improbability, we might say even of impossibility, than the spirit theory of the Spiritualists. To make the explanation intelligible, it will be necessary to revert to certain phenomena of that state of artificial somnambulism to which the name of mesmerism was given ; which, under that name, was much tried, much abused, and much ridiculed some years ago ; but the genuineness of which, under the more scientific name of artificial somnambulism, is now generally admitted by physio logists and psychologists. It will then be seen that there is a very close connection, indeed, between those phenomena and many of the supposed 'spiritual’ phenomena, if they be not, as there is great reason to conclude, actually identical.” Oh ! so medical men now generally acknowledge mesmerism to be true, but they have changed its name to “artificial somnam bulism,” and “mesmerism,” under another name, is to be called in to explain away Spiritualism, by those who have hitherto ridiculed mesmerism, and kept it back in every possible way. However, the admission that mesmerism is true, and that the physical manifestations of Spiritualism are real, mark great intellectual progress on the part of the in vestigators. They are agreed that the phenomena are real, but there is a division of opinion as to their spiritual origin. The following paragraph about the Dialectical Society is from. Daybreak:— "These strong-minded men and women when they confronted the facts of Spiritualism, found themselves in the presence of principles to which they were utter strangers, and as incapable of adjudicating upon as the schoolboy or un lettered peasant. Yet, even the members of the Dialectical Committee are human, beautifully human some of them, hence these great truths found a response in their inner nature, more or less, sooner or later. The committee of experiments deve loped mediums and elicited phenomena. Some of the mem bers tried the spirit circle in their own families, and were astonished to find that the angels of their household were in deed ministering spirits or mediums for consummating com munion with the world of spirits. The whole committee are now convinced that the phenomena are genuine, and many of them incline to the spiritual hypothesis, while a fair propor tion are open spiritualists, visiting circles, developing mediums reading books, and busy spreading the good news. Indeed, they are now beginning to reap the odium that so pertinaci ously adheres to the term Spiritualist or any other movement a step in advance of popular ignorance. This 'investigation has been another triumph for Spiritualism, and also for tho gentlemen engaged in it, in so far as they have candidly and intelligently opened their minds to the truth." TIEN SIEN TIE.—A statement has been made to us that the words “ Tien Sien Tie,” forming the name of the Chinese gentleman in the next world, who has come back to earth to deliver addresses to the English people through the medium ship of Mr. Morse, were recently submitted without comment to an eminent Chinese scholar. The latter stated that the words mean “ The Fairy Spirit Ruler,” or, in English phrase ology, “The Heavenly Spirit Ruler.” We have not tested the authenticity of this translation as yet, but tell the tale as it was told to us. SPIRITUALISM IN EAST LONDON.—A spirit circle is held twice a week at the house of Mrs. Main, 321, Bethnal-green road. On Sunday evenings the sittings begin at seven o’clock and on Tuesdays at nine. Among the mediums who some times attend are Mr. J. J. Morse, Mr. Frank Herne, Master Selwood, and Mrs. Fielder. All these are trance mediums but Messrs. Herne and Selwood get physical manifestations in addition. Several incipient mediums are developing at these meetings. In course of time particulars respecting other East London circles will be collected, and published in these pages. THe PHILOSOPHY OF SPIRIRITUALISM.—The philosophy of Spiritualism teaches us these things :1st. That man, the in habitant of the universe, is endowed with an immortal spirit and that all material creation exists only for the development of that spirit.—2nd. That when this spirit breaks through the clay, it finds itself in a new phase of existence.—3rd. In this new phase the spirit works out its further advancement by deeds of love—by acquiring knowledge, and by imparting such knowledge to men or spirits less favoured.—4th. This progression is infinite as knowledge. From one stage, on phase of progress, the spirit, never losing its identity, passes to another and higher.—Damiani. SPIRITUALISM IN SOUTH WALES.—Until about a yeat ago, very little about Spiritualism was known in South Wales, though here and there in the district there were a few spirit circles held in strict privacy. Practically speaking, the move ment began to spread in Wales about nine months ago, in con sequence of some lectures delivered in the district by Mr. James Burns, in which he incidentally introduced the subject of Spiritualism. This attracted the attention of some few per sons in Merthyr, and the result was the formation of three or four spirit circles. Some of the ordinary manifestations were soon obtained, then many other circles were started, so that at the present time a great deal of interest in Spiritualism has been excited in Merthyr, Aberdare, and Hirwain. Mr. Burns went to Merthyr to lecture in the early part of this month, and had a crowded audience in the largest building in the town for public meetings. In a short time, as the local mediums become more fully developed, some of the more striking mani festations will be obtained. The Merthyr district is the most populous one in the whole of Wales. All the agricultura districts of Wales have long been in course of depopulation of their agricultural labourers, as shown by the census returns and very many of these men get employment in the Merthyr mines and ironworks, before emigrating to America, con sequently any knowledge gained by working men in Merthyr, spreads very rapidly among their friends in all parts of Wales. Some little interest in Spiritualism is felt by a few persons in Cardiff, as two deputations met Mr. Burns there, to question him on the subject. Very few people in Swansea as yet know anything about the reality and the im portance of the movement, but in Llanelly it has begun to gain ground, and this paper has a small circulation there. We do not know anything about Spiritualism in Newport. The rest of the towns in South Wales, other than those mentioned. are small, and the majority of them being dependent upon the agricultural districts around them for support, are necessarily declining in prosperity as the depopulation progresses, and as the wealth accumulates in fewer hands. The great mines and ironworks around Merthyr and Aberdare are the chief sources of prosperity in Wales ; the other sources of strength are the copper-smelting works at Swansea and Llanelly. Cardiff and Newport are dependent upon the shipping trade, the coal and iron from the hill districts of Wales being brought down to these ports for further transport. The places in which some thing about Spiritualism has been known in Wales for a few years past, are Llanelly and Hirwain, and there they first be came known through the publications issued by Mr. Burns.