TRUTH STRANGER THAN FICTION.
87
ity, but a question of fact. Whatever conclusions, if any, I may
have arrived at on this question of fact* I see distinctly that I
have been projected into a better position for judging of it than
I occupied before; and that what then appeared an imposition,
or a delusion, now assumes a shape which demands investiga¬
tion.
“But I cannot expect persons who have not witnessed these
things, to take my word for them ; because, under similar circum¬
stances, I certainly should not have taken theirs. What I do
expect is, that they will admit as reasonable, and as being in
strict accordance with the philosophical method of procedure,
the mental progress I have indicated, from the total rejection of
extraordinary phenomena upon the evidence of others, to the
recognition of such phenomena as matter of fact, upon our own
direct observation. This recognition points the way to inquiry,
which is precisely what I desire to promote. . . .
“ Our party of eight or nine assembled in the evening; and the
seance commenced about nine o’clock, in a spacious drawing¬
room, of which it is necessary to give some account, in order to
render perfectly intelligible what is to follow. In different parts
of the room were sofas and ottomans, and in the centre a round
table, at which it was arranged that the seance should be held.
Between this table and three windows, which filled up one side
of the room, there was a large sofa. The windows were draped
with thick curtains, and protected by spring-blinds. The space
in front of the centre-window' was unoccupied ; but the windows
on the right and left were filled by geranium-stands.
“The company at the table consisted partly of ladies and
partly of gentlemen ; and amongst the gentlemen was the cele¬
brated Mr. Home. . . . He looks like a man whose life has been
passed in a mental conflict. The expression of his face in repose
is that of physical suffering; but it quickly lights up when you
address him, and his natural cheerfulness colors his whole man¬
ner. There is more kindliness and gentleness than vigor in the
character of his features; and the same easy-natured disposition
may be traced in his unrestrained intercourse. He is yet so