The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-10-21 00:00:00

SPIRIT RAPPING, &c.

A correspondent of the Dflily News writes: '1 do not
think it is generally known—certainly I was quite
unaware of the fact • that the present phase of this
silly superstition is not the product of the present
generation. The following letter, addressed to my.
great grandfather by his sister, shows the remarkable
similarity which exists on this matter between the
wisdom of our ancestors and our own."
To the Rev. Mr. T—,—, Hants.
Dear Brother—,— . • . I have lately been at London
very near the Ghosts of Fanny. Yes • I have been
among the Believers but could not help being, anti owning
my self MI Infidel uot withstanding I was so scar the
Spirit, Oh ! that all the Clergy had but as much under-
standing in their whole composition as sty Brother has
In his one little Toe, they would not then give in to
such rediculus nonsense. A friend of Mrs. Fenchas, a
person of veracity and lehOlie Integrity and Honour she
could depend on, was present while the following Farce was
acting. He was admitted at 10 iechtek one night where be
tonsil about 13 mom mrsons 3 of whom were revds, the
candle was immediately put out and silence desired. Soil
after a soft lapping began, a:scratching, but not an angry
inmal. I H.- 01 the clergymen declared the spirit was come,
A: asked it he shoal 1 qmstion it widen was asseitted to eV
accordingly he began. Fanny tire you clime to whirls 011 e
knock was given 'which you must know is yes, &2 knocks
is no , are you willing to answer such Questions as
1 shall put to you: If yen are give 1 k if not
give 2 knocks - rote knock given. He then proceeded with
great selemnity to interrogate this Female Ghost :—Are pet a
spirit I—i Inc km wk. Are you a good spirit I—line knock. Are
you in a state of happiness I—One knock. Are you 1110 state
of lie, rgresisive happiness I mean by that an hlereathet bap-
pinessl tire knock. Are you troubled in mind ?-11110
kitto-
hlilvr 3..1 injured any one I—Tw. loigrekS. MSS Mr. POrSOLIS
its-
jnrtvl foil ..—Ttvit knocks. Das hiS site ?—Two knocks. Did pm
die all unnatural death? Two knocks. Sonie persons pre-
NAIL hoeing heard that the Ghost came to reseal its being
I.o3,solied, was surprised at the :twiner to the last Query, but
the Parson gravely 5411,1 it was his fault in not ntating the
Question right ;he therefore would oak it teem. Parsoit—
lint you Die a natural death 3—Spirit gave to.. knocks. tt as
you primed ? —One knock. Was it ill Meer, Yea, or Purl ?
Knocked for Purl. What is it o'clock ?--Gave ten knm•ks
How veiny quarters efts:el.—Two knocks. SOille pursue
said the Ghost was again out, for that it gave
three quarters Ity St. Scimitars chimes; the reverend
Gentleman answered that clocks might he faulty, but
Ity real time the spirit might be right. He then pursued
his Interogation :—Can I Ire of any service to you 3—one
knock. Would it appear that you died by poyson if your
corps was taken up —One knock, yea Would it give you
satisfaction if Mr. K. was hanged ?—'Oro. Will you appesr In
a court of justice if he should be prosecuted ?-1 es, one keock.
Is there no one here that comes to 500111 No. Ho all preseut
come with a Serioll. Mind Yes. MOW malty Clergymen are in
the r 00513-0110 knock. loose—What isly inn? knock ?
Then tsco knocks. Sonic observed there was 3 Clergymen
In the mem, to which the parson judiciously observed
that the 3il was a stranger; and not in a Canonical habit.
Then Mrs. French., friend asked if it could tell the coulour
of the arsenick by which it was poisoned ?--One knock,
yes. Was it Red arnenick ?—Tes. rro..} . . Now I
eollehlted of the imposture for red arsenick has not
the bast poisonous wieldy in it, tis I appeal lit 3
physician present for my assertion. This was excused
how should a woman know snch nice distinctions as is the
colour. Mrs. Frenches friend—Pray Gentlemen how does
she kuow that she troll arsenick at alit she deelarisi she
lived but 3 hours after taking it. Its "alibi she did not know
the toot or she motel not have taken it. Upon this much
alienation enalled, at which the stunt shend great anger by
scratching. . . . was lunch pleased with one clergyman
sayd it was a ItSlll.l Lying spirit. . . am Dear
Brother Otir A Itectimette sister
Feby. 10th, 1762.