Philosophy of mysterious agents, human and mundane, or, The dynamic laws and relations of man : embracing the natural philosophy of phenomena styled "spiritual manifestations"

Front matter

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PHILOSOPHY

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Introduction

Method pursued by the author in these investigations — Philosophy of cause and effect — Agents, substances and phenomena — No phenomena without the relation of agents to substances — Man's conscious personality — Will and reason the highest finite agent, 15

Chapter I

Unseen agents — All primary agents arc unseen — Classification of tho modern phenomena — Every agent distinguished by its characteristics, as displayed in the phenomena of nature — The phenomena of any new agent exhibit new characteristics — Facts showing a new physical agent — Mysterious phenomena in Woodbridge, N. J., in 1834 — Case of rappings in New llackonsack, N. Y., in 1789 — Phenomena at tho housa of Br. Phelps, Stratford, Ct., in 1850 — Facts in the Stockwell case, in England, in 1772 — the Molesworth case, in 1835 — Physical phenomena without intelligence, ! 33

Chapter II. Phenomena Of The New Physical Agent In The Human Organism

CONTINUED.

Movements of objects and sounds without visible instruments and without the characteristics of intelligence — M. Arago's investigations in the case of Angeliquo Cottin — Important results of this inquiry — Every phenomenon of nature may bo repeated by an exact fulfilment of its Conditions — Application of this important law of nature — What do the abovo facts testify 1 — Classification and deductions, .... 52

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CONTENTS.

Chapter III. New Agent, And Its Phenomena

Physical phenomena in the case of Fredcrica Hauffo — Influence of mundane agents upon her organism — Nervous susceptibilities of this person — Action of forces from the nerve-centres, producing physical effects without the usual instruments, 63

Chapter IV

Phenomena of rappings in the case of Frederica Hauffo — Also, movement of objects without visible contact — Kcrner's experiments with minerals upon her organism — Same observations made by Kcichenbach — Physical phenomena effected at a distance at the residence of Kerner — The same at the residences of others who had come in rapport with the Seeress — Classification of these phenomena — Observations made by Mr. Wells, B. K. Bliss, Win. Bryant and Wm. Edwards, in the ease of a medium in Springfield — Like investigations in New York city — A company of the literati — Deductions, '. 78

Chapter V. Still Further Developments Of The Phenomena Of This New

AGENT.

Phenomena of rhabdomancy — Bitter's and Amoretti's investigations on this subject — Case of Campette, and that of Bleton — Thouvenel's experiments upon the latter — Evidences of the influence of mundane agency upon the nerve-centres — Phenomena showing the reaction from the organism upon an external body, producing its movement without the usual instrumentality — Special observations on rhabdomancy by the author — Further notice of the case of Bleton — Two directions of force noticeable in his case, one propagated from east to west, the other towards the north — Mr. Ober's observations — Deductions— Chemical action in the earth — The evidence of the emanation of agencies from the earth — The earth a battery — Mineral lodes — Becquerel's experiments — Wonderful phenomena witnessed in certain dwellings in New York — Cause discovered — What do the phenomena prove "! — What remains to be done, 87

Chapter VI. Electrical Form Of Agency

The electric girls of Smyrna — Movement of objects without contact — Effect of iron — Effect of the atmosphere — Tho same in eases of tho phenomena of tho present day — Is the agent in this case electric 1 — Analogy of this case with that of Angctiquc Cottin — Shocks given by tho latter — Shocks by clairvoyants — Capron and Barron's statements — Mrs. Tamlin— Win. T. Coggshall's statements — Electricity of tho organism not the vital agent — Dr. Wm. F. Clianning — Electric girl

CONTENTS.

