268 PHYSIOLOGICAL INFLUENCES. 



whatever in common. The powers which are employed 

 in the arrangements of matter are, notwithstanding their 

 subtile character, of far too gross a nature to influence 

 the psychological mysteries which present themselves to 

 the observant mind. It cannot be denied that, by 

 placing a person of eyen moderate nervous sensibility 

 in a constrained position, and under an unnatural 

 influence of the mind, as acquired by the disciples of 

 Mesmer, a torpor affecting only certain senses is pro- 

 duced. The recognised and undoubted phenomena are 

 in the highest degree curious but in these the marvels 

 of charlatanry and ignorance are not included; and 

 the explanation must be sought for by the physiologist 

 among those hidden principles upon which depends all 

 human sensation. * 



Man, like a magician, stands upon a promontory, and 

 surveying the great ocean of the physical forces which 

 involve the material creation, and produce that infinite 

 variety of phenomena which is unceasingly exhibited 

 around him, he. ex tends the wand of intelligence, and 

 bids the "spirits of the vasty deep" obey his evocation. 



The phenomena recur the great processes of creation 

 go on the external manifestations of omnipotent 

 power proceed effects are again and again produced ; 

 but the current of force passes undulating onwards ; 

 and to the proud bidding of the evocator there is no 

 reply but the echo of his own vain voice, which is lost at 

 last in the vast immensity of the unknown which lies 

 beyond him. 



We see how powerfully the physical forces, in their 

 various modes of action, stir and animate this planetary 

 mass ; and ' amongst these the influence of magnetism 



# See article Animal Magnetism, Encyclopaedia Britannica, and 

 Mr. Braid's papers On Hypnotism, published in the "Medical 

 Times." 



