The law of psychic phenomena; a working hypothesis for the systematic study of hypnotism, spiritism, mental therapeutics, etc

Front matter

V S-Q

BY DR. HUDSON.

— * —

Preface

I DO not expect this book to stand upon its literary merits ; for if it is unsound in principle, felicity of diction cannot save it, and if sound, homeliness of expression cannot destroy it. My primary object in offering it to the public is to assist in bringing Psychology within the domain of the exact sciences. That this has never been accomplished is owing to the fact that no successful attempt has been made to formulate a working hypothesis sufficiently comprehensive to embrace all psychic phenomena. It has, however, long been felt by the ablest thinkers of our time that all psychic manifestations of the human intellect, normal or abnormal, whether designated by the name of mesmerism, hypnotism, somnambulism, trance, spiritism, demonology, miracle, mental therapeutics, genius, or insanity, are in some way related ; and consequently, that they are to be referred to some general principle or law, which, once understood, will simplify and correlate the whole subject-matter, and possibly remove it from the domain of the supernatural. The London Society for Psychical Research, whose ramifications extend all over the civilized world, was organized for the purpose of making a systematic search for that law. The Society numbers among its membership many of the ablest scientists now living. Its methods of investigation are purely scientific, and painstaking to the last degree, and its field em* braces all psychic phenomena. It has already accumulated and verified a vast array of facts of the most transcendent interest and importance. In the mean time a large number of the ablest scientists of Europe and America have been pursuing independent investigations in the phenomena of hypnotism. They too have accumulated facts and discovered principles of vast importance, especially in the field of mental therapeutics, — principles which also throw a flood of light upon the general subject of Psychology.

vi PREFACE.

This vast array of facts, thus accumulated and verified, and awaiting scientific classification and analysis, would seem to justify at least a tentative effort to apply to them the processes of induction, to the end that the fundamental law of psychic phenomena may be discovered.

In the following pages I have attempted such a classification of verified phenomena, accounts of which I find in the literature current on the subject ; and I have tentatively formulated a working hypothesis for the systematic study of all classes of psychic phenomena. It will be observed that I have availed myself largely of the labors of others, instead of confining myself to experimental researches of my own. I have done this for two reasons : first, that I might avoid the accusation of having conducted a series of experiments for the purpose of sustaining a pet theory of my own; and second, because I hold that substantial progress cannot be made in science until one is ready to accord due credit to human integrity, and to give due weight to human testimony.

In conclusion, I desire to say that I claim no credit for this work, save that which is due to an honest desire to promote the truth for its own sake. Sincerely believing in the correctness of my hypothesis, I have not hesitated to follow it to its legitimate conclusion in every field which I have entered. If at the close of the book I have seemed to trespass upon the forbidden field of theological discussion, it was not for the purpose of sustaining any preconceived opinions of my own ; far from it. It was because I was irresistibly led to my conclusions by the terms of my hypothesis and the inflexible logic of its application. I cannot but be aware that my conclusions sometimes oppose the preconceived opinions of others. But no one who accepts my hypothesis as the true one will be compelled more frequently than I have been to renounce his former convictions.

T. J. H.

Washington, D. C.

Chapter I. Introductory

Page Necessity of a Working Hypothesis. — The Newtonian Hypothesis. — The Atomic Theory. — A Psychological Hypothesis necessary. — Theories of Hypnotism and Mesmerism. — Spiritism. — Mental Therapeutics. — Liebault's Law of Suggestion. — Duality of Mind. — A Working Hypothesis for Psychology formulated. — Its Three Terms 19

Chapter II. Duality And Suggestion

The Doctrine of the Trinity of Man. — The Greek Philosophy. — The Early Christian Fathers. — Hermetic Philosophy. — Swedenborg. — Duality in Modern Philosophy. — "Objective" and "Subjective" Minds. — Their Distinctive Differences and Modes of Operation. — The Subjective Mind a Distinct Entity. — Illustrations from Hypnotism. — Suggestion. — Auto-Suggestion. — Universality of the Law of Suggestion . 27