VII of Strasburg — Physical effect at a distance by her electrio action — Electric lady — Natural insulation — Deductions — Every i'orin of agency should have some distinct name — Electric characteristics — Electric fish — Modifying influences of organism — Atmospheric influence • 100

Chapter VII

Evolution of electricity in the animal organism — Dr. W. E. Channing — Electric emanation during muscular contraction by M. Raymond — Humboldt's testimony — Midler's discovery — Smee's experiments — Those of Prevorst and Dumas — Ahran's and Paph's — M. Ilemmer's

— Sir James Murray's discoveries of the electric powers of the spleen

— Mattucci's experiments on electric currents in the muscles — Nervous current not electric — Influence of the will over the electric discharge — Electric fish and its organ — Power of discharging a current of force — The decision and direction depending on an action of the brain — The electric power related to the will — The odylic related

to the automatic action of the brain, Ill

Chapter VIII

Recapitulation — Professor Faraday's discovery of the magnetic power of oxygen — This power set free in the organism at the moment of the union of the oxygen with the carbon of the system — Phenomena in muscular contraction, showing an agent differing from electricity — Mattucci's experiments on the induced contraction — Thiloricr's and Lafontaine's experiments, showing a new agent in the human organism — Reichcnbach's discovery of an analogous agent — Characteristics of the new agent — Difference between it and electricity — between it and magnetism — Transmissible through electric non-conductors — The new force manifested in the modern phenomena — Comparison with that already exhibited — Identity with the odyle of Reichenbaeh — ■ Polarity of this agent, as in magnetism — Polar forces at the extremities of the organism — Movement of objects in the modern phenomena according to a law of polarity — Attraction and repulsion of objects — Deductions, . 126

Chapter IX

Action of the force of the magnet on living organized matter on the nervous system — Effects on Angelique Cottin and Eredcrica Hauffo — Pctetiu's observations — What is this new force of tho magnet 1 — Hahnemann's experiments with the magnet — Becker's observations in the effects of iron in the organism, by Noanks and Trcnks — Effects in eases of St. Vitus' dance — Reichcnbach's experiments with the magnet — important cases given — Tests mado by him and Baumgartncr — Operation on a patient through a thick stone-wall — Demonstrated not to depend on the imagination — Influence of this agent in producing catalepsy — Power of attraction — Ashburner's experiments with the magnet — Effects catalepsy and spaBms — T. C. Hartshorn's

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CONTENTS.

and Dr. Haddock's observations on tho same — Magnet affects the brain in trance — Attracts tho organism — This new foreo produces trance and somnambulism — Clairvoyanco — Magnet pruduces exclusive attachment in the subject, as is seen to be produced by the living operator — Deductions — Identity of the new agent of tho magnet with that of tho mesmerizer — Some observations made by Kcichcnbacb — Tho agent material, and belongs to all substances — This agent, therefore, belongs to tho brain — Thus the brain exists in relation to tho vast material world, 144

Chapter I. Phenomena, Showing The Influence Of The Brain On Thh Physical Agent

Review of the classification of the modern phenomena — Consideration of the phenomena of the second sub and second general class — Casa of Ellen Galaga, a medium — Characteristic orthography manifested in the " raps " — Demonstration of the influence of the brain upon the physical agent — The " communications " depend upon the action of the organ of language — Unconscious action of the brain-centres in the medium — Unconscious impressions unconsciously exhibited — Case given by Coleridge — Case of a writing medium — Unconscious plagiarism — Fictitious identity — The mind the governing, responsible, conscious agent — The brain the representative body, the automation — The passi veness required in the medium suspends the controlling power of the mind, and leaves the brain to the play of human and mundane agencies, 163

Chapter II

Reflex action of tho cerebrum — Rev. Adin Ballou's concessions as to the phenomena of the rappings — Conscious influence of some mediums over the rapping power — Influence of bias, prejudice, predilection, and will of the medium — Mr. B.'s experiment — Confirmation — Medium's will has no power to procure tho physical agent — Characteristic of odyle, not controllable directly by the will, nor directly by any function of tho mind — Its development is alone by chango of matter — Illustrated by tho principlo of tho telegraph — All the conditions of its evolution are material — Loss of rapping power by siokncss — Similar fact in mesmerism — Deductions — Action of mind upon the brain — The fictitious personality in tho medium governed „ by the will of the medium — Is this personality that of a spirit 1 — Fictitious personality in tho brain of tho insano — in dreams — Professor Gregory's facts — Facts of Psychologists — The prerogative of tho mind — Mr. Ballou's second important concession, wherein surrounding persons control the " raps," ITT-'

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CONTENTS.

