THE QAWN v ' LIBRARY THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA BARBARA PRESENTED BY JOY MYERS MAN II A I, OF PSYCHOMETRY: THE DAWN OF A NEW CIVILIZATION. BY JOSEPH RODES BUCHANAN, M. I)., / Authorof " Anthropology," " Therapeutic Sarcognomy " and " Moral Kdu cation " Professor of 1'liyslology and Institutes of MciUcinc in tour Medical Colleges successively, from 1845 to 1881 and for flve years Dean of the Eclectic Medical Institute, the psirent school ot American Medical Eclecticism Discoverer of the impres- sibility of the brain ofPsychometryandof Sarcognomy. Published by the Author 29 Fort Ave., Boston. I COPVRIOMT, l"::8. BY JOSEPH ROOtS BUCHANAN I HUSTON : HOI.MAX ItltO'l IIKItS, I'UKSS OF TIIK KOMII'KY A ll\'< M 'A I K. 188S. TO THE MARTYRS OF TIM Til, KELH5IOX AM) LIBERTY, IX ALL AGES, THIS VOLUME is "WITH I:KVKKENCK DEDICATED. CONTEXTS. Fn>ut ispicc< Eugniving Portrait of Mrs. Huchanan. PREFACE. PART I. INTRODUCTORY AM> I IlSTOKK A I.. I'AOE Introduction Ill CIIAPTKU 1. Original Sketch - IT.~> rllAPTKU IV. Tlirl'sycliic Faculties their location, and iicculcntjil nianifentutiun, 170-212 PART IT. PUACTICAI. 1'Tii.rriK.s. CHAPTER \. Psychonu'try in Self Ciiltun 1 , C'onjiij, r al JU-lations and Hiisiiu -s> - 1 10 CIIAPTKK VI. INyclioinotry in Mcdirul Scicuct- and < liok-t- of Physicians - .; ; M; ( IIAPTKR VII. Psychomctry in Politics ST lls ClIAPTKlt VIII. Psychomotry in Literature li! 141 <'IIAPTi:il IX. Prophetic Intuition - 1 ;_' 104 PART III. THK NI.W J'HII.OSOIMIV AM> PKI.H.ION ( IIAPTKIJ X. Psychometry and Anthroiioloiry - - I :;i CIIAPTKU XI. Future Life and L< an :;j Tt APPENDIX. Prophecy of Cnzotte Frequency of Prevision -- I>estiny of th. Your.-' ;."!) PREFACE. This volume has been somewhat hastily prepared, to fulfil the promise recently made to the public of a MANUAL OF PSY- CHOMETHY a work to introduce the subject to the general reader not an elaborate memoir for scientists, which need not be offered until it is called for. Public opinion on philosophic subjects is always shallow, superficial, and erroneous, until the thought of the best thinkers lias enlisted the co-operation of leading minds In reference to Psychometry, the profound productions of Prof. Denton have attracted far less attention than that simple exhibition of Psychometry which is called " Mind Reading," which I have never thought worthy of any special cultivation, but which, as an exhibition, answers the purpose of challenging skepticism, and giving to those who are pro- foundly ignorant on this subject, facts which compel their reluctant attention, and thus prepare them for scientific in- novation. When a full exposition shall be required, many volumes will be necessary one for the medical profession, one for hygienists, one for geologists, one for astronomers, one for ethnologists, one for physiologists, one for historians, one for pneumatologists, one for the devotees of religion and duty, and ten for the students of Anthropology for all these subjects are illuminated and developed by Psychometry. 1 cannot now promise that much of this will ever be writ- ten by myself as it might have been ere this for my life is too far advanced, and co-operation does not yet ap- pear. Uut as Psychometry developes all these departments of knowledge, these works must all be written. As this volume contains the reports of many psychometric experiments with Mrs. U., I would state in advance that all such experiments which I report are as pure and true ait illustration of Psychometry as possible an accurate report of mental impressions as they arose, recorded as they were Preface. spoken deliberately. The mind of the psychometer in my experiments is always carefully guarded from all impressions but those which come from an invisible source by contact, without knowing what is the object or person to be described, which must be carefully concealed to insure the purity of the result. Questions are never of a leading character, being only used to direct attention to the matters that need de- scription. The reports are as careful and faithful as I could possibly make them, but most of them are imperfect illustrations of her psychometric intuition, given often when fatigued by her daily duties. The present volume is larger than I designed, but a great deal of interesting and important matter has-been excluded to keep it within the proposed limits. The investigations of geology, paleontology, and astronomy have been omitted. A second volume will be necessary to do justice to the in- troduction of Psychometry the introduction, merely, for I have but lifted a corner of the veil that hides incalculable wealth of knowledge and wisdom. BOSTON, 29 FORT AVENUK, JUNE 1, 1885. P. S. A special volume, devoted to Pneumatology and Religion will be required to illustrate the comparative views of the world's religions, and the view of Biblical history and religion sanctioned by Psychometric exploration a A'iew which may dissipate much superstition, but will strengthen our faiih in the past, while it refines and invigorates our religious nature. INTRODUCTION. PSYCHOMETRY FROM 1842 TO 1885. THE question, " WHAT is PSYCHOMETRY? " was happily answered in a poem from the pen of the celebrated philanthropist and poet, the Rev. JOHN PIERPOXT, which was delivered in August, 1850, at the grand anniversary of Yale College, and spoken of in the Tribune as the " Gem of the occasion." J. M. S., a correspondent of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, speaks of the occasion and poem as follows : " The occasion was the meeting of the Alumni of Old Yale celebra- ting her one hundred and fiftieth anniversary. By invitation from the officers of the institution, he delivered a poem the subject was Pr- ijress. After alluding to the various improvements of the day, light by gas, printing, phonography, new modes of travel, telegraphs, daguerreo- typing, etc., be touched upon this interesting subject alike unknown to the fjreat and lf(irne>l ones of Old Yale (in sorrow I say it), a< to your honorable self. There were songs sung, and speeches made Jiy various distinguished individuals, during a sitting of not less than eight Inur-. There were present from twelve to fifteen hundred Alumni reprrs- nt:i- tives from classes which graduated in 1TTT to the year IsoO." KXTRACT I-'KO.M IMKRI'ONTS 1'OKM. But much, Daguerre, as has thy genius done In educating thus Latona's son. In thus educing, in the god of light The