to imagine that the length and breadth of the divine dominions have been surveyed when we have arrived at a boundary which our finite intelligence cannot pass. We know from the appearance presented by many clusters that the components of each are bound together by mutual relationship, and that all, more or less, exercise a certain recognised influence over the earth, and probably over each other. The prevailing globular form, and the great central condensation where the light is manifested in one unbroken blaze, form something like a key to the mystery. It is the exemplification of the Universal Law of Attraction-the same that unites the atoms of our earth, moulds every rain-drop, and rounds the tear that trickles down the cheek of sorrow. Its difference is only in the magnitude of its manifestation; for we now see it operating millions of leagues away from our terrestrial residence, and binding together in spherical masses whole sidereal systems. An irresistible conviction is forced upon us of the universal agency of one Lawgiver by the universal presence and execution of kindred laws; and confessedly incomprehensible as is the electrical influence on our mundane matters of a planet so many thousand miles distant, it is not more irreligious than unphilosophical to stumble at this, considering the immense amount of things of which we have certain evidence that they are, without being able to discover exactly how they are. The Power that "spreads undivided, operates unspent," hath designed doubtless a physical agency, which should, for wise purposes, be concealed from mortal vision. Environed by such a scene, gazing on the face of nature whilst the "floor of Heaven is thick inlaid with patines of bright gold," we doubly feel the beauty of the conception that Shakspeare has thus coined into language. As Lorenzo said to the gentle, loving Jessica, so may we exclaim to the reader "There's not the smallest orb which thou behold'st, But, whilst this muddy vesture of decay Doth grossly close us in, we cannot hear it.” It is a pleasant and a profitable habit to store up agreeable images of the past, with a view to present and future improvement, as well as enjoyment. THE QUARTERS OF LIFE.-The seven ages of man have become proverbial; but in respect of the condition of our minds, there are granted to the best of us but four periods of life. The first fifteen years are childhood. We know nothing -we hope. The next fifteen are passion and romance-we dream. During the third period of fifteen years, from thirty to forty-five, we are what nature intended us to be. Character has formed; we pursue a course of life; we reason; we meditate. This is the period in which we may be said with most propriety to live. The fourth period is that of commencing decay. We may grow wiser, but it is the wisdom that speaks in a shake of the head. Pain and penitence begin--we sorrow. Nevertheless, if the third period has been passed in providing against the fourth, nature is changed, our declining years are lighted with happiness and love, and as they approach their destined end, instead of the gloom naturally accompanying decay, they are tinged with a ray from before them; the shadows are cast behind us on our path, feelings spring up unfelt even in the magic periods first traversed by us--we rejoice. THE ROSICRUCIAN. CHAPTER II. THE ROSICRUCIAN'S HISTORY. My name is Freybourg. I am, by birth, a German, though of French parentage. I was, by nature, studious; and my attention was soon directed to the marvels of natural philosophy. An eager, and even painful, thirst after novel information kept me constantly on the alert; and, as my family was good, and quiring were not withheld-the less as, being a younger son, it their resources liberal, the opportunities and facilities of acwas, of course, expected that I should turn my learning to account. There was little, however, in the objects towards which my curiosity was directed, to which the instruction of tutors was rather an obstacle than otherwise. I learnt what they had to teach, and felt that in so doing I had made not one step towards that which, even without knowing what it was, I inwardly panted after. Something I wanted, to satisfy the ravenous appetite I felt-something to which the cumbersome frippery of learning, which I met around me, was wholly foreign. Yet where to seek for any satisfaction I knew not. deepest recesses of the woods, and spent whole days sitting idly "I grew lonely and melancholy in my habits; I sought the in dark and solitary brakes, or under the shade of trees, by the side of dull and unmoved waters. I did this till the inanimate things among which I wandered became my sole companions and friends. "In a chance conversation I heard mention of the Rosicrucian doctrines of the sixteenth century. To my mind, in its excited state, a spark was sufficient. I hailed the suggestion with rapture, rejoicing that a path was thus opened by which to direct and steady the wandering feverish wishes with which I was haunted. "I acquired, without much difficulty, the writings of Hudd, Kuhlman, Rosenberg, and others who had treated of the divine science. I studied them incessantly. Their phraseology was, purposely, obscure, and their meaning enveloped in terms, to the right understanding of which I had no clue. But my aim was a noble one, and my perseverance unconquerable. By degrees I became master of the secrets which, hitherto, I had possessed in those volumes only-as a man who has a rich jewel secured in a casket which he cannot open. "Still, here was one step only advanced. The philosophers who had discovered the means of acquiring the hidden and mysterious knowledge that I desired, had either never attained the end of their inquiries, or had forborne to promulgate the details of their process. I had, thus, my tools given me; but I was still to learn whether I could use them successfully, where so many before me had failed. I bent all my energies to the task, and gained my object. In doing this I did no more than any one may do whose will is decided and exertions undeviating. "Before I proceed, it is necessary that I state to you some of the additional faculties which I had now acquired. The soul, of which our fleshly body is but the habitation, is not, like the latter, bounded by the fetters of place, but, when freed from its tenement, possesses ubiquity. To liberate the spirit, so fully as to enable it to enjoy, completely, this omnipresence, is, indeed, beyond the power of divine science; and can be accomplished only by that mysterious process wnich, terminating our progress here, returns to their proper sources as well our material as spiritual constituents. But this power may still be exerted in an inferior degree-greater or less, as the aspirant has qualified himself for the possession of the faculties he covets. "To me it was a source of infinite and glorious delight to disentangle myself from the narrow limits to which the observation of fallen man is confined, and dismiss, as it were, a twin spirit from myself to pererrate the extremest parts of the earth, and, taking the wings of the morning, to gather from every clime, all that might be culled of fair, and beautiful, and good. Thus I enjoyed a double existence; and, whilst I pursued my ordinary avocations at Strasbourg, was, at the same time, roaming in thickets and jungles, by the banks of the Ganges, or contemplating, at Balbec, the prostrate temples of the sun, and the ravages of time on the mighty cities of the earth. "It was one day, when rambling, in my other self, through one of those delightful valleys that sink at the foot of the Appenines, that I became, I may well say the victim of a sensation as novel as enrapturing. I was seated in my study, chasing away the hours by the perusal of those enduring riches which the intellect and genius of antiquity have delivered down to us, and which show, strikingly, the weakness and_the_superiority of their author's-when a perception, which I well knew was conveyed through the medium of my distant spirit, burst upon me;-such a dream of purity, and excellence, and loveliness, as my wildest moods of enthusiasm (and I was ever a trafficker in the ideal and contemplative) had never fashioned ! To you, who are yet in ignorance and thraldrom, I should, in vain, endeavour to explain the manner in which this ray-for such it seemed, and a most bright one-burst upon me. It came, not as a picture conveyed by the sense-not as a remembered idea, nor as a vivid creation of the fancy-it came as an inward impulse, newly born, springing up in the mind, inde. finite, uncreated, but existing and fervent. "The object which had thus been made present to me continued not so for more than an instant; but the effect was complete. I was as one entranced--one thought alone possessed me, until I became almost unconscious even of that. A sort of lethargy of the imagination succeeded; and I hailed the hour which, bringing on the gloom of night, enabled me to seek for rest in sleep. 66 Sleep came, but not with it extinction of the thoughts that, for the last few hours, had filled my waking existence. In dreams, the vision still haunted my mind-the same idea of inexpressible beauty was still present. Associated images, too, arose, in all the wild phantasms of dreaming. Bright eyes-burning kisses-all the array of passion, danced before me. Sometimes, I half started from these incoherent slumbers; and, at such time, light and aerial forms seemed to float around me. At length I became exhausted with the excitation of these restless fancies, and sank into a profound and refreshing sleep. "On awaking, the first idea that presented itself was the one by which I had been haunted the preceding day. Whereever I went, whatever I did, it followed me still. It became the unceasing companion of my thoughts by day and by night. "The anxiety which I underwent affected my constitution; and, by the advice of my family, I left home to travel in search of health. The first place I visited was the valley of the Apennines, which was so strangely connected with me. Here I wandered for some days; but could learn nothing to direct me in my quest after the unknown object of my thoughts. "Why need I detain you with a long and useless detail of the pains I suffered, the countries I traversed, and the disappointments I endured. Two years elapsed;-and, weary of myself, of the knowledge I had laboured so hard to acquire, and, in short, of the world and everything it could offer, I determined to take the vows and habits of a Capuchin, and, rooting from my breast every remembrance of the past, to devote my future life to the meditation of noble and more enduring subjects. Vain were the expectations that prompted me to take this