Science and Psychical Research

Abstract

PERHAPS I may be permitted to offer a few comments on Dr. R. J. Tillyard's article under this heading in NATURE for July 31. Dr. Tillyard's sympathy for the scientific men who take up the study of psychical research, and thus, as he complains, ‘lose caste’ and undergo persecution from their fellows, may appear pathetic, and his stated determination, in spite of all consequences, to join the noble army of martyrs, may even seem heroic. He may take comfort, however, in the reflection that, after all, Crookes's spiritualistic activities did not prevent him from attaining to that highest of scientific positions, the presidency of the Royal Society, nor to-day does Sir Oliver Lodge cease to remain highly honoured amongst all scientific men for his physical investigations, and especially for his pioneer work in wireless telegraphy, nor does he cease to be in the greatest request as an exponent of the most recondite theories in modern physics amongst all the best-known scientific societies and institutions.