Genre:

Song, Satire

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Spiritualism, Charlatanry, Proof, Miracles, Belief

    Deeming Daniel D Home's 'flying exploits' to have outdone those of Robert Paltock's fictional character Peter Wilkins, this song describes some of the dubious feats performed by the medium, ending with the verse 'Home, Home, great Home—/ There's no case like Home'. Among the phenomena described are his 'lift from the spirits', a self-playing accordion, and dancing tables, but the writer also emphasizes the suspicious circumstances under which these phenomena are produced. For example, notes that the accordion will only play 'if you won't look too hard at the works hid within', that 'you musn't peep under the [séance] table', and that the phenomena only occur in the house of Home's friend. Concludes by noting that people will regard spirits as signalling the 'new age of miracles [...] if only they'll consent to be kept in the dark'. The illustration shows a woman with a goose's face (to signify her credulity), being crowned with a wreath carried by spirit hands.

See also:

CM1/2/2/3