power to paint so, at a single sight, BtVHANAN has transcended thee, as far 2 Introduction. As the sun's face outshines the polar star. Thine art can catch and keep what meets the eye- His science, subjects that far deeper lie. Thy skill shows up the face, the outward whole His science measures and reveals the soul. Thy subjects must be present his may be Sunk in the depths of the mysterious sea ; Their bodies may have mouldered into dust. Their spirits long have mingled with the just Made perfect : Yet if one has left behind A written page, whereon the living mind Has been pour'd out, through pencil, paint or pen, That written page shall summon back again The writer's spirit ; pressed upon the brow, Or by the hand of many, living now : It shall the writer's character disclose, His powers, his weaknesses, his joys, his woes. The manly air, the sycophantic smile, The patriot's valor, and the traitor's wile, The fire that glowed beneath the snows of age As in the " Hero of the Hermitage," When he exclaimed (methinks I hear him still), " By the Eternal, I will not, or will ! " All is revealed ! The prompting spirit threw Itself upon the paper and the few " Spirits that are finely touched to issues fine " Will move the hand, thus touch'd, along the line, And catch the soul that issues from it yet, (As fishes taken in an evil net), And the detecting spirit shall declare " The form and pressure "' of the soul that's there, With greater truth than e'er a Sybil sung, /// trodu ctio n . 3 And with as great as fell from prophet's tongue ! Mysterious science I that has now displayed " How fearfully and wonderfully made " Is man, that even his touch can catch the mind, That long has left material things behind ! Fearful the thought, that when my clay is cold, And the next Jubilee has o'er it rolled, The very page, that I am tracing now, With tardy lingers and a care-worn brow, To other brows by other fingers prest, Shall tell the world, not what I had been deem'd, Nor what I passed for, nor what I had seem'd, But what I -cas! Believe it, friends, or not, To this high point of progress have we got, We stamp ourselves on everv page we write ! Sen'd you a note to China or the pole Where'er the wind blows, or the waters roll That note conveys the measure of your soul !" The word Psychometry, coined in 1842 to express the character of a new science and art, is the most pregnant and important word that has been added to the English language. Coined from the Greek (psvc/ic, soul and inctron* measure) it literally signifies soul-incastiring* being analogous to the words, thermometry, barometry, electrometry, and similar terms, which signify spec- ial measurements. The thermometer measure's caloric (thcrmoi temperature). The barometer measures the weight (baro* weight) of the atmosphere: tin- electrometer measures electric conditions : the psy- chometer measures the soul (psyche). 4 Introduction. In the case of Psychometry, however, the measur- ing assumes a new character, as the object measured and the measuring instrument are the same psychic element, and its measuring power is not limited to the psychic as it was developed in the first experiments, but has appeared by successive investigations to manifest a wider and wider area of power, until it became apparent that this psychic capacity was really the measure of all things in the Universe. Hence, Psychometry signifies not merely the measur- ing of souls and soul capacities, or qualities by our own psychic capacities, but the measurement and judgment of all things conceivable by the human mind ; and Psychometry means practically measur- ing by the son/, or grasping and estimating all things which are within the range of human intelli- gence. Psychometry, therefore, is not merely an instrumentality for measuring soul powers, but a comprehensive agency like mathematics for the- evolution of many departments of science. As a science and philosophy, Psychometry shows the nature, the scope, and the modus operand! of those divine powers in man, and the anatomical mechanism through which they are manifested ; while as an art it shows the method of utilizing these psychic faculties in the investigation of character, disease, physiology, biography, history, paleon- tology, philosophy, anthropology, medicine, geology, astronomy, theology and supernal life and destiny. Granting, as this volume will show, that Psychometry gives us the command of all these sciences, it is apparent that the introduction of Psychometry must Introduction. 5 prove the dawn of a new era in science, philosophy and social. progress, more important as to human en- lightenment and elevation than all the arts and sciences heretofore known to the skilful and learned : for if all libraries, manufactories, and repositories of the arts in the world at present were suddenly des- troyed by tire, leaving only in human minds a full knowledge of Psychometry, all might be restored in one generation, and far nobler institutions of learning, of practical art, of social order and of religion would arise from the ashes, purified and relieved from a vast amount of falsehood an inheritance from ancient ignorance. I am perfectly aware that such assertions mav appear extravagant, even to those who have some knowledge of the ordinary applications and powers of Psychometry, and will appear to many of the educated, or rather miseducated classes as insane as once did the doctrine of the rotundity of the earth and the existence of men at the antipodes with heads hanging downwards from us ; and according to the usual policy of those who seek popularity and repu- tation, such assertions should be reserved for the end of the volume, to be read only after the scientific methods and practical success of Psychometry have been made familiar. I prefer however to state at once frankly the true scope and power of Psy- chometry. and if any reader be repelled by my frankness it is well that he should be repelled, for he who cannot tolerate a novelty in science cannot do it justice, and I desire none but candid, truth-loving readers. 