ations of them agree perfectly with the principles of sound physiology. 'Let us confine ourselves,' says he, 'to what observation teaches, and take care that we do not go beyond it.' No one has insisted so much as M. Deleuze on the dangers to which Magnetism may give rise, and the means of avoiding them. His advice acquires the more value that it comes from so pure a source, and that never in the midst of the most eager discussion, has the most envenomed calumny dared to cast a doubt on the veracity of the savant, or the honesty of the magnetizer.

"The second volume of the 'Critical History' fully justifies the title of the work. It is devoted to an analysis and examination of the writings which have been published concerning Magnetism, of which there are nearly three hundred. M. Deleuze has fulfilled this difficult task with great discernment. His researches show that the adversaries of Magnetism have in vain attempted to shake the foundation of the doctrine, and the authenticity of the facts on which it rests. 'It is to be decided,' says he, in conclusion, that the science of Magnetism should be associated with the other branches of human knowledge; that after having proved the existence of the agent, we should ascertain the part it plays in the operations of nature; and having classed its facts according to the degrees of probability, we should place them beside the other phenomena of physiology, that we may decide whether they depend upon a new principle, or upon a modification of one already known.'

"Among the writings which M. Deleuze has published in favor of Magnetism, we should particularly notice, first, the 'Answer to the Author of Superstitions and Impostures of Philosophers,' M. l'abbe Wurtz de Lyon, in which, after having stated objections which seemed renewed from the thirteenth century, he examines the causes which opposed the re-establisment of religion in France. Second, Defense of Magnetism against the attacks made upon it in the Dictionary of Medical Science,' Paris, 1819. This work, chiefly devoted to an examination and criticism of the article, 'Magnetism,' of M. Virey, at the same time answers, in the most satisfactory manner, the declamations, sarcasms, and even coarse abuse, in which men of merit, blinded by rooted prejudices, have allowed themselves toward observers who were only actuated by the love of truth, and the desire of being useful.

"M. Deleuze proves that these adversaries knew nothing about magnetism; that they father upon its partizans absurd opinions; that they pass by in silence the most convincing proofs; and that forced at last to admit indisputable phenomena, they attribute them to a cause incompetent to produce them. We should know little of M. Deleuze, did we suppose for an instant that he profits by his advantages, and hurls back upon his calumniators the ridicule and contempt with which they wished to overwhelm him. His argument is a model of dignity, reason and politeness.

"Among the instances of this which I might adduce, there is one I cannot pass over in silence. M. Virey says, p. 404 of his article

on Magnetism, 'Should Mesmer, or one of his most able successors, throw a horse or an ewe into somnambulism, then I would recognize the empire of universal magnetism.' To this strange demand, M. Deleuze contented himself with replying: 'Every body knows very well, that M. Virey will never be convinced, if he must first witness such a phenomenon as this.'

"After having addressed the learned world in his 'Critical History,' M. Deleuze wished to draw up a system of rules, which should place the subject within the reach of all minds. This end he has attained by publishing his 'Practical Instruction,' Paris, 1825. Men versed in its phenomena will find in this book the results of a consummate experience. Those who have as yet seen nothing, and who desire to assure themselves of the truth of the facts, will draw from thence all the knowledge necessary to avoid mistakes, to observe with profit, and to give to their practice a salutary direction. "Since that period M. Deleuze has published nothing concerning Magnetism, although he has still in his hands rich materials, upon which some physicians who have read them, agree in bestowing the highest praise. Such are, an Essay on Prevision; several very curious modes of treatment; the remainder of the articles on Van-Helmont; and several dissertations on the most important questions of Magnetism.

