ull
exposure of "the tricks of trade" of all sorts, of humbugs and deceivers
of past times, religious, political, financial, scientific, quackish and
so forth, we might perhaps look for a somewhat wiser generation to
follow us. I shall be well satisfied if I can do something towards so
good a purpose.

P. T. BARNUM.

CONTENTS.

I. PERSONAL REMINISCENCES.

CHAPTER I.--GENERAL VIEW OF THE SUBJECT.--HUMBUG UNIVERSAL.--IN
RELIGION.--IN POLITICS.--IN BUSINESS.--IN SCIENCE.--IN
MEDICINE.--HOW IT IS TO CEASE.--THE GREATEST HUMBUG OF ALL. 11

CHAPTER II.--DEFINITION OF THE WORD HUMBUG.--WARREN OF LONDON.--GENIN
THE HATTER.--GOSLING'S BLACKING. 18

CHAPTER III.--MONSIEUR MANGIN, THE FRENCH HUMBUG. 29

CHAPTER IV.--OLD GRIZZLY ADAMS. 37

CHAPTER V.--THE GOLDEN PIGEONS.--GRIZZLY ADAMS.--GERMAN
CHEMIST.--HAPPY FAMILY.--FRENCH NATURALIST. 46

CHAPTER VI.--THE WHALE, THE ANGEL FISH, AND THE GOLDEN PIGEON. 53

CHAPTER VII.--PEASE'S HOARHOUND CANDY.--THE DORR REBELLION.--THE
PHILADELPHIA ALDERMAN. 57

CHAPTER VIII.--BRANDRETH'S PILLS.--MAGNIFICENT ADVERTISING.--POWER
OF IMAGINATION. 65

II. THE SPIRITUALISTS.

CHAPTER IX.--THE DAVENPORT BROTHERS, THEIR RISE AND PROGRESS.--
SPIRITUAL ROPE-TYING.--MUSIC PLAYING.--CABINET SECRETS.--"THEY
CHOOSE DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT," ETC.--THE SPIRITUAL HAND.--HOW
THE THING IS DONE.--DR. W. F. VAN VLECK. 73

CHAPTER X.--THE SPIRIT-RAPPING AND MEDIUM HUMBUGS.--THEIR
ORIGIN.--HOW THE THING IS DONE.--$500 REWARD. 82

CHAPTER XI.--THE "BALLOT TEST."--THE OLD GENTLEMAN AND HIS
"DISEASED" RELATIVES.--A "HUNGRY SPIRIT."--"PALMING" A
BALLOT.--REVELATIONS ON STRIPS OF PAPER. 88

CHAPTER XII.--SPIRITUAL "LETTERS ON THE ARM."--HOW TO MAKE THEM
YOURSELF.--THE TAMBOURINE AND RING FEATS.--DEXTER'S DANCING
HATS.--PHOSPHORESCENT OIL.--SOME SPIRITUAL SLANG. 96

CHAPTER XIII.--DEMONSTRATIONS BY "SAMPSON" UNDER A TABLE.--A
MEDIUM WHO IS HAPPY WITH HER FEET.--EXPOSE OF ANOTHER OPERATOR IN
DARK CIRCLES. 102

CHAPTER XIV.--SPIRITUAL PHOTOGRAPHING.--COLORADO JEWETT AND THE
S