The Unknown Guest

第4章

But，ratherthanpursuethissubject，letusbejustandadmitthatthereisperhapsnowayoutofthemazeandthatourreproachesareasincomprehensibleastheconductofthespirits。

Indeed，whatwouldyouhavethemdointhecircleinwhichourlogicimprisonsthem？Eithertheyforetellusacalamitywhichtheirpredictionscannotavert，inwhichcasethereisnouseinforetellingit，or，iftheyannounceittousandatthesametimegiveusthemeanstopreventit，theydonotreallyseethefutureandareforetellingnothing，sincethecalamityisnottotakeplace，withtheresultthattheiractionseemsequallyabsurdinbothcases。

Itisobvious：towhicheversideweturn，wefindnothingbuttheincomprehensible。Ontheonehand，thepreestablished，unshakable，unalterablefuturewhichwehavecalleddestiny，fatalityorwhatyouwill，whichsuppressesman’sentireindependenceandlibertyofactionandwhichisthemostinconceivableandthedreariestofmysteries；ontheother，intelligencesapparentlysuperiortoourown，sincetheyknowwhatwedonot，which，whileawarethattheirinterventionisalwaysuselessandveryoftencruel，neverthelesscomeharassinguswiththeirsinisterandridiculouspredictions。Mustweresignourselvesoncemoretolivingwithoureyesshutandourreasondrownedintheboundlessoceanofdarkness；andistherenooutlet？

Forthemomentwewillnotlingerinthedarkregionsoffatality，whichisthesuprememystery，thedesolationofeveryeffortandeverythoughtofman。Whatisclearestamidthisincomprehensibilityisthatthespiritualistictheory，atfirstsightthemostseductive，declaresitself，onexamination，themostdifficulttojustify。Wewillalsooncemoreputasidethetheosophicaltheoryoranyotherwhichassumesadivineintentionandwhichmight，toacertainextent，explainthehesitationsandanguishofthepropheticwarnings，atthecost，however，ofotherpuzzles，athousandtimesashardtosolve，whichnothingauthorizesustosubstitutefortheactualpuzzle，formlessandinfinite，presentedtoouruninitiatedvision。

Whenallissaid，itisperhapsonlyinthetheorywhichattributesthosepremonitionstooursubconsciousnessthatweareabletofind，ifnotajustification，atleastasortofexplanationofthatformidablereticence。Theyaccordfairlywellwiththestrange，inconsistent，whimsicalanddisconcertingcharacteroftheunknownentitywithinusthatseemstoliveonnothingbutnondescriptfareborrowedfromworldstowhichnorintelligenceasyethasnoaccess。Itlivesunderourreason，inasortofinvisibleandperhapseternalpalace，likeacasualguest，droppedfromanotherplanet，whoseinterests，ideas，habits，passionshavenaughtincommonwithours。Ifitseemstohavenotionsonthehereafterthatareinfinitelywiderandmoreprecisethanthosewhichwepossess，ithasonlyveryvaguenotionsonthepracticalneedsofourexistence。Itignoresusforyears，absorbednodoubtwiththenumberlessrelationswhichitmaintainswithallthemysteriesoftheuniverse；and，whensuddenlyitremembersus，thinkingapparentlytopleaseus，itmakesanenormous，miraculous，butatthesametimeclumsyandsuperfluousmovement，whichupsetsallthatwebelievedweknew，withoutteachingusanything。Isitmakingfunofus，isitjesting，isitamusingitself，isitfacetious，teasing，arch，orsimplysleepy，bewildered，inconsistent，absent-minded？Inanycase，itisratherremarkablethatitevidentlydislikestomakeitselfuseful。Itreadilyperformsthemostglamorousfeatsofsleight-of-hand，providedthatwecanderivenoprofitfromthem。

Itliftsuptables，movestheheaviestarticles，producesflowersandhair，setsstringsvibrating，giveslifetoinanimateobjectsandpassesthroughsolidmatter，conjuresupghosts，subjugatestimeandspace，createslight；butall，itseems，ononecondition，thatitsperformancesshouldbewithoutrhymeorreasonandkeeptotheprovinceofsupernaturallyvainandpuerilerecreations。Thecaseofthedivining-rodisalmosttheonlyoneinwhichitlendsusanyregularassistance，thisbeingasortofgame，ofnogreatimportance，inwhichitappearstotakepleasure。Sometimes，tosayallthatcanbesaid，itconsentstocurecertainailments，cleansesanulcer，closesawound，healsalung，strengthensormakessuppleanarmorleg，orevensetsbones，butalwaysasitwerebyaccident，withoutreason，methodorobject，inadeceitful，illogicalandpreposterousfashion。Onewouldsetitdownasaspoiltchildthathasbeenallowedtolayhandsonthemosttremendoussecretsofheavenandearth；ithasnosuspicionoftheirpower，jumblesthemalluptogetherandturnsthemintopaltry，inoffensivetoys。Itknowseverything，perhaps，butisignorantoftheusesofitsknowledge，Ithasitsarmsladenwithtreasureswhichitscattersinthewrongmannerandatthewrongtime，givingbreadtothethirstyandwatertothehungry，overloadingthosewhorefuseandstrippingthesuppliantbare，pursuingthosewhofleefromitandfleeingfromthosewhopursueit。Lastly，evenatitsbestmoments，itbehavesasthoughthefateofthebeinginwhosedepthsitdwellsinterestedithardlyatall，asthoughithadbutaninsignificantshareinhismisfortunes，feelingassured，onemightalmostthink，ofanindependentandendlessexistence。

