PREFACE.

THE object of the present volume is to lay before the British public a compendious view of the elementary facts and principles of Animal Magnetism. Hitherto there has been in this country a disinclination to entertain this investigation; but I trust the evidence now adduced will tend to dispel this prejudice, which can only have arisen from the science not having been yet fairly represented.

It is evident that our belief in the facts of any newly-announced doctrine must be derived either from authority or from direct personal observation. In respect to authority, the most eminent scientific men in Europe have acknowledged the facts of animal magnetism. Among others, Cuvier, La Place, Ampère, Hufeland, Treviranus, Humboldt, Sprengel, Reil, Autenreith, Brandis, Kieser, Gmelin, Georget, Cloquet, Rostan, Andral, Dugald Stewart, Coleridge, etc.; and by referring to the Appendix of this volume, it will be observed that two of the