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

'Tzvixt Two Worlds.
the locked slate into a corner of the room, and on the inside of it wrote a question,
which of course none of us saw. Then locking the slate and retaining the key, the slate
was handed to one of the ladies and myself, and we both held it in the sight of all.
While in this position the writing was heard going on upon the closed surfaces, and upon
the slate being opened it was found that the question asked was " Is the Pope ill or
well " which had been answered in red pencil by the words, " He is ill in mind, not in
body."
// occurs to me that these were rather trivial questions to put, and such as the "intelligences"
or " occult forces " at work, ivere not likely to knoiv very much about
Perhaps so ; but you should bear in mind that I have given you the particulars of the
first experiments only, and in all probability Mr. Gladstone's mind was then occupied with the
simple question of whether any writing at all was possible under the circumstances. Of
the subsequent experiments I can only say that they were perfectly successful ; that some
of the communications were written upon Mrs. O.'s own slates when held under the table ; that
several messages were given, not only between these two slates, but also within the locked
slate, in view of all present ; and that some of the questions were put in Spanish, French, and
Greek, and satisfactorily answered in the same languages.
Are you yourself acquainted with Spanish, French, and Greek
I know very little of French, and nothing at all of either Spanish or Greek.
/ have myself had so many seances with you, under every conceivable variety of circumstances,
that I cannot doubt the genuineness of the slate-uniting produced through your mediumship ; but of
course, a stranger to the phenomena could hardly be expected to be satisfied with his first experience,
and therefore it ivas especially desirable that a gentleman of Mr. Gladstone's distinction and influence
should have every opportunity of the closest observation. Do you think he was satisfied
Yes, I think so. He did not say so, in so many words, but his actions, and all that he
said then and subsequently, seemed to point to it. Indeed, I do not see how he could be
otherwise than satisfied that—to whatever power the phenomena might be attributable—they
were at least of an occult or abnormal character. The written questions were in every case
unknown to me; and pertinent answers, as I have told you, were written between slates fully
exposed to view upon, or held over, the table of a brilliantly lighted drawing-room—the writing
being distinctly heard while in the actual process. Mr. Gladstone had the fullest opportunity
of observation, and I have no doubt whatever that his keen penetrating eyes, as he carefully
watched all that was passing, assured him that everything was genuine. As one indication I
may mention the evident interest he took in the messages themselves, which he could scarcely
have done if he had any suspicion whatever of the bona fides of the experiments. From first
to last he made a careful record of all the questions and all the replies.
You spoke just now of Mr. Gladstone having said something after the seance — was that in
reference to what had occurred during the evening
Not directly. But after the seance, and while the ladies were otherwise engaged, Mr.
Gladstone entered into conversation with me on psychical subjects. I remarked upon the
absurd attitude of the general public, and of many scientific men, in refusing to investigate what
were but simple facts after all, when Mr. Gladstone replied in effect (Tor I do not profess to
be able to remember his words)— " I have always thought that scientific nien run too much in