irely uncontrolled in any way。 The first set of these lodgings was somewhere near Westbourne Grove and kept by a young widow。 As they did not turn out respectable I was moved to others in Davis Street； an excellent situation for a young gentleman about town。 Be it remembered that this happened at a time of life when youths nowadays are either still at school or just gone up to College； where they have the advantage of effective guidance and control for some years。 At this age I was thrown upon the world； as I remember when I was a little lad my elder brothers threw me into the Rhine to teach me to swim。 After nearly drowning I learned to swim； and in a sense the same may be said of my London life。
There is a kind Providence that helps some people through many dangers； although unfortunately it seems to abandon others to their fate。 In my case it helped me through。
Among the risks I ran were those attendant upon spiritualism。 Somehow or other； I have not the faintest recollection how； I became a frequent visitor at the house of old Lady Paulet； No。 20 Hanover Square。 She was a great spiritualist； and I used to attend her seances。 Undoubtedly very strange things happened at these seances which I will not stop to describe。 Among the other habitues of the “circle” was Lady Caithness； who wore a necklace of enormous diamonds。 When the lights were turned down these diamonds were the last objects visible。 They gleamed alone； and seemed to be hung on air。 On these occasions a lady called Mrs。 Guppy was the great medium。 On Mrs。 Guppy I and a confederate used to play jokes。 For instance； one of the manifestations was that the table suddenly became covered with great quantities of roses covered with dew。 Off these roses my friend and I； having unlinked our hands； br