6 Introduction. Only to the patient students of Psychometry and explorers of psychic mysteries will my statement appear as it is a too concise statement of the grand results of psychic investigations, which not only make scientific mysteries translucent, but change the mys- tic dreamland between two worlds into a realm of luminous reality for man, the influence of which will work a far greater and speedier change in the des- tiny of the human race than the discovery of Amer- ica, or any revelation which science has hitherto made. I address these assertions to the most enlightened of today, and to my friends of the twentieth century who will know how to appreciate them ; for I cannot expect to see Psychometry enthroned in the Univer- sities until at least two generations shall have succes- sively carried down to the tomb the falsities in which they have been educated. For more than forty years I have been before the public as a teacher of new truths, and more than a thousand pupils have entered the medical profession under my professional teaching (many of whom, like most of my cotem'poraries and colleagues, have passed on to a higher life), and during all this time there lias been no hostile verdict upon the sciences which I have presented publicly, ever courting investigation by the learned : on the contrary every report of investigating committees has been a satisfactory endorsement of the sciences presented, and the Science of Psychometry has not only been endorsed by all who have become familiar with it, but is widely established in practical utility by psychometers who give descriptions of char- Introduction. 7 acter, and by physicians in the diagnosis of disease among present or absent patients. Hence I can speak of Psychometry as an introduced and established science. Establishment in the phil- osophic sense does not consist in currency among the multitude it does not consist in a favorable verdict from public opinion, which as Douglas Jerrold once said, is but " the average stupidity of mankind," and which is always steadily and persistently opposed to great and revolutionary discoveries. Establishment consists in the favorable verdict of the competent, as ownership depends on the acknowledged deed from the donor. The competent alone can establish, and the court of the competent is so harmonious with itself in science, that the verdict of the first score whom we meet is virtually the verdict of the thousands and the millions who succeed. The court of the com- petent consists of those who honestly love the truth, and who with earnest zeal either devote themselves to its search or hold themselves ready to give it a wel- come , and who with sound judgment make a fair and full investigation ; all such in matters of demon- strable science come to a substantial agreement, am* their first verdict is as conclusive as the last. The sagacious listen and respect it, but the multitude (learned and unlearned alike) look not to the compe- tency of the court but to its personal rank, social in- fluence, and numerical strength. To the suggestion that the court of the competent is nearly unanimous in reference to demonstrable sci- ence, I must add that Psychometry greatly enlarges *> w O > the amount of the demonstrable by removing from the 8 Introduction . sphere of speculation and debate many subjects here- tofore beyond the reach of positive scientific methods. It is over forty-two years since the discovery and public demonstration of the science and art of Psy~ chometry. Todav it is widely known the practice of Psychometry is an honorable and useful profession. Competent psychometers describe the mental and vital peculiarities of those who visit or write to them, and create astonishment and delight by the fidelity and fullness of the descriptions which they send to persons unknown, at vast distances. They give a minute analysis of character and revelation of particulars known only to the one described, pointing out with parental delicacy and tenderness, the defects which need correction, or in the perverse and depraved they explain what egotism would deny, but what society recognizes. In physiology, pathology, and hygiene, Psychome- try is as wise and parental as in matters of character and ethics. A competent psychometer appreciates the vital forces, the temperament, the peculiarities, and every departure from the normal state, realizing the diseased condition with an accuracy in which external scientific diagnosis often fails. In fact the natural psychometer is born with a genius for the healing art, and if the practice of medicine were limited to those who possess this power in an eminent degree, its pro- gress would be rapid and its disgraceful failures and blunders would no longer be heard of. But while Psychometry is thus gradually winning its place as our guide and leader in medicine, in education and self-culture, and has excited so lively Introduction. 9 an interest that a newspaper has been devoted to this subject, no complete and systematic exposition of the science is before the public. Its only exposition has been by essays in the 'Journal of Alan thirty years ago, by chapters in my System of Anthropology, of which no new edition has been issued since 1854, anf l by the "Soul of Things " in three volumes, from Wm. Denton, the eminent geologist, a book of mar- velous interest and originality, developing the highest phases of Psychometry in the exploration of history, paleontology and astronomy, far beyond the utter- most limits of previous scientific investigation. His able and interesting work has not had the circulation it deserves, because it is too far in advance of the age, presenting the grandest results of Psychometry to a public not yet acquainted with the science. The present work lias long been called for by those who have learned of my discoveries, and if Psychom- etry has even the tenth part of the scientific interest, the practical value and the power of advancing scientific civilization, and elevating the condition of all humanity which is believed by those who are well acquainted with it, it is the duty of every philan- thropist to call attention to this work and promote its diffusion. But what is Psychometry (which means literally soul - measuring), what the process, the modus operand! and the results? This question will be- fully answered by a sketch of the investigations and experiments which have developed the science, but it mav be briefly answered now, that Psychometry is the development and i o In tro du ctio n . exercise of the divine faculties in man, a demon- stration of the old conception of poetry and mystic philosophy as to the Divine interior of the human soul, and the marvelous approximation of man toward omniscience. It is moreover a demonstration of the normal dignity of human nature, showing in