hey can lay aside the
gifts of observation or reflection. Understanding this fact, it will not
surprise you to learn that those most famous in the histrionic art
exercise their talents to listening thousands in the spirit world.

Garrick, Kemble, Kean, Booth, Cooke, also Rachel, Mrs. Siddons, and a
host of illustrious actors of different nations, are now "treading the
boards" of spiritual theatres.

Their time, however, is not exclusively devoted to the exercise of these
gifts, as on earth. A considerable portion is spent in the study of the
arts and sciences; and many a noted actor becomes an able painter or
musician, and many a low comedian a philosopher. Our life is one round of
pleasant progression.

What I have said about our attractive theatre and my enjoyable condition,
I hope will not induce any of you, my fellow-players, to emigrate to
these shores before you are sent for; but, like good Jack Falstaff, I
trust you will live in your own world as long as you can, and when Dame
Nature is done with you, we will give you a hearty welcome and _a free
pass to the dress circle_.

CHARLES L. ELLIOTT.

_PAINTING IN SPIRIT LIFE_.

My friends know that I was not much given to writing or speaking, and I
reluctantly answer the call that has been made for me to give my views on
art in the spirit existence.

The old masters whom we have worshipped from boyhood, Raphael, Titian,
Michael Angelo, Da Vinci, and all the illustrious names of the Bolognese
and Venetian schools of art, have passed away from this sphere of spirit
life, and no longer walk the streets of these wonderful cities which they
have adorned with their works.

Reynolds, however, is with us still, and most of the army of painters who
have been born on earth since his day, here live in bodily shape; and I
have had the pleasure of meeting many admirable geniuses of the French,
German, and English schools, and have seen some of their extraordinary
works, which, for diversity of subject and majesty of conception, seem to
rival omnipotence itself!

The great majority of American artists are secretly spiritualistic in
their faith, and believe that they can be inspired by departed painters.
Innes, Page, Church, and Powers, have each felt and acknowledged the
inspiration of the spirit of some great master in art.

I must confess that these masters are not existing in the sphere occupied
by spirits who visit earth, and will explain the manner in which