The Washington times., 1901-07-28
CONGRESS OF PSYCHOLOGY.
The Fifth international Gathering
to BE Held in Rome.
Its Object the Investigation of Phe
nomenn Not Included &. the p~-.--
lar Departments of Science -
What Hns Been AccOmpIi.hetl

| 1t has been decided that the Fifth In
be held at Rome in 1904, under the direc
tion of Prof. Sergi. 1t is interesting tc
| note in this connection that the signifi-
cance of the remark which Shakespeare
gave<o Hamlet centuries ago, There are
more things in heaven and earth. Horatio
| than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Is only in the present day being recog-
nized by scientists themselves.
| The object of the psychicu research So
cieties organized in Europe and this coun-
try is generally stated to be the study of
phenomena not included in the observa-
tion and experiment of the regular de-
partments of science.
The Society for Psychicai Research.
founded in England In 1882, had for presi-
dent last year Frederick w. II. Myers.
and the list of Vice presidents included
A j. Balfour, Sir William Crookes. Lord
Rayleigh. Prof. James, of Harvard Uni
versity; Prof. s. p Langley, of the
Smithsonian Institution. and Prof. J. III.
Hyslop, of Columbia University. The
number of members in 1900 was as fol-
lows: Five honorary members, Is corre-
spending members, 80 honorary associ-
ates. and 1853 members and associates.
There is an American branch with 4s3
members, OF which DR.. Richard Hodgson
is the secretary. The society publishes
"Proceedings' and monthly Journal" :"
the latter being for private circulation.
THE investigation of things which sug-
gest the 'uncanny' or Supernatural by
scientific methods is comparative now
city," said distinguished scientist in
this city. 'Of course. I do not mean to
say" he continued, that some great
minds in the past have not given atten-
tion to the subject, but they reached mere
speculation. 1t is by modern methods Of
research which record. compare, and clas-
sify various observations and unity the
labors Of many into concrete masses of
evidence and data that we may hope to
obtain any real knowledge of so-cailed
supernatural phenomena.
1.-The two standpoints adopted by the
masses in the consideration of such phe-
nomena are those of exaggerated ere
dulityl and incredulity, both showing
equal conditions of ignorance on the SUBJ
.ect
Many persons will say to you that they
do not believe that such or such an oc-
currence is possible and if you ask them
why they think 50 they simply reply,
Well. because like little girl of tender
years and undeveloped mentality. Others
place their faith too readily in reported
supernatural occurrences or in the mis-
taken evidence of their own senses, which
latter are very easily imposed upon.
''The subject is a very subtle and intri-
cate one, upon which we have compara-
lively little authentic data. Nevertheless.
we know that much of that species of
Ia1i Of hot l,oe h,,
derfully enlightened persons to supersti-
tion has very good ground.
Take the recent Investigations of Prof.
W. +. Barrett on the subject of the d.
vining rod, for instance. The present
state of knowledge concerning the divin-
ing rod is summed up by Prof. Barrett
as follows:
'' For some centuries past certain indi-
locally known as dowsers, have
declared that they can discover the pres
enee of underground water, mineral lodes,
coal, building stone. or other buried OBJ
jects which may be sought for by the ap-
parently spontaneous motion of the so
called divining rod. When their preten-
sions have been tested the result, though
by no means uniformly in their favor, has
been so remarkable that chance coinci-
dence appears a wholly Inadequate expla-
nation. Any explanation based upon
trickery or unconscious hints from by
or the detection of faint sur
face Indications of the concealed object,
or other known cause is insufficient to
cover all facts, The movement of the
rod, or forked twig, is only a special case
Of motor automatism exhibited by a large
number of individuals. and arises from
and involuntary suggestion
Impressed on the mind of the dowser.
g Accompanying the involuntary and
usually unconscious muscular contraction
which causes the motion of the forked
twig or rod many dowsers experience a
sfculiar malaise, and some a violent con-
yulsive spasm. This is a psycho-physi-
illogical effect, akin to emotion More
over, the state OF mono-ideism of the
iowser creates condition of partial cat
ilepsy, when some suggestion causes the
idea to culminate. This sub-conscious
may arise from a variety of
,auses; sometimes it is merely an auto
at others it is unconsciously
derived through the senses from the en-
Vircnment, but in a certain number of
hose who exhibit motor-automatism the
suggestion appears to be due to some kind
If transcendental pereeptive power. Such
PERSONS appear only able to exercise this
faculty when their normal
elf-consciousness is more or less in abey- |
tnce. or when it is completely submerged, |
is in profound hypnosis. This sub-con- |
cious, perceptive power, commonly CALI |
ID clairvoyance, may Professionally be |
AIKEN as the explanation of those sue
.esses of the dowser which are inexplica- |
Ne on any grounds at present known to |
cience.'"
The main point at issue on the subject |
# psychic phenomena, or rather that /
.ilrase called "splritualism.' appears to
'e whether the results are due to the in
ervention of the spirits of the departed, !
II to the intercourse between the sub
onscious minds of medium" and sit
er"
The former explanation is that put |
orth generally by the mediums them
elves, the latter by the majority of sci
ntists The hypothesis of the sub-con-
cious mind is. of course, but another
orm of the duality of the human mind
n other words, that there exists in ev-
ry human being a mentality separate
rom the practical working brain, with
'hich 1t is, nevertheless, capable of con-
ection under certain circumstances The
Iedium, according to this theory, is a
erson who can compel-by the Will of
he ordinary mind. of course-the work
lgs Of the sub-conscious mind. which is
apable of transcending the limitations of
he five senses. and thus perceiving things
visible or beyond the cognizance of the
mind.
The exact nature of this form of per-
option or cosnizance, or by what means
is effected. the medium himself is un-
bic to explain. attributing it in general,
owever. to the hypothesis that he is. for