WCP4342

[1]

Waldron Edge, Duppas Hill, Croydon.

August 3rd. 1878

My dear Sir

I have myself seen very little more in Spiritualism not being able to give the time to it that it requires. I however accept the evidence of others just as I accept it in any other scientific matter. & there have been some very interesting experiments lately made.

1. At the Spiritual Institute¹ they have had a weighing machine & self-registering apparatus constructed so as to weight a medium while in a dark box or cabinet & the result has been most curious. His weight varied enormously, & in proportion to the energy of the force manifested at a distance from him. When a form was [2] seen & felt his weight was reduced to a minimum less than half is normal weight.

2. It has for years been the endeavor of enquirers to get some permanent & self-demonstrative proof of spirit-power; — something that should not depend upon personal testimony — but hitherto in vain. An approach to it was made by Prof. Zollner of Leipzi[g]², a well known mathematician, when he attained recently knots tied in a cord the ends of which were tied & sealed, & never out of his hands or his sight — the cord with the knots remains, but it rests in his testimony & that of his friends that it was not changed. Metal or wooden rings have been put on arms when [3] hands were clasped, but this was no evidence to 3rd. parties. Rings (solid) of two different materials have often been taken to seánce to try & get them locked together but in vain. But at length this has been done. A Mr. Gilles from St. Petersburg has been travelling through Europe to try & get this test. He brought with him solid wooden & ivory rings. Last week in London with a party of 3 mediums & a friend well known to me, after 4 unsuccessful sittings the great feat was accomplished, and an ivory and wooden ring, have been interlinked without fracture! The rings were shown to Harrison³ the Ed[itor]. of the Spiritualist, but Mr. Gilles has returned at once to the continent to submit the rings to the professors of Leipzig University. The thing having [4] been once done it will no doubt be repeated; and as it is a standing miracle that is, a thing beyond human power to produce will it not compel our scientific men to investigate this marvellous subject? So long as these facts are not acknowledged. I must say, I feel disinclined to discuss theories or probability.

If you want to keep up your knowledge of what is doing in the matter you should take the "Spiritualist" newspaper⁴.

Hoping your health is improved by your continental trip

Believe me | Yours very faithfully | Alfred R Wallace. [signature]