New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-04-30
ARE THEY PICTURES OF SPIRITS


TO the Editor OF The Tribune.
SIR: Suppose it true that Numbers so-called
Esprit Pictures" "A humbug or trick through tho
transferring objects which be mysterousy placed
10 the camera lenses, please In any other
deceptive manner-suoh as correspondent signing him
self Interrogation" at the conclusion OF an article
which appeared in THE DAILY TRIBUNE OF Saturday,
April a. and therein suggests that those pictures might
be produced by the OF other pictures or objects on
plates which had previously been used and redeyeloped
IT, by any OF the above methods, or any deception what
ever which would account for the mystery then, ask
in all candOr does it not become mperayey necessary
for Mr. Mumer to DO possession OF all nearly all
plates have been used since Photography has
been praeticed Besides, mast no not have perfect
knowledge OF how everybody locked who have departed
this life. and those who Jailed TO ever have
a picture OF themselves while living this EARTH and
deceased for many ycars And does 1t not necesstae
Mr.. Mnmler TO have almost, II not quite, infinite
mind and memory, in order 20 Systematically arrange
the proper pictures kenesscs OF the deceased persons
respectively on the plates with their living friends who
chance 80 into Mr.. Numbers gallery unsolicited, and
Of their own accord and sit for picture Also accord
ing 10 the testimony before the in Numbers case
the successful manifestations have been obtained IN
other galleries beside Numbers with Mumler only
present even when Mr. Mumer not the operator IN
any part Neither there any part OF Numbers mate
rals or instruments used at other operators galleries.
and the operators skeptics too without this infinite
power how can this man Muner. OF himself so produce
and arrange accurately eyerybody's grandfather,
grandmother mother brother sister, son. daughte" hus
hand wife aunt cousin uncle or some near and cher
ished friend and in such natural and aectonate posi-
ton as lovingly embracing reclining upon those
who At time had sat for the picture, as shown In
these pictures, which exhibited In Court Some say
is the result Of the mind desire Of the persons sitting
for picture If this be how Is IL that. a. shown In
Court parties thought Of and not having been
known by the applicant for the picture appear the
plate proper place and POSITION always right end up
all other occasions, and under all other theories
explanations and the same pictures are immediately
recognized by persons who s for picture by
Of their neghbOrs frends According to tue evil
deuce given the trial. ninetyhve out Of hundred OF
these sOcaled Spirit pictures" have been at recOg
niZed being correct likeness Of deceased friends or
relatives VI those who sought pictures ana often proved
10 DC correct pictures OF deceased persons VINO had never
LETT picture VI themselves In this world ana tho other
hye In the hundred nearly So are sooner or later
recognized by acquaintance OF che stter And as
yer must say as an attentive listener TO the evidence
as gwen IN Court have failed to discover any evidence
which snould cenvict Mr. Mumler II this Muinler
process as he alleges Is true aud devoid OF fraud or
ck lhe see no good reason why should be AFRAID
OF IL or It's Influence TO the contrary think IL Ia the
duty OF the scientific world To gate IT, and " they
hhG1u ma ~ affuth and reality then 10 becomes us as
reasonable beings 20 embrace IT, as would any other
known science, and not make a religion out Of It. We
should not he unfair In opposing for two wrongs never
made one right IL frequently occurs 20 my mind that
greater the truth In importance the More stnbborny
II Is opposed 10y mankind aud In each case we forget tho
iras ana tribuations OF Jesus Christ Copernicus CALI
Ieo Columbns, Dr. Harvey, Robert Fulton. BENJAMIN
FRANKLIN, and Morse who taught the world what this
generation have realized to be Immensely valuable
which facts or It's benefits in future for aught we know
may SINK INTO lnsigiicance compared with this " Num-
erism," or even Modern sprtsnn" trust MIR Editor
that you ana the balance Of mankind Will have no fears
about ms matter for II 1t s allacy IL win sicken and
die aud II II IL true. my word for IT, 10 must eventnaiy
DO OF everlasting aud invaluable benefit TO us Ter ma
keep all these facts before IL wish arrive at the
truth or iasly OF no question at issue Pear not
FArETtE r. GEpLEY, No. IT'S Broadway.
NeO York, April 20 1868.