Faraday to James Emerson Tennent   14 June 1861

Folkstone | 14 June 1861.

Sir Emerson Tennent Bart | &c &c &c

My dear Sir Emerson

I cannot help feeling that you are indiscreet in your desire to bring me into contact with the occult phenomena which it is said are made manifest in Mr Hume’s¹ [sic] presence. I have investigated such in former times during some years and as much as I thought consistent with the self respect that an experimental philosopher owes to himself. It would be a condescension on my part to pay any more attention to them now and I can only do so under the persuasion that all concerned wish to have the phenomena unravel[l]ed and understood and will do all they can to aid in such a result. To settle whether I can go or not I wish to put to you the following points

1. Who wishes me to go? - to whose house? - for what purpose? –

2. Does Mr. Hume wish me to go?

3. Is he willing to investigate as a philosopher? - and as such to have no concealments - no darkness - to be open in communication - and to aid enquiry all that he can?

4. Does he make himself responsible for the effects and identify himself more or less with their cause?

5. Would he be glad if their delusive character were established and exposed and would he gladly help to expose it? - or would he be annoyed and personally offended?

6. Does he consider the effects natural or supernatural? - If natural what are the laws which govern them? - or does he think they are not subject to laws? If supernatural does he suppose them to be miracles or the work of spirits? If the work of spirits, would an insult to the spirits be considered an insult to himself?

7. If the effects are miracles or the work of spirits - does he admit the utterly contemptible character, both of them and their results, up to the present time, in respect either of yielding information or instruction or supplying any force or action of the least value to mankind?

8 If they be natural effects without natural law, can they be of any use or value, to mankind?

9. If they be glimpses of natural action not yet reduced to law, ought it not to be the duty of every one who has the least influence in such actions, personally to develop them, and aid others in their development, by the utmost open[n]ess and assistance, and by the application of every critical method, either mental or experimental, which the mind of man can devise.

I do not wish to give offence to any one or to meddle with this subject again. I lost much time about it formerly, in hopes of developing some new force of power; but found nothing worthy of attention. I can only look at it now as a natural philosopher; and because of the respect due to myself, will not enter upon any further attention or investigation, unless those who profess to have a hold upon the effects, agree to aid to the uttermost. To this purpose they must consent (and desire) to be as critical upon the matter, and full of test investigation in regard to the subject, as any natural philosopher is in respect of the germs of his discoveries. How could electricity, that universal spirit of matter, ever have been developed, in its relations to chemical action - to magnetic action;- to its application in the explosion of mines - the weaving of silk - the extension of printing - the electro-telegraph - the illumination of lighthouses &c. except by rigid investigation, founded on the strictest critical reasoning and the most exact and open experiment? - and if these, so called, occult manifestations are not utterly worthless, they must and will pass through a like ordeal.

As I do not want to debate this matter with those who have already made up their minds in a direction contrary to my own, but (if I see sufficient reason) only to work it out with such as desire to find incontrovertible proofs independant [sic] of opinion or assertion; so I wish you would shew this letter to Mr. Hume, and those who want me to meet him and them on his ground:- after which you will know whether you should persevere in asking me. You will understand that I decline to meet any whose minds are not at liberty to investigate according to the general principles I have here expressed.

Further I claim the right of publishing the whole or any part of this letter, or any future written communication that may arise out of it, in any manner that I may think fit[.]

Ever My dear Sir Emerson | Your very faithful Servant | M. Faraday

You will see that I consent to all this with much reserve and only for your sake | MF.