OCCULT SCIENCES.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIII, 25 May 1922, Page 6

OCCULT SCIENCES.

Something like a sensation has been produced at the French Academy of Sciences. For the first time in the history of this learned body the subject of occult sciences, of which much has been heard recently, was introduced'. It was one of the most illustrious members of the Academy, Protfteßsor 1 Charles Ritehet, who brought it up by presenting ai volume of over 800 pages, with the title, “Traite de Metapsychiqule,” the, result of many years’ labor. It seemed to Professor Bichet that the innumerable facts observed by Sir William Crookes and Mr Frederick Myers merited consideration, instead of being allowed to be buried by “sarcasm or disdainful silence.” The book is dedicated to the memory of Sir William Crookes and Mr Myers, who, says Professor Bichet in his preface, “Great in courage and' thought, traced the first lineaments of metapsychics.” The author told his interested audience that he had studied and observed) for himself, and wais content to indicate the facts. If they were contested it was because those who disputed them had not sufficiently distinguished between what wais contradictory and what was unusual, and Professor Bichet requested that his book should he read before he was judged. Though the study he had undertaken might he considered audacious, it had to be made, he said. He had had the courage to make it, and he concluded amid the plaudits of his listeners that the courage of the savant was to say what he believed to be the truth. The Academicians were so deeply interested in this monumental work on occult Science that long after the sitting hai} ended 1 they remained behind and read and discussed it.

The subject is considered of such pub he interest that the Matin is organising what is called a psychic competition, which will take the form of an inquiry into spiritualism. There is in France a Spiritualist Union, and M. Gabriel Delanne, its president, welcomes the idea, and makes suggestions as to how tests should be conducted. He suggests that experiments should be restricted to eight or ten, and that the jury should include people who are competent to organise and direct the

seances. Professors Bichet, re Gramont, and Areonval are among those chosen to act. It is further suggested that- the medium should be subjected to numerous experiments, and that, in ordter to eliminate false mediums or those with mediocre faculties, the jury should make a selection. Absolute darkness during seances is not indispensable. A feeble red light is recommendfed, as a white light is said to be harmful to the production of phenomena. M. Delanne, who is considered the highest authority on spiritualism in France, declares that the demonstration of the reality of these phenomena is o-f capital importance for the progress of humanity.