"He had never,

any of these magnets for two or three years.' himself, fitted up a house with these magnets, and only knew of one house, Mr. Addison's, that was so fitted up." "He did not think it possible to construct any apparatus that would suffice to raise a table." Mr. Addison, it may be remembered some three or four years ago, with the aid of these magnets and other contrivances, pretended to expose Spiritualism, but exposed only his own duplicity and folly.

This, then, in brief is a summary (with running commentary) of all the evidence and argument adverse to Spiritualism which the Committee during two years, and after public advertisement, and private invitation to scientific men who had publicly expressed opinions adverse to the genuineness of the phenomena, and also special invitation to persons who had publicly ascribed the phenomena to imposture or delusion, have been able to collect. The opposition is certainly not very formidable. It is true that some of the Committee's correspondents refer vaguely to cases of imposture, but no instance is specified. It is to be regretted that the names of the impostors, and proofs of their imposture are not given. In the interests of truth, and for the protection of honest men, we want to know who they are. Impostors there may be (it would be one of the strangest phenomena of Spiritualism if there were not); but, we strongly suspect, that in the majority of instances, the imposture consists in this that the over clever gentlemen who so glibly accuse mediums of imposture have imposed upon themselves. As Mr. Lewes would say, they have mistaken their inferences from the facts for the facts themselves.*

THE SATANIC SCHOOL.

Three of the witnesses examined by the Committee, while testifying to the genuineness of the phenomena, ascribe them to diabolical agency. M. Chevalier, whose pamphlet, Experiences

*For the benefit of those who ascribe the phenomena of Spiritualism to legerdemain, and compare them with the performances of Bosco, Houdin, and other professors of the art, we would commend the letter of Mr. T. Adolphus Trollope (page 277). After referring to the phenomena he witnessed in presence of Mrs. Guppy, and of Dr. Willis, he adds:

"In short, the result of my experience thus far is this, that the physical phenomena frequently produced are, in many cases, not the result of any sleightof-hand, and that those who have witnessed them with due attention must be convinced that there is no analogy between them and the tricks of professed conjurors.' I may also mention that Bosco, one of the greatest professors of legerdemain ever known, in a conversation with me upon the subject, utterly scouted the idea of the possibility of such phenomena as I saw produced by Mr. Home, being performed by any of the resources of his art."

M. Houdin has borne similar testimony in favour of Mr. Home. Other professors of legerdemain have publicly borne like testimony to the phenomena which occur through the mediumship of the Brothers Davenport.

of Spiritualism, we reviewed at the time of its publication five years ago, repeats the story on which we then commented.

A Mr. Glover and Mr. Hain Friswell also express their opinion that the phenomena are Satanic. These gentlemen lay great stress on the efficacy of adjuration as the means of exorcism; but Mr. Bergheim, a member of the Committee, took the opportunity of relating a case in which he had exorcised a spirit that had taken possession of a boy with only the very informal adjuration- Be off with you!" and Miss Anna Blackwell related the following interesting and instructive experience :

Her sister, she said, was very incredulous, and would not believe in Spiritualism in the least. Nevertheless, she herself became what is called a writing medium. The spirit would use her hand to write what communication had to be made. The spirits wrote what was good and bad. One wanted to sign himself Satan and Beelzebub. But, continued Miss Blackwell, my sister did not believe in the least in the existence of such a spirit, and she said, "No; if you are permitted to come to me, it is not to tell such outrageous lies. If you persist in trying to impose on me you shan't write." I have been present at many of these little fights. She would resist the spirit, and when she saw the capital S of the Satan being written she would resist, and twist her hand about to prevent the name being written. The spirit has then written, "I hate you because I cannot deceive you." I have on some occasions heard beautiful raps in my drawing room-in the air, on the wall, under the ground-no one being near the furniture. We never begin without prayer. We say to the spirits that wish to deceive us, "Dear spirits, we are all imperfect; we will endeavour to benefit you by our lights, in so far as they are superior to yours." Sometimes they would overturn and break the table. Yet they were rendered better by our kindness. We would never dream of addressing one as an Accursed spirit." From one who was very violent, and by whom I have been myself struck, we have received progressive messages, showing how he has become better. They have often sent us messages, saying, "We are going up higher now: we have, through your help, broken the chains of earth; and we leave you!" When my sister found the S being written, or the great B for Beelzebub, she would say, with kindness but firmness, "Dear spirit, you must not deceive; it is not for such tricks but for a good end that you are permitted to come.'

