牛薇

1850.]

Wonders of the Nineteenth Century.

take a holiday a little oftener, that 'all play and no work, may not
prove rather tedious than otherwise, when it comes, after all!

"With three men on the outside of a door and three on the in-
side, watching it closely, that door could not be so violently
knocked upon as to tremble, though no visible force approached it,
without giving one something to believe. We witnessed this, with
one hand upon the panels, and what can it be, but the exercise of a
power beyond anything of which we have hitherto known the laws?
That it is to be subject to human control seems probable, for it acts,
at present,in a certain obedience to human orders, and is most obe-
dient to those who have used it longest. There seems an alphabet
to learn, in this as in other new fields of knowledge; and, indeed,—
considering the confusion of ideas in the minds of those who visit
and try to talk off-hand, with these newly discovered 'natives,'-it
is wonderful that the Knockers make themselves as well understood
as they already do. If Providence designed to subject an intelligent
power to our service-(in addition to the unintelligent miracle-
workers, Steam and Electricity, which have successively been given
us)—the beginnings would, by all precedent, be at least as imperfect
and dimly understood as these are.

6

"The suggestions and outside' bearings of this matter are many and curious. If these knocking answers to questions are made, (as many insist) by electric detonations, and if disembodied spirits are still moving, consciously, among us, and have thus found an agent, at last, ELECTRICITY, by which they can communicate with the world they have left, it must soon, in the progressive nature of things, ripen to an intercourse between this and the spirit-world. The failure of the 'Cincinnatians' to establish their clairvoyant telegraph,' three or four years ago, may have been owing to the fact that the new power is an intelligence, and will not be basely employed to fetch and carry' for trade. But we understand it has consented to be employed for healing. A report was made to the Homœopathic college, of New York, recently, that a physician had employed these Knockers to consult the Spirit of Hahnemann as to a case despaired of, and the instructions given in reply had been followed, to the cure of the patient. The Knocking differs from clairvoyance, in the fact, that the Spirit, in the former case, speaks first-and it is an advance upon clairvoyance, of course, as Spirits know where they can be of use, better than we, and are more at leisure to knock and tell us, than we to look up a clairvoyant. But then comes the wonder, how those, who have got well out of this world, should either wish or consent to have anything more to do with it! Or is it as schoolmasters go back to mix with children for their good, or as missionaries fall behind, in the march of civilization, to carry light to the benighted heathen who are coming on rather too slowly?

"We were very glad to see Mr. Cooper interested in the 'Knockers,' the other evening, for he is one of the few men not

afraid of the world, and whatever he sees and believes, with his logical and bold mind, he has the courage to tell, and tell well. The numerous places in which these Knockings have been heard, within the past year, show that the ghosts at large have got the trick of it, and the 'demonstration,' altogether, to our thinking, is of sufficient extent and respectability to warrant grave attention. An electric telegraph across the Styx, before they get one across the Atlantic, would make death less of a separation from friends than a voyage to Europe-but there is no end to the speculation on the subject, and we leave it with our readers."

A gentleman living in the midst of these phenomena, in western New York, writes under date of June 8th as follows:

"The demonstrations continue to spread and make new converts. Many are firm in the faith that they are from hell and the devil; and others as earnest in the belief that they are angels from upper spheres. I can concur in neither opinion. The spirit world, like this, is composed of ignorant and intelligent-all governed by the great law of affinity. There, of course, men will find spirits of their own affinity, to converse with, and time will show that the sources of these communications are not infallible, as all evil, or all good, but a mixture.

"Some of us who are in the midst of these demonstrations will be happy, at some future time, to furnish you for publication a cool, calm, impartial article upon the subject."

A letter received by a gentleman of Pennsylvania contains the following passages:

"You wish to know about the possibility of extending these communications. So far as the actual conditions necessary for a medium are concerned, I have never yet been able to ascertain. It evidently is not all clairvoyants that can be a medium.

The spirits either do not seem perfectly to understand the law themselves, or they judge it not best to give the world the full secret at this time. Whenever and wherever it appears in a new place it seems to come as if by acccident and take them by surprise.

