CONTENTS
| PAGE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| INTRODUCTION BY SIR OLIVER LODGE, | [v] | ||
| PREFACE BY PROFESSOR CHARLES RICHET, | [xv] | ||
| PRELIMINARY REMARKS, | [1] | ||
| CHAP. | |||
| I. | METHOD: | [23] | |
| I. | Material Conditions, | [33] | |
| II. | Composition of the Circle, | [42] | |
| III. | Methods of Operation, | [48] | |
| IV. | The Personification, | [64] | |
| II. | RAPS, | [72] | |
| III. | PARAKINESIS AND TELEKINESIS: | [93] | |
| I. | Parakinesis, | [93] | |
| II. | Telekinesis, | [98] | |
| IV. | LUMINOUS PHENOMENA, | [129] | |
| V. | PSYCHO-SENSORY AND INTELLECTUAL PHENOMENA: | [180] | |
| I. | Sensory Automatism, | [181] | |
| II. | Crystal Gazing, | [184] | |
| III. | Dreams, Telepathy, | [205] | |
| IV. | Telæsthesia, | [211] | |
| V. | A Complex Case by Professor Richet, | [215] | |
| VI. | Motor Automatism, | [235] | |
| VII. | Automatic Writing, | [238] | |
| VIII. | Phonetic and Mixed Automatisms, | [251] | |
| IX. | The Psychology of Automatism, | [255] | |
| VI. | SOME RECENTLY OBSERVED PSYCHICAL PHENOMENA.By L. I. Finch, | [268] | |
| VII. | FRAUD AND ERROR: | [364] | |
| I. | Fraud, | [364] | |
| II. | Error, | [386] | |
| CONCLUSION, | [392] | ||
| APPENDICES, | [398] | ||
PRELIMINARY REMARKS
I hesitated for a long time before deciding to publish the impressions which ten years of psychical research have left me. These impressions are so uncertain upon several points, that I wondered if it were worth while expressing in book form the few and sparse conclusions I am able to formulate. If, finally, I decide to publish my opinions, it is because it seems incumbent upon me to do so. I am not blind to the fact that my testimony is of very little importance; but however modest it may be, it seems to me that it is my duty to offer this testimony, such as it is, to those who have undertaken to submit to scientific discipline the study of those phenomena which are, in appearance at least, so rebellious to such discipline. It might have been more convenient and advantageous for myself had I continued my researches in peace and quiet. I do not try to proselytise, and it is really a matter of indifference to me, whether my contemporaries share or do not share my views. But the sight of a few brave men fighting the battle alone is by no means a matter of indifference to me. There is a certain cowardliness in believing their teachings, whilst allowing them to bear all the brunt of the fray for upholding opinions, which require so much courage to champion. To these brave spirits I dedicate my book.
I care naught for public opinion: not that I disdain it—on the contrary, I have the greatest respect for its judgment—but I am not addressing the public. The question I am studying is not ripe for the public; or the case may be the other way about.
I address those brave men of whom I have just spoken, to let them know I am of their mind, and that my observations confirm theirs on many points. I also address those who are seeking to establish the reality of the curious phenomena, treated of in this book. I have tried to fill a gap by showing them the best methods to adopt, in order to arrive at appreciable results,—such results being far less difficult to obtain than is commonly supposed.
A word about the method I have followed. I have purposely refrained from giving a purely scientific aspect to my book, though I might have done so had I chosen, for the usual scientific dressing is unsuitable to the subject in hand. It seemed preferable to relate what I have seen, leaving it to those for whom I write to believe me or not, as they think fit.