PHYSICAL MANIFESTATIONS. TURNING TABLES.

The name physical manifestations is given to those which translate themselves into perceptible effects, such as noises, movements, and displacement of solid bodies.

Some are spontaneous, that is, independent of the will of anyone whatsoever; others can be provoked. First we shall speak only of these latter.

The simplest effect, and one of the first that was observed, consists in the circular movement imparted to a table. This effect is equally produced with any other object, but the table being the piece of furniture with which, on account of its convenience, such experiments have most been conducted, the designation of turning tables prevailed, to indicate this kind of phenomena.

When we say that this effect was one of those first observed, we mean — in recent times, for there is no doubt that all the kinds of manifestations were known from the most remote times. Since they are natural effects, they necessarily occurred in all ages. Tertullian treats, in explicit terms, of the turning and speaking tables.

For some time that phenomenon entertained the curiosity of the drawing rooms. Then, they grew weary of it and went on to cultivate other distractions, for they considered it only as a simple distraction.

Two causes contributed to the turning tables being set aside. As regards frivolous people, the cause was fashion, which does not permit them to keep the same amusement for two consecutive winters, but which, nevertheless, allowed the one we are dealing with to predominate for three or four, a thing which to such people must have seemed prodigious.

As for judicious and observant persons, what made them disdain the turning tables was that, having seen born from them something serious, destined to prevail, they went on to occupy themselves with the consequences to which the phenomenon gave rise, far more important in their results. They left the alphabet for science, such is the secret of that apparent abandonment about which the scoffers make so much noise.

Be that as it may, the turning tables will always represent the point of departure of the Spiritist Doctrine and, for that reason, we owe them some explanations, all the more so since, showing the phenomena in their greatest simplicity, the study of the causes that produce them will be facilitated and, once established, the theory will furnish us the key for deciphering the more complex effects.

In order for the phenomenon to be produced, the intervention is required of one or many persons endowed with a special aptitude, who are designated by the name of mediums.

The number of cooperators has no influence at all, except that among them may be found some unknown mediums.

As for those who have no mediumship, the presence of these produces no result, it may even be more harmful than useful on account of the disposition of mind in which they may be.

In this respect, mediums enjoy greater or lesser power, producing, consequently, effects more or less pronounced.

Often, a powerful medium will produce alone more than twenty others together.

It suffices for him to place his hands on the table for it, in the same instant, to move, rise, turn over, give leaps, or spin with violence.

There is no indication by which one may recognize the existence of the mediumistic faculty.

Only experience can reveal it.

When, at a gathering, one wishes to make the experiment, all should, quite simply, seat themselves around the table and place on top of it, flat, their hands, without pressure, nor muscular effort.

At first, as if the causes of the phenomenon were unknown, many precautions were recommended, which were afterward found to be absolutely useless.

Such, for example, the alternation of the sexes; such, also, the contact between the little fingers of the different persons, so as to form an uninterrupted chain.

This latter precaution seemed necessary, when one believed in the action of a kind of electric current. Afterward, experience demonstrated to it its uselessness.

The only prescription of obligatory rigor is recollection, absolute silence and, above all, patience, in case the effect makes itself awaited.

It may happen that it is produced in a few minutes, as it may delay half an hour or an hour. This depends on the mediumistic force of the co-participants.

Let us add that the form of the table, the substance of which it is made, the presence of metals, of silk in the clothing of those present, the days, the hours, the darkness, or the light, etc., are as indifferent as the rain or the fair weather.

Only the volume of the table must be taken into account, but solely in the case in which the mediumistic force is insufficient to overcome its resistance.

In the contrary case, a single person, even a child, can make a table of a hundred kilograms rise, whereas, in less favorable conditions, twelve persons will not manage to make a little center table move.

Things being at this point, when the effect begins to be produced, generally one hears a small cracking in the table; one feels as it were a quiver, which is the prelude to the movement.

One has the impression that it strains to detach itself from the floor; then, the rotational movement becomes accentuated and accelerates to the point of acquiring such rapidity, that those present find themselves in the greatest difficulties to keep up with it.

Once the movement is accentuated, they can move away from the table, which continues to move in all directions, without contact.

At other times, it agitates itself and rises, now on one foot, now on another, and, afterward, gently resumes its natural position. At others, it begins to oscillate, imitating the double swaying of a ship.

At others, finally, but for this considerable mediumistic force is required, it detaches itself completely from the ground and keeps itself balanced in space, without any point of support, even coming, not rarely, to rise as far as the ceiling of the house, in such a way that it is possible to pass beneath it.

Then, it descends slowly, swinging as a sheet of paper would do, or else, falls violently and breaks, which proves in a patent manner that those who witness the phenomenon are not the victims of an optical illusion.

Another phenomenon that is frequently produced, in accordance with the nature of the medium, is that of the blows within the very fabric of the wood, without the table making any movement.

These blows, sometimes very weak, other times very strong, also make themselves heard in the other furniture of the compartment, in the walls and in the ceiling. Before long we shall return to this question.

When the blows occur in the table, they produce in it a vibration very appreciable by means of the fingers and which is perfectly distinguished by applying the ear to it.