The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1856-07-03
srsr,t Rauulpr.

We observe that spirit rspping has not YET diea
out In the Northern States II bids fair TO become
one Of the established Institutions Of Free no'l
communities. II affords a cheap and e"pssnia
amusement for an economical and fansticai people
II Ia better than the circus or the theatre Inc
d,a,acfis persona embrace wider and more unique
circle. aud instead of small actors representing
great characters we have great characters spout
ing the weakest kiad Of trash and deluging an au-
di.oee with IAN infinite deal of nonsense To see
utterug follies that, with all his inyen'
,ioY he coud not have put into the mouth OF Justice
Shallow n behold Daniel Webster becoming as
x.pid and verbose as Senator Sumner, is demand
ne too much of human eredulity. We advise the
spir, rappers to draw II little more mildly or
thew will scare of thousands whom love Of the
marvellous might otherwise, in time, make them
promising disciples.
During the last summer, we had the pleasure Of
an Interview at friends house. in a northern city,
with qni.e number Of spirits. The medium was
not a professional person. but refined, educated
graceful young lady The spirits were polite and
gallant spirits, and when she called them from
the Vastly Deep they came with prompt and cheer
ful courtesy. They were ready to do almost every
thing she asked. They made the table perform
miracles Of loeomotion. If you can suppose Ia
bic imbued with life, voltion, sense, aud the power
of moving itself wherever it chose, that table Is
before you 1t would walk run, or dance across
room its legs were legs indeed, not made TOR
standing still, but for hopping leapins, aud con-
versation. 1t all one to that table whether IL
stood On one leg four; whether 1t hopper
Jumped, promoted, and it could talk win lis
legs as well as the medium with her tongue-a
very agreeable tongue by the way, with "a sweet,
low voice, pleasant thing in woman We gave
our readers at the time long account of the my s.
teries of that table and don't mean to repeat them
now. Some of the predictions then made by the
spirits have been fulfilled, but it required no ghost
to make them whilst Others have failed egregious-
Iy. For instance, the spirits said Sebastopoi wouId
fall aud there they were right but they fIxod 1905
as the date of its overthrow They predicted that
Willard Fillmore would be the American candidate
for President, which has come true but they also
added that Stephen A. Douglas would be Vice
President 1t is evident that they were not well
booked up in American politics. .. ..
However, we think it probable that some subtle
and powerful agent-electrcity, perhaps-is the in
strument of producing the strange conduct of Ia
bles As to the idea that the spirits Of the depart
cd manifest themselves in snch manner, 1t is only
fit for people who are on the high road to Bedlam.
The theory that it is the work of devils is highly
unsatisfactory. Whilst 1t is impossible TO suspect
devils of amiabe disposition or virtuous habits,
must a. least give them credit for superior sense
and sagacity. If devils have really an agency in
the table talk" of spirit rappers they have been
hitherto very much overrated people.
Dr. Hare, of Philadelphia, has reduced spirit
rapping to science. He can produce ghost as
easily as Wynn and Knowles can manufacture gas
lie turn the light from the spirit world Oft or
on just as you want it. He has written book,
full of incredible yarns. The old proverb mad
as March hare" will hereafter read-"mad as
Philadelphia hare" viii Hare tell US what be
came of the Pacific Can he induce any of his
ghosts 10 state events occurring in London,
Paris, or st. Petersburgh, the truth of which
be verified by future intelligence through the
usual earthly channels?