SPIRIT SLATE WRITING

AND
KINDRED PHENOMENA
BY
WILLIAM E. ROBINSON
Assistant to the late Herrmann
SITY!SI ILL"STRA TIONS
M"NN # $OMPANY
S$IENTI%I$ AMERI$AN O%%I$E
Ne& Yor' $it(
)*+*
! , ,,! - )! . / . !T r . 0
0, HAR1ARD $OL",t 2SM3lY
%ROK
THE BE4"EST 53
E1ERT 6AN*EN WElW3t"
$o7(ri8hte59 )*+*9 2( M:nn # $om7an(.
All ri8hts reser;e5.
PRE%A$E.
The a:thor o3 the 7resent ;ol:me is not an
o77onent o3 s7irit:alism . on the <ontrar(9 he &as
2ro:8ht :7 3rom <hil5hoo5 in this 2elie3= an5
tho:8h9 at the 7resent &ritin89 he 5oes not a<'no&l!
e58e the tr:th o3 its tea<hin8s9 ne;ertheless he
res7e<ts the 3eelin8s o3 those &ho are honest in their
<on;i<tions. At the same time he <on3i5entl( 2e!
lie;es that all rational 7ersons9 s7irit:alists as &ell
as others9 &ill heartil( in5orse this en5ea;or to
e>7lain the metho5s o3 those &ho9 :n5er the mas'
o3 me5i:mshi79 an5 7ossessin8 all the arti3i<es o3 the
<harlatan9 ;i<timi?e those see'in8 'no&le58e o3
their lo;e5 ones &ho ha;e 7asse5 a&a(. As a 8reat
Ne& Yor' la&(er on<e sai59 it &as not s7irit:alism
he &as 3i8htin89 2:t 3ra:5 :n5er the 8:ise o3 s7irit!
:alism.
O&in8 to the 3a<t that the a:thor has 3or man(
(ears 2een en8a8e5 in the 7ra<ti<e o3 the 7ro3ession
o3 ma8i<9 2oth as a 7resti5i8itate:r an5 5esi8ner o3
sta8e ill:sions 3or the late Ale>an5er Herrmann9 an5
has also 2een asso<iate5 &ith Pro3. Kellar9 he 3eels
I1 PRE%A$E.
that he is 3itte5 to treat o3 <le;er tri<'s :se5 2(
me5i:ms. He has atten5e5 h:n5re5s o3 sean<es
2oth at home an5 a2roa59 an5 the 7resent ;ol:me
is the 3r:it o3 his st:5ies.
Some o3 the means o3 &or'in8 these slate tests
ma( a77ear sim7le an5 im7ossi2le o3 5e<ei;in89 2:t
in the han5s o3 the me5i:m the( are entirel( s:<!
<ess3:l. It sho:l5 2e remem2ere5 it is not so m:<h
the a77arat:s em7lo(e5 as it is the shre&59 <:n!
nin89 e;er!o2ser;in8 shar7er :sin8 it. The 5e;i<es
an5 metho5s em7lo(e5 2( slate &ritin8 3ra:5s seem
inn:mera2le. No sooner are the( <a:8ht an5 e>!
7ose5 &hile em7lo(in8 one s(stem than the( im!
me5iatel( set their &its to &or' an5 e;ol;e an
entirel( 5i33erent i5ea. It is almost im7ossi2le at
the 3irst sittin8 &ith a slate &ritin8 me5i:m to 'no&
&hat metho5 he &ill em7lo(9 an5 sho:l5 (o:9 a3ter
the sittin89 8o a&a( &ith the i5ea that (o: ha;e
5is<o;ere5 his metho5 o3 o7eration an5 <ome a
se<on5 time rea5( to e>7ose him9 (o: ma( 2e sa5l(
5isa77ointe59 3or the me5i:m &ill :n5o:2te5l( lea5
(o: to 2elie;e he is 8oin8 to :se his 3ormer metho59
an5 so mislea5 (o:. He a<<om7lishes his test 2(
another metho59 &hile (o: are on the loo'o:t 3or
somethin8 entirel( 5i33erent. The 8reat s:<<ess o3
the me5i:m is in 5isarmin8 the s:s7i<ions o3 the
s'e7ti<9 an5 at that ;er( moment the tri<' is 5one.
Slate &ritin8 is o3 <o:rse the 8reat stan52( o3
PRE%A$E. 1
me5i:ms9 2:t there are man( other tri<'s &hi<h
the( em7lo( &hi<h are 5es<ri2e5 in the 7resent
;ol:me.
The 7:2lishers ha;e a55e5 a <ha7ter on @A Mis<el!
laneo:s Tri<'s 0 &hi<h ma( ser;e as a s:77lement to
their 0Ma8i<B Sta8e Ill:sions an5 S<ienti3i< Di;er!
sions9 In<l:5in8 Tri<' Photo8ra7h(CA &hi<h has
alrea5( o2taine5 an en;ia2le 7osition in the litera!
t:re o3 ma8i<9 an5 has 2een e;en translate5 into
S&e5ish. These tri<'s are 2( Mr. W. B. $a:l' an5
the a:thor.
Ne& Yor'9 No;em2er9 )*+*.
TABLE O% $ONTENTS.
$ha7ter I.
PAGE
The Sin8le Slate 9 D
$ha7ter II.
The Do:2le Slate DE
$ha7ter III.
Mis<ellaneo:s Slate Tests F)
$ha7ter I1.
Min5 Rea5in8 an5 Kin5re5 Phenomena /)
$ha7ter 1.
Ta2le Li3tin8 an5 S7irit Ra77in8 G)
$ha7ter 1I.
S7irit:alisti< Ties . . . .@ *E
$ha7ter 1II.
Post Tests9 Han5<:33s9 S7irit $ollars9 et< +D
$ha7ter 1III.
Sean<es an5 Mis<ellaneo:s S7irit Tri<'s loi
$ha7ter I.
Mis<ellaneo:s Tri<'s ))/
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING
AND
KINDRED PHENOMENA.
$HAPTER I.
The Sin8le Slate.
There has 7ro2a2l( 2een nothin8 that has ma5e
more <on;erts to s7irit:alism than the m:<h tal'e5
o3 AA Slate Writin8 TestC@ an5 i3 &e are to 2elie;e
some o3 the stories tol5 o3 the &ritin8s m(sterio:sl(
o2taine5 on slates9 :n5er &hat is 'no&n as @A se;ere
test <on5itions9@A that 7re<l:5e9 2e(on5 an( 7ossi2le
5o:2t9 an( 3orm o3 5e<e7tion or tri<'er(9 one &o:l5
thin' that the 5a( o3 mira<les ha5 <ertainl( ret:rne5 =
2:t &e m:st not 2elie;e hal3 &e hear nor all that &e
see9 3or the <han<es are that H:st as (o: are a2o:t to
attri2:te some :na<<o:nta2le s7irit 7henomena to
an :nseen 7o&er9 somethin8 t:rns :7 to sho& that
(o: ha;e 2een tri<'e5 2( a <le;er 5e;i<e &hi<h is
a2s:r5 in its sim7li<it(.
There are a lar8e n:m2er o3 metho5s o3 7ro5:<!
in8 slate &ritin89 2:t the &riter &ill 5es<ri2e a 3e&
&hi<h &ill 2e s:33i<ient to 8i;e an i5ea o3 the &or'!
in8 o3 slate tests in 8eneral. %irst &e ha;e the
or5inar( one in &hi<h the &ritin8 is 7la<e5 on the
slate 2e3orehan59 an5 then hi55en 3rom ;ie& 2( a
F SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
3la7 or loose 7ie<e o3 slate. I%i8. i.J A3ter 2oth
si5es o3 the slate ha;e 2een <leane59 the 3alse 3la7 is
5ro77e5 on the ta2le9 the si5e &hi<h is then :77er!
most 2ein8 <o;ere5 &ith <loth similar to the ta2le
lo79 &here it &ill remain :nnoti<e59 or the 3la7 is
allo&e5 to Iall into a se<on5 slate &ith &hi<h the
3irst is <o;ere5. In the latter <ase no <loth is 7aste5
on the 3la7. Sometimes the 3la7 is <o;ere5 &ith
%i89 I.. Or5inar( Slate &ith %la7.
a 7ie<e o3 ne&s7a7er an5 is allo&e5 to 5ro7 into a
ne&s7a7er l(in8 on the ta2le9 then the ne&s7a7er
<ontainin8 the 3la7 is <arelessl( remo;e59 th:s 5oin8
a&a( &ith an( tra<e ol tri<'er(.
Another &a( o3 :tili?in8 the 3alse 3la7 is as 3ol!
lo&sB The &ritin8 is not 7la<e5 2e3orehan5 on the
slate9 2:t on the 3la79 &hi<h9 as 2e3ore9 is <o;ere5
&ith the same material as the ta2le to7. This is
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. /
l(in8 on the ta2le &ritin8 5o&n&ar5. The slate is
han5e5 aro:n5 3or ins7e<tion9 an59 on 2ein8 re!
t:rne5 to the 7er3ormer9 he stan5s at the ta2le an5
<leans the slate on one si5e9 then t:rns it o;er an5
<leans the other. As he 5oes so he li3ts the 3l3i7 into
the slate. The 3la7 is= hel5 in 3irml( 2( an e58in8 o3
thin 7:re sheet r:22er <emente5 on the 3la7 2et&een
the slate an5 the <loth <o;erin8 o3 the slate. This
8ri7s the &oo5en si5es o3 the 3rame har5 eno:8h
to 7re;ent the 3alse 7ie<e 3rom t:m2lin8 o:t a<<i!
5entall(.
We no& <ome to another st(le9 &herein a slate is
<leane5 on 2oth si5es9 an59 &hile hel5 in the han5
3a<in8 the a:5ien<e9 2e<omes s:55enl( <o;ere5 &ith
&ritin89 an5 the slate is imme5iatel( 8i;en 3or in!
s7e<tion. The &ritin8 is on the slate 7re;io:s to
the <leanin89 an5 is hi55en 3rom ;ie& 2( a 3la7 o3
slate <olore5 sil'9 hel5 3irml( in 7la<e 2( a 7ellet o3
&a> in ea<h o3 the <orners o3 the sil'. Atta<he5 to
this sil' 3la7 or <o;erin8 Iat the en5 that is nearest
to the 7er3ormer@s slee;eJ is a sto:t <or5 or strin899
&hi<h is also ma5e 3ast to a stra7 aro:n5 the &rist
o3 the han5 o77osite to that hol5in8 the slate. I3
the arms are no& e>ten5e5 their 3:ll len8th9 the
7ie<e o3 sil' <o;erin8 &ill lea;e the slate an5 7ass
ra7i5l( :7 the slee;e o:t o3 the &a(9 an5 th:s lea;e
the &ritin8 e>7ose5 to ;ie&. I%i8. E.J The slate is
3o:n5 to 2e still a little 5am7 3rom the <leanin8 &ith
the s7on8e an5 &ater it ha5 2een 8i;en 7re;io:sl(.
This is easil( a<<o:nte5 3or. The &ater 3rom the
s7on8e 7enetrates H:st eno:8h thro:8h the <loth to
5am7en the slate.
There is still another slate on &hi<h &e <an ma'e
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
the &ritin8 a77ear s:55enl(. It is <om7ose5 o3 a
&oo5en 3rame9 s:<h as all &oo5en!e58e5 slates ha;e9
%i8. E.. Remo;in8 the Sil' 3rom the %a<e o3 the Slate.
2:t the slate itsel3 is a sham. It is a 7ie<e o3 <loth
7ainte5 &ith a 'in5 o3 7aint 'no&n as liK:i59 or sili!
<ate slatin89 &hi<h9 &hen 5r( an5 har59 is similar to
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. G
the real arti<le. This <loth is t&i<e the len8th o3
the slate an5 H:st the e>a<t &i5th. The t&o en5s o3
the <loth are :nite5 &ith <ement9 so as to ma'e an
en5less 7ie<e or loo7. There is a small ro5 or roller
in 2oth the to7 an5 2ottom 7ie<es o3 the 3rame9 the
en5s 2ein8 ma5e hollo& to re<ei;e theni. O;er
these rollers r:ns the <loth9 stret<he5 3irml( an5
ti8htl(. 6:st &here the <loth is Hoine5 or <emente5
is a little 2la<' 2:tton9 or st:5 o3 har5 r:22er or
leather. This allo&s the <loth to 2e 7:she5 :7 an5
5o&n9 2rin8in8 the 2a<' to the 3ront = an5 2( 5oin8
so K:i<'l(9 the &ritin8 &hi<h is &ritten on the <loth
at the rear o3 the 3rame is ma5e to <ome to the 3ront
in 7lain ;ie&. I%i8. D.J
Still another i5ea in a
sin8le slate is as 3ollo&s B
An or5inar( loo'in8 slate
is 8i;en o:t 3or e>amina!
tion9 an59 on its 2ein8 re!
t:rne5 to the me5i:m9 he
ta'es his han5'er<hie3 an5
<leans or 2r:shes 2oth si5es
o3 the slate &ith it = an59
:7on a8ain sho&in8 that
si5eo3 the slate 3irst <leane59
it is 3o:n5 <o;ere5 &ith
&ritin8 a77arentl( 5one
&ith <hal'. The 3ollo&in8
is the sim7le e>7lanation
o3 itB Ta'e a small <amel@s
hair 2r:sh an5 5i7 it in
:rine or onion H:i<e9 an5 &ith it &rite or tra<e on
the slate &hate;er (o: 5esire9 an5 &hen it 2e<omes
%i8. D.. The Kn5less
Ban5 Sili<ate Tri<'
Slate.
* SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
5r(9 or nearl( so9 the slate <an 2e 8i;en 3or e>amina!
tion &itho:t 3ear o3 5ete<tion. The han5'er<hie3
the 7er3ormer :ses to <lean the slate &ith is li8htl(
s7rin'le5 &ith 7o&5ere5 <hal'. He ma'es 2elie;e to
<lean the one si5e 5e;oi5 o3 7re7aration9 2:t the si5e
<ontainin8 the in;isi2le &ritin8 is 8entl( r:22e5
&ith the han5'er<hie39 not too har5 H:st eno:8h to
let the 7o&5ere5 <hal' 3all on the :rine or onion
H:i<e9 &here it lea;es a mar' not :nli'e a <hal' mar'.
It &ill not 2e o:t o3 7la<e to 5es<ri2e a tri<' 2(
&hi<h &ritin8 is 7ro5:<e5 :7on an or5inar( <hina
7late 2( a some&hat similar means. The 7late is
e>amine5 an5 <leane5 &ith a 2orro&e5 han5'er!
<hie39 an5 then the 7er3ormer reK:ests the loan o3 a
7in<h o3 sn:3l39 or :ses a little san5 or 5:st9 &hi<h he
7la<es on the 7late. He no& <ommen<es to mo;e
the 7late aro:n5 in <ir<les9 an5 &hile 5oin8 so the
sh:3i3 or san5 is seen to 8ra5:all( 3orm itsel3 into
&ritin8. The e>7lanation is sim7le . &hate;er &rit!
in8 (o: 5esire to a77ear on the 7late is 7la<e5 2e!
3orehan5 on it. It is 5one &ith a <amel@s hair 2r:sh
5i77e5 in the &hite o3 an e88 an5 allo&e5 to 2e<ome
5r( 2e3ore 2ein8 han5e5 aro:n5 3or ins7e<tion. As
the 7er3ormer <leans the 7late he 2reathes on 2oth
si5es o3 it9 as i3 to 8i;e it moist:re eno:8h to hel7
ta'e o33 an( 5irt that mi8ht 2e thereon &hen r:22e5
&ith the han5'er<hie3. In 2reathin8 on the 3ront o3
the 7late <ontainin8 the &ritin8 5one &ith the &hite
o3 the e889 he moistens the &ritin8 eno:8h to ma'e
the sn:33 or san59 as the <ase ma( 2e9 a5here to it.
O3 <o:rse9 in <leanin8 the 3ront o3 the 7late9 <are
m:st 2e ta'en not to 2r:sh or 5ist:r2 the in;isi2le
&ritin8.
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. +
It ma( not 2e amiss to also mention another metho5
o3 7ro5:<in8 &ritin89 em7lo(e5 2( me5i:ms to o2!
tain a messa8e on a 2lan' 7ie<e o3 7a7er &hi<h has
2een 7la<e5 2et&een t&o slates9 &hi<h are hel5 2(
the me5i:m in his han59 hi8h a2o;e his hea59 an59 on
a3ter&ar5s ta'in8 the slate a7art9 the 7a7er is <o;!
ere5 &ith &ritin8. This a8ain <alls into :se the
e>tra or 3alse 3la7. I%i8. i J A 7ie<e o3 7a7er
&ith &ritin8 on it is 7la<e5 3a<e 5o&n&ar5 on one
o3 the slates an5 <o;ere5 &ith the 3alse 3la7. It
then loo's li'e an or5inar( slate. On this is 7la<e5
the 7lain 7ie<e o3 7a7er9 an5 o;er this is lai5 the
se<on5 slate. The slates are no& hel5 :7 in 7lain
;ie& o3 the a:5ien<e9 an5 on 2ein8 lo&ere5 to the
ta2le the( are t:rne5 o;er9 th:s 2rin8in8 the 2lan'
7ie<e o3 7a7er :n5er the 3alse 3la7 an5 the one &ith
the &ritin8 on it on the to7 o3 the 3la79 &hi<h has
3allen 3rom the slate9 &hi<h is no& the to79 2:t ori8i!
nall( the 2ottom one9 on or into the :n5er one9 an59
o3 <o:rse9 on the remo;al o3 the 7resent to7 slate9
the &ritin8 is 3o:n5 on &hat is s:77ose5 to 2e the
ori8inal 2lan' 7a7er.
I3 the 7a7er is to ha;e a 7ri;ate mar' 7:t on it 2(
an o2ser;er9 so as to 7ro;e the &ritin8 reall( 5oes
a77ear on that i5enti<al 7ie<e o3 7a7er9 the o7eration
is ;arie5 as 3ollo&sB The 3alse 3la7 is 5one a&a(
&ith9 an5 the 7a7er9 &hi<h is 3:rnishe5 2( the
me5i:m9 has &ritten on it the 5esire5 <omm:ni<a!
tion &ith in'9 &hi<h is ma5e ;isi2le an5 2ro:8ht o:t
2la<' 2( means o3 heat. %or the in;isi2le in' (o:
<an :se s:l7h:ri< a<i59 ;er( m:<h 5il:te59 so as not
to 5estro( the 7a7er. The ne<essar( heat is o2taine5
in the 3ollo&in8 manner B The ta2le I%i8. FJ on &hi<h
1
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
the slates are restin8 is hollo&9 an5 has <on<eale5 in
it a s7irit lam7 3ille5 &ith al<ohol. This lam7 sits
5ire<tl( :n5er a tra7 in the ta2le to79 &hi<h is <o;!
ere5 :n5erneath 3or sa3et( &ith sheet iron9 so it &ill
%i8. F. . %alse Ta2le 3or De;elo7in8 $omm:ni<ations
Written &ith S(m7atheti< In'.
not <at<h 3ire. When the slates are 7la<e5 on the
ta2le the( are lai5 o;er the little tra7 5oor9 &hi<h9
in <onH:rin8 7arlan<e9 is 'no&n as a 0 tra7.0 This is
no& o7ene59 an5 the slates allo&e5 to 2e<ome &ell
heate5 an5 the tra7 then <lose59 an5 the 7re7are5
7a7er9 :7on <omin8 in <onta<t &ith the hot slate9 is
th:s <o;ere5 &ith &ritin8.
Another me5i:m em7lo(e5 a some&hat similar
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. ! II
metho59 onl( the 7a7er in this <ase &as 7la<e5 in a
8lass ;ial I%i8. /J &hi<h ha5 2een l(in8 on the iron
tra7 5oor. The me5i:m@s han5 <o;ere5 the ;ial9
&hi<h &as <or'e5 an5 seale59 &hile the &ritin8 &as
ma'in8 its a77earan<e. Yo: <an also 7ro5:<e &rit!
in8 on the 7a7er in the ;ial &itho:t resortin8 to the
:se o3 heat 2( :sin8 a ;ial that has
2een &ashe5 o:t &ith ammonia
an5 'e7t &ell <or'e59 an5 &ritin8
on the 7a7er &ith a &ea' sol:tion
o3 <o77er s:l7hate9 &hi<h is in!
;isi2le :ntil the 7a7er is 7la<e5
in the ;ial9 &hen the t&o <hemi
<als 7ro5:<e &ritin8 in 2l:e. Still
another messa8e is 7ro5:<e5 as
3ollo&s B The &ritin8 is 5one &ith
iron s:l7hate on 2lan' <ar5s. O3 ,. ,9 , .
L. .9 M9 %i8. /.. The De;el!
<o:rse this is m;isi2le. These ,7,,,H ,3 87H,H
<ar5s are 7la<e5 in en;elo7es an5 &ritin8.
seale5 :7. "7on o7enin8 the
en;elo7es shortl( a3ter&ar5 the <ar5s are <o;.
ere5 &ith the &ritin8 &hi<h &as 2e3ore in;isi2le9
2:t is 2ro:8ht o:t 2( a sol:tion o3 n:t 8alls &ith
&hi<h the insi5e o3 the en;elo7es ha5 2een sli8htl(
moistene5.
The s:2He<t o3 s(m7atheti< in's is s:<h an in!
terestin8 one that &e 8i;e thirt(!se;en 3orm:las9
&hi<h in<l:5e all those &hi<h are lia2le to 2e :se5
2( the me5i:m.
The sol:tions :se5 sho:l5 2e so nearl( <olorless
that the &ritin8 <annot 2e seen till the a8ent is a7!
7lie5 to ren5er it ;isi2le. S(m7atheti< in's are o3
three 8eneral <lasses.
)E SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
In's that A77ear thro:8h Heat9
). Write &ith a <on<entrate5 sol:tion o3 <a:sti@B
7otash. The &ritin8 &ill a77ear &hen the 7a7er
is s:2mitte5 to stron8 heat.
E. Write &ith a sol:tion o3 ammoni:m h(5ro!
<hlorate9 in the 7ro7ortion o3 )/ 7arts to )NN. The
&ritin8 &ill a77ear &hen the 7a7er is heate5 2(
hol5in8 it o;er a sto;e or 2( 7assin8 a hot smooth!
in8 iron o;er it.
D. A &ea' sol:tion o3 <o77er nitrate 8i;es an in!
;isi2le &ritin89 &hi<h 2e<omes re5 thro:8h heat.
F. A ;er( 5il:te sol:tion o3 <o77er 7er<hlori5e
8i;es in;isi2le <hara<ters that 2e<ome (ello&
thro:8h heat.
/. A sli8htl( al<oholi< sol:tion o3 <o77er 2romi5e
8i;es 7er3e<tl( in;isi2le <hara<ters &hi<h are ma5e
a77arent 2( a 8entle heat9 an5 &hi<h 5isa77ear
a8ain thro:8h <ol5.
O. Write :7on rose <olore5 7a7er &ith a sol:tion
o3 <o2alt <hlori5e. The in;isi2le &ritin8 &ill 2e!
<ome 2l:e thro:8h heat9 an5 &ill 5isa77ear on <ool!
in8.
G. Write &ith a sol:tion o3 s:l7h:ri< a<i5. The
<hara<ters &ill a77ear in 2la<' thro:8h heat. This
in' has the 5isa5;anta8e o3 5estro(in8 the 7a7er.
ISee the <a:tion 8i;en on 7a8e +.J
*. Write &ith lemon9 onion9 lee'9 <a22a8e or arti!
<ho'e H:i<e. $hara<ters &ritten &ith these H:i<es
2e<ome ;er( ;isi2le &hen the 7a7er is heate5.
+. Di8est I o?. o3 ?a3i3re9 or <o2alt o>i5e9 at a
8entle heat9 &ith F o?. o3 nitro!m:riati< a<i5 till no
more is 5issol;e59 then a55 i o?. <ommon salt an5
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. ) D
iO o?. o3 &ater. I3 this 2e &ritten &ith an5 the
7a7er hel5 to the 3ire9 the &ritin8 2e<omes 8reen9
:nless the <o2alt sho:l5 2e K:ite 7:re9 in &hi<h
<ase it &ill 2e 2l:e. The a55ition o3 a little iron
nitrate &ill then im7art the 7ro7ert( o3 2e<omin8
8reen. It is :se5 in <hemi<al lan5s<a7es 3or the
3olia8e.
)N. P:t in a ;ial ,, o?. o3 5istille5 &ater9 i 5rm.
o3 7otassi:m 2romi5e an5 i 5rm. o3 7:re <o77er
s:l7hate. The sol:tion is nearl( <olorless9 2:t 2e!
<omes 2ro&n &hen heate5.
)). Ni<'el nitrate an5 ni<'el <hlori5e in &ea'
sol:tion 3orm an in;isi2le in'9 &hi<h 2e<omes 8reen
2( heatin8 &hen the salt <ontains tra<es o3 <o2alt9
&hi<h :s:all( is the <ase = &hen 7:re9 it 2e<omes
(ello&.
)E. When the sol:tion o3 a<etate o3 7roto>i5e o3
<o2alt <ontains ni<'el or iron9 the &ritin8 ma5e 2(
it &ill 2e<ome 8reen &hen heate5 = &hen it is 7:re
an5 3ree 3rom these metals9 it 2e<omes 2l:e.
) D. Mil' ma'es a 8oo5 in;isi2le in'9 an5 2:ttermil'
ans&ers the 7:r7ose 2etter. It &ill not sho& i3
&ritten &ith a <lean ne& 7en9 an5 ironin8 &ith a hot
3lat iron is the 2est &a( o3 sho&in8 it :7. All in!
;isi2le in's &ill sho& on 8la?e5 7a7er= there3ore
:n8la?e5 7a7er sho:l5 2e :se5.
)F. B:rn 3la> so that it ma( 2e rather smol5ere5
than 2:rne5 to ashes9 then 8rin5 it &ith a m:"er on
a stone9 7:ttin8 a little al<ohol to it9 then mi> it &ith
a little 8:m &ater9 an5 &hat (o: &rite9 tho:8h it
seem <lear9 ma( 2e r:22e5 or &ashe5 o:t.
)/. Boil <o2alt o>i5e in a<eti< a<i5. I3 a little
<ommon salt 2e a55e59 the &ritin8 2e<omes 8reen
)F SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
&hen heate59 2:t &ith 7otassi:m nitrate it 2e<omes
a 7ale rose <olor.
iO. A &ea' sol:tion o3 mer<:r( nitrate 2e<omes
2la<' 2( heat.
In's that A77ear :n5er the In3l:en<e o3 Li8ht9
)G. Gol5 <hlori5e ser;es 3or 3ormin8 <hara<ters
that a77ear onl( as lon8 as the 7a7er is e>7ose5 to
5a(li8ht9 sa( 3or an ho:r at least.
)*. Write &ith a sol:tion ma5e 2( 5issol;in8 one
7art o3 sil;er nitrate in )9NNN 7arts o3 5istille5
&ater. When s:2mitte5 to 5a(li8ht9 the &ritin8
a77ears o3 a slate <olor or ta&n( 2ro&n.
In's A77earin8 thro:8h Rea8ents9
)+. I3 &ritin8 2e 5one &ith a sol:tion o3 lea5
a<etate in 5istille5 &ater9 the <hara<ters &ill a77ear
in 2la<' :7on 7assin8 a sol:tion o3 an al'aline s:l!
7hi5e o;er the 7a7er.
EN. $hara<ters &ritten &ith a ;er( &ea' sol:tion
o3 8ol5 <hlori5e &ill 2e<ome 5ar' 2ro&n :7on 7ass!
in8 a sol:tion o3 tin 7er<hlori5e o;er them.
E). $hara<ters &ritten &ith a sol:tion o3 8alli<
a<i5 in &ater &ill 2e<ome 2la<' thro:8h a sol:tion
o3 iron s:l7hate an5 2ro&n thro:8h the al'alies.
EE. "7on &ritin8 on 7a7er that <ontains 2:t little
si?in8 &ith a ;er( <lear sol:tion o3 star<h9 an5 s:2!
mittin8 the 5r( <hara<ters to the ;a7or o3 io5ine9
or 7assin8 o;er them a &ea' sol:tion o3 7otassi:m
io5i5e9 the &ritin8 2e<omes 2l:e9 an5 5isa77ears
:n5er the a<tion o3 a sol:tion o3 so5i:m h(7o!
s:l7hite in the 7ro7ortions o3 i to )9NNN.
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. )P
ED. $hara<ters &ritten &ith a )N 7er <ent9 sol:!
tion o3 nitrate o3 7roto>i5e o3 mer<:r( 2e<ome 2la<'
&hen the 7a7er is moistene5 &ith liK:i5 ammonia9
an5 8ra( thro:8h heat.
EF. $hara<ters &ritten &ith a &ea' sol:tion o3 the
sol:2le 7latin:m or iri5i:m <hlori5e 2e<ome 2la<'
&hen the 7a7er is s:2mitte5 to mer<:rial ;a7or.
This in' ma( 2e :se5 3or mar'in8 linen. It is in!
5eli2le.
E/. $. Wi5emann <omm:ni<ates a ne& metho5 o3
ma'in8 an in;isi2le in' to Die Nat:r. To ma'e the
&ritin8 or the 5ra&in8 a77ear &hi<h has 2een ma5e
:7on 7a7er &ith the in'9 it is s:33i<ient to 5i7 it
into &ater. On 5r(in89 the tra<es 5isa77ear a8ain9
an5 rea77ear 2( ea<h s:<<ee5in8 immersion. The
in' is ma5e 2( intimatel( mi>in8 linsee5 oil9 i 7art =
&ater o3 ammonia9 EN 7arts = &ater9 )NN 7arts. The
mi>t:re m:st 2e a8itate5 ea<h time 2e3ore the 7en is
5i77e5 into it9 as a little o3 the oil ma( se7arate an5
3loat on to79 &hi<h &o:l59 o3 <o:rse9 lea;e an oil(
stain :7on the 7a7er.
EO. Write &ith a sol:tion o3 7otassi:m 3erro!
<(ani5e9 5e;elo7 2( 7ressin8 o;er the 5r(9 in!
;isi2le <hara<ters a 7ie<e o3 2lottin8 7a7er moist!
ene5 &ith a sol:tion o3 <o77er s:l7hate or o3 iron
s:l7hate.
EG. Write &ith 7:re 5il:te tin<t:re o3 iron = 5e!
;elo7 &ith a 2lotter moistene5 &ith stron8 tea.
E*. Writin8 &ith 7otassi:m io5i5e an5 star<h 2e!
<omes 2l:e 2( the least tra<e o3 a<i5 ;a7ors in the
atmos7here or 2( the 7resen<e o3 o?one. To ma'e
it9 2oil star<h9 an5 a55 a small K:antit( o3 7otassi:m
io5i5e in sol:tion.
) O SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
E+. $o77er s:l7hate in ;er( 5il:te sol:tion &ill
7ro5:<e an in;isi2le &ritin89 &hi<h &ill t:rn li8ht
2l:e 2( ;a7ors o3 ammonia.
DN. Sol:2le <om7o:n5s o3 antimon( &ill 2e<ome
re5 2( h(5ro8en s:l7hi5e ;a7or.
D). Sol:2le <om7o:n5s o3 arseni< an5 o3 tin 7er!
o>i5e &ill 2e<ome (ello& 2( the same ;a7or.
DE. An a<i5 sol:tion o3 iron <hlori5e is 5il:te5
till the &ritin8 is in;isi2le &hen 5r(. This &ritin8
has the remar'a2le 7ro7ert( o3 2e<omin8 re5 2(
s:l7ho<(ani5e ;a7ors Iarisin8 3rom the a<tion o3
s:l7h:ri< a<i5 on 7otassi:m s:l7ho<(ani5e in a lon8
ne<'e5 3las'J9 an5 it 5isa77ears 2( ammonia9 an5
ma( alternatel( 2e ma5e to a77ear an5 5isa77ear 2(
these t&o ;a7ors.
DD. Writin8 e>e<:te5 &ith ri<e &ater is ;isi2le
&hen 5r(9 2:t the <hara<ters 2e<ome 2l:e 2( the
a77li<ation o3 io5ine. This in' &as m:<h em7lo(e5
5:rin8 the In5ian m:tin(.
DF. Write &ith a sol:tion o3 7ara33in in 2en?ol.
When the sol;ent has e;a7orate59 the 7ara33in is in!
;isi2le9 2:t 2e<omes ;isi2le on 2ein8 5:ste5 &ith
lam72la<' or 7o&5ere5 8ra7hite9 or smo'in8 o;er a
<an5le 3lame.
D/. To Write Bla<' $hara<ters &ith Water. .
Mi> )N 7arts n:t8alls9 EJ, 7arts <al<ine5 iron s:l!
7hate. Dr( thoro:8hl(9 an5 re5:<e to 3ine 7o&!
5er. R:2 this 7o&5er o;er the s:r3a<e o3 the 7a7er,
an5 3or<e into the 7ores 2( 7o&er3:l 7ress:re9 2r:sh
o3l3 the loose 7o&5er. A 7en 5i77e5 in &ater &ill
&rite 2la<' on 7a7er th:s treate5.
. DO. To Write Bl:e $hara<ters &ith Water.. Mi>
iron sesK:is:l7hate an5 7otassi:m 3erro<(ani5e.
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. )C
Pre7are the 7a7er in the same manner as 3or &rit!
in8 2la<' <hara<ters &ith &ater. Write &ith &ater,
an5 the <hara<ters &ill a77ear 2l:e.
DG. To Pro5:<e Bro&n Writin8 &ith Water. .
Mi> <o77er s:l7hate an5 7otassi:m 3erro<(ani5e.
Pre7are the 7a7er in the same manner as 2e3ore.
The <hara<ters &ritten &ith &ater &ill 2e re55ish
2ro&n.
Here is another tri<' <allin8 3or the :se o3 s(m7a!
theti< in'. A me5i:m s:88ests a n:m2er o3 K:estions
to &rite on a 7a7er9 one o3 &hi<h (o: sele<t an5
&rite on a sli7 o3 7a7er 3:rnishe5 2( the me5i:m.
