The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1855-09-24
Correspondents Of n. p,.n.,cb.

Napoleon Bonaparte-The Fate of Sebas
fopof-1he Knoac Nothing Candidate 70,
the Presideney- The Vice Presidency
Mistakes Of the Spirits.
BALTIMORE, Sept. 22d.
Dear Dispatch: In the absence of any
interesting news to communicate, must give
you an account of some performances in the
table-moving and spirit rapping line, which
for the first time in my life, witnessed last
night. 1t was not an exhibition of professed
spiritualists, but few lady friends referring,
in conversation to the subject, and it being
remarked that one of them had formerly
made successful experiments in table-mov-
ing, they kindly consented, upon my request,
to make new trial in my presence may
rs well state in advance that the high char
acter and standing of these ladies forbid the
idea of any collusioD, or of deception on the
part of any of them, and that during the
whole of the exhibition, which lasted about
two hours, l stood within foot of the table,
looking now at it, now under it, and walking
about and constantly keeping a bright look
out on it. Well the parties consisting OF
Miss x. and Mrs. Y, of Baltimore, my wife
and son, (the two latter being like myself
confirmed unbelievers) sat around the table,
their hands resting upon and touching each
other. In this position they continued for
about quarter of an hour, Willing away the
time with pleasant chit chat, when suddenly
the table began to shake, then to move up
and down, making considerable noise as the
brass rollers on which it stood struck the
floor; then to move across the floor, Jumping
hither and thither with great violence, eros
sing the whole length of the apartment Mt
one time, leaning over SO that It almost
touched the floor, then standing On two legs,
then on one, and cutting up all sorts of ex-
traordinary antics All this time the parties
preserved their relative positions, with their
hands lying lightly on top of the table, which
they were obliged to follow wherever it went
l locked very closely to see whether the
persons around the table did not move it
themselves, and l am satisfied both from their
character and my own observation, that they
did not move it voluntarily, and as to invol-
untary muscular action (Farroday's theory
l believe that entirely incapable of produ
cling such movements. have no doubtthat
electricity is the agent, and indeed, on feel
ing the hands Of one of the persons at theta
bic, felt as distinct an electrical current as
l ever felt from an electrical machine. Being
satisfied with the shines which the table
cut up, was anxious to take a peep into the
spirit world; and requested one of the ladies
to ask if there were any spirits present. Tothis
the table replied by raising two of its legs
and giving two most decided thumps with
its brass feet upon the floor.
This was considered an affirmative answer,
and the spirit was then requested to say
whether it would communicate with the per
sons present. To this it was graciously
pleased to assent, and one of the ladies pro-
ceeded to ask its name. (The manner of
getting a reply to such questions is this: The
interrogation goes over the alphabet, begin
ming, A., B., c., &C., and the table shakes al
the letter which begins the name or word it
wishes to speak; then at the next letter, and
so on till the word or sentence is completed.
Our table was particularly complaisant. 1t
not only shook at the letters which the spirit
indicated, but at the end of every word, it
raised itself ON two legs, and gave an en-
pbatic whack on the floor with the two other
legs to signify that that word was finished
Well, the name of the spirit was then ask
ed, and, in the manner in which have indi-
Gated, the reply was raped out: Betsy
Jones. Now, it appears that on the former
experiment by the ladies, this Miss or Mrs
Betty Jones made her appearance, said she
had message for Mrs. Y, and stated that
there was sum of fourteen hundred dollars
coming to her through Corcoran and Riggs.
The money, of course, was never heard of
on this occasion, it was resolved to interro-
gate her shaply as to the fib she had told
about the money.
now give the questions as they occurred,
the reader bearing in mind that answers in
this, as in all the cases I shall mention, were
given by raps at the different letters of the
alphabet, as l have before described: Miss
X.-"Will Betsy Jones state whether she
has message for any person present 2" Ans.
-" Yes" "For whom % "For Mrs. Y"
"What is the subject?' "Weighty mat
am to get it?' DO not risk much" Mrs.
Y" On former occasion, Mrs Jones, you
promised me fourteen hundred dollars; why
have not received it?' Mrs. JONES'" A
mistake. A strange circumstance" Mrs.
Y" Can l do anything to rectify the mis-
take?" "Do nothing" 1t must be acknowl-
edged that Mrs. or Miss Betsy Jones is very
discreet and oracular person. l should add
that none of the party, before her first ap.
pearance, had ever heard of such a person
as Betsy Jones, and they are quite unable to
identify the ghostly damsel with any of their
acquaintance.
Having dismissed this witness from the
stand requested one of the ladies to inquire
whether any of my own acquaintances in the
spirit land were present. To this the table
replied by two very loud thumps on the floor.
My curiosity was now considerably excited.
AAOu tuo iueSiiOn was pIopouuucu, w Ill
the spirit state to Mr.. z. who he is" An
affirmative reply. "Will the spirit state what
of Mr. u. is present 2" The
following reply was raped out His friend
and his father" In reply to an additional
inquiry, the answer was given that no further
could be made. The the ques.
ton was asked whether any other acquain-
tances of mine were present, and the reply
was that they we're, but they seemed to be in
an unsocial mood, and refused to make any
communication.
Master T.. who had been continually in
the proceedings, by demanding to
see some of his dead acquaintances, com.
posed in all of two, one OF whom he ssid was
a boy that was drowned, and another died of
the measles, now insisted on calling up his
comrades. But neither the boy that was
drowned nor the boy with the measles made
their appearance, and so, as the next best
thing, he demanded to have Napoleon Bona.
parle. The ladies endeavored to induce the
obstreperous youngster to defer his demand
till some other persons had been called but
he was too eager and persevering to yield
He said he knew that Map" was there aud
he must have a talk with him. The ladies at
last consented, and one of them demanded ::
''ls the spirit of Napoleon Bonaparte pre-
sent - Instantly the table rose on two legs
and with tho nfhar fu,r xra a v,o <ov,orOafJe n