Chapter III

Three important points in Mr. Ballou's concessions — Necessary conditions material throughout — Deductions — Susocptibility of tho brain of mediums — Four classes of proofs — Susceptibility to what 1 Passiveness required — Passiveness to what 1 — All agreed as to necessary conditions for the phenomena — Suspension of the action of the will and the reason — Consequences — Additional concessions — Command of the power in the earlier stage — Action of the brain-centres without consciousness — Odylio force without consciousness — Limits of spiritual power — Influence of " willing " and " wishing" in producing certain sounds — Spiritual phenomena lie within the consciousness — The brain's action automatic — Facts given — Subject to external influences — Cerebral and spinal automata — Testimony of physiologists — Carpenter's — Laycock's — Wilkinson's — Deductions, 190

Chapter V. On The Action Of The Bkain Without The Action Of The

MIND 208

Chapter VI

Influence of drugs, and other substances, upon the nervous system — How this influence is produced — Change of molecular condition — The action of every substance specific under like conditions of tho organism — Many substances exert peculiar influences upon the cerebrum— Nitrous oxide develops different effects in different individuals

— Its effects in developing the predominant automatic centres of the brain — Visions of spirits — Spectral imaginings — Representations of joy, grief, woe, &c. <fcc. — Observations of Newnham on the effects of belladonna — Visions of beauty — Effects of other narcotics — A drunkard becomes a writing " medium " — A medium only when drunk — Loss of power when sober — A contrary case — " Happing medium " loses power under tho influence of an appropriate nervine

— Another vision of spirits — Spirits fled in high dudgeon through a powerful cathartio — What do these facts demonstrate 1 218

Chapter VII

Interesting case by Sir W. C. Harris — Singular instinct awakened in tho Ethiopian thief-catcher — Mad. Ranfaing — Presonsion of the brain developed — Possession of tho devil from tho influenco of a drug —

- Wonderful development of language — Hebrew, Greek and Latin — Exorcism of the dovil — Induction of fictitious personality — Deductions from the case — Dr. Haddock's experiments — Sanio condition established as in mcsmerio influenco — Effects of a piece of iron in developing presonsion of tho brain — Fulfilment of predictions — Deductions, 230

CONTENTS.

Chapter VIII

INFLUENCE OF LOCAL EMANATIONS IN OBTAINING RESPONSES, ORACLES, AND PHYSICAL MANIFESTATIONS.

Facts demonstrating mundane emanations — Its influence upon the organism — The influence of this mundane emanation upon an object standing in relation to the affected person — Case of the Seeress of Prevorst — Thouvenel's observations compared with Professor Faraday's and Baron Reichenbaeh's — How this new agent brings the organism into relation with the world of matter — The Oracle of Delphi depended upon the action of local emanations upon the priestess — Testimony of Diodorus, and other classical writers — Heathen predictions depend upon the relation of the brain to the events of time, or the changes of matter — Discovery of the Delphic oracle — Local mundane influence exhibited in the phenomena of the present day — Local mundane emanations exhibited in the phenomena of haunted houses, . 245

Chapter IX

AN INQUIRY INTO LOCAL MUNDANE EMANATIONS, IN REFERENCE TO THE PHENOMENA OF " HAUNTED HOUSES."

Mysterious agencies in certain localities in Boston — William Howitt's accounts of the strange phenomena at the miller's dwelling — An inquiry into the local influences here — Reichenbaeh's Od manifested in the blue, misty forms — Arguments from the observations of European philosophers on local mundane influence — The relation of this agent to the nervous system of persons — Strange phenomena of the Blocksberg — Their association with witchcraft — Causes discovered — Reichenbaeh's deduction — Additional deduction by the author — The most difficult question, 258

Chapter X

SHOTTING STILL FURTHER THE RELATION OF LOCAL MUNDANE FORCE TO THE NERVOUS SYSTEM, AND OPENING THE MYSTERY OF THE PHENOMENA OF "SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATIONS," 270

Chapter XII

Relation of the mundane agent to the cerebral organs, as observed in the present phenomena — Methods adopted for inducting mediums into this mundane relation — Power of Pathetism — Induces the " rappings " by inducing the trance — Analogy with the case of the Seeress

