SOLVENCY.

SOLVENCY.The menstruum is supposed toactby "chymical attraction," from having "chymical affinity" on the involved "chymical solid," which enables it to draw out the elementary atoms of the solid: whereas theinertmenstruum does nothing; it is but an interstitial recipient for the atoms to be forced into, as they become centrifugally forced out of the solid. And because the atoms of a body are of different sizes, some make novel interstices, and thus expedite the dissolution. Only by increasing the number and kind of interstices, can diluting a menstruum with water increase what is imagined to be its solvency. Neither chymical properties, nor chymical strength of a fluid, if it had any such,could be increased by dilution, and the stronger should dissolve that which the weaker is said to dissolve. The contrary supposes that the force which breaks a stone is too strong to break a nutshell. Mechanical dissolution by the centrifugal pressure is independent ofchymicalities.Gastric solutionis effected similarly: the juice has none of the chymical properties of Liebig, nor does ingestion stand in need of the living principle of Coombe; the former are imaginary, the latter is denied from gastric solution taking place in a tea-cup. The gastric juice is an interstitial receiver of the elements of the pulp, when forced out by the centrifugal pressure into the gastric menstruum, as those of soap into water. The pulp and itsstriæare disunited, mechanically decomposed, not abraded: some of its elements escape into the air within the stomach, which, by disturbing the equilibrium within, promote irregularity of pressure on the outside of the sac, which causes thepliæto be in the peristaltic motion, supposed to be caused by the stomach stimulating itself. The same circumstances take place within and without the intestines. The whole process of digestion is dynamic, in which the only stimulant is pressure.Of the various conjectures on the origin of the gastric juice, there cannot be any more unreasonable than that which considers it a fluidsui generis, and as having origin out of the stomach. All fluids are compounds; and those belonging to the body may be said to be formed out of, or by commixture with others. To suppose for an instant, that a fluid,which isdestructive of all flesh, should have existence out of the stomach, and remain harmless in somefleshyvessel as long as the stomach is empty of food, or until food is required to "stimulate" its flow from without through thepapillæof the villous lining into the stomach, is a most strange physiologic oversight. Why not rather conclude at once, that the flesh-destroying juice exists only where it is required and for immediate service, and where only there are preventive means, the peristaltic motion, against it proving injurious to the flesh of the stomach; and to the vessels of secretion it would be injurious, hence, not as the juice but chyme it is passed out of the stomach into the system. Under such circumstances, the suggestion is nothing unreasonable, that,there is no gastric juice out of the stomach, nor within, but while there is food present to contribute one or more of its elements to the other juices, including the saliva, towards effecting its completion as a fit interstitial gastric menstruum, for receiving the elementary constituents of the pulp under mechanical decomposition by the centripetally disuniting pressure of the medium of space. Like the all de-electrising medium of fire, which exists only where and while it is being formed, the gastric juice should be looked upon as ifdesigned to be of difficult formation; made more so by depending on the food for its completion, which is not a matter of "observation" within the stomach, or in thetea-cup: neither is the perfect juice, which may be sponged or syringed from the bottom of the stomach, any proof that as such precisely it camefrom thepapillæ, as some suppose. As to the papillary flow beingstimulatedby the food, with as bad philosophy it might be said, charmed; or that clockwork isstimulatedby the weights. The flow is promoted by the pulp, as were the latter a piece of sponge. And that the papillary flow is but a constituent, not the flesh-destroying juice, in promoting ingestion, is evident from the hunger pain it promotes while harmlessly accumulating out of the stomach, indicating the stomach being empty; and the relief experienced at its source when discharged into the stomach, it is, which has given rise to the idea, that certain organssympathisewith the stomach.Such metaphorical expressions may pass for the poetry of pathology, but hitherto have stood in the way of deep research. Ingestion is expedited by sleep, in consequence of the accumulation ofminus-pressure matterin the gastric region and stomach at the time; and sleep is promoted by imperfect mastication causing a deficiency of saliva in the stomach which is compensated byminus-pressure matterof the thus provoked comatose flow. The pollparrot masticates but little, if at all, and sleeps regularly after breakfast.

The menstruum is supposed toactby "chymical attraction," from having "chymical affinity" on the involved "chymical solid," which enables it to draw out the elementary atoms of the solid: whereas theinertmenstruum does nothing; it is but an interstitial recipient for the atoms to be forced into, as they become centrifugally forced out of the solid. And because the atoms of a body are of different sizes, some make novel interstices, and thus expedite the dissolution. Only by increasing the number and kind of interstices, can diluting a menstruum with water increase what is imagined to be its solvency. Neither chymical properties, nor chymical strength of a fluid, if it had any such,could be increased by dilution, and the stronger should dissolve that which the weaker is said to dissolve. The contrary supposes that the force which breaks a stone is too strong to break a nutshell. Mechanical dissolution by the centrifugal pressure is independent ofchymicalities.

Gastric solutionis effected similarly: the juice has none of the chymical properties of Liebig, nor does ingestion stand in need of the living principle of Coombe; the former are imaginary, the latter is denied from gastric solution taking place in a tea-cup. The gastric juice is an interstitial receiver of the elements of the pulp, when forced out by the centrifugal pressure into the gastric menstruum, as those of soap into water. The pulp and itsstriæare disunited, mechanically decomposed, not abraded: some of its elements escape into the air within the stomach, which, by disturbing the equilibrium within, promote irregularity of pressure on the outside of the sac, which causes thepliæto be in the peristaltic motion, supposed to be caused by the stomach stimulating itself. The same circumstances take place within and without the intestines. The whole process of digestion is dynamic, in which the only stimulant is pressure.

is effected similarly: the juice has none of the chymical properties of Liebig, nor does ingestion stand in need of the living principle of Coombe; the former are imaginary, the latter is denied from gastric solution taking place in a tea-cup. The gastric juice is an interstitial receiver of the elements of the pulp, when forced out by the centrifugal pressure into the gastric menstruum, as those of soap into water. The pulp and itsstriæare disunited, mechanically decomposed, not abraded: some of its elements escape into the air within the stomach, which, by disturbing the equilibrium within, promote irregularity of pressure on the outside of the sac, which causes thepliæto be in the peristaltic motion, supposed to be caused by the stomach stimulating itself. The same circumstances take place within and without the intestines. The whole process of digestion is dynamic, in which the only stimulant is pressure.

Of the various conjectures on the origin of the gastric juice, there cannot be any more unreasonable than that which considers it a fluidsui generis, and as having origin out of the stomach. All fluids are compounds; and those belonging to the body may be said to be formed out of, or by commixture with others. To suppose for an instant, that a fluid,which isdestructive of all flesh, should have existence out of the stomach, and remain harmless in somefleshyvessel as long as the stomach is empty of food, or until food is required to "stimulate" its flow from without through thepapillæof the villous lining into the stomach, is a most strange physiologic oversight. Why not rather conclude at once, that the flesh-destroying juice exists only where it is required and for immediate service, and where only there are preventive means, the peristaltic motion, against it proving injurious to the flesh of the stomach; and to the vessels of secretion it would be injurious, hence, not as the juice but chyme it is passed out of the stomach into the system. Under such circumstances, the suggestion is nothing unreasonable, that,there is no gastric juice out of the stomach, nor within, but while there is food present to contribute one or more of its elements to the other juices, including the saliva, towards effecting its completion as a fit interstitial gastric menstruum, for receiving the elementary constituents of the pulp under mechanical decomposition by the centripetally disuniting pressure of the medium of space. Like the all de-electrising medium of fire, which exists only where and while it is being formed, the gastric juice should be looked upon as ifdesigned to be of difficult formation; made more so by depending on the food for its completion, which is not a matter of "observation" within the stomach, or in thetea-cup: neither is the perfect juice, which may be sponged or syringed from the bottom of the stomach, any proof that as such precisely it camefrom thepapillæ, as some suppose. As to the papillary flow beingstimulatedby the food, with as bad philosophy it might be said, charmed; or that clockwork isstimulatedby the weights. The flow is promoted by the pulp, as were the latter a piece of sponge. And that the papillary flow is but a constituent, not the flesh-destroying juice, in promoting ingestion, is evident from the hunger pain it promotes while harmlessly accumulating out of the stomach, indicating the stomach being empty; and the relief experienced at its source when discharged into the stomach, it is, which has given rise to the idea, that certain organssympathisewith the stomach.

Such metaphorical expressions may pass for the poetry of pathology, but hitherto have stood in the way of deep research. Ingestion is expedited by sleep, in consequence of the accumulation ofminus-pressure matterin the gastric region and stomach at the time; and sleep is promoted by imperfect mastication causing a deficiency of saliva in the stomach which is compensated byminus-pressure matterof the thus provoked comatose flow. The pollparrot masticates but little, if at all, and sleeps regularly after breakfast.

