The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-07-15

How the Late Henry seybercs be-
ouest Will ne Carried Outline
Investigation Of the Com
msssiOn or the University
Of Penusylvsnia.

umveStlgnt3Ou Of tne sOm
msssion or the University
or Pennsylvania.
philadelphia Press.i
The recent action Of the trustees OF the
University OF Pennsylvania In appointing
n commission from the faculty TO investl-
gate the so-culled modern spirif,iaiism, IN
accordance with the bequest OF the late
Henry M. Seybert, who endowed the chair
Of Moral and Intellectual Philosophy OF
that institution, promises, from the men,
tai calibre OF the gentlemen com
posing the commission, 10 attract VIDE
spread scientific attention to that much
abused branch Of human knowledge
commonly called spirit-rappIng. Inc
choice of material IL regarded ~ most
happy one, and most likely TO result IN tnat
most difficult of human tasks, an Impartial
investigation. The chairman OF the COM
mission IL DR.. William Pepper, the provost
of the University, and gentleman OF ac-
knowledged scientific attalnments oil high
order. The other members OF the comlIls-
sion are Professor George A. koenig, fh'
D.. assistant professor Of chemistry,
graduate of Heidelburg University; Rev.
Robert Il. Thompson, A. NJ, professor
of social science; Joseph Leidy, nj. ~,
LII. d., professor OF anatomy; ana In
structOr Rev. George W. Fullerton.
The branches OF the investigation have
been assigned with view to the
experience of the different members.
Thus DR.. Pepper will look after the
physiological and medical phases OF the
problem, and will devote his attention to
attacking spiritualism from these stand.
points. Professors Leidy and koenig VIII
combat the physical aspects so far as they
relate to natural philosophy, while Kew.
Mr.. Fullerton and Rev. Professor Thomp-
son will view the subject from purely in
tcllectual and metaphysical standpoint.
They will be, in other words, the argllcrs
of the commission, and will attack the sub
iect with theories. Professor Thompson
Is regarded as q shrcwd thinker, quick to
make telling point. Thus equipped in
point OF theory and experience, the COM
mission will move upon the enemy's CEN
tire and TANKS simultaneously. and the bat
tie, however il may result, will be we'll
distributed siege, equally strong at every
point.
THE INVESTIGATION.
The late Mr.. Seybert was profound be-
lever in what is termed "modern spiritu-
alism, that is, he believed i'm the exist
ence and manifestation Of supernatural
agencies. There is now on hand available
for the prosecution Of the investigation the
sum OF 81 900. No formal meeting OF the
commission has as yet been held, although
there exists among the members u general
understanding OF the work and the necessi-
ties OF the investigation. DR.. Pepper is at
Newport, and will not return to the city UNI
ill about August It'll. Nearly every other
member is now absent from the city. The
line OF procedure has not been definitely
marked out. There isa feeling that the SUBJ
ject, from its very nature, must be ap-
preached with great caution, ii any really
valuable scientific knowledge is TO be OBJ
tanned from consideration thereof.
Among other provisions Of Mr.. Seyber's
bequest was that the incumbent OF the
chair Of Moral and Intellectual PhilOso-
ply should he included among the COM
mission. In the death of Rev. DIR. Krauth,
the vice provost OF the university, who
occupied so long and with such distin-
guished honor this chair, the commits
sion has lost an invaluable worker,
gentleman whose knowledge and expert
ence is equally varied and profound, would
abOrs, aud given to its findings an air Of
final authority not often attained in such
matters. However, the present commits
sion is most eXcelently equipped in these
respects. No member thereof is openly
committed TO belief i'm the "so-called
modern spiritualism," so that 1t Is doubt
full whether they will he able to arrive at
those conclusions. which would have been
90. Af. DItt
must not be understood that any fOregOne
conclusions are TO he INDUCED in. TO the
exclusion of honest scientific inquiry.
HOW 1T WILL BE APPROACHED.
Upon this point Professor KOenig is best
qualified to speak. He was seen by a Press
reporter last evening at his home, on Usage
avenue. What will be the first step OF
the commission ?" asked the reporter.
"That has not as yet been determined"
replied the Professor. "Thc subject, how
ever, can answer fort will be approach
ed cautiously. Conclusions will not he
jumped at. The work has been most evenly
and properly divided. The physical and
the metaphysical aspect of the problem will
receive equally learned and careful atten-
ton"
"What are your own opinions regarding
the so-called modern splritualism?
"Well," answered the Professor, laugh
ing, 81 must frankly admit that am pre-
pared to deny the truth OF spiritualsm as
it is now popularity understood. 1t is my
belief that all OF the so-called mediums are
humbugs, without exception. have never
seen Slade perform any OF his tricks, but
from the published descriptions have set
him down as an impostor-the cleyerest
one of the lot"
"What is your idea regarding the mode
OF conducting the investigation 2"
at is briefly as follows: For some time
past | have been in correspondence with
| the wife Of man living among the Sierra
Nevada mountains. This woman declares
that her husband possesses the power OF
locating mineral deposits and subterranean
streams OF water without the aid OF what is
known as a divining rod. So peculiar are
| his nerves constituted that whenever he
walks above either the water or the metal,
no matter ut what depth it be hidden, he
Is seized with violent trembling. l shall
suggest to the commission that they bring
this man to Philadelphia, so that the truth
OF his wiie's statements may be verified.
II it shall be found that ne is as she has
described, then, to my mind, two results
one scientific, the other practical-may be
attained.
THE EFFECT OF THE TRIAL.
! "ln the first place. II this mans nerves
are so delicate a. TO enable him to locate
minerals and hidden waters, the problem
OF the effect Of terrestrial magnetism upon
the human nerves is solved. Ii then re-
mains to invent machinery to gauge this
effect, so that the exact distance of the de-
posts below the surface OF the ground
may be determined. This is the prac-
teal result of the Investigation. Then,
| il 1t be proven that this mans