CHAPTER VII. 



DR. KANE'S MATRIMONIAL VIEWS HIS CONGRESSIONAL 

 PATRONAGE HIS UNCONQUERABLE ENTHUSIASM. 



THIS is no inappropriate place to introduce a 

 pleasing episode in the life of this resolute and 

 daring adventurer, which possesses a gentler aspect 

 and a more tender interest than that exhibited by 

 the other events of his life. It was not to be ex- 

 pected that Dr. Kane, notwithstanding his constant 

 bodily ailments and the absorbing nature of his 

 enterprises, should be insensible to the charms of 

 female beauty or intelligence. In this matter, as in 

 all others, he was quite original ; and for a time at 

 least he acted quite independently. When the ladies 

 of the Fox family, the celebrated pioneers in " Spi- 

 ritualism" in the United States, visited Philadelphia 

 for the first time, Dr. Kane was led by curiosity 

 to attend an exhibition of their powers. Margaret 

 Fox was the youngest of the three sisters ; and her 

 rare and singular beauty at once attracted the at- 

 tention of Dr. Kane, and made a very deep impres- 

 sion upon his mind. This young lady is described 



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