In several places the writer has stated that certain occurrences could be regarded as coincidences. While it would not do to emphasize the frequency or impor-tance of coincidences, it must be admitted that they take place more often than many of us suppose. Considering the great number of individuals, the comparatively limited number of their interests, the desires and fears they have in common, the accidents that happen daily, etc., it is no wonder if certain untoward events will be found which coincide with other events. As a rule, we fail to observe coincidents, especially when they do not savour of the mysterious, or are not so striking as to command more than ordinary attention. Even when we do note them, particularly the ordinary ones, we say: "Isn't that peculiar," "How remarkable!" and forget about them, because they would excite no interest if told to others. Those who delight in what seems mysterious can find many coincidents which will satisfy their hunger for such, as in the case of the Schooner John P. Hale running aground on the day that Hon. John P. Hale died. However, for every one they supply, a number of facts can be offered to offset their contentions; for instance, for every person who dies with the last quarter of the moon, the setting sun, the outgoing tide, etc., we can point to numerous deaths which occurred under opposite circumstances: from a study of thousands of deaths, the writer is convinced that there is no particular death hour, and that death is not at all influenced by such factors as are often supersti tiously alleged. We will find, too, certain epileptics who have, occasionally, a number of seizures at the time of a full moon, or a new moon; the writer has investigated this matter also, and has found that serial attacks of epilepsy occur without regard for the moon's periods. An investigation at the patent office will show many requests for patents for practically similar ideas; book publishers not infrequently receive manuscripts that are practically identical, both as regards subject matter and title; the history of medicine contains numerous examples of discoveries, e.g., ether and diphtheria antitoxin, which were made independently by several individuals at about the same time. Many other instances could be easily brought forward.

Coincidents occur to all of us. For example, while preparing this book I endeavoured to recall the quotation given on page 1, but unsuccessfully. At about the same time I received a letter from a doctor in New Jersey relative to an article I had written. I replied. Two weeks or so later, at which time I had given up hope of being able to locate the quotation, I received his reply, and was agreeably surprised to find that he gave the quotation I desired, though not exactly. Call it telepathy if you desire to, but it seems to me that it was merely a chance happening. The doctor used the quotation to emphasize his own views, not because a message from my subliminal self had found lodgment in his subliminal self.

We should not be led astray in our beliefs simply because coincidents occur to several persons at the same time. If we paid attention to those which never "made good" we would have sufficient material to set aside the few that seem to be startling. For example, it is not unknown for several people to dream of a certain relative who has gone on a business or pleasure trip, in which the relative seems to be in a hotel fire, train accident, etc. Yet the dream proves only a dream. Aber-crombie tells us of a young man and his mother dreaming the same thing at the same time. The son seemed to tell his mother that he was going on a journey, whereupon she said: "Son, thou art dead." Nothing came of it.

Further objections against the acceptation of the telepathic theory might be offered. We might, for instance, ask the clairvoyant to prove to us that the scenes he or she describes have not come within the range of his or her experience; also, we might ask why the images seen appear exactly like they did when the clairvoyant, or the subject, last saw them actually; if they appear changed, then we are pardonable if we desire a comparison of what was alleged to have taken place and what actually occurred. Surely, if telepathy is possible we should be able to see friends who send us alleged warnings exactly as they are now, and not as they were when we left them. On the other hand, telepaths might ask us many puzzling questions. The subject is really massive, and the writer is keenly aware of the fact that he has not done justice to either the affirmative or negative side of the question. However, should any of us investigate the . matter then let us use as much common sense in interpreting the material offered for our consideration as we do ordinarily; this is especially urged in regard to the major features of spiritism, as table liftings, etc. When we go to the theatre and watch the conjurer perform his wonderful feats we are sure we have been deceived, though, if we were to believe the evidence presented to our senses, we should regard the conjurer as a superior being. When it comes to mediums and the like we are inclined to set common sense aside; we expect something marvelous to happen, and this attitude of expectancy favours self-deception. It is not implied that mediums are frauds intentionally; they, like us, may deceive themselves. If we believe all that we see, read, and hear about, not only will our common sense be severely tried, but we will doubt many natural laws, as that of gravitation. Witnesses have testified that they saw heavy objects carried through space by "disembodied spirits" or will-power. We have the statements of other persons that they saw a certain person floating in the air; indeed, one man is said to have "floated" out the window of a room and to have "floated" into another room through another window. The acceptation of these manifestations requires great credulity, and if we are willing to accept them without question, then we have no reason to disbelieve the testimony offered in the days of witchcraft. In those days, many persons swore that they saw certain "witches" riding through the skies on broomsticks, in addition to many other absurd things.