_Supt. Royal Blind School, Broomhill, Sheffield._ * * * * * The Testimony of JAS. P. SKELTON, ESQ., OF BELFAST (_The account tells how Mr. Skelton obtained a photograph of his mother, and how later, with two friends, he was present when the famous message from the late Dr. W. J. Crawford was obtained on a photographic plate of their own, under strict test conditions. See figs. 3 and 4._) I have known Mr. Hope for four or five years now, and have sat with him about a dozen times as well as being closely associated during his and Mrs. Buxton’s two visits to Belfast. On January 4th, 1922, my mother passed to the higher life. I was summoned to Blackburn on Saturday, January 28th, 1922, and as I could not return to Belfast sooner than the Monday night, I decided to make a visit to Crewe with the hope that I might get her photograph. I wrote to Mr. Hope and made an appointment for the Monday morning, January 30th, 1922, and received his reply agreeing. On the night before I crossed to England, we held a brief circle at home, and by means of a small table, my mother manifested. I told her of my intention of going to Crewe and the time that I would be sitting, and she signified that she would do her best to get through. I arrived in Crewe on the day arranged (about 10 a.m.), and found that Mrs. Buxton was ill in bed and could not sit. Naturally I was much disappointed. Mr. Hope noticing it, said, “Never mind, we will sit without her and do the best we can.” Mrs. Buxton’s daughter sat in her place, Mr. Hope and myself completed the circle. The usual methods were adopted. The packet of plates which I bought in Crewe about five minutes before I reached 144, Market Street were lying on the table during the course of the sitting in full view of all. Mr. Hope and I then proceeded to the dark room, where I initialled the second two plates in the packet, and loaded the slide with them. Never once did Mr. Hope touch them. Miss Buxton and Mr. Hope arranged the camera, etc., after which I handed Mr. Hope the slide. He exposed the two plates and I afterwards developed them myself. On the first was the face of my mother, just as she appeared a few days prior to her death. The plate was hurriedly dried and a print was made for me to take with me, both Mr. Hope and Mrs. Buxton, who knew her recognised it at once. Everyone at home who knew her recognised it immediately, one gentleman saying, “I don’t know anything about spiritualism, but if you want an independent testimony, I am prepared to go on any platform and testify to this being your mother’s photograph.” To me the remarkable thing was, that it was secured exactly twenty-six days after her death. To say Mr. Hope tricked, substituted plates, or in any way defrauded, is puerile.