Sketches of the Philosophy of Apparitions: Or, An Attempt to Trace Such Illusions to Their Physical Causes |
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Page 21
... regard to the filmy substances that he had observed to arise from all bodies . Yet , in order to prove that apparitions might be really explained on this principle , the experimentum crucis was still wanting . But this deficiency was ...
... regard to the filmy substances that he had observed to arise from all bodies . Yet , in order to prove that apparitions might be really explained on this principle , the experimentum crucis was still wanting . But this deficiency was ...
Page 38
... regard- ing its occasional resumption of a human form after the body had mingled with its parent dust . It was owing , therefore , to this reason , that perfectly differ- ent views in time arose regarding the nature of ap- paritions ...
... regard- ing its occasional resumption of a human form after the body had mingled with its parent dust . It was owing , therefore , to this reason , that perfectly differ- ent views in time arose regarding the nature of ap- paritions ...
Page 41
... the Soul , or to her handmaid , Fancy , was inconceivably great . With regard to Fancy in particular , I have shewn 66 Spectator , No 487 . + Ibid . how it was at length argued , that this principle REGARDING APPARITIONS . 41.
... the Soul , or to her handmaid , Fancy , was inconceivably great . With regard to Fancy in particular , I have shewn 66 Spectator , No 487 . + Ibid . how it was at length argued , that this principle REGARDING APPARITIONS . 41.
Page 42
... entertained by this philosopher with regard to matter and mind , which gave rise to an opinion that Souls immediately after death passed into new and more attenuated bodies . But the puzzle was , 42 OPINIONS ENTERTAINED.
... entertained by this philosopher with regard to matter and mind , which gave rise to an opinion that Souls immediately after death passed into new and more attenuated bodies . But the puzzle was , 42 OPINIONS ENTERTAINED.
Page 46
... regard- ing the intellectual powers of the Soul , which I have no inclination at present to combat . Suffice it to say , that by a modified condition of the intellectual power , called by the name of vitium subreptionis , it was con ...
... regard- ing the intellectual powers of the Soul , which I have no inclination at present to combat . Suffice it to say , that by a modified condition of the intellectual power , called by the name of vitium subreptionis , it was con ...
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Common terms and phrases
actual impressions angels apparitions appeared arise astral spirits blood body brain catalepsy CHAPTER conceived connected consciousness degree of vividness demonology demons devil divels dreams duergar Duke of Orleans ecstacy effect entertained explain external eyes faculty faint Fancy fear febrile miasma figure frequently ghost-stories ghosts heard human imagination imparted induced intense ject kind less vivid Lucretius manner ment mental excitement mental feelings metaphysicians mind morbific causes narrative nature nerves ness night nitrous oxide notion objects observed occasion opinion organs of sense painful feelings parition past feelings perfect sleep persons phantasms phenomena philosophers present principle Rabbi Rabbi Akkiva recollected images Reginald Scot remarks rendered renovated feelings retina says second sight seen sensations and ideas shew shewn sions somnambulism Soul spectral illusions spectral impressions stage of excitement superstition supposed thing thou thought tion vanished various vision vivifying influence waking writer
Popular passages
Page 45 - I know my course. The spirit that I have seen May be the devil : and the devil hath power To assume a pleasing shape; yea, and perhaps Out of my weakness and my melancholy, — As he is very potent with such spirits, — Abuses me to damn me: I'll have grounds More relative than this: — the play's the thing Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king.
Page 139 - How oft do they their silver bowers leave, To come to succour us that succour want ! How oft do they with golden pinions cleave The flitting...
Page 190 - It is the heaviest stone that melancholy can throw at a man, to tell him he is at the end of his nature ; or that there is no further state to come, unto which this seems progressional, and otherwise made in vain.
Page 461 - HAMLET. Do you see yonder cloud that's almost in shape of a camel ? POLONIUS. By the mass, and 'tis like a camel, indeed. HAMLET. Methinks it is like a weasel. POLONIUS. It is backed like a weasel. HAMLET. Or like a whale? POLONIUS. Very like a whale.
Page 268 - True, I talk of dreams ; Which are the children of an idle brain, Begot of nothing but vain fantasy, Which is as thin of substance as the air, And more inconstant than the wind...
Page 389 - A pleasing land of drowsy-head it was, Of dreams that wave before the half-shut eye ; And of gay castles in the clouds that pass, For ever flushing round a summer sky...
Page 409 - Arms, and the dusty field, I less admire, And soften strangely in some new desire; Honour burns in me not so fiercely bright, But pale as fires when...
Page 134 - Spirits, when they please, Can either sex assume, or both ; so soft And uncompounded is their essence pure, Not tied or manacled with joint or limb, Nor founded on the brittle strength of bones, Like cumbrous flesh ; but, in what shape they choose, Dilated or condensed, bright or obscure, Can execute their aery purposes, 430 And works of love or enmity fulfil.
Page 139 - Therefore for spirits, I am so far from denying their existence, that I could easily believe that not only whole countries, but particular persons have their tutelary and guardian angels.
Page 209 - Europe, have given up all accounts of witches and apparitions, as mere old wives' fables. I am sorry for it : and I willingly take this opportunity of entering my solemn protest against this violent compliment, which so many that believe the Bible pay to those who do not believe it.