USE OF THE INSPIRED OXYGEN WITHIN THE SYSTEM.There is none of the inspired oxygen returned to the lungs by the circulation. What becomes of it, or what its use within the system, has not been written for our learning. It is not retained in theblood, nor is it animalised; nothing yields less oxygen than animal matter. To convey "carbon" out of the system, and somehow purify the blood, is the supposed service; but if so, should it not be included in every expiration and of the inspiration quantity? but which is not the case.Harvey proved that the blood circulates, but left undiscovered what keeps in motion theinertfluid, except the systole, which theinertheart cannot effect on itself. No organ can do anything of itself, the whole being composed of inert substance, and nothing else; even the life of the body, whatever it may be, leaves the function of every organ, not excepting that of the brain, dependent on the general pressure.By the general pressure the air is forced into, but not through or beyond the lungs which it inflates, and inflates nothing else. Within the blood-vessels it would prove fatal; and although from it the blood derives that by which it becomes arterialised, yet the blood and air do not come in contact, extravasation and pulmonary rupture must happen, did the lungs permit the blood and air coming together, or in immediate contact. Of the air of an inspiration, the oxygenating imponderable element only can permeate the pulmonary tissue. This element it is which imponderably arterialises the blood; the nitrogen of the inspiration constitutes the immediate succeeding exspiration.The oxygenating element promotes the circulation on the same principle that it promotes combustion; its diminutive interstices exclude electricmatter, which coagulates, and admits the propelling force, medium of space, which is the only cause of motion, to enter the blood. The oxygenated blood being propelled, or pressed, by the medium of space it includes, from the lungs into the ventricle, the collapse, or systole, takes place, and the blood is forced out of the ventricle, through the auricle, into the aorta, thence through the several branches of the arterial system, to and through the capillaries, into the veins. Thus, from the medium of space within the blood being continuous with the medium of space generally, it is manifest that the blood is circulated not by the systole, but by the general pressure. To produce the systole, there is nothing but the normal pressure on the outside surface of the heart; nor, to lessen the normal pressure on the parietes of the ventricle, is there anything but the arterialising,minus-pressure, imponderable element of the blood just received into the ventricle.Throughout the entire of the arterial flow, the blood is losing the arterialisingminus-pressurematter to the different organs, as the means by which the functional action of each is promoted. Without such means, there is nothing to disturb the equilibrium of pressure on an organ to produce organic motion, action, or function. Hence, it appears, that the use of the inspired oxygen consists in promoting the circulation of the blood and the functional motion or action of the different organs within the frame.Before entering the veins the blood is fullydeoxygenated; within them it acquires gradually electric matter, productive of the livid or coagulating appearance; at the same time the blood-propelling medium is lessening in quantity; but which is compensated in the mucilaginous lining of the veins, which assists the venous flow on theminus-pressurecapillary principle; capillary attraction would collapse the vessels. The electric matter collected by the venous blood is got rid of in the lungs, and expired with the nitrogen and a remnant of the oxygenating element of the last inspiration; hence the small portion of carbonic acid gas obtained from the expiration.After all organic service, the arterialising minus-pressure matter is insensibly transpired, which is inferable from the supply being continued through respiration; which, although constant, yet, from being intermitting, might, perhaps, cause corresponding stoppings in the round of organic action; hence it would seem that, against such intervals or interruptions taking place, the liver has been designed to collect for casual distribution a portion of the same minus-pressure matter. The great surface of the liver may stand comparison with the plate, or cylinder, of the electrifying machine, and the organs as jars which receive electric matter from it, as each stands in need.Use of the Spleen.— Thespleen, from being an organ common to the human frame, must have an allotted service to supply; although considered useless by some, to all of unknown utility, it may bea lateral channel of arterial blood direct from the heart, to supply thevessels lying in a portion of the body not traversed by the arteries belonging to the great arterial system; those of the diaphragm first; thence through the umbilical cord to the fetus, in which the circulation is indispensable, from being the only means of conveying and dispersing throughout the body, in the absence of respiration, the minus-pressure matter which the organism of the fetus requires to promote the several functions, without which life would become extinct if commenced. In this supply of motion promoting elementary matter, consists all that can be consideredaerationof the blood, and all that the blood of both the fetus and theadultrequires, or can possibly receive. In the chirping chick, while within the yet unbroken shell, aeration ispreventedby incubation of the mother bird; but the arterialising elementary matter is amply provided within the larger, apparently empty, end of the shell. To keep out electric matter, which would exclude the blood-moving medium, is the object of the hen sitting on the eggs, and oven-hatching is effected on the same principle.How the Diaphragm Is Raised.— Thediaphragmcannot rise of itself, and has no self-acting, self-lifting nerves or muscles, all flesh being composed ofinertatoms. The rise is proof positive that pressure is greater on the posterior than anterior surface of the membrane, and the unchanged normal pressure beneath indicates reduced pressure above; the latter is promoted by minus-pressure matter imparted by the splenic blood to the diaphragm, while passing through thevessels of the diaphragm. This arterialising matter being highly evanescent, escapes from the diaphragm and upwards, and during the escape mitigates the pressure, intercepts it in some degree from the superior surface; then, by the normal pressure beneath, the rise of the diaphragm is effected. As the escape, or separation, is becoming complete, the equilibrium is being restored, and the diaphragm depressed to the normal level. If this be not the rationale of diaphragmatic motion, it will be little improved by the substitution of muscular energy, leverage, or muscular vitality, while leaving outmuscular inertia, which should not be omitted, but included, in accounting for every muscular action and motion.

There is none of the inspired oxygen returned to the lungs by the circulation. What becomes of it, or what its use within the system, has not been written for our learning. It is not retained in theblood, nor is it animalised; nothing yields less oxygen than animal matter. To convey "carbon" out of the system, and somehow purify the blood, is the supposed service; but if so, should it not be included in every expiration and of the inspiration quantity? but which is not the case.

Harvey proved that the blood circulates, but left undiscovered what keeps in motion theinertfluid, except the systole, which theinertheart cannot effect on itself. No organ can do anything of itself, the whole being composed of inert substance, and nothing else; even the life of the body, whatever it may be, leaves the function of every organ, not excepting that of the brain, dependent on the general pressure.

By the general pressure the air is forced into, but not through or beyond the lungs which it inflates, and inflates nothing else. Within the blood-vessels it would prove fatal; and although from it the blood derives that by which it becomes arterialised, yet the blood and air do not come in contact, extravasation and pulmonary rupture must happen, did the lungs permit the blood and air coming together, or in immediate contact. Of the air of an inspiration, the oxygenating imponderable element only can permeate the pulmonary tissue. This element it is which imponderably arterialises the blood; the nitrogen of the inspiration constitutes the immediate succeeding exspiration.

The oxygenating element promotes the circulation on the same principle that it promotes combustion; its diminutive interstices exclude electricmatter, which coagulates, and admits the propelling force, medium of space, which is the only cause of motion, to enter the blood. The oxygenated blood being propelled, or pressed, by the medium of space it includes, from the lungs into the ventricle, the collapse, or systole, takes place, and the blood is forced out of the ventricle, through the auricle, into the aorta, thence through the several branches of the arterial system, to and through the capillaries, into the veins. Thus, from the medium of space within the blood being continuous with the medium of space generally, it is manifest that the blood is circulated not by the systole, but by the general pressure. To produce the systole, there is nothing but the normal pressure on the outside surface of the heart; nor, to lessen the normal pressure on the parietes of the ventricle, is there anything but the arterialising,minus-pressure, imponderable element of the blood just received into the ventricle.

Throughout the entire of the arterial flow, the blood is losing the arterialisingminus-pressurematter to the different organs, as the means by which the functional action of each is promoted. Without such means, there is nothing to disturb the equilibrium of pressure on an organ to produce organic motion, action, or function. Hence, it appears, that the use of the inspired oxygen consists in promoting the circulation of the blood and the functional motion or action of the different organs within the frame.

Before entering the veins the blood is fullydeoxygenated; within them it acquires gradually electric matter, productive of the livid or coagulating appearance; at the same time the blood-propelling medium is lessening in quantity; but which is compensated in the mucilaginous lining of the veins, which assists the venous flow on theminus-pressurecapillary principle; capillary attraction would collapse the vessels. The electric matter collected by the venous blood is got rid of in the lungs, and expired with the nitrogen and a remnant of the oxygenating element of the last inspiration; hence the small portion of carbonic acid gas obtained from the expiration.

After all organic service, the arterialising minus-pressure matter is insensibly transpired, which is inferable from the supply being continued through respiration; which, although constant, yet, from being intermitting, might, perhaps, cause corresponding stoppings in the round of organic action; hence it would seem that, against such intervals or interruptions taking place, the liver has been designed to collect for casual distribution a portion of the same minus-pressure matter. The great surface of the liver may stand comparison with the plate, or cylinder, of the electrifying machine, and the organs as jars which receive electric matter from it, as each stands in need.

Use of the Spleen.— Thespleen, from being an organ common to the human frame, must have an allotted service to supply; although considered useless by some, to all of unknown utility, it may bea lateral channel of arterial blood direct from the heart, to supply thevessels lying in a portion of the body not traversed by the arteries belonging to the great arterial system; those of the diaphragm first; thence through the umbilical cord to the fetus, in which the circulation is indispensable, from being the only means of conveying and dispersing throughout the body, in the absence of respiration, the minus-pressure matter which the organism of the fetus requires to promote the several functions, without which life would become extinct if commenced. In this supply of motion promoting elementary matter, consists all that can be consideredaerationof the blood, and all that the blood of both the fetus and theadultrequires, or can possibly receive. In the chirping chick, while within the yet unbroken shell, aeration ispreventedby incubation of the mother bird; but the arterialising elementary matter is amply provided within the larger, apparently empty, end of the shell. To keep out electric matter, which would exclude the blood-moving medium, is the object of the hen sitting on the eggs, and oven-hatching is effected on the same principle.

— Thespleen, from being an organ common to the human frame, must have an allotted service to supply; although considered useless by some, to all of unknown utility, it may bea lateral channel of arterial blood direct from the heart, to supply thevessels lying in a portion of the body not traversed by the arteries belonging to the great arterial system; those of the diaphragm first; thence through the umbilical cord to the fetus, in which the circulation is indispensable, from being the only means of conveying and dispersing throughout the body, in the absence of respiration, the minus-pressure matter which the organism of the fetus requires to promote the several functions, without which life would become extinct if commenced. In this supply of motion promoting elementary matter, consists all that can be consideredaerationof the blood, and all that the blood of both the fetus and theadultrequires, or can possibly receive. In the chirping chick, while within the yet unbroken shell, aeration ispreventedby incubation of the mother bird; but the arterialising elementary matter is amply provided within the larger, apparently empty, end of the shell. To keep out electric matter, which would exclude the blood-moving medium, is the object of the hen sitting on the eggs, and oven-hatching is effected on the same principle.

