NECROMANCE

It is somewhat comforting to find out that the learned are capable of as clever ultra-mondane trickery as are the ignorant. Until lately spiritualistic mediums, magicians, and mind-readers have been almost entirely men and women of the gypsy class. They have held thousands mystified and spell-bound by their white-magic, while they have laughed up their sleeves. But they have almost invariably been detected by investigators more clever than they. Now, however, it appears that the University has its own aspirants to spiritualistic fame; for three sophomores--complete amateurs, it is reported--suceeded in hoodwinking many of their companions. But finally they, too, were detected and mercilessly exposed. They were no more clever than other Mr. Levinskys of the past have been.

The only element of real interest in this incident, then, lies in the character and nationality of the new "mediums." They are neither half-wits nor Russian, we are assured. Certainly they are students of a University noted for its accustomed indifference.

There is a temptation to say that they are merely a few of the "doubting Thomases" who make up the over-whelming majority of a skeptic world. Sir Oliver Lodge and Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle have not yet persuaded the rest of humanity of the reality of ectoplasm, even though they have secured many staunch followers for their ideas. Nobody really knows one way or the other that is admitted. Everyone is interested in the idea of thought-transference and future existence--man may be said to have incurably necromantic tendencies--but unless the knightly necromancers establish something definitely soon, good old necromancy is apt to degenerate into flippant necromance unworthy of its old, time-honored title.