CHAP. VIII.] ESSAYS AT CAMBRIDGE. 229 



is the invisible medium through which the communion of 

 the sensitive takes place. 



" (2.) The next phase of the dark sciences is that in 

 which . . . the phraseology of physics is exchanged for 

 that of psychology. In this stage we hear much of the power 

 of the will. The verb to will acquires a new and popular 

 sense, so that every one now is able to will a thing without 

 bequeathing it. People can will not to be able to do a 

 thing, then try and not succeed ; while those of stronger 

 minds can will their victims out of their wits and back 

 again. 



" (3.) The third or pneumatological phase begins by dis- 

 trusting, as it well may, the explanations prevalent during 

 the former stages of apparitions, distant intercourse, etc. It 

 suggests that different minds may have some communion, 

 though separated by space, through some spiritual medium. 

 Such a suggestion if discreetly followed up might lead to 

 important discoveries, and would certainly give rise to 

 entertaining meditations. But the cultivators of the dark 

 sciences have done as they have ever delighted to do. 

 Their spirits are not content with making themselves present 



' Where all the nerves of sense are numb, 

 Spirit to spirit, ghost to ghost.' 



but they become the familiar spirits of money -making 

 media, and rap out lies for hours together for the amusement 

 of a promiscuous 'circle.' . . . While the believers sit 

 round the table of the medium and form one loop of the 

 figure 8, the spiritual circle enclosing the celestial mahogany 

 forms the upper portion of the curve, the medium herself 

 constituting the double point. But who shall say of the 

 dark sciences that they have reached the maximum of dark- 

 ness ? Men have listened to the toes of a medium as to 

 the voice of the departed. Let them now stand about her 

 table as about the table of devils. If one spirit can wrap 

 itself in petticoats, why may not another dance with three 

 legs ? A most searching question truly ! And accordingly 

 the powerful analysis of Godfrey has led him to the con- 

 clusion that a table of which the plane surface is touched 



