The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-25

NKw YoRR, Oct. 22-The Star reports
that DR.. G. NJ. Richmond crossed swords
with spiritualsm and mind reading on the
stage of the Academy OF Music last night,
and the two suffered much at his hands.
There were about three thousand people
present, whom the doctor managed 10
completely mystiiy in the performance Of
several clever tricks, which he aitcrward
explained, and nearly every one was dis
appointed when he revealed the simplicity
with which they were done lie was fol
lowed by Mrs. Margaret Fox Kane, one Of
the celebrated Fox sisters, who made au
exposure OF the so-callcd spirit rapping.
After brief Introductory address DIR.
Richmond called ON some gentlemen In
the audience TO step upon the platform.
Sixteen answered TO the call and the doc.
tor procured from behind the scenes a
slate, which he passed TO the committee
for examination. Each one OF the sixteen
men carefully examined the slate, aud
then n wet cloth was handed TO one OF
them by the doctor with the request that
the slate be carefully wiped of
This was done, and the slate was passed
down into the audience, where II was
again closely scrutinizcd. When Il was
returned to the lecturer he placed II on u
table, on which lay newspaper The
doctor explained that lac intended TO show
the audience how spirit writing wa,
accomplished. lie called Tor piece %
chalk, which he placed under tho slate
and, after leaving II there for a few mao.
mcnls, be picked up the slate and OK
posed the under surface, which was COW
cred with writing The spirit message
was M follows
III would not come back 10 live In n
world where one smile must balance q
thousand tears, for la this realm oi bliss
there Is naught but smiles and happiness
"fHEpEmCK WILLIAM
II was some time later that the doctor
explained this trick lie disclosed the
fact tina, the slate had n triple surface.
The portion on which the writing WAS,
had been lying ON the newspaper, and rs
II was backed by piece Of paper smilat
o. that ON which d lay, could not be- de
tcctcd. The piece ol chalk was forced un
dor The false surface which forced on,
end mp into tie frame aud rendered II
easy for The operator a. pUa the ontirr
surface into position without chance uI
detection when be- picked the slate FROM
the table. The false surface being cdgrd
with rubber, clnng securely TO the frame.
IL wasa simple trick, thcdoctnr explained,
which wouldcnable spirituliisiic M 'liums
90 make thousands u dollars II they
worked u right
The next trick performed by the doctor
was IN the mind reading line, and delighted
the audience Sixteen slips oi paper were
placed In an ordinary looking tall hat.
Zach one II the committee was instructed
o. draw n clip from the hat Onc slip was
blank and TIE doctor. before the drawing.
hlid That TIE person Who drrw tho blank
alp should remain on the platform, aud
The ust rusumo their rcatL This Wa
done aud lh0 lecturer, having placed q
blackboard before thc i0ltlIuht.. Instructed
TIE committeeman Go take 4 hih lr1m his
pocket sud note tho uumIpruiiL
lho doctor proposed tu write the mum.
DR. un TIE board. Tho committeeman
handed ihg hill 90 John A. stevens. wb,
fnt in q box With the Fox Nsirn nt M,
sido Of The stage. Ihpd0giur. aIl the umD
closely watching Doc comm Jiaomau's oyo
wrote III Histull." which Naa pr,
nonrccd correct. ilr His1 named the dp
nomination oi che b.ll which waaas5 10
yer crtihcIie. The Performance was "a