BUFFALO (_Continued_).
INVESTIGATIONS UPON INVESTIGATIONS--A MEETING AT THE PHELPS
HOUSE--MANIFESTATIONS WITH BELLS, ETC.--MR. ALBRO'S REPORT--A
DEATH SCENE--LETTER FROM ME TO THE "COMMERCIAL ADVERTISER," AND
HOW I FORCED ITS INSERTION--ARTICLE FROM THE "BUFFALO DAILY
REPUBLIC"--LETTER FROM MR. GREELEY--MR. E. W. CAPRON--DEPARTURE
FROM BUFFALO.
But the three doctors were not to have it all their own way--not even
with the assistance of a fourth, who was now the ex-diplomatic editor
of their organ, and whom I spare from mention of what had been, in
former times, his last exercise in Buffalo of the honorable profession
to which he had been of but little honor. Whether he is still living
in the flesh, or has gone to learn for himself, in the Spirit world,
all the truth of Spiritualism, I do not know. They had put all Buffalo
on the boil, and our rooms were crowded with hosts of indignant
friends. For about a fortnight they were open and free to the public,
without money and without price, whenever fresh parties came or were
brought who desired satisfaction on any point glowing out of the then
raging doctoral controversy. Different committees of investigation and
re-investigation were appointed, for which services the first and best
men and women of Buffalo would be chosen. I will particularize two,
with omission of some merely prefatory matter from the second of the
two, the reports of which are taken from Mr. Capron's book, quoting
from the Buffalo papers.
A MEETING AT THE PHELPS HOUSE.
"A company, consisting of J. L. Reynolds, F. Rumsey, Dr. W. R. Scott, H.
Cummings, Dr. G. E. Hayes, Capt. A. Walker, C. C. Bristol, James Dunkin
and wife, J. S. Chadwick, S. Albro, and J. Stringham, met at the rooms
of Mrs. Fish and Miss Fox, at seven and a half o'clock last Monday
evening. Two large hand-bells and one small one had been provided for
Spirits to manifest their presence with, if they should choose to make
use of them. The bells were placed under the table, and the company were
seated. Rappings immediately commenced, manifesting the presence of the
representatives of the Spirit-country. We resolved to ask no questions,
and wait for voluntary manifestations. Alphabet called, spelling, 'Sit
close, and you may see some new manifestations.' All drew near the
table, and waited in silence. After waiting some time, the small bell
commenced ringing. The mediums' feet had been placed in the custody
of two gentlemen who had not been there before, and their hands were
continually on the table. The largest bell now commenced ringing, and,
while ringing, moved 'round, traversing the whole area under the table.
Two bells rang at once. Afterward the whole three united in a kind of
chime. The largest bell was placed on Dr. Hayes's foot, and bore on
it with a pressure of six times its weight. He put his hand down and
touched the bell. He received other manifestations in the presence of an
active agent. The medium told him to ask if it was a Spirit. He did so,
and was answered by a pinch of his toe, signifying the affirmative.
"'Is it the Spirit of my brother?' _Answer_, 'Yes.' He wrote the names
of his deceased brothers, and it designated its own name by pinching his
toe. 'Does the Spirit wish to communicate with me?' 'I will communicate
with you at home, when all is calm.' Here silence prevailed for a time.
The bells commenced ringing, and occasionally one would fall upon the
floor. Alphabet called, spelling, 'Move back a little from the table.'
All moved back except Capt. Walker, who made several efforts to obey,
but found his chair fast. He looked to see if it was not fast in the
carpet, and tried to raise it, but it refused to move upward, backward
or forward. Alphabet called, spelling, 'Sit close to the table.' All
drew their chairs close to the table, and Capt. Walker embraced the
opportunity to see if the order had not loosened his chair; but he could
not stir it.