Itisnotsurprising，therefore，whenweknowitshabits，thatitscommunicationsonthesubjectofthefutureshouldbeasfantasticastheothermanifestationsofitsknowledgeoritspower。Letusadd，tobequitefair，that，inthosewarningswhichwewouldwishtoseeefficacious，itstumblesagainstthesamedifficultiesasthespiritsorotheralienintelligencesuselesslyforetellingtheeventwhichtheycannotprevent，orannihilatingtheeventbytheveryfactofforetellingit。

Andnow，toendthequestion，isourunknownguestaloneresponsible？Doesitexplainitselfbadlyordowenotunderstandit？Whenwelookintothematterclosely，thereis，underthoseanomalousandconfusedmanifestations，inspiteofeffortswhichwefeeltobeenormousandpersevering，asortofincapacityforselfexpressionandactionwhichisboundtoattractourattention。Isourconsciousandindividuallifeseparatedbyimpenetrableworldsfromoursubconsciousandprobablyuniversallife？Doesourunknownguestspeakanunknownlanguageanddothewordswhichitspeaksandwhichwethinkthatweunderstanddiscloseitsthought？Iseverydirectroadpitilesslybarredandistherenothinglefttoitbutnarrow，dosedpathsinwhichthebestofwhatithadtorevealtousislost？Isthisthereasonwhyitseeksthoseodd，childish，roundaboutwaysofautomaticwriting，cross-correspondence，symbolicpremonitionandalltherest？Yet，inthetypicalcasewhichwehavequoted，itseemstospeakquiteeasilyandplainlywhenitsaystothemother：

"Turnthemattress。"

Ifitcanutterthissentence，whyshoulditfinditdifficultorimpossibletoadd：

"Youwillfindthematchestherethatwillsetfiretothecurtains。"

Whatforbidsittodosoandclosesitsmouthatthedecisivemoment？Werelapseintotheeverlastingquestion：ifitcannotcompletethesecondsentencebecauseitwouldbedestroyinginthewombtheveryeventwhichitisforetelling，whydoesitutterthefirst？

Butitiswellinspiteofeverythingtoseekanexplanationoftheinexplicable；itisbyattackingitoneveryside，atallhazards，thatwecherishthehopeofovercomingit；andwemaythereforesaytoourselvesthatoursubconsciousness，whenitwarnsusofacalamitythatisabouttofalluponus，knowingallthefutureasitdoes，necessarilyknowsthatthecalamityisalreadyaccomplished。Asourconsciousandunconsciouslivesblendinit，itdistressesitselfandfluttersaroundouroverconfidentignorance。Ittriestoinformus，throughnervousness，throughpity，soastomitigatethelightningcrueltyoftheblow。Itspeaksallthewordsthatcanprepareusforitscoming，defineitandidentifyit；butitisunabletosaythosewhichwouldpreventitfromcoming，seeingthatithascome，thatitisalreadypresentandperhapspast，manifest，ineffaceable，onanotherplanethanthatonwhichwelive，theonlyplanewhichwearecapableofperceiving。Itfindsitself，inaword，inthepositionofthemanwho，inthemidstofpeaceful，happyandunsuspectingfolk，aloneknowssomebadnews。

Heisneitherablenorwillingtoannounceitnoryettohideitcompletely。Hehesitates，delays，makesmoreorlesstransparentallusions，butdoesnoteithersaythelastwordthatwould，sotospeak，letloosethecatastropheintheheartsofthepeoplearoundhim，fortothosewhodonotknowofitthecatastropheisstillasthoughitwerenotthere。Oursubconsciousness，inthatcase，wouldacttowardsthefutureasweacttowardsthepast，thetwoconditionsbeingidentical，somuchsothatitoftenconfusesthem，aswecanseemoreparticularlyinthecelebratedMarmontelcase，whereitevidentlyblundersandreportsasaccomplishedanincidentthatwillnottakeplaceuntilseveralmonthslater。Itisofcourseimpossibleforus，atthestagewhichwehavereached，tounderstandthisconfusionorthiscoexistenceofthepast，thepresentandthefuture；butthatisnoreasonfordenyingit；onthecontrary，whatmanunderstandsleastisprobablythatwhichmostnearlyapproachesthetruth。

Lastly，tocomplicatethequestion，itmaybeveryjustlyobjectedthat，thoughpremonitionsingeneralareuselessandappearsystematicallytowithholdtheonlyindispensableanddecisivewords，thereare，nevertheless，somethatoftenseemtosavethosewhoobeythem。These，itistrue，arerarerthanthefirst，butstilltheyincludeacertainnumberthatarewellauthenticated。Itremainstobeseenhowfartheyimplyaknowledgeofthefuture。

Here，forinstance，isatravelerwho，arrivingatnightinasmallunknowntownandwalkingalongtheill-lighteddockinthedirectionofanhotelofwhichheroughlyknowstheposition，atagivenmomenttechanirresistibleimpulsetoturnandgotheotherway。Heinstantlyobeys，thoughhisreasonprotestsand"berateshimforafool"intakingaroundaboutwaytohisdestination。Thenextdayhediscoversthat，ifhehadgoneafewfeetfarther，hewouldcertainlyhaveslippedintotheriver；

and，ashewasbutafeebleswimmer，hewouldjustascertainly，beingaloneandunaidedintheextremedarkness，havebeendrowned。[1]

[1]Proceedings，vol。xi。，p。422。

Butisthisaprevisionofanevent？No，fornoeventistotakeplace。Thereissimplyanabnormalperceptionoftheproximityofsomeunknownwaterandconsequentlyofanimminentdanger，anunexplainedbutfairlyfrequentsubliminalsensitiveness。Inaword，theproblemofthefutureisnotraisedinthiscase，norinanyofthenumerouscasesthatresembleit。