"I have not succeeded in getting any spirit to agree to communicate with you through your sister, or otherwise. We do not often succeed in such requests, except in a general way, and the answers are 'tell them to be patient, they will hear it soon.' All the spirits that communicate agree that the time is not far distant, when all that are desirous will be able to communicate with their friends. I am much inclined to believe in the prediction made by several spirits that a very general communication will take place during the present year."

Still more wonderful announcements will be given in our next number. A private letter gives details of some phenomena more remarkable than any that have yet been mentioned.

Familiar Table-Talk.

NEUROLOGICAL INVESTIGATION.-The venerable Prof. Caldwell, of Louisville, has been appointed by the National Medical Association of the United States to report upon the truth and practical value of Phrenology and Mesmerism. The following familiar letter will show the prompt and common-sense course pursued by Dr. C. in investigating the subject. He goes directly to the point, and will, therefore, be able in all probability to make a truer and more satisfactory report upon these subjects than has ever before been submitted to any distinguished society of the medical profession. The report will be made at the next session of the Association, May, 1851, at Charleston, S. C. It is a little remarkable that Dr. Caldwell alone should have been chosen to make this report, for the reason that there were no others in the Association whose knowledge of the subjects would render them serviceable, or who were suitable to be associated with him in such a task. Such a state of things is certainly a signal reproach to the medical profession of the United States. But however deficient the members of the National Association may be in the knowledge of anthropological science there are many private members of the profession, in different parts of our country, who would be competent and willing to do justice to such subjects.

"Louisville, June 5th, 1850.

"My dear Sir:-I address to you this letter merely to say, in reply to yours of 'Sunday night,' that my purpose at present is (should no preventive intervene) to take pasage on Sunday, the 9th instant, for Cincinnati, in the Ben Franklin, and (accidents excepted) I shall arrive in your city on the morning of the 10th, and reach your chateau before breakfast, prepared to be your guest for a couple of days-or possibly three-for I must return, if not on Wednesday, certainly by the same packet, on Thursday. I trust therefore your seer-boys will be ready for action; for I am truly anxious to witness the experiments contemplated. I will bring with me a number of letters written by different persons of different characters and degrees of standing. And, though I wish you success in the business, as earnestly as you do yourself, I will notwithstanding observe and scrutinize the process with all the keenness I can summon to my aid. I will also have with me some pamphlets for your acceptance, if they be worth it. With respectful compliments to Mrs. B. and the family, I am, my dear Sir, Yours very truly,

CH. CALDWELL."

Monday and Tuesday and a portion of Wednesday were occupied in a delightful manner, by the visit of Dr. C., and a course of experimental demonstrations of the science, in which we were jointly engaged. Of the nature of our experimental course and the philosophy thus demonstrated, nothing need be said at present. The reader may look with confidence for an able exposition of the present state of Phrenological science in the report of Prof. Caldwell, next year, as the reports of the Association are regularly published in their Transactions.

LETTER FROM A PHYSICIAN IN MISSOURI.-Extracts.-"Permit me, Dr. Buchanan to assure you that I have read your Journal of Man with more interest and gratification than my most sanguine expectations anticipated. I wait impatiently for each number, for I know that it will contain novel and scientific research, in an original direction, uninvestigated by the minds of any save that of its discoverer. I will relate a few experiments illustrative of the promise which you assured your readers they should witness. I have performed numerous and satisfactory experiments to my own mind, the results in some were astounding. The experiments with medicines were upon the sick. The first was upon a young lady who was then confined with consumption. Her pulse at the time was over one hundred to the minute. I enveloped carefully so as to conceal from her the contents of the paper, and placed it in her hands. In a few minutes she complained of a burning in her hands, which traveled up her arm to the body. She said it was a stimulant and, in short, she just told the name of the article (Capsicum). The pulse was reduced in number fifteen to the minute in about fifteen minutes. An active cathartic was now placed in her hands, enveloped in paper so as to conceal from her its contents. In about twenty minutes she said it was a cathartic, and in about thirty minutes it operated on her bowels. After this experiment she complained

