a seat number five it was the captain's table and I was seated directly across from him many things happened aboard that ship which pertained to the subject the most prominent being a party supposed to be an honor of my birthday just an idea of the captain's because my birthday was months off in laying before you this very workable science I am aware that the subject has been handled before from many angles I am also cognizant that many people shy away from anything that smacks of religion the occult or the metaphysical