"Now the Spirit commenced performances with bells; sometimes ringing
them all at once, and sometimes placing them on the feet of one, and
on the knees of another. Sometimes they would fall on the floor, and
sometimes hit the under side of the table. This ceased, the alphabet was
called, and the spelling was, 'Look.' We looked, and the three bells
stood in a right line, about eighteen inches apart. We resumed our
positions, and the operations of ringing, pressing feet, and throwing
down bells, went on again. Again we were called to 'look,' and the two
large bells stood upright, but the small one was missing, and could not
be found. One of the company suggested that we look under the larger
bells. The largest bell was lifted, and the missing one was found under
it, standing erect. The play then went on, till we were again told to
'look,' and the small bell was found under the large one, lying on its
side. So it continued for some time, placing the bells in various
positions, and calling on the company to 'look.'
"In answer to a question asked some days previously,--'What is the use
of these demonstrations?' the Spirits said, 'They are made to prove
that the mediums have no agency in it.' And the question asked by Mr.
Stringham, 'May I leave the table while the others remain, that I may
look under and see the bells ringing?' was answered, 'What do you think
we require you to sit close to the table for?' When Spirits make these
physical demonstrations they are compelled to assume shapes which human
eyes must not look upon.
"When the above-named performances were finished, loud concussions were
heard and felt on the under side of the table. They became louder and
louder, till the brass candlesticks were made to bound up six or eight
inches from the table. The candles were repeatedly thrown out of them,
and we were compelled to hold them in our hands. These concussions were
equal to those a man could make with a large nail-hammer, while lying on
his back and striking with all his strength. We expected the bed of the
table to be split in pieces, and Mrs. Fish became alarmed, turned pale,
and begged us to leave the table. We did not comply, and the concussions
were continued for full fifteen minutes. At the close of this very noisy
exhibition, the alphabet was called for, and the spelling was, 'We are
all done for to-night.' They were not importuned to continue the
performances, and we arose from the table.
"The table was turned up to see what impressions were made, and a great
number of deep indentations, in the hard cherry-wood, manifested the
force with which the middle-sized bell had been thrust against it. Dr.
Hayes took the bell and struck the table with the battered iron point
which comes through the wooden handle, and made like indentations,
though nothing like so deep as those made by the performers. Any one
might have examined the table, and found the evidence.
(Signed) "ONE OF THE COMPANY."
This, coming as it did from, and being endorsed by, respectable
citizens, was a strong opposing argument against the knee-joint theory.
Every one could see that either these persons had formed a conspiracy to
deceive the public, or the professors were proved to be the "humbugs"
themselves. Still another report appeared in a few days, which rendered
the explanation of the professors still more ridiculous. It was from the
pen of a well-known citizen of Buffalo, who had been appointed by a
company to prepare it. I give it as it appeared in one of the Buffalo
papers.
SPIRITUAL COMMUNICATION.
"MR. MAYNARD:
"Having been deputed by a select company, who visited the two sisters,
Mrs. Fish and Miss Fox, at their room in the Phelps House, on Friday
evening last, to report what we there saw and heard, it becomes my duty
to ask you to give place to this communication in your columns.
"The company consisted of Dr. Scott, C. C. Bristol, J. Stringham, F.
Rumsey and lady, Mrs. Bradley, Mrs. Stevens, and myself.
"When all had assembled we took seats around the table. Mrs. Fish and
Miss Fox, the two 'mediums,' were requested to take seats on a sofa
which stood between the table and the wall. Dr. Scott and myself were
seated, by arrangement, on the right and left of these two ladies, and
they were requested to put their feet on ours, and to keep them there,
which they did. The purpose of this arrangement will be understood by
the reader. When all was still, the Spirits (I use the word assentingly)
commenced such a clatter of rappings that there seemed to be quite a
company of them. This, we were told, was to manifest their presence and
their willingness to be consulted.
