“222 West Washington Square.“Dear Mrs. Kane:“I wrote to you some ten days ago, but, since I have not heard from you, fear that my letter has miscarried, and will therefore repeat it.“I am anxious, very anxious, that the ‘Seybert Commission,’ of which I am the chairman, should have an opportunity of investigating the ‘Rappings.’ Will you, therefore, appoint some day and hour, at your earliest convenience, when I can visit you in New York and make arrangements with you personally?“I sincerely trust that your summer has been healthful and peaceful, and beg to subscribe myself“Yours respectfully,“Horace Howard Furness.“22nd October, 1884.”
“222 West Washington Square.
“Dear Mrs. Kane:
“I wrote to you some ten days ago, but, since I have not heard from you, fear that my letter has miscarried, and will therefore repeat it.
“I am anxious, very anxious, that the ‘Seybert Commission,’ of which I am the chairman, should have an opportunity of investigating the ‘Rappings.’ Will you, therefore, appoint some day and hour, at your earliest convenience, when I can visit you in New York and make arrangements with you personally?
“I sincerely trust that your summer has been healthful and peaceful, and beg to subscribe myself
“Yours respectfully,“Horace Howard Furness.“22nd October, 1884.”
Mrs. Kane became the guest of Mr. Furness at his house, and there produced the “rappings” at twoséanceswhich were full of important significance.
The first was on the 5th of November, 1884, in the evening. The company consisted of Dr. William Pepper and his wife, Dr. Joseph Leidy, Dr. George A. Koeing, Prof. Robert Ellis Thompson, Mr. Horace Howard Furness, Mr. George S. Fullerton, Mr. Coleman Sellers, all, excepting the lady, members of the Commission, and Mr. George S. Pepper, Miss Logan, and the “medium.”All seated themselves around an open dining-table, Mrs. Kane at one end and Mr. Sellers at the other. The report of the Commission says:
“The medium sat with her feet partly under the table, and consequently concealed from most of those present—her feet were hidden also by her dress.”
After the usual preliminaries of an introduction to denizens of the “spirit land,” the soul of Henry Seybert was announced. He declared through the “medium” that he knew the names of the members of the Commission, and particularly of the one who was addressing him. Mr. Sellers, who happened to be this person, requested the spirit to spell his name by the aid of a written alphabet, each letter of which was pointed to in turn, the letter intended by the “spirit” being indicated by three “raps.” The result was that the name spelled out was the following:
“CHARLES CERI!”
Without commenting upon this blunder of the“spirit,” the Commission encouraged Mrs. Kane to proceed. She took a station at some distance from the table, her hands resting upon the back of a chair, and “raps” were heard which seemed to come from a point very near or under her. Again, when she stood close to a bookcase, “raps” were produced which she declared to proceed from the glass door upon which Mr. Sellers rested his hand. The latter felt not the slightest vibration of the glass. Mrs. Kane then produced written messages, addressed to two persons present, whose names she might have ascertained with very great ease. The writing was an irregular scrawl, running from the left, and leaning backward, and could only be read from the observe side by holding the paper up to the light.
The second séance in which Mrs. Kane acted as “medium” took place at the same place on the 6th of November, 1884. Dr. Leidy, Mr. Furness, Dr. Koeing, Mr. Fullerton and Mr. Sellers, members of the Commission, Mr. George S. Pepper, Mrs. Kane and a stenographer were present. Theexperiments of this evening were more lengthy and exhaustive than those of the previous one. For convenience of narration I shall divide them into two series: those made while the “medium” either stood upon the floor or sat upon an ordinary seat in an ordinary position; those in which she was separated from the floor, either by glass or by some object of considerable height, upon which she stood; and those in which she produced writing upon ordinary paper, said to have been dictated by the “spirits.” The experiments did not always take place in the consecutive order in which I shall note them.
The report says: “The ‘spirit rappings’ during the evening, aside from those heard during the test with glass tumblers, were apparently confined to the floor space in the immediate vicinity of and directly beneath the table around which the company were seated.”
The stenographic report of this part of the investigation proceeds as follows:
“Mr. Sellers.Is any spirit present now?
“Three raps—faint and partly distinct—are almost instantly audible. The raps apparently emanate from the floor-space directly beneath, or in the immediate vicinity of the table. This remark is applicable to all the ‘rappings’ during theséanceat the pine table.
“The ‘Medium’ (interpreting the sounds). That was ‘yes.’
“Mr. Sellers(aside). They sounded like three.
“The raps are immediately repeated with more distinctness.
“Mr. Sellers(aside). There are three, and they are quite distinct. Is the spirit the same that was present last night?
“Three raps, apparently identical with those last heard, are again audible.
“Mr. Sellers(aside). It says it is the same spirit. I presume then, that it is Henry Seybert? (No response.) Is it Henry Seybert?
“Three raps—distinct and positive.
“Mr. Sellers.You promised last evening togive a communication to Mr. Pepper. Are you able to communicate with him now?
“Two raps—comparitively feeble.
“The ‘Medium’ (interpreting). One, two: that means not now.
“Mr. Sellers(repeating). Not now?
“The ‘Medium’ (reflectively). But probably before he leaves.
“Three raps—quickly, distinctly and instantly given.
“The ‘Medium.’ He said ‘Yes, before he leaves.’ (To Mr. Sellers.) You asked that question, I think?
“Mr. Sellers.Yes. Will you communicate with him before Mr. Pepper leaves to-night?
“Three raps—instantaneous, quick and vigorous.”
Afterwards, the experiment of standing near a table, the “medium” not touching it, to see if sounds similar to those of the previous evening could be produced, was repeated. The “medium” insisted, however, that there should be no breakingof the circle formed about her by those who were present.