CONCLUDING REMARKS.

Looking at the confessedly sceptical views and adverse opinions of the Committee when they began their labours, and their final conclusions as expressed in their Report after two years' experimental investigation and hearing evidence from every side, looking at the extent and import of that evidence, at the high character and qualifications of the witnesses, and at the conclusions reached by them after long and intimate experience with the subject; it is perhaps the most significant and important volume on Spiritualism that has yet appeared. It cannot fail to favourably influence public opinion; and a copy of

* Some incidents related by Mr. Friswell as occurring at a séance with Mrs. Marshall look very improbable, and are contradicted in a published letter by Mrs. Mary Marshall.

it should find a place not only in the library of every Spiritualist, but in every public library in the kingdom; and with a little co-operation among Spiritualists, we think this might to a great extent be effected.

It is an epitome of well-attested evidence, and at first hand; much of this is original, and the rest had lain loosely scattered: to have this all brought together in a compact form, convenient for reference, is no slight service. Much credit is due to the Committee, not only for its general conduct of the investigation, but also for its enterprise and public spirit in publishing its Report after being abandoned by the Society which had appointed it.

In a second edition we hope the volume will be carefully revised, as it has many typographical errors, for the most part unimportant, but which occasionally confuse the sense, as at page 356, where it reads: "When the spirit-voice is heard, Mrs. Burns sees the spirit holding the table and carrying it about the room;" table is here evidently a misprint for tube. The witnesses should have the opportunity of correcting any inaccuracies which may appear in the report of their evidence; and it would, we think, be an advantage, if all matters foreign to the immediate subject under investigation were eliminated. The "List of Works on Spiritualism, Demonology, Witchcraft, Animal Magnetism, Spiritual Theology, Magic and Medical Psychology," appended to the volume, though useful, is (perhaps unavoidably) very imperfect. Many important works are omitted, whilst some that are only ephemeral, or mere trifles, are included. In so wide a range of subjects it would be more convenient if the works were classified. If the list were confined to works on Modern Spiritualism it might be made more complete, and its literature being already so extensive, this perhaps would be the better course, and be within the more immediate province of the Committee's inquiry. If the edition is stereotyped, a cheap abridgement of it would be useful.

T. S.

THE FIRE-PROOF NEGRO.

BUSINESS recently called me to the eastern shore of Maryland, to the point from which we write, the county seat of Talbot County. While there, I heard from several gentlemen of prominence the story of a negro blacksmith who lived in an adjoining county, upon whom fire had no effect whatever. The story was so incredible that I gave it little heed, although it came from most reliable sources, and was related to me by gentlemen of the highest standing in the community for honour

and integrity. A day or two after I first heard of this remarkable negro, Mr. T. R. Robson, editor of the Evening Star, called at my room and stated that the negro was in town, and that the physicians were going to make an examination of him at the office of Dr. P. Stack, and invited me to witness the operations, which I very gladly did. Mr. Robson and myself went to Dr. Stack's office, where were assembled Drs. Anderson, Goldsborough, and Comdegys, of Eastern, Mr. J. A. Johnson, editor of the journal at Eastern, A. A. Pancoult, and John C. Henry, all prominent citizens of Talbot County.

