National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-05-02
SPORTIVE SPIRITS.
HOW THEY BEHAVED LAST NIGHT.
Miss Fay's Sunday Night Seance at the National
Theatre-A Venerable Commttee-Mysterf-
GUS Music, Beautiful Flowers, and
Messages from Spirit Land.

When the curtain rolled up at the Ma
tonal Theatre last evening there was large audi
ence present which had during the previous ten
minutes or so been engaged in making cat-calls
and stamping. At that moment the lights
flashed up and Mr.. Braddon skipped out
! from the flies and made his bow
He announced himself as the assistant of Miss
Fay, the world renowned medium" Mr.. Brad
don is stout built man, of smooth face and wore
dress suit and white necktie. He glanced sharply
about, and informed that portion of the audience
that had given evidence of having brought their
cat-cal and stamping apparatus along that
they did not propose to have any noise, ana that
two or three policemen were in the theatre, and
would materialize upon slight notice. He then
said that in their manifestations which they pro-
posed to give they took "the
MIDDLE SCIENTIFIC GROUND"
That is, the audience could see what was done,
and judge for themselves as to the cause. A COM
mittee of inspection to occupy seats on the stage
was next in order and, as Miss Fay had expressed
wish that this committee should consist of elderly
gentlemen, the audience was asked to be guided
by her wishes in making the selection.
After number of names had been suggested by
the audience, finally Captain Cabell IA benevolent
looking old gray haired man, with spectacles) ap
peared on the stage with Professor Blanchard
ian elderly man of portly fgure) and DR..
Baxter The latter, however, soon retired
and left the other two in charge. Hav-
ing thus arranged the preliminaries, 1.-The
middle scientific ground was taken with the aid
of the medium, Miss Fay, and small cabinet of
red rep, which was drawn about slight wooden
frame. The cabinet made very pretty picture on
the stage, and so did Miss Fay. She is fay in ap
pcarance as well as in name. A slight, girliSh
figure, draped in some light flowing stuff, with
opcn-work sleeves and a profusion of golden
hair clustering about a pale, spirituelle
face. Her cheeks showed slight flush of color
and as she bowed to the audience smile fluttered
about her mouth. She looked as if she might see
spirits most any time. Mr.. Braddcn then gravely
announced that it was well known that person,
by the exercise of will-pOwcr could stop another
Oh the street. and by the exercise ofthc same power
SOME evil-incined person could break up the show.
He expressed the hope that no one in the audience
would be so unkind as to interfere with the pro-
posed manifestation by the exercise of their will
power. AS everything moved along smoothly dur
ing the evening, it is the assumption that no sim
ister- mindedi person eXerted their will-power.
Everything being satisfactorily arranged, the
committee felt all around the cabinet for
wires, ghosts, sc. They pronounced the
cabinet all right. An upright board had been
SCEShCu ~ 1ilSluc Ol CdDlllct III
front of which was camp stool. In this board
was screwed an iron ring. Miss Fay
stepped to the foot-lights and held out
her arms. end the committeeman tied two
linen strips about her wrists. In order
to make things more secure, they were
asked to sew the knots. A thread and needle was
furnished, and the venerable committeeman
rolled up his sleeves adjusted his spectacles spit
on his kid gloves and, amid the laughter of the
audience, took hold of the needle if it was a
crow bar. He scwcd his sew, and then the
other committeeman took hold. Miss Fay
looked worried, but said nothing Then
her hands were tied together behind her back,
and taking her seat on the camp-stool in the
cabinet, she was tied to the ring by bands from
her hands and around her neck. Then the ven
cradle committeeman tied her feet together. The
medium was then tied inside the cabinet. She
looked like the
PICTURE OF IPHIGENIA
chained to the rock, only of course, she had more
clothes Oh. a tambourine, two bells, and mouth
organ were placed in her lap. The curtain was
closed, and almost at once great noise heard.
The mouth organ was played and the bells rung
Then the curtain was drawn and the medium ap-
Deared tied as before. The committee looked her
over and pronounced the knots all right. Pro-
lessor Blanchard then took a scat in the
cabinet, silk handkerchief was put over
MS face, and a large tin pail upon
MS head. A lead pencil was put in her
mouth and some sheets of white paper on her lap.
The cabinet was closed. The usual demonstra-
ions were heard. When it was opened again Pro-
csSor Blanchard, cnvcloped in the tin pail and
holding the hands of the medium, sat as before. |
When he was released he said that the medium |
lad not moved.
SOME MESSAGES
m tl,a mir Of tl,o
ore blank, and were read They were written by |
pirits. One was rs follows:
Why weep for me? Angels are with me-angels of
ruth and progress. Spiritualism is true.
LUCY A. JONES.
Another spirit, who signed himself George W. |
Iiller, advised his friends to have a sitting with
he medium, DR.. Slade, before he left the city. Dr.
lade, who occupied one of the boxes, must have |
een gratited by this supernatural appreciation of
himself, but he said nothing. Another message
igned by Willard Fillmore, expressed the opinion |
nat the last Inauguration was grand |
riumph of the Republican admins
ration and predicted that "the son |
# Ohio will give you an administration for truth
nd justice" Before Miss Fay gave her eight !
eance" Mr.. Braddon gave what he called the
lyman test, which consisted of his Being tied with
ordS to chair in the cabinet. When it was
losed bells were rung, &c, and when it was
pcned the cords were found undisturbed. For
THAT is known as
THE OPEN SEANCE
hree chairs were placed in front of the cabinet.
he curtain being drawn. Then q lady came upon
he stage from the audience, who was recognized
s local medium of some reputation. Captain
abel took the middle chair, with Miss Fay on his
light and the other lady on the left A brown cur
ain was drawn about, leaving only the heads
bove. This presented very comical sight, and
Tcated great laughter. From the aperture in the
ront curtain of the cabinet directly over
he old mans head appeared delicate
'hite hand, which placed a hoop over the old
lan's head, scattered flowers over him, thrust
uitar out &c. This closed the entertainment.
$ the audience was leaving a voice called out:
Where is the piano?' This had reference TO the