The Crewe Circle invariably place implicit faith in the messages they receive from the other side. These worthy and simple people are very closely in touch with their invisible helpers, who advise them, by means of photographic messages, in their troubles and ailments. Occasionally the advice given has been directly opposed to the wishes of the mediums, but they never hesitate to carry out these instructions, which usually prove that the directing intelligences possess knowledge and foresight far exceeding that of their human instruments.

I can appreciate that some of my readers will experience difficulty in accepting these remarkable statements. When first I heard of these marvellous things I put them down to credulity, exaggeration, and so forth. However, I determined to get at the truth for myself. Nothing less than personal experience would satisfy me. The first psychic photographs I saw did not very greatly impress me. As a photographer, I recognised that I could produce similar results, and with the conceit that comes from ignorance I suggested they were fakes. Even as fakes they were interesting, however, and on inquiring further into the matter I discovered that the conditions under which they had been secured would necessitate smart work on the part of a trickster. Also I was puzzled to understand how photographers of the calibre of Mr. J. Traill Taylor could be easily gulled. Eventually I travelled to Crewe in a rather critical frame of mind, but fully prepared to be fair to the mediums. I received a surprise. The result obtained bore a strong resemblance to myself. It could easily be taken as a twin brother. I had a brother who, when he died, was a little older than myself. I was given practically a free hand in the photographic operations, and was impressed by the faith and honesty of the mediums. To detail all the precautions I took from time to time to eliminate the possibility of conscious and even unconscious deception, in my further experiments, would prove a wearisome business. Suffice it to say that the use of my own apparatus and specially-prepared plates, the dismissal of the medium from the dark room for all the photographic operations, the sharp look-out that was kept for certain known methods of faking, and the conducting of experiments with the mediums in my own home, eventually convinced me, beyond all doubt, of the reality of psychic photography.

I discovered early that the mental attitude of the sitter played an important part in the success or otherwise of the experiment. We know so little of the difficulties that have to be overcome—so little of the laws and conditions governing the production of these wonderful results, that it is essential we should approach the subject with an open mind. We must be sympathetic in our methods of investigation. A medium is sensitive in more senses than one, and a little tact and persuasion will succeed where bullying and blustering will fail.

With the three photographic sensitives most known in this country I have secured remarkable results. Whatever may have happened, or may happen, on other occasions, nothing can in the slightest degree shake my firm conviction that, with these three sensitives, I have secured genuine psychic photographic effects. With Mrs. Deane, in my own home, we secured an excellent picture of my father (see Figure 30). True, Mrs. Deane had the plates beforehand for “magnetising,” but that would not enable her to produce an unmistakable likeness of someone she had never seen—a likeness which could not have been produced from any existing photograph, in the very unlikely event of her obtaining such. Moreover it is not essential, in every case, that Mrs. Deane should have the plates beforehand for magnetising. On several occasions, members of the S.S.S.P. have, without Mrs. Deane’s knowledge, substituted a fresh unopened packet of plates for the unopened packet she has had with her, without interfering with the success of the experiment.

Mr. Vearncombe has been most successful as a medium for obtaining results on plates in sealed packets. Effectively to test Mr. Vearncombe, I devoted a great deal of time to wrapping and sealing packets which could not possibly be tampered with without leaving some trace of such tampering. Others have done likewise, and on the plates in such packets, which after the most careful scrutiny have revealed no evidence of tampering, we have secured successful results. On one occasion I persuaded a local professional photographer to seal a packet of plates before I handled them. This he did very thoroughly, and then I added my own wrappings and seals and sent the package on to Vearncombe. Within a week the packet was returned intact.

Mr. Frederic Lewis of Birmingham, who co-operated with me in this test, is a technical photographer of more than average ability and his certificate is of value. In this he states:

Could anything be more definite and conclusive than that?

With the Crewe Circle I have had so many tests that it is difficult to select the most stringent. As the well-known Price case of alleged fraud bears on the question of the substitution of dark slides, the following case may be of interest. On this occasion the substitution of dark slides was impossible, for the simple reason that no dark slides were used.

