The Humbugs of the World · Chapter
Chapter XVII explained
This chapter exposes the absurdities and fraudulent practices of spiritualist mediums, focusing on the 'boy medium' Henry B.
What happens
This chapter exposes the absurdities and fraudulent practices of spiritualist mediums, focusing on the 'boy medium' Henry B. Allen and his manager Dr. Randall, who performed fake physical manifestations using trickery. It also recounts the ludicrous story of a female medium at High Rock who supposedly gave birth to a 'Motive Force' (a spiritual baby), and includes anecdotes about fake spirit writing and the gullibility of believers, including professors and clergymen.
Themes in this chapter
Gullibility and Human Nature
The chapter highlights the extreme gullibility of spiritualist believers, who accepted absurd claims such as a woman giving birth to a motive force and a boy medium's transparent tricks.
Advertising and Showmanship
The Allen boy's séances were 'managed' by Dr. Randall, who charged admission fees and used theatrical arrangements to deceive audiences, illustrating the showmanship behind spiritualist fraud.
Hypocrisy and Moral Judgment
The chapter criticizes educated individuals like Professor Bush and Reverend Spear who endorsed spiritualist nonsense, exposing their hypocrisy and failure to apply critical thinking.
Characters to notice
- Henry B. Allen
A thirteen-year-old 'boy medium' who performed fraudulent physical manifestations, exposed by the lampblack test and later by Mr. Hall.
- Mr. Barnum
The author and narrator, who provides critical commentary on the spiritualist deceptions and the gullibility of the public.
- Dr. Newton
Referenced as a quack healer who performed fraudulent 'stroking' cures, including a merchant who could lift a note in bank and an old lady who heard from her son in California.
- Joanna Southcott
Mentioned in comparison to the High Rock spiritualist absurdity, as her claims were similarly ridiculous and blasphemous.
- Mr. Greeley
Quoted for his remark that if a man will be a consummate jackass and fool, nothing in the Constitution prevents it, used to comment on spiritualists' lack of common sense.
- Hans Von Vleet
Mentioned as Dr. Von Vleck, who performed the principal feats of the Allen boy with his hands tied, exposing the trick.
Key passages
“The great question of all was, Who was the daddy? I don’t know of anybody’s asking this question, but its importance is extreme and obvious.”
The most important question about the spiritual birth of the 'Motive Force' was who fathered it, yet no one seemed to ask.
Barnum highlights the absurdity of the High Rock incident by pointing out the obvious but ignored question of paternity.
“Horace Greeley says that if a man will be a consummate jackass and fool, he is not aware of anything in the Constitution to prevent it.”
Horace Greeley remarked that the Constitution does not stop a person from being a complete fool.
Barnum uses Greeley's quote to justify his criticism of spiritualists who lack common sense.