Chapter III. Reasoning Powers Of The Two Minds Differentiated

The Subjective Mind incapable of Inductive Reasoning. — Its Processes always Deductive, or Syllogistic. — Its Premises the Result of Suggestion. — Illustrations by Hypnotism. — Hypnotic Interview with Socrates. — Reasons from an Assumed Major Premise. — Interview with a Philosophic Pig. — The Pig affirms the Doctrine of Reincarnation. — Dogmatism of Subjective Intelligence. — Incapable of Controversial Argument. — Persistency in following a Suggested Line of Thought 33

Vlil CONTENTS.

Chapter IV. Perect Memory Of The Subjective Mind

Page Confirmed by Hypnotic Phenomena. — Opinions of Psychologists. — Sir William Hamilton's Views. — Observations of Dr. Rush. — Talent for Poetry and Music developed by Abnormal Conditions. — Talent for Drawing evolved by Madness. — Resuscitation of Knowledge in the Insane. — Extraordinary Feats of Memory during Illness. — A Forgotten Language recovered. — Whole Pages of Greek and Hebrew remembered by an Illiterate Servant Girl. — Speaking in Unknown Tongues explained. — The Result of the Operations of Natural Law 40

Chapter V

subjective memory {continued).

Practical Illustrations. — Reasons for Limitations of Subjective Power. — Its Practical Significance. — Its Application to the Solution of Problems of Insanity. — The Mental Phenomena of "Genius." — Napoleon Bonaparte. — Shakspeare. — Poets. — Artists. — Macaulay's Estimate of Poets and Poetry.

— Dangers of Subjective Control. — Lord Byron. — Socrates' Estimate of Poets. — His Recognition of the Subjective Element in Poetic Composition. — Occasional Inconveniences.

— Unconscious Plagiarism — Observations of Holmes. — Improvisation. — Solution of the Shakspeare-Bacon Problem.

— The Subjective in Art. — Madness in Art. — Great Orators.

— Webster. — Clay. — Patrick Henry. — Incidents. — Practical Conclusions 48

Chapter VI

perception of the fixed laws of nature.

Three Sub-Classes of Mental Phenomena. — Mathematical Prodigies. — Musical Prodigies. — Measurement of Time. — Distinction between Results of Objective Education and Intuitive Perception. — Zerah Colburn, the Mathematical Prodigy. — The Lightning Calculator. — Blind Tom, the Musical Prodigy. — The Origin and Uses of Music. — East Indian Fakirs. — Measurement of Time. — The Power possessed by Animals. — Illustrative Incidents. — Hypnotic Subjects. — Jouffroy's Testimony. — Bernheim's Views. — Practical Observations. — The Normal Functions of Objec-

CONTENTS. IX

Page tive Intelligence. — The Limitations of Subjective Intelligence pertains to its Earthly State only. — Its Kinship to God demonstrated by its Limitations. — Omniscience cannot reason inductively. — Induction is Inquiry. — Perception the Attribute of Omniscience. — Conclusions regarding the Power of the Soul 62

Chapter VII. Effects Of Adverse Suggestion

The Subjective Mind incapable of Controversial Argument. — A Sceptical Audience demoralizes it. — The Presence of an Avowed Sceptic prevents Successful Exhibition of Subjective Phenomena. — Labouchere and Bishop. — The Royal Academy of Medicine. — Its Offer to Clairvoyants. — Failure to earn Reward. — Harmonious Conditions required by Spiritists. — The Seybert Commission. — Trance-speaking Mediums. — How demoralized. — Adverse Suggestion the Cause of Failure in all Cases. — Possible Lack of Telepathic Conditions in Bishop's Case. — General Conclusions. — Failure Consistent with Honesty of Mediums 75

Chapter VIII. Hypnotism And Mesmerism

Warfare of the Schools. — History of the Science. — Mesmer's Career. — The Academicians. — The Successors of Mesmer.

