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

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

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—<br />

—<br />

General Testimony to Psychography.<br />

Mr. Fowler <strong>the</strong>n describes <strong>the</strong> usual process <strong>of</strong> examining <strong>and</strong> cleaning <strong>the</strong> slates.<br />

Continuing, he says, " Mr. <strong>Eglinton</strong> put a bit <strong>of</strong> slate pencil about <strong>the</strong> size <strong>of</strong> a grain <strong>of</strong><br />

rice on <strong>the</strong> top <strong>of</strong> a slate, <strong>and</strong> holding <strong>the</strong> slate with his disengaged h<strong>and</strong> close under<br />

<strong>the</strong> flap <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> table, obtained in writing several intelligent replies to questions suggested<br />

by us. He <strong>the</strong>n asked me if I would write <strong>the</strong> name <strong>of</strong> any departed friend from<br />

whom I should wish to have a communication, telling me not to mention to anyone <strong>the</strong><br />

name I had written. I <strong>the</strong>n took one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> slates from <strong>the</strong> table, <strong>and</strong> holding it so that<br />

no one present could see what I had written, wrote <strong>the</strong> name <strong>of</strong> a man who had for<br />

twenty-five years previous to his death, last July, been my most intimate friend in<br />

Australia. The name written by me was George Hamilton, with a question to which I<br />

asked for an answer, <strong>and</strong> after writing it I placed <strong>the</strong> slate by my side where it could not<br />

be seen by anyone. Mr. <strong>Eglinton</strong> <strong>the</strong>n placed a slate underneath <strong>the</strong> flap <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> table, <strong>and</strong><br />

in a few seconds withdrew it with <strong>the</strong> word Yes written largely on ' ' it. Mr. <strong>Eglinton</strong><br />

'<br />

now said, We will try if we can receive <strong>the</strong> communication by placing a slate on <strong>the</strong><br />

table <strong>and</strong> covering it with ano<strong>the</strong>r.' This was done. Placing a scrap <strong>of</strong> slate pencil<br />

between <strong>the</strong> <strong>two</strong> slates, Mr. <strong>Eglinton</strong> <strong>the</strong>n rested his disengaged h<strong>and</strong> on <strong>the</strong> top slate<br />

<strong>and</strong> we immediately heard <strong>the</strong> scratching <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> pencil. In less than half a minute three<br />

taps were given to intimate that <strong>the</strong> writing was finished, <strong>and</strong> on taking <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> top slate<br />

<strong>the</strong> bottom one was found covered with writing perfectly legible, with stops <strong>and</strong> even <strong>the</strong><br />

i's dotted as now copied: 'And to think I should ever be able to return in this manner to<br />

you I It even seems incredible to me. I have asked <strong>the</strong> guide <strong>of</strong> Mr. <strong>Eglinton</strong> to convey to<br />

you this message, but I am never<strong>the</strong>less with you. How much happier this beautiful truth must<br />

make you. And think <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> pleasure it affords us when <strong>the</strong> portals are opened by which<br />

we can communicate to you. There is much <strong>of</strong> importance I would like to say did <strong>the</strong><br />

poiver serve me, but I must rest content. Good-bye. God bless you.—G. Hamilton.' How this<br />

writing was produced I do not pretend to say, but that it was never made by a mortal<br />

h<strong>and</strong> I am fully convinced. The time occupied in obtaining it I do not think was really<br />

more than fifteen seconds. With Mr. <strong>Eglinton</strong>'s permission I brought away with me <strong>the</strong><br />

slate with <strong>the</strong> writing on it, as a record <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most remarkable fact which has ever been<br />

brought before my notice."<br />

Sir Baldwyn Leighton, Bart., M.P., <strong>of</strong> Luton Park, Shrewsbury, writes as follows :<br />

" There have been so many testimonies on <strong>the</strong> subject <strong>of</strong> direct writing through<br />

Mr. <strong>Eglinton</strong>'s mediumship that I have been unwilling to trouble you with what might seem<br />

a superfluous communication ; but still <strong>the</strong>re were one or <strong>two</strong> incidents in my interview with<br />

him that you might think would advance <strong>the</strong> cause to have made known. My previous<br />

acquaintance with Mr. <strong>Eglinton</strong> was <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> slightest. After a recommendation from a<br />

personal friend, some letters as to an appointment passed, <strong>and</strong> one interview <strong>of</strong> five minutes<br />

to arrange such appointments. A lady slightly known to him, a friend <strong>of</strong> mine, was to<br />

meet me <strong>the</strong>re, but could not come at <strong>the</strong> last moment, <strong>and</strong>, <strong>the</strong>refore, we were alone.<br />

The communications were immediate <strong>and</strong> unusually direct ; <strong>and</strong> answers came, <strong>and</strong><br />

information was given, that satisfied me at once that we were in communication with departed<br />

friends. A long letter signed with initials came from a relative, with a Greek quotation.<br />

He had been devoted to Greek literature <strong>and</strong> art while on earth, <strong>and</strong> was a clergyman <strong>of</strong><br />

16

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