17 OCTOBER 1891, Page 25

Hypnotism. By Dr. Foveau de Courmelles. Translated by Laura Ensor.

(Routledge and Sons.)—It is satisfactory to find that Dr. Courmelles, after careful study of his subject—a study which, indeed, is manifested by this volume—remains " absolutely affirmative on the question of free-will, which, notwithstanding everything said to the contrary, remains intact." (The italics are his own.) But that hypnotism is a valuable therapeutic agent he is convinced, and gives not a few proofs of his conviction. The book is of a scientific kind, and, in default of a detailed examina- tion, we must be content with commending it to our readers.