This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1864 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXIV. WHO, AND WHY ? By whom are the Manifestations Produced, and for What Purpose ? Examination of Evidence--Conclusion. When any person has become convinced by testimony which he cannot doubt, or, if that be not sufficient, by the evidence of his own senses, that the phenomena described in these pages are real, actual, unquestionable facts, the next thing in order is to ask how, or rather by whom, are they produced? If the Brothers Davenport, as they solemnly aver, have no direct and voluntary agency in producing the manifestations, and there is no collusion, no deception, no jugglery or fraud about them, by what or by whom are they accomplished ? Are they the result of some subtle element, like magnetism and electricity ? Most certainly not. These natural forces act according to certain laws, and do not possess intelligence. Electricity may rend trees and rocks, produce light and heat, propel machinery or convey messages, but for these last operations it requires to be guided by some intelligence out of itself. Electricity or galvanism will not tie or untie ropes, nor play on musical instruments, nor take off or put on the coats of persons whose hands are securely tied together, much less hold conversations and communicate information. What we see exhibited at every stage of this history, and in all the phenomena, is force, governed by intelligence. We cannot conceive of an active intelligence, or an intelligent force or power, except as an individualised being, in some respects like ourselves. In all these manifestations there are evidences of the actions, and consequently of the existence, of intelligent beings, having some faculties similar to our own, usually invisible, but with the power of taking on, under certain...

This biography chronicles the careers and lives of the Davenport brothers, famous for their spiritualist performances in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

This handbook seeks to assemble in one place the basic bibliographical data needed to begin the study of most of the major areas of popular culture. Each chapter provides a brief chronological survey of the development of the medium or topic; a critical guide in essay form to the standard reference works, bibliographies, histories, critical studies, and journals; a description of research centers and collections of primary and secondary materials; and a bibliography of works cited in the text. The revised edition includes new material and chapters on topics such as business, catalogs, computers, dance, fashion, gardening, and graffiti. ISBN 0-313-25406-0 (set: lib. bdg.) $150.00 (For use only in the library).

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.