'Twixt two worlds : a narrative of the life and work of William Eglinton

Psychography Explained. 109
were complete ;
and last, but not least, he could not, by a trick, cause writing to be
executed under the same conditions, which should be, as is often the case with Mr. Eglinton
and other mediums, an exact facsimile of the " hand " written by some friend or relative
who has long since passed through the portals of the grave, and of whose very name and
existence the medium is unaware. I know of many instances in which dates and names have
been given quite unknown to any person present, but which have afterwards been verified.
What conjurer could do this
Another valid reason against the writing being a mere trick is the fact of its extremely
rapid production, the speed varying from three to six times the rate at which the quickest
penman can write. The limit obtainable under ordinary circumstances is forty words per
minute ; the average being thirty words. Psychography far exceeds this. I have personally
known, more than once, two hundred and eighty-eight words per minute to have been
written, while there are instances on record where even this remarkable speed has been
exceeded.
Such are the general features of a psychographic seance. How far they conform to the
truth can be learned by any person choosing to take the necessary trouble to verify my
facts ; how far they diverge from the supposed loose and credulous method of investigation
usually attributed to Spiritualists by some men of science can be readily seen. I have
only touched on general conditions, but there arc others which it is quite as necessary the
investigator himself should observe. Amongst these are a fearless, candid love of truth wherever
it may lead, an openness to conviction, and a spirit of inquiry which will admit that,
however much is already known of the laws of Nature, there may be others yet to be
unravelled.