CHAPTER XIII.

Critical inquiry into the views of a recent writer in the Record, on the subject of apparitions.

THE present seems to be a proper opportunity for noticing the observations of a valuable, though mistaken, writer in "The Record." This individual fears that sceptical notions may be fostered by referring dreams, apparitions, and the like, to a state of morbid irritation of the brain, the material organ of the mind.

"Men of this character," he remarks, "turn away their eyes from the operation of God's hand in nature and providence; and therefore it is to be expected, that they should close them fast against any instance, even remotely tending to establish his existence, and his controul over the affairs of mankind.” Again, adds the writer, "the position is, that spiritual

beings exist; generally invisible to mortal eye. The refutation, that their existence is disproved, from the impressions of their appearance only being received during the prevalence of a diseased state of the nervous system. This assertion, however, the accuracy of it being assumed, proves nothing. To see, or

hear, or taste, or smell, or touch, the corresponding organs must be in a state of health. If they are disordered, the sensations are lost. They are frequently lost for a time, and again they resume their powers. But there may be other disorders or alterations in one or more of the senses, not of common occurrence, which do not, as in the usual cases of disease, strike out existing objects from the cognizance of the mind; but which present to its view existing objects, which, in the healthy or usual state of the organs, are not perceived."

Now I notice first, that the physiological principle upon which this argumentation proceeds, is not founded in truth, or supported by facts. It is indeed true, that there are organs adapted to receive the impressions of external nature, and to convey them to the brain; where, if that central organ of sensation be attentive to the impression, a distinct and adequate idea is formed of the object of sight, or

touch, or hearing, or taste, or smell. But it is not true, that if these organs are disordered the sensations are lost. It is not just, or scientific, to forget here, the important agency of the intellectual brain, in order to the completeness of an impression: nor is it correct to endow the organs of sense with a primary and full power; whereas their office is subordinate: they act as mere sentinels; and the power of receiving, or combining, considering, and weighing the results, rests entirely with the brain, and upon its attention to the notices it receives. Thus, therefore, mere impression is at all times unsatisfactory, till it has been referred to, and judged of, and estimated by, the presiding mind; which determines its truth and value, according to its possessing or to its wanting certain attributes.

But the sensations are not lost when these organs are disordered, at least, they are not so always, or even often. In fact, the loss of sensation must depend upon a temporary or permanently paralytic state of the sentient extremities of the nerves; a state of disease which is much more commonly referrable to a condition of irritation of the brain, than of the local organ of sense. And even supposing the disorder to be confined to the proper or

gan of sense, it will by no means follow that the sensation is lost; since that organ may be subjected to many varieties of irritation; and it will much more frequently happen, that its function shall be unduly excited, or that it shall be perverted, even to such an extent as to give rise to unreal impressions by its excessive activity, than that the sensation should be lost.

Moreover, this hyper-activity and perversion do very generally result from primary irritation of the brain, to which these impressions are communicated; and the result is, that sensorial illusions are not infrequent under such circumstances. Now it has been stated, that apparitions are intellectual illusions, proceeding from an irritated intellectual organ: consequently, the analogy of sensorial disease is strongly in favour of the position assumed in the present Essay.

That these sensations may be lost and restored, perverted and adjusted, excited and depressed, and this in frequent alternation, is borne out by every-day facts: and nothing is more common than the fluctuations between melancholy and excitation. The history of A. B. will illustrate this position. For many years his life has been passed in these succeed

ing changes, not in rapid and sudden transition, but insensibly gliding into the one or the other form, exactly in proportion as the brain has been in a state of slight, moderate, or high excitement; or in the opposite condition of failing energy, oppressive languor, or absolute collapse: so that, perhaps, there can scarcely be said to have been one day in which the organ of mind has been free from morbid action; and, therefore, not one day in which its manifestations have been perfectly correct. Now the state of these manifestations may always be predicated from the more or less morbid brainular action, varying from the highest degree of bustling activity, and excessive interest, to the most perfect indisposition for action, and want of interest in every object. In the former case, there is the most unconquerable vigilance; in the latter, an equal tendency to sleep, which is rather courted than resisted, in order to escape from the oppressive tedium of existence. In the former there exists a high susceptibility to impression; in the latter, scarcely any possibility of receiving it: in both cases will be found perversion of sensorial influence. This patient will appear towards the close of our Essay, as having seen appari