The Daily Nashville true Whig. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1851-1855, 1855-08-23
THURSDAY MORNING, AUG. 90, 1885.
DR.. Bell on spiritslism.

The July number Of the american Journal
of Insanity" furnishes the suejoined brief alb
stract of an interesting paper read by DR.. BELL
at the meeting of Insane Hospital Superintend-
ants. in Boston. We learn from the Boston
AdCertiser that it has elected much inquiry,
public and private, in that city. 1t lie, in our
Judgment the most philosophical examination
of what are called spiritual phenomena" that
we have yet seen; and we accordingly transfer
it to our columns-not doubling that many Of
our readers will follow through his investiga-
tons with curious interest and intellectual
qualification, distinguished medical practi-
toner, whose peculiar professional duties have
led him especially to the investigation o: men
tai phenomena in connection with physical
organization, and the various modifying influ-
ences of surrounding circumstances. 1t will
be recollected that DIR. Bell read at this meet
ing paper on "spirtualism," supplementary
70 one which he presented at the last preceding
meeting of the Association, at Washington,
Of which no report had ever been made, by
request of several members. They considered
that the whole subject was then too immature,
and so much connected in the public mind
with the ridiculous, as to make it inexpedient
that it should be more than announced gener-
ally as among the topics discussed by the As
ISOLATION. As it is understood that these pa
pers will not be published-their basis being
much in certain domestic experiences-it is
thought best to present brief summary Of
the leading facts and conclusions
DR. Bell commenced by expressing bis surprise
last year in finding that large meeting of per-
sons whose lives were spent in investigating the
reciprocal influences of mind and body, scarcely q
single member had given moments attention 20
q topic directly in their path, which, whether re-
garded as merely an epidemic mental deusion, or
as a new psychological science, was producing such
momentous effects upon the world. Is was now
said TO number over two milf of believers, had
an extended literature, a talented periodical press
in many forms, and had certainly taken fast hold
many minds Of soberness and power. He was well
aware how easily /: turned to ridicue, and that
there were many who would be ready 10 ask, when
they saw hospital directors seriously discussing the
spiritual phenomena Q,s elRtCdief ipsos cuStodeS2
But if there was any class Of men who had duties
in this direction, il was those of our speciality
Our reports contain the record os many cases of
insanity said 10 be produced by it. Il was impor-
tant whether true false, or mixed, that its pre-
else depth length and nature should be studied
As is well known, mystery always loses its terrific
character when boldly met and opened to the light
Of MONDAY.
DIR. Bell remarked that on his return home from
our meeting at Washington, he had peculiar wish
10 verify his previous observations on what are
technically known the physical manifestations of
this new science. Tie could not pretend that he
could doubt his repeated personal observations,
addressed to his sight, hearing and touch, and
separated, as he believed, from any possibility Of
error or collusive fraud. Yet the offer by Prof
Henry. Of large sum 10 any person who would
-s.ke one of his tables move VA the Smithsonian
institution, aud the obvious incredulity of many
OF the "brethren,n had induced the desire again to
see some full and unequivocal experiment 10 table
moving.
An opportunity was not long wanting. On the
occasion OF the visit OF a well known gentleman
long connected with the insane, and who never had
seen any Of these phenomena at the asylum, Dr.
Bell invited him TO 60 TO family where a medium
of considerable power was visiting. The family
was one Of the most respectable Of the vicinage
the head Of it being a gentleman entrusted with
millions Of dollars of other peoples money, as the
financial manager of larger banking institution
He and his wife had for some years been perfectly
convinced of the spiritual character Of these mani
festations. The medium young lady of eigh-
teen or twenty, Of very slight figure, weighing
eighty or ninety pounds and had discovered herself
Ia be a medium while on a visit 10 these distant
relatives. A family, from character and position
more entirely beyond the suspicion of even winkng
at any thing ike fraud irregulsrity does not exist
in the world. They were so fortunate TO find the
she medium at home, and the circle made Of
the five persons mentioned The ordinary mani.
festations of raps, beating OF musical tunes, aud
responses TO menta, spoken questions, were very
completely presented, well as the movements Of
the table under the mere contact Of fingers ends.
Finding that these things appeared very favorable
20 full exhibition Of what he wished TO See, IS
eVinced by the very lacle movements Of the table
under contact, DR.. Bell proposed trying the grand
erperimoHtum cTlcis Of the physical manifestations
tho movement Of she table without any human
contact direct or indirect BE was permitted 70
arrange things TO suit himself and began by open.
ing the table widely, and inserting two move
able table leaves which increased the length from
about six 90 perhaps nine ten feet. This felt
also gave him opportunity 10 see and upset al
wires and mechanism concealed, or at least, 10
swer positively to their non-eXistence. The table
was solid structure of black walnut with six
ed legs, the whole of such q weight that when the
castors were all in the right line for motion, he
could Just start /, by the full grasp Of the thumb
IA fingers of both hands.
stood on the sides Of the table, three
Tee EDGE about eighteen