— The Royal Academy of Medicine. — Its Idiotic Prejudices.

— Dr. Braid's Discovery. — Re-baptism of the Science. — Effects of Braid's Discoveries. — Liebault's Theory of Suggestion. — The Nancy School and the Paris School compared.

— The Fluidic Theory. — The Law of Suggestion the Greatest Discovery in Psychic Science. — The Significance of Braid's Discoveries not appreciated. — Hypnotism of Animals.

— The Charcot School. — The Sources of its Errors. — Reform in Terminology suggested. — The Mesmeric Theory.

— Braid's Processes not productive of Higher Phenomena. — Mesmerization of Animals. — Recapitulation of Points . . 81

CHAPTER IX. HYPNOTISM AND MESMERISM (continued}

Mesmeric Methods. — The Fluidic Theory. — Influence of the Mind of the Operator. — The Early Mesmerists. — Their

X CONTENTS.

Page

Methods and their Effects. — Decadence of the Higher Phenomena under Braid's Methods. — The Causes explained. — Telepathic Powers developed by Mesmerism. — Mesmerism as a Therapeutic Agent. — Method of Operation recommended. — How to acquire the Power. — The Necessary Conditions of Success. — Will-Power explained. — The Fluidic Theory requires Revision. — Distinction between Mesmerism and Hypnotism sharply drawn. — Mesmerization of Animals distinguished from the Hypnotization of Animals. — Methods employed in each. — Tamers of Horses and Wild Beasts. — Dog-Trainers. — Primitive Man. — His Powers. — His Immunity from Harm. — Daniel. — The Adepts. — General Conclusions 105

Chapter X. Hypnotism And Crime

Platform Experiments misleading. — Their Utter Inutility as a Test. — So-called " Tests " described and explained. — Sexual Outrages impossible. — Auto-Suggestion protects the Virtuous. — A Willing Subject necessary. — Demonstrative Experiments. — Modern Authorities cited against Themselves. — Professor Gregory's Views. — The Elevated Moral Tone of Subjects when mesmerized. — Successful Suggestion of Suicide impossible. — The Three Normal Functions of the Subjective Mind. — Self-Preservation. — Propagation. — Preservation of Offspring. — Instinctive Auto-Suggestion. — Indifference on Near Approach of Death. — A Universal Law. — Illustrative Incidents. — Suggestive Criminal Abortion impossible. — Premonitions explained. — The Daemon of Socrates. — Clairaudience. — The Instinct of Death. — Hypnotism in Jurisprudence. — Testimony valueless. — Vital Secrets impossible to obtain. — Doctors must not monopolize the Forces of Nature. — The Folly of Adverse Legislation . 122

CHAPTER XL

PSYCHO-THERAPEUTICS.

Historical Notes. — Mind Cure in Ancient Times. — Bible Accounts. — Miracles of the Church. — Healing by the King's Touch. — Views of Paracelsus and Pomponazzi. — Bernheim's Experiments. — The Modern Schools. — Their Theories. — The True Hypothesis applicable to All Systems. — Illustrations of the Theory. — Producing a Blister by Suggestion. — Bloody Stigmata. — Letters of Blood. — Objective Control of Sub-

CONTENTS. XI

Page jective Mind. — Subjective Control of Bodily Functions. — The Necessary Mental Conditions. — The Precepts and Example of Christ. — Subjective Faith alone required. — Discussion of Various Systems. — Christian Science, etc. — General Conclusions 144

Chapter XII

psycho-therapeutics (continued) .

