Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Spiritualism, Representation, Photography, Charlatanry

    Reflecting on claims that 'the Spirits' can 'take portraits', anticipates other useful domestic activities that they might undertake, thus positing a 'Spirit-of-all-work' who could fulfil this duty without needing payment or nourishment, and without causing such disturbances as chattering. Goes on to discuss a letter published in the Spiritual Magazine (a reference to Anon 1861b), which presents evidence for a spirit having produced a portrait of the correspondent's dead mother. Considers the impact of this phenomenon on traditional methods of painting and photography. Concludes by wondering what the 'Spirit of Humbug', spiritualism, 'will be thy next little caper'.