step. I soon found that, if there be any place peculiarly consecrated to peace and content, it is not within the walls of a monastery. There is, there, no exclusion of the evil passions of the world; and, as poison acts more vigorously within a narrow compass, so it is in these societies. Besides, the uniformity of our life-the uninterrupted stream of existence in which we flowed along-threw me more forcibly than ever back upon myself-the very evil most to have been avoided. Amid the exercises of devotion, I found my thoughts still chained to another subject. I strove against them and the irritation induced by the conflict increased my calamity. "My brethren were, with few exceptions, men of coarse and vulgar minds-indolent, proud, and malicious-the natural infections of the monastic atmosphere. Every thing conspired to induce me to avoid their society-my present feelings and the habits of my past life. They perceived it, and were not long in manifesting their sense of it. I was, however, too much involved in those things which continually oppressed me, to regard, very greatly, the petty annoyances to which I was exposed. I endeavoured to submit to these evils contentedly; and, in this manner, five years passed on, without seeing any material change in my situation, my thoughts, or my sufferings. About this time our physician died-as, when at home, I had disguised my philosophical pursuits under the pretext of studying medicine, I had acquired a slight knowledge of the science, and was not, now, unwilling to improve it. I offered my services to our Superior, and, after a few trials in trifling cases, they were accepted. "The occupation in which I thus engaged was, necessarily, beneficial, as it occupied a portion of my thoughts, and diverted them, in some degree, from the recollections to which they incessantly veered. There was another advantage. I had occasion to make short excursions beyond the bounds of the monastery, for the sake of gathering plants and roots for my simple pharmacy. There was something of liberty in this, and the exercise was a luxury to me. "The monastery of was situated upon a high and almost perpendicular rock. It was rarely visited by any one, although a carriage path had been hewn out by it, and was tolerably passable. This road divided into two branches-one of which led to some neglected stone-quarries, as an approach to which the road had originally been constructed-and the other had been extended for the purposes of travelling. From this station there was a magnificent view. Elevated far above the level of the earth, I have seen the storm raging, and the lightning flashing below, while the unchecked sunbeams fell around me above. Beyond the thick and tempestuous cloud that filled the valley and hung on the surrounding declivities, a smiling champagne country extended, bounded by hills, distinguishable only by a faint outline, from the sky with which they seemed to blend. "It happened that the storm-clouds had, one day, gathered in such prodigious masses, that, though the autumn had but just commenced, the monastery, and every thing around for miles, were enveloped in a thick haze, through which the rain fell slightly but incessantly. The contemplation of natural phenomena was the only thing I could call a recreation, and I came forth to enjoy the threatening of the elements. "I was well acquainted with every foot of ground in the neighbourhood; otherwise, it had been madness to have ventured beyond the walls-so easily might an incautious step have precipitated one down a precipice whose height left no possibility of escape from destruction-even, versed as I was, I found it needful to move with great care. "Whilst I was endeavouring to distinguish the forms of rocks and trees through the gloom, and watching the dim blue fires that flashed idly at intervals, a sudden dull sound met my ear which I was, at first, unable to account for. It was not, however, many moments before I felt convinced that a carriage was passing at no great distance. It could not be on the direct road, for I was standing on that, and the sound had passed me. At once it struck me that the travellers, if such they were, had taken the wrong branch of the road; for, though a direction post was placed at the point where the path divided, it would be useless, in such a gloom. The thought was terrible; for, in three minutes, unless some aid offered, they would be dashed down the precipice, which the darkness, momentarily increasing, would conceal, until discovery was too late. Already the noise had ceased-so imperfectly is sound conducted, as you are aware, in those altitudes. I had nothing to guide me, but sprung forward, and, dropping a bank of about fifteen feet, found myself on the road that led to the quarries. Along this I speeded, almost in desperation. Again I caught the rumbling of the wheels against the uneven surface of the rock. The vehicle was going, apparently, very leisurely; and this consideration seemed to add to the horrors of the situation-there was something so sickening and apalling in the idea of human creatures going thus slowly and unconsciously, step by step, to destruction. This, however, was not of long continuance. A flash of lightning blazing across the path, frightened the horses, and they set off at a rate that almost extinguished my hopes. "Surely,' said I, half addressing myself, 