24 Psychic Force and Modern Spiritualism. 
because he refused to sign the narrative I sent him of the proceedings 
at his séance at Mr. Serjeant Cox’s. Now, although the intrinsic ab- 
surdity of such a threat, made under the very eyes of a serjeant learned in 
the law, must be patent to everyone, it is necessary for me to state, which 
I do in the most emphatic manner, that this disgraceful accusation is 
totally untrue. I have never threatened Mr. Spiller with legal pro- 
ceedings; I have never given him the remotest hint of such a thing; never 
did such a thought enter my mind; and nothing that he has ever said or 
written in connection with this controversy could induce me for a moment 
to entertain the idea of legal proceedings.* 
I hope I have now finished with the, to me, uncongenial task of combating 
perverse mis-statements and refuting personal misrepresentations; and that I 
may be able to devote myself once more to quiet research. 
* Since this was written Mr. Spiller has been made to withdraw his accusation (English 
Mechanic, Dec. 22, 1871). The ungracious manner in which he eats his offensive words “J 
was threatened with legal proceedings” shows that his anxiety to say something spiteful has 
led him to say the thing that was not. 
Sp eee 
Printed at the Office of the QUARTERLY JouRNAL oF ScIENCE, 3, Horse-Shoe Court, Ludgate 
Hill, E.C. 
