Fortean Society Magazine - No 08

Magazine Overview

This issue of The Fortean Society Magazine, identified as No. 8 and dated December of the Year 13 F. S. (1943 Old Style), features a cover price of 25c. The main cover headline announces 'The Truth About INDIA,' with the article attributed to Kanhayalal Gauba. The issue also includes 'More Notes of CHARLES FORT,' and mentions 'HARRY LEON WILSON and Son!' and 'TIFFANY THAYER.'

The Truth About INDIA by Kanhayalal Gauba

The article begins by introducing a book that the author tried to publish in Lahore in 1930 A.D., originally titled 'H. H. the Pathology of Princes.' The author notes that Forteans might have overlooked this book, which was 'damned to extinction in the usual ways.' The piece then delves into a metaphorical description of 'John Bull' as an old gentleman, representing British character and its imperial endeavors. It contrasts the 'masculine' aspects of British India with the 'feminine' characteristics attributed to the Indian States, drawing on Bismarckian theories of national characteristics. The author suggests that while John Bull is virile and possesses common sense, his 'pig-headed' nature and outdated policies hinder the success of his 'Empire.'

The text highlights the 'unhappy incidents' of the past, such as the Boston Tea Party, but also the hopes for good results in an English-speaking consummation, referencing the wooing of American heiresses. It touches upon the 'worries' in John Bull's domestic affairs, with 'growing daughters' like Canada, South Africa, and Australia seeking independence. India, however, is described as maturing rapidly, with maturity coming earlier in the East.

The article criticizes the focus on 'big business' run from Parliament Street and Leadenhall, suggesting it distracts from the real issues. It then explores Bismarck's theory of male and female European nations, applying it to the British context, where British India is seen as male and the Indian States as female, characterized by 'immense verbosity, to fickleness, and lack of tenacity,' but also possessing 'great powers of attraction and charm.'

A significant portion of the article addresses the 'feminine element' in India as a 'disturbing factor' in the relationship between John Bull and British India, warning against a 'trial marriage or temporary alliance' with the Indian States. The author emphasizes that 'God does not look kindly on unnatural alliances.'

The piece points to the rising tide of democracy in India and the 'cross eddies of world affairs,' noting that the Princes are aware of the 'approaching storm' and find their position 'anomalous and perplexing.' They resent the 'domination of the Foreign and Political Department' but fear losing British support. The Butler Committee's investigation into the Princes' relationship with the Paramount Power is mentioned, highlighting the conflicting interests of the Government of India, the States seeking autonomy, and the major States aiming to absorb minor ones.

The author criticizes the propaganda surrounding the Princes, describing their tales of munificence and progressive administrations as 'counterfeit.' The play 'The Green Goddess' is cited as a potentially exaggerated but not entirely inaccurate portrayal of some Indian Princes, who are depicted as despots comparable to those of ancient history.

The book being discussed is presented as a 'hard boiled' factual account, not an attack on individuals but on the 'system that enables the practice on three-score millions of the human race.' It aims to reveal the truth about the Indian States, acknowledging that the truth may seem strange, fictitious, or even incredible.

The article discusses the 'autocracy' prevalent in the Indian States, which it describes as 'back-waters of reaction, unaffected by the flowing tides of the twentieth century, harbouring the barbarism and the morals of the middle ages.' It contrasts the wealth of some Princes with the poverty of millions of Indian peasants who struggle for survival.

The text notes that the problem of the States will be a key issue at the Round Table Conference, with the Princes fighting to maintain the status quo. The author argues that 'bad habits are always difficult to break but of these autocracy is the most difficult.'

Chapter II: FOOLING THE WORLD

This chapter discusses the decline of aristocracy in Europe and Japan, contrasting it with its persistence in India, 'sheltered as it is from external and internal danger, in the sturdy arms of John Bull.' The author notes that while aristocracy is dying out in Europe, it still has a 'long lease of life in novels and in the movies.'

The 'vague unrest' or 'awakening of national consciousness' in Asia has also affected the Indian States, leading people to question constituted authority and stand up for their rights, rather than blindly accepting autocratic decisions. The text quotes from 'Last Home of Mystery' about the changing attitudes of the people towards their rulers.

The Indian States: A Statistical and Descriptive Overview

The magazine provides statistics on the area and population of India, distinguishing between British India and the Indian States. The Indian States cover 675,000 square miles with a population of about seventy million. The diversity of these States is emphasized, ranging from tiny holdings to large territories like Hyderabad, which is compared in size to Italy.

The text describes the varied landscapes and historical significance of different regions within the Indian States, including Rajputana, Baroda, Mysore, and Kashmir. It references the Butler Committee Report for descriptions of these areas.

British India is divided into provinces with autonomous governments, ultimately responsible to the British Parliament. In contrast, the 562 Indian States are separate political entities, each administered independently, with their relations regulated by the Paramount Power. The recent right of Princes to meet and discuss common concerns is noted, but the author stresses that their primary commonality is autocratic rule, often not in the interest of their subjects.

The article criticizes the notion of 'Indian India' as a single unit, describing it as a 'conglomeration of States, large and small, as heterogeneous a collection that one can think of.' The problems of the Indian States are categorized into internal administration, relations with the Paramount Power, and the economic fabric.