"The confusion of sounds ceased, and the alphabet was called for by
five distinct raps, which it appears is the invariable signal. Mrs. Fish
called the alphabet, and the letters designated by the rappings made the
following words: 'Get a better supply of paper before you get engaged,
and let your minds run in one perfect channel. In that way you will
soon be able to get satisfactory demonstrations.' A supply of paper was
procured, and all were seated and still again. Two small bells had been
placed under the table, one at each end. When all was quiet, the signal
for the alphabet was given, and the spelling which followed was, 'All
sit close to the table and to each other. Move the bells.' The bells
were then moved to near the centre of the table. Alphabet called again.
'Put your hands on the table.' All obeyed the mandate, and immediately
the bells commenced ringing. They rang for a few minutes, and again the
alphabet was demanded. The spelling was, 'You will perceive, by what you
have already heard, that a great and mighty development is about to be
made to mankind.' At this moment a rap was heard at the door, which was
made by a gentleman who wished to come in, but who retired on being
informed that it was a private party. Some remark was made by the
younger of the two mediums, in relation to the interruption, which
affected the other to tears. A considerable interval of silence
followed, and we began to fear that our entertainment would not be
resumed; but the call for the alphabet proved that we had not been
deserted by our invisible friends. The spelling was, 'We want you to
cheer up, dear children. All sit close. Hands on the table.' Now the
bells commenced ringing again, moving all round under the table, giving
forth tones the most musical, mellow, and soothing. The ringing ceased,
and the alphabet was called. The spelling was, 'This is done to
harmonize you all.'
"_Question by the acting medium._--'Do the Spirits wish us to be in a
happy state of mind?'
"_Answer._--'Yes.' Then followed, 'I want you all to reach out your
feet, except the four on the sofa.' This was done, and immediately Mrs.
Stevens said something had taken hold of her feet. She was directed to
ask if it was a Spirit, which she did, and received an affirmative
answer. 'Is it the Spirit of my father?' 'Yes,' was replied, and the
respondent continued, 'we are glad you came here.'
"Following this was a harsh, grating sound, not unlike the friction of a
saw which is pushed slowly through a board, and drawn back quickly. This
was continued but a short time, when the alphabet was called for, and
the spelling was, 'I breathed so when I was dying.' Then the same sound
of grating was heard, and it continued like one laboring in the last
moments of life. These breathings became shorter and further between,
till a seemingly ineffectual attempt, like a hiccough, closed the drama,
and the death-scene was complete.
"Hereupon the alphabet was called for, and the following address was
spelled: 'Such is the end of man's existence on the earth; but he
suddenly awakes to a glorious immortality. This, my dear friends, is
demonstrated to relieve mankind from the dread of changing existence.
The appearance of suffering is not real; therefore I exhort you to look
forward with joy for the happy transition from earth to heaven. You have
need of great watchfulness and care that you may be permitted to enter
the society of the blest. Done.' What was very remarkable in the
delivery of this address, as the medium read the alphabet, the letters
were designated sometimes by raps, as usual, and sometimes by ringing
of a bell. The latter method was used, I think, quite as much as the
former. During the whole delivery the feet of the lady-mediums rested
entirely on those of Dr. Scott and mine, and their hands constantly
rested on the table. This, as it seems to me, puts to rest any question
of their agency in producing the sounds. Mrs. Stevens, during the whole
of the communication by 'Spirits,' felt a pair of large and powerful
hands grasping her knees, the pressure of which, she avers, was quite
painful. She also felt a weight in her lap, which was equal to that of
her father while living. His name was Asa Ranson. The female portrait
which hangs in the Common Council room is that of his daughter, and a
sister of Mrs. Stevens. The latter lady says that the death scene which
was enacted in our presence was a perfect representation of the reality
which she had witnessed.
"At the conclusion of the address, it was asked by the acting medium,
'Are the Spirits _all_ done?' No reply was made. It was then asked, 'If
we put paper under the table, will the Spirits write?' _Answer by the
alphabet_, 'We will make marks on paper.' A piece of paper was then
taken and passed around, to be examined by the company. All saw that it
was without mark or scratch of any kind. A scratching sound was then
heard under the table, and also the sound that is noted when paper is
torn. The alphabet was called, and the spelling was, 'Look.' The paper
was taken out, and found to be torn in pieces and scratched as with a
nail, or some dull instrument. It was then asked, 'If we put paper and
pencil under, will the Spirits write?' Three raps were given as answer
in the affirmative, and the alphabet was called. The spelling was, 'Keep
your pencil.' Another piece of paper was then handed round. We all
examined it closely, and found it all fair and clean, without the least
mark whatever. It was put under the table by the last examiner, and the
scratching commenced. Directly the alphabet was called for, and 'Look'
spelled out. The paper was taken out, and found to be scratched as
before, and torn a little; but the Spirit had fulfilled its promise. It
had written--for the figure 7 in plain pencil-mark stood on the untorn
part of it. The figure was found to be just one inch long, and seemed as
if made by the hand of a farmer, or mechanic, who aimed at plainness
rather than elegance in his chirography. I have the paper in my
possession, and will exhibit it to any one who wishes to see it.
"I had forgotten to mention that during the communications from Mrs.
Stevens's father, she read the alphabet part of the time, and received
answers by a rap on her foot. She was too much excited to continue, and
the alphabet was read by the medium.
"When the last paper was brought out from under the table, we all
expressed a desire to know what was meant by the character 7. Our
deliberations on that subject were soon cut short by a call for the
alphabet, and the meaning was spelled out as follows:
"'Seven of this party will be mediums. Do not ask which. We are done for
to-night.' _Question._ 'Will the Spirits answer no more questions?'
_Answer._ 'We are done for to-night. Move away from the table.'
"There were many other incidents during the sitting. The lady-medium
who sat next to Dr. Scott had her dress pulled and held fast, and she
invited the doctor to try and see if he could release it. He made a
strong effort, but gave it up for fear of tearing it. Several others had
their feet handled and their clothes pulled. I felt a palpable pressure
against the inside of my leg, and a pinch of my ankle, while a bell was
ringing close to my feet--no person being near me but Miss Fox, and she
had both her feet on one of mine, and both her hands on the table. This
is a faithful statement of facts, for the truth of which, as far as
they relate to the sitting on Friday evening, I refer the reader to all
the persons whose names are given above. I refrain from conclusions and
comments, and close with the simple declaration that I am much puzzled
and astonished.
(Signed) "S. ALBRO."
I may also be allowed to introduce a published letter of my own,
containing some important statements which have never been contradicted.
It was from no spirit of fairness or liberality that the editor inserted
this letter in his columns. Mr. Rogers (the proprietor of the house)
told me that he had heard from him words for which he was liable to a
suit by me for slander, and that he would back me in such a suit. All
that was most honorable in Buffalo also stood by me. I took my letter
down to the editor at the dinner table (he boarded at the hotel), and
told him he must publish it that afternoon, and also retract his
slanders, or I would have him forthwith arrested. This was aloud,
in presence of all the company at the table. He submitted without
resistance, and smoothed down the slander by explaining it away, and
by saying that he had spoken only in jest. He published, and I was
satisfied--as were also all my friends.
"BUFFALO, March 14, 1851.
"TO THE EDITOR OF _The Commercial Advertiser_:
"I gladly avail myself of the privilege you have so courteously extended
to me to defend myself through your columns against the aspersions
which, if suffered to pass unheeded, might bring temporary disgrace
upon the cause in which we are engaged as involuntary though willing
instruments of a higher power. Some time since, you gave place in the
columns of your paper to a statement, made by Professors Lee, Flint,
and Coventry, which they put forth to the public as an exposition of the
'Rochester Knockings.' The positions which they assumed we knew to be
fallacious and unsupportable, and we at once challenged a fair and
impartial investigation, believing that it was not in the nature of
these gentlemen to seek our conviction of fraud contrary to evidence
which I knew must convince every candid mind. It is true that when our
feet were placed on cushions stuffed with shavings, and resting on our
heels, there were no sounds heard, and that sounds were heard when our
feet were resting on the floor; and it is just as true that if our
friendly Spirits retired when they witnessed such harsh proceedings on
the part of our persecutors, it was not in our power to detain them. Dr.
