The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-11-15

Popular Amusements.
Now that the hubbub of the ell ection is over,
people are turning their attention to other
sources Of amusement. and other occupations
aud Investigations, from Italian Opera to Spirit
ualism, and other occult and non-occult sci
ences. Railways happens that after great pub
lie excitement is allayed the popular mind has
tendency to seek for something light and fresh,
as reactionary movement. Thus we see our
opera houee. as it was last night, brimfull and
brilliant at the Inauguration Of the new season,
and our theatres, concert halls and other exhi-
billions largely attended, including the newest
and most curious Of all the entertainments now
in vogue-that of the spiritual media Ever since
the Fox girls. of Rochester fame, commenced
those knockincs that made 50 much noise in
the world this subject has occupied at intervals
the attention and invited the investigation OF
many scientific minds all over the world Such
men as Lord Lyndhurst Lord Brougham, Sir
David Brewster and others took much interest
in it. Some people claimed that these distin-
euished men were believers; others asserted
that they were confirmed skeptics. No matter
for that: they thought the subject worth
looking into, like great many other people.
The Davenpors Brothers are creating quite
a Juror in England inst now Their drums,
and iiddles and tamborihes are making more
noise there than the Danish question, or the
fate of Italy People Of all ranks, and all
mental calibre are poking into their cabinet,
and getting their heads knocked with instru-
ments more mystical than musical. 1t Is said
that even Queen Victoria has consulted the
Davenports and we know that Louis Napoleon
has for long time been pursuing his star in
the ssoncss of the American spiritualist, Home.
We have in this city now, perhaps, the ablest
troupe of media since the days Of the Foxes
the Eddy Fsmil y-who produce extraordinary
results which are very difficult 70 account for
by any kuown law Of nature. as we understand
it. These people certainly perform some very
strange and incomprehensible things Who
knows but there may be some occult influence
at work in The human constitution about which
we know nothing. but which seems TO have a
remarkable affinity for tables and wardrobes,
and decided prediction for music, especially
the melody Of a big drum, We see that
some OF our divines are diving into the sub
jet Of trauseendentalisn aud even soaring a
little beyond il DR.. Osgood has just been
cypa,iating upon 1t in Philadelphia, aud takes
\ flight head and shoulders above the old
trsnscendentnlists. Why do not some OF our
metaphysiciaos take hold Of Eddyism aud uu.
rayeI the labyrinthine mystery for use
In the middle ages the schoomen were at
loggerbeads as to whether our knowledge
came through the exercise OF our perceptiye
faculties. or from an innate power OF our IA
ture Locke, as well as many Sf ihs German
metapbysieians, held the latter doctrine, while
the more material Scotch philosophers con.
lendea !or ,he prclpls Of perception. II has
not been aud perhaps never will be decided
whether thcre may not be an intutive power
in the mind wholly independent Of the senses,
capable OF producing practical results, Just rs
magnetism does. for instance. about which we
know nothing, although we witness its effects
Now. here is subject for the clergy to nvesti-
gate. Let them follow Dr.. Osgood's example
on the transcendental question. Some OF them
have been using their pupits for worse pur-
poses OF late, such as electoneering speeches,
and 80 forth. Now that the election is over
let them try and throw q little light upon the
occult sciences.