to be after such remarkable things as had occurred to her. She indeed even spoke with disapproval of Mr. Home's being sometimes in trances, and having séances, because she said it weakened his natural power. So far from being easily swayed I found that Mrs. Lyon would agree with nothing she did not like or that did not suit her view. On the other hand, so potent was Mrs. Lyon's power and ascendancy over Mr. Home that I foresaw it would in all likelihood be fatal to one so frail in health as Mr. Home, and I was one of the first, I think, to advise that he should make an effort to gain a little more personal freedom. I saw that he had a great difficulty in getting away from her, and that she was very jealous of him going any where without her. I am aware of more than one engagement he was not able to keep on this account. Mrs. Lyon was very ambitious of meeting with and being recognized by the class of people amongst whom cases like Mr. Home's excite the largest amount of curiosity. I mean persons of title and members of the aristocracy. Mr. Home's acquaintanceship with such is large, and I found that Mrs. Lyon was irrepressibly anxious to meet with Lady or go to the house of Lord She was greatly gratified with any notice shown to her by a titled lady. I speak of what I saw. And she was proportionately disappointed if it happened that Mr. Home was invited where she could not go. Mrs. Lyon expressed herself as being made very happy by what she had done, and she was very lavish in her marks of affection towards him. He was once speaking of some hardship he had undergone in early life, whereupon Mrs. Lyon embraced him, wept over him real tears, and said how glad she was to be the means of preventing any thing of that kind ever again occurring. She was at times excessively affectionate. A more cynical looker-on might have surmised a something too fond and fervent. I only thought it rather an ostentatious exhibition of late motherhood.

Several other witnesses spoke to the business capacity of the plaintiff and her affection for the defendant.

Dr. James Gully, a gentleman who had known the defendant for some years, in his affidavit said that in June, 1867, after Mr. Home left him and he heard the cruel measures Mrs. Lyon was taking against him, he wrote to ask her what he had done that she should so unjustly seek to insult him, and in reply to that letter she said, "You have only heard an invented story from beginning to end. I would explain it to you, but truth is best spoken, not written; for then if a person has judgment and common sense he can at once discern for himself truth from falsehood. You have your eyes shut by the medium of falsehood; mine have been opened by the medium of truth. I shall be glad to see you when you are in London, and am yours," &c. He had during the past seven years witnessed both in his own house and elsewhere, in the presence of Mr. Home, many curious occurrences, which he was unable to explain. Home had often refused money for séances, and he had known him refuse twenty guineas for a séance.

Catherine Berry said, I am acquainted with the plaintiff, and have been so since the year 1847. I should hardly call myself a spiritual medium. My hand is used by some unknown power, and the result is a drawing with a pencil or crayon, or oils, which I do not draw myself. I have had séances with plaintiff. I was present at a séance held at my house on the 7th of June. Plaintiff and Mr. Kent were present. Plaintiff asked all the questions. We were sitting round the table, placing our hands upon it, and in a few minutes

"tilts" came, not "raps." We are not rapping mediums. The "tilts" denote that there is a spirit waiting to communicate. Plaintiff asked whether it was the spirit of Mr. Lyon, her late husband. The table tilted three times. Plaintiff then asked questions relating entirely to the affairs of herself and defendant. The spirit denied having given authority for any money belonging to plaintiff to be given to Dan. The conversation lasted about forty minutes. The spirit then told us to move the table and make the room dark. In a few minutes a shower of sweet Williams were thrown on the table, and then four moss-roses, wrapped in tissue paper, were placed upon the table. I asked if they were for plaintiff, and the spirit answered one for her and the rest for yourself. I did not produce any of these things. I think I could swear that no mortal did. In fact I could swear so. The witness then spoke of a séance which she had in the presence of the plaintiff on the 14th of June, when similar remarkable manifestations occurred, but on that occasion the spirit was heard to walk heavily about the room. The plaintiff asked it the questions. She asked the spirit whether it approved of what she was doing, and the answer was, "Yes; go to law, and be firm." She then asked whether going to law would get her out of the difficulty, and the answer was "Doubtful." The plaintiff also asked the spirit whether he approved of her lawyer, but the spirit judiciously refrained from answering.

Mrs. Hall said that the defendant had given his séances without payment, that he was an honourable man, and that the plaintiff always regarded him with the greatest affection. The plaintiff said that before she had seen the defendant the spirit of her husband had told her that she should have a son.

Mr. S. C. Hall said the plaintiff asked him what would make Home comfortable, and he said 3007. a year. The plaintiff said she had determined to give him 500l. a year at least. He (witness) warned her of what the world would say, and she replied that she had thought of that. She said also that she had no one in the world in whom she took an interest, and she determined to give him the money in question. Witness asked her not to act in haste in such a matter, and she replied that she had fully considered it.

Mr. Home, the defendant, was then cross-examined by Mr. James. He said, I have had peculiar visions for many years.

