A series of questions were here propounded, in each instance the inquiry being followed by a scratching sound, and the slate being then withdrawn from under the table and showing writing upon it.  These writings were construed as responses.

The questions and answers were as follows:—­

1.  It was asked:  Will the Spirits answer questions?

Ans. (as above).  ‘We will try,’

2.  Is the gentleman opposite a Medium? (Mr. Fullerton.)

Ans.  He has some power.

3.  Are there more Spirits than one present?

Ans.  Yes, there is.

4.  Another communication which appeared on the slate was ’we will do more soon.’

5.  Ques.  Do you move this pencil?

Ans.  We do, of course.

6.  Tell us if you will play the accordion, or try to to-day?

Ans.  Yes.

The accordion (a small one) was then held partly under the leaf of the table, where the slates had been.  It played a little.  The members of the Commission could not see it when in that position, or at least could not see the whole of it.  Mr. Fullerton, by looking under Professor Thompson’s arm, over the table, could occasionally catch a glimpse of it as Dr. Slade moved it to and fro, but saw only one corner.

Dr. Slade then marked a slate with a line, and laid one of the bits of pencil upon the line.  A large slate pencil was then laid along the edge of the slate.  The slate was placed below the edge of the table beside Dr. Slade (to his right, as usual) when the large pencil was thrown up into the air two and a-half or three feet above the table.

When the slate was brought up into view again the small bit of pencil was still in its place.  This would, of course, be nothing remarkable if the Medium’s finger were upon the small bit of pencil at the time of the jerk.

Another slate was held by Dr. Slade on the same side of and below the table (as far as I could judge from his arm it was nearly as low as Dr. Slade’s knee), and it was suddenly broken into many pieces, the frame being at once held up for inspection by Dr. Slade.  It did not seem to have been broken against the table, as there was no shock felt in the table, nor did the sound indicate it.  It might have been broken by a sudden blow upon the knee, as Dr. Slade’s knees were in close proximity to the place where the slate was held.

[The following are Notes of points which Mr. Sellers asked me particularly to observe.—­G.S.F.]

NOTE 1.—­The bits of pencil placed upon the slates seemed to be used in writing, for pieces with sharp edges were broken and put on the slates and afterwards were found somewhat worn.

NOTE 2.—­They were apparently the same pieces, as the size was the same.

NOTE 3.—­The writing did not seem to have been done by drawing the slate over a pencil at the time that the scratching was heard, for the slate was partly in view, and though it moved somewhat, it did not then move enough to make, for example, a line the whole length of the slate, as was done in one instance.