greatly to their satisfaction, by exhibiting to
them one and the same hyalotype, magnified by the magic lantern, so that
the life-like countenance appeared to approach them from the opposite
wall in the darkened room. It was observed, that the more ignorant they
were, the more were they affected with horror by the sight of the
cross-bones, skull, and chemical apparatus. Still, this was rather tame
work; and both the Aged One and Selim were relieved when they saw their
dupe of the preceding night reappear, with happiness beaming in every
feature of his countenance. "The lawyer," he said, "had not appeared at
all surprised at being told to get him a copy of the will: he said
something about the Recorder's office. He was a young-looking man to be
chosen by the spirits: and he wanted to know who had sent him to
himself. Of course I told him, and then he laughed, and said it was a
great humbug. I was very much afraid that the spirits would be offended,
and refuse to discover to him the will: but he told me to return towards
evening, and lo! here it is."

The poor little man was full of the warmest gratitude, and wanted to
force a purse upon the unwilling astrologers: but they finally overcame
his importunities by representing that the spirits would not obey their
summons, if made a subject of bargain and sale, and that he should best
please them by distributing it among the sick and poor.

This circumstance, which found its way into one of the daily papers,
with many embellishments, brought crowds of believers in "the night side
of nature" to our mischievous youngsters, who were ready to humor the
credulous public to the top of its bent. Very many people looked sage,
and quoted the passage--

"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy."

Select circles of intelligent people insisted upon it, that although
they could not give in their adhesion to such mysteries, yet they
greatly disapproved of the spirit of skepticism which had been so
prevalent for the last fifty years. The new discoveries in science
plainly showed that nature had many secrets yet unrevealed to man: and
no one should audaciously set a limit to his powers. Did not animal
magnetism, containing so many things which could not be explained away,
plainly prove it? Could they have seen our merry graduates, when the
door was locked for the night, and the venerable wig was thrown aside,
jollifying over