THE BIRMINGHAM DAILY MAIL

Birmingham, Warwickshire, England

22 May 1917

(page 3)

SPIRIT CURE.

THE CHARGE AGAINST A LONDON PSYCHIST.

A LETTER FROM SIR OLIVER LODGE.

At Marlborough Street, today, the hearing was continued of the case in which Mrs. Mary Davies, psychist, is charged with professing to tell fortunes. When the police raided her premises in Regent Street the accused was discovered seated in what Detective inspector Curry described as “a sort of throne chair,” and wearing Masonic regalia representing the Worshipful Master. Mrs. Davies declared that it was a Masonic lodge, but the officer informed her that he did not recognise that claim, and understood that she called it “The Order of the Temple of the Orient.”

Detective-inspector Curry, in cross-examination by Mr. Sharp, did not agree that “M.M.M.” was a Masonic Lodge. The “throne” was just an ordinary Masonic chair.

Mr. Sharp: Did you find a number of letters from eminent people?—Yes.

Just to mention two—Sir Oliver Lodge and Admiral Smith-Dorrien?—Yes.

Were they appreciative letters of her mystical powers as a Spiritualist?—No.

Mrs. Bertha Brondie, sent by the police, asked the defendant’s advice about her two-year-old baby, “suffering from heart disease.” Defendant closed her eyes and said: “I see your baby quite clearly. He has most wonderful eyes, big eyes. I do not think his heart is badly diseased. I think he can be cured. At twelve o’clock every day sit down with your baby, placing your right hand over his heart. Sit there for ten minutes like that, and during that time I will be very quiet and throw out my spirit to meet yours to cure this child, and to throw out the disease.

Witness said she had a child. He was quite well.

Defendant was fined £40 and ordered to pay in addition 10 guineas costs.