Conditions vary widely, with some States like Hyderabad having significant autonomy (minting their own coin, printing stamps), while others are much smaller. The article cautions against assuming that modern institutions introduced by a few Princes (like Mysore and Baroda) are widespread or that all States are well-administered. It debunks the idea that the absence of a non-cooperation movement implies contentment, or that a garden city capital signifies general prosperity.

The text challenges the idea that a Prince speaking English is necessarily modern, or that a Legislative Assembly guarantees good governance. It dismisses the 'Swarajist or Home Ruler' as a 'carpet bagger' and questions the representation of millions by a small electorate.

The article highlights the unique position of the Indian States, describing them as 'back-waters of reaction' and 'harbouring the barbarism and the morals of the middle ages.' It contrasts the wealth of some Princes with the poverty of their subjects, noting that millions of peasants live on small plots of land with minimal sustenance.

The problem of the Princes is presented as a matter of their personal lives, palaces, and pleasures, rather than a concern for their seventy million subjects. The guaranteed sovereignty of the States by John Bull a century ago is seen as perpetuating these conditions.

The article then focuses on the Nizam's Dominions (Hyderabad) as the most important State by size, population, and revenue. It notes the State's size (comparable to Italy) and population (over twelve million), and mentions its capable administrators, though acknowledging that its development could be greater. The Nizam's frugality is contrasted with Henry Ford's amassed fortune.

Mysore State is praised for being the best administered, with its Maharaja credited for granting a genuine constitution and enlightened rule. The article also mentions Jammu and Kashmir, and the Rajputana Agency, detailing various States within it like Bikaner, Udaipur, Jodhpur, and Jaipur. It quotes from Tod's chronicle on Rajput character, emphasizing 'Gratitude-honour-fidelity,' courage, and pride.

Indore is highlighted as the most important State in the Central India Agency, with a history of deposed rulers. Bhopal is noted as the second most important Mohamedan State. The article mentions the Punjab States, including Patiala, Bahawalpur, Nabha, Kapurthala, and Mandi, and discusses the administrative structures and the variety of principalities in the Bombay Presidency.

LIFE OF PYRRHO by Diogenes Laertius

This section presents a biographical account of the ancient Greek philosopher Pyrrho, based on the writings of Diogenes Laertius. Pyrrho, originally a painter, became a pupil of Bryson and later Anaxarchus, traveling to India and among the Magi. His philosophy is characterized by the doctrine of incomprehensibility and the necessity of suspending judgment. He asserted that nothing was inherently honorable or disgraceful, just or unjust, and that there was no absolute truth, with actions determined by custom and law.

The text describes Pyrrho's life as corresponding to his principles, living with indifference to circumstances, even facing dangers without apparent concern. His friends often had to intervene to ensure his safety. He studied philosophy by suspending judgment on all points, acting prudently and with consideration. He lived to nearly ninety years of age.

The account details Pyrrho's interactions with Anaxarchus, his calm demeanor, and his tendency to withdraw for solitary contemplation. It mentions his admiration for Democritus and Homer, and his use of quotes to illustrate the uncertainty and emptiness of human affairs.

Pyrrho's philosophy is linked to the broader movement of skeptics, free-thinkers, and dissenters, known as Pyrrhonism. The article notes that Pyrrho had many eminent disciples, including Eurylochus and Timon, and that his followers were called Pyrrhoneans, doubters, skeptics, ephectics, or investigators.

The text explores the origins of skepticism, referencing various ancient philosophers and texts that questioned the certainty of knowledge. It discusses the ten modes of argument attributed to Pyrrho (or Aenesidemus), which aim to demonstrate the impossibility of attaining certain knowledge through the senses or intellect. These modes highlight the relativity of perception, the influence of internal states, customs, laws, and the promiscuousness of objects.

Ten Modes of Argument (Pyrrho)

The magazine details the ten modes of argument used by Pyrrhonists to support their skeptical philosophy:

1. Difference in the Senses of Animals: Different animals perceive the same objects differently, suggesting subjective perception.
2. Difference in the Senses of Men: Individual human senses vary, leading to different perceptions of the same object.
3. Difference in the Organs of Sense: The structure of sensory organs affects perception (e.g., sight, taste, smell).
4. Changes in the Subject: Our internal states (health, mood, age) alter our perception of external objects.
5. Laws, Customs, and Beliefs: What is considered right or wrong, true or false, varies across cultures and societies.
6. Promiscuousness and Confusion of Objects: Objects are perceived in combination with other elements (air, light, etc.), making their true nature unknowable.
7. Distances, Positions, and Space: The appearance of objects changes based on their distance and position.
8. Magnitudes or Quantities: The effect of things like wine or food depends on the quantity consumed.
9. Frequency or Rarity: Things that occur frequently (like the sun) are less remarkable than rare events (like earthquakes).
10. Comparison Between Things: Things are understood in relation to other things (e.g., light vs. heavy), making their intrinsic nature unknown.

