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ARMY MEDICAL LIBRARY
FOUNDED 1836
WASHINGTON, D.C. 
 
 
TREATISE
ANIMAL   MAGNETISM.
4
BY CHARLES P. JOHNSON, A.M.
^i
" There are" more things in heaven and earth,
 Than are dreampt of in your philosophy."
                      Shakspearg.
         NEWJORK:
PUBLISHED BY BURGESS & STRINGER.
        JARED W. BELL, PRINTER.
1844. 
<-\
 
ANIMAL  MAGNETISM.
                    CHAPTER I.

                   Introductory Remarks.

  It has been the fate of almost every new discovery, wheth-
er in morals or science, in its passage to popular  favor, to
meet with the most uncompromising opposition.   Scarcely
can the idea of it be suggested, before the standard is raised
aga; ist it, and it must either yield wholly to the derisions of
the multitude, or  but scarcely maintain itself for a  lime,
ag  .*st the clamor of those whose interest or views it coun-
teracts.  So universal has this feeling been, (and it still exists
\.j a great extent,)  that many, who in the seclusions of their
chambers, have projected schemes of high importance to the
welfare of mankind, have  been  deterred from making them
known, through fear of the scoffs of those, who are too ignor-
ant or selfish to appreciate their worth.   The actions, if not
the voice of public sentiment seems to say, that the world
has arrived at its acme in literary and scientific progress,
and that no further strides can be made in  bringing to ma-
turity, the obscure parts of human knowledge; that the laws
which  control and regulate the mind, its secret windings,
its noble impulses, and the glorious  results to which it ulti-
mately tends, are perfectly understood.  In short, that there is
an old beaten path, in every department of human investiga-
tion, laid down perhaps ages since, and far enough advanced
for the  progress of the age ; pretty thoroughly explained in
the books,  and he who ventures from its track is either a
knave, a madman, or a fool.
387531 
4
ANfAiAL MAGMiTISM.
  In the history of the past perhaps this feeling might more
clearly be seen, but enough of it still remains to show  us
that some of the same blood courses through the veins of the
descendants, that formed so conspicious a part in the history
of the ancestry.  As it has been, so it is now, that in propor-
tion to the importance of the discovery, the more numerous
and formidable have been its opposers.
  Gallilko for merely advancing an opinion, contrary to
that which was held by the professedly scientific of his times,
respecting the revolution of a part of the  solar system, was
condemned to the Inquisition, and this  too, when his opinion
could not have resulted in any possible injury to those who
thus would blot him from existence.
  Harvey,  the discoverer of the circulation of the blood, was
persecuted by the most learned physicians of his  time, and
they so prejudiced the people against him, that he lost his
extensive practice, and was obliged to flee his native coun-
try.
  Fulton, too, in our own country, who at first saw in the
vapor  that rises  from boiling water, a power by which we
might be propelled with the rapidity of the wind, was perse-
cuted and refused one look of approbation  from the multi-
tude of scientific men, to whom he appealed for aid, and when
his first boat was  placed upon the waters of the noble Hud-
son, a throng crowded the piers, to point at him the finger of
scorn, at what, they could not  for a moment doubt, must be
unsuccessful.  And how many, when they saw the angry
waves ploughed by an unwielded boat, with no  fluttering
sails, to invoke the aid of a prosperous breeze, even then con-
sidered the experiment as but the  emanation of a madman's
brain.   But Fulton was a philosopher, and had well calcu-
lated  the difficulties and  the  future glories of his under-
taking.
  What has been true of these, has also been true of  hun-
dreds of others.   They are now regarded as the great bene-
factors of their race, and every child is taught to reverence
them as those whom Providence has raised up to change the 
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
5
existing  order  of things,  and guide mankind  toward the
goal of perfection.
  As it has been with every new discovery and its advocates,
so it is now with Animal Magnetism;  but like  every  other
truth,  it will triumph over every opposition, and hold, up to
shame and contempt those who oppose it.
  Its enemies are those who are selfishly ignorant, or are too
prejudiced  to notice  its claims to  public attention ; for it is
the universal result that every one who carefully observes
and experiments, becomes convinced of its reality.   Every
individual can  satisfy himself of the trutli  or  falsity  of its
pretensions, and  the object of the following  pages, is to
induce our readers to direct their  attention to  this subject,
so that they may not only become satisfied of its truth, but
become acquainted with one of the most important aids for
the relief of suffering humanity, ever revealed to man.
  We  will conclude this chapter by asking the reader's atten-
tion  to the foil owing extract, from " Facts in Mesmerism/'
by the  Rev. Mr. Townshend, a highly distinguished clergy-
man of the Church of England, which will answer in a far
better  manner, than we  are able, some of the objections
urged  against the science of  Animal Magnetism, and by its
close appeal, induce some who have commenced the perusal
of these pages with a sneer, to investigate the  subject, with
at least an  impartial mind.
  " In  thus venturing my full belief, I am fully aware of the
obstacles wtch I have  to encounter.  The fatal word im-
posture has tainted the subject of my inquiry,  and ridicule,
which  is  not the test of  truth, has  been pressed  into the ser-
vice  of talent, in order to annihilate the supposed absurdity
before  the dread ordeal of a laugh.
  " But it is not only the witty who have set up Mesmerism
as the mark of their  fiery arrows, men of science  have
attacked it  because they could not make it  harmonise with
their pre-conceived notions, and many of the Galens of our
day,  instead of wisely taking it under  their patronage, and
into their own  hands, have  treated it with a desperation of 
6
ANIMAL magnetism.
hostility, as if, were it allowed to flourish, their glory was
tarnished, and their occupation gone.   What is worse, some
of the friends and supporters of Animal  Magnetism, have
done it  more disservice, than its bitterest foes.  Instead of
setting before the world the simplest features of the new dis-
covery, they have at once produced to view, its most astoun-
ding marvels, thus dazzling into blindness  the eyes, which
by a more cautious conduct, they might have  taught to see.
Then it cannot be denied that the  name of Animal Magnet-
ism, has sometimes  served as a watchword to  exploded
quackery and impudent deceit, and who does not know how
difficult it is to seperate the merits of any doctrine from the
faults of its partisans ?
 "Mesmerism has occasionally been found in company with
the vicious and designing,  and its good repute has suffered
accordingly."
  An odium exists against  Animal Magnetism, which fond
as we are  of the marvellous  and those things shrouded in
mystery, attaches to it an idea of suspicion,  and  prevents
many from entering upon its investigation.  From this
unjust odium, if we can succeed in inducing people to direct
their attention, and to look more at the merits of the subject,
our object will be in part gained.
  That this subject has already, and still may be made of
incalculable benefit to mankind, we think capable of mathe"
matical  demonstration.
  To strip the subject of some of the mystery which  has
hitherto enshrouded it, and to present some  of its numerous
advantages to the consideration of the candid, is the design
of the following  pages.  A truth full of importance to the
welfare  of the human race, and therefore need only to be
understood to prove of great advantage. 
animal magnetism.                7
                    CHAPTER  II.

French Committee—Dr. Franklin—History of Animal Magnetism—Different
 plans of Magnetisers—The means employed to produce the effect, embracing
 the plans of Mesmer and Deleuze, together with a definition of it.

  All history confirms the fact, that reformers in science,
as well as in religion, will arise, who will expose the corrupt
practices into which  any system falls  by long  continued
action.  While a Luther will start up,  and by his bold and
fearless exposure of the errors of  an established Church,
astonish  the world with  the corruption which he exhibits,
where  all was supposed to be perfection ; a  Newton, at-
tracted  by the  simple fall of  an  apple,  inquires for its
hidden cause, and discovers a theory by which  the move-
ments  of the  entire solar  system may be explained, thus-
forming an important era in the history  of science.
  Frederick  Anthony  Mesmer, a Physcian  of high
repute, in Germany, about the year 1750, was the first who
reduced  the principles of Animal Magnetism to a system.—
A  keen  observer of human  nature, he noticed  with  deep
interest the varied operations of the human mind, and after
numerous experiments, he  came  to the conclusion that  a
phenomena existed, hitherto unexplained, which, when fully
understood, must unravel much  of the  mystery that en-
shrouded the operations of the human mind.
  On first promulgating his doctrines, he was assailed with
the most bitter malignity, and fiendish persecution.  He was
slandered ; his  views  misrepresented;  driven from city to
city, and at length, through fear of starvation, compelled to
leave the German dominions.   He ultimately  made his way
to Paris, and  establishing  himself in  the French capitol,
fearlessly challenged investigation, and without fear, threw
defiance at his enemies.  Having  taken so bold a stand, the 
8
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
attention of the  most distinguished men of France was at-
tracted to it, who, upon investigation, became convinced of
its reality, and zealously sustained its principles.
  The boldness  of  Mesmer, in advocating his new doc-
trines, also aroused the French Academy, who  instituted, in
1784, an  inquiry, under  the  direction of Louis  XVL, in
relation to its alledged facts and  phenomena.  With the
Committee appointed by the Academy, Dr. Franklin, then
the American  Minister at the Court of France, was  asso-
ciated.
  A deep seated jealousy existed in reference to the new
subject, and it was feared that if it were allowed the sanction
of scientific men, that it would wholly supplant the Medical
Faculty.   The same spirit and prejudice existed  in the minds
of that learned Committee, which we find  prevalent among
many of the Faculty of the present day.
  It is, and  ever has beeu exceedingly popular with this
class, to denounce every system of practice as quackery, no
matter how wonderful  have been  the results, or important
the facts, provided they wore not obtained through the course
usually prescribed, and  bear  upon the face of  it, the broad
seal of the learned Faculty, in solemn  conclave assembled.
  In order that  the reader may form an estimate of the im-
partiality  and  liberality of the Committee, before the inves-
tigation, it may be well to state that the Academy, of which
they were the organs, had  previously  decreed  that  " No
Physician shall declare himself a partisan of Animal Mag-
netism, under penalty of being struck from the  list of mem-
bers."
  And in order  to show the competency of the Committee,
it may be well to state that but  few years before they had
condemned  inoculation' as " murderous,"  <c criminal," and
11 magical," and  also decreed that  Peruvian bark, (now in
common  use, and deemed an important auxilary in medi-
cine,) could not be used in the regular practice.—A variety
of experiments were performed before the Committee, by one
of the disciples  of  Mesmer, and  at length a report was 
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
9
 ushered into  the world unfavorable  to the science.  This
 report however admits the facts,  but denies the agent, by
 which it is alleged they are produced.  It was asserted by
 Mesmer and  his disciples that the phenomena  was the
 result of a fluid; relative to the existence of this  fluid the
 Committee made the principal part of their inquiries, instead
 of the facts, and  finally concluded that the singular results
 they had witnessed, were wholly to be attributed to the influ-
 ence of the  imagination.   Why ?  Because they could not
 see,  taste, or  touch  it.  So ridiculous  a  reason, it would
 seem almost impossible for it to gain any credence among
 men  professedly  scientific.  Had the Committee any belief
 in the existence of the mind or not 1  What evidence had
 they of it ?  They could neither see it, touch it, nor taste it.
   The same argument would apply with equal force against
 the admitted fact that the magnetic needle points  toward
 the north.  Some unknown influence draws it; yet who but
 the Almighty  knows  what that agent is?  Who has ever
 felt  it, or seen it 1 And yet no one will deny that  it is the
 case.
   So important has this report been considered, that from
 that day  to this, it has been quoted as a  kind of oracle to
 disprove the truth of Animal Magnetism, and for better effect
 upon American ears, Dr. Franklin is forced  in to bear his
 evidence  against it.   Very few  who speak of this report
 know any thing in reference to it;  few know that this cele-
brated philosopher, of  all the Committee, witnessed the few-
est experiments, having been prevented by ill  health from
 attending its sessions, while that part of the Committee who
examined most assiduously the facts presented, among whom
 was Jussieu, one of the most eminent philosophers of his
 age, not only refused to sign that report, but made a counter
one,  favorable to the claims of Animal Magnetism.
  But we can present as strong an array of names as those
who composed the Committee, all  of whom are practisers
and full believers in Animal Magnetism. Cuvier, Laplace,
Ampire,  Orfila, Bostau, Georget,  Broussais, and a
             2 
10               ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
host  of others  in  France, Dr. Elliotson in  England,
Colgiuhoun in Scotland,  Husseland,  Marcand,  Wolf-
ert, &c,  in  Germany,  Meifer in Holland,  and many
gentlemen, (professional and others,) in our own country,
who are too enlightened to be deceived, and too honest  to
deceive others, are only a few of those whose names may  be
an offset to those who suppose all the science the world ever
knew,  or can know, to  be wrapped up in the French  Com-
mittee  and Dr. Franklin.
   But  for the sake of argument, admit that Dr. Franklin
was a  philosopher  superior in intellect to all  and each of
those whom we have named.   Are we prepared to adopt  all
the Doctor's opinions?   It is  well  known that he was a
Deist,  at least at one period of his life.  Are we prepared to
take his authority and disbelive revelation ? He did "snatch
fire  from heaven, and  break the  tyrant's  sceptre;" but  he
shall not destroy religious belief, nor our convictions result-
 ing from facts.
   But the adverse report of the  French Academy, was far
 from preventing an investigation  of this subject.   Then as
 now,  there were minds which  could  not be hemmed  in,
 within the boundaries of Academies, and  soon a  belief in
 Animal Magnetism  became  almost universal throughout
 France.  In 1825, public opinion having so strongly set in
 its favor, a new Committee was  appointed to examine into,
 and report upon the subject.   As before, they were strongly
 opposed  to Mesmer and his doctrines, but being men of
 science and honor, they determined to give the subject an
 investigation worthy of its merits, and according to the facts.
 In  consequence, the  report was nearly the reverse of  the
 previous  one.  The Committee  spent  several  years  in its
 investigation,  witnessed all the facts that could be brought
 before them,  and  from that  time  Animal  Magnetism was
  placed before the French nation as a science,  possessing
  great interest, and fully deserving  the credence and investi-
  gation of the learned public.  This gave  the  study of Ani-
  mal Magnetism a new impulse,  and the  current of public 
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
11
opinion began rapidly to set  in its favor.  It was from this
period, considered by the learned, as an important addition
to physiology.  It presented new ideas to the mind of the
student,  threw  light upon many  points in physiological
subjects, before involved in darkness, and was the dawning
of a new era in mental philosophy.   It also formed a new
crisis  in psychological  investigations, presenting startling
views  to the  philosophical inquirer; the vindictive  oppo-
sition  of an  ignorant priesthood was stifled, and from that
time the then universally received opinion in  France, that
death was an eternal sleep, that the human frame contained
no immortal spirit to lighten up its path through the revolv-
ing ages of eternity, received  a wound which rendered that
opinion as unpopular, as it before had been popular.
   The change in public opinion after  this report was very
great.   Many works  issued  from  the  press, in favor of
Animal Magnetism, and from the ablest pens in the nation.
Nor was a belief in it confined to France, its doctrines spread
throughout  Germany, Holland,  and many other  parts of
Europe.  Numerous physicians  adopted  its principles,  and
made  use of it in their  practice.  Cuvier,  Laplace,  Du-
gald  Stewart, and Dr. Elliotson, are strong advocates
of it.   They have introduced it into their extensive practice,
with great success.  Success has also attended its introduc-
tion into the hospitals of Paris,  and London, and in Berlin,
where the learned Dr. Kluge, fills the station of Professor
of Animal Magnetism.
   Although  Mesmer was the first to reduce it to a science,
there can scarcely be a doubt, that  the power now known
by the name of Animal Magnetism, has existed for ages.
   History gives to us well authenticated cases, in which by
some extraordinary means, wonderful effects were produced
upon the human system, by some touch, a powerful malady
was removed in a manner inexplicable  by any known laws.
Superstition, ever busy in operating upon the mind, at once
attributed this influence to some miraculous power imparted
to the  individual, and hence arose a very numerous class of 
12               animal  magnetism.
 persons,  who were  designated  by the title of Sorcerers,
 Magicians, or Wise-men.
    The wonderful  deeds of these men, requires a great tax
 upon our credulity  to  credit.  Yet  they  come to us sus-
 tained by so much evidence, we cannot fail to believe them.
    Professed religious teachers have controlled the minds of
 their followers,  by pretended miracles ; extraordinary events
 emanating from the monks, the marvellous revelations from
 invoked saints, in the cure of maladies, and  in  exorcism of
 evil spirits, are all so many means resorted too by the priest-
 hood to operate upon the minds of their ignorant and super-
 stitious admirers ; but which are at once explained upon the
 principle of Animal Magnetism, as advocated by Mesmer,
 and supported by his followers.  Whether the New-England
 witches, who are described by Increase Mather, as those
 who " they did mutually with the touch cure each ot her, and
 foretold  when another fit was  coming,  and it happened
 accordingly ; their eyes in  their fits  were  fast closed,"
 are those  which may be  explained or 'not,  is  left  to the
 reader to determine.
   It will be  easily  seen  in what way the  world has been
 deceived by miracle manufacturers, and what are the occult
 principle, and practice through which most of the veritable
 saints recorded in the Calendar have been  manufactured.
 In fact, says  an able  writer, Animal Magnetism  is a natural
 cause, which explains all the effect  formerly attributed to
 magic and  witchcraft; as  electricity explains  the thunder;
 as astronomy explains the  appearance of the  comets ; as a
 knowledge of the different  laws of nature explains  all the
 phenomena, which in times of ignorance were ascribed to
 supernatural agents.
   That man possesses a mysterious power over the feelings,
 thoughts,  and even the  operations of  his fellow man, a
 power which may be exerted for evil or good,  cannot for a
 moment be doubted,  and  that this influence may be ex-
 plained by the operations of Animal Magnetism, is as capa-
ble of demonstration, as the fact that such power exists. 
animal  magnetism.
13
   We now pass to the different plans  and principles of
 Magnetisers.*
    The course persued  by Mesmer, which we will first
 allude too,  was very complicated, although it afforded evi-
 dence of great ingenuity, yet much of it was useless.  His
 belief was that the Magnetic fluid pervaded all space, there-
 fore  a complex apparatus  was necessary to  collect it, and
 direct a stream of it upon  the  patient, and thus he was
 enabled to cure diseases.   Now when it is  believed, that all
 the  astonishing effects of Animal Magnetism, are produced
 by the operation  of the  mind  of one individual upon  the
 nervous fluid of another,  or by an actual transfer of the same
 influence upon the person Magnetised, it will be interesting
 to know how Mesmer produced the same result,  without
 being conscious of the character of his operations.
   We copy an account  of it from the first report  of the
 Academy. In the middle of a large room, was placed a large
 tub,  two or three feet in height, furnished with a  lid in
 two parts.   This lid was  perforated with holes,  through
 which were  inserted several iron rods.   The  inside  of the
 tub was filled with bottles of water, which he had Magnet-
 ised.   These bottles were placed so that the first row were
 turned towards the centre of the tub, and the next row in an
 opposite direction ; the tub  was then filled with water, and
 to this a quantity of iron filings, pounded glass, sulphur, &c,
 was occasionally added.  The individuals to be Magnetised
 then  stood  round the tub, and applied the iron rods to the
 affected  parts of the body, (for it was only for the curing of
 diseases  that he applied it,) or encircled themselves with a
 hoop  suspended  for that  purpose.  Sometimes they joined
 hands with each other and formed a chain.  The Magnet-
 iser then held an iron rod which he moved  before the body
 of the  patient, for the purpose of directing at will,  the course
 of the Magnetic fluid.   The whole apparatus was supposed
 to facilitate the circulation of the fluid.

  * For the arrangement and abridgment of these plans, we are  indebted to a
little work published in Philadelphia, by a physician. 
14
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
   A person was employed to play upon some sweet musical
 instrument; as it was thought that the Magnetic  fluid was
 propagated by  sound.  Although this was supposed to be an
 universal fluid, yet the Magnetiser was supposed to possess
 a certain portion, which he could  impart by means of a rod,
 or by motion  of his outstretched fingers.  In  addition to
 these  motions, were also certain slight  touchings on the
 hypochondria, epigastric region,  or other  portions of the
 body.
   The  following directions were given by Mesmer, for
' using Magnetism:
   In order to Magnetise the patient, you must place yourself
 opposite to  him with your back  turned  toward the north,
 and draw your own, close against his feet, you must then
 place without pressure, both of your thumbs on the  pit of the
 stomach, and stretch your fingers toward the hypochondria,
 (the part of each side of the body where the short ribs are
 found.)   It also facilitates the  operation  occasionally  to
 move the fingers on  the sides, especially in the region of the
 spleen.   The   next thing  was  to endeavor  to put the
 Magnetic fluid in equilibrium, in every part of the  body.
 This might be done by presenting the index finger of the
 right hand, at the summit of the head on the left side, and
 then drawing  it down the face to the breast, and over the
 lower extremities.  An iron  rod will answer the same pur-
 pose as the finger.
   Strange as this process may seem, yet it was  regarded as
 absolutely essential  to  a successful operation.  The  most
 wonderful  results were  produced;  local diseases of long
 standing were  removed ;  the most acute  pain would vanish
 in an  instant,  and joy light up the countenance of the sad
 sufferer.  The different  effects upon different  individuals
 were not the least interesting to the philosophical beholder  ;
 exaltation of the mind; palpitation of the heart; ringing in
 the ears were not uncommon.
   Sometimes  the most violent  convulsions were exhibited,
 which was supposed by Mesmer to be the effort of nature to 
animal magnetism.
15
effect a cure ; but a simple move of the hand before the body
of the patient, like the wand of the magician, would at once
remove them.  The different emotions of love and hatred,
immoderate laughter, and melting tears were strikingly ex-
hibited.  But the  tremendous influence exercised over them,
was the most surprising part.  A simple effort of the will
was a sovereign balm, and would  command love, or hatred,
or throw them  into the most violent convulsions, or at once
calm them  from  excitement.  Such was  the rude method
employed by the celebrated Mesmer, whose name will  live
through all time, as the discoverer of one of the  most won-
derful  phenomena the  world ever knew.  Knowing the
effect produced, he attributed the influence which he mainly
used by the exercise of his own will, to the apparatus above
described.  But the investigations of after years, clearly show
that such a course was needless,  and that a simpler process
would produce the same astonishing results.  To Deleuze,
a French  Magnetiser, we  are indebted for the fullest  doc-
 trines of the science, as now believed and practised.  Some
extracts from his work will here be given as the best expo-
 sition  of the principles now known in Magnetising.
   1.  "Man  has the faculty of exercising over his fellow
 men, a salutary influence in directing  toward them, by his
 will, the vital principle.
   2.  " The name of Magnetism has been given to this fac-
 ulty ; it is an extension of the power which all living beings
 have of acting upon those who are submitted to their  will.
   3.  " We perceive this faculty only by its results, and we
 make no use of it, except so far as we will to use it.
   4.  " The first condition of action then is to exercise the
 will.
   5.  " As we cannot comprehend how a body can act upon
 another at a distance, without there being some thing  to es-
 tablish  a  communication  between them, we suppose that a
 substance emanates from  him who Magnetises, and is con-
  veyed to the person Magnetised,  in the direction given  it by
 the will.   The substance which sustains life in us, we call 
16
ANIMAL magnetism.
the magnetic fluid.  The nature of this fluid is unknown ;
even  its existence has not been  demonstrated;  but every
thino- occurs as if it did exist, and that warrants us in ad-
mitting it, while we are indicating the means of employing
Magnetism.
  6.  " Belief is necessary to accomplish our purpose ; with-
out it we have no confidence, which  is absolutely essential
to success.
  7.  " In order that one individual should act upon another,
there  must exist  between them a moral and physical sym-
pathy, as there is  between all  the members of an animated
body, and when this sympathy is produced between  two in-
dividuals, we say  they are in communication.
  8.  " Thus the first condition of Magnetising is the will;
the  second is the confidence which the Magnetiser has in his
own powers;  the  third is benevolence, or the desire of doing
good.  One of these  qualities may supply  the others to a
certain extent, but to have the action at  the same time ener-
getic and salutary, the three conditions must be united.
  9.  " Direct communication between  persons is not abso-
lutely necessary to the  transfer of the Magnetic fluid, for
water, food, and other bodies may be charged with the fluid,
and employed to convey it to the person for whom the Mag-
netiser expressly designs it.
  10.   " Magnetism, or the action of Magnetism springs from
three  things; first, the will to act; second, a sign,  the ex-
pression  of that will; third, confidence in  the means em-
ployed.   If the desire of doing good be not united to  the
will to act, there will be some  effects, but these effects will
be irregular.
  11.  " The faculty of Magnetising exists in all  persons ;
but all do not possess it in the same degree.  The difference
is caused by the moral and  intellectual superiority of some
over others.   Among the moral qualities are  confidence in
ones own power, energy of  will, the power of concentrating
the  will  and  attention  upon one object for a long time, be-
nevolence, moral courage sufficient to enable one to  remain 
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
17
 calm in the midst of the most alarming crisis, disinterested-
 ness which makes one forget himself, and devote himself to
 the being whom he attends, and which banishes vanity, and
 even curiosity.  Of the physical qualifications, the first is
 good health;  the next is a peculiar power, of which we can
 not  recognise its full force and energy, without a trial of it.
   " These may be increased by exercise, bodily and mental,
 and when an individual combines all  these qualifications,
 they possess the Magnetic power  to a great extent.
   12.   « Although the Magnetic fluid escapes from all parts
 of the body, and the will may direct it any where, yet the
 hands and eyes  are of use in directing the current deter-
 mined by the  will.   The word which indicates our will can
 often exert an action, when the communication  is well estab-
 lished.
   13.   « Magnetism generally produces no influence upon
 persons in health.   The same man who was insensible to it
 in a slate of good health, will experience the effects of it
 when ill.  There are diseases in  which the action of Mag-
 netism is  not perceived ;  there are others in which  it is evi-
 dent.  We do not yet know enough of it to determine the
 cause  of these anomahes,  nor  to pronounce beforehand
 whether Magnetism  will  or will  not  act.   We have only
 certain  probabilities  in regard to it;  but  that  should not
 create an  objection to the reality of Magnetism, since at least
 three fourths of the patients feel the effects of it.
   U.  '•• Whatever vital energy  or Magnetic fluid is con-
 veyed to the patient  by the Magnetiser, is lost by the latter,
and if the sessions be continued too long, or be too frequently
repeated, he may become very much exhausted by  this loss.
The weakness sometimes felt by the Magnetiser, is  not pro-
duced by the motions, and the exertion he  uses, but by the
flow of  the fluid from him to his patient.
  " Generally speaking, every one in good health,  and not
enfeebled  by age, might undertake a single patient  in a day,
and give him a sitting of an hour, but no more without great
injury.
              3 
18
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
   15.   " Confidence on the part of the person Magnetised,
is not necessary to success.
   16.   " The choice of a particular process is not necessary
to give  direction to the action of Magnetism.  But it is best
to choose, and follow some one method,  so as never to be
perplexed, and compelled while acting to draw off the atten-
tion, in order to decide what motion it is most proper to make.
   17.   "It is very dangerous to interrupt a crisis, however
alarming it may be, and we should never attempt to  act un-
less we  are secured against all interruptions from our own
affairs, the person Magnetised, or his friends.
   18.   " Before undertaking a Magnetic treatment, the Mag-
netiser ought to examine himself.  He ought to ask  himself
whether he can continue it, and whether the patient or those
who have influence over  him, will put any obstacle in the
way.  He ought not undertake it if he feels any repugnance,
or if he fears to catch the disease.  To act efficaciously, he
should  feel himself drawn toward the person who requires
his care, take interest in him, and have  the desire and hope
of curing, or at least  relieving him.  As  soon  as  he has
decided, which he should never do lightly, he ought to con-
sider whom he Magnetises as  his brother__as his friend * he
should be so devoted to him as not to perceive the sacrifices
that he imposes upon himself.  Any  other  consideration
any other motive than the desire of doing good, ooo-ht not to
induce him to undertake a treatment.
   19.   " The faculty of Magnetising, or that of doing good
to our fellow creatures by the influence of the will, by the
communication of the principle that sustains our health and
life, being the most delightful and  precious that  God has
given to man, he ought to regard the employment of Mag-
netism as a religious act, which  demands the greatest self-
collectedness, and the greatest purity of intention.  Hence it
is a sort of profanation to Magnetise for amusement, through
curiosity, or the desire of displaying singular effects.   They
who demand experiments to see a spectacle, know not what 
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
19
tfiey demand ;  but the Magnetiser ought to know  it, to re-
spect himself, and to preserve his dignity."
   These are the general principles which have been adopted
by Magnetisers in producing their astonishing results; prin-
ciples which must be followed in order to produce the Mag-
netic state.
   We conclude this chapter by briefly stating that we believe
that this power is  possessed to a certain extent by all living
creatures, and is that power by which a kind of influence is
exerted different from that which usually is  exerted  through
the ordinary and  distributed organs of the senses,  such as
the eye, the ear, &c;  that this  power is the action of  one
mind upon another,  so as  to influence it.   It is the same in-
fluence which rivets the  attention  to the orator, while por-
traying some thrilling sketch, which enables him to control
the feelings and passions of his audience,  and  by  a single
word or wave  of the hand, call  up the alternate feelings of
joy or sadness.
   We admire the sweet notes of an  accomplished musician;
he is the centre of attraction ; and  we are involuntarily at-
tracted to it.   This power is exerted by and through  the
medium of the will common  of one  individual, and operates,
(as is highly probable,) through a medium  which  may be
called the  nervous,  (or which is the  same, the Magnetic,)
fluid, and which is set  in motion by the power of the will of
the individual designing to call it into action. This medium
is to the nervous fluid in its totality, what light is to  the eye,
the atmosphere to the  other  senses ; as media between the
individual and  the external world.   What this  medium is,
has not been clearly ascertained ; but it is supposed to belong
to electricity, in some of its forms, Magnetism or Galvanism.
   This medium is set in motion by the direction of the will,
and when thus excited, is capable of exciting similar emo-
tions  in the mind  of the individual acted upon, and conse-
quently of exciting  the same ideas  in the  mind of the reci-
pient, which exists in  the mind of the person  setting  this
medium into action, and hence Clairvoyance, or the power 
20
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
of seeing and describing scenes at a distance or near, though
in positions not within  the range of occular  vision.  Indi-
viduals, while in this state, (that state in which the external
sensitive system, is an inactive condition,) though under the
control of the will of the operator, nevertheless  it is true,
than when left  in an undisturbed condition,  they are in a
state of high and exalted mental activity, and  capable of ap-
preciating good and evil in their consequences, much more
acutely than  in  circumstances of ordinary  life.   This  will
be better illustrated by an extract from Deleuze, mentioned
in a former part of this chapter, while speaking of Magnetic
somnambulism, or Clairvoyance. «When Magnetism results
in somnambulism, (which is not always the case,) the being
who is in this condition requires a prodigious extension in
the  faculty  of  sensation; his eyes are shut, his ears are
closed;  yet he sees  and hears better than any one awake.
He  is under the will of the  Magnetiser in regard to every
thing that cannot hurt him, and he does not feel contrary to
his  ideas of justice and truth.  He recovers his  recollection of
things he had forgotten when awake.  He expresses himself
with astonishing  facility.  When he awakes  he forgets all.
The Magnetic somnambulist perceives innumerable relations
in all objects with an extreme rapidity, and in one minute
runs through a train of ideas, which to  us  require many
hours.  Time seems to vanish before him.  Of all the dis-
coveries  which have excited  attention, this  gives us the
most insight into the nature and the faculties of man.'
  As an illustration we may mention a case which is embo-
died in the report of the French Academy, in which an in-
dividual was  Magnetised in a short time. A bandage placed
over his eyes, and one of the gentlemen played a game of
cards with the Magnetised patient, and lost it.  The indi-
vidual handled his cards with the  greatest dexterity, and
without making any mistake. They attempted several times
in  vain, to set  him  at  fault, by taking away Or  changing
seme of his cards.
  The extent of this power will, however, be noticed more
at length in subsequent chapters. 
ANIMAL MAGNETISM
21
                    CHAPTER III.

The operations and effects of Animal Magnetism upon the system, illustrated
  by extraordinary cases.

   The day has nearly passed, when the truth of the exist-
ence of the Magnetic state, is  disputed  among scientific
men. That there are individuals, who can effect certain tem-
peraments, has already been so alluded to, that any thoughts
in this part of our work upon it, would seem to be superflu-
ous,  and  that we need not dwell, but at once pass to offer
a  few  thoughts upon the  extent and  advantages resulting
from it.  Whether  it may be made to  subserve the  cause of
humanity, or whether so much evil may result of it, as to cast
into  the shade the little  good it may do.  These are ques-
tions that  require careful  attention, and can only be deter-
mined by a particular reference  to  the facts, some of which
will be detailed in the following pages.
   In proof of the existence of an effect of some kind, we need
only refer  the reader,  in addition  to what we"have already
stated, to some circumstances which  are of almost  every
day  occurrence.   Who is there that  has not read of the
fascination of birds by serpents ?  An  irresistable influence
draws  the bird toward the venomous reptile, until he comes
within its reach and is destroyed.  An instance was related
to the writer not long since, in which a serpent was exer-
cising this same influence upon  a lad.   When found by his
brother he was unable to speak,  and was gradually  drawing
near the snake.  His brother speaking to him, endeavored to
arrest  his attention, but it was of no avail, and was only
relieved by  his putting an  end to the existence of the
serpent.
   This effect was undoubtedly produced through the agen-
cy of the eye of the serpent; how far the Magnetic influence 
22
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
upon  individuals  may be produced by the same aid, is not
in our province to determine.   That it produces a tremen-
dous influence no  one can dispute.  Anger is quelled before
its steady gaze, and even raving insanity becomes docile
before its sway.
  In the language of another, " Men of energetic character,
calculated for dominion,  have always been remarkable for
the  potency of their glances,  and have been celebrated as
not only lords of the iron part, but also of the eagle eye.
  "Few could endure the searching gaze of Napoleon. The
glance of Dr. Johnson  from  under shaggy brows  availed
no less than the eloquence of the sage's  tongue."   Town-
shend mentions the case of Dr. Parr, who was very proud
of the influence of his eye, and who once boasted of having
saved the nation  by it.  Pitt he declared  was about to
bring forward some disastrous  measure, when he  having
previous  knowledge of  his intentions, repaired to the house
of Commons.  "I fixed," said he, " my eye upon Pitt, I gave
him  one  of my looks and he  could not  utter a word.  He
rose, stammered, and sat down again, and there I kept him
until  another member  got  the floor,  and so the measure
when brought forward  was nugatory.  Yes, I think I may
say, that  my  eye saved  the nation."  In fact Parr Magnet-
ised  Pitt.  That the eye is  an important agent in produ-
cing the  effect of Animal Magnetism, we  think these cir-
cumstances will be sufficient to show.
  The next query is, the extent to which this agent may be
carried.  This depends upon  the constitution and tempera-
ment of the individuals  operated  upon,  as  well   as the
physical  and moral character of the operator.  There are
several degrees to this  influence.  Some are  only  affected
with emotions of delight, while a full consciousness of every
thing passing around is retained.  The mind  is active and
if charged,  the  usual  organs of sense  are quickened
some are rendered wholly insensible to every thing,  and the
most violent pain inflicted upon them will not disturb them 
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
23
the least.  This effect is very common and has been tested
in numerous ways.
  Baron  Dupotet,  at the request  of some incredulous
physicians of Paris, went to one of the hospitals in Paris
to perform some experiments for their satisfaction.  Among
the means resorted to, to test the insensibility of the patient,
the nostrils were tickled with feathers, and smoke was intro-
duced into them, and their  skin  was bruised  by pinching
till the blood came, and  the feet of one patient were placed
in a hot infusion of mustard seed, without producing the
slightest change of countenance.
   Dr. Roboum of the  same hospital, reports  a case,  in
which the patient was threatened that he should be burned
with moxa,  (a slow  fire  applied to the part,) if he should
suffer himself to go to sleep.   He  was however Magnetised,
when the  moxa was applied on the front of the right thigh,
producing an eschar  nearly an inch and a half in length
and an  inch in breadth.  The subject showed no sign of
pain, neither was the pulse in the least quickened  until
he  was  roused  from  the Magnetic sleep.  Another case is
mentioned by the  same Doctor, where a female patient was
Magnetised, and while in the Magnetic sleep,  agaric, one of
the most pungent substances known, was burned under her
nose, but  not  the  slightest feeling  was manifested till the  •
Magnetic  influence  was  dissipated.   In all  these  cases,
although  no pain was suffered at the time, yet afterward
they were in the most intense agony.
  M. Housson, President of the Academy of Medicine in
Paris, states that he  has  seen  a  bottle, containing several
ounces of concentrated ammonia, held for five, ten or fifteen
minutes under  the nose of the sleeper, without the slightest
effect.   Dr.  Bertrand  saw forty or fifty pins thrusted
simultaneously into  the body  of  a  somnambulist  while
singing, without  causing the least appreciable alteration in
the voice.
  In the tenth volume of the Bibliotheque de Medicine, there
is an account of a lady, who when in a Magnetic state, was 
24
ANliMAL MAGNETISM.
barbarously whipped over the bare shoulders, without effect,
and once most savagely had her back smeared with honey,
and was then exposed to the stinging of bees, but she felt
nothino- till she was awakened, when of course she suffered
the most acute agony.
  Such experiments almost make the blood boil at the reci-
tal ; but the  incredulity of the French physicians, in the
earlier stages  of the science, led them to adopt any means
which their passions might dictate, for the purpose of testing
it.
  But means  have been employed, of practical utility,  more
marked than  those alluded to above, which will be treated
on in  a subsequent part of this work.
  Again, there are  those who, while they exhibit  all this
phenomena, and appear to be  in a good Magnetic condi-
tion, retain all their consciousness, and when any pain is
inflicted upon them,  feel it  in  all its acuteness, yet are
unable  to make it known, or any resistance.  An instance
of the kind will better illustrate the condition.  In a  town
in the State of New-York, which we visited in the autum of
1842, several  individuals called  upon us to converse  upon
the subject of Animal  Magnetism.  Considerable pains were
taken to assure us of their extreme scepticism ;  of their full
belief that it was one of the humbugs of the age ; but desired
to be satisfied.  We proposed to one of the company that he
should submit to the operation.  He readily consented.  After
an hour's  trial, the young man exhibited all  the appearance
of being Magnetised.   His  sceptical companions, believing
he was deceiving, endeavored by all means in their power
to arouse him.  Such  as tickling the nostrils, thrusting pins
into his body, &c, all of which were of no  avail.   He was
relieved from the Magnetic influence.  His sensations were
described  as follows :  That he was fully conscious of  every
thing that was done to him, but was incapable of resistance;
the pain was as acute as while awake, and  he made efforts
to speak to us, desiring us  to have them  desist, but  every
effort was unavailing. 
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
25
  Another singular fact in his case was, that while in this
state, he was  conscious of all the suffering which  the Mag-
netiser endured, phenomena which all individuals fully in
the Magnetic state will exhibit.
  The last degree which we shall allude to, is one in which
Magnetic  somnambulism is produced in all its interesting
details.
  The individual in this instance, when  Magnetised,  be-
comes lost to the world around, and the being in part, is
identified with that of the Magnetiser.   The mind with one
comprehensive  grasp  takes in correct images of all scenes,
whether within the range of occular vision or not.  At first
you discover an  attraction  between different parts of  the
body of the Magnetiser  and  patient; for instance, by apply-
ing the hand of the former  to  the  latter, they will readily
follow, or  the head, to  the head in the same  manner  that
the magnet attracts a piece of steel, iron filings, or the like,
and this will be exhibited while the individual is unconscious
of such experiments being performed.  The patient  will
also exhibit entire obedience to  the will of the operator.
  Without any contact, the body  may  be moved into any
position desired ; may be caused to walk, to fold  the arms,
touch the  face or ear, or kneel down in the attitude of prayer,
with the same apparent ease as  when awake.
  Another interesting feature in the Magnetic somnambulist,
is their power of description,  which cannot be  better  de-
scribed than  in the language of M. Husson, a French man.
  " The somnambulist has his eyes closed.  He neither sees
with his eyes, nor hears with his ears; yet he sees and hears
better than a  waking person.  He sees and hears only those
with whom he is in relation.  He sees only that at which he
looks, and  he usually looks at  those objects only to which
his attention  is directed.   He is submissive to the  will of the
Magnetiser in all things which cannot injure himself, and in
all, that does not oppose his own ideas of justice and truth.
He sees, or rather he has a perception of the interior of his
own body, and that of others ; but  he usually remarks those
             4 
26
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
parts only, which are not in a natural state, and which dis-
turb the harmony of it.  He recalls to  his memory things
which he had  forgotten in  his  waking  state.  He has pro-
visions  and  presentiments which may  be  erroneous in
several  circumstances, and  which may be limited in their
extent.  He expresses himself with surprising  facility.  He
is  not free from vanity.  He becomes more accurate by de-
grees, for a certain time, if guided with discretion, but if ill
directed, he goes astray.  When returned to his natural con-
dition, he entirely loses the recollection of all the ideas and
sensations he had during the state of somnambulism, so that
these  two states are as entirely strangers  to each other, as
if the somnambulist and  the waking person were too differ-
ent persons."
  No matter where  objects  are situated;  whether in  the
present, past or future: time vanishes before them, and they
can readily perceive  objects wherever they are.  They will
as readily perceive things held behind the head as before it,
and not unfrequently are able to read with the same facility
when the book is held behind the head as before  the face.
  The following statement,  illustrative of these singular phe-
nomena, was published in the Salem Gazette in 1836:—
  " Dr.  B——, of Providence, operated upon a young lady
during the period of Magnetic sleep, who could tell correctly
the time by a watch, though enveloped in a cloth, and at
the same time having a bandage over her eyes. The doctor
had a patient sick, as  was  believed of liver complaint, and
bade the somnambulist go in spirit to the man's house, (it
being one-fourth  of a  mile distant.)  Arrived, she,  at the
doctor's  request, described the house, that there might  be no
mistake, and then entered.   < What do you see ?' asked the
doctor.  ' A man sick.'  « I wish you to tell me what ails him.
First  look at his head ;  is that well V   ' Yes.'   «How do
you know?'  «Because it looks  like yours, or any other  one
who is well.'   * Is the liver  or heart so well ?'  < Yes.'   < Do
you see any thing wrong ?'   < Yes,  there is an enlargement
of the spleen.'   Several questions were then put, to confuse 
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
27
 her, and also to ascertain if she knew Avhat the spleen was,
 and where situated: to all which she gave correct answers.
 In four days the patient  died;  a post mortem examination
 was instituded ;  all the physicians in the city were present,
 to whom the story of the girl was narrated before com-
 mencing operations, and  they were requested to examine the
 body, to see if they could discover the diseased spleen from
 external observation.  They,  sixteen in number, declared
 with one voice they could not.   The body was then opened,
 and, to the astonishment of all present, the girl was  right;
 the  spleen  weighed fifty-seven ounces !  its  usual weight
 being from four to six ounces."
  This is a strong case, and suggests some ideas which will
 be advanced in  a  subsequent part of this work, relative to
 the important aid which physicians may derive from Mag-
 netic somnambulists.
  The writer of this, having been engaged in experimenting
 for some years, will be  pardoned for introducing a  few of his
 numerous  cases, to illustrate  the  subject under considera-
 tion.
  In the autumn of 1841,  being in Philadelphia, a young
 lady was  thrown  in  the Magnetic state.  After  satisfying
 ourselves that she was in an unnatural state, a bandage was
 placed upon her eyes, and cotton inserted beneath it, to pre-
 vent the possibility of her seeing.   We then commenced con-
 versation with her.  She appeared to understand our queries,
 and answered us promptly.  A pair of brass snuffers was then
 placed in our hands, standing about six feet behind her.  We
 asked her what we had.  She answered, " It is long, made
 of brass, and is a pair of snuffers."  A bonnet was then put
 upon our head.  She laughed  heartily, exclaiming " How
 odd you look.  Take that old bonnet off.  Miss P----," (the
 name of the young  lady to whom it belonged,) "won't
 thank you for exposing it."  A gentleman then slipped into
 our hand a paper, on which was a request, that, by a simple
effort of the will, we would cause her to raise her hands in
 the attitude of prayer.  No sooner was it attempted than it 
28
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
was done.  Without- any movement of our body or lips, she
would readily converse with any individual whom we willed
her to.  We could make her describe any house, its location,
■fcc.  without putting  to her a question, except through the
will.  Several  persons came into the room  after  she was
Magnetised. She at once told the number.  After attempting
various experiments similar to the above, with like results, a
piece  of tobacco was  put into our mouth, when  the lady
assumed the appearance of the greatest possible disgust, and
was loud in her denunciations of " nasty tobacco." Snuff was
was likewise given us, when the subject  commenced sneez-
ing, nor did she cease, until we had fully relieved our nostrils
from the odious stuff.  Candy was then tasted, and the lady
smacked her lips, as if she thought it a luxury.  Pain was
also inflicted upon us, in different parts  of the body,  when
the lady, simultaneously, manifested pain in  the same part
in which we suffered.   These experiments were continued
an hour and a half, without at all wearying the patient,  when
she was aroused from the Magnetic sleep.
  The following case, which  we find  in the Pittsburgh
Chronicle, contains an interesting account of some experi-
ments attempted by two incredulous persons, at  the request
of the writer of this work, when at Pittsburgh, in the spring
of 1842 :—
  " A young lady, who had been Magnetised several  times
by the writer,  was the subject of the Mesmeriser's passes.
She was at this time thrown into the Mesmeric state by a
young merchant of this city, (Pittsburgh,) who was anxious
of testing the alleged theory, that all  persons possessed the
Mesmeric influence in  a greater or less degree.  The patient
exhibited the usual symptoms consequent upon the manipu-
lations, in  about fifteen  minutes.  During  the operation,
tears streamed from her eyes ; the muscles of the  arms be-
came  exceedingly  rigid, as much so as in  catalepsy;  the
hand  looked white and bloodless, and felt very cold; a
spasmodic  contraction of the muscles about the mouth took
place; in fine, the whole appearance indicated  an exceed- 
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
29
ingly unnatural  condition,  and one which a person could
scarcely conceive to be assumed.   There were but four per-
sons in  the  room  when she was  thrown into  this state.
Shortly after  her eyes had been  closely bandaged, a negro
servant entered: she was asked  the number of persons  in
the room; the answer was five.  She was asked if there was
any  difference in the appearance of the persons.   She said
there was a difference ; that one was  dark, his hair black, but
not very long, and had on  a  tight roundabout, which was
correct, in every particular.   The servant was  then seated,
and a poker placed in his hands :  she was questioned relative
to these facts, and she answered that  he was sitting, and had
some thing in his hands, long and round, and for stirring the
fire.   A  black cloak was then thrown over his  shoulders,
which she correctly described.   The Magnetiser then stepped
behind her a few paces, and willed her to raise her right arm,
which she did.  A candle was  then held up behind her back :
she said it was  to see with.   She was then asked what the
Mesmeriser held in  his hand: the answer was, that it was
white and yellow, to keep time with, and added,  distinctly,
" a watch."   It was a gold watch with a silver face.  She
was  required to  tell the time : she answered, without hesita-
tion, " Twenty-five  minutes of nine," which was the exact
time.  The  Magnetiser's hair was  then pulled: she com-
plained of some one  pulling her hair.  His side was then
pinched :  she complained of her side, and manifested symp-
toms of pain. He tasted an  apple :  she moved her lips,  as
though she was  eating, and said it tasted tart, like an apple.
Some Cayenne  pepper was then put in his mouth:  she said
it puckered her mouth, and smarted.   The Magnetiser then
asked her to  walk with him, and took her in an  imaginary
walk with him to the  United States Hotel:  she said that
she saw a large brick house, with  a stoop in front, (cor-
rect.)  He now moved away from the house, and asked her
what she saw : she said  she saw a long building with holes
in it, that it was  an aqueduct,  and  had  deep water in  it.
This was considered so remarkable, that she was requested 
30
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
 to repeat it, several times, which she did distinctly.  It was
 correct.  The Magnetiser then imagined himself in a steam
 car :  she said he was riding in something like a stage;  that
 it went very fast,  and by steam.  She was  then  placed in
 communication, with another  individual, an eminent lawyer
 of Pittsburgh, who took her in an imaginary visit to his room.
 She described the house as a long one, with a stoop in front,
 supported by columns, which was correct.  She said  the
 room was small, looked like an office ;  said there was a bed
 on the right of the door, that it had curtains, which was cor-
 rect.   She then said she saw something in front of the door,
 which was high, and had glass on  the top part, looked dark
 below, and had  books on a shelf.   It was a large dressing
 glass, with a shelf below and books on it. She then described
 something hanging against the wall: said it had a glass over
 it, and looked pretty, and said there was a  boy, dog  and
 flower upon it. It was the print of a child throwing a flower
 at a dog in the water.  She also  fully described a closet, the
 contents of a box, &c.
  " These  are the facts," continues the writer, " as they oc-
 curred, and were noted down  at the time, in the words of
 the patient.  No inferences will be drawn, or theories manu-
 factured ; it is inexplicable.  There could be no collusion.
 and  there was certainly no disposition on the part of the
 visitants to deceive themselves.  It was done to satisfy them-
 selves.  They have seen and heard, and ' it is a very obvious
 principle,' says Chalmers, ' although often forgotten in the
 pride of prejudice  and controversy, that what has  been seen
 and heard by one pair of human eyes, is of sufficient force to
countenance  all that  has been reasoned or guessed at by a
thousand human understandings.'"
  We  copy  the following from  the Lancaster (Pa,) Intelli-
gencer of June, 1842.  Although the  statements contained
in it are similar to  the last, yet in the multitude of facts, we
shall perhaps arrive at some important truth in these hitherto
 mysterious phenomena.  The characters  of  the  witnesses
 are such as to preclude any idea of imposition. 
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
31
  " The undersigned, citizens of Lancaster, who were present
at the experiments tried this morning, Friday June 24th, at
the house of John L.  Thompson Esq., of this city, by Mr.
C. P. Johnson, beg leave to state the result of the experi-
ments, as well for the benefit of those who may doubt, as for
the gratification of the public.  The subject was a girl fif-
teen years of age, living in Mr. Thompson's family, who from
her associations, and the slender  means within her reach to
acquire  an education, knew positively nothing about Mag-
netism.   She  had indeed, heard considerable talk in Mr.
Thompson's  family, and took great delight in avowing her
want of faith in them, expressing at the same time a strong
wish to be Magnetised herself, which she repeatedly asserted
could not be done.  This wish  led to the experiment above
alluded  to.   The girl being seated in a rocking chair, Mr.
Johnson proceeded  to apply the usual means to throw her
into the Magnetic sleep. After considerable time had elapsed,
say forty-five minutes, during which she endeavored to resist
the Magnetic influence, by keeping her eyes open, she grad-
ually fell asleep, her eyes assuming a leaden dullness, and
finally closing altogether. After some time, during which
the persons present began to believe she was only in a natu-
ral  sleep, her arms were raised, and they remained in that
position.  Mr. Johnson then put tobacco in his mouth when she
presented the appearance of great disgust.  Mr. J's. hair was
then pulled, when she writhed in contortions of apparently
great pain ; he  was pricked, and the  same result  followed ;
her hand was then pricked with  a pin, and pinched, but she
gave no signs of pain.   Mr. Johnson then fixed his attention
upon one of the persons present, whom she  could not see,
when she stated the color of his  dress correctly ;  stated his
business, and what was his name, upon being asked so to do.
The same experiments with the same result were tried upon
another  person.  The experiments in Clairvoyance,  were
highly and astonishingly successful; shehad never seen Phil-
adelphia, but on being taken there, as willed by Mr. Johnson,
she described the United States Bank  correctly, as a marble 
32
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
building, etc.;  the Girard College as an unfinished building,
she also described  Chestnut street and other public places."
We here continue the article although it contains an account
of a subject, which  we have not alluded to before, but  to
which we shall devote a further chapter.  " It was in Phreno-
Magnetism, however, where the results were eminently sat-
isfactory; results which were considered as perfect, as having
been accomplished without any possible collusion, on a per-
son who perhaps never heard the name of Phrenology men-
tioned, and  was at  least decidedly ignorant of it.  The  or-
gans of  mirth and wit being touched jointly, she laughed  so
heartily, that the tears flooded down her cheeks, and  then as
quick as thought upon the organ of fear being touched, she
exchanged  the expression into one  of the greatest possible
alarm;  the organ of tune caused her to sing ;  the organ  of
language induced very rapid, and tolerably distinct  conver-
sation ;  the organ of combativeness likewise produced a great
expression of anger in the countenance.   These results going
to establish, beyond dispute, the  science  of Phrenology and
Mesmerism, were so decided and positive  as to astonish  all
present.   When she was aroused from her stupor,  Mr. John-
son first dissipated the influence  from the  face and brain,
leaving  all  the rest of the body  Magnetised ; her arms were
then raised, and on being told to  let them down, she declared
her inability to do  so, and they  remained in that position
until removed by Mr. Johnson ;  on being told to get up, she
said she could not, as she could not move her feet, and it was
only when the influence was removed from her feet, that she
rose.  The undersigned repeat that this subject was a person
entirely and unquestionably  unacquainted  with any thing
relating to the experiments performed upon her.
     Geo.  W. Steinman    John W.  Forney,
     P. Cassidy, m. d.      Wm. B. Fahnestock, m. d.
     James Boon,           John L. Thompson.

  We have alluded to the fact, that many individuals when
under the Magnetic influence, will exhibit a variety of mo- 
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
33
tions similar to those of the Magnetiser ; it is also an inter-
esting fact that many whose susceptibility is  very great, will
unconsciously mimic  every motion and  sound  of the
Magnetiser.   Sympathy not only in their case, exists in the
mind, but in every feeling of the body, if the one is labor-
ing under some disease,  the other  experiences  the  same
sensations; a sneeze causes  the subject  to exhibit the same
motions.   Let the Magnetiser walk, and  the patient imme-
diately does the same, taking precisely the same steps.  An
interesting case  is  mentioned in Townshend's Facts in
Mesmerism, which will better illustrate these remarks.
  " Anna M---, (a lady whom I have  frequently Magnet-
ised,) in her Magnetic state mounted a staircase with me, in
order to visit an invalid lady of  our party.   I observed that
she ascended two stairs at a time, after a manner that had
become familiar to me.  At another time  when I had a cold,
she,  though  free  from  such an  affection when  awake,
coughed  in  her  sleep  whenever I  did."   The following
extract from a register of Mesmeric proceedings, will also
confirm the above fact and remark.
   "The  Magnetiser rubs his  hands, and  Anna M----
immediately does the same.   When  the Magnetiser blows
his nose, the patient puts her hand up to hers, as if doing the
same thing.  When the former  began to dance,  the  latter
did so too, imitating exactly the  movements of her Magnet-
iser, and snapping her fingers as he did.   He then having
turned from the patient who  was sitting at a table, took up a
pencil and without her seeing him, made some strokes upon
paper.    The patient took up another  pencil which  lay at
hand, and made  similar strokes.  Various artifices   were
employed in these cases  to deceive the subject, as for in-
stance,  another  individual in the  same room  would go
through  with the same  process, to prove  that  she was
guided  by sound and not sympathy of motion.   The pa-
tient was however not influenced, in the  least.
   " For  the  purpose, the writer  continues of  testing the
truth of the  alleged  phenomena,  that the head of the
             5 
34
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
 Mesmerised person, will follow the hand of the Mesmeriser,
 as iron does the loadstone, and in order to  submit the phe-
 nomena to  the  surest proof, bandaged the eyes of one of
 my patients  previously  to  Magnetising   him,  and  filled
 with cotton  every possible interstice, that  might be left be-
 tween the cheek  and the handkerchief, in such a manner as
 to convince  every  person who  witnessed  the experiment,
 that for the  patient to perceive by sight, the motion of  my
 hand, was out of  the question. As soon however  as the indi-
 vidual  had  been Magnetised, his  head followed my hand
 at the distance of two feet with unerring certainty.  Did I
 place it on the left side of the head, it instantly inclined on
 that side, was it in front, he bent forward to meet it; was it
 behind  him, he  leaned back toward it, with what would
 seem a painful and unnatural effect.
   " Again I  held my hand above  his leg,  immediately  the
 limb was attracted  upward.   I continued to withdraw my
 hand, and the leg was so much elevated as to form an  acute
 angle with the  body of the patient.   Finally  I ran  quickly
 away to the other end of the room, and the  patient followed
 me quickly and unerringly.  I then  tried to see what  effect
 the foot would have.   With  this  thought I raised my foot,
 not in any unusual manner, but as if I were laying one  leg
 over the other.  The sole of my foot was then presented to
 the patient.   In a very short time  she  began to turn round
 upon her chair, so as nearly to fall in the fire.  Struck with
 this oddity, 1 made the patient arise, and again presented  my
 foot, when she commenced a series of regular  evolutions
 from right to left, stopping always when she had half comple-
 ted the circle, with the bend and dip, like that of the Magnetic
 needle.  The experiment repeated always produced the same
 result.
   " Again when standing opposite  to the patient, who was
 in an upright position,  I began to  turn around.   She also
seemed  forced to  revolve,  but in  a direction contrary  to
mine.  If I turned from left to right, she turned  from right
to left, and vice versa.   The same experiments he tried also 
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.               35
upon  other  patients  with the  like result, except sometimes!
there was a repulsion in the foot."
   These  facts are  not  only matters  of history, but are
daily occurrences  in the  history of every Magnetiser.  It is
but few months since a young man was Magnetised by the
writer, who  a short  time  afterward was summoned  away
on business.   After assuring him that we were about to leave
him for a short time,  but that we would soon return to relieve
him, he burst into the most vehement crying,  and said he
could not possibly let usgo.   Entreaty was, however, of no
avail, and the instant we started to leave him, he was thrown
into the  most  violent convulsions, and  would endeavor  to
follow us ; but the instant we  returned and placed our hand
upon  him,  he would be  calm and appear happy.   We then
tried walking about the room, going over every article that
could be  placed in  our  way.   He, without hesitation fol-
lowed, stepping in the same steps invariably.  But all efforts
to leave him, in order to  attend to our business, was wholly
unavailing, and we were  obliged  to  relieve him from the
Magnetic  influence.
   But the sympathetic motions of the body, are not the least
remarkable  phenomena exhibited by the Magnetic somnam-
bulist.  Indeed the exhibitions in this state only fill us with
emotions of wonder, and admiring the effect, we look in vain
for the hidden cause.
   The extraordinary scope of  mind, which it gives the indi-
vidual,  seems almost incredible.  The patient  will con-
verse with an intellectual power, which in the waking state
he would be incapable of.  The mind with ease, will dip deep
into fountains of science, drawing out its most interesting
and important material, will discuss with familiarity, some
abstruse subject, which the erudite scholar had  given  up  in
despair, will, in  fine at  one  grasp exhibit  the research of
ages.   Exercised  judiciously, it may  be made  eminently
useful in a moral and scientific point of view, since it tends
to elevate the mind above sensual and material objects.  Im-
press  upon the individual while in the Magnetic state, the 
36                ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
importance of a well regulated life, the consequences of certain
actions, which perhaps  had hitherto exercised a baleful in-
fluence  over their lives, vice in its naked deformity, its in-
fluence on society, and its ultimate tendency, and a power is
exerted upon them which will be  a secret spring, operating
upon all their future life.   Some imperceptible influence,
acts  upon the mind, which wholly changes the current of
their thoughts and actions.   The moral feelings in this state,
are in a high state  of cultivation, the moral perceptions
unusually acute, falsehood and sport looked upon with feel-
ings  of the deepest horror.  In  short, a sentiment  pervades
the character which we  do not find in actual life.
  In a moral point of view, then the influence of Magnetism
is  tremendous, and may be  made subservient  to the wisest,
and best of ends.
  Scarcely less valuable is  it, as an  auxiliary in science.
The acute discernment, the nice discrimination, together
with the intellectual  power  manifested, cannot fail to make
it  useful  in  explaining  much of the  arena of nature,  of
unfolding many of the mysterious phenomena of mind, which
when fully understood, can not but exercise a beneficial in-
fluence upon mankind.
  This power is effected through  the agency of the Magnet-
iser,  and it lies in his power to effect an important change in
the character  of the  individual  upon  whom  he  operates.
Whether it may be turned  to  vicious purposes  or not, suf-
ficient facts have not  been furnished us  to warrant  an  opin-
ion, but it is believed  that it can not be done; that the motions
of an individual, in order  to  effect the patient,  must  be
benevolent.
  But an apparent formidable objection is here  raised against
the science, so long as there is a possibility of  evil resulting
from it.  With this extraordinary power, the Magnetiser if
disposed, may make a wrong use of the influence. In an-
swer, it may be said that any power however good, is capa-
ble of abuse.   The scriptures may be perverted by designing
men and the  holy precepts, which  it inculcates, be made 
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
37
 subservient to the basest system of philosophy and religion,
 and yet are the scriptures with all  their holy  precepts  to be
 thrown aside ?  The druggist when asked for medicine to
 suit a peculiar case, may give to his unsuspecting customer
 a poison, which if the patient takes, must produce instant
 death, and yet because it is in the power of a druggist  to do
 this,  shall we have no  druggists ?   And is not Magnetism,
 because dangerous in evil  hands, to be  consigned to any
 hands at all ?  Beside the Magnetic patients are to blame for
 permitting themselves to be placed under  the  influence of a
 Magnetiser,  unless before witnesses, as there is a possibility
 that the character  may be so shaped,  as to be made subser-
 vient to the  basest of purposes.   As an  illustration of the
 moral influence that can be exerted upon  the patient, a case
 will be given, which was related to the writer, by a worthy
 clergyman of the Methodist denomination.  The patient was
 a young lady of about twenty years of age, who had become
 interested in the subject of religion while young, and united
 with the  church, with which he was connected.   Circum-
 stances beyond  her control, in the course of a year or  two
 placed her in society, whose tastes or feelings were not conge-
 nial with those whom she had been in the habit of associating.
 Her  interest in  religious   affairs became  lessened,   and
 from a cheerful and happy being, she became  a morose and'
 melancholy picture of misery.  Doubt and perplexing  fears
 constantly harrassed her mind.  In this distressing situation
 she remained, until disease had made inroads  upon her fair
 form, and she seemed to be fast hastening to the embraces of
 the tomb.   In this situation she was found by the clergyman
 above  alluded to,  who proposed  Magnetism, in  order to
 check the inroads, that was being made upon her feeble con-
stitution.  She readily consented.   In about  half an hour
she was fully Magnetised; when  he impressed  upon her
mind the  importance of cheerfulness and  a change in the
current of her thoughts, and  administered to  her mind the
consolations of the  Christian religion.  Her countenance lit
up with a beaming smile, joy took the place of melancholy, 
3S
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
 and under the  influence of these  feelings, she was aroused.
 Instead of the downcast look, cheerfulness was planted there.
 Happiness, which  for many a month had  been a stranger
 there, again returned.   An imperceptible influence exerted
 its sway over her, and she was full of happiness.   A year
 had elapsed, since the change in her feelings, when these
 facts were stated to the writer, and she still felt the same in-
 fluence upon her.   Health had regained its former seat, and
 she moved among the circle of her friends without any alloy.
   If such an influence  may be exerted, what an advantage
 the religious  teacher  may gain, in reforming those  over
 whose destiny he is  called, in a measure,  to preside.  The
 current of their life may be changed, and in more ways than
 one, he may be a messenger of good.
   Scarcely less wonderful is the change in the intellectual
 power of the patient.  Townshend mentions the case of
 one of his patients, who, when in the Magnetic state,  his ha-
 bitual confusion of thought was changed into justness of ap-
 prehension ;  to indulge in abstract  speculations, seemed al-
 most a feature of his condition ; and he displayed in this de-
 velopment of his  nature,  a peculiar  acuteness of remark,
 which looked like intuitive sagacity; he apprehended with
 ease, and learned with quickness ; a hint was sufficient to put
 him in possession of a subject.
   The following instance  of the kind seemed almost incredi-
 ble, to those who were witnesses of the fact.  A young man,
 who had been noted for his dullness, and stupidity, and want
 of intellect, was Magnetised, a change come over his appear-
 ance, his thoughts passed into a new track, and he conversed
 with a mental  activity, which put to blush men of superior
 education,  and intellectual endowments.  An eminent law-
yer, being put in  communication with him, he  began  the
discussion  of some  legal  question, astonishing us by  the
clearness of his conceptions, or  keeping  us in a  roar, of
laughter,  by the  lively  sallies  of his wit.    He  quoted
 from authors, opinions  which favored the  point under dis- 
ANIMAL  MAGNETISM.
39
 cussion, authors, which, it were impossible for him to have  0
 ever seen.   He  then conversed with him readily in several^  ~
 different languages: Greek, Latin and French, pronouncing  ■■'.
 not  only the language  correctly, but describing the scenes
 accurately,  to which his mind was directed by  the gentle-     V;/
 man in communication.                                "~f ■/*u^.
   A Polish  exile conversed with him readily  in  his native  C>^*;.\
 tongue, describing some of the scenes of his home land with
 astonishing facility.                                          JA
   What has been true in his case, has been witnessed in a  ^  «•
 host of other individuals. How this extraordinary power  is
 communicated  we scarcely venture an opinion ;  but singly
 state  the fact  which the Magnetic practitioner,  is an eye-
 witness to, almost daily.
   We have often had occasion to remark, however, that per-
 sons affected with mania, or laboring under some  mental  ir-
 regularity, which caused them to be taxed with slight insanity,
 are, in the somnolescent state, generally more clear-sighted
 (Clairvoyant,) than others, and that at such times, they ex-
 hibit  no indication of the defect of the mind, with which
 they are charged ; that they possessed the most extraordinary
 powers of mind, and exhibit the more remarkable phenom-
 ena.  The same holds true, in cases where the intellectual
 faculties are absent, or are manifestly infirm.  These phe-
 nomena are  sufficiently explained by the experience of  phy-
 sicians.  They know that partial insanity, as  well as differ-
 ent kinds of mania, must have their origin in some deeply
 affected part of the epigastrium; and in that case the irregu-
 larity of the brain is only sympathetic.   Somnambulism only
 insulates the latter, renders it for the time independent of its
 usual relations,  and of separating the brain from its sickly
 affections, and  it is by such means that this organ instanta-
neously acquires this facility and this latitude in its operations
that it enjoys while in this state.
  From among  an almost innumerable numbers of the ex-
traordinary cases of Clairvoyant individuals, may be quoted 
40
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
the astonishing  powers  of Miss  Brackett, formerly  of
Rhode-Island, but recently of the  Blind Asylum of Boston.
This young lady was totally blind, and could scarcely speak
above a whisper in consequence of a blow, which she received
while very young, by a weight falling upon her head. For
the following interesting account, we are  indebted to her his-
torian, Col. Stone, who experimented with her at Providence,
in the year 1837.  She, while in this slate, could tell the con-
tents  of a box closely  packed with articles altogether un-
known to  her, previously she once told Col. Stone, what  he
had written, and placed under  many envelopes,  and nume-
rous seals, handing them back to him with the contents copied
on the outside, and still unbroken.   Her sympathetic feelings
were so strong, that while she was travelling in imagination
with some individual, she would seem to  suffer some of the
evils  which would have attended it, had she been  there  in
reality.
  When desired to go into a box, and examine its contents,
she not unfrequently would complain of suffocation, or if by
sea, she would  exhibit  signs of sea-sickness.  She, at one
time, was taken to Saratoga Springs, and was desired to taste
of the water in imagination, and when about to drink, acted
as if dashing down the cup with disgust.
  When  examined  by  Col. Stone, she  saw most  distinct-
ly,  and read  to  him  from books, which  were held behind
her head,  although totally blind, and an  additional precau-
tion was taken, by blindfolding.
  She was asked to go a journey with Col. Stone to New-
York, where in reality she had never been ; but on his pro-
posing to her to go by steamboat, she refused because it made
her sick.   She  preferred being conveyed  through the air.
The Colonel by imagination, supported her by the two hands,
and she trembled and shuddered at the idea of rising, begging
him to support her safely.  On the way she asked him to
stop,  and admire the beautiful town of Bristol.  They soon
however, arrived at the Battery, of which she being inform-
ed  by Col. Stone, she  expressed great delight at their safe 
animal magnetism
41
arrival,  describing its appearance.  She was then invited to
visit Castle Garden,  but was startled at a public officer sta-
tioned  there.  Upon entering the passage way, she objected
to proceeding as it was not a garden, which it  is known is
true, but described accurately, different individuals who
are usually found there.  In passing up Broadway the crowds
of people were a great annoyance, and when asked to enter
the Astor House, by the principal entrance, she shrunk back,
and asked if she could not come at another time, when there
were not so many men on the stairs.  She spoke of the fine
work on Mechanic's Hall, of the emptiness of the College
Green, and  on being shown the residence of the President
of the  College,  she said no one resided there at the  time;
and the  family  were then  really absent.  She spoke  of de-
cayed trees, in front of some of the Professors' houses, which
although he did  not know of at  the time, he afterward found
to be the fact.
  At last, Col. Stone requested her to enter his house, she
described its different halls, apartments, their locations, &c,
with  surprising  facility, she saw  and was deeply affected
with the numerous paintings upon the walls.  In the library
she described some pieces, that were not known to  be  depos-
ited there  by any one, but the Colonel, and in fine, seemed
to see the house just as it was.   Our limit will not permit us
to detail other remarkable instances of which, there are nu-
merous cases within the writer's own experience. Such won-
derful phenomena are not uncommon in the Magnetic trance;
to attempt to account for it, is useless.
  The facts however exist, and as we are morally bound to
yield credence to facts, provided they are well authenticated,
upon  whatever  subject they may  be presented, contrary
though it may be to former views, it is useless to deny them
inasmuch as such an amount of evidence go to sustain them.
  There is, however, a striking analogy in these cases of
Magnetic somnambulism, to natural  somnambulism, (an ad-,
mitted phenomena by all,)  which we  consider of sufficient
consequence to devote a chapter  to it. 
42
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
                    CHAPTER IV.

