# Spirit-Rapping and Medium Humbugs explained — The Humbugs of the World

> Chapter companion for The Humbugs of the World by P. T. Barnum.

## What happens

This chapter exposes the origins and methods of spirit-rapping and mediumship, starting with the Fox sisters in Hydesville, New York, who produced mysterious sounds by snapping their toe and knee joints. It details how the Fox family capitalized on the gullibility of the public, moving to Rochester and New York City, and how the practice evolved into a profession with various classes of mediums, including 'test mediums' and the 'Great Spirit Postmaster' J. V. Mansfield, who fraudulently answers sealed letters. The chapter concludes with a challenge offering $500 to any medium who can answer questions without opening the envelope.

## Themes in this chapter

### Universality of Deception

The chapter shows how spirit-rapping and mediumship are widespread deceptions, exploiting the public's desire for the marvelous.

### Gullibility and Human Nature

Highlights the readiness of people to believe in supernatural explanations despite evidence of fraud.

### Advertising and Showmanship

Describes how mediums like Mansfield use showmanship and trickery to maintain their business and attract clients.

## Character check-ins

### Fox Sisters

Started the spirit-rapping humbug in Hydesville, New York, by producing sounds with their joints.

### J. V. Mansfield

Known as the 'Great Spirit Postmaster,' he fraudulently answers sealed letters addressed to spirits.

### Hans Von Vleet

Produces loud raps before audiences and modulates them to seem distant, without betraying the source.

### Mrs. Conant

Relative of the Fox girls who exposed the rapping method by making a solemn deposition before a magistrate.

## Key lines

> The 'spirit-rapping' humbug was started in Hydesville, New York, about seventeen years ago, by several daughters of a Mr. Fox, living in that place.

The spirit-rapping fraud began around 1848 in Hydesville, New York, initiated by the Fox sisters.

_Establishes the origin of the spirit-rapping phenomenon._

> These girls discovered that certain exercises of their anatomy would produce mysterious sounds—mysterious to those who heard them, simply because the means of their production were not apparent.

The Fox sisters found they could create puzzling sounds by manipulating their joints, which seemed mysterious only because the method was hidden.

_Explains the physical mechanism behind the supposed supernatural raps._

> Mrs. Culver, a relative of the Fox girls, made a solemn deposition before a magistrate, to the effect that one of the girls had instructed her how to produce the 'raps,' on condition that she (Mrs. C.) should not communicate a knowledge of the matter to anyone.

A relative of the Fox sisters, Mrs. Culver, testified under oath that one of the girls taught her how to make the rapping sounds, swearing her to secrecy.

_Provides direct evidence of the fraud from an insider._

> I will write a series of questions addressed to one of my spirit-friends, enclose them in an envelope, and if Mr. Mansfield or any other professed medium will answer those questions pertinently in my presence, and without touching the envelope, I will give to such party five hundred dollars, and think I have got the worth of my money.

I challenge any medium to answer my sealed questions without opening the envelope; if they succeed, I will pay them $500 and consider it well spent.

_A direct challenge to expose the fraud of sealed-letter mediums._

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