The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-07-29

SpIritualistic Phenomena.
The persuasive spirit of Katie King, which
so deeply influenced Mr. Wallace and other
men OF science and note IN England, was una.
ole to cope with the unsparing rigors OF our
climate, and turned out to be very simple
deception. The more recent wonders of the
same kind also have been wholly deprived of
| their miraculous character. Indeed, the
grave trouble with the phenomesa has al.
ways been their ludlcrous character. There
are, however, instances of singular responses
made by the "mediums" to certain questions
evidences of knowledge of things peculiar
/ ly intimate and personal, which are curious
and surprising, ana for the explanation of
which the key seems not to have been found
These, however may fairly be classed with
all well-attested phenomena of the night side
OF nature. And as many other apparently
linexplicable phenomena occurring at the
same time and under the same circumstances
are attributed by the operators to spiritual
agencies, but prove TO be the result of exceed
lngly material forces, it is illogical to assume
that the rest can not have a similar eXplana
ton Many, fortunately, require none. The
poetry OF the departed Shakespeare and tie
wisdom of the translated Bacon or Franklin
are plainly due to lunar influences not in
heaven, but upon earth. Consolation admin
islered by spry table legs, and assurances of
Immortality proceeding from tambourines
happily do not cry for explanation. They
explain themselves. Signor Blitz could give
such spirits odds and win the game.
One of the recent avatars was that of a wO-
man who, being tied fast was in some man.
ner waited upon by mysterious agencies,
which did what no living person could do
who could not use arms, hands, feet, or body.
AS usual, the things were done behind a
Tho uSn,ritor ira No 1pitI
their own invisibiti,y. The laws of the
spiritual world It seems, require that the
medium through whom they manifest them
selves should be invisible also. If guitar
| il played, II must be in a box or q cabinet, or
in the dark, or behind u screen. Why the
spirits of heavenly light fear the light of
earth, or the spirits of just men made perfect
are unwilling TO confront the gaze OF very
unjust and imperfect men, doth not appear
The medium can only assure US that ii is part
OF the mystery. Doubtless there are many
honest people who went to the exhibitions
of the medium, paying money at the door,
and who came away firmly convinced that
they had witnessed supernatural phenomena
For how could u woman with her hands tied
behind her back thumb guitar, put q pail
upon her head, drive II nail into board,
blow u tlageOlet, or tie knot in band
around her neCky
These are precisely the questions which
Mr.. w. Irving Bishop undertook TO answer
That such tAings could be done by spirits he
did not propose to question. He would only
show that they could be done by men and
women also. If he could do this the ''su.
pernatural" element would vanish, and the
medium" would be compelled to prove that
they were not done by her clever self bell nd
the screen. II, again, she could not prove
this, she must be considered an exposed
"humbug," and "spirituallsm'' would have
severely suffered, as when poor Katie King
yielded TO the pitiless confession OF Mrs.
Somebody in Philadelphia. Mr.. Irving
Bishop did what he promised. In company
with IA committee OF welI-known citizens Of
New York of high character, he appeared
upon the platform a. Chickering Hall. He
was placed In Il chair, and his hands were
tied closely to ring in post behind him,
and his neck was tied 10 another, as it he
were about to undergo the punishment of the
gnrrole. His feet were also tied together by
II rope, the end of which was held by spec
tatur. A ;ambourine was then laid upon his
| lap, with several bells, and, like the "medi-
um,' he was then hidden by IA curtain drawn
before him. Instantly the tambourlne re-
sounded, the bells rang, and both tambourine
and bells came flying over The cu ain, which
|
found closely tied. 1t was obviously mystic
rious, and probably the work of the spirits.
Perhaps PLATO and Calico were thus illus
tralIng the Immortality of the soul.
| A board with nail and hammer was plac.
| ed bv his side, the curtain was drawn, and
instantly hammering was heard. The cur
tain was pulled back Mr. Bishop was tied
fast and the spirits had hammered the nail
last into the board. A pail was placed upon
his lap, the curtain drawn to supply the pro-
per spiritual conditions, and the next moment
he was seen with the pail, like nightcap,
upon his head. A doll was cut from paper,
guitar was played, water was drunk from
iumbler on his knee, while his feet were
held fast and his neck tied close to ring
behind him. All was done behind screen,
and if 1t was not spirits, what was it? 1t is
the question which very honest and intelli.
gent and scientific men have asked. No
man bound in this manner could possibly do
these things. But they are done. No human
collision is possible. What does themY
"My hands," answered Mr.. Bishop. And
forthwith. bound as he was, and IN full view
of the audience, he repeated what he had
done behind the curtain, and showed that it
was due to suppleDess, agility, great quick
ness, and sclfpossession. Alas for Plato and
Calico! Supernaturalism spiritual agen.
clesY Does the courteous reader recall the
concluding words of DIR. Brownsons Charles
Ehcood, "And Elzabeth-wlll you tell us
nothing of her? Pardon me: | have planted
wild flowers upon her grave and waIered
them with my tears. '-EDIroR's EASY CHAIR,
in Hdrper's NdgdziRe for august.
Ii seems that Edwin Booth was one of the
men honored by The hatred of Jim Fisk. A
MN NnrL tplls mo all abDut II