Cock Lane And Common-Sense

This book is annotated with a rare extensive biographical sketch of the author, Andrew Lang, written by Sir Edmund Gosse, CB, a contemporary poet and writer.

It is not without hesitation that this book is offered to the reader. Very many people, for very various reasons, would taboo the subjects here discoursed of altogether. These subjects are a certain set of ancient beliefs, for example the belief in clairvoyance, in 'hauntings,' in events transcending ordinary natural laws. The peculiarity of these beliefs is, that they have survived the wreck of faith in such elements of witchcraft as metamorphosis, and power to cause tempest or drought. To study such themes is 'impious,' or 'superstitious,' or 'useless'. Yet to a pathologist, or anthropologist, the survivals of beliefs must always be curious and attractive illustrations of human nature.

Contents:

Preface.
Introduction.
Savage Spiritualism.
Ancient Spiritualism.
Comparative Psychical Research
Haunted Houses
Cock Lane And Common-Sense
Apparitions, Ghosts, And Hallucinations.
Scrying Or Crystal-Gazing
The Second Sight
Ghosts Before The Law
A Modern Trial For Witchcraft
Presbyterian Ghost Hunters.
The Logic Of Table-Turning
The Ghost Theory Of The Origin Of Religion