THE APPEARANCE OF SPIRITS AT PUBLIC MEETINGS THE following is a portion of a letter by Mr. D. A Eddy, of Cleveland, Ohio, published on the 29th Jan. 1870, in The Banner of Light, the chief newspaper on Spiritualism in the United States :—“ You are already no doubt, somewhat familiar with the name of our medium, Mrs. Harriet Thackerberry, who visited New York, recently, on an invitation from a gentleman whe saw the manifestations here, and desired to present them to the New York Spiritualists. It is now only two years since the spirits succeeded in attracting attention, and making themselves known through this medium, since which time the manifestations have gra dually assumed a more positive and decided character but, till quite recently, have been mostly confined to prescribing for invalids, and conversing freely and audibly with any one in the audience that desired to enter into eonversation with them. They seem to tak much pleasure in exhibiting their vocal powers in sing ing, and this constitutes one of the remarkable feature connected with the manifestations. There are one male and three female spirits always in attendance. They have a great variety of songs at hand, and always seem pleased when called on to render any particulari one, with the time or air to which it is adapted. The female voices, so far as the music is concerned, wil compare with the most celebrated singers now before the public. “ The presiding or controlling spirit, Benjamin Thac kerberry, was the husband of the medium; and was lost on Lake Ontario nine years ago last November. By dint of perseverance he succeeded in coming back and learn ing the laws of control. He was an unlettered, unedu cated sailor, but possessed a noble, and generous, and enterprising spirit. His grammar was quite defective before leaving the form—which still shows itself in conversation—but a more accommodating or generous spirit I have never met, in or out of the form. He was attracted to his wife, and first succeeded in making him self known through her. She has passed through great trials while being developed, but through the assistance of one kind friend, at least, has been able to outlive the discouraging and embarrassing influences with which she has been beset and surrounded. “ It is now only a little over two weeks since the manifestations that have called out this statement were exhibited, and which took us as much by surprise as did those which preceded them. That your readers may the better understand, I will briefly state the conditions preceding the manifestations in question. In order to give satisfactory tests to sceptics and investigators small light frame, about 3 x 2 1/2 feet square, covered with black oil cloth, forming a cabinet, is used; the door forming the front having an opening or aperture say 14 x 16 inches square, covered with a drop-cur tain, tucked in at the top, making the inside dark, ex cept what little light finds its way through the imper fection of the framework and covering “ When tests are to be given, the medium’s mouth is filled with a wet sponge; her lips compressed together and sealed securely with several pieces—one over the other—of adhesive plaster. Her hands are then securely tied behind, when she takes a seat in the cabinet, and immediately passes into deep trance of unconscious state. In from one to two minutes after the door is closed, talking by the presiding spirit familiarly known as 'Ben,' commences. He salutes each one in turn in the audience with whom he is ac quainted, and likes to be introduced to all strangers. These proceedings over, he solicits questions, if no one commences without. The three female spirits, who are always in attendance, will also converse freely when called out by the audience. Singing, conversing, play ing upon instruments and writing inside the cabinet constituted, as we supposed, the ultimatum of these manifestations. Judge of our surprise, when suddenly and without any previous warning, several faces ap peared at the opening in the door above referred to. On inquiry, we were informed by the presiding spirit that hereafter these exhibitions would constitute the leading phase and most important feature in the mani festations, and well has he kept his word. “ At the time these last-named manifestations ap peared, the medium was under an engagement to go to New York, where she is at this time of writing. We