New-York tribune., 1878-06-11
NEW PUBLICATIONS.


Holmes prefxed to this volume, the personal ana
urosessiona character of the author is exhibited IN
a sinoularly attractive light. The late Dr. Clarke
vas no less conspicuous for his admirable qualities
as man. than for his eminence in the walks OF
medical science. He was the son of a revered cer-
cvman in Bristol County, Massachusetts, graduated
nj Harvard College in 1S41, at tOne-and-twenty years
of age took his medical degree in Philadelphia III
1916 and after an extensive course of European
travel established himself in Boston, where
he at once gained q high rank among his
contemporaries IN medical practice. In 1900
he was chosen Professor OF Matera Medlca
IN Harvard University. which Office ne resigned III
1872 but continued in active practice ior t"o
years longer when he was compelled TO yleld 10 tc
nrotracted disease which ended his life on the 3Oth
Of November, 1877. As described by Dr. Holmes
he had all the characteristics which essential to
4 master of the healing art. His scientific attain
,oents were large but not so much in the shape ot
minute and improbable acquisition as to impair MS
clearness of insight He had uncommon industry a
devoted love Of his profession, and the cGlmness ana
breadth of mind which would have assured his sue
cesrin other fields of mental activity. The present
work was composed in the intervals OF suffering
from a painful disease He was never free from
main except when under the influence OF anodynes'
and from time TO time was racked Win agony
During his illness he occupied himself much
with reading. and in the latter part OF
the time. until his strength entirely failed
hum with writing, chiefly on points OF
psvchology, in which he took deep interest. lie
enjoyed discussing nice and difficult questions with
some Of his visitors forgetting himself for time IN
the analysis of mental operations, in which be Us-
played power that would have given him name
I'm metaphysical speculation. After the death of the
ooVivaf mia N
hands of DIR. Holmes, who was authorized to decide
as TO its final disposition and who had no hesitation
in advising that il should be given to the public.
In the discussion of the subject, Dr. Clarke
oceupies a middle ground between those who regard
ali visions as deusions and unrealitles, class
ing them among the vagaries of mankind, OF
the inexplicable phenomena of disease, and those
who ascribe them to apreternatura OF divine origin
1t must be admitted, he remarks, that however
great the mystery, and the charlatanism, with
which they have been attended, the denial of a
solid foundation TO the phenomena of visions must
be accompanied with a certain degree of reserve
The incredulty of the most secptica has sometimes
been staggered by the statements of those whose.
character precluded the suspicion of imposture Ihe
persstence with which the trutbfulness OF VISIONS
has been affirmed IS in itself significant TACT, ana
one that deserves unprejudiced consideration.
But the question is 10 DC utClucu BAOuAuo VI
metaphysics OF psychology, but of physiology and
pathology. Nor should the inquiry be complicated
with any discussion of the relations between mind
and matter. The brain being an organ of the mind,
the phenomena of visions which are mental or sub
iective must be conditioned by the brain through
which they are manifested. They can appear only
under definite notifications of the cerebral appara-
tus. With this startlug-pOint the author brings
forward series Of cases. most of which have fallen
under his personal observation, and which he hopes
may form an important contribution to our knOwl-
edge of the natural history of visions The subjects
of these cases were ali persons of more than ordi-
nary intelligence and cultivation 1t is worthy of
notice that they were all conscious themselves of
the subjective character Of their Visions All other
cases, in fact were purpOsey excluded. One of the
most remarkable visions described in the volume is
that of a man over eighty years of age, associated
with disease Of the brain, which finally proved
fatal
Mr. A. man OF parts and education, retired mer-
chant Possessed Of ample fortune he devoted mole
time intellectual and aesthetic pursuits than to ensi-
ness He was particularly fond OF music, was familiar
with the works OF the great composers ana heafd Win
delight the artists VINO interpreted them during iong
where the best music was produced Eary IN MS career
he occasionally visited Enrope ana M Sga % ne p "a s n
indulgng his musical taste more Literally than ne could
40 IN tns od d b iSdar4e ana cntyatg it. is en-.
phaszed this connection in consequence OI It's possible
or probable relation TO the phenomena which Will be
1atat ,resently III should be added that he was
of more than ordinary intellectual ability ana was en-
persons could be found less likely than he to be led
astray by their Imagination or by supersuton Armed
with an active temperament good habits ana strong
Iyscal organization he enjoyed good health until after
the age OF eighty. He then suffered Tor two or three
wears from a cerebral maady, which at length terln
nated fatally. moderate degree OF Deafness persistent
tinntus aurum. occasional vertigo ana slight loss OF
memory. the prominent symptoms OF MS eondltl0h
Cor year two after he became an octogenarian 10;
ward The close Of hie ncOhercnce, derum stupor and
the like, indicated with sufficient certainty the presence
O severe cerebral disease It's precise character now
ever, was not ascerIained by postmortem e1anlna-
tion.
when about eighty years of age, and when suffering
from the Deafness tnnus aurum etc., just alluded to,
he called at my house early one morning. ana gave me
tie following account OF an extraordinary occurrence
that had happened to him the previous night de pre-
faced his story with the remark; have come 20 ask
yOu doctor II the time has arrived for me to step out OF
fhs world" reply 10 what he meant by such ques-
tion he said that he had witnessed most singular af-
fair during the previous night of which he could give
no adequate explanation, and which he thought might
very likely be the foreunner OF serious trouble III MS
her IT. in his language. with the exception Of chang
lug the first 70 the third person.
He had retired, on the night referred 70, at his
usual hour, and in his usual Dealth Nothing had
previous TO disturb him IN any way 50 far as he could
Tecolect lie mad partaken OF M, nus usuai Get SnH tO
ne fel asleep and slept well until about a. m, when
he was awakened by the sound Of music which seemed
10 come from the street near ms house Ihlnkng
eerenade going he got up 10 ascertain where III
wa
he arose on returning 20 bed he heard tue sound OF
music gain and at the same time surprised by the
ppearance three persons standing near eacn Otnes
habit 10 sleep with the gas-ight burning feeDy
tic head OF his bed lie turned the gas on 10 It's u
power and inspected the ntruders They appeared to
be musicians who were hummiug aud singing, as II in
preparation for musical performance He rang Dell,
which summoned his man servant. JOhn soon arrived
and was ordered put the strangers out There Is
nobodV here sir" was Johns reply 70 the order For
moment Mr.. A. was not only amazed, but alarmed:
sWhat 70 he exclaimed, " do you see 10 one there ~
No oue" said John. " Go where those chairs are ana
move Them" was Mr. A's next direction. John did So
The strangers stepped aside but did not 90 out by TINS
time Mr. A. had gathered his wits about him, and was
safised that ne was the victim halucinatiOn; ana
-. -. .I.... No. q .r..LLlIL AZ