The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-04-03
SUNDAY EVENIN0 SNOW.
The Hackncyed story OF shadowy Faees,
sailors Kuots and fla ndcuhs.

Some spiritusnstic showmen permit com
mlttees OF auditors TO work their wicked wills
with ropes and things upon the mediums, aud
40 to seriously Interfere with the success OF the
spirits; but Prof. wsylani, 1.-The renowned lee
turer." Is not one Of that kind. In tho Brooklyn
Athenmun last night, he salu;
1--WE have not come here "a answer any i'm
pertinent questions. or try any experiments that
any person In the audience may choose TO Of
fer, and we do not propose TO have too many
persons on the stage at any one time, as that
might interfere with the control Of the medium.
Sometimes persons coming on the stage oxer-
else such q strong will power sto interfere with
the influence which produces the manifesto
tions. There are people with such strong will
power that thcy can stop others walking on this
aisle, or on the street. Our condit ons must be
right"
Edward Livingston, the medium, had teen
seated In a large, black .curtained cabinet on
the stage and upon the curtain being with
drawn It was found thPt he was tied, with much
rope, after the fashion most IN favor with the
slitit-, hhnds together rchinc his back aud At
taohcd under the seat Of his chair to his knees
Mir. Olcott of Brooklyn examined the tying.
and reported TO the audience that he believed
them secure. While the medium was thus tied
a guitar and bells, which we're handed In TO the
Interior Of the cabinet, we're strummed and
sound OF more being done at once, so far Bs the
ear could detect, than could have been done
by one hand OF the medium, had one hand been
at liberty. Tho curtain was Withdrawn from
time to time. and on each occasion the medium
seemed fast. After each maniiestation and be-
fore Withdrawing the curtain the renowned
lecturer n tds some remarks, merely In ex-
planAtiun. not to gain time. he medium's coat
was taken on and another put on bin
and this sgain EXCHANGED Tor his own
| Then the spirits united the mediums
Wire netting bscs were placed over the medi-
| um's hands. arms, and head, and securely tied
| together by Sir. OicOtt aud another gentleman
| and ropes fastened about him with square sailol
| knots. Then handkerchiefs held at an aperture
| IN the curtain were snatched inside and knotted
| The aperture wns about AS high from the 1ooI
| the floor could have reached. The guitar and
| DELL business was repeated, and then the rope:
| aud wire nettings were taken from the medium
| by the gentleman who placed them on him
| n Then the medium was manacled. and what
| the lecturer described as materialized faces
| were shown at an aperture In the cabinet, anC
| other pranks were played.
| 1he curtain was dropped for change OF set
! and upon being raised, disclosed laTss square
| piano occupying the space where the cabinet
| had stood. which may be defined to persons ia
| m liar with stage construction as lust abou
| where the "center trap" Is ordinarily cut II
| well-ordered stages.
| lMr. Olcott says that the Janitor says thu
| Athenmum stage Is not trappedl
Mrs. Young, sturdy and Jolly-looking, was tn,
| next performer. Sne PLAYED upon the piano
| and It bobbed m and down, on the side mex
| her. IN time with her playing. Then eight meI
| Of the speGtal ors sat on the piano. but still |
| Mrs. Young's seat at the instrument, put hi
knees under the edge OF II, and the bobbin
| manifestations were repeated with even NOR
| yigor than before.