Lee says he heard two sounds when he held Margaretta's knees. I counted
five at one time during that operation, two at another, and three at
another, which made ten instead of two. But I do not consider this
circumstance of any importance whatever. The spirit in which they
engaged in the investigation was too palpable to be mistaken, evincing
too great a determination to carry their points to admit of the
possibility of a conviction. They had heard sounds made by limber
_joints_, and because one person could produce one kind of sounds, made
by knee-joints, they would have the community believe that all the
sounds heard in our presence for the last four years were produced by
thumping or snapping the _knee-joints_.
"As professional men, whose reputation is dear to them, I would like to
have them tell your readers what condition our poor joints would be
in by this time, after three years' constant service in this almost
ceaseless operation. I will not call this quackery, but will be content
to leave it to the public to pass judgment on their professional
erudition. Two of the professors made little or no investigation. They
were in our room but a few minutes previous to the appearance of the
article in your paper.
"Professor Lee, however, was in to see us frequently, and at several
times expressed great surprise, affirming, with great apparent candor,
that the sounds were truly astonishing. He witnessed the answers that
were received by Mr. Chase, which were all correct and very astonishing;
yet he did not attempt to account for them. Now, if Dr. Lee can account
for the correct answers that are given, as well as how the sounds are
produced, it will gratify me very much, and I will try to account for
some of the large ones. Mr. Chase called again, a day or two after that,
and could get no correct answers; but this was no matter of surprise to
me after his having been in close communion with _Dr. Lee_; for we are
taught to believe that Spirits associate by affinity, and if that be
true, he was no doubt led into a different society of Spirits by
associating with _him_.
"I do not believe the Spirits of my dear departed friends could manifest
themselves in their presence, and I would not willingly call on them to
mingle in such society. The word 'Impostor' grated very harshly on my
ears, and I struggle very hard to overcome the feelings which such a
cruel charge will naturally excite in every human bosom where honor
finds a lodgment; but, in spite of all my endeavors, I still feel like
other mortals; and this feeling prompts me to demand justice at the
hands of a discerning public, and especially those who have witnessed
the entire success of the same experiments which proved a total failure
with our Esculapian knee-buckles.
"The committees, which have frequently met since the affair with the
M.D.'s, have witnessed all the experiments they attempted, and can
testify to their entire success.
"One day, in presence of a number of persons, the same cushions were
brought out, and we took seats, elevated, with our feet upon them,
resting on our heels, when the sounds were distinctly heard by all
present. Captain Rounds and Judge Burroughs were present on that
occasion.
"Our feet were held from the floor by Dr. Gray and Mr. Clark, in
presence of the whole committee, on the evening of the investigation
made by the medical gentlemen (after they left); and the sounds were
distinctly heard, which was allowed by the committee to be a far more
satisfactory test, as they could distinctly hear the sounds under their
feet, and feel the floor _jar_ while our feet were held nearly or quite
a foot from the floor. The whole committee consisted of Dr. Gray and
lady, Mr. Clark and lady, Mr. Everet and lady, Mr. Stringham, Mr.
Bristol, and two gentlemen invited by the professors.
"Most of this committee were persons we had never before seen, but we
are informed they are persons whose testimony can be relied upon. I
would like to have Drs. Lee, Flint, and Coventry club their professional
lore and perceptive acumen, and inform the public how bells are rung,
and gongs made to ring out tunes, untouched by human hands; for, if you
have any confidence in your own citizens, they can tell you what I now
affirm is true. I will not be particular to mention the names of all the
persons who have witnessed these striking phenomena, but I will refer
you to the following: C. C. Bristol, Mr. Gibson, Mr. Stringham, Mr.
