WCP4331

[1]

The Dell, Grays, Essex.

May 18th. 1875

My dear Sir¹

I have been much occupied or sh^d have answered your letter² before.

Mr Crookes³ himself showed me the rooms and the exact conditions under which the phenomena occurred, & assured me that all means of unobserved exit & entrance were absolutely prevented, the door & window being securely fastened by himself. I asked this because I anticipated some such objection, although it might seem obvious that one of the first experiments of the day (as Mr C.’s) would hardly omit so obvious a condition in a matter in wh. he risks the Scientific reputation of his life. Mr Maurice ^Davies4 was writing for the "Daily Telegraph" & was obliged to introduce some [2] suspicions. However the best answer to such suppositions is to show that in other cases they are altogether precluded. I enclose you two newspaper cuttings which I have read & return. I know the author both by reputation & personally, & have independent testimony that what he relates is true. Read the larger cutting first, — the smaller gives the climax of proof.

The two lady mediums alluded to have been engaged for 12 months experiments by a party of gentlemen of whom Mr H. Sidgwick⁵ of Cambridge is one. They have already got most satisfactory experiments under rigid test conditions in their own houses, [3] as I know by a private letter from one of them wh. I have seen.

Without going therefore to the most overwhelming evidence in America (as given in the book by Col. Olcott⁶ just published) — we have here at home a more than confirmation of Crookes’ statements under most absolutely rigid test conditions.

No failures & no suspicions in other places can get over these.

If you use my name and ask Mr Crookes when it will be convenient for him to show them — ^{the photos,} — to you I have no doubt he will do so. His address is 20, Mornington Road. N.W. But the photos. are so life-like that they will give you no satisfaction unless you believe [4] his statements as to the facts.

I may remark that the ‘spirit’s’ white robe has never been proved to contain Miss Cooke⁷ herself, — & I am not aware of any consternation on the part of the spiritualists.

I see not much difficulty in the "hair" or “clothing” remaining. They are natural substances, formed by the spirits, who have the power of decomposing or dissolving them as quickly as they form them, — but when portions are [illeg.] why sh^d they not remain if the spirit does not exercise its power of decomposing them?

I remain | yours very Faithfully | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]

C. M. Ingleby Esq.

Enclosing cuttings from the Newcastle Daily Journal May 5 & 6 1875