The Queer Side of Things.

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two spirits, William and

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James (whom 1t again becomes the duty of the faithful reader of T'nr STrRaND MAGAZINE to remember 3 whose 1mages, indeed, should be deeply imprinted on his consciousness), had again

foregathered in the solemn boundlessness of space and darkness.

“Pouching those worlds and human beings whose existence 1 imagined -7 saad ames.

William yawned wearily, but, unable to

plead any sudden excusce for departure which would not be too discourtcously

transparcnt, resigned himself to the unavoid- able.

T have been studying this hypnotism of which 1 spoke as one ol my fancies, and 1f you have no objection I fancy that 1 could— with your assistance—influence your mind to

an extent which might cenable you mentally to pereeive some of - the scenes which might be called nto existence by the creation—if that were possible—of intelligent beings——"

“ Intell-- 2?7 said William.

“\Vell, well—beings possessed of reason—ah, as opposed to instinct. I have not, perhaps, explained that 1 should proposc the existence of other animals in addition to these human beings ; Jozeer animals which would possess only zustinet.”

And what would be the difference bhotween reason and instinet 2”7 asked Wilham.

“\Well,” replied James. “Ah — well — hstinet would be infallible, while reason would mnot. Instinct would Arrive — er— instinctively—at fact and truth.”

“ Ah,” sad the objectionable William, “pow I percerve the meaning of your phrase, C Reason as opposed fo instinct.” However, let us have a game at this hypnotism which you proposc to try. I presume I am to attempt to subordinate my mind to yours— subordinate, as it were, instinet to mere reason —for the time being 27

They took the matter methodically 1n hand, and with such success that, within a few particles of eternity, James asked his companion spirit whether he scemed to perceive anything and William rephed = —

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