Saying nothing to the members of the Circle beforehand, I took with me to Crewe on November 12th, 1921, a loaded box camera containing six specially-marked plates of a size smaller than those usually employed in experiments of this nature. All that Hope and Mrs. Buxton did was to arch their hands over this magazine camera whilst one of them flicked the shutter-catch. Photographic readers will realise that it is impossible to tamper with the plates in a box camera, in daylight, without spoiling the lot. To enable the “power” to flow from Mr. Hope on to the plates, the controlling intelligence stipulated that Mr. Hope should be allowed to take hold of my right wrist as I dropped each plate into the developer. Psychic effects were secured on two out of the six plates under conditions which, I am convinced, rendered deception impossible. I have been told that Mr. Hope must have printed the effects on to the plates by flashlight whilst he had hold of my wrist. If the critic derives any comfort from believing that this actually occurred he is welcome to his belief!

In another evidential case is that already mentioned by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle of an experiment conducted by two photographic members of the S.S.S.P. and myself at Crewe. In this case the camera and slides employed were brand new and were not examined by the sensitives until after the sitting. The dark slides differed from those usually employed by the sensitives. Neither Mr. Hope nor Mrs. Buxton was in the dark room for loading the slides or for developing the plates. The central face of three supernormal faces secured on this occasion is an undoubted likeness of the father of one of the sitters. The result was absolutely conclusive to my friends and myself. We emphatically declare that under the circumstances trickery was impossible.

Since the above was written I have been favoured with further excellent personal proof. On October 7th, 1922, I secured at Crewe several fine photographs of my father. The best were secured on plates exposed in a camera brought by one of three friends who accompanied me. He is an experienced and critical photographer, and was responsible for the whole of the photographic operations. Reference to Figure 31 will show that the psychic face has moved and appears in no less than six different places. This face is very similar to the Deane photo (Figure 30), but by no means absolutely identical.

The next chapter contains a series of abbreviated accounts and reports by investigators in every station of life. For the purpose of this book they are confined to accounts connected with the Crewe Circle. In my capacity of Hon. Secretary to the S.S.S.P. it is my privilege to receive these documents in ever-increasing numbers. I imagine that the most hardened sceptic, occupying a similar position for a few months, would be convinced of the reality of psychic photography by this evidence alone. Knowing it to be true, I look forward with confidence to that day, not far distant, when all this talk of fake and fraud shall be no more and when the psychologist and scientist shall combine the investigation of this vital problem.

CHAPTER IX
CONCLUSIVE PROOF FROM MANY SOURCES

This concluding chapter contains a number of plain, straight statements from those possessing first-hand knowledge of the Crewe Circle. Such positive and definite evidence is of far more value from an evidential and scientific standpoint than the mere opinions of those who have never investigated. Owing to the exigencies of space it has been necessary to abbreviate most of these accounts and also to omit many others, equally convincing. For evidential reasons each report or contribution contains the full name and address of the communicator.

The Evidence of GEORGE H. LETHEM, ESQ., JUSTICE OF THE PEACE FOR THE COUNTY OF THE CITY OF GLASGOW

I first heard of the Crewe Circle in the autumn of 1918. At that time I was editor of the Daily Record, Glasgow, and had made the acquaintance of Mr. Peter Galloway, President of the Glasgow Association of Spiritualists, through an article on spiritualism which he contributed to that paper.

Mr. Galloway told me that the Crewe Circle were coming to Glasgow, and he invited me to attend their first sitting. This I agreed to do; I bought a packet of quarter-plates at a City shop, took note of the wrapper markings and kept the packet safe, with the cover unbroken.

My wife accompanied me to the sitting, which was held in a large, well-lighted attic room some distance from the house where the members of the Circle were lodging. I saw them arrive, saw them unpack their photographic outfit, and saw them borrow a dark cloth (which I examined) for use as a background. Obtaining permission, I examined the camera, the slide, the lens, the bellows (for pin-holes) and all the accessories, without finding anything suspicious. I treated the sitting as a test and took every step, so far as I knew, to provide against conscious or unconscious deception.

Including Mr. Hope and Mrs. Buxton, there were nine or ten people present. To all of these, except Mr. Galloway, I was quite unknown, and I was introduced simply as a “friend.”

