Nature of the subject. Persistent survival of certain Animistic
beliefs. Examples of the Lady Onkhari, Lucian, General Campbell.
The Anthropological aspect of the study. Difference between this
Animistic belief, and other widely diffused ideas and institutions.
Scientific admission of certain phenomena, and rejection of others.
Connection between the rejected and accepted phenomena. The
attitude of Science. Difficulties of investigation illustrated.
Dr. Carpenter's Theory of unconscious Cerebration. Illustration of
this Theory. The Failure of the Inquiry by the Dialectical Society.
Professor Huxley, Mr. G. H. Lewes. Absurdity and charlatanism of
'Spiritualism'. Historical aspect of the subject. Universality of
Animistic Beliefs, in every stage of culture. Not peculiar to
savagery, ignorance, the Dark Ages, or periods of Religious crisis.
Nature of the Evidence.

It is not without hesitation that this book is offered to the
reader. Very many people, for very various reasons, would taboo the
subjects here discoursed of altogether. These subjects are a
certain set of ancient beliefs, for example the belief in
clairvoyance, in 'hauntings,' in events transcending ordinary
natural laws. The peculiarity of these beliefs is, that they have
survived the wreck of faith in such elements of witchcraft as
metamorphosis, and power to cause tempest or drought. To study such
themes is 'impious,' or 'superstitious,' or 'useless'. Yet to a
pathologist, or anthropologist, the survivals of beliefs must always
be curious and attractive illustrations of human nature.

Ages, empires, civilisations pass, and leave some members even of
educated mankind still, in certain points, on the level of the