Cock Lane and Common-Sense

The author argues that reports of apparitions, hauntings, fire‑walking, crystal‑gazing, and similar phenomena deserve attention from both anthropology and psychical research, since each field tends to ignore evidence the other values. He compares traditional lore with contemporary testimonies and historical narratives, examines how human testimony and the idea of survivals are treated, and surveys possible natural, deceptive, or psychological explanations. The work critiques disciplinary dismissals, recommends systematic testing and cross‑examination of witnesses, and urges a reconciled, evidence‑based approach to anomalous human experiences.