Various fables and poems

Although typtology is a very slow means of communication, with patience it is possible to obtain works of substance. Mr. Jaubert, of Carcassonne, was good enough to send us a collection of fables and poems obtained by him through that process. If not all are masterpieces, with which Mr. Jaubert would not feel offended, since he attaches not the least importance to it, some are remarkable, abstraction made of the source from which they proceed. Here is one which, despite not being part of the collection, may give an idea of the spirit of that rapping Spirit. It is dedicated to the Spiritist Society of Bordeaux, by the Spirit himself. [see A Spirit crowned at the floral games.]

THE LITTLE DONKEY’S MONOLOGUE.

Fable.

A donkey, yes, – do not confuse, I never speak ill of anyone of quality, – A well-furred Ass, a real donkey, Well harnessed, it is fitting to grant Was scolding at the station a locomotive.

His gaze sparkled at a lively word.

“Is it you, he then cried, you who are at rest!

“From the neighboring sheep I heard attentively, “That you go without horse, or donkey, without maneuvering; “That you roar dragging like an immense serpent “Those crates, like a village of wood;

“A miracle that once I would have believed, a foolishness! “The times have come at last! no joking!

“I do not take for wheat the alfalfa of a field; “I know to leave the thistle for a bundle of grass. “No one goes so far with iron feet like that.

“I have my rule; and in reason I trust.

“To march without horses? Only you? I defy it.”

A donkey, you see, was invoking reason, Flame which, many a time, makes the fool lose his way. Ah! how many wise men who are like a jackass!

Doctors, you deny the power of the Spirit;

Deny the movement, the force of the motor.

Did man draw electric energy from nothing?

Every locomotive requires, after all, steam;

To evoke the dead… only by the prayer that radiates From a heart full of love.

[1]

One vol. in-18. – Price: 2 fr. – In Carcassonne, L. Labau; in Paris, Ledoyen, Palais-Royal.

[see Allan Kardec’s remark at the beginning of the article The medium and Dr. Imbroglio.]