number of Mr. Sothern's friends, who had
been given to understand that something
remarkable was to be performed, assembled
in the former's room at the Sherman
House and took seats around a marble-top
table, which was placed in the center of
the apartment. On the table were a number
of glasses, two very large bottles, and
five lemons. A sprightly young gentleman
attempted to crack a joke about spirits
being confined in bottles, but the company
frowned him down, and for once Mr.
Sothern had a sober audience to begin
with.

There was a good deal of curiosity
regarding the object of the gathering, but
no one was able to explain. Each gentleman
testified to the fact Mr. Sothern's
agent had waited upon him, and solicited
his presence at a little exhibition to be
given by the actor, NOT of a comical nature.

Mr. Sothern himself soon after
appeared, and, after shaking hands with the
party, thus addressed them:

``Gentlemen, I have invited you here
this evening to witness a few manifestations,
demonstrations, tests, or whatever