Mysterious Psychic Forces: An Account of the Author's Investigations in Psychical Research, Together with Those of Other European SavantsFlammarion, Camille
Philosophy
Mysterious Psychic Forces: An Account of the Author's Investigations in Psychical Research, Together with Those of Other European Savants
Flammarion, Camille
Parapsychology -- Investigation; Spiritualism
This thing was tried again. Eusapia and her chair were transported
again to the top of the table, only, this time, the result of the
fatigue undergone by her was such that the poor woman fell in a faint
upon the table. We lifted her down with all due care.
The experimenters desired to know whether these phenomena, the success
of which depends in so great measure upon the conditions of light,
could not have better success in the white and quiet light of the
moon.
They were obliged to admit that there was no appreciable difference
between the lunar light and other kinds. But the table around which
they had formed the chain quitted the veranda where the sitting was
being held, and, in spite of the strongly expressed wishes of the
sitters and of the medium herself, betook itself into the neighboring
room, where the sitting then continued.
This room was a little salon crowded with elegant furniture and
fragile objects, such as crystal chandeliers, porcelain vases,
bric-a-brac, etc. The experimenters feared very much that these things
would suffer damage in the bustle of the seance; but not the slightest
object suffered any damage.
Mme. Paladino, who was now herself again, took the hand of No. 11 and
placed it gently upon the back of a chair, at the same time placing
her own hand upon his. Then, as she lifted her hand and that of No.
11, _the chair followed the same ascending movement_ several times in
succession.
This thing was repeated in full light.
No. 5, as well as other gentlemen, perceived, in a manner that
admitted of no doubt, a vague, indistinct figure thrown upon the air
in the doorway of an antechamber which was feebly illuminated. The
figure consisted of changing and fugitive silhouettes, sometimes with
the outline of a human head and body, sometimes like hands reaching
out from the curtains. Their objective character was demonstrated by
the agreement of impressions, which were controlled in their turn by
means of continual inquiries. There was no possibility of their being
shadows voluntarily or involuntarily projected by the bodies of the
experimenters, since we were mutually watching each other.
The tenth seance (the last) was one of the best-attended, and was perhaps
the most interesting of all.
Scarcely has the electric light been extinguished when we remark an
automatic movement of the chair upon which a lump of plaster has been
placed, while the hands and feet of Eusapia are watchfully controlled
by me and by No. 3. However, as we wish to forestall the objection of
critics that the phenomena take place in the dark, the table
typtologically (that is, by taps) asks for light, and the
experimenters light the electric lamp.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account