The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-03-23
Recent Publications.

Recent Publications.
Vital Magnetism (New York: Adams, Victor
s. Co.. is plea for more extended use as
remedial agent of what has been variously
known as Mesmerism, animal magnetism, hyp-
notism, etc. The author, Frederic 7. Parsons,
presents an imposing array of facts with refer
ence to the curative powers of this agency, some
of them very striking, but none which have not
probably had parallel in the observation of
any physician Of considerable exper rience who
has taken the pains to look carefully into the
subject to any extent Unfortunately for the
impression which the book was designed to
make, the greater number of the illustrat-
i've cases occurred twenty-fv years ago, and
the casual reader is likely to finish his psrussl
of the volume with an idea that so-called vital
magnetism ceased to be therapeutic means
about the middle of this century. However,
Brown-Sequard and Carpenter are quoted as
believing in the wonderful efficacy of this plan
of cure, and the endorsement of such ceebri-
ties is sufficient to atone for the mouldiness of
age which obscures the names Of a score of for
gotten witnesses. There can be no doubt Of the
value of this much-christened power in certain
mslsdies but there are many obstacles to its
general adoption by the medical profession as
method of treatment. Not every one who has
faith 10 its use is capable of applying 1t, or has
the patience to persist sufficiently to attain the
possible results. Then, too, animal magne-
tism has been so largely employed as means
of mere entertainment by mountebanks and in
private circles, that not few consider it only
curiously amusing force, and distrust its
claims as remedy. 1t is to be regretted that
the au thor has not enlarged the scope of his
book by including some instruction in methods;
for few oe those who may be favorably in
fuenced by his arguments will know whittier
TO look for practical guidance. Much more, in
any event, will need to be said and done, be-
fore magnetic" practice can be reclaimed from
the hands of the abandoned chailatans who
now have almost monopoly of it.
Another volume of the Rev. Joseph Cooks
Monday Lectures has been issued. This time
the subject is Orthodoxy If Mr.. Cook repre-
sents, as probably he does, the advanced position
of Orthodoxy in New England, the Evangelical
y
the same time wisely circumspect in choosing
its positions, as, on the vexed question of the
Trinity, he takes stand that will be generally
acceptable: "The Father, Son and Holy
Ghost are one and only one God" No doubt
lhey have always, or will think hey have al
ways held that faith, vet the impression which
they have managed to make upon the minds of
many of the worlds people that they believed
in three Gods has cost them many convert.
OF the existence of He'll he seems to have
deep conviction, and it is difficult to see how
anyone who watches the current political move
ments can fail to agree with him. He devotes
three lectures to pitching iato Theodore Par
ker. "dancing round him. as distinguished
legal gentleman says, "like cooper round
barrel,' leaving him in that particularly tight
position in which man is apt to find himself
when he cannot answer back, and aim ost max
lag the Gentle reader wish that Theodore
could rise up and take his turn at the malIet.
On the question of Atonemsnt he-is also de-
cided, aud illustrates it by an anec1ote of
Bronson Alcott, who made his pupils ferule
him when they had transgressed instead of
chastsing them; ergo-bearing the punish
u6ub VI UtuorS 10 uUt UcdIluS buolr Suilt. uhE
Alcott pronouuces this system successful and
the obvious fact that there ara boys on whom
it would not work only shows the necessity for
hell. Boston: j. r. Osgoed & Co.; Port
land: Loring, Short & Harmony
The Museum of Natural History New York:
Virtue & Yorston) is work which Prof.
Adney compliments as popular treatment of
American zoology from a scientific standpoint.
1t is popular account Of the structure, habits
aud classification of the various departments
of the animal kingdom. The original edition
was the product of the united efforts of five
eminent British biologists, ackno wledged au-
thorities in their respective departments. To
that account has been added in the present
edition complete history of the zoology of the
American continent, by DR.. Joseph B. Holder
OF the American Museum of Natural History
This is sufficiently in detail to give place to
every living and fossil species of the American
fauna. The text is of the highest authority,
aud the work is not only one of great and gen.
eral interest, but standard as we'll of constant
value for purposes of reference. Its illustra-
| tions are far more numerous and much finer
| than in any other book of its class. There are
150 full-page plates numbering many hundred
figures, colored by hand, and drawn from
| specimens in the British and American muse
ums In addition there are upwards of fonr
| hundred engravings on wood. The illustra-
| tions are notable for both scientific accuracy
| aud beauty of execution. The typographical
| get.up of the work is remarkably fine, and a
credit to the well-known publishing house
| whence it proceeds.
| The work is published 10 parts of quarto
size, issued twice month. Each part contains
four plates and thirty two pages of letter-press
The agent for Portland is Mr.. William Scott,
who has established himself at the City Hotel
with the. intention Of canvassing the city.