to ask them to
prove their identity by relating as large a number of facts as possible
concerning their life upon earth. The investigators of the Piper case
have for fifteen years devoted themselves to this task, apparently easy,
in reality difficult and ungrateful.

In the earlier experiments in the Piper case the conversation almost
always takes place between the sitters and Dr Phinuit. Dr Phinuit does
not willingly give up his post, though he does so sometimes. When he is
giving information which he says he has received from other spirits he
sometimes talks in the third person; sometimes, on the contrary, he
reports word for word in the first person. This detail must not be
forgotten in reading the reports. The following is a report of the 47th
sitting in England.

The sitters are Professor Oliver Lodge and his brother Alfred Lodge. The
latter takes notes. The phrases between parentheses are remarks made by
Professor Lodge after the sitting.[12]

Phinuit.--"Captain,[13] do you know that as I came[14] I met the medium
going out, and she's crying. Why is that?"

O. L.--"Well, the fact is she's separated from her children for a few
days and she is feeling rather low about it."

Phinuit.--"How are you, Alfred? I've your mother's influence strong.
(Pause.) By George! that's Aunt Anne's ring (feeling ring I had put on
my hand just before sitting) given over to you. And Olly dear,[15]
that's one of the last things I ever gave you. It was one of the last
things I said to you in the body when I gave it you for Mary. I said,
'For her, through you.'" [This is precisely accurate.]

O. L.--"Yes, I remember perfectly."

Phinuit.--"I tell you I know it, I shall never forget it. Keep it in
memory of me, for I am not dead. Each spirit is not so dim (?) that it
cannot recollect its belongings in the body. They attract us if there
has been anything special about them. I tell you, my boy, I can see it
just as plain as if I were in the body. It was the last thing I gave
you, for her, through you, always in remembrance of me." (Further
conversation and advice ending, "Convince yourself,[16] and let others
do the same. We are all liable to mistakes, but you can see for
yourself. There's a gentleman wants to speak to you.")

Mr E.[17]--"Lodge, how are you? I tell you I'm living, not dead. That's
me. You know me, don't you?"

O. L.--"Yes, delighted to see you again."

Mr E.--"Don't give it up,[18] Lodge. Cling to it. It's the be