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seven in the evening； and as the snow was fast falling； our little boy was
born at the town house； situate on the Gagarines Quay； in St。 Petersburg；
where we were still staying。 A few hours after his birth； his mother； the
nurse； and I heard for several hours the warbling of a bird as if singing
over him。 Also that night； and for two or three nights afterwards； a bright
starlike light； which was clearly visible from the partial darkness of the
room； in which there was only a night…lamp burning； appeared several
times directly I over its head； where it remained for some moments； and
then slowly moved in the direction of the door； where it disappeared。
This was also seen by each of us at the same time。 The light was more
condensed than those which have been so often seen in my presence upon
previous and subsequent occasions。 It was brighter and more distinctly
globular。 I do not believe that it came through my mediumship； but
rather through that of the child； who has manifested on several occasions
the presence of the gift。 I do not like to allude to such a matter； but as
there are more strange things in Heaven and earth than are dreamt of； even
in my philosophy； I do not feel myself at liberty to omit stating； that during
the latter part of my wife's pregnancy； we thought it better that she should
not join in Seances； because it was found that whenever the rappings
occurred in the room； a simultaneous movement of the child was distinctly
felt； perfectly in unison with the sounds。 When there were three sounds；
three movements were felt； and so on； and when five sounds were heard；
which is generally the call for the alphabet； she felt the five internal
movements； and she would frequently； when we were mistaken in the
latter； correct us from what the child indicated。〃
We should ask pardon of our readers for sullying our paper with this
nauseous matter； if without it they could adequately understand what Mr。
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Home's book is。
9。 CAGLIOSTRO'S SPIRIT CALLS ON MR。 HOME
Prudently avoiding the disagreeable question of his giving himself；
both in this state of existence and in his spiritual circle； a name to which
he never had any pretensions whatever； and likewise prudently
suppressing any reference to his amiable weakness as a swindler and an
infamous trafficker in his own wife； the guileless Mr。 Balsamo delivered；
in a 〃distinct voice〃； this distinct celestial utteranceunquestionably
punctuated in a supernatural manner： 〃My power was that of a
mesmerist； but all…misunderstood by those about me； my biographers have
even done me injustice； but I care not for the untruths of earth〃。
10。 ORACULAR STATE OF MR。 HOME
〃After various manifestations； Mr。 Home went into the trance； and
addressing a person present； said； 'You ask what good are such trivial
manifestations； such as rapping； table…moving； etc。？ God is a better
judge than we are what is fitted for humanity； immense results may spring
from trivial things。 The steam from a kettle is a small thing； but look at
the locomotive！ The electric spark from the back of a cat is a small thing；
but see the wonders of electricity！ The raps are small things； but their
results will lead you to the Spirit…World； and to eternity！ Why should
great results spring from such small causes？ Christ was born in a manger；
he was not born a King。 When you tell me why he was born in a manger；
I will tell you why these manifestations； so trivial； so undignified as they
appear to you； have been appointed to convince the world of the truth of
spiritualism。'〃
Wonderful！ Clearly direct Inspiration！And yet； perhaps； hardly
worth the trouble of going 〃into the trance〃 for； either。 Amazing as the
revelation is； we seem to have heard something like it from more than one
personage who was wide awake。 A quack doctor； in an open barouche
（attended by a barrel…organ and two footmen in brass helmets）； delivered
just such another address within our hearing； outside a gate of Paris； not
two months ago。
11。 THE TESTIMONY OF MR。 HOME'S BOOTS
〃The lady of the house turned to me and said abruptly； 'Why； you are
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sitting in the air'； and on looking； we found that the chair remained in its
place； but that I was elevated two or three inches above it； and my feet not
touching the floor。 This may show how utterly unconscious I am at times
to the sensation of levitation。 As is usual； when I had not got above the
level of the heads of those about me； and when they change their position
muchas they frequently do in looking wistfully at such a phenomenonI
came down again； but not till I had remained so raised about half a minute
from the time of its being first seen。 I was now impressed to leave the
table； and was soon carried to the lofty ceiling。 The Count de B… left his
place at the table； and coming under where I was； said； 'Now； young Home；
come and let me touch your feet。' I told him I had no volition in the
matter； but perhaps the spirits would kindly allow me to come down to
him。 They did so； by floating me down to him； and my feet were soon in
his outstretched hands。 He seized my boots； and now I was again
elevated； he holding tightly； and pulling at my feet； till the boots I wore；
which had elastic sides； came off and remained in his hands。〃
12。 THE UNCOMBATIVE NATURE OF MR。 HOME
As there is a maudlin complaint in this book； about men of Science
being hard upon 〃the 'Orphan' Home〃； and as the 〃gentle and uncombative
nature〃 of this Medium in a martyred point of view is pathetically
commented on by the anonymous literary friend who supplies him with an
introduction and appendixrather at odds with Mr。 Howitt； who is so
mightily triumphant about the same Martyr's reception by crowned heads；
and about the competence he has become endowed withwe cull from Mr。
Home's book one or two little illustrative flowers。 Sir David Brewster （a
pestilent unbeliever） 〃has co