D.

HIS

LIFE

D.

HOME

AND

MISSION

BY

D.

D.

HOME.

INCIDENTS

IN

First

Series.

INCIDENTS

LIGHTS

AND

HT

OF

1877.

LIFE:

1872.

Series.

SHADOWS

LIFE:

1863.

IN

Second

HT

SPIRITUALISM.

D.

HIS

Dr^H

LIFE

AND

MISSION

BY

'

home

dunglas

Mme.

La

raison

present jamais ; elle ^daire

ne

LONDON

TRlJBNER

"

LUDGATE

CO.,
1888

[All

rights reserved]

HILL

"i^
DEC
24

1890

Y^^"^'

^'77

BALLANTVNS,
BOINBVRCH

"-*

"

"

"

"

'

"
.

"::

"

"

"

""
"

"

"

"

r"

"
.

"

"

"

"

HANSON

AND

AND
LONDON

Ca

PROLOGUE.

-""-

In

demands

age

of

Spirit

as

facts

that

can

realin

the

authenticity,
borne

been
D.

much

as

the

to

Home.

satisfactory,

none

facts, without

which

understanding
and

the

denial

singular

materialism,
and

into

more

suffered

view

in

object

in

admitted.
he

enabled

existence

of

forces

he

founded

evidences

of

modem
the

had

of

number
and
names

until

belief

in

identity

degree

that
No

their

now

for

tranquilly

his

order

to

encountering

spare
the

to

the

for
from

them
of

that
in

how

the

of
to

prove

others,

that

ject,
sub-

these
what

ing
suppress-

ignorant

calumnies

this

great

many

will

true

show

investigated

published,

host

of

contained

that

the

remarkable

seen

fact

of

unknown

bases

be

tested

establish

to

avail

can

consideration

his

the

to

irrefutable

of

those

facts

The
time

first

impulse

remained

have

other

any

description

the

will

reverie.

every

will

It

more

science

on

sophistry

is its

which

had

remain

nise.
recog-

men

having

spirit-world

convinced.

carried
in

day

personages

the

to

own

age

poetic

investigators

existence.

no

been

names

himself

this

Spiritualism

multitude

well-attested

and

well-known

Home

reality,

to

our

or

presence

scientific
that

have

are

his

sacrificing

well-established
have

life.
in

Spiritualism.

work

and

future

the

their

by

leads

iiTesistible

an

but

into

men

of

without

mission,

give

to

By

research,

and

his

the

happiness

deeper,

D.

perverted

for

that,

fantastic

of

away

The

lead

its

has

ingenious,

immortality.

their
as

demonstrated

were

and

than

belief

consoling
facts

for

cruelly

explain

cancer

constantly
of

to

truth

hideous

most

less

our

all

presence

is not

greatest

Home

by

in

alone

can

the

eating

that

or

which

them

the

testimony

least.

of

denial

the

regarded

not

was

He

that,

that

the

possibility

give

Undoubtedly

more

in

chimera,

the

of

would

it

avowal,

them

takes

for

reality

in

the

created

been

explaining

reproduce,

investigated

theories,

sciences,

exact

of

possible

have

the

verified.

phenomena
of

in

as

be

as

crowd

well

abuse,
were

PROLOGUE.

VI

directed

with

who,

man,

false

were

of

misunderstood,

persistently been
print

to

space

how

been,

left

No

one

how

social

he

position

estimation

the

that

identity

contained

tend

him
fresh
is

death

in

strength
of

incapable

love

to

If

Spiritualism.

imder

such

volume

rarely

be

can

derided

of

possessors

could

who

be

of

word.

the

His

of

and

selfish
more

D.

He

confirms.

D.

life, and
of

Home

to

us

in

not

teach

; he

the

Saviour,
; and

save

this

from

world

proved.

of

the
on

to

to him.

the

there
acts

acceptation

Spiritualism,

innate

whose
us

full

this

lished
estab-

ambition

the

the

not

quence,
conse-

that

"

easier

propagation

to

in

bestowed

prominence

light

in

been

in the

least,

at

fact

were

of

which

phenomena

age

had

have

lost

of

through

is,

every

joy.
did

and

illustrates

teaching

have

proofs

benefit, is

truth

never

inner

give

of

serenity

described

the

would

the

sought

proof

Spiritualism

are

Christian

who

the

actions, by giving

gifts as

and
a

was

that

spiritual things,

Nature

was

aim

gives

moral

in

Home

the

those

especially among
of

he

that

and

best

or

not

were

scientific, or,

only

of

of honour

question

no

who

respect;

our

as

humanity

epochs.

understood

life show

of his

of

his

doing good,

edifying

The

and

with,

sect, although nothing

him

For

in

elevated

received

no

conditions

diversity

of

makers

are

create

such

how

spirit-identity

fiction, this

have

is the

modify

confers

of

met

history

the

by

Home

as

must

The

charity.

and

tokens

established

life

world

being investigated under

conditions,

trustworthy

his

communications

and

more

found

by Home,

life and

our

have

ence
correspond-

persons

destroy.

the

strangely

so

held.

was

cannot

change

to

he

the

demonstrated

Spiritualism, as
of mind

in

occupied

very

have

with

name

are

it I

and

country

his

in which

have

reports

happy

more

every

Spiritualists pronounced

would

of

portion

honour,

ever

In

how

extensive

blameless

his

was

beloved.

more

was

small

irreproachable

sentiments.
H

the

proving

been

false
The

another

There

has

whom

abroad.

^proves

"

himself?

character

concerning

even

"

of

possession

of

real

spread

is there

concerning him,

than

whose

and

his

made

rather

men

has

in

means

others,

Where

consequence.

assertions

celebrated

he

in

the

the

thought
few

him

against

perception

revelations
the
less

of

all

emptiness
suffering

CONTENTS.

"""

CHAFTER

I.

4
pAor.

SCOTLAND

AMERICA

AND

CHAPTER

ENGLAND

AND

II.

36

ITALY

CHAPTER

ITALY

AND

III.

65

FRANCE

CHAFTER

FRANCE

IV.

96

RU88IA

AND

CHAPTER

V.

ENGLAND

1
.

26

VJ.

CHAFTER
ft

161

ENGLAND
.

VII.

CHAPTER

ENGLAND,

ROME;

AND

PARIS.

CHAPTER

AMERICA,

RUSSIA,

AND

ENGLAND

97

VIII.

23

^
"'

COMiJ^K.

T^

LS.

CHAPTEB

FACE

CHAPTEB

Wr/TZJkSIf.

3II

FBASCK
.

XI.

CHAPTER

CPVljftS^:

^UaiZALEM

ASV

33^

9CISSCE
"

CHAPTER

xcmoA,

QcanpTA.

ruytascm,

XI'.

3^3

sics

CHAPTER

Xni.

i^6-i"86

IXbEX

-39'

.419

D.
HIS

D.

HOME:

LIFE

AND

MISSION.

-M-

i"'
CHAPTER

AND

SCOTLAND

about

AM

common.

scrupulous
well

be
^

shall

of

said

have

Many

March

name

family

"

herself;

it
had

Home;

his

and

Portobello.

was

and

he

had

not

been

of

from

son

such

child,

to

the
sessed
pos-

infant

an

fulfilment

her

old,
took

to

be

of

adopted

own,

in

and

destined

expected

her

years

weak

Home

found

passed

America,

was

of

gift

Fontainebleau.

nine

was

Highland

still

was

of

was

ancient
maiden

Mrs.

that

children

delicate

sensitive,

temperament,
that

life

whose
a

to

at

of

Scottish

him

later

no

he

emigrated
boy

her

Edinburgh,
whose

mother,

preserved.

infancy

When

husband

He

had

may

him."

known

came

descended

while

years

who

aunt,

his

been

murt;

it

as

near

both

parents

concerning

twenty

really

bom

traditionary

and

vision

than

the

had

inasmuch

have

few

was

was

the

second-sight

An

he

txxv/

it with

"

but

Through

which

in

him,

His

McNeill,

was

removed

of

exactitude,

Home

families.

facts

Home
of

spoken

1833.

20,

more

D.

far

very

the

to

Dunglas

Scottish

she

relate

D.

AMERICA.

life

attention

Daniel

"

describe

to

I.

she

her

and

with
so

at

care

them

wonderful.

highly

nervous

health

from

his

infancy

live.

His

frail

health,
A

AND

UFE

however,
after

of

"I

years.

of

schoolfellow

Connecticut,

Norwich,

"as

with

streams,

of

the

"I

never

"and

Carpenter,

out

of

in the

woods

and

beside

that

sincere

in

whose

schoolmates

I have

D.

than

D.

first

impressions

the

growth

of

hand

the

were

but

thoroughly

honest

and

no

of

one

proud

more

my

many

lowed,
carefully fol-

more

Home

where
has

call

to

my

lived
as

there

which

to

Norwich.

in

Forty

his uncle

he

his
up

and

escaped

aunt,

close

separate village; and

woods

with

received
swallowed

been

adjoining city of

he

existed

myself ;

have

of America,

Greeneville

disbeliever

Home."

the

when

ago,

Mr.

of

been

viUe, Connecticut,

Greene

himself.

to

or

adds

career

whom

and

years

therefore

am

the

His
companions.
easily grieved at

Spiritualism,"

old jfriend was

my
his belief.
I know

I know

friend,

of

anything

saw

whole
my
kind
act.

when

was

act

joyous,

most

but

chosen

two

or

of

studies;

one

among
to do

sensitive, and he was

very
done
to others
of unkindness

nature

any

his

me

one

spent all his time

schoolroom
the

of

fond

was

to

Carpenter, Mayor

boys
circle of acquaintances, always ready

He

trials

W.

whole-souled

affectionate, and

bitter

writes

him,"

J.

of

sweetness

the

did

remember

his, Mr.

HOME.

natural

his

gaiety of spirit than

and

temper

affected

more

no

OF

MISSION

at

at

every

hours
in
that
opportunity, spending there
study of
which
him.
nature
always charmed
Nothing escaped
his prodigious memory.
and
his observation
He
always
back
those
looked
on
days as the happiest of his boyhood.
His
studious
and
dreamy habits
separated him

from

other

most

in

companion

chosen

little older

than

of

children
these

himself, of

his

rambles,
the

strong friendship grew

always

were

to

at

hundred

three
A

live

between
up
together, until Home

few

usual,

miles

weeks

with

his

in

Troy,

the

from

before
friend

State

of

the

schoolfellow

name

had

he

but

age;

Edwin.

two

with

went

of New

and

they

his

tives
rela-

York,

some

Norwich.

this
Edwin

separation.
in

the

Home

woods.

was,

The

as

two

SCOTLAND

boys

both

were

had

found

was

sure

occasion
fall

it related

lady
a

were

life

beyond

lover, within
his

to

senses

it

inefiaceable.

that
the

in

years

woods

of

that

family as

covering

she

"

had

who

of

Norwich,

family

the

history

the

its

lady

always

his

if there

as

heroine
with

forth

listened

Home

met

that

in

it related

her

this

land
Eng;

and

authenticated,

black

on

his
was

to

still existed,
the

worn

delusion

mark

well

was

the

vow,

had

which

to

Sir

presented himself

vision

after he

noble

first should

died

spirit stretched

the

portrait of

of

event

of his ballads.

one

hers, leaving there

on

of

of

the

the

Many

member

assured

and

the

in

legend

which

on

The

mutually agreed that,

treated

was

it furnished

that

one

this

^Edwin

"

history

pursuance
of his death,

days

On

read.

In

She

laid

and

hand

was

few

told

this, the

survivor.

mistress.

of her

had

^846

the

him, it

other.

just

with
am

interested

^^

had

he

of them

either

the

groundwork

lover

her

the

the

and

to

appear

that

and

with

Scott

that
to

associated

family;

English
A

is

to

book

when

April 1845

in

was

ghost story

Walter

in

; and

communicated

be

it

"

of

great readers

anything
to

AMERICA.

AND

known

ribbon," from

wrist, to conceal

mark.

the

told, the

selves
boys set themalso
the
discuss
to
it, and
possibility of such
they had
apparitions of departed spiritsto those whom
of their
With
the
earth.
loved
romance
on
age, they
themselves
bind
ended
by the same
by agreeing to
mise
proin the legend had
lovers
taken
that the two
; and
Edwin's

When

story

on
exchanged vows
devise.
they could
He
live at Troy.

the

month

the
A
was

of June

was

two

spot, in the

most

few

weeks

later, Home

then

about

solemn

thirteen

following, he

had

manner

went

to

of age.

years
been

spending
the evening at a friend's
house, and
on
returning
that
she
found
had
of his aunt,
to that
already retired
for being late, her
to
rest.
Fearing to be scolded
her
follow
It was
to
example.
a
nephew hastened
night, and the moon,
shining through
lovely summer's
In

the

curtainless

window

of

his

room,

rendered

candle

AND

LIFE

at the
; but
unnecessary
his prayers,
finished
was

looked

Home

Startled

described

in the

beheld

light

he

that

vision

her

phenomenon,

chapter of his
the year
1863 by

has

Incidents

"

opening

Life," published in

My

the

by

boy, having

bed,

into

slipping

and

up,

the

when

moment

suddenly darkened.

was

HOME.

OF

MISSION

Messrs.

in

man:
Long-

"

"

about

was

sudden

darkness

inasmuch

up

seemed

there
it

had

the

seen

has

room

of

which

those

to

in
it

others

many

He

raising the
circles

of

in

and

arm,

the

room

not

move,

the

power

right

day

such

1850.

year

Norwich

and

settled

their

relatives

in

with

in

her

said

"

or

to

and

And

then, slowly

and

him

in

received,
short

very

were

"

that

Your
a

she

when

Home,

would

leave

him

Mary,"

vision, holding four

to

other, till the

will
you
four
lilies
told

ofif,

followed

had

Mrs.

to

miles

little sister

them

come

signified
*

me

to

months.'

me.'
years,
"

her

fallen,

had

one

she
lilies

slip through

last

the

returned

who

day

in

was

twelve

some

ing
announc-

illness.

had

aunt

mother,

allowing

she

first words

befell Home

then

the

my

was

One

"

me

and

days,

that

told

after the
*

letter

time, his
Waterford,

time.

hand;

vision

son,

came

whether

weeks,

mortal.

than

days ago.'

America.

to

"

on,

her

more

of my
bed,
of brightness,

"

after

father

his

her

fingers one
she

at

months'

four

went

cloud

sweetness,

when

this

By

were

alone

in

as

foot

the

to

ineffable

room,

three

of Edwin

second

The

died

my

afterwards

two

or

to

he

"

death

the

seen

This

he

arm,

ill,came

was

Edwin

seen

of

since

pointed upward ; and making with it three

the air, the hand
the
began slowly to disappear. Then
melted
natural
The
finallythe whole
body,
light
away.
then
could
I was
was
again apparent.
speechless,and
As
as
soon
though I retained all my reasoning faculties.
I rang
of movement
the
restored
was
bell,and the family,

thinking
have

me

on

smile

have

; but

by spiritualpi^sence.

drawn
attentioiji was
my
; and
friend Edwin.
stood my
where
He
appeared
illuminating his face with a distinctness
with

describe

cannot

light increased

looked

darkness

the

through
I

of the

side

other

the

on

light,which
and

surprised me,
sky; and on looking

the

was

illuminated

been

when

"

writes,

This

room.

dense, until

more

gleam

the

but

he

me,"

over

cloud

shining,

still grew
be

to

similar

was

when

not

sheet

pervade

to

still

moon

which

darkness,

the

seemed

as

the

saw

draw

to

asked

months,

SCOTLAND

The

of

death

of

saddest

little

Mary

circumstances.

few

hours, leaving the

she

had

while

to

the

on

from

drew
In

fourth

the

called

instead

at

found

him

o'clock, because

her

said,

I have

"

seen

most

persons

place, thought

her

nephew

child," she
a

fevered
It

said,

that
near

her

are

you

illness.
her

confined

hurrying

she

would

have

delirious.

at

told

is the

tion
affecheard
his

to

tion.
agitatwelve
so."

me

in

done
"

this

ill,and

and

to-day

her, and

Her
could

son

himself

died

this; and

he

of his

her

Nonsense,
effect

of

mother.
more

in

which

to

his

aunt,

he

had

Scotland,

of her

one

to

her

son

died

family
four

fate.

her

and

body

had

Home

predicted

constant

was

displeasure of
of

had

be

more

of the

exercises

she

would

loss

the

o'clock, without

as

before

Mrs.

reality.

sad

twelve

themselves

Kirk

"

be

to

even

"

After

the

serious

on

and

brain."

proved
day at

months

they

and

was

received

return,

receipt ;

mother

as

aunt,

Home

distance;

was

bank,

child.

greatest distress

in the

he

"Auntie,"

the

adopted parents by an
same
evening, his aunt

lungs. The
boy callingloudly for

sickroom,

its

loose

of his

house

of the

His

her

father, for he

his

at

persons
expecting her

and

some

vision, Mrs.

some

on

be

of her

body

house

down

ran

for

returning,

the
to

She

after her

once

On

near

the

out

went

seemed

the

water

place under

home.

at

what

month

started

accompany
bed
in the

the

mother

telegram announcing

husband

to

The

stream.

to visit
away
her family were

when

not

the

the

taken

stream

bridge, saw

had

child

small

floatingin

clothes
and

cross

AMERICA,

AND

Home's

pied
thoughts occulife
with
the
beyond
attending the religious
Much
he
to
belonged.

who

was

joined

the

of the

member

Wesleyan

munion
com-

so
tent
persisopposition to this step was
and
violent, that her nephew
finallycompromised
for the
matters
by leaving the Wesleyans
Congregaless dislike.
she regarded with
tionalists, whom
One
loud
three
night, on
going to bed, he heard

blows

but

struck

her

at

the

head

of the

bedstead.

Thinking

LIFE

AND

OF

MISSION

hidden

there

HOME.

trying to frighten him,

While
he
he
and
searched, but found
rose
nobody.
he was
that
could
still hardly realise
actually the only
the three
blows
in the room,
sounded
again in
person
the same
they
place ; and then, after a moment's
pause,
The
listener
time.
came
a third
spent a sleeplessnight
some

was

one

in

himself
earth

that

In

the

who

aunt,

lecture

She

was

Her

were

heard

the

to

aunt

two

"

had

astonished

her

was

startled

as

on

presence,
It was

fallen

her

of the
the

and

prayer-

you

One.

considered

her

hours

having, as
angels unawares
to

she

drive

to

believed

heard

nephew
she

be

to

could

the

in

get
one

afternoon

the

visitors

same

in her

fancied, entertained
but

heard

had

put the

now

my

Rochester

at

and

She

before

to

devil

him

aunt

neighbours,
sounds

the

brought

Home's

Evil

not

marvel

the

have

"

knockings

strange

some

taking steps

began

of

of

shock

more

his

So," she exclaimed,

one.

earlier, the

some

works

be

construction

the

by

herself, could

as

"

public attention.

from

them

own

pale

demand.

interpretation of

no

found

soon

years

attracted

to

of

account

him
from
in horror,
away
have
too, have
you ? and
you

About

them

noticed

were

in you
"
house
!

of

by

more

breakfast

to

of

the

almost

if he

furnish, his

had

no

to

seated.

were

is this ?

; but

drawing

looks

tired

down

repeating
something not

down

came

attended

nephew,

answer

he

his

them

two

What

"

strange sounds

in

evening before, and began

of religious excitement.
the
evil results
on
interrupted by a volley of raps on the table at

the

which

was

had

he

meeting

phenomenon

and

set

and

recurrence

morning

fatigued ;

and

their

the

the

; but

him.

for

watching

and

from

her

sessed.
posover
or

she

house.

village of Greeneville, a Congregationalist, a Baptist, and

a
Wesleyan.
the
for
her
moment
Forgetting
prejudices against one
There

and

the

other

requested
three

were

three

were

their

pastors in the

persuasion,
advice

perfectlyof

and
her

she

sent

for

all

Two

ministrations.

opinion

as

three,

to

the

of
source

and
the

of

SCOTLAND

AND

the

and
phenomena;
proceeded to question
It is Satan

"

done
to
you
BUs catechumen

kindly

if this

and
In

not

could

forth

Whilst

"*

we

while

Baptist,

the

thus
his

on

let

"

and

our

were

frightened,"

be

he

of Satan, it is your

"

gentle taps

came

work

;
prayers
supplication in which

up

What

"

began.

said

tune
misfor-

fault."

your

by

Baptist,

out of
only protest that it was
explanation of the mysterious
agitation,the Congregationalist

is the

case," said

any

the

"

"

"

two,

you," he
possesses
bring him to you ?

give any
seeing his
Don't
interposed.

minister

him

these

Home.

to
power
sounds
; and

"

of

one

who

have

his

AMERICA,

he

chair

and

Home

prayer," writes
in

seek

to drive

proceeded

desired

in

engaged

he

us

difiPerent

oflFer

to

join.

to

Home,

**

parts of the

there

room

expression of a wish for God's

fellow-creatures,there were
our

to be
loving mercy
shown
loud
rappings as if
heartfelt
and
struck
I was
so
so
joining ia our
impressed
prayers.
and
resolved
that
there
I
to place
then, upon
knees,
by this,
my
myself entirely at Qod's disposal, and to follow the leadings of that
felt must
which
I then
be only good and
it
true, else why should
I
its
those
of
have
the
This
at
joy
signified
special portions
prayer
in fact, the
had
life; and I have
never
turning-point of my
was,
for
instant
I
have
to
determination, though
cause
one
regret
my
suffer
called on
for many
been
to
deeply in carrying it out."
years
at

every
and
to us

of
result
their
by the
the three
The
ministers
departed.
tionalist
CongregaoflFered no
opinion as to the origin of the phenomena;
this
why
see
saying only that he did not
should
member
of his flock
be
persecuted for

Astonished
prayers,

young
what

he

Baptist
"

was
a

bewildered
to

call forth

and

unable
Mr.

perplexed

either

Mussey
the
thought
by
the

"

to

prevent or
his head,
shook
that

his

sounds, instead

of

prayers

The

cause.

but

was

had

seemed

silencing them,

so

that

remained
only the Methodist
firm
wonders
in his
declaring that these
the work
of Satan, and
Cook
telling Mrs. McNeill
were
He
lost sheep.
that her nephew
so
was
a
was
kind,"
unhe

had

little to

say ; and
first belief,

"

from

says
him."

Home

simply,

"

that

derived

no

comfort

that

From

MISSION

the

rappings

the

with
familiarity

but

the

with

terror

After

them.

table

moving

it, the

aunt

the

table

that

will

eflFect in diminishing

no

of

aunt

Home

began

On

agency.
the
across

frequently ;

heard

furniture

the

visible

was

the

HOME.

were

had

sounds

which

time

without

about
a

day

OF

AND

LIFE

be

to

moved
when

occasion,

one

with

room

regarded

one

no

near

family Bible, and placed it

triumphant exclamation, "There!

for the

ran

the

with
drive

the

writes

!
away
the table

devils
"

Home,

"

her

To

"

only

on

ment,"
astonishin

moved

more

livelymanner."
As

yet,

ascertain

no

one

seems

whether

the

The

intelligence.
made

was

who

widow

him.

One

first

lived

letters indicated

and

in

this

of

house,"

of

who

the

soothe

Among

them

had

relative,

that

way

did

of her

were

ceived,
re-

Mrs.

aunt."

my

whose

in

Force,

message

presence

mothfer

was

thirty years

before,

with
her husband
West
gone
heard
been
and
had
since
not

The

of

town

sister

name

lived

to

A
spelt out by the raps.
followed, reproaching her with
ten
having forgot-

name

tend

not

religious susceptibilities of
a

down

questions put.
heard
had
by this time
They took to besieging the

"

"in

came

over.

to

Greeneville

Home,

adopted

called

was

by

Home's,

second

this

alphabet

of

the

by

occurring.

was

says
the

the

the

replies obtained

people

what

relation

with

to

direction

written
were
raps
intelligentcommunications

way

and

this

in

aunt

trying

controlled

were

of another

and

heard,

were

heard

while

of

thought

experiment

near

evening,

raps
The

The

sounds

house

the

at

have

to

who

the

added;

was

writing there,
reply.
It has

had

been

and

she

objected ad
that

wall.

ridiculous

Why
opinions of

with

many,

us

by

it may

that

naicseam

disembodied

from

made

Contrary
be

her

but

on

sister

in

it is ridiculous

spirit would

sounds

Force

Mrs.

astonished

letter

of.

long-lost relative

this

the

on

received

suppose
communicate

to

where

some

seek
table

to
or

preconceived
then, those
opinions
to

the

LIFE

lo

dealt

had

AND

him

to

out

MISSION

Home's

not

forgive

to

passed

was

died
"

American

the

by

made

to

him, which

gift was
already laid

had

the

would

he

in

by reading

be

rule

to

mysterious
in, and

trafficked
which

take

never

were

money
felt that his

He
to

thing

down

life, that

all his

She

offers of

; and

refused.

he

not

aunt

for her.

her

to

of his

age

bought

caused

intruders

curious

he

her

only

report of his death.

Willimantic, he was
constantly

at

was

generous

false

papers

Home

beset

shock

the

old

the

that

and

sweet

remembered

He

and

years

cottage

1876, of

in

While

in

too

was

forget.

and

of former

kindness

"

impulse of perverted
excited
ment
abiding resent-

have

temper

HOME.

the

under

religiousfeelings would
; but

OF

he

adhered

for

payment

stance.

against his
ordinary phenomena

will,

Much

went

Lebanon.

to

in
old

Life,"

My

"

he

There,"
was

short

cut

few

Home's

in

received

his

of

family

in the

and

dents
Inci-

**

an

This

are

suffer

to

than

expose
for the

consideration
him

to

refrain

friend

ridicule

to

feelingsof others
availing himself of

from

when

granted, especially in the

rule, its own
as
a
generosity was,

His
cry

for

more

had

witnesses
of

friends

of

Home

World,

together

him, enable
the

**

witnesses

publication of

results

The

of

names

the

on
press
of those

"

"

himself, rather

in

the

visit

Incidents
given in the
others
made
delicacy towards
the
from
misconception of the

names

chivalrous

prefer

from

his

vmtes

tributed
con-

resident."

Very

led

"

was

Shrinking

newspaper.
him, he
on

forced

publicity thus

extra-

some

at Willimantic

witnessed

local

the

to

of

account

an

Mr.

me

the

the

to

Incidents,"

personal testimony

the

supply
and
of

both

the

Old

in

of the

various

ladies.
When

raised

by
very

the

few

opinions.
made

to

the

and

the
New

preserved by

correspondence
most

sion
permis-

reward.

applications
in

the

of

of their

world

sometimes

Incidents,"

courage

numerous

with

"

him

abuse.

or

case

was

for

omitted

names

cases

to

add

investigators concerning

the

their

SCOTLAND

In

experiences.

I shall be
way
attested
facts.

of

the

contain

to
and

AMERICA.

this

record

pages
will
be

AND

of

record

varied

incident

the

spring

able

only difficulty

life

fall of

so

of

limits

the

these

to render

My

within

ii

derful
won-

single

volume.
It

in

was

health

His
the

trying

the

intensified
and

the

than

healthy
for the

change

of

some

of

symptoms
better.

became
him
Mr.

that

conscious,

during

the

Crookes

force

is

it in

Home's

health
had

their

entreaties

already
"Were'

at

I in

element,"

and

again

nature

for

the

meant

if you
1852,
You
a
day.
"

should

of the

one

continued

to

long

force

was

sittings.

discordant
very
in March
to him
sit in

to

with

comply

previous

Ely family

very

unselfish

his

vital

his

be

vital

on

injury of
majority of his

Him

led

drain

and

from

ebb

soon

serious

the

stances, when

Springfield,I

writes

Home

force

the

health

again

lowest

stances

passed from
phenomena;
or, as
evolution
of psychic

little consideration

very

good

which
or

power
of the

for that

but

Ely family

holding

1871, "The
by a corresponding

force."

of

considerate

the

years,

from

quiet
wrought a

some

accompanied
stances
Repeated

friends

fact

occurrence

put

later

and

had

but

life

country

visitor

discouraged
young
It
too
was
firequently.

state, and

just passed

unselfish

of

their

had

hood.
neighbour-

delicate

he

More

friends

his

the

lung disease;

of

influences

the guest of

in

most

which

through

scenes

farm

left Wil-

Home

became

in

was

that

he

had

Ely, who

named

family

185

where

for Lebanon,

limantic

of

six

circles

invariably pay the penalty" fainting"

do so, and
'?"
No
when
not
why can
say
you
you
in 185 1, the first of many
Near
remarkable
Lebanon,
the
of Home,
cures
was
wrought through the agency
facts
The
of this
life saved
being that of a Mrs. Bill.
*

case

are

recorded

being given.
In June,
1851,
him

visit

Jersey.

of

While

Mr.

in

Home
W.

the

"

accepted

the

invitation

Boonton,
living
had
frequent visions

Green,

there, he

without

Incidents,"

at

names

to

pay
New
and

LIFE

12

which

at

trances,

AND

MISSION

OF

beheld

he

times

HOME.

perfect strangers

who
were
persons
many
with
described
them

such

him,

to

that

accuracy

of

friends

lost

the

and

they

were

immediately recognised.
Boonton,

From
1

85

1, went

on

(then

now)

and

this visit he

met

theologian

and

Mr.

to

J. W.

of

middle

Brooklyn, New
Professor
George Bush,

York.

Oriental

Bush,

scholar.
view

had

Mr.

dent
resi-

During
distinguished
had

who

the

in

orders

taking

to

July,

Carrington,

of

with

educated

been

visit

the

about

Home,

design in
of the change wrought in his views
by an
consequence
of Swedenborg,
took deep
acquaintance with the works
connected
with
in observing the
interest
phenomena
The

Home.
a

nature

to

as

of their

had

Home

he

condition

Professor

of

saw

his

friend

Bush

"Tlie

passed

who

one

had

and

that

from

spirit,"writes

had

had

The

on

this

schoolfellow

the

been

In

trance.

Professor

the

he

into

before.

forty years

strange dream

they proceeded
earth.
I will give

character.

given through Home,

of

of such

were

that

assured

evening fallen

one

received

passed from

had

who

instance

an

he

him

render

the

abandoned

communications

friends

from

but

Church,

Episcopal

was

the

was

name

reminded
very

night

earth.

Home,

"now

told

through me
that, whilst
they

the

whole

of

dream, which
was
were
playing
his
from
schoolfellow
and
taken
him,
saw
suddenly
together,
his voice
for ever.*
heard
not
saying, *I leave you, Greorge, but
dream
of forty years
his
A
thus
to
was
previously
brance.
remembrought
I^ofessor was
The
this that
so
strongly impressed with
reside with
him
he called
next
to have
me
on
me
day, and wished
of studying for the
for the
I
ministry.
Swedenborgian
purpose
of
house
with
within
his
the
intention
but
to
went
so
fortydoing ;
I saw
in my
waking state the spirit of my mother, who
eight hours
'
said to me,
not
offer, as your
My son, you must
accept this kind
is a more
extended
than
mission
one
pulpit preaching.' On seeing
of this spiritmessage.
the good Professor, I told him
He
expressed
but
I
C
retiumed
friend
Mr.
to
so
no
surprise
regret,
;
my
with
him
till the end of August.
I
(Carrington), and remained

the

Professor's
he

"

"

frequently afterwards
kindly

intercourse

was

saw

Professor

interchanged."

Bush,

with

whom

the

most

SCOTLAND

Home

Brooklyn,

From

of

youngest

his

boy
1 85

1, Ezra

fell ill.

the

illness

appeared

that

forewarned

three

weeks.

them

vision

within

gone
of his

illness

happily.

and

"

the

that

doctor

him

asked

long been
composed ; and

so

what

I would

that

the

doctor

suppose
I have

now

came

if I

had

into
not

ever3rthing to
it.'

few

argued

He

the

make

life

with

1852,
w^re

then

he

this

deacon

the

residents,

Mr.

Rufus

Elys, took

no

account

hand,

yet

boy, tTjing
the

door

to

the

does

doctor

dear

My

'

it

boy,

You

willing

church

till the

imagine

The

to

have

leave

him.

visited
his

away

sKghtestsuccess."

Lebanon

him

told

he

be.'

so

take

to

hear

laughingly said,

said,

are

seeing

and

bed, and

believed

you

of

the

He

are

him

informed

this, from

Little

have

and

"

happy

of

end

January,

Springfield,Massachusetts,

to

went

became

his

his

not

happy,

at

to

him.

bearers

taking

without

remained

at

going.

my

stand

went

am

doubted

for

could

dying

the

who

and

this,

to

news

that

room,

after

then

him, when
He

him

some

me

heard

hours

and

decided

Eellef^butfortunately
Home

I desired

tell

already

it to

of it.

aware

say to Ezra.
had left

it is to

break

to

me

had

Ezra

that

be

day

tranquiUy

alarm,

no

had

would

nineteenth

earth"

September,

under

Home

remained
with
Home,
extraordinary composure," records
throughout. I had told the family of my vision, which prepared
for the coming
About
two
change.
days before his leaving

him

the

On

In

were

but

friend

The

Ely family, was

His

**

family

his

Lebanon.

Ezra.

named

slight ;

so

13

to

there, the

age,
The

him

passed from

Ezra

us,

own

AMERICA.

returned

friends

his

of about

AND

guest of
Elmer.

of the

one

The

of the

drain

best

Elmers,
the

on

known

unlike

vital

the

force

of

during stances.
They threw
open
house
all
and
him
their
to
to sit morninquirers,
urged
and
in
Incidents
in My
night. A passage
ing, noon,
indicates
the
Life"
of
exhausting and hurtful nature
Home's
surroundings at Springfield :
them
I stayed with
(Mr. and Mrs. Elmer) for
Home

that

went

on

"

"

"

"

time," he

some

by

the

who

six

by

to

or

was
seven

"

given by

accounts

came

power

writes,
the

see

very
times

visitors, and

"

and

great interest

the

very

manifestations.

often

day.

The
.

outside

Whilst

house

in

the

witnesses

numerous

frequently I

strong, and

street

excited

was

here

had
was

the

stances

besieged

there

was

LIFE

14

concourse

distance,

of

anxious

even

from

having

America,

the

extreme

the

accounts

of Harvard,

from

came

and

west

given of

of

south

the

in

me

by Professor
and

other

two

as

American

Wells
persons.
to the

of

poet,
the

versity
Uni-

They were,
reality of the

their

extended
investigations,which
several
Home,
were
over
as
sittingswith
searching as
determined
render
them.
strained
Conincredulity could
a
at length to
yield to the testimony of their
Messrs.
Bryant, Wells, and their coadjutors had
senses,
that
to
not
own
they had witnessed
only the candour
which
have
could
been
not
produced by
phenomena
state
to
trickery, but the fairness
so
publicly. Their
imitated
with
been
conduct
might have
advantage by
Mr.
Lord
other
quent
subseRuskin, and
Brougham,
many
lips timidity set a seal.
investigators,on whose
The
narrative
published by Bryant and his friends
itself to the phenomena
restricted
witnessed
at a single
with
the most
stance
I append
remarkable.
Home,
it,
I reserve
the exception of a passage
with
for another
I shall have
occasion
to cite instances
chapter, in which
this passage
of the particularphenomenon
attests
:
and

phenomena;

'

People

celebrated

the

all,thorough sceptics

and

HOME.

previous year.*'

them
came
Among
Bryant, accompanied

one

OF

inquirers.

seen

of the

newspapers

MISSION

AND

"

of justice to the parties referred

undersigned, from a sense
of the following
to, very cordially bear testimony to the occurrence
which
witnessed
the
house
of
Rufus
at
we
Elmer,
severally
facts,
in Springfield :
table
in every
moved
The
was
possible direction, and with great
could not
of motion.
we
force, when
perceive any cause
forced
of us so powerfully as
It (the table)was
against each one
from
to move
us
our
positions together with the chairs we
pied
occu"

The

"

**

"

"

in all several

"

''

Mr.

to

exert

feet.

their

took

strength

exercised

power,

their

Edwards

Mr.

in

hold

the

to

best

of

the

table

advantage,

opposite direction,

an

in

to

such

but
be

found

quite
'

efforts.

utmost

...

''Mr.

Wells

time

legs, and
no

to

invisible

equal
some

and

as

manner

the

Wells

other

with

on

great violence, and

remained
person

himself

seated

was

in

this

the

with

length

at

position

in contact

table, which

for
it

some

it

was

rocked

poised itself on
thirty seconds,

for
two

when

SCOTLAND

Three

'*

"Occasionally
powerful shock,
the

by

causing
**

In

which

time, and

thus

same

made

distant

we

there

which
In

"

was

that

urged

almost

his

tions
posi-

far
we

that

and

like

the

motion

us

room

diversified

more

constrained
of

of the
Mr.

than

the

admit

to

intelligence

some

circle.

D.

D.

feet.

Home

frequently

these

"Wm.
K.

the

on

John

D.

other

persons.

One

Lord,

evening

Brittan,

of

in

the

stance,

the

Wells."

the

at

nessed
wit-

were

house

of

declaration

Henry

from

Elmers'

1852,

Elmer,

visitor

at

was

February,

Rufus

A.

strikingphenomena

attested

and

Elmers,

the

of

28th

"

Edwards,

David

more

for

Bliss,

Wm.

still

and

Bryant,

B.

Similar, but

us

felt.

well

was

"

and

seen

During
occurrences
lighted, the lamp was
frequently placed on
under
the
afforded
table, and every
possible opportunity was
us
this one
admit
the
closest inspection, and
we
emphatic declaration
that ice tcere
We know
deceived.^
not imposed upon
nor
the

to

of

floor

far away
all of

both

were

were

independent

the

ordnance

manifestation

observe

of

objects,and

effects

was

of

occurrence

motion

firing of

the

constant

hands

the

inanimate

indicate,

be

least,to
conclusion, we
may
at

hold

assumed

seated, the table

it seemed

"

the

or

other

exhibition, which

an

seemed,

seated

thunder,

manner

of

vibratory

were

foregoing specificationwould
that

while

conscious

produced

which

whole

the

Edwards,

were

in such

tremble

to

15

Wells, Bliss, and

table, chairs, and

the

AMERICA.

directions.

we

in

apartment

occasioned

the

at

various

in

moved

was

Messrs.

persons,
the table

on

AND

New

signed by
Foulds, and
eight
York,

residence.

S.

Mr.

There

was

B.
no

sitting talking to
their
conversation
each
other, when
was
interrupted
The
most
intimately
by a stdrtlingincident.
person
Mr.
Brittan, subsequently
concerned,
published the
memorable
of his
following account
experiences at
thought

party

were

Springfield:

"

While

spending a
Springfield,I became
''

Mr.

Home,

Mr.

and

conversation, when
Home
was
deeply
he

said,

'

Hannah

few

days at
acquainted

Mrs.

Elmer,

suddenly,
entranced.
Brittan

and
A

is hera'

Similarly

italicised

house

the

with
and
most

Mr.

was

in the

Bufus

Mr.

were
engaged
unexpectedly to

silence

surprised
original.

Elmer,

One

Home.

momentary
I

of

at

in
us

evening
general
all, Mr.

ensued, when
the

announce-

LIFE

ment

; for

days,

or

I had

not

MISSION

I remained

of her

assured

OF

HOME.

for many
indicated
thought of the person
I was
but
and we
parted for all time when
but
1
silent,
might
mentcdhj inquired how

even

perhaps months,

little child.

be

AND

actual

presence.

Immediately Mr. Home

began to exhibit signs of the deepest
fro in the apartto and
anguish. Bising from his seat, he walked
ment,
and exhibiting a wild and frantic
manner
wringing his hands
his forehead
and
expression. He groaned audibly, and often smote
""

and

incoherent

uttered

words

of prayer.
Ever
like the following :
.

gave
'

"

utterance

to

Oh, how

dark

down

Deep
the

pit!

roll

in

''

"

this

occurred

twelve

some

all that

in

Brittan,

that

or

I last

when

in

the

mournful

which

is
its

the

Elmer.

of

tenderest

the

doctrine

terrible

attempted

before

spirit.

Home.

Mr.

of

history
But

to

She

of

No

Hannah
the

me

scene

highly gifted

was

She

sensibilities.

came
be-

punishment ;
graphicallydepicted

endless

reality,so
describe,

to

present

was

all

in

its

me.

scarcely dimmed
years
to
thus re-enacted
assure
spirit has

That

the

existed.

the

circumstances

The
of

since

of

me

of

recollection

the

informed

the
me

actual
that

the

scene

of

presence

her

life

present

beautiful,and that the burning gulf,with

of men,
existed
and
horrible
only in the traditions
imagery,
brain."
fitful wanderings of her distracted

all

calm, peaceful, and

Home
his
or

other

to

turn

nineteen

now

was

friend
his

was

wrought

poor

as

medical

himself

for

that

the

reasoned,

Since

age.
the

of

suggestion
he

account

be

spoke

able
of

to

turn

guided him
his training

plan to Mr.
entirely disapproving
his

and

of

seeking

invariably

day when
extraordinary

profession. If
profession by the
who

beings

one

he

the

on

he

would
to

his
to

were

usual

in

ting
quit-

guest of

Some
wanderings.
at Springfield turned
through him

the

without

the

pecuniary
as

towards

He

of
years
had
been

his

began

study,

from

but

gift to

and

recoiled,

he

house,

aunt's

and

unconscious,

birth

the

'

Mrs.

have

was

My

the

from

them

Save

clouds
light! The
is whirling !
perhaps half an hour, I

was

aught

with

frightfulchasm

no

Home

ever

the

he

anon

head

painful significance.

her,

saw

have

details

Thirty

"

the

scene

and

believing in

from

insane

lasted

before

person

endowed

and

by nature,
and

peculiar and

of

one

Mr.

knew

region

What

There's

which

Mr.

fiery flood.

deepens

years

such

the

out.

spectator,

inexplicable to

clouds

see

way

exciting scene,

silent

a
was

darkness

the

me,

remained

was

no

...

During

person

see

and

"

dismal

What

far, far down,

upon

whole

expressions

cures

mind
train

of

course

surely,

he

account.

Mrs.

Elmer,

it, responded

who,

by

an

AND

LIFE

i8

the

into

went

of it.

from

Having

HOMK

OF

investigation originallythinking it
intending to make
pubUc my exposure

and

deception,

MISSION

researches

my
that

to

come

diflferent

known
obligation to make
the result is just as strong."
Hare
had
Professor
of
accepted the experiments
but
facts for
conclusive;
Faraday
as
meeting with
which
the
explanations of the English philosopher
I feel

conclusion,

would

not

he

account,

conclusively
results

of his

manifold

that

passed
and

experiments
demonstrated
of the

there

Another

York

American
Home

he

1852

deepest affection and

have
counsel
given me
he

attainments
of

phenomena

Dr.
have

his

was

the

kind

wife

all times

at

me

his

suitable
a

that

had

ever

and

From

eminently
requiring

was

The

acquaintance
ing
Gray, a leadGray," wrote

John

befriended

all circumstances.

under

present.

Home's

He

esteem.

and

exerted

was

published in a
editions.
Vary the
it
might, he found

Dr.

was

pected,
ex-

he

Mr.

**For
physician.
autobiography, '*I

his

in

in

he

as

at work
not
power
that
and
this power

beings present,
by intelligence.
inquirer who
sought

New

at

and

tvas

human

governed

sitters

experiments
through five
as

force

genious
in-

more

should,

no

the

apparatus

that

that

that

of

that

devise

to

Faraday's,

establish

but

during
volume

himself

set

than

apparatus
stance

the

character
as

calm,

and

gator
investi-

an

dispassionate

judgment."
Dr.
his
a

his

Gray encouraged
plan of entering on
of

chain

first

was

had

been

him

at

and

did

unforeseen

pressing

at

present

his

residence

not

stance

for
the

from

invitation

in

to

medical

following

New

out

study, but
time

advice.

-The

Dr.

cany

some

Hull, who

York,

the

Hudson.

Home

York

again

till the

on

New

see

of

course

circumstances

from

Home

prevented

friend

young

to

visit

accepted,
autumn

of

1853.
Dr.

had

Hull

offered

lived

Mr.

at

Home

Newburgh
a

on

considerable

the

Hudson.

remuneration

He
in

SCOTLAND

which

proposing the visit,

Home
informing him
would

never

visit

Home's

very
result

the

and

friends

new

to

entering on the
Home
accepted
visit

to

numerous

winter, he

he

visit

to

Hull

Dr.

in

should

had

of

course

of

naturally been

himself

place

held

project.

kindly-meant

his education

were

others

and

pay

their

in

ordinary study,

before

medical

in view.
training that he had
the
oflFer;but having made
promises
and
autumn
during that
persons
of it
obliged to defer availing himself

at Springspending a week
field,
illness,he went
prostrated by severe

was

Ward

Mr.

to

Hartford,

near

happy

and

1852, after

August,
where

on

be

paid

following year.

till the
In

was

that

was

he

through

go

should

united

neglected,

hands

he

been

never

suggestions of payment
were
interesting stances

They proposed that, as

somewhat

had

declined;

course,

if all

Newburgh
Some
dropped.
;

he

19

of

was,

that
that

be, but

to

there

AMERICA.

AND

Cheney

Connecticut,

of

South

of

one

Manchester,

the

eminent

most

of American

manufacturers.

numbered

soon

and

when
was

1869, Ward

left the

always
Cheney,

standing, visited
that

occurred

his

among

Home

members

him

Home's

somewhat

remarkable.

he

silk
and

dress

sound

talking

then

hall

his
to

see

of

their

of

no

the

in

at

rustlingof
He

one.

Cheneys

residence

attention.

Cheney

to Mr.

America

other

or

the

to

resembling

attracted

surprised

was

when

the

one

its

his

introduction

entered

Manchester,

States,

in

were

In
correspondents.
of seventeen
friend
a
years'
and
manifestations
England ;
Those
by Lord Dunraven.

recorded

were

family

Cheney

fastest friends

among
in

attending
As

The

few

looked

were

South

heavy

round,

minutes

later,

of the

sitting-rooms,
Home
again heard the rustling of the dress, and again
for
sought in vain for anything that might account
such

sound.

naturallyasked
to

make

been

very

much

His

host

him

the

of the

ill,and

his

one

noticed
reason

matter,
nervous

his
of it.

startled

Home,

look, and

unwilling

only replied that

system

was

he

probably

had
out

LIFE

20

of

AND

had

He

order.

MISSION

door

open

the

spoken

hardly

the

looking through

HOME.

OF

hall, he

the

into

when

words,

saw

clad

standing there a little,active-looking elderly lady,

of grey silk.
The
in a heavy dress
apparent mystery

explained

was

the

mind,
This
is that
said
,

"

Mr.

Home,

of flesh

than

other

elderly lady in
Mr.
Cheney

thoughts
of the

make

was

rustled,

not
at

What

haU.

the

of

of

dress

be

that

his
guest's
; and
response
from the subject by the entrance

no

of

the

family.

among
dinner.

them;

remark

about

He

lady of the
his surprise,

The
to

nor,

his

that

expected

him

he

; and

heard

voice

host

nothing

her, but

the

to

the

it could

singular reserve
naturally set
she might be.
who
leaving the dining-room, the dress

close

Oh,'^

"

distinctness

this

wondering
he

made

some

; and

As

the

"

sound.

the

"

members

silk was
grey
did she
appear

said

heard

slightest thought that

and
blood,
only the
silk rustling."
grey

diverted

were

other

would

the

not

his

thought passed through

asked, looking towards

who, from the life-like

he

figure,had

the

as

again rustled.
Cheney also

dress

time
?

and

was

visitor

again

say

very

*'

distinctly,
been
placed

beyond

to Mr.
message
he had
previously

stared
till
"

but

at

him

and

and

Mrs.

heard.

and

seen

each

at

repeated this
related
Cheney, and

other

in

"

hers,
Home
the

did

words,

visionary
not

as

aware

incon-ect

he

character
what

visitant

would

had

happen

what

for

not

of the

next

his

astonishment,

perfectlyrecognise,
heavy
been

texture

placed

answer.

moment

figure ;

hosts.

; and

Till

to

and

relationshipexisted
and

listeners

on

it's ridiculous."

as

know

not

His

mute

silence.
finallyMr. Cheney broke
The
we
style of dress," he said,
and
to the
even
peculiar colour
for this story of a coffin having
as
it is

have

Home

expression.

strange
what

should

coffin

mine."

above

Astonished

that

annoyed

am

what

He

he

heard

suspected
even

between
waited

happened

he

now

the
to
was

see

the
was

terious
mys-

what

that,

aoc

SCOTLAND

later, the

hour

self-same

the
"What

is

AND

voice

again

words.

This

AMERICA.

sounded

in his

Seth

had

repeated

the

message

right

no

uttering

ear,

however,

time,

more,

di

it added:
that

cut

to

tree

down."
Home

seemed

Cheney
said,
old

greatly perplexed.

homestead
who

claims
his

to

the

of the

rest

the

even

"I

were

spiritshould
could

and

the

much

the

am

now

the

were

will

for

for

to

troubled

had

it," answered

going

Mr.

spirit it purports
go together to the

be

from

the

time

that

the

impossible

It

night,
by

the

point-

writes
first

the

was

through
that

such

me

rated
libe-

matter.

occurrence."
his

to

him.

"

to

how

host

just

am

resumed

and

as
"

that, if it

you

be, it is sadly mistaken.

had

and

desired

we

you
do
to

cofl"n

another

place

to

for

As

room,"

family vault,

even

sented
con-

met

Cheney

to

have

the

my

demonstrate

to

yourself that,

would

view

earth.

on

itself with

occupy

matter

about

cut

not

again

went

he

nonsense."

sleep for thinking of the

known
morning he made

not

In

see

been

separated

party

Mr.

did

had
received
been
message
it correct, it astonished
me

untrue

an

We

would

it is sheer

message,

Seth

the

at

"feeling greatly depressed.

time

sorry
I

said

speak to you
fellingit had she

contradiction.

Home^

^*

all

we

again given,

was

message
blank

and
to

before

Just

and

last.

"Certainly,"

is very strange.
My brother
that
rather
tree
the
obstructed

one

first to

this

"

down

from

shall
so,

it

above

hers."
The

two

went

at

who
had
the care
person
desired
him
its owner

key
and

in

the

turning, said
Mr.
Cheney,

way,
the coffin
"

lock, the

I have

in

placed

the

I suppose

it's all

asked

first about

you

of

the

open
seemed

The

burying-ground.
vault
it.

As

for, and

sent

was

he

placed

the

something ;
By the
half-apologetic tone,
to recollect

"

there
"

of Mrs.

the

to

man

as

to

once

was

(the old lady

of

coffin

right, but
it.

just a

Mrs.

little

room

in the

grey

's

baby

above

silk),
there.

perhaps I ought to have

only did it yesterday."

LIFE

22

Mr.

true

turned

Cheney

Home

could

never

were

the

"

of

Shadows

and

the
gave
omitted

convince

Cheney,

Manchester

in

earth. Home

"

feel

hands

no

time,

have

fallen from

as

if I

raises

from

me

On

taking

floor."

leave

of

in

paying

this

time

visits

that

first

he

becoming

witnessed

the

strains

occasion
when

with

there

no

of

addition
music

instrument

was

that

commence

the

course

near,

of

on

slowly
chester,
Man-

year
It was

those

at
to

already
than

more

1852

tations
manifes-

The
to

head,

converts

heard

were

subsequently attested.
Early in the year 1853, Home
to

where

similar

aims

my

South

promised.

numerous.

were

injury.
my

the

have

I have

which

at

first

above

of

wrote,

the

serious

friends

Boston,

saw

first

the

should

power

had

give

;";'c*t^

in which

remainder

he

"

South

at

since

drawn

new

the

various

Spiritualism were
recorded,

his

passed

anxious

1852,

escaped

unseen

air occurred.

rooms

are

the

the

Home

were

perpendicularly;

up
rigid,and

grasping

were

care

departure from

though,

have

not

the

ran

died

and

me,

some

once

not,'

levitations," he

or

felt fear;

frequently become

but

for ever.'

in

lifted in the

generally lifted

am

Conn.,

that I shall

Cheneys

supporting

raised, I could

been

He

the

ceiling of

the

1877.

was

-/t^

elevations

never

his

communication

being

these

would

Shortly after

1876.

During

"

Home's

of Home

Lights

spirit

Think

piled on mine.
and
identity, once
of 1852,
host

chapter.
staying with

While
instance

be

to

received

future

in

"the

writes,
*

of my

Ward

in

he

presence.
delivered, 'that

you

"

his

in

Hartford,

her

of cofl"ns

it's all

"

utter.

incident

occurrence,

evening,"

now

pyramid

could

he

that

Cheney family.

known

message

look

It's all true, then

strange

its

the

naming

made

more

of

same

companion

"

Spiritualism," published

scene

"The

to

this

HOMK

OF

his

on

forget.
only words

related

Home

MISSION

AJND

during
phenomenon

one

stance

often

Newburgh
study proposed to him by
returned

to

SCOTLAND

AND

AMERICA.

23
f

Hull

and

beautiful

the

Hudson

and

his

and

Dr.

spot, which
and

summer

had

He

of the

French

"While

and

The

Institute

left it

that

emotions
One

"

the

spread

and

calls

and

quickened

was

awake.

I had

been
on

question
heard

joy
far

voice

as

too

for

pure

had

brighter home,

although
heard
'

I well

voice

her

with

was

reason

lives

and

lies

of

voice

world

as

ours,

do

who,
and

passing

the

was

earth,

on

protect

natural

and

the

with

bounded

while

over

so,

nearness

my

in

amazement,

heart

my

and

it

when

as

asking myself
to

who,

one

watch

to

would

that

that

active

first

not, Daniel

was

that

to

And,

me.

I had

time
She

tone.

near
; I am
you : the vision you are
of death, yet you
will not die.'
became
I felt as
''The
who
voice
lost; and
one

Fear

evening

an

the

that

as

when,

not

or

natural

so

for the

she

of

picture

to

of many
houses
farm-

little

change which
beyond, until,
then
and
in sleep. It appeared
earthly things, an inner perception

to

promised

knew

pretty

for hours

sat

pondering deeply on
the eternity that

asleep

distance

distinctness, remember

seemed

such

its

till at last

were

which

for

with

I have

eyes

vivid

recognised it

extraordinary

an

be traced

country,

prayer,

me,

I, with

acquirement'

thresholds.

death, and

whether

the

it in all its details.

endeavouring

relief in
wearied, I found
to me
that, as I closed my
was

the

and, under

had

"I

boarder,

eminence

could

there.

those

within

as

I remember
an

the

out

crossed

evening

world

on

and
lights,'

their

watching

highlands of
Point, the spring
laboriously spent.

classes

1863,

retired

view
of
a
commanding
lost
lay the city ; on the right the river was
the rocky hills surrounding West
Point ; on

; below

here

in
that

built

was

among
in expanse,

lay

; behind
dotted

miles

Home
vivid

so

this

the

commencing
languages.

was

German

wrote

is still

peculiar beauty
in its windings
the

Hull,

here,"

vision, which

the

attend

not

of Dr.

direction

"

the

did

In

tranquilly but
Theological Institute

were

he

there.

lies among
from West

far

not

entered

though

friends

other

about

said,
have

to

is that

struck

blind.

sunlight,
felt any
the
words
I

he

As

I would

so

dread

would
fain

of

cling even
clung

have

passing

away,

the

to

to

nor

last

material

at

existence

I doubted

that

for

is

noonday
of

memories

not

"

the

that

instant

an

1
f

of

presumptuous
disturb

my
in

guardian angel

; but

desiring knowledge,
life.

feared

the

very

had

memory

been

of

over-

which

for almost

was
might
momentary,
my
of
instantaneously came
rushing with a fearful rapidity memories
and
semblance
of
the
bore
the
realities,
thoughts
past; my
every
action
appeared as an eternity of existence.
During the whole time
which
stole over
I was
of a benumbing
and chilling sensation
aware
but
the
inactive
more
nervous
body;
system became, the
my
my
active
more
was
mind, till at length I felt as if I had fallen
my

future

This

but

of

brink

the

from

and

obscure,

my

feeling of terror,
I knew

and
"

whole

body

until

sensation

and

precipice;

one

as

more.

no

lain

I had

long

How

fell,all became
only kept alive by a
dizzy mass,
and
thought simultaneously ceased,

fearf al

some

HOME.

OF

MISSION

AND

LIFE

24

I know

thus

; but

not

I felt that

soon

was

given place
obscurity.
of
certitude
some
one
a
a
by
pleasurable feeling, accompanied
realised
I
Instinctively
dearly loved being near
yet invisible.
me,
of silver-toned
that beyond the
ocean
surrounding obscurity lay an
light.
with
the
I felt that
no
longer connected
thought and "action were
but
in a
that
spirit-body in every
earthly tenement,
they were
been
the
I knew
to have
to
mine, and
body which
respect similar
the
bed.
The
before
which
I now
me
on
saw
lying motionless
to be a silvery
forms
held
the two
together seemed
only link which
about

in

awaken

to

dense

most

had

Terror

to

...

"

light,which
to

proceeded fi-om the

waking thoughts, the

earlier

my

musical

more

link

uniting

I told

As

and

be

now

this

however,
instant, for this

an

this

Be

very

...

do

with

touch

not

for

Death

is but

could

you

not

be.

was

the

cause

; and

again

never

will

second

birth

natural

the

to

were

voice, only that

same
*

if it

As

response

it

was

birth,
should

enter

the

did

You

now
responding
cor-

the

body.
doubt,

to

wrong
of your
having suffered ;
evil on
of faith
of every
is the
source
your
will see
all ;
calm, for in a few moments
ua
you

want

very

earth.
but

said

respect
severed,

every

you,

for

even

before,

than
in

brain.

Be

us.

