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the history of psychology； of morality； of human destiny and of many
other things。
36
So much for the intelligence。 On the other hand； what we deny to the
intelligence we are constrained to grant to the subliminal； and the
revelation is even more disconcerting。 We should then have to admit that
them is in the horseand hence most probably in everything that lives on
this eartha psychic power similar to that which is hidden beneath the veil
of our reason and which； as we learn to know it； astonishes； surpasses and
dominates our reason more and more。 This psychic power； in which no
doubt we shall one day be forced to recognize the genius of the universe
itself； appears； as we have often observed； to be all…wise； all…seeing and
all…powerful。 It has； when it is pleased to communicate with us or when
we are allowed to penetrate into it； an answer for every question； and
perhaps a remedy for every ill。 We will not enumerate its virtues again。 It
will be enough for us to recall with what ease it mocks at space； time and
all the obstacles that beset our poor human knowledge and understanding。
We believed it； like all that seems to us superior and marvellous； the
intangible； inalienable and incommunicable attribute of man； with even
better reason than his intelligence。 And now an accident； strangely belated；
it is true； tells us that； at one precise point； the strangest and least foreseen
of all； the horse and the dog draw more easily and perhaps more directly
than ourselves upon its mighty reservoirs。 By the most inexplicable of
anomalies； though one that is fairly consistent with the fantastic character
of the subliminal； they appear to have access to it only at the spot that is
most remote from their habits and most unknown to their propensities； for
there is nothing in the world about which animals trouble less than figures。
But is this not； perhaps because we do not see what goes on elsewhere？ It
so happens that the infinite mystery of numbers can sometimes be
expressed by a very few simple movements which are natural to most
animals； but there is nothing to tell us that； if we could teach the horse and
the dog to attach to these same movements the expression of other
mysteries； they would not draw upon them with equal facility。 It has been
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THE UNKNOWN GUEST
successfully attempted to give them a more or less clear idea of the value
of a few figures and perhaps of the course and nature of certain elementary
operations； and this appears to have been enough to open up to them the
most secret regions of mathematics in which every question is answered
beforehand。 It is not wholly illusive to suppose that； if we could impart to
them； for instance； a similar notion of the future； together with a manner of
conveying to us what they see there； they might also have access to
strange visions of another class； which are jealously kept from us by the
too…watchful guardians of our intelligence。 There is an opportunity here
for experiments which will doubtless prove exceedingly arduous； for the
future is not so easily seen and above all not so easily interpreted and
expressed as a number。 It is possible； moreover； that； when we know how
to set about it； we shall obtain most of the human mediumistic phenomena；
rapping； the moving of objects； materialization even and Heaven knows
what other surprises held in store for us by that astounding subliminal to
whose fancy there appears to be no bounds。 In any case； if we accept the
divining of numbers； as we are almost forced to do； it is almost certain that
the divining of other matters must follow。 An unexpected breach is made
in the wall behind which lie heaped the great secrets that seem to us； as
our knowledge and our civilization increase； to become stronger and more
inaccessible。 True； it is a narrow breach； but it is the first that has been
opened in that part of the hitherto uncrannied wall which is not turned
towards mankind。 What will issue through it？ No one can foretell what we
may hope。
37
What astonishes us most is that this revelation has been so long
delayed。 How are we to explain that man has lived to this day with his
domestic animals never suspecting that they harboured mediumistic or
subliminal faculties as extraordinary as those which he vaguely felt
himself to possess。 One would have in this connection to study the
mysterious practices of ancient India and of Egypt； the numerous and
persistent legends of animals talking； guiding their masters and foretelling
the future； and； nearer to ourselves； in history proper； all that science of
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THE UNKNOWN GUEST
augury and soothsaying which derived its omens from the flight of birds；
the inspection of entrails； the appetite or attitude of the sacred or prophetic
animals； among which horses were often numbered。 We here find one of
those innumerous instances of a lost or anticipated power which make us
suspect that mankind has forestalled or forgotten all that we believe
ourselves to be discovering。 Remember that there is almost always some
distorted； misapprehended or dimlyseen truth at the bottom of the most
eccentric and wildest creeds； superstitions and legends。 All this new
science of metaphysics or of the investigation of our subconsciousness and
of unknown powers； which has scarcely begun to unveil its first mysteries；
thus finds landmarks and defaced but recognizable traces in the old
religions； the most inexplicible traditions and the most ancient history。
Besides； the probability of a thing does not depend upon undeniably
established precedents。 While it is almost certain that there is nothing new
under the sun or in the eternity preceding the suns； it is quite possible that
the same forces do not always act with the same energy。 As I observed；
nearly twenty years ago； in The Treasure of the Humble； at a time when I
hardly knew at all what I know so imperfectly to…day：
〃A spiritual〃I should have said； a psychic…〃epoch is perhaps u