FROMINDIATOTHEPLANETMARS

ASTUDYOFACASEOFSOMNAMBULISM

WITHGLOSSOLALIA

BYTH.(Theodore)FLOURNOY

PROFESSOROFPSYCHOLOGYATTHEUNIVERSITYOFGENEVA

TRANSLATEDBY

DANIELB.VERMILYE

HARPER&BROTHERSPUBLISHERS

NEWYORKANDLONDON

[1900]

Scanned,proofedandformattedbyJohnBrunoHare,atsacred-texts.com,April2008.Thistextisinthepublicdomainbecauseitwaspublishedpriorto1923.

TRANSLATOR'SPREFACE

THEtranslationintoEnglishofFromIndiatothePlanetMarshasbeenundertakeninresponsetothedemandcreatedbythewidespreadandincreasinginterestwhichismanifestingitselfbothinGreatBritainandtheUnitedStatesinthephenomenaexhibitedbyitsheroine--aninterestwhichmarksaneweraintheprogressofhumanknowledge.

Twenty--eventen--yearsagothephenomenawhichProf.Flournoyheredescribesindetail,andofwhichheoffersakeen,skilful,psychologicalanalysis,wouldhavemetwiththesneersofpopularscienceandthecontemptofobscurantistorthodoxy;thebookwouldhavefoundfewreaders.

TimeshavegreatlychangedsincetheSocietyforPsychicalResearchwasfounded,eighteenyearsago,byafewthoughtfulmen(includedamongthemwerethosewhosenameswouldhaveconferredhonoruponanybodyofmen)interestedintheinvestigationofabnormalmentalorpsychicphenomena.

Inexplainingtheirreasonsfororganizingthatsociety,itsfoundersmadethefollowingstatement:

"Fromtherecordedtestimonyofmanycompetentwitnesses,pastandpresent,includingobservationsaccuratelymadebyscientificmenofeminenceofvariouscountries,thereappearstobe,amongmuchillusionanddeception,animportantbodyofremarkablephenomenawhichareprimafacieinexplicableonanygenerallyrecognizedhypothesis,andwhich,ifincontestablyestablished,wouldbeofthehighestpossiblevalue."

Theorganizationofthissocietyconstitutedthefirstattemptintheworld'shistorytoinvestigatethephenomenaofclairvoyance,automaticwritingandspeaking,tranceconditions,secondsight,apparitionsofpersonsatthepointofdeath,allegedspiritmessages,etc.,byascientificbodyformeduponabroadbasis.

Aswastohavebeenexpected,theworkandaimsofthesocietyweremetbyastormofderisionandridicule,andbyattackswhichpouredinfromeveryquarter,thebitterestofwhichcamefromthealwaystoonumerousclassofnarrow-mindedscientists,whosepartisanprejudices,confiningthemtoanarrowrut,hindertheirseeinganythingfromapointofviewotherthanthatoftheirpreconceivedhypotheses,andpreventthemfromattainingthatopen-mindednesswhichisindispensabletoandoneofthefirstrequisitesofatruescientistinanyfieldofinvestigation.

Theinterestshownto-dayintheworkofpsychicalresearch--amongtheevidencesofwhichmaybenotedthereceptionaccordedthisworkofProf.Flournoy,whichhas,withinafewmonthsfromthedateofitspublication,attaineditsthirdFrenchedition--demonstratestheultimatetriumphofthefoundersofthatsocietyintheireffortstobringthethinkingpublictoarealizationofthesupremeimportanceofasystematicscientificstudyofthemysteriouspsychicphenomenasolongneglectedbyofficialscience,butwhicharenowbeginningtoassumetheirrightfulplaceinthefieldofstudyandobservation.

Menhavecometorealizethatthefactsprovedbysciencehavenotthusfarbeenadequatetosatisfytheneedsofmankind,andmanyareto-dayaskingwhetherthescientificinvestigationofpsychicphenomenamaynotsucceedinprovingthepreambleofallreligions.

Alreadysciencehasdisclosedtheexistenceofahidden,subliminalworldwithineachindividualbeing,anditistheinvestigationofthatpartoftheindividualityofHeleneSmithwhichourauthorhasundertakeninthefollowingpages.

Theimportanceofthesubjectanditsintenseinterestlieinthefactthatpsychicalresearchhintsatapossiblesolution,bymeansofthesamemethodswhichsciencehasbeenaccustomedtouseinthephysicalworld,ofthegreatproblemofman'sfuturedestiny,ofananswertothequestionaskedbyJobfourthousandyearsago,"Ifamandie,shallheliveagain?"andwhichhasbeenrepeatedinvainbyeverygenerationofmenwhohavesinceinhabitedtheearth.

While,itistrue,thegreatmajorityofmenarestillskepticalastotheabilityofscienceevertosolvethisproblem,itis,however,afactthatacontinuallyincreasingnumberofthoughtfulmenarecomingtobelievethatthehiddensubliminalworldwithinusmaypointtoanunseenbutspiritualworldwithout,communicationwithwhich,ifonceestablished,wouldfurnishuswiththesolutionsoardentlylongedfor.

SuchmendonotbelievethatitbehoovesthemtobecontentwiththepassivityofpureAgnosticismarenotwillingthatIgnoramusetIgnorabimusshouldbetheironlycreed.Theyarebeginningtosearchfornewfactsinthedomainofthehumanmind,justastheyhavesearchedforandfoundthemeverywhereelsetheyhavelookedforthem.

Mr.F.W.H.Myers,thepioneerandleaderofthepsychicalresearchmovement,inanaddressrecentlydelivered,says:"Startingfromvariousstand-points,weendeavortocarrythenewer,theintellectualvirtuesintoregionswheredispassionatetranquillityhasseldomyetbeenknown....First,weadopttheancientbelief--impliedinallmonotheisticreligion,andconspicuouslyconfirmedbytheprogressofmodernscience--thattheworldasawhole,spiritualandmaterialtogether,hasinsomewayasystematicunity:andonthiswebasethenovelpresumptionthatthereshouldbeaunityofmethodintheinvestigationofallfact.Weholdthereforethattheattitude,thehabitsofmind,themethodsbywhichphysicalsciencehasgrowndeepandwide,shouldbeappliedalsotothespiritualworld.Weendeavortoapproachtheproblemsofthatworldbycarefulcollection,scrutiny,testingofparticularfacts;andweaccountnounexplainedfacttootrivialforourattention."

ThisisjustwhatProf.Flournoyhasendeavoredtodoinregardtothestrange

phenomenamanifestedbyMlle.HeleneSmith.Nofacthasbeenregardedbyhimastootrivialtoescapehiskeen,carefulscrutinyfromapsychologicalpointofview.

Thefirsttaskwhichtheinvestigatorsoftheseobscurementalphenomenasetthemselveswas,naturally,thatofseparatingandsiftingthereal,actuallyexistentfactsfromthemassoffraudanddeceptioninwhichmercenarycharlatans,aidedbytheeasycredulityofthesimple-minded,hadcontrivedsocompletelytoburyfromsightthetruephenomenathatforalongtimetheintelligentpublicrefusedutterlytobelieveintheexistenceofanyrealphenomenaofthekind,butinsistedthateverythingwhenfullyprobedwouldbefoundtobemeredelusion,theresultoftrickeryandfraud.

Probablynoscientificfactsincethedawnofmodernsciencehasrequiredsogreataweightofcumulativeevidenceinitsfavortoestablishtherealityofitsexistenceinthepopularmindthanhavethephenomenainquestion.Thetask,however,hasbeenaccomplished.

Prof.Flournoy'sheroine,althoughsheisahigh-minded,honorablewoman,regardedbyallherneighborsandfriendsaswhollyincapableofconsciousfraud,hasbeensubjectedtotheclosestsurveillanceonthepartofanumberofeminentphysiciansandscientistsofGenevaformorethanfiveyearspast,whileMrs.Piper,thefamousBostonmedium,hasbeensubjectedtoanevencloserscrutinybytheSocietyforPsychicalResearchforthepastfifteenyears.InspiteofthefactthatthissocietyhasannounceditswillingnesstobecomeresponsiblefortheentireabsenceoffraudinMrs.Piper'scase,andofasimilardeclarationonthepartofProf.FlournoyandhisassociatesinregardtoMlle.Smith,therestillremainaconsiderablenumberofultra-skepticalpersonswhopersistinassertingthatfraudanddeceitareatthebottomof,andaccountfor,allthisspeciesofphenomena.

Thewell-knowngentlemenwhohaveinvestigatedthesecriseshaveneverbeenaccusedofeasycredulityinothermatters,andhavecautiouslyandperseveringlycontinued,intheirendeavortosatisfyskepticism,topilePelionuponOssainthewayofcumulativeproofsofthegenuinenessofthephenomenaandtosafeguardtheirinvestigationsineverypossiblemanneragainstallpossibilityoffraud,untiltheyhavefinallycometofeelthatmorethansufficientproofhasbeenfurnishedtosatisfyanyhonest,fair-minded,sensibledoubt.Theydonotfeelthattheyhavetherighttodevotefurthertimetothequestionofthegenuinenessofthe

factsobservedbythem--timewhichtheybelievemightbebetteremployedinendeavoringtodiscoverthelawsbywhichthephenomenaaregoverned.Theybelievethatthosewhoarenotsatisfiedwiththeevidencealreadyofferedwillnotbeconvincedbyanyamountoffurthertestimony--thattheirskepticismisinvincible.Forpersonssoconstitutedthisbookwillhavenointerest;itsperusalwillaffordthemnopleasure.

Theendeavortoexplainthesemysteriousphenomenabyscientificinvestigatorshasresultedintheiradoptionofoneorotheroftwohypotheses,viz.:

1. Thatthephenomenaaretheproductofandoriginateinthesubliminalconsciousnessofthemedium;or,

2. Thatthephenomenaarereallyofsupernormaloriginandemanatefromthedisincarnatespiritsofthedead,whoreturntoearthandtaketemporarypossessionoftheorganismofthemedium,talkingthroughhermouth,writingwithherhandwhilesheisinasomnambulisticstate.

Thefirsttheoryinvolvesthecreditingofthesubliminalconsciousnesswithalmostmiraculouspowersoftelepathy,since,onthathypothesis,itisnecessary,inordertoaccountfortheknowledgepossessedbythemedium,tosupposethathersubliminalconsciousnessisabletoroamatwillthroughouttheentireuniverseandreadthemindofanybeingpossessingtheinformationsoughtfor.

Allopen-mindedinvestigatorsfreelyadmitthateitheroftheabovehypothesesmaybeuntrue;thatverylittleisknownbythemasyetinregardtothenatureofthephenomena;thatthedataaretooslighttojustifymorethanaprovisionalhypothesis,whichthediscoveryofnewfactsmayatanytimeentirelydemolish.But,thusfar,thehypothesesabovegivenseemtobetheonlyoneswhichwillinanywayrationallyaccountforthefacts:inwhichcase,itisevidentthateachindividualobserverwillbeinfluencedinhischoiceofahypothesisbyhisreligiousbelief,whichwillgreatlyaffectthepointofviewfromwhichheapproachesthesubject,andalsobyhisnaturaltemperament,habitsofthought,etc.

Prof.Flournoystatesthathehasendeavoredtokeepconstantlyinmindandtobeguidedbytwopropositions,whichhedesignatesrespectivelythe"PrincipleofHamlet"andthe"PrincipleofLaPlace,"theformerbeing,"Allthingsarepossible,"thelatter,"Theweightoftheevidenceoughttobeproportionedtothe

strangenessofthefacts."

Guidedbythesetwoprinciples,Prof.FlournoyhascometotheconclusionthatMlle.Smithreallypossessesthefacultyoftelekinesis--theabilitytomoveponderableobjectssituatedatadistance,withoutcontactandcontrarytoknownnaturallaws.Ontheotherhand,hedoesnotbelievethephenomenamanifestedbyhertobeofsupernormalorigin.Thevariousalleged"spirit"messages,"incarnations,""giftoftongues,"andallotherapparentlysupernormalphenomena,inhisopinion,springfromMlle.Smith'ssubliminalconsciousness,andheexercisesgreatskillandingenuityinhisefforttotracetheverywonderfulandastonishingmanifestationswithwhichhehashadtodealtonaturalsources.

Whethertheindividualreaderadoptstheauthor'sviewsandtheories,orfindsinothersamorenaturalexplanationofthefactsnarratedbyProf.Flournoy,hecannotfailtoadmirethefrankness,candor,andentirefreedomfromprejudicedisplayedbyhim.Heevincesatrue,open-minded,scientificspirit,neverdistortingfactsinordertomakethemfithishypotheses,andfreelyadmittingthepossibilityofthediscoveryofnewfactsatanytime,ofanaturetocompelhimtoadoptsomeotherhypothesisthanthatwhichhehasprovisionallyassumedtoexplainthephenomena.

Awordonanothersubjectbeforethereadergoesontotheperusalofthisnarrativeofstrangefacts:

OnewhoisinterestedinPsychicalResearch,--whenhehasfinallysucceededinconvincingsomeobstinateskepticofthegenuinenessofthephenomena--whenthedoubterhasatlastyieldedtotheweightofevidence,then,veryfrequently,thenextquestion,whichcomesasawetblankettodampentheardoroftheenthusiasticdevotee,is:"Cuibono?Admittingthetruthofthefacts,whatusefulpurposeissubservedbytheirstudy?Sciencewillneversucceedinsolvingtheproblemofman'sfuturedestiny.Itisallawasteoftimeandwillendinnothing."Andinareviewofthisverybook,whichrecentlyappearedinoneofourleadingmetropolitannewspapers,thereviewerasks,"Whatwillsciencemakeofallthis?"(referringtothephenomenamanifestedbyMlle.Smith);andthenanswershisownquestionbysaying,"Itisveryunlikelythatsciencewilleverdiscoverthenatureofthesemysteriousphenomenaorthelawswhichgovernthem."

FromthisconclusionthefollowersofPsychicalResearchemphaticallydissent.Itseemspassingstrangetothemthatsuchanopinionshouldbeheldby

intelligentmenatthepresentstageofdevelopmentofhumanknowledge,inviewofthemightydiscoverieswhichhavebeenwrestedfromnaturebythelaboriousprocessofperseveringobservationofseeminglytrivialfacts.Aneighteenth-centurywritermightwithsomeshowofreasonhavemadeasimilarobservationinregardtoDr.Franklinandhisexperimentswithkiteandkeyinathunder-storm.Itwouldindeed,atthatepoch,haveseemedunlikelythatsciencewouldsucceedindiscoveringthesecretoftheelectricfluidbysuchmeans.Butto-day,atthedawnofthetwentiethcentury,withalltheexperienceofthepasttojudgefrom,arenottheprobabilitiesallinfavorofgreatresultstosciencefromrepeatedexperimentsbytrainedobservers,suchasProf.Flournoy,uponcasessimilartothatofMlle.Smith?

Ifthehypothesisthattheworldasawhole,spiritualandmaterialtogether,hasinsomewayasystematicunity,betrue--andthatisthehypothesisacceptedbyamajorityofthinkingmenatthepresenttime--thentheimportanceofcollectingandrecordingandanalyzingsuchfactsasthosepresentedtousinthepresentnarrativecannotbeoverestimated.

Thescientificdemonstrationofafuturelifemaybeoneofthegreattriumphsreservedforthescienceofthetwentiethcenturytowin,andHeleneSmithandProf.Flournoymayultimatelyappeartohavecontributedlargelytoitsaccomplishment.

TothosewhostillpersistinaskingCuibono?inreferencetosuchworkasthatwhichProf.Flournoyhasheresoablyperformed,IbegleavetoquotefurtherfromMr.Myersthefollowing:

"ThefaithtowhichScienceisswornisafaithintheuniformity,thecoherence,theintelligibilityof,atanyrate,thematerialuniverse.Scienceherselfisbutthepracticaldevelopmentofthismightypostulate.Andifanyphenomenononwhichshechancesonheronwardwayseemsarbitrary,orincoherent,orunintelligible,shedoesnotthereforesupposethatshehascomeuponanunravelledendinthetextureofthings;butrathertakesforgrantedthatarationalanswertothenewproblemmustsomewhereexist--ananswerwhichwillbeallthemoreinstructivebecauseitwillinvolvefactsofwhichthatfirstquestionmusthavefailedtotakedueaccount.

"ThisfaithintheuniformityofmaterialNatureformulatesitselfintwogreatdogmas--forsuchtheyare;--thedogmaoftheConservationofMatterandthe

dogmaoftheConservationofEnergy.OftheConservationofMatter,withinearthlylimits,wearefairlywellassured;butoftheConservationofEnergytheproofisfarlesscomplete,simplybecauseEnergyisaconceptionwhichdoesnotbelongtothematerialworldalone.Lifeistousthemostimportantofallformsofactivity--ofenergy,Iwouldsay--exceptthatwecannottransformotherenergiesintoLife,normeasureinfoot-poundsthatdirectiveforcewhichhaschangedthefaceoftheworld.Lifecomesweknownotwhence;itvanishesweknownotwhither;itisinterlockedwithamovingsystemvasterthanthatweknow.Tograspthewholeofitsmanifestation,weshouldhavetofollowitintoanunseenworld.Yetscientificfaithbidsusbelievethatthere,too,thereiscontinuity;andthatthepastandthefutureofthatforcewhichwediscernforamomentarestillsubjecttouniversalLaw.

"OutofthelongStoneAgeourraceisawakeningintoconsciousnessofitself.Westandinthedawnofhistory.Behindusliesavastandunrecordedwaste--themightystrugglehumanamconderegentem.Sincethetimesofthatignorancewehavenotyetgonefar;afewthousandyears,afewhundredthinkers,havebarelystartedthehumanminduponthegreataeonsofitsonwardway.ItisnotyetthehourtositdowninourstudiesandtrytoekeoutTraditionwithIntuition--asonemightbeforcedtodoinaplanet'ssenility,bytheglimmerofafadingsun.Daphni,quidantiquossignorumsuspicisortus?Thetraditions,theintuitionsofourracearethemselvesintheirinfancy;andbeforeweabandonourselvestobroodingoverthemletusatleastfirsttrytheupshotofasystematicsearchforactualfacts.Forwhatshouldhinder?Ifourinquiryleadusfirstthroughajungleoffraudandfolly,needthatalarmus?AswellmightColumbushaveyieldedtothesailors'panicwhenhewasentangledintheSargassoSea.IfourfirstclearfactsabouttheUnseenWorldseemsmallandtrivial,shouldthatdeterusfromthequest?AswellmightColumbushavesailedhomeagain,withAmericaintheoffing,onthegroundthatitwasnotworthwhiletodiscoveracontinentwhichmanifesteditselfonlybydeadlogs."

ItisdeeplytoberegrettedthatnoappealshaveavailedtopersuadeMlle.Smithtoconsenttothepublicationofherphotograph,inconnectionwith

[paragraphcontinues]Prof.Flournoy'saccountofthephenomenamanifestedbyher.

Sheshrinksfromthepublicitywhichherpossessionofthesestrangepowershasthrustuponher.Shedislikesextremelythenotorietygiventohermysterious

faculties,andrefusestobeinterviewedconcerningthem,ortodiscussProf.Flournoy'sbook.

ThenameHeleneSmithis,asthereaderwilldoubtlessguess,merelyapseudonym.Theindividualitydesignatedbythatname,however,isheldinhighestesteem--invenerationeven--byaverylargecircleoffriendsandacquaintancesinthecityontheshoresofLakeLeman,inwhichshehaspassedherlifefrominfancy,forwhosebenefitsheisalwaysreadytoexercisehermysteriousgiftsandtogiveherservicesfreelytosuchasseekheraid,refusingalwaystoacceptanypecuniarycompensationforherservices.Attaching,asshedoes,areligioussignificancetoherpowers,shewoulddeemitasacrilegetotrafficinthem.

DANIELB.VERMILYE.

COLUMBIAUNIVERSITY,NEWYORK,

July,1900.

FROMINDIATOTHEPLANETMARS

CHAPTERI

INTRODUCTION

INthemonthofDecember,1894,IwasinvitedbyM.Aug.Lemaitre,ProfessoroftheCollegeofGeneva,toattendsomeseancesofanon-professionalmedium,receivingnocompensationforherservices,andofwhoseextraordinarygiftsandapparentlysupernormalfacultiesIhadfrequentlyheard.

Havinggladlyacceptedtheinvitationofmyworthycolleague,Ifoundthemediuminquestion,whomIshallcallMlle.HeleneSmith,tobeabeautifulwomanaboutthirtyyearsofage,tall,vigorous,ofafresh,healthycomplexion,withhairandeyesalmostblack,ofanopenandintelligentcountenance,whichatonceinvokedsympathy.Sheevincednothingoftheemaciatedortragicaspectwhichonehabituallyascribestothesibylsoftradition,butworeanairofhealth,ofphysicalandmentalvigor,verypleasanttobehold,andwhich,by-the-way,isnotoftenencounteredinthosewhoaregoodmediums.

Thenumberofthoseinvitedtotakepartintheseancebeingcomplete,weseated

ourselvesinacircle,withourhandsrestinguponthetraditionalroundtableofspiritisticcircles.Mlle.Smith--whopossessesatriplemediumship:visual,auditive,andtyptological[**]--began,inthemostnaturalmanner,todescribethevariousapparitionswhichpassedbeforehereyesinthepartiallydarkenedroom.Suddenlyshestopsandlistens;shehearsanamespokeninherear,whichsherepeatstouswithastonishment;thenbriefsentences,thewordsofwhicharespelledoutbyrapsonthetable,explainthemeaningofthevision.Speakingformyselfalone(therewerethreeofustodividethehonoroftheseance),Iwasgreatlysurprisedtorecognizeinsceneswhichpassedbeforemyeyeseventswhichhadtranspiredinmyownfamilypriortomybirth.Whencecouldthemedium,whomIhadnevermetbefore,havederivedtheknowledgeofeventsbelongingtoaremotepast,ofaprivatenature,andutterlyunknowntoanylivingperson?

TheastoundingpowersofMrs.Piper,thefamousBostonmedium,whosewonderfulintuitionreadsthelatentmemoriesofhervisitorslikeanopenbook,recurredtomymind,andIwentoutfromthatseancewithrenewedhopeoffindingmyselfsomedayfacetofacewiththe"supernormal"--atrueandgenuinesupernormal--telepathy,clairvoyance,spiritisticmanifestations,itmattersnotbywhatnameitbecalled,providedonlythatitbewhollyoutoftheordinary,andthatitsucceedinutterlydemolishingtheentireframeworkofestablishedpresent-dayscience.

IwasableatthistimetoobtaingeneralinformationonlyconcerningthepastofMlle.Smith,butitwasallofacharacterfavorabletoher,andhassincebeenfullyconfirmed.

Ofmodestbearingandanirreproachablemoralcharacter,shehasforyearsearnedanhonorablelivingasanemployeeofacommercialhouse,inwhichherindustry,herperseverance,andherhighcharacterhavecombinedtosecureheraveryresponsibleandimportantposition.

Somethreeyearspriortothedateofmyintroductiontohershehadbeeninitiatedintoaspiritisticgroup,whereherremarkablepsychicpowersalmostimmediatelymanifestedthemselves;andshethenbecameamemberofvariousotherspiritisticcircles.FromitscommencementhermediumshipmanifestedthecomplextypetowhichIhavealreadyalluded,andfromwhichithasneverdeviated.Visionsinawakingstate,accompaniedbytyptologicaldictationandauditivehallucinations,alternatelyappeared.Fromthepointofviewoftheir

contentthesemessageshadgenerallyabearingonpasteventsusuallyunknowntothepersonspresent,butwhichwerealwaysverifiedbyreferringtobiographicaldictionariesortothetraditionsofthefamiliesinterested.Tothesephenomenaofretrocognitionorofhypermnesiawerejoinedoccasionally,accordingtotheenvironment,moralexhortations,communicatedthroughthetable,morefrequentlyinpoetrythaninprose,addressedtothesitters;medicalconsultations,accompaniedbyprescriptionsgenerallyappropriate;communicationsfromparentsorfriendsrecentlydeceased;or,finally,revelationsaspiquantastheywereunverifiableconcerningtheanteriorites(thatis,thepreviousexistences)ofthesitters,almostallofwhom,beingprofoundbelieversinspiritism,wouldnothavebeenatallsurprisedtolearnthattheywerethereincarnationsrespectivelyofColigny,ofVergniaud,ofthePrincessLamballe,orofothernotablepersonages.Itisnecessary,finally,toaddthatallthesemessagesseemedtobemoreorlessboundupwiththemysteriouspresenceofa"spirit"answeringtothenameofLeopold,whoassumedtobetheguideandprotectorofthemedium.

IatonceundertooktoimprovemyacquaintancewithHeleneSmith.Shefreelyconsentedtogiveseancesformybenefit,alternatingwithaserieswhichshewasgivingM.Lemaitre,andanotherforthebenefitofProf.Cuendet,vice-presidentoftheGenevaSociety(spiritistic)forPsychicStudies,allofwhichIwaspermittedtoattend.InthiswayIhavebeenabletobepresentatthegreaterpartofHelene'sseancesduringthepastfiveyears.ThepersonalobservationsthatIhavethusbeenabletomake,reinforcedbynotesonsittingswhichIwasunabletoattend,kindlyfurnishedmebyMM.LemaitreandCuendet,formthebasisofthestudywhichfollows;towhichmustbeadded,however,certainlettersofMlle.Smith,aswellasthenumerousandveryinterestingconversationsIhaveheldwithhereitherimmediatelyprecedingorfollowingherseances,oratherhome,whereIalsohavehadtheadvantageofbeingabletotalkwithhermother.Finally,variousdocumentsandaccessoryinformation,whichwillbecitedintheirrespectivetimeandplace,havealsobeenofassistanceinenablingmepartiallytoelucidatecertainobscurepoints.Notwithstandingallthesesourcesofinformation,however,IamstillveryfarfrombeingabletodisentangleandsatisfactoryexplainthecomplexphenomenawhichconstituteHelene'smediumship.

DatingfromtheperiodatwhichImadetheacquaintanceofMlle.Smith(i.e.,fromthewinterof1894-95),whilemostofherspiritisticcommunicationshavecontinuedtopresenthesamecharacterastoformandcontentasbefore,a

doubleandveryimportantmodificationinhermediumshiphasbeenobserved.

1. Astotheirpsychologicalform.--WhileuptothattimeHelenehadexperiencedpartialandlimitedautomatismsonly--visual,auditive,typtomotorhallucinations--compatiblewiththepreservationtoacertainextentofthewakingstate,andnotinvolvingnoticeablelossofmemory,fromthattimeandwithincreasingfrequencyshehasbeensubjecttoanentirelossofconsciousnessandafailuretoretain,onreturningtohernormalstate,anyrecollectionofwhathastranspiredduringtheseance.Inphysiologicalterms,thehemisomnambulismwithoutamnesia,whichhadbeenherstopping-pointuptothattime,andwhichthesittersmistookfortheordinarywakingstate,wasnowtransformedintototalsomnambulismwithconsecutiveamnesia.

Inspiritisticparlance,Mlle.Smithnowbecamecompletelyentranced,andhavingformerlybeenanordinaryvisualandauditivemedium,shenowadvancedtothehigherplaneofan"incarnatingmedium."

Ifearthatthischangemustinagreatmeasurebeattributedtomyinfluence,sinceitfollowedalmostimmediatelyuponmyintroductiontoHelene'sseances.Or,evenifthetotalsomnambulismwouldhaveinevitablybeeneventuallydevelopedbyvirtueofanorganicpredispositionandofatendencyfavorabletohypnoidstates,itisneverthelessprobablethatIaidedinhasteningitsappearancebymypresenceaswellasbyafewexperimentswhichIpermittedmyselftomakeuponHelene.

Asiswellknown,mediumsareusuallysurroundedbyahaloofveneration,whichpreventsanyonefromtouchingthemduringtheirtrancesTheideawouldneveroccurtoanyordinaryfrequenterofspiritisticcirclestoendeavortoascertaintheconditionofthemedium'ssensoryandmotorfunctionsbyfeelingherhands,pinchingtheflesh,orprickingtheskinwithapin.Silenceandimmobilityarethestrictrule,inordernottohinderthespontaneousproductionofthephenomena,andafewquestionsorbriefobservationsonthereceiptofamessageisallthatispermissiblebywayofconversation,andnoonethereforewould,underordinarycircumstances,daretoattemptanymanipulationofthemediumMlle.Smithhadalwaysbeensurroundedbythisrespectfulconsideration,andduringthefirstthreeseancesIconformedmyselfstrictlytothepassiveandpurelycontemplativeattitudeoftheothersitters.Butatthefourthsittingmydiscretionvanished.Icouldnotresistastrongdesireto

ascertainthephysiologicalconditionofthecharmingseeress,andImadesomevigorouselementaryexperimentsuponherhands,whichlaytemptinglyspreadoutoppositemeonthetable.Theseexperiments,whichIrenewedandfollowedupatthesucceedingseance(February3,1895),demonstratedthatthereispresentinMlle.Smith,duringhervisions,alargeandvariedassortmentofsensoryandmotordisturbanceswhichhadhithertoescapedthenoticeofthesitters,andwhicharethoroughlyidenticalwiththosethatmaybeobservedincasesofhysteria(wheretheyaremorepermanent),andthosethatmaybemomentarilyproducedinhypnoticsubjectsbysuggestion.Thiswasnotatallastonishing,andwastohavebeenexpected.Butoneconsequence,whichIhadnotforeseen,didoccurwhen,fourdaysaftermysecondexperimentalseance,Mlle.SmithfellcompletelyasleepforthefirsttimeatasittingwithM.Cuendet(February7th),atwhichIwasnotpresent.Thesittersweresomewhatfrightened,and,intryingtoawakenher,discoveredtherigidityofherarms,whichwereconsiderablycontractured.Leopoldhowever,communicatingbymeansofthetableuponwhichshewasleaning,fullyreassuredthem,andgavethemtounderstandthatsuchsleepwasnotatallprejudicialtothemedium.Afterassumingvariousattitudesandindulginginsomeamusingmimicry,Mlle.Smithawokeinexcellentspirits,retainingasalastrecollectionofherdreamthatofakisswhichLeopoldhadimprinteduponherforehead.

FromthatdayonsomnambulismsweretherulewithHelene,andtheseancesatwhichshedidnotfallcompletelyasleepforatleastafewmomentsformedrareexceptionstothecourseofeventsduringthenextfouryears.ItisagreatdeprivationforMlle.Smiththattheseslumbersordinarilyleavehernomemoryuponherawakeningofwhathastranspiredinhertrance,andshelongsfortheseancesofformertimeswhenthevisionsunfoldedthemselvesbeforehereyes,furnishingherwithapleasingspectaclewhichwasalwaysunexpected,andwhich,continuallybeingrenewed,causedtheseancestobetoherasourceofgreatdelight.Forthesitters,ontheotherhand,thesescenesofsomnambulismandincarnation,togetherwiththevariousphysiologicalphenomenaofcatalepsy,lethargy,contractures,etc.,whichaccompaniedthem,addedgreatvarietyandadditionalinteresttoHeleneSmith'sremarkableandinstructivetriplemediumship.

Thegreatersometimesimpliestheless:simultaneouslywiththeaccessofcompletesomnambulismcamenewformsandinnumerableshadesofhemisomnambulism.ThetripleformofautomatismwhichdistinguishedthefirstyearsofMlle.Smith'sspiritisticexperienceshasbeenwonderfullydeveloped

since1895,anditwouldnowbedifficulttonameanyprincipalformsofpsychicmediumshipofwhichshehasnotfurnishedcuriousspecimens.Ishallhaveoccasiontociteseveraloftheminthecourseofthiswork.HeleneconstitutesthemostremarkablemediumIhaveevermet,andverynearlyapproachestheidealofwhatmightbecalledthepolymorphous,ormultiform,medium,incontradistinctiontotheuniformmediums,whosefacultiesonlyconcernthemselveswithonekindofautomatism.

1. Amodificationanalogoustothatwhichtookplaceinthepsychologicformofthemessagesconsistingofamarkedimprovementintheirdepthandimportance,wasnoticeablesimultaneouslyintheircontent.

Alongsideoftheunimportantcommunications,completeatonesittingandindependentoneofanother,whichfilledupalargepartofeachofHelene'sseancesandinnowisedifferentiatedherfacultiesfromthoseofthemajorityofmediums,shemanifestedfromthebeginningamarkedtendency.toasuperiorsystematizationandamoreloftychainofvisions;communicationswereoftencontinuedthroughseveralseances,andreachedtheirconclusiononlyattheendofseveralweeks.ButfromtheperiodatwhichImadetheacquaintanceofMlle.Smiththistendencytowardsunitybegantoassertitselfstillmorestrongly.Severallongsomnambulisticdreamsbegantoappearandtodevelop,theeventsofwhichcontinuedtobeunfoldedthroughmonths,evenyears,andindeedstillcontinue;aspeciesofromanceofthesubliminalimaginationanalogoustothose"continuedstories"whichsomanyofourracetellthemselvesintheirmomentsoffarniente,orattimeswhentheirroutineoccupationsofferonlyslightobstaclestoday-dreaming,andofwhichtheythemselvesaregenerallytheheroes.

Mlle.Smithhasnofewerthanthreedistinctsomnambulisticromances,andiftotheseisaddedtheexistenceofthatsecondarypersonalitytowhichIhavealreadyalluded,andwhichrevealsitselfunderthenameofLeopold,wefindourselvesinthepresenceoffoursubconsciouscreationsofvastextent,whichhavebeenevolvedonparallellinesforseveralyears,andwhichmanifestthemselvesinirregularalternationduringthecourseofdifferentseances,orofteneveninthesameseance.

AllofthesehaveundoubtedlyacommonorigininHelene'ssubliminalconsciousness;butinpractice,atleast,andtoallappearance,theseimaginativeconstructionspresentarelativeindependenceandadiversityofcontent

sufficientlygreattorenderitnecessarytostudythemseparately.Ishallconfinemyselfatpresenttoageneralviewofthem.

Twooftheseromancesareconnectedwiththespiritisticideaofpreviousexistences.Ithas,indeed,beenrevealedthatHeleneSmithhasalreadylivedtwicebeforeonthisglobe.FivehundredyearsagoshewasthedaughterofanArabsheik,andbecame,underthenameofSimandini,thefavoritewifeofaHindooprincenamedSivroukaNayaka,whoreignedoverKanara,andbuiltintheyear1401thefortressofTchandraguiri.InthelastcenturyshereappearedinthepersonoftheillustriousandunfortunateMarieAntoinette.Againreincarnated,asapunishmentforhersinsandtheperfectingofhercharacter,inthehumblecircumstancesofHeleneSmith,sheincertainsomnambulisticstatesrecoversthememoryofhergloriousavatarsofold,andbecomesagainforthemomentHindooprincessorqueenofFrance.

Iwilldesignateunderthenamesof"Hindoo"or"Oriental"cycleand"Royal"cyclethewholeoftheautomaticmanifestationsrelativetothesetwopreviousexistences.Ishallcallthethirdromancethe"Martian"cycle,inwhichMlle.Smith,byvirtueofthemediumisticfaculties,whicharetheappanageandtheconsolationofherpresentlife,hasbeenabletoenterintorelationwiththepeopleandaffairsoftheplanetMars,andtounveiltheirmysteriestous.Itisinthisastronomicalsomnambulismthatthephenomenonofglossolalia,[**]appears,whichconsistsofthefabricationandtheuseofanunknownlanguage,andwhichisoneoftheprincipalobjectsofthisstudy;weshallsee,however,thatanalogousfactsarelikewisepresentedintheHindoocycle.

ThepersonalityofLeopoldmaintainsverycomplexrelationswiththeprecedingcreations.Ontheonehand,itisverycloselyconnectedwiththeRoyalcycle,owingtothefactthatthenameofLeopoldisonlyapseudonymunderwhichisconcealedtheillustriousCagliostro,who,itappears,wasmadlyinfatuatedwithQueenMarieAntoinette,andwhonow,discarnateandfloatinginspace,hasconstitutedhimselftheguardianangelinsomerespectsofMile.Smith,inwhomafteralongsearchhehasagainfoundtheaugustobjectofhisunhappypassionofacenturyago.

Ontheotherhand,thisroleofprotectorandspiritualguidewhichheassumestowardsHeleneconfersuponhimaprivilegedplaceinhersomnambulisms.Heismoreorlessmixedupinthegreaterpartofthem;assistsatthem,watchesoverthem,andperhapsinameasuredirectsthem.Healsooccasionallyappears

inthemidstofaHindoooraMartianscene,deliveringhismessagebycertaincharacteristicmovementsofthehand.

Tosumup:sometimesrevealinghimselfbyrapsuponthetable,thetapsofafinger,orbyautomaticwriting;sometimesincarnatinghimselfcompletelyandspeakingbythemouthofMlle.Smithwhileentranced--Leopoldfulfilsintheseseancesthemultipleandvariedfunctionsofspirit-guide,givinggoodadvicerelativetothemannerofactingtowardsthemedium;ofstage-managerhiddenbehindthesceneswatchingtheperformanceandreadyatanytimetointervene;ofbenevolentlydisposedinterpreterwillingtofurnishexplanationsofallthatisobscure;ofcensorofmoralssharplyreprimandingthesitterswhenhedeemsitnecessary;ofsympatheticphysicianpromptatdiagnosisandwellversedinthepharmacopoeia,etc.HealsoappearsunderhisownnameofCagliostrotothesomnambulisticgazeoftheresuscitatedMarieAntoinetteandanswersherquestionsbymeansofauditivehallucinations.Noristhisall:tomakeoursummarycomplete,itisnecessaryalsotoinvestigatethepersonalconnectionofMlle.Smithwithherinvisibleprotector.SheofteninvokesandquestionsLeopoldatherownconvenience,andwhileheremainssometimesforweekswithoutgivinganysignoflife,heatothertimesreadilyrespondstoherbymeansofvoicesorvisionswhichsurpriseherwhilefullyawakeinthecourseofherdailyduties,andinwhichhelavishesuponherinturnmaterialormoraladvice,usefulinformation,ortheencouragementandconsolationofwhichshehasneed.

AlthoughIhaveaccusedmyselfofperhapshavinghadmuchtodowiththetransformationofHelene'shemisomnambulismintocompletetrances,Ibelievemyself,however,altogetherinnocentoftheorigin,andthereforeofthesubsequentdevelopment,ofthegreatsubliminalcreationsofwhichIhavespoken.Thefirst,thatofLeopold,isofveryearlydate,evengoingbackprobably,asweshallsee,priortoMlle.Smith'sinitiationintospiritism.Astothethreecycles,theydidnot,itistrue,commencetodisplaytheirfullamplitudeuntilafterIhadmadeHelene'sacquaintance;andsincetheystartfromthetimewhenshefirstbecamesubjecttoveritabletrances,itwouldseemasthoughthatsupremeformofautomatismistheonlyonecapableofallowingthefullexpansionofproductionssocomplex,andtheonlypsychologicalcontainerappropriateandadequatetosuchacontent.Butthefirstappearanceofallthreewasclearlypriortomypresenceattheseances.TheHindoodream,whereIshallbefoundplayingarolewhichIdidnotseek,evidentlybegan(October16,1894)eightweeksbeforemyadmissiontoMlle.Smith'sseances.TheMartian

romance,whichdatesfromthesameperiod,iscloselyconnected,asIshallalsoshow,withaninvoluntarysuggestionofM.Lemaitre,whomadetheacquaintanceofHeleneinthespringof1894,ninemonthsbeforemyintroductiontoher.TheRoyalcycle,finally,hadbeenroughlyoutlinedatseancesheldatthehomeofM.Cuendet,inDecember,1893.Nevertheless,Irepeat,onlysince1895havetheexuberantgrowthandmagnificentfloweringofthatsubliminalvegetationtakenplaceunderthestimulatingandprovocativeinfluence,albeitwhollyunintentionalandaltogetherunsuspectedatthetime,ofthevariedenvironmentsofMlle.Smith'sseances.

Asfarastheindiscreetrevelationsinregardtomyownfamily,whichsomuchastonishedmeatmyfirstmeetingwithMlle.Smith,areconcerned,aswellastheinnumerableextraordinaryfactsofthesamekindwithwhichhermediumshipabounds,andtowhichsheowesherimmensereputationinspiritisticcircles,itwillsufficetoreturnintheclosingchaptersofthisbook.

Footnotes

^2:*I.e.,Spirit-rapping--thefacultyofobtainingresponsesbymeansofrapsuponatable.

^11:*Glossolaliasignifiesthe"giftoftongues,"ortheabilitytospeakforeignlanguageswithouthavingconsciouslyacquiredthem.

CHAPTERII

CHILDHOODANDYOUTHOFMLLE.SMITH

THEpsychologicalhistoryofMlle.Smithandherautomatismsisnaturallydividedintotwoseparateperiodsbytheimportantfactofherinitiationintospiritismatthebeginningof1892.Beforethattime,notsuspectingthepossibilityofvoluntarycommunicationwiththeworldofdisincarnatespirits,shenaturallymanifestednothingmorethanafewspontaneousphenomena,thefirstflutteringsofhermediumisticfacultieswhichstilllaydormant,theexactnatureandprogressofwhichitwouldbeinterestingtoknowindetail;unfortunately,intheabsenceofwrittendocumentsconcerningthatpre-spiritisticperiod,weareconfinedtothestatementsofHeleneandherparentsinregardtoit,andtheuntrustworthinessofthememoryinconnectionwitheventsofaremotepastisonlytoowellknown.

Thespiritisticperiod,onthecontrary,extendingoverthelastsevenyears,andinfinitelymorefertileinartificiallypromoted(e.g.,theseances)aswellasinspontaneousmanifestations,ismuchbetterknowntous;butinordertocomprehenditintelligently,itisnecessaryfirsttopassinreviewthefewfactswhichwehavebeenabletogatherrelatingtothepre-spiritisticperiod--thatistosay,thechildhoodandyouthofMlle.Smith.Thatwillbethesubjectofthischapter.

Mlle.SmithhaslivedinGenevasinceherinfancy.Afterattendingschool,sheenteredasanapprentice,attheageoffifteen,alargecommercialhouse,where,asIhavealreadystated,shestillremains,andwhere,littlebylittle,shehasrisentoaveryresponsibleposition.Herfather,amerchant,wasaHungarian,andpossessedaremarkablefacilityforlanguages,whichisofinteresttousinpresenceofthephenomenaofglossolalia,asubjectwhichwillbediscussedhereafter.HermotherisaGenevese.Bothenjoyedexcellenthealthandattainedavenerableoldage.Helenehadayoungersisterwhodiedinearlychildhood,andtwobrothersolderthanherself,whoarenowfathersoffamiliesandestablishedabroad,wheretheyhavehadsuccessfulbusinesscareers.

IamnotawarethatM.Smith,whowasamanofpositivecharacter,everdisplayedanyphenomenaofautomatisms.Mme.Smith,however,aswellashergrandmother,hasexperiencedseveralthoroughlycharacteristicphenomenaofthatkind,andone,atleast,ofHelene'sbrothers,itappears,couldeasilyhavebecomeagoodmedium.Thisisanotherinstanceofthedistinctlyhereditarytendencyofmediumisticfaculties.

M.Smith,amanofactiveandenterprisingcharacter,diedquitesuddenly,probablyofanembolism,attheageofseventy-fiveyears.HehadleftHungaryinhisyouth,andfinallyestablishedhimselfatGeneva,afterhavingtravelledextensivelyinItalyandAlgiers,whereheremainedforseveralyears.HespokefluentlyHungarian,German,French,Italian,andSpanish,understoodEnglishfairlywell,andalsoknewLatinandalittleGreek.Itwouldseemthathisdaughterhasinheritedtheselinguisticaptitudes,butonlyinalatentandsubliminalmanner,forshehasalwaysdetestedthestudyoflanguages,andrebelledagainstlearningGerman,inwhichshetooklessonsforthreeyears.

Mme.Smith,whoisakind-heartedwoman,withmuchgood,practicalsense,issixty-sevenyearsofage.Neithershenorherhusbandwaseveranervousorpsychopathicsubject,butbothshowedamarkedtendencytobroncho-pulmonary

affectionsofasomewhatalarmingtype.Mme.Smithhas,besides,sufferedfrequentlyfromrheumatism.Helenedoesnotappeartohaveinheritedthesetendencies;shehasalwaysenjoyedrobusthealth,andhasnotevenhadtheslightdiseasesusuallyincidentaltochildhood.

AlthoughbothM.andMme.SmithwereProtestants,throughachainofpeculiarcircumstancestheirdaughterwasbaptizedaCatholicshortlyafterherbirth,hernamebeinginscribedsomemonthslaterontheregisteroftheProtestantchurchofGeneva.ThememoryofthisunusualbaptismhascertainlynotbeenlostbyHelene'ssubliminalimagination,andhasdulycontributedtothehypothesisofamysteriousorigin.OftheyearsofchildhoodIknownothingspeciallyinteresting.Attheintermediateschool,atwhichshepassedonlyayear,andwhereIhaveconsultedtherecordsofherclass,shewasnotdistinguishedeitherforgoodorillfromthepointofviewofdeportment,butshecertainlydidnotrevealthefullmeasureofherintelligence,sinceshefailedtopasstheexaminationsattheendoftheyear,afactwhichdecidedherentranceuponanapprenticeship.Ontheotherhand,theworthypastorwhogaveherreligiousinstructionsomewhatlater,andwhohasneverlostsightofhersince,hasfurnishedmewithmosteulogistictestimonialsastohercharacter;heremembersherasayounggirlofseriousdisposition,intelligent,thoughtful,faithfulinthedischargeofherduties,anddevotedtoherfamily.

M.Smithnevershowedtheleasttraceofmediumisticphenomena;fromhavingbeenveryindifferent,orevenhostile,tospiritismuntilhisdaughterbegantointerestherselfinit,hefinallysuccumbedtoherinfluenceandbecameabelieverinthatdoctrinetowardsthecloseofhislife.Mme.Smith,onthecontrary,hasalwaysbeenpredisposedtoit,andhasexperiencedseveralphenomenaofthatnatureinthecourseofherlife.Attheperiodoftheepidemicof"table-tipping"whichragedinourcountryaboutthemiddleofthiscentury,shetooexperimentedquitesuccessfullyforawhileuponthetablewithherfriendsandacquaintances.Later,shehadsomesporadicvisions.Thefollowingisoneofthemosttypical.Whileherlittledaughterthreeyearsoldwasill,Mme.Smithawokeinthemiddleofthenightandsawanangel,ofdazzlingbrightness,standingbythesideofthelittlebedwithitshandsstretchedoutabovethechild;aftersomemomentstheapparitiongraduallydissolved.Mme.Smithawakenedherhusbandandtoldhimofthefatalsignificancewhichsheattachedtothevision,buthe,unabletoseeanything,ridiculedhersuperstitiousfears.Asamatteroffact,thechilddiedonthefollowingday,tothegreatsurpriseofthephysicianattendingher.Thisisafineexampleoftruematernalpresentiment,

subconsciouslyfeltandtransferringitselfintothenormalconsciousnessbyavisualhallucinationwhichborrowedforitssymboliccontentanappropriatepopularimage.

Mme.Smithneverknewhermother,whodiedshortlyafterherbirth;butsherecallsandhasrelatedtomesomecharacteristicvisionsofhergrandmother,whobroughtherup;variousphenomenaconnectedwithoneofHelene'sbrothers(hearingofstepsinthenight,etc.)haveprovedtoherthatoneofhersons,atleast,isamedium.

HeleneSmithwascertainlypredisposed,bothbyheredityandtemperament,tobecomeamedium,assoonastheoutwardopportunity--thatis,thesuggestionsofspiritism--shouldpresentitself.

Itisevident,indeed,fromherrecitalofevents,thatshewasmoreorlessvisionaryfromherinfancy.Itdoesnotappear,however,thatsheevermanifestedphenomenacapableinthemselvesofattractingtheattentionofherfamily.Ihavenotbeenabletodiscoveranyindicationwhateverofcrisesorattacksofanabnormalnature,notevenofsleep-walking.Herautomatismshavebeenalwaysalmostentirelyconfinedtothesensoryormentalsphere,anditisonlyfromherownnarrativesthatotherpeoplehaveanyknowledgeofthem.Theyassumethedoubleformofreveriesmoreorlessconscious,andofhallucinationsproperlysocalled.

1. Reveries.--Thehabitoffallingintoreverie,ofbuildingcastlesintheair,oftransportingone'sselfintootherconditionsofexistence,oroftellingone'sselfstoriesinwhichoneplaysthechiefrole,ismorefrequentamongwomenthanamongmen,andinchildhoodandyouththaninmatureyears.ThispropensityseemstohavealwaysbeenextremelymarkedinthecaseofMlle.Smith,sincefromherschool-girldaysshehasshownherselftobeofasedentaryanddomestictemperament,preferringthequietcompanionshipofhermothertothegamesofhercomrades,andherneedle-worktoout-doorrecreations.ThefragmentswhichhavesurvivedinHelene'sconsciousmemoryareallthatisknowntousofthecontentofthesereveries,butitsuffices,nevertheless,torevealtousthegeneraltoneofherfictions,andtoshowusthattheimagessuddenlysurgingupbeforehermentalvisionhadapeculiar,oftenveryfantastic,character,andwhichenablesustoseeinthemthebeginningsofherlatergreatsomnambulisticromances.Itistobenoticedalsothatthedesigns,embroideries,variedartisticworks,which

werealwaysthefavoriteoccupationsofhermomentsofleisureandinwhichsheexcels,werealmostalways,fromherinfancy,notcopiesofexteriormodels,buttheproductsofherowninvention,markedwiththebizarreandoriginalstampofherinternalimages.Moreover,thesepiecesofworkgrewunderherfingerswithaneaseandrapiditythatastonishedherself.Theymadethemselves,asitwere.

Shewasalwaysfondofindulginginday-dreams,andrecallsmanyahalf-hourpassedmotionlessinaneasy-chair,onwhichoccasionsshewasaccustomedtoseeallkindsofstrangethings,but,beingofaveryreticentnature,sheseldommentionedthemtoherparentsforfearofnotbeingunderstood.Sheusedtoseehighlycoloredlandscapes,alionofstonewithamutilatedhead,fancifulobjectsonpedestals,etc.Shedoesnotrememberthedetails,butdoesclearlyrecollectthattheyallboreacloseresemblancetoherHindooandMartianvisionsoflateryears.

Thesephantasmagoriaalsoappearedtoherinthenight.Sheremembers,amongotherthings,tohaveseen,whenaboutfourteenorfifteenyearsold,abrightlightthrownagainstthewallofherroom,whichthenseemedtobefilledwithstrangeandunknownbeings.Shehadtheimpressionofbeingfullyawake,butitsuddenlyoccurredtoherthatshemusthavebeendreaming,anditwasonlythenthatshecomprehendedthatitwasreallya"vision"whichshehadexperienced.

1. Hallucinations.--Intheforegoingexamplesitwouldbedifficulttosaytoexactlywhichcategorythepsychologicfactsbelong,especiallythenocturnalphenomena,andonemayhesitatewhethertoregardthemassimpledreamsofaveryvividcharacter,hypnagogicorhypnopompic[**]visions,orasveritablehallucinations.Ontheotherhand,weundoubtedlyhavetherighttogivethelatterdesignationtothenumerousapparitionswhichMlle.Smithhaswheninfullpossessionofhersensesinthedaytime.

Oneday,forexample,asshewasplayingout-of-doorswithafriend,shesawsomeonefollowingher,andmentionedthefacttohercompanion,whocouldnotseeanyone.Theimaginaryindividual,afterhavingfollowedheraroundatreeforamoment,disappeared,andshewasunabletofindhimagain.

OfanentirelydifferentorderarethestrangecharacterswhichsheremembershavingsometimesinvoluntarilysubstitutedforFrenchletterswhenwritingtoherfriends,whichmustberegardedasgraphomotorhallucinations.Thesewere

undoubtedlythesamecharacterswhichatothertimesappearedtoherinvisualimages.

Thiswasthepreludetothephenomenonsofrequentlyexperiencedbyherinthelastfewyears,andofwhichweshallhereafterseemanyexamples--namely,automaticwriting,minglingwithherordinarychirographyinherwakingstate.

Alongsideofhallucinationslikethese,whichdonotshowanyintentionalorusefulcharacterandareonlyacapriciousandfortuitousirruptionintothenormalconsciousness,meredreamsorfanciesfillingupthesub-consciousstrata,therearealsomanifestedinHelene'scasesomehallucinationsofamanifestutility,whichhaveinconsequencethesenseofmessagesaddressedbythesubliminalconsciousnessofthesubjecttohernormalconsciousness,bywayofwarningandprotection.Itistobenotedthatthesehallucinations,whichmightbecalledteleological,havelatelybeenclaimedbyLeopold,althoughhehasnorecollectionof,anddoesnotasserthimselftobetheauthorof,theearlierones.

Thefollowingisacuriousexample:Atabouttheageofseventeenoreighteen,Helenewasreturningfromthecountryoneevening,carryingafinebouquetofflowers.Duringthelastminutesofthejourneysheheardbehindherapeculiarcryofabird,whichseemedtohertowarnheragainstsomedanger,andshehastenedherstepswithoutlookingbehind.Onherarrivalathomethecryfollowedherintoherroomwithoutherhavingbeenabletoseethecreaturefromwhichitemanated.Shewenttiredtobed,andinthemiddleofthenightawokeingreatpain,butwasunabletocryout.Atthatmomentshefeltherselfgentlylifted,togetherwiththepillowonwhichshelay,asifbytwofriendlyhands,whichenabledhertorecoverhervoiceandcallhermother,whohastenedtocomforther,andcarriedtheflowers,whichweretooodorous,outoftheroom.Leopold,onbeinginterrogatedrecentlyduringasomnambulismofHeleneastothisincident,comingupagainaftersomanyyears,hasaveryclearrecollectionofitandgivesthefollowingexplanation.

Itwasnotreallythecryofabird,butitwashe,Leopold,whocausedHelenetohearasortofwhistle,hopingtherebytoattractherattentiontothedangerlurkinginthebouquetofflowers,inwhichwasagreatdealofgarden-mintofpowerfulodor.UnfortunatelyHelenedidnotunderstand,andretainedthebouquetinherroom.Headdsthathisfailuretogiveamoreclearandintelligiblewarningwasduetothefactthatitwasatthattimeimpossibleforhimtodoso.

ThewhistlewhichHelenetookforthecryofabirdwasallthatitwasinhispowertoutter.Itwasagainhewhointervenedatthemomentofhernocturnalillnessbyraisingherheadinordertoenablehertocallforhelp.

IhavenoreasontodoubtthesubstantialaccuracyeitheroftheaccountgivenbyHeleneandhermother,oroftheexplanationrecentlyfurnishedbyLeopold.Theincidentbelongstothecategoryofwell-knowncaseswhereadangerofsomesortnotsuspectedbythenormalpersonality,butwhichissubconsciouslyknownorrecognized,iswardedoffbyapreservativehallucination,eithersensory(ashere--thecryofthebird)ormotor(asintheliftingofthebody).Thesubliminalconsciousnessisnotalwaysabletogiveaclearmessage;inthepresentcase,theauditiveautomatismremainedinastateofelementaryhallucination,asimplewhistle,withoutbeingabletoelevateittoadistinctverbalhallucination.Itsgeneralwarningsense,however,wasunderstoodbyHelene,thankstotheconfusedfeelingofdangerthatshefeltatthesametime.Moreover,thisconfusedfeeling,whichcausedhertoquickenhersteps,itseemstome,oughtnottobeconsideredastheconsequenceofthewhistlesheheard,butratherasaparallelphenomenon;theappearanceortheodorofthemintshewascarrying,whilenotattractingherconsciousattention,neverthelessdimlyrousedinheranideaofthedangerlurkingintheflowers,andthatideainturnaffectedherclearconsciousnessunderthedoubleformofavagueemotionofdangerandaverbo-auditivetranslationwhichdidnotgosofarastoformulateitselfexplicitly.

Undercircumstancesofanaturecalculatedtocauseastrongemotionalshock,andespeciallywhenthepsychicspherewhichinvolvesthesentimentofmodestyisstronglyactedupon,Helenehasavisualhallucinationofamanclothedinalong,brownrobe,withawhitecrossonhisbreast,likeamonk,whocomestoheraid,andaccompaniesherinsilenceaslongasthenecessityforhispresencecontinues.Thisunknownprotector,alwayssilent,eachtimeappearinganddisappearinginasuddenandmysteriousmanner,isnootherthanLeopoldhimself,accordingtotherecentaffirmationsofthelatter.

WeshouldnaturallyexpectthatHelenewouldhavehadinheryouthmanystrikingexperiencesofprevision,marvellousintuition,divination,etc.,whichareamongthemostdiffuseformsofteleologicalautomatism.Such,however,doesnotseemtohavebeenthefact;neithershenorhermotherhasrecountedtomeanythingremarkableofthisnature,andtheyconfinethemselvestoageneralaffirmationoffrequentpresentiments,whichweresubsequentlyjustifiedastothepersonsandeventswithwhichtheywereconnected.

AlltheexampleswhichIhaveabovecitedconcurinbringingtolightthestrongpenchantofMlle.Smithtowardsautomatism.Butfromthepointofviewoftheirmeaningthereisanotabledifferencebetweentheteleologicalphenomena,presentimentsorhallucinationsofamanifestutility,andthosewhichhavenone--merereveriesandotherperturbations,whicharealtogethersuperfluous,ifnotactuallydetrimental,toHelene'snormalpersonality.

TherearedreamsandotherautomatismsabsolutelyuselesswhichhaveinsinuatedthemselveswithoutrhymeorreasonintoHelene'snormallife.Onedoesnotknowhoworinwhatmannertointerpretthesephenomena,capriciousandfortuitousastheyseemtobe,andtheyremainisolated,inconsiderablefacts,withoutbearingandwithoutinterest,sincetheycannotbeattachedtoanycentralprinciple,toonemother-ideaorfundamentalemotion.

Weare,therefore,reducedtocertainconjectures,themostreasonableofwhichisthatthesediversefragmentsmakepartofsomevastsubconsciouscreation,inwhichallthebeingofMlle.Smith,crushedandbruisedbytheconditionswhichtherealitiesoflifehaveimposeduponher,asismoreorlessthecasewitheachoneofus,gavefreewingtothedeepaspirationsofitsnatureandexpandedintothefictionofanexistencemorebrilliantthanherown.AllthatweknowofHelene'scharacter,bothasachildandasayounggirl,showsusthatherdominantemotionalnotewasasortofinstinctiveinwardrevoltagainstthemodestenvironmentinwhichitwasherlottobeborn,aprofoundfeelingofdreadandopposition,ofinexplicablemalaise,ofbitterantagonismagainstthewholeofhermaterialandintellectualenvironment.Whileshowingherselfalwaysverydevotedtoherparentsandbrothers,shehadonlyfeeblenaturalaffinitiesforthem.Shefeltlikeastrangerinherfamilyandasoneawayfromhome.Shehadafeelingofisolation,ofabandonment,ofexile,whichcreatedasortofgulfbetweenherandherfamily.Sostrongwerethesefeelingsthatsheactuallyonedayseriouslyaskedherparentsifitwasabsolutelycertainthatshewastheirdaughter,orwhetheritwasnotpossiblethatthenursemightsomedaybymistakehavebroughthomeanotherchildfromthedailywalk.

Thiswantofadaptationtoherenvironment,thissortofmysterioushomesicknessforanunknowncountry,showsitselfinacharacteristicmannerinthefollowingfragmentofnarrative,inwhichHelene,whohasalwaysattributedgreatimportancetodreams,tellsofoneinwhichanisolatedhousefigured."Tomethisretiredmansion,inwhichIlivedalone,isolated,representsmylife,whichfrommyinfancyhasbeenneitherhappynorgay.EvenwhileveryyoungI

donotremembertohavesharedanyofthetastesoranyoftheideasofthemembersofmyfamily.ThusduringthewholeofmychildhoodIwasleftinwhatIcallaprofoundisolationofheartAndinspiteofall,inspiteofthiscompletewantofsympathy,Icouldnotmakeupmymindtomarry,althoughIhadseveralopportunities.Avoicewasalwayssaying,'Donothurry:thetimehasnotarrived;thisisnotthedestinyforwhichyouarereserved.'AndIhavelistenedtothatvoice,whichhasabsolutelynothingtodowithconscience,andIdonotregretit,forsinceIhaveengagedinspiritismIhavefoundmyselfsosurroundedwithsympathyandfriendshipsthatIhavesomewhatforgottenmysadlot."

ThisquotationspeaksvolumesinregardtotheturnofmindandtheemotionaldispositionwhichruledHeleneasalittlegirl.Itissurely,sotospeak,thevulgarstoryandthecommonlotofall;manyachild,manyayouth,manyanunrecognizedgenius,feelthemselvessuffocatingintheirtoonarrowenvironmentwhenthelatentenergiesoflifebegintoferment.Buttherearedifferencesinkindandindegree.WithMlle.HeleneSmiththesentimentofnothavingbeenmadeforherenvironment,andofbelongingbynaturetoahighersphere,wasintenseandlasting.HermotheralwayshadtheimpressionthatHelenewasnothappy,andwonderedthatshewassoserious,soabsorbed,sowantingintheexuberanceofspiritsnaturaltoherage.Herfatherandherbrothers,notcomprehendingtherealreasonsforthisabsenceofgayety,taxedherveryunjustlywithprideandhauteur,andaccusedhersometimesofdespisingherhumblesurroundings.Thereareshadesoffeelingwhichcanonlybeunderstoodwhentheyhavebeenexperienced.Helenewellknewthatshereallyhadnocontemptforhermaterialandsocialenvironment,which,onthecontrary,inspiredherwithrespect,butwhichsimplywasnotcongenialtohernatureandtemperament.

Tothisfundamentalfeelingofimprisonmentinatoopaltryspherewasjoined,inHelene'scase,atimiddisposition.Darkness,theleastnoise,thecreakingofthefurniture,madehertremble;byday,apersonwalkingbehindher,anunexpectedmovement,theringingofthedoor-bell,gavehertheimpressionthatsomeonewishingtoharmherhadcometoseizeherandcarryheroff.Onthewhole,Helene'stendencytobestartledbyeverythingandnothingconstitutedwithheragrievouspanophobia,astateoffearandinsecuritywhichgreatlystrengthenedherimpressionofwantofunion--ofmesalliance--withanenvironmenttowhichshewasdecidedlysuperior.

ItiseasynowtoseetheconnectionbetweenthatdepressingemotionalismwhichwastheattributeofHelene'schildhoodandtheslightlymegalomaniactoneofherlatersubliminalromances.Theideaintrudesitselfthat,inspiteof--orbyreasonof--theirapparentcontrast,thesetwotraitsarenotindependentofeachother,butboundbythetieofcauseandeffect.Butthiscausalconnectionisingreatdangerofbeinginterpretedinapreciselyinversesensebytheempiricalpsychologistandthemetaphysicaloccultist.ThelatterwillexplainMlle.Smith'scuriousimpressionofstrangenessandsuperioritytothebaseconditionsofheractualexistence,byherillustriouspreviousincarnations;thepsychologist,onthecontrary,willseeinthatsaneimpressionthewhollynaturaloriginofhergrandiosesomnambulisticpersonifications.Indefaultofacompleteunderstanding,alwaysdubious,betweenthesesodifferentpointsofview,ofwhichweshallspeaklater,itwillbeadvisabletoadoptatleastaprovisionalmodusvivendi,basedontheparty-wallofthenativeconstitutionorindividualcharacterofMlle.Smith.Onthefarthersideofthatwall,ineternity,sotospeak,aparteantewhichprecedesthearrivalofHeleneintothislife,theoccultistwillhavefulllatitudetoimaginesuchasuccessionofexistencesasitshallpleasehiminordertoexplainthecharactershehashadfromherinfancy.Butonthissideofthewall--thatistosay,withinthelimitsofherpresentlife--thepsychologistwillhavetherighttoignorealltheseprenatalmetempsychoses,andtakingforhispointofdeparturetheinnateconstitutionofHelene,withouttroublinghimselfaboutanythingshemayhavereceivedbytheaccidentsofheredityorpreservedfromherroyalpre-existences,hewillendeavortoexplainbythatsameconstitution,asitrevealsitselfinherdailylife,thegenesisofhersubliminalcreationsundertheactionofoccasionalexteriorinfluences.Theoccultist,then,canhavethepleasureofregardingMlle.Smith'scharacteristictraitasachild,thatimpressionofsolitudeandwanderingaboutinaworldforwhichshewasnotmade,astheeffectofherrealpastgreatnesses,whilethepsychologistwillbepermittedtoseeinitthecauseofherfuturedreamsofgrandeur.

TheemotionaldispositionwhichIhavedepicted,andwhichisoneoftheformsunderwhichthemal-adaptationoftheorganism,physicalandmental,tothehardconditionsoftheenvironment,betraysitself,seemsthereforetometohavebeenthesourceandstarting-pointforallthedreamingsofHeleneinherchildhood.Thencecamethesevisions,alwayswarm,luminous,highlycolored,exotic,bizarre;andthesebrilliantapparitions,superblydressed,inwhichherantipathyforherinsipidandunpleasantsurroundingsbetraysitself,herwearinessofordinary,commonplacepeople,herdisgustforprosaicoccupations,forvulgar

anddisagreeablethings,forthenarrowhouse,thedirtystreets,thecoldwinters,andthegraysky.Whethertheseimages,verydiverse,butofthesamebrilliantquality,werealreadyexistentinHelene'ssubconsciousthoughtwhilestillachildorayounggirl,weareunabletosay.Itis,however,probablethattheirsystematizationwasfarfromattainingtosuchadegreeofperfectionastheyhavepresentedduringthepastfewyearsundertheinfluenceofspiritism.

AllthefactsofautomatismtowhichHelenecanassignavaguelyapproximatedategroupthemselvesaroundherfifteenthyear,andareallincludedbetweenthelimitsofherninthandtwentiethyears.

ThisevidentconnectionwithaphaseofdevelopmentofmajorimportancehasbeenconfirmedtomebyLeopoldonvariousoccasions,whosaysthatheappearedtoHeleneforthefirsttimeinhertenthyear,onanexceptionaloccasionofextremefright,butafterthat,notuntilaboutfouryearslater,becausethe"physiologicalconditions"necessarytohisapparitionwerenotyetrealized.Themomenttheywererealized,hesays,hebegantomanifesthimself,anditisatthesameperiod,accordingtohim,thatHelenecommencedtorecovermemoriesofherHindooexistence,undertheformofstrangevisionsofwhichshecomprehendedneitherthenaturenortheorigin.

Aftertheageofabouttwentyyears,withoutaffirmingorbelievingthathervisionsandapparitionsceasedaltogether,Mlle.Smithhasnostrikingrecollectionsofany,andshehasnottoldmeofanypsychicphenomenonexperiencedbyherintheseriesofyearsimmediatelyprecedingherentranceintospiritism.Wemayinferfromthis,withsomereason,thattheebullitionsoftheimaginativesubconsciouslifegraduallybecamecalmaftertheexplosionoftheperiodwehavementioned.Theyhadbeenappeased.TheconflictbetweenHelene'sinnernatureandtheenvironmentinwhichshewasforcedtolivebecamelessfierce.Acertainequilibriumwasestablishedbetweenthenecessitiesofpracticallifeandherinwardaspirations.Ontheonehand,sheresignedherselftothenecessitiesofreality;andifhernativepridecouldnotyieldtothepointofcondescendingtoamarriage,honorableundoubtedly,butforwhichshefeltshewasnotintended,wemustneverthelesspayhomagetotheperseverance,thefidelity,thedevotionwhichshealwaysbroughttothefulfilmentofherfamilyandbusinessduties.Ontheotherhand,shedidnotpermittheflameoftheidealtobeextinguishedinher,anditreacteduponherenvironmentasstronglyaspossible,makingitsimprintuponherpersonalitywellmarked.

Sheintroducedacertainstampofeleganceintothemodesthomeofherparents.Shearrangedforherselfasmallsalon,coquettishandcomfortableinitssimplicity.Shetooklessonsinmusic,andboughtherselfapiano.Shehungsomeoldengravingsonherwalls,securedsomeJapanesevases,ajardinierefilledwithplants,cutflowersinprettyvases,ahanginglampwithabeautifulshadeofherownmake,atable-coverwhichshehadputtogetherandembroideredherself,somephotographscuriouslyframedaccordingtoherowndesign;andoutofthisharmoniouswhole,alwaysbeautifullykept,sheevolvedsomethingoriginal,bizarre,anddelightful,conformingwelltothegeneralcharacterofherfantasticsubconsciousness.

AtthesametimethatMlle.Smithsucceededinaccommodatingherselftotheconditionsofherexistence,thestateoflatenttimidityinwhichshelivedgraduallydiminished.Sheisstilloccasionallyovercomebyfear,butmuchlessfrequentlythanformerly,andneverwithoutalegitimateexteriorcause.

Indeed,judgingherbytheselatteryears,Idonotrecognizeinherthechildoryounggirlofformerdays,alwaystimid,trembling,andfrightened,taciturnandmorose,whohasbeendepictedtomebyherselfandhermother.

Itseemstome,then,thatthewildnessofthedreamsandautomatisms,whichweresymptomsofatendencytomentaldisintegration,whichmarkedtheyearsofpuberty,wassucceededbyaprogressivediminutionofthesetroublesandagradualgainingofwisdomonthepartofthesubliminalstrata.Wemaypresumethatthisharmonization,thisreciprocaladaptationoftheinternaltotheexternal,wouldintimehaveperfecteditself,andthatthewholepersonalityofMlle.Smithwouldhavecontinuedtoconsolidateandunifyitself,ifspiritismhadnotcomeallofasuddentorekindlethefirewhichstillslumberedundertheashesandtogiveanewstarttothesubliminalmechanismwhichwasbeginningtogrowrusty.

Thesuppressedfictionsarousedthemselves,thereveriesofformeryearsresumedtheirsway,andtheimagesofsubliminalphantasybegantobemoreprolificthaneverunderthefertilesuggestionsofoccultphilosophy,rallying-pointsorcentresofcrystallization--suchastheideaofformerexistencesandreincarnations--aroundwhichtheyhadonlytogroupandorganizethemselvesinordertogivebirthtothevastsomnambulisticconstructionsthedevelopmentofwhichweshallbeobligedtofollow.

Footnotes

^21:*Thistermisusedtodesignatethevisionswhichmanifestthemselvesatthemomentofawakeningfromsleepimmediately[p.22]priortocompleteawakening,andwhichformapendanttothewell-known,muchmorefrequenthypnagogichallucinations,arisingintheintermediatestatebetweensleepandwaking.

CHAPTERIII

MLLE.SMITHSINCEHERINITIATIONINTOSPIRITISM

HAVINGendeavoredintheprecedingchaptertoreconstructinitschiefcharacteristicsthehistoryofMlle.Smithuptothetimewhenspiritismbeginstobemixedupwithit,Iwouldhavepreferredinthepresentchaptertomakeadetailedstudyofherpsychologicallifeduringtheselastyears,withouthowever,asyet,touchinguponthecontent,properlysocalled,ofherautomatisms.Nothavingbeenabletoaccomplishthisdesigntomysatisfaction,forwantoftimeandpatience,Ishallendeavoratleasttosystematizemynotessomewhatbygroupingthemunderfourheads.IshalltracethebirthofHelene'smediumshipasfarasitispossibleformetodosofromthemeagreaccountsIhavebeenabletoprocureconcerningatimeatwhichIwasnotacquaintedwithher.Then,passingtofactswithwhichIammorefamiliar,IwilldescriberapidlyhernormalstateasIhavebeenabletoseeitforthelastfiveyears.Thiswouldhavebeentheplaceforastudyofindividualpsychology,butIhavebeencompelledtoabandontheideaonaccountofmultipledifficulties.Finally,Iwillofferafewremarksontheabnormalsideofherexistence,whichitisconvenienttodivideintotwogroups,namely,thespontaneous--thatistosay,springingupofthemselvesinthecourseofherordinarylife;orthoseprovokedbythevoluntaryseekingforfavorablecircumstances,andwhichconstitutetheseancesproperlysocalled.

I.THEMEDIUMISTICBEGINNINGSOFMLLE.SMITH

Inthewinterof1891-92Mlle.Smithheardspiritismspokenofbyoneofheracquaintances,Mme.Y.,wholentherDenis'sbook,ApreslaMort.TheperusalofthisworkhavingvividlyexcitedHelene'scuriosity,Mme.Y.agreedtoaccompanyhertoherfriend,Mlle.Z.,whowasinterestedinthesamequestions,andwhoproducedautomaticwriting.Theythendecidedtoformacirclefor

regularexperimentation.ItakefromthenoteswhichMlle.Z.hashadthekindnesstofurnishme,theaccount,unfortunatelyverybrief,oftheseancesatwhichHelene'smediumisticfacultiesfirstmadetheirappearance.

"Itwasonthe10thofFebruary,1892,thatImadetheacquaintanceofMlle.Smith.ShewasintroducedtomebyMme.Y.,forthepurposeofendeavoringtoformaspiritisticgroup.Shewasthenaltogetheranoviceinspiritism,neverhavingattemptedanything,anddidnotsuspectthefacultiesthathavesincedevelopedthemselvesinher.

"February20.--Firstreunion:Weseatourselvesatthetable;wesucceedinmakingitoscillate.WeregardMme.Y.asthemediumuponwhomwecanreckon.Wetryforwriting.Wereceivethroughmeencouragementstoproceed.

"February26.--Progress;thetablemovesitselfconsiderably,salutesonebyoneallthemembersofthegroup,andgivesuscertainnames,ofwhichonlyoneisrecognized...Writing:Mlle.Smith,whotriesforthefirsttime,writesmechanically,hereyesclosed,somephrases,ofwhichwecandeciphersomewords.

"March11.--Nothingatthisseance,exceptacommunicationwrittenbymyself.

"March18.--Progress;clearcommunicationbythetable.Attempttoexperimentinthedarkness(whichwasnotabsolute,thehalloutsidehavingsomeincandescentlightswhichdiffusedafeeblelight;wecoulddistinguisheachotherwithdifficulty).Mlle.Smithseesaballoon,nowluminous,nowbecomingdark:shehasseennothinguptothistime.Writing:Mlle.SmithwritesmechanicallyaquitelongcommunicationfromthefatherofM.K.[aBulgarianstudentpresentattheseance];advicetohim."

Atthispointthesittersbecamesonumerousthattheybrokeupintotwogroups,ofwhichtheonecontinuingtomeetwithMlle.Z.doesnotconcernus.Mlle.Smithbecameamemberoftheother,whichmetatthehouseofaladynamedN.,whereweeklyseanceswereheldforayearandahalf(uptotheendofJune,1893).Therecordsofthesemeetings,keptbyMme.N.,areunfortunatelyverybriefandobscureonmanypointsofinteresttothepsychologist.ThoseofthefirstmonthsareinthehandwritingofMlle.Smith,whoactedassecretaryofthegroupforthirtyseances.Assheonlytookdownatthetimetheheadingsofthecommunicationsofthespiritsandwroteouttheremainderonthefollowingday,

wecannotrelyverystronglyontheobjectiveaccuracyoftheseaccounts,which,however,havetheadvantageofpresentingtousthemediumshipofHelene,asrelatedbyherself.Shespeaksofherselfinthethirdperson.

Thefollowingisasummaryofthetwofirstseancesheldinthisnewenvironment:

"March25,1892.--Elevenpersonsaroundalargeandheavydining-tableofoakwithtwoleaves.Thetableissetinmotion,andseveralspiritscomeandgivetheirnames(byraps),andtestifytothepleasureitgivesthemtofindthemselvesamongus.ItisatthisseancethatMlle.Smithbeginstodistinguishvaguegleamswithlongwhitestreamersmovingfromthefloortotheceiling,andthenamagnificentstar,whichinthedarknessappearstoheralonethroughoutthewholeoftheseance.Weaugurfromthisthatshewillendbyseeingthingsmoredistinctlyandwillpossessthegiftofclairvoyance.

"April1.--Violentmovementsofthetable,duetoaspiritwhocallshimselfDavidandannounceshimselfasthespiritualguideofthegroup.ThenhegiveswaytoanotherspiritwhosaysheisVictorHugo,andtheguideandprotectorofMlle.Smith,whoisverymuchsurprisedtobeassistedbyapersonofsuchimportance.Hesoondisappears.Mlle.Smithisverymuchagitated;shehasfitsofshivering,isverycold.Sheisveryrestless,andseessuddenly,balancingitselfabovethetable,agrinning,veryill-favoredface,withlongredhair.Sheissofrightenedthatshedemandsthatthelightsbelit.Sheiscalmedandreassured.Thefiguredisappears.Afterwardssheseesamagnificentbouquetofrosesofdifferenthuesbeingplacedonthetablebeforeoneofthesitters,M.P.Allatoncesheseesasmallsnakecomeoutfromunderneaththebouquet,which,crawlingquickly,perceivestheflowers,looksatthem,triestoreachthehandofM.P.,withdrawsforaninstant,comesbackslowly,anddisappearsintheinteriorofthebouquet.Thenallisdissolvedandthreerapsaregivenonthetable,terminatingtheseance.[M.P.interpretsthemeaningofthevisionofthebouquetandtheserpentasasymbolictranslationofanemotionalimpressionexperiencedbyMlle.Smith]."

SuchwasthebirthofHelene'smediumship.Scarcelyanythinghappenedonthe10thofFebruary,whenthemovementsofthetablewerenotattributedtoher(althoughinallprobabilityshecausedthem);inthefollowingseancessheappearedintwoattemptsatautomaticwriting(unfortunatelylost)inimitationofthewritingmediumwithwhomshewassitting.Theoutcomeofthissecond

attemptleadsustosupposethatHelene'sfacultieswouldhavedevelopedrapidlyinthatdirectionifshehadnotabandoneditandchangedherenvironment.

Hervisualfaculty,suggestedbytheexperimentsatobscureseances,showsitselfonthe18thand25thofMarchintheformofelementaryhallucinationsorvaguefigureshavingtheirpointofdepartureprobablyinthesimpleentopticalphenomena,theretina'sownlight,consecutiveimages,etc.Then,encouragedbythepredictionsofthesitters,sheattainedonthe1stofApriltovisionsproperlysocalled,havingavariedcontentandarealorsymbolicsignification.Atthesametimehertyptologicalautomatismwasperfectingitself.WerecognizeitinthenameofVictorHugo,comingespeciallyforMlle.Smith,andsuspectittohavebeenanamealreadygivenatthesecondseance.

Auditivehallucinationsfollowcloselyuponthevisual,butitisimpossibletoknowatjustwhatdate,astherecordsdonotclearlyindicatewhetherthemessagesrecordedhadthatoriginorwererappedoutonthetable.Totheseknownformsofautomatismmustbeaddedthefrequentphenomenaofemotion,shiverings,sadness,restlessness,fear,etc.,whichareexperiencedbyHelenewithoutknowingwhy,andareafterwardsfoundtobeinperfectconformityto,andinevidentconnectionwith,thecontentofthoseemotionalphenomenawhichtheygenerallyprecedebyafewmoments.

Thus,inahalf-dozenweeklyseances,themediumshipofMlle.Smithwasinvestedwithacomplexpsychologicalaspect,whichfromthattimeitpreservedintactforthreeyears,andofwhichIwasawitnessafterImadeheracquaintance.Thisrapidityofdevelopmentisnotatallunusual;butthereisthispeculiarityaboutHelene,thathermediumisticfaculties,aftertheirfirstappearance,remainedforalongtimestationary,andthenunderwentallatonce,inthespringof1895,theenormoustransformationandtremendousexpansionwhichIhavedescribedinthefirstchapter,andtowhichIwillnotagainrefer.

II.MLLE.SMITHINHERNORMALSTATE

IwasabouttosaythatinhernormalstateMlle.Smithisnormal.Certainscruplesrestrainme,andIcorrectmyselfbysayingthatinherordinarystatesheseemsjustlikeanybodyelse.BythisImeanthatoutsideofthegapswhichtheseancesandthespontaneouseruptionsofautomatismmakeinherlife,noonewouldsuspect,observingherperformanceofhervariousduties,orintalkingwithheronallsortsofsubjects,allthatsheiscapableofinherabnormalstates,

orthecurioustreasureswhichareconcealedinhersubliminalstrata.

Withahealthyandruddycomplexion,ofgoodheight,wellproportioned,ofregularandharmoniousfeatures,shebreatheshealthineverything.Shepresentsnovisiblestigmataofdegeneration.Astopsychicdefectsoranomalies,withtheexceptionofhermediumshipitself,Iknowofnone,thetimidityofheryouthhavingentirelydisappeared.Herphysicalstrengthismarvellous,asshownbythefactthatshebearsupunderthestrainofabusinesswhichdemandsnearlyelevenhoursofhertimeeachday,nearlyallofwhichsheiscompelledtostandonherfeet,andfromwhichshetakesonlyoneweek'svacationinsummer.Besidesthisconfiningworkawayfromhome,sheassistshermotheraboutthehousemorningandevening,inthehousekeepingduties,andfindstimebesidestoreadalittle,topractiseatherpiano,andtomakethelovelyhandiwork,whichshedesignsandexecutesherselfwithremarkableoriginalityandgoodtaste.Toalifesofullmustbeadded,besides,thespiritisticseanceswhichsheisgenerallywillingtogiveonSunday,andsometimesonaweekdayevening,verydisinterestedly,topersonswhoareinterestedinpsychicquestionsorwhodesiretoconsultLeopoldonimportantsubjects.

Whilehesitatingtoaffirmthatapersonpresentingphenomenasoextraordinaryasthoseofmediumshipisperfectlynormalinotherrespects,IampleasedtodiscoverthatasfarasMlle.Smithisconcerned,throughmyconversationswithherandastheresultofmyinvestigationsconcerningher,shedoesnotpresentasingleabnormality,physical,intellectual,ormoral,betweentheperiodsoftheirruptionsofherautomatisms.Herfieldofvision,whichshehaspermittedmetomeasurewithaLandoltperimeter,isnormalforwhiteaswellasforcolors,forwhichlattershehasaverydelicateperception.Thereisnotraceoftactileanaesthesiainherhands.Thereisnoknownmotortrouble.Thetremoroftheindex-fingergivesaline,offouroscillationspersecondonanaverage,differingnotatallfromthelinesobtainedfrompersonsperfectlynormal(see).

ItcannotbeexpectedthatIshouldpaintafullmoralandintellectualportraitofMlle.Smith,asIshouldbeindangerofhurtingherfeelingsincasemyattemptshouldcometohernotice.Icanonlytouchonafewpoints.Oneofthemoststrikingishergreatnativedignity;herbearing,hermanners,herlanguagearealwaysperfect,andhaveacertainqualityofnoblesseandpridewhichaccordswellwithhersomnambulisticroles.Onoccasionsheshowsastatelyandregalhauteur.Sheisveryimpressionable,andfeelslittlethingsverykeenly.Herantipathiesaswellashersympathiesarequick,lively,andtenacious.Sheis

energeticandpersevering.Sheknowsverywellwhatshewants,andnothingpassesherbyunperceived,nordoessheforgetanythingintheconductofotherstowardsher."Iseeeverything,nothingescapesme,andIforgivebutneverforget,"shehasoftensaidtome.Perhapsaseveremoralistwouldfindinheracertainexaggerationofpersonalsensibility,butthatsortofself-loveisaverycommoncharacteristicofhumannature,andisverynaturalinmediumswhoarecontinuallyexposedtopubliccriticism.

Sheisveryintelligentandhighlygifted.Inconversationsheshowsherselfvivacious,sprightly,andsometimessarcastic.Psychicproblems,andallquestionsconnectedwithmediumisticphenomena,ofwhichsheisherselfsostrikinganexample,occupyhermindagreatdealandformtheprincipalsubjectofherprivatethoughtsandofherconversationswithpeopleinwhomsheisinterested.

Herphilosophicalviewsarenotwantinginoriginalityorbreadth.Shedoesnotbelieveinspiritism,inthegenerallyacceptedsenseoftheterm,andhasneverconsented,inspiteoftheadvanceswhichhavebeenmadetoher,tobecomeamemberoftheGenevaSociety(spiritistic)forPsychicStudies,because,asshesays,shehasnofixedideasonsubjectssoobscure,doesnotcarefortheories,and"doesnotworkintheinterestofanyparty."Sheinvestigates,sheobserves,shereflectsanddiscusses,havingadoptedforhermotto,"Thetruthinallthings,forallthings,andalways."

Therearetwopointsinregardtowhichsheisuncompromising--namely,theobjectiverealityofLeopold,andthesupernormalcontentofherautomatisms.Noonedarestellherthathergreatinvisibleprotectorisonlyanillusoryapparition,anotherpartofherself,aproductofhersubconsciousimagination;northatthestrangepeculiaritiesofhermediumisticcommunications--theSanscrit,therecognizablesignaturesofdeceasedpersons,thethousandcorrectrevelationsoffactsunknowntoher--arebutoldforgottenmemoriesofthingswhichshesaworheardinherchildhood.Suchsuppositionsbeingcontrarytoherinmostbeliefs,andseeminglyfalseinfact,easilyirritateher,asbeingindefianceofgoodsenseandanoutrageontruth.Butoutsideofthesetwosubjectsshewillexamineanddiscusscoollyanyhypothesisonechooses.TheideathatsheshouldbethereincarnationofaHindooprincessorofMarieAntoinette,thatLeopoldisreallyCagliostro,thatthevisionscalledMartianarereallyfromtheplanetMars,etc.,allseemtohertoconformfullytothefacts;butthesebeliefsarenotindispensabletoher,andsheisready,shouldtheyprovetobefalse,to

changetoothertheories--as,forexample,telepathy,amixtureofoccultinfluences,amysteriousmeetinginherofintuitionscomingfromsomehighersphere,etc.

Undoubtedlythesuppositionofherpre-existencesinIndiaandonthethroneofFranceseemstohertoexplaininaplausiblemannerthefeeling,whichhasfollowedherfromchildhood,ofbelongingtoaworldhigherthanthatinwhichthechanceofbirthhasimprisonedherforthislife;butshedoesnotaffirmapositivebeliefinthatbrilliantpast,isnotwhollyconvincedofit,andremainsinasensiblestateofexpectancyofthetrueexplanationoftheseultimatemysteriesofherlife.

Thereisanothersubject,also,whichisclosetoherheart.Shehashearditsaidthatintheeyesofscientistsandphysiciansmediumsareconsideredtobefools,hystericalsubjects,orinsane,or,inanyevent,abnormal,inthebadsenseoftheword.But,inthelightoftheexperienceofeverydayofherlife,sheprotestsvigorouslyagainstthisodiousinsinuation.Shedeclaresemphaticallythatsheis"perfectlysaneinbodyandmind,notintheleastunbalanced,"andrepelswithindignationtheideatherecanbeanyseriousabnormalityortheleastdangerinmediumshipsuchasshepractises."Iamfarfrombeingabnormal,"shewrotemerecently,"andIhaveneverbeensoclearofvision,solucid,andsoapttojudgecorrectlyassinceIhavebeguntodevelopasamedium."