Hereisanotherwhichevidentlybelongstothesameclass，thoughatfirstsightitseemstopostulatethepreexistenceofafataleventandavisionofthefuturecorrespondingexactlywithavisionofthepast。AtravelerinSouthAmericaisdescendingariverinacanoe；thepartyarejustabouttorunclosetoapromontorywhenasortofmysteriousvoice，whichhehasalreadyheardatdifferentmomentoustimesofhislife，imperiouslyordershimimmediatelytocrosstheriverandgaintheothershoreasquicklyaspossible。ThisappearssoabsurdthatheisobligedtothreatentheIndianswithdeathtoforcethemtotakethiscourse。Theyhavescarcelycrossedmorethanhalftheriverwhenthepromontoryfallsattheveryplacewheretheymeanttoroundit。[1]

[1]Flournoy：Espritsetmediums，p。316。

Theperceptionofimminentdangerishere，Iadmit，evenmoreabnormalthaninthepreviousexample，butitcomesunderthesameheading。Itisaphenomenonofsubliminalhypersensitivenessobservedmorethanonce，asortofpremonitioninducedbysubconsciousperceptions，whichhasbeenchristenedbythebarbarousnameof"cryptaesthesia。"Buttheintervalbetweenthemomentwhentheperilissignalledandthatatwhichitisconsummatedistooshortforthosequestionswhichrelatetoaknowledgeorapreexistenceofthefuturetoariseinthisinstance。

ThecaseisalmostthesamewiththeadventureofanAmericandentist，verycarefullyinvestigatedbyDr。Hodgson。Thedentistwasbendingoverabenchonwhichwasalittlecopperinwhichhewasvulcanizingsomerubber，whenheheardavoicecalling，inaquickandimperativemanner，thesewords：

"Runtothewindow，quick！Runtothewindow，quick！"

Heatoncerantothewindowandlookedouttothestreetbelow，whensuddenlyheheardatremendousreportand，lookinground，sawthatthecopperhadexploded，destroyingagreatpartoftheworkroom。[1]

[1]Proceedings，vol。xi。，p。424。

Hereagain，asubconsciouscautiousnesswasprobablyamusedbycertainindicationsimperceptibletoourordinarysenses。Itisevenpossiblethatthereexistsbetweenthingsandourselvesasortofsympathyorsubliminalcommunionwhichmakesusexperiencethetrialsandemotionsofmatterthathasreachedthelimitsofitsexistence，unless，asismorelikely，thereismerelyasimplecoincidencebetweenthechanceideaofapossibleexplosionanditsrealization。

AlastandrathermorecomplicatedcaseisthatofJeanDupre，thesculptor，whowasdrivingalonewithhiswifealongamountainroad，skirtingaperpendicularcliff。Suddenlytheybothheardavoicethatseemedtocomefromthemountaincrying：

"Stop！"

Theyturnedround，sawnobodyandcontinuedtheirroad。Butthecrieswererepeatedagainandagain，withoutanythingtorevealthepresenceofahumanbeingamidthesolitude。Atlastthesculptoralightedandsawthattheleftwheelofthecarriage，whichwasgrazingtheedgeoftheprecipice，hadlostitslinch-pinandwasonthepointofleavingtheaxle-tree，whichwouldalmostinevitablyhavehurledthecarriageintotheabyss。

Needwe，evenhere，relinquishthetheoryofsubconsciousperceptions？Doweknowandcantheauthoroftheanecdote，whosegoodfaithisnotinquestion，tellusthatcertainunperceivedcircumstances，suchasthegratingofthewheelortheswayingofthecarriage，didnotgivehimthefirstalarm？Afterall，weknowhoweasilystoriesofthiskindinvoluntarilytakeadramaticturnevenattheactualmomentandespeciallyafterwards。

Theseexamples——andtherearemanymoreofasimilarkind——areenough，Ithink，toillustratethisclassofpremonitions。Theprobleminthesecasesissimplerthanwhenitrelatestofruitlesswarnings；atleastitissimplersolongaswedonotbringintodiscussionthequestionofspirits，ofunknownintelligences，orofanactualknowledgeofthefuture；otherwisethesamedifficultyreappearsandthewarning，whichthistimeseemsefficacious，isinrealityjustasvain。Infact，themysteriousentitywhichknowsthatthetravelerwillgotothewater’sedge，thatthewheelwillbeonthepointofleavingtheaxle，thatthecopperwillexplode，orthatthepromontorywillfallataprecisemoment，mustatthesametimeknowthatthetravelerwillnottakethelastfatalstep，thatthecarriagewillnotbeoverturned，thatthecopperwillnothurtanybodyandthatthecanoewillpullawayfromthepromontory。Itisinadmissiblethat，seeingonething，itwillnotseetheother，sinceeverythinghappensatthesamepoint，inthecourseofthesamesecond。Canwesaythat，ifithadnotgivenwarning，thelittlesavingmovementwouldnothavebeenexecuted？Howcanweimagineafuturewhich，atoneandthesametime，haspartsthataresteadfastandothersthatarenot？Ifitisforeseenthatthepromontorywillfallandthatthetravelerwillescape，thankstothesupernaturalwarning，itisnecessarilyforeseenthatthewarningwillbegiven；and，ifso，whatisthepointofthisfutilecomedy？Iseenoreasonableexplanationofitinthespiritistorspiritualistictheory，whichpostulatesacompleteknowledgeofthefuture，atleastatasettledpointandmoment。

