Mysterious Psychic Forces: An Account of the Author's Investigations in Psychical Research, Together with Those of Other European Savants
John Stuart Mill · en
Having previously opened the bass key myself, and the cage being drawn
from under the table so as just to allow the accordion to be pushed in
with its keys downwards, it was pushed back as close as Mr. Home's
arm would permit, but without hiding his hand from those next to him
(Pl. XII, Cut B). Very soon the accordion was seen by those on each
side to be waving about in a somewhat curious manner; then sounds came
from it, and finally several notes were played in succession. Whilst
this was going on, my assistant went under the table, and reported
that the accordion was expanding and contracting; at the same time it
was seen that the hand of Mr. Home by which it was held was quite
still, his other hand resting on the table.
Presently the accordion was seen by those on either side of Mr. Home
to move about, oscillating and going round and round the cage, and
playing at the same time. Dr. A. B. now looked under the table, and
said that Mr. Home's hand appeared quite still whilst the accordion
was moving about emitting distinct sounds.
Mr. Home still holding the accordion in the usual manner in the cage,
his feet being held by those next him, and his other hand resting on
the table, we heard distinct and separate notes sounded in succession,
and then a simple air was played. As such a result could only have
been produced by the various keys of the instrument being acted upon
in harmonious succession, this was considered by those present to be a
crucial experiment.
But the sequel was still more striking, for Mr. Home then removed his
hand altogether from the accordion, taking it quite out of the cage,
and placed it in the hand of the person next to him. The instrument
then continued to play, no person touching it and no hand being near
it.
I was now desirous of trying what would be the effect of passing the
battery current round the insulated wire of the cage, and my assistant
accordingly made the connection with the wires from the two Grove's
cells. Mr. Home again held the instrument inside the cage in the same
manner as before, when it immediately sounded and moved about
vigorously. But whether the electric current passing round the cage
assisted the manifestation of force inside, it is impossible to say.
After this experiment, the accordion, which he kept holding in one
hand, then commenced to play, at first chords and runs, and
afterwards a well-known sweet and plaintive melody, which was executed
perfectly in a very beautiful manner. Whilst this tune was being
played I grasped Mr. Home's arm, below the elbow, and gently slid my
hand down it until I touched the top of the accordion. He was not
moving a muscle. His other hand was on the table, visible to all, and
his feet were under the feet of those next to him.