable gossip which I should
have passed over in contemptuous silence if, in his feverish
desire for self-advertisement, Dr. Z. had not revealed to
the universe this tattle of a discharged servant.
" There remain the two other confessions, or so-called
confessions, which Dr. Z. has obtained after an inquiry
probably greatly prolonged. He tells us first that a
doctor, whose name he has the modesty not to give, had
played a farce on Mme. Noel by getting some one to
learn by heart a ridiculous English phrase, and to give
it out as a proof of supposed mediumistic power. I
declare that I did not know the smallest portion of this
story, that I have never mentioned it in my account, that
I am in no way responsible for what may have been said
by others, and that, if it is true, I am very sorry both for
the doctor who consented to play such a despicable part,
and for Mme. Noel whose hospitality w^as thus abused.
" As to the so-called confession of Mile. Marthe B.,
which, according to Dr. Z., consists merely in saying that
there is a trap-door in the seance room.
" (1) Mile. Marthe B. has never written or said that
there was a trajj-door ;
" (2) There is no trap-door.
"We must, however, draw one conclusion as to the
objections which, after six months' reflection, reinforced
by extorted confessions, inquiries and counter inquiries,
backstairs talk, &c., have been raised against the facts of
which I have given an account. This consists in the five
following assertions : —
" 1. An individual dressed up in a white sheet can
amuse himself by playing the phantom on the stage.
" 2. This individual may be General Noel's coach-
man.
" 3. General Noel's coachman asserts that he has freely
entered the seance room with us, whereas that statement
is without foundation.
" 4. A doctor played a trick on Mme. Noel two 3^ears
ago by teaching eleven words of English to an individual
who does not know English.
OBSERVATIONS AT THE VILLA CARMEN 503
"5. Mile. Marthe B. is reported to have said that
everything was done by means of a trap-door, whereas
she has not said it, and there is no trap-door.
" I confess, for my part, that in treating seriously of
these phenomena, their strangeness had, in spite of all
proofs, occasioned some doubts in my mind, and I have
not neglected to express them fully and forcibly. But
now, in view of the poverty of the objections which could
be brought against them, many of these doubts have
disappeared.
" The existence of this trap-door — concerning which a
lawyer in Algiers wrote me a touching letter, which I shall
publish if need be — is formally refuted by the following
certificate : —
" ' Emile Lowe, Architect, S.N.
Boulevard Laferri^re, 1.
" ' I, the undersigned, Emile Lowe, expert architect at
Algiers, hereby certify that I have visited and examined
the interior and exterior of the room known as the seance-
room at the Villa Carmen, Rue Darwin, at Mustapha,
belonging to General Noel.
" ' This villa and its outhouses were built to my plans
and under my direction in 1893 for M. Battistini.
" ' The room in question occupies the whole of the
first and only floor of a little pavilion to the right of
the entrance to the property and was formerly used as
a laundry; it is covered by a terrace-roof in bricks and
cement on double T-irons, and is built of masonry. The
ground-floor is used as a coach-house, and is separated
from the first-floor by a floor also of double T-iron, filled
in with bricks and cement nine inches thick.
" ' In these two floors, which are visible throughout
their whole extent between the four walls, there exists no
opening or trap-door whatever.
'"The coach-house is entered from the Rue Darwin
and from the platform forming the entrance to the
property ; it is also lighted by a ventilator under the
ceiling in the wall facing the garden, and in full view.
504 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
'"The room on the first-floor is Ughted by two large
wmdows, one of which looks on to the Rue Darwin and
the other on to the entrance platform. Access to the
room is obtained by a door looking on to the garden. In
the party wall, which is completely visible from the in-
terior and from the next garden, there is no opening.
" ' In consequence I certify that there does not exist,
and never has existed, any other opening than those above
mentioned.
"'I have also ascertained that the building is in the
same state in which I built it, and that no repairs have
been executed for more than six months.
" ' Emile Lowe.
" ' Algiers, March 16, 1906.
" ' Signature seen and legalised by me at
Algiers, March 16, 1906.
For the Mayor: Adjoint Delegate.
(Signature illegible).' "
We here give in full, by the kind permission of Pro-
fessor Richet, the account which he has published on
these phenomena.
General and Mme. Noel have, during the last year or
two, published various notices concerning these singular
facts in the Revue scientijique et morale du spiritisms,
edited by M. Delanne. But I will make no allusion what-
ever to these recitals, and will dwell only upon those facts
which I myself witnessed.^
The persons who were present at these experiments
were General and Mme. Noel, Mme. X., a lady whom I
know, and who knows General and Mme. Noel, but who
wishes to Avithhold her name ; M. Gabriel Delanne, and
* See Annah of Psychical Science, October 1905.
OBSERVATIONS AT THE VILLA CARMEN 505
the three daughters of M. B., a retired military otliccr :
Martha (aged 19 years), Paulette (aged IG years), Maia
(aged 14 years). Marthe was engaged to be married to
Maurice Noel, the son of General and Mme. Noel, who
died last year in the Congo.
It is highly probable that the greater part of the
phenomena which were forthcoming was due to the
influence of Marthe as medium ; for the various persons
I have mentioned were seated outside the curtains of the
cabinet where the materialisations were produced, whilst
Marthe was always inside the cabinet behind the curtains.
On two occasions during these experiments another person
was also seated inside the cabinet with Marthe : a person
named Ninon, who exercises the profession of chiromancer ;
but her role was practically nil, for she was only twice
present. A negress, one of Mme. Noel's servants, a girl of
22, named Aischa, also took part sometimes in the seances
as a soi-disant medium, being then seated behind the
curtains. But her role appears also to have been a very
unimportant one"; for several most important phenomena
were forthcoming when Marthe was quite alone in the
cabinet — without either Aischa or Ninon.
The room in which these experiments took place is a
small kiosk situated in the garden of the Villa Carmen.
This kiosk or pavilion is entirely separated from any habi-
tation ; it is composed of one room only, and is built over
a stable and coach-house. This room has two windows
and one entrance door. One of the windows looks out on
the street and is five yards above the street. The other
window looks out on a stone staircase which leads from
the garden to the street. The garden slopes down abruptly
from the Rue Fontaine-Bleue to the Rue Darwin. The
door looks out on the garden. Each of the two windows
is blocked up and covered with canvas nailed to the wall.
Over this canvas there is a thick tapestry curtain which
is also nailed to the wall. The floor of the room consists
of flagstones cemented together. A kind of linoleum is
nailed on the floor ; near the seance cabinet this linoleum
is covered with a thin felt carpet.
506
PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
The seance cabinet is made by a canopy in one of the
corners of the room, which forms a triangle, the hypoten-
use A, B of which measures 3 yards. The height of the
canopy is 7 feet ; that of the room is 9 feet 6 inches.
There is therefore a space of 2 feet 6 inches between the
canopy and the ceihng.
The triangle is closed by a very thick, dark, tapestry-
curtain. The curtain runs on a rod by means of brass
rings.
In front of the curtain, leaving barely sufficient space
to pass between it and the curtain, is a round table of
Fig. 16.
black wood, around which we were seated nearly always in
the following order : —
Looking at the curtain, and beginning from the spec-
tator's right, there were seated around the table succes-
sively : Maia, Mme. X., myself, Paulette, G. Delanne,
Mme. Noel, General Noel.
Before every sitting I examined the room minutely
and thoroughly — the canopy, the curtains, the chairs (lift-
ing them up), a bath and an old trunk which were in a
corner of the room — and I am able to certify that no one
was hidden in the room when the seance began. More-
over, as the curtains over the windoAvs were securely
nailed to the wall, as there was no trap or secret panel in
the walls, I am quite certainly able to affirm that no one
could enter the room during the seance.
The seances were held by the light of a candle placed
in a red photographic lantern which stood on a shelf at a
height of 6 feet 9 inches above the floor.
OBSERVATIONS AT THE VILLA CARMEN 507
Finally, I will note that the curtain had an opening,
and was so made that the right side was longer than the
left side. When the curtain was fully opened, and the
eyes became accustomed to the feeble light, we were able
to distinguish the hands and faces of the mediums and
their garments. At the same time, it was rather diffi-
cult to recognise them even when the opening was at its
maximum. On the contrary, in the room itself, outside
the cabinet, at a distance of one yard to one and a half
yards, the various sitters could be easily recognised.
After several preliminary operations, on which I will
not dwell, Marthe and Aischa seated themselves in the
cabinet : Marthe to the left, Aischa to the right, and the
curtain was closed.
The seances took place either at four o'clock in the
afternoon or at eight o'clock in the evening. They lasted
from two to three hours. At the close of each seance I
examined the room as thoroughly and minutely as before
the seance.
II
All the experiments conducted at the Villa Carmen
cannot be described here in detail ; for the detailed report
of these experiments, written by me immediately after
each seance, would be too lengthy and tedious. It will
perhaps be sufficient if I set forth methodically a few
essential facts, choosing those which appear to have the
greatest significance.
I said further back that it was not possible to suppose
the presence of some individual concealed in the seance
room, or of some one entering the room during the seance,
in order to explain the presence of a new personage
appearing beside the medium.
I will establish, first of all, that the personage in ques-
tion is neither an image reflected in a mirror, nor a doll,
nor a lay-figure. In fact, it possesses all the attributes of
life. I have seen it leave the seance cabinet, walk about,
go and come. I have heard its breathing and its voice ; I
508 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
have touched its hand several times : that hand was warm
and jointed. I have been able, through the drapery with
which the hand was covered, to feel the wrist, the bones
of the wrist and of the metacarpus, which yielded to the
pressure of my hand-clasp.
Therefore, the only fraud possible — and it is absolutely
impossible to suppose any other — must consist in the
so-called phantom being the medium disguised. For
reasons which I will give in detail further on, I consider
this hypothesis extremely difficult, if not impossible, to
admit. But before entering on this discussion, I will
relate in full the following experience, which proves
undoubtedly that the phantom — or the form which was
before our eyes — possesses some of the essential attributes
of life.
On Friday, September 1st, Marthe and Aischa were
seated behind the curtain. In front of the curtain were
the usual sitters : General Noel, Mme. Noel, M. D., Paulette
B., myself, Mme. X., and Maia B. I had prepared a
bottle containing some clear baryta water, and arranged
in such a way that by blowing through a tube made of
india-rubber it was possible to make the expired air
bubble in the baryta water. After the production of
several phenomena, the details of which I will not enlarge
upon, Bien Boa (this is the name by which the phantom
calls itself) asked to be permitted to try the experiment
of the baryta. At the same time, he bent forward, outside
the curtain, and through the opening he thus made in
bending forward, I distinguished clearly Aischa seated far
away from B. B. and Marthe. I could not see Marthe's face
very well ; but I recognised the skirt and chemisette she
was wearing, and I saw her hands. M. Delanne, who was
nearer the cabinet than I was, affirms he saw Marthe's face.
B. B. bent forward, as I said. The General took the
tube of baryta from my hands and handed it to B. B., who
tried to blow through it. During the whole time this ex-
periment was going on, I distinguished clearly the entire
form of Marthe, who was seated far in the background.
M. Delanne remarked aloud to me that he distinguished
OBSERVATIOxNS AT THE VILLA CARMEN 509
Marthe completely; and, as the capital point of the ex-
periment lay precisely in a thorough and complete view
of Marthe, all my attention was devoted to her. At the
same time we heard B. B. trying hard to blow through the
tube ; but he did it badly, and his respiration, instead of
passing through the tube, passed outside it, consequently
there Avas no gurgling or bubbling of the water.
For some time B. B. made fruitless efforts, and we
heard his blowing.
Then the General explained to him that he must make
the liquid bubble, which can only occur when the expired
air is made to pass through the tube. At last B. B, suc-
ceeded ; he blew strongly, and I heard the bubbling, which
lasted for about half a minute ; then he made a sign with
his head that he was fatigued and could not go on any
longer, and he passed the tube of baryta to me : I observed
that the liquid had become quite white.
I desire to point out : (1) That my eyes did not leave
the tube, and that it left my hands to pass into those
of the General and B. B. ; also that I saw the tube all
the time near the mouth of B. B., while the expired gas
was bubbling through the baryta water, and that imme-
diately afterwards there was carbonate of baryta, as I
observed by the sufficient light of the room, without
the tube having left my sight. (2) That at various
times I was able to see, behind B. B., the form of
Marthe ; her hands I saw very clearly, her face with less
certainty, but at all events the whole outline of her face,
although it was too indistinct to be able to recognise the
features.
Following upon this extraordinary and exciting ex-
periment there occurred an incident Avhich Avas rather
comical; for comical things sometimes get strangely
confused with serious matters. After the persons present
had assured themselves that there was carbonic acid
formed (white carbonate of baryta), they became so en-
thusiastic that they broke out into applause, crying,
"Bravo!" Then B. B., who had disappeared behind the
curtain, reappeared three separate times, showing his
510 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
head and saluting, like an actor returning to the stage
in response to the applause of the audience.
It should also be noted that while B. B. was blowing
into the tube, M. Delanne remarked to me aloud that the
form of Marthe could be perfectly distinguished behind
B. B., and he made this observation at three different
times, while B, B. was blowing.
It results from these facts that the phantom of B. B.
possesses all the attributes of life. It walks, speaks, moves,
and breathes like a human being. Its body is resistant
and has a certain muscular strength. It is neither a lay-
figure nor a doll, nor an image reflected by a mirror ; it is
like a living being; and there are reasons for resolutely
setting aside every other supposition than one or the other
of these two hypotheses : either that of a phantom having
the attributes of life, or that of a living person playing
the part of a phantom.
The following phenomenon appeared to me to be of
prime importance.
The experiment was made under the same conditions
as the others, except that Mme. X. was not present. It
was on Tuesday, August 29th, and it was on that day that
the photograph was taken.
After the photograph had been taken the curtain
closed again. In the diagram the triangle A, C, B re-
presents the cabinet in which Marthe was sitting at M
and Aischa at N ; A, B is the curtain, with an opening at
O, by which the form of B. B. comes out and returns.
Scarcely had B. B. re-entered at 0, when I saw, with-
out any movement whatever of the curtain, a white light
at X, on the ground, outside the curtain, between the
table and the curtain, I half rose, in order to look over
the table ; I saw'as it were a white luminous ball floating
over the ground ; then, rising straight upwards, very
rapidly, as though issuing from a trap-door, appeared
B. B. He appeared to me to be of no great height ; he
was clad in a drapery, and, I think, had something like
a caftan with a girdle at the waist. He was then placed
between the table and the curtain, being horn, so to
OBSERVATIONS AT THE VILLA CARMEN 511
speak, out of the flooring outside the curtain (which
had not stirred). The curtain is nailed to the wall all
along the angle B, so that a living person, in order to
leave the cabinet by that way, would have no other means
than to crawl along the floor and pass under the curtain.
But the coming out was sudden, and the luminous spot
on the floor preceded the appearance of B. B. outside the
curtain, and he raised himself up (developing his form
rapidly in a straight line.)^ Then B. B. tried, as it seemed
to me, to come among us, but he had a limping, hesitating
gait. I could not say whether he walked or glided. At
one moment he reeled, as though about to fall, limping
with one leg, which seemed unable to support him (I give
my own impression). Then he went towards the opening
of the curtains. Then, without, as far as I believe, open-
ing the curtains, he suddenly sank down, disappeared into
the ground, and, at the same time, a sound of clac, clac
was heard, like the noise of a body thrown on to the
ground. A very little time afterwards (two, three, or four
minutes}, at the very feet of the General, in the opening
of the curtains, we again saw the same white ball (his
head ?) on the ground ; it mounted rapidly, quite straight,
rose to the height of a man, then suddenly sank down to
the ground, with the same noise, clac, clac, of a body
falling on to the ground. The General felt the shock
of the limbs, which, in falling, struck his leg with some
violence.
It appeared to me that this experiment was decisive ;
for the formation of a luminous spot on the ground, which
then changes into a living and walking being, cannot,
seemingly, be produced by any trick. To suppose that
Marthe, disguised as B. B., could, by gliding under the
curtain and then rising upright, give the appearance of
a white spot rising in a straight line, seems to me im-
possible ; all the more so as, the next day, perhaps to
show me the difference, B. B. again appeared in front
of the curtain, behind which he had formed, placing him-
^ These last words are not in my notes. I add them in order to render
intelligible the notes hastily written and sometimes obscure.
512 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
self on all fours, as we say, and then rising to his feet.
There was no possible analogy between the two modes of
procedure.
Several times, for' instance three times on Thursday,
August 24th, I saw him plunge himself straight into the
ground. " He suddenly became shorter, and under our
eyes disappeared into the ground; then raised himself
again suddenly in a vertical line. The head, with the
turban and the black moustache, and as it were the in-
dication of eyes, grew, and gradually rose, until it nearly
overtopped the canopy. At certain moments it was
obliged to lean and bend, because of the great height
which it assumed. Then, suddenly, the head sank, sank
right down to the ground and disappeared. B. B. did this
three times in succession. In trying to compare this
phenomenon to something, I can find nothing better than
the figure in a Jack-in-the-box, which comes out all of a
sudden. But I do not know of anything resembling that
vanishing into the earth in a straight line, so that at one
moment it seems as though only the head was above the
ground and that there was no longer a body."
Important as this last experience was, three times
repeated, it seems to me less decisive than the preceding
experiment, the birth by means of a white spot on the
ground outside the curtain; in fact, in the case of the
body sinking in a straight line into the ground, one might
suppose that by extraordinary efforts of clever gymnastics
some very skilful person, by dislocating his joints, could
draw himself backwards while allowing his head to lower
itself in front until it touched the ground, so as to give
the impression of a head descending in a straight line to the
ground. (But how could the appearance of the drapery be
caused to disappear ? )
It would have been for me a matter of considerable
importance to feel the hand, or the body, or any portion of
the drapery melt in my hand. I ought to say that I have
in vain, at various times, asked insistently for this experi-
ence. B. B. indeed promised to give it to me, but I have
had nothing, absolutely nothing, of the sort. However,
OBSERVATIONS AT THE VILLA CARMEN 513
the fact of his thus forming himself and disappearing
permits the supposition that this is not impossible. If
this is so, there is no doubt that it would be a decisive
experiment for the hypothesis of a tactile hallucination,
or even illusion, on my part is out of the question.
In any case, there remains this fact of considerable
value, namely, that a living body was formed, outside the
curtain, before our eyes, issuing from and returning into
the ground.
I was so convinced that this living body could not
come from the curtain that I at first supposed the pos-
sibility (although an absurd one) of there being a trap-
door. On the day after this experiment of August 29th,
I minutely examined the flagstones, and the coach-house
and stable immediately under that part of the kiosk. The
ceiling of this stable, a very high one, is whitewashed, and
covered with spiders' webs, which had not been disturbed
for a very long time, when, with the help of a ladder, I
examined the ceiling of the stable.
Now I pass over some other facts, to which I shall
have occasion to return when I discuss the reality of these
phenomena, and come to the photographs.
Ill
Study of the Photographs taken at Villa Carmen
These photographs, taken by the flash-light obtained
from a mixture of chlorate of potash and magnesium,
were taken simultaneously by Mme. X. with a kodak, by
M. Delanne with a stereoscopic camera, and by myself
with a Richard stereoscopic verascope ; so that, in certain
cases, there were five plates taken simultaneously at one
single flash of magnesium. This excludes all possibility
of photographic fraud. Moreover, the negatives were
developed by Messrs. R. and M., optical instrument makers
2 K
514 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
at Algiers, who were absolutely ignorant of the nature of
the negatives which I submitted to them.^
On Fig. 17 (kodak) and Fig. 18 (Richard stereoscopic
verascope) there is seen a large form enveloped in white
drapery, floating in the opening of the curtain. To the left
there is clearly defined the back of the chair on which
Aischa is seated, with Aischa's left shoulder in a good light.
The smallest details can be distinguished of the design of
the cotton check in which she is dressed. The photo-
graph of the phantom taken with the kodak is much
clearer than that of the one taken with the verascope. It
can be seen that this drapery is of a stuff sufficiently fine
and transparent to allow of the appearance through it, in
a vertical black line, of the dark curtain. Behind this fine
drapery appear the forms of the elbow, arm, and hand ; a
very long hand, scarcely formed, of which the extremities
of the fingers, as though they were not covered with
drapery, seem to lose themselves in a sort of m^ist of white
vapour with indeterminate outlines. Above, the whole of
the face is not seen, but only the lower part of it ; a head
leaning forward, of which only the very short chin is seen,
hidden by a thick black beard which covers the whole of
the mouth, and above which only the end of the nose can
be distinguished ; unfortunately the photograph stops
there, and is cut transversely by a streak Avhich does not
allow the eyes to be seen at all, and crossing the face at the
lower extremity of the nose. The neck is bare, with a short
black ribbon (?) and various indistinct ornaments which are
beneath the white drapery. Below the phantom, and to
its left, there can be distinguished a sleeve which appears
more or less empty, and something like the form of a
bodice. The white brilliance of the phantom illuminated
by the magnesium is so strong that the table of black
wood is illuminated by it, and its reflection is seen as in a
polished surface. The opening of the curtain is also, to a
* At the moment of writing this article I do not know to what extent
all the details which I give may be visible in the annexed plates. All that
I can say is that they appear very clearly on the photographs which I have
before my eyes, and which I shall be happy to show to those who may
desire to see them.
Fig. 17.
Fig. 18.
Fig. 19.
OBSERVATIONS AT THE VILLA CARMEN 515
certain distance, illuminated by it. The curtain is, how-
ever, slightly pushed back and thrown over to the left.
The stereoscopic picture (Fig. 18) adds certain interest-
ing details; everything is confirmed, notably the cloudy,
indistinct form of the left hand of the phantom enveloped
in the drapery. The clouds which terminate the hand are
in front of the curtain. The difference in precision will
also be noted between the white drapery, the contours of
which cannot be distinguished, and the clear outlines of
Aischa's shoulder. B. B.'s face is very deeply sunk into the
drapery, which seems to form in front of it, as though to
protect it, a long tunnel, at the bottom of which the face
is, as it were, hidden. Between the face and the drapery
there are ornaments, bands, stuffs, of which the nature
cannot be distinguished, but which truly seem very com-
plicated. At the bottom, to the left, a small angular pro-
jection reveals the sleeve of Marthe, who is seen to be
placed much further in the background. That only the
end of the sleeve is seen, is because the angle at which
I took the verascopic photograph was not the same as
that at which the Kodak photograph was taken. What is
remarkable in this photograph is the extreme thinness of
the drapery, contrasting with the comparative thickness
of B. B.'s veil in the other photographs.
Fig. 19 is verascopic only. It was taken on Tuesday,
August 29th, when Mme. X., who took the kodak photo-
graphs, was absent. Various interesting things can be
distinguished. First of all, Aischa appears very clearly
photographed. We see her black face, her features, her
skin with its metallic lustre ; her head is turned back-
wards, and she is looking towards B. B., her eyes turned
to the right without moving her head. The whole of
the canopy is seen, for unfortunately the photograph was
taken a little too high up. At any rate, every one can
thus see for himself the conditions under which the ex-
periment took place.
As regards B. B., he is clearly seen at the right side of
the curtain. He has his head covered by a sort of helmet
with some metallic ornamentation, and over this helmet a
516 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
turban, and falling over the ears a sort of chin-piece, which
is only clearly seen to the right, and which covers the right
cheek and ear, and seems to be applied to the cheek under
the helmet. From the turban the drapery descends, float-
ing and forming a sort of pendentive. The left arm, of
which nothing can be distinguished, is enveloped in a thick
drapery extending towards Marthe and completely hiding
her. In fact, B. B. had informed us that, as Marthe feared
the magnesium light, he would take care to hide her eyes
and face during the taking of the photograph. The drapery
which covers the body falls straight down, but is caught
up, as it were, in small bunches at the upper part. Below
these bunches, clothing the neck, and forming a sort of
cape, is a series of singular ornaments, the nature of which
is difficult to determine.
- The face itself of B. B. is rather indistinct — faint,
when compared with the clear, accentuated face of
Aischa. The nose is long ; the eyes are open, as it seems,
and a very thick black moustache, which appears as
though glued on to the upper lip, forms the base of the
face. This moustache, as it falls, conceals the chin.
It will be noticed, also, that the outlines of the drapery
are faint, cloudy, vapoury, and that this undecided form
contrasts curiously with the precise and hard limits of the
outline of the handkerchief which we had put round
Aischa's head in order to recognise her easily in the dark-
ness, as also it contrasts with the clear outlines of the
curtain — so clear indeed that at one point we can see a
black thread which stands out from the frayed curtain.
I will also call attention to the strange shape of the
drapery, which is as though hanging from the left hand
of B. B. It is like a sort of white cloud descending from
the hand and covering the head and body of Marthe. In
fact, thanks to the relief given by the double plate, we can
clearly see the white pendentive which descends from the
turban placed in front of the arm. The arm stands out
clearly from the body, and at the place where the hand
would be there is a thick drapery which falls down.
Nothing is less like an ordinary garment than this vest-
OBSERVATIONS AT THE VILLA CARMEN 517
ment, which is composed of three portions — a white robe
with bunches at the top falUng straiglit down over the
body, a turban put on over a hehnet with a pendentive
quite detached from the robe and issuing from the turban,
and finally this mass of white draperies covering the wrist
and hand of B. B. (which are not seen), and masking,
as it falls in the form of a thick veil, the place where
Marthe is, or, rather, ought to be.
Another observation ought to be made, namely, that
there is in front and above, over the right portion of the
curtain, and much in advance of the curtain, as indicated-
by the stereoscopic relief, a white luminous spot, a sort
of white twig with an efflorescent offshoot. This is not
a photographic error, for it occurs on both plates. It
is possible that this spot is due to a portion of the mag
nesium being projected in front of the objective at the'
time of the explosion. But I do not think so, for there
was nothing of the kind to our knowledge. In previous
photographs which Mme. Noel showed me, I have seen
these jiuidic spots (effluvia ?) between the two mediums
■with an identical appearance. It is, however, possible
that these effluvia may have affected the plate before
the magnesium flash, for I took care to leave the camera
open for some time before the flash ; the red light was not
sufficient to affect the plate, even after a long exposure.
Figs. 20, 21, and 22 are certainly the best (except Fig.
