D.

HIS

LIFE

D.

HOME

AND

MISSION

BY

D.

D.

HOME.

INCIDENTS

IN

First

Series.

INCIDENTS

LIGHTS

AND

HT

OF

1877.

LIFE:

1872.

Series.

SHADOWS

LIFE:

1863.

IN

Second

HT

SPIRITUALISM.

D.

HIS

Dr^H

LIFE

AND

MISSION

BY

'

home

dunglas

Mme.

La

raison

present jamais ; elle ^daire

ne

LONDON

TRlJBNER

"

LUDGATE

CO.,
1888

[All

rights reserved]

HILL

"i^
DEC
24

1890

Y^^"^'

^'77

BALLANTVNS,
BOINBVRCH

"-*

"

"

"

"

'

"
.

"::

"

"

"

""
"

"

"

"

r"

"
.

"

"

"

"

HANSON

AND

AND
LONDON

Ca

PROLOGUE.

-""-

In

demands

age

of

Spirit

as

facts

that

can

realin

the

authenticity,
borne

been
D.

much

as

the

to

Home.

satisfactory,

none

facts, without

which

understanding
and

the

denial

singular

materialism,
and

into

more

suffered

view

in

object

in

admitted.
he

enabled

existence

of

forces

he

founded

evidences

of

modem
the

had

of

number
and
names

until

belief

in

identity

degree

that
No

their

now

for

tranquilly

his

order

to

encountering

spare
the

to

the

for
from

them
of

that
in

how

the

of
to

prove

others,

that

ject,
sub-

these
what

ing
suppress-

ignorant

calumnies

this

great

many

will

true

show

investigated

published,

host

of

contained

that

the

remarkable

seen

fact

of

unknown

bases

be

tested

establish

to

avail

can

consideration

his

the

to

irrefutable

of

those

facts

The
time

first

impulse

remained

have

other

any

description

the

will

reverie.

every

will

It

more

science

on

sophistry

is its

which

had

remain

nise.
recog-

men

having

spirit-world

convinced.

carried
in

day

personages

the

to

own

age

poetic

investigators

existence.

no

been

names

himself

this

Spiritualism

multitude

well-attested

and

well-known

Home

reality,

to

our

or

presence

scientific
that

have

are

his

sacrificing

well-established
have

life.
in

Spiritualism.

work

and

future

the

their

by

leads

iiTesistible

an

but

into

men

of

without

mission,

give

to

By

research,

and

his

the

happiness

deeper,

D.

perverted

for

that,

fantastic

of

away

The

lead

its

has

ingenious,

immortality.

their
as

demonstrated

were

and

than

belief

consoling
facts

for

cruelly

explain

cancer

constantly
of

to

truth

hideous

most

less

our

all

presence

is not

greatest

Home

by

in

alone

can

the

eating

that

or

which

them

the

testimony

least.

of

denial

the

regarded

not

was

He

that,

that

the

possibility

give

Undoubtedly

more

in

chimera,

the

of

would

it

avowal,

them

takes

for

reality

in

the

created

been

explaining

reproduce,

investigated

theories,

sciences,

exact

of

possible

have

the

verified.

phenomena
of

in

as

be

as

crowd

well

abuse,
were

PROLOGUE.

VI

directed

with

who,

man,

false

were

of

misunderstood,

persistently been
print

to

space

how

been,

left

No

one

how

social

he

position

estimation

the

that

identity

contained

tend

him
fresh
is

death

in

strength
of

incapable

love

to

If

Spiritualism.

imder

such

volume

rarely

be

can

derided

of

possessors

could

who

be

of

word.

the

His

of

and

selfish
more

D.

He

confirms.

D.

life, and
of

Home

to

us

in

not

teach

; he

the

Saviour,
; and

save

this

from

world

proved.

of

the
on

to

to him.

the

there
acts

acceptation

Spiritualism,

innate

whose
us

full

this

lished
estab-

ambition

the

the

not

quence,
conse-

that

"

easier

propagation

to

in

bestowed

prominence

light

in

been

in the

least,

at

fact

were

of

which

phenomena

age

had

have

lost

of

through

is,

every

joy.
did

and

illustrates

teaching

have

proofs

benefit, is

truth

never

inner

give

of

serenity

described

the

would

the

sought

proof

Spiritualism

are

Christian

who

the

actions, by giving

gifts as

and
a

was

that

spiritual things,

Nature

was

aim

gives

moral

in

Home

the

those

especially among
of

he

that

and

best

or

not

were

scientific, or,

only

of

of honour

question

no

who

respect;

our

as

humanity

epochs.

understood

life show

of his

of

his

doing good,

edifying

The

and

with,

sect, although nothing

him

For

in

elevated

received

no

conditions

diversity

of

makers

are

create

such

how

spirit-identity

fiction, this

have

is the

modify

confers

of

met

history

the

by

Home

as

must

The

charity.

and

tokens

established

life

world

being investigated under

conditions,

trustworthy

his

communications

and

more

found

by Home,

life and

our

have

ence
correspond-

persons

destroy.

the

strangely

so

held.

was

cannot

change

to

he

the

demonstrated

Spiritualism, as
of mind

in

occupied

very

have

with

name

are

it I

and

country

his

in which

have

reports

happy

more

every

Spiritualists pronounced

would

of

portion

honour,

ever

In

how

extensive

blameless

his

was

beloved.

more

was

small

irreproachable

sentiments.
H

the

proving

been

false
The

another

There

has

whom

abroad.

^proves

"

himself?

character

concerning

even

"

of

possession

of

real

spread

is there

concerning him,

than

whose

and

his

made

rather

men

has

in

means

others,

Where

consequence.

assertions

celebrated

he

in

the

the

thought
few

him

against

perception

revelations
the
less

of

all

emptiness
suffering

CONTENTS.

"""

CHAFTER

I.

4
pAor.

SCOTLAND

AMERICA

AND

CHAPTER

ENGLAND

AND

II.

36

ITALY

CHAPTER

ITALY

AND

III.

65

FRANCE

CHAFTER

FRANCE

IV.

96

RU88IA

AND

CHAPTER

V.

ENGLAND

1
.

26

VJ.

CHAFTER
ft

161

ENGLAND
.

VII.

CHAPTER

ENGLAND,

ROME;

AND

PARIS.

CHAPTER

AMERICA,

RUSSIA,

AND

ENGLAND

97

VIII.

23

^
"'

COMiJ^K.

T^

LS.

CHAPTEB

FACE

CHAPTEB

Wr/TZJkSIf.

3II

FBASCK
.

XI.

CHAPTER

CPVljftS^:

^UaiZALEM

ASV

33^

9CISSCE
"

CHAPTER

xcmoA,

QcanpTA.

ruytascm,

XI'.

3^3

sics

CHAPTER

Xni.

i^6-i"86

IXbEX

-39'

.419

D.
HIS

D.

HOME:

LIFE

AND

MISSION.

-M-

i"'
CHAPTER

AND

SCOTLAND

about

AM

common.

scrupulous
well

be
^

shall

of

said

have

Many

March

name

family

"

herself;

it
had

Home;

his

and

Portobello.

was

and

he

had

not

been

of

from

son

such

child,

to

the
sessed
pos-

infant

an

fulfilment

her

old,
took

to

be

of

adopted

own,

in

and

destined

expected

her

years

weak

Home

found

passed

America,

was

of

gift

Fontainebleau.

nine

was

Highland

still

was

of

was

ancient
maiden

Mrs.

that

children

delicate

sensitive,

temperament,
that

life

whose
a

to

at

of

Scottish

him

later

no

he

emigrated
boy

her

Edinburgh,
whose

mother,

preserved.

infancy

When

husband

He

had

may

him."

known

came

descended

while

years

who

aunt,

his

been

murt;

it

as

near

both

parents

concerning

twenty

really

bom

traditionary

and

vision

than

the

had

inasmuch

have

few

was

was

the

second-sight

An

he

txxv/

it with

"

but

Through

which

in

him,

His

McNeill,

was

removed

of

exactitude,

Home

families.

facts

Home
of

spoken

1833.

20,

more

D.

far

very

the

to

Dunglas

Scottish

she

relate

D.

AMERICA.

life

attention

Daniel

"

describe

to

I.

she

her

and

with
so

at

care

them

wonderful.

highly

nervous

health

from

his

infancy

live.

His

frail

health,
A

AND

UFE

however,
after

of

"I

years.

of

schoolfellow

Connecticut,

Norwich,

"as

with

streams,

of

the

"I

never

"and

Carpenter,

out

of

in the

woods

and

beside

that

sincere

in

whose

schoolmates

I have

D.

than

D.

first

impressions

the

growth

of

hand

the

were

but

thoroughly

honest

and

no

of

one

proud

more

my

many

lowed,
carefully fol-

more

Home

where
has

call

to

my

lived
as

there

which

to

Norwich.

in

Forty

his uncle

he

his
up

and

escaped

aunt,

close

separate village; and

woods

with

received
swallowed

been

adjoining city of

he

existed

myself ;

have

of America,

Greeneville

disbeliever

Home."

the

when

ago,

Mr.

of

been

viUe, Connecticut,

Greene

himself.

to

or

adds

career

whom

and

years

therefore

am

the

His
companions.
easily grieved at

Spiritualism,"

old jfriend was

my
his belief.
I know

I know

friend,

of

anything

saw

whole
my
kind
act.

when

was

act

joyous,

most

but

chosen

two

or

of

studies;

one

among
to do

sensitive, and he was

very
done
to others
of unkindness

nature

any

his

me

one

spent all his time

schoolroom
the

of

fond

was

to

Carpenter, Mayor

boys
circle of acquaintances, always ready

He

trials

W.

whole-souled

affectionate, and

bitter

writes

him,"

J.

of

sweetness

the

did

remember

his, Mr.

HOME.

natural

his

gaiety of spirit than

and

temper

affected

more

no

OF

MISSION

at

at

every

hours
in
that
opportunity, spending there
study of
which
him.
nature
always charmed
Nothing escaped
his prodigious memory.
and
his observation
He
always
back
those
looked
on
days as the happiest of his boyhood.
His
studious
and
dreamy habits
separated him

from

other

most

in

companion

chosen

little older

than

of

children
these

himself, of

his

rambles,
the

strong friendship grew

always

were

to

at

hundred

three
A

live

between
up
together, until Home

few

usual,

miles

weeks

with

his

in

Troy,

the

from

before
friend

State

of

the

schoolfellow

name

had

he

but

age;

Edwin.

two

with

went

of New

and

they

his

tives
rela-

York,

some

Norwich.

this
Edwin

separation.
in

the

Home

woods.

was,

The

as

two

SCOTLAND

boys

both

were

had

found

was

sure

occasion
fall

it related

lady
a

were

life

beyond

lover, within
his

to

senses

it

inefiaceable.

that
the

in

years

woods

of

that

family as

covering

she

"

had

who

of

Norwich,

family

the

history

the

its

lady

always

his

if there

as

heroine
with

forth

listened

Home

met

that

in

it related

her

this

land
Eng;

and

authenticated,

black

on

his
was

to

still existed,
the

worn

delusion

mark

well

was

the

vow,

had

which

to

Sir

presented himself

vision

after he

noble

first should

died

spirit stretched

the

portrait of

of

event

of his ballads.

one

hers, leaving there

on

of

of

the

the

Many

member

assured

and

the

in

legend

which

on

The

mutually agreed that,

treated

was

it furnished

that

one

this

^Edwin

"

history

pursuance
of his death,

days

On

read.

In

She

laid

and

hand

was

few

told

this, the

survivor.

mistress.

of her

had

^846

the

him, it

other.

just

with
am

interested

^^

had

he

of them

either

the

groundwork

lover

her

the

the

and

to

appear

that

and

with

Scott

that
to

associated

family;

English
A

is

to

book

when

April 1845

in

was

ghost story

Walter

in

; and

communicated

be

it

"

of

great readers

anything
to

AMERICA.

AND

known

ribbon," from

wrist, to conceal

mark.

the

told, the

selves
boys set themalso
the
discuss
to
it, and
possibility of such
they had
apparitions of departed spiritsto those whom
of their
With
the
earth.
loved
romance
on
age, they
themselves
bind
ended
by the same
by agreeing to
mise
proin the legend had
lovers
taken
that the two
; and
Edwin's

When

story

on
exchanged vows
devise.
they could
He
live at Troy.

the

month

the
A
was

of June

was

two

spot, in the

most

few

weeks

later, Home

then

about

solemn

thirteen

following, he

had

manner

went

to

of age.

years
been

spending
the evening at a friend's
house, and
on
returning
that
she
found
had
of his aunt,
to that
already retired
for being late, her
to
rest.
Fearing to be scolded
her
follow
It was
to
example.
a
nephew hastened
night, and the moon,
shining through
lovely summer's
In

the

curtainless

window

of

his

room,

rendered

candle

AND

LIFE

at the
; but
unnecessary
his prayers,
finished
was

looked

Home

Startled

described

in the

beheld

light

he

that

vision

her

phenomenon,

chapter of his
the year
1863 by

has

Incidents

"

opening

Life," published in

My

the

by

boy, having

bed,

into

slipping

and

up,

the

when

moment

suddenly darkened.

was

HOME.

OF

MISSION

Messrs.

in

man:
Long-

"

"

about

was

sudden

darkness

inasmuch

up

seemed

there
it

had

the

seen

has

room

of

which

those

to

in
it

others

many

He

raising the
circles

of

in

and

arm,

the

room

not

move,

the

power

right

day

such

1850.

year

Norwich

and

settled

their

relatives

in

with

in

her

said

"

or

to

and

And

then, slowly

and

him

in

received,
short

very

were

"

that

Your
a

she

when

Home,

would

leave

him

Mary,"

vision, holding four

to

other, till the

will
you
four
lilies
told

ofif,

followed

had

Mrs.

to

miles

little sister

them

come

signified
*

me

to

months.'

me.'
years,
"

her

fallen,

had

one

she
lilies

slip through

last

the

returned

who

day

in

was

twelve

some

ing
announc-

illness.

had

aunt

mother,

allowing

she

first words

befell Home

then

the

my

was

One

"

me

and

days,

that

told

after the
*

letter

time, his
Waterford,

time.

hand;

vision

son,

came

whether

weeks,

mortal.

than

days ago.'

America.

to

"

on,

her

more

of my
bed,
of brightness,

"

after

father

his

her

fingers one
she

at

months'

four

went

cloud

sweetness,

when

this

By

were

alone

in

as

foot

the

to

ineffable

room,

three

of Edwin

second

The

died

my

afterwards

two

or

to

he

"

death

the

seen

This

he

arm,

ill,came

was

Edwin

seen

of

since

pointed upward ; and making with it three

the air, the hand
the
began slowly to disappear. Then
melted
natural
The
finallythe whole
body,
light
away.
then
could
I was
was
again apparent.
speechless,and
As
as
soon
though I retained all my reasoning faculties.
I rang
of movement
the
restored
was
bell,and the family,

thinking
have

me

on

smile

have

; but

by spiritualpi^sence.

drawn
attentioiji was
my
; and
friend Edwin.
stood my
where
He
appeared
illuminating his face with a distinctness
with

describe

cannot

light increased

looked

darkness

the

through
I

of the

side

other

the

on

light,which
and

surprised me,
sky; and on looking

the

was

illuminated

been

when

"

writes,

This

room.

dense, until

more

gleam

the

but

he

me,"

over

cloud

shining,

still grew
be

to

similar

was

when

not

sheet

pervade

to

still

moon

which

darkness,

the

seemed

as

the

saw

draw

to

asked

months,

SCOTLAND

The

of

death

of

saddest

little

Mary

circumstances.

few

hours, leaving the

she

had

while

to

the

on

from

drew
In

fourth

the

called

instead

at

found

him

o'clock, because

her

said,

I have

"

seen

most

persons

place, thought

her

nephew

child," she
a

fevered
It

said,

that
near

her

are

you

illness.
her

confined

hurrying

she

would

have

delirious.

at

told

is the

tion
affecheard
his

to

tion.
agitatwelve
so."

me

in

done
"

this

ill,and

and

to-day

her, and

Her
could

son

himself

died

this; and

he

of his

her

Nonsense,
effect

of

mother.
more

in

which

to

his

aunt,

he

had

Scotland,

of her

one

to

her

son

died

family
four

fate.

her

and

body

had

Home

predicted

constant

was

displeasure of
of

had

be

more

of the

exercises

she

would

loss

the

o'clock, without

as

before

Mrs.

reality.

sad

twelve

themselves

Kirk

"

be

to

even

"

After

the

serious

on

and

brain."

proved
day at

months

they

and

was

received

return,

receipt ;

mother

as

aunt,

Home

distance;

was

bank,

child.

greatest distress

in the

he

"Auntie,"

the

adopted parents by an
same
evening, his aunt

lungs. The
boy callingloudly for

sickroom,

its

loose

of his

house

of the

His

her

father, for he

his

at

persons
expecting her

and

some

vision, Mrs.

some

on

be

of her

body

house

down

ran

for

returning,

the
to

She

after her

once

On

near

the

out

went

seemed

the

water

place under

home.

at

what

month

started

accompany
bed
in the

the

mother

telegram announcing

husband

to

The

stream.

to visit
away
her family were

when

not

the

the

taken

stream

bridge, saw

had

child

small

floatingin

clothes
and

cross

AMERICA,

AND

Home's

pied
thoughts occulife
with
the
beyond
attending the religious
Much
he
to
belonged.

who

was

joined

the

of the

member

Wesleyan

munion
com-

so
tent
persisopposition to this step was
and
violent, that her nephew
finallycompromised
for the
matters
by leaving the Wesleyans
Congregaless dislike.
she regarded with
tionalists, whom
One
loud
three
night, on
going to bed, he heard

blows

but

struck

her

at

the

head

of the

bedstead.

Thinking

LIFE

AND

OF

MISSION

hidden

there

HOME.

trying to frighten him,

While
he
he
and
searched, but found
rose
nobody.
he was
that
could
still hardly realise
actually the only
the three
blows
in the room,
sounded
again in
person
the same
they
place ; and then, after a moment's
pause,
The
listener
time.
came
a third
spent a sleeplessnight
some

was

one

in

himself
earth

that

In

the

who

aunt,

lecture

She

was

Her

were

heard

the

to

aunt

two

"

had

astonished

her

was

startled

as

on

presence,
It was

fallen

her

of the
the

and

prayer-

you

One.

considered

her

hours

having, as
angels unawares
to

she

drive

to

believed

heard

nephew
she

be

to

could

the

in

get
one

afternoon

the

visitors

same

in her

fancied, entertained
but

heard

had

put the

now

my

Rochester

at

and

She

before

to

devil

him

aunt

neighbours,
sounds

the

brought

Home's

Evil

not

marvel

the

have

"

knockings

strange

some

taking steps

began

of

of

shock

more

his

So," she exclaimed,

one.

earlier, the

some

works

be

construction

the

by

herself, could

as

"

public attention.

from

them

own

pale

demand.

interpretation of

no

found

soon

years

attracted

to

of

account

him
from
in horror,
away
have
too, have
you ? and
you

About

them

noticed

were

in you
"
house
!

of

by

more

breakfast

to

of

the

almost

if he

furnish, his

had

no

to

seated.

were

is this ?

; but

drawing

looks

tired

down

repeating
something not

down

came

attended

nephew,

answer

he

his

them

two

What

"

strange sounds

in

evening before, and began

of religious excitement.
the
evil results
on
interrupted by a volley of raps on the table at

the

which

was

had

he

meeting

phenomenon

and

set

and

recurrence

morning

fatigued ;

and

their

the

the

; but

him.

for

watching

and

from

her

sessed.
posover
or

she

house.

village of Greeneville, a Congregationalist, a Baptist, and

a
Wesleyan.
the
for
her
moment
Forgetting
prejudices against one
There

and

the

other

requested
three

were

three

were

their

pastors in the

persuasion,
advice

perfectlyof

and
her

she

sent

for

all

Two

ministrations.

opinion

as

three,

to

the

of
source

and
the

of

SCOTLAND

AND

the

and
phenomena;
proceeded to question
It is Satan

"

done
to
you
BUs catechumen

kindly

if this

and
In

not

could

forth

Whilst

"*

we

while

Baptist,

the

thus
his

on

let

"

and

our

were

frightened,"

be

he

of Satan, it is your

"

gentle taps

came

work

;
prayers
supplication in which

up

What

"

began.

said

tune
misfor-

fault."

your

by

Baptist,

out of
only protest that it was
explanation of the mysterious
agitation,the Congregationalist

is the

case," said

any

the

"

"

"

two,

you," he
possesses
bring him to you ?

give any
seeing his
Don't
interposed.

minister

him

these

Home.

to
power
sounds
; and

"

of

one

who

have

his

AMERICA,

he

chair

and

Home

prayer," writes
in

seek

to drive

proceeded

desired

in

engaged

he

us

difiPerent

oflFer

to

join.

to

Home,

**

parts of the

there

room

expression of a wish for God's

fellow-creatures,there were
our

to be
loving mercy
shown
loud
rappings as if
heartfelt
and
struck
I was
so
so
joining ia our
impressed
prayers.
and
resolved
that
there
I
to place
then, upon
knees,
by this,
my
myself entirely at Qod's disposal, and to follow the leadings of that
felt must
which
I then
be only good and
it
true, else why should
I
its
those
of
have
the
This
at
joy
signified
special portions
prayer
in fact, the
had
life; and I have
never
turning-point of my
was,
for
instant
I
have
to
determination, though
cause
one
regret
my
suffer
called on
for many
been
to
deeply in carrying it out."
years
at

every
and
to us

of
result
their
by the
the three
The
ministers
departed.
tionalist
CongregaoflFered no
opinion as to the origin of the phenomena;
this
why
see
saying only that he did not
should
member
of his flock
be
persecuted for

Astonished
prayers,

young
what

he

Baptist
"

was
a

bewildered
to

call forth

and

unable
Mr.

perplexed

either

Mussey
the
thought
by
the

"

to

prevent or
his head,
shook
that

his

sounds, instead

of

prayers

The

cause.

but

was

had

seemed

silencing them,

so

that

remained
only the Methodist
firm
wonders
in his
declaring that these
the work
of Satan, and
Cook
telling Mrs. McNeill
were
He
lost sheep.
that her nephew
so
was
a
was
kind,"
unhe

had

little to

say ; and
first belief,

"

from

says
him."

Home

simply,

"

that

derived

no

comfort

that

From

MISSION

the

rappings

the

with
familiarity

but

the

with

terror

After

them.

table

moving

it, the

aunt

the

table

that

will

eflFect in diminishing

no

of

aunt

Home

began

On

agency.
the
across

frequently ;

heard

furniture

the

visible

was

the

HOME.

were

had

sounds

which

time

without

about
a

day

OF

AND

LIFE

be

to

moved
when

occasion,

one

with

room

regarded

one

no

near

family Bible, and placed it

triumphant exclamation, "There!

for the

ran

the

with
drive

the

writes

!
away
the table

devils
"

Home,

"

her

To

"

only

on

ment,"
astonishin

moved

more

livelymanner."
As

yet,

ascertain

no

one

seems

whether

the

The

intelligence.
made

was

who

widow

him.

One

first

lived

letters indicated

and

in

this

of

house,"

of

who

the

soothe

Among

them

had

relative,

that

way

did

of her

were

ceived,
re-

Mrs.

aunt."

my

whose

in

Force,

message

presence

mothfer

was

thirty years

before,

with
her husband
West
gone
heard
been
and
had
since
not

The

of

town

sister

name

lived

to

A
spelt out by the raps.
followed, reproaching her with
ten
having forgot-

name

tend

not

religious susceptibilities of
a

down

questions put.
heard
had
by this time
They took to besieging the

"

"in

came

over.

to

Greeneville

Home,

adopted

called

was

by

Home's,

second

this

alphabet

of

the

by

occurring.

was

says
the

the

the

replies obtained

people

what

relation

with

to

direction

written
were
raps
intelligentcommunications

way

and

this

in

aunt

trying

controlled

were

of another

and

heard,

were

heard

while

of

thought

experiment

near

evening,

raps
The

The

sounds

house

the

at

have

to

who

the

added;

was

writing there,
reply.
It has

had

been

and

she

objected ad
that

wall.

ridiculous

Why
opinions of

with

many,

us

by

it may

that

naicseam

disembodied

from

made

Contrary
be

her

but

on

sister

in

it is ridiculous

spirit would

sounds

Force

Mrs.

astonished

letter

of.

long-lost relative

this

the

on

received

suppose
communicate

to

where

some

seek
table

to
or

preconceived
then, those
opinions
to

the

LIFE

lo

dealt

had

AND

him

to

out

MISSION

Home's

not

forgive

to

passed

was

died
"

American

the

by

made

to

him, which

gift was
already laid

had

the

would

he

in

by reading

be

rule

to

mysterious
in, and

trafficked
which

take

never

were

money
felt that his

He
to

thing

down

life, that

all his

She

offers of

; and

refused.

he

not

aunt

for her.

her

to

of his

age

bought

caused

intruders

curious

he

her

only

report of his death.

Willimantic, he was
constantly

at

was

generous

false

papers

Home

beset

shock

the

old

the

that

and

sweet

remembered

He

and

years

cottage

1876, of

in

While

in

too

was

forget.

and

of former

kindness

"

impulse of perverted
excited
ment
abiding resent-

have

temper

HOME.

the

under

religiousfeelings would
; but

OF

he

adhered

for

payment

stance.

against his
ordinary phenomena

will,

Much

went

Lebanon.

to

in
old

Life,"

My

"

he

There,"
was

short

cut

few

Home's

in

received

his

of

family

in the

and

dents
Inci-

**

an

This

are

suffer

to

than

expose
for the

consideration
him

to

refrain

friend

ridicule

to

feelingsof others
availing himself of

from

when

granted, especially in the

rule, its own
as
a
generosity was,

His
cry

for

more

had

witnesses
of

friends

of

Home

World,

together

him, enable
the

**

witnesses

publication of

results

The

of

names

the

on
press
of those

"

"

himself, rather

in

the

visit

Incidents
given in the
others
made
delicacy towards
the
from
misconception of the

names

chivalrous

prefer

from

his

vmtes

tributed
con-

resident."

Very

led

"

was

Shrinking

newspaper.
him, he
on

forced

publicity thus

extra-

some

at Willimantic

witnessed

local

the

to

of

account

an

Mr.

me

the

the

to

Incidents,"

personal testimony

the

supply
and
of

both

the

Old

in

of the

various

ladies.
When

raised

by
very

the

few

opinions.
made

to

the

and

the
New

preserved by

correspondence
most

sion
permis-

reward.

applications
in

the

of

of their

world

sometimes

Incidents,"

courage

numerous

with

"

him

abuse.

or

case

was

for

omitted

names

cases

to

add

investigators concerning

the

their

SCOTLAND

In

experiences.

I shall be
way
attested
facts.

of

the

contain

to
and

AMERICA.

this

record

pages
will
be

AND

of

record

varied

incident

the

spring

able

only difficulty

life

fall of

so

of

limits

the

these

to render

My

within

ii

derful
won-

single

volume.
It

in

was

health

His
the

trying

the

intensified
and

the

than

healthy
for the

change

of

some

of

symptoms
better.

became
him
Mr.

that

conscious,

during

the

Crookes

force

is

it in

Home's

health
had

their

entreaties

already
"Were'

at

I in

element,"

and

again

nature

for

the

meant

if you
1852,
You
a
day.
"

should

of the

one

continued

to

long

force

was

sittings.

discordant
very
in March
to him
sit in

to

with

comply

previous

Ely family

very

unselfish

his

vital

his

be

vital

on

injury of
majority of his

Him

led

drain

and

from

ebb

soon

serious

the

stances, when

Springfield,I

writes

Home

force

the

health

again

lowest

stances

passed from
phenomena;
or, as
evolution
of psychic

little consideration

very

good

which
or

power
of the

for that

but

Ely family

holding

1871, "The
by a corresponding

force."

of

considerate

the

years,

from

quiet
wrought a

some

accompanied
stances
Repeated

friends

fact

occurrence

put

later

and

had

but

life

country

visitor

discouraged
young
It
too
was
firequently.

state, and

just passed

unselfish

of

their

had

hood.
neighbour-

delicate

he

More

friends

his

the

lung disease;

of

influences

the guest of

in

most

which

through

scenes

farm

left Wil-

Home

became

in

was

that

he

had

Ely, who

named

family

185

where

for Lebanon,

limantic

of

six

circles

invariably pay the penalty" fainting"

do so, and
'?"
No
when
not
why can
say
you
you
in 185 1, the first of many
Near
remarkable
Lebanon,
the
of Home,
cures
was
wrought through the agency
facts
The
of this
life saved
being that of a Mrs. Bill.
*

case

are

recorded

being given.
In June,
1851,
him

visit

Jersey.

of

While

Mr.

in

Home
W.

the

"

accepted

the

invitation

Boonton,
living
had
frequent visions

Green,

there, he

without

Incidents,"

at

names

to

pay
New
and

LIFE

12

which

at

trances,

AND

MISSION

OF

beheld

he

times

HOME.

perfect strangers

who
were
persons
many
with
described
them

such

him,

to

that

accuracy

of

friends

lost

the

and

they

were

immediately recognised.
Boonton,

From
1

85

1, went

on

(then

now)

and

this visit he

met

theologian

and

Mr.

to

J. W.

of

middle

Brooklyn, New
Professor
George Bush,

York.

Oriental

Bush,

scholar.
view

had

Mr.

dent
resi-

During
distinguished
had

who

the

in

orders

taking

to

July,

Carrington,

of

with

educated

been

visit

the

about

Home,

design in
of the change wrought in his views
by an
consequence
of Swedenborg,
took deep
acquaintance with the works
connected
with
in observing the
interest
phenomena
The

Home.
a

nature

to

as

of their

had

Home

he

condition

Professor

of

saw

his

friend

Bush

"Tlie

passed

who

one

had

and

that

from

spirit,"writes

had

had

The

on

this

schoolfellow

the

been

In

trance.

Professor

the

he

into

before.

forty years

strange dream

they proceeded
earth.
I will give

character.

given through Home,

of

of such

were

that

assured

evening fallen

one

received

passed from

had

who

instance

an

he

him

render

the

abandoned

communications

friends

from

but

Church,

Episcopal

was

the

was

name

reminded
very

night

earth.

Home,

"now

told

through me
that, whilst
they

the

whole

of

dream, which
was
were
playing
his
from
schoolfellow
and
taken
him,
saw
suddenly
together,
his voice
for ever.*
heard
not
saying, *I leave you, Greorge, but
dream
of forty years
his
A
thus
to
was
previously
brance.
remembrought
I^ofessor was
The
this that
so
strongly impressed with
reside with
him
he called
next
to have
me
on
me
day, and wished
of studying for the
for the
I
ministry.
Swedenborgian
purpose
of
house
with
within
his
the
intention
but
to
went
so
fortydoing ;
I saw
in my
waking state the spirit of my mother, who
eight hours
'
said to me,
not
offer, as your
My son, you must
accept this kind
is a more
extended
than
mission
one
pulpit preaching.' On seeing
of this spiritmessage.
the good Professor, I told him
He
expressed
but
I
C
retiumed
friend
Mr.
to
so
no
surprise
regret,
;
my
with
him
till the end of August.
I
(Carrington), and remained

the

Professor's
he

"

"

frequently afterwards
kindly

intercourse

was

saw

Professor

interchanged."

Bush,

with

whom

the

most

SCOTLAND

Home

Brooklyn,

From

of

youngest

his

boy
1 85

1, Ezra

fell ill.

the

illness

appeared

that

forewarned

three

weeks.

them

vision

within

gone
of his

illness

happily.

and

"

the

that

doctor

him

asked

long been
composed ; and

so

what

I would

that

the

doctor

suppose
I have

now

came

if I

had

into
not

ever3rthing to
it.'

few

argued

He

the

make

life

with

1852,
w^re

then

he

this

deacon

the

residents,

Mr.

Rufus

Elys, took

no

account

hand,

yet

boy, tTjing
the

door

to

the

does

doctor

dear

My

'

it

boy,

You

willing

church

till the

imagine

The

to

have

leave

him.

visited
his

away

sKghtestsuccess."

Lebanon

him

told

he

be.'

so

take

to

hear

laughingly said,

said,

are

seeing

and

bed, and

believed

you

of

the

He

are

him

informed

this, from

Little

have

and

"

happy

of

end

January,

Springfield,Massachusetts,

to

went

became

his

his

not

happy,

at

to

him.

bearers

taking

without

remained

at

going.

my

stand

went

am

doubted

for

could

dying

the

who

and

this,

to

news

that

room,

after

then

him, when
He

him

some

me

heard

hours

and

decided

Eellef^butfortunately
Home

I desired

tell

already

it to

of it.

aware

say to Ezra.
had left

it is to

break

to

me

had

Ezra

that

be

day

tranquiUy

alarm,

no

had

would

nineteenth

earth"

September,

under

Home

remained
with
Home,
extraordinary composure," records
throughout. I had told the family of my vision, which prepared
for the coming
About
two
change.
days before his leaving

him

the

On

In

were

but

friend

The

Ely family, was

His

**

family

his

Lebanon.

Ezra.

named

slight ;

so

13

to

there, the

age,
The

him

passed from

Ezra

us,

own

AMERICA.

returned

friends

his

of about

AND

guest of
Elmer.

of the

one

The

of the

drain

best

Elmers,
the

on

known

unlike

vital

the

force

of

during stances.
They threw
open
house
all
and
him
their
to
to sit morninquirers,
urged
and
in
Incidents
in My
night. A passage
ing, noon,
indicates
the
Life"
of
exhausting and hurtful nature
Home's
surroundings at Springfield :
them
I stayed with
(Mr. and Mrs. Elmer) for
Home

that

went

on

"

"

"

"

time," he

some

by

the

who

six

by

to

or

was
seven

"

given by

accounts

came

power

writes,
the

see

very
times

visitors, and

"

and

great interest

the

very

manifestations.

often

day.

The
.

outside

Whilst

house

in

the

witnesses

numerous

frequently I

strong, and

street

excited

was

here

had
was

the

stances

besieged

there

was

LIFE

14

concourse

distance,

of

anxious

even

from

having

America,

the

extreme

the

accounts

of Harvard,

from

came

and

west

given of

of

south

the

in

me

by Professor
and

other

two

as

American

Wells
persons.
to the

of

poet,
the

versity
Uni-

They were,
reality of the

their

extended
investigations,which
several
Home,
were
over
as
sittingswith
searching as
determined
render
them.
strained
Conincredulity could
a
at length to
yield to the testimony of their
Messrs.
Bryant, Wells, and their coadjutors had
senses,
that
to
not
own
they had witnessed
only the candour
which
have
could
been
not
produced by
phenomena
state
to
trickery, but the fairness
so
publicly. Their
imitated
with
been
conduct
might have
advantage by
Mr.
Lord
other
quent
subseRuskin, and
Brougham,
many
lips timidity set a seal.
investigators,on whose
The
narrative
published by Bryant and his friends
itself to the phenomena
restricted
witnessed
at a single
with
the most
stance
I append
remarkable.
Home,
it,
I reserve
the exception of a passage
with
for another
I shall have
occasion
to cite instances
chapter, in which
this passage
of the particularphenomenon
attests
:
and

phenomena;

'

People

celebrated

the

all,thorough sceptics

and

HOME.

previous year.*'

them
came
Among
Bryant, accompanied

one

OF

inquirers.

seen

of the

newspapers

MISSION

AND

"

of justice to the parties referred

undersigned, from a sense
of the following
to, very cordially bear testimony to the occurrence
which
witnessed
the
house
of
Rufus
at
we
Elmer,
severally
facts,
in Springfield :
table
in every
moved
The
was
possible direction, and with great
could not
of motion.
we
force, when
perceive any cause
forced
of us so powerfully as
It (the table)was
against each one
from
to move
us
our
positions together with the chairs we
pied
occu"

The

"

**

"

"

in all several

"

''

Mr.

to

exert

feet.

their

took

strength

exercised

power,

their

Edwards

Mr.

in

hold

the

to

best

of

the

table

advantage,

opposite direction,

an

in

to

such

but
be

found

quite
'

efforts.

utmost

...

''Mr.

Wells

time

legs, and
no

to

invisible

equal
some

and

as

manner

the

Wells

other

with

on

great violence, and

remained
person

himself

seated

was

in

this

the

with

length

at

position

in contact

table, which

for
it

some

it

was

rocked

poised itself on
thirty seconds,

for
two

when

SCOTLAND

Three

'*

"Occasionally
powerful shock,
the

by

causing
**

In

which

time, and

thus

same

made

distant

we

there

which
In

"

was

that

urged

almost

his

tions
posi-

far
we

that

and

like

the

motion

us

room

diversified

more

constrained
of

of the
Mr.

than

the

admit

to

intelligence

some

circle.

D.

D.

feet.

Home

frequently

these

"Wm.
K.

the

on

John

D.

other

persons.

One

Lord,

evening

Brittan,

of

in

the

stance,

the

Wells."

the

at

nessed
wit-

were

house

of

declaration

Henry

from

Elmers'

1852,

Elmer,

visitor

at

was

February,

Rufus

A.

strikingphenomena

attested

and

Elmers,

the

of

28th

"

Edwards,

David

more

for

Bliss,

Wm.

still

and

Bryant,

B.

Similar, but

us

felt.

well

was

"

and

seen

During
occurrences
lighted, the lamp was
frequently placed on
under
the
afforded
table, and every
possible opportunity was
us
this one
admit
the
closest inspection, and
we
emphatic declaration
that ice tcere
We know
deceived.^
not imposed upon
nor
the

to

of

floor

far away
all of

both

were

were

independent

the

ordnance

manifestation

observe

of

objects,and

effects

was

of

occurrence

motion

firing of

the

constant

hands

the

inanimate

indicate,

be

least,to
conclusion, we
may
at

hold

assumed

seated, the table

it seemed

"

the

or

other

exhibition, which

an

seemed,

seated

thunder,

manner

of

vibratory

were

foregoing specificationwould
that

while

conscious

produced

which

whole

the

Edwards,

were

in such

tremble

to

15

Wells, Bliss, and

table, chairs, and

the

AMERICA.

directions.

we

in

apartment

occasioned

the

at

various

in

moved

was

Messrs.

persons,
the table

on

AND

New

signed by
Foulds, and
eight
York,

residence.

S.

Mr.

There

was

B.
no

sitting talking to
their
conversation
each
other, when
was
interrupted
The
most
intimately
by a stdrtlingincident.
person
Mr.
Brittan, subsequently
concerned,
published the
memorable
of his
following account
experiences at
thought

party

were

Springfield:

"

While

spending a
Springfield,I became
''

Mr.

Home,

Mr.

and

conversation, when
Home
was
deeply
he

said,

'

Hannah

few

days at
acquainted

Mrs.

Elmer,

suddenly,
entranced.
Brittan

and
A

is hera'

Similarly

italicised

house

the

with
and
most

Mr.

was

in the

Bufus

Mr.

were
engaged
unexpectedly to

silence

surprised
original.

Elmer,

One

Home.

momentary
I

of

at

in
us

evening
general
all, Mr.

ensued, when
the

announce-

LIFE

ment

; for

days,

or

I had

not

MISSION

I remained

of her

assured

OF

HOME.

for many
indicated
thought of the person
I was
but
and we
parted for all time when
but
1
silent,
might
mentcdhj inquired how

even

perhaps months,

little child.

be

AND

actual

presence.

Immediately Mr. Home

began to exhibit signs of the deepest
fro in the apartto and
anguish. Bising from his seat, he walked
ment,
and exhibiting a wild and frantic
manner
wringing his hands
his forehead
and
expression. He groaned audibly, and often smote
""

and

incoherent

uttered

words

of prayer.
Ever
like the following :
.

gave
'

"

utterance

to

Oh, how

dark

down

Deep
the

pit!

roll

in

''

"

this

occurred

twelve

some

all that

in

Brittan,

that

or

I last

when

in

the

mournful

which

is
its

the

Elmer.

of

tenderest

the

doctrine

terrible

attempted

before

spirit.

Home.

Mr.

of

history
But

to

She

of

No

Hannah
the

me

scene

highly gifted

was

She

sensibilities.

came
be-

punishment ;
graphicallydepicted

endless

reality,so
describe,

to

present

was

all

in

its

me.

scarcely dimmed
years
to
thus re-enacted
assure
spirit has

That

the

existed.

the

circumstances

The
of

since

of

me

of

recollection

the

informed

the
me

actual
that

the

scene

of

presence

her

life

present

beautiful,and that the burning gulf,with

of men,
existed
and
horrible
only in the traditions
imagery,
brain."
fitful wanderings of her distracted

all

calm, peaceful, and

Home
his
or

other

to

turn

nineteen

now

was

friend
his

was

wrought

poor

as

medical

himself

for

that

the

reasoned,

Since

age.
the

of

suggestion
he

account

be

spoke

able
of

to

turn

guided him
his training

plan to Mr.
entirely disapproving
his

and

of

seeking

invariably

day when
extraordinary

profession. If
profession by the
who

beings

one

he

the

on

he

would
to

his
to

were

usual

in

ting
quit-

guest of

Some
wanderings.
at Springfield turned
through him

the

without

the

pecuniary
as

towards

He

of
years
had
been

his

began

study,

from

but

gift to

and

recoiled,

he

house,

aunt's

and

unconscious,

birth

the

'

Mrs.

have

was

My

the

from

them

Save

clouds
light! The
is whirling !
perhaps half an hour, I

was

aught

with

frightfulchasm

no

Home

ever

the

he

anon

head

painful significance.

her,

saw

have

details

Thirty

"

the

scene

and

believing in

from

insane

lasted

before

person

endowed

and

by nature,
and

peculiar and

of

one

Mr.

knew

region

What

There's

which

Mr.

fiery flood.

deepens

years

such

the

out.

spectator,

inexplicable to

clouds

see

way

exciting scene,

silent

a
was

darkness

the

me,

remained

was

no

...

During

person

see

and

"

dismal

What

far, far down,

upon

whole

expressions

cures

mind
train

of

course

surely,

he

account.

Mrs.

Elmer,

it, responded

who,

by

an

AND

LIFE

i8

the

into

went

of it.

from

Having

HOMK

OF

investigation originallythinking it
intending to make
pubUc my exposure

and

deception,

MISSION

researches

my
that

to

come

diflferent

known
obligation to make
the result is just as strong."
Hare
had
Professor
of
accepted the experiments
but
facts for
conclusive;
Faraday
as
meeting with
which
the
explanations of the English philosopher
I feel

conclusion,

would

not

he

account,

conclusively
results

of his

manifold

that

passed
and

experiments
demonstrated
of the

there

Another

York

American
Home

he

1852

deepest affection and

have
counsel
given me
he

attainments
of

phenomena

Dr.
have

his

was

the

kind

wife

all times

at

me

his

suitable
a

that

had

ever

and

From

eminently
requiring

was

The

acquaintance
ing
Gray, a leadGray," wrote

John

befriended

all circumstances.

under

present.

Home's

He

esteem.

and

exerted

was

published in a
editions.
Vary the
it
might, he found

Dr.

was

pected,
ex-

he

Mr.

**For
physician.
autobiography, '*I

his

in

in

he

as

at work
not
power
that
and
this power

beings present,
by intelligence.
inquirer who
sought

New

at

and

tvas

human

governed

sitters

experiments
through five
as

force

genious
in-

more

should,

no

the

apparatus

that

that

that

of

that

devise

to

Faraday's,

establish

but

during
volume

himself

set

than

apparatus
stance

the

character
as

calm,

and

gator
investi-

an

dispassionate

judgment."
Dr.
his
a

his

Gray encouraged
plan of entering on
of

chain

first

was

had

been

him

at

and

did

unforeseen

pressing

at

present

his

residence

not

stance

for
the

from

invitation

in

to

medical

following

New

out

study, but
time

advice.

-The

Dr.

cany

some

Hull, who

York,

the

Hudson.

Home

York

again

till the

on

New

see

of

course

circumstances

from

Home

prevented

friend

young

to

visit

accepted,
autumn

of

1853.
Dr.

had

Hull

offered

lived

Mr.

at

Home

Newburgh
a

on

considerable

the

Hudson.

remuneration

He
in

SCOTLAND

which

proposing the visit,

Home
informing him
would

never

visit

Home's

very
result

the

and

friends

new

to

entering on the
Home
accepted
visit

to

numerous

winter, he

he

visit

to

Hull

Dr.

in

should

had

of

course

of

naturally been

himself

place

held

project.

kindly-meant

his education

were

others

and

pay

their

in

ordinary study,

before

medical

in view.
training that he had
the
oflFer;but having made
promises
and
autumn
during that
persons
of it
obliged to defer availing himself

at Springspending a week
field,
illness,he went
prostrated by severe

was

Ward

Mr.

to

Hartford,

near

happy

and

1852, after

August,
where

on

be

paid

following year.

till the
In

was

that

was

he

through

go

should

united

neglected,

hands

he

been

never

suggestions of payment
were
interesting stances

They proposed that, as

somewhat

had

declined;

course,

if all

Newburgh
Some
dropped.
;

he

19

of

was,

that
that

be, but

to

there

AMERICA.

AND

Cheney

Connecticut,

of

South

of

one

Manchester,

the

eminent

most

of American

manufacturers.

numbered

soon

and

when
was

1869, Ward

left the

always
Cheney,

standing, visited
that

occurred

his

among

Home

members

him

Home's

somewhat

remarkable.

he

silk
and

dress

sound

talking

then

hall

his
to

see

of

their

of

no

the

in

at

rustlingof
He

one.

Cheneys

residence

attention.

Cheney

to Mr.

America

other

or

the

to

resembling

attracted

surprised

was

when

the

one

its

his

introduction

entered

Manchester,

States,

in

were

In
correspondents.
of seventeen
friend
a
years'
and
manifestations
England ;
Those
by Lord Dunraven.

recorded

were

family

Cheney

fastest friends

among
in

attending
As

The

few

looked

were

South

heavy

round,

minutes

later,

of the

sitting-rooms,
Home
again heard the rustling of the dress, and again
for
sought in vain for anything that might account
such

sound.

naturallyasked
to

make

been

very

much

His

host

him

the

of the

ill,and

his

one

noticed
reason

matter,
nervous

his
of it.

startled

Home,

look, and

unwilling

only replied that

system

was

he

probably

had
out

LIFE

20

of

AND

had

He

order.

MISSION

door

open

the

spoken

hardly

the

looking through

HOME.

OF

hall, he

the

into

when

words,

saw

clad

standing there a little,active-looking elderly lady,

of grey silk.
The
in a heavy dress
apparent mystery

explained

was

the

mind,
This
is that
said
,

"

Mr.

Home,

of flesh

than

other

elderly lady in
Mr.
Cheney

thoughts
of the

make

was

rustled,

not
at

What

haU.

the

of

of

dress

be

that

his
guest's
; and
response
from the subject by the entrance

no

of

the

family.

among
dinner.

them;

remark

about

He

lady of the
his surprise,

The
to

nor,

his

that

expected

him

he

; and

heard

voice

host

nothing

her, but

the

to

the

it could

singular reserve
naturally set
she might be.
who
leaving the dining-room, the dress

close

Oh,'^

"

distinctness

this

wondering
he

made

some

; and

As

the

"

sound.

the

"

members

silk was
grey
did she
appear

said

heard

slightest thought that

and
blood,
only the
silk rustling."
grey

diverted

were

other

would

the

not

his

thought passed through

asked, looking towards

who, from the life-like

he

figure,had

the

as

again rustled.
Cheney also

dress

time
?

and

was

visitor

again

say

very

*'

distinctly,
been
placed

beyond

to Mr.
message
he had
previously

stared
till
"

but

at

him

and

and

Mrs.

heard.

and

seen

each

at

repeated this
related
Cheney, and

other

in

"

hers,
Home
the

did

words,

visionary
not

as

aware

incon-ect

he

character
what

visitant

would

had

happen

what

for

not

of the

next

his

astonishment,

perfectlyrecognise,
heavy
been

texture

placed

answer.

moment

figure ;

hosts.

; and

Till

to

and

relationshipexisted
and

listeners

on

it's ridiculous."

as

know

not

His

mute

silence.
finallyMr. Cheney broke
The
we
style of dress," he said,
and
to the
even
peculiar colour
for this story of a coffin having
as
it is

have

Home

expression.

strange
what

should

coffin

mine."

above

Astonished

that

annoyed

am

what

He

he

heard

suspected
even

between
waited

happened

he

now

the
to
was

see

the
was

terious
mys-

what

that,

aoc

SCOTLAND

later, the

hour

self-same

the
"What

is

AND

voice

again

words.

This

AMERICA.

sounded

in his

Seth

had

repeated

the

message

right

no

uttering

ear,

however,

time,

more,

di

it added:
that

cut

to

tree

down."
Home

seemed

Cheney
said,
old

greatly perplexed.

homestead
who

claims
his

to

the

of the

rest

the

even

"I

were

spiritshould
could

and

the

much

the

am

now

the

were

will

for

for

to

troubled

had

it," answered

going

Mr.

spirit it purports
go together to the

be

from

the

time

that

the

impossible

It

night,
by

the

point-

writes
first

the

was

through
that

such

me

rated
libe-

matter.

occurrence."
his

to

him.

"

to

how

host

just

am

resumed

and

as
"

that, if it

you

be, it is sadly mistaken.

had

and

desired

we

you
do
to

cofl"n

another

place

to

for

As

room,"

family vault,

even

sented
con-

met

Cheney

to

have

the

my

demonstrate

to

yourself that,

would

view

earth.

on

itself with

occupy

matter

about

cut

not

again

went

he

nonsense."

sleep for thinking of the

known
morning he made

not

In

see

been

separated

party

Mr.

did

had
received
been
message
it correct, it astonished
me

untrue

an

We

would

it is sheer

message,

Seth

the

at

"feeling greatly depressed.

time

sorry
I

said

speak to you
fellingit had she

contradiction.

Home^

^*

all

we

again given,

was

message
blank

and
to

before

Just

and

last.

"Certainly,"

is very strange.
My brother
that
rather
tree
the
obstructed

one

first to

this

"

down

from

shall
so,

it

above

hers."
The

two

went

at

who
had
the care
person
desired
him
its owner

key
and

in

the

turning, said
Mr.
Cheney,

way,
the coffin
"

lock, the

I have

in

placed

the

I suppose

it's all

asked

first about

you

of

the

open
seemed

The

burying-ground.
vault
it.

As

for, and

sent

was

he

placed

the

something ;
By the
half-apologetic tone,
to recollect

"

there
"

of Mrs.

the

to

man

as

to

once

was

(the old lady

of

coffin

right, but
it.

just a

Mrs.

little

room

in the

grey

's

baby

above

silk),
there.

perhaps I ought to have

only did it yesterday."

LIFE

22

Mr.

true

turned

Cheney

Home

could

never

were

the

"

of

Shadows

and

the
gave
omitted

convince

Cheney,

Manchester

in

earth. Home

"

feel

hands

no

time,

have

fallen from

as

if I

raises

from

me

On

taking

floor."

leave

of

in

paying

this

time

visits

that

first

he

becoming

witnessed

the

strains

occasion
when

with

there

no

of

addition
music

instrument

was

that

commence

the

course

near,

of

on

slowly
chester,
Man-

year
It was

those

at
to

already
than

more

1852

tations
manifes-

The
to

head,

converts

heard

were

subsequently attested.
Early in the year 1853, Home
to

where

similar

aims

my

South

promised.

numerous.

were

injury.
my

the

have

I have

which

at

first

above

of

wrote,

the

serious

friends

Boston,

saw

first

the

should

power

had

give

;";'c*t^

in which

remainder

he

"

South

at

since

drawn

new

the

various

Spiritualism were
recorded,

his

passed

anxious

1852,

escaped

unseen

air occurred.

rooms

are

the

the

Home

were

perpendicularly;

up
rigid,and

grasping

were

care

departure from

though,

have

not

the

ran

died

and

me,

some

once

not,'

levitations," he

or

felt fear;

frequently become

but

for ever.'

in

lifted in the

generally lifted

am

Conn.,

that I shall

Cheneys

supporting

raised, I could

been

He

the

ceiling of

the

1877.

was

-/t^

elevations

never

his

communication

being

these

would

Shortly after

1876.

During

"

Home's

of Home

Lights

spirit

Think

piled on mine.
and
identity, once
of 1852,
host

chapter.
staying with

While
instance

be

to

received

future

in

"the

writes,
*

of my

Ward

in

he

presence.
delivered, 'that

you

"

his

in

Hartford,

her

of cofl"ns

it's all

"

utter.

incident

occurrence,

evening,"

now

pyramid

could

he

that

Cheney family.

known

message

look

It's all true, then

strange

its

the

naming

made

more

of

same

companion

"

Spiritualism," published

scene

"The

to

this

HOMK

OF

his

on

forget.
only words

related

Home

MISSION

AJND

during
phenomenon

one

stance

often

Newburgh
study proposed to him by
returned

to

SCOTLAND

AND

AMERICA.

23
f

Hull

and

beautiful

the

Hudson

and

his

and

Dr.

spot, which
and

summer

had

He

of the

French

"While

and

The

Institute

left it

that

emotions
One

"

the

spread

and

calls

and

quickened

was

awake.

I had

been
on

question
heard

joy
far

voice

as

too

for

pure

had

brighter home,

although
heard
'

I well

voice

her

with

was

reason

lives

and

lies

of

voice

world

as

ours,

do

who,
and

passing

the

was

earth,

on

protect

natural

and

the

with

bounded

while

over

so,

nearness

my

in

amazement,

heart

my

and

it

when

as

asking myself
to

who,

one

watch

to

would

that

that

active

first

not, Daniel

was

that

to

And,

me.

I had

time
She

tone.

near
; I am
you : the vision you are
of death, yet you
will not die.'
became
I felt as
''The
who
voice
lost; and
one

Fear

evening

an

the

that

as

when,

not

or

natural

so

for the

she

of

picture

to

of many
houses
farm-

little

change which
beyond, until,
then
and
in sleep. It appeared
earthly things, an inner perception

to

promised

knew

pretty

for hours

sat

pondering deeply on
the eternity that

asleep

distance

distinctness, remember

seemed

such

its

till at last

were

which

for

with

I have

eyes

vivid

recognised it

extraordinary

an

be traced

country,

prayer,

me,

I, with

acquirement'

thresholds.

death, and

whether

the

it in all its details.

endeavouring

relief in
wearied, I found
to me
that, as I closed my
was

the

and, under

had

"I

boarder,

eminence

could

there.

those

within

as

I remember
an

the

out

crossed

evening

world

on

and
lights,'

their

watching

highlands of
Point, the spring
laboriously spent.

classes

1863,

retired

view
of
a
commanding
lost
lay the city ; on the right the river was
the rocky hills surrounding West
Point ; on

; below

here

in
that

built

was

among
in expanse,

lay

; behind
dotted

miles

Home
vivid

so

this

the

commencing
languages.

was

German

wrote

is still

peculiar beauty
in its windings
the

Hull,

here,"

vision, which

the

attend

not

of Dr.

direction

"

the

did

In

tranquilly but
Theological Institute

were

he

there.

lies among
from West

far

not

entered

though

friends

other

about

said,
have

to

is that

struck

blind.

sunlight,
felt any
the
words
I

he

As

I would

so

dread

would
fain

of

cling even
clung

have

passing

away,

the

to

to

nor

last

material

at

existence

I doubted

that

for

is

noonday
of

memories

not

"

the

that

instant

an

1
f

of

presumptuous
disturb

my
in

guardian angel

; but

desiring knowledge,
life.

feared

the

very

had

memory

been

of

over-

which

for almost

was
might
momentary,
my
of
instantaneously came
rushing with a fearful rapidity memories
and
semblance
of
the
bore
the
realities,
thoughts
past; my
every
action
appeared as an eternity of existence.
During the whole time
which
stole over
I was
of a benumbing
and chilling sensation
aware
but
the
inactive
more
nervous
body;
system became, the
my
my
active
more
was
mind, till at length I felt as if I had fallen
my

future

This

but

of

brink

the

from

and

obscure,

my

feeling of terror,
I knew

and
"

whole

body

until

sensation

and

precipice;

one

as

more.

no

lain

I had

long

How

fell,all became
only kept alive by a
dizzy mass,
and
thought simultaneously ceased,

fearf al

some

HOME.

OF

MISSION

AND

LIFE

24

I know

thus

; but

not

I felt that

soon

was

given place
obscurity.
of
certitude
some
one
a
a
by
pleasurable feeling, accompanied
realised
I
Instinctively
dearly loved being near
yet invisible.
me,
of silver-toned
that beyond the
ocean
surrounding obscurity lay an
light.
with
the
I felt that
no
longer connected
thought and "action were
but
in a
that
spirit-body in every
earthly tenement,
they were
been
the
I knew
to have
to
mine, and
body which
respect similar
the
bed.
The
before
which
I now
me
on
saw
lying motionless
to be a silvery
forms
held
the two
together seemed
only link which
about

in

awaken

to

dense

most

had

Terror

to

...

"

light,which
to

proceeded fi-om the

waking thoughts, the

earlier

my

musical

more

link

uniting

I told

As

and

be

now

this

however,
instant, for this

an

this

Be

very

...

do

with

touch

not

for

Death

is but

could

you

not

be.

was

the

cause

; and

again

never

will

second

birth

natural

the

to

were

voice, only that

same
*

if it

As

response

it

was

birth,
should

enter

the

did

You

now
responding
cor-

the

body.
doubt,

to

wrong
of your
having suffered ;
evil on
of faith
of every
is the
source
your
will see
all ;
calm, for in a few moments
ua
you

want

very

earth.
but

said

respect
severed,

every

you,

for

even

before,

than
in

brain.

Be

us.

I must

the

guided by

remain

is

who

one

appointed

to

go

body.'
of
dream
that
I was
a
appeared to me
waking from
did
darkness
Never
but
of light,
to a sense
such
a
glorious light !
shed
This
in
such
earthly sun
beauty, soft in lova
strong
rays,
Tet
the
those
I saw
from
me.
heavenly light came
standing about
of
from
not
their
but
them
shed
a
on
light was
was
higher
creating,
beautiful
the
and
seemed
which
more
adorably
only
source,
purer
in the invisibility
of its holy love and
thus to shower
every
mercy
the
And
I was
bathed
of its creation.
creatures
blessing on
now
in light, and
I had
sorrowed.
about
One
those
for whom
me
were
"

you,
It now

near

your

"

I had

that
will

with

come

to
a

"

below

hovering

over

found

I
a

cottage

that

we

that

I had

had

not

the

least obstruction

same

the

might
inmates

watching

be

said

were
over

never

dense

not

feel

and

near,

only reply

could

spirit-body.
upward, until I saw

but

of

drew

then

I could
I

as

inmates,
were

'

it

that

that

my

said,

You

sible
impos-

was

nature

had

new

my

Soon

us.

inasmuch

wafted

was

earth

on

Daniel

me,

move,
over

power

known

never

the

had

them

met

the

drawn
never

in

earth,

life.

as

nearer,
seen

The

; and

walls

vision, far, far

and

I also

of

just

were

the

saw

the

cottage

structed
sight ; they were
only as if conmy
of
and
the
air, yet perfectly transparent ;
body
of every
article of furniture.
I perceived that
I saw
the
various
asleep ; and
spirits who were
sleepers.

to

LITE

26

from

effects of

the

life

unhealthy

he

records
alike

were

that

the

in

could

led ; and

again left

was

friends

I had

course.

knew

what

all that

On

his

recovering
time

some

the

with

by

of the

one

the

touched

the

felt to

Gardner,

of Boston.

will

which

bear

cannot

in

do

"

With

distinctlyfelt

us

the

soft, delicate, elastic, yet

be
described, but must
The
that

plain

view

the
on

of

hands
the

Dr.

added

reader,"

mind

in

were

of

Some

appreciated.

present

person
table."

to

festations
maniSpringfield,where
account
was
published
an

Gardner

spirit hand,
be

"

they

as

soon

as

at

Dr.

sensation.

powerful touch,
be

ftiture

my

"

more

of

to

as

us,

times
were
we
lighted,"he wrote,
many
less forcibly,
or
producing a peculiar and

indescribable

form

between

passed

then

been

of which

witnesses.

well

room

life I

generously offered

had

Elmers

occurred

body
saying

doing, and to allow

whom
I might please."
see
liberty of action, he stayed for

perfect libertyto

me

winter,"
and

the

who,

been

friends

my

decide

to

were,

friends

other

had

Boston,

in

intentions

my

my

myself

to

to

continuing

letters

many

had

mind

that

"

wrote

of

think

not

after

"I

him

to

study the whole

Incidents,"

disturbed.

all, and

to

fell ill.

he

repulsive. In January, 1854,

left to myself in solitude
and
so
"

HOMR

OF

MISSION

AND

top

every

of

the

of
of the
summer
spring and
passed much
stances
1854 in Boston, where
frequent and remarkable
took
of the apparition of a
place, the rare phenomenon
form
than
phantom
one
sion.
occamore
being observed
on
For part of the summer
he lived at Koxbury
; and
Home

as

his

health

gradually improving,

seemed

he

reverted,

in
his
his
one

obstacles
and
spite of former
disappointments, to
wish
of studying for a medical
diploma.
Among
and
subsequently, was
correspondents at this time
of the
most
preachers
distinguished of American

and

theologians,

Khode

Island, who,

residing
the

Dr.

home

at

Hartford,
of

the

M.

T.
in

Clark,

the

years
Connecticut.

Cheney

family,

now

and

1853
South
is not

of

Bishop
1854,

was

Manchester,

far distant

and

SCOTLAND

Clark

Dr.

was

with

The

determined

he

and

Hartford

to

and

house

own

of Mr.

visits

Home

its

following letter from

the

for itself

speak

to

of the various

to
on
neighbourhood
carry
patient and searching investigation
of that
As
to the results
inquiry,

phenomena.
leave

of the

himself

availed

27

views
Cheneys, in whose
been
wrought by their experiences
wonderftil
particularscommunicated
Dr. Clark
to inquire into the subject;

had

Home.

him

to

friend

revolution

AMERICA.

AND

Clark

Bishop

to

in

his

of

the

may
Home

"

'*

/tme

Habttobd,

2,

1854.

think

Mt

**

from

out

the

from

you

It is

"

above.

can

table, digging into French

One

**

law,

Persians

and

German.
.

you,
*
sit
not

excited

over

and

morning,
imagine

should

were

I would

"

been

have

if I

June

with

in

distant

more

glorious

can
looking
you
you.
Roxbury upon the distant sea, and then
heavens, to see who are looking down
upon
also imagine you
at your
squaring away

little chat

elevation

your

into

up

Daniel,

deab

I will have

that

'

be

but

of

twice

laws

of

You

anybody.
grasshopper

Hhe

now

and

Medes

the

for

week

late, and

the

as

is

burden.'
*'

Don't

allow
of

notions

yourself
people.

other

have

the

incalculable

conveying
the

in

of

case

existence;
before
**

of

state

to

bright
evening,

Every
regular chorus,
in

night
recorded

to the

lay
Home

down

of

people ;

of many

as

we

day

feel

that

their

law

Dan

were

two.

or

Those

advice
to

not

hold
act

in

living
give infinitelymore

thought

as

the

to

than

future.

yet.

Write

excellent

dark

are

you

me

as

in

our

parlour,

snug

here

'

only
My book is posted
tangible demonstrations
soon

as

you

We

can.

"

Thomas

could

rest.

happy yourself.

to

For

sit down

Oh, if

be

you
distrustful

one

sunshine

paper.

the

instrument

the

hearts

yoursy

The

settle

will

been

having

comfort

others.

chamber.

your
on

'

in

Manchester

and

right to
ought

have

Never

see

""

of

future

have
changed the whole
aspect of
you
that
have
made
dwelling-places light
were

never
again, you
dependence upon

will

You

the

the

"

assurance

have, then,

receive.

you

present

joy

that

have

the

to

as

some

you

; you

And

pleasant

think

opinions and
this is perhaps the
source
consciousness
of integrity :

sensitive

too

You

of your
greatest trouble.
sufELce
for the
let that
Toa

be

to

of

Dr.

at

most

upon.

Clark,
two

He

was

to

drive

that

to

up

as

say

we

intend

last
be

cannot

ately
affection-

Very
M.

that
stances

Clabk."

should

he
a

surrounded

week.

by

LIFE

-28

inquirers, who

eager

act

not

it.

upon

him, it

was

hard

"

have

feel

him

both

should

joy

and

life

his

and

men,

conditions

of

his

of which

no

himself.

divest

to

sorrow
was

largely predominate
few

again

"My

Daniel,

and

know

5th.
Sunday evening

When

you.
too

and

for

now

What
to

which

me

any
his

of

us

the

on

Newburyport
5th, by way of

find

in

only drop
hardly possible that

wonderful

which

scenes

recall

information

that

those

the

world,

any

who
when

Fourth

the

Please

upon

Wednesday,
this quiet
us
have

ever

can

incidents,

the

passed through

as

"

been

so

occupied

wonderful

with

not

more

too

were

scenes,

refers ?

Bishop

senses

on

we

have

we

on

Boston.

they occurred, they

be believed.
Do
that is,
you get anything new
in kind
from
what
have
we
experienced ? It is
in Boston
is going on
to be deprived of all that

the

the

home

at

you

25, 1854.

June

in

strong appetite for something

were

Harttord,

could

you

seems

I have

Brookl3m.

have

to

great

hard

It

be

to

shall

that

different

anything
rather

of those

appear

here

whether
I wish

How

more

I expect

"

shall return

me

the

any
with

Home

to

"

dear

let

sorrow

July,

to

the

writes

*'

of

other

than

joy.

Clark

later, Dr.

weeks

created

was

that

the

over

eflfort would

keenly

ordained

so

to

phenomenal

He

more

his

of trouble

source

one

should

he

in which

sensitiveness
a

condition, but

enabled

to

for that

of the

one

that

determined

were

As

HOMR

OF

justly discerned

correspondent
life

MISSION

AND

that
than
timid

Dr.

other
little

he
he
to

denies
did

give

spiritual"

it will

Clark

that

matters,

does
the
in
their

be
not

asked,
afford

evidence

1854,
names

but
to

impression made
by the phenomena
I will
fresh, are still more
was
unwilling now.
relate
life in
of Home's
briefly the remaining events
then
and
conclude
this chapter with
America,
an
tract
exthe
from
in my
possession
scanty information
Home
at Hartford.
concerning the stances
kept no
of those stances
of any others ; he left the pherecord
or
nomena
the
beholders
the
to speak to
beholders, and
the
to
to the
world, if they had
speak in their turn
Not
displayed that courage
; and
courage.
very many
with
manifestations, there
regard to the Hartford
are
the

SCOTLAND

few

left

now

tested

in

the

again they

health.
and

The

alarming
be

to

all

other

that

united

Dr.

in

that

declaring

his
to render
as
progress
danger, and in recommending,

That

struggle
I

"

have

thrown

be

family

My

for

with

me
as

had

it

so

had
had

York,

now

sulted,
con-

had

made

of

one

grave

hope of

best

longing
pro-

It

advice

sufficient

and

America.

those

in

writes,

no

States

wrote,

land.

of

rica
Ame-

friend

one

dered.
ten-

and

"

strange

would

who

residents

knew

him

cost

pressingly

so

all been

time

time, and

some

he

sole

stranger

his

lung

New

affection," he

every

this

by

the

the

the

were

of

malady

separated from

be

to

was

tended

follow

of

Europe.

to

quitted

to

left

whom

as

studies,

grown
studies

his

condition

was

Home

why

hard

to

life,a voyage

recommendation

reason

had

Gray
the

such

with

unusually bitter;

friends

medical

ago.
much

failure

the

previously,his

year
diseased.

eminent

his

and

saw

medical

was

year

pronounced

and

his

on

1855, the symptoms

thought of continuing

abandoned.

been

they

than

more

entered

winter

that

of what

interrupted by

were

January,

by

29.

thirtyyears
at New
York, going
classes, and
holding stances

poorer
had
again

He

AMERICA,

speak

to

presence
the
winter

spent

among
them.
and

earth

on

Home's

Home

AND

all

in

England.'*
His
verdict

them,

"

few

written

to

are

life, you

enjoy
such

at

in

the

as

always

pass

am

away

good

be

spared
degree of

circumstances."

he
my
Clark

known

to

and

press
I
sailed.

possession
:

"

tion,
Gray's examinapersuade myself that

But
us

oh,

I vnll

and

us

health,

many
as

be

it cannot

soon.

care

to

news

the

of Dr.

to

that, with

sure

may

from

Mrs.

1855 by

tried

in

as

soon

became

letter

result

difficultyexisted.

serious

of it.

early

grieved

am

for I had

you

physicians

from

words

Home

to

of the

advice

^ef

to

quote

in the

their deep
at the
express
them
parting visits before
pay

to

him

friends

many
and

quiet
years

many

not

no

that

think
of

course

yet, and
do

under

February and
paying farewell
it

thinking
earth.
one

In

the

unable

readers

these

Courant

Hartford

(March

the

"

D.'s

held

have

been

Courant

following introductory

the

narrative

on

1858), but

6,

to

"

meet

later a
years
stances
was
lished
pub-

"

appointed
last

at

West

Point

he

was

selected

number

friend
writes

these

as

of the

D.,"

that

of ladies

Point

from

their

the

cadets.

significantof

the

mental

address

writer."

indebted

was

for

well

"

introduction

an

to

with

'

'

determine

to

West

At

being
acquainted
scepticism
my
circle
should
sit in my
arranged that the
all suspicion of machinery
other
handed
underor
any
the
It was
also
at
outset.
might be removed

"

contrivance
me

member

to

matters,

house,

"

Examiners

parting

facts

whom

to

of

military school

national

(1857).

Board

the

culture

and

Home,"

of the

the

by

of War

Secretary

summer

these

mention

"The

the

"

deliver

to

calibre

by

of Examiners

of the Board

left for

of

both

he

Three

there.

one

in

and

Conn.,

"D."
only signs himself
editor
of
The
identify him.

was

own

stances

Home

"

The

upon

Hartford,

at

was

of

were

American
enable
some
Perhaps they may
D." to whom
to identifythe
they refer :
cation
gentleman who signs the subjoined communi-

remarks.

We

HOMK

writer

prefixed to

"

he

last

the

in
as

the

narrative

lengthy

1855

visits

March

OF

passed by
to his friends ; they and
last time
they should

March

was

two

or

MISSION

AND

LIFE

30

who

should

compose
it
whom

cirda

selected

was
gentlemen of
presumed that two,
from
the
admitted
Mr.
Home,
previous investigations with
reality
of these phenomena,
and
in the spiritualistic
inclined
to believe
were
The
solution.
both
the
the
remaining eight scouted
theory and
a

party

and

the

facts.
.

'^

could

of

youth

confronted

when
help compassionating Home
and
twenty, pale, emaciated,
suffering from
by such an array of mature, hard-headed

not

him, a
consumption,
saw

scoffers

at

his

pretensions."
The
"

stance,

lighted by

and
inches

the

party
in

heard, and

relates

length.
various

was

chandelier

gas
sat

"D.,"

at

The

large

oval

table

phenomena

held

with

four

table,

seven

in

room

feet
raps
which

eight

vibrated, loud
succeeded,

"

burners

were
"

D."

describes.

minutely
in

"

D/s

"

farthest

from
from

inches
reached
in

hand,

me

the

keys.

me,"

"D."

the

accordion

an

instrument

Home

"

31

was

if his

entire

feet

could

had

body

the

by

seven

writes, "and

played
end

eight
have

not

been

extended

direction."

my
"These

wooing,

in

appear

and
the

to

of

not

me,

attend

the

him

"hcd

so

peatedly
re-

respond to my
mony.
reject all testithis

of

me

credulity,
in-

alleged spiritualagency,

be
genuine, and cannot
but
hallucination,
explained by jugglery, collusion, deception, or
law of nature
of mind
be solved, if solved
at
must
all, by some
or
medium
but
I affirm this of no
other
as
Home,
yet undiscovered.
for
other
of
this
miracles
from
to
extract
art
professors
attempts
my
have
proved most
signal failures.
"

marvels

Home

spurns
business, and

in

of

chary
as

his

rare

favour

which

disabused

Home

Mr.

convinced

and
presence
inclined
to
was

my

them

regard
sitting with

One

that

to

in

that

"D.,"

continues

spiritual phenomena,"
refused

but

them,

Among
holding

he

even

AMERICA.

AND

SCOTLAND

to

inducement

every

are

his wonderful

invest

to

power

is rather
He
too
rapping as a trade.
engage
it
and
^ft,
only on urgent solicitation,
displays
he
those
to the
likes, or as a grace
psychological

in

inquirer.
"It

less

IB

his

his

of

account

hypotibesisthan
by

feet,while

"

Hume

"

writer

the

his

wrote

twenty

made

name

the

difference

that

sometimes

much

amused

Home

he

ears

it

had

Hume,

only
In

but

showed
Mr.

that

his

Hume

"

of

mode

wrote

and
or

to

some

for ever,

the

the

that
Home's

bearer

those

that

and

they
"

American

question
by announcing

Hume,

heard

occasion,

one

on

had

of

persons

Incidents

in

that
name

who

My

spelt

always
ancient
"

hence

very

He

its

with

and
was

oracular

newspaper
whether
the

that

met

never

him."

spelling it

others.

this

besides

the

retained

all

is

persons
Home

many

mistakenly adopted by
when,

spiritual

upon

name

name,

own

the

fastened

were

he

nating
termi-

accomplish

Courant.

Home,"

between

acquaintance
settle,once

by

"D.,"in

even

Home's

Hartford

the

could

suspicious eyes

mistake

adopt

to

Home

narrative.

"

"

s^nce,
that

this

in

declares

mind,"

my

pronunciation of

Scottish

were

the

believe

to

Throughout
"

to

preposterous

his

to
name
own

pronounce
spelt it Home
owner.

Life," published

LIFE

32

is

1863,

in

March
described

took

name

of the

not

published

L.

HOMK

(pp. 56-61) the narrative

place at Hartford, Connecticut,

within

1855,
by the

14,

OF

contained

that

stance

MISSION

AND

the

of

of the

days

Point

this

Incidents."

"

on

stance

"D."

The

narrative

was

was

Mr.

Frank

and

has

kindly

He

Hartford TimeSy

the

other

Examiner

furnished

who

witness

Burr, editor

West

in

few

of

the
in
attesting the facts narrated
further
Incidents," and
adding some
particulars to
the description there
given by him.
This
sdance
Hartford
of March
one
14, 1855, was
of the last
^held by Mr.
Home
^perhapsthe very last
I extract
in the States
before he sailed.
a
portion of
sent

me

letter

"

"

"

Mr.

Burr's

The

sitters

Burr, and

on

this

Mr.

Home

table-cloth

''The

the

narrative

of

appearance

in

the

on

up,
the

and

the

side

opposite to

moved

it, which

; but

closer

or

seemed

to

It

lamp.

side of the table

cloth, going first to one
It felt, through the cloth, like a hand

inspection, it

Mr.

Mrs.

"

imder

something

Incidents."

"

of

consisted

plainly lifted
full light of

was

and

medium,

occasion

the

in

published

as

and

under

about

then

the

presented
the

to

the

other.
.

evaporate

retaining it for a
dissolve^and was
rapidly
on

lost.''
forward
to get a
presently leaned
the room
across
object that was
moving untouched
the
the
table.
accidentallyextinguished
lamp on
Mr.

he

Burr

writes,

"

reflected

was

all of

upon

from

us

view

better
;
''

of

and, in doing
As

an

so,

good light,"

grate of glowing

coals

decided
to break
the
not
directly in front of the party, it was
circle to relight the lamp.
"While
of five or
six feet
sat
we
thus, a guitar, at a distance
the party, was
from
for
and
several
minutes,
exquisitely,
played upon
other
than
that
of any
The
by some
one
bodily present.
power
music
of a character
those
who
to
was
entirely new
listened, and
harmonious
than
was
sweeter, softer, and more
anything I have ever
heard.
that

Portions
seemed

to

of it
be

exquisitesweetness

filled with

were

the

echo

of

of which

other

there

certain

are

soft and
far

music

away,

words.

no

It

wild

melody

and

for

was

the

of that
,

"

'

Music

that

softer falls

Than
Or

Anon

it

the grass.
on
petals from blown
roses
between
walls
night dews on stiU waters
Of shadowy granite in a gleaming pass.'

changed,
melody, fillingthe

and
house

rose

to

with

'

full

orb

its sounds.

'

of
It

strong, tempestuous
was

heard

by

lady

in

AND

LIFE

34
the

Incidents,"

"

present.

one

It

warm.

afterwards

I felt it

triciUlymade,

at

minutely.
not
perfect;

in detail

relates

when

hand

it

and

shook

hands

with

tolerablywell and

was

and

it

soft

was

each

symme-

and

dightly

of

me

his.

grasped

Home

"Mr.

HOMK

April 6, 1887, Mr. Burr gives

particularsconcerning the stance, and
of the spirithe made
the examination

additional

some

OF

wbist."

the

his letter to

In

came

It

though

ended

MISSION

to

came

house

our

late

rather

the

in

of
house
at the
evening," he vmtes,
having been
Mr.
Courant^ all
Day, then the editor of the Hartford
the
into the
evening. I invited him
parlour for a
stance.
Nobody was
present but Mrs. Burr and myself
"

Home."

Mr.

and

Mr.

details

then

Burr

phenomena of the stance

thirty years before; and

the

his

description written
arriving at the point where

in

as
on

Incidents

"

the

"

the

concludes, he

given in
following

narrative

subjoins the

:
particulars
"

hand

The

"

to any

arm

with

But
this

time

it

without

Home

not

was

this

"

satisfied

I swung

arm

belonging

then

flesh
was

creases.

to

and

not

more

with

this

and

the

bone, hut

was

to

at

of

and

arm

Turning

dead

reach

me,

found

hand

the

for
up

nails,
finger-

perfecthuman

ended

up

no

than

examine

should

(All

was.

itself up
to me
and
back, shut

sense

arm

let it.

of strength.

it

the

testimony

hand

satisfied.

over

hand

not

chair

When

and

snow,

hand

my

move,

; let me
It

the concurrent

and

of

as

what

yielded

them

opened

white

see

in his

itself

; turned

I wanted

been

it

the

deal

good

to

not

Then
I would

forward.)

over

joints,the

but

hand,

with

far back

get away,

examination
my
its fingers and
the

mine.

did

too

was

not

from

get away,

bending

it could

shake.

firmly,resolved

Mr.

He

attached
marble, and not visibly
to my
hand, and shook hands

human

withdraw

to

I held

man.

out

hearty

it pulled to

Then

as

^reached

"

me;

sought

^white

"

the

sight

v^ist.

to

of other

prove

senses;

do^^Ti,where

the

liaise heeti^had
ivas

this

there.

it

Even

strange hand

ji

SCOTLAND

palm

towards

visibly,

finger

my
I

When

of

the

it,
would

putty

In
that

more^

words,

much

up,

hand.

mysterious

such

under

or

other

closed

place

close

inch

an

hand.

the

entirely

forefinger

out

cwme

through

clear

withdrew

of

piece

hack

the

35

right

my

it

till

palmy

from

pushed

IpusJied

me,

tlie

through

AMERICA.

AND

as

circumstances
"

visible

leaving
but

not
"

quick

While

being

as

looking

still

was

remarkable

above

headed

scar,

lightning-flash.

Burr,

or

the

where

wound

was,

hole.

The
Mr.

mark

in

1875,
"

It
stance

in

the

Strange

New
and

it

at

was

the

hand

gone
also

was

York

Sun;

Startling

vanished,

"

described
his

Story."

narrative

by

36

CHAPTER

11.

ENGLAND

ITALY.

AND

in England.
landed
"I
never
April, 1855, Home
he
writes
in
his
of
first volume
can
forget my feelings,"
I looked
around
and
Incidents,"
as
saw
only
me,
of
the
faces
on
fellow-passengers;
joy beaming
my
In

"

**

there

some

who

were

of

thought
brought the

the

and
them

I stood

about

were

friends

kind

of

smile

joy

their

waiting
their

on

alone, with

there

reach

to

not

home,

welcome

to

countenances.

friend

to

come
wel-

hopes
thought, for

and

one

...

broken

me,

fairest

the

strange

pity

on

as

of

as

sense

happy

as

of

joy

the

of
for

English
stances

gratify;

and

pass from
made
a

to

of

crowd

crept

come

happiest

me,

of the

in

and

other

few

when

chary

the

on

and

my

vouchsafe
I felt

moments
rose

in

very
against it.

to

lure

was

as

throng."

London

having courted
society attracted
were
pressed
among

In

me.

up

God

to

with

to

there

bear

to

me

prayed

over

I had

passengers,
until
me,

over

few

look

not

were

the

cheer

few

ever

earth.

being, devil-sent
others

for

of

that

I stood

heavy

presence

without

was

my

impostor.

cabin, and

hope

Home's
and

base

too

of

had
to

while

loneliness

my

deluded

amongst

seemed

ray

poor

utter

sought

one

all, as
I

then

destruction,

treating me
ship's deck
heart

youth

also, which

power

me

to

health, and

only prospect

this

sense

in

suffering,and

months'

souls

of

dreams

The

fled.

down

soon

it, he
to

upon
noted

him.
him

became
found
More
than

personages

known,
the

notice

requests
he
of the

could

day.

ENGLAND

Lord

Brougham

expressed

phenomena.
and
Brougham
bring with him
full

In
Home

AND

ITALY.]
desire

afternoon

An

scientific

daylight, these

appointed,
permission to

was

received

friend, Sir David

shrewd

two

Brewster.

inquirers
in Jermyn

the

proprietor of the hotel

he
was
staying being also present.
W.
excellent
Cox, a most
worthy and
till the
remained
speedily become, and
;

where
Mr.
had

fast friend

the

death,

the

on

they

witnessed

in

letter

of

minds

Home.

Mr.

the

Street

This

was

who

man,

day of
effect

The

his

duced
prowhat

investigators by
subsequently attested
by Mr. Cox
Morning Advertiser^ dated October

was

the

to

of

with

sat

two

1855.

15.

assert," he

"

Brougham
his

astonished

astonishment,

made

Sir David

what

at

that

assert

both

that

"

wrote,

were

felt.

and

David,

in

use

of

expression,

the

to

me

for

further

investigation."

the

bear

of which

course

so.

the

The

force

natural

by

Rymer
firet few

that

letter

the

and

way
so, Home

Mr.

at

second

received

lines

a
:

"

of
at

he

said

of

purpose

friend

and

Brewster,

in
in

and

stated

both

had

discernment

view

had

and

truly

that

keen

their

unable

been

the

to

accounting

to

commented

of

statements

their

to

naturally

published

was

begged

English experiences,

with

means,

Rymer
large practice; and
present

of

he

the

wrote

his

phenomena

presently found
before
they did
to

of

very
Sir D.

and

whole
the

America,

visit

he

Brougham

upon
them

*This

assert

that

for

Home

description

brought

sitting, and

engagement

every

stance, Mr.

the

of Lord

another

him

would

America

of

...

arrange
put off

After

saw,

fulness

the

Sir

philosophy of fiftyyears.*
much
interested
Brougham was
so

Lord

Lord

and

they heard,

upsets the

for

investigatethe

to

stance
and

requested

37

do

to

in

upon

American

press

into

English journals. Long

had

left

Ealing,
Ealing,

stance.

letter, of which

Jermyn

Street

solicitor

London
Sir
few
the

D.

on

Brewster

days

was

later

following

in

are

Mr.
the

LIFE

38
"

Sir,

Home,

anxious

to

have

it convenient

I should
those

to

Thursday
glad to

on

be

days.

two

make

obedient

decisive

still more
Sir David's

on
"

was

mind

what

**with
well

is

Edward

acquainted

"

influenced

in

told

with

whom

me,

that

the

from

what

him

to

tvere

physical
that

he

I
it

rially
mate-

I met

phenomena.

steps of the

Athenaeum

of

"c.

that

was

examine

to

got

we

spoke

; he

table-fuming,
earnestly, stating that the impression left

upon

produced

of Dunraven,

determining

reality of

the

subject

the

"

himself

the

of

either

the effect

to

Brewster

me

thoroughly into
him
one
day on

o'clock,

Buller."

late Earl

the

wrote

had

Eaton

record.

on

David

Sir

80

can

servant,

testimony

struck,"

so

he

Saturday next, at two

an
appointment for

or

"

If

him.

house, No.

my

powers
I am

friends

three

with

account

extraordinary

or

to

come

Your
.

very
of the

interview

an

remarkable

with

together

HOMK

OF

of

consequence
Brewster
Sir David

of Mr.

Square,

MISSION

In

"

given by

make

AND

most

his

on

mind

the

manifestations
quite inexplicablehy frauds or by any
had

laws

seen

with

they ought

was

which
be

to

fully

and

acquainted,

were

we

carefidly examined

and

into."

yet, the

As

to

from

the

assertion

belief

to

in the

the

first

strong

in

his

Advertiser

and

Sir David

all belief
the

in

that

At

at

Home

wrote

to

once

Spiritualism,and

phenomena
very
could
have
not

that

been

he

and

ment
bewilder-

show,

he

last,in September,
the

the

had

phUothe

as

to

fess
con-

witnessed

inexplicable by

were

reproduced

copied

frankness,

phenomena

verted
con-

and

Buller

Mr.

and
the

the

been
been

not

wonder

had

mind,

of Mr.

theory of fraud.

ing

feeling of

Dunraven

his friends
presence

had

David

Spiritualism had
press by the English

American

of Lord

words

Sir

in

with

sopher,

that

1855, the

American
that

to

had

set

momr

statements;

paper
down
assured

produced

the

to
to

disclaim

imposture

Lord

raven
Dun-

by trickery and

ENGLAND

inexplicable by

were
was

ITALY.

AND

acquainted.
lengthy correspondence followed.
second
he
letter,declared
that, had
A

look

under

the
the

expound

to

I assert,"

**

table, he

hindrance

no

existed

of

drapery

the

to

table

to

do

invited
Mr.

at

could

suspected of

be

So

requested

was

but
scientific

declined

Was

that

Mr.

in

to

I declare

Sir

the

that

David

of

very

Sir
; that
look
under
yourself, to

moved;

and

moving,

he

**

house

David

at

anism,
mech-

conducting
do

to

so

in view

of

in view

more

assumed

examine

Ealing,

the

Invited

the

while

he

avowed

that

he

he

in

of

in

the

by
the

under

lar^e

and

Home

Mr.

by

; tliat he did
much
table was

table

while

and

in

Hotel,

a
persons,
nary
extraordimost

looking,the

so

Cox's

at

other

about

looking,

sir,"ends

dear

and

and
was

was
saw

Home

urged, both

was

evening subsequent

an

on

Mr.

moved

cloth

that

not, my

or

"

while

I should

and

he

publication:

that

it ;

felt

testimony to facts, the wellTrollope, responded as follows,

heavy dining-tablewas

under

still

with

manner

look

of him

meeting
David, of myself,

Sir

quently
fre-

Sir David

afterwards

he

Yet

Brewster's

presence

and

for

at your

of

mode

and

T. A.

letter written

*'

author, Mr.

the

his

give

to

that

that

of concealed

absence

actually did

he

"

so

was

Street.

Jermyn

it honest

Ealing

at

Rymer

known

in

examine,

to

able

under

either

that

to

imposition.*'

curious

"

in

been

looking

supposing

David,

Street,

Jermyn

contrary, he
Home,
by Mr.

so

he

allowed

been

the

investigation.'

presence.
of his refusal

by

David

verifythe

to

its

fact

Sir

any
stance

for the

much

of

on

Home's

annoyed

Cox

Mr.

replied

Sir

might perhaps have

the phenomena.

of

riddle

which

with

laws

physical

any

39

the

table

was

movement.

Trollope, "

Mr.

do

all that

conclude

duty,

without

were
think, requires
me
case,
ing
stating very solemnly that, after very many
opportunitiesof witnessand
the
caused
phenomena
by, or happening to Mr.
investigating
I am
their origin,and
Home,
wholly convinced
that, be what
may
and
not
produced by any fraud, machinery,
nature, they are
cause,
his
illusion,
or
on
juggling,
trickery
part."

of

this

to

"

"

Sir David

soul,
to

as

Mr.

lose, and

of that, in his

ftdlyconvinced
Trollope, but he had
was

he

as

feared

ridicule

so,

scientific
after

secret

reputation

declaring

in

LIFE

40

could, and
character

of the

r^xhibition
which

Advertiser

Morning
I

*'

was

Mr.

Home

presence
David
Brewster
of

house

friend,

my

and

neighbour;
that

what

he

in
and

wrote

the

to

called

of

David,

saw

Sir

at

the

phenomena
accompanied

by

*was

marvellous

think

these

my

said,

David

Sir

conversation

Brougham

that

found

similar

Sir

upon

course

Lord

when

in the

heard

felt,and

saw,

of

witness

the

I
and

man;

anj

been
I

his

enjoy
conjurors."

Bayswater

what

at

as

had

the

assume

I would

West,

of

they

"

astonished

much

as

of

to

been

that

public

Home

of other

Coleman

have

not

in

Mr.

that

as

B.

Mr.

conld

of the

Wizard

much

as

Were

"

wrote,

HOME.

OF

declared

by jugglery, he

produced

On

MISSION

manifestations

the

that

private

AND

quite

"

unaccountable.'
I then

"

asked

produced by
"

"

"

trick

Do

what
which

I will

give

The

replied,

angry,

I don't

of

this

continued

and

he

in

small

table, Mr.

if there

was

which

the

than
was

the
than

David

of

it

the

in

above

reproduction
of
given him

had

then

Brewster

Street.

by

the

from

I have

this

opportunity to

declined
were

to

make.

heard

that

of Mr.

man

Home's

who

had

all

When

of it.

At

not

our

hands

abundance;
as
appeared to
to
explain ; but
pretend
noise, I will conjecture

rappings
actually rose,
"

the
spirits made
produced by Mr. Home's
spirits raised the table,

the

his

answer

Lord

up, the table

This
result I do

agency

I think

what

and

seen,

rose

ground.

raps were
believe
that

done

contradict

accuracy
writers

the

Sir

made

and
myself, sat down
Brougham,
Home
to
having previously requested us
tion,
examinahis
about
an
machinery
any
person,
we

we

believe

the

This

to

take

may

table, noises

and, finally,when
from

thing

"

upon

that

were

however,

me,

wrote

Jermyn

reply to Mr. Cox, I

request by tellinghim what
Cox's
Mr.
house, Mr. Home,

rather

naturally

substantial

In

examine

last

the

spirit is

; but

letter

but

phenomena

know

challenging
description that Sir

the

the

'

the

denying

not

statements,

were

things

"

in to.'

very

part,

to

David,

is it?'

he

publication

David

"

Sir

you.

'

To

of

his reply.
No, certainly not,* was
Is it delusion, think
?
you
No, that is out of the question.'

"'Then
"

him,

toes,
I will

in

and
.

rather

conjecture

that

it

feet."

declared

so

emphati-

LIFE

42

the

does

be

his

support

HOME.

OF

that
presumed
friend's testimony as

might

it

as

MISSION

AXD

Lord

far

between

passage-at-arms

would

Brougham

Nor

possible.

as

Sir

and

David

Mr.

stance
Trollope concerning the subsequent
to us
to Sir David.
Ealing, seem
quite creditable
The
does
of science
hero
not
as
acquit himself
could
wish
or
expect."
could
he ?
Sir David
How
not
was
conducting

T.

A.

the

in

controversy

of David
whether

he

and

did

not

that

happened
of

opinion
the

for

had

Mrs.

witness

Gordon,
David

he

contradicts

in which

words

of

Last

all,I

spirit-rapper,Mr.
Hotel,

Coze's

Home,
him
him

to

four

accompany
sat down
at

were

invited

tremulous

motion

ceased

motions

produced in various
rose
from the ground when
eichibited
produced, and
was

for
The

bell

and

it

same

to

was

Lord

"These

were

all

of

the

no

had

arms;

table

was

new

lives in
Lord

knows

who

invited

lordship

his

the

out

trick.

of which

structure

We
%ce

shuddered, and
at
our
bidding these
unaccoimtable
rappings

most

the

the

of

table

the

time

vpon

the table

; and
it,

larger

actiuUli/

table

was

bell
hand-

small

movements.
on

wJien

rang,
on

and

the

after
lying
carpet ; and
nothing could have touched it.
the

other

placed

side, still

itself in my

Brougham.
the
principal experiments.

with

the

...

could
not
planation of them, and
kind
mechanis7n."
by any
of

Written

Coxe,

stance,
in finding

our

similar

placed
me

better

Home

Mr.

and

The

its mouth

then

to

Sir

he

sdance

assist

hand

no

actually

over

came

Mr.

short

to

twenty.

to

parts

it

time,

some

have

Li

with

of
a

statements

Brougham
of

in order

were

laid down

lad

ran
up
returned.

and

be

not

the

moderately-sized table,

his

himself, I append

than

Lord

to

to examine,

by

Life

*'Home

so

and

record;

published

could

Street, and

Jermyn

wished

Brougham,

with

went

terests
in-

Advertiser.

Morning

the

in

made

there

Sir

the

honest

his

on

was

her

in

As

against

seance

it

we

it

But

placed

already

contains

the

in

moment.

Street

Jermyn

Brewster."

David

hesitate

that

daughter,

me

world

compelled to decide
and
be
laughed at, or
his side, the
sopher
philoon

truth

the

he

the

letter

'^

tell the
have

truth, but

When

Brewster.

would

prevaricate

of

interests

at

idea

We

conjecture how

that

it

would

the

upon

could

Jheg

ever

carpet,

It did

hand.

give

could

see

no

the

ez-

be produced

the

ENGLAND

light,this

letter

He
that

could

43

Sir

contains

undoubtedly
impression of the

true

see

ITALY.

AND

ster's
Brew-

David

nessed.
wit-

had
he
phenomena
explain them : he could
he
as
subsequently and

not

not,
they were
suggested, due

trickery

to

honestly
dis-

part of Mr.

the

on

only

Home.
It should

jecture
conregard to Sir David's
lifted by the
been
that the table might have
the
table
feet of Mr.
that at the Ealing stance
Home,
that
Sir
used
feet long;
was
a
dining-table twelve
David
T. A.
Brewster, Mr.
TroUope, and Mr. Rymer
"

added, with

be

"

did,

as

s^nce

to

table

be stirred

human

feet

the

Home.

those

his

could

to

courage
The
a

stance

the

move,

hands

it

resting

the
Some

have

pulse
water

The

often

compared

others

when

to

its

phenomenon

rule,

table,
of

more

many

had

the

they

the

quiver

the
the

floor

vibrations

tremble

described

did

but

the

strong,

was

but
walls
to

the

by

if instinct
these

everything
beating

Dr.

in

shook.

also

ripples that pass over

is lightly stirred
surface
by
well

table

as

the

was

persons

raised;

and

and

"

phenomenon
The

nor

power
the table

other

the

circle.

tilted

only

follows

as

curious

of

commencement

and

the

When
not

the

Home

it felt it

on

and

room,

and

facts

the

attested

exactitude

neither

was

affected

vibrations

the

attention

life.

with

as

of Mr.

on

fix the

would

Mr.

phenomena
peculiar they were

have

marked

were,

hands

rested

present
not

that

phenomena

While

its

of

the

witnessed

persons

to

sitters, was

forward.

come

successful

have

by

theory of

those

to

following description,

witness

bear

tilted

been

never

not

all three.

of the

startlingand

Many

presence.
in the
detailed

but

who

how

realise

it could

feet of

conscious,

or

the

move

Faraday's famous

stances,

many

to

that

have

tables

and

hands,

Only
can

in

of

action, unconscious

applicable to

the

effortsof

thousands
and

feet, and

the

after

it

on

possible

were

their

the united

by

doubt

it

it with

raise

No

fact, experiment

whether

see

to

or

of

matter

sheet
the

of

of

wind.

J. Garth

LIFE

44

Wilkinson,
with
of the

chairs

of the

'

which

it with
was

given off

were

varied

as

be

to

expression

and

cease,

that

passed through
period occupied in charging

in these

otherwise,

or

detonations.

tiny

character

their

as

no

persons
**
I have
similar.
**

of

sharp

sounds

that

The

human

like

sounds
When

"

We

heavy

very
of the

Stock

of the

from

an

the
felt

all

point

of

vibrations
in

motion

table"

our

(Mr

"

cascade

in full work
a

is
of

cracking
work

at

"c."

bird,
great force, not only

in

"

F.R.S.,

machine

(Robert
chairs

and

Bell, in
in the

the

Comhill,

table, which

was

James

manifestations

chairs

exactly

pin

taps

twittering as

is

eveiy
world

this

Crookes,
coil

raps

with

manner

that

nature

in

as

metallic

present

drawing-room
Exchange, 1861). "The
our

W.

induction

; the

circular

table, the floor, and

in

frictional

preliminary
tremulous

Mr.

sharp,

was

power

over

pass

i860).

as

scratching

the

"

the

air ;

just

door

wrote

with

when

heard

at

as

in the

detonations
like

knock

heard,"

ticks,

delicate

them

produced

will

two

were

raps

varied, timid, bold, clear, muffled, changing

intelligence

us

force, electrical

in

that

first

under

correct

vibrations

the

subtle

some

went

the

in

before, thrilled

would

if the

as

marked

had

now

felt

tremors

heard,

table

the

time

thrill

described

as

conveyed."

the

Presently

also,

all

we

sensation

forthwith

the

at

from
youngest daughter jumped
up
there's
heart
in
*0h, papa,
a
my

vividly that my
hers, exclaiming,
!

Evenings

"

inward

same

have

as

so

chair

the

two

or

the

and

stance,

the

table

the

through

daughter, in his
Spirits,"published

controversy.

minute

HOME,

OF

his

by

and

Brewster

In

"

rather

or

Home

Mr.

MISSION

AND

(Viscount

ex-chairman
Hutchinson,
tion
began by the usual vibraAdare, 1867). "Presently the

the vibration
most
a
strange phenomenon,
strongly this was
uniform
"Certain
1867).
so
was
powerful" (The late Earl of Dunraven,
These
of a somewhat
were
tremors
began to pervade the apartment.
peculiar
till they became
of considerable
violence.
kind
they gradually increased
; and
distinct
Not
from
as
only did the floor tremble, but the chair of each person,
**
Scots
him
(" Spiritualisir-"^
felt to rock, and, as
we
it, was
say, diti under
^
Discussion."
Narrative
with
Alexander, M.A., Edinburgh,
By Patrick
i,i
a
than
"I should
like to add
testimony to having, certainlymore
6X-^
my
onop.^^

table

vibrated

very
and

"

bled

to

occasion,
Mrs.

have

Jencken,

arranged

felt the place where

we
wer^t
present felt it. I have felt al
by Mr. J. E. J
meeting convened
whole
the
platform moved, so that

dear
friend, D. D.
my
been
shaken, and every
sitting on the platform at a

sitting with

and

in front

were

Mrs.

Kane,

visiblytilted"

Home,
one

(H. T. Humphreys).

ee

nro^^m

'"iH
w^

1*^1^
th^r

ENGLAND

largest and heaviest

the hands
ground when

the
but

of evidence

mass

been

the

rise

in

the

human

it

is, if human

to

most

hostile

of

movement

of

*'The

table

floor, and
denser

medium

lighted

; the

this

"

the

of

Edwards,
**

in

the

than

declaration

but

without

the

daughter ;
repetitions
by the

is to

and

Major

of

raised

the

say,

of

air,

my

imposed

not

were

poet

Messrs.

father. Home,

and

(Earl of

well
admit

we

upon

; Professor

gentlemen,

the

some

was

; and

nor

Wells,

Bliss

and

myself.
placed gently,
.

touching it, and

one

no

A*'

table

our

we

of

by

room

table

force,

great

rise clear

the

American

other

Blackburn,

with
to

if sustained

as

the

under

that
the

two

the

in

heaitation, upon

know

Bryant,

Harvard

of

then

was

We

and
seen

occurrences

and

on

was

seconds,

these

During

Wm.

by

party consisted

table

several

for

It

of motion.

air.

made

University
1852).

The

that

the

attests

conclusive

as

of

one

several

Society,

frequently placed

was

(Report

The

had

possible direction,

every

one

Brewster,

I have

Dialectical

moved

lamp
emphatic

deceived

testimony

inquirers,
published by his

**

perceive any cause

in the atmosphere

not

float

to

David

The

fact, but

human

and

of

was

could

we

them.

to

heavy table, in full light,the backs

the
towards
table, at about
being turned

chairs

when

have

such

to

considered

experiment
of the

credence

Sir

wrote

committee

the

objects

touching

was

letter

the

in

Crookes

the

with

sceptical of

and

phenomenon
Mr.

them

on

sdances

at

other

many

eyesight

anything.^

count

and

attach

slow

for

were

that

record

on

beings present

is

fact

sitters

from

rise

the room
about
or
strong light to move
neither
Home
other
air, when
nor
any

in

seen

world

is

45

repeatedly

of the

tables, chairs, and

Home

Mr.

tables

the

did

ITALY.

AND

Dunraven,

then

Viscount

Adare).
'*! have

*'

in the

Bell,

(Robert

several

seen

times

It

requires

might throw
Wilkinson).

the

two

itself

air

his first

seance

with

"Second

sluice

in

own

table

small
whilst

feet

Toonu'*

"

H.

in

T.

in the

sittingwith

Athenaeum
the

near

Home

Mr.

by
two

my
Mr.

to

waa

of Mr.

Note

and,

began
one

no

hands

some

behind

feet

seven

him
Sloane

no

Mr.

and

Humphreys
at

that

to

it from

table

pushed

the

into

the

poise itself
height ; one

and

*'

chair

I have

also

with
Mrs.

Home
S.

moved

There

air"

person
Garth

to
15 inches,
Varley, F.R.S.,

12

Tyndall).
at

distance

window.

This

by an invisible force,
the
holding firmly the feet and
to Professor
: letter
Tyndall).
seen
a
heavy table rise up bodily
at

C.

in mid*

(Dr. J.

was,

against

towards

was

"

floor

Professor

to

placed

Varley, F.R.S.

and
a

letter

Beckenham.

small

s6ance

Mr.

Street,

at

was

table

(Cromwell

in

Home,

Home,

and

and

room

table

raise

means

house

move,
the

air

lift the

again in the air, to a heieht of from

(Cromwell
during half a minute

in the

describing
of

by

the

floor of

the
to

men

ooidd

but

raised
thus

remained

rising entirelyunsupported

table

leave

table

strong

it over,

table

"The
and

did

Three

air.

the

times

ComhiU).

Hall

towards

me

Mr.
one
me

and

Mrs.

night
from

in
the

S.

C.

the
other

Hall's,

Spiritual
end

of

AND

LIFE

46

jfrom

foot

away
chair, his

placed

correctness

Home.

of

Campden

Kensington,

Grove,

attainments
rollers

Spiritualism,placed

Mr.

the

down

table

the

Mr.

to

table

Simpson

moved

stances

with

always accompanied
No

articles

how

matter

the

on

by

experiment,
Mr.

acute

table, such

of

persons
its place

the

substance
surface

inclined

that

requested
down,
the

while

invisible

of
a

others

forces

has
so

released

the

table.

the

on

pencils,
in

their

to

and

occur

the

at

retaining

slipped

has

Sometimes
article

table

work

at

angle,

the

instantaneously relaxed,

been

particular

force

the

present

ling
start-

very
the

pens,
remain

lamps, candlesticks, "c.,

seen
place as if glued to it. This has been
again in the strongest light;
again and
paper,

and

Crookes

as

would

in

was

apparatus with similar results.

when
the table tilted,the
Mr.
Home,

almost

various

article

self
him-

due,

cause

present.
person
three
made
years before

phenomenon.

demand

lently
vio-

more

This

any

foot

no

satisfied

quite

whatever

to

and

above,

that

see

and

difierent

tilting was
the

these

watched

was

floor

The

below.

was

seen,

employed

the

on

movement,
of

in

on

experiment

lay

siderable
con-

disbeliever

of this

independent

At

of

result

before, and

be

Simpson

rested

than

it will

J. H.

of

case

sitters

the

that

the

table, and

the

the

test

gentleman

and

on

to

fingersof Mr. Home

lightlyon the music-book,

Simpson

touched

table,

The

flat music-book.

other

Mr.

1868,

in

instance,

scientific

while

the

above

often

For

Mr.

the

back,

his

on

it."

touching
were

large

kneeling

person

the

on

HOME.

adopted by inquirers
of Professor
Faraday's theory in

Means

OF

each

it, and

hands

without

but

MISSION

might

kept

always

from

it would
thus

their

the
be

slide

places
complied with

; and

the

request.
The

Earl

of Dunraven
which

wrote,

he, Mrs.

in

describing

sdance

Mr.
Earl, the
Thayer, and
latter a total disbeliever
in the
phenomena,
were
sent
preMr.
with
Home
The
was
lighted by a
:
room
the piano, and
fire,a large lamp standing on
two
wax
in

1867,

at

"

"

ENGLAND

candles
at

up

table.

the

on

surface

and

they

when
In

Of

'*

respects

while

BeU

Thackeray
similar

table

The

editor

on

an

Comhill

is another

itself up
angle of

at

flowers, the books, the little

fixed

were

throw

their

in

one

In

up

pillar and

claws

that

we

to

now

we

all.

us

of

exposed,
have

Our

tVith

over.

to

wish

is

to

makes
sides

of Pisa,

urge

whispered

the
for

the

still

if

they
hands, to
round

entire

little distance,

of

menon
pheno-

whatever
of

pose

it must

investigation

of

vase

as

to

table

least, is, I believe,

at

precise
if

the

on

The

command

difference

no

as

the

chairs

our

complete

development

all

Tower

view

remove

attitude

our

away

leave

to

for

surface

this

motionless

as

take

to
as

so

more

withdrawal

distinctly on

see

are

agree

cover,

and

looks, like the

which

the

may
in its marvellous

which,
new

places.

ends

the

We

some

field

stranger
side, until the

about

ornaments

in

movement,
a

it stops.
must

article

the

to

certainly opening

rears

inclined

edge,

famous

his

in

was

character

the

near

an
45"*.
plane,
According to ordinary experience everything
but
slide off, or
topple over;
nothing stirs.

forms

the

yet

stationary."

wrote,

carious, and

more

speculation.

until

table

Fiction," contributed

somewhat

the

down

Robert
than

Magazine

mahogany,

request they remained

i860,

Stranger

"

slide

did
his

at

say,

Home
asked
pencil did not move.
might slip (as they naturally would),

candles

the

repeatedly tilted
45**. The
greater than

and

candles, paper,
that

47

was

polished

smooth,

was

table

The

should

angle, I

an

ITALY.

AND

; and

inevitably
far

as

table,

the

it

as

tumble
be

can

of the

conclusive

more
a
display
has
been
result
plished.
accomextraordinary
power
table
is
The
leans
desire
at once
The
more
complied with.
the perpendicular; two
of the
three
claws
and
towards
are
more
the
the ground ; and
stands
whole
structure
on
finally
high above
of
taining
mainbut
the extreme
overbalanced,
claw,
a
fearfully
single
tip
all one
itself as
if it were
solid mass,
instead
of being
if
with
of
and
the
number
loose
articles,
a
as
position had
freighted
with
the laws of equilibrium and
been
planned in strict accordance
of
instead
attraction,
involving an inexplicable violation of both.''

carried,

by

The

which

at

left

various

found

will

be

the

Brewster

England,

Florence,

filling the

most

of

evidence

Before
had

this

while

columns

leaving Cox's

and
his

in

witnesses

subsequent

controversy

passing

was

assailants

of the

Hotel, he

other

had

Morning

of

this

chapters.
began, Mr.

the
and

Home

of 1855

autumn

defenders

Advertiser.

spent the

summer

nomenon
phe-

were

After
with

the

LIFE

48

MISSION

AND

HOME.

OF

affection with
the warm
at
Ealing, and
fisunily
which
learnt
these
to regard
new
English friends soon
their young
gaest is repeatedly expressed in their letters
of
to him.
Many years later one
snbseqnendy written
hoods,
who
those
invent
and
pitifrdcreatures
publish falsebut foi^et to sign their names
set afloat
to them,

Bymer

story that

It

of

]Mr.

Kymer

generous

host

Bat

And

to

^Ir.

so

slander
his

relations

the

value

with

of

the

having received
few

finding an

but

join him,

This

wrote

had

in the
year

him
at

not

the

him

Bymer

was

me.

is necessary

for my

purpose

"My

thanks
to

me

for
follow
Most

what

good

Dan,

deak

your
my

"

I quote

and

in

Believe,

tualist
Spiri-

her

to

distress

old

days
to

at

ing,
Eal-

aid

her.

as

ist

Mr.

to

much

to

Mrs.

November

write

of

try

longing

were

words

Home
of

express

liberality,which

husband

with

Mr.

despairing

on

only

barrassments
em-

Australia

to

to

heartily,most
sincerely do
have
given ; also, Dan, for

you
wishes.

it,

business

of them

to

made

it

as

"

cannot

afiectionate
beloved

able

from

declared

and

recalling
1859,

fer

so

involved

In

of

not

was

had

children

memory

before

letter

went

in

it

and

others

means.

now

and

Home,

autumn

Mrs.

he

home,

But

"

being
England ;

in

wife

Mr.

to

of

particular
into

entered

Ealing,

at

this

in

had

His

His

entreating

was

of that

;^50

conduct

ruin.

there.

his fortune

and

giftof

outright,
fight"

to

half-truth

seances

the

against
opening

was

matter

Bymer family.
apocryphal fur-coat,
giftof ;^50, 3^Ir. Home

absolute

in

Bymer

harder

the

and

Bymer

is

The
a

after the

years

name

left his

had

with

fought

following circumstances

the

under

that

and

met

found.

was

the

in

;^50, and

press.

for it.

Home

American

ordered

had

lie may
be
ia half a tmth

lie that

Home

pay

all

of the

round

fur-coat, value

lie that

'Mi.

that

said

was

the

went

soon

the

new

I thank
your

affectionate

my

enables

countr}\
you

prayers

for
and

greetings and

which

import

to

Lord

of

spiritualorigin, but
Mr.

worth

Kneb

there,
himself

others

or

fear

of

speak

convince

to

bold

honest

and

short

the

with

His

mission,

people of the facts

after^vards
to
enough

publication
full

his

earth.

chose

than

them:

ser"'od
In

one,

the

piv^sont
wonh

and
never

understood

and

shall
At

of

nothins:

and

so

the

any

late
accumu-

that

the

he

seances

had
in his

friends

as

public

and

of them

more

world.

These

here

said

be

for

perhaps

nothing, published

can

fn^m

Mr,

Home

K^Nr^i,

Lord

with

many
Iwinidon.
in

do

at

those

soanoes

F"

house

tb.is oolebnued

Mr,

l^^f the
other

in the

KaliuiT, Sir

soauoe

the

iSoo

details, obtnineti
and

to

not

already made
rest
|"erish,many
given to the

they

Almost

had

or

what

be ; if

rate
any
when
told

such

were

declare

at

be

collected

they

of

the

record
kept no
l.onl
T.ytton, tliough he probably prepublisht\l it.

years

at

but

misjht

Kuebworth,

at

possible ;

Incidents"

whv

explain

soauces

of

**

of

memor\-

remarkable
f:u^ts

life

give him,

to

let the

of

data

lifetime,

1 lonie

volumes

two

his

in

of

storv

quitted

and

names

silent, he

if

world

good-nature

easy
he
as

it should
as
thoy had witnessed, that was
their
affair,not his.
kept silence, it was
other
in his place would
laboured
have
man
all the

the

remain

to

never

left it

but

of

fear

from

at

place

Home

sdance,

time

took

sdances

of

when,

him.

for

their

convictions

is available.

silence

their

in

characterised
was

and

his

guest

account

of

even

avow

several

which
an

and

ridicule, they preferred

acquiesced
it,

of

down

to

B.

his

and

pectedly
unex-

phrase."
Lytton, was
perfectly
of the
he
phenomena

presence,
timid
to

was

1855;

record
wrote

to

that

Home

in

no

too

quite

deceased

genuineness
Ilome's

Mr.

HOMK

the

upon
Sir E.

then

the

in

publicly.

the

conferred

Lytton,

witnessed

OF

family of

the
me

convinced

MISSION

AND

LIFE

50

of

the
m;;u,

Home,

latter

|vrsor,s

pro]vr
IV Lvtton

Lytton
both
I

who

again

was

atKneb-

give

can

some

present

wore

pbuv.
tiv^k

iwn

l\\ir.oi"5.
Mr,

in

at

least

one

Puring
Hon;e
published
the

time
lifein

ENGLAND

of

what

called

the

that

of this

matter

Lord

could

Lytton
I

Whilst

"

deny

know.

but

Ealing/'

at

was

stance,

which

at

that
the

on

He

loud.

and

he,

feet

by

surface

powerful

evident

in

suspicion

that

sitting with

trick

his

uncontrollable

the

tinguished
dis-

attended

tions
manifestaThe

the

and

'

Yes/

of

was,

response
write
Z
would

'

give

What

presence.'
'

the

had

am

(Zanoni).
me

some

proof?

Will

and

"

which

been
the

hands

The

putting his hand

table, it was
immediately

grasp,

him

made

start

his

to

momentary

played

ing,
See-

him.

upon
around

persons

him

were

quietly reposing on the table,

and
offeringan apology for

composure,
excitement
he

demonstration,

firm

'

to
you
wish
you

all

that
their

recovered

that

"

son,

trepidation, exhibiting

however,
he

of your
?
hand

tangible proof

seized

his

by

remarkable

very

over,

influenced

take
my
you
the
beneath

Home,

Mr.

says

said

Indeed,'

aflSrm, and

were

called

alphabet was
the spiritwho

correct.

sumed
preIn
a

to him.
chiefly directed
table
suddenly became
unusually
What
asked,
spiritis present ?

occurred

rappings

some

be

'

novelist, accompanied
a

to

identity, and
it may

"

absolutely
was

silent

remained
his

aflSrm

or

silent

be

not

Lytton

detected

was

to

51

following description

the

as

once

account

kind

"

; and

at
press
either
to

him

on

ITALY.

Incidents

"

occurred

the

though

"

of

first volume

his

AND

caused

resumed

his

by

such

an

pected
unex-

seat."

another
after the above
Immediately
phenomenon,
occurred.
"We
wish
lieve
beto
equally remarkable
you
there
the
in the
was
spelt out, and
sage
messtopped.
I to believe
?" asked
In what
In the
am
Lytton.
"

"

"

medium

"

"No."
the

"

In

"

No/'

As

this

felt himself
down

his

manifestations

second

"

negative

gently touched
hand

cross

was

returned.

was
on

the

placed

Sir

knee, and
in it,by way

on

Edward

putting
of finish-

AND

LIFE

52

the

ing

MISSION

OF

cross,

which

The

sentence.