Methods classified in Two Divisions. — Mental and Oral Suggestions. — Absent Treatment. — Christian Scientists handicapped by Absurd Theories. — They claim too much. — The Use of Drugs. — Dangers arising from too Radical Change. — Importance of Favorable Mental Environment. — Mental Healing requires Mental Conditions. — Treatment by Hypnotism. — Bernheim's Methods. — Illustrative Cases. — The Practical Value of the System. — The Illogical Limitations of the Theory. — PoteT&cy of Telepathic Suggestion. — Re-lv searches of the Society for Psychical Research. — Mr. Gurney's Experiments. — They demonstrate the Theory of Effluent Emanations. — Diagnosis by Intuition. — Potency of Mesmerism. — Permanency of Cures. — Conditions necessary. — The Example of Jesus. — Self-Healing by Auto-suggestion . 161

Chapter XIII. A New System Of Mental Therapeutics

Telepathy the Normal Means of Communication between Subjective Minds. — Perfect Passivity required for Therapeutic Suggestions. — Natural Sleep the Most Perfect State of Passivity. — Hypnotic Sleep and Natural Sleep identical. — Phenomena of Dreams. — Subjective Mind controllable by Suggestion during Natural Sleep. — Illustrative Incidents. — Passivity a Necessity on the Part of the Operator. — The Subjective Mind can be caused to convey Telepathic Messages during Sleep. — Illustrative Experiments 176

CHAPTER XIV. A NEW SYSTEM OF MENTAL THERAPEUTICS (continued)

Recapitulation of Propositions. — Natural Sleep the Best Condition attainable both for Healer and Patient. — Demonstrative Experiments. — Healing at a Distance of One Thousand

Xli CONTENTS.

Page

Miles. — Distance no Obstacle. — Space does not exist for the Subjective Mind. — Objective Habits of Thought the only Adverse Factor. — Diseases treated. — Strabismus cured. — Mode of Operation. — Not a Good Money-making Scheme. — It promotes the Health of the Healer. — A Method of Universal Utility. — Self-Healing its most Important Function. — The Power absolute. — Within the Reach of All. — Method of Self-Healing. — The Patient's Credulity not overtaxed. — The Example of Christ. — Material Remedies not to be ignored. — Advice to Christian Scientists. — The Control of Dreams. — Practical Conclusions 191

Chapter XV. The Phenomena Of Spiritism

If a Man die, shall he live again ? — The Problem not solved by Spiritistic Phenomena. — The Phenomena admitted. — Their Supernatural Origin denied. — Explained by the Hypothesis. — Subsidiary Hypothesis. — An Intelligent Dynamic Force. — Its Characteristics. — Limited by Medium's Intelligence. — It is controlled by Suggestion. — Phenomena fail in Presence of Scepticism. — Reasons. — Mediumistic Frauds.

— The Primary Lesson in Spiritistic Investigation. — Mediums not necessarily dishonest. — Their Honest Belief in the Phenomena. — Suggestion explains all. — Illustrations from Hypnotism. — Convincing Character of Alleged Communications. — Telepathic Explanations. — General Conclusions . . 205

CHAPTER XVI. THE PHENOMENA OF SPIRITISM {continued)

Various Classes of Phenomena. — Clairvoyance. — Its Field not yet clearly defined. — Telepathy invades its Ancient Domain. — Simple Experiments in Telepathy. — Their Significance. — Telepathic Power in Mediums. — Telepathic Visions.

— A Typical Seance. — Wonderful Exhibition of Telepathic Power. — An Affecting Interview of the Sitter with Himself.

— Deductions. — Visions of Inanimate Things as well as of Deceased Persons. — Spirit of the Jack of Clubs. — Subjective Memory. — Spirit Identity. — Allan Kardec's Observations. — His Illogical Conclusions. — His Supreme Test. — Telepathic Explanation. — Four Ways of explaining his Test

XI

Case

CONTENTS. xiii

CHAPTER XVII. THE PHENOMENA OF SPIRITISM {continued)

Page

Psychometry. — "The Souls of Things." — Professor Denton's Experiments. — Wonderful Visions of the Ancient Environment of Geological Specimens. — A Piece of Mortar from Cicero's House. — Supposed Scientific Tests. — Explanation on Telepathic Principles. — Experiments in Hypnotism compared. — Clairvoyance and Telepathy. — Their Boundary Lines in Transit. — Clairaudience. — Definitions of the Term.

