TOPICS.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12464, 13 February 1909, Page 4

TOPICS.

SPIRIT PHOTOGRAPH. Mr W. T. Stead contributed to the" Fortnightly Review" a striking artiole on "Uo the Dead Return?" Ag is well known, he firmly believes that the d9ad do revisit tbe glimpses of the moon, or at loast enter into "communication with living beings. One of his most ounous stories concerns a spirit photograpn. He once paid "a visit to a pnotograpber who had the uncanny power of seeing spirits, and m whose bands even a photographic plate could be made to take an impression of an unsubstantial shadow from another world. "1 had hardly takeu my seat," Mr Stead writes, "before the old man said: 'I had a great fright the otner day. An old Boer came into the studio carrying a gun. He fairly frightened me, so I said to him, ' Go avay; I don't like guns." And ■he went away. Jow lie's back again. He came in with you. He has not got his gun now, and he does not took so tierce. Shall we lat him stay?' 'By all means,' I replied 'Do you think you could get his photograph?" T don't know,' said the man, 'I can 'try.' " Mr Stead sat down in front of tbeoarnera, and an exposure was made. Before the plate "was removed the photographer,, at Mr Stead's request, asked the spirit his name, and receivod .the silent reply, ' * Pietjßotha. " When the negative was ready it showed, standing behind Mr Stead, a tall, big-made man, with aboard. When General Botha went 'to London Mr Stead showel him the'photograpn arid explained its origin! The Boer, Geneial Botha said, was Pietrus Botha, a near relative of his own, and the first Boer Commandant killed at tbe siege of Kiinberley.