(_x_) The apparatus of which the opposite cuts afford a representation
are spiritoscopes, under modifications to which I resorted subsequently
to the contrivance in which Pease’s dial is employed. For Pease’s
“dial,” disks are substituted, resembling those originally employed by
me, as represented in Plates I. and II. These last mentioned, however,
were made to revolve under the index; while in Pease’s apparatus the
index revolves, the disk remaining at rest. The advantage of having the
disk to revolve is, that the letter is always to be looked for, within
the same space; whereas in operating with the other the eye has to
follow the index through all its rapid movements.
(_y_) The convenience and economy of casting the disks of iron was
deemed a sufficient motive for resorting to the rotation of the index;
as when made of that metal the disk becomes too heavy to be rotated
with ease, first one way and then another.
(_z_) In FIG. 1 the vibrating lever is resorted to, and the process is
precisely the same as that already described, in which Pease’s dial is
associated with the same mechanism.
(_aa_) The words on the dial faces in Figures 1 and 2 are somewhat
abbreviated.[2]
(_bb_) The rod _R_ slides in staples, so as to be made to extend
farther or nearer from the fulcrum. The legs on which the disk is
supported, which are a part of the casing, terminate below in a socket
which fits upon a plug screwed into the base-board; upon this plug
it may be fastened by the set screw (_s_). By sliding the rod (_r_)
inward, the disk may be turned half round upon the plug, so as to place
the lettered surface out of the sight of the medium, whose power to
influence the communications is thus nullified. This is one mode of
attaining test conditions; in other words, those conditions which make
it impossible that the communications received should be due to any
mortal, (151 to 166,) unless, as gratuitously and erroneously, as I
believe, alleged, the medium by clairvoyancy sees the letters.
(_cc_) By another method test conditions are obtained which are not
exposed to this evil.
(_dd_) The method to which I allude has been explained in the
description of Plate I. in reference to the spiritoscope formed with
the aid of a Pease’s disk, paragraph (_e_). The process is the same
in the employment of Fig. 1 Plate IV. under consideration. It may be
better understood in this case, as the illustration of the lever board
_L_ is more conspicuous. In the ordinary mode of operating without test
conditions, the hand of the medium is so situated as to have nearly
half of it beyond the fulcrum, marked by the line _F L_. When test
conditions are imposed, the tips of the fingers only reach to that
line, without going beyond it. Situated as last mentioned, the medium
to whom they appertain cannot move the rod _R_, because it is already
against the lower edge of the disk, which prevents it from moving
upwards. In the opposite direction the medium can create no pressure,
since her efforts could only tend to lift her hand, _per se_, from the
disk. It is important that the reader should pay attention to this
exposition, as the conditions thus made evident are often appealed to
as one proof, among others, that my information and credentials are
from the immortal worthies of the spirit world.
(_ee_) FIG. 2 is analogous in its mode of operating, to the apparatus
represented in Plate II. It is in the substitution of a small board
for a table that the principal difference consists.[3] The board
requires only to be large enough to allow the hands to rest upon it
in front of the disk. The index is actuated by a horizontal motion to
and fro, which, as in the apparatus, Plate II., causes the rotation
of a supporting wheel, which by means of a band communicates rotation
to a pulley supported behind the disk on the pivot to which the index
is secured in front. The sliding pulley _P_ being fastened at a due
distance from the disk (_o_), is used to keep the band tight.
(_ff_) This instrument is preferred by the spirits, and is easier for
a feeble medium to employ effectually. I cannot as yet avail myself of
Fig. 1; through Fig. 2 I have had some interesting tests.
(_gg_) This form, then, is best for incipient mediumship.
(_hh_) FIG. 2 may be employed under test conditions, by so situating
it as that the dial shall be on the side opposite to that where the
medium sits; under these circumstances she cannot see the index or
the letters, and consequently cannot control the spelling of spirits,
so as to give results from her own mind instead of theirs. This mode
of testing does not preclude the subterfuge, so often resorted to, of
clairvoyant power, enabling the medium to see through the cast-iron,
or read the letters in the minds of the bystanders. This power I have
never witnessed; yet it is absurdly attributed to media who, as well as
all their friends, are ignorant of the existence of any such power.
(_ii_) Another mode of testing is that illustrated in Plate II., where
a plate upon two balls supports the hands of the medium, and forms
the only means of conducting communication between the medium and
apparatus. It may be easily conceived that instead of the hands being
placed upon the board, the plate and balls being interposed, the hands
of the medium may be supported over the board of Fig. 2. as they are
represented to be supported over the table in Fig. 1, Plate II.
See 167, 169, 172, 177, 196.
(_kk_) FIG. 3, Plate IV., is a representation of an association of
serrated strips of iron in a wooden frame, which sliding on the lever
board of Fig. 1, so as to have the saws just above the back of the hand
of the medium, is found to increase the efficacy of the mediumship. It
is only of importance to use it when test conditions are requisite,
as explained already, Fig. 1, (_hh_). The rationale, so far as it can
be suggested, will be stated under the head of mediumship. It will
be perceived that the size of the frame is not in due proportion to
the lever board, being upon a larger scale. But this renders it more
conspicuous, and the reader can easily conceive its size to be such as
to allow the grooves in the wooden sides of the frame to receive the
edges of the lever board _L_, and thus to be secured firmly thereupon.