SPIRITUALISTS IN TROUBLE.

Evening Star, Issue 3658, 12 November 1874, Page 3

SPIRITUALISTS IN TROUBLE.

■ An unbelieving stranger has obtained access to a seuure of devotees whom lie greatly scandalised by turning on a bull’s eye lantern at a most untoward momfent. From the report published it would seem that dwellers in the thriving town of Newcastle-upon-Tyne are not all “ too far north ” to be taken in by mediums and manifestations. Some professors of the art and mystery of holding communications with the world of spirits located there, and drove a brisk business. Whether any charge is made for admission we are not informed, but as the privilege of mlrfc is only gained by ballot, wo should think the organisers of the entertainment are not silly enough to let anybody in free, gratis, for nothing.” In any case, Mr Charles Auckland, a grocer, and Mr Thomas Rook, Jiiu assistant; found them-

selves the other day in a darkened room in company with sundry ladies and gentlemen of spiritualistic proclivities. They wore told to sitstill, join hands, show no light, and not he disajfpointed if they got nothing for their time and trouble. This "progiammo' is not particularly inviting, hut seekers after sensation will endure certain tedium and probable disappointment x’ather than loose a chance. Accordingly Mr Auckland went in, and like a good little boy sat quiet enough for a while. The company chanted a hymn with much, fervor, and sung several Newcastle songs with still greater gusto. Tlalt-au-hour afterwards there was “ a noise as of some one beating on the floor.” The initiated said this was done by a spirit named Geordie, though why Geurdie should take such a very odd way of letting dwellers in ‘this lower earth know ot Ins spiritual existence none but a spiritualist can understand. AVo presume Mr Auckland wanted to know, because he at once “ turned on the bidls-eye,’' greatiy to the confusion and discomfort of all concerned. Mr Auckland declares that by the momentary Hash of light he saw one of the “ lady mediums” rush to her chair and sit down, we presume trying hard to look as if nothing particular had happened. Ifut the sympathisers were not so quiet. A lady gave vent to convulsive sobs, wept bitterly, ami “hung her head over the bacx of her chair,” while the gentlemen spiritualists threatened “to smash ” the interloper, with an emphasis woi thy of the most irreverent bruiser undo. Hie sun. As Mr Auckland found his quarters getting rather narmor than pleasant, he strove to escape from spiritualistic society, but ''as piG'ontcd by material obstacles, t he door was kept by one of the sturdy brethren, who refused to let the doubter go until they saw if he had (.lone any damage. Eventually, a policeman came upon the scone, and in his piesenee everybody—.and every spirit too—became more composed. Mr Auckland was allowed to depart unsinashed, and he forthwith took out summonses for assault against two porwho had taken part in the proceedings.