21, kodak, which was taken after Fig. 20, and when the
apparatus was not properly readjusted).
In Fig. 20 we see a little of Aischa (the right side)
and the arm-chair in which she is sitting, also her robe.
Then, at her side, Marthe is seen, seated ; neither her face
nor her hands can be distinguished, but her skirt, chemi-
sette, and waist-belt are seen, also the left arm stretched
out towards Aischa. B. B. is at the side of the curtain,
and standing up.
The face of B. B. is clearer than in Fig. 19. The
nose is shorter. There is not only a moustache, but
perhaps also a beard. The helmet is very large. It has
metallic reflections, so that it is apparently of metal. (It
518 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
is interesting to note that in the previous experiments —
those at least at which I was present — B. B. had only
a turban.) The helmet comes doAvn almost to the eyes,
to the level of the eyebrows, which it overlaps, and it
is so high that its height exceeds, by about one-third,
the distance from the eyebrows to the chin. This great
height 'of the helmet, surmounted by a rounded protuber-
ance at the upper part, like certain old mediaeval helmets,
is better seen in Fig. 21 than in Fig. 20. The ears are
completely hidden and invisible. The drapery covers the
helmet, and thence falls over the shoulders and in front
of the breast. This drapery is behind the curtain, the
fringes of which are outlined upon it. Below the head
is the chin-piece, which seems to have fallen down, and
hangs in front of the breast ; and there are perhaps also
some indistinct ornaments below the neck. The drapery
at the upper part to the left of the head has fringes which
stand out. These fringes are much better seen in the
stereoscopic view, Fig. 22, in which also we clearly dis-
tinguish the metallic appearance of the helmet, which
projects boldly in front of the eyes. But what appears
to be fully evident in this stereoscopic view is the
arrangement of the perspective : in the foreground the
fringe of the curtain; a little behind this the head of
B. B., and the drapery which covers his turban and falls
straight from his head ; then, in the background, Marthe,
separated very evidently from B. B. by a tolerably Avide
empty space. The drapery does not fall down to the
ground, it stops short, becoming thinner (like a shawl
covering a person's shoulders), and below, between the
curtain and Marthe's black skirt, there are seen two things
like straight sticks, serving as supports to this strange
personage. The drapery is white, and appears to be of
another tissue, much denser than that of Fig. 17.
In Fig. 22 there can be seen a singular appearance of
the drapery at the point where it covers the head of
Marthe. There it is altogether misty, and is in the
background, as also is Marthe's head, so that the appear-
ance is that of a sort of luminous, misty column issuing
Fig. 20.
ViLi. 21.
Fig. 22.
i
OBSERVATIONS AT THE VILLA CARMEN 519
from Marthe's head, and masking it, so as to form a
drapery, which ascends and loses itself at the left side
of B. B. As for the curtain, it seems to bulge out a very
little, being pushed forward by B. B.'s back.
I have little to say as to the other personages in
Fig. 22. Aischa is at her usual place, her black lustrous
skin shows up well, likewise the handkerchief knotted on
her head. Her jet-black hands are seen crossed ; it can
also be observed that she is looking towards B. B. Around
the table are seen, near the curtain, General Noel in
profile, then Mme. Noel, who is shading her eyes in
order not to be blinded by the magnesium light, then
M. Delanne, who is taking a photograph.
With regard to Marthe, whose presence it is so im-
portant to confirm, neither her head nor feet are seen ;
only her clothes are shown, but they are easily dis-
tinguished ; the left arm is towards Aischa. It looks
as though Marthe had taken Aischa by the neck, passing
her hand behind Aischa's neck. One would be tempted
to believe at first that it is the thin hand of Marthe which
is in front of Aischa's neck ; but this would be a mistake,
for what is to be seen on Aischa's neck is a coloured hand-
kerchief which she wore tied round her neck ; Marthe's
hand is not visible. The sleeve, however, appears to he
evipty ; it has strange bends, as though, being empty, it
had been fastened by a pin to Aischa's chair. And yet,
on looking more closely, we find that the sleeve is not
entirely empty. Apart from this, the rest of Marthe's
body, under the clothing that covers it, is perfectly normal.
The robe is full ; one can make out that there are knees in
front, and that there is a waist under the belt, which is
very clearly seen. The chemisette, with guipure in the
form of a collar, is evidently not very ample, but Marthe
is so very slender that this is not surprising, and we know
the fashion of chemisettes with pendentives coming down
in front of the breast. Above the belt there is also seen
a small black border, which is the upper part of the
skirt. There remains, however, this singular circumstance,
that Marthe's right arm is not seen at all.
520 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
Lastly, if Ave compare Figs. 17, 19, and 20 with each
other, we see that the height of B. B. is very different
in Fig. 17 on the one hand, and in Figs. 19 and 20 on the
other. In Fig. 17 he is much taller, as is easy to see b)'^
taking as a point of comparison the top of the chair on
which Aischa is sitting.
IV
Discussions and Conclusions
In the first place, I shall present no theory, and shall
not even attempt to theorise concerning these strange
phenomena. It is a heavy enough task even to analyse
their reality.
It is therefore solely a question of deciding whether or
not there was any deception.^
If we had to judge by reasons of a psychological order,
and not by reasons of a material order, there could be
no question of deception. The integrity, irreproachable
and unquestionable, of Marthe B., the fiancee of Maurice
Noel, the General's son, could never be called in question.
Moreover, before the mediumistic faculties of Marthe
had been discovered, there had already been phenomena
of materialisation at the Villa Carmen, due to two other
mediums, and the form of B. B. had manifested also with
these mediums.
Lastly, as the materialisations took place in the cabinet
with Ninon or Aischa generally at the side of Marthe, we
should also have to assume the complicity of Marthe, Ninon,
and Aischa, who look upon one another, it seems to me,
if not with suspicion, at least with no very great goodwill.
To suppose that Marthe, the daughter of an officer,
and the fiancee of the General's son, should concert with
a negress and a palmist to practise an odious deception
> Do I need to apologise to General and Mme. Noel, and to Mile.
Marthe B., for discnssing with perfect freedom their good faith and their
sagacity ? 'J'hey all three know how great is my respect for theru, and my
profound gratitude. But the duty of the Bcientist in such a case is not
tiie same as that of the friend.
OBSERVATIONS AT THE VILLA CARMEN 521
on General and Mme. Noel for six months, is absurd.
For it could not be a matter of unconscious fraud. It
would need, to bring in this heliact, these draperies, this
turban, this false moustache, a whole apparatus of great
complexity, which Marthe could not conceal from her two
sisters in the small villa in which they live, and the
deliberate and prolonged complicity of Paulette and Ma'ia
would have to be added to that of Ninon and Aischa.
Such a conspiracy, so skilfully carried on, would be im-
possible ; and the loyalty, purity, and simplicity of mind
of Marthe could not be simulated with such astuteness
that the most incredulous are constrained to believe in
them.
But it is not upon such ground that we shall discuss the
matter. We shall suppose, on the contrary — although
it is the reverse of good sense and truth and probability —
that Marthe may be cheating, that she is a skilful con-
jurer, agile and resourceful. We have to find out whether
this suppleness and agility could throw us off the scent.
The reason why I dwell so much on Marthe's person-
ality is because all deception proceeding from other per-
sons should be set aside : (1) There are no trap-doors in
the room ; (2) the room is searched carefully every time,
and no person could remain hidden in it unknown to us ;
(3) no person could enter it without our knowledge ; (4)
the persons in the room, and whom we can see and hear
during the whole time of the experiments, could not inter-
vene directly for the mechanical production of the pheno-
mena, which take place behind the curtain and at a
distance from them ; (5) Aischa, who can, moreover, be
seen very distinctly in almost all the experiments, does not
come into question, for she is always some distance away
from the form of B. B. ; and besides, in several experiments,
B. B. showed himself without Aischa being in the cabinet,
or even in the room.
In fact, I repeat, every other hypothesis of fraud must
be resolutely set aside which is not that of deception,
most artfully managed, on the part of Marthe B.
Even this deception could only consist in disguising
522 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
herself as B. B. ; bringing in under her dress a helmet
and various draperies, a false beard, and complicated
ornaments, and disrobing, in the little cabinet in which
she was seated beside Aischa, in order to put on the
drapery she had hidden, and put upon the chair on which
she sat a sort of mannikin or lay-figure, with gloves and
apparatus for simulating her body, her knees, her arms,
her face ; and finally, taking all these objects again, the
drapery, and the lay-figure, and hiding them afresh
under her dress — all this in the presence, and by the
side of, Aischa.
Now, this hiding away of a quantity of apparatus is
manifestly impossible ; for, as we all of us observed,
Marthe's bodice was only a very thin muslin chemisette.
She is frail, with small arms, and a very slender waist.
After the seance this chemisette is soaked with perspira-
tion. Moreover, it fastens behind with hooks, diflicult to
undo, and equally so to fasten again. It is therefore not
in her bodice that she can hide all these draperies and
other paraphernalia which appear with B. B. Is it in
her dress ? But she wears very short dresses, very cling-
ing, which completely outline her form. She goes and
comes, runs, mounts staircases quickly, both before and
after the seance. The voluminous draperies which sur-
round B. B. could not be hidden by her under that thin
tunic.
Even if she could succeed in this, still nothing would
be explained. For besides the draperies she would also
have to hide the lay-figure on which to arrange her own
clothes, so as to give the appearance of a Marthe seated
on a chair, an appearance so striking that it is only from
excess of scrupulousness that I do not say I distinctly
recognised her in the person seated beside Aischa, behind
B. B., who is seen moving. In fact, I repeat again, B. B.
is like a living being ; he is neither a lay-figure nor a doll ;
and, if he is not a phantom, it could only be Marthe.
But still, in defiance of the evidence, let us assume this
also. Let us suppose that Marthe, whom we have never
searched, nor bound, could bring in on her person all the
OBSERVATIONS AT THE VILLA CARMEN 523
apparatus necessary to serve for her disguise, is it possible
that she could have made use of them ?
Now, I answer boldly, No.
(1) In certain cases the drapery appeared, shook, and
moved, almost at the same time that Mme. Noel was in
the cabinet. On August 31st, scarcely half a minute after
Mme. Noel had left the cabinet, we saw appearing in the
opening of the curtains the helmet of B. B., and some
floating drapery. On August 29tli I distinguished very
clearly, beyond possibility of dispute, Marthe and Aischa
seated side by side. Then the curtain was drawn sharply,
and I saw a large white drapery, as though enveloping
an arm, placed very high up, which drew the curtain and
disappeared with the speed of lightning.
(2) It is not sufficient to cause the drapery to appear ;
it must also be made to disappear. Now most frequently
other persons — for instance, Mme. X., sometimes also
Mme. Noel — entered the cabinet unexpectedly, and never
noticed anything of a suspicious nature. The draperies
and B. B. disappeared as rapidly as they had come.
(3) It appears to me to be absolutely impossible to
produce the phenomenon of the luminous spot, arising
out of the ground and giving birth to a living being.
No agility, not even that of a professed gymnast, could
produce this impression, which struck me as a categorical
proof.
(4) In the photographs there are clearly seen three
personages when Aischa and Marthe were alone in the
cabinet. It is impossible to pretend that Marthe had dis-
guised herself as B. B., leaving a lay-figure in her place,
and put on, while quite nude, the draperies and the
helmet. For then where would her legs and body be ?
The head is erect and the bust vertical.
(5) Certain details of the photographs are character-
istic : the great height of the. form in Fig. 17 ; the
faintness and cloudiness of outline ; the large hand and
the drapery scarcely materialised of Fig. 17 ; the cloud
covering the face of Marthe in Figs. 20 and 21 ; the
different aspect of the draperies in the different photo-
524 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
graphs ; sometimes a turban, with pendentives, sometimes
fringes, &c.
Such are the extremely powerful reasons which mili-
tate in favour of the reality of these phenomena. But
I do not conceal from myself the force of some objec-
tions ; it would be childish not to bring them forward
in all their force. Why does the body and sleeve of
Marthe in Fig. 20 seem empty ? Why do we not see
Marthe's right hand ? Why, in all these photographs,
do we never see Marthe's face clearly, as clearly as we
see the face of Aischa, for instance ? Why is dark-
ness necessary at that point ? Why is the face of B. B.
so similar to the face that Marthe might have, if she
had stuck a coarse black moustache on to her upper lip ?
Why, after having promised that his hand should melt
away in mine, was I never able to obtain anything of the
sort, when I declared that this experience would be for me
the experi')ne7itu7n crucis, the fundamental one ? Why
was I not permitted to touch and hold B. B. when he was
walking about, around us, in the room ?
These are certainly very serious objections, but it is
allowable to suppose that the phenomenon, so mysterious,
almost miraculous, which we call materialisation, is
accompanied by a sort of disaggregation (?) of the pre-
existing matter, so that the new matter formed is formed
at the expense of the old, and that the medium e'mpties
herself, so to speak, in order to constitute the new being
which emanates from her, and which cannot be touched
without harm to the medium.
If Marthe were really a clever conjurer, if she were
mistress of such prodigious cunning, she would certainly
have understood that the empty sleeve nailed to Aischa's
chair would give the impression of an empty sleeve. All
the more so as nothing would have been easier than to
conceal this sleeve, like the rest of her body, behind the
drapery, I am not afraid of saying that the emptiness of
this sleeve, far from demonstrating the presence of fraud,
establishes, on the contrary, that there was no fraud ; also
it seems to speak in favour of a sort of material dis-
OBSERVATIONS AT THE VILLA CARMEN 525
aggregation of the medium which she herself was incapable
of suspecting.
But I do not wish to go any further into theory at
present. I do not even wish to hazard an affirmation of
the phenomenon.
In spite of all the proofs which I have given, in
spite of all that I have seen and touched, in spite of the
photographs, conclusive as they are, I cannot make up my
mind to admit this fact of materialisation ; it is too much
to ask of a physiologist to expect him to accept, even after
much experimentation, a fact so extraordinary and im-
probable, and I shall not yield so easily, even to evidence.
However, I have thought it my duty to mention these
facts, in the same way as Sir William Crookes thought
it his duty, in more difficult times, to report the history
of Katie King. After all, it may be that I have been
deceived. But the explanation of such an error would
be of considerable importance. And then — need I say
it ? — I do not believe that I have been deceived. I am
convinced that I have been present at realities, not at
deceptions.
Certainly I cannot say in what materialisation consists ;
I am only ready to maintain that there is something pro-
foundly mysterious in it, which will change from top to
bottom our ideas on nature and on life.
CHAPTER XXXVII
EXPERIMENTS MADE WITH EUSAPIA PALADINO AT
GENOA BY PROFESSOR MORSELLI
We shall in this chapter consider the very complete study
made on the phenomena produced through Eusapia Pala-
drno at Genoa by Professor Morselli.^
Eusapia Paladino is mainly a physical medium ; and if
students of psychical matters have preferred to go to her,
it is because she has consented to hold sittings under the
control of men of science, and has accepted, up to certain
limits imposed by the form of her mediumship, unusual
conditions of experiment ; she has also submitted to
examination which no medium had ever previously per-
mitted. In this respect Eusapia's attitude is worthy of
praise, and her position as a medium ought to be regarded
with less distrust.
Intellectual mediumship, which takes place through
subjective psychological processes in the medium, is not
susceptible of scientific investigation except by con-
summate psychologists ; and of these there are, in truth,
not too many, and moreover psychology, although dabbled
in by fashionable dilettantism, is not a study within the
reach of all. Physical mediumship, on the other hand,
is manifested in objective, tangible, visible facts, which
can therefore be perceived by the senses of the sitters,
and ascertained and, up to a certain point, measured by
mechanical means and apparatus. Physical mediumship,
therefore, comes within the scope of experimental research,
under which name we include also the simple observation
of phenomena as they occur naturally and spontaneously,
and the analysis of their causes.
* Annals of Psychical Scieiice, vol. v. p. 327.
526
EXPERIMENTS MADE AT GENOA 527
There can no longer be any doubt as to the reality of
Eusapia's phenomena. They have now been seen by too
many persons under excellent conditions of verification,
with the full certainty that the medium had not her
hands and feet free, and that many of the phenomena
occurred at a distance which excluded all possibility of
deception ; and there are now too many trustworthy men,
accustomed to observe and experiment, who say that they
have become convinced that Eusapia's mediumship is
genuine.
We have now got far beyond the time when her
phenomena could be explained by the exchange of hands
and feet in the dark; the method of inquiry into her
phenomena is very different, and so is her attitude in the
sittings, especially when she is watched by persons not
bound by preconceptions and by fear of trickery, and in
whom she has confidence. In fact, none of the most
celebrated mediums are accredited by so many explicit
declarations by scientific men of the foremost rank; no
one, from Home and F. Cook onward, has allowed the
introduction into the sittings of scientific instruments and
methods with so much tolerance as Paladino.
The general public, on reading the accounts of the
sittings, cannot always form a precise and complete con-
ception of the conditions under which the phenomena are
witnessed. Each phenomenon would require such minute
particulars as to every element of fact, as to the position
and gestures of the medium, the chain formed by the
observers, the psychic state of each of them, the control
for verification, the development, duration, and intensity
of the manifestations, the preparations and consecutive
circumstances, &c., that the description Avould become
perfectly unreadable, and impossible to grasp as a com-
plete mental picture. Luigi Barzini has done admirably,
but not all of Eusapia's sittings can hope to have such
an able and readable chronicler.
It follows that the public distrusts the accounts, or is
not convinced by them ; and many sceptics, every time
that phenomena are related, recommence their usual
528 PSYCHICAL PHENOMKNA
eternal questionings, dictated by doubt. Everything is
an occasion for incredulity to those who obstinately
remain, or pose as, sceptics : the control of the hands,
the position of the feet, the attitude of the head, the
distance of the object, the attention of the two watchers
to right and left, the convulsions of the medium, the
emotions of the spectators, the degree of light. This last
point especially arrests the doubters ; we feel them always
turning to the question of darkness, as though the seances
were always held in the dark, and as though students,
especially after long practice, were incapable of making
use of their senses and of their perceptive centres, simply
because there was no light !
It is useless to reply exhaustively to such objectors;
they return to the charge and repeat their remarks as
though they had made new discoveries, and as though
they alone, the incredulous who have not seen, possessed
the key of the secret.
Many say : " I will believe when I see it," and this is
all well and good ; meanwhile they believe, without veri-
fication, that Nansen reached 86° 4' north latitude, but
not that I have been present at a real levitation of a
table or at a visible or tangible materialisation of a hand.
They are within their rights, but Eusapia cannot be at
every one's service, and her mediumistic phenomena can-
not serve as a theatrical show.
Some put forward a condition for their belief; they
appeal to the criterion of authority, and say that they
will believe when such and such a man of science, " that
man, who is above all suspicion," shall have made certain
of the matter. Well, while I was and declared myself a
sceptic in regard to spiritism and psychism, people did
me the honour to point me out as a judge to whom appeal
might be made, and this was said and printed in 1892.
When, however, I admitted that I had seen and touched
the reality of mediumistic facts at the Minerva Club, I
lost my position with doubters as an " authority above
suspicion," and in 1902 a brilliant journalist, engaged in
a superficial anti-spiritistic campaign, dethroned me from
EXPERIMENTS MA13E AT GENOA 529
this position, though not much to my regret, and invoked
the superior authority, &c., &c., of Professor Blaserna of
Rome.
I am convinced that Blaserna, if he had been present,
as I was, at about thirty sittings with Eusapia (not at one
or two only, which are not enough for a serious judgment),
would have seen, touched, and perceived with his senses
that Avhich I have seen, touched, and perceived with
mine, and that even he, the distinguished secretary of the
Accademia dei Lincei, would end by losing the confidence
of the obstinate deniers.
Neither I nor Blaserna, nor any one else, can change
the substance of facts, when hundreds of persons endowed
with senses and brains, not different from our own in
morphology and function, assert and confirm each other
in the assertion that they have not been the victims either
of deceptions or of illusions. It is time that there was
an end of this negationist attitude a outrance, of this
habit of constantly casting the shadow of doubt and
directing the smile of sarcasm, I will not say upon the
moral respectability (for in science all are subject to
caution), but upon the common sense of the observers
who make assertions.
Eusapia, like other individuals endowed with her meta-
psychical powers, would certainly have taken another em-
pirical direction, if, as was the case with Stainton Moses and
Mme. d'Esperance, she had been left to herself (I ought
to say, however, that she is completely lacking in initiative).
But she was discovered and developed between 1872 and
1882 by Signer Damiani, an ardent spiritist, who, on his
return from England, where he had learned the American
technique of spiritism, introduced it into Naples and ren-
dered it automatic in Eusapia. M. Chiaia, who succeeded
Damiani, simply followed in the same track.
It is true that, given the nature of the experiments,
there is nothing much better to be done ; but, at all
events, it might be said that the spiritists fear to detach
themselves from their antiquated and crude parapher-
nalia. Eusapia is therefore automatically bound to this
2l
530 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
" technique," and cannot free herself from it ; but this is
not to be charged entirely against her. It is the whole
history of spiritism that is summed up in her, and she is
not to blame.
On the other hand, there seems to be some reason for
the habitual technique of spiritism. Take, for example,
the darkness or the feeble light or the red light. It is
not " psychic " phenomena alone which require this condi-
tion ; is it not also demanded for the impression of images
on a photographic plate ? Have not certain chemical com-
binations in the laboratory to be made in the dark ? And
does not the night bring about changes in the functions
of organisms, animal as well as vegetable ? It is no
wonder, therefore, to a man of science who knows these
facts, if the mediumistic, or metapsychic, or bio-dynamic
force (the name is of no importance) is inhibited or neutra-
lised by light, especially for the production of the important
phenomena of materialisation.
Even as seen in the light of historical analogy we may
find justification for the rigid character of spiritistic phe-
nomena ; the table, the dark cabinet, &c., are like the
earthen pot of Papias, Avith regard to our modern locomo-
tive, or as the rude electrostatic machine of a hundred and
fifty years ago in comparison with our present stupendous
dynamos !
Some make the objection (and I was once one of them)
that mediums, beginning with Eusapia, should be sub-
jected to more scientific vigilance, by surrounding them
with recording apparatus to register every movement, to
measure their efforts, to take away every doubt as to fraud.
I must promise that the traditional technique of the
sittings being accepted as necessary, the " control " en-
trusted to two attentive observers, one on each side,
appears to be sufficient ; the spiritists maintain this, and
Eusapia requires it. Barzini and I did not find it difficult
to hold and watch the lady's hands and feet ; after a little
practice wo learned to hold these extremities without
allowing them to escape, and at the same time to watch
her head (which was always visible) and to be attentive to
EXPERIMENTS MADE AT GENOA 531
the phenomena. It is not every one who succeeds in this
multiple work, muscular, mental, and tactile, but I am
certain that every time that the control devolved on me,
Eusapia has never, except for one or two naive attempts,
carried out the supposed trick of substitution of hands (by
which, moreover, not one-twentieth part of her phenomena
could be explained) ; nor could she, as some have absurdly
supposed, caress my forehead, pull my moustache, or
sound trumpets with her feet.
Moreover, the " control " adopted at spiritistic seances
is somewhat ridiculous ; it tires those who carry it out,
and certainly hinders Eusapia from giving new and
spontaneous manifestations of her mediumship, which
might be very fine. I should like to have the more re-
markable phenomena of materialisation with the medium
at liberty ; I have had them, and very surprising ones,
with Eusapia fixed and bound, but who knows what energy
she might be able to externalise if she were left to the
automatism of her sub-consciousness ?
It is true that every modification of the habitual tech-
nique is a check on deceit, but it is also an impediment
and sometimes a complete hindrance to mediumistic phe-
nomena. Those who demand scientific " control " do not
consider that mediumship, whatever be its origin and
nature, is not a mechanical function like that of a physical
apparatus; it is based on psychism, and it cannot be
claimed that the actions of consciousness, of automatism,
or of the sub-consciousness will take place under fixed
conditions to which only a machine of iron or of wood can
be indifferent ! It is as though a living physiologist should
claim to study a functional act of the living and thinking
person, such as the poetic or amorous frenzy, by surround-
ing the poet who creates, or the lover who loves, with his
complicated paraphernalia of " control." Is it likely that
he would accomplish the end aimed at by an experiment
so ill-conceived ?
No ; physical facts have their proper conditions for
production, but they cannot be discharged at our pleasure,
like an arquebus or an electrical pile.
532 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
In about thirty sittings I have seen Paladino perform
several hundred phenomena. One or two sittings turned
out, it is true, not very interesting, especially to those
who, being acquainted with her powers and having been
present at the simpler and more elementary phenomena
(movements of the table, touching with invisible hands,
&c.), expected and hoped for higher and more complex
manifestations. But there were sittings, though rare even
for Eusapia, which compensated for all the tiresomeness
of the long evenings passed in fruitless and unsatisfactory
waiting, in which the summit of Paladino's mediumship
was reached, and we witnessed the exceptional phenomena
of full materialisations, of veritable apparitions.
In general, however, all who are merely curious, and
many students of metapsychic facts, have not patience, do
not know how to wait, and want to see without delay the
astonishing things described in spiritistic works, which
they know it to be possible for Eusapia to perform. The
impatience of those who form new circles, however, is
harmful to the spontaneity of the phenomena, because,
although transformed into mechanical or material action,
these phenomena are bio-psychical in their origin ; the
more important ones occur especially when they are not
asked for or expected. Contrary to what is often said
about Paladino's sittings, these have to take place in
conditions of the greatest mental calmness.
Moreover, the medium has not always the power to do
what is desired of her, whence arises that tendency to con-
scious or unconscious simulation, about which such an
outcry is made ; while, by reason of her scanty education,
Eusapia has very little inventive faculty, even in her sub-
consciousness, which must, according to my observations,
almost always act by receiving from the superior or lucid
portion of the consciousness the idea of the impulse to
be acted upon or of the direction to be given to such
impulse. The medium, being a psychically abnormal
person (a " hysteric "), is suggestionable, and very often
certain phenomena are performed immediately after they
have been spoken of or asked for by the sitters ; in
EXPERIMENTS MADE AT GENOA 533
such cases the idea of the phenomenon, perceived by the
waking or semi-waking consciousness of Eusapia, descends
or (so to speak) plunges into her sub-consciousness,
in which is elaborated the still unknown bio-psychic
dynamism of mediumship, and from thence it is released
and emerges in the form of mechanical action at a dis-
tance, of luminous or materialisation phenomena, &c.