Mr. James. How are the communications made between the medium and the spiritual world? I do not know.-Have you had such communications? Yes. -And how have they manifested themselves, have you spoken to the spirits? Yes. How do the sounds indicate that they proceed from the spirit? Well, we take that for granted; there is an operator at the end of the telegraph wire; we know there is intelligence there.-How do the sounds form words? The alphabet is repeated, and when the right letter is spoken the spirit gives a knock.-How do the knocks signify negative and affirmative? One knock signifies "Yes," and three "No," but you can arrange that as you please. The spirit is an intelligent being.-How do you know what spirit it is? They usually spell their names.-Supposing I wanted to consult with the spirit of a disembodied person, what course would you pursue? If I knew you came for that purpose I would not receive you unless you were introduced by a friend. -What course would you adopt supposing I was introduced by a friend? I should do nothing. The spirit would manifest itself if it chose. I have no power. In what way would the spirit make itself known to me? It would make itself known by sounds.-Then if I proceeded to ask questions the alphabet

would be produced? That I do not know.-The alphabet would be produced and said by degrees, and the communication would be spelt out? Yes.-Have you been subjected yourself to physical experiments by the spirits? Yes.— Have you been moved bodily-floated in the air by the spirits? Yes, but I must insist on asserting that I am not the only person to whom that has occurred.— And tables and chairs have been moved in violation of the ordinary rules of gravity? Yes. Do you know of any good having resulted from this? Yes, in convincing persons of the immortality of the soul.—I do not see how your floating in the air would convince persons of the immortality of the soul. I don't say that alone would, but it is the intelligence conveyed with it.-Have you ever known of any useful results of these practical jokes? From these practical jokes-No, but that is only one side of the question.-Have you ever been the medium of giving useful information? Yes, on some occasions. They don't usually interfere with the affairs of the earth.-Did you ever know them the means of prediction ? Yes. You have never known them to give information as to stockjobbing? No.-As to health? Yes.-As to conduct towards relatives? Well, I don't know. Well, yes, they usually try to hatch up feuds.-There are false, or lying spirits? Yes, there are all kinds; as men are on earth. -Then a person consulting a spirit is liable to be deceived? Yes. Then how is one to know whether the spirit is speaking truth or falsehood? We have to exercise our common sense.-Are you in possession of this gift at the present moment? I suppose I am.-Do you remember when was the last time you had a manifestation? I have had two or three during the past few weeks. I do not remember what occurred at them. I have a very bad memory.-Do you remember what occurred whilst you were entranced? No, I do not.

Cross-examination continued.-On one occasion the spirits rapped on my umbrella, "This is God's church, the birds are His choristers, and the sky His sculptured walls." The identity of the spirit is proved in various ways. For instance, by the mode of expression used, by their revealing things which I could not otherwise have known.

Mr. James —I want to know how you would ascertain the identity of a particular spirit? Only by patient observation, unless I see it.—And when you see it, how do you tell? By the dress and general appearance. Then there is the ghost or spirit of the dress as well? Yes, for the first once or twice.

Cross-examination continued.—I have not seen a spirit for some time. I have had too many material things to think about.

Mr. James.—Which was the last spirit you saw? I would rather not say.— How did you communicate with it? The question was asked by a person who was with me, who was also a medium.

Cross-examination continued.—I have never asked a spirit any question with reference to this suit. At the time I first met the plaintiff I was secretary to the Spiritual Athenæum, in Sloane-street. I was exceedingly poor, only receiving pay from the society. I have not been brought up to any profession or trade.

Mr. James. You say you gave the plaintiff rank and position? I do.-What was it? Being introduced to my large circle of acquaintances, literary and otherwise. Then the rank and position you gave her were yours? No; I have no rank or position; it was that of my friends.

Cross-examination continued.-I was only secretary of the society for two months. I have travelled a great deal; visited the Courts, and moved in high circles. My expenses were usually paid by my friends, or from money I made

by readings. I had some money with my wife, and some settled upon me by a friend. I have had many gifts by friends; many anonymous and considerable gifts. I married in 1858. The income of my wife was sufficient for me to live comfortably upon: but it has been suspended for a time owing to a technical legal difficulty. I believe the first spiritual powers appeared to me when I was six months old; but the first external manifestation that I knew any thing of was developed in 1850. At first I had no means of interpreting the sounds. The alphabet was given to me by a clergyman in America. I did seek to influence plaintiff in the disposition of her property. I endeavoured to influence her against the course she was following, but I do not say that in my heart I was not glad. I still adhere to the statement that the position was forced upon me by the plaintiff. I deny the statement of Mrs. Fellows with reference to what took place in February. The plaintiff did not say, "Oh, my darling, let me see you!" and I did not say, "Don't interrupt me." It is untrue that Mrs. Fellows said, "Let us have a manifestation," and that I replied I had a bad headache. I recollect the pocket-handkerchief being knotted. That was on the 8th of October last. Mrs. Lyon was sitting at the table, and she held up her handkerchief and said, "Look what has occurred!" I asked her whether she had not done it to remind herself of something, and she replied in the negative. On the 7th of October, as I was about to leave the house, I heard a knocking, and the following was rapped out, "Do not say the light of other days has fled. I, Charles, am with you." I did not know the name of her husband at that time. All that has been stated by Mrs. Key with reference to what she heard is perfectly false. What has been stated by Mr. Wilkinson with reference to what took place when the will was made is true. I never said, in answer to a request that there should be a manifestation, "I cannot do it, mother; there is something in Mrs. Fellows' presence." The defendant then proceeded to deny the statements contained in Mrs. Pepper's affidavit.

