P. T. Barnum,
The Humbugs of the World — Chapter XII
(1866)
“ When thus placed, skeptic is directly between the medium and her husband, and with his back to the latter. The husband plays spirit, and with his right hand—which is free, the other only being held by the accommodating spiritualist—pats the investigator on the head, thumps him with a guitar and other instruments, and maybe pulls his hair. ”
P. T. Barnum,
The Humbugs of the World — Chapter XII
(1866)
“ If any one suggests that the husband had better sit somewhere else, the medium Will not hear to it—“he is a part of the battery,” and the necessary conditions must not be interfered with. Sure enough! Accommodating spiritualist also says he holds husband fast.A tambourine-frame, without the head, and an iron ring, large enough to pass over one’s arm, are exhibited to the audience. Medium says the spirits have such power over matter as to be able to put one or both those things on to her arm while some one holds her hands. ”
P. T. Barnum,
The Humbugs of the World — Chapter XII
(1866)
“ I shall be glad to receive, for publication, authentic information, from all parts of the world in regard to the doings of pretended spiritualists, especially those who perform for money. It is high time that the credulous portion of our community should be saved from the deceptions, delusions, and swindles of these blasphemous mountebanks and impostors. ”
