On the 25th of September, 1888, the following, which was published in the New York Herald, expressed very tersely the situation among the spiritualists, who had by that time partly recovered from the first effect of the blow:
Recrimination against the two younger Fox sisters, Margaret and Katie, has begun with characteristic violence, and many unlovely truths are betrayed which do not alter the essential significance of the former’s denunciation of spiritualistic fraud. Several of the mediums said that they could hardly believe their eyes when they read of Mrs. Margaret Fox Kane’s determination, and they declared almost unanimously that “she would not do it if she were in her senses.” They accuse her of excessive indulgence in drink and hint that she is not responsible for what she says. It appears, however, that in private, on many occasions, but never before in public, she has stated that Spiritualism was a tissue of fraud, and that some day she would prove the charge to the world. She has during the last few mouths given many séances in London, but always disclaimed any personal supernatural connection in producing the effects at which others wondered. With a number of rich patrons, among them Mr. H. Wedgewood, of Cavendish Square, she proceeded to a certain point in the process of delusion and then frankly undeceived them, convincing them of the ease with which they could be practiced upon.
Prior to this, the following had been published:
As Mrs. Kane’s sincerity in making her proposed exposures is questioned by her enemies, the following brief note from a well known English spiritualist is of interest:
“31 Queen Anne Street, Cavendish Square,
“London, W., July 19, 1888.
“Dear Mrs. Kane: I am not so much surprised as I might be at what you have revealed to me if I had not already been led to believe that many spiritualistic mediums practice upon the credulous.
“The illusion, however, was perfect while it lasted.
“You do well to expose these infamous frauds, and I thank you for having enlightened me.
“Sincerely yours,
“H. WEDGEWOOD.”
And later Mrs. Kane, in outlining her proposed public lecture, said: