HPB-SB-1-8: Difference between revisions

We arrived at the Eddy brothers’ [homestead] between two and three in afternoon of the 20th. I was requested by the spirits to sit upon the platform with Mr. Pritchard, of Albany. I did so. When Honto came out and a presented her the moccasins; she put them on her feet, and, putting her hands on the railing, sprang over on to the main floor, then faced about, sprang over back again, the height four feet five and a half inches. She then caught hold of my band, pulled me on the floor to dance, which was something I had never done before, You may, therefore, imagine I cut a fine figure. She then got Mrs. Cleveland and Mr. Hunt and we all danced together; Mr. Smith, of Windfield, played the violin. Honto them materialized shawls (blanksoms she calls them), too long to straighten across the hall, and so wide they could not be held high enough to clear the floor. She threw them into the cabinet in each case. She drew two of them from my shoulders and Mr. Pritchard’s [mother], who sat beside me on the platform. Mr. Pritchard's mother came out and embraced him, shook hands with me, and talked with us for some time. My daughter Lydia came next, took hold of me, and I took her by the hand, with my other arm around her. She said, “Oh, my dear father, I am so glad to meet you!” She put her face close to mine and kissed me. My feelings are better imagined than described. Several spirits came out and spoke. Mrs. Eddy again thanked me for the kindness I had shown her dear children. She would and did kneel at my feet, in gratitude and thankfulness. The spirits did, indeed, show us more than we had ever seen before, as they had promised. Horatio Eddy held a dark circle. Mayflower and George Dix performed as of old. All were well pleased. Wednesday evening Mme. Blavasky<ref>So in text, here and so on. Should be: ''Blavatsky''.</ref> (a Prussian<ref>So in text. Should be: ''Russian''.</ref> lady) by subscription raised means to hire an organ and went to Rutland for it; so we had some of the finest music and singing I ever heard through the great musical medium, Jesse B. H. Shepard. I sat again on the end the platform with Mr. Pritchard. My uncle came, took me by the hand, called me by name. I recognized his voice, although I had not seen him since the spring of 1826. He seemed much pleased to see me. Mr. Smith’s grandfather came and spoke in a feeble voice. Mrs. Ehle’s grandmother appeared ; she passed away on Friday, the 16th of October. She spoke but little. Lord Byron appeared to Mr. Shepard, in fulfillment of a pledge ; he is writing something through Mr. Shepard—literary composition. Several other spirits came. Honto was first as usual, and danced and materialized shawls. After this circle Mr. Shepard was influenced by a Prussian, sang and played on the organ most beautifully. The music was operatic. A duet he sang in a male and female voice. The spirits had perfect control of him. The accompaniments were artistic in the highest degree. Horatio held a light circle, when the usual manifestations occurred. After this, for Horatio’s benefit, Mr. Shepard gave another circle ; be sang under the influence of an Egyptian of the time of Pharaoh. This was good music, partly minor; then the control was Prussian for singing, and the spirit Donizetta played the instrument. This manifestation was most astonishing and miraculous. Thursday evening, Mrs. Packard and five others came from Albany. The evening was not remarkable for anything unusual. Mrs. Ehle’s grandmother came out very strong, and plain to be seen. No circle by Horatio this evening; he was sick. Friday night was the night for the Indians, Oswegatchie came to Mrs. Ehle. Three foreigners came to Mme. Blavasky; one an African, one a Caucasian, but no relations. The African had a peculiar head-dress—two horns extending straight up on the top of the head, and some white material, very strange. Mr. Smith’s grandfather came out, but did not speak. Saturday evening this circle was a grand success. The principle events were these: Mme. Blavasky’s uncle, Gustave, and her sister-in-law’s servant came. Mrs. Eddy came out and talked to the party who were to leave next day. Colonel Olcott and his artist, two from Philadelphia, and Mme. Blavasky were to leave. In Horatio’s dark circle George Dix said, “Mme. Blavasky, I bring you the badge of honor that your father wore in 1828, in his campaign against the Turks. It was buried with him in his grave, July 1873, and was brought here by your uncle to-night.” So it was. It was the cross of the Order of St. Ann. Madame was {{Style S-HPB SB. HPB underlined|overwhelmed}}{{Style S-HPB SB. HPB note|*}} with gratitude. Mr. Olcott received a present from George Dix of a fine gem, nicely polished, containing what seemed a picture of a lady in its centre, being valuable.

 

 

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