(Vol. ix. p. 55.)
The remarks of JOHN O' THE FORD of Malta deserve to be followed up by all
your correspondents who, at least, admit the possibility of "communications
with the unseen world." In order to facilitate the acquisition of the
requisite amount of facts, I beg to apprise JOHN O' THE FORD, and your
other correspondents and readers generally, that a Society was founded
about a year ago, and is now in existence, composed of members of the
University of Cambridge; the objects of which will be best gleaned from the
following extract from the Prospectus:
"The interest and importance of a serious and earnest inquiry into the
nature of the phenomena which are vaguely called 'supernatural,' will
scarcely be questioned. Many persons believe that all such apparently
mysterious occurrences are due, either to purely natural causes, or to
delusions of the mind or senses, or to wilful deception. But there are
many others who believe it possible that the beings of the unseen world
may manifest themselves to us in extraordinary ways; and also are
unable otherwise to explain many facts, the evidence for which cannot
be impeached. Both parties have obviously a common interest in wishing
cases of supposed 'supernatural' agency to be thoroughly sifted.... The
main impediment to investigations of this kind is the difficulty of
obtaining a sufficient number of clear and well-attested cases. Many of
the stories current in tradition, or scattered up and down in books,
may be exactly true; others must be purely fictitious; others again,
probably the greater number, consist of a mixture of truth and
falsehood. But it is idle to examine the significance of an alleged
fact of this nature, until the trustworthiness, and also the extent of
the evidence for it, are ascertained. Impressed with this conviction,
some members of the University of Cambridge are anxious, if possible,
to form an extensive collection of authenticated cases of supposed
'supernatural' agency.... From all those who may be inclined to aid
them, they request written communications, with full details of
persons, times, and places."
The Prospectus closes with the following classification of phenomena:
"I. Appearances of Angels. (1.) Good. (2) Evil.--II. Spectral
appearances of--(1.) The beholder himself (_e.g._ 'Fetches' or
'Doubles'). (2.) Other men, recognised or not. (i.) Before their death
(_e.g._ 'second sight.') (a.) To one person. (b.) To several persons.
(ii.) At the moment of their death. (a.) To one person. (b.) To several
persons. 1. In the same place. 2. In several places. i. Simultaneously.
ii. Successively. (iii.) After their death. In connexion with--(a.)
Particular places remarkable for--1. Good deeds. 2. Evil deeds. (b.)
Particular times (_e.g._ on the anniversary of any event, or at fixed
seasons). (c.) Particular events (_e.g._ before calamity or death).
(d.) Particular persons (_e.g._ haunted murderers).--III. 'Shapes'
falling under neither of the former classes. (1.) Recurrent. In
connexion with--(i.) Particular families (_e.g._ the 'Banshee'). (ii.)
Particular places (_e.g._ the 'Mawth Dog'). (2.) Occasional. (i.)
Visions signifying events, past, present, or future. (a.) By actual
representation (_e.g._ 'second sight'). (b.) By symbol. (ii.) Visions
of a fantastical nature.--IV. Dreams remarkable for {151} coincidences.
(1.) In their occurrence. (i.) To the same person several times. (ii.)
In the same form to several persons. (a.) Simultaneously. (b.)
Successively. (2.) With facts. (i.) Past. (a.) Previously unknown. (b.)
Formerly known, but forgotten. (ii.) Present, but unknown. (iii.)
Future.--V. Feelings. A definite consciousness of a fact. (1.) Past: an
impression that an event has happened. (2.) Present: sympathy with a
person suffering or acting at a distance. (3.) Future:
presentiment.--VI. Physical effects. (1.) Sounds. (i.) With the use of
ordinary means (_e.g._ ringing of bells). (ii.) Without the use of any
apparent means (_e.g._ voices). (2.) Impressions of touch (_e.g._
breathings on the person).
"Every narrative of 'supernatural' agency which may be communicated,
will be rendered far more instructive if accompanied by any particulars
as to the observer's natural temperament (_e.g._ sanguine, nervous,
&c.), constitution (_e.g._ subject to fever, somnambulism, &c.), and
state at the time (_e.g._ excited in mind or body, &c.)."
As I have no authority to give names, I can do no more than say that,
though not a member of the Society, I shall be happy to receive
communications and forward them to the secretary.