The Washington times., 1902-08-24

AN son began TO exploit his theo-
ries on the duality of the
human mind, following along
the lines laid down by scientists for
years past. he may have cleared away
barriers of doubt and wonder concern
ing what up TO that time had been re-
garded 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 cen
ters, 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 intelligence necessary to beneficial
results from experiments j. such a
field, become an actual menace to So
ciety
That Hudson and other writer's on
this subject have warned their readers
against delving too deeply into the
mysteries of experimental psychology
curiosity thus aroused by these interest
ing and valuable works. for today in
London and New York statistics show
that full 40 per cent of the adult popu-
lation are experimenting in some branch
OF what has been known as the occult
art" Hypnotism. mesmerism, clairvoy-
ance, clairaudience, second sight spir-
itism, and their various phenomena.
being classed under the generic head
of psychology, have formed a subject
too engrossing in it's interest to with
stand. Today We find experimental
work going on from the humble cot
tager with his planchette TO the woman
of society versed in every technicality
OF this still mysterious subject.
Some Society Mediums.
Crystal gazing has taken the greatest
hold. Today there are TO be found in
almost every house along Fifth Avenue
and in the homes of most of the upper
fashionable circles some members of the
family who make their daily trips TO the
so-called mediums. where in the quiet
OF some secluded and dimly 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 few cases the
women of the upper ten" practice this
fascinating study themselves, and act as
Mediums for their friends. For lately
II has become more generally known
that medium powers are not an ex
elusive birthright. but belong to all who
choose to knock correctly at the door.
There is no doubt that superstition
still is impossible for the exercise of
much of the existing curiosity about
psychic science. for notwithstanding the
fact that experimental investigation has
swept away much of the/ belief IN
s9!ritual:s-l nevertheless large num-
bers of persons even those seemingly
intelligent, still have a lurking sus-
ricion that there may be something in
it, after all. Though we have developed
from the age of ''spooks' and sooth-
sayers, and have reached the more prac-
tical standpoint of belief and intelli-
gence. superstition aud the desire to
peer into the unknown remain two in
eradicable attributes of the mind. In
deed among some of the seemingly most
sane persons the so-called mystical ex-
ercises a wonderful and far-reachihg in
fuence.
Case of Percy Foxwell.
Crystal gazing has received 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 emf
lent scientists of the world, men whose
credibility is not open TO question. has
done more in the way of proving the