Page:The Naturalisation of the Supernatural.pdf/45

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Experimental Thought Transference
27

hibit this, Major asked if it was to be an old master or a modern 'pot-boiler.' He was told the latter, and he then discoursed on 'pot-boilers' and how he knew all the subjects of them—mentioning two or three—in a very contemptuous manner. He did not seem to see anything, however, and appeared to be expecting to see an artist producing a rapid sketch. Then, when told that the picture was actually there, he suddenly exclaimed: "Do you mean that deuced old trap with a mouse? He must have been drawing for the rat-vermin people.'"

Another interesting series of experiments in the transference of imagined scenes is recorded by Mrs. A. W. Verrall of Cambridge. Mrs. Verrall has conducted many experiments with H., the agent in this case, a child (in 1893) between nine and ten years of age, and has found indications of telepathic powers, both in H. and herself.

No. 6 From Mrs. A. W. Verrall

"In the autumn of 1893 we tried to transfer visualised scenes; in this I believe myself to have had some slight success as percipient with other people. H. and I sat in the same room, at some distance, back to back; she thought of a scene or picture, I looked at the ceiling, described what I saw and drew it. There was not complete silence, but no leading questions were asked, and very few remarks made. I took down at the time, on one occasion [Experiment (d) given below], every word that was said, and am sure that no sort of hint is given by H., other than the inevitable one of satisfaction or disappointment, of which I am conscious, though it is not expressed. After my description and drawing were complete, H. made rough outlines in some cases