Mysterious Psychic Forces: An Account of the Author's Investigations in Psychical Research, Together with Those of Other European Savants — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
Mysterious Psychic Forces: An Account of the Author's Investigations in Psychical Research, Together with Those of Other European Savants
John Stuart Mill · en
The medium wore a light blue merino robe. During almost the whole of
the seance, Katie remained standing before us. The curtain of the
cabinet was drawn aside and all could distinctly see the medium lying
asleep, having her face covered with a red shawl, in order to shield
it from the light. Katie spoke of her approaching departure and
accepted a bouquet which Mr. Tapp had brought her, as well as a bunch
of lilies offered by Mr. Crookes. She asked Mr. Tapp to untie the
bouquet and to put the flowers before her on the floor. She then sat
down in the Turkish style and asked all to sit around her in the same
way. Then she divided the flowers and gave to each a little bouquet
tied up with a blue ribbon.
She then wrote letters to some of her friends, signing them "Annie
Owen Morgan," saying that was her true name during her life on earth.
She also wrote a letter to her medium, and chose for her a rosebud as
a good-bye gift. Katie then took the scissors, cut off a lock of her
hair and gave some of it to all of us. She then took Mr. Crookes' hand
and made the tour of the room, pressing the hand of each of us in
turn. She then sat down again and cut off several pieces of her robe
and of her veil for remembrances. Seeing such holes in her robe (she
being seated all this while between Mr. Crookes and Mr. Tapp), some
one asked her if she could repair the damage, as she had done on
previous occasions. She then held the cut part of the robe in the
light, gave one rap upon it, and instantly that part was whole and
unblemished as before. Those near her touched and examined the stuff,
with her permission. They affirmed that there was neither hole nor
scam, nor anything added at the very place where an instant before
they had seen holes several inches in diameter.
She next gave her last instructions to Mr. Crookes. Then, seeming
fatigued, she added that her force was disappearing, and repeated her
good-bye to everyone in the most affectionate manner. All present
thanked her for the wonderful manifestations which she had given them.
While she was directing toward her friends a last grave and pensive
look, she let fall the curtain, and it hid her from our view. We heard
her waking up the medium, who begged her with tears to remain a little
longer. But Katie said, "It is impossible, my dear; my mission is
accomplished; God bless you!" And we heard the sound of a kiss. The
medium then came out among us wholly exhausted and in a state of deep
dismay.