                   Natural Somnambulism.

  The world has been frequently astonished at the narration
of remarkable cases, in which individuals  have been able to
describe articles, and to read from books, without the usual
sense.  Almost every nation has  furnished well authentica-
ted cases of these unaccountable phenomena.  To some, they
seemed like  idle tales, while others gave a partial credence
to the stories,  considering them even if true, of little or no
consequence, while a third class, found in them facts for deep
thought, and of wonder.
  But the discoveries of later years have proved this to be a
great philosophical  truth, the development of which, is to
form  a  new era in  science, and explain  much of the hith-
erto  doubtful laws that control the operations of the human
mind.  Somnambulism first shows itself by a propensity to
talk during sleep, the person giving a full account of all that
passes before them, when in this stale, often revealing their
own secrets, and those of their  friends.   Walking is very
common in this state, from which it derives its  name.  The
individual while in this state, gets out of bed, dresses himself,
and if not prevented, walks frequently to dangerous places, in
safety, and engages in work.   After going about some time,
they will return to the bed, and every thing that has trans-
pired only passes before the mind as a dream.   The sleep it-
self, the extraordinary effects resulting from it, is the part of
this  interesting subject, which deserves the attention of the
philosopher.   In sleep, our external senses are in a dormant
state.  But  the cuticular organ, the principal seat of the
physical  sensibility, is considered more   open to  external
impressions and influences when asleep,  than  when awake. 
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
43
  Ihis organ, the skin, in sleep is the door by  which we may
  communicate directly with the internal sense of man, excite
  his faculties,  and even his moral  sense may be directed to
  any object.  Is it not  very common to make sleeping per-
  sons speak; to make them hold  long conversations,  and
  even  to tell their  secrets ? Now  the ear being asleep, how
  can they hear by that organ 1  They can not; they hear you
  by the only organ then  active, then, indeed, more than at any
  other time sensitive. .The  vibrations of sound, as well  as
  the rays of light, are percieved through the skin.  Through
  this medium alone, and by this, does he see, and distinguish
  objects.
    Then does the somnambulist see objects  brilliantly;  no
  impediment seems to limit their vision, and as they have fre-
 quently described it, they invariably see objects " white  as
 light, and sprinkled with brilliant sparks," which Roullier,
 a French  writer, of celebrity, thinks, demonstrates fully and
 satisfactorily that  it  operates  through the  agency  of elec-
 tricity, how, he does  not satisfactorily explain.
   When the soul  forsakes the inward sphere,  or when the
 senses operate and  merely continue the vital function, the
 body  falls into a profound sleep, or  entranced state, during
 which time the  soul acts more freely, and powerfuMy, all
 its faculties being elevated.  The more, therefore, the soul
 is divested of the body, the more extensive, free, and power-
 ful is its inward sphere  of operation.  It has  therefore  no
 need of the body, in order to live and exist; the latter is rather
 a hindrance to  it.   The soul in a state of somnambulism
 has no perception whatever, of the visible world, but if it be
 brought into reciprocal connection with some one, who is in
 his natural state, and  acts through the medium of his corpo-
 ral senses, it becomes conscious of the visible world through
 him, and in him, is sensible of it.
   In this, the analogy between Magnetic and  natural som-
nambulism, is  striking.  The only  difference is, that you
can not converse with the former without the aid of the will 
44
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
of the individual who produced the somnambulic state, while
in the latter, you may without any extraneous aid, succeed
in conversing with them, with tolerable distinctness.   This
may be  accounted  for in the fact, that one state is natural,
while the other is artificial.
   The effects alluded to above  upon individuals are varied.
Abercombrie  in  his intellectual powers mentions  an in-
stance, in which a  young nobleman living in the citadel of
Breslau, was observed by his brother who occupied the same
room, to rise in his sleep, wrap himself in a cloak, and
escape by a window to the  roof of the building.  He then
tore in pieces a magpie's nest, wrapped the youngbirds in his
cloak, returned to his  apartment and went to bed.  In the
morning when told of it, he could not believe it, nor was he
persuaded till he found the birds in his cloak.
   Cassendi mentions  an instance of a somnambulist, who
used to rise, dress himself in his sleep, go down to the cellar
and draw wine  from a cask.  One night he carried on his
head a table covered with  decanters up a very narrow stair-
case, and with  more dexterity than he  could have  done
when awake.
   The Arch Bishop of Bordeaux, states  in  one of the vol-
umes of the Encyclopedia, the  case of a  young clergyman,
who was in the habit of rising during the night, in a state of
somnambulism, and  writing his sermons.   When he had
finished writing one page of his manuscript, he would read
and revise it.  In order to ascertain whether he  made any
use of his eyes, the Arch Bishop held a piece of pasteboard
under his chin  to prevent  his seeing the paper ; but he con-
tinued to  write on without being at all incommoded.   Dr.
Dwight   mentions the  case of a somnambulist, who  on
awaking every morning, found himself without a  shirt.
After thus losing about two dozen, and having no remember-
ance of what had become of them, his  brother one  night
slept with him, to  ascertain if possible what  he did with  his
shirts.   About  twelve o'clock he arose, dressed himself, and
went out)  his  brother followed him one mile distant to a 
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
45
pond;  there he undressed himself, and  took his  shirt and
thrust  it into a hollow log ; then bathed, after which  he
dressed himself with the exception of his shirt, and returned,
undressed himself, and retired to his bed.  In the morning
he  awaked  as usual, and  found his  shirt  missing;  he
inquired of his brother what had become of it, who told him
that if he would follow he would show it him ; they went to
the pond, and there found it and all the others  stowed away
in a hollow log.
   In  all these cases, the  affection occurred during ordinary
sleep; but a condition very analogous is met  with coming
on in the day time, in paroxysms, during which time the per-
son is in a state  resembling Magnetic somnambulism, they
are insensible to  external impressions, and no  effort can
arouse them from  the condition.   These  cases occur in
different ways, some times  they are  proceeded by  a local
disease, other times by an injury, while another class  are so
affected without any warning.
   Individuals in  this state, will frequently converse with
freedom upon abstruse subjects, recite long pieces of poetry,
read out of a book when  the space between the eyes and  the
 book is wholly filled up, and some have been known to con-
verse  in languages with which they were not  conversant
 when they were out of this state.
   Dr.  Abercrombie mentions a case of a woman in  the
 infirmary  at Edinburgh, on  account of an affection  of this
 kind,  and  who during the paroxysms, mimicked the manner
 of the physicians, and repeated correctly some of their pre-
 scriptions in the Latin language.
    Dr. Haycok, Professor of medicine in Oxford, would give
 out a  text in his sleep,  and deliver a good sermon from it,
 nor  could  all  the  pulling and  pinching of his  friends,
 prevent him.
    The celebrated Mrs. Baker of New-York, who is usually
 denominated the sleeping  preacher,  is another remarkable
 instance of the kind. This lady used  to go through with
 every part of the  Presbyterian service from the Psalm, to the 
46
animal magnetism.
 blessing.  She was the daughter of the most respectable and
 wealthy parents, who were flattered with this extraordinary
 gift in their child, until they became convinced  that it was
 the result of disease.
   This lady would when travelling in a steam boat be seized
 with one of her paroxysms,  and would  arise and preach  to
 me astonishment of the passengers.   A volume of her ser-
 mons have been published.
   Julia Childs, the celebrated somnambulist, who figured
 some years ago at  Springfield, Mass.,  is  thus  described.
 When her fits of somnambulism were on, every attempt  to
 arouse her was in  vain, at one time she continued forty-
 eight hours, a bandage was tied over her eyes, but she read a
 great variety of cards that were presented, told the lime cor-
 rectly,  and would  repeat pieces  of poetry that she  had
 learned in childhood,  but had forgotten, and others which
 she  had merely read several years before.   She would sing
 songs  correctly, although she had never learned  to  sing,
 and had never been  known to sing when  awake.
   Dr. Behlen states, that he took a large black silk hand-
 kerchief, and placed between the folds two  pieces of cotton
 batting, and applied  it in such a  manner  that the cotton
 came directly over her eyes, and completely filled the cavity
 on each side of the nose.  Various names were then written
 on cards, which she  read as soon as they were presented
 to her.  She was afterward taught how to play backgam-
 mon, and in the sixth game beat Dr.  Butler, an experienced
 player.   She could not even set the men, when awake.  A
somewhat amusing story is found in an able work on Human
Physiology.  "A lad named  George David, sixteen years
old, in the service of Mr. Hewson, a butcher in Bridgeroad, at
 about twenty minutes past nine, bent forward in his chair,
and  rested  his forehead on his hands, and  in ten minutes
started up, went for his whip,  put on his spur, and  went
thence  into the stable;  not  finding his  own saddle in the
proper  place, he returned to  the house  and asked  for it.
Being asked what he wanted with  it, he replied, to go his 
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
47
rounds.  He returned to the stable, got on the horse, without
the saddle, and was proceeding to leave the  stable !   It was
with much difficulty that Mr. Hewson, Jr., assisted  by the
other lad, could removeTiim from his horse : his strength was
great, and it was with difficulty that he was brought in doors.
  The lad considered  himself stopped at the turnpike gate,
and took sixpence out of his pocket to be changed, and hold-
ing out his hand for the change,  the sixpence was  returned
to him, he immediately observed, none of your nonsense,
this is the sixpence again, give  my change.  When  two-
pence half-penny was given to him, he counted it over, and
said, none of your gammon, that is not right, I want a penny
more, making a three-pence half-penny, which was the prop-
er change, he then said, give my  coston, (meaning  his  hat,)
which slang term he had been in the habit of using, and then
began  to whip, and spur, to get his horse on.   His pulse was
at this time,  one hundred and thirty-six, full and hard, no
change of countenance could be observed,  nor any spas-
modic  affection  of the muscles, the eyes remaining closed
the whole of the time."
   Sufficient  instances  of these remarkable phenomena have
now been given to show a marked analogy to the cases,
which we mentioned in the last chapter, respecting Magnetic
somnambulism.   Many individuals, however, express a full
belief  in  natural  somnambulism, while they consider that
induced by Magnetism, as wholly  a species of deception
when it will be seen, at once, that there is  scarcely any thing
more remarkable in the latter, than has often been known to
occur  in the  former state.
   The facts, then, in  both kinds  of somnambulism, go to.
show that mankind has a sense independent of the physical
organs, which has been  most eloquently expressed  by the
 Reverend Mr. Sunderland, in the first volume of trie Mag-
net,  and which  we here transcribe,  for the benefit  of our
readers:—
   " The same fact, (the sense independent of the body,) holds
true in insects, animals, and birds.  Is it not this sense, which 
48
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
guides the feathered  tribes in their  migrations from one
hemisphere to another ?   Is it not this sense, which guides
the ox in selecting two hundred  and seventy-six  kinds of
herbs, and, at the same, time teaches him to avoid two hun-
dred and eighteen, as unfit for food ?  A species of spider digs
a hole in the earth, about two feet deep, and closes  it with a
curious trap-door, so as to deceive and keep out every  intru-
der.  The tortoise, though hatched a mile from the water, no
sooner leaves its shell than it runs directly to the ocean, with-
out a guide.  The sphex fabulosa prepares little  cells  in the
earth;  then she fetches spiders, and deposites one with each
egg, that the little ones may have food as soon as they break
forth from the shell.  All animals, without  instruction, move
with perfect skill, from the time of their birth, from one place
to another; and  they use their limbs, and select their food, at
the proper time  and  place.  Mix salt and arsenic, and it is
said sheep will select the  former from  the latter, a  thing
which  man could not do.   This sense, has been called in-
stinct ; but is it any thing more or  less  than  the Magnetic
sense, if we may so speak,  with which the Creator has  en-
dowed every living being ?   True, for its exercise,  or  its
various manifestations, in man, we have  organs, the strength
and activity of which  depend on the power of the Magnetic
forces, and the strength and proportions of the different Mag-
netic poles, or sympathetic  points.  But  it  is well known, to
those acquainted with human physiology,  that in diseases of
the nervous system, persons have been able  to see without the
use of the eyes, and to do  things which  they could not do
when in a healthy or waking state.   And cases may be found
described in the books, where  persons long sick, and  enfee-
bled with disease, have all at once become so strong, by an
excitement of the nervous system,  as successfully to resist
the strength of two or three strong, able bodied men.  The
nerves and muscles, in such cases, seem to possess superhu-
man power, and  the brain to be endowed with a  most unac-
countable susceptiblity."
   Of the  manner in which this extra sense acts,  we think 
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
49
the facts will abundantly show.  By what agency it is called
into exercise, we cannot  so  satisfactorily determine.  By
some it  is attributed to the agency  of the evil one ; some to
the ^imaginstlion ; while a  third class, (justly, we think,) to
electricity, in some  one of its  forms.   Experiments have
been frequently tried, and in a measure establish this point,
which will not be in place  to notice here.
                     CHAPTER V.

          The Advantages Arising from Animal Magnetism.

  It is undoubtedly true, that there is more or less of truth
in every novel principle or  system brought before the public,
and, to a  limited extent, demands  investigation, as strong
evidences of the onward tendency of the human mind.  A
few years  have effected wonderful changes in the practice of
medicine.  Many processes, which  a short time since were
universally derided, have become common,  and he who now
refuses to enter  into their  use, is looked upon as a bigoted
fanatic. Bleeding, for instance, once regarded as the remedy
for almost every disease, in its  various forms, is now looked
upon as not only useless, but in many instances a dangerous
operation, and the old method of  dosing the individual with
potent drugs and poisonous minerals, has been so far modi-
fied, that nature, once despised as a mere quack practitioner,
is now permitted to have some hand in the  curative process.
The Homoeopathic, the Thompsonian, and  other systems of
practice, although, perhaps, in  many particulars erroneous,
have contributed largely toward producing  a reform, and
spreading the conviction, that the old practice of medicine
was,  in  many particulars, wrong,  although  the individual
who thus practices, is deprived by law of any equivalent for
his trouble, beyond the voluntary contribution of his patient.
              7 
60
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
   The tendency of the  human mind, however, is onward;
old forms disappear ; errors of practice are gradually giving
way, and new light is dawning upon the practice of medi-
cine. Beyond  a doubt, the time will soon come, when,
instead of the hireling physician, every person will  be able
to be his own practitioner; when he will find within himself
the elements, if properly used, of operating for the different
diseases {< flesh is heir to."
   The day has gone by, when he who derides the new prac-
tice, can  so far succeed in blinding the eyes  of his votaries,
as to prevent an investigation of whatever bears even a sem-
blance of benefiting the human family.  True, in our coun-
try, but little attention has been paid to the curative advan-
tages, (concerning which we devote this chapter,) of Animal
Magnetism, yet the nations of the old world, in their investi-
gations of these  remarkable  phenomena, have not Jost sight
of it.  In Germany, France, and Prussia, the practice of it
has become universal among the most eminent of the medical
profession.  In Berlin, an hospital has been established, for the
sole purpose of treating the sick by this agent.  And a decree
of the Medical  College  of Denmark, passed in 1815, and
another in 1817, imposed upon physicians the duty of report-
ing the result of their practice in the use of Magnetism.  Dr.
Elliotson, of London, has  introduced it into his extensive
practice with success.
  Its curative advantages are extensive, " and to deny it," as
observed  by Dr. Mars, before the Paris Academy of Medi-
cine, in 1825, " would  be to suppose that men of the greatest
merit, two  learned bodies of the  first respectability,  and
governments, known to have surrounded  themselves with
the best physicians, must, in  various places, and at various
periods of time, have fallen dupes of miserable jugglers,  and
propagated, favored, and executed labors  merely chimeri-
cal."
  It  is generally the case, that those who cry "humbug,"
'< imposition," " cheat," are either those who have never at
all looked into the subject,  or else just enough to satisfy 
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
51
themselves that it will greatly injure their  calling in the
world.  This last class, self governs them in every thing;
that which will  benefit them, is of the greatest possible ad-
vantage ;  arid that which can  be  of no use to them, they
have no sympathy with, and the  rr-ost uncompromising op-
position must be brought to bear upon it.
  We  think, and we  hope, however, to demonstrate  in the
statement  of the following  facts, that whatever  may  be the
opposition to them, from some sources, individuals of some
unknown  peculiarity of organization, possess the power, by
the motion of the hands, exercise of  the will, or of both com-
bined, of producing in others a Magnetic state, and thereby
greatly aid in removing many  of the diseases incident to the
human family, and which have heretofore baffled the skill of
science.
  This we know to be true, for we have seen cases in which
diseases which  had been  yielded, as beyond the reach of
human  means, by men who pass  through the world as men
of science and erudition, removed in a short  time by the aid
of this mysterious, yet heavenly messenger.
  It came,' and  like an angel  spirit  from above, it bade the
wretched  sufferer be  relieved; it sr3bk©  to the soul of the
poor being tossed upon the shoals of life's tempestuous sea,
to dry up  his tears, for soon it would be calm again, and he
weather, without trouble, the bitter  ills of this stormy exis-
tence.
   We shall mention a few cases as proof of this  assertion.
Chronic diseases, as well as all nervous affections, have not
unfrequently been wholly cured by  its application.
  Deleuze remarks,  that Magnetism often assuages a fever,
and is a sovereign remedy for the enlargement of the glands,
and has wrought astonishing cures in scrofulous complaints ;
ulcers which have exhausted the resources of medicine, have
been cured by Magnetism.  A  woman who had an ulcer ten
years was cured in thirty-five sittings.  Paralysis has been
hot unfrequently cured in France.   Tic Doloreux,  Rheu-
matic affections, are speedily relieved by its agency. A young 
52
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
lady of twenty is mentioned by the  same author as having
had  attacks of the epilepsy ever since  she was nine years
old, and had been unsuccessfully treated by the most able
physicians.  It is three months since she had recourse to
Magnetism. From the first month her attacks became weaker
and less frequent; at the end of the second they entirely dis-
appeared, and she now enjoys perfect health.
  The following instance is given by Dr. Cutter, of Nashua,
N. H.   It occurred in 1837.
   Tic Doloreux.   "I was called to  see Miss E. M., of this
town.   The disease was  confined to the right side of the face.
I proposed Magnetism, she consented.  After sleeping a short
time  I  awoke her, and the pain was gone and  has  not
returned."
  Another  case which the writer relieved, in the winter of
1841, is not less remarkable :—
  A young lady who had been suffering with this disease in
its most acute forms, and had been reduced from a healthy
system to a living skeleton, one day with an imploring look,
said, "if Magnetism will  relieve me I will believe in  it."  We
tried the experiment.   The first sitting produced little or no
change, but after three or four times each successive  day, the
pain  left her, color again came to her cheek, and health was
implanted where it had  been absent for years, neither  has
she since had a return of it.
  The following case is  mentioned in the third number of
the first volume of the  Magnet, by  the Rev. Mr. Sunder-
land :—
  Cholera  Morbus.   "Mrs. W. was siezed most violently
with this complaint,  July  31, 1842,  about  9  o'clock P. M.,
and it continued without intermission till the next day about
twelve, when we were called to  see her.  She was  then so
much prostrated that she was not able to stand upon  her feet
and scarce  to lift her hand to her head.  Though  she was
much set in her mind against Magnetism, she consented to
have the trial made.  The relief was immediate and perma-
nent.   She sank into a  sound Magnetic sleep, which con 
                  ANIMAL MAGNETISM.               53

tinued for six hours.   During the sleep we were called away
to see another patient, and in our absence she commenced a
description of ourself, and of various other persons  in  dif-
ferent places, and their views and feelings toward us.  She
described  the state of her system minutely, and has since
been perfectly well."
  The following case we extract from the  same work, and
may be considered one of the most remarkable on record:__
  " 1 hereby certify, that it is now more than two years since
from a severe affection in the throat, I lost my voice entirely,
and during this  time I have been quite indisposed as to my
general  health;  but  I have been wholly unable to speak
above a whisper until last Tuesday evening, the 26th inst.
when the Rev. La Roy Sunderland putting his hand on
my head enabled me  to speak aloud.  This he has enabled
me to do repeatedly in the presence of numbers of my friends
to their no small astonishment, as well as my own, and  this
morning I read in a loud voice the whole of the 40th Psalm.
I can only say it  seems to be the Lord's doing, and marvellous
in my eyes.
                                    Mary Ann Boon.
   Albany, N. Y., July 28, 1842.
   And here follows a certificate from some citizens of Albany
who vouch for the correctness of the above statement, which
we need not here transcribe.
   Some weeks had transpired and the lady continued to talk
more or less aloud.
   We continue a few more cases from another number of the
same volume of the Magnet:—
   Inflammation.  Mrs. G. being present while we were opera-
ting on a patient, stated that she had been bitten three weeks
before, in  the instep of one of her feet by some poisonous
reptile, and during that  time she had been scarcely able to
 walk.   The place was much inflamed and quite painful.  On
 Magnetising the part affected, by simply passing the hand
 over it for about ten minutes, she declared it perfectly re- 
54
animal magnetism.
lieved from pain, and from that moment she was able to walk
with that foot without the least difficulty.
  Paralysis.  The liver, heart, stomach, and lungs appear to
be quite diseased.   The statement is in her own words :—
  " I have been quite indisposed for the last two years, during
which time I am not aware that I  have derived any benefit
from medical attendance.  About  five months since  I was
brought down with paralysis of  the spine and lower limbs,
since which time I have not been able to walk at all, nor even
to bear my weight upon my feet; indeed a  part of this time
my limbs have been so cramped up that I have been unable
to straighten them.  Besides other diseases, I have been af-
fected with a determination of blood  to the head, and spas-
modic hysteria, so that frequently my entire system has been
thrown  into convulsions, which  have been exceedingly dis-
tressing.   When Mr. Sunderland commenced Magnetising
me, only one week since, I did not anticipate much if any relief,
but am now, with my friends, astonished at the effect it has
produced upon my system. Besides curing me of the  spasms,
my limbs have become straight, and I am now so far recovered
that I am able  to walk across the room.  My remarkable re-
covery thus  far, I can attribute to nothing but Magnetism,
and I feel great pleasure in bearing this testimony to its unex-
pected and surprising effects in my case, in hopes that others
who may be suffering from like maladies may be induced to
give it a trial.
                   Caroline Wilkins, 72 Carmine st.
  New-York, July 6, 1842.
  The following case exhibits phenomena of a different cha-
racter, and shows that in a case of long standing, where a
part of the system had become diseased and very weak and
the other was  rapidly becoming  so from sympathy with it,
that the disease was wholly eradicated and the former strength
of the limb restored to it.
  Mrs. W. some  five years previous to the writer beino-
called to see her, slipped while walking upon some  ice and
fell, striking her left ankle upon the ice.  It at first produced 
ANIMAL magnetism.
55
insensibility ;  it however, gradually recovered, but before it
became perfect, she sprained it again, and then caught cold
in it. The muscles and tendons of the leg soon became very
weak and contracted, and continually became weaker till she
was unable to walk without the aid of a crutch.  The other
leg also gradually fell into the same situation with it.  This
had been the case for two years when we first saw her; not
being able to walk,' she passed  almost the whole time in read-
ing, consequently she  had little or no exercise, which had
greatly enfeebled her general health.  The first time she was
Magnetised we made her straighten  out her leg, and she did
it with perfect ease.   After being relieved from the state, it
remained  as  it was while in it.  The second time she was
raised upon her feet, and made to stand her full weight upon
it.   We continued Magnetising her day after  day till the
sixth time, when  by an effort of the will, we prevailed upon
her to walk across the room;  this she did several times suc-
cessively.   By degrees the tendons of  both  legs  acquired
strength, until she was able to  walk without "scarcely a limp.
Several months have transpired and still it remains well.
  In the above case, the whole difficulty existed in a weak-
ness of the muscles, which gradually became weaker from a
disuse of  them.  By Magnetism strength was  imparted to
them, and they soon  regained their former activity.' How is
this the reader asks ?  We answer, that there is undoubtedly
a certain amount of nervous or electrical fluid in the sys-
tem, which is  imparted from the Magnetiser to the patient;
that in the case of a  healthy person, he can lose it, without
disadvantage to himself, while it may  be of incalculable ad-
vantage in restoring the invalid to accustomed vigor.   Mag-
netism will  then operate as an efficient aid  in  those cases
when from some cause or other they have lost the use of their
limbs.
  We spoke in a former chapter of the perfect insensibility
of the Magnetic Somnambulist, and we promised to state some
facts in which this had been used to  great advantage, particu-
larly in surgical operations—this promise we now fulfil. 
56               ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
  The first case we copy from the London Times, as it was
read to the Royal Medical and Chirurgical Society of London.
We give the case entire.
  "James Wombell, aged 42, a laboring man, of a ealm and
quiet  temperament, had suffered for a period of about five
years  from a painful affection of the left knee, occasioned by
ulceration arising from neglected inflammation.   On the 21st
of June he was admitted into the District  Hospital at Wei low
near Ollerton, no longer able to work, and suffering much
pain.   It was soon  found that amputation of the leg, above
the knee joint was inevitable, and it was eventually proposed
that it should  be performed, if possible, during Mesmeric
sleep.   I saw Wombell for the first time on the 9th of Sep-
tember. He was sitting upright upon a bed in  the Hospital,
the only position which he could  bear.   He complained of
great  pain in his knee, and of much excitability and loss of
strength from his  constant restlessness  and deprivation of
sleep, for he had not, during the three previous weeks, slept
more  than two hours in seventy.
   " In the first attempt to Mesmerise him, which occupied me
thirty-five minutes, the only effect produced was a closing of
the eye lids, with that quivering appearance peculiar to Mes-
meric sleep, and though awake and sleeping, he could  not
raise  them  until after the lapse of a minute and a half.  My
attempt the next day was more successful, and in twenty
minutes he was asleep.  We continued to Mesmerise him
every day, except the eighteenth, until the 24th of September,
his susceptibility gradually increasing, so that on the 23d  the
sleep  was produced in four minutes and a half.  The dura-
tion of this sleep  varied, continuing generally for  half an
hour, sometimes for an hour, and occasionally for an hour
and half; but with two exceptions, (attempts to converse with
him,) we inavariably found him awakened, though without
being startled by the violent pain from his knee, which sud-
denly recurred  at  uncertain intervals.   The third time we
saw him he was suffering great agony, and distressed even
to tears.  We commenced by making passes longitudinally 
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.               57
over the diseased knee, in five minutes he felt comparatively
easy, and on proceeding farther to Mesmerise him, at the ex-
piration of ten minutes he was sleeping like an infant; not
only his arm was then violently pinched, but  also the dis-
eased leg  itself, without his exhibiting any sensations; yet
this limb was so sensitive to pain in his natural state, he could
not bear the slightest covering  to rest upon it.   That night
he slept seven hours without interruption.   After constantly
Mesmerising him for ten or twelve days, a great change was
observed in his  appearance ; the hue of health returned—
he became more cheerful—felt  much stronger__was easier
in mind and in body—slept well, and recovered his appetite.
On 22d September, he was first apprised of the necessity of
an  early amputation.   The communication seemed almost
unexpected, and affected him considerably.   The anticipated
loss of the limb, however, that night destroyed his  natural
sleep.   Next day, though still found fretting, restless, and in
consequent  pain; he was yet, by my touch, asleep  in four
minutes and a half.   I was then absent, and did not see Wom-
bell until the 28th.  He was looking healthy and cheerful •
his natural sleep was sound and regular, and his pain  soothed
and diminished.  I was now convinced that the  operation
might be safely attempted during Mesmeric sleep;  and with
the man's  firm  consent, it was  fixed  for the Saturday fol-
lowing.
  " On  the morning of the 1st of October, I again Mesmerised
Wombell, having  done so the  previous two  days.  This
was done in the presence of Dr. W. S. Ward, (the operator,)
and two other surgeons, in order that the previous Mesmerism
might tend, as I believed it would, to render his sleep deeper
when again Mesmerised for the operation, and also to satisfy
them of the state, in which he would be when  that time ar-
rived.   He slept an hour,  and was aroused  by an attempt to
converse with him.  I then showed him my power of affect-
ing  any one of his limbs, even when he was quite  awake.
At my request he extended his arms alternately.   By making
two or three passes over each, without any contact, I so trans-
            8 
58
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
fixed them that from the shoulders to the end of the fingers
they became as rigid and unyielding as bars of iron, not to
be unbent by mechanical force powerful enough to injure the
limbs, and yet instantly relaxing  throughout, and dropping
to his side, from the effect of my breath alone.  His  right
leg was affected in the same degree, and relief from imme-
diate pain was frequently afforded by making similar passes
over the diseased one.  Though the insensibility to pain was
diminished in the  limbs thus affected while  awake, it was
only during Mesmeric sleep I found it totally gone.   At half
past one o'clock we proceeded to Wombell's room for the
purpose of making the  necessary preparations.  From the
suffering inflicted  by the slightest movement, it was found
impossible, without needless torture, to  place him upon a
table.  The low bed, on which  he then lay, was  therefore
lifted upon a temporary  platform.  Ten minutes after being
Mesmerised, he was drawn, by means of the bed clothes
beneath him,  toward the end of the bed ;  the movement,
however, excited that pain which  had so often aroused  him
before, and now it did so  again.   There was something quite
excruciating in the suffering which the state of the knee pro-
duced, for I had seen him while in Mesmeric sleep, pinched
in other parts of the diseased limb, without being disturbed
or conscious of it.   To preclude the necessity of any other
movement, his leg  was now  placed in  the most convenient
position which he could bear.  Shortly afterward he declared
that the pain had ceased,  and  I again Mesmerised him in four
minutes.   In a quarter  of an hour, I informed Dr. Ward
that he might commence the operation.  I then brought two
fingers of each hand  gently in  contact with Wombell's
closed eye lids, and there kept them still farther  to deepen
sleep.  Dr. Ward, after one earnest look at the man, slowly
plunged his knife into the centre of the outer side of thfcpa-
tient's thigh, directly to the bone, and then made a clear  inci-
sion round the bone to the opposite point on the inside of the
thigh.  The stillness at this moment was something awful •
the calm respiration of the sleeping  man  alone was heard 
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
59
for all other seemed suspended.  In making the second inci-
sion, the position of the leg was found  more inconvenient
than it had appeared to be, and the operator could not pro-
ceed with his former facility.  Soon after the second incision
a moaning was heard from the patient, which continued at
intervals until  the  conclusion.  It gave me the  idea of a
troubled dream, for his sleep continued as profound as ever.
The placid look of his countenance never chang-ed for an
instant—his whole frame rested uncontrolled in perfect still-
ness and repose—not a  muscle or nerve was seen to twitch.
To the end of the operation, including  the sawing of the
bone, securing the arteries, and applying the bandages—occu-
pying a period of upward of twenty minutes—he lay like a
statue.   Soon after  the limb was removed, his pulse becom-
ing  low from loss  of blood,  some brandy and water was
poured into his throat, which he swallowed unconsciously.
As the bandage was applied, I pointed out to one of the sur-
geons, and another gentleman present, that peculiar quivering
of the closed eye lids already alluded to.
   "Finally, when all was completed, and Wombell was
about to be removed, his pulse being still found very low,
some sal volatile and  water was administered to  him; it
proved too  strong and purgent, and he gradually and calmly
awoke.   At first  he uttered  no exclamation, and  for some
moments seemed lost and bewildered, but after looking around
he exclaimed—'I bless  the Lord, to find that it is all over!'
He was then removed to another room, and following imme-
diately, I demanded of him, in the presence of the persons
assembled, to describe all he felt or knew after he was Mes-
merised.  Wombell's reply was—<I never knew any thing
more, and never felt any pain at all; I once felt as if I heard
a kind of crunching.'   I asked if that were painful; he re-
plied, {no pain  at all ; I never had any, and knew nothing
till I was awakened by that strong stuff, (sal volatile.)  The
crunching, no doubt, was the sawing of his own thigh bone.
He was left easy and comfortable, and still found so at nine
o'clock  that night, about which hour I  again  Mesmerised 
60
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
him in a minute and three quarters, and he slept an  hour
and a half.  I may farther add, that on the Monday follow-
ing, the first dressing of his wound was in Mesmeric sleep.
Of this dressing, usually accompanied by much soreness and
smarting, he felt nothing—slept long after it was completed
—was ignorant of Dr. Ward's intention, and after awaken-
ing, remained unconscious of its having been  done.  Dr. W.
S. Ward's own valuable statement, in  accordance with his
personal observation and  care, prior and subsequent to the
operation, he has kindly permitted to be appended to my own,
and thus to render complete the narrative of this rase, which
I leave without a syllable of comment.
                                       "W. TOPHAM.
  "Middle Temple, Oct. 25, 1842."
  Dr. Ward's  account, which was  written four  days after
the  above, confirmed this in every particular.   It states
that the patient is doing remarkably well, and sat up on Sun-
day last to eat  his dinner, just three weeks from the opera-
tion, and he has not a single bad symptom, none even of the
nervous excitement, so frequently observed in patients who
have undergone painful  operations, and who have suffered
much previous anxiety in making up their minds.  We have
transcribed the whole of this interesting cure for a two fold
reason—first, to show the importance of Magnetism in sur-
gical operations;  and secondly, to show to  those who are
experimenting,, some important things  to be observed, with-
out which, the operation might be attended with  serious dif-
ficulties.  Many an unfortunate individual has been Magne-
tised by improper persons, and they have felt the blighting
influence of it throughout their lives. In the case mentioned
 above, had not the utmost care been taken, it would have re-
sulted in the death of the individual.  With proper care then,
 it may be made an invaluable auxiliary in these operations,
 which so often  prove fatal to the unfortunate individuals com-
 pelled to submit to them.
   We mention another case, not less difficult, but the more
 interesting, as it occurred in our own country. 
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
61
  The experiment of Magnetising was performed by Mr. L.
N. Fowler, a distinguished phrenologist, and the operation
performed by the physician whose certificate will be found at
the conclusion of this article.  The statement was published
in the first volume of the Magnet.  The subject was Mrs.
Mann,  the wife  of George B. Mann, Esq., postmaster in
the village of Milford, Mass.
  "She is naturally extremely nervous, so much so as to
amount to a disease, and very sensitive.  The other day a
letter was brought  in: she  received an impression that  it
contained unfavorable news, and went  into violent spasms,
and it was several hours before she recovered from its effects.
Is very susceptible to the influence of Magnetism. Have put
her to sleep by putting cotton  into her ears, and any thing
passed from my hand to hers, will be clenched so nervously
as to defy all  attempts at taking it away from her.  She was
much affected by severe head and tooth ache; but since be-
ing Magnetised, she has not been troubled with either, and
as she informed me last week, was never previously so well
in her life.  She complained, however, of her appetite having
been  very poor.  I Magnetised the organ of alimentiveness,
and she manifested excessive hunger, eating with violence at
every meal, finally bringing on sickness.   She informed me
she had a tumor upon her  shoulder, that  she would like to
have taken out.  I told her  it  could probably be done with-
out her knowing or feeling it.  She consented  to have  it
done, and Tuesday of last week was appointed for the opera-
tion.  I came according to appointment, and put  her into the
Magnetic condition at half-past nine o'clock, A. M. She was
under the impression  that she would be awoke, and put to
sleep a second time, before any attempt would  be  made at
extracting the  tumor.  Dr.  Fisk came at ten,  commenced
operations at about eleven,  and closed at half-past  twelve,
 M.   There  were  present,  Dr. Fisk, G. B. Mann, (her
husband,) Miss M. B. Cleaveland, and myself.  From the
first incision  until  the operation was two-thirds completed,
she experienced no pain whatever, but chatted and laughed, 
62
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
 as though she were perfectly at ease.  At this time, it became
 necessary for some one to assist the doctor, and quitting her,
 I directed my attention toward aiding him.  Not being sup-
 ported, she began to experience  some pain, and wished the
 doctor to stop.  She became more and more distressed,
 and wished me  to send him away, letting her rest awhile,
 and then it would be finished without hurting her.  She
 grew more and more urgent, and said she could not stand it,
 and that the doctor must stop.  I asked her, at this point,  if
 she  was asleep.  She said,' Yes.'  He stopped several times,
 a minute or two, which prolonged the operation ; but he was
 afraid to let it remain unfinished : thus continued to operate,
 contrary to, her request.  At  length it  was  completed, and
 bandaged.  I then put her into a more quiet sleep, until half-
 past four, at which time I  aroused her.   When she opened
 her eyes, she was much amused at the plight she found her-
 self in—dress disordered, arm uncovered, &c.  For a minute,
 she was  laughing  and crying at the same  time.  I asked
 what the matter was.  She replied, her dress—how came  it
 so disarranged ? and her arm—how came that bare ? I asked
 her if she did not know the cause.  She said, ' No;' then
 hesitated, and asked the question, if the tumor was removed?
 I asked her if she did not know whether  it was removed or
 not ?  ' Is it V inquired she, with great earnestness.  I then
 informed her.  ' Oh !' exclaimed she, with joyful surprise,
 ' how glad I am; why, I thought I was to be put to sleep  a
 second time, to have it taken out.'  She then looked at the
 wound, and said she knew nothing about it, had no knowl-
edge of the operation, or of any  pain; she could hardly be
 made to believe it.   Her arm had^ been retained in the  Mes-
 meric condition, after she was taken out, and she did not feel
 any soreness or pain in her arm.   Put her to sleep at  half-
past  eight, and awoke her at two in the morning.   She has
been in the Magnetic sleep most of the time, for four days
 after  the operation, and has  not experienced  the slightest
 pain.  The  doctor  describes the tumor  as follows :__£ It
is an adipoise humor, four inches thick, five and a half in 
                  ANIMAL  MAGNETISM.               63