all humanity neglected and often nearly extinct powers, which have heretofore been deemed utterly incredi- ble, or if credible at all, only as a miracle from Heaven, or as rare, anomalous, mysterious and inexplicable facts, belonging to some abnormal phase of life, or else the hallucination of the visionary, if not the illusion of the dupe. The dark underworld of intellect in which we find the responses of oracles, the revelations of magnetic somnambules, the prophecies of the saints, the fore- casts of the fortune teller, the mysterious presenti- ments and sudden impressions by which many are guided, the warnings of death, calamity or accident, and the mysterious influences attached to places, apartments, amulets and souvenirs, is illuminated by the light of psychometric science, and its phenomena made entirely intelligible ; for Psychometry demon- strates in man, and explains the mechanism of those transcendent powers which have heretofore defied the comprehension of philosophy, and have been regarded with defiant hostility by materialistic culti- vators of mere physical science, while they have been welcomed by poetry, religion and the deepest emotions which ally man to heaven. In studying Psychometry, mystery disappears, and the most cautious inquirer in vital science will feel that he is Introduction. n treading on safe and solid ground. That he should enjoy this feeling of certainty and security he should be introduced to the science by the successive steps of its original development, and therefore I would take the reader back forty-three years to my first experiments, showing how Psychometry was evolved FORTY-THREE YEARS AGO. The following sketch of Psychometry appeared in BUCHANAN'S JOURNAL OF MAN (published at Cincin- nati), in 1849. It is so fair and complete a presenta- tion of the subject as then developed, that I prefer to republish it without change and follow it by such further discussions and expositions as are suggested by more recent investigations. CHAPTER I. ORIGINAL SKETCH OF PSYCHOMETRY. (From Buchanan's Journal of Man, Cincinnati.) First discovery in New York Introductory remarks Such investiga- tions must develop the wonderful Sensibilities discovered in Bishop Polk Found tilso in others- Testing through the lingers Number capable of such experiments Electric transmission of influence Mode of experimenting on medicines Experiments on medical class and professors Influences felt from human beings Influences transmitted from the brain First autographic experiment with In- man Its wonderful accuracy Methods of beginning experiments Inferences from the experiments as to the laws of mind and matter Principles of psychological chemistry Value of Psychometry De- scription of psychometric experiments Experiments with Rev. Mr. Kent Description of Gen. Jackson Appeal from the old to the young Difference of individuals as to psychometric impressions The achromatic mind not common Illustrations of variety Extreme physical sympathy with the writer Psychometric diagnosis of Dis- ease Six applications of Psychometry Accuracy of psychometric portraiture Experiments of Chancellor Scott Description of Lafay- ette Description of Webster Of Miss Martineau. IN the autumn of 1842, in the city of New York, I had the pleasure of ascertaining and proving, by ex- periment, the existence of a wonderful power in the constitution of man, the discovery and use of which at once opens before us a wide realm of knowledge. In that single discovery lay the germ of a science of lofty pretensions, and so wonderful in its facts as to be diffi- cult of belief, if not utterly incredible, to the greater portion of our scientific men. Yet, high as its preten- sions are, they are demonstrable in the most rigid Original Sketch. 13 manner, and, incredulous as the public may be, it cannot be long ere the truth of my assertions shall be familiarly known in Europe and America. I have made but little effort to bring this matter be- fore the public. Wonderful as it is, and well adapted to exciting an intense interest, I have quietly prose- cuted my experiments for the last six years without endeavoring to arouse the public mind to a conscious- ness of those sublime and beautiful truths which the investigation of the human constitution has developed. While thus feasting upon the richest intellectual ban- quet which nature offers in any department of her vast existence, I have naturally felt an earnest desire to call in the wise and good, from every quarter, to par- ticipate in the feast of knowledge. But, until the pres- ent time, there lias been no suitable medium through which to address the public. I could not expect, by the mere weight of my own assertion, to make a deep impression upon the public mind, and I had good rea- son to suppose, that when my discovery of the im- pressibility of the human brain had already marshalled against me the universal spirit of skepticism, and was but beginning to receive justice from a few, the pro- mulgation of anv additional wonders, still more incred- ible, would have done much to overshadow, with still darker clouds of disbelief, tin- dawn of true neurologi- cal science. Unwilling, therefore, to tax too heavily the public credulity at that time, I have waited for the gradual establishment of my cardinal proposition, in reference to the human brain, before presenting an essay upon Psychomctry. The six years which have elapsed 14 Original Sketch. since the discovery, have produced a marked change in public opinion a prevalence of more liberal views a willingness to receive from nature newer and pro- founder truths, and a conviction that experiments upon the human brain are not entirely deceptive or fanciful. In this more favorable condition of the public mind, I would submit a frank and unreserved narrative of my experimental inquiries. This may be done with greater ease and pleasure, on account of the fact that I am now addressing a circle of readers comprising many of the most liberal and philosophical class, many who appreciate justly the science of Anthropolgy, who look with deep interest upon its recent developments, and who wish to sustain a journal devoted to progress in this most interesting of all sciences. With this apologv for an apparently dilatory course, I would proceed by asking for my narrative, a candid and patient attention. It is not to announce a theory, that I write, nor to dogmatize in reference to any mat- ter of opinion but to present the facts which I have witnessed, and the inferences to which they most ob- viously lead. If I be but recognized as a fair, candid and careful reporter of the facts, I willingly yield to every one the privilege of reasoning upon the facts according to his own philosophy, and drawing the inferences which they suggest to his own mind. I would but ask that my personal testimony be allowed its proper force as a sincere statement, and that the questions involved be not slurred over in any indefi- nite manner by the reader, but firmly and frankly met and examined. Original Sketch. 