In this connection it is important to define the mental
state of the medium during the phenomena. I will only
say here -that whereas for the minor phenomena (raps,
movements of the table, levitations, &c.), Eusapia can be
seen to be aAvake and attentive, although very soon her
attention is restricted to certain groups of perceptions,
yet in the case of the major phenomena, those of greater
significance in the spiritist doctrine and more novel to
the observer (such as strong action at a distance, the
apparition of forms or phantasms) it is necessary that her
consciousness should be obscured in " trance," and her Avill
in suspense. It is only then that we have the automatic
discharge of the energies which we call mediumistic,
accumulated in her nervous centres; then only do we
enter into the mysterious and surprising region of true
"spiritism." In the work which I have promised and
announced, I shall give all the fruits of my observations
and experiments on the physio-psychological state of the
medium, on the symptoms and gradations of her " trance,"
and on the various auto-suggestive processes put into
operation by Eusapia during the sittings ; I hope to show
that in order to thoroughly understand and appreciate
metapsychical phenomena we need to be psychologists,
and not merely physicists or photographers or dilettanti
in curiosities and the " marvellous."
The mediumistic phenomena of Eusapia, as I have
observed them, are very various and intense in the
physical sphere, but very poor in the intellectual one;
and this, for me, is a great blow to the spiritistic doctrine,
since the scientific conclusion to be drawn from it, though
httle acceptable to systematic spiritists, is that the phe-
n omena are due exclusively to the action of the mediums
534 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
and are proportional to the psychic or sub-psychic
elements existing in their brain by individual acquisition
or by cumulative heredity.
To reduce somewhat to order the intricate tangle of
spiritistic psychic manifestations, many classifications have
been adopted.
Some are merely empirical, grouping the phenomena
according to their outward characters without pretending
to touch their inward nature. Crookes commenced in this
prudent way when he set forth by " classes " his famous
experiments of 1870-74 ; Gibier followed in his studies
on Slade, and so did the Milan Commission of 1892, and
De Rochas in his studies on Eusapia, Aksakoff, and Gyel
in the excellent synthetic rdsum^s of spiritism, &c.
Other classifications are of a theoretical nature, or
attempts to arrange the phenomena according to their
inward nature, whether real or conjectural; and among
these the first place is merited by that daring attempt
(yet, in my opinion, lacking in positive basis) of the great
psychist, F. W. H. Myers {Human Personality, vol. ii.
p. 506 et seq.). Myers has achieved by his studies and by
his devotion a monumental and admirable work; but
he has claimed too much in trying to connect the most
"spiritual" and exceptional facts of "spiritism" with the
most elementary facts of biology and psychology ; he has
not succeeded in tilling up the enormous, dark, and still
unfathomable gulf which separates and distinguishes them
from each other.
I also shall try elsewhere to construct a co-ordinated
and complete scheme of mediumistic nomenclature ; but
I shall take care to keep on the firm ground of observa-
tion. In these articles I shall content myself with group-
ing in a clear and easily comprehensible manner the
phenomena of Eusapia Avhich have been observed by
myself. I do not deny that Eusapia, like other mediums,
may have given other and more decided manifestations of
her mcdiumship in sittings at which I was not present,
and may in the future give new and difterent ones, and
perhaps more convincing in favour of the "spiritistic"
EXPERIMENTS MADE AT GENOA 535
hypothesis. Nor do I deny that she uiay, in further
experiments or sittings, and before other observers, show
herself incapable of producing the phenomena witnessed
and verified by me ; not so much because Eusapia is not
always in possession of equal bio-psychic-dynamic powers,
as because the study of mediumistic forces, but just com-
menced, has in store for science surprises which cannot be
foreseen.
Objective Phenomena
The greater number of those who at present interest
themselves in spiritism, either for or against, have been
greatly impressed by the movements of the table pro-
duced by Paladino ; the spiritists, and those who consider
that the existence of " psychical forces " is now proved,
use them to demonstrate the reality of these forces ; the
incredulous, to bring up all the objections and doubts,
and all the ihore or less inconsistent hypotheses which
have been put forth in explanation of this very evident
and real phenomenon. But this typtokinesis, to give it a
Greek name, forms the ABC of Paladino's manifesta-
tions; and when one has had the chances which I have
had to witness the apparition of phantasms, the phe-
nomenon of the moving table, while preserving its high
importance as an objective fact which can be actually
verified by photography, loses much of its striking
character so much wondered at by the anti-psychists, and
takes its proper place among the much more numerous
and complex objective or physical effects of Eusapia's
mediumship. I shall rapidly review the principal classes
of phenomena, giving little more than the names, and
keeping to the scheme of classification most commonly
adopted in reports and treatises on psychical subjects.
But every classification has the fault of artificiality, and
thus the following groupings must be understood rather
as expressing their outward form of production than as
denoting their substantial dynamical afiinities; such a
division according to intrinsic character can only be made
after longer and more mature experience.
536 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
The first class includes mechanical phenomena with
production of motion in objects by contact with the
person of the medium, but with effects disproportionate
to the expenditure of ordinary nervo-muscular force on
the part of the medium herself. Maxwell calls them
" parakinesis," and Eusapia produces them both in dark-
ness and in the light, always, be it understood, under
secure " control."
1. Oscillations and movements of the table ivithout
significance. — These are the initial and elementary facts
of all the complicated phenomena of spiritism. I have
felt them under my hands, and have also seen them with
my eyes, hundreds of times, since from beginning to end
of each seance with Eusapia the table is constantly, every
little while, shakinof, raising itself on one side or the other,
oscillating, and then becoming quiet again without any-
thing else happening.
2. Movements and heatings of the table having a
significance. — These also are very frequent, and those
corresponding to the conventional language used by
Paladino (two bloAvs " no," three blows " yes," &c.), regulate
for the most part the proceedings of the sitting, order or
consent to changes in the chain, ask for modifications of
the light, &c. It is true that in Eusapia's seances this
typtology (which we never encouraged in the purely
spiritistic sense) is reduced to very little in comparison
with the marvellous communications of a personal or of a
philosophical-social character given by other mediums.
In compensation, Eusapia's table has a very rich language
which I may call mimetic, which has been well described
by L. Barzini, and which resembles the mimicry of a child.
3. Complete lifting of the table {improperly called
"levitation" by empirical spiritists). — It is frequently
seen at the sittings that the table is completely lifted
from the floor when the hands of the medium, placed
upon it, do not make any effort whatever, and cannot
contribute to it; and the phenomenon has several times
been recorded by photography in an incontestable manner ;
I shall reproduce some of the photographs in my book.
EXPERIMENTS MADE AT GENOA 537
4. Movements of various objects barely touched by
the hands or body of the Tnedium. — Eusapia, laying her
hands lightly on chairs or other articles of furniture, and
objects of various weights, succeeds in imparting to theni
movements of displacement, of lifting, or of rotation on
their own axis, which are not to be explained with cer-
tainty by the very light pressure exercised by her.
5. Movements, undidations, and swellings of the curtains
of the cabinet. — I place this very curious phenomenon
here because the black curtains of the cabinet are as a
rule in contact with the medium's seat, and often fall over
her back. The curtains move, swell outwards from within
the cabinet, come forward, draw back, open and close,
without Eusapia being able to do this with her hands and
feet, which are always kept under strict control.
6. Movements and sivelling out of the medium's clothes.
— This phenomenon, upon which the Cambridge Com-
mission erroneously based a proclamation that Eusapia
cheated, is, on the contrary, by our direct observation,
genuine; it takes place mostly in full light and while
Eusapia's feet are closely watched ; the impression formed
is as though supernumerary limbs, invisible but palpable,
were formed under the medium's skirt.
The second class is only the first in more perfect form,
or mechanical effects produced without any contact with
the person of the medium, at a distance which may vary
from an inch or two to a yard or more. They are the
most disputed, because they are incomprehensible accord-
ing to the ordinary laws of physics, which teach that a
mechanical force must act directly on the resistance offered
by material bodies ; and yet this telekinesis is one of the
things most frequently seen at Paladino's sittings. I will
mention summarily the principal phenomena of this class.
7. Oscillations and movements of the table ivithout
contact. — We have verified this several times; all of us,
including Eusapia, raised our hands from the surface of
the table, and the latter continued to give proof of its
ability to move by itself.
538 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
8. Independent liftings of the table. — This is a pheno-
menon one prefers to photograph. We saw in full light
the table raised to the height of our heads while we were
standing up in the middle of the room. I have also been
present at veritable pas seids of the table by full gas-light,
when the medium was secured within the cabinet.
9. UndulationSy swellings, and movements of the curtain
of the cabinet. — These happen also when the medium is
evidently at a distance — for instance, when she is lying
down and bound firmly within the cabinet ; one would
say that invisible persons were raising the curtain with
their hands, drawing it one way to open it and another
way to close it, &c.
10. Movements occasioned in material objects by the
hands being voluntarily turned towards them, but at a
distance. — This impressive phenomenon usually occurs in
the light and at the close of the sitting. It is veritable exter-
nalisation of motricity, as described by Colonel de Rochas,
and Barzini has given a very effective description of it.
11. Spontaneous movements and displacement of differ-
ent objects at various distaiices from the medium. — Seats
are seen and heard to move, also tables, utensils, musical
instruments, &c. ; in short, the whole apparatus usual at
spiritistic seances, at such a distance from the medium
as to render absurd the hypothesis of deception ; I have
seen such phenomena occur even at a distance of two or
three yards.
12. Bringing of distant objects on to the table. — These
are phenomena in which Eusapia appears to take great
pleasure. Objects of every kmd, even when placed (and
this is always to be understood) in positions easily verifi-
able, acquire under her mediumistic influence an apparent
power of self-movement, as though they were alive. I
shall narrate elsewhere some astonishing examples. I
ought, however, to say that very often there was some
connection between the objects so moved and the curtains
of the cabinet, which perform a very important part in
the phenomena of Paladino, as though invisible hands
were behind them.
EXPERIMENTS MADE AT GENOA 539
13. DisplaceTnent of the seats of the experiinenters. —
This is another phenomenon highly pleasing to that jester
"John King." Several times I was pulled violently on
my chair, back towards the cabinet, to receive special
manifestations of a personal character. Sometimes we
felt our chairs pulled from beneath us, &c.
14. Appropriate movements of mechanical instruments
placed at a distance. — These really multitudinous pheno-
mena relate, for instance, to the apparently spontaneous
setting in action of musical instruments (mandoline, zither,
pianoforte, trumpet, &c.), or other small mechanical articles
(carillons, metronome, dynamometer, &c.), at a distance
from Eusapia. These occurred at almost every sitting.
Here I may mention the mysterious opening and closing
of the electric circuit of the lights by means of unper-
ceived manipulations of the pear-shaped switches contained
in the pocket of one of the sitters.
The third class of mechanical phenomena relates to
the alteration of the weight of bodies. I ought, however,
to state that to me they seemed to be the least certain
of the phenomena, although other observers guarantee
their authenticity.
15. Spontaneous changes of weight in a scale. — I have
not seen the phenomenon of the letter-weigher, reported
as genuine by Colonel de Rochas ; but we were present at
the oscillation in the arm of a weighing-machine when
it was not visibly pressed by Eusapia, though she was
near to the platform ; this phenomenon, however, appeared
doubtful.
16. Change of iveight in the body of the medium.— As
to this also, though it occurred under my eyes, I have no
scientific certainty, and I only mention it to encourage
students to make further researches.
■ 17. Raising of the medium's body in the car,— This is
the real " levitation " which is narrated to have been per-
formed by certain saints : Home was levitated up to the
ceiling! It sometimes happens that Eusapia is Hfted
bodily, together with her chair, and, to her great alarm.
540 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
deposited on the table. I have only once seen this
" miracle," contrary to the law of gravitation, and had
the impression that it was genuine at the beginning, but
was unconsciously aided in its completion by the two
guardians; it would be well to see it again and study it
carefully.
A curious class which has been little studied up to
now is that of the mediumistic effects which I will call
those of thermal radiation ; it consists of few but in-
teresting phenomena.
18. Wind froTYi the cabinet. — This is very frequent, and
is felt at almost every sitting ; it is a veritable current of
air, which comes from within the cabinet and behind the
medium.
19. Intense cold. — This is usually announced by the
two controllers, and is the prelude to many manifesta-
tions : on certain evenings it becomes perceptible to all
the persons forming the chain. It may perhaps be sym-
bolical of the cold of the " sepulchres " which open to
let the " defunct " come forth. Certainly it is impressive
and is not hallucinatory.
20. Radiations from the head and body of the mediiiin.
— On putting the hand to Eusapia's head, especially where
she has a breach in the bone caused by an old fall, and
sometimes also at her hands, one feels a sensible " breath,"
now warm, now cool. I need not say that this pheno-
menon (of which I shall speak later at length) is significant
as regards the hypothesis of new nervous forces.
The class of acoustic phenomena is already partly
comprised in the first three, since very often movements
at a distance are rendered perceptible by noises, sounds,
rubbing over the floor, &c., of the objects and instruments
set in motion. But there arc also other special phenomena
of this class.
21. Blows, raps, and other sounds in the table. — Of
the famous " raps " of Anglo-American spiritism hundreds
have been heard at Eusapia's sittings. Some have the
EXPERIMENTS MADE AT GENOA 541
intensity of blows delivered by a powerful but invisible
fist. Others (and not the least mysterious) take place in
the joints of the wood.
22. Blows and rwps at a distance from the medium. —
These are very often heard within the cabinet, or on the
seats of the two guardians and their neighbours, on the
furniture, on the walls, in the cabinet, &c.
23. Sounds of musical instruments. — I have already
alluded to these ; we have had them under such conditions
as to exclude all action of visible and tangible hands ; the
trumpets emit their harsh sound in the air, the strings
of the mandolines and zithers vibrate, the keys of the
pianoforte give detached notes ; and all this without any
one visibly touching them. But they are never really
musical sounds, in my experience, nor harmonic chords, still
less airs of some melody ; at the best they are rhythms in
measured time.
24. Sounds of hands, feet, &c. — In various cases the
clapping of hands is heard, either behind the curtain or
in the air of the room. Once or twice we seemed to hear
footsteps within the cabinet.
25. Sounds of human voices. — This is a very rare
phenomenon, and consists in hearing the " voices " of the
discarnate. I only perceived it once under conditions
which were not convincing ; but this is not the place to
relate the particulars of my extraordinary spiritistic ad-
venture (the apparent materialisation of a disincarnate
being who was very dear to me).
I pass on to a class of manifestations not less im-
pressive and which, according to spiritists, go to prove
the action of occult " intelligences " by producing lasting
effects on inert matter. Eusapia, being uneducated, gives
very few of these phenomena.
26. Mysterious signs left at a distance. — These consist
in signs or marks found on the table, on the cuffs of the
sitters, or on the wall, and seem to be made with pencil.
They do not appear to me sufficiently certain to merit
attention.
542 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
27. Direct writing. — This is supposed to be writing
made directly by the "spirits" without the apparent
action of hands, whether done with visible writing in-
struments (pencil or crayon) or without. But Eusapia
is illiterate and cannot write, and in all the sittings at
which I was present only two or three times did there
appear signs of writing which might be taken for badly
formed letters. The spirits evoked by the Apulian
countrywoman seemed also to be very ignorant; and
this appears to me to be a very grave objection to the
spiritistic hypothesis.
28. Impressions in plastic substances. — This is a
favourite phenomenon with students of psychical matters,
and Eusapia gives good examples of it, although some-
times under circumstances suggestive of doubt. They are
impressions of fingers, palms, hands, fists, feet, and also of
faces, generally in full profile or half profile ; these faces
have a certain resemblance to a Eusapia grown old,
and in fact are said to be reproductions of the face of
" John King," her father in a former life. At our sit-
tings we obtained many such impressions, and as to the
greater part of them, we are certain that there was no
deception.
29. Apports. — These figure as phenomena of the very
foremost rank in the history and doings of the most
famous mediums. The phenomenon is one of the greatest
significance for the spiritist doctrine of the disaggregation
and reconstitution .of matter, for it consists in the un-
expected) appearance on the table or in the room of
objects (such as flowers, branches, leaves, iron nails, coins,
stones, &c.) coming from a distance and penetrating
through doors and walls. This phenomenon was re-
ported two or three times during our sittings, but I
frankly confess that I was not convinced of it, which
does not imply that under better observation it might
not be real also in the case of Paladino, as it seems to
have been through the agency of other mediums.
30. Knotting and unknotting of a piece of string,
cords, &c., in the dark cabinet as well as on the person
EXPERIMENTS MADE AT GENOA 543
of Eusapia. — I have seen this phenomenon on several
occasions.
We now come to the higher ranges of phenomena, to
those which constitute the true basis of spiritism ; I refer
to the category of materialisations. This is a case of
creation ex novo, by the use of the vital fluid or spirit
of the medium, of forms more or less organised, having
the physical characteristics assigned by us to matter, that
is, of being resistant to the sense of touch and muscular
pressure (tangible), and of being sometimes endowed with
light of their own (luminous), but for the most part only
capable of arresting exterior rays of light (thus rendering
themselves visible).
The first sub-class is that of solid materialisations,
which I will call mediumistic stereosis or plasmation.
31. Touching, feeling, and grasping by invisible
hands. — These form a very common phenomenon at the
dark seances, or by a faint light, or a red light; and
they are really human hands which touch, press, grasp,
pull, push, pat lightly, strike, pull the sitters' beards or
hair, take off their spectacles, &c. Some of those to whom
such contacts were new have been caused to shudder, and
really the first time they cause quite an impression.
32. Organisations of solid forms halving the charac-
teristics of human limbs. — These are usually hands, arms,
shoulders (?), and even heads, which are felt behind the
curtain, and seem to be pieces or fragments of a being
which is in process of formation ; occasionally they give
the tangible impression of the whole of a person. On
being grasped through the curtain they usually withdraw
hastily ; but sometimes they remain long enough to allow
themselves to be handled, especially the faces. The in-
visible mouth also makes movements indicative of kissing,
biting, &c., usually under cover of the stuff.
33. Organisation of hands, naked and distinguish-
able to the touch. — At certain times we felt ourselves
touched by real human hands, having the character of
members of a living being ; we felt the skin, the warmth,
the movable fingers, &c. On grasping them one felt the
544 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
impression of hands dissolving away, as though composed
of semi-jQuid substance.
34. Complicated actions of materialised forms, tangible
but invisible. — These hands, arras, heads, and half persons,
while remaining imperceptible to the sight even on look-
ing into the cabinet, behind the curtains, advance towards
the sitters, touch and feel them, embrace, grasp, draw
them nearer, or push them away, caress and kiss them,
with all the movements of living and real persons. They
also execute still more complex actions, both in the shade
of the cabinet and in front of it, with the interposition of
the curtain, which is swelled out and projected for the
purpose on to the table or towards the seats of those near,
even though out of the chain ; and also in full freedom in
the very midst of the sitters, so that some of those present
feel themselves invisibly pushed against, pressed, their
pockets searched, &c. This last astonishing manifesta-
tion (of those previously mentioned I am quite certain)
occurred very rarely, and only in complete darkness or by
a very faint light which did not allow anything to be
clearly seen, so that, though I was present one evening
when it occurred, I cannot remove from my mind all
uncertainty and should require fuller and more convinc-
ing demonstration. Some of those present believed that
they recognised and " identified " these invisible forms, by
means of impressions of touch and feeling through the
curtains. But, in the cases at which I was present, the
identification does not sustain, as I shall show, a critical
analysis of the psychological origin of the phenomenon ;
the latter, however, remains real and authentic, though
incomprehensible.
I collect into one small group the elementary luminous
phenomena, self- visible or visible by exterior light, but not
organised.
35, Appearance of luminous points. — These are the
celebrated " spirit lights " ; Eusapia produces them from
time to time, but not with the intensity of other mediums
whom I have seen. Thc}^ are indefinable glow-lights,
sometimes like very bright globules of light, sometimes
EXPERIMENTS MADE AT GENOA 545
veritable " tongues of fire," like those ligured on the heads
of the Apostles. They have not been photographed, as far
as I know ; but they are very evident, sometimes multiple,
and running together into one ; it is impossible as well as
absurd for those who have once seen them, to compare
them with artificial phosphorescent effects, not to speak
of identifying them with the latter.
36. Appearance of whitish clouds or mists. — These do
not seem to be endowed with light of their own, since
they can only be discerned in a dim light, outside the
curtains, or within the cabinet ; sometimes they surround
Eusapia's head, or rise over her body when she lies down
inside the cabinet.
I place the visible materialisations last, because they
appear to be formed by a very subtle substance or matter
emanating from the person of the medium and composed
of particles or molecules which obstruct ordinary light
(" teleplastic ").
37. Formation of dark prolongations of the body of the
medium. — These are the supernumerary members seen
and described by all those who had previously experi-
mented with Paladino. Visible in half light or in very
faint light, and when the actual hands of Eusapia are also
in full view and well guarded, these neo-plastic append-
ages perform many of the phenomena above described
(touching and feeling of those near, blows on the chairs,
movement of objects, &c.). I shall give drawings of them
38. Forms having the appearance of arms and hands
coming out of the cabinet. — This manifestation is not
rare, and has been already mentioned by those who were
present at previous sittings with Eusapia. Being short-
sighted, I was not always able to see them distinctly, but
my perception, even when indistinct, has always corre-
sponded Avith what has been seen more clearly by others
present who have been endowed with better sight.
39. Appearance of hands.— These are among the more
common and recognised spiritistic manifestations. The
hands usually appear with indistinct or evanescent out-
lines, of a whitish colour, almost transparent, and with
2 M
546 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
elongated fingers (the drawings I shall give will be very ex-
pressive). I have perceived them very clearly every time
that I Avas in a position favourable for seeing them ; and they
were certainly not the medium's hands, which were simul-
taneously watched, and also visible to all, above the table.
40. Appearance of obscure forms of indeterminate
character or not very evident. — These are " incomplete
materialisations." Sometimes there are seen, advancing
and disappearing in the half light, black globes (heads ?),
indefinable shadowy appendages (arms ? fists ?) ; sometimes
shadows with crooked profiles which may be conjectured
to be bearded ("John King"); and again on the semi-
luminous background there appear blackish shapes, flat,
and seeming as though transparent, strangely formed, and
gesticulating in an uncouth manner. They manifested to
me in particular at the sittings of 1901 and 1902, and I
perceived them so distinctly (as confirmed by my com-
panions) that I was able, as will be seen, to draw them one
by one.
41. Ajypearance of forms having determinate and 2yer-
sonal characteristics, unknown to any of the sitters. — We
are now at the end, because these are the " complete
materialisations " and constitute the apex of Eusapia's
mediumship up to the present (other mediums, including
Florence Cook and Mme. d'Esperance, have given much
more marvellous and truly incredible ones). I have seen
these supreme phenomena a few times only, for they are
rare events in Eusapia's mediumship. They are well-
delineated faces, heads, and half busts of personages,
mostly unknown, not recognised by any one present, or
who are identified and named by taking advantage of the
notions belonging to the traditional history of spiritism.
If this is so, I must have seen the same phantasms which
the celebrated Sir William Crookcs saw, and, moreover,
had under his hands ; that is to say, there re-appeared at
our seances with Eusapia the spirit guide of Florence
Cook, " Katie King," who, moreover, is a relative of "John
King " ! I will publish the curious portrait which I
sketched at once in pencil.
EXPERIMENTS MADE AT GENOA 547
42. Appearance of forms having a personality known
to one of the sitters. — Besides seeing some personal forms
tangibly materialised, I must also have been present at
a real spirit evocation ! On this occasion the appari-
tion was somewhat doubtfully identified and named by
living members of his family present at the sitting ; but
with regard to myself, I did not gain from this extra-
ordinary event in my " spiritistic " experience that impres-
sion of obvious certainty which the man of science, the
psychologist who studies this very new branch of science,
and is habituated to the rules of the strict positive method,
is obliged to impose upon himself and has the right to
claim from others.
I do not desire to dwell at present on this part of
Paladino's phenomena ; the space which has been assigned
to me will not permit of descriptions or discussions, but
only of a pure and simple synthetic resume of my personal
experiences.
Thus, in the phenomena in which Paladino's medium-
ship manifests itself, we have, according to my provisional
scheme, nine classes and thirty-nine orders of manifesta-
tions ; I may possibly have forgotten one or two, and per-
haps have grouped together several which ought to have
been classed separately ; certainly I did not see all that
were possible, and other observers may add some which
are unknown to me. All this is very different from the
simple lifting of the table, or the trick of exchanging
hands or withdrawing the feet.
CHAPTER XXXVIII
METHOD OF EXPERIMENTATION IN PSYCHICAL
PHENOMENA
General Arrangements, Spontaneous Phenomena,
Fraud in Psychical Experiments
Psychical phenomena are essentially different from
chemical, physical, or other phenomena, scientifically
observed, by their nature, the manner m which they can
be known and the re-agents which reveal them to our
observation. It is therefore necessary that the method
employed in studying them should also be special.
In the study of chemical phenomena the experimenter
deals with bodies which, in the same conditions, are
always identical. When he combines these different
bodies, it is always possible, in a general manner, to
forecast, almost certainly, the result of the experiment
undertaken.
In the study of physical phenomena the conditions are
a little more delicate. The physicist employs instruments
more or less accurate, but always constructed on experi-
mental data ; the working of these instruments, however
perfect it may be, still demands certain conditions which
do not always depend upon the experimenter.
Every one knows, for example, that an electrical
machine is affected by the hygrometric conditions of the
air; but, in addition, there are conditions in which the
output of the same machine is variable, and in the pre-
sent condition of science we arc not able to determine the
cause. In the same way photography (in which the
chemical action of light on the sensitive plate is com-
bined with the physical phenomenon of refraction of
luminous rays and the operation of a physical apparatus,
548
METHOD OF EXPERIMENTATION 549
the camera) often affords the experimenters some un-
expected surprises.
