Page:The Naturalisation of the Supernatural.pdf/85

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Spontaneous Thought Transference
65

in the water vision, which had occurred a few hours previously.[1]

In the following case it may be conjectured that the conditions of a spiritualist'séance, the quietness, the freedom from preoccupation, and the partial darkness were favourable to the emergence of a clairvoyant vision.

For the evidence we are indebted to Mr. W. W. Baggally, of No. 23 Lower Phillimore Place, Kensington, W., a member of the Society, who is acquainted with the principal witnesses in the case and has full confidence in their integrity.

No. 17. From Mr. John Polley,[2]

95 Church St., Stoke Newignton,
London, N.
, June, 1901.

At a'séance held within the sound of Big Ben on May 8th, 1901, there were present Mrs. E. V. M., Mr. Thomas Atwood; and myself. As Mr. Atwood resumed his seat after delivering an invocation (about 8.30 p.m.), I became aware of a vision, which presented itself on the left of where I was seated. The scene appeared as being some 5 feet distant from me, and displayed part of the interior of a room, viz., that part where the stove stood. The fire in the stove was small and dull, and close beside it was an overturned chair. In front of the fire was something that looked like a fire-guard or clothes-horse, but this was not quite clear to me. Playing or climbing over this article was a child, who fell forward, and, when it regained its feet, I noticed that its dress was on fire.

I made no reference to the matter at the time, as I had an impression that the vision might be connected with some occurrence in the family of Mrs. M., and I was averse to mentioning it for fear of awaking sad memories.
  1. Journal, S. P. R., December, 1903.
  2. Journal, S. P. R., January, 1902.