HOMK

of

was

cardboard,

other
articles
table
the
at
lying with
on
a
of the large room
end
the party were
in which
seated.
Mrs.
to
Lytton, apparently much
impressed, turned
asked
her
Rymer, and
permission to retain the cross
had

as

been

souvenir.

She

"

assented, saying that

it had

that

been
she

; but

it, if

he

his

bowed

made

have

would

and

assent,

following
of

no

remember

breast-pocket, carried
in My
Life,"
The

her

by

could

only value to her was

ceased
recently deboy, then
ing
objection to him keep-

its

placing

the

injunction.

the

souvenir

He
his

in
"

him

with

away

cross

cidents
(" In-

i.).

vol.

undated

selection, but

the

note

preserved by

"

random,

at

the

as

Home's

preser\'ed
correspondence was
belongs evidently to this period :

no

process
of Mr.

mass

destroyed

or

"

"

"

Dear

**

said

You

''

with

jxv't
would

"

am

you

Has

to

like

vou

be

such

Ealins: if

at

vou

Mr.

than

by
his

Kobert

Mr.

of

none

unpoetic

that

the

E.

an

errv^r,

have

a
soon

not

of

course

to

correct

have
it.

the
meant

grain

written

to

an
some

peated
re-

cheating

the

of fact

fable,

the

to

appearance
for Home.

as
BrolJ*^^ing,

circulated

himself^
Browning
Sludge, the Medium,"

dieil

have

when-

Lyttox."

found

was

colour

certain

rapI
?

persistently

more

he

Mr.

effusion, "Mr.

press, on
that he was
Mr.

been

Browning.

B.

falsehoods

that

assertion

The
insisted

has

me.

trulv,

thousand

Home

appeared to lend
would
probably
slanders

the

half

favour

to

so

"

Perhaps
concerning

for

vou

convenient,

more

Yours

appoint.

to

see

vou

Wcdnaday.

Laxs,

if you
see
got en
established
been

try and
any

to

of

kind

ver\^

would

me.

come

anxious

verv

It would

hour.

an

ever

Sir,

Park

death
in

of

honourable

'"

Mr.

Had

to

tion.
composi-

Sludge,"
this

man,

it

or

natural

their

in

been
would

loadii^g Er .rlish journal

AND

ENGLAND

''It is

blot

'

authoress,
Mr.

'scutcheon,'

the

on

Mrs.

ITALY.

Whitman,
and

prose-verse,
used
justice have been

with
that

the

wrote

the

can
Ameri-

publication

harsher

of

"

the

on

Browning's

53

of

might

term

incoherent

attack

declared

by the English journals of the time

the foremost
to be directed
against Mr. Home
as
living
of
Flattered
into
Spiritualism.
exponent
an
opinion
of his own
ing
Browninfallibility
by his admirers, Mr.
has
in the
habit
of considering
probably long been
that
the
truth
of any
he
proposition which
may
was

advance

is
the

even

should

self-evident,

challenged

do

to

so,

felt

have
vmte

that

follows,

as

his
poetical
up
the plain prose

with

"

**

Now

don't,sir

This

at

me,

1 swear,
"

"

do

you

"

odic
all the

"

of

me

1)

!
.

when

my

down

Rubbed

"

could.
hands
at work.
toe-joints,set sham
weak
in sympathetic ink,
names
lights with ends of phosphor-match.

with

Wrote

once

you press
the whole
thing out

tease

I cheated

Rapped

this

time, 1*11 swear,

the only time,

cheated.

ever

for it,then

And

only
kneel,

see,

"

JuBt

me

expose

Well, sir,since

(How
Now

Don't

tlie first and

was

Look

Mr.

would

chooses
to
angriest poet who
have
been
prepared to back

flights,when
of facts

he

or

""

rest

Browning's

poetic

eye,

in

its

"

fine

frenzy

ing,"
roll-

than
the
study, more
thousands
of keen
narrowly, and in
so
inquirers who
cases
sceptically,investigated the phenomena
so
many
of Mr.
during a period of thirty years in the presence
in the

saw,

In

Home.

of his

retirement

all that

time,

no

present

person

ever
Spiritualist,
rapping with his toe-joints,or setting sham
in sympathetic ink,
work, or writing names

with

Mr.

lights with

odic

Let

it."
as

sceptic or

Home,

the

to

calmly
after

any

reader, however

reality of

the

is involved

what

year,

phosphor-match,

Mr.

Home

**

and

stubborn

at

him

found
hands
or

all the
his

stance

at

rubbing
rest

of

incredulity

phenomena,
try to consider
in the
proposition that, year

continued

to

manufacture

sham

and

hands

them

set

MISSION

AND

LIFE

54

to

work, but

of persons
who
both
them
detected
to be

ever

that

and

of the

none

touched

sands
thouhands

these

imposture ! ! I shall speak

these
spirit-hands in other chapters : here
that
to
again and
they have
again
say

fullyof

more

saw

HOMR

OF

an

enough
that
circumstances
appeared under
absolute
they been,
certainty, had

it is

detection

made

an

ingenious
stuflFed gloves
have
theorists
surmised,
wax
casts, or
manipulated with wires, or, in fact, anything but what
marvellous
inexplicable by
a
phenomenon,
they were,
known
physical laws.
any
Bell was
late Robert
The
quite as shrewd, intelligent,
He
honest
Mr.
described
and
in
a
man
as
Browning.
Home
his
his experiences with
the Conihill
Mr.
; and
and
server,
friend, Thackeray, a keen
intensely sceptical obhad
also witnessed
who
various
in
phenomena
indorsed
his declarations
Home's
by publishing
presence,
the note
with
them
As editor of this magazine, we
:
can
for the good faith and honourable
vouch
character
of our
correspondent, a friend of twenty-five years'standing."
Soon
seemed
to
be
after, what
Says Mr. Bell :
a
under
the
the
table-cover, and with
large hand
came
it between
and
to a point, raised
fingers clustered
me
the table.
Somewhat
to satisfymy
too
curiosity,
eager
some

as

"

"

it,felt it very

sensibly^hut it ivent out like air

in
I know
with
of no analogy in connection
my
grasp.
the sense
the nature
of touch hy which I could make
of
that feeling intelligible.
It was
as
palpable as any soft
I seized

velvet

substance,
as

pulp

or

and

solid, but

reduced
pressure
that Mr.
Browning

Would

the
may

Ealing,

at

saw

of

brow

his

possibly

poet
have
showed

Deen

whose
wife

have

man

forgiven

ot
the

had

the

touch

it seemed

air."
the

seized

hands

placing a
omitting to crown

and

in

ofience

him

deep

and

liberal

large
want

reflecting that,
the
to
homage
genius of
it fails to comprehend
his
"

it to

action,

given

at

of

while
his
own.

all

wreath
his

the

wife, the

on

own,

Had

nature,

discernment

he

he

the
would

the

spirits

world

does

larger

half

of

ENGLAND

Mrs.

it

Browning,

Italy,"

fact.

as

Mrs.

AND

is
In

Hawthorne,

writes:

"Mrs.

ITALY.

well
her

55

known,

accepted Spiritualism
and
on
England

"Notes

the

wife

of Nathaniel

thorne,
Haw-

introduced

Browning

the

ject
sub-

of

there
talk.
animated
was
spiritism, and
an
Mr.
Mrs.
cannot
believe, and
Browning
Browning
cannot
help believing."
When
the
in ex^
Browning
Society has succeeded
of Mr. Browning
to the world
plaining the other poems
if it ever
task, peraccomplishes that herculean
haps
it will be bold
(or prose)
enough to take the poem
Mr.
of
in hand,
and
Sludge, the Medium
explain
Mr.
had
the
bad taste to write it
There
why
Browning
of the single stance
is nothing in the account
at which
and
Mr.
Mrs.
Browning were
present at Ealing, given
of "Incidents,"
volume
in his second
by Mr. Home
for by Mr.
W.
vouched
M.
and
lenged
chalWilkinson,
never
by the poet, to' explain either Mr. Browning's
"

"

"

conduct

or

his

motives.
and

family," writes Mr. Home, "were

festations.
began by several of the ordinary manipresent at the s^nce, which
Mr.
to
Browning was
requested
investigate everything
it occurred, and
he
availed
himself
freely of the invitation.
as
times
Several
during the evening, he voluntarily and earnestly
of the
declared
that
out
anything like imposture was
question.
arrival
of the
of Mr.
Mrs.
and
Previously to the
Browning, some
had
been
children
gathering flowers in the garden, and Miss R3rmer
of clematis.
made
I had
this
wreath
and
a
During the S(Wce
in
the
table
from
the
wreath
raised
was
by supernatural power
of us
were
all,and whilst we
watching it, Mr. Browning,
presence
the
side
of
the
seated
who
at
table, left his place,and
was
opposite
**

Mr.

Mrs.

and

Rymer

their

and

came

stood

behind

his

wife, towards

the

whom

wreath

was

full
was
placed
being slowly carried,
upon
her.
He
sight of us all,and whilst he was
standing close behind
it
for
to
disbelief
one
was
impossible
expressed no
any
; as, indeed,
his eyes ; whilst
Mrs.
have
Browning
was
passing under
any of what
and
but
much
moved,
since, expressed
ever
she, not only then
was
All that
then
in
occurred.
what
her
entire belief and
pleasure
Mrs.
besides
Mr.
and
in the
done
of eight persons
was
presence
still living,and
are
ready to testifyto
are
Browning, all of whom
be
word
of every
here
the truth
gainsaid by
written, if it should
Mr.
Browning."
and

whose

head

it

in

Was

Mr.

Browning

annoyed

that

to

him

there

came

MISSION

AND

LIFE

S6

H0:ME.

OF

Rymer family thought so, at leasv^

invisible
the
Yet
probably only
wreath-bringers were
their
in
of posterity, both
anticipating the verdict
neglect of him and in crowning his gifted wife.
At
subsequently elaborated
Browning
any rate, Mr.
for the
getting
formanifestations
a
theory to account
; and,
that he had
voluntarily and earnestly declared
of the question,"
that anything like imposture was
out
his theory, if Mrs.
Hawthorne
the
and
Notes
on
land
Engthat
the
hands
and
be trusted, was
Italy" may
All

crown

no

the

"

"

his

some

way
stretched

legs

to

aflSxed

"

in

were

minds,

some

shown,

grasp

had

involve

belief

It would

the

in
the

be

chair, with
It

Brewster

when
at

natural

was

had

already

first sensation

the
any
and

ridiculous

however

phenomena,

table."

David

Sir

as

the

eagerly,
passed away,

to

wonder

far under

Home's

Mr.

in

of

explanation

of

the

futile,that

did

not

spiritual.
waste

merest

'

of

labour

and

time

to

the
calumnies
that
have
by one
many
circulated
I dwell
been
and
concerning Mr. Home;
the above
incidents
fabulous
on
only because
so
many
of the single stance
versions
with
Mr. and
ing
BrownMrs.
have
been
circulated, both in England and America.
It may
be interesting to quote here the following extract
letter written
from
Home
to Mr.
a
by an old friend, a
contradict

one

well-known

Ealing
"

stance

Since

I went

1870:

as
saw

hours'

talk

him.

He

or

you
in

facts,

his
is
He

much

more

had

confessed

he

belief

including
him

I could

have

strong artificial

of the

and

should

in

those

one

that

your

Browning

mad

Meantime
believe
about

went

imposture
was

Wight.
two

or

if

that

he

sitting or two in daylight,

himself
light, and he convinced
have
hesitation
in proclaimno
ing

tales
you

the

any
way.
inclined
to

all

says

of
had

and

Tennyson,
.

and

Isle

in the

been

Alfred

with

after

long

so

man,

"

I have

you
with

lunch

to

three

medical

English

on

in
about

he
than

you

says
to

from

that

disbelieve.

Browning,

knees, wept,
your
certain
thing. I
the

matter,

he

and

he

and
told
ad-

LIFE

58

produced

be

at

wrote,

and

Ealing
of

one

MISSION

Florence

the
utterly scouted
I saw
as
phenomena
performed by any of
a

letter

(March

later

years
1 have

been

**

in

Home

the

of

ever

subject,

art."

from
T.

A.

in

in

eight

Trollope said:
sittings of IVIr.
'

house

own

And

Florence

many

friend

the

of his

very
in my

Bosco,

possibility of such
Home
by Mr.
being

1863), Mr.
at

at

legerdemain
upon

written

many

house

of

resources

present

the

the

that

mention

me

produced

21,

England,

in

some

of

AthencBumy

the

to

also

with

idea

gentleman

manifestations

the

to

professors

conversation

HOMK

accomplished

I may

"

greatest

in

OF

by trickery, that
period subsequent

the

known,

AND

in

Florence,

Florence.
.

My

felt physical facts

and
seen
testimony is this : I have
wholly and utterly inexplicable,as I believe, by any
I unhesitatingly
known
and
physical laws.
generally received
considers
such
facts
reject the theory which
familiar to the best professors
to be produced
by means
of legerdemain."
Florence
In
the
interest
aroused
of
by the an-ival
such
visitor was
a
even
Society
greater than in London.
of
wonderful
talked
his
but
and
nothing
;
powers
fear that they were
shunned
him
in the
though some
of demoniac
origin, the great majority eagerly sought
the acquaintance of Mr.
and
made
effort
Home,
every
this period belongs
To
admitted
to be
to his sdances.
the following letter, written
American
by the celebrated
:
sculptor, Powers
"

"Dear
that

Mus.

now

returned

are

you
here.

to

know

me

witness
heard

Pray

of

much.

those
Ever

"

We

are

all well, and

thank

it cannot

some
so

Teollope,

Mr.

equal

that

mine

to

of

double

Powers'

learning this,
at

once

the

attacked

the

hear

his

is
desire

him,

which

and

I have

sincerely yours,

desire

amiable

to

Hume

know

'*H.
Mr.

Mr.
for

Hume

manifestations
most

right glad

Powers."

gratified; and
on
and
eccentric
ing
Lady K. Flemsculptor for an introduction.
was

ENGLAND

ITALY.

AND

59
.

omething

Mr.

"

with

npatient ladyship
Mr.

Dear

"

realisation

Powers

and

perhaps
of Lady

engagements,

immediate

the

wishes;

ine's

Home's

taken

was

K.

Lady
dthout
ies

Mr.

to

her.

Powers,

Patience

"

is

good

was

as

sent

her

with

Home,
She

of

Home's

jstations,
olume

of

large,old-fashioned

haunted

being

those

Among
lorence

(to

Schink,

Mr.

On

call
her

to

manifirst

his

stances

of

had

by
lived

She

the

reputation
held

several

occasion,"

ono

said,

ou

would

Lubomirski,

Princess
Macdonell

Florentine

and,

society

the
Mr.

more

par-

Orlofi*

Orsini, n^e

of whose

Baker,

in

random)

at

names

Antoinette

it

rose

took
If

-writes

She

this

wish

to

up
is in

was

"

in

1855, except
experiences any

me

we

one

air

can

my

do

during

the

seated

at

to
dear
so,

"

Erard's

of

were

spiritof

; you

Incidents,"

"

chanced

which

realitythe

convince

at

itself in the

also, whilst

album

the

seated

"

balanced

an

in

Home

Mr.

(Orsini)
and

playing.

was

room,

id

"

pianos,
she

few

Home

Mr.

remain.

Countess

the

Home

Mrs.

and

Mrs.

and

articulars

me

desire

Saxe-Meiningen,

Ir. Powers

^ion

apolo-

Baker.

her

at

take

cularly, the Countess

of
le
only member

le

and

and

witnessed

that

present

were

I of

"rince

"

in

were

villa
at

word

there.

Sauces

[. R,

and

no

will, I

remarkable

My Life,"
Georgina

resident, Mrs.

he

enthusiastic

described

are

in

you

have

mission.

which

Incidents

English

of

Do

would

most

stay in Florence,

some
"

the

I have

attached

greatly

became

soon

all

now

and

he

that

request

is

her

as

I have

virtue

compliments

acquaintance, and one

oung
f Florentine
believers
in his
During

her

"

Fleming
delay

more

by

small

Kathe-

task

to

it
quantity at any time, and
I think
of nothing but Mr.
Home
one.
;
ecided
me.
on
writing to ask him to call on
link
he
will
All
come!
day and
night
ther
he
is an
idea : as
extraordinary man,
at my
be astonished
request."
ope, not
ut

bred
inter-

"

be

grand
whole
a

table

lying there,

father,

if you

while

will

I know
"

write

LIFE

6o

OF

HOME.

opened
pencil in her

the

book, and

hand, and

the

MISSION

AND

name

your

this

on

knees, and

her

held

taken

pencil was

page.'

She

lead

of

out

"

her

hand.

In

it

placed

on

the

moment

father, the
she
said,
examination,
of

name

her

On
written.
(Orloff) was
it
wish
is a slight resemblance
There
to your
writing, but I would
distinct.'
She
to be more
placed the open book again on her knees,
also the words,
and
in the
and
same
again the writing came
way,
she
from
dear
last
cut
This
album,
daughter
writing
My
my
first written, where
they still are ; and on
leaving in it the words
her
it
she
of
old
friend
showed
to an
father's, saying,
going home,
he said,
is
it is
Of
know
1
whose
that
Do
course,'
writing
you
O

Count

"

'

'

father's.'

your

When

the

told

Countess

him

had

it

written

been

evening, he thought that, to a certainty, she had lost

senses
on
appealing to her husband, and finding that he
; and
he was
for them
both."
her
ix"borated
statement,
equally alarmed
that

Countess

The

Orsini

remembrance

of Mr.

him.

I select

with

always preserved
of her

one

"

for

My
me

of

news

you.

days

before

of

July,

dear

that

of

that

we

tion

that

directs

I should

me,

leaves

How

well

spite of

among

the

towards
of

you

of

me

and

the

of

the

which

the

of

speaking
to

the

on

to all this,

mutual

ship
friend-

more

took

remarkable

the

of

seances

clairvoyance
Arno,

you

with

will

of

all the

that

desire

very

Antoinette

at

feel
afifec*

to

know

cordial.

Mr.

Home

each
This

Orsini."

and

Florence.

Mr.

other, their
fact

only
testimony

interesting the published

sculptor concerning the stances

part

your

you

win.

expressed

became

celebrated
he

in

me

me

see

Reply
the

two

if the

banks

the

how

mutual

had

never

renders

put

quit for the fright

things, that you

you
?

of

name

times,

many

know

the

Powers

relations

be

not

would

other

Did
danger.
fulfilled
prediction was

never

itself

so

you

Hiram

you

accident,

"

In

affection

have

letter.

of

you,

"

quite
have
to
long
my
conduct
a
spiritual correspondence
to me
a
prediction you made
You
then
predicted to me

that

in

much

too

that

to

an

told

moment

entreat

thinking

are

You

have

you

February 28, 1857.

Florknoe,

prove

summer,

life,but

your

to

recall
Florence?

the

this

witnessed.

thoughts

left

you

recollection

"

translate

vowed.

we

The

me

you

when

Home,

that
"

in

me

see

from

Do

danger of my
slight hurt.

very

should

that

sure

am

hear

yourself, and

middle

the

imminent

my

from

you

that, in

"

to

affectionate

an

letters, and

by replying immediately

me

with
some

3th

wish

to

forgotten

and

IIome,

dear

not

oor-

frequently corresponded

and

Home,

**

her

very

in

ENGLAND

AND

ITALY.

recollect/* said Powers,

we
Home
there.
others, when
was

"

and

had

"

6i

stances

many

certainly

at
under

saw,

house

my

stances
circum-

fraud, or collusion, or prearrangement

machinery
friends
impossible in my own
house, and
incapable of
among
themselves
curious
to imposture
hand
lending
things. That
very
in
the
of
all
has
I
which
the
world
have
air,
heard,
floating
seen.
There
it is true ; and
there
was
nothing but moonlight in the room,
is every
such
stances.
circumunder
presumption against such
phenomena,
where

of

was

"

"

But

difficult to
I

"

All

"

that

see,

Mr.

and

see;

you

Home

towards

the

fourteen

sat

round

others,

six

were

half

empty

you

believe, however

must

for it.

account

recollect

there

him

what

on

half

one

window

and

hands

the

hand

right

my

of

; and

circular

besides

table,

the

moonlight.

cate
table, when
hand, delia
the
defined,
to
shadowy, yet
appeared, dancing slowly just
side of the
gi^ually creeping up higher, until,
table, and
in a mist.
it
The
terminated
the
hand
elbow,
slowly came
to
Mrs.
at the
right side of the table, and seemed
our

were

the

on

and

other
above
nearer

to

face.

her

pat

it take

'Could

responded 'Yes,' and

raps
seemed
trying to take.
it
The
wife obeyed ; and
*

Could

three

of

that
was

it seemed

Powers*

refer

here
from

words
describes

"

writes
escape.
but it
and

of

hand.

grace.
; when

view.

to

it

"

pronounced

was

hold

I took
/

fanned

did

of it ;

loosen

not

my

dutcJiJ*

my

1871
was

that

of

of

experience
exactly similar.
the

content

myself

narrative.

The
him

to

Bell

Robert

the

to

by

exclaimed

researches

shall

of

Mr.

with

citing a
that
phenomena
have

Mr.

occurred

few
he
in

light.
have

retained

one

Crookes,

Mr.

There

in that

Wilkinson
^

"

no

was

gradually

faded
Dr.

one

arm.

corroborates

attested

are

and

it

husband.

much

passing round,

hand

chapter
I

his

the

with

lost

was

Httle

child's

F.R.S.,

another

Crookes;

my

out

hand,

cheek

In

Crookes,
in

strong

to melt

Wilkinson.

William

slowly

occasion,

testimony

Dr.

and

then

said

'

some

Three

it, which

near

her

fanning
?

husband.

fan

her

handle,'

company
and
the

patting
evidently

"

and

warm,
hut

hold,

'Give

it the

commenced

and

another

lost child

lady put

of the

rest

company,

felt, on

"

the

her

cried

the

signified assent,

raps
of the

each

it

it fan

fan V

hands

these

"firmly resolved
struggle or efibrt

seemed
manner

(of whom

Researches

of

in the

to

resolve

from
the
Phenomena

in

get

itself into

grasp."

my

let

to

not
to

own,"

my

loose,

vapour,

Spectator said, March

of

Spiritualism."

it

62

LIFE

1863, "In

14,

have

good

hands
in

four

cases

Powers

result

the

been

seized

facts

the

the

was

the

but
melted

in

side

still further
to

the

Cavaliere

furnished

quite

Mrs.

to

of

me

him

let

poet,
how
to

seized

Gibson's,

he

him, and

what

of

hand

the

turn

"c., in
accounts

which

in

Alexis
year
stance

that

Mrs.

at

this

Milner

and

touched

decisive

method

appeared
of

result

guished
distin-

Tolstoy, relates
i860
expressly

in the
at

the

Italian

peasant

have

may

become

in
politicalredemption of Italy,he was
an
superstitious creature.
extremely bigoted and
fears
and
Florence
his
that
in
passions
year
the

since

worked
told
vile
of

perhaps

"

prejudice

the

to

on

by

the

Church
to

Landucci,

to

raise
Minister

of

dead.
of

"

that

the

In

Home

Interior

to

the

At
were
was
was

and

1856,

tations,
incan-

Signer

Grand

Duke

of

of these
Home
Tuscany, warned
reports and the
the
they had created
peasantry;
among
he had
terrible proof of the fact
already received
a
his life was
in danger in Florence.
The

winter

of

1855

was

veiy

severe

sacraments

by spells
January

1855

He

the

administered

toads, in order,
the

Home.

Mr.

priesthood

who

necromancer,

the

If

Panigai,

the

read

and

to

phenomenon.

the

Whatever

how,

was

the

verifying

Countess

Karpovitch,

letter

London

to

Home

Mr.

meet

and

reader

Count

poet.

travelled

he

the

to

turn

Russian

attended,

unearthly hands
by observers
reasonable
and
Browning, but more
he wishes
to balance
poet against

If

prejudiced.

less

Browning,

for, let the

this work,

these

against
Mr.

had

these

sceptical as

as

that

incline

Dr.

the

effort

testimony

Hawksley,
Peck,

chapters of

subsequent

asked

be

he

of

no

hand

of

stance

of

was

Set

grasp.
declarations

of Dr.

Fenzi,

there

life-like

balance

evidence

narratives

same

In

1.

Robert

year,
each

same

the

in

the

does

187

warm,

contradictory
during and after the single

which

in the

Crookes

Mr.

i860,

HOMR

we
personal character
of these
believe") grasped one

to

reason

OF

of his

honour

the

withdrawal,

at

MISSION

1855, Hiram

in

Bell

AND

there.

Late

citement
ex-

but
that

one

ENGLAND

bitter

night
returning

was

"

just

he

63

of

December,

alone

through

reached
from

stepped

Incidents,"

"

ITALY.

5th

rooms

as

man

the

In

the

his

to

staying, a

was

of

that

streets, when,

AND

Mr.
the

Home

deserted

the

house

the

adjoining

way.
door-

what

sued
en-

Home

where

describes

ho

"

"

was

the

at

the

on

window

violent

blow

caused

if the

see

on

by it,

left

my

threw

door, and

own

my

servant

still

was

force

side, the
forward

me

blow

The

doorway.

step leading to

to

up,

of which,

breathless

in

looking

was

when
and

the

up

I receivetl
the

emotion
of

comer

the

then
again repeated on my stomach, and
the same
blow
another
cried
the
on
place ; and
attempted assassin
his
!
Dio
Dio
mio
with
and
mio,
outstretched,
arm
out,
turning
he
I distinctly saw
the
ran.
gleam of his poignard ; and as ho
turned, the light of the lamp also fell full on his face, but I did not
I was
recognise his features.
perfectly powerless,and could not cry
was

'

out

or

make

any
I

I stood

; and

for

thus

least two

at

minutes

along the wall to the door of a

way
my
I thought I must
have
I was
admitted.
received
neighbour, where
serious
but
I
found
first
that
the
some
on
myself
injury ;
examining
I happened
blow
struck
the
in my
had
door
have
to
key, which
heart.
breast
I
the
of
pocket, immediately over
wore
region
a
my

after

which

alarm

coat, and

fur

second

blow

of my

dress

this
had

my

had

coat,

chanced

through

gone

The

wound.
and

which

be

to

also

bled, but

third
trousers

my

doubled

twice

four

the

waistcoat, and

coat, my

inflictingany
of

groped

the

folds

of

band

of my

had

blow

front.

it, through

Tlie
comer

trousers, without

penetrated

linen, and

and

in

the

made

four

folds

cision,
slight in-

freely."

not

by the following letter that

of Mr.
the
cause
an
acquaintance was
the night in question :
alone
on
It appears

accident

an

Home

to

being

"

"Casa
"

"

see

My
you,

dear

Home,

were

not

"

I should
laid

up

Salviata,
Friday

Via

December
t

Chiara,
7,

1855.

to
certainly have
gone
with
a
sprained ankle,

Colombaia
the
at
meeting you
prevented my
with
coming home
evening, and
Wednesday
on
you
have
there
two
that
might
being
Perhaps
evening.
I am
which
to
happened
prevented the accident
you.
almost
miraculously out 01
delighted to hear you came

which

it ;

and

though

I do

not

think

that

am

of

revenge-

LIFE

64

fill

to

still

nature,
what

get
to

use

dear

deserves

yours

murderer

have

been

suggested
for

another

bigotry

the
that

man.

though

of

C.

Home

the

crime

might

T.

Fuller."

bably
Prothat

passion
thought
;

have

and

flamed
in-

robbery
it

been

be,

to

me

of

be

way

any

arrested.

never

persons
the

in

Believe

me.

was

some

motive
Mr.

could

was

scoundrel

cowardly

truly,

very

superstitious

the

and,
of

dispose

attempted

him

HOME.

OF

wish

sincerely

pray

Home,

The

he

you,

MISSION

AND

was

mistaken

to

even

LIFE

60

of

King

the

AND

Naples,

MISSION

who

presented

that

souvenirs

numerous

of

form

the

had

time

and

and

so

was

difficult

it, that, before

from
carried

out,

stones

seven

royal families

had

the

attached

memories

gratitude

and

esteem

the

preferring,in
stone.

of
rather
to

recompense
for
accepted recompense
valuable
The
three
most
were

and

presented
each

in

giftwas

to

his

for

rings
the

by

the

circumstances

than
eyes
marks
of

were

part with
that

them,
to

these

direct

that

He

never

indirect

or

Home

Emperor

single
jewels

stances.

stance,

of

greatest poverty,

suppose

him

case

be

members

cherished

he

than

indirect

an

brittle

could

Home's

They
such

as

moments

hardships
any
It is a mistake

support

and

for

horseshoes

two

and

in

them.

to

is

orders

heads

value

other

same

broken.

crowned

no

the

in

wrought

ruby

Prince's

were

presents from

These

were

the

shaped
at

similar

shape

to

and

esteem

ruby

The

it.

wore

their

the

receive

to

Highness

ring exactly

always

it

his

and

of

of

one

destined

with

set

him

to

was

token

ring

horseshoe
second

himself,
gem

he

in

from

royal personages,
a
friendship. It was

HOME.

OF

possessed

Alexander

under

II.;

which

the

it

rendered

doubly precious. One

ring
the wedding-gift sent
by the Czar in 1858, at the
was
The
first marriage.
of Home's
time
following year, on
of a son,
his Majesty presented an
emerald
the birth
and
thirteen
set with
diamonds;
later, in 1871,
years
of our
the occasion
the Emperor,
on
marriage, sent to
Home
Mr.
a
a
sapphire of great size,
ring set with
The
surrounded
with
diamonds.
sapphire Home
tained
rethe
diamonds
the
he
in
caused
to be set
ring ;
of his own
in an
exquisite ornament
design, and
sented
prethis to me
as
a
marriage gift.
gracious and delicate
Nothing could have been more
than

made

the

when

the

Czar's
latter

behaviour
was

his

to

on

Majesty's

chapter an incident
presentation to the Emperor
not
to both
only does honour
another

Home

every
I
guest.

connected
of Russia
the

Czar

with
in
and

Mr.

occasion

relate

in

Home's

1858,

which

himself, but

ITALY

would

alone

Alexander

II.

received

of the
her

the

beautiful

so

Homers

in, was
of

with

Minister

at

In

of

his
his

then

Hotel

Mr.

cannot

he
Home's

the

of

the

there

of

manifestation
in
date

in

staying

at

letter

to

kind

attentions

him.

Footfalls,"before

"

Rome,

surrounded

him

it may

where

the

at

and

that
the

during

"Gregoire"
Home

mistakenly

family

time

remarked

the

Catholic

the

corded
re-

the

gave

their

guest
that

influences

constantly and
his thoughts towards
to turn
eflFectively
seeking refuge
in the Church.
aided
ences
by the cruel experiThey were
he
had
The
falsehood
of
recently suffered.
friends
him

whom

keenly,

Florence
these

to

exerted

be

probably

Paris, which

but

Branicki

him

later,

years

than

notably
at

summer

two

phenomena

absence,

the

856, or

Italy. More
had
quitted

"Incidents,"

the

to

went

in

detached

its

that

1857.
Naples,

as

From

to

few

very

twelvemonth

life

Robert

in his

the

work,

power
visit ; though

earlier
were

of

been

that

prove
elder

and

shown

occurred

his

as

had

the
festations
manicertainty whether
say with
describes
himself
in
as
having witnessed

returned

latter,

had

there

Owen's

presence

Home

when

Dale

to

The

man,

had

he

father, whose

attempt

warmly

very

American

Owen,

Owen's

was

acquaintance

and

of

Russia

for whom

possible.

Home

speaks

not

Court

dying

Dale

heroic

is

when

he

I have

Mr.

the

almost

young

me,

in

Socialism

son

news

unpleasant to
weeks
in the early
Luigi, he became

six

Robert

from

introduction

England
Cox's

the

and

so

Prince

to

Neapolitan

consumed

Owen,

Hon.

and

on

for

addition

the

the

look

to

residence

1856.

intimate

was

always remembered
and
gratitude,

sovereign.

Naples,

letter

67

Home
explain why
with
peculiar esteem

hideous

spring

FRANCE.

profoundest grief and horror

crime
that
in
1881
deprived

with

beloved

live

AND

had

clouds

he
the

was

themselves

much

that

occurrences

profoundly
darkened

attached

the

saddened

natural

closed

had

wounded

his

him;
sunshine

and

stay

at

while

of

his

veil

spirita
the

and

Catholic
mind

been

advisers

suggested
for

longed

he

of Rome,

Church

In

withdrawn.

was

HOME.

OF

suddenly dropped
all counsel
beyond, and

had

world

it

from

mSSION

AND

LIFE

68

him

to

relating
of

so

her

to

he

be
read

with

set

rest, could

at

left

indelible

so

of the

Church,

and

IX.

Pius

gave
him
with

I should

I determined

three

or

shim

to

weeks

authorities,

received

as

member

confirmed."

was

audience

an

recent

my

part of the
be

already

wished

two

ever

of that

world, and

After
the

on

that

decided

this

tending
con-

for

be

soul, from

my

all

that

falsityhad

that

to

with

member

its

my

monastery.

deliberation

serious
was

on

pertained
a

as

life and

Florence,

it at

enter

to

it

received

mark

experiences of
everything which
of

be

experiences of

My

body.

I but

Finding

coincident

writes,
thought
experiences,"
and
contradictory beliefs would

own

the

intense

"

"

of

peace
found
in

doctrines.

facts

many

moment,

the

that

perhaps
sought and

he

comfort

and

gloomy

might

and

works
eagerness
them
expressive

this

him

between

to

the

convert,

young

and

An
benign favour.
English
Home
to the
prelate, Monsignore Talbot, accompanied
The
Vatican.
much
Pope questioned me
regarding
the
writes
He
neophyte.
pointed to a
past life,"
my
said :
stood
crucifix which
to us, and
near
My child,
received

the

most

"

"

it is

what

upon

faith.'

is

that

on

that

table

place

we

our

"

There

was

nothing

in

welcoming

Possibly,
hopes that

she

might

said
her

of
new

day

one

demoniacal

possession.

in him

canonise

had

Church

the

son,

worker

of miracles.
It
had

life

Monsignore
chieflyrecourse

; and

find

on
prelate, dated
giving directions
Not
only did

audience,
manner,

Talbot

was

and
but

among
the
to

him

Pius

converse

he

in

this

his
eve

to

whose

important

with

subsequently

favour
him
sent

moment

of

from

confirmation,

his
that
and

it.

concerning
IX.

Home

letter

papers
of his

counsels

Mr.
in the
him

Home

an

benignant
special bless-

most

his

with

AND

ITALY

ing, guaranteeing

Home

to

Paradise.

into

entry

document,

and

smiles

king

his

to

relatives

an

preserved this interesting

possession.
my

in

now

69

and

Home

it is

the

Whom

FRANCE.

smile

courtiers

on,

on

and

imitated
gracious bearing of the Pope was
by
from
cardinals
downwards.
hierarchy of Rome,
convert
path that led the young
tery
up to the monas-

the
the
The

gates

applause

might

with

strewed

was

and

of

encouragement

have

finallyseen

that

the

and,

roses,

those

all

amidst

around
close

gates

all

the
he

him,

him, but

on

that
But

that

less

life allured

him, and

He

hoped

misgivings.
his hopes soon
inhabits

not

the

and

more

had

changed

the

cell of

of

living

example

of

task

at

than

This

the

June

1856.

Although

had

persuaded

to

his

one

of the

the

celebrated

Pope's

Holiness

take

counselled
most

the

one

he

been
it would

of

the

loth

the

promise

foretold

de

select

Home

February, 1857,
be

in

kept;

but

he

did

was

when

is
had

French

that,
personally
there

priests,
found

Home

his

not

might yet

confessor

and

him

power
twelvemonth

and

sooner

Paris, in

IX.

Father

and

of entering

he

There

in
but

was

differed.
left him,

later,

convinced
he

in

company

to

Pius

for his

when

exactly

no

is certain

eloquent of

and

back

drew

that

; what

Paris,

agreeable

purpose
in him

interest

is

himself

shut

In him
Ravignan.
loftypiety delighted

to

return

would

less

himself

his

vows

it; but

? and

was

friend, whose
society he took
great pleasure.
and
the
he
point on which
good

It had
that

to

excellent

kind

whose

error,

hoped

for

him

P^re

world

determination

left Rome

Home

to

renounced

the

monastery,

the

that

family, betook

Home

Perhaps

of

example

fatal

his

peace
very rarely
Christ
the
set
not

quitted Italy ; and,

he

Branicki

with

in

peace

Did

that

be

arrived

before

that

midst

the

stronger became

fears

cell would
enter.

be

the

in

life

monastic

find

Convinced

to

the

monk.

the

following

refused

cease.

to

the

to

to

diflficult?

convent

drew

he

nearer

said

on

that
so

to

LIFE

70

de

P^re
**

Have

as

fear of that, my

no
are

you

of

priest always confidentlyreplied :

the

Ravignan,

child

long as you
doing, observing carefullyall the

now

holy Church,

our

HOME.

OF

MISSION

AND

will

they

cepts
pre-

allowed

be

not

on

go

so

"

to

return."

the

During
Louis,

of the

one

Dr.
again fell ill; and
celebrated
physicians in France

Home

winter
most

decided
auscultation
that
on
consumptive
cases,
advised
the left lung was
diseased, and
more
a
genial
the
of
His
without
climate.
means
patient was
acting
for some
remained
in Faris^ where
his advice, and
on

for

was

confined

the

night

he

time
"On

writes,

as

which

had

of the

clock

the

"

bed.

his

to

struck

in my
a hand
room,
and
voice
said, Be
a

will

before

be

well.'

sank

into

he

to

came

rappings
and,

as

loud

raps

on

to

came

bed,

; and
the

give

his

me

without

; you

elapsed
in

had

I
de

done

Ravignan,
afternoon

same

floor

left

He

whatever

loud
;

before

benediction

bedstead.

the

on

my

awakened

than

the

to

loud

conversation,
During
the
ceiling and on the

me.

about

was

had

Ffere

the

to

occurred

heard

were

he

leaving,

see

came

minutes

refreshed

wrote

had

what

there

quiet sleep, and

time.

few

feeling more

the

morning
for a long
telling him

But

in

was

soon

was

placed gently upon

of good cheer, Daniel

rappings
brow,

when

he

1857,"

February,

twelve, I

confined

been

of

loth

me

the

on
expressing any opinion
subject
of the phenomena."
The
of Home's
the
loth
predicted return
on
power
of February, 1857, was
known
Court
at the French
; and
the following day the Marquis de Belmont,
chamberlain
of the Emperor, presented himself
to inquire if he had
Tuileries
to the
regained it. An
Imperial invitation

followed;

and

Empress.

he

This

was
was

certain

personages
Majesties to be

presented to the Emperor

the
on
13th of February;

of the

present

Court
at

were

selected
held

sdance

by
the

and
and

their
same

evening.
No

account

was

published

of

this

or

any

stance

at

ITALY

Tuileries;

the
known

in the

FRANCE.

AND

but

of

few

Parisian

world

.71

particulars became
as
they passed from

the

; and

details were
fabulous
added, until,
lip to lip a thousand
assumed
in the
imagination of French
society, Home
the proportions of a necromancer
with
of familiar
a host
whom
he
the
exercised
spirits at his command,
over
It was
in vain
for
Faust.
a
authority of a Manfred
or
make
him
known
to
again and
again, in the most

emphatic

of the

instrument
to

evoke

the

of
and

journals
whether

evoking

Csesar

in

while

he

in

of

magic

detached
the

quit

around,

turn

the

master,"

consider

but
the

how

society suits
The
pictures

that

themselves
Pfere

de

Ravignan
demons,

spiritswere
was

Home
to

return

in

lost

soul.

that

these

to

him

that

"

Paris, and

but
the

"Ah,

demon,

the

before

knees

drew

my

box
the
most

the
dear

if you
would
how
perfectly

he

who

the

in

In

his

communed
he

again
would

sport

of the

earnest.

Again and
evil beings
;

to

packing to
stand
meekly

with

imagination

grim

and

of

"

the

wave

is

longer stay.

caricaturists

to

hairdressers

fiend
his

his

number

little

poor
I like

here

me

of

imps
be
to
popped into
already imprisoned;

much

with

is

society

brush

to

liars,
famihe

startled

and

on

of

Now

directs

legion

fectly
perstance

not, figures

or

wizard

the

remonstrates

was

the

in

of

shade

he

them

who

salon^ and

party,
horns, is

imposing of tails and

magician, begging for

way;

servants.

barbers

of

are

of

and

august

as

number
their

its

of

third, the

over

operations

act

fellows

goblin

master

the

the

In

influence

1857, Home,

caricature

waiting
their

any
have

humble

sets

that

had

commencement

Parisian

wand

hands

and

summoner

very

another

company.
Paris.

where

his

are

nothing but the

never
pretended

was

manifestations

be

imperious

boots;
his

the

at

say
would

the

on

of

caricatures

there
as

would

to

who

looks

exercise

Paris

unable

he

that

phenomena,

spirits or

world

always

fact

the

terms,

not

spiritsmust

excellent
the
eyes
with
them

had
be

sented
pre-

assured

permitted
perforce keep

their distance

MISSION

AND

LIFE

he

now

was

specially blessed

and

falsified his

loth

proof that
of the

blessing, P^re
after

called

him

on

The

Pope.

but

prediction;
actually

Church

Roman

could

night of
in spite of

approach

work

at

first visit

the

the

to

of the

tell him

to

of

those

were

ruary
Febthis

son

Papal
the

to

The

evil.

Tuileries, Home

stance

there.

expressed great dissatisfaction

He

"

forces

the

morning

the

though speciallyfortified by the

de
clung stubbornly
Ravignan

Church,

belief that

the

invisibles

the

of

son

by

HOME.

OF

at

the

being

my

not
subject of such visitations ; and said that he would
I should
unless
at once
return
to
give me absolution
listen to any
shut myself up
not
there, and
room,
my
to
whatever
rappings, or pay the slightest attention
in my
presence."
phenomena
might occur

with
his confessor.
attempted to reason
represented that the strain on his nervous
system
the
him
confinement
would
solitary
prescribed to
As for paying no
too great for endurance.
attention
the phenomena
:
How
I help it ?
If I were
said .Home.
can
Home

He

of
be
to

"

"

"

strike

on

this

table

said

the

"Yes,"

of his

traditions

hear, and
"You

me

I wish

right

no

Do

I bid

as

"

K
to

as

thing

to

there

(do Komar).

the

cause.

do ; come
and consult

the

(Abb6
187 1.)

in

story, he said, That

my
as
try to carry out what
very

much
my

case

when

to witness

emotion
I

am

and
my

all,and
and

of
not

agitated,

for

as

well

consequences."

we

the
were

On

said, ' There

ing
reach-

Madeleine

put
*

and,

adding, I
things.'
*

as

together

one

Abb4

de

; murdered
after hearing

in my

me

power,

is but

for the

send

came;

wonderful

destroyed

the

friend, the Count

agitation,and questioned

of the

ordered

these

while

replied

me,"

will

Abb6

"The

been

had

"

valued

he

we

Deguery

they might

some

had

dear

me,

to

reason

great distress of mind.

observed

him

with

in

to

the

bear

or

very

* "

him

Communists

He

with

reason

"

told

home

by

**

listen

would

you,

the

see."

to

to

Home,

I found

room,

my
de

avoid

you

stubbornly faithful to
I wish
only hear when

"I

Father, if you

have
"

order

I left liim," writes

"

could

hand,

my

Father,

when

see

But, my

priest.

with

to

"

hearing ?

"

"

is

grave
would
Most

aKve
like
nately
fortu-

usually

several

the

interest-

LIFE

74

AND

preference was

his

eight, both

or

found

that

the

at

her

most.

declared
she

intention

ing that
spoil the

the

it

her
her

to

was

to

consent

None,

Is

**

be

be

at

Bjiow-

probably
profound
the

ditions
con-

adhered

Empress
displeasure;

in

tiiis,

persisted in

The

on.

sons
per-

table

the

to

present.

the

but

the

party

Majesty

chooses

over

make

this

comply as
although

far
it is

Home

manifestations

of sitters

with
any

sion
permisyour
table
that
your

nothing,

; but

be

may

of

the

for

should

any

have
occur,

replaced whenever

his

Court

Majesty

table, which,

and

selected
Home

large

tremble

under

vibrate
and
began
to move,
placed on it, then
the

were

although

to

soon

you

your

of other
by an equal number
persons.
to
to
suggestion
great desire
prove
my
as
possible with the wish of the Empress,
always a pity to interrupt a good stance."

personages
Emperor, and with
the

and

"

places at
I promise

our

Five

at

that

"

indicate.

power
the first

condition

other

any

said

Home,"

Mr.

proposition,

your
there

take

may

no

from

very
suite
Home

to

withdrew

obser\'ed

will

Majesty

places

vexed

so

insisted

Sire," said

we

eight

remained.

to

**

stance

sitters would
many
his
Home
could
only express
impossible for him to accept

Majesty

Napoleon.
wish

of

resolve, and

Emperor
"

the

to

refuse

should

presence

stance,

regret that

Majesties

if Mr.

that

first

his

On

French

Empress was
bring her whole

to

and

admit

to

frequent

their

The

intended

having
his

able

be

seven

he had

more

circle.

sized

moderate-

at

because

of

were

Tuileries, he informed

should

he

with

manifestations
a

of sitters

number

confusion, and

prevent

with

visit to the
that

to

the

occurrence

fix the

to

HOME.

OF

mSSION

and

by

took
and

presently

the

their

massive,
the

to

be

hands

lifted

ground.
the table, and
came
raps on
on
alphabet being called over, responses
were
given,
not
only to the spoken queries of the Emperor, but to
questions he put mentally.
followed
Napoleon
everj'
At

last

the

manifestation
satisfied

with

himself

keen

by

the

and
closest

sceptical attention, and

neither
scnitiny that

ITALY

AND

FRANCE.

75

delusion
was
deception nor
possible. The
the Emperor's unspoken thoughts completed
made
he

that

on

with

was

himself

addressed

now

it

very much
of this.
Will
you

seek

like

marked

Mr.

to

the

to

sion
impres-

aflfability

Home,

Empress

consent

the

saying
to

see

"

thing
some-

going myself

my

to

her?"

**

we
"

Certainly,Sire," said Home

will change the circle,"
No, no," said the Emperor,
to

all that

see

is

possible

"

"

of the

if you

and

much

am

desire,
ous
anxi-

too

manifestations,

and

follow

will

counsels
in every
particular."
your
these
words
to
Napoleon rose, and went

With

accompanied him on
place in the circle, her

Home,

with

half-annoyed air,

that

condition

his

who

Empress,
taking her

in

; and

I should

"

the

him

replies to

all

time

next

"I

but

return;

Majesty

said

to

only here

am

party shall

my

seek

be

on

present

clique y sera)." The manifestations

were
and
Home
not
once
more
recommencing;
the
desired
to
Emperor
investigate as closely as his
Majesty pleased. Napoleon,
extremely sceptical by
self
the table himreadily complied ; looking under
nature,

(toutema
long in

too;

when
keenest

the

Empress,
pings a reply to
feeling her robe
Home
Mr.
cry.
his request she

table. Home

of the

look
the

Emperor
of my
"

How

with

in

the

rap-

unspoken thought
presently
a
pulled, started, and uttered
slight
sought to calm her agitation; and at
hand
below
the
consented
to place her
; and

"

If

the

that

on

the
the
the
an

trembled
cause,

takes

hand

and

took

tears

asked

through

her

Empress

father

turn, received

Emperor
resting

time

same

her

confident

am

hands

Home's

in

saying,
The

alarm."

Home

watching

scrutiny.

The

it, and

on

came

raps

touch

will

other

sitters

cause

jesty,
Mano

you

looked

table.

on

Immediately
expression of joy, but
When
eyes.
replied, I felt the

in
she

of your

that

her

"

the
at

the
hand

mine."

could

incredulous.

you

distinguish

it ?

"

[asked

the

peror,
Em-

LIFE

76
I would

**

the

it

from

"

touched

by

referred

to

the

by
the

When

held

again

have

reason

from

this

moment

of

number

fingers
"

defect

fact of the

the

Empress.
hand

her

there

shall

only

prefer, and

you

will

You

"

of me,"

complain

to

sitters

Home.

to

still much

Majesty,

her

ended,

stance
out

of the

one

verified

and

answered

thousand,"

lay in mine, I satisfied

Emperor, in his turn, was

The

hand,

in

HOME.

it

As

defect."

the

defect

life.

in

was

of this

moved,

OF

MISSION

distinguishit among

Empress,

just as
myself

AND

never

she

said

be

present

the

the

always

and

"

same

persons."
quitted the Tuileries, leaving on the
Empress an impression very diflFerent from
he had
produced before the stance.
selected
of the Court
were
by
personages

of the
which
Four

Majesties

the

of

Chamberlains

presence
caused

power
the s6ance.

then,

la

de

invisible

an

livelyemotion

The

the

to

of

Pagerie and
the Emperor.

table

but

to

to

rose

of the

astonishment

the

Montebello,

the

Marquis

The

de

evidences

the

part in

of sevend

beholders,

real

less

took

who

height

their

de

not

those

that

stance;

second

Duchess

the

and

Tascher

the

at

present

Bassano

Count

Belmont,
of

be

to

de

Duchess
with

mind

Home

Mr.

feet

descended

gently and settled in its place again, light as a feather

force shook
the apartfallingto the ground. An unseen
ment,
of
till the crystal pendants
lustre
the
suspended
in the middle
rattled
A bell
loudly against each other.
lifted by invisible
the table was
hands
and
placed on
carried

held

Empress
invisible

of

had
**

For

the

and

No
held
my

to

it.

One
the

that

softlytaken
rise

and

of all present

hands

from

handkerchief

was

seen

appeared.
child, approached
back

and

hand

hands

started
her.

in her

means,

While
other

distance

some

of

Duchess

float

rested

these, the
de

from
in
on

the

her

by

the

air.

the

table,

small

Montebello,

hand
who

The

seated
Empress was
next
to
of
similar
since
she
longer susceptible
terror
in hers
the
hand
she recognised, she
cried,

part, I

am

not

afraid!

(Moi, je

n'ai

pas

ITALY

"

!);

peur

felt it
At

and

caught
gradually melt

this

of
desire

back

itself in

exhibited

the

at

in

Tuileries, the

light or

becoming
marked

hers, where

she

air.

into

table

massive

77

little hand

the

stance

second

FKANCE.

AND

menon
pheno-

heavy

degree, and

at

greatly

himself
assured
of the
Emperor, who
fact by repeated trials,one
moment
easily moving the
table with
the
the
a
couple of fingers; and
next, on
that
it should
become
expression of his wish
heavy,
in
vain
his
whole
stir
it
with
to
trying
strength. As
tins is one
that have
of the phenomena
been
attributed
it may
to delusion,
be well to refer here
to the experiments
interested

the

of Mr.
I had

"

in

that

the

floor.

merely
influence

from

I and

objects varying
lbs. temporarily influenced
in such
a
25 to ,100
lift
others present could with
them
from
difficulty

Wishing

due

to

separate occasions," he writes,

five

on

seen

weight

manner

Crookes.

to ascertain

variation

in

whether

this
of

the

power
of imagination, I tested with

our

"

physical fact, or

was

own

strength
machine

weighing

under

the

the

phenomenon
two
an
subsequent occasions
on
opportunity of
house
of a friend.
On
the first occasion,
at the
meeting Mr. Home
the increase
of weight was
from
8 lb", normally, to 36 lbs.,48 lbs.,
and 46 lbs.,in three successive
experiments tried under strict scrutiny.
On
the second
occasion, tried about a fortnight after,in the presence
of other observers, I found
the increase
of weight to be from
8 lbs. to
successive
trials,varying the
27 lbs., in three
23 lb", 43 lb", and
October
conditions."
Journal
0/ Science^
1871.)
{Quarterly
a

when

at

one

had

"

In

the

Louis

Salon

(I believe,

stances

appeared above
and
a pencil were
received
moved
the

hand

the

the

table,

on

have

of

that

nications
commu-

any

The

down.

man

of paper
hand

table, lifted the

"

on
pencil,and wrote
Napoleon.'* The writing

Napoleon
as

his

I. ; the

is recorded

been.

moved
Empress,
by
requested permission to kiss
her lips,then to the lips of
The

Tuileries

sheet

there

written

be

the

hand

which

lying, placed

might

of

third),the

single word,
the autograph of the Emperor
small
and
beautifullyformed,

paper

was

to

the

across

the

Quinze,

the

sight

of

this

hand,

it ; and
it placed itself to
the
The
hand
Emperor.

MISSION

AND

LIFE

78

HOME.

OF

like all others

at the
distinctly seen
; this stance,
Tuileries, being held in a good light.
with
the
to
In accordance
promise of the Empress
the same
usually present at each
were
Home,
persons
was

stance

occasionally one

but

changed.

were

selected

personages

after

until

way

the

Prince

also

of

short

of whom

made

that

years
in London

was

of

the

house

law

of the

which

Lady

we

as

there

"

any

friends

had

cdled

Prince

was

as

anecdote

to

sometimes

sceptical

of

stance,
her

were

to

A.

evening

one

Senior, sister-in-

present, and

was

following

the

at

ness,
wit-

occurrence,

relate.

seated

round

the

tray," writes
supper
from
the door bell ; and a serrant
in the hall asking for Mr.
Home,

will

be

Murat

and

Lord
Mr.

Mrs.
came

who

Dunsany's permission
go
Pray bring them
:
up :
ducing
introHe
quickly returned,
(now Lord
They
Dunraven).

welcome.'

yours

to catch

Tuileries, Home

stance

Mrs.

Senior,

loud

of

the

Home,

always
the

ring sounded
to say that two
gentlemen were
stood
begged Lady
immediately
up and
she
down
most
to them, when
kindly
Senior,

in any

America.

assertion

at

was

Dunsany.

Nassau

the

I leave

"Just

and

late

after

stances

after the

Some

varied

manifestations.

the

concerning

Imperial

an

remained

III.

Napoleon

the

sdances,*

have

four

the

Mr.

at

of the

relate, interesting in view

number

that

from
of

present

the

were

Home

absence

was

Miurat,

at

present

return

of Hamilton

Duchess

be

already named,

(or before) that

After

however,

sure,

to

I have

whom

stances,

not

am

of

two

or

Adare

to

said

Home

of the s^nce.
After
at the end
hoping
whether
asked
Mr. Home
some
agreeable chit-chat, Prince Murat
very
first
he
the
him
how
he remembered
met
at the Tuileries,and
evening
had
the
ill
he
under
hold
table
and
of
his
behaved,
going
laying
very
*
*
find out his tricks.'
Was
I not
feet, and declaring that he would
little
he
which
Mr.
to
Home
said,
dog?'
a
laughingly agreed:
saucy
ended
amused
all much
and we
were
by the Prince's livelytale,which
Mr.
to
When
left
the room,
the
Home,
by his saying, turning
you
with
his
leant
the
and
the
in
arms
on
forward,
table,
said,
Emperor
Whoever
is a charlatan
that Home
most
:
impressive manner
says
*

"

liar.^*^

**They

This

say.

we

felt

was

Sire, you

information

believe

from

in

the

these

fountain-head."

things," said

ITALY

Duke

the
talk

de

Momy

of the

was

"

was

**

add,

when

is

difference
of

proof

day, when

one

the

Home.
is much

so

it, Sire," said

duty

replied

deceived/'

the

the

delighted ;

report."

Emperor;

"but

may

you

subject again, that there

believing a thing and having
I

that

Duke,

the

between

it, and

the

contradict

to

right," said
speak on
you

Quite

said

of

sure

felt it my

and

Emperor

with

stances

79

III.

Napoleon
*'

the

to

has

"Whoever

FEANCK

AND

certain

am

of

what

de

Bassano

have

seen."
I have

of

one

four

the

the

been
fingers rings that had
having divers other consecrated

blessed

her

bracelets.

Curious

nothing of

these

usual

the

as

made
the
The

in

Court

was

selected

by

habitually at the Tuileries

arrived
one
evening, wearing on

Duchess

The

stances.

Duchess

of

personages
assist
to

Majesties

their

the

that

mentioned

to

objects attached
would
happen,

what

see

saintlyinfluences
circle.

Her

Rome,

at

took

but

fashion

new

her

to

she

her

of

and

said

place

jewellery

if any, it seemed
to encourage
manifestations
successful.
stance
was
; for the
very
of the
Duchess,
astonished, demanded
spirits if

difference

no

or,

of these
consecrated
neighbourhood
objectswas not
Not
the
in the
least," was
disagreeable to them.
reply ; and as a proof of the fact several manifestations
the

"

addressed

were

An

from

before

the

that

as

end

of

of the
the

habit

his

chair

been

thus

in

seer,

could

chair

before

the

backward
the
with

and
any

was

She

made

to

and
a

fonvard.

"

gesture of

father

to

The

recollected

movement,

to

stop

little distance;

balance

it

press,
Emthat

it

himself

if he, the
inquired of Home,
figure in the apparently empty

her.

replied,

to

communicated

was

and

her

advance

to

seen

apartment,

recoiled

motion

perceive

Yes,'' he

stance,

Empress.

chair

it sway
she watched

as

"

this

halted,

it

made

had

seat

and

surprise;
then,

the

personally.

at

chair,

empty

slowly

her

to

it is that

of

soldier."

LIFE

8o

Give

**

Home

and

obeyed,

father, whom
existed

he

but

whose

MISSION

OF

HOME.

description of him,"

me

AIS^D

had

known,

not

possession

knew

it was,

press.
Em-

of whom

and

single portrait, which

the

portrait of her Majesty's

the

drew

demanded

the

that

there
in

Empress,

Home

had

never

seen.

departure of

The

the

astonished

Parisian

filled with

once

Paris

world;

absurd

the

and

1857

press

at

was

stories, to

another

in

March

in

scandalous

and

referred

I have

of which

from

Home

some

In

chapter.

one

of these
different
falsehoods
were
thing the authors
Home's
departure was
compulsory, and
agreed: Mr.
In
would
in France
he
the
be
never
seen
again.
calumnies
the subject of these
meantime
was
crossing
the Atlantic, his sole errand
being to bring to France
the
had
offered
his young
to
sister, whom
Empress
take
her protection and
educate
under
at her
expense.
for the

solicitous

As

he

as

negligent

was

by which

day before

occurred

of

he

through

in the

given
the

de

Caxdonne,
had

she had
and

that

the

son,

who

had

might
she

be

wrote

his

he

loved

had

Home

accepted
gracious proposal

and
how

of 233

heen

deaf
This

to

me

vol.

deep

the

was

terest
in-

say

letter
St.

Rue

told her
for four
was

that

so

stranger

years

St

her

seen

seek

me

from

would

to

Rne

des

Madame

me,

mother

at once,

and

in order

the effects of

call upon

13

Germain, stating that

own

mine,

that

her

typhoid fever,
mind, that

her

strongly impressed

she

names

only by

residing at

was

Dominique,
to

are

here.

from

she had

the

indicated

circumstances

healing

particulars

Supplying

i.

when

of

case

which

Home

Mr.

in which

latter had

of

means,

received

dream,

cured.
to

whom

wonderful

March, 1857,

of

I
Elys^es,

Champs
A.

19th

sailed

which

witnesses,

the

own,

Incidents,"

"

initials,I reprint the

"On

of his

those

felt in him.

she
The

of

gratitude the kind

her
Majesty proved

much

with

welfare

upon
with

me

her

sou,

the

following morning at ten.

"
Accordingly, the next morning she presented herself with her son
de
there
B
at my
being present the Princess
(Princess
rooms,
Miss
E
and
who
de Beauveau),
with
were
me
(Miss EUico),
that
Paris
to
to
leaving
day,
previous
proceed on my voyage
my
very
"

"

"

"

LIFE

82

MISSION

AND

HOMK

OF

May
Let

"

love
"

have

whose

(Theure

him.

to

caresses

in

mother's

Again,
"

to

ceases

good

you
between

you,
is so
rest

able
and

10

to

renew

devotion

During
de

that

Mr.

Cardonne,

Ellice

is

had

the

able

to

Cardonne

of

restoration

all

"

My

"

tenderest

her

son's

himself

joins

son

The

regards.

child
have
poor
my
that the sweet
memory

she

17th, 1857,
Mr.

dear

bless

be

me

me

to

kind

resulted

of them

"

My
day

"

who

son,

never

take

to
every
have
recovered

him

to

his

hearing
gratitude.

his

to you
expresses
receive
me
to-morrow,

Thursday,

?
.

you, my
very dear
I shall carry with
**
A. Mauvoisin

Home's
the

wrote

till he
to

11

Home,

begs
happy

to

me."

very

He
you.
that he cannot
Will

on

to

June

on

ends
his

bestowed

see

"

nearly the same

and
expressing

day for the writer

presumed, therefore, that

name

letter

leave

Dear,

that

name

I find among

Cardonne,

sudden

oflfering
you

never

duce
intro-

to

myth.

you
much

so

will

is

in

me

"

of

Sardou,

de

be

and

strange

The

Sardou

other
persons,
among
Madame
de
that
neither

fact

the

testifyto

hearing

{grandit

permission

dramatist,

the

for

veneration

in France.

from

will

It may

celebrated

M.

known

well

Home

that

on

spired
in-

have

to hour

hour

asks

friend

a letter
papers
that
of Madame

hope

nor

then

her

become

as

call

Home

Mr.

Home's
date

Cardonne

de

since

for

you,

heure)^

Madame

has

bless

of

who

those

son.

my

enlarges from

mission

en

to

for

sentiment

me

of

number

return.
your
Providence
! I

miracle

all around

in
you,

welcome

wrought

the

to

of Divine

Messenger

you

who

and

you,

myself

add

me

yAkf 1857.

spoken

to

to

me

de

from

absence

Princess

sir,the

de
their

the

grave.

Cardonne."
Madame

France,

Beauveau,
friends

of

assurance

of

and
the

Miss

miracu-

ITALY

lous
Paris

and

others

credited

far

the

and

wonderful

carried

to

their

the

see

taken

Home

in

regarded

his

accustomed

enough,

wonderful

such

present.

persons
Mr.
Home,

for

"

The
de

Cardonne

was

in

France

and

When
the

date

Home

Sacred

Heart,

families

of France

Fontainebleau

there, as

and

returned

Christine

at

it

as

he

royal

was

thanks

thank

of

you

witnessing

cry ; and
thanked

the
me

all."

his

in

where
were

of

one

of

wished

it to

extraordinary

the

and

visitor

best

known

but

among

healing;

that

Of

England,

testifyto

similar

I have

given

festations
manidetails

occurrence.

from

the
the

her

had

his

convent

daughters

of

The
was

delayed

sister,

promise by placing

celebrated

educated.
Home

with

America

graciously redeemed

Empress

be

to

tions,
manifesta-

we

have

preserved
through him.

are

of their

Home

can

his

wish

the

letters

wrought

the

the

to

men.

instances

in America
under

him

of Madame
hearing to the son
the only extraordinary cure
not
formed
perthe
of
Mr.
instrumentality
through
selected

have

cures

his

charlatan, he

other

most

carried

of

at

me

the

of

correspondence

other

Home

will

You

nor

like

accredited

best

him

that, apart from

man

restoration

Home.

his

angel, demon,
was

exalted

frequent

thanking

clearly understood

gift,he

addressed

opportunity

was

was,

response
sufficientlyin not
Neither

of

was,

They

How

"

things !

invariable

be

the

these

mission, the

instrument

"

the

of

to

the

where

length that, after his stances,

a
simple expression of
rejecteven

such

so

Champs

Some

adulation, and

the

merely

as

to

from

all such

to

des

that

repugnance

Rue

manner

language of worship, and

height of a supernatural being.
in

doubted,

chamber

misconceptions concerning
many
and
vexatious
intolerable
to him.

in

enthusiasm

place.
a

known

Many

the

in

had

event
wrote

to

well

soon

there.

house

entreat

83

was

discussed

; numbers

visit

Elysdes,
persons

history

eagerly

to

as

the

and

cure;

FRANCK

AND

noblest

the

Court

speedily
his

of the

was

then

summoned

departure

ex-

84

AND

he

might

pressly that

of the

something

old

the

was

of
one

them
the

to

of

various

As

of

were

the

Tuileries, I pass
the

evening

accordion

An
Court
in

the

was

not

had

in

and

the

and

heard

recede

to

day
morning

were
raps
touched
in

In

the

the

in

first

shop

Home

and

it

held

He

Home

without

of the

one

stance.

; then

withdrew

his

ing
fingerstouch-

mortal

music

and

voices

tinctly
dis-

were

heard

were

ceased, they died

in

; but

way

the

letters

down

the

more

too,

away,

the

as

third

time

by

enigma
?

"

one

raps
the
It

was

had

religious

the

heard,

were

of

addition
the

hour

forgotten
duties

by

the
some

of

of

the

cated.
indi-

raps

was

received,

The

rappings

"

es

Court

alphabet,

"

present.

letters

the

written

^'etlam

"

conversation

ladies

stance

no

was

letters

the

again, and added

unintelligibleas

began

of

midst

of

the

wrote

this

the

One

succession

There

Sunday.

was

message
incomprehensible to all

word

every
their

of

that

buy

to

distance,

heard.

another

while

messe

the

next

the

was

incident

echo.

an

The
in

striking

charming air, which

the

into

faintly,till,as
like

the

All present listened

bound
spellaccompanying.
little by little these
aerial
voices
seemed

and

at

witnessed

perfectly new,

was

played

it

Fontainebleau

Home

to

sent

instrument,

it, executed

questions, much
at

it before

seen

hand,

one

hand,

been
It

even

sjtartledby

but

those

as

brought

Fontainebleau.

had

the

to

new

following :"

was

servants

collection
re-

Majesties.

French

them.

over

the

successful

being

with

description

in

was

manifestations

the

same

the

stance

Home

of their

amusement

fresh

is

only interested

overwhelmed

and

This

return.

of

monarch,

not

was

seeing

predecessor

fate

The

Bavarian

manifestations,

Home's

Bavaria,

world.

the

the

and

of

of

opportunity

on

melancholy

whose

sovereign

the

have

phenomena,

King

HOME.

OF

MISSION

LITE

but

etlames

first communication.
and
the

the key
gave
letters " 5e,"

for

A
to
"

attending mass
fact, until reminded
invisible

who

the

JSt la
; but

of

perhaps

ITALY

wished

to

Evil

FRANCE,

fear

always Jlurking

the

remove

that

minds

AND

the

phenomena

85

work

the

were

in

some

of

the

on

the

One.

The

afternoon,

same

lake

Fontainebleau.

King

of Bavaria

the

at

Home
isle

on

and

Home

but

which

with

there

in their

There

was

kiosk

Such
the

were

Tuileries

few

of the

sounded

raps

over,

little

heads
stance

loudly

communication

manifestations

witnessed

I have

Fontainebleau.

and

of

thought

no

had

iidinvited

boat,

party. Arriving at
kiosk, the three crowned

the
they entered
the alphabet being called
on
addressed
to the Empress.

was

Majesties

Imperial

them

as

and

excursion

an

in the

was

landed.

was

Their

fourth

the

be

to

there

omitted

at

ous
vari-

the

resembled
those
phenomena
occurred
in
already described
imdoubtedly much
; and
of the French
the presence
of the Emperor
and Empress

details, where

of

which

I have

knowledge,

no

therefore

and

cannot

record.
Home

from

returned

Imperial train, and

Majesties. During
startled

greatly
from

one

towards

the

to

carriage

same

journey
their

Paris

various

stances.

many
; and

with

unexpected

in
He

Paris

till

in

was

the

their

occurrence

fairlyfled

the

remained

now

in

phenomena

King of Bavaria, who

he
saw
object when
moving
him, in broad
daylight,untouched.

Home
held

the

in

and

witnessed;

were

Fontainebleau

it, advance

July

1857,
at

great power

and
this

witnessed,
were
extraordinary manifestations
not
salons^ but by sitters of every
only in fashionable
he
class in life.
Had
complied with the half of the
him
in Paris
in the
for stances
requests pressed on
of 1857, and
his return
there
the winter
summer
on

time

have
following, he would
the
twenty-four hours,

and

hour.

Had

himself

demon

of

price, he
"

he

allowed

cupidity
could

needed

into

have

always supposing

sit for the

to

the

change
to

be

sitters

tempted

sellinga giftwhich

rapidly piled
that

his

power

up

had

whole

was

of

every
by the

beyond

splendid fortune
not

abandoned

86

LIFE

the

him

he

moment

again large

sums

disappointed,
I will

cite but

There

stances

for

him

to

Paris

in

jeunesse dorie^
there

by
had

sit

vain.

in

single instance.

was

members

offered

were

and

Again

traffic in it.

to

[curiosity his refusal to

eager
and
invariably offered
they were

whose

persons

began

HOMK

OF

MISSION

AND

called
had

the

Club,

Union

whose

among
Home

of

talk

much

been

the

of

certain

society of

his

and

repeatedly refused
the
club
probably thought,
large offers of money
; but
like
the
English Sir Robert
Walpole, that every man
if Home
has his price, and
had
not
tempted,
yet been
because
his was
it was
exorbitant
They talked
one.
an
the
and
determined
matter
to bid
high. Home
over,
offered
francs
for a single stance, and
was
50,00x5
It

seances.

known

was

the

astonished

club

had

he

that

by returning

decided

and

prompt

refusal.
These

facts

family,
younger
to be

whose
the

Branicka,

with

Komars

De

of the
whom

all

friends

his

of the

elder

the

Princess

Home

had

de

in

for

their

when
at

who

**

"

and

have

out

told

have

attestation
seldom

repeated

that

had

done

me,

am

on

and

two

were

much

their

sisters,

Potocka,

Countess

stances.

happened
of

him

to

as

the
the

paid for

offer in

spot.

"

As

falsehood
my

bidders
Home

insult.
sheet

of paper.
he

put down

justice is
is

of

Paris

the

Bodiska,"

fable

one

Alexander

Count

the

dear

meet

to

surprise of

the

story, my
fact

mate
inti-

former

and

was

it treated

of the

that

the

Count

and

prized

rejected as an
pencil,and sought a

proposal

took

once

stance, and

1856, the

in

the

and

son-in-law

recalled

Paris

There

them

Home

society the

of

France.

remarkable

happened

Friends

most

with

Beauveau

many

Komar,

;^2000

and

the

Waldimir,

afterwards, Mr.

Long
evening
de

two

to

came

in

and

who

Komar,

Club.

became

brothers, Alexander
the

Union
Home

speedily

of

de

the

by

time,

the

at

Komar

De

the

to

was

Counts

two

member

Home

guest

of

known

made

were

said,
yom:
very

constantly

stances, it will

pro-

ITALY

bably

be

the

accepted

and

that

added

before

of

English
consul

this

at

me

the

I first met

"

Mr.

Vouillemont,
Alexander
of

of
as

There
to

was

never

the

likewise
Under

said, had

no

brothers

twelve

of

his

he

one

years

guest

receiving

circle

Count
as

of

wife

Komar

francs

these

old

if the

token

," Counts

the

these

lost

had

of

guest

during

the

sdance,

two

daughter

dearly loved, demanded

latter could
hope of
no
give him
presence.

such

complied
they waited

quite five minutes,

Bodiska."

than

times

who

B.

which

him,

on

he

whom

of her
to

as

visits, and

Komar,

50,cxx),
offered him

tioned
frequently menI have
already

France

in

him

ledge
knowmy
which
was

are

Home,

in

times.

incite

to

even

de

as

his

nessed,
wit-

of

to

annuity

several

de

others

and

hundred

Count

"

de

was

response
The

occurring
that
nothing

gift,for

life

friends

Alexander

of

in

"

warmer

On

elder.

settle

tunity
oppor-

character,

motive

my

Incidents."

"

and

of

family

ample

proposals, amongst

relative

de

Count

the

in

had

state

explain what
but
surely

Waldimir

and
in the

Count

frankly

incognito of

the

Alexander

resided

refused.

he

Hotel

father-in-law,

myself

the

at

Club, that ^offeredhim

to

Eussian

the

life and

many

and

adoption,

of

paper
in the

it

give

Home

his

Union

stance.

son

my
He

and

can

refused

from

was

mercenary
any
his
wonderful
to

call attention

one

where

principles can
not
only once

he

for

and

natural

will

private
extraordinary phenomena

presence;

Home

the

have

"

plied
com-

concerning

and

Dunglas

resided.

studying

the

stance

Bodiska

"

Paris,

father-in-law

world, that

for this

me

knowledge.

D.

Komar,

my

weU

this

incidents

moment,

York

leave

amount."

writer, who

New

at

the

his

87

offered

other

within

came

francs

double

even

FRANCE.

when

me,

5o,cxx)

perhaps

or

of

said

AND

De

questions
and

for
Komar

a
an

dead

"

his

made

Home
Ask

silence

the

spirits."

fell
the

answer.

At

felt what

seemed

variable
in-

the

on

end
a

of

pres-

LIFE

88

the

on

sure

but

"Do

see

you

**

declared

He

now?"

nothing

Komar,

"

see

small

white

closely,he added, with sudden

recognise it it is certainlyhers."

viction:
con-

The

"

aU

to
of a child's hand
; but
appearance
of them
Komar
it distinct except to De
was
; he
described
the hand
as
fullyvisible ; the rest as

the

saw
none

alone

misty

indistinct

and

present all immediately approached him, and

others

the

"

hand

looking more
**I

as

afterwards, replied:

moment

of cold

sensation

nothing.

saw

who,

Yes," said De

and

the

visible

They
a

down

Home,

to

HOME.

OF

knee, accompanied by

looking

on

much

MISSION

AND

of

outline

hand.

asked

He

to

kiss it ;

his eyes follow some

object
it raised itself slowlyto his

spectators watched
him

to

fips.

only, as

longer beheld

no

hand, they

the

only

saw

the

even

Count

shadowy appearance
imprint two kisses

of
on

invisible to all
become
apparition that had now
but him ; but they were
by the sudden
deeply moved
expression of joy that lit up his face, while at the same
the

his eyes filled with

moment

another

At

Count

same

the
that
the

Alexander

instrument, and

Komar
their
the

places at
piano, and
and

called
the

his

saw

caught

soft to the

sister,the

phenomenon;

sounds

Komar,

the

from

came

melody playedby hands

the keys. All looked
towards
hand
a
hovering above it. De
Home

table, the

the

stayingwith

was

sweet

while

and

rose;

warm

touched
lightly

very

Home

de

if of

piano, as

open

while

sdance

tears.

this

Count

hand

touch

as

Princess

the

and

went

in

his.

others

kept
straightto
It

was

as

He
any natural hand.
de Beauveau,
to witness

to his side,
crossing the room
she saw
the hand
resting in that of her brother ; and
he relinquishedit,grasped it in turn
in hers, receiving
as
from the contact
the same
agreeable impression.
It faded
from
her
clasp; and in its place appeared,

much

more

small

hand

Count,
name

as

and

distinct

of
she

a
saw

than

child.

at

The

it, called

of the sister she

had

the

former

daughter

eldest

out,

sdance, the

"

lost ; and

\-

Hedwige
this

of
"
"

the
^the

little hand,

LIFE

90

to

health

delicate

Home's

such

assaults.

valuable

Home

to

of the

of

aware

this

description was
rarely met with ; for
was
themselves
periiaps believed

as

friends, thought

only of holding stance

and

many

bringing

as

manifestations.

the

the

drained,

phenomena
energies of Home

vital

had

afterwards

consequent

of

most

been

another

how

strong

the

it

have

seek

him,

"

family,

Look

and

appreciate
render

his

yourself for

on

in

see

you,

who

retained

of the

brothers
with

happy

who

of the

One

sorrows."

two

be

France
Komar.

de

both;

but

morrow.

before

between
in

the
the

on

written
of

knows

who
on

every

in

our

how

to

occasion

to

from

demands

of

point

one

as

their

stances

had

future

confidence, both

friendship and

the

will

service, and

you

your
Home

expecting

early

Alexander

friend

me

how

was

the

eyes
had

stance

subsisted

Months

sister,Count

the

sufficientlyprove

that

Home

when

the

the

In

the

on

and

Home,

originated.

described,

sailingto
to

friendship

duce
pro-

exhaustion

for

Komars

De

his

reason

wonderful

the

and

brothers

two

acquaintance
I

the

was

only

to

remarkable

more

wonderful

not

time,

of repose.

that

would

or

same

greater

need

more

letters of both

The

the

been,

people, the fact

held
one
night was

seeking

and

the

his

witness

to

work

at

the

at

and

manifestations
and

reflect,

not

too

stance

upon

possible

as

persons
They did

mysterious forces

the

that

understand,

as

he

called, and

who

many

that

friend

HOME.

danger
lay in the gratification
to dexterously repelling

himself

cnrions, devoted

of the

OF

gaest, and, well

for his

fortress

MISSIOX

ASD

in

you

turn
re-

joys and
your
that
memories

pleasantest
of 1857 and
1858
He
kept up a
it was
nearly twelve

of

was
pondence
corres-

years

of the two, Alexander.

again saw
In or about
this long1870, however, he encountered
of
happy to find the old warmth
parted friend, and was

before

the

he

elder

friendship all unchanged.

Waldimir,
nearer

of the

known

Home's

handsomest

own

to

age
men

all his intimates

than
in

as

Alexander.

Paris, and

would

**

Lolo,"

He

was

have

was
one

been

ITALY

the

91

spoiltchild of society, if society could have spoiled

of his letters is before
A mass
charming nature.

his

the

was

affectionate

their

and

me,

contents

of which

"

translate

one

existed

between

written

in

the

of interest

to

be

may

dear

your

life in London
old

days.
**

that
.

I feel

only good news

fortnight ago an intimate
that

me

talked

in

of but

and

Home

reader.
thank

"

Komar,
well

say,

of

has

if it is true.

but

that

De

the
with

Sovereign nothing

our

was

it ; but that is not all. Last

senior, said to me, * Do you know
in Paris,
heard
it said that he was

to hear

Murat,

Empress

it is.
I will tell you what
Emperor, his god-daughter,

and

you,

she had

delighted me

The

to know

not

friend

ball, Prince

is ?

wishes

I could

It

you.

give

to

interview

an

Iklonday, at the
where

the

1862,

year

the

and

I have

told

de

if I had

as

himself

for
you
with
me
so
acquainted
your
in
the
still
as
near
good
me,
you

Dan," writes Waldimir

affectionate
makes
letter,which

My

close

how

demonstrates

tone

friendship that

Home.

FEANCK

AND

replied,'continued

would

Komar

probably

Murat,

know.'

that
few

to address

afterwards, her Majesty the Empress was

pleased
and
after
saying some
politethings, inquired of me if I
;
had
of your being in Pari"
I replied that I did not
any information
believe
I
had
heard
from
not
here, as
you
you were
; but
you or seen
gram.
send a telethat, to assure
myself of your being in London, I would
That
will explain the surprise I gave you.
*'From
aU
this it results, in my
opinion, that there is a strong
desire to see
could
If you are
in power,
again at the Tuileries.
you
It
leave London
not
to Paris ?
for a fortnight and
over
run
you
attach
the
to your
to me
degree of interest their Majesties
proves
stances
absence."
that they still think
of you
after so long an

moments

herself

me

...

the

Among
him

in the

Paris
five

some

he

became

stances.

Counts

de

Beauveau

Home

were

with

the

The

de

their

formed
Murat
de

especiallypreferred

Home

houses

in these

was

held

the

that

greater number
the

Princess

sisters, the

two

de

friendships
in France
thirty years
some
ago
family, the Marquis de Belmont,
Potocka.

Countess

Marchioness

Baron

it

to

open

spoken already, besides

of

Komar,

the

Empire,

six ; and

or

I have

and

that

the

intimate, and

most

of his

of

salons

brilliant

and

numerous

Other

Fontenelles

de

and

Kambures,

Pontalba.

two

aloof

nobility in

last

belonged

from
which

the
is

to

France

caste

of

that
the

held

itself haughtily

Empire

preserved something of

"

the

that
wit

old
and

LITE

92

all

the

politeness

Madame

de

of

the

but

St.

the

rigid devotee

to

Germain,

Legitimist aristocracy obtained

with

the

than

that

himself,

Marchioness,
which

the

on

in

sitters who, for the

among
in their politicsand Ultramontane

Fontenelles

emissary of
her

Satan

Home's

At
the

visit

of the

one

in

far

was

of

circle few

of his

stances

quite other
in

Paris,

Royalist
Madame

religion.
from recognising
she

him

invited
de

an

to

Bambures,

very

his

with

Paris

in

the

agreeable to him
accomplished hostess.

rendered

stances

among

; and

Ch"teau

ancient

tions
tradi-

part, were

guest that

her

sitters, to the number

around

most

so

gracefulhospitalityof

the

by

in

seat, the

country

where

however,

was,

the

elsewhere

him

surrounded

of

admittance

atmosphere

an

saions

magic

occasions

and

de

were

that

Within

in Paris.

found

Home

HOME.

days; and

former

Faubourg

exclusive

most

of

Fontenelles,

the

OF

MISSION

AND

the

Marchioness,

bled
assemwere
persons,
of Louis
of the
date

seven

heavy buhl table

XIV.,
Suddenly the
lighted by a single large lamp.
table inclined
tarily
itself at such
an
angle that a cry involunescaped the Marchioness.
My lamp, Mj. Home,"
will fall !"
exclaimed
Madame
de Fontenelles,
my lamp
You
be quite at ease.
said Home
quilly,
tranMadam,"
may
it."
"the
lamp will not stir; only, do not touch
Madame
de Fontenelles
obeyed ; but still half-alarmed,
clung
kept her eyes fixed anxiously on the lamp, which
the
and
of
if nailed
to
the table
there;
slope
as
sently
pre'the table settled back
gently into its place.
a

"

"

"

the

At

Chateau

remarkable

topped
and

table

then, turning
to

several
the

full
when

for

feet

this

higher,

was

and

rose

minute

any

still

but

the

from

suspended
of the

books

finally descended

manifestation

occurred

more

marble-

witnessed.

books

than

more

This

de

with

similar

was

its side without

on

daylight, the

Marchioness
and

covered

floor.

Home

Rambures,

phenomenon

remained

rose

de

ground
in

falling,
gently

again,

following morning, at the moment

of the
Marquis
taking leave

in

and

starting for Paris ;

interruption of the exchange

Fontenelles

extraordinary

air

before

ITALY

of

ridiculous

and

impression
of

the
with

memory

such

Home

suspicion

Madame

de

Bambures,

de

lively

preserved

fully
care-

Fontenelles

sent

associated

of

his

in

of the

pleasant recollections
hospitable welcome

the

and

manners

made

impossible, produced

that

Ch"teau

93

that

beholders.

the

photograph

him

doubt

on

FRANCE.

circumstances

under

adieux,

AND

gracious
noble

its

chdtdaine.
In

his
Mr.

1863,
Eambures

Home

the

wrote

published

"Incidents/*
foUows

as

of

his

in
at

stay

"

I also went

"

of

volume

first

on

visit to the Chateau

de

the

"

"

fRambures), to
The
(Fontenelles). "...

"

Marquis de F
elder
when
I had
of the family, Count
to my
L., came
son
room
the
wished
the
I
distinct
form
of
saw
a
family good-night.
boy,
and
described
his appearance
to L. ; adding that I could recognisehim
his portrait
After
breakfast
the following morning,
if I could see
asked
the chateau,
the Marchioness
if I would
not like to go over
me
and on
We
assenting,she said, We will begin with my boudoir.'
my
I looked
went
there, and on reaching the centre of the room
round,
and
the night previous. For a moment
the very face I had seen
saw
I could
self
it to be other than the spirithimnot bring myself to believe
such that I caught
only a portrait. My emotion
was
; but it was
hold
of Lk, who
stood
and
near
said, 'There, that is the boy I
me,
the room,
last night.' I was
that I had
to leave
saw
so
overcome
told
that
and
L. having related what
had
occurred
to
me
they then
not
and
his mother, they had arranged to put me
to the
having
test,
if I
told me
to see
of the existence
of the portrait,they wished
even
of

family

could

recogniseit."
the

Among

that

except
of
you

the

to

me,

but

for I have

you."

Home

and

at

this

no

It

four

between

had
that

come

and

hesitation
interview

recognisable,the

in

there

form

letter

from

interest,

or

have
you
detained

o'clock

forgotten
by

declaring to his
appeared to him,
a

person

whom

official
and

come

I very much
want
the
Marquis ever

of

the

recipient because
begins: **I expected

five

and

something
went;

the

yesterday, but
to you,
being

and

I cannot

duties;

followed.

that

event

is

importance

no

preserved by

was

Thursday

me.

see

it

Home

Mr.

of

Belmont,

de

Marquis

of

papers

to

say

wards
afterfriends
distinct
he

had

loved.

dearly
in

was

in

France) that

Home

It

this

evoking
the

interview.

who

received
in

have

Such

an

of the

One

at

another

Mario,

was

here

translate
Your

with

who
in

third

is

1857,

cord
re-

occurrence.
rare

if not

one,

de

and

Komar.

Home's

made
Madame

was

Grisi,

Francis

was

from

letter

on

concerning
still surviving

on

Count

1857

person
is

somewhat

was

sought

sought

one

the

it occurred

stances

("Father Prout").
Decembers,

others

form

; but

Paris

at

had

France

of

power

Marquis

relate

full

the

least

at

in

are

mon
(so com-

hope

possess
Belmont

the

Belmont

celebrities

acquaintance

dated

from

there

De

heard

occasions,

two

might

privately printed

probably

HOMEL

mistaken

the

details

apparition of
history of Home

the

OF

spirit,that De
The
testimony of

these

and

who

on

very

book

Home;

in

MISSION

AND

LIFE

94

Mahoney

Grisi

Home,

to

sufficientlyinteresting to

"

extraordinary and

has continued
mysterious power
its influence
during the whole
night to exercise
astonished
I am
charmed
to be
over
imagination.
my
able to express
all the pleasure I have
found
in
to you
I hope
to
making
see
acquaintance ; and
your
you
from
M.
Mario
desires
return
England.
again on my
'*

present his best

to

me

have

delighted to

be

compliments
call from

you.
**

Another

celebrated
this

at

thirty years

who,

her

published
Boissy
that

give

was

with

Grisi."

Marchioness

de

Home,

and

her.

There

If

1865,
phenomena

courage

half

of

testimony

to

their
their

of

those

belief!

who
if

believed

they

experiences

had

or,

too

had

but

by
had

published
timid

at

letters

several

Home's
correspondence;
among
details of the manifestations
witnessed

only

de

in

her
no

Boissy,

Madame

beheld
are

quaintance
ac-

Guiccioli, had

Byron.
1857, and
again

in

"c.,

"

Home's

of

recollections

deeply impressed

from

the

made

earlier, as the Countess

stances

several

time

present

was

who

person

GiuLLA

will

he

you, and
Receive

to

for

they
her.
the
their

that.

ITALY

had

least

at

written

when

public
the

But

are

so

temples
all

its

and

for

are

When
how

all

the

intellect

associated

with

of

accompanied

such

wanting

as

for
to

they
the

to

Hugo

the

who

justly

the

so

all

apply

to

proofs

Home

regarded

cause

no

the

with

joy

could

knowing

of

these

Home

it

lines

Ces
Lui

ennemis
viennent

qu*il
ae

lear

8*il

faut

qu'il

"

haine,

et

non

s'en

pas

cree
deference
indif-

other

la

no

fail

not

them

of

souvienne,
de

and

mob

the

friends

nounced
pro-

deserves

equal

and

are

is

forming

that

be

many

weapon

opinion
of

of

than

worse

natural

of

means

moral

invectives

when

whose

without

even

in

the

reproaches

to

had

is

the

"

"

and

itself

are

name

had

should

enemies

may

its

proved

availed

recourse

by

ought

"

one

have

or

one

He

have

these

are

by

that

Invective

have

who

"

sorrow.

in

press

itself

exhaust

But

honours

us,

than

himself,

the

hatred

insinuations

the

respect

and

the

for

the

less

Christianity
is

the

hinder
no

degraded

and

to

them.

with

be

it,

enemies

to

attention

that

earth,

may

calumnies.

which

to

from

death

by

outspoken

of

interests

of

in

secrecy

knowledge

Each

passed

the

silence

the

own

remain

made

incredulity.

BeUevers,

their

to

be

to

of

reach

falsehoods

ceremonies.

Home

nature

it

world.

the

much

aU

that

left

their

verity.

of

95

preserved,

unspoken

first

when

days,

the

consoUng

look

scoffers,

beyond

enshrouded

many

of

progress

and

have

they

have

which^they
facts,

were

silence

down,

it

they

FRANCE.

AND

sieime.''

Victor

for

).

96

IV.

CHAPTER

FRANCE

guided himself in
by spirit-counsels;and
Home

resolution

in

1857

British
years
attracted
by

great

by these, he
Turkey.
Among

visit
Lord

was

Minister

Lord

during
frequently to dinner

of

opportunity
Home

the

on

was

furnished

him

British

Ambassadors

at

quote the

"Mt

limited

Vienna

and
them

to

Here

the

are

letters

If

bad

dinner

friend

our

Denys

feel inclined

you

the

friends

Hotel

at my

and

afterwards, and

Delesserts

her

and

the

to

ambassadors

our

at

else for you in the

Will
me.
you

7 o'clock on
attach^ Middleton

my

East, Lord

d*Antin, Monday,

can
Constantinopla
anything
of my
capabilities,freely command
a

every

"

Rue

for

do

If I

eat

only

"

"

the

viting
in-

'when

and

Constantinople.
:

circle
and

come

with

Home,

dear

and

weeks,

introductions

enclosed

that

letter

with

saw

taking

stances

**

Vienna

few

being present
the point of starting for

and

of his

out

He

and

some

stance,

them.
next

his

Howden,

witnessed

at

Howden

to

life
took

for

Howden,

Madrid.

at

of Home

him

his

influenced

simple curiosity, came

startled
was
by the phenomena he
concerning
preconceived notions
deal

of

actions

numerous

to

Paris

in

acquaintance

RUSSIA.

AND

at

will accompany
sister, Madame

Saturday next,
1
me

to

Passy,

Odier, you
please me, please them, and, I hope, please yourself,for they have
but do not consider
sympathy for you, as I have
yourself the least
my

will
a

"

bound

At
to

to

me

the

Vienna

it had

been

on

this head.

very
and

Yours

of

moment

the

resolved

East

was

with

Howden."

departure, Home's
journey
abandoned
as
suddenly as
My trunks were
packed,"
"

upon.

truth,

Am)

LIFE

98
Prince

Majesty's
meeting with
his

first

"My

OF

of Prussia, the

Regent
with

and

MISSION

late

HOMK

of

Emperor

Germany,
Emperor.

the

present
Prince
of Prussia,"

son,

the

he

amusing and
interesting. The
Prince
of to-day, then
Regent, sent
Emperor William
him.
I
call on
of his aides-de-camp to ask me
to
one
desired
went
on
as
entering the drawing-room,
; and
whose
received
I was
commanding
by a gentleman
agreeably impressed me ; but as he began a
presence
less personal and
series of questions more
or
pointed,
I became
coldly. It was
reticent, and
replied rather
the
Prince
when
the door
a relief
opened, and
Regent
"was

wrote,

in.

came

that

see

at

once

aback

taken

was

I do

when

require

not

to

he

laughingly said,

present

"

Three
him.'
already know
this
followed
Regent of Prussia

for

you
Prince

Thirteen
the

saw

Home

with

was

Prussia,

party of Prussian

and

correspondents ;
Kingston, correspondent of
newspaper

the

described

31st, 1870

staflf-officer put

"

exclaimed,
he

The

enough,

sure

there
who

monarch,
chS.teau

during

members

of

in

health

better

his

his

General,

for

time.

celebrated
and

in

Spiritualist,whom

was

door,

after

him

stood
a

never
our

that

and

saw

Mr.

Daniel

and

to

the

by the
the Eang

party

Majesty

as

able
vener-

visit

his

the

the

drive, surrounded

whom

Another

thus

disappearing

improvised

afternoon

with

'

dining-room

had

the

at

King

personal staff. I
or
spirits. Among

American
some

Daily Telegraphy
letter published in

hurried

We

in the

latter, Mr.

"

! the

words.

of the

one

again

Emperor.
and English

officers

head

his

King

the

uttered

Home

the

incident, in

journal,October

interview.

yet crowned

not

son,
my
witti the

stances

later, at Versailles, Mr.

years
of
King

to

you

was

an

conversed

Home,

King promptly

the
nised
recog-

addressed

of
kindly
reminding him
very
that he (Mr. Home)
the wonders
had
the
been
means
of imparting to him, and inquiring about
the
spirits
in by no
means
a
sceptical tone."
"

'

As

the

Daily

Telegraph correspondent,

an

almost

FRANCE

total

his

cite

of

fact

the

to

at

was

that

the

Baden

at

had

excited

been

written

of

him

to

before,

weeks

MentchikoflF
The

and

hardly

arrived

stm
made

the

life the

I learn

known

her

from
; and

to you,

the

; and

profound

an

he

interest

I could

Home

to

I translate

Biarritz

at

**

but

I would
I

know

thought

have

have
that
been

come

two

that

Biarritz

of

I have

the

not

take

has

spoken

that

I should

be

myself

for

to

the

clergymen

of

me

health

your
honour

of

one

him,

to

call

who

admittance

you

were

by

with

being

perhaps

persons

as

stances,
circum-

give

you

the

desire.

you, instead
animated
the

sonally
per-

penitent,
lively and

the

to

his

am

so

if, under

in order

you
on

is in

libertyof coming

happy

that

succour

in person

refused

by

"

although

spiritualencouragements

room.
sick-

Yicar

and

priests

his

to

him

ing
yet lost hope of reclaimhis
fold, and
setting on

I nevertheless

substitute

had

He

failed

penetrate

the*monastery.

of

seal

Mr.

to

iUness, varions

to

from

September

health

his

of his

not

in

office.
of my
priest to offer you the consolations
"
with
Father
I am
intimately connected
Ravignan, I
indeed

Princess

the

stay there.

when

had

portion of a letter written

of the priests referred to

"

few

telegraphed

his

short

hearing

wanderer

Sib,

and

had

Paris

at

Biarritz

invitation

Biarritz

at

and

critical condition

interest

Princess

Home

at

was

cut

Church

wonderful

stance

whose

the

Highness

perseveriiig attempts
The

**

with

her

Imperial

Baden

more

the

present.

an

at

that

account

of iVance

Home

Another

of Nassau,

stance

1857

aflForded

years.

Prince

which

at

were

Court

1857

an

the

by

September

tigating
opportunity of invesinvestigation renewed
by

subsequent
the

presence,

for all that."

true

in

the

Germany

with

when

Home,

Baden

at

WiUiam

King

in your

are

He

meagre.

Mr.

early

or

presence

in

was

facts

the

witness

preferred to

words

I witnessed

phenomena,

Majesty

have

somewhat

Ah,

August

of

Emperor

his

were

Home's

Mr.

late

in

exact
"

; but

me

late

the

things

strange

they laugh
It

that

99

unexceptionable

an

conversation,

Home

to

the

is

EUSSIA.

of it, although

added

addressed

relate

this

account

have

might

Home,

to

stranger

AND

of

by
who

writing ;
a

similar

surround

loo

It

you.

seems

reaching

AND

to me,

therefore, that

I have

you.

**

soon

Biarritz

on

visit to

accompanied
the

Ch.

common

of

former

in the

la

invitation

the

to pass

well

of Marine.

Minister

de

himself, had
at the

chd,teaa

Ducos,

widow
records

Home

fact that, during this visit,he

the

of Madame

raised, in presence

was

Countess

as

time

some

left

He

and

Count
as

Paru,''

at

restored, Home

of all three, Madame

French

Priest,

Bordeaux.

near

who,

Somme,

Incidents"

"

Laviobrib,

little

ch"teau

friends

friend

be, "c.,

to

was

his

by
de

Beaumont

of

of

means

Profentn- of the Faculty of Theology

health

his

as

accepted

suier

...

"

As

letter will be

honour

the

HOME.

OF

MISSION

LIFE

and

Ducos

the

was

and

Count

ceilingof a lofty room.

cating
The
question of the identity of the spiritscommunithe
of peculiar interest, but
is one
proofisof
of Home
stances
at the
are
precisely
identity furnished
it is most
those
facts in his history concerning which
Countess

de

difficult

Beaumont,

convincing

the

that

the

it

was

shrink
this

to

publishing

topic

in future

of
de

ch"teau

near

Ducos

and

Madame

authenticate

with

present, had

I found

the

lapse

of

"Whilst

we

write.
another

appeared

child

signed

the

wrote

this, as

the

then, instead

Denise,

but

to

we

be

child
of

had
a

female

wrote

sence
preCountess

much

liked

to

remaining

persons
after
them

procure

is thus

described

by Mr.

"

was

of

to

appeared distinctlj
evening, hands
successivelytake up a pencil and
small
a
one, apparently of a child ;
her

one,

became
Her

the

was

hand

had

the

was

last letter of her name,

male
Her
name
a
one.

mother

of

present, and
strikingpeculiarityin

who

mother,

There

left out

it Denis.

The

full-grownman.

name.

always

to

and

in

"

them

that

Christian

her

she

It
:

saw

hands

the

possible

little message

it with

it

Count
have

of

sitting one

were

the

names

Incidents

"

table ; and
of these
One

above

the

and

Bordeaux,

should

thirty years.

in the

Home

which

Beaumont,

would
message
I shall recur

the

world.

the

certain

more

for adverting
chapters ; my reason
a
very interesting circumstance

is that

the

at

it to

and

intimate

more

receiving

persons

from

occurred

The

displayed,the

knowledge

it here

to

information.

obtain

to

the

to

often

spoken

which
was

to

her

FRANCE

of this, and

AND

yet the child had

life ; and now,

to prove
This
of
out.
was,
course,
and

father

the

Leaving

journey.
de

stay
Rambures,

was

described

Komar,

de

back, from
pages
society of his attached

till the

Paris

brothers

royal

De

of

close

early in January 1858 accepted

Komar.

the

year, and
invitation
to the

of Holland.

Court

parting with the

already given

In

only

few

very
distinction
a

who

Home

and
he

of

received.

1857,

year

these

Among

There

de

are

de

Girardin,

the

month

letters
brother

from

the

Sancillon, Count
Duchess

as

Murat,

celebrated

and
de

say.

of

every
that of

as

Princess

preacher,
and

Princess

Met-

Villiers, Madame

Tascher,

de

the

to

great novelist

Prince

the

omission.

celebrities

the

that

impossible to
well

;
at

countless

evidently belong

of the

me

present

this

Princess

of

to

correspondence
and
the
higher

it is

Mr.

given by

common

letters

the

Turkish

de
Medina-Celi,
Paris, the Duchess
the
de Montldart,
de Lourmel,
Princess

de

Riancourt,

Marquis

Strachan

de

Baron

Retz, Baron

de

social

at

Countess
Count

dated
more

of Home,

Count

Ambassador

always

Balzac, widow

life-longfriend
temich,

nine-tenths
the

and

persons
of the

correspondents
aristocracy of talent

Orloff, Lacordaire,
Madame

of the

for

particulars
named

unknown

are

are

description,the
birth.

names

As

what

stances

the

to

have

at

undated
to

present

writer, the

but

add

of intellectual

record

no

of these

Various

remark

I may
that

persons

destroyed

the

1857,

year
the

Many

it is not

remains,
rank

were

kept

stances,
letters

of the

France.

in

Home

the

once

few

remained

the

her

of his Baden
companion
broken
teau
by the visit to the Cha-

He

de

left

all except

to

Alexander

and

for

during

again

was

for Paris, Home

France

he

in

and

me,

to the
again returned
dearly-valued friends, the two

which

final letter

the

been

His

of the habit

there.*'

guest of Count

had

brother

whose

to

were

of

South

the

became

more

unknown

loi

herself

identity,the

of whom

both

mother,

corrected

not

her

her

RUSSIA,

the

Marquis

Salza, the
de

Duchess

Duplanti, the
de
Valmy,

Stakelberg, Rossini

the

com-

LIFE

I02

Hebert

and

poser,

quotation

Home,

les

je

the

artist

after

from

the

acquainted
Duke

of

remerci-

emotions

story is
In

follows

as

the

early

and

**and

taking

I have

been

to

why, though

at

No.
me.'

come

to

and

told

scarcely

time

said:

Home

the

called

on

under

1857
The

strange
of

the

without

the

the

you

head

at

will

changed

on

Home,

said

to

yet know

this

me,

the
I

who

be

am.

obliged

to

incredulously,
up

friends.

my

"

Mr.

he

will

taken

so

ing
morn-

know

even

franca,
Villa-

one

him

see

wiU

you

and

was

call

to

de

him

hand,

my

Count

stood," writes

you, and
do not
you

to

even

'You

his

where

time

my

then
written

Home,

4, Rue
I shook

him

in

some

related

1857,

to

reason

live

of

kindly by

sent

speak

Briefly summarised,

pressing request

me

1857.

"

to

up
advanced

Mr.

abdicated

are

one

whom

commencement

Home

summer

sent

He

stranger

the

of

name

Paris

at

que

Hebert."

Villafranca.

de

"Incidents."

the

in

in
had

living

was

incognito of Count
circumstances
attending
Duke's
friendship with
names

mes

with

who

Parma,

previously,and

and

et

list the

above

personages
in France

the

deserves

hautes

les

pour

remarkable

last

the

by this

stance

E.

became

"

written

note

felicitations

chaudes

plus

most

Home

time

Mes

"

omitted

I have

of

painter.

dois.

vous

of

HOME.

"

"Grand
ments

the

celebrated

last-named

OF

MISSION

AND

that
He

had

smiled,

will
The
see.'
you
after
he left me
; and

see,

versation
con-

having

address."

dined

de
evening with the Baroness
Meyendorf, and on entering the drawing-room, saw
a
I was
man
standing there.
surprised at this,"
young
he writes,
With
expecting to have met
no
stranger.
the

same

"

"

his

fixed

eyes

come,

he

then

he

was

for

upon
wiU

me,

he

said,

together
suddenly disappeared.

we

guest,

so

go

real

was

the

to

glad

am

see

I had
vision."

my

have

you

father

thought

'

and

till then

FRANCE

Later

the

in

AKD

RUSSIA.

103

the

evening

apparition again presented

Home
then
himself; and
delayed no longer, but went
the
residence
of his visitor of the morning.
On
to
"

No.

reaching
of

the

Count;

was

preparing

not

see

and

Count

the

been

for

that

son.

you
the

son

tragic story

need

not

the

Count

that
what

with

the

he

man

visit

The

of

Duke

door

and

constitutes
of

charm
it will

but
with

the

His
of

be

It

is

Duke

Mr.

Home.

subsequent

meeting,

referred

and

to

the

The
;

two

and

the

Home

; and

the

were

valued
brated
cele-

the

finished

most

and

but

in

him

of

traditions

had

He

add

outlived

he

preserved
perfect dignity,
The

quisite
ex-

felt now;
honoured

seldom
were

Villafranca.

with

earnestness

of

as

which

Home

all who

preserved,

1857

him

to

seigneur.
is

de

lifelong friendship

honoured

told

"

brother

manner

by

been

all

enough

that

grand

Count

the

and

seen,

impressed to seek
and
evening vision

remembered

society of

vision
of him."
my
death
of the Duke
of Parma's

true
a

have

come.'

once

Parma,

such

letters have

the

years
last

the

opened,

said, *I

had

of
one
Berry, was
noble
and
representatives of manners
almost
that are
extinct
in Europe.
his
and
world
resigned his duchy;
that
union
of perfect simplicity with
which

announce

was

would

of

Duchess

master

recognised
portrait of him

at

friendship

his

to

me

you
I

here.

been

of

commencement

rooms

probability could

told

rather, the

had

morning

greatly.

of the

or,

"

all

knew

related

be

manner

that

"

exactly corresponded
The

the

to

that

me

in

voice

young
he
and
happened ;
showed
He
me

had

his

him

to

told

very moment
towards
me,

came

waiting

described

the

that

at

valet

his

Again

and

directed

was

retire, and

to

me.

myself;

4, Rue
and

furnish

and
which

met

I well
with

their

several

writer

times

in

their

remember
which

proofs

the

Duke

to Home.
gratitude he owed
This was
at Nice, in 1873 or 4.
Home
left Paris
de
When
early in 1858, Count
souvenirs.
and
he exchanged
Villafranca
The
Duke's
to

the

debt

friend

his

giftto
Home's

ring

pressed

to have

not

seen

little locket

Follow

"

do

for

not

journey

his

and

precious only as
locket in question.

one

expressed
trust

Your

me.

ring

meet

has

have.

to

taken

its

when

again

you
shall

often

pray

place

at

my

friendship,
your
himself
sincerely terms
your
YniAFRANGA."
and

rememhrance

your
very

Holland

to

to

wish

votidra).

Dieu

friend,

In

souvenir,

and
am
sorry
you this morning;
handed
to you
to have
myself the

hon

thought with
forget him who

in

me

and
devoted

much

as

He

expected

fit (qtmnd le

sees

for you ; do
watch-chain.

"

to Home.

accepting it;

little

hair, which
you
my
safe journey, and
a

you

Providence

the

for I wished

you,

with

I wish

"

Friend,

DBAR

be

the

that

valuable

more

from

giftshould

suggested

remembrance,

occasion

Dnke

the

by
much

containing his hair,

this

on

himself

the

that

wishing

"My

latter

excused

Home

but

locket

was

written

was

the

on

it

and

HOMK

OF

small

was

following letter
had

MISSION

AND

LIFE

I04

January

in

Mr.

1858,

Tiedeaccompanied
by his friend Mons.
Dutch
teau
a
gentleman then
residing at the Chamann,
de
Cer9ay, not far from Paris, where, two
years
Home's
remarkable
from
death
later,
preservation

Home

was

occurred.
; but

Hague

have

profound impression
first took

The

of the
cheerless

and

the

the

emotion

the
front
save

whose

great

whole

of
the

the

invited

Queen

was

the

It
had
that

to

little
the

the

was
never

state

None
the

apartments,
chamber

ceased

her

it ; and

hold

entered

himself

for

choose

prefer to

thing
too-

or

following

seeing him, after having

door.

she

Home

somewhat

on

locked

Queen,

of

occasion

grand apartments
of

would

of

manifestations

of

one

left

of Holland.

Queen

he

length

loss

in

the

at

them

with

of the

mind

place

On

in which

room

stances

palace, among
surroundings
sombre
magnificence; and

occurred.

stance,

the

on

the

connected

circumstance

of

details

no

in

pause

this
of

traversed

chamber

her

lamenting.

child,
The

place there left in the. mind

of this gifted and
amiable
brance,
sovereign a vivid rememthat was
attested
by the action of her Majesty.
the
Onjthe eve of Home's
Hague, she
departure from
took

sisted

MISSION

AND

LITE

io6

ordering him

on

travelled

left Paris, and

He

Rome.

himself

led

hope that

Parisian

infamous

Paris, after aU,

arrested
"

on

and

in official

officer,went
there

me

so

in

far

the

in

i. p. 106).
One
of Home's

to

life

there, confining
friends, and, in the

few

his

restore

the

to

as

knew

prison of
my

in

that
that

state

carriage

prison;
he

had

(" Incidents

that

the

and
to

an

left

not

had

been

not

what

**

Mazas.

friends

told

"

He

slander.

new

scandal-mongers

positions even
spoken to me

and

seen

this

ran

was

1858,

invitations

the

"

tantly
reluc-

Pisa

and

pressed on him.
he was
living quietly in Italy, Paris
journals were
lending ready credence
had
He
falsehood
concerning him.

While

charge

by

February

of Turin

way
retired
a

of

perfect quiet might

of

refusing the

health,

ended

end

by

very

season

the

society of

the

to

HOME.

Italy,Home

to

towards

obeying, and,

OF

Persons

they

had

one,

an

and

accompanied
in

My

Life,"

vol.

alba,

wrote

to

The

calumny.
is

as

follows

French
him

at

Baron's

friends, the
Rome
letter

Baron

Where

Pont-

of the
apprise him
in my
possession,and

to

is

"

'"Pabis, 1^
"

de

dear

sir ; and
of you,

has

March,

1858.

journey improved
to reply to the
me
news
your
know
that are
circulated
stupid calumnies
hy people who
nothing of
and
in
scandal
who
take
uncharitable
at the
an
spreading
delight
you,
of another.
that you
declare
have
There
are
people who
expense
left
that
do
and
in
not
never
Paris,
are
prison they
say why,
you
but they are
so
positive about it that I have all the trouble in the
world
of the contrary.
to convince
them
I fortunate,
Not
only am
under
these circumstances, to be able to attest
that I saw
at the
you
the
ball on
several
evening before your
departure for Italy,whither
had prescriljed
doctors
also
but
I
teU
them
a journey ;
(because
you
been
I have
informed
of it)that you
have
letter to
a
just written
de Komar, and
that your
Mons.
letter was
Be so kind
Rome.
from
to write
the
as
me
only a word, as soon
as
possible; and rely on
I
have
for
for
See
that
of
it.
friendship
making a good use
my
you
it bears the post-mark of the place where
are.
you
"With
thousand
affectionate
wishes
and
a
compliments on
good
the part of our
common
Yours,
friends,and on my own.
health

are

yon,

I want

my

exact

your

to enahle

"

"

"41

Fauboubo

St. HonobI"

Gaston

db

Pontalba.

FRANCE

Home,
that

without

Rome

of

his

Delaage,
Nordy
"

showed

it to

to

honourable

an

source

have

Paris

slanders
from

written

The

well-known

the

the

of

recipient
author,

Henri

Le

of

correspondent

that
to
7th, wrote
journal :
begin by a good action ; it is to free
from
calumnies, arising from what
man

on

me

of

already

Paris.

in

March

107

anything

letters, the

who,

Allow

friends

several

to

one

knowing

circulation, had

in

were

RUSSIA.

AND

know

for

which

but

not,

past few

the

days

I speak of Mr.
rapidly spreading.
Home,
is for the moment
in Italy,whereas
it is whispered
secretly and
openly that he is in the prison of
been

who
both

Mazas,

for

given,
by M.

dated

The

know

we

what

not

crimes.

7th of March,
Delaage, an intimate

Bome,

Henri

letter is there

before

received

was

friend

with

me

letter

The

the

here

yesterday

of Mr.

Home.

postal mark."

publication of this paragraph in Le Nord,

letter from
Home
to Delaage,
accompanied
by Home's
the spread of the Mazas
slander
It had
was
stopped.
and Holland
from Paris into Belgium
already travelled
;
week
of
in
and
two
a
more
a
delay
or
disproving it,
On

the

the

lie would

There

was

nobleman.
had

the

made

of

round

the

Russian
Rome, in March
1858, a young
Count
KoucheleflF-Besborodka,
who, as well
at

Countess

the

have

world.

civilised

as

doubt

no

wife,

his

so

for

celebrated

her

Home

lively curiosity concerning

and

beauty,
a

great

he
refused
As
all
acquaintance.
invitations
into Roman
to go
society, the KoucheleflFs
ended
of the few
one
by pressing into their service
friends
who
he saw,
promised to gratifytheir wish for
in the fashion
introduction, and arranged the matter
an
Home
Incidents
related by Mr.
in the
:
desire

to

make

his

"

"

"

"

He

mentioned

one

ing together on the

family of distinction
they
moment

were

anxious

afternoon, while
Pincian,
then

to

make

the

Rome,

in
my

myself on the ground of

a
passing
carriage was

of

name

and

walk-

were

we

Russian

added
I

acquaintance.
my
us

health.
and

that

At

stopped

cused
ex-

this
;

and

LIFE

io8

AND

friend, before I was

my
the
introduced
to
me
asked

to

me

life.

Home's
found

the

entered

young
her
as

me

at

we

were

sister.

seated

before

when
I

sisters.

made

had

lost the

had

friend's

the

of

the

seated

was

abruptly :

and

not

it is

her

tainer

therefore

less
you

you

of
since

in
her
we

than

happy
will

ever

it.'

She

mission

she

short
have

to

about

you

to

true

separated

bility
possithe

she

this

to

in

any

and

is still my

in this

and

said

I don't

will
you
It is a

ever

great

which

thing
only

way

you

say that
and
ing
layeyes ;
bring comfort

can

willing

noble

in

dancing.
me

know

me.
a

understand.

cannot

life ; and

of

Home

were

turned

intrusted

with

ourselves,or be
find me
ready
was

him.

at

continues
and

mankind,
moment

and

seen,

engagement,"
party had assembled,
our

speak

the

world,

I have

that

whatever

for you
spirit-rapping,
her, Mademoiselle, I trust

to

loved,"

to

to

as

another

fixmcee, when

I cannot

one.

of

the

feared,

returned

The
tears
came
great truth.'
welling into her
in
hand
mission
mine, she said, If your
can

to those

aid

that

twelve

fact

the

to

nothing

my
all about

me

In

waiting only

and

seen

two

Home.

to

day

me,

between

true.

was

yet

with

by

I said

to

superstition

table

at

incredulous

was

small

sofa

tell

mind

holy

have

Do
it'

in

in

bear

on

the

turned

such

was

allusion

in

engagement

evening of
Incidents," " a

"

believe

to

and

The

"

When

will be married
you
asked
said
her why she

was

communications

of her

time

over

Home,

Mr.

Dumas

phenomena,

first

came

wife.

my

lady

young

had
not
power
had
de Kroll

Mademoiselle

be

to

the

of making himself
power
of making
that
himself

preserved

Alexander

wrote

his

to

no

mother."

Home

but

she

person

of her

for

impression

reply. It
partiallyengaged,

were

we

consent
"

introduced

observed

was

in

one

writes, **and
twelve, as we

strange

I
is ended.'
year
she replied that there

Russia

days

he

At

then

table, the

at

who

evening,

memorable

Countess

the

; and

in

I knew

and

once,

be

ten,"

the
I

that

them

assembled.

supper-room,
lady, whom

doing,

was

hours."

about

went

laughingly said,

and

so

"I

large party

time,

with

sup

he

Koucheleff,

de

they kept very late

destined
to
evening was

The

Countess

that

adding

me

of what

aware

and

come

HOME.

OF

MISSION

consolation

to

do

sentiment

great comfort

earthly sphere."

all I
to the

and

to
can

last
sus-

FRANCE

days after

few

left Rome

Home
his

of

letter

two

the

Koucheleflfs
latter

Home's

siently
tran-

there

were

stances

the

book

his

in

Owen

find, from

that

undoubtedly

"

can
Ameri-

returned

power
April, and

of

and

renewed

the

Owen,

Court.

Neapolitan

that

Dale

by

Dale

Robert

beginning
sittings

three

or

109

the

where

Naples,

the

at

RUSSIA.

betrothal, the

with

Owen's,

at

the

for

acquaintance
Minister

AND

scribed
de-

published

the

manifestations
The
I believe,
were,
year.
few in number
remarkable
sufficiently
they were
; but
Owen
in his resolve
to investigate the
ject
subto confirm

following

carefullyand
"I

shall

with

increased

have

the

zeal," he

additional
have

After

stay of

writes

weeks

little

the

the

care

in

Italy ;

of

friends

she

might join

her

the

marriage

while

birth

had

been

journey
then

to

It

from

had

month

of

now

the

cheleflf-Besborodka,
was

in
some

but

keeping

one,

house

salons

of the

of

chief

the

the

especiallythe

leflf had
met

open

his

all Paris

to

wits

old

of novelists, and

and

at

there

of

the

make

to

the

and

arrived

Count

in Russia,

men

his

Kou-

hotel

; for

world,
KoucheHome

good stories.
made
acquaintances, and

music

then
at

in

the
the

and

the

popular

most

of

height
opening

his

and

nightly

Parisian

musicians

He

Count

assembled
the

correctly
in-

name

meantime

richest

the

of

rectified.

1858.

May

celebrities

Dumas,

celebrity. Dumas,

in the

Countess

passion for

of
many
the elder

of

one

his

error

rejoined

and

Paris;

for

certificate

with

the

have

to

placed

was

Russia, that

obliged

was

arrangements

Scotland

"Hume,"

remained

to

whom

to

KoucheleflF, who
Italy.

was

the

KoucheleflF

sister

make

and

Countess
from

since

from

the

return

to

Home,

sent

to

derived

Countess's

about

Edinburgh

returned

"

Countess

and

mother

written

engaged

am

Home,

to

Naples,

at

Count

in

researches.

together."

six

party separated. The

longer

his

which

in

encouragement

had

sittings we
a

work

the

continue

of

results

the

publish

and

fortune

chapter

of

new

prolific
and
his

MISSION

AND

LIFE

no

HOMK

OF

a
lively picture
Impressions of Kussia," has drawn
in Paris,
KoucheleflF
of the receptions of the Countess
all
lit up
the
hotel
Trois
when
was
Empereurs
the
six in the
five or
night long, and
morning was
ordinary hour for the guests to separate.
Dumas
with
The
acquaintance of the KoucheleflFs
"

"

"

resulted

in

"

Cristo

invitation

an

to

them

accompany

of

the

to

of

author

Russia, and

to

Monte

"

be

present

in
accepted; and
the
of June
the
month
party left for St. Petersburg.
the eve
of Home's
On
given
departure, a banquet was
to him
by his friends in Paris to celebrate his marriage ;
the

at

and

marriage

distinguished and

nationalities

back,
pages
been
present at

had

insisted, like

Dumas

regarding

on

request
to

up
in

his

retouch

Home

a
given him
this
1858; and

the

year
work, but
it.

could

There

resist

not

to

natures

are

other

every

Frenchman,

At

his

sketch

of

when

responded
"

Does

to

the

June

News

1886,

biographical
Count
in the

laugh by another,

world

Probably

Daily

his

not;

ever

take

but

the

would
she

Paris
to

seem

sent

sketch

to

that

his

that

done

journal

had
morphosed
meta-

Dumas

seemed

to

say,

of

the

"

correspondent

have

life

so,

when,

in

ridiculous

her

of Home.

KoucheleflF-Besborodka

neighbourhood

who

it; and

seriously?

me

his

reproduced
the
temptation to
which
veracity is
becomes
by Dumas

read

he

pressing

Dumas

impossible ; and history as treated

fiction, biography becomes
Home,
romance.
expected nothing else, laughed heartily over
biography

them

Home.

with

stances

had

Home

names

nearly all, of

magician.

of the

many

all, or

almost

as

of various

company

including

few

who

men

numerous

assembled,

mentioned

Dumas

Home.

of St.

possessed

fine

estate

Petersburg, that had been

bestowed
his grandfather by Catherine
Here
H.
on
the festivities took place that accompanied the marriage
of Home;
and
here, on
arriving in Russia, Dumas
Within
enjoyed the lavish hospitalityof the Count.
a
few days of Home's
arrival, the Emperor Alexander
H.

FRANCE

sent

request that

to

hoff, the
something
similar
loss

he

of

the

affected

Emperor's

heads
is

Dumas

"

your
"Alexander
world

the
A

He

his

but
much

burnt

companion
own

novels

another

excite

his

justice in

did
it

than

attention

who

Dumas,
the
This

official

illustrious

many

remarked

for Dumas
for

it, he
the

repeated
of

owner

Monsieur

there

another
the

that

Dumas?"

Alexander

told

be

might

of the

one

Dumas

in

of Dumas

in

author.

outraged

certainly

was

vainest

of

men

he

lived

Russia

to

of

his

he

had

never

manifestations

in

his

when

purgatory

than

interest

more

trulyFrench

in its

naive

so

; but

because

was

the

display that it amused

than it offended.
So long as sufficient incense
in his honour, Dumas
the
was
pleasantest
in the world, and
of
as
entertaining as one

vanity

more

was

are

necessary
being asked
The

anecdotes

was

"There

was

on

name,

demanded
such

dozen

Russia.

Is

"

"

that

before.

than

Christian

"But

consider

Dumas."

it

the

replied

loudly

more

name,

"

receiving

grandiosely

Alexander

only one
At the marriage of Home,
to
give his name
; and
responded briefly,"Dumas."
question.
there

but

"

he

was

not

at

to

Peter-

at

Dumas

Court.

his.

not

"

Europe,"

in

the

disappointed

but

invitation;

iii

present himself

would

than

more

crowned

RUSSIA.

residence

summer

was

AND

himself.

reputation

ill-humour

of

at

If he

as

fashion

of

Home

disagreeable to
explains the statement

more

for

than

at

any
Dumas

hardly

enfant,''
attracting less

serious

looking

saw

bon

"

anticipated.
took
Ufe seriously,could
matter

he

not

accept

consideration.
the

subject was

scepticism,

and

Home
that
by
him
of putting the spiritsto flight.
accused
anecdote
of 1857 deserves
A Paris
a
passing mention.
^but at least it
It may
be true
not
or
probably not
made

"

"

ben

came'^'toa
the

trovato.

stance

ceiling

startled

that

when
he

is

journalist,so the story runs,

on
seeing a heavy table rise to
was
touching it, was
so
person

Parisian
;

and
no

rushed

out

of

the

house

without

his

LIFE

112

joked

with

my
I had

his

on

Dumas

"

the

table.

of

instead
between

of
was

at

the

to

things

commonly
In

other

acting from
and
able

the

charged

Walsh,

In

country

no

addressed

to

instance,

Algiers, who
had

been

was

writer
with

wizard

would

cherishes
Home

was

in
a

that

find

seldom

and

world

force

tables.

who

have

of

spirits,

tables, footstools,

bidding

with

the

various

gluttony,

extraordinary requests
France.

with

He

received, for

officer
the

to

the

of

an

share
exact
a

quartered

belief that

under

ready
memory

the

stood
under-

be

was

chairs

the

French

tell him
the

fusion
con-

animated

writers

on

somewhere
and

no

French

invisible

an

mind

the

more

possessed

buried

dwelling there,
if the

from

seen

the

representing anger,

than

Home

was

object might

even

and

of

many

his

at

were

letter

the

we

furniture

French

aberrations

passions of humanity,
pride, "c.

is

this

chair, and

or

belief

the

of

animated

In

explanation

spiritsfrom

one

own

Theobald
baskets

and

of

pages
their

the

visible

but

separate the

to

Count

on

of

table

the

countries,

accepted ;

table

touching it,

at

the

into

without

into

communication

another.

piece

grasped

entered

spirithad

of

means

person

any

of

residence

things spiritual,Dumas
often happened
When,
as
so

Home,

without

mind

In

of

stances

the

with

type of his nation.

move

it.

the

material

hat

intelligence itself,

an

intelligenceand

one

with

narrative, the

become

merely

being

did

Why

spirit entered

fantastic

table; it has

I want

did

Polonstrava,

round

aU.

at

not

"

Koucheleff-Besborodka,

longer

witty fugitive, when

no,

Count

his

HOME.

"

What

lost my
head
relates
how
at

In

OF

said

escapade

hat, then

leave

when

Frightened

"

hat.

MISSION

AND

old

treasure

Moorish

it with

spot.

at

Home,
Another

friendship

formed

in some
other
previous existence
if on
Home's
planet than the Earth, and longs to know
has been
preserved.
part a similar recollection
Spiritualism does not exist in France
; its place has
taken
been
by Spiritism, a very different thing. The

during

Home

Mr.

as

words,"

on

the

their

my

Emperor
In July the
fact

the

know

who

him

of

memory

the

Many

Tolstoy

writing of
the

and

"

formed

the

^rare

and

new

of his
ander
Alex-

Emperor

remarkable

gifted and

love

to
a

valued

most

Like

Tolstoy.
one
Tolstoy was

the

command
;

of

summoned

poet Alexis

novelist. Count

nature.

Count

most

which

his

of those

esteem

in the
phenomenon
thoroughly masculine

of

all

world

perament,
tempossessed a
force of
frankness, and
combining
energy,
Home
carefullypreserved his firiend's letters
the handwriting of Tolstoy is wonderfully
and

characteristic
own

the

and

of the

camp

^he

"

to

day,

them

of poets !
character.

aides-de

with

communicated

again

week

one

of the

spiritsthat

noble

be

gracious
graven
always en-

me."

Home
was

Those

favour

the

as

and

spent
to

one

the

namesake,

"

will remain

returned.

he

of the

Russians

HOME,

honoured

since

Majesty,

friendship, destined
the
life. Among
was

well

as

power

PeterhoflF,where

II.

recipient,

"

memory,
has ever

his

to

OF

private gentleman.

wrote

MISSION

AND

LIFE

114

that

at

man

as

his

after his first meeting with

years
the
in
palace of Peterhoff, Home,

meeting, paid

of his

firm

bold, frank, and

"

friend

the

following

tribute

to

"

reserved
for me
an
palace,where
apartment was
;
the aide-de-camp in attendance
his Msgestj,
and shortly afterwards
on
A
announced.
Alexis
Count
Tolstoy, was
quarter of a century has
the Count
of those years
has been
passed since that day, and for seven
I see
world
but
this
that
at
which
in another
moment
look
vividly
;
all the beauty of his spirit,those
features
reflected
expressive of so
allied
of
with
much
character,
perfect kindliness, sweetness,
energy
in Tolstoy an
There
and good natura
irresistible charm
of manwas
ner,
is met
united
with
to that interior fire which
in
only
men
gifted
He
has left as a writer
with
true genius.
immortal
an
name.
"
and
I had
sincere affection for him, which
a
a
profound esteem
augmented in witnessing his courage as a thinker,and the perseverance
he investigatedand verified the phenomena
with which
of SpirituaUsm.
first
the
at
He
the
with
s^nces
was
eight
present
Emperor ; and later
I went
to Poustineka, a charming
residence
that the Count
on
sessed
posin the neighbourhood of St Petersburg, where
festations
very varied manioccurred.
I was
always a welcome
guest in his house, and
I preserve
dear
remembrance
of
the
a
friendship that he showed
very
of his departure from
this world
me
a painful but
up to the moment
eternal separation."
not an
**

I arrived

at the

"

AND

FRANCE

Tolstoy

wrote

tineka, and
the

Home,
it

entrusted

his

to

was

of

account

an

the

it to

interest

to

Home

been

of

wife

his

to

in

expressly to

gone

valuable

form

of

from

i860

The

and

the

where

letters

has

Count
he

had

especially

are

immediately after the

stances
they describe, and as containing the testimony
of high position,irreproachable character,
of an observer
than
and
ordinary intelligence. I shall give them
more
I am
of
in a future chapter, when
writing of the month
having

as

Tolstoy

Alexis

Count

another

wedding,

of

chamberlains
seemed

time

at

Peterhoff, the

in

Home

absence

Mr.
shown

for

of the

andrina

de

took

place on

20th

of

was

Boman

him,

His

most

only

not

kind

and

Mr.

the

of

ist

the

Church

Catholic
the
the

previous

upon

as

of

the

August,

Hussian

took

occasion,
every
the highest
I have
but

as

feelings."
Mademoiselle

Countess

1858,
the

of Count

style,or
The

rites

Alex-

KoucheleflF,

new

calendar.
to

stances

Emperor

monarch,

and

performed according
in the private chapel

in the

the

to
sovereign power
gracious Majesty,"

generous

Home

sister

first

again

his

this, as

Kroll,

July by

Church

the

that

exert
"

upon

marriage of

The

to

"

most

of

one

after the

but

the greatest kindness.

me

veneration
man

him

Home,

Bobrinsky,

papers
interest

difficulties.

these

remove

wrote

great

induced

Home's

at

groomsman

The
Emperor.
marriage had at
the point of being postponed, owing

the

of certain

the

was

Count

was

on

to

has

written

i860.

June,

one

been

entrusted

was

letters

London,

Home.

see

stances

Tolstoy;

two

that

of time.

other

certain

Countess

; but

anything

course

present,

was

the

the

in

preserved

wrote

he

custodian,

better

which

at

of

world

Pous-

at

of Home

keeping

Fortunately, Tolstoy's record

with

stances

lost it in

keep,

to

115

the

in the

guardian

worst

EUSSLA

the

ceremony
Greek

of the

KoucheleflF, and

by a priest of the
riage,
days before the mar-

of St. Catherine

Church.

Three

II. sent
Emperor Alexander
I have
wedding-gift of which
transmitted
chapter. It was

the

groom
bride-

spoken

in

to

to

Mr.

Home

LIFE

ii6

Schouvaloff,

Count

by

letter

MISSION

AND

"

"Monsieur,

Le

"

fait

m'a

pereur

Ministre

parvenir

Sa
Majesty
que
de Sa bienveiUance.

vous

Maison

comme

of

comparison

of

that

with

letter

the

of his

token
of

form

Besides
Count

SchouvaloflF

for the

most

in

but

of

interest

those

"

Discretion

"

but

St.

Leaving

various

the

Koucheleff,

of Russia

back

in

does

"

of

it

the

consideration

that

to

M.

stance.
writes

it to

me,

you

can

in

autumn

before

Count
the

just

Mr.

Home
such

in the

return.

marriage,

brother-in-law.

was

attesting, but
it :
sufficientlyestablish
S.

and

need

not

the

his

summoned

Emperor

propose
hour
that

their

gladly

to

November
On

times

Count

situated

were

Home

any

from
convey,

to Mr.

special
you," he

their

was

They

him

spent

Petersburg.
of Count^Schouvaloff

Selo, where
social

and

the

others

the

shortly after

bride

St.

several

was

sideration
con-

took

July

kindness

of which
; and

several

asking

day

estates

some

south

letters

bridegroom

invitations
in

me

the

any

his

ma

Schouvaloffs

Count

the

give

to

Petersburg

and

Home

to

written

have

since

de

preserved.

been

prevented

you
with
I will be
you
me."
receive

Mr.

in

Imperial

offer

Home's

ci-joint,
je

alone
marriage would
fact that the Emperor's
cious
gra-

the

the

marque

Home's

have

part,

one

accepts

of

wedding-gift.
letter just given,
the

une

Schouvaloff."

date

Mr.

sufficientlyestablish

TEm-

diamants

Tassurance

trfes distingu^e.

85"

de

la transmettre

recevoir

de

enrichie

bague

vous

de

la

destin6e

de

U iljuaUt,

Pktebhof,

de

une
a

Ay ant Thonneur
prie,Monsieur,

vous

foUowing

the

with

together

''

"

HOME.

OF

visits

Count
farthest

they

Home,

as

were

the

Bobrinsky show,
of Tsarskoe-

Palace
then

residing. The
enjoyed in Russia

letters

as

the

ing
follow-

"

I'Empereur desire,

cher

Home,

vous

voir

FRANCE

Tsarskoe,
former

lundi
le

par

Tsarskoe.

Veuillez

soir.

voiture

de

la bont^

compter

peut
Comte

m'in-

sur

vous

h, la

attendra

vous

h, vous,

Tout

117

avoir

Ton

si

porteur
Une

jour-lk.

ce

RUSSIA.

AND

de

gare
Bobrinsky."

A.

fell ill, and

in
January, 1859, Home
was
soon
him
The
attacked
malady that had
great danger.
baffled
his physicians, but was
expelled in the manner
In

he

has

narrated

"The

in the

dangerous symptoms
debility. Friction
was
it caused
its
precluded

nervous

which

evening

wife

my

MeyendorfiT),
"

and

the

upon
wife

part which

was

frightened, and

was

use.

to

was

usual

have

"

de

seized

by

violence

extreme

sensitive

tender.

and

endeavoured

hold

to

one

(Baron

suddenly
with

pain

when

state

were

them

extremely

so

would

de

hands
beat

this

in

Baron

my

made

was

"

greatly increased
by my
recommended, but the extreme

and

present,

were

and
spirit-influence,

were

friend, the

"

Incidents

**

My
hands

my

knowledge of spirit-manifestations,
of the blows
I felt no
the
violence
pain, though
I continued
bed
the
which
the
whole
and
giving to myself made
shake.
I
in
In an
hour
room
a
was
quiet sleep ; and on awaking
the disease
the
had
ness
left me,
and only a weaknext
morning I found
remained.
The
tion,
expression of the doctor's face baffles my descripwhen
found
he visited me
that
have
to
early
morning, expecting
have
and felt my
that a great change must
me
pulse and saw
worse,
skill
for."
to account
occurred, beyond his
but

my

friend, who
prevented her.

The

Baron

occasion

is
the

under
Home's

had

had

Meyendorff who
frequently mentioned,

initial

"

Paris

of

were

Few

nearly

and

knew

men

stances,
friends

Home

and
but
were
was

on

earlier

the

command

two

in

better,

varied
a

an

or

the
have

and

the

of
had

Mr.
menced
com-

dinary
extraor-

who

men,

young
became

intimate.

Imperial Guard,
Russian

service.

witnessed

more

only

not

when

occasions

together, both by day and

of the
first
always one

and

name

under

manifestations

hundred

his visits to Russia,

by

this

on

volumes

two

age, quickly
officer in the

same

Meyendorff was
holds
now
high

numerous

on

the

both

acquaintance

months

some

circumstances;

and

Their

present

was

," in the

autobiography.
in

Baron

sufficient

the

by night.
to

welcome

last to bid

him

at

two

endorff
Meyhim
adieu

LIFE

ii8

the two
at a time
were
days and weeks
often
passing their days together, and

the

same

room.

Who

can

"

Meyendorff
the

better
to

time

life

in the

and

the

Home
the

who

of

moment

those
at

the

of

name.

her

visit

very

of external

We

to

health.

marked
ing,
christen-

Home

and

with

good-will,

valuable

found

went

ring.
ing
travers-

Ostend,"

to

seeing her,

another, I had
which

and

Mr.

mother-in-law,

my

On

our

moment

ing
meet-

Baltic, and

steamer

**

for

Mr.

wedding-day

embracing one
singular impressions

the

**

on

of the

of the

occasion

honoured

their

same

only

often

so

My

contact.

at

the

another
to

come

sensations

such
peculiar at the time when
foreshadowings
that
words
but
can
granted me,
feebly express
I distinctly saw,
of touching
at the first moment

so

are

them.

we

of

former,
there

was

are

of the

the

the

form

the

is

style),was

Imperial favour

his

board

on

sea

writes

me

of

anniversary

Mrs.

of

On

Alexander

token

who

feel it to us."

1859 (new

son.

feith

those

to

think

we

the

at

vanquish

separation

oftener

we

May,

the

Home,

our

and

natural

Baron

but

combat

so

us,

the

giftagain taking
The

grief

nearer

Emperor

second

the

of

birth

the

and

of

month

The

by

the

come,

wiU

sharing

Mr.

I that

than

able,
insepar-

wrote

of

sustained

tomb

For

I,"

death

better

bitter

question of time,
to

have

you
knows

below.

here

remain

learning the

the

beyond

human

the

loss
one

no

than

appreciate

on

me

grievous

same

HOME.

OF

for

and

**

MISSION

AND

mother-in-law, that, after I should

my
should
earth.
This
meet
no
more
on

prediction did,
which

have

August
months

come

in

as

has
to

Paris,
the

ever

mc

been

the

case

leave

Ostend,

impressional
with

those

in this
brief

Chateau

correct."
way,
prove
visit to Switzerland,
then

Paris,
Cergay, near
which
had
Mens.
Tiedemann
kindly placed at their
the
and
Mrs.
disposal ; such
was
itinerary of Mr.
Home
of 1859.
In November
they
during the autumn
there.
went
to England, and
passed the winter
While
Home
de Cergay, Mr.
Chateau
received
at the
two

at

de

FRANCE

AND

RUSSIA.

119

grateful letter from

whose
paralysed arm
a
through his means

few

months

portion of

her

letter

translate
"^My

paralysed

daughters to care
wrought in me.
sent
through you

all

In

countries

without

fashion

amusing

the

doctor

you

who

told

that

in his

legion.

imaginative
inimitable

own

of

One

meetings.

and

Home's

was

with

been

succour

France

him

little

has

claimed

met

mended
recom-

Lakinb."

db

especially in

often

three

for the

Mabib

persons

who

I have

change

bless

rencontres

story of these

the

at

having

ever

of this class,and

beings

the

devoted

of

restored

"

amazed

but

"

number

several

had

All-Powerful

Your

me.

of

use

before, in Russia.

better,that

quite
the

the

wonderfully

that
hospital (forgetting

May

to

acquaintance
He

"

Lakine,

de

been

much

so

for)was

the

America"

had

the

enter

to

me

is

arm

Madame

the

most

took
he
amusing
place in a railway-carriagein which
was
travelling to Fontainebleau, in May, 1857.
few
In
there
early summer
pleasanter places in
are
Fontainebleau
the
under
than
France
Empire
; and
that was
the time
perial
Imof year
for an
usually selected
visit
The

Court

there

was

old

beautiful

the

to

in

forest

1857

May,

chMeau.

and

and

the

on

23rd,

received
Home
from America,
days after his return
the Empress
invitation
from
a
telegram conveying an
left Paris
at the
to
chateau, and
by
present himself
the evening
Three
train.
gentlemen, all strangers to
his companions
their
the journey ; and
him, were
on
of the day.
talk fell on
the news

few

"

Home
told

am

that

far

"So

back

is

number

from

two,

journals

The

away
"

may

it true,
?

he

be

never

is

then, that

seen

in Paris
like

they
far enough from
the

Emperor

again.

but, take

Paris

had

at

him

this

sent

"

Quite

true.

The

Empress

was

oracle

replied

case,"

what

announce

one.

left Paris."

never

the

**

said

seems,"

had

being

will

for it. Home

word
my
moment."
"Is

that

it

us,

fact is he

the

"

with

so

alarmed

by

what

LIFE

I20

she

at

saw

from

those

who

determined
and

certain

allow

to

our

stance

ought

sorcerer

no

^I have

"

know

to

HOME.

OF

MISSION

AND

was

ordered

had

received

Emperor

diabolical

leave

to

the

that

"

of these

more

information

my

scenes

France

the

next

year,"

day."
he

It is said

'*

He

"

replied
what

the

he

of

rate

other, with

air of

the

francs

million

man

joined in the conversation

and
soon
pleasant manner

gay

of

the

at

of

who

knows

this

point,

and

the

best

speaks.

Home
his

paid

was

sums."

enormous

at

put him

on

A
travelling companions.
number
of interesting particularsin his own
history,
all quite novel
communicated
to him, were
or
by one
the other ; and
of these
in the midst
piquant anecdotes
the

train

in

the

his

with

terms

reached

"You
For

"

Home

Home,

Mr.

They

from

blank

silent

and

the

first

in whose

in

he

coupS on
elderly man
that
**

Not

I have
the

of

happened to be
French
railway ;

and

that

Princess

"

"

The
young.
and
the young
a

the
to

recounted

the

amusement

imaginary
by

personally.

cers
roman-

The

the

third

occupant

the

other

two

former

of
an

it

claimed

once

the

mentioned

at

man

same

being

him
de

know

him

well," he

occasionally
Beauveau,

at

who

the

explained

house

amuses

of

my

herself

by witnessing his feats of legerdemain."

asked
Home.
They are well managed ?
"

Oh, very

chausen
Mun-

acquaintance.

an

met

him

he

of Home,

name

know

to

of

last

had

politest

within.

listening

history,sometimes

claimed

1857,

year,

his

three

the

nor

the

took

carriage,and

company
travellingincognito, and of

who

Home

?"

the

neither

were

incidents

and

sir."

of the

tribe

of

servant

Home."

stepped

of farewells

was

platform,

the

on

waiting for

Mr.

am

livery

There

him.

to
are

"

as

Fontainebleau.

Imperial

beckoned

three

clever

"

"

but

friend,
times
some-

LIFE

1 2a

"They

there

is

If you

were

say

appearance.
in the

OF

MISSION

AND

day-time,

nothing

might

you

of

liking

to

out

take

"Impossible."
The
journey was
the

near

I would

"

Bon

was

to

alight,he

said

realised

types of the
of

heard

having

without

Home

The

falsehoods
outrageous
class of calumniators, the most
most

one

necromancer.

the

the

an

to

eye

let out

which

was

shake

hands.

quality that
method

his

in

he

could

and

believed

him

only

would

be

have

and

volumes,

subject
spared

would

Homes

collect

to

them

arrange

for

the

throw

of

explanation
pseudo-scientists was

Home

about

pocket

during

As

absurd

for

chose

of

told

were

who

seen

report

common
very
he carried

that

to fill his

efiect.

those
who

romancer

two

falsehoods

enough

by

imaginary
of inventing ; he

trouble

with

invented

legends

with

greater portion of the

him.

of

What

jump.

not

had

either

his

to

situation

the

that

fantastic

said

it.

lowering

Home,

did

were

men

by

drew

Home.

world

him

become

Home

As

have
never
seen
you
to you ?
present him
jump out of the window."

quickness,

These

ended.

other, though he

the

French

it

had

two

"So

voyage^'

But

and

him,"

"

to

were

"

he

where

station

companion
if I

before

the

and

long,

friends

excellent

tery
ceme-

Home.

said

his

frightful in

very
him

meet

to

HOME.

to

twitch

had
raps, he
ofi* at command
much
to

alter

the

dresses

of the

by

facts

and

electrical

"an

favoured

was

monkey,

trained

tame,

stance

Paris

in

will."

scientists

of

stances

preconceived theories; and

and
addition, to proceed
then, on such basis of omission
genuous
disinthe
theories
demonstrate
in question. This
to
and
unscientific
method
largelyemployed,
was
work
this
of
will
show, by Dr.
as
a
subsequent chapter
B. Carpenter, V.RR.S.
W.
have
Medical
found
who
could
been
gravely
men
of
thimble-full
administered
a
conjecture that Home
in

accordance

with

their

"

FRANCE

"

chloroform

the

saw

the

record

advanced

was

as

be

the

the

were

to

ments
instru-

theory

to

capable

of

biologicalexplanation
disproof of his experiments,

that

out

the

bold

instruments

concluded
found

somehow

stance

instruments

again

seemed

triumphant

it must
Home

It

but, since

and

again

Crookes*

mesmerised

being

and

them.

Mr.

the

he

F.R.S., employed

phenomena,

that

suggest

before

magnetised or biolothe things that

they said they
dupes only imagined they had

mesmerised

recorded

123

sitters

that

; and

Crookes,

RUSSIA.

the

declared

audience

poor
Mr.

seen.

of

each

to

Others

began.
gised his

AND

they

fact, and

that

and

were,

turned

it to

account.

Of

all

the

most

it.

The

mesmeric

and

when

the

saw

Home,

of

the

with

him

advanced

she

had

she

seen,

of view

all

visit, that
dates,

communicated

servants,
or

even
"

said

other

of

either

me,

statements

me

when

dents,"
Inci-

"

house

whatever

are

in

me

in

circumstances,

by visiting the
by a body of secret
Home

in the

at

gold

concealing my
intelligence displayed in obtaining

or

If such

explain

with

over

servants

assist

may

and
to

wrote

be

they
The

machinery.

the

I bribe

an

sirs, it's easy

Home

**

is that

could

replied, "Lor',

enough ! he only rubs himself

pencil first."
Mr.
A general belief," writes

of

that

was

if she

Asked

America.

satisfactory
for the phenomena

account

to

non-spiritualpoint
in

woman

names,

truly

name

ever

"

lantern"

magic

really simple, scientific, and

one

from

instance,

fuU

carried

explanation

what

for

Crawford,

light,rise from the ground, he was

theorists
have
conjectured
biologised. Some

deserving of

old

of

Earl

present

in

Home

The

rising in the air has had

concerning
explanations adduced
theory is naturally a favourite here ;

ridiculous

course

that

of

that

phenomena,

1883,

by

my
tombstones

of

I often

I shall have

the

are

circulated

previously

inquiry

own

police who
*'

is

wonder

passed

to

relatives,

in my

during

from

my
what

pay."
time,"
lifewill

spirit-life."

LIFE

124

New

The
a

of the

person

to

ridiculous

declares

all the

death

to

Her
the

was,

London
his

sought
In

her

left hand,
kid
her

could

create,
He

to

it

invention

is the

and

person,
head

of

his

in the

it all forth

tells of

story she

life for

his

stances

holding
Mrs.

when

Lyon

hand,

new

which,

when

to

the

use

to

he

power

life in the

false

the

join

able

was

mediumistic
but

lost

covered

hand

actually

his

had

Lyon

false

to

her

"Mrs.

wore

by

forgotten," writes

now

Home
.

undertook
arm,

have

always
that

not

enable

hand

false

one.

the

wrist

at

accomplished, he
false hand
exactly

said,
if

as

real."

were

After

Lyon

began

ensued

be

the

or

the

credible

to

impatient,
of

return

suit of

veracious

the

continues

year,

hand

live

earth

on

news

farthing in

Worlds

the

to

believe

living

would

the

poured

the

flashed

she

which

glove.

make

still

was

"

the

Home

according to this
at two
guineas a
acquaintance :

way
contributor

disclose

to

Evidently from pure

kept her exclusive

life.

received

never

some

with

interviewed

World,

who

stance,

when

as

lawsuit.

Home,

"

hardly

amusing

most

Lyon

in

had

Logan

statements

hastened

feelings,she
while

Celia

had

writer

had

his

herself

of the

columns

his

York

New

he

of
of

series

allowed

27th, 1886,

plume

The

of

secrets

cable

to

with

; and

for

information
the

de

nom

or

readers

consideration

but

of June

extravagant.

as

she

her

to

name

its

present

Home,

World

York

HOME.

OF

MISSION

AND

Lyon

v.

Home,

demanded

and

her

narrator,

money."
It will

**

Mrs.

either

Thereupon
hardly
appear

American
that other
English readers
papers
newsfrom
of the
the
columns
copied this nonsense
though
it as
World, and gravely commented
fact, ala
upon
the actual
record.
on
history of the lawsuit was
All the
remaining legends of this worthy chronicler
sheer
as
are
figments as her story of the artificial hand.
Of

to

course,

stories

from

she
Mr.

professesto
Home.

have
"

Home

heard

these

himself

very
told

strange
"

me

is

FRANCE

her

favourite

have

on

their

received

himself.

Home
the

Celia

incredible

York

gold

Home

intellectual
World

pencil.

Such

is

evidently

125

her

not

narrative,

that

and

contributor

of

the

to

old

woman

from
reflect

to

stop

such

choosing
the

pretend

information

does

of

more

always

exclusive

Logan

of

narrative

some

persons

very

ever

level

RUSSIA

commencing

nature

of
The

in

absurd.

commonly

than

to

phrase

AND

the

possibility
im-

confidant.
Neio

the

of

the

"6

CHAPTER

V.

ENGLAND.

second

from

November,
returned

He

in

was

England

her

of

Home

impression of
She

the

the

into

his

in

the

current,
travel

year
that

sdances
who

the

i860

and

him

and

no

more

men

at will

regard

he

volition

more

the

to

convey
the

to

of

they
intelligences

no

wire, designed

on

could

nor

exercised

hold

capable

other

as

ably
reason-

Apart from
the
sions
impres-

impressions

withheld

with

been

frail.

so

at

near

whose

husband,

other

He

Home

better

part

gave,
the

very

stances

of

was

remarkable

was

early

remarkable

His

exercises

him

to

during

gift.

than

investigated

returned

default

fit.

have

so

no

messages

tric
electhat

it.

over

The

or

saw

own

matter

already

was

than

introduced

yet received

as

was

Home

messages

communicated

than

that

through

future

the

and

1859,

had

seemed

once

him,

to

those

command

he

her

conveyed

granted

86

on
prophetic shadows
he
brought his young

of

winter

the

of

when

outlive

than

messages

were

their

in

destined, it might
to

more

looking

cast

parting

was

thought,
life had

whole

English friends,

his

hand.

the

; but

in

Home

Mr.

often

London

to
to

during

events

mind

wife

England lasted
1859, until the last week of July, i860.
in the following winter, and
third
time

Coming
the

of

residence

The

and

for the

phenomena.
strongly,and

summer

took
word
to be

of

for

the

variety of

persons
had
power

His
was

i860,

of

number

especiallygreat
when

many

very
power," in

I say
place.
to
describe
by which
a passive agent ; and
"

Home's
the

more

ENGLAND.

lie could

results.

the

were

the

Home's

laws

same

from

mind

as

the

inspirations

which

the

his

cannot

his

work

that

it would

they

as

of any

poet

that

he

would

would

of the

for their

at will

the

the

spirit

which

reason

Yet

the
or

such

is

guished
distin-

men

attainments

for

at

happen,

all.

at

inability to

considered

tations
manifes-

obtain

declining to

tigate
inves-

the

English acquaintances
throws
an
amusing
light

some

question
approach it at

to

all.

well-known

Parkes,

been

had

on

public opinion
of Spiritualism, when
they

pressed by Mrs.
to a
judge, to come

had

of

of

leaders

the

Indian

an

that

one

in

approached
man

of

letters

is

Home

consented

foretell

subject.

Among
Mr.

his

sufficient

the

would

the

capricious,
tion
inspira-

more

century, that

intelligenceand
of

Home,

than

never

happen

nineteenth

declaration

Home's

and

most

painter was
commencing

were

what

stance

anything

temper

strange power
wonderful,

painter, could

or

of

whether

of

service, and

when

masterpiece

more

were

commencement

the

be

of whose

manifestations

the

that

No
or
great writer
presence.
with
able to declare
certainty in

yet

ever

what
some-

great poet

its

desire

obey

to

of

better

only knows

artist

into
compel his power
inspiration is often absent

he

subject,the

gift appeared

the

painter,concerning

or

his

detach

127

stance

at

tific
scienthe
her

widow
house

tation.
by accepting the inviHe
the evening appointed ;
duly appeared on
but
demanded,
as
an
indispensable preliminary to
he
should
furnished
be
with
"a
sitting, that
gramme
prowith

Mr.

of the

represented
there

and

what

to

were

knew

no

should

exactly

that

him

to

he

sit, departed in much

His

whose

attitude

was

feet he

had

was

in vain
had

stances

was

that
no

his hostess

programmes,

of

earthly means
happen ; he
not

what

ended

It

stance."

determined

was

to

and

Home,

hand
arranging beforeonly replied that he
he
investigate at all, unless
investigating ; and, refusing

ill-humour.
caricature

probably

sat.

of

that

Faraday

of

Faraday, at
is deservedly

LIFE

128

great

name

AND

but

is

take

Newton,
could
a

universe

humbly

compare
walks
on

who

child

and

shells

few

of the

the

and

thinker

thinkers

The

its

of

the

of

teenth
nine-

ignorance of them,

own

its discoveries
the

pebbles

ocean.

the

to

sea-shore, and
indications

as

modem

of the

conviction

of his

emphatically

was

are

of the

secrets

HOME.

not
specialists,
philosophers. England
little likely ever
to
produce another
Bacon,
all knowledge
for his province;
another
or
whose
great intellect, dimly apprehending the

century
to

he

OF

century, and

nineteenth

the

MISSION

brings
of

the

scientist

has

vastness

of that

of

action

away

treasures

such

no

whelming
over-

ocean,

and

He
is a
inability to penetrate its depths.
who
child
particular pebble, and, after
picks up one
that the sea
close inspection of it, declares
has nothing
in it but pebbles, and
they are all like his.
reference
to the phenomena
of
Faraday wrote, with
Before
we
proceed to consider
Spiritualism:
any
should
set
questions involving physical principles,we
of
with
the
clear ideas
out
possible."
naturally possible and imown

"

He

forgot that

and

impossible

will

not

of

that

omniscient,

is not

the

of

those

be

possible
in

though

knowledge

will

never

has

humanity

age

Man's

and

was

century

naturallypossible
eighteenth, and

the

twentieth.

never

every

of

those

the

nineteenth

of the

its ideas

not

are

the

even

be

finaJ;

repeated Faraday's

of

The
scientific critics
supposing it to be so.
had very clear ideas
of the naturallyposof Stephenson
sible
the
when
consideration
of the
they proceeded to
in the
physical principles involved
question of the
mistake

; and

locomotive
it

was

miles

impossible

to

hour.

If

an

Society of 1787,
like
a

the

and

ideas

years
lead
the

ago

led

could

we

submit

what

the

at

declare
of

rate

the

its consideration

that

thirty
Boyd
tions
inven-

the

telephone, the ideas of

concerning the naturally possible

Society
is

to

resuscitate

to

to

ridicule

propositions for annihilating

of

them

engines

run

telegraph and

hundred

would

their

as

distance.

possible and

chimerical
Human

impossible

have

such
ceptions
con-

been

(ifit

investigatingthe phenomenon
of

tables

by

often

were

sitters

the

and

it

of the

obvious

was

stances

muscular

of

to

not

his

words

it would

Home,

whether

science

or

fact, Mr.

hostile
of

that

meeting

acted

on

had

the

some

candour

later,

years

friendly
assumed
by

and

to Home

the

attitude

gentleman
and

invited,

was

certain

any
:

"

conditions

utterly impossible for

been

pretender

Home

the

with

more
weight than
carry
I will therefore
give it
; and

have

mere

Accordingly,

authority fix)ni

any

Star

tary
involun-

will

would

which

"

Emerson

(Faraday) "prescribed

"He"

blinded

not

particularlyconsulted
in the Morning
writer

the

As

description

science

of mine

thing
any-

about

incident

been

2th, i868) was

of

man

all."

at

knew

were

bring

to

the

have

to

who

endeavoured,

Morning

the

discussing

matter

Faraday,

the

Bell,

as

appear

(May

Star
to

when

admit

in the

Tennant

and

who,

with

apply.

not

Sir
Faraday.
responsibility,and without
Home

made

men

latter,and

would

Robert

Home,

"did

"

Emerson

Mr.

own

Mr.

the

been

Faraday's theory of

here

action

86 1, Sir

between
his

of

conviction

had

all

to

of the

by prejudice, that

help

his

Faraday's observations.
of Faraday's experiments

Home

and

Lights

"

last son
perShadows

the

was

of

accuracy
None

in

in the

declared

has

Spiritualism

Home

Mr.

fact, and

the
"

of

was

themselves.

doubt

to

name)

the

deserve

that
easily able to show
tilted, consciously or unconsciously,
he

and

table-tilting;

HOME.

OF

MISSION

AND

LIFE

130

be

apostle of

the

humbug,
as

to

condition

Mr.
new

In

accept.

precedent

ledge
Faraday's entering on the investigation, to acknowthat
the
however
phenomena,
produced, were
and
ridiculous
contemptible."
Faraday may have been
he
had
but to judge before
right as regards what
seen,
dence
examining it of what he had not seen
implied a confito

in his

Faraday's
examination.
afterwards

second
Home

did
he

conceited
infallibility
as

own

condition,
would

in the

should

case

as

of

of

open
readily have
Crookes

accept this ?

Mr.

as

and

dogmatic.
complete

accepted
but

Robert

as

was

it

Bell

was

he

ceivable
conso

ENGLAND.

assured

he

not, that he did

would

transmit

to

even

Home

Mr.

to

and
Seven

later, at the

years

it worthwhile

proposal

negotiations
were
dropped

Faraday

think

not

accordingly the

and

son,
Bell, Sir Emer-

between
and

resumed.

never

of the

close

insulting;

so

fessor
suit. Pro-

Lyon

he intimated
Tyndall published a letter in which
willingnessto be present at a stance with Mr. Home,
the
offer **in the
expressly declared that he made

his
but

letter."

spirit of Faraday's

In

challenge, Professor

Tyndall
prejudices. What

of his

vaunt

who

never

one,

whether

sought

There

is

one

even

and

mood,

Tyndall

in

abstain

from

of the

Home

and

might

approach
**

the

probably
serious

contemptible ;"

however

his

denial

in the

not

such

afforded

identity of

any

qualifying with

express

evidence

Home,

own

would

cheap

to

that

he

refer to the

it matter

such

principles on
of Faraday's opinion or

were

"ridiculous"

emphatically

did

aspect of the manifestations

would

as

putting forth
only making

was

his

impose

to

Tyndall

Professor

131

jectives
ad-

disbeUef.

and

of Mr.

stances

It

beings communicating.

have
of that
been
only to those who
fullyconvinced
be Spiritualism.
ever
identity that Spiritualism can
the
If gratitude and
of one's convictions
courage
the
virtues
common
were
recipients of
men,
among
incontrovertible
have
more
proofs of identity would
record.
happily,
Unfrequently placed their testimony on
is

there
who

do

fear

not

few

are

who

ridicule

if

face

can

fewer

knowledge of
outweighed with

the

and

abuse,

still
what

awaited

them

majority

other
caused
them
consideration, and
every
of
silent.
Home
this
complained
never

remain

to

conduct

; on

ready

to

p.
of the
the

best

discreditable

the

am

names

204),he
timid

spoke

contrary, he
it ; and

excuse

(vol.i.

"

the

they

even

in
sorry that
friends
of my

only

Incidents

that

stated
can

too

in

himself

constituted
and

many,
defence

silence

in

was
"

with

unselfishly
My Life
*'

the

generous

offered

be

the

for

gist
apolodour
can-

their

:
"

I
instances
many
who
have
witnessed

so

am

obliged to

wonderful

conceal

he
things,^'

wrote

but

^'

remember

the

MISSION

LIFE

AND

if the

reader

132

and

reason,

self.

No

is the

given,

in obedience

sooner

to

is

disposed

take

the
of

name

observe, and

and

forward

and
truth

the

be

simply

and

of

this, if

be

it

not

with

them.

conceived

vivid

the

who

have

now

in another
still

assistance

wise

not

decide.

they

that

Go4

whom

it

All

facts I

respect the

pain,

truth

that

which

the

to

of

had

of Mr.

Home

have

carried

devil, for

the incidents

nothing

and

do."

to

convincing
in

England

their

ledge
know-

survivors, it may
who

made

them

on

fresh

was

now.

the

am

minority
courageous
Some
of these, too, are

speak.
their

readily
jfrom publicity

shrank

forward
are

witness

remains

others

gratefullyacknowledge

charitable
un-

which

to

phenomena
worthy of

life of

The

me.
are

this

sufficient

gift

to

the

the

Home
prove
on

man

bestowed.

was

the

justiceto

few

this

in

extent

given

wonderful

aflforded

have

rendered

the

to

already
the

I have

come

life,but

marvellous

its

to

there

feared

they

and

those

earth, and

on

names,

impression
that

not

watch

of which

of

inclined

are

thankful

more

few

fact

friends

for the

As

that

when

to

person

are

before

judge

obvious

an

had
who
of those
Many
experiences at the stances
have
quitted the world, and

and

and

this little book

in

truthfullywriting
life,with the production

of my

are

courageous

fact, of all who

weigh

let my
adventurous
abused, and called bad

I shall

and

him

on

and still less for ladies,to come

for men,
encouragement
stand in front of all this obloquy. If an example be needed

day,

be

blame

him

is small

There

of

think

to

and

this,let

a
testimony, than it becomes
target
of the unscrupulous, the sceptical,

ridicule,jests,and abuse
the
scientific; in
orthodox, and

enough

of

complain

to

honest

some

for all the

the

HOME.

greater part of the

call for

the

OF

give

can

scruples

I shall

of

the

If the

truth.

give

timorous,

publication

my
but
of

care

names

to

is not
render
causes

the
that
but
only say that I am
sorry;
timid
ing
havwith
be content
portion of his friends must
sacrificed
him
during his lifetime to their anxiety
themselves
in the eyes of the world.
not
to compromise
Mr.
Home's
I cannot
imitate
generosity on this point ;
of
the
honour
of a
account
on
duty forbids
me,
my
can

was

write

sacred
this

of full information

him,

to

book.
must

and

for

the

future

of

only regret that my want

necessarily render my narrative

ENGLAND.

incomplete,

and

stances

never

will

enough

courage

will

truth, and
those

England

in

events

arrival

his

ceived
made

during
had

who

note

Two

of the

Dr.

Home,
two

or

at

been

and

Thackeray
and

to

that

work.

drew

in

the

whom

"

investigating the
after being present

at

called

mediums,

former

make

further
with

patience
on

and

the

inquiry
what

he

into

Mr.

visit for
to

came

present

presently speak.
believer

"

in

him

tualism
Spirihis

old

portrait

Dr.

Goodenough,
dedicated
affectionately
as

Ashbumer

or

had
of

two

co-operated

mesmerism

with

stances

contemptuously refused
lost
Spiritualism, and

regarded

as

his

friend's

old

was
subject. Elliottson
was
worthy
upright character

the

and

to

was

Elliottson, whose

phenomena
one

him.

Lytton

estranged from

great writer
and

the

took

unable

was

1861,

firm

of

Lytton

to pay

year

had

with

B.

re-

men

writes

in the

Pendennis

Elliottson

E.

Home

in

he

sdances

him

I shall

become

in

noble

his

whom

again

colleague. Dr.

and

ance
acquaint-

various

Sir

of

belief had

his

his

whom

and

were

stances, of which
had

to allow

was

acquaintance

later

; but

then, and

Ashbumer

friend

their

former

the

Mr.

at

present

; and

at

present

of these

earliest

and

of

wonderful

very

friends

the

1855;

in

renewing

invitation

various
Dr.

from

then

him

January 10, i860, pressing

three
days to Knebworth.

accept the
to London,

facts

eflForts of his own.

any
in November
1859, he

England

visit

Ashbumer;

the

sufficient

with

course

in

life his rule

all his

his

of

opportunity

to

testimony to
English society. He
sought

in

welcome

warm

up
the

owe

manifestations

persons

furnish

itself without

extended
On

said, of

list of the

mere

persons
their

take

to

1861, the

have

excited

of those

none

sons
per-

summon

the

and

would

he

interest

of the

duty they
practice by giving

i860
as

stances

will

remarkable

world.

years

The

Home's
the

the

were,

character.

still survive

remember

to

to

the

During

as

put it in

stances

unless

many
such

known,

be

at them

present

history of

the

that

133

of

man

but
so-

to

all
lusions
de-

whose

all esteem

LIFE

134

like

but,

other

many
absolutely the
''Until
was

he

became

of

of the

that

of

acknowledged
as
merely corporeal being,
a

man

with

of his

evidence

'Human

of

he

Zoist, but

gave

the

who

of the

what
the

only

great force

only

'

rappings

elaborate

he

that

in
'

avowed

an

however,

destined,

to

accompany

his old
than

gross

"

was

and

it in the

Spiritualist,

with

with
worse
publicly charged him
assisting to promote the spread of so
Dr.
hesitate
did
Goodenough
nor
whom
unmeasured
terms
against Home,
He

on

duced
intro-

was

denounce

and

seen.

work

sturdiest

journal

as

action.

elfected."

were

oflF all intercourse

"

mous
synony-

cerebral

of the

did

regards

as

Spiritualism
one

was

Not

mind

of

his

in

type"

usually regarded

result

modem

Elliottson

is

"he

him,

which

Physiology

in

; and

knew
determined

and

faculties

becoming

broke

Elliottson

of

series of woodcuts

rejected

life.

Ashbumer

Dr.

On

the

its opponents.

text, showing how

the

school

When

this country, Dr.

scornful

future

sees

with

forth

set

Physiology.'
into

most

brain

spiritualnature

he

views

These

of the

functions

HOME.

wrote
Spiritualist,"
one
most
uncompromising

head

the

OF

great physiologists,he

doctrine

materialist

MISSION

AND

folly in
delusion

inveigh

to

had

he

make

to

friend,

in

never

Home's

dramatic
circumstances.
The
acquaintance, and under
had
Home
for a
most
never
placable of mankind.
of Elliottson,
moment
thought of resenting the conduct

was

well

aware.

two

men

at

second

my
In

of

the

In

the

agent of the

course

is in

like to be

introduced

but

undertook

observed

him

Elliottson,you
don't
such

you

think

accusations

introduce

to
on

have
it
as

said
was

you

Mrs.

and

very

have

Milner
and

me;

seat.

his

in

after

of

Dr.

the

lady

introduction.

few

written
wrong
done

very
for an

the

on

you

Gibson

introduced

was

Home,

wrote

'

to him.'

the

Home

lifetime

1863, while at Dieppe,"

Milner
afternoon
Gibson, one
of conversation, she said:
'Do
at
V
Is
he
T
Dieppe
present

Elliottson

he

which

published

the

soning
unrea-

character

Mr.

of

autumn

friend, Mrs.

during

was

under

by

Incidents,"

death, but
the

was

estimable

related

were
"

it

as

circumstances

met

volume

Elliottson's
who

The

last

honest

as

of whose

violent, and

and

"

felt to be

prejudice he

whose

parade

know

hard
old

against me,

I met
there.

that

Dr.

I should

replied;
expressed surprise,
*

minutes
to

"

afterwards
and

him,
thiogs

man

and

of

like
to

we

said,

Dr.

Now,

me.

to

you

call

'

make

man^an

ENGLAND.

135

K you
like to know
impostor of whom
nothing whatever?
you know
something of me, and to investigatethe subject of Spiritualism,I shall
be happy
to see
Milner
Gibson's
at Mrs.
this evening, and
to
you
and
give you every opportunity of testing what you see.' He came
;
much
that he was
convinced
of the truth of Spiritualism. The
so
saw
next
I witnessed
last evenday he called on me, and said : * What
ing
wonderful
and convincing, but it is too much
for me
to change
was

suddenly

the

convictions

of seventy

I must

years.

ask

to

you

let

me

friend
with
me.'
I agreed readily;
again, and bring a young
and
that evening he came
the
two
Messrs.
accompanied by
young
The
fullest use
made
was
Symes.
by the three gentlemen of their
of
and
what
observing
testing
they witnessed, and the result
power
that Dr. Elliottson
was
was
perfectly convinced."
come

On

returning

reconciliation

and

of

manner

few

in which

it had

his

himself.
Milner

conditions
them

by
Home

wished

which

hold

to

effect.

the

following

to

nications
commu-

Mrs.

to

able
favour-

most

stances

without

wrote

old

lowed
fol-

and

Disappointed
note

Mr.

to

"

"My
the

Sir,

dear

"

instructions

St.

from

Mrs.

here

be

you

Elliottson
He

of Home's
without
In
water

the

still

was

had
can

not
never

it ; and

only

yet learned
be
the

received

wrought
Dieppe, and
the giver, in

from
in his

that

acquired.
1

864,

Elliottson
views

by

Mr.

G., but

Yours

to

with

sincerely,

J. Elliottson."

of the

giftof

the

ject.
sub-

nature

is bom

man

B.

with

of

Coleman

an

account

of the

the

stances

with

published it, with

the

1863.

majority without.

vast

following year,

M.

threshold

the

on

37, Oct. 30,

regularly according

sat

received
shall

When

result.

have

"

or

obtain

the

to

Conduit

no

the

applied accordingly

but
careftilly,
he

of the

nor

itself; and

to

as

seek

life made

Yet

reassert

instructions

under

fedlure,

his

He

for

Gibson

to

belief, he

new

his

wrought.

times

to

Ashbumer,

convictions,

been

incredulitystruggled at

of

years

his

in

hastened

friend. Dr.

old

remaining

change

strengthen

Elliottson

his

the

secret

no

with

the

during

London,

to

the

SpiritualMagazine.

full
This

Bays-

tion
revolu-

Home

approval
authorised

at

of

LITE

T36

of the

version
is

follows

as
**

sanction

conelusions

make

of the

to

at

the

I do

and

me,

his

it is vdth
*

announcement,
I

phenomena.

quite

now

not

am

yet

they are produced by the agency

unable
to satisdeny this, as I am

that

admit

not

for what

free,however,

am

to

arrived

had

have

on

seen

other

any
been

have
made
explanations which
do
for the phenomena
not
satisfyme, but I
reserve
opinion on that point at present.
my

account

said

realityof the

factorilyaccount
hypothesis. The
desire

Elliottson

Elliottson

Dr.

prepared to
of spirits.

to

that

"

that

satisfied

HOMR

OF

I am,'

MISSION

AND

afforded

to

that

say

the

I regret

opportunity

I have
period. What
mind
a
deep impression on
latelyhas made
my
tions,
manifestathe recognition of the
reality of these

not

was
seen

and

from

whatever

in the

is

cause,

died

Elliottson

Dr.

earlier

an

feelings

and

thoughts

my

at

me

tendingto

1868.

in

revolutionise

subject.**
every
The
Post,
Morning

almost

on

the story of
obituary notice, related
Home
Mr.
it must
at Dieppe, which,

of its

course

his

meeting

be

noted,

with
Home

had

not

published

yet

and

tinued
con-

"

then

*'He

his

of

conviction

his

was

been

Bible.

he

had

now

hold

his

while

life

firm

of my
latest
of Elliottson's
in
wrote
"

In

one

happiness
looked
^

the
and
the

Note
remark
it

his

later

forward

pleasure

made
of

at

Mrs.

meeting

Milner

him."

he

said
had

and

had

thought

material

he

trusted

but

would

friend

with

1870, "he

expressed the great

brought him, and

life

by Mr. H. T. Humphreys
quoted in the biography

was

he

the

he

henceforth

interviews

convictions
the

to

which

and

phenomena,

this

but

expressed

earth."

on

he

the

of his

sons

handbook

existence

hope

that

darkness,

in

the

by

the

after

time

in

nothing

was

of

truth

Some

living all

there

the

Christian, whose

sincere

investigating

Spiritualism, aided
The
result
was
Symes.

Dr.

became

in

time

some

of

phenomena
friend

spent

had

hereafter

"It

of him

Gibson'sj

to

was

which
on

the

me

him,"

calm

with
that

I wrote

only

Dr.

for the
occasion

confi-

Elliottson

made

Morning

Pott

on

which

I had

LIFE

138
festations
their

to

MISSION

AND

of judgment as
preserved a suspense
In attemptorigin, while admitting the facts.
ing
others

these

distinguish between

to

almost

The

chie^

classes, my

two

only guide, has been the letters "om

Enghsh
Mr.
Home.
acquaintances preserved by

my
and

friends

HOME.

OF

witnesses

show

published testimony,
manifestations

to

Mr.

have

not

letters

whom

to

Home,

their

or

only recognised

been
vinced
congenuine but to have
the
of their spiritual origin, included, between
of Sutherland,
the
Duchess
Lady
1859-1866^
years
Dr.
Robert
Chambers,
Gomm,
Shelley, Lady
Lady
Milner
Catherine
Gibson,
Sinclair, Mrs.
Otway, Miss
the

Mr.

Mrs.

and

as

William

Gully of Malvern,

Senior, Mr. and

Cooper, Mrs. Adelaide
glas,
Hall, Mrs. Makdougall
Gregory, Miss DouMr.
E. L. Blanchard,
and
Pickersgill,RA.,

S'. C.
Mr.

others.
No
many
but his article, *'

be

Nicholson,

Burgh, Dr.
Lady Dun-

Sir Daniel

sany,
Mrs.

hill

Charles

Sir

De

Mrs.

Howitt,

Magazine,

added
I

Stranger

proof

Cbm-

the

in

Fiction,"

remain

that

he

but

is to

list.

fully aware

am

than

Bell

Robert

Mr.

sufficient

constitutes

the

to

from

letters

that

have

named

small

of the

of high
and
Englishmen
Englishwomen
intellectual
social position who
of
became
convinced
or
the spiritualorigin of the manifestations
witnessed
by
number

them
my

of Mr.
in presence
list of believers
is

exhaustive,
included

Home,

only
concerning
of

of

the

them,

to
courage
such
from

After

of

in it

evidence
Some

it is

the

present

whom

the

proclaim

very

indisputable

fact
as

that, while

those

that

they
belief

far

I claim

from

as
accuracy,
the
stances
at

have

Hewitts

their

merit

The

Home.

written
became

and

the

openly

or

for

being
I

of

have
Mr.

printed

Spiritualists.
Halls, had
; others

the

shrank

course.

convinced,

the

half-convinced.

mean

by

of
investigators present at
Mr.
Home
certain
England were
distinguished persons,
of whom
for stating that
I have
warrant
they
witnessed
at
acknowledged the phenomena
they had

this,

that

among
in

the

stances

ENGLAND.

stances

those

of

but

formed

any

among
letters

others,

Mr.

"

the

who

politicaleconomist,

of Mr.

Lord
the

of

habits
but

who

thought

each

were

wide

as

the

Home's

tion
publica"

of

ex-chairman

Robertson,

asunder

whose

men

the

as

"c.

poles ;

the

that

failed

from

"

occurred
at

to

those

who
has

importance

at

the

of

stances

Home

similar

been

furnish

to

an

details

fact occurred

with

assertion
of which

I shall

of

illustration

of mankind
hopeless incapacity of the mass
facts.
between
A
prejudices and
of this imhappy tendency of human
instance

confound

ever

The
loudest
opinion.
the
always proceeded
contrary have
of him,
least
knew
and
their
only

arrive

to

declarations

the

guished
distin-

Incidents

"

includes

observed,

Mr.

the same
impression produced was
untenable.
No
the theory of imposture was
man
the
and
festations
manihonestly investigated
impartially

on

that

list,it will be

short

Sir

Heaphy,

secured

Longmans
by Messrs.
J. Hutchinson,
Lyndhurst, Mr.
Stock
Lockhart
Exchange
; Dr.

This

chapter),

Senior, the

Nassau

whose

Dufferin,

Lord

Beales, Mr.

Mr.

sculptor ;

refer,

of

another

posture,
im-

they

two

or

in

Bright,

Edmond

Mr.

if

"

found

be

John

Mr.

Arnold,

Durham,

will

or

(one

Kuskin

of

theory

opinions
certainty speak.

with

Mr.

to

ther

on

beliefs

whose
cannot

Thackeray,

Edwin

inexplicable

Home

Mr.

to

be

to

139

guish
distin-

to

remarkable
nature

in the

brieflyrelate

the

1864,

year

in

an

to

ensuing

chapter.
Besides

named,
Home
that

Spiritualists

very many
in London

they

were

Marchioness
Geraldine

persons

of whom

present

at

and

came

I know
stances.

investigators already
stances of Mr.
to the
only
The

this

one

names

fact
of

"

Mr.

the
Paget, Lord
Houghton,
Miss
of Hastings,
Lady
Londonderry,
of
Friswell, author
Jewsbury, and Mr. Hain

Lord

Buckle,

"The

the

Gentle

Clarence

Life," may

be

of

interest;

but

of

experiences and opinions of these inquirers I can

from
nothing with certainty ; though it is evident
Home
that
she
letters of Lady Londonderry to Mr.

the
say

the
was

LIFE

140

several

at

present

MISSION

AND

OF

HOME.

that

stances, and

considerable

her.
on
impression had been made
the
of 1 860
circle of Mr.
During the early months
widen
Home's
to
English acquaintances continued
had
been
not
brought
steadily,but as yet his name
before
the
In
ever,
public.
August, 1 860, howprominently
produced by the appeara
startlingimpression was
ance
article
Fiction
than
in the
of the
Stranger
*'

"

Magazine,

Cornhill

at

height of

the

the

Mr.

its

popularity,

article

As
was
signed,
unThackeray.
Mr.
Kobert
of
it lost the weight that the name
otherwise
have
would
given to it ; and Thackeray
for
having permitted the publicabitterlyattacked
tion
his hasty and
which
of statements
ignorant critics
edited

and

Bell
was

set

then

down

by

as

pure

invention.

the fate of
reproached with over-credulitywas
mena
inquirer into the phenointelligentand honest
every
of Spiritualism whose
experiences conflicted with
the
accusation
the prejudices of the public, but
was
have
especiallyunjust as regarded Thackeray, and must
attributed
to Dickens
galled him deeply. As the verses
the man,
of all his
emphatically
say of him, he was
To

be

"

knew

time, who

combined
him

rendered
He

had

had

occurred

Mr.

most

of them

Home's
in the

without

stance

Home,

ledge,
know-

shrewdness,

had

scepticalof mankind.
testing the phenomena that
had

asked
you

have

availed

spirit. Many

Home,
ever

"Who

was

met?"

and

Thackeray."
place, I
in
lecturing tour
"

any hesitation, answered,

first introduction
to Home

at which

that

and

Thackeray's
believe, during the
great writer's
for thinking
America.
My reason
remember
a description given by an
a

and

and
presence,
incredulous
most

afterwards, a friend
years
the most
scepticalinquirer
Home,

"

men

great natural

his

with
the

of

most

wary
opportunities of

in

himself

the

so

took

is

that

well

lady

American

of

present in the States with

ment
Thackeray being also present, and of the amuse-

caused
of

to

she

her

was

by Thackeray's

floor,table, and

everything in

minute
the

tions
examinaroom,

in

his

ENGLAND.

persistent determination
he

supposed
witnessing.
of

"

his

and

honest

testimony
fact

was

he

that

by

fearless

the

more

had

far

I do

produced

were

he

did

and

editorial

he

for his

vouched

he

in

him

say

belief

intimately

in

London

of

December

(Mrs.

with

that

manifestations

the

that

Bell's

Most

and
No
ever

the

at

?)M.

Bell

his

It took

Home.

G.

either

to

able

to

present

was

the

Park

end

of

Lane

of

sister

Lady Home.
profoundly sceptical by nature

Thackeray, but as frank and candid,

close, intelligent,and
a
dispassionate observer.
has
better
of the
account
physical manifestations
narrative
been
given than his lucid and unbiassed
Comhill^ written
place on
record, as

results

of

temper

equally remote

foolish

credulity.
the

by

As
mass

him

befitted

of

series

by

testimony

with
a

other

no

candid

aim

when

reality of
readers

in

seen

what

and

what
mine."

the

in
investigations conducted
a
from
and
unreasoning prejudice
for the
his
reception accorded

of

the

public, Bell

had

the

I would
I

to

questioned the savant

Bell
magnetic phenomena.
first lines

very

not

cannot,

have

of his

believed

article
on

therefore, expect

your
you

fully

ignorant

poet

certain

than

inquirer, the

of angry incredulityand
anticipatedthat storm
derision.
Quoting the reply of Dr. Treviranus

upon

an

incredible

towards

in

in

friend

in the
to

the

Hope,

less

was

he

place

residence

article,

faith

good

which

at

probably

Comhill

the

published

stances

1862,

Miss

or

Robert
than

the

the

entirely in
Thackeray ever
got

had

of

identify one

Bell's
of

because

certainly abandoned
as
the supposition that they could
be attributed
delusion
I have
only been
or
imposture.
note,

author

publishing

spirits.

friend

old

the

was

the

to

was

convinced

been

not

the

when

; but

not

action

disembodied

by

dupe

commendable

himself

entertain

to

as

knew

he

wonders

attributed
who

one

any

that

trickery

credulous

been

and

spite of himsel"
so

of

the

of the

bottom

have

"

Fair

Vanity

the

character

would

unearth

to

at

The

last that

very

be

to

141

to

the

told

his

as

ridge,
Cole-

"I

have

testimony,
to

believe

LIFE

142

"

It is not

be

to

OF

MISSION

AND

expected,"

he

HOMK

writes, later

"that

on,

phenomena, should
here
Yet
a
complacency.
story as this with
is a fact which
undoubtedly took place,and which
not
canknown
be referred
to
physical or mechanical
any
those
It is not
who
forces.
to
a
satisfactoryanswer
such
have
seen
things, to say that they are impossible ;
since, in such cases, it is evident that the impossibiUty
of a thing does not prevent it from happening.'*
who

any person
such
read

In

is

the

words

by

eleven

Crookes

after

expressed

in

Wheatstone

stone.

conclusion

the

years

him

italicised,Robert

have

his
had

reply

Bell

arrived

Mr.

at

written, with

and

Wheat-

Charles

Sir

to

pated
antici-

by
experiments,

exhaustive

and

repeated

by

to these

stranger

regard

to

of

one

"It
to me
experiments with Home:
appears
contrary to all analogy that a force acting according to
of a lever by
produce the motion
physical laws should
acting on its fulcrum."
I entirely agree.
In
Crookes,
this," replied Mr.
the
the
trace
I, too, cannot
analogy between
psychic
force
force
and
a
acting according to known
physical

Crookes'

"

"

laws.

facts

the

Yet

recorded

in my

for

true

are

papers

all that."

of

In

presence
and
Crookes
to

open

it

Mr.
to

"

such

experiences

Bell, Science

those

as

had

but

carefullyinvestigate

of

two

Mr.

courses

subject, or

the

to

content
to
was
deny its title to investigation. Science
the easier
and
as
adopt the latter course,
speedier way
of arriving at a conclusion
in so
doing it ceased
; but
to

be
I

science.
have

long and
quoted
he

that

not

seized, and

phenomenon

emphatic

give in

into

Robert

extenso
a

former

the

that, without
air.

any
evidence

His

at
repeatedly witnessed
the
playing of an instrument

Home,

contact

to

In
interesting narrative.
his testimony
concerning

melted

Mr.

space

of
:

"

mortal

hand,

is

no

less

Bell's

chapter

detached

hand

eflfort at

drawal,
with-

as

the

to

another

stances
without

conclusive

of
the
and

ENGLAND.

"We

heard

ground.
Apart

from

"

hands

the

the

space
freedom

requisite
breath.
wail

The

of

the

would

for

in

with
a

of

some

instrument

the

bold

of divine

should

being

it

listened

passages,

out
within

with

out

with

the

on

being played
being played

drawn

strange

ky

transitions, with

the

reverberation;

the

suspended

running through it. The

delicacy than its power.

astounding

an

strain

its
its

of

full

its

of

We

extent.

where

fact of

of its

admit

not

less remarkable

through the room

subsiding, sank into
"That

was

pathetic sweetness

swelled

notes

the

wild, and

was

play

to

consideration

its full

to

air

most

no

was

the

wonderful

which

narrow

beginning

less wonderful

^no

"

accordion

143

tion
execu-

When

sound

rolled

then

gently

tenderness.

hands
is a proplayed without
position
which
be expected to accept.
The
whole
nobody can
story
will be referred
of the
the whole
to one
of
categories under which
these
sense.'
It will be discarded
are
phenomena
consigned by 'common
fraud.
Either
delusion
heard
as
or
we
a
a
imagined we
it,
hear
and
did
there
not
under
the
or
it,
was
some
one
really
table, or
mechanism
to produce the result.
set in motion
some
was
of delusion
Upon the likelihood
testimony is obviously worth
my
With
nothing.
speak more
respect to fraud I can
confidently. It is
in
that
small
to say
so
a
scarcely necessary
circle,occupied by so
who
were
inconveniently packed together, there was
persons
many
for a child of the size of a doll,or
for the smallest
not
room
piece of
machinery to operate.
"
But
need
not
we
speculate on what
might be done
by skilful
in confines
since the question is removed
contrivances
out
so
narrow,
of the region of conjecture by the fact that, upon
strument
holding up the inin
in
the
with
the
one
handy
full
mysdf
light upon
open
room,
strains
emitted, the regidar action
were
it, similar
of the accordion
I should
visible agency.
And
add
going on without
that, during
any
it
in conbecame
difficult
the
loud
and
vehement
to
so
hold,
passages,
with
which
of the extraordinary power
it was
played from
8equence
I
the
both
hands.
that
with
This
to
obliged
was
below,
top
grasp
I witnessed
the same
result
not
a
solitaryone.
on
experience was
the
held
when
others.''
instrument
different
occasions,
was
by
an

be

"

Bell
honest
the

was
one.

circumstances

writing
well

Did

knew,

the

accordion

he

describes

falsehood,
would

and

man,

sane

be

the
to

widely respected as an
under
play in his hands
he deliberately
was
; or

only

result

of

which,

him
upon
credible
other

bring

as

storm

he
of

Were
the
witnesses
obloquy?
many
recorded
have
similar
a
equaUy telling falsehoods, who
intellect
"Yes"
The
that answers
canexperience?

be

not
too

from

who

and
I

"

Gully

it

myself

to know

that

it

in

October,

i860,

of

Malvern,

who

Bell's

for

played,

was

at

end,

other

the

good

had

and

"

wrote,

pulled

vehemently

was

been

testimony.

time," he

short

appeared
had

accordion

the

when

fullyconfirmed

held

reason

Star,

stance

only

are

"Yes."

answer

Dr.

the

at

unfortunately there

and

Morning

letter

present

will

who

many
In
the

with

reasoned

HOMK

OF

MISSION

AND

TJFR

144

and

that
wisely surmised
; unless
by Mr. Home's
toes, as has been
of
end
the
gentleman has legs three yards in length, with toes at
of spirits. For, be it stated,
them
as
quite as marvellous
any legion
that such music
heard
grand at
no
was
we
ordinary strain ; it was
as
and
long-drawn, to a
times, at others
pathetic, at others distant
can
degree which no one
imagine who has not heard it. I have heard
ment
instruof the
Blagrove repeatedly ; but it is no libel on that master
did produce such
that he never
to say
exquisite distant and
instrument
The
echo notes
played,
those which
as
delighted our ears.
and
Home
from
at
distant
of
the
too,
yards away
parts
room,
many
not

from

all of us."

of

One
stance

present
had

the

that

most

was

the

then

been

levitation

the

the

the

]Mr.

persons

lights

The

Home.

lute
not^in absostill distinguish objects with
from
through the windows

of

and

remarkable

same

startled

and

the

they could
light came

help of what
gas-lamp outside,

the

at

of

put out, but

darkness

phenomena
impressed

sitters

were

fire that

the

dying

was

in

grate.
Mr.

"

Homo,"

writes

tlic semi-darkness

K^ll,

**

seated

was

the

next

Through

window.

against the curtainSi and

Presently
a
heap before him.
he said in a quiet voice, My
chair is moving
^I am
oflf the ground
"lionet
notice
tiUk of something else ;' or words
effects"
me
to that
Home's
be remarked
(In ex^Uanation of tlieso woivls, it may
that
of
the
of
levitation
phenomenon
o^ixwuco
that, until he had
was
his hai\ds

his head

bo

might

"vas

in

soeu

visible

dimly

faint white

"

"

risen

aWve

the

tho

i"Artof the

the

fotve
**

not

It

was

very

uumixi\l

tv^pio.
hands

but

circle,any

present ap|x"ai\\ito

dithcuh/'

we

the

ptvxluoe the

to

with

was

of

persons

Wv"rk

at

awakenevl

heads

manif

ov^nlinue^
serious

lUv^w

movement

have

the

effect of

disapjxvAt fivnu

noAr-y

the

*"

his

the

restrain

to

fooling:, which

op^wsiiiMr.

t4bh\ and

on

checking

eolation.)
Boll,

these

talkovl, incv^heIvntly
enough,

s^niuj:

excitement

or

upon
Homo

head

cuiiofiity,

some
:

vanish

words

few

and
into

indifferent
I

saw

A"

his

fleep

I need

"

(and

in the

air,

the

was

Bell

which

had

description of
Bell

Dr.

and

included

been

Comhill

Gully,

the

in

I may

letter

"

present

Gidly

Star.

Gully,

the

that

"

several

to mention

that

in

writer

curious
Here

evening.

"

for

addressing

rience
expe-

Dr.

which

whether

and

Robert

distinguished littSrateur who

was
asked
the supposed spirit
(Robert Chambers)
them.

of his father
us

positively

remarkable

witnessed

were

occasion

unable

evening,

omits

that

Robert

writer. Dr.

Morning

Dr.

wrote

to

Mr.

on

been

had

the

to

devoted

Besides

present

stances

large portion

naturally

I have

of the

which

of

one

sitters

Magazine

phenomena

is

Chambers

add,"

Comhill

invented

not

was

sentence

every

several

and

well-known

course

in his

related

the

the

Dr.

Chambers.

of

incidents.

whom

solicitor

present

its various

identify,and

is

Hall)

Mrs.

remarkable

most

article in the

of his

the

opportunities to

the accordion
out
during which
played withlifted
hand
was
touching it, and Mr. Home

human

**

all

stance

The

to

does

so

HOME.

OF

taken

have

add

not

say I endorse
in the article."

at

MISSION

AND

LIFE

146

he

at

us,

the

favourite

play his

he

added

of

time

how

conceive

cannot

would

it will

The

effected

be

accordion

father's

my

bsdlad

death,

so

if his

; but

air is not

played, I pledge myself to tell you

Almost
of the
immediately the flute notes
dion
accorthe floor)played through
Ye
(which was
upon

favourite
so.'

banks

and

alluded

He
'

assured

to

whilst

the

which

flute

Summer'

told

us,

had

been

was

and
the

same

the

air

his

Last

father's
of

Rose

This,

note.
to

air,

instrument.

air of
The

gentleman

favourite

favourite

favourite

in

the

father's

his

father's

Scotch,'

played

was

gentleman

was

his

was

not

was

us

Doon,' which

for another

asked

then

o' Bonnie

braes

which

he

the
had

alluded."
Dr.

Gully
Shelley. He
this

attended
in

the

was

same

stance.

introduced

not

as
"

letter to the

yet

I have

to Mr.
a

Home

by Lady

Spiritualist when

endeavoured,"

Morning Star^

"

to

he

show

he
wrote

that,

ENGLAND.

the

regards

as

there

machinery

or

existence.

have

adequate to produce or account

How,
then, were
they produced

for their

believe

been

that

no

we

are

very

facts

one

of the

most

him

from

hardest

and

known

had

the

the

from

with

Introduction
for

and

Mr.

not

was

this

attitude

Home

to

of

article, or
which

Appendix
that

he

Robert
In

reserve.

day,

in the

but
with

i860

did

Chambers
end

Home

and

of

the

on

the

did

become

in

1859,

the

were

the

The

that

scepticism,

asked

His

to

first conviction

to
at

Chambers

ance
acquaintin
to

be

publish

the

converting

part of the
that

the

much

established

borne

by
Lyon

continued

is

courage

of

in

in
Spiritualist

was

It

the

wrote

with

and

tion
connec-

it to

was

subject of identity, as

unknown

it

abandoned

more

have

the
displayed, on
of matters
communicating,
were

work

autobiography.

one.

means

knowledge
assured

joint-

remarkable

could

men

become

had

never

the

in

he

year
connection

following.

years

Chambers

that

not

began

regretted that he
experiences that
for few

he

was

sign
kindly

give an affidavit in
lawsuit, and honourably consented.
Robert

he

published

to

first volume

till 1867

; and

mentioned

be

name

Home's

one

reputation ; and from

a
unwilling, after becoming

Comhill

Bell's

not

prevent
the

outspoken
Chambers

was

for his

was

let his

to
Spiritualist,

It

he

motive

same

its

by

care

of

he

of

been

Ritchie,

Creation."

of

Vestiges

1863

pubUc

did

time

have

at

agent

remarkable,

of materialists
to

from
frame

to

the

men,

same

Leitch

with

together

anonymously,

genial of
the

far

fact that

The

friends

intimate

startled

The

Chambers.

kindly and
being at
dogmatic

most

his

by

author,
**

of Robert

that

was

know

very
which

"

enough upon
build
laws
or
theory regarding
any
any
work
in their production."
If ever
conversion
to Spuitualism were
a
it

mena,
phenoby trick

accumulated

having

wonderful

most

contrivance

and

not;

and

principal

could

147

him

mony
testi-

by

the

intelligences
was

well

Home.
which

intelligent and

impar-

148/
tial observers
that

was

the

present
fact

second

what

the

persons
and
under

from

entities

What

himself;

but

it

friend

whom

death
the

reasonably expect

life

facts of his

the

with

In

the

of

case

last

the

inquirer
that
only
find

we

decide

to

class

one

that

claims

ours

of

inteUi-

an

be

to

tion
ques-

that

of

separated from us, we

may
something of
spiritto remember
earth.

on

investigator present

one

separate
and, if so,

has

from
messages
remarkable
most

of Home,

present

the

were

had

If

conclusive.

be

of

or

Or

answer

obvious

was

But

unexplained

an

phenomena

could
Each

communicating

gence

the

beings
spirits?

proof

affirmative

proofs could
a

human

of

amount

in the
for

the

Home

conditions.

produced

disembodied

they

were

unknown

that

intelligences

of

present, acting in

other

those

that

was

that

it

arrived,

intelligence.

by

Was

intelligence?

manner

them

to

governed

were

Home

manifestations

the

part in

no

demonstrated

manifestations

by

had

imposture

of

stances

the

at

HOME.

OF

MISSION

AND

LIFE

lost friends

the

at

would

be

stances

frequent,

be
proofs of identity would
after
might be present at stance
given : another person
of the kind.
receive
stance, and never
a
Why
message
The
the
often
not?
asked; and
question was
reply
that
life beyond
the
the spiritsgave
is, like our
was
the

and

own,

subject to

conditions

and

deed
differingin-

restraints,

and
conditions, but often
earthly restraints
are
just as we
communicating,
debarring spirits from
from

often

unable

to

carry
Chambers

Robert

class

fortunate

out
was

our

wishes

one

of

here

the

below.

former

and

more

of

dences
investigators, the recipients of eviof
conclusive
them.
to
were
identity that
that may
for by the theory of
Evidences
be accounted
If that
thought-reading," some
objectorswill answer.
for the
theory be held sufficient to account
knowledge
*'

shown

at

Chambers

was

Cornhill

thinking

was

still remains

Home

the

to
not

be

stance
of when

he

demonstrated

touching

could

of

how
be

the

two

airs

that

put his question, it

an

induced

accordion
to

play

that

those

ENGLAND.

airs.

But

four

hundred

In
in

the

miles

where
Mr.

Mr.

S.

C.

Mr.

to

Chambers.

Her

name

had

family,
the
with
and

Home

Sloane

in

had

message

from

given

was

for

the

sion
discus-

was

rapped
of

daughter

and

C.

S.

Mr.

Dr.

Hall,

acquainted with
many
years
disbelief
that
Dr.
Chambers

his

at

Street,
Jencken,

Mr.

met
a

day,

the
had

"Incidents/'

143.
page
relates
that, as

Hall

Mr.

reference

certain

to

reluctant

to

write

to

the

the

passed

residence

of

communicated

who

and

Mr.

had

Mrs.

She

with.

died

Hall

at

an

this

sent

explaining

been

received, and
by

Mr.

T.

H.

the

Pa, loTe,' and

like
were

stance

Essex

at

Villas,

declaring

received
had

been

not

herself

as

being

on
was

Mary

"

the
a

was

Edwards

recollect

how

occasion.

test."

the

by

that

"

Humphreys

canopy
told it

at

Chambers

the

added

Hill, where
panied by her little sister, and

lomething

the

under

in

was

to
message
circumstances

Villaa, Campden
into

most

was

spirit of a sister
in reply to Mr.
early age; and
of identity that he might
token

occasion

this

on

letter

Note

Hall

described

request for some

furnish
to Dr.
Chambers,
lovCy' were
spelt out.^

evening,

one

and

Hall's

Mr.

had

he

message
that
Dr.
spirit

regret of the

accompanied

he

Chambers

to

Hill, another

Campden
the

it

although

weeks

Some

received

message

unwillingly undertook
latter, neglected to fulfil his promise.

and

to

the

private matters,

very
communicate

circumstances

'

One

was

the
For
daughter of that name.
sequel of
incident, my authority is Mr. HaU
himself, together
letters written
the
on
subject,
by Dr. Chambers
volume
in his second
quoted from
by Mr. Home

ever

of

declared

had

London.

Humphreys,

emanate

for

been

of

distance

Chambers

of business,

claimed

who

in

Hall, Mr.

that

out

Home

matters

some

at

Kobert

866, Dr.

SpiritualAthenaeum

Perdicaris, and
of

Mr.

of the

rooms

thought

latter part of

Scotland, and

the

read

thought

can

149

words,

"Tell

Dr.

Chambers,

he

with

which

under

thought

it best

present at the s^noe

oame
(formerly Chambers)
We

window
asked

curtains
for

an

it had

also

the

Pa^

him,

were

to

at Essex
aooom-

moved

explanation

of

LIFE

ISO

withhold
had

obtained

Dr.

Chambers

letter to Mr.

had

IVfr. Hall

family
particular
and

in

course

he
You

"

with

she

he

I knew

the

Home

his

other

adopt

certain

to

spirit advised;
short

wards
after-

time

action;

adding,
of

imminence

the

about

that

nothing."
this

on

as

of

result

right

dwelt

to

life."

bers'
Cham-

to

reference

did

wrote

the

was

step, of which
have

action

Chambers

related

see

of

his

words,

the

Chambers

Dr.

letter that

The

pronounced in
forwarding the

she

entreated

and

identity.
said

facts.

actual

he

remarkable

most

was

of

test

scruple in
to private affairs of

no

related

matters.
a

with

last words

now

which

message,

family

the

were

it

the

communications,"

the

Hall," accord

love'

Pa,

of

whole

that

until

made,

opinion of

back

wrote

HOME.

communication

Chambers'

The

"

one.

former

the

OF

MISSION

AND

incident

at

cause
length, beclearly quite

some

theory of thought-reading is
about
In the narrative
I am
to
now
inapplicable here.
fetched
give, such an
explanation is, to say the least, very farthat the recipient of the communication
; for it is evident
the

not

was

it referred

person
One

of the

Catherine
and

of her

of

and

"

Mrs.

We
in

room

Mr.

judge.

her
*

He

You

one

of

Miss

those

Catherine
in
to

knew

called

in the

James

Sir

when

Yes, I did

!'

in

in

"

"

in

she
He

life

means

Senior.

The

of 1861

it, writes

"

he

the

a
large drawingRegent's Park, where

the

widow

next
into

went

said

tualist
Spiri-

Adelaide

Mrs.

summer

at

seated

Ferguson,*
James

the

the

were

Nassau

with

was

Home

day,
amiability

twilightin

summer

staying

Sinclair, he

Miss

said,

Mr.

in

houses

Sinclair

circle.

that

by

present

was

were

late

her

became

narrated

place

immense

Home

chair, and
was

who

all assembled

Mrs.

experiences

took

and

beauty

Chambers,

of the

in

writer

for the

is thus

question

suddenly

"

her

Senior,

table, nor

up

of the

were

and

the

the late Miss

was

well-known

sister-in-law
in

Chambers

She, like

one

convincing

stance

of Dr.

beloved

character.

Senior,

friends

much

; and

of

thinking

moment

to.

Sinclair,

lady

the

at

me

of
;

we

an

were

Indian
not

at

trance
coming
; and
voice
peculiar trance
from
actually bounded
up
a

that

went

wishes

in

on

to

the

same

communicate

voice
with

ENGLAND.

but

you,

she

answered

love

Mr.

*OhI

for him.'

Senior

Sinclair

*'

"ut

I do

tell

me

find out'

star

glitteringin

'

Oh, look
the

to

end

doors, leading
walk
he

as

did

do

in the

over

to

all

is

conjured up
perfectly right.
something for
nothing that I

! ' but

no

his

one

room

of

to
;

them

; and

to whom

answered

and

said,

from

away

was

continues

Sinclair

moment,

it

us,

and

'

can

bright
impulsively,
a

He

except myself.
there

"

I will try

saw

said

feet,where

walked

folding
began to
his post ; and,
like a sentry on
sparkling round his head, as they
20

they

stars

seven

write

forehead,

saw

18

room,

that

Ferguson,

is,'Miss

to walk

of

centre

saw

to

paused

in front

so, we

do

and

communication

he

turned

another

down

and

up

he

of the
to

was

you
interrupted j 'there

where

Home

star

to

of Sir James

son

the

the

that

wants

requested

When

at

other

Mr.

you
and

He

your
which

'

friends

by

Upon

believe

narrates

know

not

"

was

'

she

then
to

daresay

on,

is it r

relative

Miss

surrounded

so

and

went

what
do

not

made

mind,

my
meanwhile

Mrs.

are

you

bitterly, Aye,
in

story

would

so"
*

Home

hiuL*

do

cannot

151

closed,and

were

were

he

Mr. Home
came
sky on a frosty night. In a few minutes
* No
close
the
and
to
first
one
saw
said,
again,
walking
me,
forehead
but you
that was
star in my
Henry's star.' Then, turning
Miss
he
mentioned
to
some
Sinclair,
Baden-Baden, I
foreign baths
of Sir J. Ferguson's
notice of the death
think, and I afterwards
saw
a
the
at
son
same
place.
''
Home
walked
Mr.
I ought to have
mentioned
that when
away
from
and
in the first instance, Miss
Sinclair
turned
to me,
\is
said,
in the
I he
has
been
dead
wonderful
lowest
How
whisper :
very
these thirty years ;
when
Mr. Home
instantly called out in a tone
sin kills
Don't
that thrilled
us
nothing kills but sin
:
say dead
die.'
This
live in Christ
never
through the devil; but those who
us

"

"

'

'

"

"

said

was

have

from

heard

"I

Miss

had

that

the

Sinclair's
met

never

night

far side

had

we

of

the

room,

where

no

human

see

her

words.

before, nor did I

great deal of talk, and
her

ever

hoped

to

again ; but
meet
again.

have
Sinclair had left any
often wondered
whether
Miss
impressed,and to
experience. She seemed
very much
all she heard
and saw."

When

he

by

to

in

merged
he

and
words

this

Mrs.

but

on

of what

the

the

of her

believe

fully

trance-condition

ferred
re-

identity became
intelligences communicating,
from

saw,

the

and

spoke

vision

passed. I shall
another
chapter.

had

record

on

Home's

spiritshe

awaking

subject in

the

into

Senior,

of

that

described

nothing
on

thrown

was

could

ears

write

in their

remembered
more

fully

AND

MISSION

the

letters

LIFE

52

From

of

one

appears
in May,

that

during

which

860

described
If
the
sense

he

Chambers

to

of which

his

pamphlet

friend

converts)was

in

of

the

Home's

need

with

his

all

befallen

not

only
make

him

see

of
may

is

him
of

the

quoted

message
I live with

it.

those

common

fortune

good

his

Mr.

last
who

think,

the

that

Chambers

Robert
Home

dent
indepen-

and

in his second
one

of Miss

of her

night

was

have

trust

only bounded

power
health."

...

relative

in

am,

We

from
passage
here, as indicative
of

of Mr.

my

"The

may,
Spiritualism from

to

printed by

were

written

hearing

on

reached, with

regard

letter

opinion of him, that

deserving of it, but that he

Such

has

Incidents."
be

Hall,

"

of the letters of Dr.

Several
Sinclair

Lyon :
delighted

good use
propagating

needful

the

Mrs.

think

he

point

S. C.

cognition
re-

same

manifestations

the
from

Mrs.

well-wishers, with
I

The

witnessed."

has

how

say

him.

do

greatest

of the
germ
revolution
of human
the

following extract
to

not

has

"

the

adoption by

"I

contain

spiritual origin of

Chambers

by Dr.

will

world

the
in

apparent

"

opinion

my

the

that

thought

by

stance

subject of Spiritualism,
Douglas (another of Home's
These
twenty-four pages,"

author.

the

"

wrote,

to

the

visit

the

on

Miss

greatest discovery and

is

the

been

ComhilL

the

in

early

or

in
that
Chambers
further
evidence
be asked
any
of his life was
last years
Spiritualist in the fiill
a
of his with
words
of the
cite some
term, I may

reference

he

later

April
at

present

was

months

in
have

must

it

Chambers,

Robert
late

this, therefore,

few

of

London

in

was

HOMK

OF

Miss

volume
Sinclair's

convictions

most

"

marvellous.

heard, from

my

near

Mrs.

account
Johnstone, a very detailed
Hope
tiser
of her experience and
also
of the AdverMr.
Grant's
people cannot
long resist conviction, seconded
; but
so
by manifestations
pleasing and elevating as those
of last night.
I merely
I have
relate
what
myself

witnessed,
in

such

and

all

revelations."

become

at

once

desirous

to

share

LIFE

154

lady present
mother
both

the

"

went

now

remarkable

behind

had

in the New

my

oonver-

he

home,

at

table

little round

with

for that

me

drawing-room

chapter

conversation

blessed

he

in

between

us,

Testament
.

alluded

conversation

for which

facts

are

hope,"

do

to, and

voucL

can

To

that

Spiritualism

it has

For

been
who

one

speak,

to

to

me

it

was

the

me

very

has

comfort

have

experiences

with

allusions

wonderful

to

Mr.

of

one

wish

the

G.

Mrs.
in

86

Cowper,
"I

1.

writing

Home

in

letter

if Mrs.
But
year.
its way
into print, it did
be

Cowper's
so

there

Hope-Vere.
first stance

several

are

the

describes

thank

of

summer

account

found

ever

and

anonymously,

cannot

interesting

very

impression

at

which

she

made
was

Mr.

Home,
for

you

"

Ere

admitting

shall, forget what

you
me

have

Miss

from

letters

written

one,

the

on

Sophia
in

writer

i860,

by the

present.
"

Dbar

the

in

written

identified.

Again,

**

century ago,

up

that

now

remains

manifestations

of the

great deal

had

and
till very late, thinking over
of the evening,'*she
of the wonders

was

account

an

tells Mr.

saw

make

distinguished

English society a quarter of

of

their

writers

stances

present, but the story of those

untold.
For
instance, a lady who
was

been

ornament

courage

often

letters

at which

stances

her."

concerning

Their

Home.

her

to

Senior, the

silent

been

in

friends,

her

comfort

same

had, like Mrs.

has

Home

Mr.

to

I cannot

more

"

to

the

be

may

hundred

Senior

reference

with

1866,

that

Mrs.

v^rote

November

never

that

chair, and

my

his

and

unspeakable."

"I

to

one.

These

been

"

had

the

reading

perfectly the

I remember

with

I in mine,

just been

I had

that

that

say

before, and that

were
sittingin our

we

and

his arm-chair

**

on

that

dear

my

^were

"

husband

me.

to

eight months

sation

that

Home

Mr.

friend.

departed

said

of before

HOME.

OF

of her

; and

me

spoken

comfort

to

then

husband

and

to

Mary

longed
He

''

"

(Miss Sinclair)

afterwards

soon

came

"

MISSION

AND

leave
to your

felt and

20

London,
s^nce.
heard.

the

Lane, July I7"A.

Park

I feel it due

to

you
I feel I cannot, and
I

am

thankful

I
honestly own
opportunity I had of witnessing what I must
I fear, at the
of anything
but
scouted.
outset
only doubted
and
know
how
all
I
feel
for
I
not
to
mysterious,
strange
express
"

"

for
not
so

far

ENGLAND.

the

present feelingson

my

subject

last.

may

I shall

hail with

eyer

happy to say that

meeting. I am
been
I prenot
scepticallyreceived.
faced
*
communications
them
I
do
not
to.
by
:
saying
give
my
you my
views
ideas
in what
I am
about
to tell I confine
or
myself to facts ;
like.'
draw
what
make
comments
own
impressions, and
your
you
the compliment of not doubting one
woid
of what
They have paid me

joy

opportunity

an

I narrated

what

of another

155

such

family has

to my

"

them

told

; and

and

one

all

anxious

are

Lady P. yesterday ; her feelingsare

point.
Sincerelyyours,
.

such

unwritten,

mine

at

including

and

with

Boscombe.

her

I have

of her

the

Verb."

single

stance

subsequently
eloquent of
are
history of the
belief

into

scorn

in

several

husband,

the

of

of

case

Mr.
Mrs.

at

Shelley,

Lady

stances

Home's
Milner

Gibson's;
him

frequently invited
for

materials

writing

the

Spiritualism; but of
Shelley became
a
Spiritualisther

been

in

to

to

tive
narra-

the

fact

letters

days past,"
talking of you for many
has
she writes
Home
read
in 1863.
All
the world
to Mr.
your
it
I
The
best
book
and
next
done
much
has,
believe,
good.
thing,
;
that your
to hear from
know, to seeing you was
you
you, and to know
The
island.
heart
towards
idea that
our
little,dark, foggy
yearns
at the cottage this winter, had
reallybeen established
you might have
let me
know
not
pulled it down, is tantalising; but you must
as
we
with
and
in
return
Sir
to
me
soon
as
England,
Percy joins
hoping
you
We
will come
that you
and
in all
are
spend a fortnight with us.
kitchens
but
the confusion
at Boscombe
and
of building new
ofiGices,
shall always be able nevertheless
to give you
we
a
mutton-chop.
band
You
know
I am
that
in
some
always living
day my hushopes
will have
all the comfort
horn
Spiritualism that I have had
and
if
that
is
to come
to him, it will certainly be
myself
knowledge
through you.
"

have

is

unwritten.

numbers

conversion

What

she

the

but

who

one

Lady
no
question.

We

saw

on

manifestations,

letters

her

remain

no

from

the

stances

her;

on

exists

London,

leave

J. Hope-

drew

"

her

converted

blank

who,

the

say:

must

present

that

scouted

at

cannot

that
and

same
was

that

s^ce.

with

Sophia

above, after

the

produced

experiences

who

but

witness

effect

The

as

writer

attended?
the

in unison

quite

experiences

doubted

letter

the

did

the

were

only

not

What
"

have

to

thinking and

'*

"

"

"

Direct

long."

to

Boscombe,

and

say

that

we

are

to

see

you

there

before

LIFE

1S6

of

of

letters

The

nature

cite,

at

learning of

death

the

letter

written

of Mrs.

Home

impression

the

convey
and

intellectual

once

HOME.

OF

Lady Shelley

instance,

an

as

MISSION

AND

I may

amiable.
her

by

1862,

in

"

July 17M.

*"Bo800ifBB,

Mr.

"Dear

from

received

of

news

loss.

sympathy

it must

be

for

us,

but

to

enter

that

into

the

I trust

must

which

time

to

most
comes,

Spiritualists,
separated

us

not

are

nothing beyond

sees

the

but

concerns

few

these

deem

not
"

all that

in

ones

sad

and

parting

though

will

you

such

at

take

ever

that

to

the

put oflf the earth-worn

ment
garindeed
is
it
a
glorious life,

more

Gibson

this

beloved

merely

sorrow

grave.
intrusion

time

town,

warmest

my

whenever

our

have

far diflPerent

an

for

"

leaving

Milner

Mrs.

Accept

sorrow

know

who

before

^Just

"

friend

our

your

heartfelt

from

Home,

on

interest

warm

plead

must

you

lines

my

excuse."
This
I

has

chapter

had

intended

already
close

to

itself

it

such

to

grown

here;

another

but

that

length

name

and

the

without
remark.
i860, that I cannot
year
pass
Lockhart
of the Journal
Robertson,
long editor

Dr.

suggests

in

Science,

Mental

of

critics

the

with

connection

had

been

of

one

belief.

new

Mr.

When

Home

the

Mr.

of

derisive

most

published
at Ealing,

Rymer

sittings with Mr. Home

this distinguished physician replied to it with
an
essay
of thirty-sixpages,
he demonstrated
wherein
according
the inherent
possibilit
imto the
most
approved logical methods
a

pamphlet

the

on

of
Mr.

Home

himself

declared
should
those

**

catch

drunk

with

the

of the
the

on

the

these
new

witticisms

Home

Mr.

pitying

courts

meat

Dr.

and

have

Robertson
Mr.

Rymer

with

scorn

of

on

would

that

anxious

strong
very

His

Review.

Saturday

sense

within

trod, view

in

especially

nurtured

philosophy

believers

the

to

facts.

asserted

the

and

honour

done

the

the

halls

which

inductive
that

ton
New-

sickly Spiritualist dreamers,

wine

of

follyand

credulity."

thus

ENGLAND.

These

words

Robertson
the

phenomena

very

manifestations

Of

convert.

in

written

were

was

157

he

the

remained
that

had

declared

investigation compelled
he
honestly published
very

to

denials

in the

would

be

resiilt.

be

to

accept

his

the

sible
imposfacts

as

recantations

Spiritual Magazine

former

but

unconvinced;

he

Dr.

i860,

spiritual origin of

him

and

In

1857.

of

for

April and
had
He
the courage
to append
to wish
August, i860.
his
his
to
name
testimony; but the editor
strongly
the
dissuaded
him
from
that
doing so, on
ground
injury,and possibly ruin, to his professionalreputation

the

the

of

occasion

the

Some

inquiry

Spiritualism, Dr. Robertson

his experiences.
re-state
His
testimony is that the

into
to

he

eight

raps came
floor vibrated

whole
the

in

ground
standing
it

music

the

in

by

"

the

and

table

table

Li

"

few

the

table

level
the

and
draw

and

on

head.

no

in

one

Whether

The

of

am

most

the
owned

like

table,in

the

surface,we
ground, and

the

the

from

beautiful

most

and

the
take

afterwards

that

the

that

and

was

dark

unoccupied
pencil laid on

we

found

to

is X.,

that

not

demon

by

be

sillythings

leaf

said

and

of

every
rise

between

piece

tinctly
dis-

us

did

woman's
space

this

any

as

of

up
the

paper,

eagle's
belonged to
possibilityso belong.
a

I know

light

faces,"c.

saw,

mulatto

put out,

enable

to

other's

distinctlytwice
a

to be

the

enough

each

room,

open,

it could

Robertson's)

lights were

up

so

Dr.

are

There

gas,

of

by angel, spirit,or

silliest of many

italics

window.

that

music

room,

I both

positive,and

room,

the

on

the

"

Robertson

lifted

on

played

(the

raps

the

and

X.

hand

it what

knelt

that

than

in the

by

into

window,

room

and
also while
Home,
suspended alone,
I
the
table.
heard
under
circle,
never
thing
any-

burning

the

circle

the

Lockhart
then

was

accordion

unearthly
phencnnena"

moved

else present,

one

Home,

Mr.

intimated

minutes

Mr.

about

"

being placed

the

of

with
the street
night mixed
to distinguish objects in the

summer

mena
pheno-

with

Dr.

the

these

then

was

The

or

lights were

wax

It

**

to

all

During

six

of

one

wondrous

our

floor

wrote

hands

The

of

hand

stance

the

on

"

*'

one

remarkable

most
a

Society

publicly forward

came

tremor,"

and
;

while

suspended.

so

more
^*

with

feet, all

two

the

verified

as

table

the

on

Dialectical

on

being present.

Spiritual Magazine,
about

saw

at

were

all

in

persons

The

"

witnessed

later, however,

years
by the

an

hand

not."

concerning

Mr.

Home

the

was

avoided

sceptics, that
of

presence

Ashbumer,

not

Dr.

Elliottson, Dr.

Dr.

Gully,
the

at

or

the

of his

experiences
present chapter :
"

what

; but

Mr.

Robert

"c.,

HopeSpiritualist

had

was

with

Home.

Mr.

after

presence

induced

Bell,

Miss

Senior,

in their

happened

believers

whose

first stance

her

or

ExcepTDr.

on.

Chambers,

Robertson,

he

that

only happened

so

Sinclair, Mrs.

Lockhart

Certainly wonders

wonders

persons
in the

to

Robert

C.

Miss

time

became

of

referred

are

Dr.

HOME.

Spiritudists,and

one

described

Vere,

OF

frequently-repeated assertion

meeting

in the

MISSION

AND

LIFE

158

they

belief?

their

tested in Home's
and
they witnessed
sence
prestill sceptics.
while
they were
I will quote a portion of the
more
testimony of one
with
Mr.
Home.
sceptic concerning his first stance

The

wonders

This

was

Street, who
and

letter

with

"'

I said, half

for

"

of

in the

friend

permission,

Jermyn
of

early part

i860,

subject was

the

on

of

Cox

Mr.

in

the

lished,
pub-

first volume

(p. 134) :

"

laughing, which
might expect from my
cism,"
sceptiyou
"
that
I
should
wonder
if
there
not
Pears,
were
some
under
Immediately there were
hand,
strong
raps
my

Mr.
also.

me

stance

to

friend

its writer's

Incidents

"

wrote
one

to

came

whose

of the

Pears,

Mr.

the table.
enough
"
so
Perhaps I looked dubiously at a phenomenon
unexpected ; for
like
should
I
IVIr.
Pears
be
to
Mr. Home
convinced
that
do
said,
we
he
these sounds
would
under
the
table
and
not make
perhaps
get
;
I saw
that they were
I did so ; and
while
observe.*
not produced by
visible
were
beneath,
as
they
sounding
vigorouslyas ever ;
any
agency
Mrs.
P. being witness
to their not
being produced by the hands, or
to

shake

'

other

any
"

visible

There

which

relate."

I must

"purported

to

of

part

one

was

aboveboard.

means

come"

the

stance

which
that

forciblystruck

Having explained
his grandfather's

from

the

me,

his
raps under
spirit,Mr. Pears

and
hand
tinues
con-

"

*'

Mr.
as

Home
it

after

soon

were

"

and

said

passed
:

into

Here's

scious
half-unconsingular state
tall,old, upright, Quaker-like
a

"

'

the manner
to take
and
Quaker ; then he seemed
on
yet
man,
old one
^held out
man
gesture, as closelyas a young
can, of those of an
in a
and grasped mine
his hand
that
further
to me,
reminded
me
way
in words
of my
somewhat
me
characteristic
grandfather, and addressed
of him
to speak of one
went
whom
he had
held very
on
; and
dear,
whom
he had
but from
long been separated, to his great grief ; but
not

"

ENGLAND.

tliat

they

All upon
allusions

had

happily met

this

point

which

said

was

the

in

in

159

other

world,

hroken

and

hut

way,

reconciled.

were

with

gestures and

the

and
intelligihlesolely to myself ; as
person
in
closelyupon
grandfather's
history
my
with
increased
when
was
conjunction
own.
My astonishment
my
Home's
from
Mr.
of her to whom
the allusion had
lips fell the name
made
! my
been
Mr.
Home
grandfather's daughter. Both died when
have
been
America.
must
in
I
known
have
friend
a
boy
Long as
you,
told you that my
of a Quaker
Dixon, I think I never
grandfather was
which
the
was
family,
case.
I was
ledged
by this incident astonished
beyond expression ; and acknowCox
Mr.
that
the
had been sketched, and the
to
history which
reflections upon
what
I
should
have expected might have
it,were
just
made
been
by my grandfather. I have not yet found a place in my
for
these
phenomena, but that they are genuine phenomena is
system
events

were

alluded

so

to touched

**

settled

in

mind."

my

That

might

be

deceived

hundreds

diverse

their

as

been

deluded

they

witnessed

impossible.

Were

liars," and

are

if his

life,who

in

of

habits

into

man

which

would

be

Psalmist's
even

was

testified

senses

to

had

thought

have,
the

one

never
were

as

and

all,
that

conviction
took

never

possible,there

testimony

being in the world

unconditionally the
men

whose

it

ducted,
con-

highly improbable. That

able investigators,
of sane
and

condition

by a single
phenomena

such

is

nationalities, should

of human

value

the

thousands

country and
other, and

every
each

seen

nay,

"

sceptical,

possible. That a dozen

independently
investigationswere

all be deceived

should

and

acute

is very

whose

observers,

of

however

single observer,

would

be

place

is

end

of

an

only reasonable
the sceptic who
endorsed
All
hasty declaration,
self,
himprepared to include
the

and

"

facts

that

his

prejudices

rejected.
To

the

those

who

have

which

Mr.

Weld,

rash

of

denials
seen

who

have

only respond

can

in his

those

"

Last

Winter

in

in

not

seen,

the

words

Rome,"

tells

tion
by Thackeray shortly after the publicaOn being
of Bell's article,"Stranger than Fiction."
for having permitted
reproached, at a dinner in London,
us

uttered

were

such

an

article

Thackeray,

says

to

Mr.

appear

Weld,

in

the

Comhill

tranquillylistened

Magazine^
to all that

LIFE

i6o

his

critics

had

MISSION

say

who

you,

what

have

replied

then

and

probably
talk

to

HOME.

OF

have

manifestations,

spiritual
seen

to

for

well

very

AND

witnessed,

as

do

you

is

all

seen

never

any

had

but

hold

would

you

It

"

you

different

opinion."
Professor

Challis,

stance

of

the

to

write

so

must

1862:

abundant

given

careful

given

in

possibility
be

but

evidence

be

had

Cambridge,

at

and
admitted

of

up."

"In

been

never

those

who
the

short,

certifying

be

such

facts

as

by

human

are

tronomy
Asat

examination
him

compelled

testimony
that

consentaneous,
to

had,

of

present

unprejudiced

and

by

Professor

Plumierian

the

either

reported,
testimony

has

been

the

facts

or

the

must

went

of the

record

letter from

Tolstoy'sfirst

wife.

his

to

interesting

the

Count

in

evening preserved

London

HOMK

translate

convinced,

away

OF

MISSION

AND

LIFE

x62

17th, iS6a

June

spite of
journey
stance

it

the

pain

to

London,

^t6

in the

o'clock

It is two

"

gives

to be

me

for

; I

morning

away

renversarUe). Botkine
wishes

; and

shut

to

brother

"

himself

you
been

has

doctor

and

of the

and

bock-Fermor,
manifestations
every

of

table

accord.
the

of

middle

have

you

article

de

dame

present

placed

the

room

itself
a

another

on

bell

in the

rose

the

Gibson

Milner

Stein-

occurred

all the

the

on

took

room

^the

"

at

light being reduced,

moving of its own
into
table; a sofa moved

then,

the

in

whole

Alexander

there

First

compagnie.

witnessed

furniture

Trade),Count

of

Board

^is converted

"

Nicholas

"

(wife of the President

(cette

stay the

what
he
has
over
seen.
day indoors, to meditate
rather
choose
not
did
to be
!
unwell,
donkey
^being
There
s^nce.
were
myself, Botkine, Mrs. Home, Mrs.

in

regret my

overwhelming

to-morrow

up

don't

the

of

; and

left Home

just

from

sdance

this

have

to

air and

all round

went

the

ringing as it floated.
sat almost
in
put out, and we
Finally the remaining lights were
the
only the faint light that came
darkness; there was
through
The
from
window
a
gas-lamp outside.
no
piano played with
one
it ; a
itself
bracelet
the
from
of
Milner
Mrs.
near
arm
unclasped
it lay surrounded
Gibson, and fell on the table, where
by a luminous
Home
raised
from
the
and
I clasped his
was
ground ;
appearance.

apartment,
"

feet while

he

knees

laid themselves

and

it dissolved

one

table.

sheet

upon

it, Love

that

that

the

of

her

struck
Whai

"

to

hands

were

and

he

it.

The

saw

very

Raps

Home

faint

voice

as

the

under

of

passing

before

Milner

Gibson

made

s^nce,

but

the
the

cold

into
Hom"

There

on

tears
of

one

windows
window

him."

were

come

and

round

hammer

were

the

in

eceptie,are
when

circle very distinctly,

Home's

s^nce

the
his

His wife
eyes.
chairs,but I did not see

drawn

back,
the

to-morrow

this time

melted

the

After

us.

icere

mine

faintlylit by
to

with

made

me,
in

passed
to

was

writing exactly
have
compared it
heard
accompanying

of Botkine.

placed

the

promise
unfortunately Botkine

many

if

as

hands

wind

mo

without

loud

my

The

we

touched

sought to retain
pencils on the
hand, and
my

and

was

all, convinced
were

perfumes were
burning hot, and
constantly a star

curtains

so

paper

Mrs.

wafted

visible

will be

of

felt, which

them.

retain

were

thrusting itself
to give it to
always. N. Kroll.*

have, above

I have

and

table

Hands

when

and

told

mother

played.

the

on

was

letters.
it

There

her

the

would

hands

tried

of

while

piano

were

heads.

our

hands

came

paper

alphabet

resembled

air above

in my

grasp.

my

of

the

written

with

in

in

the

through

the

floated

was

not

and

gas

hands

outside.

evening to a
invited, as

were

Mrs.
fresh
there

ENGLAND.

Two
Countess

another

later

days

letter

husband

her

Tolstoy by

stance

163
written

was

"

I had

headache

dress-coat

my

There

were

Lord

de

daughter

the

in

went

thousand

one.
was

Home.

the

at

The

s^nce

Paget,
physician

brother,
two

table, where

by

was

each

distinct
and
distant, but very
agreeable
his
knee
Clarence, feeling
clasped, wished

^which

"

holding it ; and
he
finding anytiiing,

when

was

This

him.
The

three

Home

time

lords

while

the

present

were

Count

The

"

of

rest

us

placed

did
at

Home,
observing

were

Tolstoy*s words,
by
by a note added
apartment

lighted by

was

stance

in

s^nce
to

make

what

"in

went

lamps

the

his

air

the
a

my
Home

Mr.
two

touch
on

"

play
very
Lord

hand

that

in

"

without
ing
touch-

was

my

presence.
; and

under

did

the

table,

are

plained
ex-

above."

on

presence,"
:

and

the

it.

knee
that

first time

search

room
as

echo

repeated

the

for

not

accordion

was

the

Home

good

an

hand,^another

float

not

hand

my
my

of

fail,at the invitation

not

still felt,besides

the

to

me

Mrs.

so

saw

there

after

Alice^
of

boy

was

means

no

; Miss

and

there

note

and

being held;

without

things.
Dufferin,

nice

very
children

phenomenon.

new

her
;
The

these

see

Lord

celebrated

not

leagues to

Clarence

Lady

Gibson

Mrs.

room,

for every
first,but there

and

xS6a

igthJunct

yesterday ; however, I put on

s^nce at Mrs. Milner
to the

sort

Ashbumer,

but

enough

gone

Lord

George, and

of

were

have

Milner

Mrs.

worst

tie, and

white

and

present
Tablet, Dr.
of

the

of

I would

Gibson's.

age

second

''LoNDOH,
"

the

describe

to

the

to

"

several

candles

wax

the

passed into another room,

over,
company
stayed behind
except Lord and Lady Clarence Paget and myself, who
felt
I
raised
from
the
myself
ground; and
conversing. Suddenly,
knelt down
and passed his hands
between
said so to Lord Clarence, who
of the fact."
the carpet, to satisfyhimself
and
feet
my
and

when

the

Tolstoy
last

and

had
on

Home
members

the
to

never

not

great joy

a
pay
written

again till

meet

of the

second

count,

visit to

without

his

Count.

writer, there

intended

to

If there
were

none

second
are

flaws
in his

the
in

good

the

year

firiend

Russia.

at

The

pressing invitation
;
the
spring of 1865,

in
arriving from America
found
charming kind of round-robin
a
of the Tolstoy family awaiting him

Hotel, and
the

to

consented

former

did

Home

and

1865, when,

was

from
at

the
Cox's

following letter from

the
English of the
heart.

LIFE

64

HOME.

OF

MISSION

AND

^Deeember, 1864.

**

My

"

letter

my

and

from

to

that

tell you

how

us

will

be

the

has

see

dear

"

come

of

another

cher

by a
impossible

till

our

family

adds.

if you
dear
my

of

member
I

"

Come

see

and

again,

you
come

"

shall

we

Countess.

the

to

six ;

hope

come,

"

Venez,

"

the

men

the

concluding appeal addressed

has
no
correspondent who
English. It
is

to

not

and

be

Come,

writes

**

come

sorrows."

glad

so

and

again,

you
all would

we

every
v^ords.

be

aga

x^resence,
desire, and

summer.

for your

Daniel,"

three

months

I write

wife, and
us

not

your

four, five, and

Home,"

him

with
Now

few

shall

^we

friends

write

required

invitation,

Mr.

the

you

received

have

you

to

agree

my
with

penned

"

sent

me,

distraction

good

household
you,
Please

us.

remain

afraid

am

happy I,

and

enforce

To

with

winter

more

visit

friend, it

"

once

to

come

the

pass

Daniel,

Poustineka, which
living with
persons
would
perhaps
you

all the

I,
expected
here

Friend

dear

and

yield ;

for

started

Home

to
was

Russia

forthwith.
Steinbock-Fermor

Count
London

in

in

stance

the

in

86 1, at
of

residence

Mrs.

Home

were

the
Howitt

(the

W.

Wilkinson.

M.

seq.)both

et

"

Mr.

Home,"

by

have

for I find

remained

him

have

or

at

present

7, Cornwall

Terrace, Regent's Park,

whom
and
Mr.
Parkes, with

Mrs.

staying.

circle

included

the

Howitt
the

Mr.

and

of

Incidents"
and

latter,"

now

Mr.
held

bock-Fermor,
SteinWilliam

Mrs.
Mr.

phenomena
**

Count

Besides

authors),and
The

Mr.

wrote

then

in

either

Tolstoy's departure,

year

well-known

described

were

after

i860

following

the

returned

must

and
this

(vol.i.

Mrs.
stance

183

pp.

Wilkinson.
the

accordion

in

his

right hand beside his chair,and it at once

began to play. He held it
the
the
of his
out
bottom,
keys being on the top, and therefore
by
reach.
It was
I carefolly
them.
impossible that he could touch
examined
the instrument, opening the slide beneath
the keys ; and
I
found
usual
mechanism
it to be a common
with
the
instrument,
only
of the keys.
There
was
nothing inside it. I looked
steadily at it,
with
which
and
hand
and
There
he
held
it.
it was,
at the
fingers
sounds
his
being pulled up and down, and discoursing sweet
; whilst
hand
could
I
above
was
see
stationary and his fingers motionless.
and
beneath
the instrument^ but
visible cause
there was
for its
no

ENGLAND.

motion,
the

for the

nor

opening

shutting

the

of

which

keys

caused

musia
"

When

hand,

it ceased, my

and

we

to

accordingly given

was

play.
she

and

She
did

and

had

once

I did

do

not

public

an

I also

whom

men

"There
writes

beautiful

music

hand

when

same

at
saw

I touched
The

the

myself,"

and

stance,

same

by

taken

were

and

artists

stances

were

held

handed

this

at

house

authors

from

had

held
note

in
and

son).
Wilkin-

M.
on

of

us.

ever

We

bouquet
each

to

'*

fonier
chif-

I
...

saw

own.

my

times."

were

their

play

(Mrs. W.

distinctlyas

as

and

"

lady

others.

cannot

other

experience."

