Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-07-21
spirltuaIistic Phensuena.

The persuasive spirit of Katie King,
which so deeply influenced Mr.. Wallace
and other men of science and note in Eng
land, was unable TO cope with the unspar-
ing rigors OF our climate, and turned out
10 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 phenomena has alwas been their lu-
dcrous character. There are, however,
instances of singular responses made by
the "mediums' to certain questions -evi-
dences of knowledge of things peculiarly
intimate and personal, which are curious
and surprising, and for the explanation of
which the key seems not 10 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 inexplicable 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 exceedingly material
forces, ii is illogical 10 assume that the rest
cannot have a similar explanation. Many,
fortunately, require none. The poetry of
the departed Shakespeare and the wisdom
OF the translated Bacon or Franklin are
plainly due TO lunar influences not in
heaven, but upon earth. Consolation adj
ministered by spry table legs, and assur-
ances of Immortality proceeding from tam
bourines, happily do not cry for explana-
tion. They explain themselves. Signor
Blilz could give such spirits odds and win
the game.
One of the recent avatars was that of
woman who, being tied fast, was in some
manner waited upon by mysterious agen-
cies, which did what no living person
could do who could not use arms, hands,
feet, or body. AS usual, the things were
done behind screen. The "sprits" are
not content with their own iuvisibility.
The laws of the spiritual world, it seems,
require that the medium through whom
they manifest themselves should be invisi-
ble also. II guitar is played, it must be
in box or a cabinet, or in tie dark, or be-
hind screen. Why the spirits of heaven
ly light fear the light Of earth, or the spir-
its of just men made perfect are unwilling
to confront the gaze of very unjust and inn
perfect men, doth not appear. The medi-
um can only assure us that it is part of the
mystery. Doubtless there are many hon.
est people who went 10 the exhibitions of
the medium, paying money at the door,
and who came away firmly convinced that
they had witnessed supernatural phenom-
ena. For how could woman with her
hands tied behind her back thrum a quit
ar, put pail upon her head, drive nail
into a board, blow flageolet, or tie a knot
in band around her neck?
These were precisely the questions which
Mr.. w. Irving Bishop undertook to an
swer. That such things 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. II he could do
this, the "supernatural' element would
vanish, and the medium would be COM
PEELED 10 prove that they were not done by
her clover self behind the screen. If, again,
she could not prove this, she must be con-
sidered an exposed "humbug," and "spir-
itualism" would have severely suffered, as
when poor Katie King yielded to the pitt
less confession Of Mrs. Somebody in Phila-
delpha. Mr.. Irving Bishop did what he
promised. In company with committee
of well-known citizens of New York of
high character, he appeared upon the plat
form at Chickering Hall. He was placed
in chair, and his hands were tied closely
to ring in a post behind him, and his
neck was tied to another, as if he were
about 10 undergo the punishment OF the
garrote. His feet were also tied together
by rope, the end of which was held by
spectator. A tambourine was then laid
upon his lap, with several bells, and, like
the "meduni," he was hidden by cur
tain drawn before him. Instantly the tam
BOURNE resounded, the bells rang, and
both tambourine and bells came flying
over the curtain, which was at once with
drawn, and Mr.. Bishop was found closely
tied. 1t was obviously mysterious, and
probably the work of spirits. Perhaps
Plato and Calico were thus illustrating
the Immortality of the soul.
A board with a nail and hammer was
placed by his side, the curtain was drawn,
and instantly hammering was heard. The
curtain was pulled back Mr.. Bishop was
tied close, and the spirits had hammered
the nail fast into the board. pail was
placed npon his lap, the curtain drawn to
supply the proper spiritual conditions, and
the next moment he was seen with the
pail, like night-cap, upon his head. A
doll was cut from paper, gHitar was play |
ed, water was drunk from a tumbler on
his knee, while his feet were held fast and |
his neck tied close TO ring behind him. |
All was done behind a screen, and If it was |
not spirits, what was itH 1t is the ques- |
tion which very honest and intelligent and |
scientific men have asked. No man bound |
in this manner could possibly do these |
things. But they are done. No human |
collusion is possible. What does them? |
"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 suppleness, agility, great |
quickness, and self-possession. Alas for
Plato and Calico! SupernaturalismH |
Spiritual agenciesH Does the courteous
reader recall the concluding words of DR.. |
Brownson's Charles ElVoOd, "And Eliza
beth-will you tell us nothing of herS Par
don me: L have planted wild flowers up
on her grave and watered them with my
Tears. Editors Easy Chair IN Harper'S
Magazine for August.
"
Doc DAYs.-This term was applied by
the anclents to that period of the year when
Sirius, the brightest star in the constella-
tion known AS CuniS AIdiog rose and set