— Socrates and his Daemon. — Modern Instances. — Mental Impressions. — Premonitions. — Their Unreliability. — Remarkable Examples of Clairaudience. — A Lawyer's Experience. — Subject to the Law of Suggestion. — Insanity sometimes results from Ignorance of the Cause. — Practical Suggestions 238

CHAPTER XVIII. THE PHENOMENA OF SPIRITISM {continued)

The Planchette. — Modifications. — Easily operated. — Automatic Writing. — Governed by the Universal Law. — The Planchette without Spirits. — The Planchette and Telepathy.

— Trance. — Ancient and Modern Superstitions relating to Trance. — Religious Systems founded on Trance. — Visions. — Swedenborg. — Oriental Philosophy. — Its Slow Growth and Stupendous Proportions. — Spiritistic Philosophy. — Its Evolution. — All founded on Trance Visions, in Ignorance of the Law of Suggestion. — Cahagnet's Mesmeric Seers. — Their Revelations. — Objective and Subjective Visions. — Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy. — Visions of the Holy Virgin. — The Physical and Mental Attitude of Prayer. — The Prayer of Faith. — Obsession. — Possession. — Casting out Devils. — Devils out of Fashion. — The Influence of Suggestion. — The Element of Telepathy. — Dual Personality. — Loss of Identity. — Characteristics. — The Case of Ansel Bourne. — Possible Explanation. — A Proof of the Dual Hypothesis. — Multiple Personality 25*

Chapter XIX. The Physical Phenomena Of Spiritism

The Intelligence manifested. — It is a Human Intelligence. — Inherent Probabilities. — Conditions requisite. — The Best

XIV CONTENTS.

Page Conditions. — A Living Organism necessary. — The Laws of Telepathy and Suggestion prevail. — Slate-Writing. — A Wonderful Slate- Writing Seance. — Telepathic and Psycho- Physical Power displayed in Perfection. — Demonstration of its Mundane Origin. — An Unexpected Phenomenon. — Summary of Results. — Syllogism. — General Conclusions. — Spiritistic Phenomena do not constitute Valid Evidence of a Life beyond the Grave. — An Argument for Immortality . .271

Chapter XX. Phantasms Of The Dead

Ghosts. — Scientific Investigations. — Tentative Classification of Phenomena. — Power to create Phantasms demonstrated. — Investigations of the London Society for Psychical Research. — Spirit Photography. — Projection of the "Astral Body." — Witches. — Conditions necessary. — The same in all Cases. — Spirit " Materialization." — Magicians. — Ghosts the Creations of the Subjective Entity. — Eliphas Levi's Views. — Raising the Devil. — Crystal Visions. — Propositions established. — Embodied Thoughts. — Phantasms not Spirits. — Uniform Characteristics. — A New Classification. — Conditions of Objectivity and Persistency. — Haunted Houses. — No General Intelligence manifested. — D'Assier's Statements. — A Remarkable Case. — Ghosts Intensified Telepathic Visions. — Difference in Degree, not in Kind. — Ghosts not controllable by Suggestion. — Other Salient Peculiarities. — Ghosts neither prove nor disprove Immortality. — Mental Atmosphere of Houses. — Remarkable Cases. — Classification of Telepathic Phenomena. — Conclusions . . 286

CHAPTER XXL

SUSPENDED ANIMATION AND PREMATURE BURIAL.

Facts of Startling Import. — The Case of Washington Irving Bishop. — Other Instances of Suspended Animation. — Vampirism. — Catalepsy. — East Indian Fakirs buried alive for Months. — Fundamental Errors. — Catalepsy not a Disease.

— A Recuperative Agent. — The Law of Suggestion governs the Phenomena. — Subjective Insensibility impossible.

— Suggestion of Death deepens the Lethargy. — The Appalling Dangers of Catalepsy. — The Proper Treatment. . . . 309

CONTENTS. XV

Chapter XXII. Practical Conclusions And Suggestions

» Pagb

The Normal Relations of the Objective and Subjective Faculties.