Howitt

of

who

Home,

several

that

many

accordion, when

on

distance, and

met

similar

the

Howitts

he

and

Lyndhurst

played

stead;

and

own

Mrs.

I know

several

held

one

...

had

have

the sounds.

hand, when

Lord

Howitt

spirithand

to make

and

Flowers

"

sounds, which
in

Steinbock,

Mr.

by

up
the

my

that

name

William

Count

the

play

three

her

pleasure
trying. It
it began
in her
right hand
and
drawn
forcibly down
;
must
keys, which, however,

opened
in

besides

were,

Mr.

and

know

I could

Russian,

one

touched

accordion

it.

touch

not

in

played

much

whilst

distinctlylifted

be

not

emitted

have

her, and

could

been

if it could

instrument

it would
to

felt it

not

necessarilyhave
have

the

that

mean

asked

wife

immediately

took

to

and

165

time

the

was

of London.
there

number

living

86

of

new

half

of

resort

of Mr.

Several

in

Hamp-

near

the

Home's

and

subsequent
investigators on

years ;
these

occasions.
The
are

letters

and

numerous

to

the
as

few

of Count

Steinbock-Fermor

interesting.

1 86 1
year
the writer

One
the

discusses
,

it, and

viewed

to

his

firiend

of them,

belonging
philosophy of Spiritualism
is annotated

with

remarks

^some
by Mr. Home"
endorsing, others
I give part of
rejectingthe propositions it contains.
with
this
annotations
long letter, bracketing Home's
the statements
they refer to :
"never
Steinbock-Fermor,
"Spirits," writes
wholly
a

"

cease

to

be

linked

with

matter."

not.)
(Cer'tainly

continually progressing, they put

more

correctly,

first state

of

difference

being."

"

between

distance

more

them

and

"

"

In
or,

their

(Through refinement.) "They

AND

LIFE

i66

attain
God

it is

but

which

farther

of the

force

vital
The

of

without

passed

had

most

experience
of Mr.

words

of

"

force

he

and

the

While

June,

and

the

the

"

to

Had
he

London,

860,

tion
perfec-

absolute

at

hardly
drain

constant

knew

of

during
only
he

all

much

see

as

he

remained

his

the

in

vital

on

he

quired
re-

exceptional
energies, and
long enough.

not

his

saw

others

that

on

his

which

was

day

health.

stance

exhausted

its

psychic force

drain

after

that

day

would

of

evolution

corresponding

well

; but

desire

eager

arrive

never

holding daily stances,

rapidly worse

^the

injurious eflfects on Home's

had
that,
taught him
years

by

interval

approaching
adyance

can
"

and
;

period of repose
a
organisation might recruit
that

without

arbitrary limit set.)

May

Crookes,

accompanied

is

from

perfection

can

no

stance

their

(We

there is

months

the

In

farther

to

created."

perfection^and

One

(Yes.) "Spirits

last attain

at

is
Spirit who
geometrical proportion,

to

and

infinitude."

they

HOME.

the

to

comparable

removes

until

OF

resemblance

nearer

MISSION

health

regarded

grow
their

was

tations.
possible of the manifes-

as

few

months

longer in
prostrated himself

have

probably

friend
No
not
who
to
a
utterly ; for he could
say
pressed him to sit, and believers, inquirers,and sceptics
hundred
for
stances.
were
by the
besieging him
There
from
his surnothing for it but to escape
was
roundings
for a
the
and
towards
end
of
time;
July,
"

"

i860, Mr.

Mrs.

and

Home

went

friends

visit to

on

in

France.
I have
stances

already referred to the fact

in
i860
took
place at Mrs.
the

Probably
held

at

point
the

her

described

house

I cannot

in

by

"The

into

the

Mrs.

other

describes, among

large table

of stances

accounts

written

air,

table,"

Place,

out

writes

least

given

in the

Gibson

phenomena,
of reach
Mrs.

but

At

Milner

the

of the

Gibson,

the

Gibson's.

Comhill

the

certainty.

of

many

Milner

in

Park

Hyde
with

speak

anonymous
was

and

stance

that

was

this

on

of

one
"

dents"
Inci-

herself;

rising of
persons
"rose

present.
in
up

ENGLAND.

the

air, and

floated

167

from

away
and

sofas
chairs
passing over
in
naturally greatly interested

This

occurred

in

in

its

above

heads,

our

We

way.

were

tation."
manifes-

wonderful

this

Milner

Mrs.

high

us

Gibson's

drawing-room,
of the
a
large and lofty apartment, estimated
by one
there
in July, i860, to
investigators present at a stance
be some
forty feet by thirty. The inquirer in question.
Mi.
James
of Wason
Wason,
Buildings, Liverpool, a
solicitor in large practice, wrote
at the time
account
an
of

what

and

in

he

had

witnessed
it to

sending
his

append
There

Mrs.

at

Gibson's,

the

had

newspaper

Milner

to

courage

name.

"one
an
M.P.,
baronets," writes Mr. Wason,
the other the heir and representative of a deceased
M.P.
of eminent
ing
ability; the wife of a distinguished living M.P. ; and others, includof the
Mr.
Home,
making eight in number
present. Neither
three
first-named
had
and
they
ever
seen
spirit-manifestations,
any
and
chat
We
desired
Mr.
Home
to
were
were
evidently sceptics.
by
talk
not
to be too
as
could, and
naturally and
cheerfully as we
had
stated
of
w
hich
he
or
a
expectant
spirit-manifestations,
eager
There
six lights burning
were
strong tendency to defeat the object
**

in

the

room.

The

"

two

were

floor shook
the

when

the
the

vibrations

paddles

notice

concurring
walls

on

the

to strike

in the

also shook

ceased
new-comers

observations
with

the

to

as

Mahomet's
less.

neath,
under

coffin, for

Invited
the
the

might be
machinery
Mr.

second

Mr.

minute

Home

by
gentlemen who
suspended table, to
applied to raise the
prop

Wason

stance,

was

was

at

nearly

or

'twixt

it

motion.

heaven

new-comers

The

table, which

The
a

at

few
least

inches
three

earth, like

and

swept

beyond

movements.

thereabouts, probably
if any
machinery

were

curred.
con-

ing
amus-

was

little

but

renewed

was

forcibly;

sembled
re-

deck
bled
resem-

which

in

deck,

to ascertain

two

or

steamer's

more

frequently lifted
the ground
from

was

thought

small

it

tremulous

tremulous

large and

all

intervals,and
very

heavy one,
very
from
the ground ; and at last it rose
remained
thus
feet, and
suspended
was

at

looks, though they said

startled

at times

steamer's

screw

motion

on

said

some

that

manner

motion

full work

motion

their

in

tremulous

or

tremulous

this seemed
to

trembled,

in

are

tremulous
This

and

and

than

more
was

with

imdertheir

legs
that

or
machinery
any prop
such
that no
table ; and they confessed

other

catch

present."
invited

which,

by

Mrs.

among

Milner
numerous

Gibson

to

manifesta-

LIFE

"I 68

tions,

accordion

an

witnessed

"

Home

table

the

crossed

it," says
sitting around
standing and stretching upwards I
about

hand,

laying hold
along with
in the

and
him

five

air, and

six paces
his
let go

or

only

against a stool.
light issuing from

...

architrave
that
**

such

was

I make

theory

hypothesis

or

facts," adds

Mr.

the

but, as
Home,

comments

no

host

friends

Hyde

Gibson

the

phrase,

Place

knew

"

consequence
Mr.
to
Home
of

owners

stance.
who

been

this

time

to

sceptic,

had

narrated

of

phenomena
and

Mrs.

as

of

numbers

to

the

her
in

stances

society

in

Gibson,

worth
knowing," the natural
one
every
of the curiosity excited
that her letters
was

which

had

filled

are

She

no

continued

wonderful

Park

advance

and

Liverpool.

at

IVIrs. Milner

room

myself simply

at

was

its

investigationwith Mr.
subsequently
was
Spiritualist,and

of

result

became

Home's

who

Wason,

of

and

adjoining

above,

me

lines

door

an

confined

I have

above

I stumbled

when

top of

and

moved

floated

hand

the

on

floor

the

hand,

he

into

door

leading
brilliantlylighted.
"

as

the

between

to reach

body eclipse two

his

saw

enabled

of his

hold

keeping

"By

from

feet distant

seven

Wason.

Mr.
was

of the

heads

the

over

persons

his

of Home's

phenomenon

room

manner

Mr.

also

He

hand.

oxvn

the outside
being faintly lit from
Tolstoy.
by Count
already described

levitation, the
in the

the

occasion

this

on

in his

played

HOMK

OF

MISSION

AND

with

well-known
for

pressing her
gives a long list on one
invited
by her and
were

the

names,

invitations

of those

occasion

waiting

were

to

their

Tennant,
including Lord Dufierin, Sir Emerson
OliLady Trelawney, Mdlle. Tietjens, Mr. Lawrence
phant. Sir Fitzroy Kelly, Mrs. Grote, Mr. Stirling,Mr.
day
Higgins, and Mr. Hayward.
Fancy my joy on Saturturn

"

night
"when
asked

at

Lady

Higgins
to

Palmerston's,"

(Jacob Omnium)

be

told

Robert

permitted
Chambers, who

was

greatly

astonished

me

and

to

writes

to
on

pleased.

Gibson,

Hayward

and

come

called

Mrs.

stance.

Sunday,
I had

and

conversa-

both
I
he

LIFE

170

MISSION

AND

generosity,finallydetermined
Not
to

herself

expose

willing

was

share
all

the

by

beliefs, and

h^r

of

appearance

have

already

been

present

took

every

fact

that

was

nervously

her

that

the

did

anxious

to

with

them.

Gibson

opportunity

not

shun

had

I
never

that

he

public

as

and

she

situation

it may
be added
of making that fact as

stance

that

husband

Milner

Mr.

friend

insult

and

delicacy of

the

his book.

dear

so

identifying himself

said
at

allowing

ridicule

brave, but

to

increased

was

the

to

it from

omit

to

from

shrink

he

did

only

HOME.

OF

the
him
less, m^ny
people annoyed
possible. None
with
Spiritualism ;
by insisting on associating his name
Roebuck
and
in 1864, when
Mr.
brought the question
of Mr. Home's
before Parliament,
expulsion from Rome
Milner
Mr.
to
Gibson,
an
appeal that he addressed
of his being a Spiritualist,
under
the
misconception

fairlydrove
the

the
^

House.

writes
"I

this
that

hold
I

that

I should

blunder
out

the

about

of
the

of

; and

as

the

torment

have

fancying

him

House.

He

well

am

dared

do

to

I cannot

one

he

says

it ; and

Mr.

of

more,

in
is

denies

his

Note

House,

and

with
So-and-so

was

H.

the

well

and

Humphreys
speech said,

"

T.

and

:
'

"
"

"

Mr.

I have

He

laughter.

Qovemment.'

of

portion

to

be

meant

say
able

it did

one,

Milner

to

Gibson

contain
and

bably
procluded
in-

ing
comment-

delicately

even

at

that

say

evidence

in

and

to

stances

Anonymous

been

knows

by their
against you,

not

of

press

him

caused

to

he

or

the

made
it drove

see

nothing

records

the

belieye

all that

though

to

Spiritualist,
by asking

Eoebuck

to

up

woman

must

irritation

knew

mind

he

was

Gibson,

Home

as

in bis

cheers

and

Milner

his

; you

appeared,

anonymous
written
by her.

book,

Mr.

by

book

to be

of

loudly
the

allow

or

How

so.

the

evidence,

no
on

the

it

idioticallymix

of

conceive

must

Home's

of Mrs.

name

so

that

"

the

provoked,

out

thinking

"

excuse
we
anything
that he had
stupidity. He said to M
that you
might be an angel all he wanted
he knew
nothing of Spiritualism."

When

of

out

less

known

man

poor

manifestations

never

about

no

stupid country they

to dream
never
they seem

ideas

independent
fancy that they

him

was

Trade

"

wife

and

of

Board

in

suppose

husband

Gibson

Mrs.

Home

to

of the

President

one

time

rose

in

when
he was
rupted
intermedium/
of
between
add,
communicating
a

'

ENGLAND.

insinuated

that

such

fictitious, and
fill his
evidence

hardly

full

the
and

all will

admit

of

6th

had

to

stay

July,

860, Mr.

de

Ceryay,
who

Tiedemann,
with

connection
French

has

stances

country-seat,

life

Home's

honourable.

as

ChS-teau

of Mons.
in

manner

the

at

name,

which

in
the

on

wonderfully

was

he

has

described

in

take

much

out-door

exercise

the

served
preInci-

"

"

recommended

"Being
at
gun

"

half

park.

to

Ch"teau

the

more

the

hour

an

Some

northern

de

that

great attraction

I need

Home

Mr.

of

end

the

"

dents

my

the

towards

to

by

(which

letters

unselfish

as

his beautiful

the

in

stay

been

September,

clear

it

lady to publish her

from
doing so by motives

residence

At

made

Gibson's

already mentioned

Holland.

have

were

himself

Home

by

that

went

Paris, the

unsigned

were

possession),that

my

have

to

as

written

Milner

Home

Mrs.

been

hope

London

Leaving
near

permission of
only deterred

was

and

been

in

are

say

narratives

had

pages.
of Mrs.

171

it

Cer9ay,''he writes,
might he said I was
for

sport has

hy railway

of the

trees

poplar, stands

are
a

of very

quarter

out

The

me.

from

"

used

shooting

Chateau

Paris, stands

mile

me

for any
tant
Cer^ay, dis-

heautiful

one

of the

the

Chateau

from

my

with

than

de
in

great height
of

during

take

to

old

largest,
at

an

the outer
angle of the park, where it is separated from
grounds hy a
To this spot^ when
there was
much
hedge.
shooting going on in the
the
used
for
shelter ; and
to
come
I, who
am
neighbourhood,
game
indifferent
but an
marksman, could get easy shots hy planting myself
the
by
hedge.
I had been
walking with my friend,Mons. T
(Tiedemann),
''and
his
this
favourite
I
bent
to
on
leaving me
steps
my
comer,
a
wishing to take home
partridge. As I neared the hedge, I stooped
and
advanced
close up
to it, I was
cautiously. When
raising my
head
I
heard
call
to look for my
when,
on
some
one
right,
my
;
game
denly
My only feeling was
surprise at being thus sudout, Here, here !
in English. The
addressed
for
desire to have
look
out
a
good
had
overruled
the exclamation
curiosity as to whom
my
game
,my
head
the
level
of
from
raise
and
I
to
to
was
come
continuing
;
my
seized by the collar of my
the hedge, when
coat and
suddenly I was
ing
crashAt
I
heard
lifted
the
instant
and
the
off
same
a
ground.
vest,
wonder.
soimd, and then all was
quiet. I felt neither fear nor
accident
had
that by some
exploded,
My first thought was
my
gun
I saw
that I
and
that I was
in the
spirit-land; but looking about
"

"

'

was

still in

hands.

My

the

material

attention

was

world,
then

and

there

drawn

to

was

what

the

gun

appeared

still in
to be

my
tree

LIFE

172

tree
no
immediately before me, where
this proved to be the fallen limb
of the
then
that
I had
been
saw
standing. I

limb

distance

fast

of

to the

I conld

as

six

half

limb
in

yard

one

The

and

earth

of the

not

and

tree

We

"

nor

trunk

in

bark

editor

of

day

or

of

the

it

day

friend

was

forty-fivefeet

I had
spot where
circumference, and
made

been
trated
penesketch

such

accidents

which

The

think

least
are

there

that

branch

about

not

been

with
of

trees

are

been
of

trees

similar

quality

for teax

remain

not

sawn

I have

uncommon

was

clearly

so

it

is

tree

there

was

at first it had

torn

will

settlers

The

happened.
decayed ; and

all

at

leaves.

the

in

not

have

might

one

the

words
"Dr.

sequel

of

for

Hoefer

Generale

paid

"

declared

such

of

complete sceptic

^a

Mons.

visit to
seance

related

satisfied with

Hoefer,

Dr.

the

in

the

Tiedeheld

was

published
Pierart

present, Mons.

persons
himself

"

The

stance.

it is best

to

of the

one

well-known

the

Biographie

asked

and

mann,

later

two

manifestations

the

to

and

trunk

the
of

breakages."

as

that

poplar, and

Australia, under

sudden

as

and

yards

very

next

branch
the

to stir

was

that

since

species

The

sixteen

height

in

it could

the

was

enough

the

informed

was

excitement,

my

from

the

inches

foot

broken

fell from

struck

to how

as

reft from

this

in

this fallen

from

aside

ran,

which

nnder

tree

branch.

one,

the

examination,

On

measured

it had

twenty-four

scarcely wind
and
ofif,

high

fallen

It

which

at least

speculated

dead

been.

thus

where

limb

standingmeasured
the

had

circumference.

part of the

had

chateau.

which

length,
in

HOMK

drawn

feet.

seven

or

"The

OF

MISSION

AND

and

answers,

"

wished

spiritsproposed that all should

Mr. Home
had
now
escaped being crushed.
proceed to the tree where
Dr.
Hoefer
still urged his questions; but
there
being no response,
The
still remained
it had
we
arm
as
agreed to proceed to the tree.
end
the
other
the
imbedded
in the
fallen,one
trunk,
resting against
it from
have
its place would
earth, so that to detach
required all the
man's
of
two
Moved
secret
a
strength
arms.
by some
impulse. Dr.
Hoefer
should
touch
with
a
proposed that Mr. Home
finger the end
of one
of the small branches.
He
did so ; and immediately the enormous
in
and
metres
in
centimetres
circumference,
length
arm,
13
95
moved
from its point of support and feU.
I had had only the testimony
to

of

the

continue

Mr.

this

Home

; but

conversation

himself

as

to the

strengthened it,and

showed

the

previous
the

at this

occurrence

operation

of

spot

something

; but

b^ond

chance."

Dr.

Hoefer

Cerjay,

and

remained

took

some

part in other

days
stances

at

the

there.

Chateau
"

Will

de
you

ENGLAND.

another
pay
writes to Home

not

he

moments

of

the

gave
try all I can

me

lift

great mysteries from

if the

day, especially
kind

are

us

Of

not

and

to

place

at

letter

that

he

succeed
that

powers

such
one

surround

Home,
able
remark-

early period of their acquaintance,

described
in a
by M. Tiedemann
French
to
journal in Januar}%
a

an

of these

one

shall

hides

stances
with
many
Some
of the most

much.

say

evenings at
entre-voir). I

me."

Tiedemann's

space

took

aid

to

perhaps

intelligent

enough

Mons.

have

us

immensity

that

veil

"

leisure

my

the

on

laiss6

of the

comer

All

wonderful

those

in France

"

meditating

to

glimpse (nCont

to

friends

your

following year.

of which

horizon

Cerjay

to

soon

devoted

are

the

visit

173

was

sent

1858:"
As

of conversing
perhaps you are not acquainted with this method
with
the invisibles,I will brieflyexplain it to you," he wrote.
The
touch
each
alphabet is written on a sheet of paper, and you
letter in turn ; as soon
reach
the
desired
as
one
or
more
letter,
you
raps
"

'*

inform

they

the

of

you

fact, and

some

down

else writes

one

the

letters

as

indicated.

are

The

of my
deceased
alphabet having been prepared, two names
relatives
The
manifestations
next
were
spelt out.
evening similar
took
One
manifestation
place,but other spiritspresented themselves.
''

remarkable

is too

and

Mr.

hand

of

see

with

glance
the

name

cried

very

whether

fact to pass

Home

suddenly,
'

child

young
wife

he

'

looked

it is

roimd

the

circle

us

be

to

exchanged

died.'

and

the
if to

as

rapid
spell

I believe, let him

as

bom

was

touched

^it seems

"

explain.

If

he

this ?

is

could

said
; and
where
place

my
of the

What

and

present

one

any

'

Hands

in silence.

over

The

word

villagein the kingdom of Kaples) having

been
the spiritof a
rapped out, we could no longer doubt that it was
child whom
lost in Italy in 1855.
Our
had
we
general ;
surprise was
His
for we
little hand
had
been
not
distinctly
thinking of him.
of
the
hands
other
well
the
as
present.
pressed mine, as
persons
Penta

of

(the name

small

death

''Is
tears

No,

still that
he

present at such
the scepticism
*

If

were

explain
A
"

these

to

But

stances.

the

see,

Phenometre;"

it wiU
who

persons
would
not

things, they

sobriquet

prestige for

lost his terrible

has

of

spectre, the

redoubtable

had
and

be

struggle

themselves
or

else,

for

Home

believe,*

so

have

who

those

hard

content

of

cause

to

with
Since

many

been

vanquish
saying,
I

cannot

"

are

been

by

impossible.'
coined
this

name

M.

in

Tiedemann

France,
and

AND

LITE

174

friends

of his

others

MISSION

HOMK

OF

sometimes

him

address

in England,
frequent resident
speaks the language well (he is still in
Home
of his correspondence with
much

"Dear
from

PhenomMre,"
in

Cairo

with

hour

at

more

or

writes

"how

life); and
English.
language

is in
that

in

regret that

Prince

Naples

about

their

Tledemann

this

certainly the one

with
Luigi talked

climate

best.

you

he

i860,

This

me.

suit

M.

letters.

in

you
that

is

would

for

me

Spiritualism

he

"

not

are

is

appointed
dis-

hearing from you."

I have
a
quoted above
portion of M. Tiedemann's
with
published description of his early stances
not

at

Home

from

letter

month

de

written

him

by

are

My

Friend,

dear

joy and
family

all my
wife and

you

for

Home

of

end

the

paid

rendered

life,your

their

to

KoucheleflF-Besborodka,
to

England

off, and

sawn

been
The

their
I

and

of

winter

did

to

the

among
Home

written

acquaintance

not

so

and

from

very
much

in

fallen

branch

London,

where

of

certain

delicate;
into

returned

request, Mons.

memento

Mrs.

Countess

then

his

having

death.

quietly passed

was

go

Mr.

the

friend

his

was

of

great

very

TiEDEMANN."

Home's

end

my

friend,

devoted
J. N.

to

in

London.

and

society

she
as

and

during

visit.

previous
find

i860

health

Home's
husband

her

thickest
it to

sent

relative, the

At

long preserved it as
snatched
by spirithands

Home

Mrs.

winter.

the

had

Tiedemann

news

for the

me

Biarritz, and

at

Ceb^at.

ds

converted

September, i860,

visit

sentiments

GhAteau

have

You

''

About

the

same

delay expressing

cannot

have

you

I am,

...

"

gratitude.

"

service.

lines

the

in

Mr.

"

"

**

few

Home

to

"

had

stances

; here

Cerjay

1858
expressive of
inspired :

January,

"

those

ChS-teau

the

at

an

in

to

he

of

London

him
had

of

letters

by
made

this
his

period

friends

celebrityof
a

few

years

the

at

giving

one

Florence,

day,

whose

previously,the

ENGLAND.

Blumenthal.

musician

Blumenthal,

stay with

to

came

175

Home

who

Sloane

in

subsequently

Street,

Spiritualisttwenty-five years ago

point I may leave his letter to speak for
ardent

^but

"

Tiedemann

Mons.

acquainted

^with

"

writes

an

that

on

itself.

by the way,
in English, and

whom,

^Blumenthal

"

was

Like

he

was

writes

it well.
$th DeeefkbcTf i860.

"Flobenob,
Mt

"

and

you

Hotel,

even

now,

well

as

as

once

as

knew

they dways
few

send

...

want

have
all you
done
to the manifestations

know

to

particulars

as

Hoeffer.

Was

Hoeffer

Mr.

time

some

heard

not

this

to

one

address.

your

days

of

news

some

you
have

you.

I received

which

written

; but

there
if you
were
yoursell
wiU
there
at all events, you
come

hope,

Mr.

that

to have

had

reached

never

me

"

Tiedemann

Mr.

England

some

of

presence

he

told

anxious

very

(Mrs. Home).
it has

you

We

both

are

through

as

return.

we

ago, there was

If you
not
are
in spring, when

since

saw

we

you,

Tiedemann's

at

convinced,

and

in

what

did

say?
for us,
that

As

"

think

not
in

our

and

here

its

eyes
There

you.

have

we
we

wouldn't

with

I wish

If

"

happens.
than

in

Dan,

and

If you
London, where
don't

inflamed
in

in

promotion
other
day

Baker

round

of

medium

here,

busy

so

resumed

have

see

each

other

to

disseminate

youth.

Herzen

but

seems

much

of tener

Good-bye,

dear

J. Blumenthal."

Home

his

no

day.
Monday
particular

some

your

friends.

sit

to

with

something

when

for

tried

we

other

or

affectionate

minds.
many
old man,
an

egotistical
; and
spiritualideas

table, but

sort

some

could

we

life is too

all here

were

you

be

not

so

of

"

were

on

The

here.

Mrs.
a

must

one

I suppose
you
tell me
Gibson's

forget your

1861,

labouring
been

be

you

acquaintance of this period was

Russian
political writer whose

banished

early

Milner

...

Another

had

I could

Mrs.

sittingsat

and

must

long lived
at the Crossmans',
our
drawing-room

have

you

I wish

in London,

are

you

could

as

known

for the

good

more

welL

as

You

Florence.

portraitis always

However,

you

Grossman

Miss

result.

can

have

Sacha's

it !

do

than

are

dear

had

we

enjoy

we

you

think

who

in

Spiritualism ; and as you are

and
talk a great deal about

for it here

people

Your

winter

moment

occasion

often

see

I wish

I suppose
where
you

for the

we
personification,

is much

we

table, and

settled

forget for

"c.
Trollopes',

the

"

as

rumour

there

"

Sacha

letter from

^We

"

I suppose

you,

Cox's
In

dear

little letter

ago
from

Dan,

dbab

met

still

insane
to

as

Herzen,

in London

enthusiastic

ideas

have

theories

wild

him

the

as

he

established

in
had
a

LIFE

176

Home

to

illuminate
the

in

the

Home

of the

much

for

Tourgeniejffwould
taking delight in
the

in

great pet,

in

the

ing
even-

made

London
that

nature

there

writer

his

have

and
in

literarygiant of

acquaintance
^Thackeray.
In January, 1861, Mr.
James

him

in

was

in

playing

great novelist

the

another

which

resembled

also

was

temperament.

own

society of children,
good deal of his time
of whom

also

in

joyousness, beneath

to

the

did

as

celebrate

to

come

famous

the

seem

spending
baby son,

Home's

with
a

of

habit

loth

"

characterised

that

fdte and

"

TourgenieflF

naive, child-like

lay sadness,

the

acquaintance

year) was

what

make

We

for he

us."

at

Russian

Still another

attracted

propagation

(of the serfs);

"

look

(I forget in

**

printing-oflSceon

take

and

1861

April,

Emancipation

HOME.

OF

for their

London

printing-pressin
writes

MISSION

AND

made

Home's

"

at

present

published
of

of

Chairman

years

what

stance

to

for himself.

"I
my
and

feel

it

testimony
tendency
Kecently

to

the

to

what

for

many

Exchange,

was

and

and

heard

wrote

from

friends

and
Hutchinson,
says Mr.
he
heard, he determined

he

duty,"

Home,

Having

witnessed,

believe

unable

Mr.

of it.

had

they

Stock

London

with

account

an

being
see

the

Hutchinson,

wrote, January 26, 1861, "to

openly bear
others
theorise
the
to
facts^ leaving
on
causes

of these

remarkable

phenomena.

by a friend to Mr. D. D. Home, a s"mce

was
23rd instant ; and together with Mr. and Mrs.
Coleman, Mr. G. S. Clarke, Mr. T. Clarke, ^Ir. Gilbert Davidson, and
another
formed
to me,
we
a
lady and gentleman unknown
party of
nine.
all felt, a tremulous
in
motion
Shortly after sittingdown, we
and
the
chairs
in
which
circular
our
was
a
table,
drawingvery heavy
"

arranged

introduced
for

the

table.

room

"

The

heavy

sounds

rapping

table

continued

raised

was

whilst

the

on

up

table

floor

and

these

repeatedly ; and

constant

were

manifestations

; the
were

seated, at
friend,Mr. Clarke, and another were
wnder
the
table.
the request of Mr.
Home,
Two
hand-bells, one
weighing at least a pound and a half, were
another
of the party by unseen
to
passed from one
agencies. All of
in turn
felt the touch
and
us
,of a soft and fleshy life-like
pressure
my

"

hand.

saw

accordion,

the

whilst

full-formed
held

by

Mr.

hand

Home

it rested

as

in

one

on

hand,

my

knee.

discoursed

The
most

LIFE

178
the

of

spring

Place

had

of

lady
Mrs.

Milner

home

from

noted

Gibson
this
her

in

with

first stance

my

journal,

have

and

Mr.

Parkes

Mrs.

Home

Mrs.

stances

held

were

of

Her

Home,"

the

truth

of

our

who

guests of

the

visit

Terrace.

rous
nume-

kept

was

she

those

their

during

witnessed

duction
intro-

returned

"I

time

some

through

with

7, Cornwall

at

manifestations

the

and

F.

Mrs.

Mr.

with

for

were

before

and

of

i860.

convinced

"

names

new

Regent's Park,

Terrace,

December,

in

Park

Hyde

at

the
among
them
is that

intercourse
permitted to hold
passed to the spirit-land."

being

of

stances

long resident in India.

made
and
Spiritualismwas

been

Home

to

the

; and

7, Cornwall

had

who

HOMK

OF

that

connection

in

Parkes,

show

resumed

been

mentioned
C.

86

MISSION

AND.

diary
Mrs.

by

of Mr.

having been placed by her at the disposal

cidents"
Inhe published large portions in the
Home,
(vol. i.),the identity of the writer
being

veiled,

at

Parkes

and

"

E.

Sir

her
B.

Lytton

besides

and

the

frequently came
Mrs.

Parkes

Mrs.

Milner

London.

**

in London

."

in

Park

in

in

letters

1863,

There

1861

Lane

when

Gibson's

at

herself
a

with

and

find

in

of

one

of

interestingaccount

an

and

time

she

tations
manifes-

obtain

to

when

much,"

not

was

Mrs.

Terrace.

by Lytton

Nice

deal

at

Cornwall

in

"

house

stances

Gibson's

at

his

at

to

made

good

initial, Mrs.

Gibson
(Mrs. Milner
times
being someparty), the distinguished littSroUeur

there
of

one

attempts

was

sdances

dined

Home

the

desire, under

Home

in

was

adds.

typical example of the weak

who,
man
all things, fears ridicule.
above
In
public he was
an
Not
investigator of Spiritualism, in private a believer.
he
S. C. Hall
wrote
to Mr.
long before his death
to
if
the
latter could
of
inquire
give him the name
some
Lytton

was

"

reliable
a

friend

near

and

"

medium
of

his

in

communication

relative

dear

candid

in London,

in

quite
experience
my

his
goes,

with

whom

he

who

had

strange thing

published
the
phenomena,

to

declaration
when

might put
just lost a

do, if he
**

So

freed

were

far

as

fix)m

ENGLAND.

the

impostures

and

examined

of

with

179

their

which

traceable

rationally,are

the

of

nature

exhibition

which

material

to

ences
influ-

ignorant.

are

we

abounds,

They

require certain
physical organisations or temperaments
to
produce them, and vary according to those organisations
and
(Letterof Lord Lytton to
temperaments."
the secretary of the Dialectical
Society, February, 1869.)
From
this

even

man

themselves.

It

of

he

that

of

the

Home

had

been

themselves,

to

they

present
Home

least

at

friendlytone that their writer did

do his correspondent the
injusticeof classinghim
the charlatans
of whose
trickery Lord Lytton had

demonstrate
not

with

only

their

by

received

he

had

so

others,

an

proofs of

many

with

seen

It

evidence.

abundant

too

he

eager

his

was

Home

had

excited

desire

for

more

in

hoped

to

see

case

marvels

Such

disappointments

who

encountered

in

as

taught

them

how

"

in many

wonders;

I could
"

things

as

more

he

name,

mediums,"

theirs, that

ended

he

him,

and

subsequent inquirers whom

sought out persons calling themselves
result, in his

fault that

own

wonderful

The

it.

and, like
the

honestly do,

letters

numerous

in

interest

great

no

if his

and

he

simulate

experiences
phenomena

the

could

at which

stances

he

least

that

his

of

existence

the

was

remarkable

with
are

but

him

satisfied

after the

impostures

admits

ridicule,

to

is remarkable.

abundant

the

to

phenomena;

have

sensitive

so

cautiously-weighed testimony

Lytton refers
the

and

timid

so

where

with
he

had

by detecting imposture.
at least

than

more

giftof Home.
That
Lord
Lytton should never
his knowledge
of the genuineness

lesson

one

to those

rare

the

was

marvellous

to
was

be

All
expected from him.
constantly giving proofs of
to

ridicule

what

ridicule; and
on

convictions

him

impressed

Spiritualism with
when

than

the

Mr.
latter

have
of

publiclydeclared
that gift was
only

the

days of

his

excessive

could

have

him

Home
was

by

his

life

he

ness
sensitive-

brought

fearless, candid
on

his

more

of the

statement

investigations of

in

London,

his

guest

and
at

on

sions
occa-

Knebworth?

who

public
talented

wish

here

pause
in my

to

lines.

few

words

It

and

of this

Spiritualism

for

is

the

but

sentiments

Home

to

the

real

truth

that

reason

concerning the fragments

Lytton's correspondence with

possession of Lord
frequent guest, Mr. Home.

his

letters

The

Home

for

few

days

dine

Knebworth

to

his

Park

in

the

"

for

reasons

Lane

or

run

ence
infer-

obvious

associating imposture

"

word

Spiritualism," he had never

seen
associate
of Home.
imposture with the name
of Lytton's position and
not
celebrity would

with

the

to
man

continued

have

over

as

"

to

that, whatever

is

cause

cordial

and

invitations

period often years

ten
years, Lytton's tone
he is constantly pressing

1855

As, during those

with

down

from

range

subsequent.
is unchanged

say

the

the

at

regard

between

HOME.

OF

knew

arrive

to

with

man

read

must

friends

intimate

Lytton's

MISSION

AND

LIFE

i8o

had

given

tire

the

who

another

after

year

on

year

him

reason

intimate

terms

for

even

with

suspicion

of charlatanism.
I will

not

letters

Lytton's
with

dine

nothing

7 o'c,"

at

for all contents.

'*

for, as

asked
here

Sunday

next

other

convenient

day

"I

two

expect

make

your

I hear

if your
three
or
Like

of

if so,

"

Cornwall

nature

Terrace

86 1, when

the

o'c.

ladies

who

permit

was

that

circle

of

of nine

is

added,

glad

here

ask

for two

the

charm

reason
was

evening

persons

from

you."

see

he

to

following:

I have

the

most

line to

this

Lytton felt
at which

and

letters

the

as

Home.

stances

stance

the

be

are

to come
you
be happy to

Mrs.

that

would

write

and

her. Lord
of

me

directly

Parliament,

there

or

I shall

is

explanation

"

you
of invitation,

form

render

the

brief

do, will

stance

invitations

the

among

season,

in town,

knew

all who

that

such
are

you

days

believe

3rd,

three

or

at

again,

or,

engagements

sweet

in

"

with

that

the

the

acquaintance

Knebworth,
*'

of

or

similar

Lord

are

to

object to give

you

evening,

engagements

them

better

Sometimes

Would

of

Some

have

day

to

me

patience by giving

extenso.

If you

"

notes, with,

reader's

were

to

present
of

June

deeply

ENGLAND.

moved
had

"I

incident

the

by

placed
of

shoulder

the

possessed

brought

from

flowers

natural

of

idols

find

will

the

on

she

that
*

had

They

are

'

with
in

placed

was

(Mrs.

spirits rapped,

you

bouquet

Parkes

Mrs.

by

idol, Ganesh."

The

"

those

as

the

immediately

of

collection

India.)

beautiful

so

described

great marble

Parkes

not

thus

bouquet

x8i

us

and

Home's

Mrs.

hands."
Whether

present

writing from

Lytton

would

"It

no

regards

Mrs.

to

Parkes,

not, I find

or

nth

the

on

of

the

line

"

in

give

to

you
much

so

for her

indeed, I find

But

persuade myself
more.
Accept my

to

say

1861

for herself.

occasion

worth

kind
very
I feel

Home.

does

she

be

Mrs.

about

Kneb

of June,

month

same

this

on

that

she

is

sincere
and

me

cult
diffi-

it most

reallyin danger.
Kind

sympathy.
kind

all

than

^more

"

to

messages

your

wife."
And
how

fortnight later

Mrs.

Home

is.

"

Pray

give

line

me

to

say

think
If you
change of air
I should
be very
glad to see her,
...

do

might

her

yourselfand

with

Parkes),

"

Mrs.

for

Mrs.

H.

July,
towards

and
a

Home

and

the

end

this

world,
familiar

few

JLytton

writes

with

you

to you

and

with

most

The
to
so

know

earth

month

that
a

she
faith

brances
remem-

Lytton."
the

from

3rd of

Spa

"

sad
me

looked
in

on

Home

to

sincerelyon the
intelligencepained

intense

B.

E.

yours,

from

same

kindest

With

away

(Mrs.

hostess"

amiable

and

days.

Truly

of the

interestingwife.

consolation

passed

1862

I condole

kind

your

here

to

"

good,

that

so

loss of your amiable

much.
It is indeed

serenely on quitting
which
happier world

to her thoughts.
she
I saw
certainly did not think her dying when
her, nor was
tweeted
then.
It
so
me
greatly to receive her touching remembrances
from
and
I
shall
the
mournfully treasure
photograph you so
you,
kindly promise.
worth
climate
winter
in Italy. I find no
"Perhaps I, too, may
the winter
change except Nice and Naples. Wishing you a complete
restoration
to health, and
assuring you of my sympathy in your bebelieve
"1 K
Lttton."
me
reayement)
truly yours,
was

"

x82

LIFE

'

have

that

said

7, Cornwall

at

beautiful

been
the

words

of

one

earth

the

Hall, whose

C.

the

Mrs.

Hall.

C.
him

the

on

the

Mr.

recorded

in

that

table

to

which

he

try if it would

be

distinctly saw
the

with

brought

large hand-bell,

he

had

bell, and

hand

ring

it

appear

violently;

the
table
the
resting quietly on
full view, and
the light being quite sufficient

in

enable

hands

Sir

E.

that

themselves

with
Mr.

S.

tify
iden-

to

me

those

he

that

of the

centre

table, grasp

Home's

while

fi.ve,Mr.

the

of

from

know

enabled

among

relates

Terrace

there, and

rung
above

have

circle

the

Mr.
and
present that evening were
Mr. S.
Parkes, Sir E. B. Lytton, and

Hall

Cornwall

to

placed

to

Mrs.
Mr.

of

single survivor

had

Lytton

1861, I

2nd,

touching

Parkes.

sitters

Home,

That

formed

who

question

in

Mrs.

five

The

the

the

in

to

abready quoted.

recollections

stance

diary of

the

referred

was

persons
eveniug, June

previous
testimony of

was

Mrs.

five

the

probably present
Home's
approaching

Lytton

when

Terrace

departure from
and

Lord

HOMK

OF

MISSION

AND

Hall

adds

produced

B.

Lytton

Hall

Mr.

and

satisfy

to

of any
kind
was
machinery
apparition of the mysterious

nected
con-

no

the

that

the

perfectlyremembers

idols

himself

and

Lytton

on

of the

he

in the

sion
impres-

by the noisy
slmne

Hindoo

hand.

at

the

placement
dis-

end

large drawing-room, while all five persons

present
were
quietly seated in the summer
twilight at the table.
of the
The
contains
account
an
diary of Mrs. Parkes
stance, written
same
by her at the time.
of the

"

June

came

moved
shrine

2nd," she writes.

on,

pleasant

the

table

; and

the

with

"

dimness

s^nce

fell

violence

up

of

over

to

the

Aa

five persons.

the

room.

The
.

twilight
spirits

the
Hmdoo
window, near
touching it, played in the

hand
accordion, no human
There
most
was
charming manner,
exquisitelyand with great power.
much
the Holy
noise at the Hindoo
and
shrine ; the images of Vishnu
and
Bull were
then
the
of
the
table
a
brought,
large hand,
put on
top
;
which
the
the light, put up
and
us
appeared dark, being between
accordion
Another
hand
took
above
table.
the
of
the
a
entirely
top
bell ofiF the
erect

into

table, and

the

air.

it.

rang

Then

he

was

Mr.

Home

drawn

was

to the

raised
other

from
end

his

of the

chair
room,

ENGLAND.

raised

and
he

in the air until

his hand

183

floated

horizordallyforward, and
constantly flashingforth ; the raps
stance

ended"

in

Life, vol. i. p.

My
Lord

(" Extracts from

196.)
had

Lytton

remarkable

than
this

narrate

fact

the

descended.
died

the

away

saw

the

in

Mrs.

diary of

I have

the

; thence

hright

star

the

distance, and
"

Incidents

with
stances
Mr.
many
the
I have
but
above;

because

one,

the top of the door

on

was

Home

more

preferred
of

attestation

to

Mr.

both
were
Lytton and himself
the phenomena
described.
present and witnessed
It is not
that, when
menced
Lytton comgenerally known
that wildest
of all his romances,
A
Strange
written, I believe, in 1859 or i860),
Story" (which was
Hall

to

that

"

he

had

making

intended

portray Home

to

attempt

an

in

its pages
the
speedily abandoned
design, and
; but
for it the fantastic conception of Margrave.
substituted

So,

least, Lytton told Home

at

plan

of

from

the

"

Strange Story

would

all I have

'

Home,
the

from

him

who

and

gaiety

and

of
charms

pain
that

child, and

he

keen

had

joy

The

earth

To

and
did

us

every

Home's

respite from

glory

gaiety

and

happy

living which
look

us

days

when

back
"

sight

common

seem

AppareUed in
The

wrong

fulness
bright cheer-

in

in young
children, and makes
to the lost
regretfullywith Wordsworth

no

his

In
the

and

nature,

that

temper

us

'*

knew

who

of his

sufferingssour.

from

nary
ordi-

the

on

All

him.

of

no

of freedom

"

romancer,

making

as

joyousness

sweetness

embitter

moments

the

by

"

attempting to picture
for
not
a
single hint
for the impression that

encountered

struck

were

portrait
Of

Margrave.

"

of

mortals

could

of

design

Home's

least."

the

me

of

original
materially

as

as

celebrated

the

the

almost

that

Margrave, but
being is represented

abnormal

Home

his

took

Lytton

character

the

satisfies

forsaking

differed

from

said

written,"

Strange Story
In

differed

have

that

adding

story actually took

the

course

"

celestial

and

the

light,

freshness

cheerfulness

sufferingexercised

an

of

dream."

in

his

moments

irresistible

of

spell on

him, that

all around
the

sobriquet of

had

remarked

this

of

man

Charmeur."

"Le

it somewhat

of Bulwer

habit
"

with

meeting
aspect
As

continued

forced

to

there

was

it

gaze,

of

equalling the fascination

the
description is even
could

be

middle

the

about

the

height

transcendent."

less

not

selves
themwas

nor

represented

is

here

; and

of his appearance

closely applicable

more

with

to

and

Later

in

talk

of his
joyousness is bom
perfect souUessness, which
the

similar
is not

embodiment

of

work

one

of

Strange Story
to

some

Lytton

splendid

certainly was
exercised

nor

fancy

of

union

that

find

we

who
"

that

takes

who
was

and
knew

"

Zanoni
the

author

half-persuaded

youth being thus renewed,

might one
day revive his

and
own.

had

his

of those

But
is the
than

of

youth

lines

suspect
the

source

more

dream

the

of

with

the

in

shape

will

health

be ; he

to

between

Margrave's

Home.

by

meant

was

read
"

ground.
play-

same

not

"

those

and

in the

the
alchemist's
Lytton's
Margrave has renewed

of Life.

Elixir

Home,

reared

been

less,
peculiar,offhand, caretopic with a bright rapidity."

fascination

Margrave

had

we

was

topic to
Strange Story,"

"A

if

mjrself

I found

minutes

sported together

of

vein

few

Mr.

than

cordial

frankly

as
familiarly,

him

home

same

shiftingfrom

that

in the

was

regularity;

more

In

manner.

His

it;

human

seen

"

the

of

first

"Nothing
Margrave's
conversing
in

the

features

the

conversation

Margrave's

as

Home

gerating
exag-

literallydazzled.
with
surprise ; one

in

"

charm

I
There

was

man's
stature
imposing
young
the effect of the whole
But
was
The

ward
out-

that

that

faultless

no

the

it to

relating his

man's.

something

acknowledge

to

attached

say, in
have

"never

young

indescribable

an

one

was

that

as

others,

exaggerate.

Fenwick

Margrave,

radiant

so

to

makes

he

Never,"

face

Lytton

like

"A

his

in

France

Strange Story,"
description, as it was

in

Margrave

Lytton,

he

trait ; and

and

in Russia

for him

won

HOME.

OF

MISSION

AND

LIFE

i84

the

with

of

"A

liar
fact fami-

romances

"

possibility of

half-hope

that

he

x86

AND

LIFE

For

by

about

lung disease,

on

the

Incidents,"

"

Hawksley
of

the

was

for

'"

conclusions

the

and

brief relation

of

late

my

initial

friend
;

for

mentioned

Dr.

he

first

at

which

of the

highly

in

."

than

more

has

and

authority

an

once
"

attended

been

as

Dr.

quarter

ten
writ-

kindly

most

following description

which

under

than

the

Home

had

known

more

valued

the

me

is

under

century of Mr.

Home

physician, well
who

HOME.

OF

past, Mrs.

year

eminent

an

MISSION

of

the

stances
circum-

investigated the phenomena

he

arrived

I have

phenomena
and

esteemed

"

witnessed

in

the

respected friend, Mr.

pany
com-

D.

D.

Homa
"

Mrs.

has

Home

consented

to do

requested

to make

me

condition

that

this

relation

she

; and

have

the

permitted
same
understood
generally
explanation
my
of these
humble
phenomena, and, on the other hand, to state my
in truth
in our
are
examples of what
opinion that such phenomena
Saviour's
known
time was
of
as
a
possession^or being possessed
spirit
intimate
with
Mr.
Home
or
years'
acquaintance
spirits. My
many
instant
for an
of his truth, honesty, and
never
experienced a doubt
that whatever
he stated
he beUeved
integrity; and I feel convinced
time

to

to

be
"

disbelief

express

the

Some

had

one

his first wife, who

to

spend

been

in the

said

and

come

have

must

him

consumptive.
Cox's Hotel,
^

to

me,

what

what

you

occur.'

may

to

in

sort

can,

been

apply

Soon

at

see

;
manifestations

to him

recommended

was

evening

an

told,' he

what

at

me

truth.
first introduction

My

ago.

so,

on

for I

I went,

to

me

afterwards

Jermyn
of

nearly thirtyyears
on

account

he

invited

Street.

things happen
can

You

in

foretell

never

expecting only

my
or

of
me

have
sence
preinsore

little relaxation

the ingenuity of
conjuring affords when
the
to design
machinery whereby to produce
similar
I soon
effects.
found, however, that no mechanical
or
scientific means
forces would
witnessed.
or
explain those I now
** I
found
the late distinguished Mr. Robert
Chambers
there, Mr.
and Mrs.
We
all sat round
table ;
Cox, and Mr. and Mrs. Home.
a
and
found
to questions,replieswere
that, in response
given by raps
in any
furniture
or
on
or
part of the room,
position we indicated.
any
Sometimes
asked
them
the cornice of the ceiling,or on
to have
we
on
inkstand
It was
an
be
just before us.
agreed that two raps would
understood
aflSrmative
and
an
Yes,*
as
or
one
negative or
rap as
and

the

such

amusement,

observer's

mind

as

is taxed

No.*

In

deceased

judgment
"

and

An

this

friends
and

way,

revelations

which

made
him

to
"

an

Mr.

Chambers

astute

man,

to

aa

of sober

great experience.

accordion, which

brought

were

fairlyastonished

with

me,

to

purchased in Kegent Street that

prevent all question as to deception,was
I had

day
now

ENGLAND.

187

Chambers, upside down

held, sometimes
by me and sometimes
by Mr.
;
that
the carpet and
the
bellows
is,with the keys near
grasped at its
So
the keys move
and
the bellows
extremity.
suspended, we
saw
without
visible
tiie
while
instrument
discoursed
work,
any
agency,
music
most
asked
Mr. Chambers
for.
sweetly, and of the kind we
astonished
the
which
he requested,
to
air
was
particularly
played
get
it was,
because
he said, the very air that the deceased
friend
loved,
whom
the
revelations
referred
been
to had
concerning
given. When
and I left together, he said to me
Mr.
like
Chambers
that,
myself, he
had come
to be amused, but that he left full of deep and serious thought.
"
another
On
occasion, I had been invited
by the late Mrs. Milner
Gibson

to

meet

Park

number

of

friends

and

Mr.

Home

at

her

house

in

Place.

It was
summer's
a
evening about eight o'clock ;
stood a table, and on
large window, against which
of the
the table an
usual
tations,
manifesAfter
ordinary large bell.
many
and
to
made, I
rappings
replies
questions, a request was
by spiritual
forget by whom, that the bell should be conveyed away
influence.
I
wellthe
to
a
bell,
distinctly saw
Sitting very near
shaped hand appear on the table ; and after resting there a short time,
knew
the
hand
not
grasped the bell,and carried it away, we
rose,
from
While
the hand
the
where.
rested
I
on
seat,
table, rose
my
it by
to the
went
table, and without
touching the hand, examined
careful
like a grey,
inspection. It looked
substance, exactly
gauzy
of a human
the form
at the vrrist,
hand, and it terminated

Hyde

I sat

and

^'

be

Mrs.

from
'^

About

friends

Gibson

Milner
a

Regent's
of

to

near

deceased
the
Park
had

same
"

had

time, I

(theMra
been

communications

she

which

believed

to

child.
was

Parkes

gathered

invited

to

the

already referred
to

see

Mr.

Home

house
"

to),
and

of

where
what

lady

number

in

tions
manifesta-

he

The
extensive, consisting
might obtain.
drawing-room was
in
thrown
back
of two
into one.
We
sat in the
large rooms
room,
the full light of a large window,
about
a
bright summer's
7.30, on
in
There
communications
were
by raps
reply to questions
evening.
deceased
friends
and
about
were
relatives; and
given to
messages
and
flowers
of
those
assembled.
Sprigs of plants
(the breakingmany
ofT of which
in the
where
the
front
were
situated,was
plants
room,
and dropped from
distinctlyheard), were
brought by invbible
agency
the table just in front
above
into the hands, or upon
of the persons
intended.
I think
I have
the dried-up flowers
for whom
they were
hand
into
that occasion.
Pre
memorial
of
those
as
a
dropped
my
upon
We
found
volume.
a
sently we heard
strange noise of considerable
which
due to the tumbling down
from
the etag^re on
that it was
they
Indian
stood
of
metallic
ten
which,
as
or
some
gods,
generally
eight
the wide
the carpet, were
room
soon
as
dragged across
they reached
till
the table at which
at
and
under
feet
our
we
they stopped
sat,
The
at these
daylight was
good ; and we all looked with astonishment
without
the room,
of
heavy objects dragging their way across
one
any
without
the
least
discernible
and
or
us
means.
moving,
agency
-

"On

another
asked

man,
me

"

about
at

AND

LIFE

i88

occasion,

just going
We

3 P.M.

Hotel,

Cox*s

came

mine;

he

said,

he

knows

to

'

to

and

he

of

the

something
presence.'

is

do

that

shown

young
Mr. Home.

It

into

was

This

is

Sir

to

know

Home.

Mr.

When
a

He

you,

then

with

if

am

Dr.
them

"

*We

added,

latter
friend

possible^ to see
place in your
always happy,'
Hawksley's, but

take
*

the

valued

very

and,

which
phenomena
kind.
most
as
usual,
was,
anything to please a friend of
of commanding
have
no
power
comes.'

Come

'

bright
afternoon,
the ordinary sitting-rooms

anxious

said,

summer's

of

one

occupied by

room

highly intelligent
I

marvellous

whatever

accept

him.'

see

him,

to

and

Home

Mr.

to

to

were

not

in, I said

of

him

HOMK

OF

friend,

to introduce

me

am

MISSION

oUiged

am

will

try;' and,

will you
stand
that
on
companion, said, Sir
addressing my
,
tahle
stood
the
centre-claw
friend
table.'
on
an
table,
ordinary
My
in
of great strength and
rose
weight. Immediately table and man
from
the ground.
I stooped down
the air for at least eight inches
the castors
and the carpet.
After
hand
and swept my
freely between
I
the
coidd
all the
I had
ended
investigation
give
phenomenon,
descended
his
the table came
down
from
to the
floor,and Sir
'

elevation.
"

These

"

I witnessed

represent

by

the

in

me

few

of

in

the

remarkable

most

of

the

nessed
facts wit-

Home.

of Mr.

presence

them

the

with

first instance

scepticaland
theory from my

the

most

prejudiced mind, expecting to be able to design a

would
for them.
account
Hitherto, whenever
study of physics which
aided
I had
seen
an
intelligence naturally
by
any conjuring tricks,
and
inventive
given to mechanical
paradoxes, I could
puzzles and
IJiem
mode
of
of
and
in these
explanation
imitating
suggest a
; but
all such
for this reason
exhibitions
attempts immediately failed, and
in
of a complete stranger;
the house
well
as
especially they occurred
"

which

into

Homo

Mr.

had

been

never

before,

his

in

as

rooms.

own

kind.
of any
preparation, or furniture, or mechanism
he
He would
which
at
house
to
come
a
a
was
dinner-party
entering for
the only person
the first time, and in which
known
to him
m^.
was
the
about
his
To prevent doubt
on
question of his carrying
person
aid
known
I
have
him
to
to
him,
likely
apparatus
request me
any
hand
into
all his pockets, and, dressed
in evening costume,
put my
He

required

it would

no

not

been

have

for

easy

him

to

to
instance, I took him
conjuror. In one
and
able
of
our
distinguished,intellectual,
all the conditions
thirty years ago, where

I have
that
and
of

mentioned.

occasion
I examined

the

most

had

never

ho

had

seen

dine

with

Cabinet
of

the

for examination
very

all the

the

clever

intellects

of

one

assembled

investigationbefore them.
careful
study of the facts, I

with

most

of

about

experiment

and

the

Ministers

dress

of

apparatus

any of the persons

before
been
in

never
myself;
pockets of his evening
occurred,
extraordinary character

to

"After

He

but

the

conceal

as

were

he
the

met

on

house;

yet phenomena

proved
every

quite

explicabl
in-

opportunity

and

came

to

the

conclusion

ENGLAND.

189

due
to an
intelligentspirit which
probabilitythey were
able to leave
his body for
possessed the body of my friend, and was
distance
from
at
the purpose
of enacting various
a
him, such
things
as
playing a musical instrument, liftingand carrying material
objects,
of human
ligent
beings, and, through raps, giving intelreading the minds
The
references
to
in
to
replies
questions.
possession
Scripture
Saviour's
make
it extremely probable that such cases
prevailed in our
laborious
Howitt's
and
learned
book
and
William
on
time;
tualism
Spiriin all hisexisted
that such
leads me
torical
to believe
things have
behef
that
the
also
times.
Scripture
supports
possession was
of guilt or
in the possessed, but
of punishment
evidence
rather
no
it
visitation
makes
misfortune
it probable that, like disease,
was
a
or
merciful
benefits
and
in
which
has its good and
for
some
uses,
way
which
have
at present we
of Mr.
no
eyesight. Assuredly, in the case
he
think
driven
I
to
was
am
Home,
possessed,my knowledge of
though
habits made
his life and
me
a
profound believer in his truth,honesty,
warmth
of heart, kindness, generosity,and goodness.

that

all

in

"Thomas

Till

the

remained

in

former

in

the

"

"During

wife

sufferer

happy

and

took

hold

to

become

in

joy

wife's

power,

that

in

did

caring

At

he

to

declined

doing gave
great offence,
inquiring sceptics.
well-known

withhold,

was

manifestations

the
which

was

his

over

both

to

Home

the

to

reason

and

in

name

pressed

Home

for

than

year

naturally
witness

sdance,

later, and

had

passed away, Home

a
hope that the
express

annoyance

his

so

Spiritualistsand

should

his

weakened

stances,

some

More

acquaintance

got

and

by

friends

that

refused.

after Mrs.

months

hold

thought

was

of his

than

had

time

same

it

; but

so

at
was

she

every

the

whose
Spiritualist,
anxious

present

later

for her.

more

prostrate the

present, Home

husband's

illness, even

almost
her

be

months

nearly

or

could

her

sit, and

the

good,
fatal malady had

wife

few

Home

stance

they

being

left him,

had

power
of his

his

as

them.

ill to

too

absorbed

was

long

so

and

stances,

had

had

feeling that

Mrs.

stay," writes

physicallyand spiritually." The

to
yet developed itself sufficiently

not

to

and

our

''

Incidents,"

my

Mr.

July, 1861,

London.

night,

every
both

of

middle

Hawkslbt."

refusal

to

some

wrote

sit

other

had

caused
few

lines

My

"

received

and

of

Mr.

Home,

little

the

^I

"

am

sorry

of

contretemps

vexed
certainly very much
of
I have
to think
long ceased
the
good angels will in future

the

was

which

the

him

in

stance

dying wife
sceptical friends
a

on

he

because
all

only hope

can

best

to

arrange

sick-beds."
in

manner

It

Home.
words

that

selves
them-

in

of

very

man

refused

had

Home

think

nothing

was

"

absorbed

could

however,

perhaps thought

"

to

ago,

considerate

was

he

their

brutal

respects

many

"

and

to

almost

these

time
I

do

called, and

of

writer

time

the
.

and

friends, behaved

estimable

extract

continue

you

it.

stances

feeling

who

some

his
to

between

better

Such

some

at

was

matters

which

"

dear

think

from

reply

HOME.

OF

MISSION

AND

LIFE

190

attendance
that

was

his

disappointed of their stance ;

of his letter, he evidently felt that
the tone
and, from
he
had
and
just ground for complaint against Home
the

had

"

both.
good angels
have
already given in

the

Wilkinson,

Parkes,

"

I
Mr.

been

and

Mrs.

manifestations

witnessed

at

in the

of 1861.

The

summer

that

Parkes

Mrs.

the

narrate

brief

extract

window

centre

the

spiritsbegan
the

and

chair, and
about

the

shone

on

his

to rap

room

led

room,

sea

fingers.
of glass.

the

both
the

in

tinted

and

the

mirror

of

dark, blue-tinted

It

clustered

and

fine

summer

ing,
even-

fell back

in

time

; then

very
hair

large bright

he

and

his

walked
star

the

on
tips
passed in front of a very large mirror
form
the head
of which
leading him, over
flowing to the ground, marking the shape

Mr.

Home

saw

that

"Incidents"

Home

his

He

followed

on

close upon
it : I saw
hair perfectlydistinct

; his features,face, and

the form
that led him
were

robe

was

perfectly light.
deep sleep for some
apparently by a spirit;

robe

diary of

(four persons)were
sittingat
drawing-room, talking together, when

the

shoulders.

head

features

the

latter

"we

...

the

stances

twenty

the floor.

on

Howitt,

of interest.

Parkes,

front

his forehead, several

thrown

was

of

be

the

in

Mr.

was

into

went

Mrs.

the

in

portions of

than

more

may

July 7th," writes

"On

"

two

or

the

of

of

events

of

residence

the

W.

description of

their

published

are

of Mr.

words

covered

them.

not

They

visible

beneath

passed from

them
; but

the
before

ENGLAND.

the

her

over

higher,
faded

head
the

*'

July

Home's

2th.

head

En

seance

above

that

was
veil,which
floated
it
distinctlyas

held

moved

The

heads.

time, but

same

The

with

remained

veil thrown
rather

startlingvision
the

only

lightfrom

Mrs.
appeared above
it as it
fingers passing over
seen, with
hand
the Veiled
I
the
was
saw
Spirit.
spangled with stars; and the fingers
just in front of us."

light was

; at the

white

costume.

it.
in upon
six persons.

floated

our

figurewith

ground

great mirror

streamed

; and

female

in Oriental

man

the

which

saw

fell to the

of

; and

away

all

we

which

form

window,

the

then

and

glass;

191

It

the

Stars

Home
the extracts
to
by Mr.
appended
clue
from
Parkes'
the
Mrs.
to
a
diary furnishes
bable
proof
mendacious
in
America
a
origin
story published
Celia
untruly asserted Home
Logan, who
by a certain
have
that
his wife
stated
to
changed visibly into an
angel as she died.
there
In
this
several
Home,
are
diary^ wrote
them
that of
remarkable
manifestations, and amongst
note

'

"

the

of

presence

the

most

estimable

The

veil

Mr.

who

Dr.

preacher

conversion

his

but
passages
1861
:"
"

"

Dear

you

the

Mr.

intrusive
anxious

Home

had

that

wife's

of

the

painful
insidious

trial

have

only

first from

Home,

am

to

to

Mr.

see

Her

"

the

letters

will

Mrs.

think
or

not

if

Home
her

rous;
nume-

one

has
well

? if I went

two

or

June

on

tell

of

hope

are

not

of

favourite

her

extract
to
space
letter written
a

how

me

Duchess

in

Home,

hope you
great anxiety
you

late

introduced

"

know

Should

the

was

recently
to

whose

sympathy
expressed during these

Spiritualism.

to

your

quite inclined

by

dear

friends

was

Gumming,

on

wrote.

read

written

index

an

of the

kindest

and
suflfering

Sutherland,

be

disease."

Mrs.

and

of

months

almost

became

of the

One

will

Mrs.

stages of my

successive

of her

advances

was

Maxy Howitt.
spirit kept gradually being raised

that

illness, and

thenceforth
as

vnfe

my

type of womanhood,

of
the

through

with

by

beautiful

the

spirit,who
and
by me,

veiled

vrife
my
of
memoir

frequently seen
in

**

think
you
been

enough
to

her

5,

me

how
since
and
this

I trust

evening.
ask

not

to

over-exertion

not
.

like

does

perhaps

she

day.

Yours

very

next

letter

It is kind

"

time

it

and

with

Mrs.

her

letter
**

"I

As

ground
allowed

must

have

feels all

one

eflFable
of

calm
that

are

From
the

Mrs.

to

angelic
already round

evidently

at

which

to

have

Duchess,
Parkes
the

been

the

and

herself.

it

:"

deeper

may

be

of

her,

be
in

and

continues,

hope I
thinking

heart

weary
in the

of

stance

it must

you

staying

I
In

Duchess

that

feeling

in-

an

the

Everlasting

letters, the

stance

sweet

Powers

that

gave

of belief"

"

deeper ground
evening of June
5 th, 1861,
four persons
diary shows
only
a

of

three

Home,

Mrs.

whom

would
the

and

communications,
that

received
"

much

see

the

Many

were

in it

of

present,

Mr.

how

her."

Parkes*

Mrs.

diary,

contained

trust

of

that

for

your

of Sutherland

Duchess

was

rest

dates

in

and

to

heard,"

given me.
again.

Home

her

the

and

been

Home

invalid

to

:"

such

time

the

on

paid
at

the

remained

happy

gladness

comfort

there

saw

If

sympathy

this

at

Terrace,

had

very
of belief had
see

real

called

what

Mrs.

tell you
grief and

were

she

been

write

to

and

you

Cornwall

that

shows

to

in

Home

in

"

begins,

what

made

was

it

alone

be

you

visit to have

I cannot

and

Mrs.

regards

of any

cause

her
another
to
go
A. Sutherland."

to

me

the

was

Parkes

Sutherland

shall

me,

allow

evening.

seeing her,
felt for you."
Mr.

see

you,"

liked

As

the

I would

shows

as

other

the

me

be

sincerely,

in

of sorrow,

for worlds
.

to

will

not,

The

frankly, or

her.

to

If she

"

HOME.

answering

your

I would

as

OF

MISSION

AND

LIFE

192

sufficient

be

fourth

the
Mrs.

according
but

evening,

none

to
are

of their intimate

indication

nature.

I will

quote from

only

other

one

of

It

belongs to the autumn

recent
departure of Mrs.
I feel most
truly and
"

Home

letter

of the

1862, and
from

deeply

for

earth
your

Duchess.

refers

to

the

"

loss

in

your

AND

MISSION

milder

sky

LIFE

194

There, under
suflFerer

quietly passed
her

which

with

long illness, I

her

her

as

written

S. C.

Mrs.

by

reference

of

token

She

did

not

writes

but

know,

her

tended

the
votion
de-

through
constant

as

departed friend that

and
Mrs.
Mary Howitt,

were

quent
fre-

spiritualmanifestations

the

after

her

last

death.

Of

apparition of

days,
the

the

gave
pressive
im-

or

most

veiled

spirit,

"

attended

whose

affectionate

the

had

brightened

constantly

was

to

presence
them
all,the

Howitt

Mrs.

Hall

her
of

"

and

Of

England,

say that it was

and
happy faith.

their

is made

attended

that

of

memorials

the

In

of

that

only

patience

sweet

own

than

away.
husband

need

HOME

OF

very

veiled

presence
her veil

female

her

gave

she

spirit,whom

great comfort

though
mon^

Through the six

was
slowly and
gradually
passing away,
previous
the
gathered from the feet of the guardian spirittowards
head, until
for the last time she saw
the spirit,
two
days before her release, when
of a crown
about
with the veil gathered in the form
her
head, bat
with
one
part, as a festoon, still concealing her face.
she

spoke

never

On

Home,
and

the

hand

that

of

saw

covered

as

passed in
Dordogne,
the

several
and

arm

luminous

if with

last

The

the

occasion

one

being

ance

nor

her

to

'*

raised

by

persons,
of the

brother-in-law

were

in the

with

room

Mrs.

shoulder, the app6a^

beautifullyperfect in fonn,

spiritto

body,
light"

the

veil of

Chateau

where

who

most

earthly days

the

veil

the
and

of

Laroche,
Count
sister

beautiful

this

and

near

Perigueux

Countess

of Mrs.

life

Home,

in

were

the

Kouchelefi^
were

then

residing.
"If

it

death
to
meet
with
highest heroism
iinflinftliing
Mrs.
courage," wrote
amiable, gentle young
Mary Howitt, "this
this
child
affluence
and
of
equalled
unfortune, displayed an almost
woman,
degree of this noble quality of mind
doing, proved
; and, so
how
and
in
life's
the
is
faith
of the
strong
all-sustaining
extremity
Christian
Spiritualist.
The
first startlingintelligencethat her disease was
mortal
to
came
mind
The
a
so
prepared with wholly abated force.
sting was
already
taken
death ; nor, through the whole
from
after-trials and snffaringsoi
her physical frame, did she lose her equanimity or firm confidence
in
the future.
This calmness, indeed, became
the most
striking feature
of her long and painful illness.
It was
and
marked
to
so
profound
as
be almost
noticed
such by the eminent
phenomenal, and was
as
physi"

be

the

ENGLAND.

who

dans
well

attended
the

by

her

in

195

London

and

subsequently in France, as
frequently visited her during

Perigueux, who
earthly life.
** The
M. Magnus, of Paris, came
eminent
to the Chateau
composer,
Laroche
visit
Mrs.
weeks
of her earthly
to
Home
during the last three
almost
him
whilst
to play for her ; and
daily she asked
stay ; and
almost
tiful
beaulying placidly listeningto his music, her face assumed
an
On
she
he
had
finished
occasion
when
one
said,
expression.
hear more
playing : Those strains are very beautiful,but I shall soon
as

the latter

of

Bishop

part of her

"

'

beautiful
"

stilL'

of her
of

only
spiritmusic, sounding

and

vol.

last month

the

the

like

the

and

last two

her, heard

about

cious
deli-

words

L)
silver cord

The
was

Catholic

from, gives
The

the

exact

an

last

at

visits had

been

the

Perigueux,

who

equal

to

funeral," continues
of her

men-servants

the

could

hearse

who

for all.

had

There,

him

emo-

"

her

to

by

child, and

been

had

the

at

present
seen

never

one

hired
ever

sister asked

each

to be
persons
word
had a kind

near

to lead

that

the

and

four

"

Howitt,

Mrs.

dead

of

horse

they
body

loving look

ing
peasantry, instead of, as is customary, throwflowers
the coffin,first covered
it with
upon
"

fittest for her

Soon

and

The

earth

of their

of

burial-ground, saying

the

to

allow

not

of her

had

he

of

hers.'
her

At

"

kind

so

like

wept
he

of

hands

the

administered

were

that, 'though
for Heaven,
death-bed

many

many

already quoted

pages

touching account
resignation stirred in

remarked

who

within

and

sacraments

of

Bishop

There

last consolations

Home

in

Howitt,

the

Mrs.

by

1862.

Church

and

prelatewhose

beautiful

her

tions

Laroche

Mrs.

constant.

July 3rd,

on

Russian

own

received

religion were

"

her

of Ch"teau

the

loosed

was

priest of

no

miles

had

all those

perfectharmony of vocal
most
were
During
distinctlyheard,
sian
were
recognised as the chants for the dying used in the RusMrs.
Howitt
Church."
Incidents,
:
Mary
(" Li Memoriam,*' by
strains

of

months

first three

she, but

not
illness,

sounds.

the

the

Frequently also, during

months

last

garment, and

fittest for the

expression

love."

after the
many

parting, Mr.

tokens

just departed were

of

the

Home
nearness

received,

one

returned
of

to London.

the

of the most

spirit that
remark-

able

being

given
then

Brompton,
Hall.

It

than

''More

chairs

the

and

Hall

everywhere

"

of

Mrs.

with

863,

those

the

table,
the

and

us.

that

came

only

shook,

room

around

C.

S.

memories

year,

not

very

her

'Mis.

manifestations

usual

Mrs.

and

Mr.

in

West

Lodge,

Incidents."

"

the

writes

night,"

the

in

Hall

following

the

Howitt,

Mrs.

of

Mrs.*

by

Bannow

at

residence

related

is

stance

the

published

Home,
of

at

HOMK

OF

MISSION

AND

LIFE

196

but
'

were

raps

eminent

very

our

sculptor,

...

whose

engagements

been

Home),
this

fact

labour

and

not

often

sculptor

Home
"

^was

been

of

Mr.

Durham.

to

Mrs.

whom

are

made

her

(Mrs.

husband"
He

early

your

you.'

near

"

Sacha

hoiLsefiold.

own

for

Thanks

references

frequent

whom

his

in

of

bust

present

had

unceasing,

are

to

known
thus

have

finish

to

desired

even

message

eminent
to

Mr.

he

was

The

day

which

"

received

to

before

rising

works

public

on

ing
morn-

"

Hall
in

speaks"
her

letteK

197

CHAPTER

ENGLAND,
All

who

had

had

loved

her

of

treasured

as

lie before

me,

from

We
He

May
that
a

have

Robert

received

the

letter.

hidden

too

"

very,

the

meet

with

in

tears

in

of

and

cannot

write

in

but

happy,
Gibson

in another

that

carefully

delicate

dear

Mrs.

poor

had

Sacha.
of

of

state

begging

eyes,

notice

now.

child

yet with
I know."

her

his

happy

dear

you,

very
Mrs.

short

press

former

chapter
given of one

Home

now

me

before

"

wrote,
her

comfort
you

"

unspeakable

of the

some

who

^Mrs. Adelaide

"

to think

departure

to
wishing me
highly value.

over

very

me

"

I, who

her, for

feel

to write."

she

of

came,

for the

"

for her

with

to write

people !

are

of Mr.

sorrow

your

first

been

is

told you
you, and
husband
for
her
;

to

her, fearing the shock

written

much

I may
for you and

to-day," says

me

see

written

of

Grattan,^ too,

never

In

have

nothing

all

of

have

to

she

the

"

had

darling Sacha

Our
that

weep
is happy

came

will

it from

health.
me,

He

knows

Bell

that

she

that

"

news.

We

state.

were

to live here

so

spoke

loss

passages

whom

to

earth

of many

Out

two

or

friend

Gibson

Bell

"

Mr.

her

mourned

Home.

one

Milner

me

and

her

select

feeling of gladness
'*

for

from
gone
in which
friends

spirit now

letters

the

precious by

permit

happier

the

; and

letter of

the

dear, Mrs.
"

known

PARIS.

AND

ROME,

affection

their

VIL

her

have
I
...

can

in

knowing

it

is

of
Mr.

and

became

Senior.

"

so

well

beyond

knowing

Colley Grattan, M.F.

my

friend

pleased,"
of

spoke

gratefulto

darling
price.
that

so

wife

understand
your

dear

very
I am

sweet

your

very
picture, which

that

indeed

comfort

"

that

early Spiritual experiences

shall

her

for

indeed

feeling
your
is watching
I

have

darling

the
hus-

band

is

ever

near

letter

touching

of Mrs.

stances

My

"

He

so

and

has, through

in

Park

De

am

so

given

you,

Burgh,

been

Place

Milner

Mrs.

"

had

who

Hyde

Daniel,

dear

of Mrs.

is that

Gibson

Milner

of the

that

God

is

comfort."

this

me

I feel that

me.

grateful to

very

HOME.

OF

MISSION

AND

LIFE

198

friend

at

present

many

"

Gibson

told

has

that

me

the

fallen,and that you aro left alone.

probably not read my letter ; but I
you
in your
feel so truly and so deeply for you
that I cannot
heavy sorrow
resist writing.
and
She
was
so
charming
irresistiblyattractive
cerely
sinthat all who
knew
will mourn
her loved
her, and many,
many
I never
of
for her.
heard
her
but
the
with
one
speak
any
interest
She
and affection.
warmest
was
so
winning
so
bright and
she
is
I
realise
that
can
loving
hardly
gone.
**
I
but
feel there
is none
for such
I am
comfort,
writing strange
blow

long pending

so

I must

over

has

you

will

write, although

"

"

sorrow

as

yours

will

that

least, none

at

"

give way
sorrow,
Spiritualism will suffer, if it

you
for

strong

not

to

need.

You

think

as

friend

any

is

offer.

can

found

mourns

fail you
that
prove

to

of

without

hope;
in

now

this, and
sting from death, and

must

But
.

who

one

the

your

practical

left
enables
the one
good it supplies takes the
I
in
its
that
that
blessed
consolations.
to
rejoice
spirit may
pray
and
thus
be permitted soon
make
share
her
to communicate,
you
happiness.
her months
You
of trial,
soothed
and were
the tenderest
and best
"

of

nurses

sake

must

you

"

of her

health

Home's

Mr.

sensitive

and
no

for the

had
her

him, and

penalty of an
after week
passed
not

life that

was

of health

dwell

on

these

permitted,

dark
trial.

Home

his

most

suffer, none

It

his

terribly,he
system

bitter
soon

tiU

had

ness
cheerful-

and

food

without

As

he

not

was

nervous

and

fish
unsel-

him, and

strength
breaking down

almost

stantly
con-

strength which

last.

overtaxed

filled with

her

seeing

that

needed

more

forsook

the

to

and

much

How

failed

never

months

many

lovingly

so

the

; but

the

I will
a

watched

know

bestows

of the

devotion

gone.
suffered
in

tended

were

both

week

health

ing
by the rack-

shattered

was

had

could

affection

paid

shattered

your

indeed

was

had
who

nature

himself

cares

he

her

over

soothed

of

care

limitless

anxiety and
during which

but

take

now

child."

sleep.

or

moments
as

and

some

occupied himself

of
turn
re-

in the

ENGLAND,
of his

completion
he

SOME,

AND

first volume

of

had

de

obedience

in

at Paris

Komar,
to

then, returning
the

kind

to

London,

assistance

of Dr.

work.

completed
**

Incidents

in
and

of Robert

It

stances

from

summons

before.
friend

at the

the

of

Tuileries,
and
with

press,
his

Chambers,

now

the
title of
published, imder
troductio
My Life," in the spring of 1863, the inconcluding chapter being from the pen
was

Mrs.

her

Senior, Home

had

brother-in-law,

made

the

Mr.

Home,

the

"

was

them

convinced

of the

imposture

; and

to

" Co.
Longmans
An
early copy of the work
the Empress
of the French.
letter from
the Secretary
a

noted
nomy
Eco-

Political

Senior

Nassau

with

stances

impossibility of
the

on

buting
attri-

of

completion

publication of the

the

Incidents," obtained

ance
acquaint-

Senior, the

Nassau

Professor
of
politicaleconomist^ twice
in the University of Oxford.
Mr.
at various
investigated the phenomena

work

Messrs.

her

acknowledgments,

and

find
the

to

Mr.

by

sent

was

Empress,
it

translate

Sir,

"

^I hastened

"

work

the
to

that

place
did

you

in

the

me

has

Majesty

attention,

and

work

interest.

with

to

charged
to

say

you

Eeceive,

to

me

that

"

"

"

diced

"

Incidents

criticised

were

March,

1863.

of the

honour

of

press
Em-

ing
entrust-

inquiry
abuse.

in
to

Damas

Secretaire

Hinard,
des

Commandements"

widespread
spirit,from fair

dishonest

journalism,some

she

for your
you
will
this
read

attracted

every

True

Le

thank

"c.,
"

The

papers

conveying

hands

the

to

care.

my

"Her

to

Home
his

among

"I2th

of

Wal-

Empress;

prepared for the

Eobert

In

Chambers.

Through

by

which

autobiography,

years
visit to his

held

199

three

begun writing nearly

January, 1863, ^^ paid a short
dimir

PAEIS.

and

traditions

critics

reviewed

of
the

certain

book

and

impreju-

misrepresentation and

the

to

notice

rant
ignoclass

without

LIFE

200

it ; described

reading
turned

MISSION

AND

and

medium"

her

husband

Home

when

first

an

chapter

her, and

first met

"

were,

the

although

American,

an

tualist
Spiri-

ardent

"

as

Home

into

of his

first words

Mrs.

HOMK

OF

bom

was

near

Edinburgh."
I had

"

press,"wrote
of

Mr.

with

me

thank

Home

of those

and

candid

The

Spectator^ the

call for

Times

them.

"The

more

Mr.
Forces

'

in this
I

have

Herald

how

Grove

little

and

Mr.

shows
know

we

ter
charac-

the

Home

bestows

of

remarks

the

on

the

writer

"

more

he

wary

in

us

his

book

is

to

as

the

on

physical laws ;
hardly anything. All
as

know

of

Those

seen.

to

this

the

on

word

possible.'
imof

Correlatioi

'

lelationsof

is^that
these manifestations
to us
to be in the
highest degree improbable.
appear
here
But
met
we
are
that, improbable or not,
by evidence
have
taken
We
narrowed
to the alternative,that
are
they
place.
is an
either Mr. Home
impostor, or that spiritualismis true.
is very
Now
different
to
as
imposture. Assuredly Mr. Home
from
the ordinary type of an
impostor. When
only eighteen years
his
he
of
old,
career
began
mediumship by doing, or appearing to do,
tion
things so difficult as to involve almost a certainty of the early detecof any sort of deceit.
In 1852, Mr. Bryant^ the American
poet,
closed
that
joined with three others in a declaration
by saying,
that
We
know
not
deceived.'
were
we
nor
imposed upon
Again,
matter

spiritwe

not

that

learns, the

man

respect."

certainly deserve
"

Herald

Morning

the

and

the

for the fair

book
my
the
treated
subject.

they

portion of the

Morning

in the

to

Times,

candid

quote

have, however,

which

review

fair and

"

reviewed

journals named

two

of

who

in

tone

foul

the

speed.

special mention

The
other

"

commendable

some

for several

neglect of
journals fell

of

complain

to

reason

no

we

can

say

"

we

but

cannot

than

impostor
new

Home.

and

remark

they
to

use

that

twelve

were

his

manifestations
years

advantages

stronger effects
The

the

; but

spirithands

(by

now

might expect
experience and wealth

of

has

far the

said

not

We

ago.

this

are

not

most

have

been

the

difficult
been

case

more
a

to

borate
ela-

ful
success-

produce

with

manifestation

Ml
for

a
impostor
seen
early
produce)
very
period of his mediumship.
Again, an impostor always tries to weave
his deceptions into a system;
of sect
sort
some
generally to form
with
Now, Mr. Home,
temptation to do this, in that he has
every
of the
truth
of the
manifestations, not only does
persuaded so many
establish
to
for
himself
the high priest of
not
as
great position
try
any
an

to

are

to

at

LIFE

202

gentlemen
Home

Mr.

AND

MISSION

had

been

in

London,

HOMK

OF

at

present
in the

with

stances

numerous

ing
immediately preced-

years

1863.
The
the

first

the

was

allow

to

courage
It

Hon.

was

Colonel

his

letter

follows

as

Mr.

dear

stating that
presence,
and
at
my

"

of

own,

when

those

certain

could

whatever.

for

Believe

me

The
in

disbelieve

to

me

yours

second

for the

as

letter

to

first time.

remarkable

very

by

it

B.

Its writer
stances

"

My

have

much

of

to

those

me
"

scenes

Mr.

deab

and

been
what

in

and

you

others

which

evenings

like the

events, which,

Milner

Gibson's
Ktdm

Gabdkns,

Loeser

come

Mrs.

us.
me

yours

As
book

Paris

with

Kater

consists

taken

in

some
:

"

Pabx,

W.,

1863.

page

brought

back

forgotten.

in which

you

have

mentioned

perfectly remember
value
given much
you
and clearlyto the originalincidents.
Blument^al
in
Madame
and
health.
word

for word, I

I think

at

the

me

in

have

end
kind

of this week

to

remembrances

faithfully,

Mr.

nothing

from
unites

over

Kater

be

at

book,
reading your
witnessed
so
Having

narrated, every

manner

almost

hearing ; and
by keeping so well
your book
*'I hope you
better
are

it.

light

the

sees

present

in

can

never

quiet

and

witnessing

have

ham
Wilbra-

Colonel

finished

just

interested

Incidents

"

been

46, SuBSBX

have

"

much

very

much

I very
and

Home,

senses.

own

^'AprU^th,
"

impossible

was

now

Mrs.

at

or

^Wilbraham."

as

had

trick

they occurred

facts recounted
courageous
Mr.
Home

feel

any

of my

evidence

to

not

was

book, which

and

E.

your

friends

phenomena

in which

truly,

witness

his

; and

the

stances, in

produced

in

pleasure

intimate

your

rooms

I4l", 1863.

Apra

my
witnessed

have

been

very

"

Life

My

much

of

in

The

have

perfectlylighted;

always

were

have

Stbket,

two

described

not

Bbook

several

attended

houses

to

"

at the

similar

collusion

Home,

have

lished.
pub-

be

to

"46,

"My

Home

Mr.

to

had

who

Wilbraham,

Edwabd

pay

to

visit to

believe
; and
Katxb."

justlyremarks, the great value of the

its fidelity
to facts.
Nothing is added,
away;

Home

relates

the

events

of his

ENGLAND,
life

exactly as they occurred,

them

on

his

on

The

the

verdict

could

see

and

I do

and

which
Mr.

final

the

ment
judg-

admire

to

its

pressed
im-

them

among
Mrs.

"

"

Incidents

"

woman,

most

Home

hear.

Kater

Mr.

charming

know

not

203

That
of
ages.
of the blind
and

of the

candour

besides

many
writer

leaves

and

was

unpretentious

gifted
she

who

man

PARIS.

passed by future

be

to

generation

own

deaf

"

AND

ROME,

S.

in

that
Hall.

C.

book,'*

your

perfectly
taint
from
of self-glorification,
the facts
or
every
that
Then, referringto that
speak trumpet-tongued."
Mr.
Home
had
prudent timidity of friends for which
writes

to

"

simplicity, so

free

Quixotic

so

her

allowed
continues

"

Robert
given
Lytton's, and

Mr.

the

publishers were

In

the

of

portion

appearance
first edition
was

his

controversy. Home

published

evidence

of

certain
than

to

he

of Dr.

show

his

had

with

book

Brewster

Stevenson,

treated

been

Sir Edward
with

the

truth."

of the

dents,"
Inci-

**

nearly exhausted,

an

action

for libel.

he

dealt

with

the

the
brought forward
Carpenter, F.R.S., and Messrs.
had

Brewster

contemporaries

libel

their

worse

ened
threat-

now

and

action;

treated

even

Brewster

Home.

terminated

alarmed,

had

had

scientific

where

Sir David

that

(June, 1863)

from

geously
coura-

Incidents,"

and

the

threatened

had
"

patience

no

testimony

after
the

when

in the
appear
that
names
more

I have

Bell's.

two

Hall, who

for instance,

withholds

or

and

wish

only

that

month

to

name

Chambers',

"

cowardice

Mrs.

consideration,

Messrs.

mans,
Long-

with

connection

the

work.
Home

promptly

months

few
Not

word

with

later
was

second

erased

Brewster;

preface for the

the
Edinburgh
to

his list of the

new

or
on

of

edition

the

Hevietv,

Home,

the

contrary.

and

authorities

a
publisher; and
his book
appeared.

of

changed

edition, in which

mendacity.
It appears,'* said
"

another

sought

the

that

**

had

he

chapter

Home

wrote

added

Westminster

exposed

that, in

ing
deala

Arago,
Revieiiy

Brewster's

addition

to

his

LIFE

204

claims, Sir David

other
he

alone

he

denies

me

when

Brewster

sets

that

claim

up

of feeling. To
gifted with the power
all feeling,and
has coarsely and
untruly
the public as a cheat
and
an
impostor.

I prove

and

documents

by

independent

actually feels it, and

did
Brewster
not
bring a
he

character,

true

David

Sir

HOME,

OF

is

to

up

his

MISSION

AND

me

held
But

witnesses

complains."
libel

action.

when,
remark,
Perhaps he felt the force of Home's
for his statements, he added
after citing the authorities
:
Sir David
Brewster
It is a great pity that
did
not
vindicate
his
character
to
bring actions
against the
"

authors

of

against

whom

of these

some

he

attacking me."
This
preface
Eome

in

books,

made

December,

abortive

an

the

to

against Dr. Carpenter,

or

second

of

written

at

edition

where

1863,

threat, instead

was

Home

Mr.

had

gone

months
For
study art.
some
past the longing had
keen
the
possessed him to attempt turning to account
the
artistic
in
perceptions he possessed; and
career
to

which

he

of the

that

sculptor.

medical

such

in vain

was

to

point of

death

who

him,

unsuited

from

determined

was

It

likely to

most

to

career

had

with

of

was

twice

gratify his

all

already
of

aflfections

succeed

the

was

friends, especially

that

friends, remonstrated
that

him

warned

himself

believed

him,

and

others

most

been

at

lungs.

the

Home

longing; the more

threatening him, as

so

his
pecuniary diflScidties were
of his wife's little fortune
right to the inheritance
was
He
had
made
very unjustly disputed by her relatives.
the acquaintance in London
of some
eminent
sculptors,
that

Mr.
to

Rome,
In

those

Hall.
of

the

declared

1863
year
where
artists
of

Mr.

I need
Halls
it

others

and
with

; and

of

some

before

going
took

these, and

art.

the

houses
"

consulted

he

in the

lessons

Boehm,

Mr.

Durham,

and
not

and

he
of
Mrs.

bring
the

publicly;

was

visitor

at

two

description congregated
every
Howitt
Mrs.
and
Mr.
and

fonvard

Howitts
and

often

all

evidence

of the

faith

Spiritualism all four

had
four, be it marked^
in

"

ENGLAND,
commenced

sceptics.
of

idea
I did

laughed,"

spirit giving

Mrs.

wrote
a

Mr.

and

I
had

both

Howitt
of
some

from

interesting

passages.
Home

Mr.

that

Frdend,

dbab

will

gratifyyou.

not,

on

sacred

so

feeling; so
testimony
Mrs. Cowper
Sacha; and

dear
dear

words

very

it

to send

all she

me

memoir

quoted

her

rous
nume-

the

shows

spirit in

written

was

:"

the little article *In Memoriam'

I had

After

Mrs.

have

from

said

beyond my own
is, I believe,as

whole

be.

can

the

select

like to have

much

they

1861

year

which

vestigate
in-

to

; but

more

I would

personal experience
strictlytrue as any
remarks, I asked
my

written

remembered

could

or

tell

of

me

in the
almost
singularly her testimony was
written.
This
had
cause
most
was
satisfactory,bealready
clear and
beautiful
confirmation
of my
own
a
sions.
impres-

was

Do
first I

the

the

that

one

earnestlyhope

subject,go

that

human

"

I should

borne

led

were

graceful sketch

loving and

has

"Incidents"

Home,

to

table.

Spiritualists; and

the

to

the

at

original incredulity.

by

Mrs.

friend

which

My

but

"

on

raps
husband

Howitt

zealous

become

letters

and

know,

not

contributed

her

"

William

Mrs.

do

his

absolute

Hall,

by
Her

angry."
equally emphatic testimony to
How

205

S. C.

message

I became

worse,

PARIS.

investigation of the subject as

the
"*

AND

EOME,

write

most

to me,

and

how

say

for

like

you

the

It

article.

is the

first
publication
any spiritualsubject
in which
believer
is publicly given as
in these
name
a
glorious
my
truths ; and
I feel pleased that it is in connection
with
whose
one
is so
sweet.
so
lovely, and whose
stay amongst us was
memory
I
and
best
dear
united
kind
With
wishes,
our
friend,
regards
am,
wrote

ever

on

the

"

"

M.

ever,

yours

Mr.

Hall

Home's

were

firm

in

commenced

honest

more
were

acquaintance

present in 1855
Mr.

and

Mrs.

i860.
and
at

and
the

than

candid.

with

their
loss

S. C.

various

Home

at

They

convictions

and

Mrs.

Brewster,

Crossland.

Newton

suflFered much

Mr.

Among

stances

declared
Spiritualists,

Crossland

with

Howrrr."

who

Ealing,
became

; and

persecution

quirers,
in-

in

Mr.
sequence.
con-

S. C. Hall,
They were
acquainted with
He
then
only
a
scepticconcerning the manifestations.
of what
they had seen
laughed at his friends' accounts
at

Ealing

and

elsewhere

; but

on

making

in

his

turn

LIFE

2o6

acquaintance of Mr.
lifetime was
vanquished.
Hall

his

present),the

being
*

brother

laughter
given

me)

to

indeed,
can

up
remember

and

was

to

in

son.

to

oi

one

her

this

understood;
could

not

been

my

iaiV

; he

the

end."

her

remember
and

one

as

of

warm-hearted

call

firiend;

her

friends

dearest

but

have

puUed

you

my

requested
(it excited

and

difference

; the

and
enabling her to counsel
encourage
of
the
of
mother
something
spirit
a
speaking to
from
Letters
Home
fully
carevery dear friends, Mr.

of

I received
first

the

Durham.
will

there

of

Mrs.

period of twenty years, and as

outspoken and affectionate.
1863 and 4 show Mrs. Hall
years
cordially in Home's
project of

that
am

have

hundreds

remain

letter

your

learning of

heart, and
to

S. C. Hall

name
or

ages

letters

Mr.

up

the

it.

was

nearly

to

distinction

it,
wore
queue
Few
living
persons
suffered
to grow
long;

in

behind

"

the

wore

gifted, charming,
was
a
privilege to

interesting herself
becoming a sculptor.
on

hair

1884
:

father

my
HalL'

not
test

of

narratiye

was

Cork

in

met

in

of
persons
When

were

was

buried

was

the

Mrs.

as

**

it

convincing
we

ribbon

preserved; and
Hail's,extending over
interesting as they are
The

if he

his time, he

queue
black

was

their

of

the

It

Home

time

death, and

most

women.

and

his

knew

who

the

him

last

The

tied with

All

in

'

came

party, by whom

and

one

to ua

father,Colonel
answer
given

The

conclusive

military officers

all

of

the

more

(some

asked

Your

sure.

me

among

that

knew

my

being,

answer

to make

test

some

Home
father

announced,

was

the

"

spiritof

'

Hall

Robert

Like

Daniel

i860, sittingwith

"In

friends

his

to

Mr. Home
experiences with
incident
public. I copy his

the

made

incredulity of

the

frequently related

has

earliest

he

HOMK

Home,

the

Mr.

OF

MISSION

AND

late

Saturday,"

on

project;
sure

you
in his

one

"

and

have

she

wrote

the

writes
at

once

in his

comer

studio, if there

is

one

spare."
It

essays

seems

that

in the

of 1863.

It

of Dr.

art

there

made

were

was

there

EUiottson

already described;

Mrs.

; and

not

was

and
was

so

at

Dieppe

then

that

shattered

Milner

Gibson

Mr.

Home's

in
the
in

the
angry
the

being

first

autumn

dulity
incremanner
one

of

JINGLAND,
the

of the

witnesses

AND

EOME,
wonderful

PAEIS.

207

his

in

change wrought

A letter of
by his two stances with Home.
Mrs.
S. C. Hall
have
also
to
February, 1864, shows
when
there :
Elliottson
been
at Dieppe
was
of the Times
Mr.
Dallas
at dinner
was
opposite me
Warde's
Mr.
Hall.
"He
Mrs.
at
yesterday," writes
the table, Dr. Elliottson
said across
is attending me
sentiments

"

"

"

know

do

you
Almost

'

him

saw

In

repeated
Dieppe.*

at

years
He
was

Spiritualism?
altogether so, when

was

'

intending sculptor
six weeks

For

artist

he

but

the

on

quietly

with

colony there,

went

sued
pur-

of

several

of

2nd

to

January,

proof that the Papal Government

forgotten nor
forgiven his refusal, eight

neither

had

in

"

acquainted

received

864, he

he

art.

the

it among
he was

whom

his

study

to

believer

1863, the

November,

Borne

is almost

he

before,

let the

to

before

summoned

gates dose

monastery

chief of the

the

upon
Broman

him.

police,

subjected to a long interrogatory,and finallyordered,

the
within
three
on
ground of sorcery, to quit Rome
days.
Home

Mr.

at

English Consul;
with

that of

was

somewhat
in
"On

Consul

himself

claimed

once

the

protection of

the

of whose

the result

intervention, joined
distinguished personage
friendlyto Home,

incorrectly related
by
that
writing to
journal :

the

Times

spondent
corre-

"

British
morning," said the correspondent, "the
Monday
the
Governor
of
and
Rome,
saw
Monsignor Matteucci,
plained
combe interfered
that any British
with
in consesubject should
quence
stated
that Mr.
of his opinions. He
Home
had
conducted
in a strictly
during his residence in Rome
legal and gentlemanly
manner

; and

demanded

that

the

obnoxious

of

rescinded.

order

should

be

of

fascination, of
Monsignor spoke
dangerous powers
of all the practices of the black
the prohibition by the Government
Mr.
Home's
assented
to
art ; and
of
finally
remaining, on condition
his entering into an
engagement, through Mr. Severn, that he would
with
all communications
the spiritualworld
desist from
during his
stay in Rome."
Mr.

could

Home
not.

entered

Nothing

into
was

no
more

such

engagement.

common

with

him

He
than

LIFE

AND

for manifestations

to

2o8

their

nothing to prevent
written
promise that he
of Rome,

^'

word
my
I will have

in Rome
much

stance
there

Rome

that, stances
the

once

made

hold

and

not

impossible to

was

be

added,

to

their

of

allow

him

on

been

in Rome

that

his

have

that

tations
manifes-

It deserves

of the
weeks

letters

to

defunct

preceding

had

retaining
Mr.

been

them

"

No,"

deU-

study

to

be

cannot

character?"

him

the

Governor

replied Monsignor

the

During
had

Home's

interviewed

two

months

watched,

is without

character

station

of

mark

by

Humbert,
ness's

Naples

in

he

and

blemish.

permitted

was

The
at

believe

we

But

has

he

Rome

is

; and

he

favoured

with

Nice, where

and

escorted

was

of

his

to

friends

in

the

way
rail-

Rome,

as

Home

in

Mrs.

Naples
Milner

presented

was

invitation

an

pleasant stay

and

public protest against his

Prince
present King of Italy, then
Naples at the time ; and by his E[igh-

Mr.

command

number

sympathy

expulsion.

at

four

Home's

who
personage
his
behalf.

left for

Home

but

leave

go."

must

should

abstention, it

methods

the

authorities

tve

and

sorcerer,

of

nothing.

"

Matteucci,

of the
for

say
such

remain.

to

anything against

high

Rome

mined
deter-

at leisure.

Is there

asked

were

that

to

spite of

in

that

him, the

contents

"

unable

occur

Papal Government,
the expulsion none
vered

of

falselyinformed

was

was

characteristic

as

Governor

stances. Home

Consul

stay
avoid, as
my

himself
promise ; and Home
was
to
quit the Papal territory, the
that, since he could
only promise

being

would

the

still,who

powers

"

Spiritualism."

upon

behind

but

his

stance,

no

I will

no

British

ordered

more

excuse

or

broken

had

Home

to

The

city.

that

higher

were

follows

as

stance, and

of the

request

during

held

was

actual

that

conversations

could

The

gentleman

no

possible,all

as

No

as

he

and

happening.

the
at
gave,
word
for word

was

give

HOME.

unexpectedly,

occur

do

Governor

OF

MISSION

to
was

Court

followed

Gibson

was

to

him,

ball.

by
then

few
among

and
short

weeks
the

life

full of

so

of diflferent years.

events

incident

sometimes

myself compelled

I find

together the

group

of

narrative

of Home,

that

as

the

writing

In

HOME.

OF

MISSION

AND

LIFE

2IO

to

Were

I to

and
to
pany
accomchronological sequence,
and
Home
Mr.
one
step by step in his thousand
rather like a record
read
journeys, these chapters would
of travel than
a biography.
of
about
to group
I am
together the incidents
now
the years
1863 and 1864, so far as they relate to London.
strict

preserve

Home

English metropolis during those

various
At these
frequent stances.
John
were
present, including Mr.

in the

much

was

held
years, and
English celebrities

two

Mr.

Daniel

Cooper.

the

manifestations

Sir

Charles

effect

Sir

his

avowing
the

to

In

made

*^

no

belief, but

Mr.

second

Home's

that

the

Spiritualists

from

old

feelings

the

carried

my

the

reader.

friends

proclaiming

of
it

of
and

timid

"

Incidents,"

lished
pub-

interestingperiod of

that

over

friends
of

of

volume

1872, he passes
life,the early summer
returned
to England,

for

saying

unavowed

shrank

he

and

world.

revisit

to

for

by

Buskin

presently put before

his
scruple among

in

his

of Mr.

reasons

them

to render

I shall

Cooper

D.

deeply impressed

were

I have

Sir

and

Nicholson,

witnessed

they

was

that

reasons

"

Charles

four

All

Nicholson

them

on

Sir

Kuskin,

Bright,

864, with
then

the

brief remark,

crossed

Atlantic,

Consideration

in America."

inquirers

the

could

hardly

be

higher pitch.
Mrs.
S. C. Hall
Mr.
that
was
through Mr. and
Mr.
Sir
D.
the
Euskin,
Bright, and
Cooper made
The
letters of Mrs.
S. C.
acquaintance of Mr. Home.
HaU
during the years 1861, 2, 3, and 4, are fortunately
numerous
they have
materially assisted me
; and
very
facts
in arriving at the
of that portion of Mr.
Home's
English experiences I am
now
dealing with.
to

It

Before

speaking

of

Mr.

Bright

and

Mr.

Ruskin,

take
the opportunity those
letters give me
to
may
say
few
of
less
words
a
a
man
intellectually
distinguished,
but

who

was,

believe, in

some

sort

social, artistic,

ENGLAND,

AND

ROME,

PAEIS.

211

literarycelebrity in London
a
quarter of a century
Mr.
Heaphy.
ago
of an
To
begin with, he is the hero
dote
amusing anecHall.
related
"Mr.
in
by Mrs.
Heaphy looked
in
on
Sunday evening," she writes
February, 1864;
Old
amused.
and
hear, has
are
so
we
Lady P., we
carried
has written
been
it
on
up to the ceiling and
she
told this to Mr.
know,
Heaphy, saying, 'Do
you
I am
Now
Mr.
a
floater!
Heaphy^s deafness
played
and

"

**

"

him

know,

you
about

was

at

change

in

his

even

it is

again

It

Mr.

Heaphy

the

said, 'Do
went

Lady

poor

"

mind

Lady P.," but

the
mysterious
last

here
do

night,"

rejoice

through

the

at
means.

your

spirit rises

tion
against convicbrought right by the wonders

information
Sacha's

darling
a
blessing

me

such

is

old

by

**and

Heaphy

world,

called

marvellous

the

tells

improved.

his

now,

seen,

He

of

man

Heaphy

wrought

has

him.

Mr.

"

then

had

changed

impressed
diflFerently
1861

; and

portrait

he

has

you
is

gave

greatly
brought

been

you."

to

As

reference

whose

Heaphy,
a

clever

in

Sometimes,

had

she

bloater."

Hall

Mrs.

So

Spiritualistlike

Home.

writes

thought

Spiritualism

very

"giftof

he

bloater!^

Yarmouth

joke

could

he

am

cool-headed,

he

tellinghow

into

P.

trick, and

bad

portrait of

make

his

himself
formed

the

most

eminent

of

was

He

Home.

Mrs.

attached

Heaphy

was

genius

convictions

an

Hall's

ii^ Mrs.

public ;
and

letter
versatile

had

never

but

in

friend

sincere

design of studying
who

sent

of

the

him

an

artist

indicates, Mr.
order, painted
the

private

to
courage
he showed

when

; and

sculpture

introduction

Rome,

at
to

it

of the

one

the

colony there,

Home

sculptor

Gibson.

"My
many

dear
reasons

writes

Dan,"
that

are
you
could
have

last; though I
Paris
instead, that

might

Heaphy,
back

in

wished
have

"I

am

the

old

that

you

better

glad for
place at
were

at

chance

of

AND

LIFE

212

coming

to

see

introduction
"

will

You

Edward

have
on.

tells

of

many

in

commenced

of

the

how

you
Thos.

Heaphy."

he

when

at

who

England ; and a letter of Mrs.

distinguished investigator to

the

accepted
rather,
widow
The

time

absent

S. C. Hall's
have

appear

stance.

at

was

you

getting

are

English, or,
Makdougall Gregory,
present

may

when

well-known

Possibly

1863,

year

Rome,

at

Adieu!

hear

an

friends

week.

Spiritualist,Mrs.
of Professor
Gregory, to be
Mr. Home,
medium
not
was
the

number.

the

Scottish

from

one.

for

wish

you

investigations of Spiritualism

Buskin's

invitation

me

London

our

by the Holy
an
opportunity let us
Yours
truly,
ever

to have

HOME.

I enclose

"

Rome

Mr.

the

wife

Stirling among

in

be

OF

My

you.
to Gibson
find

MISSION

declares

been

very

favourably
un-

was

one

impressed.
little

Some

evening

the

at

Buskin

he
were

real

or

Bertolacci

ought

to

true

have

to

impression

pretended
Mr.

Bertolacci, who

Mr.

of

an

appears

unfavourable

"

to

"

he

had

discussion;

and

Mrs.

on

as

Hall)

rest

that
meet

"knew

"

rest

"

Mr.

she

from.

the
at

once

He

had

Home

hope

which

to

Buskin

Mr.

his
with

you

man

burst
"

we

and

could

well, "c., "c.

so

if you
be

no

out

into

(Mr.

and

And

then

the

was

the

fact

about."

came

The

that

"

asked

wonderful

your

the

mediums

Hall,

He

"

Mrs.

the

by

gifts there
doubt.'
this, the whole
Upon
family
belief
their
in all your
that
goodness

added,

of

seen.

writes

him,"

The

something

him

mediumship.
be depended

your

man

'Of

told

see

on

was

Home.

Mr.

for

said

made

that

"

Buskin

Mr.

acquaintance
Spiritualism came
up

topic of

"

of

house

and
Spiritualist,

Mr.

afterwards,

time

at

Mrs.
ended

to

of

eminent

so

by expressing
The

stance.

wish

Mrs.

refers

Hall

S. C.
a

penned the letter

willingly promised

convert

the

desire

Bertolaccis

Hall

to

municated
com-

and, delighted

to

Home

to

Spiritualism,

just quoted

stance;

and

the

Halls, who

had

In

My

"

adds,

three

^he

"

to

stay with

if his

friend

is all

Either
Ireland

the

second

stance

of

14th

of

regret leaving town

Ruskin"

Mr.

the

could
Hall

Mrs.

if

is,' he

you, the
his friend ;

be

and

was

so

apathetic yet energetic nature

evening; and do, dear friend, go

followed

by

for

greatly

interested

about

catch

to

hold

to-morrow

occurs

him

to

the

on

"We

anything

of his

for

for

wait

am

leave

to

writes:

know

me

it

or

not

just now.
let

do

R.

is

exactly eight."

stance,

they

1864,

will

who

that

finally obliged

were

that

June,

about"

thought

eve

There

selves, Mr.

two

Halls

the

on

it/

sent.
pre-

Monday

friend

land,
Ire-

"

on

clergyman

"

comes

bring

may

him

our

have

we

he

writes

Ruskin

^Mr.

wishes

"

Hall

Mrs.

"

if

asks

Bertolaccis

that

Friend,

dear

evening
coming

letter

next

213

the

on

their

her

PARIS.

point of starting for

journey for a few days to be

been

deferred

AND

ROME,

ENGLAND,

his

in

own

home."
What
the

; Mr.

summer

know

if he

The

HaUs

Ruskin

has

occurred

had

that, whatever

but
Mrs.

Hall's

and

phrase,

"

affectionate

even

Home

their

of

tone

writes

England.

**

he does

But

adds, underlining the

In

the

early

America.
the

eve

which

of his
I omit
"

the

was

you

are

Mr

Home,

truly doing

me

"

It

the

the

so

letters

"

to

Hall

Mrs.

again left

had

Mr.

about,

Home
to

^'

she

to

his

of

you

greatest service

and

to

on

from

"

ing
concern-

"

Hill, ^th September

Denmark

nice

Ruskin

Mr.

Ruskin

own

for

sailed

subjoined letter
of Mr.

answer

is

Home

written

and

'*

Dbar

convinced

confidences

some

him, the friendly,

subsequent

1864,

had

departure,

twenty ;
had, in

stances

of

not

emphatically.

of
he

I do
or

ivish it talked

not

words

autumn

Evidently

himself

"

his

later, when

months

some

"

hold

caught

Home

those

number,

sufficientlydemonstrates.
Only fancy Ruskin
being

"

Mr.

of

most

spoken.

never

with

stances

two

in Ireland

were

like

help

me

that

!
one

1864.

I believe
human

being
I

AND

LIFE

214

do

can

deserve

far

so

another

feeling and
left,being

in

indeed
I
this way, and
and
noble
understand

in
I

can

hope
right

affection

though I have myself little feelingor

with
indignation as far as regards the

"

out

worn

HOMK

OF

trusting mo

trust, that

your

affection

MISSION

genend

world.
.

Till March

"

did

long

that

write

not

for

is

wait

to

week

for I

"

"

"

And

to

come

way,

that

wild

In

this

far

as

you,

precious

ever

by

men

Home

Mr.

the

written

was

in

two

or

Russia.

and
that

time

day

It

following

every

be preserved
you
better in health

us

J.

Buskin."

would

from

much

to

seem
man

but
and
and

Sympathy

whose

nature

none

all his life stood

who

loosed

calumny

and

from

be

May

peace.
back
to

than

of him

nothing

returned

spent only
France

knew

who

shall

friend."

new

target for the shafts of abuse

him

in America.

spiritof the time,

affection left,I feel for

sensitive, and

more

safe

too

Home,

to

you are
back.

away

safe.

the

with

my

quite

but

in

London,

before

letter

undated

name.

May,

have

to

but

1865,

for

leaving

been

of

as

against

his

America

seems

into town

going

were

you

letter

Buskin

expect

feeling and

with

liking were

not

warfare

his

I have

as

sympathise
was

Do

"

by

out

worn

at

pleasant letter, Mr.

in effect

say

more

come
you
leisure and

country,^ and brought

affectionatelyyours,

Ever

happier.

moment

me

line to say

the

me

then

hope,
in

and

see

sure

Saturday's

my

fault

all my
if I could
get

told

never

"

really isn't

it

not

was

but

on
Monday
you
Monday, and I thought
"Well
do please write
me

you
before

and

"

this

at

Hall's

Mrs.

:"

Saturday NighL
"Dear
Mr.
I

Friend,

Rusk

am

on

in

so

"

proud
to
Monday
so

Denmark

I have

"

I cannot
of

please tell

"

so

we

this, and

such

received

lend

the

you

quote

can

possession

and

him

even

but

it

take

Hill;

just

of

shall
hold

Mr.

him

'

I'm

to

all the

fast

of it for

coming

Home,

have

charming

loan

drive

drive

single look,
o'clock

one

him

time

Monday

on

at

from

note

to

over

besides

"

till I

morning

come.'
"

I have

I write

by

would

you

(who
"

would

written

to

Mr.

Ruskin
to catch

to

night's post
forego any engagement
not !) and

to

Well, that

all I

was

could

say

that

you

at Cox's

you
to

say.

spend
Nothing

few

can

of his letter."

The

Civil

War

was

then

have

Hotel

raging.

"

escaped
that

hours

exceed

"

that

am

sure

with

him

the

ality
cordi-

ENGLAND,
The

of

winter

England,

to

he

received

Yearns

on

Mr.

kind

your
Your

Home,

from

write, and

see

Mr.

that

say

desire

that

October

for

My

on

Daniel,

dear

it, of course,

various

giving
of rejoicing.

Ruskin

Mr.

"

note

he

called

received

evening

new

AthenflBum?"

the

long
As

for you
talk on

of the

here

to

with

all your

old

readings
to-day.

Carter

desires

dear
I wish, my
If
could
his friend.
you

unable

is

in

and

"

looking

give

to

that

stances

wishing

so

him

and

^"

fix
or

at

Street),"only

Sloane

Ruskin.

Mr.

you

could

here

"

full

are

enclose

to

Daniel, you

to

worn

friends

me

meet

story ^

the

He

ill. We

had

joiced
re-

such

the

made

indirect, but

together
^

The

letters

of the

him

on

leave

and

particularsof that talk,

preceded it, I have printed

the

had

testimony that such

been
preserved afford

reader,

ringing

is

me

dated

"

town

to

nine

but

write

then

was

no

over

Hall's

Mrs.

him.

it,and

have

Spiritualism.''

instead

Home;

account

the

^but oh ! he

"

am

of

(the Spiritual Athenaeum

attend

please do

year.

during 1866,
meet
again

soon

Ruskin

Mr.

"

here

from

receive

to

All

"

for

I may,
and
believe
J. Ruskin."

London

in

letter

friend's

1865.

you

happy

they might

i6th, 1866, that

stance

"

find, from

months,

an

much

was

thank

to

you

December,

2^

probably gratified;but on this point

of speaking
positively. Passing

means

or

Please

Home

Ruskin*s

was

was

you.

only

aflfectionately
yours,
As

and

last it

at

soon

Mr.

of New

way

reproachfully
stayed by me
I was
time, and
deep summer
in at night too
tired
to
came
late.
But
I hope I
too
now

the

"

Hill,

is

wish

to

America

it was
day by day
all day long,
out

Denmark

^This

"

letter, and

letter

me

Malvern,

at

greeting :"

Dear

may

j"rom Russia

back

Gully
Ruskin
by

Mr.

by
**

"

215

visit to Dr.

letter written

PAEIS.

Home

1865 brought
while

and

AND

EOME,

it

with

adoption

by
now

the
of Mr.

the

none

from

Mr.

deep
his
to

Ruskin

as

favourable

and

experiences with
the
judgment of

corroborative
Home

conclusive

less

by Mrs.

Lyon.

evidence

have
pression
imMr.
the

of

LIFE

2i6

Other

Mrs.

Hall.

Mr.

Ruskiii

the

statements

portions of

she

took

Bright's introduction
place through the Halls, and

than

that

of

whose

Euskin.

Mr.

to

Spiritualism; but as
hearsay, I have confined myself to the
speaks from her personal knowledge.

are

where
passages
John
Mr.

refer

also

letters

her

with

connection

in

HOME.

OF

MISSION

AND

description

The
of

at

first

his

earlier

an

Wason

Mr.

also

Home

Mr.

to

of
has

stance

date
pool
Liver-

already

friend
of a once-noted
intimate
an
given, was
derful
politician,Mr. E. Beales ; and his relation of the wonexcited
the
rest
intehe
had
witnessed
phenomena
and
curiosity of Mr. Beales, who, through Wason,
been

obtained

friend,

his

beheld

he

introduction

an

vividly impressed

was

and

Home.

to

it

his

was

of

instrumental

Star

the

Beales

In

John
the

he

Bright
the

been

with

the

house

the
was

with

Halls,

The

evening
"In

Mr.

Mr.

in the

columns

Spiritualism,"
i6th,

it

to

was

1862,

Mr.
**I

mind

my

desire

with

to

whom

winter

witness

Home

of

his

inspired

acquaintance

an

of the

narrative

1862-3,

and
and

stances

Mr.

friend

investigate
bour
neighnear

was

holding

Mr.

Beales

quent
fre-

municated
com-

at their
Bright's wish to them, and a stance
ingly,
accordMr.
John
was
appointed.
Bright came
bringing with him Mr. Lucas, managing editor of
Star.
other
sitters
the
Morning
Among
present
whose
of her own
narrative
a
lady
early experiences
Home
Mr.
has already been
given, Mrs. Adelaide

Senior.

of

present,

Being

stances

that

you

ing
hav-

my

had

phenomena.
of

October

duty."
Beales, by his

his turn, Mr.

which

Home,

letters

to

the

open

of

assure

and

pleasure

throwing

the

induced

regards

As

discussion

Mr.

to

unfeignedly

very
both

at

the

to

writes

in

that

its columns
'*

like

Beales,

manifestations

the

by

influence

to open
Morning Star newspaper
the subject of Spiritualism.
on

been

Mr.

little

is from

D.

D.

Home's

Bright

of

the

occurrences

of

the

her.

present at one
stances
in the house
S. C. Hall, to which
of Mr.
been invited,he having expressed a strong wish

1862," writes

November,

John

I know

had

Mrs.

Senior, "I

was

LIFE

?i8

ful for the

AND

made

both

mrost

wishful

Mr.

on

Lucas

invitation

An

Hall

writes

from

to

; but

accepted

Carter

"

Mr.

Probably
second

has

had

Hall

cannot

present

on

Home's

Mr.

Friday.

He

4, Hanovkb

when

occasion

"

to

nth

the

next,

manifestations

Majf 6, '64.

