servations made in domestic privacy, partly by means of books) of the great question whether agencies from another phase of existence ever intervene here, and operate, for good or evil, on mankind. For a time the observations I made were similar to those which during the last ten years so many thousands have instituted in our country and in Europe, and my reading was restricted to works for and against Animal Magnetism and for and against the modern Spiritual theory. But, as the field opened before me, I found it expedient to enlarge my sphere of research, to consult the best professional works on Physiology, especially in its connection with mental phenomena, on Psychology in general, on Sleep, on Hallucination, on Insanity, on the great Mental Epidemics of Europe and America, together with treatises on the Imponderables,-including Reichenbach's curious observations, and the records of interesting researches recently made in Prussia, in Italy, in England and elsewhere, on the subject of Human Electricity in connection with its influence on the nervous system and the muscular tissues. I collected, too, the most noted old works containing narrative collections of apparitions, hauntings, presentiments, and the like, accompanied by dissertations on the Invisible World, and toiled through formidable piles of chaff to reach a few gleanings of sound grain. Gradually I became convinced that what by many have been regarded as new and unexampled phenomena are but modern phases of what has ever existed. And I ultimately reached the conclusion that, in order to a proper understanding of much that has excited and perplexed the public mind under the name of Spiritual Manifestations, historical research should precede every other inquiry,—that we ought to look throughout the past for classes of phenomena, and seek to arrange these, each in its proper niche. I was finally satisfied, also, that it behooved the student in this field (in the first instance, at least) to devote his attention to spontaneous phenomena, rather than to those that are evoked, to appearances and disturbances that present themselves occasionally only, it is true, but neither sought nor looked for; like the rainbow, or the Aurora Borealis, or the wind that bloweth where it listeth, uncontrolled by the wishes or the agency of man. By restricting the inquiry to these, all suspicion of being misled by epidemic excitement or expectant attention is completely set aside. In A record of such phenomena, carefully selected and authenticated, constitutes the staple of the present volume. putting it forth, I am not to be held, any more than is the naturalist or the astronomer, to the imputation of tampering with holy things. As regards the special purpose of this work, no charge of necromantic efforts or unlawful seeking need be met, since it cannot possibly apply. The accusation, if any be brought, will be of a different character. If suspicion I incur, it will be not of sorcery, but of superstition, of an endeavor, perhaps, to revive popular delusions which the lights of modern science have long since dispelled, or of stooping to put forth as grave relations of fact what are no better than idle nursery-tales. pobopin Accepting this issue, I am content to put myself on the country. I demand a fair trial before a jury who have not prejudged the cause. I ask for my witnesses a patient hearing, well assured that the final verdict, be it as it may, will be in accordance with reason and justice. I aspire not to build up a theory. I doubt, as to this subject, whether any man living is yet prepared to do so. My less ambitious endeavor is to collect together solid, reliable building-stones which may serve some future architect. Already beyond middle age, it is not likely that I shall continue here long enough to see the edifice erected. But others may. race endures, though the individual pass to another stage of existence. The If I did not esteem my subject one of vast importance, I should be unworthy to approach its treatment. Had I found other writers bestowing upon it the attention which that importance merits, I should have remained silent. As it is, I have felt, with a modern author, that "the withholding of large truths from the world may be a betrayal of the greatest trust."* I am conscious, on the other hand, that one is ever apt to "Friends in Council," Art. Truth. overestimate the importance of one's own labors. Yet even an effort such as this may suffice to give public opinion a true or a false direction. Great results are sometimes determined by humble agencies. "A ridge-tile of a cottage in Derbyshire," says Gisborne, “decides whether the rain which falls from heaven shall be directed to the German Ocean or the Atlantic." Let the reader, before he enters on the inquiry whether ultramundane interference be a great reality or a portentous delusion, permit me one additional remark. He will find that, in treating that hypothesis, I have left many things obscure and uninterpreted. Where no theory was clearly indicated, I preferred to state the facts and waive all explanation, having reached that period of life when, if good use has been made of past years, one is not ashamed to say, "I do not know," in any case in which that is the simple truth. We do well, however, to bear in mind that a difficulty unsolved does not amount to an argument in opposition.* To the many friends whose kindness has aided my undertaking, these pages owe their chief value. To some therein named I am enabled here to tender my grateful acknowledgments. To others who have assisted in private I am not less deeply indebted. I doubt not that if I were to delay the publication of this book for some years I should find much to modify, something to retract. But if, in this world, we postpone our work till we deem it perfect, death comes upon us in our hesitation, and we effect nothing, from bootless anxiety to effect too much. R. D. O. "Where we cannot answer all objections, we are bound, in reason and in candor, to adopt the hypothesis which labors under the least."-"Elements of Logic," by Archbishop Whateley. STATEMENT OF THE SUBJECT........... Is ultramundane interference reality, or delusion?--The in- quiry practical, but hitherto discouraged-Time an essential element—Isaac Taylor-Jung Stilling-Swedenborg-Ani- mal Magnetism—Arago's opinion-Dr. Carpenter's admis- sions-The American epidemic-Phenomena independent of opinions-Sentiment linked to action-The home on the other side-Hades-Johnson's, Byron's, Addison's, Steele's opinions-Truth in every rank-The Ghost-Club- Contempt corrects not-Spiritualism an influential element -Dangers of over-credulity-Demoniac manifestations— Reason the appointed pilot-Duty of research-How dispose of spontaneous phenomena?—Martin Korky-Courage and impartiality demanded-A besetting temptation Feeble be- lief-Skepticism—Georget's conversion-Evidence of sense Columbus in Barcelona-The marvel of marvels-Presumption -There may be laws not yet in operation-Modern study 7 Babbage's calculating machine-That which has been may Two modes of seeking truth-Circulation of the blood-Aero- lites-Rogers the poet, and La Place the mathematician— Former improbabilities—Argument as to concurrence in testimony-Love of the marvelous misleads-Haunted houses -The monks of Chantilly-Mental epidemics of Europe- Modesty enlists confidence-One success not disproved by twenty failures-Hallucination-Second-sight-Diagoras at Samothrace-Faraday on table-moving-Consequences of A familiar marvel-An inscrutable world-Dreamless sleep-- Perquin's observation-Does the soul sleep?—A personal observation-Phases of sleep which have much in common -Sleeping powers occasionally transcend the waking— Cabanis-Condorcet—Condillac—Gregory—Franklin—Legal opinion written out in sleep-Hypnotism-Carpenter's ob- servations-Darwin's theory as to suspension of volition- Spiritual and mesmeric phenomena hypnotic-How is the Ancient opinions-Dreams and insanity-Dreams from the ivory gate-Fatal credulity-Dreams may be suggested by slight causes-Dreams may be intentionally suggested- An ecstatic vision-The past recalled in dream-Dreams verifying themselves-The locksmith's apprentice-How |