“The following are some of the more obvious:—1. If a person with a knowledge of photography takes his own glass plates, examines the camera used and all the accessories, and watches the whole process of taking a picture, then, if any definite form appears on the negative besides the sitter, it is a proof that some object was present capable of reflecting or emitting the actinic rays, although invisible to those present. 2. If an unmistakable likeness appears of a deceased person totally unknown to the photographer. 3. If figures appear on the negative having a definite relation to the figure of the sitter, who chooses his own position, attitude, and accompaniments, it is a proof that invisible figures were really there. 4. If a figure appears draped in white, and partly behind the dark body of the sitter without in the least showing through, it is a proof that the white figure was there at the same time, because the dark parts of the negative are transparent, and any white picture in any way superposed would show through. 5. Even should none of these tests be applied, yet if a medium, quite independent of the photographer, sees and describes a figure during the sitting, and an exactly corresponding figure appears on the plate, it is a proof that such a figure was there.
“Every one of these tests have now been successfully applied in our own country.”
Dr. Wallace gives minute details of some experiments which resulted in his obtaining photographs which he recognised as unmistakable likenesses of his mother.
When Mr. Duguid was first asked to come to London to give test séances to Mr. Taylor, it was hoped that Mr. Stainton Moses would have so far recovered strength as to be present at the experiments. He took great interest in the subject, and many of his photographs have been reproduced by Mr. Arthur Maltby and Mr. Acton. On March 19th and 26th Mr. Maltby gave lectures in the Athenæum Hall, and exhibited on the lantern screen a number of spirit-photograph transparencies. Here are a few notes made at the meeting on March 19th, by Mr. Burns, jun. Mr. Maltby said:—
“This lecture is given in memory of the late Mr. Stainton Moses, better known as ‘M.A., Oxon,’ editor of Light, writer of many valuable books on Spiritualism, and one of the best friends the cause ever had. Most of you have either read or heard of his marvellous book called Spirit Teachings, one of the grandest series of spirit controls ever published. It teaches a higher Spiritualism than is generally understood.
“My object in giving this lecture is to try to convince you that it is possible to obtain photographs of friends who have passed away. I shall also endeavour to explain the conditions necessary, how they are attained, and for what reason. This lecture was suggested by Mr. Stainton Moses, and the pictures I am about to show you were his. I knew him for over fifteen years, and have been favoured with particulars of the most remarkable events ever experienced.
“One morning last spring I called on Mr. Moses, and found him busy reading proof-sheets of Mr. Stead’s Real Ghost Stories. Whilst discussing these, the subject of spirit photographs was introduced, and he informed me that he had a collection of nearly 400, which he offered to lend me if I thought they could be suitably converted into lantern slides. After examining the photographs, I found it impossible in so short a time to select out of so many sufficient for a lecture. I therefore begged the loan of them all, and we are indebted to my friend and co-worker, Mr. Acton (who is now manipulating the lantern), for his patient efforts in converting so many photographs into lantern transparencies. It was a most laborious task.
“Three months later, when I returned the photographs, Mr. Moses kindly offered to take the chair at this lecture, but that was not to be. The day I was to submit my notes for his approval, with the promise of a further and more complete description of the spirit photographs, he had passed to the higher life.