however, are deserts of rocks and sand, and waste fields of thorns, and thistles, and prickly pears, which no man can penetrate. I see people attempting to go through them, and they cannot. I see many sticking amidst them, and they can neither go back nor forward. Some are trying to cut them down, but they are exhausted with the labours. I see temples also of every description, and people entering them, and men trying to prevent them. I see men standing on the steps, and domes, and minarets, and calling the people to come this way. There is great confusion, for the people quarrel on their way to their respective temples, and many turn their backs on the temples altogether, and laugh at those who go to them. However, these quarrel about something else, and they have all newspapers and pamphlets in their hands; and blue, red, and black books, which they throw at one another and swear. I see people teaching others and telling them to believe, and when they say they cannot then the teachers abuse them; some of them whip and beat them, and then say, 'Don't you believe now?' Some timid creatures say they do, and others very obstinate rub the place that has been beat and say they don't. There is a very great deal of spite and bad feeling of every sort amongst all. However, there are comfortable little parties here and there; but they all despise other comfortable parties, and will not believe that there is any comfort out of their own. My attendant tells me it is chaos before creation."

"Who is your attendant ?"

"I do not know; it is a young woman, very beautiful. Her eyes are very dark and her hair is very light, almost

yellow. Her countenance is ruddy, and her skin is very fair. The rose and the lily seem blended in her cheeks. She is very lively, and very witty, and very kind. But still I fear her."

"Do you speak freely to her?"

"Oh yes; I am speaking to her at present."

"How can you speak to her and me too?"

"I don't speak to you, it is only a spirit that has taken my place for a while.”

A sort of thrill went through Benjamin as these words were uttered; he then said

"But how am I to know that this spirit does not deceive me?"

"I don't know; he will deceive you if he can. It is your business to prevent him. All spirits deceive when they can; but they are pleased when they find one who can understand their speech, and who cannot be deceived. They never speak classical language or philosophy; they always speak either mystery or allegory, fable or parable, never science or history; these would be contrary to good order, interfering with human functions."

"But you are speaking classical language just now," said Benjamin.

"Am I?" said the lips; "where will you find such language anywhere? Quote the philosopher who talks in this style from Socrates downwards. Did not Socrates say to Adimantus, 'Can a god deceive or delude with a phantasm?' And Adimantus said, I do not know.' 'What!' said Socrates."

"Do you call a spirit a god ?"

66

They were so called in ancient times. Look in

your Hebrew Lexicon, and you will find that one word, Elohim, serves for God, angels, and men.'

"So does our word Power serve for God, king, and steam-engine."

"Ha!" said the lips; and Benjamin thrilled.

During this conversation Benjamin was somewhat tremulous. The idea that he was not talking with Edward but with a spirit was most appalling; and, however absurd the idea might be to the reason of a philosopher, it was an idea which, once suggested to his mind, could not be got rid of. There was Edward's body, it is true, and these were his lips that uttered the words; but if Edward's consciousness were not there, then Edward himself must be absent. It is in consciousness where the identity lies. That the consciousness was not there was perfectly evident. He could open the patient's eyelids, and leave them open; and there they lay like dead matter without moving or winking, stiff with cataleptic insensibility, as if the patient had breathed sulphuric ether, or the chloride of formyle. No evidence could be stronger. Insensibility was perfect, yet the lips moved, and a voice came forth from the mouth. It was very awful.

But then one sense was open, though all the other senses were shut. How is that? thought Benjamin. "The ears are shut as well as the eyes," said the lips. This was another thrill to Benjamin; he had not opened his mouth. His thoughts were answered; the communication was completed between two spirits. He now began to fear his own personal excitement, and his courage beginning to droop he became doubly anxious for the restoration of his friend. Then, as if the

thought had suddenly struck him for the first time, he said

"When will you awake? is there any danger? Do you see any symptoms of compression of the brain ?"

"No compression," said the voice; "the brain is uninjured and the skull is unhurt, it is merely concussion. There is no danger if I am not roused by violent means. Give me rest, and let me sleep away the effects of the shock. But for several weeks I must be carefully tended, or compression may yet take place. Take me to London by a gentle conveyance-the canal, if you choose-no; not the canal, for even a gentle collision with a barge might cause a relapse."

"Can you not foresee what would happen?"

"No, I am not in the prophetic sphere; I have philosophized too much for that. But even if I could foresee, I would tell you what would happen in enigmatical language that might, perhaps, puzzle you. I would speak enigmatically to you even now if your lever hand did not subdue me. You may give me a little more of the cordial, then take a nap."

Benjamin did as he was requested in respect to the cordial, which was taken with great ease, administered with a tea-spoon. After a wine-glassful had been introduced in this manner, he was told to stop and bring a chair to the bedside, and lean upon the bed and rest himself for a little, as there was no danger. He did so accordingly, and though he could not sleep he experienced considerable pleasure in giving indulgence to the heaviness of the eyes and weariness of the arms.

CHAPTER LXIV.

RESURRECTION OF THE GODS-A POLYTHEISTIC VISION.

BENJAMIN had sat dozing for about an hour in this manner, occasionally looking to the object of his anxiety, and occasionally to the fire, which it was his duty to keep up and supply with fuel, when he heard a gentle tap at the door. He opened it, and saw the portly person of Mrs. Leigh, wrapped up in a cloak, and carrying a bedroom candlestick in her hand.

"I beg your pardon for disturbing you," she said; "but I have not been able to sleep for thinking of the young man. How is he?

"Oh, much better, I think. He has been speaking comfortable words to me, and he asked me for a little more of cordial, which I your to him about an hour ago."

gave

“God be praised for his mercies," said the kind lady. "It would be a great affliction to his parents if they knew this."

"His mother is dead," said Benjamin, “and he is the only son of an aged father.”

"Poor old gentleman!" said Mrs. Leigh, raising the palm of her hand. "But I hope there will be no occasion to let him know of it."