We must be careful not to overdo the subconscious. It is no self-contained unit, but rather an instrument used in the production of these phenomena. In consequence, it frequently happens that along with communications from the “other side” comes matter derived from the subconsciousness of the sensitive and even from that of the sitter. An investigator obsessed with the idea of fraud will often effectively negative all phenomena by his unconscious action on the mentality of the medium. In these investigations we must use that uncommon faculty of common sense. Common sense tells us that we cannot accept the explanation that all psychic photographs are produced by the thoughts of incarnate beings. Whether it agrees with his pet theories or not, the serious student is bound to realise that, sooner or later, other minds are at work distinct from, and often superior in intelligence to, that of either medium or sitter. These intelligences claim to be the spirits of the so-called dead. They substantiate their claims by giving practical proof that they are whom they purport to be.
For example, what better proof of survival could be given by a deceased person than that of a message in his own handwriting, referring to events that happened after his death? Such messages are by no means an unfrequent occurrence. There can be no doubt about the genuineness of the handwriting. Major R. E. E. Spencer has gone to an immense amount of time and trouble in making photomicrographs of normal and supernormal writings for the purpose of comparison. Illustrations are given of two of these photomicrographs. [Figure 16] shows a portion of the signature of Archdeacon Colley taken from a letter written by him before death, whilst [Figure 17] shows a corresponding portion reproduced from a photographic message received after his death. This message referred to events subsequent to his decease.
Occasionally, in these psychographs, as these written photographic messages are termed, the mentality of the medium or sitters will get in the way, with very curious results. Throughout all these phenomena, however, there is every indication that other influences are at work. Whoever or whatever these intelligences behind the scenes may be, in no uncertain voice they claim to be discarnate souls. Surely they are in a better position to form a correct opinion hereon than we material outsiders?
How do the psychic images get on to the plate? Far too much time, in the past, has been lost in attempting to convince those who do not believe (and those who do not want to believe), of the genuine nature of psychic photography, and our ignorance of this phenomenon is appalling. The difficulties attending scientific research in this domain are considerable. So far, we can only definitely say that in many instances the psychic figures on the plate are not objective in the same sense as the sitters. The supernormal images have every appearance of having been projected on to the sensitive plate, independently of the lens and camera. In employing several cameras simultaneously, together with a stereo camera, I have only succeeded so far in securing a psychic image on one of the plates exposed.
There are indications that in some cases the psychic effects are printed on to the plate through a psychic equivalent to our normal transparency—in fact, it has come to be known as a psychic transparency. Identical transparency markings are to be found on the plates of photographic sensitives from all parts of the world. These particular markings can clearly be seen over the negative obtained by Mr. Harry Price in his experiment with Mr. Hope. I am convinced that the effect obtained on this occasion was a genuine psychic result. The possibility of this is freely admitted by Mr. Price. The fact that in nine cases out of ten the psychic images are the same way up as the sitter suggests that the “something” that occurs actually takes place after the plate has been inserted in the dark slide. Such small points as these may eventually play an important part in the final solution of the modus operandi.
Now let us return to the object of this book—the question of evidence. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle has dealt so thoroughly, earlier in these pages, with the recent attacks by the S.P.R. and the Magic Circle that I do not propose to refer to them again here at length. As illustrating the impartial attitude of the Society of which I have the honour to be Secretary, however, I would like to say that almost immediately on the publication of these critical reports the matter was discussed by the members of this Society, and it was arranged to subject the whole of the evidence to a thorough investigation. In this connection the S.S.S.P., in conjunction with the B.C.P.S., sought the co-operation of the Society for Psychical Research and the Occult Committee of the Magic Circle.
A proposal was sent to the bodies mentioned expressing the desire of the S.S.S.P. to subject the charges to thorough and impartial investigation, and suggesting that three members from each of these four bodies should form a committee of investigation. The members elected by the S.S.S.P. were Dr. Abraham Wallace, President, Col. C. E. Baddeley, C.M.G., O.G., and Major R. E. E. Spencer, three careful and experienced investigators. For reasons best known to themselves, both the S.P.R. and the Occult Committee of the Magic Circle refused to entertain this suggestion. The reader can draw whatever inference he likes from this uncompromising attitude. To my mind such a refusal is directly opposed to the objects for which the Society for Psychical Research was formed.
A striking example of the persistence of personality is to be found in the case of the late Mr. Wm. Walker, of Buxton. Mr. Walker was the President of the Buxton Camera Club. Being a keen photographer, he took an intense interest in the work of the Crewe Circle and co-operated with them in numerous experiments. He was the first photographer to obtain psychic photographic results in colours (by the Paget process) through the mediumship of his friends.
Shortly before the late Mr. W. T. Stead left this country for his last voyage to America, Mr. Walker saw him in London. Mr. Stead was very interested in the results obtained at Crewe and strongly urged his friend to keep him posted as to future developments. A little while later Mr. Stead was drowned on the ill-fated Titanic. On May 6th, 1912, Mr. Walker, in experimenting at Crewe, was surprised and pleased to receive on his plates a message from his friend, which read:
“Dear Mr. Walker,