1874 A SPIRITUALISTIC STANCE 147 



some talk about these points of light, the medium sug- 

 gested that this light was distracting, and that we had 

 better shut it out. The suggestion was very dexterously 

 and indirectly made, and was caught up more strongly 

 (I think by Mr. Z). Anyhow, we agreed to stop out all 

 light. The circle was broken, and the candle was lighted 

 for this purpose. I then took occasion to observe that 

 the guitar was turned round into the position noted in 

 the margin, the end being near my left hand. On 

 examining it I found a longish end of one of the catgut 

 strings loose, and I found that by sweeping this end over 

 the strings I could make quite as good twangs as we 

 heard. I could have done this just as well with my 

 mouth as with my hand and I could have pulled the 

 guitar about by the end of the catgut in my mouth and 

 so have disturbed the other things as they were dis- 

 turbed. 



Before the candle was lighted some discussion arose as 

 to why the spirits would not do any better (started by 

 Mr. Y and Mr. Z, I think), in which the medium joined. 

 It appeared that (in the opinion of the spirits as inter- 

 preted by the medium) we were not quite rightly placed. 

 When the discussion arose I made a bet with myself that 

 the result would be that either I or G. D. would have to 

 change places with somebody else. And I won my wager 

 (I have just paid it with the remarkably good cigar I am 

 now smoking). G. D. had to come round to my side, 

 Mr. Z went to the end, and Mr. Y took G. D.'s place. 

 " Good, Medium," said I to myself. " Now we shall see 

 something." We were in pitch darkness, and all I could 

 do was to bring my sense of touch to bear with extreme 

 tension upon the medium's hand still well in my grip. 



Before long Medium became a good deal convulsed at 

 intervals, and soon a dragging sound was heard, and Mr. 

 Y told us that the arm-chair (mark its position) had 

 moved up against his leg, and was shoving against him. 

 By degrees the arm -chair became importunate, and by 