More dehcate still is the experimentation with psychical
phenomena ; here the reagent is not an inert body ; the
instrument is not an insensible mechanism ; it is a human
being, endowed with all physiological sensibility.
If we first of all examine this very delicate instrument
which constitutes the necessary subject for experiment,
we find him exceedingly variable. He varies, first of all,
by reason of his characteristic nature, which is necessi-
tated by his race, his physical, intellectual, and moral
development ; in the second place, by his temperament,
the result of various pre-dispositions derived from his
ancestors. To these causes of variability which exist
between the different subjects must be added others
which cause the same subject not to be identical with
himself at different periods of his existence. The more
or less perfect state of health, down to a state of illness,
causes infinite changes in the faculties of the subject, as
Avell as in his physical vigour and intellectual capacity.
Even in the state of good health many passing pheno-
mena exercise a considerable influence on our dispositions
at the moment. Digestion, sleep, fatigue, only to mention
a few of them, have an action on our whole being that
cannot be denied.
Another cause of variability of the subject consists in
the sentiments awakened in him by the persons in whose
presence he is. You will observe that it is not necessary
that the subject should know the persons beforehand.
This feeling of attraction or repulsion, pleasure or dislike,
which we nearly always experience at the sight of a
person, even a stranger, a feeling which later changes
into sympathy or antipathy, is infallibly experienced by
the subject, sometimes unknown to himself, and this
feeling, even when unconscious, exercises in many ways an
action on his psychical condition. We can understand this
influence better if we remember that our subjects are sensi-
tives, that is to say, persons of very great impressionability,
of a sensitiveness more than normally developed.
550 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
We have seen up to now the internal influences that
affect the subject — that is to say, the causes of variability
in himself; but the whole external world, the objects and
the persons surrounding him, also exercise on him an
influence not less important.
Everything which acts on the physical being, the
temperature, atmospheric pressure, meteorological pheno-
mena, find their echo in his psychic state. We spoke just
now of the action of the feelings of sympathy or antipathy
which he may experience for persons in whose presence
he finds himself. There is also an altogether different
influence which acts on the subject from without inwards:
an action produced by certain persons quite unconsciously,
but which is capable of greatly aftecting the conditions
and faculties of the subject. It is therefore not surprising
if some subjects are powerless to produce certain pheno-
mena or to succeed with an experiment, in the pre-
sence of a certain person, or, if sometimes, unconsciously,
though quite distinctly, the subject asks that a certain
person shall not be present at the experiments. We need
not see in this fact, which has given rise to discussions of
every description, either caprice on the part of the subject,
or reason to suspect his good faith, but simply the evidence
of a natural influence unfavourable to the production of
the phenomena.
The experimenter who, in other sciences, only takes
what may be termed an anonymous part in the experi-
ments— that is to say, who represents merely the sum of
his knowledge and of his ability — exercises in experiments
with psychic phenomena a real, personal influence. Like
the subject himself, but, as we shall see later, in varying
degrees, according to the nature of the experiments in
which he is engaged, he takes an active part in the pro-
duction of the phenomena.
First of all, in the same way as each of the sitters, he
arouses in the subject feelings of sympathy or antipathy,
and these feelings are of all the more importance as the
part taken by the experimenter is greater. With regard
to these feelings which the experimenter arouses in the
METH(3D OF EXPERIMENTATION 551
subject, it should be observed tliat sometimes, for a
certain time, the latter experiences curiosity or a certain
fear, which proceeds from his believing himself to be in
the presence of a mysterious power. These feelings of
curiosity or of fear may be very useful in the direction
of the experiments, and we must learn to take advantage
of them ; but we must never lose sight of the fact that
these feelings are only transitory, and that, after a certain
time, they are infallibly transformed into attraction or
repulsion, sympathy or antipathy, and that, in conse-
quence of this transformation, the subject may become
powerless to produce the smallest phenomenon, or he
may refuse in future to lend himself to new experiments.
The experimenter ought, therefore, to watch his subject
attentively, and, in many cases, he can moderate his
impressions and give to his ideas a direction at once
reasonable and useful.
After the feelings awakened spontaneously in the
subject in regard to the experimenter, we must examine
the direct action of the psychic forces on each of them.
There may be harmony between the qualities and the
natures of the two psychic forces present. In this case,
if one of them is better directed, or is superior to the
other, it may conduct, train, and use the latter for the
realisation of the phenomenon sought for. If these two
psychic forces, without being absolutely harmonious, are
not too difterent from each other, and if that of the
experimenter is superior to that of the subject, the former
can dominate the latter, and by the combination obtain
good effects ; but if these two forces are absolutely opposed,
the experiments will be completely impossible for this
experimenter with that subject, and it would be better
to give up the attempt.
It is to that cause that we must attribute the fact
frequently observed that some subjects, who have given
evident proof of psychic qualities, seem suddenly to have
lost all their faculties and to be unable to give any result
when they are with another experimenter. Doubtless,
in certain cases, the operator may be responsible for the
552 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
non-success, for an inexperienced or ignorant experimenter
may not know how to use a subject, even in the most
favourable conditions ; but there are also cases in which,
in spite of experience and knowledge, the results would
be nil, because the psychic force of the experimenter
cannot harmonise with that of the subject.
As the experimenter takes an active part in the
production of certain phenomena, it is very clear that,
especially in these experiments, we must take account of
all the internal and external conditions whose influence
on the subject we have already studied. Thus, states of
illness, fatigue, or overwork, leading to a depression of the
physical powers, and, at the same time, to a diminution
of the energy of the will ; transitory physiological dis-
turbances, like those which result from digestion or want
of food, fatigue or sleep, disturbances which affect the
nervous centres, either directly or through the circulation,
must be taken into account in relation to this class of
experiments.
The experimenter in psychical research ought to pre-
sent a certain number of natural and acquired qualities
which are absolutely indispensable to success. He must
direct the experiments and the subjects; the latter will
not be always easy to manage. Their nervous and im-
pressionable nature usually renders them whimsical and
capricious. If phenomena of some interest are obtained
with them, it often happens that they become vain, appro-
priating all the honour, and becoming more and more
exacting, thinking themselves indispensable. In addition
to the natural mobility of their mind, the fact must not
be lost sight of that, for the most part, they are not led,
as we are, by interest in psychical research. When the
attraction of the novelty has worn off, when their curiosity
has been more or less satisfied, they begin to grow tired
of the experiments; they put less goodwill and energy
into them, sometimes they refuse to continue them.
It is for the experimenter to forestall and overcome
these difficulties by trying to ascertain beforehand the
tendencies of his different subjects. He must certainly
METHOD OF EXPERIMENTATION 553
not give in to all their whims, which might become in-
numerable and render all work impossible; but ho must
also not rebuff them, so that he obtains their co-operation
only through fear. He must, during the experiments,
know how to make himself accessible to his subjects,
amusing them and making himself agreeable to them ;
he must so contrive that each new experiment awakens
in them a fresh interest, and urges them on to emulation.
It is necessary for this that the experimenter should have
a deep knowledge of psycho-physiology, together with tact,
versatility, and prudence, so as to enable him to acquire
the necessary authority over his subjects.
In spite of that, difficulties will not fail sometimes to
arise, whether they be obstacles springing from the general
condition of the experiments or troubles arising from the
unwillingness or inexperience of the subjects. Untiring
patience will alone enable the experimenter to triumph
over these difficulties; he should never allow himself to
show the annoyances or disappointments which may be
caused by badly managed or fruitless experiments. But,
though he ought to appear imperturbable, the experimenter
ought to be a very careful and able observer — he ought
to give proof of a sagacity and attention continuously
maintained ; all his senses ought to be constantly awake
and perfectly exercised, in order to seize the sUghtest
symptoms which might pass unperceived by less ex-
perienced persons.
In order to direct the experiments properly, he must
exercise on the subjects and on all who take part, or are
present as spectators, an absolute and incontestable autho-
rity, but which will have all the greater force the less it
is felt. Good manners, dignity, the esteem which he
ought to enjoy, united with the qualities we have enu-
merated, will assure to the experimenter this authority,
which will be enhanced by the acquired and scientific
qualities of which we shall speak.
Numerous and extensive scientific attainments are, in
fact, mdispensable in order properly to direct the study
of psychic phenomena. A deep knowledge of psycho-
554 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
physiology is necessary in order to discover the subjects,
discern their aptitudes, know how to use and direct them.
Hypnology furnishes the means of action by which the
subjects can be influenced, at the same time as it enables
them to be completely protected from all the difficulties
and dangers which might result to them from experiments
made without due precaution or the cause of which was left
to chance. In combination with a perfect knowledge of
nervous pathology, this science also enables us to discover
the slightest trace of simulation or trickery which may
be mixed with the experiments and falsify the results.
Finally, at every moment, the physical and chemical
sciences, the most delicate mechanical apparatus, ought
to be employed, the better to observe and analyse, control,
and register the phenomena experimented upon.
After having examined the conditions requisite for
good experimentation in so far as the subjects and opera-
tors are concerned, we have likewise to consider the
various methods that may be applied to the different
categories of the phenomena which we may have to
study.
Methodical classification of the phenomena is indis-
pensable, because they are so different in their nature and
manifestation that it is impossible to study them without
equally varying the means of examination and control.
Spontaneous Phenoniena
In the first place, we have to examine the method to
be followed in the observation of spontaneous phenomena.
We call spontaneous phenomena those which occur
without the actual intervention of the experimenter ; and
they must be subdivided into phenomena which are pro-
duced without conscious intervention of the subject, and
phenomena caused by the subject either consciously or
even voluntarily.
As I'sgards the observation of haunted houses in par-
ticular, it is of special interest that these phenomena
should be observed by persons accustomed to experiment-
METHOD OF EXPERIMENTATION 555
ing in psychical phenomena ; that is the only way to
avoid the exaggerations of too credulous minds, or the
prejudiced negations of persons who are not even willing
to take the trouble to observe them.
That is why the Societe Universelle d'Etudes Psychiques
has asked for information from its correspondents on the
appearance of these phenomena, and, as soon as it receives
information, sends a committee to make a careful inquiry
on the spot.
Here are the rules which the observers ought to follow
when they receive information of a fact of this character,
and when they are at the place where the phenomena
occur.
Two eventualities are possible : —
(a) The phenomena are no longer produced ;
(6) The phenomena continue.
(a) The phenomena are no longer produced. — The first
care of the observers should be to interrogate the witnesses,
and divide these witnesses into three categories : —
(1) The witnesses who have heard immediately the
account of the phenomena ;
(2) The witnesses who have seen them ;
(3) The witnesses who have taken part in them.
The witnesses of the first category are evidently the
least important. Nevertheless, their personal worth may
give the greater value to their testimony; for example,
the doctor, the vicar, or the notary of a village, who
have interrogated the eye-witnesses immediately after
the events, can often give us a much more accurate
idea than those who saw and reported one or two days
later.
The witnesses mentioned in the second category, those
who saw the phenomena, are very important. The m-
vestigators will take every care to question them and note
their replies.
Some of the witnesses will have seen the whole of the
phenomena ; others will only have seen a part. In both
cases the investigator will take every care to make them say,
with all possible accuracy and precision, all that they saw.
556 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
In order to do that, it is necessary to eliminate all the
remarks and explanations that the witnesses are too
much tempted to add to their statements.
It is necessary to note the bare facts of what they
saw, without neglecting any. The smallest fact, precisely
stated, is of greater importance than the longest explana-
tion the witnesses can give.
In the thu'd category — the witnesses who have taken
part in the phenomena — we have persons still better
placed to observe them well, and consequently their
depositions are still more important.
Among these we include all those who have ascertained
the phenomena otherwise than by seeing and hearing: those,
for example, who have been touched by the objects set in
motion; those who restored to their places the articles
that have been displaced and have seen them moved
again ; those who have shut up in a cupboard or in a
room some articles that have afterwards been found dis-
placed or removed, on condition that they have been
able to testify that no one else could get at the objects
to remove them ; and, lastly, those who have repaired
the damage caused by the force operating.
All this evidence being collected and immediately
noted, the investigator ought to observe for himself the
marks left by the phenomena. He must look for the
traces of the contacts, rubbings, blows, &c., left on the
furniture or on the walls ; for marks on the floor or on
the dust caused by the movement of the furniture.
Articles damaged or broken should be specially ex-
amined, and this will be of the greater importance, par-
ticularly if the investigator can arrive before the objects
have been picked up, replaced, or, more important still,
repaired.
From these traces we endeavour to determine the
intensity of the force manifested ; the direction of this
force and its starting-point ; the form and nature of the
material object which has left the traces.
These marks should be correctly measured in their
dimensions and their relative distances from each other ;
METHOD OF EXPERIMENTATION 557
further, if it is possible, those which arc most important
should be sketched or photographed.
Possessed of these important documents, the investigator
should first of all seek to ascertain Avhether the phenomena
observed could be produced by any ordinary cause, the
instability of certain objects, a shaking of the house com-
ing from without ; he will pass successively in review all
the atmospheric forces, air-currents, wind, temperature,
electricity.
Having, as a rule, rapidly eliminated all these causes,
he will look for trickery, by inquiry, if any person present,
or near, could, from within or without, produce all the
facts that have been ascertained.
If the phenomena cannot be attributed to any of these
ordinary causes, since the facts have ceased to occur, he
must now look for the cause of the cessation of the
phenomena. He will carefully note all the persons who
have left the house, and whose departure coincided with
the cessation of the phenomena. He will then see if
the phenomena have not coincided with the sickness
of any person and their cessation with his return to
health.
Finally, he ought to examine separately and minutely
all the persons living in the house, and all those who have
been present at the phenomena. This examination ought
to turn particularly on the state of their nervous system,
and on their psycho-physiology and pathology. The ex-
amination of their nervous equilibrium and projection of
force by means of the sthenometer, if it can be done, would
be of the utmost importance.
If the result should point to the probability of a
certain person being the medium, a special examination
of that person may be made ; and, if the supposed medium
has left the house, he should be traced, so as not to lose
sight of him.
Very frequently the people of the house or family will
show great fright and agitation at the phenomena occurring
around them. The investigator will then make it his duty
to reassure them, to tell them that though the phenomena
558 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
may be exceptional they are natural ; to explain them to
them, as far as they are able to understand. If the
medium has left the house, they can be told that the
phenomena will probably not occur again.
In case the medium has not left the house, or if he has
not been recognised, the inhabitants should be reassured
as to the innocent character of the phenomena, and re-
quested to inform the investigator without delay if the
phenomena occur again. They will make no difficulty
when they are made to understand that it will be easy
by observing the phenomena at the moment of their
manifestation to discover the medium, and to put an end
to them by summary removal of the cause.
(6) Persistent 'phenomena. — The first care of the
observer should be to verify the phenomena themselves
at the time of their production.
First of all, it must be observed that it is infinitely
preferable to have, at least, two persons to verify these
phenomena ; in fact, whilst the attention of one observer
is drawn to one point, it is necessary that the persons
present, and often other parts of the room, should be at
the same time watched by another observer.
There are some useful processes to employ for the
observation of these phenomena. Granting that some of
them often happen in the dark, or, at least, in a dim light,
each investigator ought to be provided with one or two
small pocket electric lamps, giving a light at any moment,
and sometimes enabling him to see the phenomenon at the
very time of its production and, at the same time, to
detect the attitude of the persons present when the
phenomenon is manifested.
In the second place, photography ought to be made use
of. Photography offers advantages which differ somewhat
from those of the electric light. With the instantaneous
light the eye perceives immediately and simultaneously a
number of objects which may not be within the range of
the camera. On the other hand, the photographic plate
will preserve for an indefinite period the exact picture of
all the objects which have been found within its range.
METHOD OF EXPERIMENTATION 559
It will therefore be useful to employ both processes and to
obtain as many photographic proofs as possible. This can
be done by employing as many cameras as possible point-
ing in different directions, and always, be it understood, by
means of an instantaneous flash-light.
In the third place, it will be useful to employ also for the
verification of the phenomena, various other mechanical
processes which will be suggested to the investigators by
the circumstances and arrangement of the place. A port-
able electric bell will often be useful by allowing the
ai:rangement of contacts to give warning of the displace-
ment of certain objects.
After having thus verified the phenomena, it is neces-
sary to notice the conditions in which they are produced.
Conditions of place. — These include careful examina-
tion and an exact description of the house, and par-
ticularly of the apartment ; photographs should be taken
of both.
Conditions of time. — Note the hour of the day or
night when the phenomena usually occur and the time of
their greatest intensity ; also the exact duration of the
various phenomena observed.
Physical conditions. — Light or darkness, temperature,
atmospheric conditions, which seem to favour the pro-
duction of the phenomena.
We must then pass to the study of the cause of the
phenomena. This cause ought to be considered as a force.
We shall try, according to the observations made and the
principles of mechanics, to determine its seat, direction,
and intensity.
As in the first case, it is necessary to make a methodical
examination of all the persons in the house and all those
who have been present at the manifestations. Among those
persons we must note those who have always been present
when the phenomena are produced, and seek to ascertain
if there are any in whose presence they occurred with
greater intensity.
Having, by this successive analysis, selected a small
number of subjects, we must endeavour, if it is possible, to
560 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
experimentally eliminate each subject by removing them
in succession from the place where the phenomena occur.
It will thus be quite easy to determine which person's
presence is necessary for their production.
It is of great importance that the investigators should
let nothing be known to the inmates of the family as to
the result of their investigations concerning the persons or
their suspicion as to the one who is the cause, if they
think they have discovered him. They should continue
their observations, watching the supposed medium very
carefully, but without any one being able to perceive this.
When the investigators have discovered the medium,
they must first of all express the hope to the inhabitants
of the house that the phenomena will cease ; then under
some pretext they will remove the medium. If every-
thing becomes orderly again, they will have proof that
they have not been mistaken.
When they arrive at this point, the role of the investi-
gators is not yet ended. In removing the medium they
will be careful not to lose trace of him, because they will
need to examine him further.
The medium may be absolutely unconscious of being
one, and unaware that he is the active agent in the pro-
duction of the phenomena ; but if he knows that the
phenomena have ceased in his absence, especially if similar
phenomena have occurred at the place to which he has
removed since his arrival, he may become aware of the
relation existing between his presence and the manifesta-
tions.
The duty of the investigators then is to remove his
fears ; they should make him understand that these
manifestations depend upon a special condition which is
temporary. They should endeavour to get him to entrust
himself to a committee of serious experimenters in whom he
can place complete confidence, who will experiment with
him as to these mediumistic faculties. They should show
that this methodical experimentation will put an end to
the spontaneous manifestations of an abnormal power;
the experiment will demonstrate, in fact, that the mediums,
METHOD OF EXPERIMENTATION 561
who exercise their faculties in a scientific group, are no
longer subject to the spontaneous and incoherent manifes-
tations we are now studying.
The dominant characteristics of spontaneous phenomena
is that they cannot be produced at one's pleasure. At the
most we can place ourselves in conditions which appear
the most favourable for their production ; it is necessary
then to wait with an imperturbable patience. If we try to
do more, to hasten them or make them appear by any
excitation whatever/they will be infallibly impaired, trans-
formed in some manner, and the investigator will lose the
greatest part of their value. The experimenter ought here
to limit his part to that of an observer ; but he ought to
make use of all the qualities we have already recognised
as indispensable in those who would devote themselves to
these researches. He ought to employ all his sagacity,
experience, and scientific knowledge in careful observa-
tion. He ought not let pass any accessory circumstances,
which to the unlearned may appear insignificant, but
which are capable of enlightening him as to the value,
origin, nature, or consequences of the phenomenon
observed.
When the phenomena occur unknown to the subject
through whom they are produced, this subject, the generat-
ing agent of the force which gives rise to the phenomena,
may pass unperceived, and, for the time being, remain
unloiown to the witnesses, and even to the experimenters.
In facts of this category, as regards the phenomenon,
the experimenter has no action to exert on it. But it
must not be forgotten that if he cannot provoke it
voluntarily, he can involuntarily cause it to cease or
impede its progress. The first thing, therefore, is to
observe the phenomenon in itself, in its slightest details,
which ought to be noted with rigorous exactitude. In the
course of this observation the experimenter should take
every care not to impede the progress of the phenomenon,
and also not to run the risk of modifying it, which might
happen, even involuntarily. The danger of exercising
an involuntary influence on the phenomenon is all the
2 N
562 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
more to be feared here, because the experimenter does not
yet know the cause or the active subject, and because if he
does not exercise extreme prudence and circumspection
he may influence one or the other.
In order to avoid this difficulty he must observe in
silence, without departing from the utmost impassiveness,
whatever may be the surprises he may experience in the
course of this observation. It is evidently necessary also
to demand from all those present, as far as possible, the
same silence and the same calmness. It is, above all,
necessary to forbid, during the whole time of the experi-
ment, all remarks as to the phenomenon or its progress,
as well as all expressions of opinion concerning its probable
cause or consequences.
Whilst considering the phenomenon in itself, the
experimenter will apply himself to the most careful
observation of all the persons present, but taking care
that this constant and rigorous surveillance is concealed,
and especially that it is unperceived by the persons to
whom it is directed. The experimenter ought thus to be
able to discover the principal factor in the production of
the phenomenon, the agent who produces it, the subject
who brings into play or transmits the forces necessary for
its manifestation.
There may be only one subject, and he may be some
person present, but the fact must not be lost sight of that
the symptoms of his condition as the active subject may
be absolutely latent. In other cases the phenomenon
may be produced by the influence of the forces collected
from several subjects present ; it may be that these various
subjects take an almost equal part in the manifestation
by joining forces of the same nature and the same intensity;
it may be that one of those present, possessing in himself a
force superior to that of the others, plays the part of principal
active subject and draws from the energy of the persons
around powers which he lacks and thereby becomes the
sole director of the progress of the phenomenon.
It may also happen that the subject directing the
manifestation may be more or less distant. One of the
METHOD OF EXPERIMENTATION 563
subjects present then collects around him all the forces
necessary for the action, but unconsciously allows himself
to be directed by the impulse of what comes to him from
without.
It must not be forgotten that the experimenter himself
may be at the same time the active subject, and that
entirely unconsciously. This may be the case in two
ways, which we shall indicate; either because he alone
produces and directs the force which gives rise to the
phenomenon, or because he assembles and directs the
scattered forces emitted by those present.
The experimenter may, in this case also, come to dis-
cover that he is himself the active subject, but he can
only arrive at this deduction by way of elimination, and
consequently generally after long observations. This
search for the active subject, which brings the psychic
forces into play, is very important in the study of the.se
phenomena, because, once the subject has been really
ascertained, the study of the phenomenon itself becomes
much more easy and more precise. The rational and
scientific method will therefore be to seek first of all to
discover this subject, without neglecting, be it understood,
the observation of the events which may occur in the
course of this research.
Whoever may be the active subject, whether he be
known or is still unknown, and whatever may be his
action, more or less direct, upon the phenomena, when
we are observing spontaneous phenomena, the first rule
is not to disturb them, in order to observe them in all
their completeness. We must, therefore, take account of
the ease with which these phenomena may be impeded.
The investigators, like the spectators, may act directly
or indirectly on the phenomena; directly, by exercising
an action diftering from, or even contrary to, that of the
subject, or again, by acting in any manner on the subject ;
this action may have the effect cither of modifying his
powers, or of impressing his nervous system, or of divert-
ing his attention, or of isolating him from the point at
which the phenomenon is manifested; indirectly, by
564 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
acting on the instrument by means of which the pheno-
menon is manifested, or by interrupting the communication
between the subject and the instrument.
The effect of these different actions may be manifested
in several ways. The conditions being no longer favour-
able for their production, the phenomenon commenced
may be interrupted, or may become more and more
feeble until it becomes insignificant, or it may be arrested
suddenly. If the phenomenon has not yet begun to mani-
fest itself, we may be in apparently favourable conditions,
that is to say, identical with those in which we have
already observed the phenomenon, but we wait in vain —
nothing happens.
It is necessary in these different cases to verify with
the most rigorous exactitude the prevailing conditions.
If the obstacle proves to be some external circumstances
(heat, light, noise, &c.) which are within our control,
it must be remedied. If the obstacle comes from the
action of a spectator or the subject, it is sometimes suffi-
cient to separate them from each other as far as the room
will permit. But if this action is too intense or too much
opposed to the production of the phenomena, if, as some-
times happens, it is augmented by an auto-suggestion on
the part of the subject, it may become necessary to com-
pletely remove the person Avho forms an obstacle to the
experiment.
Hitherto we have seen how an operator may, by in-
experience or overlooking precautions, prevent the pro-
duction of psychical phenomena. There is a much
greater danger to avoid, because it exposes us to more
unpleasant consequences — that is, to cause the pheno-
mena to deviate from their normal course and falsify the
results.
When experimenters seek in vain to study a pheno-
menon or to perform an experiment, they can at most
only lose their time, and yet for those who know how
to observe, experiments, even negative ones, always give
rise to very instructive observations; but if it happens
that, involuntarily and unconsciously, we modify or change
METHOD OF EXPERIMENTATION 565
a phenomenon, the results of the experiments thus falsified
may become the source of new errors, and it is necessary
to begin again later on a whole series of similar labours in
order to arrive at the origin of the error committed.
It should be pointed out that we may arrive at false
results in two ways: either the observation is erroneous
from the commencement and may not rest on any real
foundation ; or a real phenomenon had been observed at
the beginning, but the observer, without being aware of
the fact, has caused it to deviate from its normal course
during the manifestation. A phenomenon real in its
origin, may thus have been artificially changed and ap-
pear altogether different from what it would have been
but for the external influence which is exercised upon it.
Such an observation would be without value, and the
conclusions we should draw would only lead us into error.
We shall suppose that the observer knows the active
subject ; if he did not know him at the commencement
of the observation he has been able to discover him. It
must not be forgotten that in certain cases the subject is
himself ignorant of the part he plays in the production of
the phenomena. Under these circumstances he must not
be informed of the influence he exercises ; it is better to
let him think that the phenomenon is the result of a
collective action, and that he does not play a prepon-
derant part. Without making the active subject kno^vn
or bringing him into prominence, it is the duty of the
observer from this time on to keep his attention fixed on
him in a very special manner.
