HPB-SB-8-17

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vol. 8, p. 17

H. P. Blavatsky Scrapbooks

from Adyar archives of the International Theosophical Society

vol. 8 (September 1878 - September 1879)

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< Remarkable Form Manifestations in America (continued from page 8-22) >

one and the same time. For twenty-five seconds the tableau lasted. I asked the question “do all here see the medium and form?” One said that the form was in his line of vision, and then it moved, affording him an opportunity to see the medium’s face.

Here we had the form in white, with a girdle round its waist, and long hair reaching to the girdle, while the face of the medium with its short hair, as well as her form, were plainly seen.

8.55, another lady form with a face something like the last mentioned and wearing brown hair, was claimed by a gentleman present. It remained 20 seconds.

9, a short, stout form, stepped out with considerable force, remained a few seconds, and retired.

9.5, a much taller form, full six feet, came out in a bright light. The silence was remarkable. He bowed, stooped to the curtains, lifted them over his head, and again the medium with a form bending over her was seen by all present. I say “all,” because I obtained and have in my note book the signatures of thirteen persons to this effect. Two minutes were consumed. It was 9.7 when it retired.

Eight minutes had now elapsed, and rappings asked for a slate. It was passed in and returned with the writing, “You took the medium’s strength last night.” ‘It transpired that several sceptics in the town desired to place the medium in a locked box and the developing circle, the previous evening, had experimented in this direction.

9.15, the curtain parted, and a fairy-like form stepped out. It was said that it had been often. It asked for more light, and, having obtained it, appeared three different times, remaining 53, 56 and 76 seconds respectively. It was clothed in thin drapery, revealing the outlines of the figure perfectly. The hands and arms were covered with this gossamer, delicate drapery, yet showing a profusion of it. An end streamed from either hand about a yard in length. Little feet wore white slippers, and golden spangles added to the effect. The remembrance of the perfectness of this figure is surprising. When it last appeared it asked for music, and gracefully danced the seconds it remained. 9.23 it retired. The medium could be heard breathing heavily, and it was unmistakably too warm in the room.

The temperature having been lowered at 9.25, the form of a tall Indian came into view. “We want to see you; come out good,” urged one of the circle. It came out walking with the toe-in step, peculiar to an Indian. Feathers, coal black hair, copper coloured face, a red blouse confined with a belt, and dark, muddy-red pantaloons, completed the costume so far as my eye could discover. “Have you the medium’s slippers on,” said one, and it jumped up and down evidencing weight and the presence of a hard substance under its feet as it came in contact with the floor. It was, measuring the feathers, seven feet and a few inches in height.

9.30, several members of the circle spoke of the criticisms being made in the town, and fifteen minutes were consumed in this way. It was painful to the medium, or at least, suffering moans from the cabinet would warrant the inference.

9.47, the curtains parted, and with a quick rapid step the form of an Indian girl bounded to within a foot of my face, coming to the medium on my right side, a lady from Portland. “Winona, is it you?” She nodded assent. It had a red skirt, copper coloured face, dark hair, a light waist, and dark brown stockings on its feet. It went to the cabinet, pushed the curtains one side, and appeared to be magnetising the mediums. It soon lifted the curtains and for the third time that evening medium and form were visible. The medium moaned deeply.

9.55, a large man form seen distinctly. 10, the slate was taken under the curtains and it was written that absolute quiet and a change of conditions only would save the medium. Questions in this connection were answered and directions given concerning the medium. Reference will be made to this in the future.

10.5, a young lady form, described at 9.15 again appeared. More light and music having been obtained, it commenced to dance, coming out four different times. The first it remained 57 seconds, second 80 seconds, and the third 55 seconds; the fourth 114, on which occasion it took a chair, and seating itself, acted as naturally as one of the circle could have done.

This ended the appearances for the evening. Time, 10.15. The circle remained unbroken ten minutes.

The medium was exhausted, and did not become herself for half an hour after this time. Aside from the fact of seeing both medium and form, the former wore nothing about her that could be made to do service for the various costumes. My wife was satisfied of this. Furthermore, Mrs. Pickering wore a little gold pin upon her dress that fastened a ruffling at her neck. It was arranged in a peculiar manner when she entered the cabinet; it had nob been disturbed when she came out. The exact position was noted, and by no possibility could it have been replaced had it been removed in the dark.