Stbkkt,

his

me

great

wish

expected;

he

may

inst,
whom

Tite, M.P.,

Mr.

to

papers

"

an

note

on

Would
Wednesday
Hall,
f
suit you for another
sittingwith Mr. Home
think
know, has several times expressed
you
he

melancholy

following letter froiphim

the

among

Mr.

dear

Mrs.

after next
or
so
hopes the week
He
is evidently deeply impressed."
ultimately present at a
Bright was

"

"My

and

appointed

day

come

are

given

was

most

Both

Bright.

the

been

but

I find

stance.

S. C.

Mr.

of

he

Bright, saying

of town,
out
goes
to be fortunate.

eve

the

on

John

and

had

me

again.".
you
stance
second
a

meet

to

assured

he

which

impression

HOME,

OF

MISSION

to

and

if he could
come.
gratify him very much
suit
hut
if
other evening, Saturday
will
hest,
me
some
Wednesday
excepted, can only he set apart for it, I will try to come.
^*
kind
will
trouhlesome.
think
You
I hope you
not
mo
were
I hope you
to propose
to come
a
again, and
day.
enough to ask me

it would

"

able

bo

may

believe

his

conversing

he

that

I have

in

September
Peebles
**

when
the
some

J.

he

will

with

Peebles,
this

1870,

any
but
in

had

Lecturing
travels

in

talk

in

with

America,

Europe,

Mr.

"

England
transpired quite

I
an

dined

D.

Home's

He

could

with

He

John

said

he

had

manifestations.
attribute

Bright,

conversation

earnest

subject of Spiritualism.

wonderful.

Home

time, and

his

on

in

D.

public

to add
to
person
United
States
consul,

Spiritualism.

on

stated

of

Mr.

me

Bright."

of another

evidence

about

3,

While

made

never

thmk

not

John

subject,the

M.

England

Bright

Mr.

the

Mr.

theirs.
was

that

testimony of Mr. Hall

Mr.
Beales,
Hall,
as
reported by Mrs.
declared
freely the impression made
on
the

on

of

that

him.

and

Home,

Bright has
experiences

Mr.

of

show

Mr.

Very truly yours,

account

and

with

to arrange

intrusive.

them

upon
witnessed

They
to

no

were
cause

ENGLAND,
it be

except

the

spirits.
do

not

that

say

But,'

he

is

so

this

back,

pages

like

and,

man,

had

He

Home,

manifestations

the

make

his

Home's

their

belief

in

of the

of

to

let their

"Of

in

Home;

"but

their

E.

B.

of

and

The

that

English

to

the

of

the

moters
pro-

the

natures
sig-

who

had

Home's

sence
pretimid

too

were

either

witness
S.

C.

Robert

Hall

in
Mr.

to

Sir

Chambers,

Nicholson

Charles

of

genuineness

in

Mr.

will

"

at

world.

be

to

wrote

others

Sir

be

testimony

of the

all

Mr.

should

wish

nearly

ready

public,"

Lytton,

his

them

by

to

after

1864,

conviction

forth

am

will

with

courage

up

him, that

sympathy

found

or

stances

obtain

go

the

some

to

witnessed

was

course

referred

to
naturallywas
distinguished Englishmen

names

private

of

address

it

; but

amiable
very
timid
one.
very

In

Spiritualism.

phenomena

"

summon

Rome,

address

privately expressed
the

not

from

of various

of

true, it is the

have

number

of

I
been

public.

declaration

caution,

genuineness of
probably satisfied of their spiritual

convictions

once

due

immortality.'

men,

could

he

expulsion
planned an

friends

at

and

but

origin;

have

convinced

entirely

was

of

whom

amiable

present

disembodied
intelligent,

with

have
to

219

if it be

; but

to

seems

many

been

of

added,

strongest tangibleproof we
Sir Charles
Nicholson,
few

PARIS.

alleged,that

one
'

AND

EOME,

and

others

and

the

be

both?"
It

found

was

that

ultimately took
form.

But

if timorous

world,

Sir

Charles

declared

it

writes

Gardens,"
Charles

at

his

Nicholson

1865:

"Sir

Charles

to

in
Hall

about

began

again, writing

faith

his

woudd

public
the

to
to

seem

monial
testi-

have

friends.

S. C.

Mrs.

And

publishing

Lamocks

the

of

private, instead

of

perfect believer.
bravely with the Lamocks."

now

not,

Nicholson

freelyto

dinner

"At

would

they

Carter

Mr.

Nicholson

Home

Palace

Kensington
to

Mr.

Home,

Spiritualism
he

and

fought

in America,

told

Mr.

"

Durham

"

he

Sir
is

it out

March,
that

AND

LIFE

220

had

he

friends

Both

report;

informed

been

such

had

sincere

so
a

Spiritualism.

great anxiety and

nice

distress

reply.

such

at

letter, and

last
your
he
I think

Charles

Sir

sent

very

HOMR

renounced

had

you

in

were

OF

MISSION

is

very

to

any

Spiritualist."

Sincere

in

is such

cause

Sir

that

secret,

Of

is.

avail

what

sincerity?

Charles

letters

Nicholson's

Home

Mr.

to

are

interest
to
hardly of sufficient
print here;
except
the
the
which
bears
on
perhaps
following,
slightly
:
testimony of Mrs. Hall concerning his convictions
"

My

"

Mr.

dear

Be

note.

Home,

assured

kind

your

pleasure of cultivating social

enjoying your society, will always
the

that

of

and

intercourse,

for

thanks

Many

"

sity
regarded as a privilege by me, irrespective of curioI may
which
phenomena
regarding the wonderfid
have
an
opportunity of witnessing in your
presence.

be

Ever

faithfullyyours,

most

Sir

That

with
Sir Daniel

C.

Nicholson

had

stances

Mr.

Home,

I learn

from

Cooper

'M.Y

be

Home,

DEAR

happy

very

o'clock.

to

has

Prince's

Cooper

Lady

"

see

friend

your

Our

met

you

Chas.

Sir

at

manifestations,

any

Lady

I
Sir

do

Charles

public;

are

in

know

not

in

of

Mr.

anxious

regards.

that

Sir

D.

seen

s^nce.

fully,
yours
very faithCooper."
Daniel

me

made

Lady

and

never

at

you

Denham

have

see

Believe

Cooper,

ever

both

private

to

shall

J past

at

Admiral

others

the

we

Witt, Admiral

Mrs.
selves.

"

that

say

Pemberton

and
two

our

to

me

Captain

very

kind

Nicholson,

but

by

written

gth July, 1864.

Gardens,

desires

Nicholson's

and

Cooper joins me

letter

dence
resi-

own

"

party will consist

Denliam, Dr. Barrett, and

Mrs.

his

at

20,
"

Nicholson."

Charles

than

more

any
his

convictions

himself

and

Cooper

converts.

were

"

I heard

was

ill,so

last

night," writes
there

I called

him

better.

card

to Mr.

Home

have

called

here

en

C. said,

Lady
"

route
*

I left it

before

Mrs.

his return

Mrs.

to

I fear
for

S. C. Hall,

your

him

Milner
maid

that

"

never

D.

Cooper
found

Gibson's, and
gave

expressly,and

to Paris.*

Sir

Paris

Sir

hoped
!

'

Daniel's
he

might

repeated;

'he

ENGLAND,
is in LondoiL'

I wish

it to

^how

"

reconcile

Sarah

about it

I had

gilL^

gave
their

In

The

of the

and

kind
of

if

but

If friends

Captain

1864,

on

reference

letter to the

the

subject

been

the

to

he had

no

for

from

forming

prevent him
in the

words

believe,
few

his

and

as

"

:
ever

attention

Home

attack
Mr.

about

later

Mr.

was

He

at

ments
state-

confound

have

of

man

assertion

Advertiser

at

and

small

some

in

He

especial
had

never

fact

judgment
he

March,

with

unimportant
;

knew

strikingillustration

rank

that

did

summed

not

it up

impostor, I verily

an

Home

once

which

to

who

was

Captain
this

at

have

you

letter

instructions

gave
wrote

arrived
the

to

is astonished

PickersgilliR.A.,

i86"-3.

they

malice.

Home.

the

called

solicitors,who

Mr.

"

Mr.

as

fond

so

reckless

Spiritualism,

arriving
is

mous
anony-

lived."

weeks

Advertiser.
to his

Home

that

one

that

truth

sheer

Stissex

materials

Spiritual

were

make

to

1864.

but

some

valueless.

year

of

one;

of

Home

to

of

s"nces

at

present

of

scientific

note, wrote

power,

that
the

was

nature

in the

Noble,

in

tellingthe

chapter

given

was

of

of human

tendency

on

understand

testimony

always ready
hearsay or

in another

fact

with

friends

timid

were

based

of the

human

any

early in 1863, and, during

consequently

were

foes

the

timid

which

remarked

Spiritualism since
impossible they find

with

described

were

so,

furnishing,and

of him,

Sir

and

Do, dear

Cooper.

Lady

manifestations

Magazine

she

that

following

and

Sir Daniel

battles

how

written

was

pleasure

with
Home
year, j"resh stances
of
strengthened the Spiritual convictions

the

deepened

quiet way
they were

letter

the

impressed,
they saw

more.

Sir

you

of

friend, call on them.

D.'s card, but
I daresay you
forgot all
much
they are as
impressed as Pickersso
deeply impressed."

see

idea

no

above

that and

to

are

of

about

are

221

expression

at Brussels

manifestations

they

eager
she
says

and

here

deeply they

the

and how

PARIS-

the
seen
you had
Then
she told me

litnp her serious face.

Daniel had
fought both
ihat stance

AND

ROME,

made

present

at

in

the

Sussex

on

the

subject

Noble

public
upon

several

England

in

stances

"

and
his
with

gratuitous
personal
Mr.

Home

AND

LIFE

222

he

and

character,
of

have

tigation,
inves-

public
opportunity

an

We

if you
fore
there-

are

"

Noble

Captain
Home

have

to

"

instructed

of

will

you

HOMR

charge against him.

your
"c.
to ask

proving

name

OF

is determined

in which
can

MISSION

applicatiojifor

responded to the
solicitor
by writing

his

follows

as

the
Mr.

to

"

**

Forest

Lodgb,

Mabxsfixld,

i4iA AprU^

1S64.

to
in a
a
having just been directed
passage
the
Sussex
to
by me
long letter addressed
AdvertUery reflecting
drawing
strongly on your character, I take the earliest opportunity of withthe charge therein
and
of
all
with
implied,
offering you,
frankness
and unreserve,
the fullest apology for having made
what
a
moment's
been
reflection tells me
to have
assertion
an
unjustifiable

Sir,

"

on

part.

my

attention

My

"

affirming the
Spiritual manifestations

of

grounds

In

"

to natural

disbelief

my

causes,

and

in

aitribating

inadvertently led

was

to

I so
much
You
yourself which
will,I
regret
of
entertained
malevolent
assured, acquit mo
having
feeling
any
of whom
I had
no
personal knowledge, and will leadilj
against one
perceive that I spoke only from general conclusions
hastily,and I
Under
these
freely admit, unfairly formed.
circumstances, I feel it
alike due
and to myself to offer you
to you
one
apolqgy which
every
another
inasmuch
attack
gentleman is entitled to from
as
; and,
my
readiness
to
make
was
a
tation
retracpublic one, I now
express
my
my
shall
and
with
clothe
it
in
equally public,
pleasure
priate
approany
which
form
deem
honour."
to
satisfactory
own
may
you
your
the

make

allusion

to

feci

In
to

making

have

amende

this

occurred

knowledge

the

to

of Mr.

ho^iorahle, it

Home

writer

being, as he implies,
greatly aggravated it. It
to fling random
however,
nine-tenths
would

have

gentleman,
than

mankind,
not

to

that

they
Then

Home,

whose

punish others,

offered
Noble

and

the

publishing

to

the

not

he

of
way
at Home

the

was

slanders

plead, like
and

acted

this

the
;

was

very readily
incident
was

Sussex
in

more

always

desire

in the

all

confesses, instead
mitigation of his offence,

had

seem

of

want

maligners, if brought

his

hastened

malice.

in

of

which

to

of

that

does

the

to

bably
pro-

book,

heedlessness

most

accepted
terminated
that

and

country

placable of
himself^

to vindicate

journal

world,

had

the

tion
repara-

tain
by Capcontained

ENGLAND,

AND

EOME,

PABIS.

of his

withdrawal

the

libel

and

them.
apology for having made
forget what ^celebrity described

described,

the

as

abused

best

statements

himself,
of

man

his

or

was

Mr.

day.

niated
(or worst) calumThe
of his.
harmless
and
most
meaningless
his
of
dropped by one
acquaintances was
enough :
in twenty-four
listening ear
picked it up, and
the most
astonishing fictions had been built upon
For
instance, the distinguished sculptor Mr J. E.

Home

some

hours
it.
Boehm

pointed

Home

repeated
few days

statuette

hands

made

by

feet.

Some

and

of

him
one

Mr.
present
and

with
distortions;
compliment
lated
circumost
extraordinary stories were
the sculptor had
of what
said.
Home

the

"

wrote

to inform

him

wrote

in return

Mr.

best

the

in London

''Deab

in

out

well-formed

the

the

unquestionably

was

word

in

unreserved

an

223

of these

wild

fables, and

Mr.

Boehm

"

Homb,

yesteiday, and

hasten

be

enough

With

"

astonishment
I cannot

received

understand

letter

your

who

can
reply.
possihly
spread such reports, and though I try to
what
could have
remember
to the
given cause
origin of it, I cannot
think
that it was
anything else but my pointing out on your statuette
in general
limbs
If such
hands, feet, and
delicatelyformed
your
remarks
I
raise such
well
as
give up priding
interpretations, may
the only merit in my
I consider
works
humble
myself in that which
characteristics
I
much
attention
the
of
that
the tip
to
viz.,
pay just as
of the fingersas the tip of the nose.
I need
I know
not say more,
as
that these things occur
often
that you would
to you, and
not
really
attach
them
and
believe
I
dear
to
to
importance
beg
any
me,
you
;
Mr.
J. ". Boehm."
Home, truly yours,

ill-natured

to

to

"

The

could

but

not

untruthful

knew

it fell unheeded

him

comment

letter

to

Dear

heartily

all who

pointed
needs

the

no

really
out

in

other

"

"

"

of

ears

which

him,

of

annoyance
of the world,

fact well

"

present, Home

or

the

malignant chatter
despised it. On the

following

the

past

and

he

though

of all men,
feel
sometimes

sensitive

most

Sir,

"

cannot

H6tkl

conceive

de

Rome,

why

you

12th

Dee.,'63.

give the

LIFE

294

slightest attention
to

this

me

and

circumstances

j"riends

numerous

will

Russia

the

to

HOME.

society

do
you
Believe
me,

as

of all kinds.

England,

time

dear

of

solemn

him

Noble's
for few

writer

sir, yours

men

have

Odo

the

belief,

people,

that

the

of the

work

of

the

with

ling
counsel-

in
is

Captain

apparent;

Scriptures

more

Home.

letter

actuated

was

pious,
of

often

of

them

by

narrow-minded

Spiritualism

Home
some

"suniliar

in
as

form

the

with

again,

among

phenomena

met

took

information

this

Arch-Fiend.

he

persons

Here

of

common

so

that

dealing
especially earnest

searched

writer

Russell."

cease

constantly than

attentivelyand
the

letter

lack

ever

truly,

accepted Captain Noble's

Bible.

total

case,

Evidently

to

was

his

read

to

he

received

warning

Its

spirits.

when

Home

apology, Mr.

and

influenced

"

the

France,

by idle gossip,
pean
so
prominent a position in Eurois inevitably exposed
attacks
to

holds

who

in

be

certainly not

man

About

mentioned

you

morning.

Your

"

OF

MISSION

AND

met

in this

the

were

with

such

same

year,

1864.
He

had

and

went

the
of

held,

Captain Chawner,
him
for a few days at Nevrton
Several
people were
staying
Home's
stances
coming
were

to

Hampshire.

house

and

which

circulated.

It

on

in

had

been

flight

lady

who

was

This
some

story
friends

its source,
which

was

so

of Home
had

by

once

Chawner

the

present

who

believed

demons.

fortune

They

based.

was

with

of

himself

radiant
the

had
but

angel,

of

exorcisms

frequently repeated in society that

ended
it to
by trying to trace

the

stances

work

at

of

Fiend

present.

and

it

form

the

subsequently

was

the

that

said

visibly appeared
to

startling account

was

put

of

acquaintance

visit

on

Vallence,
in

the

made

She

the
came

to

arrive

found

that

family

at
at

the

facts

one

of

lady had

manifestations
to

the

stance

to

on

the

been
be

the

accordingly

LIFE

226

knows

Fiend

Arch

all about

knowledge

of that

use

OF

MISSION

AND

his

and

us

all

temptations

HOME

and

"

so, for his

I believe, in every
tell all his emissaries.
can
dear lost friends.' "
that personates our

Of

such

as

of all

a
:

to

not

who

in the
*'My

his

quote

that
I

the

Home,

found

an

still
this

in

following

wrote

**I

to

him

beg

the

made

was

of

you

am

by

1862
not

Mr.

1862,

convert

the

letters

can

will
to

has

if

at

the

which

alone

so

Ryde
in

of

with

very

right
ottier

Hanover

the
**

that

my

dear

I beUeve,

in

the

letter

news,

interest, and

an

explain why
speak

are

we

spirits in
got

not

Home

from

tualism
Spiri-

in

"

with

he

was

part of that

stances

extract

in

to

numerous

"

years

them

to

objection

way

"

to

the

give you
good
v^dth
to
speak
my
Spiritualism. He was

an

He

of Solms
The

"

about

has

allusion

in

occasion

know

but

of his

one

various

to

Ryde,

at

Hanover,

writer

only believes
I am
yet happy that
for me
I
is enough
expected."

No

cient
omnis-

is

allude

Home

to

portion of

communicate

but

be

convincing,

converted

was

Mr.

return

Mr.

of all I

world.

sees

vince
conidentity can
proof with the objec-

than

who

with

English of

interested,
to

that,

should

phenomena
passing. Among

of Solms,

on

dear

because

in

which

Fiend

the

now

his stances

tried,

King

am

Prince

King.

than

of

more

investigated
I

by
and

Satan

seem
may
the Evil One

that

do

to

space

which

George,

know

people

omnipotent."

I have
persons

every
that

others

to

of the

token

meets

who

me,

and

as

who

Yes, yes,

not

from

What

inveterate.

of

it is

faith, it is inevitable

deceit

that

Spiritualism, that

to

he
purpose,
evil spirit

orthodox

power

their

being

manifestation

person

**

but

Such

the

in

prejudiceshostile

in every
the most

tion

have

to

case,

faith very

it is an

only remark

can

one

stronger

rule,

of God.

that

"

much

how

curious
seem,

reasoning,

makes

and
peculiaritiefi,

our

Prince

Incidents."
the

Prince

"

knowledge

of

ENGLAND,

Spiritualism and
for my
bad
King,
this, asked
the

to

had
to

interest

ever,

yours

I will

other

"

of

Hastings

letter written

after her

Home

that

she

saw

she

'*

was

feel

to

as

till she
In

manifestations,
of

lit.
brilliantly

evening
and

"

described
in

his

to

known

spring

to

of the

Companies

; and

tells Mr.

it several

electrician, Cromwell

stance

his

in
In

on

times."

his letter to

the

subject

took

by

spiritual
phenomena
(the

Varley
in

untouched
the

he

him

in

given

his

letter

to

the

of

International
therefore

electricity,magnetism,

have
and

and

to

considerable
other

sdance

that

Tyndall,

Dialectical

the

tations,
manifes-

attribute

Atlantic

possible."
im-

mena
pheno-

witnessed

before

inclined

was

at

by
room

*'

the

to

i860,

seeing anything
been

Professor

took

place

at

of

place while
Deception," he wrote,

evidence

have

house

own

Home
to Mr.
forces, presented himself
he
said
of
"I
i860.
to
Home,
am,"

electrician

of

In

surprised and startled by what

to
impossible to come
clusion,
conany

manifestations

Society in 1 869.
Varley, who, before
seems

stance, the former

Home.

The

were

again

first

Spiritualism

Home.

chioness
Mar-

Combermere.

of Cromwell

introduction

the

^were

"

Lady

present) that

was

with

864

Solms."

experiences

Varley describes
table, a large sofa, "c.,

person

of

Mr.
a

near

Believe

of

and

seen

Mr.

any

The

to

19th, 1868)

Tyndall (May
movements

it

had

with

Beckenham

about
so

you.

of whose

date

distinguished

Varley, F.K.S.,

was

be

so

had

the

1864,

Prince

George,

antecedent

as

I told

forget

never

the

inquirers

fix

only

can

whom

might

truly,

very
"

Two

to

it

the King
people knew
his house, they would
profit of it
My dear Mr. Home,
promise me

discretion, and
for

because

you,

if the

royal family, that

Spiritualist in
speak against him.

me,

227

of it,because

speak

to

your

in

PARIS.

relations,

My

not

me

AND

ROME,

them
in the
"the

Telegraph

knowledge
physical forces.

have

which

to

willing

you

phenomena
his

warning

be

to

me

very
Are

of

witness

these

take

would

stances

in

after

and

could

he

that

acquaintance

new

several

sometimes

am

"

manifestations

him

Varley

and
your
presence,
search
into their
cause.

and

allow

to

phenomena

extraordinary

great pleasure," replied Home;

"With

without

them

see

the

in

produced

are

desirous

of

speak

heard

HOME.

OF

MISSION

AND

LIFE

228

not

place,

succession

and

he

invited

wife

his

that
held

were

anything particular happening,

stance
and
to
to a
bring
come

mise
pro-

Mr.

with

him.

minutely

Varley

The

stance.

Dialectical

Later

above.

in

to

sound

the

he

carefully
kept watch

Varley
sitters

the

gas-burners;

table

the

on

Mrs.

stance

the

four

that

and

Tyndall

lighted by

was

of

occurrences

Professor

it, while

beneath

searched

told

he

room,

Society,
raps began

when

and

the

describes

felt themselves

that his coat-coUar

Varley mentally asked
might be pulled on the left side, and had hardly shaped
the thought in his mind
three puUs were
when
given to
the side he desired, by an
the collar, on
invisible hand.
then
He
mentally requested that his right knee
might
touched.

touched

be
wish

three

times, and

"Now

left

my

speaking.

It

unuttered

with.

complied

was

instantly the

desired

knee,"

three

touched

was

Varley,

still without

without

times

an

instant's

delay.
My right shoulder,"
always mentally.
"

On

"

as

the

being able
my
neither
had
he

had

any

idea

it

instant

to

was

see

spoken

of what

had

continued

the

touched,"

anything."
nor

taken

he

investigator"
out
writes, "with-

Varley

stirred, no

place

until

adds

that,

present

one

informed

he

them.
As
to

that
the

for the

read

his

conjecture of Mr.
guest's thoughts

responded
two

to

facts that

Home
and

having

produce
them, Varley disposes of
the

room

was

been

the
it

able

touches

by stating

brightly lit,and

that

ENGLAND,
whom

lady

he

designates

himself

between

and

followed

be

with
had

by

from

the

of

much

too

was

the

received

got home,

letter

from

in your
pleased.' He

so

they followed
I have

letter

the

in

imagination had nothing to

Here
again is testimony
be attacked
by impugning
of

the

by

Mr.

witness.

and

those

side

of the

and

that

Mr.

Varley

Review

these

attainments,"

cheaply

the

that

of
said

estimated

in
had

he

which

the

said,

sanity

much

critics

that

to
can

there

he

passed

to

declared

impugn

his

no

doubt

assured
were

of the

can

insane
the

other

himself

Of
honesty.
; though, in
readers

the

hinted

as

was

he

be

only
credibility

it

the

or

so

who

matter."
that

never

was

Carpenter

misgivings

out

alone

morning

next

decisive

so

when

ability there

1871, Dr.

Quarterly

him

ventured

never

scientific

October,

it

bitterest

from

way

occurred

what

on

in

with

do

scientific brethren

SpirituaUst
his

But

Varley's

physical

still I
; but
feel satisfied.

last

room

and

me,

first

While

The

Home,

the

night, you heard sounds.

stated
the
spiritshad told him
enabled
to produce sounds.
were
that
to show
possession now,
my

alone

am

to

of doubt.

raps.
Mr.

the

"

thinking intently
were

home

from

circumstance

six

or

before
gave
ensued
:

he

able

be

that

five

I copy

of what

element

wonders

reached

one.

that

to

Varley

impressed

the
Varley, "were
they impressed me

there
a

When

account

drawing-room,

witnessed,
*

his

destined

was

relates, some

and

evidence

and

when

seated

was

all the

stance, and

the

got rid of the

which

the

astonished

Fortunately,

than

twelve

Mr.

I saw,

A."

that

lived, he

scene

said

phenomena

incident

He

night between
published report of
Dialectical
Society

229

stance, it

conviction

that

"These,"

"Mrs,

as

the

was

an

before.

gone

miles

as

decisive

more

PAEIS.

Home.

But, remarkable
to

AND

ROME,

of the

of it,
doubts
grave
world
had
learned
kept

His
scientific
Society.
reviewer
the
amiably,
are
so
best
qualified to
are
by those who

the

"

Royal

judge of them, that he has never

Boyal Society." Unfortunately

"

been

for Dr.

admitted

to

Carpenter,

the
Mr.

AND

LIFE

330

MISSION

OF

HOMK

"

Varley
the

had

been

Royal

could

ought

and

more

Society
Yet

blunder

when

have

by

some

painstaking

and

well

simple

spitefully

investigator

his

of

Fellow

article

lished.
pub-

was

who

author,

pretentious

within

people

months

Quarterly
and

grossly

been

three

this

inaccurate

its

so

to

than

about

knowledge,

to

have

of

Spiritualism

been

fact

that
is

posed
sup-

impartial

an

231

VIIL

CHAPTEK

AMERICA,

y Among

Mr.

hinting

Home's

with

him, bnt

year

1864,

giving

Maida

Gardens,
been.

from

year

Mr.

that

secondly,

others

among
make
Another

the

1864, that

his

much

is very
had
to

Rev.

latter

there

W.

A.

interested

could

conveniently

Home

would

was

remain

unable

the

with

Home

University.

writes

is

in

May,

Adams,
has

Hobson,
Mr.

meet

if

Home,

Cambridge.

of

invitation,

the

accept

record

some

deeply

Cambridge

to

come

with

have

to

he, Mr.
to

to

facts

Sidgwick

astronomer

what

like

him

who

famous

would

and

same

acquainted

with

Hobson,

by

the

^Professor

"

associated

friend, the

tell him,

Probably
or

of

some

well

desirous
very
his friends
at

was

correspondent

clergyman,

the

and

"

has

stances

interest

was

Cambridge

at

men

visit to

Cowell

in

at

seen

Mr.

himself

establishing two

and

impress

to

Mr.

distinguished

had

writer

friend

he

letters

Cowell,

the

Portsdown

his

as

numerous

Jermyn

sufficient

Home

that

impressed

are

their

^first,that

"

there

Again,

instance, in

writing from

Bellew,

be

letters
many
have
writers
had

are

For

Hill, is anxious

should

Frith, R.A.,

details,

no

J. M.

Mr.

ENGLAND.

correspondence
experiences the

remarkable

at

AND

RUSSIAy

the

It

visit.

is

Bellew,
evident, however, from their letters that Messrs.
all belonged to the
too-numerous
Cowell, and Hobson
of

class

inquirers who
that the phenomena

them

by

the

from
The

easy

making

hypothesis
their

testimony

had

seen

could
of

not

be

imposture,

convictions

given

enough

and

but

to

convince

for

accounted
who

shrank

public.
letters

quoted

from

in

HOME.

OF

MISSION

AND

LIFE

232

would

extensive

I could

give

not

others

and

with

stances

at

present

for many

Mr.

fall list

unknown

are

I had

because

gators
investi-

English

Home.

names

omitted

I have

of the

full list

the

be

and

varied

how

preceding chapters sufficientlyindicate

to

me,

particulars

no

but
those
with
experiences connected
names;
will
contain
these
the incomplete record
at least
pages
statement
so
frequently made,
dispose of the untrue
that mirsicles were
to be seen
only by the faithful, and
avoided
that Home
meeting sceptics. On the contraiy,

of

the

seldom

he

held

not

were

sitters

one

fact

that

often

and

the

the

in

phenomena.
ists
Spiritual-

is true,

disproofof

in

urged

be

him

theie

which

at

became

sceptics

with

stances

not

England

disbelievers

of these

many
their

will

of

consisted

wholly

through

in

sceptics present,

more

or

That

sdance

surely

but

tions
manifesta-

the

Sailing for
Home

America

remained
his

in the

six

or

but

Helen

that

strangest
Edgar Poe, who

of

Home

and

an

American

on

Spiritualism

the
you

it

who

she

was

"

of

understand

Browning's

If

will

you

Browning
why it

is

admirers

warmest

fancy of
geniuses,
most

the

to

doggerel

trouble
I

which

blot

as

referred,
of Mr.

some
on

read

to

have

regarded by

of

editor

Browning's
the

quisite
ex-

stances

at

present

take

to

merit,

of his

wrote

Mrs.

some

of

some
was

journal, apropos
of Mr.

poem
will

Whitman

Mrs.
;

her

to

new

was

the

charmed
weirdest

and

beings

latter

newing
re-

of ten

adding

poetess of

having

addressed

verses.

with

herself

from

and

the

States,

friends

old

earth,

on

Among

Whitman,

celebrated

more

still

the

in

all the

with

acquaintance

earlier who
were
years
friends
to their number.
Sarah

months

seven

1864,'Mr.

of

early autumn

the

cheon.'
'scut-

"

"

I shall not

Street,"wrote
nth, 1865.
acknowledged
of the

soon

Mrs.
"The
leader

forgot

the

Whitman
at

presence
among

country, and

evening
to

the
that

Mr.

our

most

of the

passed

Home

stance

from
of

of

an

and

in

you

New

York,

clergyman

intellectual
editor

with

who

liberal

influential

3Sth
May
is

an

gians
theolo-

leligious

I^FE

234

had

fled

but

the

or

MISSION

AND

nothing remained
sinking and surrender

taken, and

were

choice

between

''

Haughty, cruel,and
He

ever

he

He

will

He

sank

will

left but

Boldly

last

he

Can
Down

"

wooden

stem

band

like them.

fight

to

sea-fifi;ht
:
?
I 'tis trae^
By neaven
the traitor blue.

strike

"

comes

And.

bold
a

brave

sink

Nothing
niB

Curnberlcmd:

in the
I he

Aye

of that

think

him

to

cold,

strong and
shrink
from

was

Shall

"

HOMK

OF

."
.

The

verse

of

play

was

had

feature

that,

young

Southerner

at

before

mastered

was

this

dramatic

The

occurrence

do

any

noticed

blue,"

of all

wild

beast

the

in American

out

mischief;

abruptly terminated

incident
was

like

and

stinging

"traitor

reader

could

he

the

maddened

was

the

at

sprang

the

to

present

self-control, and
He

reference

voice

life into

such

put

the

words,

Home's

finished;

never

but

reading.
of the

papers

time.
in

Brownell,
and

Home

him

in

after

"Incidents,"

felt

Home

Spiritualist. He

poems

whom

gave

his

friend
him

sent

return

a
a

Brownell

which

reading

came
interest, be-

deep

of his

copy

of the
copy
writes
to

"

"

I have

read

Heretofore,

I had

wonderful

most

with

the

say that
that
I

hope

known

only

world

with

this

with

the

but

now

greatest interest.

as

you

am

for the

vehicle

which

communications

next

acquainted

book

your

we

had

have

beginning

to

be

only
mentally and morally. I can
acquaintance gives me
high pleasure, and
future
to
improve it personally at some
you

time."
"I
your

of

heard

had

reading

in

Paris," he

to

you
that

feel indebted

Then,

in

of the

early

the

words

death,

of

great

for

says

sensation
in

another

presenting my
have
a
pathetic
their

produced
letter,

so
poem
interest

writer, Brownell

"

by
and

nobly."
view

in

adds

"If

AMERICA,
I

live, I will

for

truths

Connecticut,

Norwich,

At

the

of

benefit

journal,a
the

as

Christians

of Mr.

he

Home,

and

to

the

would

he

that

Society

few

kind

assent

to

"

the
local

the

in

latter,

say

was

On

craving

words

to

courteous

request of

give

reading

its behal"

on

I have

**

belief.

have

and
that

patrioticwork
patronise such an
And

so

Bulletin.

Mr.

pointing

out

creed,

and

detect

the

Had

he

justice

that

Pope,
My

of

this

the

devil

triumphant
follow

his

the

Much

the

and

of the

Norwich

friends

his

the

of

victims
soldier

reasoning

of the

and
the

appeal only

widely;

should

replied,

would

Rev.

of

need

in

Civil

the

Lewis

aid, the

have

probably

Mr.

War.

but

as

mended
com-

he

was

aping the authority of

inconsequently :

"

private opinion of Spiritualism is that it is

with
from
Then,
a
beginning to end."
effort of charity : "It
does
not
necessarily

benefit

to

Christian

their

bigot that charity is of no

require a very Jesuitical eye to
of allowing Home
by his genius

that

honesty

the

"

of

some

who
one
every
consci(msly in league with the
H.

in

column

clergyman
very
young
he replied,as hotly as
own

are

curious

wounded

But

reducedj to such
a
representative

to

aid

spiritualistic

seemly that Christians

and

benefit

been

resort

half

wickedness

"

of

Is it

it must

to

him.

entertainment

this

itself to

only

Home

to

reader

as

must

through

on,

with

Spiritualism for

and

his

in

sincere

of Norwich

women

they

of

exponent

is

quarrel

no

men

extremities
and

he

doubt

no

Christian

his

to

It

admitted,

Aid

to the

man,

reading

Society.

intention

to

verses

gave

Aid

wrote

in Norwich."

Soldiers'

the

Christian

235

poor

Home

charitable

clergjrman

young

permission,

Mr.

Soldiers'

the

of this

announcement

ENGLAND.

something of my
of Spiritualism."

devote

the

advocating

AND

RUSSIA,

the

doubt

professes Spiritualism
And

devil.
I said

when

that

is

I gave
Mr.
I conceded

sincerity."
mortification
served
room

to
was

of

the

advertise

crowded

reverend
the

casuist,

reading

with

an

more

enthu-

LIFE

236

from

audience,

siastic

OF

MISSION

AND

whose

HOME.

the

numbers

benefit.
reaped substantial
correspondent of the Bulletin^ the
encyclical, with deep insight into
Fund

"

Possibly,"
author

"

have

that

seen

in

attendance

an

by

as

from
away
letter has
It

no

the

upon

Civil

War,

who,

town

and

in every
small

means

freelyto funds for

Philadelphia, which
human

vn^ecks

the
"

of

wards

the

says the
the fact.

city
the

He,
keenest

in

it should

judge by

made
room,

hours.

of his

contributed
and

at

with

crowded
he

soldiers,"

full

of

pain of
expression
again in

others
in

France

in

by

war

devotion

and
he

"

deeds;

suffering caused

terrible

of

me

suffering,

the

^^d

1864-5,

several
gave
and
York;
among

first

that

by

the

read.

readings, public

that

wish

had
The

eye

the

for

sensation.

programme

private,

papers
clippings from newsfollowing descriptionof

reporter present

writer's

and

his

date, I find

some

really have

medium,

so

found

that

the

was

with

Home

of

Out

hear.

New

"

rous
nume-

informs

of kindness
acts
many
world
did
heard, nor
never

the

so

wounded

do

to

which

the

made,

which

life

own

in

sight of

him

stirred

in

war

sympathy

America

1870, the

Mr.

had

then

Home
victims

sufferers

such

just

was

were

time, he

newspaper

whose

practical sympathy,

of

of

that

brightened
hospitals by giving readings there,

Philadelphia

the

and

relief

the

that

Union.

the

that

at

5,

great delight of the sick and

to the

had

that

864 and

village of

small

^very

"

public
light,the

vrith those

sympathy

in

ing,
read-

the

Norwich

at

laige

Home's

in

at

may

so

dragoon

to

reading. Looked
been
a
grand success."
not
only by his reading
his

ensure

last

this

nature,

of Mr.

effort

apparent

an

practicalproofs of
the

way
occasion

he

Aid

wrote

of

human

could

the

was

gave

of

other

Soldiers'

did

"

lady,

if

personal advantages
I
not

have

heard

appear

Home,

may

one

the

attractive, and

"

great
I had

the
Home
entered
preparation to be disappointed. When
o'er the spirit of my
a
dream, for Home's
change came
ality
personalone
is sufficient
absorb
for
to
a
physiognomist's attention
Fancy, my dear Bepublicauy the most difftivigue
man
you hare
every

AMEBICA,
for years, and
stands.

seen

Home

then

figure

feet beautiful,the

and

AND

\7ill not

you

His
"

"

bands

RUSSIA,

is

former

ENGLAND.

have

reached

plane on which
and
graceful, his

the

fine

singularly
being the

237

embodiment

of artistic

man's

he is.'
hand, and I will tell you what
Then
Home's
in expression.
head, excellentlyshaped, is marvellous
He
blonde
with
beautiful
is of the
fine
hair,
teeth, a good
type,
mouth, and eyes that really look as though they saw
things in heaven

genius.

and

'

earth

Show

dreamed

not

"And

me

of in

how

does

philosophy.

our

he

read?

Beautifully,wonderfully. His
the audience
did not
pathos
perfect. Why
with
frantic
because
the
is
audience
did
not
delight,
appreciate the
go
of
the
reader.
His
genius
rendering of Brownell's
stirring poem
the Hartford
On
in Mobile
Home
would
make
was
Bay,'
a
superb.
He
is grace itself ; his manner
is thoroughly refined, his
great actor.
rich and
of large compass,
voice
his facial expression unequalled.
Home
is a marvel.
He
is one
of those
that nature
gifted creatures
makes
show
what
and
in the
she
when
to
do
can
then,
now
every
now,

is

exquisite,his

himiour

mood."

such

And
his

in
the

Home

society without

charm

of

nature

and

who

knew

the

outer

could

Were

least

of him

man

no

time

than

from

offered

them

in

complexion,

which

Year

Hound
with

person,
nose

the

were

which

descent"

Robert

of

in

of

two

took

who

in

opposed
invented

their

had

him

wide

of

eyes,

short,

tall, now

the

and

Home.

flightsof journalistic

robust;

haggard spectre
1866,

ink

and

figure now

slender, at another
variety of counterfeit, the

those

original than

unlike

so

of

always those
most
flagrantly,
No
portraits

possible colour

every

"

was

Those

pictures

irresistible

joyousness

inner.

pen
such

here.

that

him

the

to

time

one

the

dozen

cited

It

libelled

time

to

be

of Home

and

less

while,

fancy might
choice

who

resemblance

less

it worth

notion

of heart.

kindliness

from

drawn

before
away
his
coupled with

melted

manner,

bear

impossible to be long
its spell. Prejudices

was

yielding to

inveterate

most

hair,

It

was.

short

at

every

of

extremes

by All

the

"dark-complexioned

hair, and
quick, shifting eyes, curly black
for a purely Caucasian
seemed
to vouch
Echoes
from the Cluhs^ April 29th, 1868.

Bell

sketched

ComhUl

article, the

Home

"The

expression

of

actual

slightlythe
of
his

i860

face

Home

in his

"

in

repose

is

that

of

LIFE

238

AND

physical suffering;
address
whole

unrestrained

of

playfulness
never

seems

others

as

He

intercourse.

is

has

boyhood

yet

his

so

his

and

ness
gentle-

features

; and

traced

in his

be

young,

passed

not

you

colours

kindliness

more

of
vigour in the character
easy-natured disposition may

same

when

up

cheerMness

natural
is

HOME,

quickly lights

it

There

manner.

than
the

but

his

and

him,

OF

MISSION

that

the

and

he

away,

vrith
himself
and
thoroughly at ease
he is enjoying some
Ught and temperate

so

when

amusement."
Bell

refers to the

thus

"

in all circles

people

who

is, he

neither

have

He

it.
.

from

written
Essarts

had
the

Monde

Le

seventeen

truth

the

pretends to
hear
spirits,as we
he

that

such

considers

EUgant

Nice

later

years

of

sketch

by

tion
descrip-

M.

Home,

'

des

Fabre

"

tell you
frankly that
To
he.
imagined he would

Home

must

with

Instead

of

him, he held

of

Nature

hlue, that

looks

; such

are

what

perfect man
Then, there

of

all like

hegin with, he is a
winning aspect

and

with

me

perfect affahilitya hand

Olympian foreheads, which
the
as
temple of thought:

those

hy

unknown

at

is

his appearance
to suggest the necromancer.
which
certain
claw,
English reporters'give

not

was

hat's

to

out

moulded

intense

in

that

One
.

refined

most

ahsolutely nothing

heen

But

world,
"

topic
of by

nor

power
call up

Bell's

Robert

to

"

talked

are

them.

tell you

blasphemous."

pendant

cannot

will

he

be

to

translate

''

only

sides, but

As

such

possesses
not

invocations

phenomena

witnessed

never

all

these

where

of

by Home

of evocation
foolishlyattributed to him
power
Home's
Mr.
is a current
supernatural power

that

on

disclaimer

emphatic

as

if formed

the details that

sound

to

complete

the

this nohle

quite
to

seem
an

eye

cratic.
aristohave
of

an

depths of the
inteUigent

and

figure."
Saddened
and

terrible

America
a

very

friends
he

sight of the widespread

the
visit
to
suflFeringcaused
by war,
ended
in May, 1865, could
have
been
not
time
to
in spite of the numerous
Home,

as

that

happy
who

stayed

it

welcomed
there

only

the

by

was

him.
two

or

On
three

his

return

days

; and

to

London,
then

left

AMERICA,
Paris

for

of the

Empress

It has

of

charge

womanhood

to

up

grown
of the

take

to

ENGLAND.

AND

RUSSIA,

the

gracious protection

long before 1865 Mr. Home

formerly enjoyed at the Court

in

print

had

it, that
he

had

French.

frequently asserted,

been

who

sister

young

the

under

239

and

lost

favour

the

of France.

of

out

He

never

he
disprove this falsehood, which
done
by publishing half a dozen
might
easily have
the following :
letters in his possession, such
as

took

trouble

the

to

"

"4thJidyt

"My

no

that

sure

of

lose

"

you
communication

my

time
are

in

answering
awaiting with
with

the

was

most

communication

make
you
may
Yours
truly,

your
**

accordingly.
arrangements
Princess
Murat."
Caroline,
"June

My

"

night

Mr.

dear

to

Home,

to

Empress

and

you

stances

were

at

Tuileries

the

in the
in Paris
stay of three weeks
and
the end of June, he
then, about
on

visit to

the

Princess

of

loth, 1865.

told

last

me

would

receive

truly,

Princess

Caroline,

"

There

^The

"

she
say that
Yours
at half-pastthree.

write

to-morrow

you

press"
Em-

C. Home).
respecting Miss
have
the
at Fontainebleau
on
Saturday, and
So that
gracious acquiescence in your request.

(a

am

result

the

anxiety

Home,

letter, as

your

*'

Mr.

dear

1864.

Murat."

Home's

during

of

summer

went

to

Mingrelia,

wife

1865

Hombourg
of the

last

of

of the recent
Mingrelia and mother
for the Bulgarian princedom.
The
candidate
Princess
had
Home's
made
acquaintance at Paris the year before,
and
to
convert
a
was
Spiritualism in consequence.
she writes
in inviting him,
**is filled
"Hombourg,"
with
thing I regret is that you
gaieties; and the one

reigning

are

would

not

Dadian

here
appear

to
a

take
thousand

agreeable society."
Mr.
Home
July saw

part in
times

in

our
more

Russia,

distractions, which

charming
he

having

in

at

your

last

LIFE

240

yielded

the

to

friends

other

which
time

"I

he

thus

narrated

in

arrival

at

at the

letter written

"

sent

I would

to

St.

in

meet

Petershurg at
MeyendorfiTs, where

my

that

so

me,

St.

to

Russian

the

on

arrive

come

bom
friend, the Baron
Meyendoi"^
the
him
which
hour
at
frontier, telling
Petershurg. He had just time to take the tnin

telegram

Yergehalova
and

his

for years.
burg,
St. Peters-

him

pressing on

been

marked

incident

singular

had

and

Tolstoy

that

invitations

repeated

there

HOMK

OF

MISSION

AND

o'clock

seven

knew

one

no

of

and

p.m.,

went

I leached

arrivaL

my
at

Baron

the

to

once

hrother-in-law,the Count
the city, but would
not
Koucheleff-Beshorodka,
was
for a day or two, having to leave
have
time
him
to see
eaily the
then
PeterhoE
when
Great
surprise
was
following morning for
my
dearest
from
of my
note
Tolstoy who
one
came
a
friends,the Count
I
when
is an
aide-de-camp of the Emperor and was
groomsman
my
married.
His letter only said :
was
I wrote

note

to

tell him

to

my

in

"

I
Daniel,
day or night.

"'Dbab

am

"

moment,

glad

so

know

You

Come

here.

are

you
how

glad

we

to

are

at

anj
you.

see

Yours,
"'

The

last letter

received

had

him

from

months

three

was

viously,
pre-

places in the very interior of Buasia"

which
far
I
afternoon,
at
locality supposed he still was ; and that same
I
of
St.
those
I would
was
we
were
as
Petersburg,
thinking
nearing
but I
and
ho was
fain have
more
especially of the number;
seen,
I
wife
his
and
his
him
far
went
to
distant.
at
once
hotel,
thought
and

said

"

the
"

"

must

get
"

"

Daniel,

WeU,

at

come

I would
and

once

spoken

replied, Well, I rather

on
reproach. But where
Why, at the Arcade, to
I, thinking the Countess
I

have

that

seen

But

luggage.
my
*
At four o'clock.

she

and

and

told

not

seem

it

possible

for

not

you

me.'

to

think

earth

the

am

did

see

you

who

one

me

ought

to

make

'

sure.'

be

the

meant

with

weary

what

But

thought

hour,

what

do

station, replied, * Well, you

the

journey
did

pray,

you

you

by

mean

and
see

in

hurry

me

You

luggage !

your

to

t'

Arcade.'

the

her

I told

was

at

have

not

'

in

were

his

of

one

"

to have
"

from

her

I had

had

niece

that

arrived

at

me

seen

Alexis, Only imagine

'

to

know

us.

Do

evening

at

four, and

We

once

she

that

have
send

She

at seven.

had

come

Daniel,

seen

him

then

note

to

and
the

told

me

home
he

did

Count

KouchelefFs.'
"

Her

too, had
*^

The

niece
seen

Count

confirmed

this

statement, declaringpositively that she,

me.

had

accordingly

sent

the

note

to

me,

so

positive were

LIFE

242

that

to

Steinbock

Novgorod,
Hall

health, and

wrote

letter

long

which

portions of

"

his

to

Nijni Home)

From
S. C.

visit

on

go

HOME.

OF

persuaded
fair at Nijnito the
great annual
in the journey.
being his companion

being wrought

was

him

MISSION

AND

quote

Dear

and

Friend,

body

before

peace

often

Both

he

Of

but brain

you,

for

of

moment

visit

I could

peror,
the Em-

to

the

be

shown

have

me

means

Constantine.
The

kindnera.

every

herself

picture of

Duke

Grand

the

of

residence

for

makes

to the

I often

that

so

on

to feel that

Duchess

for the

out

children, "wliich

and

concealment

no

large palace for

arrival

used

of

it

; and

is

guardof

naturally draws
a little more
private. I
All
this,howdisposal.

were

at my

servants

of his

whatever

s^nce, there

M.

H.

wish

to

carriages and

court

been

ness.
such
me
always shown
gracious kindused to
and
Imperial palaces at Peterhofi^

Emperor

I go

drawn

the

had

forgotten

roe.

the

wlien

crowd,

1S65.

has

Warsaw

to

I have

"

measure

the

Grand

the

course,

honour

of

one

give to

ideas, and

August

I waited

whirl, and

new"

who

Strelna, the

to

sent

is to
"

at

and

latter has
she

all the

him,

to

was

drive

that I have

happy beyond

was

consolation
I

in

i"A,

"

I wrote.

and
of

think

not

been

to tell you

Now

"

Do

"

alike

have

Mrs.

Nijni,
'*

to

this

the crowd
good ; for it not only makes
wonder, but sets
and
is
that
the
thinking
stepping-stone to our belief.
material
As
life,I have
regards my
nothing very bright to tell
of it.
My brother-in-law, after keeping roe waiting three years,
you
refuses
to
to do
now
sa
piomising
Fortunately I have all
pay
me,
the
It will be a
force him.
legal documents, and can
long lawsuit,
will last five or six years
.and
and
that
time
I
shall be very
during
;
does

evar,

them

"

"

poor

I am,

as

"

in

going

I do
It

hurry
**

Ten

Siberia

nx)w

write

can

this

the

time

get
am

inclined

set
to go

which

prompt

ings.
living there by my readto give readings in England.
false pride, but
there the

courage
a

think

lawsuit

my

reasons

many

earn

from
to

shall

Russia.

are

can

arises

I have

However,

There

I have

that

leave

it well

over,

and

not in

am

decide.

him
to

to

"

Steinbock,

all the

came

he made
me
pack up
; and
fair
of
great
Nijni-Novgorod,

see

me

the

to

you

friend. Count

my

wonderful

sight.

You

know

he

traps,and

my

from
is

from

way

as

where
a

brother

me,
**

You

must

used

not

to

have

Uie past tliree

that

think

I have

stances.

palace
ior

then

family.

that

days ago,
purposely

come

had

feel

moment.

first is that

be

may

to

with

to

the

not

feeling is.
a

all my

this, and

to

me

this

at

and

weeks,

with

America

to

indeed,

few

had

many,

sdances

days

it is

have

with

had

only

and

with

even

friends.

nothing.

the

Imperial family

returning

on

am

in my

from

the

I have

grand

full power,

but

AMERICA,
*

Write
leave

to

me

of

the

AND

RUSSIA,
I

soon.

St.

to

return

Imperial family.

ENGLAND.

in three

Petersburg
Yours

243

Daniel."

"

In

such

countries

States, where

lited

England,

curious

curred

Home

to

Eussia

as

the

the

and

atmosphere
the

is drier

of

state

of

north

physical manifestations
when

to

affectionately,

very

weeks

that

the

than

that

sometimes

atmosphere

electricityof his phenomenal

janisation. In Russia, while
staying with his friend
alone, and
kTon
night returned
MeyendorflF, he one
the
admitted
time
at
.3
same
by a servant, who
ided

accumulate

to

nded

letter

him

in

him

)k it from

'

with

cry

^idents;

some

ire

of

the

had

of

facts

the

them

of

arrived.

dark, vivid

terror.

possessed

tnesses,

that

frightened the

fingers,and

the

he

rushed

obtain

credence

such
even

of

attestations

written

would

that

so,

from

shot

might relate several

extraordinary that,

so

the

sparks

man

Home

As

the

from

but

V.

Afler

pleasant visit

friend. Count

tersburg,
the

ssed

end

an

; but

nggles

of

he

could

it

Tolstoy,

there

went

of

1865-6,
aggravated

then,

as

poverty.

dng

counsel

ered

the

iglish

of

one

the
Home

returned

London,

to

of

country-seats
to

where

St.
he

to him,
dreary winter
the
was
by anxiety about
of
he
sought to profit by the exercise
have
been
soon
gift,that anxiety would

wonderful

from

winter

Had

:ure.

Alexis

and

ill-health

to

had

honourably
with

to

turn

friends

his

repugnance
platform, and

and
preferred the care
other
gifts,however,

he

ever,

He

he

account;
in

he

London,

felt to

had

decided

to

after

and

appear
become
a

conon

an

public

ider.

carrying out the resolve, he

Rooms,
Spiritualism, at Willis's
I quote :
a portion of which

Before
on

66
*

There

3arch,
rit that

gave
in

lecture

February,

"

is in
if

said Home,
Spiritualism,"

conducted

only it be
willing to study and

is

in

the

learn

of

"

true

wide

field for

spirit of

facts,however

profitable
inquiry the
strange they
"

however

seem,

may

well

as

of

philosophy
I woidd

"

of the

it is in

no

give

to

why

should

from

the

inveterate.

most

think

you

which

God

for

this contact

arise from

may

that

moment

the

not

am

with

to

which

advice

of

we

pay

reason

attention

if he

than

body,

our

more

to

still

were

us

should

not

him,

now

that

told

moving

spirit

and
If

be

us

among

aware

the

man
gives
reason,
every
power
the province of Spiritualism to supersede.

way

were

the
have

abuses

many
But

world.

ignorance, has

are

not

HOME.

prejudices of philosophy ; for philosophy,

sometimes
those
its prejudices,and

to the

counter

as

OF

MISSION

AND

LIFE

244

this

spirit

followed,

he

is

on

earth,as

freed

1"

formerly

Speaking of the
genuine phenomena
for

wonders
I have

the
counterfeit
impostors who
of Spiritualism, and
trade
in tended
preUving, he said :"

many

impostures being carried on, and

in every
have
case
exposed them ; and God
being my
helper,ever
will do so.
like
I
have
Of
in
much
to contend
cases
these,
course,
from
best friends.
with, even
Tliey say, *It is not your
place;
my
I feel it to be my
let others do it.'
and
when
I
the
see
place ;
pare
down
and
and
dra^vn
made
glorious truths I advocate
a
mockeiy of
"

known

by the mob,
1

If

with

do

I will

thoy

it ; for

its

After

"

told

will
it is

abuses, and

in

that

damning

which

the

But

is not

this

is

autumn,

sooner

doctrine

to

pure
is
which

Home

is

quent
fre-

adverted

phenomena.

visit
of

nothing

insanity

of the

on

the

ism
Spiritual-

outsiders."

by

that

number

have

to

no

belief, Mr.
"

is not

and

error,

there

assertion

I had

This

I wish

abused

explanations

Russia

fact

and

say,

so, then

better.

of the

"

for

and

voice

it to be

dark

gross

my

up

it,the

rebutting

"When

most

prove

consequence
various

the

to

lift

leave

truth-seekers

without

of the

to

his

cats

Majesty,

it

was

with

a
a
great
sleep
me,
became
so
by this means
charged with electricitythat the rapin my
heard
Another
that I held my
pings were
story was
presence.
feet a long time
in ice- water, and
then
and
sat by the Emperor,
ran
hands
in
and
feet
his
he
so
a
putting my
thought he touched
;
It is currently reported that
like
feet
corpse-like hand.
are
my
do
I please with
of
that I can
them.
Some
as
monkeys* feet, and

to

and

friends

my
that

have

have

even

to

see

my

feet without

These, and
they might contradict this.
and
inadequate explanations, which
been

from

exploding
"

asked

Those

themselves

time
its

to

time

little

in

other

or

stockings,

fetched,
fantastic,far-

need

explaining,
kindly
hypothesis unexploded.
knowledge of the subject,think
the
whole
thing as imposture,
in modesty and
common-sense)
turn

put forth

predecessors,and

tyros who, with

many

shoes

or

no

justified in denouncing
ought surely (if not wholly deficient

new
; each
in
its
turn
being

AMERICA,
to

arrested

be

have

yet, after

their

realityand

assembled

of

much

things

Mr.

S. C. Hall

Round

reference

In

by a
might,

They
that

there

are

world, if the

fool

of All

editor

the

Year

personal knowledge two

concerning Mr. Home

send

for
been

say
As

the

editor

say

Hall's

letter

Wonderful

the

of his

host

and

Senior, and
drawn

submitted

consent

in turn

for their
of
^

few
to

four

The

Round

had
he

he

that

man,

nothing

returned

did

writer

dishonest

no

publish

not

and

Mr.

composed
Dunsany, Mrs.

Lady

Hall

S. C.

Mrs.

nessed
wit-

were

persons

the

Adelaide

narrative

of the

occurrences

days

later

Mrs.

Senior,

Mr.

and

witnesses,

private circular, sent

only

to

was

sany
Lady Dunsubsequently, with the
was
published by Mr.

Mrs.
and

by

on

circle

endorsement,

all
A

Five

Home.

up

is

graceful
dis-

give

to

manifestations

of

hostess.

Mr.

and

sentence.

Year

beautiful

866.

issued.

columns.

residence

Eve,

Easter

he

word

may,

add

falsehood,

circular^

of

Lving

bills.

second

contributor,

to

in his

and
the

at

he

who

It is needless

answer.

the

own

my

dishonourable

the

to

of All

defence

in

now

no

yourself how
the
change

article,be he
least."

give

regard to
of the
only

untruths,"

two

you
dist^b\ted

meaning

the

these

In

copy

totally different
that

only

Home

you
will see

of

first

can

distribute.

to

has

was

his

the

to

-that

You

the

the

to

from

Hall, "I

Mr.

none

Mr.

had

"

assurance

to

concede

to

of fact that

replied

statements
untrue
many
the article contained
:

wrote

to

fact^i,

that

misstatements

the

"

of

men,

the

derided

were

fool in the

wrote

contradict

to

that

than

of

honest.

only

of

as

article, have

his

learned

origin

fools."

"

and

and

company

lecture

Round

untruths

in
worse

the

245

constrained

numerous

to

the Year

the

abounded

is

and

listen

to

view

supra-mundane

investigation,been
genuineness."

in All

writer

scientific

fullest

the

distinguished

The

the

to

as

ENGLAND.

that

circumstance

themselves

sceptical as

in

the

by

AND

RUSSIA,

Mr.

Hall

Home's

and

friends.

AND

LIFE

246

his

in

Home

OF

MISSION

second

HOME.

of

volume

(pp.

"Incidents"

120-122).
After
Senior

writes

that

Homo

and

played

few

Russian

air, a favourite
from

move.

We

"

tremble,

down

and

was

of

piano
piano

raised

the

was

of

First

down

sat

his

chair

feaied

we

the

to

piano,

beginning
which

itself

first

Httle

at

was

some

hioL

besid^

side, and

was

chair

the

saw

then

the
the

touched,

We

will

the

play

soft music

for

minutes

some

the

sound

followed

'The

then

than

grand

more

of
a

there
of

any

Resurrection!'

It

of

came

had

us

men

to

hammer

burst

on

wailing
of

burst

listened

ever

thrilled

it

then

tramp, tramp, as of a body of

march
music, and I exclaimed, 'The

room,

exclaimed,

we

Very

floor, and

was
*

tap-tapping
meeting). A crasTi,and

glorioustriumphal music,

height.

table, the

"

times

fill the

to

the

and

the

the

'

considerable

on

vibrate

to

of earth.'

simple, sweet,

intensely sad ;
marching mingled with
three
Then
Calvary !
nail (like two
metals
a
seemed

floor to

began

once

presently the accordion

it was
spelt out

not

was

at

heard

became

to,

and

worn,

on

placed

other

the

were

for, and

who

One
had

we

off

room

asked

earth-life

and

up

table, which

knocks

round

alphabet

which

He

; and

and

the

on

and

late wife's, a

his

the

at

heavy

furniture

*'

stance, Mrs.

sat

and

loud

time

some

slid

the

to

pale

was

manifestations.

for

sang

the

he

arrived

distance

sitting close

the

at

present

persons

"

have

should

we

and

Mr.

AVlien

"

the

naming

all our

to

hearts."

far

Thus

the

manifestations,

played by no
brilliantlylit room.

music
in

for

table

the

at

of

thrilling chords
symbolised the
"

Nothing
decided

we

(from

lamp
the

silver

the

on

Mrs.
near

light;

the

we

carried

was

head

Hall,

"Mr.

the

observed

with

of
who

our
was

instrument,"
Home

was

triumphal

time,"

some

the

out

which

lights

face

of

Mr.

all remarked

round

to

adds
then

the

then

next

kept

their

on

^frs.

Mr.

with

Mrs.

writes

place
places
last

the

harmony

had

that

ceased.

Senior,
so

rooms,

as

"

and

only

to

through the conservatory"

"Soon
after
Hall).
Hall
shining as if covered
,

S. C.
it and

commented

upon

it.

The

circle,playing beautifully; it rested

to
shoulder, and then went
on
my

me."

raised

but

the

in

came

there, explains

host,

taken

all manifestations

for

outside

hanging

we

accordion

putting

from

this,

the

done

circle,

longer;

Resurrection

was

upon

that

have

more

The

ful
wonder-

had

earthly hands,

while

that

including

("Mr.
Senior

up

to

in
the

Home's

hand

never

heing

subsequent letter.)
he touched,
ceiling,which

AMERICA,
and

regretted not

raised

; and

covered

the

our

brows

of

hands

were

That

and

organ.

of

the

it is

music,

understand
of my

that

whose

and
it

all

was

still

was

touch

impossible

on

our

; and

soon

hands, and our

wards
Shortly after-

knew.

the

in

away

chest

distance

out

over.

thrillingon

effect

hearts.

our

its sound

in

one

the

of

and

nails

running

that

those

who

the

like

was

room

of

the

through

mixture

to

of

fine
take

feet, and

listened

of

could

thread

not

Nothing

that

was

sound

have

itself also there

music

other

the

and

observed
table

again
on

the

could

it
tones

out

describe."

to

Lady

wondrous

hammer

; in the

power

this

The

face

at the

we

die

sounds

had

be

cross

he

When

might

left

his whole

hands

music

there.
he

that

so, and

was

composition could equal it, and

We
greatly regretted that no

the notes.

sound

at

of

he

247

mark

hoping

one,

after

knocks

wefdt

burst

of mortal

down

the

make

place we saw
we
silverylight which
been
all
time
this
sitting
touched
and
patted by

by loved

heard

doors,
"

had

touched
we

him

ENGLAND.

this took

same

Wo

AND

pencil to

gave

before

with

liost's face.
after

Hall

five minutes

in

Just

ceiling.

having

Mr.

down,

came

RUSSIA,

who

Dunsany,
will

stance,

be

with

present

was

for her

remembered

Senior

Mrs.

amiable

and

knew
her.
She
was
charming
disposition by all who
in
in
1866,
and, I believe,
ab-eady advanced
years
earth
in no
but
afterwards;
passed from
long time
Home
show
that
last day she
her letters to Mr.
her
to
for him, and
and
affection
was
a
preserved an esteem
steadfast Spiritualist.
dear

"My
December,

communication

how

much

has

very
triflingit may

however

into

feel

"I

1865:

occasion,

friend,** she

young

with

consolation

poured

upon

happiness you
Faithfullyand

my

confer

your

words

affectionatelyyour

God
upon

when

in
any

grant

me

express
presence
that
the

yourself.

"

friend,
"E^*^

The

can

wonder-working

rebound

him

pleased at
be, which
brings

earthly life.
may

to

very

"

No

you.

writes

Dunsany.**

October
written
30th, 1867,
following letter was
menced
proceedings in the Lyon suit had already com:

"

"

Dear

here,

so

Daniel,
cannot

"

I have

remember

not

the

memorandum
my
of the
dates

book

evenings

when

object to

cannot

with

called

because

pleasure
I

had

Faithfully and

gentleman.

Like

opportunities of
whose
experiences

published.
form

of the

Some

others

again

themselves

content

facts.

I select

latter class

appear
writers

letter

for the

account
no

express

Spiritualists,

are

to

have

to

never

with

theory at all,
the
realityof

admitting
from a correspondent

of the

"

**

7, Pbinoe

of
""

**Tt

tion
inspec-

had

theories

extraordinary

manifestations,
the

DUNSANY."

E"-

evidently had
mena,
phenoinvestigating the

but

but

friend,

offer for my

1865 and 6
years,
who
written
by persons

numerous

others

quence
conse-

presence,
honourable

an

sincerely your

all other

letters

been

in

your

be

"

I received

and

alone

in

to

credence

full

my

seen

you

frequently

were

^not

"

but

house;

my

Spiritualism;

believe

HOME.

to
Lyon came
stating that you
disguised
never

roof with
my
of the wonders

also

but

your
have

phenomena

under

you

as

me,

the

in

Mrs.

and

you

OF

MSSION

AND

LIFE

248

Kensikotoi^
Tersaov,
December, 1865.

Wales

26th

pleasure,my dear Daniel, to see your *fist' again.

unbeliever, because, irhile
thought you
quite given me
up as an
of the
that occur
admitting the extraordinary character
phenomena
I
convinced
that
could
feel
when
nated
are
they emapresent, never
you
had
from
the volition of the spiritsof those who
once
enjoyed,
rather passed through, the life of this eartL
I have, I fancy, examined
or
of
than
those
who
have
doubt
at
more
no
closely
many
you
of those
who
'It's all humbug;
and
he must
all, than many
say,
have
him.'
The
electrical
about
secret
some
machinery or
apparatus
was

real

had

result

has

been

what

I told

you

the

last time

we

met

"

believe

yow,

It
it, a
theory, I am
as
yet, so far as
is quite possible that a man
attribute may
with
wonderful
not know
a
his peculiar quality springs.
exactly whence
I don't pretend to bo
There
!
a
philosopher ; but I do pretend
I shall be
to be a friend, and
There
a
are
glad to see you here.
very
I
and
talk
want
to
to you
a
things
great many
great many
persons
I beg
travels and
about, besides hearing all your
experiences.
the
to ask you
dine
first
here
Are
to
to London.
Sunday you come
I
cial,
offithat
overworked
aware
am
now
an
underi)aid,
government
you
and
not any
longer,like O'Connell's Ireland, 'great, glorious,and
free
]
Yours
W.
H. Ashurst."
very truly,
but

as

to your

I know

doubter.

"

...

'

LIFE

25"

MISSION

AND

HOMK

OF

that

liftingthem, they are so angry, and wish to put it down

I
Yes, I do : I believe iu Dan, and
nothing. I say,
has wonderful
Your
affectionate
friend,
power/

do

life
or

Ogden, a
daughters
herself

had

turn

to

with

which

Cora

Mowatt

was

led

Mutual

the

Ritchie
and

prized
lawsuit

and
few

be

The

of Home's

the

occurred
the

to

various

of their
the

of

of

this

her

to

of

one

earth,

on

the

When

the

most

Lyon

the

reached

the

Mr.

Home*s

the

mind

of

that

before

case,

States.
health

reacting

were

year

was

tive
alterna-

an

It had
platform was
suggested.
English Spiritualists and
inquirers

of

of great

number

advantage

Mr.

headquarters

to

the

themselves

it must

and,
an

of

kind

interested

Street;

Spiritual Athenaeum,"

with

steps for frimishing to

have

1866,

pened,
hap-

meeting again.
into
friendship;

facts of

true

suggestion, which,
originate with

any
way
taken
in Sloane

Mr.

very intimate
Home
; and

grew
remained

summer

establishment
be

lady

It

woman.

as

friends.

should

the

reader's

would

London

her
up
the
boards
in
; but
friends
to her
by her

instantly took
the

in

took

only

soon

that

anxieties

In

body.

remembered

better

Spiritualist,and

newspapers

the

an

acquaintances

years

closed, she

to

Some

Mrs.

with

esteem

was

feeble.

that

actress,

866, that
old

garbled account
During the whole

on

stage

As

qualities

stance

two

cordial

American

out

the

during

very

for the

endeared

lovable

liking

Mrs.

any

will

was

February,
seeking a
to

of Mr.

guest

great talent

endowed.

was

she

and

in

fact

the

account

she
England, where
think, on retiring from

countries

attractive

and

to

Ritchie

Twelve

of

she

residence,

the

been

than

America

both

had

Home's

of whose
Long Island, U.S. ; one
her
and
subsequently lost her husband,
him
with
brave
set
spirithad then
; and

before

fortune

before, he

years
resident

he

Edgewobth.*'

M.

G.

of
February, 1866, some
long-past scenes
his mind.
to
were
unexpectedly recalled

thirteen

her

believe

"

In

I beheve

be

institution

canying

did

Premises

Home.
under

movement.

in

noted,

the
was

name

in

of

opened

not

in

were

**The

there,

AMERICA,

intended,

the

as

RUSSIA,

for

rallying point

The

post of resident

and

accepted by
fact

that

change

the

Among

the
and

R.A.,

J.

Rev.

In

with

Mr.

been
Of

Home.

SpiritualismI

in

had

members

attached

to

Mr.

Wood's

ignorant.

am

membership

to

of belief, or

of

at

with

which

fact

of interest

be

may

No

Sir,

I enclose

the

ber
num-

condition

was

free

shade
every
to join the society ;

the

following

letter

to

"

**

"My

fixed

was

inquirers of

and

all,were

none

connection
Home

hundred.

one

at

present

subscription to the Athenaeum

proposed to limit
guineas, and it was

of

Mr.

former

The

annual

five

in

Elliottson,

convincing

Wood.

stances

The

of the

Council

of Dr.

name

Home,

testimony of the great

had
wrought in his views.
Dieppe stances
Captain Drayson,
were
remaining members
natural
the
history, the
popular writer on

experiences
at

Mr.

to

be

to

friends."

their

list of the

the

occurs

stated,

offered

was

the

251

promoters

Spiritualistsand

him.

bears

G.

several

the

secretary

SpiritualAthenaeum
a

of

circular

**

ENGLAND.

AND

crossed

Augutt

Slit, 1866.

for five

guineas the
of my
first annual
amount
subscription to the Spiritual Athenaeum.
I was
on
Wednesday
exceedingly gratifiedwith what I saw
evening ;
I am
indebted
for
and
to
me
a
long-sought-for
greatly
affording
you
which
in
occur
opportunity of witnessing the surprising manifestations
there
It
that
which
to
two
seems
me
are
stages through
presence.
your
before
become
converts
to
most
or
must,
to,
ought
they
pass,
persons
In
first
have
the
to, or they should, satisfy
Spiritualism.
place they
of mediums,
in the
which
themselves
that things do occur
presence
known
laws ; and, secondly, that these
be explained by any
cannot
first stage I certainly
of
The
caused
the
spirits.
by
things are
agency
I
reached.
have
now
Many things occurred the other evening which
if I suspected trickery
should
be altogether unable
to explain, even
dear

The

collusion.

or

that

hope

and

I read

than,

most

the

"

I have

second
not

hear,

it

stage
with

that

seems

do

at their

I had

with

persons

8"nces

sat

you

cheque

trust

I have

soon

last

for the

first s^nce

"

Mrs.

of the

towards

me

name,

you

my

my

rather

as,

me

more

or

first stance,

"c.,

cause
be-

scarcely
disposed

were

set

what

from

against than

Spiritualism.

If you have
down
to run
to
"

at

and, indeed,

say

...

and

much

as

the
,

worthy

time

reach.

may

quite

seen

"

house.

never
see

been

Cambridge,
give me
very
truly,
very

it, it will
Yours

to

and

at any

time

would

great pleasure
F.

to

like

receive

Chancb."

LIFE

"

252

had

Hardly

brought

increasing

ill-health

and

went

Athenaeum

languishing

died

whose

writers

to

whom

even

delivering judgment

"

of

Mall

have

oath

on

embarrassed

the

S. C.

clear

from

(I quote

the

in

suit)

the

warrantable
un-

Mr.

on

innumerable

statements
mis-

particulars

mmtote-

"

that

untrue

degree

dear

my

they

have

and

quite

by a few
Spiritualist

^but

how

all

picion
sus-

would

character,
your
the first to accuse

Lyon, by being

wrote

cellor
Vice-Chan-

from

words

"

blasted

had

Daniel,'*
the

"that

you
a

as

felt if he
of Mrs.

her

Home,

Mr.

to

of fraud

that

when

said,

judgment
(of the

great

pained,

course

Hall
not

to

and

plaintiff's
testimony.^]

of

are

did

have

Court

the

discredited

perversely

so

of

person

*'

secondly, by
important
many

in

Mrs.

Spiritualism

Home

Mr.

and,

You

perjuries

"

"

Wilkinson

**

sialists
controver-

suit,
of

by

Home.

Mr.

on

Giffard

against

told

The
Gazette):
expenses
very seriously increased, first by
attack
affidavits
in the
plaintiff's

been

ments

been

numberless

Vice-Chancellor's

the

Spiritual

dishonest

Vice-Chancellor

Spiritualists as

Pall

slur

plaintiffin that
prejudiced a critic

so

report

often

has

cast

to

institution

time, the

the

by

sworn

stances
circum-

death.

the

to

the

short

lawsuit

object was

life of the

the

natural

very

the

of name
change
resign his appointment

to

of these
purpose
affect credence
of the

served

It

after

story of the Lyon

The

Home
him

With

ing
work-

into

temporary

Mr.

compelled

and

his

with

secretary.

as

HOME.

been

connected
fortune

OF

Athenseum

the

order, when
and

MISSION

AND

as

you
has

he

of

her

perjury?"
On

what

grounds, then,

law

English

which

that

of

On

prejudice.

English

law

story of

her

In

throws

Vice-Chancellor

suit
the

the

he

onus

the

like
of

so

of

that

of

proof

on

the

emphatically

been

one

with

order

circimistances
had

made

grounds,

two

unfamiliar

reader

when
Lyon's gifts,

gifts were

those
?

the

ask, did

of Mrs.

restitution
declared

will

the

under

utterly

law

the

"

I/yon
the

v.

credited
dis-

other

Home

defendant.

AMERICA,
It mattered

nothing

in

to

seeking

deceased
total

husband,

referred

plaintiffto
exercised

the

mind

of Mr.

Home

over

the

hands

establish

his

shared

who

such

to

denounce

the

*'

To

the

over

will

satisfyme

as

B.

were

mind,

the

Law

that

culated
cal-

vain, the

weak,

the

other

on

of the

unfortunate

turer
adven-

defendant

cised
exer-

you
she

made

bring

can

you
innocent

are

these

retain

to

are

you

you

to

cellor
nutshell, Vice-Chan-

evidence

of

of

the

Lyon

pure,
must

the

exercise

A.'s
to

mind,

prove

voluntary,
be

Home

proved

over

failed

v.

portion of

relation

implied
B.

set

that

having

the
the

"

of the

Equity

note

marising
sum-

"

have

to

of

existed

dominion

tween
beand

and

consequently that,
these
voluntary gifts

well-understood

aside."

grounds

from

extract

"

Keports

suit

by

they

of

decision, I

that

had

the

suspected of misstating the

them
influence

to

influence."

Vice-Chancellor's

Held,

well

satisfaction that
my
the
plaintiffwhen

to

amount

such

If

**

forward

the

he

was

nonsense,

the

to

"

no

"

in

but

of the

were

of his way

out

delude

to

matter

them;

Series

fluence
in-

no
as

how

matter,

the

prove
influence

I be

defendant

the

Clean

Lyon.

"mischievous

dilemma

following
gifts,you must

Lest

had

exercised

travelled

propounded

the

exercised

he

hand

put

Giffard

no

perversely
the

which

influence

superstitious, and
projects of the needy and

the

assist

to

had

this

in

own

and
to

required

he

of Mrs.

as

one

foolish, and

the

her

English
correctly interpreted
did
not
require the

It

that

that

belief

that
on

only

her

uprightness to the satisfaction of a judge

the common
prejudices against Spiritualism

extent

an

from

sequence
con-

terms.

severe

doubt

mind.

negative,

be

to

affirmative, that

her

on

the

prove

the

in

oath"

Giffard,

prove

made

innumerable

"

on

no

Vice-Chancellor

been

the

253

signallyfailed

established

in such

and

"

had

claimed

by

"

giftswere

had

and

interpreted

by

to

the

ENGLAND.

Lyon

misstatements

Vice-Chancellor

"

that

of truth

untrue

as

Mrs.

communications

disregard

law,

that

show

of

AND

KUSSIA,

acts

of A.'s

I-IFE

;254

from

Coming

law

failed

to

of the

Chancellor
as

pure
art

effect

that

to

was

diflFerent matter,

very

of the

if Mr.

judge

simply

because

have

convinced

would

shalt

HOME.

opinion that,

defendant's

thou

snow,

of

be

it

voluntary,

giftswere
of proof

"

satisfaction

the

to

prove

OF

justice

to

will

impartial critic

an

MISSION

AND

that

the

amount

no

the

uprightness.
'scape calumny

not

Home

Vice-

Be

"

"

thou

^ifthou

"

Spiritualist.

of the
complicated by the false witness
the facts relating to Mr. Home's
plaintiff,
adoption by
old and
Mrs. Lyon were
sufficientlysimple. She was
an
and a believer in Spiritualism long before she
rich widow,
Not
sought the acquaintance of Mr. Home.
only was
she
she a believer
met
him, but, according
long before

Except

her

to

with

as

account,

own

told

she

Home,

of

world

the

many

immediately

she

had

often

and

not

spiritcommunications
inspired the thought

for instance,

the

I shall

affidavit

Happening

was

anxious

prospectus
from

him.

visions,

own

Mr.

through
him.

adopting

Home,

Witness,
from

Chambers,

whose

the

and
Spiritual Athenaeum
I wrote
the 30th of Sepon
tember,
her
in
"that
affidavit,
Lyon

"

Home,

Mrs.
says
to become

and

the

of

Robert

of

hear

Mr.

1866,"

Dr.

made

her

presently quote.

to

its secretary

reply

late

on

that

vision, and

in vision

adoption of Mr.
first meeting him
the figure that
as

him

recognised

in

seen

her

that

persons

had

communed

After

spirits.

she

had

who

seer,

subscriber, and

particulars.

having

received

defendant, I called, and

said

I had

Not

before

never

the

seen

asking

any

asked

said

for

to

see

defendant."

...

this

At

work

herself
him

into

entered

Home,
his

visit, Mrs.

**

to

that

Lyon,

she

read
had

in
with

been

spiritual manifestations
she

was

herself

interest, however,
and

aristocratic

Life,"

My

much

from

medium

appeared
personages

him

her

and

saw

to

the

in

be

she

Mr.

declared

informed

She

of

occurrence

childhood,
visions.

in

and

the

the

that

chief

Her
in

centred

mentioned

to

concerning

which

interest.

believer

stranger

with

conversation

Incidents

have

absolute

an

*'

royal
Inci-

AMERICA,

dents," and

she

them

afterwards

the

Athenaeum,

Mr.

Home

her

She

and

son,

of her

detested.

He

and

would

declaration

would
her

through
Mr.

Home

late

always
passed

husband

his

at

Bewildered
life that
Mr.

by

had

Home

that

she

could

she was
appearance
how
to regard the

days.
warmly and
some

up
on

her

mind

her

wish

not

like

her
She

made
shall

the

best

friends

joy

adopt him,

that

he

to

act

so

You

are

society.
will

instead

call

not

she

to

come

of

:
on

burden."

she

and

had

her

fictions,

and

jest,

think
all

to

him

most

had

made

had

acted

about

the

not, and

did

of such
mind

will
you
you will be

gentleman,

again for

her

greeted

matter

that

Whether

you,

have

with
out
go
you,
old
and
;
age will
my

shaJl
us

him
"

on

that

he

in

Uncertain

inquired if he
consult
a
lawyer

hastily in

This

any

woman.

replied that

assured

again

family

husband."

and

should

Home

added
and
up,
settle a fortune

accept it.

shrewd

last went,

at

that

Mrs.

affectionately,
repeated
to

his

and

gitimate
ille-

Newcastle,

offer of

her

sane,

he

me,"

the

was

stranger than

affair,he did

When

Mr.

adoption.

be
a

told

adoption as
perfectlyserious, began to
in her
Yet
right mind.

was

own

Lyon.
extraordinary even

so

full of facts

not

and
with

incident

she

she

his

to

She

she

in

herself

first treated

at

that

family,

good

interview

an

been

finding that

but

from

second

Lyon

"

tradesman

of

was

aloof

held

aflSdavit,
a

relatives

world.
"

of

daughter
her

be

his

him

and
together as mother
son
he
made
in
happy,
becoming
she
in
being introduced

means,

in

of

name

fashionable

the

to

her

him.
upon
children
or

without

husband's

taken

adopt

to

fortune

was

her

house

had

determined

and
add

by astounding

she

handsome

of

funds

the

to

act

that

explained,

keep

his

this

was
a

would

through

said

the

own,

people

two

rich

followed

settle

relatives

giftof ;^30

and

rich, she

was

they

made

255

questions concerning
many
with
them.
A day or

intimacy

him, and

to

ENGLAND.

Home

Mr.

his

she

with

great fancy
as

asked

and

two

AND

RUSSIA,

ance.
import-

fully

was

not,

obliged

to

friends

in

or

and
become

your
a

AND

LIFE

256
told

He

her

MISSION

feared

he

that

OF

HOMK

she

him

sought

for the

as
given in his
strange gifthe possessed. Her
answer,
foolish
fellow, I*ve seen
affidavit, was
:
Why,
you
"

nothing of your strange gift,as you

it is through your
being celebrated
of

heard

should

and

singular occur
Home

the

of

addition
cellor

the

to

declared

her

that

She

he

unable

was

person

the

of

was

more

Vice-Chan-

having

Mrs.

on

one

consider

to

more

accept her

to

anything

but

was

which

called

for yourself,

had

convicted

hours

then

and

adoption,

words

oaths

stand

twenty-four

took

He

false

many
her to

Mrs.

these

having spoken

I first

impossible for Mr.

Lyon*s subsequent

was

that

that

third

no

though

you

never

As

it

interview,

I love

you

again."

you

and

for that

you

if

care

demonstrate

to

denial

not

to

at

present

I know

that

now

you,

call it

taken.
the

Lyon

posed
pro-

told

and

profferedkindness.

him

his
tion,
determinaearnestly to reconsider
and
view.
interat a subsequent
repeated her entreaties
take
counsel
with
his
to
Finally, he consented
called
friends, and
began with Mr. S. C. Hall, who
by
his
Home
Mrs.
not
on
Lyon,
request
accompanying

urged

him.
After

the

Hall

visit, Mr.

had

passed. Mrs. Lyon

Spiritualism, but declared

Home,
settle
two

asked

and

him.

on

three

or

said,

"Finding
in his

Home

and

sane

woman,

in
who

contemplated
offered

her

intention

year

enough.'

right mind,

gave

efficient

doing,

subject of
adopting Mr.

of

thought
Mr.

she

should

Hall,

suflSce,on

"

which

conversation,"
he

thought

but

very

for

reasons

decided

that
she

to

says

her

Mr.

only

not

sharp

business

what

she

accept

had
she

what

me."

The

day following, October

Hall
called
Mrs.
on
Lyon to
delay executing her intention
it

what

"

Hall's

Mr.

Home

the

on

said

would

affidavit, **that
her

he

suggested,"

not

from

nothing

what

Mr.

to

said

visitor

hundred

that's

Oh,

her
"

related

fiurther.

She

refused, and

loth, Mr.

Home

suggest that
until
said

she

that

had

she

and
she

Mr.

should

considered
had

deter-

LIFE

2s8
Mrs.

as

Lyon

so

are

eyes

weak

will believe

you

they
is

nature

your

I cannot

to^ay
truly wonderful

so
me

your

thwart

to

all I wished

his

changed

His

taken, he

had

he

advisers,
of Mrs.

action

Lyon
have

it would

that

Italy, and in France,

him
to
by persons
and

amiable

more

wealthy

as

E"-

studied

had

he

of

thought

that, in
On

who

than

and

in

had

been

some

that

he

had

of those

them

adopted
independence.
of

son

the

aunt

of

made

of

them

never

All

gretted
re-

his

life

independence

found

soon

in

better-bred

oflfers.

absolute

an

to

wrong

America,

and

and

the

on

impulsive

but

Lyon,

possessor
others.
The

of

was

of

the

Providence,

Mrs.

the

becoming

of

all

the

that

the

on

adoption

and

its wisdom.

were

preserve
He
action.

becoming

thought

oflfers of

to

sacrificed

had

not

gratefulrefusal

his

doubted

only foolish
forget that,

not

DUNBAST."

;^ 24,000,
In
spite of

signal favour

express

bestowed

all, looked

wealthier;

or

friends

his

been

could

he

But

reject.

as

of

gift

sometimes

and

one

Mj

wonderful
in your
life ; but
and faithful old friend,

Home-Lyon.

that

approval

unanimous
course

to

name

to

even

the

accepted

Home

views,

own

your

"

Mr.

to her

t^ectionate.

and

good

write

sincere

very

HOMK

gratitude by bending

your

were

that

this occasion,

on

OF

prove

even

because

doubt,

I cannot

will

you

admonitions,

and

wishes

that

"

MISSION

AND

to

reason

Mrs.

Lyon,

;^24,ooo, his
who

had

fear
he

first

adopted

of her
life in the
passed the last years
her nephew
house
bought for her.
In
1866, Mrs. Lyon unexpectedly asked
November,
for the
of his solicitor ; and
her adopted
son
name
a
few
astonished
find
to
was
days later Mr. Home
that,
without
giving him any hint of her intention, she had

him

as

ordered
her

child

will

lawyer

who

up

constituting him

her," he

reminded

already

done

for

her

received

heir to

instructions, Mr.
strongly against them.

remonstrated

Wilkinson,

"

drawn

fortune.
The

M.

be

to

Mr.

Homo,

stated
and

in
that

his
she

W.

affidavit, of what
she had
might be disappointed with
"

AMERICA,
him,

he

or

with

EUSSIA,

her.

ENGLAND.

AND

I asked

her

in

the

she

doing

was

orders, and

she

in

was

said

it

determination.

consequence

not, hut

was

She

of

assured

her

was

in

any

unbiassed

own

the

if

pointed way
spiritualcontrol

most

...

what

259

or

and

wish

positive manner
by any such
but
the
that
she
had
taken
Mr.
to
greatest liking
Home, and
reasons,
found
him
all that she could wish
it was
a
delight to her to
; and
find
that she could make
such a good use
of her money.
I told
her
it would
friend
of Mr. Home,
be much
a
that, as I was
more
if
would
she
advise
with
other
solicitor ; but
some
satisfactoryto me
she
said she was
and would
not go to any
perfectly satisfied with me
in

what

most

that

me

she

she

doing

was

influenced

not

was

...

one
else, that I had cautioned
could, and she quite understood

her

in

what

every

she

that

way

about,

was

Dr.

and

Hawksley
high standing and
witnesses

will.

the

to

of

name

Mrs.

him,

solicitor

she

that

gentlemen

of

character,

866, Mr.
this

on

"

Mr.

dear
son

little

saying anything
occasion

had

should

Mrs.
with

your

other

Mr.
The

the

to

to

same

of

the

have

thirty

I wish

add

to

in

reply

Mr.

Home

another

thousand

six

thousand.

Yours
.

Lyon refused.
legal advice,"
desire

and
to

and

long

solicitor
"I
she

transfer

to

Lyon."

suggested that,
intimately, she
the

transact

ness.
busi-

perfectly satisfied

am

wrote,
soon

very

give

to

already given him,

more

once

of my

occasion

Lyon,

intend

1866.

^th December,

Jane

adviser;"
of her

of

total

known

employ

On

"

name

twenty-four

Wilkinson

he

Wilkinson,

taking the
surprise.

pounds to the
sum
making
a
truly,
very
Mr.

will.

"

adopted
a

no

My

him

Lyon.
spirit-

formally assumed

Home

Without

wrote

by

signing the

on

son
Wilkin-

Mrs.

influenced

insisted

the

were

Mr.

presence
cautions
to

was

Home-Lyon.

Lyon

two

"

to

good

their

former

his

in December,

Early
the

In

and

communications,

Rudall,

Mr.

unimpeachable

repeated all
again replied

She

him

was

of businesa"

woman

as

else

one

any

and

"

and

wish

afterwards
further

sum

for

no

informed
of

;^30,cxx"

Home.
solicitor

not

only

wrote

but

called

on

her

to

She

remonstrate.

OF

MISSION

AND

LIFE

26o

1 told

**

her

to

adopted

her/* says

Wilkinson

Mr.

saving legacy duty was

ail-important
question of divesting herself
was
impossihle to say that she might not
she had
known
whom
to one
large a sum
of

question

she

said

not

would

desired

it,and

do

asked

if she

her

of

"

that

considered

he

her

the

mere

the

against

of her

property, and that

afterwards
regret giving
short

so

deed

so

made

of

desirous

it

She

time.

the

have

to

me

affidavit,

to

save

lifetime.

her

his

in

to

large portion

during

son

wished

she

that

explained

legacy duty by transferringthis

fortune

HOME,

out

this

in

in

were
sequence
condoing
if so,
have
for
I
could
that,
spirit-communications,
any
She
said that
she was
nothing to do with it on any such ground.
in an
of placing him
influenced
not
hy anything hut the intention
and
the
satisfied
legacy duty, as she was
independent position
saving
her
mind."
she should
never
change

his

name.

of

On
called

on

"

her,''he stated,

saw

her

to

Mrs.

intended

gift

greatest affection

him, and

assured

that

me

received

not

to

she

I reiterated

proposed.
way
her against heing
again warned
communications, or by anything
she

the

advice

She

all the

influenced

way

her

again

with

to

old

as

the

carry

arguments.

by

any spiritshe
and
reason,
told me
that she

unbiassed

this occasion

her

expressed

determined

was

to her

any

but

On

not.

was

in

conversation

Home.

that

said

had

long

defendant

the

in

it out

for

the

to

had

and

"

Wilkinson

Mr.

7, 1867,

January
Lyon.

Monday,

she

from

Lady Dunsany, who had told her

by any communications, and
any worldly
she did not
intend
She
to be.
said, whatever
happened, she had
than
she
could
and
she
more
want,
was
only too glad to make
money
Daniel
independent after all the obloquy he had suffered.
be

same

guided

in

matters

'^

The
Mr.

Home's
of

advice

air, and
and

of

winter

health
his

visited

other

remained
occasional

1866

was

England,
Under

worse.

London,

residences

All
he

and

this
saw

while

her

Lyon
only during his

there.

of May
Lyon represents herself," said the Scotsman
"as
having performed her acts of generosity which
savour
of a Cheery ble Brother
deeds
mad
under
irresistible
run
an
exerted
her by Mr. Home.
Yet
on
Mr.
Home
not
was
"

"

often

was

and

not

much

sometimes

the

Mrs.

*'Mrs.

indeed

and

physicians, he tried frequent change of

Brighton, Malvern, Hastings, Torquay,

health-resorts.
in

and

worse

grew

in

severe

very

near

her

long, and

to exert

with

this influence.

mortals.

The

He

was

fact that

7, 186S,
of the
influence

always,
absent
in letters

AMERICA,
to

him

during

mother,'

and

absences

in

maintaining
plea of magnetic

such

him

Lyon
with

ENGLAND.

tender

'

exerted

these

and

that

her

over

his

effusiveness

Not

him.

with

261

herself

signed

health, is evidence

relations

influence

'

of

Mrs.

addressed

his unrobust

for

concern

these

AND

EUSSIA,

she

was

many
by her

ate
affectionanxious

or

free agent

will
'

accept her
'

son

as

natory
expla-

sometimes

even
endearingly
solemnly intimate
She
the notion
in Court
indignantly scouted
had been
have
him
allowed
to
that, if her husband
alive,she would
dictate to her as
she said his spirit had
after
done
his
seven
years
death
and
she
had
than
her
to
more
one
repeatedly
expressed
;
person
admiration
for her own
for her
son's
and her contempt
ness
busiadopted
evidence
that
qualities. These circumstances, and the abundant
she was
flighty,obstinate, fond of her own
apt to change her
way,
she treated
in such
mind, and tyrannical to her adopted son, whom
fashion
Mr.
he would
that
Gerald
stand
it
not
a
Massey declared
for ;^3o,ooo a year
of
of the
all dispose to doubt
her
accuracy

communications.

"

of

accoimt

Mr.

motives

the

which

imder

she

lavished

her

property

on

Home.
.

Without

the writer
in the Scotsbelieving,therefore,"continues
of the very
few journalistswho
with
reviewed
the case
one
marly
any
"
and
candour
wanted
that
Mrs.
to
approach
impartiality,
Lyon really
Mr.
to marry
he allegesin his defence, and is borne
out by
Home,
as
several
in
witnesses
she
that
respectable
alleging, or even
only
wanted
to get into
through his means
plain
society it is possible to exthe affair apart from
the
working of the spirits or the
netic
magMrs. Lyon did not complain
about
which, by the way,
influence,'
till she rued
its consequences.
her adoption and
Here
a
was
lonely
and
with
childless woman,
her
all
relatives
and
disgusted
craving for
attention, even
affection, still of active mind, rich, and ascribing to
herself
claimed
of the kind
higher in
by Mr. Home, but even
powers
the spiritwith
and so-called communications
degree. To her dreams
world
she had
vision
long before,
paid superstitious heed ; and one
of a fair-haired
unlock
who
to
some
was
golden mystery to her,
boy
She
had
read
had
mind.
Home's
her
impressed itself deeply on
with
the
book, and vras prepared to fraternise (or matemise)
possessor
"

"

"

'

of

similar

to

power

her

knew

she

own;

Home

that

was

well

and
resembling in
prepossessing in manners
and
took
of
her
a
dream,
freakishly sudden
boy
in the
of her
fancy to him.
Capricious, energetic, confident
power
it
seemed
and
business
of
have
her
to
proud
capacities, may
money,
her that a great gift would
bind
the man
to whom
to her in perpetuo
be given her,
she had
taken
this fancy ; and the social lift that would
out
be withfilled up, might not
at the same
time that her void life was

received,

features

its

would
such

power

of

hardly be
temptations
upon
a

wonder

Mr.

attractiveness.
if his

to blame

thrust
been

him

found

the fair-haired

as

Mrs.

him, he had
if he

was

Lyon

been
not

in

such

circumstances,

proof against
independence was
was
pertinaciously offered; wealth

and
'

Home,

glad

not

yet
at

was

heart

'

poor,
and

and

it

grateful

would
And

have
there

LIFE

262

lady, and not

I have
strange partnership.

he,

old

the

that

is evidence

confesses

it is not

'

of the

this view
a

to

bestow

man

"

her

on

dearly for her whistle;

against his reputation, to
The
Home

will

that

was

far from

she

her

further

her

being

executed

favour

of

diflFerent

made

him
to

with

with

the

contend

his

first been
Mrs.
of

abuse.

violent

sentiment

of
that

others

twenty

she

because
"tied

to

dislike

to

that, if she

aversion

afiectionate

wearied

Lyon

speedily
phrase,

only

feeling of

him,

her
had

found

herself,

dying

man."

Home's

little

she

that
On
had

it ; and
in her
She
; and

son

her

found

fying
day testithe
next
loading
gradually began

her.

caprice as
preceded

fi?e

one

gratitude

towards

covered
dis-

least

at

He

persons.

of Mr.
He

revoked

and

aflfection for

too

weapon

favour

in

"

warmest

as

paid

for restitution."

first testament.

had

able

was

had

mysticism

tied

was

than

she

untruthful, ignorant, violent, capricious

the

she

that

rather

cooled

claim

had

Lyon

found

his

used

pathetically
amply bear out

witnesses

Lyon

^her ardour

"

and

Mrs.

his

attentions

she

that

wills, in

Mrs.

member

dominant

liberty,'he

my

and

needed

who

man

attentions

roses

When

bargain.
'

dying

to

'

of

bed

the

was

sold

in this

HOME.

OF

MISSION

AND

had

her

side,

wearied

the

the

more

brutal

own

had

at

taken

thought

inherit
boy would
her talk of changing her will.
She
her property made
her
was
grievously disappointed with
reception in the
Home
he had
and
duced
introto which
moved,
society where
little as possible of her ;
His friends
her.
saw
as
for she was
habits
and
of wellas
ignorant of the ways
bred
of their breeding.
With
this
people, as destitute
and
her
violent
working
disappointment
on
temper,
surrounded
who
had
by persons
sought her acquaintance
from
in the hope of diverting her wealth
Mr.
Home
recall
to
to
themselves, she determined
a
portion at
least of her gifts; and
in May, 1867, consulted
retired
a
who
barrister
self,
herand
was
acquainted both with Home
she
the
to the
should
as
means
adopt to recover
second
of ;^30,ooo that
she
her
had
forced
sum
upon
She
told him," says Mr.
Home
in his
adopted son.
and

Mr.

Home

she

did

died, the

**

affidavit,
of

"

;^24,ooo

that
and

;^6,ooo

not
to

wish
me,

to

but

disturb

thought

the
she

gifts
had

AMERICA,
been

lavish

too

AND

RUSSIA,
in

bestowing

ENGLAND.

on

263

the

me

subsequent

gift."
Home,

who

Malvern,

at

was

knew

proceedings.

He

and

having prescribed

his

doctor

German

her

with

me,"

than

he

dear

this

to

up
determination.

I wish

assured
in

Daniel,"

instant

packing

I have

I have

Mrs.

away.
think

you

every

fact, and

Lyon

in

that

you

it will

do

you

enjoyment,

"

are

of your

good

you
and

go
more

join me."
reply :

perfectlyapprove

go
I

to

from

letter

you

of the

some

would
you
of London

out

asked

ever

June

and

be

of health

that

particular."
The

call

letter

closed

her.

on

He

with

went

of

of outrageous
trust-deed
that had

the

No

situation

than

that

could

in which

knew

He

be

feared

that, if he

stand

to

London.

the

In

both

to

his

was

making

that

that

he

to

she

friends.

that

from

received

she

had
He
at

had

charges against

me

made

to

the

time,"

filed
and

her
my

up
he

whole

the

mined
finally deter-

; but

written

Bill

posed
sup-

only

tation
retrac-

his

make
he

he

which

against

wrote

that

opinion

to

her

give

to

still limited

be

friends

his

retain

;^30,000

he

because

not

Home

Mr.

second

wholly ignorant
"

their

declare

would

him

of

him,

demand

charges

of his

affidavit,

advised

thus

trust-deed

threats

honourably

on

perplexing

consulted

He

all

and

world

the

Lyon's

Mrs.

and

Lyon's

of the
that

of him,

spite, however,

return

condition

;^30,(XX)

suddenly placed.

the

surrendered

legally and

Mrs.

himself

lawsuit.

bestowed

;^6o,ooo

and

One

deed.

could

on

of

return

second

painful

more

found

he

insultinglydemanded
that he had
yielded to
in

the

conveyed

in

demanded,

insult, the

and

the

aside

throwing

letter, she

abuse

would

Home

Home.

Mr.

to

; and

once

her

language

that

request

at

aflFection

pretended

**

been

wrote

got

I wish

"

these

in

of the

Lyon

him.
"

wrote.

early

visit to

Mrs.

accompany

wished, but

My

have

to

London

to

informed

baths, he

invited

"

returned

of

nothing

honesty

this

oflFer.

explained
in

friends.

in

Chancery,
I

was

in

LIFE

264

very

feeble

freedom

health

from

for the

and

of such

aware

would

scorned

have

filed, I

been

having

make

to

compromise."
Dishonestly suppressing the
intended
journey to Germany
medical

adviser, that
that

him, and
of his

which

upon

of June,

in the

relatingto

the

Home

of

Court

;^6o,ooo

friends

arrest

his

never

left him.

Their

hours

Home

Mr.

to

sensitive

had

nature

months

before

instructions
On

he

of the
his wife.

lawsuit, and
In

of Ne

i8th

the

of

moment

had

and

when

time

panionship
com-

twenty-four

these
at

his

Lindsay

sympathy
of

exeat

shock

illness, the

proved fatal.
sufficientlyrecovered

It

he
his

to

three

was

give

to

any

legal advisers.^

Mr.

Mrs.

Home,

retained

them

of

some

April, 1868,

came

the

had

that
after

even

session
pos-

belonged

to

of the

close

the

valuable

most

taken

had

Lyon

objects

Home.

of

cause

"Lyon

were

the

certificate
that

certify

I found

him

effect of mental

of

the

about

the

doctor
21

suffering from
shock.

Altho'

called
June

at

in

last

extreme

Mr.

Home

was

to, the attack

has left a state
of nervous
susceptible to a relapse,and quite unfits him
for
that

at

least

imperatively demanded
danger.

two
for

months
the

of

rest

restoration

to

nervous

referred

consider

Home"

against

Vice-Chancellor
hearing before
declared
that
jury. The
plaintifi"

I copy
is to

This

the

for

on

without

of

approval

restored.

never

the

his

pany
accom-

on

Lord

and

jewellery,lace, "c.,

She

to

entire

all but

had

to his

adopting

her

the

coming

but

already prostrated by

was

from

generous
the
trial

lightened

Home's

following day, on
of gift
the
deeds

the

Adare

Lord

Mr.

arrested

Chancery

and

oflFer of

writ

was

liberated

was

any

prescribed by

was

obtained

Lyon

He

1867.

depositing

had

Mr.

that

requested
expressed

had

she

Mrs.

intention,

regno,

he

facts

any
I been

certainly

most

accept

or

the

of

taking advice
and
quiet. Had

of peace

sake

Bill

no

without

wrote

and

required rest
towards
ill-feeling

and

time,

I had

anxiety.

and
plaintiflf;
one,

the

at

HOMK

OF

MISSION

AND

and
of his

Mr.

Home:
called

was

of the

debility which
business

health,
Alfred

of
or

"Aug.

even

Mr.

see

with
acute

all

had

2,

D.

'67.
D.

delirioin,

sympfcomi

renders

mental

or

avoidance

she

"

to

exhaustion,
relieved

GiflFard

him

vcrT

exertion.
excitement

for the

Armstrong,

aw

preclusion
M.D."
.

LIFE

266

of

reach

widow^s

his

MISSION

second

These

Chancery.
In

AND

mysteries

beyond

are

allusion
Mrs.

interview, he
she

declared

had

took

place

her
of

passed

her

In

the

defendant
Home

Mr.

could
witness

she

in the

lawyer,

could

call

did

have

as

if it had

he

she

the

her

only herself
to what

had

had

never

and

had

had

and

All

he

witness

after

attributed

her

she

now

uniformly

her

passed

been.

forward

only by

pretended
declared

aflfection for him

taken.
the

Wilkinson,

ordered

at

"

every
telling the

was

communications

received,

whose

muddy

in almost

she

witnesses

that

Jides the

her

on

that, although the

witnesses

no

brought

had

her

however

which

at

; he

instance,

established, and
"

Lyon's

present.

no

to

she

for

bona

whose

as

believe

to

evidence,

influenced

was

Mr.

her

where

course

Take,

Mrs.

Vice-Chancellor

falsehood

of

interviews

prove
of him

to

that

of

to

adoption

the

"

been

he

do,

impossible

be

had

interviews

that

and

convicted

those

to

as

world

the

"

fling a stone
press calmly assumed

particular

truth

of

occasions

to

stood
plaintiflF

at

credence

it to
order

Home,

other

the

these

on

evidence,

declared

oath.

in his
fully described
proposed adoption.

Home
to

tion
manifesta-

conveniently ignoring the

called
the witnesses
had
victed
conby Mr. Home
of false swearing in very many
other
culars
parti-

that

the

refer

of

worthy

Mr.

not

of what

account

had

Mr.

the

are

the

fact

which

at

after

interview, and

adopt him,

to

him

on

tations
spiritualmanifes-

prejudice and dishonesty

English press in general treated

Such

been

intention

It did

affidavit.

that

her

Charles

regard to the second

no
tions
spirit-communica-

third

the

At

of

Home

late

called

any

that

similarly swore

received.

were

Court

ken."

our

the

to

Lyon

that
or
SpiritualAthenaeum,
whatever
took place. With

the

of the

and

plaintiffsaffidavit,Mr.

the

to

answer

HOME.

thoughts

that
absolutely denied
any
when
made
had
been
Lyon

pay

OF

solicitor

of

evidence
in

Vice-Chancellor
costs
to

pay

he
her

Mr.

large practice,
held

ordered
own

Home's

to

Mrs.
costs.

be

fully

Lyon

to

RUSSIA,

AND

to matters

within

AMERICA,
So

"

far

Wilkinson

Mr.

relates

it

as

in

his

affidavit, "the

ENGLAND.

267

knowledge,'*said

own

my

affidavit
plaintiff's
with

almost

is

her

own
wholly untrue, and is at variance with the facts,or
vious
preand repeated statements
of the
I was
the friend
to me.
defendant
him.
I have
saw
Home, though I seldom
always found
bim
and
of
honour
when
I
heard
that he had
and
a
integrity;
person
been adopted hy the plaintiff,
and
that she had given him
;^24,ooo, I
unmerited
abuse
of
for
the
to
was
it, as a compensation
glad
very
he
which
has been
however, that munificent
gift
subjected. When,
been
had
made
to him, I thought it was
enough for all purposes, and
further
This made
I
considered
me
gifts
quite unnecessary.
any
very
that she should
do
independent in advising her, and very determined
Mr.
Home
for
him
advice.
told
I
or
nothing more
never
any
upon
my
Dther person
what
I intended
of questioning her when
to do in the way
[ took her will,but I questioned her in the strictest
If she
way.
!iad at the time she signed her will the conviction
that she was
enced
influit from
but
by any spiritualcause, she not only concealed
me,
that
she
did
her
her
it
of
out
resolutelydenied it, and gave
reason
as
him
independent.
Liking for Mr. Home, and to make
She
assured
that
she
in any way
not influenced
me
was
repeatedly
by spirit-communications, but only by her liking for him, and that if
...

...

**

be

not

were

bim.

medium

If it

all,she should

at

otherwise, she

is alone

have

the

for

affection

same

for

concealing it from
and
me
constantly denying it, but I spoke to her so often against
that the subject got quite threadbare
led
being
by communications
away
between
I have
us.
advice, both when
given her the same
by
were

blame

to

...

and
of the defendant
Home
presence
;
he has always said the same
I could have done
to her.

ourselves
occasions
than

more

and

had

him

the

act

same

own

found

one

How
be

as

to

her

repeatedly
what

who

such

was

these

reconciled

she

motives
;

to

the

London,

some

for instance,

with

had

the

of

whom

that

she

doing,

and

that

an

of

use

it

was

her
to

to

Mr.

adoption,

of Mr.

was

and

to

have

Wilkinson
that

she

not

had

stated

at

told

influenced

spirit-

concerning
to

Court

in

to

Home

Wilkinson

others, residing
She

Mr.

adopt

forward

came

affidavits.

altogether on
the greatest

money,

assertion
plaintiflF's

led

she

her

acted

to her."

statements

stated

of

that

was

comfort

the

had

me

told

such

sworn

fact, while
sent

she

made

to have

communications

the

nothing

instructions.

are

What

sucli

carry out her strict orders;

she
and
had
another
to
solicitor,and had told
gone
so,
but to
she told me,
he would
have had no
alternative

plaintiffhas
judgment in

pleasure

on

did, except refusingaltogetherto

I done

The

her

her

on
'*

in the

and

many
to

distance

Lady
by

sides
beswear

from

Dunsany,
any

spirit-

LIFE

268

AND

of

declarations

made

the

Massey
names

before

me.

the

Among
the
Lyon

whom,

had

similar

on

other

of

one

introduced

his

Gerald

persons

whose

that

Lyon.

relate

to

Bobert

Dr.

by

visits to

Mrs.

to

had

Mr.

to

possession
my
affidavit
made

an

She

be.

to

nature

numerous

in

papers
lawsuit
is

Chambers,
Home

to

intend

not

poet, and
not

are

did

and

communications,

HOME.

OF

MISSION

London,

Mr.

this

copy
Mrs.

that
It will be seen
Lyon
interesting document.
had
she
spoke to Dr. Chambers,
as
spoken to others,
with
visions previous to her acquaintance
cf her man
him
Mr.
with
the
that she identified
Home^ and added
had

she

person

story this

from

when

mention

in

all
their

the

"I, Kobert

her

had

on

him

her

visions

to

bo

worthy

of

act

of

adopting

her

him.

She

as

Lyon,

the

plaintifl^at her

last.

Home

Mr.

into

follows:"

say

well

affection,as
entered

her

at

and

oath

4th of December

the

on

made
substituted.

Mrs.

to

Court,

in

suppressed, and

was

were

make

Home-Lyon

recent

upon

Home

LL.D.,

Terrace,

afterwards

different

very
told

communications

Mr.

her

conferred

her

Mr.

by

Albert

in

knew

with

Chambers,

introduced

was

of

visions.

she

one

place imaginary

first interviews

house

in those

seen

as

tho

as

lated
congratu-

her

as

son,

fortune

recital of

what

she
led

had

on
seeing
acquaintance, and
she had
him
recognised him as the person pointed out by her husband
in vision.
Her
motives
had
visions.
solely from her own
sprung
this occasion, and when
her
Both
I met
Mrs.
on
adopted
Lyon with
house
in
the
of
Onslow
at
son
a
lady of rank
Square
(Lady Duntionate
affecHome
to Mr.
entirely as an
sany), Mrs. Lyon spoke of and

do

to

Mr.

so.

Home

was

recent

"

"

mother.
"

of

I have

known

Mr.

Home

for many

years,

irreproachable character.
"Sworn

In

at

St.

this

making

(Mrs. Lyon)
youth."
could

not

written

Lyon

should

fifth

surely

of

day

for such

Chambers
habit
a

of

habit

to be

him

Chambers.

September,

1867."
before

shortly

Home

Mr.

to

"mentioned

"

says
visions
even

She

from

English

"

her
law

his
responsible? It was
his
Mrs.
not
fault, that
on
seeing him
have
identified
with
the figure seen
him

hold

Mr.

misfortune,

the

affidavit. Dr.

But

believe

Kobert

Andrews,

letter

and

Home

AMERICA,
in her

visions,

AND

RUSSIA,
whom

on

her

ENGLAND.

269

aflfections

ancient

to

were

lavished.

be

While

the

attempted,
Street

on

aimed

suit
he

as

his

his

to

at him

hotel.

with

The

intended

or

dagger,

knife

down

evening

one

life

Home's

progress

passed

way

blow

in

was

was

Jermyn
assassin
and

Home

instinctively throwing out his hand, it was

pierced by
The
the weapon.
point of the stiletto," says a newspaper
"

report before
the

and

The

hotel.

injured, so
murderer

only

He

; the

arrested

has

nerve

that

employer

hired

be

had

prelate who
him

accompanied
I

grieved

was

wrote

that

see

you
I cannot

undergo.

to

I retain

that

to

I fear that

manner.

have

friend,"

dear

"My
*'

his

to

with

Monsignor

Talbot

had

you

have

been

much

writing

in

and

you

so

ordeal

you
my

most

guished
distinhe
had

Pope.
in

these

the

in

who

(April

attacked

suffer in the

to

forbear

the

ceived
re-

when

sponsor
Church, and

audience

old interest

idl my

his

been

Catholic

the

into

received

been

would-be

The

guessed at.
that
Mr.
Home
of sympathy
the letters
Among
this
on
dastardly crime
being reported
from
the
of
the
there
one
came
day,
journals
was

his

towards

needed."

is

of his hand,

ran

that

opinion

care

never

was

could

him

is of

surgeon
that much

back

the

profusely.

bled

wound

entered

"

me,

1868):
cowardly a

27,

which

you

few

lines to say
desire to
earnest

Do
Lord
and saving your
now
ever
you
you in serving Our
the
Sacraments
Have
seek comfort
in your Religion ?
approached
you
soul.

aid

of

If

late ?

in

any
when
you

you
to

come

can

you

...

receive

morning
you

and

come

before

see

fix.

may

me,

shall

evening

or

Believe

me

Home

Catholic

the

The

May

"

his

fold the

pleadings
The
the
who

was,

He

"

wish
that

sheep
the

trial had,

suit

of

Lyon

his

some

Home

"

back

and

degree supported

the
her

"

to

it.

closed

reserved

words,

own

testimony
plaintiffs
in

v.

the

interest

strayed from

had

Vice-Chancellor
in

of

lead

to

to

could

Talbot."

all his old

was

sincerely

yours

brother

believe,

retained

evident

in the

1st, 1868, and

persons

Or

GUiBERT

Talbot
Monsignor
Earl of Shrewsbury.
Mr.

delighted

7.

ever

Christ,

in

be

after

ment.
judg-

"quite
one

on

or

credited
distwo

statements

LIFE

270

AND

consisted

of

those

interested

in

seeing

testimony,

the

on

unbiassed

giftsto

other

hand,

might

of the

close

the

little of law

HOMR

who

were

case,

very
those

revoked.

unshaken

of

deeply

most

Home

was

interested

witnesses
plaintiffs
At

OF

Mr.

of persons

those

by

people

very
her

consisted

witnesses

MISSION

and

rank

and

motives

of

His
his

character,
which

the

reasonably be

suspected.

of his friends

who

knew

that
sanguine enough to suppose
of Equity, even
rule a Court
when
equity would
tualism
Spiriin
that
he
was
question, predicted confidently
Their
win.
shared
mirabik
would
expectation was
in the
law
dictu!
the
^by an authority so learned
as
Law
In its issue of May
Times,
journal
2, 1868, that
and

were

"

"

said

"

one

of

"

oside,

only

gave

to

large

at the
man,

of

sum

of

objectof

the
a

to undo

law

the

of

range

charitable

adverse
in

man

*'B.

Home,
all

her

of

has

and

she

be

would
It would

and

last

told

thai

week

by
to

for the interference

her

feelings towards

repents of her generosity.

counsel, Mr.

him
of

to

the

be

to

his

Such
the

ago,

evidence

an

medical

"

*They

evidence

is

for

me,

The

few

Henry

prepared

friends,

him

to

autumn

the

by precedent,

will

he.

Sir

precedents

for

give

him.*

it

W.

are

against

Lawyers

go

I find."
the

towards

Chancellor's

judgment

the

grounds

shown

though

Delivered

been

Home's

one

tvhatever

me

powers,

far beyond
applicable to cases
not
religious and
a

warned

had

miraculous

affect many

large practice, wrote

said

certain

sincerely entertained
admiration, we shall probably come

hand, Mr.

judgment

of benevolence^ now

act

Q.C.,

the
.

desire, then

changedy

other

by

enthralled

to possess

sufficientcase

no

the

against Home,
Bovill

object

established

Matthews,

mind

upon
hersell

by a strong
When
ignorance.
feeling is put
the spiritualists'
creed
forgotten, and ve
of more
than
woman
common
sagacity

from

spiritualism.
gifts."

the

On

weak

believed

she

it have

principleso

imposed
imposed upon
was

money,

that

conclusion

she

she

of

taken

fact, that

the

that

that

of

case

whom

her, to benefit
the

common

strangeness of

the

and

rather

it not

advantage

look

the

is not

show

"

(Mrs. Lyon)

Was

defendant
This

"

she

Does

"

have

end

was

already

of

May,

adverse
stated:

to
"

1868, the
Mr.

that

Vice-

Home
the

on

proved

AMERICA,

was
sweaxing of the plaintiff

false

law

English

of

maxims

in

could

Home

Mr.

did

well

as

calculated
the

foolish, and

equal

in

defendant

to

that

words
many
that he did
prove
so

he

decide
be
be

ad

reductio

We

bequest
that

for

6th,
do

not

'*

The

woman

again

before
her

to

the

mass

and
she

convince

Lyon,"
again stated
the

into

and

undue

fluence
into

undisproved.

for,

as

hold

necessarily hold
delusion,

the

to

me

and

no

contrary."