Leopold,too,speakingthroughhervoiceduringhertrances,hasmorethanoncesolemnlytestifiedastoherperfecthealth.Hehasalsoreturnedtothesubjectbyletter;weshallfindfartheronaveryinterestingcertificateofmentalequilibriumdictatedbyhimandwrittenbyhimwithherhand,asiftogivemoreweighttohisdeclarations(see,.)

ItisincontestablethatHelenehasaverywell-organizedbrain,asisevidencedbytheadmirablemannerinwhichshemanagestheimportantandcomplicateddepartmentwhichisunderherdirectioninthecommercialestablishmentinwhichsheisemployed.Toaccuseherofbeinginsane,simplybecausesheisamedium,assomecharitablesouls(theworldisfullofthem)donothesitatetodosometimes,is,tosaytheleast,amostinadmissiblepetitioprincipii.

TheopinionwhichMlle.Smithholdsinhernormalstateconcerningherautomaticfacultiesisaltogetheroptimistic;andthereisnothingtoproveherinthewrong.Sheregardshermediumshipasarareandpreciousprivilege,with

whichnothingintheworldwouldinducehertopart.True,shealsoseesinitthereasonforthemalevolentandunjustjudgments,thejealousies,thebasesuspicions,towhichtheignorantmultitudehaveinallagessubjectedthosewhohavesucceededinelevatingthemselvesaboveitthroughthepossessionoffacultiesofthiskind.But,onthewhole,thedisadvantagesaremorethancounterbalancedbygainsofahighorder,andtheinwardsatisfactionattachedtosuchagift.AndhereIdesiretoemphasizethestatement,onceforall,thatHelenedoesnotbelongtotheclassofprofessionalmediums,nortothosewhousetheirmediumshipforthepurposeofcoiningmoney.Mlle.Smith,whoearnsherlivinginthepositionwhichherintelligenceandfitnesshavesecuredforher,andthroughwhichherfamilyenjoysamodestease,neveracceptsanypecuniarycompensationforherseancesorconsultations.Suchatrafficinfacultieswhichhaveasortofreligioussignificationinhereyeswouldbeabsolutelyrepugnanttoherfeelings.

Helene'sspontaneousautomatismshaveoftenaidedherin,withouteverhavinginterferedwith,herdailyoccupations.Thereis,happilyforher,agreatdifferenceinintensitybetweenthephenomenaofherseancesandthosewhichbreakinuponherhabitualexistence,thelatterneverhavingcausedsuchdisturbanceofherpersonalityastheformer.

Inherdailylifeshehasonlypassinghallucinationslimitedtooneortwoofthesenses,superficialhemisomnambulisms,compatiblewithacertainamountofself-possession--inshort,ephemeralperturbationsofnoimportancefromapracticalpointofview.Takenasawhole,theinterventionsofthesubliminalinherordinaryexistencearemorebeneficialtoherthanotherwise,sincetheyoftenbearthestampofutilityandappropriateness,whichmakethemveryserviceable.

Phenomenaofhypermnesia,divination,lostobjectsmysteriouslyrecovered,happyinspirations,truepresentiments,correctintuitions--inaword,teleologicalautomatismsofeverysort--shepossessesinsohighadegreethatthissmallcoinofgeniusismorethansufficienttocompensatefortheinconveniencesresultingfromthedistractionandmomentaryabsenceofmindwithwhichthevisionisaccompanied.

Intheseances,onthecontrary,shepresentsthemostgravefunctionalalterationsthatonecanimagine,andpassesthroughaccessesoflethargy,catalepsy,somnambulism,totalchangeofpersonality,etc.,theleastofwhichwouldbeaverydisagreeableadventureforherifitshouldhappentooccurinthestreetorat

heroffice.

ButhereIamobligedtoleaveHelene'sordinarystatetoenteruponthestudyofherautomatisms.

III.SPONTANEOUSAUTOMATICPHENOMENA

TheautomatismswhichoccuroutsidetheseancesinMlle.Smith'severy-daylife,those,atleast,whichsheisabletorecallandnarrate,areofafrequencyveryvariableandutterlyindependentofanyknowncircumstances;sometimespresentingthemselvestwoorthreetimesinthesameday;atothers,twoorthreeweekswillelapsewithoutasingleone.Extremelydiverseintheirformandcontent,thesephenomenamaybedividedintothreecategories,basedupontheirorigin.ThefirstproceedfromimpressionsreceivedbyHeleneinmomentsofspecialsuggestibility;thesecondarethefortuitousapparitionsabovetheordinarylevelofherconsciousness,theromancesinprocessofelaborationtowhichwearecoming;thelast,whichdifferfromthetwoprecedingspecies(whicharealwaysuseless,ifnotdetrimental)bytheirbeneficialcharacterandtheiradaptationtotheneedsofthemoment,arerousedbythoseteleologicalautomatismstowhichIhavealreadycalledattentionashavingoccurredinherchildhood,andwhichhavesharedinthegeneralrecrudescenceofhersubconsciouslifeunderthelashofthespiritisticexperiences.

Letuspassthesedifferentcasesrapidlyinreview.

I.Permanenceofexteriorsuggestions.--Thespiritisticreunionsarenaturallytheirprincipalsource.Idonotmeanthatshehastherebeensubjectedtoexperimentsinpost-hypnoticsuggestion.Justicetoallthosewhohaveattendedtheseancescompelsthestatementthattheyhaveneverabusedthesuggestibilitywhichsheshowsonsuchoccasions,bysuggestingideasofsuchanatureastocauseherannoyanceonthefollowingdays.Themostthathasbeenattemptedhasbeenthesuggestionofsomesmallmattersbywayofharmlessexperiment,tobebyherafewmomentsafterawakingfromhertrance.Thereisnoneedofintentionalsuggestionstoinfluenceherinalastingmanner;thereforewehaveavoidedasfaraspossibleeverythingthatmightleavedisagreeabletracesbehind,andhavesuggestedtoherbeforetheendoftheseancethatshehaveonthemorrownoheadache,fatigue,etc.;butitsometimeshappensthatcertainincidents,oftenabsolutelyinsignificant,areengravedonhermemoryinamostunlooked-formannerandassailherasinexplicableobsessionsduringthe

ensuingweek.Thefollowingaresomespecimensofinvoluntarysuggestion,whichgenerallylingerforthreeorfourdays,butmayoccasionallycontinuefortwelveorfifteen.

HelenetoldmeoneSundaythatshehadbeenpossessedseveraltimesduringthedaybythehallucinatoryimageofastrawhat,theinsideofwhichwasturnedtowardsher,and-whichremainedverticallyintheairaboutthreeorfourfeetinfrontofher,withoutbeingheldbyanyone.Shehadthefeelingthatthishatbelongedtome,andIhappenedfinallytorecollectthatattheseanceoftheprecedingSundayIhappenedtofanmyselfwiththisveryhatduringherfinaltrance,theimageofwhichhadbeenengravedonhermindinoneoftheflashesinwhichsheopenedhereyesandclosedthemagaininstantlybeforeherfinalawaking.Thisobsession,saidshe,wasverystrongonMondayandthefollowingdayortwo,butlessenedsomewhattowardstheendoftheweek.

Atanothertimeshepreservedduringawholeweekthesensationofthepressureofmythumbonherlefteyebrow.(CompressionoftheexternalfrontalandsuborbitalnervesisameansIoftenemploytohastenherawaking,afterahintgivenbyLeopold.)

Therehappenedtoheralsotwiceinthesamedayanauditiveandvisualhallucinationofanagedpersonwhomshedidnotrecognize,buttheextremelycharacteristicdescriptionofwhomcorrespondssowellwiththatofagentlemanofGenevawhohadbeenmentionedtoherafewdayspreviously,immediatelybeforethecommencementofaseance(whenshewasprobablyalreadyinherstateofsuggestibility),thatthereisscarcelyanydoubtbutthattheseapparitionsweretheconsequenceofthatconversation.

'Followinganotherseancewhereshehad,atthebeginningofaHindooscene,madevaineffortstodetachabraceletfromherleftwrist,shepreservedforthreedaysthefeelingofsomethinggraspingthatwrist,withoutunderstandingwhatitcouldbe.

Inthesameway,variousfeelingsofsadness,anger,adesiretolaughortoweep,etc.,thecauseofwhichshewasunabletoexplain,haveoftenfollowedherforaconsiderablelengthoftimeaftertheseancesofwhichthesefeelingswerethemanifestemotionalecho.Thisisoftentheeffectofourdreamsonourwakingstate:weforgetthedreams,buttheirinfluenceremains,andisoftenmoremarkedinthedreamsofahypnotizedpersonorasomnambulistthaninthoseof

ordinarysleep.

TheseancesarenottheexclusivesourceoftheinvoluntarysuggestionswhichtroubleMlle.Smithinherdailylifewithoutanybenefittoherself.Itisevidentthatoneveryoccasionwhenshefindsherselfinthatparticularconditionofleastresistancewhichwe,inourignoranceofitsintrinsicnature,designatebytheconvenientnameof"suggestibility,"sheisexposedtoimpressionscapableofreturningtoassailherinthecourseofherdailyoccupations.Fortunatelythisconditionofsuggestibilitydoesnotseemtodevelopitselfreadilyinheroutsideofthespiritisticreunions.

1. Irruptionsofsubliminalreveries.--Ishallhavetoomanyoccasionstociteconcreteexamplesofvisions,voices,andotherspontaneousoutpouringsoftheworkofimagination,whicharecontinuallygoingonundertheordinaryconsciousnessofMlle.Smith,todwelllongonthispoint.Somegeneralremarkswillsuffice.

Theconnectionwhichtheunforeseenphenomenamaintainwiththoseoftheseancesthemselvesisveryvaried.Sometimesweareabletorecognizethemasreproductions,moreorlessincomplete,ofepisodeswhichoccurredattheprecedingseances,andconsiderthemsimpleechoesorpost-hypnoticrepetitionsoftheselast.Sometimes,onthecontrary,itappearsthatwehavetodealwithpreparatoryrehearsalsofsceneswhichwillunfoldthemselvesatlengthandwillbecontinuedatsomelaterseance.Finally,sometimesitisaquestionoftableaux,havingnoconnectionwiththosewhichfilluptheseances;theyarelikeleaves,flyingawaynevertoreturn,romanceswhicharecontinuallybeingfabricatedinthedeepsubliminalstrataofMlle.Smith'sconsciousness.

Helene,infact,doesnotlongremember,norinmuchdetail,withafewexceptions,thosevisionswhichtakeplaceinherordinarystate,andwhichoccurmostfrequentlyearlyinthemorning,whilesheisstillinbed,orjustaftershehasarisenandwhileworkingbythelightofherlamp;sometimesintheevening,orduringthebriefmomentsofrestinthemiddleoftheday,and,muchmorerarely,whileinthefullactivityofwakinghourssheisatherdesk.Ifshehadnotlongsince,atmyrequest,andwithgreatgoodwill,acquiredthehabitofnotinginpenciltheessentialcontentoftheseapparitions,eitherduringtheapparitionitself(whichsheisnotalwaysabletodo)orelseimmediatelyafterwards,weshouldhavestillmoredeficienciesintheplotofherromancestodeplore.Helene'spsychologicalstate,duringherspontaneousvisions,isknowntome

onlybyherowndescriptions.Sheisfortunatelyaveryintelligentobserverandagoodpsychologist.

Hernarrativesshowthathervisionsareaccompaniedbyacertaindegreeofobnubilation.Forafewmoments,forinstance,theroom,thelightofthelamp,disappearfrombeforehereyes;thenoiseofthewheelsinthestreetceasestobeheard;shefeelsherselfbecominginertandpassive,whileafeelingofblissandecstaticwell-beingpermeatesherentireindividualityinthepresenceofthespectaclewhichappearstoher;thenthevision,tohergreatregret,slowlyfadesfromherview,thelampandthefurniturereappear,theoutsidenoisesagainmakethemselvesheard,andsheisastonishedthattheideadidnotoccurtohertoputdowninpencilthestrangewordsshehasheard,orthatshedidnottouchorcaress,forexample,thebeautifulbirdsofmany-coloredplumageflyingandsingingaroundher.Sometimesshehasmaintainedsufficientpresenceofmindtoscribblefromdictationthewordsstrikingherear;butthewretchedhandwritingprovesthatherattention,allabsorbedbytheapparition,couldnotfollowthepencil,andthatthehanddirecteditbadly.Atothertimesthereverseisthefact.Itappearsinthecourseofthevisionasthoughsomeonetookholdofherarmandguideditinspiteofherself;theresultissplendidcalligraphies,whollydifferentfromherownhandwriting,executedwithoutherknowledge,andduringtheexecutionofwhichhermindwaswhollyabsent,ifwecanjudgefromthesurprisesheshowsonawakingwhenshefindsbeforeherthesestrangewritings,andfromanalogoussceneswhichtranspireattheseances.

Theprecedingisapplicableespeciallytothemorefrequentcases--thatis,tothemorningoreveningvisionswhichhappentoherathome,inthatintermediateconditionbetweensleepandwaking,alwayssofavorable,asweknow,tothedevelopmentofunconsciouscerebration.Butthereareinnumerableshadesandgradationsbetweenthismiddletype,sotospeak,anditsoppositeextremes;ontheonehandisthefortunatelyveryexceptionalcasewheresheisseizedwithecstasywhileatherplaceofbusiness;and,ontheotherhand,thatinwhichtheautomatismlimitsitselftoinscribingsomeunknowncharactersorwordsinanotherhandthanherowninhercorrespondenceandwritings--peculiarlapsuscalami,whichsheisnotslowtoperceiveoncomingtoherself.

Thefollowingisanexampleofacaseofecstasy:

Havingascendedonedaytoanupperstory,tolookforsomethinginadarkstore-room,shehadanapparitionofamaninaturbanandlargewhitecloak,

whomshehadtheimpressionofrecognizing,[**]andwhosepresencefilledherwithadelightfulcalmandprofoundhappiness.Shecouldnotrecalltheconversationwhichpassedbetweenthem,which,thoughinanunknownlanguage,sheneverthelesshadthefeelingofhavingperfectlycomprehended.Onthedepartureofthemysteriousvisitorshewasastonishedtofindherselfbroughtbacktosombrereality,andstupefiedonnotingbyherwatchthattheinterviewhadlastedmuchlongerthanithadseemedtodo.Shepreservedallthatdayadeliciousfeelingofwellbeingastheeffectofthestrangeapparition.

Thephenomenonofminglingstrangewritingwithherownisofrelativelyfrequentoccurrence,andweshallseediversspecimensofitinthefollowingchapters,aproposoftheromancestowhichitespeciallybelongs.Iwillgivehereonlyonecomplexexample,whichwillserveatthesametimeasanillustrationofaspecialkindofautomatism,veryharmless,towhichHeleneisalsosubject,andwhichconsistsinmakingverses,notwithoutknowing,butatleastwithoutintendingtodoso,andinconnectionwiththemosttriflingmatters.

Therearetimeswhen,inspiteofherself,shefeelscompelledtospeakindistinctrhymesofeightfeet,whichshedoesnotprepare,anddoesnotperceiveuntilthemomentshehasfinishedutteringthem.[**]Inthisparticularcaseitisbyaquatrain(averyunusualoccurrence)thatsherepliestosomeonewhohadconsultedherinregardtosomeblueribbon.Butthisquatrain,byitsstyle,bythevisionoftheblondheadofachildwhichaccompaniesit,andbythemanneralsoinwhichshewritesit,causesustohazardtheconjecturethatitisaninspirationdependingontheunderlyingRoyalcycle;whileinthefollowingletter,inwhichshenarratestheaffairtoM.Lemaitre,herpeninscribes,allunknowntoher,strangecharactersevidentlyduetothecroppingoutoftheMartiancycle,ofwhichshespeaksintheletter(see,apassageofthatlettermakingaMartianMandVinthewordsversandrimait):

Clicktoenlarge

Fig.1.Fragmentofaletter(normalhandwriting)ofMlle.Smith,containingtwoMartianletters.(CollectionofM.Lemaitre.)

"IhaveheardsomeMartianwordsthisafternoon,buthavenotbeenabletoretaintheminmymind.Isendyouthoseheardafewdaysago,whenIhadthevisionofwhichIamabouttomakeyouthedesign(Martianlamp).YesterdaymorningIforthefirsttimespokeinverse,withoutbeingawareofit;itwasonly

onfinishingthesentencethatIperceivedthatitrhymed,andIreconstructedittoassuremyselfofthefact.Alittlelater,onexaminingsomeribbons,Ibegananewtospeakinverse,andIsendthosealso:theywillamuseyou.ItisacuriousthingthatIhadatthatsamemomentthevisionoftheblondcurlyheadofachildboundwithablueribbon.Thevisionlastedmorethanaminute.Whatisstillmorecurious,Idonotatallrecollecthavingwornribbonsofthatshadeasachild:Iremembersomerose-colored,somered,butIhavenorecollectionwhateverofanyblueribbons.IreallydonotknowwhyIspokethesewords;itisthemoreamusing.Iwasobligedtospeakthem,Iassureyou,inspiteofmyself.Iwaseagertoputthemonpaper,andInoticedinwritingthemdownthat,foramoment,thehandwritingwasnotregular,thatis,itwasslightlydifferentfrommine."

Hereisthequatrain,thepencilimpressionofwhichistoofainttoenableafac-similetobereproducedhere,andinitIhaveindicatedbyitalicsthewordsandsyllablesthecalligraphyororthographyofwhichdiffersfromthatofHeleneandbecomesthestyleofautomatichandwritingcalledthatofMarieAntoinette:

"Lesnuancesdecesrubans

Merappelentmesjeunesans;

Cebleuverdi,jem'ensouvien,

Sansmescheveuxalloitsibien!"

Theheadofcurlyblondhair,ornamentedwithblueribbons,alsofiguresinthevisionsoftheRoyalcycle,andappearstobelong,asisherethecase,sometimestoMarieAntoinetteherself,sometimestooneorotherofherchildren,especiallytheDauphin.

Whileitisgenerallyeasytoconnecttheseeruptionsofthesubliminalvolcanowiththevariousdreamsfromwhichtheyemanate,suchisnotalwaysthecase,andtherearevisionstheoriginofwhichisdoubtfulandambiguous.Wemustnotforgetthat,alongsideofthegrandcyclesofHelenewhicharebetterknown,therealsofloatinherlatentimaginationinnumerablesmallaccessorysystems,moreorlessindependent,whichsupplyalargepartoftheseances,suchasrevelationsofformereventsconnectedwiththefamiliesofthesitters,etc.;itisnotalwayspossibletoidentifythefragmentscoiningfromtheseisolateddreams.

1. Teleologicalautomatisms.--Thespontaneousphenomenaofthiscategory,possessingasacommoncharacteristicapracticalutilityforHelenemoreorlessmarked,canbesubdividedintotwoclasses,accordingtotheirdirectattachmenttothepersonalityofLeopold,ortheirnotbelongingtoanydistinctpersonality,andwhichonlyexpressinavividmannertheresultofthenormalworking,althoughmoreorlessunconscious,ofthefacultiesofmemoryandofreason.Iconfinemyselfnowtocitingonecaseofeachoftheseclasses,ofwhichweshallseeotherexamplesinthechaptersrelatingtoLeopoldandtosupernormalappearances.

OnedayMlle.Smith,wishingtotakedownalargeandheavyobjectfromahighshelf,waspreventedfromsodoingbythefactthatherupliftedarmsseemedasthoughpetrifiedandincapableofbeingmovedforsomeseconds;shesawinthisawarningandgaveupherintention.InalaterseanceLeopoldsaidthatitwashehimselfwhohadcausedHelene'sarmstobecomerigid,inordertopreventherfromattemptingtolifttheobjectwhichwastooheavyforherandwouldhavecausedsomeaccidenttobefallher.

OnanotheroccasionaclerkwhosoughtvainlyforacertainpatternaskedHeleneifsheknewwhathadbecomeofit.Helenerepliedmechanicallyandwithoutreflection,"Yes,itwassenttoMr.J."(acustomerofthefirm);atthesametimethereappearedbeforeherinlargeblackfiguresabouteightorteninchesinheightthenumber18,andsheadded,instinctively,"Itwaseighteendaysago."Thisstatementcausedtheclerktosmile,becauseofitsimprobability,theruleofthehousebeingthatcustomerstowhompatternswerelentforexaminationmustreturntheminsideofthreedaysoramessengerwouldbesentforthem.Helene,struckbythisobjection,andhavingnoconsciousrecollectionoftheaffair,replied,"Really,perhapsIamwrong."Meanwhile,aninvestigationofthedateindicatedintherecordsofthehouseshowedthatshewasperfectlycorrect.Itwasthroughvariousnegligences,withwhichshehadnothingatalltodo,thatthepatternhadnotbeensentfororrecovered.Leopold,onbeingasked,hasnorecollectionofthiscircumstance,anddoesnotappeartohavebeentheauthorofthisautomatismofcryptomnesia,norofmanyotheranalogousphenomenathroughwhichHelene'ssubconsciousmemoryrendershersignalservicesandhasgainedforherawell-meritedandhighlyvaluedreputation.

ThusweseethatifthespontaneousautomatismsofMlle.Smithareoftenthevexatiousresultofhermomentsofsuggestibility,orthetempestuousirruptionofhersubliminalreveries,theyalsooftenassumetheformofusefulmessages.

Suchcompensationisnottobedespised.

IV.THESEANCES

Mlle.Smithhasneverbeenhypnotized.Inherinstinctiveaversion,whichsheshareswiththemajorityofmediums,toanythingthatseemslikeanattempttoexperimentuponher,shehasalwaysrefusedtoallowherselftobeputtosleep.Shedoesnotrealizethatinavoidingtheideashehasactuallyacceptedthereality,sinceherspiritisticexperiencesinrealityconstituteforheranauto-hypnotization,whichinevitablydegeneratesintoahetero-hypnotization,assheisbroughtundertheinfluenceofoneorotherofthepersonspresentattheseance.

Allherseanceshavesomewhatofthesamepsychologicform,thesamemethodofdevelopmentrunningthroughtheirimmensediversityofcontent.Sheplacesherselfatthetablewiththeideaandtheintentionofbringingintoplayhermediumisticfaculties.Afteraninterval,varyingfromafewsecondstoaquarterofanhour,generallyinashortertimeiftheroomiswelldarkenedandthesittersareperfectlysilent,shebeginstohavevisions,precededandaccompaniedbyveryvariedsensoryandmotordisturbances,afterwhichshepassesintoacompletetrance.Inthatstate,itrarelyhappens,andthenonlyforafewmoments,thatsheisentirelyunconsciousofthepersonspresent,and,asitwere,shutupwithinherpersonaldreamandplungedintoprofoundlethargy(hypnoticsyncope).Ordinarilysheremainsincommunication,moreorlessclose,withoneofthesitters,whothusfindshimselfinthesamerelationtowardsherasahypnotizertowardshissubject,andabletotakeadvantageofthatrapport,bygivingheranyimmediateorfuturesuggestionsthathemaydesire.Whentheseanceconsistsonlyofwakingvisions,itlastsgenerallyonlyashorttime--anhourtoanhourandahalf--andisendedquicklybythreesharprapsuponthetable,afterwhichMlle.Smithreturnstohernormalstate,whichshescarcelyseemstohaveleft.Ifthesomnambulismhasbeencomplete,theseanceisprolongedtodoublethatlengthoftime,andoftenlonger,andthereturntothenormalstatecomesslowlythroughphasesofdeepsleep,alternatingwithrelapsesintosomnambulisticgesturesandattitudes,momentsofcatalepsy,etc.Thefinalawakeningisalwaysprecededbyseveralbriefawakenings,followedbyrelapsesintosleep.

Eachofthesepreliminaryawakenings,aswellasthefinalone,isaccompaniedbythesamecharacteristicmovementsofthefeatures.Theeyes,whichhavebeen

foralongtimeclosed,openwide,stupidlystaringintovacancy,orfixthemselvesslowlyontheobjectsandthesitterswithintheirrangeofvision,thedilatedpupilsdonotreact,thefaceisanimpassiveandrigidmask,devoidofexpression.Heleneseemsaltogetherabsent.Allatonce,withaslightheavingofthebreastandraisingofthehead,andaquickbreath,agleamofintelligenceillumineshercountenance,themouthisgracefullyopened,theeyesbecomebrilliant,theentirecountenancelightsupwithapleasantsmileandgivesevidenceofherrecognitionoftheworldandofherreturntoherself.Butwiththesamesuddennesswithwhichitappeared,thatappearanceoflifelastsbutasecondortwo,thephysiognomyresumesitslifelessmask,theeyesbecominghaggardandfixedcloseagain,andtheheadfallsonthebackofthechair.Thisreturnofsleepwillbefollowedbyanothersuddenawaking,thenperhapsbyseveralmore,untilthefinalawaking,alwaysdistinguished,afterthesmileatthebeginning,bythestereotypedquestion,"Whattimeisit?"andbyamovementofsurpriseonlearningthatitissolate.Thereisnomemoryofwhathastranspiredduringtheseance.

Acompletedescriptionofthepsychologicalandphysiologicalphenomenawhichpresentthemselves,orwhichmightbeobtainedinthecourseoftheseances,woulddetainmetoolong,sincethereisabsolutelynothingconstanteitherinthenatureorinthesuccessionofthephenomena,andnotwoseancesareevolvedexactlyinthesamemanner.Imustconfinemyselftosomestrikingcharacteristics.

Threeprincipalsymptoms,almostcontemporaneousgenerally,announcethatMlle.Smithisbeginningtoenterintohertrance.

Thereareontheonesideemotionalorcoenaestheticmodifications,thecauseofwhichisrevealedalittlelaterinthesubsequentmessages.Heleneis,forinstance,seizedbyaninvincibledesiretolaugh,whichshecannotorwillnotexplain;orshecomplainsofsadness,fear,ofdifferentunpleasantsensations,ofheatorofcold,ofnausea,etc.,accordingtothenatureofthecommunicationswhichareapproachingandofwhichtheseemotionalstatesaretheforerunners.

Thereare,ontheotherhand,phenomenaofsystematicanaesthesia(negativehallucinations),limitedtothosesitterswhomthecomingmessagesconcern.Heleneceasestoseethem,whilecontinuingtoheartheirvoicesandfeeltheirtouch;or,onthecontrary,sheisastonishedtonolongerhearthem,thoughsheseestheirlipsmoving,etc.;or,finally,shedoesnotperceivetheminany

manner,anddemandstoknowwhytheyareleavingwhentheseanceishardlybegun.Initsdetailsthissystematicanaesthesiavariesinfinitely,andextendssometimestobutonepartofthepersonconcerned,tohishand,toaportionofhisface,etc.,withoutitalwaysbeingpossibletoexplainthesecapriciousdetailsbythecontentofthefollowingvisions;itwouldseemthattheincoherenceofthedreampresidesoverthispreliminaryworkofdisintegration,andthatthenormalperceptionsareabsorbedbythesubconsciouspersonalityeagerformaterialforthebuildingupofthehallucinationswhichitispreparing.

Systematicanaesthesiaisoftencomplicatedwithpositivehallucinations,andHelenewillmanifesthersurpriseatseeing,forexample,astrangecostumeoranunusualcoiffure.This,inreality,isthevisionwhichisalreadybeinginstalled.

Thethirdsymptom,whichdoesnotmanifestitselfclearlyinher,butthepresenceofwhichcanbeoftenestablishedbeforealltheothersbyinvestigation,isacompleteallochiria,[*]ordinarilyaccompaniedbyvariousothersensoryandmotordisturbances.If,atthebeginningoftheseance,Heleneisasked,forexample,toraiseherrighthand,tomovetheleftindex-finger,ortocloseoneeye,shebeginsstraightwaytocarryintoeffectthesedifferentacts;thenallatonce,withoutknowingwhyandwithouthesitation,shedeceivesherselfinregardtotheside,andraisesherlefthand,movesherrightindex-finger,closestheothereye,etc.Thisindicatesthatsheisnolongerinhernormalstate,thoughstillappearingtoretainherordinaryconsciousness,andwiththelivelinessofanormalpersondiscussesthequestionofherhavingmistakenherrighthandoreyeforherleft,andviceversa.ItistobenotedthatLeopold,onsuchoccasionsofpronouncedallochiria,doesnotsharethiserrorinregardtotheside.IhaveassistedatsomecuriousdiscussionsbetweenhimandHelene,sheinsistingthatsuchahandwasherright,orthattheIsleRousseauisontheleftasonepassesthebridgeofMontBlancorcomingfromtherailwaystation,andLeopoldallthewhile,bymeansofrapsuponthetable,givingherclearlytounderstandshewaswrong.[+]

Alittleaftertheallochiria,andsometimessimultaneouslywithit,aretobefoundvariousotherphenomena,extremelyvariable,ofwhichIhereciteonlyafewOneofherarmsiscontracturedasitrestsuponthetable,andresiststheeffortsofthesitterstoliftitup,asthoughitwereabarofiron;thefingersofthehandalsoparticipateinthisrigidity.Sometimesthiscontracturedoesnotexistbefore,butestablishesitselfatthesameinstantthatsomeonetouchestheforearm,andincreasesinproportiontotheeffortswhicharemadetoovercomeit.Thereisno

regularityinthedistributionoftheanaesthesia(changingfromoneinstanttoanother),thecontractures,orconvulsionswhichthehandsandarmsofHeleneexhibit.Itallseemsduetopurecaprice,ortodependonlyonunderlyingdreams,ofwhichlittleisknown.

Certainanalogousandlikewisecapriciousphenomenaofanaesthesia,paralysis,sensationsofallsorts,ofwhichHelenecomplains,oftenappearinherface,hereyes,hermouth,etc.Inthemidstofallthesedisturbancesthevisionsannouncethemselves,andthesomnambulismisintroducedwithmodifications,equallyvariable,ofotherfunctions,evidencedbytears,sobbings,sighs,repeatedhiccoughs,variouschangingoftherhythmofrespiration,etc.

IfHeleneisexperimenteduponandquestionedtoolong,thedevelopmentoftheoriginalvisionsisobstructed,andsheeasilyreachesadegreeofsensibilitywhereshefallsintothestandardclassofpublicrepresentationsofhypnotism--acharmedandfascinatedstateinwhichsheremainsrivetedbeforesomebrilliantobject,as,forexample,thering,trinkets,orcuff-buttonofoneofthesitters;thenprecipitatesherselfinafrenzyupontheobject,andtriestosecureit;orassumesemotionalattitudesandposesundertheinfluenceofjoyousairsuponthepiano;experiencessuggestedhallucinationsofallkinds,seesterribleserpents,whichshepursueswithapairofpincers;beautifulflowers,whichshesmellswithdeeprespirationsanddistributestothesitters;or,again,bleedingwoundswhichhavebeenmadeonherhand,andwhichcausehertoshedtears.Thecommon-placecharacterofthesephenomenacausestheirlongcontinuancetobedeprecated,andtheingenuityofallisexercisedinendeavoringbydifferentmeans,noneofwhichisveryefficaciousorveryrapid,toplungeherintoprofoundandtranquilsleep,fromwhichsheisnotlonginpassingofherownaccordintocompletesomnambulismandintakingupthethreadofherpersonalimaginations.

Ifallthesedisturbinginvestigationshavebeensuccessfullyavoided,thespontaneousdevelopmentoftheautomatismsiseffectedwithgreaterrapidityandfulness.Itispossiblethentobehold,inthesameseance,averyvariedspectacle,andtolisten,besides,tocertainspecialcommunicationsmadeinasemi-wakingstatetooneorotherofthesitters;then,incompletesomnambulism,aHindoovisionispresented,followedbyaMartiandream,withanincarnationofLeopoldinthemiddle,andasceneofMarieAntoinettetowindupwith.Ordinarilytwooftheselastcreationswillsufficetofillupaseance.Onesuchrepresentationisnotperformedwithoutthelossofconsiderablestrengthbythemedium,whichshowsitselfbythefinalsleepbeingprolonged

sometimesforanhour,interrupted,asIhavesaid,byrepetitionsoftheprecedingsomnambulisticscenes,easilyrecognizablebycertaingesturesorthemurmuringofcharacteristicwords.Passingthroughthesediverseoscillationsandtheephemeralawaking,ofwhichIhavespokenabove,Helenefinishesbyreturningtohernormalstate;buttheseanceswhichhavebeentoolongcontinuedortoofullofmovementleaveherverymuchfatiguedfortherestoftheday.Ithasalsosometimeshappenedtohertore-enterthesomnambulism(fromwhichshehadprobablynotcompletelyemerged)duringthecourseoftheeveningoronreturninghome,andonlytosucceedinrecoveringherperfectlynormalstatethroughtheassistanceofanight'ssleep.

AstotherealnatureofHelene'sslumbersattheendoftheseances,andherstatesofconsciousnesswhensheawakes,itisdifficultformetopronounce,havingonlybeenabletoobservethemunderunfavorableconditions--thatis,inthepresenceofsittersmoreorlessnumerousandrestless.Thegreaterpartcertainlyconsistofsomnambulisms,inwhichshehearsallthatpassesaroundher,sincealthoughsheseemsprofoundlyasleepandabsent,thesuggestionsthengivenhertobecarriedoutafterawakingareregisteredandperformedwonderfully--atleastwhenLeopold,whoisalmostalwaysonhandandanswersbymovementsofonefingeroranothertoquestionsputtohim,doesnotmakeanyoppositionordeclarethatthesuggestionshallnotbecarriedoutITherearealsobriefmomentswhenHeleneseemstobeinaprofoundstateofcomaandkindofsyncopewithouttraceofpsychiclife;herpulseandrespirationcontinuetoberegular,butshedoesnotreacttoanyexcitation,herarms,ifraised,fallheavily,nosignofLeopoldcanbeobtained,andsuggestionsmadeatthatinstantwillnotbeactedupon.

Theselethargicphases,duringwhichallconsciousnessseemstobeabolished,aregenerallyfollowedbycatalepticphasesinwhichthehandsandarmspreserveeverypositioninwhichtheymaybeplaced,andcontinuethemovementsofrotationorofoscillationwhichmaybeforceduponthem,butneverformorethanoneortwominutes.

Indefaultofmorecompleteexperiments,IsubmitthefollowingcomparisonofHelene'smuscularforceandofhersensibilitytopainbeforeandafteraseancelastingnearlythreehours,thesecondhalfbeinginfullsomnambulism.At4.50o'clock,onsittingdownatthetablethreedynamometrictestswithherrighthandgavekilos.27.5,27,25--average,26.5.Thesensibilitytopainmeasuredonthebackofthemedianphalanxoftheindex-fingerwiththealgesiometerof

Griesbach,gavefortheright,grs.35,40,20,20--average,29;fortheleft,35,20,20,15--average,22.5grs.(Sensibilityslightlymoredelicatethanthatofanotherladypresentattheseance,notamediumandinperfecthealth.)

At7.45o'clock,someminutesafterthefinalawaking:dynamometer,righthand,8,4.5,4.5--average,5.7;algesiometer,completeanalgesiabothastorightandleft,onthewholeofthebackoftheindexaswellastherestofthehandandwrist,themaximumoftheinstrument(100grs.)wasattainedandpassedwithoutarousinganypainfulsensationbutonlyanimpressionofcontact.

Onehourlater,afterdinner:dynamometer22,22,19--average,21;algesiometer,20,18fortheright:15,20fortheleft.Itispossible,then,tosaythathermuscularforceandsensibilitytopain,bothnormalimmediatelybeforeherentranceupontheseance,arestillabolishedinthefirstfifteenminutesafterawaking,butarefoundtoberestoredinaboutanhour.Perceptionofcolors,onthecontrary,appearedtobeasperfectimmediatelyafterawakingasbeforetheseance.Thetremoroftheindex-finger;normalbeforetheseance,isverymuchexaggeratedinitsamplitudeforacertaintimeafterawakingandreflectssometimestherespiratorymovements,ascanbeseenbythecurvesof.Thisdenotesagreatdiminutionofkinestheticsensibilityandofvoluntarycontrolovertheimmobilityofthehand.

ThestateinwhichMlle.Smithcarriesoutthepost-hypnoticsuggestionsmadetoherinthecourseofhersomnambulisms,whentheydonotcomeintocollisionwitheitherthepronouncedoppositionofLeopoldorthestatesoflethargyofwhichIhavespoken,isinterestingonaccountofitsvariedcharacter,whichseemstodependuponthegreaterorlesseasewithwhichthehallucinationortheactsuggestedcanbereconciledwithHelene'snormalpersonality.Theirexecutioninthefullwakingstateseemstobeconfinedtosuggestionsofsimpleacts,freefromabsurdity,theideaofwhichwouldbeeasilyacceptedandcarriedoutbythenormalselfwhenthedesiredmomentarrived.If,onthecontrary,itisaquestionofmorecomplicatedanddifficultthings,compatible,however,withtherationalpointsofviewofthenormalwakingstate,Helenefallsmomentarilyintosomnambulismfortheexecutionoftheordergiven,unlessshehaspermanentlyremainedinthatstate,inspiteofherapparentawaking,inordernot

Clicktoenlarge

Fig.2.Tremorofrightindex-finger.A,B,C,fragmentsofcurvestakeninthe

normalstatebeforetheseance(AandCwithclosedeyes;B,withopeneyeslookingattheindex-finger);D,E,F,fragmentsofcurvesreceivedinsuccessionaquarterofanhouraftertheseance.ThecurveFreflectstherespiratoryoscillations.Thecurvesgofromrighttoleft,andtheintervalbetweenthetwoverticallinesistenseconds.tore-enterdefinitelyandcompletelyuponherordinarystateuntilaftertheexecutionoftheorder,ofwhichtherethenremainstohernorecollectionwhatever.

Fromtheforegoingfactswemayconcludethatlittleornothingofthatwhichgoesonaroundherescapeshersubconsciousintelligence,anditisfromthissourcethathersomnambulisticromancesarenourishedafresh.

Awordmoreastothepreparationfortheseances.Idonotrefertoaconsciouspreparation,buttoasubliminalincubationorelaboration,unknownbyher,showingitselfonthelevelofherordinarypersonalityintheformoffugitivegleamsandfragmentaryimagesduringhersleepatnightorthemomentsofawakinginthemorning.Mlle.Smith,inreality,hasnohold,possessesnoinfluence,uponthenatureofhervisionsandsomnambulisms.Sheisable,undoubtedly,uptoacertainpoint,toaidtheirappearanceinageneralway,bycultivatingtranquillityofmind,securingdarknessandsilenceintheroom,andbyabandoningherselftoapassiveattitudeofmind;ortohinderit,ontheotherhand,bymovement,ordistractionofattention;butwiththefixedandconcretecontentitselfofherautomatismsshehasnothingtodoandnoshareintheresponsibilityforit.Sofarashergreatcyclesorherdetachedmessagesareconcerned,theyarefabricatedinherinspiteofherself,andwithoutherhavingawordtosayabouttheirproduction,anymorethanonehasintheformationofhisdreams.Whenitisrecollected,ontheotherhand,thatthephenomenaofincubation,ofsubliminalpreparation,orunconsciouscerebration,areuniversalfacts,playingtheirroleinthepsychologyofeveryhumanbeing,wecanrelyuponfindingthemalsoamongthemediums,andupontheirholdingaplacewiththemmuchmoreimportantthanwithothers,owingtothefactthattheirsubconsciouslifeissomuchmorefullydeveloped.

Witheachoneofustheexpectationorthesimpleperspectiveofanyevent--adeparture,avisit,anerrand,orundertakingtodoanything,alettertowrite,inshort,allthemoreinsignificantincidentsofdailyexistence,whentheyarenotabsolutelyunforeseen--promoteapsychologicaladaptationmoreorlessextendedandprofound.

Alongsideofandunderneaththeconsciousexpectancy,certainphysicalormentalattitudes,voluntarilyassumedinviewoftheevent,alwayseffectanunderlyingpreparationofaninwardkind,achangewhichwemayregard,accordingtothesidefromwhichweconsidertheindividual,asapeculiarpsychicalorientationorcerebraladjustment,amodificationintheassociationofideasorinthedynamicsofthecorticalnerves.Buteverythingpointstothefactthatinpersonsgiftedwithmediumshipthisunderlyingpreparationiscapableofassumingonoccasionagreaterimportancethanisthecasewithordinarymortals,amuchmorecompleteindependenceoftheordinaryconsciousness

ToreturntoMlle.Smith,whensheknowssometimeinadvancewhowillbepresentathernextseance,andwhatpeopleshewillalmostsurelymeetthere,itwouldbealtogethernaturalthatsuchpreviousknowledgeoftheenvironmentandofthesitterswouldinfluencehersubliminalthoughtsandinsomedegreedirectthecourseofthelatentincubation.Itmaywellbeasked,therefore,whetherthevariedspectaclewhichtheseancesfurnishisreallyalwaysimpromptuandhasitsbirthonthespurofthemomentlikeordinarydreams,orwhetherithasbeensubconsciouslythoughtout,theseancebeingonlytheperformanceofanarrestedprogramme,therepresentationcorampopuloofscenesalreadyripenedinthedeepsubliminalstrataofthemedium.

Neitherofthesetwohypotheses,heldtoexcludetheother,answerstothefacts,butthereissometruthinbothofthem.

Themenuoftheseances--iftheexpressionispermissible--isalwayscomposedofoneortwoplatsderesistance,carefullypreparedinadvanceinthesubliminallaboratories,andofvarioushorsd'oeuvreslefttotheinspirationofthemoment.Tospeakmoreexactly,thegeneralplot,thechieflinesandmorestrikingpointsofthesceneswhichunfoldthemselvesarefixedaccordingtoapreviousarrangement,butthedetailsofexecutionandaccessoryembellishmentsareentirelydependentuponchancecircumstances.Theproofofthisisfound,ontheonehand,inthesuppleness,theperfectease,theappropriatenesswithwhichHelene'sautomatisms--ifwecanstillapplythewordautomatismtothosecasesinwhichspontaneity,self-possession,freeuseofallthefacultiesconstitutethedominantcharacteristics--oftenadaptthemselvestounexpectedsituationsintheenvironmentorcapriciousinterruptionsonthepartofthesitters;ontheotherhand,inthefactthatLeopold,interrogatedatthebeginningoftheseance,ordinarilyknowsverywellandannouncestheprincipalvisionorincarnationswhichareabouttomaketheirappearance,provided,atleast,thespectatorsdo

nothindertheirunfoldingbytheirtempestuousclamorforsomethingelse.

Theanimatedconversations,sometimesfullofspiritedrepartee,betweenLeopoldorMarieAntoinetteandthesitters,couldnothavebeenpreparedinadvance,andarealtogetheropposedtothestereotypedrepetitionwhichisgenerallyexpectedofautomaticphenomena.But,ontheotherhand,suchrepetition,almostentirelymechanicalanddevoidofsense,presentsitselfonfrequentoccasions.Ihave,forinstance,seensomnambulisticscenespresentedwhichwereentirelymisplaced,andconstitutedatthetimeveritableanachronisms,whichwouldhaveperfectlyfittedthesituationeightdayspreviouslyinanotherenvironment,andforwhichtheaforesaidsceneshadbeenevidentlyintended;but,havingbeenwithhelduntilthelastmomentbyunforeseencircumstances,thefollowingseancegetsthebenefitofthesepostponedmessages.

HereisproofthatHelene'ssubliminalimaginationpreparesuptoacertainpointherprincipalproductions,inviewoftheconditionsandsurroundingsunderwhichtheseancewillprobablytakeplace,andalsothattheseproducts,onceelaborated,mustbeeliminatedandpouredforthwithasortofblindnecessity,attherightorthewrongtime,whenevertheentranceofHeleneintoafavorablehypnoidstatefurnishesthemanopportunitysotodo.Itfollowsalsothathernormalpersonalityhasnothingwhatevertodowiththepreparationoftheseances,sinceshecanneithersuppressnorchangescenesbadlyadaptedtotheactualenvironment,theappearanceofwhichsometimesgreatlyannoysMlle.Smithwhentheyarerecountedtoheraftertheseance;norcansheprovokethemessages,theproductionofwhichshedesiresandvainlyhopesfor--as,forexample,amedicalconsultationwithLeopold,theincarnationofadeceasedparent,orascenefromonecycleratherthanfromtheothers,forthebenefitofasitterwhoparticularlydesiresit,andwhomsheisverydesiroustoplease.

MuchmorecouldbesaidconcerningthepsychologicalsideoftheseancesofMlle.Smith,butImustlimitmyself.Itwillbepossibletogainamorecompleteideaofthissubjectbystudyingtheillustrationsinthefollowingchaptersonthechiefcyclesofherbrilliantsubliminalfantasy.

Footnotes

^54:*VisionrelatingtotheOrientalcycle;themanwastheArabsheik,thefatherofSimandini.

^55:*Thefollowingaresomeoftheseimprompturhymes,surelyuptothelevelofthecircumstanceswhichinspiredthem,butbywhichweoughtnottojudgetheconsciouspoeticfacultiesofMile.Smith:

Toalittlegirlproudofhernewshoes:

"Marcelleestla,venezlavoir,

Elleasespetitssouliersnoirs."

Ina"culinary"discussion:

"Vousdetestezlesomelettes,

Autantquemoilescotelettes."

Toapersonslightlyvain:

"Vosrichesses,machereamie,

Nemefontpointdutoutenvie!"

^64:*Theconfusionofsensationsinthetwosidesofthebody,aswhenapersonlocatesintherightlegatouchupontheleftleg.

^64:+See,onallochiria,P.Janet,Stigmatesmentauxdeshysteriques,pp.66-71;andNevrosesetideesfixes,vol.i.p.234.

CHAPTERIV

THEPERSONALITYOFLEOPOLD

ISLeopoldreallyJosephBalsamo,ashepretends?Or,sincehehasnothingincommonwiththefamousthaumaturgistofthelastcentury,saveacertainsuperficialresemblance,ishe,atanyrate,arealbeing,separatefrom,andindependentof,Mlle.Smith?Or,finally,isheonlyapseudo-reality,akindofallotropicmodificationofHeleneherself,aproductofhersubliminalimagination,justlikeourdreamcreationsandtherolessuggestedtoahypnoticsubject?

Ofthesethreesuppositionsitisthelastwhichtomymindisundoubtedlythe

trueone,whileinMlle.Smith'seyesitisascertainlythefalseview.ItwouldbehardtoimagineamoreprofounddifferenceofopinionthanthatwhichexistsbetweenMlle.Smithandmyselfonthissubject.ItisI,always,whogettheworstofadiscussionwithherconcerningit.Iyieldfortworeasons.First,outofpoliteness;and,secondly,becauseIunderstandHeleneperfectly,and,puttingmyselfinherplace,realizethatIshouldthinkexactlyasshedoesaboutthematter.

Givenhersurroundingsandpersonalexperiences,itisimpossibleforhertodootherwisethanbelieveintheobjectivedistinctexistenceofthatmysteriousbeingwhoconstantlyentersintoherlifeinasensibleandquasi-materialway,leavinghernoroomtodoubt.Hepresentshimselfbeforeherendowedwithcorporealitylikethatofotherpeople,andhidesobjectswhicharebehindhimexactlyasanordinaryindividualoffleshandbonewoulddoHetalksintoherears,generallyintotheleft,inacharacteristicvoice,whichappearstocomefromavariabledistance,sometimesaboutsixfeetoff,sometimesmuchfarther.Hejarsthetableonwhichshehasplacedherimmobilearms,takesholdofherwristandwriteswithherhand,holdingthepeninamannerunlikeher,andwithahandwritingwhollydifferentfromhers.Heputshertosleepwithoutherknowledge,andsheisastonishedtolearnuponawakingthathehasgesticulatedwithherarmsandspokenthroughhermouthinthedeepbassvoiceofaman,withanItalianaccent,whichhasnothingincommonwiththeclearandbeautifulqualityofherfemininevoice.

Moreover,heisnotalwaysonhand.HebynomeansanswersHelene'sappealsonalloccasions;isnotathermercy;farfromit.Hisconduct,hismanifestations,hiscomingsandgoingscannotbepredictedwithanycertainty,andtestifytoanautonomousbeing,endowedwithfree-will,oftenotherwiseoccupiedorabsentonhisownaffairs,whichdonotpermitofhisholdinghimselfconstantlyatthedisposalofMlle.Smith.Sometimesheremainsforweekswithoutrevealinghimself,inspiteofherwishingforhimandcallinguponhim.Then,allatonce,hemakeshisappearancewhensheleastexpectshim.Hespeaksforherinawayshewouldhavenoideaofdoing,hedictatestoherpoemsofwhichshewouldbeincapable.Herepliestoheroralormentalquestions,converseswithher,anddiscussesvariousquestions.Likeawisefriend,arationalmentor,andasoneseeingthingsfromahigherplane,hegivesheradvice,counsel,ordersevensometimesdirectlyoppositetoherwishesandagainstwhichsherebels.Heconsolesher,exhortsher,soothes,encourages,andreprimandsher;heundertakesagainstherthedefenceofpersonsshedoesnotlike,andpleadsthe

causeofthosewhoareantipathetictoher.Inaword,itwouldbeimpossibletoimagineabeingmoreindependentormoredifferentfromMlle.Smithherself,havingamorepersonalcharacter,anindividualitymoremarked,oramorecertainactualexistence.

Heleneisalsofortifiedinthisconvictionbythebeliefnotonlyofmembersofherownfamily,butbythatofothercultivatedpeoplewho,havingattendedmanyofherseances,havenodoubtwhateverofLeopold'sobjectiveandseparateexistence.Therearethosewhobelievesofirmlyintherealityofthissuperiorbeing,invisibletothem,thattheyareinthehabitofcallinguponhimduringtheabsenceofMlle.Smith.Naturallytheyobtainresponses,throughthetableorotherwise,andthatcausesunforeseencomplicationssometimeswhenshecomestolearnofit.Forwhilesheadmitstheoretically--andLeopoldhimselfhasoftendeclaredthesamething--thatheextendshissurveillanceandprotectionfromafaroverotherspiritisticgroups,andespeciallyoverallHelene'sfriendsandacquaintances,inpracticeandinfact,however,ithappensthatneitherhenorshewillwillinglyadmittheauthenticityofthosepretendedcommunicationsfromLeopoldobtainedintheabsenceofthemediumofhispredilection.Itisgenerallysomedeceivingspiritwhohasmanifestedinhisplaceontheseoccasions.Thesedenials,however,donotpreventthosewhohavebecomebelieversfromcontinuingtobelieveintheomnipresenceofthisgoodgenius,orfromteachingtheirchildrentoreverehim,tomakevowsandaddressprayerstohim.Itmustnotbeforgottenthatspiritismisareligion.Thisalsoexplainsthegreatrespectshowntomediums,whichislikethataccordedtopriests.

Itfollowsthat,withoutintheleastrefrainingfromspeakingillofthemwhenevertheythinktheyhaveagrievanceagainstthem,ontheotherhandtheybestowonthemthesamemarksofrespectasareonlyaccordedtothemostsublimeproductofthehumanrace.

Ihaveknownasalonwhere,onthecentretable,infullviewandintheplaceofhonor,weretwophotographsinbeautifulframes:ontheonesidetheheadofChrist,ontheothertheportraitof--Mlle.HeleneSmith.Amongotherbelievers,withlessidealbutmorepracticalaspirations,nobusinessmatterofimportanceisclosed,noseriousdecisionmade,untilLeopoldhasbeenconsultedthroughHeleneasanintermediary,andthecasesaretoonumeroustomentioninwhichhehasfurnishedimportantinformation,preventedaheavyprecuniaryloss,givenanefficaciousmedicalprescription,etc.

Itiseasilyseenhowallthesuccessesobtainedby

[paragraphcontinues]Leopold,andthemysticalvenerationwhichmanyveryestimablepersonsaccordhim,mustcontributetostrengthenthefaithofHeleneinherall-powerfulprotector.Itisinvainthat,againstthisabsoluteassurance,oneseekstoavailone'sselfoftheargumentsofcontemporarypsychology.Theexampleofthefictionsofthedream,theanalogiestakenfromhypnotismandfrompsychopathology,considerationsofmentaldisintegration,thedivisionoftheconsciousnessandtheformationofsecondpersonalities,alltheserefinedsubtletiesofourmodernscientistsbreakinpieceslikeglassagainstimmovablerock.Ishallnotundertaketocombatapropositionwhich,forher,hasincontestablysomuchevidenceinitsfavor,andwhichresolvesalldifficultiesinthemostfelicitousmannerandinconformitytogoodcommon-sense.

Nevertheless,sinceeachindividualhasarighttohisownopinionintheworld,Ibegleavetoassume,forthetimebeing,thatLeopolddoesnotexistoutsideofMlle.Smith,andtotrytodiscoverhispossiblegenesisinthementallifeofthelatter--solelybyhypothesisandbymeansofpsychologicalexperiment.Therefore,readerswhohavelittletasteforthiskindofacademiccompositionhadbetterskipthischapter.

I.PSYCHOGENESISOFLEOPOLD

AdescriptionofthedevelopmentofLeopoldisnoteasy,sincehehasadoubleorigin,apparentandreal,likethecranialnerveswhichgivesomuchtroubletothestudentsofanatomy.

Hisapparentorigin,or,Ishouldsay,themomentwhenheisoutwardlyseparatedfromthepersonalityofHelene,andmanifestsasanindependent"spirit,"isrelativelyclearandwellmarked;buthisactualorigin,profoundlyenfoldedinthemostinwardstrataofHelene'spersonalityandinextricablymixedupwiththem,presentsgreatobscuritiesandcanonlybedeterminedinaveryconjecturalmanner.Letusbeginwiththeapparentorigin,orthefirstappearanceofLeopoldattheseances.

Itiseasytounderstandthat,onceinitiatedintospiritismandplungedintoacurrentofideaswherethecomfortingdoctrineofspirit-guidesandprotectorsholdsanimportantplace,Mlle.Smithdidnotdelayincomingintopossessionof,likeallgoodmediums,adisincarnatespiritspeciallyattachedtoherperson.

Sheevenhadtwoinsuccession,VictorHugoandCagliostro.ItisnotaquestionofasimplechangeofnameoftheguideofHelene,whopresentedhimselffirstundertheaspectandthenameofthegreatpoetandthenafterwardsadoptedthatoftherenownedthaumaturgist,buttherewere,atleastatthebeginning,twodifferentpersonalities,apparentlyhostiletoeachother,oneofwhombydegreessupplantedtheother,afterastruggle,atraceofwhichisfoundintheveryincompletereportsoftheseancesofthatperiod.ThreephasescanalsobedistinguishedinthepsychogenesisofMlle.Smith'sguide:aninitialphaseoffivemonths,duringwhichVictorHugoreignsalone;aphaseoftransitionofaboutayear,whentheprotectionofVictorHugoisseentobepowerlesstoprotectHeleneandherspiritisticgroupagainsttheinvasionofanintrudercalledLeopold,whoclaimsandmanifestsanincreasingauthorityoverthemediumbyvirtueofmysteriousrelationsinthecourseofapreviousexistence;finally,thepresentperiod,whichhaslastedforsixyearspast,inwhichVictorHugonolongerfigures,andwhichmaybedatedapproximatelyfromthemomentwhenitwasrevealedthatLeopoldisonlyanassumedname,underwhichhehidesinrealitythegreatpersonalityofJosephBalsamo.

Idonotfindanyfactworthyofmentioninthefirstphase,inwhichVictorHugo,whoseemstohaveappearedastheguideofMlle.Smithaboutthe1stofApril,1892(seeabove,),playedaroleofnoimportance.Inthesecondphase,however,itisnecessarytocitesomeextractsfromthereportsoftheseancesoftheN.group,inordertothrowlightuponthesingularcharacterwhichLeopoldmanifestedtherefromthebeginning.

August26,1892.--"AspiritannounceshimselfunderthenameofLeopold.HecomesforMlle.Smith,andseemstowishtohaveagreatauthorityoverher.Sheseeshimforsomemoments,heappearstobeaboutthirty-fiveyearsofage,andisclothedaltogetherinblack.Theexpressionofhiscountenanceisratherpleasing,andthroughanswerstosomequestionswhichweputtohimwearegiventounderstandthatheknewherinanotherexistence,andthathedoesnotwishhertogiveherhearttoanyoneherebelow...Mlle.Smithrecognizesherguide,VictorHugo.Sheismadehappybyhisarrival,andaskshisprotectionagainsttheobsessionofthisnewspirit.Heanswersthatshehasnothingtofear,thathewillalwaysbepresent.Sheisjoyfulatbeingguardedandprotectedbyhim,andfeelsthatshehasnothingtofear."

September2.--..."Leopoldcomesalso,butMlle.Smithfearsnothing,sinceherguide(VictorHugo)istheretoprotecther."

September23.--..."Anunpleasantevening.Aspiritannounceshimself.ItisLeopold.Hespeakstousatonce:'Iamhere.Iwishtobemasterofthissitting.'Weareverymuchdisappointed,anddonotexpectanygoodofhim.Hetries,ashehadalreadydoneoncebefore,toputMlle.Smithtosleep,whohasgreatdifficultyinstrugglingagainstthissleep.Sherisesfromthetable,hopingbythismeanstoridherselfofhim,andthathewillgiveuphisplacetoothers.Shereturnsinabouttenminutes,butheisstillthere,andapparentlyhasnointentionofabandoninghisplace.Wesummonourfriends(spiritual)toouraid....TheytakeLeopold'splacemomentarily,butverysoonLeopoldreturns;westrugglewithhim,wedesirehimtogoaway,butneithersoftnorhardwordshaveanyeffect;beforethatdoggeddeterminationwerealizethatalloureffortswillbeuseless,andwedecidetoclosetheseance."

October3.--"[Manifestationbythefavoritespiritsofthegroup,whodeclare]thattheyhavenotbeenabletocome,astheywouldhavelikedtodo;thattheywerepreventedbythespiritofLeopold,whoistryingtointroducehimselftous;thatweshouldrepulsehimasmuchaspossible,persuadedthathedoesnotcomeforanygoodend.Idonotknowwhetherweshallbeabletoridourselvesofhim,butwegreatlyfearthathewillinjureusandretardouradvancement."

October7.--..."Leopoldannounceshimself.Wetrytoreasonwithhim;wedonotwishtoforbidhiscoming,butweaskofhimthatheshallcomeasafriendtoall,andnotintheroleofmaster.Heisnotsatisfied;appearstobearmuchmalice.Wetrusthewillcometohavebetterfeelings.Heshowshimself,walksaroundthetable,bowstous,andsaluteseachonewithhishand,andretiresagain,leavinghisplacetoothers."

October14.--"[AfteraquarterofanhourofmotionlessandsilentwaitingindarknessaroundthetableMlle.Smithisquestioned,andsheisshakeninvain.]Sheisasleep.Bytheadviceofpersonspresentweallowhertoremainasleep,when,attheendoffiveminutes,thetableraisesitself,aspiritannounceshimself.ItisVictorHugo;weaskifhehasanythingtosay;heanswersyes,andspellsout:Wakeher;donotallowherevertosleep.Wetrytodoso.Wearenervousaboutthatsleep;wehavegreatdifficultyinawakeningher."

January6,1893.--"Aftertwentyminutesofwaiting,Leopoldarrives,and,asishishabit,putsthemediumtosleepforsomeminutes;hetormentsus,andpreventsourfriends(disincarnate)fromcomingtothetable.Hevexesusineveryway,andgoescontrarytoallourwishes.Inpresenceofthatrancorthe

sittersregrettheindicationsofill-humortheyhaveshowntowardshim,anddeplorehavingtopaysodearforthem.Itiswithdifficultythatthemediumcanbeawakened."

February,1893.--"Inoneoftheseancesofthismontharemarkablethinghappened:thespiritofLeopold,whowasverymuchirritatedonthatday,twiceinsuccessiontookawayherchairfromourmediumandcarriedittothefartherendoftheroom,whileMlle.Smithfellheavilytothefloor.Notexpectingthiswretchedfarce,Mlle.Smithstruckherkneesohardthatforseveraldaysshesufferedpaininwalking.Wewereobligedtoterminatetheseance;wewerenotcomfortable.Whythisanimosity?"

ThiswordanimositydescribesverywelltheconductandthefeelingsthatLeopoldseemedtohavetowardstheN.groupandagainsthisplacidrival,VictorHugo.ThepersonalrecollectionsofthesitterswhomIhavebeenabletointerrogateconfirmthesubstantialphysiognomyofthetwofigures.ThatofHugois,ineffect,effacedandaltogethereclipsedbythetotallyoppositecharacterofthearrogantLeopold,whotakesapeculiarpleasureintheroleofvindictiveandjealousmischief-maker,obstructingtheappearanceofthe"spirits"desiredbythegroup,puttingthemediumtosleep,orcausinghertofallonthefloor,forbiddinghertogiveherhearttoanother,andbreakinguptheseancesasfarasheisable.ItseemstohavefinallyresultedinthemeetingsoftheN.groupcomingtoanendatthebeginningofthesummer;thencomesabreakofsixmonths,afterwhichIfind

[paragraphcontinues]Mlle.Smithonthe12thofDecemberinauguratinganewseriesofseances,withanentirelydifferentspiritisticgrouporganizedbyProf.Cuendet.HereVictorHugoveryrarelyappears,andneverintheroleofguide,whichroleisfreelyaccorded,withoutobjection,toLeopold,whoserealidentity(Cagliostro)wasnosecrettoanyoneinthenewenvironment.Itwas,therefore,inthecourseoftheyear1893,ataperiodwhichcannotbepreciselydeterminedfromtherecords,thattherivalryofthesetwopersonalitieswasterminatedbythecompletetriumphofthesecond.

ItfollowsfromtheprecedingrecitalthattheappearanceofLeopoldinseancesoftheN.groupwasaphenomenonofmanifestcontrast,ofhostility,andofantagonismtowardsthatgroup.

Itisadifficultanddelicatetasktopronounceuponthecomplexspiritofan

environmentofwhichonewasnotapart,andinregardtowhichonepossessesonlyafewandnotveryconcordantincidents.Thefollowing,however,seemtobethefacts:

TheN.group,muchmorenumerousthanisconvenientinseancesofthatkind,wascomposedofveryvariedelements.Alongsideofseriousbelieverswereordinarilysomestudentswhoboardedwithoneoftheladiesofthegroup,andwhodonotappeartohavefelttheseriousnessofspiritisticreunions.

Thatagehasnomercy,andtheprofoundsignificationoftheseancesoftenescapedtheirsuperficialandfrivolousintelligence.UndersuchconditionsMlle.Smithwasinevitablycompelledtoexperiencetwocontraryimpressions.Ontheonehand,sheperceivedherselfadmired,mademuchof,feted,astheunrivalledmedium,whichshereallywas,anduponwhomthegroupdependedforitsexistence;ontheotherhand,hersecretinstinctsandhighpersonaldignitycouldnotbutbeoffendedbythefamiliaritiestowhichshewasexposedinthismixedenvironment.

IregardthetworivalandsuccessiveguidesofHeleneastheexpressionofthisdoublesentiment.IfshehadbeenbroughtuplikeanAmericanwoman,orifhernaturehadbeenadegreelessfine,thefrivolityoftheseanceswouldundoubtedlyhaveonlygivenmorewarmthandbrilliancytoVictorHugo;insteadofwhich,thevictoriouscolorsofLeopoldareraisedoveranatureofgreatnativepride,extremelysensitiveonthepointoffemininedignity,andwhosesevereandrigideducationhadalreadyexaltedhersenseofself-respect.Afterastruggleofayearbetweenthesetwopersonificationsofoppositeemotionaltendencies,thesecond,aswehaveseen,finallytriumphs;andMlle.SmithwithdrawsfromtheN.group,whichatthesametimebreaksup.

TheideaIhaveformedofLeopoldisnowapparent.Herepresents,tomymind,inMlle.Smith,thesynthesis,thequintessence--andtheexpansion,too--ofthemosthiddenspringsofthepsychologicalorganism.Hegushesforthfromthatdeepandmysterioussphereintowhichthedeepestrootsofourindividualexistenceareplunged,whichbindustothespeciesitself,andperhapstotheAbsolute,andwhenceconfusedlyspringourinstinctsofphysicalandmoralself-preservation,oursexualfeelings.WhenHelenefoundherselfinanenvironmentnotexactlydangerous,butwhereshesimplyrantherisk,asintheN.group,ofyieldingtosomeinclinationcontrarytoherfundamentalaspirations,itisthenthatLeopoldsuddenlyspringsup,speakingasthemaster,takingpossessionof

themediumforhimself,andindicatinghisunwillingnessthatsheshouldattachherselftoanyoneherebelow.Wehererecognizethesameprincipleofself-protectionandself-preservationwhichwasalreadyactiveinherasayounggirlintheteleologicalautomatismsarisingontheoccasionofcertainemotionalshocks,ofwhichIhavespokenon.

But,bytheseconsiderations,wehavetravelledveryfarfromtheoriginalappearanceofLeopoldintheseanceofthe26thofAugust,1892,towardshisactual,moreancientorigin.ThisseemstodatefromagreatfrightwhichHelenehadinthecourseofhertenthyear.Asshewaswalkingalongthestreet,onherwayhomefromschool,shewasattackedbyabigdog.Theterrorofthepoorchildcanwellbeimagined,andfromwhichshewashappilydeliveredbyapersonageclothedinalongbrownrobewithflowingsleevesandwithawhitecrossonthebreast,who,appearingtohersuddenlyandasbyamiracle,chasedthedogaway,anddisappearedbeforeshehadtimetothankhim.But,accordingtoLeopold,thispersonagewasnootherthanhimself,whoonthisoccasionforthefirsttimeappearedtoHelene,andsavedherbydrivingawaythedog.

ThisexplanationwasgivenbyLeopoldonthe6thofOctober,1895,inaseanceinwhichHeleneexperienced,inasomnambulisticstate,arepetitionofthatsceneoffright,withheart-rendingcries,gesturesofstruggleanddefence,attemptsatflight,etc.Inthewakingstatesheverywellrecallsthisepisodeofherchildhood,butcannotacceptLeopoldasthepersonwhocametoherrescue,butbelievesittohavebeenapriestormemberofsomereligiousorderwhorushedtoherassistanceanddrovetheanimalaway.Herparentsalsorecollectedtheincident,whichshetoldthemonedayonreturningfromschoolinaveryexcitedstate,andafterwhichshecouldnotforalongtimeencounteradoginthestreetwithouthidingherselfinthefoldsofhermother'sdress.Shehassincealwayspreservedaninstinctiveaversiontowardsdogs.

Wehaveseen(p.31)thatafterthisfirstincident,mattersremainedinstatuquoforfouryears,uptothetimewhentheageofpubertybegantofavorthedevelopmentoftheOrientalvisions.Here,Leopold,towhomweowethisinformation,doesnotaltogetheragreewithhimself,foratonetimehesaysthatitwashehimselfwhofurnishedMlle.SmithwithhervisionsofIndia,atanothertimehesaysthattheyarereminiscencesofoneofherformerexistences.

Alongsideofthesevariedvisions,Leopoldhasclearlyappearedundertheformoftheprotectorinthedarkrobeinanumberofcases.Iwillonlycitetwo

examples,oneveryremote,the,otherquiterecent.

OnedayHelenewenttoconsultherfamilyphysicianforsometriflingailment,who,havingknownherforalongtimeandbeinganoldfriendofherfamily,presumedtogiveheraninnocentkiss.Hewasquiteunpreparedfortheexplosionofwrathwhichthisfamiliarityprovoked,andhastenedtomakehisapologies:butwhatisofinteresttousinthisconnectionisthefactthatundertheshockofthisemotionherdefenderofthebrownrobeappearedbeforeherinthecorneroftheroom,anddidnotleavehersideuntilshehadreachedhome.

Ashorttimeagothissameprotector,alwaysinthesamecostume,accompaniedherseveraldaysinsuccessionwhileshewastraversingalittle-frequentedpartoftheroutetowardsherplaceofbusiness.Oneevening,also,heappearedtoherattheentrancetothestreetleadingtothelocalityinquestion,intheattitudeofbaringtheway,andobligedhertomakeadetourtoregainherhouse.

Mlle.Smithhastheimpression--andseveralindicationsgotoshowthatsheisnotdeceived--thatitiswiththepurposeofsparinghersomeunpleasantsightoradangerousencounterthatLeopold,inthebrownrobe,appearstoherunderperfectlywell-knownconditions.Herisesbeforeheralwaysatadistanceofabouttenyards,walks,orratherglides,alonginsilence,atthesamerateassheadvancestowardshim,attractingandfascinatinghergazeinsuchamannerastopreventherturninghereyesawayfromhimeithertotherightortheleft,untilshehaspassedtheplaceofdanger.ItistobenotedthatwhereasLeopold,underothercircumstances--forinstance,attheseances--showshimselftoherinthemostvariedcostumesandspeaksonallsubjects,itisalwaysunderhishieraticaspect,silent,andclothedinhislongdarkrobe,thatheappearstoheronthoseoccasionsofreallifeinwhichsheisexposedtofeelingsoffrightpeculiartohersex,asheappearedtoheronthatfirstoccasioninhertenthyear.

ThehintsIhavegivensufficientlyjustify,Ithink,myopinionthattherealandprimordialoriginofLeopoldistobefoundinthatdeepanddelicatesphereinwhichwesooftenencountertherootsofhypnoidphenomena,andtowhichthemostillustriousvisionaries,suchasSwedenborg,[**]seemtooweagreatpartnotonlyoftheintellectualcontentbut.oftheimaginativeform,thehallucinatorywrapping,oftheirgenius.ThereisadoubleproblemtobesolvedinMlle.Smith'scase.WhyhavetheseinstinctivefeelingsandemotionaltendencieswhicharecommontotheentirehumanracesucceededindevelopinginheraproductsocomplexandhighlyorganizedisisthepersonalityofLeopold?and

why,inthesecondplace,doesthatpersonalitybelieveitselftobeJosephBalsamo?

Iinstantlyreplythatthesetworesultsare,tomymind,entirelytheeffectofautosuggestion.Toexplainthefirst,thesimplefactofherbeingoccupiedwithspiritismandengagedinmediumisticexperiments,issufficient.Takeanyindividualhavinginhersubconsciousnessmemories,scruples,emotionaltendencies,putintoherheadspiritisticleanings,thenseatheratatable,orputapencilinherhand:eventhoughshemaynotbeofaveryimpressionableorsuggestibletemperament,orinclinedtothementaldisintegrationwhichthegeneralpubliccallsthemediumisticfaculty,nevertheless,itwillnotbelongbeforehersubliminalelementsgroupthemselvesandarrangethemselvesaccordingtothe"personal"formtowhichallconsciousnesstends,[**]andwhichdisclosesitselfoutwardlybycommunicationswhichhavetheappearanceofcomingdirectlyfromdisincarnatespirits.

InthecaseofMlle.Smith,LeopolddidnotexistunderthetitleofadistinctsecondarypersonalitybeforeHelenebegantobeoccupiedwithspiritism.ItwasattheseancesoftheN.group,byanemotionalreactionagainstcertaininfluences,aswehaveseen,thathebegan,littlebylittle,totakeshape,aidedbymemoriesofthesamegeneraltone,untilhefinallygrewintoanapparentlyindependentbeing,revealinghimselfthroughthetable,manifestingawillandamindofhisown,recallinganalogousformerincidentsofHelene'slife,andclaimingforhimselfthemeritofhavingintervenedinitintheroleofherprotector.

Onceestablished,thissecondaryselfcouldnotdootherwisethantogrow,andtodevelopandstrengthenitselfinalldirections,assimilatingtoitselfahostofnewdatafavoringthestateofsuggestibilitywhichaccompaniestheexerciseofmediumship.Withoutthespiritismandtheautohypnotizationoftheseances,Leopoldcouldneverhavebeentrulydevelopedintoapersonality,butwouldhavecontinuedtoremaininthenebulous,incoherentstateofvaguesubliminalreveriesandofoccasionalautomaticphenomena.

Thesecondproblem,thatofexplainingwhythissecondarypersonality,onceestablished,believesitselftobeCagliostroratherthananyothercelebratedpersonage,orofremainingsimplytheanonymousguardianangelofMlle.Smith,woulddemandaverycompleteknowledgeofthethousandoutsideinfluenceswhichhavesurroundedHelenesincethebeginningofher

mediumship,andwhichmayhaveinvoluntarilyinfluencedher.

ButonthispointIhaveonlysucceededincollectingaveryfewincidents,whichleavemuchstilltobedesired,andareofsuchacharacterthatitisentirelypermissibleforanyonetoclaimthatthepurelypsychologicaloriginofthatpersonalityisnotclearlyestablished,andtoprefer,ifhechooses,theactualinterventionofthedisincarnateJosephBalsamotomyhypothesisofautosuggestion.

Thefollowing,however,arethefactsadvancedbymeinsupportofthelatter:

Theauthoritativeandjealousspirit,theevidentenemyoftheN.group,whomanifestedhimselfonthe26thofAugust,1892,underthenameofLeopold,didnotrevealhisidentityasthatofCagliostrountilsometimeafterwards,underthefollowingcircumstances:

OneofthemostregularattendantsatthereunionsoftheN.groupwasaMme.B.,whohadlongbeenanadherentofspiritism,andwhohadpreviouslyattendednumerousseancesatthehouseofM.andMme.Badel,athoroughlyconvincedcoupleofamateurs,nowdeceased,whosesalonandroundtablehaveheldaveryhonorableplaceinthehistoryofGeneveseoccultism.ButIlearnedfromMme.B.thatoneofthedisincarnatespiritswhomanifestedhimselfoftenestattheseancesofM.andMme.BadelwasthisveryJosephBalsamo.Thereis,indeed,nofigureinhistorywhichaccordsbetterwiththeideaofaposthumousreturntothemysteriesoftheroundtablethanthatoftheenigmaticSicilian,especiallysinceAlexandreDumas,pere,hassurroundedhimwithanadditionalhaloofromance.

NotcontentwiththepublicreunionsoftheN.group,Mme.B.ofteninvitedHelenetoherhouseforprivateseances,ofwhichnorecordwasmade.Atoneofthese,HelenehavinghadavisionofLeopold,whopointedouttoherwithawandadecanter,Mme.B.suddenlythoughtofacelebratedepisodeinthelifeofCagliostro,andaftertheseancesheproceededtotakefromadrawerandshowtoHeleneanengravingtakenfromanillustratededitionofDumas,representingthefamoussceneofthedecanterbetweenBalsamoandtheDauphinatthechateauofTaverney.AtthesametimeshegaveutterancetotheideathatthespiritwhomanifestedhimselfatthetablebymeansofHelene'shandswascertainlyJosephBalsamo;andsheexpressedherastonishmentthatHelenehadgivenhimthenameofLeopold,towhichHelenerepliedthatitwashehimselfwhohadgiven

thatname.Mme.B.,continuingherdeductions,toldMlle.Smiththatperhapsshehadformerlybeenthemediumofthegreatmagician,andconsequentlyhadbeenLorenzaFelicianiinaformerlife.Heleneatonceacceptedtheidea,andforseveralweeksconsideredherselftobethereincarnationofLorenza,untilonedayaladyofheracquaintanceremarkedthatitwasimpossible,LorenzaFelicianihavingneverexistedsaveintheimaginationandtheromancesofAlexandreDumas,pere.[**]

Thusdispossessedofhersupposedformerexistence,HelenewasnotlongindeclaringthroughthetablethatshewasMarieAntoinette.AstoLeopold,ashorttimeafterMme.B.hadhypotheticallyidentifiedhimwithCagliostro,hehimselfconfirmedthathypothesisataseanceoftheN.group,dictatingtothetablethathisrealnamewasJosephBalsamo.

TheoriginofthenameofLeopoldisveryobscure,andmanyhypotheseshavebeenadvancedtoaccountforitwithoutourbeingabletoestablishanyofthemwithcertainty.

Onefact,however,iscertain,namely,thatsaveforthevagueaffirmationthathehadknownHeleneinapreviousexistence,LeopoldhadneverpretendedtobeCagliostro,orgivenanyreasonforbeingthoughtso,beforethereunionwhereMme.B.,whohadbeenforsometimeaccustomedtomanifestationsofthatpersonage,announcedthesuppositionandshowedMlle.Smithimmediatelyaftertheseance(atamomentwhenshewasprobablystillinaverysuggestiblestate)anengravingfromDumas'worksrepresentingBalsamoandtheDauphin.FromthatdayLeopold,onhispart,neverfailedtoclaimthatpersonality,andprogressivelytorealizethecharacteroftheroleinaveryremarkablemanner,asweshallsee.

II.PERSONIFICATIONOFBALSAMOBYLEOPOLD

Thereisnoneed,Ithink,toremindthereaderofthewell-knownfact--sooftendescribedunderthenamesofobjectivityoftypes,personification,changeofpersonality,etc.--thatahypnotizedsubjectcanbetransformedbyawordintosuchotherlivingbeingasmaybedesired,accordingtothemeasureinwhichhissuggestibilityontheonehandandthevividnessofhisimaginationandthefulnessofhisstored-upknowledgeor-memoriesontheother,enableshimtofulfiltherolewhichisimposeduponhim.Withoutinvestigatingheretowhatextentmediumsmaybelikenedtohypnotizedsubjects,itisundeniablethatan

analogousphenomenontakesplaceinthem;buttheprocessismoregradual,andmayextenditselfoverseveralyears.Inplaceoftheimmediatemetamorphosiswhichmodifiesatonestrokeandinstantly,conformablytoaprescribedtype,theattitude,thephysiognomy,thegestures,thewords,theintonationsofvoice,thestyle,thehandwriting,andotherfunctionsbesides,weare,inthecaseofthemedium,inthepresenceofadevelopmentformedbysuccessivestagesarrangedaccordingtogrades,withintervalsofdifferentlengths,whichfinallysucceedincreatingacompletepersonality,allthemoreastonishing,atfirstsight,becausetheinvoluntarysuggestionshavenotbeennoticed,theaccumulationsofwhichhavelittlebylittlecauseditsbirth.ThisprocessofdevelopmentispresentinahighdegreeinthecaseofMlle.Smith,intheelaborationofhersecondarypersonality,Leopold-Cagliostro.

Inthebeginning,in1892and1893,this"spirit"onlymanifestedhimselfbythebriefperiodsofsleepwhichheinducedinHeleneatcertainseances,byrapsstruckuponthetable,byvisionsinwhichheshowedhimselfclothedinblackandofyouthfulappearance,and,morerarely,byauditivehallucinations.Hischaracterandthecontentofhismessagesweresummedupinimperious,authoritative,domineeringmanners,withthepretensionofclaimingMlle.Smithallforhimself,ofdefendingheragainsttheinfluencesoftheN.group,and,finally,ofdetachingherfromthatenvironment.

Therewasnothing,however,inthisgeneralcharacterofmonopolyandofprotectionwhichspeciallyrecalledtheBalsamoofhistoryorofromance.Thepersonificationofcompleteobjectivityofthisestablishedtypereallybeganonlyin1894,whenLeopoldhadnolongertostrugglewithanenvironmentforeigntohisnature.Thesubconsciouspsychologicaltaskofrealizationoftheproposedmodelcouldthenbefollowedbyhimmorefreely;inspiritisticterms,JosephBalsamowasabletomanifesthimselfandmakehimselfknowninamannermorecompletethroughHeleneasanintermediary,whilecontinuingtofollowandprotectherasthereincarnationoftheroyalobjectofhispassion.

AttheseancesheldwithM.Cuendet,LeopoldfrequentlyshowedhimselftoHeleneclothedafterthefashionofthelastcenturyandwithafacelikethatofLouisXVI.,underthedifferentphasesofhismultiplexgenius.Healsoshowedhimselftoherinhislaboratory,surroundedbyutensilsandinstrumentsappropriatetothesorcererandalchemistthathewas;or,again,asthephysicianandpossessorofsecretelixirs,theknowledgeofwhichisproductiveofconsultationsorremediesfortheuseofsitterswhoneedthem;or,again,asthe

illuminedtheosophist,theverboseprophetofthebrotherhoodofman,whodiffuseslimpingAlexandrineverses--whichseemtohavebeeninheritedfromhispredecessor,VictorHugo--containingexhortationsalittleweakattimes,butalwaysstampedwithapuremoraltone,elevatedandnoblesentiments,andaverytouchingreligiousspirit--inshort,afineexampleofthat"ethico-deificverbiage"(ifImaybeallowedtheexpression,whichisanAmericanism),which,bothinproseandinverse,isoneofthemostfrequentandestimableproductsofmediumship.

Butitwasnotuntil1895thatLeopold,benefitingbytheprogressmadebytheautomaticphenomenainHelene,multipliedandperfectedhisprocessesofcommunication.Thefirststepconsistedinsubstituting,inhisdictationsbyspelling,themovementsofthehandorofasinglefingerforthoseofthewholetable.Thiswastheimmediateresultofasuggestionofmine.

Thesecondstepinadvancewasthehandwriting,whichshowstwostages.Inthefirst,LeopoldgaveHelenetheimpressionofaphrase(verbo-visualhallucination),whichshecopiedinpencilonasheetofpaper,inherownhandwriting.Thesecond,

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Fig.3.HandwritingofLeopold.

Fragmentsoftwoletters,oneinAlexandrineverse,theotherinprose,entirelyinthehandofLeopold,automaticallywrittenbyMlle.Smithinspontaneoushemisomnambulism.

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Fig.4.NormalhandwritingofMlle.Smith.whichwasonlyaccomplishedfivemonthslater,andwhichconsistedinwritingdirectlywithHelene'shand,permittedtheimmediateestablishmentofthreecuriousfacts.Oneis,thatLeopoldholdshispenintheusualmanner,thehandlerestingbetweenthethumbandtheindex-finger,whileHelene,inwriting,alwaysholdsherpen-handleorpencilbetweentheindexandmiddlefingers,averyrarehabitwithus.ThenextisthatLeopoldhasanentirelydifferenthandwritingfromthatofHelene,acalligraphymoreregular,larger,morepainstaking,andwithmarkeddifferencesintheformationoftheletters(seeFigs.and).Thethirdisthatheusesthestyleofhandwritingofthelastcentury,andputsanoinsteadofanainthetensesof

theverbs,j'amois,forj'amais,etc.ThesethreecharacteristicshehasneverdepartedfromduringallthefouryearsthatIhavebeenaccumulatingspecimensofhishandwriting.

Thefollowingisaresumeoftheseancesatwhichthesetwoinnovationstookplace.

April21,1895.--AsIhadjustaskedLeopoldaquestionwhichhedidnotlike,Helene,beinginastateofhemisomnambulism,withapencilandsomesheetsofpaperplacedbeforeher,inthehopeofobtainingsomecommunication(notfromLeopold),seemedabouttoplungeintoaveryinterestingperusalofoneoftheblanksheets;then,atmyrequest,whichshewithdifficultycomprehended,shecommencedtowriterapidlyandnervouslyonanothersheet,inherusualhandwriting,acopyoftheimaginarytextwhichLeopoldwasshowingher("influidletters,"ashesaidafterwardsattheseance)asfollows:"Mythoughtsarenotthythoughts,andthywishesarenotmine,friendFlournoy--Leopold."AtthefinalawakeningHelenerecognizedperfectlyherownhandwritinginhisphrase,buthadnorecollectionoftheoccurrence.

September22,1895.--AfterdifferentvisionsandsomestanzasofVictorHugo,dictatedbythetable,Heleneappearedtosufferconsiderablyinherrightarm,whichshewasholdingatthewristwithherlefthand,whenthetableatwhichshewasseatedgaveoutthefollowing,dictatedbyLeopold:"Ishallholdherhand,"meaningthatitwashe,Leopold,whowascausingMlle.Smithtosufferpainbyseizingherrighthand.Assheseemedtofeelverybadlyandbegantoweep,Leopoldwasaskedtodesist;butherefused,and,stillspeakingthroughthetable,said,"Givehersomepaper,"then,"Morelight."Writingmaterialwasfurnishedherandthelampbroughtin,whichHelenegazedatfixedly,whileLeopoldcontinuedtodictate(thistimewiththelittlefingerofherlefthand),"Lethergazeonthelampuntilsheforgetsthepaininherarm."Shethenseemed,infact,toforgetherpain,andtofindsatisfactioninlookingatthelamp;thenshefastenedhereyesonthepaper,andseemedtoreadsomethingtherewhichsheendeavoredtocopyinpencil.Butheretherighthandbeganacuriousalternationofcontrarymotions,expressinginaveryclearmanneracontestwithLeopold,whowastryingtocompelhertoholdthepencilinacertainway,whichHelenerefusedtodo,withagreatpretenceofanger.Shepersistedinholdingitbetweentheindexandmiddlefingers,aswasherwont,whileLeopoldwantedhertoholditintheusualway,betweenthethumbandtheindex-finger,andsaid:"Idonotwishherto...sheisholdingthepencilverybadly."Therightindex-

fingerthenwentthroughaverycomicalgymnasticperformance,beingseizedwithatremor,whichcausedhertoplaceitononesideortheotherofthepencil,accordingtowhetheritwasLeopoldorHelenewhowasvictorious;duringthistimeshefrequentlyraisedhereyes,withalooksometimesreproachful,sometimessupplicating,asiftogazeatLeopoldstandingbyhersideendeavoringtoforcehertoholdthepencilinthemannerhepreferred.Afteracontestofnearlytwentyminutes,Helene,vanquishedandcompletelysubduedbyLeopold,seemedtobeabsent,whileherhand,holdingthepencilinthemannershedidnotlike,wroteslowlythetwofollowinglines,followedbyarapidandfeverishsignatureofLeopold:

"Mesverssontsimauvaisquepourtoij'auroisdu

Laisseratoutjamaislepoetetetu.--LEOPOLD."

[paragraphcontinues]Anallusion,whichwasofnoimportance,toaremarkmadebymeatthecommencementoftheseanceontheversesofVictorHugoandthoseofLeopoldfrequentlydictatedbythetable.Theseancelastedsometimelonger;onawakening,HelenevaguelyrememberedhavingseenLeopold,butknewnothingmoreconcerningthehandwritingscene.

Itisafactthatwhileherotherincarnationsarealwaysaccomplishedpassivelyandwithoutanystruggle,thatofLeopoldhasthepeculiarityofregularlyprovokingmoreorlessresistanceonthepartofHelene."IdonotmakeofherallthatIwish...sheisheadstrong....IdonotknowwhetherIshallsucceed....IdonotbelieveIcanmasterherto-day..."repliesheoftenwhenaskedtoincarnatehimselforwritewithherhand,and,indeed,hiseffortsoftenfail.ThereexistsbetweenHeleneandherguideacuriousphenomenonofcontrastandopposition,whichonlybreaksoutinthehigherandmorerecentformsofmotorautomatism,thehandwriting,thespeech,orthecompleteincarnation,butfromwhichthesensorymessagesandsimplerapsonthetableorofthefingerarefree.Itisverypossiblethattheidea,veryantipathetictoHelene,ofthehypnotizermasteringhissubjectsinspiteofthemselves--ofthedisincarnatedCagliostrousinghismediumasasimpletool--hasbeensubconsciouslytheoriginofthisconstantnoteofrevoltagainstthetotaldominationofLeopold,andoftheintensesufferingwhichaccompaniedhisfirstincarnations,andwhichhasslowlydiminishedthroughherbecomingaccustomedtotheprocess,thoughithasneverbeencompletelybanished.