I had time to complete my examination—in which I included the little adjoining dark room—before the proceedings began. All present then sat round a table, on which my packet of plates was laid within my reach and in my sight. There were hymns and a prayer, then the packet was lifted and held for a few seconds between Mr. Hope’s hands, with the hands of all the others—my own included—above and below. The packet, which was never out of my sight, was then returned to me and I satisfied myself by the markings that it was mine, that the wrapper was intact, and that, therefore, there could have been no tampering with the plates.

Putting the unopened packet in my pocket, I followed Mr. Hope into the dark room, taking with me the slide from the camera. In the dark room Mr. Hope stood in the far corner and I stood close by the door, leaving a clear space between us. Mr. Hope said, in explanation of this arrangement, that he did not want to touch the plates but only to see that I handled them properly.

Taking the packet from my pocket, I broke the cover, extracted two plates and put the packet back in my pocket. Keeping the plates within Mr. Hope’s view but quite out of his reach, I wrote my name on each of them and put them into the slide, which I carried out of the room before handing it to Mr. Hope. Up to this point, Mr. Hope had quite certainly not touched the plates. Having seen the slide placed in the camera, I sat down beside my wife, facing the lens.

The camera had been previously focussed and an exposure was made—Mr. Hope standing on the right and Mrs. Buxton on the left and joining hands (Mr. Hope’s left, Mrs. Buxton’s right) above the camera. In this attitude Mr. Hope pressed the pneumatic bulb with his right hand and so made the exposure, which was longer than for an ordinary photograph. Then the slide was turned and a second exposure was made on other two members of the party.

When the second exposure was completed, Mr. Hope took the slide out of the camera, carried it into the dark room, and emptied the plates into my hands in front of the red glass window. Making sure that my signature was on each of the plates, I placed them in a shaded receptacle, signed other two plates and put them into the slide with the same precautions as before. Then, seeing Mr. Hope out of the room, I shut the door and stood before it whilst two other exposures were made. Re-entering the dark room, I received the plates from the slide as before and proceeded to develop the four plates with material supplied by Mr. Hope, who remained in the room but stood as far from the developing dish as possible and left the whole of the handling to me.

Standing before the red window, I saw the images come up on the plates and noticed that on three of them there were figures other than the ordinary representations of the sitters. When development was finished, I carried the plates from the dark room and, before anyone else was allowed to touch them, I examined them individually and satisfied myself beyond doubt that they were the four identical plates on which I had written my name and that the normal figures on these plates corresponded with the four exposures I had seen made.

That each of the four plates bore my signature, clear and characteristic, I accepted as proof that these were the plates I had placed in the slide and no others, for it was impossible that my signature could have been forged: therefore, I reasoned, there had been no substitution of prepared plates.

Looking through the negatives, I could see that, in addition to the normal figures of the sitters, there were distinct “extras” on three of the plates, each “extra” being distinct in form from the others.

On No. 1 plate—that for which my wife and I had been the sitters—there was the clear representation of a face looking out from an arched veil. This “extra” was superimposed on the image of the sitters and partially obscured them, as if the “something” it represented had come between them and the lens.

As soon as the plate was dry, a rough print was obtained by placing a sheet of printing paper over the negative and holding it up to the window, through which the sun was shining. That rough print showed the normal figures and the “extra” as they were afterwards printed by Mr. Hope.

Five possibilities are, therefore, ruled out in seeking to account for this particular “extra”:

• 1. The plates were not faked before exposure.
• 2. There was no substitution of plates.
• 3. There was no double exposure.
• 4. There was no double printing.
• 5. The plate was not faked after development.

As soon as the rough proof of plate No. 1 was obtained, the face of the “extra” was recognised by my wife and myself as an unmistakable likeness of our elder son, who had been killed in the war, and this recognition was corroborated fully and completely later on by other members of the family, and is therefore beyond dispute.

In considering this likeness and its recognition, I take note of certain facts, namely: (1) That Mr. Hope did not know me and did not know my son, or even that I had a son; (2) that neither Mr. Hope nor anyone in the room, save my wife and myself, had ever seen my son, and that it is unlikely that any one of them had seen his photographs; and (3) that although the likeness is unmistakable, the image of the face is not a reproduction of any normal photograph.