'the dream cannot have been mutual?? "How, what is it you say?' said she, eagerly. "One circumstance was in my favour. The road took a sweep round the base of a broad, but not very high rock of granite; and directly over this was a footpath. I crossed it, and saved so much ground as to meet the carriage within ten "I looked around. Brother Hilary had left the apartment; yards of the precipice. I endeavoured to seize the reins; the the nurse sat at the farther end of the room. I sat down by horses plunged and reared almost upright; the motion of the my patient, and detailed to her what I have already made carriage was stayed for a moment, and in that moment I sprang known to you. Yes-dead to the world-vowed to solitude to the door, tore it open, and received in my arms a female, and religion-I told her of the passion I had felt-and the who fell senseless in the moment of her rescue. I heard the pang I had suffered; knowing the while that there was now a fearful cry of the expiring horses, as they were dashed under gulf between us which no means could pass. It was like the the carriage on the rocks beneath. Two human creatures-dead recounting to the living object the history of his buried the father and fellow-traveller of the lady, and the driver- love. shared the same destruction. "I lingered not, but bore her whom I had saved, as speedily as I might, to the monastery. The brethren whom I met stared, with malicious surprise, as I entered. I loudly demanded our Superior; he came, and consented, on hearing my account, that the lady should have refuge, until her friends could be found, within the walls of our retirement-prison, I might better say. "I was preparing, in the presence of some of the senior brethren, to administer such slight medicines as I deemed necessary, to the object of my anxiety, when for the first time I saw her face. The phial which I held dropped fron my hand. I lost all sense and recollection. When I recovered, I found myself in my cell, reclined on my pallet. By my side, sat an old brother whom I had lately attended during a severe illness, and whose gratitude for the services I had rendered him had been proof against all the ill-nature of the many who looked upon me with an evil eye. He had undertaken the office of my nurse, and from him I made my inquiries. "Where is the lady, Hilarius?" "I concluded. She was still in tears, but checked them. "It is most wonderful!' said she; 'I too-she stopped, blushed, and trembled. Yet why,' she resumed, this foolish weakness-why should I not confess that I, too, have loved and suffered for a hitherto unknown object. At the moment when your spirit caught the fatal infection, in the valley of the Appenines, mine, too, was on the wing, and hovered round you. I need not say more; your history will suggest the main features of mine. And, now, answer me a question sincerely:Where is my father? They told me I should see him in an hour; the time is past. Is he here? Is he ill? Heavens! your colour changes-tell me-tell me, by all we have suffered, is he dead?' "Oh, no-no,' I answered hastily; but the confusion of my manner gave the lie to my words. She perceived it, and with a shriek, fell senseless to the ground. Freybourg paused in his narrative. "Excuse me," said he to Merler, "if even the remembrance of what I tell you stifles my voice, and calls forth my tears." "Be assured," answered Merler, "I respect your grief. It "In the dormitory. They have sent for old Margaret, from is perhaps, unpleasant for you now to continue your narrative; the village, to attend her.' "It is well; is she sensible?" "Quite; she has inquired for you. But what caused your illness. "I know not; a sudden pang-have you learnt who she is?" "No; her dress and ornaments bespeak her, probably, of wealthy connexions. "I should like much to see her. Does our abbot know that she has inquired for me?" "I believe not." "Let me then, brother, request your company." "And he conducted me to the chamber where she was whom I panted to behold. "We arrived at the door. It was with difficulty that I could conceal from my companion the violent agitation that possessed me, and which shook every nerve to trembling-as the autumn wind shakes the quivering autumn leaves. ་ if so The "No, it is over," said his companion; "I will proceed." "I raised her from the ground, and directed the nurse to place her, while thus unconscious, in her bed; I retired to prepare a draught for her. That done, I threw myself on my pallet-myself half distracted with what had passed. vesper bell aroused me from the lethargy of misery, and summoned me-heaven knows how unprepared-to join the evening devotions. These past-in coming away from them, we had to pass the dormitory. I listened for a moment at the door. One of the friars, who, more than the rest, had shown a marked dislike, whispered an observation to another upon this circumstance. I turned round; a malicious smile was on his countenance. Forgetful of all, save the indignation which I felt, I struck him to the earth. "The consequence of this was, that I was confined strictly to my cell. I was not even allowed to see my patient; word was brought me by Hilary, of her state, from time to time; and on this information I was expected to proceed. "She became delirious. In vain I represented that, in order to treat her malady properly, I must be admitted to visit her. Ignorance and malice were blind to everything. 