A record of research and experiment in a much-talked-of realm of mystery, with a review and criticism of the so-called spiritualistic phenomena of spirit materialization and hints and illustration as to the possibility of artificially producing the same.
In placing the following pages before the public, the author is actuated by two motives: - Firstly, that recent occurrences in our midst, relating to some of the so-called phenomena of Spiritualism, and questioning the evidence on which these phenomena profess to stand, and notably the occurrence of Friday, October 12th, have created a widespread, sensational, and general interest throughout Australasia.
The second reason for this publication is somewhat different.
In dealing with a field of research which necessitates the employment of a class of individuals at all times more or less associated with trickery or imposture, it behooves the investigator to be upon his guard, and while retaining an impartial judgment, to be fully alive to every possibility of fraud and trickery. The man of business, in the course of daily commercial transactions, works upon this principle; and while casting no personal reflection upon his fellow-citizen does not leave it in the power of that other to dupe him.
The author illustrates how, from personal experiment, he is able to produce the exact semblance of Materialized Spirit forms, under Spiritualistic conditions, and explains how any individual may do the same.
For the etymology of the title "Spookland," as expressing the haunt or plane of the "Spook," readers are referred to current Theosophical Treatises.