One other important observation may here be noted. The faces were all of them inflexible. As the features appeared so they remained. There was no play of the emotions. The one form noticed as moving with a glad step did convey this idea in her movements, but not in the face. So with the others; the movements of the body were natural. The face was wax-like. In one instance a phosphorescent emanation was apparent.

Requesting permission to examine the premises, it was quickly and willingly granted. “We desire every one to do so,” said Mr. Pickering, “when they come here.” I took up the carpet to a point three feet outside where the curtain touched the floor. Under it lay the straw. This was removed, and floor-boards shown to be whole. Requesting one of the company to stand where the medium had been placed in the cabinet and strike his feet on the floor, I went into the cellar underneath. The noise of the feet above quickly showed where that portion of the floor was located. I sounded, and knew that I was under the spot enclosed by the cabinet curtains. Measurement showed the same. There was no double floor. The timbers were whole, and rested on the foundation sill. There was no trap-door or concealed closet. Confederates, masks, lay figures were out of the question. My senses and reasoning powers were convinced beyond a doubt, and I had obtained what I have earnestly sought for some years—the conviction that I had witnessed genuine form manifestations.

<Untitled> (Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher, the American mediums...)

Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher, the American mediums, inform us that they have removed into their new apartments, 4, Bloomsbury-place, Bloomsbury-square, London, and are ready to attend professionally to callers, as usual.

The Dalston Association of Inquirers into Spiritualism has brought out a new prospectus, with rules and seance'' regulations appended, the whole forming a neat little book. Similar local societies will do well to examine it, since it is a model in its way, and the regulations are the result of the long experience of a well-managed society.

Spiritualism in Hull.—The attempt to revive Spiritualistic Sunday services in Hull has answered well. Last Sunday the Foresters’ Hall was crowded, to hear a lecture by Mr. James Coates on “Spiritualism: What we know about it.” Several questions were asked by the listeners at the close of the discourse, and a collection covered all the expenses. Next Sunday, at seven p.m., Mr. Coates will lecture again in the same hall. All communications in relation to Spiritualism in Hull should be addressed to Mr. Bland, 2, Caroline-street, in that town.

Bulwer Lytton and Spiritualism.—The Banner of Light'' (Boston, U.S.) of March 2nd, contains the following, in an article about Charles Foster, the medium:—“While Mr. Foster was in England he was introduced to Bulwer, then Sir Edward only, in London, by Mrs. Frederick Barnes, an intimate friend and warm admirer of the distinguished author. Bulwer at that time was undertaking a new novel, and was likewise investigating Spiritualism, and thus meeting Foster at such a period, his mind was still more strongly directed to this subject. He invited Mr. Foster to call and see him at Knebworth, an invitation of which Mr. Foster availed himself on several occasions, and for several days at a time. During Foster’s visits to Bulwer, the latter was engaged in constructing that wonderful novel called A Strange Story, in which certain spiritual phenomena are discussed and illustrated in a manner as yet unsurpassed for originality and interest. Certain points in the hero of this novel were taken from the personnel and history of Foster, and Bulwer often alluded to the fact that Foster was the model upon which he had based his Margrave. On several occasions Bulwer, who evidently regarded A Strange Story as his greatest book, would read passages from it to Foster. After the reading, the author would become a disciple, and Foster would hold a seance.'' Here arose another case of Mr. Foster’s refusal to surrender his character as a spiritual instrument for the mere purpose of attaining a flattering popularity: on one occasion Bulwer advised Foster confidentially not to call himself a ‘Spiritualist,’ so that the name should not excite popular prejudice against him, but to give his ‘exhibitions’ merely as ‘scientific phenomena;’ but this advice was refused by the faithful medium, and Bulwer, being piqued that his counsel was not adopted, a dividing coolness arose between them.”

Editor's notes

Sources

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  London Spiritualist, No. 291, March 22, 1878, p. 135