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an idea, and unveiled a principle, whether the incident was the fall of an apple, or the swaying of a chandelier—the one producing the idea of gravitation, and the other of the pendulum. The idea once there, the mind became possessed of a lever, which seemed to move the world of causes; and hosts of minds following, see the same power or principle, to uplift the minuter parts of nature's wonders.

Giving credence to the science of phrenology; the action of the spirit on the mechanical construction of an organ,—say causality, or constructiveness, is interesting, and not out of place here; as showing how the great minds who have unveiled principles, have made discovery upon discovery in the line of their leading mental capabilities; and then, after a rest, there seems to be a close of their career, so far as fresh discoveries are concerned. There may be the amplification, or consequences of their discoveries, attracting them as playthings, but that, as a rule, is all. This arises from a very simple law in nature. The over-excitement of any organ of the brain, be it causality, benevolence, veneration, or any other divisionment, produces inflammation in that organ; while in that state, the powers of action are proportionally increased. The mind seems to perceive without study, ideas seem to come intuitively, difficulties appear to be grappled with, and plans devised to overcome; the mind seems absorbed, enchained to that one section; friends, food, repose, are all ignored, or rather borne with, till the work is accomplished; the undue excitement then ceases, the organ returns to its natural or normal state, and is then without the power of producing any results beyond ordinary: whereas if the excitement continues, by the problem not being solved, the natural effect of fever produces insanity, and often the total extinction of the powers of that organ. Thus, sometimes the religious enthusiast works, thinks, and labours, till the over-excited nerves in the organ of veneration collapsing, produce in the man the opposite qualities of destructiveness,-of irreligion. This power of extra development in the organs of the head, producing most

extraordinary phenomena, will be referred to again in another branch of our subject, "Clairvoyance," and also in the sympathetic, or mesmeric action of one spirit upon another. Yet, notwithstanding this excitement of the organs, or portions of the organs of the brain, man of the present day is not superior in intellect to the man of antiquity, because the same play of faculties were then in action as now, the human powers were in force then, as now. The Egyptian mummies in our museums are proofs that the physical structure was the same thousands of years ago as now, and when their spirits occupied their bodies, they were as clever, energetic, and intellectual as the men of this generation. Our Universities bow to the intellect of past ages; therefore we must conclude that past experience, past knowledge, past researches, past declarations by the workers and observers of the past, ought to be examined with candour and respect. Modern discovery has unveiled many mysteries which were, we may suppose, unknown to the ancients; we say suppose, because they may have been known to some, but unknown to others; and men were then as busy as now, in creating theories to sustain their opinions, while others were plodding at experiments; and the accidents of time have spared us but few of the thoughts of past philosophers. How much knowledge of the unveiled mysteries of nature were burnt when the Alexandrian library was converted into fuel to warm the baths of the luxurious, we cannot tell; but from those still remaining, it is evident much knowledge was in possession of the ancients; principles were known, which prudence and opportunity alike prevented their making public. From their books of magic it is evident they had possession of keys we have lost. Some we are finding, and as they are discovered, they will lead to those still undiscovered.

We are accustomed to look at man as the production of accidental cause and effect from father and mother; but there appears to be a law, or rather laws, in action, relative to births, marriages, and deaths, analogous to the current and counter currents of electricity and atmosphere which girdle earth.

We do not understand those laws. Only, the other day, by means of the submerged Atlantic cable, it was discovered that there were ground currents of electricity coursing along across the cable at given hours of the day. It is not long ago when science acknowledged the existence of ocean under-currents of fresh and salt water, as divided, as isolated, as the river and the river earth-bank; and that for hundreds of miles. It is only the other day that the law of storms was enunciated, showing how man may steer his ship into or out of destruction. So with man; there are laws regulating his being, yet unknown or lost to us. I have for several years had my attention directed to this branch of man's nature; and as most use the word "curious" after hearing statements they cannot explain, so must I say "curious," though I may before the close of this volume relate some of those " curiosities," which are facts, that have come under personal observation. Let those younger, collect facts in this part of the garden of knowledge, and doubtless a bouquet of discovery will be given to man, which will delight by its beauty, rarity, and fragrance.

