In order to estimate this incident aright, it is of great importance to establish the relations which existed between the two young ladies. I have requested Madame and Mdlle. von Wiesler to give me on this, as on the previous points, a written memorandum in full detail; and from that memorandum I extract what follows [somewhat abridged here]:—
In December 1880 Madame von Wiesler and her daughter paid a Christmas visit to "Schura's" grandfather, Senator N., where Sophie saw "Schura" for the first time. Sophie was then about thirteen years old, and "Schura" even younger. Sophie was astonished to see "Schura's" writing-table covered with books [and had a talk with her about favourite authors]. The two girls often saw each other at a distance in the recreation-room of their school during the winter, but "Schura" was soon transferred to another school. [They met once at a country-house without exchanging a word, and saw each other once across a theatre. Sophie, in fact, had had one childish talk with "Schura"; Madame von Wiesler had never had any real talk with her.] Hence it is clear that the relations of these ladies with "Schura" were of the most distant kind, and that they could not know anything of her political secrets.
VIII. E. From Proceedings S.P.R., vol. viii. pp. 248-51.[230]
The following letters were received from the principal witness, Mrs. Finney:—
Rockland, Mass., April 19th, 1891.
Mr. Hodgson,—Dear Sir,—Some weeks ago I received from you a few lines asking me to give you an account of the communication received from Cousin Benja in spirit-life, some twenty-five years ago.
For weeks and months before my brother left the form we conversed freely on the subject of spirit communion and such matters, and one morning he requested me to bring him a small piece of brick, also pen and ink; he then made two marks on one side, and one on the other with the ink, then breaking the brick in two, gave me one piece, telling me at the time to take care of it, and some day he would hide the other piece away where no one but himself would know, and after leaving the form, if possible, would return in some way and tell me where it was. I could then compare them together, and it would be a test that he could return and communicate, and my mind could not have any influence over it, as I did not know where he put it.
After he left the form our anxiety was very great to hear and learn all we could of communicating with spirits, and for months we got nothing satisfactory.
We then commenced sitting at the table at home (mother and myself), which we did for some little time; at last it commenced tipping, and by calling the alphabet spelled out where we could find the piece of brick that he put away,—that was the way we got the test. To us that was truth that spirits can and do communicate with us, and nothing but the influence and power of Benja could tell us that test.—Truly yours,
Mrs. Wm. A. Finney.