length, and five in breadth, at the lower half gradually be-
coming thinner at the edge, diffusing itself under the integu-
ments and cellular  substance over  a  large surface.  The
attachments to the skin and muscles being very strong, and
the surface of the tumor being irregular and badly defined,
rendered  the operation protracted, and would,  in ordinary
cases, be extremely painful.'   The doctor adds, there is not,
in the whole  of his  acquaintance, another person who is so
nervous, and so bad a subject  for an  operation, and that,
under ordinary  circumstances, he would not attempt any
important operation  upon her for one  thousand dollars.   I
have certificates from the doctor, from Mr. Mann, &c, wit-
nessing the truth of  the above statement.
              "Very respectfully,       L. N. Fowler."
   Certificates, certifying to the truth  of the above, are in  the
Magnet, confirming it in every important particular.
   " I was present, and performed the operation upon  the
right arm of Mrs. Mann, on Tuesday last, August 2, whilst,
as Mr. Fowler states, she was under the influence of Mag-
netism, and believe,  according to the best of my memory,
that his statement is  correct, although I am not, as yet, fully
prepared to admit Magnetism  to be a science, or believe in
many of the details which its advocates ascribe to it.
                                 " James Fisk, m. d."
   The following fact cannot  fail  to be of interest to those
who are investigating this subject with reference to its impor-
tant aid  in surgery.  Dr.  Robertson, who performed the
operation, and communicated the fact, is a citizen of Augusta,
Georgia, who has been long and  favorably known as a phy-
sician  in  that  place, and  whose  character for veracity is
unqestioned,  which  entitles his statement to the highest
credence.
   " I was called to visit a son of Mr. Spears of this city,
who I was informed had received a severe injury of the elbow
joint  from falling.   It was supposed to be  a  fracture  or
dislocation.  The lad  was between twelve or thirteen years 
64
ANIMAL magnetism.
of age.   When  I  saw him he was suffering excruciating
pain, the joint was very much swollen, particularly about
the internal condgle of the humerus.  He could not suffer the
slightest motion without crying out with pain, and the arm
could only be moved by being supported in the uninjured
hand.  I made several attempts to make the necessary exami-
nation  to  ascertain the  state of the injured joint, but  all
efforts were fruitless, so intense and insupportable was the
agony  whenever I touched or handled the extremity.  I
finally told the boy in a jocular manner, if he did not hold
still and let me examine his arm, I would have him Mesmer-
ised.  His  father replied, that he had  done it on the pre-
vious evening, I then requested  him to do it again.   After
considerable hesitation he  commenced, and in thirty min-
utes the Magnetic sleep was completed.   I then  took hold of
the injured  arm and  examined it in every way to  satisfy
myself that it was  neither a fracture, nor a dislocation, but
a  severe contusion of the whole joint, with considerable
extravasation of  blood.  A  satisfactory  examination in such
cases, as every surgeon well knows, must require the arm to
be  turned, and  twisted  in  various directions before the
diagnosis can be  relied upon ;  but during the whole examina-
tion he exhibited  no symptoms  of pain, or consciousness
whatever.  I then  placed the usual bandage upon the injured
joint without disturbing the patient in  the slightest degree.
When aroused,  he was  perfectly astonished that his arm
was bandaged,  and  immediately placed the limb in the
uninjured hand  as before."
   But there is another important advantage arising from
Animal Magnetism, which  we have not noted in the prece-
ding pages, i. e.  that power by which the individual when
Magnetised, can perceive the state of  another  individual,
whether the system is in a healthy condition, what parts are
affected, what are well,  and finally what* will relieve the
diseased person.  So  much confidence is placed in this
extraordinary power,  that many  Magnetisers  when  in  ill
health,  employ  no other agency but a Magnetic one to aid 
                ANIMAL  MAGNETISM.                  65

 them.  We will in this place state but one fact, and refer the
 reader to the numerous cases in the Appendix, which can not
 fail to be of deep interest to the investigating mind.
   It is but few months since, that a mother, Mrs. A____, ap-
 plied to the writer in behalf of a  son about fourteen years
 of age, who  for several years, had been afflicted with occa-
 sional fits, which had  so affected his mind, as  to produce
 almost a state of idiocy.  Physicians  in almost every part of
 the country, had  examined his case, and each  had treated
 his complaint as  originating  from a different cause.  But
 all their efforts to remove the fits had been wholly unavail-
 ing, and the young man seemed to be rapidly sinking into that
 state of mind, which  friends cannot but regard with instinc-
 tive horror.   Physicians  considered  his case as  hopeless.
 At this time the mother becoming interested in  the subject
 of Animal Magnetism, was  induced to see if a Clairvoyant
 subject could give her information relating to her son.  The
 Clairvoyant after  making an  examination stated, that  his
 case had been mistaken ; that in the  multitude of ways, not
 one had reached his  actual condition.  After  stating  what
 had been done to the young man, (of which she knew noth-
 ing when awake,)  and of the symptoms exhibited, the Clair-
 voyant  became suddenly most fearfully convulsed; after we
 succeeded in  calming her system, she stated the  cause of it
 to be a tape worm, rolled up within the intestines, which
 was gradually consuming the system and must soon ter-
 minate in the death of the young man, unless removed ; she
 then prescribed  a  remedy which was followed, and in the
course of a few days  a tape  worm corresponding to her de-
scription and nine feet  long, come from  him; since which
time,  he has not had a return of the fits, and appears to be
regaining his former vivacity and life.
   That Magnetism has resulted in some extraordinary cures-
that under its influence painful surgical operations have been
performed, we think the above mentioned cases  will satis-
factorily demonstrate.
   The objector  however,  may say that it is all imaginary,
           y 
66
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
that the individual being possessed of a strong  and vivid
imagination, had a presentiment, thatall this might be done,
and under the influence of it was smade to bear up against
it and seemingly to suffer no pain.   But can the imagination
actually  cure a deep  seated  disease?   Can it  cause an
individual to be laid  upon a  table, apparently asleep, and
without suffering the slightest pain, have a limb removed,
the arteries tied up and the wound dressed ?  Can it cause a
timid, nervous female, suffering under an acute tooth ache,
to  calmly sit down, close her  eyes as  if in sleep, open her
mouth,  and have the tooth extracted, without the slightest
movement of a  muscle?  Well, admit it, that all this can be
done, that disease can be cured, pains  relieved, and painful
surgical  operations be  performed  under the influence of
the imagination ; but let it be placed to the credit of Animal
Magnetism,  for having discovered this fact.  Had not Mes-
mer and his disciples, discovered this wonderful influence,
the world might still have rolled on as it has for the last six
thousand years, in ignorance of this important truth.   But
we care not what name the opponent of Magnetism apply to
it, let them call it imagination, we are content with the fact.
If we can be relieved from pain when sick ; if we can have a
limb removed when diseased without suffering, we are satis-
fied. Names are to us of no consequence, and the opponents of
Magnetism may call it whatever they please, we shall be re-
lieved by its  agency, and are satisfied with the fact as it is,
without disputing  about a mere name.   We however shall
continue to apply to it our former name, until its opponents
show some reason beyond mere assertion to disprove it, and
shall venture the opinion toward sustaining that designation
that the human system contains more or less in proportion to
its strength, of the Magnetic fluid, and that many of the laws
which regulate mineral Magnetism, apply with equal force
to Magenetism in animated bodies, and that all diseases arise
from the derangement of these Magnetic forces, which to be
active are essential to life, and that, in the language of Rev.
 Mr. Sunderland, every disease whether local or general, is 
animal magnetism.
67
 controlled by portions of the brain, and they are dependent
 upon the state  of the cerebral  organs, and through these
 organs, they may  be  excited, controlled, modified, and re-
 moved.  In other words, that the  brain is  the  seat of the
 Magnetic forces of the  system.  Disease therefore may be
 eventually relieved, and eradicated by Magnetising these for-
 ces, and through their agency effect the whole system.
   This will not be fully done  until the laws that govern
 the human system are better understood and obeyed.
   We give in this place, the opinion of Rev. Mr. Sunder-
 land relative  to this important  truth, based upon facts that
 have come within  his knowledge, in his investigation of the
 science of human life; merely remarking that our own
 experience, which has not been limited, corroberates his con-
 clusions, which are'stated much more forcibly in his language,
 than we are able to do.
   1. " That animal life is nothing more nor less, than Magnet-
 ism in an organized, or modified form.  The Magnetic forces
 produce the  conception, and growth of the human system,
 and their decay and separation  from the body, results in
 death.
   2. " That this life is generated between  the brain and the
 semilunar plexus, or perhaps the solar plexus.
   3. " That from the brain, vitality is distributed over the
 system, and different parts  of that  organ supply it for dif-
 ferent  portions of the body, so that  every vital or physical
 organ and muscle, is animated and  controlled by a separate
 portion of the brain.
   4. il The temperaments are fixed, and determined, by the
 predominance  of the different Magnetic forces.   A predomi-
 nance of the  negative forces makes one temperament, and
 the positive forces another, and the combination of the dif-
 ferent forces in the same person, and proportions of the forces
 in certain parts  of the system, make a combination of the
different temperaments in the same person.
   5. ''Derangement of the  Magnetic  forces, in the mental
 organs, produces monomania, insanity and madness. 
68
animal magnetism.
  6. " Derangement of the cerebral organs, which control
the physical organs, produces disease, and the derangement
of the sympathetic points, or poles, in any other parts of the
system, produces the same results, and affects the brain more
or less, in all cases.
  7. " All  diseases may be controlled, more or less  by Mag-
netising  the cerebral orgaus, corresponding with  the parts
affected.   Hence as far as we have ascertained, the location of
the different cerebral organs, which control  the vital organs,
we have  found Magnetism to be a specific for recent diseases
of every kind.
  8. " For nervous complaints, and diseases of the brain, such
as monomania, insanity, and madness,  Magnetism is a perfect
cure, in recent cases where we can ascertain, with  certainty,
the different parts which have been affected, and where there
is no malformation, or destruclion of the organs.
  9. " Medicines have no effect in removing disease, except
in so far as they produce the right kind of action,  upon the
Magnetic forces of the parts diseased.
   10.  " Health, therefore, is that state of the system, in which
all its organs, perform all their natural functions, unrestrained,
by a due proportion of the  Magnetic forces."
    What these Magnetic forces are, perhaps we  have  not
sufficiently explained.   They are nothing more, nor less than
the  controlling movements of. the system, under whose gui-
dance we may easily find the road to health, and enjoy the
rich treasures therein  contained.   These have origin in the
brain, and are distrbuted throughout the body.   When these
are  fully understood,  so that the laws which  govern them
 may be obeyed, then, many cases of disease may be averted
and instead of the individual being hurried to an early,  and
 premature grave, he will only be carried there, in a "good
old age," when the machinery of the human system has be-
 come  worn out.
   The laws of life, the most important which can  affect our
 existence here, are the least attended to.  Neither  will they 
                animal magnetism.                   G9

be fully understood and explained, until the science of Mag-
netism in the human system is more investigated.
  We conclude by remarking, that he who would be a phi-
lanthropist,  and have no meaner motive agitate his bosom
than to do  all in his power for the relief of suffering  hu-
manity, ought to  investigate  every way that presents  itself,
having  upon  its standard  " benefit to the human family -?'
unless this is done, the  name is misapplied, and lie deserves
to be forgotten.
CHAPTER VI.

 Phreno-Magnetism.
  The discovery of Phreno-Magnetism, although of recent
date, is yet sufficiently important to demand a passing notice
in these pages.  Phrenology, for the last half century, has
occupied no small share of the public attention, and althouo-h
at first derided as altogether a humbug, and still sneered^at
by many, is revolutionizing moral philosophy, and demolish-
ing the abstruse and unintelligible crudities of the metaphy-
sician, by its plain, simple, and  correct classification of the
faculties of man.  Though still, and perhaps properly, in a
probationary state, and not yet formally recognised and given
a place in the philosophy of our  schools, its reforming and
modifying progress is every where to be seen.  It is operating
upon the treatment of the insane ; upon systems of education •
upon prison discipline ;  nay, its very nomenclature is a mat-
ter of familiar use, because no other analysis of our moral
constitution furnishes distinct ideas  of the animal impulses •
of the perceptive faculties and  moral  sentiments of which
our nature is composed; and because we in vain look else-
where for words to describe  the emotions of which we are
conscious. 
70               ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
   Phrenology, as well as Magnetism, in its struggle has had
 to contend with the most obdurate scepticism and  prejudice.
 Combe, himself, was  originally a sceptic, made so by Jef-
 frey and the Edinburgh Review; we have his own assurance
 that he looked into the subject for years before his mind could
 be completely satisfied that Gall and Spurzheim were right;
 yet where a man, confessedly the first philosopher of the age,
 paused in k>ng and  anxious doubt, others cry humbug, with-
 out a moment's reflection.  As it was true in Phrenology, so
 it has been in Magnetism;  and this  same eminent philoso-
 pher, after having  fully investigated the phenomena,  an
 nounces to the world that he places entire confidence in Ani-
 mal Magnetism, not only in what its professors maintain, but
 as triumphant demonstration of the truth of Phrenology.
   That part of Animal Magnetism which bears an important
 relation to Phrenology,  is called Phreno-Magnetism.   It is
 thus called, because its influence is confined exclusively to
 developments upon the brain, and by it, exciting the different
 faculties of the mind, either jointly  or  singly.   The phe-
 nomena is developed in the appearance and expression  of the
 patient, and  not unfrequently amounts  to  partial  insanity,
 causing the individual to utter the most ludicrous expres-
 sions, or to burst forth into  the wildest fits of anger, which
 may at once be removed by  withdrawing the influence.
  We cannot better convey to the reader, an idea of these in-
 teresting phenomena, than by relating some of the particular
 results of Pheno-Magnetism.
  The organ of Veneration, for  instance, may  be excited,
 and it will exhibit itself by causing the individual  to  avow
 strong attachment to  the Supreme Being; and where it is
 large, will frequently cause them to fall upon their knees  in
 prayer.   Combativeness  being excited, the patient will com-
mence fighting  every one with whom he comes in  con-
tact.   In one case, a knife was seized by the patient, and
plunged at the writer with a violence, which if  it had not
been evaded, must have produced death.   The influence of
 it being removed, Benevolence was touched, when  he  broke 
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
71
out into the most painful entreaty, that we would forgive him
for the awful act he had done, and as a reparation, he would
give us all he had in his possession.
   Mirthfulness produces  immoderate laughter;  Tune, fine
music, and frequently good singing, when it did not exist in
the waking state.
   Philoprogenitiveness, will cause the  individual to dandle
an imaginary child upon the knee, with all the fondness of a
doting mother ; while, if the antagonistical organ be excited
with it, the child will be cast aside with disdain.  So in all
the organs of the brain, the faculty corresponding  to it will
be developed.
   Phrenologists, by its aid, have been enabled to discover the
location of a variety of  faculties not laid down in the charts
of Gall and Spurzheim, which  has well nigh established
the important fact, that for every function of the mind, there
is  a distinct development of the brain.
   These  facts have been tested in so  many ways, that  the
great truth of Phrenology, so important in giving us an
insight into the laws and operations of the human mind, has
been placed upon a basis from which it can not be removed.
   The most important advantage arising from Phreno-Mag-
netism is, that it will give us the true cause, and  place an
immediate remedy within our reach of monomania, or par-
tial insanity.   It is now an established opinion among Mes-
merisers, that this horrible disease consists in a derangment
of the Magnetic forces that are seated in the brain, and that
the development of it, corresponds to the organ which is thus
deranged.
   For instance,  an individual may be insane upon their reli-
gious belief;  it will exhibit itself in their constantly express-
ing themselves in  a mass of unmeaning remarks relative to
religion.  It is supposed that in this case the organ of venera-
tion has become excited, and thus monomania is produced
upon the subject of religion.  This disease, being confined
to one distinct portion  of the system, it may be  at once re-
moved by Magnetising the organ affected, or Magnetising its
antagonistical one. 
7%
ANIMAL magnetism.
  Numerous  instances in the history of every Magnetiser,
fully confirm this view of the subject.
  An individual who had been a few weeks insane, supposed
to proceed from the loss of considerable property, was some
time since presented to the writer for an  experiment of this
kind.   Scarcely a minute would elapse, when  awake, in
which he was not exclaiming against the ills of poverty; his
own unfortunate situation, in losing all he was worth in the
world, and his fear that he should  be unable to provide any
more money for the support of some  friends who depended
upon him for a living.  His  Acquisitiveness  was operated
upon particularly, in conjunction with an experiment upon
his whole system, and strange  to say, in three trials he was
fully relieved from his monomania.
  So numerous are the cases  of this  disease  in the world,
that the bare possibility of obtaining relief through  the aid
of Magnetism, should demand for it the respectful considera-
tion of every candid mind.
                    CHAPTER VII.

                    Concluding Remarks.

  The first  introduction of Animal Magnetism into the
United  States,  was in 1836,  by Dr. Charles  Poyen, a
Frenchman.  Having witnessed  some experiments in Paris
he came to this countiy, and  after spending some time at
Boston, in the capacity of a  teacher of the French, he  lec-
tured upon the subject  in the principal  cities of  New Eng-
land, but meeting with no success, he soon retired  in diso-ust,
and sought repose again in his native  country. His lectures,
however, directed the attention of many minds to the subject,
and in  the course of two  or three years, efforts were made
again to revive it, and to place it upon  a foundation which
its merits deserved.   This time, these efforts  were attended 
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
73
with success.   Inquiry was excited, and from that time to
the present, Animal  Magnetism  has been a leading subject
of investigation among the American people. Scientific men,
physicians, clergymen, and others, have experimented, and
satisfied themselves of the truth of the science, until its prin-
ciples have become universally diffused.
   The time now having arrived, when nearly all  have be-
come satisfied of the truth of the alleged phenomena and
facts, the inquiry is, what  is the agent in producing these
results:

      " Striking the electric chain wherewith we are darkly bound 1"

   This is not yet fully settled, but sufficient is known to in-
terest the mental philosopher in its investigation, as through
its light, he beholds the easy explanation of the  abstruse
ideas of the metaphysician.
   The physician also, instead of groping jn the dark, uncer-
tain whether he is treating his patient correctly,  may know,
by the aid of a Magnetised patient, the exact locality of the
disease, its  nature, the length of time it  has continued, and
thereby the proper remedy.
   Beyond a doubt, here may be fcind the key that will un-
lock the door that opens upon the mysterious fabric of the
human mind—will developeit in all its interesting relations,
and show its striking affinity, in  its pure state, to that  Being
who made  man  in his own image, and created  him with  a
power of will, which  makes him sovereign  over  all other
creatures that inhabit the same earth with him.   Facts have
been stated in the preceding pages, substantiated beyond the
possibility of a doubt.  What shall we say to them ?  They
are too numerous to be set down  as curious coincidences, and
must be admitted as evidences of a singular sense of vision
and that, for the time being, the immortal spirit, released from
the body, roves freely, and at the will of the Magnetiser.
   These facts are no more strange than the numerous cases
of natural  somnambulism, some of which we have alluded
to, and which are universally admitted to be true.
                10 
74
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
  " Now," in the language of another, " if we admit that the
soul, in this case, saw without the aid of eyes, why not admit
that in certain states of the nervous system, other senses or
faculties  of the mind  may also act independently of their
material organs?  We know the soul thus exists after death,
and why not in  the state of temporary death produced by
Animal Magnetism'/  What know we of the nature of the
deathless spark within us?   And if we allow that  it may,
without the body, enter the next room, we can not deny the
possibility, that in the same manner, it may annihilate time
and space,  and travel hundreds of miles as easily  and as
quickly as it can so many feet.
  " But, some say, we can not believe that God has given such
a dangerous power to the human will.   It is out of the com-
mon order of nature; it is a miracle ;  we can not believe it.
But who  can set bounds to the dominion of the human will ?
Man, before the  steady gaze of whose eye, the forest king
trembles,  and flees—whose power extends to the huge dwell-
ers  in ocean's unfathomed infinite—man, at whose nod  the
giant oak. which for centuries has braved heaven's thunder-
bolts, falls prostrate  and rises again in beauty to  adorn his
mansion—who lays  his will  upon the everlasting rock, and
it becomes as wax—whose highway is earth, and ocean, and
air—whose servant  is  the lightning—whose intellect spans
earth, and  encircles heaven—thinking, reasoning, godlike
man—who  can set bounds to the untried power of his mys-
terious will ?  Who say to it, thus far shalt thou come,  but
no farther."
  Who has thrown any light upon  this mysterious power ?
What have the mental philosophers of the last six thousand
years, in  all their investigations, done to throw one shadow
of light upon  this dark  path ?  Nothing ! Are we  then to
yield it as beyond the power of man  to know ?  Are man-
kind to be compelled to grope on in a fearful state of uncer-
tainty, not knowing any thing of the nature and extent of
the mortal  spirit?  We  think not.  The Almighty never
thus destined his creatures to live, but has given us an agent 
ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
75
under the influence of which we may perceive the dawning
light.  Animal Magnetism reveals to us the beings we are—
developes to us the pure state of mind with which we are
created—confirms the truth of revelation, annihilating many
of the doctrines which have  been received as Christianity,
and places the immortal mind of man far above the depravity
with which it has been frequently associated.
  The investigations  now are ;  what is the agent, and what
the ultimate tendency of it.   Years  have been already con-
sumed, by scientific men, in searching for the hidden power,
and  probably years more will be spent, ere it will  be fully
understood.   No effort, however, should be spared to farther
the progress,  although the consummation of our  hopes may
not be realised during our lives.  The prospect that we may
be an humble aid in hastening on a day, when a power shall
be fully understood, which shall satisfactorily explain all the
laws of nature—relieve all our  doubts respecting the truth
of Christianity, and place their knowledge, respecting the
unfathomed future, upon a basis from which  it can not be
shaken, should be sufficient incentives to use every exertion
that lies in our power. 
 