Ontheotherhand，ifweadheretothetheoryofasubliminalconsciousness，wefindthereanexplanationwhichisquiteworthyofacceptation。Thissubliminalconsciousness，though，inthemajorityofcases，ithasnoclearandcomprehensivevisionoftheimmediatefuture，canneverthelesspossessanintuitionofimminentdanger，thankstoindicationsthatescapeourordinaryperception。Itcanalsohaveapartial，intermittentandsotospeakflickeringvisionofthefutureeventand，ifdoubtful，canriskgivinganincoherentwarning，which，forthatmatter，willchangenothinginthatwhichalreadyis。

Inconclusion，letusstateoncemorethatfruitfulpremonitionsnecessarilyannihilateeventsinthebudandconsequentlyworktheirowndestruction，sothatanycontrolbecomesimpossible。

Theywouldhaveanexistenceonlyiftheyprophesiedageneraleventwhichthesubjectwouldnotescapebutforthewarning。IftheyhadsaidtoanyoneintendingtogotoMessinatwoorthreemonthsbeforethecatastrophe，"Don’tgo，forthetownwillbedestroyedbeforethemonthisout，"weshouldhaveanexcellentexample。Butitisaremarkablethingthatgenuinepremonitionsofthiskindareveryrareandnearlyalwaysratherindefiniteinregardtoeventsofageneralorder。InM。Bozzano’sexcellentcollection，whichisasortofcompendiumofPremonitoryphenomena，theonlyprettyclearcasesarenos。cli，andclviii。，bothofwhicharetakenfromtheJournaloftheS。P。R。Inthefirst，[1]amothersentaservanttobringhomeherlittledaughter，whohadalreadyleftthehousewiththeintentionofgoingthroughthe"railwaygarden，"astripofgroundbetweenthese。wallandtherailwayembankment，inordertositonthegreatstone，bytheseasideandseethetrainspassby。Afewminutesafterthelittlegirl’sdeparture，themotherhaddistinctlyandrepeatedlyheardavoicewithinhersay：

"Sendforherback，orsomethingdreadfulwillhappentoher。"

[1]Journal，vol。viii。，p。45。

Now，soonafter，atrainranoffthelineandtheengineandtenderfell，breakingthroughtheprotectingwallandcrashingdownontheverystoneswherethechildwasaccustomedtosit。

Intheothercase，[1]intowhichProfessorW。F。Barrettmadeaspecialenquiry，CaptainMacGowanwasinBrooklynwithhistwoboys，thenontheirholidays。Hepromisedtheboysthathewouldtakethemtothetheatreandbookedseatsonthepreviousday；

butonthedayoftheproposedvisitheheardavoicewithinhimconstantlysaying：

"Donotgotothetheatre；taketheboysbacktoschool。"

[1]Ibid。，vol。i。，p。283。

Hehesitated，gaveuphisplanandresumeditagain。Butthewordskeptrepeatingthemselvesandimpressingthemselvesuponhim；and，intheend，hedefinitelydecidednottogo，muchtothetwoboys’disgust。Thatnightthetheatrewasdestroyedbyfire，withalossofthreehundredlives。

WemayaddtothistheprevisionoftheBattleofBorodino，towhichIhavealreadyalluded，Iwillgivethestoryinfullerdetail，astoldinthejournalofStephenGrellettheQuaker。

AboutthreemonthsbeforetheFrencharmyenteredRussia，thewifeofGeneralToutschkoffdreamtthatshewasataninninatownunknowntoherandthatherfathercameintoherroom，holdingheronlysonbythehand，andsaidtoher，inapitifultone：

"Yourhappinessisatanend。He"——meaningCountessToutschkoff’shusband——"hasfallen。HehasfallenatBorodino。"

Thedreamwasrepeatedasecondandathirdtime。Heranguishofmindwassuchthatshewokeherhusbandandaskedhim：

"WhereisBorodino？"Theylookedforthenameonthemapanddidnotfindit。

BeforetheFrencharmiesreachedMoscow，CountToutschkoffwasplacedattheheadofthearmyofreserve；andonemorningherfather，holdinghersonbythehand，enteredherroomattheinnwhereshewasstaying。Ingreatdistress，asshehadbeheldhiminherdream，hecriedout：

"Hehasfallen。HehasfallenatBorodino。"

Thenshesawherselfintheverysameroomandthroughthewindowsbeheldtheverysameobjectsthatshehadseeninherdreams。HerhusbandwasoneofthemanywhoperishedinthebattlefoughtneartheRiverBorodino，fromwhichanobscurevillagetakesitsname。[1]

[1]MemoirsoftheLifeandLaboursofStephenGrellet，voli。，p。434。

Thisisevidentlyaveryrareandperhapssolitaryexampleofalong-datedpredictionofagreathistoriceventwhichnobodycouldforesee。Itstirsmoredeeplythananyothertheenormousproblemsoffatality，free-willandresponsibility。Buthasitbeenattestedwithsufficientrigourforustorelyuponit？ThatIcannotsay。Inanycase，ithasnotbeensiftedbytheS。P。R。

Next，fromthespecialpointofviewthatinterestsusforthemoment，weareunabletodeclarethatthispremonitionhadanychanceofbeingofavailandpreventingthegeneralfromgoingtoBorodino。Itishighlyprobablethathedidnotknowwherehewasgoingorwherehewas；besides，theirresistiblemachineryofwarheldhimfastanditwasnothisparttodisengagehisdestiny。