Writin8 is 5one &ith 7en an5 in'. Yo: are reK:est!
e5 to 5r( it &ith a 2lotter9 an5 not to remo;e the
2lotter 3or a time9 the me5i:m sa(s9 so as to 'ee7 the
7a7er in the 5ar'9 th:s 8i;in8 the 0 s7irits 0 2etter
<on5itions :n5er &hi<h to &or'. A3ter a &hile the
2lotter is remo;e59 an5 an ans&er to the K:estion is
3o:n5 on the same 7a7er. The K:estions s:88este5
&ere all o3 s:<h a <hara<ter that one ans&er &o:l5
nearl( 5o 3or an( one. The 7a7er the K:estion &as
&ritten on ha5 this ans&er &ritten &ith in;isi2le
in' 2ro:8ht o:t 2( a rea8ent on the 2lotter9 &ith
&hi<h it &as sat:rate59 an5 th:s another m(ster( is
easil( 5is7elle5.
We &ill no& ta'e :7 a 3e& slate tests9 in &hi<h
the slates are 2ro:8ht or 3:rnishe5 2( the s7e<tator
or in;esti8ator. The tests in &hi<h the slates are
2ro:8ht 2( s'e7ti<s an5 tie5 an5 seale5 2( them9
an5 still &ritin8 is o2taine5 :7on them9 are the ones
that are the most <on;in<in8 an5 most tal'e5 a2o:t9,
an5 the( are o33ere5 to the :n2elie;er as 7roo3 a2so!
l:te o3 s7irit 7o&er.
l* SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
%irst &e &ill 2e8,n &ith the sin8le slate &hi<h
has H:st 2een han5e5 to the me5i:m9 a3ter 2ein8
thoro:8hl( <leane5 2( the 7erson 2rin8in8 it. The
s'e7ti< hol5s one en5 o3 the slate in one han5 an5
the me5i:m the o77osite en5 in one o3 his han5s9 an5
2oth 7ersons <las7 their 5isen8a8e5 han5s. In a
short time the slate is t:rne5 o;er an5 a 3e& &or5s
&ritten in a s<ra&lin8 st(le are 3o:n5. I m:st
a<'no&le58e that &hen I 3irst &itnesse5 this test it
some&hat sta88ere5 me9 2:t a3ter&ar59 on seein8 it
%i8. O.. Writin8 on the Slate &ith the Pen<il
Thim2le.
the se<on5 time9 I &as ena2le5 to 3athom its m(s!
ter(. It is 7atterne5 some&hat a3ter the st(le <laime5
to ha;e 2een :se5 2( Sla5e9 &herein he :se5 a 7ie<e
o3 slate 7en<il 3astene5 to a thim2le9 an5 &ith a77a!
rat:s atta<he5 to his 3ore3in8er o3 the same han5
hol5in8 the slate he 5i5 the &ritin8. The thim2le
I%i8. OJ &as 3astene5 to an elasti< &hi<h 7:lle5
the thim2le o:t o3 si8ht :7 the slee;e or :n5er the
<oat &hen it &as 5one &ith. B:t it al&a(s reK:ire5
a httle s<hemin8 an5 mane:;erin8 2oth to :se an5
<on<eal the 5e;i<e an5 8et ri5 o3 it9 an5 there &as
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. I+
al&a(s the 3ear o3 2ein8 5ete<te5 &ith this 2it o3
ma<hiner( a2o:t the 7erson = so someone o3 an in!
8enio:s t:rn o3 min5 hit :7on another metho5.
There are some slate 7en<ils ma5e the same as lea5
7en<ils9 that is9 a ;er( small 7ie<e o3 slate 7en<il9
a2o:t the si?e o3 a mat<h9 is en<lose5 in the &oo5
a3ter the manner o3 lea5 7en<ils. A lin( 7ie<e o3
this 7en<il is 7la<e5 at the ti7 o3 the 3ore3in8er an5
o;er it is 7la<e5 a 7ie<e o3 3lesh!<olore5 <o:rt 7las!
ter &ell 3astene5 to the 3in8er I%i8. GJ an5 &ell
2len5e5 in &ith aniline 5(e &ith the 3in8er9 so 2oth are
e>a<tl( the same <olor. A3ter e;er(thin8 2e<omes
%i8. G. . ,The Pre7are5 %in8er.
5r( an5 har5 a little hole is ma5e in the <o:rt 7las!
ter9 so as to allo& the 7oint o3 the 7ie<e o3 7en<il to
<ome thro:8h eno:8h to mar' on the slate. The
3in8er th:s 7re7are5 is &hat 5oes the &ritin8. The
messa8e or name m:st 2e &ritten 2a<'&ar59 so that
&hen the slate is re;erse5 it &ill a77ear in its <or!
re<t 7osition. To learn to 5o this K:i<'l(9 stan5 in
3ront o3 a loo'in8!8lass &ith the slate in (o:r han5
an5 &at<h (o:r &ritin8 in the 8lass as (o: 8o alon8.
Yo: 5o not nee5 to hol5 the slate :n5erneath the
ta2le in this test = hol5 it in the air &ith a han5'er!
<hie3 o;er it9 so as to 5is8:ise the mo;ement o3 the
EN S%IBIT SLATE WRITINGA
3in8er. The messa8e m:st ne<essaril( 2e short9 on
a<<o:nt o3 the ra5i:s thro:8h &hi<h the me5i:m@s
3in8er <an tra;eL
We no& <ome to another metho5 oQ :sin8 the
sin8le slate. The me5i:m ta'es the slate an5 7la<es
it on the ta2le an5 reK:ests the s7e<tator to &rite a
K:estion on a 7ie<e o3 7a7er.. He9 the me5i:m9
8ains 'no&le58e o3 the <ontents o3 the 7a7er in
;ario:s &a(s = one is 2( :sin8 a 7a5 o3 7a7er &hi<h
<ontains :n5erneath the se<on5 or thir5 la(er o3
7a7er a <ar2on sheet ma5e o3 &a> an5 lam72la<'.
Whate;er is &ritten on the 3irst sheet o3 7a7er &ill
2e trans3erre5 or <o7ie5 2( means o3 the <ar2on
7a7er to the sheet :n5erneath it. Another &a( is
2( reK:estin8 a 7erson to 3ol5 the 7a7er an5 hol5
it a8ainst his hea59 an59 :n5er the 7retense o3 sho&!
in8 the 7erson ho& to hol5 it9 e><han8e it 3or a
7a7er o3 his o&n 3ol5e5 in li'e manner. This e>!
<han8e5 7a7er is then o7ene5 an5 rea5 2( the
me5i:m &hile his han5 is 2elo& the le;el o3 the
ta2le to79 an5 &hile he is hol5in8 a <on;ersation
&ith the a:5itor. A3ter it is rea59 the 7a7er is a8ain
3ol5e5 an5 'e7t in the 7er3ormer@s la7 :ntil nee5e5.
As he no& 'no&s the <ontents o3 the 7a7er9 he
<an 3rame in his min5 a s:ita2le ans&er. He re!
mar's B 0 I &ill as' the s7irits 3irst to 8i;e (o:
a 5e<i5e5 ans&er9 thro:8h me as an in5e7en5ent
tran<e slate &ritin8 me5i:m9 &hether the( &ill
ans&er (o:r K:estion 5:rin8 this sittin8.@A So
the me5i:m ta'es a 7en<il in han5 an5 &rites on
one si5e o3 the slate9 a77arentl( :n5er s7irit <on!
trol9 an5 then on the other si5e. The messa8e
is rea59 an5 it sa(s the <on5itions are ;er( 3a;or!
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. E)
a2le9 an5 no 5o:2t9 i3 the s'e7ti< &ill 7la<e the
:tmost <on3i5en<e in the me5i:m9 there &ill 2e satis!
3a<tor( res:lts. A3ter the slate has 2een sho&n
&ith 2oth si5es <o;ere5 &ith &ritin89 it is thor!
o:8hl( <leane5 an5 7la<e5 on the ta2le. The me5i!
:m no& 7i<'s :7 the ori8inal 7a7er 3rom his la7 an5
as's the 7erson to 8i;e him the 7a7er he is hol5in8.
This the me5i:m a77arentl( 7la<es :n5er the slate =
ho&e;er9 he reall( hol5s this one 2a<' an5 intro!
5:<es the one he has ha5 in his han59 &hi<h is the
one ori8inall( &ritten :7on. He has no& his o&n
7a7er in his han59 an5 the one &ith the K:estion is
:n5er the slate. On the slate 2ein8 t:rne5 o;er in
a short time9 it is <o;ere5 &ith &ritin89 3ormin8 a
sensi2le re7l( to the K:estion on the 7a7er9 &hi<h is
no& o7ene5 an5 rea5 to <om7are it &ith the ans&er.
All that remains to 2e e>7laine5 is ho& the &ritin8
on the slate a77eare5 there. The 3alse 3la7 is a8ain
:se59 2:t in a 5ire<tl( o77osite manner to &hi<h it
has 2een em7lo(e5 hereto3ore. One si5e o3 this 3la7
is <o;ere5 &ith a 7ortion o3 the &ritin8 that the
me5i:m 3irst &rote :n5er s7irit <ontrol. Let :s sa(
the 3irst hal3 s:77ose5 to ha;e 2een &ritten on the
one si5e o3 the slate9 an5 &hi<h he a3ter&ar5 rea5s
o33 in <onne<tion &ith that &ritten on the last or
se<on5 si5e o3 the slate. What he reall( &rote on
the 3irst hal3 o3 the slate &as a <orre<t ans&er to the
K:estion9 an5 a3ter he t:rns the slate o;er to &rite
on the o77osite si5e he sli7s the 3alse 3la7 o;er the
ans&er on the slate. O3 <o:rse it is &hat is on this
3alse 3la7 an5 on the other si5e o3 the slate that the
s7e<tator reall( rea5s9 an5 &hen the slate is <leane5
it is this 3la7 an5 the o77osite si5e o3 the slate. The
EE SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
&ritin89 <o;ere5 2( the 3la79 &hi<h is the ans&er to
the K:estion9 is ne;er seen or to:<he5 :ntil a3ter
the 3la7 is allo&e5 to 5ro7 into the me5i:m@s la7. The
slate <an 2e e>amine5 = an59 o3 <o:rse9 no tri<'er(
<an 2e 3o:n5 in <onne<tion &ith it. The metho5
5es<ri2e5 a2o;e9 in the han5s o3 a <alm an5 <ool 7er!
son9 is a <on;in<in8 one9 an5 ne;er 3ails to satis3( the
most e>a<tin8 o3 s'e7ti<s.
I &ish to remar' that9 i3 an( 7erson tells (o:
he too' t&o slates o3 his o&n to a me5i:m9 thor!
o:8hl( &ell tie5 or seale59 an5 that the slates ne;er
le3t his Ithe s'e7ti<@sJ han5s9 an5 that there &as &rit!
in8 o2taine5 :7on the interior s:r3a<e o3 the slates
:n5er those <on5itions9 he &as sa5l( mista'en9
an5 has 3aile5 to 'ee7 tra<' o3 e;er(thin8 that
a<t:all( too' 7la<e at the time o3 the sittin8. S:7!
7ose t&o slates tie5 to8ether are 2ro:8ht to the
me5i:m. Both he an5 the stran8er sit at a ta2le.
The slates are h,l5 :n5er the ta2le9 the me5i:m
8ras7in8 one <oi,her an5 the s'e7ti< the o77osite
<orner9 ea<h &3tli one han59 an5 the 5isen8a8e5
han5s <las7e5 to8ether a2o;e the ta2le. A3ter a
&hile the sl'tes are lai5 :7on the ta2le9 the strin8
:ntie59 th3e slates ta'en a7art9 2:t no &ritin8 is 3o:n5.
The me5i:m states it m:st ha;e 2een 2e<a:se there
&as no slate 7en<il 2et&een them. So a small 7ie<e
o3 7en<il is 7la<e5 2et&een the slates9 an5 a8ain the(
are tie5 &ith the <or5 2( the me5i:m9 an5 he a8ain
7asses them :n5er the ta2le9 2oth 7ersons hol5in8
the slates as 2e3ore. Presentl( &ritin8 is hear59 an59
:7on the s'e7ti< 2rin8in8 the slates 3rom :n5er the
ta2le an5 :nt(in8 the <or5 himsel39 he 3in5s .one o3
the slates <o;ere5 &ith &ritin89 altho:8h 2:t shortl(
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. ED
2e3ore the( &ere 5e;oi5 o3 e;en a s<rat<h. Here is
the e>7lanation B The me5i:m 5oes not 7ass the slates
:n5er the ta2le the 3irst time9 2:t 5ro7s them in his la79
&ith the si5e on &hi<h the strin8 is tie5 or 'notte5
5o&n&ar59 an5 reall( 7asses a set o3 his o&n 3or the
s'e7ti< to hol5= he Ithe me5i:mJ s:77ortin8 his en5 2(
7ressin8 a8ainst the ta2le &ith his 'nee9 &hi<h lea;es
his han5 5isen8a8e5. There is a slate 7en<il9 <alle5 the
soa7stone 7en<il9 &hi<h is so3ter than the or5inar(.
This is the one :se5 2( the me5i:m. He no& <o;ers
the 3a<e o3 the slate &hi<h is :77ermost in his la7
&ith &ritin89 5oin8 so ;er( K:ietl( an5 &itho:t an(
noise. No&9 as he 2rin8s the slates a2o;e the ta2le9
he lea;es his o&n in his la7 an5 2rin8s :7 the s'e7!
ti<@s &ith the &ritin8 si5e 5o&n. The slates are
:ntie5 an5 ta'en a7art an5 sho&n9 5e;oi5 o3 &ritin8
:7on the insi5e9 &hi<h he <laims &as <a:se5 2( not
ha;in8 an( slate 7en<il insi5e R The me5i:m no&
7la<es the 7en<il :7on the slate &Hii<h &as ori8inall(
the :77er one9 an5 <o;ers this &,@th &hat &as the
2ottom slate9 &hi<h is <o;ere5 &itii9 the &ritin8 in!
si5e on the 2a<' or 2ottom o3 slate.A This mane:!
;er or a<tion 2rin8s the slate on to7 &ith the &rit!
in8 :7on its insi5e. Nothin8 <o:l5 2e more sim7le
an5 nat:ral. The slates are a8ain tie5 to8ether9 an5
in 5oin8 so the slates are t:rne5 o;er9 2rin8in8 the
slate <ontainin8 the &ritin89 still :7on the insi5e9 at
the 2ottom instea5 o3 the to79 an5 the strin8 tie5 or
'notte5 a2o;e the to7 slate. O3 <o:rse9 &hen a8ain
se7arate59 the &ritin8 is 3o:n5 :7on the insi5e o3 the
lo&er slate. When the slates are 7asse5 :n5er the
ta2le the se<on5 time9 the s7e<tator himsel3 is allo&e5
to 5o this9 an5 the me5i:m9 &ith one o3 his 3in8er
EF SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
nails9 &hile hol5in8 his en5 o3 the slate9 7ro5:<es a
s<rat<hin8 noise on the slate <losel( resem2lin8 the
tra<in8 o3 a 7en<il. It is not reall( ne<essar( to
7ass the slates :n5er the ta2le the se<on5 time9 2:t
the( <an 2e hel5 a2o;e it i3 7re3erre5.
No&9 s:77ose t&o slates are 2ro:8ht that are ri;!
ete5 or s<re&e5 or seale5 at the 3o:r <orners. Ho&
<an &ritin8 2e o2taine5 :7on them &itho:t 5ist:r2in8
an( o3 the a2o;e arran8ements S The slates are hel5
:n5er the ta2le in the same manner as in 7re;io:s
tests. To 7ro5:<e the &ritin8 :7on the slates the
me5i:m is 7ro;i5e5 &ith a 3e& sim7le9 tho:8h e33e<t!
i;e 5e;i<es9 one o3 &hi<h is a little har5 &oo5 ta!
7erin8 &e58e9 an5 a 7ie<e o3 thin steel &ire9 to one
en5 o3 &hi<h is 3astene5 a tin( 7ie<e o3 slate 7en<il.
An ol5 :m2rella ri2 &ill 2e 3o:n5 to &or' a5mir!
a2l(9 2e<a:se there is a small <las7 at one en5 an5
at its other en5 a small e(e. The 7en<il is ma5e to
3it into the en5 &ith the <las7. No& ta'e the
&oo5en &e58e an5 7:sh it 2et&een the &oo5en
3rames o3 the slates at the si5es. The 3rames an5
slates &ill 8i;e eno:8h to allo& the &ire an5 7en<il
to 2e inserte5 an5 the &ritin8 2e a<<om7lishe5 &ith
it9 a3ter &hi<h the &ire is &ith5ra&n9 an5 then also
the &oo5en &e58e9 an5 all is 5one &itho:t lea;in8
an( tra<e or mar' 2ehin5 as to ho& it is all 7er!
3orme5. I%i8. *.J
A &ell 'no&n <onH:ror at one time ma5e a remar'
that he <o:l5 5:7li<ate an( slate &ritin8 test he
e;er &itnesse59 he ha;in8 7:2li<l( 5e<lare59 time
an5 time a8ain9 the slate &ritin8 test to 2e a 3ra:5.
He 8a;e a test in 7ri;ate at his o&n home an5 hit
:7on a rather :niK:e i5ea. A slate &o:l5 2e <leane5
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. E/
on 2oth si5es an5 a 7ri;ate mar' 7la<e5 on it9 an5
the slate allo&e5 to lie 3lat on the ta2le9 an5 the ma!
8i<ian an5 the <ommittee sat aro:n5 it an5 7la<e5
their han5s :7on the slate. Presentl( &ritin8 &as
hear59 an5 :7on li3tin8 the slate the si5e :n5erneath
&as 3o:n5 <o;ere5 &ith &ritin8. The ta2le &as a
%i8. *.. We58in8 A7art the Slates.
'it<hen ta2le &ith the or5inar( han8in8 <loth <o;er9
or ta2le <loth. The ta2le ha5 a 5o:2le to7 &ith
room eno:8h 2et&een the t&o to <on<eal a small
2o(. There &as a neatl( ma5e tra7 in 2oth the
ta2le <loth an5 the to7 o3 the ta2le= the <loth 2ein8
8l:e5 aro:n5 the o7enin8 to 'ee7 it in 7la<e. The
tra7 5oor o7ene5 5o&n&ar5s. The 2o( <on<eale5
EO SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
in the ta2le o7ene5 the tra7 5oor an5 5i5 the ne<es!
sar( &ritin8 on the slate9 an5 <lose5 the o7enin8.
The i5ea o3 ha;in8 the <ommittee hol5 their han5s
on the slate &as to 7re;ent the slate 3rom 2ein8 a<<i!
5entall( mo;e5 2( the 2o( &hen &ritin8. The a2o;e
i5ea &as im7ro;e5 :7on 2( 5oin8 a&a( &ith the
:se o3 the 2o( an5 the 5o:2le to7 o3 the ta2le. The
tra7 in the <loth an5 ta2le to7 &as still :se5. B:t
the test &as 5one &ith the li8hts t:rne5 o:t or
5o&n lo&9 an5 the me5i:m ha5 a <on3e5erate sittin8
at his ri8ht han5 si5e. This allo&e5 the me5i:m to
ta'e a&a( his ri8ht han59 intro5:<e it :n5er the
ta2le9 o7en the tra79 5o the &ritin89 sh:t the tra79
re7la<e his han59 an5 on the li8hts 2ein8 t:rne5 :7
the &ritin8 is 3o:n5. It sho:l5 2e state5 that the
me5i:m an5 <ommittee sat aro:n5 the ta2le &ith
their han5s restin8 on the slate9 an5 ea<h 7erson@s
han5 to:<hin8 that o3 his nei8h2or = so neither <o:l5
mo;e &itho:t the other 2ein8 a&are o3 the 3a<t9 2:t
the me5i:m@s ri8ht han5 nei8h2or9 2ein8 one o3 his
<on3e5erates9 allo&s him to ta'e his Ithe me5i:m@sJ
han5 a&a( &itho:t an( one 2ein8 the &iser.
I &ill no& 5es<ri2e ho& the &ritin8 is o2taine5
:7on the interior o3 t&o slates seale5 to8ether9 an5
all han5s 7la<e5 on them9 an5 &itho:t the assist!
an<e o3 a <on3e5erate. The ta2le is the same as 7re!
;io:sl( 5es<ri2e59 that is9 it <ontains the tra7. The
slates are t&o sin8le ones hin8e5 to8ether an5 seale5
aro:n5 the e58es in an( manner the <ommittee ma(
see 3it. One o3 the slates is a tri<' slate ma5e in this
3ashionB The slate 7art itsel3 is ma5e to &or' on
a 7i;ot or hin8e alon8 one o3 its si5es. I%i8. +.J
The si5e o77osite to &here 2oth slates are hin8e5
SPIRIT !SLATE WRITING. EG
to8ether9 2T@ to:<hin8 a 7ortion o3 the hin8es that
htr35 the t&o slates to8ether9 a <at<h <on<eale5 in
the &oo5en 3rame&or' is release59 &hi<h allo&s the
slate 7art itsel3 to 5ro7 5o&n on its o&n hin8e or
7i;ot. So &hen the slates are 7la<e5 on the ta2le
the( are 7:t 5ire<tl( o;er the tra7 in the ta2le9 an5
&ith the hin8es o3 the t&o slates to&ar5 the me5i:m.
The me5i:m9 as he 7la<es the slates o;er the tra7 in
the ta2le9 7:shes the hin8e releasin8 the <at<h9 &hi<h
%i89 +.. The Tri<' Slate.
allo&s the :n5erneath slate to 5ro7 as 3ar as the
ta2le. No&9 &hen the tra7 in the ta2le is o7ene59
the slate o7ens or 5ro7s 3ar eno:8h 3or the me5i:m
to &rite on that 7art9 also on the slate a2o;e it. He
<loses 2oth the slate an5 the ta2le9 an5 the slates9
:7on 2ein8 :nseale59 are 3o:n5 <o;ere5 &ith &rit!
in8. The onl( thin8 that remains to 2e e>7laine5 is
ho& the me5i:m 8ets his han5 3ree to 5o the &rit!
E* SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
in8 &itho:t 2ein8 5ete<te5. The lam7 or 8as Het is
<lose to the me5i:m@s ri8ht han59 &here 2e <an
rea<h it. No&9 all the 7ersons are seate5 aro:n5
the ta2le &ith their han5s on the slates9 an5 ea<h
other@s han5s or 3in8ers to:<hin8 one another. The
me5i:m ta'es his ri8ht han5 a&a( to t:rn 5o&n the
li8ht9 an5 his ne>t 5oor nei8h2or9 as soon as the
li8ht 8oes o:t9 3eels his Ithe me5i:m@sJ han5 or
3in8er re7la<e5. At least9 so he thin's. What
reall( ha77ens is thisB The th:m2 o3 the me5i!
%i8. ID9 . The Me5i:m Hol5in8 the T&o S'e7ti<s@ Han5s9
:rn@s le3t han5 is stret<he5 3ar eno:8h o;er to
to:<h the han5 or 3in8er o3 the 7erson sittin8 on
the 7er3ormer@s ri8ht han5 si5e. I%i8. lo.J The
me5i:m imme5iatel( 8oes to &or' an5 7ro5:<es
the &ritin89 an5 &hen 3inishe59 H:st as he 8oes to re!
li8ht the 8as or lam79 he remo;es the le3t th:m2 to
<reate the im7ression that he has H:st ta'en his ri8ht
han5 a&a( a8ain 3or the li8ht.
Here is a tri<' I on<e sa& a me5i:m 5o. He
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. . E+
ha5 a n:m2er o3 slates 7ile5 on to7 :3 the ta2le=
he &o:l5 <lean these9 one at a time9 sho&in8 ea<h9
an5 a3ter the( ha5 2een thoro:8hl( e>amine59 he
7la<e5 them on the 3loor. He &o:l5 then 7i<' them
all :7 to8ether an5 re7la<e them on the ta2le9 an5
sele<t t&o o3 them9 7:t them to8ether9 hol5in8 them
in his han5 a2o;e his hea59 &o:l5 shortl( se7arate
them an5 sho& one <o;ere5 &ith &ritin8. The
%i8. II.. The Slate :n5er the $ar7et9
slates &ere 5e;oi5 o3 all tri<'er(9 as &as easil( 7ro;e5
in allo&in8 them to 2e thoro:8hl( e>amine5.
The e>7lanation is as 3ollo&sB The 3loor &as <o;!
ere5 &ith <ar7et. In this there &as a slit or <:t H:st
lar8e eno:8h to 7ass or 5ra& a slate thro:8h. A
slate &ith &ritin8 on one si5e is 7re;io:sl( 7la<e5
:n5er the <ar7et9 &ith that si5e 5o&n9 I%i8. )).J
The slates9 as the( are <leane59 are lai5 on the <ar!
DN SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
7et imme5iatel( o;er or near this <on<eale5 one9
an59 on li3tin8 the slates 3rom the 3loor9 this one is
also <arrie5 &ith them9 an5 all 7la<e5 on the ta2le.
O3 <o:rse9 it is this slate an5 one o3 the 7re7are5
ones that are a3ter&ar5 :se5. There is little li'eli!
hoo5 o3 an( one ta'in8 noti<e o3 there 2ein8 one
more slate in the 7ile.
Some me5i:ms :se t&o sin8le slates9 an59 a3ter
<leanin8 them on 2oth si5es9 hol5 one in ea<h han5.
The( sit a little &a( 3rom the ta2le an5 7la<e the
ri8ht han59 &ith the slate9 :n5er the <hair9 as i3 to
5ra& the <hair <loser to the ta2le. What the me5i!
:m reall( a<<om7lishes is an e><han8e o3 slates.
There is a little shel39 or 5ra&er9 :n5er the seat o3
the <hair. On this lies a slate9 one si5e o3 &hi<h is
7re7are5 &ith &ritin8. The me5i:m 7i<'s :7 the
slate an5 lea;es 2ehin5 in its 7la<e the one hel5 in
his ri8ht han5 as he mo;es the <hair. This is
a metho5 :se5 to a <onsi5era2le e>tent an5 al&a(s
s:<<ess3:ll(.
The 3ollo&in8 is a <le;er r:se9 o3ttimes :se5 2(
me5i:ms to 5estro( all tra<es o3 the :se o3 the 3alse
3la7 &hen it is em7lo(e5. It is the test &here the
3la7 is :se5 to <o;er the &ritin8 on one slate9 an5
then that slate is <o;ere5 &ith another. R No&9 i3
the slates are t:rne5 o;er or re;erse59 the &ritin8
is :n<o;ere5 an5 the 3la7 remains in the o77osite or
:n5erneath slate. No&9 to 8et ri5 o3 that 3la79 the
me5i:m 5eli2eratel( 7resses his 'nee a8ainst that
slate9 2rea'in8 not onl( the slate9 2:t also the 3la7
<ontaine5 in it. The 2ro'en 3la7 min8les in &ith
the 2ro'en slate9 an5 no2o5( is an( the &iser. No!
2o5( 3or a moment thin's o3 7i<'in8 :7 the 7ie<es
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. D )
to see i3 there are one or more slates. O3 <o:rse9
&hen the slates are 2ro'en9 it is 5one se<retl( :n5er
the ta2le9 an5 the me5i:m remar's B 0 The s7irit
3or<e is so stron8 it has smashe5 the slate.0 A
test &ith a sin8le slate that I on<e sa& 5one &as
rather neat in its &a(9 an5 I thin' it &orth 5es<ri2!
in8. The slate &as e>amine5 an5 <leane5 on 2oth
si5es9 an5 7la<e5 on a small ta2le <o;ere5 &ith a
little 3an<( <loth. On li3tin8 the slate a3ter&ar59
its :n5erneath si5e &as 3o:n5 &ith &ritin8 on it.
The to7 o3 the ta2le &as no lar8er than the slate.
When the slate &as lai5 on the ta2le9 the me5i:m
remar'e5 B 0 To <on;in<e (o: there is no tri<'er(
a2o:t the ta2le9 I &ill remo;e the <loth = 0 &hi<h he
5i59 &ith the slate still on or in it9 an5 then re7la<e5
the slate an5 <loth. No&9 on this ta2le to7 &as
restin8 another slate <o;ere5 &ith &ritin8 on one
si5e9 an5 that si5e :7&ar59 an5 this <o;ere5 &ith
the ta2le <loth. When the me5i:m 7i<'e5 :7 the
<loth an5 the slate9 &hi<h ha5 H:st 2een <leane59
he also <arrie5 alon8 the se<on5 slate &ith it9 &hi<h
&as :n5er the <loth9 an5 in re7la<in8 the <loth he
sim7l( re;erse5 the si5es9 la(in8 the 3irst slate on
the ta2le9 &here it &as <o;ere5 2( the <loth9 an5
the se<on5 one &as th:s 2ro:8ht to ;ie&. It is
astonishin8 ho& s:<h 2are3a<e5 an5 sim7le 5e;i<es
&ill 5e<ei;e the s7e<tator. It is the 2ol5ness an5
air o3 <on;i<tion o3 his assertions that <arr( a me5i!
:m@s test s:<<ess3:ll( thro:8h.
DE SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
$HAPTER II.
The Do:2le Slate.
We no& <ome to a slate <alle5 2( the me5i:ms
0 The 5o:2le slate.0 It is9 to all a77earan<es9 t&o
or5inar( slates hin8e5 to8ether at one si5e an5
lo<'e5 &ith a 7a5lo<'9 the sha<'le o3 &hi<h 7asses
thro:8h a hole in the si5es o3 the 3rame oi3 ea<h
slate. This slate also <ontains the 3alse 3la7 or slate9
2:t the slate or 3la7 is hel5 3irml( in ea<h 3rame as
3ollo&s B The insi5e e58es o3 2oth en5s o3 ea<h 3rame
o3 the slates are 2e;ele5 in&ar5 a tri3le. One o3
these en5s o3 ea<h slate 3rame is also ma5e to sli5e
or 7:ll o:t a2o:t one!K:arter o3 an in<h. These are
7re;ente5 3rom sli5in8 :ntil &ante5 2( the me5i:m
2( a <at<h in the 3rame&or'9 &hi<h is <onne<te5
&ith a s<re& in one o3 the hin8es. This s<re&
stan5s a little hi8her than the rest9 so as to 2e easil(
3o:n5. The hin8es are on the o:tsi5e o3 the 3rame
instea5 o3 insi5e. B( 7ressin8 this s<re& it :n5oes
the <at<h9 &hi<h allo&s the en5s to 2e mo;e5 a tri3le.
The 3alse 3la7 is H:st lar8e eno:8h to 3ill in the s7a<e
:n5er the 2e;els o3 the 3rame9 an5 i39 in the to7 3rame9
the <at<h is release5 an5 the en5 mo;e59 the 3la7
&ill 5ro7 into the 2ottom slate9 &here it is hel5 ti8ht
an5 3irm 2( releasin8 the <at<h in that 3rame9 mo;!
in8 the en5 :ntil the 3la7 settles into its 7la<e an5
then sen5in8 the en5 2a<' into its ori8inal 7la<e
a8ain. The &ritin8 is 7la<e5 2e3orehan5 on one
si5e o3 the 3la7 an5 on one slate9 2oth the &ritten
si5es 3a<e to 3a<e9 an5 a3ter the 3la7 has <han8e5
slates it 7resents t&o slates &ith &ritten si5es.
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
DD
There is still another 5o:2le slate :se5 &ith hin8es
an5 7a5lo<'. I%i8. )E.J
One o3 the en5s o3 the &oo5en 3rame o3 one slate
is 3astene5 se<:rel( to its slate9 &hi<h is ma5e to
sli5e o:t <om7letel( 3rom the 8roo;e in the 3rame.
This allo&s the insi5es o3 2oth slates to 2e &ritten
:7on. A3ter that is 5one the slate is sli5 2a<' into
its 3rame. $are sho:l5 2e ta'en9 in sli5in8 the 7ie<e
2a<'9 not to re;erse it so as to 2rin8 the &ritin8 si5e
o:t. The 2est &a( is not to 7:ll the slate <om7letel(
%i8. )E.. The Sli5in8 Tri<' Slates.
o:t9 an5 &rite :7on the insi5e o3 the stationar( slate9
an5 then re;erse the slates9 &hi<h &ill 2rin8 the
insi5e o3 the mo;a2le slate into ;ie&. Write on that
an5 then <lose the slate.
I ha;e seen a me5i:m :se the 5o:2le or 3ol5in8
slate an5 8et ri5 o3 the 3alse 3la7 in this &a(B He
:se5 a 7air o3 small slates. These he o7ene5 o:t
&ith the 3lat si5e to&ar5s the a:5ien<e9 an5 &hile in
his han59 <leane5 those t&o si5es a&a( 3rom the ta2le.
He no& sho&e5 the re;erse si5es an5 <ieane5 them
DF SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
li'e&ise. He no& <lose5 the slates9 2:t to&ar5 him9
instea5 o3 a&a( 3rom him9 hol5in8 them <lose to his
2o5(9 an5 as he 5oes so9 the 3alse 3la79 2( this mo;e!
ment9 sli7s easil( an5 :n7er<ei;e5 2eneath his <oat
or ;est.
I on<e &itnesse5 a test &hi<h9 3or a time9 <om!
7letel( non7l:sse5 me9 2:t9 a3ter <onsi5era2le st:5(
an5 e>7erimentin89 I sol;e5 it.
This is the e33e<t o3 the test B A 7erson &as allo&e5
to 2rin8 t&o slates = he &as to &ash them himsel3
an5 se<:rel( seal them in the 7resen<e o3 the me5i!
