[Ill.u.s.tration: P. Positive Pole. N. Negative Pole. The curved arrows show the direction of revolution.]

To ill.u.s.trate this principle of magnetic attraction and repulsion, I have prepared these two bar magnets, which are simple bars of steel which have been charged with magnetic properties. I mount one of them on a pivot so that it will revolve when subjected to any force. One end of the magnet is called the positive pole, the other the negative pole, because they have been found to exert two different forces. If I present the positive pole of the magnet I hold in my hand to the negative pole of the mounted magnet, they will _attract_ each other, and the mounted magnet will revolve _toward_ the one in my hand. But if I reverse the conditions, and I present the positive pole of this magnet to the positive pole of the mounted magnet, they will _repel_ each other, and the mounted magnet will revolve in the opposite direction with equal force. This beautiful experiment ill.u.s.trates the repelling force of magnetism as well as its attractive power.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Magnetic Repulsion.]

The human body is magnetic in its action. Its every phenomenon is governed by the laws of electricity and magnetism. The human body is a divine instrument upon which the mind plays, is a wonderful magnet, exhibiting all the phenomena of attraction and repulsion. Between certain const.i.tutions there are positive and negative conditions, resulting in a natural attraction, conducive to the highest matrimonial felicity. Between other const.i.tutions there is a natural antagonism, as relentless as the force of gravitation itself, and when companionship is attempted, in violation of this law, nature drives them apart by the most fearful visitation of her penalties in domestic misery, depraved and deformed offspring, pauperism, insanity and crime.

If any of you doubt the existence of this force, I will cite you to an experiment, which most of you have tried. Put your arm around your sister, and you will not be able to notice any very remarkable sensations. But just get your arm around some other fellow's sister, and you will feel like you were struck by lightening in half a minute. That is s.e.xual Magnetism.

This force exists in different degrees of intensity, according to the const.i.tutions of the parties affected. It may be highly attractive, it may be weakly so; it may be neutralized, it may be weakly antagonistic; it may be violently repulsive in its effects.

The great difficulty with most people is that they are insensible to the effects of this force. The senses may be educated to a keen perception of it, or they may be deadened by disease and s.e.xual depravity.

I am frequently asked if the natural instincts of men and women will not guide aright in the selection of a consort, and my answer is yes, if the instincts of men and women _were natural_. But when we reflect that the s.e.xual instincts of the present generation are blunted, warped and paralyzed by the s.e.xual sins of a long line of ignorant and depraved ancestors, they cannot be trusted. But they can be educated, and every man of refined sensibilities can, by learning to recognize his true affinity, so educate his s.e.xual instincts that they will be as true as the needle to the pole, and he will learn to so distinguish the conditions of magnetic attraction and repulsion that he will be attracted by that which is favorable to his own const.i.tution, and repelled by that which is unfavorable, as sensitively as these magnets.

And every woman of refined sensibilities may reach the same exalted plane of true s.e.xual intelligence.

And when this degree of s.e.xual intelligence is attained, vice is an impossibility. The education of this refined, sensitive s.e.xual instinct renders adultery abhorrent. The true s.e.xual consort once found, the chief joy of existence consists in the perpetuation of mutual attraction. The consort satisfies; the union is complete; harmony is established, and existence itself becomes a grand, sweet symphony of mutual love, respect and adoration.

I respectfully submit the principles here, for the first time expounded, as the foundation of a proper marriage relation, and a solution of the social problem.

I now discuss the important question of age. There are great possibilities of good and evil involved in this branch of the subject, and nature's laws are violated in this as in every other department.

The proper age for the consummation of marriage is maturity. This varies much in different const.i.tutions and in different climates, but is not hard to determine. A general average for the temperate zone would place the proper age at from 22 to 27 in the male, and from 18 to 23 in the female.

There are a thousand arguments against premature marriages, which I shall not stop to discuss in this lecture. You will hear this subject fully discussed in my lectures on s.e.xual Science, and you will also find it elucidated at length in my "Science of Creation." Those who have neglected to marry until past the ages above given, if in sound health and good character, may consider that they have my consent as soon as they can find a proper complementary consort, according to my full written delineation.

The female should be about three years younger than the male. This rule applies at all stages of life. Under no circ.u.mstances should a man marry a woman older than himself. Neither should he marry one more than five years his junior; and three above stated is better, because the female matures three years younger than the male, as a rule, and this allows for both to marry at the same stage of maturity. There are most weighty physiological reasons for the support of this rule, the full discussion of which I reserve until my lectures on s.e.xual Science. But I will answer one common objection to this rule right here:

It is quite a common belief that, unless a man marries a woman ten years his junior, in a few years his wife will look too old for him. This belief is based upon the fact that most married women break down and look old in a very short time. This is lamentably true, but there is no good reason why it should be so. It is contrary to nature, and whenever a result is contrary to nature, the cause which produces it is a violation of nature's laws; and the violation of nature's laws, which results in the premature decay of American women, is found mainly in improper marriages, wrong s.e.xual conditions, unhygienic habits, and the woful ignorance of both husband and wife in all that pertains to a proper marriage relation. And, ladies, if you will see that your husbands attend my lectures on s.e.xual Science, I will promise to educate them to that point where they will be able to preserve your beauty. And in my lectures to ladies on the same subject, I shall impart knowledge which will aid you in preserving your charms and also increasing the manliness of your husbands.

