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different stages of its evolution； and which seems to possess an inherent
quality of shaping itself into parts or the whole of a body； beginning in a
putty…like mould and ending in a resemblance to perfect human members。
Or the ectoplasm； which seems to be an emanation of the medium to the
extent that whatever it may weigh is so much subtracted from his
substance； may be used as projections or rods which can convey objects or
lift weights。 A friend； in whose judgment and veracity I have absolute
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confidence； was present at one of Dr。 Crawford's experiments with
Kathleen Goligher； who is； it may be remarked； an unpaid medium。 My
friend touched the column of force； and found it could be felt by the hand
though invisible to the eye。 It is clear that we are in touch with some
entirely new form both of matter and of energy。 We know little of the
properties of this extraordinary substance save that in its materialising
form it seems extremely sensitive to the action of light。 A figure built up in
it and detached from the medium dissolves in light quicker than a snow
image under a tropical sun； so that two successive flash…light photographs
would show the one a perfect figure； and the next an amorphous mass。
When still attached to the medium the ectoplasm flies back with great
force on exposure to light； and； in spite of the laughter of the scoffers；
there is none the less good evidence that several mediums have been badly
injured by the recoil after a light has suddenly been struck by some
amateur detective。 Professor Geley has； in his recent experiments；
described the ectoplasm as appearing outside the black dress of his
medium as if a hoar frost had descended upon her； then coalescing into a
continuous sheet of white substance； and oozing down until it formed a
sort of apron in front of her。＇5＇ This process he has illustrated by a very
complete series of photographs。
＇5＇ For Geley's Experiments； Appendix A。
These are a few of the properties of mediumship。 There are also the
beautiful phenomena of the production of lights； and the rarer； but for
evidential purposes even more valuable； manifestations of spirit
photography。 The fact that the photograph does not correspond in many
cases with any which existed in life； must surely silence the scoffer；
though there is a class of bigoted sceptic who would still be sneering if an
Archangel alighted in Trafalgar Square。 Mr。 Hope and Mrs。 Buxton； of
Crewe； have brought this phase of mediumship to great perfection； though
others have powers in that direction。 Indeed； in some cases it is difficult to
say who the medium may have been； for in one collective family group
which was taken in the ordinary way； and was sent me by a master in a
well known public school； the young son who died has appeared in the
plate seated between his two little brothers。 As to the personality of
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mediums； they have seemed to me to be very average specimens of the
community； neither markedly better nor markedly worse。 I know many；
and I have never met anything in the least like 〃Sludge；〃 a poem which
Browning might be excused for writing in some crisis of domestic
disagreement； but which it was inexcusable to republish since it is
admitted to be a concoction； and the exposure described to have been
imaginary。 The critic often uses the term medium as if it necessarily meant
a professional； whereas every investigator has found some of his best
results among amateurs。 In the two finest seances I ever attended； the
psychic； in each case a man of moderate means； was resolutely determined
never directly or indirectly to profit by his gift； though it entailed very
exhausting physical conditions。 I have not heard of a clergyman of any
denomination who has attained such a pitch of altruism nor is it
reasonable to expect it。 As to professional mediums； Mr。 Vout Peters； one
of the most famous； is a diligent collector of old books and an authority
upon the Elizabethan drama； while Mr。 Dickinson； another very
remarkable discerner of spirits； who named twenty…four correctly during
two meetings held on the same day； is employed in loading canal barges。
This man is one gifted clairvoyants in England； though Tom Tyrrell the
weaver； Aaron Wilkinson； and others are very marvellous。 Tyrrell； who is
a man of the Anthony of Padua type； a walking saint； beloved of animals
and children； is a figure who might have stepped out of some legend of the
church。 Thomas； the powerful physical medium； is a working coal miner。
Most mediums take their responsibilities very seriously and view their
work in a religious light。 There is no denying that they are exposed to very
particular temptations； for the gift is； as I have explained elsewhere； an
intermittent one； and to admit its temporary absence； and so discourage
one's clients； needs greater moral principle than all men possess。 Another
temptation to which several great mediums have succumbed is that of
drink。 This comes about in a very natural way； for overworking the power
leaves them in a state of physical prostration； and the stimulus of alcohol
affords a welcome relief； and may tend at last to become a custom and
finally a curse。 Alcoholism always weakens the moral sense； so that these
degenerate mediums yield themselves more readily to fraud； with the
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result that several who had deservedly won honoured names and met all
hostile criticism have； in their later years； been detected in the most
contemptible tricks。 It is a thousand pities that it should be so； but if the
Court of Arches were to give up its secret