d by the light that falls into my mind."

"My purpose in all this," said Mr. Allison, "is to lead you to the
perception of a most important fact. Still let your thoughts rest
intently on what I am saying. You are aware of the fact, that
material substances, as well inorganic as organic, are constantly
giving off into the atmosphere minute particles, which we call
odors, and which reveal to us their quality. The rose and
nightshade, the hawthorn and cicuta fill the air around them with
odors which our bodily senses instantly perceive. And it is the same
with animals and men. Each has a surrounding material sphere, which
is perceived on a near approach, and which indicates the material
quality. Now, all things in nature are but effects from interior
causes, and correspond to them in every minute particular. What is
true of the body will be found true of the mind. Bodily form and
sense are but the manifestation, in this outer world, of the body
and senses that exist in the inner world. And if around the natural
body there exist a sphere by which the natural senses may determine
its quality of health or impurity, in like manner is there around
the spiritual body a sphere of its quality, that may be discerned by
the spiritual senses. And now come back to the philosophy of first
impressions, a matter so little understood by the world. These first
impressions are rarely at fault, and why? Because the spiritual
quality is at once discerned by the spiritual sense. But, as this
kind of perception does not fall into the region of thought, it is
little heeded by the many. Some, in all times, have observed it more
closely than others, and we have proverbs that could only have
originated from such observation. We are warned to beware of that
man from whose presence a little child shrinks. The reason to me is
plain. The innocent spirit of the child is affected by the evil
sphere of the man, as its body would be if brought near to a noxious
plant that was filling the air with its poisonous vapours. And now,
dear Fanny,"--Mr. Allison took the maiden's hand in his, and spoke
in a most impressive voice--"think closely and earnestly on what I
have said. If I have taxed your mind with graver thoughts than are
altogether pleasant, it is because I desire most sincerely to do you
good. The world into which you are about stepping, is a false and
evil world, and along all its highways and byways are scattered the
sad remains of those who have p