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

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138 'Twixt Tzuo Worlds.
the table, and the circle, as thus re-organised, was subsequently successful in obtaining
perfectly incontestable phenomena. At 9.51 two slates, which had been previously cleaned
and examined by all the committee, were placed upon the table, in full view of all the sitters,
one upon the top of the other, a crumb of pencil having been inserted between them. While
in this position the hands of the medium and those of Florence Marryat were put upon the
top of the uppermost slate, the rest of the circle joining hands. At 9.53 Dr. Wyld, who was
also on the platform, placed his hands on the top of Mr. Eglinton's and Florence Marryat's,
and immediately Surgeon-General Wolseley stated that he distinctly heard writing being done
between the slates, a statement which was corroborated by the rest of the committee of
investigation. At 9.54 the usual signal of completion was heard and the slates were
examined, whereupon one side of the upper slate was found to be covered with a long message
from "Ernest," one of Mr. Eglinton's spirit-attendants. It was as follows: "It gives us
great pleasure in being able to overcome the difficult conditions under which we labour this
evening, and to assure the audience that, although unseen to them, we are nevertheless present.
Noiv is the time to assert yourselves, and to band yourselves together in good solid work. Without
material aid, how do you think it possible that we can bring home these truths to those thirsting
for knowledge — Ernest." Surgeon-General Wolseley, Mr. Nixon, Miss Major, and Florence
Marryat one after another publicly testified that the experiment had been conducted to their
entire satisfaction, and that they were perfectly convinced it was an impossibility for the writing
then obtained to" have been produced by ordinary means. In a second experiment the word
" Gordon," suggested by one of the audience, was written between closed slates, in red pencil
(a significant fact !), under similar conditions. The success of Mr. Eglinton's public presentation
of these phenomena was without doubt complete, and he was heartily congratulated upon the
result. As a means of drawing attention to the facts of Spiritualism, such meetings cannot
fail to do good, and I am sure every Spiritualist will gladly accord his thanks to Mr.
Eglinton for the service which he on this occasion so freely and generously rendered to
the
cause.