Thepremonition，therefore，couldonlyhavebeengivenbecauseitwascertainnottobeobeyed。

Asforthetwopreviouscases，nos。clv。andclviii。，wemusthereagainremarktheusualstrangereservationsandobservehowdifficultitistoexplainthesepremonitionssavebyattributingthemtooursubconsciousness。Themain，unavoidableeventisnotpreciselystated；butasubordinateconsequenceseemstobeaverted，asthoughtomakeusbelieveinsomedefinitepoweroffreewill。Nevertheless，themysteriousentitythatforesawthecatastrophemustalsohaveforeseenthatnothingwouldhappentothepersonwhomitwaswarning；andthisbringsusbacktotheuselessfarceofwhichwespokeabove。Whereas，withthetheoryofasubconsciousself，thelattermayhave——asinthecaseofthetraveler，thepromontory，thecopperorthecarriage-notthistimebyinferencesorindicationsthatescapeourperception，butbyotherunknownmeans，avaguepresentimentofanimpendingperil，or，asIhavealreadysaid，apartial，intermittentandunsettledvisionofthefutureevent，and，initsdoubt，mayutteritscryofalarm。

Whereuponletusrecognizethatitisalmostforbiddentohumanreasontostrayintheseregions；andthatthepartofaprophetis，nexttothatofacommentatorofprophecies，oneofthemostdifficultandthanklessthatamancanattempttosustaintheworld’sstage。

Iamnotsureifitisreallynecessary，beforeclosingthischapter，tofollowinthewakeofmanyothersandbroachtheproblemofthepreexistenceofthefuture，whichincludesthoseoffatality，offreewill，oftimeandofspace，thatistosay，allthepointsthattouchtheessentialsourcesofthegreatmysteryoftheuniverse。Thetheologiansandthemetaphysicianshavetackledtheseproblemsfromeverysidewithoutgivingustheleasthopeofsolvingthem。Amongthosewhichlifesetsus，thereisnonetowhichourbrainseemsmoredefinitelyandstrictlyclosed；andtheyremain，ifnotasunimaginable，atleastasincomprehensibleasonthedaywhentheywerefirstperceived。

Whatcorresponds，outsideus，withwhatwecalltimeandspace？

Weknownothingaboutit；andKant，speakinginthenameofthe"apriorists，"whoholdthattheideaoftimeisinnateinus，doesnotteachusmuchwhenhetellsusthattime，likespace，isanaprioriformofoursensibility，thatistosay，anintuitionprecedingexperience，evenasGuyau，amongthe"empiricists，"whoconsiderthatthisideaisacquiredonlybyexperience，doesnotenlightenusanymorebydeclaringthatthissametimeistheabstractformulaofthechangesintheuniverse。Whetherspace，asLeibnitzmaintains，beanorderofcoexistenceandtimeanorderofsequences，whetheritbebyspacethatwesucceedinrepresentingtimeorwhethertimebeanessentialformofanyrepresentation，whethertimebethefatherofspaceorspacethefatheroftime，onethingiscertain，whichisthattheeffortsoftheKantianorneo-Kantianaprioristsandofthepureempiricistsandtheidealisticempiricistsallendinthesamedarkness；thatallthephilosopherswhohavegrappledwiththeformidabledualproblem，amongwhomonemaymentionindiscriminatelythenamesofthegreatestthinkersofyesterdayandto-day——HerbertSpencer，Helmholtz，Renouvier，JamesSully，Stumpf，JamesWard，WilliamJames，StuartMill，Ribot，Fouillee，Guyau，Bain，Lechalas，Balmes，Dunanandendlessothers——havebeenunabletotameit；andthat，howevermuchtheirtheoriesmaycontradictoneanother，theyareallequallydefensibleandalikestrugglevainlyinthedarknessagainstshadowsthatarenotofourworld。

Tocatchaglimpseofthisstrangeproblemofthepreexistenceofthefuture，asitshowsitselftoeachofus，letusessaymorehumblytotranslateitintotangibleimages，toplaceitasitwereuponthestage。Iamwritingtheselinessittingonastone，intheshadeofsometallbeechesthatoverlookalittleNormanvillage。Itisoneofthoselovelysummerdayswhenthesweetnessoflifeisalmostvisibleintheazurevaseofearthandsky。Inthedistancestretchestheimmense，fertilevalleyoftheSeine，withitsgreenmeadowsplantedwithrestfultrees，betweenwhichtheriverflowslikealongpathofgladnessleadingtothemistyhillsoftheestuary。Iamlookingdownonthevillage-square，withitsringofyounglime-trees。Aprocessionleavesthechurchand，amidprayersandchanting，theycarrythestatueoftheVirginaroundthesacredpile。Iamconsciousofallthedetailsoftheceremony：theslyoldcureperfunctorilybearingasmallreliquary；fourchoirmenopeningtheirmouthstobawlforthvacantlytheLatinwordswhichconveynothingtothem；twomischievousserving-boysinfrayedcassocks；ascoreoflittlegirls，younggirlsandoldmaidsinwhite，allstarchedandflounced，followedbysixorsevenvillagenotablesinbaggyfrockcoats。Thepageantdisappearsbehindthetrees，comesintosightagainatthebendoftheroadandhurriesbackintothechurch。Theclockinthesteeplestrikesfive，asthoughtoringdownthecurtainandmarkintheinfinitehistoryofeventswhichnonewillrecollecttheconclusionofaspectaclewhichneveragain，untiltheendoftheworldandoftheuniverseofworlds，willbejustwhatitwasduringthosesecondswhenitbeguiledmywanderingeyes。

