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

THE EXISTENCE OF SPIRITS. 49205. In one case, Mr. Kennedy satisfied himself, that llio medium didnot touch the vessel, by placing his own hands below those of the medium.20G. My much-esteemed friend, Prof. Ilcnry, having treated thisresult as incredible, I was induced to repeat it with the greatest precisionand precaution, as represented in Plato 3. The board, as alreadydescribed, being about four feet in length, is supported by a rod as a fulcrumat about one foot from one end, and, of course, three feet from theother; a glass vase, about nine inches in diameter and five inches inheight, having a knob to hold it by when inverted, had this knob insertedin a hole made in the board, six inches nearly from the fulcrum. Thus,the vase rested on the board, the mouth upward. A wire-gauze cage,such as is used to keep flies from sugar, was so arranged by well-knownmeans, as to slide up or down on two iron rods, one on each side of thetrestle supporting the fulcrum. By these arrangements it was so adjustedas to descend into the vase until within an inch and a half of the bottom,while the inferiority of its dimensions prevented it from coming elsewherewithin an inch of the parietes of the vase. Water was poured into thevase so as to rise into the cage till within about an inch and a half ofthe brim.207. A well-known medium (Gordon) was induced to plunge his hands,clasped together, to the bottom of the cage, holding them perfectly still.As soon as these conditions were attained, the apparatus being untouchedby any one excepting the medium as described, I invoked the aid of myspirit friends. A downward force was repeatedly exerted upon the endof the board appended to the balance equal to three pounds' weightnearly.208. It will be perceived that in this manifestation, the medium hadno means of communication with the board, beside the water. It was notuntil he became quite still, that the invocation was made. Nevertheless,he did not appear to be subjected to any reacting force. Yet, the distanceof the hook of the balance from the fulcrum on which the board turned,was six times as great as the cage in which the hands were situated.Consequently, a force of 3x6= 18 pounds must have been exerted. Theboard would probably have been depressed much more, but that the waterbad been spilled by any farther inclination of the vase.209. This experiment has since been repeated again and again, but ona smaller scale, when, not only the downward force was exercised, hutsj)cUin(/ of words was accomplished.210. On one occasion, when no result ensued, it appeared to arise fromthe water being so cold as to chill the medium, because, on warming itup to a comfortable temperature, the desired manifestations were obtained.211. At the same time and place, after the manifestation by means ofthe spring balances above described (207) had been accomplished, Irequested my spirit friends to repeat that which has been above mentioned,the