Fraud in Psychical Experiments
It is necessary to have constantly before the mind the
possibility of fraud. Considered in itself fraud may be
complete or partial.
Complete fraud extends to a whole series of experi-
ments, to an entire seance. There may be at first sight
the appearance of real phenomena, but if we examine
them closely, and if we go to the bottom of the matter, we
566 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
perceive that there is nothing but iikision, that they are
imitated or simulated. It is evident that if we are deal-
ing with a subject incapable of producing the slightest
psychical phenomenon, and who wishes to deceive the
observers, we can only have a series of simulations and
a totally fraudulent seance. But it is not necessary to
believe that the proof of total fraud necessarily implies
that we are in the presence of a subject of that class. It
may very well be that even with a good subject, capable
of producing highly interesting phenomena, after a long
wait for manifestations, which, from one cause or another,
cannot be produced, we get only simulated phenomena.
With regard to partial fraud, it is always a real medium
in whose presence we observe it, because it is produced in
a seance where real phenomena have already been obtained.
Either the real phenomena cease to occur at a certam time,
and are replaced by imitated phenomena, or else wo obtain
at will a whole category of real phenomena ; but when we
wish to go forward to more complicated manifestations, or
simply pass on to different phenomena, which in the cir-
cumstances are more difficult to obtain, we only obtain,
instead of these, simulated phenomena which are some-
times mixed with authentic ones.
Considered from the subject's point of view, fraud
may be : —
(1) Conscious and voluntary;
(2) Conscious and involuntary ;
(3) Totally unconscious.
Conscious and voluntary fraud does not give occasion
for any useful scientific observation. It can only teach
the experimenters the better to put themselves on guard
against the unscrupulous subjects who might still seek
to lead them into error. Subjects who make a profession
of lending themselves to psychical experiments, or who
derive profit from their reputation and from seances for
which they are solicited, sometimes deliberately try to
deceive. They make their preparations beforehand, prac-
tise the imitation of certain phenomena, and carefully
hide instruments, more or less rudimentary, which they
METHOD OF EXPERIMENTATION 567
use with great dexterity, such as imperceptible threads,
springs or wires, by means of which they sometimes pro-
duce a great ilUision. Or they may even have an accom-
plice who assists them in their operations, which are in no
way scientific, by communicating with them in the con-
ventional manner. Thus, for example, a thought-reader
will guess the most complicated figures, words, and phrases
proposed by the spectators. It is finally discovered that
the bandage with which his eyes are covered allows the
subject to see his companion's foot, and that an imper-
ceptible movement of this foot indicates to him the figures
or the letters he ought to name.
When it is only a question of experiments made by a
conjurer on the stage, the matter is not important, because
it is only a question of amusing the public, and the operator
is performing his part and giving an illusion accepted as
such in advance. It is not the same thing when he gives
a serious seance : and it is evident that subjects who thus
lend themselves to a habitual and premeditated fraud,
ought to be completely excluded from all scientific ex-
perimentation.
By the side of these premeditated frauds, got up by
individuals who have no other object than to deceive, we
also sometimes observe conscious, and, up to a certain
point, voluntary frauds on the part of subjects who, under
other circumstances, show themselves sincere and capable
of taking part in scientific experiments. That happens
especially when a subject is overworked, when he is asked
to make experiments which are repugnant or distasteful
to him, or again when evident distrust is manifested which
wounds his susceptibilities and irritates him. These sub-
jects ought not to be completely rejected, for they may be
very good, but we should act towards them with much
skill and tact; we must know how to avoid the causes
which lead them to simulation, and, in every case, watch
them in a much more rigorous manner by observing the
precautions which I will indicate further on.
Conscious and involuntary fraud, as well as totally
unconscious fraud, comes from subjects who are true
568 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
mediums and who have real aptitude for ps3'chical ex-
periments. These two classes of fraud differ only in
this, that in the first the subject is in a less profound
mediumistic state, which enables him to know all that
is happening around him and what he himself accom-
plishes. It is clear that we have here a mixed and
transitory condition, such as is but seldom observed. In
every case, the characteristics of conscious and involuntary
fraud are the same as those of unconscious fraud and Ave
can study them together.
It must not be forgotten that in psycho- physiology
the subject is a very complicated being, with whom we
cannot obtain a given phenomenon at Avill, even if it has
already been obtained in similar conditions. We have
already seen that we have to take into account a great
number of factors, and in the first place the psychical
state of the subject at the moment, which may be in-
fluenced by causes of which we have been able to discover
and study a certain number, but of which others have
completely escaped us.
The subject is not always master of his impressions ;
he cannot go at will into any physical or moral state
asked for. And further, he is often ignorant himself as
to what conditions of his psychical being are most favour-
able for obtaining the results expected.
These conditions, for the most part, are produced in
him unawares, without his seeking them : whilst his efforts,
on the contrary, may raise an obstacle to them.
The mere fact of his submitting to experiments may
lead the sensitive, in spite of himself, and without his
knowledge, to simulate a phenomenon which is not spon-
taneously produced, or to intensify it.
In mediumistic states hypera3Sthesia is usually observed
which may occur with regard to all the possible sensations,
singly or together, and may make certain impressions
unpleasant or even painful. The subject, under this first
influence, often executes involuntarily some disordered
movements without even suspecting it. Later on, under
certain influences, he is dominated by the thought of the
METHOD OF EXPERIMENTATION 569
phenomenon asked of him, and these movements follow
the motor images of his thought. According to psycho-
logical laws, all thought is accompanied by a muscular
action: in a general way the muscles begin to contract,
in accordance with the different movements necessary for
the accomplishment of the act thought of: the result is
that the hand always moves automatically in the direction
of our thoughts. This action is reflex, instantaneous, and
executed in a more or less complete manner, if the subject
does not oppose it by an act of the will, or if there is
no mechanical obstacle in the way. Even in this latter
case the attempt at contraction at least exists in the
different muscles.
We can observe it by feeling or we can even register it
with certain apparatus, and the subject is aware of it by his
muscular sense. The result is that in psychical experi-
ments, in which the thought and will of the subject
ought to be directed to, or be influenced by, an object
or a person, sympathetic movements often if not always
accompany the phenomenon.
There is still another cause for the movements observed
in the subject when we expect a phenomenon or see it
produced. It seems to be proved that most frequently
the effort made by a subject in the active mediumistic
state in order to produce a dynamic phenomenon is
painful, or, at least, difficult. First of all there is a
cutaneous hypercesthesia, then a pain which accompanies
the excessive expenditure of the nervous forces and which
is proportionate to the special effort demanded. It is
therefore quite natural that the subject, especially in the
states in which he is unconscious and powerless to control
his automatic movements, seeks to avoid pain and to
effect the physical action by means which are less painful
to him.
In the mediumistic experiments on the externalisation
of motricity, the force of the medium is often in part
borrowed from the bystanders : this decomposition of the
force occasions also movements which the observers are,
in most cases, unable to explain.
570 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
Unconscious fraud may be clumsy or artless, but as
a rule it closely resembles real phenomena; it seems to
be skilful and well arranged and premeditated. We
know that generally instinctive actions are performed
with remarkable precision and cleverness ; they are more
perfect in their execution than voluntary actions : uncon-
scious fraud partakes of all these qualities. Unconscious
fraud does not leave any recollection, when the subject
has returned to his normal state, of the fraudulent means
employed ; but he can often remember the effects pro-
duced by these means, just as he may also have forgotten
the effect produced, as well as the mechanism which pro-
duced it.
We cannot leave this question of fraud without speak-
ing of one very frequent cause of fraud, although its
mechanism seems at first sight very complicated — namely,
fraud which results from suggestions. We must re-
member, in the first place, that the mediums or subjects
placed by any means in a mediumistic state are very
sensitive to mental suggestion. The thoughts and will
of the persons who take part in the experiment exercise
on the subject an influence of which he is not conscious,
but which is none the less considerable.
Now, the spectators and witnesses of a psychical ex-
periment may act thus on the subject in several different
ways. Persons are sometimes admitted to these experi-
ments who have no knowledge of such phenomena.
Often they bring doubts based on the physical laws which
they know and which they believe to be absolute, and
on the difficulty of admitting anything to be scientific
which is outside the narrow range of ancient knowledge.
This doubt, which resolves itself into a conviction of the
impossibility of carrying out the experiment, seems to
arouse the opposition of the subject, as though he was
personally interested in convincing the spectators, and
was thus challenged to succeed. The subject vaguely
perceives this hostility, which distracts his attention and
takes away a part of the faculties which he ought to
bring into play. He thus finds himself directly im-
METHOD OF EXPERIMENTATION 571
pelled to help out, by fraudulent means, the result which
is expected.
In other cases the suggestion of fraud is still more
direct. Certain persons, while desirous of being present
at psychical experiments, experience an aversion for these
phenomena which develops into actual hostility. These
feelings of prejudice are sometimes such that they un-
consciously lead to actual bad faith in the observation
of the experiments. These persons, understanding nothing
of the nature of psychical experiments, use every means
to counteract them. They are often more insistent than
any one else to be present at the experiments; all the
same it is sometimes wrong to admit them. But as they
are convinced that these phenomena do not exist, their
secret desire is always to catch the subjects in the very
act of trickery. These persons think of all the possible
means that can be employed by the subject to introduce
fraud ipto the experiments, and, far from recognising that
the subject is unconscious and seeking to prevent him
from making use of simulation, they make it easy for him
and induce it in every possible manner. These experi-
menters seem to rejoice when the subject has fallen into
their trap and simulates a phenomenon ; they do not take
into account that the subject is unconscious of the way in
which the phenomena are produced, that he instinctively
seeks the easiest and least troublesome means of attaining
the desired end. In this case the experimenters alone are
responsible for the fraud, because they have made a real
mental suggestion to the subject from which he is unable
to escape.
These considerations on the manner in which fraud
is produced, and on the part which the subject may take
in it, lead us to deduce the line of conduct which the
experimenter ought to follow. If he suspects any trickery
whatever at any part of the experiment, his first care
ought to be to hide his impression and to let nothing
be seen of what he has been able to discover; but he
should redouble his attention and seek first of all to decide
in what category of fraud he can place it. Then he should
572 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
seek by all possible means to prevent the fraud being
produced, but always indirectly, in order not to disclose
the process employed by the subject. It must not be
forgotten, in fact, that the subject, who may be irrespon-
sible, will be immediately lost for experimental purposes,
even if he is a good subject, from the simple fact that he
will be denounced or unmasked when making use of some
deception of slight importance.
There are many ways of watching the subject and of
making it impossible for him to employ such or such
fraudulent means. One of the best methods is to pretend
to watch particularly one of the experimenters other than
the subject. We then have perfect liberty for taking
precautions which render the suspected fraud impossible
without implicating the subject.
Paeticular Observation of the Subjects or Mediums
AND Verification of the Phenomena
Now that the experimenter has ascertained the sin-
cerity of the subject and thus eliminated the principal
causes of error, we will see how he ought to pursue his
observations.
The subject himself must, in the first place, be specially
studied during the course of the experiment.
We must find out whether his will comes into play
in the production of the phenomena. This question can
be divided into two : can he produce, stop, or direct them
at will ? Is it possible for him to vary the nature, form,
or intensity of them ?
What is the precise condition of the subject during the
production of the phenomena ? Is he in a hypnotic state,
an active or passive mediumistic state, or in a mixed state,
and, finally, what are the symptoms presented ?
It is well also to determine the degree of psychical
force which the subject is obliged to expend for the pro-
duction of the phenomenon. Does he only utilise his own
physical or psychical forces, or does he seem to draAV
METHOD OF EXPERIMENTATION 573
them in part, either from the sitters or from any dynamic
source whatever ?
In what way does the subject bring these various forces
into play ? Does he use his limbs or muscles, or his
glance to direct them ? How does he communicate them —
immediately or mediately, and, in the latter case, what are
the intermediaries employed ?
We do not find many subjects capable of producing
indifferently various kinds of psychical phenomena. Each
subject exhibits special faculties which are personal to
him, and which enable him to produce a certain pheno-
menon. If we ask him to perform other experiments we
shall obtain nothing, or only some insignificant pheno-
mena, even with a subject excellently endowed in his own
speciality.
We do indeed sometimes meet with subjects capable
of carrying on several different classes of experiments,
but even with them we easily recognise their special
dominant faculties.
We can develop by exercise the faculties which sub-
jects naturally possess ; but it must not be forgotten that
the laws of the development of psychic faculties teach us :
1. That we cannot develop several different faculties
simultaneously in the same subject without detracting
from the perfection of the experiments ;
2. That one faculty, when specially cultivated, is de-
veloped to the detriment of others ;
3. That there is, consequently, every inducement to
cultivate the special dominant faculty in each subject,
by which we shall succeed in producing much more im-
portant phenomena, and more complete and interesting
experiments.
We conclude from all this that it is very important
that the experimenter should seek to ascertain as quickly
as possible the special dominant faculty of the subject
with whom he operates.
The experimenter ought not to confine his observation
to the subject only, but he ought carefully to note all the
circumstances of the experiment and the concomitant
574 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
phenomena. We have seen, in the course of this study,
the influence exercised by the persons who surround the
subject, and the physical and atmospherical conditions.
Taking these various influences in the order of their
importance, the experimenter will therefore now have to
direct his attention to the persons who take part in the
experiment and all those who are present.
From the commencement of the seance, and before
even beginning the experiments, the operator should by
a rapid glance make a summary diagnosis of the psycho-
logical condition of the persons present, aided by the
mformation which he has been able to gather as to their
antecedents from the psychological and experimental point
of view, which he ought never to neglect.
Those present are naturally divided into two categories :
those who take some part or other in the experiments, and
those who are present merely as spectators. Both ought to
be carefully observed. It is necessary also to note carefully
those who have previously been in relation with the sub-
ject ; to know as far as possible Avhat have been their
mutual relations ; and if some persons have already been
present at experiments with him, what observations have
been made with regard to them.
It is necessary, first of all, to ascertain the physiological
modifications which may occur in the condition of each
person in particular ; traces of fatigue or nervousness,
tendency to sleep ; torpor, and sometimes complete sleep ;
unconscious or convulsive movements ; any sensations
whatever, painful or unpleasant, Avhich may be perceived
by the person himself.
It is also very important to note the influence Avhich
the subject may exercise on these different phenomena, and
to ascertain if there exists a sort of parallelism between
the states through which the subject passes and those
which are observed in some other person present. We
know that the subject may unconsciously place a spectator
in the passive mediumistic state ; this point ought never
to be forgotten, because the subject may directly utilise
by himself, or indirectly, the new faculties which are thus
METHOD OF EXPERIMENTATION 575
developed in a spectator, who becomes in consequence a
secondary subject.
Finally, after having ended the experiments, the in-
vestigator should interrogate the persons present, and
especially those who seem to present some physiological
modifications, and he will note the subjective phenomena
which they mention; nervousness, fatigue, somnolence,
&c. In the case of certain persons, the observation of
whom is of particular interest, it will be well, as far as
possible, to take, before and after the seance, the condition
of their forces by the dynamometer and sthenometer.
It is also necessary to take account of the physical and
atmospheric conditions in which the experiment takes
place, because, as we have demonstrated some years ago,
these conditions exercise an influence on certain pheno-
mena. The barometric pressure, the temperature, the
general condition of the atmosphere ought to be taken,
and it should be observed whether the place where the
experiment takes place is more or less protected from
these influences. In the room in which the experiment
takes place, we should note the temperature, natural^ or
artificial light (its source, intensity, colour), the dimensions
of the room, its shape, and the principal objects in it.
The seance is ended, but the investigator's duty is not
finished. He ought first, in concert with the sitters,
witnesses, or experimenters, to write an account of all
that has happened, and which can be confirmed by all.
Then he will assemble separately and immediately the
observers and experimenters — that is to say, those who
have the necessary knowledge and experience in this class
of phenomena to be able to appreciate their value and
importance.
It is then particularly that it must not be forgotten
that no one should, under any pretext, utter any observa-
tion on or any explanation whatever of the phenomena
observed, in the presence of the subject or any person who
may have been an active agent. When these diff'erent
persons, as well as those who may have been present at
the experiments as witnesses or out of curiosity, have
576 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
withdrawn, the immediate impressions of the observers
and experimenters must be collected and carefully
recorded.
Later, that is to say, one or two days afterwards, the
experimenters must be again assembled, and, having be-
fore them the notes taken during and after the seance,
they should discuss certain points, and try as far as
possible to interpret the phenomena observed. They
should always endeavour to draw practical conclusions as
to the procedure to be followed in subsequent experi-
ments, and, comparing the phenomena observed with
those already known, they should at least classify them
with scientific method. In this way we can be certain
that all the experiments, of whatever kind, will always
have a useful bearing on science.
CHAPTER XXXIX
METHOD OF EXPERIMENTATION— INDUCED
PHENOMENA
Experimentation with Induced Phenomena
In the second part of this study, we have to examine the
special rules which ought to be applied to experiments in
regard to the different psychical phenomena which can be
induced. Every experiment ought to have for its end, and
for its result, either to search more deeply into that which
is already known, or to find out something new. An ex-
periment undertaken merely out of curiosity does not
deserve the name of a scientific experiment.
If each experimenter were to consider as null all that
has been done before him and recommence on his own
account the work of his predecessors, no scientific progress
would be possible. The first experiments made in any
line whatever ought to serve as bases for subsequent ex-
periments, not that these latter should be only servile
imitations of them, but the results acquired, the deduc-
tions made, even the negative results and the lack of
success enable us to discover the rules useful for
methodical experimentation. That is why every well-
conducted experiment deserves to be taken into con-
sideration, because it ought to contribute to the progress
of human knowledge.
Psychical phenomena have appeared up to now so
various that it was scarcely possible to submit them to
methodical experimentation. However, it seems to us,
from the whole of the experiments of which we have
collected the results and from those which wc have made
ourselves, that it is possible to divide them, from the
577 2 o
578 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
experimental point of view, into four groups in order to
facilitate tlieir study.
We will therefore examine successively how the ex-
periments ought to be conducted for the study of the
following phenomena : —
(1) Mental suggestion and transmission of thought;
(2) Lucidity ;
(3) Externalisation of sensibility ;
(4) Externalisation of force.
We must repeat that this is only a purely experi-
mental division, hence eesentially conventional ; but it
has in our eyes this advantage, that we can bring the
majority of psychical phenomena, which it is possible
to induce for experiment, into one or other of these
categories.
Mental Suggestion and Transmission of Thought
We must clearly distinguish, first of all, the two kinds
of experiments which, though presenting some apparent
resemblances, are absolutely different in practice.
In mental suggestion the experimenter does not
transmit to the subject the idea of the act to be accom-
plished, the subject is ignorant during a great part of the
experiment of what we wish to lead him to do. If he
happens, more or less rapidly, to guess the object of the
suggestion, it is by a simple association of ideas. The
experimenter splits up the act to be accomplished into
a series of partial movements, and it is these movements
that he imposes on the subject successively, as though he
were accomplishing them himself.
In order to walk, for example, he will first of all
incline the body of the subject to the side to which he
wishes to lead him ; then ho will make him raise his leg,
advance his foot in the direction desired, and so on. In
order to make him avoid obstacles, he will make him turn
or swerve to the right or left, then he will stop him when
he arrives at the end.
In the same way, if he is required to take up an
METHOD OF EXPERIMENTATIOxN 579
article, he will first make him raise his forearm, then
carry this arm in the desired direction, hold out his hand
and take hold of the object.
The most complicated movements and acts will thus
be dissected and the experimenter will successively con-
tract the different groups of muscles, as he would do
himself if he were carrying out the movement.
For the transmission of thought, the mode of action
and mode of reception are alike absolutely different. The
phenomenon of thought-transmission consists essentially
in this, that an idea emitted by the will of the active
subject, whom we call in this case the suggester, is per-
ceived by the passive or receptive subject, who, just now,
was the one to whom the suggestion was made.
The idea may be absolutely independent of any act
or any motor phenomenon ; while, on the other hand, it
may also involve the execution of a more or less complex
action.
In this case the transmission of thought becomes almost
necessarily more or less multiple. We have, first of all,
the idea of the act itself; in the second place, there is the
will not to accomplish or to accomplish the act. The trans-
mission of thought may be stopped there, and leave the
subject to choose the way to be followed in order to arrive
at the desired end ; but we may also go further, and, with-
out acting on the motor organs of the subject, suggest to
him the idea of the means by which he will realise the
act demanded of him. The subject will, in this case,
always have present to the mind the definite or partial
act which he is to carry out.
From all that we have said, it will be seen that in
both cases, whether of mental suggestion or of the trans-
mission of thought, in spite of mechanical differences, the
suggester, and the person to whom the suggestion is made,
both take an active part in the experiment.
They can, therefore, both train themselves separately,
and it is even necessary for the perfect success of the
experiments that they should do so.
The suggester ought, for mental suggestion, to accustom
580 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
himself to split up any act into partial, well-defined
movements.
The difficulty consists in knowing how to combine the
successive impulses, sufficiently strongly, in a single direc-
tion towards the desired end. This can be accomplished
by a little training; the mechanism consists, first of all,
in energetically fixing in the mind the act to be suggested,
and, at the same time, in arranging in the mind the plan
of the different movements by which the subject must
accomplish it. This first operation the suggestioner accom-
plishes in himself, without entering into communication
with the subject. After this he must not consider the
end, except in a general way ; he must voluntarily make
dominant in his mind the idea of partial impulsions, by
awaking in himself a vivid mental representation of the
sensations he experiences in personally accomplishing the
movements suggested ; in order to do this he must know
how to keep away all other thoughts and all disturbing
influences from without.
For thought-transmission the operator ought first of
all to apply himself to gaining a thorough knowledge of
his subject. The subjects must be divided into various
categories, according to which of the senses is, by nature
or training, especially refined or delicate. Each, in fact,
has the habit of giving to his thought a form which corre-
sponds to one of the three senses of sight, hearing, or
touch.
The representation by the sight of an idea may be
made in three different ways, so that we can distinguish
three categories of individuals of the visual type. If we
take as example the idea of an object, or of an animal or
vegetable, some will represent the object as it exists in
nature, with its proper forms, dimensions, and colour.
Others will make a mental representation of the image of
the object : one will see simply its outline and form : an
artist will see particularly its colour and shades; the
photographer will perceive the picture in the special tone
of a photograph. The third class of visuals, including
especially educated men and writers, will have before
METHOD OF EXPERIMENTATION 581
their eyes the written or printed. word which denotes the
object.
With the last named, the word which comes first to the
mind of the subject in order to express it is that of the
language which he employs most habitually ; but if one
of these subjects is very familiar with several languages,
so as to speak them fluently, his idea will take body, or, if
you will, he will think in the language he was using at
the moment the idea dawned in his mind. Thus a Latin
scholar, while engaged in reading a Latin text, will think
in Latin ; a Frenchman, conversing with an Englishman
in his own language, will feel his thought manifesting
under the form of the English word which represents it.
If we now consider the auditory category, that is to
say, those in whom the sense of hearing predominates for
the representation of the thought, we find in the same
way that they must be divided into several groups.
Some will perceive, for a certain class of objects, the noise
peculiar to the object : the sound of the voice for men,
the cry for animals, the resonance for objects. The most
important group represents the idea by the sound of the
spoken w^ord which expresses it. Here we should make
the same remark on the subject of different languages
that we made for the image of the written word, the
auditive representation of the thought by the spoken
word following exactly the same rules.
In the category of the subjects in whom the sense of
touch predominates, we find a still more limited number
of individuals : it is rarer, in fact, to identify the idea with
the tactile sensation given by the object. Nevertheless
we must refer to this category the idea of movement
which is inseparable from certain objects, and the sensa-
tion of which may be the first one awakened. Finally,
special account must be taken of the motor sensation
which accompanies the pronunciation of the spoken
word; it is that sensation which in certain subjects
specially represents the idea.
It is indispensable, for any one who wishes to succeed
in transmitting his thought, not only to know all these
582 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
details, but to practise giving body to his thought under
all these forms. In fact, in making experiments of
thought-transmission with a subject, the first important
thing will be to know to which of the difterent groups
mentioned the subject belongs, in order to transmit to
him the thought in the form in which it is most easily
perceptible to him.
It is quite evident that the experiment will be much
more easily carried out if the suggester and the subject
belong to the same category; and, on the other hand,
it may sometimes be found impossible to succeed with
the experiment if the subject belongs to an absolutely
different group and the suggester has not been able to
give this identical form to his thought.
It also follows that experiments with certain subjects
which have not succeeded with one operator, may be quite
successful with another, without there being any trickery
or collusion between them.
In the same way as the suggestioner can, as we have
seen, practise mental suggestion and thought-transmission,
the subject may also train himself for the same experi-
ments. He will commence by accustoming himself to
isolate himself from all his surroundings, freeing himself
from all disturbing elements, making, so to speak, a void
in his thoughts so that nothing may hinder the pene-
tration of the suggestion into his mind. Then he will
exercise himself, for mental suggestion, in splitting up
actions into successive movements, and, in the case of the
transmission of thought, in cultivating the natural faculty
of mental representation which he possesses.
After this training, which each of the experimenters
can undertake separately, they will practise again to-
gether. Hero we must recommend the suggester to
adopt a well-reasoned method, but which once adopted
will remain permanent. It is, in fact, of the highest im-
portance to act always in the same manner with the same
subject.
One should commence with exceedingly simple sug-
gestions, and repeat them a great number of times ;
METHOD OF EXPERIMENTATION 583
varying them, and gradually making them more com-
plicated, but only in proportion as the more simple ones
succeed without difficulty, and as the sensibility of the
subject is developed.
Finally, in every case, the experimental seance must
not be too greatly prolonged ; when the suggester or the
subject becomes fatigued, the experiments must be sus-
pended. In the same way if, for any cause, it is seen
that either of the operators is indisposed and that the
attempts are fatiguing or unsuccessful, the experiments
should be stopped and resumed on another occasion.
Experiments in Lucidity
The phenomenon of lucidity consists essentially in a
subject having knowledge of facts which are outside the
range of his normal senses. It is therefore necessary to
separate from the phenomenon of lucidity those effects
of apparent lucidity which may arise from transmission
of thought. This knowledge may apply either to facts
which happened some long time since, or to present
events, or finally to events only destined to happen in the
more or less distant future. These conditions may give
a very considerable interest to the phenomenon, but they
do not change its nature.