15 I think it but just to demand upon this subject a more liberal and expansive mode of thought than is usually demanded by the teacher of physical science. The mind of man is so wonderful and mysterious in its action and in its whole existence is so widely separated, in its nature and in its phenomena, from the ponderable material world, that he who brings to this subject the rigid material spirit of chemistry and mechanical philosophy, will find himself unable either to perceive its phenomena or to detect their causes. Every moment of conscious thought presents a grandly beautiful mystery, for the explanation of which we must be utterly incompetent, unless we can rise to the dignity of the subject and deal familiarly with facts and laws as wonderful as the mystery which they solve. He who expects to solve the mysteries of mind, without encountering any unusual or extraordinary facts who thinks that psychology should present nothing more profound or strange than material phil- osophy, and who is determined to resist every fact or principle which is essentiallv new and wonderful, may be very respectable as a man of science and learning, but he cannot possibly do much for the advancement of psychology. We should bear in mind, that all the co-operations and correlations of mind and matter, are intrinsicallv wonderful, but are governed by defi- nite laws, and that these laws, when discovered, must seem, at first, no less wonderful and mysterious than the nature of mind itself. If, then, any fact which I may state should, at the first glance, appear incredi- ble, the liberal reader will bear in mind, that a certain wondrous strangeness is inherent in the very nature of 1 6 Original Sketch. the subject, and that it cannot be possible to arrive at any explanation of the relations between mind and matter, which does not involve principles and facts essentially new. My investigations of the nervous system of man for the last twelve years, have clearly shown that its capacities are far more extensive, varied and interest- ing, than physiologists or philosophers have been willing to acknowledge. We find in the nervous system the vast aggregate of powers which constitute the vitality of man, existing in intimate connection with the vast and wonderful powers of his mind. Those faculties which, in an instant, grasp the re- motest objects of landscape which fly, in an instant, to the remotest periods of time, and which are ever reaching forth, as if seeking to become commensurate with the universe are still, with all their buoyancy and power, bound to the fibres, tubes, and fluids of the nervous system, by which the}' instantaneously operate throughout the body. Is it rational to sup- pose that this nervous matter, which is thus so intimately correlated with mind, and upon which mind depends for the manifestation of its powers, should be entirely limited to the narrow sphere to which it has been assigned bv physiologists? that it should be so intimately connected with the great eternal miracle, our spiritual existence, and yet be so incapable itself of rising above the humble grade of the ordinary operations of vitalized matter? In truth, if we glance at the subtle phenomena of the nervous matter of our constitution, we must at once perceive how inadequate are the common con- Original Sketch. 17 ceptions of the nervous system. About nine years since, in conversation with Bishop Polk,* of the Episcopal Church, he informed me that his own sensibility was so acute, that if he should, by accident, touch a piece of brass, even in the night, when he could not see what he touched, he immediately felt the influence through his system, and could recognize the offensive metallic taste. His cerebral conforma- tion indicated uncommon acuteness of the external senses ; and when I mentioned his peculiar develop- ment, he gave the above statement as an illustration of its truth. The discovery of such sensibilities in one so vigorous, both in mind and body, led me to suppose that they might be found in many others. Accord- ingly, in the neurological experiments which I soon afterward commenced, I was accustomed to place metals of different kinds in the hands of persons of acute sensibility, for the purpose of ascertaining whether they could feel any peculiar influence, recog- nize any peculiar taste, or appreciate the difference of metals, by any impression upon their own sensitive nerves. In these experiments it soon appeared that the power was quite common, that there were manv who could determine by touching a piece of metal, or by holding it in their hands, what the metal was as they recognized a peculiar influence proceeding from it, which in a few moments gave them a distinct taste in the mouth. But this power was not confined * Bishop I'olk afterwards Ix-cainc :i ircneral in I lie Conlrtlrratr army, am! lost liis life in the war. 1 8 Original Sketch. in its operation to metallic substances. Every sub- stance possessing a decided taste appeared to be capable of transmitting its influence into the system, and of being recognized by its taste. Sugar, salt, pepper, acids, and other substances of a decided taste, made so distinct an impression that each could be recognized and named by many of those upon whom the experiment was performed. It did not appear that the sense of taste was translated to the fingers, or changed any of its known laws, but it did appear that contact of the sapid substance with the papillag of the tongue was by no means necessary. The peculiar influence of the substance touched or held in the hand by sensitive persons, appeared to affect the hand locally, and thence to be transmitted gradually along the arm, recognized by some peculiar sensation as it passed, and producing no other effects until it reached the chest or the head. In the head it produced its impression upon the brain and nerves-j and if possessed of sapid qualities, was recognized by their characteristic impression upon the tongue and fauces. The sweetness of sugar, the pungency of pepper, and all' the peculiarities of other tastes were recognized, as if the same substances, instead of being held in the hands, had been gradually, in small quantities, introduced into the mouth. (It is perhaps necessary for me to state that these experiments were entirely independent of any mesmeric process, and consisted simply of what I have stated. The public mind has been so accus- tomed to the processes of mesmeric operators, that unless a special disclaimer is made, it may be sup- Original Sketch. 