True, she was aunt to the little one whose little hand she was holding. The pressure upon the paper of the first two sheets was uneven, and it requires close attention to follow some portions of the first attempt, but in the last she seems to have overcome all difficulties and accomplished her purpose of giving us a fact of spirit control.

Little Etta has passed on to the higher life within a year of this event.

It is fair to say her parents were not Spiritualists. They took the child and gave her paper and pencil, but failed to get satisfactory results.

That little circle of innocent children singing their songs had created an atmosphere of harmony favourable for that sensitive little child to receive the impress or control of a decarnate spirit. Those familiar with phenomena of this kind will readily appreciate the difference in conditions. - Yours truly, A. E. Hempstead.

This is to certify that we were present and witnessed the writing of little Etta, as described in the foregoing statement, and know that neither Etta nor any other pupil present at the time could have written the messages of their own abilities. [Signed] Laura Hempstead.

L. A. K.

I am the mother of little Etta, and know she had not been taught the alphabet, or how to hold her pencil. [Signed] Mrs. B. W. Terry.

In another letter Mr. Hempstead adds:-

Newtown, N.Y., October 16th, 1890.

In reply to your last inquiry I will say Etta's message was written just before Easter.

The messages we still have, although somewhat difficult to read, as they were in pencil, and the uneven pressure upon the paper requires close attention. We did not ink it over, as we wished to preserve its purity. Remember she held the pencil between the middle fingers of her left hand, as she was not taught the art of holding her pencil. I have written in ink upon their margins in the order that she wrote them.

Will gladly loan them to you, trusting they will be duly returned.

Newtown, November 19th, 1890.

Dear Sir, - By a strange grouping of circumstances your letter, little Etta's mother, the young lady who witnessed the writing, all came into our home here in Newtown together, bringing the mail with them, as if unconsciously directed, so I am prepared to return your paper promptly. They all read it, and without hesitation gave their signatures. In the case of Miss K., she said she would rather not have her name mentioned publicly on account of her connection with the church, etc, which you may readily understand.

The mother explained that the child was left-handed, and L. did not remember about the manner in which she (Etta) held the pencil. But my daughter is positive, and one not likely to forget so novel a feature. Hoping the above will suffice, I remain, very truly yours for humanity, A. E. Hempstead.

Dr. Hodgson adds:-

October 30th, 1890.

Mr. Hempstead has kindly sent me the writings by the little girl Etta for my inspection. There are three small sheets of paper with several attempts at writing on both sides of each sheet. There are indications of "Aunt" and "Emma" on the first and second sheets; Emma being written tolerably well on the second sheet. The enclosed tracing is of the last attempt.

An account (seen by me and concordant with the above) had been sent by Mr. Hempstead to the Banner of Light immediately after the incident, and was printed May 4th, 1889. I have seen the tracing of the last-written phrase, "your aunt Emma." It is a free scrawl, resembling the planchette-writing of an adult rather than the first effort of a child.