While writing this my eyes rest upon these lines: “Many take root in this soil, and find themselves unable to leave it again. A species of contemplative epicurism takes possession of them—a life freed from all vain desires and sterile agitation; an ideal existence which is shocked by no inconvenient reality. Others return to their hyperborean country, bringing with them a luminous remembrance to light up the gray twilight of their frozen sky for evermore; others still have quaffed the enchantress’ charmed potion, and can no longer resist the gentle desires which draw them periodically back to her.” May I also be numbered with those who return to the southern shores of beautiful Italy! The Three Edens. Bloom’d the first Eden not with man alone, But woman, equal woman, at his side. And seemly was it when, together tried, They fell together—for the two were one. On Calvary stood the Mother by the Son: New Eve with Second Adam crucified; And as through Eve in Adam we had died, Through Mary was our loss in Christ undone. Then how should not the Paradise regained Behold its Eve beside her Adam throned; Both risen, both ascended—unprofaned Each virginal body, by the grave disowned? Else had our foe his conquest half maintained, The primal ruin been but half atoned. LAKE GEORGE, FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION, 1874. A Discussion With An Infidel. XIV. The Seat Of The Soul. _Büchner._ You will admit, I presume, that “the brain is not merely the organ of thought and of all the higher mental faculties, but also the sole and exclusive _seat of the soul_. Every thought is produced in the brain, every kind of feeling and sensation, exertion of the will, and voluntary motion, proceeds from it” (p. 141). _Reader._ Not exactly “from it,” but from the soul, as I have already established; though certainly the brain is instrumental in all vital operations. As to the brain being “the sole and exclusive” seat of the soul I think that physiologists do not agree, and that philosophers have something to object. _Büchner._ It is now a recognized truth. “It took a long time before it was recognized, and it is even to this day difficult for those who are not physicians to convince themselves of its correctness” (_ibid._) _Reader._ It must be difficult indeed; for although we have reason to believe that the brain is, so to say, the central telegraphic office where every intelligence from the other parts of the body is received, yet it is but natural to suppose that there cannot be a central office if there are no other offices destined to correspond with it. On the other hand, philosophers teach that _the soul is the form of the body_; which implies that there are other parts of our body, besides the brain, where the soul must be present.