A witness tells of the phenomenon of an eight-year old boy who appeared able to see objects behind his back. The mention of Mr. Irving refers to the Reverend Edward Irving, the man behind the founding of the Catholic Apostolic Church, whose great eloquence made him a popular speaker of the time.
“On Tuesday, we visited the Eqyptian-hall, Piccadilly, induced by the published account of ‘The astonishing powers of Master McKean, only eight years old, one of the greatest prodigies of the age, just arrived in London from the Highlands of Scotland, and now exhibiting at the Egyptian-hall Bazaar.’ We there found a boy about the age mentioned, and without any thing extraordinary in his appearance, and a numerous company of ladies and gentlemen assembled to witness his performance, in which he was assisted by his father, and which evidently excited the very highest degree of wonder. It would be impossible to make room for any particular description of the various performances that were exhibited. A brief sketch of a few may serve to give some idea of what, in a different age of the world, would certainly be deemed supernatural. The child or phenomenon stood at a chair in a corner of the room, with his back turned to the company, and on a schoolboy’s slate, which answered for a plate, collected from the company any thing they chose to put on. Some put money – some a trinket – some a button, and some a glove. The father then took the articles severally in his hand, calling on the phenomenon to describe each, which he did, or appeared to do, in the minutest particular; and even when an attempt was made to mislead him, he instantly detected it. for instance, the father took a glove from the plate, saying, declare what piece of money I have taken up? – It’s not money. What is it? – A glove. What colour is it? – Black. What hand is it for? – The left hand. All answers perfectly correct. Another instance:-What have I taken up now? – Money. What coin? – Half a crown. What King’s reign? – George the Fourth. What year? – 1824. All perfectly correct. There was coin of various dates, and some of the reign of George the Third and William the Fourth, but he never made any mistake. The father asked some of the company to write their names on a slate. A lady and two gentlemen did so. We can answer for it there was no collusion in one of the names, and we are not less certain of the others. They were all called over by the phenomenon in the order they were written, without a moment’s hesitation. – We shall mention by one wonder more. The phenomenon was lead out of the room, and door closed; his father then stood at the opposite side of the room, and called upon any of the company who chose to go to him, and whisper to him to him in the lowest possible voice. Three gentlemen did so. There could certainly be no collusion – one of the gentlemen was one of the most distinguished barristers at the bar. The phenomenon was brought into the room, and after taking his post at the chair, with his back to the company, was asked what the first gentleman said, what the second said, and what the third? They all declared the answers to be true to the letter. We doubt whether the gift of tongues excited more wonder amongst Mr. Irving’s congregation, than the performances, of which we have mentioned but a part, excited amongst those who witnessed them, though in justice to ourselves we must say that we by no means intend to confound Mr. McKean, who makes no pretensions to supernatural gifts, with the pretenders of the Caledonian chapel – Morning Advertiser.”
The Stamford Mercury, 11th November, 1831.