been a thousand times refuted. 'But it is difficult,' say you, 'for me to be _more_ than mortal.' I know it, and doubt very much if I could be half as patient as you are. But I am at a _safe distance_, and have hazarded giving you (very modestly) this quiet hint. The application of whalebone to a man's back _may_ help his manners and regulate the movements of his tongue and pen, but it is not very apt to convince his reason. Mr. Sackett, probably, is quite aware of this; and his administration of the corrective was evidently intended for the moral improvement of the _Herald_ man. You wish he (Mr. S.) would come and mete out such justice to the Rochester editorial fraternity. I do not. They are not _worth_ the _trouble_ of horse-whipping, and besides, only be patient, Leah, and you will see them yet so confoundedly trounced by the Spirits, that it will last them till the orthodox judgment day damns them. It is to be hoped you are wise enough to retire from company sufficiently early in the evening to give you time for rest. There is scarcely anything which more destroys one's equanimity of mind than this neglect of rest. Now will you remember and take care of yourself? I have not yet done with you, for this reason--you need scolding once in a while, and have but few friends who are willing to do it; so I shall remind you, on all proper occasions, of your delinquencies. It occurred to me the other day that we were wrong in so often thinking, latterly, that Spiritualism had made but little advance in some time. It is true, so far as our knowledge is concerned; and the number of mediums for Spiritual communications seems very limited. But all this while the subject has been taking hold of people's minds in _all parts of the country_. They do not stop thinking because a few church conferences and priest-ridden journalists tell them to. Editors who have some independence will write, and their readers will digest anything which is made palatable by the semblance of candor. There is, perhaps, no one subject which is more thought of throughout this country and Europe at this very time than these Spirit, demonstrations. I believe you will go to England and France; but when, and how, and under what auspices, I will not try to guess. Tell Calvin I am obliged for the papers sent by him. I have not seen any of the inmates of your house since you left. I would call there if there were any necessity, but you have left matters in safe custody. "Say to your sister Maria I hope the journey affords her pleasure, both in seeing a part of the beauties of the great West and in rendering you assistance, who so often want a sister upon whom you can lean and rely with confidence. "My best regards to her and Calvin, as well as yourself. "Yours truly, "J. E. R." A. UNDERHILL. "CLEVELAND, O., June 19, 1851. "MY DEAR FRIEND LEAH: