The San Francisco call., 1899-07-23

+empts at solution than that pre-
Il sented by the recent change OF at
titude of Camille Flammarton ana
Professor Hvslop toward what is ordi-
narily known as splrituahstc pHei4o'N
ena.
FIammarion. the famous French as
tronomer who two years since became
after years of extraneous and perIectiy
lnpretudiced investigation OF medlumlsuc
manifestationS-one of the strongest pIl-
lars of modern spiritualism and Pro1es-
sor Hyslop of Columbia College, WASH
inpton D. C.-who has been noted for
his somewhat intolerant skepticism IN the
premises-have almost simultaneously
changed places
The French scientist, who after his con-
version through the instrumentaity OF
Eusapia Paladino, gave to the Worlo nu-
merous works which he has hrmly De-
ueved were written under the guidance
of deceased astronomer communicating
with him under the name of 'Lunen
through a medium in whom he had the
greatest faith. has announced unequivo-
cally that he has gone back to his pre-
vious state of unbelief
The college professor. who has been
from his youth a pronounced skephc In
all such matters and was only by mucn
persuasion induced to countenance the
idea Of possibly existing supernatural
forces to the extent of becoming mem
ber of the Society for Psychical Research,
has almost at the same moment an
nounced his conversion to the BELIEF that
there is a life beyond the grave, and
that the spirits of those departed are not
only conscious, but are capable or hold
ing intelligent communication with us
who still remain in this material world.
The dual aspect of the position of these
two stars in the intellectual armament
IS a strange one indeed. Both being men
T1d of
high enough to give assurance that they
express only their own honest convictions,
utterly uninf1uenced by any material con-
siderations whatever, their exchange OF
beliefs has had no real effect upon the
equation over which humanity is forever
puzzling in a more or less vain effort TO
find the unknown quantity.
The detection of the astronomer, which
would ordinarily have been considered
most serious blow by all the adherents TO
the spiritualistic belief. is quite cOmpen-
sated for in their estimation. by Professor
Hyslop's most unexpected desertion from
the ranks of their enemies. The divine
religion of true spiritualism. say they,
though sorrowing for the backslider. has
really lost nothing by the transaction.
The story of the conversion and retro
gression of the one scientist and the un-
willing confinement of the other IS an
interesting one not only to those who feel
Vitally concerned as to the truth or 1alSlty
of spiritualsm's s claims, but also to those
who look upon the whole question with
calmly impartial eyes.
Camille F'lammarion's reputation is
world wide. Born in Haute-Marne fifty
seven years ago he was educated for the
priesthood, but never took the vows. In
stead of thus securing for himself sure
place in a spiritual heaven. he felt more
drawn toward the work of solving, as far
as in him lay the mysteries of the ma
terial heaven which surrounds his earthly
home; and. therefore, as soon as he was
able to do as he wished, he enrolled him
self as a pupil a. the Paris Observatory.
That he had perfectly diagnosed his own
qualifications and capabilities was soon
made clear by his rapid advance in the
mastery of his chosen science, and before
he reached the age of 80 he had delivered
several series of lectures on astronomy
which attracted the attention and COM
mendation Of the entire scientific world.
1t was he who first suggested the prac-
ttcabilIty of the use of balloons in the
study Of upper atmospheric strata, and
his maps illustrative of this subject have
never yet been improved upon in any
nomical subjects are used as guides by
many other renowned students OF the
wonders of the armament.
Practical as was and is his strictly pro-
fessional career, Flammarion has always
been peculiarly drawn toward the realm
Of mysticism and speculation. Of tenn
permanent almost Oriental in its charac-
teristics, he from childhood was possessed