'Twixt two worlds : a narrative of the life and work of William Eglinton

Psychography ExpIa ined. 105
this the investigators take their seats. These, generally, are two in number, but on rare occasions
three persons are present, in addition to the medium. Mr. Eglinton usually sits at e, and,
in the representative seances I have now especially in mind, my friends sat at / and h and I at
g. By comparing Figs. 13 and 16 these positions will be readily understood.
As to the light, these seances are held either in broad day, lamp, or gas light ;
never in the
dark nor in a dim light. Nothing could be more satisfactory than the conditions for perfect
observation in this respect.
The slates used are common school slates, selected in size, so that one will pair exactly with
any other. These are either taken from a stock kept by the medium, who buys them by the gross ;
or, as is frequently the case, the sitter takes his own. Book slates, or those fitted with lock and
key, can also be used.
Those present take their seats at the table as indicated, Mr. Eglinton sitting at e. A
^_-_ T
___-..___.__- __—. .^ . v
... . ,._.,, ,.,,,. _
f
Fig. 15.—Method of obtaining Writing when the Slate is held by Mr. Eglinton and the Sitter.
slate is taken by one of the company, cleaned, and a piece of pencil—a mere crumb
about one-sixteenth to three-sixteenths of an inch long, which is usually cut fresh from a
stick, and marked so as to prove that that identical piece actually produces the writing — placed
upon it. The medium then takes the slate, and at once places it in position at the corner of the
table between e and / (Fig. 13), keeping it there by pressing the under surface of the slate
with his fingers, and the table top with his thumb. Figs. 14 and 15 further illustrate this
position. It will be seen that a closed space is thus formed between the slate and the
table, in which it would not be possible to write by ordinary means. When thus ready, one of
the company is desired to ask some question of the " force," " intelligence," or " spirit "—or
whatever name the inquirer may give to the agency producing these phenomena. The most
frequent inquiry has regard to the presence of personal friends who have passed away. Supposing
this has been put, almost immediately the sound of writing is heard ; the completion of the
14