Vice-Chancellor's
Malvern

in the

that

he

has

s(^ance,and

the

says

is henceforth

whom

validity of

but

money,

Home

with

one

of Home's

of written

the

evidence

is
;

would

requires

called

of the

Mr.

poor

any

of the

knew

give

will

construed

destructive
**

victim

been

News

how

see

be

may

candour

law

the

weak,

exercise

of

the

ahsurdum

868

gift from

or

general terms,

must

wittily set forth

reasoning (?)was
"

in

his

to

Giffard

him

delusion, I

of evidence

of June

reason

evidence

against

own

of

his

has

fact,
her

pay

vain, the

not

The

awkward

to

The

called

innocence.

Had

**

the

not, and

Spiritualism to
the
plaintiffto
The

the

plaintiff. He

did

Nevertheless,

amount

delude

to

the

to

evidence

felt that

superstitious."

the

ov^

show

his

But,

prejudices,Vice-Chancellor

his

to

said

have

the

critic

ordering Mrs. Lyon

he
seek
to
give a colour
by denouncing Spiritualism

judgment
"

innocent.

have

to

seems

ordinary
defendant
guilty

besides

why,

costs,

held

that

and

the

reversed

established

had

Vice-Chancellor
or

this

unprejudiced

271

immaterial,

himself

prove

of every

mind

like

suit

jurisprudence, and

he

unless

for

ENGLAND.

AND

RUSSIA,

she

the

article

had

again

in

believed
She

existence.

oral evidence

sat

at

into

table,
ence
influ-

an

gift"

same

offered

that

retain

to

ever

ever

not

the
in

swore

tittle of

that

he

had

Malvern

Netcs,
Spiritualism long

that

he

persuaded

evidence
never

to

rebut

attempted

to

From
not
beginning to end of the trial there was
persuade her.
show
that
Home
used
had
of
evidence
direct
to
a
influence,
particle
the old woman
based
to give her
on
spirit-communication, to cause
in which
in the deliberate
she did.
Even
the
yet speedy way
money
such evidence.'*
that there was
no
judge admitted
.

Mr.

Home

was

subsequently

taunted

prejudiced critics with not

appeal against the judgment.

of his
an

by the

tude
multi-

having
Why

cuted
prose-

should

LIFE

272

he

have
been

done

in

did

him

welcomed

before

both

those

when

he

English

in

that

changed, because
of Lyon v. Home
him

there

His

contrary, they
suit
lasted,

building;
delivered,

was

of

the

highest

given during
that

nothing

open
un-

the

should

suit
cause

forfeit it.

to

being what
against Spiritualism
law

English
have

had

and
generous
him
remained

gave

for

was

he

valued.

left the

persons

evidence

suit

the

judgment

esteem

in the

he

days
and

the

that

the

on

entered

society,

their

defending

ten

included

friends, who

standing
testimony

the

after the

and

in

opinion

him;

during

court

HOME.

character, and

fall from

not

the

crowded

his

of all whose

eyes

OF

object

His

vindicate

to

the

friends

MISSION

so?

done

had

and

AND

the

whom

before

judges

suit

and

popular prejudices

they were,
to
appeal.

what

Home

for Mr.

useless

been

it was,

it
*

would

came

would

fresh

Any

almost

tainly
cer-

prejudices of the Vice-Chancellor against Spiritualism ; and

sharing his prejudices,
confirmed
his judgment.
have
A^inst a
they would
facts fight in vain.
foregone conclusion
brief and
of the
suit I/yon v.
The
imperfect outline
Home
that I have
will
given in the foregoing pages
to
prove
his
case,

impartial

any
he

himself,

but

of

that

was

adopt

of

pretended
been
rapped
as

her

son.

that

at

the

time

afterwards,

such

messages
emphatically denied
"

would

Wilkinson

by

number

the

she

had,

being

alone

that
be

of other

what

to

the

with
hers

and

be

not

occasions
she

lieved.
besages
mes-

told

was

to

lished
conclusively estab-

adoption,

had

lost

Vice-Chancellor
could

which

Home

only

not

On

communications.

of

the

those

on

in

out

As

against

who

person
that

Home

interviews

oath

of

Mr.

him

months

his

set

She
had

three

or

declaration

the

on

character.

his

first two

could

he
plaintiff,

oath,

his

that, if Mr.

reader

vindicated

passed during
her

the

shared

have

she
times

influenced

head, the

made

mention

no

without

number,

by

any
evidence

conclusive, but
witnesses.

for several

and

it

was

spiritof Mr.
firmed
con-

LIFE

274

How

different

times
that

Home

offence

any

is

Home

'*

at

justly

might
lawsuit.
which

I
Home

even

rarer

such

no

Cox
I

least,
have
will

in

only

add

than

trial

fair-play

the

of
and

world,"

Home

the

justice.

Lyon
with

resignation
life

Mr.

to

it."

after

his

it
earth.

this

with

of

account

letters

words

that

every

his

met

the

in

Mr.
law

from

passed

of

one

the

by

the

not

fair-play

never

echoed

of

does

have

as

have

supported
virtue

who

at

published

was

told,

thing

Probably

protection

am

those

Serjeant

Mr.

says

libel

to

There

**

the

law,

English

version

tween
be-

published

journal

first

within

difference

lawsuit

Lyon

same

the

still

the

the

by

when

was

libel.

of

HOME.

OF

extraordinary

this

versions

two

an

for

account

fact

MISSION

AND

is

perhaps

"7S

CHAPTER

IX.

ENGLAND.

full

Comparatively
with

stances
The

their

and

this

at

then

Lord

have

been

Lindsay,
expected

accorded

each
had

day

that

world

stances

for

down

Mr.

both
present at a stance
manifestations, and insured

them

of the

; and

that,

narrative, the

still further
record

son,

then

In

of

occurrences

drew

up

accuracy
to test the

of every

served
preLord

circulation.

the

been

of the

was

time, that when

the

at

timid,

very

Home

his

private
that

tion
recep-

be.

can

and

the

but

might
tial
impar-

the

how

with

relate

writers

world

tigators
inves-

of Crawford,

attainments

demonstrated

printed

noted

were

scientific

only

frequent

for his evidence

of Dunraven

Earl

the

preface

scientific

for their

both

present Earl

secure

unfair

volume

to

eighty

the

in

Adare,
the

of

record

by

it

to

prejudiced, and
A

whose

of the

consideration

the

of their

One
the

was

preserved of
1867-8-9.
years

remarkable

were

variety.

time

been

during

witnessed

phenomena

nature

Home

Mr.

have

records

stance

both

an

account

by

ing
compar-

correctness
was

to

sent

had
been
who
remaining persons
present, with
it coincided
state whether
request that they would
recollections.
their
in
own
Every answer
was
the

It is added

affirmative.
inserted
that

that

did, it

was

did

not

that, while
occur,

found

necessary
fact to bear

important
very
narratives
it is preciselythe
a

or

that is left untold, the

had

nothing
been

to

omit

in

mind.

most

communication

vital

had

the
with
the
been

exaggerated
a

great deal
In

all

part of the

of matters

"

such
tale

private

LIFE

76
the

to

MISSION

AND

HOME.

unknown

stance, and

the

at

present

persons

OF

to

Home.
'*Even
Lord

"

Adare,
of

great interest

having

those

circumstances

always

was

would

witness
he

had

declined

thus

that

have

raven,

or

almost

with
few

placed

omit

some

cases

the

them

has
like

wish

not

the

communications

himself;

times
some-

Lords

with

other

persons,
world.
It is

the

lost

been

of

Sometimes

received

history of

the

did

to

to

evidence

Home

stances
circum-

startling "icts

public

said

account

on

reference

had

few

always.

because

who,

father,"

my

the
speak, because
intimately concerned

remarkable

very

are

be

make

much

stances

at

to

not,

to

to

who
persons
mentioned."

to

conversant

was

who

on

so

could

he

There

not

received
he

which

so,

in

reference

their

It

original letters
was
obliged to

the

in

and

to

the

fied
veri-

world.

Lindsay and Duntheir investigations

record.

of Spiritualism was
inquiry into the phenomena
conducted
by the Dialectical
Society in 1869; evidence,
both
oral
and
various
written, being received, while
sub-committees
The
stances.
were
appointed to hold
committee
Mr. Home
contained
appointed to meet
some
An

of the

most

others

Mr.

and

incredulous

and
Bradlaugh
Lindsay attended

Lord
of

number

manifestations
of

movements

preventing
were
only

not

the

table

able

to

the
in

Lord

stances, which,

illness of

the

the

inquiry,

report that

nothing

the

It is

"

committee
Mr.

Home

stances

pity that
from

holding

instead

might

be

establish

conditions

In

the

what

circumstances

The
and

Home

committee

had

Mr.

Home

prevented the Society's

fourteen

or

twenty

four.

In

such

necessary

to

enable

of

Mr.

the

to

material

adding that
during the inquiry
aflforded every
facilityfor examination."
occurred

Adare

fully-lighted
room.
beyond slight raps

and

of

Society, among

Edmonds.

extend

did

extension

an

Dr.

held

four, were

of the

members

stances

case

the

rendering manifestations

diflBcultyof establishingsuch

with

numerous

spirits to
possible.
conditions

ENGLAND.

consisted

it would

fact

mere

hundred
more

impossible

be

did

scepticism

he

first stance

his

to

came

forces

invisible

went

to

Thackeray, Chambers,
Dr.
Crookes,
Huggins, and
^for instance,
might name
"

and

France,

concerning
Home

Germany
the

but

in

of these

none

the

investigator paralyse

Mr.

Home

either

his

time,^

variable
his

or

although

disbelief

maintain

stances

two

If

constitute

of science

men

of

they comprehend
what

must

mysterious

be

their

as

that

the

affirmative

forced
of

ignorance of

explained, is
tokens

referred

their

due

not

seldom

were

the

were

of

fact

constantly

to

matters

In

nature.

the

of

one

of their

dulity.
incre-

how

little

visible universe,
a

giftso

the

limits

of

connected

was

spiritualbeing.
of Home.

stances

the

of

instances

collected

already
these
convincing
the contrary, they
I

as

that
; on

of

of the

itself.

results

passed

our

characteristics

power,

zealots

avow

source

number,
the

the

nature

which

forthcoming

invariable

remarkable

to

the

the

experience, and whose

with the origin and
mysteries of
In
a
previous chapter I have
the proofs of identity received
at
smallness

to

the

at

certain

ardour

of human

The

Mr.

When

manifest

negative

nature

of Home,

with

sat

that

to

what

are

incredulous

absent

such

venture

an

Russia,

scepticism of

the

almost

the

that

Society's committee,

was

with

to notice

of

manifestations.

was

not

Mr.

that

others

completely
they first

the

health

present, could

It is curious

or

of

larly,
Simi-

Bright,

Emperors

did

Dieppe,

once.

many

been

EUiottson
at

John

cases

power

state

at

Dialectical

the

with

sat

work

very
the

when

phenomena

Home

was

have

Dr.

with

Mr.

were

"

it

could

scepticism
proved.
thorough or aggressivethan that of

the

of

not

the

that

say, but
constitute

to

No

times

when
but

of

277

have

his

most

stances,

and

intimate

and

present chapter I shall deal

first I am
physical manifestations
; but
enabled
to add
two
one
or
interesting items to the facts
establishingidentitythat have been already given.

chiefly

"*

with

Whatever

entirely absent'*"

the

nature

Mr

of Mr.

Crookes

Home's

power,

"Experimental

it is very

variable, and

Investigation

of

New

at

timeg

Force."

LIFE

278

of the

Several

place
Thicket

Road,
of

friend

MISSION

of Mrs.

Anerley,
Home.

Mr.

of

of

narrative

her

from
Spiritualist,

details

who

some

Lord

by

Hennings,

She

me

HOME.

OF

described

stances

house

the

at

AND

became

lady residing in
a
dearly-valued
for
kindly written
a

has

very

the

experiences

which

took

Adare

that

following

the

extract

made

"

senior, Lord Adare, Mrs. Soott

1869, Mrs. Jencken
also
fell into the
Bergbeim being
present, Mr. Home
knelt
then
from
his seat, paced the room,
and
trance
condition, rose
*
he
is
whom
down
Jiere (meaning my
nephew,
by me, saying, George
of
had
in consequence
never
met, and who had recently passed away,
and
his horse.
from
He
had held a high legal position,
being thrown
the Lyon trial). ' He
to
Mr.
Home
in
wants
was
employed against
fore
from
prejudice ; theresay something, but will not say it through me,
other spirits.'
I have
it from
** Home
that George, as a hoj,
then said to me
: 'Do
you remember
in
house
had
accident
at your
an
Dulwich, where, having teased a
dog, the animal flew at him, threw him down, and bit him severely in
I did remember
the occurrence
the groin 1
perfectly,though it had
At

"

6"ince

in

Mr.

Eussell, and

'

occurred
caused

many
us

Of
a

**

wound

had

of

recognised

Her

narrative

identity
of

the

writes:

Hennings

Mrs.

this

stands

case

incident

is

as

lows
fol-

"

Stance

Mrs.

the

of

nature

severe

communication

proof

unrivalled."
:

; for the

great alarm."

another

**As

before

years

October

of

Hennings,

and

Mr.

26tb,

Present

1867.

Percival.

The

second

Mrs.
of

Jencken
the

stances

senior,
cially
espe-

establishing the identity of

purpose
communicant
The following circumstances
occurred
:
D. D. Home
fell into
the trance
after giving a few
state ; and
words
to each of the party from, or relatingto, departed spirit friends,
chair close to me,
drew
took
both
hands
in his, and
addressed
a
my
the
in
me
following words :
"*The
father
night before your
played whist
passed away,
you
him.
When
with
it was
his turn
to play, he
hesitated,and looked
with
the first glimpse he
that
if
entranced
smile,
a
as
was
upwards
had
of the spiritsphere.
With
the dawn, he passed away
without
pain.
had
He
with
Mr. Hennings, who
told
previously communicated
him
that he had
of Mary," in consequence
taken caro
of which
your
father
left you
little in
but
the
others.
Now,
comparison with
this did not arise from
waut
through me, he wishes to assure
you
any
of affection,
but only from
the
of
state
of
affairs.'
a
misapprehension
addressed

to]^me,for
spiritfriends.

of

the

"

*'

"

"

"

"

ENGLAND.

Home

'^

then

his face

room,

pleased

Home

and

bim;

became

radiant

had

never

with

most

only

addition

but, looking
he

the

across

repeated:

father,

to

me

this

was

heard

nor

detail

myadf.

to

to

'

He

is

so

witnessed

from
has

of

Hbnnings."

experiences personal
ftimished

kindly

remarkable

the

on

anything about
such
long-past

M.

extracts

Hennings
testimony concerning a
she

seat

smiles, as

my

herself, Mrs.
that

former

seen

wonderful

events, knovm
In

his

to

pleased.'

so

"

Mr.

"

returned

279

evening

of the

her

me

of

instance

healing

of

8th

to

August,

1867:"
the

of cure
after a paralytic seizure,"
following case
has
been
noticed
in the Spiriiiud Magaziney
Hennings,
I am
induced
of the event, because
version
to give my
I was
not only
of her
to the patient during the whole
present, but sat next
process
treatment
through spirit-power.
"One
and
with
I were
Mrs.
playing whist
evening Mr. Home
in Thicket
full
of
Jencken
at her house
Eoad, Anerley.
They were
and
after the game,
had
been
merriment;
thinking Mrs. Jencken
home.
somewhat
Next
over-excited,I rose and went
morning Home
' Auntie
in
to
and
said,
looking agitated ;
came
(as he always
me,
called
Mrs.
Jencken) 'is very ill from a paralytic seizure all down
she will pass
think
side
I
fear was
not
to-night' The
one
away
Jencken
in the
continued
tion
realised ; but as Mrs.
helpless condisame
the
stance
to
next
proposed
day or two, we
during
postpone a
the
been
hear
of it, but
said
which
had
not
arranged. She would
take
should
stance
therefore, the following
place in her bedroom;
table.
drawn
and
arm-chair
she
to the
in
an
was
afternoon,
placed
H.
Mr.
also present her son
There
Jencken, myself, and Mr.
were

"Though

writes

Mrs.

*'

'

"

; and

Home

Park

Enmore
Mrs.

"

wore

rose

of

"After

black

chair

all present, she

cure

second

of his

down

under

ten

walked

her

over

of

and

the

across

been

to

if it

as

then

Mrs.
the

to

room,

able

arms.

shawl,

the

minutes;

having

not

few

days,

Mrs.

J.

Jencken

mother,

volume

wrote

which

restored

was

without
health, lived many
years
without
aged ninety-five,
any
power."

H.

closed

about
and

died

Mr.

shawl

and

up

continued
the

Jones

Mr.

stance

her

move

attack.

the

since

thin

moving

from

astonishment

This

hand.

of the

commencement

circle.

the

joined

something

Jencken

limbs

after the

Jencken

observed
were

soon

an
was

of "Incidents"

to

of

recurrence

any

other

illness

account

her

than

of

published

usual
the

failure

the

of

of

vital

marvellous

in Mr,

(pp. 153-4)-

state

attack, and

Home's

LIFE

28o

Mrs.

Russell, who

Scott

HOMK

OF

MISSION

AND

of

one

was

circle when

the

the
remarkable
received
proof of her
Hennings
the wife
by her above, was
nephew's identity narrated
She was
of the eminent
engineer of that name.
present
Mrs.

at

with

stances

numerous

Mr.

When

reality of spirit-communion.
volume
bring out his second
consulted

of her

name

to

My

to

of the

some

witness

for
what

to

shall

have

have

STDSniAlL

objection

no

at

s"inces.

your

permitted

to

see.

spite of

kind

this

Scott

Harriette
and

brave

Mr.

permission,

delicate
Scott

Russell."

for

consideration

Russell's

from

name

book.

his

"

in

1880,

faith

the

forget,"writes

never

Home

other

any
number

I believe

of

been
of

of

should

never

English

ladies

stances

at

esteemed

Hennings,

had

them
raven's

have
at

the

most

with

the

book.

committee

them

was

who,

like

gave
of
much
Mrs.

of the
stances
present at various
of the
most
Adare, including some

Lord

of

the

Home

who

been

witnessed
three

gentlemen
Mr.

before

experiences
Society.
Among
friend, Mrs.
Honywood,

remarkable.

for

you

received

have

and
with

their

by

Mr.

to

gratitude to

Dialectical

recorded

Russell

Scott

channel."

present

evidence

Mrs.
debt

deep

"my

which

through

or

narrated,

always gratefully bear

been

with
his invariable
Home,
his friends, omitted
Mrs.

the

LODOB,

present

as

it, and

"

had

to

affectionately
yours,

Always

In

facts

WeSTWOOD

Certainly I

"

inserted

being
God

about

was

"

Friend,

name

my
thank

he

of the

following reply :

the

DEAR

her

autobiography. Home
regard to the publication

"

*'

munications
com-

of

with

witness

as

received

and

Russell

Mrs.

the

entirely convinced

received

she

and

Home,

In

received
the

narratives

stances

in

of

question from

frequent sitters, and

records
every

contained
case

the

tions
manifesta-

in
various

have

Lord

two
pared
com-

Dun-

accounts

AND

LIFE

282

Guards.

remarkable

this

Lord
1

"

Each

seemed

the

time

the

appeared

each

withdrawn

said, turning to Captain

his head, he appeared
in

faith

of

time.

which

Mr.

the

from
touch

the

called

our

the

are

red-hot

"

He

handing

his

and

then

laughed,

for

!'

you

and

ing
Turn-

It

is

out"

By

mark.

red

of

Jove
He

Mrs.

confirm

to

necessary,
hot
made

be

yon.'

for

have/

I you

had

blister

and

Honywood

and
fireplace,

he

left it for four

The

fact, he

observed

especiallyhis tongue

firo,Mr.

moved

Home

red-hot

small

selected

chimney

lucifer

the

The

thrust
to

tongue
the

then
match

lady of the house, desired

match
instantly ignited ; and

parts of the body,' and

applying

the

the

five minutes,

or

table, took

the

to

thrust

the

it to

this

to

sensitive

to

words,

the heat

expression changed f^then,

the

went

it.

attention

Going

to

coals,where

hands.

his mouth,

into

walked

glass with

most

'

cried
a

of the

but

"

box, and

glass

it,and

to

wave

it hot

his

times

then

both

it in

took

be it

Home

should

joint narrative

the

Home

among

the

finger, and showing

several days."

Lindsay

'*

that

touched

now

resume

Lord

listen,and

to

any
Mr.

voice, he said

of

tone

others,

lasted

Home,

like

other

make

will

his

shaking

"

sad

Smith

Captain

relates

me

glass several

recede

to

in

sensation

S., *We

the

Mr.

top part of the

heat

describe

be

to

speaking

follows.

as

the

finger on

my

I cannot

sea.

to

"

placed

it.

test

incident

Honywood

was

the

and

Mrs.

HOMK

holding all the while, in a well-lighted

Honywood
large glass chimney that Mrs.
found
cool :
and
Lindsay had just touched

remembered,
room,

from

letter

OF

MISSION

her

to

having
hps

and

heated

glass

it
.

red

embers

coal, which

with

about

in the

he

a
hand,
placed
He
E. ; and
a
glass chimney.
approached Mrs.
saying, I have
it out
dress.
her white
muslin
on
Catching
present for you,' shook
coal
in
Mrs.
the
E.
tossed
Lord
it
to
Lindsay, who, unable
dismay,
up
it in his hand, threw
it from
to retain
palm to palm, till he reached
it
the grate and
While
all looking at the white
in.
were
we
flung
muslin
dress
and
not
singed or soiled, Mr.
wondering that it was
in
said
Home
hurt
of
tone
approached, and,
a
voice,
:
No, no, you will
did you
think
would
find a mark
that we
not
injure your dress.'
'

*'

"

wonderful

This
fire

was

from

Mr.

repeated
vase

Home

smoke
or

on

the

fire

rising from

the

their

pure

preservation

of white
spray
flowers
table, which

with

the

in

of

phenomenon

flowers, taken

of

white

the

colour

so

held

were

grate and

coals, without

from

then

their
much

in

being
as

by
the
jured
in-

dimmed.

ENGLAND.

afterwards

Shortly
the

and

and

again

the

was

withdrawal

coals

other

and

from

awoke

Home

his

of

its

burning
I could

Home.

of those

fill many
the names
with
and narratives
pages
who
beheld
and
the facts ; but
tested
must
three
the
from
to
two
extracts
or
mass

that

just given,
lamp-glass was

narrative

the

intensely hot
by Mrs.
Honywood

harm

Mr.

by

as

the

with

Home;

occasions

about

declared

''Mr.

the

by

Home

with

dined

at

handled

without
well

as

contact

whose

my

to

of the

all these

La

spirits that,

from

harm

prevent

it

cases

for the person

experimenting
be received.
no
injury would

of Caithness
to

Brighton

house

; and

came

him

observed

innocuous

described.

be

to

Countess

received

be

Lindsay,

same

self
my-

of testimony.

was

happening, it was necessary

to have
a perfectfaith that
The

limit

experienced by persons
each
suspicion, on
equally above

is

testimony
was

heat

intense

an

the

and

it will

Lord

and

stantaneo
in-

instantaneous

equally
with

the

from

heat

intense

stances

at

of

phenomenon

objects,and

restoration, witnessed

In

trance,

closed.

stance

Again

Mr.

283

writes
the

on

that

on

"

I
23rd of January, 1869.
we
evening (a Saturday)
her
with
Lady Gomm,

first

Louisa

Kerr, in company
Hon.
Edward
the
After
dinner,
nephew
Douglas, and Mr. S. C. Hall.
had a stance
in the drawing-room, also attended
we
hy Mrs. EdwardesThere
Jones.
was
a
great deal of light in the room
; two
gas lights
and
the
candles
on
low,
chimney.
lighted
burning
I cannot
''There
a
was
received, which
read; for the
message
had a great hole burnt
in it in the following manner
:
paper
Lady

"

"

"Mr.

Home
the

played
led-hot
upon
then

keep
to

went

drew

she
have

piano, and

mass

to

it

He

alight.
Lady Louisa,
said

He

it will

bum

saying : I will take it

placed the burning mass
hot, although she held
'

put

on

which

the

sheet

Lady

Gomm

and

No,
you.'

up

you

and

her

on

which

down

the

had

wife

had

the

faith.'

hands

we

hands

room,
a

and

large
blew

with

room

extended

Gomm

Lady

blaze, and

took

it ;
to put it in her hands
; but
for
have
it ;
if you
not
must

fear,for I have

in

the

it he

in his extended

wanted

'

From

she
; and
minutes.
it for at least two

to

was

held

walked

without

of paper

directlybegan

he

about

walked

to the fire.

finallywent

coal, which

He

trance.

of

back.
faith

no

into

went

written

did

Mr.

It

then

afterwards

was

burnt

of Field-Marshal

Home

hands,

feel it at all

not

down

great hole

her

the

messages,
in it."

Sir Wil-

LIFE

284
liam

Gomm,

from

her

then

refers to

other

herself

and
made

had

"Dear
that

Yet

mortals

the

together

on

William

...

coal

me

In

1869

:"

of

"Dear

Lord

them,

by

have

much

Lord

order
"

We

seated

the

printed there,

stance

You

"

that

pushed

(a greater

back

into

the

wall

before

the

the

relates

the

in

mer
sum-

requested

be

than

Mr.

the

small

room

note"

able

Home

to

Mr.

motion

very

was

Y
were

and

likes);

so

large

we

were
,

think

fire

in

was

which

were

*,

there

blafr

great deal of light

Hall
his wife, Mr.

present
that

them

place

drawing-room,
folding doors

the

I
ago.
ever,
I am, how-

weeks

portih'es unclosed.

Bertolacci

tremulous

take

lecall the

to

me

several

not

table ; but
I know
there

Rev.

Place, Jiify $tk, 1S69.

here

never

the
"

AsHLKT

shall

number

and

one

little time

Hall

witnessed

place

usual,
larger

much

lamp burning over

in the large room
ing away
The
Master
of Lindsay, the
and
myself, and the Misses
was

ness.
Caith-

appendix

an

S. C.

Mrs.

have

took

in

table, as

with

communicates

hands

her

by Lady
in

of

mass

nine

were

in

to

experiences.

pleasure in doing so, but

of the facts ; though I
in which
they occurred.

round

blazing

Dunraven

certain
the

corroborated

described

as

own

Dunraven,
of

Sir

conyersation

our

minutes

"15

circumstances

in

of the

fact

impressive manifestation

very
of

for you

blessing.

and

Gomm

Lady

couple

of his

also

I fear

but

illegible.)

is

the

is stated

letter

man

ordained

reward

names

to

narrative
a

sincerdy

seems

own

that

for

injury

the

most

constantly

Dunraven

This

hope

of

two

added

remaining

without

impression

Sir
Street.
evenings in New
his most
kind
to give you
regards.
E.
sincerely,
(?)Gomm."

most

be
of

the

two

first of the

It may
the Earl

which

its

those

always

(The

to

stronger

you

dwell

desires

Yours

William

Sir

strength from your

system.
of doing so
much
good to fellow-

bring

and

"

means

must

William

to

Home,

great deal

be

to

she

1868,

"

Mr.

take

which

at

letter

see
year may
life of excitement

must

In

12th,

present, and

been

each

the

June

him

with

HOME.

Brighton.

at

dated

Home,

stances

both

on

OF

residing

Mr.

to

MISSION

AND

"We

sat

frequently

for some
indicates

"

ENGLAND.

manifestations

stronger
raps,

After

"

into

the

to the

went

poker

and

increase

the

table, we

the

place

he

Hall

answered,
but

away,

the

over

Warm,

but

white

The
coal.

minutes,

oflf Mr.
in

Mr.

have

it 1

'

their

It

head

Two

but

it

bhat^ the
'

irm

heat
J.

was

more

much

that

took

it,and

his hair

those

who

deal

with

fire that

of 1868, there

Anerley.
Jencken
Mr.

Hurt,

The

was

sitters

senior. Lord
and

Mr.

often

since

Is it not

'

had

dered
won-

perfect

hot ? ' Mr.

moved

and

faith

little

seemed

white

4uite

hair

him
to
me

felt

'

it, but
it

put

Dunraven,

it burnt

fear

and

came

'

the

had

coal, my
it.

quantity

not

it

said,

face

felt

After

that,

When

Mr.

of cinder

while

by

No,
where

hand,

husband

my

Hall's

knelt

murmured,
left

take

to

Mr.

on

inconvenience.

no

you
faith

Little

not

withdraw

to

Will

"

; I do

examine

found

in my

I felt it^ as
to

which, when

touch

he

placed it

in

murmur,

Home

down

voice

; but

obliged

of

standing
chair, deliberately

Mrs.

Mr.

night, he

at

satisfyingthemselves
so

heard

hand

she

was

after

over
up
the appearance
of silver threads
the hair into a sort of pyramid, the

parts.

was

said

Earl

present

among

stooped

seated

Hall's

Home

minute.

round

smiled,
Mr.

Mr.

then

He

so

Home

; he

when

as

right

my

hand.'
than

[allbrushed

as

out

yet, when

The

all over,
still red in

other

lined

Mr.

attempted
Daniel, bring it to

red

sf.de: I put

m^

'

; and
three

or

I said

not

was

said,

the

hair ; then, after,I think, four or

hair back, and, taking the coal

the

pushed

back

drew

1*

fingers.

it.'

the

one

to

as

from

Hall

not, I had

was

so

Mr.

I have

always speaks), addressing

She

little faith

"

the

up

where, seated

Hall's

head, he said (in the peculiar low

Hall's

trance, he

had
drew

beneath

Home

Mr.

ner,
man-

ing
live, burn-

came

Home,

head.

trance

hair

Mr.

of

he

time, and

some

lump

as

room

saw

of

to draw

Home

Mr.

coal, still red, showing

five

hot.*

not
a

huge

usual

furnace,

fire for

hands

small

I sat ; and
at the back

returned,
then proceeded

red

the

his

by
went

red-hot

his movements.

of

; and
red coal.

the

his hand

Home

stool, took

the

it in both

watching

minute

room.

fender

the

over

into

room

still in

pleased

was

in

room

followed

Mr.

hour,

the

on

bmming coal on his

not frightened ; but
was
be injured. Some
not

that

would

held

quickly

was

an

like

hands

fire with

where

to

lump

that

his

he

all

were

half

about

fire,which

large that
the large

nearly opposite
about

the

of the

out

fire-placein

nearly

walked

up,

heat, held

coal, so

for

got

it

dififerent parts of the

half-knelt
fire-place,

stirred

finallydrew

the

He

but

the

on

trance.

commenced

table,but in
lapse of, I suppose,

only

not

285

Lord

dust."

Adare,

had

the

opportunity of personally

that

the

invisibles

work

at

In

the

could

not

burn.

at

Mrs.

consisted

of

Hennings' house at
Mrs.
Ilennings, Mrs.

it would
stance

Adare,

Home.

Mr.

Jencken,

full relation

Mr.

of the

winter

Saal,
stance

LIFE

286

written

was

Jencken

in

his

with

Adare,

of the

evening

of the

one

Home,

Mr.

Lord

by

manifestation

MISSION

AND

the

in

remarkable

and

the

most

was

also

described

Mr.

by

journals.
Spiritualist
went

trance-state,
the

stirred

hand

HOME

OF

red

fire,and

the

to

embers

flame.

into

records
Lord
he
Adare,
kneeling down,"
the burning coals, moYing
placed his face right among
it about
as
though bathing it in water."
He
his face in the flames
and then
placed his hands

Then,

"

"

'^

"Ihad
burning coals," says Mr. Jencken.^
the amplest opportunity of watching the
exact
ments,
movesatisfied
the
of
and
feet
that Mr.
myself
quite
the burning coals."
Home
touched
about
twice the
Taking from the fire a burning ember
it to the sitters.
carried
size of an
orange," Mr. Home

and

the

on

"

"

Home

held

Mr.

Hurt's

and
could
*

so

he
a

if you

Now,

placed
minute,
:

away,
At

nings

the

know

that

over

burned

my

present Mr.
and

passes

J.

in it.

and
the

stances

gentleman
a

total

of

I did

hand,
my
it for half
fully
fear-

hand

Home

took

then

itj

much

seemed

neighbours
H. Simpson

said

and

hand.'

your

long enough to have

coal felt scarcely warm.

her

ments

out

Saal's

"They

me,

held

of

to

have

some

sington,

Adare.

came

rapid

two

of Mr.

I must

the

laughed,
and

made

coal

He

heat.

Lord

afraid, hold

not

are

having

and

the

five inches

or

relates

hands,"

endure

not

four

it within

at

the

pleased."
Anerley with

Mrs.

family,there'
Grove,
Campden

Jencken

of lo,

considerable

disbeliever

in

scientific

Spiritualism.

attaij
I do

succeeded
in convincing
Simpson
ever
of the spiritual origin of the
himself
manifestation!
the
witnessei
but, after having submitted
phenomena
by him at Anerley to every test he could contrive, he was^
that
real and
occurred
compelled to admit
they were
That
Mr.
independently of Mr. Home.
Simpson was
a
keen
and
the
fact
sceptical inquirer,
following
very
may
He
dark stance
in January,
went
to a
help to attest.
Mr.

"

"

1868, with

**

medium

and, in spite of the

"

who

need

not

obscurity, succeeded

be
in

named

here

demonstrat-

ENGLAND.

ing

plainly both

so

operandi
The

that

letter

to

There

proceedings
with

be

the

greater

no

aflfairof last

dark

disgusting,

fraud

he

the

narrates

words

than

contrast

night

abrupt

an

following

modits

the

and

to

came

in which

Home

Mr.

could

of

feet

the

concludes

occurrence

"

the

287

with

end.

whole

"

of the

that

the

beautiful,

of

which
I had
the priphenomena
vilege
of witnessing the previous night, thanks
to yourself.
J. H.
Your
Simpson."
sincerely obliged

light-loving series

In

writing to Mrs. Hennings, Mr. Simpson also refers

the
nessed
witto
"highly satisfactoryphysical phenomena
with
Mr. Home's
mediumby him in connection
man
a
scientificallytrained, and
ship." As he was
of those
of the existence
convinced
in spite of himself
regarding his experiences will
phenomena, k few words
perhaps have interest to the sceptical reader.
I have
in an
narrated
early chapter of this work the
that
means
employed by Mr. Simpson to satisfyhimself
of the
table
the movements
occurred
independently of
of Mr.

action

any

Home
with

tested
of

or

the

sitters.

other

He

sequently
sub-

satisfactory results

equally

the

portable body becoming light or heavy

table
and
then
at
a
request, experimenting first with
with
But
markable
rea
perhaps the most
large music-book.
of Mr.
connected
Simpson's experiences was

phenomenon

with

of beautiful
presence
the origin could
be
not

manifestation

the

was

An
wad

old
died

usic
y

/way,
ter

and
that

in

entering the
"resence

in

Home
tho

of

not

day
same

an

her

the
room,

chant

room

of

were

and

the

surprised

case

from

and

before

just
of

this

she

the

under

Jencken

sweet

being present;
members

In

stance, but

of Mrs.

attendant

morning.

heard

was

Mr.

attached

perfumes,

remarkable
a

senior
solemn

passed
hours

some

household,
to

of

stances

subtle

traced.

during

occur

the

at

and

more

^"ct that it did not

^bthefollowing circumstances.
Ls\

noticed

the

of which
the

often

phenomenon

Home,
X

observe

exquisite perfume, resembling

that

on

the

of

LIFE

288

MISSION

AND

HOME.

OF

lasted during the remainder

phenomenon
diflFused through the
of the day, and the perfume was
in the
house
most
capricious manner,
being strongly
below, while
upstairs there
perceptible in the rooms
of it just outside
the
chamber
where
it
trace
no
was
This

violets.

had

in which

and

noticed,

first been

it

strongest

was

call
to
Simpson
evening,
happened
his
scientific
experienced from
Being
pursuits in
him,"
investigating physical facts, I asked
says Mr.
this extraordinary phenomenon
to examine
Jencken,
In

Mr.

the

**

"

with

care."

Mr.

he

facts, which
the

in

the

That

"

did

Simpson

recorded

perfume
but

room,

did

writing
to

the

on

following

spot

from

arise

not

appeared

but

perfume

the

"That

independent

be

"

substance

any
carried
in

and

did

window

the

from

the

below,

of the

beautiful

Kilmory

House,

time. Lord

same

of which

left

an

all

of

laws

door

open

descended

aroma

the

entered

to

drawing-room

house."

manifestation

curious

then

Norwood,
the

In

the

residence

house

same

occurred

and

of

about

the
the

Lindsay passed a night the occurrences

had
He
deep impression on his mind.
^from a
to investigate the phenomena

just commenced
standpoint purely
after

to

the

even

and

family.

Jencken

for, contrary

laws, the

and

neighbouring

This

unknown

some

strong draught of

carry

of space
Contrary to known

rooms

to

perfume into the landing

absolutelyinterceptingthe aroma.

not

six inches
"

restricted

was

current,

diflfusion of scents,

at

in

the

atmosphere.

outer

the

established

and

so,

"

scientific

and

it

was

within

week

acquaintance that the apparition

of
In a
witnessed
read
was
by him.
paper
before the Dialectical
say
LindSociety in July, 1869, Lord
his night vision
thus
Norwood
at
and
the
narrates
proof afibrded next morning that the form he had seen
making
that night

no

was
"

Mrs.

Home's

creation

of his

I first met

Mr.

Home

Gregory

; and

when

fancy :

at the
we

"

house

left the

of

party

friend

I asked

of

his

and

mine,

him

to

come

into

LIFE

290

hand.

I wished

Once
I

and

said

four

or

than

they really would

coal

had

part that

with

bum

the

hand

as

me

the

for

three

give
me

middle

large

as

burnt

of my

middle

in the

Lord

belief
It is my
him
harm
to
of the

One
the

year
the

Among
Humphreys,

fortunately

most

remarkable

1868

at

without

the

lighted with
in height to

the

it

at

of

the

Home

Mr.

rare

was

witnessed

and

Mrs.

was

Mr.

H.

T.

published

"

in

sat
all

by

Hall.

We

seen

physical

occurrence.
was

time

ten.

or

Home.

great

follows

as

more

alternate

subsequently

party of nine
Mr.

of

of Mr.

house

the

did

was

occurrence,

gas.
the extent

of
form

the

journalist,who

of

witnessed

instances

present

of the

one

Adare

this manifestation

that

I formed

of

shrinking

persons

accoimt

Lord

phenomenon

strange

and

elongation

and

Lindsay
the

once

"

touched

the

minutes

Both

an

if

see

HOME.

inconvenience."

least

in

OF

I got a blister
right hand.
Home
I instantly asked
to
I held

and

to

and

so,

finger of my
sixpence.
coal

MISSION

AKD

of

to

us

well

room

increase

of

some
eight or ten inches, and then sank to
stature.
eight inches below his normal
Having returned
his
he
usual
took
Lord
Adare
to
height,
(now the Earl of Ihiniaven)
and
the Master
of Lindsay (now the Earl
of Crawford
and
Balcarres),
beside
each
and
the
placing one
post of the folding doors, lay down
on
with
and
the feet of the other
his head
floor,touching the feet of one
his feet.
He
with
then
was
again elongated, and pushed both Lord
the Master
and
of Lindsay backward
Adare
along the floor with his
some

six

head

and

or

feet

motionless

Mr.
this

by

he

as

stretched

was

S. C.

Hall

says that
found
and

Adare

elongation,
were
pushed

feet

apart, Mr.

feet

the

The
shared

out, his

arms

and

hands

remaining

his side."

to

Home's

he

measured

that

Lord

head

still

touching

the

seven

one,

his

when

he

other.
form

by

seen

Home's

Lord

room

was

Lindsay at
again seen

Norwood
on

the

first-named
Home

in
in

London.
a

small

The
room,

the

three

were

objects in

of

evening

Adare, Captain
February 9th, 1869, by Viscount
Smith, and Dr. Gully of Malvern, at the rooms
Mr.

Lord

and

than

more

of

extent

Lindsay
of

distance

the

Gerard
of

the

sitting with
which

were

ENGLAND.

visible

dimly
himself

the

near

itself beside

his

form,"

Her

"

Home

when

window,

to

apparent

faint

the

by

was

Lord

she

Adare

moved

from

in

came

rise

to

form

Another

of Mrs.

that

wrote

ns;

light that
impressed

latter.
"

291

and

the

place

revealed

slowly

Home.

the

close

to

day, "gradually

next

Home

kissed

and

became
She

him.

him

beside

against the window, intercepting the light as a solid

himself
could
body,
one
appeared folly as material as Home
; no
the
have
told which
mortal
and
which
It
the
was
body
was
spirit.
I could see
that she had
too
dark, however, to distinguish features.
her full face turned
towards
that either her hair was
parted
us, and
in the middle
down
her shoulders, or that she had
and flowed
over
on
what
be
veiL"
a
appeared to
stood

and

This
own

witnessed,

was

it

At

his

in London.

rooms

Smith

be

wrote

him

to

in

noted,

Home
extended

arm

until

attesting

both

the

when
there

fact

the

the

with

window
to

position

his

arm,

in which

the

in

to

right
ing
lookI sat

me,

other

each

difference

had

down

sweep

perfectlyvisible

approached

he

"

his outstretched

on

was

apparent

no

that

his observations

spirit seemed

From

faces

the

at

hands

face

the

two

was

the

face.

his

into

profile of

the

stood

; and

it rested
up

and

rose,

Adare's

request, Captain Gerard

the form, and

furnished
equally beheld
of the apparition in the following words
"

Lord

to

density of

and

kiss,
the

figures."

two

than
Mrs.
Home
are
Apparitions of other persons
been
Adare
also related
to have
seen
by him
by Lord
In
times.
different
at
a
August, 1868, he beheld
luminous
form
bed;
standing at the foot of Home's
and

at

white

Adare

approached

of

Home

of

spent
Lord

March,

Wynne,
March

1 2

and

th,

869,

figure that

appeared
weeks

some

1869.

Dunraven,

Mr.

and

Adare,

March,

to

him.

was

He

it vanished.

it, and

early spring of

the

in

slightly luminous

and

Mr.

Manor,

Home

at

On

visited

Adare,

the

ruins

startling phenomena
remarkable

stance

was

Manor

night

the

Lord

Adare

of

the

4th

Captain C.
of the Abbey

occurred.
held

in

at

On

Garinish,

AND

LIFE

292

of

cottage

There

Lord

circle

when

such

no

chill

precursor
this night

On

position of
Home

while,

the
some

put

of the

glow
of the
in

such

way
which

of

his

from

of

strongly, the
remained

formed
on

the

he

had

M
the

if for

as

portrait of
the

Mrs.

other

sitters.

little

all

with

then

(allthe
the

rest

table,

the

on

of

Life

"

them,
placed between
immediately afterwards

the

by

Pressensd's

with

He

room

of flowers

vases

of

photograph

the
he

figure
awoke

trance.

Currents

and

two

make

to

Almost

cross.

room,

are

as

was

arranged

small) illuminated
very
firelight; and taking his seat with

Christ,"

it

lately passed away

appearing to consult

the

to

party, arranged

an

ever

stance

the

in

candles, leaving the

Garinish

at

rooms

pass

had

Adare,

invisible

presence
the
out

was

trance,

tables

who

Lord

says

to

when

it heralded
into

and

of his

little friend

stances

noticed

remarked

guests, placed the miniature

table, and on another
on
one

unseen

mena.
pheno-

phenomena.

went

chairs

the

him,

over

at

there

to

evening,

further

been

being

Garinish

at

Home

of interest.

that

blowing

think

not

of other

the

not

I do

about

occurred

had

current

of its presence

instance

air

ing
form-

twice

for

sometimes

circle ; but

the

round

cold

Adare,

were

always heralded

of which

presence

Manifestations

sitters

manifestations

when
the

result, the

coast.

Lord

After

Home.

the
hope of
up
felt the
Adare
Lord

give

Kerry

Dunraven,

Mr.

without

the

on

Lord

and

Major Blackburn,

HOMK

OF

Dunraven's

present

were

MISSION

cold

air then

table
for

vibrated,
some

itself above
small

grouped,

and

time

round

carried

Adare

and

Mr.

Home

sitters

only

the

flower

Lord
also

distinctlyvisible

see

to

rose

clear

poised

flower

the

moving
a

him

hand.

the
air.

flowers

through
that

the

the
he

Presently
the

Vase

very

ground,
hand

placed

Dunraven.

hand

just above

circle

party of four

Lord

remarked

of

of

the
to

the

in the

vases

which

saw

Dunraven
to

round

of the

one

table

blew

were

Lord

other

two

air ; whereupon
sirous
very debecame

was
one

of

flowers.

ENGLAKD.

miniature

The
the

"

them

rested

the

on

referred

above

hand
and

white

arm,

the

the

Again flowers
no
recipients saw
moving through
table, six

the

through
Hands
the

in

which
into

the

being
oblong

the

the

which

relates

the

whole

the

louder

lady

who

had

imitated
at

No

once

retired

to

that

day

next

the

them

is described

Manifestations

she

that
were

having

the

brought
of the

similar

the

rose

sitters

the

on

larger

the

sounds

were

Lord

at

party

A
"

Mrs.

Garinish

sounds,

strange
Lord

that

became.
beneath

room

the

for

heard, and

Dunraven,

had

most

from

table

really heard
distinguished, but

been

remained

speaking during

were

well, that, says

so

words
as

that

impossible

of

table.

The

heard

had

she

recognised

articulate

others

the

floated

little distance.

voices

in

other

high-

was

rest

the

stance

been

the

present
persons
loud
like
sounds

louder

in

blossoms

on

round

continued

these

spoke
told

"

at

Home

that

he

Blackburn

Mr.

that

time

the

on

had

afterwards

heard,
pitched voices .were
suspicion of ventriloquism
Adare

the

circle,rose,

the

four

hand

sitters; but

flowers

then

the

hovered

that

touching it and none

placed itself gently

one

at

the

the

miniature

Immediately

seated.

and

in

whole

the

to

from

away

seen,

it, and

table

sitters

window.

placed itself

Home's

near

photograph

holding them, only

air.
that lay
A book

stirred

air, no

the

as

distinctly saw

afterwards

and

hands,

hand

were

Mrs.

to

Adare

carried

were

again

vases

Lord

sitters

air, and

were

the

soon

eight feet

or

carried

that

approach

The

slightlyluminous,

and

air between

Home's

time

it, and

holding

upon
in full view.

next

was

hand

miniature

gently

table

the

saw

the

from

brought

now

Home

only

see

this

; but

way

same

to

was

but

itself

place

and

they

None
could

they

it

Home

Mrs.

table.

other

held

of

293

the
the

and
we

voices.

efiect

weird.

wonderful

phenomenon
of spirit-voicessounding
in the
recorded
at Garinish
Mr.
Home
air, while
by talking incessantly negatived
of rare, but not very
the theory of ventriloquism, were
rare

occurrence.

In

to

August,

1868,

Lord

Adare

and

UFE

294

Home

Mr.

and

;
to

for the

both

We

powerful

was

distance.

Home

their

departure

when

the

obviate

to

came

attracted

suspicion of
description,

any

Adare's

had

They

phenomenon

gether
to-

Home

London.

in

rooms

own

"

the

music, mach

speaking,
chords

became

same

and

like

words

that,

I could
at

distingnish

not

them, it

hear

more

played

I could

because

not

but

music

harmonium

or

organ

if I could

words, thinking that,

his imagination. He
asked
clear
also
for
me
Buflficiently

fonned

instrumental

not

an

quite excited

the

Norwood,

at

as

said that the music

Home

voice

but

of

the

distinct.

nothing

for

cite Lord

time

heard

and

in fact, it

hear

the

at

start

which,

I will

exaggeration,

Continent

to

night

of

attention,

written

eve

friend's

his

just retired

**

the

on

at

stay

their

about

were

HOMK

OF

jmSSION

AND

have

must

been
words

the
if possible,
to make
spirits,
Yes
said
them.
(by raps);
They
and the music
became
louder
and
louder, until I distinctly beard the
Almighty/
words,
Hallelujah, praise the Lord, praise the Lord God
bear the
It was
to
the
result
of
on
no
or
anxiety
part
imagination,
my
I could
then
Home
did.
and
not
same
distinguish
as
Every now
heard
the words
he
but
could
I
he
said
words, although
repeatedly
;
above
in the least explain
mentioned
as
plainly as possible. I cannot
the
how
the
words
to you
voice
not
separately
were
articulated;
sound
it resemble
The
did
human
was
voice.
spoken, neither
a
humana
the
an
on
slightlyreedy and metallic, not very unlike
vox
If
rather
of
some
can
reedy
an
stop
imagine
pipe
organ.
you
organ
describe."
it as anything I can
speaking to you, it will be as near
the

'

'

to hear

'

Of

similar

occurred

during

Lord

I wished

the

Adare

heard

were

less

but

to

feel

third

stance
'*

says

Home

Lord

the

sure

These
were

sounds

other

person

moved
near

across

them
to

the

time
I

records

of

sounds

glad of, as

was

of

result

the

not

were

sent.
pre-

was

the

made

stances

others
chiefly
are
Lindsay, and
witnessed.
physical manifestations
Tables
variety of phenomena.
every

embraced
raised

the

he

that

Lord

the

to

which

talking,which

was

Adare,

confined

at

During

ventriloquism on his part."

As
the
already mentioned,
by

manifestation,

remarkable

in

the

was

the

air

when

in

flowers, books,
sitters

them;

touching
floor

by

hands

Home

neither

nor

and

chairs

full

light

when

and

other

objects were

that

they

no

sometimes

one

anv

sofas
was
ried
carsaw

ENGLAND.

that

distinctly, and
them

to

music

hand

mortal
heard

when

need

accordions

the
for

Malvern,
American

it was

Earl),Mrs.

Earl.

the

on

his

when

hand

had

air

was

lighted by
No

; but

the
that

by

the

rested

be

the

theories

present

at

themselves
were

taken

late

Earl

of

this

that

his

stance

of

greatest
held

was

fire.
held

ever

ness
dark-

in total

in
momentajalj^^tinguished,

order

of
be

thrown

to the

the

the

ing
desir-

production of other
witnessed
to advantage.
manifestations

These

of

were

very

by
Mr.

precautions to
phosphorised oil, or other

persons
Home

The

sitters.
who
did

were

not

investigatorswho

of the
these

white, pure

of the

hands

with

impressed by

lights

light would
object distinctlyvisible ;
every
darted
through the air, or
a

out

minds

were

the

and

stance

in

rapped out,

meteors

heads

the
a

was

Sometimes

vivid

and

Oft

"

air,

one

which

Home

rendering

room,

on

been

and

wonderful

but

sometimes

have

Mr.

character.

fill the

and

candle

phenomenon
spiritsmight

evanescent

varied

in

fully,
very beautiand
hand
one

sitters, records

occasionally messages

lightsto

the

before

air

an

with

room
one

Home

of the

dion
accor-

an

played

softly played
one

with

stance

It

The

years
The

March

Mr.

by

first

whose

resembling
for by
air asked
an
4th, 1 869, Captain

then

on

At

(present an

to borrow

withdrawn.

was

many

favourites.
was

held

who

Dunraven,

and

who

Spiritualism,Mr.

in

first

played,

accordion.

was

Stilly Night,"

it

played

Home.

Adare,

servant

Manor,

an

while

both

out

organ,

Adare

At

fetched

Wynne

sent

to which

be

1867

Lord

It

sitters

Mr.

total disbeliever

there.

stances

never

Thayer,

friend, and

voluntary

Mr.

November,

Mrs.

was

of the

more

instance, in
; and

or

frequently

they would

and

Thayer

from

if

see

accordions,

lady,

stance

to

any

was

sort

those

at

of

touch

and

any

that

brought
always one

was

brought

remarked

were

it

upon,

of

invisible

were

the

instrument,

instrument

be

occasions
without

played

the

no

hardly

other

on

was
on

29s

never

suggest
beheld

phenomena.
being imposed upon

strange

avoid

culous
ridi-

means,"

vnrote

Mr.

"

by

Crookes,

LIFE

296

many
imitate

to

Crookes,

cannot."
hut
artificially,
could
in his laboratory
not

who

lights that

beheld

were

The

of

notes

refer

I have

"

of

witnessed

light darting

about

diflFerent persons
the flashing of a
front

in

of

face.

my

given

the

to

Norwood
in

Adare

at

in

here

friends
in

strong
this

On

of

one

Lord
and

that

had

occasion
which

Lord
witnesses

"

as

Adare,
that

side

the
and

Mr.

Home

to

the

rooms

returned
of

latter,

the

stances
total

that

Mr.

darkness)
of the

much

of

convinced

luminous
of

may

the

held

were

with

phenomena
reality.

occurred,

about

the

and

highly

on

the

latter

electrical."

Lindsay, "c., were

singular manifestation
retention

by
room,

sitters,feelingto the

Lord

early chapter, the

sat

Home

bodies, described

light," flitted

substance

It

their

variety of manifestations

balls

Lord

in

that

tible
percepNovember

On

sight.

with

table,

lady."

being nearly dark.

"

were

touched

material

of

and

to

nous
lumi-

sometimes

together

t^

the

was

sometimes

to

already seen

light,

Adare

like

roc

sprig
were

p.m.

and,

light (never

who

the

about

moving

was

11

table, the

dim

occurring

seen

Lindsay

about

London

noted

be

Lord

alphabetic

an

light,I have
heliotrope on

carry

by

of times

the

appearances
well
as
as

touch

24th, 1868,

down

over

answered

flashes

hand

of

heads

number

had

have

my

hover

luminous

These

from

and
sprig ofi*,

by

In
.

cloud

desired

points

the

questions

luminous

air,whilst

them.

amongst
break

describe

luminous

"

...

in the

me

had

his

to

Home.

with

settling on

bright light a

communication
before

have

; I

of

one

ances"
Appear-

following

Crookes,

and

is

entirely,

not

The

Mr.

seen," says

ferent
dif-

hundred

Luminous

**

stances

at

these

imitate

chemists.

on

Home.

Mr.

Yet

Home,

Mr.

principally, but
Mr.

of

houses

Crookes

Mr.

with

experiences
phenomena

an

in the

with
people during stances
most
distinguished of modem

the

**

HOME.

OF

of Science for January, 1874.

these
such
I have
as
lights are

of

Moreover,

tried

MISSION

Journal

Quarterly

in the
'*

AND

frequently
described

surface

of

in

table

LIFE

298

small

Mr.

now

followed,

chair
A

chair

"

chair

moved

up

third

and

rose

had

traversed, and

table
was

moved

had
the

Of

the

seven

of

more

is

established

Mr.

Louth

the

close

distance

to

has

htUe

The

This

Home.

been

ever

chair

each

feet.
!Mr.

to

present"

witnessed

subject

the

been

in

of his levitation, and

conclusive
that

Journal

Quarterly

Hall, a second
largo arm-chair.
down

to nine

had

none

that

more

very
and

phenomena

having carefullyconsidered
in the

up

measured

Lord

than

Mr.

air.

the

Home,

discussion

wrote,

and

moved

wonderful

by

Home

fourth, also

Louth

at which

many
with

connection

in

HOMK

six
from
it to range
the window
feet from

found

first stance

Mr.

floor,and

s6ince, Lord

the

After

then

float

to

OF.

between

the

from

Hall, appearing
*'

MISSION

AND

none

After

testimony.

testimony,Mr. Crookes
of Science for January,

1874:"
**

There

the

rising from

hundred

ground,

heard

I have

and

least

at

are

in

the

the

from

recorded
of

presence

lips

of

the

instances
as

Mr.

Homo's

separate persons;

many

three

of

witnesses

the

to

most

the Earl of Dunraven, Lord

say,
Lindof this kind
striking occurrence
of
C.
their
minute
and
accounts
most
Wynne
own
Captain
what
took place. To
evidence
this subject is
on
rejectthe recorded
human
fact in sacred or
to
testimony whatever
reject all
; for no
is
of
a
profane history
supported by
proofs.
stronger array
accumulated
The
levitations
testimony establishing Mr. Home's
It
is greatly to be
is overwhelming.
desired
that
some
person,
be
would
whose
evidence
by the scientific
accepted as conclusive
if indeed
there
world
lives a person
whose
testimony in favour of
be
would
taken
would
such
seriously and
patiently
phenomena
these alleged facts."
examine
"

"

"

"

"

The

desire

by

to

Home
existence

Mr.

on

I had
it

Home

was

raised

sitting

chair,

and

Crookes

called

sponded
re-

brethren.

occasions,"

he

writes,

completely from
on

an

easy

On

once

Spiritual.").

the

chair,

standing up.
full opportunity of watching
of
taking place." (" Notes

Phenomena

not

was

with
Mr.
by his stances
testimony to that already in
the
of levitation.
phenomenon

own

separate

Once

room.

his

his

Mr.

enabled

concerning

three

On

by

scientific

was

add

to

seen

his

Crookes

Mr.

**

expressed

the
an

floor

once

each

have

"

of the

kneeling
occasion

occurrence

Inquiry into

as

the

ENGLAND.

299
"

of

present Earl

The

before

the

things
questioned as
by
phenomena
strange

he

them,"

had

I have
It

he

had

seen

to

the

possibility of

in

be

the

fullest

On

raised

in the air

Adare

in the

of

20th

December

studied
that

was

mechanical

the

"/

Lindsay),

Lord

1868,

Ilome

Mr.

more

mere

the

trick.

opportunity for investigation."

the
did
of levitation
phenomenon
in semi-darkness.
"No,"
replied

invariablyoccur
Crawford
Lord
(then Lord
in full lightstanding
Some
from the ground^'
saw

was

explaining

satisfied

more

explained by
if

November,

presence,

"The

the

"

not

not

In

Home's

contrivance.

asked

was

when

mony
giving his testiSociety concerning the

Dialectical

answered,

could

they

Crawford,

saw

inches

seventeen

and

Lord
four

air about

once

Lindsay
five feet.

or

Adare
and
year. Lords
Mr.
Arthur
and
Smith

same

Lindsay, Captain C. Wynne,

he
when
the
from
again rose
Barry were
present
the
manifestations
in
the
ruined
During
ground.
was
Dunraven,
seen
by Lord
abbey at Adare, Home
Lord
float above
the
to
Adare, and
Captain Wynne
of ten
twelve
or
ground for a distance
yards at a
broken
wall
feet
two
over
a
height that carried him
He
high.
passed close by the three watchers
during
this

aerial

Of
the

journey.

another

of levitation

instance

"Home

following description:

passed

along
of

reach

before

given
But

the

which

Home

which

Mr.
I have

London,

on

pictures
walls.

the

to

the

enable

me

Dialectical

most

striking

was

Crookes

quoted
December

to

seen

from
1

round

gave
the

of their

out

places as
far beyond

were

he
the

the

ground. The light

to see
clearly." (Evidence
Society.)
on

of

the

float

in

particularly

so

Lindsay

floated

They

standing

person

sufficient

was

the

pushing

room,

Lord

him.

many
the

occasions
air

alludes

This

that

was

the

in

occurred

event

Lindsay,
cousin

Lord

of the

to

passage
in

of three

6th, 1868, in the presence

unimpeachable witnesses, Lord

and
Captain Charles Wynne, a

on

Adare,

latter.

sdance

in the

moment

Lord

Lindsay.

ear,

of

one
go out
and
shocked

experiment.

an

heard, and
Home

Mr.

waited
the

at

was

where

that

then

we

three

the

that

Captain Wynne
We

"

lifted

up,

the

in

air outside

The

"

moon

light;
Home's
for

from

which

and
so

Adare

he

he

his

aperture

full into

had

spirit-intimationhe

had

Lord

and

to

the

room.

the

wall

it

He

above

window

the

raised

Adare

in the

next

Home

saw

room

floating

of

back

the

window-sill, and

remained

in

glided

and

the

My

to

was

this

position
the

into

room

down.
the

into

went

carried.

been
his

on

inches

sat

then

to look

room

raised

was

Mr.

how

wonder

next

It

(stillin trance), I

said

back

events

about

had

Home

been

the

at

window

eighteen inches,
taken
through

aperture.

an

Home

say
Lind-

the

narrated

thus

dence
evi-

descriptionof

minute

the

his

Besides

Society, Lord

more

had

adjoining

room

waited.

he

shadow

six

expressed

narrow
"

ous
danger-

so

window.

seconds, then

Lord

in the

Lindsay, " the window

wo
immediately afterwards

the

saw

feet foremost, and

"

of

what
company
return."
for Home's

and

shining

feet about
few

at

the

Lord

our

was

and

my
another.*

"

almost

and

in

writes

heard,"

thought

communicated

had

received, and

at the

Dialectical

followed

immediately

in

to

evidence

whisper

and

moment

which

levitation, in

window

sitters

given before the

published a second
the

told

voice

"

Society,

At

made

his

in

about

room.

was

related

been

walk

to

adjoining

the

into

had

who

Home,

time, began

heard," he

Dialectical

alarmed

was

"

will

He

HOME.

communication
startling

the

; and

some

finallywent

that

before

for

state

trance

OF

MISSION

in progress

was

uneasily, and

AND

LIFE

300

the

head

window,
first,with

window

is about

to

he

will
back

leaned

the

body

'

show

you

and

shot

was

then

rigid, and

then, with

and

of

out

returned

the

quite

quietly.
"

The

doubt

whether

skilful

any

this

description,where
leap.
"The

distance

inches, and
window,
One

there

which

of

rope-dancer
only means

the

between
was

served

the

seventy feet from

not
as

other

the
more
a

ledge
two

of

crossing would

to

about

was

twelve-inch

put flowers

witnesses

much

I very

ground.

like to attempt

would

windows
than

the

be

a
a

seven

projection

feat of

perilous
feet
to

six
each

on."

of

the

scene,

Lord

ENGLAND.

the

had

Adare,

details

other

is

testimony

and

"Wynne

I went

the

windows

them

and

in

the

Lord

occurrence.

cord
re-

Adare's

"

to

over

and

Home

found

we

follows

as

included

and

of

him

by

the

between

measured,

written

"

distances

301

Master

the

after dinner.
There
Ashley House
of Lindsay.
Home
proposed a

There
accordingly sat round a table in the small room.
sitting. We
from
the
the
but
the
window
cient
suffino
was
light
light in
was
room,
the different
to distinguish each
to enable
other, and to see
us
of furniture.

articles

Home

into

went

trance.

said

Lindsay suddenly
going to do ; it is too
"

is

'I

"Lindsay:
that

I must

room,

and

up,
He

heavens

good

know

what

he

fearful.'

tell you;

cannot

He

tell you.
in

coming

heard

and

Oh,

'Whatisitr

"Adare:

We

Home

is

horrible.

it is too

going

the

of

out

spirit says
the

in

other

this window.'

at

the

into

go

next

heard

room,

the

window

thrown

our
appeared standing upright
in quite coolly. Ah,' he
and walked
said,
time
this
to
still
sat
and
not
our
referring
having
good
;
in the next
Adare, shut the window
prevent him.

presentlyHome

opened

"

window

the

outside

window,

window.

'

were

you

wished

'

to

room.'
the window,
and
in coming back
remarked
that
I got up, shut
that I could
not raised a foot, and
window
not think
how
he
was

"

the

managed

had
see.*

squeeze
him:
with

I, went
I did

before.

so

through the
nearly horizontal
went

; and
not

open
and

rest

grasp,
Outside

or

deep,

bounded

measuring

outside.
rather

again, feet

was

so

He

did

to be

dark
not

most
fore-

could

appear
and

out

swung

the

at

wide,
went

inches.

six

feet

seven

point.

windows

recedes

wall

the

in

It

room.

are

nearest

the

in

came

to

iiu

inches
balcony or ledge, nineteen
balustrades, eighteen inches
high. The

three inches
balustrade
; another,
Home
at which
the window
came

He

small

windows

two

between

runs

other

balustrade, but

stone

the

first,quite rapidly,his body being

supported

was

is

the

of
from

the

to

window

balustrades

head

space,

the

by

me

and

the window
it was
as
open
little distance
then
he
off;

to

me

stand

to

said, 'Come

and

arose,

apparently rigid.

he

upon,

each

told

he

told

returned

we

clearlyhow

see

wide,

he

He

through.

to

four

inches

string-course,four
level

at the
out

The

of

the

level

bottom

of

and

of

the

top.

at

which

on

the

that

rooms

apart,
inches

are

the
tween
Behe

third

floor.

Lindsay
scarcelyexplain ; but
"

I asked

rather

voice, but
his
as

ear.

if he

When
had

gone

as

Home

how
said

if the

the

tones

awoke,

through

spirit had

it did

some

not
were

he

was

fearful

spoken

sound

like

to

him.

an

He

audible

whispered or impressed
much
agitated ; he said

peril,and

that

ho

had

could
human
inside
he
a

felt
most

LIFE

302

horrible

desire

condition

nervous

very
**

We

himself

throw

to

had

now

for

of

series

He

of window.

out

short

HOME.

OF

MISSION

AND

time, then

in

became

quiet

gradually

manifestations.

curious

very

remained

Lindsa'

Home
proceeding
jets
it were
bird flying roundjie
We
then all distinctlyheard
head.
as
a
and
but
saw
nothing ; except Lindsaj, who
chirping,
whistling
room,
There
then
a
came
perceived an indistinct form resembling a bird.
tbe
also felt
of a great wind
sound
as
rushing through the room
; we
sound
the
weird
the
most
wind
tiuBg
was
moaning, rushing
strongly :

and

Wynne

tongues

saw

or

flame

from

heard."

ever

will

It

be

is in

precisely the
clearly established

but
It is
the

received

room,

that

Home

Mr.

that

at

of

Lord

that

servers
ob-

two

narrative

of Lord

recorded

Lindsay,

say,
Lindeach.

in

left

Home

as

of what

was

it to

his

two

companions;

out

of

one

window

carried

of

height

the

Adare's

are

intimation

was

another,

at

Lord

facts

same

an

of

testimony

communicated

and

happen,

the

that

seen

perfectagreement.
quite independently

written

was

in

of

about

feet

seventy

to

and

from

the

Adare
expressing surprise at his
ground ; that, on Lord
having been carried through the aperture of a window
before his eyes, was
second
only raised a foot. Home,
a
time
floated through that opening
the
into
side,
outspace
back
and
Lord
Adare
As
again.
gives the
measurements

between

naturally more
judged by the

precise than
They
eye.

the

windows

two

between

the

were

could

It

as

those
establish

feet

seven

Along

four

lower

along
the

the

lower

of

between

space

only eighteen inches.

of levitation
is
phenomenon

The

Adare

and

either

"

Lindsay

to
as

accept
an

that Mr.
Home
suppose
the
impossible feat of
inches

four

inches

wide,

at
.

exact

chose

the

wall

the

walking

height

two

of

upper
one

any
narrow

very

the

two

ran

that

ledge

upper
as

to

therefore

to

testimony
of

along

seventy

of

at

ledge

feet

from

the
two

Lords

facts,

attempt, late

of

apart,

the

wide,

narrative
to

ledges

sceptic

reduced

who

Lindsay,
the

inches

these

figures are

that

it and

was

alternatives

of Lord

obviously impracticable

was

walk

shelves,

the

"c., his

windows,

points.

nearest

string-courses,
three.

the

or

to

night,
three
the

ENGLAND.

303

successfully accomplished the impossible.

this
not
theory would
explain the second

ground, and
iTet

even

of which

evitation

Adare

Lord

was

the

witness, when

out

of the

3ome,

before

his

)pened

window

empty air beyond.

Carpenter, V.P.R.S., imagined,

W.

Dr.
mother

theory,
public under

there

had

Lord

Adare.

rom

this
his

hat

the

evidence,
of

the

Wynne,

informed

have
had

narrated
what

detailed

to

assume

have

con-

little

Mr.

Crookes,
that

of

testimony

Carpenter

and

saw,

the

Dr.
to

he

him

cousin

Carpenter chose
made
public, would
Lindsay and Adare.

Lords

others

Hall, and

informed

Dr.

if

than

present when

of any

absence

gentleman,

nquiry would
Uaptain Wynne
J.

Captain

indeed,

daring

Lindsay
sitter

partly-

imaginations

more

Lord

third

a
"

In

that

;radicted

of

been

occurred

evitation

his

circumstances

narrative

The

lonest.

hat

communicated

and

the

B.

floated

was

eyes,
into the

his

that

Mr.

S.

evidence

that
of Lord
Adare
and
exactly corresponded with
of science, this exact
This
trained
Lord
man
Lindsay.
He
took
his
no
inquiry, however.
nvestigator made
for granted
lypothesis concerning Captain Wynne
"

lingularconduct

loudest

been

dways

into

insuflBcient
method

whole

irrive

make

to
'*

the
who

theorist

in

not

that

of

truth

and

thought
the

in

of

phenomenon
all

while

the

were

it to

the

the

mentioned

had

of

the

but

his
To

levitation

of

throw
Mr.

world

as

ould

fact.
have

course,

been

to

of
the

on

he

Home,

great

doctrine

sacrifices.

Of

to

of

too

doubt

assumption
supposition, he

sheer

desirous

truth

his

that

his

truth, but

favourite

of those

boldest

that

conducted

sacrifice of the

no

was

he

philosopher

nothing

interests

of the

one

Captain Wynne
stated

which

cerebration."

unconscious

on

who

man

in

temper

was

at

very

quirers
accusing Spiritualists and inon
Spiritualism of basing their conclusions
the
with
evidence, but
quite consistent
of Dr. Carpenter's warfare
against Spiritualism.

The
issaults

part of the

the

on

tured
ven-

ing
Know-

concerning

deliberately
no

court

names

inves-

LIFE

304

would

The

"

by

article

diverse

and

that

sceptic.

they

of

accounts

Mr.

saw

the

of

whole

for him

to

Conteni'

the

s^nce

float out

of

will

of

party

...

Home

ments
state-

"

fads

his

honest

another, whilst

in

published

January, 1876

most

that

sufficient

was

Review

of

HOME.

aware

an

believer

affirm

It

it.

bear

not

was

public, in

tell the

porary

Carpenter

Dr.

tigation,and

OF

MISSION

AND

be

window

one

declares

that

given

believers

will

and

Mr.

in at

Home

was
a
single
sceptic
in this last case
And
have
an
we
sittingin his chair all the time.
is
of
which
there
of
fact,
a
ample illustration,that, daring
example
the prevalence of an
epidemic delusion, the honest
testimony of any
of
if
under
number
a prepossession, is d
individuals, on one side, given
if so much."
no
more
weight than that of a single adverse witness
"

It

that, written

under

the

just detailed, nothing

could

well

to

seems

I have

me

Carpenter than
in a widely-circulated organ
but leave, and
was
evidently

not

the

of

minds

Carpenter's

Adare

when

Home

ever

and

"

could

once

had

and

in

6th

of

observed
and

be

Home

Mr.

another

at

the

offer

any
up
occurred

have

Adare,

I have

sitter present

when

impression
actually been
the
on
only
window
of

that

Dr.

present
occasion
in

at

Carpenter,
his

"

float

of

out

Place,

on

Dr.

and

S.W.,

in
persons
of them, Lords

two

ness
wit-

Only

window
the

on

all

had

Lindsay

their

theory

no

who

explanation
theory upon
as

leave,

to

Three
:

it could

opinion,

testimony to the occurrence.

therefore. Dr. Carpenter's "party
told the
Dialectical
Lindsay, who

Lord

"

"I

Lord
any

1868.

were,

"

of believers

and

Ashley

phenomenon
had
printed

They

to

seen

in

"

December,

Adare,

Society,

been

lished
Pub-

passage.

single adverse
Captain Wynne.

than

other

creditable
dis-

more

quietly sitting in

this

so,

be

intended

one

was

If

no

of

knowledge

Home

while."

the

of

out

the

to

Mr.

**that

all

chair

sceptic had
and
Lindsay

floated

had,

it the
"

honest

"

Lords

declared

read

all who

with

another,

this

Dr.

to

circumstances

"I

wrote:

of

the

them

stated
Mr.

explain

to

no

things;"
attempt

to
phenomena,
or
I only say that
they

them."
Home

make

these

The
was

third

carried

out

to

build

and

of

have
last
one

sorry to say that Dr.

to suit
little arrangements

penter's. I
regards these
"

says

But,

as

says,
float

innocent^ as
mond
Es-

convenienca

own

from

In

hallucination.

the

an

of

account

will affirm

party of believers

whole

(save the mark !)

Lord
Lindsay and
interestiiig
paper,

are

to

comes

suffered

'

being written, the true

hand, showing that both

lines

these

Carpenter, evidently referring to

"

his

"

Adare

Dr.

is not

Carpenter

am

'explanation
Loid

HOMK

OF

MISSION

AND

LIFE

3o6

that

Lord

they

Undsav,
Mr.

saw

Home

a
another, while
single honest
his
chair
in
all
the time.''
was
sitting
honest
This
sceptic" is probably the cousin incidentally mentioned
It is scarcely necessary
to
the
Lindsay.
inqninr
by Lord
pursue

of

out

and

window

one

sceptic declares

that

in

at

Home

Mr.

'*

further.'

this, but

to

even

ordinary circumstances,

"Under

in

Institution, made

would

have

1876, Dr.

December,

paid

attention

no

Carpenter,at

the

London

with
the troth
utterly at variance
whatever
his
that,
just as
peculiar prejudices
in
he
falsehoods.
does
I
to
be,
stooping
gi?e
wrong
may
bad
his words, as
reported in the public prints : Mr. Crookes
you
Mr. Home
admitted
that
having exhibited marvels, Mr. Crookes
devised
the marvels
afterwards
scientific tests, but
were
no
longer
statement

well

it is

that

so

him

to remind

'

That

shown.
such

Crookes*

Mr.

was

statement,^ and

it is

part of Dr.

the

read

the

Adare.

just

'*I

to

Is it,or

simple

they

as

said

Carpenter
fullyunderstand
statement
as
given
took

well

is it not,

place?
pleased

and

made

never

wilful

falsehood

on

and

reply to this.

world

Lord

by

concise

Lindsay

You

hare

and

Lord

of the facts

statement

this

have
asked
been
question should
while you
to give your
wore
testimony. Else these would-bo
condescend
who
untruthful
to
statements
men
great
might have
found
those
inventions.
to their
Ever
capable of giving credence
am

that

the

Crookes

so.

I wish

why

Mr.

audacious

most

to have

will

You

"

statement.'

hero

D.

yours,

Captain Wynne's
Home

is

from

before

it that

he

reply
I

the

to

above

write.

It

Homs."

D.

of Mr.

letter

will

observed

be

me

as

had

already publicly contradicted

reference

Carpenter's mendacious

to

him

Dr.

"

*'^e6. 2, '77.

Dan,

"Dear
Dr.

the

side

of

say

that

any

the

one

For

"

Your

Carpenter

that

who

the

letter has

wrote

house

in

present

was

knows

mo

proofs of the absolute

chapter

of this

work

that

some

just

about

Ashley

Place.

and

witness.

would

for

untruth
treats

of

of the

before

come

nonsense

one

this

wrote

Now

trip of yours along

to
to the
Medium
I

moment

assertion

experiments

remember

me.

that

don't

that

say
of

Dr.

of Mr.

that

think
I

was

Carpenter's, see

Cit"oke8.

ENGLAND.

to hallucination

victim
of your

having

or

other

any

of

out

gone

what

to ; but

307

the

is the

of

humbug

window

and

the

in

at

kind.

The

other

the

fact
I

can

of

won't
who
use
men
trying to convince
if they see
I don't
not
it.
straw
even
anything
care
a
whether
Dr. Carpenter or Mr. Hammond
believe
it does
not
me
or
fact
I
the
occurred.
not
But
this
tcill
that
if you
having
prevent
say,
the
not
corroborative
evidence
of three unimpeached
to believe
are
all
there
would
be
end
and
of law.
to
courts
witnesses,
an
justice
swear

believe

"

"

Ever

C.

yours,

P.S.

"

Honesty but

"

not

Wynne.

sceptic,^*

which

meant
that,
postscript Captain Wynne
Adare
Lord
Lord
and
the
like
Lindsay, he believed
testimony of his eyesight. He was
precisely the kind
whose
have
of witness
testimony Dr. Carpenter would
to Mr.
accepted with rapture, had it been unfavourable
soldier
frank
Home
and
bias
a
gentleman, with
no
have
towards
to
Spiritualism, but who, happening
and
Lords
Adare
the
been
Lindsay on
present with
remarkable
of Home's
occasion
levitation, candidly
his testimony to theirs.
added
In face of his letter,what
of the reputation
becomes
of the Royal Society for common
of the Vice-President

By

"

candour?

Dr.

it consistent

thought

intellect,

with

given a hundred
persons
testified
that
ninety-nine
air, while

of the
But

nine.
"

honest

fact, when

that

the
he

Adare

"

as

In

coinage of
parting with

tone

his

conduct

in

which

his

of

man

that,
whom

risen

in

not, the
of the

he

the

mony
testi-

ninety-

inventing

the

that

Mr.

Home

time," and

his

presentation

of the
while

Contemporary

ting
sit-

was

of

Review

Dr.

Carpenter was
aware
rity
authohonest
sceptic," on whose
evidence
of Lords
Lindsay and

hallucination,

the

and

the

had

he

that

declares

all the

had

Home

outweigh

readers

anonymous
dismissed

Mr.

to

all the

chair

fiction to the

this

the

of

what

sceptic who

in his

as

ought

one

reputation as a
astonishing dictum
equally honest, of

declared

hundredth

the

perfect right, if

his

the

propound

to

had

Carpenter

was
own

Dr.

unbounded

himself
brain

hallucination,

Carpenter,

let

me

egotism, and

remark
the

that

eagerness

of

timid

stand

to

man

take

MISSION

AND

LIFE

3o8

the

publicly on

him

to

the

phenomena

well

in

HOMK

with

the

induced

world,

subject of Spiritualism
with

associated

modified

OF

Home

Mr.

was

ani

what
some-

It will

private.

to
perhaps be news
have
who
those
read, marked, and inwardly digested"
Dr. Carpenter's various
onslaughts on Spiritualism in
"

Review

Quarterly

the

he

that

and

he

that

learn

to

of

probable

Contemporary Review^

the
^

Home

regarded Mr.
only believed

not

the

departed,

that

spiritsinfluence

but

in

as

man,

continued
it

thought
the

honest

an

the

ence
exist-

possible
of the

minds

"c.j

^nay,
dwellers
"

earth.

on

has

letter

A
Dr.

been

1877,
with

form.

Two

lectures

him

called

on

found

Dr.

written

was

by

had

of

Spiritualism, Mesmerism,
recently republished in book
letters
followed; and
finally,
"

on

three

or

invitation

the

at

latter

the

"c.," that

that

me

In
following circumstances.
quainted
acjournalist, who
was
young
Dr.
wrote
to
Home,
Carpenter

Mr.

of the

apropos

to

the

under

Carpenter

November,

sent

Dr.

with

Carpenter,

view

his

further

to

correspondent
He

discussion.

somewhat
sistent
inconCarpenter's private views
with
his published utterances,
indeed, had
as,
been
to him
already demonstrated
by the letter he has
this
Mr.
Home
placed in my
possession.
never
saw
letter, and
was
wholly ignorant that any correspondence
Dr. Carpenter and
between
its recipient had
taken
place.
Dr. Carpenter vnrites as follows :
"

"56,

be

glad

very
will

You

continued

the

"

observed

existence
is

further

me

For,
a

to you
with

not

N.W.,

for
you

'

on

anywhere

altho'

;
or

Mr.

Materialist, my

even

Home

and
with
and

there

call

seems

great

philosophy (as

my

subject

that

shall
of

it.

question the
over
living

in

influence

to

27, 1877.

letter,and

the

probability"
a

Nov.

your

departed spirits,or their

matter
altogether distinct from

physical
with
possibility
as

Road,

of

"

rank

I do

that

manifestations

influence.

Park

greatly obliged

am

communicate

to

have

This

minds.
of

Sir,

Dear

"

Regent's

of
me

the

nothing

in such

many

British

reahty

other

consistent
in-

spiritual

persons
Association

ENGLAND.

Address

would

is much

show)

Spiritualism.
I hold myself open
particular individuals
.

mind,

of

But

all my

distrust

verifying.
I always
himself

trial.

The

evidence

new
a

of

power

solve

stories

Priestley's

universal

"

favour

in

of

the

and

difficulties

must

Mr.

Home

that

own

have

faith

of

the

by

"

book

myself

believing
Lyon
of Spiritualism"),
opinion

man,

shaken

was

many
amount

revelations,

power

honest

an

up
an

such

(" Lights and Shadows

the other hand, has given me
favourable
on
a more
him
and
the
have
will
remarked
that
only thing I have
you
;
in regard to the
has
been
depreciation of him
'physical
this

publication of

"

of

in

Should

"

week

before

from
and

Review

able

a.m.,

1 1

Coming
Crookes

call upon
I shall be glad to

be

you

to

the

author

others

that

for October,

here

mo

you.

"

William

letter

1871,

is

this

Carpentbr.'*

attack

on

curious

very

Mr.

Quarterly

the

in

festations.'
mani-

truly,

B.

bitter

appeared
this

said

morning

any

Yours

see

of the

on

in

mind

of

clear
such

the

not

as

my

existence

communication

direct

many

that

regard

to

; but

like

"

experience has led me to see

unconscious
in
fitting-together

all

used

"

in

of

would

self-deceptionand

that

to

which

obscurities.

more

"

with

309

In
the
production.
public, Dr. Carpenter imputed
of
Spiritualism to fraud, and
physical phenomena
scious
unconby his pet theory of
explained the mental
in
cerebration;"
"nothing
sees
private, he
with
with
inconsistent
possibility or
lity
probabieven
in the
exercise
by the spiritsof the departed of
"

"

"

influence

an

In

private,
Home

Mr.

over

as

would

be

dozen

passages

his
one

thing and
Not
only
Mr.

Home

life in

from

impute

was,

hint

or

Dr.

letter

his

On

think

could

his

contradict

part
honest, yet he

witnessed

deceiving

contrary.

Carpenter

of it contradicts

one

in his

the

another.

say
does

imposture.

earth.

always to regard
It
believing in himself."
his published writings a

man,

collect

that

Home

manifestations
been

honest

on

"used

Carpenter

to

but

statements,

still

are

confession, then.

own

holds

Dr.

an

easy

who

us

It

at

would

opinion,
others.

considers

seem,

the

stances

Home's

published

another.

physical
to

therefore, that

an

honest

It

is fortunate

man

who
for

He

have
Mr.

spent his
Dr.

Car-

LIFE

3IO

MISSION

AND

HOME.

OF

with
penter's reputation that he went
day on the question of Spiritualism.
what
severe
things would
Spiritualist,

of

said

him

Carpenter

Dr.

Mr.

his

never

that

opinion of any
mental
or
physical,

whether

of the

stances

The

latter.

considered

impartially

share

perhaps
thinker

that

world

been

have

of

he

as

on

that

witnessed

were

facts I have

Carpenter
of

been

the

at

who

here

that

conclusion

have

Spiritualism would

pressing
incapable of exthe
phenomena,

was

value

with

stance

intelligentreader

the

my
Dr.

at

present

was

an

such

he

illogical habits

muddled,

it is obvious

Home,

wiU

Had

thought
As

of

and

of his

world

the

has

pubb'shed,
opinions of

the

on

such

no

great value

subject as

in any

case.

Home,

Mr.

who,

controversy with
took
dall, never

the

false statements

of Dr.

levitation
of

in

the

nearly

this

and

the

thing

Viscount

Captain Wynne,
that

it

was

the

tor
invenworthy
un-

fact."

fact

at

cember
De-

on

of

out

one

window

There

three

were

Lord

Lindsay,
here

printed
If, on

words.

be

the

ing
compar-

unimpeachable
still objects :
reader

witnesses

the

Adare,

could

that,

three

would

reader,

another

Adare,

own

the

floated

I have

in their

ask

given

in

Lord

Wynne.

if their

of

was

and

believe

to

"The
to

Home

it identical, the

that, I decline
answer:

the
somewhat

me

here

proof

"

of these

evidence

let

proof

what

occurrence

of all three

finding

concerning

foeman

feet distant

half

Charles

Captain

testimony
and

and
of the

witnesses

publicly the

considered

chapter,

House

Ashley

seven

He

Tyn-

steel.

6th, 1868, Mr.

of

Carpenter

sceptic"

sceptical or otherwise,
more
complete than the
window

B.

W.

Professor

as

contradict

to

Place.

"honest

concluding

antagonist

an

trouble

Ashley

of his
In

such

in

readily engaged

had

1868,

in

impossible,"
have

the

can

For

all

only

seemed

Master

eyesight

"

had

possible
equally imof Lindsay, and

not

assured

them

3"

CHAPTER

READINGS.

PUBLIC

There

is

failures

are

the

than

more

and

produced

of

the

the

public

offer

to

he

colder

his

of

that

the

of

scene

evoked

audience
When

actor.

the

play,

before

if he

who

weary

who

really succeed

can

that

carry
could

He

by

their

his

fun

in

and

call

forth

forget

his

and

I may

quote

powers

of

of
reciter

March

The

the

his

by
who

of

such

Hamilton

one

pathos

His

"

"

of

Death
honour

20th, 1870.

of

two

or

of

with

pathos

so

them

pieces

Home

that

the

did.

laughter

much

rarer

deeply as to
could
readily
"TTie

as

few

how

audience,

bonds,"
VagaOwd

th'

Death

o'

Aide's

"Lost

and

Found."

tributes

to

many

press

pathetic yet

the

Old

double

"Mr.

of those

"The

Conquest,"
Mr.

of readers

had

heard

purpose,
nine
cases

even

hearers

he

already
form-read
plat-

the

number

pitch

his
but

them

renderings

"Jane

Squire,"

convulse

None

tears.

the

to

first

the

is

In

legion,and,

such

no

on

some

him.

The

dulgent
in-

consequence,
exacting than

; but

to

interesting an

humour,

faculty of touching

with

is

interest

only

not

speak

him

has

house

spoken

so.

hearers

eflfect

the

rises

curtain

and

do

as

the

theatre,

render

more

of

hearers
to

and,

been

speak,

carry
he fails

of ten

out

has

his

is to

the

of

reader

and

interest

word

must

The

acting.

the

much

often

spectator, and

ready-painted pictures
finds

for

difficult

more

In

reader.

which

in

art

triumph

count

indiflferent

to

dramatic

and

costumes

on

the

numerous

of

FRANCE.

SCOTLAND.

branch

no

career

scenery

X.

D.

forcible

Squire

'

recall," says
D.

Home,

ing
render-

for

won

the
who

his

the

of

Era
is

now

LIFE

312

established

as

sensation

Vagabonds'

battle

pieces

usual

resource

power

was

whom

were

recital

of

had

he

humour,

Home

there

and

fire of

listeners
no

was

martial

attempts

makes

he
by the noise
noisy rendering,

reader

held

related

the

the

already

who

reader

his

audience

singular

the

but

less.
breath-

tribute

York, by the Southerner

genius in New
feelingshis impassioned recitation of the "Bay
control.
"I
don't
had
see
wrought beyond
American
could
an
help flying at you," wrote
of the incident
to Home,
on
reading a notice
for your
rendering brings the
;
newspapers
his

to

'The

1869).

14,

and

pathos

the

his

stun

I have

marked

readers

of

to

his
and
rendering of
possess,
The
stirring to the last degree.

few

as

of

many

"

"

wonderful

his

Besides

poetry is

audience

by his admirable
{Court Circular, Aug.

tears

to

fire such

HOMK

readers, caused

best

our

the

amongst

melted

with

of

one

OF

MISSION

AND

paid
whose

Fight"
he

how

fiiend
the

in

"

life.

We

have

it must
It

it with

see

our

eyes

and

that

to

to

scene

Southerner

like

going through it all again."

critics
constantly remarked
by his press
with
ishment
approbation, at other times with astonthat
Home's
Mr.
readings were
thoroughly
be
could
otherwise
for
his good
not
They
;
of the ludicrous
his exquisite sense
him
gave
of anything
he
would
rather
stagy
; and

was

been

"

sometimes

**

"

natural."
and

taste
a

horror

missed

have

effect

an

readers

than

do

have

obtained

it

above

the

was

fortune

recitation

species.
the Light
and

which
It

there

was

are

auditors
a

of
"

'

"

the

to

have

and

occasion

one

Reader's

Penny
his

of

repertory from
his

programme

"

him
a

to

third

three

be
time.

it

and

present
of the
of

Charge
that

ing
even-

pieces
heartily.

more

is,

who

humorous

laughed
even

be

to

melodramatic

most

thing for

common

in

the

none

reading twice,

down

on

one

added

Brigade

his

only

He

of Home

by

It

not

"

revels

the

by

scruple to employ.
of the
all, the amateur
Penny Reading
of such
in a superabundance
sham
effect ;
some

means

at

"

"

made
"

times, he

to

over

liver
de-

Though
had

to

When

itself the

Bedott,"

what

effect.

readily

most

HOMK

The

such

to

writer, has

Mrs.

she

Gamp,

as

to

treatment

that

people

and

her

to

friends

with

his

fireside

his
Smith
and

who

joke,

to

the

him

to

**

"

Me

Mr.

Home's

must

be

this

"

her

The

many
all
we're

was

dott,'*
Be-

of

me

other
said

belief

reader,

had

would

see

her

Mr.

Smith,'

worthy
for

me

tempted

astonished.

man,

some

laugh,

Widow

as
men

IVe

listened

beg
surely he

short

Mr.

Smith

now

he

Ah,

**

deary

memories.

tellingus
to

ses

that

would

gentleman

have
to

"

thinking

Bedott

as

sinners,^ and

poor

but

reverend

learned

times

ses

else."

one

to

the

rate,

any

ses

"

pardon for interrupting him, but

at

tive
narra-

Phineas,"

"

parson.

the

she

whom

he

was

know

not

from

away
remark

before,

included

that

our

day
the

have

him

"

did

of

auditors

the

the

Home

hardly

direction, with

it's them

me

would

joke, answered,

the

see

his

ing
even-

name

Bedott
and

of humour.

presently wandered

much

time,

himself

but, in the

mistaking

Home,

had

moment

One

I will

"

Widow

**

both

of

reminds

thet

"

say

she

in his

he

of the

spur

clergyman

heard

never

those

among

something

dering
wan-

matters

When

party assembled.

of any sense
the
Widow

or

divine

had

the

on

of the

unluckily for

innocent

the

introduce

to various

who,

this,

her

guests included

"

and

in

make

references

it.

to

relating

"

custom,
to

relation

no

of

mouth

continued
to charm
public, Home
his readings ; and
such
occasions
it
on
he
The
when
Widow
impersonated

read

ceased

have

"The

that, I forget

history of her courtship to a neighbour,

to discuss
continually from her narrative

the

lent

was

the

in

placed
sits by

rative
nar-

that

reading

rambling monologue

American

Yankee

OF

improvised additions

irresistible

with

I,

vein, he

in the

Widow

MISSION

AND

LIFE

314

me

"

ses

"

he
But
turned
^

ping

Smith,

Mr.
to

favourite

his

wife, who

phrase

digressionsfrom

of

her

bewildered

more

the

Widow

narrative

sitting next

was

Bedott, who
with

the

always
remark, '' But

than

him.
terminated
we*re

had

ever,

Have

"

her

all poor

gossip-

Binnen."

READINGS.

PUBLIC

you

that

all

are

we

FRANCE.

dear, of hearing

recollection, my

any
Home

Mr.

SCOTLAND.

to

say

me

sinners?"

poor

315

he

asked,

solemnly.
Widow

Bedott

got

further

no

with

her

that

gossip

evening.
Even

under
that

readings
and

the

have

been

an

nature

so

retained

the

later,

being, and
happiest ease

natural

emotions

the

had

1868

year
burdened

him

discharge
and

friends

for

the

assistance

who

still to

desirous

had

keenly

than

; and
looked

career

as

there
to

Such

lavish
their
faced

for

him

they preyed

brilliant

Among
C. Hall

to

young
relatives

of

and

them,

would

have

was

preyed

tenfold, for
and

sorrow

efforts

what

and

of

resources

his

to

humour

only he could know.

trying task bravely, and went

amusement,
his

had

continuation

afforded

anxieties

feel both

had

He
numerous

were

night after night

rich

all his

of

events

joy

it

cost

he

more

It was,
therefore, under
discouraging that he commenced

reader;

present himself

The

against.

fellows.

most
a

self-possession. But
highly-strung temperament

generously

give.

his

the

the

before

task

the

and

possible.

as

Home
on
man;
any
been
constituted
to

on

when,

only injured his health, but

anxious
heavy debts that he was

had

he

of

both

not

speedily

as

him

before

himself
on

his

saw

astonished

entered

contend

to

with

provide

to

son

had

all he

not

were

his

to

who

distrustful

were
memory,
he
presented

he

last

preceded

those

and

the

that

of failure, and

his

the

To

hour

trying

another

with

him

sensitive.

successes

fear

minutes

audience

the

his

agitated by the
his
ability and
few

of

and

appearance

gave

and

nervous

horror

the

circumstances,

during the years 1869

London,
Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool,
places in England and Scotland, would
the
on
exhausting drain
energies of

fiftyother

and

Home

Mr.

in

1870

favourable

most

ditions
con-

him

audiences,

his
to

and

pathos for
he
But
always
through it with
and

success.

the
that

letters
have

of

been

Mr.

Home

placed

at

to

my

Mr.

and

Mrs.

disposal,there

S.
are

LIFE

3i6

MISSION

AXD

several

belonging to this
perfect simplicity and

the

letters

life that
full

it

two

is all with

of

was

From

engaged
or

fearful

half

over

would

not

curious

to

in

round

after

have

singers,and

the

the

what

see

when

just

papers

learnt

sucJi

I will

not

you.

am

cheered

had

will

say

the

became
medical

in

with

fair

of

glory
the

the

on

fear

knowing
trembling.

and

truly believe

I
came

Oh,

on.

on

go

silence

the

such

an

the

three

these

that

it

before

of

last

At

was

encore.

last

they

times.

am

to-morrow.
^

It

beautiful

is

burning ship

day

it

as

all

above

enters

the

dying child,

of the

face

shadowless

was

course,

...

in the

land

undefiled.'

of the

the poem
story, but I know
being well, but the result

deeply touch
last night has

will
of

subsequent visit to Scotland

of giving public readings, Mr.
Home
purpose
well-known
Edinburgh
a
acquainted with
of Sir James
relative
Dr.
a
Simpson.
man,
entire
the
was
an
subject of Spiritualism.
sceptic on
during

this

Home

had
; he

circumstances
the

becoming
wish

radiant

tell you
the
far from

Edinburgh

of

The

first ray

Of
with

engage

platform.'

termination
to

poem

"

to

me."

Either

Doun

or

Miss

'

Words,' and

the

at

he

Like

for

how

extract

unwilling
that

applause, and

of

Scotch

'

ofifthe

sum.

round

encored, and

It flhone

daily

can,

brief

very

take

on
off,I went
the house, and

piece was

have

hissed

speaks of the light from

cottage-window in the dark night :
**

mine

hissed

been

applauded
began my
piece

was

not

nominal

merely

did

who

ones

had

friends

I had

every

where

his

supplement my narrative.
January 30th, 1870, Home

readings

been

seven

only

was

"

of

words

agent here

that

for

had

six
the

My

me

me

others

were

of

struggle.

on

The

"

that

failure,and

I had

journal

I shall

which

Friends,
told

dead

that

all his

"

and

he

mark

with

"Dear

that

unreserve

any

and

care

Edinburgh,

writes

nie,

than

tells, better

Written

time.

trying

friends, they form

his

to

HOME.

OF

he

held

result

revolutionised

or

there

went

long

too

guest

of

several

in

Dr.

as

to

the

spite of
^

Jane

hold

stances
any
train
reader
a
a
; but
his
detail
led
here
to
to

Doun,

stances

that

was

intended

not

in

beliefs
himself
Conquest.

by

the

doctor's

of
;

the

and

and

the
he

doctor's

doctor
became

house.
were
con-

PUBLIC

KEADINGS.

of the

vinced
of

and
hold

continued

their

with

that

doctor

knowledge
my
contained
in

information

Narrative

"Spiritualism:

Patrick

Alexander,

Proctor

Carlyle,'

Moral

Nimmo:

of the

attended

the

volume,

Author

M.A.,

Alexander,

"c.

with

He

obtained

Dr.

Findlater,

Mr.

permission

is

as

of

By

Mill

attended

any

hard-headed

stance

what

they

taken

such

of such

hold

of

judging.
pre-

house.

him

friend

his

Neither

had

viously
preintelligent,

educated,

were

entirely incredulous
much

and

"

doctor's

on

astonished

hallucinations

be

to

man

the

with

Scotchmen,

conceived

and

Doun,

bring

subject of Spiritualism,

the

P.

W.

of Dr.

at

; both

and

friend

fellow-observer.

to

entitled,

ably written,

Home

to

it in

Edinburgh:

old

an

periences
ex-

Discussion.

little book

This

stance

to

facts is limited

small

of

some

clear-headed
of a candid,
evidently the work
sceptic, but a sceptic who
investigated, instead
Mr.

dead,

Spiritualist,were

with

Causation,'

1871."

so-called

circumstances

here

narrate

to

the

made

; but

power

my
the

exceptional

317

us.

wished

have

FKAXCE.

of the

existence

abilityunder

communion

I could

SCOTLA^^D.

that

should

have

man.

I presented myself
evening fixed," writes Mr. Alexander,
at the house, taking with
me
(by pennission) Dr. Findlater, a man
well known
in
hitherto
not
pected
susEdinburgh intellectual circles
very
undue
in
his
of
friends
to
matter
a
tendency
credulity
by
any
;
Stuart
Mill ; with
sense
friend, and in some
disciple,of Mr. John
a
a
couple of good sharp eyes in his head, and perhaps as accurate notions
"

On

"

an

"

as

most

of

scientific

Home

wo

him

the

of

his eye

MaguSf

either

evil

"I
more

more

may

or

to

those

unfavourable

hired

Mr.

apartment

charlatan

and

His

manners

gentleman.

and, except for

I may

the

party assembled,

of

accustomed

seer,

good.
premise

small

introduced.

slight that

so

"

found

those

of the

favourable

Had
a

very

much

or

truth, than

of

course,

Evidence,

constitute

may

We

of

were,

whatever

in

ness

what

inquiry.

quiet, and

and
in

to

as

men

have

to hold

was

trace

no

wild-

it

none

"

with

commune

spirits,

conditions
readily conceive
and
Dr. Findlater
myself, as regards the
which
this little experiment was
under
to Mr.
Home,
juggler
presumed a mere

that

Home

simple

occasional

merely imagined
awful

Mr.

to

were

There
an

conditions
and

advertised

of his own,

much

cannot

an

I don't

entertainment

think

I should

to

have

take

interest
made
and

"

postor.
im-

place in

cared

to go

to

him,

see

tlian I

more

any

MISSION

AND

LIPE

3x8

cared

ever

HOMK

OF

to

go

to

son
Ander-

Professor

see

liquors irojn his magic bottle.

in
could
the room
But
was
scarce
drawing-room, and
been
Home
without
have
her
Dr.
or
prepared by Mr.
way
any
's connivance
D
a
mind, and I
theory of the matter, in my own
who
has
had
the
to say, that of every
venture
one
ever
pleasure of
their acquaintance, disposed of as
utterly inadmissible, in virtue of
and
both.
character
of
the known
Further, it is certified to me
high
manifestations,'as they are
termed, took
beyond question, that the
the
in
in
house, and most
cularly
partiplace indifferently any or every room
out

of

Mrs.

bring puddings

hat,

or

pour

*s

"

'

with
of the

had

had,

than

Home

Mr.

by

company

ourselves

's bedroom,

Dr.

in

any

be

could

without

his

relations

with

favour

per

which

of

host

our

becoming
Mr.

been

of

aware

Home,

hostess

and

have

scarce

it.

excepting
could

or

pered
tam-

None
we

as

thus,

anv

of

Mn
The
Home.
complicity with
fvUly and
drawing-room was
brightly lit with gas;'^ and the table,
vouchsafe
which
the Spiritus
was
intelligencefrom
good enough to
aforetime
I had
taken
dreaming
world, an old acquaintance, at which
tea, unof Spirits. If conditions
Home
favourable
of Mr.
or
more
scientitic
I
shall
be
be
can
suggested by any
gentleman,
glad to have
more

the

we,

of his

benefit

For

Dr.

wisdom."

nessed
witdescription of the phenomena
searchingly investigated by Mr. Alexander

detailed

and
and

suspected

Findlater, I
brochure

deal

good

remain

so

as

"

refer

must

of

the

reader

former.

the

perplexed,"
quite unable

"Both
Mr.

says
to

to

the

of

us

Alexander,

suggest

resting
intewere

"and

plausible

any

witnessed.
As
to the
we
explanation of the wonders
obvious
explanation of malajides and jugglery on Mr.
Home's
part, the only little objectionto it is (and perhaps
may
best

thought

be
will

and

for

host
Dr.

gentlemen
Home,
room

so,

little

that

to

care

doing

one), that,

effect, and

utterly

we

failed

(Dr. and

hostess

and

the
to

our

best

very

nities
opportu-

detect

any

Findlater, and
to

the

circle

about

other

of

number

Mrs.

trace

"an

"

and

waited

occurring.
^

"The

Italicised thus

ladies

and

formed,

with

Mr.

ordinary
time

some

Mr.

round

thus

of

without

first hint
by

Mr.

Doun),
Edinburgh

nine,

tea-table, solidly built, and

weight

with

whatever."

of these
The

but

Alexander.

or

ander,
Alex-

drawing-

considerable
any

tations
manifes-

foreshine

we

PUBLIC

of

had
**

READINGS.

the

'

"

phenomena,'
form

in the

came

SCOTLAND.

of

certain

FRANCE.

writes

Mr.

tremors

which

319

Alexander,

began

to

These
of a somewhat
pervade the apartment.
were
till they
peculiar kind; and they gradually increased
of considerable
violence.
became
Not
only did the
floor

tremble, but

from

it, was

under

him."

felt to

drifting

across

Findlater

of

chair

rock

and

were

their

hands.

did

each
as

"

felt

of air

blasts

Ice-cold

Dr.

the

we

by

distinct

as

person,
Scots

say

of the

some

Mr.

dirl

"

sitters

Alexander

and

experience this sensation

so
forerunner
of
other
phenomena;
but, in
frequent a
the
with
the
common
remaining sitters, they heard
it
Presently, as to the ear
rappings that followed.
of the table," says the
seemed,
exactly in the centre
not

"

"

"

former"
Came

''

tap, tap, tapping,regular,continuous, and

which

hearing

Mr.

Home

that

announced

he

prolonged ;

on

we
nearly sure
ho
to
turning
me,
suggested that, as naturally I might wish to test the thing a little
the table,and
curiously,I had better go under
satisfymyself as to
whether
there was
for what
would
anything there to account
probably
little
take place. Accordingly
loth, as suspecting a slight
though a
Mr.
would
Darwin
call an
degradation in it I performed what
of
in
the
enthusiasm
reversion
of
scientific inquiry, was
act
; and,
of an
condition
to relapse into the
content, for the nonce,
'ape-like
of the genus
As such, I crept
Quadrumana.
progenitor or member
there for the space
of
quietly under the table, and kept steady watch

should

have

'

manifestations

of

was

now

sort ; and

some

"

"

'

'

'

minutes

ten

keeping

so

like

Findlater,

; Dr.

steady

watch

as

above.

than

of clear observation.
for purposes
all
flew about
place but raps, which

For

indicate, when
table

the

desired

of each

rap

by
as

Mr.

to do

Homo

it occurred.

above,
a

the

over

the

remark

may

sufficient
took

of

observer

an

table, though necessarilydimmer

the

under

or

the

so, the

Meantime,

Homo,

genus

that

light

yet amply

was

good

the

while

nothing

table ; and

I could

precise locale

by anything

upon

beneath

Mr. Home,
for ; and
in
table,the raps were
entirelyimaccounted
chair
beneath
his
had
feet
his
his
at
rest
hands,
:
particular,
steadily
observed
as
quietly before him on the table."
by Dr. Findlater, were
the

Various
their
Mr.

by

it

occurrence,

Home's
Dr.

of the

movements

feet

Findlater

was

were

that

certified
motionless
his

followed.

table

hands

by

Mr.

Alexander

beneath
were

During

at

his
rest

that

chair,
above.

AND

LIFE

320

former

The

his

resumed

try if the

to

MISSION

table

experiment

would

HOMR

the

; and

seat

become

Alexander

Mr.

command.

OF

sitters

light

and

the

describes

proceeded
heavy at
of the

result

"

light/ said the operator ; and the table,when

softly solicited,
his fingers.
Be heavy ! and
moved
the table
readily from beneath
floor
with
the
and
seemed
to
could
all
be
moved
lead,
weighted
only at
by a great expenditure of force.
Every one of the party in succession
Findlater
tried
this : Dr.
carefully twice ; I twice, with
scrupulous
with
the
and
results.
above
On
invariably
care,
trying the
my
time
of course,
if possible,with
addiexperiment the second
some
tional
it
and
seemed
that
table
to
the
care
me
scruple
actually
from
under
before
the initial touch
could
fingers,almost
sprang
my
of distinct
take the form
the
o
f
it
wards
afterdifficulty moving
pressure
results
being well-nigh, in proportion, great. These
certainly
seemed
curious, as to every one
present quite unaccountable."
Be

"

'

"

"

"

various

from

being

Other

and

quote

that

Mr.

Homo

the

property

met,

enough
be

seems

selected.

but

of

very
to

bring

"were

him.

This

he

fairness

him

the

on

he

Dr.

sitters

could

the

menon
pheno-

most

"

which

of

one

explained, was

Aw,

not

but

had

not

had

been

good

; and

it is

confirmed
be

I pass

the

table,

them

the

of

(a gentleman present I
me
by reputation),who

to

it with

of

account

instrument,

known

of

one

certain

impressed

writes,

The

Dr.

well

have

to

and

alphabet;

occurred, which

Alexander's

accordions,''he

"Two

of

manifestations
Mr.

the

spelt out,

friend

departed

present.
over,

for

presently called
raps
communications
were

Five

mistaken

before

to
scarce
as
supposed
being
in one
hand
Taking the instrument
by the
Mr.
end
it
unfurnished
Home
with
under
It
the table.
keys,
put
almost
and
went
immediately began to emit sounds
having begun,
;
to play pretty briskly. Guiding
in his direction,
the instrument
on
then
Mr. Home
desired Dr. Findlater
the table, and after
to go under
careful
of what
and give an
he saw
there.
account
examination, return
to

his

in

accordion.

own

Dr.

Findlater

did

the

accordion

the

his

were

this

the

one

table

worked

"

He

so.

while

chair, he

^rr. Home's
on

its

"

moving
hand

by
phenomenon, not to
might be, nothing
a

make

strict

Dr.

Findlater

at

examination,
had

that

his other

before

be

and

the

little time

some

to sound

continuing

reported

hand
was

remained

the

before

as

instrument

held

end

of

it ;

questioned, except

motionless

was

whilst^
in

up

in

The

so

visible.
a

little

to

far

account
as

his

suming
re-

in
time
if it
for
sight
eye-

to
Going
report preciselyas

down

came

table,

then

being, of course, all the

giving out sound, precisely as

other

done*

the

; and

hand

whatever
I

under

to

accordion, held

motionless

in

who

Margaret
lives

enough,

Yes,' answered
from
long way
who
husband,

her

John.*

was

table, should

the

now

She

had

grounds : Only a very few hours

supposed accomplices, during which

his

moreover,

almost

assures

from

"jould

last

One
It

the

communication

once

more

**

It

is

him

Mr.

the

for

signal

the

had

given

present (the
Do

happy
I

not

not

aunt

Mr.

Alexander,

Sophy.*

It

not

does

cry.

alive

alphabet

announced

"

Pophy

like

seem

Pophy,
again heard,
!

could
friend
of

her

of scarlet

an

received
that

raps

heard

were

and
its presence,
Home
!
said Mr.
;
'

Sophy
a

either

name,

of

infant.'

as

poor

Sophy
the

/"

family,

this, another

lady
appeared) began
cry bitterly.
the following was
rapped out:
not

were

this

you

all ?

and

blame^

to

came

(Mr. H
aunt, during
and

Pophy
by in

our

to

"

fever,

is

"

after

forget

table

the

great agitation,

I that

On

English

in

at

one

it

and

You

immediately

And

died

when

little

dear

And

by my
charge

left under

of

Auntie

into

it to herself

then

were

now.'

had

of

incident

five

do so^

to

had

'

raps

be

Alexander.

touching

Can
to me.
language known
any
1
a
lady present gave
explain
Whereupon
signs
Oh
and presently she burst
out,
Pophy Sophy f
whom
lost
little Sophia,
dear
two
we
years
ago.
the dear little pet name
she always went
that was

Five

tion
informawould

solicitous

of Mr.

narrated,

Pophy

odd.

is very
other
any

she

for

fashion

Home

"

that

as

Mr.

for

any

here.

implied

rapped out,
or

or

the

and

after

above

spirit,"writes

of

brochure

the

Soon

the

gave

hands

striking

very
stance.

second

always

from

this

the

and

Home,

about

this

in

Home,

extract

describes

to rush

if we
suppose
informatioiL"
special

Mr.

got this

Margaret,

people, by applying to
surreptitiouslyacquired. Further, my friend
burgh,
in Edinthat he does not know
a single person

me

whom

have

the

Mr.

available

were

information

up
at

been

thus

Mr.

detection

to court
it had

whom

hunt

to

widow

knowledge

the

these

or

is

couples)that

in

have

Aunt

scarce

mot

run

an

good many
years
ago, oddlj
possible (I decline to use
that
with
which
other
stupid

it

de

"

else at

one

On

died

impossible that bete

incredible
might fitlybe

word

I have

Edinburgh.

I assert

Now

word

the

friend

my

HOMK

OF

MISSION

'

of

name

AND

LIFE

322

/ did

The

was

absence

of

the

"

the
had

The

hcg^py,

am

not

story,

this

"

Am

die.

as

after

quired
in-

little child,

parents

in

land,
Eng-

lady
up
poor
ness
carelessblind
supposing that, through some
her part, the infection
on
might have been caught."
Let
Mr.
Mr.
Home
Alexander,
us," continues
summate
cona
suppose
and
artist
Dr.
Findlater
and
juggler (though
bining
myself, comlittle faculties
of observation, could
detect
scintilla of
our
no
and
recondite
suspicion of this): ho can
produce at will, by some
subtle
which
has
been
able
to
one
no
ever
yet
detect,the
process
with

"

morbid

remorse,

as

"

"

been

eaten

PUBLIC

READINGS.

of raps,

series

could

considered, all this

system of jugglery we
and
crux
puzzle of the
them

the

in

him

avail

not

does

case

hid

these

those

as

aid of his

in

The
.

sits

of

its media

all,unless

at

lie in

not

intelligencewhich

in such

323

of :collti8ion,

system

suppose
business

FRANCE.

But

touches, "c.

moyements,

last

but

SCOTLAND.

real

physical phenomena^

behind

them,

and

Unless

Mr.

readings and the stances

was
pressed to hold, filled

that, wherever

uses

Home

we
expression.
suppose
Mrs.
D
beforehand
carefullycoached
up by Dr. and
in the family history of their expected guests, there are
certain
things
in the narrative
I have
do not
seem
given which
readily susceptible
of any
quite natural explanation. And this supplositionis to myself
be to every
else entitled
to speak
one
entirely incredible,as it must
if
it credible
the subject. Further,
in this instance, it
we
on
suppose
is distinctlynot
that Mr. Home,
credible
wherever
he goes
(and he
has pretty nigh made
the tour of Europe), should
be able to improvise
and
of
the
like
credit
soul
of them
accomplices
repute" no
anywhere
in
to
serve
having any intelligibleinterest
becoming Mr. Home's
of this kind
accomplice. A ramified
system of collusion
is, in the
very conception of it,ridiculoua"
as

to have

Public

v^ent, he

largelythat

have

behind

am

to

friend.

brought

bestow

to

ever

so
on

knock

of letters.

mass

him.

to

correspondence,"
my
is in a whirl.
This

"

horror

is from

One

he

"

writes

morning
Mrs.
,

who

writes

and

she

that
sends

of

consists

being

very
things that

the

well,

pages

get

know

doctors
calls

she

imagine

sixty
I

Dublin

what

me

will

You

case.

merciless

postman's
again with all
My head
in

me

it than

time

correspondents who, by
length of their letters, must

the

made

Home's

up

he

of voluminous

and

number

of

less

had

he

thousands

those
the

been

of

statement

her

I tell you
it
feelingswhen
my
of letter
crossed.
Not
paper

dreadfully nervous

so

not

killing her,'

are

what

do.

to

with

these

declares

all my
letter paper,
and
allow
to
me
write
only to you and a very few others."
"
writes
Home
Mr.
another
Mrs.
I know,"
time
to

that

he

will

Hall, "you
shall

to

be

of health
seem

thus

will

not

state
not

bum

be

the

feel for

forgotten. My
^her lungs are
"

strange that
called
summer

upon

land

to

I, who
see

before

that

and

me,

sister
very
am

the
me

I
in your
prayers
delicate
is in a very
weak.

young
nearest

"

Does
.

it

myself, should
and

dearest

pass

LIFE

324

The
do

to

for several

so

and

that

legal expenses
of

Some

forced
him
It

him

with

tions
exer-

off very

pay

defray

on

him

the

heayy

in

England.
jewels, bnt

sell his

their

not

this

in

utmost

to

was

likely

was

only

to

them.

connected

associations

the

could

advised

influenced

the

With

been

and

on,

borrowed

part with

not

that

beauty

had

friends

his

would

he

had

he

sums

HOME.

dragged

more.
years
Home
Mr.

economy,

the

slowly

still

lawsuit

Russian

OF

MISSION

AND

value

determination,

these

or

bnt

Every

stones.

