The weekly Anglo-African. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1859-1861, 1860-03-24
BAYARD TAYLOR'S SUPERNATUR
AL EXPERIENCES.


In certain conditions of the body, the
mind seems to become possessed of new
and unsupported power, independent OF
volition-elusive and unmanagable as the
plot of dream-to which we fain would
give an agreeable solution, yet are help
lessly carried on through a series of accu-
mulated difficulties. Perhaps the term
natural clairvoyance" will best describe
this power, since he eye Of the mind looks
straight through all material hindrances,
and not only sees that which is beyond the
horizon Of the bodily eye, but foresees
what has not yet come to pass.
Of course such experiences are very
rare, and as they generally occur at the
most unexpected moments, it is next to i'm
possible to go back and ascertain how the
impression first makes itself felt Once,
only, have | been conscious of the opera
ton Of the faculty. This took place in
Racine, Wisconsin, on the morning of the
1st of March, 1883. My bedroom at the
hotel was an inner chamber, lighted only
by a door opening into a private parlor
Consequently when | awoke in the morn
ing it was difficult to tell, from the imper-
feet light received through the outer room
whether the hour was early or late. A
lecturer-especially after his hundredth
performances not inclined to get up al
daylight; and yet if you sleep too long
in many of our Western towns, you run
the risk of losing your breakfast. | was
lying upon my back with closed eyes, la.
lilly trying to solve the question, when all
at once my vision seemed to be reversed
or, rather, clearer spiritual vision awoke
independent Of the physical sense Ny
head, the pillow on which it rested, and
the hunting case of my watch, became
transparent as air, and | saw distinctly the
hands on the dial pointing to eleven min
utes before six. | can only compare the
sensation to fash of lightning on dark
night, which for the thousandth part of 3
second shows you landscape as bright a.
day l sprang up instantly, jerked forth
my watch, opened it, and there were tn,
hands pointing to eleUen minutes 6efor,
sin, lacking only the few seconds which
had elapsed between the vision and it
proof
Is this, after all, any more singular thai
the fact that a man can awaken any hou
that he chooses2 What is the spiritua
alarm-clock which calls us at four, thong
we usually sleep until six How is it tina
the web of dreams is broken, the hel pies
slumber of the senses overcome at the de
sired moment by the simple passage of
thought through the mind hours before?
was once of necessity obliged to cultivat
this power, and brought it finally to sue
perfection that the profoundest sleep ceas
ed as suddenly at the pre-appointed min
ute as if / had been struck on the hea,
with mallet. Let any one tell me clear
ly and satisfactorily how this is done, be
fore asking me to account for the othe
marvel
But in certain conditions the mind ais
foreseeS. This may either take place il
dreams or in those more vague and uncer
tain impressions which are termed presen
timents. | will only relate single in
stance, since it is useless to adduce any
thing which is not beyond the range of &C
cident or coincidence. spent the winte
Of 1844-5 at Frankfort-o 1.-The Main, living
with Mr.. Richard Storrs Willis, in tn