“All of the gentlemen, and the ‘medium,’” says the report, “rise and remain standing. * * *
“The ‘Medium.’ This is test, something I have not gone through since I was a little child, almost.
“Mr. Sellers(after an interval of waiting). There seem to be no raps. (Another short interval.) Now Mr. Seybert, cannot you produce some raps?
“Eighty seconds here elapse with no response, when the ‘medium’ made an observation which was partly inaudible at the reporter’s seat, the purport of which was that the ‘spirit communications’ are sometimes retarded or facilitated by a compliance by the listeners with certain conditions. Another interval of probably two minutes elapsed, when the ‘medium’ suggested to Dr. Leidy to place his hands upon the table. The suggestion was complied with.
“Mr. Sellers inquires of the ‘medium’ whethera change in her position, with regard to the table, would do any good.
“‘Medium.’ I will change positions with you.
“The change was made accordingly, but without result, and another period of waiting followed.
“The ‘Medium’ (to Dr. Leidy). Suppose you ask some questions. You may have some friend who will respond.
“Dr. Leidy.Is any spirit present whom I know, or who knows me?
“After a pause of ten seconds, three light raps are heard.
“Dr. Leidy.Who am I?
“The ‘medium’ explains that the responses by rappings are mainly indicative only of affirmation or negation.
“Dr. Leidy.Will you repeat your taps to indicate that you are present yet?
“Three taps are heard.
“Mr. Sellers.Those are very clearly heard.
“The ‘Medium’(to Dr. Leidy). Ask if that is Mr. Seybert.
“Dr. Leidy.Is Mr. Seybert present?
“Three raps—very feeble.
“Dr. Leidy(to Mr. Sellers). Was there an answer to that?
“Mr. Sellers.There was. The answer was three raps. (After an interval, in which no response is received.) There seem to be no further communications.”
Later in the evening efforts to engage the defunct Mr. Seybert in conversation were again made. The company were as before gathered about the table. “Raps” were made by Mrs. Kane on the floor. The “spirit” was asked if he knew the members of the Commission present, and to state their number. When it came to the response to the latter part of the question there were “seven slow, deliberate and distinct raps.”
Alas! the “spirit” had mistaken the guest of the Commission, Mr. George S. Pepper, and the stenographers for members!
The latter were seated at a separate table.
“Mr. Sellers.Are there seven members of the Committee present?
“Three raps.
“Mr. Sellers.Are they all seated around one table?
“No response. About forty seconds elapse.
“Mr. Sellers.Are they seated at two tables?
“Three raps—quite feeble.
“Mr. Sellers(to his associates). We still must go back to the one thing. The information we receive through these responses is of little importance to us compared with the information which we must obtain as to whether these sounds are produced by a disembodied Spirit or by some living person; that is, in deference to the ‘Medium.’ (To Mr. Furness.) Do you not think so?
“Mr. Furness is understood to assent.
“Mr. Sellers.We have tried the glass tumblers. We have the sounds here. I wouldask Mrs. Kane if it is proper for us to look below the top of the table at the time the sounds are being produced, and in such a way as to see her feet.
“The ‘Medium.’ Yes, of course, you could do that, but it is not well to break, when you are standing, suddenly. As you know, you have to conform to the rules, else you will get no rappings.
“Mr. Sellers.What are the rules?
“The ‘Medium’ (disconnectedly.) The rules are—every test condition, that I am perfectly willing to go through, and have gone through a thousand times—at the same time, there are times when you can break the rules. So slight a thing as the disjoining of hands may break the rules. I do not think the standing on the glass has been fully tried.
“Mr. Sellers.We will try that later.
“Mr. Furness(to the ‘medium,’ informally). This investigation is one of great importance to us. There is no question about it—we haveheard these curious sounds. Now as to whether they come from ‘spirits’ or not—that would seem to be the very next logical step in our inquiry. I think you are entirely at one with us in every possible desire to have this phenomenon investigated.
“The ‘Medium.’ Oh, certainly. But I pledge myself to conform to nothing, for—as I said in Europe—I do not even say the sounds are from ‘spirits;’ and, what is more, it is utterly beyond human power to detect them.I do not say they are the spirits of our departed friends, but I leave others to judge for themselves.
“Mr. Furness.Then you have come to the conclusion that they are entirely independent of yourself.
“The ‘Medium.’ No,I do not know that they are entirely independent of myself.
“Mr. Furness.Under what conditions can you influence them?
“The response, which was partly inaudible at the reporter’s seat, was understood to be: ‘I cannot tell.’
“Mr. Furness.You say that in the generality of cases they are beyond your control?
“The ‘Medium.’ Yes.
“Mr. Furness.How in the world shall we test that?
“The ‘Medium.’ Well, by—
“Mr. Furness.By—what? Isolating you from the table?
“The ‘Medium.’ Yes.
“Mr. Furness(applying his right hand, by her permission, to the ‘Medium’s’ head). Are you ever conscious of any vibration in your bones?
“The ‘Medium.’ No; but sometimes it causes an exhaustion, that is, under circumstances when the raps do not come freely.
“Mr. Furness.The freer the raps come, the better for you?
“The ‘Medium.’ Yes, the freer the better—the less exhaustion.
“Mr. Sellers.But do you feel now, to-night, any untoward influence operating against you?
“The ‘Medium.’ No, not to-night, for it takes quite a little while before we feel these things.
“Mr. Furness.Do these raps always have that vibratory sound—tr-rut—tr-rut—tr-rut?
“The ‘Medium.’ Sometimes they vary.
“Mr. Furness.As a general rule I have heard them sound so.
