human intervention was
impossible. A very detailed account of this incident exists in the
handwriting of Dr. Speer.[50]

THE CARRYING OF OBJECTS INTO A LOCKED ROOM, AND THE PASSAGE OF SOLID
OBJECTS THROUGH MATERIAL OBSTACLES.--During the two or three weeks
subsequent to the above, over fifty instances occurred in which objects
from different parts of the house were placed upon the table round which
Mr. Stainton Moses and Dr. and Mrs. Speer were sitting in a locked dark
room. The gas was always left burning brightly in the adjoining
dining-room, and in the hall outside, so that if either of the doors had
been opened, even for a moment, a blaze of light would have been let
into the room in which they sat. Mr. Stainton Moses remarks--"As this
never happened, we have full assurance from what Dr. Carpenter considers
the best authority, common sense, that the doors remained closed." On
one occasion a small edition of "Paradise Lost" was placed on the
table, and at the same time the words "to convince" were spelt out by
raps. This little book had been in the hands of all of them during the
evening, and they could testify to the position on a bookshelf where it
had been left. One evening seven objects in different rooms were brought
in; among them a little bell from the dining-room. They heard it begin
to ring, the sound approached the door, they were astonished soon to
hear the sound in the room where they sat, round which the bell was
carried, close to the faces of all, and finally placed on the table,
having been ringing loudly all the time. A curious incident occurred at
a later date, the circle of three sitting alone. A small Parian
statuette from an upper room was placed upon the table. One of the party
requested that a friend who usually communicates might be fetched. "We
are doing so" was spelt out by raps. This was taken to be the complete
answer, and they ceased to call over the alphabet. However, the alphabet
was called for again, and "mething else" was spelt out. No idea could be
formed as to the meaning of this. At request it was exactly repeated.
After much puzzling it occurred to one of the party to join it on to the
previous message--when the meaning became apparent. Mr. Stainton Moses
sarcastically remarks--"What a clear case of 'unconscious cerebration'"!
"Very soon an odour like Tonquin bean was apparent to all of us.
Something fell on the table, and light showed that a snuff-box which had
contained Tonquin b