The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1869-01-08
PLANCHETTE's DIARY.

PLANCHETTEs DIARY.
Miss X ate Field has brought out, with
j. S. Redlield, little brochure, repre-
sent,ng the esults OF series of Seds'ceS
with Planchette. They read much like
the revelations of tabie-tipping ssspir-
it's" with which we are inclined to
rank them, both in their origin and inn
portance. The author, or editor as she
states herself, is medium and believ-
err. To show the character of "Plan-
chettes Diary" as the work is called,
we quote, at random, q series of ques-
tions and responses 'l s-t'l h-il
Mr.. R.-"What do you think of Swt- =
denborg ?"
Planchette. -SMy opinion of Swe-
denborg is very much altered from
what It was on earth. He was only
partially Illuminated, and. therefore,
little faith is to be placed in his wri-
tings." 'H ilt'
Mr.. R.-"1s not half a truth better
than none 2"
Planch .tte.-"A partial truth leads
to much error. You will find that a
majority of Swedenborgians are rot
spiritualists. Swedenborg puts limita-
tions to their faith, and they will not
go one step beyond what they find laid
down in his books"
Mrs. Eds Heaven divided into
spheres as Swedenborg describes?'
Plan.-s'He saw through a glass dark
ly. | have no patience with this talk
about spheres. The circle of spirits are
not numbered. They are brought to-
gether by harmony of thought. :"
Mr.. R.-''Are there anynnarriages in
Heaven? ?"
Plan.-"No; once is enough" 'l
Mrs. fare you happy?"
Plan. .-"l'm in a sympathetic atmos-
phere for the first time in my life
Shakespeare and are great cronies. =
| find traces or old Nathaniel Fields
ian ancestor) physiognomy, not only
in my self. but in our daughter.
Mr.. R.-s'What sort Of a man was
Shakespeare ?''
Plal.-.Shakespeare was not a saint
in life, according 10 orthodox notions,
but ne was generous-hearted, noble
fellow, and tremendous worker
Charles Dickens is about as hard a
worker rs Shakespeare was"
Mr.. R.-"Would you compare the
two p" '
Plan.-s'Oi course not and yet there
is similarity in the order of mind"
Mrs. F.--"Snrely, you have. not at
tained Shakespeare level. How then
can you associate with him 2"
Plan.-"But | tell you that spirits
are linked together by harmony, and
if am not il sympathy with Shake
speare. with whom am IN sympathy.
Don't you suppose that Shakespeare is
a teacher? OF what benefit are his
heart and intellect, if he does not keep
school ?" ..,,,.'..i..t r.. .....+s....
Mrs. F.-"Then he is your teacher ?"
Plan. Yes-guide, Philosopher and
friend,'' - '...=z.... s-.tp
Laughing and talking indepently OF
Planchette my hand resting upon her,
however. we were highly amused to see
Planchette Join in the mcrriment BY
exclaiming "Bully - os
Mrs. F.--"Why, Planchette, | am
shocked How could you make use of
such vulgar expression?" .5.g, L. I
Plsn.-''That's Shakespearean. -
Thus reminded, we remembered that
sbully" is found in 's.Thc Tempest
.tbu | y-monster'-i ,"Midsunmer
Night s Dream" "Bully Bottom, and,
if am not mistaken,it it also figures in
s'Thc Merry Wives of Windsor
Mrs. R.-''What do you think of
Benjamin Franklin?" ...r,.5 =......i .
Plan. -'tFranklin's mind was very
good, as far as it went, but it did not
go very far. He is of hard fibre, aud
spiritual life has not made as much I'M
IF IF in 70 rior renntations.
Mrs. F.-9low do spirits look P" '
PIan.-"We show our souls. What
ever orr nature, that is seen in our fl
o,,re and tace." ~
Mrs F.-uUow are spiri.s occupi-
ed ~
Plan.-"Tbey do about everything
here. even TO getting drunk.m
Mr. R-lsProv how can spirits ret
drnni, p,
PIan tsTbro,,oh morta1s. They in
snire h,,man bein1s with their cravings,
and thus indulge in their vices" ? ~ I
Mrs F-ssTRen if is quite possible
for mortals TO he controlled by wicked
snirits 9n u ~ III ffn.lsr'hto I
plan -s.CertainIy.., airF aH l.i /
Mr., r.. asked \ mental question,
which was not answered very satisfac-
to,ilv - i 1TIIll -Il 'f' i'5t
pn.tinq Ploncbette aside. and ,,lncI
mo Fl thn nenc,l in NV lett hand, / found
/ coulJ write o,ite as readily without
che board as with it, and that, although
stc straiSed and nec1Iiar. il was perfectly
lcoible. had oever before WRITER Il
wifh nv left haffd. pm aIT dta''h .
------. -.--------'Ht - i.y1 ,
lCP The Rev. james Bonnar; OF the
Relief kirk. Int upon very pleasant