“The ‘Medium.’ Every rap has a different sound. For instance, when the ‘spirit’ of Mr. Seybert rapped, if the sound was a good one, you would have noticed that his rap was different from that of another. Every one is entirely different from another.
“Mr. Furness.Do you suppose that the present conditions are such that you can throw the raps to a part of the room other than that in which you are?
“The ‘Medium.’ I do not pretend to do that, but I will try to do it.
“Mr. Furness and Dr. Leidy station themselves in the corner of the room, diagonally, and most remote from the pine table, at which theirassociates remain seated, with their hands upon the table, and ‘their minds intent on having the raps produced at the corner indicated,’ as requested by the ‘medium,’ who also remains at the table. The ‘medium’ asks, ‘Will the “Spirit” rap at the other side of the room?’ and, after twelve seconds, and again after forty-three seconds, repeats the inquiry.No response is received.The experiment is repeated with Mr. Furness and Dr. Koenig at the corner, but with a like negative result.”
Let us now turn to the experiments made while the “medium” was not in a position in which her feet could touch the floor. The report says:
“Mr. Sellers made this inquiry:
“‘It is proposed that the “medium” shall stand upon tumblers. Are we likely to have any demonstration?’
“Three raps—promptly given, though feeble in delivery and but faintly audible.
“The ‘Medium.’ There were three—a kind of tardy assent.
“Mr. Sellers(to the ‘Medium’). As if the ‘Spirits’ might or might not communicate?
“The ‘Medium.’ Well, that a trial might be made.
“Three raps are here again distinctly heard—the characteristics of the sounds in this instance being rapidity and energy, or positiveness.
“The ‘Medium.’ That is a quick answer.
“At this point, attention is directed to the first of a series of experiments with four glass tumblers, which are placed together, with the bottoms upward, on the carpeted floor, in the center of a vacant space. The ‘medium’ stands directly upon these, the heels of her shoes resting upon the rear tumblers and the soles upon the front tumblers. The Committee co-operate with the ‘medium,’ and, in conformity with her suggestions, all the men clasp hands and form a semi-circle in front of the ‘medium,’ the hands of the latter being grasped by the gentlemen nearest to her on either side.
“Mr. Sellers(after a notification from themedium to proceed). Is Mr. Seybert still present?
“No response.
“The ‘Medium.’ It may be a few minutes before you will hear any rapping through these glasses.
“Ten seconds elapse.
“The ‘Medium.’ This test is a very satisfactory one, if they do it. And they have done it a hundred times.
“Five seconds elapse.
“The ‘Medium’ (to Mr. Furness). The glasses are not placed over the marble, are they?
“Mr. Furness.No, the floor is of wood.
“Mr. Sellers(after another interval of waiting) informally remarked to Mr. Furness: ‘We will wait probably for another minute to see if anything comes. As you know, the ‘medium’ claims that it is impossible for her to control these things—that she is merely one who is operated through.’
“Another interval expires.
“The ‘Medium.’ That was a very faint rap. Suppose we change the position of the glasses.
“Note by the stenographer. No intimation is given that the rap here spoken of was heard by any one other than the ‘medium’ herself. Pursuant to the request just stated, the carpet is removed and the glass tumblers are located on the bare floor at a point about five feet distant from the place at which the test was first tried. The new location is in the center of a passage-way, about three feet in width, between a side-board on one side, and a wall projection on the other. Its selection is apparently, though not specifically, dictated by the position and movements of the ‘medium.’ The ‘medium’ and the Committee resume their positions, the former standing on the glasses and the gentlemen facing her in a group.
“The ‘Medium.’ Now, Spirits, will you rap on the floor?
“Thirty seconds here elapsed with no response, when one glass was heard to clickagainst the other, and the ‘medium’ exclaimed ‘Oh!’
“The ‘Medium’ (repeating). Will you rap on the floor?
“Thirty seconds now elapse without any demonstration.
“The ‘Medium’ (aside). It seems to be a failure. They have done it.
“Another click of the glasses which passes without comment.
“Mr. Sellers.We will have to set down the result of the experiment on glass tumblers as negative. It may be well to try it later.
“The ‘Medium’ (evidently reluctant to abandon the test). Suppose now, as we have gone so far, we kind of form a chain.
“The company retained their positions with hands joined, and the ‘Spirits’ were repeatedly requested to make their presence known. Mr. Pepper, at the suggestion of the ‘medium,’ asking the ‘Spirit’ of his friend, Henry Seybert, to manifest its presence by one rap—but all efforts to elicit such response proved ineffectual.
“When the same experiments were resumed, the lady proceeded to the spacebetween the side-board and the wall, where the last preceding test had been made, and there the tumblers were again arranged. The ‘medium’ resumed her position upon them, with Drs. Leidy and Koeing, and Messrs. Sellers and Furness facing her.
“The ‘Medium.’ Will the Spirit rap here?
“Twenty-three seconds elapse.
“Dr. Leidy.Is any ‘Spirit’ present.
“An interval of thirty-nine seconds here followed, when the attention of the Committee was momentarily diverted by an inquiry addressed to Mr. Furness by Mr. Sellers, viz.: Whether a glass plate of sufficient strength to bear the weight of the ‘medium’ was procurable. At this moment the ‘medium’ suddenly exclaimed: ‘I hear a rap. You said, “Get a glass,” and there was a rap.’
“The ‘Medium’ (repeating for the information of Mr. Furness). Somebody proposed a glass and there were three raps.
“Dr. Koenig inquires of the ‘medium’ whether the meaning intended to be conveyed by the sounds is that the ‘spirits’ desire to have the glass plate produced.
“The ‘Medium.’ I do not know. I know there were raps. (Turning to Mr. Sellers, the ‘medium’ adds:) They may have been made by your heel on the floor, but certainly there were sounds.