"Upon the death of M. Toscan, in 1828, he was appointed librarian of the Museum of Natural History. He is a member of the Philomathic Society, as well as of several learned bodies, both in France and foreign countries, and for fifteen years has drawn up the annual reports of the Philanthropic Society, of which he is secretary. Such is the ascendance which the wisdom and private virtues of M. Deleuze acquire over all who know him, that in the discussions of the Royal Academy of Medicine, his name has never been pronounced without the most honorable epithets; the commission have always cited him as authority. His rare qualities, his pleasing and instructive conversation, have gained him many friends among the most celebrated of the learned-Levaillant, Duperron, Cuvier, de Humbolt, etc.-and in the unanimous opinion of his cotemporaries, he divides with M. le Marquis de Puysegur, the honor of having defended and propagated one of the most beautiful discoveries of modern times."

In addition to the several translations, memoirs and sketches of natural history, which indicate the activity of his pen, we have the present volume upon Animal Magnetism, which purports to be written "solely with the view of being useful," for the purpose of assisting those who wish to apply Animal Magnetism to the relief of diseases. He presents truth with candor and simplicity, in his narative; and imparts much instruction as to the details of the magnetic processes and phenomena. Those, however, who are familiar with the usual experiments of Animal Magnetism, will not find much in the instructions of Deleuze that is novel; yet, even they may peruse the volume with pleasure and profit, as every ad

ditional account contributes some additional interest and variety to a familiar subject.

The philosophical inquirer, who wishes to understand the physiological laws upon which Animal Magnetism is based, would find little to gratify him in the pages of Deleuze. His writings evince no great acumen, and little of the capacity for philosophical research. Such writers may benefit us by their sincerity, and may assist the experimental inquirer-but they are too feeble to make an impression upon strong minds and stubborn wills. He who demands a reason for all things, and refuses to credit that which he cannot understand, will find but little in Deleuze to attract him.

In his first chapter he lays down, as among his fundamental principles, that "man has the faculty of exercising over his fellowmen a salutary influence in directing toward them, by his will, the vital principle. The name of Magnetism has been given to this faculty. It is an extension of the power which all living beings have of acting upon those who are submitted to their will." This action, he believes, takes place by means of a magnetic fluid, which is controlled by the will-in the exercise of which control, we require confidence in our power. A physical and moral sympathy must be established between the operator and the subject upon whom he operates. The subject is affected by the physical and moral condition of the magnetizer; hence, it is necessary that the latter should have good health, of a good moral character, and of benevolent intentions.

In these propositions we perceive a very narrow and inadequate conception of what actually occurs. The action of one human being upon another does not depend entirely upon the will. It is true that the subtiler and higher forms of magnetic action are accomplished by means of the will and of intellectual sympathy; but there are physical, as well as spiritual, influences concerned in the operation of one being upon another, and their influences are continually operating in an involuntary manner, and independent both of the will and of conciousness. Two individuals of an impressible or sympathetic temperament, cannot remain in the same apartment without exerting some influence upon each other, whether they design it or not. Persons of a highly impressible temperament cannot attend upon the sick, or even enter the sick chamber, without being more or less affected by the morbid influence of the sick person. The well known injurious influence exerted by the old and decrepid upon the constitution of the young, when sleeping together, is entirely independent of the influence the will, and could not be prevented by the most earnest exertions of volition.

Animal Magnetism may be more properly defined as the influence exerted by the vital condition of one living being over the vital condition of another. This influence does not depend upon the will, although it may be assisted by it; nor does it require that a moral or physical sympathy between the parties shall be produced by concerted measures; for sympathy, in various degrees, is a uni

し

versal law of the animal kingdom. Whenever two living beings are brought into contact, the mental and physiological condition of each constitution exerts an influence upon the other. If we associate with the diseased, the depraved, the vicious or the violent, we are conscious that the association is injurious to us; and soon become eager to escape and refresh our spirits with the society of the healthful, cheerful, virtuous and intelligent. This sympathy exists in different degrees among different persons; but none can be entirely insensible to its influence. A great amount of sympathetic influence is exerted in this way, of which we are unconcious at the time, but which, nevertheless, produces its effect.

