WCP3018

[1]

The Priory.

21. North Bank.

Regents Park.

Tuesday <1867>^1,2

Dear Sir,

If Prof. Wheatstone³ sees reason to believe in this capricious Force which acts in defiance of all known laws, and with strange caprice only acts in the houses of a very few people or in the presence of a very few, the fact will be one of which believers may justly be proud. Though I must say that the circumstance to which you particularly call my attention [2] seems to point to a quite different conclusion. If the phenomena ceased when the prof. entered the room, & even resumed when his back was turned, this would lead most people to suspect that the medium was afraid of being detected, not that the force was coquettish.

However as we both agree it is entirely a question of evidence. You believe there is evidence to warrant your conclusion. [3] I have not only failed to get any evidence for such a conclusion but have had abundant evidence of delusion & imposture in specific cases to make me very suspicious of one or the other in all cases.

If Wheatstone has seen tables & chairs moving “absolutely untouched” it is of such importance that he is bound as a man of science to brave any amount of ridicule in the cause & to come forward & not only testify himself but [4] assist others in the rigorous investigation of & verification of such a Force. Until this Force can be questioned in the same way as all other forces are philosophers may be excused if they decline it [2 words illeg.].

Yours truly | G. H. Lewes⁴ [signature]

Alfred Wallace Esq

I am going out of town tomorrow morning.