“Mr. Fullerton.Then it was not the regular triple rap?
“The ‘Medium.’ I could not tell.
“Just before calling attention to the alleged rap or raps, the ‘medium’ grasped with her right hand the wood-work of the side-board, as if for support. It was then that she stated she heard the sounds. They were apparently not heard by any one but the ‘medium.’
“Mr. Sellers(addressing the ‘spirit’). Will you repeat the raps we heard just now, assuming that there were some?
“Ten minutes elapse without a response.
“The ‘Medium.’ There is no use of my standingany longer, for when they come at all, they come right away.
“Mr. Sellers(after scrutinizing the position of one of the feet of the ‘medium’). The edge of the heel of the shoe rests on the back tumbler. (Assuming a stooping posture for a more prolonged scrutiny.) We will see whether the raps will be produced now.
“The ‘medium’ now proposes that all the members of the committee shall stand up and join hands.
“Mr. Sellers and his associates accordingly stand, facing the ‘medium,’ with hands joined. Changes in their positions were made by some of the gentlemen from time to time, as suggested by the ‘medium,’ Mr. Pepper and Dr. Koenig being the first to exchange places. This occurred after a silence of thirty seconds, without any response.
“The ‘Medium.’ Now, Mr. Seybert, if your ‘spirit’ is here, will you have the kindness—I knew Mr. Seybert well in life—to rap?
“Fifteen seconds elapse.
“The ‘Medium.’ No, he does not seem to respond.
“At the suggestion of Mr. Sellers, all of the gentlemen approach the ‘medium’ for the purpose of inducing some acknowledgment by the ‘spirit,’ and inquiries similar to those already stated are repeated without result.
“The Commission temporarily abandon the test. When the tumblers are again produced the ‘medium’ takes her position upon them, with Mr. Fullerton standing next to her upon the right and Mr. Furness to the left. Mr. Sellers remains for some moments kneeling on the floor to enable himself better to hear any sounds that may be but faintly audible. The ‘spirits’ are repeatedly importuned by the ‘medium’ to produce the ‘rappings,’ but no response is heard until the company is about to abandon the experiment. Three raps are then audible. The raps are very light, but very distinct.
“Mr. Fullerton states that he heard the raps.
“Mr. Sellers.I heard a sound then, but itseemed as if it was around there. (Indicating the wall immediately in the rear of the ‘medium.’)
“The tumblers are here moved further away from the wall, and the ‘medium’ resumes her position upon them.
“Mr. Sellers.Will the ‘Spirit’ rap again? (No response.)
“The ‘Medium.’ Were any of you gentlemen acquainted with Mr. Seybert in his lifetime?
“Mr. Fullerton.I saw him several times before his death. If he can give an intimation now of anything he said at that time, it will indicate that he remembers it.
“A very faint rap is heard.
“The ‘Medium.’ There is a rap. It seems to be there again. (Indicating the spot to which attention was previously called by Mr. Sellers.)
“The ‘medium’ again importunes, first, ‘Mr. Seybert,’ and next the ‘spirits,’ to rap; and the importunities are repeated. Three raps are distinctly, but faintly heard.
“Mr. Sellers.I heard them. They sounded somewhat like the others, not exactly.
“The ‘Medium.’ I heard one rap, but it is nothing for me to hear them; I want you gentlemen to hear them.
“Mr. Sellers.Probably we will hear them again.
“While Mr. Sellers and Mr. Furness are conversing, several raps are heard, though less distinct than the preceding ones.
“The ‘Medium.’ There they are, as though right under the glass. (After a silence of forty seconds) Now I hear them again, very light—oh, very light.
“Mr. Furness, with the permission of the ‘medium,’places his hand upon one of her feet.
“The ‘Medium.’ There are raps now, strong—yes, I hear them.
“Mr. Furness(to the ‘medium’). This is the most wonderful thing of all, Mrs. Kane;I distinctly feel them in your foot. There is not a particle of motion in your foot, but there is an unusual pulsation.
“Mr. Sellers here made some inquiries of the ‘medium,’ concerning the shoes now worn by her. The replies, which were not direct, are here given.
“Mr. Sellers.Are those the shoes which you usually wear?
“The ‘Medium.’ I wear all kinds of shoes.
“Mr. Sellers.Are the sounds produced in your room when you have no shoes on?
“The ‘Medium.’ More or less. They are produced under all circumstances.
“Following the suggestion of the ‘medium,’ all present proceed through an intervening apartment to the library, where the ‘medium’ selects various positions—standing upon a lounge, then upon a cushioned chair, next upon a step-ladder, and finally upon the side of a book-case—but all with a like unsuccessful result, no response by ‘rappings’ being heard.
“In the midst of the experiments at the table Mrs. Kane exclaimed to Mr. Sellers: Well, my hand does feel like writing. Will you give me a piece of paper? and, maybe they will give me some directions.
“Mr. Fullerton(to the ‘medium’). How does your hand feel when affected in that way?
“The ‘Medium.’ It is a peculiar feeling, like that from taking hold of electrical instruments. I do not know but that you might possibly feel it in my hand.
“The lady here extended her right hand upon the table toward Mr. Fullerton. The latter placed his left hand upon the extended hand of the ‘medium,’ and subsequently remarked that the pulsation of her wrist was a little above the ordinary rate.
“The ‘medium,’ ostensibly under ‘spirit’ influence, with lead-pencil in hand, proceeded to write two communications from the ‘spirit’ of the late Henry Seybert. The first of these covered two pages of paper of the size of ordinary foolscap. The ‘medium’ wrote in large characters, with remarkable rapidity, and in a direction from the right to the left, or the reverse of ordinary handwriting. The writing, consequently, could be read only from the reverse side of thepaper, and by being held up so as to permit the gaslight to shine through it.
