A lesson in calligraphy by a Spirit.

In general the Spirits are not masters of calligraphy, for ordinarily the medium's handwriting is not remarkable for its elegance. Mr. D…, one of our mediums, presented in this regard an exceptional phenomenon, that is, he wrote much better under the influence of the Spirits than under his own inspiration. His normal handwriting is dreadful (of which he is not vain, saying that it is the handwriting of great men); it takes on a special, very distinctive character, according to the Spirit who communicates, and it is always the same with the same Spirit, but clearer, more legible, and more correct; with some, it is a kind of English script, traced with a certain boldness. One of the members of the Society, Dr. V…, had the idea of evoking a distinguished calligrapher, with the study of calligraphy as the object of observation. He knew one, named Bertrand, who had died about two years before, with whom, in another session, we had the conversation that follows:

To the formula of evocation, he answered:

Here I am.

Where were you when we evoked you?

Answer. – I was already near you.

Do you know the principal purpose that led us to request that you come?

Answer. – No; but I wish to know it.

Observation. – The Spirit of Mr. Bertrand is still under the influence of matter, as was to be supposed, given his earthly life; it is known that such Spirits are less apt to read thought than those who are more dematerialized.

We should like you to have the medium reproduce a calligraphic handwriting possessing the characteristics of the one you had in life. Can you do it? Answer. – I can do it.

Observation. – From that moment the medium, who does not proceed according to the rules taught by calligraphy teachers, took, without perceiving it, a correct posture, both in regard to the body and to the hand. All the rest of the conversation was written like the fragment whose facsimile we reproduce. As a term of comparison, we give above the medium's normal handwriting. n

Do you remember the circumstances of your earthly life?

Answer. – Some of them.

Could you tell us in what year you died?

Answer. – In 1856.

At what age?

Answer. – At 56 years.

In what city did you dwell?

Answer. – Saint-Germain.

What was your manner of life?

Answer. – I strove to gratify my body.

Did you occupy yourself a little with the things of the other world?

Answer. – Not much.

Do you regret not belonging to this world?

Answer. – I regret not having put my existence to good use.

Are you happier than on Earth?

Answer. – No; I suffer for the good I did not do.

What do you think of the future that is reserved for you?

Answer. – I think that I have need of all of God's mercy.

What are your relations in the world where you are?

Answer. – Lamentable and unhappy relations.

When you return to Earth, are there places you frequent by preference?

Answer. – I seek the souls who have compassion on my sufferings, or who pray for me.

Do you see the things of Earth as clearly as when you lived among us?

Answer. – I try not to see them; if I sought them, it would be one more cause of distress.

It is said that, when alive, you were very little tolerant. Is it true?

Answer. – I was very violent.

What do you think of the purpose of our meetings?

Answer. – I should very much have liked to have known them when incarnate; they would have made me better.

Do you see there other Spirits besides yourself?

Answer. – Yes, but I feel quite confused before them.

We pray to God that He keep you in His holy mercy. The sentiments you have just expressed will cause you to find grace before Him, and we do not doubt that they will aid your progress. Answer. – I thank you; may God protect you! Blessed be He for it! My turn will come too, so I hope.

Observation. – The teachings furnished by the Spirit of Mr. Bertrand are absolutely exact and in accordance with the manner of life and the character that were known of him; only, in confessing his inferiority and his errors, the language is more serious and more elevated than could be expected of him. He proves to us, once more, the painful situation of those who on Earth attached themselves excessively to matter. It is thus that the inferior Spirits themselves, through example, often give us precious lessons in morality. [1] Translator's note: See the photographic reproduction on the following leaf (page 307). In the later reprints of the 1858 Spiritist Review, this facsimile ceased to be published.