How the Diaphragm Is Raised.— Thediaphragmcannot rise of itself, and has no self-acting, self-lifting nerves or muscles, all flesh being composed ofinertatoms. The rise is proof positive that pressure is greater on the posterior than anterior surface of the membrane, and the unchanged normal pressure beneath indicates reduced pressure above; the latter is promoted by minus-pressure matter imparted by the splenic blood to the diaphragm, while passing through thevessels of the diaphragm. This arterialising matter being highly evanescent, escapes from the diaphragm and upwards, and during the escape mitigates the pressure, intercepts it in some degree from the superior surface; then, by the normal pressure beneath, the rise of the diaphragm is effected. As the escape, or separation, is becoming complete, the equilibrium is being restored, and the diaphragm depressed to the normal level. If this be not the rationale of diaphragmatic motion, it will be little improved by the substitution of muscular energy, leverage, or muscular vitality, while leaving outmuscular inertia, which should not be omitted, but included, in accounting for every muscular action and motion.

— Thediaphragmcannot rise of itself, and has no self-acting, self-lifting nerves or muscles, all flesh being composed ofinertatoms. The rise is proof positive that pressure is greater on the posterior than anterior surface of the membrane, and the unchanged normal pressure beneath indicates reduced pressure above; the latter is promoted by minus-pressure matter imparted by the splenic blood to the diaphragm, while passing through thevessels of the diaphragm. This arterialising matter being highly evanescent, escapes from the diaphragm and upwards, and during the escape mitigates the pressure, intercepts it in some degree from the superior surface; then, by the normal pressure beneath, the rise of the diaphragm is effected. As the escape, or separation, is becoming complete, the equilibrium is being restored, and the diaphragm depressed to the normal level. If this be not the rationale of diaphragmatic motion, it will be little improved by the substitution of muscular energy, leverage, or muscular vitality, while leaving outmuscular inertia, which should not be omitted, but included, in accounting for every muscular action and motion.

CORRELATIVE ELEMENTS.Any pair of the general elements, the interstices of one of which are the only interstices for receiving and retaining the atoms of the other, or that can be occupied by the atoms of any other of the general elements, such elements are correlatives.Elementary co-relation is conspicuous in the opposite polarities of the loadstone, magnet, and crystals, and all bodies subject to polarization, which includes the animal frame. Similar co-relation is evinced between the galvanic fluids, those of the pile, and those named electricity; likewise between oxygen and hydrogen, the oxygenating element and nitrogen, acids and alkalies and all mutually neutralizing substances. Still it is not meant that allthe general elements are so paired; doubtless, there are several ratios of size between the atoms of the different elements, for the purpose of multiplying variety among formations, the substance of which is of the same species throughout. Possibly the correlative principle gave rise to the ideal scale ofchymical affinities, subsequently refined toaffections of matter. Naturally, correlative elements will be found together, as are nitrogen and the imponderable element; also the magnetic fluids common to iron.

Any pair of the general elements, the interstices of one of which are the only interstices for receiving and retaining the atoms of the other, or that can be occupied by the atoms of any other of the general elements, such elements are correlatives.

Elementary co-relation is conspicuous in the opposite polarities of the loadstone, magnet, and crystals, and all bodies subject to polarization, which includes the animal frame. Similar co-relation is evinced between the galvanic fluids, those of the pile, and those named electricity; likewise between oxygen and hydrogen, the oxygenating element and nitrogen, acids and alkalies and all mutually neutralizing substances. Still it is not meant that allthe general elements are so paired; doubtless, there are several ratios of size between the atoms of the different elements, for the purpose of multiplying variety among formations, the substance of which is of the same species throughout. Possibly the correlative principle gave rise to the ideal scale ofchymical affinities, subsequently refined toaffections of matter. Naturally, correlative elements will be found together, as are nitrogen and the imponderable element; also the magnetic fluids common to iron.

MAGNETISM.Were attraction a property of the atomic substance of the loadstone, it could be neither transferable, receivable, nor liable to be destroyed by fire. A magnet is a work of art, the substance is inert, it can no more attract than think. Magnetism is an accident of matter; it consists in the correlatives of an iron bar having become separated, and drawn one to each end of the bar: separation and transition to the extremities of the bar, are what the rubbing on the poles of the loadstone effects.Two paving-stones hanging a short distance asunder and touched by nothing but the tranquil air, remain at rest; but should attract each other had "every atom in creation" the property. Were a vacuum, partial vacuum or air much rarer than atmospheric, now placed between the suspended stones, each would be in motion towards the other the same instant. Here bothcauses, the general pressure, and the minus-pressure, or motionpromotingmeans, are given; the latter are sensibly present, and the absence of attraction is as evident as the inutility of anything of the kind to effect the mutual approach of the two bodies. Not so is the approach of two magnets understood, because the intermediate minus-pressure meanspresentare not sensible. That iron magnets do not move together by attraction, or that attraction is not the cause of the phenomena imputed to it, is proved in the case of iron-filings dropping from a bar, when the connection of the bar with the galvanic battery is broken; and it will not be contended that the galvanic current is attraction.In order to arrive at a knowledge of wherein consists the means which subvert the equilibrium between two suspended magnets, reference has to be made to the artizan's mode of operating in converting the unmagnetised bar to a magnet. He holds the bar in the middle, and draws one half along the pole of a loadstone; then draws the other half along the other pole, and after a few such alternaterubbingsagainst the poles, the bar is a polarized magnet. From which it was formerly supposed, that iron contains a magnetic fluid which the loadstone rubbings divide, and draw half to each end of the bar. But were such the fact, the ends or poles should beequals, whereas they are magnetic opposites. Now, with more reason, it is considered that iron includes two different, removable elements, (correlatives,) which, by the manipulation on the loadstone, are drawn one to each end of the bar, and there remain as polar atmospheres,and constitute what are termed the polarities, or opposite polarities of the bar; the latter opinion is somewhat confirmed by the corresponding manner in which iron filings, while being scattered on a sheet of paper, become arranged round the poles of a magnet lying under the paper.The magnetic relation, which the polar atmospheres of any iron magnet bear to those of every iron magnet, being the same as exists between the polar atmospheres of every individual magnet, makes manifest, that a certain pair of correlative elements is common to all magnetisable iron; but without concluding that, by the same kind of correlatives, the polarities are produced in bodies not ferruginous, which, if the physical fact, so may the animal correlatives be different in some instances. From which it follows, that no one mesmeriser can affect mesmerically every person, nor any one person be so affected by all mesmerisers. Neither are all persons "nervous" alike, which should moderate the war cry against mesmerism generally because of failure in some cases; and should awaken the philosophic mesmeriser, willing to make perfect the science, to investigate the cause of exceptions and difficulties.Now, as respects the interposed minus-pressure means or matter, which, by destroying the equilibrium, promote the approaching motion of two suspended magnets; there is nothing whatever to refer to, but the magnets themselves, that is, their polar atmospheres, which, together or facing one another, make a rare or minus-pressure medium between the proximate ends, into which both magnets are movedby the greater pressure on their remotest ends. It lies with the previously-instructed patient, while clairvoyant, through questioning by the mesmeriser, to make close observation, and report all circumstances respecting the magnetic lights; also, those attached to and proceeding from the mesmeriser, towards elucidating this most of all recondite subjects—magnetism, in the philosophy of physics. The mesmeriser should hold in mind, that, probably the air between the facing ends of two magnets is magnetically affected, that is, made a magnet in the series by the other two; which seems to be the case when the patient is magnetised at a distance from the mesmeriser by means of the pointed finger, and by theeffectof will at a much greater distance.

Were attraction a property of the atomic substance of the loadstone, it could be neither transferable, receivable, nor liable to be destroyed by fire. A magnet is a work of art, the substance is inert, it can no more attract than think. Magnetism is an accident of matter; it consists in the correlatives of an iron bar having become separated, and drawn one to each end of the bar: separation and transition to the extremities of the bar, are what the rubbing on the poles of the loadstone effects.

Two paving-stones hanging a short distance asunder and touched by nothing but the tranquil air, remain at rest; but should attract each other had "every atom in creation" the property. Were a vacuum, partial vacuum or air much rarer than atmospheric, now placed between the suspended stones, each would be in motion towards the other the same instant. Here bothcauses, the general pressure, and the minus-pressure, or motionpromotingmeans, are given; the latter are sensibly present, and the absence of attraction is as evident as the inutility of anything of the kind to effect the mutual approach of the two bodies. Not so is the approach of two magnets understood, because the intermediate minus-pressure meanspresentare not sensible. That iron magnets do not move together by attraction, or that attraction is not the cause of the phenomena imputed to it, is proved in the case of iron-filings dropping from a bar, when the connection of the bar with the galvanic battery is broken; and it will not be contended that the galvanic current is attraction.

In order to arrive at a knowledge of wherein consists the means which subvert the equilibrium between two suspended magnets, reference has to be made to the artizan's mode of operating in converting the unmagnetised bar to a magnet. He holds the bar in the middle, and draws one half along the pole of a loadstone; then draws the other half along the other pole, and after a few such alternaterubbingsagainst the poles, the bar is a polarized magnet. From which it was formerly supposed, that iron contains a magnetic fluid which the loadstone rubbings divide, and draw half to each end of the bar. But were such the fact, the ends or poles should beequals, whereas they are magnetic opposites. Now, with more reason, it is considered that iron includes two different, removable elements, (correlatives,) which, by the manipulation on the loadstone, are drawn one to each end of the bar, and there remain as polar atmospheres,and constitute what are termed the polarities, or opposite polarities of the bar; the latter opinion is somewhat confirmed by the corresponding manner in which iron filings, while being scattered on a sheet of paper, become arranged round the poles of a magnet lying under the paper.

The magnetic relation, which the polar atmospheres of any iron magnet bear to those of every iron magnet, being the same as exists between the polar atmospheres of every individual magnet, makes manifest, that a certain pair of correlative elements is common to all magnetisable iron; but without concluding that, by the same kind of correlatives, the polarities are produced in bodies not ferruginous, which, if the physical fact, so may the animal correlatives be different in some instances. From which it follows, that no one mesmeriser can affect mesmerically every person, nor any one person be so affected by all mesmerisers. Neither are all persons "nervous" alike, which should moderate the war cry against mesmerism generally because of failure in some cases; and should awaken the philosophic mesmeriser, willing to make perfect the science, to investigate the cause of exceptions and difficulties.

