The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-06-05
UNKNOWN FORCES.

W. T. Stead presents in the Reuie,o Of Re-
uie1rs the substance of a paper he has pre-
pared for the Psychical Society on certain
experiments he has conducted. CIR been
the subject of. IN phenomena which he
appears to regard as on the fringe of the
fourth dimension of space. We have
length. breadth and height. Mr.. Stead
thinks he has a glimmering of fourth.
an nterpenetrating ether of action, in
fluence and menta magnetism TO which
he gives the uncouth title of ''Throughth."
Above all things Mr.. Stead aims, even in
sensationalism, at being practical and
straightforward. and n one can doubt from
his character that what he says he ex-
perienced aud ascertained he believes has
occurred to him and may occur to others.
But ne is ecstatic in temperament. He
does not profess to denote the causes lie
only instances what he states TO be actual
phenomena, explain them as we may.
He speaks of clairv0yance, telepathy,
telepathic autOmatism, crystal vision and
psychometry, not as speculations or il
lusions, but as riffs in the known, through
which we are discerning a region hereto
fore UNEMPLOYED by the senses. His con-
cessions of the illimitable and the marvel
Gus in this fourth dimension are so COM
prehen sive that he Is equally in touch
with the mahatmas. mind-readers, Slade-
Ism, and the natural philosopher who al
ways keeps matter in sight when determ-
ming properties.
The cases described by Mr. Stead OF tee-
pathic automatic handwriting are passing
strange. He is candid enough to admit
some failures as well as successes. a
friend, whom he calls "a" was extremely
sympathetic. He guided the editors hand
in writing down personal secrets, in let
ter writing, in forming appointments. and
even in the sending of checks. The odd
thing abOut this telepathic intercourse is
that the person who inspires another does
not appear 10 be con scious that his powers
are being borrowed. He is passive in
Strument who may not know that his Sc
crets are being extracted from hlm-sureIy
very awkward and reprehensible thing
i'll the case oil couple of generals at war;
or diplOmatist who is pumping another
of his real Intentions while protesting 10
do the exact opposite. In short it is easy
to cOnjure up a whole train of alarming
consequences and dilemmas which NAV
arise II this power exists of mental trac-
ton. the trausference of ones self uncOn-
seiously to the conscious animation of an
other. 1t would be the Palace IF Truth
combined with the creative revelations OF
the wonderful lamp.
The most startling Instance of telepathic
chirography and revelation of secrets cited
is that of casual acquaintance whom Mr..
Stead met in railway carriage. He was
in financial trouble, and this was plainly
writ on his face, but he would not enter
into particulars. Mr.. Stead got real let
ter that light from his friend apologizing
for q OF giving the Information. but stating
that he really could not speak out. At
O'Clock in the morning Mr.. Stead sat down
before going to bed and began to inter
rogae his friend, who forthwith guided
his hand in putting down correct answers
How much money do you owe?" my
debts are 990" was the reply written at
first in figures and then in words Infor-
nation was further given as to piece CT
property valued at 800. and as TO twice
that sum being necessary to live upon.
Next day Mr.. Stead saw his friend who
again apologzed for not divulging his cir
cumstances. Mr.. Stead told him of the tele-
pathic inquisition, and it was admitted TO
be perfectly accurate transcription OF the
thoughts which had arisen.
This is surely narrative on the borders
of wonderland calculated to set psychical
groups agog with excitement.