— Their Distinctive Powers and Functions. — The Infinite Wisdom displayed in their Distribution. — It constitutes Man a Free Moral Agent. — Limitation of Subjective Powers and Responsibilities in this Life. — The Kinship of the Soul to God. — The Limitation of the Powers of the Objective Mind.

— The Transcendent Powers of the Soul. — Errors of the Old Philosophers. — The Normal Functions of the Soul in Earthly Life. — Dangers of Abnormal Exercise of Subjective Power. — Nervous Disorders, Insanity, Imbecility, and Moral Degradation. — The Importance of a Knowledge of the Law of Suggestion. — Dangers of Mediumship. — Trance-Speakers.

— Immoral Tendency of Ignorant Mediumship. — Tendency towards Free Love. — The Causes. — The Orientalists. — Their Greater Powers, and their Greater Facilities for Self- Delusion. — Practical Conclusions. — Warnings 321

Chapter XXIII. The Physical Manifestations And Philosophy Of Christ

The Great Stumbling-Block, Unbelief in the Physical History of Christ. — Modern Science confirms the New Testament. — Internal Evidence of the Truth of the History of Jesus. — The Scientific Accuracy of His Statements. — The Exoteric and the Esoteric Doctrines. — Parables. — Esoteric Doctrines reserved for Modern Science to discover. — The Spirit of Truth. — Jesus the first to proclaim the Scientific Truth. — The Doctrine of Faith. — Healing the Sick. — Natural Law. — Faith essential then as now. — Illustrative Incidents. — Jairus' Daughter. — Seven Scientific Steps. — Secrecy enjoined.

— Scientific Reasons. — Rediscovery of the Science of Mental Therapeutics in Modern Times — Nothing discovered that Jesus did not know. — Absent Treatment. — The Power to heal transmitted to all Future Generations. — The Conditions. — Conclusions 338

CHAPTER XXIV. THE PHYSICAL MANIFESTATIONS OF CHRIST {continued)

The Word Faith in its Application to Psychic Phenomena. — Its Definition. — An Epitome of the Law of Suggestion. —

XVI CONTENTS.

Pagb

Subjective Faith only required. — Illustrative Incident. — The " Spoken Word." — Jesus knew the Law, and always acted within its Limitations. — Intuitive Perception of the Laws of the Soul. — His Manhood and its Limitations. — Our Warranty of Title as Sons of God. — Christ constantly controlled by Reason. — His Subjective Powers subservient. — The Three Temptations illustrative. — The Great Lesson to Mankind. — The Normal Exercise of Subjective Power. — Simon the Sorcerer. — Miracle not a Necessary Explanation of the Power of Christ. — Conclusions 359

Chapter XXV. The Spiritual Philosophy Of Christ

The Necessity of Signs and Wonders. — Christ's Work was for All Time. — His Consummate Wisdom. — Signs and Wonders as Evidence. — His Perception of Spiritual Laws. — The Perceptive Powers of the Soul. — Propositions. — Presumptive Evidence of His Knowledge of Spiritual Laws. — Condition precedent to Immortality. — Faith the Essential Condition. — The Declarations of Christ. — He meant just what He said. — The Doctrines of the Church. — Literal Extinction of the Soul through Unbelief. — Belief essential to Salvation. — Belief will not avert the Consequences of Sin. — Inherent Probabilities. — The Conscious Existence of the Soul. — The Law of Suggestion applied. — Scepticism constitutes a Fatal Suggestion. — Phenomena of Hypnotism illustrative. — Souls of Animals have no Conscious Existence; hence not Immortal. — Christ as a Saviour of Souls. — His Doctrine new to the World, but scientifically correct 374

Chapter XXVI

THE MISSION OF CHRIST. FUTURE REWARDS AND

PUNISHMENTS.

