I had read in works on hypnotism of an endless number of experiments, how patients were made to believe that they were monkeys or madmen, or umbrellas, or criminals, women or men, a volonte, but in few of them did I find that it had ever occurred to anybody to turn this wonderful power of developing the intellect to any permanent benefit, or to increasing the moral sense. Then it came to my mind since Self-Hypnotism was possible, that if I would resolve to work all the next day; that is, apply myself to literary or artistic labour without once feeling fatigue, and succeed, it would be a marvellous thing for a man of my age. And it so befel, that by making an easy beginning, I brought it to pass to perfection. What I mean by an easy beginning is not to will or resolve too vehemently, but to simply and very gently, yet assiduously, impress the idea on the mind so as to fall asleep while thinking of it as a thing to be.

My next step was to will that I should, all the next day, be free from any nervous or mental worry, or preserve a hopeful, calm, or well-balanced state of mind. This led to many minute and extremely curious experiences and observations. That the imperturbable or calm state of mind, promptly set in, was undeniable, but it often behaved, like the Angel in H. 6. Wells' novel, "The Wonderful Visit," as if somewhat frightened at, or of, or with, or by its new abode, and no wonder, for it was indeed a novel guest, and the goblins of "Worry and Tease, Fidget and Fear," who had hitherto been allowed to riot about and come and go at their own sweet mischievous wills, were ill-pleased at being made to keep quiet by this new lady of the manor. And indeed no mere state of mind, however well maintained, can resist everything, and the mildest mannered man may cut a throat under great provocation. I had my lapses, but withal I was simply astonished to find how, by perseverance, habitual calm not only grew on me, but how decidedly it increased. I most assuredly have experienced it to such a degree as to marvel that the method is not more employed as a cure for nervous suffering and insomnia.

But far beyond perseverance in labour, or the inducing a calmer and habitually restful state of mind, was the Awakening of the Will, which I found as interesting as any novel or drama, or series of active adventures which I have ever read or experienced. I can remember, when most deeply engaged in it, re-reading De Quin-cey's "Confessions of an Opium Eater." I took it by chance on my birthday, August 15, which was also his, and as I read I longed from my very heart that he were alive, that I might consult with him on the marvellous Fairyland which it seemed to me as had discovered - and then I remembered how Doctor Tucket, the leading English hypnotist, * had once told me how easy it was by his science to completely cure the mania for opium and other vices.

And this is the discovery: Resolve before going to sleep that if there be anything whatever for you to do which requires Will or Resolution, be it to undertake repulsive or hard work or duty, to face a disagreeable person, to fast or make a speech, to say "No" to anything, in short, to keep up to the mark or make any kind of effort, that you will do it - as calmly and unthinkingly as may be. Do not desire to do it sternly or forcibly, or in spite of obstacles - but simply and coolly make up your mind to do it - and it will much more likely be done. And it is absolutely true - crede experto - that if persevered in, this willing yourself to will by easy impulse unto impulse given, will lead to marvellous and most satisfactory results.

* Dr. Charles Lloyd Tuckey, author of "Psycho-Therapeutics or Treatment by Hypnotism and Suggestion," 1893; "Hypnotism in Chronic Alcoholism," 1892; and other standard works on Hypnotism.

There is one thing of which the young or over-sanguine or heedless should be warned. Do not expect from self-hypnotism, nor anything else in this life, prompt perfection, or the maximum of success. You may pre-determine to be cheerful, but if you are very susceptible to bad weather, and the day should be dismal, or you should hear of the death of a friend, or a great disaster of any kind, some depression of spirits must ensue. On the other hand, note well that forming the habit by frequent repetition of willing yourself to equanimity and cheerfulness, and also to the banishing of repulsive images when they come, will infallibly result in a very much happier state of mind. As soon as you actually begin to realise that you are acquiring such control, remember that is the golden hour - and redouble your efforts. Perseverando vinces.

I have, I trust, thus far in few words explained to the reader the rationale of a system of mental discipline based on the will, and how by a very easy process the latter may, like Attention and Interest, be gradually awakened. As I have before declared, everyone would like to have a strong or vigorous will, and there is a library of books or sermons in some form, exhorting the weak to awaken and fortify their wills or characters, but all represent it as a hard and vigorous process, akin to "storm and stress," battle and victory, and none really tells us how to go about it.

I have indeed only indicated that it is by self-hypnotism that the first steps are taken. Let us now consider the early beginning of the art or science, ere discussing further developments.