WCP4339

[1]

Rosehill, Dorking

Dec[ember]. 4th. 1877

My dear Sir

I admit that the reply to the 'potassium ferrocyanide' test¹ is not quite satisfactory; In fact I may admit to you that I believe the test was applied as described, — but as I have proved that an (by reliable or against anonymous evidence) that a test ^{(of the sand)} said to have been made at the same time & by the same person was totally erroneous, I have a right to doubt the other. (See Q[uarterly]. J[ournal]. of Science July. p.411-412.²) Again the evidence is not of the same complete nature as Crookes³. Even admitting that the flowers brought were wetted with the water from the jug, that does not prove ^that the medium brought them. The same power that brought them could wet them. Moreover it is not the best evidence attainable — the same man who went into the ^bedroom to put the salt in the water could [2] have found the flower had they been there, or have bribed the housemaid to find them, & if he had then taken note of their exact number and quality & produced that note at the seánce the proof of imposture would have been better, though not then complete unless he had also proved that they disappeared from the room at the same time as with the medium, which also could have been easily proved. Again the medium's hands were both held, & you have to show how hollyhocks, laurels, & other large things could drop on the table, while his hands were so held.

Now to come to the other phenomena. I gave them you not as final but as preliminary. To show that we are not so careless of evidence as you suppose, I may say that last t night we had a shoemakers' measuring rule, & with this measured the "Persian's" bare foot accurately — & afterwards the medium's — they were exactly 11 inches, [3] and 9 ^3/4 inches respectively.

As to your test of seizure or ^forcible separation of form & medium there are three good reasons why neither I nor any of my friend[s] would venture to apply it.

1. We have what we consider ample grounds for the belief that it might seriously injure the medium, bodily or mentally.

2. The person who did it once would shut himself out from all chance of continuing the investigation of these phenomena.

3. The same absolute ^test has been and can be obtained without violence, & merely by studying & waiting for favorable conditions.

For instance;— I have seen once & hope to see again, a female figure actually grow into form by the side of the distinctly visible and audible medium — then separate from him to the distance of 6 or 8 feet, and prove its' objectivity by clapping its hands (visibly and audibly) [4] at the same time that the medium clapped his hands. Mr. Colly⁴ [sic] has seen this state more favourably,— closely examining & touching this form & the medium at the same time. Mr. Stainton Moses⁵ also saw this, less perfectly, & has described it in last weeks "Spiritualist"⁶.

I have also, at another seánce, seen a white female form which I have closely examined and conversed with, feeling the texture of her ample white drapery ^touching her bare feet. This figure has then gone behind the curtain & ha within 1 or 2 seconds has said — "come & look". On doing so instantly, I found no white figure but only the medium, a young lady dressed in black, with all her clothes in precise order, her boots closely buttoned, &c. &c.

I hope soon to have the means of carefully investigating the phenomena with this medium, ascertaining whether she loses weight while the spirit form is [one word illegible] &c. &c., and I would certainly not give up all chance of such investigations wh by resorting to an act of violence, which, whatever the result would apply only to that one case; whereas the phenomena are infinitely varied, & cannot be "settled" by any such "royal road" of enquiry.

Yours faithfully | Alfred R Wallace. [signature]

Dr. C. M. Ingleby.⁷