Stephen Dudley, Mr. L. Ramsey, Mr. Pond, Mr. Gould, and Mr. Tallmadge;
and they can refer you to dozens of other respectable persons, who have
witnessed the same.
"While these manifestations were going on, many of the persons
above-named have held us both so fast by the feet that we could not stir
without their knowledge.
"They (the Doctors) have attempted to explain one of the least
important points; and, as we know, have signally failed. Now let them
proceed to the more difficult points, or manfully acknowledge their
failure and our innocence of fraud.
"As Dr. Lee is the editor of the _Medical Journal_ which is published in
this city, and as he saw fit to publish the injurious report against our
moral integrity, which was made by the visiting committee of M.D.'s., we
hope he will manifest the sense of honor which his standing in society
warrants us in looking for, by publishing the contradiction, which must
now be evident to him, and thereby make the reparation as apparent as
the injury. This would be just, if not magnanimous.
"Yours, etc.,
"A. Leah Fish."
To the above narrative of the Buffalo doctors' affair I append an
editorial article from _The Buffalo Daily Republic_:
"THE PROFESSORS AND THE 'KNOCKINGS.'
"I think it was nearly three weeks ago that it was given out in a very
authoritative tone, and, if I am not very much mistaken, the newly
returned Minister from Bogota was the oracular organ used on the
occasion to proclaim to the 'humbugged' citizens of Buffalo, that in
twenty-four hours we should hear no more of the knockings. The news
flew about the city with the rapidity of lightning, that the end of the
'rappings' was nigh, that an awful explosion was about to take place.
A lady had been found who produced noises with the knee-joints. The
University of Buffalo had examined the lady's knee-joints, heard the
noises, and pronounced them identical with the sounds produced by the
Rochester ladies, and, what was still more awful and astounding, the
University of Buffalo were about to print their report in the Buffalo
_Commercial Advertiser_. Who could withstand such a shock?--It was
conceded on all hands that if the ladies could endure the University
and the _Commercial Advertiser_, they need never fear any natural
catastrophe. True to the prediction, out came the 'report.' Three wise
men had spoken, yea, three _professors_, professors even of Materia
Medica, Physiology, and of Principles and Practice of Medicine. Be it
remembered, too, that the University was under the guidance of that good
man, Millard Fillmore, as Chancellor, and Dr. Thomas M. Foote, late
Minister to Bogota, as one of its council men--thus uniting to the
collective wisdom of the professors the great head of the nation, and
speaking through his immediate organ, the _Commercial Advertiser_.
Buffalo was the great battle-ground and the University the great
adversary chosen to annihilate this already too wide-spread imposture.
Now, do not understand me as attributing any unkind motive to those
gentlemen professors; I have no doubt they were actuated by a nice sense
of duty which they owed to science and to their fellow-beings to make
the exposé. I could not say a word against Dr. Lee or Dr. Coventry,
if I wanted to; they are strangers to most of our citizens, and only
come among us periodically, and I am informed that they are very
much respected so far as they have extended their acquaintance here.
Professor Flint has been a resident of this city for many years, and is
regarded by those that employ him as an able practitioner of medicine.
