New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-02-19
NEW PUBLICATIONS
MODERN sPIRITUALIsM.
PLAN(flETfE: OR, THE DESPAIR OF SclENCE, BtiSO a
FILL ACCOUNT OF MODERN sPiRITUALlsh. Isnlo" Pp'


soundest thinkers will cherish strong preference
for the normal productions of the intellect rather
than for those which claim TO be the inspirations OF
dsemboded sous or the illusions of persons IN this
life acting under pretematural and mysterious III
Apenca The descriptions of the invisible state that
we from time to time receive from such sources are
almost without exception of a vague and unSatslac
tory character Instead Of confirming the great dOc
trne of the immortality of the sonl they oVeri"y
with the purple clouds of fancy until every che,o"V
hone seems to be converted into the DaseieeS 'O'
of Vision" The detail which they hoiu Ioi'"
With on almost infantile nayet6 transform the
heaven of an intelligent faith into KIND OF ehcnah'
od fairv-land or a series of scenic dssoivng views
which leave nothing behind but a smell of fresh
oaipt The same IS true, TO very considerable eX-
tent of the writings on other branches oil the
spiritual life which puTport to come from minus
in state of superior exaltation, or In communion
with departed spirits. of which they claim TO be tDe
mediums Considered as q science, they are emil
nently unnstructive. As contributions orsuggestiohs
TO exact and definite thought. they offer but little
that is worthy of acceptance. Their literary merit
is usually of the hmsest texture, though they may
awaken an interest as curious examples OF mode oil
mental action which has not yet received phlo-
sophcal explanation
The present work is free from the objections at
which we have briefly limited. Although the writer
is evidently firm and even an enthusiastic, believer
in the reality of modern spiritual possessions ana Ill
their benign and sautary influence he treats the
snbiect from human point of yiew with no ghoStly
counsel or aid relying solely on the natural powers
of his own intellect, and the fundamentally OF
practiced pen. His book, accordingly, is brought
within the sphere of legitimate literature Ii is sur
rounded with dazzling pOrtentous halo OF coiored
vapOrs and moves firmly on the substantial Rrouhu
of history and science. The most decided opponents
of the new spiritualisc movement may read II win
satisfaction for its copious and lucid statements Oh
facts the force Of its TeasOngs, and the moderation
and tru.hfulness of its spirit. Although 1t VIII
probably fail to produce conviction in readers who
are disnclned to leave the beaten paths of science
for novel gimpses of the Unknown, it certainly sets
forth many important considerations with regard to
the philosophy of the mind while its historical notices
of the development of Spiritualsm during the last
twenty years give more complete and impartial
view Of the phenomena in question than has thus lar
been presented to the public
Although the title of the work might lead to the
suppostion that it is devoted mainly to the mysteries
of Planchette the writer attaches but little import
ance to that wooden trifle," or mystic toy,
which is not of recent invention but has been COM
mon in France for twelve fifteen years, and ich
"some future antiquarian may discover was IN use
long before the days of PythagOras."
The relations of Spiriualism to science have usu-
ally been ignored by the students of physics. Pro
fessor Agassiz and the late President FELTON,, it is
well known took strong ground in Boston against
the credibility Of its pTetensions In Great Britain
Sir David Brewster and Professor Faraday were no
less vehement in opposition to its claims. Mr. Her
bert Spencer, in recent conversation with an
American gentleman which is here quoted aftirms
that be has settled the question in his own mind on
pIiori grounds" without looking at the phenom-
ena. On the other hand. several examples are
nlloted in the volume In which eminent men OF
SCIENCE have become converts 10 Spritualism or at
least, have maintained its Legitimacy subject of
scientific Saton The late celebrated chemist
and electrician, DIR. Hare, of Philadelphia, after a
long series of experiments became convinced OF the
reality of new order of facts in the spiritual mani
tcstations which could lot be explained on meehan-
ical principles DR.. John Elliotsoh President OF the
ROYAL Medical and Chimr0cAl Sooint'' 81 innhnn
presents similar example. He had been materia.
list in belief disdaining all knowledge of the human
soni and regarding the facts claimed by SpntuallsT
a. mere decisions, but, upon more thorough inquiry
came to the conviction of the truth of the phen0m
IN ena and of their spiritual origin. The great mahe
matielan, Professor DE Morgan. of London although
~ not convert afrms that the Spirtualists, beyon
doubt are in the track that has led to all advance
representatives. Of those who have striyen agains
progress On this point, the suggestions of til
writer are equally modest and forcble. 1T is tn
duty of Science to wait upon Nature to Teverentl
listen to what she chooses TO tell and in the way
plcases her TO utter it, and deal with the facts tina
are manifested without ignoring them becaus
others are not manifested. We must be glad {
learn her lessons the conditions she chooses {
prescribe thankful to accept such insight into he
arcena as she vouchsafes to grant"
Among the instances of extraordinary phenomen
recorded in this volume, the case of Mr.. c. f. Liver
more wcll-known banker of this city formerly o
the firm of LivermOre e. Clews is not the least re
markabe. Mr.. LivermOre. who an nveterat
skeptic on the subject had lost his wife in 1900
through the suggestions of Dr. John f. Gray, tn
physician of the family induced to consult
celebrated medium. The result Of the visit is giyei
in Mr. LiyeunOres own words.
dS'GnS the PRECAUTIONS ne te9s to tho
The ghts being extinguisled: footsteps were heard
a. OF persons walking In their stocking feet accompanied
bS the ruSug sound ~ silk dress. II then raped
ort by the alphabet, My dear, am here in forn dc
me and II became brighter face. surnounted 10y
crown, was distinctly seen by the medium and myself
Next the head appeared, IL covered with a white vail
this Withdrawn after the figure had feet
higher and re1JGised UBmtStIkdLly he NIL head and
face army Vie surrounded by semcrcle at light about
eighteen inches n diameter. The recognition was com
pce derived alike from the features and her natural
preston The globe Of light then raised. and female
Laud held before distinctly visible. Each Of these
manifestations repeated several times TO leave
doubt In our minds Now the figure, coming lower
dawn aud turning its head. displayed, falling over the
globe Of light, iOSQ UOUg hair. which, its shade
o color appeared Ike the natural tresses of wife, and
hike hers was unusually lnxuriant This whole Of
hair whi-ked In faces times conveying the
sensation rs II it had been actually huma natural
hdir This also frequently repeated aud the hair
shown Ia rs in variety Of ways. The light and tho
rusiling sound then passed round the table aud APP
preached me, and what seemed 10 the touch q sirt Of
muslin thrown my head and hand was felt as
IL holding II there. whisper now heard aud the