19 posed that such experiments were made upon mes- meric or somnambulic patients, prepared by a magnetizing process. ) The number of individuals who could exercise the acute sensibility and taste which I have described, appeared to be variable in different localities, being greater in warm climates than in cold. In some places one-fourth, or even one-half of the whole population appeared to be capable of displaying this new power of the nervous system. In other places not more than one in ten or fifteen could display it distinctly. Mental cultivation and refinement, acute sensibility, delicacy of constitution, a nervo-san- guineous temperament, and a general predominance of the moral and intellectual organs, constituted the most favorable conditions for its exercise. I need not here discuss the rationale of these phenomena. 4 It may be supposed that an impression made upon the nerves of the hand, is propagated by contiguous or continuous sympathy to the head, or that some imponderable agent, proceeding from, or through, the sapid substances, conveyed their in- fluence into the body. In behalf of the latter su. Vaiij.'h:m. I'rof. II. F. (iutchell. I'rof. John Kimr. all well known a> able orient itic writers. 24 Original Sketch. with the heads or bodies of other persons. The effect might not be so prompt or forcible as to arrest their attention under ordinary circumstances, yet, by sitting still and concentrating their attention upon the experiment for a few minutes, a decided effect was experienced. In this manner, by placing the hand upon the epigastrium of a patient laboring under any disease, a morbid impression would be experienced, corresponding to the character of his case. For the last three or four years, I have myself become so sensitive to morbific impressions, that I cannot be in contact with a patient even for a few minutes, without being injuriously affected. When impressible persons thus come in contact with those who are in sound health, by placing the hand upon the different portions of the head or body, they experience, at each point, a distinct effect cor- responding to the peculiar vital functions of the part. By holding the hand upon the forehead, the seat of the intellectual organs, they experience an increased mental activity. By holding the hand upon the superior portion of the head, they experience a pleasant and soothing influence, peculiar to the moral organs. Upon each locality of the head, the influence of the subjacent organ may be recognized and although the impression is generally of but moderate force or distinctness, those who have a hi^h ~ degree of susceptibility may realize the exa6t charac- ter of the organ touched, and describe not only its general tendency, but its particular action and strength in the individual who is examined. In short, it may be stated, that any person of a Original Sketch. 25 highlv impressible temperament, who will cultivate his faculties for such investigations, may learn to place his hands upon the different portions of the head, to recognize and describe the action of the various organs, and to estimate their relative strength bv the impressions which he receives from contact. Having thus ascertained that one of impressible constitution could easily diagnosticate the action of the living brain by means of contact, I found that actual contact was not indispensable, but that holding the hand in close proximity to the head, would answer the same purpose, though in a far more imperfect manner. By holding a metallic conductor in contact with the different localities of the head, the influence of each organ appeared to be transmit- ted almost as well as by direct contact of the finger. Thus I have employed impressible persons for several hours, in investigating the action of the brain in dif- ferent persons ascertaining the positions of organs, describing their functions, and estimating their com- parative strength. A pencil-case, or any other convenient metallic in.strument, would be applied to the various points upon the surface of the head, and thus a psychological survey would be accomplished, of incredible minuteness and accuracy. After several months had been occupied in this manner, ascertain- ing the exact functions of the brain in its different portions, I was tempted to take a step further in advance. It seemed probable that if the psychological influ- ence of the brain could be transmitted through a suitable conducting medium, it might also be impart- 26 Original Sketch. ed to objects in proximity to it, and retained by them, so as to be subsequently recognized by one of impressible constitution. Without relating the expe- riments which established this proposition, I would proceed at once to the most wonderful experiment of all. To proceed with my narrative : It was in the latter part of '42 that I made the experiment which I would narrate now not merely to appeal to the reader's faith, but to give him an example for his own experi- mental inquiries. I had clearly ascertained in a young gentleman,* with whom I had made many experi- ments, the existence of extraordinary acuteness of sen- sibility. In a moment's contact with the head of any individual he would discover his entire character by the sympathetic impression. Reasoning, which I need not now repeat, had convinced me that he possessed the power of recognizing a mental influence in any autograph that he might touch. I was sitting with my young friend in an apartment in the Astor House, when I resolved to test his powers. I proceeded to my trunk and took forth four letters written by indi- viduals of strongly marked and peculiar characters. I placed them successively in his hands and requested him to watch the mental impressions to which they gave rise in his mind, and report his conceptions of the characters of the writers. He did so, and his de- scriptions surpassed my anticipations. He entered into the spirit of each character as familiarly as if he had been in contact with the individual, and described not only his intellect and his principles of action, but * C'liiirlcs Imiiaii. Original Sketch. 