Now, as respects the interposed minus-pressure means or matter, which, by destroying the equilibrium, promote the approaching motion of two suspended magnets; there is nothing whatever to refer to, but the magnets themselves, that is, their polar atmospheres, which, together or facing one another, make a rare or minus-pressure medium between the proximate ends, into which both magnets are movedby the greater pressure on their remotest ends. It lies with the previously-instructed patient, while clairvoyant, through questioning by the mesmeriser, to make close observation, and report all circumstances respecting the magnetic lights; also, those attached to and proceeding from the mesmeriser, towards elucidating this most of all recondite subjects—magnetism, in the philosophy of physics. The mesmeriser should hold in mind, that, probably the air between the facing ends of two magnets is magnetically affected, that is, made a magnet in the series by the other two; which seems to be the case when the patient is magnetised at a distance from the mesmeriser by means of the pointed finger, and by theeffectof will at a much greater distance.

NATURAL SLEEP.That sleep is not at the command of will is certain, or why undergo the tedium of a restless night? Before the state of sleep can obtain, the body has to experience anelectro-physicochange, by which the extremities are left polarised and the body an animal or living magnet. That the extremities are polarised during sleep, is admitted by all physiologists; for the effecting of which there must be a pair of correlative elements concerned. While the elementary transfer, productive of the polarities, is taking place, so is drowsiness; when sleep has obtained, the natural magnetising procedure has terminated; hence from the degree of polarity, themesmeriser can determine the stage to which the patient has been brought between the comatose and clairvoyant states, and know the capability of his patient for being made clairvoyant or not; this polar index should be well noticed.Comatose Flow.— It must have been observed by many persons while dozing and the body in a sitting or leaning posture, that an agreeable warm glow arises in the chest, which increases while passing sensibly through the pectoral towards the gastric region, and which terminates, insensibly, in the consummation of sleep; from the feet upwards a similar, but less perceptible, flow takes place. Of this twofoldcomatose flow, the immediate consequence is polarisation of the extremities; sleep is a remote, but not the remotest consequence, when effects similar to those by the flow are mesmerically effected. Thus it appears that the theory of sleep and magnetism is the same. The magnetising procedure, however, has this difference; the magnetic correlatives are drawn from the middle to and out of the extremities of the bar; those of the body of the patient recede from the extremities to the central region, leaving one, the correlative of the other, at each extremity, in both cases.The foregoing theory of sleep is described from immediate personal observation. While leaning over a table, the doze heavy, the comatose flow distinctly felt in its agreeable downward progress through the chest, when, just at the instant of forgetfulness, the violent slam of a door drove away all chance of sleep under the following circumstances: a sensible and sudden revulsion upwards, a few seconds of giddiness, and a smart painful stroke on the stomach took place, all in quick succession; which may be accounted for thus: the slam prevented the correlative fluids from the opposite extremities meeting centrally; each gushed irregularly back, and depolarized its extremity, the suddenness of which caused the giddiness. The stroke is the true electric shock, inflicted by the medium of space suddenly rushing or falling on the stomach, from which the matter of the comatose flow had been as suddenly displaced. Taking all circumstances into consideration, it is manifest that the state of sleep is the result of a natural magnetizing operation.Before the fire, while reading, the superior extremity loses electric matter to the fire, which leaves it polarized and promotes the comatose flow. The lower extremity becomes polarized simultaneously with the upper as a correlative consequence. Sleep is supposed to be expedited by heat; hence the afternoon's nap is seconded by a silk handkerchief thrown over the head, but which is only a hindrance to electric matter, similar to that of the comatose flow entering from the air and depolarizing the extremity. The handkerchief, from being a non-conductor, only prevents the coming sleep being retarded; it could neither generate nor multiply heat.Naturally it might be questioned, why the body should become somnolent daily; and, by what means the comatose flow is naturally effected;—of itselfit could not take place. The languor removed, and renovation of muscular strength through sleep, may satisfy in the first instance. Next, it would seem, that, as the functions of the several organs depend on the presence of minus-pressure matter for unequalising the pressure on each organ, so must there be waste, loss, and daily deficit of minus-pressure matter; which, from being made good by means of sleep, leaves it inferable, that the daily quantity derived from respiration may be little more than sufficient for the continuance of animation under the minimum of bodily exercise; but as man is necessitated to follow laborious avocations, so is it designed, that the loss by service and waste shall be the means whereby the necessary re-supply is to be furnished. The loss leaves the extremities polarized; and as greater waste towards total exhaustion approaches, the matter of the comatose flow becomes needed and is employed in prolonging the functions of the different organs, and before exhaustion is complete the body is in the state of sleep; during which, from every inspiration being far more lengthy than ordinary, the body is resupplied to repletion with the respirable minus-pressure matter, by which the extremities are depolarized, and the sleeper is awake, refreshed and invigorated. From which it may be said, that a man toils himself to sleep, and sleeps himself awake; and that, not "balmy sleep," but respiration, is "tired Nature's sweet restorer."Mesmeric sleepmay be considered forced sleep. It is effected with little or no comatose flow, whichrenders replenishing by long breathing unnecessary; and the patient, on being awakened by demagnetising the extremities, is rather debilitated than refreshed.Every finger of the mesmeriser is a magnet to the magnetic correlatives within the extremities of the patient; and the passes polarize after the manner of the comatose flow in the case of natural sleep. From there being no mesmerically-effected comatose flow, there is reason to infer, thatthe contents of the nerves of sensation only are what the passes polarizeand what only are polarized in natural sleep, although expressed by the word,extremities.Repetition of the passes separates, or de-electrises more completely the nerves of the extremities, than for the production of natural sleep is requisite. Hence it may be said, that the body of themesmerisedpatient is in magnetic advance, and hence the series of surprising consequences which bring to light more and more the wonders of the economy.The passes should be conducted on magnetising principles; that is, from the extremities to the gastric region to bring on somnolency, and from the same region to the head and feet or extremes to awaken; from head to foot is unscientific, and might be prejudicial; the central region of the body should be consideredthe mesmeric insuperable line. Cross passes having been found efficient are not anomalous, by reason of the nerves and branches lying in all directions.

That sleep is not at the command of will is certain, or why undergo the tedium of a restless night? Before the state of sleep can obtain, the body has to experience anelectro-physicochange, by which the extremities are left polarised and the body an animal or living magnet. That the extremities are polarised during sleep, is admitted by all physiologists; for the effecting of which there must be a pair of correlative elements concerned. While the elementary transfer, productive of the polarities, is taking place, so is drowsiness; when sleep has obtained, the natural magnetising procedure has terminated; hence from the degree of polarity, themesmeriser can determine the stage to which the patient has been brought between the comatose and clairvoyant states, and know the capability of his patient for being made clairvoyant or not; this polar index should be well noticed.

Comatose Flow.— It must have been observed by many persons while dozing and the body in a sitting or leaning posture, that an agreeable warm glow arises in the chest, which increases while passing sensibly through the pectoral towards the gastric region, and which terminates, insensibly, in the consummation of sleep; from the feet upwards a similar, but less perceptible, flow takes place. Of this twofoldcomatose flow, the immediate consequence is polarisation of the extremities; sleep is a remote, but not the remotest consequence, when effects similar to those by the flow are mesmerically effected. Thus it appears that the theory of sleep and magnetism is the same. The magnetising procedure, however, has this difference; the magnetic correlatives are drawn from the middle to and out of the extremities of the bar; those of the body of the patient recede from the extremities to the central region, leaving one, the correlative of the other, at each extremity, in both cases.

— It must have been observed by many persons while dozing and the body in a sitting or leaning posture, that an agreeable warm glow arises in the chest, which increases while passing sensibly through the pectoral towards the gastric region, and which terminates, insensibly, in the consummation of sleep; from the feet upwards a similar, but less perceptible, flow takes place. Of this twofoldcomatose flow, the immediate consequence is polarisation of the extremities; sleep is a remote, but not the remotest consequence, when effects similar to those by the flow are mesmerically effected. Thus it appears that the theory of sleep and magnetism is the same. The magnetising procedure, however, has this difference; the magnetic correlatives are drawn from the middle to and out of the extremities of the bar; those of the body of the patient recede from the extremities to the central region, leaving one, the correlative of the other, at each extremity, in both cases.

The foregoing theory of sleep is described from immediate personal observation. While leaning over a table, the doze heavy, the comatose flow distinctly felt in its agreeable downward progress through the chest, when, just at the instant of forgetfulness, the violent slam of a door drove away all chance of sleep under the following circumstances: a sensible and sudden revulsion upwards, a few seconds of giddiness, and a smart painful stroke on the stomach took place, all in quick succession; which may be accounted for thus: the slam prevented the correlative fluids from the opposite extremities meeting centrally; each gushed irregularly back, and depolarized its extremity, the suddenness of which caused the giddiness. The stroke is the true electric shock, inflicted by the medium of space suddenly rushing or falling on the stomach, from which the matter of the comatose flow had been as suddenly displaced. Taking all circumstances into consideration, it is manifest that the state of sleep is the result of a natural magnetizing operation.

Before the fire, while reading, the superior extremity loses electric matter to the fire, which leaves it polarized and promotes the comatose flow. The lower extremity becomes polarized simultaneously with the upper as a correlative consequence. Sleep is supposed to be expedited by heat; hence the afternoon's nap is seconded by a silk handkerchief thrown over the head, but which is only a hindrance to electric matter, similar to that of the comatose flow entering from the air and depolarizing the extremity. The handkerchief, from being a non-conductor, only prevents the coming sleep being retarded; it could neither generate nor multiply heat.

