; A

PHILOSOPHICAL ESSAY

ON

CREDULITY AND SUPERSTITION;

AND ALSO ON

ANIMAL FASCINATION, OR CHARMING.

BY RUFUS BLAKEMAN, M. D.

"It were better to have no opinion of God at all, than such an opinion
as is unworthy of Him; for the one is unbelief, the other is contumely."
LORD BACON.

NEW YORK:

D. APPLETON & CO., BROADWAY.

NEW HAVEN, S. BABCOCK.

930

Phil 7060.25879, April 9. Passier begeist

PREFACE.

It was not the original design of the author to offer the following work to the public. It was undertaken with the view to note his own opinions, and such facts, derived from reading and reflection, as were deemed demonstrative of a general tendency to a more ready belief in the incomprehensible and the marvelous, rather than in phenomena susceptible of explanation by reason, aided by a disciplined exercise of the subordinate senses. Subsequently, however, it occurred to him that their dissemination might possibly have some influence in leading to an analytical examination of various popular errors emanating from this source, which have been most detrimental to human progress, and have essentially retarded mankind in their efforts to acquire the greatest happiness of which their nature is susceptible.

If such should be the result, (though but in a small degree,) it is confidently believed that much will be effected toward the eradication of evils originating from credulity and superstition. There is little doubt that the baleful errors originating from these sources have mainly been perpetuated by traditional authority, or the habitual quiescence in which the mind is too prone to indulge, when the various external phenomena are presented for its contemplation and reception; and, therefore, that attention to their deformity is only required for their correction.

The author has not the arrogance to claim, that he is presenting a mass of original views to those who have read or thought extensively on the subjects considered. It has been his principal design to present, in a succinct form, opinions and many important facts dispersed through a variety of volumes, which a majority of society either want the leisure or interest to peruse; but who, notwithstanding, have a personal interest that errors perpetuated by such inattention, and which are most detrimental to their welfare, should be corrected, and thereby their evils become dissipated.

It has been the author's object to allude to the mental origin of the various popular superstitions that have extensively prevailed among mankind at different periods, and briefly to illustrate the physiological and mental influences by which they have been fostered and strengthened-often to such a degree as to assume the direction of popular belief and the general sentiment of mankind during their usurpations.

Although the several subjects discussed have been ably investigated by various writers, it is not within the author's knowledge, that the different forms of credulity and superstition of which he treats, have been presented in connection, accompanied by a reference to the physiological and pathological principles upon which they are manifestly dependent. It is true that the physical origin of mental delusion has been repeatedly investigated; but it has, generally, been in a manner too metaphysical to