Further Skeptical Arguments

The magazine continues to elaborate on skeptical arguments, including Agrippa's five additional modes: disagreement of opinions, necessity of proceeding ad infinitum, relation, hypothesis, and reciprocal nature of proofs. It argues against the existence of demonstration, tests of truth, signs, causes, motion, learning, and natural good or evil. The text asserts that all these concepts are relative or contradictory, leading to the conclusion that certainty is unattainable.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of The Fortean Society Magazine strongly engages with philosophical skepticism, particularly through the detailed exploration of Pyrrho's doctrines and the ten modes of argument. The magazine also critically examines political and social structures, using the context of British India and its Princely States to question established power dynamics and advocate for a more truthful and less autocratic system. The editorial stance appears to favor critical inquiry, a questioning of authority, and an examination of phenomena that challenge conventional understanding, aligning with the Fortean tradition of exploring the unusual and unexplained. The inclusion of notes on Charles Fort, Harry Leon Wilson, and Tiffany Thayer suggests a continued interest in the broader Fortean milieu and its associated figures.

Title: THE FORTEAN
Issue: December
Volume: 13 F.S.
Date: December of the year 13 F.S. (interpreted as 1936-12)
Publisher: The Fortean Society
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of The Fortean magazine delves into philosophical skepticism, literary analysis, and a catalog of unexplained phenomena, consistent with the publication's focus on the unusual and the unexplained.

Philosophical Skepticism and Ancient Philosophers

The issue opens with a discussion on philosophical skepticism, referencing ancient Greek thinkers such as Pyrrho, Aenesidemus, Zeuxis, and Democritus. It explores their views on the nature of knowledge, the criterion of truth, and the concept of suspending judgment as a path to tranquility. The text contrasts these skeptical viewpoints with those of dogmatic philosophers, highlighting the Sceptics' reliance on 'what is evident' and their approach to practical matters like obeying laws and following custom.

The Wilson's Father and Son: Harry Leon Wilson and Forteanism

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to Harry Leon Wilson, the author of "Ruggles of Red Gap." His Forteanism is exemplified through his character Dave Cowan, a tramp printer in "The Wrong Twin." Cowan is depicted as a colorful, philosophical figure who muses on the nature of life, evolution, and the universe, viewing existence as a process of constant change driven by a powerful, amoral 'electricity.' His worldview is presented as one that embraces facts and empirical observation over dogma.

The issue also touches upon Harry Leon Wilson Jr., son of the late author, who was arrested in March 1943 for failing to report for army induction. He is identified as a librarian at Monteagle, Tennessee, and a conscientious objector. The article defends his stance, contrasting it with the common perception of 'draft dodgers' and highlighting his father's stature as a literary talent.

It is revealed that Leon Wilson Jr. worked at the Highlander Folk School in Monteagle, a co-operative farm and educational project, choosing to work without pay and teach blacks and whites rather than participate in what he considered 'pointless mass-murder.' The school is described as a significant social-educational project, supported by contributions and unions.

Reports on Unexplained Phenomena

The magazine continues its tradition of cataloging unusual events, with several sections dedicated to specific reports:

• HISSING NOISE FROM SPACE: Drs. C. W. Potapenko and D. F. Folland in Pasadena reportedly aimed a short-wave radio set at a point in the sky to decode 'hissing noises' from the heavens, believing it might hold clues to the universe's structure.
• SUN NOT HOT: A quote from a 'French-Alsatian scientist,' Dr. Fricke, suggests the sun has a low temperature and radiates hertzian waves rather than heat, a theory dismissed by an 'official' of the Royal Astronomical Society.
• PHANTOM LIGHT: Reports from Ringold, Washington, describe mysterious lights resembling an automobile with a single headlight appearing in foggy or rainy weather.
• GHOST SPOT IN PACIFIC: Eerie sounds, including clickings, clankings, and moanings, are reported to emanate from the ocean floor over a 75-mile area of the Pacific Ocean.
• SHADE OF FORT: A list of mineral specimens is presented that resemble other objects, such as kidneys, grapes, birds' nests, and 'fossil raindrops.'

The Fortean Society's Activities and Publications

The issue includes several notes from the Fortean Society:

• Books to Read: A new, enlarged circular of recommended books for Forteans is announced.
• Papers to Read: Several publications are recommended for their insights into current events and social philosophy, including The Call, In Fact, The Progressive, The Conscientious Objector, and Retort.
• The NOTES of Charles Fort: This section continues the catalog of Fortean events, listing numerous occurrences of quakes, fireballs, meteors, and other phenomena with dates, locations, and sources, primarily from the 19th century and extending into the 1930s.
• Book Orders: Information is provided for ordering "Memoirs of a Superfluous Man" by Albert Jay Nock and "The Fraud of Taxation" by Gladys Bing.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are skepticism towards established scientific explanations, the exploration of philosophical ideas related to knowledge and reality, and the meticulous cataloging of unexplained phenomena. The editorial stance is one of critical inquiry, encouraging readers to question conventional wisdom and to consider alternative explanations for events that defy easy categorization. The magazine champions the work of Charles Fort and promotes a mindset that embraces the unusual and the unexplained as valid subjects of study, often highlighting the limitations and potential biases of mainstream science and reporting.