later they become detestable black ones. There was nothing, in estimation, more wicked than to deceive a child; and yet, persons thought they could do it with impunity. He would never even beat a child; for, he believed, as he believed in Heaven that a child would do more for the love of doing than by any such attempt to compel him. Almost every person had a different organisation, and it was the purpose of phrenologists to point out that for which they were fitted, and to elevate society from that sluggish feeling of a perpetual curse hanging over them to a nobler sphere of action to which God had designed them. He (Mr. Lewis) had lived much in the southern states and among negroes. He could bear testimony to many good qualities possessed by the untutored Negro, of which the white man had but little knowledge. He believed that God's spirit did communicate with man's spirit, independent of education. At the conclusion of his address, Mr. Lewis commenced a phrenological examination of the heads of a number of persons who ascended the platform for that purpose. He appeared to be exceedingly dexterous in his manipulation, and equally ready in giving judgement thereon. The estimate thus formed of the character of each person was so true to what was known either by the person himself or to those of his acquaintances as to call forth frequent plaudits from the company in token of astonishment.___That Mr. Lewis's entertainment had abated nothing of their interest the crowded room on Wednesday evening bore indubitable evidence. The subjects treated of were Mesmerism and Clairvoyance, in support of which an address of some length was delivered in moods alternately serious and facetious. The lecturer expressed his full belief in clairvoyance, although unable to give a satisfactory explanation of it. This inability he shared in common with others, but that was no justification for persons to pronounce it an illusion and an imposition. If we believed nothing more than we could explain, our belief must be very limited. Nothing was more mysterious than the connection of mind and matter, or even of common sleep. He would endeavour to find a clairvoyant subject among the company, but he might fail to do so. He was not always successful even in magnetising, and his failures ought to be regarded as proof that he was not imposing on the public; for, if that were his intention, he should take care never to have a failure.
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From Historical Hastings
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