Afterthehandwriting,initsturncamespeech,whichalsowasattainedbymeansoftwostages.InafirstattemptLeopoldonlysucceededingivingHelenehisintonationandpronunciationafteraseanceinwhichshesufferedacutelyinhermouthandinherneck,asthoughhervocalorganswerebeingmanipulatedorremoved;shebegantotalkinanaturaltone,andwasapparentlywideawakeandfeelingwell,butspokewithadeepbassvoice,andastrong,easilyrecognizableItalianaccent.ItwasnotuntilayearlaterthatLeopoldwasfinallyabletospeakhimselfbythemouthofMlle.Smith,whileshewascompletelyentranced,andwhodidnotretainonawakeninganymemoryofthisstrangeoccurrence.Sincethenthecompletecontrolofthemediumbyherguideisafrequentoccurrenceattheseances,andaffordsatableauverycharacteristicandalwaysimpressive.

Leopoldsucceedsinincarnatinghimselfonlybyslowdegreesandprogressivestages.Helenethenfeelsasthoughherarmshadbeenseized,orasiftheywereabsentaltogether;thenshecomplainsofdisagreeablesensations,whichwereformerlypainful,inherthroat,thenapeofherneck,andinherhead;hereyelidsdroop;herexpressionchanges;herthroatswellsintoasortofdoublechin,whichgivesheralikenessofsomesorttothewell-knownfigureofCagliostro.Allatoncesherises,then,turningslowlytowardsthesitterwhomLeopoldisabouttoaddress,drawsherselfupproudly,turnsherbackquickly,sometimeswithherarmscrossedonherbreastwithamagisterialair,sometimeswithoneofthemhangingdownwhiletheotherispointedsolemnlytowardsheaven,andwithherfingersmakesasortofmasonicsign,whichnevervaries.Soonafteraseriesofhiccoughs,sighs,andvariousnoisesindicatethedifficultyLeopoldisexperiencingintakingholdofthevocalapparatus;thewordscomeforthslowlybutstrong;thedeepbassvoiceofaman,slightlyconfused,withapronunciationandaccentmarkedlyforeign,certainlymorelikeItalianthananythingelse.Leopoldisnotalwayseasilyunderstood,especiallywhenhisvoiceswellsandthundersoutareplytosomeindiscreetquestionortothedisrespectfulremarksofsomeskepticalsitter.Hespeaksthickly,pronouncesglikej,andallhisu'slikeou,accentsthefinalsyllables,embellisheshisvocabularywithobsoletewords,orwordswhichdonotfitthecircumstances,suchasfioleforbouteille,omnibusfortramways,etc.Heispompous,grandiloquent,unctuous,sometimessevereandterrible,sometimesalsosentimental.Hesays"thee"and"thou"toeverybody,andappearstobelievethatheisstillgrand-masterofthesecretsocieties,fromtheemphaticandsonorousmannerinwhichhepronouncesthewords"Brother"or"Andthou,mysister,"bywhichheaddressesthesitters.Althoughhegenerallyaddresseshimselftooneoftheminparticular,andholdsverylittlecollectivediscourse,heisintouchwitheveryone,listensto

everythingthatissaid,andeachonemayhavehisturninconversationwithhim.Ordinarilyhekeepshiseyelidsclosed:hehas,nevertheless,beenpersuadedtoopenhiseyesinordertopermitthetakingofaphotographbyaflashlight.IregretthatMlle.Smithwouldnotconsenttothepublicationofherphotographs,eitherinhernormalstateorinthatofLeopold,inconnectionwiththereproductionofaportraitofCagliostro.[**]Thereadermayassurehimselfthatwhensheincarnatesherguideshereallyassumesacertainresemblanceoffeaturestohim,andthereissomethinginherattitudewhichissometimessomewhattheatrical,butsometimesreallymajestic,whichcorrespondswelltothegenerallyreceivedideaofthispersonage,whetherheisregardedasacleverimpostororasawonderfulgenius.

SpeechistheapogeeoftheincarnationsofLeopold;ofteninterruptedbyfitsofhiccoughsandspasms,itseemstobeinjurioustoHelene'sorganism,andtherearesomeseancesatwhichattemptstoproduceitfailtosucceed.Leopold,ontheseoccasions,indicateshisimpotenceandthefatigueofthemediumbyhisgestures,andisthenreducedtothenecessityofexpressinghimselfbydigitaldictationsorhandwriting,orelsetogivingHeleneverbo-auditivehallucinations,thecontentofwhichsherepeatsinhernaturalvoice.

Fromthepointofviewofeaseandmobilityoftheentireorganism,thereisanotabledifferencebetweenLeopoldandtheotherincarnationsofHelene:theselastseemtobeeffectedwithmuchmorefacilitythaninthecaseofthatofherguideparexcellence.InthecaseoftheHindooprincessandthatofMarieAntoinette,theperfectionoftheplay,thesupplenessandfreedomofmovement,arealwaysadmirable.Itistruethereisnoquestionhere,accordingtothespiritisticdoctrineandthesubconsciousideasofMlle.Smith,ofincarnationsproperlysocalled,sinceitissheherselfwhosimplyreturnstothatwhichsheformerlywas,byasortofreversionorprenatalecmnesia;shedoesnotundergo,inconsequence,anyforeignpossession,andcanintheserolespreservehernaturalidentityandtheentiredispositionofherfaculties.Butstilltheoccasionalincarnationofdifferentpersonalities,suchasthoseofdeceasedparentsorfriendsofthespectators,areoftenmoreeasilyandquicklyeffectedthanthatofLeopold.Helenemovesinthesecaseswithmorevivacityandchangesofattitude.IntheroleofCagliostro,ontheotherhand,withtheexceptionofthegrandioseandnotveryfrequentmovementsofthearms,oncestanding,sheremainsmotionless,oronlywithdifficultyadvancingalittlewaytowardsthepersontowhomsheaddressesherdiscourse.

ThecontentoftheoralconversationsofLeopold,aswellasofhisothermessagesbythevarioussensoryandmotorprocesses,istoovariedformetodescribehere:thenumerousexamplesscatteredthroughthisworkonlycangiveanideaofit.

III.LEOPOLDANDTHETRUEJOSEPHBALSAMO

ItwouldnaturallybesupposedthatLeopoldwouldhavegivenus,bymeansofthepsychologicalperfectionofhispartialortotalincarnationsandbythecontentofhismessages;suchalivinglikenessofCagliostrothattherewouldhavebeenoccasiontoaskwhetheritisnotreallythelatterwhoactually"returns,"inthesamewaythatDr.HodgsonandhiscolleaguesaskthemselveswhetheritisnotactuallyGeorgePelhamwhomanifestshimselfthroughMrs.Piper.Letussuppose,forexample,thatLeopoldpossessedahandwriting,anorthography,astyleidenticalwiththatwhichisfoundhereandthereinthemanuscriptsofJosephBalsamo;thathespokeFrench,Italian,orGerman,asthatcosmopolitanadventurerdid,andwithallthesamepeculiarities;thathisconversationsandmessageswerefullofpreciseallusionstoactualeventsinhislife,andalsoofunpublishedbutverifiablefacts,etc.InthatcasethedifficultanddelicatetaskofprovingthatMlle.Smithhadnoknowledgethroughnormalmethodsofthesethousandexactfeatureswouldstillremain,andweshouldnotbeforcedtoaskwhetherthissoi-disantauthenticrevenantissimplyaverywell-gotten-upsimulacrum,anadmirablereconstruction,amarvellousimitation,suchasthesubliminalfacultiesareonlytoogladtoproduceforthediversionofpsychologistsandthemystificationofthesimple.

Thisproblemisnotgiventous.Iregretit,butitistrue,nevertheless--tomymind,atleast,forinthesemattersitisprudenttospeakonlyforone'sself--thatthereisnoreasontosuspecttherealpresenceofJosephBalsamobehindtheautomatismsofMlle.Smith.

ThatthereareverycuriousanalogiesbetweenwhatisknowntousofCagliostroandcertaincharacteristictraitsofLeopold,Idonotdeny,buttheyarepreciselysuchasaccordverywellwiththesuppositionofthesubliminalmedley.

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Fig.5.HandwritingofJosephBalsamo.

Fragmentofalettertohiswife,reproducedinL'IsographiedesHommes

celebres.

Letusconsiderfirstthehandwriting.Tofacilitatethecomparison,Ihavereproducedhere(seepp.and)somefragmentsoflettersofCagliostroandofLeopoldandofHelene.Letussuppose--whichis,perhaps,opentodiscussion--thatthehandwritingofLeopold,byitsregularity,itsfirmness,resemblesthatofBalsamomorethanthatofMlle.Smith;thedegreeofresemblancedoesnot,Ithink,gobeyondthatwhichmightbeexpectedconsideringthenotoriousfactthathandwritingreflectsthepsychologicaltemperamentandmodifiesitselfinaccordancewiththestateofthepersonality.[**]

ItiswellknownhowthecalligraphyofasubjectvariesaccordingtothesuggestionthatheshallpersonateNapoleon,Harpagon,alittlegirl,oranoldman;thereisnothingsurprisinginthefactthatthehypnoidsecondarypersonalityofHelene,whichimaginesitselftobethepowerfulandmanlyCountofCagliostro,shouldbeaccompaniedbymusculartensionscommunicatingtothehandwritingitselfalittleofthatsolidityandbreadthwhicharefoundintheautographofBalsamo.Tothis,however,theanalogyislimited.ThedissimilaritiesinthedetailandtheformationofthelettersaresuchthattheonlyconclusionwhichtheywarrantisthatMlle.Smith,orhersubconsciousness,hasneverlaideyesonthemanuscriptsofCagliostro.Theyare,indeed,rare,butthefacilitiesshemighthavehad,ofwhichshehasriotthoughtoftaking

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Fig.6.NormalHandwritingofMlle.Smith

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Fig.7.HandwritingofLeopold.

Fragmentandsignatureofoneofhisletters,writtenbyMlle.Smith,inspontaneoushemisomnambulism.advantage,forconsultingintheGenevapubliclibrarythesamevolumefromwhichItook,wouldprove,atleast,hergoodfaithandherhonesty,ifitwereintheleastnecessary.TheextravagantsignatureofLeopoldwithwhichallhismessagesaresubscribed(see)recallsinnowisethatofAlessandrodiCagliostroatthebottomof.

Thearchaicformsoforthography,j'auroisforj'aurais,etc.,whichappearabovethefirstautographofLeopold(see),andwhichoccuragaininthemessagesof

MarieAntoinette,constituteaveryprettyhit,ofwhichtheordinaryselfwouldprobablyneverdreambywayofvoluntaryimitation,butbywhichthesubconsciousimaginationhasseenfittoprofit.ItisundoubtedlyamatterforwondermentthatMlle.Smith,whohasnotgoneverydeepintoliterarystudies,should,nevertheless,haveretainedtheseorthographicpeculiaritiesoftheeighteenthcentury;butwemustnotoverlookthefinenessofchoice,therefinedsensibility,theconsummate,albeitinstinctive,artwhichpresidesoverthesortingandstoringawayofthesubconsciousmemories.Bysomenaturalaffinity,theideaofapersonageofacertainepochattractsandgathersintoitsneteverythingthatthesubjectcanpossiblylearnorhearspokenconcerningthefashionofwriting,ofspeaking,oracting,peculiartothatepoch.IdonotknowwhetherBalsamoeverusedtheFrenchlanguageandtheorthographythatLeopoldemploys.Evenifhedid,itwouldnotweakenthehypothesisofthesubliminalimitation,butif,ontheotherhand,itshouldbeascertainedthathedidnot,thehypothesiswouldbegreatlystrengthenedthereby.

Asforthespeech,Iamignorantastohow,withwhataccentandwhatpeculiaritiesofpronunciation,BalsamospoketheFrenchtongue,andtowhatdegree,inconsequence,hisreconstructionbyHelene'ssubliminalfantasycorrectlyhitsit.Ifthispointcouldbeclearedup,itwouldprobablybefoundtobejustlikethatofthehandwriting.Nothingcouldbemorenaturalthantoascribetothechevalierd'industrieofPalermoaverymasculine,deep-bassvoice,and,itgoeswithoutsaying,asItalianaspossible.Itmustbenoted,too,thatMlle.Smithoftenheardherfatherspeakthatlanguage,whichheknewverywell,withseveralofhisfriends;butthat,ontheotherhand,shedoesnotspeakit,andhasneverlearnedit.Leopold,however,doesnotknowItalian,andturnsadeafearwhenanyoneaddresseshiminthatlanguage.Theintonation,theattitude,thewholephysiognomy,inshort,accordwiththeseremarks.AstotheextremelyvariedcontentoftheconversationsandmessagesofLeopold,wearenotobligedtoconsiderBalsamoastheirnecessaryauthor.WheneverythingrelatingtoMlle.Smithandthesitters,butwhichhasnothingtodowiththelastcentury,hasbeensweptaside,togetherwiththespiritisticdissertationsinregardtothe"fluid"mannerinwhichLeopoldexists,perceives,andmoves,thethreesubjectsorcategoriesofcommunicationsstillremain,whichmeritarapidexamination.

Inthefirstplace,there.aretheanswersofLeopoldtothequestionsputtohimconcerninghisterrestriallife.Theseanswersareremarkablyevasiveorvague.Notaname,notadate,notaprecisefactdoeshefurnish.Weonlylearnthathe

hastravelledextensively,sufferedgreatly,studieddeeply,donemuchgood,andhealedagreatmanysickfolk;butnowheseesthingstooloftytothinkanymoreabouthistoricdetailsofthepast,anditiswithunconcealeddisgustordirectwordsofreproachfortheidlecuriosityofhiscarnalquestionersthathehastenstoturntheconversation,likeSocrates,tomoralsubjectsandthoseofaloftyphilosophy,wherehefeelsevidentlymoreatease.Whenheisfurtherpressedhebecomesangrysometimes,andsometimesingenuouslyavowshisignorance,envelopingitmeanwhileinanairofprofoundmystery."Theyareaskingthesecretofmylife,ofmyacts,ofmythoughts.Icannotanswer."Thisdoesnotfacilitateinvestigationofthequestionofidentity.

Inthesecondplacecometheconsultationsandmedicalprescriptions.Leopoldaffectsaloftydisdainformodernmedicineandphenicacid.Heisasarchaicinhistherapeuticsasinhisorthography,andtreatsallmaladiesaftertheancientmode.Bathsofpressedgrape-skinsforrheumatism,aninfusionofcoltsfootandjuniper-berryinwhitewineforinflammationsofthechest,thebarkofthehorse-chestnutinredwineanddouchesofsaltwaterastonics,tisanesofhopsandotherflowers,camomile,oiloflavender,theleavesoftheash,etc.;allthesedonotaccordbadlywithwhatBalsamomighthaveprescribedacenturyormoreago.Themisfortune,fromtheevidentialpointofview,isthatMlle.Smith'smotherisextremelywellversedinalltheresourcesofpopularmedicinewhereoldrecipesareperpetuated.Shehashadoccasiontonursemanysickpeopleinherlife,knowsthevirtuesofdifferentmedicinalplants,andconstantlyemploys,withasagacitywhichIhaveoftenadmired,anumberofthoseremediesspokenofas"old-women's,"whichmaketheyoungdoctorsfreshfromtheclinicsmile,buttowhichtheywillmorethanonceresortinsecretafterafewyearsofmedicalexperience.

Finally,therestillremainthesentimentsofLeopoldforHelene,whichheclaimsareonlythecontinuationofthoseofCagliostroforMarieAntoinette.Myignoranceofhistorydoesnotpermitmetopronouncecategoricallyonthispoint.ThattheQueenofFrancedidhavesomesecretinterviewswiththefamous"gold-maker,"duetosimplecuriosityortoquestionsofmaterialinterest,thereisnodoubt,Ibelieve;butthathisfeelingsforhissovereignwereacuriouscombinationofthedespairingpassionofCardinalRohanforthequeen,withtheabsoluterespectwhichAlexandreDumas,pere,ascribestoJosephBalsamotowardsLorenzaFeliciani,appearstomelessevident.

Inshort,iftherevelationsofLeopoldhavetrulyunveiledtousshadesoffeeling

ofCountCagliostrohithertounsuspected,andofwhichlaterdocumentaryresearchesshallconfirmthehistoriccorrectness--why,somuchthebetter,forthatwillfinallyestablishatraceofthesupernormalinthemediumshipofHelene!

IV.LEOPOLDANDMLLE.SMITH

Theconnectionbetweenthesetwopersonalitiesistoocomplexforaprecisedescription.Thereisneitheramutualexclusion,asbetweenMrs.PiperandPhinuit,whoappearreciprocallytobeignorantofeachotherandtobeseparatedbythetightestofpartitions;norasimplejointing,asinthecaseofFelidaX.,whosesecondarystateenvelopsandoverflowsthewholeprimarystate.Thisismoreofacrossingoflines,butofwhichthelimitsarevagueandwithdifficultyassignable.Leopoldknows,foresees,andrecallsverymanythingsofwhichthenormalpersonalityofMlle.Smithknowsabsolutelynothing,notonlyofthosewhichshemaysimplyhaveforgotten,butofthoseofwhichsheneverhadanyconsciousness.Ontheotherhand,heisfarfrompossessingallthememoriesofHelene;heisignorantofaverygreatpartofherdailylife;evensomeverynotableincidentsescapehimentirely,whichexplainshiswayofsayingthat,tohisgreatregret,hecannotremainconstantlybyher,beingobligedtooccupyhimselfwithothermissions(concerningwhichhehasneverenlightenedus)whichobligehimoftentoleaveherforatime.

Thesetwopersonalitiesare,therefore,notco-extensive;eachonepassesbeyondtheotheratcertainpoints,withoutitsbeingpossibleforustosaywhichis,onthewhole,themoreextended.Astotheircommondomain,ifitcannotbedefinedbyonewordwithentirecertainty,itappears,nevertheless,tobechieflyconstitutedbyitsconnectionwiththeinnermostrangesofthebeing,bothphysiologicalandpsychological,asmightbesuspectedfromwhatIremarkedaboveconcerningtherealoriginofLeopold.Physicianofthesoulandofthebody,directorofconscience,andatthesametimehygieniccounsellor,hedoesnotalwaysmanifesthimselfimmediately,butheisalwayspresentwhenHelene'svitalinterestsareinvolved.Thiswillbemadeclearerbytwoorthreeconcreteexamples,whichwillatthesametimeillustratesomeofthepsychologicalprocessesbywhichLeopoldmanifestshimselftoHelene.

Itmustbeadmittedthatthereisadisagreementandoppositionascompleteaspossible(buthowfardoesthis"possible"go?)whenHelene,inatleastanapparentlywakingstate,converseswithherguide,manifestlybyapartial

sensoryormotorautomatism;forexample,inthecasecitedonpage,whereLeopold,notsharingtheallochiriaofHelene,declaredbythetablethatshewaswrong,soemphaticallythatsheprotestedandbecameangry;also,wheninverbo-auditivehallucinations,orbyautomatichandwriting,heentersintodiscussionwithher,andsheholdsherownwithhim;or,again,whentheorganismseemstobedividedupbetweentwodifferentpersons,LeopoldspeakingbyHelene'smouth,withhisaccent,andutteringhisownideastoher,andshecomplaining,inwriting,ofpainsinherheadandthroat,withoutunderstandingtheircause.Nevertheless,inthesecasesofdivisionoftheconsciousness,whichappeartoamounttoitscuttingintwo,itisdoubtfulwhetherthispluralityismorethanapparent.IamnotpositiveofhavingeverestablishedwithHeleneaveritablesimultaneityofdifferentconsciousnesses.AttheverymomentatwhichLeopoldwritesbyherhand,speaksbyhermouth,dictatestothetable,uponobservingherattentivelyIhavealwaysfoundherabsorbed,preoccupied,asthoughabsent;butsheinstantaneouslyrecoversherpresenceofmindandtheuseofherwakingfacultiesattheendofthemotorautomatism.Inshort,thatwhichfromtheoutsideistakenforthecoexistenceofdistinctsimultaneouspersonalitiesseemstometobeonlyanalternation,arapidsuccessionbetweenthestateofHelene-consciousnessandthestateofLeopold-consciousness;and,inthecasewherethebodyseemstobejointlyoccupiedbytwoindependentbeings--therightside,forinstance,beingoccupiedbyLeopold,andtheleftbyHelene,ortheHindooprincess--thepsychicaldivisionhasneverseemedtometoberadical,butmanyindicationshavecombinedtomakemeoftheopinionthatbehindallwasanindividualityperfectlyself-conscious,andenjoyingthoroughly,alongwiththespectators,thecomedyofthepluralexistences.

Asinglefundamentalpersonality,puttingthequestionsandgivingtheanswers,quarrellingwithitselfinitsowninterior--inaword,enactingallthevariousrolesofMlle.Smith--isafittinginterpretation,whichaccordsverywellwiththefactsasIhaveobservedtheminHelene,andverymuchbetterthanthetheoryofapluralityofseparateconsciousnesses,ofapsychologicalpolyzoism,sotospeak.Thislasttheoryisdoubtlessmoreconvenientforaclearandsuperficialdescriptionofthefacts,butIamnotatallconvincedthatitconformstotheactualconditionofaffairs.

Itisastateofconsciousnesssuigeneris,whichitisimpossibleadequatelytodescribe,andwhichcanonlyberepresentedbytheanalogyofthosecuriousstates,exceptionalinthenormalwakinglife,butlessrareindreams,whenone

seemstochangehisidentityandbecomesomeoneelse.

HelenehasmorethanoncetoldmeofhavinghadtheimpressionofbecomingorbeingmomentarilyLeopold.Thishappensmostfrequentlyatnight,oruponawakeninginthemorning.Shehasfirstafugitivevisionofherprotector;thenitseemsthatlittlebylittleheissubmergedinher;shefeelshimovercomingandpenetratingherentireorganism,asifhereallybecameherorshehim.Thesemixedstatesareextremelyinterestingtothepsychologist;unhappily,becausetheygenerallytakeplaceinaconditionofconsecutiveamnesia,orbecausethemediumsdonotknowhow,ordonotwish,togiveacompleteaccountofthem,itisveryrarethatdetaileddescriptionsareobtained.

Betweenthetwoextremesofcompletedualityandcompleteunitynumerousintermediatestatesaretobeobserved;or,atleast,sincetheconsciousnessofanothercannotbedirectlypenetrated,thesemixedstatesmaybeinferredfromtheconsequenceswhichspringfromthem.

Ithashappened,forexample,that,believingtheyweredealingwithLeopoldalone,thoroughlyincarnatedanddulysubstitutedforthepersonalityofMlle.Smith,thesittershaveallowedtoescapethemonthataccountsomeill-timedpleasantry,someindiscreetquestionortoofreecriticisms,allinnocentenoughandwithoutevilintention,butstillofanaturetowoundHeleneifshehadheardthem,andfromwhichtheauthorswouldcertainlyhaveabstainedinherpresenceinawakingstate.

Leopoldhasnotstooduponceremonyinputtingdowntheseimprudentbabblers,andtheincident,generally,hashadnofurtherconsequences.ButsometimesthewordsandbearingofMlle.Smithfordaysorweeksafterwardsshowthatshewasawareoftheimprudentremarks,whichprovesthattheconsciousnessofLeopoldandherownarenotseparatedbyanimpenetrablebarrier,butthatosmoticchangesareeffectedfromtheonetotheother.Itisordinarilypointedandirritatingremarkswhichcausethetrouble,whichgoestoprovethatitisthefeelingsofself-loveorpersonalsusceptibilitythatformineachoneofustheinmostfortificationsofthesocialself,andarethelasttobedestroyedbysomnambulism,orthattheyconstitutethefundamentalsubstratum,thecommonbasebywhichLeopoldandMlle.Smithformawholeandminglethemselvesinthesameindividuality.

Thepsychologicalprocessofthistransmissionisvariedfromanothercause.

Sometimesitappearsthattheconsecutiveamnesiaofthetrancehasbeenbrokenastothemostpiquantdetails,andthatHeleneclearlyremembersthatwhichhasbeensaid,inthepresenceofLeopold,disagreeabletoherself.SometimesitisLeopoldhimselfwhorepeatstohertheunpleasantexpressionswhichhavebeenused,withcommentariescalculatedtolessentheireffectandtoexcusetheculprits:foritisaninterestingtraitofhischaracterthatheundertakeswithHelenethedefenceofthosesamepersonswhomhereprimandsandblames,acontradictionnotatallsurprisingwhenitispsychologicallyinterpreted,consideringthehabitualconflictofemotionalmotivesortendencies,thewarfarewhichoppositepointsofviewisincessantlycarryingoninourinmostbeing.Sometimes,again,itisinadreamthatthejunctioniseffectedbetweenthesomnambulisticconsciousnessofLeopoldandthenormalconsciousnessofHelene.

Aproposofthelastcase,hereisanexamplecontainingnothingdisagreeable,inwhichHelenerememberedinherwakingstateanocturnaldream,whichwasitselfarepetitionorecho,innaturalsleep,ofasomnambulisticsceneofthepreviousevening.

InaseanceatwhichIassisted,shortlyaftermyrecoveryfromanattackofcongestionofthelungs,Helene,completelyentranced,hasavisionofLeopold-Cagliostro,who,intheroleofsympatheticphysician,comestoholdaconsultationwithme.Aftersomepreliminariesshekneelsdownbymychair,and,lookingalternatelyatmychestandatthefictitiousdoctorstandingbetweenus,sheholdsalongconversationwithhim,inwhichsheexplainstheconditionofmylungs,whichsheseesinimagination,andthetreatmentwhichLeopoldprescribes,somewhatasfollows:

[paragraphcontinues]"...Itisthelungs...itisdarker...itisonesidewhichhasbeenaffected...Yousaythatitisasevereinflammation--andcanthatbehealed?...Tellme,whatmustbedone...Oh,wherehaveIseenanyoftheseplants?...Idon'tknowwhattheyarecalled...those...Idon'tunderstandverywell...thosesynantherous?...Oh,whataqueername...Wherearetheytobefound?...Yousayitbelongstothefamilyof...thenithasanothername?Tellmewhatitis...sometissulages[sic]...Thenyouthinkthisplantisgoodforhim?...Ah!butexplainthistome...thefreshleavesorthedriedflowers?Threetimesaday,alargehandfulinapint...andthenhoneyandmilk....Iwilltellhimthathemustdrinkthreecupsaday..."etc.Thenfollowedverydetaileddirectionsastotreatment,variousinfusions,blisters,etc.

Thewholescenelastedmorethananhour,followedbycompleteamnesia,andnothingwassaidtoHeleneaboutit,asitwashalf-pastsixintheevening,andshewasinhastetoreturnhome.Thenextdayshewrotemeaseven-pageletterinwhichshedescribedaverystrikingdreamshehadhadduringthenight."...Ifellasleepabouttwoo'clockinthemorningandawakedataboutfive.Wasitavision?WasitadreamIhad?Idon'treallyknowwhattoconsideritanddarenotsay;butthisIdoknow,IsawmydearfriendLeopold,whospoketomealongtimeaboutyou,andIthinkIsawyoualso.Iaskedhimwhathethoughtofyourstateofhealth....Herepliedthatinhisopinionitwasfarfromre-established,Thatthepainyoufeelintherightsidecamefromaninflammationofthelungwhichhasbeenseriouslyaffected...YouwilldoubtlesslaughwhenItellyouthathealsodescribedtheremediesyououghttotake....Oneofthemisasimpleplant,whichiscalled,asnearlyasIcanremember,TissulageorTussilache,buthasalsoanothername,whichIcannotrecollect,butthefirstnamewilldoubtlesssuffice,sincehesaysyouarefamiliarwiththeplant..."etc.

WhatIhavesaidconcerningLeopoldisalsoapplicabletotheotherpersonificationsofMlle.Smith.ThenormalconsciousnessofHeleneminglesandfusesitselfineverywaywiththesomnambulisticconsciousnessofSimandini,ofMarieAntoinette,orsomeotherincarnation,asweshallsoonsee.Ipassnowtotheexaminationofsomedetailedexamples,destinedtothrowlightupontherolewhichLeopoldplaysinHelene'sexistence.

LetusbeginbylisteningtoLeopoldhimself.Amonghisnumerousmessages,thefollowingletter,writteninhisfinehandwritingbythehandofMlle.Smith--inresponsetoanoteinwhichIhadbeggedhim(asaspiritualbeinganddistinctfromher)toaidmeinmy"psychicresearches"--containsinformationforwhichIhadnotasked,butwhichwasnonethelessinteresting.ItmustnotbeforgottenthatitisthedisincarnateadorerofMarieAntoinettewhoiswriting:

"FRIEND,--Iampleasedandtouchedbythemarkofconfidenceyouhavedeignedtoaccordme.ThespiritualguideofMademoiselle[Smith],whomthe

[paragraphcontinues]SupremeBeinginhisinfinitegoodnesshaspermittedmetofindagainwithease,IdoallIcantoappeartoheroneveryoccasionwhenIdeemitnecessary;butmybody,or,ifyouprefer,thematteroflittlesolidityofwhichIamcomposed,doesnotalwaysaffordmethefacilityofshowingmyselftoherinapositivehumanmanner.[He,infact,appearedtoheroftenunderthe

formofelementaryvisualhallucinations,aluminoustrail,whitishcolumn,vaporousstreamer,etc.]

"ThatwhichIseekabovealltoinculcateinherisaconsolingandtruephilosophy,whichisnecessarytoherbyreasonoftheprofound,unhappyimpressions,whichevennowstillremaintoher,ofthewholedramaofherpastlife.Ihaveoftensownbitternessinherheart[whenshewasMarieAntoinette],desiringonlyherwelfare.Also,layingasideeverythingsuperfluous,Ipenetrateintothemosthiddenrecessesofhersoul,andwithanextremecareandincessantactivityIseektoimplanttherethosetruthswhichItrustwillaidherinattainingtheloftysummitoftheladderofperfection.

"Abandonedbymyparentsfrontmycradle,Ihave,indeed,knownsorrowearlyinlife.Likeall,Ihavehadmanyweaknesses,whichIhaveexpiated,andGodknowsthatIbowtoHiswill!

"Moralsufferinghasbeenmyprincipallot.Ihavebeenfullofbitterness,ofenvy,ofhatred,ofjealousy.Jealousy,mybrother!whatapoison,whatacorruptionofthesoul!

"Nevertheless,onerayhasshonebrightlyintomylife,andthatraysopure,sofullofeverythingthatmightpourbalmonmywoundedsoul,hasgiven,meaglimpseofheaven!

"Heraldofeternalfelicity!raywithoutspot!Goddeemedbesttotakeitbeforeme!Butto-clayitisgivenbacktome!MayHisholynamebeblessed!

"Friend,inwhatmannershallIreplytoyou?Iamignorantmyself,notknowingwhatitwillpleaseGodtorevealtoyou,butthroughherwhomyoucallMademoiselle[Smith],Godwilling,perhapsweshallbeabletosatisfyyou.

"Thyfriend,

"LEOPOLD."

Wecansee,undertheflowingdetailsofthespiritisticideasandhisroleastherepentantCagliostro,thatthedominantcharacteristicofLeopoldishisdeepplatonicattachmentforMlle.Smith,andanardentmoralsolicitudeforherandheradvancetowardsperfection.Thiscorrespondsperfectlywiththecharacterofthenumerousmessageswhichheaddressestoherinthecourseofherdaily

existence,asmayheseenfromthefollowingspecimen.Heisreferringtoacasewhere,afterhavingwarnedherontwooccasionsduringthedaybyauditivehallucinationsthathewouldmanifesthimselfintheevening,hegivesher,infact,byautomaticwritinginhisownhand,theencouragementshewasactuallyinneedofunderthecircumstancesinwhichshefoundherself.

Onemorning,atherdesk,Heleneheardanunknownvoice,strongerandnearertoherthanisusualwithLeopold,saytoher:"Untilthisevening";alittlelaterthesamevoice,whichshenowrecognizedasthatofLeopold,butofaqualityrougherandnearertoherthanwashishabit,saidtoher:"Youunderstandmewell,untilthisevening."Intheevening,havingreturnedhome,shewasexcitedatsupper,leftthetableinhastetowardstheendofthemeal,andshutherselfupinherroomwiththeideathatshewouldlearnsomething;but,presently,theinstinctiveagitationofherhandindicatedtoherthatsheshouldtakeherpencil,andhavingdoneso,sheobtainedinthebeautifulcalligraphyofLeopoldthefollowingepistle.(Shesaysthatsheremainedwideawakeandself-consciouswhilewritingit,anditistheonlyoccasionofasimilarcharacterwhenshehadknowledgeofthecontent.)

"MYBELOVEDFRIEND,--Whydoyouvexyourself,tormentyourselfso?Whyareyouindignant,because,asyouadvanceinlife,youareobligedtoacknowledgethatallthingsarenotasyouhadwishedandhopedtheymightbe?Isnottheroutewefollowonthisearthalwaysandforallofusstrewnwithrocks?isitnotanendlesschainofdeceptions,ofmiseries?Domethekindness,mydearsister,Ibegofyou,totellmethatfromthistimeforthyouwillceasefromendeavoringtoprobetoodeeplythehumanheart.Inwhatwillsuchdiscoveriesaidyou?Whatremainstoyouofthesethings,excepttearsandregrets?AndthenthisGodoflove,ofjustice,andoflife--isnotHetheonetoreadourhearts?ItisforHim,notforthee,toseeintothem.

"Wouldyouchangethehearts?Wouldyougivethemthatwhichtheyhavenot,alive,ardentsoul,neverdepartingfromwhatisright,just,andtrue?Becalm,then,inthefaceofalltheselittletroubles.Beworthy,and,aboveall,alwaysgood!IntheeIhavefoundagainthatheartandthatsoul,bothofwhichwillalwaysbeformeallmylife,allmyjoy,andmyonlydreamherebelow.

"Believeme:becalm:reflect:thatismywish."

"Thyfriend,

"LEOPOLD."

Ihavechosenthisexampleforthesakeofitsbrevity.Helenehasreceivedanumberofcommunicationsofthesamekind,sometimesinverse,inwhichthemoralandreligiousnoteisoftenstillmoreaccentuated.Inthegreaterpartwemeetwith,asinthenexttothelastphraseoftheforegoingletter,anallusiontothepresumedaffectionofCagliostroforMarieAntoinette.ItistobenoticedthatthereisnothingintheseexcellentadmonitionsthatahighandserioussoullikethatofMlle.Smithcouldnothavedrawnfromitsowndepthsinamomentofcontemplationandmeditation.

Isitabenefitoraninjurytothemoralandtrulyreligiouslifetoformulateitselfthusclearlyinverbalhallucinationsratherthantoremainintheconfusedbutmorepersonalstateofexperiencedaspirationsandstronglyexpressedemotions?Dotheseinspirationsgainorloseininwardauthorityandsubjectivepowerbyassumingthisexteriorgarbandthisaspectofobjectivity?Thisisadelicatequestion,probablynotsusceptibleofauniformsolution.

Inthefollowingincident,whichIrelateasanexampleamongmanyothersimilarones,itisnolonger,properlyspeaking,themoralandreligioussentimentspersonifiedinLeopold,butrathertheinstinctofreserveandofdefencepeculiartotheweakersex,thesenseoftheproprieties,theself-respect,tincturedwithashadeofexaggerationalmostamountingtoprudery.

InavisittoMlle.Smith,duringwhichIinquiredwhethershehadreceivedanyrecentcommunicationsfromLeopold,shetoldmeshehadonlyseenhimtwoorthreetimesinthelastfewdays,andhadbeenstruckbyhis"restlessandunhappy"air,insteadoftheair"sopleasant,sosweet,soadmirable,"whichhegenerallyhas.Asshedidnotknowtowhattoattributethischangeofcountenance,Iadvisedhertotakeherpencilandtowrapherselfinmeditation,withthehopeofobtainingsomeautomaticmessage.

Inaboutaminuteherexpressionindicatedthatshewasbeingtakenpossessionof;hereyeswerefixedonthepaper,uponwhichherlefthandrested,thethumbandlittlefingerbeingagitatedandcontinuallytapping(aboutonceasecond),therighthandhavingtriedtotakethepencilbetweentheindexandmiddlefinger(themannerofHelene),endedbyseizingitbetweenthethumbandtheindexfinger,andtracedslowlyinthehandwritingofLeopold:

"Yes,Iamrestless|pained,eveninanguish.|

[paragraphcontinues]Believestthou,friend,thatitiswithsatisfaction|thatIseeyoueverydayacceptingtheattentions,theflatteries;|Idonot,calltheminsincere,butoflittleworth,andlittlepraiseworthy|onthepartofthosefromwhomtheycome."|

Thistextwaswrittenatsixseparatetimes(markedbytheverticalbars),separatedbybriefmomentsoffullwakefulness,whenthetappingsofthelefthandceased,andwhenHelene,repeatinginaloudvoicewhatshewasabouttowrite,isverymuchastonished,doesnotknowtowhatLeopoldalludes,thenatmyrequesttakesherpenciltoobtainanexplanation,andfallsasleepagainduringthefollowingfragment.Attheendofthisbit,asshepersistsinsayingthatsheisignorantofwhatherefersto,IproceedtoquestionLeopold,whorepliesthatforseveraldaysHelenehaspermittedherselftobecourtedbyaM.V.(perfectlyhonorably),whooftenfoundhimselfonthesamestreet-carwithher,hadmadeaplaceforherbesidehimthelastfewmornings,andhadpaidhersomecomplimentsonherappearance.

TheserevelationsexcitedthelaughterandprotestationsofHelene,whocommencedtodenythatitcouldhavecomefromLeopold,andaccusedmeofhavingsuggestedittoherlittlefinger;buttherighthandtookthepencilandtracedthesewordsinthehandwritingandwiththesignatureofLeopold:"IonlysaywhatIthink,andIdesirethatyourefusehenceforthalltheflowersthathemayofferyou.--Leopold."ThistimeHelenerememberedtheincident,andrecollectedthatyesterdaymorninghehadofferedherarosewhichhewaswearingasaboutonniere.

EightdayslaterIpaidanothervisittoHelene,andafteranefforttosecuresomehandwriting,whichwasnotsuccessful,butresultedinaMartianvision(seeMartiantextNo.14),shehadavisualhallucinationofLeopold,andlosingconsciousnessoftheactualenvironmentandofmypresencealso,aswellasthatofhermother,sheflungherselfintoarunningconversationwithhiminregardtotheincidentofeightdayspreviously:"Leopold...Leopold...don'tcomenearme[repulsinghim].Youaretoosevere,Leopold!...WillyoucomeonSunday?IamgoingtobeatM.Flournoy'snextSunday.Youwillbethere...buttakegoodcarethatyoudonot...No,itisnotkindofyoualwaystodisclosesecrets....Whatmusthehavethought?...Youseemtomakeamountainoutofa

mole-hill....Andwhowouldthinkofrefusingaflower?Youdon'tunderstandatall....Why,then?Itwasaverysimplethingtoacceptit,amatterofnoimportancewhatever...torefuseitwouldhavebeenimpolite....Youpretendtoreadtheheart....Whygiveimportancetoathingthatamountstonothing?...Itisonlyasimpleactoffriendship,alittletokenofsympathy...tomakemewritesuchthingsonpaperbeforeeverybody!notniceofyou!"Inthissomnambulisticdialogue,inwhichwecandivineLeopold'sreplies,HelenetookforthemomenttheaccentofMarieAntoinette(seebelow,inthe"Royalcycle").Toawakenher,Leopold,whohadpossessionofHelene'sarms,madesomepassesoverherforehead,thenpressedthefrontalandsuborbitalnervesoftheleftside,andmademeasigntodothesamewiththoseoftheright.Theseanceofthenextdaybutone,atmyhouse,passedwithoutanyallusionbyLeopoldtotheincidentofthestreet-car,evidentlyonaccountofthepresenceofcertainsitterstowhomhedidnotwishtorevealHelene'ssecrets.But,threedaysafter,inanewvisit,duringwhichshetoldmeofhavinghadawakingdiscussionconcerningthefuturelife(withouttellingmewithwhom),sheagainwrote,inthehandofLeopold:"Itisnotinsuchsocietyasthisthatyououghtsoseriouslytodiscusstheimmortalityofthesoul."Shethenconfessedthatitwasagainonthestreet-car,andwithM.V.,thatshehadheldthatconversationwhileafuneralprocessionwaspassing.TherewasneveranythingthatmighthavebeenofacompromisingcharacterintheexchangeofcourtesiesandtheoccasionalconversationsofMlle.Smithwithherneighborofthestreet-car.ThetroublethatitcausedpoorLeopoldwasverycharacteristicofhim,andwellindicatedthesevereandjealouscensorwhoformerlyhadworriedtheN.group;therecanbeheardagaintheechoofthatvoice,"whichhasabsolutelynothingtodowiththeconscience"(seepp.and),andwhichhashithertopreventedHelenefromacceptinganyofthesuitorswhomshehasencounteredinthecourseofherjourneythroughlife.Thisaustereandrigorousmentor,alwayswideawake,andtakingoffenceattheleastfreedomwhichMlle.Smithallowsherselfintheexchangeoftriflingcourtesies,represents,infact,averycommonpsychologicalattribute;itisnoteverywell-bredfemininesoulthatcarriesstoredinoneofitsrecesses,whereitmanifestsitspresencebyscruplesmoreorlessvaguelyfelt,certainhesitationsorapprehensions,inhibitingfeelingsortendenciesofashadeofintensityvaryingaccordingtotheageandthetemperament.

Itisnotmyparttodescribethisdelicatephenomenon.Itsufficesmetoremarkthathere,asintheethico-religiousmessages,thepersonalityofLeopoldhasinnowayaidedtheessentialcontentofthoseinwardexperiencesofwhichMlle.Smithisperfectlycapablebyherself;theformonlyoftheirmanifestationhas

gainedinpicturesqueanddramaticexpressioninthemise-en-sceneoftheautomatichandwritingsandofthesomnambulisticdialogue.Itseemsasthoughthesuggestiveapproachofmypresenceandmyquestionshadbeennecessarytoexcitethesephenomena;itis,however,veryprobable,tojudgefromotherexamples,thatmyinfluenceonlyhastenedtheexplosionofLeopoldinformulatedreproaches,andthathislatentdiscontent,hithertonoticedinthe"restlessandsufferingair"ofhisfugitivevisualapparitions,wouldhaveterminated,afteraperiodofincubationmoreorlessprolonged,inbreakingoutintospontaneousadmonitions,auditiveorwritten.

Itcanbedivinedthatinthisroleofvigilantguardian,ofanalmostexcessivezealousnessforthehonororthedignityofMlle.Smith,Leopoldisagain,tomymind,onlyaproductofpsychologicalduplication.Herepresentsacertaingroupingofinwarddesiresandsecretinstincts,whichthehypnoidpredisposition,encouragedbyspiritism,hasbroughtintoapeculiarprominenceandgivenanaspectofforeignpersonality;inthesameway,inthephantasmagoriaofthedream,certainafter-thoughts,almostunperceivedwhileawake,risetothefirstplaneandbecometransformedintocontradictoryfictitiouspersonages,whosecuttingreproachesastonishussometimesonawakeningbytheirdisturbingtruthfulness.

AfinalexamplewillshowusLeopold,inhisroleofwatcheroverthehealthofMlle.Smithandadviserofprecautionswhichsheoughttotake.Heisnottroubledabouthergeneralhealth;whenshehadlagrippe,forinstance,orwhensheissimplywornoutwithfatigue,hescarcelyshowshimself.Hisattentionisconcentrateduponcertainspecialphysiologicalfunctions,ofthenormalexerciseofwhichhetakescaretobeassured.Hedoesnototherwiseseemtoexerciseapositiveactionuponthem,andcannotmodifytheminanyway;hisofficeseemstobeconfinedtoknowingbeforehandtheirexactcourse,andtoseethatHeleneisnotguiltyofanyimprudencewhichmayimpedethem.

Leopoldhereshowsaknowledgeandprevisionofthemostintimatephenomenaoftheorganismwhichhasbeenobservedinthecaseofsecondarypersonalities,andwhichconfersuponthem,inthatrespectatleast,anunquestionableadvantageovertheordinarypersonality.InthecaseofMlle.Smith,theindicationsofherguidearealwaysofaprohibitivenature,calculatedtopreventherfromtakingpartinspiritisticreunionsatatimeatwhichshebelievesherselfabletodosowithimpunity,butwhichhe,endowedwithamorerefinedcoenaestheticsensibility,thinkssheoughtnottoundertake.Hehasforseveral

yearsformallylaidhisbanuponeverykindofmediumisticexercisesatcertainveryregularperiods.

Hehasalsoonnumerousoccasionscompelledherbyvariousmessages,categoricalauditivehallucinations,diverseimpulses,contracturesofthearms,forcinghertowrite,etc.,tomodifyherplansandtoabandonseancesalreadyarranged.Thisisaveryclearformofteleologicalautomatism.

AsaspecimenofthisspontaneousandhygienicinterventionofLeopoldinthelifeofHelene,Ihaveselectedthelettergivenbelow,becauseitcombinesseveralinterestingtraits.ItwelldepictstheenergywithwhichMlle.Smithiscompelledtoobeyherguide.

Thepassagefromtheauditivetothegraphicformofautomatismisalsotobenoticedinit.Aproposofthis,inthepageofthisletterreproducedin(see),itismadeclearthatthetransitionofthehandofHelenetothatofLeopoldisaccomplishedbrusquelyandinadecidedmanner.Thehandwritingisnotmetamorphosedgradually,slowly,butcontinuestobethatofMlle.Smith,becomingmoreandmoreagitated,itistrue,andrenderedalmostillegiblebytheshockstothearmofwhichLeopoldtakesholduptothemomentwhen,suddenlyandbyabound,itbecomesthewell-formedcalligraphyofCagliostro.

"January29,6.15A.M.

"MONSIEUR,--Iawokeabouttenminutesago,andheardthevoiceofLeopoldtellingmeinaveryimperiousmanner,'Getupoutofyourbed,andquickly,veryquickly,writetoyourdearfriend,M.Flournoy,thatyouwillnotholdaseanceto-morrow,andthatyouwillnotbeabletogotohishousefortwoweeks,andthatyouwillnotholdanyseancewithinthatperiod.'Ihaveexecutedhisorder,havingfeltmyselfforced,compelledinspiteofmyself,toobey.Iwassocomfortableinbedandsovexedatbeingobligedtowriteyousuchamessage;butIfeelmyselfforcedtodowhathebidsme.

"AtthismomentIamlookingatmywatch;itis6.25o'clock.Ifeelaverystrongshockinmyrightarm--Imightbetterspeakofitasanelectricdisturbance--andwhichIperceivehasmademe.writecrooked.IhearalsoatthisinstantthevoiceofLeopold.Ihavemuchdifficultyinwritingwhathetellsme:'6.421/2.Saytohimthis:Iam,sir,alwaysyourverydevotedservant,inbodyandmind,healthyandnotunbalanced.'

"Istoppedforsomemomentsafterwritingthesewords,whichIsawverywell,afterhavingwrittenthem,wereinthehandwritingofLeopold.Immediatelyafterwards,aseconddisturbance,similartothefirst,gavemeafreshshock,thistimefrommyfeettomyhead.ItallpassedsoquicklythatIamdisturbedandconfusedbyit.ItistruethatIamnotyetquitewell.IsthisthereasonwhyLeopoldpreventsmygoingtoFlorissantto-morrow?Idonotknow,but,nevertheless,amanxioustofollowhisadvice...."

Mlle.Smithalwayssubmitsobedientlytothecommandsofherguide,since,whenevershehastransgressedthem,throughforgetfulnessorneglect,shehashadcausetorepentit.

ItisclearthatinthisroleofspecialphysicianofMlle.Smith,alwaysaucourantofherstateofhealth,Leopoldcouldeasilybeinterpretedaspersonifyingthosevagueimpressionswhichspringforthcontinuallyfromthedepthsofourphysicalbeing,informingusastowhatispassingthere.

Aneuralgictoothacheisfeltinadreamhoursbeforeitmakesitselffeltinourwakingconsciousness,whilesomemaladiesareoftenthusforeshadowedseveraldaysbeforetheyactuallydeclarethemselves.Allliteratureisfullofanecdotesofthiskind;andthepsychiatristshaveobservedthatintheformofcircularalienation,wherephasesofmelancholicdepressionandmaniacalexcitationalternatelysucceedoneanothermoreorlessregularlywithintervalsofnormal,itisfrequentlyinsleepthatthefirstsymptomsofthechangeofhumorcanbedetectedwhichhasalreadybeguninthedepthsoftheindividuality,butwillonlybreakforthontheoutsidealittlelater.Butallthehypnoidstatesareconnected,anditisnotatallsurprisingthat,inthecaseofasubjectinclinedtoautomatism,theseconfusedpresentimentsshouldarisewiththeappearanceofaforeignpersonalitywhichisonlyadegreehigherthantheprocessofdramatizationalreadysobrilliantlyatworkinourordinarydreams.

ItwillbeuselesstolengthenorfurthermultiplyexamplesoftheinterventionofLeopoldinthelife

Clicktoenlarge

Fig.8.

ApagefromaletterofMlle.Smith,showingthespontaneousirruptionofthepersonalityandthehandwritingofLeopoldduringthewakingstateofHelene.of

Mlle.Smith.ThosewhichIhavegivenshowhimunderhisessentialaspects,andsufficetojustifyHelene'sconfidenceinaguidewhohasneverdeceivedher,whohasalwaysgivenherthebestcounsel,delivereddiscoursesofthehighestethicaltone,andmanifestedthemosttouchingsolicitudeforherphysicalandmoralhealth.Itiseasytounderstandthatnothingcanshakeherfaithinthereal,objectiveexistenceofthispreciouscounsellor.

Itisreallyvexatiousthatthephenomenaofdreamsshouldbesolittleobservedorsobadlyunderstood(Idonotsaybypsychologists,butbythegeneralpublic,whichpridesitselfonitspsychology),sincethedreamistheprototypeofspiritisticmessages,andholdsthekeytotheexplanationofmediumisticphenomena.Ifitisregrettabletoseesuchnoble,sympathetic,pure,andinallrespectsremarkablepersonalitiesasLeopoldreducedtotherankofadreamcreation,itmustberemembered,however,thatdreamsarenotalways,asidlefolkthink,thingstobedespisedorofnovalueinthemselves:themajorityareinsignificantanddeserveonlytheobliviontowhichtheyarepromptlyconsigned.Averylargenumberarebadandsometimesevenworsethanreality;butthereareothersofabettersort,and"dream"isoftenasynonymfor"ideal."

Tosumup,LeopoldcertainlyexpressesinhiscentralnucleusaveryhonorableandattractivesideofthecharacterofMlle.Smith,andintakinghimasher"guide"sheonlyfollowsinspirationswhichareprobablyamongthebestofhernature.

Footnotes

^91:*SeeLehmann'sAuberglaubeandZauberei,p.217etseq.Stuttgart,1898.

^92:*W.James,"ThoughtTendstoPersonalForm."PrinciplesofPsychology,vol.i.p.225etseq.NewYork,1890.

^95:*AlexandreDumas,pere,MemoirsofaPhysician,chap.xv.

^105:*Theonewhichisfound,forexample,atthebeginningoftheViedeJosephBalsamo,etc.,translatedfromtheItalian(3dedition,Paris,1791),andwhichhasbeenseveraltimesreproduced.[p.106]Mlle.Smithhashangingoverherfireplaceafinecopyofthisportrait.

^110:*See,e.g.,Ferrari,Hericourt,andRichet,"PersonalityandHandwriting,"Revuephilosophique,vol.xxi.p.414.

CHAPTERV

THEMARTIANCYCLE

THEtitleofthisbookwouldnaturallycommitmetoareviewoftheHindooromancebeforeinvestigatingtheMartiancycle.Considerationsofmethodhavecausedmetoreversethisorder.Itisbettertoadvancefromthesimpletothecomplex,andwhilewecertainlyknowlessconcerningtheplanetMarsthanofIndia,theromancewhichithasinspiredinthesubliminalgeniusofMlle.SmithisrelativelylessdifficulttoexplainthantheOrientalcycle.Infact,theformerseemstospringfrompureimagination,whileinthelatterwemeetwithcertainactualhistoricalelements,andwhenceHelene'smemoryandintelligencehavegainedaknowledgeofthemisanextremelydifficultproblemforustosolve.Thereis,then,onlyonefacultyatworkintheMartianromance,asaprofessionalpsychologistwouldsay,whiletheOrientalcyclecallsseveralintoplay,makingitnecessarytotreatofitlater,onaccountofitsgreaterpsychologicalcomplexity.

WhiletheunknownlanguagewhichformsthevehicleofmanyoftheMartianmessagescannotnaturallybedissociatedfromtherestofthecycle,itmerits,nevertheless,aspecialconsideration,andthefollowingchapterwillbeentirelydevotedtoit.Itdoesnotfigureinthepresentchapter,inwhichIshalltreatoftheoriginandthecontentonlyoftheMartianromance.

I.ORIGINANDBIRTHOFTHEMARTIANCYCLE

"Wedaretohope,"saysM.CamilleFlammarion,atthebeginningofhisexcellentworkontheplanetMars,"thatthedaywillcomewhenscientificmethodsyetunknowntouswillgiveusdirectevidencesoftheexistenceoftheinhabitantsofotherworlds,andatthesametime,also,willputusincommunicationwithourbrothersinspace."[**]Andonthelastpageofhisbookherecurstothesameidea,andsays:"Whatmarvelsdoesnotthescienceofthefuturereserveforoursuccessors,andwhowoulddaretosaythatMartianhumanityandterrestrialhumanitywillnotsomedayenterintocommunicationwitheachother?"

Thissplendidprospectseemsstillfaroff,alongwiththatofwirelesstelegraphy,andalmostanUtopiandream,solongasoneholdsstrictlytothecurrentconceptionsofourpositivesciences.Butbreakthesenarrowlimits;fly,for

example,towardstheillimitablehorizonwhichspiritismopensuptoitshappyfollowers,andassoonasthisvaguehopetakesshape,nothingseemstopreventitsimmediaterealization;andtheonlycauseforwonderisfoundinthefactthatnoprivilegedmediumhasyetarisentohavetheglory,uniqueintheworld,ofbeingthefirstintermediarybetweenourselvesandthehumaninhabitantsofotherplanets;forspiritismtakesnomoreaccountofthebarrierofspacethanoftime.The"gatesofdistance"arewideopenbeforeit.Withitthequestionofmeansisasecondarymatter;onehasonlytheembarrassmentofmakingachoice.Itmattersnotwhetheritbebyintuition,byclairvoyance,bytelepathy,orbydoublepersonalitythatthesoulispermittedtoleavemomentarilyitsterrestrialprisonandmakethevoyagebetweenthisworldandothersinaninstantoftime,orwhetherthefeatisaccomplishedbymeansoftheastralbody,bythereincarnationofdisincarnateomnisciences,by"fluidbeings,"or,inaword,byanyotherprocesswhatever.Theessentialpointis,accordingtospiritism,thatnoseriousobjectionwouldbeofferedtothepossibilityofsuchcommunication.Theonlydifficultywouldbetofindamediumisticsubjectpossessingsufficientpsychicalfaculties.Itisasimplequestionoffact;ifsuchaonehasnotyetbeenfound,itisapparentlyonlybecausethetimeisnotyetripe.Butnowthatastronomersthemselvesappealtothose"unknownmethodsofactualscience"toputusenrapportwithotherworlds,nodoubtspiritism--whichisthescienceofto-morrow,asdefiniteasabsolutereligion--willsoonrespondtotheselegitimateaspirations.Wemay,therefore,expectatanymomenttherevelationsoimpatientlylookedfor,andeverygoodmediumhastherighttoaskherselfwhethersheisnotthebeingpredestinedtoaccomplishthisunrivalledmission.

Thesearetheconsiderationswhich,tomymind,intheiressentialcontentinspiredinthesubliminalpartofMlle.SmiththefirstideaofherMartianromance.IwouldnotassertthatthepassagesfromM.FlammarionwhichIhavequotedcamedirectlytothenoticeofHelene,buttheyexpressandrecapitulatewonderfullywelloneoftheelementsoftheatmosphereinwhichshefoundherselfatthebeginningofhermediumship.Foriftherearenocertainindicationsofhereverhavingreadanyworkonthe"heavenlyworlds"andtheirinhabitants,eitherthatofM.Flammarionorofanyotherauthor,shehas,nevertheless,heardsuchsubjectsdiscussed.SheisperfectlyfamiliarwiththenameofthecelebratedastronomicalwriterJuvisy,andknowssomethingofhisphilosophicalideas,which,by-the-way,isnotatallsurprisingwhenweconsiderthepopularityheenjoysamongspiritists,whofindinhimaverystrongscientificsupportfortheirdoctrineofreincarnationonotherplanets.

IalsohaveevidencethatinthecircleofMme.N.,ofwhichHelenewasamemberin1892,theconversationmorethanonceturnedinthedirectionofthehabitabilityofMars,towhichthediscoveryofthefamous"canals"hasforsomeyearsspeciallydirectedtheattentionofthegeneralpublic.ThiscircumstanceappearstometoexplainsufficientlythefactthatHelene'ssubliminalastronomyshouldbeconcernedwiththisplanet.Itis,moreover,quitepossiblethatthefirstgermsoftheMartianromancedatestillfurtherbackthanthebeginningofHelene'smediumship.TheOrientalroleshowsindicationsofconcerningitselfwiththatplanet,andtheveryclearimpressionwhichshehasofhavinginherchildhoodandyouthexperiencedmanyvisionsofasimilarkind"withouthernoticingthemparticularly,"givesrisetothesuppositionthattheingredientsofwhichthiscycleiscomposeddatefrommanyyearsback.Possiblytheymayhaveoneandthesameprimitivesourceintheexoticmemories,descriptions,orpicturesoftropicalcountrieswhichlaterbranchedoutunderthevigorousimpulsionofspiritisticideasintwodistinctcurrents,theHindooromanceontheonesideandtheMartianontheother,whosewatersaremingledonmorethanoneoccasionafterwards.

While,onthewhole,therefore,itisprobablethatitsrootsextendbackasfarasthechildhoodofMlle.Smith,itisneverthelesswiththeMartianromance,aswellaswiththeothers,notamerequestionofthesimplecryptomnesiacreturnoffactsofaremotepast,orofanexhumationoffossilresiduabroughttolightagainbytheaidofsomnambulism.Itisaveryactiveprocess,andoneinfullcourseofevolution,nourished,undoubtedly,byelementsbelongingtothepast,butwhichhavebeenrecombinedandmouldedinaveryoriginalfashion,untilitamountsfinally,amongotherthings,tothecreationofanunknownlanguage.Itwillbeinterestingtofollowstepbystepthephasesofthiselaboration:butsinceitalways,unfortunately,hidesitselfintheobscurityofthesubconsciousness,weareonlycognizantofitbyitsoccasionalappearances,andalltherestofthatsubterraneanworkmustbeinferred,inamannersomewhathypothetical,fromthosesupraliminaleruptionsandthescantydatawhichwehaveconcerningtheoutwardinfluenceswhichhaveexertedastimulatinginfluenceuponthesubliminalpartofHelene.Itwasin1892,then,thattheconversationstookplacewhichweretopreparethesoilforthisworkofloftysubliminalfantasy,andplantedinHelene'smindthedoubleidea,ofenormousscientificinterest,thatshecouldenterintodirectrelationwiththeinhabitantsofMars,andofthepossibility,unsuspectedbyscientists,butwhichspiritismfurnishesus,ofreachingtherebyamediumisticroute.Idoubt,however,whetherthatvaguesuggestiononthepartoftheenvironmentwouldhavesufficedtoengenderthe

Martiandream--sinceformorethantwoyearsnosignofitseruptionmainfesteditself--withouttheinterventionofsomefillipmoreconcrete,capableofgivingastarttothewholemovement.Itisnoteasy,unfortunately,forwantofrecordsofthefacts,toassignwithprecisionthecircumstancesunderwhichandthemomentwhenHelene'ssubconsciousimaginationreceivedthateffectiveimpulsion,butanunequivocaltraceisdiscovered,asIamabouttoshowinthecontemporaneousreportoftheproceedingsofthefirstdistinctlyMartianseanceofMlle.Smith.

InMarch,1894,HelenemadetheacquaintanceofM.Lemaitre,who,beingexceedinglyinterestedinthephenomenaofabnormalpsychology,waspresentwithothersatsomeofherseances,andfinallybeggedhertoholdsomeathishouse.Atthefirstofthese

[paragraphcontinues](October28,1894),Helenemetalady,awidow,whowasgreatlytobepitied.Besidessufferingfromaveryseriousaffectionoftheeyes,Mme.Mirbelhadbeenterriblyafflictedbythelossofheronlyson,Alexis,seventeenyearsold,andapupilofM.Lemaitre.Whilenotyetfullyconvincedofthetruthofspiritism,itiseasytounderstandthatMme.Mirbelwasveryanxioustobelieveinthatconsolatorydoctrine,andreadytoacceptit,ifonlysomeproofscouldbefurnishedher;andwhatmoreconvincingtestimonycouldsheaskorreceivethanthatofamessagefromherbelovedchild?Moreover,itwasprobablynotwithoutasecrethopeofprocuringacommunicationofthisnaturethatsheacceptedtheinvitationwhichM.LemaitrehadsentherwiththeideaofprocuringsomemomentsofdistractionfortheunhappymotherAshappensfrequentlyinHelene'scase,thisfirstseancefullysatisfiedthedesiresofthesittersandsurpassedtheirexpectations.SpeakingonlyofthatwhichconcernsMme.Mirbel,Helenehadthevision,first,ofayoungman,intheverydetaileddescriptionofwhomtherewasnodifficultyinrecognizingthedeceasedAlexisMirbel;thenofanoldmanwhomthetablecalledRaspail,broughtbytheyoungmanthathemighttreathismother'seyes,whothushadthedoubleprivilegeofreceivingthrough.thetablewordsoftendernessfromherson,andfromRaspaildirectionsforthetreatmentoftheaffectionofhereyes.NothinginthatseancerecalledinanywaytheplanetMars,anditcouldnotbeforeseenfromanythingthatoccurredtherethatAlexisMirbel,disincarnated,wouldreturnlaterunderthenameofEsenaleasofficialinterpreteroftheMartianlanguage.

Itwasaltogetherdifferentamonthlater(November25),atthesecondreunionatM.Lemaitre's,atwhichMme.Mirbelwasagainpresent.Onthisoccasionthe

astronomicaldreamappearedatonceanddominatedtheentireseance.

Fromthebeginning,saysthereportoftheseance,Mlle.Smithperceived,inthedistanceandatagreatheight,abrightlight.Thenshefeltatremorwhichalmostcausedherhearttoceasebeating,afterwhichitseemedtoherasthoughherheadwereemptyandasifshewerenolongerinthebody.Shefoundherselfinadensefog,whichchangedsuccessivelyfrombluetoavividrosecolor,togray,andthentoblack:sheisfloating,shesays;andthetable,supportingitselfononeleg,seemedtoexpressaverycuriousfloatingmovement.Thensheseesastar,growinglarger,alwayslarger.andbecomes,finally,"aslargeasourhouse."Helenefeelsthatsheisascending;thenthetablegives,byraps:"Lemaitre,thatwhichyouhavesolongdesired!"Mlle.Smith,whohadbeenillatease,findsherselffeelingbetter;shedistinguishesthreeenormousglobes,oneofthemverybeautiful."OnwhatamIwalking?"sheasks.Andthetablereplies:"Onaworld--Mars."Helenethenbeganadescriptionofallthestrangethingswhichpresentedthemselvestoherview,andcausedherasmuchsurpriseasamusement.Carriageswithouthorsesorwheels,emittingsparksastheyglidedby;houseswithfountainsontheroof;acradlehavingforcurtainsanangelmadeofironwithoutstretchedwings,etc.Whatseemedlessstrange,werepeopleexactlyliketheinhabitantsofourearth,savethatbothsexesworethesamecostume,formedoftrousersveryample,andalongblouse,drawntightaboutthewaistanddecoratedwithvariousdesigns.Thechildinthecradlewasexactlylikeourchildren,accordingtothesketchwhichHelenemadefrommemoryaftertheseance.

Finally,shesawuponMarsasortofvastassemblyhall,inwhichwasProfessorRaspail,havinginthefirstrowofhishearerstheyoungAlexisMirbel,who,byatyptologicaldictation,reproachedhismotherfornothavingfollowedthemedicalprescriptionwhichhegaveheramonthpreviously:"Dearmamma,haveyou,then,solittleconfidenceinus?Youhavenoideahowmuchpainyouhavecausedme!"ThenfollowedaconversationofaprivatenaturebetweenMme.Mirbelandherson,thelatterreplyingbymeansofthetable;theneverythingbecomesquiet,thevisionofMarseffacesitselflittlebylittle;thetabletakesthesamerotary.movementononefootwhichithadatthecommencementoftheseance;Mlle.Smithfindsherselfagaininthefogsandgoesthroughthesameprocessasbeforeinaninverseorder.Thensheexclaims:"Ah!hereIambackagain!"andseveralloudrapsonthetablemarktheendoftheseance.

IhaverelatedinitsprincipalelementsthisfirstMartianseance,forthesakeof

itsimportanceindifferentrespects.

Theinitialseriesofcoenaesthetichallucinations,correspondingtoavoyagefromtheearthtoMars,reflectswellthechildishcharacterofanimaginationwhichscientificproblemsortheexigenciesoflogictroubleverylittle.Withoutdoubtspiritismcanexplainhowthematerialdifficultiesofaninterplanetaryjourneymaybeavoidedinapurelymediumistic,fluidconnection;butwhy,then,thispersistenceofphysicalsensations,troublewiththeheart,tremor,floatingsensation,etc.?Howeveritmaybe,thisseriesofsensationsisfromthistimeonthecustomaryprelude,and,asitwere,thepremonitoryauraoftheMartiandream,withcertainmodifications,throughoutalltheseances;sometimesitiscomplicatedwithauditivehallucinations(rumbling,noiseofrushingwater,etc.),orsometimesolfactory(disagreeableodorsofburning,ofsulphur,ofacomingstorm),oftenerittendstoshortenandsimplifyitself,untilitiseitherreducedtoabrieffeelingofmalaise,ortotheinitialvisualhallucinationofthelight,generallyverybrilliantandred,inwhichtheMartianvisionsusuallyappear.

ButthepointtowhichIwishtocallspecialattentionisthatsingularspeechofthetable,ontheinstantatwhichMlle.Smitharrivesonthedistantstar,andbeforeitisknownwhatstarisconcerned:"Lemaitre,thatwhichyouhavesomuchwishedfor!"Thisdeclaration,whichmaybeconsideredasadedication,sotospeak,inscribedonthefrontispieceoftheMartianromance,authorizesus,inmyopinion,inconsideringitandinterpretingitinitsorigin,asadirectanswertoawishofM.Lemaitre,adesirewhichcameatarecentperiodto

[paragraphcontinues]Helene'sknowledge,andwhichhasenactedwithhertheinitiatoryroleofherastronomicaldream.

ItistruethatM.Lemaitrehimselfdidnotunderstandatthemomenttowhatthispreliminarywarningreferred,butthenotewhichheinsertedattheendofhisreportofthatseanceisinstructiveinthisregard:"Idonotknowhowtoexplainthefirstwordsdictatedbythetable:'Lemaitre,thatwhichyouhavesomuchwishedfor!'M.S.remindsmethatinaconversationwhichIhadwithhimlastsummerIsaidtohim:'Itwouldbeveryinterestingtoknowwhatishappeninguponotherplanets.'Ifthisisananswertothewishoflastyear,verywell."

ItmustbeaddedthatM.S.,whohadbeensufficientlystruckbythiswishofM.Lemaitretorememberitforseveralmonths,was,duringallofthetimereferred

to,oneofthemostregularattendantsupontheseancesofMlle.Smith;and,toonewhoknowsbyexperienceallthathappensatthespiritisticreunions,before,after,andduringtheseanceitself,therecouldhardlybeanydoubtbutthatitwasthroughM.S.,asintermediary,thatMlle.SmithhadheardmentionedM.Lemaitre'sregretatourrelativeignoranceoftheinhabitantsofotherplanets.Thisidea,probablycaughtonthewingduringthestateofsuggestibilitywhichaccompaniestheseances,returnedwithrenewedforcewhenHelenewasinvitedtoholdaseanceatthehouseofM.Lemaitre,andmademorevividalsobythedesire,whichisalwayslatentinher,ofmakingthevisionsasinterestingaspossibletothepersonsamongwhomshefindsherself.Suchis,inmyopinion,theseedwhich,fallingintothegroundandfertilizedbyformerconversationsconcerningtheinhabitantsofMarsandthepossibilityofspiritisticrelationswiththem,hasservedasthegermoftheromance,thefurtherdevelopmentofwhichitremainsformetotrace.

Onepointwhichstillremainstobeclearedupintheseance,asIcometosumup,isthesingularlyartificialcharacterandtheslightconnectionbetweentheMartianvision,properlysocalled,andthereappearanceofRaspailandAlexisMirbel.Wedonotaltogetherunderstandwhatthesepersonageshavetodowithit.Whatneedisthereoftheirbeingto-dayfoundontheplanetMarssimplyforthepurposeofcontinuingtheirinterviewwithMme.Mirbel,begunatapreviousseance,withouttheinterventionofanyplanet?Theassembly-hallatwhichtheyarefound,whileitislocatedonMars,isabondofunionallthemoreartificialbetweenthemandthatplanetinthatthereisnothingspecificallyMartianinitsdescriptionandappearstohavebeenborrowedfromourglobe.Thisincidentisatbottomamatteroutoftheregularcourse,fullofinterestundoubtedlyforMme.Mirbel,whomitdirectlyconcerns,butwithoutintimateconnectionwiththeMartianworld.Itwasevidentlytheastronomicalrevelation,intendedforM.Lemaitre,andripenedbyaperiodofincubation,whichshouldhavefurnishedthematerialforthisseance;butthepresenceofMme.MirbelawokeanewthememoryofhersonandofRaspail,whichhadoccupiedtheprecedingseance,andthesememories,interferingwiththeMartianvision,become,forgoodorill,incorporatedasastrangeepisodeinitwithouthavinganydirectconnectionwithit.Theworkofunification,ofdramatization,bywhichthesetwounequalchainsofideasareharmonizedandfusedtheonewiththeotherthroughtheintermediationofanassembly-hall,isnomoreornolessextraordinarythanthatwhichdisplaysitselfinallournocturnalphantasmagoria,wherecertainabsolutelyheterogeneousmemoriesoftenallythemselvesafteranunexpectedfashion,andaffordopportunityforconfusionsofthemostbizarrecharacter.

Butmediumisticcommunicationsdifferfromordinarydreamsinthis--namely,theincoherenceofthelatterdoesnotcausethemtohaveanyconsequences.Weareastonishedanddivertedforamomentaswereflectuponadream.Sometimesadreamholdsalittlelongertheattentionofthepsychologist,whoendeavorstounraveltheintricateplotofhisdreamsandtodiscover,amidthecapricesofassociationortheeventsofthewakingstate,theoriginoftheirtangledthreads.But,onthewhole,thisincoherencehasnoinfluenceontheultimatecourseofourthoughts,becauseweseeinourdreamsonlytheresultsofchance,withoutvalueinthemselvesandwithoutobjectivesignification.

Itisotherwisewithspiritisticcommunications,byreasonoftheimportanceandthecreditaccordedthem.

Themediumwhopartiallyrecollectsherautomatisms,ortowhomthesittershavedetailedthemafterthecloseoftheseance,addingalsotheircomments,becomespreoccupiedwiththesemysteriousrevelations;liketheparanoiac,whoperceiveshiddenmeaningsoraprofoundsignificanceinthemosttriflingcoincidences,sheseekstofathomthecontentofherstrangevisions,reflectsonthem,examinestheminthelightofspiritisticnotions;ifsheencountersdifficultiesinthem,orcontradictions,herconsciousorunconsciousthought(thetwoarenotalwaysinaccord)willundertakethetaskofremovingthem,andsolvingaswellaspossibletheproblemswhichthesedream-creations,consideredasrealities,imposeuponher,andthelatersomnambulismswillbeartheimprintofthislaborofinterpretationorcorrection.

ItistothispointwehavecomeatthecommencementoftheastronomicalromanceofMlle.Smith.ThepurelyaccidentalandfortuitousconjunctionoftheplanetMarsandAlexisMirbelintheseanceofthe25thofNovemberdeterminedtheirdefinitiveweldingtogether.Associationbyfortuitouscontiguityistransformedintoalogicalconnection.

II.LATERDEVELOPMENTOFTHEMARTIANCYCLE

Thisdevelopmentwasnoteffectedinaregularmanner;butforthemostpartbyleapsandbounds,separatingstoppagesmoreorlessprolonged.AfteritsinaugurationintheseanceofNovember25,1894,itsufferedafirsteclipseofnearlyfifteenmonths,attributabletonewpreoccupationswhichhadinstalledthemselvesonthehighestplaneofMlle.Smith'ssubconsciousnessandheldthatpositionthroughoutthewholeoftheyear1895.

ComparedwiththeseanceofNovember,1894,thatofFebruary,1896(ofwhicharesumefollows),showsinterestinginnovations.Raspaildoesnotfigureinitandhenceforthdoesnotappearagain,whichwasprobablyduetothefactthatMme.Mirbelhadfailedtomakeuseofthemethodoftreatmentwhichhehadprescribedforhereyes.YoungMirbel,onthecontrary,soleobjectofthedesiresandlongingsofhispoormother,occupiesthehighestplane,andisthecentralfigureofthevision.HenowspeaksMartianandnolongerunderstandsFrench,whichcomplicatestheconversationsomewhat.Further,notpossessingthepowerofmovingtablesuponourglobe,itisthroughtheinterventionofthemedium,byincarnatinghimselfmomentarilyinMlle.Smith,thathehenceforthcommunicateswithhismother.Thesetwolatterpointsintheirturncausecertaindifficultiestoarise,which,actingasafermentorasuggestion,willlaterusherinanewstepintheprogressoftheromance:AlexisMirbelcannotreturntoincarnatehimselfinaterrestrialmediumifheisimprisonedinhisMartianexistence;hemustfirstterminatethatandreturntotheconditioninwhichheagainfloatsininterplanetaryspace;which"fluid"orwanderingstatepermitshimatthesametimetogiveustheFrenchtranslationoftheMartiantongue;since,accordingtospiritism,acompletememoryofpreviousexistences,andconsequentlyofthevariouslanguagespertainingtothem,istemporarilyrecoveredduringthephasesofdisincarnation.

Theseanticipatoryhintswillassistthereaderinfollowingmoreeasilythethreadofthesomnambulisticromanceintheresumeofitsprincipalstages.

February2,1896.--Isumup,byenumeratingthem,theprincipalsomnambulisticphasesofthisseance,whichlastedmorethantwohoursandahalf,andatwhichMme.Mirbelassisted.

I.Increasinghemisomnambulism,withgraduallossofconsciousnessoftherealenvironment--atthebeginningthetablebowsseveraltimestoMme.Mirbel,announcingthatthecomingsceneisintendedforher.Afteraseriesofelementaryvisualhallucinations(rainbowcolors,etc.),meaningforMme.Mirbelthatshewouldfinallybecomeblind,Helenearose,leftthetable,andheldalongconversationwithanimaginarywomanwhowishedhertoenteracuriouslittlecarwithoutwheelsorhorses.Shebecameimpatienttowardsthiswoman,who,afterhavingatfirstspokentoherinFrench,nowpersistedinspeakinginanunintelligibletongue,likeChinese.LeopoldrevealedtousbythelittlefingerthatitwasthelanguageoftheplanetMars,thatthiswomanisthemotherofAlexisMirbel,reincarnatedonthatplanet,andthatHeleneherselfwillspeak

Martian.PresentlyHelenebeginstorecitewithincreasingvolubilityanincomprehensiblejargon,thebeginningofwhichisasfollows(accordingtonotestakenbyM.Lemaitreatthetime,asaccuratelyaspossible):"Mitchmamitchmonmiminitchouainemmimatchinegmasichinofmezavipatelkiabresinadnavettenavennavettemitchichenidnakenchinoutoufiche"...Fromthispointtherapiditypreventedtherecognitionofanythingelse,exceptsuchscrapsas"teke...katechivist...meguetch,"...or"meketch...kete...chimeke."Afterafewminutes,

[paragraphcontinues]Heleneinterruptsherself,cryingout,"Oh,Ihavehadenoughofit;yousaysuchwordstomeIwillneverbeabletorepeatthem."Then,withsomereluctance,sheconsentstofollowherinterlocutrixintothecarwhichwastocarryhertoMars.

1. Thetranceisnowcomplete.HelenethereuponmimicsthevoyagetoMarsinthreephases,themeaningofwhichisindicatedbyLeopold:aregularrockingmotionoftheupperpartofthebody(passingthroughtheterrestrialatmosphere),absoluteimmobilityandrigidity(interplanetaryspace),againoscillationsoftheshouldersandthebust(atmosphereofMars).ArriveduponMars,shedescendsfromthecar,andperformsacomplicatedpantomimeexpressingthemannersofMartianpoliteness:uncouthgestureswiththehandsandfingers,slappingofthehands,tapsofthefingersuponthenose,thelips,thechin,etc.,twistedcourtesies,glidings,androtationonthefloor,etc.Itseemsthatisthewaypeopleapproachandsaluteeachotherupthere.

2. Thissortofdancehavingsuggestedtooneofthesitterstheideaofperforminguponthepiano,Helenesuddenlyfelluponthefloorinanevidentlyhypnoticstate,whichhadnolongeraMartiancharacter.Atthecessationofthemusicsheenteredintoamixedstate,inwhichthememoryoftheMartianvisionscontinuallyminglethemselveswithsomeideaofherterrestrialexistence.Shetalkstoherself."Thosedreamsaredroll,allthesame....ImusttellthattoM.Lemaitre.Whenhe[theMartianAlexisMirbel]said'Good-day'tome,hetappedhimselfuponthenose....Hespoketomeinaqueerlanguage,butIunderstooditperfectly,allthesame,"etc.Seatedontheground,leaningagainstapieceoffurniture,shecontinues,soliloquizinginFrench,inalowvoice,toreviewthedream,minglingwithitsomewanderingreflections.Shefinds,forexample,thattheyoungMartian(Alexis)wasaremarkablybigboyforoneonlyfiveor

sixyearsold,asheclaimedtobe,andthatthewomanseemedveryyoungtobehismother.

3. Afteratransitoryphaseofsighsandhiccoughs,followedbyprofoundsleepwithmuscularrelaxation,sheentersintoMartiansomnambulismandmurmurssomeconfusedwords:"Kesinouitidje"...etc.IcommandhertospeakFrenchtome;sheseemstounderstand,andrepliesinMartian,withanirritatedandimperioustone,Iaskhertotellmehername;shereplies,"VasiminiMeteche."Withtheideathat,perhaps,she"isincarnating"theyoungAlexis,ofwhomshehasspokensomuchintheprecedingphase,IurgeMme.Mirbeltoapproachher,andthereuponbeginsasceneofincarnationreallyveryaffecting;Mme.Mirbelisonherknees,sobbingbitterly,inthepresenceofherrecoveredson,whoshowshermarksofthemostprofoundaffectionandcaressesherhands"exactlyashewasaccustomedtododuringhislastillness,"allthetimecarryingonadiscourseinMartian(tinistoutch),whichthepoormothercannotunderstand,buttowhichanaccentofextremesweetnessandatenderintonationimpartanevidentmeaningofwordsofconsolationandfilialtenderness.Thispatheticduetlastedabouttenminutes,andwasbroughttoanendbyareturntolethargicsleep,fromwhichHeleneawakenedattheendofaquarterofanhour,pronouncingashortMartianword,afterwhichsheinstantlyrecoveredtheuseofherFrenchandhernormalwakingstate.

4. Questionedastowhathadpassed,Helene,whiledrinkingtea,narratesthedreamwhichshehashad.ShehasasufficientlyclearmemoryofherjourneyandofwhatshehasseenonMars,withtheexceptionoftheyoungman,ofwhomshehasretainedonlyarecollectionofthesceneofincarnation.

Butsuddenly,inthemidstoftheconversation,shebeginstospeakinMartian,withoutappearingtobeawareofit,andwhilecontinuingtochatwithusinthemostnaturalmanner;sheappearedtounderstandallourwords,andansweredinherstrangeidiom,inthemostnormaltone,andseemedverymuchastonishedwhenwetoldherthatwedidnotunderstandherlanguage;sheevidentlybelievessheisspeakingFrench.[**]ByquestioningherconcerningavisitwhichshehadmadeafewdaysbeforetoM.C.,andaskingherthenumberandthenamesofthepersonswhomshemetthere,wesucceedinidentifyingthefourfollowingMartianwords:MeticheS.,MonsieurS.;MedacheC.,MadameC.;MetaganicheSmith,MademoiselleSmith;kin't'che,four.Afterwhichshe

resumesdefinitivelyherFrench.Interrogatedastotheincidentwhichhastranspired,sheisastounded,hasonlyahesitatingandconfusedmemoryofherhavingspokenatallthiseveningofhervisittoM.C.,anddoesnotrecognizenorunderstandthefourMartianwordsgivenabovewhentheyarerepeatedtoher.OnseveraloccasionsduringthisseanceIhadmadethesuggestiontoHelenethatatagivensignal,afterherawaking,shewouldrecoverthememoryoftheMartianwordspronouncedbyherandoftheirmeaning.ButLeopold,whowaspresent,declaredthatthiscommandwouldnotbeobeyed,andthatatranslationcouldnotbeobtainedthisevening.Thesignal,thoughoftenrepeated,was,infact,withoutresult.

Ithasseemedtomenecessarytodescribewithsomedetailthisseance,atwhichtheMartianlanguagemadeitsfirstappearance,inordertoplacebeforethereaderallthefragmentswhich,wehavebeenabletogather,without,ofcourse,anyguaranteeofabsoluteaccuracy,sinceeveryoneknowshowdifficultitistonotethesoundsofunknownwords.AcuriousdifferenceistobenoticedbetweenthewordspickedupinthecourseoftheseanceandthefourwordsseveraltimesrepeatedbyHelene,themeaningandpronunciationofwhichhavebeendeterminedwithcompleteaccuracyintheposthypnoticreturnofthesomnambulisticdream.Judgedbytheselatter,theMartianlanguageisonlyapuerilecounterfeitofFrench,ofwhichshepreservesineachwordanumberofsyllablesandcertainconspicuousletters.Intheotherphrases,onthecontrary,alsomakinguseoflatertextswhichhavebeentranslated,asweshallseehereafter,itcannotbediscoveredwhatitis.WeareconstrainedtobelievethatthesefirstoutbreaksofMartian,characterizedbyavolubilitywhichwehaverarelymetwithsincethen,wasonlyapseudo-Martian,acontinuationofsoundsutteredatrandomandwithoutanyrealmeaning,analogoustothegibberishwhichchildrenusesometimesintheirgamesof"pretending"tospeakChineseorIndian,andthattherealMartianwasonlycreatedbyanunskilfuldistortionofFrench,inaposthypnoticaccessofhemisomnambulism,inordertorespondtothemanifestdesireofthesitterstoobtaintheprecisesignificanceofsomeisolatedMartianwords.

Theimpossibility,announcedbyLeopold,ofprocuringatranslationthatsameeveningofthepretendedMartianspokenforthefirsttimeduringthatseance,andthefactthatitcouldnotagainbeobtained,givesomesupporttotheprecedingtheory.

ThecircumstancethatHelene,inrememberingherdreaminphaseNo.3,hadthe

sentimentofhavingwellunderstoodthisunknownjargon,isnotanobjection,sincethechildrenwhoamusethemselvesbysimulatinganuncouthidiom--torecurtothatexample--donotretaintheleastconsciousnessoftheideaswhichtheirgibberishisassumedtoexpress.Itseems,inshort,thatifthisnewlanguagewasalreadyreallyestablishedatthattimeinHelene'ssubliminalconsciousnesstothepointofsustainingfluentlydiscoursesofseveralminutes'duration,somephrasesatleastwouldnothavefailedtogushforth,spontaneouslysometimes,inthecourseofordinarylife,andinordertothrowlightuponvisionsofMartianpeopleorlandscapes.Morethansevenmonthshadtoelapsebeforethatphenomenon,whichwassofrequentafterwards,begantoappear.

Maywenotseeinthishalf-yearaperiodofincubation,employedinthesubliminalfabricationofalanguage,properlysocalled--thatistosay,formedofprecisewordsandwithadefinitesignification,inimitationofthefourtermsjustreferredto--toreplacethedisorderednonsenseofthebeginning?

Howeveritmaybe,andtoreturntoourstory,onecanimaginetheinterestwhichthatsuddenandunexpectedapparitionofmysteriousspeecharoused,andwhichtheauthorityofLeopoldwouldnotallowtobetakenforanythingotherthanthelanguageofMars.ThenaturalcuriosityofHeleneherself,aswellasthatofherfriends,toknowmoreaboutourneighborsofotherworldsandtheirwayofexpressingthemselvesshouldnaturallyhavecontributedtothedevelopmentofthesubliminaldream.Thefollowingseance,unhappily,didnotjustifythepromisewithwhichitbegan.

February16,1896.--"Atthebeginningofthisseance,HelenehasavisionofAlexisMirbel,whoannounces,bymeansofthetable,thathehasnotforgottenhisFrench,andthathewillgiveatranslationoftheMartianwordsanotherday.Butthispredictionisnotfulfilled.WhetherHelene,forthereasonthatsheisnotfeelingwellto-day,orthatthepresenceofsomeoneantipathetictoherhashinderedtheproductionofthephenomena,theMartiansomnambulism,whichseemedonthepointofbreakingforth,didnotmakeitsappearance.Heleneremainsinacrepuscularstate,inwhichthefeelingofpresentrealityandtheMartianideasonthelevelofconsciousnessinterferewithandmutuallyobscureeachother..ShespeaksinFrenchwiththesitters,butminglingwithithereandthereastrangeword(suchasmeche,chinit,cheque,which,accordingtothecontext,seemtosignifypencil,ring,paper),andappearsfarawayfromheractualsurroundings.Sheisastonished,inparticular,atthesightofM.R.occupiedintakingnotesbytheprocesverbal,andseemstofindthatmannerof

writingwithapenorpencilstrangeandabsurd,butwithoutexplainingclearlyhowitwastobeotherwiseaccomplished.Theimportanceofthisseanceisinthefactthattheideastandsoutclearly(whichwasnottoberealizeduntilayearandahalflater)ofamodeofhandwritingpeculiartotheplanetMars."

