We understand; the trick 's but natural:

Such spirits' individuality

Is hard to put in evidence: they incline

To gibe and jeer, these undeveloped sorts.

You see, their world 's much like a jail broke loose,

While this of ours remains shut, bolted, barred,

With a single window to it. Sludge, our friend,

Serves as this window, whether thin or thick,

Or stained or stainless; he 's the medium-pane

Through which, to see us and be seen, they peep: