At our last seance I noticed what were evidently two prepared slates resting against the support of the table behind him, where his prepared slates usually stood.  I inferred that he would like to have some extraordinary slate writing on this occasion, and, therefore, kept a sharp watch on these slates.  Unfortunately it was too sharp, for one second the Medium saw me looking at them.  It was enough.  That detected look prevented the revelation of those elaborate Spirit messages.  But when the seance was over and he was signing the receipt for his money, I passed round behind his chair and pushed these slates with my foot so as to make them fall over, whereupon the writing on one of them was distinctly revealed.

I think Dr. Pepper and Mr. Sellers will recall how the Medium instantly pushed his chair back until it was fairly over the slates and then snatched them up, and in the most hurried manner washed them both while turning his back to us.

Two compasses, which we placed on the table during our seance, remained unaffected by the Medium’s presence.

During one sitting, when the Spirits conveyed the slates from the Medium’s hand under the table to the hand of the opposite sitter, the latter failed twice to grasp the slate in time, and it fell to the floor with a crash.  Each time it behoved me to pick up the slate (both the other sitters were women), but the second time I stooped with the greatest alacrity and looked not at the slate but at the Medium’s foot, which I saw just entering his slipper, into which it most hastily settled.

I think Dr. Slade’s personal appearance noteworthy, and shall endeavor to obtain a photograph of him for preservation in our Records.  He is probably six feet in height, with a figure of unusual symmetry, his hands are large but shapely, the nail of the second finger of his right hand is rather longer than the others, and appeared in the centre to be slightly split and worn.  His face would, I think, attract notice anywhere for its uncommon beauty.  He has a small, curling, dark moustache, and short, crisp, iron-grey hair, of a texture exceeding in fineness any that I have ever seen on a man’s head.  His eyes are dark, and the circles around them very dark, but their expression is painful.  I could not divest myself of the feeling that it was that of a hunted animal or of a haunted man.  The color on his cheeks is very bright, but it is said to be artificial.  He complained bitterly of ill-health and of water around his heart, which he said at times he could hear and feel “swashing about.”

A noteworthy man in every aspect.

Mr. Furness then read to the Committee the following: 

Memorandum by Dr. Wm. Pepper of an interview with Dr. Slade on the morning of the 27th January, with Mr. Furness and Mr. Sellers.

1811 Spruce Street, Philadelphia.