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

THE EXISTENCE OP SPIRITS. 61LJ^mc of Jefferson were selected indue order, by rapping at the one in demand,as it came under the index.219. Through the influence of Mrs. Ilayden, an uncommon test wasafforded by my faithful spirit sister.2'2(). My charming, intelligent friend, Mrs. Eustis, daughter of the lateRev. Dr. AV. E. Channing, thoughnot a believer in Spiritualism, becamedesirous of seeing the manifestations so much relied upon by me. Havingaccompanied me to the residence of Mrs. Hayden, Mrs. Eustis wassitting beside her, while through her influence my sister was making acommunication by means of the apparatus described. (Plate 1, Fig. 2.)When the process commenced, the hand of Mrs. Hayden was resting on thelever in the usual position, but was subsequently lifted, so as to allow Mrs.Eustis, as well as myself, to see between it and the wooden surface, withoutcreating any apparent abatement of the power of indicating the requisiteletters. (Description of Plate 1, par. e.)221. While the process still proceeded under these conditions, Mrs.Eustis, having placed her hand upon the surface of the board lever, allegedthat she felt itimparting motion to her hand.222. Dr. W. F. Channing has since informed me that Mrs. Eustis's accountof these manifestations, as given to him, coincide with those givento him by me.223. Sometime after this feat was performed through Mrs. Hayden, Iinquired of my sister if she could not perform it through an excellent mediumunder whose influence communications were making at the time ofthis inquiry. It was replied that Mrs. Eustis being unconsciously to acertain extent a medium herself, the power of Mrs. Hayden was augmentedby her presence.224. But as respects the selection of letters without the assistance ofthe eyes of the medium, I have had many instances of this being done,although the facility of itsmedia and with difierent spirits,performance is various, not only with difi"erentare the same: it varies with the state of the medium.but likewise when the spirit and mediumI sat more than anhour with an accomplished medium, during an excessively hot evening,without receiving any communication; in consequence, as I supposed, of theeffect of the heat upon her organism.22.T. The interposition of water contained in a glass vase, upon thebroad part of the lever actuating the index, so that the hands of the mediumcan touch nothing but the water, has an effect analogous to the liftingof the hand as above described, since the only difierence in the conditionsis, that in the one case there is air, in the other wat^r, interposed.22G. It has been stated that, by the interposition of water, the power ofactuating the index was paralyzed; yet merely warming the water enabledthe manifestation to proceed, so as to empower the spirit to spell suchnames as were called for. (210.)