Research source

No change whatsoever in the needles was observed other than that which was caused by a vibration due to…

Date of account: Published 1887
Source: Preliminary Report of the Commission Appointed by the University of Pennsylvania to Investigate Modern Spiritualism In Accordance with the Request of the Late Henry Seybert
Reference: Preliminary Report of the Commission Appointed by the University of Pennsylvania to Investigate Modern Spiritualism In Accordance with the Request of the Late Henry Seybert · selected passage 181
Rights: public_domain
Language: English
Record updated: 2026-08-24

Record summary

No change whatsoever in the needles was observed other than that which was caused by a vibration due to shakings of the table

Published source text

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Source passage

Source text · mention only

No such result was noted. No change whatsoever in the needles was observed other than that which was caused by a vibration due to shakings of the table. From time to time the Medium would call attention to one of the needles with the remark, 'There, one of those needles is moving now.' In point of fact, the needle at the time would show no motion other than that caused by the jarring of the table. The Medium went on to say that frequently, under like circumstances, when placed close together, he had seen two needles point around in opposite directions. This might have been true, in the present instance, if the Medium had placed a magnet attached to his foot at a point at which it would have been between the two needles. Its effect would have been just the one which he has described.

Historical context

Contextual commentary · mention only

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Modern context

Contextual commentary · mention only

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