[30] M. Chiaia has sent me photographs of these prints. I reproduce some of them here ([Pl. VII]).
[31] The word "trance" has been given to the peculiar state into which mediums fall when they lose the consciousness of their environment. It is a kind of somnambulistic sleep.
[32] Annales des sciences psychiques, 181, p. 326.
[33] However, some doubt may remain. In my photographs, also ([Pl. I.] and [VI.]), the foot of the table at the left of the medium is concealed. As I myself was at this very place, I am sure that the medium was unable to lift the table with her foot, for this foot was held under mine, not by a rod or by any support whatever; for I had a hand upon her legs, which did not move. The objection is moreover refuted by the experiment which I made on the 29th of March, 1906 (see [p. 6]), of a levitation, with Eusapia standing,—an experiment which had been made before on the 27th of July, 1897, at Monfort-l'Amaury (see [p. 82]), the feet, very naturally, being visible. Hence there can be no doubt whatever about the complete levitation of the table floating in space. Aksakof obtained a levitation, in the séances at Milan, after having tied Eusapia's feet with two strings, the ends of which were short and had been sealed to the floor very near each foot.
Farther on the reader will be given proof of other undeniable instances, among others, at pp. 164, 165.
[34] I hear very often the following objection: "I shall only believe in mediums who are not remunerated; all those who are paid are under suspicion." Eusapia belongs to these last. Being without fortune, she never visits a city unless her travelling and hotel expenses are paid. She also loses her time, and is submitted to a not very agreeable inquisition. For my part, I do not admit the above objection at all. The physical and intellectual faculties have nothing in common with money-getting. It will be said that the medium is interested in deceiving and tricking: it increases her fees. But there are a good many other temptations in the world. I have seen unpaid mediums, men and women of society, cheat without any scruple, from pure vanity, or for a purpose still less fit to be avowed,—for the mere pleasure of trapping some one. The séances of Spiritualism have been made to serve useful and agreeable ends in fashionable society—and more than one marriage has originated there.
We must be as sceptical about one class of mediums as about another.
[35] These reports were published in detail in the work of M. de Rochas on The Externalization of Motivity, 4th edition, 1906, p. 170.
[36] I will add, for the benefit of those who wish to try some of these psychic experiments, that the best conditions for success are to have a homogeneous, impartial, and sincere group, free from every preconceived idea, and not exceeding five or six persons in number. It is absurd to object that, in order to obtain the phenomena, one must have faith. But, while positive belief is not necessary, it is yet advisable not to exercise any hostile influence during a séance.
[37] A very curious experiment made with a letter-weigher took place at l'Agnélas. In response to an impromptu suggestion made by M. de Gramont, Eusapia consented to try whether, by making vertical passes with her hands on each side of the tray of the letter-weigher (going as high as fifty grams), she could not lower it. She succeeded in doing so several times in succession, in the presence of five observers placed about her, who testified that she did not have in her fingers either thread or hair to press upon the tray.