lo INTRODUCTION 



Pfungst suffered from more than one bite. In this con- 

 nection I would also express my obligations to Count 

 Otto zu Castell-Rudenhausen, for his frequent interces- 

 sion on our behalf with the owner of the horse, and for 

 his many evidences of good-will and helpfulness. 



After the publication of this report (Supplement IV), 

 there was still some further discussion of the case in 

 societies of various kinds and in the press, but no im- 

 portant objections were raised. A hippologist thought 

 that men of his calling should have been consulted, a 

 telepathist believed that telepathists should have been 

 called in. There was also some further talk of sugges- 

 tion, will-transference, thought-reading and the occult, 

 but no attempt was made to elucidate these vague terms 

 with reference to their application to the case in hand. 

 Others adhered to the old cry of " fraud," for a share of 

 which Mr. Pfungst now fell heir. There were a few who 

 felt it incumbent upon themselves to preserve their 

 ' priority,' and therefore stated with a show of satisfac- 

 tion that I had finally ' confessed ' myself to hold their 

 respective points of view. As if there were anything 

 like " confessions " in science ! As if mere affirmations, 

 even though sealed and deposited in treasure vaults, had 

 any value with reference to a case in which every manner 

 of supposition had been advanced in lieu of explanation. 

 Why did they wait so long, if they had convincing proof 

 for their position? 



And finally there were disappointed Darwinists who 

 expressed fear lest ecclesiastical and reactionary points 

 of view should derive favorable material from the con- 

 clusions arrived at in my report. Needless fear. For 

 lovers of truth it must always remain a matter of incon- 

 sequence whether anyone is pleased or displeased with 