Thisseance,whichwasalmostafailure,wasthelastofthatperiod.Helene'shealth,whichbecamemoreandmoreimpairedbystandingtoolongonherfeetandoverworkatherdesk,necessitatedhertakingacompleterest.Ihavementionedthefactthatduringthesesixmonths,withoutanyregularseances,shewassubjecttoasuperabundanceofspontaneousvisionsandsomnambulisms;buttheseautomatismsbelongedtotheHindooorothercycles,andIdonotbelievethatsheexperiencedduringthattimeanyphenomenawhichwereclearlyrelatedtotheMartianromance.Ontheotherhand,assoonasshewasre-establishedinandhadreturnedtohernormalmodeoflife,thelatterappearedagainwithallthemoreintensity,datingfromthefollowingnocturnalvision.(See.)

September5,1896.--Helenenarratesthathavingarisenataquarter-pastthreeinthemorningtotakeinsomeflowersthatstooduponthewindow-sillandwerethreatenedbythewind,insteadofgoingbacktobedimmediatelyshesatdownuponherbedandsawbeforeheralandscapeandsomepeculiarpeople.Shewasontheborderofabeautifulblue-pinklake,withabridgethesidesofwhichweretransparentandformedofyellowtubeslikethepipesofanorgan,ofwhichoneendseemedtobeplungedintothewater.Theearthwaspeach-colored;someofthetreeshadtrunkswideningastheyascended,whilethoseofothersweretwisted.Lateracrowdapproachedthebridge,inwhichonewomanwasespeciallyprominent.Thewomenworehatswhichwereflat,likeplates.Helenedoesnotknowwhothesepeopleare,buthasthefeelingofhavingconversedwiththem.Onthebridgetherewasamanofdarkcomplexion(Astane),carryinginhishandsaninstrumentsomewhatresemblingacarriage-lanterninappearance,which,beingpressed,emittedflames,andwhichseemedtobeaflying-machine.Bymeansofthisinstrumentthemanleftthebridge,touchedthesurfaceofthewater,andreturnedagaintothebridge.Thistableaulastedtwenty-fiveminutes,sinceHelene,uponreturningtoconsciousness,observedthathercandlewasstillburningandascertainedthatitwasthen3.40o'clock.Sheisconvincedthatshedidnotfallasleep,butwaswideawakeduringallofthisvision.(SeeFigs.and.)

FromthattimethespontaneousMartianvisionsarerepeatedandmultiplied.

Mlle.Smithexperiencesthemusuallyinthemorning,afterawakingandbeforerisingfromherbed;sometimesintheevening,oroccasionallyatothertimesduringtheday.ItisinthecourseofthesevisualhallucinationsthattheMartianlanguageappearsagainunderanauditiveform.

September22,1896.--DuringtheselastdaysHelenehasseenagainondifferentoccasionstheMartianman,withorwithouthisflying-machine;forexample,heappearedtoherwhileshewastakingabath,attheedgeofthebath-tub.Shehashadseveraltimesvisionsofastrangehousethepictureofwhichfollowedherwithsomuchpersistencythatshefinallypaintedit(see).Atthesametimesheheardonthreedifferentoccasionsasentencethemeaningofwhichshedoesnotknow,butwhichshewasabletotakedownwithherpencilasfollows:"DodenecihaudantemechemeticheAstanekedemeveche."(Aswasascertainedsixweeksafter,bythetranslationgivenintheseanceofthe2dofNovember,thisphraseindicatesthatthestrangehouseisthatoftheMartianman,whoiscalledAstane.)

ThisphrasewasundoubtedlyMartian,butwhatwasthemeaningofit?Afterhavinghopedinvainfornearlyamonththatthemeaningwouldberevealedinsomewayorother,Idecidedtotryadisguisedsuggestion.IwrotetoLeopoldhimselfaletter,inwhichIappealedtohisomniscienceaswellastohiskindnesstogivemesomeenlightenmentinregardtothestrangelanguagewhichpiquedourcuriosity,and,inparticular,astothemeaningofthephraseHelenehadheard.Iaskedhimtoanswermeinwriting,bymeansofHelene'shand.Wedidnothavetowaitlongforareply.Helenereceivedmyletterthe20thofOctober,andontheeveningofthe22d,seizedwithavaguedesiretowrite,shetookapencil,whichplaceditselfintheregularposition,betweenthethumbandtheindex-finger(whereasshealwaysheldherpenbetweenthemiddleandindex-finger),andtracedrapidly,inthecharacteristichandwritingofLeopoldandwithhissignature,abeautifulepistleofeighteenAlexandrinelinesaddressedtome,ofwhichthetenlastareasfollows,beingananswertomyrequestthatthesecretsofMartianberevealedtome:

"Necroispasqu'ent'aimantcommeunbientendrefrere

Jetediroidescieuxtoutleprofondmystere;

Jet'aideroibeaucoup,jet'ouvriroilavoie,

Maisatoidesaisiretchercheravecjoie;

Etquandtulaverrasd'ici-basdetachee,

Quandsonamemobileauraprislavolee

EtplanerasurMarsauxsuperbescouleurs;

Situveuxobtenird'ellequelqueslueurs,

Posebiendoucement,tamainsursonfrontpale

Etprononcebienbasledouxnomd'Esenale!"[**]

IhavebeenverysensibletothepledgesoffraternalaffectionthatLeopoldhasaccordedme,butthistimeIwasespeciallymoved,andalthoughtheveryuncommonnameofEsenalemeantabsolutelynothingtome,Itookcarenottoforgetthesingularrulewhichhadbeenfurnishedme.Atthefollowingseanceanopportunityforusingitpresenteditself,andLeopoldwentsofarastodirecthimselftheapplicationofhismethodbygivingushisinstructions,sometimeswithonefinger,sometimeswithanother,duringHelene'sMartiantrance.

Monday,November2,1896.--AftervariouscharacteristicsymptomsofthedepartureforMars(vertigo,affectionoftheheart,etc.),Helenewentinadeepsleep.Ihadrecoursetotheprescribedmethod,butLeopold,bythefingersoftherighthand,indicatedthatthepropermomenthadnotyetarrived,andsaid:"Whenthesoulshallagainhaveregainedpossessionofitselfthoushaltexecutemyorder;shewillthendescribetoyou,whilestillasleep,thatwhichsheshallhaveseenonMars."Shortlyafterheadds,"Makehersitdowninaneasy-chair"(insteadoftheuncomfortableonewhichshehadtaken,aswasherwont);then,asherpeacefulsleepstillcontinued,heinformsusagainthatsheisenroutetowardsMars;thatoncearriveduptheresheunderstandstheMartianspokenaroundher,althoughshehasneverlearnedit;thatitisnothe,Leopold,whowilltranslatetheMartianforus--notbecausehedoesnotwishtodoso,butbecausehecannot;thatthistranslationistheperformanceofEsenale,whoisactuallydisincarnateinspace,butwhohasrecentlyliveduponMars,andalsoupontheearth,whichpermitshimtoactasinterpreter,etc.

Afterhalfanhourofwaiting,Helene'scalmsleepgavewaytoagitation,andshepassedintoanotherformofsomnambulism,withsighs,rhythmicmovementsof

theheadandhands,thengrotesqueMartiangesturesandFrenchwordsmurmuredsoftlytothehearingofLeopold,whoseemstoaccompanyheronMars,andtowhomsheconfidessomeofherimpressionsinregardtothatwhichsheperceives.Inthemidstofthissoliloquya'verticalmovementofthearm,peculiartoLeopold,indicatesthatthemomenthasarrivedforcarryingouthisdirections.IplacemyhandonHelene'sforehead,andutterthenameofEsenale,towhichHelenerepliesinasoft,feeble,somewhatmelancholy,voice:"Esenalehasgoneaway...hehasleftmealone...buthewillreturn,...hewillsoonreturn....Hehastakenmebythehandandmademeenterthehouse[thatwhichshesawinhervision,andofwhichshemadethedrawingamonthago--see]....IdonotknowwhereEsenaleisleadingme,buthehassaidtome,'DodenecihaudantemechemeticheAstanekedemeveche,'butIdidnotunderstand;...dode,this;ne,is;ci,the;haudan,house;te,ofthe;meche,great;metiche,man;Astane,Astane;ke,whom;de,thou;me,hast;veche,seen....ThisisthehouseofthegreatmanAstane,whomthouhastseen....Esenalehastoldmethat....Esenalehasgoneaway....Hewillreturn...hewillsoonreturn...hewillteachmetospeak..andAstanewillteachmetowrite."

Ihaveabridgedthislongmonologue,constantlyinterruptedbysilences,andthecontinuationofwhichIonlyobtainedbyhavingconstantrecoursetothenameofEsenaleasthemagicword,alonecapableofextractingeachtimeafewwordsfromHelene'sconfusedbrain.Afterthelastsentenceorphrase,inwhichonecanseeacategoricalpredictionoftheMartianwriting,herweak,slowvoicewasfinallyhushed,andLeopolddirectsbymeansofhisleftmiddlefingertheremovalofthehandfromtheforehead.Thenfollowthecustomaryalternationsoflethargicsleep,sighs,catalepsy,momentaryrelapsesintosomnambulism,etc.Thensheopenshereyespermanently,verymuchsurprisedtofindherselfintheeasy-chair.Herbrainisgreatlyconfused."ItseemstomeasthoughIhadagreatmanythingsonmymind,butIcannotfixuponanything."Bydegreessheregainsaclearconsciousness,butoftheentireseance,whichhaslastedanhourandahalf,thereonlyremainsomefragmentsofMartianvisionsandnorecollectionwhateverofthescenewithEsenaleandthatofthetranslation.

Thisprocessoftranslation,thefirstapplicationofwhichisherepresented,becomesfromthistimethestandardmethod.

Formorethantwoyearsandahalf,theimpositionofthehanduponHelene'sforeheadandtheutteringofthenameofEsenaleatthepropermomentduringthetranceconstitutethe"opensesame"oftheMartian-Frenchdictionaryburied

inthesubliminalstrataofHelene'sconsciousness.Theideaofthisceremonialisevidentlytoawakenbysuggestion--inacertainfavorablesomnambulisticphase,whichLeopoldrecognizesandhimselfannouncesbyagestureofthearm--thesecondarypersonalitywhichhasamuseditselfbycomposingthephrasesofthisextraterrestriallanguage.

Inspiritisticterms,itamountstoinvokingthedisincarnateEsenale,otherwisecalledAlexisMir-bel,who,havinglivedonbothplanets,caneasilydevotehimselftothefunctionsofaninterpreter.

Theonlydifferencebetweenthissceneoftranslationandotherseancesisintheeaseandrapiditywithwhichitisperformed.Esenaleseemssometimestobethoroughlyasleepanddifficulttoawaken;Helenepersistsinreplyingbythestereotypedrefrain,andincessantlyrepeats,inhersoftandmelancholyvoice,"Esenalehasgoneaway--hewillsoonreturn--hehasgoneaway--hewillsoonreturn."Thensomemoreenergeticpassesorfrictionontheforeheadarenecessary,insteadofthesimplepressureofthehand,inordertobreakupthismechanicalrepetition,whichthreatenstogoonforever,andinordertoobtain,finally,therepetitionandtranslation,wordbyword,oftheMartiantexts.Otherwisethevoicecontinuesidenticalwiththatoftherefrain,softandfeeble,andonecanneverknowwhetheritisEsenalehimselfwhoismakinguseofHelene'sphoneticapparatuswithoutmodifyingit,orwhetheritissheherself,repeatinginhersleepwhatEsenalehastoldher;thecategoricaldistinctnessandabsenceofallhesitationinpronunciationoftheMartianareinfavoroftheformersupposition,whichisalsocorroboratedbythefactthat

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Fig13.Martianlandscape.Greenish-yellowsky.Amanwithayellowcomplexion.dressedinwhite,inaboatofbrown,yellow,black,andredcolorsonablue-greenlake;rose-tintedrock,withwhiteandyellowspots;darkgreenvegetation;buildingsofbrown,red,androse-lilactints,withwhitewindow-panesandcurtainsofbrightblue.itwasalsointhissamevoicethatAlexisMirbel(Esenale)spoketohismotherinthescenesofincarnation.(See.)

ItwouldbewearisometorecountindetailallthefurthermanifestationsoftheMartiancycle,whichoccurfrequentlyinnumerousseancesandalsoundertheformofspontaneousvisionsinthedailylifeofMlle.Smith.Thereadercangainanideaofthembothfromtheremarksofthefollowingparagraph,aswellas

fromtheexplanatoryresumesaddedtotheMartiantexts,whichwillbecollectedinthefollowingchapter.ItmerelyremainsformetosayawordhereastothemannerinwhichthepicturesofHelenerelativetoMars,andreproducedinautotypeintheFigs.to,havebeenmade.

Noneofthesepictureshasbeenexecutedincompletesomnambulism,andtheyhavenot,consequently,likethedrawingsofcertainmediums,theinterestofagraphicproduct,absolutelyautomatic,engenderedoutsideofandunknowntotheordinaryconsciousness.TheyarenothingmorethansimplecompositionsofthenormalconsciousnessofMlle.Smith.Theyrepresentatypeofintermediaryactivity,andcorrespondtoastateofhemisomnambulism.Wehaveseenabove()thatalreadyinherchildhoodHeleneseemstohaveexecutedvariouspiecesofworkinasemi-automaticmanner.ThesameperformanceisoftenreproducedontheoccasionoftheMartianvisions,whichsometimespursuehersopersistentlythatshedecidestoexecutethemwithpencilandbrush;workwhich,inanticipation,oftenfrightensherbyitsdifficulty,butwhich,whenthetimecomes,accomplishesitself,tohergreatastonishment,withaneaseandperfectionalmostmechanical.Hereisanexample:

OneTuesdayevening,havingalreadyretired,Helenesawonherbedsomemagnificentflowers,verydifferentfromours,butwithoutperfume,andwhichshedidnottouch,forduringhervisionsshehasnoideaofmoving,andremainsinertandpassive.Theafternoonofthefollowingday,atherdesk,shefoundherselfenvelopedinaredlight,andatthesametimefeltanindefinablebutviolentaffectionoftheheart(auraofthevoyagetoMars)."Theredlightcontinuesaboutme,andIfindmyselfsurroundedbyextraordinaryflowersofthekindwhichIsawonmybed,buttheyhadnoperfume.IwillbringyousomesketchesofthemonSunday."Shesentthemtome,infact,onMonday,withthefollowingnote:"Iamverywellsatisfiedwithmyplants.Theyaretheexactreproductionofthosewhichitaffordedmesomuchpleasuretobehold[No.3,in,which,beforehand,Helenedespairedofbeingabletorenderwell],whichappearedtomeonthelatteroccasion,andIgreatlyregretthatyouwerenotheretoseemeexecutethedrawing:thepencilglidedsoquicklythatIdidnothavetimetonoticewhatcontoursitwasmaking.Icanassertwithoutanyexaggerationthatitwasnotmyhandalonethatmadethedrawing,butthattrulyaninvisibleforceguidedthepencilinspiteofme.Thevarioustintsappearedtomeuponthepaper,andmybrushwasdirectedinspiteofmetowardsthecolorwhichIoughttouse.Thisseemsincredible,

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Fig.9.Martianlandscape.Pinkbridge,withyellowrailingsplungingdownintoapale-blueandpurple-tintedlake.Theshoresandhillsofaredcolor,nogreenbeingvisible.Allthetreesareofabrick-redpurple,orviolettint.[FromthecollectionofM.Lemaitre]

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Fig.15.Light-brownandyellowtrunkandleavesdouble-lobedflowersofavividred,outofwhichproceedyellowstamenslikeblackthreads.

Fig.16.Largeleaves,lightyellowishbrown;flowerswithpurplepetalswithblackstamensandblackstemscoveredwithlittlepurpleleaveslikepetals.

Fig.17.Largevioletfruitwithblackspots,surmountedbyayellowandvioletplume,Thetrunkofbrowncolorwithblackveins,withsixbranchesofthesamecharacterendinginayellowhook.Red-bricksoil.butitis,notwithstanding,theexacttruth.ThewholewasdonesoquicklythatImarvelledatit."

ThehouseofAstane(),andtheextensivelandscapesofFigs.and,arealsotheproductsofaquasi-automaticactivity,whichalwaysgivesgreatsatisfactiontoMlle.Smith.Itis,inaway,hersubliminalselfwhichholdsthebrushandexecutes,atitspleasure,itsowntableaux,whichalsohavethevalueofveritableoriginals.Otherdrawings,onthecontrary(forexample,theportraitofAstane,),whichhavegivenHelenemuchtroublewithouthavingsatisfiedherverywell,shouldberegardedassimplecopiesfrommemory,bytheordinarypersonality,ofpastvisions,thememoryofwhichisgravenuponhermindinamannersufficientlypersistenttoserveasamodelseveraldaysafterwards.Inbothcases,butespeciallyinthefirst,Helene'spaintingsmaybeconsideredasfaithfulreproductionsofthetableauxwhichunfoldthemselvesbeforeher,andconsequentlygiveusbetterthanmostverbaldescriptionsanideaofthegeneralcharacterofherMartianvisions.

LetusseenowwhatkindofinformationthemessagesandsomnambulismsofHelenefurnishusinregardtothebrilliantplanetwhosecomplicatedrevolutionsformerlyrevealedtoaKeplerthefundamentalsecretsofmodernastronomy.

III.THEPERSONAGESOFTHEMARTIANROMANCE

Inusingtheword"romance"todesignatetheMartiancommunications,takenasawhole,Iwishtostatethattheyare,tomymind,aworkofpureimagination,butnotthattherearetobefoundinthemcharacteristicsofunityandofinternalco-ordination,ofsustainedaction,ofincreasinginteresttothefinaldenouement.TheMartianromanceisonlyasuccessionofdetachedscenesandtableaux,withoutorderorintimateconnection,andshowingnoothercommontraitsbeyondtheunknownlanguagespokeninit,thequitefrequentpresenceofthesamepersonages,andacertainfashionoforiginality,acolororqualitybadlydefinedas"exotic"or"bizarre"inthelandscapes,theedifices,thecostumes,etc.

Ofaconsecutiveplotorintrigue,properlysocalled,thereisnotrace.InaturallyspeakonlyofthatwhichwehavelearnedfromtheseancesofMlle.Smith,orfromthespontaneousvisionswhichsherecollectssufficientlytonarrateafterwards.Butthisfailstoshadowforththehiddensourcewhencetheyallspring.

Withoutdeterminingthequestion,Iaminclined,nevertheless,toaccordtotheMartianromance,insomeprofoundstratumofHelene'sbeing,amuchgreatercontinuityandextentthanwouldappearfromjudgingitsolelybythefragmentsknowntous.Wehaveonly,inmyopinion,afewpages,takenathazardfromdifferentchapters;thebulkofthevolumeiswanting,andthelittlewepossessdoesnotenableustoreconstructitinasatisfactorymanner.Wemust,therefore,becontentwithsortingthisdebrisofunequalimportance,accordingtotheircontent,independentlyoftheirchronologicalorder,andgroupingthemaroundtheprincipalpersonageswhichfigureinthem.

TheanonymousandmixedcrowdwhichformsthebaseofsomeoftheMartianvisionsonlydiffersfromthatofourowncountrybythelargerobecommontobothsexes,theflathats,andthesandalsboundtothefeetbystraps.Theinterestisconfinedtoasmallnumberofmoredistinctpersonageshavingeachhisownname,alwaysterminatinginanewiththemenandinaniwiththewomen,exceptonlyinthecaseofEsenale,whooccupies,however,aplacebyhimselfinhisqualityofdisincarnatedMartian,fulfillingthefunctionofinterpreter.Letusbeginbysayingafewwordsabouthim.

ESENALE

Wehaveseen()thatthisnamewashintedatbyLeopoldonthe22dofOctober,1896,withoutanyotherexplanationasameansofobtainingthesignificationof

theMartianwords.Thenatthefirstrecurrencetothistalisman(November2d,see)welearnonlythathewasadeceasedinhabitantofMars,whoseacquaintanceLeopoldhadrecentlymadeininterplanetaryspace.Itwasonlyatthefollowingseance(November8th),wherewefindMme.Mirbel,that,afteranincarnationofhersonAlexis,followedbythesceneoftranslation(see[text3])andinresponsetoquestionsofthesitters--whichansweredverywellthepurposeofsuggestion--Leopoldaffirmedbytheleftindex-fingerthatEsenalewasAlexisMirbel.ItcannotbedeterminedwhetherthatidentificationconstitutedaprimitivefactwhichitpleasedLeopoldtokeepsecret,onlyrevealingitattheendofaseanceatwhichMme.Mirbelwaspresent,orwhether,asIaminclinedtoregardit,itwasonlyestablishedatthatsameseance,underthedominationofthecircumstancesofthemoment.AsatranslatorofMartian,Esenaledidnotshowgreattalent.Hehadtobeentreated,anditwasnecessaryoftentorepeathisnamewhilepressingorrubbingHelene'sforehead,inordertoobtaintheexactmeaningofthelasttextswhichhadbeengiven.Hepossessed,itistrue,anexcellentmemory,andfaithfullyreproduced,beforegivingitwordbyword,theFrenchfortheMartianphraseswhichHelenehadheardseveralweeksbeforeandonlyseenagainfiveorsixmonthsafterwards([text24]),andofwhichtherehadbeennopreviousopportunitytoobtainatranslation.Butitwastotheselattertexts,notyetinterpreted,thatheconfinedhiswillingness;ontwooccasionsonlydidheadd,ofhisownaccord,somewordsofnoimportance(texts[15]and[36].[TextNo.19],forinstance,hasalwaysremaineduntranslated,andmylaterefforts(June4,1899)toobtainthemeaningoftheunknownwordsmilepirihavebeeninvain;moreover,Esenalehasnotbeenabletofillupthegapsintext[No.24].

AlexisMirbel,afterthetwofirstMartianseances,reportedonpp.and,calledEsenale,oftenaccordedhismother,inscenesofincarnation,somewhatpathetic,touchingmessagesoffilialtendernessandconsolation(texts[3],[4],[11],[15],and[18]).Itistobenotedthat,althoughopportunitiesforcontinuingthisrolewerenotwanting,heappearstohavecompletelyabandoneditforthelasttwoyears:Hislastmessageofthiskind(October10,1897,[text18])followedamonthafteracuriousseanceinwhichLeopoldsoughttoexplaintousspontaneously--noonehadmentionedthesubject--certainflagrantcontradictionsinthefirstmanifestationsofAlexis-Esenale.Hereisaresumeofthatscene,withthetextofLeopold'scommunication:

September12,1897.--Aftersundrywakingvisions,Mlle.SmithhearsLeopoldspeaking;hereyesareclosed,and,appearingtobeasleep,sherepeats,

mechanicallyandinaslowandfeeblevoice,thefollowingwords,whichherguideaddressestoher:"Thouartgoingtopaycloseattention.Tellthemnow[thesitters]tokeepasquietaspossible,thatiswhatoftenmarsthephenomena,thecomingsandgoings,andtheidlechatterofwhichyouareneverweary.Yourecollecttherewas,severalmonthsago,ayoungman,thatyoungmanAlexisMirbel,whocametogivecounseltohismotheratareunionyouheldwithM.(Idonotunderstandthenamehegave)...atCarouge[]...Well,atthatmomenthehappened--thatistosay,twodaysbefore--todieon...(Icouldnotunderstandthename)...wherehehadbeen...orhehadregainedlife.[]ThisiswhyIhavecometotellyouto-dayhewasinthatphaseofseparationofthematerialpartfromthesoulwhichpermittedhimtorecollecthispreviousexistence--thatistosay,hislifeherebelowinthisstate;henotonlyrecollectshisfirstmother,butcanspeakoncemorethe-languageheusedtospeakwithher.Sometimeafter,whenthesoulwasfinallyatrest,henolongerrecollectedthatfirstlanguage;hereturns,hehoversabout(hismother),seesherwithjoy,butisincapableofspeakingtoherinyourlanguage.[+]WhetheritwillreturntohimIdonotknowandcannotsay,butIbelievethatitwill.Andnowlisten."HereMlle.Smithseemstoawake,openshereyes,andhasalongMartianvision,whichshedescribesindetail.Shenowseesalittlegirlinayellowrobe,whosenameshehearsasAniniNikaine,occupiedwithvariouschildishgames--e.g.,withasmallwandshemakesanumberofgrotesquelittlefiguresdanceinawhitetub,largeandshallow,fullofsky-bluewater.Thencomeotherpersons,and,finally,Astane,whohasapeninhisfingers,and,littlebylittle,takesholdofHelene'sarmandthrowsherintoadeeptranceforthepurposeofcausinghertowritetext[No.17].

ThesespontaneousexplanationsofLeopoldareinterestinginthattheybetrayclearlythesubliminaldesiretointroducesomeorderandlogicintotheincoherencesofthemediumisticreveries.Itisaformoftheprocessofjustificationandretrospectiveinterpretationintendedtomaketheincidentsofthepastaccordwiththedominantideasofthepresent(see).Inappearance,thetheoryuponwhichLeopoldrested,afterhavingdoubtlessmeditatedlong,isquiteawkward;butperhapsitwasdifficultforhimtodobetter,sincenoonecanaccomplishtheimpossible.

ASTANE

"ThegreatmanAstane"isthereincarnationonMarsoftheHindoofakirKanga,whowasadevotedcompanionandfriendofSimandini.Hehaspreservedinhis

newexistencethespecialcharacterofsavantorofsorcerer,whichheformerlypossessedinIndia,andhehasequallyretainedallhisaffectionforhisprincessofold,whohasbeenrestoredtohiminMlle.Smith;hefrequentlyutilizeshismagicpowerstoevokeher--thatistosay,tore-enterintospiritualcommunicationwithher,notwithstandingthedistancesbetweentheiractualplacesofhabitation.Thewaysandmeansofthatevocationremain,however,envelopedinmystery.WecannotsaywhetheritwasHelenethatrejoinedAstaneonMarsduringhersomnambulism,orwhetheritwashewhodescended"fluidly"towardsherandbroughttohertheodorsofthefar-distantplanet.

WhenAstanesaystoHelene,duringaseance:"Cometomeaninstant.Comeandadmiretheseflowers,"etc.([text8]),orshowsherthecuriositiesofhisMartianabode,itseemsasthoughhehadreallycalledhertohimthroughspace;butwhenheappearstoher,whileawake,attheedgeofherbathtub,andexpresseshischagrinatfindingherstillonthismiserableearth([text7]),itmustbeadmittedthatitishewhohasdescendedtoherandinspiresherwiththesevisionsofanupperworld.Itisofnoimportance,onthewhole.Itisheretobenotedthat,intheseevocations,Astaneonlymanifestshimselfinvisualandauditivehallucinations,neverintactileimpressionsorthoseofgeneralsensibility;inthesphereofemotionhispresenceisaccompaniedbyagreatcalmonthepartofHelene,aprofoundbliss,andanecstaticdisposition,whichisthecorrelativeandpendantofthehappinessexperiencedbyAstanehimself(texts[10],[17],etc.)atfindinghimselfinthepresenceofhisidolofthepast.ThesocialstateofAstane--Ishouldrathersayhisname,hisqualityofsorcerer,andhispreviousterrestrialexistenceinthebodyofKanga--wasnotimmediatelyrevealed.

Nevertheless,athisfirstapparition(September5,1896,see),herisessuperiortothecrowd,inasmuchashealonepossessesaflying-machineincomprehensibletous.InthefollowingweeksMlle.Smithhearshisname,andseeshimagainonmanyoccasions,aswellashishouse(),butitisonlyattheendoftwomonthsandahalfthathisidentityandhis"evocative"powersbecomeknown,ataseanceatwhichIwasnotpresent,andduringwhichHelenedidnot,contrarytoherusualcustom,fallcompletelyasleep.Thefollowingisaresumeofthenotes,whichIowetothekindnessofM.Cuendet:

November19,1896.--Contrarytotheexperienceoftheprecedingseances,Mlle.Smithremainedconstantlyawake,herarmsfreeonthetable,conversingandevenlaughingallthewhilewiththesitters.Themessageswereobtainedby

meansofvisionsandtyptologicaldictations.HelenehavingaskedLeopoldhowithappensthatshehadbeenabletocommunicatewithabeinglivingonMars,shehasavisioninwhichAstaneappearstoherinacostumemoreOrientalthanMartian."WherehaveIseenthatcostume?"asksshe;andthetablereplies,"InIndia,"whichindicatesthatAstaneisanex-HindooreincarnatedonMars.AtthesametimeHelenehasavisionofanOrientallandscapewhichshebelievesshehasalreadyseenbefore,butwithoutknowingwhere.SheseesAstanethere,carryingunderhisarmrollsofpaperofadirtywhitecolor,andbowinginOrientalfashionbeforeawoman,alsoclothedinOrientalgarments,whomshealsobelievesshehasseenbefore.Thesepersonagesappeartohertobe"inanimate,likestatues."Thesittersaskwhetherthevisionwasnotasimpletableau(ofthepast)presentedbyLeopold;thetablerepliesintheaffirmative,theninclinesitselfsignificantlytowardsMlle.Smith,whensomeoneaskedwhothatOrientalwomanmightbe,andtheideaisputforththatpossiblysherepresentsSimandini.Finally,tofurtherquestionsofthesitters,thetable(Leopold)dictatesagainthatAstaneinhisHindooexistencewascalledKanga,whowasa"sorcereroftheperiod";thenthat"AstaneontheplanetMarspossessesthesamefacultyofevocationwhichhehadpossessedinIndia."LeopoldisthenaskedifthepowerofAstaneisgreaterthanhis."Adifferentpower,ofequalstrength,"repliesthetable.Finally,HelenedesiringtoknowwhetherAstanewhenheevokesherseesherinherrealcharacterorthatofherHindooincarnation,thetableaffirmsthatheseesherinherHindoocharacter,andadds:"and,inconsequence,underthosecharacteristicswhichshe[Helene]possessesto-dayandwhichareinsuchstrikingharmonywiththoseofSimaNdini,"insistingontheNinthemiddleofthename.

ItistoberemarkedthatatthissittingitwasLeopoldwhogavealltheinformationinregardtothepastofAstane,andthatherecognizesinhimapoweroverHelenealmostequaltohisown.ItisstrangethattheaccreditedguideofMlle.Smith,ordinarilysojealousofhisrightsoverherandreadytotakeoffenceatallrivalpretensions,sofreelyaccordssuchprerogativestoAstane.ThisunexpectedmildnessisstillmoresurprisingwhenthesingularsimilarityofpositionofthesetwopersonagesinregardtoHeleneisconsidered.Kanga,theHindoofakir,holdsinthelifeofSimandiniexactlythesameplaceasCagliostrointhelifeofMarieAntoinette,theplaceofasorcerergivingbeneficialcounsel,andatthesametimeofaplatonicadorer,andbothofthemintheiractualrolesofAstaneandofLeopoldpreserveforMlle.Smiththerespectfulattachmentwhichtheyhadforherillustriousformerexistences.Howisitthesetwoextra-terrestrialpretendersdonothateeachotherthemore

cordiallysincetheirrivalclaimsuponHelenehaveidenticalfoundations?But,farfromintheleastdisputingherpossession,theyassisteachotherinthemosttouchingfashion.WhenAstanewritesinMartianbyMlle.Smith'srighthandthatthenoiseofthesittersthreatenstomakehiminsane(see[*text20])itisLeopoldwhocomestohisrescueinmakingthemkeepsilentbyhisgestureswiththeleftarm.WhenLeopoldindicatestomethatthemomentforpressingHelene'sforeheadhasarrived,itisAstanewholendshimhispencilinorderthatthemessagemaybewritten(seebelow,seanceofSeptember12,1897,and),andtheexchangeofpowerstakesplacebetweenthemwithoutthemediumexperiencingtheleastshock,andwithoutitsbetrayingitselfoutwardlyotherwisethanbythedifferenceoftheirhandwriting.ItistruethatLeopold'sapparitionstoHeleneareinfinitelymorefrequentandhisincarnationsmuchmorecompletethanthoseofAstane,whoshowshimselftoheratincreasingintervals,andhasneverattainedtospeakingbyhermouth.Itmakesnodifference:thesetwopersonagesresembleeachothertoomuchformutualtoleration--iftheyarereallytwo.

Myconclusionpresses.Astaneis,atbottom,onlyacopy,adouble,atranspositionintheHindoo-MartianmannerofLeopold.Theyaretwovariationsofoneprimitivetheme.Inregardingthesetwobeings,asIdo,intheabsenceofprooftothecontrary,notasrealandobjectiveindividualities,butaspseudo-personalities,dreamfictions,fantasticsubdivisionsofthehypnoidconsciousnessofMlle.Smith,itmaybesaidthatitisthesamefundamentalemotionwhichhasinspiredthesetwinroles,thedetailsofwhichhavebeenadaptedbythesubliminalimaginationtocorrespondtothediversityofthecircumstances.Thecontradictionpainfullyfeltbetweentheproudaspirationsofthegrandedameandthevexingironiesofrealityhascausedthetwotragicpreviousexistencestogushforth--intrinsicallyidentical,inspiteofthedifferencesofplaceandepoch--ofthenoblegirlofArabia,havingbecomeHindooprincess,burnedaliveonthetombofherdespotofahusband,andofherAustrianhighness,havingbecomeQueenofFranceandsharingthemartyrdomofherspouse.

Onparallellines,inthesetwodreamsissuingfromthesameemotionalsource,itistheuniversalandconstanttasteofthehumanimaginationforthemarvellous,alliedtotheveryfeminineneedofarespectfulandslightlyidolatrousprotector,whichontheonesidehascreatedoutofwholecloththepersonageofKanga-Astane,andontheotherhandhasabsorbed,withoutbeingcarefulinmodifyingauthentichistory,thatofCagliostro-Leopold.Bothareidealisticsorcerers,ofprofoundsagacity,tender-hearted,whohaveplacedtheirgreatwisdomatthe

serviceoftheunfortunatesovereignandmadeforher,oftheirdevotion,amountingalmosttoadoration,atowerofstrength,asupremeconsolationinthemidstofallthebitternessesofreallife.AndasLeopoldactsasguideforHeleneSmithinthegeneralcourseofheractualearthlyexistence,soAstaneseeminglyplaysthesaneroleinthemomentsofthatlifeinwhichHeleneleavesoursublunarworldtoflyawaytotheorbofMars.

If,then,Astaneisonlyareflection,aprojection

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Fig.12.HouseofAstane.Bluesky;soil,mountains,andwallsofaredcolor.Thetwoplants,withtwistedtrunks,havepurpleleaves;theothershavelonggreenlowerleavesandsmallpurplehigherleaves.Theframe-workofthedoors,windows,anddecorationsareintheshapeoftrumpets,andareofabrownish-redcolor.Whiteglass(?)andcurtainsorshadesofaturquoise-blue.Therailingsoftheroofareyellow,withbluetips.

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Fig.14.Martianlandscape.Skyofyellow;greenlake;grayshoresborderedbyabrownfence;bell-towersontheshore,inyellow-browntones,withcornersandpinnaclesornamentedwithpinkandblueballs;hillofredrocks,withvegetationofaratherdarkgreeninterspersedwithrose,purple,andwhitespots(flowers);buildingsatthebaseconstructedofbrick-redlattice-work;edgesandcornersterminatinginbrown-redtrumpets;immensewhitewindow-panes,withturquoise-bluecurtains;roofsfurnishedwithyellow-brownbell-turrets,brick-redbattlements,orwithgreenandredplants(likethoseofAstane'shouse,).Personswithlargewhitehead-dressesandredorbrownrobes.ofLeopoldintheMartiansphere,hehasthereassumedaspecialcoloring,andhasoutwardlyharmonizedhimselfwiththisnewsituation.

Heisclothedinavoluminous,embroideredrobe;hehaslonghair,nobeard,ayellowcomplexion,andcarriesinhishandawhiteroll,onwhichhewriteswithapointfastenedtotheendoftheindex-finger.

Hishouse()isquadrangular,withgatesandwindows,andremindsonebyitsexterioraspectofsomeOrientalstructure,withaflatroofembellishedwithplants.

Theinsideisalsoappropriate.Thefurniturerecallsoursbyforceofcontrast.Wehavefewdetails;withtheexceptionofamusicalinstrumentwithverticalcylinders,closelyrelatedtoourorgans,uponwhichHelenesometimesseesandhearsAstaneplaying,seatedonastoolwithonefoot,resemblingamilking-stool.

Whenwepasstothegardenthesameamalgamofanalogiesandunlikenessestoourfloraarediscovered.WehaveseenthatHelenehasbeenoftenhauntedinthewakingstatebyvisionsofMartianplantsandflowers,whichshefinallydrawsorpaintswithafacilityapproachingautomatism;thesespecimens,asalsothetreesscatteredoverthelandscapes,showthatMartianvegetationdoesnotdifferessentiallyfromours.Oftheanimalswedonotknowmuch.Astanehasoftenwithhimanuglybeast,whichcausedHelenemuchfrightonaccountofitsgrotesqueform--abouttwofeetlong,withaflattail;ithasthe"headofacabbage,"withabiggreeneyeinthemiddle(liketheeyeofapeacockfeather),andfiveorsixpairsofpaws,orearsallabout(see).Thisanimalunitestheintelligenceofthedogwiththestupidityoftheparrot,sinceontheonehanditobeysAstaneandfetchesobjectsathiscommand(wedonotknowhow),while,ontheotherhand,itknowshowtowrite,butinamannerpurelymechanical.(Wehaveneverhadaspecimenofthishandwriting).(See.)

Infact,astootheranimals,beyondthelittleblackbirdcited,withoutdescription([text20]),andaspeciesoffemaledeerforthepurposeofnursinginfants([text36]),Helenesawonlyhorridaquaticbeastslikebigsnails,whichAstanecaughtbymeansofironnetsstretchedoverthesurfaceofthewater.

Astane'spropertyisenclosedbylargeredstones,ontheborderofthewater,whereHelenelovestoretirewithherguidetoconverseinpeaceandtorecalltomindwithhimtheancientandmelancholymemoriesoftheirHindooexistence;thegeneraltoneoftheseconversationsisentirelythesameasthatofherconversationswithLeopold.

Thereisamountainalsoofredrocks,whereAstanepossessessomeexcavateddwelling-places,akindofgrottoappropriatetothesorcerer-savantwhichheis.

ThecorpseofEsenale,admirablypreserved,isalsotobeseenthere,amongotherthings,aboutwhichthedisincarnateEsenalesometimesfloatsin"fluid"form,andwhichHelenestillfindssofttothetouch,

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Fig.18.Astane'suglybeast.Thebodyandtailarerose-colored;theeyeisgreenwithablackcentre;theheadisblackish;thelateralappendicesarebrownish-yellow,covered.likethewholebody,withpinkhair.

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Fig.11.Astane.Yellowcomplexion,brownhair;brownsandals;rollofwhitepaperinhishand;variegatedcostume,orredandwhite;brick-redbeltandborder.

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Fig.19.Martianlamp,standingagainstaroseandblue-coloredtapestry.when,aftermuchhesitation,andnotwithoutfright,shegainedcouragetotouchitwiththeendofherfinger,attheinvitationofAstane.Itisalsointhishouse,excavatedintherock,thatAstanehashisobservatory,apittraversingthemountain,bymeansofwhichhecontemplatestheheavens([*text9]),ourearthincluded,bymeansofatelescope,whichthebeastwiththeheadofacabbagebringshim.

TothesequalitiesofsavantAstanejoinsthoseofwisecounsellorandofpatriarchalgovernor.WealsoseeayounggirlnamedMatemicomingtoconsulthimfrequently(texts[22]and[28]),perhapsonmatrimonialaffairs,sinceMatemireappearsonseveraloccasionswithherloverorherfiance,Sike,and,amongothers,atagreatfamilyfete,presidedoverbyAstane.(See.)

Thefollowingaresomedetailsconcerningthatvision,whichoccupiedthegreaterpartofaseance(November28,1897).Helenesees,inavast,red,initiallight,aMartianstreetappear,lightedneitherbylampsnorelectricity,butbylightsshiningthroughsmallwindowsinthewallsofthehouses.Theinteriorofoneofthesehousesbecomesvisibletoher:asuperb,squarehall,lightedateachanglebyakindoflamp,formedoffoursuperposedglobes,--twoblueandtwowhite--notofglass();undereachlampasmallbasin,overwhichwasakindofcornucopiapouringforthwater.Thereweremanyornamentalplants.Inthemiddleofthehall,agrove,aroundwhichareplacedanumberofsmalltableswithapolishedsurfacelikenickel.ThereareyoungpeopleinMartianrobes;younggirlswithlonghairhangingdowntheirbacks,andwearingatthebackoftheheadahead-dressofroses;coloredblueorgreenbutterfliesattachedtothe

neck.

TherewereatleastthirtyspeakingMartian(butHelenedidnothearthemdistinctly).Astaneappeared"inaveryuglyrobeto-day,"andshowedhimselffulloffriendlygallantrytowardstheyounggirls.Heseatshimselfaloneatoneofthetableswhiletheyoungpeopletaketheirplacesatothers,twocouplesateach.Thesetablesareadornedwithflowersdifferentfromours:someblue,withleavesintheshapeofalmonds;othersstarry,andaswhiteasmilk,scentedlikemusk;others,again,themostbeautiful,havetheformoftrumpets,eitherblueorfirecolored,withlargeroundedleaves,withblackfigures.(See.)

HelenehearsAstanepronouncethename"Pouze."Thencometwomeninlongwhitetrouserswithablacksash;onewearsacoatofrosecolor,theotherawhiteone.Theycarryornamentedtrays,and,passinginfrontofeachtable,theyplacesquareplatesuponthem,withforkswithouthandles,formedofthreeteethaninchinlength:forglassestheyhadgobletsliketea-cups,borderedwithasilverthread.Thentheybroughtinakindofbasinacookedanimalresemblingacat,whichisplacedbeforeAstane,whotwistsitandcutsitrapidlywithhisfingers,tippedwithsharpsilvertips;squarepiecesaredistributed,amongtheguests,onsquareplateswithfurrowsaroundtheedgesforthejuice.Everyoneisfilledwithawildgayety.Astanesitsateachtableinsuccession,andthegirlspasstheirhandsthroughhishair.New

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Fig.10.Flying-machineheldbyAstane,emittingyellowandredflames.[FromthecollectionofM.Lemaitre.]

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Fig.20.PlantofMartiandesign.Fire-redflowers;violet-grayleaves.platesarebrought,andpink,white,andbluebasinstippedwithflowers.Thesebasinsmelt,andareeatenliketheflowers.Thentheguestswashtheirhandsatlittlefountainsinthecornersoftheroom.

Nowoneofthewallsisraised,likethecurtainofatheatre,andHeleneseesamagnificenthalladornedwithluminousglobes,flowers,andplants,withtheceilingpaintedinpinkcloudsonapinksky,withcouchesandpillowssuspendedalongthewalls.Thenanorchestraoftenmusiciansarrive,carryingakindofgildedfunnelaboutfivefeetinheight,witharoundcovertothelargeopening,

andattheneckakindofrake,onwhichtheyplacedtheirfingers.Helenehearsmusiclikethatmadebyflutesandseeseveryonemoving;theyarrangethemselvesbyfours,makepassesandgestures,thenreuniteingroupsofeight.Theyglideaboutgently,foritcouldnotbecalleddancing.Theydonotclaspeachother'swaists,butplacetheirhandsoneachother'sshoulders,standingsomedistanceapart.Itisterriblywarm.Itis"boilinghot."Theystop,walk,talk,anditisthenthatHelenehearsatallyoungbrunette(Matemi)andashortyoungman(Sike)exchangethefirstwordsoftext[*No.20].Thentheydepartinthedirectionofalargebushwithredflowers(tamiche)andaresoonfollowedbyRamieandhiscompanion.

Atthismomentthevision,whichhaslastedanhourandaquarter,passesaway.Helene,whohadremainedstandingduringthewholedescription,nowentersintocompletesomnambulism,andAstanecauseshertowriteMartianphraseswhichshehadheardandrepeatedashorttimebefore.DuringtheentirevisionLeopoldoccupiedherlefthand,whichwashanginganaestheticallydownherbody,andrepliedbyhisindex-fingertothequestionswhichIaskedinalowvoice.IthuslearnedthatthisMartianscenewasnotawedding,oranyspecialceremony,butasimplefamilyfete;thatitwasnorecollectionorproductofHelene'simaginationbutarealityactuallypassingonMars:thatitwasnotLeopoldbutAstanewhofurnishedthisvisionandcausedhertohearthemusic:thatLeopoldhimselfneithersawnorheardanythingofitall,yetknowsallthatMlle.Smithseesandhears,etc.

Thisresumeofafamilyfete,presidedoverbyAstane,givesthemeasureoftheoriginalityofthepeopleofMars.Thevisionsrelatingtootherincidentsareofthesameorder:readthedescriptionoftheMartiannursery([text36]),ofthevoyageinamizaasortofautomobile,themechanismofwhichisentirelyunknowntous([text23]),oftheoperationofchirurgery([*text29]),ofthegamesofthelittleAnini(,etc.).Weseealwaysthesamegeneralmixtureofimitationofthingswhichtranspireamongus,andofinfantilemodificationsofthemintheminutedetails.

POUZERAMIE--VARIOUSPERSONAGES

OftheotherpersonageswhotraversetheMartianvisionsweknowtoolittletowastemuchtimeuponthem.ThenameoftheonewhoappearsmostfrequentlyisPouze.Heispresentatthebanquet,andwemeethimalsointhecompanyofapoorlittlewitheredoldmanwithatremblingvoice,inconnectionwithwhomhe

occupieshimselfwithgardeningorbotany,inaneveningpromenadebytheshoreofthelake([text14]).HealsofiguresagainbythesideofanunknownpersonnamedPanine,andhehasason,Saine,whohadmetwithsomeaccidenttohisheadandhadbeencuredofit,tothegreatjoyofhisparents(texts[23]and[*24]).

Finally,wemustdevoteafewwordstoRamie,whomanifestshimselfforthefirsttimeinOctober,1898,astherevealeroftheultra-Martianworld,ofwhichweshallsoontakecognizance.RamieseemstobearelativeofAstane,anastronomer,notsobrilliantasAstane,butpossessingthe'sameprivilege,whichtheordinaryMartiansdonotseemtoenjoy,ofbeingabletotakeholdofHelene'sarm,andofwritingwithherhand.Thereis,tomymind,nofundamentaldifferencebetweenLeopold,Astane,andRamie,intheirrelationtoHelene;theyareonlyareproductionintriplicateofoneidenticalemotionalrelation,andIdonotthinkIammistakeninregardingthesethreefiguresasthreeverytransparentdisguisesofthesamefundamentalpersonality,whichisonlyahypnoidsubdivisionoftherealbeingofMlle.Smith.

Itismuchwisertoleavetothefuture--iftheMartianandultra-Martianromancescontinuetodevelop--thetaskofenlighteningourselvesmorecompletelyastothetruecharacterofRamie.PossiblysomedayweshallalsoknowmoreconcerningthecouplecalledMatemiandSike,aswellasmanyothers,suchasSazeni,Panine,thelittleBullie,Rome,Fedie,etc.,ofwhomwenowknowscarcelymorethantheirnames,andunderstandnothinginregardtotheirpossiblerelationshipstothecentralfiguresofAstaneandEsenale.

IV.CONCERNINGTHEAUTHOROFTHEMARTIANROMANCE

ThegeneralideaswhichtheMartiancyclesuggestswillmostassuredlydiffer,accordingtowhetheritisconsideredasanauthenticrevelationofaffairsontheplanetMars,oronlyasasimplefantasyoftheimaginationofthemedium;andmeanwhile,holding,myself,tothesecondsupposition,IdemandfromtheMartianromanceinformationinregardtoitsauthorratherthanitssubject-matter.

Therearetwoorthreepointsconcerningthisunknownauthorwhichstrikemeforcibly:

First:Heshowsasingularindifference--possiblyitmaybeduetoignorance--in

regardtoallthosequestionswhicharemostprominentatthepresenttime,Iwillnotsayamongastronomers,butamongpeopleoftheworldsomewhatfondofpopularscienceandcuriousconcerningthemysteriesofouruniverse.ThecanalsofMars,inthefirstplace--thosefamouscanalswithreduplication--temporarilymoreenigmaticalthanthoseoftheEgoofthemediums;thenthestripsofsupposedcultivationalongtheirborders,themassofsnowaroundthepoles,thenatureofthesoil,andtheconditionsoflifeonthoseworlds,inturninundatedandburning,thethousandandonequestionsofhydrography,ofgeology,ofbiology,whichtheamateurnaturalistinevitablyaskshimselfonthesubjectoftheplanetnearesttous--ofallthistheauthoroftheMartianromanceknowsnothingandcaresnothing.Questionsofsociologydonottroublehimtoamuchgreaterextent,sincethepeopleoccupyingthemostprominentplaceintheMartianvisions,andmakingtheconversation,innowiseenlightenusastothecivilandpoliticalorganizationoftheirglobe,astothefineartsandreligion,commerceandindustry,etc.Havethebarriersofthenationsfallen,andistherenolongerastandingarmyupthere,exceptthatofthelaboreroccupiedintheconstructionandmaintenanceofthatgiganticnet-workofcanalsforcommunicationorirrigation?EsenaleandAstanehavenotdeignedtoinformus.Itseemsprobablefromcertainepisodesthatthefamilyis,aswithus,atthefoundationofMartiancivilization;nevertheless,wehavenodirectordetailedinformationinregardtothissubject.Itisuselesstospeculate.ItIsevidentthattheauthorofthisromancedidnotcaremuchforscience,andthat,inspiteofherdesiretocomplywiththewishesofM.Lemaitre(see),shehadnottheleastconceptionofthequestionswhichariseinourday,ineverycultivatedmind,astotheplanetMarsanditsprobableinhabitants.

Secondly:If,insteadofquarrellingwiththeMartianromanceaboutthatwhichitfailstofurnishus,weendeavortoappreciatethefullvalueofwhatitdoesgiveus,wearestruckbytwopoints,whichIhavealreadytoucheduponmorethanonceinpassing--viz.,thecompleteidentityoftheMartianworld,takeninitschiefpoints,withtheworldnwhichwelive,anditspuerileoriginalityinahostofminordetails.Take,forexample,thefamilyfete().Tobesure,thevenerableAstaneistheresalutedbyacaressofthehairinsteadofahand-shake;theyoungcoupleswhiledancinggraspeachothernotbythewaistbutbytheshoulder;theornamentalplantsdonotbelongtoanyspeciesknowntous:but,savefortheseinsignificantdivergencesfromourcostumesandhabits,asawhole,andingeneraltone,itisexactlyaswithus.

Theimaginationwhichforgedthesescenes,withalltheirdecoration,is

remarkablycalm,thoughtful,devotedtotherealandtheprobable.Themiza,whichrunswithoutavisiblemotorpower,isneithermorenorlessextraordinarytotheuninitiatedspectatorthanmanyofthevehicleswhichtraverseourroads.Thecoloredglobesplacedinanapertureofthewallsofthehousestolightthestreetsrecallstronglyourelectriclamps.Astane'sflying-machinewillprobablysoonberealizedinsomeformorother.Thebridgeswhichdisappearunderthewaterinordertoallowboatstopass([*text25])are,saveforatechnicalperson,asnaturalasourswhichaccomplishthesameresultbyliftingthemselvesintheair.Withtheexceptionofthe"evocative"powersofAstane,whichonlyconcernMlle.SmithpersonallyanddonotfigureinanyMartianscene,thereisnothingonMarswhichgoesbeyondwhathasbeenattainedormightbeexpectedtobeaccomplishedbyingeniousinventorsherebelow.

Awiselittleimaginationoftenortwelveyearsoldwouldhavedeemeditquitedrollandoriginaltomakepeopleupthereeatonsquareplateswithafurrowforthegravy,ofmakinganuglybeastwithasingleeyecarrythetelescopeofAstanetohim,ofmakingbabiestobefedbytubesrunningdirectlytothebreastsofanimalslikethefemaledeer,etc.ThereisnothingoftheThousandandOneNights,theMetamorphosesofOvid,fairystories,ortheadventuresofGulliver,notraceofogresnorofgiantsnorofveritablesorcerersinthiswholecycle.Onewouldsaythatitwastheworkofayoungscholartowhomhadbeengiventhetaskoftryingtoinventaworldasdifferentaspossiblefromours,butreal,andwhohadconscientiouslyappliedhimselftoit,looseningthereinsofhischildishfancyinregardtoamultitudeofminorpointsinthelimitsofwhatappearedadmissibleaccordingtohisshortandnarrowexperience.

Thirdly:BythesideofthesearbitraryanduselessinnovationstheMartianromancebearsinamultitudeofitscharacteristicsaclearlyOrientalstamp,uponwhichIhavealreadyofteninsisted.TheyellowcomplexionandlongblackhairofAstane;thecostumeofallthepersonages--robesembroideredorofbrillianthues,sandalswiththongs,flatwhitehats,etc.,thelonghairofthewomenandtheornamentsintheformofbutterfliesfortheircoiffures;thehousesofgrotesqueshapes,recallingthepagoda,kiosk,andminaret,thewarmandglowingcolorsoftheskies,thewater,therocks,andthevegetation(seeFigs.and),etc.:allthishasashamairofJapanese,Chinese,Hindoo.ItistobenotedthatthisimprintoftheextremeEastispurelyexterior,notinanywisepenetratingtothecharactersormannersofthepersonages.

AllthetraitsthatIdiscoverintheauthoroftheMartianromancecanbesummed

upinasinglephrase,itsprofoundlyinfantilecharacter.Thecandorandimperturbablenaiveteofchildhood,whichdoubtsnothingbecauseignorantofeverything,isnecessaryinorderforonetolaunchhimselfseriouslyuponanenterprisesuchasthepretendedexactandauthenticdepictionsofanunknownworld.Anadult,intheleastcultivatedandhavingsomeexperienceoflife,wouldneverwastetimeinelaboratingsimilarnonsense--Mlle.Smithlessthananyone,intelligentandcultivatedassheisinhernormalstate.

ThisprovisionalviewoftheauthoroftheMartiancyclewillfinditsconfirmationanditscomplementinthefollowingchapters,inwhichweshallexaminetheMartianlanguage,fromwhichIhaveuntilnowrefrained.

Footnotes

^140:*C.Flammarion,LaPlaneteMarsetsesconditionsd'habitabilite,p.3.Paris,1892.

^157:*ComparethecaseofMlle.AnnaO.BreneretFrend,StudienuberHysterie,p.19.Vienna,1895.

^164:*

"Donotthinkthatinlovingyouasatenderbrother

Ishalltellyoualltheprofoundmysteriesofheaven;

Ishallhelpyoumuch,Ishallopenforyoutheway,

Butitisforyoutoseizeandseekwithjoy;

Andwhenyoushallseeherreleasedfromherebelow,

Whenhermobilesoulshallhavetakenflight

AndshallsoaroverMarswithitsbrillianttints;

Ifyouwouldobtainfromhersomelight,

Placeyourhandverygentlyonherpaleforehead

AndpronounceverysoftlythesweetnameofEsenale!"

^175:*AllusiontotheseanceofNovember25,1894,atM.Lemaitre's.See.

^176:*Thatistosay,hediedonMars,wherehehadbeenreincarnated.

^176:+AllusiontoseanceofFebruary2,1896.See.

CHAPTERVI

THEMARTIANCYCLE(CONTINUED)--THEMARTIANLANGUAGE

OFthevariousautomaticphenomena,the"speakingintongues"isonewhichatalltimeshasmostarousedcuriosity,whileatthesametimelittleaccurateknowledgeconcerningithasbeenobtainable,onaccountofthedifficultyofcollectingcorrectlytheconfusedandunintelligiblewordsastheygushforth.

Thephonograph,whichhasalreadybeenemployedinsomeexceptionalcases,likethatofLeBaron,willdoubtlesssomedayrenderinestimableservicetothiskindofstudy,butitleavesmuchstilltobedesiredatthepresentmoment,fromthepointofviewofitspracticalutilizationinthecaseofsubjectsnotintheirrightmind,whoarenoteasilymanageable,andwhowillnotremainquietlongenoughwhileutteringtheirunusualwordstoallowtheinstrumenttobeadjustedandmadeready.

Therearedifferentspeciesofglossolalia.Simple,incoherentutterances,inastateofecstasy,interspersedwithemotionalexclamations,whicharesometimesproducedincertainsurchargedreligiousenvironments,isanothermatteraltogetherfromthecreationofneologisms,whicharemetwithinthedream,insomnambulism,mentalalienation,orinchildren.Atthesametimethisfabricationofarbitrarywordsraisesotherproblems--as,forexample,theoccasionaluseofforeignidiomsunknowntothesubject(atleast,apparently),butwhichreallyexist.Ineachofthesecasesitisnecessarytoexaminefurtherwhether,andinwhatmeasure,theindividualattributesafixedmeaningtothesoundswhichheutters,whetherheunderstands(orhas,atleast,theimpressionofunderstanding)hisownwords,orwhetheritisonlyaquestionofamechanicalandmeaninglessderangementofthephoneticapparatus,or,again,whetherthisjargon,unintelligibletotheordinarypersonality,expressestheideasofsomesecondarypersonality.Alltheseforms,moreover,varyinshadesanddegrees,andthereare,inaddition,thosemixedcases,possiblythemorefrequent,wherealltheformsaremingledandcombined.Thesameindividual,andsometimesinthecourseofthesamespasm,alsoexhibitsaseriesof

neologisms,comprehendedoruncomprehended,givingwaytoasimple,incoherentverbiageincommonlanguage,orviceversa,etc.

Agooddescriptionandrationalclassificationofallthesecategoriesandvarietiesofglossolaliawouldbeofverygreatinterest.Icannotthinkofattemptingsuchastudyhere,havingenoughalreadytofullyoccupymyattention,byreasonofhavinginvolvedmyselfwiththeMartianofMlle.Smith.Thissomnambulisticlanguagedoesnotconsist,aswehavealreadydiscovered,eitherinspeakingecstaticallyorinreligiousenthusiasm,noryetintheuseofaforeignlanguagewhichreallyexists;itrepresentsratherneologismcarriedtoitshighestexpressionandpractisedinasystematicfashion,withaveryprecisesignification,byasecondarypersonalityunknowntothenormalself.Itisatypicalcaseof"glosso-poesy,"ofcompletefabricationofallthepartsofanewlanguagebyasubconsciousactivity.Ihavemanytimesregrettedthatthosewhohavewitnessedanalogousphenomena--as,forexample,Kerner,withtheSeeressofPrevost--havenotgatheredtogetherandpublishedintheirentiretyalltheproductsofthissingularmethodofperformingtheirfunctionsonthepartoftheverbalfaculties.Undoubtedlyeachcasetakenbyitselfseemsasimpleanomaly,apurearbitrarycuriosity,andwithoutanybearing;butwhoknowswhetherthecollectionofalargenumberofthesepsychologicalbibelots,asyetfewenoughintheirtotal,wouldnotendinsomeunexpectedlight?Exceptionalfactsareoftenthemostinstructive.

Inordertoavoidfallingintothesameerrorsofnegligence,notknowingwheretostop,incaseIwishedtomakeachoice,IhavetakenthecourseofsettingforthhereinfullalltheMartiantextswhichwehavebeenabletogather.Iwillhavethemfollowaparagraphcontainingcertainremarkswhichthatunknownlanguagehassuggestedtome;but,veryfarfromflatteringmyselfthatIhaveexhaustedthesubject,Iearnestlyhopethatitwillfindreadersmorecompetentthanmyselftocorrectandcompletemyobservations,sinceImustacknowledgethatasalinguistandphilologistIamverymuchlikeanassplayingtheflute.Itisexpedient,inbeginning,togivesomefurtherdetailsregardingthevariouspsychologicalmethodsofmanifestationofthatunknowntongue.

I.VERBALMARTIANAUTOMATISMS

Ihavedescribedintheprecedingchapter,andwillnotnowreturntoit,thebirthoftheMartianlanguage,indissolublyboundupwiththatoftheromanceitself,fromthe2dofFebruary,1896,uptotheinaugurationoftheprocessof

translationbytheentranceofEsenaleuponthesceneonthe2dofNovemberfollowing(seepp.-).DuringseveralmonthsthereaftertheMartianlanguageisconfinedtothetwopsychologicalformsofapparitioninwhichitseemstohavebeenclothedduringthecourseofthatfirstyear.

First:Verbo-auditiveautomatism,hallucinationsofhearingaccompanyingvisionsinthewakingstate.Inthecaseofspontaneousvisions,Helenenotesinpencil,eitherduringthevisionitselforimmediatelyafterwards,theunintelligiblesoundswhichstrikeherear;buttohergreatregretmanyofthemescapeher,sincesheissometimesonlyabletogatherthefirstorthelastphraseofthesentenceswhichherimaginarypersonagesaddresstoher,orscatteredfragmentsofconversationswhichsheholdswithherself;thesefragmentsthemselvesoftencontaininaccuracies,whichareultimatelyrectifiedatthemomentoftranslation,EsenalehavingthegoodhabitofarticulatingveryclearlyeachMartianwordbeforegivingits

[paragraphcontinues]Frenchequivalent.Inthecaseofthevisionswhichshehasattheseances,Heleneslowlyrepeatsthewordsshehearswithoutunderstandingthem,andthesittersmakenoteofthemmoreorlesscorrectly.

Secondly:Vocalautomatism("verbo-motorhallucinationsofarticulation,"inthecumbersomeofficialterminology).Hereagainitisthesitterswhogatherasmuchastheycanofthestrangewordspronouncedinastateoftrance,butthatisverylittle,sinceHelene,inherMartianstate,oftenspeakswithatremendousvolubility.Moreover,adistinctionmustbemadebetweentherelativelyclearandbriefphraseswhicharelatertranslatedbyEsenale,andtherapidandconfusedgibberishthesignificationofwhichcanneverbeobtained,probablybecauseitreallyhasnone,butisonlyapseudo-language(seepp.-).

Anewprocessofcommunication,thehandwriting,madeitsappearanceinAugust,1897,withadelayofperhapseighteenmonthsastothespeech(thereverseofLeopold'scase,whowrotealongtimebeforespeaking).Itisproduced,also,undertwoforms,whichconstituteapendanttothetwocasesgivenabove,andalsocompletethestandardquartetteofthepsychologicalmodalitiesoflanguage.

Thirdly:Verbo-visualautomatism--thatis,apparitionsofexoticcharactersbeforeHelene'seyeswhenawake,whocopiesthemasfaithfullyaspossibleinadrawing,withoutknowingthemeaningofthemysterioushieroglyphics.

Fourthly:Graphicautomatism--i.e.,writingtracedbythehandofHelenewhilecompletelyentrancedandincarnatingaMartianpersonage.Inthiscasethecharactersaregenerallysmaller,moreregular,betterformedthaninthedrawingsoftheprecedingcase.Acertainnumberofoccasions,whenthenamehasbeenpronouncedbyHelenebeforebeingwritten,andespeciallythearticulationofEsenaleatthemomentoftranslation,havepermittedtherelationsbetweenhervocalsoundsandthegraphicsignsoftheMartianlanguagetobeestablished.

ItistobenotedthatthesefourautomaticmanifestationsdonotinflictanequalinjuryuponthenormalpersonalityofMlle.Smith.Asarule,theverbo-auditiveandverbo-visualhallucinationsonlysuppressherconsciousnessofpresentreality;theyleaveherafreedomofmindwhich,ifnotcomplete,isatleastsufficienttopermithertoobserveinareflectivemannerthesesensorialautomatisms,toengravethemonhermemory,andtodescribethemormakeacopyofthem,whilesheoftenaddsremarkstestifyingtoacertaincriticalsense.Onthecontrary,theverbo-motorhallucinationsofarticulationorofwritingseemtobeincompatiblewithherpreservationofthewakingstate,andarefollowedbyamnesia.Heleneisalwaystotallyabsentorentrancedwhileherhandwritesmechanically,andif,asseldomhappens,shespeaksMartianautomatically,outsideofthemomentsofcompleteincarnation,sheisnotawareofit,anddoesnotrecollectit.ThisincapacityofthenormalpersonalityofMlle.Smithtoobserveatthetimeorrememberafterwardsherverbomotorautomatismsdenotesamoreprofoundperturbationthanthatsheexperiencesduringhersensoryautomatisms.

TheMartianhandwritingonlyappearedattheendofaprolongedperiodofincubation,whichbetrayeditselfinseveralincidents,andwascertainlystimulatedbyvariousexteriorsuggestionsduringayearandahalfatleast.Thefollowingaretheprincipaldatesofthisdevelopment.

February16,1896.--TheideaofaspecialhandwritingbelongingtotheplanetMarsoccursforthefirsttimetoHelene'sastonishmentinaMartiansemi-trance(see).

November2.--Handwritingisclearlypredictedinthephrase,"Astanewillteachmetowrite,"utteredbyHeleneinaMartiantrance,afterthesceneofthetranslationbyEsenale(see).

November8.--Afterthetranslationoftext[*No.3],Leopold,beingquestioned,repliesthatAstanewillwritethistextforMlle.Smith,butthepredictionisnotfulfilled.

May23,1897.--TheannouncementofMartianhandwritingbecomesmoreprecise."Presently,"saysAstanetoHelene,"thouwiltbeabletotraceourhandwriting,andthouwiltpossessinthyhandsthecharactersofourlanguage"([*text12]).

June20.--Atthebeginningofaseance,aMartianvision,shedemandsofanimaginaryinterlocutor"alargeringwhichcomestoapoint,andwithwhichonecanwrite."ThisdescriptionappliestoM.R.,whohaswithhimsomesmallpocket-pensofthiskind,capableofbeingadjustedtotheendoftheindex-finger.

June23.--IhandHelenethetwosmallpocket-penswhichM.R.hasbroughtforher,buttheydonotpleaseher.Aftertryingtouseone,shethrowsitawayandtakesupapencil,sayingthatifshemustwriteMartian,theordinarymeanswillsufficeaswellasthosepeculiarpocket-pens.Inaboutaminuteshefallsasleep,andherhandbeginsautomaticallytotraceamessageinLeopold'shandwriting.Ithenaskthatindividualwhetherthepocket-pensofM.R.donotmeettheexigenciesofMartian,andwhetherMlle.Smithwillsomedaywritethatlanguage,ashasalreadybeenannounced.Helene'shandthereuponrespondsinthebeautifulcalligraphyofLeopold:"IhavenotyetseentheinstrumentwhichtheinhabitantsoftheplanetMarsuseinwritingtheirlanguage,butIcananddoaffirmthatthethingwillhappen,ashasbeenannouncedtoyou.--LEOPOLD."

June27.--Inthesceneofthetranslationof[*text15],Heleneaddstoherusualrefrain,"Esenalehasgoneaway;hewillsoonreturn;hewillsoonwrite."

August3.--Betweenfourandfiveo'clockintheafternoonHelenehadavisionatherdesk,lastingtenorfifteenminutes,ofabroad,horizontalbar,flame-colored,thenchangingtobrick-red,andwhichbydegreesbecamerose-tinted,onwhichwereamultitudeofstrangecharacters,whichshesupposestobetheMartianlettersofthealphabet,onaccountofthecolor.Thesecharactersfloatedinspacebeforeandroundabouther.Analogousvisionsoccurinthecourseoftheweeksimmediatelyfollowing.

August22.--HeleneforthefirsttimewritesinMartian.Aftervariousnon-MartianvisionsMlle.Smithturnsawayfromthewindow(itrainedhard,andthe

skywasverygray)andexclaims,"Oh,look,itisallred!Isitalreadytimetogotobed?M.Lemaitre,areyouthere?Doyouseehowreditis?IseeAstane,whoisthere,inthatred;Ionlyseehisheadandtheendsofhisfingers;hehasnorobe;andhereistheother(Esenale)withhim.Theybothhavesomelettersattheendsoftheirfingersonabitofpaper.Quick,givemesomepaper!"Ablanksheetandthepocket-penarehandedtoher,whichlattershedisdainfullythrowsdown.Sheacceptsanordinarypencil,whichsheholdsinhercustomaryfashion,betweenhermiddleandindex-finger,thenwritesfromlefttorightthethreefirstlinesof,lookingattentivelytowardsthewindowatherfictitiousmodelbeforetracingeachletter,andaddingcertainoralnotes,accordingtowhichtherearesomewordswhichsheseeswritteninblackcharactersonthethreepapers--or,morecorrectly,onthreewhitewands,asortofnarrowcylinder,somewhatflattenedout--whichAstane,Esenale,andathirdpersonagewhosenameshedoesnotknowbutwhosedescriptioncorrespondswiththatofPouze,holdintheirrighthands.Afterwhichsheagainseesanotherpaperorcylinder,whichAstaneholdsabovehishead,andwhichbearsalsosomewordswhichsheundertakestocopy(thethreelastlinesof,)."Oh,itisapity,"saysshe,oncomingtotheendofthefourthline,"itisallononeline,andIhavenomoreroom."Shethenwritesunderneaththethreelettersofline5,andwithoutsayinganythingaddsline6.Thensheresumes:"Howdarkitiswithyou...thesunhasentirelygonedown"(itstillrainsveryhard)."Noonemore!nothingmore!"Sheremainsincontemplationbeforethatwhichshehaswritten,thenseesAstaneagainnearthetable,whoagainshowsherapaper,thesame,shethinks,astheformerone."Butno,itisnotaltogetherthesamethereisonemistake,itisthere[shepointstothefourthlinetowardstheend]...Ah,Idonotseemore!"Then,presentlysheadds:"Heshowedmesomethingelse;therewasamistake,butIwasnotabletoseeit.Itisverydifficult.WhileIwaswriting,itwasnotImyself,Icouldnotfeelmyarms.Itwasdifficult,becausewhenIraisedmyheadInolongersawtheletterswell.ItwaslikeaGreekdesign."

AtthismomentHelenerecoveredfromthestateofobscuration,fromwhichsheemergedwithdifficulty,whichhadaccompaniedtheMartianvisionandtheautomaticcopyoftheverbo-visualtext.Butalittlelaterintheeveningsheonlyvaguelyrememberedhavingseenstrangeletters,andwasaltogetherignorantofhavingwrittenanything.

Theverynaturalsuppositionthatthethreefirstwordswrittenwerethenamesoftheknownpersonages(Astane,Esenale,Pouze),whoborethemontheirwands,ledtothediscoveryofthemeaningofmanyoftheMartiancharactersand

permittedthediviningofthesenseofthethreelastwords.

Thenewalphabetwasenrichedbycertainother

Clicktoenlarge

Fig.21.TextNo.16seanceofAugust22,1897.--FirstMartiantextwrittenbyMlle.Smith(accordingtoavisualhallucination).Naturalsize.[CollectionofM.Lemaitre.)--HerewithitsFrenchnotation.astane

esenale

pouze

meresimand

ini.

mira.signsonthefollowingdays,thankstotheechoesofthatseanceintheordinarylifeofHelene,whohappenedonseveraloccasionstowritenotthetrueMartianasyet,butFrenchinMartianletters,tohergreatstupefactionwhenshefoundherselfafterawhileinthepresenceoftheseunknownhieroglyphics.

Fig.22.ExamplesofisolatedFrenchwords(francaise,lumiere,prairie)automaticallytracedinMartiancharactersbyMlle.Smithinhernormalhandwriting.Seealso,.

Thefirstmanifestationofthatgraphicautomatism,beingasyetconcernedonlywiththeformofthelettersandnotthevocabulary,datesfromthedayafterthefollowingseance:

August23.--"Here,"wroteHelenetomeatnoon,sendingmesomememorandafromwhichIhavetakenthethreeexamplesofFig.22--"herearesomelabelswhichImadeitmybusinesstomakethismorningatteno'clock,andwhichIhavenotbeenabletofinishinasatisfactorymanner.Ihaveonlyjustnowemergedfromtherose-coloredfoginwhichIhavebeencontinuouslyenwrappedforalmosttwohours."

ThreeweekslateracompleteautomaticMartianhandwritingwasproducedinaseanceatmyhouse,ofwhichthefollowingisasummary.

September12,1897.--AttheendofaquitelongMartianvision,Mlle.SmithseesAstane,whohassomethingattheendofhisfingerandwhosignstohertowrite.Iofferherapencil,andaftervarioustergiversationssheslowlybeginstotracesomeMartiancharacters().Astanehaspossessionofherarm,andsheis,duringthistime,altogetheranaestheticandabsent.Leopold,onthecontrary,isathand,andgivesvariousindicationsofhispresence.

Clicktoenlarge

Fig.23.Martiantext[*No.17];seanceofSeptember12,1897.WrittenbyMlle.SmithincarnatingAstane(thenLeopoldfortheFrenchwordsattheend).Seethetranslation,.Toomanyl'sattheendofthefirstlineimmediatelyproducedthescrawlsintendedtostrikethemout.(Reproductionone-halfnaturalsize.)

[paragraphcontinues]Attheendofthesixthlinesheseemstohalfawaken,andmurmurs,"Iamnotafraid;no,Iamnotafraid."Thensheagainfallsintoadreaminordertowritethefourlastwords(whichsignify"Thendonotfear,"andwhicharetheresponseofAstanetoherexclamation).

AlmostimmediatelyLeopoldsubstituteshimselfforAstaneandtracesonthesamesheet,inhischaracteristichandwriting(considerablydistortedtowardstheend):"Placethyhandonherforehead,"bymeansofwhichheindicatestomethatthetimehasarrivedtopassontothesceneoftranslationbyEsenale.

WemayconcludefromthesesuccessivestagesthattheMartianhandwritingistheresultofaslow

Clicktoenlarge

Fig24.Martianalphabet,summaryofthesignsobtained.(NeverhasbeengivenassuchbyMlle.Smith.)autosuggestion,inwhichtheideaofaspecialwritinginstrument,anditshandling,foralongtimeplayedthedominantrole,thenwasabandoned,withoutdoubt,asimpracticabletorealize.ThecharactersthemselvesthenhauntedforseveralweeksHelene'svisualimaginationbeforetheyappearedtoheronthecylindersofthethreeMartiansinamannersufficientlyclearandstabletoenablehertocopythemandafterwardstobecapableofsubduinghergraphomotormechanism.Oncemanifestedoutwardly,thesesigns,whichIhaveassembledundertheformofanalphabetin,havenotvariedfortwoyears.

Moreover,sometriflingconfusion,ofwhichIshallspeakalittlelater,shows

wellthatthepersonalitywhichemploysthemisnotabsolutelyseparatedfromthatofHelene,althoughthelatter,inawakingstate,mightholdthesamerelationtoMartianwhichsheholdstoChinese--thatis,sheknowsitsgeneralverycharacteristicaspect,butisignorantofthesignificationofthecharacters,andwouldbeincapableofreadingit.

Helene'sMartianhandwritingisnotstereotyped,butpresents,accordingtocircumstances,somevariationsinform,especiallyinthesizeoftheletters.

ThismaybeestablishedbyFigs.to,inwhichIhavereproducedthegreaterpartofthetextsobtainedbywriting.WhentheMartiangushesforthinverbo-visualhallucinations,Helenetranscribesitinstrokesoflargedimensions,lackingfirmness,fullofrepetitions(Figs.,,),andshealwaysremarksthattheoriginal,whichisbeforehereyes,ismuchsmallerandclearerthanhercopy.Inthetextswhichhavecomeautomaticallyfromherhand--i.e.,supposedlytracedbytheMartiansthemselves--thehandwritingisreallysmallerandmoreprecise.Hereagainaresomecuriousdifferences.AstanehasacalligraphylessvoluminousthanthatofEsenale,andRamiehasamuchfineronethanEsenale(Figs.and).

ItwouldbealtogetherprematureformetolaunchmyselfuponthestudyofMartiangraphology,and,therefore,leavingthatlinetomysuccessors,Itakeupthetextswhichhavebeencollectedintheirchronologicalorder.

II.THEMARTIANTEXTS

Itisnotalwayseasytorepresentalanguageanditspronunciationbymeansofthetypographicalcharactersofanother.HappilytheMartian,inspiteofitsstrangeappearanceandthefiftymillionsofleagueswhichseparateusfromtheredplanet,isinrealitysonearneighbortoFrenchthatthereisscarcelyanydifficultyinthiscase.

Thedozenwrittentexts[**]whichwepossess,andwhichMlle.Smitheithercopiedfromaverbo-visualhallucination,orwhichweretracedbyherhandinanaccessofgraphomotorautomatism,arereadilytranslatedintoFrench,sinceeachMartianletterhasitsexactequivalentintheFrenchalphabet.Ihaveconfinedmyselftoplacingaccentsonthevowels(therearenoneintheMartianwriting),conformablytothepronunciationofEsenaleatthemomentoftranslation.Itisonlynecessarytoreadthefollowingtextsaloud,articulatingthemasthoughtheywereFrench,inordertosecuretheMartianwordsalmostexactlyasthey

proceedfromthemouthofMle.Smith;Isayalmost,becausetherestillremains,naturally,inthespeechofEsenale,asinthatofeveryone,aspecialmannerismofstrengtheningcertainsyllablesandslurringothers--inshort,thatofdelicateshadesofaccentuation,whichcannotbeadequatelyrepresented,andwhichthehearersdidnotattempttotakenoteofattheseances.

Intheauditiveorvocaltexts,thosewhichhavenotbeenobtainedbywriting,Ihaveadoptedthemoreprobableorthography,accordingtothepronunciationofEsenale,but(withtheexceptionofwordsknownbymeansofthewrittentexts)Inaturallycannotguaranteetheirabsolutecorrectness.

ThemannerinwhichHelenetakesdowninpenciltheMartianphraseswhichstrikeherearisnotofgreatassistancetousinthatrespect,because,asIhavesaidabove(),shefindsherselfatthetimeoftheseverbo-auditivehallucinationsinthesituationofapersonwhohearssomeunknownwords,andspellsthemaswellassheisable,afteraquitearbitraryandoftenfaultyfashion.Shewrites,forexample,"hezidarrineciketaisse,"which,accordingtothepronunciationofEsenaleandotherwrittentexts,shouldbe"ezidariesiketes";or,again,"missemesseassile,"insteadof"mismessassile."Wecannot,therefore,dependupontheorthographyofHelene,butIhavenaturallyfolloweditineverycaseinwhichthereseemedtobenogoodreasontodepartfromit.InstatingthatthefollowingtextsshouldbearticulatedlikeFrench,tworemarksmustbeadded:First,thefinalconsonant,veryrareinMartian,isalwaysaspirated;thewordtenispronouncedasintheFrenchgluten;essat,likefat;ames,likealoes;misandmess,likelis(flower),andmess(ofanofficer),etc.Inthesecondplace,forthedifferentvaluesoftheeIhaveadoptedthefollowingrule:theebroadisalwaysindicatedbytheaccentgravee;theemedium,whichisonlyfoundatthebeginningandinthemiddleofaword,ismarkedwiththeacuteaccente;theeshort,bytheacuteaccentattheendofaword(orbeforeafinalemute),andbythecircumflexatthebeginningorinthemiddle;theemute,ordemimute,remainswithoutaccent.

Thepronunciation,therefore,willbe,forexample,thee'softheMartianwordsmete,benezee,likethoseoftheFrenchwordsete,repetee;eve,likereve,tes,asinLutece,etc.

Therewillbefoundinitalics,underneaththeMartiantexts,theirFrenchequivalents,wordforword,asgivenbyEsenaleinthemannerdescribedabove(seepp.-).[**]Ihavealsoindicatedthekindofautomatism--auditive,visual,

vocal,orgraphic--bymeansofwhicheachtextwasobtained,alsothedateofitsappearance,and(inparentheses)thatoftheseance,oftenquiteremote,atwhichitwastranslated.Ihavealsoaddedsuchexplanationsasseemedtometobenecessary.

^

1. meticheC.medacheC.metaganicheS.kin't'che

MonsieurC.

MadameC.

MademoiselleS.quatre.

Mr.C.

Mrs.C.

MissC.

Four.

Vocal.February2,1896.Seeabove,.

^

1. dodenecihaudantemessmeticheastanekede

Ceciestlamaisondugrandhomme

Astanequetumeveche.asvu.

ThisisthehouseofthegreatmanAstane,whomthouhastseen.

Auditive.AboutSeptember20,1896(translatedNovember2).--HeardbyHeleneatthesametimeatwhichshehadthevisionofFig.12(see).

^

1. modeinecedicevouitchenievechekineline

Mereadoree,jetereconnaisetsuistonpetit

Linet.

Adoredmother,Irecognizethee,andamthylittleLinet.

WordsaddressedtoMme.MirbelbyhersonAlexis(Esenale)inasceneofincarnationaltogetheranalogoustothatdescribedon.

^

1. imodemetemodemodeinepaletteis

Omere,tendremere,merebien-aimee,calmetoutchepelichechechirenecitentivitonsouci,tonfilsestpresdetoi.

Oh,mother,tendermother,dearlylovedmother,calmallthycare,thysonisnearthee.

Vocal.November29,1896(translatedsameseance).--SpokenbyEsenaleandaddressedtoMine.Mirbel,inasceneofincarnationanalogoustothepreceding.Atthemomentoftranslation.,Esenalerepeated,verydistinctly,thelastwords,asfollows:"neci,estpres["isnear"],tentivi,detoi("thee").Thiswasevidentlyanerror,sinceitappearsfromnumerouslatertextsthatestpresdetoicorrespondstonetentivi;itfollowsthatitwouldbenaturaltotranslatethewordcibyla,ici,ortout,ifthesewordshadnotbeendifferentlyrenderedinothertexts.(Aconfusionoftheadverblawiththearticlela,translatedbyciin[*text2],mightalsobesuspected.)

^

1. ikichetentisikedievedeetechemene

Oh!pourquoipresdemoinetetiens-tutoujours,amieizebenezeeenfinretrouvee!

Oh!Whydostthounotkeepthyselfalwaysnearme,friend,atlastfoundagain?

Auditive.December4,1896(translatedDecember13).FragmentofalongdiscoursebyAstanetoHelene,duringanapparitionwhichshehadofhimabout

nineo'clockintheevening,asshewasabouttogotobed.Thissentence,whichheutteredtwice,istheonlyonewhichshehasbeenabletorecallwithsufficientprecisiontonotedownimmediatelyafterthevision.ShehasthefeelingofhavingunderstoodAstane'swholediscoursewhilehewasdeliveringit,andthinksshewouldhavebeenabletotranslateitintoFrench,perhapsnotwordforword,butinitsgeneralsense.Sheexpectedtotranscribeitthefollowingday,butinthemorningwhensheawokeshewasunabletorecalleitherthewordsofAstaneortheirmeaning,noteventhatofthissentence,writtenonthepreviousevening.Heardagain,asthesecondpartofthefollowingtext,intheseanceofthe13thofDecember.

^

1. tiicheceneespenienitieziatevastaneezi

Denotrebelle

"Espenie"etdemonetre

Astane,monerievizeevi...ikichetentisikedieveamedescendatoi...oh!pourquoipresdemoinetetiensdeetechemeneizebenezeetutoujours,amieenfinretrouvee!

Fromourbeautiful"Espenie"andfrommybeingAstane,mysouldescendstothee--Oh!whydostthounotkeepthyselfalwaysneartome,friend,atlastfoundagain?

Auditive.December13,1896(translatedsameseance).--Heardinthefar-awayvoiceofAstane,Helenehavingallthewhileapainfulsensation,asthoughtheskinofherfacearoundhereyes,onthebackofherwristsandhands,wasbeingtornoff.InthetranslationthewordEspenieremainsasitis,beingapropername;theleftindex-finger(Leopold)pointsheavenward,andsaysthatitmightberenderedbyterre,planete,demeure.

^

1. ceeveplevatidibenezessatriztesmidee

Jesuischagrindeteretrouvervivantsurcettelaidedureecetenasserizicheespenievetecheiecheatevheneterre;jevoudraissurnotre

Espenievoirtouttonetres'elevernipovetentisienizeemeticheonegudenizeedarieetresterpresdemoi;icileshommessontbonsetlescoeursgrevelarges.

Iamsorrytofindyouagainlivingonthiswretchedearth;IwouldonourEspenieseeallthybeingraiseitselfandremainnearme;heremenaregoodandheartslarge.

Auditive.December15,1896(translatedJanuary17,1897).--WordsspokenbyAstanetoHeleneinamorningvision.ThefollowingfragmentoftheletterinwhichshesentmethistextmeritsbeingcitedasanexampleofthosequitefrequentcasesinwhichMlle.Smith,withoutknowingtheexacttranslationoftheforeignwords,neverthelessdivinestheirgeneralsignificationandcomprehendsthembytheiremotionalequivalent."Thismorning,ataquarterbeforesix,IsawAstaneatthefootofmybed.Thegeneralsenseofhislanguagewasatthatmomentquitecleartomymind,andIgiveittoyouasIunderstoodit--thatis,inasclearamanneraspossible,havingnoteditdownafterwards:

[paragraphcontinues]'HowmuchIregretyournothavingbeenborninourworld;youwouldbemuchhappierthere,sinceeverythingismuchbetterwithus,peopleaswellasthings,andIwouldbesohappytohaveyounearme.'Thatisaboutwhatitseemedtometomean;perhapssomedaywemaybeabletobesureofit."

^

1. amesmistenseeladesi--amestentiveave

Viensuninstantversmoi,vienspresd'unvieilmen--koumeiechepelesse--amessometeseamifondretouttonchagrin:viensadmirercesmisaime--kedesurespitchami--izametaiifleurs,quetucroissansparfum,maispourtantsiboresetifinaime--iaizideseimirepleinesdesenteurs!...

Maissitucomprendras!

Cometowardsmeamoment,comenearanoldfriendtomeltawayallthysorrow;cometoadmiretheseflowers,whichyoubelievewithoutperfume,butyetsofulloffragrance!Butifthoucouldstunderstand.

Auditiveandvocal.January31,1897(translatedsameseance).--Helene,in

hemisomnambulism,seesAstane,whotellshertorepeathiswords;sherepliestohim:"Butspeakplainly...Iwillgladlyrepeatthem...butIdonotunderstandverywell..."Thenshepronouncesslowlyandverydistinctlytheforegoingtext,ingroupsofwords,separatedbyamomentofsilence(markedinthetextbythesign--).Itisremarkedthatthesegroups,withtheexceptionofthesixth,correspondtothehemistichesoftheFrenchtranslationobtainedinthesameseance.AfterthesixthgroupHeleneremainssilentforalongtime,andfinallysays:"Icannotunderstand;"thenuttersthefourlastwords,whicharethereplyofAstanetoherobjection.

^

1. aneenikeereduteceilassuneteimani

C'esticique,solitaire,jem'approcheducieletbetinecheedureeregardetaterre.

Itisherethat,alone,Ibringmyselfneartoheavenandlookupontheearth.

Auditive.February24,1897(translatedMarch14).--Reclininginhereasy-chair,afterthenoondaymeal,Helenehearsthissentence,whileatthesametimeshehasthevisionofahouse,constructedbydiggingintoaMartianmountain,andtraversedbyasortofair-shafts,andwhichrepresentsAstane'sobservatory.

^

1. simandinilelamimenekizepavikizatimi

Simandini,mevoici!amie!quellejoie,quelbonheur!

Simandini,hereIam!friend!whatjoy!whathappiness!

Auditive.March14,1897(translatedsameseance).--Seefollowingtext.