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CONTENTS.

of Prcvorst — Other cases given, showing the extent of this pathematio induction — In no case are the phenomena of the present day produced without pathematio means — Pathctisin establishes the rapport between tho brain and the mundane agency — Evidence given, . . 300

Chapter XIII

Further consideration of the influences that have operated in the production of present phenomena — Observations upon tho laws of nervous epidemics — Law of specific cerebral impression — Tho character of the epidemic according to the specific cerebral impression — The present demonstrated to be a nervous epidemic — Singular facts of man and nature developed at tho present day — What is developed in an individual caso of nervous disorder may be exhibited as tho type of a general contagion, but always by a cerebral impression, 322

Preface

The following work is the result of a long and patient inquiry into those mysterious phenomena which, from the earliest ages, have been found to be associated with human beings ; but which either, on the one hand, have been regarded as the superstitions of the ignorant, or, on the other, have merely received a flippant explanation, or have been used as the materials of a mystical philosophy.

While every other field of natural inquiry seems to be occupied with busy, patient plodders for the ore of truth, — while the profoundest talents and the most varied learning are employed in developing the sublime laws of the heavens and the earth, — while the mysteries of light, heat, electricity, and of magnetism, of chemical affinity and of molecular agency, are being displayed, in their wonderful relations to this mundane sphere, — no profound learning, no master mind, seems to have entered this field with the same spirit of patient inquiry and unmystified intellect that, in modern times, characterize our chemists and our astronomers, in their respective fields. But we have to remember that, by the former, the mysteries of alchemy have been transformed to the precise laws of chemistry ; and that, by the latter, the fearful wonders of astrology have assumed the sublime principles of astronomy. Numerous works have been written upon the mysteries of which this volume treats ; but, with only here and there an exception, they have regarded the phenomena as the " disclosures of the invisible world ;" as the " manifestations of spirits ;" not as the phenomena of nature, to be classified and arranged according to their relations, that their real agency may be discovered.

Now, either these phenomena, and the like of them in all past ages, are the production of spirits of another world, or they are 2

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PREFACE.

the production of causes lying within the sphere of this world la what way can we decide this question fa.»ly? Certainly bj the most candid and thorough investigations, without leaning to either side. But this cannot be accomplished by observing a few isolated cases, or the collection of a few phenomena. The inquirer must travel over the whole ground. He must take the facts of the past, of an analogous character, and compare them with the modern facts. He must view every accompanying circumstance, every particular or general influence, every condition entered into for the evolution of the phenomena. In short, a scientific method must be adopted and closely followed. Of the method we have adopted in the treatment of these occult phenomena we shall particularly speak in the Introduction. We would remark here, with regard to one great difficulty we have had to meet with in all our inquiry, — namely, that but few faithful records of mysterious phenomena are to be found. The most wonderful circumstances have been given in the boldest, and even in an exaggerated, language ; while the circumstances which would require some special attention and protracted inquiry on the part of the observer have been almost entirely neglected. This work is far from satisfying the author, as to the style and arrangement : the former he has not aimed to excel in ; and it is possible that, in some few instances, in the more abstract portions, he may, here and there, be a little obscure to the general reader ; he has aimed, however, to express himself as clearly as the nature of the subject will permit. He has not given a work merely to be read, but to be studied. The public, however, must judge this for themselves. Such as it is, he consigns it to them as an appeal to their reason. May the ever-present Deity make it the minister of good, which it is the prayer of the author for it to accomplish, — the advancement of man in a knowledge of his own being, and of his wonderful relations to this mundane sphere ; that he may know, also, wherein his highest n6bility and culture consist ; and how, by his spirit, he may have a conscious alliance with the angels and the ever-blessed God ! Boston, August, 1852.

INTRODUCTION.

It is fitting we should speak here of the principles we take for granted in the outset of this inquiry, and of our method of investigation, that the reader may see the legitimacy of our deductions.

1. There can be no inductive science, no discovery of the laws of nature, without an accumulation of facts or phenomena by careful experiment or cautious observation. These, however, would not be sufficient alone. The facts accumulated must be carefully compared, classified and arranged, according to their relations.