Forinvainwilltheyrepeattheprocessionnextyearandeveryyearafter：neveragainwillitbethesame。Notonlywillseveraloftheactorsprobablyhavedisappeared，butallthosewhoresumetheiroldplacesintherankswillhaveundergonethethousandlittlevisibleandinvisiblechangeswroughtbythepassingdaysandweeks。Inaword，thisinsignificantmomentisunique，irrecoverable，inimitable，asareallthemomentsintheexistenceofallthings；andthislittlepicture，enduringforafewsecondssuspendedinboundlessduration，haslapsedintoeternity，wherehenceforthitwillremaininitsentiretytotheendoftime，somuchsothat，ifamancouldonedayrecaptureinthepast，amongwhatsomeonehascalledthe"astralnegatives，"

theimageofwhatitwas，hewouldfinditintact，unchanged，ineffaceableandundeniable。

Itisnotdifficultforustoconceivethatonecanthusgobackandseeagaintheastralnegativeofaneventthatisnomore；andretrospectiveclairvoyanceappearstousawonderfulbutnotanimpossiblething。Itastonishesbutdoesnotstaggerourreason。

But，whenitbecomesaquestionofdiscoveringthesamepictureinthefuture，theboldestimaginationfloundersatthefirststep。Howarewetoadmitthatthereexistssomewherearepresentationorreproductionofthatwhichhasnotyetexisted？

Nevertheless，someoftheincidentswhichwehavejustbeenconsideringseemtoproveinanalmostconclusivemannernotonlythatsuchrepresentationsarepossible，butthatwemayarriveatthemmorefrequently，nottosaymoreconveniently，thanatthoseofthepast。Now，oncethisrepresentationpreexists，asweareobligedtoadmitinthecaseofcertainnumberofpremonitions，theriddleremainsthesamewhetherthepreexistencebeoneofafewhours，afewyearsorseveralcenturies。Itisthereforepossible——for，inthesematters，wemustgostraighttoextremesorelseleavethemalone——itisthereforepossiblethataseermightierthananyofto-day，somegod，demigodordemon，someunknown，universalorvagrantintelligence，sawthatprocessionamillionyearsago，atatimewhennothingexistedofthatwhichcomposesandsurroundsitandwhentheveryearthonwhichitmoveshadnotyetrisenfromtheoceandepths。Andotherseers，asmightyasthefirst，whofromagetoagecontemplatedthesamespotandthesamemoment，wouldalwayshaveperceived，throughthevicissitudesandupheavalsofseas，shoresandforests，thesameprocessiongoingroundthesamelittlechurchthatstilllayslumberingintheoceanicoozeandmadeupofthesamepersonssprungfromaracethatwasperhapsnotyetrepresentedontheearth。

Itisobviouslydifficultforustounderstandthatthefuturecanthusprecedechaos，thatthepresentisatthesametimethefutureandthepast，orthatthatwhichdoesnotyetexistsalreadyatthesametimeatwhichitisnomore。But，ontheotherhand，itisjustashardtoconceivethatthefuturedoesnotpreexist，thatthereisnothingbeforethepresentandthateverythingisonlypresentorpast。Itisveryprobablethat，toamoreuniversalintelligencethanours，everythingisbutaneternalpresent，animmensepunctumstans，asthemetaphysicianssay，inwhichalltheeventsareononeplane；butitisnolessprobablethatweourselves，solongaswearemen，inordertounderstandanythingofthiseternalpresent，willalwaysbeobligedtodivideitintothreeparts。Thuscaughtbetweentwomysteriesequallybafflingtoourintelligence，whetherwedenyoradmitthepreexistenceofthefuture，wearereallyonlywranglingoverwords：intheonecase，wegivethenameof"present，"fromthepointofviewofaperfectintelligence，tothatwhichtousisthefuture；intheother，wegivethenameof"future"tothatwhich，fromthepointofviewofaperfectintelligence，isthepresent。But，afterall，itisincontestableinbothcasesthat，atleastfromourpointofview，thefuturepreexists，sincepreexistenceistheonlynamebywhichwecandescribeandtheonlyformunderwhichwecanconceivethatwhichwedonotyetseeinthepresent。

Attemptshavebeenmadetoshedlightontheriddlebytransferringittospace。Itistruethatittherelosesthegreaterpartofitsobscurity；butthisapparentlyisbecause，inchangingitsenvironment，ithascompletelychangeditsnatureandnolongerbearsanyrelationtowhatitwaswhenitwasplacedintime。Wearetold，forinstance，thatinnumerablecitiesdistributedoverthesurfaceoftheeartharetousasiftheywerenot，solongaswehavenotseenthem，andonlybegintoexistonthedaywhenwevisitthem。Thatistrue；butspace，outsideallmetaphysicalspeculations，hasrealitiesforuswhichtimedoesnotpossess。Space，althoughverymysteriousandincomprehensibleoncewepasscertainlimits，isneverthelessnot，liketime，incomprehensibleandillusoryinallitsparts。

Wearecertainlyquiteabletoconceivethatthosetownswhichwehaveneverseenanddoubtlessneverwillseeindubitablyexist，whereaswefinditmuchmoredifficulttoimaginethatthecatastrophewhich，fiftyyearshence，willannihilateoneofthemalreadyexistsasreallyasthetownitself。Wearecapableofpicturingaspotwhence，withkeenereyesthanthesewhichweboastto-day，weshouldseeinoneglanceallthecitiesoftheearthandeventhoseofotherworlds，butitismuchlesseasyforustoimagineapointintheageswhenceweshouldsimultaneouslydiscoverthepast，thepresentandthefuturebecausethepast，thepresentandthefuturearethreeordersofdurationwhichcannotfindroomatthesametimeinourintelligenceandwhichinevitablydevouroneother。Howcanwepicturetoourselves，forinstance，apointineternityatwhichourlittleprocessionalreadyexists，whileitisnotyetandalthoughitisnomore？Addtothisthethoughtthatitisnecessaryandinevitable，fromthemillenarieswhichhadnobeginning，that，atagivenmoment，atagivenplace，thelittleprocessionshouldleavethelittlechurchinagivenmannerandthatnoknownorimaginablewillcanchangeanythinginit，inthefutureanymorethaninthepast；andwebegintounderstandthatthereisnohopeofunderstanding。

