THE NATURE OF THE EXISTENCE OF MATTER. 270 



through opaque bodies. It, therefore, requires no stretch of the imagination to- 

 admit a modification of ethereal force which affects the brain and its organs, and 

 produces Consciousness and Clairvoyance in a subject who is, by the process of 

 ethereal induction, brought into communication with it. 



If we analyze a sunbeam, we can demonstrate that besides light and heat it 

 contains another kind or motion of etherium, different from Hght and heat, which 

 produces powerful chemical effects ; and yet we have no senses given to us by 

 which to enable us to perceive by its means, though it may sometimes abnormally 

 induct us, and produce clairvoyant perception. 



It seems to me that there cannot be a doubt in the mind of a philosopher 

 who examines this subject carefully, that there is a peculiar form or modification 

 of ethereal force, which has, with some propriety been denominated animal mag- 

 netism, and which is concerned in producing all the phenomena of animal life, 

 and all the wonders of Etheropathy and Mesmerism. We seem forced to this con- 

 clusion as the only one which will account for facts which we are not able to 

 controvert." 



It is well known that orators often exercise a so-called magnetic influence 

 over their hearers. It has been proved that mesmeric susceptibility is owing 

 neither to the imagination, nor the credulity, nor the nervousness of the subject, 

 and that when a subject is in a state of etheropathic sympathy produced by in- 

 duction ideas can be communicated from the mind of the operator to that of the 

 subject, and the subject made to act by the silent, unexpressed will of the 

 operator, without any indication being given to the subject by the word, look, or 

 deed of any one as to what the operator has in mind. These last mentioned facts 

 have led some philosophers to suppose this ether of which light, heat, electricity 

 and magnetism are manifestations, to be homogeneous with, or at least intimately 

 connected with, that immaterial, simple substance, the soul. 



The idea that the Avill of man can direct ethereal action in such a manner as 

 to produce etheropathy, or mesmerism, is perfectly consistent with the nature of 

 the will. 



In the case of the electric eel, we have an instance of the will directing elec- 

 tricity in such a manner as to paralyze the limbs of animals at a great distance, 

 and even to produce death. If, then, the electric eel can instinctively direct by 

 its will one modification of ethereal action, it is reasonable to suppose that the 

 will of man can direct another. 



Absolutely nothing is known for certain concerning the real nature of sub- 

 stance. 



In view of the facts herein already adduced, it is reasonable, and indeed the 

 only way whereby to account for certain incontrovertible facts, to refer all things 

 to immaterial substance, and to refer matter, as well as light, electricity, etc. , to 

 the simple, uncompounded, immaterial substance, called the ether. All the diffi- 

 culties with which philosophers now meet in explaining various phenomena by the 

 action of the ether arise from their not explaining the very existence of matter by 

 ethereal action. "That which truly is, or essence," is the proper meaning of 