Naturally it might be questioned, why the body should become somnolent daily; and, by what means the comatose flow is naturally effected;—of itselfit could not take place. The languor removed, and renovation of muscular strength through sleep, may satisfy in the first instance. Next, it would seem, that, as the functions of the several organs depend on the presence of minus-pressure matter for unequalising the pressure on each organ, so must there be waste, loss, and daily deficit of minus-pressure matter; which, from being made good by means of sleep, leaves it inferable, that the daily quantity derived from respiration may be little more than sufficient for the continuance of animation under the minimum of bodily exercise; but as man is necessitated to follow laborious avocations, so is it designed, that the loss by service and waste shall be the means whereby the necessary re-supply is to be furnished. The loss leaves the extremities polarized; and as greater waste towards total exhaustion approaches, the matter of the comatose flow becomes needed and is employed in prolonging the functions of the different organs, and before exhaustion is complete the body is in the state of sleep; during which, from every inspiration being far more lengthy than ordinary, the body is resupplied to repletion with the respirable minus-pressure matter, by which the extremities are depolarized, and the sleeper is awake, refreshed and invigorated. From which it may be said, that a man toils himself to sleep, and sleeps himself awake; and that, not "balmy sleep," but respiration, is "tired Nature's sweet restorer."

Mesmeric sleepmay be considered forced sleep. It is effected with little or no comatose flow, whichrenders replenishing by long breathing unnecessary; and the patient, on being awakened by demagnetising the extremities, is rather debilitated than refreshed.

may be considered forced sleep. It is effected with little or no comatose flow, whichrenders replenishing by long breathing unnecessary; and the patient, on being awakened by demagnetising the extremities, is rather debilitated than refreshed.

Every finger of the mesmeriser is a magnet to the magnetic correlatives within the extremities of the patient; and the passes polarize after the manner of the comatose flow in the case of natural sleep. From there being no mesmerically-effected comatose flow, there is reason to infer, thatthe contents of the nerves of sensation only are what the passes polarizeand what only are polarized in natural sleep, although expressed by the word,extremities.

Repetition of the passes separates, or de-electrises more completely the nerves of the extremities, than for the production of natural sleep is requisite. Hence it may be said, that the body of themesmerisedpatient is in magnetic advance, and hence the series of surprising consequences which bring to light more and more the wonders of the economy.

The passes should be conducted on magnetising principles; that is, from the extremities to the gastric region to bring on somnolency, and from the same region to the head and feet or extremes to awaken; from head to foot is unscientific, and might be prejudicial; the central region of the body should be consideredthe mesmeric insuperable line. Cross passes having been found efficient are not anomalous, by reason of the nerves and branches lying in all directions.

VISION.According to the popular opinion, which governs the philosopher, and with which the established philosophy agrees, vision is an act performed by the eye, which is said to be endowed with the faculty of sight, by which it is enabled to look into, through space, and see external bodies made visible when covered with solar or day light; nothing of which is true. The eyeball is not possessed of sight; to see is not the function of the sense; externals are not visible; there is no material light; light is a sensible or mental effect consequent on the chromatic organ of the brain being excited by the fluid of the optic nerve. All we know by means of the optic sense, consists in the sensation of light or coloured light, accompanied with the idea of form. The object which promotes the sensation being, seemingly, the place of the sensation, all imagine the sensation is the colour of the object to which the eye is directed, and hence, that the object or body is seen by the eyes. These general mistakes are made evident and stand corrected by reference to the sense itself, its physiology and function, as previously stated and advised.The medium of space is the visual medium; not, however, for looking through, as is supposed, but by reason of it forming the link or intermediate means by which the object is connected with the sense. Now, as the medium of space is present everywhere, and as it promotes visual or optic perception, the question naturally arises, why do wenot see in the night as well as day, in all places and at all times; in a word, why do we not see in the dark? The clairvoyant does "see" in the dark.The nervous fluid excites the sensation of colour; the medium of space connects mediately the object with the nervous fluid, which fluid acts on the optic cerebral organ by pressure and degrees of pressure. The nervous fluid, nor anything else, acts essentially, that is, by means of properties and qualities; and its acting on the brain is caused by external agency, the fluid itself beinginert. It may well be supposed that the exquisite construction of the brain, from being competent to produce psychologic effects, although excited by material agency, requires but the most simple means, such as a simple impulse or impression, to be actuated into excitement; and as the portion or line of the medium of space which is continuous from the external object, through the pupil, to the nervous fluid within the retina, is that which puts the nervous fluid into functional action on the brain, it is fairly assumable that only by pressure, degrees, and changes of pressure, the nervous fluid can by possibility act on and excite the brain; which equally applies to the nervous fluid of all the senses. Taking, then, the maximum of optic pressure as productive of no sensation; so, from there being no object to perceive, it is imagined we are surrounded with darkness; and taking the minimum as exciting the sensation recognised as luminous, light, or white, to intermediate degrees of cerebral pressure are to be attributed the sensations of red, yellow,blue and of colours generally. According to these terms of the colorific scale, all optically-excited perceptions are consequent on the cerebral pressure being in degrees on the scale of descent from the maximum.For the reduction of optic pressure, there are different minus-pressure means, namely, the sun, flame, electricity, phosphoric substances; and the daily electric matter, which is constant in the atmosphere at the eastern hemisphere of the globe, and which keeps pace with the sun; because the rarest elements of the atmosphere will be in greater quantity on the side facing the sun. As this daily electric matter emerges before the sun is above thehorizon, the general optic pressure excites the sensation supposed to be the light of day-break; and while following, after sunset, the sensation is known as twilight. Any such minus-pressure matter lying in the visual direction, shortens the visual line, and intercepts the continuity of that line of the medium of space which makes one with the axis of the eye, and thus effects the reduction of optic pressure.Note.—The terms here made use of, from being unknown in the olden philosophy, need explanation.—Axis line: that line of the medium of space which is as the axis of the eye produced to, and terminated by the external object.Visual line, the same.Visual continuity; the line which is continuousangularlywith the termination of the axis line. From the termination of thiscontinuousline, there may be another angular continuity orline, as from mirror to mirror. All lines continuous fromthe axis line and terminated bythe objectsupposed to be seen, and however irregular, arelinesofvision: the angular point,the point of(first, second, or third)continuity. The reader should make a diagram for each case as he proceeds.Within the window-closed room, a lighted candle is supposed to fill the entire space with light radiated from the flame: the perception is named light, and is thus wise excited. When the axis line is terminated by the flame, the pressure on the nervous fluid is lessened to the degree which promotes the sensation of luminousness, which seems to be the physical appearance of the flame itself. Again; when, in the same room, the eye is directed to a mirror the like perception is excited, because the visual line is continuous from the point of continuity, or termination of the axis line, to the flame as before. When the axis line is terminated by a piece of furniture, the point of continuity being imperfect and the visual continuity thence to the flame irregular or indirect, the optic pressure on the brain by the axis line excites the sensation of colour, which is imputed to the object, chair, or table.In the celebratedOptics, the visual lines are mistaken for rays of light radiated from the flame, and reflected from the other objects; which rays are supposed to enter the eye, and (as if possessed of intelligence) arrange themselves on the back of the eye or on the retina, in the precise form, but of a different size, of the object to which the eyes are directed, as the means by which externals are seenbefore the face. In cases wherein the visual line is indirect, as when lying through media of unequal density, the supposed rays are said to be refracted: and, because the curtained iris excludes the visual medium, except through the pinhole pupil, thence along the axis through the lenses of the eyeball, theopticsinculcate, that the eye has been formed to see only in straight lines. Finally, by Dr. Reed it is taught, that the use of the sensation and of the image on thebackof the eye, is to make the external objectopposite the facebe seen; all which has to be rejected and forgotten in being guided by the natural, real function of the sense, against which there is no appeal. There are no rays concerned; the medium of vision is quiescent; there can be neither radiation, reflection, nor refraction effected by passive inert bodies; there is no image on any part of the eye or retina; and externals could not be made visible, or seen by their images. Such absurdities, all of which are maintained in modern philosophy, have prevented, more than any thing else, the science and phenomena of Mesmerism being understood.According to the interstitial composition of the surface of a body, so is the point of visual continuity at or beneath the surface; which determines the degree of pressure on the axis line; which determines what shall be the resulting sensation, or apparent colour of the surface of the object to which the pupil of the eyeball is directed. Through a pane of glass, or through the clear atmosphere, the axis line may be said to be uninterruptedly continuous, and the perception is as if the glass were away.Through an ignited sheet of iron the visual continuity is imperfect, and may be said to be continuous only halfway through the sheet. An ignited bar, at first, is said to be brown, then ignited to redness: colours are sensations. Within the bar the axis line is continuous in zig-zag order, which causes the optic pressure to excite the sensation of red: it is a prismatic case. Thespectra, by means of the prism, are only in the sensorium; the skreen itself is unseen. When the direct axis line terminates at the apparent red on the skreen, the continuity thence is maintained through some particular part of the prism; when terminated by the yellow, through a different part; when by the blue, through another different part; and through each part the continuity is somewhat curvilinear, hence the pressures and perceptions are different. Through the air, when the perception is of the many-coloured rainbow, the visual continuity is as through the prism: there is no coloured bow out of the sensorium.Where there are no minus-pressure means for lessening the optic pressure, as in mines, caves, and window-closed rooms, there can be no perceptions of light and colour. From the sensation ceasing the same instant the last window-shutter is closed, it would seem, that, thedailyminus-pressure matter is in constant flow eastward through the globe. The rheumatic sufferer fears sun-down, as if the daily matter enters and protects the nerves from the nightly. The meteorologist has to resolve the problem for the philosopher in tracing the magnetic meridian.The objection is unfounded against pressure being the cerebral exciting cause. It is objected, that, from two stars equally distant, one considered red, the other blue, the pressure cannot be changed along the visual lines in the small space of time the eye takes to direct itself from one to the other star. There is no changing of pressure on either line. The existing pressure on the sense by each is different, and what it is, depends on the constitution of the external object, as in every other instance, and just as on that of the ignited bar already stated. The imputed colours of the stars being different, so is the continuity of axis line beneath the surface of the atmosphere of each star, also the degree of pressure and the sensitive result.Neither is it maintainable that the medium of space cannot be the medium of vision, because "from being all-pervading, it should excite vision through all kinds of bodies, as through a block of rock crystal, but does not through so thin a substance as a leaf of blotting-paper." By clairvoyance it is proved that the visual continuity is maintained through stone walls; and by reason of thevisual and auditorymedium being the same, that is, medium of space, the "hearing" through stone walls, makes the "seeing" possible. The bell must be connected mediately with the auditory sense, as is the object with the visual sense; and through stone walls there is nothing continuous but the medium of space. Sound is no more a transmissible object than colour; neither belongs to the external object. In all such cases of sensations which are different, although thepromoting means are the same for all the senses, that the organs of sense may not be equally susceptible, or capable of being put into functional service by the same degree of cerebral pressure, should be held in mind, or else it might be asked why all the senses are not excited at the same time.

