Spiritualism 



opinions of the sect, you will admit that spiritualists, 

 a-s represented by her, are neither prejudiced nor un- 

 reasonable, and that they are truly imbued with the 

 scientific spirit of subordinating all theory to fact. You 

 will also admit, I think, that the moral teachings of Spirit- 

 ualism, as far as she touched upon them, are elevated and 

 beautiful and calculated to do good; and if so, that is the 

 use of Spiritualism — the getting such doctrines of future 

 progress founded on a<Jtual phenomena which we can 

 observe and examine now, not on phenomena which are 

 said to have occurred thousands of years ago and of which 

 we have confessedly but imperfect records. 



I think, too, that the becoming acquainted with two such 

 phases of Spiritualism as are exhibited by Mrs. Hardinge 

 and Miss Houghton must show you that the whole thing is 

 not to be judged by the common phenomena of public stances 

 alone, and I can assure you that there are dozens of other 

 phases of the subject as remarkable as these two. . . . 

 —Yours very faithfully, Alfred B. Wallace. 



To Miss Buckley 



Eolly Hotise, Barking, E. June 1, 1871. 



Dear Miss Buckley, — • • • I have lately had a s6ance_ 

 with the celebrated Mr. Home, and saw that most wonder- 

 ful phenomenon an accordion playing beautiful music by 

 itself, the bottom only being held in Mr. Home's hand. I 

 was invited to watch it as closely as I pleased under the 

 table in a well-lighted room. I am sure nothing touched 

 it but Mr. Home's one hand, yet at one time I saw a 

 shadowy yet defined hand on the keys. This is too vast a 

 phenomenon for any sceptic to assimilate, and I can well 

 understand the impossibility of their ajcepting the evidence 

 of their own senses. Mr. Crookes, F.R.S., the chemist, was 

 present and suspended the table with a spring balance, when 



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