The Salem Witchcraft, the Planchette Mystery, and Modern Spiritualism: With Dr. Doddridge's DreamStowe, Harriet Beecher
History
The Salem Witchcraft, the Planchette Mystery, and Modern Spiritualism: With Dr. Doddridge's Dream
Stowe, Harriet Beecher
Spiritualism; Upham, Charles Wentworth, 1802-1875. Salem witchcraft; Witchcraft -- Massachusetts -- Salem
But more wonderful still. It appears that "electricity" can give
answers, of which not even the slightest elements previously existed in
the mind of the questioner or any of the company, and which were even
diametrically _contrary_ to his mind; as in the answers of class No. 3.
Here "electricity" swings loose, and, becoming completely independent,
commences business on its "own hook." Not only so, but it even goes so
far beyond the sphere of Mr. H.'s mind as to _fib_ a little, giving at
least two answers which this writer pronounced "false," as noted in
class No. 4--thus giving a still more signal display of its independent
powers of invention--naughty invention though it was.
Seriously, had not friend Headley better employ his fine talents
in giving us another clever book or two about "Washington and his
Generals," and leave Mr. Planchette, and that more wonderful personage,
Mr. Electricity, to take care of themselves? We are obliged here to part
company with Mr. H., and pass on for the purpose of having a few words
under this same head with the reverend author of "Planchette, or
Spirit-Rapping Made Easy," in the _Ladies' Repository_.
I find it difficult to get at the idea of this writer, if indeed he
himself has any definite idea on the subject. By the title of his
article, however, and several expressions that occur in the body of it,
he seems to associate the performances of the Planchette with a somewhat
extensive class of phenomena, in which spirit-rappings, table-tippings,
etc., are included. He says:
"Twelve years ago I took pains to study the matter, and at that time
I came to conclusions that are every day being proved to be true. I
was soon satisfied that as regarded 'trance mediums,' the cause was
due to one-third trickery, one-third partial insanity or monomania,
and the remainder animal magnetism. I have since learned that opium
and hashish (Indian hemp) played an important part. It was proved
that young ladies purchased written speeches which they delivered
under the influence of hashish."
He then goes on to speak of galvanism, magnetism, electricity, animal
magnetism, and the odylic force; but, so far as we can see, without
proving any necessary connection between these forces or either of them,
and the subject which he aims to elucidate. Quoting a former article of
his, he continues:
"The magnetizer of whom I spoke [an exposer of rappings] threw
himself into magnetic connection with the table, and _willed_ it
to move hither and thither. The will in this case seemed to be a
powerful battery, putting its subject into life. Now I suggest
that this power be applied to machinery. We will get us a large
propelling wheel, to which we will connect our machinery. We will
then engage a company of mediums who shall get into _rapport_ with
one wheel, and stand willing the wheel on in its evolutions.... If a
table may be made to spin around the room, why may not a wheel be
made to turn as well?"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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