Mysterious Psychic Forces: An Account of the Author's Investigations in Psychical Research, Together with Those of Other European Savants
John Stuart Mill · en
I pass on to a seance held last night at Hackney. Katie never appeared
to greater perfection, and for nearly two hours she walked about the
room, conversing familiarly with those present. On several occasions
she took my arm when walking, and the impression conveyed to my mind
that it was a living woman by my side, instead of a visitor from the
other world, was so strong that the temptation to repeat a recent
celebrated experiment became almost irresistible.
Feeling, however, that if I had not a spirit, I had at all events a
_lady_ close to me, I asked her permission to clasp her in my arms, so
as to be able to verify the interesting observations which a bold
experimentalist has recently somewhat verbosely recorded. Permission
was graciously given, and I accordingly did--well, as any gentleman
would do under the circumstances. Mr. Volckman will be pleased to know
that I can corroborate his statement that the "ghost" (not
"struggling" however) was as material a being as Miss Cook herself.
Katie now said she thought she would be able this time to show herself
and Miss Cook together. I was to turn the gas out, and then come with
my phosphorus lamp into the room now used as a cabinet. This I did,
having previously asked a friend who was skillful at shorthand to take
down any statement I might make when in the cabinet, knowing the
importance attaching to first impressions, and not wishing to leave
more to memory than necessary. His notes are now before me.
I went cautiously into the room, it being dark, and felt about for
Miss Cook. I found her crouching on the floor.
Kneeling down, I let air enter the lamp, and by its light I saw the
young lady dressed in black velvet, as she had been in the early part
of the evening, and to all appearance perfectly senseless; she did not
move when I took her hand and held the light quite close to her face,
but continued quietly breathing.