I must

the

guided by

remain

is

who

one

appointed

to

go

body.'
of
dream
that
I was
a
appeared to me
waking from
did
darkness
Never
but
of light,
to a sense
such
a
glorious light !
shed
This
in
such
earthly sun
beauty, soft in lova
strong
rays,
Tet
the
those
I saw
from
me.
heavenly light came
standing about
of
from
not
their
but
them
shed
a
on
light was
was
higher
creating,
beautiful
the
and
seemed
which
more
adorably
only
source,
purer
in the invisibility
of its holy love and
thus to shower
every
mercy
the
And
I was
bathed
of its creation.
creatures
blessing on
now
in light, and
I had
sorrowed.
about
One
those
for whom
me
were
"

you,
It now

near

your

"

I had

that
will

with

come

to
a

"

below

hovering

over

found

I
a

cottage

that

we

that

I had

had

not

the

least obstruction

same

the

might
inmates

watching

be

said

were
over

never

dense

not

feel

and

near,

only reply

could

spirit-body.
upward, until I saw

but

of

drew

then

I could
I

as

inmates,
were

'

it

that

that

my

said,

You

sible
impos-

was

nature

had

new

my

Soon

us.

inasmuch

wafted

was

earth

on

Daniel

me,

move,
over

power

known

never

the

had

them

met

the

drawn
never

in

earth,

life.

as

nearer,
seen

The

; and

walls

vision, far, far

and

I also

of

just

were

the

saw

the

cottage

structed
sight ; they were
only as if conmy
of
and
the
air, yet perfectly transparent ;
body
of every
article of furniture.
I perceived that
I saw
the
various
asleep ; and
spirits who were
sleepers.

to

LITE

26

from

effects of

the

life

unhealthy

he

records
alike

were

that

the

in

could

led ; and

again left

was

friends

I had

course.

knew

what

all that

On

his

recovering
time

some

the

with

by

of the

one

the

touched

the

felt to

Gardner,

of Boston.

will

which

bear

cannot

in

do

"

With

distinctlyfelt

us

the

soft, delicate, elastic, yet

be
described, but must
The
that

plain

view

the
on

of

hands
the

Dr.

added

reader,"

mind

in

were

of

Some

appreciated.

present

person
table."

to

festations
maniSpringfield,where
account
was
published
an

Gardner

spirit hand,
be

"

they

as

soon

as

at

Dr.

sensation.

powerful touch,
be

ftiture

my

"

more

of

to

as

us,

times
were
we
lighted,"he wrote,
many
less forcibly,
or
producing a peculiar and

indescribable

form

between

passed

then

been

of which

witnesses.

well

room

life I

generously offered

had

Elmers

occurred

body
saying

doing, and to allow

whom
I might please."
see
liberty of action, he stayed for

perfect libertyto

me

winter,"
and

the

who,

been

friends

my

decide

to

were,

friends

other

had

Boston,

in

intentions

my

my

myself

to

to

continuing

letters

many

had

mind

that

"

wrote

of

think

not

after

"I

him

to

study the whole

Incidents,"

disturbed.

all, and

to

fell ill.

he

repulsive. In January, 1854,

left to myself in solitude
and
so
"

HOMR

OF

MISSION

AND

top

every

of

the

of
of the
summer
spring and
passed much
stances
1854 in Boston, where
frequent and remarkable
took
of the apparition of a
place, the rare phenomenon
form
than
phantom
one
sion.
occamore
being observed
on
For part of the summer
he lived at Koxbury
; and
Home

as

his

health

gradually improving,

seemed

he

reverted,

in
his
his
one

obstacles
and
spite of former
disappointments, to
wish
of studying for a medical
diploma.
Among
and
subsequently, was
correspondents at this time
of the
most
preachers
distinguished of American

and

theologians,

Khode

Island, who,

residing
the

Dr.

home

at

Hartford,
of

the

M.

T.
in

Clark,

the

years
Connecticut.

Cheney

family,

now

and

1853
South
is not

of

Bishop
1854,

was

Manchester,

far distant

and

SCOTLAND

Clark

Dr.

was

with

The

determined

he

and

Hartford

to

and

house

own

of Mr.

visits

Home

its

following letter from

the

for itself

speak

to

of the various

to
on
neighbourhood
carry
patient and searching investigation
of that
As
to the results
inquiry,

phenomena.
leave

of the

himself

availed

27

views
Cheneys, in whose
been
wrought by their experiences
wonderftil
particularscommunicated
Dr. Clark
to inquire into the subject;

had

Home.

him

to

friend

revolution

AMERICA.

AND

Clark

Bishop

to

in

his

of

the

may
Home

"

'*

/tme

Habttobd,

2,

1854.

think

Mt

**

from

out

the

from

you

It is

"

above.

can

table, digging into French

One

**

law,

Persians

and

German.
.

you,
*
sit
not

excited

over

and

morning,
imagine

should

were

I would

"

been

have

if I

June

with

in

distant

more

glorious

can
looking
you
you.
Roxbury upon the distant sea, and then
heavens, to see who are looking down
upon
also imagine you
at your
squaring away

little chat

elevation

your

into

up

Daniel,

deab

I will have

that

'

be

but

of

twice

laws

of

You

anybody.
grasshopper

Hhe

now

and

Medes

the

for

week

late, and

the

as

is

burden.'
*'

Don't

allow
of

notions

yourself
people.

other

have

the

incalculable

conveying
the

in

of

case

existence;
before
**

of

state

to

bright
evening,

Every
regular chorus,
in

night
recorded

to the

lay
Home

down

of

people ;

of many

as

we

day

feel

that

their

law

Dan

were

two.

or

Those

advice
to

not

hold
act

in

living
give infinitelymore

thought

as

the

to

than

future.

yet.

Write

excellent

dark

are

you

me

as

in

our

parlour,

snug

here

'

only
My book is posted
tangible demonstrations
soon

as

you

We

can.

"

Thomas

could

rest.

happy yourself.

to

For

sit down

Oh, if

be

you
distrustful

one

sunshine

paper.

the

instrument

the

hearts

yoursy

The

settle

will

been

having

comfort

others.

chamber.

your
on

'

in

Manchester

and

right to
ought

have

Never

see

""

of

future

have
changed the whole
aspect of
you
that
have
made
dwelling-places light
were

never
again, you
dependence upon

will

You

the

the

"

assurance

have, then,

receive.

you

present

joy

that

have

the

to

as

some

you

; you

And

pleasant

think

opinions and
this is perhaps the
source
consciousness
of integrity :

sensitive

too

You

of your
greatest trouble.
sufELce
for the
let that
Toa

be

to

of

Dr.

at

most

upon.

Clark,
two

He

was

to

drive

that

to

up

as

say

we

intend

last
be

cannot

ately
affection-

Very
M.

that
stances

Clabk."

should

he
a

surrounded

week.

by

LIFE

-28

inquirers, who

eager

act

not

it.

upon

him, it

was

hard

"

have

feel

him

both

should

joy

and

life

his

and

men,

conditions

of

his

of which

no

himself.

divest

to

sorrow
was

largely predominate
few

again

"My

Daniel,

and

know

5th.
Sunday evening

When

you.
too

and

for

now

What
to

which

me

any
his

of

us

the

on

Newburyport
5th, by way of

find

in

only drop
hardly possible that

wonderful

which

scenes

recall

information

that

those

the

world,

any

who
when

Fourth

the

Please

upon

Wednesday,
this quiet
us
have

ever

can

incidents,

the

passed through

as

"

been

so

occupied

wonderful

with

not

more

too

were

scenes,

refers ?

Bishop

senses

on

we

have

we

on

Boston.

they occurred, they

be believed.
Do
that is,
you get anything new
in kind
from
what
have
we
experienced ? It is
in Boston
is going on
to be deprived of all that

the

the

home

at

you

25, 1854.

June

in

strong appetite for something

were

Harttord,

could

you

seems

I have

Brookl3m.

have

to

great

hard

It

be

to

shall

that

different

anything
rather

of those

appear

here

whether
I wish

How

more

I expect

"

shall return

me

the

any
with

Home

to

"

dear

let

sorrow

July,

to

the

writes

*'

of

other

than

joy.

Clark

later, Dr.

weeks

created

was

that

the

over

eflfort would

keenly

ordained

so

to

phenomenal

He

more

his

of trouble

source

one

should

he

in which

sensitiveness
a

condition, but

enabled

to

for that

of the

one

that

determined

were

As

HOMR

OF

justly discerned

correspondent
life

MISSION

AND

that
than
timid

Dr.

other
little

he
he
to

denies
did

give

spiritual"

it will

Clark

that

matters,

does
the
in
their

be
not

asked,
afford

evidence

1854,
names

but
to

impression made
by the phenomena
I will
fresh, are still more
was
unwilling now.
relate
life in
of Home's
briefly the remaining events
then
and
conclude
this chapter with
America,
an
tract
exthe
from
in my
possession
scanty information
Home
at Hartford.
concerning the stances
kept no
of those stances
of any others ; he left the pherecord
or
nomena
the
beholders
the
to speak to
beholders, and
the
to
to the
world, if they had
speak in their turn
Not
displayed that courage
; and
courage.
very many
with
manifestations, there
regard to the Hartford
are
the

SCOTLAND

few

left

now

tested

in

the

again they

health.
and

The

alarming
be

to

all

other

that

united

Dr.

in

that

declaring

his
to render
as
progress
danger, and in recommending,

That

struggle
I

"

have

thrown

be

family

My

for

with

me
as

had

it

so

had
had

York,

now

sulted,
con-

had

made

of

one

grave

hope of

best

longing
pro-

It

advice

sufficient

and

America.

those

in

writes,

no

States

wrote,

land.

of

rica
Ame-

friend

one

dered.
ten-

and

"

strange

would

who

residents

knew

him

cost

pressingly

so

all been

time

time, and

some

he

sole

stranger

his

lung

New

affection," he

every

this

by

the

the

the

were

of

malady

separated from

be

to

was

tended

follow

of

Europe.

to

quitted

to

left

whom

as

studies,

grown
studies

his

condition

was

Home

why

hard

to

life,a voyage

recommendation

reason

had

Gray
the

such

with

unusually bitter;

friends

medical

ago.
much

failure

the

previously,his

year
diseased.

eminent

his

and

saw

medical

was

year

pronounced

and

his

on

1855, the symptoms

thought of continuing

abandoned.

been

they

than

more

entered

winter

that

of what

interrupted by

were

January,

by

29.

thirtyyears
at New
York, going
classes, and
holding stances

poorer
had
again

He

AMERICA,

speak

to

presence
the
winter

spent

among
them.
and

earth

on

Home's

Home

AND

all

in

England.'*
His
verdict

them,

"

few

written

to

are

life, you

enjoy
such

at

in

the

as

always

pass

am

away

good

be

spared
degree of

circumstances."

he
my
Clark

known

to

and

press
I
sailed.

possession
:

"

tion,
Gray's examinapersuade myself that

But
us

oh,

I vnll

and

us

health,

many
as

be

it cannot

soon.

care

to

news

the

of Dr.

to

that, with

sure

may

from

Mrs.

1855 by

tried

in

as

soon

became

letter

result

difficultyexisted.

serious

of it.

early

grieved

am

for I had

you

physicians

from

words

Home

to

of the

advice

^ef

to

quote

in the

their deep
at the
express
them
parting visits before
pay

to

him

friends

many
and

quiet
years

many

not

no

that

think
of

course

yet, and
do

under

February and
paying farewell
it

thinking
earth.
one

In

the

unable

readers

these

Courant

Hartford

(March

the

"

D.'s

held

have

been

Courant

following introductory

the

narrative

on

1858), but

6,

to

"

meet

later a
years
stances
was
lished
pub-

"

appointed
last

at

West

Point

he

was

selected

number

friend
writes

these

as

of the

D.,"

that

of ladies

Point

from

their

the

cadets.

significantof

the

mental

address

writer."

indebted

was

for

well

"

introduction

an

to

with

'

'

determine

to

West

At

being
acquainted
scepticism
my
circle
should
sit in my
arranged that the
all suspicion of machinery
other
handed
underor
any
the
It was
also
at
outset.
might be removed

"

contrivance
me

member

to

matters,

house,

"

Examiners

parting

facts

whom

to

of

military school

national

(1857).

Board

the

culture

and

Home,"

of the

the

by

of War

Secretary

summer

these

mention

"The

the

"

deliver

to

calibre

by

of Examiners

of the Board

left for

of

both

he

Three

there.

one

in

and

Conn.,

"D."
only signs himself
editor
of
The
identify him.

was

own

stances

Home

"

The

upon

Hartford,

at

was

of

were

American
enable
some
Perhaps they may
D." to whom
to identifythe
they refer :
cation
gentleman who signs the subjoined communi-

remarks.

We

HOMK

writer

prefixed to

"

he

last

the

in
as

the

narrative

lengthy

1855

visits

March

OF

passed by
to his friends ; they and
last time
they should

March

was

two

or

MISSION

AND

LIFE

30

who

should

compose
it
whom

cirda

selected

was
gentlemen of
presumed that two,
from
the
admitted
Mr.
Home,
previous investigations with
reality
of these phenomena,
and
in the spiritualistic
inclined
to believe
were
The
solution.
both
the
the
remaining eight scouted
theory and
a

party

and

the

facts.
.

'^

could

of

youth

confronted

when
help compassionating Home
and
twenty, pale, emaciated,
suffering from
by such an array of mature, hard-headed

not

him, a
consumption,
saw

scoffers

at

his

pretensions."
The
"

stance,

lighted by

and
inches

the

party
in

heard, and

relates

length.
various

was

chandelier

gas
sat

"D.,"

at

The

large

oval

table

phenomena

held

with

four

table,

seven

in

room

feet
raps
which

eight

vibrated, loud
succeeded,

"

burners

were
"

D."

describes.

minutely
in

"

D/s

"

farthest

from
from

inches
reached
in

hand,

me

the

keys.

me,"

"D."

the

accordion

an

instrument

Home

"

31

was

if his

entire

feet

could

had

body

the

by

seven

writes, "and

played
end

eight
have

not

been

extended

direction."

my
"These

wooing,

in

appear

and
the

to

of

not

me,

attend

the

him

"hcd

so

peatedly
re-

respond to my
mony.
reject all testithis

of

me

credulity,
in-

alleged spiritualagency,

be
genuine, and cannot
but
hallucination,
explained by jugglery, collusion, deception, or
law of nature
of mind
be solved, if solved
at
must
all, by some
or
medium
but
I affirm this of no
other
as
Home,
yet undiscovered.
for
other
of
this
miracles
from
to
extract
art
professors
attempts
my
have
proved most
signal failures.
"

marvels

Home

spurns
business, and

in

of

chary
as

his

rare

favour

which

disabused

Home

Mr.

convinced

and
presence
inclined
to
was

my

them

regard
sitting with

One

that

to

in

that

"D.,"

continues

spiritual phenomena,"
refused

but

them,

Among
holding

he

even

AMERICA.

AND

SCOTLAND

to

inducement

every

are

his wonderful

invest

to

power

is rather
He
too
rapping as a trade.
engage
it
and
^ft,
only on urgent solicitation,
displays
he
those
to the
likes, or as a grace
psychological

in

inquirer.
"It

less

IB

his

his

of

account

hypotibesisthan
by

feet,while

"

Hume

"

writer

the

his

wrote

twenty

made

name

the

difference

that

sometimes

much

amused

Home

he

ears

it

had

Hume,

only
In

but

showed
Mr.

that

his

Hume

"

of

mode

wrote

and
or

to

some

for ever,

the

the

that
Home's

bearer

those

that

and

they
"

American

question
by announcing

Hume,

heard

occasion,

one

on

had

of

persons

Incidents

in

that
name

who

My

spelt

always
ancient
"

hence

very

He

its

with

and
was

oracular

newspaper
whether
the

that

met

never

him."

spelling it

others.

this

besides

the

retained

all

is

persons
Home

many

mistakenly adopted by
when,

spiritual

upon

name

name,

own

the

fastened

were

he

nating
termi-

accomplish

Courant.

Home,"

between

acquaintance
settle,once

by

"D.,"in

even

Home's

Hartford

the

could

suspicious eyes

mistake

adopt

to

Home

narrative.

"

"

s^nce,
that

this

in

declares

mind,"

my

pronunciation of

Scottish

were

the

believe

to

Throughout
"

to

preposterous

his

to
name
own

pronounce
spelt it Home
owner.

Life," published

LIFE

32

is

1863,

in

March
described

took

name

of the

not

published

L.

HOMK

(pp. 56-61) the narrative

place at Hartford, Connecticut,

within

1855,
by the

14,

OF

contained

that

stance

MISSION

AND

the

of

of the

days

Point

this

Incidents."

"

on

stance

"D."

The

narrative

was

was

Mr.

Frank

and

has

kindly

He

Hartford TimeSy

the

other

Examiner

furnished

who

witness

Burr, editor

West

in

few

of

the
in
attesting the facts narrated
further
Incidents," and
adding some
particulars to
the description there
given by him.
This
sdance
Hartford
of March
one
14, 1855, was
of the last
^held by Mr.
Home
^perhapsthe very last
I extract
in the States
before he sailed.
a
portion of
sent

me

letter

"

"

"

Mr.

Burr's

The

sitters

Burr, and

on

this

Mr.

Home

table-cloth

''The

the

narrative

of

appearance

in

the

on

up,
the

and

the

side

opposite to

moved

it, which

; but

closer

or

seemed

to

It

lamp.

side of the table

cloth, going first to one
It felt, through the cloth, like a hand

inspection, it

Mr.

Mrs.

"

imder

something

Incidents."

"

of

consisted

plainly lifted
full light of

was

and

medium,

occasion

the

in

published

as

and

under

about

then

the

presented
the

to

the

other.
.

evaporate

retaining it for a
dissolve^and was
rapidly
on

lost.''
forward
to get a
presently leaned
the room
across
object that was
moving untouched
the
the
table.
accidentallyextinguished
lamp on
Mr.

he

Burr

writes,

"

reflected

was

all of

upon

from

us

view

better
;
''

of

and, in doing
As

an

so,

good light,"

grate of glowing

coals

decided
to break
the
not
directly in front of the party, it was
circle to relight the lamp.
"While
of five or
six feet
sat
we
thus, a guitar, at a distance
the party, was
from
for
and
several
minutes,
exquisitely,
played upon
other
than
that
of any
The
by some
one
bodily present.
power
music
of a character
those
who
to
was
entirely new
listened, and
harmonious
than
was
sweeter, softer, and more
anything I have ever
heard.
that

Portions
seemed

to

of it
be

exquisitesweetness

filled with

were

the

echo

of

of which

other

there

certain

are

soft and
far

music

away,

words.

no

It

wild

melody

and

for

was

the

of that
,

"

'

Music

that

softer falls

Than
Or

Anon

it

the grass.
on
petals from blown
roses
between
walls
night dews on stiU waters
Of shadowy granite in a gleaming pass.'

changed,
melody, fillingthe

and
house

rose

to

with

'

full

orb

its sounds.

'

of
It

strong, tempestuous
was

heard

by

lady

in

AND

LIFE

34
the

Incidents,"

"

present.

one

It

warm.

afterwards

I felt it

triciUlymade,

at

minutely.
not
perfect;

in detail

relates

when

hand

it

and

shook

hands

with

tolerablywell and

was

and

it

soft

was

each

symme-

and

dightly

of

me

his.

grasped

Home

"Mr.

HOMK

April 6, 1887, Mr. Burr gives

particularsconcerning the stance, and
of the spirithe made
the examination

additional

some

OF

wbist."

the

his letter to

In

came

It

though

ended

MISSION

to

came

house

our

late

rather

the

in

of
house
at the
evening," he vmtes,
having been
Mr.
Courant^ all
Day, then the editor of the Hartford
the
into the
evening. I invited him
parlour for a
stance.
Nobody was
present but Mrs. Burr and myself
"

Home."

Mr.

and

Mr.

details

then

Burr

phenomena of the stance

thirty years before; and

the

his

description written
arriving at the point where

in

as
on

Incidents

"

the

"

the

concludes, he

given in
following

narrative

subjoins the

:
particulars
"

hand

The

"

to any

arm

with

But
this

time

it

without

Home

not

was

this

"

satisfied

I swung

arm

belonging

then

flesh
was

creases.

to

and

not

more

with

this

and

the

bone, hut

was

to

at

of

and

arm

Turning

dead

reach

me,

found

hand

the

for
up

nails,
finger-

perfecthuman

ended

up

no

than

examine

should

(All

was.

itself up
to me
and
back, shut

sense

arm

let it.

of strength.

it

the

testimony

hand

satisfied.

over

hand

not

chair

When

and

snow,

hand

my

move,

; let me
It

the concurrent

and

of

as

what

yielded

them

opened

white

see

in his

itself

; turned

I wanted

been

it

the

deal

good

to

not

Then
I would

forward.)

over

joints,the

but

hand,

with

far back

get away,

examination
my
its fingers and
the

mine.

did

too

was

not

from

get away,

bending

it could

shake.

firmly,resolved

Mr.

He

attached
marble, and not visibly
to my
hand, and shook hands

human

withdraw

to

I held

man.

out

hearty

it pulled to

Then

as

^reached

"

me;

sought

^white

"

the

sight

v^ist.

to

of other

prove

senses;

do^^Ti,where

the

liaise heeti^had
ivas

this

there.

it

Even

strange hand

ji

SCOTLAND

palm

towards

visibly,

finger

my
I

When

of

the

it,
would

putty

In
that

more^

words,

much

up,

hand.

mysterious

such

under

or

other

closed

place

close

inch

an

hand.

the

entirely

forefinger

out

cwme

through

clear

withdrew

of

piece

hack

the

35

right

my

it

till

palmy

from

pushed

IpusJied

me,

tlie

through

AMERICA.

AND

as

circumstances
"

visible

leaving
but

not
"

quick

While

being

as

looking

still

was

remarkable

above

headed

scar,

lightning-flash.

Burr,

or

the

where

wound

was,

hole.

The
Mr.

mark

in

1875,
"

It
stance

in

the

Strange

New
and

it

at

was

the

hand

gone
also

was

York

Sun;

Startling

vanished,

"

described
his

Story."

narrative

by

36

CHAPTER

11.

ENGLAND

ITALY.

AND

in England.
landed
"I
never
April, 1855, Home
he
writes
in
his
of
first volume
can
forget my feelings,"
I looked
around
and
Incidents,"
as
saw
only
me,
of
the
faces
on
fellow-passengers;
joy beaming
my
In

"

**

there

some

who

were

of

thought
brought the

the

and
them

I stood

about

were

friends

kind

of

smile

joy

their

waiting
their

on

alone, with

there

reach

to

not

home,

welcome

to

countenances.

friend

to

come
wel-

hopes
thought, for

and

one

...

broken

me,

fairest

the

strange

pity

on

as

of

as

sense

happy

as

of

joy

the

of
for

English
stances

gratify;

and

pass from
made
a

to

of

crowd

crept

come

happiest

me,

of the

in

and

other

few

when

chary

the

on

and

my

vouchsafe
I felt

moments
rose

in

very
against it.

to

lure

was

as

throng."

London

having courted
society attracted
were
pressed
among

In

me.

up

God

to

with

to

there

bear

to

me

prayed

over

I had

passengers,
until
me,

over

few

look

not

were

the

cheer

few

ever

earth.

being, devil-sent
others

for

of

that

I stood

heavy

presence

without

was

my

impostor.

cabin, and

hope

Home's
and

base

too

of

had
to

while

loneliness

my

deluded

amongst

seemed

ray

poor

utter

sought

one

all, as
I

then

destruction,

treating me
ship's deck
heart

youth

also, which

power

me

to

health, and

only prospect

this

sense

in

suffering,and

months'

souls

of

dreams

The

fled.

down

soon

it, he
to

upon
noted

him.
him

became
found
More
than

personages

known,
the

notice

requests
he
of the

could

day.

ENGLAND

Lord

Brougham

expressed

phenomena.
and
Brougham
bring with him
full

In
Home

AND

ITALY.]
desire

afternoon

An

scientific

daylight, these

appointed,
permission to

was

received

friend, Sir David

shrewd

two

Brewster.

inquirers
in Jermyn

the

proprietor of the hotel

he
was
staying being also present.
W.
excellent
Cox, a most
worthy and
till the
remained
speedily become, and
;

where
Mr.
had

fast friend

the

death,

the

on

they

witnessed

in

letter

of

minds

Home.

Mr.

the

Street

This

was

who

man,

day of
effect

The

his

duced
prowhat

investigators by
subsequently attested
by Mr. Cox
Morning Advertiser^ dated October

was

the

to

of

with

sat

two

1855.

15.

assert," he

"

Brougham
his

astonished

astonishment,

made

Sir David

what

at

that

assert

both

that

"

wrote,

were

felt.

and

David,

in

use

of

expression,

the

to

me

for

further

investigation."

the

bear

of which

course

so.

the

The

force

natural

by

Rymer
firet few

that

letter

the

and

way
so, Home

Mr.

at

second

received

lines

a
:

"

of
at

he

said

of

purpose

friend

and

Brewster,

in
in

and

stated

both

had

discernment

view

had

and

truly

that

keen

their

unable

been

the

to

accounting

to

commented

of

statements

their

to

naturally

published

was

begged

English experiences,

with

means,

Rymer
large practice; and
present

of

he

the

wrote

his

phenomena

presently found
before
they did
to

of

very
Sir D.

and

whole
the

America,

visit

he

Brougham

upon
them

*This

assert

that

for

Home

description

brought

sitting, and

engagement

every

stance, Mr.

the

of Lord

another

him

would

America

of

...

arrange
put off

After

saw,

fulness

the

Sir

philosophy of fiftyyears.*
much
interested
Brougham was
so

Lord

Lord

and

they heard,

upsets the

for

investigatethe

to

stance
and

requested

37

do

to

in

upon

American

press

into

English journals. Long

had

left

Ealing,
Ealing,

stance.

letter, of which

Jermyn

Street

solicitor

London
Sir
few
the

D.

on

Brewster

days

was

later

following

in

are

Mr.
the

LIFE

38
"

Sir,

Home,

anxious

to

have

it convenient

I should
those

to

Thursday
glad to

on

be

days.

two

make

obedient

decisive

still more
Sir David's

on
"

was

mind

what

**with
well

is

Edward

acquainted

"

influenced

in

told

with

whom

me,

that

the

from

what

him

to

tvere

physical
that

he

I
it

rially
mate-

I met

phenomena.

steps of the

Athenaeum

of

"c.

that

was

examine

to

got

we

spoke

; he

table-fuming,
earnestly, stating that the impression left

upon

produced

of Dunraven,

determining

reality of

the

subject

the

"

himself

the

of

either

the effect

to

Brewster

me

thoroughly into
him
one
day on

o'clock,

Buller."

late Earl

the

wrote

had

Eaton

record.

on

David

Sir

80

can

servant,

testimony

struck,"

so

he

Saturday next, at two

an
appointment for

or

"

If

him.

house, No.

my

powers
I am

friends

three

with

account

extraordinary

or

to

come

Your
.

very
of the

interview

an

remarkable

with

together

HOMK

OF

of

consequence
Brewster
Sir David

of Mr.

Square,

MISSION

In

"

given by

make

AND

most

his

on

mind

the

manifestations
quite inexplicablehy frauds or by any
had

laws

seen

with

they ought

was

which
be

to

fully

and

acquainted,

were

we

carefidly examined

and

into."

yet, the

As

to

from

the

assertion

belief

to

in the

the

first

strong

in

his

Advertiser

and

Sir David

all belief
the

in

that

At

at

Home

wrote

to

once

Spiritualism,and

phenomena
very
could
have
not

that

been

he

and

ment
bewilder-

show,

he

last,in September,
the

the

had

phUothe

as

to

fess
con-

witnessed

inexplicable by

were

reproduced

copied

frankness,

phenomena

verted
con-

and

Buller

Mr.

and
the

the

been
been

not

wonder

had

mind,

of Mr.

theory of fraud.

ing

feeling of

Dunraven

his friends
presence

had

David

Spiritualism had
press by the English

American

of Lord

words

Sir

in

with

sopher,

that

1855, the

American
that

to

had

set

momr

statements;

paper
down
assured

produced

the

to
to

disclaim

imposture

Lord

raven
Dun-

by trickery and

ENGLAND

inexplicable by

were
was

ITALY.

AND

acquainted.
lengthy correspondence followed.
second
he
letter,declared
that, had
A

look

under

the
the

expound

to

I assert,"

**

table, he

hindrance

no

existed

of

drapery

the

to

table

to

do

invited
Mr.

at

could

suspected of

be

So

requested

was

but
scientific

declined

Was

that

Mr.

in

to

I declare

Sir

the

that

David

of

very

Sir
; that
look
under
yourself, to

moved;

and

moving,

he

**

house

David

at

anism,
mech-

conducting
do

to

so

in view

of

in view

more

assumed

examine

Ealing,

the

Invited

the

while

he

avowed

that

he

he

in

of

in

the

by
the

under

lar^e

and

Home

Mr.

by

; tliat he did
much
table was

table

while

and

in

Hotel,

a
persons,
nary
extraordimost

looking,the

so

Cox's

at

other

about

looking,

sir,"ends

dear

and

and
was

was
saw

Home

urged, both

was

evening subsequent

an

on

Mr.

moved

cloth

that

not, my

or

"

while

I should

and

he

publication:

that

it ;

felt

testimony to facts, the wellTrollope, responded as follows,

heavy dining-tablewas

under

still

with

manner

look

of him

meeting
David, of myself,

Sir

quently
fre-

Sir David

afterwards

he

Yet

Brewster's

presence

and

for

at your

of

mode

and

T. A.

letter written

*'

author, Mr.

the

his

give

to

that

that

of concealed

absence

actually did

he

"

so

was

Street.

Jermyn

it honest

Ealing

at

Rymer

known

in

examine,

to

able

under

either

that

to

imposition.*'

curious

"

in

been

looking

supposing

David,

Street,

Jermyn

contrary, he
Home,
by Mr.

so

he

allowed

been

the

investigation.'

presence.
of his refusal

by

David

verifythe

to

its

fact

Sir

any
stance

for the

much

of

on

Home's

annoyed

Cox

Mr.

replied

Sir

might perhaps have

the phenomena.

of

riddle

which

with

laws

physical

any

39

the

table

was

movement.

Trollope, "

Mr.

do

all that

conclude

duty,

without

were
think, requires
me
case,
ing
stating very solemnly that, after very many
opportunitiesof witnessand
the
caused
phenomena
by, or happening to Mr.
investigating
I am
their origin,and
Home,
wholly convinced
that, be what
may
and
not
produced by any fraud, machinery,
nature, they are
cause,
his
illusion,
or
on
juggling,
trickery
part."

of

this

to

"

"

Sir David

soul,
to

as

Mr.

lose, and

of that, in his

ftdlyconvinced
Trollope, but he had
was

he

as

feared

ridicule

so,

scientific
after

secret

reputation

declaring

in

LIFE

40

could, and
character

of the

r^xhibition
which

Advertiser

Morning
I

*'

was

Mr.

Home

presence
David
Brewster
of

house

friend,

my

and

neighbour;
that

what

he

in
and

wrote

the

to

called

of

David,

saw

Sir

at

the

phenomena
accompanied

by

*was

marvellous

think

these

my

said,

David

Sir

conversation

Brougham

that

found

similar

Sir

upon

course

Lord

when

in the

heard

felt,and

saw,

of

witness

the

I
and

man;

anj

been
I

his

enjoy
conjurors."

Bayswater

what

at

as

had

the

assume

I would

West,

of

they

"

astonished

much

as

of

to

been

that

public

Home

of other

Coleman

have

not

in

Mr.

that

as

B.

Mr.

conld

of the

Wizard

much

as

Were

"

wrote,

HOME.

OF

declared

by jugglery, he

produced

On

MISSION

manifestations

the

that

private

AND

quite

"

unaccountable.'
I then

"

asked

produced by
"

"

"

trick

Do

what
which

I will

give

The

replied,

angry,

I don't

of

this

continued

and

he

in

small

table, Mr.

if there

was

which

the

than
was

the
than

David

of

it

the

in

above

reproduction
of
given him

had

then

Brewster

Street.

by

the

from

I have

this

opportunity to

declined
were

to

make.

heard

that

of Mr.

man

Home's

who

had

all

When

of it.

At

not

our

hands

abundance;
as
appeared to
to
explain ; but
pretend
noise, I will conjecture

rappings
actually rose,
"

the
spirits made
produced by Mr. Home's
spirits raised the table,

the

his

answer

Lord

up, the table

This
result I do

agency

I think

what

and

seen,

rose

ground.

raps were
believe
that

done

contradict

accuracy
writers

the

Sir

made

and
myself, sat down
Brougham,
Home
to
having previously requested us
tion,
examinahis
about
an
machinery
any
person,
we

we

believe

the

This

to

take

may

table, noises

and, finally,when
from

thing

"

upon

that

were

however,

me,

wrote

Jermyn

reply to Mr. Cox, I

request by tellinghim what
Cox's
Mr.
house, Mr. Home,

rather

naturally

substantial

In

examine

last

the

spirit is

; but

letter

but

phenomena

know

challenging
description that Sir

the

the

'

the

denying

not

statements,

were

things

"

in to.'

very

part,

to

David,

is it?'

he

publication

David

"

Sir

you.

'

To

of

his reply.
No, certainly not,* was
Is it delusion, think
?
you
No, that is out of the question.'

"'Then
"

him,

toes,
I will

in

and
.

rather

conjecture

that

it

feet."

declared

so

emphati-

LIFE

42

the

does

be

his

support

HOME.

OF

that
presumed
friend's testimony as

might

it

as

MISSION

AXD

Lord

far

between

passage-at-arms

would

Brougham

Nor

possible.

as

Sir

and

David

Mr.

stance
Trollope concerning the subsequent
to us
to Sir David.
Ealing, seem
quite creditable
The
does
of science
hero
not
as
acquit himself
could
wish
or
expect."
could
he ?
Sir David
How
not
was
conducting

T.

A.

the

in

controversy

of David
whether

he

and

did

not

that

happened
of

opinion
the

for

had

Mrs.

witness

Gordon,
David

he

contradicts

in which

words

of

Last

all,I

spirit-rapper,Mr.
Hotel,

Coze's

Home,
him
him

to

four

accompany
sat down
at

were

invited

tremulous

motion

ceased

motions

produced in various
rose
from the ground when
eichibited
produced, and
was

for
The

bell

and

it

same

to

was

Lord

"These

were

all

of

the

no

had

arms;

table

was

new

lives in
Lord

knows

who

invited

lordship

his

the

out

trick.

of which

structure

We
%ce

shuddered, and
at
our
bidding these
unaccoimtable
rappings

most

the

the

of

table

the

time

vpon

the table

; and
it,

larger

actiuUli/

table

was

bell
hand-

small

movements.
on

wJien

rang,
on

and

the

after
lying
carpet ; and
nothing could have touched it.
the

other

placed

side, still

itself in my

Brougham.
the
principal experiments.

with

the

...

could
not
planation of them, and
kind
mechanis7n."
by any
of

Written

Coxe,

stance,
in finding

our

similar

placed
me

better

Home

Mr.

and

The

its mouth

then

to

Sir

he

sdance

assist

hand

no

actually

over

came

Mr.

short

to

twenty.

to

parts

it

time,

some

have

Li

with

of
a

statements

Brougham
of

in order

were

laid down

lad

ran
up
returned.

and

be

not

the

moderately-sized table,

his

himself, I append

than

Lord

to

to examine,

by

Life

*'Home

so

and

record;

published

could

Street, and

Jermyn

wished

Brougham,

with

went

terests
in-

Advertiser.

Morning

the

in

made

there

Sir

the

honest

his

on

was

her

in

As

against

seance

it

we

it

But

placed

already

contains

the

in

moment.

Street

Jermyn

Brewster."

David

hesitate

that

daughter,

me

world

compelled to decide
and
be
laughed at, or
his side, the
sopher
philoon

truth

the

he

the

letter

'^

tell the
have

truth, but

When

Brewster.

would

prevaricate

of

interests

at

idea

We

conjecture how

that

it

would

the

upon

could

Jheg

ever

carpet,

It did

hand.

give

could

see

no

the

ez-

be produced

the

ENGLAND

light,this

letter

He
that

could

43

Sir

contains

undoubtedly
impression of the

true

see

ITALY.

AND

ster's
Brew-

David

nessed.
wit-

had
he
phenomena
explain them : he could
he
as
subsequently and

not

not,
they were
suggested, due

trickery

to

honestly
dis-

part of Mr.

the

on

only

Home.
It should

jecture
conregard to Sir David's
lifted by the
been
that the table might have
the
table
feet of Mr.
that at the Ealing stance
Home,
that
Sir
used
feet long;
was
a
dining-table twelve
David
T. A.
Brewster, Mr.
TroUope, and Mr. Rymer
"

added, with

be

"

did,

as

s^nce

to

table

be stirred

human

feet

the

Home.

those

his

could

to

courage
The
a

stance

the

move,

hands

it

resting

the
Some

have

pulse
water

The

often

compared

others

when

to

its

phenomenon

rule,

table,
of

more

many

had

the

they

the

quiver

the
the

floor

vibrations

tremble

described

did

but

the

strong,

was

but
walls
to

the

by

if instinct
these

everything
beating

Dr.

in

shook.

also

ripples that pass over

is lightly stirred
surface
by
well

table

as

the

was

persons

raised;

and

and

"

phenomenon
The

nor

power
the table

other

the

circle.

tilted

only

follows

as

curious

of

commencement

and

the

When
not

the

Home

it felt it

on

and

room,

and

facts

the

attested

exactitude

neither

was

affected

vibrations

the

attention

life.

with

as

of Mr.

on

fix the

would

Mr.

phenomena
peculiar they were

have

marked

were,

hands

rested

present
not

that

phenomena

While

its

of

the

witnessed

persons

to

sitters, was

forward.

come

successful

have

by

theory of

those

to

following description,

witness

bear

tilted

been

never

not

all three.

of the

startlingand

Many

presence.
in the
detailed

but

who

how

realise

it could

feet of

conscious,

or

the

move

Faraday's famous

stances,

many

to

that

have

tables

and

hands,

Only
can

in

of

action, unconscious

applicable to

the

effortsof

thousands
and

feet, and

the

after

it

on

possible

were

their

the united

by

doubt

it

it with

raise

No

fact, experiment

whether

see

to

or

of

matter

sheet
the

of

of

wind.

J. Garth

LIFE

44

Wilkinson,
with
of the

chairs

of the

'

which

it with
was

given off

were

varied

as

be

to

expression

and

cease,

that

passed through
period occupied in charging

in these

otherwise,

or

detonations.

tiny

character

their

as

no

persons
**
I have
similar.
**

of

sharp

sounds

that

The

human

like

sounds
When

"

We

heavy

very
of the

Stock

of the

from

an

the
felt

all

point

of

vibrations
in

motion

table"

our

(Mr

"

cascade

in full work
a

is
of

cracking
work

at

"c."

bird,
great force, not only

in

"

F.R.S.,

machine

(Robert
chairs

and

Bell, in
in the

the

Comhill,

table, which

was

James

manifestations

chairs

exactly

pin

taps

twittering as

is

eveiy
world

this

Crookes,
coil

raps

with

manner

that

nature

in

as

metallic

present

drawing-room
Exchange, 1861). "The
our

W.

induction

; the

circular

table, the floor, and

in

frictional

preliminary
tremulous

Mr.

sharp,

was

power

over

pass

i860).

as

scratching

the

"

the

air ;

just

door

wrote

with

when

heard

at

as

in the

detonations
like

knock

heard,"

ticks,

delicate

them

produced

will

two

were

raps

varied, timid, bold, clear, muffled, changing

intelligence

us

force, electrical

in

that

first

under

correct

vibrations

the

subtle

some

went

the

in

before, thrilled

would

if the

as

marked

had

now

felt

tremors

heard,

table

the

time

thrill

described

as

conveyed."

the

Presently

also,

all

we

sensation

forthwith

the

at

from
youngest daughter jumped
up
there's
heart
in
*0h, papa,
a
my

vividly that my
hers, exclaiming,
!

Evenings

"

inward

same

have

as

so

chair

the

two

or

the

and

stance,

the

table

the

through

daughter, in his
Spirits,"published

controversy.

minute

HOME,

OF

his

by

and

Brewster

In

"

rather

or

Home

Mr.

MISSION

AND

(Viscount

ex-chairman
Hutchinson,
tion
began by the usual vibraAdare, 1867). "Presently the

the vibration
most
a
strange phenomenon,
strongly this was
uniform
"Certain
1867).
so
was
powerful" (The late Earl of Dunraven,
These
of a somewhat
were
tremors
began to pervade the apartment.
peculiar
till they became
of considerable
violence.
kind
they gradually increased
; and
distinct
Not
from
as
only did the floor tremble, but the chair of each person,
**
Scots
him
(" Spiritualisir-"^
felt to rock, and, as
we
it, was
say, diti under
^
Discussion."
Narrative
with
Alexander, M.A., Edinburgh,
By Patrick
i,i
a
than
"I should
like to add
testimony to having, certainlymore
6X-^
my
onop.^^

table

vibrated

very
and

"

bled

to

occasion,
Mrs.

have

Jencken,

arranged

felt the place where

we
wer^t
present felt it. I have felt al
by Mr. J. E. J
meeting convened
whole
the
platform moved, so that

dear
friend, D. D.
my
been
shaken, and every
sitting on the platform at a

sitting with

and

in front

were

Mrs.

Kane,

visiblytilted"

Home,
one

(H. T. Humphreys).

ee

nro^^m

'"iH
w^

1*^1^
th^r

ENGLAND

largest and heaviest

the hands
ground when

the
but

of evidence

mass

been

the

rise

in

the

human

it

is, if human

to

most

hostile

of

movement

of

*'The

table

floor, and
denser

medium

lighted

; the

this

"

the

of

Edwards,
**

in

the

than

declaration

but

without

the

daughter ;
repetitions
by the

is to

and

Major

of

raised

the

say,

of

air,

my

imposed

not

were

poet

Messrs.

father. Home,

and

(Earl of

well
admit

we

upon

; Professor

gentlemen,

the

some

was

; and

nor

Wells,

Bliss

and

myself.
placed gently,
.

touching it, and

one

no

A*'

table

our

we

of

by

room

table

force,

great

rise clear

the

American

other

Blackburn,

with
to

if sustained

as

the

under

that
the

two

the

in

heaitation, upon

know

Bryant,

Harvard

of

then

was

We

and
seen

occurrences

and

on

was

seconds,

these

During

Wm.

by

party consisted

table

several

for

It

of motion.

air.

made

University
1852).

The

that

the

attests

conclusive

as

of

one

several

Society,

frequently placed

was

(Report

The

had

possible direction,

every

one

Brewster,

I have

Dialectical

moved

lamp
emphatic

deceived

testimony

inquirers,
published by his

**

perceive any cause

in the atmosphere

not

float

to

David

The

fact, but

human

and

of

was

could

we

them.

to

heavy table, in full light,the backs

the
towards
table, at about
being turned

chairs

when

have

such

to

considered

experiment
of the

credence

Sir

wrote

committee

the

objects

touching

was

letter

the

in

Crookes

the

with

sceptical of

and

phenomenon
Mr.

them

on

sdances

at

other

many

eyesight

anything.^

count

and

attach

slow

for

were

that

record

on

beings present

is

fact

sitters

from

rise

the room
about
or
strong light to move
neither
Home
other
air, when
nor
any

in

seen

world

is

45

repeatedly

of the

tables, chairs, and

Home

Mr.

tables

the

did

ITALY.

AND

Dunraven,

then

Viscount

Adare).
'*! have

*'

in the

Bell,

(Robert

several

seen

times

It

requires

might throw
Wilkinson).

the

two

itself

air

his first

seance

with

"Second

sluice

in

own

table

small
whilst

feet

Toonu'*

"

H.

in

T.

in the

sittingwith

Athenaeum
the

near

Home

Mr.

by
two

my
Mr.

to

waa

of Mr.

Note

and,

began
one

no

hands

some

behind

feet

seven

him
Sloane

no

Mr.

and

Humphreys
at

that

to

it from

table

pushed

the

into

the

poise itself
height ; one

and

*'

chair

I have

also

with
Mrs.

Home
S.

moved

There

air"

person
Garth

to
15 inches,
Varley, F.R.S.,

12

Tyndall).
at

distance

window.

This

by an invisible force,
the
holding firmly the feet and
to Professor
: letter
Tyndall).
seen
a
heavy table rise up bodily
at

C.

in mid*

(Dr. J.

was,

against

towards

was

"

floor

Professor

to

placed

Varley, F.R.S.

and
a

letter

Beckenham.

small

s6ance

Mr.

Street,

at

was

table

(Cromwell

in

Home,

Home,

and

and

room

table

raise

means

house

move,
the

air

lift the

again in the air, to a heieht of from

(Cromwell
during half a minute

in the

describing
of

by

the

floor of

the
to

men

ooidd

but

raised
thus

remained

rising entirelyunsupported

table

leave

table

strong

it over,

table

"The
and

did

Three

air.

the

times

ComhiU).

Hall

towards

me

Mr.
one
me

and

Mrs.

night
from

in
the

S.

C.

the
other

Hall's,

Spiritual
end

of

AND

LIFE

46

jfrom

foot

away
chair, his

placed

correctness

Home.

of

Campden

Kensington,

Grove,

attainments
rollers

Spiritualism,placed

Mr.

the

down

table

the

Mr.

to

table

Simpson

moved

stances

with

always accompanied
No

articles

how

matter

the

on

by

experiment,
Mr.

acute

table, such

of

persons
its place

the

substance
surface

inclined

that

requested
down,
the

while

invisible

of
a

others

forces

has
so

released

the

table.

the

on

pencils,
in

their

to

and

occur

the

at

retaining

slipped

has

Sometimes
article

table

work

at

angle,

the

instantaneously relaxed,

been

particular

force

the

present

ling
start-

very
the

pens,
remain

lamps, candlesticks, "c.,

seen
place as if glued to it. This has been
again in the strongest light;
again and
paper,

and

Crookes

as

would

in

was

apparatus with similar results.

when
the table tilted,the
Mr.
Home,

almost

various

article

self
him-

due,

cause

present.
person
three
made
years before

phenomenon.

demand

lently
vio-

more

This

any

foot

no

satisfied

quite

whatever

to

and

above,

that

see

and

difierent

tilting was
the

these

watched

was

floor

The

below.

was

seen,

employed

the

on

movement,
of

in

on

experiment

lay

siderable
con-

disbeliever

of this

independent

At

of

result

before, and

be

Simpson

rested

than

it will

J. H.

of

case

sitters

the

that

the

table, and

the

the

test

gentleman

and

on

to

fingersof Mr. Home

lightlyon the music-book,

Simpson

touched

table,

The

flat music-book.

other

Mr.

1868,

in

instance,

scientific

while

the

above

often

For

Mr.

the

back,

his

on

it."

touching
were

large

kneeling

person

the

on

HOME.

adopted by inquirers
of Professor
Faraday's theory in

Means

OF

each

it, and

hands

without

but

MISSION

might

kept

always

from

it would
thus

their

the
be

slide

places
complied with

; and

the

request.
The

Earl

of Dunraven
which

wrote,

he, Mrs.

in

describing

sdance

Mr.
Earl, the
Thayer, and
latter a total disbeliever
in the
phenomena,
were
sent
preMr.
with
Home
The
was
lighted by a
:
room
the piano, and
fire,a large lamp standing on
two
wax
in

1867,

at

"

"

ENGLAND

candles
at

up

table.

the

on

surface

and

they

when
In

Of

'*

respects

while

BeU

Thackeray
similar

table

The

editor

on

an

Comhill

is another

itself up
angle of

at

flowers, the books, the little

fixed

were

throw

their

in

one

In

up

pillar and

claws

that

we

to

now

we

all.

us

of

exposed,
have

Our

tVith

over.

to

wish

is

to

makes
sides

of Pisa,

urge

whispered

the
for

the

still

if

they
hands, to
round

entire

little distance,

of

menon
pheno-

whatever
of

pose

it must

investigation

of

vase

as

to

table

least, is, I believe,

at

precise
if

the

on

The

command

difference

no

as

the

chairs

our

complete

development

all

Tower

view

remove

attitude

our

away

leave

to

for

surface

this

motionless

as

take

to
as

so

more

withdrawal

distinctly on

see

are

agree

cover,

and

looks, like the

which

the

may
in its marvellous

which,
new

places.

ends

the

We

some

field

stranger
side, until the

about

ornaments

in

movement,
a

it stops.
must

article

the

to

certainly opening

rears

inclined

edge,

famous

his

in

was

character

the

near

an
45"*.
plane,
According to ordinary experience everything
but
slide off, or
topple over;
nothing stirs.

forms

the

yet

stationary."

wrote,

carious, and

more

speculation.

until

table

Fiction," contributed

somewhat

the

down

Robert
than

Magazine

mahogany,

request they remained

i860,

Stranger

"

slide

did
his

at

say,

Home
asked
pencil did not move.
might slip (as they naturally would),

candles

the

repeatedly tilted
45**. The
greater than

and

candles, paper,
that

47

was

polished

smooth,

was

table

The

should

angle, I

an

ITALY.

AND

; and

inevitably
far

as

table,

the

it

as

tumble
be

can

of the

conclusive

more
a
display
has
been
result
plished.
accomextraordinary
power
table
is
The
leans
desire
at once
The
more
complied with.
the perpendicular; two
of the
three
claws
and
towards
are
more
the
the ground ; and
stands
whole
structure
on
finally
high above
of
taining
mainbut
the extreme
overbalanced,
claw,
a
fearfully
single
tip
all one
itself as
if it were
solid mass,
instead
of being
if
with
of
and
the
number
loose
articles,
a
as
position had
freighted
with
the laws of equilibrium and
been
planned in strict accordance
of
instead
attraction,
involving an inexplicable violation of both.''

carried,

by

The

which

at

left

various

found

will

be

the

Brewster

England,

Florence,

filling the

most

of

evidence

Before
had

this

while

columns

leaving Cox's

and
his

in

witnesses

subsequent

controversy

passing

was

assailants

of the

Hotel, he

other

had

Morning

of

this

chapters.
began, Mr.

the
and

Home

of 1855

autumn

defenders

Advertiser.

spent the

summer

nomenon
phe-

were

After
with

the

LIFE

48

MISSION

AND

HOME.

OF

affection with
the warm
at
Ealing, and
fisunily
which
learnt
these
to regard
new
English friends soon
their young
gaest is repeatedly expressed in their letters
of
to him.
Many years later one
snbseqnendy written
hoods,
who
those
invent
and
pitifrdcreatures
publish falsebut foi^et to sign their names
set afloat
to them,

Bymer

story that

It

of

]Mr.

Kymer

generous

host

Bat

And

to

^Ir.

so

slander
his

relations

the

value

with

of

the

having received
few

finding an

but

join him,

This

wrote

had

in the
year

him
at

not

the

him

Bymer

was

me.

is necessary

for my

purpose

"My

thanks
to

me

for
follow
Most

what

good

Dan,

deak

your
my

"

I quote

and

in

Believe,

tualist
Spiri-

her

to

distress

old

days
to

at

ing,
Eal-

aid

her.

as

ist

Mr.

to

much

to

Mrs.

November

write

of

try

longing

were

words

Home
of

express

liberality,which

husband

with

Mr.

despairing

on

only

barrassments
em-

Australia

to

to

heartily,most
sincerely do
have
given ; also, Dan, for

you
wishes.

it,

business

of them

to

made

it

as

"

cannot

afiectionate
beloved

able

from

declared

and

recalling
1859,

fer

so

involved

In

of

not

was

had

children

memory

before

letter

went

in

it

and

others

means.

now

and

Home,

autumn

Mrs.

he

home,

But

"

being
England ;

in

wife

Mr.

to

of

particular
into

entered

Ealing,

at

this

in

had

His

His

entreating

was

of that

;^50

conduct

ruin.

there.

his fortune

and

giftof

outright,
fight"

to

half-truth

seances

the

against
opening

was

matter

Bymer family.
apocryphal fur-coat,
giftof ;^50, 3^Ir. Home

absolute

in

Bymer

harder

the

and

Bymer

is

The
a

after the

years

name

left his

had

with

fought

following circumstances

the

under

that

and

met

found.

was

the

in

;^50, and

press.

for it.

Home

American

ordered

had

lie may
be
ia half a tmth

lie that

Home

pay

all

of the

round

fur-coat, value

lie that

'Mi.

that

said

was

the

went

soon

the

new

I thank
your

affectionate

my

enables

countr}\
you

prayers

for
and

greetings and

which

import

to

Lord

of

spiritualorigin, but
Mr.

worth

Kneb

there,
himself

others

or

fear

of

speak

convince

to

bold

honest

and

short

the

with

His

mission,

people of the facts

after^vards
to
enough

publication
full

his

earth.

chose

than

them:

ser"'od
In

one,

the

piv^sont
wonh

and
never

understood

and

shall
At

of

nothins:

and

so

the

any

late
accumu-

that

the

he

seances

had
in his

friends

as

public

and

of them

more

world.

These

here

said

be

for

perhaps

nothing, published

can

fn^m

Mr,

Home

K^Nr^i,

Lord

with

many
Iwinidon.
in

do

at

those

soanoes

F"

house

tb.is oolebnued

Mr,

l^^f the
other

in the

KaliuiT, Sir

soauoe

the

iSoo

details, obtnineti
and

to

not

already made
rest
|"erish,many
given to the

they

Almost

had

or

what

be ; if

rate
any
when
told

such

were

declare

at

be

collected

they

of

the

record
kept no
l.onl
T.ytton, tliough he probably prepublisht\l it.

years

at

but

misjht

Kuebworth,

at

possible ;

Incidents"

whv

explain

soauces

of

**

of

memor\-

remarkable
f:u^ts

life

give him,

to

let the

of

data

lifetime,

1 lonie

volumes

two

his

in

of

storv

quitted

and

names

silent, he

if

world

good-nature

easy
he
as

it should
as
thoy had witnessed, that was
their
affair,not his.
kept silence, it was
other
in his place would
laboured
have
man
all the

the

remain

to

never

left it

but

of

fear

from

at

place

Home

sdance,

time

took

sdances

of

when,

him.

for

their

convictions

is available.

silence

their

in

characterised
was

and

his

guest

account

of

even

avow

several

which
an

and

ridicule, they preferred

acquiesced
it,

of

down

to

B.

his

and

pectedly
unex-

phrase."
Lytton, was
perfectly
of the
he
phenomena

presence,
timid
to

was

1855;

record
wrote

to

that

Home

in

no

too

quite

deceased

genuineness
Ilome's

Mr.

HOMK

the

upon
Sir E.

then

the

in

publicly.

the

conferred

Lytton,

witnessed

OF

family of

the
me

convinced

MISSION

AND

LIFE

50

of

the
m;;u,

Home,

latter

|vrsor,s

pro]vr
IV Lvtton

Lytton
both
I

who

again

was

atKneb-

give

can

some

present

wore

pbuv.
tiv^k

iwn

l\\ir.oi"5.
Mr,

in

at

least

one

Puring
Hon;e
published
the

time
lifein

ENGLAND

of

what

called

the

that

of this

matter

Lord

could

Lytton
I

Whilst

"

deny

know.

but

Ealing/'

at

was

stance,

which

at

that
the

on

He

loud.

and

he,

feet

by

surface

powerful

evident

in

suspicion

that

sitting with

trick

his

uncontrollable

the

tinguished
dis-

attended

tions
manifestaThe

the

and

'

Yes/

of

was,

response
write
Z
would

'

give

What

presence.'
'

the

had

am

(Zanoni).
me

some

proof?

Will

and

"

which

been
the

hands

The

putting his hand

table, it was
immediately

grasp,

him

made

start

his

to

momentary

played

ing,
See-

him.

upon
around

persons

him

were

quietly reposing on the table,

and
offeringan apology for

composure,
excitement
he

demonstration,

firm

'

to
you
wish
you

all

that
their

recovered

that

"

son,

trepidation, exhibiting

however,
he

of your
?
hand

tangible proof

seized

his

by

remarkable

very

over,

influenced

take
my
you
the
beneath

Home,

Mr.

says

said

Indeed,'

aflSrm, and

were

called

alphabet was
the spiritwho

correct.

sumed
preIn
a

to him.
chiefly directed
table
suddenly became
unusually
What
asked,
spiritis present ?

occurred

rappings

some

be

'

novelist, accompanied
a

to

identity, and
it may

"

absolutely
was

silent

remained
his

aflSrm

or

silent

be

not

Lytton

detected

was

to

51

following description

the

as

once

account

kind

"

; and

at
press
either
to

him

on

ITALY.

Incidents

"

occurred

the

though

"

of

first volume

his

AND

caused

resumed

his

by

such

an

pected
unex-

seat."

another
after the above
Immediately
phenomenon,
occurred.
"We
wish
lieve
beto
equally remarkable
you
there
the
in the
was
spelt out, and
sage
messtopped.
I to believe
?" asked
In what
In the
am
Lytton.
"

"

"

medium

"

"No."
the

"

In

"

No/'

As

this

felt himself
down

his

manifestations

second

"

negative

gently touched
hand

cross

was

returned.

was
on

the

placed

Sir

knee, and
in it,by way

on

Edward

putting
of finish-

AND

LIFE

52

the

ing

MISSION

OF

cross,

which

The

sentence.

HOMK

of

was

cardboard,

other
articles
table
the
at
lying with
on
a
of the large room
end
the party were
in which
seated.
Mrs.
to
Lytton, apparently much
impressed, turned
asked
her
Rymer, and
permission to retain the cross
had

as

been

souvenir.

