Author: HANDS, Joseph.
Title: Will-Ability; or, Mind and its Varied Conditions and Capacities. A dissertation and explanation of the mystery of Will-Ability, Mind-Energy, or Mental Volition, as exercised in controlling ourselves, or the thoughts, feelings, and acts of others; exemplified, especially as to the latter capabilities, by the faculty of Electro-Biology, or Animal Magnetism, and the Influence of Fascination. Illustrated by facts. Also observations on the consequences effected in us through the quality or dominion of Faith and Belief, or Self-Will Operation, as influenced by the phrenological organ of hope, and called into active being, through the agency of education and persuasion, and other means, as Charms, Spells and Amulets, to which are added essays on Free-Will and Fate, Destiny and Inevitable Necessity.
Description: London, J. Burns [1875]. Octavo publisher's green cloth blocked in black & titled in gilt; viii,158pp. With a grateful inscription from the author to Miss M. Wait, who transcribed the book; Hands has also made a few additions to the text. ¶ Can you think of any mid-Victorian fad, hobby-horse or loony fringe preoccupation not covered in the title? Clairvoyancy? Perhaps so but that appears on page two as part of Hands' work treating patients by animal magnetism. Anything missed here probably appears in two of his other books, one on beauty and the laws of its attainment, the other seems to cover the rest of the laws of the universe. He also wrote on homeopathy, isopathy (?), dietetics and promised to write on vaccination (for the affirmative). Hands was a London homeopath but, knowing nothing more whatsoever about him, all we can add is that this is humanitarian reform; Hands is convinced that practical application of his principles would sweep away 'nearly every species of crime'. Punishment having proved worse than useless, leniency, benevolence and education are necessary.

Keywords: science philosophy psychology medicine c19th England phrenology reform progress crime social sciences