lly be
permitted, occasionally and to a limited extent, to become aware of
influences exerted from a more advanced phase of existence over this?
May it not be that the links connecting the two phases of existence are
gradually to become more numerous and apparent?

Such are the general views which William Howitt's work is intended to
illustrate and enforce. He selects, as a title-page motto, an axiom from
Butler's "Analogy,"--"There are two courses of Nature: the ordinary and
the extraordinary." By the supernatural he does not mean phenomena out
of the course of Nature, but such comparatively rare phenomena as are
governed by laws with which we are unacquainted, and as are, therefore,
to us something extraordinary, something to be wondered at,--miracles.

The author travels over a vast extent of ground,--more, we think, than
can be properly explored in the compass of two duodecimo volumes. All
ages, all countries, all faiths, furnish their quota towards his
collection. It is curious, interesting, suggestive, rather than
conclusive. It exhibits more industry than logic. It consists rather of
abundant materials for others to use, than of materials worked up by the
collector. It gives evidence of learning, research, and a comprehensive
study of the subject. It is a _thesaurus_ of pneumatological knowledge,
collected with German assiduity. It will set many to thinking, though it
may convince but few, except of the one truth, that the faith in the
supernatural has been a universal faith, pervading all nations,
persisting through all ages.

The number of those who take an interest in the subject treated of in
Mr. Howitt's book, and who believe that great truths underlie popular
superstitions, increases day by day; and the work will probably have a
wide circulation.

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Atlantic Monthly, Vol. XII. September,
1863, No. LXXI., by Various

*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ATLANTIC MONTHLY, VOL. XII. ***

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