The Portland daily press., 1876-02-26
Decentralization under Tests.

As Mrs Hardy, the medium, is to appear
again in this city soon the following account
of her latest seance on Sunday evening last, as
given in the Boston Herald, is of interest: She
was enveloped in sack, and sat upon the pat
form before large number of spectators with
view to producing the mould of spirit hand
under circumstances which would preclude the
editors of the Investigator and the Spiritual
Scientist from alleging that she 'did it with her
feet" In about twenty minutes from the time
the screen was thrown around the table under
which stood the pail of water and paraffine, the
invisible chemists signified to the medium that
their work was completed, and when the table
was removed there lay by the side of the vessel
perfect waxen mould of human hand. The
sack enveloping the medium to the neck was
carefully examined by committee before and
after the sitting and found to be intact, and the
inhdel member of the committee publicly con-
fessed his inability to suggest any possible hu.
man mode of accomplishing the result achieved.
The seance was introduced by Mr.. John
Hardy, the husband of the medium, by WE'LL
written and compact history of the origin aud
growth of the materializing phenomena attend
ing the mediumship of Mrs Hardy, and cogent-
ly claiming for them, whether Spiritual or 9TH
erwise, the earnest attention of scientific chem
lists.
Mr.. Seaver and another gentleman in the
hall wanted Mrs Hardy to also enclose the par
affiine and water in bag or screen, but for
reasons best known to the medium and those
cOpversant with the subtle conditions OF medi.
umship this was declined, although an ex-
perimental seance under the direction of Dr.
Gardner that morning, at the house of the
medium where the water and paraffine were
locked within an enclosure of wood and wire,
resulted as usual in the production of a mould.
which was found floating in the water. 1t is
Que to the medium to say that this double test
or the interpositiOn of the wire screen largely
added to the draft upon her vitality, but fully
assured DR.. Gardner, if tho assurance were
needed, that the production of the mould was
the unmistakable result of superseDsual forces,
and gave him confidence to assert in Paine
Hall last evening that this was the beginning
of a series OF experiments which would as.
tonish the world. He even promiesd Mr.. Sea.
yer the pleasure of witnessing spirit in full
foIm standing upon the platform of his mate
riaiistc temple.
Miss ANNIE f. KENT.-The death of Miss
Annie F. Kent at her fathers residence on
Park street yesterday morning, although long
imminent, was very sad and affecting event
to large circle of loving and appreciative
friends. She was young lady Of most admir-
able qualities in all respects. To an attractive
personal appearance were added a brightness
of mind and amiability of disposition that won
the constant affection of all about her.
Through her long illness she maintained a
cheerfulness and serenity which were proof
against the most depressing circumstances and,
until the last, she cheered the hearts of her
sorrowing friends with her own hopefulness
She was very thoughtful for others and in all
ways was solicitous to save her friends from
fatigue and pain in their care of her. She was
very conscientious and was consistent men,
ber of State Street Church. She died, as she
had lived, with kindly wishes for all whom she
left on earth and with full hope and conf
dence in blessed immortality beyond. Her
death was beautiful end to bright and beau
tiful life.
Then fell upon the house sudden gloom. o
A shadow on those features fair and thin,
And softly, from that hush'd and darkend room,
Two angels issued where but one went in.