of being hungry. The idea of satisfying the hunger next attracted my attention. I placed a piece of chicken breast, enveloped in paper, in her hands. In a few minutes she said she knew what it was; I laughed at her, because she said it was chicken and she could taste it. The experiment was continued about twenty minutes; she continued to affirm it to be chicken. I asked her if she was hungry, she said no. In the next place, salæratus was enveloped and placed in her hands; in a few minutes she said it was saleratus-she knew because she tasted it. It increased the frequency of her pulse and rather produced a coldness of the hands. In the next place, I thought I would arrest her cough and produce sleep; for this purpose, Beach's cough powders were enveloped in paper and placed in her hands. In six minutes she showed strong symptoms of sleep. I then suspended the experiment, and she fell asleep immediately. Previous to going to sleep she said, 'it is opium.' She rested finely all night. This terminated the experiments for the time. I have performed a great many other amusing experi ments on her. In relation to experiments with medicines she is not the only individual upon whom I have witnessed decisive and satisfactory results. In experimenting with autographs, the results have been more than I anticpated, and entirely conclusive. I have no more doubt of the truth of psychometry than I have of my own existence, and phrenology is no longer a science of observation, in my mind, but one of positive experimental demonstration, so far at least as I have investigated the subject. I anticipate an immense amount of useful knowledge through the Journal of Man. May success attend your experimental and philanthropic labors."

FROM A PHYSICIAN IN MISSISSIPPI.-"Dear Sir:-I have had the pleasure of reading your Journal of Man including all the numbers up to this time. So far, I am well pleased and perfectly delighted. I find many new, strange, and interesting things to me. Though strange, I find a great many of the facts set forth demonstrably true; I have experimented but little yet, though enough to satisfy me that there is something great and valuable to grow out of your discovery of the impressibility of the brain; find many inpressible subjects, but mostly uneducated, though some educated, intelligent ones. I have applied letters to their heads and they have read off characters weil, could see the authors and describe them-and tell whether they were dead or living, &e In fact, almost equal to any that you have described in the Journal."

SYMPATHETIC COMMUNICATION OF INSANITY.-Mr. N. C. writing from Howard, Illinois, relates the following incident of his brother in a letter. D. C., aged 62, a man of family and of good character, became some months since rather melancholy and at length ab solutely insane. On the day of his first paroxysm he recovered sufficiently to perceive that he was likely to die soon in a state of derangement, and to arrange his affairs accordingly. He then relapsed into a furious delirium, in which his brother and sons were required to exert their force to prevent his inflicting injury on them or himself. N. C. says: "They had three physicians who could do him no good. While his two Fons, Hiram and David, and myself were taking care of him, I stepped out into another room. I heard him say to his son David David, come here and let me feel of your head and see which is the biggest fool, you or I.' David did so, and by his feeling of his head, in a minute, he seemed to be as crazy as his father. He halloed tremendously, and drove his brother out of the room, exclaiming, 'It is true, it is true'— he jumped, stamped, and halloed. We took him into another room-he exclaimingThere is gold in California-it is true, it is true-Jesus Christ has risen from the dead!' Hearing his father in the other room, he would repeat the same words after him. The neighbors were sent for and came, and some of them, with one brother. took him out. It was suggested to them that he might be mesmerized. His brother got him somewhat calmed down, and not being a full believer in Mesmerism, he took him behind a stack of straw, and went, as he said, to work like the Mesmerizers to throw off the influence. He found him to like it so, that he took him to another house, and brought him out, so that he has his reason since. My brother continued crazy, grew weaker, and finally died on the 12th of March." The foregoing is a very good illustration of the sympathetic communication of insanity. Thousands of instances of the sympathetic communication of disease escape notice because the parties do not suspect its possibility.

LETTER FROM FISHKILL, N. Y.-"Sir, I am pleased with the course adopted by you and pursued in your Journal. Adhering to the true deductions of science and condemning those who would bring it in disrepute by an overweening zeal. Your recent exposi tion of Electrical Biology, or Electrical Psychology,' as it is called in this section, is both truthful and just. It has been presented in our village, and completely disgusted all the better portion of our community

1850]

Familiar Table Talk.

