We have received letters from different persons who have tried
Planchette, but failed to make her work. Our correspondents wish to know
the reason of the failure, and what conditions must be complied with on
their part to remedy the difficulty. We reply by the insertion of the
following rules, which should be read in connection with the descriptive
paragraph near the commencement of this pamphlet:
=RULES TO BE OBSERVED IN USING PLANCHETTE.=
For some persons (strong magnetizers), "Planchette" moves at once,
and for one such person it moves rapidly and writes distinctly. With
such a person it is not necessary for another to put their hands on;
it will operate alone for them, and better than with two persons.
It has been noticed that one pair of male and one pair of female
hands form a more perfect Battery to work "Planchette" than two
males or two females would do.
It has also been noticed that one light and one dark complexioned
person are better than two light or two dark persons would be
together; also, that two females, with their hands on together, are
better than the hands of two males would be.
If, after observing these rules, "Planchette" should refuse to
write, or move, different persons must try until the necessary
Battery is formed to make it operate. (It is here remarked that the
average number of persons able to work "Planchette" is about five
to eight; but it is still possible, but improbable, to have an
assemblage of eight persons and not any be able to make "Planchette"
go.) After it is ascertained who are the proper persons to move
"Planchette," no end of fun, amusement, and possibly instruction,
will be afforded.
According to the experience of the present writer, the proportional
number of those for whom Planchette will work promptly, and from the
first, is not quite so great as here given. But by perseverance through
repeated trials, under the right mental and physical conditions,
most persons may at length obtain responsive movements, more or less
satisfactory. Planchette, however (or the intelligence which moves her),
likes to be treated with a decent respect, and has a repugnance to
confusion. Ask her, therefore, none but respectful questions, and _only
one of these at a time_; and when there are several persons in the
company anxious to obtain responses, while one is consulting let all
the others keep _perfectly quiet_, and each patiently await his turn.
A non-compliance with these conditions generally spoils the experiment.