MODERN SPIRITUALISM.
[TO TEE EDITOR OF TEE "SPECTATOR.") Sin,—The following family letter gives an account of a spiritualistic seance in 1762, and may be of some historic interest in connection with your article in the Spectator of
February 7th on the subject.—I am, Sir, &c., J. C. F.
"16 Feb., 1762.
DKAR Baovnxa,— I have lately been in London very near the ghost of Fanny. Yes, I have been among the Believers, but could not help being and owning myself an infidel notwith- standing. I was 80 near the Spirit—Oh that all the clergy had but as much understanding in their whole composition as my brother has in his one little toe, they would not then give in to such ridiculous .nonsense. A friend of Mrs. Frenches, a person of veracity and whose integrity and honour she could 'depend on,.was present while the following farce was acting. He was admitted at -10 o'clock one night, when he found about fifteen more persons, three of whom were reverends. The candle was immediately put out and silence desired. Soon after a soft rap- ping began, and scratching, but not in an angry mood. One of the clergymen declared the spirit was come, and asked if he should question it, which was assented to. Accordingly he began. 'Fanny, are you come ? ' to which one knock was given (which you must know is 'Yes,' and two knocks is No'). Are you willing to answer such questions as I shall put to you ? If you are, give one knock ; if not, give two knocks.' One knock given. He then proceeded with great - solemnity—to interrogate this female ghost. Are you a spirit ? ' One knock. Are you a good spirit ?' One knock. 'Are you in a state of happiness ? ' One knock. 'Are you in a state of progressive happiness? I mean by that an increasing happiness ? ' One knock. Are you troubled in mind ? ' One knock. 'Have you injured any one ?' Two knocks. Has Mr. Parsons injured you?' Two knocks. 'Has his wife ?' Two knocks. 'Did you die an unnatural death ? ' Two knocks. Some Persons present having heard that the ghost came to reveal its being poisoned, were surprised at the answer to the last query, but the parson gravely said it was his fault in not stating the question right; he, therefore, would ask it again. Parson: Did you the a natural death ?' Spirit-gave two knocks. Were you poisoned ? ' One knock. Was it in beer, tea, or purl ? ' Knocked for purl. What is it o'clock ?' Gave ten knocks. How many quarters after ?' Two knocks. Smite person said the ghost was again out, for that it had gone three-quarters by St. Sepulchre's chimes. The reverend gentleman answered that clocks might be faulty, but by real time the spirit might be right. He then pursued his interrogation. Can I be of any service to you ? ' One knock. ' Would it appear that you died of poison if your corpse was taken up ? ' One knock—' Yes.' Would it give you satisfaction if Mr. K. was hanged ?" Yes." Will you appear in a Court of Justice if he should be prosecuted ? Yes '—one knock. Is there no one here that comes to scoff ? No." Do all present come with a serious mind ?" Yes.' How many clergymen are there in the room ?' One knock. Parson : What, only one knock ?' Then two knocks. Some observed there were three clergymen in the room, to which the parson judiciously observed that the third was a stranger and not in a canonical habit. Then Mrs. Frenches asked if it could tell the colour of the arsenick by which it was poisoned. One knock- ' Yes." Was it red arsenick ?" Yes.' Now am I convinced of the imposture, for red arsenick has not the least poisonous quality-in it: 'Tis white. I appeal to a physician present for my assertion.' This was excused. How should a woman know such nice distinctions as to the colour? Mrs. Frenches' friend: Pray. gentlemen, how does she know that she took arsenick at all ? She declared she lived but three hours after taking it. It's plain she did not know the taste, or she would not have taken it.' Upon this much altercation ensued, at which the spirit showed great anger by scratching I was much pleased with one clergy- man, who said it was a d—d lying spirit."
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