Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-10-09
DEAD MEMS TALES


TERIoRATE IN TIE OTHER woRLDf
One of the hardest nuts that the Spirit
ualists have to crack land they do not sue
coed in cracking i) Is, that though the way
is freely provided, through the 80 called
mediums, for the spirits OF the greatest
men and women who have passed away
from earth TO give us, who are still here,
convincing proofs of the theory Of spirit
life as presented by the Spiritualists, they
have not done 80. Not since the irst rap
was heard in the neighborhood of Roches-
ter, N. Y, quarter Of century ago, has
great poem, a great work OF philosophy
or a coherent and consistent account OF the
other life been given to US by those who on
earth so often proved that they we're equal
to the grandest intellectual efforts. What
more convincing argument in favor Of
Spiritualism could be produced than play
by Shakespeare equal to "Hamlet," or
system Of philosophy by Bacon equal to
the "Novum Organum," or musical COIN
position by Mozart equal to "The Magic
Flute 2"
But iu the whole dresry range OF spirit
literature there has not been a single con-
tribution from the great writers and think
ers Of the past that has been worth second
perusal. There has been no backwardness
apparently on the part OF these exalted
personages about coming to the front.
There is scarcely public seance held that
one or more OF them are not, according to
the statements of mediums, present In per-
son. Benjamin Franklin is continually
presenting himself, aud In Boston, at the
circles in charge Of Mrs. Conant, Theodore
Parker is an habitual talker. But they
have never been known to contribute any
thing approaching in quality to their life
efforts. Are we TO understand, then, that
the intellectual powers degenerate after
death2
We present in this article some specl-
mems OF the literary ofTusions OF tho "migh-
ty dead" as they have been given to the
inha bitants Of this material world through
the mediums and,published in the spiritu-
al books and newspapers. We leave our
readers TO judge for themselves whether
their quality attests their genuinnoss or
whether they are good or feeble limitations
OF the styles OF the originals:
TON MOORE.
The following is poem sent by Thomas
Moore through a medium a few days ago,
and printed In the last number of the Lon.
don Spiritualist. 1t Is entitled "a June
Song:
Eov fades With tender blush the May
The birds less sweetly sing;
The vinlets have passed away;
Now Vanish'd 10 the Spring
Young birds have len the nest my love-
And sport on dAuntlsss wing;
The oAk in green 10 dress'd my love,
Tor VAnehd 10 the spring.
The rose with pearls Of dew ia Ssmm'd;
Their scent the Mies fling;
The garden beds with thyme are hemm'd;
For vAnishd Is the Spring.
The bloom 10 OF our love- my sweet;
Its early tones dumb;
But blue skies are aboVe my Iwoet;
rhs summer time Ia come!
In work sold in the Spiritualist book
stores, and Endorsed by the Spiritualst
| journals and by the late Judge Edmunds,
entitled "Strange Visions" a large number
Of Communications are printed purporting
to come from the spirits OF distinguished
persons who have died in the past century.
Among the contributors Is
wAsHINGToN IRVING.
Irving gives a sketch Of visit made to
Henry Clay, who is living somewhere In
the spirit land. While there he meets
many prominent American sages and
patriots, and this is how he describes his
reunion with the subject OF his most elabo-
rate literary production:
AS we moved on 1 seemed to live por-
tions OF my earthly life, long past. The
| gorgeous and fantastic architecture which
| everywhere met my eyes, reminded me of
the halls OF the Alhambra. Swiftly passing
we emerged through a spacious arch upon
| an open srbor, where were congregated the
guests whom l had been invited to meet.
l started back with a shock OF delight when
l beheld in the centre of the group the i'm
mortal hgure OF George Washington. l
knew him instantly, partly from the like
nesses which had been exti.nt on earth and
partly from the noble spirit which emsnat-
ed like sun from his person.
The group parted as we entered, and l
Immediately felt, resting upon my shoul-
der like benediction, the soft, firm hand
of the Father Of His Country. "Washng.
ton" l exclaimed, fervently grasping his
hand. AT length we have met" he re.
sponded, and a smile Of inefTable joy light
ed his countenance. He then spoke OF the
many changes through which the United
States had passed since his removal 10 the
spirit land. l was surprised at the extent
acknowledge he displayed. Not the slight
est variation In the scale Of political econo-
my escaped his notice. Heexpressed him
self pleased especially at the great progress
and development Of the people in the last
twenty years. "This marvellous growth
is owing to their being essentially me-
diumistic people-is it not So" said he
smiling and turning to the assembled
| ~ 4
all sides. On this commenced a general
conversation. Around me 1 beheld thu
faces and forms Of the heroes of past histo
ry, each bearing the shape and semi blanc,
of humanity, though removed from eartt
millions Of miles into space. One and al
emitted like stars their own peculiar lu
minous aura. Collected in motley groups
were benjamin Franklin, John Hancock
William Penn, old General Jackson, JohI
Jacob Astor, De Witt Clinton, and many o
the old Knlckerbocke residents OF New
York with Sir Robert Peel, Lord Brough
ham, the Duke OF Wellington, Hunt, Keats
Byron, Scott, Cowper, Hume, Goethe, ID
Stael, Mrs. Hemans, and many others.
Lord Byron contributed poem express
I've OF his disgust with Mrs. Harriet Beech
er Stowe and those who aided her In re
vamping the shocking scandal about hin
and his sister. Some of the lines nigh
suit a more recent occasion. Two verse
will suffice:
NJ soul is sieh Of Salumny and lies:
Men gloat on sVil-sVsn WonAna hand
Win dAbble in the mirs, nor heed the cries
OF the poor Victim whom she seeks 10 brand
In thy sweet name. Religion, through the lAndl
Like the keen tempest she doth strip her prey, 1
Tossing him bare and wrecked upon the strand,
while VAunting her misdeeds before the day,
Rearing monument which crumbles like the clay.
Ny sister, have lived to soc thy name
Dishonofedf Thou, who vast my pride, my stay {;
Shall jealousy and fraud thy love dsfAme
And be dumb 7 Just heaven, let . ray
Prom thy maj jestic light illums eArths clay,
That through her may sooToh the HlAnderer vile,
| nd Hgh AhKou ahout tha land 4 torch TO-DAY.