[1] By his advocacy of Keely’s claims, as a discoverer, Major Ricarde-Seaver had reason to fear that he would lose his election to membership of the Athenæum Club in London; as he was notified by Sir William Thomson (who had proposed him for membership in or about the year 1873) that such would probably be the case. The members however, rallied in force and, led by one of the Major’s oldest friends Prince Lucien Buonaparte, he was elected by an overwhelming majority. [↑]
CHAPTER IX.
1889–1890.
KEELY SUPPORTED BY DISTINGUISHED MEN OF SCIENCE. AERIAL NAVIGATION.
Is not ether infinitely more rare and more subtle than air, and exceedingly more elastic and more active? Does it not easily penetrate all bodies? And is it not by its elastic force diffused through the universe?—Sir Isaac Newton.
In 1889 a series of short articles were written, which, for the first time, made known to the public that Keely had theories which he was able to sustain by mechanical demonstration: and once more an attempt was made to have men of science acquaint themselves with the theories, and witness the demonstrations. Capitalists also were appealed to, to convince themselves of the existence of an unknown force, and of Mr. Keely’s honesty in his efforts to control it for commercial purposes; money being required to enable him to complete his researches for science, and to protect him from those who were harassing him in such a way as to impede his progress at every step. The appeal to capitalists might as well have been made to stone walls; but among the men of scientific and philosophical attainments who were invited, the late Professor Joseph Leidy, M.D., of the Pennsylvania University, and James M. Willcox, Ph.D., author of “Rational Philosophy,” and other works, accepted the invitation and attended a series of Keely’s researching experiments. For years Mr. Keely’s experiments were confined to the production of the force; the raising of a lever; the firing of a cannon; and the showing of a vacuum greater than had ever been produced. Since 1888 he has pursued his researches on a line which enabled him to show uninterrupted progress year after year: so that now he never repeats his experiments; but, discarding or improving his researching instruments, after he has gained the results which his theories lead him to expect, he continues his investigations, thereafter, from the solid basis which he has attained by those researches. The result of the attention given by Professor Leidy and Dr. Willcox is best set down in their own words:—
“April 8th, 1890.
“After having had the opportunity of witnessing a series of experiments made by Mr. John Keely, illustrative of a reputed new motor power, it has appeared to me that he has fairly demonstrated the discovery of a force previously unknown to science. I have no theory to account for the phenomena observed, but I believe Mr. Keely to be honest in his attempt to explain them. His demonstrations appear to indicate great mechanical power, which, when applied to appropriate machinery, must supersede all ordinary appliances.
“Joseph Leidy.”
“Philadelphia, April 8th, 1890.
“After having witnessed, on several occasions and under favourable circumstances, Mr. Keely’s experiments in what he terms sympathetic vibration, I am satisfied that he has made new and important demonstrations in physical science. He has made manifest the existence of natural forces that cannot be explained by any known physical laws, and has shown that he possesses over them a very considerable control.
“James M. Willcox.”