Mr. James then read a letter from the defendant to a person named Bradshaw, stating, "Should the information you speak of be correct, I will place at your disposal the sum of 300l. after my suit is concluded. I can only do this as you are not a witness, and are outside the cause."

The defendant then went into a history of the letter, stating that it resulted from an anonymous communication he received, which from the first he knew was a trap. He wrote the letter in order that it might be produced in court.

Re-examined by Mr. Matthews.-I have been the guest of crowned heads, and have resided at the Emperor of Russia's palace. I have also been a guest of the Emperor of the French. I never claimed to have the power to produce the manifestation, nor have I the slightest belief that I have the power to do so. There are mediums besides myself. They are always persons of nervous temperament. I know mediums who cannot for a moment be suspected of making a profit out of the manifestations. I saw manifestations in Mr. Jenkin's house. I never consulted spirits with regard to his pecuniary affairs, nor have I professed to do so for other people. I have known Dr. and Miss Gully for many years, and had no motive for deceiving them. Miss Gully was with me at the time the raps came on the umbrella, and she spelt out some of the words. At the last manifestation Mr. Ellis, M.A., of Oxford, was present; that was about a fortnight ago, at Mr. Jenkin's house. At the time Mrs. Lyon gave me the money I had a father, a sister, two aged aunts, and my child dependent upon me. Nobody made money out of the Spiritual Athenæum; on the contrary, the

members lost by it. It was only a place of meeting for the members. When the will was executed I was in Mrs. Lyon's bedroom. I was there at her request, and she asked me to go into the other room when the will was made. Before the will was executed I never spoke to Mr. Wilkinson about it. Nor have I had any communication with Mr. Wilkinson about his other business with Mrs. Lyon. I had two meetings with Mrs. Bradshaw (the person who sent the anonymous letter). She lived at Albert-terrace, in the same house with Mrs. Lyon. When I had an interview with Mrs. Bradshaw I had a witness present.

Mr. Matthews proceeded to comment on the case for the defendant. He remarked on the plaintiff's demeanour in the witness-box, by which she had shown herself a good woman of business and of singular vigour and shrewdness of understanding, and thus unlikely to have been under the extraordinary influence alleged. He dwelt upon the improbability of the plaintiff's story, and read the letter of the 10th of October from the plaintiff to the defendant, in which she wrote, "I have a desire to render you independent of the world, and having ample means for the purpose, without abstracting from any needs or comforts of my own, I have the greatest satisfaction in now presenting you with, and as an entirely FREE GIFT from me, the sum of 24,000l." The plaintiff, in her cross-examination, at first persisted in denying all recollection of the letter, and it was not until it was actually put into her hands she admitted that she had written such a letter, and that it was in her handwriting. Then, all at once, she remembered all about it, how she wrote it from a copy, how, as soon as she had copied the draft, the draft was immediately torn up. What reliance was to be placed upon such testimony? In her answer, speaking of this letter, she said that the draft from which it was copied was destroyed with other business papers on a subsequent occasion, in accordance with the supposed commands of her husband's spirit. What answer, again, could she give to the questions with which she was pressed as to the underscorings in the letter? She evaded the question, and would give no answer. Feeling, with natural shrewdness, the pinch of her case upon this point, she was obliged to resort to shifts, prevaricating and cunning suggestions to evade the difficulty. Her testimony as to all the circumstances attending this letter was full of contradictions. It was impossible to read her letters and doubt the existence of her affection for the defendant. Mr. Fitzroy Kelly followed on the same side.

Mr. James then replied, and in the ensuing term the Vice-Chancellor delivered judgment in this suit, which, he stated, had for its object the setting aside of a gift by the plaintiff to the defendant Home absolutely of a sum of 30,000l. stock, and the settlement upon him of a further sum of 30,000l. His honour first read a statement, or narrative, of the facts of the case, and referred to the lonely position of the plaintiff, who was a widow and childless when the occurrences material to the case took place, and who lived in cheap lodgings, without society or friends capable of advising her. He then read considerable extracts from the bill and answer and evidence in the suit, illustrative of the acquaintanceship and position of the plaintiff and defendant, and referred specially to the denial in the defendant's answer that he had ever caused any spiritual manifestations when alone with the plaintiff, and his statement that if any such had occurred they were occasioned by the plaintiff. As to this denial and statement, his honour read extracts from manuscript books in the plaintiff's handwriting containing accounts of manifestations-such as a handkerchief