We are hardly conscious (many not at all) of the slight depressing influence which we experience in visiting the sick, but when the disease attains a certain character or degree of intensity-as when our common fevers assume a malignant typhoid type-we find that this influence is sufficient to produce the same disease in ourselves. When such effects occur in a decisive manner, we pronounce the disease "contagious," and suppose that it is an exception to the usual course of nature! Yet, it is not nature that is capricious in her laws, but we, who are careless in our observation of them, when this apparent irregularity is presented. All diseased, as well as all healthy conditions, exert, in some degree, a "contagious" or sympathetic influence, which persons of acute sensibility may easily detect. This influence becomes capable of reproducing the same disease in those individuals visiting the patient, whenever the visitor has a sufficient amount of sympathetic susceptibility, or whenever the disease attains a sufficient amount of poisonous energy.

The physical influence which is thus transmitted by the laws of sympathy and contagion, is beyond the control of the will. The mental influence which a person of resolute will exerts over his passive subjects, is a power of higher order, and more independent of physical contact, than the sympathy which influences disease. The human constitution emits a great variety of influences, from the highest physiological and psychological action, down to the mere radiation of caloric, and the transpiration of the lungs and the skin. By all of these means each being affects those around him in proportion to his own organic power, and in proportion to the others' susceptibility to impressions. It is apparent, not merely in the experiments of the animal magnetizer, but in the daily routine of life, that the laws of sympathetic influence are continually operating. The magnetizer merely places his subject in a more passive condition, and exerts his own influence more forcibly than usually occurs in the common course of life. Hence he produces more powerful effects, and realizes those results which, in the common course of nature, occur but rarely and are but little known. He develops no new law, nor any unnatural powers in the constitution. The whole of the experiments of Animal Magnetism are but a more methodic display of the laws of sympathy, which have ever been in operation throughout the world, and of phenomena which have

often occurred, without attracting scientific scrutiny. These phenomena grouped together, and displayed by Magnetism, assume a mysterious character; but when arranged together and explained by the universal law of sympathy, and by a true physiology of the brain, we find their mysterious character entirely disappears.

ART. IV.-OUR DESTINY.

ALREADY it is manifest that the North American continent, is destined to be the theater of great events-the seat of incalculable wealth, of a dense population, and of a mighty political power. The dull, short-sighted anticipations of the past have been already outstripped, and our future is bursting upon our gaze in startling magnificence.

The most energetic and enterprising population that has ever formed a nation, is here allowed to occupy a broad continent from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and to display an untrammeled power, in the conquest of the wilderness and savage, the erection of cities and free governments, the pursuit of art, science and happiness.

Our position appears peculiarly felicitous, being on the great highway, which must hereafter transmit the commerce of Europe and Asia. The railroad, which is to connect the Atlantic and Pacific is already projected, and will, probably, within two years be under progress. The Whitney scheme on account of its immense private monopoly, in the grant of a tract sixty miles wide, along the whole course of the road to the company, will doubtless be rejected, and it is doubtful whether any private company will be allowed the honor of so vast an undertaking. Dr. Hartwell Carver, in his memorial to Congress, claims to have been the originator of the scheme of the Pacific railroad, as far back as 1837, and offers, for a smaller grant than Mr. Whitney, viz: a tract along the road of forty miles in width, to construct a road vastly superior to what Mr. Whitney proposed, "the rails of the track to be large and stout enough to sustain large long cars, carrying two or three hundred tons weight. The rails to be laid down eight or ten feet apart, on a solid and permanent foundation, and the passenger cars to be moving palaces, sixteen or twenty feet wide, and two hundred feet in length, containing births for sleeping, kitchens for cooking, dining halls and parlors, affording to the passengers all the comforts of domestic home, while they will be traveling fifty miles an hour, in a still, quiet and safe manner. When this gigantic railroad is completed, passengers will go from the Atlantic cities to the cities located on the Pacific shores, in five days without danger or fatigue."