mer, who arrived in Paris in 1779, and astonished all the world by a discovery which he published under the title of "animal magnetism." Still, though the German physician's conduct was in many points blamable, he rendered humanity an immense service by revealing a power which had long been neglected; while Cagliostro, by blending magnetism with his juggleries, traced the path for charlatans who would discredit and ruin a science whose starting-point was one of the supreme laws of nature. Of all the fortune tellers known to history, the one who acquired the greatest reputation is incontestably Mademoiselle Le Normand. For forty years court and city crowded her rooms; and even at the present day, in France, if you tease a person for trying fortune by the cards, the stereotyped reply is, "Tut, sir, the Emperor Napoleon himself consulted Mademoiselle Le Normand." This woman was a notorious impostor; but her "Sibylline Oracles," published after the downfall of Napoleon I., were a disgrace to the government which permitted their issue. Unfortunately, striking a man when down is an act of cowardice as common with governments as with individuals. This wretched creature, who publicly preached political assassination, has remained, up to the present day, the model for all French fortune-tellers; and we may read daily in the advertising columns the announcements of charlatans who boast of being the pupils or rivals of Mdlle. Le Normand. Spiritualism is a very old delusion-a collection of all the ancient doctrines. It borrows its form from Egpyt and Greece, and its practices from the reveries of the Swedenborgs and Spinosas. The alchemists pursued the discovery of the soul of the world; the mediums and evokers wish to force Deity to place at their disposal the soul of any man who has shuffled off the mortal coil. Their system is at once anti-christian and antilogical; for they desire to keep the soul still bound to the earth, and compel it at their bidding to quit the infinite splendors of celestial worlds in order to return among mortals. Spiritualism is divided into two parties-that of facts and that of ideas. In the first we absolutely deny that matter can subjugate the mind: in the second, it is very possible that a strong-minded man should obtain the mastery over weak minds. Unhappily, when a man is once convinced of the truth of spiritualism, he will employ any resources; for he considers that in such a case the end will justify the means. Certain that he has been witness of a fact, he will employ every sort of trickery to reproduce it on a given day and hour. And the saddest part of the business is, that, as the spiritualist's decease is to him a reality, he will cheat almost in good faith. Such appears to us to be the case with Mr. Home, who possesses an ardent and mystical mind contained in a fragile body, which exerts a perceptible influence over it. Although we are not disposed to deny the influence of magnetism on the human body, we are forced to the painful conviction that every man who lives by magnetism is a charlatan. As our author justly remarks, "Magnetism, like all the occult sciences, at times gives flashes, but never light." He also adds, that though he has assisted at the séances of all the distinguished somnambulists, he declares that if by accident a flash of truth dazzled him, it was solely the result of legerdemain. Robert Houdin, the greatest prestidigitator of modern times, merely developed and augmented the resources of magnetizers by creating the anti-magnetic second sight. It will be seen from our analysis that M. Alfred de Caston is a rough opponent of all marvel-mongers, ancient and modern. But we cannot blame him for it. It is a notorious fact that spiritualism has led to a large increase of insanity; and it behooves every man who has the welfare of his fellow-beings at heart to strive strenuously at putting a stop to these works of the devil and his friends. L. W. PRINCE GORTCHAKOFF. A SKETCH BY THE EDITOR. AMONG the many noble and renowned families whose names and deeds have adorned the Russian annals, few have been longer known or more distinguished on the roll of fame than that of Prince Gortchakoff. He is descended from a noble family of great antiquity. His princely title is not derived from any modern imperial decree; it has | Prince Michael Gortchakoff, was born been hereditary in his family from the in 1795. In 1828 he served in the foundation of the Russian empire. Russian Imperial Guard, and soon af Prince Gortchakoff, it is said, is a lin- ter directed the operations at the siege eal descendant from Prince Rurik, the of Silistra and Shumla. In the camfounder of the Russian empire in 861, at paign of Poland, in 1831, he was comNovgorod. The two brothers of Rurik mander-in-chief of the artillery, and were