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

42 INTUITIVE EVIDENCE OFoccasionally give manifestations when the vision or muscular control ofthe medium is nullified, it is more difficult for them to operate in thisway ; moreover, it is more difficult for some spirits than for others.166. Those spirits by whom I obtained my test manifestations wereinterested in my success. Others have refused to aid me in like manner.One who has assisted mc with much zeal, has communicated that he wouldwork my apparatus when arranged for a test ; but, that as it caused muchmore exertion, and, of course, retardation, he advised that the test arrangementshould not be interposed when it could be avoided.1G7. * The table, at this stage of my inquiry, was not more than thirtyinches in length. I had improved the construction in the following way :168. Two of the legs were furnished with castors, through holes dulybored.Through perforations in the other two legs a rod was introduced,serving as an axle to two wheels of about five inches diameter. One ofthese wheels was grooved, so as to carry a band whicb extended aroundthe pulley of the disk.Hence, pushing the table nine inches horizontallyby the necessary rotation of the supporting wheels, caused the disk tomake a complete revolution. It was while the table was of the size abovementioned, that I first saw the violent action to which they might be subjectedwithout any corresponding or commensurate visible cause. Thehand of the medium being laid on the table at about half-way between thecentre and the nearest edge, it moved as if it were animated, jumping likea restive horse.169. Having my apparatus thus prepared, a medium sat at my table,the screen intercepting her view of the disk.No manifestation took placethrough the disk, though other indications of the presence of spirits weregiven.Hence, inducing the medium to sit at an ordinary table, I inquiredif any change could be made which would enable them to communicatethrough my apparatus ? The reply through the alphabetic card was, ^'Letthe medium see the letters. '^ At first it struck me that this would makethe experiment abortive, as it would remove the condition by which aloneindependency of interference by the medium was secured. However, itsoon occurred that by means of a metallic plate, made quite true, andsome brass balls, like billiard balls, with which I was provided, I couldneutralize the power of the medium to move the table, so that she couldnot influence the selection of the letters,though permitted to see them.170. Accordingly, as soon almost as the medium placed her hands onthe plate resting on the ball, and without any other communication withthe table, the disk began to revolve in such a way as to bring the lettersunder the index in due alphabetic order. Afterward various names were* Excepting the difTerence of the table represented in length, the apparatus hero describeddoes not differ from that represented in Plate 2, which is accompanied by adescription.