devote weeks after weeks to doing the same thing over and over deliberately, in full view of hundreds who set aside, or confronting him in broad day-light, not to enjoy but to detect his trick. A deceiver naturally avoids conversation on the subject of his knavery, but these ladies converse freely and fully with regard to the origin of these 'Rappings' in their dwelling years ago, the various sensations they caused, the neighborhood excitement created, the progress of the developments-what they have seen, heard, and experienced from first to last. If all were false, they could not fail to have involved themselves ere this in a labyrinth of blasting contradictions, as each separately gives accounts of the most astounding occurrences at this or that time. Persons foolish enough so to commit themselves without reserve or caution, could not have deferred a thorough self-exposure for a single week.

"Of course, a variety of opinions of so strange a matter would naturally be formed by the various persons who have visited them, and we presume those who have merely run into their room for an hour or so and listened, among a huddle of strangers, to a medley of questions-not all admitting of very profitable answers-put to certain invisible intelligences and answered by Rappings,' or singular noises on the floor, table, &c., as the alphabet was called over or otherwise, would naturally go away, perhaps puzzled, probably disgusted, rarely convinced. hardly possible that a matter ostensibly so grave could be presented under circumstances less favorable to conviction. But of those who have enjoyed proper opportunities for a full investigation, we believe that fully three-fourths are convinced, as we are, that these singular sounds and seeming manifestations are not produced by Mrs. Fox and her daughters, nor by any human power or being connected with them.

It is

"How they are caused, and whence they proceed, are questions which open a much wider field of inquiry, with whose way-marks we do not profess to be familiar. He must be well acquainted with the arcana of the universe, who shall presume dogmatically to decide that these manifestations are natural or supernatural. The ladies say that they are informed that this is but the beginning of a new era or economy, in which spirits clothed in flesh are to be more closely and palpably connected with those which have put on immortality-that the manifestations have already appeared in many other families, and are destined to be diffused and rendered clearer, until all who will, may communicate freely and beneficially with their friends who have 'shuffled off this mortal coil.' Of all this we know nothing, and shall guess nothing. But, if we were simply to print (which we shall not) the questions we asked and the answers we received during a two hours' uninterrupted conference with the 'Rappers,' we should at once be accused of having done so expressly to

sustain the theory which regards these manifestations as the utterances of departed spirits.

"We believe it is the intention of the ladies to shun henceforth all publicity, or notoriety so far as possible. They do not expect or wish to make gain of the Rappings;' they have desired to vindicate their own characters from the gross imputations so freely cast upon them; believing that effected, they hope to be permitted hereafter to live in that seclusion which befits their sex, their station, and their wishes. We trust that they may be

permitted to do so."

Mr. A. H., a very intelligent young gentleman of this city, whose competency as a cautious and judicious observer is unquestionable, has recently visited New York, and gives the most unequivocal testimony as to the phenomena. The following

statement which he has furnished to the Journal of Man and the Columbian, embodies his personal experience; several more wonderful incidents were reported to him by eye-witnesses, but the following embodies his personal knowledge:

"The appearance of the young ladies is not at all striking. You would hardly conceive them to be possessed of any extraordinary power. The expression of their faces displays no remarkable intellect, nor does it exhibit marked inferiority. They appear modest and unpretending, perfectly willing to enter upon a lengthy explanation of their mysteries for the edification of their marvelous-loving visiters. The room in which they hold their exhibitions will accommodate from twelve to twenty individuals, and usually about that number are in attendance.

"Having seated ourselves around a table in company with three interesting young ladies, and having listened to a few preparatory remarks made by one of them, a question was asked whether the spirits would now manifest themselves. This question was proposed by the eldest lady, and immediately rappings were distinctly heard on different parts of the table. Permission was then given to the visitors to converse with the spirits by asking questions. As I am to give my own experience I will omit the questions proposed by others, and state only those which were proposed by myself, which, as near as I can recollect, were as follows:

"Do the spirits wish to converse with me?'

"Very many confused raps were heard, some quite loud, and others indistinct. They were continued until I interrupted them by asking—

"Will one spirit converse with me?'

"But one rap was then heard repeated at short intervals.

"Is the spirit which I am communicating with a relative?' One rap.