66 Day after day this continued. Hilary was assiduous in bringing me intelligence-for he alone pitied me. This was observed; he was forbidden my cell, and another deputed to act in his stead. "We entered the apartment. She sat at one end. I approached her; she lifted up her eyes; Holy Virgin!' she exclaimed, it is-it his he." She sprang from her seat as she spoke, gazed earnestly at me for a moment-sank down again-this and covering her face with her hands, burst into tears. "I was astonished and confounded. Does she know her father's fate?' I whispered to Hilary. "No,' he replied; she believes he is in the house, but unwell, and we have been scarcely able to avoid her request to see him.' "What then could cause her present grief? I drew nearer to her and spoke. I told her that I was, for the present, her physician; she interrupted me. "I know you well,' said she-' too well.' "Nay, daughter'-the word stuck in my throat-' nay, how can that be?' tale.' Ask me not,' she replied; 'it were a strange and incredible "You may probably think it was in my power easily to baffle this rigour, by using my faculty of spiritual visitation. But faculty I had neglected for a long period to exert; and taken possession of me deprived me of my power. I had no when 1 essayed it, I found the perturbing passions which had longer the calm self-possession necessary for the enjoyment of the divine science. Like all uncommon powers, it failed me when most needed. "Why should I linger in my tale? One morning, on awaking, I found Hilary by my side. I was about to inquire how he had obtained admission; but he motioned me, cautiously, to silence; and, placing a folded paper in my hand, withdrew on tiptoe. "I opened it. Its contents ran thus "You will receive this from brother Hilary; but before he gives it you, the writer will be no more. Its only purport is to wish you farewell. The reason of your absence I have been estates. informed. Here, we have both suffered deeply; that we shall meet again in happiness, I doubt not. Do not-but I know you will not-forget me. Once more, farewell; my last breath will bless you.' "I pass over my feelings on the receipt of this. I determined to escape from the monastery. I did so, and returned, in disguise, to Strasbourg. My parents and my elder brother were dead. A distant relative had succeeded to the family "I had known him in youth. I sought him, and he offered me an asylum which I accepted. I continued with him for two years, in concealment for the Capuchins were in hot pursuit of their victim. At length I was liberated. The revolution commenced, and the friars were no longer powerful. "My relation addressed me, one day, thus: Freybourg, I am about to join the royal party. In this bag is a sum which, with your habits, will supply your wants; however the struggle ends, I shall not need it.' "I retired hither. With some occasional interruptions during the troubles, I have lived here since. Now we are again at peace; and I abide solitary and unknown, having resumed, as you have seen, my ancient studies." He ceased; the clock striking, announced midnight. Merler made one acknowledgment, for the confidence reposed in him, and he and the Rosicrucian quitted the coffee-house for their respective homes together. SOME CURIOUS FACTS CONCERNING MESMERISM. RECENT number of a popular magazine (the "Dublin University") details some singular particulars, from which it clearly shows that what is called "Mermerism" was well known and recognised before the time of Mesmer. We select, with the authorities given, some of the most striking circumstances in connection with this doctrine. Père Lebrun, in his "Critical History of Superstitious Practices," cites a letter of the celebrated Huygens to the Abbé Marsenne, dated November 26, 1640, in which it is related that they had a prisoner at Antwerp who could see through all kinds of stuff and clothing, provided only the same were not red. Once came several charitable women to him in the prison, with a view to comfort him in his ill fortune; but, in the midst of their Christian-like discourse, he began to laugh, and, being asked of the reason of this unmannerliness, made answer, with out shame," Because one of you hath no shift on." Now, if this virtuous woman had by chance had on a red petticoat, she would not have been thus put out of coun tenance. Delrio, in his "Disquisitiones Magica," printed at Mayence in 1606, says, "In Spain is a sort of men who are called Zahuris. When I sojourned at Madrid, in 1575, a boy was to be seen there of this class. These men are said to perceive what is hid in the bosom of the earth-subterraneous waters, metals, buried treasures, and dead bodies. The thing is generally known, and the possibility of it is believed not only by poets, but by philosophers." Oken gives us, in the "Journal of Curiosities," the history of a lady of Lisbon, named Pedegache, who was possessed of a faculty similar to this of the Zahuris, and who made a great noise not only in Portugal, but in all Europe, in her time. According to the accounts of different travellers, this extraordinary woman had the gift of seeing far down into the bowels of the earth, as also into the human body. Père Lebrun, in his work above cited, describes her as having "true lynx eyes," as a proof of which he mentions that, when the King of Por