Variety: Spiritism & Hypnotism
has the positive spirit been displayed with such confidence in all aspects of social life; and never before have the occult sciences had more followers than they do now: mysticism rubs shoulders with skepticism. Everything related to the supernatural, all phenomena for which it is difficult to provide a scientific or rational explanation, which appeal only to the imagination and not to reason, charm us, seduce us. It seems that, tired of the ardent and continuous struggle of our constant efforts to achieve the best materiality of our existence, we need to seek rest in the study of psychological problems. We temporarily abandon our material concerns to live an ideal, imaginative life.
It was as a result of this tendency toward supernatural beliefs that spiritualism developed in the past, with its lofty doctrines, its comforting gospel, and the genius of its founder, Allan Kardec, spiritualism attracted all those who sought happiness in mysterious realms beyond, unable to find it here on earth. Later, encouraged by the mystical spirit that reigned at the court of Napoleon III, Home enjoyed rapid and enormous success; but this could not last long, however skillful and powerful this illustrious mystifier may have been.