"Is it a male relative?'

"A female?' One rap.

No answer.

"Is it the spirit of my sister?' No answer.

"My mother?' One rap.

"Will the spirit tell by raps how many years my mother has been dead?'

"To this no answer was given. One of the ladies remarked that the spirits seldom answered a question in that form-because they never would admit that they were dead. That I must ask how long my mother had been in the spirit land?

"Having proposed the question in that form, a number of raps were given, which corresponded exactly with the number of years my mother had been dead.

Is the spirit of my mother happy?' Loud raps.

"Will the spirit tell my own age by giving one rap for each year?' Raps correct. "Have I any sisters living in this world?' Rap correct.

"How many?' Rap correct.

"Does the spirit know the name of my sister?' Rap.

"Will it rap to the first letter of the name when I call that letter from the alphabet?' Rap.

"I commenced with the alphabet, and called aloud each letter.

When I came to J

"These questions, with many others, were repeated aloud. But being informed that they could answer equally well questions proposed mentally, I asked whether the spirit knew the subject of my thoughts? One rap.

"I asked mentally

"Is it upon religion?' No answer.

66 4

About an individual?' Rap correct.

"Is the individual a male?' Rap correct. "Is he older than I?' No answer.

"Younger?' Rap correct.

"How many years younger?' Raps correct.

"Will it tell the first letter of the individual's name?' Rap.

"I called mentally the alphabet. When I came to M there was a rap. Correct. "To the remaining letters of the name I did not succeed in obtaining a reply.

"It is not necessary to repeat all the questions in order to give my readers an idea of the intelligent replies. I asked very many questions, and received correct answers to all but two or three. From being a skeptic, I became convinced that the raps were not produced by physical agency. Many may perhaps laugh at my credulity: but I have only to say to such-go and hear for yourselves. The rappings are not confined to any particular room or house. They are generally heard in presence of the young ladies, at any place where the visitor may wish to hear them-and so distinct as utterly to preclude the possibility of their being made by ventriloquism. I heard them on a door that was standing open, and distinctly heard the vibrations as I placed my hand upon it. It has been alleged that the rappings were produced by prepared machinery, ingeniously concealed under the floors or about the walls of the room; but that this cannot be, is evident from the repeated examinations that have been made at Barnum's, and from the fact that the same effects were produced at Mr. Griswold's house, in the presence of Willis, Cooper, Bryant, and others. And I would mention that these sister priestesses were quite as successful in my presence in Horace Greeley's parlor, as at their own round table. It is a very singular manifestation of something, to say the least, and those only cry humbug who have had no opportunity of examining it.

"But, reader, prepare your mind for a little more of the marvelous. You have taken but a feeble step as yet. The next will require much more faith, and perhaps you may question my veracity. But what think you when I tell you that these spirits are possessed of considerable physical power, which they occasionally display by moving articles of furniture about the room? If I tell you that when these ladies requested the spirits to manifest themselves by moving the table, that the table was actually lifted by some invisible power, and moved through the air across the room-do not believe that I am relating to you the creations of my own fancy. To be assured there was no optical illusion, I endeavored to arrest the progress of the table. But I found all my strength too insufficient-not being able even to retard its motion, but was forcibly pushed across the room. One would naturally suppose that the spirits of our departed friends would hardly condescend to gratify our curiosity in so childish a manner. Though I have heard it asserted by those whose words I would not like to question, that at their request they have seen remnants of these spirits-such as a hand or a face--and have felt distinctly the impress of the hand upon their persons, and heard audible whispers from the mouth of the demi-visible spirit.

"If it could be supposed that these Knockings were a complete, though marvelously skilful humbug, and that the active parties concerned were endeavoring to become rich upon the credulity of the community-the conduct of Mrs. Fox and her sisters would furnish strong evidence against such a supposition. Visitors who have paid their dollar are permitted to return as often as they please, and as many are allowed to enter without any payment, and the first throng of wonder-lovers has lessened. I presume that a balance of the week's accounts would not show any sum worth mentioning in their favor. They have become tired of their labors in New York, and propose returning to Rochester at an early day.

"I shall pardon your readers if they more than hesitate to give credence to my tale, for I would not have believed, if I had not seen. A. H."

