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Leader (1850-1860), 17th December 1859, Edition 1 of 2, Page 1375, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      presentiments , ' mental sympathies and antipathies , hypnotism , clairvoyance , ghost-seeing , and all the varied p henomena of what is now called medium-Uoth Mr . Morcll and his client , Ilerr Fichtc , are of opinion that this class of facts are sufficiently evidenced ; that intelligent actions have been performed , and -thought ' s and sentiments dictated- and expressed , with which the volitional powers have no'conscious connexion . The proposition is cautiously expressed ,-and many -will agree , with much exactitude and corrective ?! 3 . Now these fitefs , the authors before us think referable to " the preconscious regions of mind . '' 'The . suggestions coincide with the range of idea cultivated by the medium , and which the medium lias been in some way connected with . " You will , " Mr . ¦ Morel 1 declares in emphatic italics , " never get anything from anyone ' s inspirations , which does not already exist potentially in his mental habits or culture * " " I have , " adds Mr . Morell , " traced the process of spirit-writing and drawing from the very first nervous twitches in which it commences , up to its more developed form , and venture to affirm that the whole thing is to the psychologist , as palpably a development of theunconscious form of mental operation , as writing an ordinary letter is the result of our conscious mental activity . "

      " We have , therefore , to enquire what our authors mean by the preconscious state of the soul . First then , they object to the usual opinion that the acts of the niiud are precisely co-extensive with the consciousness , and that whatever is done unconsciously springs from some objective source , and not from the ¦ mind itself . SirW . Hamilton , many years airo , pointed out the fact , that there is a process of latent thought always going forward more or less energetically in the soul . Dr . Carpenter designated the same phenomena under the term , unconscious cerebration . Dr . Laycock has brought them under the general category of reflex action ,

      and shown that there is a vast variety of tacts , both in the man and in the anirnaL- which spring distinctly from the reflex action of the brain . Almost all the modern German psychologists , particularly Carus and the Herbartiau school , have developed the same doctrine still more at largo . From this large basis of fact and authority , the theorists who" hold the preconscious life of the soul are entitled to claim the right of starting ; and they also recognise the instincts of animals as corroborative of their doctrine , together with tli

      structure of the human frame , which testifies to a preconscious intelligence . Mr . Morell is therefore , disposed to affirm with Schelling , that all physical motion , activity , and life-eft ' ort is only an unconscious thinking ; that unconscious activity , to a vast amount , underlies all our consciousness , and that it is by a natural course of development that the soul becomes raised from its primary condition of unconscious intelligence and blind activity , into the higher state of sell-consciousness and volition .

      Now to the statement , as it stands , we have a serious objection to make . The consciousness that supervenes is neither explained npr assumed in and by the proposition . How does the unconscious become ' conscious ? The mistake lies in assuming that the preconscious and unconscious arc identical ; that the negative , in fact , precedes the affirmative . This is , in the highest degree , uuphilosophical ; and wo wonder how Ilerr frichte could have fallen into the error . It is , probably , owing to the roaction that has boon tfoimr on in his inindtigainst the tyranny of abstract

      ideas in which he had been educated . His growing tendency has been to the concrete and the material , and lie clings with too much tenacity to time aiul space , to which lie considers the soul to bo subject , an well as the objects of senso . -He seems to think that self-consciousness and the conaciousnedH of other being are coeval . Now , if this were true , it would destroy his wholo theory of pre-exietonco . Ho warns us , indued , against supposing that tlio unconscious state is " conscioueloss ; " find

      ucsidorated an acknowledgment of " un intelligence , " and other contradictory terminologies . He would hot that the soul Hliould bo considered np " merely objective uncl physical in its . constitution , " and allows that the soul is contrasted witli her sonse-porceptions by her permanency and identity ? but ho has neglected to make Ins first assumption sufficiently large in its expression . The soul is , in fnot , a subject-object , and se { f-

      consciousness must be predicated of it in its precxistent state . What if , as the Platonists say , it has been forgotten ? It is because , being eternal , memory is not applicable to it . Memory is only applicable to a time-condition , and , therefore , consciousness of sense - perceptions associates readily with memory , while the preconscious selfhood simply abides as a personal presence , concurrent with the entire series of changes that

      take place in the natural consciousness , but forming no link in . the chain of ¦ effects . Suspend , however , this consciousness as far as possible , and then " abnormal facts" arise , which testify to the continual operation , however unperceived , of a ¦ deeper eternal power , which underlies all ordinary manifestations . The proposition of Ilerr Fichte , thus modified , may go far to explain the phenomena to which he desires to draw philosophical attention .

