H.T. BUCKLE _Mormons_
W.E. BURTON _Drama in Spirit Life_
CHAS. L. ELLIOTT _Painting in Spirit Life_
COMEDIAN'S POETRY _Rollicking Song_
LADY HESTER STANHOPE _Prophecy_
PROFESSOR MITCHELL _The Planets_
DR. JOHN W. FRANCIS _Causes of Disease and Insanity_
ADELAIDE PROCTER _The Spirit Bride_

INTRODUCTION.

_BY THE EDITOR_.

In placing before the public a work with such novel and extraordinary
demands upon its consideration, a few explanatory words seem appropriate.

Its title and contents will doubtless at first sight cause a smile of
incredulity, and will be regarded by many as one of the devices which are
sometimes put forward to entrap an unsuspecting public into the perusal
of a sensational hoax.

For a number of years past the community has been surprised with accounts
of most incredible marvels; and from time to time the press has reported
various phenomena in connection with an _unrecognized force and
intelligence,_ as occurring in almost every locality throughout the
habitable globe.

These phenomena are thought by many to be mere illusions, and by some
attributed to peculiar electrical conditions; while others seek their
solution in an abnormal state of the brain; and others still believe them
dependent on an actual intercourse between mortals and those who have
passed beyond the grave.

Having become interested in this mysterious and exciting subject, and
finding the means at hand for testing the various phenomena, I resolved
to undertake a series of experiments, with the hope of exposing a
delusion, if such it were, or perchance, of clearing up a mystery which,
by the magnitude and importance it has already assumed, is disturbing the
foundations of old beliefs and steadily diffusing it's theories and
doctrines into the very heart of society.

Among other expedients to attain this end (assuming the hypothesis that
spirits of the departed were in a condition to communicate with mortals),
I interrogated, through the instrumentality of a clairvoyant gifted with
the remarkable power of passing at will into an unconscious or trance
state, the spirits of a number of well-known individuals concerning their
views and sentiments in their present state of existence.

In response to my questions, an intelligent answer was received from the
Countess Ossoli (Margaret Fuller), with the assurance that my desire was
apprehended and would receive the hearty co-operatio