She

"

assented, saying that

it had

that

been
she

; but

it, if

he

his

bowed

made

have

would

and

assent,

following
of

no

remember

breast-pocket, carried
in My
Life,"
The

her

by

could

only value to her was

ceased
recently deboy, then
ing
objection to him keep-

its

placing

the

injunction.

the

souvenir

He
his

in
"

him

with

away

cross

cidents
(" In-

i.).

vol.

undated

selection, but

the

note

preserved by

"

random,

at

the

as

Home's

preser\'ed
correspondence was
belongs evidently to this period :

no

process
of Mr.

mass

destroyed

or

"

"

"

Dear

**

said

You

''

with

jxv't
would

"

am

you

Has

to

like

vou

be

such

Ealins: if

at

vou

Mr.

than

by
his

Kobert

Mr.

of

none

unpoetic

that

the

E.

an

errv^r,

have

a
soon

not

of

course

to

correct

have
it.

the
meant

grain

written

to

an
some

peated
re-

cheating

the

of fact

fable,

the

to

appearance
for Home.

as
BrolJ*^^ing,

circulated

himself^
Browning
Sludge, the Medium,"

dieil

have

when-

Lyttox."

found

was

colour

certain

rapI
?

persistently

more

he

Mr.

effusion, "Mr.

press, on
that he was
Mr.

been

Browning.

B.

falsehoods

that

assertion

The
insisted

has

me.

trulv,

thousand

Home

appeared to lend
would
probably
slanders

the

half

favour

to

so

"

Perhaps
concerning

for

vou

convenient,

more

Yours

appoint.

to

see

vou

Wcdnaday.

Laxs,

if you
see
got en
established
been

try and
any

to

of

kind

ver\^

would

me.

come

anxious

verv

It would

hour.

an

ever

Sir,

Park

death
in

of

honourable

'"

Mr.

Had

to

tion.
composi-

Sludge,"
this

man,

it

or

natural

their

in

been
would

loadii^g Er .rlish journal

AND

ENGLAND

''It is

blot

'

authoress,
Mr.

'scutcheon,'

the

on

Mrs.

ITALY.

Whitman,
and

prose-verse,
used
justice have been

with
that

the

wrote

the

can
Ameri-

publication

harsher

of

"

the

on

Browning's

53

of

might

term

incoherent

attack

declared

by the English journals of the time

the foremost
to be directed
against Mr. Home
as
living
of
Flattered
into
Spiritualism.
exponent
an
opinion
of his own
ing
Browninfallibility
by his admirers, Mr.
has
in the
habit
of considering
probably long been
that
the
truth
of any
he
proposition which
may
was

advance

is
the

even

should

self-evident,

challenged

do

to

so,

felt

have
vmte

that

follows,

as

his
poetical
up
the plain prose

with

"

**

Now

don't,sir

This

at

me,

1 swear,
"

"

do

you

"

odic
all the

"

of

me

1)

!
.

when

my

down

Rubbed

"

could.
hands
at work.
toe-joints,set sham
weak
in sympathetic ink,
names
lights with ends of phosphor-match.

with

Wrote

once

you press
the whole
thing out

tease

I cheated

Rapped

this

time, 1*11 swear,

the only time,

cheated.

ever

for it,then

And

only
kneel,

see,

"

JuBt

me

expose

Well, sir,since

(How
Now

Don't

tlie first and

was

Look

Mr.

would

chooses
to
angriest poet who
have
been
prepared to back

flights,when
of facts

he

or

""

rest

Browning's

poetic

eye,

in

its

"

fine

frenzy

ing,"
roll-

than
the
study, more
thousands
of keen
narrowly, and in
so
inquirers who
cases
sceptically,investigated the phenomena
so
many
of Mr.
during a period of thirty years in the presence
in the

saw,

In

Home.

of his

retirement

all that

time,

no

present

person

ever
Spiritualist,
rapping with his toe-joints,or setting sham
in sympathetic ink,
work, or writing names

with

Mr.

lights with

odic

Let

it."
as

sceptic or

Home,

the

to

calmly
after

any

reader, however

reality of

the

is involved

what

year,

phosphor-match,

Mr.

Home

**

and

stubborn

at

him

found
hands
or

all the
his

stance

at

rubbing
rest

of

incredulity

phenomena,
try to consider
in the
proposition that, year

continued

to

manufacture

sham

and

hands

them

set

MISSION

AND

LIFE

54

to

work, but

of persons
who
both
them
detected
to be

ever

that

and

of the

none

touched

sands
thouhands

these

imposture ! ! I shall speak

these
spirit-hands in other chapters : here
that
to
again and
they have
again
say

fullyof

more

saw

HOMR

OF

an

enough
that
circumstances
appeared under
absolute
they been,
certainty, had

it is

detection

made

an

ingenious
stuflFed gloves
have
theorists
surmised,
wax
casts, or
manipulated with wires, or, in fact, anything but what
marvellous
inexplicable by
a
phenomenon,
they were,
known
physical laws.
any
Bell was
late Robert
The
quite as shrewd, intelligent,
He
honest
Mr.
described
and
in
a
man
as
Browning.
Home
his
his experiences with
the Conihill
Mr.
; and
and
server,
friend, Thackeray, a keen
intensely sceptical obhad
also witnessed
who
various
in
phenomena
indorsed
his declarations
Home's
by publishing
presence,
the note
with
them
As editor of this magazine, we
:
can
for the good faith and honourable
vouch
character
of our
correspondent, a friend of twenty-five years'standing."
Soon
seemed
to
be
after, what
Says Mr. Bell :
a
under
the
the
table-cover, and with
large hand
came
it between
and
to a point, raised
fingers clustered
me
the table.
Somewhat
to satisfymy
too
curiosity,
eager
some

as

"

"

it,felt it very

sensibly^hut it ivent out like air

in
I know
with
of no analogy in connection
my
grasp.
the sense
the nature
of touch hy which I could make
of
that feeling intelligible.
It was
as
palpable as any soft
I seized

velvet

substance,
as

pulp

or

and

solid, but

reduced
pressure
that Mr.
Browning

Would

the
may

Ealing,

at

saw

of

brow

his

possibly

poet
have
showed

Deen

whose
wife

have

man

forgiven

ot
the

had

the

touch

it seemed

air."
the

seized

hands

placing a
omitting to crown

and

in

ofience

him

deep

and

liberal

large
want

reflecting that,
the
to
homage
genius of
it fails to comprehend
his
"

it to

action,

given

at

of

while
his
own.

all

wreath
his

the

wife, the

on

own,

Had

nature,

discernment

he

he

the
would

the

spirits

world

does

larger

half

of

ENGLAND

Mrs.

it

Browning,

Italy,"

fact.

as

Mrs.

AND

is
In

Hawthorne,

writes:

"Mrs.

ITALY.

well
her

55

known,

accepted Spiritualism
and
on
England

"Notes

the

wife

of Nathaniel

thorne,
Haw-

introduced

Browning

the

ject
sub-

of

there
talk.
animated
was
spiritism, and
an
Mr.
Mrs.
cannot
believe, and
Browning
Browning
cannot
help believing."
When
the
in ex^
Browning
Society has succeeded
of Mr. Browning
to the world
plaining the other poems
if it ever
task, peraccomplishes that herculean
haps
it will be bold
(or prose)
enough to take the poem
Mr.
of
in hand,
and
Sludge, the Medium
explain
Mr.
had
the
bad taste to write it
There
why
Browning
of the single stance
is nothing in the account
at which
and
Mr.
Mrs.
Browning were
present at Ealing, given
of "Incidents,"
volume
in his second
by Mr. Home
for by Mr.
W.
vouched
M.
and
lenged
chalWilkinson,
never
by the poet, to' explain either Mr. Browning's
"

"

"

conduct

or

his

motives.
and

family," writes Mr. Home, "were

festations.
began by several of the ordinary manipresent at the s^nce, which
Mr.
to
Browning was
requested
investigate everything
it occurred, and
he
availed
himself
freely of the invitation.
as
times
Several
during the evening, he voluntarily and earnestly
of the
declared
that
out
anything like imposture was
question.
arrival
of the
of Mr.
Mrs.
and
Previously to the
Browning, some
had
been
children
gathering flowers in the garden, and Miss R3rmer
of clematis.
made
I had
this
wreath
and
a
During the S(Wce
in
the
table
from
the
wreath
raised
was
by supernatural power
of us
were
all,and whilst we
watching it, Mr. Browning,
presence
the
side
of
the
seated
who
at
table, left his place,and
was
opposite
**

Mr.

Mrs.

and

Rymer

their

and

came

stood

behind

his

wife, towards

the

whom

wreath

was

full
was
placed
being slowly carried,
upon
her.
He
sight of us all,and whilst he was
standing close behind
it
for
to
disbelief
one
was
impossible
expressed no
any
; as, indeed,
his eyes ; whilst
Mrs.
have
Browning
was
passing under
any of what
and
but
much
moved,
since, expressed
ever
she, not only then
was
All that
then
in
occurred.
what
her
entire belief and
pleasure
Mrs.
besides
Mr.
and
in the
done
of eight persons
was
presence
still living,and
are
ready to testifyto
are
Browning, all of whom
be
word
of every
here
the truth
gainsaid by
written, if it should
Mr.
Browning."
and

whose

head

it

in

Was

Mr.

Browning

annoyed

that

to

him

there

came

MISSION

AND

LIFE

S6

H0:ME.

OF

Rymer family thought so, at leasv^

invisible
the
Yet
probably only
wreath-bringers were
their
in
of posterity, both
anticipating the verdict
neglect of him and in crowning his gifted wife.
At
subsequently elaborated
Browning
any rate, Mr.
for the
getting
formanifestations
a
theory to account
; and,
that he had
voluntarily and earnestly declared
of the question,"
that anything like imposture was
out
his theory, if Mrs.
Hawthorne
the
and
Notes
on
land
Engthat
the
hands
and
be trusted, was
Italy" may
All

crown

no

the

"

"

his

some

way
stretched

legs

to

aflSxed

"

in

were

minds,

some

shown,

grasp

had

involve

belief

It would

the

in
the

be

chair, with
It

Brewster

when
at

natural

was

had

already

first sensation

the
any
and

ridiculous

however

phenomena,

table."

David

Sir

as

the

eagerly,
passed away,

to

wonder

far under

Home's

Mr.

in

of

explanation

of

the

futile,that

did

not

spiritual.
waste

merest

'

of

labour

and

time

to

the
calumnies
that
have
by one
many
circulated
I dwell
been
and
concerning Mr. Home;
the above
incidents
fabulous
on
only because
so
many
of the single stance
versions
with
Mr. and
ing
BrownMrs.
have
been
circulated, both in England and America.
It may
be interesting to quote here the following extract
letter written
from
Home
to Mr.
a
by an old friend, a
contradict

one

well-known

Ealing
"

stance

Since

I went

1870:

as
saw

hours'

talk

him.

He

or

you
in

facts,

his
is
He

much

more

had

confessed

he

belief

including
him

I could

have

strong artificial

of the

and

should

in

those

one

that

your

Browning

mad

Meantime
believe
about

went

imposture
was

Wight.
two

or

if

that

he

sitting or two in daylight,

himself
light, and he convinced
have
hesitation
in proclaimno
ing

tales
you

the

any
way.
inclined
to

all

says

of
had

and

Tennyson,
.

and

Isle

in the

been

Alfred

with

after

long

so

man,

"

I have

you
with

lunch

to

three

medical

English

on

in
about

he
than

you

says
to

from

that

disbelieve.

Browning,

knees, wept,
your
certain
thing. I
the

matter,

he

and

he

and
told
ad-

LIFE

58

produced

be

at

wrote,

and

Ealing
of

one

MISSION

Florence

the
utterly scouted
I saw
as
phenomena
performed by any of
a

letter

(March

later

years
1 have

been

**

in

Home

the

of

ever

subject,

art."

from
T.

A.

in

in

eight

Trollope said:
sittings of IVIr.
'

house

own

And

Florence

many

friend

the

of his

very
in my

Bosco,

possibility of such
Home
by Mr.
being

1863), Mr.
at

at

legerdemain
upon

written

many

house

of

resources

present

the

the

that

mention

me

produced

21,

England,

in

some

of

AthencBumy

the

to

also

with

idea

gentleman

manifestations

the

to

professors

conversation

HOMK

accomplished

I may

"

greatest

in

OF

by trickery, that
period subsequent

the

known,

AND

in

Florence,

Florence.
.

My

felt physical facts

and
seen
testimony is this : I have
wholly and utterly inexplicable,as I believe, by any
I unhesitatingly
known
and
physical laws.
generally received
considers
such
facts
reject the theory which
familiar to the best professors
to be produced
by means
of legerdemain."
Florence
In
the
interest
aroused
of
by the an-ival
such
visitor was
a
even
Society
greater than in London.
of
wonderful
talked
his
but
and
nothing
;
powers
fear that they were
shunned
him
in the
though some
of demoniac
origin, the great majority eagerly sought
the acquaintance of Mr.
and
made
effort
Home,
every
this period belongs
To
admitted
to be
to his sdances.
the following letter, written
American
by the celebrated
:
sculptor, Powers
"

"Dear
that

Mus.

now

returned

are

you
here.

to

know

me

witness
heard

Pray

of

much.

those
Ever

"

We

are

all well, and

thank

it cannot

some
so

Teollope,

Mr.

equal

that

mine

to

of

double

Powers'

learning this,
at

once

the

attacked

the

hear

his

is
desire

him,

which

and

I have

sincerely yours,

desire

amiable

to

Hume

know

'*H.
Mr.

Mr.
for

Hume

manifestations
most

right glad

Powers."

gratified; and
on
and
eccentric
ing
Lady K. Flemsculptor for an introduction.
was

ENGLAND

ITALY.

AND

59
.

omething

Mr.

"

with

npatient ladyship
Mr.

Dear

"

realisation

Powers

and

perhaps
of Lady

engagements,

immediate

the

wishes;

ine's

Home's

taken

was

K.

Lady
dthout
ies

Mr.

to

her.

Powers,

Patience

"

is

good

was

as

sent

her

with

Home,
She

of

Home's

jstations,
olume

of

large,old-fashioned

haunted

being

those

Among
lorence

(to

Schink,

Mr.

On

call
her

to

manifirst

his

stances

of

had

by
lived

She

the

reputation
held

several

occasion,"

ono

said,

ou

would

Lubomirski,

Princess
Macdonell

Florentine

and,

society

the
Mr.

more

par-

Orlofi*

Orsini, n^e

of whose

Baker,

in

random)

at

names

Antoinette

it

rose

took
If

-writes

She

this

wish

to

up
is in

was

"

in

1855, except
experiences any

me

we

one

air

can

my

do

during

the

seated

at

to
dear
so,

"

Erard's

of

were

spiritof

; you

Incidents,"

"

chanced

which

realitythe

convince

at

itself in the

also, whilst

album

the

seated

"

balanced

an

in

Home

Mr.

(Orsini)
and

playing.

was

room,

id

"

pianos,
she

few

Home

Mr.

remain.

Countess

the

Home

Mrs.

and

Mrs.

and

articulars

me

desire

Saxe-Meiningen,

Ir. Powers

^ion

apolo-

Baker.

her

at

take

cularly, the Countess

of
le
only member

le

and

and

witnessed

that

present

were

I of

"rince

"

in

were

villa
at

word

there.

Sauces

[. R,

and

no

will, I

remarkable

My Life,"
Georgina

resident, Mrs.

he

enthusiastic

described

are

in

you

have

mission.

which

Incidents

English

of

Do

would

most

stay in Florence,

some
"

the

I have

attached

greatly

became

soon

all

now

and

he

that

request

is

her

as

I have

virtue

compliments

acquaintance, and one

oung
f Florentine
believers
in his
During

her

"

Fleming
delay

more

by

small

Kathe-

task

to

it
quantity at any time, and
I think
of nothing but Mr.
Home
one.
;
ecided
me.
on
writing to ask him to call on
link
he
will
All
come!
day and
night
ther
he
is an
idea : as
extraordinary man,
at my
be astonished
request."
ope, not
ut

bred
inter-

"

be

grand
whole
a

table

lying there,

father,

if you

while

will

I know
"

write

LIFE

6o

OF

HOME.

opened
pencil in her

the

book, and

hand, and

the

MISSION

AND

name

your

this

on

knees, and

her

held

taken

pencil was

page.'

She

lead

of

out

"

her

hand.

In

it

placed

on

the

moment

father, the
she
said,
examination,
of

name

her

On
written.
(Orloff) was
it
wish
is a slight resemblance
There
to your
writing, but I would
distinct.'
She
to be more
placed the open book again on her knees,
also the words,
and
in the
and
same
again the writing came
way,
she
from
dear
last
cut
This
album,
daughter
writing
My
my
first written, where
they still are ; and on
leaving in it the words
her
it
she
of
old
friend
showed
to an
father's, saying,
going home,
he said,
is
it is
Of
know
1
whose
that
Do
course,'
writing
you
O

Count

"

'

'

father's.'

your

When

the

told

Countess

him

had

it

written

been

evening, he thought that, to a certainty, she had lost

senses
on
appealing to her husband, and finding that he
; and
he was
for them
both."
her
ix"borated
statement,
equally alarmed
that

Countess

The

Orsini

remembrance

of Mr.

him.

I select

with

always preserved
of her

one

"

for

My
me

of

news

you.

days

before

of

July,

dear

that

of

that

we

tion

that

directs

I should

me,

leaves

How

well

spite of

among

the

towards
of

you

of

me

and

the

of

the

which

the

of

speaking
to

the

on

to all this,

mutual

ship
friend-

more

took

remarkable

the

of

seances

clairvoyance
Arno,

you

with

will

of

all the

that

desire

very

Antoinette

at

feel
afifec*

to

know

cordial.

Mr.

Home

each
This

Orsini."

and

Florence.

Mr.

other, their
fact

only
testimony

interesting the published

sculptor concerning the stances

part

your

you

win.

expressed

became

celebrated
he

in

me

me

see

Reply
the

two

if the

banks

the

how

mutual

had

never

renders

put

quit for the fright

things, that you

you
?

of

name

times,

many

know

the

Powers

relations

be

not

would

other

Did
danger.
fulfilled
prediction was

never

itself

so

you

Hiram

you

accident,

"

In

affection

have

letter.

of

you,

"

quite
have
to
long
my
conduct
a
spiritual correspondence
to me
a
prediction you made
You
then
predicted to me

that

in

much

too

that

to

an

told

moment

entreat

thinking

are

You

have

you

February 28, 1857.

Florknoe,

prove

summer,

life,but

your

to

recall
Florence?

the

this

witnessed.

thoughts

left

you

recollection

"

translate

vowed.

we

The

me

you

when

Home,

that
"

in

me

see

from

Do

danger of my
slight hurt.

very

should

that

sure

am

hear

yourself, and

middle

the

imminent

my

from

you

that, in

"

to

affectionate

an

letters, and

by replying immediately

me

with
some

3th

wish

to

forgotten

and

IIome,

dear

not

oor-

frequently corresponded

and

Home,

**

her

very

in

ENGLAND

AND

ITALY.

recollect/* said Powers,

we
Home
there.
others, when
was

"

and

had

"

6i

stances

many

certainly

at
under

saw,

house

my

stances
circum-

fraud, or collusion, or prearrangement

machinery
friends
impossible in my own
house, and
incapable of
among
themselves
curious
to imposture
hand
lending
things. That
very
in
the
of
all
has
I
which
the
world
have
air,
heard,
floating
seen.
There
it is true ; and
there
was
nothing but moonlight in the room,
is every
such
stances.
circumunder
presumption against such
phenomena,
where

of

was

"

"

But

difficult to
I

"

All

"

that

see,

Mr.

and

see;

you

Home

towards

the

fourteen

sat

round

others,

six

were

half

empty

you

believe, however

must

for it.

account

recollect

there

him

what

on

half

one

window

and

hands

the

hand

right

my

of

; and

circular

besides

table,

the

moonlight.

cate
table, when
hand, delia
the
defined,
to
shadowy, yet
appeared, dancing slowly just
side of the
gi^ually creeping up higher, until,
table, and
in a mist.
it
The
terminated
the
hand
elbow,
slowly came
to
Mrs.
at the
right side of the table, and seemed
our

were

the

on

and

other
above
nearer

to

face.

her

pat

it take

'Could

responded 'Yes,' and

raps
seemed
trying to take.
it
The
wife obeyed ; and
*

Could

three

of

that
was

it seemed

Powers*

refer

here
from

words
describes

"

writes
escape.
but it
and

of

hand.

grace.
; when

view.

to

it

"

pronounced

was

hold

I took
/

fanned

did

of it ;

loosen

not

my

dutcJiJ*

my

1871
was

that

of

of

experience
exactly similar.
the

content

myself

narrative.

The
him

to

Bell

Robert

the

to

by

exclaimed

researches

shall

of

Mr.

with

citing a
that
phenomena
have

Mr.

occurred

few
he
in

light.
have

retained

one

Crookes,

Mr.

There

in that

Wilkinson
^

"

no

was

gradually

faded
Dr.

one

arm.

corroborates

attested

are

and

it

husband.

much

passing round,

hand

chapter
I

his

the

with

lost

was

Httle

child's

F.R.S.,

another

Crookes;

my

out

hand,

cheek

In

Crookes,
in

strong

to melt

Wilkinson.

William

slowly

occasion,

testimony

Dr.

and

then

said

'

some

Three

it, which

near

her

fanning
?

husband.

fan

her

handle,'

company
and
the

patting
evidently

"

and

warm,
hut

hold,

'Give

it the

commenced

and

another

lost child

lady put

of the

rest

company,

felt, on

"

the

her

cried

the

signified assent,

raps
of the

each

it

it fan

fan V

hands

these

"firmly resolved
struggle or efibrt

seemed
manner

(of whom

Researches

of

in the

to

resolve

from
the
Phenomena

in

get

itself into

grasp."

my

let

to

not
to

own,"

my

loose,

vapour,

Spectator said, March

of

Spiritualism."

it

62

LIFE

1863, "In

14,

have

good

hands
in

four

cases

Powers

result

the

been

seized

facts

the

the

was

the

but
melted

in

side

still further
to

the

Cavaliere

furnished

quite

Mrs.

to

of

me

him

let

poet,
how
to

seized

Gibson's,

he

him, and

what

of

hand

the

turn

"c., in
accounts

which

in

Alexis
year
stance

that

Mrs.

at

this

Milner

and

touched

decisive

method

appeared
of

result

guished
distin-

Tolstoy, relates
i860
expressly

in the
at

the

Italian

peasant

have

may

become

in
politicalredemption of Italy,he was
an
superstitious creature.
extremely bigoted and
fears
and
Florence
his
that
in
passions
year
the

since

worked
told
vile
of

perhaps

"

prejudice

the

to

on

by

the

Church
to

Landucci,

to

raise
Minister

of

dead.
of

"

that

the

In

Home

Interior

to

the

At
were
was
was

and

1856,

tations,
incan-

Signer

Grand

Duke

of

of these
Home
Tuscany, warned
reports and the
the
they had created
peasantry;
among
he had
terrible proof of the fact
already received
a
his life was
in danger in Florence.
The

winter

of

1855

was

veiy

severe

sacraments

by spells
January

1855

He

the

administered

toads, in order,
the

Home.

Mr.

priesthood

who

necromancer,

the

If

Panigai,

the

read

and

to

phenomenon.

the

Whatever

how,

was

the

verifying

Countess

Karpovitch,

letter

London

to

Home

Mr.

meet

and

reader

Count

poet.

travelled

he

the

to

turn

Russian

attended,

unearthly hands
by observers
reasonable
and
Browning, but more
he wishes
to balance
poet against

If

prejudiced.

less

Browning,

for, let the

this work,

these

against
Mr.

had

these

sceptical as

as

that

incline

Dr.

the

effort

testimony

Hawksley,
Peck,

chapters of

subsequent

asked

be

he

of

no

hand

of

stance

of

was

Set

grasp.
declarations

of Dr.

Fenzi,

there

life-like

balance

evidence

narratives

same

In

1.

Robert

year,
each

same

the

in

the

does

187

warm,

contradictory
during and after the single

which

in the

Crookes

Mr.

i860,

HOMR

we
personal character
of these
believe") grasped one

to

reason

OF

of his

honour

the

withdrawal,

at

MISSION

1855, Hiram

in

Bell

AND

there.

Late

citement
ex-

but
that

one

ENGLAND

bitter

night
returning

was

"

just

he

63

of

December,

alone

through

reached
from

stepped

Incidents,"

"

ITALY.

5th

rooms

as

man

the

In

the

his

to

staying, a

was

of

that

streets, when,

AND

Mr.
the

Home

deserted

the

house

the

adjoining

way.
door-

what

sued
en-

Home

where

describes

ho

"

"

was

the

at

the

on

window

violent

blow

caused

if the

see

on

by it,

left

my

threw

door, and

own

my

servant

still

was

force

side, the
forward

me

blow

The

doorway.

step leading to

to

up,

of which,

breathless

in

looking

was

when
and

the

up

I receivetl
the

emotion
of

comer

the

then
again repeated on my stomach, and
the same
blow
another
cried
the
on
place ; and
attempted assassin
his
!
Dio
Dio
mio
with
and
mio,
outstretched,
arm
out,
turning
he
I distinctly saw
the
ran.
gleam of his poignard ; and as ho
turned, the light of the lamp also fell full on his face, but I did not
I was
recognise his features.
perfectly powerless,and could not cry
was

'

out

or

make

any
I

I stood

; and

for

thus

least two

at

minutes

along the wall to the door of a

way
my
I thought I must
have
I was
admitted.
received
neighbour, where
serious
but
I
found
first
that
the
some
on
myself
injury ;
examining
I happened
blow
struck
the
in my
had
door
have
to
key, which
heart.
breast
I
the
of
pocket, immediately over
wore
region
a
my

after

which

alarm

coat, and

fur

second

blow

of my

dress

this
had

my

had

coat,

chanced

through

gone

The

wound.
and

which

be

to

also

bled, but

third
trousers

my

doubled

twice

four

the

waistcoat, and

coat, my

inflictingany
of

groped

the

folds

of

band

of my

had

blow

front.

it, through

Tlie
comer

trousers, without

penetrated

linen, and

and

in

the

made

four

folds

cision,
slight in-

freely."

not

by the following letter that

of Mr.
the
cause
an
acquaintance was
the night in question :
alone
on
It appears

accident

an

Home

to

being

"

"Casa
"

"

see

My
you,

dear

Home,

were

not

"

I should
laid

up

Salviata,
Friday

Via

December
t

Chiara,
7,

1855.

to
certainly have
gone
with
a
sprained ankle,

Colombaia
the
at
meeting you
prevented my
with
coming home
evening, and
Wednesday
on
you
have
there
two
that
might
being
Perhaps
evening.
I am
which
to
happened
prevented the accident
you.
almost
miraculously out 01
delighted to hear you came

which

it ;

and

though

I do

not

think

that

am

of

revenge-

LIFE

64

fill

to

still

nature,
what

get
to

use

dear

deserves

yours

murderer

have

been

suggested
for

another

bigotry

the
that

man.

though

of

C.

Home

the

crime

might

T.

Fuller."

bably
Prothat

passion
thought
;

have

and

flamed
in-

robbery
it

been

be,

to

me

of

be

way

any

arrested.

never

persons
the

in

Believe

me.

was

some

motive
Mr.

could

was

scoundrel

cowardly

truly,

very

superstitious

the

and,
of

dispose

attempted

him

HOME.

OF

wish

sincerely

pray

Home,

The

he

you,

MISSION

AND

was

mistaken

to

even

LIFE

60

of

King

the

AND

Naples,

MISSION

who

presented

that

souvenirs

numerous

of

form

the

had

time

and

and

so

was

difficult

it, that, before

from
carried

out,

stones

seven

royal families

had

the

attached

memories

gratitude

and

esteem

the

preferring,in
stone.

of
rather
to

recompense
for
accepted recompense
valuable
The
three
most
were

and

presented
each

in

giftwas

to

his

for

rings
the

by

the

circumstances

than
eyes
marks
of

were

part with
that

them,
to

these

direct

that

He

never

indirect

or

Home

Emperor

single
jewels

stances.

stance,

of

greatest poverty,

suppose

him

case

be

members

cherished

he

than

indirect

an

brittle

could

Home's

They
such

as

moments

hardships
any
It is a mistake

support

and

for

horseshoes

two

and

in

them.

to

is

orders

heads

value

other

same

broken.

crowned

no

the

in

wrought

ruby

Prince's

were

presents from

These

were

the

shaped
at

similar

shape

to

and

esteem

ruby

The

it.

wore

their

the

receive

to

Highness

ring exactly

always

it

his

and

of

of

one

destined

with

set

him

to

was

token

ring

horseshoe
second

himself,
gem

he

in

from

royal personages,
a
friendship. It was

HOME.

OF

possessed

Alexander

under

II.;

which

the

it

rendered

doubly precious. One

ring
the wedding-gift sent
by the Czar in 1858, at the
was
The
first marriage.
of Home's
time
following year, on
of a son,
his Majesty presented an
emerald
the birth
and
thirteen
set with
diamonds;
later, in 1871,
years
of our
the occasion
the Emperor,
on
marriage, sent to
Home
Mr.
a
a
sapphire of great size,
ring set with
The
surrounded
with
diamonds.
sapphire Home
tained
rethe
diamonds
the
he
in
caused
to be set
ring ;
of his own
in an
exquisite ornament
design, and
sented
prethis to me
as
a
marriage gift.
gracious and delicate
Nothing could have been more
than

made

the

when

the

Czar's
latter

behaviour
was

his

to

on

Majesty's

chapter an incident
presentation to the Emperor
not
to both
only does honour
another

Home

every
I
guest.

connected
of Russia
the

Czar

with
in
and

Mr.

occasion

relate

in

Home's

1858,

which

himself, but

ITALY

would

alone

Alexander

II.

received

of the
her

the

beautiful

so

Homers

in, was
of

with

Minister

at

In

of

his
his

then

Hotel

Mr.

cannot

he
Home's

the

of

the

there

of

manifestation
in
date

in

staying

at

letter

to

kind

attentions

him.

Footfalls,"before

"

Rome,

surrounded

him

it may

where

the

at

and

that
the

during

"Gregoire"
Home

mistakenly

family

time

remarked

the

Catholic

the

corded
re-

the

gave

their

guest
that

influences

constantly and
his thoughts towards
to turn
eflFectively
seeking refuge
in the Church.
aided
ences
by the cruel experiThey were
he
had
The
falsehood
of
recently suffered.
friends
him

whom

keenly,

Florence
these

to

exerted

be

probably

Paris, which

but

Branicki

him

later,

years

than

notably
at

summer

two

phenomena

absence,

the

856, or

Italy. More
had
quitted

"Incidents,"

the

to

went

in

detached

its

that

1857.
Naples,

as

From

to

few

very

twelvemonth

life

Robert

in his

the

work,

power
visit ; though

earlier
were

of

been

that

prove
elder

and

shown

occurred

his

as

had

the
festations
manicertainty whether
say with
describes
himself
in
as
having witnessed

returned

latter,

had

there

Owen's

presence

Home

when

Dale

to

The

man,

had

he

father, whose

attempt

warmly

very

American

Owen,

Owen's

was

acquaintance

and

of

Russia

for whom

possible.

Home

speaks

not

Court

dying

Dale

heroic

is

when

he

I have

Mr.

the

almost

young

me,

in

Socialism

son

news

unpleasant to
weeks
in the early
Luigi, he became

six

Robert

from

introduction

England
Cox's

the

and

so

Prince

to

Neapolitan

consumed

Owen,

Hon.

and

on

for

addition

the

the

look

to

residence

1856.

intimate

was

always remembered
and
gratitude,

sovereign.

Naples,

letter

67

Home
explain why
with
peculiar esteem

hideous

spring

FRANCE.

profoundest grief and horror

crime
that
in
1881
deprived

with

beloved

live

AND

had

clouds

he
the

was

themselves

much

that

occurrences

profoundly
darkened

attached

the

saddened

natural

closed

had

wounded

his

him;
sunshine

and

stay

at

while

of

his

veil

spirita
the

and

Catholic
mind

been

advisers

suggested
for

longed

he

of Rome,

Church

In

withdrawn.

was

HOME.

OF

suddenly dropped
all counsel
beyond, and

had

world

it

from

mSSION

AND

LIFE

68

him

to

relating
of

so

her

to

he

be
read

with

set

rest, could

at

left

indelible

so

of the

Church,

and

IX.

Pius

gave
him
with

I should

I determined

three

or

shim

to

weeks

authorities,

received

as

member

confirmed."

was

audience

an

recent

my

part of the
be

already

wished

two

ever

of that

world, and

After
the

on

that

decided

this

tending
con-

for

be

soul, from

my

all

that

falsityhad

that

to

with

member

its

my

monastery.

deliberation

serious
was

on

pertained
a

as

life and

Florence,

it at

enter

to

it

received

mark

experiences of
everything which
of

be

experiences of

My

body.

I but

Finding

coincident

writes,
thought
experiences,"
and
contradictory beliefs would

own

the

intense

"

"

of

peace
found
in

doctrines.

facts

many

moment,

the

that

perhaps
sought and

he

comfort

and

gloomy

might

and

works
eagerness
them
expressive

this

him

between

to

the

convert,

young

and

An
benign favour.
English
Home
to the
prelate, Monsignore Talbot, accompanied
The
Vatican.
much
Pope questioned me
regarding
the
writes
He
neophyte.
pointed to a
past life,"
my
said :
stood
crucifix which
to us, and
near
My child,
received

the

most

"

"

it is

what

upon

faith.'

is

that

on

that

table

place

we

our

"

There

was

nothing

in

welcoming

Possibly,
hopes that

she

might

said
her

of
new

day

one

demoniacal

possession.

in him

canonise

had

Church

the

son,

worker

of miracles.
It
had

life

Monsignore
chieflyrecourse

; and

find

on
prelate, dated
giving directions
Not
only did

audience,
manner,

Talbot

was

and
but

among
the
to

him

Pius

converse

he

in

this

his
eve

to

whose

important

with

subsequently

favour
him
sent

moment

of

from

confirmation,

his
that
and

it.

concerning
IX.

Home

letter

papers
of his

counsels

Mr.
in the
him

Home

an

benignant
special bless-

most

his

with

AND

ITALY

ing, guaranteeing

Home

to

Paradise.

into

entry

document,

and

smiles

king

his

to

relatives

an

preserved this interesting

possession.
my

in

now

69

and

Home

it is

the

Whom

FRANCE.

smile

courtiers

on,

on

and

imitated
gracious bearing of the Pope was
by
from
cardinals
downwards.
hierarchy of Rome,
convert
path that led the young
tery
up to the monas-

the
the
The

gates

applause

might

with

strewed

was

and

of

encouragement

have

finallyseen

that

the

and,

roses,

those

all

amidst

around
close

gates

all

the
he

him,

him, but

on

that
But

that

less

life allured

him, and

He

hoped

misgivings.
his hopes soon
inhabits

not

the

and

more

had

changed

the

cell of

of

living

example

of

task

at

than

This

the

June

1856.

Although

had

persuaded

to

his

one

of the

the

celebrated

Pope's

Holiness

take

counselled
most

the

one

he

been
it would

of

the

loth

the

promise

foretold

de

select

Home

February, 1857,
be

in

kept;

but

he

did

was

when

is
had

French

that,
personally
there

priests,
found

Home

his

not

might yet

confessor

and

him

power
twelvemonth

and

sooner

Paris, in

IX.

Father

and

of entering

he

There

in
but

was

differed.
left him,

later,

convinced
he

in

company

to

Pius

for his

when

exactly

no

is certain

eloquent of

and

back

drew

that

; what

Paris,

agreeable

purpose
in him

interest

is

himself

shut

In him
Ravignan.
loftypiety delighted

to

return

would

less

himself

his

vows

it; but

? and

was

friend, whose
society he took
great pleasure.
and
the
he
point on which
good

It had
that

to

excellent

kind

whose

error,

hoped

for

him

P^re

world

determination

left Rome

Home

to

renounced

the

monastery,

the

that

family, betook

Home

Perhaps

of

example

fatal

his

peace
very rarely
Christ
the
set
not

quitted Italy ; and,

he

Branicki

with

in

peace

Did

that

be

arrived

before

that

midst

the

stronger became

fears

cell would
enter.

be

the

in

life

monastic

find

Convinced

to

the

monk.

the

following

refused

cease.

to

the

to

to

diflficult?

convent

drew

he

nearer

said

on

that
so

to

LIFE

70

de

P^re
**

Have

as

fear of that, my

no
are

you

of

priest always confidentlyreplied :

the

Ravignan,

child

long as you
doing, observing carefullyall the

now

holy Church,

our

HOME.

OF

MISSION

AND

will

they

cepts
pre-

allowed

be

not

on

go

so

"

to

return."

the

During
Louis,

of the

one

Dr.
again fell ill; and
celebrated
physicians in France

Home

winter
most

decided
auscultation
that
on
consumptive
cases,
advised
the left lung was
diseased, and
more
a
genial
the
of
His
without
climate.
means
patient was
acting
for some
remained
in Faris^ where
his advice, and
on

for

was

confined

the

night

he

time
"On

writes,

as

which

had

of the

clock

the

"

bed.

his

to

struck

in my
a hand
room,
and
voice
said, Be
a

will

before

be

well.'

sank

into

he

to

came

rappings
and,

as

loud

raps

on

to

came

bed,

; and
the

give

his

me

without

; you

elapsed
in

had

I
de

done

Ravignan,
afternoon

same

floor

left

He

whatever

loud
;

before

benediction

bedstead.

the

on

my

awakened

than

the

to

loud

conversation,
During
the
ceiling and on the

me.

about

was

had

Ffere

the

to

occurred

heard

were

he

leaving,

see

came

minutes

refreshed

wrote

had

what

there

quiet sleep, and

time.

few

feeling more

the

morning
for a long
telling him

But

in

was

soon

was

placed gently upon

of good cheer, Daniel

rappings
brow,

when

he

1857,"

February,

twelve, I

confined

been

of

loth

me

the

on
expressing any opinion
subject
of the phenomena."
The
of Home's
the
loth
predicted return
on
power
of February, 1857, was
known
Court
at the French
; and
the following day the Marquis de Belmont,
chamberlain
of the Emperor, presented himself
to inquire if he had
Tuileries
to the
regained it. An
Imperial invitation

followed;

and

Empress.

he

This

was
was

certain

personages
Majesties to be

presented to the Emperor

the
on
13th of February;

of the

present

Court
at

were

selected
held

sdance

by
the

and
and

their
same

evening.
No

account

was

published

of

this

or

any

stance

at

ITALY

Tuileries;

the
known

in the

FRANCE.

AND

but

of

few

Parisian

world

.71

particulars became
as
they passed from

the

; and

details were
fabulous
added, until,
lip to lip a thousand
assumed
in the
imagination of French
society, Home
the proportions of a necromancer
with
of familiar
a host
whom
he
the
exercised
spirits at his command,
over
It was
in vain
for
Faust.
a
authority of a Manfred
or
make
him
known
to
again and
again, in the most

emphatic

of the

instrument
to

evoke

the

of
and

journals
whether

evoking

Csesar

in

while

he

in

of

magic

detached
the

quit

around,

turn

the

master,"

consider

but
the

how

society suits
The
pictures

that

themselves
Pfere

de

Ravignan
demons,

spiritswere
was

Home
to

return

in

lost

soul.

that

these

to

him

that

"

Paris, and

but
the

"Ah,

demon,

the

before

knees

drew

my

box
the
most

the
dear

if you
would
how
perfectly

he

who

the

in

In

his

communed
he

again
would

sport

of the

earnest.

Again and
evil beings
;

to

packing to
stand
meekly

with

imagination

grim

and

of

"

the

wave

is

longer stay.

caricaturists

to

hairdressers

fiend
his

his

number

little

poor
I like

here

me

of

imps
be
to
popped into
already imprisoned;

much

with

is

society

brush

to

liars,
famihe

startled

and

on

of

Now

directs

legion

fectly
perstance

not, figures

or

wizard

the

remonstrates

was

the

in

of

shade

he

them

who

salon^ and

party,
horns, is

imposing of tails and

magician, begging for

way;

servants.

barbers

of

are

of

and

august

as

number
their

its

of

third, the

over

operations

act

fellows

goblin

master

the

the

In

influence

1857, Home,

caricature

waiting
their

any
have

humble

sets

that

had

commencement

Parisian

wand

hands

and

summoner

very

another

company.
Paris.

where

his

are

nothing but the

never
pretended

was

manifestations

be

imperious

boots;
his

the

at

say
would

the

on

of

caricatures

there
as

would

to

who

looks

exercise

Paris

unable

he

that

phenomena,

spirits or

world

always

fact

the

terms,

not

spiritsmust

excellent
the
eyes
with
them

had
be

sented
pre-

assured

permitted
perforce keep

their distance

MISSION

AND

LIFE

he

now

was

specially blessed

and

falsified his

loth

proof that
of the

blessing, P^re
after

called

him

on

The

Pope.

but

prediction;
actually

Church

Roman

could

night of
in spite of

approach

work

at

first visit

the

the

to

of the

tell him

to

of

those

were

ruary
Febthis

son

Papal
the

to

The

evil.

Tuileries, Home

stance

there.

expressed great dissatisfaction

He

"

forces

the

morning

the

though speciallyfortified by the

de
clung stubbornly
Ravignan

Church,

belief that

the

invisibles

the

of

son

by

HOME.

OF

at

the

being

my

not
subject of such visitations ; and said that he would
I should
unless
at once
return
to
give me absolution
listen to any
shut myself up
not
there, and
room,
my
to
whatever
rappings, or pay the slightest attention
in my
presence."
phenomena
might occur

with
his confessor.
attempted to reason
represented that the strain on his nervous
system
the
him
confinement
would
solitary
prescribed to
As for paying no
too great for endurance.
attention
the phenomena
:
How
I help it ?
If I were
said .Home.
can
Home

He

of
be
to

"

"

"

strike

on

this

table

said

the

"Yes,"

of his

traditions

hear, and
"You

me

I wish

right

no

Do

I bid

as

"

K
to

as

thing

to

there

(do Komar).

the

cause.

do ; come
and consult

the

(Abb6
187 1.)

in

story, he said, That

my
as
try to carry out what
very

much
my

case

when

to witness

emotion
I

am

and
my

all,and
and

of
not

agitated,

for

as

well

consequences."

we

the
were

On

said, ' There

ing
reach-

Madeleine

put
*

and,

adding, I
things.'
*

as

together

one

Abb4

de

; murdered
after hearing

in my

me

power,

is but

for the

send

came;

wonderful

destroyed

the

friend, the Count

agitation,and questioned

of the

ordered

these

while

replied

me,"

will

Abb6

"The

been

had

"

valued

he

we

Deguery

they might

some

had

dear

me,

to

reason

great distress of mind.

observed

him

with

in

to

the

bear

or

very

* "

him

Communists

He

with

reason

"

told

home

by

**

listen

would

you,

the

see."

to

to

Home,

I found

room,

my
de

avoid

you

stubbornly faithful to
I wish
only hear when

"I

Father, if you

have
"

order

I left liim," writes

"

could

hand,

my

Father,

when

see

But, my

priest.

with

to

"

hearing ?

"

"

is

grave
would
Most

aKve
like
nately
fortu-

usually

several

the

interest-

LIFE

74

AND

preference was

his

eight, both

or

found

that

the

at

her

most.

declared
she

intention

ing that
spoil the

the

it

her
her

to

was

to

consent

None,

Is

**

be

be

at

Bjiow-

probably
profound
the

ditions
con-

adhered

Empress
displeasure;

in

tiiis,

persisted in

The

on.

sons
per-

table

the

to

present.

the

but

the

party

Majesty

chooses

over

make

this

comply as
although

far
it is

Home

manifestations

of sitters

with
any

sion
permisyour
table
that
your

nothing,

; but

be

may

of

the

for

should

any

have
occur,

replaced whenever

his

Court

Majesty

table, which,

and

selected
Home

large

tremble

under

vibrate
and
began
to move,
placed on it, then
the

were

although

to

soon

you

your

of other
by an equal number
persons.
to
to
suggestion
great desire
prove
my
as
possible with the wish of the Empress,
always a pity to interrupt a good stance."

personages
Emperor, and with
the

and

"

places at
I promise

our

Five

at

that

"

indicate.

power
the first

condition

other

any

said

Home,"

Mr.

proposition,

your
there

take

may

no

from

very
suite
Home

to

withdrew

obser\'ed

will

Majesty

places

vexed

so

insisted

Sire," said

we

eight

remained.

to

**

stance

sitters would
many
his
Home
could
only express
impossible for him to accept

Majesty

Napoleon.
wish

of

resolve, and

Emperor
"

the

to

refuse

should

presence

stance,

regret that

Majesties

if Mr.

that

first

his

On

French

Empress was
bring her whole

to

and

admit

to

frequent

their

The

intended

having
his

able

be

seven

he had

more

circle.

sized

moderate-

at

because

of

were

Tuileries, he informed

should

he

with

manifestations
a

of sitters

number

confusion, and

prevent

with

visit to the
that

to

the

occurrence

fix the

to

HOME.

OF

mSSION

and

by

took
and

presently

the

their

massive,
the

to

be

hands

lifted

ground.
the table, and
came
raps on
on
alphabet being called over, responses
were
given,
not
only to the spoken queries of the Emperor, but to
questions he put mentally.
followed
Napoleon
everj'
At

last

the

manifestation
satisfied

with

himself

keen

by

the

and
closest

sceptical attention, and

neither
scnitiny that

ITALY

AND

FRANCE.

75

delusion
was
deception nor
possible. The
the Emperor's unspoken thoughts completed
made
he

that

on

with

was

himself

addressed

now

it

very much
of this.
Will
you

seek

like

marked

Mr.

to

the

to

sion
impres-

aflfability

Home,

Empress

consent

the

saying
to

see

"

thing
some-

going myself

my

to

her?"

**

we
"

Certainly,Sire," said Home

will change the circle,"
No, no," said the Emperor,
to

all that

see

is

possible

"

"

of the

if you

and

much

am

desire,
ous
anxi-

too

manifestations,

and

follow

will

counsels
in every
particular."
your
these
words
to
Napoleon rose, and went

With

accompanied him on
place in the circle, her

Home,

with

half-annoyed air,

that

condition

his

who

Empress,
taking her

in

; and

I should

"

the

him

replies to

all

time

next

"I

but

return;

Majesty

said

to

only here

am

party shall

my

seek

be

on

present

clique y sera)." The manifestations

were
and
Home
not
once
more
recommencing;
the
desired
to
Emperor
investigate as closely as his
Majesty pleased. Napoleon,
extremely sceptical by
self
the table himreadily complied ; looking under
nature,

(toutema
long in

too;

when
keenest

the

Empress,
pings a reply to
feeling her robe
Home
Mr.
cry.
his request she

table. Home

of the

look
the

Emperor
of my
"

How

with

in

the

rap-

unspoken thought
presently
a
pulled, started, and uttered
slight
sought to calm her agitation; and at
hand
below
the
consented
to place her
; and

"

If

the

that

on

the
the
the
an

trembled
cause,

takes

hand

and

took

tears

asked

through

her

Empress

father

turn, received

Emperor
resting

time

same

her

confident

am

hands

Home's

in

saying,
The

alarm."

Home

watching

scrutiny.

The

it, and

on

came

raps

touch

will

other

sitters

cause

jesty,
Mano

you

looked

table.

on

Immediately
expression of joy, but
When
eyes.
replied, I felt the

in
she

of your

that

her

"

the
at

the
hand

mine."

could

incredulous.

you

distinguish

it ?

"

[asked

the

peror,
Em-

LIFE

76
I would

**

the

it

from

"

touched

by

referred

to

the

by
the

When

held

again

have

reason

from

this

moment

of

number

fingers
"

defect

fact of the

the

Empress.
hand

her

there

shall

only

prefer, and

you

will

You

"

of me,"

complain

to

sitters

Home.

to

still much

Majesty,

her

ended,

stance
out

of the

one

verified

and

answered

thousand,"

lay in mine, I satisfied

Emperor, in his turn, was

The

hand,

in

HOME.

it

As

defect."

the

defect

life.

in

was

of this

moved,

OF

MISSION

distinguishit among

Empress,

just as
myself

AND

never

she

said

be

present

the

the

always

and

"

same

persons."
quitted the Tuileries, leaving on the
Empress an impression very diflFerent from
he had
produced before the stance.
selected
of the Court
were
by
personages

of the
which
Four

Majesties

the

of

Chamberlains

presence
caused

power
the s6ance.

then,

la

de

invisible

an

livelyemotion

The

the

to

of

Pagerie and
the Emperor.

table

but

to

to

rose

of the

astonishment

the

Montebello,

the

Marquis

The

de

evidences

the

part in

of sevend

beholders,

real

less

took

who

height

their

de

not

those

that

stance;

second

Duchess

the

and

Tascher

the

at

present

Bassano

Count

Belmont,
of

be

to

de

Duchess
with

mind

Home

Mr.

feet

descended

gently and settled in its place again, light as a feather

force shook
the apartfallingto the ground. An unseen
ment,
of
till the crystal pendants
lustre
the
suspended
in the middle
rattled
A bell
loudly against each other.
lifted by invisible
the table was
hands
and
placed on
carried

held

Empress
invisible

of

had
**

For

the

and

No
held
my

to

it.

One
the

that

softlytaken
rise

and

of all present

hands

from

handkerchief

was

seen

appeared.
child, approached
back

and

hand

hands

started
her.

in her

means,

While
other

distance

some

of

Duchess

float

rested

these, the
de

from
in
on

the

her

by

the

air.

the

table,

small

Montebello,

hand
who

The

seated
Empress was
next
to
of
similar
since
she
longer susceptible
terror
in hers
the
hand
she recognised, she
cried,

part, I

am

not

afraid!

(Moi, je

n'ai

pas

ITALY

"

!);

peur

felt it
At

and

caught
gradually melt

this

of
desire

back

itself in

exhibited

the

at

in

Tuileries, the

light or

becoming
marked

hers, where

she

air.

into

table

massive

77

little hand

the

stance

second

FKANCE.

AND

menon
pheno-

heavy

degree, and

at

greatly

himself
assured
of the
Emperor, who
fact by repeated trials,one
moment
easily moving the
table with
the
the
a
couple of fingers; and
next, on
that
it should
become
expression of his wish
heavy,
in
vain
his
whole
stir
it
with
to
trying
strength. As
tins is one
that have
of the phenomena
been
attributed
it may
to delusion,
be well to refer here
to the experiments
interested

the

of Mr.
I had

"

in

that

the

floor.

merely
influence

from

I and

objects varying
lbs. temporarily influenced
in such
a
25 to ,100
lift
others present could with
them
from
difficulty

Wishing

due

to

separate occasions," he writes,

five

on

seen

weight

manner

Crookes.

to ascertain

variation

in

whether

this
of

the

power
of imagination, I tested with

our

"

physical fact, or

was

own

strength
machine

weighing

under

the

the

phenomenon
two
an
subsequent occasions
on
opportunity of
house
of a friend.
On
the first occasion,
at the
meeting Mr. Home
the increase
of weight was
from
8 lb", normally, to 36 lbs.,48 lbs.,
and 46 lbs.,in three successive
experiments tried under strict scrutiny.
On
the second
occasion, tried about a fortnight after,in the presence
of other observers, I found
the increase
of weight to be from
8 lbs. to
successive
trials,varying the
27 lbs., in three
23 lb", 43 lb", and
October
conditions."
Journal
0/ Science^
1871.)
{Quarterly
a

when

at

one

had

"

In

the

Louis

Salon

(I believe,

stances

appeared above
and
a pencil were
received
moved
the

hand

the

the

table,

on

have

of

that

nications
commu-

any

The

down.

man

of paper
hand

table, lifted the

"

on
pencil,and wrote
Napoleon.'* The writing

Napoleon
as

his

I. ; the

is recorded

been.

moved
Empress,
by
requested permission to kiss
her lips,then to the lips of
The

Tuileries

sheet

there

written

be

the

hand

which

lying, placed

might

of

third),the

single word,
the autograph of the Emperor
small
and
beautifullyformed,

paper

was

to

the

across

the

Quinze,

the

sight

of

this

hand,

it ; and
it placed itself to
the
The
hand
Emperor.

MISSION

AND

LIFE

78

HOME.

OF

like all others

at the
distinctly seen
; this stance,
Tuileries, being held in a good light.
with
the
to
In accordance
promise of the Empress
the same
usually present at each
were
Home,
persons
was

stance

occasionally one

but

changed.

were

selected

personages

after

until

way

the

Prince

also

of

short

of whom

made

that

years
in London

was

of

the

house

law

of the

which

Lady

we

as

there

"

any

friends

had

cdled

Prince

was

as

anecdote

to

sometimes

sceptical

of

stance,
her

were

to

A.

evening

one

Senior, sister-in-

present, and

was

following

the

at

ness,
wit-

occurrence,

relate.

seated

round

the

tray," writes
supper
from
the door bell ; and a serrant
in the hall asking for Mr.
Home,

will

be

Murat

and

Lord
Mr.

Mrs.
came

who

Dunsany's permission
go
Pray bring them
:
up :
ducing
introHe
quickly returned,
(now Lord
They
Dunraven).

welcome.'

yours

to catch

Tuileries, Home

stance

Mrs.

Senior,

loud

of

the

Home,

always
the

ring sounded
to say that two
gentlemen were
stood
begged Lady
immediately
up and
she
down
most
to them, when
kindly
Senior,

in any

America.

assertion

at

was

Dunsany.

Nassau

the

I leave

"Just

and

late

after

stances

after the

Some

varied

manifestations.

the

concerning

Imperial

an

remained

III.

Napoleon

the

sdances,*

have

four

the

Mr.

at

of the

relate, interesting in view

number

that

from
of

present

the

were

Home

absence

was

Miurat,

at

present

return

of Hamilton

Duchess

be

already named,

(or before) that

After

however,

sure,

to

I have

whom

stances,

not

am

of

two

or

Adare

to

said

Home

of the s^nce.
After
at the end
hoping
whether
asked
Mr. Home
some
agreeable chit-chat, Prince Murat
very
first
he
the
him
how
he remembered
met
at the Tuileries,and
evening
had
the
ill
he
under
hold
table
and
of
his
behaved,
going
laying
very
*
*
find out his tricks.'
Was
I not
feet, and declaring that he would
little
he
which
Mr.
to
Home
said,
dog?'
a
laughingly agreed:
saucy
ended
amused
all much
and we
were
by the Prince's livelytale,which
Mr.
to
When
left
the room,
the
Home,
by his saying, turning
you
with
his
leant
the
and
the
in
arms
on
forward,
table,
said,
Emperor
Whoever
is a charlatan
that Home
most
:
impressive manner
says
*

"

liar.^*^

**They

This

say.

we

felt

was

Sire, you

information

believe

from

in

the

these

fountain-head."

things," said

ITALY

Duke

the
talk

de

Momy

of the

was

"

was

**

add,

when

is

difference
of

proof

day, when

one

the

Home.
is much

so

it, Sire," said

duty

replied

deceived/'

the

the

delighted ;

report."

Emperor;

"but

may

you

subject again, that there

believing a thing and having
I

that

Duke,

the

between

it, and

the

contradict

to

right," said
speak on
you

Quite

said

of

sure

felt it my

and

Emperor

with

stances

79

III.

Napoleon
*'

the

to

has

"Whoever

FEANCK

AND

certain

am

of

what

de

Bassano

have

seen."
I have

of

one

four

the

the

been
fingers rings that had
having divers other consecrated

blessed

her

bracelets.

Curious

nothing of

these

usual

the

as

made
the
The

in

Court

was

selected

by

habitually at the Tuileries

arrived
one
evening, wearing on

Duchess

The

stances.

Duchess

of

personages
assist
to

Majesties

their

the

that

mentioned

to

objects attached
would
happen,

what

see

saintlyinfluences
circle.

Her

Rome,

at

took

but

fashion

new

her

to

she

her

of

and

said

place

jewellery

if any, it seemed
to encourage
manifestations
successful.
stance
was
; for the
very
of the
Duchess,
astonished, demanded
spirits if

difference

no

or,

of these
consecrated
neighbourhood
objectswas not
Not
the
in the
least," was
disagreeable to them.
reply ; and as a proof of the fact several manifestations
the

"

addressed

were

An

from

before

the

that

as

end

of

of the
the

habit

his

chair

been

thus

in

seer,

could

chair

before

the

backward
the
with

and
any

was

She

made

to

and
a

fonvard.

"

gesture of

father

to

The

recollected

movement,

to

stop

little distance;

balance

it

press,
Emthat

it

himself

if he, the
inquired of Home,
figure in the apparently empty

her.

replied,

to

communicated

was

and

her

advance

to

seen

apartment,

recoiled

motion

perceive

Yes,'' he

stance,

Empress.

chair

it sway
she watched

as

"

this

halted,

it

made

had

seat

and

surprise;
then,

the

personally.

at

chair,

empty

slowly

her

to

it is that

of

soldier."

LIFE

8o

Give

**

Home

and

obeyed,

father, whom
existed

he

but

whose

MISSION

OF

HOME.

description of him,"

me

AIS^D

had

known,

not

possession

knew

it was,

press.
Em-

of whom

and

single portrait, which

the

portrait of her Majesty's

the

drew

demanded

the

that

there
in

Empress,

Home

had

never

seen.

departure of

The

the

astonished

Parisian

filled with

once

Paris

world;

absurd

the

and

1857

press

at

was

stories, to

another

in

March

in

scandalous

and

referred

I have

of which

from

Home

some

In

chapter.

one

of these
different
falsehoods
were
thing the authors
Home's
departure was
compulsory, and
agreed: Mr.
In
would
in France
he
the
be
never
seen
again.
calumnies
the subject of these
meantime
was
crossing
the Atlantic, his sole errand
being to bring to France
the
had
offered
his young
to
sister, whom
Empress
take
her protection and
educate
under
at her
expense.
for the

solicitous

As

he

as

negligent

was

by which

day before

occurred

of

he

through

in the

given
the

de

Caxdonne,
had

she had
and

that

the

son,

who

had

might
she

be

wrote

his

he

loved

had

Home

accepted
gracious proposal

and
how

of 233

heen

deaf
This

to

me

vol.

deep

the

was

terest
in-

say

letter
St.

