The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1851-01-22
MENTAL PHNOMENA.


ors from men of letters, was one of
the most eminent literary men of
Germany. His tales, which were
generally designed, under fictitious
veil, to teach important philosophical
and political and social truths, had
an unboundcd popularity. Some Of
his religious and political writings
produced deep impression on the
popular mind of Germany. His au.
photography, which was published a
few years ago in London, is model
Of simplicity, frankncss and earnest.
ness, and introduces the reader into
familiar acquaintance with his inner
life. 1t contains some curious rcvc.
lations of mental phenomena, which
remind one forcibly of the reverics OF
Swcdonbory. In these days of su.
perstitious crcdulity, such facts if they
can bo considered credible, will be
treasured, up as q basis for new
and comprehensive spiritual philoso.
ply. We extract for tho a:nuse.
mcnt Of our readers, his novel dc.
scription of the power of "inwarl
sight," with which he was sometimes
favored. Christian Chronicle.
cit is well known that the judg.
ment We not seldom form, at the first
glance, of persons hitherto unknown,
IS moro correct than that which is
the result of longer acquaintance. -
The first impression that through
some instinct of the soul attracts or
repels us with strangers, is afterwards
weakened or destroyed by custom, or
by different appearances. We speak
in such cases Of sympathics or antip-
athies, and perceive these effects
frequently among children, to whom
experience in human character is
wholly wanting. Others arc incrcd.
ulons on this point. and have recourse
rather 20 the artcf physiognomy ~
gasus forsmy oan;eas,eta ..si sss
7 1t has happened to me somci;,E2
on my first meeting with strangers,
as l listened silently to their dis
course, that their former life, with
many tritling circumstances there
with connected, or frequently some
particular scene i'll that life has pass
cd quite involuntarilv, and as it were
dream,like, yet perfectly distinct be
fore me. During this time l usually
feel so entirely absorbed in the con-
temptation of the strangers life that Mt
last | no longer see clearly the face
Of the unknown wherein | undcsign-
cdly read, nor distinctly hear, the
voices of the speakers, which before
served in some measure as com
mentary to the text of their features.
For a long time | held such visions
as delusions of the fancy, and the
more 80 as they showed me even the
dress and motions of the actors,
rooms, furniture, and other acccsso.
ries. By way Of jest, once in a
familiar family circle at kirchbcrg
related the secret history Of a seam
stress who had Just left the room and
the house. l had never seen her
before in my life; people we're aston.
ishcd and laughed, but were not be
persuaded that | did not previously
know the relations of which I spoke
for what | had uttered was the literal
truth; ! on my part was no less aston
lshed that my dream pictures were
confirmed by the reality. | became
more attentive to the subject, and
when proprloty admitted it, l would
relate to those whose life thus passed
before me, the subject of my vision,
that | might thereby obtain conGr.
nation or refutation Of it. 1t was
invariably ratified, not without con.
stcrnation on their part l myself
had less confidence than any one in
this mental jugglcry. So often as |
revealed my visionary gifts to any
new person, | regularly expected to
hear the answer: at was not 50" |
felt secret shuddcr when my audit.
ors replied that it was true, or when
their astonlshmcnt betrayed my ac-
cnracy before they spoke. Instead
of many | will mention one example,
which prc-emincntly astoundcd me.
One tair day in the city of Wald,
shut, entered an inn, (thc Vine, }
in company with two young student.
forcstcrs; we were tired with rambling
through the woods. We suppcd
with numerous society at the Ia.
blc-d' hote, where the guests were
making very merry with the peculiar.
tiles and ecccntricitics of the Swiss,
"What demon inspires you' Must | again
believe ih possession'" exclaimed tho spirifme
Johann Won Riga whch IN the first hour of on,
acquaintance related his past life TO him
| with The nvowed object Of learning whether o.
I q. M '''S' vi