"

ring or other
royal donor
and

jewel
had

learned

Whatever

esteem.

high

testimony to the fact that the

to regard Home
with
goodwill
the originalscepticism of these

was

personages

and

"

it is

idle

an

fancy

that
suppose
entered
on

to

were
investigations of the phenomena
in a credulous
ended
spirit they had
by being convinced
haid also
of the realityof the manifestations, and
Home's
other
qualities worthily
recognised that Mr.

their

"

accorded
I have

1870

with

his

said

enough

cloud

hand

knew

for

always
active

it

was

silence

afterwards

I find
many

whose

brush

employment
his

the

Home
start

ends

freely of

show

; but

his

they

the

existence,

own

others, and

often

world

The

knew
and

unseen,

brain

of kindness

; even

nothing ;
to keep

But

it.

his papers
among
expressions of gratitude and
and

young

by comforts

provided

charity

gave

whatever

unknown

artist,

efforts, have
found
generous
distressed
writes of
working man

in life that

and

had

distresses.

good

life that

Home's

now

had

Home's

begins

it is

wife's life saved

sick

that

Now

of his

him

concerning

But,

deeds

do

to

letters filled with

thankfulness.
for

their

1869 and

years

of

to feel for

many
dearest
to

choice

his

the

it.

difficulties

his

and

nearest

in

relieve

of

that

happiest

heart

to

nothing

those

and

cares

had

and

show

to

the
among
than
sunshine

accumulated
Home

gifts.

not

were

more

wondrous

he

has

the

scanty
bear

mother

the

cheap

giving of
means,

witness

medical
thanks

for her

secured

not

was

with

now

and

the
also

help
him

son.

kindness

money.

many

that

That

letters before
to

for

acts

he
me

of

READINGS.

PUBLIC

and

rarer

time

higher benevolence,
thought he devoted

and

the

only of

think

for

instance,

recommend
him

that

words

to

me

need

the

to

the

before

written

few

lines.

the

reader

called
*'

what

to

of

prompted you
to
rewarding
of what

for

The

done

I pray

father, who
which

you

never

can

the

writer

The

; and

you

have

you

"Again
but

it.

to

poor

him

beset

will

not

know

that

vaunted
the

in

led

their

to

in the

him

to

help copying
so
touching

seem

the

be

remain

I cannot

still

are

last to desire

should

written

"

Home.

who

the

must

day

to

to

that

circumstances

day through

have

you

whose

to

come

sad

time, I

am

and

proved
distressing. Ko

rescue,
so

I feel I

gratitude which
alone

of my

future

in London

son

my

our

is

case

sufficientlythe
convey
goodness of heart
pure

can

that

for

you

from

son,

poor

my

mine

the

"

learnt

have

sented
misrepre-

of Mr.

actions

which

fatherly goodness

saviour

words

must

benevolence

writers

letters

who

me,

who

then

modest

so

generous
is one
there

from

forth

Sir,

to

as

You

"

be

the

"

first few

no

would

Probably they

them

"

"with

1870

to

oflFer

to

The

Sir,

as

of the

These

; but

of

summer

the

friends

others

in my
benevolence

himself

as

about

thought of printing
possession that testify

I have

those

to

world.

the

being

anxieties

of kindness

details

obscurity

same

owe

he

and

Dear

is,

this, in
as
self-sacrificing

and

constant

give pain

earth

that

and

active

Home

Brownings
capable of

been

letters

numerous

It would
on

and

depressing
hardly say that

the

here

There

led certain

"

men

exceedingly kind I feel it for

trouble
in introducing my
work."

of such

I need

when

most

cares.

Mr.

"

much

how

real, unpretending,

midst

and

led

his

of the Brewsters
many
Home
would
have

so

have

to

quote

express
much
so

take

to

you
How

how

prove

jewels, and
gratefullydeclined.

was

325

helping others,

to

diflSculties

sell

to

all

are

they

needs

own

pressing

him

aid

allow

their

FRANCE.

life would

his

Iqtter written

his

when

date

of

circumstances

to

SCOTLAND.

son's
poor
will
sure,

prove

could

which
life will
that

be
is

ho

have

devoted

worthy

for him.

accept the
reward

boy

of this

you

heartfelt

gratitude

for

charitable

coidd

never

letter

was

your

have

then

been

of

an

afflicted

goodness,

and

rescued."

ill in the

country

LIFE

326

from

and, I believe, passed

his

met

son's

story, it would
But

of

Home's

the

fact

in these

has

pages

could

which

it

Very

belongs

which

within
Home

day
tried

; to

of

compassionate
He

able,

was

German
the

November,

nerves

He

to

year

he

his

as

the

it

war

next

have

keenly

and

agonising.

was

operations of

of

investment

and

sight would

frequent service
the
of September,
but
months
1870, did irreparable damage

witnessed

great

of

be

to

in

headquarters

Sedan

the

followed

Home

England,

sensitive

so

Mr.

of the

The

had

price

to

left

of

field.

nature

all

the
of

victims

to

and

October,

health.

his

to

needs
a heart
spectator of a gi'eat war
of iron, and
neither.
Home
had

The

untold,

the

German

battle

suffering

while

armies,

war

history

it

of

theatre

the

the

the

over

nerves

any

of

hours

went

leave

part, he

reached

They

few

quoted

friend, for the

it, the

illustrate

to

beyond
touching letter

in the

have

with
company
then
raging.

been

kindness

acknowledged

been

ties
reali-

1870.

"

after

soon

the

fiction.
any
demonstrated
sufficiently

I
purpose.
other
events
to

pass

son's

than

useful

and

that

that

more

stranger

were

having

ever

relate

to

were

proof

and, except

no

one

already

serve

therefore

of

life

without

earth
If

preserver.
furnish

HOME.

OF

MISSION

AND

of

steel

and

and

the

Paris

of
than
one
siege, including more
the sorties
attempted by the garrison. During his stay
at Versailles, he
acted
as
correspondent of an English

greater part

of

newspaper

I believe

"

on

possession
the

this

of

one

twenty

about

to

cuiTent

of the

one

of these

half-inclined
of

and

that

but

only

wrote

the

he

of

Paris
to

sympathy

this

spiked
to

greatest
for

and

dreadful

helmets

think

that

"

for

France,

few

at

that
in

least

my
last of

we

at
are

history
"

minutes

monotony.
is

in

told

are
"

events

begins

there

mation
infor-

my

I have

23rd. "We
day," it begins,

ourselves

sight

letters

one

November

capitulation

very
I am

than

more

is scanty,

the

times

witness

reconcile

of

head

scries, dated

least

the

the

to weary

we

The
one.

strong underin

the

outer

PUBLIC

circle

READINGS.

; and

though it would
a
thought, yet

such

repeat

greater part of the

this

starving-out

"I

send

you

invited.

this, the
are

rises

like

so

The

remainder

so

his

of the
the

rest

the

mistress
it ;

of

the

when

Si

non

story.

Furnished

with
Home

related

earlier

meeting
of

an

with

King

Germany),

cruel

done

now

been
h

the
ben

chapter
at

boy,

I have

had

his

so

to

in

Home,

the

months

Versailles, in

men.

take

German
I

have

of his

circumstances

few

to

it had

freely.

went

often

would

says

from

the

(a

tion,
explana-

she
and

pied
occu-

is unfortunate

It

trovato,"

and

William

the

victim, but

safe-conduct
came

with

so.

turned

and

room,

that

boy,

spilled

officer

officer

not

pictures,

and

treatment

French

when

vero

headquarters.

little

dotes
anec-

were

and

cellar

her

of

officer

they

Prussian

the

even

telling the

in

which

of

of

German

the

out

I know

interesting of

most

how

us,

of life,

consists

afterwards

of

hands

I have
; and
revenge
should
have
that you
be."

The

in

of

certain

equally
guests."
am

letter

of
like

miles

feast.

the

an

dinner

necessities

to

on

to

honour

few

the

long

was

relate

oath,

an

the
to

within

and

chateau

terminate

given

had

sit down

finallythe
leave

mother

at

dinner

wine

his

taking

my

**

rejoiced to

chateau

the

of the

Madam,

took

be

narrated;

how

and

endure

the

they destroyed furniture

best

the

heard

that

siege.

been

; how

the

**

convinced

of the

rest

visited

men

quartered
drank

am

which

case,

the

often

has

with

to

of

many

own

relating to
them

so

treason

we

of

akin

327

to

actually suffering for

unbidden
an
Banquo

in my
doing with

its

to

When

thought

who

it does

process.
the
menu

FRANCE.

be

would

men

diplomatist,

English
being

SCOTLAND.

later

October,

peror
Em-

1870;

Daily Telegraph correspondent, who was

The
to that
King promptly
journal :
present, wrote
him
and
addressed
recognised Mr. Home,
very kindly
he
that
him
wonders
of the
(Mr. Home)
reminding
had
of imparting to him, and inquiring
been
the means
when,

as

the

"

"

spiritsin by

the

about

dramatic

of the

crowned

the

of

had

proving
On

of whose

more

on

occasions

two

time, he
assist

to

in

young

German

thigh

and

death.

Home

ability;

and

bound

up

there

the

effect it had

in

condition

in his
when

The

and

power
the young
Germans
two

received

who

included

was

again

letter

Honoured
and

one
now

Sir,
saw

More

"

no

you

more

all

offer

my

for
not

having
when

written

neglect
transport party

of

relate the
to

which

and

the

of

thanks

war,

for

who

was

you

but

will
sad

all
on

events.

long
of

moments

the

bountiful
of

point
me

accuse

events

You

left Versailles

have
you
may

the

"

187

1.

sailles
left Ver-

remained
my

the

trust, however,

following
I belonged

21H,

since
so

of

quote

November

I have

dreadful

their

much

as

to

passed

although

of disabled

since

space

has

year

most

Perhaps
ere
this,

intentions.

good
I

not

Fatherland.

fortunes

his

I have

as

sincerest

but

my

were

did

party

the

translation

exact

alleviated

for

hinder

life

own

later
Home
year
in Syria, in which

Beyrout

than

who

to"a poor
victim
assistance.
your

rendered

his

''Betbout, Syria,

silent to

an

"

just then

to

but

from

related

Sauer

parting. I append an
this interesting document

"

lifted

ambulance

in

back

sent

were

met

long

Lieutenant

hand,

his

officer

never
a

at

the
protSgS constantly while
remained
ing
in hospital at Versailles, cheeralleviatinghis sufferingsby every comfort
of him
cordial
leave
a
; and, finally,took

man

him

to

of his

best

kindness

His

in the

the

which

lungs,

on

bleeding

him

cost

weak.

than

visited

He

wounded

his

on

more

have

to

the

to

sortie

bullet

of
to

second

came

assistance

him

carried

from

received

wound

no

threatened

He

danger

the

being

and

here.

had

imminent

that

end

means

The

after

forts

the

wounded.

in

exertion

the

fire.

under

fire of

the

officer,who

sufferer

the

himself

removing
was

the

made

"

under

went

with

triumphant

wonderfully

so

found

Home

"

force

them
around
contemporaries that
existence
they had little dreamed.
^probably
during the siege of Paris

his

to

forces

were

been

conversation

minutes*

of

representative

who

man

few

It

sceptical tone."

incident, that

was

means

no

HOME.

OF

MISSION

AND

LIFE

328

ence,
existaid

you

perishing
of ingratitude
transpired to

will

excuse

remember
8th

my

the

November,

French

children

noticed

near

Prussian

grizzled
small

his

to

But,

"

my

understand

doesn't

ja,"

"Ja,
understands

I have

the

and

back

come

and

talked

with

the

minutes

pulling
to help

you

The

same

positions

joined

to

to

with

the

brave
him

children

who

the

Of
the
with

great
a

and

that
the

who

sergeant

speaking

many

had
at

of

waiting

were

miseries

siege,

sadder

the

ment
astonish-

said

simply,
father

old

to

there

heart.

they

way
He

eyes.

in

Stop,"

"

here

"

down

sat

when
"

were

few

Home,

said

something

is

attacked

to

skirmish

seek

his

the

On

wounded.
the

acquaintance

cigars were
had
placed

over,

was

Paris, Home

on

the

German

his

in
them

geant
ser-

pocket

there

was

searching party turned

away
Home
not
past help.
thought

were

he

the

the

on

The

as

where

hear

to

bench

of the

he

retreating

out

came

hand

cigars

were

dead.

the

go

When

went

they

for those

look

of

the

and

besieged

columns

"

cold

already

"he

time, sergeant."

Buzenval.

near

still, but

for

to

of

the

day

again

boy

patting

look

in

soldier

the

party that

then,

Home's

to

rose

pass

battlefield,

the

the

handful

French

the

and

tears

veteran

out

the

"

him."

to

home,"

something

the

spoken, brought
and

amicably

away

seriously,

Home's

waiting

"

as

hear

to

soldier,

and

at

the

them."

to

words,

The

little

the

and

big

"

of them

eight

amused

Prussian

enough
smiling at

of

stopped

you're saying
the

bench

of German.

the

to

well

me

"

word

and

^he

"

one

scene,

best

said

answered

head

child's

he

on

to

chatting

the

in

the

by

sergeant

companion
friend,"

sitting

astonished

was

Versailles

at

was

talking

be

to

interested
and

it

"

HOME,

officer

seemed

Home,

came

the

playing

were

who

smallest.
he

OF

MISSION

non-commissioned

them,

near

"

AXD

LIFE

330

of
was

sat

only

few

Versailles, and
his
his

German

none

before
still

seemed
home

and

the

return.

that

war

hours

he
that

witnessed
he

during

remembered

331

CHAPTER

ENGLAND:

"

Views

XI.

SPIRITUALISM

opinions I cannot
do not
pretend to

be

or

subject I

July, 1870, shortly after

made

to

on

possess

understand."

the

AthencBum

the

in

said

F.R.S., published this declaration

Crookes,

W.

Mr.

SCIENCE.

AND

had

announcement

that

he

in
been

commencing

was

investigation of Spiritualism. As nineteenof mankind

twentieths
come
by their opinions in the
of the historic jury that proposed to return
its
manner
without
verdict
rally
hearing the evidence, the public natuscientific

concluded

that

Crookes

Mr.

this

shared

common

of

weakness

humanity, and he was

deluged with letters
By
inquiring what his opinions of SpirituaUsm were.
short
he
of general response,
article,
pubUshed
a
way
ence,"
Sci"Spiritualism Viewed
by the Light of Modem
that opens
with
the explanation above
quoted.
**

I consider

modes

of

which

attract

working,"

genuineness,
and

to expose

"

In

the

senses

believing,as
knowledge or
"

The

modes

misunderstood

the

of

the

scientific

Crookes
of

explain,

to

or

duty

Mr.

attention

if

"

continued,

to

public,
possible,the

learnt

have
examine

order

in

the

case,

prefer

whatever

notions
alert

and

I do, that

to

phenomena
confirm

to

delusions

exact

of

their

honest,

the

to

by
depths of

reasoning
with
by spiritualists

reluctance

of the

frequently

ascribed

trained
to

the

investigatescience^and

modes

of

say

what

all the
men

whom

be,
to

appear

be

conversed

to investigate this
I think

thought
of

current

it will

amongst

brain

all human

physical forces.
to

no

with

but

the

exhausted

I have

motives.

kind

or

means

no

scientific mind

unworthy

can

with

inquiry

cannot

information

of scientific

of

the

upon

convey

have

the

enter

to what

as

ready
we

fathomed

if I illustrate

who

men

tricks of deceivers.

present

preconceived
all my

it the

generally
;

and

the

subject
be

of

those

experimental proof

is

vice
ser-

who

science

AND

LIFE

332

has

demand

right to

her

into

The

inexact.

After

OF

MISSION

beforo

admitting

We

ranks.
supremacy

passing

be

Crookes

Mr.
"pseudo-scientificspiritualists,"
that

investigations which

In

"

the

ordinary observer,
great advantage."
indicates
"The

The

follows

as

scientific

thorough

of

nature

that

on

declares
baffle the

completely

so

the

and

reflections

severe

very

some

the
exact
up
alwolute."

mix

must

ledge
of know-

department

new

not

must

of accuracy

HOME.

has

man

he

advantage

"

spiritualisttells

of

bodies

weighing

50
of

lifted up into the air without

the intervention
but the scientific chemist
is accustomed
to use

or

lbs.

100

being

known
force ;
any
balance
will
which

of
take
thousand
ten
weight so small that it would
in
therefore
he
is
that
a
justified
weigh
grain ;
asking
which
will toss a heavy
professing to be guided by intelligence,
power,
his delicately-poised
balance
body up to the ceiling,shall also cause

render
them

to

sensible

to

one

under

move

"The

conditions.

test

spiritualisttells

different

parts of

table.

two

which

sounds

tapping

when

room

of

more

or

The

are

sit

persons

produced in
quietly ronnd

scientific experimenter
to ask that these taps
of his phonautograph.
produced on the stretched membrane
The
houses
tells of rooms
and
to
spiritualist
being shaken, even
The
of
science
asks
for
injury,by superhuman power.
man
a
merely
it is in a glass case
and
pendulum to be set vibrating when
supported
a

shall

is entitled

be

"

on
"

solid masonry.
tells of
The
spiritualist

heavy

another

without

human

which

one

room

to

has

made

instruments

and

he

justifiedin doubting

is

if the
one

force

same

from

the

spiritsto perform
this chapter I will
It will
that

states,

be

by

in

suggested
influence

the

of science

man
a

the

million

former

index

of

parts;
tions,
observa-

his

ment
instru-

the
to

did

on

of
same

him

the

the

of

last of

the

tasks

that

science, requested

important

exception.
the

demand

Later
was,

the
in

and

received.

this

frame

credulous

into

from

moving

the

of

move

explain what

he

answer

Crookes

Mr.

inch

an

accuracy

name

an

"

the

the

quotation

my
in

Crookes,

what

But

agency.

divide

powerless to

is

furniture

degree."

poor

I omit
Mr.

will

of

articles

"

time

the

plain to
approach

reader, I hope,

anything like a
mind
he
an
investigation which
been
preliminary paper, to have
not

by

eminent

thought

of

in

exercising great
His
atticountry."

men

the

ENGLAND

tude

towards

AND

Spiritualism

impartial

333

science

ought

and

surely

in

investigating any
subject whatever,
Faraday and
Tyndall had failed to preserve.
towards
Carpenter's attitude
Spiritualism I

that
Dr.

that

pages
for the

think

nothing.

he

have

had

already proved

least

at

two

often-quoted passage

An

Story

"

seems

Lytton

makes

science

has

takes

the

the

mind

his

It

have

which

two,

things,

three

that

states

interval

vast

belief, but

is not

"True

say.
questions all

denial, conviction, and

them

belief,"

no

but

one

which

romance

knows

Of

Strange

in

temper
I

"

**

but

"

of

Lytton's

the

science

credit.

upon

"

the

between

True

none.

nothing

of

hero

both

to

say
these

in

opinions

but

"

Lord

exactly
inquiry.

express
began his

Crookes

Mr.

from

to

of

sets

for himself
public, another
contradictory and illogical.

of

SCIENCK

absolutely neutral

was

that

attitude

an

"

maintain

SPIEITUALISM

of

suspense

judgment."
Crookes,

Mr.

had

completed,
else

who

had
he

of

body
^he

"

entering
"

other

task.

from

paper

his

least

at

or

those

the

causes,

The

"

prove
methods

"

natural

he

mind

plainly
already quoted :
the

and

of

employment

And

able

be

to

and

matter

trick."

words

in

has

aflFair was

causes,

increased

his

were,

was

from

to

superstition,
that
refer

demonstrate

the

same

of

paper
scientific

will

drive

into

the

the

produce

worthless

unknown
announcement

his

from

whole

concluding

will
.

The

the

great
world

impressions

little of

July, 1870,

to

those

unexplained

an

in

expectation
phenomena

the

that

the

scientific

I have

thought

who

men

the

they

which

unlike

but

them

What

little,I believed

saw

and

banish

to

his

on

distinguish

to

especially of

"

and

in the

Like

impressions

world

convictions,
stated

his

able

was

his

investigations were
Like
suspended judgment.
everybody
the
of
heard
cussed,
subject
Spiritualism dis-

had

the

until

then,

statement

of

residuum

of

limbo

of

of

race

magic
Mr.

of its aims

who

spiritualism hence

and

necromancy."

Crookes'
and

observers

investigation,

methods,

were

re-

ceived

with
high favour.
press
St. George had
stepped into the

scientific

the

HOME.

OF

At

English

the

by

MISSION

AXD

L^E

334

last

lists who

was
dragon of Spiritualism. The
press
for
had
Mr.
nothing but compliments
jubilant, and
His
Crookes.
proved ability and his high standing in
the scientific world
were
loudly but a little too hastily

the

slay

to

was

"

extolled

"

who

writers

by

confident

were

their

that

One
prophesy as they wished.
accepted prophet would
that
leading journal expressed "profound satisfaction
about
the subject was
to be
investigated by a man
so
another
was
gratifiedto learn
thoroughly qualified ;
of
the
that
matter
receiving the attention
was
now
of recognised position in
clear-headed
cool and
men
"

"

science

Crookes'

Mr.

declared

third

"

that

no

rigid philosophical impartiality;"

of
*'If

fourth

like

men

know

soon

for

how

readers

Crookes

Mr.

taking nothing

its

to

to

the

and
in

ran

until

doubt

investigation with

it is

tion
proclama-

these

with

grapple

granted

much

one

the

conduct

ability to

could

"

words:

the

subject,

proved,

shall

we

believe."

often repeats itself; but

the
history of Balaam
of our
of
days is not so clear-sighted as the ass
has
much
learn
her.
from
longed
Proto
prophet, and
and
rigid investigation compelled Mr. Crookes

The
world
the

bless

to

panegyrists
when

that

Crookes

forward

the
two

cursed;

had

his

and

experiments
observers

tested

by

of

such

were
were

be

Crookes

Dr.

penter,
CarMr.

said, had
alone.

character

to

necessary

invective

labours.

hardly
Mr.

late

calumniate

and
his

shared

it need

phenomena,
and

deride

to

all who

witnessed

been

have

of
heartily in a chorus
eminently respectable authority.

and
the

should

united

came

For

he

where

that
the

ensure

not

Often
at

least

scientific

which
the
principal investigator desiderated.
accuracy
His
chemical
took
assistant
part in the researches
; his

brother, Mr.

Walter

stances

various

of his

from

and

and

Crookes,
time

scientific

assist

to

was

time

brethren

in them.

also

The

Mr.
to
two

present

at

Crookes

witness

his

secretaries

several
invited

gations
investiof

the

ENGLAND

Royal

Society

at

his

It

was

these

that

with

might

right

been

but

so;

really,

assertion

scientific

abandoned

Home

invitation.

uncandid

meeting

have

the

do

to

335

Mr.

meet

declined

them

shunned

decency

to

refusals, the

other

Home

him

by

their

within

and

Mr.

of

Both

SCIENCE,

AND

asked

were

house.

quite

after

SPIRITUALISM

observers
at

"

least

in

England.
Of

the

well-known

various
Mr.

of

invitation

before

who

men

Crookes,

two

accepted the
came
nently
promi-

names

of

the

Dr. Huggins, F.R.S.,

public, those
Mr. Serjeant
the eminent
and
physicist and astronomer,
the distinguished man
Both
of science
Cox.
the
and
of a
shrewd
lawyer attested
publicly the accuracy
contributed
narrative
to the
Quarterly
by Mr. Crookes

Journal

of

This

the

took

that

Not

publication.
Cox

been

the

they

bodies

was

evening

Dr.

Crookes

series
he

but

in

selecting it for
Huggins and Serjeant

Crookes

Mr.

of the

had

for

contrived

the

occur;

alteration

in

the

of

weight

when
human
no
playing of an accordion
In
the
of the
course
touching the keys.
factorily
satisboth
were
searchingly and
phenomena

and

hand

reasons

stance.

particular

Mr.

nessed
wit-

ing
special apparatus to be employed in testthe
most
frequent physical phenomena,

of

two

had

only

phenomena

one

of

house

present, but

occasion

should

the

at

the

remarkable

most

by weighty

influenced

was

the

being

place

July, 1871.

only with
applied at

tests

far from

was

for

dealt

record
and

It

Science

the

tested.
In

dealing
critics

taken

experiments

did

not

at

notice

to

had
the

conclusion

state

on

They

of this
that

the

did

stance.

or

of

How

so

on

did

one

or

either

choose

having rashly
of

the

stances

critics

not

and

Crookes

Mr.

his

tific
scien-

unfair

other

it ; but

strength

hastily performed.

as

numerous

declaration
him

Spiritualism,

themselves

preceded

accused

They

of

mankind.

results

the

care

it.

of

rest

and

notice

subject

the

repeatedly showed

hasty as the
publication of
had

with

two

thoroughly

to

arrived

ments
experibaseless

LIFE

336
the

was

MISSION

AND

charge

investigationswill show.
In July, 1870, he
published
and

nature

Mr.

quoted.
of March,

of

aims

187

experiments commenced
to affirm
conclusively the
The
investigation had

neither

repeat

courted

by

said, that

Mr.

Home.

he

that

herself

with

perfectlyready
it ; but
either

he

his

by
Spiritualism

attentions,

was

dignity of
passive attitude

his

the

of

notice

the

himself

what

and

world

nor

scientific

Crookes
force."
nor

already
cerned
con-

He

not.

they

was

wished

admit

to

honoured

matter,

series

Science

if

he

end

avoided

best

by preserving

the

the

I have

men

was

have

the

at

new

gift or

that

cause

in

disposed

considered

and

of

Mr.

whether

means

or

Russia

been

scientific

no

which

enabled

strange

meet

to

of the

existence

indifferent

was

explanation

afterwards

immediately

of
"

ing
preced-

from

returned
and

the

Crookes'

inquiry from

his

Home

HOME.

of Mr.

sketch

even

OF

that
their

by

maintained

absolutely

an

neither

seeking
shunning it.

the
He

rightly felt,too, that, if the manifestations

were
mented
experithe
be
who
experimenters ought to
men
upon,
themselves
showed
capable of approaching the subject
unbiassed
and
in an
impartial manner.
Faraday and
intimation
Tyndall had prefaced their condescending
that they were
to a stance
willing to come
by prejudging
the question of the phenomena
and
self
insulting himI have
in ray possession a letter to Home
written
of his
1868, at the time
year
Professor
Tyndall, the writer of which
in

the

tells

him
were

senses

he

would

out

of

that

way
humbleness

Unlike

his
to

Professor

the

approach Mr.
another
approaches

Home

of the

acquaintance

by

"

who

distinguished

Was

if his

"

Mr.

bated

Mr.

own

and

was

go
pering
whis-

and

had

gentleman

one

to

philosophy

Crookes

obtaining
it

Home

breath

of such

as

gave
traveller

that

reality of Spiritualism,

notice

Tyndall,

to

The

with

"

court
"

the

senses."

own

(Mr. Bertolacci)

declared

of

convinced

deny
his

had

Tyndall

with

controversy

an

Lady

the

tesy
cour-

usually

introduction.

Burton,

Orientalist

wife

Home's

has

ho

which

at

not

attention

once

drawn

Journal

of Science, 1871 and

could

What

inquiry

his

research

1874.)

Here

of

invention
into

play

fully lighted

; Mr.

Home

to

**

With

exception of

the
the

"

writes,

medium."

Phenomena

the

Crookes'

have

with

seances

in his
**has

reply
been

**

to

one

His
of science

he

italics

His

he

Mr.

are

and

the

scientific

had

continued

scientific

continuous
labours
their

lesson

have

various

at

the

menced
com-

of

time

during

his

quarter
declared

he

of Dr.

Carpenter,

in exactness

of observation."

extended

valuable

man

training had

education,"

spiteful calumnies

inquiry

an

fair-minded

no

sixteen, and

was

My

conduct

to

in its character,

Home

Mr.

century.

himself.

by

taken

Crookes

Mr.

doubt.

before

of

Mr.

in

own.

the

could

held

were

Spiritual.")The

called

ability of
especially scientific
Of

and

place zn my otcn
with
only private frieiids present
Notes
of
("
an
Enquiry into

house, in the light,and

the

conditions,

speciallymentioned,"

cases

have

occurrences

besides

no

selected

were

exact

rendering
lamp to bring
always
was

room

stances

sitters

house, the

Crookes'

The

imposed
The

tests.

no

all.

at

to

cabinets,

phosphorus

conduct

to

favourable

so

darkened

no

were

than

more

circumstances

the
necessary
the
eyesight

objected

ask

investigator

under

HOME.

rendering trickery less possible

to, and
frequently he ha?
might be tried."
{QuarUA^

which

to tests

himself

OF

of
purpose
assented

for the

of arrangements

cation

MISSION

AND

LIFE

338

nature

over

has

wide

been

field

edly
repeat-

scientific

recognised by
bodies, including
he was
the Eoyal Society, of which
elected
Fellow
so
a
honours
conferred
him
long ago as 1863. Recent
upon
of English
by that body will be fresh in the minds
scientific readers.
The
reception accorded
by the Eoyal
in which
he detailed
of his
Society to the papers
some
Mr.
Home
that
only demonstrated
experiments with
scientific men
in general are
and
of their
creatures
age
share
Not
the

its

prejudices.

till June

15th, 1871, did Mr. Crookes

Eoyal Society a descriptionof certain of

submit
the

to

pheno-

ENGLAND

he

mcna

of

the

had

witnessed

scientific

time
Crookes

had

had

in

testimony
proceeded to

of

the

the

could

the

in

in

better

article

had
of

force of

witnesses

witnessed

seemed

scientific

nessed,
wit-

scientific
with

he

own,

had

Mr.

of

Various

negative

to

faith, the

gravitation.

Mr.

still,witnesses

mistaken.

or

held.

other

be

exaggerate

that

Unsatisfied

and

senses

and

phenomena

his

cardinal
of the

the

their

he

action

scrutinised

been

of

phenomena

that

applied to
had

339

presence,
them.
By

help
scrutinisingthem.

call

not

SCIENCE.

Home's

sdances

called

him

aid

to

Mr.

had

of

keenly

and

that

he

tests

AND

in

great number

men

SPIRITUALISM

invariable

Crookes

ingly
accord-

instruments
proceeded to construct
capable of
registering this fact, if a fact it were.
Having perfected
his apparatus, he employed
it again and
again ; and on
fact
the
occasion
it recorded
that
every
incredible
How
incredible
it had
to him.
his

so

let

testify:

words

own

appeared
appeared,

"

"The

phenomena I am
prepared to attest are so extraordinary,and
80
directlyoppose the most firmly rooted articles of scientific belief
action
invariable
of the force of
others, the ubiquity and
amongst
the
details
of what
I
on
gravitation
that, even
recalling
now,
is
between
which
an
witnessed, there
antagonism in my mind
reason^
it
be
to
and
the
consciousness
scientifically
impossible,
pronounces
that my
both of touch
and
sight and these corroborated, as
senses,
all
of
the
who
not
senses
were
are
they were,
by
lying
present
witnesses
when
they testifyagainst my preconceptions."
"

"

"

"

Lying

of

brethren

Professor

"

great

he

whole

pointed
results
the

them

Home

those

was

that

the

of

the
in
persons
assumed
influence,"

his

could

that

In

he

had

recorded.
room

he

might
wrote,

"

of which
in

reply,

plain

Mr.

it will

he

words

at

invented

have

the

possessed of

mesmerise

"However

been.

hazarded

means
"

scientific
have

to

man

stances

people.

apparatus

it had

at

who

mesmeriser

room-full
to

was

present

the

instance,

simply a
electro-biological
power," by

influenced
that

Mr.

for

Stewart,

of

some

insisted

Crookes

Mr.

Balfour

that

theory

however,

witnesses,

once

Crookes
and

the

susceptible
been

hardly

to

be

that
con-

that

tended

MISSION

AND

LIFE

340

biologised the

Home

Mr.

HOME.

OF

struments
in-

recording

tween
select beto
Probably Professor Stewart, if reduced
that the evidence
confession
this hypothesis and
a
would
could
be
not
adduced
overset,
by Mr. Crookes
the
haye
and
for
have
former,
boldly pronounced
that he saw
declared
no
reason
why instruments
might
influences
well as
be
not
as
susceptible to mesmeric
human
beings.
has
Crookes
be
It is much
to
regretted that Mr.
of his
account
never
ences
experipublished an exhaustive

with

Mr.

January, 1874,
of

had

He

Home.

vestigati
embody the results of his lengthy inSpiritualism,or, as he preferred to term

articles

supplementary to those
in the Quarterly Journal
over

of facts, such

wealth

overwhelming
have

of the

numbers

mass

with

be asked
It may
to the phenomena
the

in

wrote

December,

point of
I
permit.

from
will
the
That
it be

matter

me

but

the

nature

excites
not

And

at

of

its

present

again,

in

in

force,

or

competent
Januaiy, 1874:

nature

governing

phenomena.
of Force
is

to

little
is

not

which

subject on
"It

is

an

sequence
con-

with

knowledge

cause

ofier

whether

"

of

absolute

the

activity,forms
feel

their

occurrence,

of

but

phenomena

laws

force

at

desired," he
the

the

form

this

attested

theory"

have

"I
examine

"to

content

attributed

propound

to

remarkable

very

that

labours."

my
Crookes

ascertain

to

opinion,

of

be

strictlyphysical as

as

is involved

such

fill several

emphatically

so

unrecognised
psychic force or

called
"

do

of

appearance
hitherto
a

he

publicly.

wish

I could

therefore

Mr.

origin

1871,

view

ever,
"How-

I find

"

only of

outline

hesitated
it

lished
already pub-

adds,

I must

of which

propound

to

two

or

Science.

of

order, that

an

what

He

existence.

least

in

Quarterly.

occasion

this

on

had

one

of evidence,
so
superabundance
will
of testimony, all of which

marshalled

be

to

he

he

notes,"

my

of

form

the

in

Force,"

"Psychic

going

in

wrote

to

it, of

on

he

intended,

diately
immewhich

opinion."
obvious

that

EXGLAND:

'

'

medium

possesses

by

of

far the

Home,"

in

the

Phenomena

writes
than

Crookes

movements

the

hands

of the

It varies
the

difierent

dismisses
in

he

its contents

"

he

"

as

other

is

from

laid

question

first treats
when

bodies

This

them.

of

festation
mani-

brief remark.

writes,
to

during

in

heavy

on

and

of 1871.

months

phenomena
headings. The

were

of the

idea

presence

other

resting
inte-

witnessed

Home's

and

I have

these

some

convey

much

so

mediums

the

with

degree,"

and

room

sitters

notes

several

over

Notes

"

Spiritual."
refer to phenomena
I speak chiefly

phenomena

in Mr.

of tables

he

of

the

classifies

thirteen

the

"

sessed
pos-

called

extracts

will

notes

by Mr. Crookes
inquiry extending

the

few

tested

under

not

entitled

paper

Home.

of

variety of

and

Mr.

is

something a
Serjeant Cox calls

Crookes,

most

valuable

and

an

with

Mr.

with."

experimented
number

341

this

Mr.

occurs

stances

at

powerful

more

like.

you

which

Give

greater portion of the

observed

of Mr.

something

if

a;

last passage
Enquiry into

an

By

it

'

'

SCIENCK

Force."

Psychic
This

AND

ordinary being.

an

Call

name.

it

SPIRITUALISM

"

the

from

actual

quivering
rising into

vibration

or

the

of

aii

is obvious
The
retort
it
placed on
it
when
it,or
push
they
touching a thing
moves,
pull it,or lift it ; I have proved experimentally that this is not the
I attach little
in numerous
of evidence
case
instances,but as a matter
importance to this class of phenomena
by itself,and only mention
out
them
of the same
other
movements
as
kind, but witha
preliminary to

heavy

if

that

body when
people are

the

hand

is

contact."

More

interestingto Mr.
that thousands
phenomenon
stances
"

with

These

cold

kind

of

air, sometimes

sheets

of paper
degrees. On
of the

blown
some

air, but

before

remarkable

the

was

him

had

noted

at

Home.
he

movements,"

of every

same

Mr.

Crookes

phenomenon, are
amounting to
about
by it,and

occasions
the

cold

it to that felt when

compare
of frozen mercury."

and, indeed, I may

generally preceded by

"

continues,

I
has
the

have

been
hand

decided

not
so

has

detected
intense

lowered

been

any

that
within

I have

wind.

thermometer

say

the

peculiar
had

several

actual
I

could

few

ment
move-

only
inches

Passing to that means

sitters ordinarily employed
manifestation

the

The

*'

he

'*

says

communication

by

the

termed

"

the

and

rappings,"
allied

other

bf

name

with

intelligences at work,

and

percussive

popular

HOMK

of

popularly

Crookes

Mr.

by

OF

MISSION

AND

LIFE

342

sounds,"

raps
class of

conveys

very
I

phenomena."
impression of this
have
quoted in an early chapter his description of their
he adds, *'of
With
varied
nature.
knowledge,"
a fuU
which
been
theories
have
the numerous
started, chiefly
I have
tested
to
in America,
sounds,
explain these
erroneous

"

them

in

been

no

every

that

way

from

escape

could

I
the

has

they were
by trickery or

produced

not

there

that

conviction

objective occurrences

true

devise, until

means."

mechanical

of these
conveyed by means
Concerning the messages
little.
A
percussive sounds," Mr. Crookes
says very
of this most
discussion
important subject of all would
led him
have
beyond the scope, of his inquiry, which
**

wished

he

he'could

that

other

In

to

much

as

make

of

subject of

the

his

scientific

attention

Spiritualism, passing

remark

the

possible to

as

words, he devoted

phenomena
with

limit

to

phenomena
experiment.
the

the

over

physical
psychical

"

that
the power
seen
early stage of the inquiry, it was
blind
but
the
not
was
a
ciated
assoforce,
was
merely
producing
phenomena
I
with
to which
or
governed by intelligence: thus the sounds
of times, they
have just alluded
will bo repeated a definite number
will come
loud
faint, and in different
or
places at request ; and by a
code
of
answered, and
signals,questions are
pre-arranged
messages
less accuracy.
The
or
intelligenceis sometimes
given with more
At

of such

"

very

from

character

Towards
to the

the

question
and

others,

in

to

belonging

close
of the

to

the

support

of his

belief

that

does

it

not

of

his

following
testimony
which

circumstances
the
to

Crookes

article,Mr.

emanate

of
agency
human
any

an

occurrence,

he

that

seem

outside

being

reverts

the

intelligence directing
the

narrates

some

point

to lead

present."

person

any

as

in the

had

mena,
phenoamong
"
served
ob-

conclusively to
intelligence,
"

room

"

not

EXGLAXD

"During
before

alphabet,
of

end

with

was

Home,

AND

SCIENCE.

small

lath,

tlie table

across

to

which

have

light, and
repeating the

in

me,

343

the

hand; I
by tapping my
the
at
me
right letters.
tapping
distance
the table, some
resting on

to

lath

the

lath

Mr.

moved

message

and

the

Home's

me

The

other
Mr.

from

hands.

The

**

s^nce

mentioned,

delivered

SPIRITUALISM

clear, and

and

sharp

lath

the

evidently so
was
governing its
power
motion
that I said, Can
the intelligencegoverning the
movements,
of this lath change the character
and
of the movements,
a
give me
handl'
the
Morse
telegraphic message
on
alphabet by taps
through
my
that the Morse
code
to believe
reason
was
(I have
quite unevery
kno%vn
it
other person
to any
and
was
only imperfectly known
present,
to me.)
Immediately I said this, the character of the taps changed,
and
in
the message
continued
the way
I had
was
requested. The
letters were
than
catch a word
to do more
given too rapidly for me
here
and
I heard
but
there, and
consequently I lost the message;
Morse
sufficient to convince
that
there
was
a
mo
good
operator at the
other
end of the line, wherever
that might be."
well

taps

under

were

so

control

the

of

invisible

was

which

'

Under
the

his

third

alteration
he

of

refers

which

shall

fourth
has

that

with

and

sitters,

"

chair,"writes

slowly

up
another

on

and
at

then

moved

slowly

the

across

evidence.

by
viz., the

the

have

backs

had

of
to

the

occasions

startled

rose

floor

clear

of

who

articles

them.

the

at

those

of

near

was

times
Somethe

towards
the

ground

let it be

bered,
remem-

light.

far

"

was

by

seen

moved

again (a

to

were

where

evenings

we

of

distance

conditions

all present

all

when

comer,

successive

under

Committee

of

manifestation,

back

three

answer

movement

their

of

phenomenon

movement

across

arm-chair

room,

to

as

so

from

slowly

the

"

Crookes,

an

On

always

in full

Mr.

table

that

they

other

occasion

request.

my

with

the

to

thousands

glided

taking place

of

treat

person

times

the

and

one

no

bodies
other

at

lars
particu-

published by him,

on

first time

when

these

the

witnessed

Home,

furniture

For

bodies.

papers

fifth sections

it for the

observed

of

former

and

been

stances

of

weight

with

deals

Crookes

ments
presently speak, including the experiby Dr. Huggins and Serjeant Cox.

witnessed
The

the

to

Mr.

heading,

which

about

small
I had

to

move

watching it ;
were
sitting,
three
feet)
table

moved

specially prearranged,

objection wliich might be raised to the

any
several
sidered
repetitions of the experiment conbe
to
of the Dialectical
conclusive,
Society
heavy table in full light,the chairs turned
table

about

foot

off,and

each

person

kneel-

i-n^

344

chair, with

bi3

ing

on

not

touching

^^^

MISSION

OF

hands

resting orer

home:

the

backs

of

the

chairs,bat

table.

the

between
heavy dining-table roso
a
and
inches
li feet off the
floor, under
few
special circumstances,
On
another
occasion
the
rendered
which
trickery impossible:
when
the floor, not
from
no
was
table rose
only
touching it,
person
I had
which
conditions
to
under
but
assure
questionable
unpre-arranged so as
fact
the
of
proof
is generally made
Mr.
when
Crookes,
A
occu^
remark," adds
it
is
tables
kind
of this
and
chairs
mentioned. Why
are
only
rences
is this property peculiar
do these
to fumitnret
which
things! Why
and
record
do not
facts^ and
I might reply that I only observe
profess
fire

On

*'

occasions,

separate

"

"

to

the

into

enter

Wherefore

and

Why

in

but, indeed,

it will

be

obvious

has to
ordinary dining-room
else
but
table
anything
a
or a
very
to furniture, I hafe
chair.
That this propensity is not speciallyattached
evidence
abundant
had
experimental demonstrator?,
; but, like other
whatever
it
be, which
the intelligenceor
produces these
may
power,
with
the
materials
which
work
available."
are
phenomena can only
if

that

float in the

and

of these
Besides

results

house

of

It

similar

into

part

one

or

in my

playing
which

blinds

place
distant

in

room

tion
descrip-

in

always

He

time.

it

window-curtains

far
.

corner

cause

knot

of

the
a

fan

or

in

room,

to

readers

move

the

at

parations
pre-

medium,
seated

of

persons
accordion

an

keys downwards,
about

the

introduce

cannot

fully
these

while

make

float

to

number

I hold

when

connection

attribute

to

as

sitters, Mr.

house, where

by trickery

eight feet off, tie

piano

"

own

my

accordion

wave

the

such

again remind
my
been
accomplished

with

room

him,

same

all the

it in

from

quite impossible.
dining-room, cannot,

hand

own

will

not

but

my
of the

the

cause

his

been

keenly watching
play

the

heavy bodies,

wrote,

I would

has

medium,
have

in

Mr.

saw

of

floor

phenomena
room
being

idle," he

is

I relate
a

walking

the

distance

trickery,for

to

of

articles, the

"

what

that

at

witnessed

lighted.

Crookes

already quoted

movements

chairs,

smaller

with

of

clear

I have

air.

the

Crookes

Mr.

levitations.

and

tables

be

occasions

separate

in fiill light rise

Home

an

well

floor it cannot

three

On

body

inanimate

heavy

off the

rise

pull

room

machinery
up

Venetian

handkerchief
sound
about

and

notes

and

on

fan

can
was

full

of

view

the

formed

flowers, and

other
between

HOME.

possible
It is imof the alphabet :
given by means
will
show
matter
to pass
through matter, but we
you
waited
luminous
in silence.
do.'
Wo
Presently a
pearance
apthe bouquet of flowers, and
seen
then, in
hovering over
all present, a piece of china-grass 15 inches
long, which
from
the
centre
of the
ornament
bouquet, slowly rose

message

for
we

OF

Thereupon
what

MISSION

AND

LIFE

346

was

then

Mr.

it and

descended

Home.

the

to

did

It

table

of

front

in

the
the

vase

table,

reaching
stop on
it till it had
entirely
straightthrough it,and we all watched
of
the
the
disappearance
passed through. Immediately on
grass, my
from
Mr.
hand
was
come
Home,
saw
a
wife, who
sitting near
up
under
the table between
the
of
It
tapped
them, holding
piece
grass.

but

went

her

on

then

shoulder

the

the

laid

two

three

or

the

not

with

times

audible

soimd

all,

to

floor,and

disappeared. Only two

peisons
the piece of grass moving about
I have
described.
as
taking place, Mr.
During the time this was
all
the
Home's
hands
bo
table in
to
were
seen
by
quietly resting on
front
of him.
inches
The
1 8
place where the grass disappeared was
from
his
The
hands.
table
was
a
telescope dining-table, opening
in it, and
with
there
leaf
the junction of the two
was
no
screw
a
;
sides

formed

through

The
it

it

did

pass

With

he,

not

Mr.

piece of
crack

The

middle.
and

grass

found

resist

to

associate

still

in

light, now
of

light

from

"c.

The

enable

to

on

strong light
"

another,

each.

carried

"I

with
have

had

that

too

cannot

who

is

the

idea

of

his

investigations

trying
view

it

impossible for

reader

with

all

vellous
mar-

more

conditions

And

of the

Spiritualism

Crookes

Mr.
Home

effect

thick

had

conviction.

benefit

repeat, for the

Mr.

be

far too

was

passed
barely Jth
had

grass
to

without

and
others
phenomena
the
constantly occurring under
Mr.
Home, had arranged, it was

that

of

this

the

measured,

such

to

with

saw

down
I

of the

stem

Crookes

often

room

through
injuring it, yet we
through quietly and smoothly ; and on examination,
the slightestsigns of pressure
and abrasion."

show

not

the

crack

narrow

wide.

seen

all in

chink, which

this

to force

inch
me

on

grass

hand, but

the

saw

to

now

tomed
accus-

ness,
dark-

kind

one

observing

the

opportunities,"
he
**of testing the
of light of diflferent
action
wrote,
and
colours, such
sources
as
light,
sun-light,difiused daymoon-light, gas, lamp, and
candle-light,electric

the

vacuum

of the

narrative

yellow light,

tube, homogeneous

interferingrays
end

extreme

In

many

to

appear

spectrum."
just quoted,

Mr.

be

those

Crookes

at

the

speaks

of

ENGLAND

luminous

hover

SPIRITUALISM

over

In

sitters.

various

seldom

visible

Lord

"

Crookes.

do

Sometimes,
of
a

cloud

is

This

hand.

For

instance,

to

move;

one

whilst
I

then

move,

will

others

have

become

of

view

once

of
Will

any

tenable

silly fable
reasoning being
of

such

his friends

and

other

many

the

in face

Crookes

and

of

for

cloud

hand

third

to

the

condensing gradually

moving
hazy,
Here

the

and

At

room.

he

fades

is his

off into

further

the
a

and

Crookes,
what

comes
be-

theory

that, when

and

wire,

is

Mr.

as

trivance
con-

anything,

see

contrivance
a

other

or

luminous

perfectlyformed

hand?

Mr.
Crookes, did the
says
**
It is not
to all present.

writes,

'*but

sometimes

graceful, the
perfectly life-like and
the
flesh apparently as human
and
as

appears

in

form,"

mere

form

shape

this

to fail to

into

fullyformed,
Only when
visible
spirit-hand become
always

of

end

for another

behold

an

observing the phenomena

been
take
possible for one to mis-

have
full light,it would
cast, glove at the
a wax

for

first

contrivances?

that
;

the

but

to

observers,

maintain

were

nebulous-

Mr.

by

mechanical

evidence

appear
into

facts, attested

seen

luminous

seen,

cloud

is

nothing

see

than

more

luminous

these

Dunraven,

Lord

any

detect

lastly,the cloud condense

hand."
perfectlyformed

In

and

will

see

of

present.

object

it,and

about

in

it, another

over

all

to

will

present

wrote,

appearance
the form

into

small

other

or

does

so

life-like.

and

the

more

were

sdance.

fact,

solid

eqvxillyvisible

not

person

hovering
looking hand,
moving flower.

at

fingers," he

be

to

me

I have

apparitions

partly condensed

flower

cloud

object

to

appear

and

indeed, they present

nebulous

hands

sequently
sub-

another

work

the

**The

always

not

this

these

that

and

present
persons
this
records
repeatedly

Dunraven

Mr.

that

of

to

present

hand

Crookes

portions

testimony showing
all

of

347

all

by

seen

Mrs.

to

quoted

to

was

flowers, and

visible

became

of the

that

appearance
of
the vase

SCIENCK

AND

wrist,

arm,

that

of

it becomes

cloud."

luminous

testimony

or

fingers

to

these

appearances

*'

on
on

some

to

sprig off,and

occasions

I have

the

of

form

beautifully formed
dining-table and gave me
times

three

myself
in

that

from

in

A
of

To

'*

other

an

time

an

Mr.

Home's

and

This

occurred

the

holding

was

medium's

and

lay

the

pick

to

seen

were

them

petals

front of

in

him.
and

by myself
hands

medium's
held

by

sometimes

those

others

being

playingthe

visible

icy-cold

appears

at

the

him.

near

"

life-like,grasping my

Crookes,
to

I have

it will

with

own

retained

and

the

dead,

firm

at

sure
pres-

of these

one

not

or

the

to

sive
deci-

no

unearthly

nature

of

hands

in

own,"

my

he

ITiere was
let it escape.
to get loose, hut it gradually
to

vapour,

and

Jaded

in

that

1857 a spirit-hand,as I have

abeady related, lifted a pencil that was
lying on the
and
of the Emperor
table, and, in presence
Empress,
of
sheet
the single word
wrote
a
on
Napoleon^
paper
Mr.
in
Crookes, during a sdance
1871, expressed the
similar
The
desire
witness
to
result
a
phenomenon.
the

At

Tuileries

of

resort

Yes.

effortmade
to resolve itselfinto
from my grasp J"^

stT^gle

asked,

be

himself

assure

firmly resolved

*'

manner

an

own.

my

button-hole,

being
hand

apparitions ?

seemed

thumb

of the

sometimes

warm

Mr

wrote,

from

up

old friend."

means

these

objects about

as

appearance
whilst
room,

finger and

touch, the

times

Did

no

own

rose

in

accordion,both

the

of

"

my

in

time, and

same

real

as

cloud

luminous

small

heliotrope
lady ; and
dense
visiblycon-

to

opening in a
then
it appeared and
disappeared
ample opportunity of satisfying

who
were
sittingnear
persons
has repeatedly been
hand
seen

several

keys

was

flower

'*

it

another

At

*'

intervals, affording me

over

sprig

feet.

and

hands

at

light

the

flower

hover

the

carry

carry
hand

small
a

cloud

similar

and

hand

"

seen

HOMK

OF

luminous

seen

table, break

side

light I have

the

Jw

MISSION

AND

LIFE

348

in

"

the

was

manifestation

thus

"

described

by

him

"

than
the most
often teaches
more
good failure,' he writes,
successful
It
in
in
took
the
experiment.'
own
place
light,
room,
my
with
cumstances,
cirSeveral
only a few private friends and Mr. Home
present.
to which
I need
shown
that
the
had
further
not
allude,
that evening was
ness
expressed a wish to witpower
strong. I therefore
the actual
heard
of
written
such as I had
a
production
message
described
short time
before by a friend.
a
Immediately an alphabetic
communication
made
follows
was
We, will try.' A pencil and
as
"

"

"

some

sheets

of

paper

had

been

lying on

the

centre

of

the

table j pre-

ENGLAND

SPIEITUALISM

SCIENCK

AND

349

its point, and

after advancing by hesitating
on
pencil rose
up
It then rose, and again fell.
A
jerks to the paper, fell down.
but
with
better
result.
it tried,
After three unsuccessthird time
no
ful
lath
small
wooden
which
the table,
was
near
a
lying
attempts,
upon
few inches
the pencil, and
slid towards
from
the table ; the
rose
a
itself
and
the
the
two
against
propping
lath,
together
pencil rose again,
the paper.
It fell,and then a joint efifort was
effort to mark
made
an
third trial the lath gave
After
back
it up and moved
a
again made.
the paper, and an
to its place, the pencil lay as it fell across
alphabetic
the

sently

told

message

"

of

that

on

render

manifest

the

senses

hand

the

of

the

Crookes'

beheld

by him

These

will

two

the

dusk

house, the

my

to

seen

were
a

man,

waving
"

from

came

tlien

the
from

the

glided

visible

curtains

to

same

the

vanished."

of

did

pear,
ap-

the

thought
recess

the

tion
producThere

leisure.

there, distinct

and

"

them

I have

phenomena

appearance

their

forms

appear

to

witnessed.
be

The

delicate, and

so

that

few

production,
only on very
under
satisfactorytest conditions.

cases.

evening, during
window

with

stance

about

with

is

his

ceased
a

still

eight

Mr.

feet from

Home
Mr.

at

Home

As

the

looked,

we

the

faded

form

to move.
more

of the
the

hand.

room

room,

striking instance.
took

playing

company,

she

an

the

all present for many

minutes,
rather close to
time.
Coming
rest

his

and

to

latter

operate
at

than

darkened

no

to

work

dark, shadowy, semi-transparent form, like that

the window,
seen
by all present standing near

comer

about

of

is

curtains

following

The

the

then

the

and

away

of

rare

the

their

with

of these

curtain

the

was

Home

the

of

rarest

move.

was

the

rendered

spirit

follows

as

I witnessed

have

mention
In

"

of

is

trifles interfere

occasions

that

"

sat

requisitefor

conditions
such

be

phantom.
testimony concerning the phantom

the

are

would

When

inside

him, stood

Mr.

visible

There

shut

observers

separate from

"

"

materialised

"

among

power

spiritsproduced
sight and touch, it is

of

conditions

medium

our

intelligencesoperating

trickeryimpossible.

with

asked, but

you

means

full form.

the

under

was

"

as

as
figure was
frequent. The Why

were

make

to

difficultyto

of

do

whatever

By

of less

it

to

full human

hands

to indicate.
easy
these
impressions

obvious

the

of

appearance

apparitions

as

tried

"

is exhausted.'

The

have

We

us

gave

accordion

A
in

instrument.
Mr.
a

Home

also

lady who was

a
slight cry,

phantom
its

hand,

The

form

being

form

seen

and
was

at

sitting apart
upon

which

it

LIFE

350

I have

summarised

now

experiences of

the
In

of

view

write

them,

What

"

Home

Mr.

to

as

me

(I

men

the

sdances

as

have

undoubted

as

The
the

Science,

the

are

of Mr.

in

the

July, 187 1, "I

by scientific

apathy

little time

when

with

am

to

tion
mena

scientific

out),

drawn
would

truths

electricity."
hardly an exception,

be

of

in

declined

in

co-operate

to

his

searches.
re-

the

of
Quarterly Journal
pained at the timidity or
Somo
to this subject.

surprised and

men

its

Half

you.

picked

these

The

of

facts

readers

am

shown

night

in

few

should

"

eligiblesalready

Crookes

told

confess," he

believers

that, with

he

hesitate

not

of

"

himself.

by

last

was

do

recognition of

as

invitation

**I

firmest

of

few

that

impressed

Pray

eligibles,"with

"

related

as

it

more

list

the

scientific

the

and

it, the
of

one

such

dozen

stance

character.

extraordinary

only

April 12th, 1871

on

of

I think

more

and

surprising

not

was

HOME.

"

Crookes,

wonderful

few

Mr.

it

OF

MISSION

AND

reference

first prewas
opportunity for examination
sented
friends
of
scientific
some
co-operation
nie,
in a
found
that
obtain
to
a
systematic investigation; but I soon
scientitic
committee
for the
investigation of this class of facts was
of the question, and
that
out
I must
be content
to rely on
owu
my
aided
time
time
to
of a few
endeavours,
by the co-operation from
scientific
and
learned
friends who
in
the
to
were
willing
join
inquir}\
ago,

to

I still feel
men

the

be

better

would

I would

gladly
great."

are

way

the

it would

formed, wdio

and

manner,
in

that

be

to

an

invited

assist

Mr.
in

proved insuperable,
Science,
not
Home.
by Mr.
and

Mr.

learned
of

names

friends

and
Huggins
public, and these

the

single

sdance

had

been

said, selected
tests

Mr.

at

present.
for

Home

at

his

Mr.
in

raised

were

oT

aid

connection

That

sdance

the
Mr.

apartments,

the

Only
Cox

came

only

well-known

two
was,

the

phenomena
Crookes,
and

scientific

with

of

because

by

regular

the

Serjeant
these

unbiassevl

the difficulties

refers.

he

which

publication
had
been
applied to
the
afternoon," wrote

that

'*In
for

of several

his

to

whom

but

default

known

of

fair and

they

In

called

to

in

formation;

but

Dr.

before

men

Crookes

committee

Home

its

They

committee,

such

were

meet

when

as

have

searching
observed.
"I

called

there

he

ENGLAND:

SPIRITUALISM

suggested that,
I should

that

secreted

was

The
The

Crookes,

To

the

test

were

of

any

long by

be

too

to

into

the

dining-room
surrounding
The

for

connection,

the

cage."

before

the

To
the

of bodies,

apparatus

feet

three

board

each

"At

end

end

other

tripod
in

indicated

mahogany

by

the

board

the

manner

of

the

The

room

"

being
foot being

having

two

were

them

by

the

into
the

Mr.

wire

Crookes.

been

purchased
Mr.
experiments.
the

seen

Crookes

had

of which

that

ij

board
a

balance

The

instrument

was

fitted
a

up

an

mahogany

spring
was

it would

inches

rested

wide
on

balance

was

firm

screwed

on,

table, whilst

stantial
hanging from a suba
self-registering

fitted with
record

the

maximum

pointer.
apparatus was
adjusted so
horizontal, its foot resting flat on the

was

two

hand

of

from

nor

Mr.

supported by

stand.

such

than

to

long.
end

was

less

admit

these

stripof mahogany

One

feet.

forming

of

feature

salient

the

as

test-experiments."
the alteration
frequent phenomenon,

another

weight

string, "so

of the

commencement

test

cage
lated
insu-

of wire

if desirable, with

writes,

purpose
handled
neither

had

Home

of

provided

for the

by myself

stands

rather

another
led

been
he

one,"

new

was

with

to

or

being

had

The

allow

In

it.

accordion

that

frame, with

it.

to

top

interior,

cells, wires

Grove's

prepared

wooden

meshes

"

should

high. The height of this cage

just slip under
dining-table,
my

the

underneath

pushed

had

together

inch

one

Walter

Mr.

accordion,

round

netted

close

introduced

the

Crookes

Mr.

it would

that

such

of

Crookes,

Mr.

brother

assistant.

wound

firmly

inches

index,

positively

state

contrivance

or

his

drum-shaped

says

the

to

in his

person."

F.R.S.,

occur,

form,"

of

his

playing

wire

copper
then

It

enabled

chemical

his

and

phenomenon
consisting of

"

conversation

our

apparatus,

dress, perhaps

Crookes.
proceeded to the house of Mr
were
investigators who
present that evening consisted
of Dr. Huggins,
F.R.S., Mr.
Serjeant Cox, Mr.

Crookes,

but

his

351

then

two

William

was

continue

about

SCIENCE.

change

to

therefore

am

machinery,

no

sort

object to

not

bedroom.

had

he

as

AND

weight
that

the

support.

position its weight was

balance."
(Quarterly Journal
this

In

It

designed by

was

of the

of

index

the

could

balance
the

Both

constructed
communicated

had

object of

the

end

the

be
not

was

Mr.

by

farthest

firom

descend.

other

apparatus
of their

had

been

being

nature

"Before

Home.

If

table.

applied

to

intimation

end

it would

index

parts of it

that

force

muscular

Mr. Crookes,
says
he
in position, and

some

the

apparatiis

the

on

pressure
of the board

the

any
Mr.

arranged

been

no

this

descended,

then

since

room,"

pointer of

finger-tipson

rested

that

and

to

the

entered

which

cause

cage
without

his

place

the

fingers to

Home's
the

work,

at

agent

of

constructor

demonstrated

conclusively
the

the

balance

the

the

by

of Science^ July, 1871.)

board

mahogany

HOME.

marked

lbs.,as

should

Home

Mr.

that

OF

MISSION

AND

LIFE

352

Mr.
the

"

Home

apparatus

had

not

even

before

explained

sitting

down."
The
The

room

in

In

"

aforesaid

him

to

side

of

able

to

be

of

the

first tried.

was

detect
took

table,"says
legs being on each
observer

Mr.

Crookes,

side

of

close

sat

Home

it.

him

to

was

accordion

between

the

end

accordion

played,

the

"

sat

the

was

sat

close to

his

on

occurring, the

importance
kept their feet respectivelyon
slightestmovement.

the

hand

side

of

his

Mr.
gas.
of the table.

the

another

Homo

Mr.

Homo

Mr.

"

of his

one

anything

each

at

under

him

left,and

AVhen
.

of

cage,
his

on

chair

easy

front

accordion

fullylighted with

was

low

the

with

experiment

right.

observers
his

thumb

on

feet,so

as

middle

and

the

to
opposite
keys. Having previously
from
key myself, and the cage being drawn
the table
under
to be
as
so
just to allow the accordion
passed in with
its keys downwards,
it was
pushed back as close as Mr. Home's
arm
would
permit, but without
hiding his hand from those next to him."

finger

one

opened

Presently

Home's

emitting

"Mr.
the

cage,

Home
his

the

succession,
have

distinct

holding the
being held by

and

been

table, we
then

table,
the

and

said

accordion

that

was

Mr.

moving

sounds.

still

feet

the

resting on
only

bass

under
looked
the
Huggins now
hand
appeared quite still,whilst

"Dr.

about

at

the

heard

accordion
those

distinct
air

a
simple
produced by the

was

in

him,

and

separate

played.
keys

various

the

next

As

usual

and

his
notes

such

of the

manner

other
sounded
result

instrument

in
hand
in

could

being

354

LIFE

when
eyes,
Home
Mr.

the

board

The

board,
drew

fingers were

not

the
"Now,
inches
wide,
of

amount

Home

and

it

flat

exerted
the

on

in

would

the

board

In

to

Home

descend

to

his

end,

Huggins,
Home's

Mr.

"being
evident

of

i^

the

also

ij

that

no

could

inches

downward
which

from

inches

the

foot

as

see-saw,

end;

one

pressure,

causing

was

of

were

have

would

it

Mr.

from
this

of

edge
consequently that

on
was

furthest

end

further

the

being i^

force

it would
his

caused

it,as

sitting on

the

words,

have

to

the

Dr.

line

of the

other

end

of

down."

move

other

of

space

when

that
turn

arrangement

to

from

Crookes,
table, it is

this

within

evident

opposition

surface

Mr.

the

on

36 inches in length, the fulcrum

exerted
he, therefore, to have
been

table

the

on

balance.

board
The

fulcrum.

The

advanced.

time

also

is

descend.

resting

upper
inches

i^

of

foot," writes

resting

action

the

for

impossible

balance

acquiescence
this
Beyond

any

wooden

sank, the

at

pressure

produce any
"Again,

the

pencil.

in

it and

distance

with

line

of that

index

Across

same

Crookes,

Mr.

it

rendered

beneath

wide.

the

at

HOME.

arranged perfectlyhorizontally.

was

inches

i^

was

on

the

foot screwed

wooden

OF

conditions

make

to

MISSION

AND

have

to

have
chair

caused

by pressing

on

as

rise

to

the

that

for Mr.
easy
into
the
air by

been

of the

index

of

end

the

balance
where

board

fingers rested.
When

"

the

Mr.

hand-bell
and

of liis

Home
and

the

placed one
producing the
spring balance

the

index,
board

of the

pull

low

whose

as

so

as

became
he

The

pressure.

marked,

more

it descend

saw

to

Wishing

weight

on

the

board

of

Mr.

Crookes

of

Huggins, watching
normal
weight

Iba

The

downward
being 3 lbs., the additional
On
at the
looking immediately afterwards

lbs.

was

the

stood

one

time

descended

lbs. upon

board

3 lbs."

try whether

effect

end

oscillation

suspended
3

to

slow

very
Dr.

and
6

Crookes, "a small

happened to be near,
he said, that he was
as
Mr.

had
that the index
at
register,we
saw
maximum
a
pull of
9 lbs., showing

normal

much

each

noted,

was

took," writes
match-box, which
hand, to satisfyus,

downward

that

therefore

was

automatic
as

said

balance

accord

own

little card

under

not

of the

descent

it

spring

where
on

Mr.
one

were

balance

possible to
by pressure

Home's

foot

at

fingershad
the

end

of the

produce
on

that

rested,
board.

ENGLAND

Dr.

watched

Huggins

recorded

that

this

result

of Mr.
Mr.

Crookes,
have

utmost,
results.

experiment

than

the

On

facts made

these

of

his

former

The

Dr.

to

paper

the

at

the

it contained

And

fingers

easy chair,"
he
his
tried
the

on

well

as

the

Mr

position

withdrawal
stated

to

the

on

of what

statement

correct

My

Crookbs,

of
be

other

table

the

at

time, Mr.

Crookes

and

Mr.

the

the

proofs
Serjeant Cox.
sent

of

correctness

^Your

to
proof appears
took
place in my presence
did not
to be
permit me

hand

from

time

yourself and

by

at

house.

your

witness

the

by

1871.

conlain

to

me

accordion, but

the

to

such

the
was

sitting

person

Home.

side of Mr.

to show
experiments appear to me
investigation,but I wish it to be imderstood
which
the
of the phenomena
to
as
cause
"*

the

"

at the

case

of

notes

Home's

Mr.

the

"

as

room.

**June%
"Dear

Mr.

striking,if possible,
article

follows

as

i^

of

influence

an

Huggins

attested

statements

of

form

the

into

putting

which

had

material

any

body

lbs.

foot

low

and

index

the

not,

to me
more
appears
the accordion."
with

one

scarcely add that his feet

closely guarded by all in

were

This

down

fulcrum,

could

"and

Crookes'

the

because

the

355

balance,

sank

passed.
been
sitting in

exerted

need

hands

his

had

Home

Mr.

never

the

Mr.

and

up

obtained

beyond

had

of

weight

jerked

SCIENCE.

of

index

applied only

only

was

Home

adds

he

extended

Crookes

"

thus

when

AND

the

whole

the

(140 lbs.)when
lbs., and

SPIRITUALISM

the

The

importance

that
took

I express

truly,

no

further

opinion

Yours

place.

William

of

very

Huggins."

publication, the expressions of

the
Dr.
naturally weighed by him with
Huggins were
He
caution.
utmost
wished, if possible, to give his
offending the ingrained
testimony to facts without

Being

prejudices
serve

the

two

world

for

intended

scientific

of the

"

masters

of

venomously as
the phenomena
In private,

and

world.

were

Dr.

Huggins
the

work

Huggins

"

no

Carpenter, in

Dr.

science, attacked
if Dr.

But

was

his
had

brother

stated

of disembodied
more

man

the

can

of

name

F.R.S.

belief

as

that

spirits.

outspoken.

"

yesterday,"
Huggins
on
July i8th, 1871.

saw

Home

his

with

work

he
pen,
In
a

is

tongue.

bold

as

not

the

account

of

"

He

has

to

Mr.

in

his

had

Serjeant'stestimony

Serjeant
the

by

Mt

Sir,

dear

the

trial of

at the
my

testimony

and

to

the

"

to

the

two

portion of

"

1871.

of scratiny,
Having been present^for the purpose
experiments reported in this paper, I readily bear
the
of your
perfect accuracy
description of them,

and

care

the

to

as

of

extract

cipal
prin-

"June^
*^

of

exactitude

neither
I

done.

his

with

theorise

"

learned

doing good

furnished
to

Mr.

to

Mr.

the

turn

investigator,but proceeded
which
origin of the phenomena
the

been

Crookes,

experiments

scientific observers

Crookes

Mr.

Although a
lion in talking."

letter

the

writes

HOMR

coward

attested

only

Cox

as

lengthy

OF

MISSION

AND

LIFE

356

caution

the

which

with

various

crucial

tests

wexe

applied,
results

The

"

fact, that there

imparting

conclusively to establish the impoitant

the nerve-system
force proceeding from
a
capable of
within
the sphere of its
and weight to solid bodies
to

appear

is

motion

me

influence.
.

I venture

"

the

and

suggest that the

to

whom

in

persons

force

be

termed

is manifested

it

in

the

Psychic Foru;
extraordinary power

Psychics,
**

Permit

Society^ purposely
neglected Science.
I believe

of a Psychological
early formation
of
the
study of that hitherto
promotion

also, to propose

me,

for

the

I am,

the

the

Edwd.

"c.,

Society

lie

devoted

much

phenomena,
stances
At

the

at

present, who,
he

would

Mr.

one

be

"

Spiller

stance
did

"

at

"c.

house

they furnish
and
direct

all

were

no

his

name

his efforts,

entreaty, held

of the

by

Mr.

of the

columns

of

name

publication of

Pressed

made

the

person

in the

intimated

to

the

investigation of

the
at

origin

Cox."

the

several

Serjeant'sresidence.

the

on

its

owes

to

Home,

learned

of these

one

darkly

time
Mr.

and

flourishingunder

now

suggested by Serjeant Cox

Wil

Mr.

Spillerwas

Crookes'
Echo

Crookes

papers,
that

"

an'

explain,
several
assertions
concerning the
of Mr.
Not
only
Serjeant Cox.
but
explanation of the phenomena,
to
easily proved by Mr. Crookes

misstatements

of fact,

to

conflictingwith

Mr.

SPIRITUALISM

ENGLAND:

declarations

Spiller'sown
Ilie

important

most

had
spirit-light,
It

hands.

was

the

at

that

of the

time

stance.

seen

the

be

to

reflection, said

357

light,assumed
Mr.
playing about

was

been

SCIENCEL

AND

Home's

veracious

Mr.

shining surface of Mr. H.'s monster

In
showed
locket."
that
no
one
reply, Mr. Crookes
Mr.
had
but
Spiller himself
spoken of having seen
have
this
if
been
light. It would
strange indeed
from

Spiller,
"

the

candid

more

had

inquirers

(which still exists)is not

platinum. It is so covered

polished platinum
"carefully examined
Tested

in

of each

power
silvered

an

about

it.

with

is not

in

he

have,"

one-tenth

less than

glass speculum

equal

be

to

adds,
of

optical properties
accurate
photometer, the
is found

cussing
dis-

particle

the

side

mental
orna-

Crookes,

there

"

dull

of

is

sides

Mr.

writes

statements,
Spiller's

of

locket.

both

on

locket

the

but

only small,

engraving, "that,"
Mr.

it; for

seen

this

ing
reflectof

that

to

of

inch

an

square.^'
Such

the

were

of

testimony

professing to
Were

Mr.
be

it worth

of

letters

which

with

weapons
Crookes

attack

an

conducted

was

by

scientific controversialist

while,

Serjeant Cox

I
to

might
Mr.

on

the

person

the
show, from
fthat the former

here

Home,

he
which
experiences at stances with Home
psychic force
theory of
quite insufficient
this was
the case, the learned
to explain. Always, when
Serjeant proceeded to supplement his pet hypothesis
He
sober, a few wild.
was
a
by other theories, some
not
common,
untypical representative of a class of persons
had

many
his
found

who

styled by
an

with

He

infatuated
Mr.
was

slow

evidence
mind

them.

Carpenter

Dr.

Mr.
in

the

spiritof keen and

arriving at conviction
between
antagonism

in
in

the

of his
was

from

fitted to observe

his

that

Mr.

equally present

^nay,

"

to

researches

mind

when

even

and

reason

Crookes
in the

than

scepticalinquiry.

senses

facts

truly
Serjeant Cox, unQuarterly Review

Spiritualist,conducted

Home

convinced,

own

better

are

inferences

deduce

"

"

found
of

in

the

his

Serjeant

LIFE

358
Under

Cox.

rashness

I may
at

inverse

which

with

the

in

he

and

hand

flower

manifestations

he

"

to

in the

daylight

come

Lord

Dunraven.

Cox

recorded

remember

writes

to

Serjeant

that

Adare.

Sydenham,"

to

witli

Home

Mr.

an

at

you

hand

and

seen

never

yours."
interesting

Dun-

1878, "seeing

table

Under

with

quote

Lords

with

in
the

over

present

was

once

I have

compare

shall

respectir
them

by

...

phenomena
of 1876, I

Home'i

for

submitted

sceptidim
proportion to the wary
selves.
theminvestigated the phenomena

mention

of the

some

raven

had

here

HOME.

conjecture after another

phenomena, constructing

one

origin of

OF

MISSION

influence, he

its

consideration
the

AND

any
date

the

letter

written

in

the
in which
to Mr.
Home,
by Serjeant Cox
how
Serjeant avows
entirely opposed to his prejudices
and
convictions
the
impressed on
preconceptions were
him
with
Home.
by his stances
Desiring to experiment still further with the phenomenon

that

year

of

alterations

in

the

of

weight

Mr.

bodies,

Crookes

On
to his apparatus.
planned an addition
trying these experiments for the first time," he explains,
I thought
that
actual
Home's
Mr.
between
contact
"

"

hands

the

and

altered

[essentialto

was

I found

but

suspended
afterwards

whose

body
the

weight
of

exhibition

that

this

was

force

the

not

be

to

was

necessary

condition/'
Mr.

Crookes

had

already

sent

to

the

Royal Society
experiments made

of his
containing an account
paper
in the presence
of Dr. Huggins
and
Serjeant Cox ; at
the same
time
secretaries. Professors
inviting the two
a

Sharpey
Both

and

declined

formulated

that
the

board
Mr.

board

showed

Stokes,

the

to

and
Home

beyond

Mr.

meet

invitation.

objections to

mahogany
on

Stokes,

the

the

experiment
have

fulcrum.

that, granting all the

a

simple mathematical

his

at

Professor

balance, based

might
the

Home

house.

Stokes
made

on

exercised

also

with

the
a

In

the

tion
assump-

pressure
Crookes

reply Mr.
hypotheses of Professor

formula

gave

the

amount

ENGLAND

'

of

force

as

74^

SPIRITUALISM

to have
necessary
"
lbs.
Considering

chair," continued

easy

been
that

he

that

exerted

force

no

the

fingerslightlyon
that
In

another

wrote

"

impossible
which

Home

Mr.

This

wiU

last

but

night
a

spring

balance

The

when

in

Home's

which

the

with

of

tension

hands

with

an

the

the

into

appreciable
cut

control

To

is

the
a

the

on

the

the

in

water

action

ofT between

vessel

copper

the

same

large glassvessel

the

board,

of power

transmission
copper

index

of

steel

plate-glasssmoked

does

vessel," wrote
efifect
hand

on

to

board,

the

fullest

produce

not

Mr.

the

the

least

balance.

vessel

thereby completely

fine

of

consisted

with
perforated beneath
so
adjusted as to dip i^
larger glass vessel.

of the

water

mechanical

the

of water

vessel,
copper
This
vessel
was

holes.
into

Crookes

the
or
or
"Shaking
striking the ann
copper
"
mechanical
Crookes,
produces no
appreciable
the balance.
capable of afifecting
Dipping the

As

three

were

exactly
A massive
iron
stand, separated by
inches
from the mahogany
board, was
latter
In
the
rested
and
a
arm
ring.

water

wide, shallow

**

all.

the

on

intervention

spring balance,
being placed on

of two

furnished

extent

in

is very
strong ;
of this kind, and

and

fulcrum.

distance

several

Mr.

by

board

the

inches

Mr.

at

apparatus

power

increase

that
way
board
is

experiment

an

experiment

an

considerable

employed

filled

I tried

apparatus

mahogany

the

which

in

the

to

the

touch

when

his

Crookes

Stokes, Mr.

arranging

not

see

offl"

inches

over

will

to

dent
evisufficiently
was
impossible."

movement

also

am

only work

obtained

was

and

four

it is

pressure

mechanical

low

tips of

the

now

of

transmission

Home

that

watching
kept

Professor

to

and

"

fittingup apparatus
only, in such
through water

am

is made

contact

all, but

at

359

by Mr.
sitting in

was

were

eyes

of this

letter

"

he

instrument,

exertion

an

exerted

Crookes,

Mr.

pairs of sharp, suspicious

SCIENCE.

AND

the

the

by

this

entirely

means

board, the power

of

lar
muscu-

eliminated."

balance

point.
over

and

is

In
flame

Mr.

front
was

had

Crookes
of this
made

to

dered
sol-

sheet

of

travel

by

AND

LIFE

36o

OF

MISSION

HOME.

face
surimpressed on this smoked
by the steel point registered the results of the
experiment. The balance being at rest, the result was
a perfectly
straighthorizontal line. The tension on the
bfiJance varying,the result was
a curved
tracing.
**

The

apparatus having
the

entered
to

mark

The

clockwork.

room,"

place his fingersin

dipped the tipsof

been

properlyadjusted before Mr. Home

he was
Crookes,
brought in, and asked
vessel
in the copper
He
stood up
water

Mr.

wrote

the

**

fingersof his righthand in the water, hu

When
he said he felt a power,
being held.
from
his
influence
I
force,or
hand, set the clock going,and
proceeding
almost immediately the end of the board attached to the balance
was
down
for about
ten
seconds ; it
to descend
seen
slowly and remain
and

other

hand

then

descended

height.
a

In
the

little further, and

The

lowest

pull of

direct

the

his feet

and

about

point marked
grains."

On

the

on

glasswas

equivalentto

removed
subsequent experiment, Mr. Crookes
glass vessel, iron stand, and copper vessel, and
a

distance

of

his hands

one

and

foot from the

feet being held.

force

proceeding from him still acted on the apparatus,

and the index
increase
of
registeredan
weight.
another
the
when
occasion,
appeared to be
power

iva^
placed at a
very strong, Mr. Home
less than three feetfrom the apparatus,

feet beingagain
itself

showed

held.

capable

Even
of

clock,"

weight. **The
he
going when

at

Mr.

of

marked

the

power

increase

Crookes,

no

and

his hands

this distance

causing
writes

distance

"

was

of
set

gave the word, and the end of the board

to the balance
descended, and again rose
soon

attached
in

normal

its

to

rose

5000

at
placed Mr, Home
remaining apparatus^

The

afterwards

irregularmanner."
Calculating by the diagram
that Mr.
Crookes
appends of the line traced on the
smoked
the maximum
increase of weight recorded
glass,
during this remarkable
experiment was, as nearly as
Mr.
Home
possible,I lb. 8 oz. Troy. This when
teas
an

three
board

feet

away

nearest

to

tlie

from
him.

portion of

Could

the

experiment

be

mahogany
more

clusive
con-

Papers detailingthese
sent
in by Mr.
Crookes

and
to

^K

the

other

experiments were
Royal Society. They

for

simply

his

scientific

him

"

One

Review

almost

looking

on

who

had

usurped

conducted

Mr.

Mr.

took

by

that

felt

himself

is

been
his

that

attack

personal
Serjeant

Mr.

and

have

to

certain

gross

Huggins,

interloper

an

ought
is

of

form

of

light

from

arose

anger

the

in

Qiiarterly

this

reading

What

former

the

back,

pages

designated

was

Carpenter's

inquiry

an

Dr.

in

Crookes

the

Crookes,

which

Dr.

himself.

by

criticisms

Huggins

suspect,

that

his

few

SpirituaUsm."

to

article,

HOMK

quoted

Dr.

superior

would

OF

letter

the

writing

convert

MISSION

AND

LIFE

362

on

Cox,

constrained

to

reply

to

publicly.
To

Dr.

by
reviewer

Huggins

not

tifi^s

reply

reputation
controversy,

bar;

to

"

is,

by
I

believe,

whether

but

Dr.

it

No

to

attempted
the

case

impartial

none.

experimenters,
abuse

the

time-honoured

Carpenter

such

importing
leave

attack

Quarterly

the

and

attested

and

Cox,

make,
to

was

experiments.

witnesses,"

the

Serjeant

warfare

the

Crookes,

Mr.

by

and

no

of

plan

and

recorded

had

His

at

facts

the

tactics

judges

plainmaxim
his

advanced
into
to

scientific
decide.

363

CHAPTER

RUSSIA,
Early

GENEVA,

1871, Mr. Home

St. Petersburg,

at

of Baron
and

of

one

such

to

the

took

the

and
to

the

related

II.

Alexander

Emperor

and

to

of

containing

the

uniform

the

portrait of

throne.

This

struck

the

on

token

of

his

Majesty's

stance, the

identity

not

The

and

Emperor

the favour

with

no

one

her

had

Alexander
which

he

in

Emperor

of

one

to

the
and

by tiny

as

the

light,

wore,

the

to

raps

tion
communica-

their

author.

received
means

grandfather,who

of

a
a

addressed

given her in her

employed but himself.

ever

11.

full

followed

Empress
striking, by
he

municative,
com-

reference

heir

spelt out

as

who

defunct

belief

that

tom
cus-

more

in

present

less

from
in Danish
message
her Majesty by a pet name

childhood,

was

itself,that

button

another

the
the

manifestation

confirming
In

that

the

at

Majesty,

her

During a stance, and

spirit-hand opened a locket contrived

buttons

was

Court

had

that

present Empress.
a

his

silence

strict

of the

incidents

two

with

invariable

his

subsequently

was

arrival

held

were

personage

stances

He

his

as

him

preserved

Court.

the

of which

stances

occasions, and

manifestations.

of his old friend,

welcomed

followed

Home

; but

part in

the

remembrance

Several

Home.

Palace
on

the

During his
pitality
firiendlyhos-

soon

as

Majesty

kindness,

prized by

enjoyed

Emperor

His

known.

Winter

the

by

accustomed

Russia.

visited
he

NICE.

Meyendorff, the father

principal officers of

the

summoned

became

so

FLORENCE,

in

stay

was

XIL

more

regarded

had

than
Home

signalised
by authorising

once

LIFE

364
him

to

request

that

only supplication

The

Majesty

and

"

that

pardon of

the

interest

to

it

exert

future

the

marriage
attained

the

behalf

on
eve

of

had

been

the

On

with

realised

made

to

it; and

the

gaining
involved
been
concerning
wife, unjustly disputed
the

Pouchkine,

rich

"

him

entreated

had

condemned.

journey

his

by

his

to

for
was
spot
relatives, knowing

the

on

Emperor,

of the

this

addressed

ever

of whose

culprit,one

Home's

he

granted

was

Imperial good-wilL

of the

mark

some

HOMK

OF

MISSION

AND

Russia,

to

Home

object of
lawsuit

the

his

journey

which

in

him

with

of his

was

had

he

of
the

by

Our

spirits.

little fortune

the

heiress

the

by

of

forecast

first

his

Countess

brother-in-law,

late

Koucheleflf-Besborodka.

Count

February, 1871. Expecting

his own
to find a personage
celebrity,I
occupied with
was
agreeably surprised to meet, on the contrary, a man
of
A smile
there
of pretension.
in whom
trace
was
no
seductive
reflected
a
winning nature, and
good-humour
His
charm
to his
a marked
expressive features.
gave
form
His
afifable disand
position
bearing both denoted
race.
I first

Mr.

saw

Home

indicated

of

him

his

after

received

to

very
seemed

been

that

It

was

over

to

the

It

was

mutual
The

us.

accord

evening

had

these

that
to

manifestations

to

so

real,

on

me

lished
estab-

was

with

closed

as

of the

so

with

passed

me

me,

instant

same

come

even

analyse

at

if I

it

had

invisible

us.

nearly

stances.

system

at

and
all
interesting stance;
familiar
and
as
sympathetic

Russia, and
for

not

and

between

once

of

moment

to
power
voice
saying

Home

it did

retained

no

impression.

same

habituated

watchers

only

heard

feeling of surprise ;
at

I had

me,

the

at

he

which
I

impression

; but

husband."

instantaneous,
a

is your
the

the

was

conversation

our

sentiments
Here

nationalityof

Scottish

Such

being presented

my
**

that

justlyproud.

was

in

the
He

six years

society of
held

many

since
St.
"

recently suffered

Mr.

Home

Petersburg
too

many,

had

been

besieged
for his

terribly from

the

in
him

nervous

scenes

RUSSIA,

through

which

he

Franco-German
I

might
Home

to

of

proofs

had

NICE.

FLORENCE,

GENEVA,

passed

as

365
of

spectator

the

war.

fill pages
with
by his friends
the

from

extracts

but

Russia;

in

friendship

letters

and

written

gratitude

of

series

he

inspired

I
probably have little interest for the reader.
give, as a single example of this correspondence,

would
will

of
portion of one
friend, the Baroness

the

de

Lieven

valued

"

"St.

My

of

letters

numerous

March

Pstebsbubo,

'75.

K,

The
blossoms
sent
me
were
yet in
Friend,
you
full scent, and
I kept them
for many
days in my
ei\joying
room,
better
and
their delightful perfume, that spoke of a
happier land,
where
flowers and young
lives do not shiver and fade, deprived of the
I was
influence
blessed
of the sunshine.
by your
deeply touched
Daniel
these
dear
flowers
his
for
me
sending
birthday, my very
; and
full
Your
letters are
I repeat I cannot
thank
you enough for them.
soul
fuU
of
And
for
of such words
but
guish
ana
as
yourself can
nobody
and sorrow.
feel so keenly all that the spiritgoes through
You
in its most
words
that your
cruel sufferings,
go to the heart's deepest
own
sufferingslighter
feelings. God bless you for it, and make
your
I
much
struck
How
for the sympathy that you bear to others.
very
before the unhappy day
months
with
the vision you
had so many
was
miraculous
that
that bereaved
of our
beloved
us
own
angel ! How
and
all
should
of
the
well
understood
have
saw
meaning
so
you
you
ordained
heard
so
one
long before the doom
more
proof that it was
fulfilled.
Believe
most
me
ever
affectionatelyyour true
was
''

dearest

"

...

"

M.

friend,

Baroness

The
some

additional

learn

that

and

Lieven's

interest

it is not

original,and
amiable

de

to

translation

proof
gifted

of the

letter may
when
readers

touching

English
but

acquire
they
transcript of the

intelligencewith
had

writer

Lieven."

which

the

studied

its

English

tongue.

24th of February, 1871,

Spiritualism. The hall

the

On
lecture

on

the

audience.

At

the

close

in

of St.

phenomena

Petersburg,

had

Home,

resulted

with

in
his

whose
a

had
of

lated
re-

recently
versity
Uni-

the

investigations of

recognition of

habitual

tain
con-

address, he

particularsof a stance that he

of a distinguished savant
presence

gave

scarcely

could

of his

some

held

Home

Mr.

their

the

ineness.
genu-

delicacy, refrained

agreeable to
prove
he
the phenomena,

should

being of
promise that
it

disposition;
unable

to

Professor

this

On

in

Science

the

on

part of

subject so little
honourable
proof that
to

of his

opinions,
fact

the

from

in other

as

place
the

as

of

the

whose

Home,
scientific

the

This

action

with

regard

is very

of

an

was

the

possessed

courage

among
gator
investi-

account

Russia,

deserving

more

of

discretion

man,

in

Boutlerow

such

that

courage

appreciation

rare

"

in Russia,

countries.

of five scientific

committee

and

occur.

just referred, adding

understood

was

Academy

his

exactitude

well-known

from

the

fully appreciated.

he

he

should

(of

had

Mr.

their

at

that

himself

the

given by

concerning himself

himself

manifestations

rose

tigate
to inves-

men

understood

course

attest

to

stance

of the

place

lecturer

the

wished

he

that

would

announced

and

whom

to

scientific

Boutlerow

von

that, if it

added

only

other

Petersburg)

St.

audience,

the

; and

inquirer

the

naming

from

HOME.

OF

MISSION

AND

LIFE

366

of the

men

University,

forthwith
constituted, and
including Boutlerow, was
The
committee
stance
19th.
appointed for March

stipulatedthat

it should

take

place in

of the

one

rooms

table
that
with
glass top
a
a
University, and
be provided by the investigators. This
should
a
was
fortunatel
raised
novel
objection. Unno
experiment, but Home
interval
in the
occupied by the formation
its preparations for the stance, he
and
of the committee
diminished.
his power
fell ill,and
Frequent stances
winter
exhausted
had
him, and the severityof a Russian
himself
always tried him terribly. Unwilling to expose

of

the

to

the

remarks

the

committee,

his

illness.

who

fact

to

the

confounded

were

Slight

only manifestations

overjoyed

an

following lesson

:
"

of the

grave
colleague in

the

stance

with

appointment

verify the

to

and

These
a

enabled

observed,

world.
when

his

of

failure

at

kept

oscillations

the

of

abandonment

forth, he

called

have

would

that

the
the

table

fact of

were

investigators,

stance, proclaimed
and

learned

science

the

gave

men

them

the
were

the

EUSSIA,
The

"

in

the

the

explanation of
July following,
him
of^ appears
of

Hussian

The

within

of

which

results

from

departure
before;
intention

to

before
not

converted

When

for the

last time
him

him

in

weeks

some

It

his

was

disposal

the

the

place

anxious

; but

and

scientific

his

world

was

Home's

about

fatigued,I

as

entreated

intention.

II.
Emperor Alexander
1871, his Majesty congratulated

the

saw

March,

We

the

diamonds.
take

should

1871,
and

our

at

and

in

the

number

Professor

arrival

agreed

the

in

there

married

afterwards

England;
Petersburg, where

had

place quietly

were

we

visited

on

of

date

following winter
taken

Mr.

rounded
sur-

October,

us

had

of

sent
approaching
marriage, and
ring consisting of a magnificent sapphire

wedding

to

St. Petersburg

illness
The

with

his

on

with

Church

the

felt very
his

carry out
Mr.
Home

as

met

the

fixed

over-frequentstances

to

not

men

were

we

to

whether

and

not,

health, which
him

all

at

or

been

in

marriage

our

care

with

continued

had

committee

then

results

delay it.
placed himself
again at

have

at

was

scientific

time, when

unable

was

Russian

of the

did

he

and

the

taking place.

Russia

the

frequently happened

and

the

from

that

ever,
Instead, howPetersburg.
inquiry, we
patiently repeated

which

prevented

variable,

force

the

cused
ac-

Whatever

very
obvious

is

positive."
was
appointed

stance

have

they

it is

party of

third

and

committee,
Home

the

up

were

second

St.

at

second

has

Crookes

Mr.

that

when

house,

my

those

throwing

trial

at

as

tried

was

367

quite simple.

me

thing
experience.

Home

negative

to

is all

same

own

my
Mr.

the

which

Home's

experiment

minimum.

failure," wrote

power,
It
absent.
entirely

times

at

met

Mr.

NICE.

FLOBENCE,

this

"

nature

and

GENEVA,

that
and

Paris;
the

at

of

completely

returned

fStes that

exhausted

were

Mr.

in

Russian

We

English Embassy.

December

to

to

St.

given
Home.

sought and obtained

rous
numeopportunities of. resuming his experiments with
Boutlerow

von

The

italics

are

Mr.

Crookes'

own.

LIFE

368

"

and

Russia,

to

visit

that, after

by

of

increase

HOME.

firiend Professor

my
in

his

the

experiments as those here detailed, and

tension
normal
The
striking results.
increased
lbs., it was
meter
being lOO
hands
being placed
lbs., Mr. Home's
the

of

result

of

series

experiments

chemist, Crookes,
Home's

During
of

Baroness

1, the

87

him

pressed

and

her

at

of them

Karpovitch,

Dr.

was

drew

who

man,

the

evening,

for

their

up
which

will

be

lit

apartment
ffiomOf without

placed

on

persons

and

her

myself.
down
some

the

in

The

"

over

the

three

any

of

the

that

the

of

phenomena

the

to

other

sitters

an

to the

was

an

is
most

Karpovitch

London,

Home

in

attests,

having

Dr.

of

sat

we

the

^vith

and

and

in

been

Karpovitch,

large lamps,

two

Havanscky,
;

Dr.

Mr.

which

at

sides

it

of

met," writes

mistress

large lamp,
paper,
which
latter,
belonged
than

place
being all

full light.

covered

more

of

we

Princess

the

took

Russian

Lindsay

fact

the

was

It

spring
acquaintance,

his

narrative.

Lord

tahle

sons,

table

The

the

interesting document
the
proceed to translate

which

square

England.

in

This

reckoning

Home,

Mr.

tinguished
dis-

medical

air in

the

through

carried

Russia

in

well-known

submitted

the

seen,

increase,

number

he

striking portions of
St. Petersburg, like
as

of

remaining sitters
Home.
their
Among

account

and

me,

of

in

stance.

an

attestation.

before

now

Mr.

to

strangers

150
with

exertion

; the

residence

own

djrnamo-

another

Petersburg
made

her

give

more

contact

arrived

had

Taoube

to

in

which

at

in St.

stay

still

about

to

Boutlerow

that

was

same

scientifically-conducted

conclusions

the

endorsed

fully

and

the

the

on

any
instead

diminish,

long

with

that

manner

part would

his
on
power
the tension."
The

such

in

apparatus

phenomenon

almost

tried

visits.

Boutlerow,"

von

on

papers
that
he

**

weight,

paid

marriage, we
of subsequent

our

occasions

the

Crookes

Mr.

wrote

MISSION

on

informed

am

of

the

during

Home

OF

AND

there

of

one

to the

house, with
General
cloth

which

number

of

"

was
was

nine

her

daughter
Philosophoff, and

that

did

not

hang

placed on
a
pencil,
I carefully examined
Baroness, without
discovering anything
of rather
instrument
quality.
poor
were

accordion.

it

LIFE

370

He

took,
his

on

he

as

"

back

carried

was

can

here

General

of

that

the

majority of

that

standard

intellectual
When

of

the

inquirers

whom

those
had

they

they

had

not

still

their

senses

On

thou

Its author

turned

art

hallucinated

December

column

have

article

of

the
a

their

own

than

hallucinated

"

he

the

is

the
In

"

these

vulnerabl
in-

facts

of

accept them

them
No

and

to

fact.

of

believe

of

senses

eyes,

fact ; but
I did not

to

themselves

to

creed

facts

tion
hallucina-

Bather

fact for

traitors

! I

because
am

lucinated
hal-

hallucinated

all."

26, 1872, the

Times

published a fourScience."
"Spiritualism and

headed

(unnamed)

to

philosophically superior
a

of

class

proceeded

victims

believed

"

are

well

they accused
only credit they took

"

we

sion.
delu-

of it may

lately sneered.

had
taken
people who
ordinary investigations," ran
sceptics, a fact is
Spiritualism are hallucinations.
shall I now
on
testimony
your

"

own

such

set

testified

senses

very

foolish

"

of

up

convinced,
The

liars.

own

of

of this

certain

their

when

with

therefore

my

Petersburg

their

to

sight

tude
grati-

thousands

prejudices denied, they meekly

that

were

the

and
facts."

result, the

that

venture

with

thing

that

themselves

was

of science

curious

themselves
at

St.

without

assumed

not

pass in
produced under

the

was

presumption,

was,

their

held

more

was

world.

the

astonish

being

ho

When

moment.

that

give
were

the

as

"

men

colossus

sdance

who

was

comrades

old

that

at

he

that

me

tabk

that

"

all

by

of them
fiar above
many
had
the victims
been

"

own

to

invisible

at the

place

conclusion,

attested

stance,

committee

previous inquirers

class

least

single

committee

that

in

of his three

the

University

crosse"l

five minutes,

or

marvellous

Because

But

the

four

his old

to

Karpovitch

raised.

being

phenomena of that evening,

where
trickery was
impossible, it is with esteem
I furnish
this description and attestation
of the

conditions

After

fashion

same

names

in

them

felt himself

position,with his anns

was
transported by

acknowledged

the

hear

all the

review

the

in

of

to

he

apartment.

precise details

astonished

thinking

of the

Dr.

The

that

HOME.

recliningattitude

certify,"writes

the

present

in this

middle

the

into

OF

lifted,a horizontal

was

and

breast;

means

he

presently declared

Home

Mr.

"

MISSION

AND

had

been

present

at

two

stances

RUSSIA,
with

Mr.

Home

of

that

occurred*'

in London.^

such

be

furnishes

any
narrative

the

and

he

shrewd

had

in

writer
was

more

of

those
the

to

investigator.

between

the

evidence

that

I extract

his

with

parted

not

stances,

two

he

had

not

portion of

his

"

The

room

To
more

detailed

than

space

made

was

first

at

was

give

...

table

emphatic
scepticism.

of his

lost

need

interval

whatever

"nothing

hypothesis
negative result

to

part
counter-

the

former

the

the

in

he

"

reply

sceptical
presumed that he

shrewdness
and

the

371

the

was

of
summary
second
occasion

attribute

of

presence
It is to

first

The

Petersburg;

sufficient

"

NICE.

concise

On

would

who

the

is

fortunate

St.

at

Times.

the

FLORENCE,

GENEVA,

we

can

light and

direction, that

there

well-lighted from a gas-burner overhead.

of everything which
occurred
would

account

now

Suffice

spare.

heavy

at

it to

wish, that

our

vibrations

of

the

floor

and

the

that

say,

in

it moved

every

chairs,
the
that on
Mr. Home
accordion
took
to pieces
holding
(which we
in every
and
to be
tried, and found
an
ordinary
instrument)
respect
and
under
the table in his right hand
by the end farthest from the
left hand
keys, it played a distinct tune, Mr. Home's
being on the
table
the

his feet

and

table.

hand-bell
The

directed
table

The

light.

leaf out

float up

down

appeared
again in

above

the cloth, the

hand,

and

to

All

the

parts of the
the

became

raps

to take

us

under

and

out

visible.

and

in dififerent

turned

now

be

to

as

time,

same

rung

was

gas

fair

was

raised

so

the

At

were

about

other

our

hands

beneath

space

on

were

conditions,

same

small

table.

the

spirit-lamps lit ; these

two

and

louder,

of the

of

table.

in

This

inches

eight

the

the
done, when
the floor, settling

was

off

The

gave

method

usual

lath lying
wooden
gentle swaying manner.
the cloth was
It tilted
on
seen
by the whole party to be in motion.
and
float
then
backwards
and
and
seemed
to
sideways
endways,
up
forwards.
could guess,
as
we
Holding our hand three inches, as near

and

loud

Note

that

it

to

Mr.

or

It

appear.

in the

suddenly

put

Delane

H.

an

in

did

was

end

in
to

of

table

jumped

other

describes
The

"

"

till it had

not

say,

toned

writer

been

in

on

the

A.

R.

account,

and

for

in the
a

Wallace
it is

Times) by certain

shook

of

the

the

floor."

of the

article

office for
fair

office

others

said, of strong
the

our

violently,

the

to

say

before

it

took

months

that
was

it

was

allowed

afterwards
This

part.

remonstrances

higher clergy of

Times

the

in

several

long correspondence
and

of

it touched

phenomena;

it is but

'

down

good, however,
which

the last time

all parts of it and

from

come

much

Times

times

his language
criticising

should

we

the

Humphreys

it

and

(tjben editor

England."

to

T.

and

appeared,

appeared

of

three

rose

writer

Broome,

altered,

much

seemed

raps

by

Mr.

was

lath

directlyafterwards

Times

The

thin

to

the

was

Mr.

Church

of which

notable

most

it himself.

he

held

keys downward,"

he

played

when

towards

up

test

of.

think

could

we

Times

the

bars.
"

narrative,

every

light, darkened

subdued

pushed

be

to

few

the

it with

held

We

it seemed

"

accordion

the

that

"

played

and

tried," continues

We

"

relates

hand,

our

fact

the

was

HOMK

OF

MISSION

AXD

LIFE

372

as

of the conditions
were
we
was
one
evening went
on,
obliged to comply with/'
of
evidence
the
point out, for, on
Hardly so, I may
at first well-lighted
the writer
himself, the room
was

the

"

from

of

table, vibrations

the

lessening of

and
tune

the

on

thus

was

It

chairs, increase

and

of the

weight

of

table, playing

place while

"c., took

that

seem

felt

that

of his

evidence

with

his

been

subdued
add

and

his

the

room

"

evening

went

for

do

to

light having

for

he

to wish

opportunity,

every

accept

to
more

the

on,

seemed

IVIr. Home
us

gave

of

fact

the

not

much

had

senses

Times

the

heart

secret

determination

than

the

as

his

in

own

incredulity
to

nothing,

floor

the

of

movements

lighted.

would

fairness

the

accordion,

investigator
the

the

overhead,"^ and

gas-burner

the

had

conceal

to

with

consistent

satisfyingour

scepticism.
table with
the
a
lamp a
By his request, we
got under
insisted
times, and
always on
seeing his
great many
hands
held
and
feet, or on having them
firmly. As to
the

conditions,

above

hand

the

the

under

which

with

table, all

Mr.

Home

know

we

held
that

is

the
on

accordion
of

one

our

saw
sub-mahogany
expeditions with the spirit-lamp,we
that hand
the accordion
quite still,and saw
moving up
and
down
and
There
music.
playing
was
nothing
selves
themduring the whole
evening except the phenomena
We
to
tried
best
to
our
suggest imposture.
.

detect

it, but

Mr.

Home,

his

clothes.
"

Yet,
Times

and

do

not

find

found

and

even

the

could

with

even

all this,"

concludes

"

we

in

it.

whatever

nothing

believe

of

trace

no

triumphantly,

are
*

not

We

searched

upon

the
a

him

but

sceptic of

Spiritualist,

Psychic Force,'

"

Of

rsSIA, GENEVA,

of what

he

siiw, with
reference

misleading
made

his

disputed,

up,

when

they

The

warfare

is
his
to

article.
float

oflfthe
had

We

and

says

the

ground."

her

sway

"

he

he

the

upper

his

eyesight.

while

penned

the

words,

hand

; the

writer

to this

reverts

the

For

two

The

"

that

table

reference.

occasional
affidavits

principal

of

progress

hoping
in

to

Russia;

trial.

blow;

our

and

others

little

sounds
in

desire

lost

we

daughter,

of

continuing
1872 and 1873

pillow

where

he

St. Germain,

might

be

buried

as

we

had

by

and

room

The
Home

there

bitter
who

were

we

by

the

At

the

of

hail

little head
heard

little coffin

expressed

himself.

all

and

we,

beautiful

the

led

Home,

more.

it

Paris,

at

than

world,

this

part of the
every
of music
and of voices.
at

suffering.

and

more

lished
pubhealth

heart-broken

present, heard

were

the

his

child.

our

was

failed

during
have

shattered

was

parting from
the

life

in

vault

that

hope

the

ourselves

calmer

health

his

on

rested, and
laid

autumn

who

tiny sounds
the

our

of her

moment

we

there

but
the

In

adored

the

enjoy

installed

have
it

had

to

April, 1872,

I
in

would

volume,

what

second

which

sides

and

third

that

included

his intention
out
carry
his autobiography ; but during the years
free from
he passed few
days that were
In

him

in

the

passage
instant, that

both

on

resumed

second

He

lawsuit;

Lyon

remainder

the

allowed

the

sworn

from

rose

had

investigator believed, if but for an

his eyes had
seen
they had seen.
Home
published
Early in 1872, Mr.
of "Incidents
in My
Life"
volume
to
made

the

occurrence,

reason

this

writing

Towards

same

the

moment,

possessions
pre-

of
passages
table appeared

in

When

certain

are

and

writes,

floor."

of his narrative

close

illustrated

tualism.
Spiri-

his

and

senses

be

can

of

phenomena

his

between

facts

that

ever,

the

to

evidently got
testimony of

the

distrusted

relate

first he

the

for

and

once

amusingly

In

up

prejudice

to

mind

373

account
gives a fair and candid
the
exception of the somewhat
the light ; but he had
evidently

'{Thewriter

not.

course

NICE.

FLORENCE,

also
was

the

I
LIFE

374

winter

became

sole

my

visit his friends

from

refuge

found

autumn

hold

would

of

had

that

from

brief extract

the accordion

On

"

the floor below

on

to look

turn

under

hand, which
of

Each

the

Liodet, Madame
it

the other

health

in

the

witnessed.

The

tions
manifesta-

the

following

is

"

table.

play,a lighted candle

to

Mons.

looked, but

Verrier

placed

was

the

only

saw

and

Lamuni^

Mdlle.

Franel, and

saw

could

trance, and

said

of

George

The

of

name

the

recommence
no

regret for
to

you

having

think
to

use

morning

"November,

bids

made ; if he were
regret the studies
them, but he wishes much

not

of

him
but

him,

made

previous

and

He

pray

for him

they form

falls

an

felt

hour

and

you
on

the flowers.'

Half

1873.

Suddenly

on

it

as

him

were

back

to let you
near

that

; not
a

bond

God.
who

tell you
earth
on

me

is often

them.

and
him, and, above all,between
you
in benedictions
ofifered for a soul returns

the dew

he

be of

can

prayers

place

well-known

journal:

her

fell into

not

asks

he

and

he

that

took

of them

stance

while

feels

he

The

request

each

Bourdin, Madame

Home

would

that

took

the table, I

persons

that ho does
he

went

we

; and

"

year.
"
Mr.

he

Switzerland.

in

perceivenothing.
the
Five raps were
given,
signalfor the alphabet.
of my
that
of
dead
one
spelledout,
relations,
George was
:

were

in my
seat
contracting. On quitting my
of a
t
he
life-like
form
saw
distinctly
was
touching the successive keys with great rapidity.
sitters in turn tried if they could
the hand.
Mons.
see

expanding

accordion

hold

scene

return

of
was

repose
would

1873,

Lamunifere,

beginning

the

and

Several

after

been

air

his

yielded to

Madame

recorded

artist,who

ae

; on

heats

stances.

some

house

the

at

England

he

that

in June,

little better

lie health

complrie
of

and

him;

summer

him

care.

passed the

va

us,

moment,

Change

in

in Geneva

were

we

the

to

I entreated

to him, and
necessary
seldom.
stances
very
always of benefit to
to

given
this

From

Nice.

at

Home

counsels

the

Following

HOME

OF

MISSION

AND

know
yoa ;
your

between

The

prayer

offers it up,

as

"

passed

without

any

tions.
manifesta-

of
cold,strong current
pass
A
air.
hand, very distinct,apj"earedrepeatedly,and rested on my
hand, pressingit strongly.
diffused itself through the apartment a perfume impossible
There
to describe, for it resembled
Mr. Home
to us.
no
perfume known
and
fell into a trance,
The
said :
from
living flowers that are gone
God
not
lost
them
Those
His
breast.
to
are
:
gathers
you
young
souls are messengers
whom
He keeps close to Him, whilst the soula
.

over

"

me

RUSSIA,
that

have

thus

and

that

the

"

For

for

joy

Are
forget God?
path, a certitude

you
your

the

of God

love
We

forms

luminous

the

formed

giving

in

appeared
several

veil that
a

hides

them

them

joy

for

not

rather

acquired by

form
;

taken

front

of

from

Can

flowers

of

you

vase

the

on

the

your

it make

strewn

on

greatness and

distinct, came

from
the

on

head

of

Liodet,

who

the

same

At

own.

child, very

passed
a

Mons.

his

in

of

then

from

rest

to

minutes

right.

the

In the demi-obscurity we
all
lamp.
around
the
moved
They
slowly
persons

The

seen

was

]"earance

bitter tears

instants

more

approach Him,
is good, and
when
they see you

can

which

the

cheek

my
flowers

us

that

to

so

appear.

circle.

touched

and

the

they

Seek

shed
the

what

"

these

removed

now

you

there, must,

before

you.

you

sinned

375

**

love

preference to
they can
part

moment

What

view.

in

wrong
a

beside

who

they

have

love

His

in

often

NICK

FLORENCE,

earth, and

on

themselves
more

are

remember
choose

lived

long

cleanse

speak,

GENEVA,

table.

and

it

us,
ap-

hand

FraneL

seized

me,

of

luminous

Madame

near

another

to

one

saw

who

it

held

for

time, rappings spelt out,

exquisitely played on the

s(5ance ; the music
this beautiful
accordion
terminated
dying away
into
the distance, as if accompanying
the departure of the spirits.
December
7th, 1873.
Tremblings of the floor and loud rappings.
The
accordion
train passed, the
a
began to play ; and at that moment
noise and whistle
of which
ment
were
admirably imitated
by the instruit resumed
the air it was
playing.
; then
taken
from
''Flowers
the
and
table
were
given to Mrs. Peck.
Several
Peck
to Mrs.
were
spelled out in English, and she
messages
touched
hands
that
was
were
by
distinctlyvisible to us."
*

Pas

adieu, mais

au

voir.*

re

Then

air

an

**

The

lady
had

only

1876,

described

in

Its

did

author

from

heard
stances

the

in

to

of

and

Home,

Home

is

for

two

"

diabolical

Air."

evidently

particulars of

some

these

he

reproduced

her
perfectly
im-

All

Mrs.

Peck

or

three

"

lady

months."

(probably a clergyman)
his

were

the

in his naris anonymous

rative
well-known
Geneva
medium,"

incorrectly.

there

Maga

herself

had

March,

Peck

of

he

but

Home

for

Mrs.

Powers

"

himself;

lady

foreign city," and

resident

entitled

an

Geneva,

Mr.

Magazine
of

was

in

recently arrived
acquaintance of

experiences
name

Mr.

and

Mr.

not

refers

extract

Blackwood/s

article

an

with

In

remarkable

the

last

this
very
the

made

days before.

few

"

had

who

American
and

whom

to

had

who

had
The

been
writer

lished
evidently estabsatisfaction that the phenomena
were
own
call
he
the
proceeded to
origin ; and

MISSION

AND

LIFE

376

spirits evil, in spite of the fact

Peck
bore
experiences of Mrs.
what

anonymous
them
attribute

might
the incompleteness

but

tvood

led

narrative
her

meeting
had

witnessed.

her

name,

Geneva

Mr.

in

Up

the

to

Mrs.

Peck

with

us.

Mrs.

and

it

To

Home

of
of

and

introduction

on

1876,

what

appeared,

Blach

Peck,

autumn

"Lights
1877.

in

to

narrative

of her

moment

had

so

Home's

Spiritualism,"published

of

the

tions
manifesta-

of the

the

in

write

did

She

of the

indifferent

request

in

theory.

incorrectness

to

herself

would

she

that

in

again

nothing
his

out

was

and

him

that

chronicler

the

source

HOME.

OF

she

without
of

Shadows

to

Mr.

Home,

of

nothing

the
Spiritualism ; and
in Blackivood
is correct
in stating that
writer
she did
believe
in the
not
possibilityof spirits communicating
seen

Her

narrative

is

follows

as

"

My first experience of Spiritualism,"writes Mrs. Peck,

was
as
arrived
I had
of the
cities
at a hotel in one
striking as unexpected.
of continental
entire
found
the
I
an
Europe
(Geneva)
stranger.
witnessed
absorbing topic of the drawing-room the strange phenomena
I
at a recent
Mr.
Home.
private s6ance
given by
expressed a desire
"

"

"

to

with

converse

and

eventuated

that

the
in

"

which

great medium,
invitation

an

to

be

favour

present

accorded

was

at

stance

to

me,

held

be

(evening.
We

"

were

party

Mr.

Home

hands

were

of seven,

all

strangers

to

myself

; and

all havini,'

sat about
only "vithin a few days. We
a
large table,
with
hands
and
chatted
indifferent
our
it,
lying carelesslyupon
on
the
At
end
of
of
subjects.
perhaps a quarter
an
hour, a sensible
vibration
of the table
of the
was
shortly after several
apparent ; and
startled
the
circle were
sensation
of
touched
when
by
being repeatedly

met

no

visible.
.

With

**

the

requesting

that

touched

in

was
as

warm

as

minute,
drawn,
in

an

Mr.
he
in

it

my

and

then
"

nor

did

open

and

Home,

the

could

by
producing
"A

!Mr. Home,
be

touched.

put

my

hand

under

the

table,

Each

was

it appear

gone

"

I cannot

how,

say.

It

was

not

triih-

to diminish

gradually. Since then, I have,

frequented thoroughfare, felt,whilst accompanied by
same
strange touch ; the circumstances
being such that

no

contrivance, mechanical

or

otherwise, have

succeeded

it.

request

accordion.

might

finger of the open hanil

and
hand
of being
succession,
a
giving the sensation
I quietly closed
own
was
placed in the open palm.
it ; it remained
quiescent for the space of perhaps a

fingersupon

my

of

consent

He

rapped out
accordingly took
was

that
it

in

Mr.
one

Home

hand,

should
the

end

take

having

the

the

"

about

powerful
ends
and

; the

man

fingerslong,
the

slightlybackward,
shutting, as they lay upon
bent

remained

three

from

fingers

that

of

tall,

large,the finge^
motion^ opening

and

jointsstrong
in

of the party,

one

like

hand

constant

This

knee, like a fan.

minutes, I should say,
the

five

to

the

of

the knee

on

Home,

Mr.

from

feet

four

HOiffi.

OF

appeared

after, a hand

moment

distant

MISSION

AND

LIFE

378

appearance
the time

though

longer. All rose, and gathered round, watching

appeared to us much
the
interested
as
the
apparently as much
phenomenon ; Mr. Home
it went
could
When
it disappeared, no
others.
one
; it did
say how
knew
did it glide away
fade out gradually, nor
not
only that it
; we
no
was
longer there.
Only a few of the prominent incidents of these two stances are
of too pc^
that was
here given ; much
interesting and striking was
sonal a nature
to be with
propriety introduced.
whilst in
Mr.
much.
One
Home,
occurrence
impressed me
very
is a portraitof his mother.'
and said :
There
to me,
a
trance, turned
is no
There
I made
portrait of her.*
no
reply ; but my thought was,
Mr. Home
Scarcely could the idea have taken form in my mind, when
determined
to give no
clue,
said, Oh yes, there is a portrait.* I was
and I still said nothing ; but I thought to myself, Strange as all the
"

"

'

rest

has

said

been,

Mr.

thought;
knee.'

in

instantly,as though
is a picture of her

there

I then

this.'

in

mistaken

are

you

Home

remembered

But

to

answer

with

an

mistaken,'

unexpressed

my

Bible

upon
before, there

open

thirty years

that, some

not

are

we

her
tn"a

Bible in
request, with an open
of porHad
instead
made
word
her lap.
Mr. Home
of the
use
picture
trait
been
in the first instance, the fact might have
at once
recalled;

picture taken

but

fact

his

and

mother,

had

years.

at his

'

classing portrait

was

question
many

of

more

never

been

in

These

circumstances

of its existence

my

faded

painting.
possession,and I had
also
help to
may
as

an

picture in

The

oil

not

it for

seen

for the

account

from

having
memory.
the daguerreohave
seen
ever
can
impossible that Mr. Home
have
been
it
in
would
Even
had
he
seen
it,however,
tyi)e
question.
have
the small, indisdiscovered
equally impossible that he should
Bible."
book
there
be
a
tiuctly-copied
represented to
"

It

is

In

received
1873, Home
acquaintance he had
interesting circumstances.

