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Russel Wallace : Alfred Russell Wallace (sic) We have had the pleasure of meeting Prof. A. R. Wallace several times at receptions during the past two weeks. We spent last evening with him at his hotel, and enjoyed his conversation upon the different topics which he so kindly discussed, one of which was Spiritualism. I was anxious to hear from his own lips the confirmation of his belief in immortality and the fact of communication between the dwellers in the spirit realm and the denizens of the earth sphere. He stated "There is no doubt of it, and any one who will pursue the investigation can come to no other conclusion." The law which connects the two conditions of life is susceptible of being controlled and understood by mortals, and it needs only the application of the powers within us to comprehend their workings. The Professor said: "Many of the so-called frauds are not frauds in the sense in which people usually look at them." Alluding to Robert Dale Owen's case, he said: "The medium through Katie King appeared, acknowledged that in that particular case she had been induced to deceive them under the promise of money from parties who were interested in having the phenomena proved a delusion." Much more was said sustaining the phenomena. Coming from a scientist of such acknowledged ability in both hemispheres, a man who ranks with Darwin, Huxley and Spencer, as their equal in the foremost sciences of the 19th century, it is consoling as well as confirming. His cool and passive way of investigating and examining the esoteric laws and principles of nature, is the true method to acquire knowledge on all subjects, and his conclusions are not to be gainsaid or blown away by the winds of ignorance. The book he has written will enlighten the minds of those in pursuit of real knowledge on the subject. Prof. Wallace has consented to talk before the Woman's Anthropological Society next Saturday, when he will be listened to with great interest. He then goes to Columbus, Ohio, where he is to deliver a course of lectures.1 I presume he would accept an invitation from Chicago, if one were extended to him. This is his first visit to America, and he seems to be pleased with our manners and customs. He should be received as becomes so enlightened and progressive a man. I handed him the Journal containing the article on "Hypnotism." Speaking of hypnotism, he said, "It is another name for mesmerism or animal magnetism, and a knowledge of it has been known for hundreds of years. I made myself acquainted with it years ago, and it is an acknowledged fact in the domain of human possibilities." When the level headed, thinking business men take the investigation of this subject in hand and pursue it with the same determination and vigor they do commercial business, they will solve the problem and make it as easy of comprehension as is the projection of the human voice hundreds of miles on a vehicle as thin and delicate as the wire that carries it. The Divine Creator presents himself to us in the sunbeam, in the rainbow, in all the operations of nature, so silently, so potently, increasing man’s condition and comfort in this rudimental sphere, and yet we appreciate it so little. Is this all for naught? Is man to struggle along eternally in ignorance, or will the stern law of progression force him to receive the solemn truths awaiting to elevate him to a higher conception of divine things? W. H. McDonald.
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