INTRODUCTION.

Andrew Jackson Davis, the youthful author of this book, is, while in his normal state, distinguished by no mental or physical peculiarities that would be likely to excite the particular attention of any merely superficial observer. He is of ordinary height, with a well-proportioned physical frame, possessing a "bilious-sanguine-nervous" temperament In the 19th century, "temperaments" were a way of describing personality and health based on body fluids; this combination suggests a person who is energetic, sensitive, and thoughtful.. His features are prominent, and his head is of medium size and very smoothly developed, especially in the frontal and coronal regions The forehead and the top of the head, areas then believed to govern intellect and morality.. The base of the brain is small, except in the region of the "perceptives" The area of the brain above the eyes, associated in phrenology with the ability to observe the physical world., which are prominent. The head is covered with a profusion of jet-black hair.

The expression of his countenance is mild, placid, and indicative of a peculiar degree of frankness and benevolence; and from his eyes beams forth a peculiar radiance which we have never witnessed in any other person. This is especially the case in his moments of interior meditation and mental expansion. His inferior passions are only moderately developed and are completely under the control of reason and moral sentiments. During daily intercourse with him for eighteen months, we have never known him to manifest the least degree of anger or impatience, though we have known him to be severely tried.

He is very fond of congenial society, though he is peculiarly sensitive to what are in his book called the "spheres" of certain individuals—the influence or atmosphere emanating from them. Thus, he is instinctively either attracted to or repelled by a person upon first coming into their presence. For the same reason, he generally forms a judgment of human character at first sight, which, as to accuracy, we have seldom if ever known to fail. This sensitiveness to "spheres" forms a striking trait in his character.

He has a most ardent and devoted attachment to his friends. He recognizes no enemies, though the presence of some persons—especially those who are conceited, bigoted, or dogmatic—seems to give him pain; accordingly, he avoids such people. To kindred spirits, he is inclined to be communicative, and his manner of speaking is natural and easy, though devoid of all artificiality. His disposition is characterized by an evenness and cheerfulness which apparently no circumstance, however depressing, can disturb.

His mind acts with vivacity, and he is rather strongly inclined to mirthfulness, though he informs us that this latter characteristic is often assumed in order to counteract a natural tendency of the mind toward abstraction A state of being lost in thought or preoccupied., which forms another marked trait in his character. His imaginative faculties are well developed, though not so much as to form a prominent trait in his character.

A supreme love of truth is the central point around which all his moral faculties revolve. Hence, he holds himself entirely open to conviction from all sources of information and is ever ready to abandon preconceived opinions, however ardently cherished, the moment he finds they are erroneous. It is for this reason that he manifests the utmost unconcern when his claims are attacked. His benevolence is very active and steadfast; it is not confined to friends, associates, party, or sect, but extends to all classes of mankind. He thus takes the utmost pleasure in relieving distress and in bestowing favors whenever opportunity affords, though his gifts are always measured by an acute discrimination of the individuals' capacities to appreciate and profitably employ them. His perceptive and reflective faculties are well and evenly developed; and the most prominent point in his intellectual character is an easy and instinctive comprehension of the great general principles and laws that govern Nature and Mankind. His intellectual faculties harmoniously blend with his moral fac—