[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."' SIR, —In the interesting
review of Lady Glenconner's book The Earthen Vessel, which appeared in last week's issue, the writer puts the very pertinent question: " Is it possible to arrange a test which will exclude telepathy?" I venture to suggest that a very simple but conclusive test might be applied' to the genuineness of spiritualistic manifestations. It appears from Sir Oliver Lodge's book that " Raymond " was able to recognise and comment upon a photograph which was exposed to view at a certain seance. It is therefore to be presumed that spirits possess powers analogous to the normal sense of sight. My suggestion is that the spirit present at the séance should be asked to reproduce, through the agency of the medium, by automatic writing or by any other means, the contents of the opened page of a book placed within view of the spirit, but without the possibility of its being seen by any person present. With the simplest precautions, fraud on the part of the medium would be rendered impossible, while the theory of telepathy would be absolutely excluded.
Would any of your spiritualistic readers kindly reply to the following plain questions? (1) Is it correct to assume that spirits possess powers corresponding to normal sight? (2) If so, is it practicable to carry out a test such as that suggested?
(3) If not, why not?—I am, Sir, &c., H. J. AYLIFFE. 2 New Steine, Brighton.
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