Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-07-24
SPIRIT RAPPING.

L.
Messrs EDITORS An article in a late number of
the " Intelligencer," copied from the Journal of
Commerce" proves that the spirit-rapping deluson
now in vogue is nothing new under the sun, by
showing that the same phenomenon appeared
as far back as 1889. l was reminded by this Of e]
scrap of history which informs us that an imposi-
ton, similar to that now deluding the credulous,
was practsed at much earlier period The account
his "Chronicles," (Johnes translation, VOL Iii,
chap. l8,) and is interesting, aside from the re-
semblance just alluded to, as an evidence of the
simple curiosity and religious credulity" Of this
faithful old chronicler: for the fact that he mani
tested great eagerness in obtaining the particula
together with his voucher for their truth, appears
prominently in the narrative The story as told by
Froissart is too lengthy for newspaper article and
will make such extracts only as suit the present
purpose.
About the year 1860 (nearly five centuries ago);
Raymond, Lord Of Corasse, had difficulty with q
priest or clerk about tithes, the collection Of
which he had resisted. The priest threatened ven-
geance and departed About three months after,
when the knight least thought of it, and was sleep
ing in his bed with his lady, in his castle of Coras
there came intisi6ls n)essenaeys, who made ggSS
= noise, knockinR ~ g eSnxx lt1g tbpy met with
n the cssts, = H 1hsy wssc determincA to destroy
all Within 4; asd they gave such loud raps at the
door OF the ch&zber Of tie knight that the lady was
exceedingly frightened. The knight heard it all,
but did not say word, as he would not have It Ap-
pear that he was alarmed, for he was man Of suf-
cient courage for any adventure These noises and
tumults continued in different parts Of the castle
for considerable time, and then ceased. On the
morrow all the servants of the household assembled
and went to their Lord and said:
"My Lord, did you not hear what we all heard this
night?" My lord de Corasse dssembled andreped What
is you have heard" " They then related to him all the
noises and rong they had heard and that the plates in
the kitchen had been broken He began to laugh, and
said: cit nothing; that they had dreamed it, or
that it had been the wind In the of God" add
ed the lady, g well heard it.''
On the following night the noises and riotng were re-
but much louder than before and then such
blows against the door and windows of the chamber
Of the knight that it seemed they would break them down
The knight could longer desis from leaping out Of
his bed and calling out Who is that at this hour thus
knocks at my chamber door" He was instantly an
swered "It is T. And who sends thee hither ?" asked
the knight. The clerk Of Catalonia, whom thou hast
much wronged for thou hast deprived him of the rights
Of his benefce will never therefore leave thee quiet
until thou hast rendered him just account with which
he shall be contented" 'What thou called" said
is Orthon" Orthon said the knight, serving clerk
viii be of much advantage to thee for if thou beiev
est him, he will give thee great trouble beg thou wilt
therefore, leave him and me- and shall think my
self obliged thee Orthon ready with his answer
for he had taken liking to the knight and said "Do
you wish it," eyes" replied the knight !" but harm
must be done to any within these walls" :" Oh no,
answered Ortbon, have power to do i'll to any one
only awaken thee and disturb thy rest that Of other
persons" "Do what tell thee" added the knight,
we shall well agree and leave this wicked priest for
he is worthless fellow, and me- Well" replied
Orthon, since thou wilt have it SO, consent"
Orthon took such affection to the Lord de Corasse
that he came often to zee him the night and when
ne found him sleeping pulled his pillow from under
his head, made great soisss At the door windows;
SO that when the knight awakened he said 0rhon,
let me sleep" 81 will not" replied he, "untl have
told thee some news" The knights lady much
frightened the hairs Of her head stood end and she hid
herself under the bedcothes "Well," said the knight
and what news has thou brought me y Orthon replied,
" come from England, Hungary some other place,
which left yesterday and such and such things have
happened" Thus did the Lord de Corasse know by the
means of Orthon all things that passing in different
parts of the world and this connexon continued for
FIVE years.
The knight subsequently became desrous Of seeing his
invisibe messenger" when the following dialogue took
place The knight interrogates the spirit And where
doest thou come from - 81 come from Prague in Bo
hemia." How far is 1t hence?" "Sixty days jour
ney," replied 0rhon "And hast thou returned thence
in so short timer" Yes, may God help me;
travel fast the wind faster" "What hast thou
got wingsp "0h, no." How then canst thou fly so
fast 7" That is no business Of yours" "Nol" said
the knight 81 should like exceedingly to what form
thou hast and how thou art made" "That does not
you to know replied 0rthon be satisfied that
you hear me, and that bring you intelligence you may
depend on"
That the spirit Orthon did afterwards appear to the
knight, first in the form Of "two straws which were
turning and playing together the floor" and af-
terwards as can immensely large SOW" together
with other entertaining matter, the curious reader
will find by reference to the chronicles of
"FR0ISSART."
EMBALMrsG.-The New York Courier and Enquirer says