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Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 50.djvu/244

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230
POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY.

tions and took part in some sittings at which no professional mediums were present. Almost from the outset two ladies of the circle were affected with spasmodic twitchings of the fingers and arms. "Sometimes these movements were very violent, causing them to slap and thump the table with such force as to seriously bruise their fingers and hands. . . . With the exception of these two ladies, none of the sitters were much affected on these occasions, though at times an almost irresistible impulse came upon myself to imitate their actions; but though I occasionally allowed the impulse, at the suggestion of the other sitters, to have full play, it never with me took the bit between its teeth and got beyond my control. I could always stop at once any movements in my limbs, or change the attitude of my mind, by an effort of will." At a later sitting a dream-personality similar to that of Mr. Stevenson developed itself. "I seemed to have, as it were, stepped aside, and some other intelligence was now controlling my organism. I was merely a passive spectator interested in what was being done. My second self seemed to be a mother overflowing with feelings of maternal love and solicitude for some one. The very features of my face seemed to be changing, and I was distinctly conscious of assuming the look of a fond and devoted mother looking down upon her child. I even inwardly smiled as I thought how ridiculous I must be looking, but I made no effort to resist the impulse. I now felt I wanted to caress and console somebody, and the impulse was strong upon me to take my friend in my arms and soothe and cheer him. I resisted the impulse for some time, but finally yielded to it. In doing so I had a distinct feeling of relationship to my friend. After a little while I began to be myself again." At another time a lady who was supposed to be sensitive to spirit influences believed that she got for Mr. Tout a message from the spirit of his father who had died of bronchitis and pleurisy some twenty years before. The hymn, "Nearer, my God, to Thee," which had been a favorite with Mr. Tout's father, had just been sung. With practice Mr. Tout seems to have become more suggestible. On another occasion, he says, "I was affected to an unusual degree, experiencing violent twitchings in my limbs, and sensations of painful chilliness that made my teeth chatter again. I sat, as I always did now, passively waiting for what might transpire. All sorts of impulses seemed to be moving me, and I noticed how susceptible I was becoming to the slightest even half-realized suggestion offered by the course of my own thoughts or by the chance remarks made by the other sitters. I presently felt myself being drawn, as it seemed to me, toward the floor on the left side of my chair. I yielded to the influence and fell prostrate out of my chair on to the floor with considerable force, and, though the others thought I must have hurt