the names of those present, and begging that the table may be tipped at the right name. Then if the person indicated repeats the alphabet slowly, not dwelling longer on one letter than another, but giving time after each for the movement to be made, the table will be found to tip at some letter. Note that, and repeat the alphabet again, and so on till a name is spelled, beginning again after each letter is obtained. The name will in all probability be at once recognised. Then ask for a sentence or communication from the unseen power, which will be given at once by the alphabet and the tipping. Those who really desire to try the nature of the phenomenon will do wisely not to put test or leading questions, but to take what comes, and wait with patience for an explanation of all incoherencies. I would also say, Let the questions of will-power, and unconscious muscular action, &c., which will naturally arise in the mind, be deferred for the present. It is certain that great activity in the brains of those concerned interferes with the experiment. The sentence received will perhaps contain a special message to the person chosen to repeat the alphabet, or it may be a general greeting or piece of advice, or possibly a direction how to improve the circle by changing places or otherwise. The person to whom the message is given may perhaps say, 'If this is from a spirit at all, I am sure it is not from the phraseology is so unlike his. Take all you can get. If the examination is pursued in a good and serious spirit you have a better chance of receiving communications of the same character, and these are far less puzzling and misleading than the merry but foolish sentences which are sometimes given when the party only assembles for fun. And at this stage of the enquiry all discrepancies must be left for future consideration. Perhaps, instead of the table tipping or moving, raps or sounds will be heard, like slight discharges of electricity, in or on the wood of the table. With these proceed exactly as with the tipping, first securing a perfect understanding between the source of the sounds and the circle around the table, and then repeating the alphabet as directed. It sometimes happens that instead of the occurrence of sounds or movements, the hand of one of the party may be agitated perhaps with some violence. If this person takes a pencil, the hand will be moved backwards and forwards, round and round, sometimes in irregular forms, sometimes in long lines of consecutive curves and waves, till at length it settles itself into a steady movement, tracing letters and at length legible words and sentences. The rapidity or slowness of the writing will depend on the character of medium power, and possibly on the temperament of the writer. Additional power is sometimes gained by another person placing a hand on the writer's wrist. The writing should not be allowed to continue if flippant or irreligious sentences are given, nor if the writer feels exhausted. I do not pretend to account for the fact, at all events not in this place, but I believe that when the communications are foolish or malignant in their meaning, the persons through whose agency they are given will be likely to suffer more or less exhaustion. The movement of the hand may perhaps resolve itself into drawing instead of writing, though it is, I think, generally found that drawing is a later developement. This is often more enigmatical, but unless objects of a frightful or very grotesque character are drawn, is most likely of no hurtful tendency. More will be said of the writing and drawing hereafter. If, instead of any of the above-mentioned results taking place, one of the party becomes drowsy as if mesmerised, and then falls either into a trance or a series of strange contortions and movements, there is no cause for fear. This very seldom occurs; when it does, it is a proof of great susceptibility in the medium and of power in the circle, and in this case means are generally afforded, either by the writing of the individual affected or by means of one of the others, to obtain directions either to demesmerise the person, which is done by making transverse passes across the face, or as is more commonly the case, to let him alone, he will not be hurt.' It is well on first trying the experiment to have one person in the party who is accustomed to all the various phases of the phenomenon. I cannot too strongly impress on those who wish to give the whole a fair trial, the absolute necessity of unanimity, and the great advantage of serious, even religious feeling among the members of the circle. To persons well accustomed to witness these manifestations the foregoing directions may seem unduly minute. The details could not be avoided if the instructions are to be at all useful, and a conviction that they are really needed has led many friends to urge their insertion. When parties form circles without the presence of a practised medium,' great wonders must not be expected at once. There is a process of developement required for even the lowest manifestations, by which I mean those having reference to the external senses of touch, sight, and hearing. Those who mistrust the mediumship of strangers must take the longer but more satisfactory course of gradual developement. I believe that the amount of imposture among paid mediums has been greatly overrated. If they were such well-practised jugglers as is sometimes supposed, how does it happen that hours sometimes pass without any manifestation at all taking place? But, even after a large deduction is made for imposture on the part of the 'medium,' and for credulity and self-deception on |