Reports of these marvels soon crossed the Atlantic; but in England, for a long time, they excited little serious attention, and were generally received, not only with incredu lity, but with ridicule and contempt. The visit to London of Mrs. Ilaydon, an American medium, in 1854, first excited any considerable degree of public interest in spiritualism. Many visited her, most of whom were puzzled, some ridiculed, a few were convinced. Among the latter were Robert Owen, the founder of English socialism, and Dr. Ashy burner, the translator of Reichenbach, and the colleague of Dr. Elliotson in the estab lishment of the Zoist and of the Mesmeric infirmary. In 1855 a more remarkable medium came to England, Mr. Daniel Dunglas Home. The manifestations which occurred in his presence were soon the subject of newspaper controversy. From that time to this they have been seen and tested repeatedly by scientific and other witnesses of the highest credit and social position; and they made him a frequent and welcome guest at the Tuileries and at the courts of Berlin and St. Petersburg. A full account of his strange experiences is given in his autobiography, entitled Incidents in My Life. They include nearly the whole range of "manifestations" referred to in the important report of which we are about to speak.
In Jan., 1869, the London dialectical society appointed a committee "to investigate the phenomena alleged to be spiritual manifestations, and 'to report thereon." The com mittee invited evidence from all sides, and especially solicited the co-operation of scion title men, and resolved itself into sub-committees for experimental investigation and test. In July, 1871, the committee presented its report, with minutes of evidence, reports of sea nee's , and other documents, making a volume of 412 large octavo pages. The committee state that "a large majority of the members of our committee have become actual witnesses to several phases of the phenomena, without the aid or presence of any professional medium, although the greater part of them commenced their inves tigations in an avowedly skeptical spirit." A synopsis of the evidence is also given as follows: "Thirteen witnesses state that they have seen heavy bc.,lies—in some instances men—rise slowly in the air, and remain there for some time without visible or tangible support. Fourteen witnesses testify to having seen hands or figures, not appertaining to any human being, but lifelike in appearance and mobility, which they have some times touched or even grasped, and which they arc therefore convinced were not the result of imposture or illusion. Five witnesses state that they have been touched by some invisible agency on various parts of the body, and often where requested, when the hands of all present were visible. Thirteen witnesses declare that they have heard
musical pieces well played upon instruments not manipulated by any ascertainable agency. Five witnesses state that they have seen red-hot coals applied to the bands or heads of several persons without producing pain or scorching; and three witnesses state that they have had the same test applied to themselves with the like immunity. Eight wit nesses state that they have received detailed information through- rappings, writings, or in other ways, the accuracy of which was unknown at the time to themselves or to any persons present, and which, on subsequent inquiry, was found to be correct. One wit ness declares that he has received a precise and detailed statement, which, nevertheless, proved to be entirely erroneous. Three witnesses state that they have been present when drawings, both in pencil and colors, were produced in so short a time, and under such conditions, as to render human agency impossible. Six witnesses declare that they have received information of future events, and that in some cases the hour and minute have been accurately foretold days and even weeks before. In addition to the above, evidence has been given of trance-speaking, of healing, of automatic writing, of the introduction of flowers and fruits into closed rooms, of voicesin the air, of visions in crystals and glasses, and of the elongation of the human body." One of the latest scientific investigators of Spiritualism is Mr. William Crookes, F. R. S., discoverer of the metal thallium, editor of the Chemical News and of the Quarterly Journal of Science. In the latter journal for Jan., 1874, is an article by him, entitled, "Notes of an Inquiry into the Phenomena called Spiritual, 1870-73." He attests phe nomena similar to those affirmed by the dialectical society's committee and its witnesses, which came under his.notice in his own house, in the light, and with only private friends present except the medium, at times appointed by himself, and tinder circum stances which, lie says, absolutely precluded the employment of the very simplest instrumental aids.
One of the most recent phases of Spiritualism in this country is "spirit photographs." On clean and previously unused plates, marked by the sitter, and even when the sitter has used his own plates and camera, there has appeared with the sitter a second figure, which in many instances have been recognized as portraits of deceased relatives and friends. In the Spiritual Magazine for Dec., 1872, is a list of the names and addresses of 40 sitters who have so recognized these figures. They have been obtained by many photographers, both professional and amateur, in England, the United States, and on the continent of Europe.