78 Notes of an Enquiry into the [January, 
articles of scientific belief—amongst others, the ubiquity and 
invariable action of the law of gravitation—that, even now, 
on recalling the details of what I witnessed, there is an 
antagonism in my mind between reason, which pronounces 
it to be scientifically impossible, and the consciousness that 
my senses, both of touch and sight,—and these corroborated, 
as they were, by the senses of all who were present,—are 
not lying witnesses when they testify against my preconcep- 
tions.* 
But the supposition that there is a sort of mania or 
delusion which suddenly attacks a whole roomful of in- 
telligent persons who are quite sane elsewhere, and that 
they all concur to the minutest particulars, in the details 
of the occurrences of which they suppose themselves to be 
witnesses, seems to my mind more incredible than even the 
facts they attest. 
The subject is far more difficult and extensive than it 
appears. Four years ago I intended only to devote a 
leisure month or two to ascertain whether certain marvellous 
occurrences I had heard about would stand the test of close 
scrutiny. Having, however, soon arrived at the same 
conclusion as, I may say, every impartial enquirer, that 
there was ‘‘ something in it,” I could not, as a student 
of nature’s laws, refuse to follow the enquiry wheresoever 
the facts might lead. Thus a few months have grown into 
a few years, and were my time at my own disposal it would 
probably extend still longer. But other matters of scientific 
and praCtical interest demand my present attention; and, 
inasmuch as J cannot afford the time requisite to follow the 
enquiry as it deserves, and as I am fully confident it will 
be studied by scientific men a few years hence, and as my 
opportunities are not now as good as they were some time 
ago, when Mr. D. D. Home was in good health, and Miss 
* The following remarks are so appropriate that I cannot forbear quoting 
them. They occur in a private letter from an old friend, to whom I had sent 
an account of some of these occurrences. The high position which he holds 
in the scientific world renders doubly valuable any opinion he expresses on the 
mental tendencies of scientific men. ‘‘ Any intellectual reply to your facts I 
cannot see. Yet it is a curious fact that even I, with all my tendency 
and desire to believe spiritualistically, and with all my faith in your power 
of observing and your thorough truthfulness, feel as if I wanted to see for 
myself; and it is quite painful to me to think how much more proof I want. 
Painful, I say, because I see that it is not reason which convinces a man, 
unless a fact is repeated so frequently that the impression becomes like a habit 
of mind, an old acquaintance, a thing known so long that it cannot be doubted. 
This is a curious phase of man’s mind, and it is remarkably strong in scientific 
men—stronger than in others, I think. For this reason we must not always 
call a man dishonest because he does not yield to evidence for a long time. 
The old wall of belief must be broken down by much battering.” 
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