APPENDIX.
   The following cases, are here detailed in order to convey
 to the reader, the various phenomena, presented by different
 persons, under the influence of Magnetism.
   They will show the effect upon  the different  tempera-
 ments, in a much clearer light  than any description, and
 demonstrate its truth beyond the possibility of a doubt.  Such
 facts must be considered as  more  than mere coincidences,
 as they occur in the experience of every Magnetiser.
   Some of them are part of the experiments of the writer,
 and none others are named, which are not duly authen-
 ticated.
   We find the following in Fowler's  Phrenological Journal,
 of August, 1843, from Rev. Dr. Beecher,
   In October, 1842, on  my  way to the Synod of Genesee, I
 spent the night at the house of Mr. Hall,  at Byron.  In the
 evening I called on Rev. Mr. Childs. On entering the room,
 I found his son,  an intelligent boy, aged ten years, then in a
 cataleptic fit, sitting in his father's arms, and his feet  in warm
 water.
   In a few moments he recovered.   He frequently had from
 three to six fits a day.  Had received the best medical attend-
 ance in the region.   Was no better ;  daily worse.   Had lost
 entirely the power of speech for several days.   Great  fears
 were  felt  that he would never recover.  There was a sore
 place on the back corner of his head and on the spine, occa-
 sioned by a fall some months previous.  When the fits passed
 off he became hungry, and not at all drowsy; and during the
 interval, appeared preternaturally bright,  and engaged  in
sports with companions as usual.
  After I had conversed a few minutes, I said, «I would have
 him Magnetised;" to which his father replied, "I don't be-
 lieve in it at all," and the mother added, «If you'll put me to 
78                    appendix.
sleep I'll believe, and not without."   I replied, " I would try
it: it may do good, and can do no harm."   During this con-
versation.  I made a few passes in front of the child, chiefly
with one'hand, and without any particular concentration of
the mind or will, and mostly with my face toward the mother.
In less than a minute the father said, " He is in  another fit!
No he isn't, I declare : I believe he  is  asleep."  Much sur-
prised, (for 1 had never Magnetised one,) I said, "It surely
can not be what I have done ; but if so I can awaken him;"
then with  a few reversed passes he  awoke.  " Well, this is
strange," said I, " but I can put him to sleep again, if it is real."
I then seriously repeated the passes with both hands  for one
or two minutes, and placed him in the perfect Mesmeric sleep.
I then fixed my eyes on a lady on the opposite side of the
room, the  boy not yet having spoken for three days, and said,
" Henry, what do you see ?" in a full decided voice.  He re-
plied, " Azubah."  I then looked his mother in the face, say-
ing, "What do you see?" He gave a name unknown to me ;
I looked to his father, who replied, "it is her maiden name"
I then took vinegar into my mouth, and said, " What do you
taste ?" " Vinegar" speaking with great tartness, and at the
same time making many contortions of the face.  The mo-
ther now whispered to one of the children, who left her seat,
and I said, " Henry, what is she going for ?"   «• Sugar, and I
love it."   She went to the closet, and brought the sugar.  I
put some into my mouth, which seemed to give him the same
pleasure as if I had put it in his own.  I then said, "What
kind of sugar is it ?"   " Muscovado."  " What is its color ?"
"Well sir, a kind of light brown."   A small glass jar with a
large cork was now placed in my hand, when  immediately I
observed the olfactory nerves affected, and the muscles about
the nose contracted at the same moment.   I said to the girl,
« What is it ?" to which the boy   answered, " Hartshorn."
» How do  you know ?"  " I smell it."  I myself neither knew
nor smelt.  I then took out the cork and applied it to my own
nose, when he instantly placed his fingers on that part of the
nose next the forehead, and said, "I feel it here," just where
\ myself experienced the burning sensation.
   During all these experiments he, sat on hi$ father's knee,
with  his head down on his breast, an4 reclining against, his
 father.
   I now asked him, " What is the matter with you ?"  v My
 brain ip sore."  « Where ?"  « At th$ bottom of it" " Where
 it joins the spinal marrow (medulla oblongata),??'  ^Yes." 
appendix.                   79
 "What occasioned it?"  I fell from the great beam in the
 barn.'   His mother here asked him, " Why did you not tell
 Ssn    [? •"  "l feared y°u would not let me Playtnere-"
   Can  Doctor A. cure you ?"  " No."  "Why not?"  "He
 don't know any thing about it," (very decidedly.)  " Can Dr.
 C ?» " No."  " Why ?"  « He  don't understand it."  « Will
 the medicine  you now use do you good ?"   " No." " Of what
 is it composed V   « There is turpentine in it."   « Does the
 Doctor give it you for tape worm?"  "Yes."  "Have you
 any V   « No." « Would you like to walk ?" " Yes."  " Well,
 walk."  He arose promptly, stepped between the chairs, and
 said, "Well, sir, where shall I go?" "From the wall to  the
 door, and back."  This he did, avoiding every obstruction,
 and at my direction returned and sat again with his father.  I
 now without notice to any one,  placed my fingers  on the or-
 gan of Benevolence, thinking at the moment it performed the
 office of Veneration,  and said,  " Would you like to pray ?"
 With some lightness he said, no.  Some questions were asked
 by his mother and myself about the Bible, &c, but no Vene-
 ration appeared.   I then recollected the  true office of the or-
 gan, and said, "Have you any thing in your pocket?"   He
 took out a knife.  " Give it to me for my little boy," which he
 did  promptly.  I removed my hand.   " Have you any thing
 else ?" " I have a pencil."  " Will you give me that for my
 other boy ?" " It has no head." « Never mind, give it, won't
 you?"  "I shouldn't like to."  "Well,  but you  will?"   I
 couldn't come it!"  {with peculiar emphasis.) Azubah said,
 ask  him where the head of the pencil is.  " Where is it, Hen-
 ry ?"  " Well, sir, in the parlor."  " Where ?"  " On the win-
 dow."   Azubah :  " Why, I  picked it up and put it there to-
 day  !"    [He certainly did  not know this.)  I then said,
 " Henry, can you get it ?" He arose, and went into the parlor
 in the dark, and took the pencil-case head from the window,
 to the very great surprise of us  all.  Indeed, we were all so
 astonished, that  it seemed a  dream during these and subse-
 quent proceedings.   He spoke with a promptness, boldness,
 and  propriety, in advance of his years, and beyond himself
 in his natural  state; and so  perfectly evident was it that he
 was  in a somnambulic state, that no sceptic, I verily believe,
 could have doubted.
   At my request he returned to  his seat.  I touched Benevo-
 lence, and instantly he handed me the pencil-case.   " For my
boy?" "Yes, sir."   I then silently, and without any willing,
and  with a feeling of curiosity to  see and  test the matter, 
80
appendix.
touched Reverence.  His countenance at once assumed a sof-
tened and solemn aspect. " Henry, would you like to pray?"
" Yes, sir."  " You may."  He then  commenced praying in-
audibly. " You may pray aloud."  He then prayed in a low,
audible voice.  On touching Tune, he sang a tune, though not
in a  habit of singing.   On touching Combativeness and De-
structiveness, he raised his clenched fist to strike me.  He was
ignorant of Phrenology, and also of my intention to touch any
particular organ ;  nor did I in any case will the activity of
the organ.  I now took out my watch, and holding  the dial
toward  myself, and  above the line of his vision, his eyes be-
ing closed,  and his head bowed forward, and my  hand also
being between him and the watch. " Henry, what time is it?"
" Eight o'clock,  sir," which was exactly the time by the
watch, though by the clock in the room it was fifteen  minutes
faster.   " Henry, how long ought you to sleep ?"  " Well,
sir, I must sleep two hours and five minutes."  "Will you
then awake ?"   " Yes, sir."  " Very  well."  This I did for
the  purpose of testing his knowledge of time, as stated by
Townshend,  an English  clergyman, whose work on this
subject I had read.
   I then said, " Will you go with me to Mr. Hall's ?" "Yes."
" Well, now we are there ; we are in the parlor: who is here ?"
« Mr. and  Mrs. Hall ;  Mr.  and Mrs. Bardwell."  " Who
else  ?"  He did not give their names, but intimated that they
were strangers. He described the room and position of things,
all of  which I found correct on going to the  house shortly
after.   These  persons were not in the habit of being there in
the evening, but company having come in, they were all to-
gether at that  moment.  As this  was in his own  town, I did
not  deem it proof, and so said, "Will you go to Batavia?"
" Yes." " Well, now we are there, now we are at my house
—now we will  go into my  room : what do you see ?"  " I
see  a large table  covered with  black cloth, and with books
and papers scattered over it."  " How  large is it ?"  " It is
about five feet long."  " How many  book cases ?"  " Three,
sir."  " What sort of a stove ?"   He could not or did not de-
 scribe this, for it was so queer a  thing as not to be easily de-
scribed. Nor did I press him,  for all his answers had been
 perfectly  correct, and I  was sufficiently astonished,  for he
 had never seen my study, and no other minister, I am sure,
 has such a table  (5  feet by 3^)  or left  in such confusion as
 mine was at that moment.
   I may here say, that during the whole period of his sleep, 
APPENDIX.
81
he could hear the questions of others put to him, and would
fi? k*T u-em' if J were willing 5  but if I willed otherwise, or
roroade him to speak, as I often did, he then would answer no
one out myself, not even  father or mother;  nor could he hear
meir conversation with me, nor  with each other.
  1 now left him for an hour, and went back to Mr. Hall's,
giving him leave to converse only with his father.  On my
return, I found  him in the  same state. He utterly refused
to speak to any one but his father, and told him that he should
not have another fit till the following Sabbath, (this was Mon-
day evening,) which proved true ; but when that day came,
he had several.
  At nine o'clock and three minutes, holding my watch as
before, and standing eight or nine feet from him, I asked the
time.   He gave nine o'clock and five minutes. « Look sharp,"
said I. " Oh ! three  minutes," said he.  We were now cu-
rious  to see if he would awake himself at the two hours and
five minutes : and as the  clock in the room reached that time
he did not awake, I said,  " Henry, did you mean by my
watch, or by the clock ?"  " By your  watch, sir."  « Very
well."  At the exact moment he opened his eyes and looked
around, and this without any act or willing of mine; and
what  was very affecting and convincing, he could no longer
speak at all, and was unconscious of all that he had said or
done.
  I have said that he had no return of fits  till the following
Sabbath.  One day after that Sabbath, he came in to his
mother  much agitated, and  apparently going into a fit, and
making the passes, he solicited  his mother to  do it, who,
merely to pacify him, passed her fingers over him,  and soon
he fell into the Mesmeric sleep, and escaped the fit.  After
this he was so highly charged  by his  sister, that when she
was in the next  room in the closet, he would instantly taste
any thing she tasted, eat  what she ate, &c.
  In ten days I returned and  Magnetised him again, and
went  through several of the above experiments.  He always,
while in  the Mesmeric state, declared that  it benefited him,
relieved all pain, and would cure him.
  After I left, at my suggestion, he was daily Magnetised:
his fits left him, his voice  returned, the sore  spots on  his head
and back were removed,  and he recovered rapidly, till the
family could  no longer Magnetise him.  A man in the vil-
lage was found, who could  and daily did, till  he  appeared
entirely well.  On omitting it he had a fit or two, and it was
              11 
82
appendix.
resumed;  and when I last saw the father, he informed me
that they considered the child cured.
  I may add, I have since cured tooth ache, greatly relieved
tic dolo'reux, and removed other pains and swellings, as well
as head ache. I am not, however, a full believer in all which
is affirmed of clairvoyants—what I see and know I believe.
In respect to  many well authenticated facts, I neither affirm
nor deny. That there are many cases of gross deception and
imposition, I fully believe.   On such a subject, it can haidly
be otherwise.  This, however, is a reason why men of cha-
racter  and intelligence should investigate it,  rather than
otherwise.  " But, it is deception !" Well, then, let us expose
it by a fair trial.   "But, it is the work of the devil!"   How
do you know ?  What is the evidence ?   What harm has it
done ? " Oh, bad men have used it for bad ends t"  And what
is there in the world that has not been so used ?  If it is the
work of the devil, then we are not to be ignorant of his de-
vices, and should make the examination for one's self, for
ignorant and bad men will  not expose his devices.  From
experiment  and observation, I  have no doubt, that as a re-
medial agent, Mesmerism is yet to accomplish much good;
and no harm can result from it, except,  like all other bless-
ings, it be abused.
                                   Wm. H. Beecher.
  Boston, June 28, 1843.
  The following, extracted from the Pennsylvanian, is a de-
tail of some experiments upon  a young  man who, although
he exhibited many of the different phenomena, yet on account
of the natural dullness of his mind, was not so clear as many
others.
   " The subjoined detail of some very curious and interest-
ing experiments in Animal Magnetism, which were tried  in
this city yesterday, is from  the pen of the same gentleman
who furnished us with a paper upon the same subject a few
days since, and  upon whose accuracy and  impartiality, as
was then remarked, every reliance may be placed :
   "Animal  Magnetism.—We were yesterday favored with
an opportunity of witnessing some private  experiments  in
Magnetism made by a Medical Professor of this city, of the
highest eminence, who had never attempted any thing of the
kind before, and  who, we conclude, was at least a  partial
sceptic previous to the triaL
   " The  subject was  a  young man who accompanied Mr.
Johnson. Dr. H. succeeded, in a short time, in putting him 
APPENDIX.
S3
 into the Magnetic sleep.  The round, or circular part of a
 fhJ' 1   unusual construction, was taken from his pocket by
 him    ?riaild held behind his head, he standing behind
 mm and he being blinded  by a bandage.   He said  it was
 round and bright, but could not be induced to name it.  The
 doctor  stepped back and siood still.   Directly the patient's
 right arm was raised.  The doctor statedthat he had willed
 him to  raise the left arm.   A thimble was handed by us to
 the doctor, who held it behind his head.  He being asked by
 him what it was, said it was 'white.'  Being asked  ao-ain
 said it was 'silver.''  Being asked the name, he  said 'itwas
 some tiling to put on the hand.'  We took  a piece of paper
 and marked on it with a pencil, the letter A.  Dr. H. held it
 to the back of his head, a";d asked what it was.  He replied,
 'paper.'  What is on it V   'Letters.'  How many?  'One.'
 What is the name of it ?  'A.'
   "A long purse was held, so that the two ends hung down
 like two globes.  Being asked, he said ' it was round things.'
 What is inside?  <Some thing which shines.'
  "A circular fan was held behind.   He said ' it was round.'
 ' What color ?'  <Dark ;' which was  correct.  ' What is it.'
 He made no answer, but made a motion with his hand like
 twirling a fan.  He was asked again.   ' Something to do so,'
 repeating the motion of the hand.
  " The doctor then put  some  tobacco in  his mouth, and
 chewed it, without naming any thing of the  mouth or taste ;
 he asked—' what is  the matter ?'  ' It tastes  bad.'  ' How V
 ' Sickish, or like liquorice,' the answer not  being distinct.
 We pinched the doctor's ear.  He moved his head.  ' What
 is the matter ?'   ' Pinching my ear.'  We pinched his hand
 severely.  He exclaimed, ' oh, don't do so !'  ' How ?'  ' Hurt-
 ing my  hand.'
  " The doctor opened his mouth wide, and he willed, as he
 afterward stated, that he should do the same, he did not do
 so but expressed uneasiness, and said, ' O,  don't.'  It  is to
be observed that Magnetised persons will not willingly do
that which  they think unseemly when awake.   We saw
another  gentleman, whom the operator willed that he should
put out  his tongue.   He made several movements with the
 mouth and throat, but did not put it out.
  " Dr.  H. next asked the patient to walk with him, to which
he consented.  After a  little time he said, 'what do you see.5
 'A large building.'   'What else?'  'Steps.'  'What am I
 looking at?'  'Nothing but the building.'  'What do you 
84
APPENDIX.
see now V . 'A high large window.'  ' What do you see now V
 ' Very curious looking things.  1 don't know the name.'
  "As the doctor afterward informed us, he had taken him,-
in imagination, to the University building, and into a room
where were the mastadon bones, and a high window.
  " He then askedAhim l what  he  saw in this room.'  'A
good many queer ttrings down  in that dark corner.   1 don't
like to look at them, I don't want to stay here.'
  " The  doctor afterward stated, that he had gone in his
mind  to Dr. Hare's lecture  room, and fixed  his  attention
upon the apparatus in the corner of the room.
  " He then said, ' what do  you see  now ?'  ' This looks
pleasanter.'  '  What do you see ?'  ' Books, books.'
  " He stated that he had gone in imagination into the library,
and had fixed his mind more particularly on a telescope
which was near the books.
  "It should be observed, that  the doctor kept his thoughts
to himself the whole time, and that the explanations which
we have  inserted in the progress of the experiment, were not
made by him to the company, till the end of it.
  " The  doctor then declared, that it did appear from the
trial made, that the patient had a  perception of what was
going on in his mind.   We  believe all present were of the
same  opinion.
   "At the  time the patient's  hand  was raised, the doctor
crossed behind his chair, from one side of the room to the
other.  The arm then changed  its position, the hand being
moved in the direction  in which the doctor stood, without
being put down."
  We find this in a number of the New-Haven Herald, pub-
lished in 1842.  The writer is one of the  many scientific
gentleman of that city:—
  " We have the following communication from one of our
most respectable citizens, in whom there is neither guile nor
deception.  The facts stated are truly wonderful:—
   "Messrs Editors :—The science of Phreno-Magnetism,
has but few believers in  New-Haven, and still fewer warm
and enthusiastic advocates.   But as the subject has not been
without  its  interest, even  among the sceptical of our  fair
city, a brief statement of facts,  to which the writer  was on
Wednesday evening a witness,  may not prove  uninteresting
to your readers.
   «• It has been my good fortune twice, within the last ten
days, to  witness, in a sister  city, successful exhibitions of 
APPENDIX.
bo
SS£J!   Pf0wer-   The first experiments were made blfore a
?«oJ2?„pa  y luthe Hartford CltyHotel> and were of al> ex-
Shh«^^f character-affording to  all present, conclusive
WpHn. h    Mesmeri(: influence.   But the  experiments of
Wednesday evening, tar exceeded the others in variety, and
few who witnessed them, could -longer Jpubt the existence .
of some strange, mysterious agent, that Isists mind to com-
municate with mind, and  thought to respond  to thouo-ht,
without material or external aid.
  " This last exhibition was given at the house of one of our
most distinguished public  men, in the  presence of several
ladies^and gentlemen of our own city, and a large assemblage
of intelligent citizens of Hartford.   The Magnetiser was a
young gentleman of great  moral and religious worth, con-
nected with the college in that place.  The subject of his
experiments, was an interesting married lady, of high intel-
lectual  cultivation, most respectably connected,  and of un-
impeachable integrity.  In  neither of them can there be the
slightest possible motive for attempting to deceive their re-
spective friends or the public ;  her motive being, as I learn,
some beneficial effects upon her health, which are supposed
to result from the Magnetic condition, united with a willing-
ness, on her part, to be placed  in this condition, in presence
of an invited  few, that she may aid scientific  and candid
minds in their investigations into the phenomena that attend
the Mesmeric state.
   " The first  experiment performed, was  by several  rapid
Magnetic passes down the lady's arms, the result of which
was, their instant  horizontal  extension, the muscles  to the
very extremities of the  fingers, being in a  state of rigidity
truly frightful—a rigidity which none of us could induce her
to relax, but which was removed by a few upward Magnetic
passes, when the arms fell in their  natural state.  The next
experiment  was  through the  exercise of the Magnetisers
will.   The lady  was sitting  in  a rocking chair, moving
gently, when he willed  that the movement cease.  He then
willed a renewal of the  motion, to which she instantly re-
sponded.   The same experiment was repeated, under differ-
ent circumstances, but with a like result.  To determine the
degree of sympathy between the Magnetiser and the lady a
clergyman present, gave the hand of the former a most un-
christian pinch.   The lady started and rubbed  her hand
complaining of pain on the very spot corresponding  to the
part affected in the suffering  Magnetiser.   This sympathy 
85
APPENDIX.
 was farther proved  by giving to him various substances  to
 taste.  In doing this, the Magnetiser stood behind her chair,
 and no intimation was given to her of the nature of the ex-
 periment.  But she immediately manifested a satisfaction  or
 disgust corresponding to that of tiie Magnetiser, and  named
■the substance tastedk
   "At one time sheWt her seat, complaining that some thing
 in  a distant part of the room  disturbed  her.  She walked
 rapidly toward  a corner, and  not  finding the cause of her
 uneasiness, she turned to a table where had just been placed
 a  stick of sealing wax, and was putting  her  hand over  it,
 when  a gentleman who was aware of the unpleasant effects
 of electrical substances upon her, instantly removed it from
 the room, and  she returned to her chair  relieved.  To test
 this more fully, another gentleman brought back the sealing
 wax, and rubbed it on his sleeve not far  from her.  She in-
 stantly arose, complaining that some thing still annoyed her,
 and was  not composed till the cause of her uneasiness  was
 again removed.  An eminent lawyer being introduced to her,
 she  began  with  him  the discussion of some legal question,
 astonishing us by the  clearness of her conceptions, or keep-
 ing us in a roar of laughter by the lively sallies of her wit.
 During this conversation, some one behind placed his hand
 near her  head without touching it.   She  instantly evidenced
 embarrassment, forgot  the subject  of discussion, and could
 not go on with it until the hand was removed.
   " The  Magnetiser then placing his hand upon her forehead,
 her  recollection was restored and the conversation renewed.
 The Magnetiser then  touched the organ of Veneration, when
 she abruptly terminated the discussion, assumed an attitude
 of devotion, and refused all farther communication with the
 physical  world.  Her  devotion  being ended, she was  put  in
 communication with a scientific gentleman, with whom she
 held a long, interesting conversation, on the subject of Ani-
 mal Magnetism; boldly controverting his  arguments, and
 giving her own view of this extraordinary science, with great
 clearness of thought  and beauty  of expression.   And  here
 she seemed like an ethereal being—a being of another crea-
 tion—and,  in the language of the eminent  divine to whose
 church she belongs, 'she appeared perfectly sublimated.' After
 this she astonished all by determining with wonderful accu-
 racy, the phrenological character of various individuals pre-
 sent, and described with most minute exactness, their several
 diseases,  acute or chronic, incipient or confirmed.  In another 
APPENDIX.
87
room the Magnetiser directed her to 'go to sleep for just two
minutes and a half, then to wake for half a minute, and then
to go to sleep again.'  A dozen watches were instantly noting
the time—that of the Magnetiser being taken from him to
prevent the very possibility of a collusion.  The lady placed
her head in the natural position of a person  reposing in a
rocking chair, and in precisely the time designated, began to
rub her eyes, which she partially opened for the space of 30
seconds, when she closed them again, and relapsed into the
Magnetic sleep.
  " Many other experiments were tried during the continu-
ance of her  Magnetic state, in which she remained from 8
o'clock till 11; but 1 can give only a description of the  last
one, which was  to me peculiarly gratifying.  A  gentleman
present, was requested to sing  and play a German song for
her.   The first note struck brought her to the piano, when
during the prelude she persisted in standing, but the moment
he commenced the song  she sat down by him, and with a
full, sweet voice, accompanied him  in  the  very words he
sang, although in her natural state, she has no knowledge of
that language.  She then accompanied a French gentleman
in one of the songs of his country, and afterward  began
again the German song, which the pianist had been requested
to sing once more.  During  the performance  of this, she
was demagnetised, and, of course, discontinued  her  accom-
paniment.  Being asked by the writer, why she stopped, and
if l|he  would not still accompany the other voice,  she replied
that she knew neither the words nor the air.
   "These,  Messrs. Editors, are  facts, witnessed  by  several
of our citizens—facts which can not be denied, however scep-
tics may try to account  for them; and as such I give them
to you without farther comment."
   The following extract, from the Philadelphia Spirit of the
Times, is one of the most conclusive evidences of the truth
of Animal  Magnetism.   Mr. Neal  is a man of too much
character to be suspected.
   " By special invitation, we attended yesterday morning a
private  exhibition, at  the  room of Mr. Johnson, the cele-
brated Magnetiser, whose experiments at the Masonic Hall,
are just now the talk of the whole  city, and attract every
evenin°" crowds of the most incredulous, curious, inquisitive,
scientific, and unlearned of our city.
   « When we entered his private chamber,  (it was at Mrs.
Reynold's boarding House, in Chesnut above Seventh st.,)
• 
88
APPENDIX.
we found already present, Joseph  C. Neal, Editor of the
Pennsylvanian, and talented author of the popular ' Charcoal
Sketches,' Rowland  Parry, of the same paper, Dr. Rey-
nell Coates, a gentleman celebrated in the annals of medi-
cine and science,  Thomas Earl, Edward M. Davis, and
James M. McKim, Esq,
  "At the request of a  sceptic, Mr. Johnson stood aside,
while Dr. Coates undertook to manipulate a lady who had
been frequently Magnetised.  He succeeded admirably, and
in a brief period, put  her into a state that every gentleman
present was  compelled to acknowledge  both  extraordinary
and wonderful.  It was a sleep, but  one differing in all its
elements from the common sleep, and hence called a ' Mag-
netic Somnolency'—the  subject being under the complete
control,  mentally, of Dr. Coates, the Magnetiser, while phy-
sically, she was insensible as a  marble statue.
  "As the principal object of Mr. Johnson was to satisfy in-
telligent gentlemen that he was no ' humbug,' and in profess-
ing  to develope to a certain extent, the hidden mysteries of
the Magnetic science, he did no more than he was warranted
by facts to attempt, we say nothing about the experiments in
clairvoyance, but  confine ourself to  the statement, that he
did succeed, on this occasion, in demonstrating beyond  the
possibility of dispute, (though none but a few ignorant quacks
in science, medicine, and letters, have ventured, in this city,
to dispute it,) that there was such a thing as ' Magnetic
sleep,' and that he was capable, without artifice or colluswn,
of producing it.
  " To satisfy the minds of the gentleman present still more,
and in order to leave no 'loop  to hang a doubt  upon,' Mr.
Johnson Magnetised the right arm of a young friend.   It
became as rigid as stone, and had all the appearance of death,
accompanied with, as usual, the total loss of all  sensibility.
Some of the gentlemen  stuck a pin  into her  arm, until  the
blood came, while the young lady laughingly exclaimed that
it produced no sensation.   Mr. Johnson  then went so far
as to make a deep incision into her hand with a pen knife—
a shocking, and to us, a cruel experiment—but she only
laughed at the operation, and observed,  that  for all the feel-
ing it could  occasion, her finger, or whole hand might  suffer
amputation.  There could be no ' humbug' in this;  and all
who examined it, voluntarily made such a statement.
   " Mr. Johnson was fearful that he had not quite convinced
the sceptical, and proposed to  partially Magnetise Joseph 
APPENDIX.
89
ro J^?» L' •  A\ the Editor °f the Pennsylvanian.   The
2J J°yuUiiy assented> for of course, no individual ac-
quainted  with Mr. Neal, could for a moment suspect him
ot a disposition to assist in the composition of a ' humbug.'
Mr INeal took a seat, and in five minutes, all the muscles
ot his lace were thrown into such a state of paralysis, that
ne was unable to open his eyes, articulate at all, or even
open his mouth.
  'What are your  sensations, Mr. Neal ?' interrogated the
Magnetiser.
  Mr. Neal  made  several violent, and contortive efforts to
speak—twisting his  chin, and agitating his  lips—but not  a
sound escaped him.
  " ' Open your eyes.'
  " He attempted it, but without success.
  " ' Can you see ?'
  " The lips and chin exhibited convulsive motion, but there
was nothing articulated.
  " ' Can you hear ?'
  " The same motion, but  no reply.
  " As his arms and  hands were not Magnetised,  a pencil
and paper were placed in his fingers.
  " It will be remembered  that Mr. Neal was only in a par-
tially Magnetic state, it being impossible for Mr. Johnson to
Magnetise any person fully and thoroughly on the first ex-
periment.
  "Mr. Neal  then wrote  in a clear,  bold hand—much
clearer and bolder than he usually employs—the lines run-
ning downward, as a man  with his eyes closed would natu-
rally write—'■I can hear acutely,  more so than common.'
  "In a  minute afterward, Mr. Neal wakened  up of him-
self, as if from a state of deep sleep ; and in reply to a ques-
tion of our own, remarked that this was the third  time he
had been thrown into such a state—having been  twice Mag-
netised by a lady before—say a year or so ago.
  »' This experiment, of course, thrust aside all  scepticism.
We presume that no man, be he  an editor, a physician or
any thing else, will  now pretend  to doubt the existence of
Animal Magnetism, or the  ability of one individual to render
another powerless, and deprive him or her of all  physical
action and sensibility.  This much is established.  He who
contradicts it will only expose his vanity and conceit to pub-
lic ridicule.   The opinions of such men as Drs. Horner
           1/5 
90
APPENDIX.
Coates, and Morris, are not to be impugned by sciolists in
matters  relating to  human physiology; though that some
silly ones, puffed up with  self importance, ever have been,
and  always will stand ready to attack the  opinions of the
wisest, is to be expected, since

             'Fools rush in where angels fear to tread,'

precisely because they are  too ignorant to be aware of the
danger."
  During our experiments some months since, at Cincinnati,
a correspondent gave the following account of them to the
Editor of the Republican, to whom we are indebted for this
copy:—
  " Many of the most interesting and successful experiments
I have yet witnessed, were  made by Mr. Johnson on Thurs-
day  evening last.  His  two  subjects, Miss  Harriet and
Frederick, were put into a Mesmeric sleep.  A gentleman,
wholly disconnected with the operator, made a request on a
slip of paper, that Mr. Johnson would will Miss Harriet
to rise from her seat, descend from the stage, and  go down
stairs into the outer room, then return  to her place, passing
on her return round the opposite side of the stage from which
she descended.  The whole of this experiment was accom-
plished,  (she being blindfold,) except that she, on her return,
ascended the same side of the stage she descended.  A small
walking cane, having a dog's head  made of white  bone, on
the end, mounted with gold, and the name of the owner en-
graved upon a slip of the gold on  the  forehead of the dog,
was now handed to Mr. Johnson, with a request  that the
sleepers  should describe it.  On being asked what it was he
held in his hand, both instantly answered, 'some thing long
and round,' 'some thing on the end of it.'  Miss Harriet said,
' a queer little thing,' ' some writing on the top of it,' ' looks
bright like silver,' ' dog's head on  the end  of it.' Frederick
said, ' a  queer  little thing  made of bone on the end of it/
' writing on there.'   Both said, ' to hold in the hand,' ' to go
along with/ and various other equally accurate and  remarka-
ble  expressions, clearly  showing  they saw the article dis-
tinctly through the mind of the operator.   A bunch of green
plants and  flowers, sent  up by a  lady, was  next desired to
be described.  Both  described it accurately—both said it ' be-
longed to a lady,' ' looked pretty,' ' that's good,' and on Mr.
Johnson smelling it, Miss Harriet  said, 'smells  sweet,'
' oh ! what pretty flowers.'   A silver snuff box, with letters 
APPENDIX.
91
plainly engraved upon it, was then handed to Mr. J., with a
request that  the letters should  be described.  This, both of
them failed to accomplish.   Miss H. stating the number to be
seven,  when there were nine—and making two or three mis-
takes as to the. name of the letters.  Mr. Johnson remarked,
that he had  rarely been able to obtain, from either of  the
subjects, accurate descriptions of letters.  This was the only
experiment in which there was a decided failure, so far as I
recollect, in the whole course of the evening.  Another snuff
box, of a dark color, having a handsome painting of a lady
on the  lid, was then desired  to  be described.  Both  imme-
diately remarked, 'ah ! that's dark,' 'painting on  there,' one
said, the other, ' some thing pretty on  there.' Miss Harriet
said, on farther interrogation, ' a face there,' < a lady,' ' ruffles
round  the neck,''pink handkerchief;' all  these were pre-
cisely descriptive of the picture.  A  gold  watch was then
handed Mr. Johnson.  Both said it was ' a gold watch,' and
on being desired to tell the time, both said,  after apparently
counting  up  the figures,  ' twenty-five minutes,' and then
some thing indistinctly about 'nine'—it in reality wanted
twenty-five minutes of ten by that watch, but it was precisely
twenty-five minutes after nine by other watches present.
  " Mr. Johnson's  ear was  severely pinched—both  imme-
diately exhibited signs of being hurt, and  on  being asked
what was the matter, said ' don't  like that,'—' hurts,'—«where
are you hurt ?' was asked—Miss H. said, ' on the head,' at
the same time putting her hand to her ear.   Mr. J.'s hair was
then pulled, both said,—' don't  like that,' ' hurts,'—' pulling
hair.'  Mr. J. now took some tobacco in his mouth; both
immediately began to move their lips, and make wry faces—
both said, ' don't like that,' ' bad.' On  being asked what it
was, Miss H. answered ' tobacco.'  All these  answers were
reported by the committee appointed for the purpose :—they
were Dr. Latta, Esq.uire  Singer,  and  Mr. Plummer.
I myself stood by the side of Miss Harriet, and distinctly
heard  the answers  I have detailed.   As Frederick was
talking at the same time, and was some distance from me, I
did not hear  half he said, but his answers, many of which
were not reported,) seemed to give entire satisfaction to those
near him, and often  times excited a good  deal of amuse^
ment.
  »Mr. Johnson now announced he would  make some
Phrenological experiments—and began by exhibiting a dis- 
92
APPENDIX.
covery which he and Dr. Parnell, (the Phrenologist,) had
that day made.   Mr. J. gave Dr. P. the credit of making
the discovery, as the experiments were made at his sugges-
tion.  Mr.  J. said, nothing of the kind, had  ever,  to  his
knowledge, been noticed by writers on the subject, and as
Dr. P. claimed it to be original with him, it was but fair he
should have the  credit of the discovery.   It was claimed
that each phrenological organ on the head, had a pole, ox
sympathetic point of the face.  Mr. J. placed the ends of his
fore fingers on the  corner of Miss Harriet's  mouth, she
immediately began  to  smile and looked pleased.  It  was
claimed that these were the sympathetic points or poles of
the organ of Mirthfulness.  The finger was now placed on
the latter organ, and she commenced laughing immoderately.
The finger was then  placed on the point of the chin,  as the
pole  of  the  organ  of  Combativeness—she  immediately
clenched her  fists, scowled, and exhibited other signs of
combativeness, but afterward, to  a  much a greater extent,
when the organ of Combativeness was itself pressed.  These
experiments clearly showed that there are sympathetic points
in the face  with ttie various organs of the brain, as delinea-
ted by Phrenologists.   Various   Phrenological experiments
were then made, and all with the most triumphant success.
One was remarkable to a great decree.  The organ of Tune
was pressed; immediately Miss  H.  began singing the Cra-
covienne ; Mr. J. then pressed the organ of Veneration, still
holding his finger on  the organ of  Tune; she instantly
changed the air,  and  commenced  singing Old  Hundred.
What is very astonishing, and conclusively proves that there
was no deception whatever in the experiments, whenever an
organ of Miss Harriet's was  pressed, Frederick, who
was some distance from her, and who was not touched at all,
would exhibit the same passion or faculty exhibited by her,
and corresponding with the claims of Phrenologists—and so
vice versa.   For instance,—the   moment  Miss Harriet's
organ of Tune was  excited, they both  began to sing, and
when Frederick's  organ of Combativeness  was excited,
both immediately made the most  pugnacious demonstrations.
Nothing can be more complete, than the proof, which these
experiments afford, of the truth of Phrenology.
  " I know not when  I have been more gratified, than  by the
experiments of Mr. Johnson on that evening; they could not
have failed, I should suppose, to  convince every person pre-
sent of the  undoubted truth of both  Mesmerism and  Phre- 
APPENDIX.
93
nology, and such seemed to be the sentiments of every one
1 neard express an opinion on the subject.            C "
  Amputation of a  Limb—The  Editor  of  the Bangor
Courier gives an  account of a surgical  operation in that
city, which  he witnessed on Saturday-the patient having
been previously thrown  into  the  Magnetic sleep by D?
Ueare.   1 he operation was the painful one of amputating
a leg, and was performed by Dr. Hose a  Rich, assisted bv
several other gentlemen, upon  Luther Carey, whose \e<?
from infancy, had been deformed, and had caused him much
pain and inconvenience.  The Editor of the Courier says :
  " During  the operation, the patient complained  of a sen-
sation  in  the  bottom of his foot, as though  some one was
pricking it; and at one time, for a brief period, appeared  to
be rousing from  the Magnetic  state, and half conscious, by
suspicion at least, that the operation  had commenced, and at
this  time  there was quite a struggle and much muscular
action ; but he was soon thrown more fully into the Mag-
netic state,  and was  then quite unconscious of what was
going on; entering into conversation respecting the opera-
tion, and proposing that it be postponed  until the next week,
&c, and insisting, even after the leg was amputated, that he
would  not have it done until it was fully paralysed, at the
same time expressing some doubt whether the doctor would
be able to accomplish this. After the operation had  been per-
formed and the limb dressed, Mr. Carey was placed in his
bed, being still  in the Magnetic state,  and was induced  to
sing.  His aged, widowed  mother was called,  and entered
the room just  as  he was singing with much zeal, which
greatly affected  the aged woman, and  she burst into tears.
Mr. Carey was now taken  out of the  Magnetic sleep, and
on rousing up appeared quite startled on seeing the company
present;  and, speaking to his sister and to his mother, a shade
of sadness passed over his countenance, as he told them, he
had postponed having the operation performed, until the doc-
tor should be more successful in paralysing his  leg. A pass-
ing  smile over all countenances, led him to suspect there
might  be something in the wind, and  it then  occurred to
him that he was in bed, and in attempting to rise, he was
cautioned not to do it, upon which he remarked, that perhaps
his leg was off, and he was placed in bed.  Upon beino- as-
sured of the fact, he in great glee cried out, < Good ! I am
glad the old leg is off!'  He then stated  that the only sen-
sation he had  experienced was  like  that of some one prick-
ing the bottom of his foot." 
94
APPENDIX.
  The following cases are  extracted from  the  Appendix
of the Providence edition of Deluze.  The  first is con-
tained in a letter from  Dr. Cleveland, of Pawtuxet;  the
second from Dr.  Capron, of Providence, and the third from
Dr. Cutter, of  New-Hampshire.   They show the  efficacy
of Magnetism for curative purposes :—
  " The first case I will present, is that of Miss-------, pos-
sessing a constitution originally firm, but recently much im-
paired by disease, affecting principally the  nervous  system.
Neither the patient nor  myself had ever seen any manipula-
tions, and she knew nothing of Magnetism, even by name,
as it was then but recently introduced  to  public notice in
New-England.
  "About the first of January, of the present year, she was
attacked  with an inflammation of the  lungs.  Her nerves
became so much  excited as to baffle all  the ordinary means
of quieting them, or of  producing sleep.  She was fast sink-
ing for the want  of rest; the least  noise, even  the snapping
of the fire, throwing her into painful spasms.
  " Having  heard of the effects of Animal Magnetism in
cases of this kind, I gave it a trial, which resulted in procur-
ing more quiet sleep in five successive hours, than she had
experienced in as many preceding days.   But it took me an
hour and a half  before  she was  put into this  sleep,  and  my
perseverance was rewarded by the most clairvoyant somnam-
bulism at this first essay.  This was repeated daily, with  the
same  happy effects, in  relation to the repose which  she  en-
joyed ; and she soon became convalescent.  A firmness was
imparted to  the nerves,  which I had despaired of imparting
by the usual medicinal  means; and although she is not re-
stored to perfect health, her life was, in my  opinion,  pre-
served wholly by the  salutary influence  of the Magnetic
practice.
  " Dr.  Eldridge,  of East-Greenwich,  Dr. Perry, of
Newport, Dr. Cleveland,  of Pawtucket, and  many other
physicians, have  had an opportunity to see this patient.  Her
clairvoyance is very lucid, and while in the Magnetic state
she reads any book with facility, though every precaution be
used to bandage  and secure her eyes."
  " Some time in the course  of the last spring, I was called
upon to go and extract  some teeth  for a lady, who had been
for a number of  weeks tormented with that worst of all tor-
ments, the teeth ache.   It was her  desire to be put into  the
Magnetic state, that she might not  be sensible of the pain of 
APPENDIX.
95
extracting. To gratify her, I made the experiment, with little
confidence of success, I acknowledge.   I continued the pro-
cess about half an  hour without producing sleep.  Beino-
fatigued, I discontinued it, and advised her to have them ex-
tracted  in  the waking state;  but  to my surprise, her  teeth
were so effectually relieved from the pain, thai she considered
the operation of extracting unnecessary.
  " Three months afterward  she informed  me that she had
had no return of this troublesome affection."
  ''Dyspepsia and Spinal Irritation.—Miss F. F., for some
years had been afflicted with  pain  in the stomach and back,
attended with soreness, appetite capricious, and when  food
was taken it caused much distress.  Under the circumstan-
ces, at her request, I  Magnetised her.  It caused sleep, free
sweating, and complete  relief from  pain.  Magnetism was
repeated several times.   The pain in the back and stomach,
and distress after taking food, were completely removed. Th
this case the patient  became  a lucid somnambulist.  After
the disease was  removed, this lady.ceased  to be a somnam-
bulist, and was not susceptible of Magnetic influence.  This
is worthy of observation in using  Magnetism  as a remedial
agent."
  A Tooth extracted from a Lady while under the Mes-
meric influence.—Dr. Parmly's high  standing as a  gentle-
man and a dentist, will claim for the following certificate an
attentive perusal.  If our readers are still unsatisfied, we fear
they are like the man described by the  poet, when he says__

                " Convince a man against his will)
                 He's of the same opinion still."

            " Niblo's Saloon, Saturday evening, Feb. 3.
  " Having accidentally heard that there were to be some ex-
periments in Animal Magnetism here this evening, I came to
see them.  After a short, but  interesting address,  on  the dis-
covery,  progress, and present  state  of this wonderful science,
a Committee was appointed by the audience, whose duty it
should be to examine carefully into the nature and truth of
the experiments.  One of the gentlemen then stated, that a
lady would be brought into the Magnetic sleep, who  had  a
tooth that  might be extracted while under Mesmeric influ-
ence.   On it being proposed  by one of the Committee that
I should be called to examine the  tooth, I did so, and  found
it to be the first large molar on the  left side of the lower jaw,
partially decayed ;  the gum and alvioli^closely investing its 
96
APPENDIX.
 neck, arid perfectly firm in the socket.   After stating to the
 audience the precise  condition of the tooth, they requested
 that 1 should extract it; which 1 declined doing, supposing
 that there was some*one present* who had been selected by
 the Magnetiser for  the  purpos^T After  the lady was ' tho-
 roughly put to sleep,' the audifeftce again called upon me to
 extract the tooth, but not being provided with instruments, a
 considerable time elapsed before they could be procured, and
 when all was ready, I applied, from the peculiar situation and
 condition of the1 tooth, the key instrument, and  in  turning
 the tooth outward, from a slight cuTvation of the fangs, the
 external portion  of the socket gave way  from the force used,
 and it became necessary to change the instrument for another,
 with which I removed the tooth.   During the whole time of
Jhe operation, I could not discover in the  sleeper the slightest
imnifestation of  feeling, or the least emotion, nor did the po-
 sition of the mouth change in the slightest degree, during the
necessary delay  occasioned  by  changing the  instruments.
The ^audience unanimously expressed their high satisfaction
 at the complete success of the Magnetise r's' power, and  also
their firm conviction that there was not the slightest attempt
at deception or collusion in  the whole  matter.  Being re-
quested by Messrs. Browne  and Pike, with  whom I  am
wholly unacquainted, never having seen either of them until
I came-into this room this evening, it  gives  me much plea-
sure to furnish them with  the above statement of facts,  just
as they occurred,  in justice to them, and also in giving another
well attested proof of the truly surprising and  wonderful
influence Mesmerism has upon the physical frame.
                     Eleazar Parmly, No. 1, Bond st.
•
THE end.
 
 
 
jUN 1 819*6 
%*L
-fir
NATIONAL library of medicine
NLM  03201=571 3
-''aSMV"'
NLM032065793