Rue

told her
for four
was

that

so

stranger

years

St

her

seen

seek

me

from

would

to

Rne

des

Madame

me,

mother

at once,

and

in order

the effects of

call upon

13

Germain, stating that

own

mine,

that

her

typhoid fever,
mind, that

her

strongly impressed

she

names

only by

residing at

was

Dominique,
to

are

here.

from

she had

the

indicated

circumstances

healing

particulars

Supplying

i.

when

of

case

which

Home

Mr.

in which

latter had

of

means,

received

dream,

cured.
to

whom

wonderful

March, 1857,

of

I
Elys^es,

Champs
A.

19th

sailed

which

witnesses,

the

own,

Incidents,"

"

initials,I reprint the

"On

of his

those

felt in him.

she
The

of

gratitude the kind

her
Majesty proved

much

with

welfare

upon
with

me

her

sou,

the

following morning at ten.

"
Accordingly, the next morning she presented herself with her son
de
there
B
at my
being present the Princess
(Princess
rooms,
Miss
E
and
who
de Beauveau),
with
were
me
(Miss EUico),
that
Paris
to
to
leaving
day,
previous
proceed on my voyage
my
very
"

"

"

"

LIFE

82

MISSION

AND

HOMK

OF

May
Let

"

love
"

have

whose

(Theure

him.

to

caresses

in

mother's

Again,
"

to

ceases

good

you
between

you,
is so
rest

able
and

10

to

renew

devotion

During
de

that

Mr.

Cardonne,

Ellice

is

had

the

able

to

Cardonne

of

restoration

all

"

My

"

tenderest

her

son's

himself

joins

son

The

regards.

child
have
poor
my
that the sweet
memory

she

17th, 1857,
Mr.

dear

bless

be

me

me

to

kind

resulted

of them

"

My
day

"

who

son,

never

take

to
every
have
recovered

him

to

his

hearing
gratitude.

his

to you
expresses
receive
me
to-morrow,

Thursday,

?
.

you, my
very dear
I shall carry with
**
A. Mauvoisin

Home's
the

wrote

till he
to

11

Home,

begs
happy

to

me."

very

He
you.
that he cannot
Will

on

to

June

on

ends
his

bestowed

see

"

nearly the same

and
expressing

day for the writer

presumed, therefore, that

name

letter

leave

Dear,

that

name

I find among

Cardonne,

sudden

oflfering
you

never

duce
intro-

to

myth.

you
much

so

will

is

in

me

"

of

Sardou,

de

be

and

strange

The

Sardou

other
persons,
among
Madame
de
that
neither

fact

the

testifyto

hearing

{grandit

permission

dramatist,

the

for

veneration

in France.

from

will

It may

celebrated

M.

known

well

Home

that

on

spired
in-

have

to hour

hour

asks

friend

a letter
papers
that
of Madame

hope

nor

then

her

become

as

call

Home

Mr.

Home's
date

Cardonne

de

since

for

you,

heure)^

Madame

has

bless

of

who

those

son.

my

enlarges from

mission

en

to

for

sentiment

me

of

number

return.
your
Providence
! I

miracle

all around

in
you,

welcome

wrought

the

to

of Divine

Messenger

you

who

and

you,

myself

add

me

yAkf 1857.

spoken

to

to

me

de

from

absence

Princess

sir,the

de
their

the

grave.

Cardonne."
Madame

France,

Beauveau,
friends

of

assurance

of

and
the

Miss

miracu-

ITALY

lous
Paris

and

others

credited

far

the

and

wonderful

carried

to

their

the

see

taken

Home

in

regarded

his

accustomed

enough,

wonderful

such

present.

persons
Mr.
Home,

for

"

The
de

Cardonne

was

in

France

and

When
the

date

Home

Sacred

Heart,

families

of France

Fontainebleau

there, as

and

returned

Christine

at

it

as

he

royal

was

thanks

thank

of

you

witnessing

cry ; and
thanked

the
me

all."

his

in

where
were

of

one

of

wished

it to

extraordinary

the

and

visitor

best

known

but

among

healing;

that

Of

England,

testifyto

similar

I have

given

festations
manidetails

occurrence.

from

the
the

her

had

his

convent

daughters

of

The
was

delayed

sister,

promise by placing

celebrated

educated.
Home

with

America

graciously redeemed

Empress

be

to

tions,
manifesta-

we

have

preserved
through him.

are

of their

Home

can

his

wish

the

letters

wrought

the

the

to

men.

instances

in America
under

him

of Madame
hearing to the son
the only extraordinary cure
not
formed
perthe
of
Mr.
instrumentality
through
selected

have

cures

his

charlatan, he

other

most

carried

of

at

me

the

of

correspondence

other

Home

will

You

nor

like

accredited

best

him

that, apart from

man

restoration

Home.

his

angel, demon,
was

exalted

frequent

thanking

clearly understood

gift,he

addressed

opportunity

was

was,

response
sufficientlyin not
Neither

of

was,

They

How

"

things !

invariable

be

the

these

mission, the

instrument

"

the

of

to

the

where

length that, after his stances,

a
simple expression of
rejecteven

such

so

Champs

Some

adulation, and

the

merely

as

to

from

all such

to

des

that

repugnance

Rue

manner

language of worship, and

height of a supernatural being.
in

doubted,

chamber

misconceptions concerning
many
and
vexatious
intolerable
to him.

in

enthusiasm

place.
a

known

Many

the

in

had

event
wrote

to

well

soon

there.

house

entreat

83

was

discussed

; numbers

visit

Elysdes,
persons

history

eagerly

to

as

the

and

cure;

FRANCK

AND

noblest

the

Court

speedily
his

of the

was

then

summoned

departure

ex-

84

AND

he

might

pressly that

of the

something

old

the

was

of
one

them
the

to

of

various

As

of

were

the

Tuileries, I pass
the

evening

accordion

An
Court
in

the

was

not

had

in

and

the

and

heard

recede

to

day
morning

were
raps
touched
in

In

the

the

in

first

shop

Home

and

it

held

He

Home

without

of the

one

stance.

; then

withdrew

his

ing
fingerstouch-

mortal

music

and

voices

tinctly
dis-

were

heard

were

ceased, they died

in

; but

way

the

letters

down

the

more

too,

away,

the

as

third

time

by

enigma
?

"

one

raps
the
It

was

had

religious

the

heard,

were

of

addition
the

hour

forgotten
duties

by

the
some

of

of

the

cated.
indi-

raps

was

received,

The

rappings

"

es

Court

alphabet,

"

present.

letters

the

written

^'etlam

"

conversation

ladies

stance

no

was

letters

the

again, and added

unintelligibleas

began

of

midst

of

the

wrote

this

the

One

succession

There

Sunday.

was

message
incomprehensible to all

word

every
their

of

that

buy

to

distance,

heard.

another

while

messe

the

next

the

was

incident

echo.

an

The
in

striking

charming air, which

the

into

faintly,till,as
like

the

All present listened

bound
spellaccompanying.
little by little these
aerial
voices
seemed

and

at

witnessed

perfectly new,

was

played

it

Fontainebleau

Home

to

sent

instrument,

it, executed

questions, much
at

it before

seen

hand,

one

hand,

been
It

even

sjtartledby

but

those

as

brought

Fontainebleau.

had

the

to

new

following :"

was

servants

collection
re-

Majesties.

French

them.

over

the

successful

being

with

description

in

was

manifestations

the

same

the

stance

Home

of their

amusement

fresh

is

only interested

overwhelmed

and

This

return.

of

monarch,

not

was

seeing

predecessor

fate

The

Bavarian

manifestations,

Home's

Bavaria,

world.

the

the

and

of

of

opportunity

on

melancholy

whose

sovereign

the

have

phenomena,

King

HOME.

OF

MISSION

LITE

but

etlames

first communication.
and
the

the key
gave
letters " 5e,"

for

A
to
"

attending mass
fact, until reminded
invisible

who

the

JSt la
; but

of

perhaps

ITALY

wished

to

Evil

FRANCE,

fear

always Jlurking

the

remove

that

minds

AND

the

phenomena

85

work

the

were

in

some

of

the

on

the

One.

The

afternoon,

same

lake

Fontainebleau.

King

of Bavaria

the

at

Home
isle

on

and

Home

but

which

with

there

in their

There

was

kiosk

Such
the

were

Tuileries

few

of the

sounded

raps

over,

little

heads
stance

loudly

communication

manifestations

witnessed

I have

Fontainebleau.

and

of

thought

no

had

iidinvited

boat,

party. Arriving at
kiosk, the three crowned

the
they entered
the alphabet being called
on
addressed
to the Empress.

was

Majesties

Imperial

them

as

and

excursion

an

in the

was

landed.

was

Their

fourth

the

be

to

there

omitted

at

ous
vari-

the

resembled
those
phenomena
occurred
in
already described
imdoubtedly much
; and
of the French
the presence
of the Emperor
and Empress

details, where

of

which

I have

knowledge,

no

therefore

and

cannot

record.
Home

from

returned

Imperial train, and

Majesties. During
startled

greatly
from

one

towards

the

to

carriage

same

journey
their

Paris

various

stances.

many
; and

with

unexpected

in
He

Paris

till

in

was

the

their

occurrence

fairlyfled

the

remained

now

in

phenomena

King of Bavaria, who

he
saw
object when
moving
him, in broad
daylight,untouched.

Home
held

the

in

and

witnessed;

were

Fontainebleau

it, advance

July

1857,
at

great power

and
this

witnessed,
were
extraordinary manifestations
not
salons^ but by sitters of every
only in fashionable
he
class in life.
Had
complied with the half of the
him
in Paris
in the
for stances
requests pressed on
of 1857, and
his return
there
the winter
summer
on

time

have
following, he would
the
twenty-four hours,

and

hour.

Had

himself

demon

of

price, he
"

he

allowed

cupidity
could

needed

into

have

always supposing

sit for the

to

the

change
to

be

sitters

tempted

sellinga giftwhich

rapidly piled
that

his

power

up

had

whole

was

of

every
by the

beyond

splendid fortune
not

abandoned

86

LIFE

the

him

he

moment

again large

sums

disappointed,
I will

cite but

There

stances

for

him

to

Paris

in

jeunesse dorie^
there

by
had

sit

vain.

in

single instance.

was

members

offered

were

and

Again

traffic in it.

to

[curiosity his refusal to

eager
and
invariably offered
they were

whose

persons

began

HOMK

OF

MISSION

AND

called
had

the

Club,

Union

whose

among
Home

of

talk

much

been

the

of

certain

society of

his

and

repeatedly refused
the
club
probably thought,
large offers of money
; but
like
the
English Sir Robert
Walpole, that every man
if Home
has his price, and
had
not
tempted,
yet been
because
his was
it was
exorbitant
They talked
one.
an
the
and
determined
matter
to bid
high. Home
over,
offered
francs
for a single stance, and
was
50,00x5
It

seances.

known

was

the

astonished

club

had

he

that

by returning

decided

and

prompt

refusal.
These

facts

family,
younger
to be

whose
the

Branicka,

with

Komars

De

of the
whom

all

friends

his

of the

elder

the

Princess

Home

had

de

in

for

their

when
at

who

**

"

and

have

out

told

have

attestation
seldom

repeated

that

had

done

me,

am

on

and

two

were

much

their

sisters,

Potocka,

Countess

stances.

happened
of

him

to

as

the
the

paid for

offer in

spot.

"

As

falsehood
my

bidders
Home

insult.
sheet

of paper.
he

put down

justice is
is

of

Paris

the

Bodiska,"

fable

one

Alexander

Count

the

dear

meet

to

surprise of

the

story, my
fact

mate
inti-

former

and

was

it treated

of the

that

the

Count

and

prized

rejected as an
pencil,and sought a

proposal

took

once

stance, and

1856, the

in

the

and

son-in-law

recalled

Paris

There

them

Home

society the

of

France.

remarkable

happened

Friends

most

with

Beauveau

many

Komar,

;^2000

and

the

Waldimir,

afterwards, Mr.

Long
evening
de

two

to

came

in

and

who

Komar,

Club.

became

brothers, Alexander
the

Union
Home

speedily

of

de

the

by

time,

the

at

Komar

De

the

to

was

Counts

two

member

Home

guest

of

known

made

were

said,
yom:
very

constantly

stances, it will

pro-

ITALY

bably

be

the

accepted

and

that

added

before

of

English
consul

this

at

me

the

I first met

"

Mr.

Vouillemont,
Alexander
of

of
as

There
to

was

never

the

likewise
Under

said, had

no

brothers

twelve

of

his

he

one

years

guest

receiving

circle

Count
as

of

wife

Komar

francs

these

old

if the

token

," Counts

the

these

lost

had

of

guest

during

the

sdance,

two

daughter

dearly loved, demanded

latter could
hope of
no
give him
presence.

such

complied
they waited

quite five minutes,

Bodiska."

than

times

who

B.

which

him,

on

he

whom

of her
to

as

visits, and

Komar,

50,cxx),
offered him

tioned
frequently menI have
already

France

in

him

ledge
knowmy
which
was

are

Home,

in

times.

incite

to

even

de

as

his

nessed,
wit-

of

to

annuity

several

de

others

and

hundred

Count

"

de

was

response
The

occurring
that
nothing

gift,for

life

friends

Alexander

of

in

"

warmer

On

elder.

settle

tunity
oppor-

character,

motive

my

Incidents."

"

and

of

family

ample

proposals, amongst

relative

de

Count

the

in

had

state

explain what
but
surely

Waldimir

and
in the

Count

frankly

incognito of

the

Alexander

resided

refused.

he

Hotel

father-in-law,

myself

the

at

Club, that ^offeredhim

to

Eussian

the

life and

many

and

adoption,

of

paper
in the

it

give

Home

his

Union

stance.

son

my
He

and

can

refused

from

was

mercenary
any
his
wonderful
to

call attention

one

where

principles can
not
only once

he

for

and

natural

will

private
extraordinary phenomena

presence;

Home

the

have

"

plied
com-

concerning

and

Dunglas

resided.

studying

the

stance

Bodiska

"

Paris,

father-in-law

world, that

for this

me

knowledge.

D.

Komar,

my

weU

this

incidents

moment,

York

leave

amount."

writer, who

New

at

the

his

87

offered

other

within

came

francs

double

even

FRANCE.

when

me,

5o,cxx)

perhaps

or

of

said

AND

De

questions
and

for
Komar

a
an

dead

"

his

made

Home
Ask

silence

the

spirits."

fell
the

answer.

At

felt what

seemed

variable
in-

the

on

end
a

of

pres-

LIFE

88

the

on

sure

but

"Do

see

you

**

declared

He

now?"

nothing

Komar,

"

see

small

white

closely,he added, with sudden

recognise it it is certainlyhers."

viction:
con-

The

"

aU

to
of a child's hand
; but
appearance
of them
Komar
it distinct except to De
was
; he
described
the hand
as
fullyvisible ; the rest as

the

saw
none

alone

misty

indistinct

and

present all immediately approached him, and

others

the

"

hand

looking more
**I

as

afterwards, replied:

moment

of cold

sensation

nothing.

saw

who,

Yes," said De

and

the

visible

They
a

down

Home,

to

HOME.

OF

knee, accompanied by

looking

on

much

MISSION

AND

of

outline

hand.

asked

He

to

kiss it ;

his eyes follow some

object
it raised itself slowlyto his

spectators watched
him

to

fips.

only, as

longer beheld

no

hand, they

the

only

saw

the

even

Count

shadowy appearance
imprint two kisses

of
on

invisible to all
become
apparition that had now
but him ; but they were
by the sudden
deeply moved
expression of joy that lit up his face, while at the same
the

his eyes filled with

moment

another

At

Count

same

the
that
the

Alexander

instrument, and

Komar
their
the

places at
piano, and
and

called
the

his

saw

caught

soft to the

sister,the

phenomenon;

sounds

Komar,

the

from

came

melody playedby hands

the keys. All looked
towards
hand
a
hovering above it. De
Home

table, the

the

stayingwith

was

sweet

while

and

rose;

warm

touched
lightly

very

Home

de

if of

piano, as

open

while

sdance

tears.

this

Count

hand

touch

as

Princess

the

and

went

in

his.

others

kept
straightto
It

was

as

He
any natural hand.
de Beauveau,
to witness

to his side,
crossing the room
she saw
the hand
resting in that of her brother ; and
he relinquishedit,grasped it in turn
in hers, receiving
as
from the contact
the same
agreeable impression.
It faded
from
her
clasp; and in its place appeared,

much

more

small

hand

Count,
name

as

and

distinct

of
she

a
saw

than

child.

at

The

it, called

of the sister she

had

the

former

daughter

eldest

out,

sdance, the

"

lost ; and

\-

Hedwige
this

of
"
"

the
^the

little hand,

LIFE

90

to

health

delicate

Home's

such

assaults.

valuable

Home

to

of the

of

aware

this

description was
rarely met with ; for
was
themselves
periiaps believed

as

friends, thought

only of holding stance

and

many

bringing

as

manifestations.

the

the

drained,

phenomena
energies of Home

vital

had

afterwards

consequent

of

most

been

another

how

strong

the

it

have

seek

him,

"

family,

Look

and

appreciate
render

his

yourself for

on

in

see

you,

who

retained

of the

brothers
with

happy

who

of the

One

sorrows."

two

be

France
Komar.

de

both;

but

morrow.

before

between
in

the
the

on

written
of

knows

who
on

every

in

our

how

to

occasion

to

from

demands

of

point

one

as

their

stances

had

future

confidence, both

friendship and

the

will

service, and

you

your
Home

expecting

early

Alexander

friend

me

how

was

the

eyes
had

stance

subsisted

Months

sister,Count

the

sufficientlyprove

that

Home

when

the

the

In

the

on

and

Home,

originated.

described,

sailingto
to

friendship

duce
pro-

exhaustion

for

Komars

De

his

reason

wonderful

the

and

brothers

two

acquaintance
I

the

was

only

to

remarkable

more

wonderful

not

time,

of repose.

that

would

or

same

greater

need

more

letters of both

The

the

been,

people, the fact

held
one
night was

seeking

and

the

his

witness

to

work

at

the

at

and

manifestations
and

reflect,

not

too

stance

upon

possible

as

persons
They did

mysterious forces

the

that

understand,

as

he

called, and

who

many

that

friend

HOME.

danger
lay in the gratification
to dexterously repelling

himself

cnrions, devoted

of the

OF

gaest, and, well

for his

fortress

MISSIOX

ASD

in

you

turn
re-

joys and
your
that
memories

pleasantest
of 1857 and
1858
He
kept up a
it was
nearly twelve

of

was
pondence
corres-

years

of the two, Alexander.

again saw
In or about
this long1870, however, he encountered
of
happy to find the old warmth
parted friend, and was

before

the

he

elder

friendship all unchanged.

Waldimir,
nearer

of the

known

Home's

handsomest

own

to

age
men

all his intimates

than
in

as

Alexander.

Paris, and

would

**

Lolo,"

He

was

have

was
one

been

ITALY

the

91

spoiltchild of society, if society could have spoiled

of his letters is before
A mass
charming nature.

his

the

was

affectionate

their

and

me,

contents

of which

"

translate

one

existed

between

written

in

the

of interest

to

be

may

dear

your

life in London
old

days.
**

that
.

I feel

only good news

fortnight ago an intimate
that

me

talked

in

of but

and

Home

reader.
thank

"

Komar,
well

say,

of

has

if it is true.

but

that

De

the
with

Sovereign nothing

our

was

it ; but that is not all. Last

senior, said to me, * Do you know
in Paris,
heard
it said that he was

to hear

Murat,

Empress

it is.
I will tell you what
Emperor, his god-daughter,

and

you,

she had

delighted me

The

to know

not

friend

ball, Prince

is ?

wishes

I could

It

you.

give

to

interview

an

Iklonday, at the
where

the

1862,

year

the

and

I have

told

de

if I had

as

himself

for
you
with
me
so
acquainted
your
in
the
still
as
near
good
me,
you

Dan," writes Waldimir

affectionate
makes
letter,which

My

close

how

demonstrates

tone

friendship that

Home.

FEANCK

AND

replied,'continued

would

Komar

probably

Murat,

know.'

that
few

to address

afterwards, her Majesty the Empress was

pleased
and
after
saying some
politethings, inquired of me if I
;
had
of your being in Pari"
I replied that I did not
any information
believe
I
had
heard
from
not
here, as
you
you were
; but
you or seen
gram.
send a telethat, to assure
myself of your being in London, I would
That
will explain the surprise I gave you.
*'From
aU
this it results, in my
opinion, that there is a strong
desire to see
could
If you are
in power,
again at the Tuileries.
you
It
leave London
not
to Paris ?
for a fortnight and
over
run
you
attach
the
to your
to me
degree of interest their Majesties
proves
stances
absence."
that they still think
of you
after so long an

moments

herself

me

...

the

Among
him

in the

Paris
five

some

he

became

stances.

Counts

de

Beauveau

Home

were

with

the

The

de

their

formed
Murat
de

especiallypreferred

Home

houses

in these

was

held

the

that

greater number
the

Princess

sisters, the

two

de

friendships
in France
thirty years
some
ago
family, the Marquis de Belmont,
Potocka.

Countess

Marchioness

Baron

it

to

open

spoken already, besides

of

Komar,

the

Empire,

six ; and

or

I have

and

that

the

intimate, and

most

of his

of

salons

brilliant

and

numerous

Other

Fontenelles

de

and

Kambures,

Pontalba.

two

aloof

nobility in

last

belonged

from
which

the
is

to

France

caste

of

that
the

held

itself haughtily

Empire

preserved something of

"

the

that
wit

old
and

LITE

92

all

the

politeness

Madame

de

of

the

but

St.

the

rigid devotee

to

Germain,

Legitimist aristocracy obtained

with

the

than

that

himself,

Marchioness,
which

the

on

in

sitters who, for the

among
in their politicsand Ultramontane

Fontenelles

emissary of
her

Satan

Home's

At
the

visit

of the

one

in

far

was

of

circle few

of his

stances

quite other
in

Paris,

Royalist
Madame

religion.
from recognising
she

him

invited
de

an

to

Bambures,

very

his

with

Paris

in

the

agreeable to him
accomplished hostess.

rendered

stances

among

; and

Ch"teau

ancient

tions
tradi-

part, were

guest that

her

sitters, to the number

around

most

so

gracefulhospitalityof

the

by

in

seat, the

country

where

however,

was,

the

elsewhere

him

surrounded

of

admittance

atmosphere

an

saions

magic

occasions

and

de

were

that

Within

in Paris.

found

Home

HOME.

days; and

former

Faubourg

exclusive

most

of

Fontenelles,

the

OF

MISSION

AND

the

Marchioness,

bled
assemwere
persons,
of Louis
of the
date

seven

heavy buhl table

XIV.,
Suddenly the
lighted by a single large lamp.
table inclined
tarily
itself at such
an
angle that a cry involunescaped the Marchioness.
My lamp, Mj. Home,"
will fall !"
exclaimed
Madame
de Fontenelles,
my lamp
You
be quite at ease.
said Home
quilly,
tranMadam,"
may
it."
"the
lamp will not stir; only, do not touch
Madame
de Fontenelles
obeyed ; but still half-alarmed,
clung
kept her eyes fixed anxiously on the lamp, which
the
and
of
if nailed
to
the table
there;
slope
as
sently
pre'the table settled back
gently into its place.
a

"

"

"

the

At

Chateau

remarkable

topped
and

table

then, turning
to

several
the

full
when

for

feet

this

higher,

was

and

rose

minute

any

still

but

the

from

suspended
of the

books

finally descended

manifestation

occurred

more

marble-

witnessed.

books

than

more

This

de

with

similar

was

its side without

on

daylight, the

Marchioness
and

covered

floor.

Home

Rambures,

phenomenon

remained

rose

de

ground
in

falling,
gently

again,

following morning, at the moment

of the
Marquis
taking leave

in

and

starting for Paris ;

interruption of the exchange

Fontenelles

extraordinary

air

before

ITALY

of

ridiculous

and

impression
of

the
with

memory

such

Home

suspicion

Madame

de

Bambures,

de

lively

preserved

fully
care-

Fontenelles

sent

associated

of

his

in

of the

pleasant recollections
hospitable welcome

the

and

manners

made

impossible, produced

that

Ch"teau

93

that

beholders.

the

photograph

him

doubt

on

FRANCE.

circumstances

under

adieux,

AND

gracious
noble

its

chdtdaine.
In

his
Mr.

1863,
Eambures

Home

the

wrote

published

"Incidents/*
foUows

as

of

his

in
at

stay

"

I also went

"

of

volume

first

on

visit to the Chateau

de

the

"

"

fRambures), to
The
(Fontenelles). "...

"

Marquis de F
elder
when
I had
of the family, Count
to my
L., came
son
room
the
wished
the
I
distinct
form
of
saw
a
family good-night.
boy,
and
described
his appearance
to L. ; adding that I could recognisehim
his portrait
After
breakfast
the following morning,
if I could see
asked
the chateau,
the Marchioness
if I would
not like to go over
me
and on
We
assenting,she said, We will begin with my boudoir.'
my
I looked
went
there, and on reaching the centre of the room
round,
and
the night previous. For a moment
the very face I had seen
saw
I could
self
it to be other than the spirithimnot bring myself to believe
such that I caught
only a portrait. My emotion
was
; but it was
hold
of Lk, who
stood
and
near
said, 'There, that is the boy I
me,
the room,
last night.' I was
that I had
to leave
saw
so
overcome
told
that
and
L. having related what
had
occurred
to
me
they then
not
and
his mother, they had arranged to put me
to the
having
test,
if I
told me
to see
of the existence
of the portrait,they wished
even
of

family

could

recogniseit."
the

Among

that

except
of
you

the

to

me,

but

for I have

you."

Home

and

at

this

no

It

four

between

had
that

come

and

hesitation
interview

recognisable,the

in

there

form

letter

from

interest,

or

have
you
detained

o'clock

forgotten
by

declaring to his
appeared to him,
a

person

whom

official
and

come

I very much
want
the
Marquis ever

of

the

recipient because
begins: **I expected

five

and

something
went;

the

yesterday, but
to you,
being

and

I cannot

duties;

followed.

that

event

is

importance

no

preserved by

was

Thursday

me.

see

it

Home

Mr.

of

Belmont,

de

Marquis

of

papers

to

say

wards
afterfriends
distinct
he

had

loved.

dearly
in

was

in

France) that

Home

It

this

evoking
the

interview.

who

received
in

have

Such

an

of the

One

at

another

Mario,

was

here

translate
Your

with

who
in

third

is

1857,

cord
re-

occurrence.
rare

if not

one,

de

and

Komar.

Home's

made
Madame

was

Grisi,

Francis

was

from

letter

on

concerning
still surviving

on

Count

1857

person
is

somewhat

was

sought

sought

one

the

it occurred

stances

("Father Prout").
Decembers,

others

form

; but

Paris

at

had

France

of

power

Marquis

relate

full

the

least

at

in

are

mon
(so com-

hope

possess
Belmont

the

Belmont

celebrities

acquaintance

dated

from

there

De

heard

occasions,

two

might

privately printed

probably

HOMEL

mistaken

the

details

apparition of
history of Home

the

OF

spirit,that De
The
testimony of

these

and

who

on

very

book

Home;

in

MISSION

AND

LIFE

94

Mahoney

Grisi

Home,

to

sufficientlyinteresting to

"

extraordinary and

has continued
mysterious power
its influence
during the whole
night to exercise
astonished
I am
charmed
to be
over
imagination.
my
able to express
all the pleasure I have
found
in
to you
I hope
to
making
see
acquaintance ; and
your
you
from
M.
Mario
desires
return
England.
again on my
'*

present his best

to

me

have

delighted to

be

compliments
call from

you.
**

Another

celebrated
this

at

thirty years

who,

her

published
Boissy
that

give

was

with

Grisi."

Marchioness

de

Home,

and

her.

There

If

1865,
phenomena

courage

half

of

testimony

to

their
their

of

those

belief!

who
if

believed

they

experiences

had

or,

too

had

but

by
had

published
timid

at

letters

several

Home's
correspondence;
among
details of the manifestations
witnessed

only

de

in

her
no

Boissy,

Madame

beheld
are

quaintance
ac-

Guiccioli, had

Byron.
1857, and
again

in

"c.,

"

Home's

of

recollections

deeply impressed

from

the

made

earlier, as the Countess

stances

several

time

present

was

who

person

GiuLLA

will

he

you, and
Receive

to

for

they
her.
the
their

that.

ITALY

had

least

at

written

when

public
the

But

are

so

temples
all

its

and

for

are

When
how

all

the

intellect

associated

with

of

accompanied

such

wanting

as

for
to

they
the

to

Hugo

the

who

justly

the

so

all

apply

to

proofs

Home

regarded

cause

no

the

with

joy

could

knowing

of

these

Home

it

lines

Ces
Lui

ennemis
viennent

qu*il
ae

lear

8*il

faut

qu'il

"

haine,

et

non

s'en

pas

cree
deference
indif-

other

la

no

fail

not

them

of

souvienne,
de

and

mob

the

friends

nounced
pro-

deserves

equal

and

are

is

forming

that

be

many

weapon

opinion
of

of

than

worse

natural

of

means

moral

invectives

when

whose

without

even

in

the

reproaches

to

had

is

the

"

"

and

itself

are

name

had

should

enemies

may

its

proved

availed

recourse

by

ought

"

one

have

or

one

He

have

these

are

by

that

Invective

have

who

"

sorrow.

in

press

itself

exhaust

But

honours

us,

than

himself,

the

hatred

insinuations

the

respect

and

the

for

the

less

Christianity
is

the

hinder
no

degraded

and

to

them.

with

be

it,

enemies

to

attention

that

earth,

may

calumnies.

which

to

from

death

by

outspoken

of

interests

of

in

secrecy

knowledge

Each

passed

the

silence

the

own

remain

made

incredulity.

BeUevers,

their

to

be

to

of

reach

falsehoods

ceremonies.

Home

nature

it

world.

the

much

aU

that

left

their

verity.

of

95

preserved,

unspoken

first

when

days,

the

consoUng

look

scoffers,

beyond

enshrouded

many

of

progress

and

have

they

have

which^they
facts,

were

silence

down,

it

they

FRANCE.

AND

sieime.''

Victor

for

).

96

IV.

CHAPTER

FRANCE

guided himself in
by spirit-counsels;and
Home

resolution

in

1857

British
years
attracted
by

great

by these, he
Turkey.
Among

visit
Lord

was

Minister

Lord

during
frequently to dinner

of

opportunity
Home

the

on

was

furnished

him

British

Ambassadors

at

quote the

"Mt

limited

Vienna

and
them

to

Here

the

are

letters

If

bad

dinner

friend

our

Denys

feel inclined

you

the

friends

Hotel

at my

and

afterwards, and

Delesserts

her

and

the

to

ambassadors

our

at

else for you in the

Will
me.
you

7 o'clock on
attach^ Middleton

my

East, Lord

d*Antin, Monday,

can
Constantinopla
anything
of my
capabilities,freely command
a

every

"

Rue

for

do

If I

eat

only

"

"

the

viting
in-

'when

and

Constantinople.
:

circle
and

come

with

Home,

dear

and

weeks,

introductions

enclosed

that

letter

with

saw

taking

stances

**

Vienna

few

being present
the point of starting for

and

of his

out

He

and

some

stance,

them.
next

his

Howden,

witnessed

at

Howden

to

life
took

for

Howden,

Madrid.

at

of Home

him

his

influenced

simple curiosity, came

startled
was
by the phenomena he
concerning
preconceived notions
deal

of

actions

numerous

to

Paris

in

acquaintance

RUSSIA.

AND

at

will accompany
sister, Madame

Saturday next,
1
me

to

Passy,

Odier, you
please me, please them, and, I hope, please yourself,for they have
but do not consider
sympathy for you, as I have
yourself the least
my

will
a

"

bound

At
to

to

me

the

Vienna

it had

been

on

this head.

very
and

Yours

of

moment

the

resolved

East

was

with

Howden."

departure, Home's
journey
abandoned
as
suddenly as
My trunks were
packed,"
"

upon.

truth,

Am)

LIFE

98
Prince

Majesty's
meeting with
his

first

"My

OF

of Prussia, the

Regent
with

and

MISSION

late

HOMK

of

Emperor

Germany,
Emperor.

the

present
Prince
of Prussia,"

son,

the

he

amusing and
interesting. The
Prince
of to-day, then
Regent, sent
Emperor William
him.
I
call on
of his aides-de-camp to ask me
to
one
desired
went
on
as
entering the drawing-room,
; and
whose
received
I was
commanding
by a gentleman
agreeably impressed me ; but as he began a
presence
less personal and
series of questions more
or
pointed,
I became
coldly. It was
reticent, and
replied rather
the
Prince
when
the door
a relief
opened, and
Regent
"was

wrote,

in.

came

that

see

at

once

aback

taken

was

I do

when

require

not

to

he

laughingly said,

present

"

Three
him.'
already know
this
followed
Regent of Prussia

for

you
Prince

Thirteen
the

saw

Home

with

was

Prussia,

party of Prussian

and

correspondents ;
Kingston, correspondent of
newspaper

the

described

31st, 1870

staflf-officer put

"

exclaimed,
he

The

enough,

sure

there
who

monarch,
chS.teau

during

members

of

in

health

better

his

his

General,

for

time.

celebrated
and

in

Spiritualist,whom

was

door,

after

him

stood
a

never
our

that

and

saw

Mr.

Daniel

and

to

the

by the
the Eang

party

Majesty

as

able
vener-

visit

his

the

the

drive, surrounded

whom

Another

thus

disappearing

improvised

afternoon

with

'

dining-room

had

the

at

King

personal staff. I
or
spirits. Among

American
some

Daily Telegraphy
letter published in

hurried

We

in the

latter, Mr.

"

! the

words.

of the

one

again

Emperor.
and English

officers

head

his

King

the

uttered

Home

the

incident, in

journal,October

interview.

yet crowned

not

son,
my
witti the

stances

later, at Versailles, Mr.

years
of
King

to

you

was

an

conversed

Home,

King promptly

the
nised
recog-

addressed

of
kindly
reminding him
very
that he (Mr. Home)
the wonders
had
the
been
means
of imparting to him, and inquiring about
the
spirits
in by no
means
a
sceptical tone."
"

'

As

the

Daily

Telegraph correspondent,

an

almost

FRANCE

total

his

cite

of

fact

the

to

at

was

that

the

Baden

at

had

excited

been

written

of

him

to

before,

weeks

MentchikoflF
The

and

hardly

arrived

stm
made

the

life the

I learn

known

her

from
; and

to you,

the

; and

profound

an

he

interest

I could

Home

to

I translate

Biarritz

at

**

but

I would
I

know

thought

have

have
that
been

come

two

that

Biarritz

of

I have

the

not

take

has

spoken

that

I should

be

myself

for

to

the

clergymen

of

me

health

your
honour

of

one

him,

to

call

who

admittance

you

were

by

with

being

perhaps

persons

as

stances,
circum-

give

you

the

desire.

you, instead
animated
the

sonally
per-

penitent,
lively and

the

to

his

am

so

if, under

in order

you
on

is in

libertyof coming

happy

that

succour

in person

refused

by

"

although

spiritualencouragements

room.
sick-

Yicar

and

priests

his

to

him

ing
yet lost hope of reclaimhis
fold, and
setting on

I nevertheless

substitute

had

He

failed

penetrate

the*monastery.

of

seal

Mr.

to

iUness, varions

to

from

September

health

his

of his

not

in

office.
of my
priest to offer you the consolations
"
with
Father
I am
intimately connected
Ravignan, I
indeed

Princess

the

stay there.

when

had

portion of a letter written

of the priests referred to

"

few

telegraphed

his

short

hearing

wanderer

Sib,

and

had

Paris

at

Biarritz

invitation

Biarritz

at

and

critical condition

interest

Princess

Home

at

was

cut

Church

wonderful

stance

whose

the

Highness

perseveriiig attempts
The

**

with

her

Imperial

Baden

more

the

present.

an

at

that

account

of iVance

Home

Another

of Nassau,

stance

1857

aflForded

years.

Prince

which

at

were

Court

1857

an

the

by

September

tigating
opportunity of invesinvestigation renewed
by

subsequent
the

presence,

for all that."

true

in

the

Germany

with

when

Home,

Baden

at

WiUiam

King

in your

are

He

meagre.

Mr.

early

or

presence

in

was

facts

the

witness

preferred to

words

I witnessed

phenomena,

Majesty

have

somewhat

Ah,

August

of

Emperor

his

were

Home's

Mr.

late

in

exact
"

; but

me

late

the

things

strange

they laugh
It

that

99

unexceptionable

an

conversation,

Home

to

the

is

EUSSIA.

of it, although

added

addressed

relate

this

account

have

might

Home,

to

stranger

AND

of

by
who

writing ;
a

similar

surround

loo

It

you.

seems

reaching

AND

to me,

therefore, that

I have

you.

**

soon

Biarritz

on

visit to

accompanied
the

Ch.

common

of

former

in the

la

invitation

the

to pass

well

of Marine.

Minister

de

himself, had
at the

chd,teaa

Ducos,

widow
records

Home

fact that, during this visit,he

the

of Madame

raised, in presence

was

Countess

as

time

some

left

He

and

Count
as

Paru,''

at

restored, Home

of all three, Madame

French

Priest,

Bordeaux.

near

who,

Somme,

Incidents"

"

Laviobrib,

little

ch"teau

friends

friend

be, "c.,

to

was

his

by
de

Beaumont

of

of

means

Profentn- of the Faculty of Theology

health

his

as

accepted

suier

...

"

As

letter will be

honour

the

HOME.

OF

MISSION

LIFE

and

Ducos

the

was

and

Count

ceilingof a lofty room.

cating
The
question of the identity of the spiritscommunithe
of peculiar interest, but
is one
proofisof
of Home
stances
at the
are
precisely
identity furnished
it is most
those
facts in his history concerning which
Countess

de

difficult

Beaumont,

convincing

the

that

the

it

was

shrink
this

to

publishing

topic

in future

of
de

ch"teau

near

Ducos

and

Madame

authenticate

with

present, had

I found

the

lapse

of

"Whilst

we

write.
another

appeared

child

signed

the

wrote

this, as

the

then, instead

Denise,

but

to

we

be

child
of

had
a

female

wrote

sence
preCountess

much

liked

to

remaining

persons
after
them

procure

is thus

described

by Mr.

"

was

of

to

appeared distinctlj
evening, hands
successivelytake up a pencil and
small
a
one, apparently of a child ;
her

one,

became
Her

the

was

hand

had

the

was

last letter of her name,

male
Her
name
a
one.

mother

of

present, and
strikingpeculiarityin

who

mother,

There

left out

it Denis.

The

full-grownman.

name.

always

to

and

in

"

them

that

Christian

her

she

It
:

saw

hands

the

possible

little message

it with

it

Count
have

of

sitting one

were

the

names

Incidents

"

table ; and
of these
One

above

the

and

Bordeaux,

should

thirty years.

in the

Home

which

Beaumont,

would
message
I shall recur

the

world.

the

certain

more

for adverting
chapters ; my reason
a
very interesting circumstance

is that

the

at

it to

and

intimate

more

receiving

persons

from

occurred

The

displayed,the

knowledge

it here

to

information.

obtain

to

the

to

often

spoken

which
was

to

her

FRANCE

of this, and

AND

yet the child had

life ; and now,

to prove
This
of
out.
was,
course,
and

father

the

Leaving

journey.
de

stay
Rambures,

was

described

Komar,

de

back, from
pages
society of his attached

till the

Paris

brothers

royal

De

of

close

early in January 1858 accepted

Komar.

the

year, and
invitation
to the

of Holland.

Court

parting with the

already given

In

only

few

very
distinction
a

who

Home

and
he

of

received.

1857,

year

these

Among

There

de

are

de

Girardin,

the

month

letters
brother

from

the

Sancillon, Count
Duchess

as

Murat,

celebrated

and
de

say.

of

every
that of

as

Princess

preacher,
and

Princess

Met-

Villiers, Madame

Tascher,

de

the

to

great novelist

Prince

the

omission.

celebrities

the

that

impossible to
well

;
at

countless

evidently belong

of the

me

present

this

Princess

of

to

correspondence
and
the
higher

it is

Mr.

given by

common

letters

the

Turkish

de
Medina-Celi,
Paris, the Duchess
the
de Montldart,
de Lourmel,
Princess

de

Riancourt,

Marquis

Strachan

de

Baron

Retz, Baron

de

social

at

Countess
Count

dated
more

of Home,

Count

Ambassador

always

Balzac, widow

life-longfriend
temich,

nine-tenths
the

and

persons
of the

correspondents
aristocracy of talent

Orloff, Lacordaire,
Madame

of the

for

particulars
named

unknown

are

are

description,the
birth.

names

As

what

stances

the

to

have

at

undated
to

present

writer, the

but

add

of intellectual

record

no

of these

Various

remark

I may
that

persons

destroyed

the

1857,

year
the

Many

it is not

remains,
rank

were

kept

stances,
letters

of the

France.

in

Home

the

once

few

remained

the

her

of his Baden
companion
broken
teau
by the visit to the Cha-

He

de

left

all except

to

Alexander

and

for

during

again

was

for Paris, Home

France

he

in

and

me,

to the
again returned
dearly-valued friends, the two

which

final letter

the

been

His

of the habit

there.*'

guest of Count

had

brother

whose

to

were

of

South

the

became

more

unknown

loi

herself

identity,the

of whom

both

mother,

corrected

not

her

her

RUSSIA,

the

Marquis

Salza, the
de

Duchess

Duplanti, the
de
Valmy,

Stakelberg, Rossini

the

com-

LIFE

I02

Hebert

and

poser,

quotation

Home,

les

je

the

artist

after

from

the

acquainted
Duke

of

remerci-

emotions

story is
In

follows

as

the

early

and

**and

taking

I have

been

to

why, though

at

No.
me.'

come

to

and

told

scarcely

time

said:

Home

the

called

on

under

1857
The

strange
of

the

without

the

the

you

head

at

will

changed

on

Home,

said

to

yet know

this

me,

the
I

who

be

am.

obliged

to

incredulously,
up

friends.

my

"

Mr.

he

will

taken

so

ing
morn-

know

even

franca,
Villa-

one

him

see

wiU

you

and

was

call

to

de

him

hand,

my

Count

stood," writes

you, and
do not
you

to

even

'You

his

where

time

my

then
written

Home,

4, Rue
I shook

him

in

some

related

1857,

to

reason

live

of

kindly by

sent

speak

Briefly summarised,

pressing request

me

1857.

"

to

up
advanced

Mr.

abdicated

are

one

whom

commencement

Home

summer

sent

He

stranger

the

of

name

Paris

at

que

Hebert."

Villafranca.

de

"Incidents."

the

in

in
had

living

was

incognito of Count
circumstances
attending
Duke's
friendship with
names

mes

with

who

Parma,

previously,and

and

et

list the

above

personages
in France

the

deserves

hautes

les

pour

remarkable

last

the

by this

stance

E.

became

"

written

note

felicitations

chaudes

plus

most

Home

time

Mes

"

omitted

I have

of

painter.

dois.

vous

of

HOME.

"

"Grand
ments

the

celebrated

last-named

OF

MISSION

AND

that
He

had

smiled,

will
The
see.'
you
after
he left me
; and

see,

versation
con-

having

address."

dined

de
evening with the Baroness
Meyendorf, and on entering the drawing-room, saw
a
I was
man
standing there.
surprised at this,"
young
he writes,
With
expecting to have met
no
stranger.
the

same

"

"

his

fixed

eyes

come,

he

then

he

was

for

upon
wiU

me,

he

said,

together
suddenly disappeared.

we

guest,

so

go

real

was

the

to

glad

am

see

I had
vision."

my

have

you

father

thought

'

and

till then

FRANCE

Later

the

in

AKD

RUSSIA.

103

the

evening

apparition again presented

Home
then
himself; and
delayed no longer, but went
the
residence
of his visitor of the morning.
On
to
"

No.

reaching
of

the

Count;

was

preparing

not

see

and

Count

the

been

for

that

son.

you
the

son

tragic story

need

not

the

Count

that
what

with

the

he

man

visit

The

of

Duke

door

and

constitutes
of

charm
it will

but
with

the

His
of

be

It

is

Duke

Mr.

Home.

subsequent

meeting,

referred

and

to

the

The
;

two

and

the

Home

; and

the

were

valued
brated
cele-

the

finished

most

and

but

in

him

of

traditions

had

He

add

outlived

he

preserved
perfect dignity,
The

quisite
ex-

felt now;
honoured

seldom
were

Villafranca.

with

earnestness

of

as

which

Home

all who

preserved,

1857

him

to

seigneur.
is

de

lifelong friendship

honoured

told

"

brother

manner

by

been

all

enough

that

grand

Count

the

and

seen,

impressed to seek
and
evening vision

remembered

society of

vision
of him."
my
death
of the Duke
of Parma's

true
a

have

come.'

once

Parma,

such

letters have

the

years
last

the

opened,

said, *I

had

of
one
Berry, was
noble
and
representatives of manners
almost
that are
extinct
in Europe.
his
and
world
resigned his duchy;
that
union
of perfect simplicity with
which

announce

was

would

of

Duchess

master

recognised
portrait of him

at

friendship

his

to

me

you
I

here.

been

of

commencement

rooms

probability could

told

rather, the

had

morning

greatly.

of the

or,

"

all

knew

related

be

manner

that

"

exactly corresponded
The

the

to

that

me

in

voice

young
he
and
happened ;
showed
He
me

had

his

him

to

told

very moment
towards
me,

came

waiting

described

the

that

at

valet

his

Again

and

directed

was

retire, and

to

me.

myself;

4, Rue
and

furnish

and
which

met

I well
with

their

several

writer

times

in

their

remember
which

proofs

the

Duke

to Home.
gratitude he owed
This was
at Nice, in 1873 or 4.
Home
left Paris
de
When
early in 1858, Count
souvenirs.
and
he exchanged
Villafranca
The
Duke's
to

the

debt

friend

his

giftto
Home's

ring

pressed

to have

not

seen

little locket

Follow

"

do

for

not

journey

his

and

precious only as
locket in question.

one

expressed
trust

Your

me.

ring

meet

has

have.

to

taken

its

when

again

you
shall

often

pray

place

at

my

friendship,
your
himself
sincerely terms
your
YniAFRANGA."
and

rememhrance

your
very

Holland

to

to

wish

votidra).

Dieu

friend,

In

souvenir,

and
am
sorry
you this morning;
handed
to you
to have
myself the

hon

thought with
forget him who

in

me

and
devoted

much

as

He

expected

fit (qtmnd le

sees

for you ; do
watch-chain.

"

to Home.

accepting it;

little

hair, which
you
my
safe journey, and
a

you

Providence

the

for I wished

you,

with

I wish

"

Friend,

DBAR

be

the

that

valuable

more

from

giftshould

suggested

remembrance,

occasion

Dnke

the

by
much

containing his hair,

this

on

himself

the

that

wishing

"My

latter

excused

Home

but

locket

was

written

was

the

on

it

and

HOMK

OF

small

was

following letter
had

MISSION

AND

LIFE

I04

January

in

Mr.

1858,

Tiedeaccompanied
by his friend Mons.
Dutch
teau
a
gentleman then
residing at the Chamann,
de
Cer9ay, not far from Paris, where, two
years
Home's
remarkable
from
death
later,
preservation

Home

was

occurred.
; but

Hague

have

profound impression
first took

The

of the
cheerless

and

the

the

emotion

the
front
save

whose

great

whole

of
the

the

invited

Queen

was

the

It
had
that

to

little
the

the

was
never

state

None
the

apartments,
chamber

ceased

her

it ; and

hold

entered

himself

for

choose

prefer to

thing
too-

or

following

seeing him, after having

door.

she

Home

somewhat

on

locked

Queen,

of

occasion

grand apartments
of

would

of

manifestations

of

one

left

of Holland.

Queen

he

length

loss

in

the

at

them

with

of the

mind

place

On

in which

room

stances

palace, among
surroundings
sombre
magnificence; and

occurred.

stance,

the

on

the

connected

circumstance

of

details

no

in

pause

this
of

traversed

chamber

her

lamenting.

child,
The

place there left in the. mind

of this gifted and
amiable
brance,
sovereign a vivid rememthat was
attested
by the action of her Majesty.
the
Onjthe eve of Home's
Hague, she
departure from
took

sisted

MISSION

AND

LITE

io6

ordering him

on

travelled

left Paris, and

He

Rome.

himself

led

hope that

Parisian

infamous

Paris, after aU,

arrested
"

on

and

in official

officer,went
there

me

so

in

far

the

in

i. p. 106).
One
of Home's

to

life

there, confining
friends, and, in the

few

his

restore

the

to

as

knew

prison of
my

in

that
that

state

carriage

prison;
he

had

(" Incidents

that

the

and
to

an

left

not

had

been

not

what

**

Mazas.

friends

told

"

He

slander.

new

scandal-mongers

positions even
spoken to me

and

seen

this

ran

was

1858,

invitations

the

"

tantly
reluc-

Pisa

and

pressed on him.
he was
living quietly in Italy, Paris
journals were
lending ready credence
had
He
falsehood
concerning him.

While

charge

by

February

of Turin

way
retired
a

of

perfect quiet might

of

refusing the

health,

ended

end

by

very

season

the

society of

the

to

HOME.

Italy,Home

to

towards

obeying, and,

OF

Persons

they

had

one,

an

and

accompanied
in

My

Life,"

vol.

alba,

wrote

to

The

calumny.
is

as

follows

French
him

at

Baron's

friends, the
Rome
letter

Baron

Where

Pont-

of the
apprise him
in my
possession,and

to

is

"

'"Pabis, 1^
"

de

dear

sir ; and
of you,

has

March,

1858.

journey improved
to reply to the
me
news
your
know
that are
circulated
stupid calumnies
hy people who
nothing of
and
in
scandal
who
take
uncharitable
at the
an
spreading
delight
you,
of another.
that you
declare
have
There
are
people who
expense
left
that
do
and
in
not
never
Paris,
are
prison they
say why,
you
but they are
so
positive about it that I have all the trouble in the
world
of the contrary.
to convince
them
I fortunate,
Not
only am
under
these circumstances, to be able to attest
that I saw
at the
you
the
ball on
several
evening before your
departure for Italy,whither
had prescriljed
doctors
also
but
I
teU
them
a journey ;
(because
you
been
I have
informed
of it)that you
have
letter to
a
just written
de Komar, and
that your
Mons.
letter was
Be so kind
Rome.
from
to write
the
as
me
only a word, as soon
as
possible; and rely on
I
have
for
for
See
that
of
it.
friendship
making a good use
my
you
it bears the post-mark of the place where
are.
you
"With
thousand
affectionate
wishes
and
a
compliments on
good
the part of our
common
Yours,
friends,and on my own.
health

are

yon,

I want

my

exact

your

to enahle

"

"

"41

Fauboubo

St. HonobI"

Gaston

db

Pontalba.

FRANCE

Home,
that

without

Rome

of

his

Delaage,
Nordy
"

showed

it to

to

honourable

an

source

have

Paris

slanders
from

written

The

well-known

the

the

of

recipient
author,

Henri

Le

of

correspondent

that
to
7th, wrote
journal :
begin by a good action ; it is to free
from
calumnies, arising from what
man

on

me

of

already

Paris.

in

March

107

anything

letters, the

who,

Allow

friends

several

to

one

knowing

circulation, had

in

were

RUSSIA.

AND

know

for

which

but

not,

past few

the

days

I speak of Mr.
rapidly spreading.
Home,
is for the moment
in Italy,whereas
it is whispered
secretly and
openly that he is in the prison of
been

who
both

Mazas,

for

given,
by M.

dated

The

know

we

what

not

crimes.

7th of March,
Delaage, an intimate

Bome,

Henri

letter is there

before

received

was

friend

with

me

letter

The

the

here

yesterday

of Mr.

Home.

postal mark."

publication of this paragraph in Le Nord,

letter from
Home
to Delaage,
accompanied
by Home's
the spread of the Mazas
slander
It had
was
stopped.
and Holland
from Paris into Belgium
already travelled
;
week
of
in
and
two
a
more
a
delay
or
disproving it,
On

the

the

lie would

There

was

nobleman.
had

the

made

of

round

the

Russian
Rome, in March
1858, a young
Count
KoucheleflF-Besborodka,
who, as well
at

Countess

the

have

world.

civilised

as

doubt

no

wife,

his

so

for

celebrated

her

Home

lively curiosity concerning

and

beauty,
a

great

he
refused
As
all
acquaintance.
invitations
into Roman
to go
society, the KoucheleflFs
ended
of the few
one
by pressing into their service
friends
who
he saw,
promised to gratifytheir wish for
in the fashion
introduction, and arranged the matter
an
Home
Incidents
related by Mr.
in the
:
desire

to

make

his

"

"

"

"

He

mentioned

one

ing together on the

family of distinction
they
moment

were

anxious

afternoon, while
Pincian,
then

to

make

the

Rome,

in
my

myself on the ground of

a
passing
carriage was

of

name

and

walk-

were

we

Russian

added
I

acquaintance.
my
us

health.
and

that

At

stopped

cused
ex-

this
;

and

LIFE

io8

AND

friend, before I was

my
the
introduced
to
me
asked

to

me

life.

Home's
found

the

entered

young
her
as

me

at

we

were

sister.

seated

before

when
I

sisters.

made

had

lost the

had

friend's

the

of

the

seated

was

abruptly :

and

not

it is

her

tainer

therefore

less
you

you

of
since

in
her
we

than

happy
will

ever

it.'

She

mission

she

short
have

to

about

you

to

true

separated

bility
possithe

she

this

to

in

any

and

is still my

in this

and

said

I don't

will
you
It is a

ever

great

which

thing
only

way

you

say that
and
ing
layeyes ;
bring comfort

can

willing

noble

in

dancing.
me

know

me.
a

understand.

cannot

life ; and

of

Home

were

turned

intrusted

with

ourselves,or be
find me
ready
was

him.

at

continues
and

mankind,
moment

and

seen,

engagement,"
party had assembled,
our

speak

the

world,

I have

that

whatever

for you
spirit-rapping,
her, Mademoiselle, I trust

to

loved,"

to

to

as

another

fixmcee, when

I cannot

one.

of

the

feared,

returned

The
tears
came
great truth.'
welling into her
in
hand
mission
mine, she said, If your
can

to those

aid

that

twelve

fact

the

to

nothing

my
all about

me

In

waiting only

and

seen

two

Home.

to

day

me,

between

true.

was

yet

with

by

I said

to

superstition

table

at

incredulous

was

small

sofa

tell

mind

holy

have

Do
it'

in

in

bear

on

the

turned

such

was

allusion

in

engagement

evening of
Incidents," " a

"

believe

to

and

The

"

When

will be married
you
asked
said
her why she

was

communications

of her

time

over

Home,

Mr.

Dumas

phenomena,

first

came

wife.

my

lady

young

had
not
power
had
de Kroll

Mademoiselle

be

to

the

of making himself
power
of making
that
himself

preserved

Alexander

wrote

his

to

no

mother."

Home

but

she

person

of her

for

impression

reply. It
partiallyengaged,

were

we

consent
"

introduced

observed

was

in

one

writes, **and
twelve, as we

strange

I
is ended.'
year
she replied that there

Russia

days

he

At

then

table, the

at

who

evening,

memorable

Countess

the

; and

in

I knew

and

once,

be

ten,"

the
I

that

them

assembled.

supper-room,
lady, whom

doing,

was

hours."

about

went

laughingly said,

and

so

"I

large party

time,

with

sup

he

Koucheleff,

de

they kept very late

destined
to
evening was

The

Countess

that

adding

me

of what

aware

and

come

HOME.

OF

MISSION

consolation

to

do

sentiment

great comfort

earthly sphere."

all I
to the

and

to
can

last
sus-

FRANCE

days after

few

left Rome

Home
his

of

letter

two

the

Koucheleflfs
latter

Home's

siently
tran-

there

were

stances

the

book

his

in

Owen

find, from

that

undoubtedly

"

can
Ameri-

returned

power
April, and

of

and

renewed

the

Owen,

Court.

Neapolitan

that

Dale

by

Dale

Robert

beginning
sittings

three

or

109

the

where

Naples,

the

at

RUSSIA.

betrothal, the

with

Owen's,

at

the

for

acquaintance
Minister

AND

scribed
de-

published

the

manifestations
The
I believe,
were,
year.
few in number
remarkable
sufficiently
they were
; but
Owen
in his resolve
to investigate the
ject
subto confirm

following

carefullyand
"I

shall

with

increased

have

the

zeal," he

additional
have

After

stay of

writes

weeks

little

the

the

care

in

Italy ;

of

friends

she

might join

her

the

marriage

while

birth

had

been

journey
then

to

It

from

had

month

of

now

the

cheleflf-Besborodka,
was

in
some

but

keeping

one,

house

salons

of the

of

chief

the

the

especiallythe

leflf had
met

open

his

all Paris

to

wits

old

of novelists, and

and

at

there

of

the

make

to

the

and

arrived

Count

in Russia,

men

his

Kou-

hotel

; for

world,
KoucheHome

good stories.
made
acquaintances, and

music

then
at

in

the
the

and

the

popular

most

of

height
opening

his

and

nightly

Parisian

musicians

He

Count

assembled
the

correctly
in-

name

meantime

richest

the

of

rectified.

1858.

