, 1876-10-01

hand which was holding the slate down to the
table, and that the upper message was writ
ten by SnADE on the slate while it was resting
on his knee, concealed by the edge OF the
table. before it was placed On the table. Ihe
exclamation which Dr.. DoSK1N makes Of the
manner in which the trick was discovered Is
so interesting that We give the substance OF
Il Dr DosH1N writes to the London Times:
The next communication was partly quite }egl-
HE and in straightforward, undisguised hand, but
this time it appeared on the upper surface OF 1ne
slate. Bearing In mind the hypothesis that tnis
was ready written before the spirit got to VOTE
nnfer the table, carefully watched SLApE during
q considerable interval before he replaced tne
slate. While he was clearing his throat and max
ing ehort remarks. I saw his right arm. now ~
some distance from the table, moving exactly ID
though he were writing on something placed ON
his knee Owing to my position At the table op-
nosite him, could not sec his hand. Slmuitane-
usly heard the scratching Of the pencil, hardy
at al1 obscured by the noises I allude TO-
After the replacement Of the slate the spirit"
scratching this time as ruse) was heard as De-
fore.
Before the next communication, the SPIRITS were
naked II they could write for Prof. LASKEsrER~
They agreed to do SO. 1zQbscrved the mealum "
+h,ouoh the same sort Of mancuvres as BEFORE
although even more deliberately, very little effort
/, being made to hide loud scratching while the
slate was away from the table. After some nttle
time, SLApE put the slate under the table, holding
n aa before. with his right hand Prot. Lancaster
ha;ro ohout to hold it with his left In similar
manner. Here let especial notice be given to the
fact that at this moment the slate was said to De
| free from writing. Before any time was allowed
for splrit-scratching to be heard, my friend, as
aereed upon, sharply withdrew the slate, and' IN
| accordance with the prophecy, displayed the mes
| sage already written.
In view Of the imposition practced upon
them, or at least attempted, both gentlemen
ara unanimous in their Characterization OF
it. They pronounce the exposure perfect,
and do not hesitate to say that S1ADE ls
humbug and charlatan who should be prose-
cuted for obtaining money under false pre-
| lenses.
| The most interesting feature OF the e1-
nosure is that this transparent humbug en-
gagged the attention of such dignitied body
of savants as the British Association OF
Glasgow, in which SHADES tricks were held
M as proofs Of spirit-power, and as deserV-
mo the attention of men Of science The
subject was introduced by Prof. BARRETT IN
n paper upon ssSome Phenomena Associated
with Abnormal Conditions of Mind, and IN
the discussion which followed SLADE and
his charlatanry were indorsed by such emil
nent men asDr. CARPENTER, the Psychologist,
and WALLACE, the naturalist. The result o1
the discussion of this body OF savants has
afforded the English papers and reviews 81
unfaiIng source Of humor and satire. The
7;n.s thinks the Association has degraded
itself. and declares its credu1ity to be as
founding. The Spectator says the Assocla
+ion furnished an illustration " OF lmbecA'
credulity and mad deluaon." The Saturda!
Rerie,o sums up three-column article OF
the humbug with the following declaration
It ia well known thai scientific knowledge Is
great snare when applied in an unscientihc man
. ncr The most perfect logic will not serve 'a'
who starts on falee premise. On the WHOLE sooe
human experience is the safest guide in this, as
most things. The moral Of the whole aialr
summed up in ROBERT STEPHESsoSs remark
| the man who used to bother him ABOUT pe6Pe1u'
motion: stIf you will take yourself up by tn
nelly hand OF your brecches and carry yourse]
} round the room, will consider the matter"
+ The whole affair aptly illustrates the ol
, saving, "a little learning is dangerou
J thing" and will be likely to do great harm t
: science by showing to what absurd result
8 its votaries may attain in carrying OF
, HrnscHr1,'s advice: *tThe natural phllos<
2 nher should believe all things not improbable
= hope all things not impossible" The adol
0 tion Of this advice without qualification hf
o left that grave and dignihed collection
l. English savants aoundering in puddle
e the most transparent quackery.