Princes of the Empire. The fine distinguished himself at the capture of and expressive portrait of Prince Gort- Warsaw. In 1843 he was appointed chakoff which we place at the head of the Military Governor of Warsaw. He the .present number of THE ECLECTIC, commanded the Russian armies which we think bears a princely stamp and as- occupied the Danubian Principalities in pect, as his princely and affable manners 1853. In March, 1855, he was appointdo in real life. ed to succeed Prince Menschikoff in the command of the Russian forces in the Crimea. He superintended the protracted defence of Sebastopol, and with consummate skill secured the final retreat of the Russian troops from the blazing ruins of the fortress. A few historic allusions and facts in relation to the Gortchakoff family, as illustrative of their character, will suffice for our present purpose in this brief biographical sketch. Among the dis tinguished personages of this family may be mentioned Prince Peter Gortchakoff, who commanded the Russian forces at Smolensk, celebrated in history for his heroic defence of that city against the army of Sigismund III., King of Poland, in 1609-11, when it was taken by assault. Also, in the world of literature and letters, Prince Demetrius Gortchakoff was distinguished for his Odes, Satires, and Letters. He was born in 1756, and died in 1824. Prince Alexander Gortchakoff served in the Russian army under Suwaroff against the Turks and the Poles under Kosciusko. He fought against the French in the campaign of Switzerland, and afterwards with great distinction under Benningsen in the campaign of 1807, when he defeated Lannes, at Heilsberg, and fought at the battle of Friedland. He was the Minister of War to the Russian government in 1812. He was born in 1764, and died in 1825. There are other renowned names in this family. Prince Gortchakoff, the younger brother, whose portrait we give, was born in 1800. He was educated for the career of diplomacy, in which he has always been occupied. In 1824 he became secretary to the Russian embassy in London. In 1830 he was chargé d'affaires at Florence. In 1832 he was appointed counsellor to the Russian embassy at Vienna. In 1841 he was sent to Stuttgard as envoy extraordinary, and negotiated the marriage of the GrandDuchess Olga with the Prince-Royal of Wurtemburg. He remained at Stuttgard as Russian envoy to the German Diets till he was recalled in June, 1854, to receive special instructions from the Emperor Nicholas for the special mission to Vienna with which he was charged in July, 1854. He continued at Vienna, occupied with the negotiations for peace between Russia and the Western powers, till the conferences finally ceased, in 1855. In 1856 he was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs at St. Petersburg. This high and important office, next to the Emperor, he still holds as the chief counsellor of the Emperor. Prince Gortchakoff is a warm friend of the United States. He takes a deep interest in the present struggle of our Prince Alexander Gortchakoff, the subject of this sketch, is the younger of three brothers. The elder brother, Prince Peter, was born in 1790. He early entered the Russian army. He fought against Napoleon in various campaigns, from 1807 to 1812-14. He was Quartermaster-General of the Russian army under Wittgenstein, and sign-government. ed the Treaty of Adrianople. He was afterwards appointed Lieutenant- General, and in 1839 was made Governor of Eastern Siberia. He retired from the service in 1851. The second brother, All Americans are my friends," said the Prince to us, in his own palace at St. Petersburg in August last, when he kindly presented his portrait from which the engraving is copied, adding at our request his autograph, as seen in the print. Between the Prince and the late Hon. Edward Everett there existed a warm and mutual friendship. "I know Mr. Everett," said the Prince to us. "I have just read his admirable speech at the banquet given by the Common Council of Boston in honor of the visit of the Russian fleet," at the same time handing to us his photograph, with a request that we would transmit it to Mr. Everett, which we had the honor to do and received Mr. Everett's acknowledgment only a few days before his death. We shall be pardoned for adding, that Mr. Everett, in his speech at the Russian banquet at Boston, quotes the language of Prince Gortchakoff, addressed to the Russian minister at Washington some three months after the war began, July 10, 1861: "In spite of the diversity of their constitutions and of their interests, perhaps even because of their diversity, Providence seems to urge the United States to draw closer the traditional bond as the basis and very condition of their political existence. In any event, the sacrifices they might impose