Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-04-03
NEW PUBLICATIONS.


diums." He imputes the existence of Spir-
itualism to mans love of the marvellous, and
claims that science, art and invention have
been made the unwilling tools of the trickster
to blind the judgment of man and awe the
superstitious. Undoubtedly he has given
some very correct expositions in this matter,
but just as assuredly he has gone into the
obscure also and theorized as to the
causes and methods of manifestations
in manner calling from the mass of minds
tor the exercise of faith which, to them,
is as marvellous as the claims of the medium
in favor of supernatural Influences. As, for
instance. he takes up the doctrine that
'every square inch of air when permeated
with electricity, and in part or wholly dis
placed, forms for the time being compar-
alive vacuum" and makes that portion of
the air of less than fifteen pounds pressure.
Now. saws he, "a medium is one whose
whole mental electric force by which she
performs volition in an assembly has passed
from her mind and will to some one else in
the company, who therefore controls it, con-
sciously or unconsciously." He then pro-
ceeds to explain that in an assembly among
whom is such a negative individual as the
medium, she acts as the medium between
the spirits or electric powers of the
members of the company. The minds of the
assembly are concentrated upon the medium
and the table to be moved. So soon as this is
done the electric agency of all the minds pres
ent become agitated and put in motion, act
ing directly by expectation upon the mind of
the medium producing on it the absolute I'M
preston that the object sought will be accom-
plished. Her entire mental force is concen-
trated and conducted through the nerves of
the arms to the finger ends. If these are
in contact with the table, the communication
is unbroken, and it is readily moved; but if
not touched, the intervening air serves as the
conductor of the mental force. By this cleo
trio force the air above and around the table
becomes so electrified that its pressure Is neu-
tralized or balanced, counteracting the spe-
cifc gravity of the table, consequently re-
curing but the slightest degree OF force to
suspend or move it in any direction, as
telligent locomotion. This theory, we
opine, is not one calculated to overthrow
in the mind of the credulous beholder of
spirit manifestations the opposing claim for
supernatural agency. Again: nearly all have
seen modern magicians suspend in mid-air
confederate, by resting one of her elbows
upon an upright rod 1t is well known that
this is accomplished by means of delicate
steel Jacket, jointed like Jacobs ladder :"
and operated by cord running up through
the rod, yet MIR. Mitchell explains it upon
the theory already stated, and holds that the
confederate is charged with electricity or
magnetism 81 fifteen times lighter than that
of her normal condition" Such an explana-
ton will not convert the man who believes
spirit-power holds the confederate suspended.
Ill bool- hoe re chiaf yalua N the
boldness with which he attacks his opponents
of the ''new religion" and which invites the
mind to examination of the questions in
volved, but it can hardly become popular or
find Judgment with the very class OF people
who need to be most instructed on these
topics.
L. Bird New York C. p. Putnam's Sons San
Francisco: A l.. Bancroft & Co. l vol, Svo.,
cloth.
This is very handsomely illustrated book
of travel by the author of Six Months in
the Sandwich Islands" The chapters consist
of letters which the author IA Scotch LADY,,
saws she wrote without the remotest idea of
publication They were, however, reproduced
in the Leisure Hour" and being favorably
received, they are now presented IN book
form. The first letter is dated from Lake
Tahoe, and the second and third from Chey-
enne, all three referring chiefly to scenes and
scenery west of the Rocky Mountains. The
lady devotes the remainder of the volume to
Colorado and adjacent regions, the mountains,
lakes. mines and parks of that vast region,
and sketches of the people there resident.
The writer is positive and clear, and leaves
the reader in no doubt as to her opinions.
She writes gracefully, manifests keen observ-
ant qualities, and love for the beautiful and
grand In nature.
D. Appleton & Co., New York, have is
sued, and W. A. & G. S. Houghton, Sacra-
mento. have for sale, another of the 81 New
Handv-volume Series" The story is by
Jacques Vincent, and is entitled 1.-The Re-
turn of the Princess 1t is the narrative of
a beautiful Turkish girl, who, from early
childhood to full maturity, lived in
French family resident in Paris, and
was in the ripeness of young womanhood
suddenly called back to her fathers harem,
be being vastly rich and highly Titled noble
of Egypt. From there she writes to her
English friends, giving vivid and charming
descriptions of the inner life of the harem,
which are, in great measure, revelations.
teresting love story, with a most unexpected
and tragic denouement, and double thread
of romance, giving clear insight into the
life of two classes of society in the Orient:
the conservative, which adheres to the old
forms and customs with greatest tenacity,
and the new or reform school, which intro
duces Partisan ideas, habits and dress INTO
the harem, and is doing much to break down
the wall which there shuts women out from
the world The novel is one of deep interest,
and is an example of high order of polished
and brilliant composition. From the same
firms we have another of the New Handy
volume Series" entitled ga Stroke Of Di-
plomacy," by Victor Cherbuliez. 1t is one
OF his best novels.
"Uarda, Romance of Ancient Egypt, is
a novel by Georg Ebers, from the German
by Clara Bell. 1t is issued by William S.
Gottsberger, New York, in two volumes, and
is at hand from A. L. Bancroft & Co., San
Francisco The story is from the pen of one
Berlin. He was early devoted to the study
of Oriental languages, particularly the ancient
Egyptian, under the guidance of Lepsius and
Bruesch. In 1868. designated Professor at
the University of Jena. he made. in 1863,
Journey through France, Spain, North
Africa, Egypt, Nubia, and the Sinai PENN
sula. After his return he accepted an invita-
ton to fill the chair of Professor of Egyptian
language and archaeology at the University
of Leipzig, which he still holds. On second
journey to Egypt in 1870 he discovered and
acquired the so-called Ebers Papvrus, the
second in extent, and the first in preservation
of all the ancient Egyptian handwritings
known to us, containing complete manual
of Egyptian medicine OF the sixteenth
century, B. c. The romance under notice
is one of deep interest, and possesses the
merits of historic accuracy as to the people
among whom the scenes of the novel are laid.
and in addition is model of composition and
literary finish.
The Californian "a. Romans Publishing
Co., S. F J for April contains these pa :.
Chapter ". Of Sand" by J. w. Gally !;
'' The Story of Australia and New Zealand, Z"
by r. E. Dresmond; 1.-The Hermit of Treas
ura Peak y nv Sam Davis " Pallas - nv q