HPB-SB-1-28: Difference between revisions

The American Bibliopolist says:

In every way equal in authorship to the volume above noticed is the remarkable work, also by Col. Olcott, entitled "People from the Other World," and which most undoubtedly realizes the old adage, "Truth is stranger than fiction." The assemblage of facts presented by the author are of so extraordinary a character that the ordinary mind cannot but feel aghast at the astonishing revelations made by a gentleman of high-tone and literary abilities, and whose position places him above all suspicion of collusion and the ordinary stigma laid on Modern Spiritualism in this materialistic age, that this so-called Science is all moonshine, humbug and quackery, and that these "manifestations" never occur except under pecuniary considerations, and then are manipulated for dupes by clever and unscrupulous imposters.

For some time previous to the publication of Col. Olcott's work the public were made acquainted with the occurrences which took place at the Eddy homestead and elsewhere, by means of the communications in the principal New York journals, contributed by Col. Olcott, in which he gave a clear and faithful account of his investigations, and the impartial yet strict manner under which they were conducted. After a careful perusal of "People from the Other World" we cannot but concur with a leading journal that it is "as marvellous a story as any to be found in history, and one which we consider it ''our duty'' to say to our readers, should be carefully studied by every thinking person interested in man's here and hereafter." The arguments founded on existing facts urged by the author, are more convincing on the question of immortality than the Phoedo of Plato or any other work—here we have brought together for our wonderment, Spirits materialized, Spirits of every size and shape, and in the unhesitating proofs arrayed, we realize how it comes that discoverers, men of science and intellect like Professors Crookes and Hare, Alfred R. Wallace, Judge Edmonds, Serjeant Cox, and we could name many others, have by a gradual process of evolution been transferred, like Col. Olcott, from hostile antagonists to firm believers in Spiritualism. Although not a believer, we would again ask, as we have elsewhere,—How is it that Dialectical Societies and the like "are confounded and obliged to confess an utter incapacity to solve the problems by aid of the knowledge they have of the wondrous ramifications of nature and science?" We cannot but coincide with the ''Scientific American'' in observing that—

In conclusion, we again urge our readers, one and all, not to fail to obtain an insight into Col. Olcott's work, by far the most astonishing the nineteenth century has yet produced.