May

celebrities

Dumas,

celebrity. Dumas,

in the

Countess

passion for

of
many
the elder

of

one

his

error

rejoined

and

Paris;

for

certificate

with

the

have

to

placed

was

Russia, that

obliged

was

arrangements

Scotland

"Hume,"

remained

to

whom

to

KoucheleflF, who
Italy.

was

the

KoucheleflF

sister

make

and

Countess
from

since

from

the

return

to

Home,

sent

to

derived

Countess's

about

Edinburgh

returned

"

Countess

and

mother

written

engaged

am

Home,

to

Naples,

at

Count

in

researches.

together."

six

party separated. The

longer

his

which

in

encouragement

had

sittings we
a

work

the

continue

of

results

the

publish

and

fortune

chapter

of

new

prolific
and
his

MISSION

AND

LIFE

no

HOMK

OF

a
lively picture
Impressions of Kussia," has drawn
in Paris,
KoucheleflF
of the receptions of the Countess
all
lit up
the
hotel
Trois
when
was
Empereurs
the
six in the
five or
night long, and
morning was
ordinary hour for the guests to separate.
Dumas
with
The
acquaintance of the KoucheleflFs
"

"

"

resulted

in

"

Cristo

invitation

an

to

them

accompany

of

the

to

of

author

Russia, and

to

Monte

"

be

present

in
accepted; and
the
of June
the
month
party left for St. Petersburg.
the eve
of Home's
On
given
departure, a banquet was
to him
by his friends in Paris to celebrate his marriage ;
the

at

and

marriage

distinguished and

nationalities

back,
pages
been
present at

had

insisted, like

Dumas

regarding

on

request
to

up
in

his

retouch

Home

a
given him
this
1858; and

the

year
work, but
it.

could

There

resist

not

to

natures

are

other

every

Frenchman,

At

his

sketch

of

when

responded
"

Does

to

the

June

News

1886,

biographical
Count
in the

laugh by another,

world

Probably

Daily

his

not;

ever

take

but

the

would
she

Paris
to

seem

sent

sketch

to

that

his

that

done

journal

had
morphosed
meta-

Dumas

seemed

to

say,

of

the

"

correspondent

have

life

so,

when,

in

ridiculous

her

of Home.

KoucheleflF-Besborodka

neighbourhood

who

it; and

seriously?

me

his

reproduced
the
temptation to
which
veracity is
becomes
by Dumas

read

he

pressing

Dumas

impossible ; and history as treated

fiction, biography becomes
Home,
romance.
expected nothing else, laughed heartily over
biography

them

Home.

with

stances

had

Home

names

nearly all, of

magician.

of the

many

all, or

almost

as

of various

company

including

few

who

men

numerous

assembled,

mentioned

Dumas

Home.

of St.

possessed

fine

estate

Petersburg, that had been

bestowed
his grandfather by Catherine
Here
H.
on
the festivities took place that accompanied the marriage
of Home;
and
here, on
arriving in Russia, Dumas
Within
enjoyed the lavish hospitalityof the Count.
a
few days of Home's
arrival, the Emperor Alexander
H.

FRANCE

sent

request that

to

hoff, the
something
similar
loss

he

of

the

affected

Emperor's

heads
is

Dumas

"

your
"Alexander
world

the
A

He

his

but
much

burnt

companion
own

novels

another

excite

his

justice in

did
it

than

attention

who

Dumas,
the
This

official

illustrious

many

remarked

for Dumas
for

it, he
the

repeated
of

owner

Monsieur

there

another
the

that

Dumas?"

Alexander

told

be

might

of the

one

Dumas

in

of Dumas

in

author.

outraged

certainly

was

vainest

of

men

he

lived

Russia

to

of

his

he

had

never

manifestations

in

his

when

purgatory

than

interest

more

trulyFrench

in its

naive

so

; but

because

was

the

display that it amused

than it offended.
So long as sufficient incense
in his honour, Dumas
the
was
pleasantest
in the world, and
of
as
entertaining as one

vanity

more

was

are

necessary
being asked
The

anecdotes

was

"There

was

on

name,

demanded
such

dozen

Russia.

Is

"

"

that

before.

than

Christian

"But

consider

Dumas."

it

the

replied

loudly

more

name,

"

receiving

grandiosely

Alexander

only one
At the marriage of Home,
to
give his name
; and
responded briefly,"Dumas."
question.
there

but

"

he

was

not

at

to

Peter-

at

Dumas

Court.

his.

not

"

Europe,"

in

the

disappointed

but

invitation;

iii

present himself

would

than

more

crowned

RUSSIA.

residence

summer

was

AND

himself.

reputation

ill-humour

of

at

If he

as

fashion

of

Home

disagreeable to
explains the statement

more

for

than

at

any
Dumas

hardly

enfant,''
attracting less

serious

looking

saw

bon

"

anticipated.
took
Ufe seriously,could
matter

he

not

accept

consideration.
the

subject was

scepticism,

and

Home
that
by
him
of putting the spiritsto flight.
accused
anecdote
of 1857 deserves
A Paris
a
passing mention.
^but at least it
It may
be true
not
or
probably not
made

"

"

ben

came'^'toa
the

trovato.

stance

ceiling

startled

that

when
he

is

journalist,so the story runs,

on
seeing a heavy table rise to
was
touching it, was
so
person

Parisian
;

and
no

rushed

out

of

the

house

without

his

LIFE

112

joked

with

my
I had

his

on

Dumas

"

the

table.

of

instead
between

of
was

at

the

to

things

commonly
In

other

acting from
and
able

the

charged

Walsh,

In

country

no

addressed

to

instance,

Algiers, who
had

been

was

writer
with

wizard

would

cherishes
Home

was

in
a

that

find

seldom

and

world

force

tables.

who

have

of

spirits,

tables, footstools,

bidding

with

the

various

gluttony,

extraordinary requests
France.

with

He

received, for

officer
the

to

the

of

an

share
exact
a

quartered

belief that

under

ready
memory

the

stood
under-

be

was

chairs

the

French

tell him
the

fusion
con-

animated

writers

on

somewhere
and

no

French

invisible

an

mind

the

more

possessed

buried

dwelling there,
if the

from

seen

the

representing anger,

than

Home

was

object might

even

and

of

many

his

at

were

letter

the

we

furniture

French

aberrations

passions of humanity,
pride, "c.

is

this

chair, and

or

belief

the

of

animated

In

explanation

spiritsfrom

one

own

Theobald
baskets

and

of

pages
their

the

visible

but

separate the

to

Count

on

of

table

the

countries,

accepted ;

table

touching it,

at

the

into

without

into

communication

another.

piece

grasped

entered

spirithad

of

means

person

any

of

residence

things spiritual,Dumas
often happened
When,
as
so

Home,

without

mind

In

of

stances

the

with

type of his nation.

move

it.

the

material

hat

intelligence itself,

an

intelligenceand

one

with

narrative, the

become

merely

being

did

Why

spirit entered

fantastic

table; it has

I want

did

Polonstrava,

round

aU.

at

not

"

Koucheleff-Besborodka,

longer

witty fugitive, when

no,

Count

his

HOME.

"

What

lost my
head
relates
how
at

In

OF

said

escapade

hat, then

leave

when

Frightened

"

hat.

MISSION

AND

old

treasure

Moorish

it with

spot.

at

Home,
Another

friendship

formed

in some
other
previous existence
if on
Home's
planet than the Earth, and longs to know
has been
preserved.
part a similar recollection
Spiritualism does not exist in France
; its place has
taken
been
by Spiritism, a very different thing. The

during

Home

Mr.

as

words,"

on

the

their

my

Emperor
In July the
fact

the

know

who

him

of

memory

the

Many

Tolstoy

writing of
the

and

"

formed

the

^rare

and

new

of his
ander
Alex-

Emperor

remarkable

gifted and

love

to
a

valued

most

Like

Tolstoy.
one
Tolstoy was

the

command
;

of

summoned

poet Alexis

novelist. Count

nature.

Count

most

which

his

of those

esteem

in the
phenomenon
thoroughly masculine

of

all

world

perament,
tempossessed a
force of
frankness, and
combining
energy,
Home
carefullypreserved his firiend's letters
the handwriting of Tolstoy is wonderfully
and

characteristic
own

the

and

of the

camp

^he

"

to

day,

them

of poets !
character.

aides-de

with

communicated

again

week

one

of the

spiritsthat

noble

be

gracious
graven
always en-

me."

Home
was

Those

favour

the

as

and

spent
to

one

the

namesake,

"

will remain

returned.

he

of the

Russians

HOME,

honoured

since

Majesty,

friendship, destined
the
life. Among
was

well

as

power

PeterhoflF,where

II.

recipient,

"

memory,
has ever

his

to

OF

private gentleman.

wrote

MISSION

AND

LIFE

114

that

at

man

as

his

after his first meeting with

years
the
in
palace of Peterhoff, Home,

meeting, paid

of his

firm

bold, frank, and

"

friend

the

following

tribute

to

"

reserved
for me
an
palace,where
apartment was
;
the aide-de-camp in attendance
his Msgestj,
and shortly afterwards
on
A
announced.
Alexis
Count
Tolstoy, was
quarter of a century has
the Count
of those years
has been
passed since that day, and for seven
I see
world
but
this
that
at
which
in another
moment
look
vividly
;
all the beauty of his spirit,those
features
reflected
expressive of so
allied
of
with
much
character,
perfect kindliness, sweetness,
energy
in Tolstoy an
There
and good natura
irresistible charm
of manwas
ner,
is met
united
with
to that interior fire which
in
only
men
gifted
He
has left as a writer
with
true genius.
immortal
an
name.
"
and
I had
sincere affection for him, which
a
a
profound esteem
augmented in witnessing his courage as a thinker,and the perseverance
he investigatedand verified the phenomena
with which
of SpirituaUsm.
first
the
at
He
the
with
s^nces
was
eight
present
Emperor ; and later
I went
to Poustineka, a charming
residence
that the Count
on
sessed
posin the neighbourhood of St Petersburg, where
festations
very varied manioccurred.
I was
always a welcome
guest in his house, and
I preserve
dear
remembrance
of
the
a
friendship that he showed
very
of his departure from
this world
me
a painful but
up to the moment
eternal separation."
not an
**

I arrived

at the

"

AND

FRANCE

Tolstoy

wrote

tineka, and
the

Home,
it

entrusted

his

to

was

of

account

an

the

it to

interest

to

Home

been

of

wife

his

to

in

expressly to

gone

valuable

form

of

from

i860

The

and

the

where

letters

has

Count
he

had

especially

are

immediately after the

stances
they describe, and as containing the testimony
of high position,irreproachable character,
of an observer
than
and
ordinary intelligence. I shall give them
more
I am
of
in a future chapter, when
writing of the month
having

as

Tolstoy

Alexis

Count

another

wedding,

of

chamberlains
seemed

time

at

Peterhoff, the

in

Home

absence

Mr.
shown

for

of the

andrina

de

took

place on

20th

of

was

Boman

him,

His

most

only

not

kind

and

Mr.

the

of

ist

the

Church

Catholic
the
the

previous

upon

as

of

the

August,

Hussian

took

occasion,
every
the highest
I have
but

as

feelings."
Mademoiselle

Countess

1858,
the

of Count

style,or
The

rites

Alex-

KoucheleflF,

new

calendar.
to

stances

Emperor

monarch,

and

performed according
in the private chapel

in the

the

to
sovereign power
gracious Majesty,"

generous

Home

sister

first

again

his

this, as

Kroll,

July by

Church

the

that

exert
"

upon

marriage of

The

to

"

most

of

one

after the

but

the greatest kindness.

me

veneration
man

him

Home,

Bobrinsky,

papers
interest

difficulties.

these

remove

wrote

great

induced

Home's

at

groomsman

The
Emperor.
marriage had at
the point of being postponed, owing

the

of certain

the

was

Count

was

on

to

has

written

i860.

June,

one

been

entrusted

was

letters

London,

Home.

see

stances

Tolstoy;

two

that

of time.

other

certain

Countess

; but

anything

course

present,

was

the

the

in

preserved

wrote

he

custodian,

better

which

at

of

world

Pous-

at

of Home

keeping

Fortunately, Tolstoy's record

with

stances

lost it in

keep,

to

115

the

in the

guardian

worst

EUSSLA

the

ceremony
Greek

of the

KoucheleflF, and

by a priest of the
riage,
days before the mar-

of St. Catherine

Church.

Three

II. sent
Emperor Alexander
I have
wedding-gift of which
transmitted
chapter. It was

the

groom
bride-

spoken

in

to

to

Mr.

Home

LIFE

ii6

Schouvaloff,

Count

by

letter

MISSION

AND

"

"Monsieur,

Le

"

fait

m'a

pereur

Ministre

parvenir

Sa
Majesty
que
de Sa bienveiUance.

vous

Maison

comme

of

comparison

of

that

with

letter

the

of his

token
of

form

Besides
Count

SchouvaloflF

for the

most

in

but

of

interest

those

"

Discretion

"

but

St.

Leaving

various

the

Koucheleff,

of Russia

back

in

does

"

of

it

the

consideration

that

to

M.

stance.
writes

it to

me,

you

can

in

autumn

before

Count
the

just

Mr.

Home
such

in the

return.

marriage,

brother-in-law.

was

attesting, but
it :
sufficientlyestablish
S.

and

need

not

the

his

summoned

Emperor

propose
hour
that

their

gladly

to

November
On

times

Count

situated

were

Home

any

from
convey,

to Mr.

special
you," he

their

was

They

him

spent

Petersburg.
of Count^Schouvaloff

Selo, where
social

and

the

others

the

shortly after

bride

St.

several

was

sideration
con-

took

July

kindness

of which
; and

several

asking

day

estates

some

south

letters

bridegroom

invitations
in

me

the

any

his

ma

Schouvaloffs

Count

the

give

to

Petersburg

and

Home

to

written

have

since

de

preserved.

been

prevented

you
with
I will be
you
me."
receive

Mr.

in

Imperial

offer

Home's

ci-joint,
je

alone
marriage would
fact that the Emperor's
cious
gra-

the

the

marque

Home's

have

part,

one

accepts

of

wedding-gift.
letter just given,
the

une

Schouvaloff."

date

Mr.

sufficientlyestablish

TEm-

diamants

Tassurance

trfes distingu^e.

85"

de

la transmettre

recevoir

de

enrichie

bague

vous

de

la

destin6e

de

U iljuaUt,

Pktebhof,

de

une
a

Ay ant Thonneur
prie,Monsieur,

vous

foUowing

the

with

together

''

"

HOME.

OF

visits

Count
farthest

they

Home,

as

were

the

Bobrinsky show,
of Tsarskoe-

Palace
then

residing. The
enjoyed in Russia

letters

as

the

ing
follow-

"

I'Empereur desire,

cher

Home,

vous

voir

FRANCE

Tsarskoe,
former

lundi
le

par

Tsarskoe.

Veuillez

soir.

voiture

de

la bont^

compter

peut
Comte

m'in-

sur

vous

h, la

attendra

vous

h, vous,

Tout

117

avoir

Ton

si

porteur
Une

jour-lk.

ce

RUSSIA.

AND

de

gare
Bobrinsky."

A.

fell ill, and

in
January, 1859, Home
was
soon
him
The
attacked
malady that had
great danger.
baffled
his physicians, but was
expelled in the manner
In

he

has

narrated

"The

in the

dangerous symptoms
debility. Friction
was
it caused
its
precluded

nervous

which

evening

wife

my

MeyendorfiT),
"

and

the

upon
wife

part which

was

frightened, and

was

use.

to

was

usual

have

"

de

seized

by

violence

extreme

sensitive

tender.

and

endeavoured

hold

to

one

(Baron

suddenly
with

pain

when

state

were

them

extremely

so

would

de

hands
beat

this

in

Baron

my

made

was

"

greatly increased
by my
recommended, but the extreme

and

present,

were

and
spirit-influence,

were

friend, the

"

Incidents

**

My
hands

my

knowledge of spirit-manifestations,
of the blows
I felt no
the
violence
pain, though
I continued
bed
the
which
the
whole
and
giving to myself made
shake.
I
in
In an
hour
room
a
was
quiet sleep ; and on awaking
the disease
the
had
ness
left me,
and only a weaknext
morning I found
remained.
The
tion,
expression of the doctor's face baffles my descripwhen
found
he visited me
that
have
to
early
morning, expecting
have
and felt my
that a great change must
me
pulse and saw
worse,
skill
for."
to account
occurred, beyond his
but

my

friend, who
prevented her.

The

Baron

occasion

is
the

under
Home's

had

had

Meyendorff who
frequently mentioned,

initial

"

Paris

of

were

Few

nearly

and

knew

men

stances,
friends

Home

and
but
were
was

on

earlier

the

command

two

in

better,

varied
a

an

or

the
have

and

the

of
had

Mr.
menced
com-

dinary
extraor-

who

men,

young
became

intimate.

Imperial Guard,
Russian

service.

witnessed

more

only

not

when

occasions

together, both by day and

of the
first
always one

and

name

under

manifestations

hundred

his visits to Russia,

by

this

on

volumes

two

age, quickly
officer in the

same

Meyendorff was
holds
now
high

numerous

on

the

both

acquaintance

months

some

circumstances;

and

Their

present

was

," in the

autobiography.
in

Baron

sufficient

the

by night.
to

welcome

last to bid

him

at

two

endorff
Meyhim
adieu

LIFE

ii8

the two
at a time
were
days and weeks
often
passing their days together, and

the

same

room.

Who

can

"

Meyendorff
the

better
to

time

life

in the

and

the

Home
the

who

of

moment

those
at

the

of

name.

her

visit

very

of external

We

to

health.

marked
ing,
christen-

Home

and

with

good-will,

valuable

found

went

ring.
ing
travers-

Ostend,"

to

seeing her,

another, I had
which

and

Mr.

mother-in-law,

my

On

our

moment

ing
meet-

Baltic, and

steamer

**

for

Mr.

wedding-day

embracing one
singular impressions

the

**

on

of the

of the

occasion

honoured

their

same

only

often

so

My

contact.

at

the

another
to

come

sensations

such
peculiar at the time when
foreshadowings
that
words
but
can
granted me,
feebly express
I distinctly saw,
of touching
at the first moment

so

are

them.

we

of

former,
there

was

are

of the

the

the

form

the

is

style),was

Imperial favour

his

board

on

sea

writes

me

of

anniversary

Mrs.

of

On

Alexander

token

who

feel it to us."

1859 (new

son.

feith

those

to

think

we

the

at

vanquish

separation

oftener

we

May,

the

Home,

our

and

natural

Baron

but

combat

so

us,

the

giftagain taking
The

grief

nearer

Emperor

second

the

of

birth

the

and

of

month

The

by

the

come,

wiU

sharing

Mr.

I that

than

able,
insepar-

wrote

of

sustained

tomb

For

I,"

death

better

bitter

question of time,
to

have

you
knows

below.

here

remain

learning the

the

beyond

human

the

loss
one

no

than

appreciate

on

me

grievous

same

HOME.

OF

for

and

**

MISSION

AND

mother-in-law, that, after I should

my
should
earth.
This
meet
no
more
on

prediction did,
which

have

August
months

come

in

as

has
to

Paris,
the

ever

mc

been

the

case

leave

Ostend,

impressional
with

those

in this
brief

Chateau

correct."
way,
prove
visit to Switzerland,
then

Paris,
Cergay, near
which
had
Mens.
Tiedemann
kindly placed at their
the
and
Mrs.
disposal ; such
was
itinerary of Mr.
Home
of 1859.
In November
they
during the autumn
there.
went
to England, and
passed the winter
While
Home
de Cergay, Mr.
Chateau
received
at the
two

at

de

FRANCE

AND

RUSSIA.

119

grateful letter from

whose
paralysed arm
a
through his means

few

months

portion of

her

letter

translate
"^My

paralysed

daughters to care
wrought in me.
sent
through you

all

In

countries

without

fashion

amusing

the

doctor

you

who

told

that

in his

legion.

imaginative
inimitable

own

of

One

meetings.

and

Home's

was

with

been

succour

France

him

little

has

claimed

met

mended
recom-

Lakinb."

db

especially in

often

three

for the

Mabib

persons

who

I have

change

bless

rencontres

story of these

the

at

having

ever

of this class,and

beings

the

devoted

of

restored

"

amazed

but

"

number

several

had

All-Powerful

Your

me.

of

use

before, in Russia.

better,that

quite
the

the

wonderfully

that
hospital (forgetting

May

to

acquaintance
He

"

Lakine,

de

been

much

so

for)was

the

America"

had

the

enter

to

me

is

arm

Madame

the

most

took
he
amusing
place in a railway-carriagein which
was
travelling to Fontainebleau, in May, 1857.
few
In
there
early summer
pleasanter places in
are
Fontainebleau
the
under
than
France
Empire
; and
that was
the time
perial
Imof year
for an
usually selected
visit
The

Court

there

was

old

beautiful

the

to

in

forest

1857

May,

chMeau.

and

and

the

on

23rd,

received
Home
from America,
days after his return
the Empress
invitation
from
a
telegram conveying an
left Paris
at the
to
chateau, and
by
present himself
the evening
Three
train.
gentlemen, all strangers to
his companions
their
the journey ; and
him, were
on
of the day.
talk fell on
the news

few

"

Home
told

am

that

far

"So

back

is

number

from

two,

journals

The

away
"

may

it true,
?

he

be

never

is

then, that

seen

in Paris
like

they
far enough from
the

Emperor

again.

but, take

Paris

had

at

him

this

sent

"

Quite

true.

The

Empress

was

oracle

replied

case,"

what

announce

one.

left Paris."

never

the

**

said

seems,"

had

being

will

for it. Home

word
my
moment."
"Is

that

it

us,

fact is he

the

"

with

so

alarmed

by

what

LIFE

I20

she

at

saw

from

those

who

determined
and

certain

allow

to

our

stance

ought

sorcerer

no

^I have

"

know

to

HOME.

OF

MISSION

AND

was

ordered

had

received

Emperor

diabolical

leave

to

the

that

"

of these

more

information

my

scenes

France

the

next

year,"

day."
he

It is said

'*

He

"

replied
what

the

he

of

rate

other, with

air of

the

francs

million

man

joined in the conversation

and
soon
pleasant manner

gay

of

the

at

of

who

knows

this

point,

and

the

best

speaks.

Home
his

paid

was

sums."

enormous

at

put him

on

A
travelling companions.
number
of interesting particularsin his own
history,
all quite novel
communicated
to him, were
or
by one
the other ; and
of these
in the midst
piquant anecdotes
the

train

in

the

his

with

terms

reached

"You
For

"

Home

Home,

Mr.

They

from

blank

silent

and

the

first

in whose

in

he

coupS on
elderly man
that
**

Not

I have
the

of

happened to be
French
railway ;

and

that

Princess

"

"

The
young.
and
the young
a

the
to

recounted

the

amusement

imaginary
by

personally.

cers
roman-

The

the

third

occupant

the

other

two

former

of
an

it

claimed

once

the

mentioned

at

man

same

being

him
de

know

him

well," he

occasionally
Beauveau,

at

who

the

explained

house

amuses

of

my

herself

by witnessing his feats of legerdemain."

asked
Home.
They are well managed ?
"

Oh, very

chausen
Mun-

acquaintance.

an

met

him

he

of Home,

name

know

to

of

last

had

politest

within.

listening

history,sometimes

claimed

1857,

year,

his

three

the

nor

the

took

carriage,and

company
travellingincognito, and of

who

Home

?"

the

neither

were

incidents

and

sir."

of the

tribe

of

servant

Home."

stepped

of farewells

was

platform,

the

on

waiting for

Mr.

am

livery

There

him.

to
are

"

as

Fontainebleau.

Imperial

beckoned

three

clever

"

"

but

friend,
times
some-

LIFE

1 2a

"They

there

is

If you

were

say

appearance.
in the

OF

MISSION

AND

day-time,

nothing

might

you

of

liking

to

out

take

"Impossible."
The
journey was
the

near

I would

"

Bon

was

to

alight,he

said

realised

types of the
of

heard

having

without

Home

The

falsehoods
outrageous
class of calumniators, the most
most

one

necromancer.

the

the

an

to

eye

let out

which

was

shake

hands.

quality that
method

his

in

he

could

and

believed

him

only

would

be

have

and

volumes,

subject
spared

would

Homes

collect

to

them

arrange

for

the

throw

of

explanation
pseudo-scientists was

Home

about

pocket

during

As

absurd

for

chose

of

told

were

who

seen

report

common
very
he carried

that

to fill his

efiect.

those
who

romancer

two

falsehoods

enough

by

imaginary
of inventing ; he

trouble

with

invented

legends

with

greater portion of the

him.

of

What

jump.

not

had

either

his

to

situation

the

that

fantastic

said

it.

lowering

Home,

did

were

men

by

drew

Home.

world

him

become

Home

As

have
never
seen
you
to you ?
present him
jump out of the window."

quickness,

These

ended.

other, though he

the

French

it

had

two

"So

voyage^'

But

and

him,"

"

to

were

"

he

where

station

companion
if I

before

the

and

long,

friends

excellent

tery
ceme-

Home.

said

his

frightful in

very
him

meet

to

HOME.

to

twitch

had
raps, he
ofi* at command
much
to

alter

the

dresses

of the

by

facts

and

electrical

"an

favoured

was

monkey,

trained

tame,

stance

Paris

in

will."

scientists

of

stances

preconceived theories; and

and
addition, to proceed
then, on such basis of omission
genuous
disinthe
theories
demonstrate
in question. This
to
and
unscientific
method
largelyemployed,
was
work
this
of
will
show, by Dr.
as
a
subsequent chapter
B. Carpenter, V.RR.S.
W.
have
Medical
found
who
could
been
gravely
men
of
thimble-full
administered
a
conjecture that Home
in

accordance

with

their

"

FRANCE

"

chloroform

the

saw

the

record

advanced

was

as

be

the

the

were

to

ments
instru-

theory

to

capable

of

biologicalexplanation
disproof of his experiments,

that

out

the

bold

instruments

concluded
found

somehow

stance

instruments

again

seemed

triumphant

it must
Home

It

but, since

and

again

Crookes*

mesmerised

being

and

them.

Mr.

the

he

F.R.S., employed

phenomena,

that

suggest

before

magnetised or biolothe things that

they said they
dupes only imagined they had

mesmerised

recorded

123

sitters

that

; and

Crookes,

RUSSIA.

the

declared

audience

poor
Mr.

seen.

of

each

to

Others

began.
gised his

AND

they

fact, and

that

and

were,

turned

it to

account.

Of

all

the

most

it.

The

mesmeric

and

when

the

saw

Home,

of

the

with

him

advanced

she

had

she

seen,

of view

all

visit, that
dates,

communicated

servants,
or

even
"

said

other

of

either

me,

statements

me

when

dents,"
Inci-

"

house

whatever

are

in

me

in

circumstances,

by visiting the
by a body of secret
Home

in the

at

gold

concealing my
intelligence displayed in obtaining

or

If such

explain

with

over

servants

assist

may

and
to

wrote

be

they
The

machinery.

the

I bribe

an

sirs, it's easy

Home

**

is that

could

replied, "Lor',

enough ! he only rubs himself

pencil first."
Mr.
A general belief," writes

of

that

was

if she

Asked

America.

satisfactory
for the phenomena

account

to

non-spiritualpoint
in

woman

names,

truly

name

ever

"

lantern"

magic

really simple, scientific, and

one

from

instance,

fuU

carried

explanation

what

for

Crawford,

light,rise from the ground, he was

theorists
have
conjectured
biologised. Some

deserving of

old

of

Earl

present

in

Home

The

rising in the air has had

concerning
explanations adduced
theory is naturally a favourite here ;

ridiculous

course

that

of

that

phenomena,

1883,

by

my
tombstones

of

I often

I shall have

the

are

circulated

previously

inquiry

own

police who
*'

is

wonder

passed

to

relatives,

in my

during

from

my
what

pay."
time,"
lifewill

spirit-life."

LIFE

124

New

The
a

of the

person

to

ridiculous

declares

all the

death

to

Her
the

was,

London
his

sought
In

her

left hand,
kid
her

could

create,
He

to

it

invention

is the

and

person,
head

of

his

in the

it all forth

tells of

story she

life for

his

stances

holding
Mrs.

when

Lyon

hand,

new

which,

when

to

the

use

to

he

power

life in the

false

the

join

able

was

mediumistic
but

lost

covered

hand

actually

his

had

Lyon

false

to

her

"Mrs.

wore

by

forgotten," writes

now

Home
.

undertook
arm,

have

always
that

not

enable

hand

false

one.

the

wrist

at

accomplished, he
false hand
exactly

said,
if

as

real."

were

After

Lyon

began

ensued

be

the

or

the

credible

to

impatient,
of

return

suit of

veracious

the

continues

year,

hand

live

earth

on

news

farthing in

Worlds

the

to

believe

living

would

the

poured

the

flashed

she

which

glove.

make

still

was

"

the

Home

according to this
at two
guineas a
acquaintance :

way
contributor

disclose

to

Evidently from pure

kept her exclusive

life.

received

never

some

with

interviewed

World,

who

stance,

when

as

lawsuit.

Home,

"

hardly

amusing

most

Lyon

in

had

Logan

statements

hastened

feelings,she
while

Celia

had

writer

had

his

herself

of the

columns

his

York

New

he

of
of

series

allowed

27th, 1886,

plume

The

of

secrets

cable

to

with

; and

for

information
the

de

nom

or

readers

consideration

but

of June

extravagant.

as

she

her

to

name

its

present

Home,

World

York

HOME.

OF

MISSION

AND

Lyon

v.

Home,

demanded

and

her

narrator,

money."
It will

**

Mrs.

either

Thereupon
hardly
appear

American
that other
English readers
papers
newsfrom
of the
the
columns
copied this nonsense
though
it as
World, and gravely commented
fact, ala
upon
the actual
record.
on
history of the lawsuit was
All the
remaining legends of this worthy chronicler
sheer
as
are
figments as her story of the artificial hand.
Of

to

course,

stories

from

she
Mr.

professesto
Home.

have
"

Home

heard

these

himself

very
told

strange
"

me

is

FRANCE

her

favourite

have

on

their

received

himself.

Home
the

Celia

incredible

York

gold

Home

intellectual
World

pencil.

Such

is

evidently

125

her

not

narrative,

that

and

contributor

of

the

to

old

woman

from
reflect

to

stop

such

choosing
the

pretend

information

does

of

more

always

exclusive

Logan

of

narrative

some

persons

very

ever

level

RUSSIA

commencing

nature

of
The

in

absurd.

commonly

than

to

phrase

AND

the

possibility
im-

confidant.
Neio

the

of

the

"6

CHAPTER

V.

ENGLAND.

second

from

November,
returned

He

in

was

England

her

of

Home

impression of
She

the

the

into

his

in

the

current,
travel

year
that

sdances
who

the

i860

and

him

and

no

more

men

at will

regard

he

volition

more

the

to

convey
the

to

of

they
intelligences

no

wire, designed

on

could

nor

exercised

hold

capable

other

as

ably
reason-

Apart from
the
sions
impres-

impressions

withheld

with

been

frail.

so

at

near

whose

husband,

other

He

Home

better

part

gave,
the

very

stances

of

was

remarkable

was

early

remarkable

His

exercises

him

to

during

gift.

than

investigated

returned

default

fit.

have

so

no

messages

tric
electhat

it.

over

The

or

saw

own

matter

already

was

than

introduced

yet received

as

was

Home

messages

communicated

than

that

through

future

the

and

1859,

had

seemed

once

him,

to

those

command

he

her

conveyed

granted

86

on
prophetic shadows
he
brought his young

of

winter

the

of

when

outlive

than

messages

were

their

in

destined, it might
to

more

looking

cast

parting

was

thought,
life had

whole

English friends,

his

hand.

the

; but

in

Home

Mr.

often

London

to
to

during

events

mind

wife

England lasted
1859, until the last week of July, i860.
in the following winter, and
third
time

Coming
the

of

residence

The

and

for the

phenomena.
strongly,and

summer

took
word
to be

of

for

the

variety of

persons
had
power

His
was

i860,

of

number

especiallygreat
when

many

very
power," in

I say
place.
to
describe
by which
a passive agent ; and
"

Home's
the

more

ENGLAND.

lie could

results.

the

were

the

Home's

laws

same

from

mind

as

the

inspirations

which

the

his

cannot

his

work

that

it would

they

as

of any

poet

that

he

would

would

of the

for their

at will

the

the

spirit

which

reason

Yet

the
or

such

is

guished
distin-

men

attainments

for

at

happen,

all.

at

inability to

considered

tations
manifes-

obtain

declining to

tigate
inves-

the

English acquaintances
throws
an
amusing
light

some

question
approach it at

to

all.

well-known

Parkes,

been

had

on

public opinion
of Spiritualism, when
they

pressed by Mrs.
to a
judge, to come

had

of

of

leaders

the

Indian

an

that

one

in

approached
man

of

letters

is

Home

consented

foretell

subject.

Among
Mr.

his

sufficient

the

would

the

capricious,
tion
inspira-

more

century, that

intelligenceand
of

Home,

than

never

happen

nineteenth

declaration

Home's

and

most

painter was
commencing

were

what

stance

anything

temper

strange power
wonderful,

painter, could

or

of

whether

of

service, and

when

masterpiece

more

were

commencement

the

be

of whose

manifestations

the

that

No
or
great writer
presence.
with
able to declare
certainty in

yet

ever

what
some-

great poet

its

desire

obey

to

of

better

only knows

artist

into
compel his power
inspiration is often absent

he

subject,the

gift appeared

the

painter,concerning

or

his

detach

127

stance

at

tific
scienthe
her

widow
house

tation.
by accepting the inviHe
the evening appointed ;
duly appeared on
but
demanded,
as
an
indispensable preliminary to
he
should
furnished
be
with
"a
sitting, that
gramme
prowith

Mr.

of the

represented
there

and

what

to

were

knew

no

should

exactly

that

him

to

he

sit, departed in much

His

whose

attitude

was

feet he

had

was

in vain
had

stances

was

that
no

his hostess

programmes,

of

earthly means
happen ; he
not

what

ended

It

stance."

determined

was

to

and

Home,

hand
arranging beforeonly replied that he
he
investigate at all, unless
investigating ; and, refusing

ill-humour.
caricature

probably

sat.

of

that

Faraday

of

Faraday, at
is deservedly

LIFE

128

great

name

AND

but

is

take

Newton,
could
a

universe

humbly

compare
walks
on

who

child

and

shells

few

of the

the

and

thinker

thinkers

The

its

of

the

of

teenth
nine-

ignorance of them,

own

its discoveries
the

pebbles

ocean.

the

to

sea-shore, and
indications

as

modem

of the

conviction

of his

emphatically

was

are

of the

secrets

HOME.

not
specialists,
philosophers. England
little likely ever
to
produce another
Bacon,
all knowledge
for his province;
another
or
whose
great intellect, dimly apprehending the

century
to

he

OF

century, and

nineteenth

the

MISSION

brings
of

the

scientist

has

vastness

of that

of

action

away

treasures

such

no

whelming
over-

ocean,

and

He
is a
inability to penetrate its depths.
who
child
particular pebble, and, after
picks up one
that the sea
close inspection of it, declares
has nothing
in it but pebbles, and
they are all like his.
reference
to the phenomena
of
Faraday wrote, with
Before
we
proceed to consider
Spiritualism:
any
should
set
questions involving physical principles,we
of
with
the
clear ideas
out
possible."
naturally possible and imown

"

He

forgot that

and

impossible

will

not

of

that

omniscient,

is not

the

of

those

be

possible
in

though

knowledge

will

never

has

humanity

age

Man's

and

was

century

naturallypossible
eighteenth, and

the

twentieth.

never

every

of

those

the

nineteenth

of the

its ideas

not

are

the

even

be

finaJ;

repeated Faraday's

of

The
scientific critics
supposing it to be so.
had very clear ideas
of the naturallyposof Stephenson
sible
the
when
consideration
of the
they proceeded to
in the
physical principles involved
question of the
mistake

; and

locomotive
it

was

miles

impossible

to

hour.

If

an

Society of 1787,
like
a

the

and

ideas

years
lead
the

ago

led

could

we

submit

what

the

at

declare
of

rate

the

its consideration

that

thirty
Boyd
tions
inven-

the

telephone, the ideas of

concerning the naturally possible

Society
is

to

resuscitate

to

to

ridicule

propositions for annihilating

of

them

engines

run

telegraph and

hundred

would

their

as

distance.

possible and

chimerical
Human

impossible

have

such
ceptions
con-

been

(ifit

investigatingthe phenomenon
of

tables

by

often

were

sitters

the

and

it

of the

obvious

was

stances

muscular

of

to

not

his

words

it would

Home,

whether

science

or

fact, Mr.

hostile
of

that

meeting

acted

on

had

the

some

candour

later,

years

friendly
assumed
by

and

to Home

the

attitude

gentleman
and

invited,

was

certain

any
:

"

conditions

utterly impossible for

been

pretender

Home

the

with

more
weight than
carry
I will therefore
give it
; and

have

mere

Accordingly,

authority fix)ni

any

Star

tary
involun-

will

would

which

"

Emerson

(Faraday) "prescribed

"He"

blinded

not

particularlyconsulted
in the Morning
writer

the

As

description

science

of mine

thing
any-

about

incident

been

2th, i868) was

of

man

all."

at

knew

were

bring

to

the

have

to

who

endeavoured,

Morning

the

discussing

matter

Faraday,

the

Bell,

as

appear

(May

Star
to

when

admit

in the

Tennant

and

who,

with

apply.

not

Sir
Faraday.
responsibility,and without
Home

made

men

latter,and

would

Robert

Home,

"did

"

Emerson

Mr.

own

Mr.

the

been

Faraday's theory of

here

action

86 1, Sir

between
his

of

conviction

had

all

to

of the

by prejudice, that

help

his

Faraday's observations.
of Faraday's experiments

Home

and

Lights

"

last son
perShadows

the

was

of

accuracy
None

in

in the

declared

has

Spiritualism

Home

Mr.

fact, and

the
"

of

was

themselves.

doubt

to

name)

the

deserve

that
easily able to show
tilted, consciously or unconsciously,
he

and

table-tilting;

HOME.

OF

MISSION

AND

LIFE

130

be

apostle of

the

humbug,
as

to

condition

Mr.
new

In

accept.

precedent

ledge
Faraday's entering on the investigation, to acknowthat
the
however
phenomena,
produced, were
and
ridiculous
contemptible."
Faraday may have been
he
had
but to judge before
right as regards what
seen,
dence
examining it of what he had not seen
implied a confito

in his

Faraday's
examination.
afterwards

second
Home

did
he

conceited
infallibility
as

own

condition,
would

in the

should

case

as

of

of

open
readily have
Crookes

accept this ?

Mr.

as

and

dogmatic.
complete

accepted
but

Robert

as

was

it

Bell

was

he

ceivable
conso

ENGLAND.

assured

he

not, that he did

would

transmit

to

even

Home

Mr.

to

and
Seven

later, at the

years

it worthwhile

proposal

negotiations
were
dropped

Faraday

think

not

accordingly the

and

son,
Bell, Sir Emer-

between
and

resumed.

never

of the

close

insulting;

so

fessor
suit. Pro-

Lyon

he intimated
Tyndall published a letter in which
willingnessto be present at a stance with Mr. Home,
the
offer **in the
expressly declared that he made

his
but

letter."

spirit of Faraday's

In

challenge, Professor

Tyndall
prejudices. What

of his

vaunt

who

never

one,

whether

sought

There

is

one

even

and

mood,

Tyndall

in

abstain

from

of the

Home

and

might

approach
**

the

probably
serious

contemptible ;"

however

his

denial

in the

not

such

afforded

identity of

any

qualifying with

express

evidence

Home,

own

would

cheap

to

that

he

refer to the

it matter

such

principles on
of Faraday's opinion or

were

"ridiculous"

emphatically

did

aspect of the manifestations

would

as

putting forth
only making

was

his

impose

to

Tyndall

Professor

131

jectives
ad-

disbeUef.

and

of Mr.

stances

It

beings communicating.

have
of that
been
only to those who
fullyconvinced
be Spiritualism.
ever
identity that Spiritualism can
the
If gratitude and
of one's convictions
courage
the
virtues
common
were
recipients of
men,
among
incontrovertible
have
more
proofs of identity would
record.
happily,
Unfrequently placed their testimony on
is

there
who

do

fear

not

few

are

who

ridicule

if

face

can

fewer

knowledge of
outweighed with

the

and

abuse,

still
what

awaited

them

majority

other
caused
them
consideration, and
every
of
silent.
Home
this
complained
never

remain

to

conduct

; on

ready

to

p.
of the
the

best

discreditable

the

am

names

204),he
timid

spoke

contrary, he
it ; and

excuse

(vol.i.

"

the

they

even

in
sorry that
friends
of my

only

Incidents

that

stated
can

too

in

himself

constituted
and

many,
defence

silence

in

was
"

with

unselfishly
My Life
*'

the

generous

offered

be

the

for

gist
apolodour
can-

their

:
"

I
instances
many
who
have
witnessed

so

am

obliged to

wonderful

conceal

he
things,^'

wrote

but

^'

remember

the

MISSION

LIFE

AND

if the

reader

132

and

reason,

self.

No

is the

given,

in obedience

sooner

to

is

disposed

take

the
of

name

observe, and

and

forward

and
truth

the

be

simply

and

of

this, if

be

it

not

with

them.

conceived

vivid

the

who

have

now

in another
still

assistance

wise

not

decide.

they

that

Go4

whom

it

All

facts I

respect the

pain,

truth

that

which

the

to

of

had

of Mr.

Home

have

carried

devil, for

the incidents

nothing

and

do."

to

convincing
in

England

their

ledge
know-

survivors, it may
who

made

them

on

fresh

was

now.

the

am

minority
courageous
Some
of these, too, are

speak.
their

readily
jfrom publicity

shrank

forward
are

witness

remains

others

gratefullyacknowledge

charitable
un-

which

to

phenomena
worthy of

life of

The

me.
are

this

sufficient

gift

to

the

the

Home
prove
on

man

bestowed.

was

the

justiceto

few

this

in

extent

given

wonderful

aflforded

have

rendered

the

to

already
the

I have

come

life,but

marvellous

its

to

there

feared

they

and

those

earth, and

on

names,

impression
that

not

watch

of which

of

inclined

are

thankful

more

few

fact

friends

for the

As

that

when

to

person

are

before

judge

obvious

an

had
who
of those
Many
experiences at the stances
have
quitted the world, and

and

and

this little book

in

truthfullywriting
life,with the production

of my

are

courageous

fact, of all who

weigh

let my
adventurous
abused, and called bad

I shall

and

him

on

and still less for ladies,to come

for men,
encouragement
stand in front of all this obloquy. If an example be needed

day,

be

blame

him

is small

There

of

think

to

and

this,let

a
testimony, than it becomes
target
of the unscrupulous, the sceptical,

ridicule,jests,and abuse
the
scientific; in
orthodox, and

enough

of

complain

to

honest

some

for all the

the

HOME.

greater part of the

call for

the

OF

give

can

scruples

I shall

of

the

If the

truth.

give

timorous,

publication

my
but
of

care

names

to

is not
render
causes

the
that
but
only say that I am
sorry;
timid
ing
havwith
be content
portion of his friends must
sacrificed
him
during his lifetime to their anxiety
themselves
in the eyes of the world.
not
to compromise
Mr.
Home's
I cannot
imitate
generosity on this point ;
of
the
honour
of a
account
on
duty forbids
me,
my
can

was

write

sacred
this

of full information

him,

to

book.
must

and

for

the

future

of

only regret that my want

necessarily render my narrative

ENGLAND.

incomplete,

and

stances

never

will

enough

courage

will

truth, and
those

England

in

events

arrival

his

ceived
made

during
had

who

note

Two

of the

Dr.

Home,
two

or

at

been

and

Thackeray
and

to

that

work.

drew

in

the

whom

"

investigating the
after being present

at

called

mediums,

former

make

further
with

patience
on

and

the

inquiry
what

he

into

Mr.

visit for
to

came

present

presently speak.
believer

"

in

him

tualism
Spirihis

old

portrait

Dr.

Goodenough,
dedicated
affectionately
as

Ashbumer

or

had
of

two

co-operated

mesmerism

with

stances

contemptuously refused
lost
Spiritualism, and

regarded

as

his

friend's

old

was
subject. Elliottson
was
worthy
upright character

the

and

to

was

Elliottson, whose

phenomena
one

him.

Lytton

estranged from

great writer
and

the

took

unable

was

1861,

firm

of

Lytton

to pay

year

had

with

B.

re-

men

writes

in the

Pendennis

Elliottson

E.

Home

in

he

sdances

him

I shall

become

in

noble

his

whom

again

colleague. Dr.

and

ance
acquaint-

various

Sir

of

belief had

his

his

whom

and

were

stances, of which
had

to allow

was

acquaintance

later

; but

then, and

Ashbumer

friend

their

former

the

Mr.

at

present

; and

at

present

of these

earliest

and

of

wonderful

very

friends

the

1855;

in

renewing

invitation

various
Dr.

from

then

him

January 10, i860, pressing

three
days to Knebworth.

accept the
to London,

facts

eflForts of his own.

any
in November
1859, he

England

visit

Ashbumer;

the

sufficient

with

course

in

life his rule

all his

his

of

opportunity

to

testimony to
English society. He
sought

in

welcome

warm

up
the

owe

manifestations

persons

furnish

itself without

extended
On

said, of

list of the

mere

persons
their

take

to

1861, the

have

excited

of those

none

sons
per-

summon

the

and

would

he

interest

of the

duty they
practice by giving

i860
as

stances

will

remarkable

world.

years

The

Home's
the

the

were,

character.

still survive

remember

to

to

the

During

as

put it in

stances

unless

many
such

known,

be

at them

present

history of

the

that

133

of

man

but
so-

to

all
lusions
de-

whose

all esteem

LIFE

134

like

but,

other

many
absolutely the
''Until
was

he

became

of

of the

that

of

acknowledged
as
merely corporeal being,
a

man

with

of his

evidence

'Human

of

he

Zoist, but

gave

the

who

of the

what
the

only

great force

only

'

rappings

elaborate

he

that

in
'

avowed

an

however,

destined,

to

accompany

his old
than

gross

"

was

and

it in the

Spiritualist,

with

with
worse
publicly charged him
assisting to promote the spread of so
Dr.
hesitate
did
Goodenough
nor
whom
unmeasured
terms
against Home,
He

on

duced
intro-

was

denounce

and

seen.

work

sturdiest

journal

as

action.

elfected."

were

oflF all intercourse

"

mous
synony-

cerebral

of the

did

regards

as

Spiritualism
one

was

Not

mind

of

his

in

type"

usually regarded

result

modem

Elliottson

is

"he

him,

which

Physiology

in

; and

knew
determined

and

faculties

becoming

broke

Elliottson

of

series of woodcuts

rejected

life.

Ashbumer

Dr.

On

the

its opponents.

text, showing how

the

school

When

this country, Dr.

scornful

future

sees

with

forth

set

Physiology.'
into

most

brain

spiritualnature

he

views

These

of the

functions

HOME.

wrote
Spiritualist,"
one
most
uncompromising

head

the

OF

great physiologists,he

doctrine

materialist

MISSION

AND

folly in
delusion

inveigh

to

had

he

make

to

friend,

in

never

Home's

dramatic
circumstances.
The
acquaintance, and under
had
Home
for a
most
never
placable of mankind.
of Elliottson,
moment
thought of resenting the conduct

was

well

aware.

two

men

at

second

my
In

of

the

In

the

agent of the

course

is in

like to be

introduced

but

undertook

observed

him

Elliottson,you
don't
such

you

think

accusations

introduce

to
on

have
it
as

said
was

you

Mrs.

and

very

have

Milner
and

me;

seat.

his

in

after

of

Dr.

the

lady

introduction.

few

written
wrong
done

very
for an

the

on

you

Gibson

introduced

was

Home,

wrote

'

to him.'

the

Home

lifetime

1863, while at Dieppe,"

Milner
afternoon
Gibson, one
of conversation, she said:
'Do
at
V
Is
he
T
Dieppe
present

Elliottson

he

which

published

the

soning
unrea-

character

Mr.

of

autumn

friend, Mrs.

during

was

under

by

Incidents,"

death, but
the

was

estimable

related

were
"

it

as

circumstances

met

volume

Elliottson's
who

The

last

honest

as

of whose

violent, and

and

"

felt to be

prejudice he

whose

parade

know

hard
old

against me,

I met
there.

that

Dr.

I should

replied;
expressed surprise,
*

minutes
to

"

afterwards
and

him,
thiogs

man

and

of

like
to

we

said,

Dr.

Now,

me.

to

you

call

'

make

man^an

ENGLAND.

135

K you
like to know
impostor of whom
nothing whatever?
you know
something of me, and to investigatethe subject of Spiritualism,I shall
be happy
to see
Milner
Gibson's
at Mrs.
this evening, and
to
you
and
give you every opportunity of testing what you see.' He came
;
much
that he was
convinced
of the truth of Spiritualism. The
so
saw
next
I witnessed
last evenday he called on me, and said : * What
ing
wonderful
and convincing, but it is too much
for me
to change
was

suddenly

the

convictions

of seventy

I must

years.

ask

to

you

let

me

friend
with
me.'
I agreed readily;
again, and bring a young
and
that evening he came
the
two
Messrs.
accompanied by
young
The
fullest use
made
was
Symes.
by the three gentlemen of their
of
and
what
observing
testing
they witnessed, and the result
power
that Dr. Elliottson
was
was
perfectly convinced."
come

On

returning

reconciliation

and

of

manner

few

in which

it had

his

himself.
Milner

conditions
them

by
Home

wished

which

hold

to

effect.

the

following

to

nications
commu-

Mrs.

to

able
favour-

most

stances

without

wrote

old

lowed
fol-

and

Disappointed
note

Mr.

to

"

"My
the

Sir,

dear

"

instructions

St.

from

Mrs.

here

be

you

Elliottson
He

of Home's
without
In
water

the

still

was

had
can

not
never

it ; and

only

yet learned
be
the

received

wrought
Dieppe, and
the giver, in

from
in his

that

acquired.
1

864,

Elliottson
views

by

Mr.

G., but

Yours

to

with

sincerely,

J. Elliottson."

of the

giftof

the

ject.
sub-

nature

is bom

man

B.

with

of

Coleman

an

account

of the

the

stances

with

published it, with

the

1863.

majority without.

vast

following year,

M.

threshold

the

on

37, Oct. 30,

regularly according

sat

received
shall

When

result.

have

"

or

obtain

the

to

Conduit

no

the

applied accordingly

but
careftilly,
he

of the

nor

itself; and

to

as

seek

life made

Yet

reassert

instructions

under

fedlure,

his

He

for

Gibson

to

belief, he

new

his

wrought.

times

to

Ashbumer,

convictions,

been

incredulitystruggled at

of

years

his

in

hastened

friend. Dr.

old

remaining

change

strengthen

Elliottson

his

the

secret

no

with

the

during

London,

to

the

SpiritualMagazine.

full
This

Bays-

tion
revolu-

Home

approval
authorised

at

of

LITE

T36

of the

version
is

follows

as
**

sanction

conelusions

make

of the

to

at

the

I do

and

me,

his

it is vdth
*

announcement,
I

phenomena.

quite

now

not

am

yet

they are produced by the agency

unable
to satisdeny this, as I am

that

admit

not

for what

free,however,

am

to

arrived

had

have

on

seen

other

any
been

have
made
explanations which
do
for the phenomena
not
satisfyme, but I
reserve
opinion on that point at present.
my

account

said

realityof the

factorilyaccount
hypothesis. The
desire

Elliottson

Elliottson

Dr.

prepared to
of spirits.

to

that

"

that

satisfied

HOMR

OF

I am,'

MISSION

AND

afforded

to

that

say

the

I regret

opportunity

I have
period. What
mind
a
deep impression on
latelyhas made
my
tions,
manifestathe recognition of the
reality of these

not

was
seen

and

from

whatever

in the

is

cause,

died

Elliottson

Dr.

earlier

an

feelings

and

thoughts

my

at

me

tendingto

1868.

in

revolutionise

subject.**
every
The
Post,
Morning

almost

on

the story of
obituary notice, related
Home
Mr.
it must
at Dieppe, which,

of its

course

his

meeting

be

noted,

with
Home

had

not

published

yet

and

tinued
con-

"

then

*'He

his

of

conviction

his

was

been

Bible.

he

had

now

hold

his

while

life

firm

of my
latest
of Elliottson's
in
wrote
"

In

one

happiness
looked
^

the
and
the

Note
remark
it

his

later

forward

pleasure

made
of

at

Mrs.

meeting

Milner

him."

he

said
had

and

had

thought

material

he

trusted

but

would

friend

with

1870, "he

expressed the great

brought him, and

life

by Mr. H. T. Humphreys
quoted in the biography

was

he

the

he

henceforth

interviews

convictions
the

to

which

and

phenomena,

this

but

expressed

earth."

on

he

the

of his

sons

handbook

existence

hope

that

darkness,

in

the

by

the

after

time

in

nothing

was

of

truth

Some

living all

there

the

Christian, whose

sincere

investigating

Spiritualism, aided
The
result
was
Symes.

Dr.

became

in

time

some

of

phenomena
friend

spent

had

hereafter

"It

of him

Gibson'sj

to

was

which
on

the

me

him,"

calm

with
that

I wrote

only

Dr.

for the
occasion

confi-

Elliottson

made

Morning

Pott

on

which

I had

LIFE

138
festations
their

to

MISSION

AND

of judgment as
preserved a suspense
In attemptorigin, while admitting the facts.
ing
others

these

distinguish between

to

almost

The

chie^

classes, my

two

only guide, has been the letters "om

Enghsh
Mr.
Home.
acquaintances preserved by

my
and

friends

HOME.

OF

witnesses

show

published testimony,
manifestations

to

Mr.

have

not

letters

whom

to

Home,

their

or

only recognised

been
vinced
congenuine but to have
the
of their spiritual origin, included, between
of Sutherland,
the
Duchess
Lady
1859-1866^
years
Dr.
Robert
Chambers,
Gomm,
Shelley, Lady
Lady
Milner
Catherine
Gibson,
Sinclair, Mrs.
Otway, Miss
the

Mr.

Mrs.

and

as

William

Gully of Malvern,

Senior, Mr. and

Cooper, Mrs. Adelaide
glas,
Hall, Mrs. Makdougall
Gregory, Miss DouMr.
E. L. Blanchard,
and
Pickersgill,RA.,

S'. C.
Mr.

others.
No
many
but his article, *'

be

Nicholson,

Burgh, Dr.
Lady Dun-

Sir Daniel

sany,
Mrs.

hill

Charles

Sir

De

Mrs.

Howitt,

Magazine,

added
I

Stranger

proof

Cbm-

the

in

Fiction,"

remain

that

he

but

is to

list.

fully aware

am

than

Bell

Robert

Mr.

sufficient

constitutes

the

to

from

letters

that

have

named

small

of the

of high
and
Englishmen
Englishwomen
intellectual
social position who
of
became
convinced
or
the spiritualorigin of the manifestations
witnessed
by
number

them
my

of Mr.
in presence
list of believers
is

exhaustive,
included

Home,

only
concerning
of

of

the

them,

to
courage
such
from

After

of

in it

evidence
Some

it is

the

present

whom

the

proclaim

very

indisputable

fact
as

that, while

those

that

they
belief

far

I claim

from

as
accuracy,
the
stances
at

have

Hewitts

their

merit

The

Home.

written
became

and

the

openly

or

for

being
I

of

have
Mr.

printed

Spiritualists.
Halls, had
; others

the

shrank

course.

convinced,

the

half-convinced.

mean

by

of
investigators present at
Mr.
Home
certain
England were
distinguished persons,
of whom
for stating that
I have
warrant
they
witnessed
at
acknowledged the phenomena
they had

this,

that

among
in

the

stances

ENGLAND.

stances

those

of

but

formed

any

among
letters

others,

Mr.

"

the

who

politicaleconomist,

of Mr.

Lord
the

of

habits
but

who

thought

each

were

wide

as

the

Home's

tion
publica"

of

ex-chairman

Robertson,

asunder

whose

men

the

as

"c.

poles ;

the

that

failed

from

"

occurred
at

to

those

who
has

importance

at

the

of

stances

Home

similar

been

furnish

to

an

details

fact occurred

with

assertion
of which

I shall

of

illustration

of mankind
hopeless incapacity of the mass
facts.
between
A
prejudices and
of this imhappy tendency of human
instance

confound

ever

The
loudest
opinion.
the
always proceeded
contrary have
of him,
least
knew
and
their
only

arrive

to

declarations

the

guished
distin-

Incidents

"

includes

observed,

Mr.

the same
impression produced was
untenable.
No
the theory of imposture was
man
the
and
festations
manihonestly investigated
impartially

on

that

list,it will be

short

Sir

Heaphy,

secured

Longmans
by Messrs.
J. Hutchinson,
Lyndhurst, Mr.
Stock
Lockhart
Exchange
; Dr.

This

chapter),

Senior, the

Nassau

whose

Dufferin,

Lord

Beales, Mr.

Mr.

sculptor ;

refer,

of

another

posture,
im-

they

two

or

in

Bright,

Edmond

Mr.

if

"

found

be

John

Mr.

