From F. W. H. Myers to G. H. Darwin [May 1874]

My dear Darwin

Henry Sidgwick and I mean to investigate spiritualism during the latter half of June & July, in London, holding a long series of private séances with a small & carefully selected circle. The first persons whom it occurred to us to ask to join were yourself & Lord Rayleigh   H. Sidgwick is, I believe, writing to Lord Rayleigh, & I write to you to ask whether your health would be likely to enable you, & whether you would be inclined, to join us. If you cannot do so, can your brother Frank? It would not require continuous residence in London. Our idea was that we should hold about 3 séances weekly—possibly more.

‘John King’ did not appear last Thursday, so the matches were not used. I do not think that I shall go any more to public séances, except just to see any medium whom we may think of engaging.

I have been staying with the Cowper Temple at Broadlands. That house is, as you doubtless know, a great focus of spiritualism, & the accounts w^h. I heard thus from various other guests were certainly startling.

If neither you nor your brother can join us, do you know of any scientific man who would be likely to care to do so? Of course I ask mainly for information, as I could not invite anyone without consultation with H. Sidgwick.

yours very truly | JWH Myers

Do you know anything of Colonel Drayson’s astronomical books? He professes to get his tips from the other world