WefindamongthecasescollectedbyM。Bozzanoasingularpremonitionwhereintheunknownfactorsofspaceandtimearecontinuedinaverycuriousfashion。InAugust，1910，CavalliereGiovannideFigueroa，oneofthemostfamousfencingmastersatPalermo，dreamtthathewasinthecountry，goingalongaroadwhitewithdust，whichbroughthimtoabroadploughedfield。Inthemiddleofthefieldstoodarusticbuilding，withaground-floorusedforstore-roomsandcow-shedsandontherightaroughhutmadeofbranchesandacartwithsomeharnesslyinginit。

Apeasantwearingdarktrousers，withablackfelthatonhishead，cameforwardtomeethim，askedhimtofollowhimandtookhimroundbehindthehouse。Throughalow，narrowdoortheyenteredalittlestablewithashort，windingstonestaircaseleadingtoaloftovertheentrancetothehouse。Amulefastenedtoaswingingmangerwasblockingthebottomstep；andthechevalierhadtopushitasidebeforeclimbingthestaircase。Onreachingtheloft，henoticedthatfromtheceilingweresuspendedstringsofmelons，tomatoes，onionsandIndiancorn。Inthisroomweretwowomenandalittlegirl；andthroughadoorleadingtoanotherroomhecaughtsightofanextremelyhighbed，unlikeanythathehadeverseenbefore。Herethedreambrokeoff。Itseemedtohimsostrangethathespokeofittoseveralofhisfriends，whomhementionsbynameandwhoarereadytoconfirmhisstatements。

Onthe12thofOctoberinthesameyear，inordertosupportafellow-townsmaninaduel，heaccompaniedtheseconds，bymotorcar，fromNaplestoMarano，aplacewhichhehadnevervisitednorevenheardof。Assoonastheyweresomewayinthecountry，hewascuriouslyimpressedbythewhiteanddustyroad。

Thecarpulledupatthesideofafieldwhichheatoncerecognized。Theylighted；andheremarkedtooneoftheseconds：

"ThisisnotthefirsttimethatIhavebeenhere。Thereshouldbeahouseattheendofthispathandontherightahutandacartwithsomeharnessinit。"

Asamatteroffact，everythingwasashedescribedit。Aninstantlater，attheexactmomentforeseenbythedream，thepeasantinthedarktrousersandtheblackfelthatcameupandaskedhimtofollowhim。But，insteadofwalkingbehindhim，thechevalierwentinfront，forhealreadyknewtheway。Hefoundthestableand，exactlyattheplacewhichitoccupiedtwomonthsbefore，nearitsswingingmanger，themuleblockingthewaytothestaircase。Thefencingmasterwentupthestepsandoncemoresawtheloft，withtheceilinghungwithmelons，onionsandtomatoes，and，inacornerontheright，thetwosilentwomenandthechild，identicalwiththefiguresinhisdream，whileinthenextroomherecognizedthebedwhoseextraordinaryheighthadsomuchimpressedhim。

Itreallylooksasifthefactsthemselves，theextramundanerealities，theeternalverities，orwhateverwemaybepleasedtocallthem，havetriedtoshowusherethattimeandspaceareoneandthesameillusion，oneandthesameconventionandhavenoexistenceoutsideourlittleday-spannedunderstanding；that"everywhere"and"always"areexactlysynonymoustermsandreignaloneassoonaswecrossthenarrowboundariesoftheobscureconsciousnessinwhichwelive。WearequitereadytoadmitthatCavalieredeFigueroamayhavehadbyclairvoyanceanexactanddetailedvisionofplaceswhichhewasnottovisituntillater：

thisisaprettyfrequentandalmostclassicalphenomenon，which，asitaffectstherealitiesofspace，doesnotastonishusbeyondmeasureand，inanycase，doesnottakeusoutoftheworldwhichoursensesperceive。Thefield，thehouse，thehut，theloftdonotmove；anditisnomiraclethattheyshouldbefoundinthesameplace。But，suddenly，quittingthisdomainwhereallisstationary，thephenomenonistransferredtotimeand，inthoseunknownplaces，attheforetoldsecond，bringstogetherallthemovingactorsofthatlittledramaintwoacts，ofwhichthefirstwasperformedsometwoandahalfmonthsbefore，inthedepthsofsomemysteriousotherlifewhereitseemedtobemotionlesslyandirrevocablyawaitingitsterrestrialrealization。Anyexplanationwouldbutcondensethisvapourofpettymysteriesintoafewdropsintheoceanofmysteries。Letusnotehereagain，inpassing，thestrangefreakishnessofthepremonitions。Theyaccumulatethemostpreciseandcircumstantialdetailsaslongasthesceneremainsinsignificant，butcometoasuddenstopbeforetheonetragicandinterestingsceneofthedrama：theduelanditsissue。Hereagainwerecognizetheinconsistent，impotent，ironicalorhumoroushabitsofourunknownguest。

Butwewillnotprolongthesesomewhatvainspeculationsconcerningspaceandtime。Wearemerelyplayingwithwordsthatrepresentverybadlyideaswhichwedonotputintoformatall。

