My Library

opposite side presented some excellent enamelwork representing the cardinal points of the compass. Three stars gave light from the West; a tomb, with its door partly open, stood in the East; broken columns adorned the South; and a circle composed of small triangles was in the North; in the centre of this circle was a rose on the bars of a dotted cross; the whole executed in the same exquisite style as that marking the seal and pin. “To a question as to what it all meant, an evasive answer was returned. Waiving all my solicitations to explain the emblematic devices, the old gentleman resumed his remarks, by observing: ‘Never mind now what these things mean; you will know one of these days. At present let us continue our talk on other matters. A little while ago you observed that Mesmerism was a force Spiritual; but I am not so sure that you are correct. In my view it is a power Physical—ultra physical or material it may be, but physical still.’ “ ‘What!’ said I, in amazement, ‘human magnetism, that mighty agent or power, which effects such grand effects, and works such wonderful effects, Physical? Impossible! The very idea, excuse me, is absurd; the assertion is simply ridiculous!’ “ ‘So I once thought,’ rejoined Ravalette, ‘but think so no longer; and, mark me, the time is not