Is there any power in Planchette, or is it merely a vehicle? I asked.
_Ans._--Inactive bodies have no active agency.
_Ques._--Whence come the words of Planchette--whence her intelligence?
_Ans._--From the seat of intelligence in the one who commands me.
_Ans._--The future is not made known to man.
_Ques._--Can you give information not in the minds of the operators?
_Ans._--No, or in the mind of some one who works me.
_Ques._--What distinction do you make between the operator and the worker?
_Ans._--The worker may be removed from the board.
_Ques._--Are you influenced by animal magnetism?
_Ques._--Are you influenced by electricity?
_Ques._--Do the minds of the present operators influence the answers?
_Ques._--Which of the operators influences you most?
_Ans._--Neither is worth without the other.
_Ques._--Have you communications with the spirit world?
_Ques._--Can you be put to any practical use?
_Ans._--Man will be introduced to the world of science.
_Ques._--Is your information concerning the ordinary affairs of life of any practical value?
_Ans._--Not much, unless the worker is reliable as an informant.
_Ans._--Magnetism is the force of the universe.
_Ans._--Electricity is the outward expression of the hidden force.
_Ques._--Has magnetism or electricity anything to do with the polarity of the needle?
_Ans._--The interchange of magnetism throughout the entire universe.
_Ans._--Currents are exchanged from earth to air and from planet to planet.
_Ques._--Do these affect the mariner's compass?
_Ques._--Can we control the local attraction of the compass?
_Ques._--How? I exclaimed excitedly, as the thought flashed through my mind that I was on the eve of a great discovery.
_Ans._--By the substitution of some other attractive force?
_Ques._--Can the compass be so constructed as to be uninfluenced by local attraction?
_Ans._--No, inasmuch as all surroundings are themselves magnets or the mediums of conveyance.
_Ques._--Can the approach of storms be foretold by the amount of electricity in the air?
_Ans._--Storms are the disturbance of the equilibrium, and therefore can be foretold when the atmospherical balance is understood.
_Ques._--Can you give information not in the minds of the operators?
_Ans._--Planchette is a tool, and does nothing of herself.