One isolated but very interesting experiment deserves to be recorded here. I had a young man reading with me as a private pupil at this time. On February 12th he returned from his vacation; and, on being told of our experiments, expressed his incredulity very strongly. I offered any proof that he liked to insist upon, only stipulating that I should see the question asked. Accordingly, Mrs. Newnham took her accustomed chair in my study, while we went out into the hall, and shut the door behind us. He then wrote down on a piece of paper: 87. What is the Christian name of my eldest sister?

We at once returned to the study, and found the answer already waiting for us: A. Mina.

(This name was the family abbreviation of Wilhelmina: and I should add that it was unknown to myself.) . . .

We soon found that my wife was perfectly unable to follow the motions of the planchette. Often she only touched it with a single finger; but even with all her fingers resting on the board she never had the slightest idea of what words were being traced out. This is important to remember, in view of the fact that five or six questions were often asked consecutively without her being told of the subject that was being pursued. (Rule 2).

It struck me that it would be a good thing to take advantage of this peculiarity on her part, to ask questions upon subjects that it was impossible for her to know anything about. ... I had taken a deep interest in Masonic archaeology, and I now questioned planchette on some subjects connected therewith.

February 14th. 92. What is the English of the Great Word of the R.A.? (After an interruption, of which I shall speak hereafter, one great word of the Degree, but not the one I meant, was written, very slowly and clearly).

97. Is the word truly genuine, or is it a made-up one? A. Tried to tell: can't.

98. By whom was the word first used? A. Too hard work for wife. February 18th. 112. What is the translation of the Great Triple Word?

A. (The first syllable of the word in question was written correctly, and then it proceeded.) The end unknown. Three languages. Greece. Egypt. Syriac.

113. What part of the word is Greek? A. Meaning unknown.

114. When was the word first invented? A. Told all I know.

115. Who are you that know? (Answer scrawled and illegible).

116. Please repeat same answer legibly? A. Manifestation triune person.

(Here follow questions 117-22, as above).

March 15th. 125, 126. What are the three languages of which the Great R.A. Word is composed? A. Answered all I could before.

127. You said one part of the word was Greek. Which is it? A. Greek, I think.

128. Which syllable do you think is Greek? A. The last.

129. What is the English translation of it? A. Can't explain it.

130. If the last syllable be Greek, which is Egyptian, as you said? A. I cannot tell you more than you know.

131. But why, then, do you say that that syllable is Greek which I think Egyptian? A. Wife can't always receive impressions.

(Here follow 132-39, as above).

March 26th. 166. Of what language is the first syllable of the Great Triple R.A. Word? A. Don't know.

167. Yes, you do. What are the three languages of which the word is composed? A. Greek, Egypt, Syriac first syllable {correctly given), rest unknown.

168. Write the syllable which is Syriac. A. (First syllable correctly written).

169. Write the syllable which is Egyptian. A. Second.

170. Can you not write the syllable itself? A. Third Greek.

174. Write down the word itself. A. (First three and last two letters were written correctly, but four incorrect letters, partly borrowed from another word of the same degree, came in the middle).

176. Why do you write a word of which I know nothing? A. Wife tried hard to tell the word, but could not quite catch it.

177. Catch it from whom? A. Not quite sure.

178. Not quite sure of what? A. I know nothing. Wife doesn't quite know. 182. Write out the prayer used at the advancement of a Mark Master Mason.

A. Almighty Ruler of the Universe and Architect of all worlds, we beseech Thee to accept this, our brother, whom we have this day received into our most honourable Company of Mark Master Masons. Grant him to be a worthy member of our brotherhood; and may he be in his own person a perfect mirror of all Masonic virtues. Grant that all our doings may be to Thy honour and glory, and to the welfare of all mankind.

This prayer was written off instantaneously and very rapidly. It is a very remarkable production indeed. For the benefit of those who are not members of the craft, I may say that no prayer in the slightest degree resembling it is made use of in the Ritual of any Masonic degree; and yet it contains more than one strictly accurate technicality connected with the degree of Mark Mason. My wife has never seen any Masonic prayers, whether in "Carlile," or any other real or spurious Ritual of the Masonic Order.