^

1. imodedumeinemodekevicemachepovini

Omere,anciennemere,quandjepeuxarriverpoenezemuneevisalineezinemimanikainemodequelquesinstantsverstoij'oubliemesparents

Nikaine,mere!

--imen

--oami!

Oh,mother,formermother,whenIcanarriveafewinstantsnearthee,IforgetmyparentsNikaine,mother!--Ohfriend!

Vocal.March14,1897(translatedsameseance).--FromthebeginningofthisseanceHelenecomplainedofcoldhands,thenagreatdesiretoweep,andofabuzzingintheears,whichkeptincreasingandinwhichshefinallyheardAstaneaddresstohertheMartianwordsof[text10].Immediatelyaftershepassesintofullsomnambulism;herrespirations,veryshortandpanting,rise.tothreepersecond,accompaniedbysynchronousmovementsoftheleftindex-finger;thenshestopssuddenlywithalongexpiration,immediatelyfollowedbyadeepinspiration:thenherbreastheaves,herfaceassumesanexpressionofsuffering,andtheleftindex-fingerannouncesthatitisEsenale(AlexisMirbel)whoisincarnated.Afteraseriesofspasmsandhiccoughs,Helenearises,and,placingherselfbehindMme.Mirbel,takesherneckinherhands,bowsherheaduponhers,tenderlypatshercheek,andaddressestoherthewordsof[textNo.11](exceptthetwolastwords).Thensheraisesherhead,andagain,withpantingrespiration(acceleratedtothirtyinspirationsinsixteenseconds),walkstowardsM.Lemaitre(whosepupilAlexisMirbelhadbeenatthetimeofhisdeath).Sheplacesherhandsuponhisshoulders,affectionatelygraspshisrighthand,andwithemotionandcontinuedsobbingaddressestohimthetwowordsimen!AfterwhichshegoesthroughthepantomimeofextendingherhandtoLeopoldandofallowinghimtoconducthertoacouch,wherethetranslationoftextsNos.[10],[11],and[*9]isobtainedbythecustomaryprocess,butnotwithoutdifficulty.

^

1. lassunekenipuneanitisdemachirmirive

Approche,necrainspas;bientottupourrastracerichemanirsedeevenirtouechiamichezeforimenotreecriture,ettupossederasdanstesmainslesmarquestivichetarvinedenotrelangage.

Approach,fearnot;soonthouwiltbeabletotraceourwriting,andthouwilt

possessinthyhandsthesignsofourlanguage.

Auditive.May23,1897(translatedsameseance).--Shortlyafterthebeginningoftheseance,Helene,stillbeingawake,hasavisionofAstane,whoaddressesherinthesewords,whichsherepeatsslowlyandinafeeblevoice.Igivethetextasitwasheardanduniformlynotedbyseveralsitters,bothatthemomentofitsutteranceandatitssubsequenttranslation.Manycorrections,however,wouldbenecessary,inordertomakeitcorrespondwiththelaterwrittentexts:kenipuneani,etnecrainspas("andIamnotafraid,"or,"andIdonotfear")shouldbechangedtokienipuneani,necrainspas(see[*text17]);seorceonlystandshereforet,whicheverywhereelseisgivenasni;vicheisusedinerrorforiche(unlessthevwasaddedforthesakeofeuphony,ofwhichthereisnootherexample)andtisfortiche.

^

13.

(adel)anesini

(yestad)iastanecefimesastanemira

C'estvous,o

Astanejemeurs!

Astane,adieu!

Itisyou,ohAstane,Iamdying!Astane,farewell!

Vocal.Sameseanceastheprecedingtext,afterwhichHelenepassesintofullsomnambulism,beginstoweep,pants,holdsherhandonherheart,andpronouncesthissentence,minglingwithitthetwowordsAdelandyestad,whicharenotMartian,butbelongtotheOrientalcycle;theyalsodonotappearinthetextasitwasrepeatedatthetimeofitstranslation.ThisintrusionoftermsforeigntotheMartiandreamisexplainedbytheimminenceofaHindooscenereadytoappear,whichoccupiedthelatterhalfoftheseanceinwhichtheArabservant,Adel,playsaleadingrole.Theminglingofthetworomancesisgreatlyaccentuatedafewmomentslater,inalongdiscourse,devoidofr'sandveryrichinsibilants,andspokenwithsogreatvolubilitythatitwasimpossibletogathera

singleword.Atthetimeofthetranslation,atthecloseoftheseance,thistiradewasrepeatedwiththesamerapidity,preventinganynotation;accordingtotheFrenchtranslationwhichfollowed,itconcernedmemoriesofthelifeofSimandiniwhichHelenerecalledtoAstaneandinwhichthereismuchmentionoftheaforesaidAdel(seeHindooCycle,Chap.VII.).

^

1. eupiezepalirneamearvaninipedrineevai

Eupie,letempsestvenu;

Arvanousquitte;soisdivinelimeeinevinatelune

--pouzemenhantineheureuxjusqueauretourdujour.

--

Pouzeamifidele,ezivraininetouzemedvinichechiresaine

--kemondesirestmemepourtoiettonfils

Saine.

--

Quezaliseteassemianinenididazine

--eupie

--pouzel'elemententiert'enveloppeettegarde!

--

Eupie!

--

Pouze!

Eupie,thetimehascome;Arvaleavesus;behappytillthereturnoftheday.

Pouze,faithfulfriend,mywishisevenforthee,andthysonSaine.--Maytheentireelementenveloptheeandguardthee!--Eupie!--Pouze!

Auditive.June18,1897(translatedJune20).--DuringavisitImadetoMlle.SmithshehasavisionoftwoMartianpersonageswalkingontheshoreofalake,andsherepeatsthisfragmentoftheirconversationwhichshehasheard.Accordingtoanothertext([*No.20]),ArvaistheMartiannameofthesun.

^

1. modetatineecekemacheradzirezetarviniva

Merecherie,jenepuisprononcerlelangageouninininitrimeneniiiadzicezeseimireveticheinousnouscomprenionssibien!

Jelecomprendscependant;omodeineekeviberimirmhedkevimachiriceditrinemereadoree,quandreviendra-t-il?

Quandpourrai-jeteparlertiestotinenibazeeaniminaimodecemeiadzidemaderniereetcourteexistence?

Omere,jet'aibienilineeimodeineecekelenazereani

--mirareconnue,omereadoree,jenemetrompepas!

--

Adieumodeitatineemiramiramiramerecherie,adieu,adieu,adieu!

Mydearest,Icannotpronouncethelanguageinwhichweunderstoodeachothersowell!Iunderstandit,however;oh!adoredmother,whenwillitreturn?WhenshallIbeabletospeaktotheeofmylastandshortexistence?Oh!mother,Ihavewellrecognizedthee,oh!adoredmother,Iamnotmistaken!--Farewell,dearestmother,farewell,farewell,farewell!

Auditive.June27,1897(translatedsameseance).--Mme.Mirbelbeingpresent,HeleneperceivesEsenale,whoremainsinthevicinityofhismotherandaddressesthesewordstoher.The"adieux"attheclosewerenotspokenatthattime,butwereutteredbyEsenaleimmediatelyfollowingandasacomplementofthetranslation;thisistheonlycase(outsideof[*text36])inwhichhedidnot

confinehimselfstrictlytothetextsalreadygatheredandinwhichhepermittedhimselftointroduceanewphrase,whichotherwisedoesnotcontainasingleunknownword;itatinee,cherie,isevidentlyaslipwhichshouldbecorrectedeithertotatinee,cherie,ortoitatinee,ocherie.ThepreciseFrenchequivalentoftrimeneniisprobablyentretenions.

^

1. astaneesenalepouzemenesmandinimira

(Astane,

Esenale.

Pouze.

Amie

Simandini,adieu!)

Astane.Esenale.Pouzee.FriendSimandini,farewell!

Visual.August22,1897.--Thistext,forwhichthereisnoneedofatranslation,constitutesthefirstappearanceoftheMartianhandwriting.Seeabove,,andtheresumeofthatseance,pp.-.

^

1. taniremismechmedmiriveezinebrimaxtites

Prendsuncrayonpourtracermesparolesdecettensee

--azinideameirmazisisomeichenazinainstant.

Alorstuviendrasavecmoiadmirernotrenouveautranei.

--

Simandinicekiemachedipedrineteslunekecepassage.

Simandini,jenepuistequittercejour.

Quejeevedivine

--patrinezkienipuneanisuisheureux!

--

Alorsnecrainspas!

Takeapenciltotracemywordsofthismoment.Thenthouwiltcomewithmetoadmireournewpassage.Simandini,Icannotleavetheethisday.HowhappyIam!--Thenfearnot!

Graphic.September12,1897(translatedsameseance).--Seeand.

^

1. modetatineelamimismiratichebigaka

Merecherie,voiciunadieudetonenfantquiebriniesanaeviidedizerenir

--zemessmetichkaepensetantatoi.

Onteleportera,legrandhommequiazevaliniimine

--niz[e]granisidinelevisageminceetlecorpsmaigre.

Mydearest,thisisafarewellfromthychild,whothinkssomuchofthee.Thebigman,whohasathinfaceandaslenderbody,willbearittothee.

Auditive,thenGraphic.October10,1897(translatedsameseance).--HelenehasavisionofaMartianlandscape,inwhichEsenalefloatsdiscarnatearoundtheplantsandspeaksthesewords,whichsherepeats.(Itisunderstoodfromthetranslationthat

Clicktoenlarge

Fig25.TextNo.18(October20,1897).writteninpencilbyMlleSmith,incarnatingEsenaleReproductioninautotypetwo-thirdsofthenaturalsize.

Clicktoenlarge

Fig.26.TextNo.26(August21,1898),whichappearedinvisualhallucination,andwascopiedbyMlle.Smith.Reproductionsinautotype.thistextwasintendedforMme.Mirbel,whowastheninthecountry,buttowhomthepersonveryclearlyindicatedbythefinalcharacteristicwasabouttopayavisitandcouldcarrythemessage.)IthenofferHeleneapencilinthehopeofobtainingthissametextinwriting;aftervarioustergiversationsandgrimaces,denotingastateofincreasingsomnambulism,shefinallytakesthepencilbetweenherindexandmiddlefingers,tellsEsenalethatshestillseeshimandmakeshimsitdownbyherside,andthenbeginstowrite,completelyabsentandfascinatedbythepaper.Theleftindex-finger(Leopold)informsusthatitisEsenalehimselfwhoiswritingbymeansofHelene'sarm.TwicesheinterruptsherselfinordertosaytoEsenale,"Oh!donotgoyet,stayalittlewhilelonger!"Sheappearsnervousandagitated,andoftenstopswritingtostabherpaperwithherpencilortomakeerasuresorscribbleonit(see);inthezeofthelastline,sheforgetsthee(thisdidnotpreventEsenalefrompronouncingthewordcorrectlyatthetimeofitstranslation).

^

1. m[en]cekiemacheditrinesandineteri

(Amie,jenepuisteparlerlongtempscommeneezivrainizourechmiramilepirimiraestmondesir;plustard,adieuadieu.)

(Friend,Icannotspeaktotheealongtime,asismydesire;later,farewell,farewell!)

Graphic,thenAuditive.October24,1897(therehasneverbeenanytranslationofthistext,twowordsofwhicharestillunknown).--Helenefirstseesthetableilluminedbyagreenlightinwhichsomedesignsappearwhichshecopies,andwhichgivethistext,exceptthetwolastlettersofthefirstword,theplaceofwhichremainsblank.ImmediatelyaftershehearsMartianspoken,whichsherepeats.Itisthesametext;thenshehasavisionofAstane,Esenale,andalittlegirlwhosenameshehearsasNike;butthissoongiveswaytoothernon-Martiansomnambulisms.(See.)

^

20.

Sikeevaidivinezenikecrizicaprineame

Sike,soisheureux!

Lepetitoiseaunoirestvenuorieantecheezecariminiezierieeniepavineehedfrapperhieramafenetre,etmonameaetejoyeuse;illesadridezevechirtizine

Matemimisaimekalemechanta:tuleverrasdemain.--

Matemi,fleurquimeamezessate

Arvatiezineudanixamestesuriamesfaisvivre,soleildemessonges,vienscesoir,vienssandinetentisievaidivinee

Romevane

Sikelongtempspresdemoi;soisheureuse!

--

Rome,ouest

Sike?--atrizitentetamechepizi

La-bas,presdu

"tameche"rose.

Sike,behappy!Thelittleblackbirdcameyesterdayrappingatmywindow,andmysoulwasjoyful;hesangtome:Thouwiltseehimto-morrow.Matemi,flowerwhichmakesmelive,sunofmydreams,comethisevening;comeforalongtimetome;behappy!--Rome,whereisSike?--Yonder,nearthe"tameche"rose.

Auditive,thenGraphic.November28,1897(translatedsameseance).--FragmentsofconversationheardduringthevisionoftheMartianfetedescribedon.Sike(ayoungman)andMatemi(ayounggirl)formthefirstcouplewhopassbyandwalkoffinthedirectionofalargebushwithredflowers(tameche);thenasecondcoupleexchangethelastwordsofthetextwhilegoingtorejointhefirst.Afterthisvision,whichshecontemplatedstandinganddescribedwithmuchanimation,HeleneseatedherselfandbegantowritethesameMartianphrases.ItisascertainedfromLeopoldthatitwasAstanewhoheldherhand(inholdingthepencilbetweenthethumbandtheindex-finger--thatis,afterthemannerofLeopoldandnotthatofHeleneasshehadhelditinwritingtext[*No.17]).Thewritingbeingfinished,LeopolddirectsthatHeleneshallbemadetoseatherselfonthecouchforthesceneoftranslation.

^

1. vechesiteseepolluniavemeticheeviti

Voyonscettequestion,vieuxhomme;atoidebounieseimirenitrinechercher,comprendreetparler.

Nowthisquestion,oldman;itisfortheetoseek,tounderstandandspeak.

Auditive.January15,1898(translatedFebruary13).--FragmentofconversationbetweentwoMartianpersonagesseeninawakingvision.

^

1. astaneceamesevicheebrimimesseteri

Astane,jeviensatoi;tasagessegrandecommechepocrimele...tonsavoirme...

Astane,Icometothee;thygreatwisdomaswellasthyknowledgetome...

Auditive.AboutJanuary25,1898(translatedFebruary13).--Vision,atsixo'clockinthemorning,ofayoungMartiangirl(Matemi?)traversingatunnelthroughamountainandarrivingatthehouseofAstane,towhomsheaddressesthisutterance,followedbymanyotherswhichHelenecouldnotgraspwithsufficientdistinctnesstonotethemdown.

^

23.

[A]panineevaikirimezemizaamigrini

Panine,soisprudent,le

"miza"vasoulever;kecheeemecherespaze--

[B]pouzeteslunesouminiquetamainseretire!--

Pouze,cejourriant...arvaiicenzeprimitichechirekizpavilune--

Arvasibeau...lerevoirdetonfils...quelheureuxjour--

[C]saineezichireizelineikizepaviezimane

Saine,monfils,enfindebout!quellejoie!...

Monpereniezemodetizineezichireezimaneceeveadietmamere...

Demain,monfils...

Monpere,jesuisbienanamaintenant.

Panine,beprudent,the"miza"isabouttoarise;removethyhand!Pouze,thislaughingday...Arvasobeautiful...Thereturnofthyson...Whathappyday--Saine,myson,finallystanding!Whatjoy!...Myfatherandmymother...To-morrow,myson...myfather,Iamwellnow.

Auditive.February20,1.898(translatedsameseance).--VerycomplicatedMartianvision.First,threesmall,movablehouses,likepavilionsorChinesekiosks,goingaboutonlittleballs;inoneofthese,twounknownpersonages,oneofwhomputsherhandoutofasmallovalwindow,whichoccasions,onthepart

ofhercompanion,theobservationofthefirstsentence(A)ofthetext;atthisinstant,infact,theserollingpavilions(miza)assumeanoscillatorymovement,whichmakesanoiselike"tick-tack,"andthenglidelikeatrainuponrails.Theygoaroundahighredmountainandcomeintoasortofmagnificentgorgeorravine,withslopescoveredwithextraordinaryplants,andwheretheyfindwhitehousesonanironframeworkresemblingpiles.Thetwomenthenalightfromtheir"miza,"chattingtogether,butHelenecanonlyhearfragments(B)oftheirconversation.Ayoungmanofsixteentoeighteenyearsofagecomestomeetthem,whohashisheadtiedupinakindofnightcap,andhavingnohairontheleftside.Martiansalutationsareexchanged;theymutuallystriketheirheadswiththeirhands,etc.Helenecomplainsofhearingveryconfusedlythatwhichtheyaresaying,andcanonlyrepeatendsofsentences(C).Shehaspaininherheart,andLeopolddictatestomebytheleftindex-finger,"Puthertosleep,"whichpresentlyleadstothecustomarysceneoftranslationofthetext.

^

1. saineezichireieeezepavichevinaineruzzi

Saine,monfils,toutemajoie,tonretouraumilieutinininemismessassileatimi...iteche...denousestungrand,immensebonheur...toujours...furimir...noriaimera...jamais.

Saine,myson,allmyjoy;thyreturntoourcircleisagreat,animmensehappiness...alwayswilllove...ever.

Auditive.March11,1898(translatedAugust21).--"Yesterdaymorning,onjumpingoutofbed,"wroteHelenetome,whensendingmethistext,"IhadavisionofMars,almostthesameasthatwhichIhadbefore(attheseanceofFebruary20).Isawagaintherollingpavilions,thehousesonpiling,severalpersonages,amongthemayoungmanwhohadnohairononesideofhishead.Iwasabletonotesomewords.Itwasveryconfused,andthelastwordswerecaughtonthewing,whenhereandtheresomethingalittleclearcametome..."

^

1. devechiketiefimerveeni

Tuvoisquedechosessuperbesici.

Thouseestwhatsuperbthings(are)here.

Auditive.August21,1898(translatedsameseance).--Wakingvisionofariverbetweentworose-coloredmountains,withabridge(likethatin)whichlowereditselfintothewateranddisappearedinordertoallowfiveorsixboatstopass(likethatin),thenreappearedandwasrestoredtoitsplace.AsHelenedescribesallthis,shehearsavoicespeakingtohertheaboveMartianwordsofthetext.

^

26.

Astanenezetentivi

Astaneestlapresdetoi.

Astaneisthere,neartothee.

Visual.August21,1898(translatedsameseance).--Followingtheprecedingscene:Heleneperceives"intheair"(illuminedandred--thatofherMartianvision)somecharactersunknowntoher,whichshecopies(see).Iaskher,showingherthewordze(whichelsewherealwaysstandsforle),ifsheisnotmistaken.Sheverifiesitbycomparingitwiththeimaginarymodelbeforeherandaffirmsittobecorrect.

^

1. sikekizcrizihantinehedeebrinieresameree

Sike,queloiseaufidele!ilapensesereuniraniniessatetiicheatimimatemihantinehednenous,vivredenotrebonheur!

--

Matemifidele,ilesthantineezidariesiketesoustikezebadenilassunefidelemoncoeur!

--

Sike,cebateauqueleventapprochemazitrimazihedetizimazeteepovinee

ninizeprianiavecforce!iladelapeineaarriveranous;leflotefoumineivrainiideetizimazeteevizenezeestpuissantaujourd'hui;onadelapeineadistinguerlechode

"chode."

Clicktoenlarge

Fig.27.TextNo.28(October8,1898),writtenbyMlle.Smith,copyingatextofMatemi,seeninavisualhallucination.[Theslighttremorofsomeofthelinesisnotintheoriginal,butoccurredinthecopyingofthetextintheink,whichwaswritteninpencilandtoopaleforreproduction.]

Sike,what(a)faithfulbird!hehasthoughttoreunitehimselftous,toliveofourhappiness!--Matemifaithful,myheartisfaithful!--Sike,thisboatwhichthewindbringsnearwithforce!ithassomedifficultyinreachingus;thecurrentisstrongto-day;onehassomedifficultyindistinguishingthe"chode."

Auditive.Aboutthe4thofSeptember,1898(translatedOctober16).--HeleneheardandnotedthisphraseatthesametimeatwhichshehadthevisionofthetwoyoungMartianpeoplewhowerewalkinginakindofflower-garden,andsawaboatarrive,likethatin.Themeaningofchodehasnotbeenascertained.

^

1. menmess

Astaneceameseviitechlites

Amigrand

Astane,jeviensatoitoujoursparcetalizeneumiassilekaianineeziatevnileelementmysterieux,immense,quienveloppemonetreetmetazieevimedieexezinerabrixnitibrax.menamesdilanceatoipourtoutesmespenseesetbesoins.

Ami,viensteouradeke

Matemiuzenircheekidanikecheebrizipisouvenirque

Matemiattendratafaveur,etquetasagesseluidezanir.evaidivineteslunerepondra.

Soisheureuxcejour.

FriendgreatAstane,Icometotheealwaysbythiselement,mysterious,immense,whichenvelopsmybeingandlaunchesmetotheebyallmythoughtsanddesires.Friend,comethoutorememberthatMatemiwillawaitthyfavor,andthatthywisdomwillanswerhim.Behappyto-day.

Visual.October3,1898(translatedOctober16).--AtaquarterbeforenineintheeveningMlle.Smith,desiringtoobtainacommunicationfromLeopoldforherselfandhermother,satdowninaneasy-chairandgaveherselfuptomeditation.PresentlyshehearsthevoiceofLeopoldtellingherthathecannotmanifesthimselfthatevening,butthatsomethingmuchmoreinterestingandimportantisbeingmadeready.Theroomseemstohertobecomecompletelyobscured,excepttheendofthetableatwhichsheissitting,whichisilluminedwithagoldenlight.AyoungMartiangirlinayellowrobeandwithlongtressesthencomesandseatsherselfbesideherandbeginstotrace,withoutinkorpaper,butwithapointontheendofherindex-finger,blackfiguresonawhitecylinder,atfirstplacedonthetable,afterwardsonherknees,andwhichisunrolledasshewrites.Heleneisnearenoughtoseethecharactersclearly,andcopiestheminpencilonasheetofpaper(see),afterwhichthevisionvanishesandhermotherandtheroomreappear.

^

1. sazenikichenipunezedodenepitlezirebez

Sazenipourquoicraindre?

Ceciestsanssouffrancenineuraevaidastreefirezizebodrinedorimezedanger,soispaisible;certainementleosestsain,lepastritubrenetuxesangseulestmalade.

Sazeni,whyfear?Thisiswithoutsufferingordanger,bepeaceful;certainlythefleshiswell,thebloodaloneisill.

Auditive.October14,1898(translatedOctober16).--Morningvisionofanunknowngentlemanandlady,thelatterhavingherarm,spottedwithred,applied

toaninstrumentwiththreetubesplacedonashelffastenedtothewall.Thesewordswerespokenbytheman;theladysaidnothing.

^

1. modekehedonechandenetesemunetenti

Mere,queilssontdelicieuxcesmomentspresdevibigavabindieidetizametenseezourechetoi!--

Enfant,outrouveondemeilleursinstants?plustardmedcheatevkizfouminezatipourtonetrequelpuissantsouvenir.

Mother,howdelightfultheyare,thesemomentsneartothee!--Child,wherefindsonebettermoments?laterforthybeingwhat(a)powerfulremembrance.

Auditive.October22,1898(translatedDecember18).--"Ataquarter-pastsixinthemorning;visionofapebblyshore;earthofaredtint;immensesheetofwater,ofabluishgreen.Twowomenarewalkingsidebyside.ThiswasallIcouldgatheroftheirconversation."

Clicktoenlarge

Fig.28.TextNo.31(October27,1898),writtenbyMlle.Smith,incarnatingRamie.Naturalsize.

^

31.

Ramiebistiti

Espeniechedimeunizi

Ramiehabitantde

Espenie,tonsemblableparlatrimazitievadazaxdianiziebanamirax.

Ramiediforcedes

"vadazas,"teenvoietroisadieux.

Ramie,tetrinirtietoumaxtibeaniminanitichediuzirnamiparleradescharmesdesaexistenceetbientottedirabeaucoupti

Espenie.evaidivineede

Espenie

Soisheureuse!

Ramie,dwellerinEspenie,thylike,bytheforceofthe"vadazas,"sendstheethreeadieux.Ramiewillspeaktotheeofthecharmsofhisexistence,andpresentlywilltelltheemuchofEspenie.Behappy!

Graphic.October27,1898(translatedDecember18).--"Tenminutestooneintheafternoon.Novision,butaseverecrampintherightarmandastrongimpulsetotakepencilandpaper.Iwrite,Iknownotwhy."(ItisseenbythetranslationgiventwomonthslaterthatthetextreferstothefirstmanifestationofRamieandisanannouncementoftheultra-Martianvisionwhichcameafewdayslater.)See.Thetermvadazas,whichhasneverbeenexplained,hasnotaMartianappearance,andappearstohavebeenborrowedfromtheHindoocycle.AstoEspenie,seetext[*No.6].

^

1. anaevaimanikeebetinemistieattana

Maintenantsoisattentivearegarderundesmondeskadimediniebetinietestapienibeeatevkavivequiteentourent.

Regardece

"tapie"etsesetresetranges.dandaana

Silencemaintenant!

Nowbeattentivetobeholdoneoftheworldswhichsurroundthee.Lookatthat"tapie"anditsstrangebeings.Silencenow!

Auditive.November2,1898(translatedDecember18).--HelenehasamorningvisionofaMartian(Ramie)whoencirclesherwaistwithonearmandwiththe

othershowsher,whilespeakingthesewords,astrangetableau(tapie)containingextraordinarybeingsspeakingtheunknownlanguageofthefollowingtext.AtthemomentthevisioniseffacedHelenewrites,withoutperceivingthatshehasdoneso,text[*No.34].(Forfurtherdetails,seethefollowingchapterontheUltra-Martian.)

^

33.

BAK

SANAK

TOP

ANOK

SIKsirimanebevinia-ti-mis-meticheivretouerameauvertnomdeunhommesacredans[p.234]eTIP

VANe

SANIM

BATAM

ISSEM

TANAKvinia-ti-mise-bigaazanimaprinieimizikramazinenomdeuneenfantmalentresouspanierbleu

VANEM

SeBIM

MAZAK

TATAK

SAKAMvinia-ti-mis-zakidatrinietuzevamegamienomdeunanimalcache

maladetristepleure.

Branchgreen--nameofaman--sacred--in--nameofachild--bad--entered--under--basket--blue--nameofananimal--hidden--ill--sad--weeps.

Auditive,astothenon-Martiantext(seefollowingchapter)whichHeleneheardspokenonthe2dofNovemberbythestrangebeingsofthetableauoftheprecedingvision.Vocal,astotheMartiantranslationofthistext,whichwasgivenbyAstane(incarnatedinHeleneandspeakingtheunknownlanguagebyhermouth,followedbyitsMartianequivalent

Clicktoenlarge

Fig.29.TextNo.34(November2,1898),writtenbyMlle.Smith,incarnatingRamie.Naturalsize.foreachword),intheseanceofthe18thofDecember,1898.Immediatelyafter,AstaneyieldedhisplacetoEsenale,whointurnrepeatedtheMartianphrase,translatingitwordforwordintoFrenchbythecustomaryprocess.

^

34.

Ramiedipedrinieananeerinedivine

Ramietequittemaintenant,estsatisfait,heureux[p.235]temunetentivi.heddassiniemisabadatichedumomentpresdetoi.

Ilgardeunpeltdetonatevnidipareziebanamirax.

--evaidivineeetreettelaissetroisadieux.

Soisheureuse!

Ramieleavestheenow,issatisfied,happyforthemomentneartothee.Heretainsalittleofthybeingandleavestheethreeadieux.Behappy.

Graphic.November2,1898(translatedDecember18).--Heleneonlyperceivedafteritsaccomplishmentthatherhand,whichshefelt"firmlyheld,"hadwrittenthistextatthecloseoftheprecedingvision(see).

^

35.

[A]attanazabinepitenteichetarvinimabure

Mondearriere,trespresdunotre,langagegrossier,nubeterizeeatev

[B]

Astaneezidabefouminenicurieuxcommelesetre!--

Astane,monmaitrepuissantetietitakatubrenebibetizeumezetoutdepouvoir,seulestcapabledelefaire.

Hiddenworld,veryneartoours,coarselanguage,curiouslikethebeings.--Astane,mypowerfulmasterandallpowerful,aloneiscapableofdoingit.

Auditive.December5,1898(translatedDecember18).--Workingbylamp-lightatseveno'clockinthemorning,HeleneagainhadavisionoftheMartian(Ramie)whohadclaspedherwaistwithonearmwhileshowinghersomethingwithagestureoftheother(probablythetableauoftheprecedingvision,thoughHelenedidnotseeit)andutteringthefirstphraseofit(A).Thesecondphrase(B)isthereplyofthissameMartiantoamentalquestionofHeleneaskinghimtotranslatethestrangelanguageoftheotherday.(Shetrust,therefore,haveunderstoodthemeaningofthefirstphraseinordertohaverepliedtoitbyherappropriatementalquestion.)

Clicktoenlarge

Fig.30.TextNo.37(March24,1899),writtenbyMlle.Smith,incarnatingAstane.[CollectionofM.Lemaitre.]Owingtoadefectofthestereotypeplateadotislackingonthefirstletter.

^

36.

[A]aeaeaeaelassunielamirezeaeaeae

Ae,ae,ae,ae!--

Approche;voici

Reze...ae,ae,ae,aenikebulievaneozamieziteniprimeni--[B]ozamieae,petit

Bulie...ouest

Ozamie?

Ziteni,

Primeni...

Ozamie,viniatimisbigakemaziteniviniatimisebigakemisinomdeunenfantmale;

Ziteni,nomdeuneenfantfemelle;primeniviniatimisebigakemisi

Primeni,nomdeuneenfantfemelle.

Ae,ae,ae,ae!Approach,hereisReza,ae,ae,ae,ae,littleBulie...whereisOzamie?Ziteni,Primeni...Ozamie,nameofamalechild;Ziteni,nameofafemalechild;Primeni,nameofafemalechild.

Auditive.March8,1899(translatedJune4).--Heleneheardthephrase(A)duringthevisionofwhichthedescriptionfollows.Atthetranslation,asthesittersdidnotatonceunderstandthatthethreefirstwordsarepropernames,Esenaleaddsthephrase(B)withitsFrenchsignification."Iwasunabletogotosleepyesterdayevening.Athalf-pasteleveneverythingaroundmewassuddenlylightedup,andthevividlightpermittedmetodistinguishsurroundingobjects.IarosethismorningwithaveryclearremembranceofthatwhichIthensaw.Atableauwasformedinthatlight,andIhadmorebeforemethantheinteriorofaMartianhouse--animmensesquarehall,aroundwhichshelveswerefastened,orratherlittletablessuspendedandfastenedtothewall.Eachofthesetablescontainedababy,butnotatallbundledup;allthemovementsoftheselittleinfantswerefree,andasimplelinenclothwasthrownroundthebody.Theymight

Clicktoenlarge

Fig.31.TextNo.38(March30,1899),writtenbyMlle.SmithcopyingatextofRamie,whoappearedtoherinavisualhallucination.[CollectionofM.Lemaitre.]besaidtobelyingonyellowmoss.Icouldnotsaywithwhatthetableswerecovered.Somemenwithstrangebeastswerecirculatingroundthehall;thesebeastshadlargeflatheads,almostwithouthair,andlarge,verysofteyes,likethoseofseals;theirbodies,slightlyhairy,resembledsomewhatthoseofroesinourcountry,exceptfortheirlargeandflattails;theyhadlargeudders,towhichthemenpresentfittedasquareinstrumentwithatube,whichwasofferedtoeachinfant,whowasthusfedwiththemilkofthesebeasts.Iheardcries,agreathurly-burly,anditwaswithdifficultythatIcouldnotethesefewwords[ofthistext].Thisvisionlastedaboutaquarterofanhour;theneverythinggraduallydisappeared,andinaminuteafterIwasinasoundsleep."

^

37.

Astanebouniezebuzitiditrinenamini

Astanecherchelemoyendetoparlerbeaucoupettidiumezeseimirebitarvinidetofairecomprendresonlangage.

Astanesearchesforthemeanstospeaktotheemuchandtomaketheeunderstandhislanguage.

Graphic.March24,1899(translatedJune4)."Half-pastsixinthemorning.VisionofAstane.Iwasstanding,abouttoputonmyslippers.Hespoketome,butIcouldnotunderstandhim.Itookthissheetofpaperandapencil;hespoketomenomore,butseizedmyhandwhichheldthepencil.Iwroteunderthispressure;Iunderstoodnothing,forthisisasHebrewtome.Myhandwasreleased;IraisedmyheadtoseeAstane,buthehaddisappeared"(see).

^

1. fedieames

Ramiediuzenirtesluneamesze

Fedie,viens;

Ramieteattendracejour;viens,lebouatrinirfrereparlera.

Fedie,come;Ramiewillawaittheeto-day;come,thebrotherwillspeak.

Visual.March30,1899(translatedJune4).--Seatedathertoilet-table,athalf-pastnineo'clockintheevening,Helenefoundherselfsuddenlyenvelopedinarose-coloredfog,whichhidonepartofthefurniturefromher,thenwasdissipated,allowinghertosee,atthefartherendofherroom,"astrangehall,lightedwithrose-coloredglobesfastenedtothewall."Nearertoherappearedatablesuspendedintheair,andamaninMartiancostume,whowrotewithakindofnailfastenedtohisrightindex-finger."Ileantowardsthisman;Iwishtoplacemylefthandonthisimaginarytable,butmyhandfallsintoemptyspace,andIhavegreatdifficultyinrestoringittoitsnormalposition.Itwasstiff,andforsomemomentsfeltveryweak."Happilytheideaoccurredtohertotakepencilandpaperandcopy"thecharacterswhichtheMartian,whomIhadseenseveraltimesbefore[Ramie],traced;andwithextremedifficulty--sincetheyweremuchsmallerthanmine--Isucceededinreproducingthem"(theMartiantextof).Allthislastedaboutaquarterofanhour.Iwentimmediatelytobed,andsawnothingmorethatevening,noronthefollowingday."

Clicktoenlarge

Fig.32.TextNo.39(Aprilx,1899),writtenbyMlle.Smith,incarnatingRamie.[CollectionofM.Lemaitre.]Naturalsize.

^

39.

Ramiepondeacamiandelirteriantech

Ramie,savantastronome,apparaitracommehieririeviana.rizvibanamiraxti

Ramienisouventatoimaintenant.

Surtoitroisadieuxde

Ramieet

Astane.evaidivinee

Astane.

Soisheureuse!

Ramie,learnedastronomer,willappearasyesterdayoftentotheenow.UpontheethreeadieuxfromRamieandAstane.Behappy*!

Graphic.April1,1899(translatedJune4).--"Again,ongoingtobedatfiveminutespastten,anewvisionofthepersonageseendaybeforeyesterday[Ramie].Ithoughthewasabouttospeak,butnosoundissuedfromhislips.Iquicklytakepencilandpaper,andfeelmyrightarmseizedbyhim,andIbegintotracethestrangehandwritingattachedhereto(see).Heisveryaffectionate;hisbearing,hislook,everythingbreathesbothgoodnessandstrangeness.Heleavesmereallycharmed."

^

1. ramieebanadizenazivenienibivraini

Ramie,lentement,profondement,etudie,etsondesirassilenetentireskalameastaneezidabeneziimmenseestpresdeseaccomplir.

Astanemonmaitreestlamedlegodaneniankoneevaibanezizazidivineepourmeaideretrejouir.

Soistroisfoisheureuse!

Ramie,slowly,deeplystudies,andhisgreatdesireisneartobeingaccomplished.Astane,mymaster,istheretoaidmeandtorejoice.Maystthoubethricehappy!

Auditive.June4,1899(translatedsameseance).Hemisomnambulism,inwhichHelene,withouthavingavision,hearsavoiceaddressingwordstoher,fromwhich,withsomedifficulty,shecollectedtheprecedingsentences.

1. Tothesetexts,formingsentences,inordertocompletethewhole,someisolatedwordsmustbeadded,gatheredonvariousoccasions,themeaningofwhichisobtainedwithsufficientcertainty,eitherfromtheFrench

contextinwhichtheywereframed,orfromHelene'sdescriptionoftheobjectswhichtheydesignatedThesewordsarecheke,papier("paper");chinit,bague("ring");asnete,especedeparavent("kindofscreen").AniniNikaine,propernameofalittlegirl(see),probablytheMartiansisterofEsenale,whofloatsbesideher,invisibletoher,andwatchesoverherduringanillness,afterthefashionofspiritprotectors.Beniel,propernameofourearth,asseenfromMars(whichiscalledDureeintexts7and9).

III.REMARKSONTHEMARTIANLANGUAGE

Providedthereaderhasgivensomeattentiontotheforegoingtexts,ifonlytothetwofirst,heundoubtedlywillhavebeeneasilysatisfiedastothepretendedlanguageoftheplanetMars,andperhapswillbeastonishedthatIhavespentsomuchtimeuponit.But,asmanyofthehabituesoftheseancesofMlle.Smith--and,naturally,Mlle.Smithherself--holdseriouslytoitsauthenticity,Icannotabsolvemyselffromstatingwhythe"Martian"is,inmyopinion,onlyaninfantiletravestyofFrench.EvenindefaultoftheastronomicalimportancewhichisclaimedforitontheauthorityofLeopold,thisidiompreservesallthepsychologicalinterestwhichattachestoautomaticproductsofsubconsciousactivitiesofthemind,anditwelldeservessomeminutesofexamination.

ItisnecessaryatthestarttorenderthisjusticetotheMartian(Icontinuetodesignateitbythatname,forthesakeofconvenience)--namely,thatitis,indeed,alanguageandnotasimplejargonorgibberishofvocalnoisesproducedatthehazardofthemomentwithoutanystability.Itcannotbedeniedthefollowingcharacteristics--First:Itisaharmonyofclearlyarticulatedsounds,groupedsoastoformwords.Secondly:Thesewordswhenpronouncedexpressdefiniteideas.Thirdly,andfinally:Connectionofthewordswiththeideasiscontinuous;or,toputitdifferently,thesignificationoftheMartiantermsispermanentandismaintained(apartfromslightinconsistencies,towhichIwillreturnlateron)fromoneendtotheotherofthetextswhichhavebeencollectedinthecourseofthesethreeyears.[]Iwilladdthatinspeakingfluentlyandsomewhatquickly,asHelenesometimesdoesinsomnambulism(texts[4],[11],[*15],etc.),ithasanacousticqualityaltogetheritsown,duetothepredominanceofcertainsounds,andhasapeculiarintonationdifficulttodescribe.Justasonedistinguishesbyearforeignlanguageswhichonedoesnotunderstand,thewholedialectpossessingapeculiaraccentwhichcausesittoberecognized,sointhiscaseoneperceives,fromthefirstsyllablesuttered,whetherHeleneisspeakingHindooorMartian,accordingtothemusicalconnection,therhythm,thechoiceof

consonantsandvowelsbelongingtoeachofthetwoidioms.InthistheMartian,indeed,bearsthestampofanaturallanguage.Itisnottheresultofapurelyintellectualcalculation,butinfluencesofanaestheticorder,emotionalfactors,havecombinedinitscreationandinstinctivelydirectedthechoiceofitsassonancesandfavoriteterminations.TheMartianlanguagehascertainlynotbeenfabricatedincoldbloodduringthenormal,habitual,French(sotospeak)stateofMlle.Smith,butitbearsinitscharacteristictonalitiestheimprintofapeculiaremotionaldisposition,ofafixedhumororpsychicalOrientation,ofaspecialconditionofmind,whichmaybecalled,inoneword,theMartianstateofHelene.Thesecondarypersonality,whichtakespleasureinlinguisticgames,seems,indeed,tobethesame,atitssource,asthatwhichdelightsintheexoticandhighlycoloredvisualimagesoftheplanetofredrocks,andwhichanimatesthepersonagesoftheMartianromance.

AglanceattheensembleoftheforegoingtextsshowsthatMartian,ascomparedwithFrench,ischaracterizedbyasuperabundanceofe,e,andi's,andascarcityofdiphthongsandthenasalsounds.AmoreaccuratestatisticaltableofsoundedvowelswhichstriketheearinreadingaloudtheMartiantextsontheonehand,andtheirtranslationintoFrenchontheother,givesmethepercentagesofTableI.,whichfollows.Butitiswellknownthatthevowelsaredistinguished,fromtheacousticpointofview,bycertainfixedcharacteristicsounds,andthattheyaredistributedatdifferentheightsinthemusicalscale.

TABLEI.--STATISTICSOFVOWELSOUNDS

MARTIAN

FRENCHa

%

16.3

13.7emute(likethoseofcasemate)

"

3.6

20.8eclosedorhalf-closed(likethoseofhebete,reve)

"

36.9

14.3eopen(likethatofaloes)

"

2.1

4.6i

"

34.3

13.4o

"

2.3

5.7u

"

2.3

3.1

Diphthongsandnasals(ou,oi,eu,an,in,on,un)

"

2.1

24.5

TABLEII.--GROUPINGFROMPOINTOFVIEWOFHEIGHT

MARTIAN

FRENCH

Vowels,high(iandesounded)

%

73.3

32.3

Vowels,middle(aando)

"

18.6

19.4

Vowels,loworhollow(u;diphthongsandnasals;emute)

"

8.0

48.4

[paragraphcontinues]iandearethehighest,aandooccupythemiddleplace,uandouarefoundinthelowerpartofthescale.Inaddingtothelatter,therefore,thenasals,whicharealwayshollow,andalsoemute,TableI.dividesitselfintothethreegroupsofTableII.fromthepointofviewofheightandsonorousness.Itis,therefore,clearthattheMartianisofageneraltonalitymuchhigherthantheFrench;since,whilethetwolanguageshavealmostthesameproportionofmiddlevowels,thelow,hollow,ormutesounds,whichconstitutealmostone-halfoftheFrenchvowels,amounttoscarcelyone-twelfthinMartian,inwhichthehighsounds,onthecontrary,representinbulkthree-quartersofthevowels,againstone-thirdonlyintheFrench.Ontheotherhand,researchesinthefieldofcoloredauditionhavedemonstratedthataclosepsychologicalconnectionexists,basedoncertainemotionalanalogiesandanequivalenceoforganicreactions,betweenthehighsoundsandthebrightorvividcolors,andtheloworhollowsoundsandthesombrecolors.Butthissamecorrelationisfoundinthe

somnambulisticlifeofMlle.Smith,betweenthebrilliant,luminous,highlycoloredvisionswhichcharacterizeherMartiancycleandthelanguageofthehighandsonorousvowelswhichgushesforthinthesamecycle.Itisallowabletoconcludefromthisthatitisreallythesameemotionalatmospherewhichbathesandenvelopsthesevariedpsychologicalproducts,thesamepersonalitywhichgivesbirthtothesevisualandphoneticautomatisms.Theimaginationcannot,however,asiseasilyunderstood,createitsfictionoutofnothing;itisobligedtoborrowitsmaterialsfromindividualexperience.TheMartiantableauxare,therefore,onlyareflection.oftheterrestrialworld,butofthatpartofitwhichpossessesthemostwarmthandbrilliancy--theOrient;inthesameway,theMartianlanguageisonlyFrenchmetamorphosedandcarriedtoahigherdiapason.

Iadmit,then,thatMartianisalanguage,andanaturallanguage,inthesensethatitisautomaticallybroughtforthintheemotionalstate,orbythesecondarypersonality,whichisthesourceofalltheremainderofthecyclewithouttheconsciousparticipationofMlle.Smith.ItremainsformenowtomentionsomeofthecharacteristicswhichseemtoindicatethattheinventorofthissubliminallinguisticworkhadneverknownanyidiomotherthanFrench,thatitismuchmoresensibletoverbalexpressionthantologicalconnectionofideas,andthatitpossessesinaneminentdegreethatinfantileandpuerilecharacterwhichIhavealreadypointedoutintheauthoroftheMartianromance.Itnowbecomesnecessarytoexaminerapidlythisunknownlanguage,fromthepointofviewofitsphoneticsanditswriting,itsgrammaticalform,itssyntax,anditsvocabulary.

1. MartianPhoneticsandHandwriting.--Martianiscomposedofarticulatesounds,allofwhich,consonantsaswellasvowels,existinFrench.Whileonthisglobelanguagesgeographicallyourneighbors(nottomentionthosefartheraway)differeachfromtheotherbycertainspecialsounds--ch,German,th,English,etc.--thelanguageoftheplanetMarsdoesnotpermitofsimilarphoneticoriginalities.Itseems,onthecontrary,poorerinthisrespectthantheFrench.AsyetIhavenotfoundinitthehissingjorge(asinjuger),northedoublesoundx.Martianphonetics,inaword,areonlyanincompletereproductionofFrenchphonetics.

TheMartianalphabet,comparedwithours,suggestsaremarkableanalogy.Thegraphicformofthecharactersiscertainlynovel,andnoonewoulddivineourlettersinthesedesignsofexoticaspect.Nevertheless,eachMartiansign(withthesingleexceptionofthatoftheplural)correspondstoa

[paragraphcontinues]Frenchsign,althoughtheinverseisnotthecase,whichindicatesthathereagainweareinthepresenceofafeebleimitationofoursystemofhandwriting.

ThetwelvewrittentextsuponwhichIbasemycomparisoncompriseabout300words(ofwhich160aredifferent)and1200signs.Therearealtogethertwenty-onedifferentletters,allofwhichhavetheirexactequivalentsintheFrenchalphabet,whichalsohasfiveotherswhichMartianlacks;jandx,ofwhichthesoundsthemselveshavenotbeenobserved,andq,w,andy,ofwhichthereisadoubleuse,withk,v,andi.Thisreductionofgraphicmaterialmanifestsitselfintwootherdetails.First,thereareneitheraccentsnorpunctuationmarks,withtheexceptionofacertainsign,resemblingtheFrenchcircumflex,usedsometimesintheshapeofapointattheendofphrases.Inthesecondplace,eachletterhasonlyoneform,thediversityofcapitalsandsmalllettersnotseemingtoexistinMartian.Ofciphersweknownothing.

Therearestillthreesmallpeculiaritiestonotice:

1. Indefaultofcapitals,theinitialsofpropernamesareoftendistinguishedbyapointplacedabovetheordinarycharacter.

2. Inthecaseofdoublelettersthesecondisreplacedbyapointsituatedattherightofthefirst.

3. Finally,thereexists,inordertodesignatethepluralofsubstantivesandofsomeadjectives,aspecialgraphicsign,answeringtonothinginthepronunciationandhavingtheformofasmallverticalundulation,whichremindsonealittleofanamplificationoftheFrenchs,theusualmarkofthepluralinFrench.Thesepeculiarities,outsidetheordinaryformoftheletters,constitutethesumtotalofingenuitydisplayedinMartianhandwriting.

Itmustbeaddedthatthishandwriting,whichisnotordinarilyinclined,goesfromlefttoright,liketheFrench.Allthelettersareofnearlythesameheight,exceptthattheiismuchsmaller,andthattheyremainisolatedfromeachother;theirassemblyintowordsandphrasesofferstotheeyeacertainaspectofOrientalhieroglyphicinscriptions.

TheMartianalphabetneverhavingbeenrevealedassuch,weareignorantoftheorderinwhichthelettersfolloweachother.Itwouldseemasthoughtheletters

hadbeeninventedbyfollowingtheFrenchalphabet,atleastingreatpart,ifonemayjudgeaccordingtotheanalogiesofformoftheMartiancharacterscorrespondingtocertainseriesofFrenchletters:compareaandb;gandh;sandt;andalsothesuccessionk,l,m,n.

Itisinthephoneticvalueoftheletters--thatistosay,inthecorrespondenceofthearticulatedsoundswiththegraphicsigns--thattheessentiallyFrenchnatureoftheMartianmaybeseen.TheonlynotabledifferencetobepointedoutherebetweenthetwolanguagesisthemuchgreatersimplicityoftheMartianorthography,resultingintheemploymentofnouselessletters.Allarepronounced,eventhefinalconsonants,suchass,n,z,etc.,whicharegenerallysilentinFrench.ThisgivestheimpressionthattheMartianhandwritingismouldedonthespokenlanguage,andisonlythenotationofthearticulatedsoundsofthelatterbythemosteconomicalmeans.Insofaritrealizesthetypeofahandwritingtrulyphonetic--thatistosay,whereeachsigncorrespondstoacertainelementaryarticulation,constantandinvariable,andviceversa.Itisfull,ontheotherhand,ofequivocations,ofexceptions,ofirregularities,whichmakeoneandthesamelettertohaveverydifferentpronunciations,accordingtocircumstances,and,reciprocally,whichcausesthesamesoundtobewrittenindifferentwayswithoutourbeingabletoperceiveanyrationalexplanationforalltheseambiguities--wereitnotforthefactthattheverysamethingistobefoundinFrench!

MartianisonlydisguisedFrench.Iwillmentiononlythemostcuriousandstrikingcoincidences,allthemorestrikingfromthefactthatthefieldfromwhichIhavecollectedthemisverylimited,beingconfinedtothedozentextswrittenandpronounced,whichcontainonly160differentwords.

ThesimplevowelsoftheMartianalphabetcorrespondexactlytothefiveFrenchvowels,a,e,i,o,u,andhavethesameshadesofpronunciation.

TheMartiancplaysthetriplepartwhichitalsofulfilsinFrench.Theshasthesamecapriciouscharacterasinourlanguage.Itisgenerallyhard,butbetweentwovowelsitbecomessoft,likez.

1. GrammaticalForms.--TheensembleofthetextswhichwepossessdoesnotasyetpermitustomakeaMartiangrammar.Certainindications,however,warrantthepredictionthattherulesofthatgrammar,ifiteverseesthelightofday,willbeonlythecounterpartof,oraparodyupon,thoseofFrench.

Here,forexample,isalistofpersonalpronouns,articles,possessiveadjectives,etc.,whichhaveappearedhitherto:jecemele,moisitonchecetes,cestesedetitudetedi,toivitacheecettetes,teseedestieilhedseres,luipiteschile(pron.)zedutenousninimonezisonbiquika,quekeauinevoussinimaezesabequelkiz,quellekizeilshedmesezinesesbeeunmis,unemiseonidenotreichele,la,les(art.)ze,zi,zee.

Therearesometextswherethefeminineisderivedfromthemasculinebytheadditionofanemute,andthepluralbythesmall,unpronouncedsign,whichhasalltheappearanceofbeingareminiscenceofFrenchs.

Betweenthesetwolanguagesthereisanotherorderofpointsofcontact,ofamorespecialinterest,becauseitshowsthepreponderatingrolewhichverbalimageshaveoftenplayedinthemakingofMartiantotheprejudiceoftheintrinsic,logicalnatureoftheideas.IshouldsaythatatalltimestheMartiantranslatestheFrenchword,allowingitselftobeguidedbyauditiveanalogieswithoutregardtotherealmeaning,insuchawaythatwearesurprisedtodiscoverintheidiomoftheplanetMarsthesamepeculiaritiesofhomonymsasinFrench.Itisalsothecasethattwovocablesidenticalastopronunciation,butofentirelyheterogeneoussignification,astheprepositionaandtheaoftheverbavoir,arerenderedinMartianbythesameword,e.

Othercuriouscoincidencesaretobenoted.In

[paragraphcontinues]Frenchtheconjunctionetonlyslightlydiffers,fromthepointofviewofphonicimages,fromtheverbest;inMartianalsothereisagreatanalogybetweenniandne,whichtranslatethesetwowords.Betweenthepastparticiplenieoftheverbtobeandtheconjunctionnithereisonlythedifferenceofane,justasbetweentheirFrenchequivalentseteandet.

Itmustbeadmittedthatallthesecoincidenceswouldbeveryextraordinaryiftheywerepurelyfortuitous.

1. ConstructionandSyntax.--TheorderofthewordsisabsolutelythesameinMartianasinFrench.Thisidentityofconstructionofphrasesispursuedsometimesintotheminutestdetails,suchasthedivisionoramputationofthenegationne...pas(texts[15]and[17]),andalsotheintroductionofauselessletterinMartiantocorrespondtoaFrencheuphemistict(see[*text15]),Keviberimirmhed,quandreviendra-t-il?("whenwillhereturn?")

Ifitisadmittedhypotheticallythatthesuccessionofwords,suchasisgivenusinthesetexts,isnotthenaturalorderingoftheMartianlanguage,butanartificialarrangement,likethatofjuxtalineartranslationsfortheuseofpupils,theverypossibilityofthatcorrespondenceabsolutelywordforwordwouldremainanextraordinaryfactwithoutaparallel,sincethereisnotasinglelanguagethatIknowofinwhicheachtermoftheFrenchphraseisalwaysrenderedbyoneterm,neithermorenorless,oftheforeignphrase.Thehypothesisreferredtois,moreover,inadmissible,sincetheMartiantexts,ofwhichEsenalegivestheliteraltranslation,werenotpreviouslyarrangedbyhimwiththatendinview;theyaretheidenticalwordswhichMlle.Smithheardandnotedinhervisions,oftenweeksandmonthsbeforeEsenalerepeatsthemforthepurposeoftranslatingthem,andwhichconstitutetheconversation,assuch,takenfromlife,oftheMartianpersonages.WemustconcludefromthisthattheseintheirelocutionfollowstepbystepandwordbywordtheorderoftheFrenchlanguage,whichamountsalmosttosayingthattheyspeakaFrenchthesoundsofwhichhavesimplybeenchanged.

1. Vocabulary.--Fromanetymologicalpointofview,Ihavenotbeenabletodistinguishanyruleofderivation,evenpartial,thatwouldpermitthesuspicionthattheMartianwordshadcomefromFrenchwords,accordingtosomelaw.Apartfromtheentirefirsttext,whereitisdifficulttodenythatthepeopleofMarshavestolenFrenchtermsofpoliteness,atthesametimedistortingthem,noclearresemblanceistobeseenbetweenMartianwordsandtheFrenchequivalents;atmost,therearetracesofborrowing,likemerve,superbe,whichmighthavebeenabridgedfrommerveille([*text25]),andvechi,animitationofvoir.

StilllessdoestheMartianlexiconbetraytheinfluenceofotherknownlanguages(atleasttomyknowledge).Atermwhichsuggestssuchsimilarityishardlyevermetwith--e.g.,mode,mere("mother"),andgudebon("good"),causeustothinkofGermanorEnglishwords;animina("existence")islikeanima;variousformsoftheverbsetreandvivre("tobe"and"tolive"),eve,evai,essat,recalltheLatinesseortheHebreweve,andthatpassageoftheBiblicalstoryoftheCreationwhereEveiscalledthemotherofalllivingbeings.Alinguistwhohappenedtobeatthesametimeasavantandahumoristwoulddoubtlesssucceedinlengtheningthislistofetymologies,afterthemodeoftheeighteenthcentury.But,cuibono?InthatrarityofpointsofcontactbetweentheidiomsofourterrestrialsphereandtheMartianglossary,anargumentmightbefoundinfavoroftheextra-terrestrialoriginofthelatter,if,ontheotherhand,itdidnotseemto

betraytheinfluenceoftheFrenchlanguagefromthefactthatanotableproportionofitswordsreproduceinasuspiciousmannerthesamenumberofsyllablesorlettersastheirFrenchequivalents;note,forexample,besidesthetermsofpolitenessalreadymentioned,thewordstarvine,langage;haudan,maison;dode,ceci;valini,visage,etc.,andthegreatmajorityofthelittlewords,suchasce,je;ke,que;ti,de;de,tu;etc.

Withtheexceptionofsuchexamplesasthese,itmustbeacknowledgedthatthereisnotraceofparentage,filiation,ofanyresemblancewhateverbetweentheMartianandFrenchvocabularies,whichformsasingularcontrasttothecloseidentitywhichwehaveestablishedbetweenthetwolanguagesintheprecedingparagraphs.

Thisapparentcontradictioncarriesitsexplanationinitself,andgivesusthekeytoMartian.Thisfantasticidiomisevidentlythenaiveandsomewhatpuerileworkofaninfantileimagination,towhichoccurredtheideaofcreatinganewlanguage,andwhich,whilegivingtoitslucubrationscertainstrangeandunknownappearances,withoutdoubtcausedthemtorunintheaccustomedmouldsoftheonlyreallanguageofwhichithadcognizance.TheMartianofMlle.Smith,inotherwords,istheproductofabrainorapersonalitywhichcertainlyhastasteandaptitudeforlinguisticexercises,butwhichneverknewthatFrenchtakeslittleheedofthelogicalconnectionofideas,anddidnottakethetroubletomakeinnovationsinthematterofphonetics,ofgrammar,orofsyntax.

TheprocessofcreationofMartianseemstohaveconsistedinsimplytakingcertainFrenchphrasesassuchandreplacingeachwordbysomeotherchosenatrandom.Thatiswhy,especiallyinthetextsatthebeginning,thestructureofFrenchwordsisrecognizedundertheMartian.Theauthorherselfwasundoubtedlystruckbyit,andfromthattimeexertedherselftocomplicateherlexicon,torenderherwordsmoreandmoreunrecognizable.

Thisresearchoforiginality--which,however,shehasneverextendedbeyondthepurelymaterialpartofthelanguage,neverhavinganideathattheremightbeotherdifferencesinlanguages--representsaneffortofimaginationwithwhichshemustbecredited.Homagemustalsoberenderedtothelaborofmemorizing,whichthemakingofadictionaryhasnecessitated.Shehassometimes,indeed,fallenintoerrors;thestabilityofhervocabularyhasnotalwaysbeenperfect.But,finally,afterthefirsthesitationandindependentlyofsomelaterconfusions,

itgivesevidenceofapraiseworthyterminologicalconsistency,andwhichnodoubtintime,andwithsomesuggestiveencouragement,wouldresultintheelaborationofaverycompletelanguage--perhapsevenofseverallanguages,aswemayaugurfromtext33,towhichweshallreturninthefollowingchapter.

1. Style.--Itremainstoinvestigatethestyle.Ifitistruethat"mannersmaketheman"--thatistosay,nottheimpersonalandabstractunderstanding,buttheconcretecharacter,theindividualtemperament,thehumorandemotionalvibration--weoughttoexpecttofindinthestyleoftheMartiantextsthesamespecialstampwhichdistinguishesthevisions,thesoundofthelanguage,thehandwriting,thepersonages--inshort,theentireromance,thatistosay,thecuriousmixtureofOrientalexoticismandofchildishpuerilityofwhichthesecondarypersonalityofMlle.Smith,atworkinthiscycle,seemstobecomposed.Itisdifficulttopronounceuponthesemattersofvagueaestheticimpressionratherthanofpreciseobservation;but,aswellasIcanjudge,thereseemstometobeinthephraseologyofthetextscollectedanindefinablesomethingwhichcorrespondswellwiththegeneralcharacteroftheentiredream.AsthesewordsareevidentlyfirstthoughtinFrench--thentravestiesinMartianbyasubstitutionofsounds,thechoiceofwhich,ashasbeenseen,aproposofthehightonalityofthislanguage,reflectsthegeneralemotionaldisposition--itis,naturally,undertheirFrenchaspectthatweoughttoconsidertheminjudgingoftheiractualstyle.Unfortunately,wedonotknowhowfarthetranslationgivenbyEsenaleisidenticalwiththeprimitiveoriginal;certaindetailsseemtohintthattherearedivergencessometimes.Howeverthatmaybe,itisclearlytobeperceivedthattheliteraryformofthemajorityofthetexts(takeninFrench)ismoreakintopoetrythantoprose.Whilenooneofthemisinverse,properlyspeaking,thelargenumberofhemisticheswhicharemetwith,thefrequencyofinversion,thechoiceofterms,theabundanceofexclamationsandofbrokenphrases,betrayagreatintensityofsentimentalandpoeticemotion.Thesamecharacterisfound,withastrongshadeofexoticandarchaicoriginality,intheformulasofsalutationandfarewell("behappyto-day,""threeadieuxtothee,"etc.),aswellasinmanyexpressionsandtermsofphraseswhichratherrecalltheobscureandmetaphoricalparlanceoftheOrientthanthedryprecisionofourlanguageofto-day("ilgardeunpeudetonetre;cetelementmysterieux,immense,"etc.)

If,now,itisrecollectedthateverywhereinliteraryhistorypoetryprecedesprose,imaginationcomesbeforereason,andthelyricstylebeforethedidactic,a

conclusionaccordingwiththatoftheprecedingparagraphsisreached.Whichis,that,byitsfiguresanditsstyle,theMartianlanguage(ortheFrenchphraseswhichserveitforaskeleton)seemstobringtoustheechoofapastage,thereflexofaprimitivestateofmind,fromwhichMlle.Smithto-dayfindsherselfveryfarremovedinherordinaryandnormalstatesofmind.

IV.MLLE.SMITHANDTHEINVENTOROFMARTIAN

TheprecedinganalysisoftheMartianlanguagefurnishesitssupporttotheconsiderationswhichthecontentoftheromancehasalreadysuggestedtousinregardtoitsauthor().ToimaginethatbytwistingthesoundsofFrenchwordsanewlanguagecapableofstandingexaminationcouldactuallybecreated,andtowishtomakeitpassforthatoftheplanetMars,wouldbetheclimaxofsillyfatuityorofimbecilitywereitnotsimplyatraitofnaivecandorwellworthyofthehappyageofchildhood.

ThewholeMartiancyclebringsusintothepresenceofaninfantinepersonalityexuberantofimagination,sharing,astotheirlight,color,Orientalexoticism,theaesthetictendenciesoftheactualnormalpersonalityofMlle.Smith,butcontrastingwithitoutsideitspuerilecharacterintwopointstobenoted.

First:Ittakesaspecialpleasureinlinguisticdiscussionsandthefabricationofunknownidioms,whileHelenehasneithertastenorfacilityforthestudyoflanguages,whichshecordiallydetestsandinwhichshehasnevermetwithsuccess.

Secondly:Notwithstandingthisaversion,Helenepossessesacertainknowledge,eitheractualorpotential,ofGerman--inwhichherparentscausedhertotakelessonsforthreeyears--whereastheauthorofMartianevidentlyknowsonlyFrench.Itis,infact,difficulttobelievethat,ifthatauthorhadonlyaveryslightknowledgeoftheGermanlanguage(sodifferentfromtheFrenchbytheconstructionofitssentences,pronunciation,itsthreegenders,etc.),thatsomereminiscencesofit,atleast,wouldnothaveslippedintoitslucubrations.IinferfromthisthattheMartiansecondarypersonalitywhichgivesevidenceofalinguisticactivitysofecund,butsocompletelysubjecttothestructuralformsofthemother-tongue,representsaformerstage,ulteriortotheepochatwhichHelenecommencedthestudyofGerman.

Ifonereflects,ontheotherhand,onthegreatfacilitywhichMlle.Smith'sfather

seemstohavepossessedforlanguages(see),thequestionnaturallyariseswhetherintheMartianwearenotinthepresenceofanawakeningandmomentarydisplayofanhereditaryfaculty,dormantunderthenormalpersonalityofHelene,butwhichshehasnotprofitedfrominaneffectivemanner.Itisafactofcommonobservationthattalentsandaptitudesoftenskipagenerationandseemtopassdirectlyfromthegrandparentstothegrandchildren,forgettingtheintermediatelink.WhoknowswhetherMlle.Smith,someday,havingobtainedLeopold'sconsenttohermarriage,maynotcausetheaptitudesofherfathertobloomagainwithgreaterbrilliancy,forthegloryofscience,inabrilliantlineofphilologistsandlinguistsofgenius?

Meanwhile,andwithouteveninvokingaspeciallatenttalentinHelene'scase,theMartianmaybeattributedtoasurvivalorareawakeningunderthelashofmediumistichypnosesofthatgeneralfunction,commontoallhumanbeings,whichisattherootoflanguageandmanifestsitselfwiththemorespontaneityandvigoraswemounthighertowardsthebirthofpeoplesandindividuals.

Ontogenesis,saythebiologists,reproducesinabridgedformandgrosso-modophylogenesis;eachbeingpassesthroughstagesanalogoustothosethroughwhichtheraceitselfpasses;anditisknownthatthefirstagesofontogenicevolution--theembryonicperiod,infancy,earlyyouth--aremorefavorablethanlaterperiodsandadultagetotheephemeralreappearancesofancestraltendencies,whichwouldhardlyleaveanytraceuponabeingwhohadalreadyacquiredhisorganicdevelopment.The"poetwhodiedyoung"ineachoneofusisonlythemostcommonexampleofthoseatavicreturnsoftendenciesandofemotionswhichaccompaniedthebeginningsofhumanity,andremaintheappanageofinfantpeoples,andwhichcauseafountofvariableenergyineachindividualinthespring-timeofhislife,tocongealordisappearsoonerorlaterwiththemajority;allchildrenarepoets,andthatintheoriginal,themostextended,acceptationoftheterm.Theycreate,theyimagine,theyconstruct--andlanguageisnottheleastoftheircreations.

IconcludefromtheforegoingthattheveryfactofthereappearanceofthatactivityintheMartianstatesofHeleneisanewindicationoftheinfantile,primitivenatureleftbehindinsomewayandlongsincepassedbyherordinarypersonality,ofthesubliminalstratawhichmediumisticautohypnotizationwithherputsinebullitionandcausestomounttothesurface.ThereisalsoaperfectaccordbetweenthepuerilecharacteroftheMartianromance,thepoeticandarchaiccharmsofitsstyle,andtheaudaciousandnaivefabricationofits

unknownlanguage.

Footnotes

^210:Thesearetexts[16]-[20],[26],[28],[31],[34],[37]-[*39].Theyarefurtherdistinguishedbyanasterisk.

^212:*AliteralEnglishtranslationofeachtextwillbefoundimmediatelybeneaththeFrenchequivalentsoftheMartianwords.

^242:*IfitisobjectedthattheMartianlackstheessentialcharacterofalanguage--thatistosay,apracticalsanctionbyuse;bythefactofitsservingasameansofcommunicationbetweenlivingbeings--Iwillnotanswer,likeMlle.Smith,thatafterallweknownothingaboutthat,butwillsimplysaythatthesocialsideofthequestiondoesnotconcernushere.EvenifVolapukandEsperantoarenotused,theyarenonethelesslanguages,andtheMartianhas,inregardtoitsartificialconstruction,thepsychologicalsuperiorityofbeinganaturallanguage,spontaneouslycreated,withouttheconsciousparticipation,reflectiveorwilling,ofanormalpersonality.

CHAPTERVII

THEMARTIANCYCLE(CONCLUDED).--THEULTRA-MARTIAN

ALLthingsbecomewearisomeatlast,andtheplanetMarsisnoexceptiontotherule.ThesubliminalimaginationofMlle.Smith,however,willprobablynevertireofitsloftyflightsinthesocietyofAstane,Esenale,andtheirassociates.Imyself,Iamashamedtoacknowledge,began,in1898,tohaveenoughoftheMartianromance.

OncehavingsatisfiedmyselfastotheessentialnatureoftheMartianlanguage,Ididnotdesiretomakeaprofoundstudyofit,andsincethetextshadmadetheirappearancesoslowly,fortwoyears,astothreatentocontinueduringtheremainderofmynaturalexistence,aswellasthatofthemedium,withoutcomingtoanend;finding,ontheotherhand,thatthetexts,consideredassimplepsychologicalcuriosities,variedbutlittleandwereatlengthlikelytobecomeburdensome,Idecidedtotrysomeexperimentwhich,withoutdryinguptheirsource,mightatleastbreakthroughthismonotony.Uptothattime,withoutgivingapositiveopinionastotheMartian,Ihadalwaysmanifestedaveryrealinterestinthesecommunications,aswellasinMlle.

[paragraphcontinues]Smithinherwakingstate,andinLeopoldinhisincarnations.Bothoftheseshowedthemselvesfullypersuadedoftheobjectiveverityofthislanguage,andofthevisionswhichaccompaniedit.Leopoldhadnotceased,fromthefirstday,toaffirmitsstrictlyMartianauthenticity.Helene,withoutmaintainingabsolutelythatitcamefromMarsratherthanfromanyotherplanet,sharedthesamefaithintheextra-terrestrialoriginofthesemessages;and,asappearedfrommanydetailsofherconversationsandconduct,shesawinitarevelationoftheloftiestimport,whichmightsomedaycause"allthediscoveriesofM.Flammarion"tosinkintoinsignificance.WhatwouldhappenifImadeupmymindtostrikethisstrangeconvictionatellingblow,anddemonstratethatthepretendedMartianwasonlyachimera,aproduct,pureandsimple,ofsomnambulisticautosuggestion?

Myfirsttentativeexperiment,addressedtoLeopold,hadnoappreciableinfluenceonthecourseoftheMartiancycle.ItwasattheseanceofFebruary13,1898.Helenewasprofoundlyasleep,andLeopoldwasconversingwithusbygesturesofthearmandspellingonthefingers.IcategoricallyinformedhimofmycertaintythattheMartianwasofterrestrialfabrication,andthatacomparisonwiththeFrenchproveditsotobe.AsLeopoldrespondedbyemphaticgesturesofdissent,Idetailedtohimsomeevidences,amongotherstheaccordofthetwolanguagesastotheirpronunciationofch,astothehomonymofthepronounandarticlele.Helistenedtome,andseemedtounderstandmyarguments,butherefusedtoadmittheforceofthesecharacteristiccoincidences,andsaid:"Therearesomethingsmoreextraordinary,"andwasunwillingtogiveuptheauthenticityoftheMartian.Westoodbyourrespectiveopinions,andthelatertextsdonotshowanytraceofourinterview.Itseemed,therefore,thatitwasnotthroughtheinterventionofLeopoldthatamodificationoftheMartianromancewastobesuggested.

Iallowedsomemonthstopass,thentriedadiscussionwithHelenewhileshewasawake.Ontwooccasions,inOctober,1898,IexpressedtohermyutterskepticismastotheMartian.Thefirsttime,onthe6thofOctober,inavisitwhichImadetoheroutsideofanyseance,Iconfinedmyselftocertaingeneralobjectionstoit,towhichshereplied,insubstance,asfollows:First,thatthisunknownlanguage,byreasonofitsintimateunionwiththevisions,andinspiteofitspossibleresemblancestotheFrench,mustnecessarilybeMartian,ifthevisionsare.Thennothingseriouslyopposesthatactualoriginofthevisions,and,consequently,ofthelanguageitself;sincetherearetwomethodsofexplainingthisknowledgeofafar-offworld--namely,communicationsproperlyspiritistic

(i.e.,fromspiritstospirits,withoutmaterialintermediary)therealityofwhichcannotbeheldtobedoubtful;andclairvoyance,thatfaculty,orundeniablesixthsense,ofmediumswhichpermitsthembothtoseeandhearatanydistance.Finally,thatshedidnotholdtenaciouslytothedistinctlyMartianoriginofthatstrangedream,provideditisconcededthatitcomesfromsomewhereoutsideherself,itbeinginadmissibletoregarditastheworkofhersubconsciousness,sinceshehadnot,duringherordinarylife,absolutelyanyperceptionwhatever,anysentiment,nottheshadowofahintofthatallegedinteriorworkofelaborationtowhichIpersistedinattributingitagainstalltheevidenceandallcommon-sense.

Somedayslater(October16th),asMlle.Smith,perfectlyawakeafteranafternoonseance,passedtheeveningatmyhouse,andseemedtobeinthefulnessofhernormalstate,Ireturnedtothechargewithmoreofinsistence.

IhaduntilthenalwaysavoidedshowingherthefulltranslationoftheMartiantexts,aswellasthealphabet,andsheonlyknewbysight,sotospeak,theMartianhandwriting,andwasignorantofthevalueoftheletters.

ThistimeIexplainedtoherindetailthesecretsofthelanguage,itssuperficialoriginalitiesandfundamentalresemblancestoFrench:thefrequentoccurrenceofiande,itspuerileconstruction,identicalwithFrench,eventotheslippinginofasuperfluouseuphonicmbetweenthewordsbermierandhedinordertoimitatetheexpressionreviendra-t-il?itsnumerouscapricesofphoneticsandhomonyms,evidentreflexesofthosetowhichweareaccustomed,etc.Iaddedthatthevisionsseemedtometobealsosuspiciousthroughtheirimprobableanalogieswiththatwhichweseeonourglobe.Supposingthatthehouses,thevegetation,andthepeopleofMarswereconstructedonthesamefundamentalplanasthoseherebelow,itwasneverthelessverydoubtfulwhethertheyhadthesameproportionsandtypicalaspect;inshort,astronomyteachesusthatonMarsthephysicalconditions--thelengthoftheyear,theintensityofweight,etc.--areallotherthanwithus:thelastpoint,inparticular,shouldactonalltheproducts,naturalandartificial,insuchawayastoaltergreatlythedimensionsaswellastheproportionsofheightandsizewhicharefamiliartous.Iobserved,again,thattherearedoubtlessonMars,asontheearth,agreatvarietyofidioms,andthesingularchancewhichmadeEsenalespeakalanguagesosimilartoFrenchwasveryastonishing.Iconcluded,finally,byremarkingthatallthiswaseasilyexplicable,aswellastheOrientalaspectoftheMartianlandscapesandthegenerallyinfantilecharacterofthatromance,ifitwereregardedasaworkof

pureimagination,duetoasecondarypersonalityortoadreamstateofMlle.Smithherself,whorecognizedhavingalwayshad"greattasteforthatwhichisoriginalandconnectedwiththeOrient."

FormorethananhourHelenefollowedmydemonstrationwithalivelyinterest.Buttoeachnewreason,afterhavingappearedatfirstalittledisconcertedbyit,shedidnothesitatetorepeat,likeatriumphalrefrainandasanunanswerableargument,thatscienceisnotinfallible;thatnoscientisthasyetbeenonMars;andthatconsequentlyitisimpossibletoaffirmwithanycertaintythataffairstherearenotconformabletohervisions.Tomyconclusionsherepliedthat,asfarasconcernsMarsoranythingelse,herrevelationsdidnot,inanycase,springfromsourceswithinherself,andthatshedidnotunderstandwhyIwassoimplacableagainstthatwhichisthemostsimplesupposition,thatoftheirauthenticity,orwhyIshouldprefertoitthissillyandabsurdhypothesisofanunderlyingselfplottinginher,unknowntoher,thisstrangemystification.

Maintainingallthewhilethatmydeductionsappearedtomestrictlycorrect,Ifeltboundtoadmitthatscienceisnotinfallible,andthatavoyagetoMarscouldalonesolveallourdoubtsastowhattakesplacethere.Wepartedgoodfriends,butthatconversationleftmewithaveryclearimpressionofthecompleteuselessnessofmyeffortstomakeMlle.Smithsharemyconceptionsofthesubliminalconsciousness.Butthis,however,neithersurprisesnorgrievesme,sincefromherpointofviewitisperhapsbetterthatshethusbelieves.

Thefollowingshows,however,thatmyreasoningsonthatevening,sterileinappearance,werenotwithouteffect.IftheyhavenotmodifiedMlle.Smith'sconsciousmannerofseeing,and,aboveall,theopinionofLeopold,theyhaveneverthelesspenetratedtotheprofoundstratawheretheMartianvisionsareelaborated,and,actingthereasaleaven,havebeenthesourceofnewandunexpecteddevelopments.ThisresultbrilliantlycorroboratestheideathatthewholeMartiancycleisonlyaproductofsuggestionandautosuggestion.JustasformerlytheregretofM.Lemaitreatnotknowingthatwhichpassesonotherplanetshadfurnishedthefirstgermofthatlucubration,sonowmycriticismsandremarksonthelanguageandpeoplesofthatupperworldservedasapointofdeparturefornewcircuitsofHelene'ssubliminalimagination.If,infact,thecontentofourdiscussionofthe16thofOctober,whichIhaveabovebrieflysummedup,iscomparedwiththevisionsofthefollowingmonths(seebeginningwith[*text30]),itisclearthattheselattercontainanevidentbeginningofananswer,andareanattempttosatisfythequestionswhichI

raised.Averycuriousattemptistheremade,naiveandinfantine,likethewholeMartianromance,toescapethedefectsofwhichIcomplainedonthatoccasion,notbymodifyingandcorrectingit--thatwouldhavebeentoreverseandtocontradictherself--butbygoingbeyonditinsomesort,andbysuperposinguponitanewconstruction,anultra-Martiancycle,ifImaybepermittedthatexpression,hintingatthesametimethatitunfoldsitselfonsomeundeterminedplanetstillfartherawaythanMars,andthatitdoesnotconstituteanabsolutelyindependentnarrative,butthatitisgraftedontheprimitiveMartianromance.

Thesuggestiveeffectofmyobjectionsofthe16thofOctoberwasnotimmediate,butbecameaworkofincubation.[Text30],comingthefollowingweek,differedbutslightlyfromthepreceding,savefortheabsenceofaeuphonicletter,which,however,hadbeenbetterinplacebetweenthewordsbindieide,trouve-t-on,thanintheberimirmhedof[text15],towhichIhadattractedHelene'sattention;possiblyitisallowabletoregardthislittledetailasafirstresultofmycriticisms.Theapparition,alittlelater,ofanewMartianpersonage,Ramie,whopromisedHelenesomenearrevelationsastoaplanetnototherwisespecified([text31]),provesthattheultra-Martiandreamwasinprocessofsubconsciousripening,butitdidnotburstforthuntilthe2dofNovember(seventeendaysafterthesuggestionwithwhichIconnectit),inthatcurioussceneinwhichRamierevealstoMlle.Smithanunsuspectedandgrotesqueworld,thelanguageofwhichsingularlydiffersfromtheusualMartian.Thedetaileddescriptionofthatstrangevision,whichHelenesentme,isworththetroubleofciting(seealsotexts[32]to[*35]):

"Iwasawakened,andaroseabouttwentyminutesago.Itwasaboutaquarter-pastsixinthemorning,andIwasgettingreadytosew.Then,foraninstant,Inoticedthatmylampwasgoingout,andIendedbynotseeinganythingmore.AtthesamemomentIfeltmywaistclasped,stronglyheldbyaninvisiblearm.Ithensawmyselfsurroundedbyarose-coloredlight,whichgenerallyshowsitselfwhenaMartianvisioniscoming.Iquicklytookpaperandpencil,whicharealwayswithinreachonmytoilet-table,andplacedthesetwothingsonmyknees,incasesomewordsshouldcometobenoted.

"HardlywerethesepreparationsconcludedwhenIsawatmysideamanofMartianvisageandcostume.Itwas,infact,thepersonage[Ramie]whohadclaspedmywaistwithhisleftarm,showingmewithhisrighthandatableau,atfirstindistinct,butwhichfinallyoutlineditselfquiteclearly.Hespokealsosomesentences,whichIcannoteverywell,itseemstome[[*text32],whereRamie

attractstheattentionofHelenetooneoftheworldswhichsurroundhimandmakesherseestrangebeings.]

"Isawthenasectionofcountrypeopledbymenaltogetherdifferentfromthosewhichinhabitourglobe.Thetallestofallwerethreefeethigh,andthemajoritywereaninchortwoshorter.Theirhandswereimmense,abouttenincheslongbyeightbroad;theywereornamentedwithverylongblacknails.Theirfeetalsowereofgreatsize.

"Ididnotseeanytree,anybitofverdure.Isawamedleyofhouses,orrathercabins,ofthemostsimplestyle,alllow,long,withoutwindowsordoors;andeachhousehadalittletunnel,abouttenfeetlong[seeFig.33]runningfromitintotheearth.

Clicktoenlarge

Fig.33.Ultra-Martianhouses.DrawnbyMlle.SmithafterhervisionofNovember2,1898.

"Theroofswereflat,suppliedwithchimneys,ortubes.Themen,witharmsandbodiesbare,hadforallclothingonlyasortofskirtreachingtothewaistandsupportedbyakindofsuspendersthrownovertheshoulders,whichwereapparentlyverystrong.Theirheadswereveryshort,beingaboutthreeincheshighbysixinchesbroad,andwerecloseshaven.Theyhadverysmalleyes,immensemouths,noseslikebeans.EverythingwassodifferentfromwhatweareaccustomedtoinourworldthatIshouldhavealmostbelievedittobeananimalratherthanamanIsawthere,hadtherenotsuddenlyissuedfromthelipsofoneofthemsomewords,which,fortunately--Ihardlyknowhow--Iwasabletonotedown.Thisvisionlastedaquarterofanhour.ThenIfoundmywaistliberated,butmyrighthandwasstillfirmlyheld,inordertotracestrangecharactersonthepaper"([*text34],adieuxofRamietoHelene).

Alittlelatertherewasacontinuation,oranabortiverepetition,ofthesamevision;thetabledidnotappeardistinctly,andRamie([*text35])contentedhimselfwithteachingHelenethingsconcerningaworldbeyond,anearneighbortoMars,andacoarserlanguage,ofwhichAstanealonecouldfurnishatranslation.Thisis,ineffect,whattookplacetwoweekslater:Astaneincarnatedhimselfwithgesturesandpeculiarspasmodicmovements,andrepeated(inHelene'sordinaryvoice)thebarbarictext,followedwordbywordbyitsMartian

equivalents,whichEsenale,inturn,succeedingAstane,interpretedinFrench,inhiscustomarymanner.Leopoldalsoinformedus,inreplytoaquestionofoneofthesitters,thatthisuncouthandprimitiveworldwasoneofthesmallerplanets;butitistobepresumedthathewouldalsohaveansweredintheaffirmativeifhehadbeenaskedifitwerecalledPhobosorDeimos;and,inshort,oneofthesatellitesofMarswouldanswerbetterthantheasteroidstotheglobe"veryneartoours,"ofwhichRamiespoke.

Uptothispointtheultra-Martianmessageswereconfinedtothepreceding.Thelasttextsobtained([37]to[40])seemtoannouncethattheendhasnotbeenreachedonthatside,andcauseustohopefornewrevelations,whentheastronomerRamie,astheresultofhishavingstudiedundertheskilfuldirectionofhismasterAstane,shallbeinapositiontomakefurtherdiscoveriesintheMartiansky.Psychologicallyspeaking,thisamountstosayingthattheprocessoflatentincubationcontinues;anewultra-Martianlanguageisinastateofdevelopmentinthesubliminaldepths.Ifitburstsforthsomeday,Ishallhastentobringittotheknowledgeofthescientificworld--inanothereditionofthisbook.ForthepresentIlimitmyselftoremarkinghowmuchthelittleultra-Martianwepossessalreadyindicatesthewishtoanswermyquestionsofthe16thofOctober.

IhadaccusedtheMartiandreamofbeingamereimitation,varnishedwithbrilliantOrientalcolors,ofthecivilizedenvironmentwhichsurroundsus--andhereisaworldofterrifyinggrotesqueness,withblacksoil,fromwhichallvegetationisbanished,andthecoarserpeopleofwhicharemorelikebeaststhanhumanbeings.Ihadinsinuatedthatthepeopleandthingsofthatupperworldoughtreallytohaveotherdimensionsandproportionsthanwithus--andherearetheinhabitantsofthatfartherworldveritabledwarfs,withheadstwiceasbroadastheyarehigh,andhousestomatch.Ihadmadeallusiontotheprobableexistenceofotherlanguages,referredtothesuperabundanceinMartianofiande,impeacheditssyntaxanditsch,borrowedfromtheFrench,etc.--andhereisalanguageabsolutelynew,ofaverypeculiarrhythm,extremelyrichina,withoutanychatalluptothepresentmoment,andofwhichtheconstructionissodifferentfromtheFrenchthatthereisnomethodofdiscoveringit.

Thislatterpoint,aboveall,seemstometopresentinitsapogeethecharacterofchildishnessandpuerilitywhichclearlyshowsitselfinthatunexpectedappendixtotheMartiancycle,asintheentirecycleitself.EvidentlythenaivesubliminalphilologistofMlle.Smithhasbeenstruckbymycriticismsontheidenticalorder

ofthewordsinMartianandinFrench,andhasendeavoredtoavoidthatdefectinherneweffortatanunknownlanguage.

Butnotknowinginjustwhatsyntaxandconstructionconsist,shehasfoundnothingbettertosuitherpurposethanthesubstitutionofchaosforthenaturalarrangementofthetermsinherthought,andthefabricationofanidiomwhichhaddecidedlynothingincommonwiththeFrenchinthisrespect.Hereiswherethemostbeautifuldisorderispracticallyaworkofart.Ithas,moreover,succeeded,since,evenwiththedoubletranslation,MartianandFrench,of[*text33],itisimpossibletoknowexactlywhatismeant.

ItispossiblythelittlegirlEtipwhoissad,andwhoweepsbecausethemanTophasdoneharmtothesacredanimalVanem(whichhadhidden,sick,undersomegreenbranches),wishingtoenterintoabluebasket.Atleastitcouldnothavebeenthebranch,theman,orthebasketwhichwassacred,thechildsick,etc.

Thegreenbranchisoutofharmonywithaworldinwhich,accordingtoHelene'svision,therewereneithertreesnorverdure;butEsenalehasnotspecifiedwhetheritmeansvertorver,vers,etc.,norwhethercacheandentreareparticiplesorinfinitives.Ileavethisrebustothereaderandcometomyconclusion,whichwillbebrief,sinceitaccordswiththeconsiderationsalreadygivenattheendofthetwoprecedingchapters.

ThewholeMartiancycle,withitsspeciallanguageanditsultra-Martianappendix,isonly,atbottom,avastproductofoccasionalsuggestionsonthepartoftheenvironment,andofautosuggestionswhichhavegerminated,sprouted,andborneabundantfruit,undertheinfluenceofincitementfromtheoutside,butwithoutcomingtoamounttoanythingbutashapelessandconfusedmass,whichimposesononebyitsextentmuchmorethanitsintrinsicworth,sinceitissupremelychildish,puerile,insignificantinallaspects,saveasapsychologicalcuriosity.TheauthorofthislucubrationisnottherealadultandnormalpersonalityofMlle.Smith,whohasverydifferentcharacteristics,andwhofeelsherself,inthefaceoftheseautomaticmessages,asthoughinthepresenceofsomethingforeign,independent,exterior,andfindsherselfconstrainedtobelieveintheirobjectiverealityandintheirauthenticity.Itseems,indeed,ratheraformer,infantine,lessevolvedstateofHelene'sindividuality,whichhasagaincometolight,reneweditslife,andoncemorebecomeactiveinherMartiansomnambulisms.

Itishardlynecessarytoadd,inconclusion,thatthewholespiritisticorocculthypothesisseemsmetobeabsolutelysuperfluousandunjustifiedinthecaseoftheMartianofMlle.Smith.Autosuggestibilitysetinmotionbycertainstimulatinginfluencesoftheenvironment,aswecometoseethroughthehistoryoftheultra-Martian,amplysufficestoaccountforthisentirecycle.

CHAPTERVIII

THEHINDOOCYCLE

WHILEtheMartianromanceispurelyaworkoffantasy,inwhichthecreativeimaginationwasabletoallowitselffreeplaythroughhavingnoinvestigationtofear,theHindoocycle,andthatofMarieAntoinette,havingafixedterrestrialsetting,representalaborofconstructionwhichwassubjectedfromthestarttoverycomplexconditionsofenvironmentsandepochs.Tokeepwithintheboundsofprobability,nottobeguiltyoftoomanyanachronisms,tosatisfythemultipledemandsofbothlogicandaesthetics,formedaparticularlydangerousundertaking,andoneapparentlyaltogetherbeyondthepowersofapersonwithoutspecialinstructioninsuchmatters.ThesubconsciousgeniusofMlle.Smithhasacquitteditselfofthetaskinaremarkablemanner,andhasdisplayedinitatrulywonderfulanddelicatesenseofhistoricpossibilitiesandoflocalcolor.