:m9 the me5i:m 7la<in89 2e3ore the slates &ere
seale59 a 7ie<e o3 <hal' 2et&een them. The slates
&ere seale5 a3ter this 3ashion B Aro:n5 the &hole
len8th an5 &i5th o3 the slates <o:rt 7laster &as
st:<'9 an5 that &as also seale5 to the slates &ith
sealin8 &a>9 ma'in8 it an :tter im7ossi2ilit( to
insert a 7ie<e o3 &ire9 or li'e s:2stan<e9 2et&een
the slates. Ne;ertheless9 the slates &ere hel5 :n5er
the ta2le an5 7resentl( remo;e59 :nseale59 an5 &rit!
in8 in a ;er( 7oor han5 3o:n5 :7on the inner s:r!
3a<e o3 one o3 the slates. It <o:l5 har5l( 2e <alle5
!&ritin89 2ein8 har5l( more than a s<ra&l.
No&9 ho& <an this 2e a<<o:nte5 3orS B( one o3
the sim7lest 5e;i<es ima8ina2le. The me5i:m 7la<e5
the 7ie<e o3 <hal' 2et&een the slates. This &as
<om7ose5 o3 7:l;eri?e5 <hal'9 mi>e5 &ith a little
&ater9 8l:e an5 iron 3ilin8s9 an5 allo&e5 to 2e<ome
har5. The me5i:m9 &hile :n5er <o;er o3 the ta2le9
tra<e5 &ith a ma8net 2elo& the slate the &or5s
io:n5 :7on the insi5e9 2:t 2a<'&ar59 the same as
t(7e is set 3or 7rintin8 = i3 not9 the &ritin8 on the
slate &ill 2e in re;erse. The <hal'9 on a<<o:nt o3
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. D/
the iron 3ilin8s it <ontains9 3ollo&s the 5ire<tion o3
the ma8net. I%i8. )D.J
We no& <ome to another i5ea &ith t&o slatesA
Ha;e t&o slates ma5e &ith 3airl( 5ee7 &oo5en
3rames9 5ee7 eno:8h to hol5 the slate 7ro7er an5 a
3alse 3la7 o3 slate. One ma5e o3 sili<ate 2oo'!slate
%i8. )D. . Ma8neti< Writin8.
st:33 is 7re3era2le. Yo:r a77arat:s <onsists no& o3
t&o slates an5 one 3alse 3la7. The 3alse 3la7 is ma5e
to 3it ;er( ti8htl(9 so it &ill not 3all o:t o3 its o&n
&ei8ht. The slates in the 3rame also 3it sn:8l(.
The 3rames are mortise5 o:t a little thi<'er than the
slate9 sa( t&i<e as thi<'. This allo&s the slate to
&or' 2a<'&ar5 an5 3or&ar59 3rom 3ront to 2a<'9 an5
DO SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
;i<e ;ena. I3 the slate is &ell 7:she5 5o&n an5 the
3la7 7la<e5 on it9 the 3la7 &ill not 3all o:t9 2:t i3 (o:
7ress the slate on the 2a<' 3or&ar59 it sho;es o:t the
3la79 an5 i3 it is <o;ere5 &ith the other or se<on5
slate 5:rin8 this o7eration9 it is 3or<e5 into the
se<on5 slate9 &hi<h hol5s it 3irm an5 se<:re.
Another test9 &hi<h &as s:77ose5 to 2e <on;in<in8
to s'e7ti<s9 &as one in &hi<h a
5o:2le slate &as :se5= it &as
hin8e5 an5 7ro;i5e5 &ith a lo<'
in the &oo5en 3rame. The slates
&ere e>amine59 lo<'e59 an5 the
'e( 8i;en to the s'e7ti<. The
s'e7ti< &as allo&e5 to sele<t
3rom a n:m2er o3 7ie<es o3
<olore5 <hal' the <olor that he
5esire5 the messa8e to 2e &rit!
ten in. "7on the slates 2ein8
:nlo<'e5 an5 o7ene59 the &rit!
in8 is 3o:n5 in the <olor
sele<te5. While the slates are
2ein8 e>amine59 the me5i:m
%i8. iF.!The Thim2le ,,.,,, , 5:7li<ate 'e( &hi<h
$arr(in8 %alse Ke( 3its the lo<'. I%i8. )F.J This
an5 $hal's. H,8( ,as a thim2le atta<he5 to
it &hi<h 3its the 7er3ormer@s
ri8ht th:m2 = also atta<he5 len8th&ise to the 'e( are
se;eral small <olore5 7en<ils or <ra(ons o3 5i33erent
len8ths. When the slate has 2een e>amine59 it is
7la<e5 :n5er the to7 o3 the ta2le an5 hel5 in 7osi!
tion 2( the th:m2 o3 the ri8ht han59 &hi<h is :n5er!
neath9 an5 the 3in8ers a2o;e the ta2le. D:rin8 this
mani7:lation the thim2le is 7la<e5 on the th:m29 an5
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. DG
the 7er3ormer9 &ith the 'e( atta<he5 to it9 o7ens the
slate9 :sin8 his 'nee to assist or s:77ort the slate.
One 7art o3 the slate o7ens 5o&n&ar5 an5 rests on
the 'nee9 &hi<h hol5s it in 7osition9 i. e.9 at an in!
<line9 7ressin8 it a8ainst the ta2le to7. On this 7art
o3 the slate the &ritin8 is no& 5one &ith the <olore5
<ra(on sele<te59 &hi<h are :s:all( re59 2l:e9 8reen
an5 &hite. When the <olor o3 the <ra(on is sele<te5
the 7er3ormer t:rns the thim2le aro:n59 2rin8in8
that <olor :7&ar5. Altho:8h not eas( to e>e<:te9
it is9 ne;ertheless9 a most s:i@7risin8 an5 e33e<ti;e
test.
The a2o;e test &as :se5 2( a me5i:m ;er( s:<!
<ess3:ll( 3or (ears in En8lan5 an5 %ran<e9 an5 &as
3o:n5 o:t re<entl(.
A test I on<e re<ei;e5 &as9 I tho:8ht9 K:ite <le;er.
I &as as'e5 to &rite a K:estion on a 7ie<e o3 7a7er
3:rnishe5 2( m(sel3 an5 7la<e it 2et&een t&o slates
&itho:t the &oo5en 3rames. The me5i:m sai5 I
&o:l5 in a short time re<ei;e an ans&er. He then
o7ene5 the slates9 statin8 the ans&er m:st 2e there9
2:t none &as 3o:n5. He remar'e5 that 7erha7s &e
5i5 not 8i;e the s7irits time eno:8h. So he re7la<e5
the slates to8ether &ith the 7a7er <ontainin8 the
K:estion 2et&een. A8ain9 on ta'in8 the slates a7art9
the( &ere 5e;oi5 o3 &ritin89 2:t9 stran8e to sa(9 the
ans&er in &hat loo'e5 li'e lea5 7en<il &as 3o:n5 on
the 7a7er <ontainin8 the K:estion. When the slates
&ere remo;e5 the 3irst time9 the me5i:m 8ot a
8lim7se o3 the K:estion on the 7ie<e o3 7a7er an5
then 8a;e me one slate to e>amine9 an5 a77arentl(
&as loo'in8 at the other one himsel3. What he
reall( &as 5oin8 &as this B On the si5e o3 the slate
D* SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
to&ar5 him he &as &ritin8 a 2rie3 ans&er to m(
K:estion &ith a 7en<il <om7ose5 o3 m:tton tallo&
an5 lam72la<' 7resse5 ;er( har5. This 7en<il &as
atta<he5 to his th:m2. He hel5 the slate at the
en5s &ith 2oth han5s9 th:m2s 2ehin5 an5 3in8ers in
3ront9 the &ritin8 2ein8 5one 2a<'&ar5. When
the slates &ere re7la<e5 the &ritin89 2ein8 2la<'9 &as
not seen a8ainst the 2la<' slate9 an5 &as 7la<e5 im!
me5iatel( o;er the 7a7er an5 the &ritin8 trans3erre5
to it. This is the reason the slates &ere :se5 &ith!
o:t the &oo5en 3rame9 2e<a:se &ith the 3rame the
t&o slates &o:l5 not <ome <lose to8ether to 7ress
har5 eno:8h to trans3er the ans&er.
A test9 :sin8 a hal3 5o?en or so o3 slates9 is as 3ol!
lo&sB T&o slates are <leane5 an5 e>amine5 an5
8i;en to 2e hel5 to8ether 2( a s'e7ti<9 an5 the other
slates <leane5 on 2oth si5es an5 7la<e5 on the ta2le.
The me5i:m no& ta'es the t&o slates a7art9 2:t no
&ritin8 is 3o:n5 = one slate is 8i;en to the s'e7ti<
an5 the other is 7la<e5 on the ta2le 2( the me5i:m9
&ho 7i<'s :7 another slate an5 7la<es that &ith the
one hel5 2( the :n2elie;er. A3ter a short time the
slates are a8ain remo;e5 2( the me5i:m an5 no
&ritin8 is 3o:n5. As i3 in 5es7air9 the me5i:m ta'es
one slate a&a(9 7la<in8 it on the ta2le9 7i<'s :7
another9 sho&in8 2oth si5es9 7la<es it &ith the one
in the s7e<tator@s han59 an5 in a little &hile the s'e7!
ti< himsel3 se7arates the slates an5 &ritin8 is 3o:n5
on one o3 them.
This metho5 2rin8s in :se a8ain the slate &ith a
3alse 3la7. This slate is amon8 the others on the
ta2le. The t&o slates 3irst 8i;en to the in5i;i5:al to
hol5 are all ri8ht &hen the me5i:m ta'es one slate
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. D+
a&a( an5 7la<es it on the ta2le the 3irst time an5
7i<'s :7 another slate to 7la<e it &ith the one hel5
2( the s'e7ti<. It is the 3la7 slate9 an5 this he 7la<es
:n5erneath the other slate an5 as's the s'e7ti< to
hol5 them. When the me5i:m a8ain se7arates the
slates he t:rns them o;er9 2rin8in8 the slate &ith the
&ritin8 :77ermost an5 also allo&in8 the 3la7 to 3all
into the lo&er slate9 &hi<h is no& ta'en a&a( to 2e
re7la<e5 2( another ta'en 3rom the ta2le. $are is
ta'en not to sho& the :n5erneath si5e o3 the :77er
%i89 )/. . Slate &ith %alse Hin8es.
slate 5:rin8 this transa<tion. The slates the s'e7ti<
no& hol5s are 5e;oi5 o3 tri<'er(9 an5 &hen e>7ose5
&ith the &ritin8 on &ill <a:se &on5erment.
There is still another st(le o3 slate ma5e9 an5 :se5
to 8oo5 a5;anta8e. It is t&o slates hin8e5 to8ether9
ma'in8 a 5o:2le slate. It has also t&o holes in
the 3rame o77osite to the hin8es9 thro:8h &hi<h
ta7e or <or5 <an 2e r:n an5 tie5 an5 seale5 to the
slates. I%i8. )/.J The se<ret o3 8ettin8 the &ritin8
:7on the insi5e lies in the 3a<t that at least one!hal3
FN SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
o3 ea<h hin8e is s<re&e5 to the slate = the other hal3
is ma5e 3ast to a little 7roHe<tin8 7ie<e in &hi<h
there is a sli8ht not<h. These 7roHe<tions enter <or!
res7on5in8 holes in the other slate9 in &hi<h is <on!
<eale5 a s7rin8 2olt &hi<h en8a8es these <at<hes o3
the hin8e. This 2olt is sho;e5 2a<' to release the
<at<hes 2( means o3 a 7in 7:she5 thro:8h a hole in
the en5 o3 the 3rame.
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. F )
$HAPTER III.
Mis<ellaneo:s Slate Tests.
At a 7:2li< test or sean<e 8i;en 2( a me5i:m I
sa& the 3ollo&in8 <le;er tri<' 7er3orme5 B A slate
<lean on 2oth si5es9 to all a77earan<es9 an59 o3 <o:rse9
5e;oi5 o3 &ritin89 &as 8i;en to a s7e<tator to hol5
a2o;e his hea5. The me5i:m then loa5e5 a 7istol9
7:ttin8 in9 instea5 o3 a 2:llet9 a 7ie<e o3 <hal'9 &hi<h
he ramme5 &ell in. He then too' <are3:l aim at
the slate9 3ire5 a&a(9 an5 the slate &as <o;ere5 &ith
&ritin8 3rom the <hal' that &as 7la<e5 in the 7istol.
The me5i:m9 2e3orehan59 allo&s an( one in the
a:5ien<e to <hoose 3rom a 7late <ontainin8 5i33erent
<olore5 <hal's the <olors the( 5esire. The <hal' is
all ri8ht9 an5 is a<t:all( 7la<e5 in the 7istol an5
<r:she5 to a 7o&5er 2( the ramro5. The slate has
2een &ritten on one si5e &ith 8l(<erine. This
si5e o3 the slate is s:77ose5 to 2e <leane59 so as to
'ee7 <lear o3 the 8l(<erine9 in or5er that the in;is!
i2le &ritin8 ma( not 2e 5ist:r2e5. It is this 7re!
7are5 si5e that 3a<es the me5i:m &hen he 3ires the
7istol. The 7o&5ere5 <hal' a5heres to the 8l(<er!
ine9 an5 th:s &e ma'e <lear another slate mira<le.
A <le;er tri<' em7lo(e5 to 5e<ei;e me on one
o<<asion &as as 3ollo&sB I &as han5e5 a slate an5 a
5am7 s7on8e9 &ith a reK:est to <leanse the slate. I
5i5 so9 an5 han5e5 it 2a<' to the me5i:m9 &ho hel5
it in 7lain ;ie& in one han5. In a short time the slate
&as 8i;en 2a<' to me &ith &ritin8 on it that <o:l5
not 2e 7ro5:<e5 2( an( o3 the metho5s I &as al!
rea5( a<K:ainte5 &ith. I &itnesse5 this test a
FE SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
se<on5 time9 an5 it &as onl( 2( a<<i5ent that I 5is!
<o;ere5 it9 an5 all thro:8h the 2rea'in8 o3 a strin89
to &hi<h the 5e;i<e em7lo(e5 &as atta<he5. The
a77arat:s &as a stri7 o3 narro& &oo59 nearl( the
len8th o3 the slate. Gl:e5 on it &ere raise5 letters o3
<or' I3elt &o:l5 5o alsoJ. These letters &ere in re!
;erse9 an5 &ere &ell r:22e5 &ith so3t <hal'. This
stri7 o3 &oo5 &as atta<he5 to a <or5 r:nnin8 :7 the
le3t slee;e9 a<ross the 2a<'9 an5 5o&n the ri8ht arm!
hole9 an5 then<e :n5er the ;est an5 the en5 3iistene5
to a 2:tton. The len8th o3 the strin8 allo&e5 the
&oo5 to han8 2ehin5 the slate &hen hel5 in the le3t
han5. To 'ee7 the &oo5 :7 in the slee;e :ntil
&ante59 there &as a loo7 on the strin8 3ar eno:8h
:7 to s:it the 7:r7ose. This loo7 &as sli77e5 o;er
the 2:tton9 &here it <o:l5 2e easil( 5eta<he5 &ith
the ri8ht han5. The s7on8e &as soa'e5 in &ater
<ontainin8 al:m9 &hi<h ma'es the <hal' a5here
2etter to the slate. When the slate &as han5e5 to
the me5i:m9 he hel5 it 5o&n&ar5 in his le3t han59
an5 allo&e5 the stri7 o3 &oo5 to sli7 5o&n 2ehin5 it9
&hen it &as 7resse5 3irml( a8ainst the s:r3a<e o3 the
slate9 an5 then 7:lle5 :7 into the slee;e a8ain9 o:t
o3 si8ht. This same i5ea has 2een :tili?e5 in :sin8
a 2lotter9 the same as is :se5 3or in'9 to 5r( the
slate &ith. The 2lotter has the &ritin8 5one on it
&ith <hal'9 th:s 5oin8 a&a( &ith the stri7 o3
&oo5.
Ta'e a slate an5 <o;er it &ith &ritin8 on one si5e.
$o;er this &ritin8 &ith a 7ie<e o3 slate!<olore5 sil'9
hel5 in the <orners li8htl( &ith &a>. At one en5
o3 this sil' ha;e a 3e& min:te hoo's. The slate is
no& <leane5 on 2oth si5es9 an59 7la<in8 the slate
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. FD
on the 3loor9 the 7ie<e o3 sil' is allo&e5 to atta<h
itsel3 2( means o3 the hoo's to the me5i:m@D 7antsU
or 5ress9 as the <ase ma( 2e9 th:s lea;in8 the
slate 5e;oi5 o3 tri<'er(. It is har5l( ne<essar( to
remar' that the slate is 7la<e5 on the 3loor &ritten!
si5e 5o&n&ar5.
A 3rien5 o3 mine tol5 me o3 a me5i:m he on<e
&ent to see9 &ho 8a;e him a most remar'a2le test.
He 2ro:8ht his o&n slate9 an59 as he a3ter&ar5 sai59
there <o:l5 ha;e 2een no tri<' a2o:t it. The me5i!
:m too' the slate 3or a moment9 an5 &ith a 7en<il
<o;ere5 the slate &ith &ritin8 on 2oth si5es9 H:st to
see9 so he sai59 i3 it &o:l5 2e 8oo5 eno:8h 3or the
test. He then <leane5 o3l3 the slate on 2oth si5es
an5 8a;e it 2a<' to m( 3rien59 reK:estin8 him to
hol5 it <lose a8ainst his 2reast9 an5 then in a short
time remo;e it9 an59 &hen he 5i5 Vso9 he &as th:n!
5erstr:<' to 3in5 &ritin8 on it on the si5e nearest to
him. This str:<' me as 2ein8 a most asto:n5in8
7roo3 o3 s7irit &ritin8. ) ha5 a meetin8 &ith the
me5i:m9 &ho 8a;e me the same test. It seame5
stran8e to me that he sho:l5 &ant m( slate to &rite
on an5 &ash it o33 a8ain9 3or the same reason as he
8a;e m( 3rien59 an5 that &as to see 0 i3 it &as 8oo5
eno:8h 3or the s7irits to &or' &ith.0 I re<ei;e5 a
messa8e on the slate9 a3ter it &as &ashe59 an5 sa&
that there &as none on there a3ter it &as <leane5
an5 han5e5 to me. I &ent home 7:??le59 an5 e>
7erimente5 to no a;ail. I ha5 another sittin8 &ith
the me5i:m9 2:t heA 5i5 not 8i;e me the same test =
so I ret:rne5 home a8ain an5 trie5 to 3athom the
m(ster(9 an5 &as e;ent:all( s:<<ess3:l. The tri<'
&as mainl( in the 7en<il. It &as 7ointe5 at 2oth
FF SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
en5s. I%i8. iO.J One en5 &as a 8en:ine slate 7en!
<il9 the other en5 &as a sil;er nitrate9 or <a:sti<
7en<il. In &ritin8 on the slate he &rote the lines
K:ite a little 5istan<e a7art &ith the slate iWen<il = in
2et&een these lines he &rote &ith the <a:sti< 7en<il9
the &ritin8 o3 &hi<h &as in;isi2le. The s7ion8e
the slate &as <leane5 &ith9 &as 5i77e5 in salt &ater.
That 7art o3 the slate <ontainin8 the &ritin8 5one
&ith the sil;er nitrate &as H:st li8htl( ta77e5 &ith
the s7on8e, the rest o3 the slate &as thoro:8hl(
<leane5. The salt &ater9 &hen the slate 2e<omes
5r(9 2rin8s o:t the sil;er nitrate &hite li'e a slate
%i8. iO.. The $a:sti< Tri<' Pen<il.
7en<il mar'. I <onsi5er this tri<' as in8enio:s an5
<le;er a one as it has 2een m( 8oo5 3ort:ne to &itness9
an5 one that <a:se5 me m:<h mental e33ort to sol;e.
Here is another test. A slate H:st <leane5 an5
mar'e5 is 7la<e5 :n5er the ta2le on the 3loor. The
me5i:m an5 the s'e7ti< 8ras7 ea<h other@s han5s
a<ross the ta2le. In a 3e& se<on5s the slate is ta'en
:7 3rom the 3loor an5 is 3o:n5 &ith &ritin8 on it.
The sol:tion o3 this9 li'e all the rest o3 the slate
7henomena9 rests in sim7li<it( an5 2ol5ness. The
me5i:m &ears sli77ers or lo&!<:t shoes9 that he <an
sli7 his 3oot o:t o3 easil(. His sto<'in8 on his ri8ht
3oot is <:t a&a( so as to lea;e the toes 2are. No&9
atta<he5 to his 8reat toe is a 2it o3 7en<il9 an5 &ith
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. F/
this the &ritin8 is 5one. I%i8. )G.J Sometimes the
test is ;arie5. %i;e or si> 7ie<es o3 <hal' o3 5i33er!
ent <olors are on the ta2le9 an5 the in;esti8ator is
allo&e5 to sele<t one9 7la<e it on the slate. In this
%i8. )G. . Writin8 &ith the Toes.
<ase the <hal' is hel5 2et&een the 8reat an5 a5Hoin9
in8 toe9 an5 the &ritin8 is th:s 7ro5:<e5. It is s:r.
7risin8 to see9 &ith a little 7ra<ti<e9 &hat (o: <an
e5:<ate the 3oot to 5o. I m(sel3 <an easil( 7i<' a
7in o33 the 3loor an5 &rite K:ite &ell. Sometimes9
FO SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
2( &a( o3 ;ariation9 instea5 o3 the me5i:m or in;es!
ti8ator li3tin8 the slate 3rom the 3loor9 it is seen to
m(sterio:sl( ma'e its a77earan<e a2o;e the e58e o3
the ta2le9 2ein8 li3te5. there 2( means o3 the toes o3
the me5i:m@s 3oot. Another metho5 :se5 is that o3
s<rat<hin8 the &ritin8 on the slate &ith an( metal
instr:ment an5 then &ash the slate on 2oth si5es9
2ein8 <are3:l not to sho& the s<rat<he5 si5e :ntil it
is &et 3rom the &ashin8. In this <on5ition a <as:al
8lan<e &ill re;eal nothin89 2:t as soon as the slate
2e<ome, 5r( the &ritin8 or s<rat<hin8 a77ears.
Writin8 has also 2een ma5e to a77ear on a slate on
the ta2le &hile the me5i:m an5 in;esti8ator sit &ith
2oth han5s <las7e5 a<ross the ta2le. The me5i:m
a<<om7lishe5 this 2( the sim7le means o3 a 7en<il
<on<eale5 in his mo:th. At the 7ro7er moment he
hol5s it 2et&een his teeth9 leans his hea5 o;er an5
&rites on the slate. O3 <o:rse this is all 5one in the
5ar'9 an5 the &ritin8 is not ;er( 8oo59 2:t it ans&ers
the 7:r7ose9 an5 that is all that is ne<essar(.
Here is still another test. A 7erson &rites a K:es!
tion on the slate an5 7la<es it9 &ritten si5e 5o&n9 on
the ta2le. All this &hen the me5i:m is not loo'in8.
The me5i:m ta'es his seat at the ta2le9 7la<es one
han5 on the slate Iso 5oes the s'e7ti<9 the other
han5 on the me5i:m@s 3orehea5J. With the 5isen!
8a8e5 han5 the me5i:m no& 7ro<ee5s to &rite on
the :77er s:r3a<e o3 the slate. When he has 3inishe59
the <omm:ni<ation is rea59 an5 it is 3o:n5 to 2e a
<orre<t ans&er to the K:estion on the o77osite si5e
o3 the slate. To 7er3orm this seemin8 im7ossi2ilit(
the me5i:m has to em7lo( a ta2le <ontainin8 a tra7
smaller than the 3rame o3 the slate. When the slate
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. FG
is 7la<e5 on the ta2le9 the me5i:m shi3ts it o;er this
tra7. The tra7 is then o7ene59 an5 2( means o3
mirrors9 D9 F9 /9 7la<e5 at an8les o3 F/ 5e8rees in the
2o5( o3 the ta2le9 the &ritin8 is re3le<te5 to the
;er( 7la<e &here the me5i:m is sittin89 an5 the
ima8e is re;erse5 to normal 2( the thir5 mirror9
%i8. )*. . Rea5in8 the 4:estions 2( Means o3 Mirrors.
an5 it is eas( then to 8i;e an ans&er to it. I%i89 )*.J
The 3ollo&in8 is ho& &ritin8 <an 2e ma5e to
a77ear on a slate on &hi<h a 7erson has 7la<e5 his
initials in one <orner o3 it9 &hi<h is then 7la<e5
&ith that si5e 5o&n&ar5 on the ta2le9 an5 shortl(
a3ter&ar59 on t:rnin8 it o;er9 it is 3o:n5 <om!
F* SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
7letel( <o;ere5 &ith &ritin89 an5 the si8nat:re
o3 the ;isitor 7ro;es there has 2een no e><han8e o3
the slate. The se<ret o3 o2tainin8 this e33e<t is 2oth
a :niK:e an5 K:ite ori8inal metho5.
The &ritin8 is alrea5( on the slate an5 is hi55en
3rom ;ie& 2( the 3alse 3la79 &hi<h has a <orner miss!
in8 3rom it. This missin8 <orner is &here the <le;er
i5ea <omes in. A3ter the me5i:m <leans 2oth si5es
o3 the slate9 he sa(s B 0 I &ill H:st 5ra& a <hal'
mar' 5o&n in this <or!
ner o3 the slate &here!
in the 8entleman is to
7la<e his si8nat:re.0
He reall( 5ra&s the
<hal' mar' on the
slate 7ro7er9 2:t <lose
to the e58e o3 the
missin8 <orner o3 the
3la79 th:s 5is8:isin8
the Hoint9 an5 a3ter the
3la7 is 5ro77e5 o:t o3
the slate o3 <o:rse this
mar' an5 si8nat:re
still remains. I%i8.
X+!J
%i8. )+.. The Interr:7te5 Here is Still another.
%la7. The me5i:m <leans a
slate on 2oth si5es an5
han5s it to a s'e7ti< to 7la<e his mar' on it. It is then
7la<e5 on the ta2le9 3a<e 5o&n&ar59 an5 in a short
time9 on 2ein8 t:rne5 o;er9 it is 3o:n5 &ith a s7irit
messa8e on it. This is 7er3orme5 as 3ollo&s B Let
the messa8e 2e &ritten on the slate an5 then s7on8e5
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. F+
o:t &ith al<ohol9 an5 &hen the slate 5ries9 the &rit!
in8 &ill 2e as 7lain as e;er.
Here is another slate &ritin8 se<ret. Dissol;e
in h(5ro<hlori< a<i5 some small 7ie<es o3 7:re ?in<9
a2o:t one!hal3 o:n<e to an o:n<e o3 a<i5. With
this sol:tion &rite :7on the slate &ith a K:ill or a
small <amel@s hair 2r:sh the 5esire5 <omm:ni<ation.
When 5r( it <losel( resem2les &ritin8 5one &ith a
slate 7en<il. When the time arri;es 3or the test9
&ash the slate9 an5 it a77ears to 2e 7er3e<tl( <lean =
allo& an( one to e>amine it an5 hol5 it :ntil it 2e!
<omes 5r(9 2:t &ith the 7re7are5 si5e 5o&n. On
the slate 2ein8 t:rne5 o;er it is 3o:n5 to 2e <o;ere5
&ith &ritin8 &hile in the s7e<tator@s han5.
Here is still another i5ea. The me5i:m has a
n:m2er o3 slates in his arms9 sa( 3o:r. He han5s
the in;esti8ator the to7 one to <lean. When he has
5one so9 the me5i:m re<ei;es it 2a<' an5 7la<es it at
the 2ottom o3 the 7ile o3 slates an5 han5s him another
a8ain 3rom the to7 to 2e <leane59 an5 re7eats
this o7eration :ntil all 3o:r slates ha;e 2een <leane5.
He no& ta'es t&o o3 the slates9 7la<es them to8ether9
an59 on remo;in8 them a8ain9 &ritin8 is 3o:n5 on one
o3 them. Here is the metho5 o3 7ro<e5:reB Pre!
7are (o:r <omm:ni<ation on one o3 the slates9 an5 let
it 2e the 2ottom o3 the 7ile9 &ith the &ritin8 si5e 5o&n.
Ha;e (o:r ;isitor seate59 stan5 2( his si5e H:st a
tri3le 2ehin5 him9 han5 him the to7 slate to <lean =
a3ter he has 5one so9 han5 him the se<on5 one an5
re<ei;e the 3irst one 2a<'9 7la<in8 it at the 2ottom
o3 all the slates9 an5 re7eat :ntil the thir5 slate.
While this one is 2ein8 <leane59 sli7 the 3o:rth9 no&
the to7 slate9 to the 2ottom a8ain. When the thir5
/N SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
slate is re<ei;e59 7la<e it on the 2ottom an5 han5 the
3o:rth9 reall( the 3irst one o;er a8ain = it is9 o3 <o:rse9
the to7 one an5 5r( 2( this time9 an5 the in;esti!
8ator is none the &iser. O3 <o:rse9 the t&o slates
7la<e5 to8ether a3ter&ar5 are the one 7re7are5 &ith
&ritin8 an5 one o3 the 2lan' ones. Instea5 o3 sli7!
7in8 the to7 slate to the 2ottom9 sometimes another
5o58e is :se5. The me5i:m sim7l( t:rns the three
slates o;er 2( a t&ist o3 the han5. This 2rin8s the
7re7are5 slate at the 2ottom an5 the last slate
<leane5 at the to79 an5 he sa(s he &ill <lean this one9
th:s sa;in8 time = reall(9 ho&e;er9 to 5is8:ise the
3a<t that it is still &et 3rom the last <leanin8. He
sa(s9 ho&e;er9 to the ;isitor9 0 Yo: <an <lean it also9
i3 (o: 5esire.0
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. / )
$HAPTER I1.
Min5 Rea5in8 an5 Kin5re5 Phenomena.
Ha;in8 no& 5es<ri2e5 the 7rin<i7al slate tri<'s
&hi<h me5i:ms :se to entan8le the :n&ar( 3or their
o&n en5s9 &e <ome to other tri<'s &hi<h are :se5
3rom time to time to im7ress the <re5:lo:s &ith the
i5ea that the me5i:m is im2:e5 &ith s:7ernat:ral
7o&er an5 <an 7er3orm &hat are9 in e33e<t9 mira<les.
These tri<'s are le8ion9 an5 the( ;ar( 3rom <l:ms(
attem7ts at m(sti3i<ation to the :se o3 ela2orate
7ie<es o3 ma8i<al a77arat:s &hi<h <all 3or rare
me<hani<al 8eni:s in their 5esi8n an5 <onstr:<tion.
The 7resent <ha7ter &ill 5eal more 7arti<:larl( &ith
&hat mi8ht 2e terme5 min5 rea5in8 tri<'s an5 the
rea5in8 o3 <on<eale5 &ritin8. O3 these tri<'s one
o3 the most 7er7le>in8 is that o3 rea5in8 seale5 <om!
m:ni<ations9 or ans&erin8 K:estions 7la<e5 in an
en;elo7e &hi<h is &ell seale5.
I3 I &ere to tell (o: that I <o:l5 rea5 &hate;er
&as &ritten on a <ar5 in<lose5 in an en;elo7e9 an5
that en;elo7e not onl( &ell seale59 2:t also stit<he5
or se&n thro:8h &ith a threa5 an5 nee5le or
ma<hine9 an5 the threa5 seale5 to the en;elo7e also9
&itho:t remo;in8 the seal9 stit<hes9 et<.9 (o: &o:l5
har5l( <re5it the assertion. It is ne;ertheless tr:e9
an5 is easil( an5 rea5il( a<<om7lishe5 2( ;er( sim!
7le means.
Pre7are a s7on8e &ith al<ohol. With this (o:
r:2 or 2r:sh the en;elo7e9 &hi<h imme5iatel( 2e!
<omes trans7arent as 8lass9 th:s ena2lin8 (o: to see
thro:8h.it an5 rea5 &hat is &ritten on the <ar5. It
/E
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
ta'es 2:t a 3e& se<on5s 3or the al<ohol to e;a7orate
an5 lea;e the en;elo7e in the same <on5ition as
2e3ore9 &itho:t lea;in8 a tra<e as to &hat or ho& it
has 5one. This test &as :se5 most s:<<ess3:ll( 3or
(ears 2( a <ele2rate5 Phila5el7hia me5i:m.
We no& <ome to a test o3ten em7lo(e5. A <ar5
is 8i;en 2( the me5i:m to a s'e7ti< &ith the reK:est
to &rite a K:estion on it. The me5i:m no& hol5s
the <ar5 in his han5 a8ainst his 3orehea5. Presentl(
%i8. EN. . The Th:m2 Pen<il $arrier.
he han5s the <ar5 2a<' to the s7e<tator9 an5 on it9 in
&ritin89 is 3o:n5 an ans&er to the K:estion. The
me5i:m a<<om7lishes the a2o;e 3eat 2( means o3 a
little a77arat:s &hi<h is easil( atta<he5 to the ti7
Xo3 the th:m2. Part o3 it 8oes :n5er the th:m2 nail
an5 the lo&er 7art has a small nee5le 7oint &hi<h
em2e5s itsel3 in the 3lesh. In the <enter o3 this
little a77arat:s is a tin( 7ie<e o3 lea5 7en<il. With
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. /D
this <le;er 2it o3 me<hanism the me5i:m 5oes the
&ritin8 &ith the th:m2 o3 the han5 hol5in8 the
<ar5. I%i8. EN.J
%o:r or 3i;e 7ersons are seate5 aro:n5 a ta2le.
The( are 8i;en 7a7er an5 7en<il an5 reK:este5 to
&rite K:estions9 then 3ol5 their 7a7ers :7 an5 7la<e
them in their 7o<'ets. The me5i:m &ill 8i;e them
re7lies to their K:estions = in 3a<t9 <an tell them the
3:ll te>t o3 the K:estions the( as'e59 an59 &hat is
more m(sterio:s9 he has 2een o:t o3 the room all
the time the &ritin8 has 2een 8oin8 on. To 7ro!