“The communications, as deciphered by Mr. Sellers, with the aid of Mr. Fullerton and the ‘medium,’ were as follows:
“You must not expect that I can satisfy you beyond all doubt in so short a time as you have yet had. I want to give you all in my power, and will do so if you will give me a chance. You must commence right in the first place or you shall all be disappointed for a much longer time.Princiipis Obsta Sereo Medicina Paratum.“HENRY SEYBERT.“Mend the fault in time or we will all be puzzled.“HENRY SEYBERT.”
“You must not expect that I can satisfy you beyond all doubt in so short a time as you have yet had. I want to give you all in my power, and will do so if you will give me a chance. You must commence right in the first place or you shall all be disappointed for a much longer time.Princiipis Obsta Sereo Medicina Paratum.
“HENRY SEYBERT.“Mend the fault in time or we will all be puzzled.“HENRY SEYBERT.”
The fault in the Latin of the above quotation attracted the attention of the Commission.
Mr. George S. Pepper, who had been well acquainted with Mr. Seybert in his lifetime, declared that he had never known any Latin at all!
The investigations of the “Seybert Commission” in other directions than that of the “rappings,” were far more fascinating and productiveof results. It would be impossible to give an adequate idea of them here. The Commission employed the most celebrated “mediums” within their reach, and paid them liberally to place them in communication with the “Spirit world.” They saw (and they show in their report that they did see) the secret of every “wonderful” thing done by the “mediums,” and found it in most instances exceedingly simple, and generally rather clumsily performed. Professional jugglers constantly outdo professional “mediums.” This, the latter cannot deny, and they seek—oh, monumental impudence!—to make people believe that jugglers are nothing more nor less than “mediums,” and that “mediums” are never in any sense jugglers!
Thus the notorious Slade:
“Mr. Sellers.Do you know a man named Kellar, who is exhibiting in this city?
“Dr. Slade.I do not. I never knew him.
“Mr. Sellers.You may, however, be able to explain to me a very remarkable slate writingexperiment which Kellar has performed. (Mr. Sellers here describes at length Mr. Kellar’s trick with the fastened slates.) How did Mr. Kellar do that?
“Dr. Slade.He is a ‘medium.’He does that work precisely as I do it.
“Mr. Sellers.But can he not do it by trickery?
“Dr. Slade.No, it is impossible. He is a ‘medium’ and a powerful ‘medium.’”
This is from a memorandum of Mr. Sellers. He says further:
“The inquiry was then addressed to Mr. Slade: Do you know a man named Guernilla, who, with his wife, gave séances?
“Mr. Slade.Yes, I know him very well.
“Mr. Sellers.Well, how does he perform his wonderful exploits in ‘rappings,’ etc.?
“Mr. Slade.He is a ‘medium,’ a powerful ‘medium.’ I know him very well indeed. I can assure you that all he does is done solely by means of his mediumistic powers.
“I now state to the Committee that the Guernillas exhibited in Philadelphia some years ago as exposers of Spiritualism. They did not expose it, but they performed experiments which, prior to that time, were said to have been accomplished by the aid of ‘spirits.’ Guernilla himself, at my house, in my presence, in broad daylight, performed all the feats and exhibited the phenomena that were produced at the dark and other séances, and he repeated them until I myself became as expert as he in performing them; for which I paid him a consideration. So much for the mediumistic power.”
Mr. Sellers explained with reference to Mr. Kellar:
“I pause here for the express purpose of having the fact noted that, being thoroughly familiar with the details of the methods of those experiments, I can positively assure the Committee that there is no mediumistic power in Mr. Kellar, so far as his methods are concerned, that those methods are as easy of solution as are any other physical problems.”
The “Seybert Commission”[3]examined every known form of spiritualistic manifestation to which they had access, and implicitly under conditions imposed by the “mediums” themselves. These conditions are everything that could be devised and plausibly used to prevent the hoped-for dupe from detecting the fraud that is practised upon him.
The Commission put the indelible stamp of fraud upon all so-called spiritualistic manifestations. Of the “spiritual rappings” they say:
“To the subject of ‘spirit-rappings’ we have devoted some time and attention, but ourinvestigations have not been sufficiently extensive to warrant us at present in offering any positive conclusions. The difficulty attending the investigation of this mode of spiritualistic manifestation is increased by the fact, familiar to physiologists, that sounds of varying intensity may be produced in almost any portion of the human body by voluntary muscular action. To determine the exact location of this muscular activity is at times a matter of delicacy.
“What we can say thus far, with assurance, is that, in the cases which have come under our observation, the theory of the purely physiological origin of the sounds has been sustained by the fact that the ‘mediums’ were invariably, and confessedly, cognizant of the ‘rappings’ whenever they occurred, and could at once detect any spurious ‘rappings,’ however exact and indistinguishable to all other ears might be the imitation.”
Mrs. Kane has expressed amusement over the manner in which she eluded the inquisitions ofthe grave and conscientious Commission and left them puzzled over the “rappings.”
Even then, however, she cared so little for the preservation of the secret, that when she declined to be further examined by the Commission, she admitted to Mr. Furness that the gentlemen had ample ground for looking upon the manifestations which she had given as unsatisfactory. Mr. Furness says:
“I told her that the Commission had now had two séances with her, and thatthe conclusion to which they had come is that the so-called raps are confined wholly to her person, whether produced by her voluntarily or involuntarily they had not attempted to decide; furthermore, that although thus satisfied in their own minds they were anxious to treat her with all possible deference and consideration, and accordingly had desired me to say to her that if she thought another séance with her would or might modify or reverse their conclusion, they held themselves ready to meet her again this evening and renew the investigationof the manifestations; at the same time I felt it my duty to add that in that case the examination would necessarily be of the most searching description.
