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
_April 15th._ Eight members present. Sitting at 8 p. m. Within five
minutes tapping sounds were heard on the leaf of the table. Various
questions, as to order of sitting, etc., were put, and answered by
rappings. The alphabet was called for, and the word "laugh" was
spelled out. It was asked if it was intended that we should laugh. An
affirmative answer being given, the members laughed; upon which the
table made a most vigorous sound and motion imitative of and
responsive to the laughter, and so ludicrous as to cause a general
peal of real laughter, to which the table shook, and the rapping kept
time as an accompaniment. The following questions were then put and
answered by the number of raps given:--"How many children has Mrs.
M----?" "Four;" "Mrs. W----?" "Three;" "Mrs. D----?" No rap; "Mrs.
E----?" "Five;" "Mrs. S----?" "Two." It was ascertained, upon inquiry
that these replies were perfectly correct, except in the case of Mrs.
E----, who has only four children living, but has lost one. Neither
the medium nor any person present, was aware of all the above numbers,
but each number was known to some of them. The inquiry for a written
communication being responded to by three raps, some sheets of paper
with a pencil were laid under the table, and at the end of the sitting
examined, but no letter or mark was found on the paper. In order to
test whether these sounds would continue under different conditions,
all sat some distance from the table, holding hands in a circle round
it. But instead of upon the table as before, loud rappings were heard
to proceed from various parts of the floor, and from the chair on
which the medium sat; while some came from the other side of the room,
a distance of about fifteen feet from the nearest person. A desire
having been expressed for a shower of raps, loud rapping came from
every part of the table at once, producing an effect similar to that
of a shower of hail falling upon it. The sounds throughout the evening
were very sharp and distinct. It was observed that, although during
the conversation the rappings are sometimes of a singularly lively
character, yet when a question is put they cease instantly, and not
one is heard until the response is given.
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