upon themselves to maintain it are not to be compared The scentless later violets grew by scores, Untouched, no hand had cared to gather them; The wind-flower danced upon its slender stem I lay in perfect ecstacy of ease. That plucked at grass and flowers aimlessly, With buttercups and daisies in its hand; with those which dissolution would bring after it. United, they perfect themselves; separated from each other, they are paralyzed." Again, speaking in the name of the Emperor of Russia, Prince Gortchakoff says: "The American Union is not merely, in our eyes, an element essential to the universal political equilibrium-it constitutes, besides, a nation, to which our august master and all Russia have pledged the most friendly interest; for the two countries, placed at the extremities of the two worlds, both in the ascending period of their development, appear called to a natural community of interests and sympathies, of which they have already given mutual proofs to each other." Such are the sentiments of Prince Gortchakoff which he then expressed, and which we believe he still entertains with increased strength, towards the United States and its government, judg. ing from the warmth and kindness of only knew the sun shone overhead; What mattered it? And yet I was not glad. his manner towards us, and what he I only knew that underneath was spread said in other relations during a most A perfumed carpet of the soft green grass, agreeable interview. "Have you seen On which I lay, and let the moments pass. Moscow ?" said the Prince. "Not I saw, and saw not; heard, and did not hear; yet," we replied. "You must see Mos- But conscious only that a blessed ease breast An infant's scheme most innocently planned. Was yesterday so clouded and so sad, And would to-morrow be like this, or that? I And the trifler's commonplace smile, She has left them all in the crowded walk, To speak with herself awhile. Her lips may utter no word, Yet, her spirit speaks through her eyes, And an angel writes the record, While she looks on the boundless skies. "Oh passionate heart of mine, Is this thy perfect estate; On the long northern twilight between the day Have thy spring-time hopes here reached their and the night, When the heat and the weariness of the world are ended quite; When the hills grow dim as dreams, and the crystal river seems Like that River of Life from out the Throne, where the blessed walk in white. Oh the weird northern twilight, which is neither night nor day, When the amber wake of the long-set sun still marks his western way; And but one great golden star in the deep blue east afar Warns of sleep and dark and midnight-of oblivion and decay. Oh the calm northern twilight, when labor is all done, prime, Is there naught more solid or great? "Have I tasted the purest joy, If it left not a restless mind; "Tears force a way to my eyes, For I know not whom to trust? And a woman's tenderest sympathies, Like leaves, may be trampled in dust. "Oh! is it not sad to stand In a world so marked with power, And the birds in drowsy twitter have dropped O'ershadowed by God's irresistible hand, silent one by one; And nothing stirs or sighs in mountains, waters, skies; Earth sleeps-but her heart waketh, till the rising of the sun. Oh the sweet, sweet twilight, just before the time of rest, When the black clouds are driven away, and the stormy winds suppressed; And the dead day smiles so bright, filling earth and heaven with lightYou would think 'twas dawn come back but the light is in the west. As weak as a summer flower? "Love can scarcely cost me a sighLove with its silly parade, Its boasted golden power to buy The blush of a modest maid. "Life is more than a selfish rest, Our pity should crush our pride; again-"My bosom is not all steel, Oh the grand, solemn twilight, spreading peace from pole to pole !— Ere the rains sweep o'er the hill-sides, and the waters rise and roll, In the lull and the calm, come, O angel with the palm In the still northern twilight be the parting of the soul. -Macmillan's Magazine. REVERIE. 'Tis a sweet secluded way Midst sunbeams, shadows, and flowers, There is peace in the winds that hitherward stray, Diffusing their fragrant showers. Not even the startled hare Dashes swift through the dark-green grove, A spirit reigns in the charmed airIs it sorrow, or hope, or love? Who stands by the clustering vine More fair than all flowers is she It is tender enough when found; I can feel for those that feel, And would bind up some inward wound. "I hardly can grope a way To life's brighter, happier part; O that some angel now would say Where I may trust this heart: "Till I see e'en a shadowy way To that land where the young find rest, If not to enter at once and stay, Yet, to feel its light in my breast." -London Society. VERY LONG AGO. Or a