New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-07-09
GRIMES ON KNoCKINGs, &c....No. II.
Visit to n "Knockingv Family In Western
New-York.

About O clock in the morning, according 10 ap
pointment l went with my companion to the
haunted house, as it was called, and found it sur
rounded by crowd of people who had all been re-
fused admittance. 1t was said that the master OF
the house was laboring under state OF excitement
bordering upon insanity in consequence OF the con-
tnual mental exercise which he had suffered day
ard night during the past fortnight
Ny companion, however, went to the door OF the
house and informed the inmates who was, and as
they had heard Of my lectures and experiments,
they consented to make an exception in our favor,
and we were both admitted. The room was on
the ground floor. -Four gentlemen and two ladies'
were present. In the center sat the master OF the
house, apparently about thirty, with nervous ar
terial and excitable temperament, small reflective
organs, and otherwise of moderate mental capacl
ties. His eyes W ere red and bis face flushed with
excitement. A single glance was sufficient 70 con-
vince me that he wts no imposter, and II he enact
ed any part in the drama it was that OF duPe.-
Near the door sat young man oil ABOUT twenty
four, q lear relative OF the family, whose counte
nance expressed the utmost sincerity and candor'
He complained of dreadful headache which he
said was caused by his being deprived Of sleep
during the last three nights by the noise OF excited
visitors and the still greater annoyance OF spiritual
knockings around bis bed. he said that he had
heard that could cure headaches by Mesmernm
and requested me TO try my skill upon him told
him that if be was susceptible to that influence
could certainly relieve him. attempted IT, and 10
FIVE minutes he was mesmerized and under periect
control His headache was entirely cured, and the
excitement removed from his brain. ascertsined
that his home was about three miles distant, ana
that he had remained in this house during the last
three DAYS at the command OF the spirits. instant
| ly determined to overpower the influence OF the
| spirits by means OF the mesmeric influence which
| had obtained over him. | therefore whispered 70
him that If he would look into the spiritual world
| he would see the spirit OF bis grandmother, and
| that she would command him to go home immedi-
| ately His countenance instantly changed and as
suned that peculiar ecstatic and awe inspired look
which mesmerized subjects generally pat on when
| they are made TO contemplate such subjects. w hen
| asked what he saw, he answered that he saw the
spirit OF his grandmother, and that she commanded
| him TO 20 home Immediately. i then took the In
| Huence of and restored him TO bis normal state,
and be instantly started for home, in opposition TO
the entreates and spiritual influences OF the whole
| family. The truth is, that q mesmerzed subject
| can generally be made TO see or hear any thing,
| however strange or ridiculous, which the operator
plesses 10 dictate suggest This fact Is the true
| KEY TO all the pretended communications with the
| spirit world which A. J. Davis and other similar
| metmerized subjects have been suffered to enjoy.
Mile l was thus engaged my companion was
conversng with the lady OF the house, woman oil
superior natural endowments, who had enjoyed but
limited advantages Of cultivation ~ was evident
that her brain was the fountain whence all the
spirits issued She wss the only person present
who had the natural capacity TO conceive and exc
cute such complicated piece OF mischief she
stated that the spirits hadrefused, during the whole
morning, TO answer questions, and tina. they were
evidently offended at the disrespeotful conduct Of
most Of the visitors who had thropged the house
the last three days begged her to use her in6u-
ence with the spirits TO induce them to convene
with me few moments, bat she replied that the
| spirits were perfectly independent Of her-that
| sCmetmes they would all refuse 70 answer or take
| the least notice Of her, notwithstanding the most
urgent en- reaties. And again, on other occasions,
| they would come unbidden and make various
| knocking sounds in different parts OF the room
SIZE said that each spirit could be distinguished by
the peculiarly Of its rap. The spirit Of Sweden
borg rapped louder than any other once or twice
be trapped upon the roof OF the house (which was
only one story high as il be meant 10 break in
The spirit OF DR.. Charming raped very methodi'
| caly and distinctly, and not very loudly But the
gentlest and lightest rsPpDg was made by the
spirit Of seamstress or taioress, lately deceased,
who formerly used TO work in the house, and had
left goose there which she once used in her busi-
ness. Her spirit was moro accommodating and
amisble than any other, and would sometimes an
swer when all other spirits refused provided her
soose solemnly placed in the middle OF table
AID the e0pIRny stood around In circle quietly
end respectfully listening. then inquired waat
| foymaity or ceremony was necessary 10 pat me
| INTO commu ncation with the spirits, and was In
| formed that every one in the room must assume q
| terious ard solemn marrer, and then l could re-
specially ask the spirit Of some departed friend IN
an sudible manner If il would converse with me.
Having Obtained permission TO try the experiment,
| | asked. viii the spirit converse with me = The
room was sill as a tomb-the slightest sound
could be heard and all listened breathlessly
- catch the sign OF the spirits determination
but there was 10 sign. Inc woman then told
ne to vary my question, and aski " WH the
spirit not snswsr." obeyed, and instantly rap
as be ard loud and distinct, apparently In the very
ceuter OF the hoor Of the room, az least six feet
from where any person was seated | was told
that this signifed No. inquired whether The re
fu.sl IVES owing TO any personal objection 70 me
and received in answer another No. The woman
tb, D ask ed the spirits when they would converse
with me- and there was heard in reply severa
,neh,raps on tire table 81 which she sat, she said
thst rap il call FOR the alphabet, and called
over TIE letters until she came % the letter > wher
there was rep. She then commenced agsin, ant
At the letter o there was another rap sne pro
ceeded in this msnner Until the word sooa va
spet BY the rspping spirit. Al tbs point we wer'
INTERRUPTED hy the entrance OF the ladies', VII
would rot be refused one Of them declaring, in a
| excited AID determined manner, that she was %.
daughter Of the deceased seamstress whose SPIN
Was reported tohsunt the house, and she had com
to see ard bear TOR herself for she did not oeiev
, word OF IT, She was told by our hostess thatth
, spirits would lot converse today with any ooe
: | sid that they would on DO occasion answer thos
uho sddrtssed them in an angry or disrespecau
J manner. my mother, guess, viii talk to me