798 Dynamic Theory. 



itself, an element in the development of further movements in the same 



direction. 



This divining-rod has been used from ancient times for the purpose of 

 giving answers to questions, asked of the supposed supernatural powers, 

 just as planchette and the tipping tables have been used during the pres- 

 ent generation. The motive power is in the muscles of the persons en- 

 gaged, and it is directed by an unconscious will, the chief element of 

 which is the expectant idea. " The demonstration that the table really 

 is moved by the hands placed upon it, notwithstanding the positive con- 

 viction of the performers to the contrary, was first afforded by the very 

 ingenious indicator devised by Prof. Faraday, which showed that lateral 

 pressure is always exercised, however unconsciously, before the move- 

 ment commences, and if, by keeping their eyes upon the index, the per- 

 formers check the first tendency to exert such pressure, the table never 

 gives the least sign of movement." ( Carpenter.) Prof. Faraday agreed 

 with Carpenter as to the cause of the movement. The explanation here 

 given is consistent with the fact that the answers are often unexpected; 

 because there are in every brain a vast number of facts unremembered 

 until brought out by some appropriate suggestion. In the unconscious 

 cerebration of sleep, we are often startled by most unexpected results. 

 Yet an examination will show that the elements of every dream are al- 

 ready in the brain, and the action which has gone on there consists sim- 

 ply of their rearrangement. 



A greater or less degree of abstraction, reverie or preoccuption ap- 

 pears to contribute to this process, especially to that part of it in which 

 the result of the motor will is transferred to its expressive muscular ac- 

 tion without arousing consciousness. This is generally attained by the 

 operators by a period of waiting in stillness, by monotonous music, &c. 

 Carpenter quotes from Rev. K W. Dibdin's lecture on table turning, the 

 following anecdote: A gentleman was talking ( as supposed) with the 

 spirit of Young, the author of Night Thoughts, and upon requesting 

 the spirit to quote a line of his poetry, the table rapped out, " Man was 

 not made to question, but adore. " Being asked if the line was in Night 

 Thoughts, the table replied, " No. " " Where is it then? " The reply 

 was, "Job." The Gentleman was not aware that he had ever seen the 

 line before, but he had. It is in a paraphrase on Job and was printed 

 at the end of Night Thoughts in a copy which he possessed and had 

 read and "forgotten." 



The inseneible influence exerted upon the muscles by ideas, allows the 

 phenomenon of muscle reading. Suppose X hides a small object, and B, 

 a muscle reader, who calls himself a mind reader, undertakes to find it. 

 B takes the hand of X and they start together. The muscles of X, 

 under the insensible influence of his memory organs, are inclined to the 