27 even his personal appearance and physical constitu- tion. He knew not of whom he was speaking he did not even know what letters I had placed in his hands yet I can say, without exaggeration, that his description would not have been more correct if he had described the individuals from familiar personal knowledge ! Does this statement, kind reader, appear utterly in- credible? I have repeated such experiments more than a thousand times with similar results, and could adduce the testimony of thousands who have been the witnesses or the subjects of such experiments. If human testimony can establish any proposition, it is sufficiently strong upon this subject. But it is my principal object to induce you to perform similar ex- periments yourself, and thus remove every vestige of doubt from your mind. My narrative ma}' be wonder- ful, but you will soon find that you have yourself sim- ilar wonders to relate, and will even arrive at some results more wonderful than any communicated by this essay, if you persevere in your experiments. The description of the four individuals just men- tioned, was given almost immediately on taking hold of the letters. It was not (like a description based upon physical clairvoyance) a sketch of their external appearance, and an inference of their characters it was a sympathetic impression of their minds, describ- ing them from the interior and proceeding forth from their own consciousness to 'their external relations and their physical development. So thoroughly did he sympathize with their views and feelings, he not only appreciated their position in relation to society, but 28 Original Sketch. even discovered their sentiments in reference to each other, and discovered that, between two of the individ- uals especially, there was an irreconcilable antagon- ism. So keenly did he feel their mutual hostility, that, after a time, he requested the suspension of the experiment, as it was disagreeable to him to enter into their contentions and realize their unpleasant feelings. As he recognized the feud, which really existed, so correctly (for the gentlemen in question had been once associated together, but were at that time in open hostility), I asked him what would be the effect of their collision, and which of the parties would be most successful if any contest should occur between them ? " This one," said he, holding the letter of the stronger man, "would crush the other." Such was the fact. They were distinguished medical men, and the one whose superiority he had so emphatically recognized, had, in fact, by superior talent and force of character, defeated and crushed the other in a well known public contest.* Another of the letters he recognized as that of a man of great mental and physical power. lie was one whom I intimately knew who was as eminent in talent, eloquence and virtue, as in political rank. To obtain the most critical test possible, I requested mv friend to state what he thought would be the prob- able result of a collision between these two eminent gentlemen of different professions. This he declined doing, saying that he did not believe any collision * Procuring his removal from the chair of surgery. Dr. .). H. Flint \vai the Hiirjfoon. Dr. Charles Caklwell the founder of the collesre (at Louisville) his opponent. Original Sketch. 29 would take place between them. I insisted that he should give his opinion of the probable result of such an event, if it should occur. He still objected, remark- ing that they would both be very reluctant to come into any collision with each other, and would maintain dignified and courteous relations. This I knew to be true, as I had been frequently struck with the grace, the dignity and the courtesy, with which they met each other on all occasions. But as I insisted upon a description of the probable results of a collision be- tween them, he at length pronounced the opinion, that if any collision should occur, it would go no further than this that the eloquent statesman might give a gentle rebuke, or check, to the other individual, by which he might slightly wound or humble his pride. This was a true statement of an occurrence which had actually taken place ! And the only instance in which any approach to a collision between these eminent gentlemen had ever occurred. Delicacy forbids my alluding to these personal matters in fuller detail. Suf- fice it to say, that in this first psychometric experi- ment of the kind, I was fully satisfied that, by this process, we might obtain a mental dagncrrcotvpc ot anv one whose autograph we obtain, as perfect as the physical daguerreotype of the features, obtained by the agency of solar light. In the next number I shall proceed with the narra- tive of my experiments upon autographs from the first experimental trials to the recent investigation of the characters of our presidential candidates, Gen. Tay- lor, Gen. Cass, Martin Van Buren and Gerritt Smith. Before that number is published I would earnestly 3O Original Sketch. request that each reader of the Journal should make a series of these experiments himself, that he may fully realize their character and fairly appreciate their value. To do this, select an impressible individual, according to the method presented under the head of " Interesting Experiments" (in the January number), by ascertaining whether he is susceptible of attraction. When you have found an individual who is evidently attracted by placing your hand near his forehead while he is standing erect, request him to take his seat and bring his intellectual powers to bear upon a new experiment. If you are not perfectly certain of his possessing the highest degree of impressibility, commence with an experiment upon medicinal sub- stances. Select those of a marked character at first, such as stimulants of capsicum, cloves, opium, &c. ; emetics of ipecac, lobelia, tartarized antimony, &c. ; cathartics of jalap, podophyllum, gamboge, &c. ; nar- cotics of belladonna, stramonium, hyosciamus, &c. Request him to sit still and hold any of these sub- stances between his two hands (his muscles being perfectly relaxed) : let the medicines be contained in a piece of paper, if you wish to conceal from him their nature, and let the quantity used be five or ten times as much as would be required for an internal dose. In looking for the results, bear in mind that each med- icine produces numerous and complicated effects, and that we should not expect its action to be merely emetic, cathartic, stimulant, narcotic, &c., according to its classification in the Materia Medica. If we sup- pose that our patient or subject is deceiving us, merely because his descriptions do not exactly coincide with Original Sketch. 