“Mrs. Kane replied that the manifestations at both séances had been of an unsatisfactory nature, so unsatisfactory thatshe could not really blame the Commission for arriving at their conclusion. In her present state of health shereallydoubted whether a third meeting would prove any better than the two already held. It might even be more unsatisfactory, and instead of removing the present belief of the Commission it might add confirmation of it. In view of these considerations, she decided not to hold another séance.”
Mrs. Kane declares that with her muscles and the joints of her toes so educated by long practice, and her ability to produce the noise of “raps” with no perceptible movement, she could have gone on deceiving the world indefinitely withoutbeing detected. She explains that the making of the “raps,” when she is stationed on glass tumblers, requires a far greater effort than when her feet are in contact with the carpet or floor. The shock must in that case be conveyed through a comparatively non-conducting substance. For this reason, when the floor was especially hard or thick and lacking in sonorousness, she sometimes failed in the expected effect. In every instance, it was most difficult to produce the “raps” under those circumstances.
The verdict, however, is now complete. Spiritualism is guilty.
The court of mankind so declares it.
The most interesting feature, after all, of Margaret Fox’s career, was perhaps that sad and abortive romance of which Dr. Elisha Kent Kane, the gallant Arctic explorer, was the hero. This history should be known to the reader in order that the exact aspect of Spiritualism to her developed conscience in after years may be understood.
Dr. Kane first saw Maggie Fox in the autumn of 1852, when she was staying with her mother at a hotel in Philadelphia, being then engaged in “spiritualistic manifestations.” Dr. Kane, whose heart had never before been touched, at once succumbed to the sweet charm of this erratic child, and conceived the romantic idea of removing her from the life she then was leading,educating her and marrying her. The project, when it became known, awakened the bitter hostility of his friends, and from this hostility, the unfortunate separation between them which it caused, and Dr. Kane’s untimely death, all of the sorrow that afterwards engulfed her life and deprived her of the ambition for a nobler career, directly sprang.
Margaret was but thirteen years old when Dr. Kane first saw her. A friendly hand[4]has thus traced her portrait:
“Her beauty was of that delicate kind which grows on the heart, rather than captivates the sense at a glance; she possessed in a high degree that retiring modesty which shuns rather than seeks admiration. The position in which she was placed imposed on her unusual reserve and self-control, and an ordinary observer might not have seen in her aught to make a sudden impression. But there was more than beauty in the charmabout her discerned by the penetrating eyes of her new acquaintance. The winning grace of her modest demeanor, and the native refinement apparent in every look and movement, word and tone, were evidences of a nature enriched with all the qualities that dignify and adorn womanhood; of a soul far above her present calling, and those who surrounded her. To appreciate her real superiority, her age and the circumstances must be considered. She was yet a little child—untutored, except in the elements of instruction to be gained in country district schools, when it was discovered that she possessed a mysterious power,[5]for which no science or theory could account. This brought her at once into notoriety and gathered around her those who had a fancy for the supernatural, and who loved to excite the wonder of strangers. Most little girls wouldhave been spoiled by that kind of attention. The endurance of it without having her head turned, argued rare delicacy, simplicity and firmness of character. After exhibitions given in different cities, to find herself an object of public attention, and of flattering notice from persons of distinction, would naturally please the vanity of a beautiful young girl; and it would not be surprising if a degree of self-conceit were engendered. But Margaret was not vain, and could not be made self-conceited. If she had any consciousness of her exquisite loveliness,—if it pleased her to possess pretty dresses and ornaments—her delight was that of a happy child taking pleasure in beautiful things, without reference to any effect they might enable her to produce. Perhaps no young girl ever lived more free from the least idea of coquetry or conquest. She heeded not the expressions of admiration that reached her ear so frequently. She had seen enough of the world at this time to be aware of the advantages of a superior education, and it was the most ardentwish of her heart to make herself a well-educated woman.”
Margaret showed a disposition to devote herself with great industry to the acquirement of knowledge. In fact, at her first meeting with Dr. Kane, he found her conning over a French exercise in an interval of the public receptions which were given by herself and her mother. Dr. Kane easily enlisted her thoughts in a better and higher career. The deception which was required of her already appeared in something of its true light to her young mind, and she was restless under its abhorrent shackles. Dr. Kane’s interest in her was certainly pure and elevated, and it led him to gloomy apprehensions of the fate of so fair, yet so misguided, a creature. He wrote in verse a prophecy that she would “live and die forlorn.” There have been many times when the latter part of this warning seemed most likely to come true; and that, doubtless, would have been her fate had she not found in a final renunciation of her past, a solace to her heart for the lack of that falselywon prosperity which had been hers during but brief intervals.
Dr. Kane was but an indifferent versifier; but some of the trifles in rhyme which he addressed to Margaret may well illustrate certain facts that I shall state at length hereafter. One day, he sent her “Thoughts that Ought to Be Those of Maggie Fox,” the first refrain of which is as follows:
“Dreary, dreary, dreary,Passes life away,Dreary, dreary, dreary,The dayGlides on, andwearyIs my hypocrisy.”
At the close of the second stanza were these lines:
“Happy as the hopesWhich filled my trusting heart,Before I knew a sinful wishOr learned asinful art.”
Again:
“So long this secret have I keptI can’t forswear it now.It festers in my bosom,It cankers in my heart,Thrice cursed is the slave fast chainedTo a deceitful art!”