tugal was in need of water for a new building, and such had in vain been dug for, she discovered several springs by mere looking. This took place in the presence of the King, who rewarded her with a pension, and the decoration of the order of Christ for whomsoever she should marry. "It is a pity," observes Père Lebrun, "that she does not understand medicine; for, what is still more surprising (than the power of seeing into the earth), she also sees into the human body. These gifts, however, she can exercise only when fasting. She sees how the blood moves, how digestion goes on, and how the nutritious juices are formed. She discerns all the several parts of the body and their various operations, she descries diseases which evade the observation and experience of the skilfulest physicians, whom, in comparison with her, it is no injustice to hold for blind; and, accordingly, people are more disposed to consult her than them." The "Mercure de France," of 1728, contains a notice of this lady, of whom it says, "She perceives what is hid in the earth, distinguishing stones, sand, springs, to the depth of thirty or forty fathoms. Into the human body she cannot see, except when it is unclothed; but, the body being naked, she discerns the heart, the stomach, and other viscera; is aware of abscesses, if such there be, and detects the seeds of disease lurking in the juices. She can tell, in the seventh month of pregnancy, if the child coming into the world be male or female." This faculty, as we learn from another source, first discovered itself in her when a child of three years, and in a curious manner-namely, by her suddenly announcing one day, with great naivete, that the girl, who was then laying the table-cloth, had a little child in her body." No suspicion was harboured at the time that the girl was in the state thus indicated; the result, however, confirmed the child's declaration. This becoming known, the ladies of Lisbon made trial of the wonderful gift of the child, by bringing their lap-dogs to her when in a hopeful way; and the child would tell them not only the number of the coming offspring, but indicate likewise the colours of the same, the result always verifying her prognostications. As she grew older, by her power of seeing through opaque bodies, she detected thefts in the most hidden nooks and recesses of houses, and saw concealed springs and veins of metal in the earth. It is much to be regretted, as Oken remarks, that the Academy of Paris, which had heard of this extraordinary gift, had not an opportunity of putting into execution its intention of investigating the same, because the husband of Donna Pedegache, though a Frenchman, was of too jealous a temper to permit his wife, a woman of uncommon beauty, to undertake the journey. It could, in consequence, not be ascertained whether the astonishing faculty possessed by her had its ground in the structure of her eyes, or in any other speciality of her bodily constitution. Donna Pedegache once made a journey, in company with some friends, through a part of Portugal, when, happening to look out of the carriage in a place where the road crossed a low range of hills, she caused a halt to be made, and declared that here, some thirty feet deep, an antique basin of considerable size, adorned with the rarest carving, was buried. Notice of this was given to the court, and the monument of antiquity being dug for, was really found. In a French work of 1738, which Öken quotes, is this passage: "I made the personal acquaintance of Donna Pedegache, the fair lady who is so miraculously gifted. What I have to relate of her will scarcely be believed-namely, that in the human body she can see the obstructions which impede the functions of important organs, when the sufferers unclothe themselves in her presence. At first the doctors in Lisbon would believe nothing of the matter; but they were convinced of it when more than one post-mortem examination had verified her diagnosis to the minutest particular. A man had the misfortune to fall from a height of twelve feet, and to break three of his ribs; he was healed, but a continued lively sensation of pain remained; he consulted Donna Pedegache, who, on regarding the place in which he experienced this inconvenience, perceived a considerable lodgment of extravasated blood. In consequence of this discovery the man was healed." This example, Oken observes, of self-developed Mesmerism, will now appear incredible to no physiologist who has taken part in the progress of science in our times, for it involves only such facts as those of which recent times have afforded a multitude of examples. Its importance consists chiefly in this, that it belongs to a time previous to Mesmer's famous discovery, consequently is free from all possible suspicion. The rationale of this lady's gift, as well as that of the Zahuris and the Antwerp prisoner, Oken finds in a heightening of the "central sense," such as is seen in somnambulists. Persons in the magnetic sleep, he reminds us, tell, with the greatest exactness, the hour upon a clock in a distant place. Now, it is the same thing whether the clock be separated from the clairvoyante by walls and air, or by earth; and the distinguishing of things buried is no ways more wonderful than that of objects otherwise removed from the range of vision. The same is true of things in living bodies, of the