TheHindooromance,inparticular,remainsforthosewhohavetakenpartinitapsychologicalenigma,notyetsolvedinasatisfactorymanner,becauseitrevealsandimpliesinregardtoHelene,aknowledgerelativetothecostumesandlanguagesofthe

[paragraphcontinues]Orient,theactualsourceofwhichithasuptothepresenttimenotbeenpossibletodiscover.AllthewitnessesofMlle.Smith'sHindoosomnambulismswhoareofthesameopiniononthatsubject(severalrefrainfromhavingany)uniteinseeinginitacuriousphenomenonofcryptomnesia,ofreappearancesofmemoriesprofoundlyburiedbeneaththenormalwakingstate,togetherwithanindeterminateamountofimaginativeexaggerationuponthecanvasofactualfacts.Butbythisnameofcryptomnesia,orresurrectionoflatentmemories,twosingularlydifferentthingsareunderstood.Formeitisonlyaquestionofmemoriesofherpresentlife;andIseenothingofthesupernormalinthat.ForwhileIhavenotyetsucceededinfindingthekeytotheenigma,Idonotdoubtitsexistence,andIwillmentionlatercertainindicationswhichseemto

metosupportmyideathattheAsiaticnotionsofMlle.Smithhaveawhollynaturalorigin.

Fortheobserverinclinedtowardsspiritism,onthecontrary,thesleepingmemorywhichisawakenedinsomnambulismisnothinglessthanthatofapreviousexistenceofMlle.Smith,andthatpiquantexplanation,whichwasfirstgivenbyLeopold,profitsintheireyesfromtheimpossibilitywhichIfindinprovingthatitisanythingelse.

Doubtless,ifonewasfamiliarwithalltheincidentsofHelene'slifefromherearliestchildhood,andifitwereabsolutelycertainthatherknowledgeofIndiahadnotbeenfurnishedherfromtheoutside,throughthenormalchanneloftheorgansofsense,itwouldbenecessarytoseekelsewhereforthesolutionoftheriddle,andtochoosebetweenthehypothesisofanatavicmemory,hereditarilytransmittedacrossfifteengenerations,andactualtelepathiccommunicationwiththebrainofsomeIndiansavant,oraspiritisticreincarnation.Butwedonotfindourselvesinthatposition.Thereisnothinglessknown,initsdetails,thanthedailylifeofMlle.Smithinherchildhoodandyouth.But,whenallthefeatsofwhichthesubconsciousmemoryofourpresentlifeiscapableareconsidered,itisnotscientificallycorrecttohaverecoursetoapretended"anteriority,"ofwhichtheonlyguaranteeistheauthorityofLeopold,inordertoexplainthesomnambulisticapparitionsoffactsofwhichMlle.Smithinherwakingstatehasnoremembrance,Iadmit,buttheoriginofwhichmaywellhavebeenhiddenintheunknownrecessesofherpastlife(reading,conversation,etc.).

TheplotoftheHindooromance,whichIhavealreadybrieflyhintedatondiversoccasions,isasfollows:

HeleneSmithwas,attheendofthefourteenthcenturyofourera,thedaughterofanArabsheik,possiblynamedPirux,whomsheleftinordertobecome,underthenameofSimandini,theeleventhwifeofPrinceSivroukaNayaka,ofwhomIhavethehonortobetheactualreincarnation.(Ipraythereaderonceforalltopardonmetheimmodestrolewhichhasbeenimposeduponmeinthisaffairagainstmywill.)

ThisSivrouka,whoreignedoverKanara,andbuiltthere,in1401,thefortressofTchandraguiri,doesnotseemtohavebeenaveryaccommodatingperson;althoughnotbadatheart,andquiteattachedtohisfavoritewife,hehadawildhumorandveryuncouthmanners.MorecouldnotbeexpectedofanAsiatic

potentateofthatepoch.Simandini,nevertheless,passionatelylovedhim,andathisdeathshewasburnedaliveonhisgrave,afterthefashionofMalabar.

Aroundthesetwoprincipalpersonagesaregroupedsomesecondaryfigures,amongothersafaithfuldomesticnamedAdel,andalittlemonkey,Mitidja,whichSimandinihadbroughttoIndiawithherfromArabia;thenthefakirKanga,whooccupiesamuchmoreimportantplaceintheMartianromance,inwhichwehaveseenhimreincarnatedasAstane,thanintheHindoocycle.

Someotherindividuals,allmasculine--Mougia,Miousa,Kangia,Kana--appearinobscureroles,concerningwhichnothingcertaincanbesaid.

Thehypnoidstates,inwhichthisromancehasmanifesteditselfwithHelene,presentthegreatestvarietyandalldegrees,fromtheperfectwakingstate(apparently),momentarilycrossedbysomevisualorauditivehallucination,thememoryofwhichispreservedintactandallowsadetaileddescription,uptototalsomnambulism,withamnesiauponawakening,inwhichthemoststrikingscenesofecstasiesorincarnationsareunfolded.Weshallseediversexamplesinthefollowingpages.

I.APPARITIONANDDEVELOPMENTOFTHEORIENTALCYCLE

Withoutrecurringtothestrangeandlittle-knownvisionswhichalreadyhauntedthechildhoodandyouthofMlle.Smith(seepp.-),IwillretracetheprincipalstagesofherAsiaticromancefromthebirthofhermediumship.

Duringthethreefirstyearstherewerebutfewmanifestationsofthissort,intheseances,atleast,whileastotheautomatismswhichdevelopedatothertimes,especiallyatnight,orinthehypnagogicstate,weknownothing.

InNovember,1892,twoseancesoftheN.groupareoccupiedwiththeapparitionofaChinesecity--Pekin,accordingtothetable--inwhichadisincarnatespirit,aparentofoneofthegroup,isfoundperformingamissiontoasickchild.

Inherseancesof1894,HelenehadonseveraloccasionsdetachedvisionsbelongingtotheOrient,asappearedfromtheircontent,orhintsdictatedbythetable.ShealsosawTeheran;thenthecemeteryofthemissionsatTokat(June12th);acavalierwithawhitewoollencloakandaturbanbearingthenameofAbderrhaman(September2d);and,finally,anOrientallandscape,which

depictedaceremonyofBuddhistaspect(October16th).Thislattervision,moreespecially,seemedtobeaforerunneroftheHindooromance,sincetherecordsoftheseancesofthatperiodshowanensembleofcharacteristictraitswhichwillbeagainmetwithinthelaterHindooscenes--e.g.,animmensegardenofexoticplants,colonnades,rowsofpalm-trees,withenormousstonelionsatthehead;rugsofmagnificentdesign,atemplesurroundedbytrees,withastatue,apparentlythatofBuddha;aprocessionoftwelvewomeninwhite,whokneel,holdinglightedlamps;inthecentreanotherwoman,withveryblackhair,detachesherselffromtheprocession,balancesalamp,andburnsapowderwhichexpandsintoawhitestone(thecontinuationoftheromanceshowsthiswomantobeSimandini,ofwhomthiswasthefirstappearance).

February17,1895.--Attheendofaratherlongseance,thetabledictatesPiruxsheik,andrepliestoourquestionsthatitreferstoanArabsheikofthefifteenthcentury.AtthismomentHeleneawakes,sayingthatshehadseenamanwithablackmustacheandcurlyhair,wearingacloakandaturban,whoseemedtobelaughingatandmockingher.ThespellingoutofPiruxwasnotveryclear,andLeopold,wheninterrogatedlater,neitheraffirmedcategorically,nordidhedeny,thatthisnamewasthatofthesheik,fatherofSimandini.

March3.--Seancewithsixpersonspresent,allhavingtheirhandsuponthetable.Afterabriefwaiting,Heleneissurprisedatnolongerbeingabletoseemyleftmiddlefinger,whileshecanseeallmyotherfingersquiteclearly.Mybunchofkeys,whichIthenplaceuponmymiddlefinger,likewisedisappearsfromherview.Thisverylimited,systematic,visualanaesthesiaauthorizestheprediction,followingnumerousexamplesofformerseances,thatthephenomenaabouttoappearwillconcernme.Presentlybeginsalongvision,consistingofsceneswhichHelenebelievesshehasalreadypartiallyseenbefore.

Shedescribesapagoda,whichshedrawswithherlefthand,withafewstrokesofherpencil;thenanavenueofpalmsandstatues,aprocession,andceremoniesbeforeanaltar,etc.

Theprincipalrolesareplayedbyapersonageinsandals,agreatyellowrobe,ahelmetofgold,ornamentedwithpreciousstones(firstappearanceofSivrouka)andbythewomanwithblackhairandwhiterobe,alreadyseenonthe12thofOctober(Simandini).

Inthefirstpartofthevision,Helene,whofollowsthatwomanwithecstatic

gaze,describinghertous,seeshercomingtowardsme,butatthatmomenttheinvisibilityofmyfingerwasextendedtomyentireperson,andHeleneneitherseesnorhearsme.Whileshewasfullyconsciousoftheothersitters,shewasastonishedatseeingthiswomanmake"ontheemptyair"certaingesturesoflaying-onofhandsandbenediction,whichweremadeuponmyhead.OnseveraloccasionsIchangemyplace,andseatmyselfindifferentpartsoftheroom.Eachtime,afterafewseconds,Heleneturnstowardsme,and,withoutperceivingme,seesthewomanwithblackhairplaceherselfbehindmyseatandrepeathergesturesofbenedictioninspace,ataheightcorrespondingtothatofmyhead.

Asthevisioncontinues,Idonotplayanyfurtherrole,butithastodowithaceremonyduringwhichtheHindoowomanwithadiademonherheadburnsincenseinthemidstofhertwelvecompanions,etc.

Duringallthistimethetable,contrarytoitscustom,gavenoexplanation;butHelene,havingherselfaskedsomequestions,remarksthattheimaginarywomanrepliestoherbycertainsignsofherheadandrevealstohermanythingsthatshehadknowninaformerexistence.Atthemomentofthedisappearanceofthevision,whichhadlastedmorethananhour,Mlle.Smithhearsthewords("Untilpresently").Thecontinuation,infact,wasnotlongdelayed.

March6.--Repetitionandcontinuationoftheprecedingseance,withthisdegreeofprogress--viz.,thatthevisualhallucinationofthewomanwiththeblackhairwaschangedintoatotalcoenaesthetichallucination--i.e.,insteadofasimplevisionanincarnationwasproduced.Afteraveryimpressivesceneofbenediction,Helenegaveherselfuptoasuccessionofpantomimesinwhichsheseemedtotakepartinafearfulspectacleandtostrugglewithenemies(sceneofthefuneralpile).Sheendedbyseatingherselfonthedivanwhensherecoveredhernormalstate,afteraseriesofpsychicaloscillations,variousattitudes,etc.ThelastofherphasesofmimicrywastotearoffandthrowawayalltheornamentswhichanAsiaticprincesscouldwear--ringsonallherfingers,braceletsonherarmsandwrists,anecklace,diadem,ear-rings,girdle,anklets.Onceawake,shehadnorecollectionofthesceneofbenediction,butrecalledquitedistinctlythedreamscorrespondingtotheotherpantomimes.Shesawagaintheblack-hairedwoman,theOrientallandscapeoftheprecedingseance,etc.Inthecourseofherdescriptionthepassageofthesimplevisionintothesceneofincarnationwasreflectedinachangeoftheformofhernarrative;shespoketousofthewomaninthethirdperson,thensuddenlyadoptedthefirstperson,andsaid"I"inrecountingamongotherthingsthatshe--ortheblack-

hairedwoman--sawacorpseonthefuneralpile,uponwhichfourmen,againstwhomshestruggled,endeavoredtoforcehertomount.WhenIdrewherattentiontothischangeofstyle,sherepliedthat,infact,itseemedasthoughsheherselfwasthatwoman.

IndependentlyoftheHindooromance,thesetwoseancesareinterestingfromapsychologicalpointofview,becausethechangefromavisual,objectivehallucinationintototalcoenaestheticandmotorhallucinationoccursinit,constitutingacompletetransformationofthepersonality.Thisgeneralizationofpartialautomatismatthebeginning,thissubjugationandabsorptionoftheordinarypersonalitybythesubliminalpersonality,doesnotalwaysproduceamnesiawithHelene,thatuniqueimpressionwhichshemightdescribeonawakeningasbeingherselfandsomeoneelseatthesametime.(Compare,.)Itmustbenotedthatintheparticularcaseoftheidentificationoftheblack-hairedHindoowomanwithMlle.HeleneSmithofGeneva,theproblemofthecausalconnectionissusceptibleoftwooppositesolutions(andthesameremarkwillbeequallyappropriateinthecaseofMarieAntoinette).

ForthebelievingspiritistitisbecauseMlle.SmithisthereincarnationofSimandini--thatistosay,becausethesetwopersonages,inspiteoftheseparationoftheirexistencesintimeandspace,aresubstantiallyandmetaphysicallyidentical--thatshereallyagainbecomesSimandini,andfeelsherselftobeaHindooprincessincertainfavorablesomnambulisticstates.Fortheempiricalpsychologistitis,onthecontrary,becausethevisualmemoryofaHindoowoman(heroriginisofnoimportance)growslikeaparasiteandincreasesinsurfaceandindepthlikeadropofoil,untilitinvadesthewholeimpressionableandsuggestiblepersonalityofthemedium--thisiswhyMlle.Smithfeelsherselfbecomingthiswoman,andconcludesfromitthatsheformerlyactuallywasthatperson(seep.-).ButwemustreturnfromthisdigressiontotheHindoodream.

March10.--Aftervariouswakingvisionsrelatingtoothersubjects,Heleneentersintosomnambulism.Fortwentyminutessheremainsseatedwithherhandsonthetable,bymeansofrapsstruckuponwhichLeopoldinformsusthatasceneofpreviousexistenceconcerningmeisbeingprepared;thatIwasformerlyaHindooprince,andthatMlle.Smith,longbeforeherexistenceasMarieAntoinette,hadthenbeenmywife,andhadbeenburnedonmytomb;thatweshouldultimatelyknowthenameofthisHindooprince,aswellasthetimeandplaceoftheseevents,butnotthisevening,noratthenextseance.ThenHeleneleavesthetable,andinasilentpantomimeofanhour'sduration,themeaningof

which,alreadyquiteclear,isconfirmedbyLeopold,sheplays,thistimetotheveryclose,thesceneofthefuneralpileasoutlinedintheprecedingseance.

Shegoesslowlyaroundtheroom,asifresistingandcarriedawayinspiteofherself,byturnssupplicatingandstrugglingfiercelywiththesefictitiousmenwhoarebearinghertoherdeath.

Allatonce,standingontiptoe,sheseemstoascendthepile,hides,withaffright,herfaceinherhands,recoilsinterror,thenadvancesanewasthoughpushedfrombehind.Finallyshefallsonherkneesbeforeasoftcouch,inwhichsheburiesherfacecoveredbyherclaspedhands.Shesobsviolently.Bymeansofherlittlefinger,visiblebetweenhercheekandthecushionofthecouch,Leopoldcontinuestoreplyveryclearlybyyesandnotomyquestions.Itisthemomentatwhichsheagainpassesthroughheragonyonthefuneralpile:hercriesceaselittlebylittle;herrespirationbecomesmoreandmorepanting,thensuddenlystopsandremainssuspendedduringsomesecondswhichseeminterminable.Itistheend!Herpulseisfortunatelystrong,thoughalittleirregular.WhileIamfeelingit,herbreathingisre-establishedbymeansofadeepinspiration.Afterrepeatedsobsshebecomescalm,andslowlyrisesandseatsherselfonaneighboringsofa.Thissceneoffataldenouementlastedeightminutes.Shefinallyawakens,rememberingtohaveseeninadreamthedeadbodyofamanstretchedonafuneralpile,andawomanwhomsomemenwereforcingtoascendthepileagainstherwill.

TherewasnothingOrientalinthesucceedingseances,andtheHindoodreamdidnotappearagainuntilfourweekslater.

April7.--Mlle.Smithwentquicklyintoamixedstate,inwhichtheHindoodreamwasmingledandsubstituted,butonlysofarasconcernsme,forthefeelingofpresentreality.Shebelievesmeabsent,asksothersitterswhyIhavegoneaway,thenrisesandbeginstowalkaroundmeandlookatme,verymuchsurprisedatseeingmyplaceoccupiedbyastrangerwithblackcurlyhairandofbrowncomplexion,clothedinarobewithflowingsleevesofblue,andwithgoldornaments.WhenIspeaktohersheturnsaroundandseemstohearmyvoicefromtheoppositeside,whithershegoestolookforme;whenIgotowardshersheshunsme;then,whenIfollowher,shereturnstotheplaceIhadjustleft.Aftersometimeoccupiedinthesemanoeuvressheceasestobepreoccupiedwithmeandmysubstituteinthebluerobe,andfallsintoadeeperstate.Shetakesonthelookofaseeress,anddescribesakindofembattledchateauona

hill,wheresheperceivesandrecognizesthebefore-mentionedpersonagewiththecurlyhair,butinanothercostumeandsurroundedbyveryuglyblackmen,andwomen"whoaregoodlooking."

Interrogatedastothemeaningofthisvision,Leopoldreplies:"ThecityofTchandraguiriinKanaraau"(sic);thenheadds,amomentlater,"Thereisalettertoomanyinthelastword,"andendsbygivingthenameKanara,andaddingtheexplanation"ofthefifteenthcentury."Uponawakingfromthissomnambulisticstate,whichlastedtwohours,Helenerecallshavinghadadreamofapersonagewithcurlyhair,inabluerobe,richlyornamentedwithpreciousstones,withacutlassofgold,bentbackward,suspendedfromahook.Sherecollectshavingheldalongconversationwithhiminastrangelanguagewhichsheunderstoodandspokeverywellherself,althoughshenolongerknowsthemeaningofit.

April14.--Verysoonpassingintoadeepsleep,Mlle.Smithleavesthetableandgivesherselfuptoasilentpantomime,atfirstsmiling,thenfinishinginsadnessandbyasceneoftears.

ThemeaningofthisisexplainedbyLeopoldasfollows:HeleneisinIndia,inherpalaceofTchandraguiri,inKanara,in1401,andshereceivesadeclarationoflovefromthepersonagewiththecurlyhair,whoisthePrinceSivroukaNayaka,towhomshehasbeenmarriedforaboutayear.Theprincehasflunghimselfuponhisknees,butheinspiresinheracertainfright,andshestillregretshavinglefthernativecountryinordertofollowhim.Leopoldaffirmsthatshewillremember,onawaking,inFrench,allthattheprincehassaidtoherinSanscrit,andthatshewillrepeattousapartofit,butnotall,becauseitistooprivate.Afterawakingsheseemsinrealitytorecallclearlyherentiredream,andtellsusthatshefoundherselfonahill,wheretheywerebuilding.thatitwasnotexactlyacity,norevenavillage,sincetherewerenostreets;thatitwasratheranisolatedplaceinthecountry,andthatwhichwasbeingbuiltwasnotintheformofahouse;ithadholesratherthanwindows(afortressandloop-holes).

Shefoundherselfinafinepalace,verybeautifulastoitsinterior,butnotitsexterior.Therewasagreathall,decoratedwithgreens,withagrandstaircaseattheend,flankedbystatuesofgold.Sheheldalongconversationthere,notinFrench,withtheswarthypersonagewiththeblackcurlyhairandmagnificentcostume;hefinallyascendedthestaircase,butshedidnotfollowhim.

Sheappearedtorecallwellthemeaningofallthathesaidtoherintheir

conversationinaforeignlanguage,butseemedembarrassedbythesememories,andwouldnotconsenttorelatethemtous.

May26.--Inthecourseofthisseance,asHelene,inasilentsomnambulism,incarnatestheHindooprincess,Ihandherasheetofpaperandapencilinthehopeofobtainingsometextordrawing.AfterdiversscribblingsshetracesthesinglewordSimadiniinletterswhicharenotatalllikeherusualhand(see).

Thentakingafreshsheet,sheseemstowriteonitwithahappysmile,foldsitcarefullyandthrustsitinhercorsage,takesitoutagain,andrereadsitwithrapture,etc.LeopoldinformsusthatSimadiniisthenameoftheHindooprincess,andthatsheisreadingalove-letterfromSivrouka.Onawakingsheremembershavingbeen"insuchabeautifulpalace,"andofhavingreceivedthereaveryinterestingletter,butthecontentsofwhichsherefusedtodisclosetous,beingevidentlytooconfidential.

IintercalateheretworemarksaproposofthenameSimadini,whichisoneofthefirstknownexamplesofahandwritingofMlle.Smithotherthanherownnormalhand.

First:When,fourmonthslater,Leopoldbegantocommunicateinwriting(pp.-),acertainanalogyintheformationoftheletters,andtheidenticalwayofholdingthepencil,causedustobelievethatitwashewhohadalreadytracedthewordin.Buthehasalwaysdeniedit,andwehaveneverbeenabletodiscovertheauthorofit.Secondly:Isaidabove,(),thattherehadbeendivergencesintheorthographyofthisname.Here,insubstance,isafragmentofaletterwhichMlle.Smithwrotemeinthewinterfollowing(February18,1896),depictingtomethevexatiousimpressionswhichshestillhadconcerningit.

"...Iamverysad,andIcannottellwhy.Ihaveaheavyheart,andforwhatreasonIdonotknowmyself.Itcametosuchapassto-day(youaregoingtolaugh)thatitseemedtomeasthoughmyleftcheekhadgrownperceptiblythinner.IamsurethatatthismomentyouwouldnotrecognizeSimadini,sopiteousanddiscouragedishercountenance!Think,thatattheverymomentinwhichItracethesewords,Ihearavoicespeakingtomeinmyrightear:"NotSimadini,butSimandini!Whatdoyouthinkthatcanbe?Itisverystrange,isitnot?

[paragraphcontinues]Havewemisunderstoodthatname?Or,perhaps,mayit

notbeIwhohavemisunderstoodit?..."

Mlle.Smithhereforgetsthatthenamedidnotcometoheronthefirstoccasionbyauditivehallucination,inwhichcaseitmightbethatshehadmisunderstoodit,butbywritinginsomnambulism,whichexcludesanymistakeofherordinaryconsciousness.Wemustconfineourselvestoregisteringasafact,inexplicablehitherto,thiscorrectionofagraphicautomatismbyanauditiveautomatismattheendofseveralmonths.Betweenthetwoorthographies,Ihaveadoptedthesecond,whichhasundergonenofurtherchanges,andfiguresonlyintheMartiantexts([10],[16]).

June16.--FullerrepetitionofthesceneoftheletteroftheHindooprince.Impossibletolearnthecontentsofit.Isuggesttohertorememberandtorelatethemtousuponawakening,butLeopoldreplies:"Shewillnotrevealit.Whyhaveyounotgainedherconfidencesufficiently,thatshemaytellyoueverythingwithoutfear?"andthesuggestionhadnoeffect.

June30.--Somnambulismwithsilentpantomime,themeaningofwhichisgivenbyLeopold:ItisthesceneofthebetrothalofSimandiniandSivroukaatTchandraguiri.Thereisfirstaphaseofoppression,withsighsandgesturesasofastruggleagainstvariouspretenderswhowishtoseizeher;thenlaughterandecstasy,provokedbythearrivalofSivrouka,whodeliversheranddrivesoffhisrivals;finally,joyandadmirationonacceptingtheflowersandjewelswhichheoffersher.

Ihavereported,toomuchatlengthperhaps,thoughstillgreatlyabridged,thesefirstappearancesoftheOrientalromance,becausetheyformacontinuousseries,inthereverseof.thechronologicalorder,conformablytoaspiritistictheorywhichholdsthatinthesememoriesofpreviousexistencesthemediumisticmemorygoesbackandrecoversthe"images"ofthemorerecenteventsbeforethosewhicharemoreremote.Duringthisfirstperiodoffourmonths,theHindoocyclemadeirruptionintoeightseances.(aboutone-twentiethofthoseatwhichIhavebeenpresentsinceIhavehadknowledgeofthem),andhasmanifesteditselfsomewhatlikethepanoramaofamagiclantern,unfoldingitselfinsuccessivetableaux.

Thiswholehistorycanbesummedupbyafewprincipaltableaux:therewasthesceneofthedeathonthefuneralpile,preparedinvisionintheseanceofthe6thofMarchandexecutedonthe10th;thenthesceneoftheinteriorofthepalace

andthefortressinprocessofconstruction(7thand14thofApril);thatofthelove-letter(26thofMayand16thofJune);finally,thebetrothal(30thofJune).Theremustbeaddedtothesethegrandtableauatthebeginning,firstpresentedinvisionthe3dofMarch,thenrealizedthreedayslaterwiththeastonishingexclamationAtieyaGanapatinama.ThemeaningofthisscenehasneverbeenexplainedbyLeopold,butseemstobequiteclear.Aspeciesofprologuecanbeseeninit,orevenapotheosis,inauguratingtheentireromance;itistheHindooprincessoffourcenturiesagorecognizingherlordandmasterinfleshandblood,undertheunexpectedformofauniversityprofessor,whomshegreetswithanemphasiswhollyOrientalinblessinghim,veryappropriately,inthenameofthedivinityofscienceandofwisdom--sinceGanapatiisanequivalentofGanesa,thegodwiththeheadofanelephant,patronofsagesandsavants.

ItcanbeeasilyconceivedthatthesetwowordsofOrientalresonance,spokenaloudataperiodatwhichtheMartianwasnotyetborn--andfollowedbyalltheconversationsunfortunatelyunheardbyus,whichatthewakingatthesubsequentseancesHelenerecalledhavingheldinastrangelanguage(inSanscrit,accordingtoLeopold)withtheHindooprinceofherdreams--wouldexcitealivelycuriosityandadesiretoobtainlongeraudiblefragmentsofthisunknownidiom.ItwasonlyinSeptember,1895,thatthissatisfactionwasaffordedus,duringaseanceatwhichtheOrientalromance,whichhadgivennofurthersignoflifesincethemonthofJune,madeanewoutbreak.Startingfromthatmoment,ithasneverceasedduringthesefouryearstoreappearirregularly,and,sufferingsomeeclipses,accompaniedoneachoccasionbywordsofaSanscritoidaspect.Buttheplotoftheromancehasnolongerthesameclearnessthatitshowedatthebeginning.Inplaceoftableauxlinkingthemselvesinaregularchronologicalorder,theyareoftennomorethanconfusedreminiscences,memories,withoutprecisebondsbetweenthem,whichgushforthfromthememoryofSimandini.Asthefragmentsofouryouthfulyearssurgeupincoherentandpell-mellinourdreams,Mlle.Smith,too,findsherselfeasilyassailedinhersomnambulismsbyvisionsconnectedwithcertainepisodes,andnotforminganentirecontinuationofsupposedAsiaticpre-existence.

SomeofthesescenesconcernherlifeasayoungArabgirl.Oneseesherthere,forexample,playingjoyouslywithherlittlemonkey,Mitidja;orcopyinganArabtext(see,),whichherfather,thesheik,surroundedbyhistribes,furnishesher;orembarkingonastrangeboat,escortedbyblackHindoos,forhernewcountry,etc.ButmuchthelargernumberofhersomnambulistictrancesandherspontaneousvisionshavereferencetoherlifeinIndiaandtothedetailsofher

dailyexistence.Herbath,whichthefaithfuldomesticAdelpreparesforher;herwalksandreveriesinthesplendidgardensofthepalace,allfullofaluxuriousvegetationandrarebirdsofbrilliantcolors;herscenesoftendernessandofaffectionateeffusions--alwaysstamped,thisistobenoted,withthemostperfectpropriety--towardsthePrinceSivrouka,whenheiskindlydisposed;scenesofregretalsoandabundanttearsforthememoryofherfar-offnativeland,whenthecapriciousandbrutalhumoroftheOrientaldespotmakesitselftooseverelyfelt;conversationwiththefakirKanga;devotionsandreligiousceremoniesbeforesomeBuddhistimage,etc.,allthisformsanensembleextremelyvariedandfulloflocalcolor.ThereisinthewholebeingofSimandini--intheexpressionofhercountenance(Helenealmostalwayshasherlargeeyesopeninthissomnambulism),inhermovements,inthequalityofhervoicewhenshespeaksorchantsHindoo--alanguishinggrace,anabandon,amelancholysweetness,asomethingoflanguorandofcharm,whichcorrespondswonderfullywiththecharacteroftheOrient,asthespectatorsconceiveittobe,who,likeme,haveneverbeenthere,etc.Withallthisabearingalwaysfullofnoblesseanddignityconformstothatwhichonewouldexpectofaprincess;therearenodances,forexample,nothingofthebayadere.

Mlle.SmithisreallyverywonderfulinherHindoosomnambulisms.ThewayinwhichSimandiniseatsherselfontheground,herlegscrossed,orhalfstretchedout,nonchalantlyleaningherarmsorherheadagainstaSivrouka,whoissometimesreal(wheninherincompletetranceshetakesmeforherprince),sometimesimaginary;thereligiousandsolemngravityofherprostrationswhen,afterhavingforalongtimebalancedthefictitiousbrazier,shecrossesherextendedhandsonherbreast,kneelingandbowingherselfthreetimes,herforeheadstrikingtheground;themelancholysweetnessofherchantsinaminorkey,wailingandplaintivemelodies,whichunfoldthemselvesincertainflute-likenotes,prolongedinaslowdecrescendo,andonlydyingawayattheendofasinglenoteheldforfullyfourteenseconds;theagilesupplenessofherswayingandserpentinemovements,whensheamusesherselfwithherimaginarymonkey,caressesit,embracesit,excitesit,scoldsitlaughingly,andmakesitrepeatallitstricks--allthissovariedmimicryandOrientalspeechhavesuchastampoforiginality,ofease,ofnaturalness,thatoneasksinamazementwhenceitcomestothislittledaughterofLakeLeman,withoutartisticeducationorspecialknowledgeoftheOrient--aperfectionofplaytowhichthebestactress,withoutdoubt,couldonlyattainatthepriceofprolongedstudiesorasojournonthebanksoftheGanges.

Theproblem,asIhavealreadystated,isnotyetsolved,andIamobligedstilltoendeavortodiscoverwhenceHeleneSmithhasderivedherideasinregardtoIndia.ItseemsthatthemoresimplemethodwouldbetotakeadvantageofthehypnoticstateoftheseancestoobtainaconfessionfromHelene'ssubconsciousmemory,andpersuadeittodisclosethesecret;butmyeffortsinthatdirectionhavenotasyetsucceeded.Itisdoubtlessincompetencyonmypart,andIwillend,perhaps--orsomeonebetterqualifiedthanI--infindingthejointinthearmor.ThefactisthathithertoIhavealwaysrunupagainstLeopold,whowillnotallowhimselftobeejectedorridiculed,andwhohasneverceasedtoaffirmthattheSanscrit,Simandini,andtherestareauthentic.AllthetrailswhichIhavethoughtIhavediscovered--andtheyarealreadynumerous--haveprovedfalse.Thereadermustpardonmefornotgoingintothedetailsofmyfailuresinthisregard.

IfitwasonlyaquestionoftheHindoopantomimethemysterywouldnotbesogreat:somerecitationsatschool,newspaperarticlesconcerningtheincinerationofthewidowsofMalabar,engravingsanddescriptionsrelativetothecivilandreligiouslifeofIndia,etc.--inshort,thevariedsourcesofinformationwhich,inacivilizedcountryandatourepochofcosmopolitanism,inevitablymeetsometimeorothertheeyesorearsofeveryoneofusandformpartoftheequipment(consciousorunconscious)ofeveryindividualwhoisnotaltogetheruncultured,wouldmorethansufficetoexplainthesceneofthefuneralpile,theprostrations,andthevariedattitudes.Thereare,indeed,somewell-knownexamplesshowinghowsmallathingacunningintelligence,furnishedwithagoodmemoryandafertileandplasticimagination,needsinordertoreconstructorfabricateoutofnothingacomplexedifice,havingeveryappearanceofauthenticity,andcapableofholdingincheckforaconsiderablelengthoftimetheperspicacityevenofskilledminds.Butthatwhichconsciousandreflectinglaborhassucceededinaccomplishinginthecasesreferredto,thesubliminalfacultiescanexecutetoamuchhigherdegreeofperfectioninthecaseofpersonssubjecttoautomatictendencies.

Buttwopointsremain,whichcomplicatethecaseoftheHindooromanceandseemtodefy--thusfar,atleast--allnormalexplanation,becausetheysurpassthelimitsofasimpleplayoftheimaginationThesearetheprecisehistoricalinformationgivenbyLeopold,someofwhichcanbe,inacertainsense,verified;andtheHindoolanguagespokenbySimandini,whichcontainswordsmoreorlessrecognizable,therealmeaningofwhichisadaptedtothesituationinwhichtheyhavebeenspoken.But,evenifHelene'simaginationcouldhave

reconstructedthemannersandcustomsandscenesoftheOrientfromthegeneralinformationfloatinginsomewayincosmopolitanatmosphere,stillonecannotconceivewhenceshehasderivedherknowledgeofthelanguageandofcertainobscureepisodesinthehistoryofIndia.Thesetwopointsdeservetobeexaminedseparately.

II.SIVROUKAANDM.DEMARLES

WhenKanara,Sivrouka,Simandini,etc.,successivelymadetheirappearance,slowlyspelledoutbyLeopold,withthedateof1401,mycompanionsoftheseanceandIhastenedtoinvestigateBrouillet,whobroughttomindtheprovinceofMalabarinconnectionwiththefirstofthesenames,butleftusinutterdarknessastotheothers.ThegeographyofVivienSaint-MartinrevealedtheexistenceofnofewerthanthreeTchandraguiris--ahill,ariver,andasmalltowninthedistrictofArcot-Nord(Madras).Thelatter--orratheritscitadelonthesummitofthehill--answeredquitewelltothedescriptiongivenbyHeleneinhervisionsofthe7thand14thofApril,buttheconstructionofthisfortressdatesbackonlyto1510,andthislocalityisveryfarremovedfromtheKanarawhereLeopoldlocatesthisentirestory(seepp.-).

AstoSivroukaandhissurroundings,neitherbiographicaldictionariesnorencyclopaediaswereabletofurnishmetheleasthintonthissubject.LivinghistoriansorOrientaliststowhomIaddressedmyselfwereofadiscouragingunanimityinreplyingthattheydidnotrecognizeeventhenames,thehistoriccorrectnessofwhichtheyregardedasdoubtful,andtheydidnotatallrememberhavingmetwiththeminworksoffiction.

"Ihavethere,"saidalearnedprofessorofhistory,showingmeagood-sizedbookcase,"numerousworksonthehistoryofIndia;buttheyrelateonlytothenorthofthepeninsula;andastowhattranspiredinthesouthduringtheperiodtowhichyourefer,weknowalmostnothing.Yournamesareunknowntomeanddonotrecalltomymindanypersonage,realorfictitious."

"TheverynameofSivroukaseemstomeimprobableasaHindooname"repliedanother,whowasunabletogivemeanymoreinformationonthesubject.

"Igreatlyregret,"wroteathird,onreceiptofHelene'stexts,"nottohavesucceededingettinguponthetrailoftherecollectionsofyourmedium.Icannotthinkofanybookwhichwouldbelikelytofurnishtheinformation.TchandraguiriandMangalore(whereseveralscenesoftheHindoocyclearelocated)arecorrect,butMadras(id.)didnotexistin1401.Itsnameandfoundationdonotgofurtherbackthantheseventeenthcentury.ThatregionwasthenadependencyofthekingdomofVijayanagara,andanaikintheserviceofthoseprincesresidedsuccessivelyatTchandraguiriandatMangalore.IcanmakenothingofSivrouka;thekingofVijayanagara,in1402,wasBukkhaII.,orBukkhacalledSiribukkha,Tiribukkha.Butthenaikwhosooftenchangedhisresidencewasevidentlynotarulingprince.Wasitaromance?Certaindetailscausedmetodoubtit.AromancersocarefulinregardtolocalcoloringastointroduceintohisnarrativeIndianwords,wouldnothavegiventhetitleoftheprinceundertheSanscritformNayaka,butwouldhaveusedthevulgarformnaik;hewouldnothavemadethewife,inspeakingtoherhusband,callhimbyhisnameSivrouka(asHeleneconstantlydoesinthissomnambulism).Ihavenorecollectionofhavingreadanythingofthiskind,andIknowofnoworkoffictionfromwhichthestorymighthavebeentaken."

ItwillbereadilyunderstoodthatIwasannoyedatnotbeingabletoestablishclearlymypresumedAsiaticpreviousexistence.However,whileprofessionalsciencewasadministeringtomethesecolddouches,Icontinued,onmyown

account,tosearchthelibrariesatmydisposal,andhereonefinedayIaccidentallycameacross,inanoldhistoryofIndia,insixvolumes,byamannamedDeMarles,thefollowingpassages:

"KanaraandtheneighboringprovincesonthesidetowardsDelhimayberegardedastheGeorgiaofHindustan;itisthere,itissaid,thatthemostbeautifulwomenaretobefound;thenatives,however,areveryjealousinguardingthem,anddonotoftenallowthemtobeseenbystrangers."

"Tchandraguiri,whichsignifiesMountainoftheMoon,isavastfortressconstructed,in1401,bytherajahSivroukaNayaka.Thisprince,asalsohissuccessors,belongedtothesectoftheDjains."

Atlast!WithwhatabeatingheartdidIfastenmyeyesonthatirrefutablehistoricevidencethatmyprecedingincarnation,underthebeautifulskiesof

[paragraphcontinues]Indiawasnotamyth!Ifeltnewlifeinmyveins.Irereadtwentytimesthoseblessedlines,andtookacopyofthemtosendtothosepretendedsavantswhowereignorantevenofthenameofSivrouka,andalloweddoubtstobecastuponhisreality.

Alas!mytriumphwasofbriefduration.ItseemsthatthetestimonyofDeMarlesisnotofthehighestorder.Thisauthorisheldinslightesteeminwell-informedcircles,asmaybeseenfromthefollowingpassageinaletterofM.Barth,whichmerelyexpresses,inavigorousandlivelymanner,anopinionwhichotherspecialistshaveconfirmed:[**]

"ItisthroughaletterofM.FlournoythatIlearnthattherehasexistedsince1828inParis,printedinRomancharacters,ahistoryofIndiabyDeMarlescontainingastatementthatthefortressofCandragiriwasbuiltin1401,andthatitsfounderwasSivroukaNayaka.Whatnewfactsthereareinbooksonenolongerconsults!AndthatofDeMarlesis,indeed,oneofthosethatarenolongerconsulted.IfoundityesterdayatthelibraryoftheInstitute.Itwouldhavebeenimpossibletohavedoneworse,evenin1828.Butsometimeswefindpearlsinadung-hill,andperhapsthisSivroukaNayakaisoneofthem.Unfortunately,theauthorgivesnohintastotheofhisinformation;andlater,inhisfourthvolume,inwhichhenarratesthehistoryofthetwelfthtothesixteenthcenturies,hedoesnotsayawordmoreeitherofCandragiriorofSivrouka."

HerewasaterribleblowtomyHindooexistence,whichpoorM.deMarleshad

sowellestablishedforme.

Nevertheless,thehopestilllingersthathisinformation,althoughnotreproducedbylaterwritersmorehighlyesteemed,mayperhapsstillbecorrect.Thisisquitepossible,sincesciencehasnotyetspokenitslastwordinthisdepartment,hardlyevenitsfirst,ifmenstillmorecompetentmaybebelieved,beginningwithM.Barthhimself.

"Uptothepresentmoment,"sayshe,"thereisnotrustworthyhistoryofthesouthofthepeninsula....TheDravidianlanguagesofIndiaisadomainveryunfamiliartothemajorityofIndianscholars....Thereisnothingtodrawuponbutsomeworksandmonographsontheaboriginalchroniclesandlegendarytraditions;anditwouldbenecessarytoknowtheDravidianlanguagesontheonehandandArabicontheother,tobeabletoexamineorevenconsultthemwithprofit.Theonlyworkswhichweareabletofollowarethosewhichundertaketomakethishistorybyepigraphicdocuments,butthese,thusfar,saynothingofSimandini,ofAdel,ofMitidja,orevenofSivrouka."

Thissilenceofepigraphyiscertainlytoberegretted;butwhoknowswhetheritwillnotsomedayenlightenusbyprovingDeMarlestoberight--andalsoLeopold--bynarratingtousthetruestoryoftheHindooprincess,theArabianmonkey,andtheslaveAdel!Itcostsnothingtohope!Already,thanksagaintoM.Barth,IhavegainedinformationconcerninganotherTchandraguirithantheoneoftheDistrictofNorthArcotmentionedbyViviendeSaint-Martin--i.e.,aTchandraguiri,situatedinSouthKanara,andinthecitadelofwhichahithertounknowninscriptionhasbeendiscoveredwhichmustdatebacktothetimeofKingHariharaII.,ofVijayanagara,whoreignedatthebeginningofthefifteenthcentury.[]HereissomethingapproachingthesomnambulisticrevelationsofMlle.Smith.Whileawaitingtheirdefiniteconfirmationbynewarchaeologicaldiscoveries,tracesofSivroukamaybesoughtforintheearlierworksuponwhichDeMarlesmusthavedrawn.Unfortunatelytheseworksarenoteasytofind,andareinconvenienttoconsult.ProfessorMichel,oftheUniversityofLiege,hashadthekindnesstorunthroughthoseofBuchanan[+]andofRennell[++]butwithoutresult.

IfDeMarlesdidnotinventSivroukaoutofwholecloth,whichishardlysupposable,itwasveryprobablyinthetranslationofFerishtabyDow,[*section]thathefoundhisfacts.Ihave,unhappily,notyetbeenablemyselftoconsultthatveryrarework,whichisnottobefoundinGeneva,sofarasIam

aware,nortoobtainaccurateinformationregardingitscontents.

Theuncertaintywhichhoversoverthehistoricalproblemextends,naturally,tothepsychologicalproblemalso.Itisclearthatifcertaininscriptions,orevensomeoldwork,shouldcomesomedaytotellusnotonlyofSivrouka,butofSimandini,ofAdel,andtheotherpersonageswhofigureinHelene'sHindooromance,butofwhomDeMarlesdoesnotwhisperaword,weshouldnolongercareaboutthelatterauthor,andthequestionwouldthenbeasfollows:CouldMlle.Smithhavehadcognizanceoftheseearlyworks,andifnot,howdotheircontentsreappearinhersomnambulism?Butintheactualconditionofthings,andallallowancemadeforpossiblesurprisesinthefuture,Idonothesitatetoregardasthemoreprobableandmorerationalsupposition,thatitwasreallythepassageofDeMarles,quotedabove,whichfurnishedhesubliminalmemoryofHelenetheprecisedateof1401--andthethreenamesofthefortress,theprovince,andtherajah.

VariousothertraitsofthevisionsofMlle.Smithbetraylikewisethesameinspiration.Thesceneinwhichsheseesthemengagedinbuilding,andherdescriptionofthatwhichisbeingbuilt,suggestclearlytheideaofafortressfurnishedbythetext.ThetranslationMountainoftheMooncontributedtocausinghertolocatethesceneuponahill.Thebeautyofthewomenofthecountry,onwhichDeMarlesdwells,hasitsechointheremarkofHelenethatthewomenwhomsheseesare"goodlooking."Finally,theprincelycharacterofSivrouka,mentionedbyDeMarles,isfoundthroughoutthelengthoftheentireromance,anddisplaysitselfinthesplendorofhiscostume,ofthepalace,ofthegardens,etc.

Itispossiblethatthenamesandthenationalityoftheotherpersonages--Simandini,Adel,themonkey,thesheik,etc.--mayhavebeenborrowedfromsomeunknownwork,whichwouldbe,fortheArabianportionofthenarrative,thependanttoDeMarlesfortheHindoopast.

Thismaybe,butitisnotnecessary.Itispermissibletoregard,provisionally,theimaginationsbuiltuparoundSivrouka,asaningeniousexpedient,bymeansofwhichHelene'simaginationfindsawayofbindingtothatcentralfigure,andalsoofblendinginasinglewhole,herotherOrientalmemoriesnotspecificallyHindoo.

ThehypothesiswhichIamabouttoassume,whichconnectsdirectlywithDe

MarlesthedataofHelene'sAsiaticdream,containedlikewiseintheworkofthatauthor,arouses,nevertheless,twoobjections.ThefirstisdrawnfromtheslightdifferencesoforthographybetweenthetextofDeMarlesandthewordsspokenbyLeopold.Thisdifficultyisonlyinsurmountablebyelevatingtheinerrancyofthesubliminalmemorytotheplaneofabsoluteinfallibility,thoughthelattermustbeadmittedtobeordinarilyverymuchsuperiortothatoftheconsciousmemory.Butthefavoritecomparisonoftheforgottenmemories,reappearinginsomnambulisms,tounchangeable,absolutelytruephotographicimpressions,causesusreadilytoexaggeratethefidelityoftheunconsciousmemory-images.Theexampleofcertaindreams--inwhichmemoriesofchildhoodsometimesreturnwithastartlingclearness,but,nevertheless,alteredordistortedinsomedetails,conformablytolaterexperiencesortorecentevents--sufficestoshowthatautomatismsofthememoryarenotalwaysshelteredbyinfluencesoftheimagination,norabsolutelyfreefromerror.

InthisparticularcasetherearetwodivergencesbetweenDeMarlesandLeopold:thelatterhassubstitutedakforthecinNayaca,andhasomittedtheninTchandraguiri(comparepp.and).Anothermistake,whichheimmediatelycorrected,consistingindictatingfirstKanaraau,wasevidentlyaconfusionsuchasfrequentlyoccursinwriting,occasionedbyatoorapidpassingfromthewordKanaratotheinformationfollowing,andalreadyabouttocome--"aufifteenthcentury."ThespellingNayaka,insteadofNayaca,isattributabletotheterminationofthewordSivrouka,whichprecedesit.Identityofpronunciationhasproducedidentityoforthography.

Thesecondobjectionisofanegativecharacter.Itconsistsintheimpossibilityofshowingwhere,when,orhowMlle.SmithobtainedcognizanceofthetextofDeMarles.

IadmitfranklythatIknownothingaboutit,andIgivefullcredittoHelenefortheindomitableandperseveringenergywithwhichshehasneverceasedtoprotestagainstmyhypothesis,whichhasthefacultyofexasperatingherinthehighestdegree--andonereadilyunderstandsthatitwouldnaturallydoso.Foritisinvainthatshedigsdowntotheverybottomofhermemories;shedoesnotdiscovertheslightesttraceofthiswork.Andnotonlythat,buthowcanoneseriouslysupposethatshehaseverhadtheslightestintimationofit,sincesheneverstudiedthehistoryofIndia,hasneitherreadnorheardanythingonthesubject,theverynameofDeMarleshavingbeenutterlyunknowntoheruptothedayonwhichshelearnedthatIsuspectedthatauthorofbeingthesourceof

theHindooromance?Itmust-indeed,beadmittedthattheideaofthepassageinquestionhavingcomebeforetheeyesorearsofMlle.Smiththroughanyordinarychannelseemsatrifleabsurd.IonlyknowinGenevaoftwocopiesoftheworkofDeMarles,bothcoveredwithdust--theonebelongingtotheSocietedeLecture,aprivateassociationofwhichnoneoftheSmithfamilynoranyfriendoftheirswaseveramember;theotherinthePublicLibrary,where,amongthethousandsofmoreinterestingandmoremodernbooks,itisnowveryrarelyconsulted.Itcouldonlyhavehappened,therefore,byacombinationofabsolutelyexceptionalandalmostunimaginablecircumstancesthattheworkofDeMarlescouldhavefounditswayintoHelene'shands;andhowcouldithavedonesoandshenothavetheslightestrecollectionofit?

Iacknowledgetheforceofthisargument,andthatthewisestthingtodoistoleavethematterinsuspense.

[paragraphcontinues]Butifthequestionmustbedecided,thoughthereisscarcelyanychoice,extravaganceforextravagance,Istillpreferthehypothesiswhichonlyinvokesnaturalpossibilitiestothatwhichappealstooccultcauses.

PossiblytheworkofDeMarlesmayhavebeenheardofbyMlle.Smithwithouthernormalconsciousnesstakingnoteofit.Eitherwhenamongherfriendsoracquaintances,orwithherparents,shemighthaveheardsomepassagesreadinheryoungdays,etc.Thefactthatshehasnoconsciousrecollectionofitprovesnothingagainstsuchasuppositiontoanyonewhoisatallfamiliarwiththeplayofourfaculties.

Itgoeswithoutsayingthatmymethodofreasoningistheinverseofthatwhichgenerallyprevailsinspiritisticcircles.WitnessthecelebratedAksakoff,asasingleexample,who,discoveringthatacurioustyptologicalmessagewasfoundalreadyinprintinabookwhichcouldnotreadilyhavecometotheknowledgeofthemedium,andrecognizingthefactthatthemessagecamefromthatbook,says:"Butinwhatwaycouldthebrainofthemediumhavebeenmadeawareofthecontentsofthebook?Thereisthemystery.Irefusetoadmitthatitcouldhavebeenthroughnaturalmeans.Ibelieveitwasbysomeoccultprocess."

Verywell!thisisplainlanguage,andthefranknessofthedeclarationcharmsmetosuchadegreethatIcannotresistthetemptationtoappropriateitformyselfinthecaseofMlle.SmithandM.deMarles,transposingonlytwowords:"Irefusetoadmitthatitcouldhavebeenthroughoccultmeans.Ibelieveitwasbysome

naturalprocess."Evidently,indoubtfulcases(whichareinanenormousmajority),inwhichthenaturalandtheoccultexplanationsareindirectopposition,withoutthepossibilityofamaterialdemonstrationastowhichistrueinfact,adecisionmustbereachedinaccordancewithpersonaltasteandfeeling.Betweenthesetwomethodologicalpointsofviewareconciliationisscarcelypossible.Thereadermaythinkwhathewill.But,rightorwrong,Iclaimthefirstoftheseasmyopinion,andregardthetendencyofthesupernaturalandocculttosubstitutethemselves,onaccountoftheinsufficiencyofourknowledge,fortheacquiredrightsofnaturalhypothesis,asanunjustifiablereversalofroles.

Tothosewhoshallfindmyhypothesisdecidedlytooextravagant--ortoosimple--remainsachoicebetweenthemultipleformsofocculthypothesis.ShallitbeLeopoldwho,inhisall-powerfulstateofdisincarnation,hasreadintheclosedvolumeofDeMarles?Orhasthere,indeed,beenatelepathictransmissionofthispassagefromthebrainofsomeunknownterrestrialreadertothatofMlle.Smith?Shallitbewithheracaseofclairvoyance,oflucidity,ofintuitionintheastralbody;or,again,oftrickeryonthepartofsomefacetiousspirit?Andif,takingthereincarnationisttheoryseriously,itisadmittedthatSivrouka,1401,andTchandraguiri,areindeedreallyreminiscencesofthepastlifeofSimandini,howexplainthatcuriouscoincidenceintheirchoiceandtheirspellingwithpreciselythedesignationsusedbyM.deMarles?

Verilymybrainreelsinthemidstofallthesealternatives,andIhastentopasstoanothersubject.

III.THEARABELEMENTSOFTHEORIENTALCYCLE

HereisaproblemforthepartisansoftheOrientalpre-existenceofMlle.Smith:Howcomesitthat,recoveringinhertrancestheuseoftheHindoowhichsheformerlyspokeatthecourtofSivrouka,shehastotallyforgottenArabian,which,however,hadbeenhermother-tongueinthatsamepreviousexistence,andwhichshewasaccustomedtouseexclusivelyuptothetimeofherdeparturefromhernativeland,inhereighteenthyear?

Iftheemotionscausedbyherroyalmarriagehaddestroyedallmemoryofthepast,onecouldunderstandhowtheidiommighthavebecomeobscuredalongwiththerestinthatlossofmemoryofherlifeasayounggirl.

Butsuchwasnotthecase.Shepreservedveryvividmemoriesofherfatherthe

sheik,ofhistentsgleaminginthesunlight,ofthepeople,ofthecamelsandlandscapesofArabia.InmanyseancesandspontaneousvisionsshefindsherselfcarriedbacktothatfirsthalfofherAsiaticexistence.ButthenshenarratesinFrenchthatwhichisunfoldedbeforehereyes,orgivesherselfuptoasilentpantomime.ShehasneverspokenorwrittenanythingatallresemblingArabian.CanitbesupposedthatalreadyinherHindoolifeshehadassimilatedthelanguageofheradoptedcountrytothepointoflosingeventhelatentmemoriesofhermaternallanguage?Thatwouldbecontrarytoallknownpsychologicalanalogies.

However,insayingthatHelenehasneverwrittenorspokenArabianIexaggerate.Ononeoccasionshespokefourwordsofit.Itistheexceptionwhichprovestherule.Infact,notonlydidshefailtoaccompanythatsingletextwithanypronunciation,butsheexecuteditasadrawing,andapparentlycopied,withoutcomprehending,amodelwhichanimaginarypersonpresentedtoher.

Hereisareviewofthatincident:

October27,1895.--ShortlyafterthebeginningoftheseanceMlle.SmithhasanArabianvision:"Lookatthosetents!Therearenostoneshere--itisallsand...[shecountsthetentsonebyone].Therearetwentyofthem.Thatoneisbeautiful.Don'tyoufinditso,M.Lemaitre--thatlargestone?Itisfastenedbycordsandsmallstakes...."etc.Thenshedescribesthepersonages:Theonewhoissmoking,seatedinacorner,withhislegscrossed;othersallblack(thetablesaystheyarenegroes,andthatthescenetakesplaceinArabia);thenamanclothedinwhite,whomHelenehasthefeelingofknowingwithoutbeingabletorecognizehim;sheplacesherfingeruponherforehead,intheattitudeofapersontryingtoremember,andthetable(onwhichshehasherlefthand)informsusthenthatshelivedinArabiainherlifeasSimandini,andthatsheistryingtorecollectthosefar-distanttimes.Aquitelongscenefollows,inwhichherArabreminiscencesalternateandminglewiththeconsciousnessoftherealenvironment,thoughsheneitherseesnorhearsus.Atthispointastateofmentalconfusionensues,whichseemstobeverypainfultoher.

"...M.Lemaitre!M.Flournoy!areyouthere?Answerme,then.DidInotcomeherethisevening?IfonlyIcould...however,Iamnotenvoyage....IreallybelieveitisSundayatlast...Iunderstandnothingmoreaboutit.Ithinkmybrainissotiredthatallmyideasaremixedup...however,Iamnotdreaming....ItseemstomethatIhavealsolivedwiththem...[thesittersatthetable],

andwiththem[theArabsofhervision]....ButIknowthem--allthosemen.Tellme,then,whoyouare!DidyouarriveinGenevalately?[Theyare,saysthetable,Arabswholivedfivecenturiesago,amongthemthefatherofSimandini.]Comenearer,then,comehere.Iwantyoutospeaktome!M.Lemaitre!Oh,thatprettylittlesketch!Whatisthatsketch?[Thetablehavingsaidthatitisadrawingwhichherfatherispresentingtoher,andthatshecancopyit,apencilandasheetofpaperareplacedbeforeher,thelatterofwhichseemstobetransformedintopapyrusinherdream.]Thatgreenleafispretty.Ofwhatplantisittheleaf?IthinkIhaveapencil;Iamgoingtotrytomakethissketch...."

Aftertheusualstrugglebetweenthetwomethodsofholdingthepencil(seepp.-),sheyieldstoLeopold'smannerofholdingit,saying,"Somuchtheworse";thentraces,slowlyandwithgreatcare,,fromlefttoright,oftenraisinghereyestoherimaginarymodel,asifcopyingadrawing.Afterwhichshegoesprofoundlyasleep;thenothersomnambulismscome.

Onawakingsherecollectsthestateofconfusionthroughwhichshehadpassed."Wretchedevening,"saidshe."Iwasunhappy.IfeltthatIwaslivinghere,asIalwayshave,andIsawsomethingsasthoughIwereaforeigner.Iwaswithyou,butIwaslivingelsewhere,"etc.

ThiswholescenegivesthedistinctimpressionthattheArabphraseonlyexistedinHelene'srecollectionasavisualmemory,withoutmeaningoranyverbalimages.Itwasforheranincomprehensiblepieceofwriting,asimpledrawing,likeChineseorJapanesecharacterswouldbeforus.Evidentlyitwasatextwhichhadcomebeforehereyesatsomepropitiousmoment,and,havingbeenabsorbedbythesubliminalimagination--alwaysonthewatchformattersofOrientalaspect--hadbeenincorporatedinasceneoftheAsiaticdream.

Such,atleast,isthesuppositionwhichseemstomethemostplausible.For,toregarditasafragmentofArabian,whichHelenecouldspeakandwritefluentlyifshewereinanappropriatestateofsomnambulism--asLeopoldpretendedonedaytobethefact--seemstomeanhypothesisstillmore

Clicktoenlarge

Fig.35.ArabiantextdrawnfromlefttorightbyMlle.Smithinhemisomnambulism:elqalilmenelhabibktsir,thelittlefromthefriend(is)much.Naturalsize."arbitrary,andlittleinaccordwiththeothertrance

phenomenaofMlle.Smith.

OccasionshavenotbeenwantingtoherinthefiveyearsduringwhichherexoticromanceshavebeenunfoldingthemselvestomakeuseofhersupposedphilologicalreservesbyspeakingandwritingArabian,ifhersubliminalmemoryhadsodesired.

Shehaspresentedalldegreesandkindsofsomnambulism,andmorevisionsofArabiathancouldhavefailedtoawakenbyassociationthecorrespondingidiom,ifitreallywasslumberinginher.Thecompleteandtotalisolationofthetextgivenabove,inthemidstofthisfloodofOrientalscenes,seemstome,therefore,totestifystronglyinfavorofmysuppositionthatithastodowithavisualflash,uniqueinitskind,accidentallyencounteredandstoredup,andthattheAsiaticsecondary.personalityofMlle.SmithisabsolutelyignorantofArabic.

ConcerningtheotherdetailsoftheArabsomnambulismsofHelene,Ihavenothingtosay;theydonotgobeyondtheideaswhichshecouldunconsciouslyhavegatheredfromthesurroundingenvironment;andtotheothersourcesofherknowledgemustbeaddedwhatevershemighthaveheardfromherfather,whohadatonetimelivedinAlgeria.

ThepropernamesconnectedwiththeArabscenes,withthepossibleexceptionofPirux,awakencertainassociationsofideas,withoutmakingitpossibletoaffirmanythingwithcertaintyastotheirorigin.

IV.THEHINDOOLANGUAGEOFMLLE.SMITH

ThenatureoftheHindoolanguageofHeleneislesseasytoexplainclearlythanthatoftheMartian,becauseithasneverbeenpossibletoobtaineitheraliteraltranslationofitorwrittentexts.Besides,beingignorantofthenumberlessdialectsofancientandmodernIndia,andnotbelievingittobeincumbentuponmetodevotemyselftotheirstudysolelythatImightbeabletoappreciateattheirpropervaluethephilologicalexploitsofanentrancedmedium,Iamnotinasituationtoallowmyselfanypersonaljudgmentinregardtothismatter.

Thereisnotevenlefttometheresourceofplacingthepartsoftheprocessasawholebeforethereader,asIhavedoneinthecaseoftheMartian,forthereasonthatourignoranceofHelene'sHindoo,addedtoherrapidandindistinctpronunciation--arealprattlesometimes--hascausedustolosethegreaterpartofthenumerouswordsheardinthecourseofsomethirtyOrientalscenesscattered

overaspaceoffouryears.

Eventhefragmentswhichwehavebeenabletonotedownpresentforthemostpartsomuchuncertaintythatitwouldbeidletopublishallofthem.IhavecommunicatedthebestofthemtoseveraldistinguishedOrientalscholars.Fromcertaininformationwhichtheyhavekindlygivenme,itappearsthatthesoi-disantHindooofHeleneisnotanyfixedidiomknowntothesespecialists;but,ontheotherhand,therearetobefoundinit,moreorlessdisfiguredanddifficulttorecognize,certaintermsorrootswhichapproachmorenearlytoSanscritthananyactuallanguageofIndia,andthemeaningofwhichoftenverywellcorrespondswiththesituationsinwhichthesewordshavebeenuttered.Iproceedtogivesomeexamplesofthem:

1. Thetwowords,atieyaganapatinama,whichinauguratedtheHindoolanguageonthe6thofMarch,1895(see),andwhichwereinvestedatthatmoment,inthemouthofSimandini,withtheevidentmeaningofaformulaofsalutationorofbenediction,addressedtoherlatehusband,inopportunelyreturned,werearticulatedinamannersoimpressiveandsosolemnthattheirpronunciationleavesscarcelyanyroomfordoubt.

Itisallthemoreinterestingtoascertaintheaccordofmyscientistcorrespondentsuponthevalueofthesetwowords;thefirstrecallstothemnothingpreciseorapplicabletothesituation,butthesecondisaflatteringandveryappropriateallusiontothedivinityoftheHindooPantheon,whichismoreactivelyinterestingtotheprofessionalworld.

M.P.Oltramare,towhomIsentthesewords,withoutsayinganythingastotheirsource,replied:"Thereisnothingmoresimplethanthewordganapatinama;itmeans,'whobearsthenameofGanapati,'whichisthesameasGanesa....Astoatieya,thatwordhasnotaHindooappearance;itmightperhapsbeatreya,which,itseems,servesasadesignationforwomenwhohavesufferedanabortion,anexplicationwhich,however,Idonotguarantee.[Inordertoaffirmmoreconcerningthesewords,itwouldbenecessarytoknow]whethertheyarereallySanscrit,sinceiftheybelongtothevulgarlanguages,Iexcusemyselfabsolutely."

M.Glardon,whoismorefamiliarwiththevulgarlanguagesandspeaksHindustanifluently,didnothinttomeofanyothermeaningforatieyaandsawalsointheotherword"anepithetofhonor,literally,'namedGanapati,'familiar

nameofthegodGanesa."

M.deSaussurealsofoundnomeaningwhateverforthefirstterm,inwhichheinclinesnowtoseeanarbitrarycreationoftheMartianorder,andheremarkedthatinthesecond,"thetwowords,Ganapati,well-knowndivinity,andnama,name,areconstructedtogether,insomeinexplicablemanner,butnotnecessarilyfalse.Itisquitecurious,"addshe,"thatthisfragment,whichismixedupwiththenameofagod,maybeproperlypronouncedwithakindofsolemnemphasisandagestureofreligiousbenediction.Thisdenotes,indeed,anintelligentandintentionaluse."

Accordingtothisfirstbriefspecimen,therefore,Helene'sHindooappearstobeamixtureofimprovisedarticulationsandofveritableSanscritwordsadaptedtothesituation.Laterspecimensonlyservetocorroboratethisimpression.

1. ThenextoutbreakofHindootookplacefivemonthslater(September15,1895),inthemidstofaverylongOrientalseance,inwhichIonlyrefertopointsespeciallyinterestingtous--towit,Helene'ssupposedSanscrit,theFrenchinterpretationwhich

[paragraphcontinues]Leopoldgaveofit,andthecuriousevidencesofagreementofthesetwotexts.

Inonetenderscene,withsighsandtears,inconnectionwithSivrouka,Heleneutteredinanexceedinglysweetvoicethefollowingwords:oumamapriva(orprira,priya)--mamaradisivou--mamasadiousivrouka--apatavavasignadamasa--simiadamasabagdasivrouka.Duringthevariousphaseswhichprecedetheawaking,IaskLeopoldthemeaningofthesewords.Heatfirstrefusedtogiveit,saying,"Finditoutyourself";then,asIinsist,"Iwouldhavepreferredthatyoufounditoutyourself."IbeghimtogiveatleastthecorrectspellingofanOrientaltextfurnishedusinsouncertainamanner,buthedisappeared,sayinghewasignorantofSanscrit.Bymeansoflaterquestionswhichheanswersby"yes"and"no,"itisdiscoveredthattheyarewordsoflovefromSimandinitoherhusband,whowasabouttoleaveherforavoyagetohisprincipality.Thensuddenly,astheawakingseemstobeapproaching,Leopoldmovestheindex-fingerfeverishly,andcommencestodictateimpatiently:"Hasten[tospell]...Mygood,myexcellent,mydearlylovedSivrouka,withouttheewheretofindhappiness?"HisanswerstoourquestionsleadustounderstandthatthisisthesubstantialmeaningofalltheSanscritspokenthat

evening(andgivenabove),thatitisnothe,Leopold,whospeaksthislanguagetoHelene,becausehedoesnotunderstandit,butthatitisindeedhewhogivesustheFrenchequivalentforit,notbyaliteraltranslationofthewordsthemselves,sincehedoesnotunderstandthem,butbyinterpretingtheinmostfeelingsofMlle.Smith,withwhichheisperfectlyfamiliar.ShortlyafterwardsHeleneawakeswithoutrecollection.

AccordingtoM.deSaussuretherearecertainlyinthistextsomeSanscritfragmentsansweringmoreorlesstotheinterpretationofLeopold.Themostcleararemamapriya,whichsignifiesmydear,mydearlyloved,andmamasadiou(correctedtosadho),mygood,myexcellent.Therestofthephraseislesssatisfactoryinitspresentcondition;tavacouldwellbeofthee,butapatavaisapurebarbarism,ifitisintendedforfarfromthee.Inthesamewaythesyllablebaginbagdaseemstomean,independentlyofthetranslationofLeopold,bhaga,happiness,butissurroundedbyincomprehensiblesyllables.

1. Inasubsequentseance(December1,1895),HelenegaveherselfuptoavariedseriesofsomnambulisticpantomimesrepresentingscenesinthelifeofSimandini,whichwerethoughttobelocatedatMangalore,andinthecourseofwhichseveralHindoowordsescapedher,ofwhich,unhappily,nointerpretationcouldbeobtainedfromLeopold.Buthereagain,ifoneisnottoodifficulttosatisfy,ameaningmoreorlessadaptedtothepantomimeisfinallydiscovered.

Inthemidstofaplayfulscenewithherlittlemonkey,Mitidja,shetellshiminhersweetestandmostharmonioustones(A),mamakanasour(orsourde)mitidya...kanamitidya(ter).Later,answeringherimaginaryprince,who,accordingtoLeopold,hasjustgivenherasevereadmonition(thereasonforwhichisnotknown),andtowhichshelistenedwithanairofforcedsubmission,and,almostsneeringly,shetellshim(B),adapratitavasivrouka....nosimyosinonyedo...onyediosivrouka.Returningtoabetterfeelingandleaningtowardshim,shemurmurswithacharmingsmile(C)mamaplia...mamanaximi(ornaxmi)sivrouka...aolaos,misivrouka.

Inthefragment(A),onemaysupposethemamakanatobeatermofaffection,takingthekanatobeequivalenttotheSanscritkanta,"beloved,"orkanistha,"darling,"unlessitbetranslated,asM.Glardondoes,kana(correctedtokhana)mitidyatoeatforMitidja.

Inthephrase(B),accordingtoM.deSaussure,"thelastwordsmight,withsomeshowofreason,makeusthinkofthewordanyediuh,thefollowingday,or,anotherday,repeatedtwice;and,ontheotherhand,thefirstwordmightbetransformedintoadya-prabhrti,startingfromto-day;which,combinedwithothersyllables,themselvesconventionallytriturated,mightgivesomethinglike:adya-pra-bhrtitava,sivruka.yoshin...naanyediuh,anyediuh:fromto-day,ofthee,Sivrouka,thatIam...wife...notanotherday,anotherday--which,besides(ifithasanymeaningatall,)hasscarcelyanyconnectionwiththescene."

Inthephrase(C)thewordsmamapliaevidentlymeanthesameasthewordsabove,mamapriya,mybeloved;naxmimightbelakshmi,beautyandfortune;andthelastwordsmightcontainasmi,Iam.

While,therefore,recognizingsomewordsofpureSanscrit,thewholeappearanceofthesefirsttextspresents,ontheotherhand,certainmattersquitesuspicious,fromthepointofviewofconstruction,oftheorderofthewords,andpossiblyalsothecorrectnessoftheforms.

"E.g.,"observesM.deSaussure,"IdonotrememberthatonecansayinSanscrit,'mySivrouka,'nor'mydearSivrouka.'Onecanwellsaymamapriya,mywellbeloved,substantively;butmamapriyaSivrukaisquiteanotherthing:butitismydearSivroukawhichoccursmostfrequently.Itistrue,"addsmylearnedcolleague,"thatnothingcanbeaffirmedabsolutely,especiallyconcerningcertainepochsatwhichmuchbadSanscritwasmadeinIndia.Theresourcealwaysremainstousofassumingthat,sincetheeleventhwifeofSivroukawasachildofArabia,shehadnothadtimetolearntoexpressherselfwithouterrorintheidiomofherlordandmaster,uptothemomentatwhichthefuneralpileputanendtoherbriefexistence."

Themisfortuneis,inassumingbyhypothesisthepointofviewoftheromance,oneexposeshimselftoanotherdifficulty."Themostsurprisingthing,"remarksM.deSaussure,"isthatMme.SimandinispokeSanscrit,andnotPracrit(theconnectionofthefirstwiththesecondisthesameasthatbetweenLatinandFrench,theonespringingfromtheother,buttheoneisthelanguageinwhichthesavantswrite,whiletheotheristhespokenlanguage).

[paragraphcontinues]WhileintheHindoodramathekings,thebrahmins,andthepersonagesofhighdegreeareobservedhabituallytouseSanscrit,itis

questionableifsuchwasconstantlythecaseinreallife.But,underallcircumstances,allthewomen,eveninthedrama,speakPracrit.Akingaddresseshiswifeinthenoblelanguage(Sanscrit);sheanswershimalwaysinthevulgarlanguage.ButtheidiomofSimandini,eventhoughitbeaSanscritveryhardtorecognize,isnotinanycasethePracrit."

ThenumerousHindoospeechesofMlle.Smithduringtheselatteryearsgiverisetocertainanalogousobservations,anddonotthrowanynewlightontheirorigin.Ishallconfinemyselftoafewexamples,whichIhavechosenlessforthesakeoftheSanscritoidtextsthemselves,whicharealsoalwaysdefectiveanddistorted,thanforthereasonthatthevariedcircumstancesinwhichtheyhavebeenproducedaffordacertainpsychologicalinterest.

1. SceneofChiromancy.InthecourseofalongArabseance,thenHindoo(February2,1896),Helenekneltdownbythesideofmychair,and,takingmeforSivrouka,seizedandexaminedmyhand,allthewhilecarryingonaconversationinaforeignlanguage(withoutseemingtonoticemyactualwords).Itseemsthatthisconversationcontainedsomeexpressionofanxietyinregardtomyhealth,whichhadinspiredseveralsomnambulismsofMlle.Smithduringtheprecedingmonths(anexamplewillbefoundonpp.-).

Atthesametimeatwhichsheattentivelyexaminesthelinesofmyhand,shepronouncesthefollowingfragmentarysentences,separatedbysilencescorrespondingtothehallucinatoryrepliesofSivrouka:"Priyasivrouka...no[signifyingNo,accordingtoLeopold]...tvandastroumsivrouka...itiamiadiapriya...itiamisivraadia...yatou...napiadia...no...mamasouka,mamabagasivrouka...yatou."Besidessivra,which,Leopoldsays,isanaffectionatenameforSivrouka,wecandivineinthistextothertermsofaffection:priya,beloved;mamasoukha,mamabhaga,Oh,mydelight,oh,myhappiness!"M.Glardonalsocallsattentiontothewordtvandastroum,whichapproachestheHindustanitandarast(ortandurust),"whoisingoodhealth"--tandurusti,"health,"comingfromthetwowordstan,"physicalcondition,"anddurust,"good,true,"ofPersianorigin.Butheaddsthatitispossiblyonlyacoincidence,andseemstomedoubtfulwhetherhewouldhavethoughtoftheconnectionifitwerenotfoundinasceneofchiromancy.

1. TheHindoocycle,liketheothers,makesnumerousirruptionsintotheordinarylifeofMlle.Smith,andaffectsherpersonalityinmostvaried

degrees,fromthesimplewakingvisionofOrientallandscapesorpeopleuptothetotalincarnationsofSimandini,ofwhichHelenepreservesnomemorywhatever.Onefrequentformofthesespontaneousautomatismsconsistsincertainmixedstates,inwhichsheperceivespersonageswhoseemtoherobjectiveandindependent,whilecontinuingtohavethefeelingofasubjectiveimplicationoridentificationinregardtothem,theimpressionofanindefinabletuaresagitur.IttheneasilyhappensthattheconversationsshehaswiththemareamixtureofFrenchandaforeignlanguagewhichsheiswhollyignorantof,thoughfeelingthemeaningofit.Thefollowingisanexample:

March1,1898.--Betweenfiveandsixinthemorning,whilestillinbedbutwideawake,assheaffirms,Helenehad"asuperbHindoovision."Magnificentpalace,withahugestaircaseofwhitestone,leadingtosplendidhallsfurnishedwithlowdivanswithoutcushions,ofyellow,red,andmoreoftenofbluematerials.Inaboudoirawoman(Simandini)recliningandleaningnonchalantlyonherelbow;onhiskneesnearheramanwithblackcurlyhair,ofdarkcomplexion(Sivrouka),clothedinalarge,red,embroideredrobe,andspeakingaforeignlanguage,notMartian,whichHelenedidnotknow,butwhich,however,shehadthefeelingofcomprehendinginwardly,andwhichenabledhertowritesomesentencesofitinFrenchafterthevision.Whileshelistenedtothismanspeaking,shesawthelipsofthewomanopen,withouthearinganysoundcomefromhermouth,insuchawaythatshedidnotknowwhatshesaid,butHelenehadatthesametimetheimpressionofansweringinwardly,inthought,totheconversationoftheman,andshenotedhisreply.(Thismeans,psychologically,thatthewordsofSivroukagushedforthinauditiveimagesorhallucinations,andtheanswersofSimandini-Heleneinpsychomotor-spokenimagesofarticulation,accompaniedbytheusualrepresentationofSimandinieffectuatingthecorrespondinglabialmovements.)HereisafragmentofconversationnotedbyHeleneinpencilattheoutsetofthevision,inherordinaryhandwriting,butveryirregular,attestingthatshehadnotyetentirelyregainedhernormalstate.

(Sivrouka.)"Mynightswithoutrepose,myeyesredwithtears,Simandini,willnotthesetouchatlastthyattamana?Shallthisdayendwithoutpardon,withoutlove?"(Simandini.)"Sivrouka,no,thedayshallnotendwithoutpardon,withoutlove;thesuminahasnotbeenlaunchedfarfromme,asthouhastsupposed;itisthere--dostthousee?"(Sivrouka.)"Simandini,mysoucca,maccannabaguea--pardonmeagain,always!"

Thislittlescrapofconversation,itmayberemarkedinpassing,givesquitecorrectlytheemotionalnote,whichisstrongthroughoutthewholelengthoftheHindoodreamintherelationshipofitstwochiefpersonages.AstotheSanscritoidwordswhicharetheremingledwiththeFrench,theyhavenotanequalvalue."Sumina,"saysM.deSaussure,"recallsnothing.Attamana,atmostatmanam(accusativeofatma),l'ame,'thesoul';butIhastentosaythatinthecontextinwhichattamanafiguresonecouldnotmakeuseoftheSanscritwordwhichresemblesit,andwhichatbottomonlysignifies(ame)'soul'inphilosophicallanguage,andinthesenseof'l'ameuniverselle,'orotherlearnedmeanings."

1. TheapparitionofisolatedHindoowords,orwordsincorporatedinanon-Hindoocontext,isnotveryrarewithHelene,andisproducedsometimesinauditivehallucinations,sometimesinherwritings(see,e.g.,,);sometimes,again,inthecourseofwordsutteredinhemisomnambulismmoreorlessmarked.ThelistwhichhasbeencollectedofthesedetachedtermsshowsthesamemixtureofpureSanscritandunknownwords,whichcanonlybeconnectedwiththatlanguagebysometransformationsoarbitraryorforcedastodestroyaltogetherthevalueofsuchcomparison.

Tothissecondcategorybelong,forexample,gava,vindamini,jotisse,alsospelledbyMlle.Smith.Theseterms,ofwhosesignificationsheisabsolutelyignorant,struckherearinthecourseofaHindoovisionwhichoccurredinthemorningwhenshefirstawoke.ThelastofthesewordsrecallstoM.deSaussuretheSanscritjyotis,"aconstellation";butthenhewouldpronounceitdjiotisse,whichhardlycorrespondstothemannerinwhichHeleneheardandwroteit.TheremustbeaddedtotheseexamplescertainHindoowordswhichhavemadeirruptionsintosomeMartiantexts.

TheseareAdel,apropername,andyestad,"unknown,"in[text13];and(in[text31])vadasa,which,accordingtotherestofthesentence,seemstodesignatesomedivinitiesorsomepowers,andinwhichMM.deSaussureandGlardonsuspectamangledreminiscenceoftheSanscrittermdeva-dasa,"slaveofthegods."

1. TocrownthesespecimensoftheSanscritofHelene,letusciteher"Hindoochant,"whichhasmadehalfadozenappearancesinthelasttwoyears,andofwhichLeopolddeigned,onasingleoccasion,tooutlinethetranslation.

TheutterancesconsistessentiallyoftheSanscritwordgaya"chant,"repeatedtosatiety,withhereandtheresomeotherterms,badlyarticulatedandofferingdiscouragingvariationsinthenotestakenbythedifferenthearers.Iwillconfinemyselftotwoversions.

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Fig.36.ModulationofaHindoosong.ThefinalGofthethreevariationswasheldwithperfectsteadinessduringfourteenseconds.TheseriesAwasoftendoubledandtrebledbeforethecontinuation.

OneofthemisbyHeleneherself.Inaspontaneousvision(May18,1898,inthemorning,uponawaking),sheperceivedaman,richlydressedinyellowandblue(Sivrouka),reclininguponbeautifulcushionsnearafountainsurroundedbypalm-trees;abrunettewoman(Simandini)seatsherselfonthegrass,singstohiminastrangelanguagearavishingmelody.Helenegathersthefollowingfragmentsofitinwriting,inwhichmayberecognizedthedisfiguredtextofherordinarysong,"Gahaiavahaiyami...vasseniata...pattissaiapriaia."

TheotherversionisthatofM.deSaussure,verymuchbetterqualifiedthanwearetodistinguishtheHindoosounds.HewasquitenearHelene,whosangseatedupontheground,whosevoiceforthemomentarticulatedsobadlythatseveralwordsescapedhim,andhedoesnotvouchfortheaccuracyofhistext,whichisasfollows,ashewroteittothemeasure:"Gayagayanaiaiamiyagayabriti...gayavayayanipritiyakriyagayaniigayamamatuagayamamanaramamapatiisigayagandaryogayaityamivasanta...gayagayayamigayapritigayapriyagayapatisi...."

ItwastowardstheendofthissameseancethatLeopold,undoubtedlywiththeideaofdoinghonortothedistinguishedpresenceofM.deSaussure,decided,afterasceneofMartiantranslation([*text14],byEsenale),togiveus,inHelene'svoice,hisinterpretationoftheHindoochant,whichfollows,verbatim,withitsmixtureofSanscritwords:"Sing,bird,letussing!Gaya!Adel,Sivrouka,singofthespring-time!DayandnightIamhappy!Letussing!Spring-timebird,happiness!ityamimamanarapriti,letussing!letuslove!myking!Miousa,Adel!"

IncomparingthesetranslationsoftheHindootext,certainpointsofresemblancearediscoveredbetweenthem.Outsidethetwoperfectlycorrectwords,gaya,

song,andvasanta,spring-time,theideaof"letuslove"isdiscoveredinpritiandbriti(Sanscritpriti,theactofloving),andanapproximateequivalentof"myking"inmamapatii,recallingtheSanscritmamapate,"myhusband,mymaster."

Itis,unfortunately,hardlypossibletocarrytheidentificationfurther,exceptperhapsforbird,which,withsomeshowofreason,mightbesuspectedinvayayani,vaguelyrecallingvayasan(accusativepluralofvayasabird).

Astothemelodyofthisplaintiveditty,M.Aug.deMorsier,whohearditattheseanceofthe4thofSeptember,1898,haskindlynoteditasexactlyaspossible(see).

TheprecedingexamplessufficetogiveanideaofHelene'sHindoo,anditistimetoconclude.

Itapparentlydoesnotbelongtoanyactuallyexistingdialect.M.GlardondeclaresthatitisneitherancientnormodernHindustani,and,afterhavingputforthatthebeginning,bywayofsimplehypothesis,theideathatitmightbeTamil,orMahratta,henowseesinitamelangeofrealterms,probablySanscritandinventedwords.M.Michel,likewise,isoftheopinionthatthegrotesquejargonofSimandinicontainsfragmentsofSanscritquitewelladaptedtothesituation.Allmycorrespondentsare,onthewhole,ofexactlythesameview,andIcouldnotbettersumuptheiropinionthanbyquotingthewordsofM.deSaussure:

"AstothequestionofascertainingwhetherallthisreallyrepresentsSanscrit,itisevidentlynecessarytoanswer,No.Onecanonlysay:

"First:Thatitisamedleyofsyllables,inthemidstofwhichthereare,incontestably,someseriesofeighttotensyllables,constitutingafragmentofasentencewhichhasameaning(especiallyexclamatoryphrases--e.g.,mamapriya,monbien-aime("mywell-beloved");mamasoukha,mesdelices("mydelight").

"Secondly:Thattheothersyllables,ofunintelligibleaspect,neverhaveananti-Sanscritcharacter--i.e.,donotpresentgroupsmateriallycontraryorinoppositiontothegeneralfigureoftheSanscritwords.

"Thirdlyandfinally:Thatthevalueofthislatterobservationis,ontheother

hand,quiteconsiderablydiminishedbythefactthatMlle.Smithseldomlaunchesoutintocomplicatedformsofsyllables,andgreatlyaffectsthevowela;butSanscritisalanguageinwhichtheproportionofthea'stotheothervowelsisalmostfourtoone,sothatinutteringthreeorfoursyllablesina,onecouldhardlyavoidvaguelyencounteringaSanscritword."

ItfollowsfromthislastremarkofM.deSaussurethatitoughtnottobeverydifficulttofabricateSanscritafterthemodeofSimandini,ifonlyoneispossessedofsomeveritableelementswhichcanserveasamodelandgivetonetotheremainder.Andthereisnoneedtoknowverymuchofit,either,asM.Barthremarks:

"HasMlle.SmithbeenincommunicationwithanypersonfromwhomshecouldhavetakensomescrapsofSanscritandofhistory?Thatwouldsuffice,inthiscase,fortheoriginalgerm,eventhoughitwerebutslight.Imaginationwoulddotherest.Childrenareveryfrequentlyonomatopoioi."

Butitis,naturally,Mlle.Smithherselfwhofurnishesus,inherownMartian,thefactmostlikelytothrowlightuponherHindoo.Itevidentlyisnotdifficultforasubconsciousactivitycapableofmanufacturingalanguageoutofwholeclothtomakeanotherbyimitationandbyspinningoutsomerealdata.Also,astothebeginningoftheMartian(ayearlater,aswehaveseen,tothatoftheHindoo),

[paragraphcontinues]M.deSaussuredoesnothesitatetomakethiscomparison,andexplains,e.g.,theinitialSanscritoidtext,thefamousphraseofbenediction,atieyaganapatinama,bythesameprocessoffabricationwhichshoneforthinthewordsofEsenaleorAstane.

IamnotconvincedthatthegeneralprocessofreplacingwordforwordtheFrenchtermsbytermsofOrientalaspect,whichiscertainlytheprocessemployedinthefabricationoftheMartian,hasbeenmadeuseofinthecaseofHelene'sOrientalwords.Leopold,whohaslaidsomuchstressonprocuringusaquasi-magicalmeansofobtainingtheliteraltranslationoftheMartian,hasnevercondescendedtodothesamethingfortheHindoo,buthasconfinedhimselftooutliningforussomefreeandvagueinterpretations,whichscarcelyaddanythingtothatwhichthepantomimepermitsustodivine.ThisleadsustothinkthatanentireprecisetranslationoftheHindooisimpossible--inotherterms,thatHelenedoesnotfabricateherpseudo-SanscritbyfollowingstepbystepaFrenchplot,andbymaintaininginherneologismsthemeaningwhichhasbeenonce

adopted,butthatsheimprovisesandleavestheresulttochance,withoutreflection(withtheexceptionofsomewordsoftrueSanscrit,themeaningofwhichsheknowsandwhichsheappliesintelligentlytothesituation).

Itisnot,then,totheMartiantextsproper,inmyopinion,thatwemustcompareHelene'sHindoo,buttothatpseudo-Martianjargonspokenwithvolubilityincertainseances,andwhichhaveneverbeennotedwithcertaintynortranslatedbyEsenale.

Itisunderstood,too,thatwhileHelene'ssubliminalselfcansafelygiveitselfuptothecreationofadefinitelanguageinthefreedomwhichtheplanetMarsaffords,wherethereisnopre-existingsystemtobeconformedtonoranyobjectivecontroltofear,itwouldbeveryimprudentandabsurdtorepeattheprocessinconnectionwithIndia:thefewwordsofpureSanscritwhichwereatitsdisposalkeptitfrominventingothers,thefalsenessofwhichwouldbeevidentatthefirstattemptataliteralandverbatimtranslation.It,therefore,contenteditselfwiththeseveridicalelements,insufficientinthemselvesalonefortheconstructionofcompletesentences,beingajargondevoidofmeaning,butinharmonythroughtheirdominantvowelswiththeauthenticfragments.

NowhowcouldtheseauthenticfragmentshavecomeintothepossessionofMlle.Smith,whohasnorecollectionwhatever(norhasherfamily)ofeverhavingstudiedSanscrit,orofhavingeverbeenincommunicationwithOrientalscholars?Thisistheproblemwhichmyresearcheshaveencounteredhitherto,andasasolutionofwhichIcanthinkofnothingmorelikelythanthatofafortunatechance,analogoustothatwhichenabledmetodiscoverthepassageofDeMarles.Iam,forthetimebeing,reducedtovagueconjecturesastotheextentofMlle.Smith'slatentknowledgeofSanscrit,andtheprobablenatureofitsmannerofacquisition.

IhadlongthoughtthatHelenemighthaveabsorbedherHindooprincipallybyauditivemeans,andthatshehad,perhaps,inherinfancylivedinthesamehousewithsomeIndianstudent,whomshehadheard,acrossthestreetorthroughanopenwindow,speakingaloudSanscrittextswiththeirFrenchtranslation.Thestoryoftheyoungdomesticwithouteducationiswellknown,who,seizedwithafever,spokebothGreekandHebrew,whichhadbeenstoredupinhermind,unknowntoher,whileshewasintheserviceofaGermansavant.Senoneveroebentrovato.InspiteofthejustcriticismsofMr.Lang,aproposofitspoorlyestablishedauthenticity,thisstandardanecdotemaybeconsideredasatypeof

manyotherfactsofthesamekindwhichhavesincebeenactuallyobserved,andasasalutarywarningtodistrustsubconsciousmemoriesofauditiveorigin.ButIndianscholarsarerareinGeneva,andthistrailhasyieldedmenothing.

