Materialized Apparitions

at is, made visible and tangible out of previously invisible substances) inside of the cabinet. How this is done we may not comprehend. Emerson says, "The whole world is the flux of matter

is important as being the only materializations outs

not arise from any understanding or agreement, but seemed to grow up as a natural consequence of the magnetic relations between us. Simple and childlike in her bearing

at her materialization of objects is genuine. In my long and delightful association with her, extending over more than two

h me, enabling her to more freely express herself; for during my acquaintance with her she has seemingly passed from a commonplace person into a remarkable embodiment of intelligence and affection. If I have refrained from expressing the many inspired thoughts and feelings which

thers, the existence of any one of that name. She came, at first, very weak, not being able to come out from the cabinet, and spoke in a whisper. She either gave a wrong name, or, what is quite as likely from the difficulty she then had in expressing herself, was misu

ed, "I am Bertha; you are my uncle; I am your niece;" at the same time holding out her hand about three feet from the floor. As I did not understand this, she subsequently explained it by coming out as a child about four years old, that being the a

pears scantily but richly dressed, wearing a short skirt and close-fitting waist, with short sleeves, leaving her finely-rounded arms bare. She never wears a head-dress; her long silken hair floats freely

face, the expression of which, at times, surpasses anything I have ever seen.

, medium, heig

ized form, heigh

Tallman), height

en Mrs. Fay and

n Mrs. Fay and ma

een Bertha and

angles, and I was assisted by a gentleman who is a thorough skeptic. Care was taken to

. She has taught me that the ability to communicate intelligently depends upon the use these beings can make of our aromal emanations, or magnetism; that frequent association wi

accent of the medium, and very often, no matter where I am placed, comes across the room, and pulls me up with both h

n leading me into the middle of the room, looked up laughingly into my face and said, "I will show you how we dress the forms in the cabinet."[A] Stretching out her bare arms, turning them that every one could see

which appeared seamless. On being reminded that there were no sleeves, she took each arm in turn and materialized sleeves. Putting her hand on my head she said, "You have not hair enough," and, rub

t was gone! In materializing and dematerializing this fabric, her arms, which were bare to t

ke lace. She stepped forward and asked for my handkerchief, which she placed between her hands, manipulating it much after the manner of starching fine fabrics. It was easy to see that the material in her hands was rapid

ds, so that all could see it; and while it was so held, the controlling spirit shut off the light, showing that the lace was brilliantly illuminated. Bertha the

time. They have no possible connection with what is known as sleight-of-hand, or legerdemain. Louis Jacolliot, Chief J

rmers or Jugglers. They claim to be invested with supernatural powers. Such is the belief of all Asiatic people. When our cou

n, it seems necessary to show how the Fakirs operate. The foll

laces where the presence of several hundred persons

by no assistant, or confederat

use, completely naked, except that they wear, for modesty

r double-bottomed boxes, or prepared tables, or any of the thou

r, which they hold in their right hand, and a small whistle, about three inches long, which they fasten to one of the locks of their lon

a sitting or standing posture, or, as the case may require, upon the marble, gr

phenomena, they take any of your servants whom you may designate, no matter whom,

musical instrument, a cane, a piece of pape

your presence as many times as you require

ing, as alms for the temple to which they are

rs, and I can truthfully state that I have never seen a single

er consent to dispense with any of their numerous accompaniments, and perf

ng manifestations of an occult power. It does not simplify or explain these singular phenomena to deny their relation to beings of another life, and refer

me to us claiming to be our friends and relatives, are deceiving us,

a few minutes before, that the forms