31 our imperfect conceptions, we will do him great injus- tice. Nor will his experiments always coincide with each other. The different amounts of the medicine, and the different states of his constitution at different times, will necessarily modify the result. If, in this experiment, he shows impressibility, by medicines in a high degree, it is extremely probable that he will be impressible by autographs. To ascer- tain this, select from your letters the one which was written with the greatest intensity of feeling and force of thought. If you have any written under deep grief, violent anger, lively joy, or tender love, and especially if you have such as are opposite to each other in their character, select the most marked one for experiment, and place it upon the center of his forehead. Let him place himself at ease, and quietly support the letter with one hand, resting the arm upon some convenient support. Before his taking the letter, it will generally be desirable to excite the intellectual organs by gently touching the central portion of the forehead (just above the root of the nose) for a few moments. Request your subject, while the letter is in contact with his forehead, to yield passively to the impression, and follow the natural current of his ideas or feelings. Let him state frankly his thoughts and emotions while under- going the experiment, and observe if they differ from his previous train of mental operations. If they do, then ask him to infer or conjecture from the impres- sion made sympathetically upon his own mind, what was the mental condition, or what were the mental peculiarities, of the writer. 32 Original Sketch, This he will probably be reluctant to do. He may be conscious of a new and peculiar train of thought or feeling, but he will suppose it accidental, or attribute it to some trivial circumstance. He will be quite reluctant to suppose that he is mentally impressed by the letter. If he gratifies you by mak- ing the conjecture, and stating that the letter may have been written under feelings of sadness or grief, and if, upon opening it, he discovers that his impres- sion was true, he may be struck with the coincidence, but he will probably think it accidental. The impres- sions upon his mind were so vague and delicate, that he can scarcely believe they were produced by the letter. It is only after repeated success in such experiments, that he acquires confidence in his own impressions, and learns to speak out freely. Sometimes you will find your subject capable of determining correctly only the state of feeling in which the letter was written. With higher powers, he will enter more thoroughly into sympathy with the writer, and appreciate the traits of his character, the strength and peculiarities of his intellect, his favorite pursuits, his usual relations to society, his actual position, his rank or office, his reputation, his general career in life, his age, state of health, per- sonal appearance, and all other peculiarities of his physical constitution. Much more than this is fre- quently accomplished, but this much may easily be verified by any one in the course of a few experiments. And if we find these things true, to what do they tend? Do they not tend to solve the problem of the relations between MIND AND MATTER? Original Sketch. 33 Does it not appear that something emitted from the person or mind of the writer, has become attached to, or connected with, the paper, as if the mental and the physical were capable of entering into a psycho- material combination? That some mysterious influ- ence or mental snbstance is attached to the writing, is proved by the experiment. We find that imme- diate contact of the writing with the forehead, yields an impression more promptly than contact of the writing with the hands. When the letter is held between the hands, the impression is at first local in the hand. Thence it gradually passes up the arm, like the influence of a medicine, and reaches the brain, where it affects the mental organs and gives an impression of character. We find, too, that while immediate contact of the writing with the forehead imparts readily its mental influence, that influence may be imparted even if the writing in question be enveloped in a fold of blank paper ; but every addi- tional fold of paper intervening between the head of the subject and the writing investigated, will retard the experiment, and increase the difficulty of arriving at a correct decision. Thus it appears, that a psvcho- Kigical influence, or power, has become attached to the writing, and is capable of exerting its influence with different degrees of intensity at difierenl dis- tances. This leads us, then, to the threshold of the science which explain. 1 ; the connection between mind and matter. If such combinations or unions exist, they constitute the subjects of a science which might be analogically called Psychological Chemistry. The 34 Original Sketch. combinations of mind and matter are continually occurring in nature. The grains of corn which this year are growing in open fields, unconnected with animal life, are destined, next year, to yield their particles to enter into combination with the active minds of the present generation. The carbon, oxygen and hydrogen of the corn, are capable 01 entering into this union by means of a well known process. They do not change their nature, but con- tinue still the very same carbon, oxygen and hydrogen, with the same chemical powers and properties. They merely change slightly their molecular arrangement, enter the cavities of the human body, and pass, in company with the vjta- lized blood, throughout its channels of circulation, and in contact with the various vital structures 01 the body. The elements of corn, after being suita- bly dissolved, become vitalized simply b\ contact 'with the interior of the living organs of the bod\. s