      Untitled Article

      POST OFFICE LONDON IHKKCTOKY / , 1800 . — Kelly and Co . 1 'OST OFFICE " DIUKCTOKY OF HAMPSHIRE , WIL . TSHIIIE , AND DOJISETSHIKK ; . With Maps Kngravert expressly for the Work , and corrected to the time of Publication—Kelly and Co . This is the sixty-first annual publication of this important Directory , and it is such as to maintain the reputation of the work . The latest possible corrections are , we are told , made up to the time of issue , and those arrangements winch experience has proved to be the best , most sedulously carried out . Twenty-three ' years' practice cannot have

      been without their advantages , and these appear to have been thoroughly estimated by the enter-, prising publisher . Every line of this . huge , volume has to be . tested every year , and the requisite amendments inserted . Among those of the present , are the distinctive position given to the surgeons who have been registered -under the new Act of Parliament , and the addition of the new names and numbers of the streets to the old ones , thus giving the corresponding numbers for each house , —a convenience which will be found to be very great in numerous instances . The arrangement of a mass of matter of such

      bulk is a business of enormous difficulty , and riothino- but repeated effort could have accomplished the task . More than 2 , 500 pages of information are here given with every particular classified . There is a place for everything , and everything in its right place . The labour , the expense , ° he constant attention , are incalculable that have been necessary to bring this Directory to perfection . Tlie official , the passenger , the merchant , the tradesman , the lawyer , the courtier ,

      the politician , the traveller , the capitalist , the citizen , and the letter-writer , are here supplied with the precise information that they want . There is also a monster map of London prefixed to the volume , in which are duly shown the recent alterations which have been made in the postal districts , and the additions to the railways that have been lately created . This man is also separately published on a roller , and will be found of the greatest service as a chart for the countinghouse mantelpiece . and

      The same idea , purpose , diligence are also carried out in a second work , under the title of the " Post Office Directory of Hampshire , Wiltshire , and Dorsetshire , " which , for accuracy and information , can only be equalled by the preceding work . Here is the same clearness of arrangement , and similar extent of detail . Every city , town , village , and hamlet throughout each county lias been thoroughly investigated , and the results industriously recorded . Maps , are also en " raved expressly tor the publication , and greatly enhance its value .

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      Tlllfl ritIN 0 M 88 : A Modlcy . By Alfred . Tonnyuou , D . C . L ., Toot Liuiretuy , — lGdwiU'd Moxon « uid Co . A BKifUTivui . book , indeed , with twenty-six illustrations by Mr . Daniel Maalise . The ' artist has boon worthily employed , and has moat worthily employed his genius in those drawings , i-hoy are splendidly engraved on wood by Messrs . JJitfssiQJ , ( Ireen , Thoinns , and E . Williams . Such A work is n credit to all concornod—poot , painter , engraver , publisher , and , wo may add binder , Messrs . LeWon , Son , and Hodgu , having boon careful to exhibit the magio of their art in moroooo , which , in this instance , presents a

      beautiful surface , inlaid in an exquisite manner . A more elegant Christmas present cannot be made ; both , matter and style of production being exquisite . SHAKESPEARE'S HOUSEHOLD "WOK'D . S . a Selection from the Wise Saws of the Immortal Hard . Illuminated by Samuel Hanesby . —Griffith and Farron . Tins is an elegant Christinas gift book , with gilded borders , and printed in colours . Every page is illuminated , and its binding is as handsome as " the interior . The maxims from the poet ' s dramas are well selected .

