“THE REALITY OF A SPIRIT WORlD DEMONSTRATED." Under this title, Mr. R. F. Rippon, who has visited our town under the auspices of the Ryde Dialectical Society, delivered two lectures on Spiritualism, in the Town Hall, on Thursday and Friday last. He pointed out that the subject had of late years attracted a good deal of attention, in both the old and new worlds ; and that it had of late years been much written spoken, and he believed, even preached about ! The doctrine had made numerous disciples, and as some of its adherents were composed of men whose minds were of the highest calibre and who occupied good social positions—as it was not confined to the low and the ignorant (although that, in his opinion would not be a proof that the reverse was the case), it was evi dent that there was some truth in Spiritualism and that it was worth investigation. He defined Spiritualism as embracing all spiritual or miraculous phenomena, both of ancient and modern days, and above all, what he considered as its highest mani festation, as the power of addressing ourselves to Jehovah and holding close communion with Him. He gave many interest ing details of his experiences as a Spiritualist; and played several impromptu pieces, which, he said, were direct inspira tions from the spirit world. He added that at times he could see the spirits of eminent composers standing by his side whilst he was playing, and that sometimes his hand was raised from the piano, whilst the keys were pressed by supernatural agency. His playing was of the most wonderful description we have ever heard, and at the same time there was an inex pressible wcirdness in the sounds which cmanated from the instrument. Some of the audience declared that thcy could hear the tones of a human voice issuing from the pianoforte. He also exhibited some beautifully correct drawings and paint ings of insects and other natural objects, which he had made, he said, by spiritual agency. He was not, naturally, he de clared, endued with any talent for drawing, and it was only after a drawing medium had laid his hand on his that he ac quired the wonderful power he now possesses. Of the paint ings exhibited by Mr. Rippon, it would be imposssible for a naturalist to speak too highly. His flowers stand out upon the background in all the transparent delicacy, richness of colouring, and charm of actual life. His insects are, if pos sible, even still more wondrously perfect. Surely art never more successfully invaded the confines of nature than in the enchanting portraitures of Mr. Rippon’s. Those who have had the privilege of knowing this remarkably gifted man will join us in the wish that he may have a safe and successful return from the sunny lands of Arabia; and that he may be spared many years of life to depict with his marvellous fidelity those glorious objects which he so loves, and which now allure him from the studio and home to the wild regions of Algeria.—Isle of Wight Times. SPIRITUALISM IN THE ISLE OF WIGHT.—Mr. F. N. Broderick, of Ryde, in the course of a letter to the editor of the Isle of Wight Times, about the preceding paragraph, said ““So far as I have been able to learn, all those persons who wcre present on the first of Mr. Rippon’s entertainments noticed the remarkable semblance to a human voice referred to in your report. The illusion was so perfect that I turned involuntarily to the gentleman sitting next to me, convinced that he was violating good taste by joining in the air, but I found that he was silently absorbed in the performance. During Mr. Rippon’s rendering of “Home, sweet Home,' the rich cadence of what seened unmistakably a human voice was particularly noticeable even above the full power of the bass notes. From subsequent observation, I was convinced that the sound emanated from the pianoforte, but the nature of the magical manipulation which produced it can best be solved by those who are familiar with that superb instrument. To satisfy some persons who wished to have an authoritative opinion or the real value of Mr. Rippon’s music, I wrote to a lady who was present on the second evening, and whose musical educa tion and great experience I judged well qualified her to form a scientific estimate of the performances. As the lady is in no way associated with the spiritualistic movement, it may fairly be presumed that her critique will on that account be free from bias in Mr. Rippon’s favour. Subjoined is her courteous reply ; I must, however, ask you to omit name and address.— 'Sir.—I have much pleasure in giving you my opinion on the subject named in your letter. Mr. Rippon’s style of playing is perfectly artistic, combining great facility of execution with excellent expression, which latter quality was particularly noticeable in his treatment of “Ah, che la morte.” In fact, with the exception of a few instances of too great a preponderance of bass, his whole performance was not only faultless, but exceedingly beautiful." THe SPIRIT WORLD.—Mrs. De Morgan reeently furnished Daybreak with the following interesting spirit message: “The subject of the locality of the spirit land is, in truth beyond the power of the finite mind to comprehend. As I have told you many times, your earthly atmosphere teems with the spirits who are in sympathy with the lower order of development or spirit-life found there. But on your earth, in the body also, are many pure and aspiring spirits who are in closer communion with the far and higher regions than any of the undeveloped disembodied spirits who readily communicate their ignorance through their earthly mediums. The casting aside of the earthly frame does not exalt the spirit that is not exalted by its aspirations and longings to attain the higher God-spheres: spheres and localities beyond the ken of man kind. Think not that any can solve the deep and high mysteries of the higher spirit-spheres, for only they who have attained thereto can form a conception of what they are, the spiritual sphere being not only localised, but a state far more than a locality.” “I would teach you that the teachings of the spirits are rcally true. Your earth in its objectiveness is the type of this sphere. You take from us, not we from you. All the varied descriptions must truly be in accordance with the medium’s own power of perception and reception, but to each medium comes the spirit most suited to his powers, and all is true in the description of our home. It is very real. We need, spiritually, in our early spirit-life, the same things that we long for on earth in a higher and fuller degree. Life is purer and truer, but it is as real, objectively and subjec tively, as on your earth. We have all the adjuncts here, but as we advance they become purer and more ethereal." “ When we speak of curtains, we mean, literally, a light divi sion between the parts of the room in the same way as you use such on earth. But we have such, as all else, in the most ethereal and beautiful material, formed from the essence of the flowers around. This is a very favourite material, to use your earthly words, with us. Our dresses are formed of it ; and as they float in the ether, they give out sweetness and harmony in accordance with all around. It is truly impos sible so to impress our earthly medium as to give you an idea of the fulness of the beauty of our home ; but nothing can too fully assure you of the reality and substantiality of it.” Given through F. J. T.