reed that the sounds
were made by the action of the first joint of her large toe.

Only the most hopelessly prejudiced and bigoted fanatics of
Spiritualism could withstand the irresistable force of this
common-place explanation and exhibition of how "spirit rappings" are
produced. The demonstration was perfect and complete, and if "spirit
rappings" find any credence in this community hereafter, it would
seem a wise precaution on the part of the authorities to begin the
enlargement of the State's insane asylums without any delay.

III. HISTORY.

CHAPTER VI.

ORIGIN OF THE FRAUD.

There are spiritualists who pretend that so-called "spirit rappings"
originated long before the Hydesville disturbances took place. These
declarations, however, are of no value as actual evidence.

In any event, there is no claim that in their cause and general character
these manifestations, so-called, were very different from similar ones of
the present day.

The "rappings" produced by the "Fox Sisters" are certainly the first of
which there is an authentic account. They began in a little rustic cottage
at a place called Hydesville, in the town of Arcadia, near Newark, Wayne
County, New York. Here John D. Fox and his wife Margaret dwelt with their
two daughters, Margaret and Catherine. Two other children, Ann Leah and
David S., lived elsewhere. There was sometimes a fifth member of the
household, also a child. This was Elizabeth Fish, the daughter of Leah,
and therefore the niece of Margaret and Catherine. She was seven years
older than the elder of the two latter.

The elder Fox and his wife had not been always united since their
marriage. They were separated for a number of years. The three older
children, Ann Leah, Maria and David S., were conceived before this
separation took place, and Margaret and Catherine afterwards. The two
broods had distinctive characteristics. The father, in the interval, is
said to have become addicted to intemperate habits. The taint of heredity
may excuse much in the younger generation that sprang from a weakness of
will-power and made them the too easy victims of colder and more mercenary
natures. To many it is well known that they are still incapable of
guarding their interests in a business way, and that they have always been
too largely at the mercy of any one who could acquire an influence over
them.

Margaretta, or Margaret, Fox, as she alway