I have now laid before the reader the full circumstances in connection with the five successful photographs taken at Cottingley. I have added the experience of a clairvoyant officer in the company of the girls upon the third and unsuccessful attempt to get photographs. I have analysed some of the criticism which we have had to meet. I have given the reader the opportunity of judging the evidence for a considerable number of alleged cases, collected before and after the Cottingley incident. Finally, I have placed before him the general theory of the place in creation of such creatures, as defined by the only system of thought which has found room for them. Having read and weighed all this, the investigator is in as strong a position as Mr. Gardner or myself, and each must give his own verdict. I do not myself contend that the proof is as overwhelming as in the case of spiritualistic phenomena. We cannot call upon the brightest brains in the scientific world, the Crookes, the Lodges, or the Lombrosos, for confirmation. But that also may come, and for the present, while more evidence will be welcome, there is enough already available to convince any reasonable man that the matter is not one which can be readily dismissed, but that a case actually exists which up to now has not been shaken in the least degree by any of the criticism directed against it. Far from being resented, such criticism, so long as it is earnest and honest, must be most welcome to those whose only aim is the fearless search for truth.
FOOTNOTES
[1] From this time onwards the real name Wright is used instead of Carpenter as in the original article—the family having withdrawn their objection.
Transcriber's Note:
- Obvious printing mistakes have been corrected.
- Both "air-spirits" and "air spirits" were used in this book.
- Page 13, "every" changed to "ever" ("hoax ever played upon").
- Page 40, "prima-facie" changed to "prima facie."
Possible errors retained in this book:
- Page 150, "time-rutted."
- Page 166, "Oxeford."