THE BIRMINGHAM DAILY GAZETTE

Birmingham, Warwickshire, England

23 May 1917

(page 3)

THE “M.M.M.” RAID.

Psychist’s Letter from Sir Oliver Lodge.

A REGENT-ST. “VESTRY.”

The methods of Mrs. Mary Davies, the psychist who has the letters “M.M.M.” on the glass panel of the front door, were again discussed yesterday at Marlborough-street, London, when she was charged with professing to tell fortunes.

Mr. Muskett, who prosecuted, has suggested that these letters stood for “Mysteria, Mystica, Maxima.”

To the magistrate (Mr. Denman) he said he thought “M.M.M.” might stand for “Museum of Mystic Mummery.”

When the police raided the premises in Regent-street Mrs. Davies was discovered seated in what Detective-Inspector Curry described as a sort of throne chair, and wearing masonic regalia representing the Worshipful Master. Ten people who surrounded her wore the aprons of Master Masons.

Mrs. Davies said it was a Masonic Lodge, but the officer said he did not recognise that claim, and understood that she called it “The Order of the Temple of the Orient.”

Letters from Eminent People.

In cross-examination inspector Curry said he found a number of letters from eminent people, including Sir Oliver Lodge and Admiral Smith-Dorrien.

Mr. Sharp: Were the letters appreciative of her mystical powers as a spiritualist?—No.

A witness sent by the police did not agree that the “little cheery talk” was such as she might have had with an old friend or a clergyman. “It cost half a guinea,” she added.

Another witness asked about a two-year-old baby suffering from heart disease. “At twelve o’clock every day,” said Mrs. Davies, “sit down with your baby, placing your right hand over his heart just by his cardiac and your left hand on him.

“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.”

“I have a child 4 1/2 years old, and he is quite well,” the witness told the magistrate.

“Vestry” in Regent-street.

In the witness-box defendant described herself as a preacher, authoress, and medium. She denied that she ever told fortunes.

The Magistrate: You keep a shop in Regent-street?—Oh, no, not a shop. I put it to the same use as a clergyman puts his vestry.

And charge half a guinea?—They have their stipends. I use my room to help and advise souls and people in trouble.

Defendant was fined £40, with ten guineas costs.