5:<e this e33e<t9 (o: are 7ro;i5e5 &ith a ta2le <on!
tiainin8 a hollo& le8. No&9 s7rea5 a 7ie<e o3 thin
&hite sil' on to7 o3 ta2le9 then on the to7 o3 that a
7ie<e o3 <ar2on9 or 5:7li<atin8 7a7er9 or <loth.
No&9 o;er all9 a thin ta2le <o;er9 3astene5 aro:n5
the e58es9 so it <annot 2e raise5 :7 an5 loo'e5 :n5er
2( the inK:isiti;e.
To the &hite 7ie<e o3 sil' is 3astene5 a strin8 lea5in8
5o&n the hollo& le89 thro:8h a hole in the 3loorin89
to the <ellar or room 2elo&. Whate;er &ritin8 is
7la<e5 on the 7a7ers is trans3erre5 2( the <ar2on
7a7er to the sil' 2elo& it. The me5i:m 7:lls the
strin89 5o&n <omes the sil'. One <orner o3 the sil'
has a mar' <orres7on5in8 &ith a <ertain <orner o3
the ta2le9 an5 2( this metho5 not onl( 5oes the me!
5i:m 'no& &hat is &ritten9 2:t &ho &rote it9 as he
has sim7l( to see the 7osition the &ritin8 o<<:7ies
on the sil'9 an5 it &ill ha;e 2een 5one 2( the 7art(
o<<:7(in8 the same 7osition at the ta2le. Another
&a( is 2( :sin8 a 7a5 o3 so3t 7a7er an5 har5 7en!
<ils9 an59 a3ter the &ritin89 remo;e the 7a5s. It &ill
2e 3o:n5 that the har5 7en<il has <a:se5 an im7rint9
/F SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
or in5ent:re9 o3 the &ritin8 on the 7a8e 2elo&9 not
rea5il( seen 2( a <as:al 8lan<e9 2:t easil( seen 2(
the s'ille5 e(e o3 the me5i:m.
A test sometimes o3l%ere5 is as 3ollo&s B A <ar5 is
o33ere5 to a 7erson to &rite a reK:est. It is then
7la<e5 in an en;elo7e an5 seale5 2( the me5i:m an5
7la<e5 on the ta2le seale5 si5e :7. The me5i:m
no& ta'es a 7en<il an5 slate an5 &rites somethin8
on it. It is 8i;en to the s'e7ti< &ho &rote the
K:estion9 an5 it is 3o:n5 to 2e an ans&er to his K:er(.
The me5i:m no& o7ens the en;elo7e 2( tearin8 it
at one en59 an5 ta'es o:t the <ar5 <ontainin8 the
K:estion an5 han5s it to the s7e<tator. This is an!
other h:m2:89 an5 is a<<om7lishe5 2( e><ee5in8l(
sim7le 2:t 2ol5 means. It &ill 2e o2ser;e5 that the
me5i:m 7la<es the <ar5 in the en;elo7e9 also ta'es
it o:t. The s'e7ti< ne;er sees it. This is the se<ret B
The en;elo7e9 on its 3a<e9 has a slit <:t in it a little
lo&er 5o&n than the o7enin8 on the other si5e o3
the en;elo7e. This si5e9 the 3a<e o3 the en;elo7e9 is
ne;er sho&n. The <ar59 in 2ein8 7la<e5 in the en!
;elo7e9 is 5eli2eratel( 7:she5 thro:8h the slit in the
en;elo7e into the me5i:m@s han5 an5 7alme5 2(
him an5 rea5. O3 <o:rse9 it is an eas( matter to
&rite some 'in5 o3 a sensi2le ans&er &hen the K:es!
tion is 'no&n. The <ar5 is inserte5 in the en;el!
o7e in the same manner as it is ta'en o:t.
Another tri<' is to ha;e an ans&er a77ear &ritten
:7on the insi5e o3 the 2o5( o3 the en;elo7e in &hi<h
is en<lose5 the K:estion. The en;elo7e is <lose5
an5 seale5 &ith sealin8 &a>. This is a<<om7lishe5
&itho:t 5ist:r2in8 the seal. In the or5inar( man:!
3a<t:re o3 an en;elo7e9 three o3 the 3la7s are st:<'
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. //
to8ether &ith a5hesi;e 8:m o3 3ar less stren8th
than the 3o:rth 3la79 &hi<h is to 2e moistene5 an5
<lose5 2( the :ser. It is 8enerall( an eas( matter
to insert the 2la5e o3 a 7en'ni3e 2ehin5 the 2ottom
3la79 that is9 2et&een it an5 one o3 the en5 3la7s9 an5
se7arate them a tri3le. Then9 i3 (o: insert into this a
&oo5en s'e&er9 or har59 ro:n5!7ointe5 sti<'9 li'e a
7en<il9 in 3a<t9 a lea5 7en<il &ill 5o9 2:t loo' o:t
it 5oes not lea;e mar's 2ehin5 = an5 2( 7:shin8
this alon89 an5 8i;in8 it a rollin8 motion9 (o: &ill
se7arate the 3la7s :7 as 3ar as the seal9 an59 i3 5one
<are3:ll(9 &itho:t tearin8 or m:tilatin8 the en;el!
o7e. No&9 on a sli7 o3 7a7er &rite the ans&er or
s:ita2le messa8e9 2:t in re;erse or 2a<'&ar5 &ritin89
as the &or5s &o:l5 a77ear in a loo'in8!8lass9 &ith a
<ar2on or <o7(in8 7en<il. Pass this sli7 thro:8h
the o7enin8 in the en;elo7e9 sha'e it into the 5esire5
7osition9 no& r:2 the en;elo7e o;er this s7ot :ntil
(o: thin' the en;elo7e has ta'en the im7ression.
Then remo;e the sli7 o3 7a7er 2( the same &a( it
<ame in9 moisten an5 8:m the o7enin89 an5 the tri<'
is 5one. In r:22in8 the en;elo7e9 it is a 8oo5 7lan
to 7la<e a 7ie<e o3 7a7er o;er it to 'ee7 the en;el!
o7e <lean o3 mar's9 &hi<h &o:l5 2e lia2le to a77ear
3rom 5am7 or moist 3in8ers 5:rin8 the r:22in8.
The 3ollo&in8 is 3rom the e>7eriments o3 a Ger!
man s<ientist. He 5is<o;ere59 2( the :se o3 an em!
2r(os<o7e9 or e88!8lass9 that the shells o3 e88s &ere
o3 ;er( :neK:al thi<'ness.
It o<<:rre5 to him to ma'e e>7eriments in or5er
to as<ertain ho& man( lea;es o3 or5inar( letter or
o33i<ial 7a7er m:st 2e lai5 a2o;e an5 2elo& a &ritten
lea39 in or5er to ma'e it ille8i2le to a hi8hl( sensi!
/O SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
ti;e e(e in the 5ire<t s:nli8ht. He 3o:n5 that a3ter
he ha5 reste5 his e(e in a 5ar' room 3or ten or 3i3!
teen min:tes9 he <o:l5 rea5 a 7ie<e o3 &ritin8
o;er the mirror o3 the em2r(os<o7e that ha5
2een <o;ere5 &ith ei8ht la(ers o3 7a7er. He
<alle5 in other o2ser;ers to <on3irm this. The let!
ters9 ho&e;er9 that <o:l5 2e th:s 5e<i7here5 &ere
&ritten in 5ar' in' on one si5e o3 the 7a7er onl(.
I3 3o:r &ritten si5es &ere 3ol5e5 to8ether9 an5 es!
7e<iall( i3 there ha5 2een <rossin89 it &as har5 to
ma'e o:t the 5ri3t o3 the &ritin8 = an5 there are
some 'in5s o3 &ritin8 &hi<h9 &hen 3ol5e5 thri<e or
t&i<e9 a5mit too little li8ht 3or the 7:r7ose o3 5e!
<i7herment.
In this &a(9 7ossi2l(9 man( o3 the 7er3orman<es o3
0 <lair;o(ants AA ma( 2e e>7laine5. B( means o3 the
e88!8lass it is9 as a r:le9 easier to ma'e o:t the <on!
tents o3 a letter or tele8ram &itho:t the sli8htest
tam7erin8 &ith the en;elo7e than it is to 5ete<t the
mo;ements o3 the em2r(o in the e88.
S:77ose the &riter o3 a 2illet9 the <ontents o3
&hi<h are 'no&n onl( to himsel39 lets it o:t o3 his
han5s an5 loses si8ht o3 it 3or 3i;e min:tes9 it ma(
2e <arrie5 either in the 5ire<t s:nli8ht9 or into ele<!
tri< or ma8nesi:m li8ht9 an5 2e rea5 2( the ai5 o3
the e88!8lass. The 7la<in8 o3 a 7ie<e o3 <artri58e
7a7er in the en;elo7e9 or the <olorin8 o3 it 2la<'9
is a means o3 5e3ense at han5. In their 7resent
3orm9 tele8rams <annot 2e 7rote<te5 3rom 7er:sal9
:nless 5eli;ere5 at on<e into the han5s o3 the
a55ressees.
A 3e& tests em7lo(e5 2( min5 rea5ers an5 <lair!
;o(ants9 so <alle5 3rom their 7res:me5 a2ilit( to rea5
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. PG
other 7eo7le@s min5s9 &ill9 I thin'9 7ro;e interestin8.
Let :s s:77ose the 7er3ormer9 as a means o3 7ro;in8
his a2ilit( to <a:se his s:2He<t to rea5 his min5 3rom
a 5istan<e9 or 2( mental tele8ra7h(9 e>e<:te the 3ol!
lo&in8 3eat. His s:2He<t9 let :s sa( his &i3e9 is at
home. The 7ro3essor is in a 7:2li< 7la<e9 a store9 or
2an'in8 ho:se9 et<. He reK:ests some one to &rite
a K:estion = he han5s this 7erson a 3o:ntain 7en an5
a 7a5 o3 7a7er. A3ter the 7erson has 5one so9 he is
reK:este5 to 3ol5 the <omm:ni<ation :79 7la<e it in
an en;elo7e an5 seal it9 an5 then 7:t it in his 7o<'et.
He is no& as'e5 to &rite a letter or note to the 7ro!
3essor@s assistant9 as'in8 her to in3orm him &hat it
&as that he ha5 as'e5 on the 7a7er in<lose5 in the
en;elo7e in his 7o<'et. This note9 an5 the 7en also9
3or 3ear the la5( has no &ritin8 :tensils9 is <arrie5
2( the 8entleman himsel3 to the la5(. She rea5s the
reK:est9 an59 t:rnin8 the 7a7er o;er9 she &rites the
ans&er <orre<tl( on the other si5e. Sometimes9
instea5 o3 the 8entleman himsel3 8oin8 &ith the note9
a messen8er 2o( is sent &ith it an5 the ans&er
2ro:8ht 2a<' 2( him. In either <ase the 7a7er an5
7en are sent alon8. The 7en is an or5inar( 3o:ntain
7en9 an5 it is 2( means o3 it that the la5( re<ei;es
the 5esire5 in3ormation o3 &hat has 2een &ritten.
%irst the 7ro3essor has to 'no& &hat has 2een &rit!
ten. He sim7l( sa(s to the 8entleman B @A Yo: m:st
allo& me to rea5 the K:estion = 3or9 i3 I 5o not see it9
ho& <an m( assistant see it9 3or it is thro:8h me she
is ena2le5 to 'no& S What I see I <on;e( to her 2(
mental tele8ra7h(9 an5 th:s <on;e( the <omm:ni<a!
tion.0 A3ter the 7ro3essor sees the <omm:ni<ation
he 8oes to a 5es' an5 8ets an en;elo7e9 or ta'es one
/* SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
o:t o3 his 7o<'et9 an5 8i;es it to the 8entleman to
7la<e his K:estion in an5 seal it. While this is 2ein8
5one he stealthil( &rites on a 7ie<e o3 3ine9 thin
7a7er an e>a<t <o7( o3 the K:estion. This he ma'es
into a little 7ellet an5 7la<es it in the little <a7 or
en5 that is ma5e to <o;er the 7oint o3 the 7en 3or
7rote<tion. O3 <o>irse it is no& eas( to see the
metho5 2( &hi<h the K:estion is ma5e 'no&n to the
assistant. She has sim7l( to remo;e the 7ellet o3
7a7er9 :n3ol5 it an5 rea5 it. Sometimes a 7a5 o3
7a7er is :se5 that has <:nnin8l( <on<eale5 2et&een
t&o o3 its lea;es9 near the to79 a 7ie<e o3 <ar2on
5:7li<atin8 7a7er. These t&o sheets are 7aste5
aro:n5 the e58es so as to a77ear as one9 an5 &hen
the 7erson &rites a K:estion it is 5:7li<ate5 on the
sheet o3 7a7er 3ollo&in8 the one &herein is <on<eale5
the <ar2on 7a7er. The 7ro3essor has sim7l( to tear
o:t this sheet an5 in<lose it in the <a7 o3 the 3o:ntain
7en. The name o3 %oster is almost in;aria2l(
<o:7le5 &ith an( test &herein there is rea5in8 o3
seale5 letters9 7ellets9 et<.9 H:st the same as Sla5e@s
is <onne<te5 &ith the slate &ritin8 tests.
%oster &as an in;eterate smo'er9 an(&here an5
e;er(&here9 es7e<iall( at his sOan<e9 an5 it &as all
3or a 7:r7ose. The ;isitor &ho 5esire5 a sittin8
&ith %oster &as as'e5 to &rite a 3e& K:estions on
small 7ie<es o3 7a7er9 3ol5 them :7 se7aratel(9 an5
7ress them into small 2alls or 7ellets. %oster &o:l5
7i<' one o3 these :7 an5 hol5 it to his hea59 as i3 to
tr( an5 7enetrate it. A77arentl( 3ailin8 to 5o so9
he &o:l5 7la<e it 2a<' on the ta2le. This he &o:l5
re7eat &ith others. %inall(9 he han5s one o3 them
to the ;isitor9 a3ter hol5in8 it a8ainst his 3orehea5.
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. /+
reK:estin8 him to hol5 it himsel3. %oster then too'
a 7en<il an5 7a7er9 an5 s<ri22le5 somethin8 on it9
an5 then 2are5 one o3 his arms9 an5 sho&e5 it 5e!
;oi5 o3 an( 7re7aration. He then r:22e5 this arm
&ith his han59 an59 on remo;in8 it9 a name &as seen.
On rea5in8 &hat %oster s<ri22le5 on the 7a7er9 the
;isitor 3in5s an ans&er to one o3 his K:estions9 an5
the name in 2loo5 re5 on %oster@s arm is 3o:n5 to
2e the name o3 a 7erson a55resse5 2( the ;isitor in
the note. %oster ha5 a 7ellet o3 7a7er o3 his o&n
<on<eale5 2et&een his 3in8er ti7s9 an59 at some <onA
;enient moment9 instea5 o3 7la<in8 2a<' on the
ta2le one o3 the 7ellets he has H:st ta'en :79 he s:2!
stit:tes one o3 his o&n9 'ee7in8 the 2ona 3i5e one in
his han59 &hi<h he lo&ers into his la7 an5 :n3ol5s.
Hol5in8 it in the 7alm o3 his han59 he stri'es a mat<h
an5 li8hts his <i8ar9 an5 &hile 5oin8 so he is 5eli2!
eratel( rea5in8 the note9 &hi<h he a3ter&ar5 <r:m!
7les into a 2all an5 <on<eals in his han5. He no&
ta'es :7 another 7ellet an5 tries to see thro:8h it
2( hol5in8 it to his 3orehea5. He9 ho&e;er9 3ails9
an5 8i;es it to the ;isitor to hol59 reall( e><han8in8
it 3or the one he has H:st rea5. He no& has his
o&n an5 the ;isitor has his. He no& allo&s his
han5s to lie <arelessl( in his la79 an59 &hile <on;ers!
in8 &ith the ;isitor9 he 7:shes one o3 his <oat slee;es
:7 a short 5istan<e9 an59 &ith a shar7!7ointe5 sti<'9
&rites the 5esire5 name on his arm9 7ressin8 5o&n
har5. In a se<on5 or t&o he &rites the ans&er to
the ;isitor@s K:estion9 min:s the name he has H:st
7la<e5 on his arm. He no& sho&s his arm 2are9
an5 r:2s the s7ot &here he has &ritten9 &ith his
3in8ers sli8htl( moistene59 &here:7on the name a7!
Oo SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
7ears in 2ri8ht 7in' &ritin8. I3 it is 5esire5 to
ma'e it 5isa77ear9 hol5 the han5 a2o;e the hea5 a
3e& se<on5s. To ma'e it a77ear a8ain9 r:2 on<e
more &ith the 3in8ers.
Here is another tri<' &hi<h a77arentl( <alls 3or
min5 rea5in8. The 7er3ormer@s assistant is sent o:t o3
the room. No&9 a s:m o3 3i8:res in a55ition is 7la<e5
on the slate 2( a s7e<tator. When he has <on<l:5e5,
the 7er3ormer ta'es the <hal' an5 5ra&s a line :n5er
the n:m2ers9 t:rns the slate 5o&n&ar5 on a ta2le9
so nothin8 <an 2e seen9 7la<es <hal' on the slate9 an5
retires into a <orner o3 the room. His assistant is
no& <alle5 into the room9 ste7s :7 to the ta2le an5
sei?es the <hal' an5 mar's 5o&n the <orre<t ans&er
to the s:m o3 3i8:res &hi<h is on the other si5e.
Li'e all the tri<'s that a77ear the most in<om7re!
hensi2le9 this is one o3 the most sim7le. The 7er!
3ormer stan5s &at<hin8 the 7erson as he 7la<es
5o&n the n:m2ers on the slate9 he mentall( a55s
them9 an59 &ith his han5s 2ehin5 his 2a<' or :n5er
his <oat!tails9 &ith a lea5 7en<il in one han59 he
&rites on a 7ie<e o3 <hal' hel5 in the other han5 the
<orre<t ans&er. It is nee5less to sa( that it is this
7ie<e o3 <hal' he 7la<es on the slate9 an5 not the one
:se5. The <hal' is s<ra7e5 or 3ile5 3lat a tri3le
len8th&ise. This is to 'ee7 it 3rom rollin8 on the
slate9 th:s a;oi5in8 a<<i5ental e>7os:re o3 the &rit!
in8 on it9 an5 also 8i;e it a 3lat s:r3a<e to &rite on.
Here is an e33e<t I 7ro5:<e5 as a sta8e ill:sion
some (ears a8o9 some&hat resem2lin8 a s7irit:alis!
ti< e33e<t. Han8in8 :7 a8ainst the s<ene9 at the rear
o3 the sta8e9 &as a lar8e 2la<'2oar5. On this 2la<'!
2oar5 &ritin8 a77eare5 8ra5:all(9 5one in <hal'9 as
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. Ol
tho:8h some :nseen han5 &ere a<t:all( at &or'.
The 2la<'2oar5 &as reall( nothin8 2:t 3ine &ire
slate!<olore5 nettin8. There &as a lar8e hole <:t in
the s<ene imme5iatel( 2ehin5 the 2la<'2oar5. This
hole &as <om7letel( 2o>e5 in 2( <:rtains or &oo5!
&or'9 so as to ma'e it as 5ar' as ni8ht. A man &as
in this s7a<e9 an5 he &as 5resse5 in a <om7lete s:it
%i8. E). . The Boar5 %a<in8 the A:5ien<e.
o3 2la<' = also a 2la<' mas' an5 8lo;es. He &as
7ro;i5e5 &ith a 7ot o3 &hite 7aint9 <om7ose5 o3
&hitin89 &ater an5 8l:e9 an5 a 2r:sh. No&9 the
man <an see thro:8h this nettin89 2:t the s7e<tators
are na2le to see him 2ehin5 this s<reen o3 net!
tin8. With the 2r:sh an5 7aint he tra<es on the
OE SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
&ire nettin8 &hate;er is 5esire5. The 7aint <omes
thro:8h the meshes o3 the nettin89 an59 a5herin8 to
it9 ma'es a ;er( 8oo5 imitation o3 a <hal' mar'. It
sho:l5 2e remem2ere5 the 7erson 5oin8 the &ritin8
5oes so 2a<'&ar5 = so it &ill 2e in <orre<t 7osition
&hen seen 2( the a:5ien<e.
The 3ollo&in8 is some&hat in the same line9 an5 is
<alle5 the 0 E5:<ate5 %l( BA@ When the <:rtain rises
a lar8e mirror9 in a 8ilt 3rame9 is seen restin8 a8ainst
an easel. I%i8. E).J The ma8i<ian ta'es the mirror
in its 3rame 3rom the easel an5 rests it on the 3loor9
sho&in8 2oth si5es to the a:5ien<e. He also re!
mo;es the 8lass 3rom the 3rame9 an5 rests the 8lass
a8ainst the easel &hile he e>hi2its the 3rame to the
a:5ien<e. The 3rame has a soli5 &oo5en 2a<'. The
mirror is a27iit 3o:r an5 a hal3 3eet &i5e an5 three
3eet hi8h9 #5 a3ter it has 2een ins7e<te59 the ma!
8i<ian re7la<es it in the 3rame. He no& ta'es a
7ie<e o3 soa7 an5 mar's the 8lass o33 into t&ent(!
ei3i3ht e;en sK:ares9 &hi<h he n:m2ers 3rom one to
t&ent(!siBt9 an5 letters 3rom A to Y= one o3 the
remainin8 sK:ares is ?ero9 an5 the other is le3t9 as
the 7resti5i8itate:r sa(s9 3or a startin8,oint. He
no& ta'es a lar8e 3l( 3rom the ta2le an5 7la<es it on
a little shel3 &hi<h 7roHe<ts 3rom the em7t( sK:are.
He then as's that a letter or n:m2er 2e <alle5. As
soon as this is 5one9 the 3l( is seen to tra;el a<ross
the mirror an5 sto7 at the 5esire5 sK:are. This is
re7eate5 time an5 time a8ain9 the 3l( e;er(9 time
ret:rnin8 to the startin8 7oint.
The reason 3or ha;in8 the mirror se7arate 3rom its
3rame9 an5 e>hi2itin8 it se7aratel(9 is this B It &ill 2e
remem2ere5 that the mirror is reste5 a8ainst the
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. OD
easel as the 3rame is sho&n9 an5 that this 3rame has a
&oo5en 2a<'. In a55ition to the &oo5en 2a<'9 it
has a <loth 2a<'9 &hi<h is 3irml( 3astene5 to the
3rame9 an5 then <omes the &oo5en 2a<'. This 2a<'
is hin8e5 to the 3rame at the 2ottom. No&9 &hen
%i8. DE.. The M(ster( E>7lain,9
the 3rame is 7la<e5 on the easel an5 the mirror
reste5 on the 3loor9 the s7a<e 2ehin5 the easel 3rom
the 3loor :7 is <on<eale5 2( the mirror9 an5 this
8i;es an o77ort:nit( 3or a 2o( to 8et thro:8h a tra7
in the 3loor an5 7:ll 5o&n the 2a<' o3 the 3rame9 to
ma'eashel3 on &hi<h hesits. I%i8.EE.J O3<o:rse9the
OF SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
<loth 2a<' is still in the 3rame = so the 2o( <annot 2e
seen. The mirror is ta'en :7 an5 re7la<e5 in the
3rame = then it is mar'e5 o33 into sK:ares9 as alrea5(
mentione5. The 2la<' <loth is 7re;io:sl( mar'e5 o33
into sK:ares &hi<h e>a<tl( 5:7li<ate those &hi<h
. ha;e 2een ma5e on the 3a<e o3 the mirror. The 3l(
is ma5e o3 <or'9 &ith an iron <ore &hi<h is set 3lat
a8ainst the 8lass. The 2o( 2ehin5 the mirror is 7ro!
;i5e5 &ith a stron8 ele<tro!ma8net atta<he5 to a &ire
r:nnin8 5o&n the le8 o3 the easel an5 :n5er the
sta8e9 &here it is <onne<te5 to a 7o&er3:l 2atter(.
He 2rin8s :7 the ma8net an5 se;eral 3eet o3 &ire
&ith him &hile the mirror is restin8 on the sta8e.
When the 2o( hears the n:m2ers <alle59 he a77lies
his ma8net to the <orner &here the 3l( is restin8 on
the little shel39 an5 the ma8neti< attra<tion9 &or'in8
thro:8h the 8lass9 5ra&s it s:<<essi;el( o;er the
sK:ares :ntil it <omes to the 5esire5 s7ot9 &hi<h the
2o( <an see on his <hart = an59 o3 <o:rse9 the 7ro7er
letter or 3i8:re is in5i<ate5 &here the 3l( sto7s.
The most s7hin>!li'e 7ro2lem e;er 7resente5 to
the 7:2li< 3or sol:tion &as the se<on5!si8ht m(ster(.
There ha;e 2een man( e>7oses o3 0 meittal 3nai8i<90
an5 some o3 the 2est o3 them are 5es<ri2e5 in
0 Ma8i< B Sta8e Ill:sions an5 S<ienti3i< Di;er5ons9
In<l:5in8 Tri<' Photo8ra7h(.AA
We ha;e no& to <on<ern o:rsel;es &ith 0 mental
ma8i< @A &here the res:lts are o2taine5 2( <le;er
tri<'s. There ha;e a77eare59 3rom time to time9
2e3ore the 7:2li<9 in5i;i5:als &ho 8enerall( &or' in
<o:7les9 terme5 0 o7erators 0 an5 0 s:2He<ts9AA &ho
ha;e 8i;en 7er3orman<es &hi<h &ere terme5 mental
&on5ers9 silent se<on5!si8ht9 et<. The o7erator in!
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. O/
;aria2l( tries to im7ose on the 7:2li< &ith the i5ea
that he 7ossesses some m(sterio:s 7o&er o;er the
AA s:2He<t 0 2( &hi<h he is ena2le5 to <omm:ni<ate
in3ormation to her 2( his &ill 7o&er o;er her min59
&itho:t a &or5 2ein8 s7o'en. There are9 o3 <o:rse9
;ario:s metho5s o3 7er3ormin8 this tri<'9 as 2( a
<o5e o3 7re5etermine5 si8nals in &hi<h senten<es
li'e the 3ollo&in8 are :se5 B AA Sa( the n:m2er.
WellS S7ea' o:t. Sa( &hat it is.0 B:t these
metho5s are not <om7ara2le &ith the me<hani<al
means &hi<h &e are a2o:t to 5es<ri2e.
The 0 o7erator9AA a3ter in3ormin8 the a:5ien<e ot
the &on5er3:l 7o&ers o3 5i;ination &hi<h the s:2!
He<t 7ossesses9 intro5:<es the AA s:2He<t90 &ho is in!
;aria2l( a la5(. She is seate5 on a <hair near the
3ront o3 the sta8e9 in 7lain ;ie& o3 the a:5ien<e.
Her e(es are hea;il( 2an5a8e59 so she <annot see.
A <ommittee is in;ite5 to 8o :7on the sta8e to se<
that the la5( has ha5 her e(es 7ro7erl( 2lin53ol5e59
an5 also9 ostensi2l(9 to hel7 the o7erator. A lar8e
2la<'2oar5 is 7la<e5 at one si5e o3 the sta8e9 2ehin5
the la5(. One o3 the <ommittee is reK:este5 to ste7
to this 2la<'2oar5 an5 &rite on it9 &ith <hal'9 some
3i8:res9 :s:all( :7 to 3o:r or more 5e<imal 7la<es =
an5 a3ter he has 5one so he res:mes his seat. ) he
la5( imme5iatel( a77ears to a55 :7 the n:m2er
mentall(9 <allin8 o:t the n:m2ers an5 8i;in8 the re!
s:lts o3 the a55ition. Ea<h mem2er o3 the <ommit!
tee is in;ite5 to ste7 to the 2la<'2oar5 an5 to:<h a
3i8:re. No sooner has he 5one so than the la5( <alls
o:t the n:m2erA Other tests o3 a similar nat:re are
8i;en9 s:<h as the e>tra<tion o3 sK:are an5 <:2e root9
et<. The( all 7ro;e that the la5( has a thoro:8h
OO SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
'no&le58e o3 the n:m2ers on the 2la<'2oar5 an5 the
relati;e 7osition &hi<h the( o<<:7(. It is9 o3 <o:rse9
7ro;e5 2e(on5 a 5o:2t that the la5( <annot see the
2la<'2oar5. The K:estion then arises9 Ho& 5oes
she o2tain the in3ormation S There are t&o metho5s
o3 7er3ormin8 this tri<'. In either <ase her in3orma!
tion is o2taine5 3rom a <on3e5erate9 &ho is 8enerall(
<on<eale5 :n5er the sta8e9 &ho has the 2la<'2oar5
in si8ht9 an5 &ho transmits to the la5( the 5esire5
in3ormation.
I5 one metho5 the la5( has a hole9 one an5 a hal3
%i8. ED. . The %oot Tele8ra7h9
in<hes in 5iameter9 <:t o:t o3 the sole o3 one o3 her
sli77ers. Z%i8. ED.J She 7la<es this 3oot o;er a hole
in the sta8e9 thro:8h &hi<h a small 7iston is &or'e5
7ne:mati<all( 2( the assistant. The 7iston is <on!
ne<te5 &ith a r:22er t:2e9 &hi<h r:ns to &here
the assistant is <on<eale5. The assistant loo's at the
2la<'2oar5 an5 mani7:lates the 2:l29 th:s <a:sin8
the 7iston ro5 to stri'e the sole o3 the 3oot9 8i;in8
si8nals &hi<h <an 2e rea5il( :n5erstoo5 2( the s:2!
He<t. Ro2ert Heller :se5 a s(stem some&hat simi!
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. OG
lar9 onl( an ele<tro!ma8net &as :se5 instea5 o3 the
7ne:mati< 7iston.
Another an5 2ol5er metho5 o3 <on;e(in8 in3or!
%i8. EF9 . The S7ea'in8 T:2e.
mation is the s7ea'in8 t:2e. In this <ase a 1ienna
2ent!&oo5 <hair is :se5. The <hair is s7e<iall( 7re!
7are5 3or the tri<'. One le8 o3 the <hair is hollo&.
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
an5 the air 7assa8e is <ontin:e5 to the ;er( to7.
The la5( :s:all( has a lon8 2rai5 o3 hair han8in8
L i
I
5o&n her 2a<'9 an59 i3 not 2lesse5 2( nat:re &ith
this hirs:te a5ornment9 she &ears a &i8. In either
<ase9 <on<eale5 in the hair is a r:22er t:2e9 one en5
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. O+
2ein8 <lose to the ear an5 the other han8in8 5o&n
&ith the 2rai59 so that &hen the la5( is seate5 on the
<hair the o7erator <an easil( <onne<t it &ith the t:2e
in the <hair. I%i8. EF.J
There is still a thir5 metho59 &hi<h is so a2s:r5l(!
sim7le that it 5e<ei;es e;en a ;er( 'no&in8 <om!
%i89 EO. . The Si8nalin8 Instr:ment.
mittee. The <ommittee 7la<es a <hair on an( 7art
o3 the sta8e the( ma( see 3it9 an5 the s:2He<t seats
hersel3 an5 is 2lin53ol5e5 as 2e3ore. A threa5 r:ns
3rom the si5e o3 the s:2He<t thro:8h a small rin8
atta<he5 to a <han5elier o;erhea5. I%i8. E/.J One
en5 o3 this threa5 is hel5 2( an assistant an5 the
GN SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
Other en5 is 3astene5 to a hammer &or'in8 on a
7i;ot se<:re5 to a metal 7late <on<eale5 in the hair
o3 the la5(9 her hair 2ein8 5resse5 hi8h. When she
&al's on the sta8e9 the assistant 7:lls in the sla<' o3
the threa59 an5 &hen she is seate5 on the <hair9 the
assistant 7:lls the threa5 ta:t9 so that he is a2le to
<omm:ni<ate si8nals to her 2( a ;er( sli8ht motion
o3 the threa59 &hi<h <a:ses the hammer to &or' on
the 7late9 &hi<h is restin8 ;er( <lose to the s':ll9 so
that the si8nals are easil( 3elt at e;er( stro'e o3 the
hammer. I%i8. EO.J Pre5etermine5 si8nals ma( 2e
:se59 or the re8:lar Morse al7ha2et9 as in tele8ra7h!
in8. There are a n:m2er o3 other &a(s o3 <on;e(!
in8 in3ormation9 2:t the three metho5s &e ha;e
5es<ri2e5 are 7erha7s the 2est.
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. G )
$HAPTER 1.
Ta2le Li3tin8 an5 S7irit Ra77in8.
So m:<h has 2een hear5 a2o:t ta2le ti77in8 an5
3loatin8 ta2les9 it &ill9 I thin'9 7ro;e interestin8 to
e>7lain a 3e& o3 the <le;er 5e;i<es em7lo(e5 to 7ro!
5:<e the a2o;e 7henomena. Small9 li8ht ta2les are
li3te5 2( the mere 0 la(in8 on o3 han5s.0 The arms
are raise5 in the air an5 the ta2le is seen to <lin8 to
LCH,
%i8. EG..Ta2le "3tin8 Tri<'.
the han5s an5 3ollo& e;er( motion. This is a<<om!
7lishe5 2( a 7in 5ri;en &ell into the ta2le9 an5 a
rin8 &ith a slot in it I%i8. EGJ &orn on one o3 the
me5i:m@s 3in8ers. The 2o5( o3 the 7in easil( enters
the slot in the rin89 2:t the hea5 o3 the 7in9 2ein8
lar8er9 7re;ents the ta2le 3rom 3allin8 a&a( 3rom the
han5. A3ter the ta2le has 2een 3loate5 s:<<ess3:ll(9
an e>tra stron8 :7&ar5 7ress:re o3 the han5 7:lls
the 7in o:t9 an5 the ta2le <an 2e e>amine5. Another
GE SPIRIT SLATE WRITING9
test on some&hat similar lines is the li3tin8 o3 a 2o&l
o3 &ater 2( immersin8 the han5 in the 2asin o3
&ater. In this <ase a 7in is 3astene5 3irml( into a
leather or r:22er s:<'er9 an5 the 3in8er rin8 a8ain
5oes the &or'. I%i8. E*.J This <an also 2e :se5 to
li3t an(thin8 that is not o3 a 7oro:s nat:re. A ta2le
&ith a &ell 7olishe5 to7 <an 2e easil( li3te5. In
li3tin8 lar8e ta2les the me5i:m is assiste5 2( a <on!