2. No phenomenon, therefore, can be scientifically accounted for, without its being referable to a class of phenomena already known, or which is capable of being formedTrom the abundance of materials already existing, or which may be furnished by direct experiment.

3. It follows that, whenever any phenomenon presents itself for explanation, we should seek, in the first place, if there is any class of analogous phenomena to which it belongs, where experience, experiment or observation, has shown the cause.*

* See Sir J. F. W. Herscliel's Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy, § 141.

INTRODUCTION.

4. "Here, then, we see the great importance of possessing a stock of analogous instances or phenomena which class them selves with that under consideration, the explanation of ono among which may naturally be expected to lead to that of all the rest. If the analogy of two phenomena be very close and striking, while, at the same time, the cause of one is very obvious, it becomes scarcely possible to refuse to admit the action of an analogous cause in the other, though not so obvious in itself*

5. " In general, we must observe that motion, wherever produced or changed, invariably points out the existence of force as its cause ; and thus the forces of nature become known and measured by the motions they produce. Thus, the force of magnetism becomes known by the deviation produced by iron in a compass needle, or by a needle leaping up to a magnet held over it, is certainly as by that of adhesion to it when in contact and at rest, which requires force to break the connection ; and thus the currents produced in the surface of a quantity of quicksilver, electrified under a conducting fluid, have pointed out the existence and direction of forces of enormous intensity, developed by the electric circuit, of which we should not otherwise have had the least suspicion." t

6. The cause of any one or any class of phenomena is not attributable to supernatural agency, if the phenomena are natural or physical.

7. Before a class of mundane phenomena is proved to take place by a super-mundane agency, it is fanciful, whimsical, to attribute the former to the latter ; for all past experience, the whole history of science, shows its folly. Let that of Chemistry, Astronomy and Geology, teach us. Take the following example : The phenomenon of shells found in rocks, at a great height above the level of, and at a great distance from, the sea, was at one

* See Herschel's Discourse, § 142. t Ibid., § 143. Phil. Trans., 1824.

INTRODUCTION.

time attributed to the influence of celestial bodies ; but all modern geologists, with one consent, see it to be attributable to mundane agencies ; that these shells had their origin at the bottom of the sea, and that a subsequent alteration of the relative level of the land and sea raised them to their present height above the latter.*

8. If, in a class of phenomena of an analogous character, we find one which is attributable to mundane agency, we are bound to refer them all to the same, and not to separate them, — attributing that to the mundane agency which plainly indicates it, and the remainder to super-mundane powers, — as the principle of such a procedure would subvert the law of all scientific research.

9. It is no positive evidence against the supposed natural cause of a given class of phenomena that a few cases seem to be exceptions ; much less are such apparent exceptions against the evidence of a plainly indicated cause ; for in all classes of phenomena, where there are numerous conditions for their evolution, and counteracting or modifying causes existing, such apparent exceptions have always made their appearance, " which are also made to disappear on allowing for their modifying causes. This remark becomes of the greatest importance, when (as is often the case, says Herschel) a single striking exception stands out, as it were, against an otherwise unanimous array of facts in favor of a certain cause." t

10. " We are not to deny the existence of a cause in favor of which we have a unanimous agreement of strong analogies, though it may not be apparent how such a cause can produce the effect, or even though it may be difficult to conceive its existence under the circumstances of the case." t

11. "The detection of a possible cause by the comparison of assembled cases must lead to one of two things : either, first,

* See Herschel's Discourse, § 138.

t Ibid., § 154 ; also, § 155, vrlnre an instance is given.

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18 INTRODUCTION.

The detection of a real cause, and of its manner of acting, so as to furnish a complete explanation of the facts ; or, secondly, The establishment of an abstract law of nature, pointing out two phenomena of a general kind as invariably connected, and asserting that where one is the other will always be found. Such invariable connection is itself a phenomenon of a higher order than any particular fact." *

12. Whenever any two phenomena are found associated, or accompanying each other under peculiar circumstances, and the one ceases or diminishes on the suspension of the other, we are forced to conclude that they relate to the same cause ; but if we find cases where the one continues while the other ceases, we have the evidence of accompanying modifying influences.

