THUS far in this volume we have outlined the general nature and trend of magnetism. We take a step nearer to the real work, by examin­ing frankly the prospects of acquiring the art by practice.

Many years ago the author strenuously maintained that personal magnetism was a gift, that it could not be acquired by practice, and above all things could not be taught. At that time there were quite a number of distinguished men who were in professional or political life who were reputed to possess this sacred gift in a very high degree. Their suc­cess everywhere seemed to prove that they had some pre­eminently great power over men, not only in public places, but in private conversation. This power by universal consent was called by the familiar title, personal magnetism.

Nor was it observable under these circumstances alone. On social occasions a rare few displayed it. We shall never forget the evening, when at a magnificent drawing-room reception a lady swept into our midst and by a single glance of the eye, a tone of the voice, held everybody spellbound. There were able and talented geniuses present who had hith­erto charmed and won homage, but her power was so simple, so irresistible and so complete, that even the brilliant men tacitly acknowledged her to be more than their peer. She was not beautiful. Her features were neither stern nor weak. Every movement, every glance, every tone indicated some­thing that, while it was devoid of assumption, effectually asserted a superiority of charm. It must not be said that personal magnetism belongs wholly to men.

The author still clung to his opinion that this gift could notbe acquired, and in a private conversation with the lady referred to above, sought to obtain some light upon the phe­nomenon. It was expected that she would deny her possession of such a gift, but on the contrary she said, "I feel that I have some power over others; but a few years ago I did not have any at all."

"Do you mean to say it was not born in you?" It certainly was not born in me. Some years ago I was quite the opposite. I had but few friends, many enemies, and was without any influence among my fellow beings. Since then my circumstances have not changed, but I have. It was not all self-training, either."

On further conversation she told the following story: Her sister had married a politician who was reputed to be one of the most magnetic men living. Indeed, his suc­cessand his power over men and audiences were wonderful.

He was well known everywhere. She sought his confidence, and by persistent teasing obtained from him the fact that he had acquired the whole power, and by a certain kind of prac­tice and a special rule of conduct had built up a splendid mag­netic body and mind. He furthermore expressed the opinion that no person is born with it, but that many are born with tendencies that under favorable circumstances may develop it; he believed that every person could acquire it, if he or she would.

The author was certainly surprised.

He afterwards spent years in testing the truth of the latter remark. He formed the acquaintance of the great men, who were called magnetic and influential over their fellow beings, and found first, that in proportion as they were great they were obliging, and this made it possible to con­verse with them. Without a single exception these men as­serted that the power or gift they possessed was acquired and not born in them.

The question next arose, shall the persons who do not possess this power be believed when they say it cannot be acquired, or shall those who possess it and know how they came with it, be credited?

We are sure that it can be acquired.

What is personal magnetism?

It is the power to control persons who come within reach of the voice, eye or touch.

Is it anything like mesmerism?

Probably nothing at all like it. Mesmerism is a dead­ening of nerve force and a capture of the belief of a victim. Personal magnetism on the contrary is noble, pure, lofty and sublime in its influence upon the mind of the possessor, and upon those who feel its spell. The minister who possesses it is inspired with a power almost God-like; the lawyer, who wins as Rufus Choate did nearly every jury case he ever tried, compels an admiration for himself and his cause by the en­nobling influence of this gift; the actor charms; the physician gains his victory for good; the lady entices into a pleasant homage. There is always a joyous, exhilarating, fascinating feeling which is shared by both the controller as well as by the controlled, which is said not to be the case in mesmerism. More than this, it always creates in the controlled some de­gree of the same power over others, which mesmerism is said never to do.

The power of personal magnetism is so gentle and yet so effective that the person controlled knows nothing of the process going on, and thinks and believes that perfect free­dom of will is his, which is probably the case, and he always wills to do as he is inclined.

The art is not speculative. There is not a single page of this book devoted to notions, whims, or fancies. The plain facts are adhered to; results are aimed at; the whole object of the book is to prove what can be accomplished in the reader, not what pet theories may be advanced. Not a moment of time should be wasted in speculation.

The principle of life, or vital-force, is dealt with as an existing, controllable power. The heart is the mere physical engine of the body, but there is a mightier force back of it, the spark of life, which is fed by the three great elements:

1. Human Electricity.

2. Human Magnetism.

3. Human Fire.

The combination of these three elements produces an influence as quick in its motion as light, as thin as the uni­versal ether, as powerful as the affinity of the world systems of the sky.

The earth is on the threshold of stupendous inventions and discoveries; the intellect of man must grasp more of the knowledge of life itself, if it would keep pace with the progress going on around it. We are just learning what the spark of life is; the reader of this book will have acquired an intimate knowledge of what it is; he will learn more; he will learn that it may be controlled, built up, increased in power and intensity until it is a giant; and he will finally learn that it may be used as a giant in the great battle of life.

One of the most magnetic men the author ever met, claimed with great enthusiasm that a person ought to pre­serve a youthful feeling and not grow old for one hundred years. His assertion did not prove true, for he died at the age of eighty-two by being thrown from a carriage.

The author knows of two gentlemen of great magnetism and wonderful success in life who claim to have acquired it all by years of private investigation into the subject, who are trying to observe a certain rule of daily conduct, in the hope that they may live to a great age. It was over twenty years ago when they first undertook the study and practice.

The present age is one of hurry and excitement, and is undoubtedly leading to nervousness and nervous prostration in an unusual degree. Into this whirl are carried the great geniuses in all the departments of life, while the littleness of the men and women of the middle and lower ranks is deprived of the hope of outgrowing itself. The reader need not cast about to find some illustration of this fact in others. Selfstudy will sufficiently prove it in every reader. You are constantly yielding to the limitations of your power.

The immortal poet who uttered the words: "Haste not, rest not," struckthe key-note of many a grand life. A steady purpose in life, attended by unceasing effort, will accomplish all or nearly all that one can desire. But it is one of the greatest sources of irritability to hurry, get excited and fail. And irritability is an enemy of the magnetism we are aiming to generate and control.

The vital-force or the spark of life consists of three ele­ments: Electricity, Magnetism and Fire. These are con­stantly being generated by the principle of existence, and in persons of normal self-control are used only as fast as pro­duced ; in persons of weak control they are wasted faster than they are generated; and in persons who rule or control others and generally win the battle of life, the nerves and brain are generally super-charged with those elements. The ability to super-charge the nerves and brain with electricity, mag­netism and fire is the result aimed at in the exercises which are called the cultivation of personal magnetism, and which comprise the present volume.