apply in the realm of
"psychics." Until we can apply definite "laboratory methods," and study
psychical phenomena by means of physical instruments far more delicate
than our senses, it is probable that the present state of things will
continue to exist; but it is my firm belief that, were a laboratory
fitted up with physical and electrical apparatus, suitable for this
work, and if we could by their aid study a promising case of "psychic"
or "mediumistic" phenomena, we should (within ten years or so) arrive
at some definite conclusions! We should then know something about the
_laws_ and conditions under which telepathy, clairvoyance, telekinesis
(the movement of objects without contact), et cetera, operate, and not
until this is done, I believe, will such positive conclusions be
reached.

Of course the reader may object, just here, that I am assuming such
phenomena to be _true_--while the tendency of many present-day
scientists is to regard them as unreal, hallucinatory, and the result of
fraud. I cannot spare the time in the present place to argue the point.
While I admit freely that a very large percentage of such phenomena
_are_ so produced, and while I freely admit that probably 98 per cent of
so-called "mediums" are fraudulent; I am equally emphatic in declaring
that a residuum of genuine phenomena exists--that supernormal
manifestations _do_ occur, and that every one who investigates
_carefully enough_ and _long enough_ will find them. This has been not
only my own experience, but that of every person who has investigated
this subject with an impartial mind for any length of time. As Sir
Oliver Lodge said, in writing of this very question:

"The result of my experience is to convince me that certain
phenomena, usually considered abnormal, _do_ belong to the order of
Nature, and as a corollary from this, that these phenomena ought to
be investigated and recorded by persons and societies interested in
natural knowledge."

Based on this conviction, Sir Oliver Lodge wrote, as far back as 1894,
in a paper entitled "On Some Appliances Needed for a Psychical
Laboratory":

"If the investigations are to go on easily and well, special
appliances must be contrived and arranged conveniently for use,
precisely as is done in any properly fitted laboratory. It has
already doubtless been realized that one of the needs of the future
is a _psychical laboratory_, specially adapt