ART. V.-THE GREAT HARMONIA.

THE doctrines of Neurology in reference to the faculty of INTUITION have been splendidly illustrated in the mental career of ANDREW JACKSON DAVIS- the poor and ignorant youth, in whom the great central intellectual faculty of man has received a development which elevates him to a place among the world's distinguished literati and philosophers. The earlier productions of Mr. Davis, published in a pamphlet form, indicated an aspiring but feeble mind, incapable of strong and accurate conceptions; but his "Revelations" took the world by surprise, and established his reputation beyond all controversy. The Great Harmonia is considered by some superior to the "Revelations."

As yet I have not read either of these remarkable books. They relate to the sphere of thought to which I am accustomed, and probably coincide in many things with my own views. But as I am coming before the world to testify upon these subjects from my own observation and knowledge, I have thought it best that there should be no collusion, concert, or co-operation between the witnesses, but that each should speak as his own convictions impel him. Hence I have avoided reading the productions of the intuitive teachers who discuss themes similar to my own. Swedenborg and Davis I have denied to my curiosity, wishing to write if possible as independently of them as they of me, reserving the consideration of their books to a future period.

Wishing, however, to give my readers a fair account of Davis' late production, I requested a review from the pen of a young friend whom I knew to be not only highly impressible and appreciative, but sufficiently learned, judicious, and impartial to give a fair estimate of the book. The following essay conveys his estimate of its merits.

"THE GREAT HARMONIA."-Br H. WARRINER.

The oracle has spoken again. The author of " Nature's Divine Revelations" has given another work to the public, attractive in its appearance, and sufficiently lofty in its pretensions to merit notice. It is the first of a promised series under the general title of "The Great Harmonia," "being a Philosophical Revelation of the Natural, Spiritual, and Celestial Universe." What number of volumes the series shall contain, or at what time the entire work shall be completed, is altogether unknown, it appears, even to the author. The singular endowments of Mr. Davis, and the

extraordinary manner in which he performs the labors of authorship, are facts with which the public is familiar. Most literally does he abide by the principle to speak only when the "spirit moves." He throws off his voluminous productions with his mind in a state of clairvoyance, which at present he is able to reach by an effort of his own will, when circumstances, external and internal, are favorable. And he writes only what he is "impressed" or "inspired" to write, while in that condition. He cannot, therefore, (as he takes no cognizance of time when he is in the "Superior Condition") give us much of a clue to what's coming. But "what is writ is writ," and we must content ourselves with that till we can get more. A word respecting the author personally. He is uniformly represented as a man of serene temper, simple habits, of frank, open, and unassuming deportment. He exhibits no unusual or peculiar powers of intellect in the "natural state," and is quite innocent of all book knowledge. He endorses the statements made of him respecting his non-acquaintance with books. Whatever familiarity with the various sciences he displays, therefore, (if we may credit the accounts) is the result of direct intuition during his rare and exalted moments.

His professed object in the publication of the great work he has so confidently commenced, is "to give forth an incontestable encyclopædia, in which every unreal and erroneous conception may be exhibited in its proper light, and in which may be established every important truth that is not at the present day known or comprehended by the generality of mankind." All necessary rules will be laid down, the observance of which will insure the permanent establishment of the " Kingdom of Heaven on Earth!" He is going to set up "the guide-boards," but he disavows any claim to infallibility; he desires "whatever he communicates to mankind, should live upon its own intrinsic merits upon its own indwelling vitality and not because he has, while in the superior condition, spoken or written it." This is certainly sensible, yet if he estimates his powers and the value of his communications correctly, we shall have small need for our libraries when this prospective encyclopædia shall have been completed, and a copy thereof secured.

The present volume falls within the "natural" division of the "Philosophical Revelations," and bears the specific title of "The Physician." At a time when universal doubt and discord are moving the great deeps of the Medical Profession, when medical systems are reeling and dashing against each other like rudderless ships in a storm, and the poor bewildered medical student, asking with a vain and passionate ardor, the earnest question "What is Truth?" feels indeed like one "lost at sea; such a work, with such commanding claims, and such comforting promises, must needs be caught at by many a reverent seeker for the truth,