In view of these facts, it seemed to me then, and seems to me still, that it was quite impossible that Mr. Hope could have consciously produced that likeness either by skill or trick or both.

I was afterwards present at several of Mr. Hope’s sittings and was allowed on at least two other occasions to accompany him into the dark room and to watch the whole of his procedure. I kept a keen look-out for tricks—with many of which I was acquainted, but I saw none.

Also I have discussed the details many times with photographic experts and I have read the accusations brought against Mr. Hope, and I am quite satisfied that—whatever may have happened on other occasions—none of the suggestions of trickery put forward can account for the “extras” I have described, and particularly for that in which I am most directly interested.

(Signed) George H. Lethem.

Hazeldene, Harehills Lane, Leeds.

The Evidence of W. G. MITCHELL, ESQ., OF DARLINGTON

I first came in touch with Mr. Hope and Mrs. Buxton at Crewe. My second meeting with these good people was at Middlesbrough, where they were spending a holiday. I have thus had an opportunity of experimenting in the atmosphere of their own séance-room and studio, and also under the improvised conditions of a friend’s residence.

The subject of supernormal photography was not entirely new to me. I had met Mr. Edward Wyllie, the “spirit” photographer, when in Ireland, and watched his operations almost daily during his fortnight’s sojourn in that country. I subjected him to the most stringent and ingenious tests that I could devise. As founder and president of a photographic society, I was fully alive to all the possibilities of faking, but was quite satisfied that I had removed from Mr. Wyllie any opportunity to indulge in photographic legerdemain. With all my caution, results persisted. All the ordinary laws of photography, as far as I understood them, were upset and violated.

But to get back to the Crewe Circle. I had arranged with a friend who was at that time editor-manager of an important Northern newspaper to visit Crewe for the purpose of meeting the Crewe Circle. As brother members of a psychical research society, we desired to add to our experiences. Having taken the precaution of purchasing plates locally and following the usual recommendation of carrying them in close proximity to the body, we looked forward to our journey. The appointed day arrived, but no day in modern history could have been more unsuitable or less conducive to good results. It was December 16th, 1914, and the news tapped out over the “private wire” was most disquieting; the Huns were shelling Scarborough and West Hartlepool. My friend realised that it was impossible for him to desert his editorial chair, and he hurriedly gave me his box of plates. I met Mr. William Walker, of Buxton, en route, and together we journeyed to Crewe. A short devotional service was held in the kitchen of Mrs. Buxton’s home, during which I was informed that only one box of plates could be dealt with. I selected the box purchased by my absent friend and expressed a desire that some result should be given that would give him satisfaction and conviction. I was instructed that four plates would be dealt with and that I could select any particular four I desired from the box; I named the third and fourth, ninth and tenth. This selection secured two pairs of plates that would be packed film to film, and would probably be hinged together with emulsion.

The unsealed box was then placed on the centre of the table, and as it bore a rubber stamp impression of the firm from which it was purchased I am quite satisfied that there was no substitution of boxes. Mr. Hope then insisted that I should dismantle his camera. This I did most thoroughly, giving special attention to the dark slides, lens and shutter.

Having placed the dark slides in my pocket, we entered the dark room, where I unpacked the box, selecting the particular plates decided upon, wrote my initials across the corner of each, placed them in the two double back dark slides and placed the remainder of the plates together with the dark slides in my pocket. We adjourned to the studio, where Hope allowed me to choose my position in relation to the background. Mr. Walker sat in the chair, I focussed the portrait on the focussing screen of the camera, placed the dark slide in position and left all ready for making the exposure. I then went and took a seat beside Mr. Walker. Mr. Hope manipulated the lens cap with one hand and with his other clasped Mrs. Buxton’s, thus forming an arc over the bellows of the camera. After the first plate was exposed I went to the camera, closed the dark slide and reversed it, then sat for the second exposure.

The third plate was next used. Mrs. Buxton asked me to place the dark slide containing the only unexposed plate on her forehead, this I did for about ten seconds.

I then retired with Mr. Hope to the dark room, where I personally developed the four plates. On three out of the four supernormal effects flashed up, and after fixing in the hypo-bath we brought them out to the light for examination.

