The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-08-03


lowing along the lines laid down by
scientists for years past, he may have
cleared away barriers of doubt and
wonder concerning what up to that
time had been regarded more or less as
unexplainable psychological mysteries,
but at the same time he laid the
foundation for a curiosity that being
allowed full vent throughout the length
and breadth of the land rapidly is
bringing to US, especially in
the great commercial centres, if the
word of eminent physicians is to be
believed, a race of men and women
who not alone are losing their mental
poise, but who, in the absence of in
telligence necessary to beneficial re-
suits from experiments in such a field.
become an actual menace to society.
That Hudson and other writer's on this
subject have warned their readers
against delving too deeply into the
mysteries of experimental psychology
evidently has served only to whet the
curiosity thus aroused by these inter-
in London and New York statistics
show that full forty per cent. of the
ADULT population are experimenting in
some branch of what has been known
as the occult art" Hypotism mes
merism, Clairvoyance, Clairaudience,
Second Sight. Spiritism, and their var
ious phenomena, being classed under
the generice head of psychology, have
formed a subject too engrossing in it's
interest to withstand, and to-day we
find experimental work going on from
the humble cottager with his plan
chette, to the woman of society versed
in every technicality of this still mys-
FERROUS subject.
Some Society Mediums.
Crystal gazing has taken the greatest
hold. To-day there are to be found in
almost every house along Fifth Aven-
ue and in the home of most of the
upper fashionable circle some members
Of the family who make their daily
trips to the so-called mediums, where
in the quiet of some secluded and dim
ly lighted room they are permitted to
see in the little sphere of crystal
scenes of days that have passed and, as
some OF the more ignorant believe,
visions of what is to come. And IN
not a. few cases the womes of the
upper ten" practise this fascinating
study themselves, and act as mediums
for their friends. For lately it has
become more generally known that
medium" powers are not an exclu-
sive birthright, but belong to all who
choose to knock correctly at the door.
There is no doubt that superstition
still is responsible for the exer-
cies of much of the ex.
listing curiosity about psychic
science; for Notwithstanding the fact
that experimental investigation has
swept away much of the belief in spir-
itualism nevertheless large numbers of
persons, even those seemingly intel
hgent, still have a lurking suspicion
that there may be something in it,
after all. Though we have developed
from the age of ''spooks'' and sooth-
savers, and have reached the more
practical standpoint of belief and in
telllgence, superstition and the de-
sire to peer into the unknown remain
two ineradicable attributes of the
mind. Indeed, among some of the
seemingly most sane persons the so
called mystical exercises a wonder
full and far-reaching influence.
Case of Percy Foxwen.
Crystal gazing has received a fresh
impetus in New York owing to the
news recently received of another
test" case, which while in itself may
seem wonderful to many persons in
reality establishes no greater truths
than have been proved time and again
by the London Society for Psychical
Research.
This body composed of the most en-
inent scientists of the world, men
whose credibility is not open to ques-
ton. has done more in the way of
proving the truth and actually of
psychic phenomena than perhaps ever
has been done by any body of inves-
tgators before. In short they have
forced science to recognize the fact
that psychic phenomena do exist, and
by their experiments have placed the
subject almost in the class of exact
sciences.
The latest test case affecting crys-
tai gazing concerns a young lawyer of
Thames Ditton, London, named Percy
FoXwell.
Foxwell it appears left his home in
his usual health and spirits. During
the afternoon Mrs. Foxwell received
telegram from her husband asking
her not to wait dinner as he could
not return until later. From that
moment nothing more was seen or
heard of him. Mrs. Foxwell was dis
tracted at his disappearance. The po-
ice We're communicated with and
special detectives engaged. Days
passed, but nothing transpired. A re-
ward of ESQ., Afterwards increased to
$500, was Offered for information con-
corning the whereabouts of the miss
ing lawyer, but still without result. 1t
was in a condition bordering upon de-
spair that Mrs. Foxwell determined to
seek the aid of clairvoyance, and to
TINS end she called upon a Mr.. Won
bourg, clairvoyant and avowed spir-
ltual1st, who is practising profession
ally in the West-end of London.
Saw Picture of Dead.
Won Bourg not only gave her many
details correctly, but through his
psychic powers enabled her to see in
ms crystal, first the form of her hus-
band in life, then his dead body lying
IN the water. Not only that Mr.. Won
Bourg and another medium accurately
described the position of the water,
asserting that it was not more than
mile from the house, that there was
grass on the banks, and a dropping
Iree oNerhanging where the body was
lying.
The mediums declared themselves
conscious of severe pains on the left
side of the head, and attributed this
70 the probability that Mr. Foxwell
mad met with his death by blow on
the left isde of the skull
subsequently, under the directions
Oh the mediums, the spot indicated by
them was sought and found, and the
next morning. Mr.. Foxwell's body was
found not far from the cnOt nv some