Page:The Naturalisation of the Supernatural.pdf/51

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Experimental Thought Transference
33

No. 7. From Dr. Wiltse, Kismet, Morgan Co., Tenn.
Experiment 28 (Feb, 1891).

A. S. Wiltse, as agent, attempts to produce a certain image in the mind of T. Raseco, since 10 p.m., distance apart about zoo yards; both in bed, by appointment, at 9.55 p.m. Agent fixes upon the image he will produce, so that no possible hint may be exchanged. Meeting the next morning, they exchange notes.

Result—A. S. W. attempted to make T. Raseco see an African jungle, as it would appear at night, with a hunter's tent in front, and a tiger glaring out from the jungle. Percipient to see only the glowing eyes, with ill-defined form back of them.

T. Raseco, the percipient, saw:

A large and dense mass of bushes, apparently rose-bushes, as there seemed an abundant profusion of roses. In the midst of this mass appeared two balls of fire, behind which was an indistinct bulk which he could not make out.

(Query: by agent: Why, if the experiment was truly partially successful, as would seem to be the fact, did percipient see roses in place of palms, saw-palms, etc., which were in my mind?)[1]

The example just quoted was, as said, an isolated case of experiment at a distance. In the following case, however, there was a series of eighteen trials.

No. 8. From the Rev. A. Glardon

In 1893 and 1894 the Rev. A. Glardon and a friend, Mrs. M., agreed to carry on experiments in the transference of mental pictures at a fixed hour on certain days; Mr. Glardon being throughout the series in Tour de Peilz, Canton Vaud, and Mrs. M. being first in Florence, then in Torre Pellice, Italy,

  1. Journal, S. P. R., Feb., 1896, pp. 199, 200.