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A New Theory of Trance. January, 
grasp of the properly trained and properly furnished intellect, 
who are competent to unsolve such problems and to explain 
the mysteries in full detail. 
Up to a certain point, we agree with Dr. Beard, but we main- 
tain that the phenomena he discusses embrace two distinct 
branches of science, viz., Physiology and Physics, and that 
it is strictly within the province of the trained physicist, and 
outside the province of the physiologist, to apply such tests 
as the electrical and other tests which we ourselves have 
used when investigating the physical branch of the subject. 
There is abundant proof that the fact of being a specially 
trained physiologist may actually disqualify a man for investi- 
gating spiritualism. For instance, Dr. Carpenter is a physiolo- 
gist, and it is chiefly to his researches in physiology and path- 
ology that he owes his present position. He ought, therefore, 
to be an expert, and to be able to get at the truth by exactness. 
He certainly considers himself fully competent, to conduct 
such an investigation, for here is his own estimate of his 
qualifications. He says* — “ The training I originally received, 
and the theoretical and experimental studies of forty years, 
have given me what I honestly believe (whether rightly or 
wrongly) to be a rather unusual power of dealing with this 
subject. Since the appearance of my LeCtures I have 
received a large number of public assurances that they 
are doing good service in preventing the spread of a 
noxious mental epidemic in this country ; and 1 have been 
privately informed of several instances in which persons who 
had been ‘ bitten ’ by this malady have owed their recovery 
to my treatment.” 
Now, Dr. Carpenter has been investigating the subject of 
mesmerism, spiritualism, &c., for more than thirty years, 
and what has he done towards solving the problem ? 
Absolutely nothing ! The reason is, we believe, that 
his mind lacks that acute philosophic quality which 
would fit him to unravel the intricate problems which lie 
hid in the structure of the human brain. He has, moreover, 
shown himself unable to grapple with the reasons or to 
deal with the faCts of opponents ; he views their work 
through a special “ focus of his own,” and is incapable of 
projecting himself into the mind of another person. 
We wish to do justice to Dr. Carpenter’s ability and use- 
fulness. It is, indeed, whispered that he has rather talked 
than worked himself into position and reputation, and like 
the clever man in the market place, whose cries of “ I’m a 
* Nature, vol. xvii., p. 26. 
