THE DAVENPORT BROTHERS.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 695, 11 September 1876, Page 4

THE DAVENPORT BROTHERS.

The Argus of the 25th gives the following account of a private seance of the Davenport Brothers given in Melbourne : The Davenport Brothers, who have achieved a world-wide fame in connection with what are known as spiritual manifests, tions and the marvellous doings in their now famous cabinet, gave a private exhibition of their performances in the large hall at Hockin’s Assembly Rooms last night. About 100 well-known citizens of Melbourne and the representatives of the daily and weekly newspapers were present. The cabinet in which such very odd things are done was placed at the north end of the hall, close to the centre window. It is a plain piece of furniture, made of cedar, placed on trestles, which raised it about eighteen inches from the floor. It is nearly Bft long, 6£ft high, and 3ft deep. In the front are three doors, which, when opened, expose the whole of the interior to view. The centre door has a lozenge shaped opening near the top. The company were all seated in front of the cabinet, leaving a clear space of a few yards deep. Shortly after 8 o’clock Mr Fay, who acted throughout the evening as spokesman, came forward and announced that the performance would consist of the ordinary cabinet seance and the dark seance . He re quested those present to choose two gentle men to examine the cabinet and see that no person was hidden about it. Dr Neild and Mr Hugh George were chosen to examine the apparatus, and to watch the performances throughout the evening. On the doors being opened it was seen that there were two fixed seats, one at each end, while on a shelf and on the ground were about a dozen bells, three or four guitars, a banjo, and some tambourines, The Brothers Davenport were then introduced, and each taking a seat at opposite ends of the cabinet were securely tied by Dr Neild and Mr George to their seats by the wrists and ankles. The doors were then closed, but before the middle one was shut a banjo was thrown out. The doors were then opened, and a hat was placed on the head of one of the brothers, and just as the last door was closing, it was flung out of the cabinet. The hat was put on again, and again it was flung out, just as the centre door was being closed. This feat was greatly applauded. The doors were then shut, and they had scarcely closed when bells were rung, the guitars sounded as if fingers were drawn carelessly across the strings, and there was great deal of knocking and banging about of the various instruments. Soon after there was an attempt to play a tune on the violin, with a rattling tambourine accompaniment. The black velvet curtain which hung across the lozenge-shaped opening near the top of the centre door was pulled on one side, bells were held out, and then several plebeianshaped and not over clean hands showed at the opening in quick succession. The doors were thrown open from the inside and some of the instruments thrown out. The Davenport Brothers were then seen to be still tied to the seats, and on examination it was found that the fastenings had not been tampered with, Mr Fay then asked that some one would volunteer to be shut up in the cabinet with the brothers, and after a little hesitation Mr Blair came forward and amid much laughter he was tied by one hand to one of the Davenports and one hand to the other. The door was then shut, Mr Blair’s friends bidding him a laughing adieu, immediately there was a great noise inside, bells were rung and the musical instruments sounded. Mr Blair’s voice was heard as if remonstrating, but it was soon drowned in the noise made. On the doors being opened the three occupants were found to be tied as before. Mr Blair said that he was certain that neither of the brothers moved from his seat, and that they did not stir in the least. All he could say was that the place appeared to be full of hands, which seemed to move about in every direction. The doors were then shut again, and in a little over a minute and a half they were opened, when the brothers were found to be free from their bonds. They were then shut in again, and in two minutes and a half the doors were opened, when they were found again tied to the seats by wrist and ankle as before. On each occasion a great noise was made inside the cabinet. Again, the doors were hsut, and soon after several hands were thrust out of the opening at the same time. Another volunteer was called for, and Dr Fulton was locked in. He was tied in the same manner as Mr Blair had been. The doors were shut, and a great noise was made inside with nearly all the instruments, and on the doors being opened the three persons were found to be securely tied. Dr Fulton said that neither of the brothers moved in the slightest degree while he was shut up with them, and whoever made the noise and touched the instruments, he was sure it was neither of them. The brothers then had some flour placed in their hands while still tied. The doors were then shut, instantly there was a noise made, bells were rung, hands were shown at the opening, and the instruments knocked about. On the doors being opened, the brothers were found to be free, and on coming to the front they showed the flour still in their hands. This feat was received with great applause. After a short interval of repose the dark seance was commenced. Mr Fay and Mr Ira Davenport were tied to two chairs in the open space in front of the cabinet. A piece of paper was put under each foot, and marked so that any movement would he seen. The lights were then extinguished and a great noise was made with the guitars and tambourines and fiddle, but on lighting up it was seen by the marks that neither of the performers had moved in the least. Whilst this was being done Mr W. Davenport was held by one of the spectators. The lights were again extinguished, the guitars being marked with phosphorised oil. They were then seen to be swung about in a wild and reckless manner. It was noticed that they moved as if some persons walked up and down the open space swinging the guitars about. On lighting up again, the fastenings were in the same state. The ends of the rope were then sealed with wax, and the lights being put out, Mr George requested that Mr Pay would take his coat off. Immediately Mr Fay called for a light; a match was struck, and the coat was seen flying through the air, and Mr Fay was sitting in the seat with his coat off, still tied and the seal unbroken. An overcoat was placed on the table, and on the lights being extinguished, a request was made by Mr George that Mr Fay would put it on. The words were hardly spoken when a light was called for, and Mr Pay was aeen with an overcoat on him, and he still flitting in the chair, tied, and the seal at the eudaof the rope unbroken. After another short interval of darkneas Messrs Davenport fod w«« fatmd to be free from the

fastenings. After another feat of throwing the guitars about, and making them sound a few feet above the table on which they were placed, the seance came to an end Messrs Davenport and Fay were most heartily applauded, all present admitting that they were fairly mystified by what they j had seen. ’

Messrs Davenport intend giving three seances in the town hail, commencing early next month. The performance is a very agreeable and amusing one, and can be enjoyed by the most timid person, without any fear of their suffering from fright.