MESSAGES FROM THE DEPARTED.
ITo THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] SIE,—I suffer under the disadvantage of not having seen Sir Oliver Lodge's book, Raymond; or, Life and Death. I have, however, read your review, and the article, "A Fable for Psychical Investiga- tors," and I have done so with anxious and trembling interest; for my two sons—my little all of children—are with the King's fighting men somewhere in France. May the good God spare them to me still. But I am not better than other fathers. Death may claim them. May I put a merely personal point of view? Frankly, I am not convinced that the departed can communicate with those they leave behind. Supposing, for the moment, such communica- tions to be possible; then, " probability being the guide of life," I think it probable that any message my sons might be permitted to communicate would not be entrusted to " various mediums, amateur and professional, paid and unpaid." I think I should hear direct.—I am, Sir, &c., J. EDWARD HARLOW. 90 Cheriton Road, Folkestone.
[We by no means say we are convinced that communication has
taken place. All we say is that we are convinced that the problem is worth the most careful investigation. Why communi- cation, if it takes place, should be permitted in one way and not in another is only one of a series of mysteries like the origin of 'evil. We must ascertain if communication takes place, and then consider how and why it, is allowed to exist before we condemn it. Anyway, te, say it cannot exist because we do not like its method is not reasonable. A correspondent so friendly as Dr. Harlow will, we feel sure, excuse our expressing our view quite plainly. His present anxieties have our profoundest respect and sympathy. —En. Spectator.]
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