Preface.

The following remarkable poem and interesting narrative are the work of a lady who has already established for herself a fair literary reputation, but from prudential motives she has decided to withhold her name for the present from the title-page of this book.

The publisher saw objections to placing it before the public anonymously, lest it might be looked upon as little more than a clever fiction. To remove this difficulty, and in the belief that the work is a most valuable contribution to the cause of truth, I have consented to introduce it with my name.

The authoress, who is residing abroad, assures me that every spiritual occurrence herein narrated is absolutely and accurately true; and that all the actors in the varied and curious scenes are veritable living personages, whose names she has furnished to me.

During the progress of this work, the authoress became aware of a gradual development of mediumistic powers in herself, and she is now producing some extraordinary drawings and writings, under, as she believes, the guidance and dictation of the spirit of her late lamented husband.

Differences of opinion there will be on the points of reasoning and the principles enunciated in this book; but there can be none I think as to the high literary talent and freshness displayed in the treatment of the subject, nor as to the extremely interesting nature of the facts which the narrative discloses.