HYPNOTISM IN ANIMALS. 87 



had delivered their testimony as to the reality of spiritual writings, 

 supernatural manifestations, etc. Judge for yourselves ! For the 

 preservation of Huggins's honor, and as a striking example of these 

 gentlemen's proceedings, I feel necessitated to communicate this 

 doubtful letter to you : 



Mb. CROOKES : Uppee Sulbe Hill, June 9, 1871. 



Dear Sir : The proof-sheets which you sent me seem to contain a correct 

 representation of what took place in your house in my presence. My position 

 at the table did not allow me to witness the removal of Mr. Home's hand from 

 the piano ; hut this is considered by you, as well as the person sitting on the 

 other side of Mr. Home, to have taken place. The experiments show me the 

 importance of further investigation. I, however, wish it distinctly understood, 

 that I express no decided opinion in regard to the phenomena. 



Your obedient servant, William Huggins. 



Yet, as we have said, whether one or another scientific investigator 

 examines these things, his personal opinion is entirely dependent on 

 the circumstances. But, in regard to strict science, they simply 

 do not exist at all. Science neither recognizes nor denies them ; it 

 simply ignores, and it has a perfect right to do this, because time and 

 work are too precious to be wasted on phenomena which can offer 

 no higher interest than that their causes are not apparent — ex- 

 actly in the same way as with conjuring. In these days, no one is 

 accused of possessing supernatural power, otherwise we might again 

 begin to burn people for heresy and witchcraft. Heretofore, nothing 

 has compelled us to suppose spiritual manifestations and dubious phe- 

 nomena to be supernatural, and therefore the whole thing is probably 

 not worth any consideration whatever, except perhaps in a psychologi- 

 cal point of view. 



The absolute opposition of science to spiritualism, etc., is entirely 

 justifiable, as you, gentlemen, must admit, little as you may be sat- 

 isfied with our views, or much as you have been deceived in your 

 expectations. I can only say that, possibly in consequence of the 

 long reserve of science, much, perhaps, to the harm of mankind, re- 

 mained, and still remains, undiscovered ; for one, with the modesty 

 to which a natural investigator, more than any other else, is forced, 

 can say with Hamlet : " There are more things in Heaven and earth, 

 Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy ! " In the mean while 

 this must be borne with. The right time will come for every dis- 

 covery and every step of progress. 



