JOHN BRIGHT'S MEDIUM.

NZ Truth, Issue 118, 21 September 1907, Page 7

JOHN BRIGHT'S MEDIUM.

Amusing Evidence m Libel Case at Manchester. Spirit Lawyers— Counsel Objects to Assertion that they Work Without Fees.

Remarkable and exceedingly amusing evidence was given m a spiritualistic libel case heard at Manchester Assizes recently. The plaintiff was Mrs Emma White, a professional medium, who sought to recover clamages from the "Two _ Worlds Publishing Company for libel. The defence was' that the words complained of wen: an accurate report of proceedings m a Liverpool County Court case, and were fair comment on a matter of public interest. Furthermore, they were uttered m regard to plaintiff as a spiritualistic medium, and that tbe latter being an illegal profession, the action could nol? toe maintained. According to the opening statement, a young dock laborer consulted plaintiff, ATTENDED HER SEANCES, and paid her money. Suddenly he took it into his head to attend no more, and an action was brought m the Liverpool County Court to- recover the money he had paid. It 'was alleged that the sums were jnnrclv advanced as loans. Judgment were Sivcn for ' Mrs White, and ■it was m an article dealing mth

the case that the alleged libel was uttered.

One of thc paragraphs complained of ran thus :— "Eventually Mr Connerty began to advance money to the medium at the dictation of the spirits, until nearly £20 had been so advanced. The spirits appear to have promised much, and became quite resentful when Mr Connertv suggested that it was time the advances were repaid."

A solicitor who was called as a witness, and who professed to be a Biblical spiritualist, admitted that lie said m a letter, "the control who governs and controls generally the ORGANISM OF OUR CLIENT claims to be the reformer, John Bright. He still is an ardent reformer, desirous of advancing the cause of truth and the possibility of communion with our departed friends. He is' at all times willing to submit himself and his medium to any committee of responsible spiritualists with that object." At this the court laughed, and Mr Tobin, K.C., for the defence, asked the witness : "Do you say John Bricht is willing to submit himself to any committee of spiritualists. How can you get John Bright ?" Witness : I can satisfy a committee of practical spiritualists that John Bright claims to control a medium, and can be seen. Mr Tobin : Could you satisfy the iurv that they can see John Bright ? —Witness . That is not the point. PAINS OF HANGING. Mrs White said she was a medical psychometrist, and the alleged libel had seriously affected her business. In cross-examination she said- thp ohK jects of earnest spiritualists -were :' "their duty to God and brotherhood to man, and to help one another as far as they co.uld.' The dock laborer himself .said he had received great benefit from the seances."

Mr Tobin : Do you go m for medical diagnosis •?— Witness :• I do not-; but the spirit goes m ...for that. I have been able to help a great many. Psychometry. the witness explained, was the obtaining of an opinion about another person through an article which might be sent through the post. Mr Tobin : If one of thc jurymen sent, by post an OLD PAIR OF TROUSERS, would that do ?— T should not take them. I should want a lock of hair or something small. Suppose you had a look of my hair ?— I would sit and see if the spirit guidance came to me, and whatever was given under • bhe guidance you would have. Mrs White -added that she oxn-erien-ced the same pain, that people suffered who had met with a violent death. Mr Tobin : Have you ever had to summon the spirit of a suicidr- ?— Witness: I have gone through t^hat for the benefit of the wife of a murderer.

Mr Tobin : Have von through the pain of hanging ? — Witness : Yes, and with many people m the room. It was

TO HELP THE WIFE and to give her peace and comfort, which it did.

In reply to further questions, she said that lawyers 'after death would find someone they could work through but would charge no fees. Mr Tobin replied, "On the face of it, ■ maflame.' that must be untrue," and thc court laughed again.

Mrs While further said that Lord Salisbury had appeared to her. and that John Bright's astral name was "Triumphant."

Mr Tobin, fgr the defendants, said there were earnest and sincere spiritualists, who were animated 'by the highest motives, but Mrs White was not one of these.

After a long deliberation m private the jury intimated that tbey couici not agree, and were discharged.