He conducts the editorial management of the Buffalo _Medical Journal_,
in the last number of which he has devoted a large portion of its
columns to the matter of these 'mysterious manifestations.' I am
only sorry that its circulation is so limited as not to allow the
investigating public to appreciate its strictures. He intimates that
the 'report' was hastily drawn up and contains errors, and in order to
do the professors justice, requests the press to recopy the article
as amended. There is certainly no impropriety in all that, if the
University left out some material argument, in their hurry to explode a
humbug of such vast magnitude. The press can do no less than put them
right. But is it a fair mode of warfare? I am exceedingly ignorant
of professional etiquette in these matters, and as a friend of the
manifestations, I wish to ask the unprejudiced public if it is right
that the University, after having had their load and fire, should insist
that because the first charge did not bring down the game, they should
be allowed another shot without some preliminary arrangements? The
request is modest enough, and perhaps, taken in connection with the
_fact_ that the University got on to its knees before the mediums,
in order the more readily to detect the muscular sensation of the
knee-joints of the ladies, is a sufficient offset to what might seem an
unreasonable afterthought.
"The code of honor among gentlemen has settled the question, I believe,
that the first fire, whether mortal or not, is sufficient evidence of
courage, and that beyond that, the question of honor is merged into a
malignant desire to kill. If the University is satisfied that they have
exposed the humbug, why ask to bring in new proof? Is it because the
ladies, instead of leaving town in twenty-four hours, have staid as many
days? Is it because the public are more anxious than ever to see and
learn more of these mysterious manifestations? Is it because there is
more intense interest than ever elicited, the more the subject is
investigated? Is it because intelligent men are giving the matter
consideration? I ask, what causes so much disquietude in the minds
of the professors? Have they shot off their gun too quick? Are they
sensible that public opinion is not impressed with the belief in their
assertions and their exposé? Are they displeased because the ladies keep
staying in spite of their mandate to go home? The University has taken
up the cudgel to beat the hydra, and as fast as one head falls a dozen
new ones spring out (or would if they could succeed in knocking one
off). The manifestations, instead of being content with mere knocking on
the floor, have commenced the ringing of bells (some large enough to
tire the arms of even professors), pounding under the table, so as to
leave visible manifestations, sufficient to satisfy a dozen universities
of its physical ability, moving furniture, playing on musical
instruments, and various other demonstrations equally wonderful and
satisfactory to all who see them."
From one of Mr. Greeley's letters of this trying time, I extract the
following: "Be faithful. Remember how short the time of life is. Submit
to every lawful investigation. While you are being tested by the
doctors, to prove you make the sounds by snapping the knee-joints,
insist on having a committee of ladies appointed to hold your feet, and
for ever silence the blasting charge of toe rapping, or it will cover
you with a cloud of obloquy from which you may not recover in years, if
ever."
E. W. Capron, who stood by us in our Rochester trials and
investigations, and who delivered the first lecture on the subject of
Modern Spiritualism, was, at this time, editor of the Providence, R. I.,
_Daily Mirror_. From him I also received the following note: "I have not
seen the whole of the article referred to, but to me, knowing what I do,
the theories of knee-pan, or knee-joint, are equally ridiculous. There
never has been a time when you could so completely kill all opposition
as the present opportunity offers, if you go through the fiery ordeal
and come out unscathed, _as I know you will_, for I know you are true.
You have stood fiery trials before, and have always triumphed."
After having met the several investigating committees, and submitted to
all the requirements of the public at large, amidst a host of friends
who came to the Phelps House to bid us farewell, with many who
accompanied us to the departing train, we left them with mutual feelings
of regret, but amid their congratulations and prayers for our future
prosperity.
We had come to Buffalo for a visit of a fortnight. In a financial point
of view, we had never met with an equal success. Not a few of the
principal gentlemen of the city sent us parting gifts of congratulation
on a noble scale of munificence, as tributes of sympathy for what we
had had to bear, and of gratitude for the demonstrative proofs of
immortality it had been ours to bring to their experimental _knowledge_.
The day appointed for our departure our hotel apartments proved
insufficient to entertain our friendly visitors who came to bid us
adieu. The public parlors, being kindly assigned to us for the purpose
by the proprietor, were filled to overflowing. Never can I forget that
day, nor those dear and noble friends.
And thus ended the short-lived apparent triumph of "the Buffalo
Doctors."