The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-08-16

Or all the novel discoveries claiming the
sanction q science none is 80 remarkable as
that OF psychic" force. 1t is mark Of solid
mind and of every true discoverer to challenge
scrutiny and court daylight, and not TO test his
supposed nugget OF truth in the secret reccsses
OF the laboratory merely. The advocates OF
the theory OF which we speak boldly assert
that by the exercise Of the will they are able
to influence matter, and, while they disclaim
cIairvoyance, they affect the belief that the
human mind, by subjective act, is capable of
working almost miraculous changes. in the ex-
ternal world.
The discussion Of this subject has lately
been revived in England, and certain re-
speciality has been given il by the investi-
cations of scientific gentleman, who, while
he has not lent his name to the extravagant
pretensions of the theory, is fearlessly exam
lining it, in the spirit of Gamaliel-'Tf il be of
God ye cannot overthrow it; if it be of man it
will come to naught."
We have said that this discussion has been
propagators have preferred to call an old thing
by new name. We have read of certain
philosopher who had actually philosophical
himself into the assurance that there was no
no such thing as matter. Doubtless the new
champions of psychic" force are capable Of
working themselves up to the pitch of credulity
and to the acceptance of their favorite dogma.
Unfortunately they have the countenance
of some great men in England-it is sad to say
OF no less philosopher than Tyndall, although
the latter has not yet given them his ipse dirit.
When such man as Tyndal can tell us that
mot alone the more ignoble forms of animal
cular and animal life, not alone the nobler
forms of the horse and lion, not alone
the exquisite and wonderful mechanism
of the human body, but the human mind
itself-emotion, intellect will and all their
phenomena-were once latent in a fiery
cloud" it is no wonder that scientific antigua
rians should drag forth this long-scouted fancy
of psychic force. IT. as Tyndall and his
admirers would teach us, all our philosophy,
all our poetry, all our science, all our art
Plato, Shakespeare, Newton, Raphael-are
potential in the fires of the sun, whence they
first emanated, it is not strange that men may
be found to reverse the argument and make
control Of human volition.
We do not wish to throw cold water
upon the English investigation into the
reality and existence of psychic force. We
rather rejoice at the opening of the discussion.
We should have nothing to lose if, in this am
nd 10
demanded Of human muscle and sinew, when
thousands of looms are to be worked, thou
sands of locomotives and steamships are to be
run, the English Swans should discover that
psychic" force can take the place of water
and steam and electricity. That will be a
when the Great Eastern can plough the surface
and breast the pillows of the Atlantic without
using bushel of coal, and, by the mere Sub
jective" energy of her masters will. Then,
if we should have an explosion upon our
crowded river boats, it is to be hoped the dis
aster would be limited to the narrow work.
shop Of single individuals brain. But
we should not have said so much on this
subject if it were not that in high
scientific quarters abroad, the hypothesis
alluded to has gained the dignity of being
investigated. Let its friends only see to il
that they do not disappoint the public by
vague and ill-attested experiments ''done in
corner" If the operations of the will, by
which they put forth psychic energy, are
subjective" the proofs must be collective"
and displayed before all men and the sun,