The Success of Christ's Mission. — Chaotic State of Spiritual Philosophy in His Time. — The Various Doctrines in Vogue. — Jesus the first to simplify the Doctrine of Immortality.— He gave it a Definite Status in Philosophy. — The Doctrine of Future Rewards and Punishments. — God will "Render to every Man according to his Deeds."— Spiritual Penalties for Violations of Spiritual Law. — The Sin against the Holy

CONTENTS. XVII

Page Ghost. — The Sin of Unbelief. — The Status of a Lost Soul.

— Possible Reincarnation. — The Means of Punishment for Sin. — Affections. — Conscience. — Memory. — General Conclusions. — Scientific Basis of Christianity 380,

Chapter XXVII. Deductions From Various Attributes Of The Soul

The Question of Identity. — Consciousness and Memory. — Identity considered in Reference to Rewards and Punishments. — Conscience. — Conflicting Theories of Psychologists.

— Education and Intuition. — Different Standards of Morality. — The Soul's Perception of the Eternal Principles of Right and Wrong. — The Instinct of Worship. — Its Abnormal Manifestations. — The Law of Suggestion. — Universality of the Sentiment of Worship/ — Its Normal Manifestations. — Demonstrative of the Existence of a God of Love. — Old Arguments invalid. — Socrates and Paley. — Argument predicated on the Affectional Emotions. — Syllogistic Deductions. — The Divine Pedigree of Man 400

Ul*s*g3&^S

THE

Law of Psychic Phenomena.

Chapter I. Introductory

Necessity of a Working Hypothesis. — The Newtonian Hypothesis!. — The Atomic Theory. — A Psychological Hypothesis necesisary. — Theories of Hypnotism and Mesmerism. — Spiritism. — Mental Therapeutics. — Liebault's Law of Suggestion. — Duality of Mind. — A Working Hypothesis for Psychology formulated. — Its Three Terms.

SUBSTANTIAL progress in any science is impossible in the absence of a working hypothesis which is universal in its application to the phenomena pertaining to the subject-matter. Indeed, until such an hypothesis is discovered and formulated, no subject of human investigation can properly be said to be within the domain of the exact sciences. Thus, astronomy, previous to the promulgation of Kepler's Laws and the formulation of the Newtonian hypothesis of gravitation, was in a state of chaos, and its votaries were hopelessly divided by conflicting theories. But the moment Newton promulgated his theorem a revolution began which eventually involved the whole scientific world. Astronomy was rescued from the domain of empiricism, and became an exact science. What the Newtonian hypothesis did for astronomy, the atomic theory has done for chemistry. It enables one skilled in that science to practise it with a certainty of results in exact proportion to his knowledge of its principles and his skill in applying them to the work in hand. He knows that if he can combine hydrogen and oxygen, in the proportion of two atoms of the former to one of the latter, water will be the result. He knows that one atom, or part, of oxygen and one of carbon combined under heat will produce carbonic oxide, — a poisonous gas; that the addition of another atom, or part, of oxygen will produce carbonic anhydride (dioxide) , — a harmless gas ; and so on throughout the vast realm of chemical combinations.

The fact that the literal correctness of a given hypothesis is not demonstrable except by results, in no wise militates against its value in the domain to which it belongs. Indeed, it would cease to be a hypothesis the moment it were demonstrated. Newton's theorem is undemonstrable except from its results. Its correspondence, however, with every known fact, the facility with which astronomical calculations can be made, and the precision with which every result can be predicted, constitute a sufficient demonstration of its substantial correctness to inspire the absolute confidence of the scientific world. No one would hesitate to act in the most important concerns of life — nay, to stake his very existence — upon calculations based upon Newton's hypothesis. Yet there are not found wanting men who deny or doubt its abstract correctness. Volumes have been written to disprove it. But as no one has yet discovered a fact or witnessed a phenomenon outside of its domain, the world refuses to surrender its convictions. When such a fact is discovered, then, and not till then, will there arise a necessity for revising the " Principia." It is a trite and true saying that one antagonistic fact will destroy the value of the finest theory ever evolved.

