Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1850-04-25
From the Springfield tMassl Republican.
THE ROCHESTER, SPIRITS.

TIE hOCHESIEk SPlNlIS.
Mr. Apollos Mum, of this town, whose
name will be sufficient introduction of
him to our readers. has recently visited
the alleged organs Of communication with
the Spiritual World, via Rochester, and
came away full believer. lie commu-
nicates to the Post relation of his inter
view, and we can scarcely do better this
morning than substitute its material por-
ton for any cherished or uncherished
leader' which we might otherwise have
offered on the fresh topic of Slavery, the
short -comings Of Legislators or The con-
sis.ency of politicians. Let us FOR the
nonce leave the dark and dreary subject
Of Negro-dom, the muddy area of politics,
and all the petty strifes that keep this
lower world see,hing with denominations.
and ascend with Mr. Mum into lie pnre
atmosphere ofthe Spirit Land. We cam
not see that he throws much new light
upon those things Which II is not NEE,
for man TO know, but nevertheless his
personal experience is interesting. lie
says:
On the 18th inst. in company with
three intelligen, New England gentlemen,
paid my first visit TO the Fox family, in
Troup street, Rochester, where, it was
said, COMMUNICATIONS with the "spiri,s"
were the most free; manifestations OF a
like nature, however, were transpiring
daily, in families living both in city aud
country. W. found al home Mrs Fox,
and her three daughters, in whose pre-
| ithaca
made. Our reception, after stating the
object Of our call, was courteous and lady
like. and the appearance OF the family
during our stay, tina, of respec'ability end
uneicnea innocence. Soon after our en-
trance the rapping commenced aud was
heard in nearly all parts of the room
upon the walls, floor, door, furniture &c.,
accompanied by ,remnlous. or iarring
sensation, not unlike that sometimes felt
during the tran>i, from one cloud to anoth-
er of the electrical current in. thunder
storm. II is difficult TO describe these
sounds and much more 50 10 initiate them.
They have been compared to the noise
produced by rapping with the knuckles
upon table covered with plush; bu, this
does not give a correct idea of the sound
as it seemed TO me. 1t was more like an
electrical detonaion, but not as sharp.
The ladies' interpreted this general and
promisouous rapping made at cur entrance
as a manifestation d Joy and welcome on
the part Of our guardian spirits, who were
soon TO communicate with us. We We're
then requested to occupy seats around a
table placed in the centre Of the room, the
young ladies sitting on the side opposite
the gentlemen. The arrangements being
thus completed, we We're informed iha,
the spirits wond converse with us by
rapping on the table Immediately before
the person desiring eomnunieations. |,
was decided that ! should commence by
putting few test questions. il may be
well to explain here The mode Of this con-
serssiion. Any question admitting Of an
affirmative answer was responded 70 by a
distinct rap: il IA negative or qualified an-
swer, or sentence was repaired, the sig
nal Give raps) was given for the alphabet,
and The answers were spelled out by the
spirits who rapped>at the different letters,
composing the sentences, as the alphabet
was read alll rc-read. | commenced as
follows:--
]. Does any spirit wish 10 communicate
with me?
fms. An affirmative rap.
2. What spirit?
fms. (spelled ont Your father.
8. i you are really the spirit Of my
father, will you tell me his age at the time
OF his death, by giving slow and distinct
rap for every ten contained in the number
Of years, and then after pause give me
quick rap for every year composing The
excess, or fractions Of ten?
fms. Seven raps were given slowly
and distinctly as above; and after pause,
seven quick raps for the fractional num-
making the whole seveniy-seven,
which was his age at the time of his death.
then inquired il | had other guardian
spirits, and it was indicated that had
three o,hers-viz: those of my deceased
wife and two children. then called for
the spirit of my wife, and applied the