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 have no personal ambition in the spiritistic line, and all the
careful observations that I made during this seance of November 21 are
only one stone the more contributed to the edifice of Truth.
_It is not on account of prejudice_ that I do not believe in the
reality of the manifestations, and I can assure you, if I were able to
see _the least_ phenomenon that was really extraordinary or
inexplicable, I should be the first to confess my error.
The reading of several books has led me to admit the possible reality
of these manifestations, but direct experience has convinced me of the
contrary.
My frankness in this report unhappily borders upon indiscretion. But
frankness is here synonymous with devotion, for it would be to betray
you if I were false for an instant to the sacred cause of Truth.
Report of M. Mathieu.
(_Seance of November 25_)
The seance opens at 9.30. M. Brisson, controller on the left, puts his
feet on Eusapia's feet; M. Flammarion, controller on the right, holds
her knees. In a moment the table leans to the right, its two left feet
are lifted and then it falls back; then follows the lifting of the two
right feet, and finally the lifting of the whole table off of its four
feet to a height of about seven inches above the floor (contact of
feet certain and knees motionless). I take a photograph.
At 9.37 a slight lifting on the left; then a lifting on the right, and
a total levitation (photograph).
During the levitations of the table the salon is lighted by a strong
Auer burner. It is now extinguished and is replaced by a little lamp
which is placed behind a fire-screen at the farther end of the room.
Absolute control of the hands and of the feet made by MM. Brisson and
Flammarion.
M. Brisson is slightly touched on the right hip, and at this moment
the two hands of Eusapia are plainly seen.
At 9.48 the curtain shakes and then puffs out three times in
succession. M. Brisson is again touched on the right hip; the curtain
is drawn back as if by a curtain-band. M. Flammarion, who holds
Eusapia's hand, makes three gestures and to each of his gestures
corresponds a new divergence of the portiere. Eusapia recommends that
we "give attention to the temperature of the medium; it will be found
to be changed after each phenomenon."
At 9.57 the light is diminished and is henceforth very feeble. The
curtain bellies out, and at the same moment M. Brisson is touched;
then the curtain is flung forcefully over the table. At the request of
Eusapia, M. Delanne lightly touches her head behind, and the curtain
slightly trembles.