It is equally impossible to demonstrate the abstract cofrectness of the atomic theory. An appeal to the evidence found in uniform results is all that is possible to one who would give a reason for the faith that is in him. No one ever saw, felt, tasted, or smelled

INTRO D UCTOR V. 2 1

an atom. It is beyond the reach of the senses ; nor is it at all probable that science or skill will ever be able to furnish instrumental aids capable of enabling man to take cognizance of the ultimate unit of matter. It exists for man only in hypothesis. Nevertheless, the fact remains, that in all the wide range of human investigation there is not a more magnificent generalization, nor one more useful to mankind in its practical results, than the atomic theory. Yet there are those who doubt its abstract correctness, and labor to disprove the existence of the atom. If the ultimate object of chemical science were to demonstrate the existence of the atom, or to seize it and harness it to the uses of mankind, it might be worth while to set the chemical fraternity right by demonstrating its nonexistence. If the practice of chemistry on the basis of the theory were defective in its practical results, or failed in universal application, it would then be the duty of scientists to discard it entirely, and to seek a better working hypothesis.

The most that can be said of any scientific hypothesis is, that whether true in the abstract or not, everything happens just as though it were true. When this test of universality is applied, when no known fact remains that is unexplained by it, the world is justified in assuming it to be true, and in deducing from it even the most momentous conclusions. If, on the contrary, there is one fact pertaining to the subject-matter under investigation which remains outside the domain of the hypothesis, or which is unexplained by it, it is indubitable evidence that the hypothesis is unsafe, untrue, and consequently worthless for all practical purposes of sound reasoning. Thus, Sir Isaac Newton, after having formulated his theorem, threw it aside as worthless, for a time, upon making the discovery that the moon, in its relations with the earth, apparently did not come within the terms of his hypothesis. His calculations were based upon the then accepted estimate of the length of a degree of latitude. This estimate having been corrected by the careful measurements of Picard, Newton revised his figures, and found that the supposed discrepancy did not exist. The last doubt in his mind having been thus set at rest, he gave to the world a theorem which rendered possible substantial progress in astronomical science.

In the field of psychological investigation a satisfactory working hypothesis has never been formulated. That is to say, no theory has been advanced which embraces all psychological phenomena. Many theories have been advanced, it is true, to account for the various classes of phenomena which have been observed. Some of them are very plausible and satisfactory — to their authors — when applied to a particular class of facts, but utterly fail when confronted with another class.

Thus, the students of the science of hypnotism are, and since the days of Mesmer have been, hopelessly divided into schools which wage war upon each other's theories, and dispute the correctness of each other's observations of facts. Mesmer's theory of fluidic emanations, which he termed "animal magnetism," seemed to account for the facts which he observed, and is still held to be substantially true by many votaries of this science. John Bovee Dods' electrical theory — positive lungs and negative blood — was sufficiently plausible in its day to attract many followers, as it afforded a satisfactory explanation of many phenomena which came under his observation. Braid's physiological explanation of certain classes of the phenomena afforded, in his time, much comfort to those who believe that there is nothing in man which cannot be weighed in a balance or carved with a scalpel. In our own day we find the school of the Salpetriere, which holds that hypnotism is a disease of the nervous system, that its phenomena are explicable on physiological principles, that the suggestions of the operator play but a secondary role in their production, and that they can be produced, or successfully studied, only in diseased persons. On the other hand, the Nancy school of hypnotists holds that the science can be studied with profit only in perfectly healthy persons, and from a purely psy-

INTRODUCTORY. 23

chological standpoint, and that suggestion is the all-potent factor in the production of all hypnotic phenomena. All three of the last-mentioned schools agree in ignoring the possibility of producing the higher phenomena of hypnotism, known as clairvoyance and thought-transference, or mind-reading; whilst the earlier hypnotists demonstrated both beyond the possibility of a reasonable doubt. Indeed, a committee of the ablest scientists of the Royal Academy of Medicine of France, after an investigation extending over a period of six years, reported that it had demonstrated the existence of such powers in the human mind.