Arnold,

Durham,

will

or

(one

Kuskin

of

theory

opinions
certainty speak.

with

Mr.

to

ther

on

beliefs

whose
cannot

Thackeray,

Edwin

inexplicable

Home

Mr.

to

be

to

139

guish
distin-

to

remarkable
nature

in the

brieflyrelate

the

1864,

year

in

an

to

ensuing

chapter.
Besides

named,
Home
that

Spiritualists

very many
in London

they

were

Marchioness
Geraldine

persons

of whom

present

at

and

came

I know
stances.

investigators already
stances of Mr.
to the
only
The

this

one

names

fact
of

"

Mr.

the
Paget, Lord
Houghton,
Miss
of Hastings,
Lady
Londonderry,
of
Friswell, author
Jewsbury, and Mr. Hain

Lord

Buckle,

"The

the

Gentle

Clarence

Life," may

be

of

interest;

but

of

experiences and opinions of these inquirers I can

from
nothing with certainty ; though it is evident
Home
that
she
letters of Lady Londonderry to Mr.

the
say

the
was

LIFE

140

several

at

present

MISSION

AND

OF

HOME.

that

stances, and

considerable

her.
on
impression had been made
the
of 1 860
circle of Mr.
During the early months
widen
Home's
to
English acquaintances continued
had
been
not
brought
steadily,but as yet his name
before
the
In
ever,
public.
August, 1 860, howprominently
produced by the appeara
startlingimpression was
ance
article
Fiction
than
in the
of the
Stranger
*'

"

Magazine,

Cornhill

at

height of

the

the

Mr.

its

popularity,

article

As
was
signed,
unThackeray.
Mr.
Kobert
of
it lost the weight that the name
otherwise
have
would
given to it ; and Thackeray
for
having permitted the publicabitterlyattacked
tion
his hasty and
which
of statements
ignorant critics
edited

and

Bell
was

set

then

down

by

as

pure

invention.

the fate of
reproached with over-credulitywas
mena
inquirer into the phenointelligentand honest
every
of Spiritualism whose
experiences conflicted with
the
accusation
the prejudices of the public, but
was
have
especiallyunjust as regarded Thackeray, and must
attributed
to Dickens
galled him deeply. As the verses
the man,
of all his
emphatically
say of him, he was
To

be

"

knew

time, who

combined
him

rendered
He

had

had

occurred

Mr.

most

of them

Home's
in the

without

stance

Home,

ledge,
know-

shrewdness,

had

scepticalof mankind.
testing the phenomena that
had

asked
you

have

availed

spirit. Many

Home,
ever

"Who

was

met?"

and

Thackeray."
place, I
in
lecturing tour
"

any hesitation, answered,

first introduction
to Home

at which

that

and

Thackeray's
believe, during the
great writer's
for thinking
America.
My reason
remember
a description given by an
a

and

and
presence,
incredulous
most

afterwards, a friend
years
the most
scepticalinquirer
Home,

"

men

great natural

his

with
the

of

most

wary
opportunities of

in

himself

the

so

took

is

that

well

lady

American

of

present in the States with

ment
Thackeray being also present, and of the amuse-

caused
of

to

she

her

was

by Thackeray's

floor,table, and

everything in

minute
the

tions
examinaroom,

in

his

ENGLAND.

persistent determination
he

supposed
witnessing.
of

"

his

and

honest

testimony
fact

was

he

that

by

fearless

the

more

had

far

I do

produced

were

he

did

and

editorial

he

for his

vouched

he

in

him

say

belief

intimately

in

London

of

December

(Mrs.

with

that

manifestations

the

that

Bell's

Most

and
No
ever

the

at

?)M.

Bell

his

It took

Home.

G.

either

to

able

to

present

was

the

Park

end

of

Lane

of

sister

Lady Home.
profoundly sceptical by nature

Thackeray, but as frank and candid,

close, intelligent,and
a
dispassionate observer.
has
better
of the
account
physical manifestations
narrative
been
given than his lucid and unbiassed
Comhill^ written
place on
record, as

results

of

temper

equally remote

foolish

credulity.
the

by

As
mass

him

befitted

of

series

by

testimony

with
a

other

no

candid

aim

when

reality of
readers

in

seen

what

and

what
mine."

the

in
investigations conducted
a
from
and
unreasoning prejudice
for the
his
reception accorded

of

the

public, Bell

had

the

I would
I

to

questioned the savant

Bell
magnetic phenomena.
first lines

very

not

cannot,

have

of his

believed

article
on

therefore, expect

your
you

fully

ignorant

poet

certain

than

inquirer, the

of angry incredulityand
anticipatedthat storm
derision.
Quoting the reply of Dr. Treviranus

upon

an

incredible

towards

in

in

friend

in the
to

the

Hope,

less

was

he

place

residence

article,

faith

good

which

at

probably

Comhill

the

published

stances

1862,

Miss

or

Robert
than

the

the

entirely in
Thackeray ever
got

had

of

identify one

Bell's
of

because

certainly abandoned
as
the supposition that they could
be attributed
delusion
I have
only been
or
imposture.
note,

author

publishing

spirits.

friend

old

the

was

the

to

was

convinced

been

not

the

when

; but

not

action

disembodied

by

dupe

commendable

himself

entertain

to

as

knew

he

wonders

attributed
who

one

any

that

trickery

credulous

been

and

spite of himsel"
so

of

the

of the

bottom

have

"

Fair

Vanity

the

character

would

unearth

to

at

The

last that

very

be

to

141

to

the

told

his

as

ridge,
Cole-

"I

have

testimony,
to

believe

LIFE

142

"

It is not

be

to

OF

MISSION

AND

expected,"

he

HOMK

writes, later

"that

on,

phenomena, should
here
Yet
a
complacency.
story as this with
is a fact which
undoubtedly took place,and which
not
canknown
be referred
to
physical or mechanical
any
those
It is not
who
forces.
to
a
satisfactoryanswer
such
have
seen
things, to say that they are impossible ;
since, in such cases, it is evident that the impossibiUty
of a thing does not prevent it from happening.'*
who

any person
such
read

In

is

the

words

by

eleven

Crookes

after

expressed

in

Wheatstone

stone.

conclusion

the

years

him

italicised,Robert

have

his
had

reply

Bell

arrived

Mr.

at

written, with

and

Wheat-

Charles

Sir

to

pated
antici-

by
experiments,

exhaustive

and

repeated

by

to these

stranger

regard

to

of

one

"It
to me
experiments with Home:
appears
contrary to all analogy that a force acting according to
of a lever by
produce the motion
physical laws should
acting on its fulcrum."
I entirely agree.
In
Crookes,
this," replied Mr.
the
the
trace
I, too, cannot
analogy between
psychic
force
force
and
a
acting according to known
physical

Crookes'

"

"

laws.

facts

the

Yet

recorded

in my

for

true

are

papers

all that."

of

In

presence
and
Crookes
to

open

it

Mr.
to

"

such

experiences

Bell, Science

those

as

had

but

carefullyinvestigate

of

two

Mr.

courses

subject, or

the

to

content
to
was
deny its title to investigation. Science
the easier
and
as
adopt the latter course,
speedier way
of arriving at a conclusion
in so
doing it ceased
; but
to

be
I

science.
have

long and
quoted
he

that

not

seized, and

phenomenon

emphatic

give in

into

Robert

extenso
a

former

the

that, without
air.

any
evidence

His

at
repeatedly witnessed
the
playing of an instrument

Home,

contact

to

In
interesting narrative.
his testimony
concerning

melted

Mr.

space

of
:

"

mortal

hand,

is

no

less

Bell's

chapter

detached

hand

eflfort at

drawal,
with-

as

the

to

another

stances
without

conclusive

of
the
and

ENGLAND.

"We

heard

ground.
Apart

from

"

hands

the

the

space
freedom

requisite
breath.
wail

The

of

the

would

for

in

with
a

of

some

instrument

the

bold

of divine

should

being

it

listened

passages,

out
within

with

out

with

the

on

being played
being played

drawn

strange

ky

transitions, with

the

reverberation;

the

suspended

running through it. The

delicacy than its power.

astounding

an

strain

its
its

of

full

its

of

We

extent.

where

fact of

of its

admit

not

less remarkable

through the room

subsiding, sank into
"That

was

pathetic sweetness

swelled

notes

the

wild, and

was

play

to

consideration

its full

to

air

most

no

was

the

wonderful

which

narrow

beginning

less wonderful

^no

"

accordion

143

tion
execu-

When

sound

rolled

then

gently

tenderness.

hands
is a proplayed without
position
which
be expected to accept.
The
whole
nobody can
story
will be referred
of the
the whole
to one
of
categories under which
these
sense.'
It will be discarded
are
phenomena
consigned by 'common
fraud.
Either
delusion
heard
as
or
we
a
a
imagined we
it,
hear
and
did
there
not
under
the
or
it,
was
some
one
really
table, or
mechanism
to produce the result.
set in motion
some
was
of delusion
Upon the likelihood
testimony is obviously worth
my
With
nothing.
speak more
respect to fraud I can
confidently. It is
in
that
small
to say
so
a
scarcely necessary
circle,occupied by so
who
were
inconveniently packed together, there was
persons
many
for a child of the size of a doll,or
for the smallest
not
room
piece of
machinery to operate.
"
But
need
not
we
speculate on what
might be done
by skilful
in confines
since the question is removed
contrivances
out
so
narrow,
of the region of conjecture by the fact that, upon
strument
holding up the inin
in
the
with
the
one
handy
full
mysdf
light upon
open
room,
strains
emitted, the regidar action
were
it, similar
of the accordion
I should
visible agency.
And
add
going on without
that, during
any
it
in conbecame
difficult
the
loud
and
vehement
to
so
hold,
passages,
with
which
of the extraordinary power
it was
played from
8equence
I
the
both
hands.
that
with
This
to
obliged
was
below,
top
grasp
I witnessed
the same
result
not
a
solitaryone.
on
experience was
the
held
when
others.''
instrument
different
occasions,
was
by
an

be

"

Bell
honest
the

was
one.

circumstances

writing
well

Did

knew,

the

accordion

he

describes

falsehood,
would

and

man,

sane

be

the
to

widely respected as an
under
play in his hands
he deliberately
was
; or

only

result

of

which,

him
upon
credible
other

bring

as

storm

he
of

Were
the
witnesses
obloquy?
many
recorded
have
similar
a
equaUy telling falsehoods, who
intellect
"Yes"
The
that answers
canexperience?

be

not
too

from

who

and
I

"

Gully

it

myself

to know

that

it

in

October,

i860,

of

Malvern,

who

Bell's

for

played,

was

at

end,

other

the

good

had

and

"

wrote,

pulled

vehemently

was

been

testimony.

time," he

short

appeared
had

accordion

the

when

fullyconfirmed

held

reason

Star,

stance

only

are

"Yes."

answer

Dr.

the

at

unfortunately there

and

Morning

letter

present

will

who

many
In
the

with

reasoned

HOMK

OF

MISSION

AND

TJFR

144

and

that
wisely surmised
; unless
by Mr. Home's
toes, as has been
of
end
the
gentleman has legs three yards in length, with toes at
of spirits. For, be it stated,
them
as
quite as marvellous
any legion
that such music
heard
grand at
no
was
we
ordinary strain ; it was
as
and
long-drawn, to a
times, at others
pathetic, at others distant
can
degree which no one
imagine who has not heard it. I have heard
ment
instruof the
Blagrove repeatedly ; but it is no libel on that master
did produce such
that he never
to say
exquisite distant and
instrument
The
echo notes
played,
those which
as
delighted our ears.
and
Home
from
at
distant
of
the
too,
yards away
parts
room,
many
not

from

all of us."

of

One
stance

present
had

the

that

most

was

the

then

been

levitation

the

the

the

]Mr.

persons

lights

The

Home.

lute
not^in absostill distinguish objects with
from
through the windows

of

and

remarkable

same

startled

and

the

they could
light came

help of what
gas-lamp outside,

the

at

of

put out, but

darkness

phenomena
impressed

sitters

were

fire that

the

dying

was

in

grate.
Mr.

"

Homo,"

writes

tlic semi-darkness

K^ll,

**

seated

was

the

next

Through

window.

against the curtainSi and

Presently
a
heap before him.
he said in a quiet voice, My
chair is moving
^I am
oflf the ground
"lionet
notice
tiUk of something else ;' or words
effects"
me
to that
Home's
be remarked
(In ex^Uanation of tlieso woivls, it may
that
of
the
of
levitation
phenomenon
o^ixwuco
that, until he had
was
his hai\ds

his head

bo

might

"vas

in

soeu

visible

dimly

faint white

"

"

risen

aWve

the

tho

i"Artof the

the

fotve
**

not

It

was

very

uumixi\l

tv^pio.
hands

but

circle,any

present ap|x"ai\\ito

dithcuh/'

we

the

ptvxluoe the

to

with

was

of

persons

Wv"rk

at

awakenevl

heads

manif

ov^nlinue^
serious

lUv^w

movement

have

the

effect of

disapjxvAt fivnu

noAr-y

the

*"

his

the

restrain

to

fooling:, which

op^wsiiiMr.

t4bh\ and

on

checking

eolation.)
Boll,

these

talkovl, incv^heIvntly
enough,

s^niuj:

excitement

or

upon
Homo

head

cuiiofiity,

some
:

vanish

words

few

and
into

indifferent
I

saw

A"

his

fleep

I need

"

(and

in the

air,

the

was

Bell

which

had

description of
Bell

Dr.

and

included

been

Comhill

Gully,

the

in

I may

letter

"

present

Gidly

Star.

Gully,

the

that

"

several

to mention

that

in

writer

curious
Here

evening.

"

for

addressing

rience
expe-

Dr.

which

whether

and

Robert

distinguished littSrateur who

was
asked
the supposed spirit
(Robert Chambers)
them.

of his father
us

positively

remarkable

witnessed

were

occasion

unable

evening,

omits

that

Robert

writer. Dr.

Morning

Dr.

wrote

to

Mr.

on

been

had

the

to

devoted

Besides

present

stances

large portion

naturally

I have

of the

which

of

one

sitters

Magazine

phenomena

is

Chambers

add,"

Comhill

invented

not

was

sentence

every

several

and

well-known

course

in his

related

the

the

Dr.

Chambers.

of

incidents.

whom

solicitor

present

its various

identify,and

is

Hall)

Mrs.

remarkable

most

article in the

of his

the

opportunities to

the accordion
out
during which
played withlifted
hand
was
touching it, and Mr. Home

human

**

all

stance

The

to

does

so

HOME.

OF

taken

have

add

not

say I endorse
in the article."

at

MISSION

AND

LIFE

146

he

at

us,

the

favourite

play his

he

added

of

time

how

conceive

cannot

would

it will

The

effected

be

accordion

father's

my

bsdlad

death,

so

if his

; but

air is not

played, I pledge myself to tell you

Almost
of the
immediately the flute notes
dion
accorthe floor)played through
Ye
(which was
upon

favourite
so.'

banks

and

alluded

He
'

assured

to

whilst

the

which

flute

Summer'

told

us,

had

been

was

and
the

same

the

air

his

Last

father's
of

Rose

This,

note.
to

air,

instrument.

air of
The

gentleman

favourite

favourite

favourite

in

the

father's

his

father's

Scotch,'

played

was

gentleman

was

his

was

not

was

us

Doon,' which

for another

asked

then

o' Bonnie

braes

which

he

the
had

alluded."
Dr.

Gully
Shelley. He
this

attended
in

the

was

same

stance.

introduced

not

as
"

letter to the

yet

I have

to Mr.
a

Home

by Lady

Spiritualist when

endeavoured,"

Morning Star^

"

to

he

show

he
wrote

that,

ENGLAND.

the

regards

as

there

machinery

or

existence.

have

adequate to produce or account

How,
then, were
they produced

for their

believe

been

that

no

we

are

very

facts

one

of the

most

him

from

hardest

and

known

had

the

the

from

with

Introduction
for

and

Mr.

not

was

this

attitude

Home

to

of

article, or
which

Appendix
that

he

Robert
In

reserve.

day,

in the

but
with

i860

did

Chambers
end

Home

and

of

the

on

the

did

become

in

1859,

the

were

the

The

that

scepticism,

asked

His

to

first conviction

to
at

Chambers

ance
acquaintin
to

be

publish

the

converting

part of the
that

the

much

established

borne

by
Lyon

continued

is

courage

of

in

in
Spiritualist

was

It

the

wrote

with

and

tion
connec-

it to

was

subject of identity, as

unknown

it

abandoned

more

have

the
displayed, on
of matters
communicating,
were

work

autobiography.

one.

means

knowledge
assured

joint-

remarkable

could

men

become

had

never

the

in

he

year
connection

following.

years

Chambers

that

not

began

regretted that he
experiences that
for few

he

was

sign
kindly

give an affidavit in
lawsuit, and honourably consented.
Robert

he

published

to

first volume

till 1867

; and

mentioned

be

name

Home's

one

reputation ; and from

a
unwilling, after becoming

Comhill

Bell's

not

prevent
the

outspoken
Chambers

was

for his

was

let his

to
Spiritualist,

It

he

motive

same

its

by

care

of

he

of

been

Ritchie,

Creation."

of

Vestiges

1863

pubUc

did

time

have

at

agent

remarkable,

of materialists
to

from
frame

to

the

men,

same

Leitch

with

together

anonymously,

genial of
the

far

fact that

The

friends

intimate

startled

The

Chambers.

kindly and
being at
dogmatic

most

his

by

author,
**

of Robert

that

was

know

very
which

"

enough upon
build
laws
or
theory regarding
any
any
work
in their production."
If ever
conversion
to Spuitualism were
a
it

mena,
phenoby trick

accumulated

having

wonderful

most

contrivance

and

not;

and

principal

could

147

him

mony
testi-

by

the

intelligences
was

well

Home.
which

intelligent and

impar-

148/
tial observers
that

was

the

present
fact

second

what

the

persons
and
under

from

entities

What

himself;

but

it

friend

whom

death
the

reasonably expect

life

facts of his

the

with

In

the

of

case

last

the

inquirer
that
only
find

we

decide

to

class

one

that

claims

ours

of

inteUi-

an

be

to

tion
ques-

that

of

separated from us, we

may
something of
spiritto remember
earth.

on

investigator present

one

separate
and, if so,

has

from
messages
remarkable
most

of Home,

present

the

were

had

If

conclusive.

be

of

or

Or

answer

obvious

was

But

unexplained

an

phenomena

could
Each

communicating

gence

the

beings
spirits?

proof

affirmative

proofs could
a

human

of

amount

in the
for

the

Home

conditions.

produced

disembodied

they

were

unknown

that

intelligences

of

present, acting in

other

those

that

was

that

it

arrived,

intelligence.

by

Was

intelligence?

manner

them

to

governed

were

Home

manifestations

the

part in

no

demonstrated

manifestations

by

had

imposture

of

stances

the

at

HOME.

OF

MISSION

AND

LIFE

lost friends

the

at

would

be

stances

frequent,

be
proofs of identity would
after
might be present at stance
given : another person
of the kind.
receive
stance, and never
a
Why
message
The
the
often
not?
asked; and
question was
reply
that
life beyond
the
the spiritsgave
is, like our
was
the

and

own,

subject to

conditions

and

deed
differingin-

restraints,

and
conditions, but often
earthly restraints
are
just as we
communicating,
debarring spirits from
from

often

unable

to

carry
Chambers

Robert

class

fortunate

out
was

our

wishes

one

of

here

the

below.

former

and

more

of

dences
investigators, the recipients of eviof
conclusive
them.
to
were
identity that
that may
for by the theory of
Evidences
be accounted
If that
thought-reading," some
objectorswill answer.
for the
theory be held sufficient to account
knowledge
*'

shown

at

Chambers

was

Cornhill

thinking

was

still remains

Home

the

to
not

be

stance
of when

he

demonstrated

touching

could

of

how
be

the

two

airs

that

put his question, it

an

induced

accordion
to

play

that

those

ENGLAND.

airs.

But

four

hundred

In
in

the

miles

where
Mr.

Mr.

S.

C.

Mr.

to

Chambers.

Her

name

had

family,
the
with
and

Home

Sloane

in

had

message

from

given

was

for

the

sion
discus-

was

rapped
of

daughter

and

C.

S.

Mr.

Dr.

Hall,

acquainted with
many
years
disbelief
that
Dr.
Chambers

his

at

Street,
Jencken,

Mr.

met
a

day,

the
had

"Incidents/'

143.
page
relates
that, as

Hall

Mr.

reference

certain

to

reluctant

to

write

to

the

the

passed

residence

of

communicated

who

and

Mr.

had

Mrs.

She

with.

died

Hall

at

an

this

sent

explaining

been

received, and
by

Mr.

T.

H.

the

Pa, loTe,' and

like
were

stance

Essex

at

Villas,

declaring

received
had

been

not

herself

as

being

on
was

Mary

"

the
a

was

Edwards

recollect

how

occasion.

test."

the

by

that

"

Humphreys

canopy
told it

at

Chambers

the

added

Hill, where
panied by her little sister, and

lomething

the

under

in

was

to
message
circumstances

Villaa, Campden
into

most

was

spirit of a sister
in reply to Mr.
early age; and
of identity that he might
token

occasion

this

on

letter

Note

Hall

described

request for some

furnish
to Dr.
Chambers,
lovCy' were
spelt out.^

evening,

one

and

Hall's

Mr.

had

he

message
that
Dr.
spirit

regret of the

accompanied

he

Chambers

to

Hill, another

Campden
the

it

although

weeks

Some

received

message

unwillingly undertook
latter, neglected to fulfil his promise.

and

to

the

private matters,

very
communicate

circumstances

'

One

was

the
For
daughter of that name.
sequel of
incident, my authority is Mr. HaU
himself, together
letters written
the
on
subject,
by Dr. Chambers
volume
in his second
quoted from
by Mr. Home

ever

of

declared

had

London.

Humphreys,

emanate

for

been

of

distance

Chambers

of business,

claimed

who

in

Hall, Mr.

that

out

Home

matters

some

at

Kobert

866, Dr.

SpiritualAthenaeum

Perdicaris, and
of

Mr.

of the

rooms

thought

latter part of

Scotland, and

the

read

thought

can

149

words,

"Tell

Dr.

Chambers,

he

with

which

under

thought

it best

present at the s^noe

oame
(formerly Chambers)
We

window
asked

curtains
for

an

it had

also

the

Pa^

him,

were

to

at Essex
aooom-

moved

explanation

of

LIFE

ISO

withhold
had

obtained

Dr.

Chambers

letter to Mr.

had

IVfr. Hall

family
particular
and

in

course

he
You

"

with

she

he

I knew

the

Home

his

other

adopt

certain

to

spirit advised;
short

wards
after-

time

action;

adding,
of

imminence

the

about

that

nothing."
this

on

as

of

result

right

dwelt

to

life."

bers'
Cham-

to

reference

did

wrote

the

was

step, of which
have

action

Chambers

related

see

of

his

words,

the

Chambers

Dr.

letter that

The

pronounced in
forwarding the

she

entreated

and

identity.
said

facts.

actual

he

remarkable

most

was

of

test

scruple in
to private affairs of

no

related

matters.
a

with

last words

now

which

message,

family

the

were

it

the

communications,"

the

Hall," accord

love'

Pa,

of

whole

that

until

made,

opinion of

back

wrote

HOME.

communication

Chambers'

The

"

one.

former

the

OF

MISSION

AND

incident

at

cause
length, beclearly quite

some

theory of thought-reading is
about
In the narrative
I am
to
now
inapplicable here.
fetched
give, such an
explanation is, to say the least, very farthat the recipient of the communication
; for it is evident
the

not

was

it referred

person
One

of the

Catherine
and

of her

of

and

"

Mrs.

We
in

room

Mr.

judge.

her
*

He

You

one

of

Miss

those

Catherine
in
to

knew

called

in the

James

Sir

when

Yes, I did

!'

in

in

"

"

in

she
He

life

means

Senior.

The

of 1861

it, writes

"

he

the

a
large drawingRegent's Park, where

the

widow

next
into

went

said

tualist
Spiri-

Adelaide

Mrs.

summer

at

seated

Ferguson,*
James

the

the

were

Nassau

with

was

Home

day,
amiability

twilightin

summer

staying

Sinclair, he

Miss

said,

Mr.

in

houses

Sinclair

circle.

that

by

present

was

were

late

her

became

narrated

place

immense

Home

chair, and
was

who

all assembled

Mrs.

experiences

took

and

beauty

Chambers,

of the

in

writer

for the

is thus

question

suddenly

"

her

Senior,

table, nor

up

of the

were

and

the

the late Miss

was

well-known

sister-in-law
in

Chambers

She, like

one

convincing

stance

of Dr.

beloved

character.

Senior,

friends

much

; and

of

thinking

moment

to.

Sinclair,

lady

the

at

me

of
;

we

an

were

Indian
not

at

trance
coming
; and
voice
peculiar trance
from
actually bounded
up
a

that

went

wishes

in

on

to

the

same

communicate

voice
with

ENGLAND.

but

you,

she

answered

love

Mr.

*OhI

for him.'

Senior

Sinclair

*'

"ut

I do

tell

me

find out'

star

glitteringin

'

Oh, look
the

to

end

doors, leading
walk
he

as

did

do

in the

over

to

all

is

conjured up
perfectly right.
something for
nothing that I

! ' but

no

his

one

room

of

to
;

them

; and

to whom

answered

and

said,

from

away

was

continues

Sinclair

moment,

it

us,

and

'

can

bright
impulsively,
a

He

except myself.
there

"

I will try

saw

said

feet,where

walked

folding
began to
his post ; and,
like a sentry on
sparkling round his head, as they
20

they

stars

seven

write

forehead,

saw

18

room,

that

Ferguson,

is,'Miss

to walk

of

centre

saw

to

paused

in front

so, we

do

and

communication

he

turned

another

down

and

up

he

of the
to

was

you
interrupted j 'there

where

Home

star

to

of Sir James

son

the

the

that

wants

requested

When

at

other

Mr.

you
and

He

your
which

'

friends

by

Upon

believe

narrates

know

not

"

was

'

she

then
to

daresay

on,

is it r

relative

Miss

surrounded

so

and

went

what
do

not

made

mind,

my
meanwhile

Mrs.

are

you

bitterly, Aye,
in

story

would

so"
*

Home

hiuL*

do

cannot

151

closed,and

were

were

he

Mr. Home
came
sky on a frosty night. In a few minutes
* No
close
the
and
to
first
one
saw
said,
again,
walking
me,
forehead
but you
that was
star in my
Henry's star.' Then, turning
Miss
he
mentioned
to
some
Sinclair,
Baden-Baden, I
foreign baths
of Sir J. Ferguson's
notice of the death
think, and I afterwards
saw
a
the
at
son
same
place.
''
Home
walked
Mr.
I ought to have
mentioned
that when
away
from
and
in the first instance, Miss
Sinclair
turned
to me,
\is
said,
in the
I he
has
been
dead
wonderful
lowest
How
whisper :
very
these thirty years ;
when
Mr. Home
instantly called out in a tone
sin kills
Don't
that thrilled
us
nothing kills but sin
:
say dead
die.'
This
live in Christ
never
through the devil; but those who
us

"

"

'

'

"

"

said

was

have

from

heard

"I

Miss

had

that

the

Sinclair's
met

never

night

far side

had

we

of

the

room,

where

no

human

see

her

words.

before, nor did I

great deal of talk, and
her

ever

hoped

to

again ; but
meet
again.

have
Sinclair had left any
often wondered
whether
Miss
impressed,and to
experience. She seemed
very much
all she heard
and saw."

When

he

by

to

in

merged
he

and
words

this

Mrs.

but

on

of what

the

the

of her

believe

fully

trance-condition

ferred
re-

identity became
intelligences communicating,
from

saw,

the

and

spoke

vision

passed. I shall
another
chapter.

had

record

on

Home's

spiritshe

awaking

subject in

the

into

Senior,

of

that

described

nothing
on

thrown

was

could

ears

write

in their

remembered
more

fully

AND

MISSION

the

letters

LIFE

52

From

of

one

appears
in May,

that

during

which

860

described
If
the
sense

he

Chambers

to

of which

his

pamphlet

friend

converts)was

in

of

the

Home's

need

with

his

all

befallen

not

only
make

him

see

of
may

is

him
of

the

quoted

message
I live with

it.

those

common

fortune

good

his

Mr.

last
who

think,

the

that

Chambers

Robert
Home

dent
indepen-

and

in his second
one

of Miss

of her

night

was

have

trust

only bounded

power
health."

...

relative

in

am,

We

from
passage
here, as indicative
of

of Mr.

my

"The

may,
Spiritualism from

to

printed by

were

written

hearing

on

reached, with

regard

letter

opinion of him, that

deserving of it, but that he

Such

has

Incidents."
be

Hall,

"

of the letters of Dr.

Several
Sinclair

Lyon :
delighted

good use
propagating

needful

the

Mrs.

think

he

point

S. C.

cognition
re-

same

manifestations

the
from

Mrs.

well-wishers, with
I

The

witnessed."

has

how

say

him.

do

greatest

of the
germ
revolution
of human
the

following extract
to

not

has

"

the

adoption by

"I

contain

spiritual origin of

Chambers

by Dr.

will

world

the
in

apparent

"

opinion

my

the

that

thought

by

stance

subject of Spiritualism,
Douglas (another of Home's
These
twenty-four pages,"

author.

the

"

wrote,

to

the

visit

the

on

Miss

greatest discovery and

is

the

been

ComhilL

the

in

early

or

in
that
Chambers
further
evidence
be asked
any
of his life was
last years
Spiritualist in the fiill
a
of his with
words
of the
cite some
term, I may

reference

he

later

April
at

present

was

months

in
have

must

it

Chambers,

Robert
late

this, therefore,

few

of

London

in

was

HOMK

OF

Miss

volume
Sinclair's

convictions

most

"

marvellous.

heard, from

my

near

Mrs.

account
Johnstone, a very detailed
Hope
tiser
of her experience and
also
of the AdverMr.
Grant's
people cannot
long resist conviction, seconded
; but
so
by manifestations
pleasing and elevating as those
of last night.
I merely
I have
relate
what
myself

witnessed,
in

such

and

all

revelations."

become

at

once

desirous

to

share

LIFE

154

lady present
mother
both

the

"

went

now

remarkable

behind

had

in the New

my

oonver-

he

home,

at

table

little round

with

for that

me

drawing-room

chapter

conversation

blessed

he

in

between

us,

Testament
.

alluded

conversation

for which

facts

are

hope,"

do

to, and

voucL

can

To

that

Spiritualism

it has

For

been
who

one

speak,

to

to

me

it

was

the

me

very

has

comfort

have

experiences

with

allusions

wonderful

to

Mr.

of

one

wish

the

G.

Mrs.
in

86

Cowper,
"I

1.

writing

Home

in

letter

if Mrs.
But
year.
its way
into print, it did
be

Cowper's
so

there

Hope-Vere.
first stance

several

are

the

describes

thank

of

summer

account

found

ever

and

anonymously,

cannot

interesting

very

impression

at

which

she

made
was

Mr.

Home,
for

you

"

Ere

admitting

shall, forget what

you
me

have

Miss

from

letters

written

one,

the

on

Sophia
in

writer

i860,

by the

present.
"

Dbar

the

in

written

identified.

Again,

**

century ago,

up

that

now

remains

manifestations

of the

great deal

had

and
till very late, thinking over
of the evening,'*she
of the wonders

was

account

an

tells Mr.

saw

make

distinguished

English society a quarter of

of

their

writers

stances

present, but the story of those

untold.
For
instance, a lady who
was

been

ornament

courage

often

letters

at which

stances

her."

concerning

Their

Home.

her

to

Senior, the

silent

been

in

friends,

her

comfort

same

had, like Mrs.

has

Home

Mr.

to

I cannot

more

"

to

the

be

may

hundred

Senior

reference

with

1866,

that

Mrs.

v^rote

November

never

that

chair, and

my

his

and

unspeakable."

"I

to

one.

These

been

"

had

the

reading

perfectly the

I remember

with

I in mine,

just been

I had

that

that

say

before, and that

were
sittingin our

we

and

his arm-chair

**

on

that

dear

my

^were

"

husband

me.

to

eight months

sation

that

Home

Mr.

friend.

departed

said

of before

HOME.

OF

of her

; and

me

spoken

comfort

to

then

husband

and

to

Mary

longed
He

''

"

(Miss Sinclair)

afterwards

soon

came

"

MISSION

AND

leave
to your

felt and

20

London,
s^nce.
heard.

the

Lane, July I7"A.

Park

I feel it due

to

you
I feel I cannot, and
I

am

thankful

I
honestly own
opportunity I had of witnessing what I must
I fear, at the
of anything
but
scouted.
outset
only doubted
and
know
how
all
I
feel
for
I
not
to
mysterious,
strange
express
"

"

for
not
so

far

ENGLAND.

the

present feelingson

my

subject

last.

may

I shall

hail with

eyer

happy to say that

meeting. I am
been
I prenot
scepticallyreceived.
faced
*
communications
them
I
do
not
to.
by
:
saying
give
my
you my
views
ideas
in what
I am
about
to tell I confine
or
myself to facts ;
like.'
draw
what
make
comments
own
impressions, and
your
you
the compliment of not doubting one
woid
of what
They have paid me

joy

opportunity

an

I narrated

what

of another

155

such

family has

to my

"

them

told

; and

and

one

all

anxious

are

Lady P. yesterday ; her feelingsare

point.
Sincerelyyours,
.

such

unwritten,

mine

at

including

and

with

Boscombe.

her

I have

of her

the

Verb."

single

stance

subsequently
eloquent of
are
history of the
belief

into

scorn

in

several

husband,

the

of

of

case

Mr.
Mrs.

at

Shelley,

Lady

stances

Home's
Milner

Gibson's;
him

frequently invited
for

materials

writing

the

Spiritualism; but of
Shelley became
a
Spiritualisther

been

in

to

to

tive
narra-

the

fact

letters

days past,"
talking of you for many
has
she writes
Home
read
in 1863.
All
the world
to Mr.
your
it
I
The
best
book
and
next
done
much
has,
believe,
good.
thing,
;
that your
to hear from
know, to seeing you was
you
you, and to know
The
island.
heart
towards
idea that
our
little,dark, foggy
yearns
at the cottage this winter, had
reallybeen established
you might have
let me
know
not
pulled it down, is tantalising; but you must
as
we
with
and
in
return
Sir
to
me
soon
as
England,
Percy joins
hoping
you
We
will come
that you
and
in all
are
spend a fortnight with us.
kitchens
but
the confusion
at Boscombe
and
of building new
ofiGices,
shall always be able nevertheless
to give you
we
a
mutton-chop.
band
You
know
I am
that
in
some
always living
day my hushopes
will have
all the comfort
horn
Spiritualism that I have had
and
if
that
is
to come
to him, it will certainly be
myself
knowledge
through you.
"

have

is

unwritten.

numbers

conversion

What

she

the

but

who

one

Lady
no
question.

We

saw

on

manifestations,

letters

her

remain

no

from

the

stances

her;

on

exists

London,

leave

J. Hope-

drew

"

her

converted

blank

who,

the

say:

must

present

that

scouted

at

cannot

that
and

same
was

that

s^ce.

with

Sophia

above, after

the

produced

experiences

who

but

witness

effect

The

as

writer

attended?
the

in unison

quite

experiences

doubted

letter

the

did

the

were

only

not

What
"

have

to

thinking and

'*

"

"

"

Direct

long."

to

Boscombe,

and

say

that

we

are

to

see

you

there

before

LIFE

1S6

of

of

letters

The

nature

cite,

at

learning of

death

the

letter

written

of Mrs.

Home

impression

the

convey
and

intellectual

once

HOME.

OF

Lady Shelley

instance,

an

as

MISSION

AND

I may

amiable.
her

by

1862,

in

"

July 17M.

*"Bo800ifBB,

Mr.

"Dear

from

received

of

news

loss.

sympathy

it must

be

for

us,

but

to

enter

that

into

the

I trust

must

which

time

to

most
comes,

Spiritualists,
separated

us

not

are

nothing beyond

sees

the

but

concerns

few

these

deem

not
"

all that

in

ones

sad

and

parting

though

will

you

such

at

take

ever

that

to

the

put oflf the earth-worn

ment
garindeed
is
it
a
glorious life,

more

Gibson

this

beloved

merely

sorrow

grave.
intrusion

time

town,

warmest

my

whenever

our

have

far diflPerent

an

for

"

leaving

Milner

Mrs.

Accept

sorrow

know

who

before

^Just

"

friend

our

your

heartfelt

from

Home,

on

interest

warm

plead

must

you

lines

my

excuse."
This
I

has

chapter

had

intended

already
close

to

itself

it

such

to

grown

here;

another

but

that

length

name

and

the

without
remark.
i860, that I cannot
year
pass
Lockhart
of the Journal
Robertson,
long editor

Dr.

suggests

in

Science,

Mental

of

critics

the

with

connection

had

been

of

one

belief.

new

Mr.

When

Home

the

Mr.

of

derisive

most

published
at Ealing,

Rymer

sittings with Mr. Home

this distinguished physician replied to it with
an
essay
of thirty-sixpages,
he demonstrated
wherein
according
the inherent
possibilit
imto the
most
approved logical methods
a

pamphlet

the

on

of
Mr.

Home

himself

declared
should
those

**

catch

drunk

with

the

of the
the

on

the

these
new

witticisms

Home

Mr.

pitying

courts

meat

Dr.

and

have

Robertson
Mr.

Rymer

with

scorn

of

on

would

that

anxious

strong
very

His

Review.

Saturday

sense

within

trod, view

in

especially

nurtured

philosophy

believers

the

to

facts.

asserted

the

and

honour

done

the

the

halls

which

inductive
that

ton
New-

sickly Spiritualist dreamers,

wine

of

follyand

credulity."

thus

ENGLAND.

These

words

Robertson
the

phenomena

very

manifestations

Of

convert.

in

written

were

was

157

he

the

remained
that

had

declared

investigation compelled
he
honestly published
very

to

denials

in the

would

be

resiilt.

be

to

accept

his

the

sible
imposfacts

as

recantations

Spiritual Magazine

former

but

unconvinced;

he

Dr.

i860,

spiritual origin of

him

and

In

1857.

of

for

April and
had
He
the courage
to append
to wish
August, i860.
his
his
to
name
testimony; but the editor
strongly
the
dissuaded
him
from
that
doing so, on
ground
injury,and possibly ruin, to his professionalreputation

the

the

of

occasion

the

Some

inquiry

Spiritualism, Dr. Robertson

his experiences.
re-state
His
testimony is that the

into
to

he

eight

raps came
floor vibrated

whole
the

in

ground
standing
it

music

the

in

by

"

the

and

table

table

Li

"

few

the

table

level
the

and
draw

and

on

head.

no

in

one

Whether

The

of

am

most

the
owned

like

table,in

the

surface,we
ground, and

the

the

from

beautiful

most

and

the
take

afterwards

that

the

that

and

was

dark

unoccupied
pencil laid on

we

found

to

is X.,

that

not

demon

by

be

sillythings

leaf

said

and

of

every
rise

between

piece

tinctly
dis-

us

did

woman's
space

this

any

as

of

up
the

paper,

eagle's
belonged to
possibilityso belong.
a

I know

light

faces,"c.

saw,

mulatto

put out,

enable

to

other's

distinctlytwice
a

to be

the

enough

each

room,

open,

it could

Robertson's)

lights were

up

so

Dr.

are

There

gas,

of

by angel, spirit,or

silliest of many

italics

window.

that

music

room,

I both

positive,and

room,

the

on

the

"

Robertson

lifted

on

played

(the

raps

the

and

X.

hand

it what

knelt

that

than

in the

by

into

window,

room

and
also while
Home,
suspended alone,
I
the
table.
heard
under
circle,
never
thing
any-

burning

the

circle

the

Lockhart
then

was

accordion

unearthly
phencnnena"

moved

else present,

one

Home,

Mr.

intimated

minutes

Mr.

about

"

being placed

the

of

with
the street
night mixed
to distinguish objects in the

summer

mena
pheno-

with

Dr.

the

these

then

was

The

or

lights were

wax

It

**

to

all

During

six

of

one

wondrous

our

floor

wrote

hands

The

of

hand

stance

the

on

"

*'

one

remarkable

most
a

Society

publicly forward

came

tremor,"

and
;

while

suspended.

so

more
^*

with

feet, all

two

the

verified

as

table

the

on

Dialectical

on

being present.

Spiritual Magazine,
about

saw

at

were

all

in

persons

The

"

witnessed

later, however,

years
by the

an

hand

not."

concerning

Mr.

Home

the

was

avoided

sceptics, that
of

presence

Ashbumer,

not

Dr.

Elliottson, Dr.

Dr.

Gully,
the

at

or

the

of his

experiences
present chapter :
"

what

; but

Mr.

Robert

"c.,

HopeSpiritualist

had

was

with

Home.

Mr.

after

presence

induced

Bell,

Miss

Senior,

in their

happened

believers

whose

first stance

her

or

ExcepTDr.

on.

Chambers,

Robertson,

he

that

only happened

so

Sinclair, Mrs.

Lockhart

Certainly wonders

wonders

persons
in the

to

Robert

C.

Miss

time

became

of

referred

are

Dr.

HOME.

Spiritudists,and

one

described

Vere,

OF

frequently-repeated assertion

meeting

in the

MISSION

AND

LIFE

158

they

belief?

their

tested in Home's
and
they witnessed
sence
prestill sceptics.
while
they were
I will quote a portion of the
more
testimony of one
with
Mr.
Home.
sceptic concerning his first stance

The

wonders

This

was

Street, who
and

letter

with

"'

I said, half

for

"

of

in the

friend

permission,

Jermyn
of

early part

i860,

subject was

the

on

of

Cox

Mr.

in

the

lished,
pub-

first volume

(p. 134) :

"

laughing, which
might expect from my
cism,"
sceptiyou
"
that
I
should
wonder
if
there
not
Pears,
were
some
under
Immediately there were
hand,
strong
raps
my

Mr.
also.

me

stance

to

friend

its writer's

Incidents

"

wrote
one

to

came

whose

of the

Pears,

Mr.

the table.
enough
"
so
Perhaps I looked dubiously at a phenomenon
unexpected ; for
like
should
I
IVIr.
Pears
be
to
Mr. Home
convinced
that
do
said,
we
he
these sounds
would
under
the
table
and
not make
perhaps
get
;
I saw
that they were
I did so ; and
while
observe.*
not produced by
visible
were
beneath,
as
they
sounding
vigorouslyas ever ;
any
agency
Mrs.
P. being witness
to their not
being produced by the hands, or
to

shake

'

other

any
"

visible

There

which

relate."

I must

"purported

to

of

part

one

was

aboveboard.

means

come"

the

stance

which
that

forciblystruck

Having explained
his grandfather's

from

the

me,

his
raps under
spirit,Mr. Pears

and
hand
tinues
con-

"

*'

Mr.
as

Home
it

after

soon

were

"

and

said

passed
:

into

Here's

scious
half-unconsingular state
tall,old, upright, Quaker-like
a

"

'

the manner
to take
and
Quaker ; then he seemed
on
yet
man,
old one
^held out
man
gesture, as closelyas a young
can, of those of an
in a
and grasped mine
his hand
that
further
to me,
reminded
me
way
in words
of my
somewhat
me
characteristic
grandfather, and addressed
of him
to speak of one
went
whom
he had
held very
on
; and
dear,
whom
he had
but from
long been separated, to his great grief ; but
not

"

ENGLAND.

tliat

they

All upon
allusions

had

happily met

this

point

which

said

was

the

in

in

159

other

world,

hroken

and

hut

way,

reconciled.

were

with

gestures and

the

and
intelligihlesolely to myself ; as
person
in
closelyupon
grandfather's
history
my
with
increased
when
was
conjunction
own.
My astonishment
my
Home's
from
Mr.
of her to whom
the allusion had
lips fell the name
made
! my
been
Mr.
Home
grandfather's daughter. Both died when
have
been
America.
must
in
I
known
have
friend
a
boy
Long as
you,
told you that my
of a Quaker
Dixon, I think I never
grandfather was
which
the
was
family,
case.
I was
ledged
by this incident astonished
beyond expression ; and acknowCox
Mr.
that
the
had been sketched, and the
to
history which
reflections upon
what
I
should
have expected might have
it,were
just
made
been
by my grandfather. I have not yet found a place in my
for
these
phenomena, but that they are genuine phenomena is
system
events

were

alluded

so

to touched

**

settled

in

mind."

my

That

might

be

deceived

hundreds

diverse

their

as

been

deluded

they

witnessed

impossible.

Were

liars," and

are

if his

life,who

in

of

habits

into

man

which

would

be

Psalmist's
even

was

testified

senses

to

had

thought

have,
the

one

never
were

as

and

all,
that

conviction
took

never

possible,there

testimony

being in the world

unconditionally the
men

whose

it

ducted,
con-

highly improbable. That

able investigators,
of sane
and

condition

by a single
phenomena

such

is

nationalities, should

of human

value

the

thousands

country and
other, and

every
each

seen

nay,

"

sceptical,

possible. That a dozen

independently
investigationswere

all be deceived

should

and

acute

is very

whose

observers,

of

however

single observer,

would

be

place

is

end

of

an

only reasonable
the sceptic who
endorsed
All
hasty declaration,
self,
himprepared to include
the

and

"

facts

that

his

prejudices

rejected.
To

the

those

who

have

which

Mr.

Weld,

rash

of

denials
seen

who

have

only respond

can

in his

those

"

Last

Winter

in

in

not

seen,

the

words

Rome,"

tells

tion
by Thackeray shortly after the publicaOn being
of Bell's article,"Stranger than Fiction."
for having permitted
reproached, at a dinner in London,
us

uttered

were

such

an

article

Thackeray,

says

to

Mr.

appear

Weld,

in

the

Comhill

tranquillylistened

Magazine^
to all that

LIFE

i6o

his

critics

had

MISSION

say

who

you,

what

have

replied

then

and

probably
talk

to

HOME.

OF

have

manifestations,

spiritual
seen

to

for

well

very

AND

witnessed,

as

do

you

is

all

seen

never

any

had

but

hold

would

you

It

"

you

different

opinion."
Professor

Challis,

stance

of

the

to

write

so

must

1862:

abundant

given

careful

given

in

possibility
be

but

evidence

be

had

Cambridge,

at

and
admitted

of

up."

"In

been

never

those

who
the

short,

certifying

be

such

facts

as

by

human

are

tronomy
Asat

examination
him

compelled

testimony
that

consentaneous,
to

had,

of

present

unprejudiced

and

by

Professor

Plumierian

the

either

reported,
testimony

has

been

the

facts

or

the

must

went

of the

record

letter from

Tolstoy'sfirst

wife.

his

to

interesting

the

Count

in

evening preserved

London

HOMK

translate

convinced,

away

OF

MISSION

AND

LIFE

x62

17th, iS6a

June

spite of
journey
stance

it

the

pain

to

London,

^t6

in the

o'clock

It is two

"

gives

to be

me

for

; I

morning

away

renversarUe). Botkine
wishes

; and

shut

to

brother

"

himself

you
been

has

doctor

and

of the

and

bock-Fermor,
manifestations
every

of

table

accord.
the

of

middle

have

you

article

de

dame

present

placed

the

room

itself
a

another

on

bell

in the

rose

the

Gibson

Milner

Stein-

occurred

all the

the

on

took

room

^the

"

at

light being reduced,

moving of its own
into
table; a sofa moved

then,

the

in

whole

Alexander

there

First

compagnie.

witnessed

furniture

Trade),Count

of

Board

^is converted

"

Nicholas

"

(wife of the President

(cette

stay the

what
he
has
over
seen.
day indoors, to meditate
rather
choose
not
did
to be
!
unwell,
donkey
^being
There
s^nce.
were
myself, Botkine, Mrs. Home, Mrs.

in

regret my

overwhelming

to-morrow

up

don't

the

of

; and

left Home

just

from

sdance

this

have

to

air and

all round

went

the

ringing as it floated.
sat almost
in
put out, and we
Finally the remaining lights were
the
only the faint light that came
darkness; there was
through
The
from
window
a
gas-lamp outside.
no
piano played with
one
it ; a
itself
bracelet
the
from
of
Milner
Mrs.
near
arm
unclasped
it lay surrounded
Gibson, and fell on the table, where
by a luminous
Home
raised
from
the
and
I clasped his
was
ground ;
appearance.

apartment,
"

feet while

he

knees

laid themselves

and

it dissolved

one

table.

sheet

upon

it, Love

that

that

the

of

her

struck
Whai

"

to

hands

were

and

he

it.

The

saw

very

Raps

Home

faint

voice

as

the

under

of

passing

before

Milner

Gibson

made

s^nce,

but

the
the

cold

into
Hom"

There

on

tears
of

one

windows
window

him."

were

come

and

round

hammer

were

the

in

eceptie,are
when

circle very distinctly,

Home's

s^nce

the
his

His wife
eyes.
chairs,but I did not see

drawn

back,
the

to-morrow

this time

melted

the

After

us.

icere

mine

faintlylit by
to

with

made

me,
in

passed
to

was

writing exactly
have
compared it
heard
accompanying

of Botkine.

placed

the

promise
unfortunately Botkine

many

if

as

hands

wind

mo

without

loud

my

The

we

touched

sought to retain
pencils on the
hand, and
my

and

was

all, convinced
were

perfumes were
burning hot, and
constantly a star

curtains

so

paper

Mrs.

wafted

visible

will be

of

felt, which

them.

retain

were

thrusting itself
to give it to
always. N. Kroll.*

have, above

I have

and

table

Hands

when

and

told

mother

played.

the

on

was

letters.
it

There

her

the

would

hands

tried

of

while

piano

were

heads.

our

hands

came

paper

alphabet

resembled

air above

in my

grasp.

my

of

the

written

with

in

in

the

through

the

floated

was

not

and

gas

hands

outside.

evening to a
invited, as

were

Mrs.
fresh
there

ENGLAND.

Two
Countess

another

later

days

letter

husband

her

Tolstoy by

stance

163
written

was

"

I had

headache

dress-coat

my

There

were

Lord

de

daughter

the

in

went

thousand

one.
was

Home.

the

at

The

s^nce

Paget,
physician

brother,
two

table, where

by

was

each

distinct
and
distant, but very
agreeable
his
knee
Clarence, feeling
clasped, wished

^which

"

holding it ; and
he
finding anytiiing,

when

was

This

him.
The

three

Home

time

lords

while

the

present

were

Count

The

"

of

rest

us

placed

did
at

Home,
observing

were

Tolstoy*s words,
by
by a note added
apartment

lighted by

was

stance

in

s^nce
to

make

what

"in

went

lamps

the

his

air

the
a

my
Home

Mr.
two

touch
on

"

play
very
Lord

hand

that

in

"

without
ing
touch-

was

my

presence.
; and

under

did

the

table,

are

plained
ex-

above."

on

presence,"
:

and

the

it.

knee
that

first time

search

room
as

echo

repeated

the

for

not

accordion

was

the

Home

good

an

hand,^another

float

not

hand

my
my

of

fail,at the invitation

not

still felt,besides

the

to

me

Mrs.

so

saw

there

after

Alice^
of

boy

was

means

no

; Miss

and

there

note

and

being held;

without

things.
Dufferin,

nice

very
children

phenomenon.

new

her
;
The

these

see

Lord

celebrated

not

leagues to

Clarence

Lady

Gibson

Mrs.

room,

for every
first,but there

and

xS6a

igthJunct

yesterday ; however, I put on

s^nce at Mrs. Milner
to the

sort

Ashbumer,

but

enough

gone

Lord

George, and

of

were

have

Milner

Mrs.

worst

tie, and

white

and

present
Tablet, Dr.
of

the

of

I would

Gibson's.

age

second

''LoNDOH,
"

the

describe

to

the

to

"

several

candles

wax

the

passed into another room,

over,
company
stayed behind
except Lord and Lady Clarence Paget and myself, who
felt
I
raised
from
the
myself
ground; and
conversing. Suddenly,
knelt down
and passed his hands
between
said so to Lord Clarence, who
of the fact."
the carpet, to satisfyhimself
and
feet
my
and

when

the

Tolstoy
last

and

had
on

Home
members

the
to

never

not

great joy

a
pay
written

again till

meet

of the

second

count,

visit to

without

his

Count.

writer, there

intended

to

If there
were

none

second
are

flaws
in his

the
in

good

the

year

firiend

Russia.

at

The

pressing invitation
;
the
spring of 1865,

in
arriving from America
found
charming kind of round-robin
a
of the Tolstoy family awaiting him

Hotel, and
the

to

consented

former

did

Home

and

1865, when,

was

from
at

the
Cox's

following letter from

the
English of the
heart.

LIFE

64

HOME.

OF

MISSION

AND

^Deeember, 1864.

**

My

"

letter

my

and

from

to

that

tell you

how

us

will

be

the

has

see

dear

"

come

of

another

cher

by a
impossible

till

our

family

adds.

if you
dear
my

of

member
I

"

Come

see

and

again,

you
come

"

shall

we

Countess.

the

to

six ;

hope

come,

"

Venez,

"

the

men

the

concluding appeal addressed

has
no
correspondent who
English. It
is

to

not

and

be

Come,

writes

**

come

sorrows."

glad

so

and

again,

you
all would

we

every
v^ords.

be

aga

x^resence,
desire, and

summer.

for your

Daniel,"

three

months

I write

wife, and
us

not

your

four, five, and

Home,"

him

with
Now

few

shall

^we

friends

write

required

invitation,

Mr.

the

you

received

have

you

to

agree

my
with

penned

"

sent

me,

distraction

good

household
you,
Please

us.

remain

afraid

am

happy I,

and

enforce

To

with

winter

more

visit

friend, it

"

once

to

come

the

pass

Daniel,

Poustineka, which
living with
persons
would
perhaps
you

all the

I,
expected
here

Friend

dear

and

yield ;

for

started

Home

to
was

Russia

forthwith.
Steinbock-Fermor

Count
London

in

in

stance

the

in

86 1, at
of

residence

Mrs.

Home

were

the
Howitt

(the

W.

Wilkinson.

M.

seq.)both

et

"

Mr.

Home,"

by

have

for I find

remained

him

have

or

at

present

7, Cornwall

Terrace, Regent's Park,

whom
and
Mr.
Parkes, with

Mrs.

staying.

circle

included

the

Howitt
the

Mr.

and

of

Incidents"
and

latter,"

now

Mr.
held

bock-Fermor,
SteinWilliam

Mrs.
Mr.

phenomena
**

Count

Besides

authors),and
The

Mr.

wrote

then

in

either

Tolstoy's departure,

year

well-known

described

were

after

i860

following

the

returned

must

and
this

(vol.i.

Mrs.
stance

183

pp.

Wilkinson.
the

accordion

in

his

right hand beside his chair,and it at once

began to play. He held it
the
the
of his
out
bottom,
keys being on the top, and therefore
by
reach.
It was
I carefolly
them.
impossible that he could touch
examined
the instrument, opening the slide beneath
the keys ; and
I
found
usual
mechanism
it to be a common
with
the
instrument,
only
of the keys.
There
was
nothing inside it. I looked
steadily at it,
with
which
and
hand
and
There
he
held
it.
it was,
at the
fingers
sounds
his
being pulled up and down, and discoursing sweet
; whilst
hand
could
I
above
was
see
stationary and his fingers motionless.
and
beneath
the instrument^ but
visible cause
there was
for its
no

ENGLAND.

motion,
the

for the

nor

opening

shutting

the

of

which

keys

caused

musia
"

When

hand,

it ceased, my

and

we

to

accordingly given

was

play.
she

and

She
did

and

had

once

I did

do

not

public

an

I also

whom

men

"There
writes

beautiful

music

hand

when

same

at
saw

I touched
The

the

myself,"

and

stance,

same

by

taken

were

and

artists

stances

were

held

handed

this

at

house

authors

from

had

held
note

in
and

son).
Wilkin-

M.
on

of

us.

ever

We

bouquet
each

to

'*

fonier
chif-

I
...

saw

own.

my

times."

were

their

play

(Mrs. W.

distinctlyas

as

and

"

lady

others.

cannot

other

experience."

Howitt

of

who

Home,

several

that

many

accordion, when

on

distance, and

met

similar

the

Howitts

he

and

Lyndhurst

played

stead;

and

own

Mrs.

I know

several

held

one

...

had

have

the sounds.

hand, when

Lord

Howitt

spirithand

to make

and

Flowers

"

sounds, which
in

Steinbock,

Mr.

by

up
the

my

that

name

William

Count

the

play

three

her

pleasure
trying. It
it began
in her
right hand
and
drawn
forcibly down
;
must
keys, which, however,

opened
in

besides

were,

Mr.

and

know

I could

Russian,

one

touched

accordion

it.

touch

not

in

played

much

whilst

distinctlylifted

be

not

emitted

have

her, and

could

been

if it could

instrument

it would
to

felt it

not

necessarilyhave
have

the

that

mean

asked

wife

immediately

took

to

and

165

time

the

was

of London.
there

number

living

86

of

new

half

of

resort

of Mr.

Several

in

Hamp-

near

the

Home's

and

subsequent
investigators on

years ;
these

occasions.
The
are

letters

and

numerous

to

the
as

few

of Count

Steinbock-Fermor

interesting.

1 86 1
year
the writer

One
the

discusses
,

it, and

viewed

to

his

firiend

of them,

belonging
philosophy of Spiritualism
is annotated

with

remarks

^some
by Mr. Home"
endorsing, others
I give part of
rejectingthe propositions it contains.
with
this
annotations
long letter, bracketing Home's
the statements
they refer to :
"never
Steinbock-Fermor,
"Spirits," writes
wholly
a

"

cease

to

be

linked

with

matter."

not.)
(Cer'tainly

continually progressing, they put

more

correctly,

first state

of

difference

being."

"

between

distance

more

them

and

"

"

In
or,

their

(Through refinement.) "They

AND

LIFE

i66

attain
God

it is

but

which

farther

of the

force

vital
The

of

without

passed

had

most

experience
of Mr.

words

of

"

force

he

and

the

While

June,

and

the

the

"

to

Had
he

London,

860,

tion
perfec-

absolute

at

hardly
drain

constant

knew

of

during
only
he

all

much

see

as

he

remained

his

the

in

vital

on

he

quired
re-

exceptional
energies, and
long enough.

not

his

saw

others

that

on

his

which

was

day

health.

stance

exhausted

its

psychic force

drain

after

that

day

would

of

evolution

corresponding

well

; but

desire

eager

arrive

never

holding daily stances,

rapidly worse

^the

injurious eflfects on Home's

had
that,
taught him
years

by

interval

approaching
adyance

can
"

and
;

period of repose
a
organisation might recruit
that

without

arbitrary limit set.)

May

Crookes,

accompanied

is

from

perfection

can

no

stance

their

(We

there is

months

the

In

farther

to

created."

perfection^and

One

(Yes.) "Spirits

last attain

at

is
Spirit who
geometrical proportion,

to

and

infinitude."

they

HOME.

the

to

comparable

removes

until

OF

resemblance

nearer

MISSION

health

regarded

grow
their

was

tations.
possible of the manifes-

as

few

months

longer in
prostrated himself

have

probably

friend
No
not
who
to
a
utterly ; for he could
say
pressed him to sit, and believers, inquirers,and sceptics
hundred
for
stances.
were
by the
besieging him
There
from
his surnothing for it but to escape
was
roundings
for a
the
and
towards
end
of
time;
July,
"

"

i860, Mr.