There are two ways of experimenting on lucidity ; the
first consists in experiments known, in England par-
ticularly, under the name of visions in the crystal. The
second consists in researches on somnambulistic lucidity
with a hypnotic subject.
The procedure to be employed and the rules to be
followed in these two experiments are absolutely different :
we shall examine them successively.
The experiments of vision in the crystal are simple,
easy to carry out, within the reach of every one ; but the
results are also much less important and of less interest.
There are, first of all, some general conditions which
concern the environment of the subject. The place in
which the experiment is made ought to be as quiet and
584 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
isolated as possible, so that no outside noises distract the
subject. It is especially necessary to avoid any sudden
and unexpected noises which may divert his attention.
Only a small number of persons must be present, and
they must not be close to the subject, and, above all, not
in front of him. They must remain absolutely silent and
motionless.
The person who lends himself to the experiment ought
to turn his back to the light. If the light is an artificial
one it must be placed high enough for the rays to pass
over the head of the subject. The subject should be
comfortably seated before a table covered by preference
with a dark-coloured cloth, and on the table, right in front
of him, should be placed the object which is to serve as
a mirror.
A number of different objects may be employed — a
glass filled with water, a carafe. The English have in-
vented a small apparatus which is very convenient for
this experiment; it consists of a very transparent glass
ball with no defect ; it is generally of the size of a small
orange, and it is placed on a small support made of black
wood. The subject should look very attentively at the
centre of the object, whatever it may be, and wait, motion-
less, and in silence. At first he Avill see on the brilliant
surface the reflection of the surrounding objects. He
must not keep his eyes on these, but fix them on the
centre of the globe. This fixity of attention on a brilliant
object ends by the sight becoming fatigued and the view
is disturbed. It is then that the imagination is brought
into play. When the gazer is a sensitive, the rainbow-
coloured rays which traverse the transparent ball soon
take an appearance of clouds of ditferent colours, and as
the least movement changes the direction of the rays
which come to the eyes, these clouds seem to be animated
with various movements. At the same time, the subject
falls into a superficial hypnotic state, which renders him
susceptible to hallucinations. Then he begins to perceive
in the transparent globe the formation of various pictures.
These pictures appear in a variable manner according
METHOD OF EXPERIMENTATION 585
to the subjects. More frequently they are first of all
indefinite forms with undecided outlines, then a part of
the picture begins to clear, and the subject recognises
and describes each part successively. He seems to follow
the development of a photographic plate. When the
image is developed in this way, it generally remains for
some time ; the subject has full time in which to examine
it, to recognise it, and describe it in the slightest details.
Then it is effaced a little at a time and slowly : the
subject remains for a while without observing anything,
then another picture is formed in the same way.
With other subjects the appearance of the pictures
forms in an altogether different way. In the centre of
a cloud that at first seems to fill the transparent globe,
there appears suddenly a form to which they at once
find a resemblance. These visions are most frequently
partial, and less complete than the preceding : the subject
describes a face or a head of a man or an animal, some-
times a landscape, but the rapidity with which the pictures
succeed each other prevents them from completely de-
veloping, and does not allow the subject to specify the
details.
All these pictures are evidently only a play of the
subject's imagination, which creates an hallucination out
of nothing. Nevertheless, there are in this vision two
mechanisms which must be clearly distinguished. The
transparent globe receives and reflects the picture, but
the refraction distorts it. When it is this irregular image
that is utilised by the subject in order to form the vision,
a consequent hallucination may still be produced, it is
true, but the phenomenon presents much less interest.
In the second process of which we have spoken, a real
hallucination is, on the contrary, immediately formed.
Setting aside the reflected pictures, the subject's sight
is fatigued and disturbed by the brilHant surface; then
this surface combined with the dark liackground seen
transparently forms a cloud; then as the mind is con-
centrated on this fixed point, not presenting any regular
outline, the hallucination is produced.
586 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
With regard to the vakie of these haUucmations, it
must be recognised that most frequently they are solely
composed of reminiscences — that is to say, of images
drawn from the visual memory of the subject. Thus it
is that a subject will recognise a site, a monument, an
object which he may have seen in his travels, or else
a landscape, a house, the aspect of which was familiar
to him in his childhood ; or it may be a picture or an
engraving which had caught his eye a short time
previously.
All this, we see, is quite insignificant, and is not worth
stopping to consider. The phenomenon only becomes
interesting when a telepathic hallucination occurs — that
is to say, one which originates in a mental transmission,
coming from a person present or absent, and especially
when this hallucination is due to a faculty of lucidity
which is revealed in the subject. These cases are rare,
it must be admitted, but they sometimes present them-
selves ; that is not less incontestable, and they suffice to
draw our attention to this class of experiment.
It must not be forgotten that the subject who thus
undergoes an hallucination, and especially a telepathic
hallucination, is necessarily brought into a certain state
of hypnosis, usually light, it is true. But the fact must
not be lost sight of that many of these subjects thus
placed before a brilliant object, on which they fix their
gaze attentively for some time, are disposed to fall into
a more profound hypnotic state, which is caused by
fascination. Some subjects are very quickly fascinated
and go to sleep very shortly after they are placed in front
of the crystal. Others only reach the hypnotic sleep after
having already undergone one or more hallucinations.
The experimenter ought therefore to constantly watch
the condition of the subject ; he should know how to
direct the fascination and the hypnotic condition, if it
is produced, in the most useful manner, and then to take
all the usual precautions in bringing the subject back
to the normal state when the experiment is terminated.
This precaution taken he must also know how to
METHOD OF EXPERIMENTATION 587
direct the experiment, in order to give it the importance
it ought to have, and to draw from it what is of value.
For that he must, after placing the subject before the
brilliant object, simply indicate to him what he ought
to do, and then leave him motionless and silent, taking
care that nothing occurs to disturb him. He must refrain
from questioning him at this time, and not allow any one
present to speak to him.
The subject ought to describe very minutely all that
he observes, first before the formation of the pictures, and
then successively their progressive development and their
slightest details. At this time only, and if he finds that
the subject gives a too summary description, the experi-
menter may question him, and ask him to specify certain
points. Then, as the pictures appear and disappear, he
will carefully note, without adding or taking away any-
thing, all that the subject may say.
The experiment ended, the experimenter should ques-
tion the subject in a methodical manner on the different
visions he has seen. First he ought to inquire whether
the objects seen and described by the subject had been
seen by him shortly before the experiment, and if they
were present to his memory at the time. But the pictures
may also refer to more distant recollections, to his impres-
sions of childhood. The subject may not think in any
way of these things at the time of the experiment, but
the sight of the objects may immediately recall the
remembrance. There is in that case an evocation of
recollections existing in the sub-consciousness, and this
in itself is interesting.
There may also exist certain dissimilarities between
the real object the subject has remembered and the pic-
ture of his vision. However, the similarity is sufficient
for him not to have any doubt that the picture is cer-
tainly that of the object present in his memory, but a
play of the imagination has superposed several recollec-
tions and made an incorrect picture.
Again, the subject may not be at all conscious that
588 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
the object which Avas seen by him in the vision had been
previously known to him.
In this case, the subject must be given time to collect
his thoughts, and assisted in searching his memory and in
noting also the doubts and uncertainties that may come
from his sub-consciousness.
Finally, if it seems proved that the object of vision is
not in the recollections of the subject, all those present
must be questioned in turn, care being taken to follow
exactly the same method. If there is any connection
between the visions of the subject and the pictures which
are in the memory of one of the sitters, it ought to be
carefully noted whether these pictures were actually pre-
sent in his thoughts; or if the recollection had been
immediately awakened by the description given by the
subject ; or if he had been compelled to dig and search
into old memories to find the partly effaced traces.
But if we do not find either in the memory of the
subject or in that of those present anything in connection
with the visions obtained, we must specify and preserve
with the greatest care the exact description. In this case,
again, the subject and witnesses should be again ques-
tioned several days afterwards and with the notes taken
during the experiment. It will sometimes happen, in
fact, that only after a certain time is a recollection found
that exactly fits in with the description given by the
subject. I have also known a subject recognise several
days after the experiment, in a shop, a picture of which
he had seen the vision in the crystal. He did not at all
remember having seen this picture previously, but he had
passed the same shop several times and the picture might
have caught his eye unconsciously.
After having thus rigorously eliminated the most
simple phenomena of conscious or sub-conscious memory,
if we are led to think that the subject has really had a
telepathic hallucination, Ave must turn our researches and
inquiry toAvards the object or the place of the vision.
Here, again, throe cases present themselves; if the
picture seen in the crystal only represents an inanimate
METHOD OF EXPERIMENTATION 589
scene, we must confine ourselves to verifying the j^^eater
or less correctness of the picture or the scene represented.
If we find some divergence between the objects and the
description which has been given, we must find out whether
this description does not correspond more exactly with a
previous condition of the places described. If the picture
seen in the crystal represented an animated scene or an
event, beside the question of exactitude which Avill be the
subject of investigation as in the preceding case, there is
the question of time, which may very considerably affect
the importance of the vision. If the fact has happened
exactly at the time when the vision took place, we may
regard it in the same manner as an inanimate picture and
its authenticity will be verified in exactly the same way,
without giving rise to any other special observation. In
the contrary case, the observers will have to take a com-
pletely different line of conduct, according as the vision
is connected with a past or a future event.
If the event is past, it should be noted whether it is
recent or long past, and particularly if it could in any way
whatever come to the knowledge either of the medium
himself or of any person present at the experiment.
We may then, while admitting the possibility of other
explanations, interpret it, in the first case, as a pheno-
menon due to the sub-consciousness of the subject ; in
the second case, as a transmission of thought, which
may itself be complicated also by an action of the sub-
consciousness.
If, in the case of a past event, it can be thoroughly
proved that it was not normally known either to the
subject or to any one present at the vision, we must try
to find out what connection there has been between
the subject and the various persons who took part in
the scene described ; also, if it is possible, we should
find out whether one of the actors in this scene, at the
moment when it occurred, thought of the subject or
experienced a more or less intense feeling with regard
to him (telepathy).
If the scene perceived in the crystal has not yet taken
590 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
place, but is to occur later, this can be known either by
indications given by the subject, or by the very circum-
stances described. Two cases can again be presented
here; either the subject indicates in oneway or another
the time when the event seen ought to take place; or
he may simply describe what he sees, without assigning
any time for its realisation. In both cases we carefully
record in writing, word for word, all the details given
by the subject. Of this account two or three copies
ought to be made immediately, and signed by every one
present at the experiment. Each of these copies, signed
and sealed in a special manner, should be handed to a per-
son Avho will give a receipt bearing the date of the deposit.
Then, all the persons who have been present at the experi-
ment, including the subject, should pledge themselves, as
far as possible, to preserve silence on what has been revealed
to them by the vision, and particularly not to say any-
thing about it to persons who take part in the event
forecasted by the subject ; all this for the purpose of avoid-
ing suggestions which might arise. The subsequent pro-
cedure will vary according as the date of the event is
fixed, or remains indefinite. In the first case, we endea-
vour to enable some experimenters, and preferably those
who have been present at the experiment, to be present
at the realisation of the vision, in order that they may
note the details with scientific exactitude.
In the second case, everything possible should be done
in order to secure as rigorous a verification as possible when
the event occurs. After this has been done, the official
report of the experiment should be opened in the presence
of those who were present at the vision, and of those who
were witnesses of its realisation.
As we have just seen, in the experiments of visions in
the crystal, we succeed sometimes in obtaining real pheno-
mena of lucidity ; but it must be remembered that this is
rare. The phenomena of somnambulistic lucidity present
similar results, but the progress of the experiment is
absolutely difterent.
Hypnotic lucidity is only observed in the somnam-
METHOD OF EXPERIMENTATION 591
bulistic state, and only in the third degree of somnam-
bulism, or again in the active mediumistic condition— that
is to say, in all cases, in a deep hypnotic condition. Most
frequently it is in the somnambulistic state that we meet
with this phenomenon, so that it is commonly called
somnambulistic lucidity.
It results from this, that to experiment with lucidity
we must first of all have a subject capable of reaching the
third degree of somnambulism. Such subjects are not
frequently met with, and besides, all subjects who can be
put into a state of deep somnambulism are not lucid.
Lucidity is a special faculty, personal to the subject ;
but if this faculty cannot be given to a subject who does
not possess it, it frequently happens that a really lucid
subject shows this faculty at first only in a very feeble
degree, and possesses it, so to speak, in a latent state. An
observer, experienced in psychical studies, will, however,
discover it in him, and will know how to develop it by
practice based on methodical and scientific training.
It would be absurd to ask a subject at once, even
though he showed the most evident disposition towards
lucidity, to produce immediately the most complete ex-
periments and the most extraordinary phenomena. Never-
theless, that is the mistake into which a number of persons
fall, who have the reputation of being scientific, and who,
up to a certain point, deserve it in one branch of science
or another. But when they come to experiment in
psychical science, they seem to lose all notion of logic ;
or rather they bring to psychical science a real hatred,
which arises from the fear of finding something marvellous
which will upset some classical scientific principle ; and
by an extraordinary consequence, these enemies of the
marvellous, when experimenting with a psychical pheno-
menon, treat it as though it were a question of something
supernatural. If we speak to them of a lucid subject, they
demand that he should read to them a Hebrew text of
which he does not know the first word, or that he should
tell them at once, being in Paris, what is happening in
London, Berlin, or Vienna. That is as absurd as wishing
592 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
to make a pupil, in whom one has recognised a beautiful
voice and some taste for music, play a leading part at the
opera Avithout study or preliminary rehearsals.
Let us seek, therefore, to do away with this misappre-
hension, and to bring good faith and scientific method to
bear on all the experiments.
In order to experiment with lucidity the subject must
first of all be placed in a deep state of hypnosis. To
perform successful experiments in these states of deep
sleep, the subject must be thoroughly known. We must
not imagine that some general hypnotic knowledge is
sufficient, such as would enable us to make use of a
suggestion in all its forms and to modify at will the con-
dition of the subject. When we wish to start on delicate
experiments we must know the disposition and the per-
sonal faculties of the subject Ave have in hand, Avhich
demands a very particular and deep study of each subject.
The training must be complete, that is to say, Ave must
from the first accustom the subject to be methodically
placed in the hypnotic state most favourable to the
development of the faculties we Avish to study.
At the same time, Ave must ascertain Avhat are the pro-
cesses Avhich best suit his sensibility and temperament ; in
what manner Ave must direct and hoAV far we must push
the hypnotic state in order to obtain all that we expect of
him. We must conduct this training Avith much pru-
dence and gentleness in order not to repel the subject,
and not to lose sight of the fact that auto-suggestions
aAvakened inadvertently or from Avant of precautions may
blunt the faculties of the subject and endanger the
success of the experiments.
The subject ought aUvays to be used by the same
experimenter, who alone ought to take him in hand ; he
alone ought to direct the hypnotic training, and later he
himself ought also to develop in the subject the faculties
on Avhich he Avishes to experiment. A subject Avho is in
the hands of several experimenters, hoAvever rigorous the
method folloAved, will necessarily experience the infiuonce
of several difi'erent methods of operation. The hypnotic
METHOD OF EXPERIMENTATION 593
training might be carried to a certain point, but it would
never reach the highest degree that might be expected ;
with regard to these psychical faculties, not only could
they not acquire their full development, but they would
risk being damaged. These experiments being made in
a state of deep sleep, care must be taken to conform
exactly to the method we shall give further on when
putting the subject to sleep, directing his sleep, and in-
ducing awakening, so that no discomfort or unpleasant
effects may result from the experiments.
We have to consider, in the second place, how we must
proceed in order to develop the faculty of lucidity in a
subject. We can, without doubt, meet with subjects in
whom lucidity has spontaneously developed in such a
manner that they at once reach the highest degree, or in
whom the faculty has already been exercised in special
circumstances ; but this rarely happens. Most frequently,
it is for the experimenter to direct and develop the ten-
dencies which he discovers in his subject. We need only
remember that it is a natural faculty, which must be culti-
vated in the subject, like any other intellectual or physical
faculty — that is to say, it must be exercised at first on
the most simple things and gradually be employed for
more complex ones.
We must start from the principle, that objects are more
easily known than facts, and that the subject will always
have much greater facility in dealing with what concerns
or is known to the experimenter, because of the latter's
presence and the influence he exerts. We must, there-
fore, first of all exercise the lucidity of the subject on
objects belonging to the experimenter and such as are
familiar to him, afterwards on actions recently performed
by him. We cannot too frequently repeat that great
patience must be exercised in these experiments ; this rule
is not confined to psychical experiments, but as they are
less known and less practised than others, the majority of
experimenters are led to imitate young pupils, who when
they have scarcely entered the laboratory, think that they
can succeed in all they undertake. Yet great patience
2 p
594 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
and exactitude in manipulation are needed in order to
succeed Avith delicate experiments in chemistry, physics, or
microbe culture, and we cannot reasonably accord less to a
much more complex science like experimental psychology.
We must not, therefore, be afraid to repeat the same
experiments, until they have become absolutely familiar to
the subject, and he carries them out without difficulty.
We have now to examine the third question: How the
experiments must be carried on. We have already seen
how an observer ought to set about experimenting for
himself ; we have now to see how an experiment is to be
conducted in order to show it to other people, who, most
frequently, are not accustomed to psychical phenomena.
We will state, first of all, three general rules, from which
the details of the procedure to be followed in the experi-
ments will easily be deduced : —
(1) Only make experiments in the presence of persons
of good faith ;
(2) Ahvays settle beforehand, and in writing, all the
details of the experiment to be performed ;
(3) On no pretext allow a spectator to interfere with the
experiment, either to alter it, to stop it, or to intervene in
any manner whatever, no matter what the result obtained.
To try to make an experiment before ^ persons who
have an interest in its non-success, and who will deny
through prejudice an evident result, or persons too flippant
to follow a scientific experiment seriously, is loss of time.
Apart from this circumstance, it is to the interest both
of witnesses and of the experimenters that the result of
the experiment shall be clear and well controlled. If it is
simply a question of recognising an object brought by a
spectator, we must make the subject give some exact
details, and have the identity of the object recognised by
several witnesses and by the experimenter. If we Avish to
make a subject read a number, a phrase, or a letter en-
closed in an envelope, it is absolutely necessary to avoid
all discussion, always idle and ridiculous, of the possibility
of opening the envelope. There is a very simple process
for preventing this, by means of a thread which is passed
METHOD OF EXPERIMENTATION 595
through the envelope at four difterent points, the knot
being imbedded in the wax of a seal on the flap. If this
sealing is well done, no one can possibly ascertain the
contents of the envelope by physical means, without
leaving evident traces.
If the experiment refers to a fact which has happened
at a distance, all the subject says must be noted very
exactly in writing; this account, in duplicate, will be
signed by all the witnesses ; then the verification of the
fact will in the same way be recorded in writing, but by
other witnesses who have no knoAvledge of the report
of the experiment.
During the experiment itself, it is for the experimenter
to assign to each of the sitters the place he is to occupy,
according to the exigencies of the experiment. None of
the witnesses should approach the subject, and they
must be forbidden to speak a word to him or the experi-
menter ; they must also abstain from all remarks during
the experiment.
It will be noticed that we have insisted on details,
apparently insignificant; but it must be recognised that
when taken into account they will give indisputable value
to the observations ; further, it is to the interest of science
that the largest possible number of experiments should
be conducted in a uniform manner. Without doubt, in
many cases, it will be absolutely impossible to observe all
these conditions, but if they are present in the mind, we
can endeavour to come as near to them as possible.
EXTERNALISATION OF SENSIBILITY
The externalisation of sensibility is a phenomenon
observed in a deep state of hypnosis. We think that it
is in the active mediumistic state alone that it presents
itself, but authors are not agreed upon this point ; perhaps
this is because the active mediumistic state, like the
somnambulistic state, presents several different degrees,
and consequently has not always been recognised.
The externalisation of sensibility is a rather rare
596 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
phenomenon. It is developed spontaneously in certain
subjects — that is to say, the subject being placed in the
necessary condition of hypnosis, namely, in one of the
first phases of the active mediumistic state, we notice not
only cutaneous anaesthesia but also the development of
sensitive external layers. Most frequently, in these con-
ditions, the phenomenon is not very marked ; it remams
more or less vague and, in any case, scarcely amenable to
a rigorously controlled experiment.
In order to experiment scientifically on externalisation
of sensibility we must transfer the sensibility of the
subject to an object; a glass of water lends itself
best to the different tests by which we can control the
phenomenon.
We therefore place a glass of water between the hands
of a subject who has been previously sent to sleep, and
make passes from the head and shoulders of the subject
down his arms and ending at the glass of water held
between his hands. The experiment shows that it is
sometimes necessary to continue these passes for some
time, five minutes, or even longer. From time to time
we must test the cutaneous sensibility of the sub-
ject, and it is only when we find absolute an<X3sthesia
that we can proceed with the research on externalised
sensibility.
With some subjects, probably even the greater number,
it is necessary, in addition to the passes, to give verbal
suggestions with the object, first of producing cutaneous
sensibility, and then of transferring the sensibility to
the object chosen for the experiment. It must not be
thought that the suggestions thus made at all diminish
the value of the experiment. In fact, suggestions made
at that time have only one aim : to bring about the
production of the phenomenon. Once the transfer of the
sensibility is effected, all precautions will be taken that
no new suggestion shall occur. At this moment the entire
interest of the experiment consists in the observation of
the fact of externalisation of sensibility; the mechanism
by which the phenomenon is produced is immaterial, and
METHOD OF EXPERIMENTATION 597
we have sufficient ■ means of verification to prove whether
the externalisation of sensibility really exists, apart from
voluntary or involuntary suggestion, or auto-suggestion.
The subject being thus prepared, precaution must be
taken to bandage his eyes. It is necessary to employ a
special bandage for this purpose, or rather a mask, which
ought to fulfil the following conditions : —
1. To cover the eyes without pressure, and to cover
them with very closely woven black cloth folded several
times ;
2. To fill up the whole of the hollows between the
cheek-bones and the bridge of the nose, fitting the bandage
close to the cheeks so that no ray of light can penetrate
from below. These conditions can easily be realised. For
persons who have some knowledge of hypnotism, the ban-
dage is only an accessory, because we observe at the same
time undeniable signs of the subject's hypnotic condition ;
but the subject's eyes should not, under any pretext,
be bandaged with a handkerchief or napkin, for these
bandages sometimes allow the subject to see within a
certain range and lead to useless and fruitless discus-
sions; it would be better in that case to work without
any bandage and to take other precautions.
We can then commence the experiment, and we must
not lose sight of what is the end and import of it, namely,
to demonstrate that the sensibility of the subject is pro-
jected and transferred to the water in the glass, so that if
any action whatever is exercised on the water in this glass,
the subject will experience sensations corresponding to that
action. We know very well that if we suggest to a subject
in a somnambulistic state any sensation whatever, he
will experience this sensation; we can suggest a pain to
a subject, as we can take it away by suggestion ; we can
suggest to a subject a sensation of pricking or burning, of
heat or cold, but this is not the question here. We insist
on this point, because, on the one hand, certain experi-
menters fall into the mistake of making suggestions ;
and, on the other hand, suggestion, voluntary or in-
voluntary, is the great objection raised by those who
598 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
wish to deny the reality of the phenomenon of externaUsa-
tion of sensibility.
In order to conduct the experiment properly, we must
therefore avoid all direct suggestion ; for this purpose
the witnesses of the experiment require to be silent and
motionless, and they should direct their attention solely
to what is happening under their eyes. The experimenter
should himself assign to the witnesses the places they
should occupy, in such a way that they can easily see the
slightest movements of the subject, as well as all that is
done by the operator ; but he must not place them too
near the subject or allow them to approach him, because
here, as in all experiments made in hypnotic states, the
subject is affected by influences from another person near
to him, which may alter his condition and prejudice the
success of the experiments.
The operator will himself make the experiments in
perfect silence. It is quite easy to recognise the cutaneous
ana3sthesia of the subject by pinching or pricking the skin
with a needle at different parts. He must not forget that
certain subjects have, at all times, even in a waking state,
more or less extensive zones of cutaneous anaesthesia.
The sensibility of the subject must therefore be tested at
several diff'erent parts of the body, some distance apart, if
the cutaneous sensibility has not been tested before the
experiment, and the parts where it is intact ascertained.
During all these tests, as during those which follow, the
subject's face must be attentively watched, because it is
well to notice the exact moment when the sensation is
perceived, as shown by a slight contraction of the features,
before even he has time to report it by speech.
In addition to suggestion, Avhich might have arisen
from the experimenter or those present having thought-
lessly mentioned beforehand in the subject's presence the
test which is being applied, there may also be produced
in the subject auto-suggestions which will cause him to
experience sensations similar to those that are the sub-
ject of the experiment but without externalisation of the
sensibility really taking place.
METHOD OF EXPERIMENTATION 599
In order to avoid these auto-suggestions, care must
be taken not to speak before the subject, whether in the
waking or sleeping state, of the nature of the experiments
to be performed. His consent must simply have been
obtained to an experiment while he is in a hypnotic state,
and the subject, who should have entire confidence in the
operator, should not ask for further explanations, knowing
that they might be detrimental to success.
We have supposed in this experiment that the sensi-
bility of the subject has been transferred to the glass
of water, consequently the principal and most interesting
point of the experiment is to ascertain if the phenomenon
has occurred. In order to do this the point of the pin is
slightly pressed into the surface of the liquid ; if the exter-
nalisation really exists the face of the subject will imme-
diately show signs of pain, sometimes also a shrinking
movement of the arms is noticed, a spontaneous and
natural movement when pricking is felt. Sometimes the
subject will speak of this sensation, either of his own accord
or in answer to questions.
If the phenomenon occurs thus, it may be objected
that this was simulation or auto-suggestion on the part
of the subject. We shall see by what experiments we can
answer these objections.
The objection of simulation can only be made in two
cases : —
1. If we have neglected to make an accurate diagnosis
of the hypnotic state in which the subject is, and to verify,
before the witnesses of the experiment, the undeniable
signs, impossible to imitate, which are characteristic of
this state ;
2. If we have to do with persons who have not the
most elementary notions of hypnology.
