Showing 5 results

Reports that 'Dr S[lade?] came to C[arlton] G[ardens] wrote on a closed double slate, and on one that [Sidgwick] partly held: but did not in either case keep the slate in sight the whole time after [Sidgwick] had looked at it.' States that other people 'seem to have had much better things', and refers to Serjeant Cox, St. G[eorge] M[ivart] and Hutton. Relates that he and others persuaded Dr Slade 'half to promise to come to [Cambridge] in October', but doubts that he will come.

Announces that he means to stay [in Beauly] until the end of the month. Refers to his mother's illness, and says that they shall probably go to Oxford in September to take care of her. States that he does not intend to let Slade go 'without wringing evidence out of him.' Reports that Miss Fairlamb 'has been having something good in N[ewcastle]: materialization [of being] outside the cabinet', and announces that he would like to stay a night or two there if possible. Reports that they are 'having splendid days' [in Beauly]. Wishes Myers 'all success in Cambridge'. Reports also that Miss Anderson was impressed by Slade, 'and could not conceive how it was done.' States that the weak point of Slade is that he won't try two slates screwed together, which George Darwin invited him to do. Remarks that [Con], C.C. [Massey], [Moses] and Myers 'form a strong phalanx.' Reports that Carpenter has been and says he can't explain it, and wants Slade to come to a meeting of the British Association. Adds that John Holland saw him there.

Reports on a séance attended by him, presided over by the mediums Miss F[airlamb] and Miss Wood, and attended by himself and Miss Balfour [among others]. Refers to ghosts who 'appeared', including 'Pocky' and 'Minnie'. Refers to Miss F[airlamb] having declined to be searched. Adds that they all thought that 'the movements of the small figures just like those of [a] girl on her knees.' Claims that he is 'unconvinced of the girls['] fraud', but believes that the Hollonds are convinced of it, and that Miss Balfour is suspicious of them. Adds that 'A. J. B[alfour] was not there. Asks Myers' opinion on the matter.

Thinks Myers' arrangements 'excellent', but suggests that they might 'take B[isho]p Auckland on the way', and then stay [in Newcastle] 'till the end of the month.' Asks if they could 'manage the arrangements with Miss S. to take effect in the first half of April, and get [their] young friends [Miss Fairlamb and Miss Wood, of Newcastle?] to London at the same time.' Is glad that his book [The Methods of Ethics] grows on Myers, and reports that there is a 'nice review' in the Examiner of the previous week.

Reports his arrival in Newcastle, and his meeting with Miss Fairlamb in Mr Blake's shop, and their subsequent meeting with Miss Wood - both mediums. States that he engaged them for séances. States that he likes them both 'from a severely scientific point of view', and finds that they know about Myers' letter, but 'were simply disinclined to go... to an unknown place at the instance of an unknown gentleman'. Suggests that he arranges for the two ladies to come for a fortnight, and asks whether he thinks it is worthwhile, adding 'not if [Myers] take[s] Mrs Fay to Terling [home of Lord Rayleigh]'. Refers to the problems relating to his unaccompanied visit to Newcastle; 'that a single individual does not afford a sufficient reservoir of [ ] [force] for materialisations...' Asks if Arthur gave Myers Sidgwick's message. Explains that he 'conjectured an alliance between Crookes and Greenwood', hoping that the latter would find funds for the spiritualistic endeavour and would have the social advantage, while the former would have the scientific advantage.

Lists those present as Myers, Gurney, Mr Mould, 'and 4 other members of the Newcastle Association'. Lists the mediums as Miss Fairlamb and Miss Wood. Describes how the mediums were tied, and reports that they lay down in the cabinet. Describes the appearance of a spirit named 'Pocky' 'and her utterances and actions, and also describes the rapping of three other spirits named 'B[ ]', 'Geordie' and 'Cissy'. Describes the dematerialisation of ' "Pocky" '; she sunk away 'into a slight white mark on the ground in about half a minute.' Reports that when the mediums had recovered those present at the séance entered the cabinet in which they were tied and examined seals and knots. States that '[a]ll is unbroken though the nails had been driven so thoroughly through the substance of the silk that a slight push severed the silk from nails and seals'. Names of Myers and Gurney appended to the report. Diagram of room in which séance took place also on page.

(Transcript by Henry SIdgwick. The)