The New York herald., 1869-04-27
LIGHT FROM THE T0l1BS.
THE SPIRITS LAID BARE
Lucifer (Matches) and Mica
Among the Ghosts.
The Mechanism of Spiritual Photo.
graphs Explained.
The Science of the World Against
spiritualist Theory.

The case Of the spirits and Of their chosen photo
grapher underwent another lengthy examination at
the Tombs before Justice Bowling yesterday. This
time the prosecution seem to have come well pre-
pared to 'tear to tatters' all the sprituasc pre-
tensions of the defendant (Mumerl, and they had
several expert photographers on the stand, who,
since Saturday, had succeeded In producing by
tricks and natural means number OF 'ghost pho
tographs," which were shown up in court, and ap-
peared to be all things similar to those given in
evidence coming from Mr.. Numbers spiritual es-
tablshment. The testimony Of Mr.. Oscar Mason,
secretary to the Photographic section OF the
American Institute, was very interesting, es-
peclally at the close Of yesterdays proceedings,
where from the difference OF light on one Of
Numbers pictures he to the conclusion that It
represented two pictures, made at different times.
with different light and by mechanical means.
Throughout his testimony nearly every one OF his
statements created q sensation among the numerous
crowd OF Spirtuasts present in the court rOom and
the defendant bushed occasionally and at some
answers the nush would hurriedly beam his face as
II the statements were deeply affecting him.
The following Is the testimony in detail:-
MIR. Gerry said he was instructed that the defenc e
desired the privilege to call additional witness.
On behalf Of the people he had no objection.
Mr.. Townsend requested to be permitted to ask
those who had made afldavits in this case few
questions. One Of them was called upon the stand
before he was in the case and he desired to nterro
gate him. He did not think that anything material
would be ELECTED; still he would like to examine
him, If there was no objection.
Mr.. Gerry objected. When he made the sugges-
ton that the people had no objection to the ex ami
nation he understood that the defence had some
witness who mad not already peen examined. The
papers were fully made out on behalf of the people
and published in the newspapers long before the
examination took place. and 80 fully aware Of the
facts presented was the defence that answer was
prepared and presented to the court. The defence
had already enjoyed extended scope during the
cross-examination, and he therefore opposed to
beginning the matter over again.
Mr.. Townsend did not wish to be understood as
making the application matter Of right; for, If
the counsel for the prosecution objected, he could
not urge IL.
Judge Bowling said there was no objection to an
other witness being called who had not yet been
amined. The several persons referred to were asked
by himself II there any further question to be
asked, ana he was replied to In the negative When
Marshal Tooker went on the stand he Judge Dow
iingl asked whether there was anything further to
ton had been exhausted. Under the circumstances
the examination must take its regular course.
,
MIR. Gerry offered in evidence book respecting
which evidence had been given by witness for the
phy OF William H. Mumier. Boston, Mass Studio
Silver"
TESTIMONY OF CHARLES W. HULL.
Mr.. Charles w. Hull examined by Mr.. Gerry
@ Where do you resides A. In the city OF New
q. A little more specific, II you pleases A. Sixty.
FIRST street, facing the river.
Judge Dowllngmw9at is your occupation A.
BY Mr.. Gerry-Q Have you paid any attention to
photography @ practically A. Yes, sir.
directed to thats Eleven years.
9; Have you any means TO carry on the practice Of
photography at your own housey A. Complete.
Q. Everything in the shape Of gallery and chemi
Q Have you studied the subject of photography a,
allS A. Yes, SIR
q. How long have you studied itS A. For length
OF time-since have been engaged in it.
Y. Have you written any articles upon II for scien-
tiic or other paperss A. Yes sir, have.
u are you acquainted with any OF the professional
photographers aI IN the country A. Very many.
e How many do you know, for instances A.
Well, about a hundred, to speak generally.
q. Are you connected In any way with the Ameri.
can lnstiiutes A. am member OF the institute
and member OF the Photographic section
institute with resara - se Upon oy ne
graphic materialsf A. have repeatedly been on
committees having that investigation In charge.
Y. Were those articles written In more than one
language A. have seen them In three.
@ have you been SHOWN the photographs in evi-
q. Look over those which have been produced bv
the defence (handed to witnessl and Will ask you to
state the various means by which those photographs
could be taken mechanically
Mr. Townsend interposed objection The de-
fence had SET up that those pictures produced
not by any natural means. get 1t was not asserted
that they were produced by supernatural means.
Judge Dowling-ltis ~ alleged by The prosecution
that they are produced by trick and deception and
they want to sustain that allegation They cali this
witness as an expert
BY Mr. Gerry-o Now state, If you please, the dif.
ferent ways IN which those so-called spirit photo
graphs could be taken by mechanical meansS A. |
They could be made by placing within the plate
shield the positive on glass the image OF which !
would be thrown upon the plate that was sensitized
and exposed to the shield at the same time that the
image OF the party who was sialng would he I'M
pressed. IL could be made IN that way for one.
Y. The positive picture which you have stated ~
first plac ID within the camera-how Is that pro-
ducedS A. That Is produced from a negative picture
previously taken; II may be produced In several
ways; 1t Is produced from the negative
MIR. Townsend objected to counsel muddling the
witness.
Judge Dowling-Pay attention to the question and
you Will understand IT,
BY Mr.. Gerry-Q. Look at exhibit No. and state
whether the ghost form would no. resemble such
positive picture on tue gasss A. II would he an
tnrng exception; the distance might give IL more
or less size; would he the reverse OF the positive,
for where the positive was white 4 would be black,
U. When the lignt strikes upon the sitter at the
same time through the Plate upon which the positive
which you mentioned ~ set exposed, what sort OF a
picture would be produced on sensitive patey A.
The posilve picture would produce veiled ndis
tinct negative In certain proportion.
q. Now after the picture had been exposed for a
little time and the sensitive plate removed TO dark
room from the slide, assuming that the slide had
been regularly closed usual at the time, expert
having taken the picture and the ordinary process OF
development was continued, would or would not
the two pictures appear at the same time such
oeyelopmentg A. They would.
q. Would they appear In the manner you have
mentionedy A. They would sir.
q. Could any or all OF those pictures which you
have examined and which have been shown 10 yoa
be produced In thus manner-pick out any OF them
A. Those lalluding TO certain photographs handed TO
witness) might be produced by that method. The
pictures mentioned those put In by the defence
aud included Nos. 1, 4, 8, o, !, o. TO- 13 IA and l6
The remaining ones could he taken by another
process.
@ In the insertion OF this positive plate In this
slide preparatory " inserting the sensitive plate for
tins purpose OF taking picture could or could not