According to the popular opinion, which governs the philosopher, and with which the established philosophy agrees, vision is an act performed by the eye, which is said to be endowed with the faculty of sight, by which it is enabled to look into, through space, and see external bodies made visible when covered with solar or day light; nothing of which is true. The eyeball is not possessed of sight; to see is not the function of the sense; externals are not visible; there is no material light; light is a sensible or mental effect consequent on the chromatic organ of the brain being excited by the fluid of the optic nerve. All we know by means of the optic sense, consists in the sensation of light or coloured light, accompanied with the idea of form. The object which promotes the sensation being, seemingly, the place of the sensation, all imagine the sensation is the colour of the object to which the eye is directed, and hence, that the object or body is seen by the eyes. These general mistakes are made evident and stand corrected by reference to the sense itself, its physiology and function, as previously stated and advised.

The medium of space is the visual medium; not, however, for looking through, as is supposed, but by reason of it forming the link or intermediate means by which the object is connected with the sense. Now, as the medium of space is present everywhere, and as it promotes visual or optic perception, the question naturally arises, why do wenot see in the night as well as day, in all places and at all times; in a word, why do we not see in the dark? The clairvoyant does "see" in the dark.

The nervous fluid excites the sensation of colour; the medium of space connects mediately the object with the nervous fluid, which fluid acts on the optic cerebral organ by pressure and degrees of pressure. The nervous fluid, nor anything else, acts essentially, that is, by means of properties and qualities; and its acting on the brain is caused by external agency, the fluid itself beinginert. It may well be supposed that the exquisite construction of the brain, from being competent to produce psychologic effects, although excited by material agency, requires but the most simple means, such as a simple impulse or impression, to be actuated into excitement; and as the portion or line of the medium of space which is continuous from the external object, through the pupil, to the nervous fluid within the retina, is that which puts the nervous fluid into functional action on the brain, it is fairly assumable that only by pressure, degrees, and changes of pressure, the nervous fluid can by possibility act on and excite the brain; which equally applies to the nervous fluid of all the senses. Taking, then, the maximum of optic pressure as productive of no sensation; so, from there being no object to perceive, it is imagined we are surrounded with darkness; and taking the minimum as exciting the sensation recognised as luminous, light, or white, to intermediate degrees of cerebral pressure are to be attributed the sensations of red, yellow,blue and of colours generally. According to these terms of the colorific scale, all optically-excited perceptions are consequent on the cerebral pressure being in degrees on the scale of descent from the maximum.

For the reduction of optic pressure, there are different minus-pressure means, namely, the sun, flame, electricity, phosphoric substances; and the daily electric matter, which is constant in the atmosphere at the eastern hemisphere of the globe, and which keeps pace with the sun; because the rarest elements of the atmosphere will be in greater quantity on the side facing the sun. As this daily electric matter emerges before the sun is above thehorizon, the general optic pressure excites the sensation supposed to be the light of day-break; and while following, after sunset, the sensation is known as twilight. Any such minus-pressure matter lying in the visual direction, shortens the visual line, and intercepts the continuity of that line of the medium of space which makes one with the axis of the eye, and thus effects the reduction of optic pressure.

Note.—The terms here made use of, from being unknown in the olden philosophy, need explanation.—Axis line: that line of the medium of space which is as the axis of the eye produced to, and terminated by the external object.Visual line, the same.Visual continuity; the line which is continuousangularlywith the termination of the axis line. From the termination of thiscontinuousline, there may be another angular continuity orline, as from mirror to mirror. All lines continuous fromthe axis line and terminated bythe objectsupposed to be seen, and however irregular, arelinesofvision: the angular point,the point of(first, second, or third)continuity. The reader should make a diagram for each case as he proceeds.

Within the window-closed room, a lighted candle is supposed to fill the entire space with light radiated from the flame: the perception is named light, and is thus wise excited. When the axis line is terminated by the flame, the pressure on the nervous fluid is lessened to the degree which promotes the sensation of luminousness, which seems to be the physical appearance of the flame itself. Again; when, in the same room, the eye is directed to a mirror the like perception is excited, because the visual line is continuous from the point of continuity, or termination of the axis line, to the flame as before. When the axis line is terminated by a piece of furniture, the point of continuity being imperfect and the visual continuity thence to the flame irregular or indirect, the optic pressure on the brain by the axis line excites the sensation of colour, which is imputed to the object, chair, or table.

In the celebratedOptics, the visual lines are mistaken for rays of light radiated from the flame, and reflected from the other objects; which rays are supposed to enter the eye, and (as if possessed of intelligence) arrange themselves on the back of the eye or on the retina, in the precise form, but of a different size, of the object to which the eyes are directed, as the means by which externals are seenbefore the face. In cases wherein the visual line is indirect, as when lying through media of unequal density, the supposed rays are said to be refracted: and, because the curtained iris excludes the visual medium, except through the pinhole pupil, thence along the axis through the lenses of the eyeball, theopticsinculcate, that the eye has been formed to see only in straight lines. Finally, by Dr. Reed it is taught, that the use of the sensation and of the image on thebackof the eye, is to make the external objectopposite the facebe seen; all which has to be rejected and forgotten in being guided by the natural, real function of the sense, against which there is no appeal. There are no rays concerned; the medium of vision is quiescent; there can be neither radiation, reflection, nor refraction effected by passive inert bodies; there is no image on any part of the eye or retina; and externals could not be made visible, or seen by their images. Such absurdities, all of which are maintained in modern philosophy, have prevented, more than any thing else, the science and phenomena of Mesmerism being understood.

According to the interstitial composition of the surface of a body, so is the point of visual continuity at or beneath the surface; which determines the degree of pressure on the axis line; which determines what shall be the resulting sensation, or apparent colour of the surface of the object to which the pupil of the eyeball is directed. Through a pane of glass, or through the clear atmosphere, the axis line may be said to be uninterruptedly continuous, and the perception is as if the glass were away.Through an ignited sheet of iron the visual continuity is imperfect, and may be said to be continuous only halfway through the sheet. An ignited bar, at first, is said to be brown, then ignited to redness: colours are sensations. Within the bar the axis line is continuous in zig-zag order, which causes the optic pressure to excite the sensation of red: it is a prismatic case. Thespectra, by means of the prism, are only in the sensorium; the skreen itself is unseen. When the direct axis line terminates at the apparent red on the skreen, the continuity thence is maintained through some particular part of the prism; when terminated by the yellow, through a different part; when by the blue, through another different part; and through each part the continuity is somewhat curvilinear, hence the pressures and perceptions are different. Through the air, when the perception is of the many-coloured rainbow, the visual continuity is as through the prism: there is no coloured bow out of the sensorium.

Where there are no minus-pressure means for lessening the optic pressure, as in mines, caves, and window-closed rooms, there can be no perceptions of light and colour. From the sensation ceasing the same instant the last window-shutter is closed, it would seem, that, thedailyminus-pressure matter is in constant flow eastward through the globe. The rheumatic sufferer fears sun-down, as if the daily matter enters and protects the nerves from the nightly. The meteorologist has to resolve the problem for the philosopher in tracing the magnetic meridian.

The objection is unfounded against pressure being the cerebral exciting cause. It is objected, that, from two stars equally distant, one considered red, the other blue, the pressure cannot be changed along the visual lines in the small space of time the eye takes to direct itself from one to the other star. There is no changing of pressure on either line. The existing pressure on the sense by each is different, and what it is, depends on the constitution of the external object, as in every other instance, and just as on that of the ignited bar already stated. The imputed colours of the stars being different, so is the continuity of axis line beneath the surface of the atmosphere of each star, also the degree of pressure and the sensitive result.

Neither is it maintainable that the medium of space cannot be the medium of vision, because "from being all-pervading, it should excite vision through all kinds of bodies, as through a block of rock crystal, but does not through so thin a substance as a leaf of blotting-paper." By clairvoyance it is proved that the visual continuity is maintained through stone walls; and by reason of thevisual and auditorymedium being the same, that is, medium of space, the "hearing" through stone walls, makes the "seeing" possible. The bell must be connected mediately with the auditory sense, as is the object with the visual sense; and through stone walls there is nothing continuous but the medium of space. Sound is no more a transmissible object than colour; neither belongs to the external object. In all such cases of sensations which are different, although thepromoting means are the same for all the senses, that the organs of sense may not be equally susceptible, or capable of being put into functional service by the same degree of cerebral pressure, should be held in mind, or else it might be asked why all the senses are not excited at the same time.

TRANSPARENCY.A transparent body, is one through which the visual line is uninterruptedly continuous from an object to the sense. The materials for glass-making are opaque, and the natural opacity of their elementary atoms is unalterable. Hence in some novel arrangement of the atoms towards promoting the direct continuity of the medium of space through them, consists the object of vitrifying and principle of transparency.

A transparent body, is one through which the visual line is uninterruptedly continuous from an object to the sense. The materials for glass-making are opaque, and the natural opacity of their elementary atoms is unalterable. Hence in some novel arrangement of the atoms towards promoting the direct continuity of the medium of space through them, consists the object of vitrifying and principle of transparency.