Mrs.

and

Home

went

friends

visit to

on

in

France.
I have
stances

already referred to the fact

in
i860
took
place at Mrs.
the

Probably
held

at

point
the

her

described

house

I cannot

in

by

"The

into

the

Mrs.

other

describes, among

large table

of stances

accounts

written

air,

table,"

Place,

out

writes

least

given

in the

Gibson

phenomena,
of reach
Mrs.

but

At

Milner

the

of the

Gibson,

the

Gibson's.

Comhill

the

certainty.

of

many

Milner

in

Park

Hyde
with

speak

anonymous
was

and

stance

that

was

this

on

of

one
"

dents"
Inci-

herself;

rising of
persons
"rose

present.
in
up

ENGLAND.

the

air, and

floated

167

from

away
and

sofas
chairs
passing over
in
naturally greatly interested

This

occurred

in

in

its

above

heads,

our

We

way.

were

tation."
manifes-

wonderful

this

Milner

Mrs.

high

us

Gibson's

drawing-room,
of the
a
large and lofty apartment, estimated
by one
there
in July, i860, to
investigators present at a stance
be some
forty feet by thirty. The inquirer in question.
Mi.
James
of Wason
Wason,
Buildings, Liverpool, a
solicitor in large practice, wrote
at the time
account
an
of

what

and

in

he

had

witnessed
it to

sending
his

append
There

Mrs.

at

Gibson's,

the

had

newspaper

Milner

to

courage

name.

"one
an
M.P.,
baronets," writes Mr. Wason,
the other the heir and representative of a deceased
M.P.
of eminent
ing
ability; the wife of a distinguished living M.P. ; and others, includof the
Mr.
Home,
making eight in number
present. Neither
three
first-named
had
and
they
ever
seen
spirit-manifestations,
any
and
chat
We
desired
Mr.
Home
to
were
were
evidently sceptics.
by
talk
not
to be too
as
could, and
naturally and
cheerfully as we
had
stated
of
w
hich
he
or
a
expectant
spirit-manifestations,
eager
There
six lights burning
were
strong tendency to defeat the object
**

in

the

room.

The

"

two

were

floor shook
the

when

the
the

vibrations

paddles

notice

concurring
walls

on

the

to strike

in the

also shook

ceased
new-comers

observations
with

the

to

as

Mahomet's
less.

neath,
under

coffin, for

Invited
the
the

might be
machinery
Mr.

second

Mr.

minute

Home

by
gentlemen who
suspended table, to
applied to raise the
prop

Wason

stance,

was

was

at

nearly

or

'twixt

it

motion.

heaven

new-comers

The

table, which

The
a

at

few
least

inches
three

earth, like

and

swept

beyond

movements.

thereabouts, probably
if any
machinery

were

curred.
con-

ing
amus-

was

little

but

renewed

was

forcibly;

sembled
re-

deck
bled
resem-

which

in

deck,

to ascertain

two

or

steamer's

more

frequently lifted
the ground
from

was

thought

small

it

tremulous

tremulous

large and

all

intervals,and
very

heavy one,
very
from
the ground ; and at last it rose
remained
thus
feet, and
suspended
was

at

looks, though they said

startled

at times

steamer's

screw

motion

on

said

some

that

manner

motion

full work

motion

their

in

tremulous

or

tremulous

this seemed
to

trembled,

in

are

tremulous
This

and

and

than

more
was

with

imdertheir

legs
that

or
machinery
any prop
such
that no
table ; and they confessed

other

catch

present."
invited

which,

by

Mrs.

among

Milner
numerous

Gibson

to

manifesta-

LIFE

"I 68

tions,

accordion

an

witnessed

"

Home

table

the

crossed

it," says
sitting around
standing and stretching upwards I
about

hand,

laying hold
along with
in the

and
him

five

air, and

six paces
his
let go

or

only

against a stool.
light issuing from

...

architrave
that
**

such

was

I make

theory

hypothesis

or

facts," adds

Mr.

the

but, as
Home,

comments

no

host

friends

Hyde

Gibson

the

phrase,

Place

knew

"

consequence
Mr.
to
Home
of

owners

stance.
who

been

this

time

to

sceptic,

had

narrated

of

phenomena
and

Mrs.

as

of

numbers

to

the

her
in

stances

society

in

Gibson,

worth
knowing," the natural
one
every
of the curiosity excited
that her letters
was

which

had

filled

are

She

no

continued

wonderful

Park

advance

and

Liverpool.

at

IVIrs. Milner

room

myself simply

at

was

its

investigationwith Mr.
subsequently
was
Spiritualist,and

of

result

became

Home's

who

Wason,

of

and

adjoining

above,

me

lines

door

an

confined

I have

above

I stumbled

when

top of

and

moved

floated

hand

the

on

floor

the

hand,

he

into

door

leading
brilliantlylighted.
"

as

the

between

to reach

body eclipse two

his

saw

enabled

of his

hold

keeping

"By

from

feet distant

seven

Wason.

Mr.
was

of the

heads

the

over

persons

his

of Home's

phenomenon

room

manner

Mr.

also

He

hand.

oxvn

the outside
being faintly lit from
Tolstoy.
by Count
already described

levitation, the
in the

the

occasion

this

on

in his

played

HOMK

OF

MISSION

AND

with

well-known
for

pressing her
gives a long list on one
invited
by her and
were

the

names,

invitations

of those

occasion

waiting

were

to

their

Tennant,
including Lord Dufierin, Sir Emerson
OliLady Trelawney, Mdlle. Tietjens, Mr. Lawrence
phant. Sir Fitzroy Kelly, Mrs. Grote, Mr. Stirling,Mr.
day
Higgins, and Mr. Hayward.
Fancy my joy on Saturturn

"

night
"when
asked

at

Lady

Higgins
to

Palmerston's,"

(Jacob Omnium)

be

told

Robert

permitted
Chambers, who

was

greatly

astonished

me

and

to

writes

to
on

pleased.

Gibson,

Hayward

and

come

called

Mrs.

stance.

Sunday,
I had

and

conversa-

both
I
he

LIFE

170

MISSION

AND

generosity,finallydetermined
Not
to

herself

expose

willing

was

share
all

the

by

beliefs, and

h^r

of

appearance

have

already

been

present

took

every

fact

that

was

nervously

her

that

the

did

anxious

to

with

them.

Gibson

opportunity

not

shun

had

I
never

that

he

public

as

and

she

situation

it may
be added
of making that fact as

stance

that

husband

Milner

Mr.

friend

insult

and

delicacy of

the

his book.

dear

so

identifying himself

said
at

allowing

ridicule

brave, but

to

increased

was

the

to

it from

omit

to

from

shrink

he

did

only

HOME.

OF

the
him
less, m^ny
people annoyed
possible. None
with
Spiritualism ;
by insisting on associating his name
Roebuck
and
in 1864, when
Mr.
brought the question
of Mr. Home's
before Parliament,
expulsion from Rome
Milner
Mr.
to
Gibson,
an
appeal that he addressed
of his being a Spiritualist,
under
the
misconception

fairlydrove
the

the
^

House.

writes
"I

this
that

hold
I

that

I should

blunder
out

the

about

of
the

of

; and

as

the

torment

have

fancying

him

House.

He

well

am

dared

do

to

I cannot

one

he

says

it ; and

Mr.

of

more,

in
is

denies

his

Note

House,

and

with
So-and-so

was

H.

the

well

and

Humphreys
speech said,

"

T.

and

:
'

"
"

"

Mr.

I have

He

laughter.

Qovemment.'

of

portion

to

be

meant

say
able

it did

one,

Milner

to

Gibson

contain
and

bably
procluded
in-

ing
comment-

delicately

even

at

that

say

evidence

in

and

to

stances

Anonymous

been

knows

by their
against you,

not

of

press

him

caused

to

he

or

the

made
it drove

see

nothing

records

the

belieye

all that

though

to

Spiritualist,
by asking

Eoebuck

to

up

woman

must

irritation

knew

mind

he

was

Gibson,

Home

as

in bis

cheers

and

Milner

his

; you

appeared,

anonymous
written
by her.

book,

Mr.

by

book

to be

of

loudly
the

allow

or

How

so.

the

evidence,

no
on

the

it

idioticallymix

of

conceive

must

Home's

of Mrs.

name

so

that

"

the

provoked,

out

thinking

"

excuse
we
anything
that he had
stupidity. He said to M
that you
might be an angel all he wanted
he knew
nothing of Spiritualism."

When

of

out

less

known

man

poor

manifestations

never

about

no

stupid country they

to dream
never
they seem

ideas

independent
fancy that they

him

was

Trade

"

wife

and

of

Board

in

suppose

husband

Gibson

Mrs.

Home

to

of the

President

one

time

rose

in

when
he was
rupted
intermedium/
of
between
add,
communicating
a

'

ENGLAND.

insinuated

that

such

fictitious, and
fill his
evidence

hardly

full

the
and

all will

admit

of

6th

had

to

stay

July,

860, Mr.

de

Ceryay,
who

Tiedemann,
with

connection
French

has

stances

country-seat,

life

Home's

honourable.

as

ChS-teau

of Mons.
in

manner

the

at

name,

which

in
the

on

wonderfully

was

he

has

described

in

take

much

out-door

exercise

the

served
preInci-

"

"

recommended

"Being
at
gun

"

half

park.

to

Ch"teau

the

more

the

hour

an

Some

northern

de

that

great attraction

I need

Home

Mr.

of

end

the

"

dents

my

the

towards

to

by

(which

letters

unselfish

as

his beautiful

the

in

stay

been

September,

clear

it

lady to publish her

from
doing so by motives

residence

At

made

Gibson's

already mentioned

Holland.

have

were

himself

Home

by

that

went

Paris, the

unsigned

were

possession),that

my

have

to

as

written

Milner

Home

Mrs.

been

hope

London

Leaving
near

permission of
only deterred

was

and

been

in

are

say

narratives

had

pages.
of Mrs.

171

it

Cer9ay,''he writes,
might he said I was
for

sport has

hy railway

of the

trees

poplar, stands

are
a

of very

quarter

out

The

me.

from

"

used

shooting

Chateau

Paris, stands

mile

me

for any
tant
Cer^ay, dis-

heautiful

one

of the

the

Chateau

from

my

with

than

de
in

great height
of

during

take

to

old

largest,
at

an

the outer
angle of the park, where it is separated from
grounds hy a
To this spot^ when
there was
much
hedge.
shooting going on in the
the
used
for
shelter ; and
to
come
I, who
am
neighbourhood,
game
indifferent
but an
marksman, could get easy shots hy planting myself
the
by
hedge.
I had been
walking with my friend,Mons. T
(Tiedemann),
''and
his
this
favourite
I
bent
to
on
leaving me
steps
my
comer,
a
wishing to take home
partridge. As I neared the hedge, I stooped
and
advanced
close up
to it, I was
cautiously. When
raising my
head
I
heard
call
to look for my
when,
on
some
one
right,
my
;
game
denly
My only feeling was
surprise at being thus sudout, Here, here !
in English. The
addressed
for
desire to have
look
out
a
good
had
overruled
the exclamation
curiosity as to whom
my
game
,my
head
the
level
of
from
raise
and
I
to
to
was
come
continuing
;
my
seized by the collar of my
the hedge, when
coat and
suddenly I was
ing
crashAt
I
heard
lifted
the
instant
and
the
off
same
a
ground.
vest,
wonder.
soimd, and then all was
quiet. I felt neither fear nor
accident
had
that by some
exploded,
My first thought was
my
gun
I saw
that I
and
that I was
in the
spirit-land; but looking about
"

"

'

was

still in

hands.

My

the

material

attention

was

world,
then

and

there

drawn

to

was

what

the

gun

appeared

still in
to be

my
tree

LIFE

172

tree
no
immediately before me, where
this proved to be the fallen limb
of the
then
that
I had
been
saw
standing. I

limb

distance

fast

of

to the

I conld

as

six

half

limb
in

yard

one

The

and

earth

of the

not

and

tree

We

"

nor

trunk

in

bark

editor

of

day

or

of

the

it

day

friend

was

forty-fivefeet

I had
spot where
circumference, and
made

been
trated
penesketch

such

accidents

which

The

think

least
are

there

that

branch

about

not

been

with
of

trees

are

been
of

trees

similar

quality

for teax

remain

not

sawn

I have

uncommon

was

clearly

so

it

is

tree

there

was

at first it had

torn

will

settlers

The

happened.
decayed ; and

all

at

leaves.

the

in

not

have

might

one

the

words
"Dr.

sequel

of

for

Hoefer

Generale

paid

"

declared

such

of

complete sceptic

^a

Mons.

visit to
seance

related

satisfied with

Hoefer,

Dr.

the

in

the

Tiedeheld

was

published
Pierart

present, Mons.

persons
himself

"

The

stance.

it is best

to

of the

one

well-known

the

Biographie

asked

and

mann,

later

two

manifestations

the

to

and

trunk

the
of

breakages."

as

that

poplar, and

Australia, under

sudden

as

and

yards

very

next

branch
the

to stir

was

that

since

species

The

sixteen

height

in

it could

the

was

enough

the

informed

was

excitement,

my

from

the

inches

foot

broken

fell from

struck

to how

as

reft from

this

in

this fallen

from

aside

ran,

which

nnder

tree

branch.

one,

the

examination,

On

measured

it had

twenty-four

scarcely wind
and
ofif,

high

fallen

It

which

at least

speculated

dead

been.

thus

where

limb

standingmeasured
the

had

circumference.

part of the

had

chateau.

which

length,
in

HOMK

drawn

feet.

seven

or

"The

OF

MISSION

AND

and

answers,

"

wished

spiritsproposed that all should

Mr. Home
had
now
escaped being crushed.
proceed to the tree where
Dr.
Hoefer
still urged his questions; but
there
being no response,
The
still remained
it had
we
arm
as
agreed to proceed to the tree.
end
the
other
the
imbedded
in the
fallen,one
trunk,
resting against
it from
have
its place would
earth, so that to detach
required all the
man's
of
two
Moved
secret
a
strength
arms.
by some
impulse. Dr.
Hoefer
should
touch
with
a
proposed that Mr. Home
finger the end
of one
of the small branches.
He
did so ; and immediately the enormous
in
and
metres
in
centimetres
circumference,
length
arm,
13
95
moved
from its point of support and feU.
I had had only the testimony
to

of

the

continue

Mr.

this

Home

; but

conversation

himself

as

to the

strengthened it,and

showed

the

previous
the

at this

occurrence

operation

of

spot

something

; but

b^ond

chance."

Dr.

Hoefer

Cerjay,

and

remained

took

some

part in other

days
stances

at

the

there.

Chateau
"

Will

de
you

ENGLAND.

another
pay
writes to Home

not

he

moments

of

the

gave
try all I can

me

lift

great mysteries from

if the

day, especially
kind

are

us

Of

not

and

to

place

at

letter

that

he

succeed
that

powers

such
one

surround

Home,
able
remark-

early period of their acquaintance,

described
in a
by M. Tiedemann
French
to
journal in Januar}%
a

an

of these

one

shall

hides

stances
with
many
Some
of the most

much.

say

evenings at
entre-voir). I

me."

Tiedemann's

space

took

aid

to

perhaps

intelligent

enough

Mons.

have

us

immensity

that

veil

"

leisure

my

the

on

laiss6

of the

comer

All

wonderful

those

in France

"

meditating

to

glimpse (nCont

to

friends

your

following year.

of which

horizon

Cerjay

to

soon

devoted

are

the

visit

173

was

sent

1858:"
As

of conversing
perhaps you are not acquainted with this method
with
the invisibles,I will brieflyexplain it to you," he wrote.
The
touch
each
alphabet is written on a sheet of paper, and you
letter in turn ; as soon
reach
the
desired
as
one
or
more
letter,
you
raps
"

'*

inform

they

the

of

you

fact, and

some

down

else writes

one

the

letters

as

indicated.

are

The

of my
deceased
alphabet having been prepared, two names
relatives
The
manifestations
next
were
spelt out.
evening similar
took
One
manifestation
place,but other spiritspresented themselves.
''

remarkable

is too

and

Mr.

hand

of

see

with

glance
the

name

cried

very

whether

fact to pass

Home

suddenly,
'

child

young
wife

he

'

looked

it is

roimd

the

circle

us

be

to

exchanged

died.'

and

the
if to

as

rapid
spell

I believe, let him

as

bom

was

touched

^it seems

"

explain.

If

he

this ?

is

could

said
; and
where
place

my
of the

What

and

present

one

any

'

Hands

in silence.

over

The

word

villagein the kingdom of Kaples) having

been
the spiritof a
rapped out, we could no longer doubt that it was
child whom
lost in Italy in 1855.
Our
had
we
general ;
surprise was
His
for we
little hand
had
been
not
distinctly
thinking of him.
of
the
hands
other
well
the
as
present.
pressed mine, as
persons
Penta

of

(the name

small

death

''Is
tears

No,

still that
he

present at such
the scepticism
*

If

were

explain
A
"

these

to

But

stances.

the

see,

Phenometre;"

it wiU
who

persons
would
not

things, they

sobriquet

prestige for

lost his terrible

has

of

spectre, the

redoubtable

had
and

be

struggle

themselves
or

else,

for

Home

believe,*

so

have

who

those

hard

content

of

cause

to

with
Since

many

been

vanquish
saying,
I

cannot

"

are

been

by

impossible.'
coined
this

name

M.

in

Tiedemann

France,
and

AND

LITE

174

friends

of his

others

MISSION

HOMK

OF

sometimes

him

address

in England,
frequent resident
speaks the language well (he is still in
Home
of his correspondence with
much

"Dear
from

PhenomMre,"
in

Cairo

with

hour

at

more

or

writes

"how

life); and
English.
language

is in
that

in

regret that

Prince

Naples

about

their

Tledemann

this

certainly the one

with
Luigi talked

climate

best.

you

he

i860,

This

me.

suit

M.

letters.

in

you
that

is

would

for

me

Spiritualism

he

"

not

are

is

appointed
dis-

hearing from you."

I have
a
quoted above
portion of M. Tiedemann's
with
published description of his early stances
not

at

Home

from

letter

month

de

written

him

by

are

My

Friend,

dear

joy and
family

all my
wife and

you

for

Home

of

end

the

paid

rendered

life,your

their

to

KoucheleflF-Besborodka,
to

England

off, and

sawn

been
The

their
I

and

of

winter

did

to

the

among
Home

written

acquaintance

not

so

and

from

very
much

in

fallen

branch

London,

where

of

certain

delicate;
into

returned

request, Mons.

memento

Mrs.

Countess

then

his

having

death.

quietly passed

was

go

Mr.

the

friend

his

was

of

great

very

TiEDEMANN."

Home's

end

my

friend,

devoted
J. N.

to

in

London.

and

society

she
as

and

during

visit.

previous
find

i860

health

Home's
husband

her

thickest
it to

sent

relative, the

At

long preserved it as
snatched
by spirithands

Home

Mrs.

winter.

the

had

Tiedemann

news

for the

me

Biarritz, and

at

Ceb^at.

ds

converted

September, i860,

visit

sentiments

GhAteau

have

You

''

About

the

same

delay expressing

cannot

have

you

I am,

...

"

gratitude.

"

service.

lines

the

in

Mr.

"

"

**

few

Home

to

"

had

stances

; here

Cerjay

1858
expressive of
inspired :

January,

"

those

ChS-teau

the

at

an

in

to

he

of

London

him
had

of

letters

by
made

this
his

period

friends

celebrityof
a

few

years

the

at

giving

one

Florence,

day,

whose

previously,the

ENGLAND.

Blumenthal.

musician

Blumenthal,

stay with

to

came

175

Home

who

Sloane

in

subsequently

Street,

Spiritualisttwenty-five years ago

point I may leave his letter to speak for
ardent

^but

"

Tiedemann

Mons.

acquainted

^with

"

writes

an

that

on

itself.

by the way,
in English, and

whom,

^Blumenthal

"

was

Like

he

was

writes

it well.
$th DeeefkbcTf i860.

"Flobenob,
Mt

"

and

you

Hotel,

even

now,

well

as

as

once

as

knew

they dways
few

send

...

want

have
all you
done
to the manifestations

know

to

particulars

as

Hoeffer.

Was

Hoeffer

Mr.

time

some

heard

not

this

to

one

address.

your

days

of

news

some

you
have

you.

I received

which

written

; but

there
if you
were
yoursell
wiU
there
at all events, you
come

hope,

Mr.

that

to have

had

reached

never

me

"

Tiedemann

Mr.

England

some

of

presence

he

told

anxious

very

(Mrs. Home).
it has

you

We

both

are

through

as

return.

we

ago, there was

If you
not
are
in spring, when

since

saw

we

you,

Tiedemann's

at

convinced,

and

in

what

did

say?
for us,
that

As

"

think

not
in

our

and

here

its

eyes
There

you.

have

we
we

wouldn't

with

I wish

If

"

happens.
than

in

Dan,

and

If you
London, where
don't

inflamed
in

in

promotion
other
day

Baker

round

of

medium

here,

busy

so

resumed

have

see

each

other

to

disseminate

youth.

Herzen

but

seems

much

of tener

Good-bye,

dear

J. Blumenthal."

Home

his

no

day.
Monday
particular

some

your

friends.

sit

to

with

something

when

for

tried

we

other

or

affectionate

minds.
many
old man,
an

egotistical
; and
spiritualideas

table, but

sort

some

could

we

life is too

all here

were

you

be

not

so

of

"

were

on

The

here.

Mrs.
a

must

one

I suppose
you
tell me
Gibson's

forget your

1861,

labouring
been

be

you

acquaintance of this period was

Russian
political writer whose

banished

early

Milner

...

Another

had

I could

Mrs.

sittingsat

and

must

long lived
at the Crossmans',
our
drawing-room

have

you

I wish

in London,

are

you

could

as

known

for the

good

more

welL

as

You

Florence.

portraitis always

However,

you

Grossman

Miss

result.

can

have

Sacha's

it !

do

than

are

dear

had

we

enjoy

we

you

think

who

in

Spiritualism ; and as you are

and
talk a great deal about

for it here

people

Your

winter

moment

occasion

often

see

I wish

I suppose
where
you

for the

we
personification,

is much

we

table, and

settled

forget for

"c.
Trollopes',

the

"

as

rumour

there

"

Sacha

letter from

^We

"

I suppose

you,

Cox's
In

dear

little letter

ago
from

Dan,

dbab

met

still

insane
to

as

Herzen,

in London

enthusiastic

ideas

have

theories

wild

him

the

as

he

established

in
had
a

LIFE

176

Home

to

illuminate
the

in

the

Home

of the

much

for

Tourgeniejffwould
taking delight in
the

in

great pet,

in

the

ing
even-

made

London
that

nature

there

writer

his

have

and
in

literarygiant of

acquaintance
^Thackeray.
In January, 1861, Mr.
James

him

in

was

in

playing

great novelist

the

another

which

resembled

also

was

temperament.

own

society of children,
good deal of his time
of whom

also

in

joyousness, beneath

to

the

did

as

celebrate

to

come

famous

the

seem

spending
baby son,

Home's

with
a

of

habit

loth

"

characterised

that

fdte and

"

TourgenieflF

naive, child-like

lay sadness,

the

acquaintance

year) was

what

make

We

for he

us."

at

Russian

Still another

attracted

propagation

(of the serfs);

"

look

(I forget in

**

printing-oflSceon

take

and

1861

April,

Emancipation

HOME.

OF

for their

London

printing-pressin
writes

MISSION

AND

made

Home's

"

at

present

published
of

of

Chairman

years

what

stance

to

for himself.

"I
my
and

feel

it

testimony
tendency
Kecently

to

the

to

what

for

many

Exchange,

was

and

and

heard

wrote

from

friends

and
Hutchinson,
says Mr.
he
heard, he determined

he

duty,"

Home,

Having

witnessed,

believe

unable

Mr.

of it.

had

they

Stock

London

with

account

an

being
see

the

Hutchinson,

wrote, January 26, 1861, "to

openly bear
others
theorise
the
to
facts^ leaving
on
causes

of these

remarkable

phenomena.

by a friend to Mr. D. D. Home, a s"mce

was
23rd instant ; and together with Mr. and Mrs.
Coleman, Mr. G. S. Clarke, Mr. T. Clarke, ^Ir. Gilbert Davidson, and
another
formed
to me,
we
a
lady and gentleman unknown
party of
nine.
all felt, a tremulous
in
motion
Shortly after sittingdown, we
and
the
chairs
in
which
circular
our
was
a
table,
drawingvery heavy
"

arranged

introduced
for

the

table.

room

"

The

heavy

sounds

rapping

table

continued

raised

was

whilst

the

on

up

table

floor

and

these

repeatedly ; and

constant

were

manifestations

; the
were

seated, at
friend,Mr. Clarke, and another were
wnder
the
table.
the request of Mr.
Home,
Two
hand-bells, one
weighing at least a pound and a half, were
another
of the party by unseen
to
passed from one
agencies. All of
in turn
felt the touch
and
us
,of a soft and fleshy life-like
pressure
my

"

hand.

saw

accordion,

the

whilst

full-formed
held

by

Mr.

hand

Home

it rested

as

in

one

on

hand,

my

knee.

discoursed

The
most

LIFE

178
the

of

spring

Place

had

of

lady
Mrs.

Milner

home

from

noted

Gibson
this
her

in

with

first stance

my

journal,

have

and

Mr.

Parkes

Mrs.

Home

Mrs.

stances

held

were

of

Her

Home,"

the

truth

of

our

who

guests of

the

visit

Terrace.

rous
nume-

kept

was

she

those

their

during

witnessed

duction
intro-

returned

"I

time

some

through

with

7, Cornwall

at

manifestations

the

and

F.

Mrs.

Mr.

with

for

were

before

and

of

i860.

convinced

"

names

new

Regent's Park,

Terrace,

December,

in

Park

Hyde

at

the
among
them
is that

intercourse
permitted to hold
passed to the spirit-land."

being

of

stances

long resident in India.

made
and
Spiritualismwas

been

Home

to

the

; and

7, Cornwall

had

who

HOMK

OF

that

connection

in

Parkes,

show

resumed

been

mentioned
C.

86

MISSION

AND.

diary
Mrs.

by

of Mr.

having been placed by her at the disposal

cidents"
Inhe published large portions in the
Home,
(vol. i.),the identity of the writer
being

veiled,

at

Parkes

and

"

E.

Sir

her
B.

Lytton

besides

and

the

frequently came
Mrs.

Parkes

Mrs.

Milner

London.

**

in London

."

in

Park

in

in

letters

1863,

There

1861

Lane

when

Gibson's

at

herself
a

with

and

find

in

of

one

of

interestingaccount

an

and

time

she

tations
manifes-

obtain

to

when

much,"

not

was

Mrs.

Terrace.

by Lytton

Nice

deal

at

Cornwall

in

"

house

stances

Gibson's

at

his

at

to

made

good

initial, Mrs.

Gibson
(Mrs. Milner
times
being someparty), the distinguished littSroUeur

there
of

one

attempts

was

sdances

dined

Home

the

desire, under

Home

in

was

adds.

typical example of the weak

who,
man
all things, fears ridicule.
above
In
public he was
an
Not
investigator of Spiritualism, in private a believer.
he
S. C. Hall
wrote
to Mr.
long before his death
to
if
the
latter could
of
inquire
give him the name
some
Lytton

was

"

reliable
a

friend

near

and

"

medium
of

his

in

communication

relative

dear

candid

in London,

in

quite
experience
my

his
goes,

with

whom

he

who

had

strange thing

published
the
phenomena,

to

declaration
when

might put
just lost a

do, if he
**

So

freed

were

far

as

fix)m

ENGLAND.

the

impostures

and

examined

of

with

179

their

which

traceable

rationally,are

the

of

nature

exhibition

which

material

to

ences
influ-

ignorant.

are

we

abounds,

They

require certain
physical organisations or temperaments
to
produce them, and vary according to those organisations
and
(Letterof Lord Lytton to
temperaments."
the secretary of the Dialectical
Society, February, 1869.)
From
this

even

man

themselves.

It

of

he

that

of

the

Home

had

been

themselves,

to

they

present
Home

least

at

friendlytone that their writer did

do his correspondent the
injusticeof classinghim
the charlatans
of whose
trickery Lord Lytton had

demonstrate
not

with

only

their

by

received

he

had

so

others,

an

proofs of

many

with

seen

It

evidence.

abundant

too

he

eager

his

was

Home

had

excited

desire

for

more

in

hoped

to

see

case

marvels

Such

disappointments

who

encountered

in

as

taught

them

how

"

in many

wonders;

I could
"

things

as

more

he

name,

mediums,"

theirs, that

ended

he

him,

and

subsequent inquirers whom

sought out persons calling themselves
result, in his

fault that

own

wonderful

The

it.

and, like
the

honestly do,

letters

numerous

in

interest

great

no

if his

and

he

simulate

experiences
phenomena

the

could

at which

stances

he

least

that

his

of

existence

the

was

remarkable

with
are

but

him

satisfied

after the

impostures

admits

ridicule,

to

is remarkable.

abundant

the

to

phenomena;

have

sensitive

so

cautiously-weighed testimony

Lytton refers
the

and

timid

so

where

with
he

had

by detecting imposture.
at least

than

more

giftof Home.
That
Lord
Lytton should never
his knowledge
of the genuineness

lesson

one

to those

rare

the

was

marvellous

to
was

be

All
expected from him.
constantly giving proofs of
to

ridicule

what

ridicule; and
on

convictions

him

impressed

Spiritualism with
when

than

the

Mr.
latter

have
of

publiclydeclared
that gift was
only

the

days of

his

excessive

could

have

him

Home
was

by

his

life

he

ness
sensitive-

brought

fearless, candid
on

his

more

of the

statement

investigations of

in

London,

his

guest

and
at

on

sions
occa-

Knebworth?

who

public
talented

wish

here

pause
in my

to

lines.

few

words

It

and

of this

Spiritualism

for

is

the

but

sentiments

Home

to

the

real

truth

that

reason

concerning the fragments

Lytton's correspondence with

possession of Lord
frequent guest, Mr. Home.

his

letters

The

Home

for

few

days

dine

Knebworth

to

his

Park

in

the

"

for

reasons

Lane

or

run

ence
infer-

obvious

associating imposture

"

word

Spiritualism," he had never

seen
associate
of Home.
imposture with the name
of Lytton's position and
not
celebrity would

with

the

to
man

continued

have

over

as

"

to

that, whatever

is

cause

cordial

and

invitations

period often years

ten
years, Lytton's tone
he is constantly pressing

1855

As, during those

with

down

from

range

subsequent.
is unchanged

say

the

the

at

regard

between

HOME.

OF

knew

arrive

to

with

man

read

must

friends

intimate

Lytton's

MISSION

AND

LIFE

i8o

had

given

tire

the

who

another

after

year

on

year

him

reason

intimate

terms

for

even

with

suspicion

of charlatanism.
I will

not

letters

Lytton's
with

dine

nothing

7 o'c,"

at

for all contents.

'*

for, as

asked
here

Sunday

next

other

convenient

day

"I

two

expect

make

your

I hear

if your
three
or
Like

of

if so,

"

Cornwall

nature

Terrace

86 1, when

the

o'c.

ladies

who

permit

was

that

circle

of

of nine

is

added,

glad

here

ask

for two

the

charm

reason
was

evening

persons

from

you."

see

he

to

following:

I have

the

most

line to

this

Lytton felt
at which

and

letters

the

as

Home.

stances

stance

the

be

are

to come
you
be happy to

Mrs.

that

would

write

and

her. Lord
of

me

directly

Parliament,

there

or

I shall

is

explanation

"

you
of invitation,

form

render

the

brief

do, will

stance

invitations

the

among

season,

in town,

knew

all who

that

such
are

you

days

believe

3rd,

three

or

at

again,

or,

engagements

sweet

in

"

with

that

the

the

acquaintance

Knebworth,
*'

of

or

similar

Lord

are

to

object to give

you

evening,

engagements

them

better

Sometimes

Would

of

Some

have

day

to

me

patience by giving

extenso.

If you

"

notes, with,

reader's

were

to

present
of

June

deeply

ENGLAND.

moved
had

"I

incident

the

by

placed
of

shoulder

the

possessed

brought

from

flowers

natural

of

idols

find

will

the

on

she

that
*

had

They

are

'

with
in

placed

was

(Mrs.

spirits rapped,

you

bouquet

Parkes

Mrs.

by

idol, Ganesh."

The

"

those

as

the

immediately

of

collection

India.)

beautiful

so

described

great marble

Parkes

not

thus

bouquet

x8i

us

and

Home's

Mrs.

hands."
Whether

present

writing from

Lytton

would

"It

no

regards

Mrs.

to

Parkes,

not, I find

or

nth

the

on

of

the

line

"

in

give

to

you
much

so

for her

indeed, I find

But

persuade myself
more.
Accept my

to

say

1861

for herself.

occasion

worth

kind
very
I feel

Home.

does

she

be

Mrs.

about

Kneb

of June,

month

same

this

on

that

she

is

sincere
and

me

cult
diffi-

it most

reallyin danger.
Kind

sympathy.
kind

all

than

^more

"

to

messages

your

wife."
And
how

fortnight later

Mrs.

Home

is.

"

Pray

give

line

me

to

say

think
If you
change of air
I should
be very
glad to see her,
...

do

might

her

yourselfand

with

Parkes),

"

Mrs.

for

Mrs.

H.

July,
towards

and
a

Home

and

the

end

this

world,
familiar

few

JLytton

writes

with

you

to you

and

with

most

The
to
so

know

earth

month

that
a

she
faith

brances
remem-

Lytton."
the

from

3rd of

Spa

"

sad
me

looked
in

on

Home

to

sincerelyon the
intelligencepained

intense

B.

E.

yours,

from

same

kindest

With

away

(Mrs.

hostess"

amiable

and

days.

Truly

of the

interestingwife.

consolation

passed

1862

I condole

kind

your

here

to

"

good,

that

so

loss of your amiable

much.
It is indeed

serenely on quitting
which
happier world

to her thoughts.
she
I saw
certainly did not think her dying when
her, nor was
tweeted
then.
It
so
me
greatly to receive her touching remembrances
from
and
I
shall
the
mournfully treasure
photograph you so
you,
kindly promise.
worth
climate
winter
in Italy. I find no
"Perhaps I, too, may
the winter
change except Nice and Naples. Wishing you a complete
restoration
to health, and
assuring you of my sympathy in your bebelieve
"1 K
Lttton."
me
reayement)
truly yours,
was

"

x82

LIFE

'

have

that

said

7, Cornwall

at

beautiful

been
the

words

of

one

earth

the

Hall, whose

C.

the

Mrs.

Hall.

C.
him

the

on

the

Mr.

recorded

in

that

table

to

which

he

try if it would

be

distinctly saw
the

with

brought

large hand-bell,

he

had

bell, and

hand

ring

it

appear

violently;

the
table
the
resting quietly on
full view, and
the light being quite sufficient

in

enable

hands

Sir

E.

that

themselves

with
Mr.

S.

tify
iden-

to

me

those

he

that

of the

centre

table, grasp

Home's

while

fi.ve,Mr.

the

of

from

know

enabled

among

relates

Terrace

there, and

rung
above

have

circle

the

Mr.
and
present that evening were
Mr. S.
Parkes, Sir E. B. Lytton, and

Hall

Cornwall

to

placed

to

Mrs.
Mr.

of

single survivor

had

Lytton

1861, I

2nd,

touching

Parkes.

sitters

Home,

That

formed

who

question

in

Mrs.

five

The

the

the

in

to

abready quoted.

recollections

stance

diary of

the

referred

was

persons
eveniug, June

previous
testimony of

was

Mrs.

five

the

probably present
Home's
approaching

Lytton

when

Terrace

departure from
and

Lord

HOMK

OF

MISSION

AND

Hall

adds

produced

B.

Lytton

Hall

Mr.

and

satisfy

to

of any
kind
was
machinery
apparition of the mysterious

nected
con-

no

the

that

the

perfectlyremembers

idols

himself

and

Lytton

on

of the

he

in the

sion
impres-

by the noisy
slmne

Hindoo

hand.

at

the

placement
dis-

end

large drawing-room, while all five persons

present
were
quietly seated in the summer
twilight at the table.
of the
The
contains
account
an
diary of Mrs. Parkes
stance, written
same
by her at the time.
of the

"

June

came

moved
shrine

2nd," she writes.

on,

pleasant

the

table

; and

the

with

"

dimness

s^nce

fell

violence

up

of

over

to

the

Aa

five persons.

the

room.

The
.

twilight
spirits

the
Hmdoo
window, near
touching it, played in the

hand
accordion, no human
There
most
was
charming manner,
exquisitelyand with great power.
much
the Holy
noise at the Hindoo
and
shrine ; the images of Vishnu
and
Bull were
then
the
of
the
table
a
brought,
large hand,
put on
top
;
which
the
the light, put up
and
us
appeared dark, being between
accordion
Another
hand
took
above
table.
the
of
the
a
entirely
top
bell ofiF the
erect

into

table, and

the

air.

it.

rang

Then

he

was

Mr.

Home

drawn

was

to the

raised
other

from
end

his

of the

chair
room,

ENGLAND.

raised

and
he

in the air until

his hand

183

floated

horizordallyforward, and
constantly flashingforth ; the raps
stance

ended"

in

Life, vol. i. p.

My
Lord

(" Extracts from

196.)
had

Lytton

remarkable

than
this

narrate

fact

the

descended.
died

the

away

saw

the

in

Mrs.

diary of

I have

the

; thence

hright

star

the

distance, and
"

Incidents

with
stances
Mr.
many
the
I have
but
above;

because

one,

the top of the door

on

was

Home

more

preferred
of

attestation

to

Mr.

both
were
Lytton and himself
the phenomena
described.
present and witnessed
It is not
that, when
menced
Lytton comgenerally known
that wildest
of all his romances,
A
Strange
written, I believe, in 1859 or i860),
Story" (which was
Hall

to

that

"

he

had

making

intended

portray Home

to

attempt

an

in

its pages
the
speedily abandoned
design, and
; but
for it the fantastic conception of Margrave.
substituted

So,

least, Lytton told Home

at

plan

of

from

the

"

Strange Story

would

all I have

'

Home,
the

from

him

who

and

gaiety

and

of
charms

pain
that

child, and

he

keen

had

joy

The

earth

To

and
did

us

every

Home's

respite from

glory

gaiety

and

happy

living which
look

us

days

when

back
"

sight

common

seem

AppareUed in
The

wrong

fulness
bright cheer-

in

in young
children, and makes
to the lost
regretfullywith Wordsworth

no

his

In
the

and

nature,

that

temper

us

'*

knew

who

of his

sufferingssour.

from

nary
ordi-

the

on

All

him.

of

no

of freedom

"

romancer,

making

as

joyousness

sweetness

embitter

moments

the

by

"

attempting to picture
for
not
a
single hint
for the impression that

encountered

struck

were

portrait
Of

Margrave.

"

of

mortals

could

of

design

Home's

least."

the

me

of

original
materially

as

as

celebrated

the

the

almost

that

Margrave, but
being is represented

abnormal

Home

his

took

Lytton

character

the

satisfies

forsaking

differed

from

said

written,"

Strange Story
In

differed

have

that

adding

story actually took

the

course

"

celestial

and

the

light,

freshness

cheerfulness

sufferingexercised

an

of

dream."

in

his

moments

irresistible

of

spell on

him, that

all around
the

sobriquet of

had

remarked

this

of

man

Charmeur."

"Le

it somewhat

of Bulwer

habit
"

with

meeting
aspect
As

continued

forced

to

there

was

it

gaze,

of

equalling the fascination

the
description is even
could

be

middle

the

about

the

height

transcendent."

less

not

selves
themwas

nor

represented

is

here

; and

of his appearance

closely applicable

more

with

to

and

Later

in

talk

of his
joyousness is bom
perfect souUessness, which
the

similar
is not

embodiment

of

work

one

of

Strange Story
to

some

Lytton

splendid

certainly was
exercised

nor

fancy

of

union

that

find

we

who
"

that

takes

who
was

and
knew

"

Zanoni
the

author

half-persuaded

youth being thus renewed,

might one
day revive his

and
own.

had

his

of those

But
is the
than

of

youth

lines

suspect
the

source

more

dream

the

of

with

the

in

shape

will

health

be ; he

to

between

Margrave's

Home.

by

meant

was

read
"

ground.
play-

same

not

"

those

and

in the

the
alchemist's
Lytton's
Margrave has renewed

of Life.

Elixir

Home,

reared

been

less,
peculiar,offhand, caretopic with a bright rapidity."

fascination

Margrave

had

we

was

topic to
Strange Story,"

"A

if

mjrself

I found

minutes

sported together

of

vein

few

Mr.

than

cordial

frankly

as
familiarly,

him

home

same

shiftingfrom

that

in the

was

regularity;

more

In

manner.

His

it;

human

seen

"

the

of

first

"Nothing
Margrave's
conversing
in

the

features

the

conversation

Margrave's

as

Home

gerating
exag-

literallydazzled.
with
surprise ; one

in

"

charm

I
There

was

man's
stature
imposing
young
the effect of the whole
But
was
The

ward
out-

that

that

faultless

no

the

it to

relating his

man's.

something

acknowledge

to

attached

say, in
have

"never

young

indescribable

an

one

was

that

as

others,

exaggerate.

Fenwick

Margrave,

radiant

so

to

makes

he

Never,"

face

Lytton

like

"A

his

in

France

Strange Story,"
description, as it was

in

Margrave

Lytton,

he

trait ; and

and

in Russia

for him

won

HOME.

OF

MISSION

AND

LIFE

i84

the

with

of

"A

liar
fact fami-

romances

"

possibility of

half-hope

that

he

x86

AND

LIFE

For

by

about

lung disease,

on

the

Incidents,"

"

Hawksley
of

the

was

for

'"

conclusions

the

and

brief relation

of

late

my

initial

friend
;

for

mentioned

Dr.

he

first

at

which

of the

highly

in

."

than

more

has

and

authority

an

once
"

attended

been

as

Dr.

quarter

ten
writ-

kindly

most

following description

which

under

than

the

Home

had

known

more

valued

the

me

is

under

century of Mr.

Home

physician, well
who

HOME.

OF

past, Mrs.

year

eminent

an

MISSION

of

the

stances
circum-

investigated the phenomena

he

arrived

I have

phenomena
and

esteemed

"

witnessed

in

the

respected friend, Mr.

pany
com-

D.

D.

Homa
"

Mrs.

has

Home

consented

to do

requested

to make

me

condition

that

this

relation

she

; and

have

the

permitted
same
understood
generally
explanation
my
of these
humble
phenomena, and, on the other hand, to state my
in truth
in our
are
examples of what
opinion that such phenomena
Saviour's
known
time was
of
as
a
possession^or being possessed
spirit
intimate
with
Mr.
Home
or
years'
acquaintance
spirits. My
many
instant
for an
of his truth, honesty, and
never
experienced a doubt
that whatever
he stated
he beUeved
integrity; and I feel convinced
time

to

to

be
"

disbelief

express

the

Some

had

one

his first wife, who

to

spend

been

in the

said

and

come

have

must

him

consumptive.
Cox's Hotel,
^

to

me,

what

what

you

occur.'

may

to

in

sort

can,

been

apply

Soon

at

see

;
manifestations

to him

recommended

was

evening

an

told,' he

what

at

me

truth.
first introduction

My

ago.

so,

on

for I

I went,

to

me

afterwards

Jermyn
of

nearly thirtyyears
on

account

he

invited

Street.

things happen
can

You

in

foretell

never

expecting only

my
or

of
me

have
sence
preinsore

little relaxation

the ingenuity of
conjuring affords when
the
to design
machinery whereby to produce
similar
I soon
effects.
found, however, that no mechanical
or
scientific means
forces would
witnessed.
or
explain those I now
** I
found
the late distinguished Mr. Robert
Chambers
there, Mr.
and Mrs.
We
all sat round
table ;
Cox, and Mr. and Mrs. Home.
a
and
found
to questions,replieswere
that, in response
given by raps
in any
furniture
or
on
or
part of the room,
position we indicated.
any
Sometimes
asked
them
the cornice of the ceiling,or on
to have
we
on
inkstand
It was
an
be
just before us.
agreed that two raps would
understood
aflSrmative
and
an
Yes,*
as
or
one
negative or
rap as
and

the

such

amusement,

observer's

mind

as

is taxed

No.*

In

deceased

judgment
"

and

An

this

friends
and

way,

revelations

which

made
him

to
"

an

Mr.

Chambers

astute

man,

to

aa

of sober

great experience.

accordion, which

brought

were

fairlyastonished

with

me,

to

purchased in Kegent Street that

prevent all question as to deception,was
I had

day
now

ENGLAND.

187

Chambers, upside down

held, sometimes
by me and sometimes
by Mr.
;
that
the carpet and
the
bellows
is,with the keys near
grasped at its
So
the keys move
and
the bellows
extremity.
suspended, we
saw
without
visible
tiie
while
instrument
discoursed
work,
any
agency,
music
most
asked
Mr. Chambers
for.
sweetly, and of the kind we
astonished
the
which
he requested,
to
air
was
particularly
played
get
it was,
because
he said, the very air that the deceased
friend
loved,
whom
the
revelations
referred
been
to had
concerning
given. When
and I left together, he said to me
Mr.
like
Chambers
that,
myself, he
had come
to be amused, but that he left full of deep and serious thought.
"
another
On
occasion, I had been invited
by the late Mrs. Milner
Gibson

to

meet

Park

number

of

friends

and

Mr.

Home

at

her

house

in

Place.

It was
summer's
a
evening about eight o'clock ;
stood a table, and on
large window, against which
of the
the table an
usual
tations,
manifesAfter
ordinary large bell.
many
and
to
made, I
rappings
replies
questions, a request was
by spiritual
forget by whom, that the bell should be conveyed away
influence.
I
wellthe
to
a
bell,
distinctly saw
Sitting very near
shaped hand appear on the table ; and after resting there a short time,
knew
the
hand
not
grasped the bell,and carried it away, we
rose,
from
While
the hand
the
where.
rested
I
on
seat,
table, rose
my
it by
to the
went
table, and without
touching the hand, examined
careful
like a grey,
inspection. It looked
substance, exactly
gauzy
of a human
the form
at the vrrist,
hand, and it terminated

Hyde

I sat

and

^'

be

Mrs.

from
'^

About

friends

Gibson

Milner
a

Regent's
of

to

near

deceased
the
Park
had

same
"

had

time, I

(theMra
been

communications

she

which

believed

to

child.
was

Parkes

gathered

invited

to

the

already referred
to

see

Mr.

Home

house
"

to),
and

of

where
what

lady

number

in

tions
manifesta-

he

The
extensive, consisting
might obtain.
drawing-room was
in
thrown
back
of two
into one.
We
sat in the
large rooms
room,
the full light of a large window,
about
a
bright summer's
7.30, on
in
There
communications
were
by raps
reply to questions
evening.
deceased
friends
and
about
were
relatives; and
given to
messages
and
flowers
of
those
assembled.
Sprigs of plants
(the breakingmany
ofT of which
in the
where
the
front
were
situated,was
plants
room,
and dropped from
distinctlyheard), were
brought by invbible
agency
the table just in front
above
into the hands, or upon
of the persons
intended.
I think
I have
the dried-up flowers
for whom
they were
hand
into
that occasion.
Pre
memorial
of
those
as
a
dropped
my
upon
We
found
volume.
a
sently we heard
strange noise of considerable
which
due to the tumbling down
from
the etag^re on
that it was
they
Indian
stood
of
metallic
ten
which,
as
or
some
gods,
generally
eight
the wide
the carpet, were
room
soon
as
dragged across
they reached
till
the table at which
at
and
under
feet
our
we
they stopped
sat,
The
at these
daylight was
good ; and we all looked with astonishment
without
the room,
of
heavy objects dragging their way across
one
any
without
the
least
discernible
and
or
us
means.
moving,
agency
-

"On

another
asked

man,
me

"

about
at

AND

LIFE

i88

occasion,

just going
We

3 P.M.

Hotel,

Cox*s

came

mine;

he

said,

he

knows

to

'

to

and

he

of

the

something
presence.'

is

do

that

shown

young
Mr. Home.

It

into

was

This

is

Sir

to

know

Home.

Mr.

When
a

He

you,

then

with

if

am

Dr.
them

"

*We

added,

latter
friend

possible^ to see
place in your
always happy,'
Hawksley's, but

take
*

the

valued

very

and,

which
phenomena
kind.
most
as
usual,
was,
anything to please a friend of
of commanding
have
no
power
comes.'

Come

'

bright
afternoon,
the ordinary sitting-rooms

anxious

said,

summer's

of

one

occupied by

room

highly intelligent
I

marvellous

whatever

accept

him.'

see

him,

to

and

Home

Mr.

to

to

were

not

in, I said

of

him

HOMK

OF

friend,

to introduce

me

am

MISSION

oUiged

am

will

try;' and,

will you
stand
that
on
companion, said, Sir
addressing my
,
tahle
stood
the
centre-claw
friend
table.'
on
an
table,
ordinary
My
in
of great strength and
rose
weight. Immediately table and man
from
the ground.
I stooped down
the air for at least eight inches
the castors
and the carpet.
After
hand
and swept my
freely between
I
the
coidd
all the
I had
ended
investigation
give
phenomenon,
descended
his
the table came
down
from
to the
floor,and Sir
'

elevation.
"

These

"

I witnessed

represent

by

the

in

me

few

of

in

the

remarkable

most

of

the

nessed
facts wit-

Home.

of Mr.

presence

them

the

with

first instance

scepticaland
theory from my

the

most

prejudiced mind, expecting to be able to design a

would
for them.
account
Hitherto, whenever
study of physics which
aided
I had
seen
an
intelligence naturally
by
any conjuring tricks,
and
inventive
given to mechanical
paradoxes, I could
puzzles and
IJiem
mode
of
of
and
in these
explanation
imitating
suggest a
; but
all such
for this reason
exhibitions
attempts immediately failed, and
in
of a complete stranger;
the house
well
as
especially they occurred
"

which

into

Homo

Mr.

had

been

never

before,

his

in

as

rooms.

own

kind.
of any
preparation, or furniture, or mechanism
he
He would
which
at
house
to
come
a
a
was
dinner-party
entering for
the only person
the first time, and in which
known
to him
m^.
was
the
about
his
To prevent doubt
on
question of his carrying
person
aid
known
I
have
him
to
to
him,
likely
apparatus
request me
any
hand
into
all his pockets, and, dressed
in evening costume,
put my
He

required

it would

no

not

been

have

for

easy

him

to

to
instance, I took him
conjuror. In one
and
able
of
our
distinguished,intellectual,
all the conditions
thirty years ago, where

I have
that
and
of

mentioned.

occasion
I examined

the

most

had

never

ho

had

seen

dine

with

Cabinet
of

the

for examination
very

all the

the

clever

intellects

of

one

assembled

investigationbefore them.
careful
study of the facts, I

with

most

of

about

experiment

and

the

Ministers

dress

of

apparatus

any of the persons

before
been
in

never
myself;
pockets of his evening
occurred,
extraordinary character

to

"After

He

but

the

conceal

as

were

he
the

met

on

house;

yet phenomena

proved
every

quite

explicabl
in-

opportunity

and

came

to

the

conclusion

ENGLAND.

189

due
to an
intelligentspirit which
probabilitythey were
able to leave
his body for
possessed the body of my friend, and was
distance
from
at
the purpose
of enacting various
a
him, such
things
as
playing a musical instrument, liftingand carrying material
objects,
of human
ligent
beings, and, through raps, giving intelreading the minds
The
references
to
in
to
replies
questions.
possession
Scripture
Saviour's
make
it extremely probable that such cases
prevailed in our
laborious
Howitt's
and
learned
book
and
William
on
time;
tualism
Spiriin all hisexisted
that such
leads me
torical
to believe
things have
behef
that
the
also
times.
Scripture
supports
possession was
of guilt or
in the possessed, but
of punishment
evidence
rather
no
it
visitation
makes
misfortune
it probable that, like disease,
was
a
or
merciful
benefits
and
in
which
has its good and
for
some
uses,
way
which
have
at present we
of Mr.
no
eyesight. Assuredly, in the case
he
think
driven
I
to
was
am
Home,
possessed,my knowledge of
though
habits made
his life and
me
a
profound believer in his truth,honesty,
warmth
of heart, kindness, generosity,and goodness.

that

all

in

"Thomas

Till

the

remained

in

former

in

the

"

"During

wife

sufferer

happy

and

took

hold

to

become

in

joy

wife's

power,

that

in

did

caring

At

he

to

declined

doing gave
great offence,
inquiring sceptics.
well-known

withhold,

was

manifestations

the
which

was

his

over

both

to

Home

the

to

reason

and

in

name

pressed

Home

for

than

year

naturally
witness

sdance,

later, and

had

passed away, Home

a
hope that the
express

annoyance

his

so

Spiritualistsand

should

his

weakened

stances,

some

More

acquaintance

got

and

by

friends

that

refused.

after Mrs.

months

hold

thought

was

of his

than

had

time

same

it

; but

so

at
was

she

every

the

whose
Spiritualist,
anxious

present

later

for her.

more

prostrate the

present, Home

husband's

illness, even

almost
her

be

months

nearly

or

could

her

sit, and

the

good,
fatal malady had

wife

few

Home

stance

they

being

left him,

had

power
of his

his

as

them.

ill to

too

absorbed

was

long

so

and

stances,

had

had

feeling that

Mrs.

stay," writes

physicallyand spiritually." The

to
yet developed itself sufficiently

not

to

and

our

''

Incidents,"

my

Mr.

July, 1861,

London.

night,

every
both

of

middle

Hawkslbt."

refusal

to

some

wrote

sit

other

had

caused
few

lines

My

"

received

and

of

Mr.

Home,

little

the

^I

"

am

sorry

of

contretemps

vexed
certainly very much
of
I have
to think
long ceased
the
good angels will in future

the

was

which

the

him

in

stance

dying wife
sceptical friends
a

on

he

because
all

only hope

can

best

to

arrange

sick-beds."
in

manner

It

Home.
words

that

selves
them-

in

of

very

man

refused

had

Home

think

nothing

was

"

absorbed

could

however,

perhaps thought

"

to

ago,

considerate

was

he

their

brutal

respects

many

"

and

to

almost

these

time
I

do

called, and

of

writer

time

the
.

and

friends, behaved

estimable

extract

continue

you

it.

stances

feeling

who

some

his
to

between

better

Such

some

at

was

matters

which

"

dear

think

from

reply

HOME.

OF

MISSION

AND

LIFE

190

attendance
that

was

his

disappointed of their stance ;

of his letter, he evidently felt that
the tone
and, from
he
had
and
just ground for complaint against Home
the

had

"

both.
good angels
have
already given in

the

Wilkinson,

Parkes,

"

I
Mr.

been

and

Mrs.

manifestations

witnessed

at

in the

of 1861.

The

summer

that

Parkes

Mrs.

the

narrate

brief

extract

window

centre

the

spiritsbegan
the

and

chair, and
about

the

shone

on

his

to rap

room

led

room,

sea

fingers.
of glass.

the

both
the

in

tinted

and

the

mirror

of

dark, blue-tinted

It

clustered

and

fine

summer

ing,
even-

fell back

in

time

; then

very
hair

large bright

he

and

his

walked
star

the

on
tips
passed in front of a very large mirror
form
the head
of which
leading him, over
flowing to the ground, marking the shape

Mr.

Home

saw

that

"Incidents"

Home

his

He

followed

on

close upon
it : I saw
hair perfectlydistinct

; his features,face, and

the form
that led him
were

robe

was

perfectly light.
deep sleep for some
apparently by a spirit;

robe

diary of

(four persons)were
sittingat
drawing-room, talking together, when

the

shoulders.

head

features

the

latter

"we

...

the

stances

twenty

the floor.

on

Howitt,

of interest.

Parkes,

front

his forehead, several

thrown

was

of

be

the

in

Mr.

was

into

went

Mrs.

the

in

portions of

than

more

may

July 7th," writes

"On

"

two

or

the

of

of

events

of

residence

the

W.

description of

their

published

are

of Mr.

words

covered

them.

not

They

visible

beneath

passed from

them
; but

the
before

ENGLAND.

the

her

over

higher,
faded

head
the

*'

July

Home's

2th.

head

En

seance

above

that

was
veil,which
floated
it
distinctlyas

held

moved

The

heads.

time, but

same

The

with

remained

veil thrown
rather

startlingvision
the

only

lightfrom

Mrs.
appeared above
it as it
fingers passing over
seen, with
hand
the Veiled
I
the
was
saw
Spirit.
spangled with stars; and the fingers
just in front of us."

light was

; at the

white

costume.

it.
in upon
six persons.

floated

our

figurewith

ground

great mirror

streamed

; and

female

in Oriental

man

the

which

saw

fell to the

of

; and

away

all

we

which

form

window,

the

then

and

glass;

191

It

the

Stars

Home
the extracts
to
by Mr.
appended
clue
from
Parkes'
the
Mrs.
to
a
diary furnishes
bable
proof
mendacious
in
America
a
origin
story published
Celia
untruly asserted Home
Logan, who
by a certain
have
that
his wife
stated
to
changed visibly into an
angel as she died.
there
In
this
several
Home,
are
diary^ wrote
them
that of
remarkable
manifestations, and amongst
note

'

"

the

of

presence

the

most

estimable

The

veil

Mr.

who

Dr.

preacher

conversion

his

but
passages
1861
:"
"

"

Dear

you

the

Mr.

intrusive
anxious

Home

had

that

wife's

of

the

painful
insidious

trial

have

only

first from

Home,

am

to

to

Mr.

see

Her

"

the

letters

will

Mrs.

think
or

not

if

Home
her

rous;
nume-

one

has
well

? if I went

two

or

June

on

tell

of

hope

are

not

of

favourite

her

extract
to
space
letter written
a

how

me

Duchess

in

Home,

hope you
great anxiety
you

late

introduced

"

know

Should

the

was

recently
to

whose

sympathy
expressed during these

Spiritualism.

to

your

quite inclined

by

dear

friends

was

Gumming,

on

wrote.

read

written

index

an

of the

kindest

and
suflfering

Sutherland,

be

disease."

