Experimental investigation of the spirit manifestations, [electronic ...

342 ADDITIONAL CORROBORATIVE EVIDENCEof the family were present. In several instances, when the rooms wereclosed and the doors guarded, so that no person could enter, the imageswere constructed. To one reading or listcnintf; to the relation of thesefacts, the mischief and cunning evinced will seem amusing as well as mostwonderful; but to the family, who bore the annoyance and witnessed theterrifying demonstrations, it was a serious and trying aifair.1681. ^'The reader will keep in mind that this was on Saturday of thefirst week of these strange proceedings, and many persons were still believingthat they must be produced by some one in the house; everymember of the family therefore was subjected to the most rigid scrutiny,which makes it morally certain that no member of the household couldhave had any agency in the matter without being at once detected.Besidethe neatness and despatch with which they were formed, the natural appearanceof most of them must have required taste and skill beyond theconception of ordinary persons in the flesh. Mr. M. remained therethroughout the day, Mr. W., Governor Plant, and Captain S., a part ofthe day. During the day and evening various things were thrown in differentparts of the house. A brick-bat, which lay on the stairs leading tothe third story, was thrown violently down stairs, passing very near thehead of the eldest daughter as she was descending the stairs. A fireshovelwas also thrown near her, which she first saw high above her in aposition to fall upon her head. She was several times constrained to cryout from fear, so much as to cause apprehension on her account.1682. ^^ [I omit, in this place, at the request of Dr. Phelps, a minuteaccount of occurrences in which the medium seemed to be one who hasnow grown to be a young woman, and would feel a repugnance at havingher name mentioned in connection with the subject.At one time a ribbonwas tied around her neck, while she was sleeping, so tight as to cause aserious affection of the brain. Dr. Phelps was sitting in the room whenit was done.Several other remarkable occurrences are omitted, on accountof her connection with them. In the main they do not differ materiallyin their nature from the occurrences herein related.]1683. ''The hiding of hats, caps, clothing, &c., seems at this time tohave become of common occurrence. On several occasions a hat was seento go up stairs—not thrown, but seemed to be carried rapidly by unseenhands.For several days Dr. P. was forced to keep his hat under lock andkey to prevent its disappearance, if left out as usual. Coats, hats, andcanes of gentlemen, who were strangers in the house, were spirited away;the only object seeming to be the gratification of mischievous desires, withthe exception of a few instances.They were found sometimes in the chimney,under the bed, and in the bottom of trunks. The design seemed tobe to detain the owners to witness further demonstrations. Two gentlemenfrom an adjoining town called, one of whom had expressed an earnestdesire to witness the phenomena ; but having passed several hours, and