Plate No. 1, in addition to the normal image, showed a lengthy message of exceedingly minute copperplate writing, too small to read without the aid of the magnifying glass. I could just discern that there were Greek characters intermingled with other languages, including English.

No. 2 plate bore only the normal image.

No. 3 plate showed the supernormal figure of a lady draped in some material of fine texture, standing by my side.

No. 4 plate, the one held on Mrs. B.’s forehead, showed a well-defined face of a lady.

The long message on No. 1 contained 145 words, and was written in a jumble of languages, English, Greek, French, and Latin, and concluded thus: “And now, friends, we have given you this advice in mixed languages, so that it will help to support the claim that the unlearned of to-day possess the same powers as the humble fishermen of biblical history. We thank you for the common-sense way in which you have met us....” etc. It was quite two years before I was able to get the Greek portion translated. I eventually met a young Greek, a student of Armstrong College, Newcastle, who told me that it was a very ancient style of Greek. The message, when translated, was quite intelligible to me.

No. 3 plate, with supernormal portrait, proved to be undeniably the portrait of the deceased mother of the wife of my friend. On comparing it with a life portrait it left no doubt in the mind of any reasonable person.

The portrait on No. 4 plate I cannot recognise.

I have a profound conviction that Mr. Hope is a genuine medium, honest and straightforward, and it would take a great deal to shake my confidence in his integrity. I have followed his operations for years, and find them a fruitful source of instruction. It is only those who have experimented in “fake” effects who can realise the difficulties, and with a knowledge of photography I challenge any professional or amateur photographer to produce anything approaching the same effects under any conditions. They find it absolutely impossible under the same conditions.

It is unthinkable that Mr. and Mrs. Buxton would co-operate, aid and abet in a continuous fraud on the widowed wife, the sorrowing parent.

(Signed) W. G. Mitchell.

3, Harewood Terrace, Darlington.

An Account by J. WILLIAMS, ESQ., PHOTOGRAPHIC SPECIALIST, OF THE PORTLAND STUDIO, RHYL

It is with the greatest pleasure that I add my testimony to the truthfulness and absolute sincerity of Mr. Hope and Mrs. Buxton.

They have been known to me for several years; altogether no less than six times I have had sittings with them. In every case they have allowed me every facility to eliminate any possible fraud, which as a photographer of nearly fifty years’ experience, I was eager to discover.

One experience with the Crewe Circle was this: at one sitting I was asked what plate I would choose from a packet of twelve plates; it was decided on the fourth from the top of the packet. The camera was not used; Mr. Hope and I entered the dark room and only myself touched the plates during development. On the fourth plate was a message from the late Archdeacon Colley. This negative I have by me and anyone wishing to see same can do so with pleasure.

No one could wish for a better test than this; no one but myself touched the plates at any time during the sitting. The plates I brought with me, tied with special knots to prevent any opening of the packet or substituting of another packet.

(Signed) Jno. Williams.

Portland Studio, Rhyl.

The Testimony of JOSEPH HIGGINBOTTOM, ESQ., VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE SHEFFIELD AND DISTRICT SOCIETY FOR PSYCHICAL RESEARCH

I am pleased to have this opportunity of adding my testimony to the honesty of Mr. Wm. Hope of the Crewe Circle.

Herewith I enclose a psychic photograph of my mother. [Not reproduced.—Ed.] It has been freely recognised by those who knew her. Such is my confidence in Mr. Hope that I cannot allow myself to imagine for a moment that with his extraordinary gift, in conjunction with Mrs. Buxton he would allow himself to be led astray or deviate from the path of rectitude under any circumstances.

(Signed) J. Higginbottom.

Lees House, Norton Lees, Sheffield.

Proof from MRS. E. PICKUP, OF 40, WATERLOO ROAD, BURNLEY, LANCS.

No words of mine can express my gratitude to you since receiving the photos this morning. The extra one is my dear husband, and just as I prayed he might come—an exact copy of the one I had at home and the one I liked best. Every detail is so clear and correct, even to the dimple in the chin. What could be more convincing, when I came to you an absolute stranger and without even an appointment?

