New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-07-22
DIR. LEE on SPIRITUALISM
To TIE Edito, Of The " Y. Tyibune.


SIR: observed in your paper few days ago no.
tce OF communication made to the French Academy,
by NJ. Jobert de Lamballe in regard to sounds made
by the sudden contraction of muscles and tendons of
the human body. writer, also, in THE TRIBUNE of
to-day calls attention to the fact that Drs. Faut Cow
entry and myself then connected with the University
of Buffalo, did, in January, 1850, publish pamphlet,
explaining the cause of the socaled spirit-rappngs'
showing how they might be produced in the way
above mentioned, and that in the case of the Misses
Fox that they were so produced. Tnis, believe
may say was demonstrated fully at sitting before
Judges selected by themselves Ycu will find in our
pamphlet full account of the different modes in which
abL ormal sounds have been and may be produced by
the human subject. If there are any Others they are
We. to be discovered. In February 1880 while giving
course of lectures a, Bowdon College, Maine, was
requested by the citizens to give public lecture on
Esprit -RappiDg." | consented, and, fortunately,
before the time arrived l found gentleman IN
Topsbam who had the power OF making the
straps so loud, by the contraction OF the ten
don of the peyontus OnguS, st the ankle joint, that
they could have been heard over the largest church
the City Of New York. lie kindly consented to
assist at my lecture, and at the proper time intro
duceo him to my audience. Standing on an elevated
p a'orm, and without moving in the least or stirring
siI gle muscle, 80 far as could be observed he gave
more strikiHg i!ustI alton Of "spuitual knockiogs
than the Foxes ever dreamed of. What was very
ludcrous however, that several in the audience
who now fer the first time had witnessed anything In
the spiritual knocking" line aud had remained skeP
ticsl now became Jealous converts 10 the doctrine OF
SpirItuaism and still refer 10 my exhibition as the
strongest kpd of demonsfrative argument 10 its sup
port | had thought before the lecture that aud my
good riebd would our medical lectures were
over, take pilgrimage down Elst taking in Boston
in cur route, and blow Spirtualism and "spirtrap-
pers" sky-high by our demonstrators. Bat seeing
such fruits from MY welintended efforts, abandoned
the project ard begging my assistant to rap no moro
have Iot ven'ured To lecture argue on the subject
since. fearing like result. Something similar occurred
while | was in Buffalo, in 1856 family who ex
hbed ID the spirit line and who have since Travelled
over the country, pretended that after putting ont
all he hghfs various wind Instruments were played on
by spiritual agency, while, at the same time, their
own hands were securely tied behind their backs. But
il 30 happened that a wsg Of a medical student had
copirived without their krowedga, to blacken the
mouth piece Of the instruments with lampblack. The
lights were expguished at the proper time, after their
hsnds we're all secured the music payed-but, on re-
lighting the room the spiritual performers stood forth
with their sooty lips, uch to the amusement OF the
audience But none Of their converts or friends aban
doued them after tbs exposure.
And go OF the Fox family. II they were 70 publicly
acknowledge their imposture, ii would not diminish the
number of their followers. CHARLES A. LEE.
Pees.kiH, July 10, 49,