he raps, usually so ready and familiar,
would not come to our relief. Some few and faint ones did indeed
come--some nine or ten. The doctors say in their account that it was while
they intermitted the holding of our feet_. Such was not my _impression_,
but _I_ attach _small importance_ to that."

There were several sittings of the investigators in company with the
"mediums," and Mrs. Underhill asserts that at times plentiful "rappings"
were heard, both when their feet and knees were held and when they were
not held. And then she introduces this weak and transparent piece of
hypocrisy so familiar to those who have ever had to do with so-called
"mediums":

"We are now familiar with the fact that spirits often refuse to act in the
presence of those who bring to the occasion, not a candid and fair spirit
of inquiry for the satisfaction of an honest skepticism, but a bitter and
offensive bigotry of prejudice and invincible hostility, which does not
really seek, but rather repels the truth, and but little deserves the
favor of its exhibition to them by the spirits."

The further report of the doctors contained these points:

"_The two females were seated upon two chairs placed near together, their
heels resting on cushions, their lower limbs extended, with the toes
elevated and the feet separated from each other._ The object of this
experiment was to secure a position in which the ligaments of the
knee-joint should be made tense, and no opportunity offered to make a
pressure with the foot. _We were pretty well satisfied that the
displacement of the bones requisite for the sounds could not be effected,
unless a fulcrum were obtained by resting one foot upon the other, or on
some resisting body. The company waited half an hour, but no sounds were
heard in this position._

"The position of the _younger_ sister was then changed to a sitting
posture, with the lower limbs extended on the sofa, _the elder sister
sitting in the customary way_, at the other extremity of the sofa. The
'Spirits' did not choose to signify their presence under these
circumstances, although repeatedly requested to do so. The latter
experiment went to confirm the belief that the _younger sister alone_
produced the 'rappings.' These experiments were continued until the
females themselves admitted that it was useless to continue any longer at
that time, with any expectation of manifestations being made.

"_In resuming the usual position on the sofa, the