16 HAND V. eyes; 



Either in the full hliize of laughing day, the dazzle and splendour 

 of the ball-room, beneath the jealous or scrutinising eyes of those 

 around, or amid the sombre shadows of stilly night, the pressure of 

 the hand is equally ready and efficient. It is the mental-electro- 

 animal-magnetic telegraphic communicator. Besides its superiority 

 over the eyes is not confined to the immediate vicinity; the 

 chairing of a member of parliament, to wit. He beholds the charm- 

 ing belles hanging from the windows, or standing on the balconies, 

 displaying some coloured ribbons, the glory of his triumph, and he 

 presses his hand to his lips and throws them individually a salute, 

 like a knight-eiTant to his lady-love. Why, if he had to do the same 

 execution with his eyes, right and left, he would run the hazard of 

 having an obliquity of vision ere his procession was ended. 



We will not stay to speculate on the supposed mystery contained 

 in a Freemason's shake of the hand, for their recognition can take 

 place without any such operation ; nor will we endeavour to substan- 

 tiate the assertion that there exists among some of the popular secta- 

 rians of the day a mode of recGntre, prcticed to the members 

 of their flocks by a gentle " pressure of the hand," followed by a 

 slight rising of the forefinger into the palm of the embracod one ; but 

 proceed in conclusion to point out the method in which the operation 

 is carried on, and the cause of the phenomena, which cannot be 

 accounted for satisfactorily except by the science of Animal Mag- 

 netism, or the Mesmeric influence of one person over another accord- 

 ing to the susceptible or non-susceptible powers of the magnetiser 

 or magnetised. 



Nothing can be more simple than the experiment ; but remember 

 that animal magnetism, like electricity, being an elementary fluid, 

 requires a respectful caution in its a^^plication. The effect is pro- 

 duced by gently pressing the hand (of course choosing a favourable 

 opportunity), allowing your own mind to revel in all the poetic wild- 

 ness of " Love's imagery ;" then slightly relaxing youi hold, allow 

 the beautiful and tapenng fingers to glide a little way through your 

 own ; then quickly increase the pressure, and remain so until you 

 have received the conviction that the patient is not impervious to its 

 influence, and should you receive a corresponding pressure in retuni, 

 you may rest assured that magnetic influence exists. But here the 

 experiment, like your philos(}i)hy, ends. — Verdict for the Hand ! 



B. E. 