That visit will remain imprinted on my memory as one of the brightest days in my life. I am sure after such evidence as this and the way in which you carried out your work, I need never suffer the pangs of loneliness again, because I believe that God has taken him to a higher sphere. He will still guide me and watch over me so long as I do my part by keeping in touch with God and His divine laws.

I don’t know that I could ask for anything more. My cup is full and overflowing. I trust that others who come to you may get as good results, that they, too, may know the joy and happiness it brings.

(Signed) E. Pickup.

From MRS. RISKER, LATE OF DARLASTON

I have great pleasure in answering the questions you ask.

Question No. 1.—If there is the slightest doubt concerning “extra”?

None whatever.

Question No. 2.—Whether Mr. Hope or any one connected with the Crewe Circle knew Mr. Risker before his death, or had seen any photograph of him prior to visiting Crewe for this sitting?

No. The first time I ever knew of Mr. Hope or the Crewe Circle was through an article written by Miss Stead in Nash’s Magazine during the latter part of 1916 (after my husband’s death, which occurred August 15th, 1916).

Question No. 3.—In what manner did I get into touch with Crewe Circle?

The article which Miss Stead wrote appealed to me, and knowing Miss Stead (by repute) to be a straightforward woman, the thought came, “Here apparently is a tangible proof of the after-life.” Thereupon I did not rest until I found out the address. Some weeks later, a lady from Runcorn who knew nothing of me gave me the address of Mr. Hope.

Since above I have paid six visits and have had nine results—seven “extras” and two “skotographs”; upon five visits I have taken my own plates from Darlaston.

(Signed) M. C. Risker.

Late of Bilston Street, Darlaston.

An Expression of Opinion from LADY GREY OF FALLODEN

I am perfectly ready to adhere to my conviction that I have obtained evidence of supernormal activities through the mediumship of the Crewe Circle, and this I would maintain however conclusively they may have been convicted of fraud on other occasions.

(Signed) Pamela Grey.

Wilsford Manor, Salisbury.

The Evidence of H. BLACKWELL, ESQ., A VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE S.S.S.P.

With great pleasure I give my experience of the good work done through the Crewe mediums. In April, 1920, having fixed an appointment with Mr. Hope for a certain hour at the B.C.P.S., I was there to time with an unopened box of plates. Of the four plates exposed I found upon development that only two had any psychic results.

These appeared to consist of several faint faces merging one into the other. From the wet negatives I could not recognise any of the features, so asked for prints to be sent on in due course.

When the prints came to hand I was delighted to recognise the face of my sister, but repeated five times, as if in her agitation she could not concentrate sufficiently and had moved during the exposure.

She appeared as in her final illness two years previously, when I had gone down into the country to bid “good-bye.”

As a testimony to the value of psychic photography I may mention that through the mediumship of Mr. R. Boursnell, in London, and of Mr. W. M. Keeler, in Washington, I have received portraits of my grandfather, mother, two sisters and several of my nieces. A number of friends have also been taken in London after promises given in Canada and elsewhere.

About twelve years ago, thanks to a personal friend who then possessed wonderful materialising power, I was enabled to obtain, using four cameras simultaneously, excellent photographs of my father, mother, niece and several friends. They manifested for the express purpose of being taken, and in each instance the medium shows by the side of the spirit visitor. The experiments were conducted in my house and in presence of witnesses.

(Signed) H. Blackwell.

43, Brownswood Road, Finsbury Park, N. 4.

The Testimony of W. C. PUGH, ESQ., OF MIDDLESBROUGH

It is a number of years since I first sat with the Crewe Circle, and I have sat with them quite a dozen times since, and on each occasion I have received convincing proof of the genuineness of their phenomena. I have beside me quite a collection of photographs taken by them, and each photo has a message of its own; some contain extras of friends who have passed on, and others contain messages from interested friends beyond the grave. The extras on practically all my photos have been recognised by relatives and friends.

I enclose copy of one of these with two extras which have been readily recognised by all my friends as my father and mother, both of whom had passed on before I met the Crewe Circle. I also enclose copies of original photos for comparison. [Not reproduced.—Ed.]