OPACITY.The principal obstacle to transparency is interposed electric matter. In the earliest stages of glass-making an immense volume of electric matter is got rid of by means of the furnace fire, which becomes sooty smoke while ascending and passing through the furnace funnel; and to prevent all return of the like, it is, that solid oxygen is added to the materials when fused, the interstices of which, in the vitrified mass, secure the direct continuity of the visual medium. Priestley made black wax and brass filings transparent, by only removing all interposed electric matter. The body of a livingman, by being de-electrised, has been made transparent. In these instances the transparency is of short continuance, and the opacity is restored by returning electric matter. Fire, in de-electrising gems and crystals, destroys all partial opacity. The clearest water is made cloudy on receiving the charge from the electrifying jar; by uncustomary electric matter, the atmosphere is made foggy, and is transparent again when the electric matter becomes a constituent of rain-water. These instances show, that, electric matter lying in the way of the medium of space and vision, interrupts its regular continuity, consequently, its direct pressure; yet not wholly,—clairvoyance and sound make manifest that the continuity is maintained through the most opaque bodies. The principle bears strongly on the physiology of clairvoyance.

The principal obstacle to transparency is interposed electric matter. In the earliest stages of glass-making an immense volume of electric matter is got rid of by means of the furnace fire, which becomes sooty smoke while ascending and passing through the furnace funnel; and to prevent all return of the like, it is, that solid oxygen is added to the materials when fused, the interstices of which, in the vitrified mass, secure the direct continuity of the visual medium. Priestley made black wax and brass filings transparent, by only removing all interposed electric matter. The body of a livingman, by being de-electrised, has been made transparent. In these instances the transparency is of short continuance, and the opacity is restored by returning electric matter. Fire, in de-electrising gems and crystals, destroys all partial opacity. The clearest water is made cloudy on receiving the charge from the electrifying jar; by uncustomary electric matter, the atmosphere is made foggy, and is transparent again when the electric matter becomes a constituent of rain-water. These instances show, that, electric matter lying in the way of the medium of space and vision, interrupts its regular continuity, consequently, its direct pressure; yet not wholly,—clairvoyance and sound make manifest that the continuity is maintained through the most opaque bodies. The principle bears strongly on the physiology of clairvoyance.

THE NERVOUS FLUID.Were there a distinct fluid belonging to the nerves of sensation, and insulated, it could not be affected by external circumstances, nor its cerebral excitement be productive in the least of any knowledge, relative or inferential of external bodies. Were the fluid not insulated, it should be subject to waste like the lachrymal fluid, and must excite the brain differently at different times, even under equal circumstances; which must make it impossible to identify the same body after its removal out of the axis-of-vision direction.A distinct fluid, not insulated, has to be in contact with the line of medium of space which the external object terminates, which adds to the difficulty of waste, in the possibility of the nerves becoming flooded with an abnormal fluid, medium of space. Much more likely is it, that,the cerebral exciting fluid, of the nerves generally, consists in medium of space, received from without through the cuticular insertions and orifices of the nerves as streamlets from the great ocean of space, subject to neither ebb nor flow, and liable to change of pressure occasioned by external agency. According to this idea, the object and brain are the terms of the visual line; and medium of space, continuous from the object through the nerves to the brain, is the connecting link.Further; although medium of space is the nervous fluid and immediate cerebral exciting cause, (which entitles it to be named thetruenervous fluid,) there are strong grounds for concluding that, with the true fluid, the nerves include a pair of correlative elements. Because of the mesmeric effected polarities being without the comatose flow, which leaves nothing to look to for the polarizing means but the contents of the nerves. Next, as clairvoyance is a cerebral effect, something connected with the nervous fluid must be concerned in its production, or why not clairvoyance take place without the magnetic passes. Finally, the true fluid, or any single fluid, is incapable of being polarized; and the true fluid might be rendered immovable at times, were there no electric or minus-pressure matter within the nerves, also to preventits increase, and to retain the normal quantity of the true fluid. All extremes being prevented, and the polarities of the extremities productive of increased lucidity, are consistent with idea of the nerves including magnetising correlatives, which, beside, serve as an elastic break against the fluid exciting the brain indistinctly, irregularly, or exquisitely; and only, as it were, muffled, to prevent the sensibility of the cerebral organs being worn out prematurely.Another object may be attained by the included electric correlatives, namely, restricting the exciting pressure to certain degrees, so that the sensation shall be defined and directing, but otherwise useless and misleading. Another may be, that of regulating the degrees of pressure on such a scale, as that, by the same senses, sensations shall be excited as different from each other as those of red, yellow, and blue by the optic sense, heat and cold by the feeling sense, sweet and bitter by the gustory sense. To which the conjecture may be added, for the purpose of anatomic and physiologic inquiry, that, as not even an elementary interstice is without design, so may the orifices of the retina be of regulated diameters, to ensure such definite degrees of pressure on the brain as shall excite the sensations recognised as primitive colours.On the principle that the nervous fluid is derived from without, the question is decided as to the cuticular termination of the nerves, which is objected to by some, in consequence of a few of the nerves being observed to have "inward bending." And is it not a matter of common observation, that"feeling is most sensible at the tips of the fingers" or apparent place of the sensation.

Were there a distinct fluid belonging to the nerves of sensation, and insulated, it could not be affected by external circumstances, nor its cerebral excitement be productive in the least of any knowledge, relative or inferential of external bodies. Were the fluid not insulated, it should be subject to waste like the lachrymal fluid, and must excite the brain differently at different times, even under equal circumstances; which must make it impossible to identify the same body after its removal out of the axis-of-vision direction.

A distinct fluid, not insulated, has to be in contact with the line of medium of space which the external object terminates, which adds to the difficulty of waste, in the possibility of the nerves becoming flooded with an abnormal fluid, medium of space. Much more likely is it, that,the cerebral exciting fluid, of the nerves generally, consists in medium of space, received from without through the cuticular insertions and orifices of the nerves as streamlets from the great ocean of space, subject to neither ebb nor flow, and liable to change of pressure occasioned by external agency. According to this idea, the object and brain are the terms of the visual line; and medium of space, continuous from the object through the nerves to the brain, is the connecting link.

Further; although medium of space is the nervous fluid and immediate cerebral exciting cause, (which entitles it to be named thetruenervous fluid,) there are strong grounds for concluding that, with the true fluid, the nerves include a pair of correlative elements. Because of the mesmeric effected polarities being without the comatose flow, which leaves nothing to look to for the polarizing means but the contents of the nerves. Next, as clairvoyance is a cerebral effect, something connected with the nervous fluid must be concerned in its production, or why not clairvoyance take place without the magnetic passes. Finally, the true fluid, or any single fluid, is incapable of being polarized; and the true fluid might be rendered immovable at times, were there no electric or minus-pressure matter within the nerves, also to preventits increase, and to retain the normal quantity of the true fluid. All extremes being prevented, and the polarities of the extremities productive of increased lucidity, are consistent with idea of the nerves including magnetising correlatives, which, beside, serve as an elastic break against the fluid exciting the brain indistinctly, irregularly, or exquisitely; and only, as it were, muffled, to prevent the sensibility of the cerebral organs being worn out prematurely.

Another object may be attained by the included electric correlatives, namely, restricting the exciting pressure to certain degrees, so that the sensation shall be defined and directing, but otherwise useless and misleading. Another may be, that of regulating the degrees of pressure on such a scale, as that, by the same senses, sensations shall be excited as different from each other as those of red, yellow, and blue by the optic sense, heat and cold by the feeling sense, sweet and bitter by the gustory sense. To which the conjecture may be added, for the purpose of anatomic and physiologic inquiry, that, as not even an elementary interstice is without design, so may the orifices of the retina be of regulated diameters, to ensure such definite degrees of pressure on the brain as shall excite the sensations recognised as primitive colours.

On the principle that the nervous fluid is derived from without, the question is decided as to the cuticular termination of the nerves, which is objected to by some, in consequence of a few of the nerves being observed to have "inward bending." And is it not a matter of common observation, that"feeling is most sensible at the tips of the fingers" or apparent place of the sensation.

