If anyone asks the question, what do I myself think as to whether these letters are genuine communications from the invisible world, I should answer that I believe they are. In the personal and suppressed portions reference was often made to past events and to possessions of which I had no knowledge, and these references were verified. This leaves untouched the favourite telepathic theory of the psychologists. But if these letters were telepathed to me, by whom were they telepathed? Not by my friend who was present at the writing of many of them, for their contents were as much a surprise to her as to me. I wish, however, to state that I make no scientific claims about this book, for science demands tests and proofs. Save for the first letter signed “X” before I knew that Mr. ---- was dead, or knew who “X” was, the book was not written under “test conditions,” as the psychologists understand the term. As evidence of a soul’s survival after bodily death, it must be accepted or rejected by each individual according to his or her temperament, experience, and inner conviction as to the truth of its contents. In the absence of “X” and without some other entity on the invisible side of Nature in whom I had a like degree of confidence, I could not produce another document of this kind. Against indiscriminate mediumship I have still a strong and ineradicable prejudice, for I recognise its dangers both of obsession and deception. But for my faith in “X” and the faith of my Paris friend in me, this book could never have been. Doubt of the invisible author or of the visible medium would probably have paralysed both, for the purposes of this writing. The effect of these letters on me personally has been to remove entirely any fear of death which I may ever have had, to strengthen my belief in immortality, to make the life beyond the grave as real and vital as the life here in the sunshine. If they can give even to one other person the sense of exultant immortality which they have given to me, I shall feel repaid for my labour. To those who may feel inclined to blame me for publishing such a book I can only say that I have always tried to give my best to the world, and perhaps these letters are one of the best things that I have to give. ELSA BARKER. LONDON, 1913. LETTERS FROM A LIVING DEAD MAN LETTER I THE RETURN I AM here, make no mistake. It was I who spoke before, and I now speak again. I have had a wonderful experience. Much that I had forgotten I can now remember. What has happened was for the best; it was inevitable. I can see you, though not very distinctly. I found almost no darkness. The light here is wonderful, far more wonderful than the sunlight of the South.