3e5erate amon8 the assem2le5 8:ests. It is his
5:t( to 8et as near o77osite the me5i:m as 7ossi2le.
The me5i:m an5 the <on3e5erate ha;e 3astene5 to
their &rists9 2( means o3 a leather <:33 an5 stra7s9 a
2ent hoo'. I%i8. E+.J Their han5s rest on to7
an5 the hoo's :n5er the ta2le. B( this means it is
%i8. E*.. The S:<'er.
a sim7le tas' to raise the ta2le. Sometimes the
a2o;e 5e;i<e is ;arie5 = instea5 o3 hoo's 3astene5 to
their &rists the( :se hoo's 3rom :n5er their ;ests9
han8in8 2( a loo7 3rom their ne<'s. I%i8. DN.J
I ha;e seen a sK:are ta2le li3te5 &itho:t the :se o3
either o3 the a2o;e 5e;i<es. The me5i:m an5 his
<on3e5erate sim7l( 8ot the linen <:33s o3 their ri8ht
han5s &ell :n5er the <orner o3 the ta2le9 an5 &ith
their han5s on to7 the( 3o:n5 no 5i33i<:lt( in raisin8
the ta2le 2( this im7ro;ise5 means.
Altho:8h s7irit:alists <laim the( ha;e9 an5 <an9
ma'e 7ianos 3loat in the air9 I ha;e ne;er seen it
a<<om7lishe59 an5 I <o:l5 ne;er 8et a me5i:m &ho
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
GD
&as a2le to 7ro5:<e the e3i3e<t9 an5 I sin<erel( 5o:2t
i3 an( one <an honestl( an5 tr:th3:ll( a<'no&le58e
the( ha;e &itnesse5 it.
I sa& a small9 ro:n5 ta2le on<e 3loate5 in the air
&itho:t the me5i:m to:<hin8 it. It &as a<<om!
7lishe5 2( means o3 t&o threa5s r:nnin8 a<ross the
room an5 &or'e5 2( t&o <on3e5erates. The threa5s
&ere on the 3loor an5 li3te5 :7 an5 allo&e5 to <at<h
:n5er the ta2le.
I ha;e also seen a letter raise5 3rom a ta2le an5
%i8. E+. . The Leather $:3l3 an5 Hoo'.
3loat in the air into the me5i:m@s han5. This &as
5one also &ith a threa59 one en5 3astene5 in the
&all a2o;e the ta2le the letter reste5 on9 the other
near the me5i:m. The letter is not seale5. This
allo&s the threa5 to 8o 2et&een the 3la7 an5 letter9
or en;elo7e9 an5 &hen the me5i:m 7:lle5 the threa5
ta:t9 it ma5e an in<line 3or the en;elo7e to tra;el on9
ri8ht :7 to the o:tstret<he5 han5.
GF SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
Years a8o Ro2ert!Ho:5in9 the <ele2rate5 %ren<h
<onH:rer9 7ro5:<e59 at his 7rett( little theater in
Paris9 an ill:sion &hi<h9 3or startlin8 e33e<ts9 has not
sin<e that time 2een e><elle5 = an5 the means &hi<h
he em7lo(e5 3or o7eratin8 the sta8e ma<hiner( ha;e
2een em7lo(e5 in man( sta8e tri<'s o3 more re<ent
5ate. The sta8e is set to re7resent a 5ra&in8!room9
an59 in sta8e 7arlan<e9 &o:l5 2e <alle5 a 0 2o> setCA
There are si5e s<enes9 as &ell as a 0 5ro7 @A or 2a<'
7ie<e. In the <enter o3 the room is a lar8e 5oor9 an5
a 8ran5 7iano rests a8ainst one o3 the si5e s<enes9 a
small ta2le 2ein8 7la<e5 near the 5oor. When the
%i#! DN@ . l,he Loo7 an5 Hoo' 3or Ta2le
Raisin8.
ill:sion is to 2e 7er3orme59 a la5( enters <arr(in8 a
2o:K:et9 &hi<h she lea;es on the ta2le an5 a5;an<es
to the 7iano. ISee %rontis7ie<e.J She seats hersel39
o7ens the <o;er o3 the 7iano an5 7la(s a short 7ie<e =
then9 <losin8 5o&n the <o;er9 remar's that she 5oes
not 3eel in the h:mor to 7la(. She e>ten5s her han5
to&ar5 the 2o:K:et on the ta2le9 &hi<h m(sterio:sl(
rises an5 3alls thro:8h the air into her han5 = an59 at
the same time9 she is seen to rise :7&ar5 in the air
still seate5 :7on the 7iano stool. When she rea<hes
a 7oint mi5&a( 2et&een the <eilin8 an5 the 3loor she
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. G/
8li5es to&ar5 the o77osite si5es o3 the room9 an5 the
7iano9 &hi<h seems as i3 it &ill not 2e o:t5one9 rises
also an5 3ollo&s her thro:8h the air. This is :s:all(
re<ei;e5 &ith 8reat a77la:se 2( the a:5ien<e9 an5
the <:rtain 3alls. The e>7lanation o3 the 7henomena
is the 3ollo&in8 I%i8. D)JB In the 3irst 7la<e9 the
7iano <ase is <le;erl( ma5e o:t o3 7a7ier ma<3t,9
an5 is reall( a mere shell <ontainin8 no 'e(2oar5 or
a<tion. The 2a<' o3 the 7iano is o7en = imme5iatel(
2ehin5 it9 in the si5e s<ene9 is a tra79 an5 at the 2a<'
o3 this s<ene is a real 7iano mo:nte5 on a tr:<'9 so
that it <an 2e easil( mo;e5 2a<'&ar5 an5 3or&ar5.
O:r en8ra;in8 sho&s 2oth the 7iano an5 the tra7.
When the real 7iano is r:n into the 7a7ier ma<h5
<ase the 'e(2oar5 is in its normal 7osition9 so that
the la5( <an 7la( :7on it. When the la5( 3inishes
7la(in8 she <loses the li5 o3 the 3alse 7iano. As soon
as this is 5one an assistant 2ehin5 the s<ene mo;es
the 7iano 2a<'9 th:s lea;in8 the em7t( shell9 an5 the
tra7 in the s<ene is <lose5. The 3alse 7iano is9 o3
<o:rse9 ;er( li8ht9 an5 to it are 3astene5 3ine &ires9
&hi<h are in;isi2le at a short 5istan<e = one is se<:re5
to ea<h <orner. These &ires r:n :7 o;er 7:lle(s on
a tr:<' o;erhea59 &hi<h <an 2e r:n 2a<'&ar5 an5
3or&ar5 imme5iatel( o;er the s<ene. Ea<h &ire is
terminate5 2( a 2a8 o3 san5 or shot9 &hi<h <o:nter!
2alan<es the &ei8ht o3 the 7iano. It &ill 2e noti<e5
that there is a 3i3th &ire se<:re5 to the 3alse <ase. It
is r:n :7 also o;er the 7:lle( in the tr:<'9 an5 then
o33 to the si5e o3 the sta8e 2e(on5 the si5e s<enes.
B( 7:llin8 this &ire the 7iano is raise5 or lo&ere5 to
an( 5esire5 5istan<e. $o:nter&ei8hts hol5 the in!
str:ment at an( 7osition. There is a ro7e atta<he5
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. 66
to the o;erhea5 tr:<'9 so that it <an 2e 7:lle5 2a<'
an5 3orth9 th:s <a:sin8 the 7iano to mo;e a<ross the
sta8e. There are9 o3 <o:rse9 slits in the <eilin8 o3 the
mimi< sta8e &hi<h allo& the &ires to 7ass thro:8h.
The la5( is raise5 2( a <:rio:s 5e;i<e. There is
atta<he5 to the 7iano stool a <lear 7ie<e o3 7late 8lass9
&hi<h <omes :7 thro:8h a slot in the sta8e te<hni!
<all( 'no&n as a 0sli5er.0 This 8lass is ma5e to
raise or lo&er 2( means o3 a &in5lass. The 8lass
rests on a <ross!7ie<e ot &oo5 an5 &or's :7 an5
5o&n in a 8roo;e5 3rame9 &hi<h is se<:re5 to a mo;!
a2le tr:<' :n5er the sta8e. The slot in the sta8e is
<ontin:e5 in the 5ire<tion in &hi<h the 8lass is to
mo;e9 an5 the <ar7et is o3 a mar'e5 5esi8n &hi<h
&ill <o;er the narro& o7enin8.
The 2o:K:et is se<:re5 &ith a threa5 atta<he5 to
the 7iano9 an5 it then 8oes thro:8h the 5oor9 &here
an assistant hol5s the loose en5. A small loo7 o3
&ire is atta<he5 to the 2o:K:et9 an5 a threa5 r:ns
thro:8h it. When the la5( enters the room an5 la(s
the 2o:K:et on the ta2le9 this threa5 is 7asse5
thro:8h the loo7 o3 &ire. When the 2o:K:et is 5e!
sire5 to tra;el to the la5(9 the assistant has onl( to
raise the en5 o3 the threa5 hi8h eno:8h an5 the
2o:K:et sli5es 5o&n the in<line into the la5(@s han5.
A me5i:m in Detroit9 Mi<h.9 has latel( 2een hoo5!
&in'in8 the 7:2li< an5 <oinin8 mone( &ith an i5ea
that &as K:ite ori8inal. He em7lo(e5 a small9 shal!
lo& 2o>9 <om7ose5 o3 &oo5en si5es an5 en5s an5
slate to7 an5 2ottom. The 2o> an5 its li5 &ere
a2o:t o3 e;en hei8ht9 an5 &ere hin8e5 to8ether.
I%i8. DE.J The 2o> <ontaine5 a tele8ra7h 'e( <on!
ne<te5 :7 to a so:n5er an5 a 5r( 2atter( sittin8
CS SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
o:tsi5e o3 the 2o> on the ta2le. The me5i:m
allo&e5 e;er(thin8 to 2e &ell e>amine5. It &as
7ro;e5 that the 2atter( on the ta2le &as the onl(
means o3 o7eratin8 the so:n5er &hene;er the 'e(
&as &or'e5. I3 one o3 the &ires &ere 5is<onne<te59
or the 2o> &ere <lose5 an5 the 'e( th:s o:t o3 the
&a( o3 mani7:lation9 the so:n5er &o:l5 not &or'.
A3ter e;er(thin8 &as satis3a<toril( e>7laine59 notes
&ere &ritten on 7ie<es o3 7a7er9 &hi<h &ere
%i8. DD.. The Tele8ra7h Set.
3ol5e5 an5 7la<e5 :7on the ta2le. These are
ta'en9 one at a time9 an5 7la<e5 in the 2o> an5
the li5 <lose5. I3 <on5itions are 3a;ora2le9 the
s7irits &ill 2e ena2le5 to rea5 one o3 the in<lose5
notes9 an5 &ill sen5 a tele8ra7hi< re7l( o;er
the so:n5er = an5 s:<h is o3ttimes the res:lt. O3
<o:rse9 &e 'no& s7irits 5o nothin8 o3 the sort =
it is the me5i:m &ho a<<om7lishes all o3 this. Ho&
5oes he 'no& the <ontents o3 the noteS Ho& 5oes
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. G+
he <a:se the ti<'er to &or' &ith the 'e( in<lose5 in
the 2o>S The ;isitor is 7la<e5 on one si5e o3 the
ta2le9 8enerall( 3a<in8 a &in5o&9 so as to ha;e the
li8ht shine into his or her e(es. The me5i:m sits
o77osite &ith his 2a<' to&ar5 the &in5o& = the 2o>
<ontainin8 the 'e( is at his si5e o3 the ta2le9 &ith
the hin8es9 or the 2a<' o3 the 2o>9 to&ar5 the ;is!
itor. No&9 i3 the li5 o3 this 2o> is o7ene5 an5 a
7a7er ta'en o33 the ta2le an5 7la<e5 in the 2o> an5
the li5 <lose59 (o: <o:l5 not tell 3or <ertain i3 the
7a7er &as a<t:all( 7la<e5 in or not9 3or the sim7le
reason that the <o;er o3 the 2o>9 &hen :79 <om7lete!
l( mas'e5 the o7eration. It is 2( the a2o;e s<heme
that the me5i:m o2tains the notes on the 7a7er.
The 3irst one or t&o are a<t:all( 7la<e5 in the 2o> =
then the ne>t one is 5eli2eratel( 5ro77e5 into the
me5i:m@s la7 instea5 o3 the 2o>. He :n3ol5s it9 rea5s
it9 re3ol5s it9 an59 on o7enin8 the 2o>9 a77arentl(
ta'es it 3rom there an5 7la<es it 2a<' on the ta2le
an5 5oes not lose tra<' o3 it. T&o or three other
7a7ers are 7la<e5 in it 2( the ;isitor9 an5 a8ain ta'en
o:t 2( him. A8ain the ;isitor is as'e5 to 7la<e in it
the one the me5i:m 'no&s the <ontents o3. No&
the ti<'er <ommen<es to &or'. With his le3t han5
<arelessl( restin8 on the <orner o3 the <lose5 2o>9 the
me5i:m &rites &ith his ri8ht han59 &ith a 7en<il9 on a
7a5 o3 7a7er9 the <omm:ni<ation re<ei;e5 o;er the
ti<'er. The ;isitor remo;es the 7a7er trom the 2o>9
an5 the ans&er H:st &ritten 2( the me5i:m on the
7a5 is 3o:n5 to 2e a reasona2le one to the &ritten
reK:est.
All that remains to 2e e>7laine5 is the &or'in8 o3
the so:n5er. It is ;er( sim7le. In the 3irst 7la<e9 the
*o SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
li5 an5 2o> are hin8e5 so as to 2e hin8e 2o:n5 =
that is9 the( &ill not9 o3 their o&n &ei8ht9 K:ite
to:<h ea<h other9 7ossi2l( a2o:t an ei8hth o3 an
in<h9 or less9 a7art. B:t 2( the 7ress:re or &ei8ht
o3 the han5 the( &ill <ome to8ether. No&9 the
tele8ra7h 'e(9 li'e all s:<h instr:ments9 is 7ro;i5e5
&ith a tension s<re&9 &hi<h <an 2e s<re&e5 one
&a( or the other. When the me5i:m 5esires his
instr:ment to &or'9 he raises this tension s<re&9
to &hi<h is 3astene5 the 2:tton o3 the 'e(9 H:st hi8h
eno:8h to to:<h the li5 on the insi5e o3 the 2o>
&hen it is <lose5 o3 its o&n &ei8ht. No&9 &hen the
han5 is restin8 on the 2o>9 he 7ro<ee5s to ma'e
the so:n5er 0s7ea'0 at &ill9 &ith no 7er<e7ti2le
mo;ement o3 his han5. A sim7le m:s<:lar <on!
tra<tion o3 the 7alm o3 the han59 &hi<h <annot 2e
5ete<te59 is s:33i<ient to <ontrol the sensiti;e 'e(9
2( 7ress:re o3 the 2o> <o;er on it. The &hole thin8
is so sim7le9 an5 at the same time 7:??lin89 that it
ma'es one la:8h to thin' ho& little it ta'es to ma'e
a 3ool o3 a man.
In the <ase o3 this me5i:m9 the hea5 o3 the tension
s<re& &as 2rass9 an5 le3t a 2rass( mar' on the slate
to7. He soon o2ser;e5 this9 an5 <han8e5 it 3or a
har5 r:22er one9 &hi<h le3t no telltale mar's 2ehin5.
Sometimes he 5i5 not raise the tension s<re&9 2:t
lai5 the 3ol5e5 7a7er the K:estion &as &ritten on
on to7 o3 it. This ma5e :7 the reK:ire5 hei8ht.
Other me5i:ms im7ro;e5 on the a2o;e metho5 2(
&or'in8 the 'e( thro:8h the 2o> 2( an ele<tro!
ma8net <on<eale5 in the ta2le to7. The <:rrent to
the ma8nets &as t:rne5 on an5 o339 or 2ro'en9 as the
line is :se59 2( means o3 a small 2:tton in the 2o5(
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. * )
o3 the ta2le9 7resse5 2( the me5i:m@s le8. This
metho5 allo&e5 him to 'ee7 his han5 o33 the 2o>.
The ra7s9 or noises9 are 7ro5:<e5 in ;ario:s man!
ners. Press (o:r 2oot heel 8entl( a8ainst a ta2le
le8. The sli77in8 o3 the leather a8ainst the &oo5
ma'es 7er3e<t s7irit ra7s9 &oo5 2ein8 a 8oo5 <on!
5:<tor o3 so:n5. The ra7s a77arentl( <ome 3rom
the ta2le to7 i3 attention is 5ire<te5 in that 5ire<tion.
Some me5i:ms9 &ith the ti7s o3 their 3in8ers 7resse5
3irml( on a ta2le to79 sli7 them9 2( a 5e>tero:s
mo;ement9 alon8 the ;arnishe5 s:r3a<e9 th:s ma'in8
;er( 3air e>am7les o3 ra7s or th:5s. Some me5i:ms9
in their o&n homes9 ha;e ta2les 7ro;i5e5 &ith
ele<tro!ma8nets <on<eale5 in them9 2( &hi<h the
'no<'s are a<<om7lishe5. Me5i<al e>7erts <laim
that a ;er( 8oo5 res:lt <an 2e o2taine5 2( the mere
5is7la<ement o3 the ten5ons o3 the m:s<le <alle5
7erone:s lon8:S( in the sheath in &hi<h it sli5es
2ehin5 the e>ternal malleol:s. Others a8ain 7ro5:<e
it 2( sna77in8 the toe or 'nee Hoints. Wat<h a
2o( some 5a( as he sna7s his 3in8er Hoints9 an5 i3
he &ere to rest his el2o&s on the ta2le &hile 5o!
in8 so9 the so:n5 &o:l5 2e intensel( stren8thene5.
*E SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
$HAPTER 1I.
S7irit:alisti< Ties.
0Ties@A ha;e al&a(s 2een one o3 the 8reat stan5!
2ies o3 me5i:ms9 se<on5 onl( to slate &ritin8.
The 3ollo&in8 is a sim7le test A;ith a ro7e or 7ie<e
o3 strin8B A lon8 7ie<e o3 ro7e is 8i;en 3or ins7e<!
tion9 an59 on its ret:rn to the me5i:m9 he <oils it :7
an5 la(s it on the ta2le = the t&o en5s are tie5
to8ether an5 seale5 3ast to the ta2le. The <oils o3
the ro7e are no& allo&e5 to 5ro7 on the 3loor.
Li8hts are lo&ere59 an59 in a 3e& min:tes9 &hen
the li8hts are reli8hte59 the <oil o3 ro7e is 3o:n5
&ith n:mero:s 'nots tie5 in it that <o:l5 not nat:!
rall( ha;e 2een a<<om7lishe5 &itho:t the en5s
2ein8 :ntie5 an5 :nseale5. This m(ster( is a<<om
7lishe5 2( sim7le means. When the me5i:m re!
<ei;es the ro7e 2a<' he 5oes not <oil it :7 as a 7erson
&o:l59 in the or5inar( 3ashion9 2:t ma'es the <oils
so the( reall( 3orm hal3 hit<hes9 an59 as he la(s them
on the ta2le9 he r:ns one o3 the 3ree en5s thro:8h
all the <oils9 then ties the t&o en5s to8ether. Ea<h
<oil &ill no& 3orm an o;erhan5 'not. An eas( man!
ner o3 mani7:latin8 the ro7e is as 3ollo&s B The ro7e
is hel5 in the han5s9 &ith 7alms :7&ar5 = no&9 to
3orm the <oil9 or hal3 hit<h9 the ri8ht han5 is 8i;en a
hal3 t&ist= this 2rin8s the 7alm 3a<in8 the 7er!
son@s 2reast an5 2a<' o3 han5 o:t&ar59 an5 lea;es
the ro7e as seen in %i8. DD = this loo7 is trans3erre5
to the le3t han5 I%i8. DFJ9 an5 the o7eration re7eate5
:ntil the s:77l( o3 the ro7e is e>ha:ste5. No&9 to
I
I
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. *H
ma'e the 'nots9 one en5 o3 the ro7e has sim7l( to 2e
7asse5 thro:8h all the loo7s.
I ha;e seen the a2o;e test &or'e5 also as 3ollo&s B
T&o s'e7ti<s &ere :se5. One en5 o3 the ro7e &as
3astene5 to one o3 the s'e7ti<@s &rists an5 the other
en5 to the &rist o3 the se<on5 s'e7ti<. The 'nots
&ere seale5. The ro7e in this <ase &as K:ite lon8,
a2o:t t&ent( 3eet. The me5i:m no& ma'es the
ro7e :7 into a 3e& <oils = o:t 8o the li8hts9 an59 in a
3e& min:tes9 on the li8hts 2ein8 t:rne5 :79 the ro7e
is 3o:n5 &ith 'nots. This is &hat ha77ens B When the
li8hts &ent o:t9 the me5i:m &ent :7 to one o3 the
s'e7ti<s9 an59 &hile tal'in8 to him an5 mo;in8 him
t&o or three 3eet 3:rther a&a( 3rom the other s'e7ti<,
he has 7asse5 the <oils o;er this one man@s hea59 an5
allo&e5 the <oils to 5ro7 to the 3loor. As soon as
the s'e7ti< ste7s o:t o3 these9 the Ho2 is 5one.
There is another test on some&hat similar lines.
A short 7ie<e o3 ro7e is e>amine5 an5 the 7er3ormer
hol5s it in one han5 an5 then tosses it into the
<a2inet9 &hi<h is em7t(. On o7enin8 the <:rtain in
a 3e& se<on5s the ro7e is 3o:n5 &ith a 'not on it.
The 7er3ormer himsel3 a<t:all( ties the 'not &ith
one han5 in the a<t o3 tossin8 the ro7e into the <a2i!
net. The ro7e is hel5 in the han5 7alm :7&ar5,
;er( near one en59 the short en5 in the han5 2ein8
&ith the lon8 en5 han8in8 5o&n9 the shorter 7art
2ein8 2et&een the th:m2 an5 the 3ore3in8er. The
han5 an5 arm are 8i;en a 'in5 o3 hal3 <ir<:lar s&ee7
in tossin8 the ro7e into the <a2inet = this <a:ses the
lon8 7ortion o3 the ro7e to s&in8 :n5er9 then o;er
the &rist9 an5 a<ross the 3in8ers o3 the han5. This
en5 is then sei?e5 2et&een the 3in8ers an5 5ra&n
*F
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
thro:8h the loo7 H:st ma5e = at the same time the
loo7 is 5ro77e5 o33 the &rist as the ro7e is tosse5
into the <a2inet. In rea5in8 the a2o;e 5es<ri7tion
%i8. DD. . %irst Position.
it seems li'e 3o:r or 3i;e 5i33erent mo;ements9 2:t
&ith 7ra<ti<e the( all 2len5 into one.
Here is another test. A sin8le 'not is tie5 in the
<enter o3 a 7ie<e o3 strin8 = no& the en5s are tie5
%i8! DF! . Se<on5 Position.
to8ether an5 'nots seale5. The li8hts t:rne5 5o&n =
on their a8ain 2ein8 t:rne5 :79 the 'not 3rom the
<enter o3 the <or5 has 5isa77eare5. The moment
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. *P
there &as 5ar'ness the me5i:m starte5 to &or'9 an5
'e7t sli77in8 the 'not alon8 the strin8 :ntil it Hoine5
the rest at the to7 o3 the strin89 &here there is not
m:<h 3ear o3 its 2ein8 seen. To 3:rther 7rote<t him!
sel3 he :ses the 3ollo&in8 7lan B He <he&s 8:m <ol!
ore5 the same as the sealin8 &a> :sHe5. No& in the
5ar'9 &hen he has the sin8le 'not :7 a8ainst the
others at the en5 o3 the strin89 he <o;ers this 'not
&ith 7art o3 the <he&in8 8:m an5 2len5s it in &ith
the sealin8 &a>..
I &ill no& e>7lain a 3e& ties9 ro7e an5 other&ise9
2( &hi<h the me5i:ms allo& themsel;es to 2e tie5.
It is almost in;aria2l( the r:le 3or the me5i:m to
s:88est to the in;esti8ator the 8eneral &a( he &ishes
to! 2e tie5. The( m:st ha;e <ertain <on5itions9 so
the( sa(9 or the s7irits &ill not &or'. It is sa3e to
sa( the <on5itions are ;er( stri<t an5 al&a(s in 3a;or
o3 the me5i:m. The 3emale me5i:m has a 7re3er!
en<e 3or ties in &hi<h ta7e or m:slin9 or <otton
<loth torn into stri7s9 is :tili?e5. The male 7er!
3ormer9 as a r:le9 :ses ro7e an5 &ire. I &ill 3irst
5es<ri2e &hat is 'no&n as the 2rai5 or ta7e test.
Ta'e a 7ie<e o3 ta7e a2o:t three!K:arters o3 an in<h
&i5e. Ha;e one en5 o3 this se<:rel( tie5 aro:n5
the &rist = no& the 7erson &ho is <on5:<tin8 the
test seats himsel3 in a <hair &ith his han5s 2ehin5
the 2a<' o3 the <hair = no& ha;e the loose en5 o3 the
ta7e 7asse5 2et&een the :7ri8hts 3ormin8 the 2a<'
o3 the <hair= ha;e the other en5 3astene5 aro:n5
the remainin8 han5. The moment (o: are in the
5ar'9 or hi55en 3rom ;ie&9 (o: <an 7ro5:<e an(
mani3estation that reK:ires the :se o3 one or 2oth
han5s9 2( 3ollo&in8 these instr:<tions. The 3irst
*O SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
han5 <an 2e tie5 as the in;esti8ator 7leases. No&9
&hen the se<on5 han5 is to 2e tie59 'ee7 a strain on
the ta7e eno:8h to 'ee7 it ta:t. B( so 5oin8 a
sK:are 'not <annot 2e tie5 on the ta7e9 2:t sim7l( a
r:nnin8 'not9 or a 'not aro:n5 the stran5 o3 the
ta7e . a 'not that <an 2e sli5 2a<'&ar5 an5 3or&ar5.
Here is &hat is 'no&n as the <otton 2an5a8e test.
A rin8 sta7le or rin8 s<re& e(e9 the rin8 2ein8 a2o:t
t&o in<hes in 5iameter9 is &o:n5 aro:n5 &ith :n!
2lea<he5 m:slin o3 the same <olor as :se5 to tie the
me5i:m@s &rists &ith. This rin8 is 3astene5 se<:rel(
into the 5oor Ham2 or an( stationar( &oo5en s:77ort
2( one o3 the in;esti8ators. T&o stri7s o3 m:slin a2o:t
three 3eet lon8 are 8i;en to the in;esti8ator = one o3
ea<h is tie5 aro:n5 one o3 the me5i:m@s &rists an5
the 'nots se&e5 an5 seale5. Her I3or the me5i:m is
s:77ose59 in this <ase9 to 2e a la5(J han5s are no&
7la<e5 2ehin5 her9 an5 the en5s o3 the stri7s 3rom
ea<h &rist are no& tie5 to8ether an5 the 'nots tie5
an5 also se&e5 = an5 &hat en5s are le3t are e;enl(
<:t o33 near the 'nots. Another stri7 o3 m:slin9
a2o:t the same &i5th an5 len8th as the others9 is no&
7ro5:<e59 an5 one o3 the <ommittee ties this stri7
aro:n5 the 'nots 2et&een her &rists9 lea;in8 the
en5s o3 eK:al len8th. The me5i:m no& ta'es her
seat on a small stool9 &ith her 2a<' to&ar5 the rin8
in the 5oor Ham2. One en5 o3 the last m:slin stri7 is
7asse5 thro:8h the rin8 an5 se;eral 'nots are tie5.
A3ter t(in8 se;eral 'nots9 the en5s o3 the stri7s are
ta<'e5 se<:rel( to the &oo5&or' o3 the 5oor.
Another stri7 is 7ro<:re5 an5 tie5 aro:n5 the me5i!
:m@s ne<'9 an5 then ta<'e5 also to the 5oor Ham2.
T&o more stri7s are no& :se59 one 7asse5 aro:n5
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. *C
ea<h arm9 not tie59 an5 the en5s o3 ea<h ta<'e5 to
the 5oor. The <ommittee9 ha;in8 5one all the &or'
themsel;es9 o3 <o:rse9 are thoro:8hl( satis3ie5 as to
its 8en:ineness. The( no& retire 3rom the <a2inet9
&hi<h has 2een sim7l( ma5e 2( a <:rtain a<ross one
<orner o3 the room9 3ormin8 a trian8:lar s7a<e. No
sooner is the <:rtain <lose5 than the :s:al mani3es!
tations o<<:r9 s:<h as rin8in8 o3 2ells9 tootin8 o3
horns9 2an8in8 o3 tam2o:rine9 et<. Imme5iatel( the
<:rtain is o7ene5 an5 the me5i:m 3o:n5 se<:rel(
2o:n5 an5 not a 2an5a8e 5ist:r2e5. %inall( a
7o<'et 'ni3e is 7la<e5 :7on her la79 the <:rtain is
<lose59 an5 in a 3e& se<on5s the me5i:m <omes 3or!
&ar5 &ith her 2on5s <:t9 2:t onl( the &rists se7a!
rate5 = this has 2een 5one9 she <laims9 2( the s7irits9
&ith the :se o3 the 'ni3e &hi<h &as 7la<e5 in her la7.
No& to e>7lain a&a( the m(ster(. In a <on;enient
7o<'et in her 2elt she has <on<eale5 a small9 shar79
o7en 'ni3e9 &ith &hi<h she <:ts thro:8h the 2an5s
2et&een the &rists. She <:ts this 2an5 2et&een the
'not on her ri8ht &rist an5 the 'not in the mi55le
ma5e 2( t(in8 the en5s o3 the &rist 2an5s to8ether.
She no& sli7s the loo7 &hi<h &as tie5 aro:n5 o339
lea;in8 it &hole an5 still tie5 aro:n5 the rin8. She
is no& 3ree to :se 2oth han5s9 an59 as the last stri7s
aro:n5 her arm &ere not tie59 the( are easil( man!
a8e5. She ma'es &hat mani3estations she <hooses9
an5 2( 7la<in8 her &rists one ea<h si5e o3 the rin89
an5 <las7in8 her han5s to8ether9 7ressin8 all ti8htl(
to8ether9 she is rea5( 3or e>amination. The rin8
2ein8 &o:n5 &ith m:slin9 one <annot see that an(!
thin8 has 2een <han8e5 = an5 this is the reason it is
&o:n5. Another thin8 to noti<e is that the s7irit
** SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
<:ttin8 is the last test. The reason o3 this is9 i3 the
in;esti8ators &ere to release her9 the( &o:l5 5is!
<o;er the se<ret. Male 7er3ormers :se the same i5ea
3or ro7e ties 3rom &hi<h the( 3in5 it im7ossi2le to
release themsel;es. The( ha;e a 'ni3e 2la5e sol!
5ere5 3irml( on to a 2rass 7late9 &hi<h is ri;ete5 or
se&e5 on the 2a<' o3 the 7er3ormer@s tro:sers9 the
e58e o3 the 'ni3e 2la5e 2ein8 o:t&ar5. He has sim!
7l( to r:n the ro7e :7 an5 5o&n o;er this <ontri;!
an<e9 an5 he soon 8ains his li2ert(.
,i8! D/! . The Da;en7ort Tie.
I &ill ne>t ill:strate a tie ma5e 3amo:s 2( the
Da;en7ort Brothers. I%i8. D/.J The ro7e :se5 is
&hat is 'no&n in tra5e as a sash ro7e. Sil;er La'e
or Sam7son 2ran5 is the 2est. This is a sti339 7ol!
ishe5 or smooth9 har5 3inishe5 ro7e. With this
st(le o3 ro7e it is an almost :tter im7ossi2ilit( to
2e tie5 2:t &hat (o: <an 3ree (o:rsel3. The Da;en!
7orts9 on 3irst 2ein8 se<:re59 &o:l5 tr( an5 in5:<e
or lea5 the <ommittee &ho 5i5 the t(in8 to 5o so in
a &a( &hi<h &o:l5 2e a5;anta8eo:s to the me5i:m.
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. *+
See Barn:m@s 0 H:m2:8s o3 the Worl5C@ 7a8e
)DOB 0The 2rothers sa& the( <o:l5 not &ri88le o:t
o3 the 'nots. The( there3ore re3:se5 to let the t(in8
2e 3inishe5.0 O3 <o:rse9 the( 5i5 not ma'e the re!
K:est 7ointe59 or a77arent9 2:t9 in the <oolest nat!
:ral &a(9 an5 not s:88esti;e o3 an( <on<ei;e5 7lan.
Their metho5 &as as 3ollo&s B
One o3 the <ommittee9 hol5in8 a 7ie<e o3 ro7e9
a2o:t t&el;e 3eet lon89 as near the <enter as 7ossi2le9
&o:l5 2e reK:este5 to tie 3irst one o3 the me5i:msA
le3t han5s9 t(in8 t&o or three 8oo59 har59 sK:are
'nots a2o:t the &rist9 the 'nots <omin8 to the in!
si5e o3 the &rist or 7alm si5e o3 the han5. The
me5i:m9 5:rin8 this 7art o3 the tie9 3a<es the a:5i!
en<e. He no& e>7lains to the 7erson &ho 5oes the
t(in8 that &hen he9 the me5i:m9 7la<es his le3t han5
2ehin5 his 2a<'9 he &ill 7la<e his ri8ht han5 <lose
a8ainst it9 an5 reK:ests the s'e7ti< to tie a 3e& or
as man( 'nots on to7 o3 that han5 as he ma( see 3it.
