The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-11-24
Powers of Second sIaht.

SEALED LETTERS DECTPHEBED-DIsr rANT FRIENDS
sEES AND THEIR SURROUNDINGS DESCRIBED
WORKS OF ART FASHIONED Ri BLIND oIRL.
No sooner had Miss Fancher emerged
from her first trance. soon after the accident
than she astonished hor relatives by an extra
ordinary description OF what she had seen
while in that condition. II was unmistak able
second sight As tho frances continued. the
manifestations increased. She watched and
related In detail the movements OF the familys
friends In different parts OF the city and ulti-
mately narrated what was happening 10 those
who were many miles away. She read letters
that were enclosed in envelopes and kept In the
pockets OF those about her. She recognized
persons who rang the door bell. whilo hey were
still outside the house. and Of course not visi-
bic to her. She read books whose covers were
closed. and newspapers that were unfoded
Every day brought some new and astonishing
development Of this power. Yet with all this WAS
the most sensitive repugnance toward letting
her condition become known 10 the general
public through the newspapers. or toward
being a subject OF talk or gossip by strangers.
Her friends were always welcome 10 her bed
side, but It was long before stranger was ad-
mtted. and yet longer before she could be per-
suaded 10 show her powers to any but the most
intimate friends. This sensitiveness continues
even to the closing OF tho thirteenth year
Of her illness. She will not consent that
her friends shall give any information
concerning her that is intended for publicity.
And they have 50 far acceded 10 her desires
that. although repeatedly sought for. IL is not
until very recently that any details OF her curl
Gus existence have been obtained. She num-
bors among her frequent visitors, clereymen,
physicians. scholars. and men OF science.
many OF whose names arc mentioned in this
article. and all OF whom are instantly attracted
By hor marvellous condition. She lies In a
modest. yet comfortable home surrounded by
the fashionable avenues OF that part OF Brook
yn known as tho Hill. Her intelligent and
those with whom she Is surrounded her unmis-
taxable truthfulness. the adherence with which
she regards publicity ana tho absence of any
motive for enriching herself or her friends by
the use OF her gifts, seem 10 those who have
studied her case 70 preclude the possibility OF
Intentional deception or imposition.
HER APPEARANCE IN TRANCE.
1t is in the condition OF trance that Miss Fanoh-
er makes her most astonishing revelations. At
these times she suddenly starts as though
charged from an electric battery and instantly
becomes rigid In every Joint and muscle. Her
face takes on sometimes a most painful ex-
preston at others one OF positive pleasure.
yet oitener II is as the face OF one who is dead
To those unaccustomed 10 seeing her. the con-
ylction that she Is indeed dead is irresistible.
face Not the slightest movement Is perceptihle
~ any OF her muscles; She ceases to breathe.
F No Sfs that cola are Her gs aH% s out
although her physicians have not con-
ggi9GSed ggli9aGSd tthem9elyGs that i does not
rsscs her up into hs-sittins hairecnins fiSeHihSs
position, in which she remains as immovahle
has seen her in this condition speaks Of the
beauty and pathos OF the scene-the ashcn com
pleXion the brown fine waving hair streaming
the faultless features, neither wrInkled nor
drawn nor wasted. Pn9 yet not rounded and
graceful arm transnxed in its position at tho
perhaps exio9ded % receive visitors saigtS-
arm bent behind her head as though she were
resting upon It; the eyes closed.
She remains thus sometimes for half an hour.
sonnet mes for half a mi mute. She has remain
ed 80 for twenty four hours. After she recov-
ers. ne breathing Tor few seconds is very Ia
to their former condition. and she settles back
upon her pillow with very marked expression
her face, for her eIperiences in the trance Give
her one or the other Of these sensations.
Tho frances are tho only rest she obtains
She never sleeps, Day and night are alike 10
her. She can distinguish persons. forms and
colors with as much accuracy at midnight as at
midday although 1t is established beyond ques-
tion that she has not the sight OF her natural
eyes. nor has she had such normal sight save
In the interval mentioned since the beginning
THE EFFECT OF EXCITEMENT.
Any undue excitement throws her into a |
trance-a thunder clap. the firing OF a cannon, |
the unexpected Intrusion OF a stranger into her |
room, worry over an absent member Of the |
household and tho frances are repeated with |
rapidity until her mind Is again In repose. |
Oftentimes. when worried over the absence OF |
some loved one. she has said. must search |
for her" and has gone into the trance On |
emerging therelrom, II asked whether her |
in tho affirmative: ~ Yes j saw her in 49, =
street; she will soon be home" and very |
soon in walks the wanderer Sometimes |
she is not successful in several attempts. |
but she ceases not until satisfied At other |
times her vision wanders. 1t has gone TO a sum. |
mer scat on the Hudson, where were several OF |
her friends, and she has afterward boen able to |
describe minutoly the houses. the barns. the |
meadows, and fences. the water In front OF and |
the woodland In the rear OF the dwelling. and |
with fidelity that Is instantly recognized by |
those familiar with the region. When scientific |
men and physiclans have produced some, ex;