Here was another law of nature put to shame, in the miraculous fact that fire was seemingly deprived of the power of burning.

How this could be, I cannot guess; but I record manfully the fact as witnessed.

After this, an accordion held under the table by Mr.Home with one hand, the other being upon the table, positively played a tune of itself--"Ye banks and braes o' bonnie Doon"-- requested by Dr.Chambers, "that being the tune his dead child loved so." I was requested to look under the table to see the "spirit-hand" operating near the carpet; but I saw nothing except the vitalised accordion expanding and contracting of itself, being held tightly at the upper handle by Mr.Home.Some of the company, however, claimed to see and to shake hands with the child, and Mr.Home requested me to ask for a similar favour by placing my hand open under the table; this, accordingly, I ventured to do, with the result of feeling my thumb sensibly touched and thrilled, which I was told was a good sign of favour from the spirits--albeit in my own mind I remembered what our omniscient Shakespeare sings at the mouth of one of the Macbeth witches, "By the pricking of my thumbs Something wicked this way comes"-- and failed to feel quite comfortable.

Soon, however, Mr.Home said: "The accordion is leaving my hand;" and I saw the mysterious thing crawling on the floor like a lame dog till it got into a corner.

Of course, I suspected a secret string; but all at once it moved out and came back, moaning AEolianly as it went, and stood up beside the chair of Mrs.
Colonel N.S., who patted it lovingly; thence passing behind me it went and stood beside the Countess, who also caressed it; and then Mr.Home said: "Now ask the spirit to come to you;" whereto I acceded, and the accordion crept near me, as if unwillingly, and stood up; but when I touched it the thing shrank from my unsympathetic hand, and fell down flop.
After this, I noticed that my naval friend was staring with all his eyes at something over our military widow's head, and that his hair (it is red, which colour is very spiritualistic) stood on end as with fear.
"What's the matter, P. ?" I asked.