song of battle, and a flying foe? Scarcely half remembered, more than half forgot, "THE E'EN BRINGS A' HAME." UPON the hills the wind is sharp and cold, The sweet young grasses wither on the wold, And we, O Lord! have wandered from thy fold; But evening brings us home. Among the mists we stumbled, and the rocks Where the brown lichen whitens, and the fox Watches the straggler from the scattered flocks; But evening brings us home. The sharp thorns prick us, and our tender feet Are cut and bleeding, and the lambs repeat Their pitiful complaints-oh, rest is sweet When evening brings us home! We have been wounded by the hunters' darts; Our eyes are very heavy, and our hearts Search for thy coming; when the light departs At evening, bring us home. The darkness gathers. Through the gloom no BRIEF LITERARY NOTICES. Religion and Chemistry; or, Proofs of God's Plan in the Atmosphere and its Elements. Ten Lectures delivered at the Brooklyn Institute, Brooklyn, N. Y., on the Graham Foundation, By JOSIAH P. COOKE, Jr., Erving Professor of Chemistry and Mineralogy in Harvard University. Sampson, Low & Co. This is a very able and very sensible performance. The subject prescribed by the founder of the Lectures at the Brooklyn Institute is "The Power, Wisdom, and Goodness of God as Manifested in his Works." At the time these lectures of Mr. Cooke were written, "Darwin on the Origin of Species" was exciting apprehension in many minds as having an injurious bearing on the argument for design. Our author therefore undertook to show that "there is abundant evidence of design in the properties of the chemical elements alone," anı thus to place the great argument for natura theology on an independent and secure basis apart from all questions of organic development He dwells chiefly on the properties of air ant water and their constituent elements. In dis cussing generally the questions at issue betweer religion and science, his observations are charac terized by sound sense and judgment. The tendency among some Christians to ignore the wellestablished results of science and to denounce its legitimate tendency he justly characterizes as short-sighted, illiberal, and unchristian. But, he adds, "fortunately such fearful souls constitute but a small party in the Christian Church. There is a far nobler and more courageous faith than theirs a faith so strong in its convictions that it fears no criticism, however searching, and no scientific analysis, however rigorous it may bea faith which finds in the Bible, not a series of It is dead formulas, but a mass of living truth. the men with a faith like this who are the really brave Christians. They are not alarmed at the apparent contradictions between science and revelation."-The Reader. Le Voyage au Parnasse de Michel de Cervantes Traduit en Français pour la première fois par J. M. GUARDIA. Paris: Gay. We suspect that very few of the admirers of Cervantes know any of his productions except the adventures of the famous hidalgo Don Quixote and of his no less celebrated attendant Sancho Pan za. The satirical poem which Doctor Guardia has just published under the title of Voyage au Parnasse is a work well deserving to be studied because it illustrates a feature in the character of Cervantes with which most people were little, if at all, acquainted; whilst, at the same time, it is full of valuable information respecting the history of Spanish literature. It would have been impossible to find a person better qualified than Dr. Guardia to translate and edit the Voyage au Parnasse. The value of this volume is very much enhanced by the addition of-1, an excellent biography of Cervantes; 2, an introductory chapter on the voyage itself; and 3, an alphabetical series of short sketches of the Spanish writers quoted. This last division of the work will enable the reader to form a very good idea of the state of literature in Spain during the sixteenth century.-Saturday Review. The Early Scottish Church: the Ecclesiastical History of Scotland from the First to the Twelfth Century. By the Rev. THOMAS MCLAUCHLAN, M.A. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark. We are glad to find that a minister of the Scottish Free Church can have time and inclination for such studies as have led to the issue of this volume. The "learned leisure" so needful for their successful prosecution is more often the fruit of royal patronage than of the countenance and favor of the good folks who throng the pews of the chapel. Yet Mr. McLauchlan has managed to produce a very scholarly, and, at the same time, readable book. His able paper on Emigration and the Highlands, which appears in the Transactions of the Social Science Association for 1863, would have led us to expect as much. In the present volume he traces the story of the early Scottish |