CLAIRVOYANCE.All mesmerically-produced phenomena are the consequence of the passes. The immediate effect of the passes is de-electrisation of the nerves, that is, of their contents, which leaves them polarised (as is the case in natural sleep), but more intensely than is effected by the comatose flow. In the ordinary condition, the contents of the nerves may be likened to milky water in a barometer tube; in natural sleep, to the same, with a less degree of milkiness—the latter subsiding from the ends to the middle portion of the water; and in the clairvoyant condition of the nerves, to the milkiness having so completely subsided as to leave the water above and below the middle of the tube transparent. In the ordinary condition, the nervous fluid is clogged, as it were, with intermixed electric matter, which, by marring the regular continuity of the fluid from without to the brain, reduces in some degree the exciting pressure on the brain, which prevents the function of the fluid being employed to its utmost. In this encumbered state, the fluid may be said to act on the brain, as the clapper when muffled on a bell. Still the excited pressure is sufficiently strong, and the mental result sufficiently distinct for all human purposes. When to the clairvoyant degree the nerves have been denuded of impeding electric matter, the nervous fluid is enabled to act on thebrain as if unmuffled; and as its continuity from the orifices of the retina through space is not in any manner altered, so, to the altered electric condition, mesmerically effected, on the contents of the nerves between their orifices and the brain, we must attribute all mesmerically produced phenomena; and without supposing that the brain is quickened into a higher degree of sensibility, or that any one of its various organs has acquired some exalted degree of psychologic ability.Thatlong visionandopaque visionshould be consequences of cleansing, as it were, the nerves of intercepting minus-pressure matter, is nothing surprising, it is as removing dust from the window to better our vision: the physiology is traceable, and the psychology not more incomprehensible than its hourly occurrence in a minor degree, to which, as sensible effects, we are indebted for all we know, and by which we abide, without inquiry into their nature or origin; so perfect is the design of Nature in our make for supplying all that is requisite to the comfort and enjoyment of man in his present state of existence.Long vision, during the clairvoyant state, or the recognition of objects greatly remote by the sensation each promotes, has its wonder much more in thenature of the medium of spacethan in the familiar mental effect. The optically promoted sensation is proof that the external object, were it at the antipodes, is in mediate connection with not only the nervous fluid of the retina, but the brain. Long and ordinary vision have the same theory: inboth states the same chromatic cerebral organ is excited by the nervous fluid; in both the nervous fluid is continuous from the brain to the external body; and in both the object perceived is the sensation of colour. That the eye-ball lenses are concerned in long and opaque, as in short vision, however in the two former, the eyes may be bandaged (to satisfy the desire of spectators, otherwise useless, if not worse,) is obvious, from the knowledge of form being connected with the sensation, as in every instance of optically-excited perception.By the passes, the nervous fluid is freed from the visual intercepting electric matter; which matter, like the colouring matter in stained glass, renders the continuity of the visual medium or fluid within the optic nerve impaired.To account for the phenomenon of much longer than ordinary vision, there is nothing in the mesmeric case to effect the difference, or refer to, but the de-electrised condition of the nervous fluid. From which it would seem that the visual line from the most remote object, is always as continuous to the brain as from one within arm's length before the face; and that the degree of cerebral exciting pressure on the longer line is rendered equally efficacious,now, that the electric impediment has been removed from the nervous fluid; hence, that the normal intermixed quantity of electric matter with the nervous fluid prevents us being clairvoyant at all times, is reasonable to conclude.Opaque vision, or the "seeing through opaque bodies," is not the absurdity so generally imaginedwhen judged and reasoned on according to the true principles of visual perception: the facts of clairvoyance place the absurdity on the denier.As the medium of space furnishes all the nerves with the true and only cerebral exciting fluid, which is necessarily all-pervading, and proved to be so by the auditory sense, or "hearing through stone walls," the possibility of seeing through such bodies is made manifest, andclairvoyantly, has been proved. Misled by the idea that the eye-balls look through solid glass, yet cannot look through a stone, to doubt and deny is pardonable; yet nothing else is requisite, than that the visual medium shall be continuous from the object to the brain, no matter how many opaque objects lie between, for the perception being excited, and promoted by the remote object: the object perceived is the sensation of this or that colour, as in transparent vision. It is no ordinary circumstance, that of "seeing through opaque bodies;" neither is it an ordinary circumstance, the extreme de-electrised condition of the nervous fluid,on which the extra-ordinary of the phenomenon depends. In removing the partial opacity of a crystal by means of fire, the hindrance to the visual continuity, electric matter, is displaced; but as no such electric displacement from a stone wall is effected or practicable, while to the clairvoyant the continuity is as were there no electric impediment in the wall, is proof additional that the medium of space, the common cerebral exciting cause, pervades all things, the human body included, and hence the being inReport.Now that mesmeric practice and proof have stifled all open opposition, by the influential ignorant, to the surprising truths of the science, that all persons cannot be mesmerised to the clairvoyant stage, is in nowise prejudicial to mesmerism, or to thescience of the economybeing intimately connected with medical practice; neither are occasional failures by the clairvoyant, especially in trial tests, some of which exhibit samples of complicated confusion, as if for the purpose of suppression, instead of laudably exalting the all-important science of mesmerism. Had the very liberal offer of a hundred pounds been under less complicated conditions, the bank-note most certainly would have been deciphered and changed hands. Had the note been spread open, while enclosed between two plates of sheet-iron, and then read by the clairvoyant, the test would have been sufficient to convince the most steady, sturdy, staunch unbeliever, and thedénouementaffirmative to every dispassionate observer. But from being folded line upon line, letter on letter, at least three deep, the misarrangement destroyed most effectually all reading order. A Newtonian would say, that, "the commixed rays proceeding from the several overlaid typographic characters, and from the lines placed tier over tier, could never form the image of even a single letter on the retina, with anything resembling legible clearness;" therefore the trial must fail most inevitably.

All mesmerically-produced phenomena are the consequence of the passes. The immediate effect of the passes is de-electrisation of the nerves, that is, of their contents, which leaves them polarised (as is the case in natural sleep), but more intensely than is effected by the comatose flow. In the ordinary condition, the contents of the nerves may be likened to milky water in a barometer tube; in natural sleep, to the same, with a less degree of milkiness—the latter subsiding from the ends to the middle portion of the water; and in the clairvoyant condition of the nerves, to the milkiness having so completely subsided as to leave the water above and below the middle of the tube transparent. In the ordinary condition, the nervous fluid is clogged, as it were, with intermixed electric matter, which, by marring the regular continuity of the fluid from without to the brain, reduces in some degree the exciting pressure on the brain, which prevents the function of the fluid being employed to its utmost. In this encumbered state, the fluid may be said to act on the brain, as the clapper when muffled on a bell. Still the excited pressure is sufficiently strong, and the mental result sufficiently distinct for all human purposes. When to the clairvoyant degree the nerves have been denuded of impeding electric matter, the nervous fluid is enabled to act on thebrain as if unmuffled; and as its continuity from the orifices of the retina through space is not in any manner altered, so, to the altered electric condition, mesmerically effected, on the contents of the nerves between their orifices and the brain, we must attribute all mesmerically produced phenomena; and without supposing that the brain is quickened into a higher degree of sensibility, or that any one of its various organs has acquired some exalted degree of psychologic ability.

Thatlong visionandopaque visionshould be consequences of cleansing, as it were, the nerves of intercepting minus-pressure matter, is nothing surprising, it is as removing dust from the window to better our vision: the physiology is traceable, and the psychology not more incomprehensible than its hourly occurrence in a minor degree, to which, as sensible effects, we are indebted for all we know, and by which we abide, without inquiry into their nature or origin; so perfect is the design of Nature in our make for supplying all that is requisite to the comfort and enjoyment of man in his present state of existence.

Long vision, during the clairvoyant state, or the recognition of objects greatly remote by the sensation each promotes, has its wonder much more in thenature of the medium of spacethan in the familiar mental effect. The optically promoted sensation is proof that the external object, were it at the antipodes, is in mediate connection with not only the nervous fluid of the retina, but the brain. Long and ordinary vision have the same theory: inboth states the same chromatic cerebral organ is excited by the nervous fluid; in both the nervous fluid is continuous from the brain to the external body; and in both the object perceived is the sensation of colour. That the eye-ball lenses are concerned in long and opaque, as in short vision, however in the two former, the eyes may be bandaged (to satisfy the desire of spectators, otherwise useless, if not worse,) is obvious, from the knowledge of form being connected with the sensation, as in every instance of optically-excited perception.

, during the clairvoyant state, or the recognition of objects greatly remote by the sensation each promotes, has its wonder much more in thenature of the medium of spacethan in the familiar mental effect. The optically promoted sensation is proof that the external object, were it at the antipodes, is in mediate connection with not only the nervous fluid of the retina, but the brain. Long and ordinary vision have the same theory: inboth states the same chromatic cerebral organ is excited by the nervous fluid; in both the nervous fluid is continuous from the brain to the external body; and in both the object perceived is the sensation of colour. That the eye-ball lenses are concerned in long and opaque, as in short vision, however in the two former, the eyes may be bandaged (to satisfy the desire of spectators, otherwise useless, if not worse,) is obvious, from the knowledge of form being connected with the sensation, as in every instance of optically-excited perception.

By the passes, the nervous fluid is freed from the visual intercepting electric matter; which matter, like the colouring matter in stained glass, renders the continuity of the visual medium or fluid within the optic nerve impaired.

To account for the phenomenon of much longer than ordinary vision, there is nothing in the mesmeric case to effect the difference, or refer to, but the de-electrised condition of the nervous fluid. From which it would seem that the visual line from the most remote object, is always as continuous to the brain as from one within arm's length before the face; and that the degree of cerebral exciting pressure on the longer line is rendered equally efficacious,now, that the electric impediment has been removed from the nervous fluid; hence, that the normal intermixed quantity of electric matter with the nervous fluid prevents us being clairvoyant at all times, is reasonable to conclude.

Opaque vision, or the "seeing through opaque bodies," is not the absurdity so generally imaginedwhen judged and reasoned on according to the true principles of visual perception: the facts of clairvoyance place the absurdity on the denier.

, or the "seeing through opaque bodies," is not the absurdity so generally imaginedwhen judged and reasoned on according to the true principles of visual perception: the facts of clairvoyance place the absurdity on the denier.

As the medium of space furnishes all the nerves with the true and only cerebral exciting fluid, which is necessarily all-pervading, and proved to be so by the auditory sense, or "hearing through stone walls," the possibility of seeing through such bodies is made manifest, andclairvoyantly, has been proved. Misled by the idea that the eye-balls look through solid glass, yet cannot look through a stone, to doubt and deny is pardonable; yet nothing else is requisite, than that the visual medium shall be continuous from the object to the brain, no matter how many opaque objects lie between, for the perception being excited, and promoted by the remote object: the object perceived is the sensation of this or that colour, as in transparent vision. It is no ordinary circumstance, that of "seeing through opaque bodies;" neither is it an ordinary circumstance, the extreme de-electrised condition of the nervous fluid,on which the extra-ordinary of the phenomenon depends. In removing the partial opacity of a crystal by means of fire, the hindrance to the visual continuity, electric matter, is displaced; but as no such electric displacement from a stone wall is effected or practicable, while to the clairvoyant the continuity is as were there no electric impediment in the wall, is proof additional that the medium of space, the common cerebral exciting cause, pervades all things, the human body included, and hence the being inReport.

Now that mesmeric practice and proof have stifled all open opposition, by the influential ignorant, to the surprising truths of the science, that all persons cannot be mesmerised to the clairvoyant stage, is in nowise prejudicial to mesmerism, or to thescience of the economybeing intimately connected with medical practice; neither are occasional failures by the clairvoyant, especially in trial tests, some of which exhibit samples of complicated confusion, as if for the purpose of suppression, instead of laudably exalting the all-important science of mesmerism. Had the very liberal offer of a hundred pounds been under less complicated conditions, the bank-note most certainly would have been deciphered and changed hands. Had the note been spread open, while enclosed between two plates of sheet-iron, and then read by the clairvoyant, the test would have been sufficient to convince the most steady, sturdy, staunch unbeliever, and thedénouementaffirmative to every dispassionate observer. But from being folded line upon line, letter on letter, at least three deep, the misarrangement destroyed most effectually all reading order. A Newtonian would say, that, "the commixed rays proceeding from the several overlaid typographic characters, and from the lines placed tier over tier, could never form the image of even a single letter on the retina, with anything resembling legible clearness;" therefore the trial must fail most inevitably.

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