There is no part of my professional work that I approach with as great a feeling of responsibility as this sacred question of Matrimony. And when I am consulted by a young man or woman and requested to give my professional sanction to a proposed union, I study the characters of the parties with my most conscientious skill, and in the light of science I approve it or condemn it, regardless of everything but the great laws of nature, which, knowing, I dare not disobey.

It frequently happens that I am obliged to condemn the aspirations of youthful minds, who up to that time have fondly imagined that they are perfectly suited to each other. But I have fearlessly pa.s.sed an adverse judgment upon thousands of such cases, and in no case have I had cause to regret my decision. But in many cases, when parties have married in defiance of nature's laws, as explained by me, have they had cause to regret it. And many, very many, whom I have advised against improper marriages, have returned to thank me for my counsel.

Some years ago I examined a young Methodist preacher, and when I described his adaptation in matrimony he seemed dejected, and remarked that it did not correspond at all with his sweetheart. I told him he was lucky to find out the truth before it was too late. He then brought the young lady to me for a personal examination, and both requested me to be candid and to give them the benefit of my highest professional skill. I did so. I said to the young man, "You are a preacher, a man of strong magnetic power, upon which you depend for success; your social organs are very large, and you depend on them to attract and hold those with whom you come in friendly contact. You need a wife who will fortify these elements in your character with strong magnetic and social qualities of her own. This lady, on the contrary, will neutralize in a great degree what you already possess. She is cold and exclusive, and, married to her, you would not be as successful as you would be single.

Moreover, you are a man of warm, affectionate nature, demanding a great deal of caressing and amative demonstration from your wife. This lady would freeze you out in one week.

"You have, also, some inharmonious similarities. You are argumentative, dogmatic and commanding in disposition, unyielding, inflexible and positive. This lady is like you in these respects, and if you get into an argument, neither would yield a point, and the result would be sure to be domestic discord. The attachment you both feel for each other is merely fraternal. There is not the first element of s.e.xual magnetism in your const.i.tutions."

They were convinced, and broke the engagement then and there. Two years later I found them both happily married to other parties, according to my instructions, and both took occasion to thank me for saving them from a sad mistake.

I once examined a young artist, of great ability in his professional attainments, but greatly deficient in financial qualifications, and as I described to him his proper adaptation in matrimony, his countenance fell, and he informed me that, in most respects, I had described a type of character quite opposite from what his affianced was. He brought the young lady to me, subsequently, with the request that I should be as candid as possible. I found the young lady also gifted in artistic skill, but utterly wanting in physical stamina and business qualifications. I then said, "You are too much alike. You are, in a physiological sense, brother and sister. The offspring of such a marriage would be weak physically and mentally, if you had any, which is doubtful. You are both the embodiment of delicacy and refinement, artistic taste and sensitiveness, without one element of robust physique or business ability. You never made a dollar in your life."

"No," said the young man, "my father supports me."

"Now," I continued, "you have the one element of a pleasant companionship, derived from the same accomplishment, but it is such a companionship as we might look for in a brother and sister. There is nothing in your union which will contribute the wherewith to fight the battle for existence. What you both need, is an organization of executive ability and strength of business qualifications, robust physique and aggressive force for offensive and defensive action, to make your artistic talent effective. You might marry and never quarrel, and as long as your parents contribute to your support, you might exist, but your marriage is wrong in every physiological and scientific sense."

They were also convinced, and broke their engagement, and I have had the pleasure of congratulating both of them upon their marriage, according to correct principles, resulting in complete happiness, financial success and beautiful offspring.

In subsequent lectures, ladies and gentlemen, to the s.e.xes separately, I will elucidate my theory to the full extent of its physiological laws.

For the present I have only presented its general principles, but I submit it to your criticism as the only true relation of the s.e.xes, conducive to the improvement of the race, and of its individual members.

I submit it as the solution of the great social problem of the age, as the foundation of correct morals, as the guide to health, happiness and that substantial prosperity which rests upon obedience to the laws of nature.

Mankind has long realized that the acme of human enjoyment is reached in the perfect companionship of harmonious a.s.sociation of the s.e.xes.

"Two souls with but a single thought; Two hearts that beat as one."

And in the grand possibilities of existence, I can conceive of no greater joy, I crave no higher destiny than vibrating in harmonious a.s.sociation in one sweet chord of love, with a companion whose nature is in all respects complimentary to my own.

PREFACE TO PART II.

The following interviews, published in various papers during my past professional experience, relate to interesting subjects pertaining to human character, and have been the object of so much favorable criticism from my friends, that I have decided to give them wider circulation in this form. The papers from which these interviews are quoted, are among the leading journals of the United States, and in each case due credit has been given. I also take this opportunity as a _quondam_ journalist to return to my brethren of the press, my sincere thanks for their uniform courtesy, both in reporting my lectures, and in the wide circulation they have given my doctrines in these interviews.

Fraternally,

WILLIAM WINDSOR.

PART II.

PROFESSIONAL INTERVIEWS.

I. Physiognomy of Matrimony.

II. Study in Ancient Skulls--The Cliff Dwellers.

III. A Phrenological Study--Henry W. Grady.

IV. Was Hawes Insane?

V. How Living Heads and Dead Skulls are Measured.

VI. Crime and its Causes.

VII. A Murderer's Mentality--Fritz Anschlag.

VIII. Phrenology in Politics.

PART II.