equence, is the
fundamental condition of our existence? Yet it is exactly upon the
cognizance of this mystery that Mesmerism is wholly based; and so long
as this cognizance is an impossibility, both the theory and the
practice of Mesmerism (which are grounded upon isolated experiments,
often illusory), are like the gropings of the born-blind. It is certain
that there occur states of exaltation in which the spirit, ruling over
the body and controlling its activity, acts with much power, and, in so
acting, produces phenomena of the most extraordinary description. Dim
presciences and fore-anticipations assume distinct shape and form; and
we see and understand, with the fullest powers of comprehension, things
as yet slumbering deep and motionless in our souls. Dreams (which are
undoubtedly the most wonderful phenomena belonging to the human
organism, and, as I consider, appear in their most potentiated form in
what is called, in general terms, 'somnambulism') belong to this
province. But it is also certain that such conditions presuppose the
existence of some abnormality in the relation between the psychical and
the physical principles. The most distinct and vivid dreams come to us
always when some diseased or morbid feeling is affecting the body. The
spirit takes advantage of the inactive condition of its co-regent;
taken possession of the throne, and turns that co-regent into a servile
vassal. So that Mesmerism, also, is a result of some diseased or morbid
condition of the body. It may also happen that Nature may frequently
establish a psychical dualism, during which the mutual inter-play of
the two principles produces highly remarkable phenomena. But I consider
that it is Nature only which should produce this dualism, and that
every attempt to produce it artificially, without Queen Nature's
command, at one's own will and pleasure, is dangerous and rash, if not
wicked. I go even further. I cannot deny that it is possible to produce
this potentiated condition of the psychical element--of course all
experience would be against me if I did. The psychical principle
belonging to a given person can, in the process of mesmeric
manipulation, become embodied, and can stream out from the mesmerizer
in the form of some 'fluid' (or whatever one may choose to term it),
and seize upon and govern the psychical principle of another--the
person mesmerized--producing a state which is at variance with all the
ordinary conditions of human lif