intestines, the blood, the bones, worms, and the like. Earth, walls, air, flesh, are in this point of view similar media, through which the (central) sense acts, as the sense of the eye through the air, or through glass (which is also an earthy substance), both which, so far from obstructing this sense, act rather as its conductors. Our eye is affected by coloured bodies at the distance of miles, because its organisation renders it sensible of the subtlest workings that take place in our system. Now, if another organ of the body, a finger, for instance, were through a morbid refinement of structure, placed in a similar condition of susceptibility to the subtlest influences, why, asks Oken, should not it also take cognizance of more remote bodies? It is established that there is no body in the world, were it but a particle of dust, that does not act upon all others-an alteration in which does not involve an alteration in all others. All the atoms of which the universe, materially considered, is made up, gravitate towards each other. Each individual atom attracts, and is attracted by, the whole remaining mass; and if a single atom be displaced, there is not one force in all creation the direction of which is not changed. Now, our eyes, our fingers, are to each other as different thermometers. One indicates the slightest change of temperature by great spaces, another by small, a third gives, as yet, no sign of being affected. A magnet on the table feels the iron under the table-yea, it feels the iron at the north pole, deep under the earth; the intervening substances are for it as though they were not, because the power that informs it has only in the iron its counterpart. Thus we see with the eyes, and therewith hear not; taste with the tongue, and therewith see not; because, out of the multiform variety of the physical, like allies itself to like. Thus, in a crowd we see only those persons whom we seek; the rest are present without our consciousness. Whither the attention is directed, thither it goes, passing through whatever intervenes without being stayed thereby. As in our spirit, so it is in nature, which is also a spirit. The brain is sensible of pain in the toe; the sensation coming through the body, which the brain perceives not. One natural body is aware of, or is acted on by another, and a remote one, without being sensible of those which lie between, and through which the action by which it is affected passes. Man is also a natural body-a net, whose iron is the object, whatever it may be, to which his attention is directed, or his organisation adapted. To see into the earth, or into other people's bodies-or more properly to feel into them, is, therefore, nothing miraculous or preternatural; and they who manifest such a power are only to be considered as fine electrometers, photometers, thermometers, magnetometers-in short, polarimeters. QUOISUOME Being Predictions of the Chief Events from Week to Week. THE aspects of the week are of a medium character, neither promising much evil nor much good. Towards the latter end of the week many losses by speculating will bring ruinous consequences to the Mar's men, who are ever rashly staking their fortunes on uncertain foundations. We shall hear of much disquiet in the Italian states, and probably Turkey will suffer from internal commotions. At home we look for the elevation of a prominent character to the Peerage, and several changes in the aristocratic circles. Ireland is still distraught, and mercantile undertakings will there receive some serious impediments. A female will figure conspicuously in the public prints, and popular attention will about this time be much attracted towards Russia. TUESDAY, July 15th.-Warm and clo e atmosphere. magjourneying, beware of accidents. It is a pity that the material of the antique basin discovered by Donna Pedegache is not given. If it was metal, then the thing is common; but if it was of marble, then we must assume that the hill over which the travellers were passing was not of chalk, but of sand or clay. Persons susceptible of metallic irritation receive an electric shock, even in a carriage, when they pass from one kind of soil to another, after which, in a certain time, a counter-shock follows, by which is indicated the depth of the stratum. It should not be passed over that Donna Pedegache was one of twins. There are grounds to believe, Oken tells us, that in cases of twin-pregnancy one child may magnetise the other; in which event one may come into the world in a state of clairyoyance, and yery likely continue to somnambulate all his life, Good WEDNESDAY, July 16th.-Cloudy and temperate. for railway transactions and dealers in iron. surgeons and military men. THURSDAY, July 17th.-Light breeze, and fair. Apply to FRIDAY, July 18th.-Strong electrical influences. General business may be transacted. SATURDAY, July 19th.-Fair. Solicit neither favours nor employment; it would be vain. SUNDAY, July 20th.-Stormy, showery weather. Very evil influences prevail. MONDAY, July 21st.-Unsettled and changeable. things will prosper on this day. Few VARIATION OF TEMPERATURE IN ROCKY STRATA.-Mr. W. Henwood conceives that he has satisfactorily ascertained that a difference of two deg.-three deg. Fahr. exists in the temperature of the schistose and granitic strata of Cornwall, when they are severally examined at the same depth. |