DEFENGOLOGY.-For the benefit of Mesmeric adventurers, I would suggest that the time
has nearly arrived to re-christen their science (?) and bring forward a most astounding
novelty under the title of Fengology. "Electro Biology," and "Electro Psychology
are already beginning to grow stale. With a slight change in the method of operating,
it will be as easy now as heretofore to concoct a grand science. The following is re-
spectfully submitted as a new scheme, which cannot fail to " astonish the natives" to
the amount of $5 or $10 apiece, if boldly carried out. The operator should drop all
wires, passes, and other familiar ceremonies. He should announce the discovery of
mysterious powers in the human finger, and a wonderful relation to the brain. The
subject should be required to sit perfectly still, and place his forefinger upon the fore-
head at the root of the nose. In this position he should fix both eyes upon the finger
at its junction with the brow, and remain motionless until he ascends by slow degrees
into the true Fengological state-after which he can be made to display all the usual
phenomena, especially if the operator uses his own forefinger exclusively, after holding
it a short time upon the brow in the same manner as his subject. The course of lec-
tures upon Fengology should consist of six-first, upon the previous theories of Mes-
merism, Biology, &c.-second, upon the etymology of Fengology-from fengah, a fin-
ger, or hook-and the physiology and psychology of the finger-third, upon magnetism
generally, and the fengological kind especially-fourth, upon mental impressions-fifth,
upon the ancient history of Fengology-sixth, upon the fengological treatment of dis-
ease and the great secret of operating, which cost the lecturer five years of profound
study. Any young gentleman of talent, not encumbered with modesty or conscience,
will find a course of lectures upon Fengology quite profitable in many parts of the
country. If two lecturers desire to occupy the field, one can take Fengology and the
other can establish the rival system of Auto-Fengology, characterized by each indivi-
dual operating upon himself, independent of his teacher, by placing his left hand just
above the epigastrium, while with the right forefinger he goes through the fengological
process. Finally, if Fengology should wear out too soon, there are at least fifteen or
twenty other different methods of displaying mesmeric phenomena, for which the dead
languages will easily furnish dignified and sonorous titles, until the list of new sciences
(concocted of old materials) shall exhaust the patience and gullibility of the multitude.
In making these suggestions I would offer no disrespect whatever either to Mesmer-
ism, as a portion of anthropological science, or to any modest, fair, honorable, or scien-
tific exposition of its principles and facts, but the amount of mesmeric charlatanry and
ignorance, which has been turned loose upon the public, certainly requires to be noticed
and rightly understood by the true friends of science.

"NEW SYSTEM OF PHILOSOPHY; an Electrical Theory or Key to the Sanctum Sanctorum of the Author of Nature; written by E. D. Follet, for Nathaniel Chapman, Projector and Publisher, Bellevue, Ohio. Sandusky city, Printed by D. Campbell & Son, Water-street, 1850."-Such is the titlepage of a pamphlet of 94 pages just received. Notwithstanding its odd title, it appears upon a hasty glance to be a much more substantial and vigorous production than the trashy electrical theories, which so often sprout from undisciplined minds. Not having time to examine it properly, I merely quote the following passage which exhibits its scope:

"From recent discoveries in electro-magnetism, showing that the electric fluid is susceptible of modifications, the attempt will be made to analogically prove that to the agency of electricity may be attributed all material motion, and that variously applied, it is the motive power of the universe. It will be made to appear susceptible of demonstration, that, associated with an intelligent principle, it is the life of nature, through whose vital energy, in connection with a mental agency, is carried on all her multifarious operations.

"As a preliminary step to the introduction of the reader into the Sanctum Sanctorum of the Author of Nature, the following proposition is submitted to his consideration: All tangible things with which we are acquainted, have their particles arranged about a common center; are bounded by continuous or circular limits; all are in motion, either in parts or in the aggregate; and all their motions are curvilinear.' If any one doubt the truth of this proposition, let him attempt to prove to the contrary, and the more he investigates, the more convincing will be the proof of its reality."

In the application of his principles to astronomical and physiological phenomena the writer displays much ability-whether or not he is accurate in his facts and reasonings I have not time to inquire. The following sentence shows the result which he professes to have attained:

"It is not pretended that the nature or essence of creative power has been defined, but that its mode of action, in beginning, carrying on and completing the ceaseless process of creation, has been discovered."