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      BOSW 10 M / . S I . IFK OF JOHNSON . Edited- by the Uiffht . Hon . I . Wilson Croker . With illustrations . Svo .. —J . phu Murray . The concluding numbers of this , the most interesting biography in the language , are now before us , and it may safely be pronounced one of the completest works ever issued from the press . All that accumulated editing could do for it , all that the portrait-painter could bring , or the antiquary contribute , have been lavished on the edition edited by Mr . Croker ; and the remotest scraps that could be gathered since his death have been added by Mr . Peter Cunningham . Everyone must rejoice that such works are brought within all classes , not in a mean or imperfect form , but with excellent paper and print , and all the elaboration the keenest scholar could desire . This ten-shilling ' s worth comprises what was some few years since sold for some pounds in a most incomplete form . And what we admire is not that it is cheap , but that cheapness is , in this instance , joined to first-rate : excellence . The Life and Times ( for such it is ) of Samuel Johnson by Boswell and subsequent writers , needs little recommendation at this time of day , but we cannot refrain from reminding our readers that it is a book which affords a better ' view of the latter pai-t of the last century than many histories ; and that it combines with the interest of a romance the information of a philosophic history . In fact , it deserves all the reputation it has gained ; and thus edited and published , will even increase in creating interest . It is a book for the old as well as the young , and suitable , from its collections of wise sayings , sound morality , innumerable anecdotes , and faithful narrative , for'all classes and

      conditions of men . —* MOORE'S L . IFJS OF BYRON . Illustrated . Nos . 1 . and 2 . ( to be completed in Ten Parts ) , 8 vo . — John Murray . Tins edition of the celebrated- life of the celebrated poet is uniform with the cheap edition of his works just issued and completed by the same eminent publisher . It is in every respect as complete and as admirably got up , and contains , as is well known , a mass of literary intelligence of , and corresoondencc with , all the great writers ot the

      first quarter of tho century . It forms , indeed , a capital continuation to " Boswell ' s Lilts of Johnson , " giving as vivid an account , of I ho yroat constellation of geniuses that surrounded Jiyron , as those of- the " previous century did tlie great essayist and chamber-wit . These two works give a view of English literature and souuity during throe quarters of a century , nnd thus have a great historical interest , in addition to their biographical . It cannot fail to be highly popular . .

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      Bvkiitiiodv ' s Jouiinal ( Part 110-ThU aeria is coiiflnctod with talent , and ia elegantly illustrated . Cabskm / h Poi'Ulau Natuicat , 11 iHToijv ( Part TV )_ iu . v 8 TiiATJKr > Family Biuj . k ( 1 art VJ 10—Famuv PaViiii ( Part XXLV . ) -ThoSo now parts support tho reputation of their raiyautlvo works . Lvdihb TnioAsuaY , ( No . , ' » 4 l )~ C » niuliia some fifteen articles of average morlt , wltli the usual information of tho month . BlUTHII WOltlCMAN . —YlCAUI . Y l ' AUT ( NO . 5 . ) - " Tliis 1 a work dedicated to tho working ulussos , and oi bo Ishodwith tlto portrait of Ueorpo Htophouson . To public fountains erootod by tho JNow Kivor Oompiny , form tho subject of tho illustration on tho title Sago A biography of Btephonson commence * tho number , and tho omboMsliinenta arc protuso , and very auporior ,

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      SEltlAL / S .

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      ILLUSTRATED GIFT BOOKS .

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      ChiUie Harold ' s Pilgrimage . By . Lord Byron . — Two senarntu editions lio boforo us —one for a shilling nnd one , In doublo columns , for sixpence--botli wonderful Bpecimuns of cheapness combined with oxcellenco . _

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      p ^ jt ^ tT gi | | f ^ ' ¦ * fc . » i * ^ ¦ ¦ ¦ jgo , 508 V Dec . 17 , 1 ^ 9- ] THE LEADER . * 1375

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Dec. 17, 1859, page 1375, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2325/page/19/