Any two masses of matter act upon each other according to this law, and although by the power of cohesion the force may be brought to an equilibrium, or to its zero point, it is never lost, and may be readily and rapidly manifested by any of the means employed for electrical excitation.
Reasoning by analogy, the question fairly suggests itself: If two systems of inorganic atomic constitution are thus invested with a power of influencing each other through a distance, why may not two more highly developed organic systems equally, or to a greater extent, produce an influence in like manner? Upon such reasoning as this is founded the phenomenon known as Animal Magnetism. There is no denying the fact that one mass of blood, muscle, nerves, and bone, must, magnetically, influence another similar mass. This is, however, something totally different from that abnormal condition which is produced through some peculiar and, as yet, unexplained physiological influences.
With the mysterious operations of vital action, the forces which we have been considering have nothing whatever in common. The powers which are employed in the arrangements of matter are, notwithstanding their subtile character, of far too gross a nature to influence the psychological mysteries which present themselves to the observant mind. It cannot be denied that, by placing a person of even moderate nervous sensibility in a constrained position, and under an unnatural influence of the mind, as acquired by the disciples of Mesmer, a torpor affecting only certain senses is produced. The recognised and undoubted phenomena are in the highest degree curious—but in these the marvels of charlatanry and ignorance are not included;—and the explanation must be sought for by the physiologist among those hidden principles upon which depends all human sensation.[199]
Man, like a magician, stands upon a promontory, and surveying the great ocean of the physical forces which involve the material creation, and produce that infinite variety of phenomena which is unceasingly exhibited around him, he extends the wand of intelligence, and bids the “spirits of the vasty deep” obey his evocation.
The phenomena recur—the great processes of creation go on—the external manifestations of omnipotent power proceed—effects are again and again produced; but the current of force passes undulating onwards;—and to the proud bidding of the evocator there is no reply but the echo of his own vain voice, which is lost at last in the vast immensity of the unknown which lies beyond him.
We see how powerfully the physical forces, in their various modes of action, stir and animate this planetary mass; and amongst these the influence of magnetism appears as a great directing agent, though its origin is unknown to us.
That power which, like a potent spirit, guides
The sea-wide wanderers over distant tides,
Inspiring confidence where’er they roam,
By indicating still the pathway home;—