Exploring the Mysteries of Magic and Spiritualism

In this insightful work, Lionel Weatherly delves into the intriguing realms of mirages, prophetic dreams, and the experiences of notable historical figures, including Joan of Arc. Illusionist John Nevil Maskelyne, renowned for exposing the deceptions of various spiritualists, including the Davenport Brothers, investigates the authenticity of famous Eastern magical illusions. Maskelyne critically examines mediumistic fraud, challenging the credibility of figures such as D. D. Home and Madame Blavatsky, in a captivating and well-reasoned exploration of phenomena that have baffled humanity for centuries.

From the Preface:

I have endeavored to present my findings in a clear and accessible manner, using language that is easy to understand. Most importantly, I have aimed to avoid the pitfalls that many authorities on these subjects have encountered, particularly concerning “Religious Arguments.”

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Mr. J. N. Maskelyne. Without his invaluable assistance, I would not have been able to approach any publisher to bring this work to the market.

Who among us in England possesses the practical experience and authority to speak on Magic, Spiritualism, or the so-called Miracles of Theosophy as Mr. Maskelyne does? Who exposed the Davenport Brothers? Who has challenged the foundations of the Spiritualistic movement? Mr. Maskelyne, whose friendship I deeply value, has been indispensable in my efforts to unveil fraud, deception, and trickery disguised as supernatural phenomena.

• PREFACE
• CHAPTER I: Introduction
  • Superstition
  • Witchcraft
  • Believers in the Supernatural
• CHAPTER II: Understanding the Mind
  • The Unknowable
  • Divisions of the Mind
  • I. – Perception
  • II. – Intellect
  • a. Memory
  • b. Reason and Judgment
  • c. Imagination
  • III. – Emotion
  • IV. – Will
• CHAPTER III: Hallucinations and Illusions
  • General Sense Deceptions
  • Definitions of Hallucination and Illusion
  • Physiology of Hallucination
  • Understanding Illusion
  • Classification
• CHAPTER IV: Ordinary Sense Deceptions
  • Simple Sense Deceptions
  • Atmospheric Illusions
  • The Mirage
  • The Fata Morgana
  • The Giant of the Brocken Mountain
  • Fog Spectres
  • Case Study: Dr. Lombard
  • A Murderer’s Hallucination
  • A Lover’s Apparition
  • Nicolai
  • Sir Walter Scott’s Friend’s Illusion
  • An American’s Illusion
  • Beethoven
  • Luther
  • The Demon of Socrates
  • Hallucinations and Illusions by Suggestion
  • Epidemic Hallucinations and Illusions
  • Vampires
  • Mrs. A.’s Sense Deceptions
  • De Quincey’s Day-dreams
• CHAPTER V: Dreams
  • Sleep
  • A Dreamless Sleep
  • General Overview of Dreams
  • Are Dreams Divinely Inspired?
  • Ancient Perspectives on Dreams
  • Classification of Dreams
  • Dream Illusions
  • Dream Hallucinations
  • Nightmares
  • Persistent Dream Images
  • Differences Between Sleeping and Waking Minds
  • Prophetic Dreams and Their Occasional Fulfillment
  • Somnambulism
  • Dream Crimes
• CHAPTER VI: Ghosts and Haunted Locations
  • Ghosts Across Cultures
  • Reasons for Belief in Ghosts
  • Arguments Against the Reality of Ghosts
  • Ominous Noises at Night
  • Explaining Phantasms of the Dead
  • The Hallucinations of Thos. Perks
  • Lord Lyttleton’s Apparition
  • The Hallucination of Mr. Cassio Burroughs
  • Miss Bailey’s Ghost
  • Unexplained Ghost Stories
  • Telepathy
• CHAPTER VII:
  I. – Oriental Jugglery (by J. N. Maskelyne)
  • Introduction
  • Fiction and Romance
  • Travellers’ Tales
  • The Genesis of Oriental Miracles
  • Oriental Literature on Magic
  • The Basket Trick
  • The Mango Tree Trick
  • The Burial Trick
• II. – Modern Spiritualism (by J. N. Maskelyne)
  • Andrew Jackson Davis
  • The Fox Family
  • Mrs. Norman Culver’s Statement
  • Daniel Douglass Home
  • The Davenport Brothers
  • Annie Eva Fay
  • Dr. Slade
  • Prosecution of Slade
  • Eglinton
  • So-called Materializations
  • Artemus Ward on Mediums
  • What Has Investigation Revealed?
  • Table Turning
  • Thought Reading
  • Spirit Photography
  • Report of the Seybert Commission
• III. – Theosophy (by J. N. Maskelyne)
  • Madame Blavatsky
  • The Founding of the Theosophical Society
  • Madame Blavatsky in India
  • Madame Blavatsky in London
  • The Coulombs’ Confession
  • Mr. Hodgson’s Report
  • What Theosophists Claim
  • Mrs. Besant
• CHAPTER VIII
  • Joan of Arc
  • Percy Bysshe Shelley
  • Swedenborg
• CHAPTER IX: Insane Sense Deceptions
  • Comparative Analysis of Dreams and Insanity
  • Hallucinations of Hearing
  • Illusions of Hearing
  • Hallucinations of Sight
  • Illusions of Sight
  • Hallucinations and Illusions of Touch, Taste, and Smell
  • Complex Hallucinations and Illusions
• CHAPTER X
  • Belladonna
  • Indian Hemp
  • Opium
• CHAPTER XI: Conclusion
• AN ADDENDUM TO THE CHAPTER ON THEOSOPHY