senses.
The latter (subjective) perceives by intuition. This latter is the
storehouse of memory, never forgetting any incident, however trifling,
of the past individual life ; nor omitting to record the same indelibly
on its tablets of reserve. But, in order that this " subjective " mind
may exercise its highest functions, whether of remote memory, or of
recalling emotions long since absolutely forgotten, it can only act
thus when the " objective " senses are, for the time being, in abeyance.
Probably
our readers will think the above disquisition dry, and repellent at the
commencement of a book such as our present projected treatise, which
makes a promise of being light, and entertaining,—rather than
scientific, and of stiff reading. But we straightway undertake, that,
after advancing the argument thus adduced, our style shall be
altogether free from any such philosophic pedantry. Nevertheless, this
abstruse text was essential to be insisted on as embodying the main
principle on which our descriptive, and discursive pages throughout the
book will actually depend.
It
was in former times a very common belief that all the nobler gems are
sexual: also that they possess various mystic, yet intelligent
qualities which bind them up in close relation with man. Thus they were
all thought to represent certain spiritual, and moral virtues which
would confer kindred powers on their wearers ; also to detect the
presence of poison ; some of them turning dark, and obscure, and turbid
; others pale, and sickly; some even shattering themselves to pieces in
passionate despair, and abhorrence at the touch thereof.
When
coming presently to the consideration of Crystals (among Precious
Stones), and the strange faculty of Crystal-gazing, which certain
persons can
