WCP4329

[1]

The Dell, Grays, Essex

August 7th. 1874

Dear Sir

I very much regret that it is not in my power to give you the introduction you require.

I have never seen the phenomena you refer to myself. They are exceedingly rare, and have now wholly ceased with the late Miss Cook¹ (now married).

Miss Showers the other lady who has similar phenomena I know nothing of, nor where she is.

The only means I can suggest is that you sh[oul]^d engage Mr. Williams (a public medium) [2] to come for a series of sittings to your own house, where you might make such arrangements as to be far more satisfactory to you than any thing[sic] you could see in another persons’ house & many people who, for any thing[sic] you can tell to the contrary, may be accomplices in a fraud. Mr. Williams is now going on the Continent but he will no doubt be back in the winter, and Mr. Burns² of 15 Southampton Row, will be able to give [3] you his address.

I am not at all surprised at the difficulty you sh[oul]^d have found in getting admission to good private circles. People soon find that no good and satisfactory phenomena can be obtained unless nearly the same people sit together time after time. The ^constant introduction of new members, even though they are firm believers or earnest enquirers, disturbs that harmonious combination of subtle organic influences that seems necessary for the development of the [4] higher phenomena. Again, even if satisfactory at the time, a single seánce[sic] has no permanent effect, because doubts & suspicions inevitably arise or are suggested by sceptical friends, and it is only by witnessing repeatedly similar phenomena under varied conditions, that every possible objection is finally answered. I therefore hardly even care myself to accept invitations to single seánces[sic], as the waste of time is too great. And I would always recommend any enquirer to wait till he can arrange a series of seánces[sic] [5] in his own or some friends’ house.

I have as you suppose had a large number of applications from perfect strangers of a similar nature to yours.

Though I know your name well I did not remember having the pleasure of meeting you at Mr. Matthews’.

I regret that I cannot afford Miss Ingleby the opportunity she desires of witnessing the "materializations"; — but should you at any time make [6] arrangements for sittings with Mr. Williams, I should be happy to suggest to you some details which might save you time & render the manifestations, sh[oul]^d they occur, more satisfactory.

I remain | Yours very faithfully | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]

C.M. Ingleby Esq.³