SPIRIT WRITING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 200, 24 July 1926, Page 9

SPIRIT WRITING.

MEDIUM’S CLAIM. “CHRONICLE OF CLEOPHAS.“ STRANGE EVIDENCE HEARD. LONDON, July 22. Geraldine Cummins, a professional medium, instituted an action against Frederick Bligh Bond, author ana editor of “Psychio Science,” claiming the copyright of a literary work entitled ; “The Chronicle of Cleophas,” purporting to be an account of the apostles and the early days of Christianity. The action was heard before'Mr Justice Eve. Miss Cummins gave evidence in support of her claim that she auto-suggested herself into a dream state in which spirit writing poured from her pen. Bond’s counsel explained that Bond was frequently present at these demonstrations. He claimed the copyright because the communications were addressed to him.

Miss Cummins claimed that Bond agreed that she should take one-third of the profits of the publication. j Air Justice Eve expressed wonder ' that the Cleophas spoke in archaio English. He nad supposed that the original Cleophas spoke Hebrew, not mediaeval English. Bond gave evidence that be had been called to assist in connection with the writings because he was known to be able to get writings of this character from mediums. In this particular instance Cleophas called for him. The judge: If you had Browning’s poems and endeavoured' to explain what Browning meant you wouldn’t call yourself the author of them. They are Just as unintelligible to the ordinary man as Cleophas. . Counsel said that Bond was a man of some distinction, whereupon the judge said: “I don’t care ‘tuppence’ i what his reputation is. A lot of i things want explaining.” He decided that the-copyright belonged to Cummins, and that Bond should pay the costs. —A. and N.Z. qable.