Psychometry and Thought-Transference, With Practical Hints for Experiments (Classic Reprint)

It is forty or more years since tlie word Psyciiometry was coined by Prof. J. R. Buclianan, of A merica. He intended by it to express the power of the human brain to detect a certain subtile fluid, or aura, which pervades all things in nature, and preserves indefinitely micrographic impressions, images, or pictures, of all things which have had objective existence Nature smemory, in short. It is about as long since Baron Karl von Reichenbach, an eminent Austrian metallurgical chemist, reported a series of delicate experiments he had made with neuro-sensitives in the same direction, though not upon identical lines. The results of the two scientific observers were mutually corroborative, and unitedly opened out a limitless field of research of the deepest interest and value. If theW estern mind had not been so completely dazzled by the phenomena of mediumship and spiritualism, doubtless the clues afforded by Buchanan andR eichenbach would have been well followed up, and psychical science by this time have been greatly advanced. Forty years of phenomena have at last begun to dull the edge of public curiosity; and, though the mediumistic phenomena grew more and more weird and sensational, a healthy reaction towards the calm study of spiritual philosophy has set in. Mesmerism, too long neglected, is again receiving the attention it merits, and this, if continued, must inevitably lead to a rational comprehension of many psychical mysteries. The experiments of Dr. Charcot and other French biologists, in the public hospitals of their country, have yielded results of the highest importance; and, it may be also added, corroborative proofs of the value of the pioneer researches of the two eminent men above mentioned. Not that they are as yet getting their proper credit; quite the contrary. The new experimenters are re-christening the old facts, as Manchester exporters
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