In

Many of our readers, if members of large families, will be able to remember coincidences and curious circumstances in connection with family history. In some families the births are like clock-work, in years, and months of the years. my own family I have had twice, two children born on the same day of the same month that day seven years. (Seven is a noted figure in history). Both the junior children died ; and by means of knowledge conveyed to me by incidents which have transpired through spirit manifestations, (hereafter to be treated upon), I have proved that there is an affinity between those seven-year children, which does not exist between the others. Only a few months ago, a lady while under a superinfluence, informed me as to the effect of times and seasons on me individually: she named the numbers which were favourable and unfavourable to me. I smiled incredulously at the time, but afterwards, when reflecting on the subject, and going into the data of the principal events of my

past life, I found that the numbers were correct-those favourable and those adverse. The person was almost a stranger to me, and could not have known any of these things. To guide others in this track, I will name twelve as a personal peculiarity. I was born in the year 1812, and on the twelfth day of the month, and I was married on the twelfth. Several other leading events of my life were on the twelfth and possibly I shall die on the twelfth. The dates adverse to me were given; I traced them, and found them correct, as also the fortunate or successful ones. I give the facts so far as relate to myself; others, connected with my family and relatives, it is unnecessary for me to give; but the little attention other engagements have allowed me to devote to this interesting subject, has convinced me that there are laws governing us in a manner little thought of. These are the laws which have puzzled the astrologer, who has tacked the new-born infant to Mars, or Venus, or Mercury; according to which of those or other stars were showing themselves with brilliancy in the heavens (or house). Magicians of another school have placed the infant under certain good or evil genii, according to certain formula set down or imagined from past history. These views may contain parts of truth, but not the whole truth. Doubtless, as the current of modern thought seems to be setting in towards the powers of invisible forces, gases, electricity, atmospheres, &c.; nature will be ready to reward its votaries with food suited to their mental palates; and when the examination of those natural elements have yielded knowledge, the laws relating to man's existence will share man's more minute attention, and those laws will display more and more vividly the astonishing, astounding, miraculous conception of the Deity, who has originated and incorporated such a multiplicity of operations in the mechanism of this world, whether animate or inanimate. Well may we join in the chorus of the Spirits over the plains of Bethlehem, "Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, and good will to Man."

SECTION VIII.

MENTAL LIFE ATMOSPHERE, CURRENTS AND

STORMS.

In the last section, towards its close, I gave out the idea of a belief-a belief which is general, streaming through society, though but seldom expressed; that there are fortunate and unfortunate days in man's life: personally, until lately, I considered this belief foolishness. I did so, because, having had no experience, and not having my attention particularly directed towards it, I was ignorant, and did as ignorant people often do. I judged, without examining evidence, but the mass of facts which have clustered round me on the subjects of spirit manifestations, clairvoyance, &c. ; have borne with them collateral facts on times and seasons which have surprised me; and if life be spared, I may at a future time enter into a more full investigation of the phenomena evolved by those times and seasons. At present I propose to give a short section, so as to direct attention to the subject, and submit a THEORY I think truthful, but which at present I cannot prove; because above, beyond me, possibly hereafter, when the unseen elements of ether, and electricity, odic and ozone are understood, they may deliver up the key which will unlock the secret to human perception; and if I be like Sir Walter Scott, when he declared his belief that the regalia of Scotland was locked up in a dungeon-room which he pointed out, which had not been opened within the memory of any living; and after rousing up the proper authorities, the rusty key that would fit the ward was found; and on opening the door of that dark chamber, there they were found-crown, sceptre, jewels, &c., rousing the nation to wonder and joy— so may the heading of this section be the key to unlock the dark chainber of Man. I will therefore briefly state the problem, and give the solution.

What produces the singular Coincidences in National and Family histories, producing at average-given periods, national

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