New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-06-08
An Evening with the "-pIrits.v

We were present on Thursday evening at party
of gentlemen who had been invited 10 the chambers
of Rev. DR.. GRIswoLD, in Broadway, to meet the
Rochester ladies', whose connection with the mys-
FERROUS knockings has called forth such general
curiosity. The party had been arranged by DR..
GRIswoLD, who has been incredulOus from the
first with regard to any preternatura character Of
the manifestations, with a view to examine the
actual facts of the case, and 10 obtain materials
for TIE formation Of a correct judgment 1t con-
sisted of persons whose general character for in.
telligence and probty was guarantee against
their being deluded by hasty impressions, and who,
probably without exception, had no pre- possession
in favor of the principal actors in the movement.
Indeed, several gentlemen were invited who mad
been known TO express the most entire scePticism
with regard to the extraore. mary nature oil the
sounds, believing them to be the resL.t Of consiV-
ance and imposture. Among the guests OF W.
Griswold we may without improperly mention the
names of Mr.. j. Fenimore Cooper, Mr.. George Ban
croft, Rev. DR.. Hawks, DR.. j. w. Francis. DR..
Marcy, Mr.. N P. Willis, Mr.. Bryant Mr.. BgeIow of
the EreniRg Post, Mr.. Richard Kmball Mr. II. I.
Tuckerman and Gen. Ly man, without meaning in the
slightest degree to mix them up in the exhibition
or to intimate the kind of impressions made on
their minds, or ON that of DR.. Griswold by the oc
currences of the evening.
The ladies had been previously consulted, and
after ascertaining that the manifestations would
take place, to a certain degree consented to meet
the party In order to prevent any suspicious as to
the arrangement Of the room furniture, closets &c
the reunion was appointed at the house Of DR.
Grswod, which neither Of the ladies had ever
entered before the party was assembled A little
past o'clock, they made their appearance-Mrs.
Fox, an elderly lady, the mother of the "ghost
seers," (which word we use for want of better)
Mrs. Fish, married daughter, and her two young
sisters, with couple of gentlemen from Rochester,
whose names we did not learn.
For some time perhaps little over half an hour,
after the arrival OF the ladies' no sounds were heard,
and the company gave obvious symptoms of imps-
tience. They were then requested TO draw nearer
themselves into a compact circle Soon after, faint
sounds began to be heard from under the floor,
around the table and in different parts of the room.
They increased in loudness and frequency, becom.
ing so clear and distinct that no one could deny |
their presence, trace them to any visible cause.
The question was now asked by the ghost-seers,
/" VIII the spirits converse with any one PRESENT.
No satisfactory answer was obtained, though there
was general rumbling succession Of sounds, the
purport Of which appeared to be ambiguous, to
those who pTotessed to be most couvesant with the
language The question was then put more def
ntely, with regard to several gentlemen present
After a good deal Of coque,ting il was said that
replies would be given to any questions proposed
BY DR.. Marcy. He inquired whether the spirit
which he wished to converse with was relation
was a chid-snd what was its age at the time of
It's death. We understood Dr. Marcy to say that
The answers were correct but nothing worthy of
special notice was elected
Mr.. Henry 7. Tuckerman was the next to pro.
pound inquiries, which, contrary to the usual Gus
om, be expressed audiby, so as to be heard by
he ladies and the whole company. Having fixed
n bis mind the name Of an individual, be asked,
Did be live in New-Yorki" No answer. ain
Baltimorel In Cambridge In Boston three
Instinct raps, which is the sign of an Affirmative
answer. A negative reply is indicated by silence.
Mr.. 7. continued WAS be a lawyer mer-
'hsnti A ply sician7 A clergyman p Knocks.
Was be an Episcopalianl A Presbyterian A
over the names Of the principal
Iects No answer. At the suggestion of a gentle
nan, Mr.. T. asked, Was he Christian" Knocks.
dr. T. then asked the age of the person in series
# tens "Was be twenty years old at the time Of