The Death-Blow to Spiritualism Part 11

Without commenting upon this blunder of the "spirit," the Commission encouraged Mrs. Kane to proceed. She took a station at some distance from the table, her hands resting upon the back of a chair, and "raps" were heard which seemed to come from a point very near or under her. Again, when she stood close to a bookcase, "raps" were produced which she declared to proceed from the gla.s.s door upon which Mr. Sellers rested his hand. The latter felt not the slightest vibration of the gla.s.s. Mrs. Kane then produced written messages, addressed to two persons present, whose names she might have ascertained with very great ease. The writing was an irregular scrawl, running from the left, and leaning backward, and could only be read from the observe side by holding the paper up to the light.

The second seance in which Mrs. Kane acted as "medium" took place at the same place on the 6th of November, 1884. Dr. Leidy, Mr. Furness, Dr.

Koeing, Mr. Fullerton and Mr. Sellers, members of the Commission, Mr.

George S. Pepper, Mrs. Kane and a stenographer were present. The experiments of this evening were more lengthy and exhaustive than those of the previous one. For convenience of narration I shall divide them into two series: those made while the "medium" either stood upon the floor or sat upon an ordinary seat in an ordinary position; those in which she was separated from the floor, either by gla.s.s or by some object of considerable height, upon which she stood; and those in which she produced writing upon ordinary paper, said to have been dictated by the "spirits."

The experiments did not always take place in the consecutive order in which I shall note them.

The report says: "The 'spirit rappings' during the evening, aside from those heard during the test with gla.s.s tumblers, were apparently confined to the floor s.p.a.ce in the immediate vicinity of and directly beneath the table around which the company were seated."

The stenographic report of this part of the investigation proceeds as follows:

"MR. SELLERS. Is any spirit present now?

"Three raps--faint and partly distinct--are almost instantly audible. The raps apparently emanate from the floor-s.p.a.ce directly beneath, or in the immediate vicinity of the table. This remark is applicable to all the 'rappings' during the seance at the pine table.

"The 'MEDIUM' (interpreting the sounds). That was 'yes.'

"MR. SELLERS (aside). They sounded like three.

"The raps are immediately repeated with more distinctness.

"MR. SELLERS (aside). There are three, and they are quite distinct. Is the spirit the same that was present last night?

"Three raps, apparently identical with those last heard, are again audible.

"MR. SELLERS (aside). It says it is the same spirit. I presume then, that it is Henry Seybert? (No response.) Is it Henry Seybert?

"Three raps--distinct and positive.

"MR. SELLERS. You promised last evening to give a communication to Mr.

Pepper. Are you able to communicate with him now?

"Two raps--comparitively feeble.

"The 'MEDIUM' (interpreting). One, two: that means not now.

"MR. SELLERS (repeating). Not now?

"The 'MEDIUM' (reflectively). But probably before he leaves.

"Three raps--quickly, distinctly and instantly given.

"The 'MEDIUM.' He said 'Yes, before he leaves.' (To Mr. Sellers.) You asked that question, I think?

"MR. SELLERS. Yes. Will you communicate with him before Mr. Pepper leaves to-night?

"Three raps--instantaneous, quick and vigorous."

Afterwards, the experiment of standing near a table, the "medium" not touching it, to see if sounds similar to those of the previous evening could be produced, was repeated. The "medium" insisted, however, that there should be no breaking of the circle formed about her by those who were present.

"All of the gentlemen, and the 'medium,'" says the report, "rise and remain standing. * * *

"The 'MEDIUM.' This is test, something I have not gone through since I was a little child, almost.

"MR. SELLERS (after an interval of waiting). There seem to be no raps.

(Another short interval.) Now Mr. Seybert, cannot you produce some raps?

"Eighty seconds here elapse with no response, when the 'medium' made an observation which was partly inaudible at the reporter's seat, the purport of which was that the 'spirit communications' are sometimes r.e.t.a.r.ded or facilitated by a compliance by the listeners with certain conditions.

Another interval of probably two minutes elapsed, when the 'medium'

suggested to Dr. Leidy to place his hands upon the table. The suggestion was complied with.

"Mr. Sellers inquires of the 'medium' whether a change in her position, with regard to the table, would do any good.

"'MEDIUM.' I will change positions with you.

"The change was made accordingly, but without result, and another period of waiting followed.

"The 'MEDIUM' (to Dr. Leidy). Suppose you ask some questions. You may have some friend who will respond.

"DR. LEIDY. Is any spirit present whom I know, or who knows me?

"After a pause of ten seconds, three light raps are heard.

"DR. LEIDY. Who am I?

"The 'medium' explains that the responses by rappings are mainly indicative only of affirmation or negation.

"DR. LEIDY. Will you repeat your taps to indicate that you are present yet?

"Three taps are heard.

"MR. SELLERS. Those are very clearly heard.

"The 'MEDIUM' (to Dr. Leidy). Ask if that is Mr. Seybert.

"DR. LEIDY. Is Mr. Seybert present?

"Three raps--very feeble.

"DR. LEIDY (to Mr. Sellers). Was there an answer to that?

"MR. SELLERS. There was. The answer was three raps. (After an interval, in which no response is received.) There seem to be no further communications."

Later in the evening efforts to engage the defunct Mr. Seybert in conversation were again made. The company were as before gathered about the table. "Raps" were made by Mrs. Kane on the floor. The "spirit" was asked if he knew the members of the Commission present, and to state their number. When it came to the response to the latter part of the question there were "seven slow, deliberate and distinct raps."

Alas! the "spirit" had mistaken the guest of the Commission, Mr. George S.

Pepper, and the stenographers for members!

The latter were seated at a separate table.