THE CAPTURE OF A SPIRIT.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2185, 19 March 1880, Page 2

THE CAPTURE OF A SPIRIT.

The following letter appears in the “ Times —“ Sir, —We think the followiug facts will he interesting to the readers of the “ Times.” Some time ago, being desirous of investigating the truths of so-called Spiritualism, we were advised bj’ an eminent Spiritualist to attend the seances hold at 83, Great Bussell street (British (National Association of Spiritualists). Wo were assured that the seances conducted at

that association ■wore the most genuine in England, and under strict test conditions on our first visit, the modiura being tied by one of us with groat care, no manifestations followed. At the second visit, on January 2, one of us again tied the medium, but under the directions of the chairman, who is officially connected with the institution. A ‘spirit’ soon appeared, which we were told was ‘Marie,’ and was represented to be that of a dead child twelve years of. age. She was dressed in white, her face covered wilh a veil, and her arms and feet bare. We were surprised to distinguish the shape of a corset under the white robes, and her voice and general appearance gave us the idea that it was the medium herself —Mrs Corner (nee Florie Cook). On the third visit, Jan. 9, we were accompanied by a friend, Mr John C. Fell, engineer, and editor of a scientific journal, of 23, Rood Lane, E.C., with his wife. The ‘ spirit Marie ’ again appeared and rendered our former suspicions almost certain by the audible sound of undressing within the curtain, and by the ‘ unspiritual ’ levity of her behavior and conversation. One of us made a sudden rush unperceivcd and captured the ‘ spirit,’ while another dashed into the curtains, and drawing them aside, displayed the medium’s empty chair with the knot slipped, her dress, stockings, and boots, and other discarded garments. There was sufficent light from a half-obscured candle for the captured ‘ spirit,’ and all the above objects to be plainly seen, which latter were handed round for inspection and examined by all pi’csent. After a few minutes—to cover the confusion we presume—the candle was extinguished by the official present, and we adjourned to the lower room. All present except the officials, one of whom took; refuge in abuse, entirely agreed with us, and thanked us for exposing the deception. Now, sir, we leave, general conclusions on Spiritualism to others, but what we do claim to have proyed is that, in the first society of Spiritualists in England, one of its best mediums has been detected in personatingl the spirit herself. Not wishing to further occupy your valuable space, we , shall be happy to giye further information to anyone interested in the cause of truth. George R. Sitwell, Carl Yon Buch. Witnesses of the signatures of Sir George R. Sitwell and Carl Yon Buch, F.C.S.: —John C. Fell, M.1.M.E., Professor of Mechanics. 23‘ Rood lane, E.B.‘ 18th January.”