It lies ^vith us to avoid the first case, and it is an
elementary duty for the experimenter to make a diag-
nosis of the subject's condition. On the second supposi-
tion we would advise those who wish to take part in the
supervision of psychical phenomena to begin by learning
hypnology.
600 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
The objection of simulation has therefore no value,
and, moreover, we shall see that it would also be reduced
to nothing by the same means of control by which auto-
suggestion is eliminated.
The subject holds the glass of water between his hands,
and we find that he experiences a pricking sensation when
we press the point of the needle into the water.
As we know that there is often considerable hyper-
sesthesia of the organs of sense in subjects in a hypnotic
state, it might be said that the subject hears the move-
ment of the hand which is raised and loAvered in order to
press the needle into the water. There is a very simple
means of ascertaining this.
Exactly the same gesture is made, with the pin in the
hand, around the glass of water; if it is noticed that
the subject expresses the sensation only when we prick
the water with the pin, we can no longer say that there is
an auto-suggestion due to hearing the movement, because
the latter is exactly the same in both cases. But it may
still be said that the subject saw the movement of the
hand through the eyelids and the bandages.
We will reply to this objection in the following
manner. After the subject has submitted to several tests
with the glass of water, if the sensibility is thoroughly
projected, it is no longer necessary for him to hold the
glass of water in his hands ; we can take it from him,
another person can hold it, we can place it on a table,
and if we do not remove it too far the phenomenon is
produced in the same manner. We then place the glass
of water on the table behind the chair in which the sub-
ject is seated : the operator again makes the gesture of
pricking, either around the glass or over it, but without
touching the surface of the water, and from time to time
by the same movement he will bring the needle doAvn to
the water.
If, in these conditions, the subject again expresses
sensation when the needle touches the water and absolutely
nothing in the other cases, it must necessarily be con-
cluded that there is a connection between the contact of
METHOD OF EXPERIMENTATION 601
the water with the pm and the sensation perceived. It is
absohitely impossible for the subject to see, by this arreaige-
ment, what happens behind him ; it is also impossible for
him to hear a difference in movement when the hand hold-
ing the pin is raised or lowered around the glass, whether
the pin penetrates the water or whether it remains clear of
the surface.
Lastly, we have to examine the objection which con-
sists of explaining the phenomenon of the externalisa-
tion of sensibility by mental suggestion. This objection
seems, it is true, capable of explaining all the phenomena
and to be a very embarrassing one. Nevertheless, it is
not impossible for us to reply to it. This objection can
only come from persons havmg some knowledge of
hypnotic and psychical phenomena, and it is much easier
to reply by some decisive facts to persons who know
something than to the ignorant. When the experimenter
pricks the water with a pin, either in front of or behind
the subject, there is the possibility of an involuntary
mental suggestion on his part ; if the same action is per-
formed by an assistant or by some person, other than the
experimenter himself, there is still possibility of a mental
transmission, because the subject may receive a sugges-
tion from any person who has knowledge of the action
which should influence him.
We have two methods of avoiding this objection. The
first consists in using a small automatic apparatus to press
the pin into the water ; this sets in motion a lever which
supports the point, without either the experimenter or any
one present being able to know the time when the contact
takes place. The experimenter meanwhile confines him-
self to recording with the same apparatus the precise
moment when the subject experiences the sensation. It is
sufficient, then, to ascertain if the two events have taken
place simultaneously.
We can again use the phenomenon of delay of sensa-
tion in the subject, which occurs when this sensation
comes to him through several organisms. For this pur-
pose we form a chain of three, four, or five persons; the
602
PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
one Avho is at the extreme end holds the subject's hand,
the person at the other extremity holds the glass of water.
The persons who form the chain do not see either when
the needle is plunged into the water or the time when the
subject experiences the sensation. There is then evidenced
a delay in the sensation, proportionate to the number of
persons who form the chain. If mental suggestion had
been the cause of the phenomenon, it would have been as
rapid in this case as when the subject held the glass of
water himself.
When we have made all these experiments with the
precautions indicated, we have demonstrated the reality
of the phenomenon of projection of sensibility. We can
then vary the experiment in different ways: by trying,
for example, if the sensibility at different points of the
subject's body is externalised in the same degree, or by
transferring this sensibility to other persons or to different
objects, and noting the substances which appear most
favourable to the phenomenon. All this can be done by
conforming in a general way to the same rules.
It now remains for us to see what special precautions
are to be taken in order that the subject may not suffer
any pain or annoyance from the experiments to which he
submits.
The hypnotic state demands particular precautions
which will be the object of special study in the following
chapter ; we will not, therefore, now speak of the general
rules which are common to all deep hypnotic states.
We do not know exactly what happens in the sensa-
tions experienced by the subject in these conditions, but
we ought to act as though the sensations which he experi-
ences by the intermediary of the sensitised object were as
strong as those which he would have experienced if the
action had been performed directly on him, and as though
this projected sensibility could produce the same general
reactions as the direct excitation of his organism. We
should therefore never make too violent tests; this is
also why the experimenter should always make the
tests himself. Among those present at an experiment
METHOD OF EXPERIMENTATION 603
there are always some sceptics, and sceptics so illogical
that they always wish to force the experiment under the
pretext of seeing what the subject will do. Prudence is
therefore indispensable, particularly when we wish to
make some fresh test.
In addition to violent tests which we ought to avoid,
there are also some which have a special action on the
subject, because of the hypnotic state in which he is.
We know, in fact, that certain actions, insignificant in the
case of a subject in a waking state, cause violent reactions
in a hypnotised subject. In the present case experience
has shown that if, after havmg transferred the sensibility of
a subject into a vase containing a saturated saline solu-
tion, we cause the liquid to crystallise, the subject may be
thrown into a cataleptic state. We therefore take special
precautions, in view of the possibility of this phenomenon,
when we make experiments of this character.
When we have transferred the sensibility of a sub-
ject into a glass of water, if we absorb a portion of this
water by a sponge, the experiment demonstrates that the
subject seems to experience very pronounced suffering.
This experiment must therefore always be conducted
with many precautions : care must be taken, as long as it
continues, to watch the subject carefully, and it is ex-
pedient not to prolong it unduly. Further, observation
leads us to believe that abrupt movements or transforma-
tions in the liquid to which the sensibility of the sub-
ject has been transferred, such as the upsetting of the
liquid, certain chemical combinations, boiling, &c., may
produce in the subject violent sensations or more or less
dangerous crises. The conclusion, therefore, is that much
prudence should be brought to bear on this class of
experiment.
After the experiments, danger may consist either in
certain objects remaining in relation with the sensibi-
lity of the subject, who in consequence may be exposed
to injuries ; or it may be that the subject has retained in
himself, independently of the objects, disturbances of his
normal sensibility. To avoid these two drawbacks it is
604 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
necessary, first of all, after each part of the experiment,
to liberate the sensibility of the subject from every object
which may have received it ; and, in the second place,
before ending the seance to bring the subject completely
back to his normal sensibility. These two results are
surely and easily obtained by means of suggestions, and it
is well to add the suggestion that he should forget all the
modifications of sensibility which have been produced
during sleep.
EXTERNALISATION OF FORCE
We now come to some rarer psychical phenomena, the
conditions of which are yet little known, and consequently
difficult to obtain. These experiments must be divided
into two groups which have absolutely different aims : the
first has for its object simply to demonstrate the existence
of psychic force ; others endeavour to determme what are
the different phenomena that this force can produce, and
what are the conditions in which these phenomena can
take place with the greatest intensity.
The experiments of the first category are very easily
carried out; they are simple, but they are also very
limited. In order to demonstrate the existence of psychic
force, we simply need a special instrument. In order that
these experiments may be of value it is necessary that
this instrument should contain any magnetised needle or
induction bobbin of solenoid of any description, or any
\y part that can receive an electric current, or that contains
in itself a current which can be modified by the electricity
J which is developed in all living organism ; and those con-
^^ ditions are realised in the sthenometer. When we have
thus an instrument which cannot be influenced by elec-
tricity, light, or heat, we have only to guard it from the
air and from any tremors which might be communicated
to it.
For experiments of the second category, the difficulties
are much greater. Here we have to investigate the pheno-
mena that can be produced through certain subjects en-
METHOD OF EXPERIMENTATION 605
dowed with absolutely abnormal faculties, either a psychical
force of very considerable intensity, or simply a very great
facility in projecting and directing these forces.
The conditions of these phenomena are all the more
difficult to define, because if they have been sometimes
methodically observed, in the greater number of cases,
they have presented themselves in a fortuitous manner
and amid surroundings unfavourable for scientific ob-
servation. We are therefore reduced to act in an
almost empirical manner, and to reproduce as exactly
as possible the conditions in which these phenomena
have been obtained.
We know, in the first place, that the presence of a
medium is necessary — that is to say, from our point of
view, a subject capable of being placed in an active
mediumistic state. Sometimes, it is true, experiments
are undertaken without making choice of a medium
beforehand. If we obtain some results under these con-
ditions, it is really because there is a medium among
the experimenters.
It is necessary that there should not be a very large
number of experimenters; four or five persons seem to
give the best conditions ; we may go up to eight as the
maximum. This maximum figure ought to include all
persons present at the experiment, whether they take
direct part in it or remain as simple spectators. It is
evident that it is necessary to eliminate rigorously every
person who does not wish to undertake a serious scien-
tific observation of the phenomena, or who refuses to
submit to the conditions of the experiment, such persons,
for example, as only regard them as a pastime and who
would be disposed to turn them into a joke.
The experimenters ought, as far as possible, to be in a
sparsely furnished, closed room, moderately illuminated.
They must then place themselves round a small table,
about which they can all sit ; and they should either place
their hands open and flat on the edge of the table, or
form a chain, by holding each other's hands without
touching the table in the midst of them.
606 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
It may be asked why we need this table, which must
make the experiment look like a farce or anything rather
than a scientific experiment.
We reply that we confine ourselves to describing the
arrangement in which the phenomena are most frequently
manifested ; that, wishing to reproduce these phenomena,
we cannot do better, in order to have every chance of
success, than to place ourselves in the same conditions ;
that it is precisely because we place ourselves above all
prejudices, and accept indifferently all objects, whatever
they may be, which are presented to us as favourable to
the end in view, that, up to the present, we have found
nothing better than the table, but we should be ready to
substitute any other object which could be proved to
have contributed to the manifestation of the phenomena.
Moreover, since the majority of mediums, whom we are
compelled to take as they are, usually make use of a
table, the table may be useful to fix and maintain their
attention, and thus to put them in the frame of mind
most favourable to the manifestation of their faculties.
Although the phenomena are produced around the
medium, most frequently in an unexpected manner, and
by means of all sorts of objects, it very frequently happens
that it is by means of the table that the first effects of
the psychic force are manifested.
These reasons are sufiicient, until we are more certain
as to the laws which govern these phenomena, to cause
us to adopt the rules previously followed by other ex-
perimenters. A part of the psychic force employed for
the manifestation of the phenomena seems to emanate
from the whole of the experimenters — this force seems to
require to be, as far as possible, equalised, and that is why
we advise, in the arrangement of the experimenters, that
the two sexes should be alternated, or rather the sensitives
alternated with those who are less sensitive.
It may happen that the medium, when he is laiown,
gives some indications as to the arrangements to be made
for the experiment, or asks for some alteration in the
arrangements already made. We should, as far as pos-
METHOD OF EXPERIMENTATION 607
sible, accede to such indications, provided that they do not
interfere with scientific observation and place no obstacle
in the way of the control.
The seance ought to be directed by a person chosen
as having the greatest authority and competence in this
class of experiment. This director should have entire
charge of the order and nature of the experiments, as well
as of all the methods of control to be employed ; in fact,
it is on the certainty and rigour of his scientific observa-
tion that the value of the results which may be obtained
will depend. The other experimenters ought then to
submit themselves to all the arrangements judged to be
useful by the director, whose authority should extend to
the slightest details of the experiment.
It is well as a rule to demand silence during the
experiments ; however, as the period of waiting may be
rather long, we can, in certain cases, tolerate a serious
and calm conversation among the experimenters, but they
should particularly avoid prejudging or discussing in any
way the phenomena which they are expecting; the con-
versation should therefore turn on some other subject.
Moreover, in this class of experiments, patience is abso-
lutely indispensable in the experimenters, the phenomena
sometimes being very long in making their appearance ;
therefore, the director of the seance should sustain the
attention of the experimenters and encourage them to
wait patiently.
It may be that we are working with a medium chosen
beforehand ; or that a group of experimenters has simply
met in the hope of finding among them the necessary
medium.
In this latter case, the director of the seance, by atten-
tively observing all the experimenters, should look out
for symptoms which may indicate that one of them is a
medium.
When he has discovered him, he will endeavour to
study him, without however making him known to the
other experimenters, because it is often useful, at least at
the commencement, that the subject himself should be
608
PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
ignorant as long as possible of the influence he exercises
on the phenomena obtained.
It is better only to make use of one medium at a time,
in order not to mix or impede the phenomena which take
place or the forces which are brought into play. Also
when we discover several mediums among the experi-
menters, it is necessary to make some pretext for dividing
the experiments, and to admit to each seance only one
medium at a time.
When we have discovered the subject who is to act as
medium, it is not necessary to persist in seeking to obtain
a particular class of phenomena. We must at first ask
nothing from him, and leave him alone, contenting our-
selves with observing and waiting for the phenomena
which may be manifested. If the subject shows a ten-
dency to lend himself to certain classes of experiments,
or the desire to see certain manifestations produced, we
must not oppose him, because, most frequently, he will
thus show the special faculties which he possesses.
After the discovery of the medium, the most important
thing to be ascertained is the class of phenomena which he
is capable of producing. Once the capacities of the subject
are established, we can indirectly suggest the various pheno-
mena of this class that we may desire to observe.
We must endeavour before all else to obtain clear and
precise facts ; then, by the supervision to which we submit
these phenomena, we can assure ourselves that they are
really produced by a psychic force; that is to say, by a
force other than the known physical forces — in short, that
the}'' cannot be attributed to any trickery on the part of
the subject.
In a previous chapter we have studied the difli'erent
classes of fraud on the part of subjects with which we may
have to deal, we have therefore no need to return to this
point here. We need only repeat that if we believe we
perceive any trickery we should not be in a hurry to
unmask it, and at once to confound the subject, as a less
experienced observer would do who was ignorant of what
a subject is and what psychical phenomena are. We
METHOD OF EXPERIMENTATION 609
must only watch the medium more carefully, and, if we
see that the fraud is voluntary and constant, abandon this
subject as being unable to serve for serious experiments
and seek for another; if, on the contrary, we see that
the fraud is involuntary and only passing, there is no
reason to part with the medium ; it is sufficient to bring
more attention and patience to bear on the observation
of the phenomena. It is in this case particularly that
we shall find great advantage in the use of registration
apparatus and the most delicate instruments, with which
we shall easily distinguish doubtful results from those
which may be conclusive.
Finally, we must know how to limit very definitely the
compass of the experiments which we undertake. In the
present condition of our knowledge what we have to estab-
lish scientifically is : —
(1) If the medium is able, in certain conditions, to
produce authentic psychical phenomena.
(2) What are the phenomena Avhich this medium can
produce ?
(3) What are the conditions in which we can observe
these phenomena ?
By conducting experiments in this way, and confining
ourselves to drawing these conclusions, they will have an
indisputable scientific value, and will be of unquestionable
utility in advancing our knowledge.
2q
CHAPTER XL
method of experimenting
Geneeal Rules
We have studied up to now the different categories into
which we can divide all psychical phenomena; it would
therefore appear that our task is at an end. It seems to
us, however, that our study of the method of experiment-
ing on psychical phenomena ought to be completed by
a final chapter. In fact, we have found that some experi-
menters are hindered in their studies by the vague fear
of what would happen to their subjects from experiments
of this class. On the other hand, many persons who would
be very good subjects, mediums even, are afraid to lend
themselves to these experiments, under the pretext that
they are often dangerous, or, at least, unfavourable to their
health.
We have now to examine what foundation there is
for these fears, and to study the real or even imaginary
dangers which are feared by the subjects and experi-
menters.
The best things, if badly done, present certain disad-
vantages. There is not an exercise, recommended on the
score of health, such as gymnastics, cycling, or any other,
in which we may not hurt ourselves if we go to Avork
imprudently or without experience. Even a simple bath,
however necessary to health, may make us ill if we do
not observe the well-known rules with regard to tempera-
ture, digestion, ^kc.
It is the same with hypnotism : badly done, it presents
disadvantages and dangers ; well done, it is much less
dangerous than a simple ride in a carriage or on a bicycle.
We consider hypnotism here because we believe that
METHOD OF EXrERIMENTING 611
the mediumistic states, and, in general, all the states in
which ps3'chical phenomena are produced, are varieties
of the hypnotic conditions, and to those who dispute this
opinion we say that, at least from the psychological point
of view, they can be compared with them.
We will divide our subject methodically, and examine
in order : —
(1) The immediate dangers to the subject which may
result from hypnotic sleep.
(2) The more remote dangers to the subject, resulting
from hypnotic sleep.
(3) The dangers that are not due to hypnotic sleep
itself, but to suggestions.
(4) The dangers which may exist the hypnotiser.
(5) The rules to be followed in order to avoid all the
inconveniences or dangers which may exist.
hninediate dangers to the subject resulting from
hypnotic sleep. — It is evidently only a question here as
to hypnotic states which are so deep that the subject is
put to sleep ; because in the lighter states, such as waking
somnambulism, as also in the case of suggestions made in
the waking state, there is no real cause for apprehension
on the part of either subjects or experimenters.
The first objection often made by subjects whom it is
proposed to send to sleep is : "I fear that I shall not be
able to wake up again." Whence comes this fear ? Does
it rest on any serious foundation ? It is not the sleep in
itself that provokes this fear, because no one ever thinks
of not going to sleep at night for fear of not waking up the
next morning. It therefore arises from the fact that the
hypnotic sleep is an induced sleep, and the general public
assimilate this provoked sleep with another induced sleep,
but a very different one, of which they have also heard,
namely, that produced by chloroform.
The chloroform sleep is dangerous, and a large number
of accidents have been known to arise from this anoDsthetic
agent. The chloroform sleep, like that due to opium,
morphia, chloral, &c., is nothing else than a real poisoning.
Chloroform acts on the brain, lungs, and heart, and if the
612 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
action produced on one of these organs is too strong,
poisoning supervenes.
It is quite different with hypnotic sleep. Hypnotism
introduces no poison into the organism, and cannot there-
fore exert an injurious action on any organ. Hypnotic sleep,
from the physiological point of view, is exactly similar to
natural sleep, and is just as little liable to cause any
accident. One may die in bed as one may at table, or
when out walking, or in a chair ; but one always dies from
an illness or an accident ; never from sleep, whether natural
or hypnotic.
It is sometimes also feared that hypnotic experiments
may produce convulsive attacks. It is certain that a large
number of subjects in whom hypnotic phenomena are
easily obtained are hysterical persons. Those subjects
who are accustomed to have nervous attacks under all
circumstances and at all times of the day may also have
them during hypnotic experiments. Further, as most
frequently these attacks come on under the influence of
emotion or vexation, if hypnotic experiments excite or
disturb them, they may bring on nervous attacks. But
it must not be forgotten that the best remedy for con-
vulsive fits is the hypnotic treatment. Hypnosis is the
true process for the cure of the nervous attacks, because
it is the only treatment by which we can fight them in
their origin and in their causes. It is also the best means
by which we can master and stop the convulsions them-
selves at the moment of their appearance-
There is therefore no occasion to fear that any nervous
convulsions whatever are produced by hypnotic experi-
ments. If the subject has a disposition to such con-
vulsions, not only can they be arrested, but they can
be cured by this very means of hypnosis, provided one
knows how to use it.
Dreams or attacks of delirium may be produced during
hypnotic sleep, sometimes accompanied by hallucinations,
in which the subject sees persons who may be either
sympathetic or disagreeable to him ; sometimes a vague
remembrance of these hallucinations persists after the
METHOD OF EXPERIMENTING 613
waking. It will be sufficient for us to say that this
delirium and these hallucinations ought to be regarded
as of the same nature as nervous fits, of which they are
only a modification. The hypnotiser ought therefore to
stop them and drive them away by the same procedure
by which he combats the convulsive attacks.
Can hypnotic sleep be prolonged beyond the will of the
hypnotiser, and may he experience any difficulty in Avaking
up the sleeping subject? This is the fear expressed by
some experimenters, but it is more chimerical than real.
If the sleep thus prolonged were a lethargic or cataleptic
fit, it would come within the category of nervous convul-
sions of which we have previously spoken, and it can and
ought to be efficaciously fought by hypnotic suggestion.
If not, the hypnotiser Avould have to be one of small
experience and forgetful of the most elementary rules of
hypnotic practice, if he experienced any difficulty in
awaking his subject; and, even in this case, if an ex-
perienced hypnotiser were present, he would always be
able to restore the subject to his normal state.
It is also advisable, in order to reassure certain people
who fabricate imaginary dangers, to remind them of the
laws which govern the memory in the hypnotic states.
The fundamental law is this: in the waking state the
remembrance of what has passed in the deep hypnotic
states does not exist ; but in the deep hypnotic states the
subject preserves the memory of what has happened both
in the waking and in the corresponding hypnotic condi-
tions. We have not to concern ourselves here with the
special laws which govern the memory in the different
hypnotic states as related one to another ; the general
law is sufficient to show that hypnosis does not in any way
enfeeble the normal memory. The hypnotic condition
passes like a dream, or even like a beneficial sleep, with-
out exercising the slightest injurious action on any of the
intellectual faculties.
Some subjects, after having been hypnotised, complain
of fatigue or of pain in the head. This may arise from
several causes : most frequently it is because the subject
614 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
himself licas resisted the sleep ; he has therefore had a
struggle Avith the hypnotiser, and it is this effort that has
made him tired and caused him to suffer. In other cases it
is because the hypnotiser has tried to go too fast, and has
not exercised sufficient gentleness and moderation in send-
ing the subject to sleep ; he can avoid this inconvenience
by following a little more patiently the rules we shall give
further on. Nor should the operator forget that the resist-
ance of the subject is sometimes unconscious ; it is for him
to recognise this and to employ indirect means to over-
come it without causing the subject to become needlessly
fatigued.
Dangers to the Subject, stvbsequent to Hypnotic Sleep
We have now to examine the possible dangers to the
subject, after the hypnotic sleep is over.
We find here again the same prejudice, which causes
the fear that the employment of hypnotism may bring on
convulsive fits or lead to an aggravation of the hysteria. It
is indeed difficult to understand how such a fear can arise in
the mind of any one who sees the state of calm, comfort,
and peaceable repose peculiar to hypnotic sleep. But
it must also be remarked that the majority of those who
express this fear have never seen people seriously hypno-
tised, and are quite ignorant as to what scientific hypnotism
is. Therefore, the whole of their reasoning is only based
on a fantastic idea of hypnotism due to their imagination.
We must repeat here what we have already said
before : it is certain that many hypnotic experiments are
made with hysterical subjects. Such persons are often
subject to convulsions, Avhicli seize them unexpectedly
under the influence of many different causes — annoyances,
fears, digestive trouble, &c. It may therefore happen
with these sufferers that a convulsive fit may come on at
a longer or shorter period after a hypnotic seance ; but
that is no reason for saying that this fit is the result of
being hypnotised, any more than if it occurred after a
walk it Avould be correct to ascribe it to the exercise.
METHOD OF EXPERIMENTING 615
We have admiulcd that these attacks, broiii^dit on by
an accidental cause, quite apart from hypnotism, may by
chance happen after a hypnotic seance ; well, even that is
going too far, and we must hasten to add a correction.
This coincidence can, in fact, only occur after the first
stances, and if the hypnotiser has not yet secured sufficient
influence over his subject. In fact, if the hypnotising is pro-
perly carried out, whether by a doctor or by an experienced
hypnotiser, a few seances will be sufficient to stop these
fits and prevent their return. For hypnotism and hypnotic
suggestion are the best treatment for neurotic trouble and
for the nervous or convulsive attacks which arise from
them.
It is superfluous, after what has been said, to add any-
thing on the subject of the fear, sometimes expressed, that
hypnosis will aggravate hysteria, since the hypnotic treat-
ment is the rational one for hysteria. Hypnotism employed
in an experimental manner does not prevent the making
of suggestions appropriate to the treatment of the malady ;
it can therefore only be useful to the subject in every way,
and never injurious.
There may sometimes occur after hypnotic sleep hallu-
cinations which arise from two different causes. Either
this hallucination is only the return and the reproduction
of a hallucination which occurred during the hypnotic
sleep ; or else it is the result of fortuitous or involuntary
suggestion made during hypnosis. In either case it is
difficult to admit that such hallucinations can have any
serious consequences. But we would, and can, avoid even
the least discomforts which might result from hypnotic
experiments. That is easily done ; for hallucinations are
produced during the course of hypnotic sleep. We can
cause them to vanish immediately by a contrary sugges-
tion ; further, we can prevent their future return by a
preventive suggestion. In the second place, by keeping a
strict watch upon everything that might produce sugges-
tions during hypnosis, we can easily avoid producing
them ; we must also not forget that accidental sugges-
tions may be made apart from ourselves, whether by
616 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
witnesses of the experiment or by circumstances that
might produce auto-suggestions on the part of the subject,
and we shall be able to prevent them by making the sub-
ject impervious to them by a positive suggestion.
One of the principal objections which many persons
make to hypnotic experiments is that, by thus accustom-
ing the subject to being hypnotised, we may develop in
him a sensitiveness to hypnotic influence, so that in the
future he may be hypnotised too easily. This question
deserves to be considered from two points of view.
The subjects with whom experiments in the deeper
states of hypnosis can be successfully carried out, and
the only ones with whom we are now concerned, must be
classed in two categories : those who are very easily
hypnotised, who at once, from the first seances, fall into
deep hypnotic states, and are consequently strongly open
to suggestion ; and those who reach this condition after a
certain training. With regard to the first class, Ave must
not ascribe the facility with which they are hypnotised
to the seances regularly held, whether experimental or
therapeutic, since they possess this sensibility beforehand.
