Doubtless the reader has heard of "the Mysterious Noises," "the Rochester Knockings," "the Spirit Rappings," "Spirit Manifestations," &c, and would be glad to know their nature and cause. It is the object of the following pages to give information on this subject. "We believe this mystery can be explained to the satisfaction of all candid minds, and, moreover, that in our day an understanding of it is of some importance, beyond the mere gratification of the love of novelty.

In order that the reader may be able to form his own opinion, we have endeavored to furnish him the materials for doing so. For this purpose wo have given a concise history of these mysterious manifestations in our own day, also accounts of similar phenomena in former times, as well as the testimony of a large number of intelligent and candid persons in reference to them; and we think the reader will find such means of information more ample in this work than in any other extant

With regard to the Exposition, the reader must judge when he has read it We, of course, believe it is the best that has yet been given, or we should not have published it. The whole phenomenon may be accounted for on the hypothesis we have chosen, but it can not, we think, on any other we have seen.

In mechanical execution, the work will not suffer in comparison with other first editions.

The arrangement is not perfect, wo are aware; yet we trust the reader will not find much fault with it in this respect.

On some points we have done but little more than give hints, leaving the reader to carry out the subject which he will find it easy, and, we trust pleasurable to do.

In conclusion, we would say, we can not invest our humble book with the mysterious awe of the spheres and circles of the "spirit world," nor tell our readers that it has been written under the direction and control of the spirits of the dead; yet we can assure them that our object has been to arrive at the truth. "We ask for it a candid reading, indulgence toward its imperfections, and a respectful consideration of the views it contains.

J. C. BYWATER.
Rochester, N. Y., May 17, 1852.