Mrs.

and

of

months

almost

became

of the

One

will

Mrs.

stages of my

successive

of her

advances

was

Maxy Howitt.
spirit kept gradually being raised

that

illness, and

thenceforth
as

vnfe

my

type of womanhood,

of
the

through

with

by

beautiful

the

spirit,who
and
by me,

veiled

vrife
my
of
memoir

frequently seen
in

**

think
you
been

enough
to

her

5,

me

how
since
and
this

I trust

evening.
ask

not

to

over-exertion

not
.

like

does

perhaps

she

day.

Yours

very

next

letter

It is kind

"

time

it

and

with

Mrs.

her

letter
**

"I

As

ground
allowed

must

have

feels all

one

eflFable
of

calm
that

are

From
the

Mrs.

to

angelic
already round

evidently

at

which

to

have

Duchess,
Parkes
the

been

the

and

herself.

it

:"

deeper

may

be

of

her,

be
in

and

continues,

hope I
thinking

heart

weary
in the

of

stance

it must

you

staying

I
In

Duchess

that

feeling

in-

an

the

Everlasting

letters, the

stance

sweet

Powers

that

gave

of belief"

"

deeper ground
evening of June
5 th, 1861,
four persons
diary shows
only
a

of

three

Home,

Mrs.

whom

would
the

and

communications,
that

received
"

much

see

the

Many

were

in it

of

present,

Mr.

how

her."

Parkes*

Mrs.

diary,

contained

trust

of

that

for

your

of Sutherland

Duchess

was

rest

dates

in

and

to

heard,"

given me.
again.

Home

her

the

and

been

Home

invalid

to

:"

such

time

the

on

paid
at

the

remained

happy

gladness

comfort

there

saw

If

sympathy

this

at

Terrace,

had

very
of belief had
see

real

called

what

Mrs.

tell you
grief and

were

she

been

write

to

and

you

Cornwall

that

shows

to

in

Home

in

"

begins,

what

made

was

it

alone

be

you

visit to have

I cannot

and

Mrs.

regards

of any

cause

her
another
to
go
A. Sutherland."

to

me

the

was

Parkes

Sutherland

shall

me,

allow

evening.

seeing her,
felt for you."
Mr.

see

you,"

liked

As

the

I would

shows

as

other

the

me

be

sincerely,

in

of sorrow,

for worlds
.

to

will

not,

The

frankly, or

her.

to

If she

"

HOME.

answering

your

I would

as

OF

MISSION

AND

LIFE

192

sufficient

be

fourth

the
Mrs.

according
but

evening,

none

to
are

of their intimate

indication

nature.

I will

quote from

only

other

one

of

It

belongs to the autumn

recent
departure of Mrs.
I feel most
truly and
"

Home

letter

of the

1862, and
from

deeply

for

earth
your

Duchess.

refers

to

the

"

loss

in

your

AND

MISSION

milder

sky

LIFE

194

There, under
suflFerer

quietly passed
her

which

with

long illness, I

her

her

as

written

S. C.

Mrs.

by

reference

of

token

She

did

not

writes

but

know,

her

tended

the
votion
de-

through
constant

as

departed friend that

and
Mrs.
Mary Howitt,

were

quent
fre-

spiritualmanifestations

the

after

her

last

death.

Of

apparition of

days,
the

the

gave
pressive
im-

or

most

veiled

spirit,

"

attended

whose

affectionate

the

had

brightened

constantly

was

to

presence
them
all,the

Howitt

Mrs.

Hall

her
of

"

and

Of

England,

say that it was

and
happy faith.

their

is made

attended

that

of

memorials

the

In

of

that

only

patience

sweet

own

than

away.
husband

need

HOME

OF

very

veiled

presence
her veil

female

her

gave

she

spirit,whom

great comfort

though
mon^

Through the six

was
slowly and
gradually
passing away,
previous
the
gathered from the feet of the guardian spirittowards
head, until
for the last time she saw
the spirit,
two
days before her release, when
of a crown
about
with the veil gathered in the form
her
head, bat
with
one
part, as a festoon, still concealing her face.
she

spoke

never

On

Home,
and

the

hand

that

of

saw

covered

as

passed in
Dordogne,
the

several
and

arm

luminous

if with

last

The

the

occasion

one

being

ance

nor

her

to

'*

raised

by

persons,
of the

brother-in-law

were

in the

with

room

Mrs.

shoulder, the app6a^

beautifullyperfect in fonn,

spiritto

body,
light"

the

veil of

Chateau

where

who

most

earthly days

the

veil

the
and

of

Laroche,
Count
sister

beautiful

this

and

near

Perigueux

Countess

of Mrs.

life

Home,

in

were

the

Kouchelefi^
were

then

residing.
"If

it

death
to
meet
with
highest heroism
iinflinftliing
Mrs.
courage," wrote
amiable, gentle young
Mary Howitt, "this
this
child
affluence
and
of
equalled
unfortune, displayed an almost
woman,
degree of this noble quality of mind
doing, proved
; and, so
how
and
in
life's
the
is
faith
of the
strong
all-sustaining
extremity
Christian
Spiritualist.
The
first startlingintelligencethat her disease was
mortal
to
came
mind
The
a
so
prepared with wholly abated force.
sting was
already
taken
death ; nor, through the whole
from
after-trials and snffaringsoi
her physical frame, did she lose her equanimity or firm confidence
in
the future.
This calmness, indeed, became
the most
striking feature
of her long and painful illness.
It was
and
marked
to
so
profound
as
be almost
noticed
such by the eminent
phenomenal, and was
as
physi"

be

the

ENGLAND.

who

dans
well

attended
the

by

her

in

195

London

and

subsequently in France, as
frequently visited her during

Perigueux, who
earthly life.
** The
M. Magnus, of Paris, came
eminent
to the Chateau
composer,
Laroche
visit
Mrs.
weeks
of her earthly
to
Home
during the last three
almost
him
whilst
to play for her ; and
daily she asked
stay ; and
almost
tiful
beaulying placidly listeningto his music, her face assumed
an
On
she
he
had
finished
occasion
when
one
said,
expression.
hear more
playing : Those strains are very beautiful,but I shall soon
as

the latter

of

Bishop

part of her

"

'

beautiful
"

stilL'

of her
of

only
spiritmusic, sounding

and

vol.

last month

the

the

like

the

and

last two

her, heard

about

cious
deli-

words

L)
silver cord

The
was

Catholic

from, gives
The

the

exact

an

last

at

visits had

been

the

Perigueux,

who

equal

to

funeral," continues
of her

men-servants

the

could

hearse

who

for all.

had

There,

him

emo-

"

her

to

by

child, and

been

had

the

at

present
seen

never

one

hired
ever

sister asked

each

to be
persons
word
had a kind

near

to lead

that

the

and

four

"

Howitt,

Mrs.

dead

of

horse

they
body

loving look

ing
peasantry, instead of, as is customary, throwflowers
the coffin,first covered
it with
upon
"

fittest for her

Soon

and

The

earth

of their

of

burial-ground, saying

the

to

allow

not

of her

had

he

of

hers.'
her

At

"

kind

so

like

wept
he

of

hands

the

administered

were

that, 'though
for Heaven,
death-bed

many

many

already quoted

pages

touching account
resignation stirred in

remarked

who

within

and

sacraments

of

Bishop

There

last consolations

Home

in

Howitt,

the

Mrs.

by

1862.

Church

and

prelatewhose

beautiful

her

tions

Laroche

Mrs.

constant.

July 3rd,

on

Russian

own

received

religion were

"

her

of Ch"teau

the

loosed

was

priest of

no

miles

had

all those

perfectharmony of vocal
most
were
During
distinctlyheard,
sian
were
recognised as the chants for the dying used in the RusMrs.
Howitt
Church."
Incidents,
:
Mary
(" Li Memoriam,*' by
strains

of

months

first three

she, but

not
illness,

sounds.

the

the

Frequently also, during

months

last

garment, and

fittest for the

expression

love."

after the
many

parting, Mr.

tokens

just departed were

of

the

Home
nearness

received,

one

returned
of

to London.

the

of the most

spirit that
remark-

able

being

given
then

Brompton,
Hall.

It

than

''More

chairs

the

and

Hall

everywhere

"

of

Mrs.

with

863,

those

the

table,
the

and

us.

that

came

only

shook,

room

around

C.

S.

memories

year,

not

very

her

'Mis.

manifestations

usual

Mrs.

and

Mr.

in

West

Lodge,

Incidents."

"

the

writes

night,"

the

in

Hall

following

the

Howitt,

Mrs.

of

Mrs.*

by

Bannow

at

residence

related

is

stance

the

published

Home,
of

at

HOMK

OF

MISSION

AND

LIFE

196

but
'

were

raps

eminent

very

our

sculptor,

...

whose

engagements

been

Home),
this

fact

labour

and

not

often

sculptor

Home
"

^was

been

of

Mr.

Durham.

to

Mrs.

whom

are

made

her

(Mrs.

husband"
He

early

your

you.'

near

"

Sacha

hoiLsefiold.

own

for

Thanks

references

frequent

whom

his

in

of

bust

present

had

unceasing,

are

to

known
thus

have

finish

to

desired

even

message

eminent
to

Mr.

he

was

The

day

which

"

received

to

before

rising

works

public

on

ing
morn-

"

Hall
in

speaks"
her

letteK

197

CHAPTER

ENGLAND,
All

who

had

had

loved

her

of

treasured

as

lie before

me,

from

We
He

May
that
a

have

Robert

received

the

letter.

hidden

too

"

very,

the

meet

with

in

tears

in

of

and

cannot

write

in

but

happy,
Gibson

in another

that

carefully

delicate

dear

Mrs.

poor

had

Sacha.
of

of

state

begging

eyes,

notice

now.

child

yet with
I know."

her

his

happy

dear

you,

very
Mrs.

short

press

former

chapter
given of one

Home

now

me

before

"

wrote,
her

comfort
you

"

unspeakable

of the

some

who

^Mrs. Adelaide

"

to think

departure

to
wishing me
highly value.

over

very

me

"

I, who

her, for

feel

to write."

she

of

came,

for the

"

for her

with

to write

people !

are

of Mr.

sorrow

your

first

been

is

told you
you, and
husband
for
her
;

to

her, fearing the shock

written

much

I may
for you and

to-day," says

me

see

written

of

Grattan,^ too,

never

In

have

nothing

all

of

have

to

she

the

"

had

darling Sacha

Our
that

weep
is happy

came

will

it from

health.
me,

He

knows

Bell

that

she

that

"

news.

We

state.

were

to live here

so

spoke

loss

passages

whom

to

earth

of many

Out

two

or

friend

Gibson

Bell

"

Mr.

her

mourned

Home.

one

Milner

me

and

her

select

feeling of gladness
'*

for

from
gone
in which
friends

spirit now

letters

the

precious by

permit

happier

the

; and

letter of

the

dear, Mrs.
"

known

PARIS.

AND

ROME,

affection

their

VIL

her

have
I
...

can

in

knowing

it

is

of
Mr.

and

became

Senior.

"

so

well

beyond

knowing

Colley Grattan, M.F.

my

friend

pleased,"
of

spoke

gratefulto

darling
price.
that

so

wife

understand
your

dear

very
I am

sweet

your

very
picture, which

that

indeed

comfort

"

that

early Spiritual experiences

shall

her

for

indeed

feeling
your
is watching
I

have

darling

the
hus-

band

is

ever

near

letter

touching

of Mrs.

stances

My

"

He

so

and

has, through

in

Park

De

am

so

given

you,

Burgh,

been

Place

Milner

Mrs.

"

had

who

Hyde

Daniel,

dear

of Mrs.

is that

Gibson

Milner

of the

that

God

is

comfort."

this

me

I feel that

me.

grateful to

very

HOME.

OF

MISSION

AND

LIFE

198

friend

at

present

many

"

Gibson

told

has

that

me

the

fallen,and that you aro left alone.

probably not read my letter ; but I
you
in your
feel so truly and so deeply for you
that I cannot
heavy sorrow
resist writing.
and
She
was
so
charming
irresistiblyattractive
cerely
sinthat all who
knew
will mourn
her loved
her, and many,
many
I never
of
for her.
heard
her
but
the
with
one
speak
any
interest
She
and affection.
warmest
was
so
winning
so
bright and
she
is
I
realise
that
can
loving
hardly
gone.
**
I
but
feel there
is none
for such
I am
comfort,
writing strange
blow

long pending

so

I must

over

has

you

will

write, although

"

"

sorrow

as

yours

will

that

least, none

at

"

give way
sorrow,
Spiritualism will suffer, if it

you
for

strong

not

to

need.

You

think

as

friend

any

is

offer.

can

found

mourns

fail you
that
prove

to

of

without

hope;
in

now

this, and
sting from death, and

must

But
.

who

one

the

your

practical

left
enables
the one
good it supplies takes the
I
in
its
that
that
blessed
consolations.
to
rejoice
spirit may
pray
and
thus
be permitted soon
make
share
her
to communicate,
you
happiness.
her months
You
of trial,
soothed
and were
the tenderest
and best
"

of

nurses

sake

must

you

"

of her

health

Home's

Mr.

sensitive

and
no

for the

had
her

him, and

penalty of an
after week
passed
not

life that

was

of health

dwell

on

these

permitted,

dark
trial.

Home

his

most

suffer, none

It

his

terribly,he
system

bitter
soon

tiU

had

ness
cheerful-

and

food

without

As

he

not

was

nervous

and

fish
unsel-

him, and

strength
breaking down

almost

stantly
con-

strength which

last.

overtaxed

filled with

her

seeing

that

needed

more

forsook

the

to

and

much

How

failed

never

months

many

lovingly

so

the

; but

the

I will
a

watched

know

bestows

of the

devotion

gone.
suffered
in

tended

were

both

week

health

ing
by the rack-

shattered

was

had

could

affection

paid

shattered

your

indeed

was

had
who

nature

himself

cares

he

her

over

soothed

of

care

limitless

anxiety and
during which

but

take

now

child."

sleep.

or

moments
as

and

some

occupied himself

of
turn
re-

in the

ENGLAND,
of his

completion
he

SOME,

AND

first volume

of

had

de

obedience

in

at Paris

Komar,
to

then, returning
the

kind

to

London,

assistance

of Dr.

work.

completed
**

Incidents

in
and

of Robert

It

stances

from

summons

before.
friend

at the

the

of

Tuileries,
and
with

press,
his

Chambers,

now

the
title of
published, imder
troductio
My Life," in the spring of 1863, the inconcluding chapter being from the pen
was

Mrs.

her

Senior, Home

had

brother-in-law,

made

the

Mr.

Home,

the

"

was

them

convinced

of the

imposture

; and

to

" Co.
Longmans
An
early copy of the work
the Empress
of the French.
letter from
the Secretary
a

noted
nomy
Eco-

Political

Senior

Nassau

with

stances

impossibility of
the

on

buting
attri-

of

completion

publication of the

the

Incidents," obtained

ance
acquaint-

Senior, the

Nassau

Professor
of
politicaleconomist^ twice
in the University of Oxford.
Mr.
at various
investigated the phenomena

work

Messrs.

her

acknowledgments,

and

find
the

to

Mr.

by

sent

was

Empress,
it

translate

Sir,

"

^I hastened

"

work

the
to

that

place
did

you

in

the

me

has

Majesty

attention,

and

work

interest.

with

to

charged
to

say

you

Eeceive,

to

me

that

"

"

"

diced

"

Incidents

criticised

were

March,

1863.

of the

honour

of

press
Em-

ing
entrust-

inquiry
abuse.

in
to

Damas

Secretaire

Hinard,
des

Commandements"

widespread
spirit,from fair

dishonest

journalism,some

she

for your
you
will
this
read

attracted

every

True

Le

thank

"c.,
"

The

papers

conveying

hands

the

to

care.

my

"Her

to

Home
his

among

"I2th

of

Wal-

Empress;

prepared for the

Eobert

In

Chambers.

Through

by

which

autobiography,

years
visit to his

held

199

three

begun writing nearly

January, 1863, ^^ paid a short
dimir

PAEIS.

and

traditions

critics

reviewed

of
the

certain

book

and

impreju-

misrepresentation and

the

to

notice

rant
ignoclass

without

LIFE

200

it ; described

reading
turned

MISSION

AND

and

medium"

her

husband

Home

when

first

an

chapter

her, and

first met

"

were,

the

although

American,

an

tualist
Spiri-

ardent

"

as

Home

into

of his

first words

Mrs.

HOMK

OF

bom

was

near

Edinburgh."
I had

"

press,"wrote
of

Mr.

with

me

thank

Home

of those

and

candid

The

Spectator^ the

call for

Times

them.

"The

more

Mr.
Forces

'

in this
I

have

Herald

how

Grove

little

and

Mr.

shows
know

we

ter
charac-

the

Home

bestows

of

remarks

the

on

the

writer

"

more

he

wary

in

us

his

book

is

to

as

the

on

physical laws ;
hardly anything. All
as

know

of

Those

seen.

to

this

the

on

word

possible.'
imof

Correlatioi

'

lelationsof

is^that
these manifestations
to us
to be in the
highest degree improbable.
appear
here
But
met
we
are
that, improbable or not,
by evidence
have
taken
We
narrowed
to the alternative,that
are
they
place.
is an
either Mr. Home
impostor, or that spiritualismis true.
is very
Now
different
to
as
imposture. Assuredly Mr. Home
from
the ordinary type of an
impostor. When
only eighteen years
his
he
of
old,
career
began
mediumship by doing, or appearing to do,
tion
things so difficult as to involve almost a certainty of the early detecof any sort of deceit.
In 1852, Mr. Bryant^ the American
poet,
closed
that
joined with three others in a declaration
by saying,
that
We
know
not
deceived.'
were
we
nor
imposed upon
Again,
matter

spiritwe

not

that

learns, the

man

respect."

certainly deserve
"

Herald

Morning

the

and

the

for the fair

book
my
the
treated
subject.

they

portion of the

Morning

in the

to

Times,

candid

quote

have, however,

which

review

fair and

"

reviewed

journals named

two

of

who

in

tone

foul

the

speed.

special mention

The
other

"

commendable

some

for several

neglect of
journals fell

of

complain

to

reason

no

we

can

say

"

we

but

cannot

than

impostor
new

Home.

and

remark

they
to

use

that

twelve

were

his

manifestations
years

advantages

stronger effects
The

the

; but

spirithands

(by

now

might expect
experience and wealth

of

has

far the

said

not

We

ago.

this

are

not

most

have

been

the

difficult
been

case

more
a

to

borate
ela-

ful
success-

produce

with

manifestation

Ml
for

a
impostor
seen
early
produce)
very
period of his mediumship.
Again, an impostor always tries to weave
his deceptions into a system;
of sect
sort
some
generally to form
with
Now, Mr. Home,
temptation to do this, in that he has
every
of the
truth
of the
manifestations, not only does
persuaded so many
establish
to
for
himself
the high priest of
not
as
great position
try
any
an

to

are

to

at

LIFE

202

gentlemen
Home

Mr.

AND

MISSION

had

been

in

London,

HOMK

OF

at

present
in the

with

stances

numerous

ing
immediately preced-

years

1863.
The
the

first

the

was

allow

to

courage
It

Hon.

was

Colonel

his

letter

follows

as

Mr.

dear

stating that
presence,
and
at
my

"

of

own,

when

those

certain

could

whatever.

for

Believe

me

The
in

disbelieve

to

me

yours

second

for the

as

letter

to

first time.

remarkable

very

by

it

B.

Its writer
stances

"

My

have

much

of

to

those

me
"

scenes

Mr.

deab

and

been
what

in

and

you

others

which

evenings

like the

events, which,

Milner

Gibson's
Ktdm

Gabdkns,

Loeser

come

Mrs.

us.
me

yours

As
book

Paris

with

Kater

consists

taken

in

some
:

"

Pabx,

W.,

1863.

page

brought

back

forgotten.

in which

you

have

mentioned

perfectly remember
value
given much
you
and clearlyto the originalincidents.
Blument^al
in
Madame
and
health.
word

for word, I

I think

at

the

me

in

have

end
kind

of this week

to

remembrances

faithfully,

Mr.

nothing

from
unites

over

Kater

be

at

book,
reading your
witnessed
so
Having

narrated, every

manner

almost

hearing ; and
by keeping so well
your book
*'I hope you
better
are

it.

light

the

sees

present

in

can

never

quiet

and

witnessing

have

ham
Wilbra-

Colonel

finished

just

interested

Incidents

"

been

46, SuBSBX

have

"

much

very

much

I very
and

Home,

senses.

own

^'AprU^th,
"

impossible

was

now

Mrs.

at

or

^Wilbraham."

as

had

trick

they occurred

facts recounted
courageous
Mr.
Home

feel

any

of my

evidence

to

not

was

book, which

and

E.

your

friends

phenomena

in which

truly,

witness

his

; and

the

stances, in

produced

in

pleasure

intimate

your

rooms

I4l", 1863.

Apra

my
witnessed

have

been

very

"

Life

My

much

of

in

The

have

perfectlylighted;

always

were

have

Stbket,

two

described

not

Bbook

several

attended

houses

to

"

at the

similar

collusion

Home,

have

lished.
pub-

be

to

"46,

"My

Home

Mr.

to

had

who

Wilbraham,

Edwabd

pay

to

visit to

believe
; and
Katxb."

justlyremarks, the great value of the

its fidelity
to facts.
Nothing is added,
away;

Home

relates

the

events

of his

ENGLAND,
life

exactly as they occurred,

them

on

his

on

The

the

verdict

could

see

and

I do

and

which
Mr.

final

the

ment
judg-

admire

to

its

pressed
im-

them

among
Mrs.

"

"

Incidents

"

woman,

most

Home

hear.

Kater

Mr.

charming

know

not

203

That
of
ages.
of the blind
and

of the

candour

besides

many
writer

leaves

and

was

unpretentious

gifted
she

who

man

PARIS.

passed by future

be

to

generation

own

deaf

"

AND

ROME,

S.

in

that
Hall.

C.

book,'*

your

perfectly
taint
from
of self-glorification,
the facts
or
every
that
Then, referringto that
speak trumpet-tongued."
Mr.
Home
had
prudent timidity of friends for which
writes

to

"

simplicity, so

free

Quixotic

so

her

allowed
continues

"

Robert
given
Lytton's, and

Mr.

the

publishers were

In

the

of

portion

appearance
first edition
was

his

controversy. Home

published

evidence

of

certain
than

to

he

of Dr.

show

his

had

with

book

Brewster

Stevenson,

treated

been

Sir Edward
with

the

truth."

of the

dents,"
Inci-

**

nearly exhausted,

an

action

for libel.

he

dealt

with

the

the
brought forward
Carpenter, F.R.S., and Messrs.
had

Brewster

contemporaries

libel

their

worse

ened
threat-

now

and

action;

treated

even

Brewster

Home.

terminated

alarmed,

had

had

scientific

where

Sir David

that

(June, 1863)

from

geously
coura-

Incidents,"

and

the

threatened

had
"

patience

no

testimony

after
the

when

in the
appear
that
names
more

I have

Bell's.

two

Hall, who

for instance,

withholds

or

and

wish

only

that

month

to

name

Chambers',

"

cowardice

Mrs.

consideration,

Messrs.

mans,
Long-

with

connection

the

work.
Home

promptly

months

few
Not

word

with

later
was

second

erased

Brewster;

preface for the

the
Edinburgh
to

his list of the

new

or
on

of

edition

the

Hevietv,

Home,

the

contrary.

and

authorities

a
publisher; and
his book
appeared.

of

changed

edition, in which

mendacity.
It appears,'* said
"

another

sought

the

that

**

had

he

chapter

Home

wrote

added

Westminster

exposed

that, in

ing
deala

Arago,
Revieiiy

Brewster's

addition

to

his

LIFE

204

claims, Sir David

other
he

alone

he

denies

me

when

Brewster

sets

that

claim

up

of feeling. To
gifted with the power
all feeling,and
has coarsely and
untruly
the public as a cheat
and
an
impostor.

I prove

and

documents

by

independent

actually feels it, and

did
Brewster
not
bring a
he

character,

true

David

Sir

HOME,

OF

is

to

up

his

MISSION

AND

me

held
But

witnesses

complains."
libel

action.

when,
remark,
Perhaps he felt the force of Home's
for his statements, he added
after citing the authorities
:
Sir David
Brewster
It is a great pity that
did
not
vindicate
his
character
to
bring actions
against the
"

authors

of

against

whom

of these

some

he

attacking me."
This
preface
Eome

in

books,

made

December,

abortive

an

the

to

against Dr. Carpenter,

or

second

of

written

at

edition

where

1863,

threat, instead

was

Home

Mr.

had

gone

months
For
study art.
some
past the longing had
keen
the
possessed him to attempt turning to account
the
artistic
in
perceptions he possessed; and
career
to

which

he

of the

that

sculptor.

medical

such

in vain

was

to

point of

death

who

him,

unsuited

from

determined

was

It

likely to

most

to

career

had

with

of

was

twice

gratify his

all

already
of

aflfections

succeed

the

was

friends, especially

that

friends, remonstrated
that

him

warned

himself

believed

him,

and

others

most

been

at

lungs.

the

Home

longing; the more

threatening him, as

so

his
pecuniary diflScidties were
of his wife's little fortune
right to the inheritance
was
He
had
made
very unjustly disputed by her relatives.
the acquaintance in London
of some
eminent
sculptors,
that

Mr.
to

Rome,
In

those

Hall.
of

the

declared

1863
year
where
artists
of

Mr.

I need
Halls
it

others

and
with

; and

of

some

before

going
took

these, and

art.

the

houses
"

consulted

he

in the

lessons

Boehm,

Mr.

Durham,

and
not

and

he
of
Mrs.

bring
the

publicly;

was

visitor

at

two

description congregated
every
Howitt
Mrs.
and
Mr.
and

fonvard

Howitts
and

often

all

evidence

of the

faith

Spiritualism all four

had
four, be it marked^
in

"

ENGLAND,
commenced

sceptics.
of

idea
I did

laughed,"

spirit giving

Mrs.

wrote
a

Mr.

and

I
had

both

Howitt
of
some

from

interesting

passages.
Home

Mr.

that

Frdend,

dbab

will

gratifyyou.

not,

on

sacred

so

feeling; so
testimony
Mrs. Cowper
Sacha; and

dear
dear

words

very

it

to send

all she

me

memoir

quoted

her

rous
nume-

the

shows

spirit in

written

was

:"

the little article *In Memoriam'

I had

After

Mrs.

have

from

said

beyond my own
is, I believe,as

whole

be.

can

the

select

like to have

much

they

1861

year

which

vestigate
in-

to

; but

more

I would

personal experience
strictlytrue as any
remarks, I asked
my

written

remembered

could

or

tell

of

me

in the
almost
singularly her testimony was
written.
This
had
cause
most
was
satisfactory,bealready
clear and
beautiful
confirmation
of my
own
a
sions.
impres-

was

Do
first I

the

the

that

one

earnestlyhope

subject,go

that

human

"

I should

borne

led

were

graceful sketch

loving and

has

"Incidents"

Home,

to

table.

Spiritualists; and

the

to

the

at

original incredulity.

by

Mrs.

friend

which

My

but

"

on

raps
husband

Howitt

zealous

become

letters

and

know,

not

contributed

her

"

William

Mrs.

do

his

absolute

Hall,

by
Her

angry."
equally emphatic testimony to
How

205

S. C.

message

I became

worse,

PARIS.

investigation of the subject as

the
"*

AND

EOME,

write

most

to me,

and

how

say

for

like

you

the

It

article.

is the

first
publication
any spiritualsubject
in which
believer
is publicly given as
in these
name
a
glorious
my
truths ; and
I feel pleased that it is in connection
with
whose
one
is so
sweet.
so
lovely, and whose
stay amongst us was
memory
I
and
best
dear
united
kind
With
wishes,
our
friend,
regards
am,
wrote

ever

on

the

"

"

M.

ever,

yours

Mr.

Hall

Home's

were

firm

in

commenced

honest

more
were

acquaintance

present in 1855
Mr.

and

Mrs.

i860.
and
at

and
the

than

candid.

with

their
loss

S. C.

various

Home

at

They

convictions

and

Mrs.

Brewster,

Crossland.

Newton

suflFered much

Mr.

Among

stances

declared
Spiritualists,

Crossland

with

Howrrr."

who

Ealing,
became

; and

persecution

quirers,
in-

in

Mr.
sequence.
con-

S. C. Hall,
They were
acquainted with
He
then
only
a
scepticconcerning the manifestations.
of what
they had seen
laughed at his friends' accounts
at

Ealing

and

elsewhere

; but

on

making

in

his

turn

LIFE

2o6

acquaintance of Mr.
lifetime was
vanquished.
Hall

his

present),the

being
*

brother

laughter
given

me)

to

indeed,
can

up
remember

and

was

to

in

son.

to

oi

one

her

this

understood;
could

not

been

my

iaiV

; he

the

end."

her

remember
and

one

as

of

warm-hearted

call

firiend;

her

friends

dearest

but

have

puUed

you

my

requested
(it excited

and

difference

; the

and
enabling her to counsel
encourage
of
the
of
mother
something
spirit
a
speaking to
from
Letters
Home
fully
carevery dear friends, Mr.

of

I received
first

the

Durham.
will

there

of

Mrs.

period of twenty years, and as

outspoken and affectionate.
1863 and 4 show Mrs. Hall
years
cordially in Home's
project of

that
am

have

hundreds

remain

letter

your

learning of

heart, and
to

S. C. Hall

name
or

ages

letters

Mr.

up

the

it.

was

nearly

to

distinction

it,
wore
queue
Few
living
persons
suffered
to grow
long;

in

behind

"

the

wore

gifted, charming,
was
a
privilege to

interesting herself
becoming a sculptor.
on

hair

1884
:

father

my
HalL'

not
test

of

narratiye

was

Cork

in

met

in

of
persons
When

were

was

buried

was

the

Mrs.

as

**

it

convincing
we

ribbon

preserved; and
Hail's,extending over
interesting as they are
The

if he

his time, he

queue
black

was

their

of

the

It

Home

time

death, and

most

women.

and

his

knew

who

the

him

last

The

tied with

All

in

'

came

party, by whom

and

one

to ua

father,Colonel
answer
given

The

conclusive

military officers

all

of

the

more

(some

asked

Your

sure.

me

among

that

knew

my

being,

answer

to make

test

some

Home
father

announced,

was

the

"

spiritof

'

Hall

Robert

Like

Daniel

i860, sittingwith

"In

friends

his

to

Mr. Home
experiences with
incident
public. I copy his

the

made

incredulity of

the

frequently related

has

earliest

he

HOMK

Home,

the

Mr.

OF

MISSION

AND

late

Saturday,"

on

project;
sure

you
in his

one

"

and

have

she

wrote

the

writes
at

once

in his

comer

studio, if there

is

one

spare."
It

essays

seems

that

in the

of 1863.

It

of Dr.

art

there

made

were

was

there

EUiottson

already described;

Mrs.

; and

not

was

and
was

so

at

Dieppe

then

that

shattered

Milner

Gibson

Mr.

Home's

in
the
in

the
angry
the

being

first

autumn

dulity
incremanner
one

of

JINGLAND,
the

of the

witnesses

AND

EOME,
wonderful

PAEIS.

207

his

in

change wrought

A letter of
by his two stances with Home.
Mrs.
S. C. Hall
have
also
to
February, 1864, shows
when
there :
Elliottson
been
at Dieppe
was
of the Times
Mr.
Dallas
at dinner
was
opposite me
Warde's
Mr.
Hall.
"He
Mrs.
at
yesterday," writes
the table, Dr. Elliottson
said across
is attending me
sentiments

"

"

"

know

do

you
Almost

'

him

saw

In

repeated
Dieppe.*

at

years
He
was

Spiritualism?
altogether so, when

was

'

intending sculptor
six weeks

For

artist

he

but

the

on

quietly

with

colony there,

went

sued
pur-

of

several

of

2nd

to

January,

proof that the Papal Government

forgotten nor
forgiven his refusal, eight

neither

had

in

"

acquainted

received

864, he

he

art.

the

it among
he was

whom

his

study

to

believer

1863, the

November,

Borne

is almost

he

before,

let the

to

before

summoned

gates dose

monastery

chief of the

the

upon
Broman

him.

police,

subjected to a long interrogatory,and finallyordered,

the
within
three
on
ground of sorcery, to quit Rome
days.
Home

Mr.

at

English Consul;
with

that of

was

somewhat
in
"On

Consul

himself

claimed

once

the

protection of

the

of whose

the result

intervention, joined
distinguished personage
friendlyto Home,

incorrectly related
by
that
writing to
journal :

the

Times

spondent
corre-

"

British
morning," said the correspondent, "the
Monday
the
Governor
of
and
Rome,
saw
Monsignor Matteucci,
plained
combe interfered
that any British
with
in consesubject should
quence
stated
that Mr.
of his opinions. He
Home
had
conducted
in a strictly
during his residence in Rome
legal and gentlemanly
manner

; and

demanded

that

the

obnoxious

of

rescinded.

order

should

be

of

fascination, of
Monsignor spoke
dangerous powers
of all the practices of the black
the prohibition by the Government
Mr.
Home's
assented
to
art ; and
of
finally
remaining, on condition
his entering into an
engagement, through Mr. Severn, that he would
with
all communications
the spiritualworld
desist from
during his
stay in Rome."
Mr.

could

Home
not.

entered

Nothing

into
was

no
more

such

engagement.

common

with

him

He
than

LIFE

AND

for manifestations

to

2o8

their

nothing to prevent
written
promise that he
of Rome,

^'

word
my
I will have

in Rome
much

stance
there

Rome

that, stances
the

once

made

hold

and

not

impossible to

was

be

added,

to

their

of

allow

him

on

been

in Rome

that

his

have

that

tations
manifes-

It deserves

of the
weeks

letters

to

defunct

preceding

had

retaining
Mr.

been

them

"

No,"

deU-

study

to

be

cannot

character?"

him

the

Governor

replied Monsignor

the

During
had

Home's

interviewed

two

months

watched,

is without

character

station

of

mark

by

Humbert,
ness's

Naples

in

he

and

blemish.

permitted

was

The
at

believe

we

But

has

he

Rome

is

; and

he

favoured

with

Nice, where

and

escorted

was

of

his

to

friends

in

the

way
rail-

Rome,

as

Home

in

Mrs.

Naples
Milner

presented

was

invitation

an

pleasant stay

and

public protest against his

Prince
present King of Italy, then
Naples at the time ; and by his E[igh-

Mr.

command

number

sympathy

expulsion.

at

four

Home's

who
personage
his
behalf.

left for

Home

but

leave

go."

must

should

abstention, it

methods

the

authorities

tve

and

sorcerer,

of

nothing.

"

Matteucci,

of the
for

say
such

remain.

to

anything against

high

Rome

mined
deter-

at leisure.

Is there

asked

were

that

to

spite of

in

that

him, the

contents

"

unable

occur

Papal Government,
the expulsion none
vered

of

falselyinformed

was

was

characteristic

as

Governor

stances. Home

Consul

stay
avoid, as
my

himself
promise ; and Home
was
to
quit the Papal territory, the
that, since he could
only promise

being

would

the

still,who

powers

"

Spiritualism."

upon

behind

but

his

stance,

no

I will

no

British

ordered

more

excuse

or

broken

had

Home

to

The

city.

that

higher

were

follows

as

stance, and

of the

request

during

held

was

actual

that

conversations

could

The

gentleman

no

possible,all

as

No

as

he

and

happening.

the
at
gave,
word
for word

was

give

HOME.

unexpectedly,

occur

do

Governor

OF

MISSION

to
was

Court

followed

Gibson

was

to

him,

ball.

by
then

few
among

and
short

weeks
the

life

full of

so

of diflferent years.

events

incident

sometimes

myself compelled

I find

together the

group

of

narrative

of Home,

that

as

the

writing

In

HOME.

OF

MISSION

AND

LIFE

2IO

to

Were

I to

and
to
pany
accomchronological sequence,
and
Home
Mr.
one
step by step in his thousand
rather like a record
read
journeys, these chapters would
of travel than
a biography.
of
about
to group
I am
together the incidents
now
the years
1863 and 1864, so far as they relate to London.
strict

preserve

Home

English metropolis during those

various
At these
frequent stances.
John
were
present, including Mr.

in the

much

was

held
years, and
English celebrities

two

Mr.

Daniel

Cooper.

the

manifestations

Sir

Charles

effect

Sir

his

avowing
the

to

In

made

*^

no

belief, but

Mr.

second

Home's

that

the

Spiritualists

from

old

feelings

the

carried

my

the

reader.

friends

proclaiming

of
it

of
and

timid

"

Incidents,"

lished
pub-

interestingperiod of

that

over

friends
of

of

volume

1872, he passes
life,the early summer
returned
to England,

for

saying

unavowed

shrank

he

and

world.

revisit

to

for

by

Buskin

presently put before

his
scruple among

in

his

of Mr.

reasons

them

to render

I shall

Cooper

D.

deeply impressed

were

I have

Sir

and

Nicholson,

witnessed

they

was

that

reasons

"

Charles

four

All

Nicholson

them

on

Sir

Kuskin,

Bright,

864, with
then

the

brief remark,

crossed

Atlantic,

Consideration

in America."

inquirers

the

could

hardly

be

higher pitch.
Mrs.
S. C. Hall
Mr.
that
was
through Mr. and
Mr.
Sir
D.
the
Euskin,
Bright, and
Cooper made
The
letters of Mrs.
S. C.
acquaintance of Mr. Home.
HaU
during the years 1861, 2, 3, and 4, are fortunately
numerous
they have
materially assisted me
; and
very
facts
in arriving at the
of that portion of Mr.
Home's
English experiences I am
now
dealing with.
to

It

Before

speaking

of

Mr.

Bright

and

Mr.

Ruskin,

take
the opportunity those
letters give me
to
may
say
few
of
less
words
a
a
man
intellectually
distinguished,
but

who

was,

believe, in

some

sort

social, artistic,

ENGLAND,

AND

ROME,

PAEIS.

211

literarycelebrity in London
a
quarter of a century
Mr.
Heaphy.
ago
of an
To
begin with, he is the hero
dote
amusing anecHall.
related
"Mr.
in
by Mrs.
Heaphy looked
in
on
Sunday evening," she writes
February, 1864;
Old
amused.
and
hear, has
are
so
we
Lady P., we
carried
has written
been
it
on
up to the ceiling and
she
told this to Mr.
know,
Heaphy, saying, 'Do
you
I am
Now
Mr.
a
floater!
Heaphy^s deafness
played
and

"

**

"

him

know,

you
about

was

at

change

in

his

even

it is

again

It

Mr.

Heaphy

the

said, 'Do
went

Lady

poor

"

mind

Lady P.," but

the
mysterious
last

here
do

night,"

rejoice

through

the

at
means.

your

spirit rises

tion
against convicbrought right by the wonders

information
Sacha's

darling
a
blessing

me

such

is

old

by

**and

Heaphy

world,

called

marvellous

the

tells

improved.

his

now,

seen,

He

of

man

Heaphy

wrought

has

him.

Mr.

"

then

had

changed

impressed
diflFerently
1861

; and

portrait

he

has

you
is

gave

greatly
brought

been

you."

to

As

reference

whose

Heaphy,
a

clever

in

Sometimes,

had

she

bloater."

Hall

Mrs.

So

Spiritualistlike

Home.

writes

thought

Spiritualism

very

"giftof

he

bloater!^

Yarmouth

joke

could

he

am

cool-headed,

he

tellinghow

into

P.

trick, and

bad

portrait of

make

his

himself
formed

the

most

eminent

of

was

He

Home.

Mrs.

attached

Heaphy

was

genius

convictions

an

Hall's

ii^ Mrs.

public ;
and

letter
versatile

had

never

but

in

friend

sincere

design of studying
who

sent

of

the

him

an

artist

indicates, Mr.
order, painted
the

private

to
courage
he showed

when

; and

sculpture

introduction

Rome,

at
to

it

of the

one

the

colony there,

Home

sculptor

Gibson.

"My
many

dear
reasons

writes

Dan,"
that

are
you
could
have

last; though I
Paris
instead, that

might

Heaphy,
back

in

wished
have

"I

am

the

old

that

you

better

glad for
place at
were

at

chance

of

AND

LIFE

212

coming

to

see

introduction
"

will

You

Edward

have
on.

tells

of

many

in

commenced

of

the

how

you
Thos.

Heaphy."

he

when

at

who

England ; and a letter of Mrs.

distinguished investigator to

the

accepted
rather,
widow
The

time

absent

S. C. Hall's
have

appear

stance.

at

was

you

getting

are

English, or,
Makdougall Gregory,
present

may

when

well-known

Possibly

1863,

year

Rome,

at

Adieu!

hear

an

friends

week.

Spiritualist,Mrs.
of Professor
Gregory, to be
Mr. Home,
medium
not
was
the

number.

the

Scottish

from

one.

for

wish

you

investigations of Spiritualism

Buskin's

invitation

me

London

our

by the Holy
an
opportunity let us
Yours
truly,
ever

to have

HOME.

I enclose

"

Rome

Mr.

the

wife

Stirling among

in

be

OF

My

you.
to Gibson
find

MISSION

declares

been

very

favourably
un-

was

one

impressed.
little

Some

evening

the

at

Buskin

he
were

real

or

Bertolacci

ought

to

true

have

to

impression

pretended
Mr.

Bertolacci, who

Mr.

of

an

appears

unfavourable

"

to

"

he

had

discussion;

and

Mrs.

on

as

Hall)

rest

that
meet

"knew

"

rest

"

Mr.

she

from.

the
at

once

He

had

Home

hope

which

to

Buskin

Mr.

his
with

you

man

burst
"

we

and

could

well, "c., "c.

so

if you
be

no

out

into

(Mr.

and

And

then

the

was

the

fact

about."

came

The

that

"

asked

wonderful

your

the

mediums

Hall,

He

"

Mrs.

the

by

gifts there
doubt.'
this, the whole
Upon
family
belief
their
in all your
that
goodness

added,

of

seen.

writes

him,"

The

something

him

mediumship.
be depended

your

man

'Of

told

see

on

was

Home.

Mr.

for

said

made

that

"

Buskin

Mr.

acquaintance
Spiritualism came
up

topic of

"

of

house

and
Spiritualist,

Mr.

afterwards,

time

at

Mrs.
ended

to

of

eminent

so

by expressing
The

stance.

wish

Mrs.

refers

Hall

S. C.
a

penned the letter

willingly promised

convert

the

desire

Bertolaccis

Hall

to

municated
com-

and, delighted

to

Home

to

Spiritualism,

just quoted

stance;

and

the

Halls, who

had

In

My

"

adds,

three

^he

"

to

stay with

if his

friend

is all

Either
Ireland

the

second

stance

of

14th

of

regret leaving town

Ruskin"

Mr.

the

could
Hall

Mrs.

if

is,' he

you, the
his friend ;

be

and

was

so

apathetic yet energetic nature

evening; and do, dear friend, go

followed

by

for

greatly

interested

about

catch

to

hold

to-morrow

occurs

him

to

the

on

"We

anything

of his

for

for

wait

am

leave

to

writes:

know

me

it

or

not

just now.
let

do

R.

is

exactly eight."

stance,

they

1864,

will

who

that

finally obliged

were

that

June,

about"

thought

eve

There

selves, Mr.

two

Halls

the

on

it/

sent.
pre-

Monday

friend

land,
Ire-

"

on

clergyman

"

comes

bring

may

him

our

have

we

he

writes

Ruskin

^Mr.

wishes

"

Hall

Mrs.

"

if

asks

Bertolaccis

that

Friend,

dear

evening
coming

letter

next

213

the

on

their

her

PARIS.

point of starting for

journey for a few days to be

been

deferred

AND

ROME,

ENGLAND,

his

in

own

home."
What
the

; Mr.

summer

know

if he

The

HaUs

Ruskin

has

occurred

had

that, whatever

but
Mrs.

Hall's

and

phrase,

"

affectionate

even

Home

their

of

tone

writes

England.

**

he does

But

adds, underlining the

In

the

early

America.
the

eve

which

of his
I omit
"

the

was

you

are

Mr

Home,

truly doing

me

"

It

the

the

so

letters

"

to

Hall

Mrs.

again left

had

Mr.

about,

Home
to

^'

she

to

his

of

you

greatest service

and

to

on

from

"

ing
concern-

"

Hill, ^th September

Denmark

nice

Ruskin

Mr.

Ruskin

own

for

sailed

subjoined letter
of Mr.

answer

is

Home

written

and

'*

Dbar

convinced

confidences

some

him, the friendly,

subsequent

1864,

had

departure,

twenty ;
had, in

stances

of

not

emphatically.

of
he

I do
or

ivish it talked

not

words

autumn

Evidently

himself

"

his

later, when

months

some

"

hold

caught

Home

those

number,

sufficientlydemonstrates.
Only fancy Ruskin
being

"

Mr.

of

most

spoken.

never

with

stances

two

in Ireland

were

like

help

me

that

!
one

1864.

I believe
human

being
I

AND

LIFE

214

do

can

deserve

far

so

another

feeling and
left,being

in

indeed
I
this way, and
and
noble
understand

in
I

can

hope
right

affection

though I have myself little feelingor

with
indignation as far as regards the

"

out

worn

HOMK

OF

trusting mo

trust, that

your

affection

MISSION

genend

world.
.

Till March

"

did

long

that

write

not

for

is

wait

to

week

for I

"

"

"

And

to

come

way,

that

wild

In

this

far

as

you,

precious

ever

by

men

Home

Mr.

the

written

was

in

two

or

Russia.

and
that

time

day

It

following

every

be preserved
you
better in health

us

J.

Buskin."

would

from

much

to

seem
man

but
and
and

Sympathy

whose

nature

none

all his life stood

who

loosed

calumny

and

from

be

May

peace.
back
to

than

of him

nothing

returned

spent only
France

knew

who

shall

friend."

new

target for the shafts of abuse

him

in America.

spiritof the time,

affection left,I feel for

sensitive, and

more

safe

too

Home,

to

you are
back.

away

safe.

the

with

my

quite

but

in

London,

before

letter

undated

name.

May,

have

to

but

1865,

for

leaving

been

of

as

against

his

America

seems

into town

going

were

you

letter

Buskin

expect

feeling and

with

liking were

not

warfare

his

I have

as

sympathise
was

Do

"

by

out

worn

at

pleasant letter, Mr.

in effect

say

more

come
you
leisure and

country,^ and brought

affectionatelyyours,

Ever

happier.

moment

me

line to say

the

me

then

hope,
in

and

see

sure

Saturday's

my

fault

all my
if I could
get

told

never

"

really isn't

it

not

was

but

on
Monday
you
Monday, and I thought
"Well
do please write
me

you
before

and

"

this

at

Hall's

Mrs.

:"

Saturday NighL
"Dear
Mr.
I

Friend,

Rusk

am

on

in

so

"

proud
to
Monday
so

Denmark

I have

"

I cannot
of

please tell

"

so

we

this, and

such

received

lend

the

you

quote

can

possession

and

him

even

but

it

take

Hill;

just

of

shall
hold

Mr.

him

'

I'm

to

all the

fast

of it for

coming

Home,

have

charming

loan

drive

drive

single look,
o'clock

one

him

time

Monday

on

at

from

note

to

over

besides

"

till I

morning

come.'
"

I have

I write

by

would

you

(who
"

would

written

to

Mr.

Ruskin
to catch

to

night's post
forego any engagement
not !) and

to

Well, that

all I

was

could

say

that

you

at Cox's

you
to

say.

spend
Nothing

few

can

of his letter."

The

Civil

War

was

then

have

Hotel

raging.

"

escaped
that

hours

exceed

"

that

am

sure

with

him

the

ality
cordi-

ENGLAND,
The

of

winter

England,

to

he

received

Yearns

on

Mr.

kind

your
Your

Home,

from

write, and

see

Mr.

that

say

desire

that

October

for

My

on

Daniel,

dear

it, of course,

various

giving
of rejoicing.

Ruskin

Mr.

"

note

he

called

received

evening

new

AthenflBum?"

the

long
As

for you
talk on

of the

here

to

with

all your

old

readings
to-day.

Carter

desires

dear
I wish, my
If
could
his friend.
you

unable

is

in

and

"

looking

give

to

that

stances

wishing

so

him

and

^"

fix
or

at

Street),"only

Sloane

Ruskin.

Mr.

you

could

here

"

full

are

enclose

to

Daniel, you

to

worn

friends

me

meet

story ^

the

He

ill. We

had

joiced
re-

such

the

made

indirect, but

together
^

The

letters

of the

him

on

leave

and

particularsof that talk,

preceded it, I have printed

the

had

testimony that such

been
preserved afford

reader,

ringing

is

me

dated

"

town

to

nine

but

write

then

was

no

over

Hall's

Mrs.

him.

it,and

have

Spiritualism.''

instead

Home;

account

the

^but oh ! he

"

am

of

(the Spiritual Athenaeum

attend

please do

year.

during 1866,
meet
again

soon

Ruskin

Mr.

"

here

from

receive

to

All

"

for

I may,
and
believe
J. Ruskin."

London

in

letter

friend's

1865.

you

happy

they might

i6th, 1866, that

stance

"

find, from

months,

an

much

was

thank

to

you

December,

2^

probably gratified;but on this point

of speaking
positively. Passing

means

or

Please

Home

Ruskin*s

was

was

you.

only

aflfectionately
yours,
As

and

last it

at

soon

Mr.

of New

way

reproachfully
stayed by me
I was
time, and
deep summer
in at night too
tired
to
came
late.
But
I hope I
too
now

the

"

Hill,

is

wish

to

America

it was
day by day
all day long,
out

Denmark

^This

"

letter, and

letter

me

Malvern,

at

greeting :"

Dear

may

j"rom Russia

back

Gully
Ruskin
by

Mr.

by
**

"

215

visit to Dr.

letter written

PAEIS.

Home

1865 brought
while

and

AND

EOME,

it

with

adoption

by
now

the
of Mr.

the

none

from

Mr.

deep
his
to

Ruskin

as

favourable

and

experiences with
the
judgment of

corroborative
Home

conclusive

less

by Mrs.

Lyon.

evidence

have
pression
imMr.
the

of

LIFE

2i6

Other

Mrs.

Hall.

Mr.

Ruskiii

the

statements

portions of

she

took

Bright's introduction
place through the Halls, and

than

that

of

whose

Euskin.

Mr.

to

Spiritualism; but as
hearsay, I have confined myself to the
speaks from her personal knowledge.

are

where
passages
John
Mr.

refer

also

letters

her

with

connection

in

HOME.

OF

MISSION

AND

description

The
of

at

first

his

earlier

an

Wason

Mr.

also

Home

Mr.

to

of
has

stance

date
pool
Liver-

already

friend
of a once-noted
intimate
an
given, was
derful
politician,Mr. E. Beales ; and his relation of the wonexcited
the
rest
intehe
had
witnessed
phenomena
and
curiosity of Mr. Beales, who, through Wason,
been

obtained

friend,

his

beheld

he

introduction

an

vividly impressed

was

and

Home.

to

it

his

was

of

instrumental

Star

the

Beales

In

John
the

he

Bright
the

been

with

the

house

the
was

with

Halls,

The

evening
"In

Mr.

Mr.

in the

columns

Spiritualism,"
i6th,

it

to

was

1862,

Mr.
**I

mind

my

desire

with

to

whom

winter

witness

Home

of

his

inspired

acquaintance

an

of the

narrative

1862-3,

and
and

stances

Mr.

friend

investigate
bour
neighnear

was

holding

Mr.

Beales

quent
fre-

municated
com-

at their
Bright's wish to them, and a stance
ingly,
accordMr.
John
was
appointed.
Bright came
bringing with him Mr. Lucas, managing editor of
Star.
other
sitters
the
Morning
Among
present
whose
of her own
narrative
a
lady
early experiences
Home
Mr.
has already been
given, Mrs. Adelaide

Senior.

of

present,

Being

stances

that

you

ing
hav-

my

had

phenomena.
of

October

duty."
Beales, by his

his turn, Mr.

which

Home,

letters

to

the

open

of

assure

and

pleasure

throwing

the

induced

regards

As

discussion

Mr.

to

unfeignedly

very
both

at

the

to

writes

in

that

its columns
'*

like

Beales,

manifestations

the

by

influence

to open
Morning Star newspaper
the subject of Spiritualism.
on

been

Mr.

little

is from

D.

D.

Home's

Bright

of

the

occurrences

of

the

her.

present at one
stances
in the house
S. C. Hall, to which
of Mr.
been invited,he having expressed a strong wish

1862," writes

November,

John

I know

had

Mrs.

Senior, "I

was

LIFE

?i8

ful for the

AND

made

both

mrost

wishful

Mr.

on

Lucas

invitation

An

Hall

writes

from

to

; but

accepted

Carter

"

Mr.

Probably
second

has

had

Hall

cannot

present

on

Home's

Mr.

Friday.

He

4, Hanovkb

when

occasion

"

to

nth

the

next,

manifestations

Majf 6, '64.

Stbkkt,

his

me

great

wish

expected;

he

may

inst,
whom

Tite, M.P.,

Mr.

to

papers

"

an

note

on

Would
Wednesday
Hall,
f
suit you for another
sittingwith Mr. Home
think
know, has several times expressed
you
he

melancholy

following letter froiphim

the

among

Mr.

dear

Mrs.

after next
or
so
hopes the week
He
is evidently deeply impressed."
ultimately present at a
Bright was

"

"My

and

appointed

day

come

are

given

was

most

Both

Bright.

the

been

but

I find

stance.

S. C.

Mr.

of

he

Bright, saying

of town,
out
goes
to be fortunate.

eve

the

on

John

and

had

me

again.".
you
stance
second
a

meet

to

assured

he

which

impression

HOME,

OF

MISSION

to

and

if he could
come.
gratify him very much
suit
hut
if
other evening, Saturday
will
hest,
me
some
Wednesday
excepted, can only he set apart for it, I will try to come.
^*
kind
will
trouhlesome.
think
You
I hope you
not
mo
were
I hope you
to propose
to come
a
again, and
day.
enough to ask me

it would

"

able

bo

may

believe

his

conversing

he

that

I have

in

September
Peebles
**

when
the
some

J.

he

will

with

Peebles,
this

1870,

any
but
in

had

Lecturing
travels

in

talk

in

with

America,

Europe,

Mr.

"

England
transpired quite

I
an

dined

D.

Home's

He

could

with

He

John

said

he

had

manifestations.
attribute

Bright,

conversation

earnest

subject of Spiritualism.

wonderful.

Home

time, and

his

on

in

D.

public

to add
to
person
United
States
consul,

Spiritualism.

on

stated

of

Mr.

me

Bright."

of another

evidence

about

3,

While

made

never

thmk

not

John

subject,the

M.

England

Bright

Mr.

the

Mr.

theirs.
was

that

testimony of Mr. Hall

Mr.
Beales,
Hall,
as
reported by Mrs.
declared
freely the impression made
on
the

on

of

that

him.

and

Home,

Bright has
experiences

Mr.

of

show

Mr.

Very truly yours,

account

and

with

to arrange

intrusive.

them

upon
witnessed

They
to

no

were
cause

ENGLAND,
it be

except

the

spirits.
do

not

that

say

But,'

he

is

so

this

back,

pages

like

and,

man,

had

He

Home,

manifestations

the

make

his

Home's

their

belief

in

of the

of

to

let their

"Of

in

Home;

"but

their

E.

B.

of

and

The

that

English

to

the

of

the

moters
pro-

the

natures
sig-

who

had

Home's

sence
pretimid

too

were

either

witness
S.

C.

Robert

Hall

in
Mr.

to

Sir

Chambers,

Nicholson

Charles

of

genuineness

in

Mr.

will

"

at

world.

be

to

wrote

others

Sir

be

testimony

of the

all

Mr.

should

wish

nearly

ready

public,"

Lytton,

his

them

by

to

after

1864,

conviction

forth

am

will

with

courage

up

him, that

sympathy

found

or

stances

obtain

go

the

some

to

witnessed

was

course

referred

to
naturallywas
distinguished Englishmen

names

private

of

address

it

; but

amiable
very
timid
one.
very

In

Spiritualism.

phenomena

"

summon

Rome,

address

privately expressed
the

not

from

of various

of

true, it is the

have

number

of

I
been

public.

declaration

caution,

genuineness of
probably satisfied of their spiritual

convictions

once

due

immortality.'

men,

could

he

expulsion
planned an

friends

at

and

but

origin;

have

convinced

entirely

was

of

whom

amiable

present

disembodied
intelligent,

with

have
to

219

if it be

; but

to

seems

many

been

of

added,

strongest tangibleproof we
Sir Charles
Nicholson,
few

PARIS.

alleged,that

one
'

AND

EOME,

and

others

and

the

be

both?"
It

found

was

that

ultimately took
form.

But

if timorous

world,

Sir

Charles

declared

it

writes

Gardens,"
Charles

at

his

Nicholson

1865:

"Sir

Charles

to

in
Hall

about

began

again, writing

faith

his

woudd

public
the

to
to

seem

monial
testi-

have

friends.

S. C.

Mrs.

And

publishing

Lamocks

the

of

private, instead

of

perfect believer.
bravely with the Lamocks."

now

not,

Nicholson

freelyto

dinner

"At

would

they

Carter

Mr.

Nicholson

Home

Palace

Kensington
to

Mr.

Home,

Sp