84 Notices of Books. [January, 
with writers on that difficult threefold question of the Whence, 
Why, and Whither. We are glad to see that Mr. Bray has 
touched upon the phenomena of will or soul force—in fact, a 
necessary part of his theory. He says:—‘‘The sun has an 
atmosphere, the world has an atmosphere,and sohas man. . . 
We all know how we are drawn to some people and repelled by 
others when we are brought within their sphere. But the 
character of the emanations around us has never been very 
definitely determined even where its existence has been admitted. 
Of its existence, however, there can be no doubt, although it is 
not recognised by physiologists or medical men except in some 
cases of disease. . . . ~. Vital force is so strong in others 
that they possess a curative power by its transmission in 
cases where healthy vital force is deficient. Old people imbibe 
vital force when sleeping with young ones, and all persons 
deficient in vital force draw largely from those with whom they 
sleep, causing or greatly increasing rheumatic and other pains. 
In the transmission of force from brain tissue we not only 
transmit mental states, but these other forces come more or less 
under the dominion of the Will, accounting for much in electro- 
biology, mesmerism, and so-called spiritual phenomena. But 
these are abnormal states; in the natural state the ‘released heat 
taking its character from the tissue,’ (Dr. Bird’s theory) mixed 
with more material emanations, forms our personal atmosphere, 
and people are much more under its influence than they are 
disposed to credit. Our thoughts and feelings are greatly in- 
fluenced by those with whom we come in contact, and especially 
by those with whom we habitually associate, the influence 
depending upon the particular brain tissue from which the 
force emanates. . . . . The extent to which we give 
and take depends upon the constitution. Highly nervous 
people are very sensitive to the impressions about them. 
Medwin, writing of Shelley, says: ‘So sensitive was he of 
external impressions, so magnetic, that I have seen him, after 
threading the crowd in Lung’ Arno Corsos, throw himself half 
fainting into a chair, overpowered by the atmosphere of evil 
passions, as he used to say, in that sensual and unintellectual 
crowd.’ These phenomena are now illustrated on a very large 
scale in what are called spiritualist circles. All that is wanted is 
observation and experiment; but we must look in the right 
direction for spirit, not spirits, and for nervous and bodily forces 
and emanations.” Mr. Bray continues, ‘‘ Professor Owen, writing 
about what he calls ‘thought-force,’ says, ‘if lines of thought-force 
were visible, the ghost (of Samuel) would not therefore be more 
material.’ May, then, thought-force, ever become visible? It 
is evident Professor Owen does not think it impossible. Does 
what is called by spiritualists ‘a medium’ supply the conditions?” 
Mr. Bray’s work should certainly be read. His creed seems to 
be—know the knowable, et permitte cetera Deo. 
