New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-02-04
Mysterious Notes.-The other side.

ROCHESTER. Jan. s ls50.
To NJ Editor or The Tribsns
DEAR SIN have been very much amused, aud
somewhat instructed by perusal Of the various
publications and articles on the subject Of the sup
D3.e6 spiritual manifestations in this city and else
where.
hold il TO be good philosophy TO exhaust all
known and natural causes for the production Of
any phenomenon, however new and startling il
may seem, before VIC attribute it 10 supernatual
powers In accordance with this view, it may be
worth my time and your space to make a few in
quires to the legitimacy Of the claims set ~
by the friends of the new theory.
As Your WILLIAMSBURG correspondent says,
there can be no doubt to the actually OF these
rappings, but with regard to the manner OF their
production there is great diversity OF opinion.
] believe that he has furnished clue to tn
truth when he relates the story OF his friend who
possessed the power OF electriying his hair 10y AZ
act OF tho viii. So far as have been able 10 IN
vcstisaie the matter, this power, whatever 1t ma,
be, appeared TO be totally under the control o! the
young ladies' through whom It was manifested
rapping when they desired II, and keeping silence
when required It's remarkable fact that all tn
persons through whom these communications are
made known to a wondering world are good mes
meric subjects, and generally clslrvoyants THIS
circumstance affords sufficient ground for a susp
ciou that the power N produce these sounds Is
connected with certain electrical condition OF the
human system; and this suspicion is strengthened
by the fact that the girls have been offered hity
dollars il the spirit would rap while they wer,
completely insulated from the floor but without
avaii. as 1t has never been known 80 to DO.
If this theory be true, Il is remarkable faculty,
and It's pOssessor is much curiosity as Gen Tom
Thumb, or the Kentucky Giant; and the subject
demands the searching investigation of scientific
men. have had many opportunities OF nvesuga
ton, aud certainly never saw any manifestations
Of superior intellect but very many that would be
bene ath the capacity and requirements OF a CIR
twelve years cd. 1t IS claimed that this unseen
power can move chairs and tables and play on mu.
steal instruments, &c. but II is worthy OF observa
ton that these wonderful feats always done IA
the dark. Its most intimate friends have never yet
been allowed 70 see such performances in broad
daylight.
The Yelled Prophet Of Khorsssan was not more
chary Of his charms than is this minister Of dark
ness fearful OF the sun. The believers IN his nys
'cyy are shown sundry chalk and pencil marks upon
doors, walls, floors, and bare boards, and are told
that they came there without human agency, and
the inference is drawn that. for some wise purposes
unknown TO mortal understandings, the spirit has
thus written down it's lessons OF wisdom. have
always noticed this sngularitv that when the
writing was the base board, It was upside down
Just it would be if written by living flesh and
blood IN a STOPPING posture.
The Spirit CLAIMS to know at all times AMI
seasons. what persons thinking, writing or
dong what their names arc how many children
they have what number are dead, and bow old
they were; whether they single or married.
and whether their parents are dead or alive with
a variety OF other matters too numerous and tedi-
Gus ~ mention. | do not hesitate TO declare that
nine times out OF ten, the answers to questions OF
that character false. and so far as my own ex
perience goes, ninety nine times IN hundred
When this well known fact Is brought forward the
devotees OF the new faith say, that the character
Of the inquirer was such that by affinity he drew
the bad spirits around him, who Of course answered
hun falsely. This IS ssfrghteous kind OF argu
Inent to which a modest man can make no reply,
and the favored ones are allowed 70 LAY the nat
terinc JUNCTION TO their souls" that they alone are
worthy TO commune with spirits of light
Those al a distance can scarcely conceive the
utter righteousness OF the general proceedings OF
this unseen power Visitors are compelled to stand
IN circle 70 sit round table 70 60 out % come H.
TO JOIN hands, TO put out the light and do many
other things equally important without any alleged
or conceivable motive.
In your review OF the work lately published IN
Auburn, you speak OF the case OF G. w. who was
directed 10 apply 10 4 certain man for situation,
and obtained IT, This may be true, but II II had
not been for the personal solicitation OF certain
benevolent Quaker IN this city, be probably would
not have obtained the appointment. he stand IN
salQ place sDOrt Tune, ana was idSl
Spring, and Notwithstanding the spirit oontlnu-
~ told him be would be reappointed III few days,
he hiss 70 this time been destitute OF a permanent
situation The spirit promised this same Indi
yidual the sgeacy OF a new Express line just start
ed IN our city but the place is filed aud be IS out
4 employment still Another case certain
spirit promised the said q. w George Wlletts
that il would write him message, and on sub
sequent cay he found q card marked al over the
back with red chalk, and written on the face with
the same material il 70 the effect that he must
put implicit confidence In the revelations and was
signed by his father. II is known by him that Just
previous to his finding the card, the girls had
been IN his bedroom, and a lady who went IN with
them tells me that she heard the drawer opened or
shut while Of the girls was standing by II.
Comment IS unnecessary.
l was once promised tangible demonstration
from this invisible agency, and in the evening was
sittins with the yO0ne ladies, when the hight was
put cot and ali our hands placed together on the
table. After a short time something took hold O.
my bat and moved NY head l could see nothing.
ba, concluded there were teeth connected with Il,
as heard the rusthng O; clothes. the ian resplra-
ton near nv face and the long drawn breath, when
the head was taken away. Again ! have been
in a dark closet when the spirits would touch
nv shoulder pan my coat. and perform other tricks
o., the same character and 1t would always make
the attack from the place where one OF the young
ladies' was standing
have had conversation wnh something pur-
porti1e TO be the disenboded spirit OF my brother,
when in FAC, all nv brothers are living ! have
had information about family Affairs. that was as
lar irom truth as light Is from darkness.
have heard the "spiri, play upon an ACCORDION
when kEep who was doing il have heard rap
pings on mems heads When knew whose hands
were al work. have the names OF persons
designated when knew the signs BY which they
were contaminated % the girls have seen the
girls talk to each other with their fingers, when
one krew what the other did not. and ! have heard
them deny al knowledge Of matters shout which !
had myself informed them a short time before
One Of the authors Of that work Just published
lately de slared IN this cy that The youngest Of