Page:The Naturalisation of the Supernatural.pdf/86

66 After some manifestations of movements of the table round which we were seated the whole vision was repeated, and this time I had an uncontrollable impulse to speak. Upon my describing what I had just seen for the second time, I was much relieved to hear that the matter was not recognised as being connected in any way with the sitters. I may mention here that the child appeared to be about three years old, and, judging from the style of dress, I described it as a girl, although the vision would apply equally well to a boy, as, at that early age, the short clothes worn by both sexes would be very similar.

Next Thursday morning, May 9th, 1901, upon awakening, I described to my wife the events of the previous evening's'séance. On the evening of the same day, viz., Thursday, May 9th, I was out with a friend, and upon my return home at 11.5 my sister, Mary Louisa Polley (who resided with me at that time), made the remark, "I have a piece of bad news for you, Jack." "Well," I replied, "what is it? let me know," and she answered, "Brother George's little son Jackie has been burned to death." Like a flash I realised the connection of the sad event with my vision of the previous night. I then asked her (my sister), "How did you know this, and when?" She replied, "Mr. Fred Sinnett told me, when he came over to see us this evening." 1em

Mr. Polley's statement is confirmed by the other sitters at the'séance. by his wife and sister, and by the father of the child. The accident happened on May 7th, and the child died before noon on the following day, the day of the'séance. Mr. Fred G. Policy, the father of the child, explained that he sent no intimation to his brother of the accident or death until Thursday, May 9th.

In the cases so far cited, where the impression has been sufficiently definite to evoke a specific