ight and distinct
hypnagogic illusions, yet see nothing in the crystal, however long
they stare at it. And there are crystal-seers who are not subject
to hypnagogic illusions. These facts, like the analogous facts of
the visualisation of arithmetical figures, analysed by Mr. Galton,
show interesting varieties in the conduct of mental operations.
Thus we speak of 'vision' in a poet, or novelist, and it seems
likely that men of genius 'see' their fictitious characters and
landscapes, while people of critical temperament, if they attempt
creative work, are conscious that they do not create, but construct.
On the other hand many incompetent novelists are convinced that they
have 'vision,' that they see and hear their characters, but they do
not, as genius does, transfer the 'vision' to their readers.

This is a digression from the topic of hallucinations caused by
gazing into a clear depth. Forms of crystal-gazing, it is well
known, are found among savages. The New Zealanders, according to
Taylor, gaze in a drop of blood, as the Egyptians do in a drop of
ink. In North America, the Pere le Jeune found that a kind of
thought reading was practised thus: it was believed that a sick
person had certain desires, if these could be gratified, he would
recover. The sorcerers, therefore, gazed into water in a bowl
expecting to see there visions of the desired objects. The Egyptian
process with the boy and the ink, is too familiar to need
description. In Scott's Journal (ii. 419) we read of the excitement
which the reports of Lord Prudhoe {215} and Colonel Felix, caused
among the curious. A boy, selected by these English gentlemen, saw
and described Shakspeare, and Colonel Felix's brother, who had lost
an arm. The ceremonies of fumigation, and the preliminary visions
of flags, and a sultan, are not necessary in modern crystal-gazing.
Scott made inquiries at Malta, and wished to visit Alexandria. He
was attracted, doubtless, by the resemblance to Dr. Dee's tales of
his magic ball, and to the legends of his own Aunt Margaret's
Mirror. The Quarterly Review (No. 117, pp. 196-208) offers an
explanation which explains nothing. The experiments of Mr. Lane
were tolerably successful, those of Mr. Kinglake, in Eothen, were
amusingly the reverse. Dr. Keate, the flogging headmaster of Eton,
was described by the seer as a beautiful girl, with golden hair and
blue eyes. The modern explanation of successes would apparently be
that t