| RefNo | ACS/1/3/1/7 |
| AltRefNo | 84452 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Letter from [William] H. Massey, Twyford, Berkshire, to [Alan Archibald] Campbell Swinton |
| Creator | Massey; William H (fl 1926); Member of the Institution of Electrical Engineers |
| Date | 9 September 1926 |
| Description | Two letters received together, one handwritten and one in typescript.
Handwritten letter: Informs that [Charles] Richet has given up believing in 'Spooks', and that [Johann Karl Friedrich] Zöllner and [Cesare] Lambroso stuck to their belief-and both died insane. Adds that [Edmund] Gurney, [Frank] Podmore and Dr [William Jackson] Crawford all three have died mysteriously. Comments 'if you want to test a man's sanity, ask him to define what he means by "spirit",- and don't be put off...we are precise in our definitions it is usless to attempt to dicuss questions. Most people believe what they are taught in early youth.'
Typewritten letter: Congratulates Swinton on the publication of his letter in Nature but adds that it is ultimately a waste of time tyring to combat spritualism, which he believes persists due to religious teachings. Discusses the evasive responses from bishops on the topic of "spirit" and criticises the reliance on concepts such as the Holy Ghost in religious doctrine. Shares personal experiences of debunking so-called spiritual pehenomena, including tricks involving electric fans and liquid air, used to fool individuals. Recommends a title by Mann, 'Frauds and Follies of Spiritualism'. States that if Swinton is seriosuly considering a campaign against Spooks, he is willing to supply him with 'enough to hang Lodge & Co'. Recounts an indicent of fourteen years prior where an editor of The Times halted an anti-spiritualism campaign due to church influence. |
| Extent | 2p |
| Format | Typescript |
| Manuscript |
| PhysicalDescription | Carbon |
| Ink on paper |
| AccessStatus | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA8285 | Swinton; Alan Archibald Campbell (1863 - 1930); electrical engineer | 1863 - 1930 |
| NA8070 | Lodge; Sir; Oliver Joseph (1851 - 1940); physicist | 1851 - 1940 |