V 1 PREFACE 



point of view introduced into this theory for the 

 purposes of the present research is confined to the 

 stipulation that matter and electricity are quantities 

 of an essentially different nature, and that whatever 

 they may be, one of them cannot be interpreted in 

 terms of the other. There is, in fact, no "electric 

 theory of matter," and a further simplification of 

 natural laws must proceed on non-material lines. 



For the philosophical doctrines guiding these 

 researches I am very greatly indebted to my revered 

 master and friend, Dr. Johnstone Stoney, F.R.S., 

 whose ontological speculations have profoundly in- 

 fluenced and enlightened me. Ontology is a subject 

 left uncultivated by most modern men of science, 

 and that may account for the somewhat materialistic 

 tendency of most of their writings when touching 

 on philosophical subjects. The science of the mind 

 is as yet in its infancy, largely on account of the 

 lack of a comprehensive theory of mental pheno- 

 mena. Mental pathology and psychical research 

 will enter on a career of useful achievement as soon 

 as they can agree upon a " point of view." At present 

 all is chaos and guesswork. The Kepler and Newton 

 of the soul are still awaited. 



A work like the present necessarily appeals to the 

 intellect in the first instance. But the proof of the 

 existence of two worlds whose possibility was barely 

 suspected hitherto, and whose connection with our- 

 selves, with our own past and future, may be very 



