Cincinnati Daily Press

Dramatic Author on the Spiritualist Hume's Marvels.

Tom Taylor writes to the Manchester Guardian of the feats performed by Mr. Hume, the distinguished Spiritualist. He says: "It is quite certain that in one West End drawing-room, at least, Mr. Hume has suddenly announced that he was being lifted from the ground. That he has been seen—no—that is the awkward point about it—not seen exactly, for the lights are always put out before these risings take place; but that he has been heard out of the darkness informing the awe-stricken circle of believers round the table that he was rising to the ceiling, and that he has occasionally taken a pencil up with him, and written on the ceiling the name of the incredulous master of the house, as a sign to turn him from the error of his ways—that against the dim light of the window, what appeared the legs and feet of the adept, have been seen to float past in a horizontal position; that Mr. Hume's, or Home's, feet have been felt on the shoulders of persons sitting at the table, or on the backs of their chairs; and that he has been rather felt than seen by some specially favored ones to come down on the table in a kneeling position, in his descents—according to his own account—from his aerial suspension. But the real marvel in the matter is, that after London has seen Houdin, and Dodler, and Mr. Anderson, and Bosco, there should still be crowds of spectators, and those educated persons, who, seeing a rival of those gentlemen, whose mode of performance they are unable to explain, should at once be content to resort to the performer's own explanation—spiritual or supernatural agency, and that, too, when the first step in the exhibition is putting out the candles. If Mr. Home would only fly by daylight—or even candle-light!"