The man who is able to manifest a strong degree of Mind-Power along the lines of motive polarity, or will-power, becomes dynamically "positive." I use the word "positive" in this connection in the sense of Webster's definition: "having the power to direct action or influence." Passing down the scale, through varying and lessening degrees of "positiv-ity," we reach the ease of the man who is almost devoid of this power of manifesting Mind-Power - and bis condition we call that of dynamic "negativity." By "negative," as I use it here, I mean: "non-positive; lacking the power of direct action or influence."

Now, every person has his own degree of dynamic "positivity." Each one is dynamically positive to some others, and dynamically negative to others still-unless indeed one has reached the limit of positivity or negativity, which limit cannot be definitely fixed. Two persons meet each other. At once there ensues a silent, quiet struggle between their dynamic mentation, depending for its intensity upon the importance of the meeting. Still, in any and all events, the struggle ensues, usually unconsciously. It may be over in a moment, or it may last a long time, hut from that struggle, sooner or later, one or the other must emerge a victor, unless, as is rarely the case, they are of equal degrees of positivity. And there is no mistake about the result - each one recognizes himself as the victor, or the defeated, and adjusts himself to his relative position.

I do not mean by this that the degree of dynamic positivity is fixed permanently in either person. For the contrary is the ease. One of the persons who is really stronger, usually, may be weaker at that particular time owing to bis will being fatigued, or by reason of bis having relaxed his will-power, as is often the case. And in such a case, the defeated one may be the victor at the next encounter, or may even rally his energies in a moment later and turn the tables. One may have a strong will, in moments of activity, and yet in moments of passivity he may relax it very much. And, a still more important fact: One may so increase his will-power that he will be able to completely dominate those who formerly over-mastered and even over-awed him. All of us know of instances of this kind in our own personal experiences.

At the extreme dynamic positive pole are to be found those wonderfully forceful men who seem to dominate all with whom they come in contact. These people fairly paralyze the wills of those around them, and induce emotive states almost at will. When in deep, earnest, mentative effort, they seem to actually "plunge" their will into the mind of the other persons, and set themselves up as the dominant force therein, taking the others' wills captive and holding them obedient to the master will of the positive man. Such men are of oourse rare, and whenever they exist they make a strong mark on the history of their times, local or general. I do not like to quote Napoleon Bonaparte as an example, for he has been used to illustrate almost everything. But still, the mind intuitively flies to him in thinking of the dominant will. Napoleon had a marvelous will - an almost superhuman will. It was manifested not only on the world at large, but also upon those closest to him in the way of personal contact. This man worked his will on those around him, and forced his desires upon them, also. He dominated everything and everybody, and his contemporaries, even bis enemies, testify to this marvelous personal power. He is a very good example of this extreme positive type.

Passing down the scale, we see men of strong personal force in all walks of life. These men formerly played the part of warriors or rulers of kingdoms but the increasing importance of commercial life in the world's affairs has developed and brought forth a new type of these positive men, who now show themselves as "captains of industry," prominent figures in "frenzied finance," makers and rulers of the great "trusts" of this country, and others. A little lower in the scale of personal force we fine men of marked power, but still a little less strong than those above them. " And so we pass down through the varying degrees of the scale, meeting the average man and woman, and then on to the "weaklings" of the race. At the extreme negative end of the scale we find those impressionable creatures, known to students of experimental psychology as "somnambules," or "impressionables," who have merely to be told to do a thing, in an au-thoritative manner, in order to have them attempt to do it, or at least to feel impelled to do so.

There are many people upon whom the phenomena of extreme mental suggestion may be produced while they are wide awake. They will feel the "burn" on their hands, caused by your finger, if you but suggest it to them in the right way. They will be unable to draw apart their hands, which have been fastened together by your strong suggestion. They will be drawn backward, or forward, by your suggestion. There are many people of this kind, some more impressionable than others, but all quite impressionable, who will be driven this way or that way by those who understand the subject. Fortunately, this fact is not generally recognized, or else we should hear of still more cases of "strange influence," etc., in the newspapers. But the subject is becoming more widely discussed and known now, and it is only a question of time when the law will be compelled to take cognizance of it.

Fortunately, however, the extreme negative condition may be overcome by one, by developing his will and learning the principles underlying the subject. Knowledge of the nature of the subject robs the force of much of its effect, the latter depending largely upon the passive ignorance of the subject. Give him the proper instruction, and he will be able to interpose a resistance. Every man has his present place on the scale, but he may improve his position !

Personal magnetism bears a close resemblance to that which in olden times was frequently called "Mental Fascination." "Fascination" means "the act of fascinating, or state of being fascinated." The word "fascinate" springs from the Latin word "Fascinare," meaning "to enchant; bewitch, charm by eyes or tongue; captivate, attract," etc. The definition of the English word, "fascinate," is as follows: "To act upon by some powerful or irresistible influence; to influence by an irresistible charm; to allure, or excite, irresistibly or powerfully; to charm, captivate, or attract powerfully; to influence the imagination, reason or will of another, in an uncontrollable manner; to enchant, captivate or allure, powerfully or irresistibly."

The above definition is condensed from a number of the best dictionaries, and gives the essence of the idea embodied in the word. In this work I use the term "Personal Magnetism" in the sense of: The action of Mind-Power in the direction of powerfully influencing the imagination, desire, or will of another. This is my own broad definition which includes all the varied phenomena.