Materialized Apparitions

of that city, stating that I was desirous of visiting her séances. I called upon the lady and presented the letter, but found that she was out of health

the house and ask admittance, which was granted. As she did not recognize me, I felt confident that she had forgotte

could judge, they were of more than ordinary intelligence. At the beginning of the séance, the li

rs, although I have from the beginning made that a part

e of these beings, supposed to belong to another life. Although I knew of no one, in or out of my family, by that name, I assumed that it was for me, and stepped up to the cabinet. As I did so, the curtain parted, and a very beautiful female, apparently about sixteen years o

ow what that meant, and, seeing that she was greatly disappointed, shook hands with her, saying, "Never min

net somewhat startled me by saying, "Your wife is here

e greeted me warmly. Holding her at arms' length, in order to better study her form, I said, "You are not tall or stout enough for my wife." "Wait," she said; and, stepping behind the curtain, returned in a f

mpossible that any one but my wife could know. I knew what Mesmerism and clairvoyance meant. Was this another phase of them? Was it mind-reading? If so, it was a very clever performance. I could not

erself, was sinking downward. Bidding her Good-night, I let go her hand. As I did so, she went down directly in front of me, within a foot of where I stood, h

I brushed my hand across my forehead and eyes to make sure of my bearings, and slowly returned to my seat, fully conscious of the importance o

brick pavement grated harshly on my ears; before me rose the tall spire of the stone church, throwing its ghostly shadow across the way; behind me was the séance-room, and a dreamy

st incident, my investigations might have ended here. Materialization was either a great truth or a stupendous humbug. Thousands of intelligent persons believed in it, on what appeared to me uncertain evidence. Was it not a disgrace to science that this had been allowed to go on so long without any honest attemp

genuine, and my personal relations with the medium not objectionable, I saw no reason why I should

t constantly in view. Otherwise I remained perfect

the control," that is, the spirit alleged to hold possession of the entranced medium. I had not asked, although greatly desirous

in with me." As I entered, the control greeted me in a friendly wa

hand I reached out and satisfied myself that the medium was sitting in her chair, entranced. There could be no mis

n, but where did the

saying that she was entranced, and did not know what the forms were, nor was she conscious of taking any part in what came before the audience; that she was simply the instrument, not the

drawn across the corner of the room. It was soon after changed to a light

re. I have since assisted in moving it out for the satisfaction of others, and have seen it placed in the opposite corner of the room, where it remaine

rroundings, made by a competent architect, who has never seen any

of the whole audience. To be perfectly sure on this point, I sought and obtained permission to sit next the cabinet, which place I occup

e up as an element of doubt in any future investigation

Mrs. Fay's