[1] See subsequent investigation on Media; also Plate IV. and
description.
[2] These disks cost at the foundry about 37½ cents a piece. One may
be used as a pattern by which to cast others.
[3] There is also this difference, that in Fig. 2 the board is
supported by only three wheels, so as to have one in front under the
hands of the medium, by which sufficient pressure is secured to make
its rotation certain. But as the position thus given does not fall into
the plane of the pulley at the back of the disk, the wheel in question
is supported upon an axle which is secured in staples or holes, and
carries a pulley just at the position where it is coincident with the
plane aforesaid. The wheel is visible in front.
[4] _Vis inertiæ_, or force of inertness, is the force by which
a body, when at rest, resists being put into motion, or, when in
motion, resists arrestation. The force, in this latter case, is called
momentum, being directly as the weight multiplied by the velocity.
Thus, two pounds, moving at the rate of one foot per second, exercise
exactly the same momentum as one pound moving at the rate of two feet
per second.
The force of a spring, or of explosive compounds, cannot be called
momentum; neither velocity nor weight enter into its constitution;
though, when transferred to a projectile, it produces momentum
proportional to the force with which it acts, the weight moved, and
velocity imparted.
Muscular force does not come within the definition of momentum,
although it produces this property in a hammer, proportionably to
its weight and the resulting velocity. Nor is the force of gravity
momentum, though momentum be generated by it in falling bodies.
[5] It is suggested that these words may be misapprehended. I use them
in the sense given by Johnson: “_Sight of any thing, commonly mental
view_.”
I understand that evidence to be intuitive which is obtained by the
simultaneous action of the mind and the sight, and, of course, of any
other of the senses. Intuitive is derived from the Latin word _intuo_,
to look upon. “_Intuere cœlum_,” according to Cicero, means to look at
the sky.
[6] I have since been assured by my spirit friends, that there was no
deception on the part of the medium here alluded to. It has since been
alleged by them that it was my own father who made the raps on the
small table above mentioned, when I sat at it between the two media.
It was my spirit friend, William Blodget, who rapped when the flute,
tubes, and rod were held against the door, or when the rapping appeared
to be made against the partition between the parlours.
[7] Excepting the difference of the table represented in length, the
apparatus here described does not differ from that represented in Plate
2, which is accompanied by a description.
[8] It may be expedient to state that the disk was counterpoised by a
weight at the smaller end of the board. This weight was suspended from
a hook at one end of a rod, which was so fastened by staples, as to
have the distance of the hook from the fulcrum adjusted so as to make
the weight counterpoise the disk exactly.
This experiment may be understood by looking at Plate 3. The board
employed is there represented, associated with a wire-gauze cage and
spring balance. Let all these be removed in the mind’s eye. Suppose
the large disk represented in the Plate I to be affixed with its axle
to the board, near where the hook is represented as attached to the
balance. Suppose a counter-weight at the other end of the board to
balance the disk, so as to keep the board level when left to itself.
Now, the cord and weights being applied, as in the experiment with
table, (154,) on the medium placing her hands on the small end, the
results above described ensued.
[9] Though gifted with vision, they are, nevertheless, blind.
[10] My father was a member of the convention by which the original
constitution of the State of Pennsylvania was made. Subsequently,
he served in the legislature, and held the office of Speaker of the
Senate. His name must be associated with many of the laws of his time.
During leisure he used to amuse himself with the Latin poets and
historians, as well as with those of Great Britain and of France. The
Historical Society of Pennsylvania have lately published a journal
which he wrote of a tour, made in 1775, through New York to Canada and
Niagara Falls.
[11] Is understood in the spheres as synonymous with gradual.
[12] I had remarked to the company during the evening that I felt a
spirit touching my forehead. I had often before that time felt a gentle
touch upon my forehead or brow, as if touched by a feather, but I did
not know its cause, and this was the first intimation.
[13] _Apotheosis_ from _apo_, among, and _theos_, god, having been used
to signify translation to a place among gods, might not _apo-angelosis_
be used to signify translation to a place among angels, from _apo_,
among, and _angelos_, an angel?
[14]
“_Praise undeserved is satire in disguise._”
This being manifestly true, it follows that whatever applause may be
bestowed upon an author by his spiritual advisers, as he may consider
them, will be so inverted in the mind’s eye of an unbeliever as to
have all the efficacy of satire. Under these circumstances I should be
terribly satirized were I here to give the whole of a communication
made by this benevolent philanthropic spirit, of which the following
is a part. Were I to give his sentiments in full, it would be rather
from the motive of showing how vivacious is the interest taken in the
progress of Spiritualism by certain worthies of the spirit world, and
to give another exemplification of the ardour of the spirit mind after
emerging from its mundane tenement. But the main motive for publishing
so much of the communication in question as subjoined, is the
confirmation thus afforded of the account previously given by my angel
sister, of the attendance of high spirits upon my lectures at Boston.
This account was also confirmed by independent communications from two
other sources. Opecancanough, the Indian chief, was present, as he gave
me to understand, and without knowing the names, described some of the
parties who were present.
_Part of a Letter from Mrs. Gourlay to the Author._
PHILADELPHIA, November 14, 1854.
“_My Dear Sir_: Having finished reading your letter, I felt a very
powerful influence indicating the presence of spirits. Accordingly,
seating myself at the instrument, [Plate I. Fig. 2,] the following
communication was rapidly given:
“‘My dear sister, say to our beloved friend and brother that I was
present at his lectures in Boston, and was much pleased to hear him
speak so nobly and fearlessly in the holy cause of _Spiritualism_. * *
* * * * * * * * * * *
“‘There was a great assemblage of elevated spirits convened at our
friend’s lectures in Boston. Among those whom I particularly recognised
were B. Franklin, W. E. Channing, J. Q. Adams, H. Kirk White, Byron,
Burns, Moore, Dr. Physick, Dr. Rush, Dr. Chalmers, and a host of
others. His chief supporters were his father and mother, his loving
sister Martha and brother Charles, and his friend Blodgett, Walter
Gourlay, and myself.