Training can only regulate it, limit it, and protect them
from the inconveniences to which they might be exposed
through it. With regard to the second class, since this
sensibility is developed by the hypnotiser himself, it will
be very easy for him to direct it properly and to make use
of it in order to give the useful and preventive suggestions
of Avhich we shall presently speak.
The examination of what might be feared from the
development of hypnotic sensibility will indicate at the
same time the means for remedying it.
The first thing that might be feared from hypnotic
training is that it renders the subject easily hypnotised by
any person ; this, however, Avould only be harmful if the
subject could be hypnotised at any time against his will.
In this case the subject will be afraid of being placed at
the mercy of any hypnotiser, and the dangers which may
result from this circumstance may be ranged under four
heads : —
METHOD OF EXPERIMENTING 617
1. The abuse that the hypnotiser may make of the
state of sleep in which the subject is placed to injure him
in any way,
2. The suggestions that he may impose on him and
which may lead to culpable actions.
3. The simple impulses that he can give to the ideas
and actions of the subject, and which are not in accord-
ance with his own wishes and intentions.
4. A certam tendency to accept the will of the
hypnotiser, resulting from the habit of receiving sug-
gestions, which place the subject, even in the waking
state, in a condition of comparative dependence, and
which would be painful to him if the hypnotiser did not
completely possess his confidence and sympathy.^
The second thing that might be feared from hypnotic
training is the spontaneous involuntary sleep, produced
by the sight of brilliant objects, lights, flames, metallic
articles or crystals.
These attacks of sleep may have two disadvantages : —
(1) If produced unexpectedly in certain circumstances
they may cause accidents.
(2) The fit of sleep may be prolonged for some time if
an experienced hypnotiser is not at hand to dissipate it.
We shall see that all these objections and fears, in
themselves very legitimate, fall to the ground of them-
selves. In fact, the hypnotiser who trains a subject will
not fail to protect him from all harm by two preventive
suggestions which he will give him in any case, and
particularly in proportion as his hypnotic sensitiveness
develops. These suggestions consist : —
1. In forbidding him to allow himself to be hypnotised
by any hypnotiser or suggester, except the hypnotiser
himself or some other person specially designated by him
to do so.
1 All this, however, enters into the question of the relation between
hypnotism and jurisprudence, a question which we discussed in detail at
the Neurological Congress at Brussels in 1897, and at the International
Congress on Hj'pnotism at Paris in 1900. See the Proceedings of each
Congress.
618 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
This restriction specially refers to the therapeutic use
of hypnotism ; in fact, the doctor who treats a patient by
hypnotism, although it is his duty to protect him from all
the dangers of which we speak, ought not to expose him to
the deprivation of the benefits of hypnotic treatment, if
an accidental circumstance prevents him from applying it
himself. This is why he makes the preventive suggestion,
reserving to himself the possibility of naming a successor
or a substitute.
2. The second preventive suggestion consists in pro-
hibiting him from allowing himself to be sent to sleep by
any object that is not directly employed by the hypnotiser
himself for the purpose of inducing hypnosis.
Thus, therefore, when this elementary precaution is
taken, and it ought always to be taken, whether in thera-
peutical or in experimental hypnotism, there remain
absolutely no dangers or fears which can be raised as
objections to the development of hypnotic sensitiveness.
I will even go further and say that this proves that
hypnotism is essentially useful because it is necessary
to the whole class of subjects of which we have been
speaking, who exhibit great and spontaneous hypnotic
sensitiveness, and no one can know in advance whether
he does not come within this category. These subjects
who, by their peculiar nature, may be suddenly exposed
to the dangers we have enumerated are definitely pro-
tected by preventive suggestions made to them in the
course of hypnotic seances. If some subjects complain
that hypnotism produces in them agitation, nervous
excitement, insomnia, these objections will not detain us
long, because these phenomena only arise from the fear
which the subject has of hypnotism. This fear disappears
immediately when the subject has experienced for him-
self the calm and comfort which result from hypnosis,
and, moreover, all these momentary effects will rapidly
disappear under appropriate suggestions.
Sometimes subjects complain of pain in the head after
seances ; these pains arc produced when the subject resists
the hypnotiser and makes efforts, more or less conscious,
METHOD OF EXPERIMENTING 619
not to go to sleep ; the headache is due to the fatigue
arising from this struggle. This result is no longer pro-
duced when the subject gives himself up without resist-
ance. Moreover, as soon as a suggestionable condition is
produced, however slight, the hypnotiser should take
advantage of it to drive away the headache and prevent
its recurrence.
Bangers ivhich do not proceed from Sleep but from
Suggestion
We have first of all to consider auto-suggestion, which
may be divided into three categories.
The first is that of auto-suggestion, which may be
developed in the subject during sleep, in hypnotic ex-
periments. The hypnotiser can always very easily per-
ceive auto-suggestions of this kind and can easily stop
their development.
Independently of the experiments made by the hypno-
tiser, auto-suggestion may also be developed in the subject
either from experiences of an accidental sensation, or the
sight of an object which had caught his eyes before the
sleep.
In the third place, auto-suggestions may arise through
the prolongation of an idea existing previous to the sleep
and not confessed to the hypnotiser.
It is not always so easy for the hypnotiser to perceive
the development of these two last kinds of auto-sugges-
tion; and therefore he ought to be warned of their
possibility in order to watch for them and combat them.
Experimental suggestions ought always to be made
directly by the hypnotiser, and to be strictly limited to
the duration of the experiment. The majority ought to
be carried out under the eyes of the experimenter, and
he should be careful to neutralise them completely at the
close of the seance. However, in certain cases, one is led
by the experiments themselves to make suggestions, the
effect of which will be prolonged for some time after the
seance, or even may only bo realised some time afterwards.
620 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
In the last case, especially, the suggestion ought to be very
exactly defined, so that nothing can be added to the sug-
gestion that had been made, and that its effect may com-
pletely cease immediately the experiment is at an end.
When a doctor or a psychologist devotes himself to
hypnotic experiments, it is his duty to make use of the
power that he acquires and the sensibilit}^ developed, for
the good of the subject. He may therefore often have to
make suggestions to the subject, for a purpose which the
subject himself will indicate, or even which the hypnotiser
may propose, because he can see that they may be useful.
In the use of these suggestions, though very good in
themselves, there are two dangers to be avoided.
The subject, yielding to impressions or ill-considered
desires, is not always sufficiently rational to appreciate for
himself the import of the suggestions made to him. In
this case, which we may compare with simulation on his
part, he deceives the hypnotiser in order to induce him to
make a suggestion that is bad for him.
The psychologist ought to know how to find out the
real bent of the subject, he should act prudently and
Avithout going directly against the subject's wish ; he must
understand where his mistake lies, and lead him to desire
for himself the suggestion that is good for him.
In the second case, the subject is sincere and asks for a
suggestion that he really believes will be useful to him.
But the psychologist possesses a knowledge and an ex-
perience which enable him to see better and further than
the subject ; he knows all the importance and the conse-
quences of a suggestion, and, as he is invested with the
confidence of the subject, he ought to judge for himself if
what he asks for is really in his interest.
He must never forget in this case that a suggestion
that is very good in itself, at the moment when it is asked
for by the subject, may only be so temporarily ; the ideas
and feelings of the subject may change, the circumstances
may no longer be the same ; but the subject ought never
to have to regret the infiuoncc produced by a suggestion
that has been made to him, and the possibility must
METHOD OF EXPERIMENTING 621
therefore be foreseen that, although good at first, a sug-
gestion might afterwards become harmful to him. This
is easy to avoid by taking care, in all cases where there
may be the slightest doubt, to make only temporary and
conditional suggestions.
Precautions to be taken for the Hyi^notiser
We have so far considered the dangers and harm to
the subject which may arise from hypnotic experiments ;
these are the only ones of which we habitually think. It
is no less true that there may also be dangers to the
experimenter, and Ave must pass them rapidly in review.
We have seen at the commencement of this chapter
that no serious accident can result from the regular and
scientific use of hypnotism. But, unfortunately, un-
pleasant coincidences, although quite accidental, may pre-
sent themselves ; and it is just these coincidences that
very often cause the public to fear the most inoffensive
things and inconsiderately expose themselves to danger.
The majority of people, in fact, do not see very far, and
always think they find the cause of an event in the facts
which accompany it or immediately precede it. There-
fore, in the eyes of the public, the hypnotiser is respon-
sible for everything that happens during the hypnosis or
immediately after the experiments, even if these events
have nothing at all to do with hypnotism.
The hypnotiser ought therefore to foresee all that may
happen, and the apparent cause to which any accident may
be ascribed, and the most elementary prudence compels
him, if there is the least danger, to abstain from all
experiment and to refuse to hypnotise. So much for the
accidents which ignorance or prejudice may attribute to
the use of hypnotic sleep.
But there are more real inconveniences and annoyances
with Avhich he may with some reason be reproached.
First of all, there are hallucinations or unpleasant
dreams that may present themselves during hypnosis,
the recollection of which may persist after the awaking ;
622 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
even if the recollection of them is effaced, these hallucina-
tions may leave a painful impression, a sadness in the
subject's mind. He must avoid that at once by repressing
these hallucinations or at least by effacing their effects
before awakening the subject.
Another class of hallucinations which may be produced
during hypnosis, and against which he must guard, are
those by which the subject takes the persons present for
persons known to him, and the hypnotiser himself for
some one else. In general, these hallucinatory visions
cause the subject to see persons who arouse to some extent
his sympathy, or more frequently still, his antipathy ; so
that they are most frequently disagreeable to the subject.
These hallucinations must be foreseen and prevented
from developing, as soon as the first signs of them are
observed ; if any occur before they can be prevented, or
accidentally, the subject must at least be caused to forget
them on waking.
In the third place, there are ideas and feelings, not
hallucinatory, which may arise in the subject; whether
they relate to other persons or to the hypnotiser himself,
they may do harm if special care is not taken. This is a
very delicate point, demanding much tact and skill on the
part of the hypnotiser. He ought always to direct his
subject with gentleness and prudence, and by his general
bearing try to gain his confidence, at the same preserving
full authority over him.
Lastly, another danger may result for the hypnotiser
through the bad faith of the hypnotised subject ; whether
it be trickery or absolute simulation on the subject's part ;
or whether, impelled by motives which it is not always
easy to unravel, he makes use of the circumstances to
attempt blackmail, or simply to throw out calumnies or
malevolent insinuations with regard to the h3^pnotiser.
In order to avoid all annoyance the hypnotiser will always
have this possibility present in his mind ; he will always
have an absolute guarantee in all cases by never hypnotis-
ing except before witnesses, in case he has the slightest
doubt as to his subject.
:\IETHOD OF EXrERBIENTING 623
Rules that ought to he folloived in the Use of Hypnotism
and in Psychical Experiments
We have so far examined the ill-consequences and
dangers which may accompany experimental hypnotism ;
on the one hand, in order to learn how to avoid them, and
on the other, to reply to objections which may be raised.
It now remains for us to give the rules which every
experimenter ought to follow in making use of hypnotism,
by which he will at the same time avoid the ill-conse-
quences which we have set forth and obtain the most
satisfactory results from these experiments.
1. Before undertaking any experiment, he should study
his subject well from the physical and moral point of view.
In order to do this he must himself first of all gain all the
information he can, but never accept the same without
personal verification. By a serious and close examination
he should ascertain precisely his physiological or patho-
logical state. His psychical and moral state will also be
determined by several special tests.
2. He should put his subject to sleep gently, without
abruptness, by following a regular and well-determined
method, but not always the same method ; for he should
vary and select the method employed according to : (1)
The subject. (2) His condition. (3) The end which it is
desired to attain.
3. The preliminary examination of the subject will
enable him to foresee the attacks which may come on. At
the same time that he sends him to sleep and throughout
the whole of the experiment he will be careful to prevent
them from developing, by stopping them at the commence-
ment. If necessary, during the first seances, he must
frequently awaken the subject and put him to sleep again
several times over. After a few well-conducted seances,
the danger of the attacks will be entirely obviated, and no
further precaution will be needed.
4. Fatigue must also be prevented by suggestion ; not
that the fatigue can be the result of hypnosis, but it may
come through auto-suggestion. He will also dissipate by
624 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
suggestion any fatigue that may have existed before the
seance, and the auto-suggestion that fatigue may be pro-
duced can also be prevented. Agitation, or any discomfort,
and the headache which generally occurs as the result
of resistance, more or less conscious on the part of the
subject, can also be provided against, as well as dreams
and insomnia.
5. The seances should not be prolonged at the begin-
ning, but should instead be held frequently. If it is
desired to obtain important results in the experiments
undertaken, seances must, at first, be held regularly.
6. For the awakening, suggestion accompanied by slow
and moderate movements should be employed. When
the subject is well trained, the awakening may be rapid,
but it should never be sudden ; in all cases it will have
been prepared for by suggestions previously made to the
subject. When the deeper hypnotic states have been
reached by several successive stages, the return must be
made through the same phases.
7. The experimenter should provide against the very
acute suggestionability which may be developed in the
subject; for this purpose he must remain sole possessor
of the hypnotic power acquired over the subject. But
he must provide for the possibility of the subject being
compelled, in his own interests, to have recourse to another
hypnotiser ; he must reserve the power of designating very
precisely a substitute who can hypnotise and make sug-
gestions to the subject.
8. He should provide against auto-hypnotism of the
subject by circumstances similar to those which accom-
pany the experiment, and particularly against auto-
hypnotisms produced by the sight of a brilliant or
luminous object ; he should also prevent auto-suggestions
of any character which might subsequently be developed
in the subject.
9. In the majority of cases at the beginning, and
particularly with subjects of an hysterical tendency, he
should only send them to sleep in the presence of trust-
worthy witnesses.
METHOD OF EXPERIMENTING 625
10. He should never allow himself to make susfsrestions
outside of those made in view of the end desired by the
subject, or in his interests, and should always obtain his
consent beforehand to experimental suggestions.
11. He should find out as quickly as possible the
special faculties of the subject, and specially cultivate
in him the kind of experiment for which he is adapted.
He must not forget, in fact, that if he tries to develop
different faculties in the subject, this will generally be
detrimental to those which he spontaneously possesses.
12. There should be a regular gradation in the most
important and complex experiments. When it is noticed
that any experiment fatigues the subject, the fatigue
should be dispelled by suggestion before waking.
13. Always remember that the hypnotiser is the sole
judge of the experiments that he can make with his
subject, and the conditions in which they ought to be
carried out. Never, therefore, be influenced by the wishes
or by the doubts or objections of witnesses, who ought
never to be permitted to interfere in the experiments.
14. When experiments are concerned, bring a much
greater prudence to bear than in any other use of
hypnotism ; never depart from the general rules, and only
make experiments to which the subject consents.
15. Always act in such a manner that neither the
experiments nor the after effects can be injurious or
unpleasant to the subject. On the contrary, so manage
that the subject always gains some good from hypnotism.
16. Bear in mind the very great influence that the
suggestions may have on the life of the subject, on his
physical as well as on his moral state.
17. Whatever may be the circumstances, if the subject
is suffering, whether or not it is possible to cure him, he
can always be relieved. Whatever wishes the subject may
express, only consent to suggestions which may be useful
to him, and lead him to desire them. So arrange that
the subject can only desire real physical and moral good
from hypnotism and suggestion, and from all the experi-
ments made upon him.
2r
626 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
If these rules we have formulated are followed precisely
we think that no one, however strict he may be, can deny
that under these circumstances such experiments are quite
legitimate.
We hope, therefore, that in the last part of this study
we have dispelled certain prejudices by examining fear-
lessly and without reticence, all the objections which it
seemed to us could possibly be raised.
Investigators may thus go forward with their experi-
ments with greater security, and, at the same time, these
experiments, by being carried on with more rigorous and
scientific precision, will have a greater influence on the
development of our knowledge.
CHAPTER XLl
A GENERAL CONSIDERATION OF PSYCHICAL
PHENOMENA
Conclusion
Let us now consider the inferences resulting from the
facts which we have studied, and what conchisions may
be logically drawn from them.
We have been able to recognise the authenticity of
a certain number of facts of thought-transmission, of
telepathy. These phenomena demonstrate the possibility
of a mental communication from one mind to another,
outside the usual channels of our normal senses.
Related to this category of phenomena are abnormal
dreams, crystal-gazing, clairaudience, typtology, and auto-
matic writing.
Other facts prove to us the perception of certain
thoughts or knowledge which previously existed in an-
other mind, even at a comparatively distant period.
This phenomenon, which may be explained in various
ways, seems to prove that an indestructible impression
is left of every thought conceived by the mind.
The act of thinking would, therefore, appear to result
in the creation of an immaterial and permanent entity,
which survives, not only the act itself, but also the person
who has produced it, and which is able to produce in-
definite results and to be perceived under certain special
conditions.
This permanence of thought and of all mental activity
has moral consequences of the greatest importance, which
we shall study and expound in another work.
These phenomena of thought-transmission, telepathy
and perception of a mental act do not take place in a
normal state, but require special conditions, of which one
627 2 R 2
628
PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
of the principal is a peculiar state in the subjects, which
may be compared with hypnotic conditions.
Lucidity, of which we have seen examples of rigorously
demonstrated authenticity, proves to us that certain
subjects possess a peculiar faculty which enables them
to perceive a whole series of mental thought phenomena
and of material facts which are outside the range of their
normal senses. Further, by means of these perceptions,
which are very clear and trustworthy and which are not
disturbed by any extraneous influence, these subjects are
able to draw accurate deductions, which result from the
inflexible logical connection between facts. It therefore
follows that if no new element springs up outside the
anticipated facts arising from those already in process
of completion, the previsions of the subject are realised.
The lucidity of subjects is therefore variable, and all the
greater when they have been capable of foreseeing the
largest number of those elements which may influence
the order of events, and of drawing the logical conclusions.
Lucidity not only depends on a special faculty in
J certain subjects, but is only manifested in them when
they are in a particular condition allied to hypnotic
states.
Connected with the phenomenon of lucidity are crystal-
gazing, clairaudience, automatic writing, typtology, pre-
dictions, and somnambulistic visions.
With the externalisation of sensibility we arrive at
another order of phenomena. The human organism, by
projecting certain of its faculties, seems to have extensions
which go beyond the limits of the material body which
we perceive by our ordinary senses.
But is this faculty of perceiving sensations at a dis-
tance as extraordinary as it appeared at first, so much so
indeed that many serious minds for a long time refused to
believe it ?
Let us remark at the outset that the externalisation of
sensibility is only the momentary extension of the normal
faculty of touch.
\ To those Avho find it too extraordinary that the nervous
A GENERAL CONSIDERATION 629
papilla) of a sense organ should perceive at a distance the
sensation of impression by certain objects, I would remark
that they admit without doubt that the sense of smell
can be exercised at a distance, that the sense of hearing
perceives impressions of sound at a great distance from
the object producing it, that the sense of sight perceives
visual impressions at a still greater distance.
And if they reply that imperceptible particles of odori-
ferous bodies come directly in contact with the papilla? of
the olfactory nerve, that there are special vibratory waves
which directly cause vibrations in the auditory nerve or
strike on the retina; I will reply that there is nothing
to prove that there do not likewise exist special waves or
vibrations which emanate from all bodies, and which are
perceptible only to the sense of touch, and only then when
it is raised to a degree of special exaltation through a
certain hypnotic condition.
This hypothesis is the more admissible because we
do not know why certain slow vibrations impress the
auditory nerve and not the retina, whilst some more rapid
vibrations do not impress the auditory nerve but are
perceived by the retina. Do we not also know of some
vibrations which give neither sonorous nor luminous
impressions, and yet produce chemical effects? There
may, therefore, also be vibrations of another order which
are not perceived by any other means that we know, but
which may be perceived by the sense of touch m certain
special conditions.
The externalisation of sensibility leads us by analogy
to the externalisation of force, because here again it seems
that we observe an extension of certain faculties of the
organism beyond the limits of the material body.
The externalisation of force is observed first of all
by the action of the organism on the needle of the
sthenometer. It is manifested in the phenomena of
movement of objects without contact, levitation of objects
or of the medium, raps or knocks made at a distance, and
hauntings.
All these phenomena are only observed in the presence
630 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
of a subject endowed with special faculties — a medium,
and when the subject is placed in a condition other
than the normal one. Sometimes it is necessary for
the medium to receive the co-operation of other persons ;
he would appear to act as an accumulator of a force
which he himself possesses in a high degree, but Avhich
he is sometimes able to supplement by drawing from
other organisms, and which he condenses and then directs
himself.
Not only is this externalised force intimately connected
with the medium's presence, but it would appear that
the medium directs it himself by means of his corporeal
limbs. Thus we see the medium make movements which
absolutely synchronise with the displacements of objects
which are beyond his reach. This also explains why, if
we ask the medium to set an object in motion without
contact, we frequently see him advance his hands towards
the object as though he would take hold of it.
This movement has frequently led to the suspicion of
fraudulent intention on the part of the medium. It is
nothing of the sort, it is an automatic movement, per-
haps useful or even necessary, because it seems that the
medium exerts his externalised force by means of an
invisible member, which seems to be the prolongation of
his normal limb, or at any rate he directs this force by
the movement of his muscles. If the object to be dis-
placed is sufficiently distant to be beyond the reach of the
medium's hand, we may allow him freely to stretch out
his arm and extend his hand ; we shall thus see him put
the object in motion, though it was impossible for him to
touch it, and we shall lind that the displacements of this
object coincided exactly with the movements of his arm
and hand.
Darkness seems to bo a condition Avhich facilitates the
development of the externalised force. Many mediums
ask for darkness, or at least for a very faint light, and it
is noticeable that the greater the development of force
required by the phenomenon desired, the more complete
must be the darkness. This is also why the majority of
A GENERAL CONSIDERATION 631
mediums demand, in addition to the general darkness
of the room, the provision of an even darker cabinet,
which is formed by enclosing a corner of the room within
curtains.
In this cabinet, and in the still deeper shadow of these
curtains, are placed the articles which arc to serve for the
demonstration of the phenomenon. The medium remains
outside the curtain, consequently the greater darkness
of the cabinet cannot serve to conceal any fraud, but we
nearly always find that the manifestations of the force are
more energetic inside the cabinet, where no one is, than
outside, and if an object, originally placed in this cabinet,
comes out through the influence of the medium's force,
we see it move with greater difficulty when it is clear of
the curtain and is in a brighter light.
Modifications of matter are phenomena which are
manifested through certain mediums, at the same time
as the phenomena of motricity.
We cannot refuse to admit the existence of these
phenomena which have been witnessed : (1) A large
number of times ; (2) in conditions of absolute and rigor-
ously scientific control ; (3) by men whose authority and
scientific competence do not allow us to doubt the
veracity of their testimony.
These phenomena include the passing of certain solid
"^■Kcw bodies through other solid bodies.
K With regard to this phenomenon we must remember
that it was believed, even lately, that certain opaque bodies
cannot be traversed by luminous rays capable of project-
ing on a photographic plate the shadows of objects placed
behind them, and a fortiori we believed that our retina
could never perceive the objects placed behind these
opaque bodies. The discovery of the X-rays has de-
monstrated to us that our conception of matter, and in
particular of that property of bodies which we call
opacity, must be entirely modified. Our present ideas on
the impenetrability of matter may very probably one day
'be found to be quite erroneous and have to be similarly
modified.
632 PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA
We will also place in this category : —
1. Apparitions which leave material traces of their
presence.
2. Impressions obtained by certain mediums in wax,
clay, or putty.
3. The tactile sensation of invisible bodies perceived
by experimenters.
4. Partial or total materialisations.
5. Finally, the apparition of phantoms which can be
touched or photographed.
These phenomena depend not only on the presence of
the medium, but also on his will.
The medium knows the phenomena which he is going
to produce : he makes efforts to realise them : his efforts
synchronise with their realisation.
The phantoms produced by mediums possess force and
form.
With regard to the force, the medium, as in the pheno-
menon of the externalisation of motricity, accumulates and
condenses the force that he draAvs from the spectators along
with his own, and puts it into operation by his will.
He may be all the more aided by the group around
him if he feels between the different persons of the group
a sympathetic current which favourably influences him,
and if he finds in this circle other persons who are
endowed with a greater faculty of externalisation of
force ; and, finally, if the wish to assist in producing the
phenomena of externalisation is general in the circle.
With regard to the form, it depends both on the idea
in the medium's mind and the dominant idea among the
persons composing the circle.
Therefore the materialisation has more chances of
being complete, durable, and perfect, when the idea con-
ceived by tlie circle is perceived in one and the same
manner by all the members of the circle ; when it is
stronger, more precise, and more homogeneous in their
minds.
The medium is therefore more especially a collector
who gathers, concentrates, and condenses the thought of
A GENERAL CONSIDERATION 63.S
the persons surrounding him together with his own, which
thought probably plays a predominant part in the forma-
tion of the image.
While gomg as far as possible in the scientific study
and in the interpretation of the mechanism of these
phenomena, we ought to maintain, with regard to their
explanation and cause, that attitude of prudent reserve
which caused Pio Foa to say : —
" There are some superb humilities, and it has appeared to
certain thinkers that the word Ignorabimus ! was one of these.
This affirmation of a definite limit of our knoioledge seems
superb in its humility. We may prefer the word Ignoramus :
at all events it does not take away from us the hope, and with
that the poiver, of extending the domain of the knowable,
although from every discovery there arises the evidence of nevj
gaps in our knowledge, just as occurs with a body illuminated
on one side, ivhieh, in proportion as it becomes more volu-
minous throws also a larger cone of shadow. The Jacobin of ^
the old order cried out, ' With each step of scieiwe^God^^-^^'^^'*^^
recedes a step! If ^ God^ is the synthetic ^"^cpFession (and, , j ->j-(i
let us say, the author) of the cosmio^aw,~with each step
that science takes His domain extends and proves itself to be / ^"^-^"^
ever more clearly infinite." tfyij^
What we find, in fact, is that with every discovery we ■'
make the extent of our ignorance appears more clearly
before our eyes. Each time the light of science enables
us to clear up some obscure point of the unknown, we
see better the frailty of human theories and we under-
stand more clearly how feeble is the intelligence of man in
the presence of the Infinite.
^~r^
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