The Book of Gold (fragment)
Religion is no leaf of faded green |
< Letter from London (continued from page 3-229) >
will have no doubt that when Buguet says he never took a genuine spirit picture, he adds one more sin to those which already stain his soul. He is a fair instance of the besetments that come round mediums, especially such as are brought into contact with all kinds of influences. He was a powerful medium; of that I am sure, and was most successful in taking spirit pictures. But as trade increased, and people came thick and fast, the demand exceeded the supply. People sent him their photographs to get pictures of their dead, and the temptation came to manufacture shams. Nothing easier; no sitter to pry into the operation; nothing necessary but a dummy draped! This he made, and painted heads on cards which he fitted on to it. I believe his cheating stopped them. I do not believe his pictures taken with sitters were fraudulently obtained; and in some score of cases I am sure they were not.
The time came when Spiritualism made too great a noise in Paris, and priestly attention was attracted. Persecution followed as a matter of course. A raid was made on Buguet, the medium Firman, and the editor of the Revue Spirite. Evidence of imposture was found in Buguet’s studio, his position became serious. Each was kept in solitary confinement, and it was suggested to each that he should confess his conspiracy. The other two, having nothing to say, refused. The authorities found, however, a more tractable person in Buguet. They suggested to him that he should append his name to a prepared statement, and intimated to him that he would get off cheaply by that means. To his eternal disgrace he consented, and made a false confession, incriminating innocent persons, and throwing ridicule and contempt on Spiritualism in general, and Spirit Photography in particular.
The trial is not yet over, but no justice can be had, and it is a foregone conclusion that Spiritualism will receive a heavy blow from a scoundrel whose title to belief may be measured by the fact that he admits and boasts that for years he has been swindling the public by trading on the holiest instincts of humanity! Most miserable; but alas! no doubt exists that the willing tool of priestly persecution will get off with reward, while honest men suffer. So it is.
I am of opinion that there was a good deal of nonsense talked about the Holmes expose, and perhaps that there may have been a subornation of evidence there. At any rate Col. Olcott seems to have proved conclusively the mediumship of the Holmes.
When shall we be able to eliminate tricks and fraud? suppose when we can eliminate human nature, or confine these phenomena to higher specimens of it.
The Revelations of a Mirror
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Prophecies and Counter Prophecies
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The money ... can find out.”[4]
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Editor's notes
Sources
HPB's note across the text