A brisk fire of anthracite coal was burning in a common coal stove and an iron shovel was placed in the stove and heated to a white heat. When all was ready, the negro pulled off his boots and placed the hot shovel on the soles of his feet and kept them there until the shovel became black. His feet were then examined by the physicians, but no burns could be found, and all declared that no evidence of a heated substance having come in contact with them was visible.

The shovel was again heated red hot, taken from the stove and handed to him. He ran out his tongue as far as he could, and laid the shovel upon it, licking the iron until it became cooled. The physicians examined the tongue, but found nothing to indicate that he had suffered in the least from the heated iron.

A large handful of common squirrel shot was next placed in an iron receptacle and heated until melted. The negro then took the dish, poured the heated lead into the palm of his hand, and then put it into his mouth, allowing it to run all around his teeth and gums. He repeated the operation several times, each time keeping the melted lead in his mouth until solidified. After each operation the physicians examined him carefully, but could find nothing upon his flesh to indicate that he had been in the least affected by the heated substance he had been handling. After the performances with the lead, he deliberately put his hand into the stove in which was a very hot fire, took therefrom a handful of hot coals and passed them around the room to the gentlemen present, keeping them in his hand some time. Not the slightest evidence of a burn was visible upon his hands after he threw the coals back into the stove.

The exhibition was regarded by all who witnessed it as most remarkable, for there was no opportunity for the practice of chicanery.

Every gentleman present was there for the purpose of detecting, if possible, any trick-if trick there was-and none could have had the least interest in aiding or abetting the negro in his performance. Whatever solution may be had of this matter, there can be no doubt but that this negro handles fire in the

manner set forth above, without the use of any mechanical or chemical appliances whatever, for he has been subjected to the severest tests possible, not only at the times specified by me, but at several times and places and in the presence of the first men in the State of Maryland. In addition to the case cited, which came under my own observation, I will state that in April last, while the judges of this judicial circuit were holding court at Denton, Caroline County, the county in which this man livesJudges Wickes and Stump, accompanied by Sheriff Richardson, went to the blacksmith's shop of this negro, which is situated about six miles from Denton, on the farm of W. P. Richardson. The sheriff made known to him the object of their visit, when, in the language of the judges, "he performed most astounding feats, such as handling red hot iron with his bare hands, forging it into shape without the use of tongs, putting it upon his tongue," &c.

At a later period he was visited at his shop by Dr. C. E. Tarr, editor of the Denton Journal; J. Marion Emerson, editor of the Denton American Union; James B. Steele, T. H. Kemp, Clerk of the Court; R. J. Jump, late State Comptroller of the Treasury; Col. R. E. Carter, and Dr. P. O. Cherbonier. These gentlemen came upon him unawares, and when requested by them to perform some of the feats he had become so famous for in his locality, he immediately went through with the same wonderful performance I have mentioned. I have conversed with a great number of people who have seen him, gentlemen of education and integrity, all of whom declare that they do not believe that fire has the least effect upon his flesh.

After he had concluded his performances in Dr. Stack's office, I sought an opportunity to converse with him. I found him very ignorant, not able to read or write, and in all respects an unadulterated negro. His name is Nathan Ceker, and he is about fifty-eight years of age. He was born in the town of Hillsborough, Caroline County, Md., and was the slave of Henry L. Sellers of that place, by whom he was sold to Bishop Emery. In relation to his ability to handle fire, he said, "Boss, when I was about thirteen years old, Massa Emery hired me out to a lawyer, whose name was Purnell. He treated me badly, and did not give me enough to eat. I shied around the kitchen one day, and when the cook left shot in, dipped my hand into the dinner pot, and pulled out a red-hot dumpling. The boiling water did not burn, and I could eat the hot pudding without winking; so after dat I often got my dinner dat way. I has often got the hot fat off the boiling water and drank it. I drink my coffee when it is boiling, and it does not give me half so much pain as it does to drink a glass of cold water. I always like it just as hot as I can get it."

N.S.-VII.

B