848. Robert Dale Owen, in his work
called "Footfalls on the Boundary of Another World," p. 290, has given a
full narration of the circumstances attending this remarkable event. The
particulars, he states, he had from Mrs. Fox, and her two daughters,
Margaret and Kate, and son, David. The attention of the family had been
attracted by strange noises which finally assumed the form of raps, or
muffled footfalls, and became very annoying. Chairs were sometimes moved
from their places, and this was once also the case with the dining-room
table. Heard occasionally during February, the disturbance so increased
during the latter part of March, as seriously to break the nightly repose
of the family. But as these annoyances occurred only in the night-time,
all the family hoped that soon, by some means, the mystery would be
cleared away. They did not abandon this hope till Friday, the 31st of
March, 1848. Wearied by a succession of sleepless nights, the family
retired early, hoping for a respite from the disturbances that had
harassed them. In this they were doomed to especial disappointment. We can
do no better than to let Mr. Owen continue the narrative, in his own
words:--

"The parents had removed the children's beds into their bedroom,
and strictly enjoined them not to talk of noises, even if they
heard them. But scarcely had the mother seen them safely in bed,
and was retiring to rest herself, when the children cried out,
'Here they are again!' The mother chided them, and lay down.
Thereupon the noises became louder and more startling. The
children sat up in bed. Mrs. Fox called her husband. The night
being windy, it was suggested to him that it might be the rattling
of the sashes. He tried several to see if they were loose. Kate,
the younger girl, happened to remark that as often as her father
shook a window-sash, the noises seemed to reply. Being a lively
child, and in a measure accustomed to what was going on, she
turned to where the noise was, snapped her fingers, and called
out, 'Here, old Splitfoot, do as I do!' The knocking instantly
responded.

"_That was the very commencement. Who can tell where the end will
be?_

"I do not mean that it was Kate Fox, who thus, in childish jest,
first discovered that these mysterious sounds seemed instinct with
intelligence. Mr. Mompesson, two hundred years ago, had already
observed a similar