The Spiritualistic Epideinic. 59 



had the finest horses on the turf, and who excelled especially 

 in yachting. His daring and wonderful trip in his yacht across 

 the Atlantic will still be remembered. 



Port Washington was a magnificent estate in the English 

 style, with fine grounds and an extensive park. Being a lover 

 of dogs, I was much interested in the live museum of these 

 animals kept by Mr. James. He had not less than fifty of 

 difterent kinds, all kept in various fine kennels. I was pre- 

 sented with a pup of a particularly fine breed, a black and tan 

 long-legged terrier, with a wonderful head, large clear eyes, 

 and a skin like velvet.* As it became a most important mem- 

 ber of my household, tyrannising over everybody, and myself 

 most of all, and accompanying me everywhere like my shadow, 

 I owe it to his dignity to say something more of this distin- 

 guished four-legged gentleman. The promising pup was 

 solemnly christened ' Jimmy ' over a bowl of punch, and 

 taken home in my pocket. After having been submitted to a 

 bath m my washing-basin, to remove all reminiscences of the 

 kennel, the interesting infant was nursed alternately by Salm 

 and myself. We tried to appease his well-developed appetite 

 by means of the milk-bottle, but he despised milk, and we 

 were in despair, for he whined all night. How happy we were 

 on discovering that the little darling took kindly to fried 

 oysters and the yoke of hard-boiled eggs, which refined taste 

 was a sure proof that he was no common dog. On this simple' 

 fare he was raised until he learnt how to appreciate roast veal, 

 which latter meat is still his favourite food. His meals agreed 

 exceedingly well with him ; he grew soon out of my pocket, 

 and became a beautiful well-sized dog, and even now, though 

 in his thirteenth year, looks like a canine youth. His name 

 will cccur frequently in this book. 



Another lady from whom I received much kindness, and 

 whom I remember with great pleasure, was Mrs. James Speirs, 

 the wife of a wealthy broker. She was an English lady of very 

 good family, and I became much attached to her. She was 

 very lively, and at that time an enthusiastic spiritualist. 



The spiritualistic epidemic was then commencing to rage in 

 America. One heard of nothing but of spirits and of mediums. 

 All tables and other furniture seemed to have become alive, 

 and you could nOw sit down upon a chair without a spiritual 

 suspicion. 



