General News. THE SPIRITUALIST.—The first number of this Journal has to meet a demand which at the present time is to large extent unknown, hut it is helieved that a supply considerably in At the excess of the probable sale, has been printed. same time, as new journals of this kind, connected with a growing movement, often run out of print before the demand ceases, subscribers who wish to preserve copies for binding had either hetter keep those they receive in the first instance or let orders for additional copies reach the publisher by Wednesday next. Up to that day this number will be still in type, so that more copies can he printed if they are likely to be wanted. Stiff covers, with elastic strings at the back, to hold for reference many copies of THE SPIRITUALIST, and to kecp them clean till required for hinding, may he obtained of Mr. H. K. Judd, bookhinder, 15, Little New-street, Farring don-street, E.C., at various prices. THE DIALECTICAL SOCIETY.—A summary of the past pro ccedings of the Dialectical Society is printed on another page, and their future meetings will he regularly reported in this journal. The evidence already given necessarily relates mostly to physical manifestations, since these, when proved to be facts, are beyond the reach of fancy, and cannot he con sidered as obscure psychological phenomena incidental to human beings in an abnormal state. Still, non-Spiritualist should understand that physical phenomena at circles are usually followed, or accompanied, by spirit communications. After the production in our presence of some of the wonderful phenomena incidental to Mr. Home’s mediumship, the spiritis once gave an address to the effect that they only gave the manifestations to demonstrate that a real, practical, and intel ligent power was at work. These high-class spirits disclaimed the possession of miraculous powers, and said that they were able to produce the effects simply hecause they have learnt more of the laws of Nature than we have. Sometimes they fail when they attempt to give manifestations. THE GOWER-STREET CONFERENCE.—In November, 1868 a Conference of London Spiritualists began to he held weekly at Lawson’s Rooms, Gower-street, close to the Metropolitan Railway-station. Non-spiritualists also attended largely ; the meetings were of an interesting character ; so much so that on nearly every evening many persons could only find stand ing room. These meetings lasted till the summer of 1869. the addresses of Mrs. Emma Hardinge, the logical inspira tional speaker, being a great attraction. At present it is un decided when the meetings shall begin again, but the Secre tary has enough surplus cash in hand from last season to clear the expenses incidental to the next five meetings. The committee of management consists of Mr. Luxmoore (pre sident), Mr. and Mrs. Everitt, Mrs. Hardinge, Mr. T. Shorter, Mrs. Floyd, Mrs. Wilkinson, and Mr. T. Slater. SPIRITUALISM IN NEW ZEALAND.—Mr. W. D. Meers medium, in a letter dated Dunedin, New Zealand, Sept. 2, 1869, written to Mr. and Mrs. Everett, of Penton-street, Pen tonville, gives some information about Spiritualism in his neighbourhood. He says that before his arrival there had been much talk about Spiritualism, and the periodicals on the subject had been very generally read, but few persons had tried any practical experiments. His séances contributed to give fresh impetus to the subject, and the result was that one of the ministers in Dunedin gave a lecture on Spiritualism beginning by saying that it was all animal-magnetism, and ending by saying that it was all the work of the Devil. He did not deny the facts, for he admitted he had been to one séance himself, and had had his test questions about departed friends correctly answered—a result which he ascribed to thought-reading. Somehow the devil-theory people are almost always persons who have been only to three or four séances, or who have investigated only a week or a month, and then rushed before the public with their very valuable and deep experience. The result of the lecture was a newspaper war, and as the editors gave fair-play to both parties, the Spiritnalists, supported by hard well-attested facts, neces sarily came off best. Mr. Meers is a very good seeing medium and is able to describe accurately the appearance and dresses of the spirit-friends of persons present at his circles. He also sees them at work while they are producing the physical manifestations which are obvions to the senses of others SPIRITUALISM IN EAST LONDON.—An East London Asso ciation of Spiritualists was formed a year or two ago, and now has a large number of spirit-circles at work, easy of access to those of the public who really desire to investigate. Particulars about the Association will he published in an early numher of this Journal. It is getting difficult to ohtair sittings with some of the highly-developed media whose séances have been often recorded in the Spiritual periodicals most of these being persons who will not take payment, and who cannot accommodate the large number of people who want to be present. SPIRITUALISM IN CLERKENWELL.—The St. John’s Asso ciation of Spiritualists was formed in May last, and at start ing had twenty-seven members, but the number has since increased to forty. A great many strangers from all parts of London attend its meetings at intervals. The members sub scribe, when necessary, enough to clear the expenses of the room, gas, and advertising. Séances are held every Thursda cvening at St. John’s Temperance Hall, 7, Corporation-row, Clerkenwell, when from forty to sixty persons are usually in attendance. The mediums are Mr. Davis and Mr. Woolnough, who obtain trance manifestations, and a few of the physical description also. Mr. Herne and Mr. Morse are sometimes in attendance. During the winter it is the intention of the society to have lectures or social meetings monthly. Strangers are admitted by tickets, obtainable of Mr. Steele, 36, Great Sutton-street, Clerkenwell. At one time anyhody was ad mitted without a ticket, but the present arrangement became necessary hecause sometimes roughs attended for the express purpose of making a disturbance. The hon. secretary is Mr. R. Pearce, 34, Halliford-street, Downham-road, N. SPIRITUALISM IN BLOOMSBURY.—Every Friday evening a semi-public séance is held at the Spiritual Library, 15 South ampton-row, High Holborn, W.C. Admission is by introduc tion, which may very easily be obtained by any stranger really desirous to investigate ; also, a fee of one shilling each person is charged. The medium is Mr. Morse, who does not obtain physical manifestations, therefore this circle is not the best for a notice to attend ; but many of the communications received through the mediumship of Mr. Morse are of a highly mental charactcr. The séances begin at eight o’clock, afte which hour the doors are closed against all comers, to preven the annoyance of interruptions caused in many circles by the entrance of those who are not punctual.