New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-07-16
Rocbester knOckfngs.

The IHD HOTiIs OF last Nbth w Ptp-
sent 10 our readers the following very interesting
communication from the pen OF William Ross w al
lace ESQ The facts there stated rest on an au-
thorty that cannot be questioned, and no evidence
could be more direct and satisfactory Similar
statements on this subject, made q US by those
who have experienced the same results, and who
from their general intelligence, good judgment aud
2 strict regard for truth, are worthy OF all coni-
dence. Since receiving the letter OF Mr.. w Wallace
we have passed two hours In cOmmunlng win
the spirits" who, II was remark ed by those pres
ent, were very chatty with US, ana seemed 10
honor us with an unusual share Of their favor aud
regard. We were accompanied by an intelligent
lacy, well known in the circles OF this city aod
Phllade phia. To about twenty enquiries pro
pounded by her, the answers were as she assured
US in all cases correct To our own questions,
amounting to more than fifty, with the exception
Of two or three that were vague and unsatisfactory,
the replies were uniformly accurate, and eVInced
knoWledee Of actors aud scenes OF the past that
partook largely OF the marvellous. lndsedi seemed
10 extend 70 some things that could, by no posi-
bihty be arrived az by any human being but our
selves Names, dates, events, relating 70 subjects
connected with our thoughts, were detailed With a
sort Of intuitiye perez ptlOn w cannot undertake
to eDghten our friend Wallace or our readers
with any explanation OF what we experienced or
observed. These manifestations are, to US, involv-
ed in mpenetrable mystery. They cannot, as We
conceive be referred TO any Of the causes or prin
ciples that have been assigned tInsurmounta-
bic objections We entirely acquit the lady actors
in this extraordinary development from any fraud
or collision Of any kind. Ii il! is sought 70 solve
these phenomena on esmeric principles OF those
Of ventriloqusm, one great difficulty presents II
self How eau a chair or the door, while under
the operation OF these knockings, vibrate with the
blow This vibation, at such times, was sensibly
felt, even when the actors were not near.
j. J BAILEY. ESQ Dear SIR. Let the d" Roch-
ester Knockngs as now being exhibited in this
city be humbug or not they are certainly very eX-
traordnary Let me give you in a few words my
experiences in the matter. Some days ago paid
visit TO the manifestations at B3rnums HOtel,
and had an opportunity OF questioning the spirits
On enquiring If they would converse with NE, rap
pings on a table gave an Affirmative reply. then
asked " Is the spirit in my mind nov present -
Affirmative raps. Is il male or female ~ The
answer was male Correct How many years
has it been since he LEFT the body he had on earth
state the years by raps." The exact number OF
years was raped off. What was his probes
sion n" "A clergyman" Correct. How many
wives did he havel " The answer was given oy
tro raps for the number Of wives. Correct ais
the widow yet in this life :" yes Correct
What did bis body die of "Fever," was the
answer Correct. What relation did he Sustain
10 me 2" "A fathers, was the answer Correct
How many children had he ? Five" Correct.
"Who baptized mel" "Dr. Bishop" Correct
And so on-making correct answers to scores OF
questions; and net a mistake occurred. Now
was born in Kentucky and | feel sure that no one
present could have known my history But more
| asked several questions mentally-all Of which
were correctly answered. | asked " the spirit
whose manuscript vas beneath my hand. The
spirit answered it was his own. Correct The
writing is thirty years old, and has always remain
ed in my fsmily's possession. THE spirit" also
gave bis name. | asked him whose hair held IN
my hand. Answer-"CslbOuns.' Correct. He
promised to give manifestations il presence OF my
mother. That very night at e considerable dis
lance from the city, where my mother resides, We
heard at my request, three distinct raps OF pre-
cisely the same kind as to sound and force that
heard at Barnums during my conversations with
"the spirits Now, if there is machinery at Bar
NUNS, it was not at my mothers residence. It
seems to be acknowledged pretty generally that
the reps are not produced by electricity, magne
tsm, or ventrioq1ism. Throwing out Of view the
commended for spiritual cause, what does produce
them and If the answers are matters Of guess
work. what new doctrnesof chances have been dis
covered seek for light. Can you give it TO me
remain YOURS truly, W. H. w.