And last:
“Then the maiden knelt and prayed:‘Father, my anguish see;Oh, give me but one trusting hopeWhose heart will shelter me;One trusting love to share my griefs,To snatch me from a life forlorn;That I may never, never, never,Thus endlessly from night to morn,Say thatmy life is drearyWith its hypocrisy!’”
Among the first words that Dr. Kane spoke to Margaret were these: “This is no life for you, my child.” As their reciprocal attraction grew stronger, he bent all of his deep influence over her in one direction, to effect once and for all her release from the fatal snare of deceit that fate hadcast about her. Only a few weeks later we find him writing her a note from New York, in which he says:
“Look at theHeraldof this morning. There is an account of a suicide which causes some excitement. Your sister’s[6]name is mentioned in the inquest of the coroner. Oh, how much I wish that you would quitthis life of dreary sameness and unsuspected deceit. We live in this world only for the good and noble. How crushing it must be to occupy with them a position of ambiguous respect!”
Dr. Kane, a short time afterwards, described Maggie as follows:
“But it is that strange mixture of child and woman, of simplicity and cunning, of passionate impulse and extreme self-control, that has made you a curious study. Maggie, you are very pretty, very childlike, very deceitful, but to me as readable as my grandmother’s Bible.”
“And again he said: ‘When I think of you, dear darling,wasting your time and youth and conscience for a few paltry dollars, and think of the crowds who come nightly to hear of the wild stories of the frigid North, I sometimes feel that we are not so far removed after all. My brain and your body are each the sources of attraction, and I confess that there is not so much difference.’”
Never for an instant did the manly and robust intellect of Dr. Kane stoop to the level of even a partial belief in the pretended wonders of “Spiritualism.” The allusions made to it in his letters, when not grave or indignant, are full of a certain contemptuous playfulness, well calculated to reprove the conscious deceitfulness practised by the childish Maggie, while not offending the natural pride which was yet apart of her imperfectly formed character. When the doctor was in Boston, he wrote to her sister Katie:
“Well, now for talk. Boston is a funny place, and ‘the spirits’ have friends here. You wouldbe surprised if I told you what I have heard. * * * There are some things that I have seen which I think would pain you. Maggie would only laugh at them; but with me it gave cause for sadness. I saw a young man with a fine forehead and expressive face, but a countenance deeply tinged with melancholy, seize the hand of this ‘medium,’ whose name—as I never tell other’s secrets—I cannot tell you. He begged her to answer a question which I could not hear. Instantly she rapped, and his face assumed a positive agony; the rapping continued; his pain increased; I leaned forward, feeling an utter detestation for the woman who could inflict such torment; but it was too late. A single rap came and he fell senseless in a fit. This I saw with my own eyes.
“Now, Katie, although you and Maggie have never gone so far as this, yet circumstances must occur where you have to lacerate the feelings of other people. I know that you have a tender heart; but practice in anything hardens us. Youdo things now which you would never have dreamed of doing years ago; and there will come a time when you will be worse than Leah; a hardened woman, gathering around youthe victims of a delusion. * * * The older you grow the more difficult it will be to liberate yourself from this thing. And can you look forward to a life unblessed by the affections, unsoothed by the consciousness of doing right! * * *When your mother leaves this scene, can you and * * * Maggie be content to live that life of constant deceit?”
To Maggie, Dr. Kane wrote from the sincerest depths of his heart, recalling the first moment when he saw her, “a little Priestess, cunning in the mysteries of her temple, and weak in everything but the power with which she played her part. A sentiment almost of pity stole over his wordly heart as he saw through the disguise.”
And again: “Waddy[7]called on me to-day, as did Tallmadge;[8]I was kind to both for yoursake. Waddy talked much about you. He said that he feared for you, and spoke long and well upon the dangers and temptations of your present life. I said little to him other than my convictions of your own and your sister’s excellent character and ‘pure simplicity;’ for thus, Mag, I always talk of you. And it pained me to find that others viewed your life as I did, and regarded you as occupying an ambiguous position. Depend upon it, Maggie, no right-minded gentleman—whether he be believer or sceptic—can regard your present life with approval. Let this, dear sweet, make you think over the offer of the one friend who would stretch out an arm to save you. Think wisely, dear darling, ere it be too late. * * *
“Maggie, you cannot tell the sadness that comes over me when I think of you. What will become of you? you, the one being that I regard even before myself! * * *
“If you really can make up your mind toabjure the spirits, to study and improve your mental and moral nature, it may be that a career of brightness will be open to you; and upon this chance, slender as it is, I offer, like a true friend, to guard and educate you. But, Mag, clouds, and darkness rest upon the execution of your good resolves; and I sometimes doubt whether you have the firmness of mind to carry them through.”
The author of “The Love-Life of Dr. Kane,” says of this period:
“Dr. Kane was very often in the habit of saying—as if with melancholy presentiment—‘What would become of you if I should die? What would you do? I shudder at the thought of my death, on your account.’
“In the buoyant confidence of youth, the poor girl could not then understand his fears. Butheknew that in separating her from Spiritualism he was isolating her from all her friends and associates, and depriving her of the only means she possessed of earning a livelihood. In compensationfor the sacrifices required of her, he was giving her a hope only; a hope that might be blissfully realized, but might be sadly disappointed; and in the event of losing him, what must be her destiny!”
Dr. Kane met with malignant opposition from Leah, Maggie’s elder sister, in his efforts to detach her from the damning career into which she had been thrown. The “shekels” were then pouring in in great abundance at the séances, and this explains sufficiently the hostile attitude of the one person who was chiefly responsible for the ruin of her young life. Thus the doctor wrote to Maggie in New York:
“Is the old house dreary to you? * * * Oh, Maggie, are you never tired ofthis weary, weary sameness of continual deceit? Are you thus to spend your days, doomed never to rise to better things?—you and that dear little open-minded sister Kate (for she, too, is still unversed in deception)—are you both to live on thus forever? You will never be happy if you do; foryou are not, like Leah, able to exult and take pleasure in the simplicity of the poor, simple-hearted fools around you.