My opportunities for testing the genuineness of the Crewe Circle’s work have been unique because they have taken over a hundred photos in my house in Middlesbrough. When they have spent a few days here they have lived with us. My wife and I made all the arrangements for their visit, and entertained them during their stay. Applications for sittings were made to us and we fixed them up. In the vast majority of cases the Crew Circle had never seen the sitters till they arrived at their appointed times. In many cases they never saw them again. Yet their success has been phenomenal. Many have received photos with extras which they recognised at sight. Others have taken them home and had them recognised by friends or other members of their families.

The Circle brought no plates with them. Each sitter provided his or her own. My sitting-room was the studio. My bath-room was the developing room. Unused plates were left behind when the Circle went away, and my lad, who has a camera, has been supplied with a stock of plates for use amongst his friends.

To those of us who know the members of the circle so well, some of the statements appearing in the Press have been very amusing. The idea of Mr. Hope beating the conjurers at their own game is too ridiculous for words. Expert photographers who have had experience of Mr. Hope’s methods must also have been greatly amused.

Then there is the question of motive. Let me state that the Crewe Circle have never had one penny piece out of their various visits to Middlesboro’. We charged sufficient from each sitter to pay railway expenses only, nothing more. We paid for the railway tickets, that was all. Where on earth was the incentive for these people to leave their homes to come here to deceive us? One’s sense of humour must have been neglected if they cannot see that the whole of the charges are too funny for words.

That the phenomena are genuine I am convinced. What is behind the phenomena is another matter, and does not enter into the present question.

If the scientists care to continue to drag on behind plain common-sense people let them do so. I have scores of good friends who have had that experience which no scientist can take from them, and I prefer to accept their opinions, along with my own experience, rather than listen to those people whose one desire seems to be to bolster up preconceived ideas.

The world would be better for some more people as honest as are the members of the Crewe Circle.

(Signed) William Cowell Pugh.

61, St. Paul’s Road, Middlesbrough.

An Account by MRS. MARGARET ELLINOR

I am anxious to help to prove the truth of psychic photography, and with this end in view I am sending herewith three photographs taken by Mr. Hope, of Crewe, under test conditions, which contain recognised “extras.” [Not reproduced.—Ed.]

Might I say that in the first place I was extremely sceptical, having some knowledge of photography. Even after myself obtaining a “psychograph” I was still in a doubtful frame of mind, and attended the British College of Psychic Science to gather further evidence.

In this way I came into contact with Mr. Hope and Mrs. Buxton, and by and by arranged through the agency of Mrs. McKenzie, of the College, to have a test sitting with Mr. Hope. The results of this sitting, quite apart from any subsequent sittings, provided what to my mind were conclusive proofs of Mr. Hope’s gifts and absolute integrity.

Enclosed are four photographs marked. All these were taken under the most stringent test conditions. I took with me some plates which had previously been marked secretly by a second party (a sceptic). These plates were then put into the slide by Mr. Hope in my presence; the slide was never for a moment out of my observation and I subsequently followed every manipulation.

In the case of the photographs (1) and (2) the extra is of my father. An old original photograph of my father is enclosed. It will be observed that the extras give a view from a different angle to the original in each case. My father was unknown to Mr. Hope—there were no photographs of my father available to Mr. Hope—my father passed over when I was nine years of age.

In photograph (3) the extra is of my father-in-law, an original of whom is enclosed. My husband’s father has been passed over seven years, and no photograph of him could be available to Mr. Hope.

Photograph (4) was taken at another sitting at my home. It is especially interesting inasmuch as the extra thereon was unrecognised at the time. After a lapse of time, through incidents I need not explain, I obtained a clue to the identity of the “extra.” Finally I was able to ascertain that the “extra” was one of my girlhood’s friends who has now been passed on many years. I was able to secure an old original photograph, which is enclosed.

Having been a sceptic myself, I can sympathise with those who find it difficult to credit these puzzling phenomena. At the same time, I suggest that Mr. Hope is entitled to the sympathetic treatment and fair dealing that should be accorded to anyone who brings forward evidence in support of the super-physical.

(Signed) Margaret Ellinor.

77, Atlantic Road, Brixton, S.W. 9.

From SAMUEL MADDOCKS, ESQ., HON. SECRETARY OF THE SHEFFIELD AND DISTRICT SOCIETY FOR PSYCHICAL RESEARCH