The me5i:m9 a3ter this e>7lanation9 7la<es his han5s
2ehin5 his 2a<'9 an5 then t:rns aro:n59 &ith his
2a<' to&ar5 the a:5ien<e. The <ommitteeman
no& se<:res the ri8ht han5 a8ainst the le3t. The
me5i:m no& enters the <a2inet9 is seate5 in a <hair9
or on a 2en<h9 in &hi<h t&o holes are 2ore5. The
en5s o3 the ro7es are no& 7asse5 thro:8h these
holes9 an5 'nots tie5 in the ro7e <lose to the seat o3 the
<hair9 an5 then<e <arrie5 to the 3ront le8s o3 the <hair9
&here it is 3astene5. T&o other smaller ro7es are
:se5 to tie the me5i:m@s le8s to the <hair. The
:s:al mani3estations9 s:<h as rin8in8 o3 2ells9 tootin8
o3 a horn9 han5s at <a2inet &in5o&9 et<.9 ta'e 7la<e.
A3ter this is re7eate5 a 3e& times9 the me5i:m <omes
+N SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
3orth entirel( 3ree 3rom the ro7es9 &hi<h he no&
hol5s in his han5s 5e;oi5 o3 'nots. O3 <o:rse9 the
me5i:m is reall( the <a:se o3 all the 5emonstrations9
an5 to a<<om7lish the res:lts he m:st 3ree himsel3.
No&9 let :s see ho& it is 5one. The 3irst han5 is
tie5 3air an5 sK:are9 2:t &hen he 7la<es his t&o
han5s 2ehin5 his 2a<'9 that@s the time the tri<'
is 5one. In 7la<in8 his han5s 2ehin5 his 2a<'9 an5
2e3ore t:rnin8 aro:n59 &ith 2a<' to&ar5 the a:5i!
en<e9 he <at<hes :7 a little sla<' o3 the ro7e9 an59
7ressin8 the t&o han5s to8ether9 mana8es not to
lose that sla<' as the t&o han5s are tie5 to8ether.
Another 7lan is em7lo(e5 so as to 2e <ertain not to
allo& this sla<' to 8et a&a( 3rom the me5i:m. In
the a<t o3 7la<in8 the han5s 2ehin5 the 2a<'9 one 7art
o3 the ro7e is allo&e5 to 8o aro:n5 the mi55le 3in!
8er. The en5s are then <rosse59 A 8oin8 2ehin5 B9
2e3ore the ri8ht han5 is 7la<e5 a8ainst le3t. O3 <o:rse9
the ri8ht han5 <o;ers the ro7e9 or 3alse tie9 <om!
7letel(. When the han5 is to 2e release59 the 3in8er
has sim7l( to 2en5 5o&n9 an5 o33 5ro7s the sla<'
7art o3 the ro7e9 an5 8i;es 7lent( o3 room to 5ra&
the han5 3rom the loo7. With one han5 3ree9 it is
eas( to 7ro5:<e the 5esire5 mani3estations9 also to
release the other han59 an5 then <om7letel( :ntie
the ro7e. No&9 &hene;er the <ommittee <annot 2e
in3l:en<e5 to tie in the a2o;e manner9 the( are
allo&e5 to 7ro<ee5 as the( &ish. 1er( 3e& 7er!
sons <an tie a me5i:m se<:rel( &ith the sti33 ro7e
3:rnishe5. The me5i:m &ill mana8e9 2( sli8ht <on!
tortion o3 his 2o5(9 to se<:re a little sla<' ro7e9
2( &hi<h a8en<( sK:are 'nots <an 2e easil( :7set
into a sli7 or r:nnin8 'not9 an59 &hen he 3ails in this.
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. + )
the ro7e is 5eli2eratel( <:t &ith the little 'ni3e 2la5e
on 2elt9 as 5es<ri2e5 7re;io:sl(. This 5estro(e5
ro7e is no& <on<eale5 on the me5i:m9 an5 he ta'es
also 3rom his <lothes a similar ro7e an5 &al's o:t o3
the <a2inet &ith it9 statin8 the s7irits ha5 release5
him. He a8ain retires to the <a2inet9 an59 in a short
time9 he is 3o:n5 retie59 &ith his han5s 2ehin5 his
2a<'9 se<:rel( 3astene5. Here is the e>7lanationB
When he enters the <a2inet9 he allo&s 2oth en5s o3
the ro7e to han8 5o&n9 hol5in8 the ro7e
in <enter= the ro7e no&9 in its 5o:2le5
<on5ition9 has a 'not tie5 near its 5o:2le
en59 lea;in8 a 'not an5 loo7. I%i8. DO.J
Then a sin8le 'not9 tie5 in ea<h 7ortion
o3 the ro7e9 ea<h si5e o3 this loo7 'not9 3ar
eno:8h a&a( so as to 8i;e len8th eno:8h
3or the ro7es to en<ir<le the &rists9 an5
these sin8le 'nots <ome :7 har5 a8ainst
the loo7 'not. The en5s o3 the ro7e are.
no& r:n thro:8h the loo7 'not9 an5 t&o
loo7s are th:s 3orme59 &hi<h <an 2e ma5e 7H, DO..
lar8er9 as 5esire59 to sli7 the han5s o:t. The %irst
I%i8. DG.J The en5s ot the ro7e are no& Knot9
r:n 5o&n thro:8h holes in the <hair seat9
an5 en5s 3astene59 an5 the me5i:m inserts his &rists
in the loo7 an5 7:lls :7 ta:t9 an5 he is rea5(
3or an in;esti8ation. It &ill rea5il( 2e seen the me!
5i:m <an no& 5o as he 7leases9 remo;e his <oat9
7la<e on a 2orroA;e5 one9 et<.
Another tie 3reK:entl( :se5 is that in &hi<h the
me5i:m seats himsel3 in a <hair9 ta'es the ro7e9 an5
ties it aro:n5 his le8s at the 'nees9 &ith the sin8le
'not on to7. On this he 7la<es his t&o han5s9 <lose
+E SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
to8ether9 an5 has the <ommittee tie his han5s &ith
as man( 'nots as the( 7lease9 3rom &hi<h he ne;er!
theless 3rees himsel3. The &hole s<heme lies in the
3a<t that the me5i:m tie5 2:t one 'not aro:n5 the
le8s9 2:t 5i5 not 7:ll it 5ee7 into the 3lesh. When
the 'nots are tie5 o;er his han5s9 he 'ee7s the le8s
%i8. DG. . The Do:2le Loo7.
a tri3le a7art. No&9 to release himsel39 he sim7l(
has to 5ra& his le8s to8ether9 an5 strain on the ro7es9
so the( sin' into the le8s a tri3le9 an5 let all the
sla<' 8o a2o;e the sin8le 'not9 th:s 8i;in8 room 3or
the han5s to 2e &ith5ra&n. B( 3or<in8 the han5s
a7art9 the 5esire5 sla<' is easil( ta'en :7.
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. +D
$HAPTER 1II.
Post Tests9 Han5<:33s9 $ollars9 et<.
The AR S7irit:alisti< Post TestAA is one o3 the latest
an5 most s:<<ess3:l o3 me<hani<al 3astenin8s :se5 2(
me5i:ms. The most <ommon 3orm is ma5e o3 &hat
a77ears to 2e a 7ie<e o3 Hoist. This is 8i;en to the
<ommittee9 one o3 &hose mem2ers 2ores a hole
thro:8h it9 near its :77er en59 an5 then 7asses an
or5inar( ro7e thro:8h the hole9 a 'not 2ein8 tie5
in the ro7e on ea<h si5e o3 the 7ost. The 'nots are
7resse5 a8ainst the 7ost9 so that the ro7e <annot 2e
5ra&n thro:8h the 7ost. The en5s o3 the ro7e
are no& :nra;ele59 an5 the 7ost is 3astene5 to the
3loor &ith s7i'es. The me5i:m is tie5 to the 7ost
2( the :nra;ele5 en5s o3 the ro7e A nail is 5ri;en
in the to7 o3 the 7ost9 an5 a ro7e is se<:re5 to it.
This se<on5 ro7e is hel5 2( the <ommittee= a3ter
the <:rtains are 5ra&n9 2ells are r:n89 et<.9 sho&!
in8 that the me5i:m has the :se o3 his han5s. The
tri<' <onsists in 2orin8 a hole in the <enter o3 the
en5 o3 the Hoist = a <hisel is then inserte5 in the
hole9 an5 the o7enin8 is <lose5 &ith 8l:e an5 sa&!
5:st tinte5 &ith &ater <olor. The me5i:m starts
the 2it9 so that there is no 5an8er o3. the <ommittee
2orin8 the hole too lo&9 or so hi8h that it &ill
stri'e the <hisel. When the nail is 5ri;en in9 it
3or<es the <hisel 5o&n an5 <:ts the ro7e. The me!
5i:m ma( no& rin8 2ells9 et<. A3ter he is thro:8h
rin8in8 the 2ells9 he 7:ts 2a<' the en5s o3 the ro7e
in the 7ost.
+F SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
There is another ;er( 8oo5 ro7e an5 me<hani<al
7ost test sometimes :se5 2( me5i:ms. A 7ost in an
:7ri8ht 7osition is se<:rel( 3astene5 to the 3loor. In
%i8. D*.. Tlie Tri<' Post.
I. Lea5 &ei8ht &ith not<h.
I. S7rin8 <at<h.
D. Hole In <at<h 2( &hi<h <or5 is K<:re5.
F. Ro"[r o;er &hi<h eoi59 /9 r:ns= <or5 is atta<he5 at one en59 H9
to s7riiiE oat<h. an5 at other en5 at O to 2olt I5 an8le 7ie<e.
the :77er 7art o3 the 7ost a hole is 2ore5 <lear
thro:8h9 to allo& o3 t&o small ro7es 2ein8 7asse5
thro:8h the o7enin8 3rom si5e to si5e. The me5i:m
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. +/
7asses the ro7es thro:8h the 7ost9 then in;ites the
<ommittee to tie his han5s 3ast a8ainst the 7ost9 an5
then to tie or nail the en5s o3 the ro7e 5o&n on the
3loor. All the :s:al mani3estations ta'e 7la<e. The
me5i:m is also instantaneo:sl( release59 an5 ro7e
an5 'nots are 3o:n5 :n5ist:r2e5. B( 8lan<in8 at
%i8. D* the m(ster( &ill 2e <leare5 :7. The
7ost is hollo&9 an5 <arries a lea5en or iron &ei8ht.
This &ei8ht has a hori?ontall( e>ten5in8 7assa8e to
<orres7on5 &ith the <hannel in the 7ost. This &ei8ht
is hel5 in the to7 7art o3 the 7ost 2( a <at<h9 &hi<h
is release5 2( a 7roHe<tin8 2olt!hea5 at the 2ottom
o3 the 7ost. It &ill 2e remem2ere5 that the 7ost is
ma5e 3ast to the 3loor 2( s<re&s 7assin8 thro:8h
an8le irons 3astene5 2( 2olts to the 7ost. It is one
o3 these 2olt!hea5s that releases the <at<h. At the
2ottom o3 the 7ost is another <at<h9 &hi<h &ill also
hol5 the &ei8ht at the 2ottom. The one 2olt &ill
release 2oth <at<hes. The me5i:m r:ns the ro7es
thro:8h the 7ost9 releases the <at<h9 &hi<h allo&s
&ei8ht to 5ro79 <arr(in8 ro7es &ith it = an5 the
<at<h lo<'s the &ei8ht at the 2ottom o3 the 7ost.
The( <an no& tie the me5i:m. All he has to 5o is
to release the &ei8ht = he <an then 7:ll the ro7e :7
an5 8et as lar8e a sla<' as he 5esires9 allo&in8 the
&ei8ht to 5ro7 2a<' a8ain. There is a <hair . an
or5inar(!loo'in8 &oo5en 'it<hen <hair . &or'e5 on
some&hat the same st(le. There is a hole 2ore5
thro:8h ea<h rear le8 or :7ri8ht o3 the 2a<'. The
me5i:m sits on the <hair9 3a<in8 the 2a<' o3 it9 an5
has a han5 tie5 to ea<h :7ri8ht. The sla<' is o2
taine5 the same as in the 7ost9 &ith the e><e7tion
that a s7rin8 instea5 o3 a &ei8ht is :se59 an5 it is
+O SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
lo<'e5 or release5 2( the 2a<'&ar5 or 3or&ar5
sli5in8 o3 a 7ortion o3 the <hair!seat.
A <on;in<in8 tri<' o3ten em7lo(e5 is the iron
rin8 test. The me5i:m an5 in;esti8ator sit o77o!
site ea<h other9 <las7in8 their han5s. An iron
rin8 is no& 7la<e5 on the me5i:m@s la79 an5 the
<a2inet 5oor is <lose5 = in a 3e& moments the 5oor
is o7ene5 a8ain9 an5 the rin8 is 3o:n5 on the in;es!
ti8ator@s arm9 altho:8h he has ne;er release5 his
hol5 o3 the me5i:m@s han5. The me5i:m has <on!
<eale5 in his <oat slee;e a 5:7li<ate o3 the rin8
:se5. When the <a2inet 5oor is <lose59 the me5i:m
s7rea5s his le8s a7art9 allo&in8 the rin8 to 5ro7 on
the seat o3 his <hair9 the 2ottom o3 &hi<h sho:l5 2e
o3 <ane or o3 <loth9 in or5er to a;oi5 the noise 5:e
to the 5ro77in8 o3 the rin8. He no& re7la<es his
le8s9 an59 o3 <o:rse9 this rin8 is hi55en merel( 2(
his sittin8 on it. The rin8 in his slee;e he tosses
on to the s'e7ti<@s arm9 an59 o3 <o:rse9 &itho:t the
han5s 2ein8 :n<las7e5.
The han5<:33 tri<' is al&a(s a 8reat 3a;orite &ith
the me5i:m. He has no o2He<tion to 7la<in8 his
han5s in an( 7air o3 han5<:3l%s 3:rnishe5 2( the a:!
5ien<e. A 3e& moments a3ter he has entere5 the
<a2inet9 he 2e8ins thro&in8 o:t ;ario:s arti<les o3
<lothin8= 2:t9 on e>amination9 the han5<:33s are
3o:n5 to 2e still on his &rists. It is im7ossi2le to
see ho& he <o:l5 ha;e ta'en o33 his <oat. As a
3inal test the me5i:m <omes o:t o3 the <a2inet hol5!
in8 the han5<:33s in his han5 still lo<'e5. There
are onl( a 3e& st(les o3 han5<:33s ma5e9 an5 all the
me5i:m has to 5o is to se<:re the 7ro7er 'e( 3or
ea<h st(le. He <on<eals these 'e(s on his 7erson9
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. +G
an5 2( the ai5 o3 his 3in8ers an5 teeth the 7ro7er
'e( <an 2e 3itte5 to the han5<:33s. It is im7ossi2le9
&ith some t(7es o3 han5<:3l%s9 to 8et the 3in8ers to
the 'e(hole. I3 s:<h a 7air are 7la<e5 on the 7er!
3ormer9 an5 he <annot :se his teeth to hol5 the 'e(9
he sli7s the 'e( into a <on;enient <ra<' in the <a2i!
net or in the <hair. The lo<' o3 the han5<:3l%s 2ein8
3or<e5 on to the 'e(9 the han5<:3l%s <an then 2e
rea5il( :nlo<'e5.
The s7irit <ollar is also a 3a;orite instr:ment o3
the me5i:m. It <onsists o3 a 2rass <ollar &hi<h 3its
<losel( a2o:t the 7er3ormer@s ne<'. Thro:8h the
o7enin8s in the en5 o3 the <ollar9 is 7la<e5 a <hain.
A3ter the <ollar is on the 7er3ormer@s ne<'9 the <hain
is 7la<e5 aro:n5 a 7ost an5 <arrie5 2a<' an5
thro:8h the 7a5lo<' :se5 to lo<' the <ollar. B(
this arran8ement the 7er3ormer is se<:rel( 3astene5
to a 7ost = 2:t a3ter he is <on<eale5 2( the :se o3 an(
<on;enient means9 he s:55enl( a77ears 2e3ore the
a:5ien<e min:s the <ollar9 &hile the <ollar &ill 2e
3o:n5 lo<'e59 as 2e3ore. The tri<' 5e7en5s 3or its
s:<<ess on the series o3 2olts &ith &hi<h the <ollar
is st:55e5. The 2olts9 &ith one e><e7tion9 are all
3alse9 2ein8 7ie<es o3 metal sim7l( s<re&e5 into the
to7 an5 2ottom o3 the <ollar9 an5 not 7enetratin8
thro:8h them. One 2olt9 ho&e;er9 7asses thro:8h
the <ollar an5 en8a8es the t&o 7arts thereo3= the
7arts terminate in a ton8:e &hi<h 3its in the so<'et
in the other hal3 o3 the <ollar. The 2olt 7asses
thro:8h this ton8:e so a<<:ratel( that there is no
5an8er o3 its 2ein8 remo;e5 &ith the 3in8ers. The
7er3ormer :ses a small &ren<h to remo;e the 2olt.
There are n:mero:s other 5e;i<es9 s:<h as tri<'
+* SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
2olts9 &hi<h are inserte5 2( a s7e<tator thro:8h a
7ost an5 s<re&e5 :7 ti8ht9 the me5i:m 2ein8 3ast!
ene5 to the 2olt. He has sim7l( to 8i;e the 2olt
a hal3 t&ist9 :s:all( to&ar5 the ri8ht9 an5 the 2olt
<omes a7art. The Hoint is In;isi2le to the e(e9 an59
in 3a<t9 is ma5e more so H:st 2e3ore it is :se5 ea<h
time 2( 2ein8 r:22e5 &ith san57a7er9 &hi<h sli8htl(
ro:8hens the 2olt9 ma'in8 the Hoint im7er<e7ti2le
to the na'e5 e(e. There are sta7les9 or5inar( loo'!
in8 sta7le!7lates9 &hi<h are a77arentl( s<re&e5 3ast
into the 2en<h on &hi<h the me5i:m is seate5. The
han5s o3 the me5i:m are 3astene5 to the sta7les 2(
&ire. The sta7les are not 3astene5 to the 7lates 2(
ri;etin8 them9 as is or5inaril( 5one9 2:t are hel5 2(
a s7rin8 <at<h9 <on<eale5 :n5er the 7late9 an5 &or'!
in8 in a not<h in the sta7le. This is release5 2( the.
me5i:m@s 7:shin8 the <at<h 2a<' 2( the insertion o3
a 7ie<e o3 <lo<' s7rin8 2et&een the sta7le 7late
an5 the 2en<h. A3ter releasin8 himsel3 he 7er3orms
the stereot(7e5 mani3estations9 an5 at the 3inish has
sim7l( to Ham the sta7les 2a<' into their 7late9 &here!
:7on the( are lo<'e5 or hel5 3ast 2( the s7rin8 <at<h
or 2olt. This &as a 5e;i<e :se5 2( a Boston me!
5i:m.
There are also tri<' 2a8s in &hi<h the me5i:m is
2o:n5 :7 or tie5. In one st(le o3 2a8 there is a
strin8 r:nnin8 in the sel;a8e9 or t:rne5!o;er 7ortion
o3 the 2a8 at the to7. As the strin8 is a2o:t to 2e
5ra&n ta:t the me5i:m inserts one o3 his 3in8ers
into a 7ortion o3 this sel;a8e not se&n9 an5 7:lls
5o&n eno:8h sla<' o3 the <or5 to allo& him9 a3ter the
t(in89 either to 7la<e his arm thro:8h or to 8et o:t
entirel(. Another st(le is this B The me5i:m has a
SPIRI r SLATE WRITING. ++
ro:n5 &oo5en 7l:89 <o;ere5 &ith <loth li'e the 2a8.
This he has <on<eale5 a2o:t him. As the mo:ih o3
the 2a8 is 8athere5 to8ether to tie the strin89 the
me5i:m inserts this 7l:89 an5 2a8 an5 7l:8 are 2oth
tie5. A3ter the t(in8 he has sim7l( to remo;e the
7l:8 an5 he <an then 7la<e his han5 thro:8h an5 re!
lease the <or59 or sho;e it o33 the 2a8 <om7letel(.
Still another &a( is to ha;e a 5:7li<ate 2a8 <on!
<eale5 5o&n one tro:sers le8 an5 <omin8 :7 at the
2a<' o3 the ne<' :n5er the <oat9 the mo:th o3 the
2a8 2ein8 :7&ar5. When the me5i:m 8ets in9 his
mana8er or the 5ire<tor o3 the sOan<e 8athers the
mo:th o3 the 2a$8 to8ether9 an59 at the same time9
7:lls the 5:7li<ate 2a8 o:t 3rom :n5er the me5i:m@s
<oat. He 7:lls this :7 3o:r or 3i;e in<hes hi8her than
the ori8inal 2a8 an5 ties his han5'er<hie3 aro:n5
&here the t&o 2a8s are Hoine59 so the tri<' &ill not
2e 5ete<te5. He then allo&s a <ommittee to tie9 an5
e;en se&9 the 2a8 to8ether . o3 <o:rse9 the 5:7li<ate9
not the 3irst one. The me5i:m has sim7l( to 7:ll
the 3irst 2a8 5o&n aro:n5 him9 8et o:t o3 it an5
<on<eal it on his 2o5(. A 0 5o58e @A :se5 sometimes
is to 2orro& one o3 the in;esti8ators@ han5'er<hie3s
an5 5ro7 it into the 5:7li<ate 2a8 = an59 a3ter the
me5i:m has es<a7e5 an5 the 2a8 is 8i;en 3or ins7e<!
tion9 the 2a8 is o7ene5 an5 the han5'er<hie3 3o:n5
insi5e. This stren8thens the e33e<t o3 the tri<'9 inas!
m:<h as it <on;in<es the onloo'ers that the me5i:m
<ertainl( m:st ha;e 2een 8ot o:t 2( the ai5 o3
s7irits9 as the han5'er<hie3 . a ;er( small arti<le9 in
<om7arison to the 2o5( o3 the me5i:m . <o:l5 not
2e remo;e5 :ntil the strin8 ha5 2een release5 3rom
the 2a8.
lOO SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
Me5i:ms are 8reat H:58es o3 h:man nat:re= the(
'no& 3:ll &ell the :s:al a<tion o3 the h:man min59
the 5ire<tion the tho:8hts are lia2le to tra;el in.
This is 7art o3 their sto<'!in!tra5e . to tr( to 5o
H:st s:<h thin8s as the han5'er<hie3 AA 5o58eCA in
or5er to <on;in<e the s'e7ti< o3 the tr:th o3 the
&on5ers &itnesse5.
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. lOI
$HAPTER 1III.
Sean<es an5 Mis<ellaneo:s S7irit Tri<'s.
A test &hi<h ma5e the E55( Brothers 3amo:s
&as their 0 li8ht 0 an5 0 5ar' @A stan<es. Horatio
E55( 8a;e &hat he terme5 a 0li8ht sOan<eCA an5
William &as 3amo:s 3or the 05ar' sOan<e.AA In!
stea5 o3 :sin8 a <a2inet o3 &oo59 Horatio 3orme5
one sim7l( 2( stret<hin8 a <o:7le o3 sha&ls or
<:rtains a<ross a <orner o3 the room9 th:s ma'in8 a
trian8:lar in<los:re. A ta2le <ontainin8 the :s:al
m:si<al instr:ments9 2ells9 tam2o:rine9 8:itar9 et<.9
is 7la<e5 in this s7a<e. The me5i:m sits on a <hair
in 3ront o3 this <:rtain9 to the le3t han5 si5e. Ne>t
to him9 on his ri8ht9 sits a 8entleman sele<te5 3rom
the a:5ien<e9 an5 to the ri8ht o3 this 8entleman9 a
la5( similarl( <hosen. William E55( no& 7ins
a<ross the 2reasts o3 the t&o 8entlemen a thir5 sha&l9
atta<hin8 the en5s to the <:rtain. I%i8. D+ J Pre;i!
o:sl( to this9 ho&e;er9 Horatio has 8ras7e5 &ith 2oth
his han5s the 8entleman@s le3t arm = the la5( is re!
K:este5 to 8ras7 the 8entleman@s ri8ht arm. In this
7osition neither <an ma'e a mo;ement 2:t &hat one
o3 the others &o:l5 2e imme5iatel( <o8ni?ant o3 it.
Presentl( there is a <ommotion amon8 the arti<les on
the ta2le 2ehin5 the s<reen= the( a77ear 3loatin8
in the air a2o;e the to7 o3 the <:rtains9 some <omin8
thro:8h an5 ta77in8 the trio on the hea5. A han5
<omes thro:8h the <:rtain an5 &rites a messa8e on
the slate hel5 2( William E55(. N:mero:s other
tests are 7er3orme5 . all in s:25:e5 li8ht9 not 5ar'!
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
%i8. D+.. The Li8ht Stan<e.
ness. No&9 to raise the ;eil 3rom this m(ster( B In
8ras7in8 the le3t arm o3 the 7erson in the <enter9 the
me5i:m 3irst 8ras7s the 8entleman@s le3t arm &ith his9
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. )ND
the me5i:m@s9 le3t han59 3in8ers 2ein8 s7rea5 a7art as
3ar as 7ossi2le. With this han5 he 7resses K:ite
har59 an5 ta'es a li8ht hol5 o3 the same arm9 2:t
a2o;e the le3t han5. I3 the me5i:m 8entl( an5 <are!
3:ll( remo;es the ri8ht han59 the a<tion <annot9 2(
sense o3 to:<h9 2e 5ete<te5. Sometimes9 so as to en!
a2le him to :se 2oth han5s9 another r:se is also em!
7lo(e5. A 7ie<e o3 hea;( sheet lea5 is <:t in the
sha7e o3 the me5i:m@s han5. This is 7la<e5 in his
le3t han5. With this han5 he 8ras7s the s'e7ti<@s
arm. Bein8 ma5e o3 lea59 the han5 easil( <on3orms
or 2en5s to the sha7e o3 the arm9 an59 &hat is more9
i3 the real han5 o3 the me5i:m 2e K:ietl( remo;e59
the lea5en han5 remains 2ehin59 8i;in8 the same sense
o3 to:<h as i3 the a<t:al han5 &ere there. I%i8. FN.J
O3 <o:rse9 &ith the han5s 3ree9 the me5i:m <an
stealthil( 8li5e 2et&een the <:rtains9 8ras7 an5 man
i7:late the instr:ments9 an5 thro& them to the 3loor9
imme5iatel( re7la<in8 his han5s 8entl(.
A rather <le;er test :se5 in a 5ar' sean<e9 8i;en 2(
Miss Annie E;a %a(9 is one in &hi<h the han5s are
not 2o:n5. Miss %a( ma5e <otton9 2an5a8e an5 ta7e!
ties a s:<<ess9 an5 sometimes ;arie5 her sOan<e
2( not :sin8 a tie9 2:t 2( <ontin:all( <la77in8 her
han5s to8ether 5:rin8 the 5ar'ness. She also ha5
her mo:th 3ille5 &ith &ater. Ne;ertheless9 the :s:al
mani3estations o<<:rre5. The horn AA toote590 the
tam2o:rine an5 8:itar 3loate59 2ells ran89 et<. The
5o58e she em7lo(e5 &as this B Instea5 o3 <la77in8
her han5s to8ether9 she sla77e5 one a8ainst her 3ore!
hea59 &hi<h 8a;e the same so:n59 an5 8a;e her one
han5 at li2ert(. She also s&allo&e5 the &ater. She
&as no& at li2ert( to 2lo& the horn9 rin8 2ells or
)NF SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
the li'e. When she &as 3inishe59 she re3ille5 her
mo:th &ith &ater 3rom a 2ottle <on<eale5 on her
%i8. FN. . The M(ster( E>7laine5.
7erson9 an5 a8ain res:me59 <la77in8 her han5s to!
8ether instea5 o3 stri'in8 one han5 a8ainst her 3ore!
hea5. An in;esti8ator s:s7e<te5 the i5ea o3 the
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. )NP
&ater an5 on<e <ame 7re7are5 &ith a 8lass o3 mil'9
&hi<h he reK:este5 the me5i:m to :se instea5. She
<onsente5. The horn toote5 H:st the same9 an5
the me5i:m@s mo:th still <ontaine5 the riiil'. She
ha5 sim7l( inserte5 the en5 o3 the horn in one o3
her nostrils. Another time she merel( em7tie5
the liK:i5 into one o3 the han5 2ells on the ta2le
an5 hel5 it :7si5e 5o&n in her la7. Still another
0 &rin'le A@ is the :se o3 a r:22er 2all &ith a hole in
it. This <an rea5il( 2e atta<he5 to the horn9 an5
sK:ee?in8 the 2all 5oes the tootin8.
Dr. Henr( Sla5e &as9 o3 <o:rse9 i5enti3ie5 an5
re<o8ni?e5 as the 7rin<i7al slate!&ritin8 me5i:m9
2:t at ;ario:s times he 7resente5 other 7henomena9
one o3 &hi<h &as the 7la(in8 o3 an a<<or5ion
&hile hel5 in one han5 :n5er the ta2le. The a<!
<or5ion &as ta'en 2( him 3rom the ta2le &ith his
ri8ht han59. at the en5 <ontainin8 the stra79 the 'e(s
or notes at the other en5 2ein8 a&a( 3rom him. He
th:s hel5 the a<<or5ion 2eneath the ta2le9 an5 his
le3t han5 &as lai5 on to7 o3 the ta2le9 &here it &as
al&a(s in. 7lain ;ie&. Ne;ertheless9 the a<<or5ion
&as hear5 to 8i;e 3orth melo5io:s t:nes9 an5 at the
<on<l:sion &as 2ro:8ht :7 on to7 o3 the ta2le as
hel5 ori8inall( = the &hole 5o58e <onsistin8 in t:rn!
in8 the a<<or5ion en5 3or en5 as it &ent :n5er the
ta2le. The stra7 en5 2ein8 no& 5o&n&ar59 an5 hel5
2et&een the le8s9 the me5i:m@s han5 8ras7e5 the
'e(2oar5 en59 an5 &or'e5 the 2ello&s an5 'e(s9 hol5!
in8 the a<<or5ion 3irml( &ith the le8s an5 &or'in8
the han59 not &ith an arm mo;ement9 2:t mostl( 2(
a sim7le &rist mo;ement. O3 <o:rse9 at the <on<l:!
sion9 the han5 8ras7e5 the a<<or5ion at the stra7 en5.
INO SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
an5 2ro:8ht it :7 in this <on5ition. Sometimes an
a<<or5ion is tie5 &ith strin8s an5 seale5 so the 2el!
lo&s <annot 2e &or'e5. This is 3or the 5ar' sean<e.
E;en in this <on5ition the a<<or5ion is 7la(e5 2(
insertin8 a t:2e in the air!hole or ;al;e an5 2( the
me5i:m@s :sin8 his l:n8s as 2ello&s.
In re8ar5 to 5ar' stan<es an5 materiali?ations9 I
&o:l5 state that the( are so 2are3a<e5 an5 2ol5 it is
har5l( &orth &hile to &orr( a2o:t them. What
<annot 2e 5one in the 5ar' S S7irit <ost:mes9 to 2e
5onne5 later 2( the me5i:m to im7ersonate 7eo7le
3rom the other &orl59 are <on<eale5 in stran8e 7la<es
:n5er the ;er( e(es o3 the in;esti8ators . in the
2o5( o3 the 8:itar9 in a 5r:m9 a2o:t the 7erson o3
one o3 the <ir<le o3 s'e7ti<s9 &ho is reall( a <on3e5er!
ate9 or 2ehin5 the s:r3a<e o3 a &all. Time an5 7la<e
ma'e all the 5i33eren<e in the metho5 o3 &or' :se5
2( me5i:ms. In their homes me5i:ms ha;e an(
n:m2er o3 a<<om7li<es9 &ho enter the room :n5er
<o;er o3 5ar'ness 2( ;ario:s means . one &a(9 2(
means o3 a tra7 in the 3loor. This o7ens :7&ar5l( =
the <ar7et 5oes not ha;e to 2e <:t9 an5 <an also
2e &ell ta<'e5 5o&n. The tra7 is not <:t sK:are9
2:t trian8:larl(9 a<ross the t&o si5es o3 the room in
one <orner. Thro:8h this tra7 the <on3e5erates9 5is!
8:ise5 as s7irits9 enter 3rom the <ellar 2elo& an5
;anish. Another metho5 is to 8ain a5mittan<e 3rom
an a5Hoinin8 room. Bet&een the t&o rooms are
sli5in8 5oors9 misname5 AA 3ol5in8 0 5oors. The s7a<e
in one o3 the &alls is not onl( lar8e eno:8h to re!
<ei;e its o&n sin8le 5oor9 2:t also a 7ortion o3 the
other. Be3ore <ommen<in8 the sOan<e9 the 5oors
are lo<'e5 an5 the 'e( 'e7t 2( a <ommittee. The
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. lOC
5oors are also seale5 &ith <o:rt 7laster a<ross their
Hoints9 an5 sai5 <o:rt 7laster seale5 &ith sealin8!
&a>. The <on3e5erates are not o2li8e5 to 7:sh the
5oors a7art = the( sim7l( sli5e 2oth at the same time
to&ar5 the si5e 7re;io:sl( mentione5. This si5e
re<ei;es one 5oor an5 a 7ortion o3 the other9 th:s
lea;in8 an o7enin8 3or a 7erson sl(l( to <ree7
thro:8h.
Sometimes9 in the <ir<le o3 in;esti8ators9 there
are 3i;e or si> <on3e5erates. Three o3 these are
7la<e5 or seate5 to8ether. No&9 i3 all in the <ir<le
Hoin han5s9 it seems no one <o:l5 assist the me5i:m
&itho:t the 3a<t 2ein8 5is<o;ere5 = 2:t in the <enter9
one o3 three <on3e5erates9 sittin8 to8ether9 releases
the han5s o3 his <om7anions9 an59 in the 5ar'9 0 <:ts
:7 A@ all the tri<'s he &ishes an5 ret:rns to the <ir<le
a8ain9 no one 2ein8 an( the &iser. O3 <o:rse9 i3 one
<on3e5erate &ere seate5 2et&een t&o o3 the s'e7ti<s9
he &o:l5 not 5are let 8o his han5s= 2:t &hen a
3rien5 is 7la<e5 ea<h si5e o3 him9 it ma'es no 5i33er!
en<e. A test o3ten :se59 &hen e;er(2o5(9 me5i:m!
in<l:5e59 is sittin8 at a ta2le9 is the &ire test. A
<o77er &ire is threa5e5 thro:8h the shirt slee;e o3
e;er( male mem2er 7resent9 an5 thro:8h the slee;e
o3 the la5ies@ 5resses9 the &ire 2ein8 3astene5 to the
ta2le 2( sta7les. When the li8hts are 7:t o:t9 the
s7irits A@ raise $ain 0 a8ain. It is the me5i:m a8ain.