“Do, then, Maggie, keep to your last promise. Show this to Katie, and urge her to keep to her resolution.”[9]
By this time, Maggie had pledged herself to her lover to abandon the “rappings” altogether; but they were both very cautious lest this resolution should be known to her elder sister. Maggie appears to have yielded to the influences around her, in spite of her respect and regard for the doctor, and once or twice to have lapsed back into the ways that he dreaded and abhorred. We find him then, writing from New York to Washington:
“Don’t rap for Mrs. Pierce.[10]Remember your promise to me. * * *
“Begin again, dearest Maggie, and keep your word. No ‘rapping’ for Mrs. Pierce or ever more for any one. I, dear Mag, am your best, your truest, your only friend. What are they to my wishes? Oh, regard and love me, and listen to my words; and be very careful lest in an idle hour you lose my regard and your own respect.”
And later:
“All last night did this good friend of yours think about you and your probable future.
“I can see that this is one of the turning points of your life, and upon your own energy and decision now depend the success and happiness of your future career. Dear Maggie, think it over well anddo not be turned aside from what is rightby the sincere but still misguided advice of others. * * * But remember, Maggie, that all this will not last. * * * What will it be when, looking back upon * * * misspent and dreary years, you feel that there have been no acts really acceptable to your Maker, and that forthe years ahead, all will be sorrow, sameness and disgust! * * *
“Why, you know that sometimes, even now, when Leah is cross, or the company coarse and vulgar, or the day tiresome, or yourself out of sorts, that low spirits and disgust come over you and you long like a bird to spread your wings and fly away from it all.”
Very soon afterwards, Dr. Kane wrote:
“At present, you have nothing to look forward to, nothing to hope for. Your life is one constant round of idle excitement. Can your mother, who is an excellent woman, look upon you, a girl of thirteen, as doomed all your life to live surrounded by such as now surround you,deprived of all the blessings of home and love and even self-respect?”
Dr. Kane, looking upon Margaret as his future wife, was exceedingly anxious that the true explanation of the “rappings,” the fact that they were entirely fraudulent, should never be discovered. He hoped that Spiritualism would havebut an ephemeral existence, and that when once it had died out, the public would so far forget the persons who originated it, that it would cease to associate with them the woman who would then bear his name. So he wrote in this vein to Maggie:
“You know I am nervous about the ‘rappings.’ I believe the only thing I ever was afraid of was this confounded thing being found out. I would not know it myself for ten thousand dollars.”
How both Margaret and Dr. Kane regarded the elder sister may be judged from this sentence, written by the latter at this time: “Be careful not to mention me before the Tigress.”
At last the object dearest to Dr. Kane’s heart seemed to be drawing near to its accomplishment. He says: “Your kind promise ‘solemnly never to rap again’ so pleases me, that I cannot help thanking you. Adhere to that, and you will be a dear, good, happy girl.” * * *
Maggie went to school at Crookville, nearChester, Pennsylvania, and was in charge of Dr. Kane’s aunt, Mrs. Leiper, who resided near the house where Maggie lodged. Just prior to this, Dr. Kane wrote as follows:
“Never do wrong any more; for if now ‘the spirits move’ it will be a breach of faith.From this moment, our compact begins.”
After Dr. Kane had reached the Arctic seas, I find this passage at the end of a long letter, full of solicitude and noble counsel about the education of his future wife: “One final wish—the only thing like restraint that your true friend can find it in his heart to utter: See little of Leah, and never sleep within her house.”
For a short time, on his return from his second Arctic voyage, Dr. Kane allowed himself to be swayed by interest and the vehement efforts of his relatives, so far as to require from Margaret a written declaration that they had never been engaged, and that she had no claim whatever upon his hand in matrimony. There was a quick reaction, however, and the old relationswere renewed. One who wrote of these facts said: “Amid all his sorrow, one fear seemed to harass him perpetually—that Miss Fox might be induced to return to the professional life she had abandoned years ago for his sake. She was surrounded by spiritualists.” * * *
In his letters to her, Dr. Kane still harped upon the one anxiety that continually possessed him. He says: “Do avoid ‘spirits.’ I cannot bear to think of you as engaged in a course of wickedness and deception.* * * Pardon my saying so; but is it not deceit even to listen when others are deceived? * * * In childhood it was a mere indiscretion; but what will it be when hard age wears its wrinkles into you, and like Leah you grow old! Dear Maggie, I could cry to think of it. * * * A time will come when you will see the real ghost of memory—an awful specter!”
And again he wrote: “Maggie, I have but one thought, how to make you happier;how towithdraw you from deception; from a course of sin and future punishment, the dark shadow of which hung over you like the wing of a vampire.”
Then, as he claimed her more and more openly as his own, “he would not permit her,” says the writer already quoted, “even to witness any spiritual manifestations, nor to remain in the room when the subject was discussed. * * * ‘You never shall be brought in contact with such things again,’ he would say.”
The ending of this very sad tale of love, which throws a peculiar light athwart the colder theme of this volume, was bitterly tragic. A secret marriage under the common law was entered into, and Dr. Kane, whose health was shattered never to be mended, went first to Europe and then to Cuba to die. Margaret and her mother were to join him at Havana, but ere their departure from New York he was already a corpse.
And so, a noble and generous, if sometimes faltering heart, ceased to beat, and a gentlecreature, who at last had learned to love as much as she had honored him, was on the shores of that deep sea of infamy against which, had he only lived, he would surely have shielded her.