Voices

I was so impressed by the account on p. 105, that I determined to put the matter to an experiment. Retiring at 10.45, I determined to appear, if possible, to [a friend], and accordingly I set myself to work, with all the volitional and determinative energy which I possess, to stand at the foot of her bed. I need not say that I never dropped the slightest hint beforehand as to my intention, such as would mar the experiment, nor had I mentioned the subject to her. As the ' agent,' I may describe my own experiences. Undoubtedly the imaginative faculty was brought extensively into play, as well as the volitional ; for I endeavoured to translate myself, spiritually, into the room, and to attract her attention, as it were, while standing there. My effort was sustained for perhaps 8 minutes, after which I felt tired, and was soon asleep. The next thing I was conscious of was meeting the lady next morning, (i.e., in a dream, I suppose 1) and asking her at once if she had seen me last night. The reply came ' Yes.' ' How ] ' I inquired. Then in words strangely clear and low, like a well-audible whisper, came the answer, ' I was sitting beside you.' These words, so clear, awoke me instantly, and I felt I must have been dreaming; but on reflection, I remembered what I had been ' willing ' before I fell asleep ; and it struck me, ' This must be a reflex action from the percipient.' / lxxxii ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS. My watch showed 3.40 a.m. The following is what I wrote immediately in pencil, standing in my night-dress : — ' As I reflected upon those clear words, they struck me as being quite intuitive — I mean subjective, and to have proceeded from within, as my own conviction, rather than a communication from anyone else.1 And yet I can't remember her face at all, as one can after a vivid dream ! ' But the words were uttered in a clear, quick tone, which was most remarkable, and awoke me at once. My friend, in the note with which she sent me the enclosed account of her own experience, says : ' I remember the man put all the lamps out soon after I came upstairs, and that is only done about a quarter to 4.' Mr. G-odfrey went next morning to see someone who resided in the same house as Mrs. — ■ — , and was leaving, when she called out to me from the window that she had something special to tell me ; but being very busy, I could not return again into the house, and replied to the effect that it would keep. I am not quite certain now 2 whether it was on the afternoon of the same day, or later in the mornin