This will not surprise any one who has watched spiritists and occultists when close to them, more especially when they are joining hands at some stance held by one of their "circles." It is the peculiar frame of mind of the participants that plays such an important part in such proceedings.

I have never asserted that any one of the occultistic phenomena hitherto described is impossible. Although we have no right to say that a phenomenon is impossible, there is an immense difference between the recognition of a phenomenon contingent on its being observed when the necessary precautions are taken and the uncritical acceptance of all the phenomena of occultism.

Of course, we are bound to admit the reality of phenomena observed in experiments carried out under the strictest conditions, and with the various sources of error excluded. But we must insist that these sources of error really are excluded. Laplace's remarks, mentioned on page 455, would apply here. He stated that neither animal magnetism nor the influence of an ordinary magnet, nor the impression that may be produced by the proximity of metals or flowing water, was impossible. He was also perfectly correct in his statement that we have no right to say that these phenomena are impossible, because they are not observed in every case. Least of all should we deny their existence, because the science of the day fails to explain them. And he added, that for this very reason, all the more vigilance should be exercised by those investigating such phenomena.

I have never observed anything of an occultistic nature occur during my own experiments, provided the necessary precautions were taken. A favourite reply of occultists, and more especially spiritists, to this is that the experiments will not work in the presence of sceptics, who disturb that harmony of the " circle," which is so necessary if successful results are to be obtained. I can very well imagine that, if there really are any such subtle psychic processes, the constitution of the environment is of importance. But if such phenomena cannot be exhibited under scientific conditions, no pretence should be made of proving their occurrence scientifically; rather should it be openly admitted that the whole question is a matter of belief Science has nothing whatever to do with questions of belief, and every man is free to believe what he wishes. I must also state, that the longer and oftener I have devoted my energies to the investigation of occultism and spiritism, the more have I become convinced that conscious fraud on the part of the mediums and their accomplices plays a far more important part than I formerly imagined.

But I am also convinced that many occultists and spiritists, even if they are not guilty of intentional fraud, nevertheless attempt to impede the investigation of the phenomena by raising frivolous objections and employing all the arts of evasion, and that they thereby facilitate the perpetration of fraud.

I used to think that it was extremely wrong of men of science not to investigate spiritistic phenomena, and I still maintain that it is far better to subject such matters to the test of scientific investigation than to leave them severely alone. But I must admit that we have no right to blame men of science seriously in this respect, for it is hardly possible to obtain an opportunity for investigating the phenomena scientifically. As a rule, the so-called scientific seances are merely caricatures of scientific investigation, and in nearly every case the whole affair is nothing but a farce. Directly an attempt is made to proceed on scientific lines, the medium usually begins to weep and wail, or feels injured at being distrusted, and it is almost certain that some of the spectators will support and condole with the poor, dear creature. Occultists and spiritists are generally present at these seances; indeed, their presence is necessary for the "Harmony of the Circle." A scientific1 seance, at which Eusapia Palladino was the subject experimented on, was described to me by a person who was present My informant told me that when he took a tight hold of Eusapia Palladino, so as to prevent her getting her hands free, the doctor who was directing this "scientific" meeting shouted to him that he must not grip so firmly.

In the case I mentioned above, in which I proved that the magnetism of the magnetizer was due to a string fastened to him, many of the audience were filled with pity for him and called out, "Good heavens, how terribly hot it is!" directly I put a cloak over him to prevent him from using the string. Such are the methods employed to nullify scientific precautions. Indeed, most mediums have no need to submit to scientific conditions, they have enough faithful followers as it is. A thorough-going medium is more spoiled than a first-class prima donna, A whisper of doubt, and the medium stops the seance. That is what happened, for example, in the case of Mrs. Abbott, the magnetic lady I mentioned above. I once attended a so-called test seance given by her, and directly it was proposed to take scientific precautions she declared the proposition was an insult, and left the room. It was only at the earnest request of an ardent spiritist that she could be induced to return.

As Max Dessoir very properly points out, scientific investigation should be confined to one simple phenomenon at a time. This phenomenon should be investigated under varying conditions, but the medium should never be allowed to prescribe the conditions. As long as such investigations are impossible or are declined, and as long as investigators continue to allow the mediums to prescribe the conditions - e.g., whether the room is to be darkened, or whether a screen is to be placed in front of the medium - we shall only be dealing with assertions that cannot prove anything.

Schrenck-Notzing, also, would like to see mediumistic phenomena investigated. He strongly objects to the credulity, fanaticism, and lack of criticism displayed by the spiritists. Like Lodge, he advocates the founding of a kind of psychological laboratory, with all the necessary equipment for carrying out experimental researches in every branch of psychology and psycho-physics. Mechanical recording-instruments should be used, so as to keep the results as free as possible from errors that might arise from delusions of the organs of sense. I also agree with Schrenck-Notzing, that persons who call themselves mediums should not straightway be treated as impostors when under examination. There are some who do not intentionally deceive. With them it is a case of self-deception, either in or out of the auto-hypnotic state. Although I agree with Schrenck-Notzing with regard to the methods of investigation, I cannot help blaming him for not having taken his own very clear instructions sufficiently to heart.