1884. J 
Analyses of Books. 683 
capital study of one of those humble agencies by which Nature 
eftecfts wonderful results. That a coarse insignificant grass 
should bind together thousands of tons of shifting sands, so that 
they can neither drift back into the sea nor spread inland 
ovei the cultivated country, is a fadt almost as curious as that 
earth-worms should manufacture arable soils and bury erratic 
boulders. 
The Medium and Daybreak. A Weekly Journal devoted to the 
History, Phenomena, Philosophy, and Teachings of Spirit- 
ualism. 
This paper has been sent us with a mark to an account of Miss 
Dale Owen’s visit to Scotland, and especially to New Lanark, 
the scene of her grandfather’s activity. The dictum of Robert 
Owen, “ Man the creature of circumstances,” is quoted. But 
we fear — or rather we know — that both this social reformer and 
his opponents overlooked the great truth that the preponderating 
circumstances are pre-natal ; or, as it has been ably expressed 
elsewhere, “ Nature counts for more than does nurture.” 
We regret to find a letter consisting of an outbreak of party 
politics, not originally addressed to the Editor of the “ Medium 
and Daybreak,” but copied, it would seem, from an Edinburgh 
contemporary. Surely the position of the philosopher, like that 
of the true poet, should be high, very high, — “ above the battle- 
ments of party.” 
A writer who signs himself M., and who is said to be of the 
Hebrew nationality, thinks that “none should ever attempt to 
philosophise henceforth outside the dominions of pure physics, 
and social and political questions, without becoming convinced 
of the truth or otherwise of Spiritualism.” 
Light. A journal of Psychical, Occult, and Mystical Research. 
Vol. IV., No. 197. 
In this issue we find some matter which may fairly claim atten- 
tion. An exceedingly able writer, “ M.A. (Oxon)” discusses a me- 
moir on “ Visual Hallucinations in Hypnotism,” communicated 
to the “ Revue Philosophique ” by M. Alfred Binet. Observa- 
tions were made upon five hysterical girls at the Salpetriere. It 
was found that if the patient has one eye colour-blind, coloured 
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