IamreallyinclinedtoadmittheexclusivelyvisualoriginofHelene'sSanscrit.First,itisnotnecessaryforhertohaveheardthatidiom.ReadingoftextsprintedinFrenchcharacterscoincidesverywellwithapronunciationsoconfusedandbadlyarticulatedashers;and,further,italonecanaccountforcertaininexplicableerrorsofpronunciationifMlle.Smithhadacquiredthatlanguagebyear.

ThemostcharacteristicofhererrorsisthepresenceinHindoooftheFrenchsoundu,whichdoesnotexistinSanscrit,butisnaturallysuggestedbyreadingifithasnotbeenpreviouslyascertainedthatthatletterispronouncedouintheSanscritwordsinwhichitappears.

Otherobservationsmilitateinfavorofthesamesupposition.NeverintheseanceshasSimandini

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Fig.37.Fragment.FinalsentenceofaletterofMlle.Smith,finished(orratherremainingunfinished),duringtheirruptionofaspontaneousaccessofHindoosomnambulism.Noteforeignwords,boulboul(Persiannamefornightingale),Kana(HindooslaveofSimandini),andradyiva(Sanscritnameforbluelotus);alsotheSanscritlettersa,e,i,d,r,takingtheplaceoftheFrenchinitials.Notealsothechangeofformofthet's.venturedtowriteSanscrit,anditisinFrenchlettersthathernamewasgiven(see).

Still,Helenesubconsciouslypossessesapart,atleast,oftheDevanagarialphabet,sincesometimescertaincharactersbelongingtoitslipintohernormalwriting.ButitistobenotedthatherknowledgeofthiskinddoesnotseeminanywaytogobeyondthatwhichmighthaveresultedfromarapidglanceataSanscritgrammar.

Incertaincasesthisirruptionofforeignsigns(altogetheranalogoustothatwhichhasbeenseeninthecaseoftheMartian)isconnectedwithanaccessofspontaneoussomnambulismandmakespartofawholetroopofimagesandofOrientalterms.

Aninterestingexampleisfoundin,whichreproducestheendofaletterwhichHelenewrotemefromthecountry.Alltherestofthissix-pageletterisperfectlynormal,bothastohandwritingandcontent,butsuddenly,tiredbyhereffortofprolongedattention,shebeginstospeakofherhealth,sleepovercomesher,andthelastlinesshowtheinvasionoftheOrientaldream.

Kana,theslave,withhistamebirds,andthebrilliantplantsofthetropics,substitutethemselveslittlebylittlefortheactualroom.Theletterreachedmeunfinishedandwithoutsignature,asisshownin;Helenecloseditmechanicallyduringhersomnambulism,withoutknowledgeofthisunusualtermination,atwhichshewassurprisedandannoyedwhenIshowedittoherlater.

ExaminationandcomparisonofallthesegraphomotorautomatismsshowthatthereareinHelene'ssubconsciousnesssomepositivenotions,albeitsuperficialandrudimentary,oftheSanscritalphabet.Sheknowstheexactformofmanyisolatedcharacters,andtheirgeneralvalue,intheabstract,asitwere,butshedoesnotseemtohaveanyideaoftheirconcreteuseinconnectionwithotherletters.

Inaword,thesefragmentsofgraphicautomatismsbetrayaknowledgeofHindoowritingsuchasacuriousmindmightbeabletoacquirebyperusingforsomemomentsthefirsttwoorthreepagesofaSanscritgrammar.Itwouldretaincertaindetachedforms;first,theaandthee,which,strikingtheeyeatthecommencementofthetwofirstlines(containingthevowels,andusuallyseparatedfromthefollowinglinescontainingtheconsonants)ofthestandardarrangementoftheHindoolettersintengroups;thentheseriesofciphers,occupyingalinebythemselvesandeasytoretain;finally,someothersimplesignsgleanedathazard;buttherewillprobablynotberetainedanyofthetoocomplicatedfiguresresultingfromtheunionofseveralcharactersinordertoformwords.ThissupposedgenesisentirelycorrespondswiththeextentofthenotionsastoSanscritwritingofwhichMlle.Smith'ssubconsciousnessgivesevidence.

Itwillsufficeinsummingup,toaccountforMlle.Smith'sHindoolanguage,thatperhapsintheN.group,orinsomeotherspiritisticenvironmentofwhichIamignorant,someone,forthesakeofcuriosity,mayhaveshownherandallowedhertoglanceoveraSanscritgrammarorlexicon,immediatelyafteraseance,duringthatstateofsuggestibilityin

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Fig.38.ExamplesofSanscritcharacters,automaticallysubstitutedforFrenchwordsandciphers,inwordsandfiguresappearinginthenormalwritingsofMlle.Smith(lame,rubis,166,plis,2865,154).Naturalsize.whichtheexteriorsuggestionsareregisteredverystronglyinhercase,oftenwithoutleavingtracesinherconsciousmemory.ThefactwillalsobeexplainedthatHelenehasnomemorywhateverofit,isabsolutelyconvincedthatsheneversaworheardtheleastfragmentofSanscritoranyotherOrientallanguage.

IoughtalsotoaddthattheinformationwhichIhaveuptothepresenttimebeenabletogatherhasfurnishedmewithnopositiveindicationofthetruthofmysupposition,while,ontheotherhand,ithasnottendedtoestablishitsfalsity.

V.THESOURCESOFTHEHINDOODREAM

ThisparagraphwillhavenomeaningwhateverforthosewhoholdtheOrientalcycletobeinrealitythereappearanceinMlle.Smith'ssomnambulisticstates,ofmemoriesbelongingtoananteriorexistenceinwhichshewasanAsiaticprincess,andImyselfnaikofTchandraguiri,ProfessorSeippel,anArabslave,etc.

Ishallconfinemyselfinthiscasetoanexpressionofregretthatthechancewhichhasunitedusafresh,afterfivecenturiesofseparation,didnotleaveusinthemidstofthosetropicalsplendorsinsteadoftransportingustothebanksoftheRhonejustwherethefogisdensestinwinter.Itisaseverepunishmentforourpastmisdeeds.ButwhenonepusheshisskepticismsofarasonlytoseeintheentireHindoodreamafantasticproductelaboratedoutofcertainscatteredfacts,asIhavedoneintheprecedingparagraphs,oneislikewisepunishedforhiswantoffaithbytheobscureproblemswhicharemetwithonthesubjectofthesourcesofthisdream.IwouldsayalsothatitisdifficulttounderstandwhythehypnoidimaginationofMlle.Smithgaveitselfuptosuchpranks,anddistributedasitdidtherolesofthiscomedy.

Itiseasytounderstandhowanaturegiventosubconsciousreveries,andsuchasIhavedescribedinthefirstchaptersofthisbook,hastakenpleasureinthefictionofthetragicdestinyofSimandini,andalsothatshefeltspeciallyattractedtowardsthecareerofMarieAntoinette.

ButM.Seippel,whomIquotedabove,hasnothingabouthimoftheArab,and

stilllessoftheslave,neitherinoutwardappearancenorincharacter;andastomyself,letussayhere,M.F.--ifImaybepermittedtosubstituteharmlessinitialsforthealwaysodious"I"--asforM.F.,thereisgenerallytobemetwithinhim,undersomediffidence,acertainmildnessofmanneranddispositionwhichwouldscarcelyseemtopredestinatehimtotheenergeticandwildroleofaviolent,whimsical,capricious,andjealousOrientaldespot.

AstothepsychologicaloriginsoftheHindoodream--considerednotsomuchinitsOrientaldecoration,butinitsessentialnote,whichistherelationofSimandinitoSivrouka(thepretendedanteriorityofM.F.)--twohypothesescanbeframed,betweenwhichitisdifficulttochoose.

First.FromthepointofviewofpsychopathologyIshouldbetemptedtocausethisentiresomnambulisticromancetobeincludedinthatwhichFreudcallsAbwehrpsychosen,resultingfromasortofwhichfreesthenormalselffromanaffectiveideaincompatiblewithit;whichidearevengesitselfbyoccasioningverydiverseperturbations,accordingtothesubjects,fromdisordersofinnervation,comingtodisturbthedailylife(hysteriabysomaticconversionoftheaffectivecoefficientoftherepulsedidea),uptothecaseinwhichtheselfonlyescapestheintolerablecontradictionbetweenthegivenrealityandtheideawhichbesetsitbyplungingitselfentirelyintothelatter(mentalhallucinatoryconfusion,delirium,etc.).

Betweenthesevariedresultsmaybefoundthatinwhichtheideaexcludedfromtheconsciousnessbecomesthegermofhypnoiddevelopments,thepointofdepartureofasecondaryconsciousnessunknowntotheordinarypersonality,thecentreofasomnambulisticlifeinwhichthetendencieswhichthenormalselfhasdrivenfarawayfromitmaytakerefugeandgivethemselvesfreeplay.

Thisis,perhaps,thehappiestsolution,fromapracticalandsocialpointofview,sinceitleavestheindividualinastateofperfectequilibriumandfreefromnervoustroubles,outsideoftheverylimitedmomentsinwhichtheunderlyingprocessesbreakoutinaccessesofsomnambulism.

SuchmaybethecaseoftheHindoodreamandtheoriginoftheattributingoftheroleofSivroukatoM.F.Nothing,assuredly,inthenormallifeorbeingofMlle.Smithwouldcausethesuspicionthatshehadeverconsciouslyfelttowardsthelattertheabsurdsentimentswhichgoodsensewouldhavecondemnedinadvance;butdivershintsofhersubliminallife,independentlyoftheHindoo

cycleitself(certaindreams,etc.),havesometimesseemedtobetrayalatentconflict,whichthesaneandreasonableselfwouldhavequicklygottenridofbythebanishmentfromtheordinarypersonalityoftheaffectiveidea,inadmissibleinthegivenconditionsofreality.Hence,withatemperamentaccustomedtomediumisticdoublingofpersonalityandimbuedwithspiritisticdoctrines,thebirthanddevelopment,underneaththelevelofthenormalconsciousness,ofthisromanceofaformerexistence,inwhichemotionaltendenciesincompatiblewiththepresentlifehavefoundonoccasionasortoftheoreticjustificationandafreefieldforexpansion.

Secondly:Itmayalsobepresumed,andIprefertoadmit,thatthesentimentsofSimandinitowardsherfictitiousrajah,farfrombeingthereflectionandsomnambulictranspositionofanimpressionreallyfeltbyMlle.Smithinregardtosomeonerealanddetermined,areonlyafantasticcreation--likethepassionwithwhichjuvenileimaginationsaresometimesinflamedforanidealandabstracttypewhileawaitingthemeetingwithaconcreterealizationmoreorlesslikeit--andthattheassimilationofSivroukatoM.F.isonlyacoincidenceduetothesimplechanceofMlle.SmithhavingmadetheacquaintanceofM.F.atthetimewhentheHindoodreamwasabouttobegin.TwopointsstrengthenthishypothesisofacontingentandsuperficialconfusionbetweenM.F.andSivrouka.First,theHindoodreamwasevidentlybegunbyacharacteristicvisioninwhichSimandiniappeared,almosttwomonthsbeforetheadmissionofM.F.totheseances(seepp.-).InsteadofsupposingthatthesubconsciousnessofMlle.Smithforesawalreadytheprobablearrivalofthisnewspectator,andreservedforhiminadvancealeadingroleintheromanceofformerexistencewhichshewasinprocessofelaborating(whichisnotaltogetherimpossible,itistrue),ithardlyseemsasthoughM.F.couldhavestoodforanythinginthedream-personageofSivrouka.Inthesecondplace,itisonlyinthelightsomnambulismsandhermixedorcrepuscularstatesthatMlle.SmithhappenstotakeM.F.fortheHindooprinceandtoseatherselfathisfeetinattitudesoftendernessandabandon(withoutotherwiseeverdepartingfromtheboundsofperfectpropriety);assoonasthetrancebecomesprofoundandtheHindoosomnambulismcomplete,M.F.ceasestoexistforher,aswellastheotherspresent,andshethenisconcernedonlywithanabsolutelyhallucinatorySivrouka.ThisistheplacetostatethatHelenehasneverpresentedanyphenomenonsimilarto--farfromit--certaincasesinwhichhavebeenseentheawakeninginthehypnoticsubjectofgrossandmoreorlessbestialtendencies,forwhichthesubjectswouldhaveblushedintheirwakingstate.ThereisnothingofthatnatureinMlle.Smith.Somnambulismdoesnotdetractinanywayfrom

theelevationofhermoralsense.Thesameistrueofherdeepesttrancesorwhenshe"incarnates"personagesverydifferentfromherordinarycharacter--sheneverdepartsfromthatrealdignitywhichisatraitofhernormalpersonality.

Tosumup--thehypothesisofapurelyaccidentalidentification,akindofassociationbysimplecontiguitybetweentheHindooprinceandM.F.,seemstome,onthewhole,themostnatural.Itreleasesthelatter,besides,fromallresponsibility(altogetherinvoluntary,however)forthesentimentssoprofound,sodisinterested,soworthyofalesstragicfate,whichtheimaginarypersonageofSivroukaNayakainspiresinthepoorPrincessSimandini.

Footnotes

^300:*DeMarles'GeneralHistoryofIndia,AncientandModern.fromtheYear2000B.C.toourOwnTimes.Pp.268-269.Paris,1828.

^302:*RobertSewell.ListsofAntiquarianRemainsinthePresidencyofMadras.Voli.p.238(1882.)CitationbyM.Barth.Ihavenotbeenabletoconsultthiswork.

^302:+Buchanan.AJourneyfromMadrasthroughtheCountriesofMysore,Canara,andMalabar,etc.3vols.4to.London,1807.

^302:++JamesRennell.DescriptionHistoriqueetGeographiquedel'Indostan.TranslatedfromtheEnglish.Paris,an.VIII.(5800).3vols.,8voandatlas4to.

^302:sectionDow.HistoryofHindustan.TranslatedfromthePersianofFerishta.London,1803.M.MichelsuggestsWilks'sHistoricalSketchesoftheSouthofIndia(London,1810)ashavingpossiblyservedasasourceofinformationforDeMarles.Ifsome[p.303]learnedreadermaydiscoveranytracesofSivroukaantecedenttoDeMarles,Ishallbeundergreatobligationtohimifhewillcommunicatetheinformationtome.

CHAPTERIX

THEROYALCYCLE

IFIwereobligedtogivethiscycleaplaceproportionedtothatwhichitoccupiesinthelifeofMlle.Smith,ahundredpageswouldnotsuffice.ButpermitmetopassrapidlyoverfactsconcerningwhichIshouldonlybeobligedtorepeatthe

greaterpartoftheobservationscalledforthbytheprecedingromances,whichapplyequallywell,mutatismutandis,tothepersonificationofMarieAntoinettebyHelene.

ThechoiceofthisroleisnaturallyexplainedbytheinnatetastesofMlle.Smithforeverythingthatisnoble,distinguished,elevatedabovethelevelofthecommonherd,andbythefactthatsomeexteriorcircumstancefixedherhypnoidattentionupontheillustriousqueenofFranceinpreferencetothemanyotherhistoricfiguresequallyqualifiedtoserveasapointofattachmentforhersubconsciousmegalomaniacreveries.

Indefaultofabsolutelycertaininformationonthispoint,IstronglysuspecttheengravingfromtheMemoirsofaPhysician,representingthedramaticsceneofthedecanterbetweenBalsamoandtheDauphiness,ofhavinggivenbirthtothisidentificationofHelenewithMarieAntoinette,aswellastothatofhersecondarypersonalityofLeopoldwithCagliostro.

Wehave,infact,seenthatthisengraving(pp.-),sowellcalculatedtoimpresstheimagination,wasshowntoMlle.SmithbyMme.B.attheendofaseance--thatis,atamomentwhenoneisneversurethatHelene'sreturntohernormalstateiscomplete,andinwhichherhypnoidpersonality,stillonalevelwithconsciousness,sotospeak,isverypronetoabsorbtheinterestingsuggestionswhichtheenvironmentmayfurnish.Itwasseveralmonths--ayearandaquarter,possibly--afterthisincident(theprecisedateofwhich,in1892or1893,itisimpossibletodetermine)thatannouncementwasmadebythetable,onthe30thofJanuary,1894,thatHelenewasthereincarnationofMarieAntoinette.ItistoberecollectedthatintheintervalshehadforsometimebelievedherselftobethereincarnationofLorenzaFeliciani;itis,however,tobenotedthatthesetwosuccessiveidentificationsdidnothavethesameguaranteeorpsychologicalsignification.Infact,itwasMlle.Smith,inthewakingstate--thatis,inhernormalpersonality--whoacceptedthesuppositionofMme.B.,thatshewasthereincarnationofLorenza;butthetable--i.e.,hersubconsciousness--alwaysremainedsilentonthispoint.Onthecontrary,theideaofhavingbeenMarieAntoinettedoesnotseemtohaveoccurredtoHelene'sordinaryconsciousnessuptothetimeatwhichLeopoldrevealedthissecretbythetable.Ifanyconclusionmaybedrawnfromthis,itisthat,underthemultiplesuggestionsoftheengravingfromDumas'worksandthesuppositionsofMme.B.,thehypnoidimaginationofMlle.SmithatfirstpreferredtotheroleofLorenzathatofMarieAntoinette,whichisundoubtedlymoreflatteringandmoreconformableto

Helene'stemperament,andthenelaboratedandmaturedit,veryslowly,itistrue,butnotexcessivelyso,incomparisonwithotherexamplesofsubliminalincubationsofMlle.Smith.

Fromthepointofviewofitspsychologicalformsofmanifestation,theRoyalcyclefromthattimefollowedanevolutionanalogoustothatofitscongenersdescribedintheprecedingchapters.Aftersomemonths,duringwhichitunfoldeditselfinvisionsdescribedbyHeleneandaccompaniedbytyptologicalexplanationsdictatedbythetable,thetrancebecamemoreprofound.Mlle.Smithbegantopersonatethequeeninpantomime,ofwhichLeopoldgavetheexactsignificationbydigitalindications.Speechwasaddedtheyearfollowing,atadatewhichIcannotfix,butthefirstoccasiononwhichIwasawitnesstoitwasonthe13thofOctober,1895.Handwritingonlymadeitsappearance,asfarasIamaware,twoyearslater(November1,1897,see),whentheroyalincarnationattaineditsapogeeandHelenewasinthehabitofretaininginmemorythesomnambulisticroleofMarieAntoinetteforseveralhours.Sincethentherolehasmaintaineditselfataveryremarkablelevelofperfection,butitscarcelyseemstomeprogressing,andseemslikelytobecomestereotyped.Theobjectivityofthegeneraltypeofqueenmustbedistinguishedinthisbrilliantpersonality,oratleast

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Fig.39.FirstknownexampleofautomaticirruptionoftheorthographyandhandwritingcalledthatofMarieAntoinetteamongthenormalwritingsofMlle.Smith.FragmentsofaletterofHelenofNovember1,1897,narratingaseanceduringwhichshehadsuccessfullyincarnatedthequeenofFranceandtheHindooprincess.[CollectionofM.Lemaitre.]Seealsop.thatofaladyofgreatdistinction,aswellasarealizationoftheindividualcharacteristicsofMarieAntoinetteofAustria.Astothefirstpointthereisalmostnothinglefttobedesired.Mlle.Smithseemsbynaturetopossessallthatthisroledemands,andhypnoidautosuggestionfindsnolackofmaterialuponwhichtowork.

Whentheroyaltranceiscompletenoonecanfailtonotethegrace,elegance,distinction,majestysometimes,whichshineforthinHelene'severyattitudeandgesture.

Shehasverilythebearingofaqueen.Themoredelicateshadesofexpression,acharmingamiability,condescendinghauteur,pity,indifference,overpowering

scornflitsuccessivelyoverhercountenanceandaremanifestedinherbearing,tothefilingbyofthecourtierswhopeopleherdream.Theplayofherhandswithherrealhandkerchiefanditsfictitiousaccessories,thefan,thebinoclewithlonghandle,thescent-bottlewhichshecarriesinapocketinhergirdle;her,themovement,fullofgraceandease,bywhichsheneverforgetsateachturningaround,tothrowbackherimaginarytrain;everythingofthiskind,whichcannotbedescribed,isperfectinitseaseandnaturalness.SpecialpersonificationoftheunhappyAustrianwifeofLouisXVI.isofalessevident,andmoreoverdoubtful,accuracy.Tojudgeofitfromtheonlyobjectivepointofcomparisonatourdisposal,thehandwriting(seeFigs.to),theMarieAntoinetteofHelene'ssomnambulismslittleresembleshersupposedprototype,forthereislessofdifferencebetweentheautographsofCagliostroandofLeopold(see)thanthereisbetweenthatoftherealqueenandthatofherpretendedreincarnationinMlle.Smith,thelatterhavingarounded,inclinedcalligraphy,muchmoreregularthaninhernormalstate,insteadoftheangularandillegiblewritingwhichwascharacteristicofthequeenofFrance,tosaynothingoftheglaringdifferencesinformation

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Fig.40.WritingofMlle.SmithincarnatingMarieAntoinette.SeanceofNovember7,1897.Beginningofaletter,writtenininkandaddressedtoPhilipped'Orleans(M.Aug.deMorsier,whowasnotpresentattheseance).Aftertheink-stainsofthelastline,Helenethrewdownherpencil,thenbeganagainandfinishedherletterinpencilinastillmoreregularandslantinghandthantheabove.

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Fig.41.WritingandsignatureofMarieAntoinette.FragmentofaletterwrittenfromtheTempletoGeneraldeJarnayes,andreproducedintheIsographiedesHommescelebres.[Collectionoffac-similespublishedunderthedirectionofDuchesne,Sr.,Paris,1827-30.]ofmanyletters.Someorthographicanalogies(Helenewritesinstans,enfans,etois,etc.)havenothingspecificaboutthem,andsimplyrecallthegeneralhabitsofthelastcentury(see).

NothavingdiscoveredanyindicationastoMarieAntoinette'smannerofspeaking,IdonotknowwhetherthehypnoidimaginationofHelenehassucceededbetterthanwiththehandwritinginadoptinginherroyalincarnations

certainintonationsandapronunciationwhichhavenothingofGermaninthem,andwouldratherrecalltheEnglishaccent.Thetimbreofhervoicedoesnotchange,butherspeechbecomestrailing,withaslightrollingofther's,andtakesonsomethingpreciseandaffected,verypretty,butslightlyirritatingbyitslength.WealreadyknowthatthereisnotanabsolutewallofseparationbetweenHelene'svarioustrances.JustasisthecasewiththeMartianandtheHindoo,thehandwritingorthespellingofthequeensometimesslipsintothecorrespondenceofMlle.Smith(see),andshealsosometimesassumestheaccentofMarieAntoinette,ifnotintheordinarywakingstate(Idonotknowwhetherthatiseverthecase),atleastoutsideherRoyalcycle,especiallyinthephasesoftransitioninwhichshebeginsorendsbyincarnatingLeopold,theMartians,etc.(see,forexample,).

Fromthepointofviewofitscontent,theRoyalcycleformsacollectionofscenesandvariedtableaux,liketheMartiandream,lackinganycontinuousplot,andinwhichmarkedhistoriceventsscarcelyholdaplace--e.g.,initthequeenisneverseentomountthescaffoldasSimandiniascendsherfuneralpile.Onedoesnotalwaysevenknowwhetherthespectaclebeforeoureyesissupposedtobetherepetition,theexactrecollection,ofunknownbutrealepisodesinthelifeofMarieAntoinette,orindeedwhetherithastodowithnew,actualincidentspassingnowbetweenthereincarnatedqueenandheroldacquaintanceswhomshediscoversinthepersonspresentattheseanceorinthedisincarnatespiritsinmediumisticrelationshipwithher.Thatdependsonthecase--e.g.,onthe25thofDecember,1896,Mlle.Smith,entranced,addressestouchingexhortationstoaladypresentwhomshetookforthePrincessLamballe,which,accordingtoLeopold,isareproductionofthelasteveningwhichtheunhappyqueen,sustainedbyhercompanionincaptivity,passedinthisworld.(ItistruethatatChristmas,1792,theprincesshadalready,threemonthspreviously,fallenavictimtothemassacresofSeptember.)AgaintheAbbeGregoiredictatesbythetable,whichbowssignificantlytoHelene,"Idesiredtosaveyou,butIwasnotable";orthesinisterHebertsaystoherbythesameprocess,"Iwasthecauseofyourdeath...Isuffer;prayforme."Oughtwetoconsiderrealthehomageandtheposthumousremorsewhichthesetwodisincarnatespiritsbringafterthelapseofacenturytotheirsovereign,finallyrecognizedinthepersonofMlle.Smith?

Generallyitisimpossibletodecidewhethertheincidenttranspiringpretendssimplytorepublishthepastorconstitutesanewfact.

Thelocationoftheroyalscenesandvisionsisoftenundetermined.ManyarelocatedinthegardensortheapartmentsofthePetitTrianon,andthefurniturewhichHelenedescribesthereis,indeed,alwayspureLouisXVI.MorerarelyMarieAntoinetteisfoundattheTemple,oratcertainrendezvous--innocent,butveryimprudent--insomesecretabodeinParis.SheisneverseeninAustria,since,unliketheHindooprincessstillfilledwithherArabmemories,sheseemstohavecompletelylostsightofherpastasayounggirl.

Inthesurroundingsofthequeen,thekingisconspicuousbyhisabsence;veryrarelyshemakessomeallusionstohimwithamarkedindifference.Thegreaterpartofthepersonagesknowntothatepoch,whomIrefrainfromenumerating,figureinitincidentally,buttherearethreewhocontinuallyreappearandholdthefirstrank.Thereis,first,theCountofCagliostro,"monsorcier,"or"cechersorcier,"asthequeenfamiliarlycallshim,whoneverhasenoughofhisvisitsandhisconversations,whichareveryvaried,includingthediscussionofphilosophicsubjects,suchasthefuturelifeandtheexistenceofGodaswellasthegossipofthelastfeteatVersailles.Thereis,secondly,LouisPhilipped'Orleans(Equality);whilethethirdistheoldMarquisdeMirabeau;allofwhom,especiallythefirst,haveservedashallucinatoryinterlocutorstowardsHeleneinnumerousscenes--uptothetimeatwhich,tothegreatamusementofthesitters,thesomnambulisticmonologuewastransformedintorealandlivelyconversation,inconsequenceoftheintroductionintotheseancesofM.Eugene

[paragraphcontinues]Demole,thenofM.Aug.deMorsier,inwhomMarieAntoinetteimmediatelyrecognizedthetwopersonageslastabovementioned.

Sincethisunexpectedmeetingwithhertwocontemporaries,reincarnated,likeherself,thesomnambulisticqueenfreelypermitsherself,onoccasion,thepleasureofrenewingthelittlesuppersandjoyouseveningsoflongago.Whenaseancewhichhaslastedfromfouro'clockuntilsevenintheafternoonseemstohavecometoanend,andMlle.Smith,afterhavingawakenedfromalongseriesofHindoo,Martian,andotherscenes,hasbeeninvitedtodineandrefreshherselfbeforetakingupherhouseholdduties,itoftenhappensthat,perceivingM.DemoleorM.deMorsieramongthepersonspresent,shegivesaslightstart,withachangeofcountenance,sometimesbarelyperceptible,butwhichthereisnomistaking;then,inherverycharacteristicaccentofMarieAntoinette,exclaims,"Oh,marquis,youhavebeenhere,andIhadnotnoticedyoubefore!"Andthenfollowsasomnambulisticvigilwhichmaybeprolongeduntilnearlyteno'clockintheevening,maintainedbymeansofthesuggestiveamiabilityof

herimprovisedcompanionsinsustainingtheirrolesofMirabeauorPhilipped'Orleans.

Theydescendtothedining-room.Thequeentakesherplaceatthetablealongsideofthemarquis(orofPhilippe).Shehaseyesandearsforhimalone,theotherguestsandtheservantsremainingshutoutfromherdream.Sheeatsanddrinksonlythatwhichhesetsbeforeher,anditisnosinecuretosupplythewantsofthisaugustneighbor,sinceshepossessesatrulyroyalappetite.Theamountoffoodwhichshedevoursandthegobletsofwinewhichshedrinksoffoneafteranother,withoutsufferinganyinconvenience,areastounding,asinhernormalstateMlle.Smithissobrietyitselfandeatsverylittle.Afterdinnertheypassintothesalon,withmanycomplimentsandobeisances,andMarieAntoinettetakescoffee.Onthefirstoccasionsofthiskind,shealsoacceptedacigarettefromPhilippeandsmokedit--Mlle.Smithneversmokesinherwakingstate--buttheremarksofthepersonspresentuponthehistoricaluntruthfulnessofthisfeaturemusthavebeenregistered,andborefruit,sinceatthefollowingseancesshedidnotseemtounderstandtheuseoftobaccointhatform;sheaccepted,ontheotherhand,witheagerness,apinchofimaginarysnuff,whichalmostimmediatelybroughtaboutbyautosuggestionaseriesofsneezesadmirablysuccessful.

Theeveningpassesinmostvariedconversation,until,evidentlyfeelingfatigue,thequeenbecomessilent,closeshereyes,andgoestosleepinaneasy-chair.AtthatinstantLeopold,whogivesnosignoflife,andfromwhomnoresponsecanbeobtainedduringtheroyalsomnambulism,reappearsandanswersbythefingersormanifestshimselfinspontaneousgestures.Helene'shand,e.g.,israised,andmakespassesonherforeheadtoaccentuatetherestorativesleepwhichisabouttobringherbacktohernormalstate.Attheendofsometime--halfanhourormore--sheawakeswithoutanyrecollectionoftheevening,believingthatshehasnotyetdined,andcomplainingofhungerandthirst,asifherstomachicsensibilityparticipatedintheamnesiaandothermodificationswhichaccompanythechangeofpersonality.Nevertheless,atsuchtimesIhaveneverseenheracceptanythingmorethanacoupleofglassesofwater,afterwhichshefeelswideawake.

Inescortingherhome,Iwaswitnessononeoccasiontoareturnoftheroyalsomnambulism.Shewasexceedinglydesirousofgoingtothehouseofawell-knownpersonage(whomshehadperceivedinhervisionduringtheseance),whohadbeenreceivedatthecourtofMarieAntoinette,andwhodiedinGeneva

inthefirstquarterofthiscentury;itwasonlyuponarrivingbeforethehouseinwhichhehadlived,andasshewasuponthevergeofenteringit,thatIfinallysucceededinawakeningandrestoringhertoherself,withoutmemoryoftheincident,andverymuchastonishedattheunaccustomedstreetsinwhichwefoundourselves.

ItisuselesstogiveamorecircumstantialnarrationofthesedinnersandsoireesofMarieAntoinette.Theyareveryentertainingforthespectators,butlosemuchoftheirinterestwhenrelatedintheirentirety.Theirdetailsareexactlywhatmightbeexpectedofalivelysubliminalimagination,alertandfullofverve,abundantlysupplied,onaccountoftheillustriousqueen,withnotionsstillmoreeasilyexplicable,thankstotheintellectualatmosphereofFrance,thanthoseoftheHindoocycle.

Numerousanachronisms,however,slipintothem,andherMajestysometimesfallsintothesnareswhichthemarquisorPhilippetakeamaliciouspleasureinsettingforher.Sheoftenescapesthemwhentheyaretooclumsy,and,withamostcomicaldisplayoftemper,isatfirstconfused,thencuriouslyquestions,ormanifestsuneasinessinregardtothementalstateofherinterlocutorswhentheyintroducethetelephone,thebicycle,steamships,orthemodernscientificvocabularyintotheireighteenth-centuryconversation.But,ontheotherhand,sheherselfemploystermsstillmoremalapropos,suchas,"toderail"(figuratively),"metre"and"centimetre,"etc.Certainwords,suchas"tramway"and"photography,"haveoccasionedseriousconflicts.MarieAntoinettefirstallowsthetreacherouswordtopassunnoticed,anditisevidentthatsheperfectlyunderstoodit,butherownreflection,orthesmileofthesitters,awakensinherthefeelingofincompatibility;shereturnstothewordjustused,andpretendsasuddenignoranceandastonishmentinregardtoit.Spiritismexplainstheseblundersbyaccusingthecompanionsofthequeenofgrosslyabusingthesuggestibilityattachedtothetrancestatebyjumblingherideasandthrowingherintoconfusion.Psychologyisnotsurprisedthatthesubliminalimitation,howeverremarkableitmaybe,presentssomelittledefects,andeveryoneisinaccordinregardtoherthoughtlessmannerofexpressingherself,inattributingtheseanachronismstoanaccidentalminglingofthememoriesofherordinarypersonalityandofthepresentlifewiththoseoftheroyalpersonalityrevivedduringthesomnambulism.Inherroleasqueen,Mlle.Smithgivesevidenceofagreatdealofingenuity.Sheisfullofwittyrepartees,whichdisconcertherinterlocutors,thestyleofwhichissometimesperfectlyafterthemanneroftheepoch.

Thiseaseandreadinessofdialogue,excludingallreflectiveorcalculatingpreparation,denoteagreatfreedomofmindandawonderfulfacilityforimprovisation.Therearemixedwiththese,ontheotherhand,somewitticismsandepisodeswhicharenotatallimpromptu,butaretheevidentresultofapreliminaryelaborationinthecourseofthesubconsciousreveriesandvariousautomatismswhichtheroyalromancecausestosurgeupinHelene'sordinarylife.

Therearesomesceneswhosedevelopmentorrepetitioncanbefollowedinaseriesofseancesandspontaneousvisionsasitpassesthroughtheothercycles.Thefollowingisoneexampleamongmany:

AttheendofaseanceatwhichM.deMorsierwaspresent(October10,1897),Mlle.SmithentersintoherdreamofMarieAntoinette.Duringdinnershemakesseveralallusionstoherson,theDauphin,speaksofherdaughter,tellsofhavingdemandedofhersorcererthesexofhernextchild,etc.--mattersallforeigntotheconversationofPhilippe,andwhichseemtoannouncesomeunderlyingscenereadytobreakforth.Infact,inthemiddleofthesoireethequeenbecomesabsorbedanddistrait,andfinallyfallsonherkneesinadarkcornerofthesalon;hermonologueindicatesthatsheisbeforethecradlewherethelittleDauphinandhissisterarelyingasleep.PresentlyshereturnstoseekPhilippeandtoconducthimtoadmirethesleepingchildren,towhom,inaverysoftvoice,shesingsanunknownnurseryrhyme("Sleepinpeace,"etc.)ofaplaintivemelodyanalogoustothatoftheHindoochant;thetearsgushfromhereyes;tenderkissesupontheimaginarycradleandaferventprayertotheVirginterminatethisextremelytouchingmaternalscene.

Severalweeksafter(the1stofDecember),anewromancemakesitsappearanceinaspontaneousaccessofvisual,auditive,andgraphicautomatism,therecitalofwhichHelenesentmethefollowingday.Thatevening,whilealonewithhermother,shehadinterrogatedLeopolduponanaffairinwhichshewasgreatlyinterested,andhadobtainedfromhimananswer:"Assoonashiscommunicationwasended,Isaweverythingdisturbedaroundme;thenatmyleft,atadistanceofaboutthirtyfeet,aLouisXVI.salon,notverylarge,wasoutlined,inthemiddleofwhichwasasquarepiano,open.Beforethispianowasseatedawoman,stillyoung,thecolorofwhosehairIcouldnotdistinguish.WhetheritwasblondorgrayIcouldnotclearlysee.Sheplayedandsangatthesametime.Thesoundsofthepiano,thevoiceeven,reachedme,butIcouldnotcatchthewordsofthesong.Ayounggirlandaboystoodoneithersideofthe

piano.Notfarfromthemwasseatedayoungladyholdinganinfantonherlap.[**]Thischarmingvisionlastedaveryshorttime,notlongerthantenminutes."

Afterthedisappearanceofthevision,Helenehadtheideaoftakingupherpencil."Withpencilinhand,IwasaskingmyselfwhatIshouldwrite,whenallatonceIheardagainthemelody;then,thistimeverydistinctly,thewords,butwithoutanyvision.Thewholepassedintomyhead,intomybrain,andinstinctivelyIpressedmyhandtomyforeheadinordertohearandunderstandbetter.Ifeltmyselfcompelledtoholdthepencilinamannerdifferentfrommyhabitualwayofholdingit.Herearethewordsofthesongheardandtracedatthatinstant.Asyousee,thehandwritingisnotlikemine;therearealsosomeveryglaringerrorsoforthography.

"Approchez-vousapprochez-vous|enfanscherisapprochez-vous|quandleprintempssurnousramene|sesfraisparfumssesrayonsd'or|venezenfanssoussonhaleine|gazouillerbasmesdouxtresors|approchez-vousapprochez-vous|enfanscherisapprochez-vous|etrescherisenfansbenis--approchez-vousdevotremere|sondouxbaiserpetitsamis|calmeetguerittoutesmiseres|approchez-vousapprochez-vous|enfanscherisapprochez-vous."[**]

Somemonthslaterthetwoprecedingsceneswerereproduced,withvariationsofdetail,onthesameevening,duringwhichMarieAntoinettefirstconductsPhilippetowardsthefictitiouscradleofhercherubsandsingstothemherfirstsong:"Sleepinpeace,"etc.Thensheleadshimtothepiano,and,displayinganimaginarysheetofmusicbeneathhiseyes,obligeshimtoaccompanyherwhileshesingsthe"SongofElizabeth."

M.deMorsier,who,fortunately,isnoteasilyembarrassed,improvisedanaccompanimenttowhichthequeenaccommodatedherselfaftersomecriticism,andtowhichshesingsinaverysweet,purevoicesomewordswhichwerefoundtobe,wordforword,identicalwiththoseautomaticallywrittenbyHeleneonthepreceding1stofDecember.Inthisexampleisseenthemixtureofpreparation,ofrepetition,andofimpromptu,whichareinferredfromthevariedincidentswhichconstitutetheroyalsoirees.

Itisprobablethatifitwerepossibletobeawitnessof,orifMlle.Smithcouldrememberallthespontaneousautomatismswhichaidinnourishingtheroyalromance,nocturnaldreams,hypnagogicvisions,subconsciousreveriesduringthewakingstate,etc.,therewouldbepresentedinterminableimaginary

conversationswiththemarquis,Philippe,Cagliostro,andallthefictitiouspersonageswhooccasionallymaketheirappearanceinthesomnambulisticscenesofMarieAntoinette.

Itisbythisunderlyingandunknownwork,perhapsneverinterrupted,thatthepersonalityofthequeenofFranceisslowlypreparedandelaborated,andwhichshinesforthanddisplaysitselfwithsomuchofmagnificenceinthesoireeswithPhilipped'OrleansandtheMarquisdeMirabeau.

Ihavestatedthat,exceptthesetwogentlemen,whoalwaysformpartoftheroyaldreamwhentheyarepresent(andevensometimeswhenabsent),theotherspresentattheseancesareexcluded.Itisunderstoodthattheydonotpassunperceivedonthisaccount.

Inthesamemannerasinthenegativehallucinationsorsystematicanaesthesiaofhypnotizedsubjects,thatwhichseemstobenotfeltisneverthelessregistered;so,inlikemanner,itisaltogetherprobablethatnothingofthatwhichpassesaroundherescapesthefundamentalindividualityofMlle.Smith.Theroyalpersonalitywhichoccupiestheforegroundofthesceneandfindsitselfinanelectiverapport,limitedtoPhilippeandthemarquis,merelycausestheotherpersonalitiestoberelegatedtothebackgroundwithoutbreakingtheirconnectionwiththeenvironment.Therearemanyproofsofthis.Forexample,inwalking,MarieAntoinetteneverrunsagainstanyoftheotherspresent.Theremarksandcriticismsofthelatterarenotlostuponher,sinceveryfrequentlyherconversationbetraystheirinfluenceaftersomeminutes.Atthesametime,ifanyonepinchesherhandorticklesherear,herlips,hernostrils,sheseemsanaesthetic;still,attheendofafewsecondssheturnsherheadaway,andiftheticklingispersistedin,sheexperiencesakindofagitationaccommodatedtothecircumstancesofherdream,changesherpositiononsomepretext,etc.

Itismanifest,inshort,thattheexcitationstowhichsheseemstobeinsensibleatthemoment,farfromhavingnoeffect,arestoredupandproduce,bytheirsumtotal,reactionswhichareretardedforsomeminutesandwhichareintelligentlyadaptedtothesomnambulisticscene,butwithanintensitymuchmoreexaggeratedthandiminishedbythisperiodoflatency.

Musicalsoaffectsher,precipitatingheroutofthedreamofMarieAntoinetteintoacommonhypnoticstate,inwhichsheassumespassionateattitudes,whichhaveinthemnothingoftheregal,andwhichconformtothevariedairswhich

followeachotheruponthepiano.

InherphasesasMarieAntoinette,Helenehasanaccentcharacteristicofit;sherecognizesmevaguely;shehassomeallochiria,acompleteinsensibilityofthehands,andalargeappetite;shedoesnotknowwhoMlle.Smithis;ifsheisaskedtogivetheactualdate,sherepliescorrectlyastothemonthandday,butindicatesayearofthelastcentury,etc.Thenallatonceherstatechanges;theroyalaccentgiveswaytoherordinaryvoice,sheseemswideawake,allmentalconfusionhasdisappeared,sheisperfectlyclearastopersons,dates,andcircumstances,buthasnomemoryofthestatefromwhichshehasjustemerged,andshecomplainsofasharppaininherfinger(whereIhadpincheditwhileinherprecedingphase).Itookadvantageonedayofthesealternationstoofferherapencil,anddictatedtoherthesentenceof.Inhernormalmomentssheholdsthepencilinheraccustomedmanner,betweentheindexandmiddlefingers,andwritesinherusualhand;duringthereturnsoftheroyalsomnambulismsheholdsitbetweenthethumbandindex-fingerandassumesherhandwritingandorthographyknownasthatofMarieAntoinette,exactlyashervoiceisinvestedwiththeaccent.Itistobepresumedthatallherotherfunctions,ifonecouldexaminethem,wouldshowparallelanalogousvariations,thechangingofthepersonalitybeingnaturallyaccompaniedbyconnectedchangesnotonlyofthememoryandthesensibility,butofmotilityoftheemotionaldisposition--inbrief,ofallthefacultiesoftheindividuality.

ImustaddthatineachofherstatesHelenehasthememoryofprecedingperiodsofthesamekind,butnotofanotherstate:itwas,forexample,necessarytodictateanew,forthesecondtest,thesentenceof,whichshedidnotrememberhavingheardorwrittenafewminutespreviously.Thisseparationintodistinctmemoriesisnot,however,absolute,norveryprofound:thepersonalityofMarieAntoinette

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Fig.42.DifferencesofhandwritingofMlle.SmithattheendofanincarnationofMarieAntoinette,accordingtowhethersheisinhernormalstate(upperlines,inherusualhandwriting),orinareturnoftheroyaldream(lowerlines;notethewordfoisoit).Naturalsize.Thetremorofsomeofthestrokesisnotintheoriginal,butoccurredinthereproductioninink.is,inshort,amodification--ofanintensityandextentwhichvarygreatlywiththeseances--oftheordinarypersonalityofMlle.Smith,ratherthananalternatingandexclusivepersonality,

ofwhichsomanystrikingcaseshavebeenobserved.

Forthemerespectators,theroyalsomnambulismisperhapsthemostinterestingofallofHelene'scycles,onaccountofthebrilliancyandlifeoftherole,thelengthoftimeduringwhichitmaybesustained,theunexpectedhappeningswhichthepresenceofotherrealpersonsbringsintoit.Itistrulyacomedy.

ButfortheloversofthesupernormalitistheleastextraordinaryofthesubliminalcreationsofMlle.Smith,becausethegeneralenvironment,beinginFrance,issoimbuedwithhistoricorlegendarymemoriesoftheillustriousandunfortunatequeenthatthereisnothingsurprisinginthehypnoidreconstructionofapersonagesowellknown.

Finally,thepsychologistandmoralistwhoundertakestoreflectontheinnermeaningofthingscannotescapetheimpressionofsharpcontrastascomparedwithrealitywhichthissparklingromanceaffords.

Inthemselves,Mlle.Smith'sroyalsomnambulismsarealmostalwaysgayandjoyous;but,consideringtheirhiddensource,insofarastheyaretheephemeralandchimericalrevengeoftheidealuponthereal,ofimpossibledreamsupondailynecessities,ofimpotentaspirationsuponblindandcrushingdestiny,theyassumeatragicsignification.Theyexpressthesensationlivedthrough,felt,ofthebitterironyofthings,offutilerevolt,offatalitydominatingthehumanbeing.Theyseemtosaythatallhappyandbrilliantlifeisonlyanillusionsoon.Thedailyannihilationofthedreamandthedesirebyimplacableandbrutalrealitycannotfindinthehypnoidimaginationamoreadequaterepresentation,amoreperfectsymbolofanemotionaltonality,thanherroyalmajestywhoseexistenceseemedmadeforthehighestpeaksofhappinessandoffame--andendedonthescaffold.

Footnotes

^356:*ItwillbereadilyunderstoodthatthisvisionrepresentsMarieAntoinettewithherthreechildrenandMadameElizabeth.

^357:*Ihaverespectedtheorthographyaswellasthecompleteabsenseofpunctuationofthisbitofautomaticwriting,confiningmyselftomarkingbyverticalbarsitsevidentseparationintoversesofeightfeet.ItiswrittenintheinclinedandregularhandcalledthatofMarieAntoinette(likethatofFig.),butwithapenciltoopaletopermititsreproduction.

CHAPTERX

SUPERNORMALAPPEARANCES

THEmediumshipofMlle.Smithisfulloffactssupernormalinappearance,andthequestionwhichoffersitselfforoursolutionisthatofdeterminingtowhatextenttheyaresupernormalinreality.

Thetitleofthischapter,Imustassert,isnottobeunderstoodinapartisansense.Theterm"appearances"isnotusedinitsunfavorableacceptation,asmeaningthattheyaredeceptive,andthatthereisnothingbehindthem.Itistakeninafrankandimpartialsense,todesignatesimplytheexteriorandimmediateaspectofathing,withoutprejudgingitsrealnature,inorder,bytheveryforceofthisneutrality,toprovokeinvestigationdestinedtoseparatethetruefromthefalse,thepuregoldfromthedross.Itispreciselythisinvestigationwhichconstitutesmypresenttask.

Aratherdifficulttask,foritisalwaysriskytotouchuponasubjectwhichisanappleofdiscordamongpsychologists,andwhichhasevenbeenconsideredthe"Dreyfuscaseofscience."Thematteriscomplicated,too,inthisparticularcase,bytheabsolutefaithofMlle.Smithandherfriendsinthesupernormalcharacterofherphenomena;astateofmindextremelyworthyofrespect,butwhichisnotcalculatedtofacilitateresearch,alldesireofordinaryanalysisandexplanationbeingresentedbythemasanunjustifiablesuspicion,interpretedasbeinganindicationofinvincibleskepticism.

I.THESTUDYOFTHESUPERNORMAL

Theterm"supernormal"hasbeenusedforsomeyearsbytheinvestigatorsoftheSocietyforPsychicalResearchtotaketheplaceoftheoldword"supernatural,"whichhasbecomeimpracticableonaccountofinterlopingconnections,whichfinallycauseditsusetobelimitedtotheologicalandphilosophicalenvironments.Mr.Meyers,towhomthecreditisdue,ifIamnotmistaken,ofcoiningthisaswellasmanyothernewtermsusedto-dayinthepsychicalvocabulary,appliesittoeveryphenomenonorfacultywhichpassesbeyondordinaryexperience,andrevealseitheradegreeofhigherevolutionnotyetattainedbythemassofhumanity,oranorderoftranscendentalthingssuperiortotheworldofsense.Inthesetwocasesonefindsone'sself,indeed,inthepresenceoffactswhichareabovethenormal,butwhicharebynomeanstobe

takenasforeignorcontrarytothetruelawsofhumannature(astheword"supernatural"wouldimply).

ItistobeobservedthatthedefinitionofMr.Meyerslaysstressuponthecharacterofsuperiorityofsupernormalphenomena.Ishall,however,separatethischaracterfromitinthepresentchapter,andinspiteoftheetymology,andforlackofanybetterterm,shallsimplyusetheword"supernormal"todesignatefactswhichcomewithintheactualframeworkofthescienceofto-day,andtheapplicationofwhichwouldnecessitateprinciplesnotyetadmitted--withoutoccupyingmyself,however,withendeavoringtoascertainwhetherthesefactsaremessengersofasuperioreconomyorforerunnersofafutureevolutionratherthanthesurvivalofaconditionofthingswhichhasdisappeared,orwhethertheyarepurelyaccidental,lususnaturae,denudedofsignification.

Itgoeswithoutsayingthatintreatingofthesupernormalwemustadmittheoreticallyitspossibility,or--whichamountstoaboutthesamething--failtobelieveintheinfallibilityandperfectionofpresent-dayscience.IfIconsiderit,apriori,absolutelyimpossibleforanindividualtoknow,sometimebeforethearrivalofatelegramcontainingthenews,ofanaccidentbywhichhisbrotherattheantipodeshasbeenkilled,orthatanothercanvoluntarilymoveanobjectatadistancewithouthavingastringattachedtoit,andcontrarytothelawsofmechanicsandphysiology,itisclearthatIwillshrugmyshouldersateverymentionoftelepathy,andIshallnotmoveasteptobepresentataseanceofEusapiaPaladino.Whatanexcellentmeansofenlargingone'shorizonandofdiscoveringsomethingnew,bybeingsatisfiedwithone'sready-madescienceandpreconceivedopinion,quiteconvincedbeforehandthattheuniverseendsatthewallopposite,andthatthereisnothingtobeobtainedbeyondthatwhichthedailyroutinehasaccustomedustolookuponasthelimitoftheReal!Thisphilosophyoftheostrich,illustratedformerlybythosegrotesquemonumentsoferudition--overwhomGalileodidnotknowwhethertolaughorweep--whorefusedtoputtheireyestotheglassforfearofseeingsomethingthathadnoofficialrighttoexistence;and,again,thatofmanybrainspetrifiedbytheunseasonablereadingofworksofscientificvulgarization,andtheunintelligentfrequentingofuniversities--thesearethetwogreatintellectualdangersofourtime.

If,ontheotherhand,thephilosophicaldoubtdegeneratesinthepresenceofthesescientificimpossibilitiesintoblindcredulity;ifitsufficesthatathingbeunheardof,upsetting,contrarytocommon-senseandtoacceptedtruths,inorder

tobeimmediatelyadmitted,practicalexistence,withoutspeakingofotherconsiderations,becomesunbearable.Theconvincedoccultistoughtnevertoallowthecreakingofapieceoffurnituretopasswithoutassuringhimselfthatitisnotthedesperatecallofsomegreat-grandaunttryingtoenterintoconversationwithhim;nortocomplaintothepolicewhenhefindshishouseupsetduringhisabsence--forhowishetoknowthatitisnotsome"elementals"fromtheworldbeyondwhohavedonethedeed?Itisbythefortunatefailureofconsequencesalone,andacontinualforgettingofthedoctrine,thatonecancontinuetoliveinauniverseconstantlyexposedtothecapriciousincursionsofthe"invisibles."

Theseoppositeturnsofthemind--theinvinciblefatuityofsomeandthesillysuperstitionofothers--inspiremanypeoplewithanequalrepugnance.Theneedofahappymediumbetweentheseopposedexcesseshasbeenfeltforsometime.Hereare,forexample,afewlines,whichhavelostnothingafterthelapseoftwocenturies:

"Whatarewetothinkofmagicandwitchcraft[to-daywewouldsay'occultism'and'spiritism']?Theirtheoryisobscure,theirprinciplesvague,uncertain,approachingthevisionary;but--theyareembarrassingfacts,affirmedbygravemen,whohaveseenthem,orwhohaveheardofthemfrompersonslikethemselves;toadmitthemall,ortodenythemall,seemsequallyembarrassing,andIdaretoassertthatinthis,asinallextraordinarythingswhichdependuponcustomaryrules,thereisahappymediumtobefoundbetweencreduloussoulsandstrongminds."

ItisthevoiceofreasonitselfthatthesagaciousauthorofLesCaracterespermitsustohear.Wemust,however,addthatthis"happymediumtobefound"wouldnotconsistinatheory,adoctrine,aready-madeandentiresystem,fromtheheightofwhich,asfromatribunalofarbitration,wewouldjudgethe"embarrassingcases"whichrealityplacesinthepathoftheseeker;forthissystem--howeverperfectitmightbe--wouldagainbeonemoreinfallibilityaddedtoallthosewhichalreadyencumbertheroadtotruth.The"happymedium"dreamedofbyLaBruyerecanbebuta"method"alwaysperfectibleinitsapplicationandprejudginginnothingtheresultsofinvestigationwhichgoagainstthegrainofthedogmaticpointsofview,equallyauthoritativeandsterile,whichcharacterizethetwoextremesofthe"creduloussouls"and"strongminds."

Todevelopherethismethodologyofpsychicalresearchwhichmightguidethe

investigatorstrugglingwiththeapparentorrealsupernormal,wouldtakemetoofarfromMlle.Smith.ButIwillbrieflyindicateitsessenceandgeneralspirit,ofwhichanexcellentsummarymaybefoundinthefollowingpassageofLaplace:

"Wearesofarfromknowingalltheagentsofnatureandtheirdiversmodesofactionthatitwouldnotbephilosophicaltodenyphenomenasolelybecausetheyareinexplicableintheactualstateofourknowledge.Butweoughttoexaminethemwithanattentionallthemorescrupulousasitappearsmoredifficulttoadmitthem."

InwritingthesewordsLaplacehardlythoughtoftelepathy,ofthespirits,orthemovementsofobjectswithoutcontact,butonlyofanimalmagnetism,whichrepresentedthesupernormalofhistime.Thispassageremainsnonethelesstheruleofconducttobefollowedconcerningallthepossiblemanifestationsofthismultiformsubject.Twoinseparablefacts,completingeachother,asthefacesofamedal,maybedistinguishedinit;butitisadvisable,inordertoplacethemthebetterinthelight,toformulatethemseparatelyintotwopropositionsrepresentingthegoverningprinciples,theaxiomsofallinvestigationsofthesupernormal.Theone,whichIshallcall"PRINCIPLEOFHAMLET,"maybecondensedinthesewords:Allispossible.Theother,towhichitisbutjusttoleavethenameof"PRINCIPLEOFLAPLACE,"issusceptibleofmanyformsofexpression.Ishallexpressitthus:Theweightoftheevidenceshouldbeproportionedtothestrangenessofthefacts.

Theforgetfulnessofthe"PrincipleofHamlet"makesthe"strongminds,"forwhomthelimitsofnaturewouldnotexceedthoseoftheirsystem,thesimpletonpopesofalltimesandofallkinds,fromtheburlesqueadversariesofGalileotothepoorAugusteComte,declaringthatthephysicalconstitutionofthestarswouldneverbeknown,andtohisnoblerivalsofthelearnedsocieties,denyingtheaerolitesorcondemningrailroadsbeforehand.Initsturn,theignoranceofthe"PrincipleofLaplace"makesthe"creduloussouls,"whohaveneverreflectedthat,ifallispossibletotheeyesofthemodestseeker,allis,however,notcertain,orevenequallypossible,andthatsomeevidencewouldyetbenecessaryinordertosupposethatastonefallingonthefloorinanoccultreunionarrivedtherethroughthewallsbytheaidofadematerialization,ratherthantoadmitthatitcamethereinthepocketofajoker.

Thankstotheseaxioms,theinvestigatorwillavoidthedoublysignalleddanger,andwilladvancewithoutfearintothelabyrinthofthesupernormalinadvanceof

themonstersoftheoccult.Howeverfantasticandmagicalthethingsmaybewhichwillspringupbeforehiseyesorwhichwillfillhisears,hewillneverbetakenunawares,but,expectingallinthenameofthe"PrincipleofHamlet,"hewillnotbeastonishedatanything,andsimplysay:"Beitso!Whynot?Weshallsee."Ontheotherhand,hewillnotallowthewooltobepulledoverhiseyes,andhewillnoteasilybesatisfiedinthematterofevidence;but,firmlyintrenchedbehindthe"PrincipleofLaplace,"hewillshowhimselfallthemoreexactingastotheproofs,inproportiontothedegreeinwhichthephenomenaortheconclusion,whichtheymaywishhimtoaccept,maybeextraordinary,andhewillopposeamercilessnonliquettoeverydemonstrationwhichstillseemssuspiciousorlame.

Iwishtospeakawordhereoftheinevitablerolewhichthepersonalcoefficientoftheturnofmindandcharacterplaysintheconcreteapplicationofthe"PrincipleofLaplace."Thislatterisofavaguenessandadeplorableelasticitywhichopensthedoortoalldivergencesofindividualappreciation.Ifwecouldexpressinaprecisemannerandtranslateinciphers,ontheonehand,thestrangenessofafact,whichmakesitimprobable;ontheotherhand,theweightofevidencewhichtendstomakeitadmissible;and,finally,thedemandableproportionbetweenthesetwocontraryfactors,sothatthesecondmaycounterbalancethefirstandsecureassent--thatwouldbeperfect,andeverybodywouldsooncometoanagreement.Unhappily,themeanstoaccomplishthisresultisnotyetperceived.

Wemustpassnowtotheweightoftheevidence.Wemay,uptoacertainpoint,submitittoanobjectivejudgmentandtoanimpartialestimationbyfollowingtherulesandmethodsoflogic,inthebroadestsenseoftheterm.Butthestrangenessofthefacts,or,asLaplacesaid,thedifficultyinadmittingthem!Who,then,istobethejudgeofthem,andbywhatuniversalstandardcanwemeasurethem?

Wemustrecognizethatwearehereinpresenceofaneminentlysubjectiveandemotionalfactor,changeablefromoneindividualtoanother.

Itisnecessarytotakesomestand.Inthematterofthesupernormaltherearetoomanyinteriorandpersonalfactors(intellectualidiosyncrasies,aesthetictemperaments,moralandreligioussentiments,metaphysicaltendencies,etc.)tendingtodeterminethequalityandintensityofthecharacteristicofthestrangenessinthefactsinlitigation,toenableonetoflatterhimselfupona

disinterested,objective,andquasi-scientificverdictupontheirdegreeofprobabilityorimprobability.Itisonlywhen,aftertheaccumulationofcasesandevidencesofsimilarcharacter,atacitagreementshallfinallyhavebeenreachedbythosewhohavestudiedthesubject,thattheproblemcanbesaidtobesolved,eitherbytherelegationofpretendedsupernormalphenomenatothedomainofvanishedillusionsandabandonedsuperstitions,orbytherecognitionofnewlawsandforcesinnature.Thephenomenaconsideredtillthenassupernaturalwillceasetobeso;theywillformapartofestablishedscience,theywillhavenothingmoreinthemthatisstrange,andwillbeadmittedbyeverybody.Aslongasthismile-postisnotreached,aslongasthesupernormalphenomenonisdiscussedassuch,therearebutindividualopinionsonthissubject,subjectivecertitudesorprobabilities,verdictsinwhichrealityisonlyreflectedascloselyweldedtothepersonalityoftheirauthors.

Twosuggestionsseemtometospringfromthis.

[paragraphcontinues]First,authorswhotakeituponthemselvestogivetheiradviceupontheextraordinaryfactscomingtotheirknowledgeoughtalwaystobeginbymakingtheirconfession,sothatthereadermaythebetterdistinguishtheintimatefactorswhichmayhaveinfluencedthem.Itistruethatwearenotalwaysthoroughlyacquaintedwithourselves,butitwouldbesomethingtosayfranklywhatwebelievewehavediscoveredinourselvesastothepositioninvoluntarilytakenbyus,obscureinclinationsfororagainstthehypothesisinvolvedinthephenomenainquestion.ThisiswhatIshalltrytodohere,byconfiningmyselftotheproblemsraisedbythemediumshipofMlle.Smith,andwithoutenteringupontheboundlessdomainof"psychicalresearch."Ishall,therefore,begineachofthefollowingparagraphsbygivingmypersonaladviceandmysubjectivesentimentonthepointuponwhichHelene'ssupernormalappearancestouch.

Itseemstome,inthesecondplace,thattheonlyrationalpositiontotake,concerningthesupernormal,is,ifnotacompletesuspensionofjudgment,whichisnotalwayspsychologicallypossible,atleastthatofawiseprobability,exemptfromalldogmaticobstinacy.Thefixedbeliefs,theunshakableopinionsastotherealityandthemeaningoflife,arecertainlysubjectiveconditions,indispensabletoallproperlymoralconduct,toallhumanexistencetrulyworthyofthisname--thatistosay,allthatwhichpretendstobeabovetheanimalroutineofinheritedinstinctsandsocialslavery.Butthesefirmconvictionswouldbeabsolutelymisplacedontheobjectivegroundofscience,andconsequentlyalsothatof

supernormalfacts,which,thoughstillsituatedoutsideofthescientificrealm,hopeshortlytobereceivedwithinitspale.Practicalnecessitiesmakeusbuttoooftenforgetthatourknowledgeofthephenomenalworldneverattainsabsolutecertitude,andassoonasonepassesbeyondthebrutalfactsofthesenses,thebest-establishedtruths,aswellasthemostthoroughlyrefutedpropositions,donotriseaboveaprobabilitywhich,howevergreatorinsignificantwemaysupposeittobe,neverequalsinfinityorzero.Theintellectualattitudewhichcommon-senseprescribesinthesupernormalconsists,forverystrongreasons,inneverabsolutelyandirrevocablydenyingoraffirming,butprovisionallyandbyhypothesis,asitwere.Evenincaseswhen,afterhavingexaminedeverythingscrupulously,oneimagineshehasfinallyreachedcertitude,itmustnotbeforgottenthatthiswordisbutamodeofexpressingone'sself;because,inpointoffact,onedoesnotriseaboveaprobableopinion,andthepossibilityofanunsuspectederror,vitiatingthemostapparentlyevidentexperimentaldemonstration,isnevermathematicallyexcluded.

ThisreserveisparticularlyindicatedincasesofphenomenalikethoseofMlle.Smith,whichoftenleavemuchtobedesiredconcerningaccessoryinformation,whichwouldbenecessaryinordertoexpressone'sselfcategoricallyontheiraccount.Myappreciationofthesephenomena,farfrompretendingtoaninfallibleanddefinitecharacter,demands,therefore,fromthestart,therightofmodificationundertheinfluenceofnewfactswhichmaybeproducedsubsequently.

ForthesakeofclearnessIshallsetoffagaininfourgroupsthesupernormalappearanceswithwhichIshallhavetooccupymyselfinthischapter--viz.,so-calledphysicalphenomena,telepathy,lucidity,andspiritmessages.Theboundariesofthesethreelastcategoriesarebutpoorlydefinedandmighteasilybefusedintoone.Butmydivisionisbutakindofameasureoforder,andnotaclassification.

II.PHYSICALPHENOMENA

Thisdesignationagaincoversseveralratherdiversecategoriesofstrangefacts.IshallonlyspeakofthetwokindsofwhichMlle.Smithhasfurnishedsamples(andwhichIhaveneverpersonallywitnessed)--thatistosay,"apports"and"movementsofobjectswithoutcontact."

1. Apports.[**]--Besidestheunknowncausespresidingovertheiraerial

transportation,thearrivalofexteriorobjectsinaclosedspace,oftencomingfromaconsiderabledistance,implies,inorderthattheymaypassthroughthewallsoftheroom,eitherthesubterfugeofafourthdimensionofspace,orthepenetrationofthematter--thatistosay,thepassageofthemoleculesoratomsoftheobject(itsmomentarydematerialization)betweenthemoleculesoratomsofthewall.Alltheseimpedimentstoourvulgarconceptionastothestabilityofmatter,or,whatisworse,toourgeometricalintuition,seemtomesohardtodigestthatIamtemptedtoapplytothemthewordsofLaplace:"Therearethingsthataresoextraordinarythatnothingcancounterbalancetheirimprobability."Thisisnottodeclareasfalse,apriori,allthestoriesofthiskind,forweknowthatthetrueisnotalwaystheprobable;butassuredly,eveninthecaseofthegoodMr.StaintonMoses,theweightoftheproofdoesnot,inmyopinion,equalthestrangenessofthefacts.

SofarasconcernstheapportsobtainedattheseancesofMlle.Smith,theyalltookplacein1892-93,inthereunionsoftheN.group,wheretheobscurityfavoredtheproductionofmarvellousthingsincloserelationwiththevisionsandtyptologicalmessages.

Iwillcitefrommemorycertainacousticphenomenamentionedinthereports:Thepianosoundedseveraltimesunderthetouchofthefavoritedisincarnatespiritsofthegroup;thesamehappenedtoaviolinandtoabell;oncewealsoheardmetallicsoundsthatseemedtocomefromasmallmusicalbox,althoughtherewasnoneintheroom.Astotheapports,alwaysreceivedwithdelightbythemembersofthegroup,whoareeveranxiouslywishingforthemandaskingtheirspiritfriendsforthem,theywerefrequentandvariedenough.Inmidwinterrosesshowereduponthetable,handfulsofviolets,pinks,whitelilacs,etc.,alsogreenbranches;amongotherthingstherewasanivyleafhavingengraveduponitinletters,asthoughbyapunching-machine,thenameofoneoftheprincipaldisincarnatespiritsatplay.Again,atthetropicalandChinesevisionssea-shellswereobtainedthatwerestillshiningandcoveredwithsand,Chinesecoins,alittlevasecontainingwater,inwhichtherewasasuperbrose,etc.TheselastobjectswerebroughtinastraightlinefromtheextremeEastbythespirits,inproofofwhichtheyhadthehonorofapublicpresentationataseanceofLaSocieted'EtudesPsychiquesdeGeneve,andwereplaceduponthedeskofthepresident,whereall,myselfincluded,couldsatisfythemselvesattheirleisureastotheirreality.

1. Movementsofobjectswithoutcontact.--Thedisplacing,withoutcontactandintheabsenceofallknownmechanicalprocesses,ofobjectssituatedatadistance(telekinesis),isverystrange.However,itonlyupsetsphysiologicalnotions,anddoesnot,asisthecasewiththeapports,goasfarastooverthrowourconceptionsinregardtotheconstitutionofmatterorourspatialintuitions.Itonlysupposesthatthelivingbeingpossessesforcesactingatadistance,orthepowerofputtingforthatintervalsaspeciesofinvisiblesupernumeraryprehensileorgans,capableofhandlingobjects,asourhandsdo(ectenicforcesofThury,ectoplasmsofRichet,dynamicmembersofOchorowicz,etc.).Sucharetheephemeralbutvisiblepseudopodesthattheamoebaputsforthinalldirections.

Itmaybeconceivedthat,astheatomandthemoleculearethecentreofamoreorlessradiatinginfluenceofextension,sotheorganizedindividual,isolatedcellorcolonyofcells,isoriginallyinpossessionofasphereofaction,whereitconcentratesattimesitseffortsmoreespeciallyononepoint,andagainonothersadlibitum.Throughrepetition,habit,selection,hereditaryandotherprincipleslovedbybiologists,certainmoreconstantlinesofforcewouldbedifferentiatedinthishomogeneousprimordialsphere,andlittlebylittlecouldgivebirthtomotororgans.Forexample--ourfourmembersoffleshandblood,sweepingthespacearoundus,wouldbebutamoreeconomicexpedientinventedbynature,amachinewroughtinthecourseofbetteradaptedevolution,toobtainattheleastexpensethesameusefuleffectsasthisvagueprimitivesphericalpower.Thussupplantedortransformed,thesepowerswouldthereaftermanifestthemselvesonlyveryexceptionally,incertainstates,orwithabnormalindividuals,asanatavicreapparitionofamodeofactinglongagofallenintodisuse,becauseitisreallyveryimperfectandnecessitates,withoutanyadvantage,anexpenditureofvitalenergyfargreaterthantheordinaryuseofarmsandlimbs.Unlessitisthecosmicpoweritself,theamoralandstupiddemiurge,theunconsciousnessofM.deHartman,whichcomesdirectlyintoplayuponcontactwithaderangednervoussystem,andrealizesitsdisordereddreamswithoutpassingthroughtheregularchannelsofmuscularmovements.

Butenoughofthesevaporypseudo-biologicalspeculationstogiveanaccountofaphenomenonforwhichitwillbetimeenoughtofindpreciseexplanationwhenitsauthenticityshallbebeyonddispute,ifthattimeshalleverarrive.

Threegroupsofproofs,ofadiversenature,havegraduallybroughtmetolookupontherealityofthesephenomena--inspiteoftheinstinctivedifficultyof

admittingthem--asaninfinitelymoreprobablehypothesisthanitsopposite.

First:Iwasfirstunsettledbythereadingofthetoo-much-neglectedmemoirofProfessorThury,whichseemstometobeamodelofscientificobservations,theweightofwhichIcouldonlyoverlookbyrejecting,apriori--inthenameoftheirstrangeness--thepossibilityitselfofthefactsinquestion,whichwouldhavebeenagainstthePrincipleofHamlet.TheconversationswhichitwasmyprivilegetoholdwithM.Thuryhavegreatlycontributedtoarouseinmeapresumptioninfavorofthesephenomena,whichthebookwouldevidentlynothavedoneinthesamedegreeiftheauthorhadnotbeenpersonallyknowntome.

Secondly:Oncecreated,myideaoftheprobabilityofthesefactsbecameratherstrengthenedthanweakenedbyanumberofforeignworksofmorerecentdate;butIdoubtwhetherany,orallofthesecombined,wouldhavebeensufficienttocreateit.Thedisplacementofobjectswithoutcontactbeingoncehypotheticallyadmitted,itseemseasiertometoexplainCrookes'sobservationsonthemodificationsoftheweightofbodiesinthepresenceofHomebyauthenticphenomenaofthiskind(inspiteofthewell-deservedcriticismsthatCrookes'spublicationsbroughtuponhim)thantosupposethathewassimplyHome'sdupe.ThesameistruewiththecasesofEspritstapageurs(Poltergeister),publishedbytheSocietyforPsychicalResearch,theexclusivehypothesisofthe"naughtylittlegirl,"withouttheadditionofanytraceoftelekinesis,whichseemstomealessadequateandmoreimprobableexplanationthanthatofrealphenomena,whichwouldhavetemptedfraud.Naturallyalldependsonthepreconceivedopiniononemayhaveastothegeneralpossibilityorimpossibilityofthesefacts,andmyfeelinginregardtothematterwouldcertainlybedifferentwithouttheprecedingorthefollowinggroupsofevidence.

Thirdly:Theprobabilityofthemovementofobjectswithoutcontacthasreachedwithmeadegreepracticallyequivalenttocertitude,thankstoM.Richet,towhomIamindebtedformypresenceathishouselastyearatseveralseancesofEusapiaPaladino,underconditionsofcontrolwhichgavenoroomfordoubt--atleastwithoutchallengingthecombinedwitnessofthesensesofsight,hearing,andtouch,aswellastheaveragequantityofcriticalsenseandperspicacitywithwhicheveryordinaryintelligenceflattersitselfitisendowed;or,again,ofsuspectingthewallsofM.Richet'sstudyhadbeentamperedwith,andhehimself,withhisattendingcolleagues,ofbeingimpostors,incollusionwiththeamiableNeapolitanherself--asuppositionwhichthemostelementarysenseofproprietywouldabsolutelyforbidmetoentertain.FromthatmomentIbelieved

intelekinesisbyconstraintoftheperception,sensataetoculatacertitudine,toborrowtheexpressionofGalileo,whocertainlydidnotmeanbythatanunreflectingadhesiontotheevidencesofthesenses,likethatofthecasualonlookeratthetricksoftheprestidigitator,butratherthefinalcrowningofanedificehavingforitsrationalframeworkthereasonedanalysisoftheconditionsofobservation,andoftheconcretecircumstancessurroundingtheproductionofthephenomenon.

InsayingthatIbelieveinthesefacts,Iwilladdthatthereisnoquestionhereofaconviction,inthemoral,religious,orphilosophicalsenseoftheterm.Thisbeliefisformedevoidofallvitalimportance;itdoesnotmoveanyessentialfibreofmybeing,andIwouldnotfeeltheleastinclinationtosubmittotheslightestmartyrdominitsdefence.Whethertheobjectsmoveordonotmovewithoutcontactisabsolutelyindifferenttome.Shouldanyonesomedaysucceedinunveilingthephysicaltricksorthefallaciouspsychologicalprocesseswhichhaveledintoerrorthebestobserversoftelekinesis,fromM.ThurydowntoM.Richet,withanumberofotherwitnesses,myselfincluded,Iwouldbethefirsttolaughatthetrickthatartandnaturehadplayeduponme,toapplaudtheperspicacityoftheonewhodiscoveredit,tocongratulatemyself,aboveall,inseeingsupernormalappearancesreturningtotheordinarycourseofthings.

ThisisadisproportionallylengthypreambletofactsofwhichIshallhavetospeakhere,fortheyarereducedtoafewdisplacementsofobjectswithoutcontact(raisingoftables,transportingorprojectingofflowersanddiversethingsplacedoutofreach),ofwhichHeleneandhermotherwerewitnessesonseveraloccasionsattheirhouse.Icannotbeaccusedofstubbornskepticism,sinceIadmittherealityoftelekinesis.Inthepresentcase,however,allthestorieswhichhavebeentoldmeleavemuchtobedesiredfromanevidentialpointofview.WithoutsuspectinginanywaytheperfectgoodfaithofbothMme.andMlle.Smith,itsufficestorecallthepossibilityofmalobservationanderrorsofmemoryinthestoriesofsupernormaleventsinordernottoattributeagreatevidentialvaluetotheabsolutelysincereevidenceoftheseladies.

IncapacitatedasIamfrompronouncingjudgmentuponphenomenaofwhichIwasnotawitness,Ishall,however,putforthafactwhichmightmilitateinfavoroftheirauthenticity(theirpossibilityhavingbeenfirsthypotheticallyadmitted)--namely,thatthesephenomenahavealwaysbeenproducedunderexceptionalconditions,atatimewhenHelenewasinanabnormalstateandapreytoadeepemotion.Ontheoneside,thiscircumstanceincreasesthechancesof

malobservation,while,ontheother,thedayonwhichitshallbewellestablishedthat(asdiversobservationscauseustothink)certainabnormalandemotionalstatessetatlibertyintheorganismlatentforcescapableofactingatadistance,itwillbepermittedustosupposethatperhapssomethinganalogoushastakenplaceinMlle.Smith'scase.Hereis,asanexampleoftheseperplexingcases,afactwhichhappenedtoherduringaperiodofgeneralindisposition.Abridgingthestory,IreproduceitasHelenesentittomethefollowingday:

"LastnightIhadavisitfromM.H.Idonotneedtogiveyouananalysisofmyimpressions;youwillunderstandthemaswellasIdo.Hecametotellmethathehadheldaseancewithaladywhowasastrangertome,andthatthisladyhadseenLeopold,whohadgivenheraremedyfortheindispositionfromwhichIwassuffering.IcouldnotrefrainfromtellinghimthatLeopoldhadassuredmethathemanifestedhimselfonlytome,andthatitwouldconsequentlybedifficultformetoadmithisallegedutterancestoothers."Butthatisnotthemostinterestingpartofthestory.

"WhileM.H.spoketomeIfeltasharppaininmylefttemple,and,perhapstwominutesafterwards,myeyes,constantlydirectedtowardsthepiano,onwhichIhadplacedtwoorangestheeveningbefore,wereentirelyfascinatedwithIknownotwhat.Then,suddenly,atthemomentwhenweleastexpectedit--wewereallthree(M.H.,myfather,andmyself)seatedatareasonabledistancefromthepiano--oneoftheorangesdisplaceditselfandrolledtomyfeet.Myfathermaintainedthatithadnodoubtbeenplacedtooneartheedgeofthelid,andatacertainmomenthadfalleninanaturalway.M.H.sawimmediatelyinthisincidenttheinterventionofsomespirit.Imyselfdarednotpassmyopiniononit.Finally,Ipickeduptheorange,andwespokeofotherthings.

"M.H.remainedaboutanhour;hewentawayexactlyatnine.Iwenttomymother'sroomtogiveherafewdetailsofM.H.'svisit.Idescribedtoherthefalloftheorange,andwhatwasmysurprisewhen,onreturningtothedrawing-roomandsteppinguptothepianototakethelampIhadplacedonit,Ifoundthefamousorangenolongerthere.Therewasbutoneleft;theoneIhadpickedupandreplacedbythesideoftheotherhaddisappeared.Ilookedforiteverywhere,butwithoutsuccess.Iwentbacktomymother,andwhileIspoketoherweheardsomethingfallinthevestibule.Itookthelamptoseewhatmighthavefallen.Idistinguishedatthefarthestend(towardsthedooroftheentrancetotheapartment)themuch-sought-fororange!

"ThenIaskedmyselfquitefranklywhetherIwasinpresenceofsomespiritisticmanifestation.Itriednottobefrightened.Itooktheorangetoshowittomymother.Ireturnedtothepianototakethesecondorange,soasnottobefrightenedinasimilarway.Butit,initsturn,haddisappeared!ThenIfeltaconsiderablesensationoftrembling.Ireturnedtomymother'sroom,and,whilewediscussedthematter,weheardagainsomethingthrownwithviolence,and,rushingouttoseewhathadhappened,Isawthesecondorangeplacedinexactlythesamespotwheretheotherhadbeen,andconsiderablybruised.Imaginehowastonishedwewere!Itookbothoranges,and,withoutlosinganinstant,wenttothekitchenandputtheminacupboard,whereIfoundthemagainthefollowingmorning;theyhadnotmoved.Ididnotgotobedwithoutsomefear,butfortunatelyIquicklywenttosleep.MymotherissurethatitisM.H.whobroughtsomeevilspiritintothehouse,andsheisquiteuneasy...."

FromtheoralexplanationsofMile.Smithandhermother,andalsofromthelocationoftheplaces,itfollowsthattheorangeshadbeenthrownatadistanceoftenyardsfromthepiano,throughthewide-openparlordoorleadingtothevestibule,againstthedooroftheapartment,asiftofollowandstrikefictitiouslyM.H.,whoafewmomentsbeforehadleftbythisdoor.

Onehasundoubtedlyalwaystherightofdiscardingattheoutset,aspresentingtoolittleguaranteeofgenuineness,theextraordinarystoriesofapersonsubjecttohallucinations.Inthepresentcase,allthatIknowofMlle.Smithandherparentskeepsmefromdoingso,andpersuadesmethatherstoryisthoroughlyexact,which,however,doesnotamounttosayingthatthereisanythingofthesupernormalaboutit.Onehas,infact,thechoicebetweentwointerpretations.

First:Inthehypothesisofveritabletelekinesis,thefollowingisthemannerinwhichtheadventurewouldbesummedup:theemotionduetotheunexpectedandunpleasantvisitofM.H.hadbroughtaboutadivisionofconsciousness.Thefeelingofirritation,anger,andrepulsionagainsthimhadcondensedthemselvesintosomesecondarypersonality,which,inthegeneralperturbationoftheentirepsychophysiologicalorganism,hadmomentarilyrecoveredtheuseoftheseprimitiveforcesofactionatadistance,entirelyremovedfromthewill,andwithouttheparticipationoftheordinaryself,andthusautomaticallyaccomplishedoutwardlytheinstinctiveideaofbombardingthisill-bredvisitor.Noticeistobetakenofthepainfulauraatthetempleandthefascinationofgaze,which,accordingtoHelene'sstory,precededthefirstsignsofthephenomenon,theorangefallingandrollingatherfeet.

Secondly:ButthemostnaturalsuppositioniscertainlythatMlle.Smith,bytheordinaryuseofherlimbs,hadtakenandthrowntheseprojectilesinanaccessofunconsciousmuscularautomatism.Itistruethatthiswouldnotagreewiththepresenceofherfather,mother,orM.H.,whodidnotseehermakethesupposedmovements.Butanabsent-mindednessofevennormalwitnesseswillseemeasiertoadmitthantheauthenticproductionofasupernormalphenomenon.

TheseepisodeswhichhavehappenedtoMlle.SmithandhermothersinceIhaveknownthemareveryfew,amountingtohalfadozenatthemost,andIwillnotdwelllongeruponthissubject.Heleneisnotconsciousofpossessinganyfacultyofmovementatadistance,andshealwaysattributesthesephenomenatospiritintervention.Leopold,ontheotherhand,hasneveracknowledgedthatheistheauthorofthem.HeclaimsthatHelenepossesseswithinherselfsupernormalpowers,andthat,inordertosucceed,shewouldonlyhavetosetthemtowork,butthatshedidnotwishtodoso.AllmysuggestionsandrepeatedentreatieswithLeopoldandHelene--eitherawakeorinastateofsomnambulism--inthehopeofobtaininginmypresencesomephysicalphenomenon,havebeeninvainuptothepresenttime.

III.TELEPATHY

Onemayalmostsaythatiftelepathydidnotexistonewouldhavetoinventit.Imeanbythisthatadirectactionbetweenlivingbeings,independentoftheorgansofthesenses,isamatterofsuchconformitytoallthatweknowofnaturethatitwouldbehardnottosupposeitapriori,evenifwehadnoperceptibleindicationofit.Howisitpossibletobelievethatthefociofchemicalphenomena,ascomplexasthenervouscentres,canbeinactivitywithoutgivingforthdiverseundulations,x,y,orzrays,traversingthecraniumasthesuntraversesapaneofglass,andactingatadistanceontheirhomologuesinothercraniums?Itisasimplematterofintensity.

ThegallopofahorseortheleapofafleainAustraliacausestheterrestrialglobetoreboundonitsoppositesidetoanextentproportionaltotheweightoftheseanimalscomparedtothatofourplanet.Thisislittle,evenwithouttakingintoaccountthefactthatthisinfinitesimaldisplacementrunstheriskateverymomentofbeingneutralizedbytheleapsofhorsesandfleasontheotherhemisphere,sothat,onthewhole,theshockstoourterrestrialgloberesultingfromallthatmovesonitssurfacearetoofeebletopreventoursleeping.Perhapsitisthesamewiththeinnumerablewaveswhichcomingfromallotherliving

beings,shockateverymomentagivenbrain:theireffortsarecounterbalanced,ortheirresultanttooslighttobeperceived.Buttheyexistnonethelessinreality,andIconfessIdonotunderstandthosewhoreproachtelepathywithbeingstrange,mystical,occult,supernormal,etc.

Astotheknowledgewhetherthistheoreticaltelepathyoffersresultsopentoexperimentaldemonstration--thatistosay,whetherthischainofintercerebralvibrationsintowhichweareplungedexercisesanynotableinfluenceonthecourseofourpsychiclife;andwhether,incertaincases,wehappentofeelemotions,impulses,hallucinations,whichthepsychologicalstateofoneoranotherofourownkindexercisesdirectlyuponus,acrosstheetherandwithouttheordinaryintermediaryofthechannelofoursenses--thatisaquestionoffactarisingfromobservationandexperience.Weknowhowmuchthisquestionhasactuallybeendiscussed,andhowdifficultitistosolveitinadecisiveway,asmuchonaccountofallthesourcesoferrorsandillusions,towhichoneisexposedinthisdomain,asonaccountofaprobablyalwaysnecessaryconcurrenceofveryexceptionalcircumstances(whichwedonotasyetknowhowtoaccomplishatwill),inorderthattheparticularactionofadeterminedagentshouldsweepawayallrivalinfluences,andbetrayitselfinamannersufficientlymarkedanddistinctinthelifeofthepercipient.Everythingconsidered,Istronglyleantowardstheaffirmative.Therealityoftelepathicphenomenaseemstomedifficulttorejectinpresenceoftheclusterofverydiverseevidences,entirelyindependentofeachother,thatmilitateinitsfavor.Undoubtedlynoneoftheseevidencesisabsolutelyconvincingwhentakenseparately;buttheirstrikingconvergencetowardsthesameresultgivestotheirentiretyanewandconsiderableweight,whichtipsthescale,inmyopinion,whileawaitinganinverseoscillation,whichmaysomedaydestroythisconvergence,orexplainitbyacommonsourceoferror.Besides,Iunderstandverywellwhythosetowhomtelepathyremainsamystic,andtoourscientificconceptionsheterogeneous,principle,shouldobstinatelyresistit.But,seeingnothingstrangeinitmyself,Idonothesitatetoadmitit,notasanintangibledogma,butasaprovisionalhypothesis,correspondingbetterthananyothertotheconditionofmycertainlyveryincompleteknowledgeofthisdepartmentofpsychologicalresearch.

Althoughpredisposedinfavoroftelepathy,IhavefailedinfindingstrikingproofsofitinMlle.Smith,andthefewexperimentsIhaveattemptedwithheronthissubjectofferednothingencouraging.

ItriedseveraltimestomakeanimpressionuponHelenefromadistanceandtoappearbeforeherduringtheevening,whenIthoughtshehadreturnedtoherhome,whichisakilometredistantfrommine.Iobtainednosatisfactoryresult.Myonlycaseofstrikingsuccess,lostamonganumberofnonsuccesses,canbeexplainedbymerecoincidenceaswell,and,aftertakingalltheaccessorycircumstancesintoconsideration,doesnotdeservealengthydiscussion.

