Maternal education.

This opuscule is the product of mediumistic instructions, forming a complete whole, dictated to Mrs. Collignon, of Bordeaux, by a Spirit who signs himself Étienne, unknown to the medium. These instructions, previously published in separate articles by the newspaper Sauveur, were gathered into a brochure. It is with pleasure that we approve this work without reservation, as commendable for its form as for its substance: a simple, clear, concise style, without emphasis, nor words empty of meaning; profound thoughts, irreproachable logic, it is indeed the language of an elevated Spirit, and not that verbose style of Spirits who think to compensate for the emptiness of ideas by the abundance of words. We do not fear to make these praises because we know that Mrs. Collignon will not take them to herself and that her self-love will not be overexcited, just as she would not be offended by the most severe criticism. In this writing, education is regarded under its true point of view in relation to the physical, moral, and intellectual development of the child, considered from the cradle to its establishment in the world. Spiritist mothers, better than all others, will appreciate the wisdom of the counsels it contains, which is why we recommend it to them as a work worthy of all their attention. The brochure is rounded off by a small poem, entitled The body and the Spirit, also mediumistic, which more than one author of renown could sign without fear. Here is its beginning: Morpheus had already plunged my senses into sleep;

My Spirit, then, in the most charming of dreams, Wished to emancipate itself through space at its pleasure, Fleeing from its body like a soldier from his post.

As the prisoner aspires to groan in his shackles, It wished, then, to free itself from the extreme anguishes;

Was it a sweet remembrance, a caprice, a mystery That led it to leave the bitter empire of the earth?

I could not say, and he himself, on his return, Answers that question in stumbling terms, But soon I understood the motive of that cunning And I grew very angry, for I shun deceptions, “At least you will tell me, spirited Spirit “What you saw in those heavens of beauty and grandeur?

“– I, in order to please you, must tell you something “Else the jailer, in his mirthless mood “Would apply to the prisoner his brutal sermon “And the wretched captive would be very ill off…

“Know, then… – Wait. Is it indeed the same story “That you are going to tell me? – Oh! yes, and by heart “And know furthermore, in the spiritual world, formerly “Kinsfolk I left, good friends whom, now, “I wished to see again: for the earthly exile “Is not made, I well know, for a rustic pleasure!

“Taking advantage of sleep while bound to the bed “I left my body there and, Spirit restored, “I crossed the steps that separate the worlds, “Making that journey in nearly two seconds.

“It was fitting to make haste, for the slightest delay “Could put you at risk. Ah, if any mishap “Led me to forget myself in so long a course, “On returning, mark well, fallen into grave error, “I would find a corpse instead of my body.

“I always seek to avoid the height of remorse.

“I knew that by staying I would commit a crime, “Only God can break so intimate a regime.

“- Many thanks, then, beloved Spirit, “For without you I would certainly have died “At the slightest delay… Ah! faith in an honored body, “I even feel the hair on my head standing on end!”

[1] Brochure in-8º; Price: 50 c.; by post: 60 c. – Paris: Ledoyen, Palais-Royal, galerie d’Orléans, no. 31. – Bordeaux: Ferret, bookseller, 15, Fossés-de-l’Intendance, and at the office of the newspaper Sauveur, 57, cours d’Aquitaine.