Tosumup，ifitisdifficultforustoconceivethatthefuturepreexists，perhapsitisevenmoredifficultforustounderstandthatitdoesnotexist；moreover，acertainnumberoffactstendtoprovethatitisasrealanddefiniteandhas，bothintimeandineternity，thesamepermanenceandthesamevividnessasthepast。Now，fromthemomentthatitpreexists，itisnotsurprisingthatweshouldbeabletoknowit；itisevenastonishing，grantedthatitoverhangsusoneveryside，thatweshouldnotdiscoveritoftenerandmoreeasily。Itremainstobelearntwhatwouldbecomeofourlifeifeverythingwereforeseeninit，ifwesawitunfoldingbeforehand，initsentirety，withitseventswhichwouldhavetobeinevitable，because，ifitwerepossibleforustoavoidthem，theywouldnotexistandwecouldnotperceivethem。Supposethat，insteadofbeingabnormal，uncertain，obscure，debatableandveryunusual，predictionbecame，sotospeak，scientific，habitual，clearandinfallible：

inashorttime，havingnothingmoretoforetell，itwoulddieofinanition。If，forinstance，itwasprophesiedtomethatImustdieinthecourseofajourneyinItaly，Ishouldnaturallyabandonthejourney；thereforeitcouldnothavebeenpredictedtome；andthusalllifewouldsoonbenothingbutinaction，pauseandabstention，asoftofvastdesertwheretheembryosofstill-borneventswouldbegatheredinheapsandwherenothingwouldgrowsaveperhapsoneortwomoreorlessfortunateenterprisesandthelittleinsignificantincidentswhichnoonewouldtroubletoavoid。Buttheseagainarequestionstowhichthereisnosolution；andwewillnotpursuethemfurther。

CHAPTERIV。THEELBERFELDHORSES

Iwillfirstsumupasbrieflyaspossible，forwhosomaystillbeignorantofthem，thefactswhichitisnecessarytoknowifonewouldfullyunderstandthemarvelousstoryoftheElberfeldhorses。Foradetailedaccount，IcanreferhimtoHerrKarlKrall’sremarkablework，DenkendeTiere（Leipsig，1912），whichisthefirstandprincipalsourceofinformationamidabibliographythatisalreadyassumingconsiderabledimensions。

SometwentyyearsagotherelivedinBerlinanoldmisanthropenamedWilhelmvonOsten。Hewasamanwithasmallprivateincome，alittleeccentricinhiswaysandobsessedbyoneidea，theintelligenceofanimals。Hebeganbyundertakingtheeducationofahorsethatgavehimnoverydefiniteresults。But，in1900，hebecametheownerofaRussianstallionwho，underthenameofHans，towhichwassoonaddedtheHomericandwell-earnedprefixofKluge，orClever，wasdestinedtoupsetallournotionsofanimalpsychologyandtoraisequestionsthatrankamongthemostunexpectedandthemostabsorbingproblemswhichmanhasyetencountered。

ThankstoVonOsten，whosepatience，contrarytowhatonemightthink，wasinnowiseangelicbutresembledratherafrenziedobstinacy，thehorsemaderapidandextraordinaryprogress。ThisprogressisveryaptlydescribedbyProfessorE。Clarapede，oftheuniversityofGeneva，whosays，inhisexcellentmonographontheElberfeldhorses：

"Aftermakinghimfamiliarwithvariouscommonideas，suchasright，left，top，bottomandsoon，hismasterbegantoteachhimarithmeticbytheintuitivemethod。Hanswasbroughttoatableonwhichwereplacedfirstone，thentwo，thenseveralsmallskittles。VonOsten，kneelingbesideHans，utteredthecorrespondingnumbers，atthesametimemakinghimstrikeasmanyblowswithhishoofastherewereskittlesonthetable。Beforelong，theskittleswerereplacedbyfigureswrittenonablackboard。Theresultswereastonishing。Thehorsewascapablenotonlyofcounting（thatistosay，ofstrikingasmanyblowsashewasasked），butalsoofhimselfmakingrealcalculations，ofsolvinglittleproblems……

"ButHanscoulddomorethanmeresums：heknewhowtoread；hewasamusician，distinguishingbetweenharmoniousanddissonantchords。Healsohadanextraordinarymemory：hecouldtellthedateofeachdayofthecurrentweek。Inshort，hegotthroughallthetaskswhichanintelligentschoolboyoffourteenisabletoperform。"

Therumourofthesecuriousexperimentssoonspread；andvisitorsflockedtothelittlestable-yardinwhichVonOstenkepthissingularpupilatwork。Thenewspaperstookthematterup；andafiercecontroversybrokeforthbetweenthosewhobelievedinthegenuinenessofthephenomenonandthosewhosawnomoreinitthanabarefacedfraud。Ascientificcommitteewasappointedin1904，consistingofprofessorsofpsychologyandphysiology，ofthedirectorofazoologicalgarden，ofacircusmanagerandofveterinarysurgeonsandcavalry-officers。Thecommitteediscoverednothingsuspicious，butventureduponnoexplanation。

Asecondcommitteewasthenappointed，numberingamongitsmembersHerrOskarPfungst，oftheBerlinpsychologicallaboratory。HerrPfungst，afteralongseriesofexperiments，drewupavoluminousandcrushingreport，inwhichhemaintainedthatthehorsewasgiftedwithnointelligence，thatitdidnotrecognizeeitherlettersorfigures，thatitreallyknewneitherhowtocalculatenorhowtocount，butmerelyobeyedtheimperceptible，infinitesimalandunconscioussignswhichescapedfromitsmaster。

Publicopinionveeredroundsuddenlyandcompletely。Peoplefeltasortofhalf-cowardlyreliefatbeholdingthepromptcollapseofamiraclewhichwasthreateningtothrowconfusionintotheselfsatisfiedlittlefoldofestablishedtruths。PoorVonOstenprotestedinvain：noonelistenedtohim；theverdictwasgiven。

Heneverrecoveredfromthisofficialblow；hebecamethelaughing-stockofallthosewhomhehadatfirstastounded；andhedied，lonelyandembittered，onthe29thofJune，1909，attheageofseventy-one。