Astospontaneoustelepathy,afewindicationswouldmakemethinkthatMlle.Smithsometimesinvoluntarilysubmitstomyinfluence.Themostcuriousisadream(oravision)thatshehadonenightatatimewhenIhadsuddenlyfallenillduringastayinthecountrysometwentyleaguesdistantfromGeneva.Sheheardtheringingofabellatherdoor,thensawmeentering,soemaciatedandapparentlysotiredthatshecouldnotrefrainfromspeakingtohermotheronthefollowingmorningofheruneasinessconcerningme.Unfortunatelytheseladiestooknonoteoftheexactdateofthisincident,andHelenedidnotspeakofittoM.Lemaitreuntilthreeweekslater,whenhetoldheraboutmyillness,thebeginningofwhichdatedbacktotheapproximatetimeofthedream.Theevidentialvalueofthiscaseisweak.OnotheroccasionsMlle.Smithannouncedtomethat,tojudgefromherdreamsorvagueintuitioninawakingstate,iwastohaveonacertaindayanunexpectedvexation,apainfulpreoccupation,etc.Butthecasesinwhichshewasrightwerecounterbalancedbythoseinwhichshewaswrong.ItdoesnotappearthatHelene'stelepathicrelationswithotherpersonsarecloserthanwithme,andamongthecasesknowntomethereisnotonethatdeservesthetroubleofbeingrelated.Anexceptionmust,however,bemadeonbehalfofaM.Balmes(pseudonym),whowasforsometimeemployedinthesamebusinesshouseasMlle.Smith,andconcerningwhomshehadseveralreallycuriousphenomena.ThisM.Balmeswashimself"asensitivemedium"ofaverynervousandvibratingnature.HewasworkinginthestoryabovethatofHelene,andstoppedsometimestotalkconcerningspiritismwithher.Theirrelations,whichtheydidnotextendbeyondtheoffice,endedthere.Thereneverseemedtobeanypersonalsympathyorspecialaffinitybetweenthem,anditisnotknownhowtoaccountforthetelepathicbondthatseemedtoexistbetweenthem.Thefollowingareexamples:

1. OnemorningM.BalmeslentanewspapertoHeleneinwhichtherewasanarticleonspiritism.Hehimselfhadreceivedthispaperfromoneofhisfriends,M.X.,aFrenchmanwhohadbeeninGenevaforsomethreeweeksonlyandwhodidnotknowHeleneevenbyname.ThisM.X.hadmarkedtheinterestingarticleinredandhadaddedonthemarginanannotationin

black.DuringhernoonmealathomeHelenereadthearticlerapidly,butforlackoftimedidnotreadtheannotationmarkedinblack.Havingreturnedtoherofficeshebeganagaintowork.However,ataquarter-pastthreehereyesfellontheannotationofthepaper,andasshewastakingupherpentomakesomecalculationinhernote-book,"Idonotknow,"shewrotetome,"eitherhoworwhyIbegantodrawonthiswriting-tablettheheadofamanentirelyunknowntome.AtthesametimeIheardthevoiceofaman,ofahigh,clear,andharmoniousquality;butunfortunatelyIcouldnotunderstandthewords.AgreatdesirecameovermetorunandshowthisdrawingtoM.Balmes.Heexaminedit,andseemedastonished,fortheheaddrawnininkwasnootherthanthatofhisfriendwhohadlenthimthepapermarkedinpencil.ThevoiceandtheFrenchaccentwere,asitseems,entirelycorrectalso.HowwasitthatatthesightofanannotationIfoundmyselfincommunicationwithastranger?M.Balmes,inpresenceofthiscuriousphenomenon,hastenedthatveryeveningtohisfriendandlearnedthatatthetimewhenIdrewhisportraittherewasaveryseriousdiscussioninprogressconcerninghim(M.Balmes)betweenM.X.andotherpersons."

Strictlyspeaking,thiscasemaybenormallyexplainedbysupposing:First,thatMlle.Smith,withoutconsciouslynoticingorrememberinghim,hadseenM.X.duringhisshortstayinGeneva,walkinginthestreetwithM.Balmes,andthatthepaper,whichsheknewhadbeenlenttoM.Balmesbyoneofhisfriends,had,bymeansofasubconsciousinduction,awakenedthelatentmemoryofthefaceandvoiceofthestrangerwhomshehadseenwithhim.Secondly,thatthereisbutafortuitouscoincidenceinthefactthatM.X.spokeofM.BalmesatpreciselythehourwhenHelenetracedthefaceandheardthevoiceoftheaforesaidM.X.inanaccessofautomatism,setfreeatthesightofhisannotationonthepaper.

Inthetelepathichypothesis,onthecontrary,theincidentwouldhavebeenexplainedsomewhatasfollows:TheconversationofM.X.concerningM.Balmes(whichwas,asitappears,ofanexcitednature)hadtelepathicallyimpressedthelatterandawakenedinhimsubliminallytheremembranceofM.X.M.Balmes,inhisturn,withoutconsciouslysuspectingit,hadtransmittedthisremembrancetoMlle.Smith,whowasalreadypredisposedtosuggestiononthatdaybytheloanofthepaper,andwithwhomthesaidremembrancebrokeforthintoagraphic,auditive,andimpulsive(thedesireofshowingherdrawingtoM.Balmes)automatism.ThesubconsciousstrataofM.BalmeshadthusservedasalinkbetweenM.X.andMlle.Smith.

1. "Someeightdaysaftertheprecedingcase,beingafewminutesafternooninanopenstreetcar,IsawbeforemethissameM.Balmestalkingtoaladyinaroomapparentlyclosetothestreet-car.Thepicturewasnotveryclear.Akindofmistseemedtoextendoverthewhole,whichwas,however,notstrongenoughtohidefrommethepersonages.M.Balmes,especially,wasquiterecognizable,andhissomewhatsubduedvoicemademeoverhearthesewords:'Itisverycurious,extraordinary.'ThenIfeltasudden,violentcommotion,andthepicturevanishedatthesametime.SoonIfoundmyselfagainridinginthestreet-car,and,accordingtotheprogresswhichithadmade,Iunderstoodthatthevisionhadlastedbutthreeminutesatthemost.NoticemustbetakenofthefactthatduringthesefewminutesIdidnotloseforasinglemomenttheconsciousnessofmysituation;IknewandfeltthatIwasridinghome,asIwasinthehabitofdoingeachday,andIfeltentirelylikemyself,withouttheslightestmentaldisturbance.

"TwohourslaterIwentuptoM.Balmes.Approachinghimfrankly--yes,evenalittleabruptly--Isaidtohim:'Wereyousatisfiedwiththeshortvisityoumadeafewminutesaftertwelve,andwoulditbeindiscreettoaskwhatyoufoundsocurious,soextraordinary?'Heseemedconfused,astonished,pretendedeventobevexed,andlookedasifhewishedtoaskmebywhatrightIpermittedmyselftocontrolhisactions.Thismovementofindignationpassedasquicklyasitcame,togivewaytoasentimentofthegreatestcuriosity.Hemademetellhimindetailmyvision,andconfessedtomethathereallyhadgoneatnoontocalluponalady,andthattheyhaddiscussedtheincidentaboutthenewspaper.HehadreallypronouncedthewordsthatIhadheard:'Itiscurious,extraordinary,'and,strangetosay,Ialsolearnedthatattheendofthesewordsaviolentringingofthebellhadbeenheard,andthattheconversationbetweenM.Balmesandhisfriendhadsuddenlycometoanendbythearrivalofavisitor.Thecommotionfeltbymewas,therefore,nothingmorethantheviolentringingofthebell,which,puttinganendtotheconversation,hadalsoputanendtomyvision."

1. AtthebeginningofaseanceoneSundayafternoonataquartertofour,IhandedtoHeleneaglassball,ofthekindusedfordevelopingclairvoyancebymeansofgazingintoacrystal.ShortlyafterwardsshesawinitM.Balmesandhisfriend,andabovetheirheadsanisolatedpistol,butwhichseemedtohavenothingtodowiththem.ShetoldmethenthatM.Balmeshadreceivedthedaybeforeathisofficeatelegramwhichverymuchupsethim,andwhichobligedhimtoleaveGenevathatveryeveningforS.SheseemedtoapprehendsomemisfortuneabouttobefallM.Balmes,butsoon

fellasleep.ByhisdigitaldictationsLeopoldtellsusthathesenthertosleeptosavehersomepainfulvisionsseeninthecrystal,andthatshe,Helene,hasamediumisticconsciousnessinregardtoallthatispassingatS.,andthatthepistolisconnectedwithM.Balmes.Itwasimpossibletolearnmore,andtheremainderoftheseancewastakenupwithothermatters.

M.Balmes,whoreturnedtoGenevaonthefollowingMonday,andwhomIsawthesameevening,wasverymuchstruckwithHelene'svision,for,onSundayafternoonhereallytookpartinascenewhichcamenearbeingtragic,andinthecourseofwhichhisfriendX.hadofferedhimapistolwhichhealwayscarriedwithhim.Mlle.SmithandM.Balmesdidnothesitatetoseeinthiscoincidenceahighlycharacterizedsupernormalphenomenon.Thiscaseoffers,however,somedifficulty--viz.,thattheincidentofthepistolatS.didnottakeplacetillmorethantwohoursafterHelene'svisions,andthatM.Balmes,asheaffirms,hadnopremonitionoftheaffairatthetimewhenHelenehadhervision.Itfollowsfromthisthattherewasakindofanticipatedtelepathy,apremonitionexperiencedbyanotherthantheinterestedprincipal,andthisraisesthegreatquestionofthesupernormalknowledgeoffutureevents.Ifinditeasiertoadmitthat,althoughM.Balmesdidnotconsciouslyforeseetheincidentofthepistol,heforesawsubconsciouslytheevent,andthatthisideapassedtelepathicallytoHelene.Perhapsthiscasemightbeexplainedwithouthavingrecoursetothesupernormalatall.Mlle.Smith,knowingM.Balmes'character,anduptoacertainpointhispersonalcircumstances,havingbeenpresenttheeveningbeforewhenM.Balmesreceivedthetelegram,andforeseeing(asshesaidattheseance),thegravityofthesituation,couldeasilyimaginetheinterventionofafire-armintheaffair.Besides,nodetailofthevisionindicatesthatthepistolseenintheglassballcorrespondstothatofM.X.

Howfarthedelicatesenseofprobabilitiescango,andhowoftenspontaneousinferences,withpeopleofaquickimagination,arecorrect,oneneverknows.Undoubtedlyweoftenseeasupernormalconnectionwherethereis,inreality,onlyastrikingcoincidence,duetoahappydivinationandprevision,whichisverynatural.Ioughttoaddthatthismannerofevictingthesupernormalandreducingthevisionofthepistoltoamerecreationofthesubliminalfantasy,seemsinadmissibletoHelene,whoremainsabsolutelycertainthatthiswasaconvincingcaseoftelepathy.

Theaboveexample,2,whichisthebestofall,inmyopinion,isstillnotirreproachable.

IV.LUCIDITY

Allthefactsoflucidity(clairvoyance,second-sight,etc.)whichareattributedtoMlle.Smithmaybeexplainedbytelepathicimpressionsproceedingfromlivingpersons.ThismeansthatInotonlyadmitfromthestartthepossibilityofsuchphenomenabyvirtueofthe"PrincipleofHamlet,"but,sincetelepathyisnot,inmyopinion,anythingverystrange,IshallfeelnosubjectivedifficultyinacceptingtherealityofHelene'ssupernormalintuitions,providedthattheypresentsomeseriousguaranteeofauthenticity,anddonotexplainthemselvesstillmoresimplybynormalandordinaryprocesses.

Leopold,whoappearsinalmostalloftheseveridicalmessages--whetherherecognizeshimselfastheauthororwhetherheaccompaniessimplybyhispresencetheirmanifestationthroughHelene--hasneverdeignedtograntmeoneunderentirelysatisfactoryconditions,andhecensuresmyinsistenceasvainandpuerilecuriosity.Astotheinnumerablephenomenawithwhichothersmorefortunatethanmyselfhavebeengratified,theyhavealwaysofferedthissingularity:whentheyappearedtobereallyofanaturecalculatedtofurnishadecisiveandconvincingproofastotheirsupernormalorigin,Ineversucceededinobtainingawritten,precise,andcircumstantialaccount,butonlyuncertainandincompletetales,toointimateandtoopersonaltobedivulgedbythoseinterestedinthem;and,again,whenmyfriendswerequitewillingtowriteoutadetailedaccountandtoanswertomydemandforexactinformation,thefactreduceditselftosuchasmallmatterthatitwasbeyondmypowertoseeanythingofthesupernormalinit.

Takingeverythingintoconsideration,IaminclinedtobelievethatMlle.Smith,intruth,possessesrealphenomenaofclairvoyance,not,however,passingbeyondthepossiblelimitsoftelepathy;only,inorderthattheymaybeproduced,itisnecessarythatLeopold--thatistosay,thespecialpsychicstateofHelenewhichisnecessaryforthereceptionandexternalizationofthesetelepathicimpressions--beaidedfromtheoutsidebytheinfluenceofcertainfavorabletemperaments,morefrequentlymetwithamongconvincedspiritiststhanamongpersonswhoarenormal,andthathebenotimpeded,ontheotherhand,bytheparalyzingpresenceofhostiletemperaments,suchasthatofacriticalobserver.Itisgreatlytoberegrettedthatthenaivebelieverswhoinspireandsucceedinobtainingmagnificentphenomenaoflucidityusuallycaresolittleforthedesiderataofscience,and,aboveall,refusetosubmitthemselvestoanexaminationwhichmightexplainthephenomenainanaturalmanner;whilethe

investigatorsinsearchof"convincing"proofsarenotinspiringaridobtainalmostnothing.

Howeveritmaybe,IshallgiveafewexamplesofMlle.Smith'sproofsoflucidity,whicharenotveryvaried,andcanbedividedintothethreecategoriesofthemedicalprescriptionsanddiagnoses,oflostobjectsfoundagain,andofretrocognitionsofeventsmoreorlessremote.

1. MedicalConsultations.--InpromisingspecimensofextraordinaryfactsofthiskindIhavegonetoofar.Manysuchhavebeentoldme--as,forinstance,Leopolddictatinganunknownandcomplicatedrecipeofahairtonicforagentlemanlivingabroad,asinglebottleofwhichwassufficienttobringforthafullgrowthofhaironaheadwhichhadbecomebaldbeforemiddleage;or,again,Leopold,beingconsultedaboutthehealthofaladylivingatagreatdistancefromGeneva,revealingboththeveridicalnatureofherillness,whichwasunknowntillthentoherphysicians,anditsorigin,whichwasduetocertainunsuspectedbutperfectlytrueincidentsconnectedwithherchildhood,and,finally,thetreatment,whichwascrownedwithsuccess.Buttheabsenceofwrittentestimonyandpreciseinformationastotheconcomitantcircumstancesofthesemarvellouscuresreducethemtotherankofamusingstories,thevalueofwhichcannotpositivelybeestimated.Astobetter-attestedepisodes,itistrueIhavebeenabletoobtainauthenticstories,buttheyarethoseinwhichtheprobabilityofasupernormalelementhasbeenreducedtoaminimum--imperceptibletome.Iwillcitebutonecase.

M.andMme.G.havinginvitedMlle.SmithduringthemonthofAugusttopassadaywiththeminthecountry,afewleaguesdistantfromGeneva,tookadvantageofthevisittoholdaseanceinordertoconsultLeopoldonthehealthofoneoftheirchildren.IwilltelltheincidentfromawrittenaccountsentmebyMme.G.soonafterwards:

"Ourlittlegirlwassufferingfromanaemia,andfellfrequentlyintoastateofweakness,inspiteofintervalsofimprovement.Dr.d'EspinehadbeenrecommendedtousforthetimeofourreturntoGeneva.Themedium[Mlle.Smith]knewnothingofthis;wehadtakentheprecautiontokeepitfromher."TheseancebeginswithafewkindwordsfromLeopold,whomM.G.thenaskswhetherhewoulddowellinconsultingDr.d'Espine."AndI,"repliedLeopold,"canIdonothingforyou?Ungratefulpeople!"Butwhenhewasaskedto

indicatesometreatment,hereplied:"WaittillyourreturntoGeneva."Then,uponbeingaskedwhetheraneggmixedwithbrandywouldbegoodforthechild,herepliedthattheeggwouldbegood,butthebrandywasnotnecessaryinhercase.Thenherecommendedthatthechildbetakenforanhour'swalkintheopenaireveryday.Astotheprescriptionrelatingtoherfood,herepeated:"ItoldyoutowaittillyourreturntoGeneva."

OntheirreturntoGenevainthemiddleofSeptember,M.andMme.G.heldasecondseance.ThistimeLeopoldwasmoreexact;headvised:"Nottoomuchmilk,butratherafewglassesofgoodpurewineateachmeal."Thenheadded:"Treattheanaemiafirstandyouwilltriumphoverthethroattrouble,whichwouldfinallyweakenhertoomuch.Herbloodissoweakthattheleastcold,theslightestemotion,Iwillgosofarastosaythattheexpectationofapleasureeven,wouldbesufficienttobringtheanginatoacrisis.Yououghttohaveforeseenthat.""Leopold,"M.G.noteshere,"hasenabledustoputourfingeruponsuchofthedetailsaswedidnotknowhowtoexplain.AteachsentencemywifeandIlookedateachotherwithstupefaction."Leopoldorderedalsomanygreenvegetables,warmsalt-waterdouchesofthreeminutes'durationintheevening,and:"Theprincipalthingnowisfivedropsofironinhalfaglassofwatertwiceadaybeforethemeal.Dothisandyouwillseetheresultinamonth."Intwoweeks'timethelittlegirlwashardlyrecognizable.

IhavecitedthiscasebecauseitisamongthosethathavemoststruckM.andMme.G.,anduponwhichtheybuildtheirconvictionoftheindependentexistenceandsupernormalknowledgeofLeopold,andbecauseitshowshowlittleisneededtokindlethefaithamongspiritists.IforgottosaythattheG.familywaswellknownbyMlle.Smith,andthatduringthewholewinterandtheprecedingspringshehadheldweeklyseancesattheirhome.Thereisbutonethingthatastonishesme,andthatis,thatLeopold,atthetimeofthefirstimprovisedconsultation,shouldhavebeentakenunawaresuptothepointofpostponinghisordersuntillater,andadheringtosuchcommonplacethingsasawalkintheopenairandthesuppressionofbrandy.Inthesecondseanceoneseestheeffectofamonth'sincubation.LeopoldhashadtimetorecoverinHelene'smemorytheremembranceconcerningthelittlegirlwhowasanaemicandsubjecttosorethroat;alsotheprescriptionwhich,inthegivencase,surelyprovedmostefficacious,butwhichhardlydenotesasupernormalknowledge.OnedoesnotevenneedheretelepathytoexplainmessageswhichareamplyaccountedforbythesubconsciousfunctionsofMlle.Smith'sordinaryfaculties.

Examplesofthiskind,drawnfromMlle.Smith'smediumship,mightbealmostindefinitelymultiplied;butcuibono?Oncemore,IdonotclaimthatLeopoldhasnevergivenanymedicalconsultationsurpassingHelene'slatentknowledgeandimplyingsupernormalpowersofclairvoyance.IonlysaythatIhavenotyetsucceededinfindingasinglecasewheretheproofsreachedtheheightofthatconclusion.

1. ObjectsRecovered.--IdonotknowanycaseinwhichMlle.Smithhasindicatedthesituationofanobjectwhichhadbeenhidden,andastothelocationofwhichshecouldhavehadnoinformationthroughnaturalchannels.Allherdiscoveriesconsist,sofarasIhavebeenabletojudge,inthereturn,underaspiritisticandwithadramaticaspect,ofmemorieseithersimplyforgottenorproperlysubliminal,whichdependedupontheincidentsconcernedhavingfirstbelongedtotheordinaryconsciousness,ortheirhavingalwaysescapeditandhavingbeenfromtheiroriginregisteredinthesubconsciousness.

Thesearefactsofcryptomnesiapureandsimple--i.e.,explicablebyanormalpsychologicalprocessverycommoninitsessence,whilethepicturesqueembellishmentsaddedbythemediumisticimaginationgivetotheseteleologicalautomatismsacertainmysteriousandsupernormalappearancewhichinothersurroundingswouldcertainlycreateforHelene--orratherforLeopold--aplacealongsideSt.AnthonyofPadua.Iconfinemyselftotwoexamples.Mlle.Smithbeingchargedwiththedutyofmakingreadythemerchandisesentoutfromherdepartment,washandedatelegramonedayfromacustomerwhoaskedthatfouryardsofNo.13,459bedespatchedtohimimmediately."Thisbrieforder,"saidHelene,"wasnotcalculatedtohastentheforwardingofthegoods.HowcouldIreadilyfindthisNo.13,459,inthemidstofsixorseventhousandothersinthestore?Pondering,telegraminhand,IwaswonderinghowIcouldfindit,whenavoiceoutsideofbutverynearmesaidtome:'Notthere,buthere,'andinvoluntarilyIturnedround,withoutknowingwhy,andmyhandlaiditselfmechanicallyonapieceofgoodswhichIdrewtowardsme,andwhichactuallyboretheNo.13,459."

Itisnotnecessarytobeamediumtoknowbyexperiencethesehappyreminiscencesorinspirationswhichsometimescometofreeusfromembarrassmentbyshiningforthlikealightatanopportunemoment;butthatwhichinthecaseofordinarypersonsremainsinthefeebleconditionofanideaorinternalimage,amongmediumistictemperamentsassumesreadilythefixed

andvividformofanhallucination.Insteadofsimply"suddenlyrecollecting"inthecaseoftheNo.13,459,aswouldhavehappenedtoanyoneelse,Helenehearsanexteriorvoice,andperceivesherhandmovinginvoluntarilyinagivendirection.ItisnotedthatthisautomatismassumedanauditiveandmotorformwhichisthependantofthevocalandvisualautomatismwhichIhavereferredtoonpp.-.Itistothissameclassoffacts,wellknownandalmostcommonto-day,thatthefollowingexamplelikewisebelongs,althoughthesubliminalimaginationhadsurroundeditwiththeformofaninterventiononthepartofLeopold.

OneSundayevening,onreturninghome,Mlle.Smithnoticedthatshehadlostasmallbreastpinwhichhadbeenfastenedtohercorsage,andwhichshegreatlyvaluedasasouvenir.Thefollowingdayshereturnedtolookforitwhereshehadbeentheeveningbefore,butinvain,andanoticewhichshecausedtobeinsertedinthe"lost"columnsofadailynewspapergavenoresult.HereIleavethenarrationofthestorytoher:"Persuadedthatmypinwasreallylost,Ididmybesttothinknomoreaboutit,butthiswasadifficultmatter,sinceonenightIwasawakenedsuddenlybythreerapsstruckagainstmybed.Somewhatfrightened,Ilookedaround,butsawnothing.Itriedtogotosleep,butagainmanyrapswerestruck,thistimenearmyhead.Iseatedmyselfonmybed(Iwasagitated),tryingtodiscoverwhatwashappening,andhardlyhadIseatedmyselfwhenIsawahandshakingmylostbreastpinbeforemyeyes.Thisvisionlastedonlyaminute,butthatwaslongenoughforittomakeadeepimpressionuponme."

ThefollowingTuesdayevening(tendaysafterthelossofthetrinket)HeleneheldaseanceatthehouseofM.Cuendet,atwhichtwootherpersonswerealsopresent.Shetoldofthelossofherpinandthecuriousvisionabovedescribed;thenallseatedthemselvesatthetable.Afteratyptologicaldictationuponanaltogetherdifferentsubject,thefollowingincidentoccurred,theaccountofwhichIhaveborrowedfromnotestakenbyM.Cuendet(itwasin1894,andIonlyknewMlle.Smithbyreputationatthetime):

"WenoticethatfromthebeginningoftheseanceMlle.Smithdescribestousourfamiliarspirit[Leopold]asholdingalanterninhishand.Why?Thetableisshakenanew,abouttotellussomething.Thefollowingisthendictatedtousbyit:'Arise.Takealantern.ExtendyourwalktotheMunicipalBuilding.Takethepathwhichcrossesthemeadow,andwhichendsattheStreetoftheBaths.Inthemiddleofthepath,totheleft,afewyardsdistant,ablockofwhitestonewillbe

found.Startingfromtheblockofstone,onlyoneyardawayfromit,towardsthesettingsun,thepinsomuchsoughtforwillbefound.Go,Iaccompanyyou.'

"Icopyverbatimthiscommunication,whichwasobtainedletterbyletter.Iaddnothing,takenothingfromit.Generalstupefaction!Wehesitate!Finally,weallfourrise,welightalanternandsetout.Itwastwentyminutestoteno'clock.

"Wewalkslowly;wearriveattheMunicipalBuilding,andtakethepathwhichleadsfromittotheStreetoftheBaths.Inthemiddle,totheleft,someyardsdistant,we,infact,findtheblockofstoneindicated.Wesearchforamomentwithoutresult,andbegintofearweshallfindnothing.Finally,towardsthesettingsun,ayardfromtheblockofstone,Ifindburiedinthegrass,coveredwithsand,andconsequentlybadlysoiled,thepinindicated.

"Someonehadevidentlysteppedonit,asitwasslightlybent.Mlle.Smithutteredanexclamationofsurprise,andweallfourreturnedtothehouse,torecoverfromourverynaturalemotion."

ThiscasehasremainedintheeyesofMlle.SmithandherspiritisticfriendsasoneofthemoststrikingandproofsoftheobjectiveandindependentrealityofLeopold.Forthepsychologistitconstitutesaverybeautifulandinterestingexampleofcryptomnesia,wellworthytofigureamongtheveryinstructivecasescollectedbyMr.Myers,inwhichthememoryofasubliminalperception(i.e.,registeredimmediatelywithoutstrikingthenormalpersonality)appearsasarevelationinadreamofordinarysleep,orundersomeotherequivalentformofautomatism.Hereis"Leopold"--thesubconsciousnessofHelene--who,havingfeltthepinfallandnoticedwhereitrolled,firstmanifestedhimselfinapassingnocturnalvision,andthentookadvantageofthenextspiritisticgatheringtorestorecompletelyherlatentmemories.Itisnotnecessarytoseeanythingintentionalinthisrestitution,thesimpleplayofassociationofideassufficingtoexplainthatthememoryofthesituationofthepinstoredupinasubliminalstratumandstimulatedbyadesiretorecoverthelostobjectmighthavemechanicallyreappearedatthemomentoftheseance,thankstomediumisticautohypnotization,andgushedforthunderthedramaticform,naturallyappropriatetotheenvironment,ofanapparentlysupernormalpieceofinformationfurnishedbyLeopold.

1. Retrocognitions.--Theapparentlysupernormalrevelationsinregardtothepast,furnishedattheseancesofMlle.Smith,canbedividedintotwo

groups--namely,whethertheyconcernuniversalhistory,ordealwithprivateinterestsrelativetothefamiliesofthesitters.

First:Themessagesofthefirstgroupabound,undertheformofvisionsaccompaniedbytyptologicalexplanations,inHelene'sseancesof1894,buthavealmostwhollycometoanendsinceImadeheracquaintance,andIhaveneverbeenwitnessofany.AccordingtothereportswhichIhaveseen,alltheseretrocognitionshavereferencetothehistoryofProtestantism,orthatoftheFrenchRevolution--i.e.,totwoclassesoffactswhichareamongthebestknowninFranceto-day.

ItgoeswithoutsayingthatthefirmlyconvincedspiritisticgroupinwhichthesemessageswerereceivedhaveneverhadadoubtthattheapparitionswhichHeleneperceivedweretheveritablepersonagestheyassertedthemselvestobe,habitedastheywereinthecostumeoftheperiodtowhichtheybelonged,communicatingbymeansofthetable,andspeakinginthefirstperson(exceptwhenLeopoldactedasshowmananddictatedinhisownnametheexplanationsaskedfor).

Butasthecontentofthesemessagesisalwaystheverbatimreproductionoralmostexactequivalentofinformationwhichistobefoundinhistoricalandbiographicaldictionaries,Icannotavoidbeinginclinedtotheimpressionthatwehereareconcernedwithcommonfactsofcryptomnesia.

Iftheinterventionofthesupernormalbeabsolutelyinsisteduponinthiscase,itcanonlybemanifestedundertheformofatelepathictransmissionfromthesitterstothemedium.Infavorofthatsuppositiontwofactsmaybeurged:first,thatMlle.Smithpassedinthatgroupasdevoidofallhistoricalknowledge,andwasverymuchsurprisedattheserevelationsoffactstotallyunknowntoher;secondly,thattherewereregularlyinattendanceattheseseancesoneormoremembersoftheteachingbody,whobytheirgeneraleducationpossessed,withoutanydoubtwhatever,eitherconsciouslyorinalatentmanner,allthehistoricalknowledge,which,afterall,wasnotverygreat,displayedbyLeopold.

Buttheseargumentsarenotofmuchweightinmyopinion.Tobeginwiththesecond:asthesittershadtheirhandsonthetableatthesametimewiththemedium,accordingtothespiritisticcustom,theycouldthemselves,withoutanytelepathy,properlyspeaking,andsimplybytheirslight,unconsciousmuscularcontractions,havedirected,unknowntothemselves,themovementsofthatpiece

offurniture,Mlle.Smithonlyaugmentingtheseshocksproceedingfromherneighbors.

AstothesupposedignoranceofMlle.Smith,itisnotatallsogreatashasbeenimagined,andthehistoricalrevelationsobtainedatherseancesdonotinanydegreesurpassthelevelofthatwhichshecouldhaveabsorbed,consciouslyorunconsciously,atschoolandinhersurroundings.

Moreover,thehypothesiswhichappearstomethemostprobable,andonwhichIrest,isthatthemessagescomeessentiallyfromHeleneherself--Ioughtrathertosayfromhersubliminalmemory;that,however,doesnotexcludeacertainamountofcooperationonthepartofthesitters,whoseconversation,ontheonehand,andtheirunconsciousmuscularactionuponthetable,ontheother,haveoftenmaintainedanddirectedthecourseofthesubconsciousideasofthemediumandtheautomaticunfoldingofherlatentmemories.

Secondly:Retrocognitionoffamilyevents,whichareexhibitedinMlle.Smith'sseances,havegenerallythesavoroftheunknownforthesitters,fromthefactthattheyconcernincidentsofthepastwhichhaveneverbeenprintedsaveinthememoriesofcertainagedpersonsorofafewloversoflocalanecdotes.

Idonothesitatetoseeinthesestoriesofotherdays,gushingforthinvisionsandindictationsbythetableincourseofHelene'shemisomnambulisms,narrativesheardinherchildhoodandlongsinceforgottenbyherordinarypersonality,butwhichreappearbytheaidofmediumisticautohypnotization,bringingthedeepeststratatothesurface;thesimpleplayofassociation,inanentirelynaturalmanner,thencausesthememoriesrelativetothefamiliesofthepersonspresentattheseancetobepouredforth.Thereisnothingwhateverofthesupernormalinallthis,inspiteofthedramaticform,thepiquantandunexpectedart,theamusingembellishments,ofwhichthesubliminalimaginationbethinksitself--orIshouldrathersayLeopold,inhisroleofhistoriographerandscene-shifterofthepast.

ThejudgmentwhichIhavepronouncedistheresultofacourseofinductivereasoningbasedontheretro-cognitionsofMlle.Smithconcerningmyownfamily.Itrustitmaybeallowableformetoenteruponsomedetailsdesignedtojustifymyopinion.

InotefirstthatalltheseretrocognitionswithwhichLeopoldhonoredmetook

placeinthefirstsixseanceswhichIhadwithHelene,afterwhichtherehasnotbeenasingleoneinthewholefiveyearswhichhavesinceelapsed.Thisarguesinfavorofalimitedgroupoflatentmemories,whichmyintroductiontotheseancessetfree,asortofsubliminalsacorpocketwhichwasemptiedonceforallonthefirstoccasionsofmypresence.

Inthesecondplace,thisknowledgeonlyconcernsoutsidedetails,susceptibleofstrikingtheattentionofthegalleryandofbeingcarriedfrommouthtomouth.Sincefamilyhistorieshavenogreatinterestfortheordinaryreader,Iwillconfinemyselftociting,bywayofexample,thevisionwhichsoastonishedmeatmyfirstmeetingwithHelene(),andwhichhasalreadybeenpublishedbyM.Lemaitre.Ireproducehisnarrative,givingrealnames:

"Themedium[Mlle.Smith]perceivesalongtrailofsmoke,whichenvelopesM.Flournoy.'Awoman!'criesthemedium,and,amomentafter,'Twowomen...quitepretty,brunettes...bothareinbridaltoilet!...Thisconcernsyou,M.Flournoy!'[Thetableapprovesbyarap.]Theyremainmotionless;theyhavewhiteflowersintheirhairandresembleeachotheralittle;theireyes,liketheirhair,areblack,or,atallevents,verydark.Theoneinthecornerappearsundertwodifferentaspects;underbothformssheisyoung--perhapstwenty-fiveyearsold;ontheonehandsheremainswiththeappearancealreadydescribed(bridaltoilet),andontheothersheappearsveryluminousinagreatspace,alittlemoreslenderofvisage,andsurroundedbyanumberofprettychildren,inthemidstofwhomsheappearsveryhappy;herhappinessmanifestsitselfbyherexpression,butstillmoreinhersurroundings.Bothwomenseemreadytobemarried.Themediumthenhearsaname,whichatfirstescapesher,thenreturnslittlebylittle.'An!...An!..Dan...Ran...Dandi...Dandiran!'

"'Towhichofthesetwowomendoesthisnamebelong?'demandsM.Flournoy--'totheoneyouseeundertwoaspects,ortotheother?'Answer:'Totheonewhoispresentedundertwoforms.'Themediumdoesnotseetheotherwomanasdistinctlyasthefirst,butallatoncedistinguishesatallmanbyherside,whoonlypassesby,whenthetabledictates:'Iamhissister;wewillreturn!'afterwhichthescenechangesandwepasstoanothersubject."

Thisvisionrevolvesaltogetheraroundthefactsthatmymotherandhersisterweremarriedonthesameday;thattheywerebrunettes,quitepretty,andlookedalike;thatmyfatherwastall;thatmyauntmarriedM.Dandirananddiedwhilestillyoung,withoutchildren;allmatterswhichshouldhavebeenofpublic

notorietyinasmallcitylikeGeneva.ButthesameistrueofalltheotherretrocognitionsofMlle.Smith;theircontentisalwaysveridical,butatthesametimeisalsosuchascouldnotfailtobeknowntoahostofpeople.Thiscausesmetodoubtwhetherthereisatthebaseofthesephenomenaareallysupernormalfacultyofretrocognition.

Athirdstrikingfeatureis,thatallHelene'sretro-cognitionsconcerningmearerelativetothefamilyofmymother,andareconnectedwithtwoquitepreciseandbriefperiods,thefirstofwhichismanyyearsprevioustoMlle.Smith'sbirth.Thislimitationastotimesandpersonsseemstomesignificant.

Toclearupthematter,ifpossible,Iaddressedmyselftothelastrepresentativeofthepresentgenerationofmyfamily,ProfessorDandiran,ofLausanne,andlaidthecasebeforehim.HedidnotimmediatelyrememberwhethermygrandparentsClaparedehadanycommunication,nearlyhalfacenturybefore,withtheSmithfamily,butonthefollowingdayhewrotemethathedistinctlyrecalledayoungwomanofthatnameinwhomhismotherandaunthadbeengreatlyinterested,andwhohadbeenemployedbythemasadressmakerprevioustohermarriagetoaHungarian.

OneunderstandsthatIhadareasonfornotaddressingmyselffirsttoMme.Smithherself;butImustdoherthejusticetostatethatwhenIquestionedherinturn,sheveryobliginglygavemealltheinformationIdesired,andwhichwasinperfectaccordwiththestatementsofM.Dandiran.

Withoutenteringintodetailswearisometothereader,itwillbesufficientformetostatethatalltheretrocognitionsinwhichIwasinvolvedwereconnectedwithtwoperiodsinwhichMme.Smithhadrelationswithmymother'sfamily,periodsseparatedbyanintervalduringwhichtheserelationsweresuspendedbythefact'ofM.andMme.Smithmakingasojournofseveralyearsinaforeigncountry.ItwouldhavebeenpossibleforHelenetoknowdirectlythefactsofthesecondperiod,atwhichtimeshewasaboutfiveorsixyearsofage.Astothefirstperiod,whichwasmanyyearspriortoherbirth(thetimeofthedoublemarriageofmymotherandhersisterin1853),itisevidentthatMme.Smithhashadmanyopportunitiesatalaterdatetonarratethesefactstoherdaughter;anditwouldhavebeenaltogethernaturalforhertohavedoneso.

Abunodisceomnes.AlthoughIamlessfamiliarwiththeretrocognitionsofMlle.Smithconcerningotherfamilies,everythingcontributestoprovetome

thattheyareexplicableinthesamemanner.Intwocases,atleast,proofhasbeenobtainedthatthemotherofMlle.Smithwasfoundtohavebeenindirectandpersonalcommunicationwiththefamiliesconcerned,exactlyaswasthecasewithmygrandparents,andthiscircumstanceissufficienttoaccountfortheknowledge,veryastonishingatfirstsight,containedintherevelationsofLeopold.

Tosumup--purecryptomnesiaseemstometofurnishasufficientandadequateexplanationforHelene'sretrocognitions,bothastofamilyeventsaswellashistoricfacts.

AndnomoreinthisdomainofknowledgeofthepastthaninthoseofrecoveredobjectsandmedicalconsultationshaveIthusfarsucceededindiscoveringinhertheleastseriousindicationofsupernormalfaculties.

V.INCARNATIONSANDSPIRITMESSAGES

Thetimehavingarrivedtospeakofspiritism,Ifeelillateaseandembarrassedbymysurroundings,fordiversreasons,someofwhichIwillsetforth,without,however,endeavoringtoexplainthematlength,sincemyaimissimply,ashasbeenseenabove(),toindicatemysubjectiveideasastothestandingofthatdoctrine,inorderthatthereadermayshare,ifhepleases,inmyappreciationofthephenomenaofthisclasspresentedbyMlle.Smith.Iconfess,inthefirstplace,thatspiritismisasubjectwhichhasthefacultyofarousingmymirth,anddevelopsaspiritofplayfulness.Ireallydonotknowwhythisshouldbethecase,sincethatwhichconcernsthedeadandthegreatbeyondoughtnottobeamatterforjoking.Perhapsthecauseistobefoundinthenatureoftheintermediaries,andthecharacterofthemessageswithwhichthespiritsareaccustomedtofavorus.Howeveritmaybe,Ihaveordinarilymuchdifficultyinpreservingaseriouscountenanceinthepresenceofmanifestationsof"disincarnates."

ButIreproachmyselfbitterlywiththisfacetioushumorwhenIreflectthatitisindulgedinattheexpenseofconceptionsandbeliefswhichsupportedthefirststepsofourraceonitspainfulascent,thesurvivaloratavicreapparitionofwhichisyet,eventoday,asourceofmoralstrength,ofhappycertitude,ofsupremeconsolationforahostofmycontemporaries,manyofwhomIhavelearnedtoknow,andwho,moreover,inspiremewithrespectaswellasadmirationbytheiruprightnessoflife,theirnobilityofcharacter,thepurityand

elevationoftheirsentiments.

Inthesecondplace,Ihaveoftenhadthedeceptiveexperiencethat,whenitcomestoadiscussionofit,spiritismpossessesagreatadvantageforitsdefenders,butwhichismostinconvenientforthosewhowouldinvestigateitclosely--ofbeingfugitiveandincapableofbeinggraspedonaccountofthefactofitsdoublenature--ascienceandreligionatthesametime--whichneverpermitsittobewhollyandentirelytheoneortheother.

Whenwecometoanalyzeandcriticise,accordingtostrictscientificmethods,thepositivefactsuponwhichitpretendstobaseitsfundamentalargument

[paragraphcontinues]--therealityofcommunicationwiththespiritsofthedeparted,throughtheinterventionofmediums--assoonastheadeptsbegintounpackforyoutheirstockoftheories(Iwasabouttosaytheirstocktheories!)theyareastonishedatthelackofidealonthepartoftheseterriblematerialist-scientists,whoareintentuponsearchingforthe"hiddenrat"inthedemonstrationsofspiritism,insteadoffallingontheirkneesbeforethesplendorofitsrevelations.

Athirdcauseofmyuneasinesswheneverobligedtoapproachthissubjectisthefearofbeingmisunderstoodormisinterpreted,thankstothenaiveandsimpleclassificationwhichprevailsintheenvironmentswhichthe"disincarnates"frequent.

Spiritismormaterialism--thesearethebrutalalternativestowhichonefindshimselfdriveninspiteofhimself.Ifyoudonotadmitthatthespiritsofthedeadrevealthemselvesbyrapsonthetableorvisionsofthemediums,youare,therefore,amaterialist!Ifyoudonotbelievethatthedestinyofthehumanpersonalityisterminatedatthegrave,youareaspiritist!Thismodeofnomenclatureandlabellingissurelypuerile.Moreover,noonewillinglyconsentstobethrustintothecompanyofthosewithwhom,nomatterhowhonorabletheymaybe,heisnotinsympathy.

IalsowishtostatethatIabsolutelyrepudiatetheabovealternative.Thereisgreatervarietyofchoiceinthecabinetofhumanthought.Inthelastcentury,forexample,outsidethespiritismofSwedenborgandthematerialismofBarond'Holbach,therewasyetthecriticismofonenamed

[paragraphcontinues]Kant,whomadesomenoiseintheworldandwhose

vogueisevennownotabsolutelyextinct.Ishouldnotfeartorangemyselfamonghisfollowers.Andinourowntimes,ifitwasnecessaryformetochoosebetweenBuchnerandAllanKardec,asthespiritistseemssometimestobelieve,Iwouldnothesitatetochoose--infavorofM.Renouvier,ormydeceasedcompatriotCharlesSecretan.

Iholdtonootherphilosophy,anditsufficesme,inordertorepulsethewholeofmaterialismandspiritism,tobethedisciple--unworthy,butconvinced--oftheNazarene,whorepliedtothematerialistsofhistime,notbyspiritisticevocations,butbythesimplewords,"GodisnottheGodofthedeadbutoftheliving,forallliveuntoHim."IamnotsurewhetherthisargumentconvincedtheSadducees,butitpleasesmebyitssimplicity,andIhavenodesireforanyother.

IfGodexists--Ishouldsay,ifthesupremerealityisnottheunconsciousandblindforce-substanceofconventionalmonism,butthatsovereignpersonality(orsuprapersonality)whichintheclearconsciousnessofChristmadeitspaternalpresencetobecontinuallyfelt--ifGodexists,itisnot,apparently,inordertoplaytheroleofaperpetualundertakeroffunerealpompthatheconsentstoexist,ortoallowtofallforeverintonothingnessthepoorcreatureswhowaituponHim.

Theymaydisappearfrombeforeoureyes,buttheydonotdisappearfrombeforeHis;fortheyaredeadtous,butforHim,and,consequently,inactualreality,theyareliving.OtherwiseHewouldnotbeGod.

[paragraphcontinues]ThisisallIneed.Iseenothingclearly,itistrue,astotheconcreteconditionsofthatotherexistence,ofwhichthemannereven,ifitwererevealedtome,wouldprobablyremainasealedbooktomyintelligence,hamperedbythebondsofspaceandtime.Butofwhatimportanceisit?ThatwhichIamof,Godknows;andwhilewaitingforHimtocallmetorejointhosewhohaveprecededme,HeisgreatenoughformetoleavetoHimthemysteriousfateofourpersonalities."SinceallliveuntoHim,"Iasknomorethanthat,andasforthepretendeddemonstrationsofspiritism,trueorfalse,Idonotcareafarthing.

OrIwouldpreferthemtobefalse.Andiftheyaretrue,ifitisactuallyalawofnaturethatduringlongyearstocome,afterthisterrestrialexistence,wemustdragourselvesmiserablyfromtabletotableandmediumtomedium,thebestofus(nottospeakoftheothers)displayingwithoutshametheproofsofourmental

decrepitudeinpitiablenonsenseandwretchedverses--oh,somuchtheworse!

Itisonemiseryandshamethemoreaddedtoallthoseofwhichthissatanicworldismadeup,anewcalamitycomingtocrownthephysicalandmoralillsofaworldagainstwhichtheChristiancontinuallyprotestsasherepeats"Thykingdomcome,"anadditionalscandalcondemnedtodisappearwhen"Hiskingdomshallhavecome."

Thereisnothingincommonbetweentheempirical,spatial,andtemporalsurvivalswhichspiritismpretendstoestablishandthat"eternallife"proclaimedbytheProphetofNazareth.Thesethings,saidPascal,arenotofthesameorder.ThatiswhyIamnotaspiritist.

Hererisesalastpoint,whichworriesmewhenIoughttospeakmymindinregardtospiritisminthepresenceofspiritists."Youdonotpersonallyhold,"ithasbeenoftenobjectedtome,"tothesecommunicationsofthelivingwiththosewhohavegonebeforeusintothegreatunknown,andyoucryoutagainstspiritisticdemonstrations.Itisallverywellforyou,whoareamystic,andtowhomtheexistenceofGodinJesusChristseemsasufficientguaranteeofthedestiniesofhumanpersonalityanditsultimatepalingenesis.Buteveryonehasnotthesametemperament,anddoesnottakesoblithelyhisignoranceofthekindoflifewhichawaitshimbeyondthetomb.TobelieveinGod,andtoabandontoHimwithclosedeyesthefateofthosewholeaveus,carryingawaywiththemthebestportionsofourbeing,isallverywell,butitisverydifficult.Thetimesofthepsalmistwhocouldsay'ThoughHeslayme,yetwillItrustHim'arenomore;andasforChrist,Hewascertainlyaveryremarkablemedium,butHissimpleaffirmationwouldscarcelybetakento-dayforgospelwords.Thesolidandthepalpablearenecessarytothe'fools'ofourepoch.Theyarenotcapableofadmittingahigherworldthanthatofsense,unlesstheyareenabledtotouchitwiththeirfingerbymeansofmessagesandthereturnofthedeadthemselves.Whenceitresultsthateveryattack,everyhostileattitudetowardsspiritismtendsdirectlytobreakdowntheonlyrampartwhichmighthenceforthbeefficaciousagainstmaterialismanditsdisastrousconsequences

[paragraphcontinues]--infidelity,egotism,vice,despair,suicide,and,finally,thedestructionandannihilationoftheentiresocialorganism.Ontheotherhand,whenscienceatlengthshallrecognizeandconsecratespiritismofficially,thereupon,simultaneouslywiththetangiblecertaintyofanotherlife,courageandstrengthwillreturntotheheartsofindividuals,devotionandallvirtueswill

begintoflourishonceagain,andanelevatedhumanitywillsoonseeheavendescendupontheearth,thankstotheconnectionestablishedanddailypractisedbetweenthelivingandthespiritsofthedead."

Myembarrassmentiseasilyseen.Ontheonehand,Idonotinanywayadmittheforegoingobjection.Idonotthinkthatthegospelhashaditsdayorisabovethereachof"fools,"sinceitwasforthemthatitsauthordesignedit.Ibelieve,onthecontrary,thattheChristianfaith,thefaithofChristorfaithinChrist,is,initsinmostessence,apsychologicalreality,apersonalexperienceaccessibletothemosthumble,afactofconsciousnesswhichwillsurvivewhenalltheologicalsystemsshallhavebeenforgottenandalltheclergyshallhavebeenabolished.Thatvitalandregeneratingpowerwillsaveourcivilization(ifanythingcansaveit)bymeansoftheindividualswhomitshallhaveregenerated,withoutowinganythingtospiritistictheoriesorpractices.Inversely,Idonotsharetheoptimismofthosewhowouldmakeofspiritismasocialpanacea,andwhoimaginethatwhenthemoralconsciousnessontheonesideandthereligiousconsciousnessontheotherhaveceasedtomakethemselvesheard,themessagesofthe"disincarnates"willhavebettersuccess.("IftheyhearnotMosesandtheprophets,neitherwilltheybepersuadedthoughonerosefromthedead.")

But,ontheotherhand,thereareindividualcaseswhichareinterestingandwhichcertainlymeritconsideration.Andformillions,andbyahundreddifferenttitles--religiousbelief,moralconsolation,solemnandmysteriousrites,oldhabit,etc.--spiritismisto-daythepivotaroundwhichexistenceturns,andalsoitsonlysupport;wouldnotthedestructionofit,then,beproductiveofmoreharmthangood,andwoulditnotbebettertoletmatterstaketheircourse?Whypreventmanfromdelightingindreams,ifhesopleases?

Allthingsarepossible,andwasitnotoftherevenantsthatHamletwasthinkinginhiscelebratedapostrophe,fromwhichIhavetakenthisprinciple?

Thesearethethingswhichperplexme:whilewaitingtofindawayoutofthem,andbywayofsummingup,itseemstomeindispensabletoseparatedistinctlyspiritism-religion,whichisanassemblageofbeliefsandpracticesdeartomany,fromspiritism-science,asimplehypothesisdesignedtoexplaincertainphenomenaarisingfromobservation.Thefirsttellsmenothing,orratheritamusesmeorrepelsmeaccordingtocircumstances;butthemoreelevatedsentiments,andthoseworthyofallrespect,whichitinspiresinitsadepts,imposeuponmethedutyofpassingitbyandignoringithere.Thesecond,on

thecontrary,doesnotfailtointerestme,asitdoesallwhoarecuriousinregardtonaturalphenomena.

Forthequestion,Dohumanoranimalindividualitiescontinuetointerveneinaneffectivemannerinthephysical,physiological,orpsychologicalphenomenaofthisuniverseafterthelossoftheircorporealandvisibleorganism?isnotanordinaryone.Iftherearefactswhichperemptorilyestablishanaffirmativeanswer,whatproblemswillarise,whatanunexpectedfieldofinvestigationwillitnotopenuptoourexperimentalsciences!Andevenifthehypothesisisfalse,howcaptivatingthestudyofthesingularphenomenawhichhavebeenabletogiveitbirth,whichsimulatethereturnofthedeadtoourobservableworld!Itisunderstood,therefore,that,evendespoiledofalltheemotionalaccessoriesinwhichitsoeasilywrapsitselfintheheartandimaginationofmen,theempiricalquestionofimmortalityandspiritisticinterventions,apparentorreal,preservesitsscientificimportance,andmeritsbeingdiscussedwiththecalmserenity,independence,andstrictnessofanalysiswhichbelongtotheexperimentalmethod.

Itgoeswithoutsayingthat,apriori,thehypothesisofspiritstoexplainthephenomenaofmediumshasinitnothingoftheimpossibleortheabsurd.Itdoesnotevennecessarilycontradict,asissometimesimagined,thedirectingprincipleofphysiologicalpsychology--thepsychologicalparallelism--whichdemandsthateverymentalphenomenonshallhaveaphysicalcorrelative.For,inspiteofourhabitofconsideringthemolecularoratomicphenomenaofthebrain,thekatabolismofthenerves,asthetrueconcomitantofconsciousprocesses,itmaywellbe--itisevenveryprobable--thatthesemolecularmovementsdonotconstitutetheultimatephysicaltermimmediatelyparallelingthementalworld,butthattherealphysicalcorrelatives(spatial)ofthe(non-spatial)psychologicalphenomenashouldbesoughtforinthevibrationsofimponderablematter,theether,inwhichtheponderableatomsandmoleculesareplungedsomewhatlikegrainsofdustintheatmosphere,inordertomakeasensiblethoughsomewhatinaccuratecomparison.

Theetherealbody,perispiritistic,astral,fluid,etc.,oftheoccultists,andofmanythinkerswhoarenotbelieversinoccultism,isonlyanotionscientificallyabsurdwhenitismadetobeanequivocalandcloudyintermediarybetweenthesoulandthebody,anun-assignabletertiumquid,aplasticmediatorofwhichnothingisknownastoitsbeingmaterialorspiritualorsomethingelse.Butconceivedasasystemofmovementsoftheether,itcontainsnothingabsolutelyanti-orextra-

scientificinitsnature;theconnectionbetweenthesubjectivefactsofconsciousnessandtheobjective,materialfacts,remainsessentiallythesamewhetheroneconsidersthematerialworldundertheimponderableformofetherorundertheponderableformofchemicalatoms,ofphysicalmolecules,andofanatomicalelements.Nothing,then,wouldberadicallyopposed,fromthepointofviewofthenaturalsciences,totheexistenceofdisincarnatespiritswanderingthroughspace.

Theforegoingwilldoubtlesspleasemyspiritisticfriends.Herearetwofactswhichwillpleasethemless.First:Iseparatemyselffromthemwhentheypassprematurelyfrommereabstractpossibilitiestotheaffirmationofactualities.Perhapstheoutcomewillprovethemrightsomeday;perhapsinthenearfuture,butwehavenotyetreachedthatpoint.Ifreelyadmitthatneverhavecircumstancesbeensofavorableforthespiritisticdoctrinesasatpresent.TheauthenticreturnofGeorgePelhamandotherdeceasedpersons,throughMrs.Piperentranced,asintermediary,seemstobeadmittedbysomanyacuteobservers,thephenomenaobservedforfifteenyearspastinthecaseofthisincomparablemediumareattimessomarvellousandsurroundedwithsuchsolidscientificguarantees--thecaseis,inaword,sounheardofandastoundinginallrespects,thatthosewhoareonlyacquaintedwithitfromadistance,byprintedreportsandoralnarrativesofimmediatewitnesses,feelthemselvesinapoorpositionforformulatingtheirdoubtsandreservationsuponthissubject.

Ifear,inthesecondplace,formediumsandpracticalspiritists,thatwhentheirhypothesisshallhavebeenscientificallydemonstratedtheresultmaybeverydifferentfromthatwhichtheynowimagineitwillbe.

Itmightwellhappenthatthecultofthetable,mechanicalwriting,seances,andallothermediumisticexercises,mayreceivetheirdeath-blowfromtheofficialrecognitionofspiritsbyscience.Suppose,infact,thatcontemporaneousresearchesshouldatlasthaveprovedclearlythatmessagesactuallycomefromthedisincarnate;ithasalreadyfollowedfromthesameresearchesthatinthemostfavorablecasestheveritablemessagesareverydifficulttodistinguishfromthosewhicharenotauthentic.Whenpeoplecometounderstandthatthissortingofmessagesisalmostalwaysbeyondtheirpower,theywill,perhaps,beputoutofconceitwithexperimentsinwhichtheyhaveninety-ninechancesagainstoneofbeingdupesofthemselvesorothers,andinwhich--astillmorevexatiousmatter--iftheyshouldevenbesofortunateastolightuponthehundredthchance,theywouldhavenocertainmeansofknowingit.

Thissubject,decidedly,isfataltome.Ilosemyselfindigressionswhendiscussingit--veryuselesstheyare,too,sincetheverdictwhichthefuturewillpronounceuponthetheoryofspirits,withorwithoutanetherealbody,matterslittleasfarastheactualexaminationofthemessagesfurnishedbyMlle.Smithisconcerned.Evenhavingbecomescientificallyverified,spiritismwillneverabsolveusfrombringingtotheanalysisofthepretendedcommunicationslesscareandrigorthanwhileitwasonlyanundemonstratedhypothesis;eachparticularcasewillalwaysdemandtobescrutinizedbyitself,inordertomakethedistinctionbetweenthatwhichinallprobabilityonlyarisesfrommanynon-spiritisticcauses,andtheresidueeventuallyproceedingfromthedisincarnate.

Ioughttostateattheoutsetthat,asfarasHelene'smediumisticphenomenaareconcerned,theircarefulanalysishasnotrevealedtomeinthemanyevidentvestigeoftheotherworld,notevenoftracesofatelepathictransmissiononthepartoftheliving.Ihaveonlysucceededinperceivinginthemverybeautifulandinstructiveexamplesofthewell-knowntendencyofthesubliminalimaginationtoreconstructthedeceasedandtofeigntheirpresence,especiallywhenthefavorablesuggestionsofthesurroundingenvironmentincitesthemtodoso.Notbeinginfallible,andbearinginmindHamlet'sprinciple,Iwillguardmyselfwellfromaffirmingthatthesesubliminalimitationsandsimulacraareabsolutelyfreefromanyspiritcollaboration;IcontentmyselfwithrepeatingthatIhavenotdiscoveredany,andthatitseemstomeinthehighestdegreeimprobable,andwithleavingittootherstodemonstrateitsreality,iftheythinktheyareabletodoso.SomeexamplestakenfromtheprincipalincarnationsofMlle.Smithwillenablemetoshowafteramoreconcretefashionmymannerofregardingthem.

1. CaseofMlle.Vignier.--Thiscasehasnoevidentialvaluewhatever,since(ashasbeenseen,),therewereformerlyrelationsbetweentheVignierfamilyandMme.SmithwhichsufficetoexplaintheveridicalknowledgemanifestedbyHeleneinthisincarnation.

Igiveanabridgedrecitalofit,nevertheless,forthesakeofcertainpointsofpsychologicalinterest.Noneofthespectatorshadanysuspicionoftheserelationsatthetimeofthisscene,whichwasabsolutelyenigmaticaltoallofthem.

Inaseanceatmyhouse(onMarch3,1895,afteraHindoovision,described),Mlle.Smithsawanunknownladyappear,ofwhomshegavethefollowingdescription:"Anosebentandhookedlikethebeakofaneagle;smallgrayeyes,

veryclosetogether;amouthwiththreeteethonly;awickedsmile,mockingexpression;simpledress;acollarnotofthefashionofto-day;shedrawsneartothisportrait,[**]andgazesatitnotill-naturedly."

Thenameofthispersonisasked,andthetable(Leopold)commencestospell:"Mademoiselle"--butrefusestogofurther,whileHeleneseestheapparitionlaughing,"withaslyair";asthenameisinsistedon,thetabledictates:"Thatdoesnotconcernyou,"thenshebeginstojumpandskipasthoughgladofanopportunitytomockus.

PresentlyHelenefallsasleepandentersintosomnambulism;sheleavesthetableandmovestowardstheportraitinquestion,beforewhichsheremainsfixed,completelyincarnatingtheunknownladyofhervision.Itakedowntheportraitandplaceitinitsframeuponaneasy-chair;immediatelyshekneelsbeforeitandcontemplatesitwithaffection;then,takingtheframeinherrighthand,whiletheleft,verymuchagitated,playswiththecord,sheends,aftermanyvainattempts,by.sayingwithagreatstammering,"J--j--jel'aimaisb--b--beaucoup:jen'aimepasl'autre--j--j--jenel'aijamaisaimeel'autre--j'amaisbienmonneveu--adieu!--jelevois."("Ilikeditverymuch:Idonotliketheotherone:Ineverlikedtheotherone.Iwasveryfondofmynephew.Adieu!Iseehim.)

Itwasimpossibletoobtainanyexplanationofthisincomprehensiblescene,until,havingslippedapencilandawriting-tabletintoHelene'shand,shescribbledfeverishly,inahandnotherown,thesetwowords"MademoiselleVignier";thenshefellintoacatalepticphase,fromwhichsheawakenedwithoutmemoryattheendofhalfanhour.

ThisnameofVignierevokedinmefar-offmemoriesandvaguelyrecalledtomymindthefactthatProfessorDandiran(whohadmarried,aswehaveseen,mymother'ssister)hadanancestressofthatname;wasitshewhoreturnedtoexpresstomebymeansofMlle.Smithheraffectionformymother,whoseportraitshehadsoattentivelyregarded,andherregrets,perhaps,thathernephewhadnotbeenpreferredtomyaunt?

Ontheotherhand,M.CuendetrecollectedaMlle.Vignierwhohadbeenafriendofhisfamily,butwhodidnotcorrespondatallwiththedescriptionofHelene'svisions;hepromisedtoobtaininformation,and,infact,wrotemeonthefollowingday:"DearSir,--Hereissomeinformationonthesubjectofourseanceofyesterday.ThismorningIaskedmymother:Didyoueverknow

anotherMlle.Vignierthantheonewhowasyourfriend?'Afteraninstantofreflection:'Yes,'repliedshe;'Ididknowanother.ShewasM.Dandiran'saunt,ofLausanne,hismother'ssister.Shestammered,andwasnotalwaysverygood-natured;shehadthreelargeteethwhichprojected,andahookednose.'ItisuselesstostatetoyouthatthiswasthefirsttimeIhadheardherspokenof."

Thisinformation,coincidingwithmyremembrancesandHelene'svision,waslaterconfirmedbyM.Dandiran,whogavemethefollowinginformation:"Youraunt,Mlle.Vignier,whodiedaboutthirty-fiveorfortyyearsago,lovedhernephewverymuch;butshewasmadeveryangrybyhismarriage,andthesentenceutteredbeforemymother'sportraitcouldnothavereferredtoadifferenceofsentimentinregardtothetwosisters,forwhomshealwayshadanequalaffection.Thissentence,onthecontrary,iswonderfullywellexplainedbythefollowingfacts:Mymotherandhersisterhavingbecomebetrothedatthesametime,oil-paintingsofboth,ofnaturalsize,weremadebythesamepainter.Theseportraitswerenotofequalmerit,andMlle.Vignier,whowasherselfsomethingofanartist,alwaysconsideredthatofmymotherexcellent,whiletheother,thatofmyaunt,shedidnotlikeatall.Mlle.Vignierwasverylively,andM.Dandiranfindsthattheepithet'sly'andthetabledictating'Thatdoesnotconcernyou,'verywellexpresshercharacter;shewas,however,notatallmaliciousormockingatheart,butitistruethatpersonswhoknewherslightlycouldeasilyhavegainedthatimpressionofher.Shehadthreeorfourprominentteethandstammeredbadly.Inherphotographshewearsawhitecollar,hasanoselongandarched,buttheeyesareratherlargeandwideapart.Shealwaysworegoldeye-glasses,ofwhichthemediumdidnotspeak."

Ifthereaderhashadpatiencetoreadthesedetails,hewillhaveremarkedthatthedistinctivetraitsofMlle.VignierinthevisionandherincarnationbyHelene(thestammering,theteeth,theshapeofthenose,theill-naturedair)coincidewiththosespontaneouslyindicatedbyM.Cuendet,whohadknownherslightly;andthatwhileM.Dandiran,betterpostedastohisaunt'scharacter,findsthenoteofmaliciousnessorwantofgood-naturefalse,heacknowledgesthatpeopleoutsideofherfamilycouldhavebeendeceivedconcerningit.Thatistosay,hasnottheimaginationofMlle.Smithproducedtheexteriormemory,thedescriptionaccordingtopublicnotoriety,asitwere,whichMlle.Vignierleftbehindher?Andifitberecalledthatattheperiodatwhichthetwofianceeswerepainted,Mme.SmithwasincommunicationwithmymaternalgrandparentsthroughtheonlysisterofMlle.Vignier,therewouldbeaprobabilityamountingalmosttoacertaintythatthesearecontemporary

remembrances,narratedsometimeorothertoHelenebyhermother,andwhichfurnishedthematerialforthissomnambulicpersonification.

Inthisexample,towhichImightaddseveralanalogousones,theapparentspiritcontrolisreducedtolatentmemoriesofrecitalsformerlyheardbyHelene.

Inothercases,inwhich,forlackofinformation,ithashithertobeenimpossibletodiscoverthiswhollynaturalfiliationoffacts,simpleanalysisofthecircumstancesandofthecontentofthecommunicationsindicatesthat,inallprobability,theyproceedfromreminiscencesandimpressionsappertainingtolivingindividualsmuchratherthanfromdisincarnates.Inotherwords,thesemessagesandpersonificationstooevidentlyreflectthepointofviewofthemediumorotherlivingpersonsforittobepermissibletoregardthemasduetotheinterventionofdeceasedpersons,whoseattitudetowardsthemwould,inallprobability,bewhollydifferent.

1. CaseofJeantheQuarryman.--WehaveheretodealwithaverycuriousspiritmessageconcerningMme.Mirbel,inwhichIcannotfailtoseeactualmemoriesofthelatter--transmittedIknownothow(butnotnecessarilyinasupernormalmanner)toMlle.Smith--ratherthananauthenticcommunicationfromapretendeddisincarnate.

InaseanceatwhichMme.Mirbelwasnotpresent,Helenehadthehallucinationofaverystrongodorofsulphur;thenthevisionofaquarrymanfromthefootofSaleve,inwhichsheperceivedanddescribedindetailanunknownman,who,bythedictationsofthetable,wasdeclaredtobeJeantheQuarryman,andchargedthesitterswithanaffectionatemessageforMme.Mirbel.Thelatter,interrogatedonthefollowingday,recognizedintheverycircumstantialdescriptionofthisman,andunderallthefeaturesofHelene'svision,perfectlycorrectfactsconnectedwithherchildhood,andwhichhadpassedawayfromthehabitualcircleofherideasformorethantwentyyears.Itconcernedaworkmanemployedinherfather'squarries,andwho,whenshewasalittlegirl,hadalwaysevincedaspecialaffectionforher.

Letussuppose--intheabsenceofallproofthatMlle.SmithhadeverheardtheseremembrancesofMme.Mirbel'schildhoodmentioned--thatrecoursemustbehadtothesupernormalinordertoexplainthecase.Itstillwouldnotamounttoaninterventionofthedeceasedquarryman;andM.Lemaitrewasperfectlyright,inmyopinion,inclingingtotelepathyandinhazardingtheideaofanetheric

influence,towhichHelenewassubjectedbyMme.Mirbel,whoatthehourofthisseancehappenedtobehalfakilometredistantfromtheplaceoftheseance.Withoutgoingoutofthedomainoftelepathy,IstillwouldpreferthehypothesisofaprevioustransmissioninthecourseofoneoftheseancesatwhichMme.Mirbelwaspresenttothatoftelepathyatagreatdistanceatthetimeoftheseance.Itis,infact,notcontrarytothatwhichisbelievedtobeknownofmentalsuggestion,toadmitthatHelene'ssubliminal,inthestateofEsenale,forexample,couldinsomewaydrawfromMme.Mirbel'ssubliminalthelatentmemorieswhichtherelayburiedforsometimebeforebeingreadytoreappearataseanceatwhichshehadsomereasontothinkMme.Mirbelwouldagainbepresent.

Whateverthemodeofitstransmissionmayhavebeen,thecontentofthisvisionseemstometoindicateclearlythatithasitsorigininthepersonalmemoriesofMme.MirbelratherthanintheposthumousmemoryofJeantheQuarryman.Allthepresumptionsinthiscaseare,tomymind,infavorofamemoryofMme.Mirbel,andnotofaveritablecommunicationfromtheotherworld.Thepersonalaspectofthemessagessupposedtobedictatedbythequarrymandonotconstituteanobstacletomyinterpretationoraguaranteeofspiritisticauthenticity,thisaspectbeingtheformthattheautomatismshabituallyassumeamongmediums.

1. CaseoftheSyndicChaumontetandoftheCureBurnier.--Thefollowingcaseisthelast.Itisaveryrecentone,inwhichthespiritisticandthecryptomnesiachypothesesexistfacetoface,aproposofsignatureswrittenbyMlle.Smithinsomnambulismwhichdonotlacksimilaritytotheauthenticsignaturesofthedeceasedpersonstowhomtheyaresupposedtobelong.

Inaseanceatmyhouse(February12,1899),Mlle.Smithhasavisionofavillageonaheightcoveredwithvines;byarockyroad,sheseesdescendingfromitalittleoldman,whohastheairofaquasigentleman;hewearsshoeswithbuckles,alargefelthat,thecollarofhisshirtisunstarched,andhaspointsreachinguptohischeeks,etc.Apeasantinablouse,whomhemeets,makesreverencestohim,astoanimportantpersonage;theyspeakapatoiswhichHelene-doesnotunderstandShehastheimpressionofbeingfamiliarwiththevillage,butvainlysearcheshermemorytodiscoverwhereshehasseenit.Presentlythelandscapefadesaway,andthelittleoldman,nowclothedinwhiteandinaluminousspace(i.e.,inhisactualrealityofadisincarnate),appearsto

drawneartoher.Atthismoment,assheleansherrightarmuponthetable,Leopolddictatesbytheindex-finger:"Kissherarm."Iexecutetheorder;Helene'sarmatfirstresistsstrenuously,thenyieldssuddenly.Sheseizesapencil,andinthemidstofthecustomarystrugglerelativetothemannerofholdingit(see),"Youareholdingmyhandtootightly,"saysshetotheimaginarylittleoldman,who,accordingtoLeopold,wishestomakeuseofitinordertowrite."Youhurtmeverybadly;donotholditsofirmly....Whatdifferencedoesitmakewhetheritisapencilorapen?"Atthesewordsshethrowsawaythepencilandtakesupapen,and,holdingitbetweenthethumbandindex-finger,slowlytracesinanunknownhand:"Chaumontet,syndic"(see).

Thenthevisionofthevillagereturns;atourdesiretoknowthenameofitsheultimatelyperceivesasign-postonwhichshespells"Chessenaz,"anamewhichisunknowntous.Then,havingbymyadviceaskedthelittleoldman,whomshestillsees,atwhatperiodhewassyndic,shehearshimanswer,"1839."

Itisimpossibletolearnmore;thevisionvanishesandgiveswaytoatotalincarnationofLeopold,who,inhisdeepItalianvoice,speakstousatlengthofvariousmatters.Itakeadvantageofitinordertoquestionhimupontheincidentoftheunknownvillageandsyndic;hisreplies,interruptedbylongdigressions,maybesummedupaboutasfollows:"Iamsearching....Itraverseinthoughttheascentofthisgreatmountainpiercedthroughatitsfootbysomething,thenameofwhichIdonotknow;IseethenameofChessenaz,avillageonaheight,andaroadwhichascendstoit.Searchinthisvillage;youwillcertainlyfindthename(Chaumontet);seektoexaminehissignature;thisproofyouwillfindthere;youwillfindthatthehandwritingwasthatofthisman.

TomyquestionwhetherheseesthisinHelene'smemoriesandwhethershehaseverbeenatChessenaz,herepliesinthenegativeastothefirstpointandevasivelyastothesecond:"Askher;shehasagoodmemoryforeverything.Ihavenotfollowedherinallherwanderings."

Awakened,Helenecouldnotfurnishusanyinformation.ButthefollowingdayIfoundonthemapalittlevillagecalledChessenaz,intheDepartmentofHaute-Savoie,twenty-sixkilometres,inastraightline,fromGeneva,andnotfarfromtheCredo.AstheChaumontetsarenotrareinSavoy,therewasnothingunlikelyinthefactofapersonofthatnamehavingbeensyndictherein1839.

Twoweeks'laterImadeavisittoMme.andMlle.Smith--therewasnoseanceheld--whenHelenesuddenlyassumedthevoiceandaccentofLeopold,withoutbeingawareofthechange,andbelievingmetobejokingwhenIsoughttocausehertonoticeit.Presentlythehemisomnambulismbecomesaccentuated;Heleneseesthevisionoftheotherday,thevillageandthenthelittleoldman(thesyndic)reappear,butthelatterisaccompaniedthistimebyacurewithwhomheseemedongoodtermsandwhomhecalled(whichsherepeatstomeallthewhilewithLeopold'sItalianaccent),"MydearfriendBurnier."AsIaskwhetherthiscurecouldnotwritehisnamewithHelene'shand,LeopoldpromisedmebyadigitaldictationthatIshouldhavethatsatisfactionatthenextseance;thenhebeginstotalktomeofsomethingelsebyHelene'smouth,shebeingnowentirelyentranced.

Atthefollowingseanceatmyhouse(the19thofMarch),IremindLeopoldofhispromise.Heanswersatfirstbythefinger:"Doyouverymuchdesirethatsignature?"anditisonlyuponmyinsistingthatheconsents.Helenethenisnotlonginagainseeingthevillageandthecure,whoafterdiversincidentstakesholdofherhandasthesyndichaddone,andtracesveryslowlywiththepenthesewords,"Burniergreetsyou"();thenshepassesintoothersomnambulisms.Themomenthadarrivedtoclearupthematter.Iwroteathazardtothemayor'sofficeatChessenaz.Themayor,M.Saussier,hadthekindnesstoanswerwithoutdelay:"Duringtheyears1838-39,"statedhetome,"thesyndicofChessenazwasaChaumontet,Jean,whosesignatureIfindattachedtodiversdocumentsofthatperiod.WealsohadascureM.Burnier,Andre,fromNovember,1824,uptoFebruary,1841;duringthisperiodallthecertificatesofbirths,marriages,anddeathsbearhissignature....ButIhavediscoveredinourarchivesadocumentbearingbothsignatures,thatofthesyndicChaumontetandthatofthecureBurnier.Itisanorderforthepaymentofmoney.Itakepleasureintransmittingittoyou."Ihavecausedtobereproducedinthemiddleofthefragmentofthisoriginaldocument(datedJuly29,1838),bearingthenamesofthesetwopersonages;thereadercanthusjudgeforhimselfinregardtothequiteremarkablesimilaritywhichthereexistsbetweentheseauthenticsignaturesandthoseautomaticallytracedbythehandofMlle.Smith.

Myfirstideawas,asmaybesupposed,thatMlle.SmithmustsometimeorotherhaveseensomecertificatesordocumentssignedbythesyndicorbythecureofChessenaz,andthatitwastheseforgottenvisualflashes,reappearinginsomnambulism,whichhadservedherasinnermodelswhenherentrancedhandretracedthesesignatures.Onemaylikewiseimaginehowangrysucha

suppositionwouldmakeHelene,whohasnorecollectionwhateverofhavingeverheardthenameofChessenaznorofanyofitsinhabitants,pastorpresent.Ionlyhalfregretmyimprudentsupposition,sinceithasavailedtofurnishusanewandmoreexplicitmanifestationofthecure,who,againtakingholdofMlle.Smith'sarmatalaterseance(May21st,atM.Lemaitre's)comestocertifytousastohisidentitybytheattestation,indueandproperform,of.Asisthereseen,hemakesittwice;beingdeceivedastothesignature,heincontinently,withdisgust,crossesoutthatwhichhehadsocarefullywritten,andrecommencesonanothersheet;thisseconddraft,inwhichhehasomittedtheword"soussigne"("undersigned")ofthefirst,tookhimsevenminutestotrace,butleavesnothingtobedesiredastoprecisionandlegibility.Thispainstakingcalligraphyisverylikethatofacountrycureofsixtyyearsago,andindefaultofanotherspecimenforcomparison,itpresentsanundeniableanalogyofhandwiththeauthenticreceiptoftheorderforpaymentofmoneyofFig.44.

NeitherMlle.SmithnorhermotherhadtheleastnotioninregardtothecureorthesyndicofChessenaz.TheyneverthelessinformedmethattheirfamilyformerlyhadsomerelativesandconnectionsinthatpartofSavoy,andthattheyarestillincommunicationwithacousinwholivesatFrangy,an

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Fig.43.Certificateswritten(May21,1899)byMlle.Smithwhileinatrance.Theoneabovewasfeverishlycrossedoutinfinishingthefaultysignature.Theonebelowwasafterwardswritteninsevenminutes.Naturalsize.[FromthecollectionofM.Lemaitre.]importanttownnearestthelittlevillageofChessenaz.Heleneherselfmadeonlyashortexcursioninthatregion,somedozenyearsago;andif,infollowingtheroadfromSeysseltoFrangy,shetraversedsomepartsofthecountrycorrespondingwelltocertaindetailsofhervisionofthe12thofFebruary(whichshehadthefeelingofrecognizing,aswehaveseen,),shehasnot,ontheotherhand,anyideaofhavingbeenatChessenazitself,norofhavinghearditmentioned."Moreover,"saysshe,"forthosewhocansupposethatIcouldhavebeenatChessenazwithoutrememberingit,IwouldaffirmthatevenhadIgonethereIwouldnothavebeenapttoconsultthearchivesinordertolearnthatasyndicChaumontetandacureBurnierhadexistedthereataperiodmoreorlessremote.Ihaveagoodmemory,andIpositivelyaffirmthatnooneofthepersonsaroundmeduringthosefewdayswhileIwasawayfrommyfamilyevershowedmeanycertificate,paper--anything,inaword--whichcouldhavestoredawayinmybrainanysuch

memory.Mymother,attheageoffourteenorfifteen,madeatripintoSavoy,butnothinginherremembrancesrecallshereverhavingheardthesetwonamesuttered."

Thefactsarenowpresented,andIleavetothereadertheprivilegeofdrawingsuchconclusionfromthemasshallpleasehim.

ThiscaseseemedtomeworthytocrownmyrapidexaminationofthesupernormalappearanceswhichembellishthemediumshipofMlle.Smith,becauseitsumsupandputsexcellentlyinrelieftheirreconcilable

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Fig.44.ComparisonofthesignaturesofthesyndicChaumontetandofthecurateBurnier,withtheirpretendedsignaturesasdisincarnatesgivenbyMlle.Smithinsomnambulism.Inthemiddleofthefigure,reproductionofafragmentofanorderforpaymentofmoneyof1838.Aboveandbelow,thesignaturesfurnishedbythehandofHelene.Naturalsize.andhostilerespectivepositionsofthespiritisticcirclesandmediumsontheoneside,perfectlysincerebuttooeasilysatisfied--andinvestigatorssomewhatpsychologicalontheother,alwayspursuedbythesacrosanctterroroftakingdrossforgold.Tothefirstclass,theleastcuriousphenomenon--anunexpectedvisionofthepast,somedictationofthetableorthefinger,anaccessofsomnambulism,aresemblanceofhandwriting--sufficestogivethesensationofcontactwiththeunknownandtoprovetheactualpresenceofthedisincarnateworld.Theyneveraskthemselveswhatproportiontherecouldwellbebetweenthesepremises,howeverstrikingtheymaybe,andthatformidableconclusion.Whyandhow,forexample,shouldthedead,returningattheendofahalf-centurytosignbythehandofanotherpersoninfleshandblood,havethesamehand-writingaswhenalive?

Thesamepeoplewhofindthisaltogethernatural,althoughtheyhaveneverseenanyabsolutelycertaincasesofit,fallfromthecloudswhenthepossibilityoflatentmemoriesisinvokedbeforethem,ofwhichthepresentlifefurnishesthem,moreover,dailyexamples--whichtheyhavenot,itistrue,evertakenthetroubletoobserve.

Thepsychologists,onthecontrary,havetheeviloneinthemingoingtolookbehindthescenesofthememoryandtheimagination,andwhentheobscuritypreventsthemfromseeinganything,theyhavethefollytoimaginethattheywill

endbyfindingthatwhichtheyareseeking--ifonlyalightcouldbehad.

Betweenthesetwoclassesoftemperamentssounlike,itwill,Ifear,beverydifficultevertoarriveatanysatisfactoryandlastingunderstanding.

Footnotes

^375:*Bythisismeantthebringingorconveyingofmaterialobjectsintoaclosedspace--thepassageofonesolidbodythroughanother.

^426:*Asmalloil-portraitofmymother.

CHAPTERXI

CONCLUSION

THISvolumeremindsmeofthemountainwhichgavebirthtoamouse.Itslengthwouldbeexcusableifonlyitmarkedastepinadvanceinthefieldofpsychologyorphysiology,orastothequestionofthesupernormal.Assuchisnotthecase,itisunpardonable,andnothingmoreisleftmetodoexcepttomakeclearitsdeficienciesinthistripleaspect.

First:Fromthephysiologicalpointofview,itisapparentthatMlle.Smith,asisdoubtlesstrueofallmediums,presentsduringhervisionsandsomnambulismsaplenitudeofdisturbancesofmotilityandsensibility,fromwhichsheseemsentirelyfreeinhernormalstate.

Butthesetriflingobservationsdonotsufficetosolvetheneuropathologicalproblemofmediumship,andthequestionstillremainsopenastowhetherthattermcorrespondstoaspecialcategoryofmanifestationsandtoadistinctsyndrome,orwhetheritmerelyconstitutesahappyeuphemismforvariousscientificdenominationsalreadyinuse.

Toendeavortofixtheconnectionsofmediumshipwithotherfunctionalaffectionsofthenervoussystem,itwouldfirstbenecessarytopossessexactintelligenceonanumberofimportantpointsstillenvelopedinobscurity.Inregardtosomeofthese,suchasthephenomenaofperiodicity,ofmeteorologicalandseasonalinfluences,ofimpulses,andoffatigue,etc.,wehaveonlyveryvagueandincompletehints.Andweknowalmostnothingofotherstillmoreessentialquestions,suchastherelationsofequivalenceandsubstitutionbetween

thevariousmodalitiesofautomatism(nocturnalvisions,crepuscularstates,completetrances,etc.),theeffectofspiritisticexercises,andespeciallyofthatoftheseancesuponnutritionordenutrition(variationsoftemperature,ofurotoxicity,etc.),whichwouldpermitthecomparisonofspontaneousseizuresandthoseexcitedbymediumshipwiththoseofthemoreseriousnervousaffections,thephenomenaofheredity,similarorreversed,etc.

Letushopethatanearfuturewillestablishsomegoodmediumsandtheirobserversinpracticalconditionsfavorabletotheelucidationofthesevariousproblems,andthatthedaywillcomewhenthetrueplaceofmediumshipintheframeworkofnosologywillbediscovered.

Secondly:Frontthepsychologicalpointofview,thecaseofMlle.Smith,althoughtoocomplextobereducedtoasingleformula,isexplicablegrossomodobysomerecognizedprinciple,thesuccessiveorconcurrentactionofwhichhasengenderedhermultiplephenomena.Thereis,inthefirstplace,theinfluence,sooftenverified,ofemotionalshocksandofcertainpsychictraumatismsuponmentaldissociation.Bymeansofthesethebirthofhypnoidstatesmaybecomethegermeitherofsecondarypersonalitiesmoreorlessstronglymarked(wehaveseenthatthefirstmanifestationsofLeopoldinthechildhoodofHeleneareattributabletothiscause)orofsomnambulisticromances,whichholdthesamerelationtowardsthenormalstateasdoesthatexaggerationofstoriesandindulgenceinreveriestowhichsomanyareaddicted--perhapsallofus.

Wemustalsotakeintoconsiderationtheenormoussuggestibilityandauto-suggestibilityofmediums,whichrenderthemsosensitivetoalltheinfluencesofspiritisticreunions,andaresofavorabletotheplayofthosebrilliantsubliminalcreationsinwhich,occasionally,thedoctrinalideasofthesurroundingenvironmentarereflectedtogetherwiththelatentemotionaltendenciesofthemediumherself.ThedevelopmentofthepersonalityofLeopold-Cagliostro,startingfromthemomentatwhichMlle.Smithbeganherseances,iseasilyexplainedinthismanner,aswellastheMartiandreamandthepreviousexistencesoftheHindooprincessandthequeenofFrance.

And,finally,wemustnotethephenomenaofcryptomnesia,theawakeningandsettingtoworkofforgottenmemories,whicheasilyaccountfortheelementsoftruthcontainedinthegreatprecedingconstructionsandintheincarnationsorcasualvisionsofMlle.Smithinthecourseofherseances.

Butbesidesthisgeneralexplanationhowmanypointsofdetailtherearewhichremainobscure!Forexample,thepreciseoriginofHelene'sSanscrit,andmanyofherretrocognitions,forwantofinformationconcerningthethousandfactsofherdailylifewhencetheideaswhichnourishhersomnambulismmayhavebeendrawn!Andhowdifficultitistogainacorrectideaofhercaseasawhole,onaccountofthecrudityofouractualnotionsastotheconstitutionandorganizationofthehumanbeing,ofouralmosttotalignoranceofpsychologicalontogeny!

WithoutmentioningHelene'sephemeralincarnations(inwhichIhaveshownthereisnoreasonfarseeinganythingbeyondtheimitationsduetoautosuggestion),thediversmorestablepersonalitieswhichmanifestthemselvesinherhypnoidlife--Leopold,Esenale,andtheactorsoftheMartianromance,Simandini,MarieAntoinette,etc.--areonly,inmyopinion,asIhavehintedonmanyoccasions,thevariedpsychologicalstatesofMlle.Smithherself--allotropicmodifications,asitwere,orphenomenaofpolymorphismofherpersonality.Fornooneofthesepersonalitiescorrespondssufficientlywithherordinarypersonalitybyintellectualfaculties,themoralcharacter,separationofmemories,tojustifythehypothesisofaforeignpossession.

Butthetheoryofpsychicpolymorphismisstillveryimperfect,andinadequatetoexplaintheembryologicalshadeswhichshineforthinHelene'ssubliminalproducts--theretrogradeperspectivewhichtheyopenastothedifferentstagesorperiodsofherevolution.TheMartiancycle,withitsunknownlanguage,evidentlybetraysaneminentlypuerileoriginandthedisplayofanhereditarylinguisticaptitude,buriedunderHelene'sordinaryself;whereastheHindooromancedenotesamoreadvancedage,andthatofMarieAntoinetteseemstohavesprungfromstillmorerecentstrata,contemporaneouswiththeactualnormalpersonalityofMlle.Smith.TheprimitivenatureanddifferentagesofthevarioushypnoidlucubrationsofMlle.Smithseemtometoconstitutethemostinterestingpsychologicalfactofhermediumship.Ittendstoshowthatthesecondarypersonalitiesareprobably,intheirorigin,astheideahasbeensometimessuggested,phenomenaofreversionoftheordinaryactualpersonality,orofmomentaryreturnsofinferiorphases,longsincepassed,andwhichnormallyshouldhavebeenabsorbedinthedevelopmentoftheindividuality,insteadofbreakingforthagaininstrangeproliferations.

Thirdly:Astothesupernormal,IbelieveIhaveactuallyfoundalittletelekinesisandtelepathy.Astolucidityandspiritisticmessages,Ihaveonlyencountered

somebrilliantreconstructions,whichthehypnoidimagination,aidedbylatentmemory,excelsinfabricatinginthecaseofmediums.Idonotcomplainofthis,sinceforpsychology,whichisnotspeciallyenamouredofthemarvellous,theseadmirablysuccessfulimitationsarealsointerestingandinstructiveonaccountofthelightwhichtheythrowupontheinwardworkingsofourfaculties.

OfcourseMlle.Smithandherfriendsseethingsinaverydifferentlight.WithHeleneeverything,oralmosteverything,issupernormal,fromthereminiscencesofherlivesasMarieAntoinetteandSimandini,totheMartianandtheincarnationsofCagliostro,ofMlle.Vignier,orofthecureofChessenaz.

Andnowletusadmit,hypothetically,thatIhavenotbeenabletoseethesupernormal,whichwasplainlybeforemyeyes,andthatitisthisblindnessofminealonewhichhaspreventedmefromrecognizingtherealpresenceofJosephBalsamo,myownmother,theHindooprincess,etc.--or,atallevents,thepresenceofreal,disincarnate,independentspirits.Itis,ofcourse,toberegretted,butthenitisIalonewhowillbeindisgraceonthedaywhenthetruthshallbemademanifest.

For,astoprogressinourknowledgeofthings,everythingistobefearedfromeasycredulityandobstinatedogmatism,butthatprogresswillnotbearrestedorseriouslyretardedbypossibleerrors,committedingoodfaith,throughanexaggeratedseverityofapplicationandatoostrictobservanceoftheprinciplesthemselvesofallexperimentalinvestigation:while,onthecontrary,theobstaclesandthedifficultieswhichthenecessitiesofthemethodmultiplyalongitspathhavealwaysbeenastrongstimulant,producingnewmovementsforwardandmoredurableconquestsbasedonbetterdemonstrations.

Itisbetter,then,tofollowmyadvice--inthewell-understoodinterestofandfortheadvancementofscience,inadomainwheresuperstitionisalwaysreadytogiveitselffreeplay--itisbettertoerrthroughexcessofcautionandstrictnessofmethodthantoruntheriskofbeingsometimesdeceived;itisbettertoallowsomeinterestingfacttoescapeforthemoment,ratherthantoopenthedoortothefolliesoftheimaginationbyarelaxationofnecessarycaution.

AstoMlle.HeleneSmith,supposingthatIhavefailedtorecognizeinherphenomenawhicharereallysupernormal(which,inthatcase,willsomedaybebettersetforthbyotherobservers),shewill,nevertheless,accomplishmoreinthewayofdiscoveringtherealtruth,whateveritmaybe,insubmittingherself

disinterestedlytomyfreecriticisms,thanbydoingassomanyuselessmediumshavedone,who,afraidofthelight,intheirfoolisheagernessforthetriumphofacauseverydeartotheirhearts,haveshunnedcloseinvestigation,andwouldhaveusrelyupontheirwordalone.

TheyforgetthesayingofBacon,whichiseverbeingconfirmed:"Truthisthedaughteroftime,notofauthority."

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