In the experiment of raising a man at the end of the fingers, it is absolutely necessary, to insure success, that all the bearers should act harmoniously; their volition must be simultaneous, otherwise failure is the consequence.

To those who desire to recognise by the sense of touch the nervous fluid, an experiment is easily performed to demonstrate its existence. A backward and forward movement of the hand rapidly made from the wrist, accompanied by great will power, will cause after a few seconds such an accumulation of nervous fluid in and about the hand, as to be distinctly discernible as a bad, appearing (if the eyes are closed) to be solid to the feel. Physiologically this is one of the most important experiments, as showing that this nervous fluid is thrown off from the brain and directed at will.

The reader must read this chapter in connexion with "Vital Photography," as the phenomena arise from the same cause.

When the subjects of "the nervous congestive state of brain," dreams, spectral illusions, vital photography, somnambulism, and induced mental hallucination are considered in connexion with the vital element and the power of volition, all the phenomena attributed to the marvellous or supernatural vanish as if before some magic wand, such is the mighty power of science, which, like the rod of Aaron, swallowed up all the other rods.

Had Dr. Hare, who was an eminent electrician, been able to understand the cause of the movements of the table, he would never have given credit to any of the phenomena which followed. It was the inexplicable movements of an inanimate object which upset the balance of an otherwise powerfully constituted mind. When once the Rubicon had been passed, the admission of unknown phenomena, which the disciples of "spiritualism" honestly enough no doubt ascribe to the supernatural because the phenomena were inexplicable, Dr. Hare, arguing on a purely philosophical basis, said, "Here are movements which make rational responses to my questions." He did not know that all the sensual impressions received from our earliest age remain latent in the brain, and that in order to render them manifest the necessary conditions have to be present. The case recorded by Abercrombie of the ignorant servant-girl who, during brain fever, repeated whole chapters in the original Greek of Homer, which she had unconsciously received on her brain from her master, a clergyman, who was accustomed to read Homer aloud, shows that during an abnormal state the brain's functions are so exalted as to astonish those who are unacquainted with the physiology of these phenomena.

When, however, we recognise the fact that inanimate matter not only receives the nervous fluid, but that its character becomes changed, as in the case of the soft iron needles, there is no difficulty in receiving the proposition that the table has had imparted to it, from the numerous persons having their hands placed on it, accompanied by their volition, the nervo-vital fluid, which is sufficient to account for the movements, for when once charged with the nervous atmosphere it becomes subject to will power.* When this fact is admitted, there is no necessity of ascribing the phenomena to spiritual causes.

Nothing is so prejudicial to the advance of truth as the denial of phenomena which exist, merely because they cannot at the moment be accounted for on known principles.

Those who investigate, as thousands will, the experiment of raising a body in the manner indicated by Sir David Brewster, will be forced to the conclusion, that the power of volition exerts a force which seems to overcome or counteract the laws of gravity.

* Nor is the nervous influence or atmosphere confined to the uneducated. Some years since a Mr. Miller, commonly known as "Father Miller," was interpreting according to his version Daniel's Dream, which he pretended portrayed the immediate ending of the world in 1844. In Philadelphia, May, 1843, he had thousands of disciples, and others who out of curiosity attended his dissertations. On one occasion, Edgar A. Poe and the author attended where some 3000 persons were congregated. The excitement was intense, all seemed to think "Father Miller's" interpretation to be correct, and that the end of the world was near at hand. Miller entered into a variety of wild calculations, and in the most enthusiastic style - he raved, he shouted. The contagion soon became universal. All agreed he was right.

A man coerced against his will Is of the same opinion still."

The nervous atmospheric vibrations were too strong to be resisted - all were subjected by the nervous tempest. It is the same in revival Camp Meetings, Panics, and excitements.

When the soft iron helix is rendered by induction magnetic, from the passage of the current round the coil of wire in which it is encircled, it has the capacity of raising and supporting a heavy weight. This force or power arises from the chemical action of the galvanic battery. Here is a silent, innocent, imperceptible cause producing astounding effects.

Only a few years have elapsed since the magnetic forces have been understood; now the laws of their action are admitted.

The magnetic current is so subtle and ethereal that it passes through a block of marble, granite, or glass as if these substances were not present. Yet when concentrated, it possesses the most wonderful power. It is one of the great forces of the earth, it plays a most important part in the economy of life.

If these remarks result in stimulating further investigation as to the mode of discharging the instrument of the will power, which knowledge has not been heretofore recognised, if we discover the means of accounting for the varied phenomena whose existence have been empirically known, and used to hold man, in his ignorance, the slave of bigotry and superstition, the author will have received ample reward for his effort in attempting to explain some of the "mysteries" appertaining to the "vital element."