The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-12-17


EXPOSE OF THE TRICKS OF THE DAVENPORT BRO
THERs-cURIOUs SPIRITUAL sEANCE AT COOPER
INSTITUTE.
The announcement by means OF immense posters and
advertisements in different newspapers. that Nj. H. h.
Fay formerly connected with the Davenport Brothers as
their agent would give expose Of the tricks OF those
gentlemen drew together last evening" In the basement
of the Cooper Institute audience of about two hun
bred persons On the stage what appeared to be an
immense wooden plate warmer; inside II were num-
Der Of bells Of different sizes, &dru, tin trumpet and
tambourine. At eight o'clock the lecturer appeared
He was young looking man. with small light mustache
and light hair, worn long behind
HIS oBJECr EXPLAINED.
Returning the greeting Of the audience with bow,
less graceful, Mr.. Fay said his object in appear
ing before them to expose OF the greatest frauds
and humbugs OF the age During his connection with
the Davenport Brothers he had to certain extent be-
eved the Commences OF their performances; but
per'ence had taught him WISDOM ard he wished now to
show what shallow preeDces the reputation Of the
Dayenpor! Brothers had been bull. up.
COMMITTEES APPOINTED
To sec all fair between himself and the audience
committee of two gentlemen-Mr Balm, Of Newark,
n. j.. and Mr.. Gilbert Of 293 West Nineteenth street
was selected from the audience and the wife Of tho
lecturer was appointed bv Mr. Fav 10 take entire
aaement of the exhibition The committee entered upon
the Discharge OF their by making close exaua
ton Of the cabinet and IFS contents. During this per-
formancc Mr. Gilbert fell over chair and excited tho
believe the spirits had anything TO do with that matter
The examination resulted Ia statement from the
NIT zee that tho cabinet and It's contents We're all per-
ectly natural ana iiarnlcssit WAS nothing but simple
box containing some musical indictments
TYING vr
Mr. Fay then took of his coat catered the cabinet,
or box. and requested the committee TO nc him securely
hand and foot This they did, aud the doors were hcn
closed by Ms. Fay. Immediately afterwards the bells
inside were rung With great violence, and the audience
loudly chcerod the lecturer who in few minutes stepped
DC the box Invested Of his bonds The committee
somewhat
number o ropes they had used He again entered the
box and in few minutes the doors opened when
he was discovered to be securely tied inside by tho
spirits, so he said.
CONG TO FRANCE.
In this condition h repeated all the most celebrated
acts OF the Brothers Davenport On closing the door Mr.
Bain asserted that lao bad been tapped the head by
himan hand The hands Of tho lecturer were, at that
tine tied TO his knees very securely with stout cord In
side the cabinet the bells rung aud thrown out OF
the box the drum beat and apparently the lecturer had
full use OF h hands; but on the door being opened he
was found before securely tei up. He complained
OF the great heat and said the spirits had during the
last few minut been taking him 10 France. On leaving
the box tho committee united his lees and he then went
round amona tho aud to exhibit the kno, By which
his hands were secured
sPl"uCAL PRohsP.
He agan entered the box united, remarlng that The
spirits had promised e tie him up oncc more. This they
did with only rope. ar Balu then selected to
ent tho box with MIR. Fay He was not tied but had
handseFehict Over hs eyes 70 oA;sn what tie lecturer
called negative ccudit on q the elements or darkness
Mr.. DAr.is's EXTREMES.
On the door being oI ened Mr.. Baiin discovered
VITA a drum and banjo resting on his head. Being
asked to max report hc said nc had felt hands touch
ing different Parts 81 his person. his goaee had been
pulled, the drum had been and his head struck
several times by tic basjc. The hands fclt heavy IL
they had belonged 10 Mr. Fay hut that gentleman was
ut the other end OF the box tied Up.
WANTED 4 cow
Mr. Fay then borrowed coat from one OF the auj
ence, stating that the spirits preferred with silk
inning This bein Procured he WAS again shut up, and
on the box being optsd shortly afterwards sleeve or
the coat vas found GU his Two iron rings also
slipped on his arms, his hands remoin'ng tod. The
mani 'esations concluded with tho onr tsst This con.
sists In tho operator being ted hands and feet, and
having his hands nllc6 with -four. He Is then closed
up in the box, aad being opened he IL discovered
united the -four still in his hands Mr.. Fay performed
this trick to the satisfaction Of all present.
THE ExPUsE.
&r Fay, in regard to tn, erp@s, said the great and
main secret OF the tricks y that ate. being tied IT the
medium can manage 10 get oDo hand loose everything
they had witnessed that evening could easily he per
formed As his rs explanation he proceeded 10 show how
the spirits tic up medium Seating himself the
platform, no tied rope round hs legs az hey ia
tho cabinet Tying the hands being the principal bust
ness Is porf reG by fastening the rope round tho left
wrist loop Is then fnado large enough for the right
hand TO slip through aud, all being in readiness the
hand is passed through the loop Turning the hands
round the rope IL passed the loop, giving II every
appearance Of hard knot. 10 loose bis hands
YVES but tho &C; Of minLto. The -Four trsk then
that OF having the right hand loose 1hiz comprised the
sri.1st Of the evening aud Mr. Fay promised TO explain
on the last evening 0, his course how mediums united
the knots of coininittco's tying After lew words
about spirualists and mediums the audience was dis
,cssed.