Physico-Physiological Researches on the Dynamics of Magnetism, Electricity, Heat, Light, Crystallization, and Chemism, in Their Relations to Vital Force - With the Addition of a Preface and Critical Notes #272155

The present edition of a translation of these Researches owes its existence perhaps to one, perhaps to a series of misapprehensions, with which the public may have little concern. Certain it is, that at no time, have I had the slighest intention to be guilty of a want of courtesy towards the gentleman who had, by the publication of a very skilful abstract of his labors in the year 1846, the merit of introducing the Baron von Reichenbach to the British public, as an investigator of the Philosophy of Mesmerism. Various efforts have been made to convince me that I did not act as I ought to have done, in omitting to place myself in communication with Professor Gregory, when I was applied to by the Publisher, through a well-known literary physician, to furnish some notes to a complete edition of these Researches; but I confess my obtuseness shuts out from my mind the light of all the reasoning that has been brought to bear on this matter. All that I can allow is, that although I have no personal acquaintance with the Professor, I am very sorry in any way to have injured his feelings, and I am grieved to find myself in such a relative position with a man for whom I am bound to entertain a deep respect; for, besides his high scientific reputation, he is known to have the courage to avow his belief in Phrenology and in Mesmerism, "even in the spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him; but," to all like the Professor, it may be said, "ye know him, for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you!" To me, feeling quite innocent of all wrong intention, in the perfect freedom of action which, under the circumstances, I claim for myself, it is sad to be at opposite poles with one who is of the salt of this earth. To those who cannot know of the dire consequences resulting from the aggregation of the petty and repulsive mental forces concentrating and directing in society the baneful powers of their various influences upon characters who dare to think for themselves, - who are hardly aware that new truths are met so frequently by sneers, taunts, ridicule, or that unworthy social persecution, at once the proof of a want of capacity to be noble and just, and the disgrace of an advanced civilization, - the exalted courage of such persons must be lost. To those who know how to respect scientific ardor, and a pure love of truth, the fortitude of a faithful and sincere man is for high admiration, and for deep respect.<br><br>Such observations are perhaps equally applicable to the Professor, and to his friend the Baron, and I may be regarded as bold in remarking, as freely as I have done, on some of the philosophy in the following pages. No one can entertain a deeper veneration for large cerebral organizations than I do.