Such is the theory originated by "ouija" itself--ingenious enough, if not very scientific. The majority of my readers will probably prefer to believe, either that some external intelligence moved the board directly; or that the sitter himself did so--from purely subconscious motives, or because he was thereby externalizing or acting as the channel for the expression of ideas imparted to him from without. In view of the reality of physical phenomena, I should be inclined to leave the question open as to which of these two interpretations is correct in any specific case. But there can be no doubt that, in most instances at least, the board is moved by the subconscious muscular activity of the sitter; and this is the most sane and rational view to take until definite proof to the contrary be forthcoming. FOOTNOTES: [45] More properly, "the psychology of ouija board _writing_" or "of writing obtained by means of the Ouija Board." This general title is shorter, however, for a chapter heading. [46] I have in mind especially one remarkable (but hitherto unpublished) experiment with Mrs. Piper. A certain lady of my acquaintance--an old Piper sitter--has tried to convey a certain word to "Rector" telepathically--to be given by automatic writing through the trance. Several attempts failed. Finally, one day, the lady in question wrote out the word on a blackboard, and sat looking at it for about half an hour. The word was given the next day through Mrs. Piper. The blackboard was in the lady's own house, distant some 800 miles from Mrs. Piper, in Boston. This certainly seems to show that there is a peculiar "magic" in thoughts or things that are objectified in this manner. It serves to explain why it is that many clairvoyants cannot read thoughts and questions--e.g., until written out on paper--as in the case of Bert Reese, whom I have frequently seen. [47] Dr. W. J. Crawford's experiments have since confirmed this. CHAPTER XI WITCHCRAFT: ITS FACTS AND FOLLIES