P. T. Barnum

“ The medium requires the investigator to write his questions each on a different strip of paper; and before answering, he every time manipulates the paper in the way I have described. When rubbing his fingers over the question, he often shuts the eye which is toward the inquirer—which prevents suspicion ”

“ One of the most noted of the mediumistic fraternity—whose name I do not choose to give at present—steadily pursued his business, for several years, in a room in Broadway, in this city, and succeeded not only in humbugging a good many people, but in what was more important to him—acquiring quite an amount of money. ”

“ Then seizing a pencil, he writes a name, which the investigator finds to be the one contained in the selected paper.
If the ballots are few in number, a blank is put with the pile, when the medium “palms” one, else the latter might be missed.
It seems the spirits can never give their names with out being reminded of them by the investigator, and then they are so doubtful of their own identity that they have but little to say for themselves. ”

“ Seated at a table in a part of the room where is the most light, he hands the investigator a strip of blank, white paper, rather thin and light of texture, about a yard long and six inches wide, requesting him to write across one end of it a single question, addressed to a spirit-friend, then to sign his own name, and fold the paper once or twice over what he has written. For instance:
“Brother Samuel:—Will you communicate with me through this medium? ”