Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-03-07

ton. 1t is quite common. too, for the eye to see
only one OF two objects actually presented to it.
| A sportsman who has been in the practice OF
shooting with both his eyes open, actually sees
double image OF the muLzle of his towing piece,
though it is only with one Of these images that he
covers his game, having no perception whatever
vi the other.
But there is still another principle upon which
only one of two objects may be seen at time.
II Ae look very steadily and continually at a dou-
BILE pattern, such as those on carpet, composed
of two single patterns Of different colors, sup.
pose red and yellow, and if You direct the mind
particularly to the contemplation of the red one,
the yellow pattern will sometimes vanish entire
ly. leaving the red alone visible; and by the same
process the red one may be made to disappear
In this case, however, the two patterns, like the
two images, may be seen together; but ii the We
~ same portion Of the retna is excited by the
direct rays of an external object, when 1t Is ex-
cited by mental impression. it can no more see
them both at the same time than vibrating string
can give two different fundamental sounds Its
quite possible, however, that the brightest parts
of spectral figure may be distinctly seen along
with the brightest parts of an object immediately
behind it. but then the bright parts of each Oh
ject will fall upon different parts Of the retina.
These views are illustrated BY case mention.
ed BY DR.. Abercrombe. A gentleman, who was
patient of his. of an irritable habit, and liable
10 number of uneasy sensations in his head, was
sitting alone in his dining room in the twilight,
when the door Of the room was little OPEN
He saw distinctly female figure enter. wrapped
in mantle, with the face concealed by large
black bonnet. She seemed to advance few
steps towards him and then stop. tie had full
conviction that the figure was an Illusion OF Vi
sion, aud he amused himself for some time by
watching it; at the same time observing that he
could see through the figure so as to perceive the
lock OF the door, and the other objects behind It,
vENTRILOQUIsM.
The influence over the human mind which the
ventri!oQuist derives from the skllfu practice OF
his art, IS greater than that which Is exercised by
any other conjurer. The ordinary magician re-
quires his theatre, his accomplices. aud the in-
slruments Of his art, and he enjoys bnt local
sovereignty within bis own magic circle. The
ventrnOquist, on the contrary. has the surperna-
tural always at command In the open fields as
well as the crowded city; in the private apart
ment as well as the public hall. he can summon
up innumerable spirits; and though the persons
Of his fictitious dialogue are not visible to the eye,
vet they are ~ uneqnivocally present to the ina
ginatiun Of his audience as If they had been sha-
dowed forth in the silence of a spectre form.
! In Order to convey some idea of the influence
OF this drusioa, DIR. Brewster mentions some
well authenticated cases Of successful yentrllo
quism; among others the foIlowing:-
| NJ. ST. Gille, grocer of st. German. had oc.
c:.sion TO shelter himself from storm in ncig Oh
buurlng CON, emf, where the monks we're in deep
monrning for much esteemed member OF their
community who had been recently buried. -
While lamentins over the tomb of their deceased
brother the slight honours which had been paid
to his memory, a voice vas suddenly heard 10 is
sue from the roof of the choir, lamenting the con-
diion of the deceased in purgatory, and reprov.
ing the brotherhood for their want of zeal. The
tdnss of this supernatural event brought the
whole Brotherhood to the church. The voice
from above repeated its lamentations and re-
prnaches. and the whole convent fell upan their
faces, and vowed 10 make reparation of their
error. They accordingly chanted in full choir
de prof,ndis. during the intervals Of which the
splri, Of the departed monk expressed his salts.
faction at their plous exercises The friar after
wards inveis he'd against scrpticism on the sub
| ice, Of appari,ons; and NJ 81. Glle had great
difficulty IN convincing the fraternity that the
whole was deception.
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