them. If we admit the spiritualistic theory, the discarnate spirits
which surround us on every side and which are separated from us by the
impenetrable and mysterious wall of death seek, in order to communicate
with us, the line of least resistance between the two worlds and find
it in the medium, without our knowing why, even as we do not know why
an electric current passes along copper wire and is stopped by glass or
porcelain. If, on the other hand, we admit the telepathic hypothesis,
which is the more probable, we observe that the thoughts, intentions
or suggestions transmitted are, in the majority of cases, not conveyed
from one subconscious intelligence to another. There is need of an
organism that is, at the same time, a receiver and a transmitter; and
this organism is found in the medium. Why? Once more, we know absolutely
nothing about it, even as we do not know why one body or combination of
bodies is sensitive to concentric waves in wireless telegraphy, while
another is not affected by it. We are here groping, as indeed we grope
almost everywhere, in the obscure domain of undisputed but inexplicable
facts. Those who care to possess more precise notions on the theory of
mediumism will do well to read the admirable address delivered by Sir
William Crookes, as president of the S.P.R., on the 29th of January 1897.
[3] The questions of fraud and imposture are naturally the first that
suggest themselves when we begin to study these phenomena. But the
slightest acquaintance with the life, habits and proceedings of the
three or four leading mediums is enough to remove even the faintest
shadow of suspicion. Of all the explanations conceivable, that one which
attributes everything to imposture and trickery is unquestionably the
most extraordinary and the least probable. Moreover, by reading Richard
Hodgson’s report entitled, _Observations of certain Phenomena of Trance_
(_Proceedings_, Vols. VIII. and XIII.) and also J. H. Hyslop’s report
(_Proceedings_, Vol. XVI.), we can observe the precautions taken, even
to the extent of employing special detectives, to make certain that Mrs.
Piper, for instance, was unable, normally and humanly speaking, to have
any knowledge of the facts which she revealed. I repeat, from the moment
that one enters upon this study, all suspicions are dispelled without
leaving a trace behind them; and we are soon convinced that the key to
the riddle must not be sought in imposture. All the manifestations of the
dumb, mysterious and oppressed personality that lies concealed in every
one of us have to undergo the same ordeal in their turn; and those which
relate to the divining-rod, to name no others, are at this moment passing
through the same crisis of incredulity. Less than fifty years ago, the
most of the hypnotic phenomena which are now scientifically classified
were likewise looked upon as fraudulent. It seems that man is loth to
admit that there lie within him many more things than he imagined.
[4] In this and other “communications,” I have quoted the actual English
words employed, whenever I have been able to discover them.—_Translator._
[5] _Proceedings_, Vol. XXIII., p. 33.
[6] _Ibid._ p. 120.
[7] For a discussion of these cases, which would take us too far from our
subject, see Mr. J. G. Piddington’s paper, _Phenomena in Mrs. Thompson’s
Trance_ (_Proceedings_, Vol. XVIII., pp. 180 _et seq._); also Professor
A. C. Pigou’s article in Vol. XXIII. (_Proceedings_, pp. 286 _et seq._).
[8] _Proceedings_, Vol. XIII., pp. 349-350 and 375.
[9] Proceedings, Vols. V. and XI.
[10] Maxwell, _Metapsychical Phenomena_, p. 202.
[11] Xenoglossy is well known not to be unusual in automatic writing;
sometimes even the “automatist” speaks or writes languages of which he
is completely ignorant. The Latin and Greek passages are translated as
follows:
“This is what I have wanted, at last. Justice and joy speak a word to the
wise. A. W. V. and perhaps some one else. Chalk sticking to the feet has
got over the difficulty. You help greatly by always persevering. Now I
can write a name—thus, here it is!”
[12] _Proceedings_, Vol. XI., p. 493.
[13] _Proceedings_, Vol. XI., p. 505.
[14] _Proceedings_, Vol. XI., p. 545.
[15] A. J. C. KERNER, _Die Seherin von Prevorst_.
[16] _Light_, 1907, p. 219. The crime was committed in Paris and made a
great stir at the time.
[17] LADY BURTON, _The Life of Captain Sir Richd. F. Burton. K.C.M.G._,
Vol. I., p. 253.
[18] _Journal of the Society for Psychical Research_, Vol. IX., p. 15.
[19] _Proceedings_, Vol. XX., p. 331.
[20] _Proceedings_, Vol. XIV., p. 266.
[21] _Proceedings_, Vol. XI., p. 422.
[22] Flournoy, _Esprits et médiums_, p. 316.
[23] _Proceedings_, Vol. XI., p. 424.
[24] _Journal_, Vol. VIII., p. 45.
[25] _Journal_, Vol. I., p. 283.
[26] _Memoirs of the Life and Labours of Stephen Grellet_, Vol. I., p.
434.
[27] This and the later passage from Pericles’ funeral oration I
have quoted from the late Richard Crawley’s admirable translation
of Thucydides’ _Peloponnesian War_ now published in the _Temple
Classics_.—A. T. de M.
[28] _Kokoro: Hints and Echoes of Japanese Life_, chapter xiv.: “Some
Thoughts about Ancestor-Worship.”
[29] August, September and October 1915.
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