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King the spirit is derived from the body of Florrie Cook the psychic； then
what assurance have we that the life therein is not really one of the
personalities out of which the complex being named Florrie Cook is
constructed？ It is a thesis which requires careful handling。 It is not enough
to say that the nature is manifestly superior； for supposing that Florrie
Cook represented the average of a number of conflicting personalities；
then a single one of these personalities might be far higher than the total
effect。 Without going deeply into this problem； one can but say that the
spirit's own account of its own personality must count for something； and
also that an isolated phenomenon must be taken in conjunction with all
other psychic phenomena when we are seeking for a correct explanation。
But now let us take this idea of a human being who has the power of
emitting a visible substance in which are formed faces which appear to
represent distinct individualities； and in extreme cases develop into
complete independent human forms。 Take this extraordinary fact； and let
us see whether； by an extension or modification of this demonstrated
process； we may not get some sort of clue as to the modus operandi in
other psychic phenomena。 It seems to me that we may； at least； obtain
indications which amount to a probability； though not to a certainty； as to
how some results； hitherto inexplicable； are attained。 It is at any rate a
provisional speculation； which may suggest a hypothesis for future
observers to destroy； modify； or confirm。 The argument which I would
advance is this。 If a strong materialisation medium can throw out a cloud
of stuff which is actually visible； may not a medium of a less pronounced
type throw out a similar cloud with analogous properties which is not
opaque enough to be seen by the average eye； but can make an impression
both on the dry plate in the camera and on the clairvoyant faculty？ If that
be soand it would not seem to be a very far…fetched propositionwe have
at once an explanation both of psychic photographs and of the visions of
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the clairvoyant seer。 When I say an explanation； I mean of its superficial
method of formation； and not of the forces at work behind； which remain
no less a mystery even when we accept Dr。 Geley's statement that they are
〃ideoplastic。〃 Here we have； I think； some attempt at a generalisation；
which might； perhaps； be useful in evolving some first signs of order out
of this chaos。 It is conceivable that the thinner emanation of the
clairvoyant would extend far further than the thick material ectoplasm； but
have the same property of moulding itself into life； though the life forms
would only be visible to the clairvoyant eye。 Thus； when Mr。 Tom Tyrrell；
or any other competent exponent； stands upon the platform his emanation
fills the hall。 Into this emanation； as into the visible ectoplasm in Geley's
experiments； break the faces and forms of those from the other side who
are attracted to the scene by their sympathy with various members of the
audience。 They are seen and described by Mr。 Tyrrell； who with his finely
attuned senses； carefully conserved （he hardly eats or drinks upon a day
when he demonstrates）； can hear that thinner higher voice that calls their
names； their old addresses and their messages。 So； too； when Mr。 Hope
and Mrs。 Buxton stand with their hands joined over the cap of the camera；
they are really throwing out a misty ectoplasm from which the forms loom
up which appear upon the photographic plate。 It may be that I mistake an
analogy for an explanation； but I put the theory on record for what it is
worth。
B。 A PARTICULAR INSTANCE
I have been in touch with a series of events in America lately； and can
vouch for the facts as much as any man can vouch for facts which did not
occur to himself。 I have not the least doubt in my own mind that they are
true； and a more remarkable double proof of the continuity of life has； I
should think； seldom been published。 A book has recently been issued by
Harpers； of New York； called 〃The Seven Purposes。〃 In this book the
authoress； Miss Margaret Cameron； describes how she suddenly
developed the power of automatic writing。 She was not a Spiritualist at the
time。 Her hand was controlled and she wrote a quantity of matter which
was entirely outside her own knowledge or character。 Upon her doubting
whether her sub…conscious self might in some way be producing the
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writing； which was partly done by planchette； the script was written upside
down and from right to left； as though the writer was seated opposite。
Such script could not possibly be written by the lady herself。 Upon making
enquiry as to who was using her hand； the answer came in writing that it
was a certain Fred Gaylord； and that his object was to get a message to his
mother。 The youth was unknown to Miss Cameron； but she knew the
family and forwarded the message； with the result that the mother came to
see her； examined the evidence； communicated with the son； and finally；
returning home； buried all her evidences of mourning； feeling that the boy
was no more dead in the old sense than if he were alive in a foreign
country。 There is the first proof of preternatural agency； since Miss
Cameron developed so much knowledge which she could not have
normally acquired； using many phrases and ideas which were
characteristic of the deceased。 But mark the sequel。 Gaylord was merely a
pseudonym； as the matter was so private that the real name； which we will
put as Bridger； was not disclosed。 A few months after the book was
published Miss Cameron received a letter from a stranger living a
thousand miles away。 This letter and the whole correspondence I have
seen。 The stranger； Mrs。 Nicol； says that as a test she would like to ask
whether the real name given as Fred Gaylord in the book is not Fred
Bridger； as she had psychic reasons for believing so。 Miss Cameron
replied that it was so； and expressed her great surprise that so secret and
private a matter should have been correctly stated。 Mrs。 Nicol then
explained that she and her husband； both connected with journalism and
both absolutely agnostic； had discovered that she had the power of
automatic writing。 That while； using this power she had received
communications purporting to come from Fred Bridger whom they had
known in life； and that upon reading Miss Cameron's book they had
received from Fred Bridger the assurance that he was the same person as
the Fred Gaylord of Miss Cameron。 Now； arguing upon these facts； and
they would appear most undoubtedly to be facts； what possible answer can
the ma