tion this, because, in the investigation of facts, minute truths are of value; and we are allowed to entertain suspicion where there is a possibility or trick or acting. Nor is it necessary, in suspecting, that we should throw any moral blame on those high-minded and gifted men who take part in these transactions. They may be persons deceived, and of nature liable to self-deception, as well as to be imposed upon by others; but I am not here now, while treating upon this subject, casting suspicion—I only state what then passed through my mind. There was another fact with regard to one of these young women. Dr Elliotson willed that she should come to him, at the same time telling her by word of mouth not to come. This exhibition was very beautiful, for the young woman assumed most graceful attitudes, as if irresistibly, but slowly, moving toward him, saying, "Why do you tell me not to come, while you are making me come?" I think it cannot be denied that here there was an exhibition of a fearful power. At the same time, there was another woman mesmerised, but there was no other exhibition with regard to her than that which was indeed extraordinary enough; but it was a bodily effect. She was in a chair, with her legs and feet extended, and in such a position that I should have thought no person could have maintained very long; but as I sat close to her, and perhaps for two or three hours, during which time she did not in the least move, I felt sure that she was under some cataleptic influence. But with regard to her, perhaps the still more extraordinary fact was the manner in which she was awakened. Dr Elliotson, who was at a considerable distance from her, made a rapid movement with his fingers, and at the same instant her eyelids shook tremulously, as in correspondence with the action of Dr Elliotson's hand; and thus she was awakened—the stiffness of her limbs removed by passing the hand along them—and she arose and walked away, apparently unconscious of what had taken place. Dr Elliotson, however, just as he began in this way to operate, told the company what would be the effect, yet he instantly recollected that his so saying might shake the belief of some, and regretted doing so—at the same time stating that the effect would have been exactly the same.
This last experiment, however, rests on quite different ground from the former. It may have been altogether a nervous influence, and one admitted as a curious physical phenomenon long before the days of mesmerism. A materialist here may say matter acts on matter; nervous fluids, however subtle, may combine, and suspend the ordinary action of nerves, muscles, and limbs. But materialism will not go beyond this: it cannot, on the instant, create and annihilate a moral sense, or mould the mind as it would a piece of clay. The power that can do this claims a spirituality; and even if that be doubted in this instance, extend the experiment to clairvoyance and to prophecy, and the claim of spirituality must be at once admitted. Then comes the question—If spirituality, what kind of spirituality?—and some, trying to avoid the questions will ask, "What is spirituality?" One may lose one's-self in such bewilderments. It may be quite enough to take the common notion of it—that it is a power in itself, which, though it may work upon matter, is really independent of it. The kind of spirituality which mesmerism claims I have already shown to be above what has hitherto been believed to be human, and is really a kind of omniscience and omnipresence. And yet, upon consideration, I am inclined to think these words even fall short of its claim; for omniscience and omnipresence do not necessarily imply a making, a creating power, a conversion of substances into other substances—or, at least, into the power of other substances. And I am led to this reflection by remembering what Miss Martineau published with regard to her maid-servant, a poor ignorant girl. I forget with what object, or if any was stated, Miss Martineau gave this girl water to drink, and willed that it should be porter, and the girl spoke of it as porter; then she willed it to be wine, and, if I mistake not, the girl became intoxicated. It is long since I read the account. I do not believe that I am at all exaggerating
