Message #179654

[Sandra]

Our knowledge of this simple fact caused us to smile at the statements of some of our friends as to the sounds evidently coming from this or that part of the table, from the floor, etc. As to their production by electricity when there was no necessity for any such complication, we need not discuss its improbability. We see no doubt why the supernatural sounds should not have been common raps produced by the concussion of two hard substances, and that, for the present, is all we need say on that head.

But when it was proposed that we, in our turn, should put questions unknown to the mediums, and receive answers, the case assumed a widely different aspect. Here might be, if the answers were correct, evidence of a power equal, at least, to the loftiest pretension of magnetic clairvoyance, and certainly out of the course of everyday phenomena.

This was the system. One rap signified "No." Three raps represented "Yes;" and two meant "dubious," that is, had no meaning at all. More elaborate queries were to be rapped out by calling the alphabet. But as my questions were, with one exception, all answered incorrectly, I did not care to pursue further investigations.