The &ire 5i5 not 8o thro:8h his shirt slee;es9 2:t
thro:8h t&o short e>tra shirt slee;es9 or <:33s9 &hi<h
he &ears o;er the real slee;es. All he has to 5o is
to sli7 o:t o3 these9 7ro5:<e the mani3estations9 an5
sli7 2a<' into the <:33s a8ain.
A test that <a:se5 more tal' an5 &on5erment than
)N* SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
all the rest o3 the <a2inet tri<'s <om2ine5 is the <hair
an5 net test. The me5i:m enters a ;er( small <a2inet9
H:st lar8e eno:8h to <ontain him &hen sittin8 5o&n
in a <hair. The <a2inet is <lose5 2( a sin8le 5oor9
lo<'e5 &ith a 7a5lo<'9 the 'e(hole o3 &hi<h is
seale5 = the 5oor is also seale5 all aro:n5 the
e58es9 A 3ish!net so 3inel( meshe5 that e;en
the 3in8er o3 the me5i:m <o:l5 not 2e 7:she5
thro:8h9 is no& 7la<e5 o;er this <a2inet an5 ta<'e5
to it all aro:n5 the 2ottom. This miniat:re <a2i!
net is set in the <a2inet 7ro7er9 an5 a <hair9 &ith
the :s:al 2ell9 tam2o:rine9 et<.9 7la<e5 2esi5e it.
Doors are <lose59 an5 imme5iatel( the 3:n 2e8ins.
Bells9 tam2o:rine9 an5
horns all 7la( to8ether.
A s:55en 3all o3 the <hair
an5 instr:ments is hear59
,. , 6 T,i r ,,, the <a2inet 5oors
%i8. F). . Gro:n5 Plan o3 9 . .
$a2inet. 2ein8 o7ene59 e;er(!
thin8 is 3o:n5 stre&n
a2o:t = the smaller <a2inet is9 ho&e;er9 still 3o:n5
as it &as le3t9 &ith the nettin8 o;er it an5 seals
:n5ist:r2e5. A8ain the lar8e <a2inet is <lose59
an5 almost imme5iatel( it is o7ene5 3rom the in!
si5e9 an5 o:t &al's the me5i:m = an5 the nettin8
on the smaller <a2inet is e>amine5 on<e more9 an5
li'e&ise the 7a5lo<' an5 seals9 e;er(thin8 is 3o:n5
inta<t. The &hole tri<' 5e7en5s :7on the <on!
str:<tion o3 the smaller <a2inet. %i8. F) re7resents a
8ro:n5 7lan o3 the a77arat:s. The 3loor is not naile5
or 3astene5 to the si5es. There are 3o:r 2attens or
stren8thenin8 7ie<es9 one in ea<h <orner o3 the <a2i!
net9 r:nnin8 3rom to7 to 2ottom = these are se<:rel(
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. )N+
3astene5 to the 3loor9 2:t not to the si5es o3 the <a2i!
net. O;er these 2attens is lai5 a stri7 o3 &oo5
that is reall( ma5e 3ast to the <a2inet. This lea;es
in ea<h <orner a so<'et or 7o<'et the hei8ht o3 the
<a2inet9 an5 in these &or'9 teles<o7i< 3ashion9 the
3o:r 2attens &hi<h are ma5e 3ast to the 2ottom.
%i8. FE. . The Tri<' $a2inet.
The 2ottom is set insi5e ol the <a2inet9 not on the
o:tsi5e. It is onl( ta<'e5 to the si5es o3 the
2ottom o3 <a2inet. It &ill no& 2e rea5il( o2ser;e5
that the me5i:m has onl( to stan5 :7 in or5er
to raise the main 7art o3 the <a2inet K:ite a hei8ht
a2o;e the 2ottom9 as seen at %i8. FE. It is hel5 in the
no SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
a2o;e 7osition 2( a <on<eale5 <at<h. The me5i:m
<an no& 7ro5:<e mani3estations9 an59 as he is a2o:t
to 5ro7 the <a2inet 2a<' into the 2ottom9 he 8i;es
the le8 o3 the <hair a Her' an5 o;er it 8oes9 an5 5o&iW
5ro7s the <a2inet. There is also a <at<h that a:to!
mati<all( lo<'s the 2ottom 3irm to the <a2inet9 so as
to allo& ins7e<tion o3 the same.
The a2o;e mani3estation &as in :se lon8 2e3ore the
&ire <a8e test9 an5 is <onsi5ere5 2( some me5i:ms
more <on;in<in8 than the latter. While s7ea'in8
a2o:t the &ire <a8e test9 I ma( as &ell 5es<ri2e one
3orm o3 it. There are n:mero:s ma'es9 2:t the one
e>7laine5 &ill ser;e as a sam7le o3 the rest. A <a8e
<om7ose5 o3 :7ri8hts an5 <ross!2ars o3 iron is ma5e
3ast to an iron 3rame <ontainin8 a small 5oor thro:8h
&hi<h the me5i:m enters. Sometimes the 5oor is
5one a&a( &ith an5 the 2ottom o3 the <a8e is se7a!
rate5 3rom it. The me5i:m sits on this 2ottom9 an5
the <a8e is li3te5 an5 7la<e5 o;er him. The 2ottom
an5 <a8e are 7a5lo<'e5 to8ether or 2o:n5 &ith &ires
an5 seale5.
No matter &hat metho5 is :se59 the res:lts are the
same = the me5i:m <an 7la( the instr:ments or es!
<a7e9 as he ma( see 3it. The &ire <a8e is9 &e shall
sa(9 o3 a 5esi8n similar to that sho&n in %i8. FD.
There is no 5oor to it9 an5 the <a8e 2ein8
se<:re5 2( a &ire 2ottom 7a5lo<'e5 on or naile5
3ast to the 3loor. A <lose ins7e<tion o3 %i8. FF
&ill hel7 to e>7ose the 3ra:5. The lo&er <ross!
2ar is not ri;ete5 thro:8h the 3rame at its en59 2:t
en5s sK:are a8ainst it9 an5 a 3alse ri;et hea59 ha;!
in8 no <onne<tion &ith it9 is ri;ete5 on the 3rame
&here this <ross!2ar is s:77ose5 to emer8e. All o3
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. Ill
the :7ri8ht ro5s are ma5e 3ast onl( to this <ross!2ar.
In the other <ross!2ars the( sim7l( 8o thro:8h holes9
not <losel(9 2:t loosel(9 to ens:re then to 2e
sli5 :7 an5 5o&n. The to7s o3 these ro5s are ri;!
ete59 2:t not ma5e 3ast to the 3rame at the to7 The
<enter ro5 is not ma5e 7ermanent in the lo&er <ross!
Pi8. FD!. The Wire $a8e.
2ar9 2:t is 3astene5 so it <an 2e t:rne5 aro:n5 one &a(
or the other. No&9 &here all these ro5s are s:77ose5
to <ome thro:8h the lo&er 7art o3 the iron 3rame are
ri;et!hea5s re7resentin8 the hea5s o3 the ro5s9 sho:l5
the( ha;e <ome thro:8h. The 2ottom 3rame is 5rille5
hal3 &a( thro:8h 3or the en5 o3 ea<h ro5 to enter a
))E S6@IRIT SLATE WRITING.
little9 the mi55le ro5 is ta77e5 &ith a threa5 li'e a
s<re& on its en59 an5 its <orres7on5in8 hole is also ta7!
7e5. It &ill no& 2e seen &h( this ro5 &as le3t to t:rn.
B( 7:llin8 <ross!2ar 5o&n an5 then s<re&in8 this
mi55le ro5 ti8ht9 e;er(thin8 is soli5 = 2:t :ns<re& the
ro5 an5 raise the <ross!2ar9 an5 all the :7ri8ht ro5s
%i8. FF. . The $a8e O7ene5.
&ill tra;el &ith it an5 the me5i:m is at li2ert(. An5
&e ha;e another s7irit m(ster( lai5 2are. I <o:l5
5es<ri2e n:mero:s other tri<'s an5 5e;i<es o3 a li'e
nat:re9 2:t a 3e& are as 8oo5 as a K:antit( = s:33i<ient9
in 3a<t9 to 7la<e the in;esti8ator on his 8:ar5 a8ainst
2ein8 5:7e5 2( li'e <ontri;an<es.
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. IID
I 2elie;e a 3e& &or5s in re8ar5 to s7irit 7hoto!
8ra7h( &ill not 2e amiss. These are ma5e or 7ro!
5:<e5 in ;ario:s &a(s B %irst9 a 8lass &ith an ima8e
on it o3 the 5esire5 s7irit lorra <o:l5 2e 7la<e5 in the
7late hol5er9 in 3ront o3 the sensiti;e 7late9 so that
the ima8e on the 8lass &o:l5 a<t on the sensi!
ti;e 7late. The si?e an5 5istin<tness o3 the re!
s:ltin8 s7irit 3orm &o:l5 ;ar( a<<or5in8 to the 5is!
tan<e 2et&een the t&o 7lates. Se<on59 a 3i8:re
<lothe5 in &hite !<an 2e intro5:<e5 3or a moment 2e!
hin5 the sitter an5 then 2e &ith5ra&n 2e3ore the sit,
tin8 is o;er9 lea;in8 a sha5o&( ima8e on the 7late.
Thir59 a mi<ros<o7i< 7i<t:re o3 the s7irit 3orm <an 2e
inserte5 in the <amera 2o> alon8si5e o3 the lens9 an5
2( a small ma8ni3(in8 lens its ima8e <an 2e thro&n
on the sensiti;e 7late &ith that o3 the sitter. This is
the tri<' :se5 &hen the s'e7ti< 2rin8s his o&n 7late
3or the ne8ati;e. %o:rth9 a 8lass &ith the s7irit
ima8e <an 2e 7la<e5 2ehin5 the sensiti;e 7late a3ter
the sittin8 is <om7lete59 an5 a3ter&ar59 2( a 3ee2le
li8ht9 the ima8e <an 2e im7resse5 :7on the 7late
&ith that o3 the sitter. %i3th9 the sil;er nitrate
2ath <o:l5 ha;e a 8lass si5e9 an5 the ima8e im!
7resse5 2( a se<ret li8ht &hile the 8lass 7late
a77arentl( &as 2ein8 <oate5 &ith the sensiti;e 3ilm.
Si>th9 the s7irit 3orm <an 2e 7rinte5 3irst on the ne8!
ati;e an5 then the li;in8 sitter 2( a se<on5 7rint!
in89 or the s7irit <an 2e 7rinte5 on the 7a7er
an5 the sitter@s 7ortrait 7rinte5 o;er it. Se;enth9
a sensiti;e 7late <an 2e 7re7are5 2( &hat is 'no&n
as the 5r( 7ro<ess9 the s7irit 3orm 2ein8 im7resse5
on it= an5 then9 at a s:2seK:ent time9 the 7ortrait o3
the li;in8 sitter <an 2e ta'en on this same 7late9 so
))F SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
that the t&o &ill 5e;elo7 to8ether. Ei8hth9 ta'e a
sol:tion o3 s:l7hate o3 K:inine an5 7aint on the 2a<'!
8ro:n5 s<reen a 7i<t:re o3 an( one = &hen it 5ries it
is in;isi2le to the na'e5 e(e. Still9 &hen the 7i<t:re
is ta'en9 the 7ainte5 7i<t:re is ;er( 7lainl( seen on
the 8lass ne8ati;e. Ninth9 small 7i<t:res are ta'en
on thin9 trans7arent <ell:loi5 an5 3astene5 a8ainst the
3ront lens o3 the <amera9 an5 &hen the 7hoto8ra7h is
ta'en the 7i<t:re a77ears. O3 <o:rse9 the a2o;e are
2( no means all the metho5s9 2:t eno:8h to ill:s!
trate the 7ossi2ilities o3 o2tainin8 t&o 7i<t:res on the
same 7late or at one sittin8.
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. II /
$HAPTER I.
Mis<ellaneo:s Tri<'s.
The 0 Ma8i<ian@s Omelette.A@
The ma8i<ian has ne;er 7ro;e5 himsel3 an a5e7t
at the art o3 <oo'in89 3rom an e7i<:re@s stan57oint=
(et the ease &ith &hi<h he <an 2a'e <a'es in 2or!
ro&e5 hats an5 <oo' omelettes in em7t( 7ans has
lon8 2een a so:r<e o3 &on5er to the e<onomi<al
ho:se&i3e9 as &ell as to the 7ro3essional <oo'.
To see the ma8i<ian hol5 a small9 shallo&9 em7t(
7an o;er the 2la?e o3 a s7irit lam7 3or a 3e& mo!
ments9 &hen an omelette9 5one to a t:rn9 a77ears in
the 7an an5 is <:t :7 an5 5istri2:te5 to the a:5i!
en<e9 one is almost <on;in<e5 that at least one 7er!
son has sol;e5 that most 7er7le>in8 o3 all 7ro2lems
. ho& to li;e &itho:t &or'.
B:t has he sol;e5 it S No \ m( 3rien59 no more
than (o: or I. He has merel( 5e<ei;e5 (o: = 2:t
most <le;erl(9 (o: m:st a5mit.
The 7an is &itho:t an( 7re7aration &hate;er = 2:t
as m:<h <annot 2e sai5 o3 the &an59 &hi<h he is <on!
tin:all( stirrin8 aro:n5 in the 7an. This &an5 is
hollo&9 &ith an o7enin8 at one en5 onl( = an5 in the
&an59 7re;io:s to the tri<'9 o3 <o:rse9 are 7la<e5 the
7ro7erl( seasone5 in8re5ients o3 an omelette9 a3ter
&hi<h the en5 is <lose5 &ith a metal 7l:8 that is
t:rne5 an5 enamele5 to <orres7on5 &ith the o77o!
site en5 o3 the &an5.
When the 7an is 2ein8 e>amine5 the 7er3ormer is
hol5in8 the &an5 in his han59 an5 s:<h an inno<ent!
IlO SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
a77earin8 2la<' sti<' is ne;er s:s7e<te5 o3 2ein8 in
an( &a( <onne<te5 &ith the tri<'.
6:st 2e3ore hol5in8 the 7an o;er the lam7 the 7er
3ormer 3in5s it a most eas( matter to remo;e the
7l:8 3rom the en5 o3 the &an59 &hen9 2( hol5in8 the
&an5 2( the <lose5 en59 he <an em7t( the <ontents
into the 7an in the mere a<t o3 7assin8 the o7en en5
o3 the &an5 aro:n5 the insi5e o3 the 7an. I%i8. F/.J
%i339 F/. . The 0Ma8i<ian@s Omelette.0
The metal o3 &hi<h the 7an is ma5e 2ein8 thin9
an5 there not 2ein8 a 8reat K:antit( o3 the omelette9
assiste5 2( a lar8e 3lame 3rom the lam79 it onl( re!
K:ires a 3e& moments to <oo' the omelette9 &hen it
is t:rne5 o:t on a 7late an5 <arrie5 5o&n to the
a:5ien<e.
It is har5l( ne<essar( to sa( that &hen the <oo'e5
omelette is <arrie5 5o&n9 the &an5 is le3t on the
SPIIilT SLATE WRITING. IIG
stan59 &hi<h 7re;ents an( inK:isiti;e 7erson as'in8
to see it.
S7innin8 an5 Balan<in8 Tri<'s.
The s7innin8 han5'er<hie3 is a 8reat 3a;orite &ith
H:88lers. A han5'er<hie3 is 2orro&e59 thro&n in
%i8. FO. . !Tlie S7innin8 Han5'er<hie3.
the air an5 <a:8ht on the en5 o3 a &hirlin8 sti<' hel5
2( the H:88ler9 &hen the han5'er<hie3 s7rea5s o:t
to its 3:ll si?e an5 <ommen<es to s7in aro:n5 ra7i5l(.
The se<ret is that in the en5 o3 the sti<' a nee5le is
inserte5 a2o:t one!K:arter o3 an in<h9 lea;in8 the
Il* SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
shar7 en5 o:t. When the han5'er<hie3 is <a:8ht on
the en5 o3 the &hirlin8 sti<' the nee5le 7oint 7asses
thro:8h it9 th:s 7re;entin8 its 3allin8 o33 the sti<'9
&hi<h is ra7i5l( &hirle5 aro:n59 an5 the han5'er!
<hie3 &ill s7rea5 o:t an5 s7in a2o:t on the en5 o3
the sti<'.
6:88lers are ;er( 7artial to tri<'s 7er3orme5 &ith
e88s9 an5 s7innin8 an e88 on its smaller en5 is a
tri<' the( are almost s:re to 7er3orm. It is im7os!
%i8. FG.. S7innin8 an E88.
si2le to s7in a ra& e88 = so o:r H:88ler :ses a har5!
2oile5 one9 an5 s7ins it on its small en5 in a shallo&
Ha7anne5 tra(. I3 the tra( is 'e7t 8entl( mo;in8 in
a small <ir<le in the o77osite 5ire<tion to that in
&hi<h the e88 is s7innin89 the latter &ill <ontin:e to
s7in as lon8 as 5esire5. I%i8. FG.J
The e88 s7innin8 tri<' is :s:all( 3ollo&e5 2( a
2alan<in8 tri<' in &hi<h a 7la(in8 <ar5 is 2alan<e5
:7on a small &an59 an5 an e88 is then 2alan<e5 on
a <orner o3 the <ar5. This tri<' :s:all( <alls 3orth
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. II+
a 8reat 7retension o3 s'ill on the 7art o3 the 7er!
3ormer9 &hen9 in realit(9 no s'ill &hate;er is re!
K:ire5.
The &an5 is o3 e2on(9 or some 5ar' &oo59 an5
a2o:t three in<hes 3rom one en5 is a small hole.
The e88 is ma5e oi &oo59 7ainte5 &hite9 an5 &ith a
small hole in one en5. The <ar5 is <om7ose5 o3 t&o
<ar5s 8l:e5 to8ether9 &ith a 3ine steel &ire 2et&een
them9 r:nnin8 5ia8onall( 3rom <orner to <omer o3
the <ar59 &ith the en5s o3 the &ire 7roHe<tin8 a2o:t
a K:arter o3 an in<h. The 7re7are5 e88 is on a 7late
%i8. F*. . Balan<in8 $ar5 an5 E88 on Wan5.
&ith se;eral or5inar( e88s9 an5 the <ar5 is 7la<e5 on
a 7a<' o3 <ommon <ar5s. The &an5 is hel5 in one
han59 the <ar5 ta'en in the other an5 a77arentl( 2al.
an<e5 on one <orner on the &an5 B 2:t in realit( the
&ire 7oint is 7la<e5 in the hole in the &an5. No&
the assistant 7asses the 7re7are5 e88 to the H:88ler9
&ho <are3:ll( 2alan<es it :7on the <omer o3 the
<ar5 = that is9 sli7s the hole in the en5 o3 the e88
o;er the & ire 7oint 7roHe<tin8 3rom the <ar5.
A 3ittin8 3inale to s:<h a H:88lin8 a<t is that in
&hi<h a 7otato is 7la<e5 on the han5 o3 the assistant
IEN SPIRIT SI6,TE WRITING
an5 <:t in t&o &ith a shar7 s&or59 &itho:t lea;in8
an( mar' :7on the s'in. As a 8eneral thin89 a se<!
on5 7otato is then <:t :7on the throat o3 the assist!
ant. This a77arentl( mar;elo:s master( o3 the
s&or5 al&a(s 2rin8s 3orth 8reat a77la:se.
Amon8 the se;eral me5i:m!si?e5 so:n5 7otatoes
on a tra( are 7la<e5 t&o 7otatoes 7re7are5 as 3ol!
lo&sB Insert a nee5le <ross&ise o3 the 7otato near
the 2ottom. A3ter sho&in8 the s&or5 to 2e reall(
shar79 2( <:ttin8 7a7er an5 sli<in8 one or t&o oi
%i8. F+. . $:ttin8 a Potato on the Han5.
the 7otatoes9 the 7ertormer 7i<'s :7 one o3 the 7re!
7are5 7otatoes an5 7la<es it on the assistant@s han5 =
2:t a77arentl( it 5oes not He to s:it him9 so he sli<es
o33 one si5e o3 it9 :sin8 <are to <:t a&a( the si5e H:st
:n5er the nee5le an5 as <lose to it as 7ossi2le9 then
7la<es the 7otato on<e a8ain on the assistant@s han5.
A3ter ma'in8 a 3e& 3lo:rishes &ith the s&or59 he
<:ts thro:8h the 7otato9 5i;i5in8 it in hal3. I%i8. F+9J
In stri'in8 the 7otato &ith the s&or5 he ma'es
s:re that the s&or5 &ill <ome e>a<tl( <ross&ise on
the nee5le= <onseK:entl(9 &hen the s&or5 rea<hes
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. )E)
the nee5le it <an 8o no 3arther9 an5 the 2rittle nat:re
o3 the 7otato &ill <a:se it to 3all a7art9 the ;er( thin
7ortion 2elo& the nee5le o33erin8 no resistan<e to the
se7aration. The se<on5 7otato is then <:t in the
same manner on the assistant@s ne<'. There are
man( other 3alse H:88lin8 tri<'s9 2:t the a2o;e &ill
s:33i<e to sho& that 0 there are tri<'s in all tra5es
2:t (o:rs.0
The Blin53ol5e5 6:88ler.
While &at<hin8 the <le;er manner in &hi<h a
8oo5 H:88ler 7asses ;ario:s arti<les 3rom han5 to
han59 ho& man( 7eo3, e;er 8i;e a tho:8ht to the
man( ho:rs o3 7ra<ti<e 5e;ote5 to e;en the sim!
7lest tri<' that he 7er3ormsS To 2e<ome e;en a
7assa2le H:88ler9 man( &ear( months o3 <onstant
7ra<ti<e are ne<essar(. There are tri<'s in all
tra5es9 an5 some o3 the most s:<<ess3:l entertainers
in this line <an s<ar<el( 5o a hal3 5o?en 8en:ine 3eats
o3 H:88lin89 (et the( are 8reat 3a;orites &ith the 7:2!
li<. It has 2een tr:l( sai5 that AA the tri<'s that re!
K:ire the most 7ra<ti<e are the least a77re<iate5 2(
the a;era8e s7e<tator.0 It is o:r intention merel( to
sho& ho& a sim7le tri<' has &on 3ame 3or se;eral
&ell!'no&n H:88lers.
This is the tri<' o3 H:88lin8 2lin53ol5e5. An as!
sistant ti8htl( 2in5s a hea;( han5'er<hie3 o;er the
H:88ler s e(es9 an5 then9 to ma'e s:re that he <annot
see9 there is 7la<e5 o;er his hea5 an5 sho:l5ers a sort
o3 2a89 ma5e o3 hea;( 8oo5s9 &hi<h sho:l5 e><l:5e
all li8ht9 e;en i3 his e(es &ere not ti8htl( 2o:n5 &ith
the han5'er<hie3. Re8ar5less o3 this9 the H:88ler
7er3orms the :s:al 7asses &ith 2alls an5 'ni;es. Yet9
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
&hen the 2a8 is remo;e59 the 2an5a8e o;er his e(es
is 3o:n5 :n5ist:r2e5. I%i8. /N.J
The e>7lanation is sim7le. The 2a8 is ma5e o3 the
%i8. /N. . The Blin53ol5e5 6:88ler
:s:al <oarse 2a88in89 an5 a 3e& threa5s are 7:lle5
o:t o3 the 7art that &ill <ome in 3ront o3 the H:88ler@s
3a<e &hen the 2a8 is o;er his hea59 th:s allo&in8
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. )E/
him to see 2et&een the remainin8 threa5s as tho:8h
loo'in8 thro:8h a <oarse s<reen. I%i8. /).J
When the 2a8 is 2ein8 7la<e5 o;er his hea59 an5
5:rin8 the seemin8 e3iort o3
7assin8 the arms thro:8h the
armholes in the 2a89 the 7er!
3ormer or assistant has no
tro:2le in 7:shin8 the han5!
'er<hie3 :7 3rom the e(es to
the 3orehea59 th:s allo&in8
him to see thro:8h the o7en
&or' o3 the 2a8. In remo;! %i8 / r !The Ill:sion
in8 the 2a8 a3ter the a<t. E>7laine5.
there is no tro:2le in 7:llin8 the han5'er<hie3 5o&n
o;er the e(es.
The $hinese Ro5s an5 $or5s.
Nothin8 e><ites <:riosit( in the 7:2li< min5 more
than a sim7le an5 <le;er 7:??le9 an5 the 0 %i3teen
%i8. /E. . $hinese Ro5s an5 $or5s.
P:??le0 an5 0Pi8s in $lo;er0 ha;e 8i;en enHo(!
ment to h:n5re5s o3 tho:san5s. The $hinese ro5s
)EF SPIRIT SLATK WRITING.
an5 <or5s9 &hi<h 3orms the s:2He<t o3 o:r en8ra;!
in8s9 is in the line o3 in8enio:s in;entions9 an5 is
reall( more in the nat:re o3 a tri<' than a to(. I%i8.
/E.J
It is o3 $hinese ori8in9 an5 the e>am7le sho&n in
o:r en8ra;in8 &as 7:r<hase5 in $hinato&n9 San
%ran<is<o9 $al. The 7:??le <onsists o3 ei8ht 7ie<es
o3 2am2oo or hollo& i;or( t:2es9 ea<h <ontainin8
se;en holes s7a<e5 eK:i5istantl(. Thro:8h these
holes are seen to 7ass se;en sil'en <or5s9 ea<h &ith a
2ea5 at the to7 an5 a tassel at the 2ottom. The to(
is hel5 2( the loo7 at the to79 &hi<h ser;es to hol5
the :77er ro5. When it is 3irst 7i<'e5 :79 its <on5i!
tion is sho&n in o:r 3irst en8ra;in8 at the le3t.
There are se;en o3 the ro5s at the to7 an5 one at
the 2ottom. No& the lo&er 2ar o3 the :77er set is
mo;e5 5o&n to the 2ar at the 2ottom = the t&o lo&er
2ars &ill a77ear to 2e s:77orte5 2( three <or5s at
the <enter9 as sho&n in o:r en8ra;in89 3o:r o3 the
<or5s ha;in8 ;anishe5. I3 the ne>t 2ar is 2ro:8ht
5o&n9 another <han8e is o2ser;e59 onl( the t&o
o:ter <or5s 2ein8 seen. This is sho&n to the ri8ht
o3 o:r en8ra;in8. I3 the ne>t 2ar is 2ro:8ht 5o&n9
the en5 <or5s ha;e a77roa<he5 the <enter9 an5 3i;e
o3 the se;en <or5s ha;e ;anishe5. The ne>t ro5
2ro:8ht 5o&n 2rin8s 3i;e <or5s into ;ie&9 the t&o
en5 ones an5 the <enter one 2ein8 ;isi2le. When
the ne>t 2ar is 7:lle5 5o&n9 the <enter an5 the o:ter
<or5s onl( remain = so that9 i3 all the 2ars 2et&een
the to7 an5 2ottom 2ars are 2ro:8ht to8ether9
the se;en <or5s a77ear to 7ass entirel( thro:8h
them. %i8. /D 8i;es a <le& to the m(ster(. The
ro5s are all hollo&9 an5 ea<h <ontains se;en holes =
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. )E/
an5 o:r en8ra;in8 sho&s the <o:rse o3 the sil'
<or5s. It &ill 2e noti<e5 that &here a n:m2er o3
<or5s 7ass thro:8h a sin8le
hole9 the stran5 & h i < li
is 3orme5 is m:<h thi<'er
than are the sin8le <or5s =
as the( are o3 5i33erent
<olors9 the e33e<t is most
7leasin8. It &ill 2e o2!
ser;e5 that the strin8s 8o
<lear thro:8h the to7 2ar =
2:t in the ne>t 2ar9altho:8h
the( enter the se;en holes
at the to79 the( emer8e
3rom three holes at the 2ot!
tom9 three o3 the stran5s
8oin8 thro:8h the <enter
hole an5 t&o thro:8h ea<h
o3 the en5 holes9 an5 so on
thro:8ho:t the entire n:m!
2er o3 2ars9 the strin8s
<han8in8 their <o:rse9 as
is <learl( sho&n in o:r en!
8ra;in89 th:s <a:sin8 the
in<rease an5 5e<rease in ,@@[! /D. The ill:sion
their n:m2er.
E>7laine5.
The 0S:r7rise0 Pen.
O:r en8ra;in8 sho&s a ;er( <le;er tri<' 7en
&hi<h &o:l5 ten5 to <reate 8reat s:r7rise amon8 the
:ninitiate5. Let :s s:77ose that a 8entleman is
seate5 at his 5es' an5 is 2:sil( &ritin8 &hen a nei8h.
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
2or <omes in9 an5 he Ho'in8l( <hallen8es the latter
to tr( an5 3or8e his si8nat:re. He han5s the
7en to his 3rien59 &ho attem7ts to &rite. Imme5i!
atel( there is an e>7losion9 an5 the 7a7er re<ei;es a
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. )EC
2i8 in' 2lot The &riter is a7t to 2e s:r7rise5 2(
the re7ort9 &hi<h is li'e a 7istol shot9 an59 i3 a timi5
7erson9 is a7t to 2e 3ri8htene5. The noise <omes
3rom the 7en itsel39 as it is so <onstr:<te5 that it <an
2e loa5e5 an5 shot o3l% at &ill. The 7erson in the
se<ret <an han5le the 7en &ith sa3et(9 2:t the 7oor
:n3ort:nate &ill e>7erien<e a rather :ne>7e<te5
sho<' to his ner;es &hen he attem7ts to &rite &ith it.
The :77er 7art o3 the 7enhol5er9 into &hi<h an
or5inar( &ritin8 7en is thr:st9 &or's on a 7i;ot
a2o:t hal3 &a( 5o&n its len8th. This se7arate 7art
is 7ro;i5e5 &ith onl( one!hal3 a 2ottom9 in or5er that
it ma( en8a8e the <oni<al hea5 o3 a 7iston ro59 &hi<h
en5s in a 7l:n8er9 &hi<h sets o33 the <a7 se<:re5 in
the 2ottom o3 the 7enhol5er. The normal 7osition
o3 the 7l:n8er is a8ainst the <a7 o3 the hol5er = 2:t
it <an 2e raise5 2( means o3 a 7roHe<tin8 7in ri;ete5
to the ro5 an5 7assin8 thro:8h a slot <:t in the si5e
o3 the lo&er 7art o3 the hol5er. No&9 the <lose5
hal3 o3 the 2ottom o3 the 7i;ote5 en5 enters a not<h
<a:se5 2( the <oni<al hea5 o3 the 7l:n8er = an5 the
7l:n8er9 &ith its s7rin89 is <o<'e59 as it &ere9 2(
means o3 the 7roHe<tin8 7in9 an5 is hel5 in 7la<e 2(
the 2ottom o3 the 7i;ote5 se<tion. When the 7en is
7resse5 to the 7a7er the 7i;ote5 se<tion s&in8s on
the 7i;ot9 releasin8 the 7l:n8er9 &hi<h is 3or<e5 5o&n
on the e>7losi;e <a7 2( the s7rin8.
The lo&er en5 o3 the 7enhol5er is threa5e59 so that
it <an se<:re the en5 <a7 3irml( in 7la<e. The e>!
7losi;e <a7 is 7:t in the en5 <a79 an5 it is s<re&e5 on
the 2ottom o3 the hol5er. Or5inar( 7a7er <a7s 3or
<hil5ren@s 7istols are :se5. As lon8 as the 7l:n8er9
sim7l( rests on the <a7 there is no 5an8er o3 an e>
)E* SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
7losion = 2:t9 H:st 2e3ore the Ho'er &ishes to 8i;e his
3rien5 a s<are9 he <o<'s it 2( 7:shin8 the 7l:n8er :7
&ith the 7in9 :ntil the 7i;ote5 to7 en8a8es it.
The 0 Mira<:lo:s Wine8lasses.0
As a r:le9 ma8i<ians are ;er( 8enero:s 3ello&s.
%i8! //!. The 0Mira<:lo:s Wine8lass.0
al&a(s rea5( to 8i;e their a:5ien<es somethin89
s:<h as <oins an5 han5'er<hie3s9 2:t9 H:st &hen one
thin's the( ha;e the 8i3t sa3el( in their 8ras79 it
m(sterio:sl( ;anishes. Ho&e;er9 there are a 3e&
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. )E+
e><e7tions to this r:le9 one o3 &hom is a ;er( 7o7:!
lar En8lish 7er3ormer.
This ma8i<ian 8oes amon8 the a:5ien<e an5 2 ar!
ro&s a 8entleman@s han5er<hie39 an5 imme5iatel(
7ro5:<es 3rom it a 8lass 3ille5 &ith sherr(. This he
o33ers to the la5ies9 then9
sha'in8 the han5'er<hie39
he 7ro5:<es a se<on5 8lass
3:ll o3 7ort 3or the 8entle!
men9 ne>t one o3 8in8er
2eer 3or the (o:n8er mem!
2ers9 an5 one o3 mil' 3or
the ;er( (o:n89 2:t there
2ein8 7resent one or t&o
teetotalers9 he ne>t 7ro! ,@[@ se!The Glass
6 I I . 6 $o;ere5 &ith R:22er.
5:<es a 8lass N) &ater9 an5
lastl( a 8lass o3 sto:t 3or himsel3. All o3 these are
7rono:n<e5 2( the a:5ien<e to 2e e><ellent.
The 8lasses are o3 the small stem &ine8lass 7at!
tern. On 2oth si5es o3 the ma8i<ian@s <oat9 insi5e9
o3 <o:rse9 are lar8e 7o<'ets9 an5 in ea<h 7o<'et is
7la<e5 in a 7rearran8e5 3orm three o3 the 8lasses.
To 7re;ent a 7ossi2le s7illin8 o3 their <ontents Ian59
as ea<h 8lass is 3ille5 to the 2rim9 this &o:l5 2e ;er(
5i33i<:ltJ9 there is 3astene5 o;er the mo:th o3 ea<h
8lass a thin so3t r:22er <a7 or <o;er9 as sho&n in the
small en8ra;in8.
To 7ro5:<e the 8lass9 the 7er3ormer s7rea5s the
2orro&e5 han5'er<hie39 &hi<h sho:l5 2e a lar8e one9
o;er his 2reast in s:<h a manner that one han5 is
<on<eale5 :n5er it = an5 &ith this han5 he rea<hes in
the 7o<'et an5 2rin8s 3orth the 7ro7er 8lass9 remo;!
in8 the r:22er <o;er an5 lea;in8 it in the 7o<'et.
)DN SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
This mo;e is re7eate5 :ntil all the 8lasses ha;e 2een
2ro:8ht o:t. A3ter 7ro5:<in8 three o3 the 8lasses
&ith9 sa(9 the Le3t han59 he m:st s7rea5 the han5!
'er<hie3 so as to <orer the ri8ht han59 lea;in8 the
le3t one 3ree to mani7:late the han5'er<hie39 as it
&o:l5 2e most a&'&ar5 to tr( an5 7ro5:<e the
%i8. /G! . The Mira<:lo:s Wine Bottle.
8lasses 3rom 2oth si5es o3 the <oat &ith the same
han5.
This tri<' is a most e33e<ti;e one9 as the s7e<tators
<annot :n5erstan5 ho& it &o:l5 2e 7ossi2le 3or the
7er3ormer to <on<eal a 8lass 3ille5 to the 2rim9 as
these are9 a2o:t his 7erson.
A3ter 5istri2:tin8 the 8lasses9 an5 o33erin8 an
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. IDI
a7olo8( 3or his ina2ilit( to treat all 7resent9 he 7re!
ten5s to o;erhear a remar' that his a:5ien<e is not
satis3ie59 an5 that man( thin' the( ha;e 2een sli8hte5.
He states that he &ill en5ea;or to <om7l( &ith the
5eman5s o3 his thirst( a:5ien<e9 an5 retires to 3et<h
a 2ottle. O33 the sta8e he remo;es his <oat an5
%i8. /*.. The Mira<:lo:s Wine Bottle.
7la<es :n5er his ri8ht arm a r:22er 2a8 3ille5 &ith
&ine. To!the 2a8 is atta<he5 a r:22er 7i7e &ith a
small metal 7oint9 &hi<h 7i7e he hol5s ne>t to his
ri8ht arm an5 re7la<es his <oat9 lea;in8 the metal
en5 H:st &ithin the <:33.
The 2ottle has a small hole in the si5e9 near the
2ottom9 o3 s:<h a si?e as to 3it the metal 7oint on the
)DE SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
r:22er 7i7e. In rinsin8 the 2ottle the 7er3ormer
'ee7s one 3in8er o;er the hole9 th:s 7re;entin8 the
a:5ien<e 5is<o;erin8 that the 2ottle 5i33ers 3rom an
or5inar( one. In rinsin8 the 2ottle the o:tsi5e has
2e<ome &et9 an5 in 5r(in8 it &ith a <loth the 7er!
3ormer 7la<es the metal 7oint on the r:22er9 7i7e in
the hole in the si5e o3 the 2ottle9 th:s ma'in8 <on!
ne<tions &ith the 2a8 o3 &ine. B( hol5in8 the 2ot!
tle &ell 5o&n to&ar5 the ne<'9 an5 <lose to his
&rist9 he <an ;ent:re amon8 the a:5ien<e &itho:t
3ear o3 5ete<tion.
B( 7ressin8 the ri8ht arm a8ainst his si5e the 2a8
is <om7resse59 3or<in8 the &ine thro:8h the 7i7e
into the 2ottle.
The 8lasses are o3 s7e<ial ma'e an5 o3 ;er( thi<'
8lass9 ma'in8 K:ite a 2:l'( a77earan<e9 2:t o3 ;er(
limite5 <a7a<it(. An assistant <arries a tra( <on!
tainin8 one h:n5re5 o3 the 8lasses.
The 0 M(sterio:s 1ase.0
Tri<'s 7er3orme5 &ith in' an5 &ater ha;e al&a(s
2een 3a;orites &ith ma8i<ians9 an5 the( ha;e 5e;ise5
means o3 'ee7in8 this tri<' 3:ll( a2reast o3 the times,
th:s retainin8 its 7o7:larit(. The manner o3 7er!
3ormin8 the latest in' tri<' in;ol;es s:<h no;el
7rin<i7les as to 7:??le e;en those &ho are &ell 7oste5
on mo5ern ma8i<. The 0 M(sterio:s 1ase 0 has 2een
7resente5 2( 2:t 3e& 7resti5i8itate:rs9 an5 the se<ret
so &ell 8:ar5e5 that <om7arati;el( 3e& 7eo7le 'no&
ho& it is 5one. I%i8. /+.J
The attention o3 the a:5ien<e is <alle5 to a 8lass
;ase that is 3ille5 &ith &ater &hi<h is restin8 on a
li8ht stan5. This ;ase resem2les a lar8e o<ta8on
0 SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. )D/
<eler( 8lass. In the ;ase there are a 3e& <:t
3lo&ers9 &hi<h the 7er3ormer remo;es as he <alls
attention to the ;ase an5 the <lear &ater it <ontains.
%i8! /+! . ,The 0M(sterio:s 1ase.0
The 3lo&ers are 8i;en to the la5ies in the a:5ien<e9
as the( ha;e no 3:rther <onne<tion &ith the tri<'9
A la5(@s han5'er<hie3 is 2orro&e5 an5 the ;ase
)DF SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
<o;ere5 &ith it 3or a moment. On remo;in8 the
han5'er<hie39 the &ater that &as seen in the ;ase
a77ears to ha;e <han8e5 to in'. While this ra7i5
%i8. ON. . ,The Ill:sion E>7laine5.
trans3ormation is ;er( startlin89 (et the most mar!
;elo:s 7art o3 the tri<' is to <ome. The ma8i<ian
2ares his 3orearm9 that the a:5ien<e ma( see that his
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. )DP
slee;es ha;e no <onne<tion &ith the tri<'9 an5 then
7ro<ee5s to remo;e 3rom the in' in the ;ase si> sil'
han5'er<hie3s an5 t&o li8hte5 <an5les9 ea<h arti<le
2ein8 7er3e<tl( 5r(.
The means 2( &hi<h this seemin8 im7ossi2ilit( is
7er3orme5 are as sim7le as the tri<' is m(sterio:s,
as the 3ollo&in8 &ill sho&i In the <enter o3 the
;ase9 rea<hin8 3rom si5e to si5e an5 3rom the 2ot!
tom to &ithin a hal3 in<h o3 the to79 is a 7ie<e o3 7ol!
ishe5 mirror. The si5e e58es o3 the mirror rest in
the an8les o3 the ;ase9 an5 as the ;ase is onl( seen
3rom the 3ront9 the e58es are not seen. The 3ront
hal3 o3 the ;ase 2ein8 re3le<te5 in the mirror lea;es
the im7ression that one is loo'in8 5ire<tl( thro:8h
the ;ase9 &hen in realit( (o: onl( see one!hal3 o3 the
insi5e. I%i8. ON.J
To the 2a<' o3 this mirror is atta<he5 a &aterti8ht
tin 2o>9 in &hi<h are 7la<e5 si> small sil' han5'er!
<hie3s an5 t&o <an5les. The e>terior o3 the 2o> an5
2a<' o3 the mirror are 7ainte5 a 5ea5 2la<' <olor.
Eno:8h &ater is 7o:re5 into the ;ase to rea<h the
to7 e58e o3 the mirror. In the &ater is 5issol;e5 a
small 7ortion o3 iron 7rotos:l7hate. A 3e& <:t
3lo&ers are 7la<e5 in the ;ase9 &hi<h is then 7la<e5
on the stan5 &ith the mirror si5e to the a:5ien<e,
an5 the <an5les li8hte5.
A3ter the 3lo&ers are remo;e5 an5 a han5'er<hie3
2orro&e59 the ma8i<ian se<:res 7ossession o3 an5
7alms 2et&een his 3in8ers a small lo?en8e ma5e o3
7(ro8alli< a<i59 &hi<h he 5ro7s in the &ater in 3ront
o3 the mirror in the a<t o3 <o;erin8 the ;ase &ith
the han5'er<hie3. In a ;er( 3e& moments the lo?!
en8e 5issol;es9 an5 the 7(ro8alli< a<i5 o3 &hi<h it is
)DO SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
<om7ose5 <a:ses the &ater9 &hi<h hol5s in sol:tion
the iron 7rotos:l7hate9 to <han8e to a 8oo5 2la<'
in'.
On remo;in8 the han5'er<hie3 &ith &hi<h the
;ase &as <o;ere59 in' is seen to ha;e ta'en the
7la<e o3 the &ater9 an5 3rom the <enter o3 the ;ase
the 7er3ormer remo;es the sil' han5'er<hie3s an5
<an5les.
O:r 3irst en8ra;in8 sho&s the ;ase o3 &ater on
the stan5 = the se<on5 sho&s the ;ase a3ter the &ater
has <han8e5 to in'9 &ith the ma8i<ian remo;in8 one
o3 the sil' han5'er<hie3s. The thir5 ill:stration
re7resents the ;ase &ith one si5e 2ro'en a&a(9
sho&in8 atta<he5 to the 2a<' o3 the mirror the tin
re<e7ta<le that <ontains the han5'er<hie3s an5 <an!
5les.
The 0Mermai5@s Hea5.@A
M. Al2er9 the 7resti5i8itate:r9 5es<ri2es in La
Nat:re a ;ariant o3 a tri<' &hi<h9 altho:8h ol5 in
7rin<i7le9 has re<entl( 2een 2ro:8ht O:t in a ne& an5
attra<ti;e 3orm.
"7on a li8ht tri7o5 7la<e5 in an al<o;e or re<ess
h:n8 &ith some sort o3 a re5 3a2ri<9 s:<h as <otton
;el;et9 stan5s an aK:ari:m in &hi<h 8ol5 3ish are
o2ser;e5 s&immin8 a2o:t9 an5 in the <enter o3 &hi<h
is seen a li;in8 3emale hea5 that mo;es9 smiles9 an5
seems to 2e a2sol:tel( at its ease9 altho:8h 5e7ri;e5
o3 a 2o5( an5 immerse5 in &ater. A re3eren<e to the
3i8:re &ill sho& ho& the a77arat:s is arran8e5.
The tri7o5 <onsists o3 three 8il5e5 <o77er ro5s
3i>e5 at the 2ottom to a trian8:lar 7lat3orm an5 s:7!
SPIRIT SLATE WRITlNa
7ortin8 at the to7 another 7lat3orm o3 ni<'el!7late5
metal. At their 7oint o3 :nion the three ro5s9 &hi<h
%i8. Oi. . The 0Mermai5@s Hea5.0
are 3irml( 2ra?e5 to ea<h other9 seem to 2e :nite5 2(
a sim7le ri22on tie5 &ith a 2o& 'not.
)D* SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
%rom the 2ase to the ri22on there is an em7t(
s7a<e9 2:t a2o;e the latter there are 3i>e5 2et&een
the ro5s three trian8:lar 8lass mirrors 2a<'e5 &ith
thin an5 resistant steel 7late. The ni<'el!7late5 to7
is mo;a2le. Pre;io:s to the entran<e o3 the s7e<ta!
tors9 the &oman &hose hea5 is to a77ear9 7la<es her!
sel3 2et&een the mirrors9 <rosses her le8s an5 rests
:7on her heels. It is im7ossi2le 3or the a77arat:s to
to77le o;er9 sin<e it is 3irml( s<re&e5 to the 3loor.
The ni<'el!7late5 to79 &hi<h is in t&o 7ie<es9 em!
2ra<es the ne<' so <losel(9 &hen 7:t in 7la<e9 that
the Hoint <an s<ar<el( 2e seen at a short 5istan<e.
Sin<e the mirrors re3le<t the 3loor9 &hi<h is <o;ere5
li'e the &alls9 it seems as i3 it &ere the 2a<' o3 the
al<o;e that is ;isi2le 2et&een the ro5s at the :77er
7art = an5 the entire a77arat:s a77ears to 2e a2so!
l:tel( o7en.
As 3or the aK:ari:m tri<'9 that is sim7le. The
aK:ari:m is an a5a7tation o3 one that has lon8 2een
3o:n5 in the mar'et9 an5 in &hi<h are 7er<ei;e5
2ir5s that seem to 2e 3l(in8 a2o:t in the &ater ami5
3ishes.
The <r(stal 8lass aK:ari:m9 &hi<h is man:3a<t:re5
es7e<iall( 3or the 7:r7ose9 <onsists o3 t&o re<e7!
ta<les. The <entral one o3 these is o7en at the 2ot!
tom to re<ei;e the hea59 &hile the o:ter one is o7en
at the to7 an5 <ontains the &ater an5 3ishes. As the
8lass is e><ee5in8l( trans7arent9 it is almost im7os.
si2ie to 5ete<t the em7t( s7a<e in the <enter.
The aK:ari:m is 7la<e5 :7on 3o:r small ni<'el!
7late5 s:77orts that 7ermit o3 the intro5:<tion o3
air into the internal re<e7ta<le. The 7osition o3 the
5e<a7itate5 &oman is an e><ee5in8l( <ram7e5 one9
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. ) D+
an5 it is there3ore ne<essar( 3or her to ma'e her e>it
3rom the tn7o5 2et&een ea<h e>hi2ition in or5er to
ta'e a &ell!earne5 rest.
0$ar5 $ri<'et.0
One o3 the most e3l3e<ti;e an5 7rett( tri<'s 7er!
3orme5 2( the <ele2rate5 En8lish ma8i<ian Mr.
De;ant is 'no&n as 0 $ar5 $ri<'et.0 In this tri<'
the 7er3ormer sho&s his han5s em7t(9 an5 ta'es a
7a<' o3 <ar5s an5 reK:ests three la5ies to ta'e one
<ar5 ea<h9 an5 to remem2er &hat the <ar5s are.
The <ar5s are then re7la<e5 in the 7a<'9 &hi<h is
&ell sh:33le5 an5 <:t 2( one o3 the a:5ien<e. The
7er3ormer then 7asses 3or ins7e<tion an or5inar(
<ri<'et 2at9 &hi<h9, on its ret:rn9 he 7la<es on a ta2le
in 3:ll si8ht o3 all. He then as's i3 an( one in the
a:5ien<e <an 2o&l9 an5 reK:ests the 8entleman &ho
<an9 to <ome an5 ha;e a 8ame o3 <ri<'et.
The 7er3ormer no& as's the 8entleman to ta'e
the 7a<' o3 <ar5s an5 2o&l at him9 an5 he &ill 2e
the 7la(er or one at the &i<'et. The 7er3ormer
7i<'s :7 the 2at an5 sa(s A@ Pla(.0 The <ar5s are
2o&le5 at him9 an5 he hits the 7a<' &ith the 2at as
the <ar5s are in the air9 an59 to the astoni,ment o3
the a:5ien<e9 the <hosen <ar5s are seen sti<'in8 to
the 2at. This ;er( 7rett( <ar5 tri<' is K:ite sim7le
to &or'.
In sele<tin8 the <ar5s the la5ies &ere :n5er the
im7ression that the( e>er<ise5 their o&n 3ree &ill9
2:t s:<h &as not the <ase. The 7a<' o3 <ar5s &as
&hat is 'no&n to ma8i<ians as a 3or<in8 7a<'9 thai
is9 <onsistin8 o3 onl( three <ar5s9 &hi<h9 3or <on!
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
;enien<e sa'e9 &e &i" sa( are the a<e o3 <l:2s9 3i;e
o3 hearts9 an5 nine o3 s7a5es9 one!thir5 o3 the 7a<'
2ein8 <om7ose5 o3 onl( one o3 these <ar5s. The
Pi8. Oa.. 0$ai5 $ri<'et0
7a<' 2ein8 th:s ma5e :79 it is ;er( eas( 3or a s'ill!
3:l 7er3ormer to 7resent to the 3irst la5( the 7ortion
o3 the 7a<' <ontainin8 onl( a<e o3 <l:2s9 to the se<!
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
on5 la5( the 7art <onsistin8 solel( o3 3i;e o3 hearts9
aD5 to the thir5 la5( the 7art that <ontains onl( nine
o3 s7a5es. B( :sin8 s:<h a 3or<in8 7a<' the 7er!
K83. OD.. 0$ar5 $ri<'et.0
3ormer is s:re to ha;e the 7ro7er <ar5s sele<te5.
While the la5ies are e>aminin8 their <ar5s the 7er!
3ormer ste7s to his ta2le on some 7retense an5 sl(l(
<han8es the 3or<in8 7a<' 3or an or5inar( one <on!
)FE SPIRIT SLATE WRITING9
sistin8 o3 the :s:al <ar5s9 &ith the e><e7tion o3 the
3i;e o3 hearts9 a<e o3 <l:2s9 an5 nine o3 s7a5es. This
7a<' he han5s to some mem2er o3 the a:5ien<e an5
reK:ests them to ha;e re7la<e5 the sele<te5 <ar5s
an5 sh:33le5.
The <ri<'et 2at is an or5inar( one9 &hi<h9 a3ter
2ein8 e>amine5 2( the a:5ien<e9 is lai5 on a ta2le
:ntil the 7er3ormer 3in5s a 8entleman &ho &ill 2o&l
the 7a<' at him.
In this sim7le a<t o3 laDrin8 the 2at on the ta2le &e
3in5 the 7rin<i7al se<ret o3 the tri<'.
Pre;io:s to 2e8innin8 the 7er3orman<e the ma8i!
<ian has 7la<e5 3a<e 5o&n on the ta2le9 in a line &ith
ea<h other9 an a<e o3 <l:2s9 3i;e o3 hearts9 an5 nine
o3 s7a5es. @ The 2a<' o3 ea<h o3 these <ar5s is line5
&ith <loth similar to the <o;erin8 o3 the ta2le9 th:s
7re;entin8 an( one noti<in8 the <ar5s &hen 7la<e5
3a<e 5o&n on the ta2le. On the <loth <o;erin8 o3
ea<h o3 the <ar5s is smeare5 a 5a2 o3 so3t a5hesi;e
&a>. In 7la<in8 the 2at on the ta2le9 <are is ta'en
to la( it 5ire<tl( o;er the three <ar5s9 the &a> on the
2a<'s a5herin8 ti8htl( to the 2at
A3ter the 8entleman &ho has <onsente5 to 2o&l
the 7a<' o3 <ar5s at the 7er3ormer is in 7la<e9 the
7er3ormer 7i<'s :7 the 2at9 ste7s 2a<' a 3e& 3eet9
an5 sa(s 0 Pla(.0 The instant the 3l(in8 <ar5s to:<h
the 2at the 7er3ormer t:rns it o;er9 2rin8in8 into
;ie& the si5e o3 the 2at to &hi<h the three <ar5s are
sti<'in89 &hi<h a77ear to ha;e 2een <a:8ht on the
2at 3rom the 3l(in8 <ar5s.
"ntil the 7a<' o3 <ar5s ar< thro&n a8ainst the
2at9 the ma8i<ian e>er<ises the 8reatest <are not to
t:rn the si5e o3 the 2at to &hi<h the <ar5s are sti<'!
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING. IFD
in8 to&ar5 the s7e<tators. Pro7erl( 7resente59 this
tri<' has 7ro;e5 most ill:si;e.
0 $:7i5 Li8hter than a B:tter3l(.0
The 7leasin8 tri<' &hi<h 3orms the s:2He<t o3 o:r
en8ra;in8s o&es its s:<<ess to the in8enio:s a77li<a!
tion o3 me<hani<al 7rin<i7les. The ma8i<ian 7re!
sents 3or ins7e<tion to the a:5ien<e a lar8e 7air o3
2alan<e s<ales. The a:5ien<e is allo&e5 to e>amine
the ;ario:s 7arts o3 the 2alan<e 2e3ore it is ere<te5
on the sta8e. It <onsists o3 a <entral <ol:mn an5 a
2eam restin8 on a 'ni3e!e58e9 an5 t&o 7ans s:s7en5e5
tr( <or5s or <hains. A3ter the <ol:mn has 2een 7:t
in 7osition9 the 2eam is 7:t on an5 a 7in inserte59
th:s ma'in8 a <enter 3or the 2eam to &or' on. A
8entleman is as'e5 to stan5 in one o3 the s<ale 7ans9
an5 then &ei8hts are 8ra5:all( 7la<e5 in the other
7an :ntil his e>a<t &ei8ht is as<ertaine5. The
&ei8hts are remo;e59 an5 the 8entleman ste7s 5o&n
o33 the sta8e. The a:5ien<e is no& <on;in<e5 that
the s<ale is to all intents an5 7:r7oses li'e the or5i!
nar( 2alan<e &hi<h is so m:<h :se5 in 8ro<eries
3or &ei8hin8 tea9 <o33ee9 et<.9 altho:8h9 o3 <o:rse9
in the 7resent instan<e9 it is 2:ilt on a mammoth
s<ale.
The ma8i<ian no& 8oes on to sa( that he &ill 7ro;e
the ol5 assertion that 0 lo;e is li8hter than a 2:tter!
3l( @A to 2e a2sol:tel( tr:e. He intro5:<es a little
2o( 5resse5 as $:7i59 &ith &in8s an5 a 2o& an5
a K:i;er o3 arro&s. When the <hil5 ste7s on the
s<ale 7an9 it imme5iatel( sin's to the 3loor 2( his
SPIRIT SLATE WRITING.
&ei8ht. The <onH:rer no& ta'es a 2:tter3l(9 an59
as'in8 all to 5ire<t their attention to the s<ale9 5ro7s
it on the o77osite 7an9 &hi<h imme5iatel( 5es<en5s
to the 3loor9 at the same time raisin8 the 7an &ith
the $:7i5 hi8h in the air. I3 he ta'es the 2:tter3l(
SPI'lT SLATE WRITING.
o339 the $:7i5 5es<en5s9 an5 e;er( time the 7resti!
5i8itate:r re7la<es the 2:tter3l(9 $:7i5 is raise5 o33
the 3loor.
%i8. O/. . The Ill:sion E>7laine5.
The tri<' 5e7en5s 3or s:<<ess :7on a <are3:ll(
5e;ise5 an5 <on<eale5 nie<hanism. The 2alan<e
2eam is 5e;oi5 o3 an( 7re7aration9 2:t the me<hanW
)FO SPIRIT SLATE L1RITING.
ism IS <le;erl( <on<eale5 in the <ol:mn9 an5 motion
is im7arte5 to the 2eam 2( means o3 a sha3t an5
2e;el 8ears. The hole in the 2eam is not 7er3e<tlHA
ro:n5 = it is sli8htl( o;al9 2:t . not eno:8h so to 2e
easil( seen 2( a <as:al 8lan<e. The 7in is also o;al9
instea5 o3 ro:n59 an5 it is ma5e to 3it ti8htl(. It
&ill 2e seen that9 &hen this 7in is ro<'e5 or tilte59
the 2eam is mo;e59 <arr(in8 one s<ale 7an :7 an5
the other 5o&n. The to7 o3 the <ol:mn is o3 <on!
si5era2le si?e9 an5 one si5e o3 it is <:t a&a( to a5!
mit o3 a 2e;el 8ear9 &hi<h also has an o;al hole the
same as the 2eam. When the 2alan<e is 7:t to8ether
an5 the 2eam is 7la<e5 in 7osition9 the o;al 7in 7asses
thro:8h the 2e;el 8ear an5 the 2eam9 3ormin8 a hori!
?ontal sha3t. This ;erti<al &heel meshes &ith a
hori?ontal 8ear &heel9 &hi<h is also se<:re5 in the
hea5 o3 the 7e5estal. A sha3t r:ns thro:8h it to the
s7a<e 2elo& the 3loor9 &here it terminates in a le;er
se<:re5 at ri8ht an8les. The ma8i<ian@s assistant9
:n5er the sta8e9 8ras7s the le;er9 an59 7:llin8 it 2a<'
an5 3orth9 transmits a seesa& motion to the 2eam
thro:8h the me5i:m o3 the sha3t9 the t&o 2e;el 8ears9
an5 the o;al 7in.
The tri<' 5e7en5s ;er( lar8el( 3or s:<<ess :7on
the a77arent &illin8ness o3 the 7resti5i8itaite:r to
allo& all 7arts o3 the a77arat:s to 2e e>amine59
an59 as the 8ear &heels are ;er( <le;erl( <on<eale59
there is almost no <han<e o3 the tri<' 2ein8 5is
<o;ere5.
INDE.
PAGB
Ba8s9 tri<' +*
Balan<e ill:sion )FD
Balan<in8 tri<'s ))G
Ban5a8e test *O
Blin53ol5e5 H:88ler )E)
Blotter tri<' )G
Bottle9 mira<:lo:s )DN
$a2lnettest )N*
$a2inet9 the tri<' )N+
$ar5 2alan<in8 ))+
$ar7et9 slitte5 E+
$hair an5 net test )N*
$hal'9 &ritin8 on ON
$hal's9 &ritin8 &ith <olore5. . . . DO
$on3e5erates )NG
$ri<'et9 <ar5 )D+
$:339 leather GD
$:7i5 li8hter than a 2:tter3l(. . . )FD
Da;en7ort tie **
Do:2le slate *E!F)
E55( Brothers9 sean<es )N)
E88 8lass9 :se o3 //
E88s9 s7innin8 ))*
%a(@s sean<es )ND
%in8er9 7re7are5 )+
%la793alse E)!D*
%la79 interr:7te5 F*
%l(9 e5:<ate5 OE
%ol5in8 slate DD
Han5s9 hol5in8 E*
Han5<:33 test +O
Hea59 mermai5@s )DO
Hin8es9 3alse D+
Hoo' 3or ta2le raisin8 GF
In's9 s(m7atheti< ))!)G
Interr:7te5 3la7 F*
6:88ler9 2lin53ol5e5 )E)
L@8ht sean<es )N)
Loo79 5o:2le +E
Ma8i<ian@s omelette ))/
Ma8neti< &ritin8 . . . DF
PAOB
Min5 rea5in8 an5 'in5re5 7heno!
mena /)!G)
Mirrors9 rea5in8 &ritin8 2( FG
Mis<ellaneo:s slate tests F)!O)
Mis<ellaneo:s tri<'s ))/!)FO
Omelette9 ma8i<ian@s ))/
Pa59 trans3errin8 to EN
Pen9 s:r7rise )E/
Pen<il <arrier9 th:m2 /E
Pen<il9 sil;er nitrate . FF
Pen<il thim2le )*
Photo8ra7h(9 s7irit ))D
Pistol loa5e5 &ith <hal' F)
Post tests9 et< +D!)
Post test9 me<hani<al +F
Post test9 or5inar( +D
Potato <:ttin8 )EN
Ra7s9 s7irit *)
Rin8 test +O
Ro5s an5 <or5s9 $hinese )ED
Ro7e test *E
Stan<e9 s7irit:alisti< GO
Sean<es )N)!))F
Sili<a slate O
Siln 3la7 /
Sil;er nitrate 7en<il FF
Sin8le slate D!DE
Sla5e9 i6r )N/
Slate9 5o:2le DE!F)
Slates e><han8e5 DN
Slate9 3ol5in8 DD
Slate &ritin8 on <hina *
Slates9 lo<'e5 DO
Slate tests9 m:lti7le D*
Slates9 7a5lo<'e5 D
Slates9 7i;ot EO
Slates9 ri;ete5 EF
Slates9 s<re&e5 EF
Slates9 s<ale5 DF
Slates9 sli5in8 DD
Slates9 tie5 EE
)F*
INDE.
PAGE
Slates9 trans3errin8.. *G
Slates9 &e58in8 EF
Slates &ith 3alse hin8es D+
Sli5in8 slates DD
S7innin8 tri<'s ))G
S7irit<o6lar +G
Sten<il9 &oo5 i5
S:<'er 3or ta2le li3tin8 GE
S(m7atheti< in' &ritin8 +
Ta2le9 3alse )N
Ta2le li3tin8 an5 s7irit ra77in89
G)![E
Ta2le9 tra7s in EO9 EO
Ta2le tri < ' FG
Tele8ra7h GG
Tele8ra7h9 3oot OO
PAGS
Tele8ra7h hea5 O*
Thim2le 'e( DO
Thim2le 7en<il )*
Th:m2 7en<il <arrier SE
Tie9 Da;en7ort **
Ties9 ro7e *O
Ties9 s7irit:alisti< *E!+E
Toes9 &ritin8 &ith the FO
Tra7s )NO
T:2e9 s7ea'in8 OG
1ase9 mira<:lo:s )DE
Wine 8lass9 mira<:lo:s )E*
Wire <a8e test ))N
Wire9 <loth O)
Writin89 rea5in8 <on<eale5 O)!O*
MAGI$
Sta8e Ill:sions an5 S<ienti3i< Di;ersions9
In<l:5in8 Tri<' Photo8ra7h(.
BY A. A. HOPKINS.
Tith an Intro5:<tion 2( H. R9 E1ANS.
/O* 7a8es. FEN ill:strations. Pri<e9 PE./N 7ost7ai5.
holi5a( 2oo'eo3 the ;ear. The i":eions
are i"nBtriite5 2( the hi8hest <lass o3
enera;in,9 an5 the e>7oses o3 the tri<'s
ana a7intnalietH< 72enomeiia are9 in
man( <ases9 3:rnishe5 2( the 7resti5i8i!
tate:Ts t2emBel;ee. $onHnrin8. lar8e
sta8e ill:sions9 3ire!eatin89 s&or5!s&al!
lo&in89 ;entriloK:ism9 mental ma8i<9
an<ient ma8i<9 a:tomata9 <ario:s to(s9
sta8e e33e<te9 7hoto8ra7hi< tri<'s9 an5
the 7roHe<tion o3 mo;in8 7hoto8ra7hs
are all &ell 5es<ri2e5 an5 i":s#ate59
ma'in8 a han5some ;ol:me. It is taate!
3tlll( 7rinte5 an5 2o:n5.
A<lmo&le58e5 2( the 7ro3eaeion to 2e
the
Stan5ar5 Wor' on Ma8i<
,%0 $lra:lar o3 $ontents an5 sam7le Ill:Btratlona &ith
teatimonla" 3rom W. E. Ro2inson9 M. Tre&er9 W. B.
$aol'9 Harrr So:olere9 6o&ett9 $ll;ette. et<.9 3ree
D7oD reK:est.
M"NN S. $O.9 P:2lishers9
S$IENTI%I$ AMERI$AN O%%I$E
Ser BROADWAY9 NEW YORK $ITY.
$lK S<ienti3i< 6lin<ri<aii
This :nri;ale5 7:2li<ation is no!& in its 3i3t(!
3o:rth (ear9 an5 is a<'no,&le58e5 to 2e the 3ore!
most an5 most 7o7:lar s<ienti3i< Ho:rnal 7:2lishe5.
The e><ellen<e an5 ;ariet( o3 the rea5in8 matter
ren5er it one o3 the most interestin8 an5 !&i5el(
rea5 Ho:rnals in the WS;orl5. Ea<h iss:e is 3:ll(
ill:strate5 an5 no to7i< o3 7o7:lar interest 8er!
mane to s<ien<e or in5:str( is ne8le<te5. The
latest tri<'s o3 the 8reatest mo5ern <onH:rers are
7:2lishe5 3rom time to time. Those &ho are not
3amiliar ,sS;ith the
ma( sen5 3or a 3ree sam7le <o7(. S:2s<ri7tion
7ri<e9 PD.NN 7er ann:m.
RiiiiKtiinriiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiii
M"NN # $O.9 P:2lishers9
S<ienti3i< Ameri<an O33i<e9
DO) Broa5&a(9 Ne& Yor' $it(.
M"NN # $o.9 P:2lishers9
Dei BROADWAY9 NEW YORK.
)*+* EDITION
. O% .
]>iKriiiient5l S<ien<e
B; GEO. M. HOPKINS.
ENth E5ition Re;ise5 an5 Enlar8e5.
+)F Pa8es9 *EN llli:tratlons.
Pri<e PF.NN In 5oth= P/.NN In hal3 moro<<o9 7ost7ai5
THE MOST POP"LAR S$IENTI%I$ BOOK O% THE DAY
This is a 2oo' 3all o3 inteteet an5
;al:e 3ot Tea<hers. ISta5ente9 an5 others
&ho 5esire to im7art ot o2tain a 7ra<ti<al
'no&le58e o3 Ph(si<s9 This s7len5i5
&or' 8i;ee (onn8 an5 ol5 Bomet2inK@
&orth( o3 tho:8ht. It 2as in3lnen<e5
t2o:san5a o3 men in the <hoi<e o3 a
<om7rehen5 t2e 8reat im7ro;ementa o3
the 5a(. It 3:rnishes s:88estions 3or
hoars o3 inetr:<tiTe re<reation. This
ne& e5ition is no& rea5(. It <ontains a9
lai, amo:nt o3 ne& matter9 2rin8iii8 it
n7 to 5ate. S:<h s:2He<ts as the !ra(s
an5 liK:e3ie5 air 2ein8 3:ll( treate5.
Seh5 3or lar8e Ill:strate5 $ir<:lar
an5 <om7lete Ta2le o3 $ontents.
M"NN # $O.9 P:2lishers9
O%%I$E O% THE
s<ienti3i< ameri<an9
DO) Broa5&a(9 !,,Ne& Yor'.