The Sun.
London, England, 1864-09-29 00:00:00

Extraordinary Manifestations.

Yesterday evening, in the front drawing-room of a house
in the immediate neighbourhood of Portland-place, a select
number of persons were invited to witness some strange
manifestations which took place in the presence, if not by
the agency, of three gentlemen lately arrived from America,
and who have passed in their own country as spiritualists
of the most gifted order. The party consists of two brothers
named Devenport, 24 and 25 years of age, and a Mr Fay, a
gentleman born in the States, but, we believe, of German
origin. They are accompanied by Mr H. D. Palmer, a gen-
tleman long and favourably known in New York in connec-
tion with operatic matters, and by a Dr. Ferguson, who
explains the nature of the manifestations about to be pre-
sented, but who does not venture to give any explanation of
them. At the Cooper Institute in New York, the Brothers
Davenport, accompanied by Mr Fay, have recently per-
formed some astonishing feats which have hitherto puzzled
the ingenuity of the curious and based the acumen of the
most scientific persons of that city. It should be stated at
the outset that the trio, who appear to be gifted in so extra-
ordinary a manner, do not lay claim to any particular phy-
sical, psychological, or moral power. All they assert is,
that in their presence certain physical manifestations take
place. The spectator is, of course, at liberty to draw any
inference he pleases. They invite the most critical exami-
nation (compatible with certain conditions to be observed),
and those who witness the manifestations are at liberty to
take all needful precautions against fraud or deception.
The party invited to witness the manifestations last night
consisted of some 12 or 14 individuals, all of whom are ad-
mitted to be of considerable distinction in the various pro-
fessions with which they are connected. The majority had
never previously witnessed anything of the kind. Some were
avowed sceptics, while others were what spiritualists call more
impressionable in regard to occult influences than others. All,
however, were determined to detect, and, if possible, expose
any attempt at deception. Tho brothers Davenport are
slightly built, gentleman-like in appearance, and about the
last uersons in the world from whom any great muscular
performances might be expected. Mr Fay is apparently a
few years older, and of more robust constitution,
At the upper end of the apartment was placed what might
be called a skeleton wardrobe, composed of walnut wood less

than au inch in thickness. The portion in which the drawers
of a similar piece of furniture are usually to be found was
empty, but a seat or bench, perforated Lore end there with
holes, was fitted to the back and ends. The doors consist of
three pannels, which shut inside with a brass bolt; thus,
when tho middle daor is open, nny person can put his hand

in and bolt the side doors. The bolt of the middle door
was shut by some invisible agency from the inside. The
brothers Davenport having seated themselves vis-a vin on
the end bench, their hands and feet were securely tied by
those present so as to prevent the possibility of their using
those members. A guitar, a tambourine, a violin and bow,
a brass h )rn, and a couple of bells were placed on the
seat inside, and the doors were shut. At the top of the
pannel of the centre door was a diamond-shape opening
about a foot square, with a curtain secured on the inside.
Instantly on the centre door being closed the bolt was se-
cured inside, and hands were clearly observed through the
opening. A gentleman present was invited to pass his hand
through the opening, and it was touched by the hands
several times. The musical instruments and the bells then
commenced making all sorts of noises and knockings,
snatches of airs were distinctly heard, and suddenly the
centre door was burst open, and the trumpet was thrown
out into the room, and fell heavily upon the carpet.
The doors were subsequently closed by persons who, when
doing so, were touched by invisible hands, and the noise of
undoing the cords was distinctly heard. A moment or two
afterwards the brothers were found sitting unbound, with
the ropes at their feet. The next illustration was more
curious still, for, after an interval of perhaps two minutes,
the brothers were found to be securely bound with the
same cords, the ends of the ropes being some distance
from their hands. One of the company present was then
invited to take a seat in the cabinet, so as to assure him-
self that whatever might be done could not be accom-
plished by the brothers. A gentleman having volunteered
to be imprisoned in such mysterious company, his hands
were securely tied to the knees of the Davonports, whose
hands were fastened behind their backs by cords passed
through the holes in the bench, Their feet were also tied
together with a sailor's knot. A tambourine was then laid
in the gentleman's lap, upon which a guitar and violin
were placed, as also the trumpet and a couple of handbells.
Any interference with these articles by the gentleman in
whose lap they were deposited was rendered impossible,
by reason of his hands being tied. He states that the in-
stant the door was closed hands were passed over his face
and head, his hair was gently pulled, and the whole of the
musical instruments were played upon; the bells were also
violently rung close to his face, and the tambourine beat
time on his head. Eventually, the musical instruments
were flung behind him and rested between his shoulders
and the back of the cabinet. During these manifesta-
tions one of the gas-burners of the chandelier was lighted
and two wax candles were burning in different parts of the
room.

Several other manifestations having taken place in con.
nection with the cabinet, Dr. Ferguson explained that it
would be desirable that the company should clasp hands,
and that the lights should be altogether extinguished. A
small writing table had been previously placed in the centre
of the room, with a chair at either side. The musical in-
struments, bells, &c,, were placed on the table. The Bro-
thers Devenport were then manacled by the hands and
feet, and securely bound to the chairs by ropes. A chain
of communication (though not a circular one) was formed,
and the instant the lights were extinguish ed the musical
instruments appeared to be carried all about the room. The
current of air which they occasioned in their rapid transit
was felt upon the faces of all present. The bells were loudly
rung ; the trumpet made knocks on the floor ; and the tam-
bourine appeared running round the room, jingling with all
its might. At the same time tiny sparks were observed as
if passing from south to west. Several persons exclaimed
that they were touched by the instruments, which on one
occasion became so demonstrative that one gentleman re-
ceived a knock on the nasal organ, which broke the skin
and caused a few drops of blood to flow.
These manifestations having been repeated two Or three
times withlnearly similar results, the Brothers Devenport
joined the chain of communication, and Mr Fay was bound
in the chair. Ills hands were bound tightly behind his back,
and his feet were firmly secured, as in the cabinet. A gcn.
tleman present was then asked to desire him to take off his
coat the instant the light was extinguished. This was done
—a whizzing noise was heard : "It's off," exclaimed Mr
Fay; the candle was lighted and the coat was found lying
in the middle of the room. Astonishing though this appeared
to be, what followed was more extraordinary still. Dr Fer-
guson requested a gentleman present to take off his coat and
place it on the table. This was done, the light was extin-
guished—repetition of the whizzing noise was heard and the
strange coat was found upon Mr Fay, whose hands and
feet wore still securely bound, and his body tied almost im-
movably to the chair. A gentleman present then inquired
whether, if he were to place two finger rings on the table,
they could be transferred to the hands of Mr Fay. Dr Fer-
guson said he could not undertake that this feat would be
accomplished, but that an essay would be made. The rings
were deposited on the table, the candle extinguished, and Mr
Fay immediately exclaimed " They are on my finger," and
surely enough there they were. The owner of the ring then
expressed a wish that they might be restored to his fingers,
As soon as the room was darkened the musical instruments
commenced their mysterious concert, and, after an interval
of about 20 seconds, a gentleman (not the owner) exclaimed
that the sings had been placed on his fingers. This
was found to be the case, A lady next expressed a desire