November,

friend

whose

earlier

under

Shortly after
Paris
he

was

and

while

waited

on

little accustomed
of the
him

at

impressions
this

fall of the

the

moment,

by

to the

that
and

made

alone

calling he
Home

so

he

said

at

who

man

young

was

often

young

two

Home

Commune,

day dining

one

of

news

years

restaurant,

seemed

exercising.
received

suddenly

in

was

to the

very
One

came

young

to

RUSSIA,

Frenchman,
here

doing

not

are

waiter

379

what

"

are

you

"

?
the

Seeing

hastened

the

that

embarrassment

Home

him,

You

"

NICE.

FLORENCE,

GENEVA,

to

him

set

his

at

caused

question

His

ease.

dent
evi-

confidence
of
the
gained him
ended
other, who
by relating his history. He was
Commune
the
the
painter whom
siege and
young
interest

had

them

between

ruined.

greatest distress, he

cafe

de

his

Home's

notice

Such

benefit

new

artistic

him

of them

written

good

have
done
me
you
heart
when
my
I thank

given
In

enough

to

cising
exer-

when

days

from

Home

to

in my
protege, all

his

affection

of enthusiastic
he

writes

full of

ever

of all

myself worthy
morally even
more

was

than
and

bitterness

couragemen
dis-

1873,

the

writer

Paris.

Home

had

just before

in

reply

He

"

of

these

words

written

of which

letter

the

the

rially
mate-

Him

God

his

in

if I shall

"

prove
"

and

pray

and

me,

received

and

been

day for the friend

every
Alexis."
to bless
you

November,
to

garcoii

I have

England.

myself every day,"

crossing the Channel,

talent

has

generous

in

strain

have

"

the

ask

after

first letter

all

letters
in

"

gratitude.

four

or

the

to

him.

to

employment

several

possession

three

sympathies of
himself
exerted
to be of
eflfectually
so
ing
by findacquaintance, that he ended

He

his

to

for

attracted

was

listener.

the

last

at

preferred becoming
hunger ; and had only

story awoke

Reduced

had

dying of
calling
new

to

the

soon

turned
re-

him,

to

translate

portion.
iSth

"Paris,
"

My

always

Daniel,

dear

the

same

blesses

that

The
its

for

hope

having

untiring

objects

distress

so

his

it has

sad

known

has

Grod

how

kindness

to

cheer

me
a

you

"

the

learn

Send

nothing
good to
a

1873.

of

state

from

word

are

lean.

friend, who

your
the

always

Alexis."

you.

of Home

happily. He
only impulse

in
you
it is so
to

me

news.

how

often

known

which

on

made

for better
so

change

years

heart,

generous

tell you
cannot
health, and how
lieart

The

"

November,

did

could
was

to

not

not

always

resist

relieve.

select
tale

of

Ingratitude

would

that
effect

AND

have

hardened

left
to

went

The

where

Home

number.

He

could

pressed

sent

him

on

Florence.

at

the

me

refuse

not

several

and

The

added

and

The

There

drawing-room
very

heavy

was

soon

the

which

of

which

hand

The

and

mcnt,
all

then

to

"

It

us.

lively

the

my

the

and

she

The

raps,

of

presence

experienced

and

Corbelli.

ourselves

seated

we

Count.
table

which

on

The
a

spirits
of

vibrations

then

hand
table

the

Near

his

around
the

feather, and

caress

at

too

appeared,
which

guitar was
strings of this

on

gratitude
through him, and

we

lying.

each

of

us,

dis-

and

of

make

can

witnessed

evening

any.
to
of

words
It

Panigai,

the

attest

these

narrative.

the

was

"

Countess,

towards
the

Mr.

"without
Home

consolations

periencing
ex-

for

the

that

his

me."

permission

simply

the

continues

of

Countess

introduction

"The

which

Ferrari

light as a
finely-formed woman's

past,"

me

on

the

Countess,

never

kindly

Bulgarini and
and
myself.

Home,

bronze.

round

meaning

with

To

while

July j$th, 1874.

Count

desire

by

the

done

was

in it
"

it.

sentiment

following

by

ago
Home

has

at

Florence,

of

Mrs.

circle,bestowed

recall

full

the

by

place

for

bestowed

The

at

small

the

seances

took

one

"

cannot

that

requests

instnihovered
the
over
always visible
them
in a
that
charmed
us
manner
began playing on
visible
vanished, but
more
presently once
only to become
rested
his
shoulder
and
the
Count,
on
approached
; theu,

good

stir

was

passing round
api)eared.
"I

and

heard

we

recognised

was

seated

were

to

ones

the

Professor

Count,

with

became
to

us

the

brightly lit;

was

manifested;
for

residence

at the

table, mounted

table,

heavy

place

present, besides
Brialdi, Mr.

Madame

niece,

new

"

sc^^ance took
were

old friends

Panigai

Countess

and

w^

found

everywhere,

as

**

"

no

1873,

summer

following description

present

was

found,

coming,

were

we

had

heart

December,

following

his

seances

in

late

welcomed

their

HOME.

ordinary

any

Switzerland

Nice.

Florence,
who

OF

him.

on

We

MISSION

LIFE

38o

to

was

and

publish

first at

which

will

be

written

by

sent

it.
she

The
was

clear

made
some

her

years
Mr.

to

scribed
de-

seance

present

"

verity of these marvellous

phenomena,"
little impression on
of those
the minds
have
account
pleasure in furnishing an

says
who
of

them.

July 7th, 1874,

had

the

good

fortune

to

be

RUSSIA,

GENEVA,

NICK

FLORENCE,

381

His
given by Mr. D. D. Home.
celebrityis so
worth
extended, and his position and
are
so
high moral
thoroughly
of
circle
friends, whose
recognised by a very largo
standing in society
lenders
it impossible for even
of suspicion to rest upon
their
breath
a
be superfluous.
testimony, that any attempt to portray him here would
towards
around
seated ourselves
8 p.m.
We
a
large table, belonging
at

present

seance

"

Marchioness

the

"were

Mr.

where

hotel

the

to

staying. The
Passerini, Mrs.

was

Monnier,

Mr.
Soffietti,*

Chevalier

Home

Bartolomei
Mr.

and

Mrs.

present

persons

the

Webster,

D.

D.

Home,

and

myself.
The

"

of

the

from
Two

wax

the

other

was

company,

smaller

and

candles

together

Madame

Passerini

she

to the

right, I to

Mr.

Home

"

became

had

said

Home

Mr.

may
manner.

had

been

I
but

be

to

me
manner

who,

utter

hour

most

tender

age

in

the

the

stranger
Florence, and
before,
And
to

five

had
a

now

me

"

and

years

At

the

My
Stella

Mrs.

Home.

given in
They
for

name

my

party

ment
astonish-

the

permission for

given in this strange

a
dearly-loved child,

of

months,

ten

of

asked

was

that

in

hands.

my

of

heard

friend

some

but

alphabet being

came.

and

table

chairs.

another

name

Mr.

the

table,

our

the

rappings
to

precious

of

before

in

directlyunder

whilst

found

stance.

of

it

on

lamp

and

were

the

on

on

^Ir. Home,

of

and

even

indication

repeat

two

or

the

heard

which

at

an

at

name

the

to

days

an

present
a

at

was

few

when,

first time

were
an

conceived, when

be

this

raps
was

of

side

motion

alone

not

floor,and

the

The

seating ourselves,

sounded,

tiny

letters

the

down

either

on

were

this

commenced

required, and
wrote

that

centre

; and

petroleum lamp.
perfectlylight

Whilst

on

room,

but

distinct

last, five

the

seated

were

we

singular tremulous
Rappings commenced,

They

parts of the

various

loud.

very

room

myself

so,

where

placed
the

left.

in

the

table

was

and

done

perceptible.

instances

one

rendered

stood

apartment, and quite away

in shape.
table, small, and square

the

on

the

of

corner

second

stood

candles

ourselves

grouped

we

In

drawing-room.
the

and

which

about

table

had

been

torn

had
elapsed since
days of cruel sufiering. Time
there
dress
in
and
her passing
was
nothing to indicate
earth,
my
I begged that, if it were
indeed
bereaved
heart
of my
the mourning
It
at once
was
child, her age at death might be given.
rapped
my
out correctly.
** The
of.
again made
use
rappings continued, and the alphabet was

from

after

me

few

from

The

this

message

time
the

seemed

felt what

was,

You

touch

of

instinctively,I placed my own

mine, so perfectlycorresponding
the

had

grave

other,
mother

was

could
then

"I

hidden

beside

had

not

me.

be

from

gladdened

baby

hand

with

hand

hand

on

of

my

knee.

little hand
the

mamma.'

tiny
precious

form

Almost

grasped
which
and

felt my
no
one,
sorrow-stricken
of every
of the
perienced
exdeep joy mine
ray
I

the

that

dear

weep,

there.

the

to

that

me

Would

not

must

heart

expected

such

touch, I had

not

been

told

that

MISSION

AXD

LIFE

382

OF

HOME

it could
might experience it ; and therefore
phantasm of an overwrought imagination.
Home's

Mr.

"

coming, therefore,
would

we

enshrouded

be

full

but

desired

tike

to

me

whether

issued

that

any

question, my

supposition

darkness

utter

before.

which

that

was

knew

to be

My
could

the

I
On

s^ances^

of

one

did

It

table.
the

it

Home,

Mr.

to

Mr.

guests present
hand, that
one

in

this instrument

belong

not

Home

now

be

might

seen

it
the
Hardly had I touched
spiritscould play upon
then
it began
when
sounds
sweet
to
long-drawn
move;
it ; and
i)ie
played, tchile I hdd
finallya military air was

from

The

could

and

instrumenf,

alphabet

referred

to

an

known

to the

only
the

communicated

message

of my

nearest
in

stance

it.

relatives, and

question

could

by

any

with.
had

communication

after this

touched

person
for.
The

called

here

was

other

no

fellow-guestsat
been
acquainted

none

Just

that

see

incident

of my
possibilityhave

that

in

heard
of his

details

the

the

accordion

**

eyes.

lay on
brought by

been

had

read

one

I had

that

one

possibilitybe

no

mediums.
by those terming themselves
in
and
a
well-lighted,room,
pleasant I sat

of my

use

course

never

in

accordion

An

"

the

to

frequently demanded
disappointment was
make

had

; but

of him

heard

had

of

was

name

by

been

made, my eyes rested for

beautiful
PasserinL
I
moment
most
worn
rose
a
a
on
by Madame
said menfalhj,
the
If you
claim
in
to be, I ask
are
spirityou
reality
take
that
Henrietta
it
and
me.'
to
from
The
to
rose
bring
thought
you
had
a
hardly shaped itself in my mind when
hand, visible to every one
of a man,
hand
engaging
grasped the rose, and dispresent, the large,nervous
it, brought it to me, and
placed it in my fingers. This was
darkness
dim
done
in
in
well
not
a
or
room
was
light. The
lit,tho
"

hands

of every

tho

in

air before

Not

only was
physical action
that

was

rose

three

or

us

And

We

were

The

names

of

the

most

hidden
Not

In

some

person

the

incident

standing
no

such

IMr. Home

long
things
alone

me

beside

for

since

as

shown

indicated

request,

all this

is

for

lace

which

to

distance

the

be.

can

capability for

the

it

hovered

hand
its

from

rose

carrying

action

of

I had

two

of

presence

an

utten^d

not

strange^ but

be

you

"

She

she

even

affirm

saved

your

thoughts.

their

Thus,
*

ought

Mr.

There

not

life when

given that
passing into a

were

Home,
is

The

woman.'
you

our

were

circumstances

Soffietti

negro
says

earth

given, and
earthly lives recapitulated.
things happen, but to every one.
been
the part of
forgetfulness on

attendant

recalled.

read

even

from

with

these

had
and

could

who

summoned

connected

Chevalier

person.

the

beings

did

there

might

of

presence

the

the

of

there

human

it is Irue.

addressed,
to

that

tible ; and

form

it had

comprehend a
willingly that

those

to

trance, said

as

most

instances

the

perfect in

mental

that

in

tho

on

form, but

further,

to

grant

solemnly

mo?t
"

rested

by the unfastening
securely attached, and

feet.

word.

hand

perfect in

it

intelligenceable
a

present

person

old

an

nurse

Chevalier
to
you

of yours
recall

could

forget her,'continued
were

but

three

and

half

about

just

were

be

to

Mr.
not

drawn

SoflSetti

Home

the

had

He
hours

three

future

our

This
be

that

portion

dream's

continuation."

of the

Countess

commended

explain

to

be

power
seriously contended

of

of

the

Cavaliere

thus

recalled
startlingly
the

Following

the

Chevalier, there

could

read

record

of

hiTnselfhad

the

made
If

us.

dream, and

narrative
who

may
would

the

in
an

mind

occurrence

it

addressed

fresh

in

was

communication
came

be

to

forgotten,until

him

to

myself,

dear

of those

he

that

that

like

incident

identity by attributing
Will
it
thought-reading."

"

Soffietti

Cavaliere

the

of

proofs

acknowledged
known
wholly unbeing
message

of

Panigai's

attention

all such

away
Home

Mr.

to

the

rescued

been

one
remaining
given,
question. I narrate this to show that others were,
of those
existence
happy by proofs of the continued
those proofs be dreams, then must
our
present also

but

she

the

of

guests knew

the

mill, and

when

whole, and

perfectlycorrect.

383

near

water-wheel

recalled

till within
of

of water

stream

into

now

to be

communication

and

fell into

Yoii

to

Chevalier

you.'
the

of age.

years

NICE.

FLORENCE,

GENEVA,

RUSSIA,

for the

message

the

to

Countess

Panigai.
As

"

have

After

the

to

; and

me

said," she

facts which

gave

of

I do

words

The

given
touching and

most

understood

He
of

he

need

be

not

"

give
she

thus

finished

what

took

the

pair of

them
for
that

will

those

however,
trt//,
last

dress

locked

in

them

in

you

be

that

shed

is not

given

you

very

now

more

any

bers
mem-

unable

am

to

accuratelydescribed
*

she

and
To

they were
unmeaning.

be

that

in

His

made

have

.'

says

mo

would

God

they

to

various

them, I

they

; for

the

patiently

and

hid

mercy
burden

the

when

joy

of

distinct

to-morrow.

You

for

I love

proof
must

of

my
not

darling
that

mamma,

with

away

the

quite
you.

alone

You

am

open

take

you

must

presence,

again

you

little

my

purpose.

This

them.

over

living,and

am

them

are

you

tears

My

message.

know,

ordered

had

you

And

and

I wore,

of the

conclusion

sad, sad
I

unknown
saw

record.

on

I thank

await

to say

that

such

dead.

will have

the

had

box

mo

possibilityhave

no

he

realitysee

himself

I love.

boots

box

out, and
Stella

by

me

world

"

with

reunion

white

told

placed

precious to the
greatly do
; and

them

permitted them to be given

life seem
lighter,and I can

endless

in

did

he

trance.

addressed

instances

some

into

passed

and most
their names,
that he gave me
*
said
he
Stella is present,'
affirm.
;

affirm ; but

them,

That

could

He

myself.

save

family.

my

in

were

Homo

Soffietti,ho

only

not

which

but

world

the

in

Mr.

"

to Chevalier

communication

previously known,
person

writes,

not

be,

to tell you

and
the

that
drawer

it

the

where

until

you

by

chance

any

which

alluding
will

me

what

treasures,

your

be

box.

able

to

no

Mothers

the

one,

and
have

who

sentiment

the

appreciate

to

kept

I had

them

existence.

their

to

alone

call

you

anything of this
relics ; showing

knew
sacred

most

me

afflicted like

been

by

to

as

HOME.

bureau.'

the

on

raps

family

my

OF

contains

which

placed

distinct

even

contents
never

is

hear

Not

**

box

MISSION

AND

LIFE

384

guided.

was

for
Home
Mr.
to thank
naturally wished
refused to
of giving me
so
great a joy. He
having been the means
said that he was
thanks
simply an investigator,like
accept my
; and
of
in
interested
the
and
tliorough examination
otliers,
just as deeply
The
had
the
we
phenomena
subject as I or my friends could be.
be
he
due
witnessed
to his presence
we
as
purported to
was,
; but
all testify,simply a passive agent.
could
that
I went
the
home
My prayers
night were
a
happy woman.
the
intensest
heart
filled
heaven
and
of
with
to
gratitude
a
overflowings
to the
new
proof of her
joy. Ever and again my thoughts turned
busied
and
I
that my
myself with
darling had promised ;
presence
I asked
that
be.
proof would
wondering speculations as to what
soul was
satisfied beyond the possibility
for already my
nothing more,
I felt, and
of doubt; but
fresh
token
to
feel, that some
rejoiced
I tried to conquer
would
and
be granted me
so
impatience, and
my
;
calmness
the
of
await
revelation
with
assured
the
to
hope.
In
the
few
I
words
wrote
to
a
a
dearly-valued
early morning,
Tlie

"

ended.

stance

**

"

friend, asking
as

we

half

The

said

and

Did

it is there

lid.

with

white

silk

iinprinted

The

substance

an

accurate

an

exact

was

more

when

of

remains

still

drawing

that

to be

copy
facsimile

is

of

letter.

ones

than

two

these

knowledge,

me

but

years

events
or

at

his

once,
here
that

up

later

"

from

occurred, he
own.

AMiile

my
has
I

to

that

the

At

has

So

the

of

of

even

showing

hiih

eye.

faded

for

made

the

my

it,

points
darling. I
Mr.

he

of

six

where

taken
seen

an

since

necessary

of

only had
compiling

memoranda

boot

one

mathematically

of
hotel

lifted

and

star

are

each

name

not

time

not
was

It

get
was

lay there,

"

engraving

an

the

drove

state
to

had

form

and

of

the

to

also

key,

'

bureau

ran

which

precision

token.

they

the

elustic

distinct

and

I have

the

centre

black.

is

skill

cherished

United,

Let

staying.
house,
my

taken.

that

carriage

my

On
the

thoroughly
great

and

seen

dressing-room.

my

it is drawn

of

drawer

that

elastic

which

soon

as

had

pointed to the bureau,

1
piece of furniture
*and
signal,'I exclaimed;

on

key
in

uppermost
in
perfect star, and

with

slightly,but
perfect is the

within

The
was

and

that

the

is

arrived

marvels

friend

my

*It

treasures

my

the

rappings

is hidden.*

box

was

ordered

hear

repeated.

were

of

"

the

there

She

once.

recital

told, when

not

not

at

me

the
out
box,
unlocking the drawer, took
With
I
the
second
turned
trembling fingers
The
little boots
they are light summer

locked.
the

began

was

contained
and

it;

the

to

come

you

Instantly they
which

to

together

were

lieard.

her

Home
been

never

this

account

at

the

"

time

the

house

my

little treasure

to

my

great skilL

with
flat

floor,he

the

on

at

told

once

table

us

began

with

to

he
the

that

perhaps

see

HOME.

if any
hand
a

would

one

place himself
managing the

at work

place himself so ; and

see
a
shadowy
fingering the keys.
F. resuming
his
the
seat ; and
s^nce, Count
volunteered

to

hand

could

blow

move.

fist ; and

strong

said

Finocchietti

that

continued

We

"

would

Count

instrument.

then

Dan

OF

MISSION

AXD

LIFE

386

this

struck

was

repeated

was

heard

in

the

several

middle

the

whole

the

shook

room

with

force.

their

We

four
our

all

were

it

Blows

times.

against all the

in

turn
sledge-hammer were
then
the
and
at length under
ceiling,
against
room,

from

of

as

if

as

if

walls of

feet,when
more

less

or

said
there
to our
feet; but Home
was
no
jumped
for fear, as the spiritsnever
intended
to do
room
harm, and begged
take
When
all
chairs
to
were
our
us
again seated, I felt a
again.
hand
touching my knee, but could not see it ; yet the impressions of
the palm of the hand
and of the fingerswere
on
plainly traceable
my
called
I
Home's
on.
leg, as (it being summer) I had white
pants
of
attention
to this
singular phenomenon ; and he said that it was

frightened,

rather

rare

and

occasions.
hand

will

but

occurrence,
'

Put

knee

your

touch

he

under

if you

yours,

hand

that

had

witnessed

the

table,'he

place

it

on

your

it

several

on

continued
knee.'

'

I did

other

and
so;

the

and

is
exclaimed, * If the hand
it must
that I think
it
let
some
be,
give me
proof that
it
these
tend
is
to
so.*
had
I
uttered
me
persuade
Immediately
may
I
felt a little tiny hand
I pressed it^ and
held
words,
caressing me.
it for some
in
closed
and
when
moments
I
hand;
opened my
my
both
caressed
mine
fingersagain, the little hand and the largerhand
then
vanished.
tenderly ;
they
It was
seemingly my Emily's hand, my wife's (who had left this
three
world
before); and the little hand was
our
son
Carlino's,
years
whose
death
in Egypt,
having been telegraphed to us whilst we
were
had
caused
that her life was
from
that
moment
Emily such a shock
little
of.
The
hand
had
thus
to
to
despaired
opportunely come
prove
and
that
both
Carlino
me
Emily were
there,they wishing to affirm
their identity by giving me
tokens
of their presence
simultaneously.
It was
a
great balm to my feelings,because, scepticthough I be, the
sensation
innermost
heart
such
to triumph
was
produced in my
as
habitual
over
incredulity.
my
The
other persons
present had tests equally satisfactoryrespecting
of their dear
lost ones
the
when
some
departed and the
; and
power
all felt that
s6ince
ended, wo
a
change had been
wrought in our
which
would
existence, as if a ray of light had shone within
us,
prove
and
comfort
consolation
for the rest of our
a
a
days."

enough
really the one
sure

squeezed

mine.

"

"

It will
that

Mrs.
was

Chevalier

be

from

seen

Fenzi

Countess

(an English

Webster
one

the

of

the
that

Panigai^s narrative
ence)
lady residing at Flor-

sitters; and
the

same

from

lady

was

the

letter

present

of
at

RUSSIA,
Eusciano.

I extract

Mrs.

by

Webster

which

how

had

have

liow

deeply I am
grateful I am

had

the

He

"

Home,

accord

to

to

be

have

these

us

stances
much

written

"

the

two

have

stances

at

interested

me,

and

seen

well

as

letter

present

387

experienced, and
yourself, for having
spite of the critical

to

as

in

stances

health.
the

is

Mr.

NICE.

from

how

to you

happiness
by what

moved
to

lines

after these

me

to express

the

kindness

of his

state

FLORENCE,

few

to

tell how

I cannot

"

GENEVA,

marvellous

most

times
in the
missionary of modem
that
he
has
done
be reckcannot
oned.
good
not seeking to say flatteringthings to
soul and
depths of my
express
my
found
pro-

greatest of all causes, and the

Believe
I am
me,
.

him, but

from

speak

Where

convictions.
the

spent the

Home

of the
the

former
in

of almost

pleasant

Count

in

friends
these

Komar.

de
with

hold

every

at

seven

the

the

her

Countess

that

ran

we

Count

met

at

Komar,

Mons.

of

stances
Home

Nice.

to the
was

witnessed.

Mr.

entreated

circle
de

the

on

joined

memories

had

winter

The

Komar,

de

comed
wel-

Home's

often

own

she

earnestly
23rd,

Potocka,
Mdlle.

that
thus

of

who

her

added

talk

residence.

Komar

another

time

Potocka,

and

December

days later, on

Nice

opportunity
took
the
greatest pleasure
of long-past days in Paris.

stance

one

at

of

prized friend

and

joy, sought

Potocka

least

at

old

friends

found

we

de

at

the

when

of the

most

of the

Count

manifestations

evening,
1857, Countess

him

around

life."

Nice, and

at

his

was

conversations,

One

future

many
whom

of 1857, the Countess

of remarkable

to

meet

those

also in Nice

was

bestows

blue

being in his society,and

recalling the memories

There

in

to

of '74-5,

arrival

his

of

him

Alexander

8 74

The

Among

years.
winter

the

to

he

passes,

sky and brilliant sunshine

did something to lighten for Home
ceaseless
physical suflFering
; and

Riviera

burden

was

of

winter

following.

winters

ten

de

Mr.

greatest of all blessings,the certainty of

We

it

the

few
of

number

of

composed
the

Countess

d'Attainville, Mr.

Home
on

two

and

myself.

The

the

chimney-piece
large candelabra.

places round

large

sahn

there
We
table

brilliantlylit ; and
placed, in addition,

was
were

had
than

no
we

sooner

all felt

taken
a

our

distinct

which

vibration,
table

the

hand

caressed

while

in

the

Count

and

de

spelt

were

Komar,

on

tions
communicasmall

out.

rested

and

and

struck

were

raps

alphabet ;

sitters

chairs

our

little

his.

will

for

of the

several

to

HOMR

to

Five

apartment.

call

"

OF

communicated

was

of the

floor

the

MISSION

AND

LIFE

388

describe

not

will

but

witnessed,

detail

at

pass

manifestations

the

the

to

once

interruption of

the

with

in

we

startlingphenomenon

which

the

trance;

he

stance

closed.
had

Home

Mr.

the

about

fireplace

an

"

brightly

from

started

after

and

which

intended
of

"

this
a

same

address
and

at

and
Hotel

if

his

in

now

we

other

Komar
!

"

position ;

than

in

written

in

passing,"

it

once

"

and

it

is
."

It
on

is he
my

"

"

it is

asking

really Alexis,
We

went

there

spirits
menon
pheno-

one

if you
have
what
friend

and

he

who
we

the

morning
evidently disguised.

hand

ran

by

injury in flames
previously in

1874, Home

more."

nothing

remarkable

without

trance

Daniel

to

do

can

This

more

at Nice

in

manifestations

face

his

when

me,

last
;

it

Daniel

"

heart
will tell
your
you
affection
for
There
always."
you
nor
signature. Home
puzzled over

forgotten
the

stay

letter

here

am

harm

great

produce.

to

witnessed

England.
During
received

and

what

bathing

been

had

told

not

were

always spoke
caused

of faith

want

had

he

have

might

your
We

which

de

Daniel

"

water.

of us
instants, during which
none
address
said, in the low, clear
him, he

to

with

"You

in

brusquely from

recoiled

if in

as

by the flame
sight Count

the

at

flames,

Home

some

ventured
voice

kneeling down,

chair, crying,

cry. Home

the

At

his

the
approached
large fire was
burning

in the

encircled
and

plunged;

was

hands

and

head

his

saw

and

walked

then

eyes,
fireplace. A

open
the
hearth

face

his

bathed
We

on

closed

with

room

into

passed

"

he

Alexis

shall

find

at

once

has

was

neither

the

enigma;

exclaimed,

:""

not

and

lighted
de-

Tolstoy,
"

him

at

there

the
we

RUSSIA,
found

the

GENEVA,

NICE.

FLORENCE,

Count,

imprisoned to his
and
suffering severely; but always
that
frank, loyal, affectionate
nature
for

known

so

many

delight

from

He
and

fail to

agreed
for

this

when

the

Tolstoy
There

shoidd

we

Florence.

at

to

In

the

him

passed

much
to

known

twenty

Time

had
;

circle

of

consisted

had

addressed
several

of his

were

rappings

none

of

the

that

other

at

once

the

by

which

he

We

all

to

call

being
the

her.

torn

and

alphabet.

noble

had

experienced

been

Nice

at

directed
and

there

Home

had

Mr.

well

counsels

her

as

husband.

held.

was

Sant'

evening,

which

and
in

of

Countess,
touched

by
pally
princi-

were

communicated

husband

identity;
spelt out

three

Amaro,

myself. The
was
deeply

The

among

there

them

Portuguese

word

comprehended, but that the

joyfully recognised ; for it was
had
accustomed
been
familiarly
of something
heard
noise
a
as

sitters

Countess
name

of

he

s(5ance

Her

her.

to

proofs

and

of the

world.

this

ments
changed her friendly sentiagreeable evenings at her

widowed,

manifestations

as

Countess

Home

brought

of these

whom

Amaro,

before,

the

been

long

he

again

or

poet.

remedies

Sant*

gether
to-

realised

memory

pursuance
in Italy,where

passed some
in February

we

the

winter

have
from

passed

in

wintered

friends, Mr.

who
the

and

ceeded.
pro-

spiritguides prescribed
the
followed
for
ment
improve-

be

to

years
weakened

where

house,
her

not

note

Home's

1875,

the

We

should

true

months

Countess

the

of

; and

relief from

met

here

course

some

employ.

him

of

of his health
we

had

fame

spring

to

stoy's
Tol-

Home's

at

mysterious

that

Count

of

the

and

now

forget

never

following
never
project was

came

the

remained

nature,

had

the

pass
The

time

us,

Home

friend, and
the

noble,

same

to
Mentone,
passing through
there.
We
did not
our
visiting him
visit; and
on
our
departure, it was

on

pay
that

the

Nice

was

insisted

whom

ilhiess

by

room

shall

his

seeing

at

divined

having

years.

389

and

at the

"There

same

is

instant
no

five raps

death,"

was

demanded

spelt out;

LIFE

390

"therefore,
black

laid
she

could

felt

well

proved,

her

to

her

that

and

black

border

lifting

this,

her

kerchief,
hand-

had

been

laid

aside

be

Countess

the

evening,

she

message,
on

to

the

Before

mourning.
This

of

winter

his

friend

him

three

touching

have

1875,

as

twentieth
the

my

in

of

means

the

whose

to

came

and

simple

they
true

as

thousands

convincing

testimony

pages,

facts,

the

earth

children."

these

of

part

who

him

gave

from

pass

Komar,

witnesses

together

gathered

were

and

the

are

saw

de

Console

**

the

Home

afterwards,

days
message,

attest

Mr.

Alexander

Count

Numerous

that

lap

the

astonishment,

which

After

torn.

her

in

great

from

of

meaning

placed

never

death.

husband's

her

the

grasp

object

some

it

since

aside

had

Countess

The

mourning.'"

no

HOMK

OF

MISSION

AND

do

not

strange,

as

that
"

"

is

There
This
Is

but
Whose

no

life
the

death

what

seems

"

of

mortal

suburb

portal

of

we

so

breath
the
call

life

Elysian,

Death.*'^

is

transition

391

CHAPTER

XIIL

1876-1886.
the

During
with

work

the

He

of

portion of

of

those
that

The

task

well

knew

it

was

sham

traded

in

louder

outcry

known

his

woiild

his

shadows

of

from

the

upon

protest.

enthusiasts

to

put

persons
in the
which

the

"

for it
a

he

the

exposing
Spiritualism

by compiling

in which

of

in earnest

out

of

intention

manner

work

forced

was

frankness,

accustomed

too

some

speak

come

but

by

of

exposure

it noted

The

conviction

to

usurped the name

the impostors, be
to sully his pages

simply

an

whose

wounded.

his

With

to

He
light nor a pleasant one.
would
be the fury of the impostors who
spiritual phenomena ; and that even
a

what

self-love he

duty

neither

was

modem

every

the

; and

his

following year
of Spiritualism."

day were
making
tualism
Spiriof a byword and reproach. Home
pain and indignation the growth

with

watched

occupied

was

the phenomena
pages
times.
A large

devoted

was

that

in those

of

and

more

abuses

him

review

volume

and

more

long

in

abuses

Home

published the
Lights and Shadows

ancient

the

noxious

had

of

Mr.

1876,

he

"

passed

both

the

that

title

the

under

of

whole

made

impostures that
impostures, not
not

was

persons
advertisement

professing to

his

intention

list of detected

credulous
his

publicly

on

cheats,

their
was

guard.

received

be

he described
Spiritualists,
chapter introductory to that portion of
desdt

with

the

shadows

"

^the

very

dark

Spiritualism:"

assailed,both openly and anonymously, with slander,lying

in short, with
abuse,
chaiges, foul personalities,venomous
every
which
the
hatred
most
direct
unscrupulous partisan
can
weapon
"

was

"

LIFE

392

against the object of

I had

and

that

effect but

the

could

in

names

from

neighbours

latter

task

of

names

of

certain

of
eye
Chaldean

it

proclaims

wisdom,

as

faith, who

descend

in

bless

with

and

country
The

it would

mysterious beings,

Magi,

moTed

dual
indivi-

on

feared

to

Each
again.
facts compiled
they concerned

that

of

work

his

to

to

that

superstitions
"

Ee-incamation

"

of the

prospectus

extirpate the Christian

and
America
through Europe
This

wh"t

and

had

the

to

ridiculous

to

East."

haye

me

within

attacks

no

chapters
and

The

movement

and

without,
intentions, have made

my

sources,

some

Theosophy."

on

from

of

expected,

himself.

analysis of the gross

respectively bear the
**

made

received

reference

not

"

devoted

Home

attacks

who
persons
breathed
pages

the

different

hundred

what

was

It made

its

with

proclaim

HOME.

moment"

appeared.
impostors ; and
their

his

of

It

rectitude

the

book

The

find

of

consciousness

the

OF

the

If

of.

the support I have

at moments,

me

hostility.

its

forewarned

been

MISSION

AND

founders

and

of

the

the

society'sappointed
religionby disseminating
"the

is in the

appear,
as
a

of

wisdom

yet

keeping
the

only by

seen

direct

their

the

line

the

from
that

presence

lightened
en-

Thibet.

"

that

consolation

"

rc-incamation

"

proffers its

of
earth, through the mouth
that
its high-priest "Allan
is the
Kardec,"
assurance
shall
suffer
they have suffered those pains before, and
for the

votaries

them

again.

this

French

of

sorrows

Only

by

successive

Pythagoras,

are

incarnations,

spirits of

"the

taught
just

the

made

perfect."
learn, spend a
"Unhappy
spirits,we
much
of
portion
eternity in finding out how
their
dread

is

that,

confusion

become.
may
in forgettingthe incidents

have
lives, they may
lives,and so be sent

("Lights
"

Home
scores

As

and

to

back

Shadows,"

for Alexanders

of

also

the

forgotten the
to

p.

Icam

them

considerable
founded
con-

worse

Tlieir

constant

of their

earthly
of

lessons

those

perfectly."

more

227.)

Great, and Lewises

the Religio-Philosophical Journal
them, each being the only genuine.

of
of

all numbers,"
"

Chicago,

I have

met

no

wrote

there

are

less than

LIFE

394

MISSION

AND

pondents, Serjeant Cox

of

burden

The

the

OF

HOME.

of the

frequent.
Serjeant'scomplaint was

one

was

learned

most

that he could
find nowhere
else the
always the same
opportunities for thorough and systematic investigation
that
he
had
of the
phenomena
enjoyed a few years
"

with

earlier

Home.

Mr.

so
kindly assisted me," wrote
investigationsin which
you
March
on
8th, 1876, "there was
Serjeant Cox
nothing of this precaution
with
and
You
sat
me
anywhere, at any time ; in
mystery.
garden, and in my house ; by day and by night ; but always, with
my
memorable
one
objected. to no
exception, in full light. You
tests;
the contrary you
I was
them.
invited
on
permitted the full use of
in
made
all my
The
form
genuity
that insenses.
experiments were
every

the

In

"

devise

could
the

of

meaning

could

not

sometimes

such

as

it

have

was.

confederates

were

human

Egyptian Hall.
library, and
garden,
it

that

was

prejudices and
kind, having

had

could
But

these

they
produced
in

were

own

my

at

the

that

preconceptions

was

conviction"
there

and
were

efforts

phenomena,

they
the

often

were

machineiy

drawing-room,

and

possible.
opposed to

this

forces

are

united

were

without

mechanism

no

arrived

there
occurred

have

where

present, their

Sometimes

"

both

been

When

none.

hand

of the

manner

desirous
to learn the truth
as
you were
You
sat alone with
and
things
me,

accomplished.

there
no

as

if four

which,

done

; and

about

us

In

all mj
of

some,

and

but imperceptible to our

intelligence,
under
I did not,
some
except
imperfectly-known conditions.
senses,
with subsequent extended
and
arrive at the coninquiry I cannot now
clusion
you

have

power

to that

come

these

invisible

agents

spirits of the

are

dead,"

As

pendant
following letter
by a gentleman
who

and

of the

had

find

may
who

is

shared

phenomena

epistle of Serjeant Cox, the

here.
It was
written
a place

the

to

in

a
a

relative

portion of

to

My

dear

Home,

Paris, merely

to

Lord
his

Dunraven,

investigations

"

**

"

of

I feel

"

...

have

talk with

Athsnaum

more

than

Club,
half

nth

inclined

Oct

to

1875.
run

over

you.

"The

I
have
witnessed
phenomena
through your kindness
are
the only things left to which
I attach
All
other
the
hope.
any
of so-called
I have
phenomena
ness
witbeen
Spiritualism of which
a
^have been
in
the last
except those
accruing through you
degree unsatisfactory; and altho* I could offer no explanation of them,
to me
they seemed
more
likely to be the result of trick than of the
action
of disembodied
spirits. Are you yourself absolutelyand fully
certain
that
the
which
phenomena
thro*
undoubtedly occur
your
"

"

1876-1886.
mediumship
lived, and

that

?
.

In

the

are

there

is

when

seen

of

heard
Cox

you

evidence,

seem

all

anything

follies and

As

the

well-known

convictions

I have

light

or

stances
circum-

to

the

be

thinking
stuff

day

had

author, William

not

"

his

by

earlier

we

man

ported
im-

see

These

words

spring of 1876,
for years,

seen

Howitt

him

and

them,

about

in the

he

reality of

of the

of every

Home,

whom

on

will

Howitt's

Mr.

Mr.

with

stances

into

all connection

the

"

very
ever

with

^were

the

drawn
with-

movement.

a still
correspondents of 1876 was
Englishman by birth, an Italian by long
celebrated
artist
Kirkup of
Seymour

whom

on

title of

the

Baron

had

recognition by Italy, I believe, of

connection
Dearest

"

of Home's

friend, an

me

mena
pheno-

with
despair the condition
long watched
sinking, and had
English Spiritualismwas

Florence,

for

the

; but

residence

were

of

value

unchanged

Another

"

Italy

fifteen years

from

in

of

every

impressed

"

some

older

tigation
inves-

Spiritualists
the
Spiritualism,and

mischievous

movement

friend

old

very

which

the

unsatisfactoryand

question

no

and

from

written

had

have

of the

comfort

solid

ridiculous
into

Home

Serjeant

under

establishment

be

can

the

be

must

what

fresh

Spiritualism,it
fact

of the

there
spirit-life,

what

whenever

"

most

meannesses

the

to

grand importance

were

kill

can

contemptible

themselves.

but

While

character."

suspicious

they

of the

conditions

and

he

question

or

acquire personally any

have
placed
always been

evidence,

If

Nixon."

what
present, and
like Crookes,
for by men

lately to

**

B.

were

doubt

already
mena
pheno-

these

to
thoroughly accustomed
the
and
physical phenomena
to place the realityof
to me

beyond

the

"

have

others,
of

tried

writes

Nixon

Mr.

vouched

as

and

by

other

no

January, 1877,

have

spirits of those who

explanation possible of

the

Very truly yours,

of

acts

395

with

old
young
to

the

when

foi^et

you

you.

Baron

knew

me

How
.

his

ferred
con-

labours

of Dante.

poems

friend,"writes

been

in

Kirkup
Florence

in

long

for

April, 1876
; and

your

it is
new

"

You

impossible
book

LIFE

396

these

trusted

never

MISSION

AND

dark

stances

have

I could

HOME.

OF

done

accomplished. But to deny the true because of

there is no
good coin because one has met with
and

much,

seen

thousands

have

so

of competent

William
said
on

from

letter

Howitt

he

had

with

mediums

in

testimony

London

such

are

the

Crookes

had

endeavoured

to

of

Mr.

'*

24th, 1875,
I would

writing

to

Crookes

am

it

were

the

cut

or

think
nine

letters
seemed

written
to

occur

much

this

about

the

to

their

Howitt's

Mr.

with

Home

on

the

after

given

less, it

the

to

he

which

is

England
disgusted

of

opinion

experiments

so

get
the

because

with

None

"he

not

Mr.

at
was

whole

the

November

for the regard we hear to

Spiritual connection, and
And
of the subject again."
years
is the

later, in

belief
My
same
opportunities are wanting."
1 might multiply such
plaints by
"

says

Mr.

not

whole

Home

Mr.

from

Crookes

read, speak,

never

**

that,

his

noticed.

be

could

he

materials

on

carry
Home

it will

absolutely correct.
Mr.
thing," wrote
yoUy

Kibkup."

unfavourable

the

concerning

said

cheats."

than

more

Toob

witnesses.

Spiritualism

on

Mr.

third-hand,

who

experiments

to

departure

in

Crookes,

seen

his

Home

Mr.

to

sa/mg

lately," writes
February, 1876,

Wilkinson

sa^

shilling.I ban

bad

Seymour

In

all I

the false, is like

for ever,

"

trick

by

time

to

writers

fault.

the

Mr.

ever,

but

from

dozen

Mr.

Home.

It

that

their

misfortunes

never

they had
with
Home
and tested at stances
lightwere
scientific
as
loving phenomena,"
one
investigator, Mr.
The
Simpson, justly styled them.
light might be daylight
artificial light, but
there
or
always light.
was
Home
the
imposed no conditions
investigator. So
on
far from
them; and the more
avoiding tests, he welcomed
Let
stringent they were, the better they pleased him.
the
surely
sceptic be never
so
sceptical(and I have
in these
accumulated
sufficient
testimony to the
pages
Dr. ElUottson,
Chambers,
original incredulity of Robert
very
witnessed
were

Mr.

phenomena

"

Serjeant Cox,

inquirers

The

as

1884,

named

Mr.

Crookes,

by me),

and

hundred

candid, careful

other

investigation

1876-1886.
of the
them

facts.

as

of

"

of

race

he

with

or,

friends

with

Mr.

seen

and

tested

mankind

to

longer of
their

existence

with

or,

psychic
Eobert

others, feel it impossible

many
of our
existence
continued

Bell, and

and

"

to

Lytton, conjecture the

alien

beings

doubt

to

had

Lord

Robert

Chambers,
lost

might,

marvels

the

force

He

acceptance of
bute
Serjeant Cox, attri-

in his

resulted

always

phenomena

397

the

to

nearness

us

if he

; but

were

honestly spoke out his mind, he invariably

that it was
admitted
of the manifestations
impossible to conceive
than
otherwise
genuine.
as
of witof hundreds
I hav9 shown
nesses
by the evidence
that Mr.
had
Home
concealments, but always
no
and

honest,

urged the
rigid manner

observers

of

Like

conviction

"

"

and

so

forced

that

conscious

am

did

them

the

in

that

occurred.

and

the

most

sands
Thou-

accumulation

recognise that the

delusions
neither
nor
were
deceptions, but
Serjeant Cox, the inquirer might find this
opposed to all his prejudices and preconceptions
he
with
could
Mr.
but
Crookes,
only add,

proof

upon

phenomena

*'I

country

every

proof

facts.

phenomenon

every

in

scrutinise

to

present

both

senses,

my

of

touch

and

they were,
by the
of all who
not
are
were
lying witnesses
senses
present
when
they testifyagainst my preconceptions."
of the
of the existence
convinced
Once
phenomena,
If
:
investigators commonly began to ask themselves
in Home's
why not in the prethey occur
presence,
sence

sight
"

these

to

corroborated,

as

"

"

of others

in the

world

person
It was

natural

they should

It is
who

that

seek

improbable

to

possesses
they should
test

their

that

he

is the

this marvellous
so

reason,

sole

gift."

and

that

conjectures by experiment.

plain duty in conducting these

for new
marvels
?
researches
Surely to experiment as
they had experimented with Mr. Home
; to investigate
occurred, to subject
only in the light,and if phenomena
the
Where
conditions
posed
imthem
to a rigid scrutiny.
What

was

their

"

to prevent
just such as are calculated
trickeryis designed," says Serjeant Cox

are

if

tion
detecin

one

of his letters

we

take

to

HOME.

bound

are

all

upon

refuse

should

we

OF

"

Home,

to

suspicion

utmost

MISSION

AND

LIFE

398

that

is

part in

look

to

done

and,

such

any

with

the

indeed,

tory
unsatisfac-

experiment."
An

excellent
others

and

act

unable

the

did

the

it ?

the

contrary, their

upon

do

to

that

such,

was

Serjeant

that

bore

they resigned themselves

suspicious air of having

they
to

to

ditions
con-

been

posed
im-

of

detection

prevent the

ness
eager-

when

favourable

conditions

under

so

learned

of truth,

interests

to

On

further

experiment

to
were

precept, but

trickery. With
full light; but
the

Mr.

investigated in
sons
perwith
whom
ness
darksat insisted
on
a
they afterwards
that
have
With
would
Mr.
discouraged owls.
Home
the
to
phenomena
they had
subjected the
the
strictest
most
searching tests; but
scrutiny and
these
too
phenomena
were
new
scrutiny
coy for either
Home

had

they

tests.

What

conducted

but

or

of

loss

from

result

could

time

"

"

investigations

and

Either

so

temper?
it was
abandoned
in disgust when
found
inquiry was
that the
manifestations
obstinately persisted in refusing
the
in
to occur
light, or the inquirer persisted
in his discouraging task
till,emboldened
by previous
of
the
exhibitor
the
spurious phenomena
impunity,
ventured
convicted
of
more
trickery and
on
was
open
imposture.
Mr.
Home
in "The
Lights and Sha"Light," wrote
"

"

dows
and

of

other

It

was

which

test

means

Where

there

is

and

the

occasionally

very

feeble

over

and
ever

me

be

must

is the

test

his

light.

"

be

to

and

at the

Every form

Shadows,"
few

dark

in the
other

of

than

light

posture,
im-

Spiritualists

been

p. 333),
stances
has

no

convinced.

held

phenomena,"

light, and

By

possibilityof

had

stances

own

necessary,

given.

certainty of suspicion."
Home
Mr.
on
by certain

again
having had

over

single

inquirers

darkness, there

retorted

(" Lights

can

and

scientific

are

that

through

the

Spiritualism," "is

it is

the

**

ever

been
now

in
he

plied
re-

occurring
repeated

deeply

stances.

gret
re-

What

1876-1886.
used

we

the

to

the

lightsin

curtains,

(which,
could

with

every

one

Of

'*

burning,

Home

was

extinguishing
the
open
fire lit
the

used

we

to

instances, have

extinguished), when

never

distinguish

of

form

outline

the

we

room.

another
at

then

many

perfect ease
in the

stances

held

very

in

consisted

and

room,

in

or,

if

darkness

term

399

class," he justly added,

dark

the

"

are

present held."
have

might

also

replied

that

the

he

stances

feeble

who
had
with
friends
light had been
in a strong light and
previously tested the phenomena
satisfied themselves
Those
who
of their genuineness.
are

in

already convinced

converted.

Nor,
The

stances.

do

repeat,

by Mr.
detracting from

far from

Home,

added

of

phenomena

the

did

one

of

results

undertaken

the

witnessed

second

stances

dark
it

was

tions
investiga-

Serjeant Cox, "c.,

of those

value

of the
in

time

ever

still

but

"

subsequent

Crookes,

proof

more

dim

be

be

to

his

were

light might

light,not darkness.
The
disappointing

need

not

made

convincing

his

presence.
clear
to the

so

with
nature

That

candid
easily be made
reader, whether
Spiritualistor sceptic.
I might
hundred
A
name
English inquirers whom
Home
Mr.
as
began their investigations with
sceptics.
able
the
attribute
be
to
They confidently expected to
to deception or delusion.
They were
pelled
comphenomena
by overwhelming proof to recognise them^ as

they

so

may

facts.
No

longer sceptics
for

new

marvels

met

with

imposture,

Yet

they

were

now

but
"

and

where
believers, they sought else-

^with

what

discovered

convinced

result ?
it to

of the

be

That

they
imposture.

existence

of the

according to their shallow

had
deceived
been
Home,
by Mr.
they
the
were
as
as
sceptical concerning
phenomena
any
of those
critics.
Imposture failed to dupe them when
is loudly
assertion
believers; yet the
they became
advanced
that
these
observers
same
were
duped
very

phenomena ;
critics, they

whereas

when,

OF

MISSION

AND

LIFE

400

HOMK

thinker

still sceptics. A
candid
they were
scarcely find the theory plausible.
had many
readers
Lights and Shadows

while

"

"

and
the

understand,"

welcomed

Tuttle,

It

beginning of a new
slowly approaching

now

'

your
of the
The

"

and

Lights

the

have

'

cannot

Spiritualistsso
I

'

it

Spiritualism

here

plane

in

said

that

was

is

I have

that
I

it reach.

the

as

by

American

truth.

scientific

to

years
Shadows

why

"

Shadows

and

era.

for twenty

laboured

**

tells the

only
Lights

abused

was

esteemed

an

England

in

sensible.

Home

Hudson

book.
your
oppose
of your
review
my

book

the

by
Mr.

to

wrote

Spiritualist,Mr.

the

The

America.

in

many
foolish and
very

will

regard

cannonade

opening

battle."
book

made

sad ! "

you

wrote

Home

to

S. C.

Mrs.

HalL

So

"

doubly so does the so-called

Spiritualism of the
have
left
and
are
day. Right-minded people
day leaving tbe
every
^
I see just such rays of
movement.
Light as are granted to you,
also
I
which
when
but
see
no
Shadows,'
they began to form were
man's
than
have
but
increased
with
ing
alarmhand,
most
a
they
a
bigger
rapidity,and at last are to be found
intercepting the very light
and
for.
work
is not
written
to obtain
we
are
hoping
praying
My
it is written
the praise of men
the falsehoods
to expose
which
are
;
is all-important to mankind.
fast obscuring a truth which
If I had
thousand
to live on
rather
earth, I would
a
speak out, and bear
years
of blame
the heavy burden
which
I know
will be cast upon
than
me,
remain
honest
disthat I, too, was
silent,and feel the certitude
a
playing
part in keeping silence."
it

did

and

me,

'

...

The

in

relieved

was

advisers, who

did

not

dealing were

am

Home

Mr.

suffering to

much
it

which

with

years

; but

that

way
know

to

from

time

what

to

to

time

medical

his

surprised

of

years

attribute

these

health.
in his
improvements
They were
astonished
still more
in which
by the manner
our
spiritsustained
his
forces
beneath
the
physical
guardians
them.
laid on
burden
Again and again celebrated
sicians
phy-

unexpected

one

of

declared

his

the

eminent

predicted
he

lived

most

that
on,

he
and

to

case

be

hopeless;

of French

had

not

three

was

supported

and

medical
months

through

in

1877

authorities
to

live.

all.

Yet
have

OF

MISSION

AND

LIFE

402

HOMK

As he
threatening his life,if he persistedin his task.
took his
threats, his enemies
to the
paid no attention
of the newspapers.
life
hy means
of April, 1876, he
Day after day during the month
j"rom all quarters obituary notices
continued
to receive
diflFerent languages
class of
of himself, in a dozen
a
besides
reading that it has fallen to the lot of few men
"

"

Home

life with

of his

facts

to

of these

Some

enjoy.

to

badly-informed

journalistsespecially,indulged

French

of

license

that

romance

outdid

It is not every
England.
of genius obtains
such
scope
in

kind

of

author

the

afforded
In

May

day.

You

England

two

or

the

death

the

ago

effect
**

At

exercise

as

had

death

in

the

next

when

last

extract

from

on

of the

her

Elwood,

on

the

are

to

him

on

see

and

the

yesterhe

way

place,

you

died

place

you

look

saw

doing

you,
wonders

teen
seven-

for

stick."
of the

report of Home's

had

fancy,
in his inadopted him
he
had
provided for. The
age
of May, 1876, tells
a
newspaper

who
old

to

Malou.

La
Home

caU

first

readers

aunt

to

the

than

whose

and

the

its

vnrote

In

American

the

was

following

ing
unblush-

an

of

baths
ago.' These
years
and
I walk
without
now
a

Among

for

laughed
*

said

positivelyyounger
me,

in

baths

I went

have

and

me,

for

"and

would

at

month

others,

anything ever
lished
pubday that this pecuhar

fils is here,"

Dumas

in

evitable
in-

was

writer

report of Home's

left Nice

we

friend

stared

false

the

the

it.

to

"Alexander

than

distortion

more

and

hasty

no

related

biographers

cruel

6th

falsehood
of

May,

"

passed

from

earth

Cook, aged 70, the aunt, and mother

Mary McNeil
will
Our
readers
by adoption, of D. D. Home,
Esq.
be pained to hear
that her departure was
caused
by the
shock
of hearing the false intelligenceof Mr.
Home's
sudden
death.
A paralytic seizure
the result, and
was
Mrs.

the

poor

lady

Probably

never

this

rallied."

announcement

never

reached

the

eyes

1876-1886.
of

the

story of Home's

of the

inventor

403

worthy being in question may thus

of the gratification
of learning what
had

death, and

have

the

been

deprived
pain his lie

bitter

given.

Only

few

from

passed

earth

will

Island

be

Mr.

to

has

Cheney

South

Manchester
.

the

and

did

always
old

home

Very

and

taken

from

attached

both

lost

sustain

one

best

cannot

be

he

talked

There

great deal

Do

him.

are

here

many

^Dbar

of

his

would

the

Before

"

before

now

this

leave

to

many
you many,
the dearest father.
from

warmly.

received

of the
The

ing
remain-

reply

home

for

that

wafted

city life, I
the

across

communication
read

we

visit your

"

spirithas

word

Every

he

beloved

loved

indeed

Clark."

M.

one

me

had,
last

greet you

family.

Cheney

what
my
paper
times since the

on

you

is

to

The

to

Home

Nice,

at

in

which
ever

as

expect

never

you
who

forwarded

he

letter

Dan,

send

must

April,

which

message
members
to

we

"

Mr.

funeral
of

repaired.

Thomas

of

22nd

the

came

his

you

Rhode

of

friend

good

friends

about

affectionatelyyours,

long

Clark

abstract

of the

Mr.

work.

I attended

us.

loss that

I visited

when

again 1

On

friend,

of this

address, the

an

there

Home,

leam," wrote
Bishop
our
29th, 1876, "that

to

delivered

have

of

annt

community
saw
him,

time

been

We

enclose.

old

March

and

the

early pages

grieved

Home,

Ward

his

of in

Cheney, spoken
"You

before

weeks

here

waters
to

came

with

the

us

greatest,

his words,^ and just like him.

No
one
interest,for they were
Bless
else could have
spoken them, and they have done a good work.

fondest

so
message
with
dear father's

instant

one

it.
.

of much

Lovingly

which

comfort

without
and

of interest
**

earth

Well,
or

to

were

the

you

truth

have

Ood
E.

related
The

of

mention

to

Spiritualism."

bless

L.

source

loving
you

for

Chibnet."

family
in

its
the

remainder

names

of

been

all,and

us

transmitting this
much
pleased

affairs of
he

the

brief extract

"

lished
pub-

Lights
may

be

:
"

Dan,

from

hope

nothing.

any

of

Shadows

Dan,

message

knew

Home

doubt

not

dear

and

Frank

and

in

yours,

of the

Portions

do

feel comforted,

so

"

instrument

Rush

and

message,

thoughtfulness

and

loving sympathy
Uncle
promptly.

for your

you

the

it's the
eternal

same

old

home

Underlined

it

story
comes

in the

j and
to

whether

just the

originaL

we
same

tell it

on

thing,and

1
little

more

the

and

thoughts

that

for I feel assured

exist

wait

to

stands

undevelopment
the

both
as

two

side

Good

as

are,

These

many

to ;

am

EviL

and

questionsof
to have
hope now

and

; I

relate here an
I may
One
later.
six years
with
Paris

know

I lift

not

benign Creator;

Home

Momex,

little

the

entering the
was
surprised to see
looking fixedlyinto
he

said, "there

see

nothing

in Home's

is

life of

in France

1882.

had

sat

few

We

July

on

Anne9y

room

Of

and

date
the

in

7th arrived

yet

at

Savoy. Fatigued

down

to

rest

minutes

and

then

were

himself;

afterwards,I

standing at the open

large garden outside.

Delaage;"

now;

was

him
a

one

...

; and

journey,Home

clear.

Delaage, whose
ance
acquaintto
1857. Delaage died

back

villagenear

on

made

Cheney, all unchanged."

15th of July,

the

on

them

of his friends

dated

why
higher perfection; known,
Does
the same
produce
power
a like nature, I
am
asking just

incident

travellingin Switzerland

but

of douk

Ward

am

journalistHenri

and

author

with

shadow

and

even

I loved,

harmoniously-constructed
power

side with

by

only I
already certain

I used

thing I

at

and

creative

it is

those

see

great

to solve

be is not as yet made

that may
clear to me.
; but what
be taught ; but, in being taught, I must
also ascertain

does

as

I may

that

seen

hesitancy,no

What

hoped

feel

have

...

no

God.

I had

I rather

prayerful praise to

in

HOME.

it.

to

me.

mutual

Personal

no

seen

my

up

from

ever

recognitionwqb

I have

OF

same

than

further

now

MISSION

mystery attached
of this ; but, bless you,

exactly the

lias
a

AND

LIFE

404

window

Look,"
added, "No, I

then
moment

ago

"

he

was

there."
It

of

was

months

some

quitted
^oubt

; he

earth

of
a

its

few

If it
his

other
the

hours
was

would

later

"

on

this

be

have

come

to tell

him

"

Home

much

What

me

so.'

keep

the next

astonished

too

friend

had

to
distinctly

some

day

; for

to
we

very

years

nonsense

word.

my

I remember

...

usual

certaintymore
tain,
cering
rappings, and the follow-

heard

we

form

news

any
his

in

make

to

subject,and
was
spread

death
my
listen to him
would
of

received

left

the

and

spelt out

I shall

had

seen

illusion/'wrote

an

vision,
promise

report

whoever
he

was

had

had

we

however, that his

sure,

identity;

message
"

felt

Home

last

the

but

Delaage,

health.

since

ago,
!

I await

Paris,in
had
well

each

that

were

D."

ing
describ-

made

Delaage

If Homo
with

H.

when

said

to

dead,

impatience

the

1876-1886.
Figaro^
if he
to

is

me

first

13th.

of what

will certainlyspeak of him

subscribe, and which
of this world.
addressed
Unfortunately, the numbers
to Louche, so that the date
of the last received
by me
If the good fellow
is as
him
to
usual, say nothing
told you."

more

no

go

is the

which

to

...

I have

The

recipient of

the

Paris

that

journal on

**

Figaro

Lights

and

him

on

for

1878

Government

of

with

it.

miles

"I

in

lake, and

in the

milk
has

been

are

milked

the

dim

in

twice
in

American

had

wishing

Petersburg,
famous

Russian

on

with

way.

to

saw

had

give
one

Modem
the

an

of

have

deal
to

which

he

from

charmed,

its

French
author's

'Koumis'

came

idea

of
most

John.
and
I

Mountains.

good

humour

of 250
friend
in

rivulet

and

the

the
among
enchanted

dear

my
and

who

was

alternate

to

years,

enjoyed greatly
just completed, "A

to

"

of

cure

in

estate

journey

Ural

the

of

part of each

was

field, river

the

summers

is

Home

and

many
for me."

day

"Home

among

an

scenery

steppes

friends, and
Home

narrator.

the

certain

1879, Home

listeners, by the

and

humourists,

his

Clemens

and

distance

private readings

invited

and

celebrated

the

on

Paris

At

Russia;

just accomplished

have

trying the
prepared

am

The

The

Kussia;

dale, forest

and

life.

his

Samara.

were

posting carriage," he writes

'*Such
a
lovely country,

England.
HiU

climate

far south-east,

in

heading,

in

occupation involving
travelled
constantly;

We

in

us

the

charming

most

of

saw

i^assedin

was

of

related

was

the

all

and

scene

to

once

publication of
spirit-guidesenjoined

from

conditions

necessary
1877 and

the

followed

anxiety.

it at

story

Home's

repose

or

of

change

whole
under

that

Shadows,"

labour

carried

letter
the

and

years

complete

mental

Home's

July 22nd,

Delaage."
During the

et

40S

and
the

Tartar
nine

who
mares

of the

one

like

first

to

'time

all

other

pathos of
work

of

two

or

time

Tramp
it to

mare's

"

that

the
Mr.

Abroad;"

friends

at

St.

laughable episodes,

Duel,"

permission.

translated
Mark

into
Twain's

remark

could

he

If it has

old friend
very
widow
of the

Balzac,

of the

one

of

"It

Home;

to

it does

EnghsL

in

this

of

period

de
Madame
Home's,
nately,
great novelist, and, unfortu-

numerous

Home

with

stances

than

wrote

frequent correspondents

of the
a

characteristic.

was

funnier

(of which

translation

defect, it has escaped me.'*

One

word)

HOME.

translation," he

it looks

rate

of the

copy

excellent

at any

was

read

not

an

seems
"

receivinga

on

OF

MISSION

AND

LIFE

406

Mr.

there

whose

concerning

persons
remain
no

details.

authentic

of 1870, there
during the war
occurred
in
nection
cona
extraordinary manifestation
very
the ruined
with
de
country-house of Madame
the
Balzac, destroyed by the Germans
count
only ac; but
is
that has been
so
published
obviously hearsay
and
incorrect
that I do not reproduce it.
he

While

An
this

in France

was

amusing incident
we
friendshipwhen

called

day

one

ablejto

following note
"

What,

know

to

no

Mr.

it

Home,

under

of that

the

name,

in

see

learning

there
be

it
is

I leave

me.
was

from

you

harm

no

who

is

has

made.

are

of the
"A

de
of Home

being
the

received

Monsieur

make

we

great hurry

and

Mons.

what

shall

see

us

daughter

and

who

was

had

persisted
I

of

vanquished

you
E.

the
the

nately
fortu-

of

to

each

Home,

choice

know
dk

on

was

about

are

of the

"

out, I

go

a
great deal
Madame
with

myself

one

we

As

; but

Gigoux

in Paris.

Balzac

to

vexed

I hear,

acquainted
sympathetic to us by reason
my

how

servant
!

Guillaume

imagine

to

George

stupid

my

Guillaume

she

that

we

Balzac."

Continental
difficulties

English tongue.
happy

joy ;

New

in that
Year, my dear friend," she writes to him
Your
kind letter caused
Paris,in January, 1878.
me
it
b
ecause
is
of
remembrance
and
first,
a new
proof
your

languagefrom
much

this

you

I trust

oldest friends

Madame

friends

will

regards from
two

your

you

alreadyvery

Kind

"

that

was

in

done, since, by

country neighbours.

other,and

of

and

extraordinary that

that

he

that
you
Monsieur

was

name

found

it very
wishing to

without

Balzac

morning

next

Home

1873.

"

me

one

de

in

dear

my

announced

The

connection, with

in

in Paris

were

Madame

on

her.

see

occurred

"

1876-1886.
because

prized friendship, and, secondly,

your

that

health

your

is

abolished.

hope

...

of

often

better

that

in

shall

we

407

see

happy

am

old

winter

is

We

speak
friendship

sincere

and

hear

to

where

spring.

next

you

and

climate

sweet

our
you,
preserve
very
*
Caledonian
would
for
auld
ancestors
as
lang
syne,*
your
you j
Eeceive
remembrance
the most
affectionate
of my
children, and
say.
devoted
I
believe
dear
Mr.
and
for
sincere
am
ever
always,
Home,
your

very

for

".

friend,

after year

Year
the

burden

whatever

comer

by

pursued
him,

of

it

other

and

found

the

inflicted

score

to

with

him

on

for

of life

troubles

would

he

or

fresh

that

him

have

lost

had

confidence

led

(and
large

believed
to
not

his

to

render

more

to

friend

sweet,
time

every

him,

blind

and

on

and

this

absolute

did

of

knowledgment
ac-

ask)

not

he

whom

one

person
to him.

tined
des-

were

simple

Home

others

in

in

hands

the

the

advocate

reclaim

the

tribunal

end

restitution
; but

so

belief

deposit

for that
in

money

small

refused

now

would
Home
charge confided
of
legal proceedings to punish this breach
painful morally than materially ; although

Russian

right

be

up

take

trust,

of

sum

almost

to

even

the

temper

generous
kill
could

him

to

was

us.

disappointments
be
severely tried.

no

to

that

his

latter

the

reached

and

patience,

which

great and

so

of letters

batch

His

was

indifference

by

their

length
Spiritualism. It

at

his

requests

merciless

particular opinions concerning

happy

sent

correspondents

and

the

his presence

Inquirers

cause.

for information

or

for

physically impossible

stimulate

languishing

stances

of letters

fled, hundreds

we

often

societies, or
a

oppressed
To
correspondence.
be

to

half of his
reply to one
Spiritualistsin Spain, Holland, Italy,
wrote
entreating him to visit them

countries

vitalityof
for

Europe

invalid,

correspondents.
and

continued

enormous

was

constant

Home

an

of

and

Mr.

BALZAa"

de

wrote

this

would
of the

this cruel

deposit,
decide
money

affair gave

him

to

and

in
was
a

'*

there

have

You
is

no

doubt

favour."
your
without
made
shock

to Home's

full

that

In
a

the
suit
law-

nervous

which

from

system

still

became
and

more

more

the

in

and

In

1881,

September,

my
neither

diminished

end

this

him

cost

event

received

we

N.

Geneva

Aksakoff,

who

at

letter
was

"

had

He

Home

urged
wish

Have

**

wrote.

of

copy

book
your
it translated

friend

aflfectionate

feeble

tribute,"

proofs of

esteem

the

nobleness

comes

of

In
this

fears

begins
that

it is

heard

were

back.

form
which

the
a

fall into

It is true

shadow

believe

been

that

words

he

"

united

to

which

nobleness

lives, but

been

spelt

often

he

(at

out

when

we

curtains

then

and

the full
place. I distinctlysaw
The
rappings,
approached us.

their
he

silent

that

"

separate the

hand

it is true,"

"

he

footsteps the very step of

adjoining that in which
apartment
the two
drawn
between
was
2'"0Ttiere

spiritas

had

that

me.

dream."

saw

of the

the

"

the

and

Wc

let them

St.

resembling

in

"

for

goodness of heart."
after his departure from
Petersburg the following

and

weeks
at

"As

constantlygave

other

that

name

some

"

of

Home

memory.
in return

friendship in

his

these

sounds

uncle

we

aflFection that he

to

had

Hardly
my

and

Your

Mr.

and

beloved

inscription,

received

communication
"He

his

greatness of soul
we

me

translation

the

ready;

was

the

of his

world,

send

printed, and
interesting a work.

ran

April, 1882,

delay.

possible," he

as

life before

to

prouder of

the

was

^N. Aksakoff."

"

book

the

further

and

and

My uncle quitted this

Shadows"
"Lights and
dedicated

soon

valuable

and

without
as

itself.

book

the

interesting

so

honourable

so

read

to

French

into

read

to

have

to

translated

work
"I

great desire

of his

and

my

strength

life after
in the
believer
a
Spiritualistnor
which
he
Its writer
spoke of the interest with
of ism,"
of
read
reviews
SpiritualLights and Shadows

this.

"

his

Excellency

uncle, His

from

His

acute,

more

ings
suffer-

recovered.

never

life.

his

he

HOMK

OF

MISSION

AND

LIFE

4o8

for
was

instant

recommenced.

moment,

spelt
I

out

felt

"

and

something

there

is

placed

being of

MISSION

AXD

LIFE

410

There

higher type.

and

tenderness,

As

is very attractive."
fast closed in the trance

which

appearing

follow

to

some

in

made

by

1876

Cheney, and
the spirit,on

1882

in

he

moved

if

they

and

maimer

had

were

eyes
the

about

room

been

"open,

guide.
detailed

already
Home's

voice

sweetness,

rule, Home's

unseen

communications

The

as

of

union

his

; but

naturally

and

readily

as

is
in

earnestness

HOME.

OF

old

been

having

as

friend

American

Ward
that

uncle, show

concerning

my
had

often the greatest

passing from earth,
of his being ;
in realisingthe new
conditions
difl"culty
The
world
dream.
that the
to him
a
change seemed
he found
himself
like this
in which
was
so
spiritually
like this, not materially ; himself
self,
was
so
thoroughly him"

the

and

refused

he

that

greater

obstinate

more

To

that

it does

but

One

called

birth

some

to
swiftly,

others

evil

terms,
"We

of

darkness

can

of

growth
"

To

or

decay,

us," another

of

higher spheres is
our
shining forth as
higher still brighten
progress."
last word
one

and

teachings,"but

and

of

like

evil'

*good'

as

the

as

nymous.
synothe

in
the

most

progress

taking place
thing."
everythe spirit-land
ran,
in

and

advance

planet, luminous,
spheres higher and
in the

vista

is the
keynote of
progress
all.
have
I would
written

the

also

"

so

ness,
dark-

with

said

see

is

beautiful

a
"

we

We

sages
mes-

"

message

goal
as

is

slowly;

good

and

light," was

light.
that

fact

these

trance-communications,

combinations

of

'

all

see

of the

one

beautiful

the

instantaneous.

ever

light, that of
spirits employ 'light'

the

gradual

accomplished

with

associated

munications
com-

that

to

synonymous

This

this

consciousness
an

it is

of

the

been,

Himdreds

refer to

was

comes

that

seem

had

fact with
regard
very noticeable
is that in the spirit-world the idea

that

either

death

earth

quitted

earth

to

incredulity.

awakening

not

intimately

course

attachment
his

was

had

he

given through Home

of the
spirit to the

wakening
second

his

believe

to

expression

would

be

of

the

lasting
ever-

sages,
mes-

"of

misunderstood.

the

1876^1886.
mission

Home's
He
him

with

passive

was

the

in

trance,

of the

the

wire

To

those

declarations

of

credence

do

and

Hennings,

narrated

often

begun

in

him

given through
stopped her.
Home

trance,

waking

to Mr.

Home

other.

has

been

asked

leading

heaven

virtue

of

an

eternal
as

escape,

an

say

condition

eternal
the

condition

to

the

accepted

of

of heaven

off, with

put

be

to

answer

to

"

our

spirit-messages.

of
One

regarded

such

an

speak
being speak

of

life

come.

which
our

teachings of
Is
world
at large T
of those
teachings ?

to

one

one

resolution

world

of

wide-spread

fancies

convenient

outcome

of

separate

conception

the

revelations

same

they

to

if so, is that outcome

the true
satisfection ?
But
the

for

themselves

for the

the

in

abandon

in

an

not

facts

the

the

sinful

the

so.

the

season

And

as

did

convenient

done

to-day

had

more

reply what

hell have

and

have

she

he

why

that

"

to

would

life of

its condition

that

him

of the

the

earth, with

in

science
con-

your

messages
had
always

that he

noble

the

place

encourage

on

ask

might

of

in

progress,

that, in feet,men
here

as

concerning

objected

Felix, their reformation

of vice

worthy
Do

"

that

with
memory
became
unable
to

he

often

hell, would

is

relates

his

in

by humanity

life of infinite

supra-

experiences

trance, and

last, she

up
until
life,

acceptance

"

whose

chapter,

in the

At

the

It

and

former

themselves

from

as

thereupon explained that, as he had

recollection
occurred
of anything which
he preferred not to receive
particulars ;

faintest

his

of

some

speak

to

it

reason."

your

been

regarded

has

over

these

invariably :
the
help of

responded
communications
by

try aU

Mrs.

be

more

than

uttered

whether

not, he

or

no

just passed

has

to

were

conveys

had

he

had

him

questioned

that

wire

woke,

he

that

message

who

muqdane

mixed

which

that

the

as

words.

by

spoken through

words

he

When

of

consciousness

the

regard to
as
passive

electric current.

the

by facts,not

teach

to

was

41

sins.

Evil

and

with

objection

of progress
of punishment

There

is

misery

no
are

LIFE

412

one

earth

on

MISSION

it hereafter.

to

all these

In

that
earnestly inculcated
If you
strive earnestly
**

life in

true
your
submission
a

carry

sufierings and
with

contend

for have

wearied

not

we

and

been

preserved

from

I shall

"the

it

manifest

form

The

worthy of

why

have

spoken
cations
communi-

live

the

in

only

words

always
at

presence
and
wrong

which

of
I

hearers,

the

spoke
she

picture

do

drew

recollect

not

"

the

remember."
do

not

us,

and

sdance,

one

frequently
seek

of those

one

the

to

right ?

"

if

as

far

how

spirits do actually influence

us,
of
the
under
difficulties
conception
in seeking to make
their presence
in a trance
given through Home

answer

"You

The

asked

was

the

any
labour

they

desolation

their

shun

judge

the

I shall

eflfect of them

Why,

that

those

and

of

scores

fragments

down,

of

times

our

make

majority of

vast

to

mortals, have

had
to

your

have

you

trance-communications

never

feelings.

her

to

few

all

hearers.

Home,

through

what

you

teaching,

know

on

go

for

out

too, been

forget,"writes
in
awfully thrillingway

"

of

the

written

never

of the

minds

the

The

Home.
were

and

perfect

Christ's

"We

we,

might

even

of

can

roadside, and

doubt."

extracts

not

the

on

agony
such

through

mission/'

shortcomings,
;

work

enter

you

Only

**

Follow

"

time."

appoiijted

for it."

of earth

life."

purer
His
out

is the

it is

prayerfullyhere,

and

crosses

and

communications

Now

"

fitted

state

the

to

higher

and

HOME.

OF

the
miss
they who
knowledge of that truth
ing
awakena terrible
are
preparing for themselves

and

AND

spirits
aid

us
can

we
or

can

which
known.
is well

attention.

should

spiritsdo

take

higher

view

of

that.

it than

You

wonder

a
help you.
only have
you
the earthly envelope about
Rouse
yourself,and help yourself;
you.
do
do not expect others to help you
if you
do not act yourself. Yet
in a
that
tliousand
little dream
of, and
spirits interfere
ways
you
It
notice.
If
is
for
never
a
common
spiritsare
thing
people to say,
about
don't
God
Is
1
tliemselves
not
manifest
why
they
us,
where
every?
Is He
about
1
not
Why, then, does He not manifest
you
Himself?
God
has so ordained
of you spend your
that, though many

not

Are

not

spirit?

You

'

1876-1886.
lives

looking for

unnoticed

the

evidence

day

existence, yet every

beautiful

and

of these

circumstance

of His

wonderful

most

413

you

by

pass

evidences."

communications

always

not

in mind
that
sufficientlyborne
by the recipients was
their makers
in endeavouring
experienced great difficulty
still in the material
to men
to convey
body an idea
of the life of man
in the
spiritual body.
They could
such
a
spiritual body clothed
say, for instance, that
them, that it was
exactly like the material
body, only
the
left
impression the words
slightly smaller;" but
"

"

frequentlyeither

was

for the

hearers
that

body,

beautiful

from

form

took

hideous

or

or

vague
of those
words

own

or

souls

our

into

earth

on

that

form.

other

the

or

clay drops from

of

veil

the

Death

one

spiritual

spirit itself, and

spiritwas
good or evil.
world
beyond this is of

deformity in the
making ; and it is here

beauty

of

conceive

to

hard

was

the

the

as

It

erroneous.

At

Our
our

mould

we

the

and

us,

was

of

touch

shows

us

as

are.

we

How

"

make

do

you
while
spirits

the

of what

we

are,

In

with

the

likeness
This

we

to

brain
your
cloud-like
aura

far

more

declaration

was

**

trance.

actual

the

appear
sometimes
;
we

blance
resem-

we

us

as

us."

attracts,

It

as

project
it to

see

strongly than on
emphatic
repeated and
Home.

times,"
Some-

cause

this, likeness

of

exactly

we

you
of light around

in

but

asked

sitter

; sometimes

as
spirit-world,

repels ;

"

sometimes

see,

you

make

earth

on

you

you ?
in the

that

so

were,

image that
produced upon

we

was
"

an

be

see

answer,

known

were

we

Home

the

was

us

un-

earth.
in

the

key
difficult problems of Spiritualism.
of the most
to some
The
popular conception of the happiness of hereafter is
each
in which
at will with
state
commune
spiritscan
a
illimitable
such
The
other.
munion
comspirits say that no
given through

trance-messages

exists
are

; that

in the

next

difficulties of intercourse.
from

is distance

society of

those

friend

in

we

the

love.
next

world,
Here
We
street

in this, there

as

the

great obstacle

seek
;

we

is the

at

will

communicate

the

freelywith

less

MISSION

AND

LIFE

414

nothing for years of a

These
earthly obstacles
have

sympathy
the

in

their

world

next

impossible.

that

day

every

very
the
from

works

shall

we

evil, or

find

between

on

solemn

the

Spiritualism, it may
slowly and how painfully!
that

us

the

His

will ; that
or

of others.

love
draw

communion

great gulf fixed,"

of

view

in

the

In

and

us

latter

bridged;

of

the

event,

Creator

the

is

come

struggles of

and

how

but

life to

the

earth

is obedience

cannot
ceive
conjoys, the joys we
in forgetfulnessof self and
found

tell

They
God.

to

nearer

soul;

their
are

measure,

from

soul

be

peace

from
the doubts, sorrows,
peace
that the adoration
they offer to
to

Distance

between

good.

declares

Spirits tell

and

thought

meaning

hereafter

it set
and

us

is

Africa.

spirit-world. Consciously
that gulf
working to widen
earth ; and
according to our

are

live

we

of

render

to

as

there

us

unconsciously, we

or

of

distance

great

so

declarations

these

of

hear

may

spiritualcounterparts.

take

that

words

are

; we

interior

the

interchange

to

Between

"

in

third

is the

it is sometimes

and

off

miles

hundred

one

HOME.

OF

*'

us

that

From

the

to

live for others

Eternal

is to

Source,"

says

forth
through Home,
trance-message
goes
the Eternal
^Love
Light to which
we
aspire." Light
in the
of the
Good;
comprehension
spirits of the

spoken

"

"

"

blest

three

these

When

the

human

In

these

declare

for

them.

all

are

you,
fast.

that

Had

should
We

never

State,

question

error

of

of

the

word
not

time

Eternity, it

figuring it
had

as

endless

the

communications,

"to

lost

of time,"

variably
spiritsinits meaning

says

message

not

us

present

passage
wherein
we

was

tries to conceive

yesterday, to-day, to-morrow

hours, days, years, even
we
ages, like
slowly or time
say time
passes
passes
tire ; we
is to
are
eternity." That

say, eternity does

endless
Time, the

infinite

the

know

me;

one.

we

mind

trance

"We

before

now

one.

falls into

commonly
Time.

are

once

itself to

of which
progress.
asked
at

we

after death

us

mark,

seance

but

as

as
an

concerning

8y 6-1

the

886.

41 S

comparative truth of different religions. The answer

in the trance
Even
the
was
:
given through Home
"

"

"

the

of

^erm

outside

and

there

is

In

down

before

truth, inasmuch

he

who

Pagan

poor

whole

to

friends

883,

much

go

often

as

Home

On

his fiftieth

at Nice

feeble

too.

he

but

society ;

of the

crowd

that

me

words.

been

to.

possesses

to

seems

possible,"friends
added

idol

worships something

passed

had

into

as

constantly being
of March,

Mr.

health

His

birthday.

in these

sermon

as

his

himself.*' It

beyond

March,

for him

hows

number

was

the

birthday,
of Nice

foreign colony

his

received

whose

his

all winter

20th

bled
assem-

with
they surrounded
fSte the invalid, whom
a
and
bouquets of flowers.
prodigious heap of baskets
and
ing
sufferHome,
although a prisoner to his arm-chair
severely, preserved all his accustomed
exquisite
and
his
in welcoming
tors
friendly visiaffability
thanking
complied with the general desire by reciting
; and
and
them
several pieces in French
to
English, among
to

them
of

favourites, the

his

He

never

was

the

arranged
Mr.

Aksakoff,

the

celebrated

as

recite
in

piece

that

"

he

in

it ;

He

poet
and, the

the

Towards
his

would
that

same

cassonne,"
Car-

**
"

part of it

Countess

in
did

so

Tolstoy

aid

of the

poor,

my

cousin

John

had

reading
*'

"

heard

not
over,

It

was

ran

Home
to

up

perfect

it

"

before

never

less

not

heard

him
was

thing
any-

perfect."

so

that

the

Slavophil leader,

exclaimed

and

one

Tennyson.

followed

there, the

transport of enthusiasm.

of

in Bussia,

performance
part

being

as

of Nadaud.

well-known

before;

perfect!

all

took

Home

effect

were

we

amateur

an

more

following winter

While

at Moscow.

little

masterpiece
the

passed

and

the

with

case

to
"

Grandmother

"

it with

rendered

the
We

already referred

that I have

poem

be

close

malady

was

long

and

would

of

1884, Home

approaching
painful. He

happen

and,

sufferingsthrough

in

which

predicted
crisis, and

described

speaking
he

to

that

me

it

minutely
of

foresaw

the
that

creased
inhe

AND

LIFE

4i6
about

was

to

knows

better

wholly

in

All

"

pain,

then

he

danger supervened, and attacking

proved quickly fatal. The last three days we
all

resignation
held

illumined

"

the

thought

one

him, and

was

before

way

me

great goodness
around

were

ceased

to

it would
last

hours, he

seemed

with

its union

to

to

lungs,

both

knew

full

more
was

survive

gone

little

of

much

me

God's

in heaven.
named

with

him,

to

without

that

the

retained

but

was

them

came

no

all

he

them,

saw

death

told
fore-

had

strength to

of friends

hands

come,

from

disengaged

He

with

me

spoke

and
he

his

suffer

to

he

us,

him

forth

stretched

his

and

tell

"

feel that

me

from

resignation an ineffable
features, as the thin thread
His
body slowly parted.

spirit to the
to inspire

make

to

earth.

on

us

last ; and

to the

consciousness

that

for

ended

was

cruelly-

story of eighteen months.

the

that

to the

even

repose
few words

These

am

shall

of

intervals

1886, the complication of which

June,

In

you.

suffered

He

myself

done.

realised,

me.

of the

be

trial

tion
complica-

no

support

was

were

the

I trust

if

will

suffering.

told

be

sent

There

increased

need

all that

God

it

recover

predicted

force
superhuman
long and cruelly.

sends

sends

will

God

HOMK

who

does. His

you
last."

had

he

that

He
shall

if it

OF

God,

*'

why

we

hands.

His

suflfer at the

not

said,

pass,
than

supervenes
for
anxious

not

MISSION

and

them,

joy.
as

They

he

had

He
had

dicted
prethese

During
pang.
of this world
; the
a

soul,

pated
material, already antici-

the

life
the
Supreme Being and
eternal.
It was
dream, no hope to him, that life ; he
no
had
for it by his life on
earth
prepared himself
; and
of a sublime
in this moment
and tranquil death, he
now,
it open
saw
bright before him, while
slowly,painlessly,
the last ties of spiritand
body were
gently loosed.
It

was

buried
she
was

was

his

desire,

in the

same

laid

in

necessary,

as

vault
the

to

have

with

Russian

I learned,

according

the

elsewhere

the

Greek

be
As

Paris, it

near

interment

of

to

daughter.

cemetery

for the
ritual

little

our

said,

to

be

ducted
con-

Church.

LIFE

4i8

Home's
white

is

grave
marble

"Daniel

rises

12th

To

another

chapter,

at

from

St.

Bom

March

of

THE

June

END.

plain

which

on

to

20th,

verse)

HOME.

Calvary,

discerning
loth

OF

Germain.

Home.

Dunglas

(Scotland),
life

MISSION

AND

is

earth-life

spirits
21st,

'

(i

engraved

st

1886."

burgh
Edin-

near

Bom

1833.

of

cross

to

spirit-

Corinthiaiis,

419

INDEX.
-"4-

of

of the, 391 ; investigatorsgreatly

exposure
for the, 396 ; Home's
persistencein his task, 401.
of eighty s^nces
with
record
Home,
Viscouut, preserves
a
275 ;

Abuses
to

Spiritualism,Home's

blame

Adare,

remarkable

described

phenomena

impunity,

286

live coal with

a
by, 286 ; handles
the
elongation of Home,
290
; attests
other
witnessed
apparitions
by, 291;

the

witnesses

apparition of Mrs. Home,

291
concerning spirit-musicand voices, 293-294
293 ; testimonyof
; various
levitations
of Home
witnessed
by, 299 ; Home's
transport through the
air at a height of seventy feet witnessed
and attested
by, 300-302.
his friends, 256 ; they
to Home,
Adoption, offer of made
2^5 ; he consults
are

unanimous

in conffratulatinff

mm,

257.
of seventy

of
feet, 299 ; evidence
and
C.
Adare,
Lindsay,
Captain
Wynne, 300-307.
Aksakoff, John, and Home, 41^.
to have
Aksakoff, His Excellency Nicholas, requests Home
"Lights and
of Spiritualism'* translated,
Shadows
this world,
408 ; departure from

Air, Home
Lord

408

carried

through the,

his presence

manifested

IL, Emperor

his

veneration

invites

Home

Home

to

to

the

ask

his approaching
marriage, 367.
Jane, letter of, 225.
with
Home
Patrick, M. A, a s^nce

on

Alexander,
Alexander,
317-323.
the Year

Anecdote,

4018-409.

to us,

Majesty's goodwill

for, 66-67;
with, 241 ; desires

stances

All

neight

Lord

Alexander

him

at

Anecdotes

of Home

Anecdotes

of Home's

66, 242

Home's

Peterhoff, 113;
palace
favour, 363 ; congratulates

in

of

Edinburgh

described

by,

in, 245.

false statements

Rounds
Parisian,

Home,

to

iii.

in

France,

19-122.

readings,313-315.

Anecdote
of the siege of Pans, 327.
Armstrong,
Dr., certificate of, 264 (note).
Ashbumer,
Dr., becomes
a Spiritualist,
133.
of the phenomena,
the extraordinary character
Ashurst, W. H., admits
of
in
Assassination,
Florence,
attempted,
Home,
63 ; in London, 269.
the Spiritual,250.
Athenaeum,

248,

B.

Balzac,

Madame

extracts

from

de,
her

no

record

letters

to

remains

Home,

of her

stances

with

Home,

406

406-407.

jewellerv, 79.
de, her consecrated
Bassano, Duchess
in oroer
to meet
Home,
Bavaria, King of, delays leaving France
83.
216.
his experiences and letter to Home,
Bealcs, Edmond,
in the air in the presence
raised
and
Countess
Count
de. Home
Beaumont,
of,

100.

Beauveau,

Princess

de, witnesses

remarkable

cure,

80-81.

INDEX.

420

his article

from

Bell, Robert, extracts

in the

Comhill

Magazine^

47,

54, 141-

145.

Bellew, J. M., letter of, 231.

Belmont,
Marquis de, apparition of a lost friend to, 93.
respecting Professor
Bertolacci, Mr., letter to Home
Tyndall, 336.
Bigot, a curious, 235.
Blackburn,
s^nce,
Major, present at a remarkable
292.
Bliss, B. K., attests the phenomena,
14-15.
in i860, 175 ; letter to Home,
Blumenthal,
J., a Spiritualist
175.
at Home's
Count,
Bobrinsky,
wedding, 115 ; letter of conveying
groomsman
Imperial invitation, 116.
an
refusal of an
offer of "2000 for a stance, S7.
Home's
Bodiska,
B., attests
J. E., letter to Home,
Boehm,
22^.
Paris with, 94.
de, stances
in
Boissy, Marchioness
visits, 22.
Boston, Home
and
Professor
Boutlerow,
Home,
366 ; Crookes'
experiments confirmed
von,

by Boutlerow, 368.
and Countess,
invite Home
them,
to travel with
Branicka, Count
65.
Sir D., in\'ited by Brougham
fulness
to accompany
Brewster,
him, 37 ; his untruthexposed by others, 37-41 ; and finally by himself, 42 ; abortive
threat of a libel action by, 203-204.
Bright, John, led to investigate bv Mr. E. Beales, 216 ; Mrs. Senior*s narrative
of the first stance
he was
at wnich
testimony
present, 216-217
"

concerningthe impression

made

217-219.

on,

Brittan, S. B.,liis memorable

experiences, 15-16I
with
Lord, his first stance
Home,
Brougham,
37 ; compares
**

rain-cloud

Brownell,

in

the skies

of scepticism," 41.
poetry, 233 ; becomes

his
Howard,
Mrs., a Spiritualist,
55.
Browning, Robert, Ins single stance

Henry

Spiritualismto

Spiritualist, 234.

Browning,

53 ; letter
William

Bryant,
BuUer,

to

Home

with

(the poet), his attestation

Edward,

his curiosity excited

by Sir D. Brewster, 38.

Sir E., bis stances
Bulwer-Lytton,

he

was

Burr,

F.

brother

L., of the Hartford

Home,
32-35.

with

his

flightsof fancy,

pheC^mena,14-15.

of the

by the
at

present, 182-183

his elder

introduces

remarkable

very

Knebworth

and

Home

Home,
Times, his

and

with

Ealing

to

Home,
dread

s"5ance

of
at

Strange Story," 183-184

185.

to

Crookes
Burton, Lady, introduces
retold
Bush, Professor, his dream

"A

given

account

London,
178 ; his timidity and
Home,
180-185 ; description of a

wliich

52-56

in

at
6"$ances
present
ridicule, 178 ; letters of to

50-52

Home,

conceniing, 56.

narrative

Homo,

of

336.
Home,

through

remarkable

stance

12.

c.

Countess

Caithness,

to

Carpenter,
Carpenter.
303

of, her evidence, 283.

of her
de, cure
son's

Madame

Cardonne,

J.
Dr.

introduce

Home,
of Home,
to

VV., schoolfellow
W.
B., spiteful mistake

inventor

exposed,

Sardou

of

the

*'

honest

deafness, 80-81

requests

2.

of, 229

sceptic,"

304

sacrifices

;
;

his

truth

to

unscrupulous

tbeon%
fictions

interesting letter of, 308-309 ; contradictions

his public and
private expressions of opinion, 309-310
; unable
disprove the experiments of Huggius, Crookes, and Cox, he attacks
experini(?nters,362.
host
in New
York, 12.
Cnrrington, J. W., Home's
Challis, Professor, some
weighty words of, 160.
305-307

mission
per-

S2,

tween
be10

the

INDEX.

Chambers,

Robert, LL.D.,

with

Robert

recipient

of

narrated,
Dr.

Bell

Hawksley

his views

stance,

of, 2^1

family, s^nces

Cheney,
Cheney,

E.

as

186

to

book,

Home's

in

the

present
146 ; the

9 ;

Comhill,

of identity, 148 ; one

of those evidences
expressed bv himsdf, 152 ; present with
of in the Lyon
lawsuit, 268
; affidavit

268.

F., testimony

Chawner

preface
described

sdance

evidences

at

letter to Home,

Chance,

contributes
the

at

numerous

149-150

421

with

invites

Home

to

Cambrid(|;e,251.

the, 224-226.

L., letter of, 403.

Ward,

inviteslHome

death

of Mr.

to visit

Consideration

for

Constantino,
Contrast

Cheney,

him,

vision

19 ; Home's

and

its

sequel,

from, 403-404.
; message
Clark, Dr. T. M., Bishop of Rhode
Island, investigates the phenomena, 27 ; his
letters to Home,
27-28 ; letter announcing the death ot Ward
Cheney, 403.
with Brewster, 40 ; describes
his first stance, 177.
Coleman, B., his conversation
19-22

403

others, Home's,

the GrandDuke,

10,

169,

131,

210,

226, 280.

his guestat Strelna, 241 ; stances

with,24i.
with and without
Home,
396-4oa
investigations made
and
with, 220-221.
Lady, Mrs. Hall's conversation

between

Home

Cooper, Sir Daniel

extensive, loi, 249, 323, 407.
Correspondence, Home's
Cowelf, Jermyn, present at several stances, 231.
Cowper, Mrs. G., present at numerous
s^nces,
154.
Cox, Mr. Serjeant, present at a series of scientific experiments, ^51-355 ; his
testimony concerning the results of said experiments,356 ; his theory of
mony
psychic force,356 ; further investigations with Home, 357-358 ; his testiof these experiences, 394.
to the decisive
nature
Brewster, 39.
Cox, W., contradicts
the
describes
Crookes, W., F.RS.,
*'rai)s,"^;
reply to Wheatstone,
142;
in which
he entered
his inquiry, 331-333 ; at the oatset
he
on
temper
'*

believed

that

the

whole

trick," 333
snirits

perform,332,

to

when

enanges

secretaries

of

afifair

; tasks

he

blesses

the

Royal

was

that, in the

superstition,or
name

least

an

plained
unex-

science, he requested the

of the press to, 334 ; its tone

345 ; compliments
he was
where
expected to

Society asked

at

of

to meet

334

curse,

Home

at

the

s^nce,

two

335 ;

of Crookes'
they refuse, ^35 ; summary
investigationswith Home, 336-350 ;
of his senses,
in his mind
between
and the evidence
reason
antagonism
of his experiments
full account
Home
with
yet published by
no
339;
thirteen
witnessed
him, 340 ; classifies the phenomena
by^him under
remarkable
his
not
inquiry
physical
headings, 341-349 ;
psychical,3ii2;
attested
by, 342-348 ; he seizes a spirit-handthat dissolves iu

Ehenomena
is
348
phantom
grasp,

forms

letter to Home

after

the

phenomena
Cox, 351-355

wonderful

in the presence
further
contrives

with
Home,
during s^nces
349 ;
350; ne applies scientific tests to
of Dr. Huggins, F.R.S., and Mr. Serjeant
apparatus, 359 ; crowning and decisive
appear

s^nce,

invisible force
relative to the action of an
experiments
in silence
evidences
these
irrefutable
passed
over
360 ;
letters from

noteworthy
Curious

Crookes

physical manifestations,

to

Home,

on

visible

by

his critics,
361 ;

objects,

396.

243.

D.
D.," a West
Darkness, no

Point

*'

Home,

sdance

his narrative,

Examiner,
ever

held

with

Home
of Mrs.

Delaage, Henri,

73.
death

Burgh, Mrs., letter on the death

Deguery, Abb6, his advice to Home,
Morgan,

Dialectical
Double

of

objected

Home,

198.

his own
to Home,
announces
404.
Professor, verdict of, after prolonged investigation, 129.
Societjr,the, conducts
an
inquiry into Spiritualism,276.

in the

Distance

30-31.

total, 295, 399

337.

De

De

in

Home,

spiritworld,
the, 24a

413.

to

by

INDEX.

423

Dacos,

at her

s^nces

Madame,

with

his stances

Captain, R.A.,

Drayson,

ch"tean,

Bofferin, Lord, at a stance, 163.

Home's
makes
Alexander,
Dnmas,
with

Russia
1 10

biography

treated

as

III

251.

in

acquaintance
and

Count

becomes

the

at

Pftris, 109;

goes

to

Koucheleff-BesMrodka,

Countess

Dumas

by

his presence

romance,
of Home,

marriage

1 10

appointment,
his dis-

iii.

of, 402.

anecdote

lyumaAjUs,

the

and

Home

Home,
loa

that the manifestations

declares
to him
an
of, Brewster
record
of
eighty sdances with Home,
quite inexplicaole,38 ; preserves a
Earl

Dunraven,
275

desires

to

see

spirit-hand,292.

s^nce,
Lady, present at a remarkable
Dunsany,
245
Spiritualist,
Home, 247 ; a steadfast
247 ; letter to
by Mrs. Lyon, 257.
to, 196.
Durham,
Joseph, a spiritmessage

her

Home

friendship for
his

on

tion
adop-

E.
Easter

manifestations

Eve,

245-247.

on,

but not in would-be

mediums,
M., believes in Home,
249.
Home
Edinburgh,
in, 316-323.
to Spiritualism, 17.
Edmonds,
Judge, his conversion
Edwards,
W., attests the phenomena, i4-i5"
death
Edwin,
of, 2-4.
of healing, $0.
instance
Ellice, Miss, witnesses
a remarkable
denounces
of Thackeray,
EUiottson, Dr., the "Dr.
Goodenough'*
133;
Spiritualismas imposture, 134 ; breaks off all intercourse with his old

Edgeworth,

Ashbumer

friend
seeks

G.

places his
Elmer,

and

Mr.

El^ family, the,

Council

Mrs., offer
11

80; sauces
I"rotection,
edges the receipt of

at

Evoke

to

write

spirits.Home

to

introduction,

Home

135-136;

251.

17.

of Ezra

Episode, a Parisian, 378.

Eternity, false conceptionof as endless Time, 414.
nrst
sdance, 74 ; recognises a
Eugenie, Empress,
Home's
experience of, 79; takes

Murat

Spiritualist,134

134 ; sequel
of the Spiritual Athemeum,

adopt Home,
Ely, 13.

to

death

becoming

of the

him,

to

the

on

name

latter

the

on

introduction

an

Fontainebleau,
of

copy

Home,

Home's

spirit-hand, 75-76 ; a remarkable

under
her Imperial

sister

84;

book,

199

her
;

Majestv
commanos

acknow-

Princess

239.

unable

to, 71, 238.

F.
False

report of Home's
and

Faraday

death,

Spiritualism,

401.

127-131.

Fenzi, Chevalier, narrative

of, 385-386.
in Edinburgh,
Findlater, Dr., investigates at a seance
317-321.
to Home,
Fleming, Lady K., seeks an introduction
59.
siSances in, 380-3S6.
Florence, remarkable
stances
Fontainebleau,
at, 84.
Marchioness
in Paris, 92 ; at her chateau,
Fontenelles,
de, s^nces
vital exhausted
Force, Home's
by frequent siSances, 11, 166.
French

Funeral,

92-93.

conceptions of Spiritualism, 112-113.

Home's
desire concerning his, 417.

G.
(Jardnek,

Dr., describes

Generosity

of Home

in

not

his

26.
experiences,

publishing the

names

of timid

Spiritualists,
132.

INDEX.

Germany,

of, invitation

Emperor

conversation

with

in

Home

Homo

to

1870

423

at

Baden,

at

98

sdances

with, 98

Versailles, 98-99.

Mrs.

Gibson,

Home
to Dr.
Milner, introduces
at her
EUiottson,
134 ; stances
in London,
of a stance
written
from
account
an
137 ; extract
168-170 ; gives permission to publish her
by, 166 ; her letters to Home,
it from
omitted
his book, 170 ; her letters on
the
169 ; why Home
name,
residence

of Mrs.

death

Gomm,

Home,
197.
fire without
handles

Lady,

Grateful

letters
Dr.

Gray,

Homo,

to

Home
to
encourages
the
best
to
as
Europe
voyage

John,

flkdvises

Greeneville,

adopt

the

the

which

letter of, 284.

the

medical

profession,18;

of prolonging

cnance

his life,29.

pastors of, 6.

three

Grisi, Giulia, letter to Home

Grounds

hurt^ 283

receiving any

324-326.

after
lawsuit

Lyon

s^nce,

94.

decided

against Home,
252.
of Home's
miraculous
Guggert, Dr., speaks to the King of Wurtemberg
power," 97.
Bell's testimony, 144;
relates an
Gully, Dr., endorses
experience of Robert
the apparition of Mrs.
Chambers,
146 ; witnesses
Home,
290.
on

was

**

H.
Mrs.

Hall,

S. C, her

remarkable

of Alexandrina

memorial

his book, 203

experiences,

Home,
Home

manifestation, 196 ;
scepticism of, 205
; original
letter

; letters

206

Home,

to

to

on

; her

206-207

and

own

; letter

phenomenon,
284-285.
startling
Hare, Professor, his investigations, 17-18.
of, letter to Home,
Hastings, Marchioness
227.
Dr., his evidence
Hawksley,
concerning phenomena
theory of their origin, 186-189.
attests

19V194
the

; narrates

husband's

ner

Home

from

of
publication

to, 242

Mrs., her

Hawthorne,

with

conversation

Mrs.

by him

witnessed

Browning,

and

55.

in spite of himself, 211.

convinced
Heaphy, Thomas,
after a s^nce,
Hebert, "., note written
102.
of concerning proofs of spirit identity, 278-279;
Hennings, Mrs., evidence
of paralysis,
related
of Home
by, 411.
279 ; anecdote
concerninga cure
meets
m
London, 17^.
Herzen, A., Home
Home
to Cambridge,
Rev.
A. W., invites
Hobson,
231.
Hoe
for, Dr., experiences ot 172 ; letter to Home,
173.
with
Home,
Holland, Queen of, s^nces
105.
104 ; her letter to Home,
Mrs.
betrothal, 108; marriage, 115; last illness described
Home,
Alexandrina,
tranquil and happy
by Mrs.
Hall, 19^ ; by Mrs. Howitt,
194-195
; her
departure from tlus life, 195.
Mrs.
Home,
Elizabeth, gifted with the second
sight,i ; foretells her death, 4.
Home,
mistakenly spelt Hume,
name
3 1.
resolves

Home

payment for
by spiritmtervention,

to

never

life preserved

Home's

receive

sdance,

10.

171-172.

the two
Homes,
imaginary, 122.
evidence
of, 281-282
Mrs., evidence
of, 297-298.
Honywood,
; further
after her first s"$ance, 154.
Hope-Vere, Miss S., letter to Home

House

of

Howden,

the, and

Commons,

Home's

expulsionfrom

Lord, letter of enclosing introductions

to

Rome,

209.

his brother

ambassadors,

96.

Howitt,'.Marv,
Howitt,
with
395

Huggins,

"In

William,
Home,

Memoriam,"
extract

165

from

faith in

; letter concerning

Dr., F.R.S., takes

by, 194-195
the

evidence

interesting letter

of,

204
Spiritualism,

Crookes,

i6j ;
;

his testimony

Home,

205.
stances

disgust with

its

abuses,

396.

part in Crookes'

scientific experiments with Home,

of said experiments, 355.

concerning the results

Prince, Home
presented to, 208.
Humbert,
0^ 176-177.
Hutchinson, James, evidence
351-355

his

present

to

at many

INDEX.

424

Chambers
c"m*
148 ; experience of Robert
Mrs.
of
Senior,
ceminff, 14"-150;
Sinclair, 150-151;
153-154;
of Mr. Fears, 158 ; of J. N. Tiedemann,
173 ; of S. C. Hall, 206 ; of Mrs.
of
Mrs.
Peck,
278
Hennin^
375-378 ; of Countess
;
Panij^i,380-3S5.
Herald
"Incidents
m
My
Life," publication of Vol. I., 199; the Morning
and Quarterly Ecview
of VoL
II., 373.
on,
200, 201
; publication
Investigation,the fullest welcomed
by Home,
14-15, 39, 42, 167, 188, 22$,
337-338, 351-356. 359-360, 368-370, 370-372,
317-321,
394396-4oa
Investigationswith and without Home,
the

Identity,

of, 131,

question

of Miss

J.

Jencken,

Mrs., senior,

of

cure

by spiritpower,

279.

K.

Karpovitch,
full

Dr., testimony of, 368-370

he

Home

sees

in the

raised

air in

light^370.

letter to Home
after reading "* Incidents
in My
Kater, Edward,
Life," 202.
Home's
acts
Kindness,
of, 324-326, 37"-380.
many
Kirkup, Baron, letter of, 395.
Count
Alexander
with
Komar,
Home,
86-89
de, s^nccs
friendship for
*

Home,

90

Rome,

107

him

his
bathe
Nice, 387 ; startled by seeing him
face and
in flames, 388 ; passes
hands
from
earth, 390.
Waldimir
Paris
Komar,
to Home
de, friendship for Home,
90 ; letter from
in London,
91.
Home's
and Countess,
seek
Kouchelefif-Besborodka, Count
at
acquaintance

describes

; meets

Home's

the

at

betrothal

the

to

of the

surroundings

sister of the

Koucheleffs

at

Countess,
Paris, no.

108

Dumas

L.
s(5ances
of, 374-378.
at the house
Lamuniere,
Madame,
Lectures
on
Spiritualism, in London, 243-245
by Home
365Legacy, an imaginary, 105.
Levitation

of

of Mr.

Home,

least

at

Lord

Crookes,

hundred

recorded
Lord

Lindsay,

instances
and

Adare,

in St.

Petersbur;^,

of. 298
Captain

testimony

C.

Wvnue,

298-307.
de, letter of, 365.
Lieven, Baroness
Life
of the, 409-414.
beyond this, nature
Life saved
Home,
by
a, 328-329.
that
Home's
sdances
took place in the, 15, 26, 30, 32, 37, 157,
Light, evidence
228,
167, 177, 187, 190, 202,
246, 281, 283, 284, 287, 290, 2Q2. 317227,
338,
348,
358, 368, 371, 374, 377, 380, 381,
346,
351-356,
343,
321,
337,
394.
.

"

**

"

Light-loving phenomena
Lights

Shadows

and

Hall

of

concerning,

400
of

and

traders

eflbrts

attests

the

fact that

taking harm,
full

li^ht,299

feet witnessed

Lockhart,

P.

M.,

no

he

289

Home's

and

the

relates

miracles, 396-400.

391-400
; letter of Home
him
to relinquishhis
to induce

(Earl
Lindsay, Lord
Crawford),
investigation by, 275 ; evidence
281-282

in sham

Spiritualism,"

had

with
sympathy
of concerning

eight

times

testifies to

transport

attested

confidence

of

occurrences

by,

having seen
through

Home,
264;
handling

the

Home

air at

medium

but

Home,

his

rise in
a

height

299-300.

in any

of

night,
startling
in

249.

Mrs.

prolonged

the

live coals

held

to

task, 401.
lire

288-

hand
the
of

harmed,
un-

2S9

out
withair

in

seventy

INDEX.

426
of
Pears, Mr., his narrative
sion," 158-159.
Peck, Mrs., imperfect and

incident

an

that

incorrect

"

of

account

Magazine
by an anonymous
narrative, 376-378.
at the palace of, 11 3-1 14,
Peterhofif,Home

him

astonished

exprep

experiences given

her

writer, 375

Blackwood's

heyond

Peck's

; Mrs.

11

ovi

241-242.

of various, 4V47.
attestations
Phenomena,
audience
Pius IX., Home's
with, 68 ; bestows
68-69.
Home
Baron
Pontalba,
de, writes to inform

his

Home,

special blessing on

Paris,

reports circulated

of false

in

106.

of Home,
236-238.
Home
meets
at Nice, 387.
Potocka, Countess,
of Home's, 126, 270, 366-367.
Power, variable nature
of
Home
the sculptor, meets
at Florence, 58 ; lib narrative
Powers,
Hiram,
manifestations
witnessed
61
and
retains
a
spirit-lmnd,
by him,
; grasps
Portraits

61.

Home's
concerning his last illness, 415.
Progress the key-note of spiiit-mcssages,
410.

Prediction,

QQuarterly Eeview, the,

"

on

Incidents

in

Life,"

My

201.

R
Railway

liavignan,
letter

anecdotes, 1 19-122.
P^re
Home
de, assures
Home,

to

Home's

Readings,

that

his power

will not

wounded

soldiers, 235, 236 ;

the
"Grandmother,"

return

to

him, 70

73.
;

aid

in

of sick

and
236; liis humour
Wi(low
Bedott," 314 ; strain
Edinburgh, 316 ; in Nice, 415

and

York,

pathos, 311;

**

Home's

on

; in

temperament,

Moscow,

315

in

New

313;

reacUngs

415.

francs for a sdance, 86-87.

Refusal
of an
offer of 50,000
of this superstition,
absurdities
Re-incarnation,
392-393.
Ridiculous
theories, 122-123.
ola acauaintance,
Ritchie, Mrs., renews
an
250 ; a prized friend, 250.
Dr.
deriacs
Lockhart,
Robertson,
Spiritualism, 156; change in his views

wrought
Rome,

by investigation, 157.
expulsion from, 207-208;

Home's
House

Ruskin,

Commons,
209.
John, his investigations
Mrs.
;

Home,
Russell, Odo,

letter

Russell, Mrs.

Scott, present

to

to
so,

Russian

Rymer

he

brings

the

before

matter

the

of

213-215

of the

Hall's

phenomena,

212-216

concerning,

testimony

cordial

letters

213.

of, 223-224.

Home

to

at

publish

stances,
her

name,

2S0

280

Spiritualist,280

wiiy

he refrained

gives permission
doing

from

So.

service in the, 417.

at Paris, funeral
family, the, 37 ; false story concerning, 48.
church

S.

Amaro,

Sant'

Countess, sdance
with, 389.
Lieutenant, and
Home,
328-329.
shunned
never
meeting, 1^4, 158, 232, 2S6, 317.
Sceptics. Home
Schouvaloff, Count, letter conveying tne Emperor's wedding-gift to
Sauer,

116

Science

accepts

and

offer

of

s"5ancc,

Siuritualism, 331-362.

116.

Home,

INDEX.

Scientific

men,

invitations

427

with

to s^nces

declined

Home

by, 350, 358.

beautiful, 245-247.
Sdauce
at Garinish, 291-293.
Dr. Huggins, and
with
Mr.
Crookes,
S"^aucc, a scientific,
351-356.
Stance
at Nice, 387-388.
of concerning her first s^nces
Senior, Mrs. A., evidence
Sdance,

154 ; letter

the death

on

of Mrs.

Home,

197 ;

Mr.

Serjeant Cox,

Home,

with

beautiful

153described

s^nce

by, 246-247.
Senior, Nassau, investigates the phenomena, 199.
herself ^ Spiritualist,*
156.
Shelley, Lady, her letters to Home,
155-156; avows
witnesses
the, 326-330.
Siege of Paris, Home
remarkable
manifestation
gated
investiJ. H., liis experiments,
a
Simpson,
40;
his reference
to the "light-loving series of phenomena,"
by, 286-288;
witnessed
by him in Home's
presence, 287.
incident
in ner
Sinclair, Miss
Catherine, an
experiences, 150-151 ; extracts
from

Smith,

letters

Captain

and

attests

of, 152-153.

Gerard,
the

Soffietti, Chevalier,

suiters

forgotten

the

confirm

to

apparitionof Mrs.
fact

faith

Home,
of

of others, 281

witnesses

291.

his liferecalled

to

his memory,

382-

383Solnis,

George,Prince

of, requests

Home

not

to

publish

his

conversion

to

Spiritualism, 226-227.
Spectator, the, on the Brewster
controversy, 41-42.
Spirit-body, the, 412-415.
Spirit-teachini;^conccmmg
spirit-life,
409-414.
Spirit, the veiled, 191.
Si"irit-voicc8heard, 293-294.
161 ; further
in London,
Stcinbock-Fcrmor,
Count, visits Home
experiences
by, 165-166 ;
of, 165 ; the philosophyof Spiritualism as understood
Ilome
to jfijni-Novgorod,
accompanies
241-242.
Professor
Stewart,
Balfour, his extraordinary theory of Home's
magnetic
339.

power,

buried
Germain, Home
at, 418.
with the, 366-367.
St. Petersburg University committee,
stance
Bell, 140-145.
""Stranger than Fiction," by Robert
Strange tribute to Home's
genius as a reader, 233-234.
Duchess
Dr. Gumming
to Home,
Sutherland,
of, introduces
191
Home's
of
**a
Mrs.
illness,191 ;
deeper ground
on
learning
given to, 192.
St.

SYmpathy
of

belief"

T.
Talbot,

Monsignor,

letter

Tennant,

of to

Home,
Sir Emerson,

accompanies

Home

the

to

Vatican,

68;

interesting

269.
tries to bring about

meeting

of Home

and

Faraday,

130.

Testimony

of inquirers that

39, 42,

164, 167, 188, 227,

370-373-

394.
and
Home,

Home

urged the fuUest

investigation,14-15,
337-338, 351-356, 359-360, 368-370,

317-321,

mid

140-141

Spiritualists,
154.

Thackeray

,.

SpintuaJism, 159.
the mighty
task of this obscure
superstition, 392.
Home
to
lemann,
Holland,
J., accompanies
proofs of identity
104;
furnished
to him
by a spirit,173 ; letter of to Home,
174.
with
at %iffO stances
Home,
sics, the, a representative of present
;
370-373
accordion
of thei Times
writer, 372 ; a searching
an
plays in the hand
its results, 372 ; warfare
between
the senses
and
the
investigation and
of the inquireramusingly illustrated, 373.
prepossessions

Thackeray
Theosophy,

on

IXDEX.

428

Alexis, first meeting

TolstoT, Coant
noble chaneter,
1 14 ; groomsman
London

the

to

Home
piesMs
of Home,
240

him,

visit

at

Tolstoy,

Coontess
to

iritli Home,

Tolstoy and

164

114

161-

163

Home

at

his

letter

Athenoeum^
the, 73-76

the

to

Toileries, first s^Sonce

at

tohii

tribute

letters from

1^
sptrit-hand,

Tobtoy

the

sees

162

wraiih

Nice, 38S-389.

with, 176.
Tonrgenieff, Home*8
acqniuntance
made
Tranee-^xMnmnnication""
throngh Home, 40^414.
Brewster, 39 ; his opmion
Trollope, T. A., contradicu

58

Home's

grasps

the Countess

wedding,

Home's

of the

pheDomena,

39,

5S.
;

other

s^nces

at

the, 76-80,

199,

2C9,

239*

letter of concerning
Lights and Shadows,"
Tattle, Hndson,
Home's
at
Twain, Mark,
readings, 405 ; on the translation
French
Dud,** 405-406.
Tyndall, Professor, copiesFaraday's attitude, 131.
**

40c.

of

'*

Modem

U.
the, 86.

Ouh,

Union

V.
Cromwell,

Varley,

F.R.S., attests
descrihed

Home

with

s"^nce

various

hy, 227-230

phenomena, 45 (note) ;
; proof positive afforded

his
to

first

him,

229.

Versailles, an episode of Home*s

Vision, on extraordinary, 23-25.

stay at, 329-330.

W.
of 1870, the, 326-330.
Milner
of, concerning two stances
at Mrs.
AVason, James, evidence
Gibson's
167.
in Florence, 38 1, 3S5 ; letter
s^Sances
Webster,
Mrs., present at remarkable
of, 3S7.
L Diversity,attests the phenomena,
Wells, Profe!"sor, of Harvard
14-15.
addressed
Mrs.
S. II., verses
to by Poe, 232
Whitman,
convert
to
Spiri; a
War

tualisra,232.
the

Wilbrahani,
Wilkinson,
gra.sps

Wilkinson,
his

Hon.
J.

Dr.

Colonel,
his

Garth,

testimony of, 202.

"The
testimony, 43-44;

Immortal

Loves,"

49;

spirit-hand,57.

W.

M., evidence
in the

evidence

Lyon

of concerning phenomena
witnesseil by him, 164
the plaintifl^s
lawsuit
testimony to have
proves

perjureil,258-260 ; 266-267.
at the, 363.
l*alace, seances
after witnessing the antics of disciples of
Prince, letters to Home
Wrede,
Kardec, 393.
at Baden, 97.
Wurtemberj:, the King of, s"5ance with Home
Home's
the air at a height of seventy
C,
through
transport
Captain
Wynne,
been

Winter

feet

witmssed

and

attested

by,

303-307

Dr.

Carpenter's fictions

by, 306-307.

rRlNTBl)

BY

BALLANTYNE,

EUINUL'RCH

HANSON

AND

AND

CO.

LONDON.

M'

tradicted
con-