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

46 INTUITIVE EVIDENCE OFchanism concealed in the tiiblc, was precluded when they were madeunder my own tables, fitted up with my own hands.Of manifestations founded on table movements witliout contact, or suchcontact, as cannot he sufficient to cause the result.188. It was at the same mansion, where the above-mentioned manifestationswere observed, that I first saw a table continue in motion whenevery person had withdrawn to about the distance of a foot; so that noone touched it; and while thus agitated on our host saying, "Move thetable toward Dr. Hare," it moved toward me and back again. At the samepremises, when between the hands of each of two media and a small tablea plate upon a brass ball was interposed, without any other communicationwith it, the table was violently overset, so as to have its legs uppermost.Yet while thus upside down, it continued to vibrate, a single finger of amedium girl, about twelve years of age, being the sole means of humancontact therewith.This I ascertained, with the greatest care, by kneelingon the floor and causing the finger of the medium, by the tip of whichalone her touch was effected, to be situated between me and thea lamp.light of189. In the observations above stated, respecting the movements of thetable ivhen untouched, I was aided by the presence of my friend JosephHazard, Esq., of Narragansett, Rhode Island, who occupied a seatoppositeto mine on the other side of the table ; so that while he saw all clearon one side, I saw all clear on the other.In my narrative I have advertedto two recent instances in which severally, in the presence only of themedium and myself, the table moved, as I could judge, about eightinches, being at the same time untouched by either of us.190. Next in importance to the movements of tables which take placewithout any contact, are those in which the table rises under the handsof the medium laid gently upon it. On one occasion I saw a large circulartable, supported by three massive claws on castors, overset severaltimes by the influence of three ladies, who were media. In order to havethis experiment performed with as much precision as circumstances wouldpermit, I seated myself on one side of the table, so as to be equidistantfrom two of the three claws by which it was supported. The intermediatemedium, was directly opposite the third claw, while the others stood oneon each side of her. My relative position was such, that as they werestanding upright before me, I could look at their persons partially belowas well as above the \sl\Aq. These arrangements having been made, thethree media laid their hands on the table a little be3-ond the margin, sothat they could not apply their thumbs below the edge and thus assistthe table to raise. Under these circumstances I was enabled to watch themedia above as well as below the table, by casting my eyes upward anddownward alternately, they being all on their feet, and standing upright.