PHILOSOPHY OP CAUSE *AND EFFECT.

13. It is important to understand, in all researches, what we are seeking after. If we are to seek the cause of any given phenomenon, it should certainly be known what a cause is. The spontaneous reason teaches this, we know, and so does nature everywhere else ; but certain human theories or notions have blinded the minds of most people to its simple character. If we ask, then, what is cause, the answer to the question comes to us from two opposite sources : first, from our reason ; second, from outward observation.

The idea of cause is always the relation of an agent to a thing ; it is the idea of some power acting upon some substance, which latter is passive to the former. Now, the action of the agent upon the passive substance always produces a result, — an effect.

14. Thus, we see, it is the agent acting upon the substance that constitutes the cause. The agent, then, is not a cause, without a substance to act upon. It is impossible to conceive it to

* See HerschePs Discourse, § 162.

INTRODUCTION.

be. Cause, then, is not simple, neither in the conception of reason, nor in the fact of nature. It is complex.*

15. We have the fact, then, to consider, that, in order for the agent to act upon the substance, there must be a preestablished law of relation existing between them. Hence, we find that the agent is associated more or less with the substance, but not always in a state of activity. Now, where the agent exists in this (so to speak) latent state, it is necessary that some special relation be established between them ; that is, between the agent and the substance. Here come in what are termed circumstances, occasions, conditions to be fulfilled, meaning simply the entering in of other agencies, which either change the condition of the first with regard to the substance with which it is associated, or changing the condition of the substance with regard to its relation to the agent.

It is in this way that nearly all the phenomena of nature are produced. Seldom do we find them wrought out by one agent alone.

16. For example, in the process of crystallization under the influence of light, the molecular agent associated with the molecules is quickened into action by the former. One condition, then, necessary to be fulfilled in order to obtain this crystallization, is light.

17. But this is not all ; there is another condition here. It is found in this case not only necessary to have light, but the molecules themselves must be in such a condition with relation to each other that the molecular agent can have free play among them. They must be suspended in a free medium ; that is, you must dissolve the substance you wish to crystallize, so that the molecules (or particles) can freely move with regard to each other's polar force. Here you have the condition of place.

* It is well to remark here that many, in using the term cause, refer to the agent alone. If the above reasoning is correct, however, such a use of tho serm is incorrect.

20 INTRODUCTIl! N.

18. You have, then, two classes of conditions to fulfil. First, those relating to agent, — the actor. Second, those relating to substance, — the thing acted on. Now, the action of the substance under the influence of the agent is a phenomenon. If this last action has a result, as in crystallization, you have a second phenomenon (the crystal), — the former characteristic of the agent (action) ; the latter characteristic of substance (form).

19. Now, all science, in its last analysis, consists in the discovery of the action of agencies upon substances, and the laws of their relations, which become known by obtaining a knowledge of the exact conditions under which the agent acts upon the substance in developing the phenomena. And every agent is known by obtaining a knowledge of its characteristics, developed in the phenomena under given conditions.

20. For instance, the agent known under the name electricity bears always the same characteristics, under the same conditions, when acting upon matter. Now, if we find an agent under the second class of conditions (those of matter), with regard to electricity, exhibiting those which do not belong to electricity, we are forced to conclude it is some other agent. Take another instance : electricity has the characteristics of making choice of certain substances as conductors, and of refusing to act through others. That cannot be electricity, then, which, under the same circumstances, will manifest the action of an agent through an electric non-conductor.

21. Now, if an agent has different characteristics from every other well-known agent, under the same conditions, then we must refer the characteristics to some heretofore unknown agent, and commence a series of inquiries ivith regard to those character-^ istics ; and, after distinguishing them by determining the precise conditions under which they are made to appear, and the form of substance with which they seem to be mostly associated, the rules of philosophy demand that the new-born shall receive a name.

22. In our researches with regard to the phenomena treated

INTRODUCTION.

of in the following pages, we have found so many of the characteristics of an agent differing so essentially from those of Electricity and Magnetism proper, and bearing so many of the characteristics of identity with the Odyle of Reichenbach, that we feel forced to admit this ilentity. (Their analogies, or characteristics of identity, will be shown in the body of the work,)